Nascar Sprint Cup Tums Fast Relief 500 - Sunday 10/25/09 1pm ET - ABC (Cup Chase Race #6 of 10)

Nascar.com ^ | 10/20/09

[NormsRevenge]

Short track racing at Martinsville Sunday.

Race #6 of 10 in the Chase for the Cup.

JJ's to lose.. a couple drivers are still in the hunt..

See ya there.

[NormsRevenge]

Welcome to this week's 2009 Nascar at FR race thread!

This Week - Sunday's Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway

October 25 , 2009



Click for Nascar race & news threads at FR



Sprint Cup Tums Fast Relief 500 - 10|25|09 - ABC Sun. 1pm ET /~/ Qualifying - ESPN2 10|23|09 3:10 p.m.

Nationwide Kroger 200 - ESPN2 10|24|09 12:30 p.m. /~/ Qualifying 10|23|09 4:40 p.m.

Truck Series is off this week-end.

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Martinsville Speedway
Race Menu for the weekend series

Martinsville Speedway As NASCAR has grown, so has Martinsville Speedway.

Martinsville Speedway ran its first NASCAR race on July 4, 1948. In 1949, Martinsville ran the sixth race in the series that eventually became the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.

Martinsville Speedway opened in 1947 with 750 seats and has grown continuously over the years. But, other than being paved in 1955, the track configuration has not changed since Red Byron won the inaugural event.

Martinsville Speedway, located three miles south of Martinsville, Va., is the only original NASCAR-sanctioned track still running NEXTEL Cup events.

Richard Petty, now a car owner, remains the track's leading winner with 15 victories.

Track Facts
Banking/Turns: 12 degrees
Distance: .526 miles
Shape: Oval

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FRFL'ers - Deadline to select your drivers is Oct 23 2:00am PDT

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The FR Canteen

24 X 7



God Bless Our Troops and Their Families

[WVKayaker]

Mark Martin ping!

[NormsRevenge]

Martinsville race thread is up PING!

[NormsRevenge]

This is gonna be a real fender rubber of a race.. half mile ain’t a very big track..

[ConservativeNewYorker]

GO TONY!!!!!!!!!!!

[NYTexan]

Smash ‘em & crash ‘em!

[SouthTexas]

Short track racing!

Needs to be on Saturday night under the lights, but it ain’t.

[WVKayaker]

I’ve been toying with heading down I-81, but I will probably watch it on TV. Replays! Richmond was fun, but it’s getting COLD!

[happydogx2]

Thanks Norm!

Holy smokes, I beat tubebender (again) :)

Look’n forward to a great thread and even greater race...

[NormsRevenge]

STANDINGS

2009 Official Driver Standings: NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America

NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America | Lowe's Motor Speedway | Race 31 of 36

