Turn 4 Transitions

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

By Natalie Anthony

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dodge Challenger 500

May 9, 2009 (Saturday) –7:35 pm – FOX

 

 

 

            Last weekend was a phenominal weekend for Kyle Busch and NASCAR fans in general.  As I mentioned last week, I was fortunate to watch the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races live.  It has been a while since I have been to a race and I forgot how wonderful it is to sit in the stands and experience the thrill of racing first hand.  I sat there for the first few laps of the Nationwide race in complete awe.  At the conclusion of the Spint Cup race, which was won by Kyle Busch, I enjoyed taking an elevator ride with Fox Sports Mike Joy.  Mike was a pure gentleman by allowing me to take a photo with him before we reached the ground floor at Richmond International Raceway (RIR).  As Mike walked through the heavy crowd at RIR, I could not help but think what a colossel being he is in motorsports broadcasting and I had finally met him.

 

            Denny Hamlin was denied another chance to win at RIR last weekend.  However, Denny is currently holding the best average finsh (6.33) at Darlington Raceway (DR) and pulled out a 7^th place finish last May at the South Carolina track.  Teammate to Denny and a familiar face in victory lane; Kyle Busch, who is the defending race winner for the Spring race at DR will be trying to snag his fourth win this season.  Last season, Kyle raked in a total of eight wins.  He could be on his way to beating that feat.

 

            Jimmie Johnson’s disappointing finish at RIR will undoubtedly put himself and Chad Knaus on the edge because the champion lost three spots in the standings and is still trailing his teammate Jeff Gordon.  I think this weekend’s Saturday night race is going to give JJ the boost he needs to move up the ladder.  Last Spring, Jimmie finished 13th while Jeff Gordon finished 3^rd and Jimmie is ranked second as a driver with the highest average finish of 7.4.  Give Jefafa (slight nod to ventriliquiest Jeff Dunham) a Gatorade Duel win and a regular season win and now he has been the points leader since almost the beginning of the season.  Checked out Jeff’s stats; he has gotten seven Top 10’s out of only ten races this season.

 

 

Dodge Challenger 500

(May 10, 2008)           

Top 10 Results  

1.  Kyle Busch

2.  Carl Edwards

3.  Jeff Gordon

4.  Dale Earnhardt Jr.   

5.  David Ragan

6.  Matt Kenseth         

7.  Denny Hamlin

8.  Travis Kvapil

9.  Dave Blaney

10.Jeff Burton

 

 

Post Questions & Comments to:

NASCARNATALIEANTHONY@yahoo.com

 

 

 

Track Stats

Darlington Raceway

(Darlington, SC)

Dodge Challenger 500