Hamlin Shows Gordon How to Dance at AMS

The 11 FedEx/SportsClip team during post race inspection.

In an attempt to take back the spot as the best dancing driver in NASCAR, Jeff Gordon surprisingly wobbled at his chance to retake the throne in last night’s race at Atlanta.

Last week Denny Hamlin was dancing to the wobble during driver introductions at Bristol, and next week in Richmond we’ll hear “Drop it like it’s hot” because that’s exactly what this team is doing right now.

After last week’s win at Bristol, Hamlin and team knew they had something special.

“I feel like we can win at any track,” said Hamlin.

Heading into Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend, Hamlin knew this track would be a test to his team. In 12 previous starts he only had one top 5 finish and 4 top 10’s. Atlanta was a track that Hamlin seemed to struggle with. He either had mechanical issues or the car was just bad.

The only bad thing about his car last night was that it was bad fast.

Jeff Gordon, who showed his dancing moves during awards week last year, was not able to break dance his way past Hamlin and catapult his chances of making the Chase.

Hamlin serving doughnuts to the crowd at AMS

Hamlin led a race high 105 laps to win the running to the AdvoCare 500. He was able to fend off a hard charging Gordon and secure his spot as the proverbial points leader heading into the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

It was Hamlin’s fourth win of the season so he is at least guaranteed a tie for the points lead. Regardless of being the points leader, Hamlin and team are showing forms from 2010 when they were close to winning the title.

With championship winning crew chief Darian Grubb, the FedEx team is for sure capable of winning at any track. After all, Grubb knows a thing or two about winning.

Hamlin’s victory proved that his team is capable and ready to fight for the championship this year. They have been somewhat under the radar this season, but the garage (especially those Hendrick cars) took notice after back to back victories by the 11 team.

Hamlin has won at 6 of the 10 tracks in the Chase and as we saw last year with Grubb and Stewart, anything can happen. After back to back wins, Hamlin’s back in the conversation. Can the success continue? Only time will tell, but when you’re hot you’re hot.

Denny’s dropping it like it’s hot and there’s no summer breeze coming anytime soon to cool his team off.

The next stop is Richmond – Denny’s home track. The jukebox keeps playing.

Queen’s “We are the champions” patiently waits its turn to be played.

My 1st Trip to Bristol

Racing at the Food City 500 from Bristol Motor Speedway, Aug 25, 2012

Last August, I took my first trip to Bristol Motor Speedway. It was then that I realized what I had been missing for years. I had been missing out on a race like no other. This track is like no other, it's Bristol baby!

Located in the heart of the Tennessee mountatins, Bristol is a half mile short track that is rich in history. When you place 43 of the world’s best drivers in that type of atmosphere something is bound to happen. The racing is fast and the atmosphere is eletrifying.  

Every NASCAR fan should have Bristol on thier bucket list. It was there that I saw action like I’ve never seen before. It was pure excitement before the green flag ever waved.

A SCENIC VIEW

Bristol is a small town in northeast Tennessee, but there was nothing small about the scene I was experiencing when I left for the track that morning.

The morning view was pleasant, a glimmering sun beginning to peak its head from the clouds. I knew that when the sun retired for the day, I'd be sitting in thunder valley with the roar of both the race cars and fans both hungry action.

Dark skies with cars glowing under the lights, the smell of burning rubber and oil, sparks flyin’, I pondered exactly what my experience would be like at Bristol.

Based on what I’ve seen over the years from watching races here, I was getting giddier as the miles wined down. I knew this would be an experience would never forget.

The drive from Georgia gave me more than enough time to contemplate these thoughts. It felt as if I were a kid again, going to Disney World, only this time I was only going through the Applacihian Mountains.

As a traveled through Asheville, North Carolina and into Tennessee, I knew two things: 1) I was almost there and 2) the scenery that I was enjoying was nothing compared to what I was about to witness.

IT’S BRISTOL BABY

Finally I had arrived to the track “the fans” built.

When the track was repaved in 2007, it allowed for 2 and 3 wide racing. Many fans weren’t happy about this so they voiced their displeasure by not buying tickets to the races there. A track that was one of the hardest to get a ticket for finally was plagued by thousands of empty seats. This caused the track to make changes.

