NASCAR News - - Post Homestead-Miami Speedway

"Congratulations To Jimmie Johnson"

Okay, now I've said it, those were the toughest words that have ever come out of my mouth/keyboard, but at least he finally won his championship and maybe, just maybe we won't have to hear all the whinning about it now. I just, for the life of me, cannot understand how it is that a cheating crew chief can spend several weekends on suspension, working from home, which should NOT be allowed, and still pull off a championship. Especially since this was not the first time he was caught cheating !!! There seems to be something wrong with the justice system in this country, that has even spilled over into what used to be my favorite sport. But I guess the new way of life is that "right is now wrong and wrong is now right". I'm sorry, I just don't get it. Kasey Kahne wins six races, Johnson wins five, yet Johnson is crowned the Champion ? ? ?

Don't get me wrong, I used to be one of Johnson's fans, although not to the extent that I am Mikey's Fan. But I am seeing that he has taken on the same attitude as his four time championship holder, teammate, and I find that disgusting. And while I'm on this rant, I think that Johnson has a "wimpy" way of driving a racecar. I ask you, who else gets out there and drives like "the little old lady from Pasadena"??? He says, right out, that he doesn't want to mess up his car, well, if you don't want to mess up your car, get it off the racetrack, Pal. I have to tell you that I could not believe my ears when I heard him say, on Sunday, that he was just laying back, making laps, from the comfortable points position, God forbid he would mess up his car. Well, let me tell you that that is NOT why I am a fan, to watch someone taking a "Sunday afternoon run around the track". Oh yeah, and don't let the other 33 "non-chase drivers" touch my car, PLEASE. Yeah right.

Like I said, what a disgrace to my sport. I won't even to into how I feel about NASCAR, except to say that they are ONLY looking for the almighty dollar, and they seem to have a different standard, depending on thich race team (i.e. "The Golden Boys") you are talking about, but then what do I know, I'm only a fan, or soon to be former fan of NASCAR. (???)

Race and Commercial Breakdown Of The FORD 400

Total number of commercials: 151
Total number of Companies or entities advertised: 76
Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 25
Restarts missed due to being away at commercials: 0 (???)
Total minutes: 221
Minutes of race broadcast: 147
Minutes of commercials: 74

Dale Jarrett To Michael Waltrip Racing, Inc. ! ! !

After concluding his run in the #88 FORD for Robert Yates Racing on Sunday, Dale Jarrett will be going to Baltimore next week where he's scheduled to have surgery on his left hand. Jarrett broke his hand in a crash at Infineon Raceway last June, apparently it has not healed properly. Dale also has a birthday coming up on November 26th. I want to extend my well wishes on his surgery and also wish him a Happy Birthday. As most of you know, Dale is moving over to Michael Waltrip Racing in 2007 and I couldn't be any happier. I know Dale will only be an asset to our organization, he is a Class Act, in my humble opinion. Welcome Aboard Dale ! ! !

Pain Relief, Anyone ? ? ?

Goody's Headache Powders, a staple in NASCAR since 1977, will be replaced by Tylenol next season as the sport's official pain reliever. It's yet another break the stock car racing series is making from its longtime partners. But Goody's plans to stay involved with Petty Enterprises and continue its relationship with Martinsville Speedway, where thay sponsored a Busch Series race this season. I'm sure that the drivers and teams that have fallen outside of the Top 35 in owner points, appreciate knowing where to go for some much needed pain relief. I know, I know, MY Driver is sadly on of them, though no fault of his own, I might add.

15 of 16 COT's Rejected ? ? ?

Only one of 16 "Car Of Tomorrow" entries submitted to NASCAR by the Nextel Cup Series teams for pre-certification as received clearence so far. It looks, to me, as if its going to be a busy off-season, Boys. NASCAR is currently going down a list by car owner points and allowing teams to take completed version of the COT- - - which will be used in 16 Cup races next season - - - to its Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. for pre-certification. This process is REQUIRED for any car of tomorrow to be used next season and must be completed before the car appears at the track for a race, said Brett Bodine, a member of NASCAR's R&D team and director of cost containment.

Congratulations To Kevin Harvick ! ! !

