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Rain… It is as necesary as air…

However, on race day for NASCAR Sprint Cup, it is as unwelcome as a Bud hat in a Miller campsite…

The entire season blew the storm of the Chase into Richmond with wildcards and points on the line. That storm was put off as another storm blew in and kept the race in the garage for almost two hours. NASCAR and RIR staff kept things tight as the rain moved out. After all, the plan was to run under the lights. The weather was watched and the decision was held. Jet dryers and utility vehicles did a number on the track to dry it out but even then they ran the first few laps under caution.

Finally they went green on a green track with any rubber from qualifying and the Nationwide race the day before  thrown to the inner wall. The crowd braved the rain to watch Jeff Gordon blow by pole sitter Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Dale, Jr. to regain the lead shortly after. (more…)

Richmond. Nationwide Series. Elliott Sadler comes in with a slight points lead over Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. By the end of the night, following a battle putting both side by side over several laps for the race lead, Sadler spun and was off the lead lap.

One point. That is all that separates them after Richmond.

Race winner, Kevin Harvick, was there to race. That is all. Get a win if possible, like any other driver…

He is down in Nationwide points by over 900. He doesn’t even earn Nationwide points. His appearance at the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 was essentially a blender thrown into the pudding. Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin were often trying for the front leaving the points runners to run defense as well as try for championship points. (more…)

Baltimore was a tight fit, apparently…

The American Le Mans Series comes away from Baltimore with points tight and a few dents to pound out to be pretty for the Virginia debut. Coming into Virginia International Raceway, with only one other race to follow, the points separating 1st and 2nd are not enough to guarantee anyone a comfort zone. All the classes could get shaken up at VIR which means tense racing and a good show for fans.

But first, the shake up at Baltimore…

It didn’t take long. First turn from the start and everyone backs up in a tight bunch leaving several prototypes nose to tail like a stalled train. The streets of Baltimore offered no forgiveness for run off. The course was enclosed by buildings and barricades and in that first turn it was full of bumpers. A few laps and cracked carbon fiber later the racing settled down… a bit. (more…)

A practical drag race ended with Denny Hamlin rolling into Victory Lane at Atlanta. On his heels was Jeff Gordon looking for any points advantage to make the “Chase”. Hamlin is in it. Gordon is a spot down and grasping for it. With one race to go we’ll see if he can roll over team mate Kasey Kahne to grab it.

Denny Hamlin just came off the win at Bristol and is looking at Richmond which he has won before. He’s in the “Chase” so enough about him, for now.

The top 10 in Atlanta litter the “Chase” field as well. Hamlin took the win and is in. Gordon, second, is just off the pace. Brad Keselowski rolled under the flag in third and holds the sixth slot in points. Martin Truex, Jr… 4th in Atlanta and fifth in points. Kevin Harvick took fifth and holds the ninth points position. Kyle Busch finished sixth and moved up a slot dancing with the wild cards. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., seventh at Atlanta and moved to just 8 points from the first points slot he held briefly just a few races ago. Matt Kenseth was in the top 10 in Atlanta and holds the third points slot. (more…)

You’ve been looking forward to this party for a month. You’re all dressed up, new shirt, haircut, fresh undies… the works. Before you even get a chance to get your first cocktail or even a cocktail weenie, someone comes flying through the line trying to get forward before things settles in…

Now you are on the floor in a puddle of punch and spilled salsa. All of your prep and style gone before the first move even had a shot. The mess includes a pile of other people, cups, dishes, a chair or two and a scramble of folks dashing to avoid the splatter of salads and sundries.

All you can do is pick yourself up, gather your composure as best you can, bow to your host and make the exit. (more…)

Two weeks. The state of Virginia is on the eve of two solid weeks of racing and it is as diverse as it is tense. NASCAR closes in on Richmond International Raceway for September 7-8 and the checkered flag will determine the championship “Chase” field.

The following weekend should be just as tense as points are close for the contenders in the American Le Mans Series which is making a first appearance at Virginia International Raceway. Following VIR, they will close the season at Road Atlanta so time is short to gain points for championships which sums up to good racing.

This is two weeks in Virginia which could make or break season hopes for both NASCAR and ALMS. Race fans could, and should, take a look at both events. (more…)

Bristol. They tinkered with it and made it a race track instead of a bang’em and rack’em horsepower brawl. The re-surface in 2007 removed the groove and put racing over banging. The push and shove inner lane was opened to full track grip giving more lines for drivers to ride. For racing, passing and team strategies it was all good.

Fans, however, fell true to stereotypes and were not impressed with drivers doing their jobs and racing without wrecking. Fans wanted to see the faster guy bump and shove the slower guy out of the groove. If that meant a spin into the wall and sour tempers in the garage then that was just foam on the beer. (more…)