Motorsports FanHouse

Chat with Jimmie Johnson, Sam Hornish Jr., Dale Jarrett on Friday

Holly Cain — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Jarrett, Dave Blaney, Jimmie Johnson, Sam Hornish Jr., Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Join FanHouse for a NASCAR "Chat with Champions" on Friday from the world famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, site of this week's AllState 400 at the Brickyard.

Jimmie Johnson, the three-time defending Sprint Cup champion and defending AllState 400 winner, will chat live at 11:15AM Friday, followed by 2006 Indianapolis 500 winner Sam Hornish Jr., at 12:15 PM ET.

Two-time Brickyard 400 winner Dale Jarrett, NASCAR's 1999 Cup champion and current ESPN race analyst, will chat at 4:30 PM ET.

NASCAR's visit to racing's hallowed Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the most anticipated events on the schedule, and FanHouse has you covered. In addition to the interactive chats, Holly Cain will provide on-site coverage beginning Thursday with Geoffrey Miller joining her on race day.

Chat with Jimmie Johnson, Sam Hornish Jr., Dale Jarrett on Friday originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sponsors, New Team Shine Light on NASCAR

Geoffrey Miller — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:03:00 EST

Filed under: Dave Blaney, NASCAR Sponsors, Sprint Cup

Finally, the NASCAR world is feeling a little bit of good news amidst a backdrop of nothing but bad for both the sport's and the rest of a world's business climate.

Earlier this week, Tommy Baldwin, Jr. -- the Daytona 500-winning crew chief from 2002 with Bill Davis Racing's Ward Burton -- announced he was putting plans in place to field a new race single-car race team for the 2008 season starting with next month's Daytona 500.

The team, Tommy Baldwin Racing, said in its PR that "With tough economic times upon us, the timing for starting this team is right. Our overhead is low and we have a great group of talented mechanics and specialists to choose from. We can offer sponsors the chance to get into Sprint Cup racing at a fraction of the costs [...]."

It sure seems odd that "tough economic times" and "timing [...] is right" go together, but there's a vast amount of resources available in the Sprint Cup market place in terms of mechanics and other crew members who have been laid off, in addition to teams that are probably selling off inventory to gain back some capital.

With the right amount of sponsors and a little bit of help from Toyota, this team could be an interesting low-budget venture. Jayski says the driver could be Dave Blaney from the unsponsored No. 22 BDR team.

Additionally, JR Motorsports, General Motors and Dodge all had a small bit of good news this week.

JR Motorsports, looking to field a Nationwide Series team for the talented Brad Keselowski after the loss of the U.S. Navy sponsorship in 2008, announced this week that GoDaddy.com will pick up the slack for the sponsorship. Keselowski will also run seven Sprint Cup races with the sponsor in 2009.

Also, GM, facing a few problems with the auto industry, announced that they'll continue their sponsorship at Daytona while Dodge indicated that while a 30 percent reduction in their NASCAR budget will reduce some sponsorships and promo displays, they won't be cutting research and development for their teams -- hoping that the lower number of teams in the camp will increase results.

Dodge failed to score a team in the 2008 Chase.

The outlook isn't exactly bright for NASCAR at the moment, but any bit of good news is surely welcome.

Sponsors, New Team Shine Light on NASCAR originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyotas Finding Qualifying Speed at Daytona

Geoffrey Miller — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:18:00 EST

Filed under: Brian Vickers, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Toyota, Daytona Int'l Speedway, Dave Blaney, Sprint Cup, NASCAR Testing

Most people aren't shocked to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. near the top of the speed chart at Daytona.

But when a second glance at the speed charts from the first day of the second round of Sprint Cup Series Daytona testing showed eight Toyotas in the top ten, more than a few people had to be somewhat surprised.

Dave Blaney's No. 22B Toyota took the top time Monday at 185.445 mph. Blaney set the fastest single-lap time of the both last week's session and the two from Monday.

Weather in Daytona was roughly 8-10 degrees cooler Monday than any day last week which could easily contribute to faster speeds.

There were no reported incidents during the first day despite 53 different cars finding the track in the second session at some point.

The rest of the Top-5 include Earnhardt Jr. (185.426mph), No. 83 Brian Vickers (185.307mph), No. 44 Dale Jarrett (185.292mph), and No. 55 Michael Waltrip (185.227mph).