After the spring race here in 2012, track owner, Bruton Smith decided to make changes to the track and bring back the “old” Bristol - a one groove track that required drivers to use their front bumper to make passes. This was exciting for some fans because it was an attempt to bring the racing back to how it use to be.

At the request those fans, Bruton spent millions of dollars to grind down the grooves in the racetrack, making it harder for drivers to run 2 or 3 wide.

Personally, before they changed the track last year, I enjoyed the racing at Bristol since the repave in 2007. It was some of the best racing we had ever seen at Bristol. What was once a one groove-bump and run track had turned into a place where drivers could actually race. Isn't that the point of the sport?

Tweetup

Would Bruton's grinding of the bottom grove bring back the excitement this track once had? Would it bring back the "old Bristol" ?

 I got this answer as I walked towards the track.

Fans started filing into the track early Saturday afternoon. Everyone had smiles on their faces, even when looking at me. There was excitement and anticipation in the air. I knew we were in for something special.

After a fun Tweetup with appearances by Clint Bowyer, Ryan Blaney, and Charlotte Motor Speedway president, Marcus Smith (Bruton's son), it was time to light the rocket and get the party started.

After witnessing roughly 140,000 fans come to life during driver intros, my blood was racing through my veins. I couldn’t wait for the green flag to wave.

Finally, the Bristol night race was upon us.

A SHOW LIKE NO OTHER

Denny Hamlin was able to survive a wild race and “Wobble” his way into victory lane by winning the Food City 500 last August.

It was a good night for Hamlin, but a better night for Bristol Motor Speedway.

I was in awe when I arrived to the track. All of the preemptive thoughts that I pondered while traveling were afterthoughts. I had just seen one of the best races of the 2012 season and hands down the best race I’ve ever seen in person.

The fans got it all: cautions, drama, wrecks, and hard knuckle racing. What more could you ask for?

I don’t believe the track changes had anything to do with the show we all witnessed. If anything, the changes caused the bottom lane to become irrelevant and drivers were forced to run the middle and top groove of the track. It seemed really hard to pass, but drivers were giving it their all every lap, using the front bumper like the old days.

A frustrated Danica Patrick getting
ready to show her displeasure with Regan Smith

The fans showed up in full, and we all got more than our money’s worth.

From Hamlin dancing to the Wobble during driver intros, Montoya and Kyle Busch getting booed worse than Gordon in the old days, Stewart’s helmet toss at the 17, Danica’s finger wagging at Regan Smith,  and all the other thrills that Bristol produced, it was one hell of a night.

That excitement is the reason I became a NASCAR fan many years ago, and this track definitely lives up to its hype.

The start of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has been uneventful so far. This will change this weekend as the sport heads back to thunder valley - a track like no other.

Words cannot begin to describe the experience I had last fall at Bristol Motor Speedway. So rather than continuing to try and explain it, check out some of the action from my vantage point back in August. 



 

 

 





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Foreign Cars Belong in NASCAR

The 2013 Dodge Charger

Today we have learned that Dodge will not return to NASCAR in 2013. This is a huge blow to NASCAR.

With perhaps the best looking 2013 car, the Dodge Charger looked like it was ready to make new gains, bringing back the excitement from 2004 when they reentered the sport after being away since the 1970’s.

They completed the construction of the new car, presented it, and believed they would be racing next year. It also helps when Penske driver Brad Keselowski is winning races. While all seems fortunate, it is all to no avail.

The demise of Dodge started months ago when its lone team, Penske Racing, deciding to part ways.

When Penske announced earlier this year that they were switching to Ford next season who knew it would be the downfall of Dodge in the sport.

Richard Petty Motorsports was highly rumored to be making the switch to Dodge as Dodge representatives frantically tried to find a team that would partner with them. Like the nicest looking 2013 car, this deal “done blowed up.”

With the departure of Dodge next season NASCAR will only have three car manufacturers participating: Chevy, Ford, and Toyota. The question is, what does NASCAR need to do?

The answer, allow foreign manufactures to enter the sport.

When NASCAR allowed Toyota to come into the Camping World Truck Series in 2004, it was the first time a foreign manufacturer had been in the sport in decades. People didn’t like it, but they dealt with it. Later in 2007, Toyota entered the Sprint Cup Series, bringing in a new wave of technology. People truly didn’t like this and a lot of fans and teams voiced their displeasure.