As if it came as any surprise, Kevin Harvick was handed the NASCAR Busch Series Championship Trophy, Saturday night. Like I said before, I have really enjoyed watching Kevin "spank them" this season, with, what was it 874 points ahead of second place ??? Although I know he's a "Buschwacker" and something needs to be done about that situation, yet and still Kevin got the job done in style, and you gotta love that smile ! ! !

Speaking of the Busch Series, did I hear correctly, that they are going to lower the driver age to sixteen ? ? ? At first I thought that that was awful young, but then again some of these "kids" have been racin' since they were four or five years old. I guess it only proves that the author of this blog is showing her age, again ! ! !

My "Better Luck Next Season" List

Okay, here's my Better Luck Next Season List. Boy, has this been a tough blog to write, or what??? And of course you know who is on my list and what I've about to say, in that some of them need improvement through no fault of their own. Let's just call it bad circumstances, shall we ???

Driver Finishing Position

1. Carl Edwards 12th

2. Gregg Biffle 13th

3. Ryan Newman 18th

4. Jamie McMurray 25th

5. Michael Waltrip 37th

Michael has already admitted that this has been the worst season of his career. But I want to go on the record as saying that I still stand behind MY Driver, this guy has worked and driven his big ol' heart out this season and I for one appreciate all of his efforts and as I have said so many times - - - I will still be his fan, if he were to be driving the Pace Car, the Tow Truck or even the Emergency Vehicle ! ! !

I am excited and looking forward to the 2007 Season and seeing first hand what the TOYOTA Camry can do on the racetrack. I'm NOT saying that we will win the 2007 Championship - - but at least we will be headed in the right direction, for a change AND we won't be relying on someone else to supposedly get the job done. Best of luck to MY Driver and all the rest of the drivers that finished outside of the Top 35 in owner points, a new day and a new season is fast approaching, at least I hope it is fast approaching, cause I miss the races already ! ! !

Changes To Be Made In 2007

Jimmy Spencer behind the wheel, again ??? I read an article that I just can't get my head around. Jimmy Spencer going to the #73 team. The #73 team, you ask ??? I'm hearing that Spencer is back in 2007 on a part-time basis for Revelocity Racing, a new team in the Nextel Cup Series, formed by a group of four businessmen from West Verginia, they plan to run all of the Car Of Tomorrow races in 2007. All I can say is there must not be any other drivers left on the planet ! ! !

Casey Mears to Hendrick Motorsports - - All I can say is, "Why Casey Why???"

Jeremy Mayfield to Bill Davis Racing - - - All I can say is, "What were YOU thinkin' ?"

I realize that I've only scratched the surface of the "Silly Season", but I will be back during the off-season, as more news becomes available. After all, I'm "The Wal-NutzManiac", with a nose for news ! ! !

Learn Something New Every Day

I was not aware of the fact that all the winner of "The Pole" gets, besides the pole, is the first dibbs on the Pit Stalls. I guess I just assumed that there were points involved somewhere along the way. So now I'm thinking about the possible changes to "The Chase" format to - - increase the number of points for the WIN and adding points for winning the pole. Oh yeah, and by the way, they can DO AWAY with "The Chase" altogether and go back to the "Olden Days" where a race was - - well, A RACE ! ! !

Don't Forget To Mark Your Calendars

The Awards Banquet for the Nextel Cup Series will be held at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City on Friday, December 1st, 2006 at 9:00 PM Eastern Time to be seen on TNT.

The Awards Banquet for the Craftsman Truck Series will be held at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort on Friday, December 29th at 9:00 PM Eastern Time to be seen on SPEED.

The Awards Banquet for the Busch Series will be also be held at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, but the date has not been announced as of yet. I will keep you posted as soon as I hear.

Congratulations To Todd Bodine ! ! !

I almost forgot to offer my congratulations to Todd Bodine for winning the Craftsman Truck Series Championship.

I am a fan of Johnny Benson, when it comes to the trucks, and needless to say, I was disappointed to see him get wrecked in the final race of the season, but I thought he has an awesome year inspite of it. Good Job, JB ! ! !

That's all I have for you today. I hope you all have a wonderful off-season, especially with all the Holidays coming up. Like I said, I'll be around here during the off-season, as long as there is news to report and discuss, so check back and see what's happening ! ! !

Happy Holidays to all ! ! !

The Wal-NutzManiac