Turn 4 Transitions
Thursday, April 29, 2010
By Natalie Anthony
Crown Royal Presents the Heath Calhoun
400
May 1, 2010 (Saturday) 7:00 pm – Fox
Kyle Busch - 2009 Crown Royal Presents The Russ
Freidman 400 Winner!
Today, Thursday
April 29, 2010 marks what would have been the 59th birthday of Dale Earnhardt Sr.
I ventured to my favorite websites for the latest NASCAR news like www.nascar.com and www.foxsports.com, but I was disappointed
when I didn’t see a single mention of Dale Earnhardt. Does the legendary driver of the Black GM Goodwrench #3 still deserve being recognized and
celebrated? That is a really dumb
question. If NASCAR Nation were asked
that question, I bet a resounding 90% would say “Yes.” Even if sports websites have dropped the ball
on Dale’s birthday, www.daleearnhardtinc.com
never will. As a matter of fact, the DEI
family has created a new “Club E” for Dale’s fan and the first level of the
membership is free. Log on and join
today. Happy Birthday Dale!
The Spring race at Richmond
International Raceway (RIR) is the proving ground for most drivers who will be
using the experienced gained at this race to solidify a spot in the chase
during the Fall race. If a driver runs
well at RIR in May and is in contention for the chase in September, then
inevitably they will be included as this season’s best and one of the twelve in
the Chase for the Sprint Cup. It may be
a little premature to say, but at this point of the season I believe that a few
drivers will be making their debut in the chase and others will be returning to
the chase after a very long hiatus. Joey Logano was last year’s
Rookie of the Year and will be this year newest chase member. Joey has been to RIR twice so far with a best
of a Top 20 finish, but his learning curve has rocketed and the third time for
him should be the proverbial charm. Daytona
winner Jamie McMurray, who has been close to
being in the chase, will show being in the #1 car this season was a positive
move. Jamie has another opportunity to
improve his standings this weekend since Jamie Mac has the momentum from his
second place win at Talladega
last weekend and a Top Ten finish last May at RIR. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s recent
surge in the points and actually leading laps in a few of the last races has
given him the confidence to keep up his driving efforts and make it into the
chase. Dale has been a supporter of the
spoiler and will make use of it on Sunday at RIR. Dale’s success at RIR is dismal, but that
will not stop him from being competitive and finishing at the very least in the
Top 15.
Kyle Busch swept both races
last Spring at Richmond
winning the Sprint and Nationwide races.
Fans in Virginia
this weekend should definitely expect to see the #18 car up front and
dominating the field.
Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson have been at each other’s throats due
to on track run ins and Johnson has admitted to
driving stupidity, but Jeff will be the one who has the last laugh. Jeff has finished in the Top Ten his last two
races at RIR.
If
you are looking for an underdog entry, Sam Hornish Jr. who rarely runs consistently and
competitively at most tracks finished in the Top Ten in the Spring
and Fall races at Richmond.
Track Stats
Russ Friedman 400
(May 2, 2009)
Top 10
Results
1. Kyle Busch
2. Tony Stewart
3. Jeff Burton
4. Ryan Newman
5. Mark Martin
6. Sam Hornish Jr.
7. Jamie McMurray
8. Jeff Gordon
9. Casey Mears
10.Juan
Pablo Montoya
Chevy Rock & Roll 400
(September
12, 2009)
Top 10
Results
1. Denny Hamlin
2. Kurt Busch
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Mark Martin
5. Kyle Busch
6. Clint Bowyer
7. Brian Vickers
8. Sam Hornish Jr.
9. Kevin Harvick
10.Ryan
Newman
Post Questions
& Comments to:
NASCARNATALIEANTHONY@yahoo.com
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