Tony Stewart, Michael Waltip's No. 55M, Dale Jarrett's No. 44B, Vickers' No. 83B, and Dario Franchitti rounded out the Top-10. Last year's Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick reached just 39th in the afternoon speed chart with a lap of 181.939mph.

Toyotas Finding Qualifying Speed at Daytona originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blaney Closes in Talladega, Back in Top 35

tallglassofmilk — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:54:00 EST

Filed under: Nextel Cup, Dave Blaney

Dave Blaney received a new distinction after yesterday's race Talladega ... that of a closer.

Blaney, who started 2nd but had fallen back by the end of the race, was one of three drivers who dramatically improved their positions over the last 19 laps of the UAW-Ford 500.

o. Denny Hamlin closed 17 places, from 21st to 4th;
o. Jimmie Johnson closed 14 places, from 16th to 2nd;
o. Casey Mears closed 12 places, from 18th to 6th;
o. Clint Bowyer closed 11 places, from 22nd to 11th;
o. Dave Blaney closed 10 places, from 13th to 3rd.

Blaney's finish--and Ken Schrader's misfortune--put the #22 back in the coveted 35th spot in owner points.

Well whaddaya know ... Victory Junction Gang Camp might get some money out of me yet.

Blaney Closes in Talladega, Back in Top 35 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BDR Resigns Blaney, Thoughts on the 2008 Driver Talent Pool

tallglassofmilk — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: NASCAR Silly Season, Dave Blaney

In 2006, Dave Blaney closed the season with an average finishing spot of 24.4 and the #22 Caterpillar Dodge finished in the 27th position in owner points. So far this season, Blaney's lowered his finishing average in the #22 Caterpillar Toyota to 29.0 and is likely to finish the season outside the top 35 in owner points, which means the team will already be starting 2008 at a disadvantage.

Still, Blaney managed to get his option picked up by Bill Davis Racing to drive for at least one more season. By now, everyone reading the NASCAR Fanhouse can probably guess my thoughts on that, so I'll spare you--and my inbox from the "Why are you bashing Blaney?" emails. Unfamiliar? Here's the Blaney category link.

The talent pool isn't really that shallow for next season, is it? Let's have a look ... here's a partial list of current, experienced Cup drivers available for a Cup ride in 2008 (partially compiled from Jayski):

Driver (2008 Avg. Finish/Starts)
John Andretti (33.7/10) - to the #49?
Mike Bliss (27.2/4)
Jeff Green (27/28)
Sterling Marlin (26.5/19)
Jeremy Mayfield (32.5/11)
Joe Nemechek (28.3/23) - to the #78?
Tony Raines (26.8/26)
Scott Riggs (29.1/22) - to the #66?
Ken Schrader (30.5/11)
David Stremme (25.6/28) - to the #10?
Kenny Wallace (30.2/14)

Ok ... I can go with shallow.

The pool doesn't get much deeper in the Busch or NCTS series, either--unless Mike Skinner and Ron Hornaday are looking to come up and I'm just not aware of it. Travis Kvapil already got his ride ... I could see Yates making room for Kvapil's Roush teammate, Erik Darnell, too, in a third car for the team. Darnell seems to me to be the next most likely candidate to move up from the Truck series ... if Roush had an open seat.

In the Busch series, there are only eight driver in the top 20 who aren't already driving in the Cup series--and of those, four have already tried and not had great success in Cup. That leaves Marcos Ambrose, Stephen Leicht, Steve Wallace and Kyle Krisiloff, none of whom I think are ready to graduate.

What's a team owner to do? Besides renew a Blaney ...

BDR Resigns Blaney, Thoughts on the 2008 Driver Talent Pool originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 29 Sep 2007 15:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Blaney's Dover DNQ End the Challenge?

tallglassofmilk — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 07:22:00 EST

Filed under: Nextel Cup, Dave Blaney

Ok ... I am officially starting to feel for the #22 Caterpillar Toyota Team. If The Blaniac Challenge has served any purpose--besides getting Dave Blaney a lot more coverage in the Fanhouse than he would have had--it's been to make me pay more attention to the teams outside the top 35.

So, Blaney failed to qualify for the Dodge Dealers 400--his third DNQ of this season. It's going to be much harder to come back now after taking home zero points when those above and below him in the standings will be racing Sunday.

The timing couldn't be worse with the season winding down and teams looking for guaranteed starting spots in the first five races of 2008, including the always-overflowing field at Daytona.

Not only is Ken Schrader going to pull away from Blaney in the #21 car ... Scott Riggs stands to close the gap between 36th and 37th significantly, particularly if his 6th-place starting position holds up.