RANK	+/-	DRIVER	POINTS	BEHIND	STARTS	POLES	WINS	TOP 5	TOP 10	WINNINGS
1	--	Jimmie Johnson	5923	Leader	31	3	6	13	20	6,403,600
2	--	Mark Martin	5833	-90	31	7	5	12	18	4,686,050
3	+2	Jeff Gordon	5788	-135	31	0	1	15	22	5,800,730
4	--	Tony Stewart	5768	-155	31	0	4	15	21	6,285,060
5	+1	Kurt Busch	5746	-177	31	0	1	8	18	4,092,630
6	-3	Juan Montoya	5728	-195	31	2	0	6	16	4,660,480
7	--	Greg Biffle	5655	-268	31	0	0	9	14	4,242,280
8	+2	Ryan Newman	5635	-288	31	1	0	5	14	4,433,340
9	+2	Kasey Kahne	5592	-331	31	0	2	6	13	5,063,200
10	-2	Carl Edwards	5582	-341	31	0	0	7	13	4,928,950
11	-2	Denny Hamlin	5551	-372	31	1	2	11	16	4,327,760
12	--	Brian Vickers	5438	-485	31	6	1	4	13	4,179,030
13	+1	Matt Kenseth	3774	-2149	31	1	2	6	11	6,338,260
14	-1	Kyle Busch	3755	-2168	31	1	4	8	11	5,489,740
15	--	Clint Bowyer	3699	-2224	31	0	0	4	14	3,886,130
16	--	David Reutimann	3644	-2279	31	2	1	5	9	4,340,580
17	--	Marcos Ambrose	3371	-2552	31	0	0	4	7	3,707,370
18	+1	Casey Mears	3269	-2654	31	0	0	0	4	3,478,460
19	-1	Jeff Burton	3256	-2667	31	0	0	2	6	4,533,300
20	--	Joey Logano*	3197	-2726	31	0	1	2	6	4,684,980
21	--	Kevin Harvick	3141	-2782	31	0	0	3	6	5,300,910
22	--	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	2986	-2937	31	0	0	2	5	3,609,810
23	+2	Martin Truex Jr.	2985	-2938	31	2	0	0	4	4,106,730
24	--	A.J. Allmendinger	2959	-2964	31	0	0	1	4	3,452,280
25	-2	Jamie McMurray	2941	-2982	31	0	0	0	3	3,376,000
26	+1	Elliott Sadler	2891	-3032	31	0	0	1	4	3,375,390
27	-1	Sam Hornish Jr.	2850	-3073	31	0	0	2	7	3,657,000
28	--	David Ragan	2776	-3147	31	0	0	0	2	3,240,910
29	--	Reed Sorenson	2758	-3165	31	0	0	0	1	4,065,600
30	--	David Stremme	2753	-3170	31	0	0	0	0	3,926,450
31	--	Bobby Labonte	2684	-3239	31	0	0	1	1	3,762,720
32	--	Paul Menard	2611	-3312	31	0	0	0	0	3,824,600
33	--	Michael Waltrip	2388	-3535	29	0	0	0	1	2,991,030
34	--	Robby Gordon	2350	-3573	30	0	0	1	1	3,381,310
35	--	Scott Speed*	2283	-3640	30	0	0	1	1	3,084,180
36	--	John Andretti	2192	-3731	29	0	0	0	0	2,806,820
37	--	David Gilliland	1649	-4274	27	0	0	0	0	2,227,880
38	--	Regan Smith	1260	-4663	15	0	0	0	0	1,510,650
39	+2	Brad Keselowski	1183	-4740	11	0	1	1	3	1,305,360
40	-1	Joe Nemechek	1179	-4744	26	0	0	0	0	2,106,010
41	-1	Dave Blaney	1084	-4839	27	0	0	0	0	2,135,380
42	+1	Bill Elliott	919	-5004	10	0	0	0	0	1,139,790
43	-1	Max Papis*	904	-5019	13	0	0	0	1	1,078,800
44	+2	Mike Bliss	577	-5346	13	0	0	0	0	1,004,640
45	-1	Aric Almirola	527	-5396	8	0	0	0	0	902,563
46	-1	Tony Raines	494	-5429	12	0	0	0	0	968,508
47	--	Scott Riggs	448	-5475	8	0	0	0	0	830,523
48	--	Patrick Carpentier	351	-5572	6	0	0	0	0	456,425
49	+3	Terry Labonte	301	-5622	5	0	0	0	0	657,488
50	-1	Travis Kvapil	292	-5631	4	0	0	0	0	520,708
51	-1	Jeremy Mayfield	288	-5635	5	0	0	0	0	568,888
52	-1	Sterling Marlin	258	-5665	6	0	0	0	0	424,420
53	--	Erik Darnell	222	-5701	3	0	0	0	0	329,537
54	--	Michael McDowell	172	-5751	4	0	0	0	0	296,875
55	--	Mike Skinner	166	-5757	4	0	0	0	0	396,198
56	--	Ron Fellows	158	-5765	2	0	0	0	0	144,625
57	--	Boris Said	152	-5771	2	0	0	0	0	160,338
58	--	Todd Bodine	123	-5800	3	0	0	0	0	264,354
59	--	Andy Lally	82	-5841	1	0	0	0	0	67,350
60	--	Mike Wallace	80	-5843	2	0	0	0	0	185,890
61	--	Scott Wimmer	76	-5847	1	0	0	0	0	89,160
62	--	Dexter Bean	55	-5868	1	0	0	0	0	93,425
63	--	P.J. Jones	40	-5883	2	0	0	0	0	134,565
64	--	Brandon Ash	40	-5883	1	0	0	0	0	72,225
65	--	Tony Ave	34	-5889	1	0	0	0	0	62,326
66	--	Derrike Cope	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	48,763
67	--	J.J. Yeley	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	28,075
68	--	Mike Garvey	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	48,538
69	--	Brian Simo	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	0
70	--	Trevor Boys	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	0
71	--	Eric McClure	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	0
72	--	Tom Hubert	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	0
73	--	Ted Christopher	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	0
74	--	David Starr	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	27,275
75	--	Dennis Setzer	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	0
76	--	Chris Cook	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	0
77	--	Kevin Hamlin	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	0
78	--	Geoffrey Bodine	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	21,138
79	--	Carl Long	-200	-6123	0	0	0	0	0	26,463
80	--	Kirk Shelmerdine	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	48,438
81	--	Kelly Bires	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	21,363
82	--	Norm Benning	0	-5923	0	0	0	0	0	48,413