NASCAR is labeled as an “American sport.” There’s nothing more American than another country making Chevys and Fords and us watching them race….right?

People ripped NASCAR for allowing Toyota, a foreign owned company to enter the sport. After realizing Toyotas were actually made in the United States fans became more understanding. Teams complained about the technology and money that Toyota would throw out to be successful in NASCAR. How did that work out? What kind of a car does Jimmie Johnson drive?

 The goal of car manufacturers in NASCAR is to get fans to cling to a driver and a car make as a way to advertise. While this may be true, Americans don’t only drive Chevys, Fords, and Toyotas.

The departure of Dodge is a bad omen for the sport. In a tough economy, even billion dollar car companies are cutting back on things like racing. With only 3 manufactures racing in NASCAR next year, why not open the door to other brands.

When we ride down the road, what do we see, different cars. Just because Jimmie Johnson drives a Chevy doesn’t mean I have to go by one. I might, which would be the power of the car make in the sport, but what if I wanted a Volkswagen or a Honda. I love multiple options.

What if NASCAR had these? It would be a blast to the past.

Prior to the 1960’s NASCAR had several foreign manufactures that were allowed to race. Why wouldn’t we want these brands in NASCAR today? They could bring in jobs, foreign markets, new technologies, and more fans.

After all, look around you or on your shirt tag. How many of the things around you are truly made in America?

NASCAR shouldn’t be different.

Send comments and follow me on Twitter @Dontae_Allen

Gordon Weathers the Storm



Jeff Gordon has plenty to celebrate



Despite an up and down season thus far, Jeff Gordon and team were finally able to weather the storm and claim victory at Pocono.

Gordon, who prior to today’s race was on the outside looking in to make the Chase, needed to start take risks. Since he's not in the in the top 10 in points, a wildcard position is what his team is gunning for. How do you get a wildcard spot? You win races.  

There was close to a two hour rain delay at the  start of the race. Once the race got started everyone knew that they were racing the halfway when the race is official because more rain was in the area.

With rain looming in the mountains of Pocono, Pennsylvania, Gordon, like others hoped his team used the best strategy to get them in position for the win.

Jimmie Johnson undoubtedly had the fastest car. On the contrary the fastest car in a NASCAR race isn’t always the winner, we saw that at Pocono. When the radar showed weather was approaching quicker than most anticipated, teams knew that gambling with strategy could really pay off.

Gordon, whose only luck had been bad luck this season, chose not to gamble.  It was destiny that finally played to his team’s favor.

After a caution came out for Kurt Busch hitting the wall, many of the top cars decided to stay out rather than pit. During the restart, Johnson, the race leader appeared to overdrive turn one and make contact with the second place car Matt Kenseth. However, after the race 5 time champion Johnson let us know that he had a flat right rear tire that triggered the collision.

The contact caused the top 4 cars to bump and while they were checking up, Gordon, who restarted 6th zoomed past the cars involved and took the lead. A few seconds later a caution comes out for a wreck with Kenseth and Denny Hamlin.

As NASCAR crewman were cleaning up from the wreck, the rain began and it never let up.

 “I’ve never seen the seas part like that,” said Gordon after NASCAR officially called the race on lap 98 of 160.

“All the things that have gone wrong for us this year I’m hoping this is the one that’s the right call.”

The seas indeed parted when Gordon made that move. When the sun comes back out at Pocono it will be full of rainbow warriors who all have something to celebrate following today’s win.

Not only was it Gordon’s first win of the season, but it currently puts his in the second wildcard spot to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup. For a team that’s seen a season full of highs and lows, finally the 24 team gets a reason to feel rejuvenated.

Oh, and they picked the perfect time to do it.There are 5 races left before the start of the Chase, all tracks where Gordon has multiple wins. 

Kasey Kahne, Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski, and Tony Stewart comprised the rest of the top 5 in today’s race.

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Who Deserves the 22?



The car formerly driven by AJ Allmendinger



NASCAR’s silly season started in June with Matt Kenseth’s decision to leave Roush-Fenway Racing. Kenseth has yet to reveal what team he will drive for next season, but most people are saying Joe Gibbs Racing.

