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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.

Carl Edwards loves NASCAR’s new car. Can’t say that I blame him. He has three wins out of seven 2008 Sprint Cup races and he could have had at least one more. The best part – for Carl – is that yesterday’s Car of Tomorrow is so in the heads of every other team on the track that Edwards is starting every race with a half lap lead.

Jeff Gordon finished dead last. That statement ought to be followed by exclamations of “liar” or at least “no way”, but the statement is true. The Rainbow Warriors had their asses handed to them and they still don’t have enough answers, apparently, to restore their confidence. Going to Phoenix isn’t likely a remedy as that is not one of Jeffey’s best tracks.

NASCAR moves on and so does the Fast Lap. Check out the four tricky, flat and fast lefties below. Tight in or loose out doesn’t matter – but your opinions do. Be prepared to stick up for yourself though – cause nobody else wiil.

1. More names have been thrown into the Richard Childress Racing fourth car sweepstakes. Who will it be?

2. If you owned a race team, would you hire Kyle Petty as your driver?

3. Who will be the focus of Chip Ganassi’s promised “sweeping changes” if his teams don’t start performing better?

4. Should NASCAR consider making mid-season changes to the new car?

The Fast Lap feature has been a regular part of ON PIT ROW for over seven years now.  The debates and arguments that Steve and I get into during Fast Lap segments are pretty heated more often than not.  Your input would just make it better.  Don’t expect a bunch of Kumbaya agreement though.  That’s not what this blog is all about.  Bring your best and bring it on!

With Richard Childress Racing taking the top three spots at 2008′s first short tracker at Bristol, do you expect Chevy domination at legendary Martinsville Speedway this week? 

Maybe a better question is, can Jeff Burton actually string together multiple wins – something missing from his career so far – and put some kind of RCR stamp on the early Race to the Chase for the first Sprint Cup Championship?

Last year, the first Martinsville finish was a scene that turned ominous for non-Chevy, non-Hendrick competitors as Jimmy Johnson and Jeff Gordon went one-two in a Car of Tomorrow tour du’force.  Can they do it again – at Martinsville or anywhere – in 2008?

 While we wait for the answer, bang fenders with your fellow internetters through the following flat, drag-strip connected Fast Laps and we might just put your opinions on  a future edition of ON PIT ROW.

1. Which Hendrick Motorsport driver will kick their “slump” quicker – Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Gordon or Casey Mears?

2. Should Aric Almirola get more DEI seat time after his eighth place finish in the Food City 500?

3. Kyle Busch was the biggest positive surprise of the first five races.  Who will shine over the next six, leading to Charlotte?

4. Whose fortunes will turn downward before Memorial Day?

Go fast – you only have a hundred words to use – turn left and slap fenders with your playmates.  The Fast Lap blog is blogging’s version of short track racing.  Play rough.

Chevrolet is on the Sprint Cup board thanks to a last lap, Fast Lap by Jeff Burton at Bristol Motor Speedway.  Burton has been lurking in the Cup shadows.  Jeff never seems to dominate a Cup race, though he often stomps the Nationwide Series competition.  He won this one though and led a Childress phalanx of himself, Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer to Chevy’s first win of 2008.

The early laps were a Toyota story with Tony Stewart leading the most and Denny Hamlin taking the sloppy seconds.  Those two couldn’t close the deal though – which is getting repetitive for all but Kyle Busch in the Toyota camp – as Stewart got bumped by Harvick and Hamlin had fuel pick-up problems at the end.

The Cupsters will take a break for Easter this week and we’ll have to find our Fast Laps elsewhere.  Nashvillle Super Speedway seems an OK place as the Nationwide Series camps out in the land of the Grand Ol’ Opry.  ‘Course if you are afflicted with insomnia, you could opt for the Formula One race in Malaysia.  Tune in at 2:30 am edt Sunday morning.

I have a Fast Lap option to help tide you over to the weekend.  Take these four fast ones flat out and maybe we’ll put you ON PIT ROW!

1.  The tire test at Darlington saw speeds over 200 mph. What should NASCAR do about that?

2.  Was Harvick getting into Stewart a “racing thing” or retaliation for a similar incident at Indy in 2007?

3.  Is Sam Hornish at his best with his back against the wall?

4.  Has Richard Childress Racing taken over as the number one Chevy team?

Four fast little gems to ponder and pontificate over. This is the Fast Lap – NASCAR debate in the digital world.  Wade on in and be prepared to defend your position  and counter-attack as you see fit.  Just remember, only 100 words or less, per comment.  ON PIT ROW speed limit strictly enforced.  Or not. 

The pump has been primed.  Kyle Busch won the Kobalt Tools 500 and grabbed the first win for Toyota in Sprint Cup Series competition.  That should have been the biggest story ON PIT ROW in Atlanta, but it wasn’t.

