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I wonder if those fortunate rains that fell on, and brought the win to, Kurt Busch at New Hampshire International Speedway yesterday will be the start of KB 1’s resurgence?

In case you forgot, Busch the Elder finished second - right on the rear bumper of Ryan Newman - the last time NASCAR saw Daytona.  Just because Kurt won in unconventional fashion, by playing the rain game, doesn’t mean this won’t start a streak.  Kasey Kahne got rolling after being VOTED into a race.  Kurt’s competitors may regret the awakening of the ex-champ.

There were other stories out of Loudon.  We’ll get to some of them.  But it’s Fourth of July week.  That used to mean it was Firecracker 400 week.  I loved that name.  That one and the Rebel 400.  Classic.  But those are gone.  Instead, you get the Firecracker Fast Lap.  Four, high banked, fast and hopefully, controversial corners for you to tackle.  Remember, 100 words or less on the answers themselves.  Unlimited words for taunting and smack-talk.

1.  What would it mean to teams if NASCAR went to unlimited testing?

2.  Would an official announcement about 2009 allow the #20 team to get on with 2008?

3.  Who should Jack Roush keep around when he has to eliminate one of his teams after 2009 - Jamie McMurray or David Ragan?

4.  Who’s your bet to join Tony Stewart as the number two driver at the proposed Tony Stewart Racing?

We have a plan to incorporate the best comments - and commentary - into a new feature ON PIT ROW or OnPitRow.com.  I haven’t, totally, figured it out as yet.  But an announcement of some kind is coming.  In the mean time, have fun with the Fast Lap.  We do.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc.

The last time the Sprint Cup circus visited the left coast the talk was mostly about what all was wrong with - take your pick - springtime weather in California, weeping race tracks, multiple races at Auto Club Speedway of Fontana via Anaheim and the sale of naming rights that create venue names too long and complicated to remember.

This time we can talk about road course specialists - welcome back Boris Said- and those drivers who just can’t seem to get a handle on turning right as well as left - Matt Kenseth comes to mind.

Matt had a nice third place finish at MIS.  He wasn’t happy with Dale Earnhardt Jr getting away with passing the pace car as Junior coaxed more from a tank of gas than anyone this side of Smokey Yunick.  Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers continued their strong early summer runs.  Tony Stewart had a nice finish and gave away more cash to others in need - this time the flood victims in his Indiana hometown.

But enough of this drivel.  It’s time to argue, Fast Lap style.

1.  Should Junior have been penalized for repeatedly passing the pace car?

2.  Did NASCAR’s closed door meeting with drivers - chastising them for excessive negative comments - contradict its earlier “say what’s on your mind” directive.

3.  Is Joey Logano the real deal or just another over-hyped wannabe?

4.  Would you give up one road course race to see the Cup Series race on a one mile dirt track?

There ought to be something in those four corners that sticks in your craw.  Let us know what you think and then come back later in the week and tell everyone else how wrong they are.  I know I will.  The best and brightest may become part of a future feature ON PIT ROW.

Photo Credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc

Wasn’t it just a week ago that much of the NASCAR world was ready to concede the 2008 version of the Sprint Cup pre-season championship to Kyle Busch?  Kyle finished dead last in Sunday’s Pocono 500.  Busch the Younger’s points lead now is only 21 over steady Jeff Burton.

Here’s a question for you.  Most of the descriptions of the Shrub have been along the lines of  spectacular, dominating or fabulous.  But I just called his closest challenger, steady Jeff.  Does that mean that spectacular is over-rated?  Tortoise and the hare re-visited?

Ponder that and while at it, give us your take on four high banked, Michigan-made Fast Lap questions.  We’ll keep an eye on the weather maps heading into the first race weekend at MIS this year.

1.  Was Kyle Busch’ “doing the triple” taking on too much considering the results?

2.  Will we see airconditioning in Cup cars any time soon?

3.  Granted it’s his sponsor; but is it bad form for Kasey Kahne to be drinking a Bud during his post race interview?

4.  McMurray and Bowyer say they are staying with their respective teams.  Will there be less movement than originally thought?

