A final Farewell to Jeff Gordon

So I felt that it wouldn't be right to give a future hall of famer who was retiring a small blurb in my season recap. Every sense I started watching NASCAR Jeff Gordon has been in the 24 car and it is so weird to think that he won't be any more. It's crazy to see the drivers that were the stars when I first started watching all starting to retire. I love a lot of the up and coming drivers that will take their places however these are the drivers that I started watching and it's weird to think that drivers like Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart are retiring. With that said there is no doubt that Jeff Gordon is an incredible driver and a future hall of famer sooner rather than later. Seeing the tributes that all the tracks, fans and drivers did not only today but this whole season. I got to be a part of one of those tributes at Michigan International Speedway this year and I've got to watch Jeff Gordon race live twice. Jeff is a class act for all he does off the track and for the driver he was on the track wanting to do whatever he could to help the sport he loves. Seeing all the pieces on him today made me emotional and I'm not even a Jeff Gordon fan I respect Jeff 100% and he's the type of guy that you want to support. For me though I never attached on as a fan of his I know most of my favorites were Jeff Gordon fans growing up though. Jeff was a great ambassador for this sport and watching him win Martinsville I was happy for him that he could end his career with at least 1 more win and a chance at the title. If Kyle couldn't have won Jeff was my second pick for the title. I had a feeling after he won Martinsville that it would be the final win of his career and it was but it was the perfect win to complete your career with. Seeing Jeff Gordon retire was sad and emotional for me so I can't even imagine what it must have been like for those that are true fans off his. For me personally I grow to love these drivers and to support them and I love seeing them every week. So it becomes personal almost like your giving it up thankfully all my favorites are relatively young so I have a few years before I have to worry about that. Jeff is an incredible driver who I respect so much and I will miss seeing him on the track. I loved watching all the great tributes this year as a sport we gave a grand farewell for one of our legends, NASCAR greats, Champion and Hall of Fame Driver (soon to be). Jeff your final season may not have gone exactly as you wanted but you had the love and support of an entire community and sport. Seeing how your peers reacted shows what an incredible guy you are for all of those of us who haven't had the pleasure of meeting you. I wish you all the best in your future and I can't wait to see what class of the Hall your inducted into but I'm guessing that you get inducted in within the next two years but definitely the next five. As they said at the races all year and especially today Thank you Jeff 24ever you will be missed on the track enjoy your retirement and time with your lovely wife Ingrid as well as Ella and Leo who are both beautiful kids. You had a storied career and you were respected and loved by your peers. You're a champion in every sense of the word and you deserve everything you got this year God Bless you Jeff.

 

 

2015 Champions and Recap

Well fellow race fans the 2015 season is officially over. What a crazy season it has been first off I'm so thankful that all drivers made it through the year. There were a lot of scary crashes and three drivers especially that lived despite horrific crashes that easily could have killed them. Austin Dillon's crash at Daytona for him to survive that was a miracle as I said back then I truly thought watching it that he was dead and I'd just witnessed my first fatality. Kyle Busch also at Daytona without hans devices he definitely a few years ago would have died and you look at his injuries it's a miracle he was okay. Finally Austin Theriault's crash at Las Vegas hearing that his hans device broke he's incredibly lucky to still be alive and it shows that we still will never have a perfectly safe sport. There were many other wrecks and hard hits but those three made me thankful for all the safety NASCAR has implemented throughout the years. There was a lot of crazy moments for me personally with my 4 favorite drivers. Seeing Jeff Gordon run his final season (see my next post all about that) and learning that next year will be Tony Stewart's final season. Learning that Michael Waltrip Racing was to end operations at season's end. It was a crazy season and for me personally it was the season that I saw my second race live once again at the Michigan International Speedway. It was also the first season that I watched without my NASCAR buddy and the women who truly was my second mom. I miss her every day it's so surreal that a year of NASCAR news that we would have talked about is gone. Tonight one of my favorites won the championship and I wish more than anything that I could have had her congratulations and playful teasing however I didn't and I have to get use to the fact I can't text or talk to her about NASCAR however I'm not sure the longing to ever will. So without further ado let's head on to the champions.