Unless Blaney starts pulling off some solid finishes in the last remaining races, his chances of finishing in the top 35 are getting slimmer. I'm not saying it's over yet, I'm just saying ...

As expected, I have enjoyed The Blaniac Challenge, even though Blaney's fans seem to have stopped following along--or at least stopped commenting.

At the very least, the Victory Junction Gang Camp will get a $22 consolation donation. It's not much, but Pattie Petty says every donation--no matter how small--makes a difference. It's the least I can do on behalf of the Blaniacs who made a difference this season in the NASCAR Fanhouse.

Will Blaney's Dover DNQ End the Challenge? originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 23 Sep 2007 07:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blaney Can't Finish and Other Regurgitations

tallglassofmilk — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:49:00 EST

Filed under: Juan Montoya, Dale Earnhardt Inc., Dave Blaney, David Ragan

Blaney Confused, But We Know
Dave Blaney can't believe his team is still struggling for a spot in the top 35:

"Honestly, with 10 races left, I can't believe we're sitting here fighting for a spot in the top 35 because this Caterpillar team has run so much better than that so many times. Tommy has done a great job of bringing good cars to the track every week, but we've just had so many problems either finishing races at all or finishing them in one piece."

Um .. yeah. I think that's what I said. I'll be rooting for Ken Schrader this weekend.

Ragan 14, Montoya 11
I meant to include Lead Lap Finishes in my rookie chart the other day, but forgot. I was reminded today when I read The Juan Pablo "Crash" Montoya Running Incident Report on The Black Flag Blog.

He gets what in his contract?
The Nemechek//Marlin suits against Ginn/DEI provide a rare inside glimpse into the structure of drivers' contracts.

DEI Engines Blow
Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn't the only one who gets bad engines at DEI. Martin Truex Jr. blew one in testing at Talladega on Monday ... and another last month at Iowa. Those are the engines they give Junior on race day.

Blaney Can't Finish and Other Regurgitations originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kahne, Montoya Start Out Front at Bristol

Geoffrey Miller — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray, Juan Montoya, Bristol Motor Speedway, Nextel Cup, Dave Blaney, Ward Burton, David Ragan, Gillette-Evernham Motorsports, Car of Tomorrow, NASCAR Tracks, Chase for the Sprint Cup

I don't think I could ever pick Kasey Kahne to win at Bristol after seeing him crash out of his first Nextel Cup race at the track during his rookie season. Needless to say, Kahne was so shook up from the experience that he was literally shaking on camera.

Friday night, though, he apparently found a good way to calm down.

Kahne won the pole for Saturday night's Sharpie 500 at the half-mile Bristol Motor Speedway with a lap of 16.016 seconds, or 119.805 mph.

Juan Pablo Montoya will line up on his outside with Jamie McMurray, David Ragan and Dave Blaney rounding out the top-5. Virginia-native Ward Burton dropped a nice lap and will start 14th.

Bristol just got a facelift over the summer with a brand-new concrete repaving job, and it really set back the lap times at the track. Jeff Gordon won the pole at BMS in April with a lap 125.453 mph in the first Car of Tomorrow race, obviously much quicker than Kahne's lap.

Slower speeds, though, could add up to better race Saturday night with more side-by-side racing because cars are more even.

As if Bristol really needs to get any better though.

Kahne, Montoya Start Out Front at Bristol originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 24 Aug 2007 18:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mayfield To Leave BDR, TGOM to Join Blaney Show

tallglassofmilk — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Nextel Cup, NASCAR Silly Season, Dave Blaney, Jeremy Mayfield, Bill Davis Racing

Bill Davis Racing announced today that driver Jeremy Mayfield has decided not to return to the #36 team next year and wants to explore other opportunities.

Mayfield:

"I've been in this sport long enough to know that it takes time to bring a brand new car up to speed in what is probably the most competitive racing series in the world.

"When I made the decision to move here to BDR with an untested car and a sponsor completely unfamiliar with NASCAR, I knew it would be somewhat of a gamble. I believed then, and I believe now, that Toyota has a bright future in the Cup Series and is making progress every weekend. You only have to look at their success in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and now in the Busch Series to see where it can go.

"I think Bill will be successful in resolving the issues that have hampered the #36 team this year. But I think I have delivered what I can to the effort and looking at the total picture-what's best for me, what's best for the team-I believe this is the right time for me to consider other opportunities. I can assure you, we will do our best to build on the first half of this season and put the #36 in front in this second half of the 2007 season."