It’s supposed to be hotter than Kasey Kahne this weekend in the Irish Hills.  The ON PIT ROW Pit Crew will be busy with the ARCA RE/MAX Series race on Friday and NASCAR the rest of the time.  Throw your wittiest answers in the comment section here and I might just bring you something nice from the track**.

** Another bald-faced lie.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc.

The contrast between Dover International Speedway and Pocono Raceway couldn’t be much greater.  The tight concrete confines of the Monster Mile are nothing like the wide, flat turns and long, engine eating straights at the Green Giant.

It probably won’t matter to Kyle Busch though.  The Shrub is putting his stamp on the early third of the Sprint Cup marathon.  Make no mistake though,  there is a long way to go. 

Remember that this Sunday too when, after 400 miles or so, you are thinking that ‘ so-and-so has this thing sewn up.  The Pocono races are 500 mile endurance tests, and there will be plenty of bitching about that this and next week.  The complaints will come from the boredom that many will suffer.  Just remember, it ain’t over ’til the fat lady says it’s over - or something like that.

And this ain’t over either.  Try out the Fast Lap questions and win valuable prizes*.

1.  Half way through the “regular season” can anyone catch Kyle Busch?

2.  Is it time for NASCAR to stop giving points at the bottom of the grid, thus keeping broken race cars off the track?

3.  Tony Stewart seemed to take the blame for the early race wreck - or was he just ragging on Elliott Sadler?

4.  Who will win the 2009 Rookie of the Year; Joey Logano, Scott Speed, Brad Kesolowski or someone else?

That’s it.  If we like what you have to say you may win a new car, or something**.  Runners up  might just get a shot to share the fame and fortune afforded the co-hosts of ON PIT ROW.  The possibilities seem limitless, don’t you think?  

* This is an exaggeration.  ** This one is an out-and-out lie.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc

This will be a somewhat truncated Fast Lap post this week as I am “off on vacation and some things are hard to explain” as Jimmy Buffet said.

The Coca Cola 600 was Looonnnggg. The Indy 500 was looonnnggg and less filling. I’ll have more to say about that later at the Bench Racing blog, but something was missing still at Indy.

The Monster Mile is next up for the Cuppers and while you wile away your week, take a shot at these Fast Lap questions and let us know your thoughts. The best - and maybe the worst - of the results might just land you the vacation fill-in gig for future ON PIT ROW broadcasts.

1. Will the victories at Lowes propel Kasey Kahne to more wins?

2. Should NASCAR allow SMI and Bruton Smith to move a race to the newly purchased Kentucky Speedway?

3. Bootie Barker says the “illegal” wing brackets on their cars have been there all year. How could NASCAR have missed them all this time?

4. Rank the 500 and the 600.

Have fun kiddies. I’ll be back to comment and attack you like a shark in a frenzy. Right now though, Margaritaville calls.

Don’t relax your anti-hype muscles just yet race fans.  It’s Memorial Day weekend, home of the race formerly known as - and still referred to by Latin American racing journalists and Tony George as - The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indy 500. 

The first summer holiday also hosts the brain child of NASCAR’s Barnum, Humpy Wheeler.  The Coca Cola 600 was formerly and modestly,  known as the World 600.  PT Wheeler must have thought, “you know, if the open wheelers can have 500 Memorial Day miles, we’ll have six.  And even basketball fans know that the “World” is bigger than anything in Indiana.”

All that Sprint All Star race hype that was heaped upon us last weekend is just the opening act to the slobberknocker that’s on deck.  But there will be racing for real, at least.  Try our four Fast Lap questions as the Bench Racing version of the holiday weekend warm up.

1.  Why is NASCAR allowing teams to alter the front and rear end geometry on the new car, when they they are so stringent about body templates?

2.  Dale Earnhardt Jr says he may move his JR Motorsports team to Cup in 2009 because of cost.  What does that say about the Nationwide Series?