First up the Truck Series anyone who has followed my blog knows that I'm a huge Erik Jones fan and he had an incredible season with his 3 truck wins, 2 xfinity wins, and amazing runs in his cup series starts. He capped the season off winning a championship in the truck series. To think he's only 19 and this was his first full time season shows his potential. He ran higher than most of the other young guns (Chase Elliott, Ty Dillon, Chris Buescher, and at points Ryan Blaney) in his sprint cup starts. He is a future talent and reminds me so much of his mentor Kyle Busch. He handled himself so well all year with all situations he was put in. I love his fiery competitive spirit much like his mentor Kyle. Seeing the passion that he brings to the sport and knowing that he got here off his talent and hard work he didn't come from a racing family. The fact that he beat the drivers he did for his wins this year was incredible. To think that in his first cup start he lead a lap and nearly finished in the top 5 that right there is talent.  Being that he drives for one of my other favorites Kyle Busch I was thrilled to see him cap off the season with the Truck championship the first driver championship for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Erik is an incredible driver and I'm so proud to be a supporter of his I like a lot of the young up and coming drivers with them being close to my age but my favorite is Erik Jones. Congrats on being the 2015 NASCAR Truck Series Champion Erik.

Second Up the Xfinity series I was personally pulling for Ty Dillon or Chase Elliott to win the title. I'm not a Chris Buescher fan however he did an incredible job and he earned that title. I've been a fan of his cousin James and I wish James still had a ride. It amazes me the difference between the Roush Xfinity Program and the Roush Cup Program. I don't think it has to do with driver talent like I know some people do however it is a little surprising to me. Congrats on being the 2015 Xfinity Series Champion Chris.