Like an old Paul Simon song, those New Cars were slip-slidin’ away, all day long and a cadre of drivers led by Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and  Dale Earnhardt Jr let loose on Goodyear for bringing an inadequate tire to the party.

Smoke didn’t complain – he attacked Goodyear and in the end did everything but blame the California weather on the Akron tire maker.  Tony was pretty hot for someone who actually finished second to his rowdy teammate, Kyle Busch.

On Monday, several drivers, current and former, stepped up to defend Goodyear.  Michael and Darrell Waltrip along with Ryan Newman praised Goodyear for erring on the side of safety with the Atlanta tire compound.  It seems kind of funny that Stewart and Gordon, the drivers most recently involved in hard crashes, would be the ones on the flip-side of that argument.

The first Bristol race of 2008 is on tap and it’s a near certainty that heads will be hot in the post-race pits on Sunday.  Goodyear could use the diversion of some hotly contested Fast Laps.  Let these four high-banked testers divert you for a few hundred words.

1.  Is Tony Stewart’s criticism of Goodyear justified?

2.  Now that Toyota has it’s first win, are Jack Roush’s worst fears set to come true?

3.  Was Kyle Busch the right guy to get Toyota’s first win?

4.  Was the #99 team of Carl Edwards, guilty of premeditated down-force addition?

Four Fast turns and you get 100 words or less to respond.  Of course, you can use as many words as you want to put your fellow commenters into the wall.  The Fast Lap blog is about NASCAR debate.  Bring your best and we may use it on our next show.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc.

Well, that sure was fun. Didn’t NASCAR dump Rockingham because of the bad February weather? Once the track at the Auto Club 500 got sufficiently wrung out the racing was decent and Jack Roush’s charges showed that 2007 is in the rear view mirror. The Fords will be there to challenge for the Chase and the Sprint Cup.

Matt Kenseth finished a solid 4th, Greg Biffle and Jamie McMurray hung around up front for most of the race. Even Travis Kvapil showed some strength before falling to mechanical problems in the Yates Racing #28.

But the Fusion that relentlessly ran down the front running Jimmy Johnson and Jeff Gordon was the #99 of Carl Edwards. According to Mr. Excitement, Jimmy Spencer ON PIT ROW tonight, Carl had been the favorite of nearly everyone in the garages all weekend.

The NASCAR caravan is headed to the mile and a half Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the first race for the new car on one of NASCAR’s best tracks. While you wait for a hopefully on-time start to Sunday’s big race, give these four variably banked Fast Lap questions your best shot.

1. In the interest of safety, should NASCAR stop drivers from climbing fences and doing back flips off of cars?

2. Would you have picked Kyle Busch to be leading the points after two races?

3. Did NASCAR handle the rain delays at California properly?

4. Will/should Bobby Labonte move to Richard Childress Racing in 2009?

Go high or go low, but remember to limit your answers to 100 words. This is The Fast Lap and we have big plans for some of the best comments here. Stop back often during the week to defend your position and trade some paint with commenters who don’t necessarily agree with your line through turn two.

Photo credit: Jeff Gross – Getty Images

 

After listening to the various announcers in the immediate after-race of the 50th Daytona 500  I’m not sure if they were more excited by Ryan Newman’s very popular victory or the stunningly competitive performance of the New Car.  The Great American Race lived up to it’s name in one of – if not THE – best of all time.  And the CoT has arrived.

Newman’s triumph was  Roger Penske’s first ever Daytona 500 win too and that was another feel good thing about the race.  The Penske one-two finish, with Kurt Busch an adventurous second place headed a surprising seven Dodges in the top ten.

The Hendrick Motorsports power house and Roush-Fenway’s Ford factory team struggled.  The Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas looked to be the strongmen most of the day but in the end, could not hold off Flyin’ Ryan and the Dodge Boys.

Those might well have been the best Fast Laps ever – we’ll talk about that.  Next up is  a trip to the Republic of California and these four un-restricted Fast Laps.

1. Were the Daytona 500 results a preview of the rest of 2008 or just the usual plate-track one offs?

2. Where do you rank this 500 in relation to past Daytona 500 ‘s

3. Have we seen the end of the “Big One” with the arrival of the New Car?

4. Did anyone expect the over/under on Jacques Villeneuve’s NASCAR career to be the under at one race?  

The Fast Lap has no restrictor plates but you’re answers are limited to 100 words. Give us your best and don’t forget to come back and defend your position throughout the week.  We’ll use the best stuff for a future ON PIT ROW. 

Photo Credit: Matthew Stockman – Getty Images for NASCAR

NASCAR Fantasy Racing

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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