The Chase

The Playoffs! NASCAR style! I will have to say this is my favorite time of the year. I don't keep up with much in the sporting world except for the Cowboys of course and the Red Raiders. I actually like college sports much more than pro. It's kids like Danny Amendola, Wes Welker and, my all time favorite, Zach Thomas, that attract me to college sports. They are guys that weren't really sought after in the recruiting ranks. But with shear determination and the love of the game, these guys persevere. Each one of these guys have fond places in my heart. The Zach Thomas interception in the closing seconds of the aggie game in 1995, Wes Welker punt returns for touchdowns, and Danny Amendola out working larger opponents for Red Raider TD's. I guess the reason why I enjoy the Zach Thomas interception ssssooooo much, I was in the south end-zone at, then, Jones Stadium, waving him in to beat the aggies.

On to NASCAR. The thing that attracts me to NASCAR is horsepower and the way those guys squeeze it all out of those cars and make the rubber meet the asphalt. I was not a huge fan of NASCAR till the 2005 season. I made my first race at Texas Motor Speedway. When they got the command to fire the engines and moved onto the track, chill bumps ran up and down my spine. Then, when the pace car left the track and the boys took the green, MAN! I was hooked! I made the 2006 spring and fall race at TMS.

The chase, for those of you not in the "know" of NASCAR, is made up of the top 12 drivers in points through this past weekend. One of my drivers, Matt Kenseth, has made every "chase" since it was created 5 years ago. Actually, the first year the "chase" was created, all 5 of the Roush cars were in. No other owner has had all of his rides in the chase. That year, Kurt Busch was still in the roush stable, but did not race in the last 2 races of the year due to a DUI and a skirmish with the Maricopa County Sheriff's office. He was sponsored by Crown Royal, and his contract prohibited drinking and driving. PLUS he had already made an "in-season" deal with Penske to take over Rusty Wallace's seat in the blue deuce. He has not been a contender since the move.

Let's talk a little bit about this year's "chase" drivers. In the top spot, which he has owned nearly since Daytona, is Kyle Busch. He is the younger brother of Kurt, is from Las Vegas and is one of the "bad boys" of the sport. He's very arrogant and not one of my favorites. He drove the 5 kelloggs car, after the retirement of "Texas" Terry LaBonte, for Hendrick Motor Sports. He left that ride last year and has been driving for Joe Gibbs Racing this year in, all things, A Toyota. In the second spot is "Cousin" Carl Edwards. He drives the 99 Roush Fenway Racing Office Depot Ford Fusion. Carl is one of my favorites. He is a phenom of sorts, getting Jack Roush's attention by handing him a business card at a race that simply said "Carl Edwards, I need a ride". He started out in the Craftsman Truck Series and worked his way up through the ranks into his current Cup ride. His race winning gesture has captivated many fans. He stands on the window of his car and does a back flip out of the car. I still remember his first win in Atlanta when he patented his back flip. In the 3rd spot is Jimmy Johnson. I will have to say, I like nearly all of the drivers, I probably pull for certain one's not to win more than I pull for anyone in particular. Johnson would be one of those guy's I love to see hit the wall. Some what of a cry baby when he doesn't get his way, Jimmy is one of those guy's you love to hate. He is the reigning 2 time champ of the series. It is going to be really hard for me to see Mark Martin a team mate of his this next year. (it's hard enough for me to see Mark driving a chevy! LOL!) In the 4th spot is, every one's favorite. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. made the move from his father's company, now owned and operated by his step-mom and his dad's widow Theresa Earnhardt, to Hendrick this year and took over the ride that Kyle Busch had last year. What used to be the #5 kelloggs car is now the #88 Amp Energy Drink chevy. After a somewhat successful first part of the season, Jr. has struggled a bit as of late, taking heat for both he and his Crew Chief, cousin Tony Eury Jr., by the Jr. Nation. Don't worry, He will do fine! In the #5 spot is Clint Bowyer. Clint is form Emporia, Kansas and the darling of the state. He was on the bubble much of the season, in and out of the top 12, but with his performance on Sunday, shot up from #12 to #5 in the standings. Clint drives the #07 Jack Daniels Chevy for Richard Childress Racing. I really like this kid. He is leading the old Busch, now the Nationwide, Series. He can drive a race car. #6 in the standings is Denny Hamlin. Denny is another one of those "phenom" type guys that took the sport by storm. Driving the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing, Fed Ex Toyota, you can't scratch him out. he is a very scrappy driver and a lot of fun to watch. 7th in the standings is Jeff Burton. Jeff is the driver of the Richard Childress Racing #31 AT&T chevy. A former Roush driver, Jeff won the inaugural race at Texas. And by the way, is the only driver to win 2 races there. Burton is another one of those Mark Martin style drivers, racing everyone very clean and expects to be treated the same. In the 8th spot is Tony Stewart. Tony is finishing up his career with JGR this year and will be moving over to Stewart Haas racing next year. Yes, the Stewart 1/2 of the name is his. Haas lured him away from JGR with 1/2 ownership in the company and Chevy paid out his existing contract at JGR to get him back in a Chevy. Tony will be a contender! 9th is Greg Biffle. Another Roush Fenway driver, Greg is known for his driving technique. He can drive the loosest race car better than anyone I know. And #10, poor old Jeff Gordon. He's another one of those you love to hate. Anytime he's in the wall, I laugh! #11 is Kevin Harvick. Harvick is the guy thrust into the limelight in 2001 after the untimely death of Dale Earnhardt. He's one of those "bad boys" that you either like or hate. I like him. He's very competitive, He's fun to watch. And last but not least, Matt Kenseth. Matt is out of the Roush stable. He is a past 2 time champ of the series, and the 3rd of the Roush cars in the chase. Matt was pretty much written off earlier in the year, but has rallied as of late to make his 5th consecutive chase.

Disappointments: I was really pulling for young David Ragan to make the chase. Watch out for this guy in the years to come, he's for real.

Predictions: Carl Edwards all the way! You gotta love this guy!

Have fun today! And yes, I'm bored, the rain has made my day somewhat uneventful!

Preston