Is It Just Me Or....

Is the lack of testing hurting the men I love to cheer and boo from the East Coast to the West Coast and all points between?

Last night's Auto Club 500 was the most uneventful race I have seen in quite a long day. I hate crashes, especially when it involves my Fed Ex Toyota but seeing Kevin Harvick crash into the wall and end his streak of races without a DNF was the highlight of the 250 lap event. Every other caution was for rain drops, threatening to shorten yet another race. Thankfully the rain let up and we got to see all of the scheduled laps.

I grew tired of follow the leader a number of years ago and when the leader hails out of the Hendrick camp or is defending series Champion Jimmie Johnson I totally lose interest. I'm over it and ready to see someone else lead and win something. Which is why I am thrilled for Matt Kenseth's 2 for 2 streak he's got going on.

I'm a die-hard Joe Gibbs Racing fan, I want one of my three Toyotas up front, preferably Denny Hamlin every race for every lap. But if that can't happen I'll root for the Roush boys any day. They are all class acts who are talented beyond belief. Their owner may leave a little to be desired but he knows how to get it done. And Kenseth has shown that flashy isn't always the way to get attention.

Denny Hamlin had an impressive sixth place finish, jumping up 13 spots to 14th, just 150 points back of the leader and a mere 13 points out of the top 12 coveted spots to make it into the Chase. Quite a turn around from last week's Daytona 500 crash.

Amazing pit stops, great hustle and a never quit attitude by driver Denny Hamlin showed that the Fed Ex Freight Toyota could hang with the big boys. The real season starts when the haulers roll into Fontana and when Hamlin made his way out on the track he proved that he was ready to race.

The Fed Ex Racing crew heads for the bright lights of Las Vegas this weekend. High roller Hamlin, who proved he had luck on his side with his friendly wagers at the Bud Shootout Selection Show among his Toyota comrades, will be hoping to charm lady luck and attempt to bring home a trophy from the land of the rising son. Sounds appropriate doesn't it?

NASCAR Sprint Cup Point Standings ~ As of Auto Club 500

The Unofficial Point Standings after the Auto Club 500
~Race 2 of 36 ~ Will be updated as soon as official points are posted

1. (--) Matt Kenseth 385 Leader
2. (+10) Jeff Gordon 304 -81
3. (-8) Kurt Busch 294 -91
4. (+3) Tony Stewart 294 -91
5. (+15) Greg Biffle 268 -117
6. (-2) Clint Bowyer 266 -119
7. (+1) Michael Waltrip 264 -121
8. (-2) David Ragan 262 -123
9. (+9) Carl Edwards 260 -125
10. (+4) Juan Montoya 256 -129
11. (-6) Elliott Sadler 248 -137
12. (+1) David Reutimann 248 -137

    ---

13. (-10) AJ Allmendinger 241 -144
14. (-6) Reed Sorenson 235 -150
15. (+12) Denny Hamlin 235 -150
16. (-14) Kevin Harvick 219 -166
17. (-7) Martin Truex Jr 217 -168
18. (+20) Kyle Busch 215 -170
19. (+12) Jimmie Johnson 213 -172
20. (-4) Casey Mears 209 -176
21. (-4) Marcos Ambrose 212 -173
22. (-1) Bobby Labonte 205 -180
23. (+6) Kasey Kahne 203 -182
24. (+9) David Stremme 193 -192
25. (-6) John Andretti 181 -204
26. (+14) Brian Vickers 180 -205
27. (-12) Mark Martin 168 -217
28. (+9) Jamie McMurray 167 -218
29. (+3) Sam Hornish Jr 161 -224
30. (+12) Travis Kvapil 146 -239
31. (-3) Jeff Burton 146 -239
32. (-7) Scott Riggs 143 -242
33. (+3) Ryan Newman 134 -251
34. (--) Robby Gordon 134 -251
35. (-9) Dale Earnhardt Jr 133 -252
36. (-6) Aric Almirola 131 -254
37. (+6) Joey Logano 119 -266
38. (+3) Jeremy Mayfield 104 -281
39. (--) Paul Menard 101 -284
40. (-18) Regan Smith 100 -285
41. (-6) Scott Speed 98 -287
42. (-19) Bill Elliott 94 -291
43. (-19) Terry Labonte 91 -294
44. (--) David Gilliland 64 -321
45. (--) Dave Blaney 37 -348
46. (-2) Joe Nemechek 34 -351

Auto Club 500 - Results

The Official results for the Auto Club 500
~ Auto Club Speedway ~ Fontana, California
Race 2 of 36