Two teams that we don’t know about are the 39 of Ryan Newman and the now vacant 22 car for Penske Racing.

There's no telling what SHR co owner Tony Stewart has up his sleeve with his driver choice for the 39, but the 22 is up in the air for anyone to have a shot.

The question is who deserves it?

Here are some drivers that have been using up a lot of Roger Penske’s Sprint cell phone minutes since they announced Allmendinger will not be back in 2013.

DRIVERS WITH A CHANCE

Sam Hornish Jr.: 

Sam has been the driver of the 22 since Allmendinger was suspended by NASCAR and will be in the 22 for majority of the races left in the season. When Hornish drove in the Cup series from 2008-2010, it wasn’t great but he was improving. Once sponsorship ran out for the #77 Sam was driving, I remember Penske saying if he had sponsorship Hornish would be in the Cup Series. He has that now, so will he go with loyalty to Sam or with a driver that will produce better results? The ball is in Sam’s court, he has to produce in the races he runs the rest of this season.

Joey Logano:

With Kenseth being rumored to be headed to JGR, Logano has to find a ride as well if Gibbs doesn’t get sponsorship for a 4^th car. Logano is young and he is finally living up to the hype he had coming in to series in 2009 so Penske investing in him could payoff in the long run. The only problem I see is the sponsor being willing to go with Logano. For some weird reason I believe that Home Depot had something to do with putting pressure on JGR to make a change. Logano is 22 years old. How many people in that age range shop at Home Depot? Not many. Everyone buys gas, so Shell sounds like a good fit. The bread isn’t sliced yet.

Brian Vickers:

After coming back from a health scare which caused him to sit out most of the 2010 season, Vickers has found a part time home at Michael Waltrip Racing. There is no telling if MWR will make him full time in 2013, making Vickers eligible for the vacant 22. Does he deserve it? No. Yes Vickers is a good driver and would be a great choice if chosen, but I believe there are others who are more worthy. Vicker’s has been great in his races this year for MWR, but what did he do the years before? Wreck people…my point exactly.

Kurt Busch:

If this happens I will go to Chickfila, church, and a rap concert with Mark Martin all in the same day.  #NotGonnaHappen

Elliot Sadler:

Despite a recent throng of people jumping on the bandwagon lately, I’ve been tooting Sadler in the Cup Series since before the season began. Not to mince words, but when the news of Aric Amirola to drive the 43 came out this past January, I was pissed. I thought (despite leaving RPM) Sadler deserved to be in the cup season after having to spend 2011 racing in the Nationwide Series. That season wasn’t great, as Sadler struggled, but he was more deserving of a cup ride than drivers like Allmendinger, Almirola, and others.

After all, Sadler is a 3 time winner in the cup series and he’s made the Chase for the Sprint Cup. That’s more than any driver fighting for the 22 with the exception of one, Jamie McMurray. McMurray, whose contract runs out after this season, possibly opens up another decent cup ride in the 1 car for Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing. Regardless of his success this season in the Nationwide Series, Sadler deserves to be in a cup ride. If I were Roger Penske, I’d give him a call.

Others to consider:

They may be long shots, but other drivers like Jamie McMurray and former Penske driver Ryan Newman have a chance as well. In NASCAR there’s only one thing that’s for sure, absolute zero. Nothing is for sure, but it sure is fun to talk about it.

Follow me and send comments to Twitter @Dontae_Allen

Controversial Penalty by NASCAR Helps Keselowski Claim Victory at Indy



Winning at Indy gets you a big kiss.



The Nationwide Series made its inaugural trip to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway today for the running of the Indy 250. A track rich in prestige and stature became the home for 43 of NASCAR stars as they took to the track a few hours ago.

When it comes to success at Indy, no one knows about that better than NASCAR and Indy Car owner Roger Penske, who has 15 Indy 500 victories as an owner.

Brad Keselowski, driving a Penske Dodge was able to hold off competitors today to win the Nationwide Series’ first race at Indianapolis.

“Any victory is very special here,” said Keselowski in victory lane.

However, that victory didn’t come without controversy.