* Denotes Rookie

[SouthTexas]

He must be on break.

And I wanted to thank him for all the Pacific moisture he’s sending us.

[SouthTexas]

It is getting cold and TMS is coming up.

It’s gets pretty chilly out there since there’s nothing to stop the wind.

[stratplayer]

I love short track racing. Its up close and personal. Lots of tire rub marks on the side of your car. Pushin and shovin is the norm. Anything can happen. GO Mark Martin!!

[NYTexan]

It’s gets pretty chilly out there since there’s nothing to stop the wind.

Beer does!

[SouthTexas]

Saves on ice!

[afnamvet]

See you all on Sunday.

[vox_freedom]

Thanks NormsRevenge, for the ping!

[vox_freedom]

Very nice Standings list, and click-able too!
Can you PM me with how you did that?

[vox_freedom]

Pinging Martin for Martinsville?

[tubebender]

One more day and I will revolutionize short track racin with my quick change fenders and bumpers using Velcro and Wet or Dry Crazy Glue. I must get back down in the La bor a tory...

[imahawk]

Is anyone else disgusted with sprint cup this year?I like jimmy johnson but come on.Every race he seems to be the only one out of a field of 40 cars that has a car thats worth a crap.Roush should just stay on the haulers and skip the rest of the season.PATHETIC.ARCA is so much more watchable.

[barker]

Found this video a while back. Thought I’d post it just for fun. Race fans will enjoy this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a_hM8i_Jmw

[Captain Jack Aubrey]

Martinsville is supposed to the such a great race for “the fans.” I think it is boring.

ISC should take one race and give it to Kansas, where they sell out. I bet there won’t be even 50,000 people at Martinsville Sunday. Maybe 40,000.

If it is so great for the traditional fan, why don’t they go to the race? And at $25 a piece!

http://www.martinsvillespeedway.com/

[happydogx2]

Halfway thru the chase races J.J. has the points lead. Mark M. held the lead after the first two races; a single incident whacked Montoya & a double-whammy hit Hamlin but both were strong contenders. M. Martin & Gordon are still close.

I think it has been a very good chase series so far. I don’t wear J.J. underwear but I’ve enjoyed the racing. One flat tire, mechanical problem, or wreck can change the complexion of the chase 180 degrees. I agree Roush hasn’t been strong but I’m not watching the chase rooting for one driver or team only, I’m watching it for the competition, hard-racing and that element of unknown with the ever- changing fickle-finger-of-fate. Good luck....