1. 17 Matt Kenseth
2. 24 Jeff Gordon
3. 18 Kyle Busch
4. 16 Greg Biffle
5. 2 Kurt Busch
6. 11 Denny Hamlin
7. 99 Carl Edwards
8. 14 Tony Stewart
9. 48 Jimmie Johnson
10. 83 Brian Vickers
11. 42 Juan Montoya
12. 9 Kasey Kahne
13. 12 David Stremme
14. 00 David Reutimann
15. 55 Michael Waltrip
16. 26 Jamie McMuray
17. 6 David Ragan -1
18. 28 Travis Kvapil 1
19. 33 Clint Bowyer -1
20. 96 Bobby Labonte -1
21. 47 Marcos Ambrose -1
22. 43 Reed Sorenson -1
23. 77 Sam Hornish Jr -1
24. 07 Casey Mears -1
25. 19 Elliott Sadler -1
26. 20 Joey Logano -1
27. 1 Martin Truex Jr -1
28. 39 Ryan Newman -2
29. 44 AJ Allmendinger -2
30. 7 Robby Gordon -2
31. 34 John Andretti -2
32. 31 Jeff Burton -3
33. 71 David Gilliland -4
34. 41 Jeremy Mayfield -5
35. 8 Aric Almirola ~ Engine
36. 36 Scott Riggs -10
37. 98 Paul Menard -29
38. 29 Kevin Harvick ~ Accident
39. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr ~ Engine
40. 5 Mark Martin ~ Engine
41. 82 Scott Speed ~ Engine
42. Dave Blaney ~ Fuel Pump
43. 87 Joe Nemechek ~ Fuel Pump

Final Practice Speeds ~ Auto Club 500 ~ Auto Club Speedway

The Final Practice Speeds for the Auto Club 500 ~ Sunday Feb. 22, 2009 ~ Fontana, CA

1. 48 Jimmie Johnson -- 179.582
2. 11 Denny Hamlin -- 178.280
3. 26 Jamie McMurray -- 178.055
4. 5 Mark Martin -- 177.567
5. 16 Greg Biffle -- 177.445
6. 24 Jeff Gordon -- 176.978
7. 2 Kurt Busch -- 176.865
8. 77 Sam Hornish Jr -- 176.826
9. 17 Matt Kenseth -- 176.800
10. 42 Juan Montonya -- 176.709
11. 18 Kyle Busch -- 176.561
12. 6 David Ragan -- 176.345
13. 99 Carl Edwards -- 176.311
14. 29 Kevin Harvick -- 176.039
15. 00 David Reutimann -- 175.906
16. 47 Marcos Ambrose -- 175.803
17. 98 Paul Menard -- 175.764
18. 31 Jeff Burton -- 175.751
19. 83 Brian Vickers -- 175.627
20. 14 Tony Stewart -- 175.584
21. 39 Ryan Newman -- 175.507
22. 33 Clint Bowyer -- 175.366
23. 1 Martin Truex Jr -- 175.340
24. 36 Scott Riggs -- 175.302
25. 12 David Stremme -- 175.225
26. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr -- 175.182
27. 20 Joey Logano -- 175.123
28. 55 Michael Waltrip -- 174.783
29. 7 Robby Gordon -- 174.723
30. 07 Casey Mears -- 174.689
31. 8 Aric Almirola -- 174.605
32. 28 Travis Kvapil -- 174.600
33. 9 Kasey Kahne -- 174.545
34. 96 Bobby Labonte -- 174.431
35. 44 AJ Allmendinger -- 174.372
36. 87 Joe Nemechek -- 174.364
37. 82 Scott Speed -- 174.199
38. 71 David Gilliland -- 173.691
39. 43 Reed Sorenson -- 173.557
40. 41 Jeremy Mayfield -- 173.490
41. 19 Elliott Sadler -- 173.285
42. 34 John Andretti -- 173.281
43. 66 Dave Blaney -- 172.961

Time To Step It Up

Denny Hamlin started the season at Daytona on a high note. He drew fifth for the Budweiser Shootout. He even won a few friendly wagers with his buddies during the selection show, without question the funniest part of the entire night. He finished in a blaze of glory caught up in a crazy crash which saw him finish 13th.

Then he started his Gatorade Duel 13th and finished fifth, a pretty impressive turn around with numbers that have me shaking my head and chuckling to myself. Strange.