3.  Will the Coca Cola 600 be just an extended replay of the Sprint All-Star race?

4.  Best and worst of the Sprint All Star weekend?

At ON PIT ROW, we strive to tone down the hype ( LISTEN LIVE TUESDAYS AT 5 PM EDT!!!!!!) and be the touch of class (REPLAYS ARE AT RACETALKRADIO.COM THURSDAYS AT 7 PM EDT!!!!!!) that NASCAR and it’s circus barkers so often lack.  If you participate, and we like what you write, we may invite you to join us for polite (BRING IT ON YOU WIMP!!!!!!) NASCAR-rich discussion on a future episode of the show.  

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc.

Well Darlington didn’t disappoint did it? Between the edge-of-your-seat suspense of waiting for the next car to hit the Lady in Black’s turn four exit wall and the plain gorgeousness of the spectacle of Darlington at night - if Saturday didn’t have it all, it sure had most of it.

The popular favorite to win - Greg Biffle - made an early exit. Biffle edged out Elliott Sadler for pickle-boat status. Not at all what Greg’s fans pictured when he was topping 200 mph at the Darlington Speedway tire tests back in March.

The front of the race belonged to Kyle - boo me, throw beer at me, because I don’t care what you think - Busch. Again. NASCAR is better with someone successful to hate, don’t you think?

We’ll find out what you think. This is the Fast Lap after-all and that’s what the Fast Lap is all about. What do you think of the following four fast, made for the internet questions about what’s hot on the Cup Racing scene?

1. Should the Darlington race stay on Mothers Day weekend or move back to Labor Day?

2. Should NASCAR be concerned with Jeff Gordon’s complaint about Carl Edward’s car looking as if it is going down the track sideways?

3. Is Greg Biffle’s frustration with getting 2nd rate equipment a reason for not signing a contract extension yet?

4. Which retro paint scheme looked best at Darlington; Junior’s, Elliott’s or Kvapil’s?

Tell us what you think. Limit each answer to 100 words or less. Then come back often to defend your positions from the slings and arrows of your fellow Fast Lapper’s. This is the Fast Lap ON PIT ROW. We have plans for the best - and silliest - of the comments we get here. You might just get an invitation to defend yourself on the radio - live.

Darlington just might be my favorite race track in the world. Or maybe it’s Richmond. Both are traditional and unique in their own ways. But the Track Too Tough to Tame is quirkier, which gives Darlington the edge in my mind.

There was a lot to like about Saturday’s Dan Lowry 400 from Richmond International Raceway though.  I liked the way it looked - Richmond under the lights just looks good.  The Speed Racer #43 with the newly re-upped Bobby Labonte at the wheel was spiffy.

Richmond was heartbreaking too.  What else could you call Nationwide race winner, Denny Hamlin’s flat tire after leading the Sprint Cup race all night and getting almost within sight of sweeping his home town weekend.

And the disappointment of Green Nation and Dale Earnhardt Jr himself was palpable.  So close they both were to ending the winless streak at two years, only.  Now it goes on, with Kyle Busch a target to transfer the frustration to.  Racing deal or not, the Shrub took out NASCAR’s most popular driver.

Next up Darlington.  Newly paved and soft-walled the old Lady will be different than before.  While waiting to see, try testing your NASCAR chops on these four newly paved Fast Lap questions.

1.  Was NASCAR’s two lap penalty to Denny Hamlin adequate for stopping on the track to bring out his own caution?

2.  Is Kyle Busch’s style similar to Earnhardt Sr’s?

3.   Will Joey Logano’s domination of the ARCA Carolina 500K vault him into a full time Cup ride before the end of 2009?

4.  Kyle vs Junior or Kyle vs Steven?

All loyal Kyle Busch apologists are saying Rubbin’ is Racin’ this week.  It is.  And the Fast Lap is about rubbin’ too.  Rubbin’ other NASCAR  commentors the wrong way.  Rubbin’ your superior NASCAR knowledge in the faces of your friends.  Bring it on.  We’re planning a new Fast Lap podcast for the new OnPitRadio Page at OnPitRow.com.  We need you more than ever.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc.

