Casey Atwood Talent Does Not Always Equal Success At The Highest Levels

 Casey Lee Atwood at one time was called the next Jeff Gordon, but was never able to live up to the hype. Does this mean his career was a failure? Of course it does not make him a disappointment. There are many different things that goes into a drivers success many of those things are beyond his control Let's take a closer look at Casey Atwood's career and why he is another race car driver who just did not land where he needed to be.

In 75 races in Nascar's Top Division he ran 75 races with four Top 10 finishes. Those kind of numbers will not get you a long-term contract anywhere in Nascar these days. When he drove in the top circuit he needed more stability and help which really wasn't available to him. I think he would have been great if teamed with a Mark Martin who could have showed him the ropes and what he needed to improve on. Many times when it comes to racing the right fit is so important.

The Nascar Xnfinity Series Casey Atwood seen great success. He garnered 2 wins and 30 Top 10 finishes in 158 starts. Atwood excelled in this series which helped send him to the top circuit. He never could duplicate what he did in this series and that is a shame. Maybe he needed to stay a little longer in this series, but when the Cup comes calling it's tough to refuse.

Many people feel Casey Atwood's career was a failure, but that's not my take. He did the best he could with what rides he had. No race car driver goes out to fail. Many times it comes to being in the right place at the right time. That never happen for Casey and that is a shame. We never got to see what he could have done in the right situation. 

Most people overlook Casey Atwood, but no matter what anyone says about him he did always try his best. You really can't ask anymore for a young man who was trying his best against some of the best drivers in the world.

Richard Petty vs Danica Patrick And The Winner Is?

Well it seem that Tony Stewart had a good idea having Danica Patrick race Richard Petty to shut him up. If Tony Stewart thought The King would back down apparently he does not know him very well. Richard Petty said bring it on. Now Richard Petty is 76 years old and has not driven a race car in 25 years, but he is not back tracking you have to respect him for that.

Now the only thing left is where they will have the race and what day. It will be interesting to see if it actually takes place. Now if I was betting on the race I'm not betting against The King. There was a reason he won 200 Nascar races during his career.Danica is a lot younger, but Richard Petty is never one to back away from a challenge. This one should be very interesting to watch.

Can We Stop Cheating In Nascar?

Cheating In Nascar came to the fore front this past weekend, but if the truth was known it has been going on for a very long time in the sport. Nascar has hoped that the word cheating would never appear, but it happens more then people realize. In the garage and behind closed door deals are made. People who do not think it happens is fooling themselves. Deals are made for a variety of reasons, but mostly to help a team get to a certain position in the standings. Can you stop the cheating?

No matter how hard Nascar tries to police the sport cheating will always be around. You can never tell what drivers are doing it and what ones are not. Just like a wreck that happens on the track. Was it intentional to help someone or it really happened. You can monitor radio chatter, but when a deal is made they are not going to talk about it on their radios. If they do they know now they will be punished for it.

I wish I could say that cheating will not happen again, but the truth is it will. It’s a shame as the sport really does not need this right now. All Nascar can hope for now is they have no more cheating scandals abrupt anytime soon.

Dick Trickle Legacy Will Not Be Marked By Wins And Losses

Dick Trickle was one of a kind and touched all that he met in his life. This is why the racing community is taking the death of Dick Trickle very hard. He was a race car driver who always gave it his all no matter what. Every part of his life was hard living and on the edge. This is how Dick Trickle was and people understood this as well. His death is shock from guy who seemed to handle everything very well. Various reports had him in alot of pain and that could be why he took his life.

His legacy WILL not be the wins or losses, but the people he touched along the way. Most every racer has meet Dick Trickle or could  tell you a story they heard about him. Dick  Trickle was larger then life and that is why his death is such a blow to the racing community. Dick Trickle will be missed by his family and friends, but most of all we lost a good guy.

Danica Patrick Should Earn A Spot Not Be Given One

After I read about Danica Patrick and how she got her spot in the Daytona 500 I find myself not really happy the way it went down. I mean yes they bought there spot and that is legal under Nascar rules. I just do not think it is fair to other drivers trying to make the field. Yes, people will say they could have bought the spot, but most do not have the backing or that kind of money. If they want to get into the Daytona 500 they must race in. This is what Danica Patrick should have been forced to do as well. I am against people buying spots into this race.

Nascar has gotten away from a level playing field and that is why one-car teams have very little chance for success these days. Rickey Rudd found out how tough it was even with a good sponsor. Earning your spot in the big show is how it should be done. Dancia Patrick may have qualified anyways, but I still would have liked to see her earn it. Buying spots because you have deep pockets in my opinion is just wrong in my opinion.