I can't be the only one wondering if Mayfield decided on his own that now was the right time to consider other opportunities or this is PR speak for, "You're outta here at the end of the season. If you want to save face, we're willing to say it was your decision."

Whatever the case, it's not like Mayfield has gotten to drive a lot this season. I'm sure a change of pace would suit him just fine. I just hope he's realistic about the opportunities available to him in the Cup level at this point.

The Mayfield news comes not too long after BDR announced that Tommy Baldwin will reunite with the #22 car to serve as Dave Blaney's crew chief. Obviously, they're retooling things over there.

Speaking of Blaney, the Dave Blaney Fan Show has invited me to call in to the show tonight. I intend to oblige them, however, at the moment my schedule is a little iffy so I'm not sure exactly what time. The show airs from 8-9:30PM on Quickest Lap Internet Radio.

What are we going to discuss? They didn't say, but I'm pretty sure it will be related to the Blaney Challenge. I'll tell ya what (ha!), I'm really enjoying the Blaney fans.

Update: I tried several times but was unable to get through on the call-in line. I'm telling ya, the fans are passionate. They kept the lines busy! Next time!

Mayfield To Leave BDR, TGOM to Join Blaney Show originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tallglassofmilk Accepts The Blaniac Challenge

tallglassofmilk — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Brian Vickers, Scott Riggs, NASCAR Fans, Dave Blaney

I really have nothing against Dave Blaney. Really, I don't. He just happens to be that guy sitting in the hot seat right now. Nothing personal ... except that I personally have never been impressed by him.

No, I haven't followed his whole career--my only frame of reference is the Nextel Cup Series. No, I've never met him personally so I don't know what a great guy he is, or how nice his parents are ... but even if I did I might still feel the same about his driving.

Some fans are taking this personally.

The Blaniacs have taken me to task for my criticism of Blaney's inability to close and for questioning his ability to take advantage of recent situations he's found himself in.

For daring to doubt his talent, I've been issued a challenge:

"If you are so sure he has no talent, let's make a friendly wager of $100.00, if he finishes the season outside of the top 35, you get my hundred bucks, if he finishes inside the top 35, you make a check out to VJGC....and in the memo put, "KTF Blaniacs."

For the record, I never said he had no talent, I just said his talent hasn't impressed me. The passion of his fans, however, has.

As such, I accept their challenge, with modifications.

If Blaney finishes out the season with the #22 in the top 35 in owner points, I will make a donation of $35 to the Victory Junction Gang Camp. For each additional position claimed in the standings, I will add another $10, so the higher he finishes, the higher the amount.

My challenge to the Blaniacs: Make me a Blaney fan by the end of the season so that I'm happy losing the bet and not actively rooting against him (and the charity).

'Til then ... Brian Vickers, Scott Riggs, Bill Elliott, Johnny Sauter and Jeff Green (you guys are killing me) have a new cheering section!

Previously on Fanhouse
Blaney Steals Ginn's Gift to Wood Brothers
Blaney Blows the Lead, Not A Finisher
Blaney on Pole and Other Toyota Qualifying Surprises

Tallglassofmilk Accepts The Blaniac Challenge originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 04 Aug 2007 12:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Junior Scores First Pole in Five Years

tallglassofmilk — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 01:34:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne, Scott Riggs, Dale Earnhardt Inc., NASCAR Awards, NASCAR Sponsors, Dave Blaney

Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored his first pole in five years ... on the third day of the eighth month. 8-3=5 Is it a sign he should drive the #5? I don't know, but a reader told me the fans were discussing it on the The Pit Board.

On the Pocono Racway tri-oval no less, where he's only had only one top 5 starting spot in 15 races and has never had a win.

Unfortunately, right after qualifying, the #8 team managed to push the Budweiser Chevrolet off the scales smack into a Gator vehicle smashing the front end in--nothing they could have done to stop it. Hmmm. Just what we need ... more fuel for the conspiracy theorists.

Nonetheless, I'm sure Junior celebrated with a few Buds tonight and is totally stoked about winning another Bud Pole Award before he passes the Bud (Light) sponsor torch to Kasey Kahne at the end of the season.

Kahne's teammate, Scott Riggs, was once again the highest qualifier of those racing in on time.