Keselowski was able to pull away to victory after race leader Elliot Sadler was black flagged for passing the leader before the start finish line. Much to the displeasure of Sadler and team, they had to serve a penalty and come down pit road late in the race. With their shot at the win ruined by what seemed to be a bad call by NASCAR, Sadler finished 15^th.

When the race started, Kyle Busch passed pole sitter Kasey Kahne before the start finish line and there was no penalty. The Sadler situation looked exactly the same, but Sadler (a championship contender) was penalized by NASCAR. Busch is not racing for a championship in this series and was not penalized.

Despite the controversial call by NASCAR, Keselowski was able to pull away and take the victory.

It was the 100^th win for Penske Racing in NASCAR.

Keselowski’s Penske teammate Sam Hornish Jr. topped it off by finishing 2^nd, Ty Dillon ( in his 2^nd career NNS start)  3^rd, Denny Hamlin 4^th, and Ty’s big brother Austin rounding out the top 5.

After the race, Sadler and car owner Richard Childress went to voice their displeasures with NASCAR’s controversial call.

The Twitter world is doing the same.   

Send comments and follow me on Twitter, @Dontae_Allen

Nothing Like the Truth

A season of hope that started bad at Daytona and ended worse at Daytona

As kids, we were all raised with values taught to us by our parents and elders. They would teach us about respect, manners, and key virtues that have made some of us the people we are today.

For people like me, at times we had to learn the hard way. By not taking the advice to heart or straight defiance of authority, things didn’t always go according to the plan of a child’s when dealing with parents.

Despite the trials and tribulations we experienced as kids, there’s one virtue that I learned shall never let you down, honesty.

For AJ Allmendinger, the truth shall set you free.

As most of you should know by now, Allmendinger was suspended by NASCAR prior to the July 7^th race at Daytona International Speedway after failing a random drug test.

The announcement came as a shock to the NASCAR community and the story continues to be the buzz of the sport every, single, day. Why is this? It’s because everyone is pulsating for the truth.

NASCAR writer Jim Utter is infamous on Twitter for stating the “facts.”

The only facts of this case prior to today were that AJ failed a drug test and it was a positive test for a stimulant.

Originally I was at odds with the conversation about this suspension. I felt like the substance didn’t matter and the media and fans should just let it play out rather than rip him apart with speculation like the Jeremy Mayfield saga.

In that case Mayfield eventually brought it on himself with straight up lies, denial, and a barrage of legal issues that followed. However the thing that makes Mayfield different is the fact that he actually spoke up for himself and tried to fight NASCAR. He lost, but he was open to media and fans after the initial suspension.

Despite the speculation by the media and fans, both NASCAR and Allmendinger have been reluctant in exposing exactly what caused the positive test. AJ is in no way comparable to Mayfield, but both men should have remembered that honesty is the best way out.

Today it was announced by Allmendinger’s manager, Tara Ragan, that the failed test was for some type of amphetamine and they are working hard to find out where it could have came from.

This is indeed a “fact” but it’s the fact that we still don’t know what the exact substance was that triggered the positive test. This keeps the debate going.

To be clear, I am not a physician and have no credibility when it comes to medicine. However, it does not take a rocket scientist to know that there is more to the story that we still don’t know.

In the United States, stimulants and amphetamines are either legal via prescription medication or they’re illegal narcotic drugs. Both are on NASCAR’s illegal substances list, but like other important documents, it’s apparently locked and sealed stories below the ground because we don’t know what substances are on the list.

In Allmendinger’s case, it’s pretty simple. But, why are they trying to hide it?

If AJ were prescribed a drug like Adderall, which is a common drug to treat ADD/ADHD, then he could have told NASCAR about it or been upfront with the media and his fans. It is a legal form of amphetamine and his use of it would have put the pressure on NASCAR to answer the critics about its policy.

Any prescribed amphetamine to Allmendinger would have been examined by his doctors and NASCAR would have to allow him to use the medicine during race weekends. Case closed.

So was it illegal? The fact is we don’t know.

In a recovery program the first step is to be open about your problem. Allmendinger is faced with the trials and tribulations that plagued me as a child. Some of us learn the hard way and for AJ no one knows what his fate will be.

The best option is for him to let the truth set him free.

  The view expressed are those of the writer, send comments and follow me on

                                       Twitter, @Dontae_Allen