Tony Stewart Smokes Competition And Grabs Third Nascar Championship

Tony Stewart did not give himself much of a chance to win the Nascar Championship before the Chase started, but it seems like he was just blowing smoke up his competition's tailpipe. Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards finished tied for the Nascar point lead, but because Stewart had five wins and Edwards only one Stewart is the new Nascar champion.

You have to give Tony Stewart a lot of credit as I never thought he had a chance of winning the Nascar championship at all. Before the chase started he struggled, but when the Chase got started it seemed to renew him and no one could find a way to derail him one bit. Carl Edwards did all he could do, but it was not enough to stop Smoke. It was Tony Stewart's third Nascar Championship and probably his sweetest one. The main reason for that is he is a owner and driver and that makes it even more sweeter.

Kyle Busch Fined And Put On Probation For Antics In Texas

Kyle Busch is young and it looks like it will take him some time for him to learn how to do things the right way. After parking Busch for the weekend at Texas Nascar came down on him even more. Busch got fined 50,000 dollars and was put on probation for the rest of the season. If Busch has another incident he could face an indefinite suspension from Nascar. Now after all of these punishments you would think that is all for Busch, but it may not be.

Joe Gibbs Racing and M&M's the car sponsor has not said what they may add to the punishment if they do at all. No matter what this has been costly for Busch and hopefully he will learn from this all. Busch is a young man who loses his cool to easily. He needs to learn to think before he acts, so he does not get in so much trouble. He is one of the most talented drivers in Nascar, but that will do him no good if he is suspended.

Tony Stewart Wins Texas Cuts Carl Edwards To 3 Points

Tony Stewart grab a Texas win and now the pressure gets tighter on Carl Edwards as Stewart now just trails Edwards by just three points. With only two races left this should get very interesting. For Jimmie Johnson his reign will come to an end. It was a great run and everyone knew eventually it would have to end. Below is the point stands and the Top Ten at Texas.

1 Carl Edwards 2316 ---
2 Tony Stewart 2313 3
3 Kevin Harvick 2283 33
4 Matt Kenseth 2278 38
5 Brad Keselowski 2267 49
6 Jimmie Johnson 2261 55
7 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2237 79
8 Jeff Gordon 2235 81
9 Kurt Busch 2229 87
10 Denny Hamlin 2217 99


Final Pts/Bonus
1. Tony Stewart (14) 48/5
2. Carl Edwards (99) 43/1
3. Kasey Kahne (4) 42/1
4. Matt Kenseth (17) 41/1
5. Greg Biffle (16) 40/1
6. Jeff Gordon (24) 38/0
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) 37/0
8. Martin Truex Jr. (56) 36/0
9. Clint Bowyer (33) 35/0
10. A J Allmendinger (43) 34/0

Kyle Busch Apology Letter Did It Go Far Enough To Make Amends

Kyle Busch crafted an letter of apology, or probably his PR people did for him. Will it make a difference now or help him move forward. The letter is below I thought i would let my Sports blogging Network readers decide on their own.

To all,

I've had a lot of time today to sit and reflect, and try to put my thoughts into words as best I can.

I want to sincerely apologize for my actions during Friday night's Truck Series race at Texas.
I apologize to my fans, all my sponsors, everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing and Kyle Busch Motorsports.

After talking with my team, it's great to have their support and encouragement to assure me that there are better days ahead. Even though this took place while driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports, I am sorry for how difficult this has been for everyone associated with Joe Gibbs Racing's Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series teams.

I'd also like to apologize to Ron Hornaday Jr., and everyone associated with the No. 33 team in the Truck Series.

I understand why I was taken out of the car for the rest of the weekend. NASCAR officials had to act, and I accept their punishment and take full responsibility for my actions.
As a racecar driver, the hardest thing to do is to sit on the sidelines listening to cars on the track when you know you should be out there competing. For this, I have no one to blame but myself.

Through a lot of support from the people around me, I feel like I've made a lot of strides this year, but this was certainly a step backward. Moving forward, I will do everything I possibly can to represent everyone involved in a positive manner. However, I know my long-term actions will have more of a bearing than anything I say right now.

Sincerely,
Kyle Busch

Matt Kenseth Takes Checkered Flag In Charlotte

Matt Kenseth wins at Charlotte Raceway and Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards took second and third place. Jimmie Johnson was involved in a wreck and hurt his chance to win another Nascar Championship. Johnson now stands 35 points off the lead and will have to make up a lot of ground if he hopes to win another Nascar Championship.