The NASCAR traveling carnival is heading next to Richmond International Raceway.  The Richmond folks advertise “Racin’ perfection” and I can’t say I argue that.  The racing at RIR is, year after year, some of the best action and - important to me, best looking racing - on the circuit.

But Richmond this time has one, tough act to follow.  The Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Super Speedway was one exciting spectacle.  Kyle Busch’s performance was breathtaking.  Just ask Darrell Waltrip, who had to be reminded to “breathe Darrell” by broadcast partner Larry McReynolds during the race.

That was one wild race.  It seems that Jimmy Johnson may be right - Talladega is indeed the ultimate New Car track.  Second place finisher Juan Pablo Montoya was quoted saying restrictor plate racing is the best racing he’s ever done.  Maybe NASCAR should plate-up a couple more venues - California for one - that need a bit of excitement.

Richmond’s Fast Laps will be of a different nature, for sure, but exciting none-the-less.  While you wait for them, let us know what you think of these four flat lefties.

1.  With 52 lead changes among 20 drivers, will fans finally embrace restrictor plate racing?

2.  Was Joe Nemechek’s pole more surprising than Kyle Busch’s win?

3.  Joe Gibbs says that Tony Stewart will be with Joe Gibbs Racing throughout his contract.  What are the odds of that happening?

4.  Has Joe Gibbs Racing taken over as the restrictor plate kings or are they just taking advantage of extra Toyota horsepower.

I have some pretty strong opinions on some of those questions, how about you?  The Fast Lap is all about opinions.  There are no right or wrong ones.  Well, except for maybe Steve’s.  Let us know what you think.  We want to argue with you.  We have plans for the best of the Fast Lap and want you to be part of it all.

Remember to check out the verbal version on the Fast Lap every week ON PIT ROW.  You can listen to the live stream here at 5pm EDT or the re-broadcast at RaceTalkRadio on Thursdays at 7pm.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc.

Scott Pruett wasn’t able to hold off a hard charging Kyle ” the Shrub ” Busch in the closing stages of the Corona Mexico 200, but at least this year he didn’t whine about it. 

Pruett finished third, passed by the “Australian Turtle” (man, I loved those old Busch Series commercials) , Marcos Ambrose.  Ambrose claimed he just needed a few more laps to run down Rowdy.   Yeah, and I only need a few hairs to be a bear.

It was Busch the Younger’s first road course win and third consecutive Nationwide Series win and he did it on the track - not ON PIT ROW.  Whew, I was tryin’ to figure out how to get that link in there.

Next weekend the Cupsters take to the high banks ofTalladega Super Speedway and a return there of the New Car.  Well, kind of a return.  The last time there it was called theCoT, among other less complimentary things.  Jimmy Johnsonsays ‘Dega is the perfect CoT/NC track. I guess we’ll see Sunday.  While awaiting that verdict, try on these fast, highly banked Fast Lap questions.

1.  Chevy has pulled the new Camaro (and, incidentally, the Corvette) from contention as bodies for NASCAR competition.  Does that kill the “Pony Car” Nationwide Series?

2.  Do you like the “foreign” trips the the Nationwide Series is making?

3.  Danica Patrick won an Indy Car race, finally.  Will NASCAR see a competitve female driver in the next 5 years?

4.  Jimmy Johnson says that Talladega is the “perfect” track for the New Car.  Is that a good thing?

This is the Fast Lap so remember you get 100 words or less to answer each of these debate topics.  But make sure you come back often to defend your positions and slam the hell out of every other idiot (yes Steve will be answering too) who gets it wrong.  We just might use your best stuff on the next ON PIT ROW radio type program.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc.

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On Pit Row is glad to be a part of such a great NASCAR fantasy racing game like Champs, Chumps & Sleepers. Grand prize is a Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure. How cool is that?

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