He rolled off the grid tenth for the Daytona 500 and once again went down in a blaze of glory at the hands of none other than Dale Earnhardt Jr, who made the Neanderthal move of the year when he deliberately turned into Brian Vickers below the yellow line right in front of the leaders, and Hamlin found himself 26th when the smoke cleared. And to add insult to injury, he is currently 27th in the Sprint Cup points standings, behind none other than Dale Jr himself.

This week Hamlin leaves the sun and sand of Daytona behind him and heads to Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. During the first practice Hamlin turned in the sixth fastest time with a speed of 180.298. His qualifying effort, however, sees him starting 23rd on Sunday.

No reason to panic, yet. That's the thought that comes to mind, but I have erased that notion and replaced it with no need to panic, ever. This is Denny Hamlin we're talking about after all. Daytona may be the season opener, but it does little to display a driver's talent. It's not that hard to mash the pedal to the floor and hold on. The hard part is staying out of other people's way and avoid their bone head moves.

California has the chance to set Hamlin apart from the rest of the field. What he does come Sunday when the green flag waves will be the true test of what he's made of and how his season will go for 2009. Forget Daytona, focus on Cali. I CAN I WILL. It's time to put that into practice and show that swagger that makes me write this blog, refuse to miss a single second of the Fed Ex Toyota driver's seat time and cheer until I'm hoarse and my cheeks are tear stained. Step it up or shut up!

Auto Club 500 Starting Lineup

The Official Starting Lineup for the Auto Club 500 - Auto Club Speedway - Fontana, CA
Race 2 of 36 ~ Sunday Feb. 22, 2009 ~ Pre-Race 5 PM~ Race 6 PM on FOX

Note: Pole Sitter Brian Vickers No. 83 Red Bull Toyota had to change an engine after qualifying and will have to drop to the rear of the field for the Auto Club 500

1. 83 Brian Vickers
2. 48 Jimmie Johnson
3. 26 Jamie McMurray
4. 2 Kurt Busch
5. 16 Greg Biffle
6. 24 Jeff Gordon
7. 00 David Reutimann
8. 44 AJ Allmendinger
9. 82 Scott Speed
10. 18 Kyle Busch
11. 14 Tony Stewart
12. 7 Robby Gordon
13. 6 David Ragan
14. 47 Marcos Ambrose
15. 42 Juan Montoya
16. 96 Bobby Labonte
17. 43 Reed Sorenson
18. 5 Mark Martin
19. 29 Kevin Harvick
20. 19 Elliott Sadler
21. 33 Clint Bowyer
22. 9 Kasey Kahne
23. 11 Denny Hamlin
24. 17 Matt Kenseth
25. 99 Carl Edwards
26. 77 Sam Hornish Jr
27. 98 Paul Menard
28. 39 Ryan Newman
29. 07 Casey Mears
30. 66 Dave Blaney
31. 8 Aric Almirola
32. 71 David Gilliland
33. 1 Martin Truex Jr
34. 20 Joey Logano
35. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr
36. 36 Scott Riggs
37. 28 Travis Kvapil
38. 12 David Stremme
39. 41 Jeremy Mayfield
40. 34 John Andretti
41. 31 Jeff Burton
42. 55 Michael Waltrip
43. 87 Joe Nemechek