[tubebender]

We’ll never know who the winner as the tyre takes the checkered flag and steals the show...

[Vigilantcitizen]

Something I would like to say regarding Jeremy Mayfield.

My job requires me to take random drug screens. I have taken 20 or so in the last 10 years never failing one, until I failed one last week for methamphetamine.

I do not use drugs and have been clean of anything for 15 years.

I was sick last week. I had a bad case of the flu. I was taking nyquil, theraflu during the day, and mucinex. My sample was sent to the lab to see exactly what caused this and the results will be back within 2 weeks.

BTW..because my boss knows me, I still have my job.

[NormsRevenge]

I miss Octane 93

Only in America. Whew for you..

==

Want to ‘Jimmie-proof’ Chase? Here’s how to do it
Change Chase tracks to include Sonoma, Rockingham
http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/opinion/10/21/inside.line.dcaraviello.jjohnson.new.chase/index.html

[happydogx2]

My contention is you have to good and lucky to win the chase. Obviously the 48 team ups their game in the “playoffs” as any high-caliber team does. Yes, the tracks appear to be in their favor but lets see where the 48 team is after Talladega; a lotta “chance” in the next two races.

[NormsRevenge]

JJ doesn’t DNF very much.. that’s what kilt shrub and junior this year. hope it don;t get too physical. but that’s racin’

Will JUan Poblar or someone else upset the apple cart?

Stay tuned. ;-)

[WestCoastGal]

Thanks for posting - I have reserved comment on Jeremy until he goes through the court process.

I will say Nascar’s witness the evil stepmother is a piece of work. Truly dysfunctional bunch.

[Vigilantcitizen]

I will say Nascar’s witness the evil stepmother is a piece of work. Truly dysfunctional bunch.

No doubt.

[WestCoastGal]

BTW - http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/columns/story?columnist=newton_david&id=4582036

WOW

[imahawk]

And to you FRiend.

[barker]

The tyre did a good job of dodging all the traffic. Saw an opening and rolled on through. Didn’t even tap any rear bumpers.

It did steal the show.

[tubebender]

That’s only because it wasn’t a Redneck Tar but a limp wristed tea sippin tyre...

[tubebender]

GG... Is O'bozo running Nascar says the blind man to his deaf dog...

[tubebender]

My apologies to all the Nascar K9s out here...

[WestCoastGal]

See link above - we have started a petition to HMS to stop this now

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/a-call-to-rick-hendrick-to-make-changes-to-team-88

Very few Jr fans here, but if you saw or read his thoughts last weekend you know the pain he’s in.

Tony Gibson said.......It was painfully sad.

It was like he was crying out for help.

At least one person close to Earnhardt says he was.

“It’s … killing me to see what he’s going through,” said Tony Gibson, Ryan Newman’s crew chief and the crew chief for Earnhardt for 12 races in 2007 at Dale Earnhardt Inc. “It’s not fair. He doesn’t deserve that at all.

“He’s a great friend of mine and it hurts to see him going through this. Tony Eury Jr. is a great friend of mine, too. Both of them got the wrong deal there. Tony Jr. just needed better supportive guys around him to make that work.”

Hendrick probably doesn’t want to hear that. He separated Earnhardt and his crew chief/cousin, Eury, in June after a 40th-place finish at LMS that the owner called pitiful and embarrassing. He did it despite his philosophy to fix something instead of change it.

He moved Lance McGrew into the pressure cooker. He committed to throw every resource at turning things around. Prior to Saturday’s race, in which Earnhardt was 39th, he committed to sticking with McGrew for the rest of this season.

He hinted that McGrew might remain in that position in 2010, again reminding of his philosophy to fix instead of tear apart.

As far as Gibson is concerned, Hendrick tore things apart when he replaced Eury. It’s only one man’s opinion, but it’s the opinion of a man who has known Earnhardt for more than seven years.

It’s the opinion of a man who has been by Earnhardt’s side through the good times, such as 2006 when he finished fifth in points and was only 78 out of the lead with two races remaining.

