NASCAR - 2009 Season

My apologies for disappearing for the 2008 season and the start of 2009. I think that I've been celebrating - and gloating about all the Kyle Busch wins, that I haven't had much time to write on here. I like that excuse... I'll stick with that one.

A lot has happened so far in the 2009 season that certainly deserves a lot of attention, from the controversy of the ending of the Daytona 500, to Kyle Busch's big wins at Las Vegas and on his birthday this past week in Richmond(along with is track streak ending win at Bristol). Brad Keselowski's move at Talladega which sent Carl Edwards airborne, and ultimately into the catch fence. The team mergers between DEI/Ganassi, Petty/GEM... Joey Logano!... Somebody stop me!

As you can see, I have a little bit to say about everything - but catching up would just take too long and probably rehash all the stories that have been over talked about. I am even forgoing my personal experience in the pits for the 2009 Daytona 500, while filming a commercial for ESPN. Talk about an experience of a lifetime!

We're in the present now - so lets talk about the ladies! Or perhaps one lady in particular. DARLINGTON HERE WE COME! Defending race leader Kyle Busch is heading to the track with momentum, but is all that birthday cake going to slow him down?

The teams are well on their way to the Lady in Black, and we'll see tomorrow what teams are looking strong at practice.

As far as REAL NEWS goes, apart from my own personal fluff of my triumphant return - latest word has it that Mark Marin has signed on with Hendrick Motorsports for a full season in 2010. I believe that Brad has been waiting patiently... and I think he needs to get to a point where he really needs to think about himself. Sure it would be great to be in Hendrick equipment, but is it worth stalling your career for the Hendrick name brand? I understand that they helped Brad start his career. (In actuality it was Jr - pre HMS). Maybe that's all that they were good for. Point is, that they are not helping Brad advance further - HMS is doing the opposite. Plus with a line up of Jr, Jeff and Jimmie, a veteran like Mark Martin can hold his own in that stable. Put a rookie like Brad Keselowski in there and it has to be tough on the kid at some level, whether it is expectations, or the lack of star power compared to your fellow teammates. The funny thing is Brad might not realize how hard it would be to join that stable until he is in there. And it has nothing to do with him, his talent or who he is teammates with - it has to do with what the media will make of it.

But hey... I could be wrong.

Before I conclude this portion of my blog,

I would like to take a moment to recognize the passing of one of NASCAR's greats, David Poole. You will be sincerely missed.

I would also like to take a moment for another passing in the NASCAR community, Kevin Grubb.

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If this is your first visit to this blog, I recommend checking out the very first post to understand what a "Wes Walk" truly is, as you will see that term come up frequently.

Before we officially start this section back up, let's have a blast from the past:

Here are what our teams looked like in 2007:


Me:
Kyle Busch
Kurt Busch
Kasey Kahne

Zack:
Jeff Gordon
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Mark Martin

Dad:
Jimmie Johnson
Tony Stewart
Matt Kennseth

Mom:
Elliot Sadler
Jeff Burton
Bobby Labonte


Needless to say - things have shifted... a lot... Here are the current teams (# of wes wins are noted next to each driver):

Me:
Kyle Busch - 3
Kurt Busch - 1
Kasey Kahne
ROOKIE: Brad Keselowski - 1

Zack:
Jeff Gordon - 1
Jimmie Johnson - 1
Matt Kenseth*
ROOKIE: ??? unknown

Dad:
Tony Stewart
Mark Martin - 1
Clint Bowyer
ROOKIE: Joey Logano

Mom:
Denny Hamlin
Carl Edwards
Jeff Burton
ROOKIE: Colin Braun

Big change 'eh? Note that I am the only one who has remained true to their team since the very beginning.

Note the * next to Kenseth's name, along with the fact that there are no Wes Walk wins. At Daytona before the 500, my dad and I had the following conversation:

Dad: I think I'm going to drop Kenseth

Me: I wouldn't do that...

Dad: Why not.. he sucked last year

me: I think you'll regret it... he's usually a very consistent driver and I think he's good to have.

Dad: He's too vanilla his personality doesn't mesh with mine...

Me: Maybe... but I still think it would be a mistake, he's a great driver to have for you top 5's and for the 123 finishes... I think you should keep him.

Dad: No... I'm dropping him... there.. he's dropped...

Me: Ok, fine... You're going to regret it...


annnndddddddddd Matt Kenseth wins the Daytona 500... andddd at Fontana - Autoclub Speedway... way to go dad... AFTER the two wins, Zack decided to pick up Kenseth.

Also note that we have included rookies... they only count if they win.

Another note is that this is all about betting and acquiring wes walks, thus one wants the best chance at winning by picking the strongest drivers. Notice that one of the 'big names' have been completely dropped from all teams (he was shuffled around in the '08 season)...