Practice Speeds - Practice 1 Auto Club 500

Practice Speeds from Practice 1 - Auto Club Speedway

1. 48 Jimmie Johnson - 181. 892 -- 39.584 (Leader)
2. 24 Jeff Gordon - 180.873 -- 39.807 (-0.223)
3. 16 Greg Biffle - 180.696 -- 39.846 (-0.262)
4. 00 David Reutimann - 180.569 -- (-0.290)
5. 39 Ryan Newman - 180.365 -- (-0.335)
6. 11 Denny Hamlin - 180.298 -- (-0.350)
7. 42 Juan Montoya - 180.298 -- (-0.352)
8. 83 Brian Vickers - 180.261 -- (-0.358)
9. 43 Reed Sorenson - 180.081 -- 39.982 (-0.398)
10. 99 Carl Edwards - 179.874 -- 40.028 (-0.444)
11. 5 Mark Martin - 179.861 -- 40.031 (-0.447)
12. 18 Kyle Busch - 179.717 -- 40.063 (-0.479)
13. 7 Robby Gordon - 179.861 -- 40.071 (-0.487)
14. 8 Aric Almirola -179.677 -- 40.072 (-0.488)
15. 28 Travis Kvapil -179.547 -- 40.101 (0.517)
16. 44 AJ Allmendinger - 179.524 -- 40.106 (-0.522)
17. 14 Tony Stewart - 179.506 -- 40.110 (-0.526)
18. 96 Bobby Labonte - 179.381 -- 40.138 (-0.554)
19. 82 Scott Speed - 179.131 -- 40.194 (-0.610)
20. 9 Kasey Kahne - 178.940 -- 40.237 (-0.653
21. 19 Elliott Sadler - 178.798 -- 40.269 (-0.685)
22. 1 Martin Truex Jr - 178.758 -- 40.278 (-0.694)
23. 29 Kevin Harvick - 178.713 -- 40.288 (-0.704)
24. 98 Paul Menard - 178.633 --40.306 (-0.722)
25. 2 Kurt Busch - 178.368 -- 40.366 (-0.782)
26. 66 Dave Blaney - 178.337 -- 40.373 (-0.789)
27. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr - 178.328 -- 40.375 (-0.791)
28. 47 Marcos Ambrose - 178.258 -- 40.391 (-0.807)
29. 12 David Stremme - 178.121 -- 40.422 (-0.838)
30. 77 Sam Hornish Jr - 177.692 -- 40.458 (-0.874)
31. 26 Jamie McMurray - 177.835 -- 40.487 (-0.838)
32. 07 Casey Mears - 177.817 -- 40.491 (0.907)
33. 34 John Andretti - 177.756 -- 40.505 (0.921)
34. 17 Matt Kenseth - 177.541 -- 40.554 (-0.970)
35. 6 David Ragan - 177.414 -- 40.583 (-0.999)
36. 71 David Gilliland - 177.340 -- 40.600 (-1.016)
37. 31 Jeff Burton - 177.314 -- 40.606 (-1.022)
38. 55 Michael Waltrip - 177.170 -- 40.639 (-1.055)
39. 33 Clint Bowyer - 176.848 -- 40.716 (-1.129)
40. 41 Jeremy Mayfield - 176.748 -- 40.736 (-1.152)
41. 87 Joe Nemechek - 176.743 -- 40.737 (-1.153)
42. 36 Scott Riggs - 177.340 -- 40.739 (-1.155)
43. 20 Joey Logano - 175.730 -- 40.972 (-1.388)
44. 37 Tony Raines - 174.461 -- 41.270 (-1.686)
45. 64 Todd Bodine - 174.300 -- 41.308 (-1.724)
46. 09 Sterling Marlin - 172.542 -- 41.729 (-2.145)
47. 73 Mike Garvey - 170.867 -- 42.138 (-2.554)
48. 51 David Starr - 170.052 -- 42.340 (-2.756)

Auto Club 500 - Qualifying Order

The Qualifying Order for today's time trials, airing at 6:30 PM on SPEED.

1. 18 Kyle Busch
2. 7 Robby Gordon
3. 34 John Andretti
4. 83 Brian Vickers
5. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr
6. 20 Joey Logano
7. 96 Bobby Labonte
8. 39 Ryan Newman
9. 99 Carl Edwards
10. 1 Martin Truex Jr
11. 82 Scott Speed
12. 47 Marcos Ambrose
13. 16 Greg Biffle
14. 00 David Reutimann
15. 12 David Stremme
16. 6 David Ragan
17. 98 Paul Menard
18. 8 Aric Almirola
19. 24 Jeff Gordon
20. 07 Casey Mears
21. 11 Denny Hamlin
22. 19 Elliott Sadler
23. 17 Matt Kenseth
24. 55 Michael Waltrip
25. 48 Jimmie Johnson
26. 43 Reed Sorenson
27. 26 Jamie McMurray
28. 29 Kevin Harvick
29. 9 Kasey Kahne
30. 2 Kurt Busch
31. 33 Clint Bowyer
32. 31 Jeff Burton
33. 5 Mark Martin
34. 77 Sam Hornish Jr
35. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya
36. 41 Jeremy Mayfield
37. 14 Tony Stewart
38. 71 David Gilliland
39. 73 Mike Garvey
40. 64 Todd Bodine
41. 87 Joe Nemechek
42. 51 David Starr
43. 36 Scott Riggs
44. 66 Dave Blaney
45. 37 Tony Raines
46. 44 AJ Allmendinger
47. 28 Travis Kvapil
48. 09 Sterling Marlin

Auto Club 500 - Fontana TV Schedule

Sprint Cup Practice - Friday Feb. 20 3 PM SPEED


Sprint Cup Qualifying - Friday Feb. 20 6:30 PM SPEED


Sprint Cup Final Practice - Saturday Feb. 21 5 PM SPEED


AUTO CLUB 500 - Fontana, CA (Race 2 of 36)
Sunday Feb. 22 - 5 PM FOX