“Tony Jr. was his only support guy [at HMS],” Gibson said. “He was his last rock there. When they kicked that out from under his bucket, he’s got nothing.”

What Gibson is saying is that not everybody on Earnhardt’s team, which for the most part didn’t come with Eury from DEI, is behind him. He’s right. I’ve witnessed examples of it.

[vox_freedom]

Of course I will sign the petition and support Jr.
He deserves the fan support!

[happydogx2]

If someone on he ‘88 team is not doing their job then they should be gone...

With the influence that Jr. has w/Hendrick he could probably get the crew chief he wanted. So, who does he want? Eury Jr. again? Or....?

[tubebender]

Oil is over $80 a barrel and gold is almost $1,060 and the greenback is worthless. Where does that leave the sponsors of Nascar and the teams...

[happydogx2]

The “joking” answer would be that the drivers are sitting on a very expensive load of fuel. Unfortunately it’s not a joking matter. There will be more belt-tightening w/NASCAR along with families, businesses and charities.

If you need help with your skunk problem I’ve got a Great-Horned Owl screeching outside my window now. I could sent it on down. Darn thing sounds like a ghost or goblin.

[tubebender]

I would rather shoot a space alien then mess with F&W over any Owl...

[WestCoastGal]

I think what Gibson was saying is Eury was good, it was someone else around him - either at shop or on road crew not supporting Jr.

I've been ranting about this problem for over 2 months now on my blog - thankfully Gibson saw the pain in Jr and cares enough to speak out.

My solution, as I posted in my blog after Charlotte this week, was to let them build the 88 car at JRM, still a Hendrick car of course, but done with trusted people who care about Jr and have HIS best interest at heart and are not sporting some grudge or jealousy trying to hurt that car.

How many problems can there be where we ask ourselves - Can anyone have this much bad luck? I say no, not possible, something else is wrong and Rick Hendrick needs to get personally involved with every single person who puts hands on this car from start to finish.

There was an ESPN chat with Newton, who wrote the article and a question was asked as follows:

in your article, what does gibson mean that not everyone on board with junior. is it is pit crew or other at hendricks and whom

David Newton (2:21 PM)
For sure members of his direct team, which would include the pit crew. I've seen evidence of that. It's tough when you bring in an outsider, as Earnhardt was, who doesn't necessarily fit the Hendrick mold.

[happydogx2]

Maybe it WAS a space-alien. If I didn’t know what the sound was I’d have thought so. Every 10 seconds it would got “reeeeeeee” in a high-pitched tone. Coyotes are howling this morning, Orionide stars are shooting, coffee is fresh and hot and God is my co-pilot today.

I wish He would help pick my drivers before the 2:00am deadline tomorrow.

[happydogx2]

I don’t know.

I’m not sure that building Jrs car at JRM would be the best solution to the mechanical issues.

I’m also not sure what the Hendrick mold is other then wanting the best performance and winning. I do see J.J. / Gordon / M.Martin are three different “special” drivers in age/abilities/stages of their career. Mark Martin, who is an outsider who came in to the Hendrick “family”, is having a phenomenal season.

It is hard for me to believe that someone would deliberately alter something on Jrs car that would put him in harms way or want him to fail. Obviously though, something is amiss and equally obvious is the high level of frustration among Jr. fans. I do hope, whatever the problem is, that it is identified and rectified. The thought of the Henrick team having 4 competitive drivers instead of three would be a win-win for Jr. Nation and Hendrick...not so much for Rousch, etc. etc.

I gotta go fold laundry, it’s a dogs life.

Have a good day, WCG.

[SouthTexas]

It’s all a perspective thing.

A lot of the Texas economy is still based on oil production.

All the races in Texas next year?

[tubebender]

YES... both of them plus 1 chase race at Sears Point. 3 races is plenty to decide a championship. As long as JJ wins all 3...

[SouthTexas]

Or Flash. :)

[happydogx2]

Or Danica... :)