Bank of America 500
Charlotte Motor Speedway
(Saturday, Oct 15)

Final Pts/Bonus
1. Matt Kenseth (17) 47/4
2. Kyle Busch (18) 44/2
3. Carl Edwards (99) 42/1
4. Kasey Kahne (4) 40/0
5. Marcos Ambrose (9) 39/0
6. Kevin Harvick (29) 38/0
7. A J Allmendinger (43) 37/0
8. Tony Stewart (14) 37/1
9. Denny Hamlin (11) 35/0
10. Ryan Newman (39) 35/1Complete Results

Did Paul Menard Cost Jeff Gordon A Victory?

It seems that this story about Paul Menard and if he did or did not intentionally wreck will not go away. In fact Nascar is going to look into it and see if there is any truth to the rumors that have been swirling about the incident. My take on all this if Menard did do it I doubt if it was the first time a driver has done it, and it will not be the last.

Now if Nascar does find out that Menard did do it on purpose than this could open up a big hornet's nest for Nascar. It means that races could be affected by drivers who wreck to bring out cautions which is something Nascar does not need right now. I think in the end nothing will come of it and Nascar will just let it blow over. If they find something I do not even know if they would want to release it to the public anyways.

Jeff Gordon Holds Off Jimmie Johnson To Grab 85th Win

Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are teammates, but winning races never gets old as Gordon bested his teammate for his 85th win in Atlanta. Johnson did his best to prevent Gordon from winning, but the Gordon had other ideas and took the checkered flag for his 85th win. Johnson and Gordon could be the two who battle for the Championship you never know. No matter what Gordon is back and a force again in Nascar Racing.

1. Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet
2. Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet
3. Tony Stewart, Chevrolet
4. Kurt Busch, Dodge
5. Carl Edwards, Ford
6. Brad Keselowski, Dodge
7. Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet
8. Denny Hamlin, Toyota
9. Matt Kenseth, Ford
10. AJ Allmendinger, Ford

Will Junior Be Able To Hold His Spot And Make The Chase This Season?

With two races left there is some tense time in the Dale Earnhardt Jr camp. He sits 9th in points and with two races left will he hold on. The bottom line is if he finishes above his competitors that are position below him he will be fine. The problem he has though, a DNF could knock him out of The Chase. This is why Junior must still run hard every week to make it. The odds look good he will make the Chase, but does it matter really.

Early in the season Junior was having some good runs and it looked like he was going to break his losing streak, but that did not happen. He has slowly fell down the standings and his performance on the track has suffered as well. It's the same old Junior running well, and not so well. It seems to be a recurring theme anymore with him. Fans though stick by him hoping for a win that I am afraid is not coming this season. Ever since he left his Dad's company he has not performed the way he would like. In fact, maybe it's time Junior ask for his old Dad's number 3 black car. It seems Junior does well when he drives his dad's famous cars, but not his own.

Kyle Busch Loses License For 45 Days For Speeding

Kyle Busch speeds away from his competition on the racetrack, but in a North Carolina Courtroom his speeding cost him his license for 45 days. He also was given $1,000 dollar fine, placed on a year of unsupervised probation and ordered to do 30 hours of community service with the B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) program that he already had committed to with NHRA star Doug Herbert.

On May 24 Kyle Busch was charged going 128 mph in a 45 mph speed zone on a rural road near Mooresville, N.C. It seems Kyle Busch forgot that on the race track there are basically no rules, but on the public road there happens to be. Now with this ruling hopefully Busch can put this behind him and move on.

Paul Menard Saves Fuel Captures Brickyard 400 Sunday

Paul Menard has never got the respect that he has wanted, but he understands why. Menard has a guaranteed sponsor with his dad owning Menards home improvement chain through the Midwest. He with the guaranteed sponsor Paul has still struggled to find victory lane until today. Menard's crew chief Slugger Labbe gambled on fuel mileage and it paid off for him and his team as Menard took the Brickyard 400. Jeff Gordon took second place, as he could not catch Menard at the end.

1. Paul Menard (27)
2. Jeff Gordon (24)
3. Regan Smith (78)
4. Jamie McMurray (1)
5. Matt Kenseth (17)
6. Tony Stewart (14)
7. Greg Biffle (16)
8. Mark Martin (5)
9. Brad Keselowski (2)
10. Kyle Busch (18)