Losers of the Week (DNQs)
#49 Mike Bliss (12), #84 AJ Allmendinger (13), # 37 Kevin Lepage (16), # 78 Kenny Wallace (12)

Pennsylvania 500 Race Lineup

Junior Scores First Pole in Five Years originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 04 Aug 2007 01:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blaney Steals Ginn's Gift to Wood Brothers

tallglassofmilk — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Nextel Cup, Dave Blaney

Dave Blaney got something in Indianapolis last week he hasn't have since the beginning of the season - a guaranteed starting spot for the next race.

When Ginn folded into DEI and gave up the #13 team, they forfeited their position in the top 35 in the owner standings and the Wood Brothers / JTG Racing #21 got their guaranteed starting spot at Indy.

Veteran driver Bill Elliott saved a provisional, but finished 23rd, giving up the #21's position in the standings to the #22 of Blaney, who finished 9th--a season best.

Question I have to ask, yet again--and at the risk of upsetting the Blaney fans again (yes, he has some)--is, what is Blaney going to do with it? He didn't capitalize on it at the beginning of the season and he only has a 37 point cushion headed to Pocono.

So, what do you think? He holds on to it or gives it back to Elliott?

Update: Tallglassofmilk Accepts The Blaniac Challenge

Blaney Steals Ginn's Gift to Wood Brothers originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blaney Blows the Lead, Not A Finisher

tallglassofmilk — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 20:51:00 EST

Filed under: Toyota, Nextel Cup, Dave Blaney

When Brian Vickers finished fifth in the Coca-Cola 600 and I named him Toyota's emerging star, a reader pointed out, "Um, I think the 22's the highest Toyota in points and has made the most races (even without relying on owner points)."

To that I must say, "It's not how you start the race, it's how you finish."

At the beginning of the season, Dave Blaney was the only Toyota driver with a guaranteed starting spot in the first five races. Bill Davis was the only Toyota owner with a returning team with an owner in the top 35 from last year. All the rest were new teams forced to race their way in.

What did Blaney do with such good fortune? Nada. Failed to capitalize. He maintained a top 35 spot for all of one race after finishing 34th in Daytona. Engine trouble plummeted him to 42nd position the second week of the season and he has fought his was back to hover between 36th and 37th since Bristol.

Blaney has only missed two races since being forced to qualify on time, and yet he has only one top 15 finish to show for it.

Today, even though Blaney started on the pole, it was more of the same. He did manage to hang on to the lead for several laps, but by the last one he was down a lap and strolled across the checkers in 29th.

Not gittin' 'er done. And never has. In his previous six full-time Cup seasons, he's finished in the top 20 once and averages just better than 25th.

Bill and Gail Davis are great NASCAR owners with a devoted sponsor in Caterpillar. Wouldn't it be great to see what this team could do if they had a driver who could finish better than he starts?

Blaney Blows the Lead, Not A Finisher originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 01 Jul 2007 20:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blaney on Pole and Other Toyota Qualifying Surprises

tallglassofmilk — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Brian Vickers, Dale Jarrett, Kasey Kahne, Michael Waltrip, Toyota, NASCAR Awards, Nextel Cup, Michael Waltrip Racing, Dave Blaney

Toyota is celebrating a Nextel Cup milestone today: their first Bud Pole Award.

Dave Blaney put the manufacturer on top of the New Hampshire International Speedway scoring pylon today and became the first driver outside the top 35 in points to nab the pole.

Blaney has qualified for more races than any other Toyota driver, but he doesn't seem to know what to do once he gets there and can't seem to climb his way into the top 35. Kyle Petty's trying to help him out by sitting out a few.

Brian Vickers, who I had previously named as Toyota's emerging star, has qualified on time for 9 races and made Sunday's Lenox Industrial Tools 300 his tenth. Unfortunately, he got a post-qualifying surprise when his time was disallowed after the #83 car failed inspection. He'll join Red Bull teammate A.J. Allmendinger on the couch.

Per usual, Michael Waltrip and Dale Jarrett will be sitting this one out, but MWR's David Reutimann is in starting 17th.

And in another qualifying surprise, Blaney's teammate Jeremy Mayfield qualified for his sixth race. Remember when he was, like, a chase contender?

One man's loss is another man's gain.
Since Vickers won't need his PR rep in the pits on raceday, Ashley Miller will be free to sit atop her boyfriend's pit box and give him the extra girlfriend support he might be needing since recently meeting her parents. What must it be like bringing Kasey Kahne home to meet mom and dad?

Blaney on Pole and Other Toyota Qualifying Surprises originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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