NASCAR News - - April 17th Edition

Crew Chiefs To Drive In Thunder Roadster Race ???

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to actually see a crew chief drive a racecar ??? Well, you will have a chance to see just that as these guys climb down off the Pit Box and strap into the racecar. It ought to be a hoot !!!

The Crew Chiefs-turned=drivers will drive in a 30 minute racing program that includes two qualifying heats and a feature race and this will all be televised by the SPEED Channel as part of the Pre-Race Festivities to the Nextel All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 19th.

Crew Chiefs expected to race this event are: Alan Gustafson (Kyle Busch), Billy Wilburn (Kyle Petty), Chad Knaus (Jimmie Johnson), Darin Grubb (Casey Mears), Gil Martin (Clint Bowyer), SPEED Channel's Jeff Hammond (No. 11), and Larry McReynolds (No. 28), Jimmy Elledge (Reed Sorenson), Kevin Manion (Martin Truex, Jr.), Paul Andrews (Bobby Labonte), Scott Miller (Jeff Burton), Steve Lane (David Stremme), Steve Latarte (Jeff Gordon), Todd Berrier (Kevin Harvick) and Tony Eury, Jr. (Dale Earnhardt, Jr.).

Be sure to check out the Inaugural Kobalt Tool Crew Chief Race, it should prove to be quite interesting !!!

Programing Changes For Phoenix International Raceway Action This Weekend

Nextel Cup Series Qualifying is scheduled for Thursday, April 19th at 8 p.m. Eastern. On the SPEED Channel. GO Michael Waltrip Racing !!!

Busch Series Qualifying is scheduled for Friday, April 20th at 5:30 p.m. Eastern. On the SPEED Channel. GO David Reutimann !!!

The Busch Series Race "Bashas Supermarkets 200" will air on Friday night at 9:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.

The Nextel Cup Race "Subway Fresh Fit 500" will air Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on FOX.

Congratulations To . . . . . . . . . . . .

Jeff Burton for the WIN and the first repeat win at Texas Motor Speedway. Way to go Jeff !!!

Jamie McMurray for his Top 5 finish in the race. Nice job Jamie !!!

David Stremme for his Top 10 finish in the race. Pour it on David !!!

David Ragan for causing the first wreck and causing the Snickers car to go flying over the Casey Mears car.

Juan Pablo Montoya for aggressive driving and making "Smoke" consider retirement - - - not a good thing and not a way to make friends in NASCAR - - - be it drivers or fans. Grrrrr !!!!

Kyle Busch "Shrub" for taking out Dale, Jr. and leaving the track before Junior fans could track you down. I think you need glasses, pal, if you couldn't see the rest of the drivers checking up !!!

Dale, Jr. for keeping his head on straight and for driving "Shrub's" car - - - what a class act !!! I hope he was able to steal some secret information or at least left a Bud in the car !!! LOL !!!

"Smoke" for staying cool and letting his frustrations be known to JPM and the NASCAR Nation. Please don't retire, Smoke, you're the best driver in the present day.

Jimmie Johnson for never knowing what's going on at or on or around the track. When questioned in an interview the only answer is, "I don't know what you're talking about" Does the second run away tire ring any bells Jimmie. Yeah right !!!

Next Stop . . . . . Phoenix

Another weekend with the Car of Tomorrow or Today or whatever day. I personally don't like the COT's but I know that they are here to stay so I might as well get over it.

The Wal-NutzManiac