Finally the Sprint Cup Series I'm so stoked that Kyle Busch won the title after all he's been through this year. First off I want to start by addressing the controversy. I know there are a lot of people out there who say Kyle shouldn't have been in the 16 drivers competing for the title and there for shouldn't have been able to race for the title. I just have a few things to say about that first off I'd like to say anyone who says that go through what Kyle went through and let's see how you do. I highly doubt that many people other current NASCAR drivers included could have went through what Kyle did and gone on to win the title. I doubt that many people who are 100% healthy could have gone and had the season Kyle did let alone had the injuries Kyle did and then have that season. Kyle came back before most expected. He did what NASCAR said they didn't change the rules for him to make the chase he still had to finish in the top 30 in points and win a race (to be in the chase that's what you need to do no matter what) Kyle did that and did what his competitors did with 11 less races. The odds were stacked against Kyle to make it to the chase let alone the final 4. Most of the experts who call the races doubted that he would be able to make it. He had a 179 points deficit to make it to the chase at one point he crashed in a couple of his first races back making his job that much tougher. However he went on his roll to win during a incredible summer that saw him win 3 races in a row. He won four races at that point how can you honestly say a driver that won 4 races shouldn't be able to compete for the title. I know there are a lot of people out there who say Kyle shouldn't have been able to win tonight's title. In the end I'm not here to change their minds as a Kyle fan and even as a Joey, Erik, Denny fan I'm use to seeing people hate on my drivers. It doesn't mean that I like it but I also know the incredible drivers and even more so the incredible people they are off track. They are fierce competitors (even getting in fights with each other) who overcome adversity better than most and who only want to win and that rubs people the wrong way. So if you don't like my drivers or you don't feel that Kyle should have won the title that's your opinion and your welcome to it however I will not accept any nasty comments on my blog they will be deleted and if you dislike those 4 drivers then this probably isn't the blog for you. There my four favorites and I talk about them a lot I do my best to be supportive of other drivers even those I dislike knowing that we will never all agree and that's okay. In the end I will support Erik, Denny, Kyle and Joey through the thick and the thin and as Taylor swift said And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake I shake it off, I shake it off. Kyle had an amazing season and to overcome his injuries after the crash that easily could have killed him, or ended his career first off I'm thankful that he's alive and healthy. I loved seeing his heart and determination this season. A lot of people including those with a lot of NASCAR experience doubted that Kyle could make the chase let alone win it all. I was never one of those people I knew that Kyle hated finishing second and he certainly wasn't one to lay down and give up the fight. He was going to fight until the last race trying to make it. I knew that especially after the 2008 season he was a driver more than capable of rattling off a stretch of wins that would make it easy to make the chase. In the end he did just that once he made the chase I just had a feeling that he would win it all when I filled out my chase grid I had Kyle being the champion and I do my best not to let my favoritism slip in when making my chase grid. I want to be fair and write it based on stats and results because I want to see just how close I am and if I'm always playing favorites I'll never be close. Throughout this all with Kyle I just had a almost psychic feeling around this situation. When Kyle crashed before I even knew what his injuries were I knew he had broken his leg and he wouldn't be racing the Daytona 500 or anytime soon. I had a feeling that he would go on a summer stretch of wins to get into the chase and I had a feeling he would win it all. It's crazy how it all worked out but I'm so happy for Kyle, Samantha and all of his family, team and friends. I believe a lot in fate and destiny and Kyle had never come close to winning the title before but after tonight I honestly believe he couldn't until he had Brexton. Brexton changed his whole life and completed the family picture with the title. I also bet Kyle will never forget Brexton's birthday 5/18/15 5 his first car number in the sprint cup series full time for Hendrick Motorsports 18 his second car number in the sprint cup series full time for Joe Gibbs Racing and 15 the year he won his first sprint cup series championship. It was a crazy season for Kyle Busch that started in a hospital bed in Florida and ended in Florida with him as the Sprint Cup series champion. Kyle Busch deserved to be the champion and as a Kyle fan I couldn't be happier. 2015 was a season of ups and downs but it ended on a high note. Kyle you showed so much passion, heart and determination in your incredible comeback and I couldn't be prouder to be a Kyle Busch fan. Congrats on being the 2015 Sprint Cup Series Champion Kyle.

Well that's a wrap for the season I'll be posting another post soon (hopefully tonight) to pay tribute to Jeff Gordon who deserved his own post. I wish all those drivers still seeking a ride the best of luck and I'm happy to say that overall it was a crazy year for NASCAR. Mother Nature got involved way too much and there was craziness as their always is. I love NASCAR and I'm so glad to be a fan of such a awesome sport. For me personally it was a rough start before the season started with losing such a important person, second mother, fellow NASCAR fan and my NASCAR buddy I dedicate this post and every post to you. This blog is my only way to express everything I wish I could tell you and I know your smiling down from up above happy for me tonight that my driver won and happy that I continue to write about you and to honor your memory. I will never forget you and although I can't talk to you personally about NASCAR I know one day I'll see you again until then rest in peace and enjoy the races from high up above. Despite it's rough start with the loss and then Kyle's accident to finish the season my season ended up great. Adding all my four drivers together their combined stats across all three series were in 188 starts they had 29 poles, 34 wins (including the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400), 102 top five finishes, 135 top ten finishes, 6,438 laps lead and 2 championships. So as I said earlier people may hate on my drivers but they produce pretty good results and I'll take them any day. Now over the off season two of them head into surgery Denny get's his right ACL repaired and I believe Kyle is having some of the hard wear in his foot removed. So prayers that both of your surgeries go great and you recover quickly. I hope that Joey, Brittany, Erik, Hayley, Sam, Kyle, Brexton, Denny, Jordan and Taylor all have a great off season and amazing holidays. Have a great off season fans and I'll see you all in Daytona.  Enjoy the holidays with you families. I'll try to post a couple posts between now and the Daytona 500. Congrats again to all the champs and thank you to all my readers who read my blog your support is much appreciated as always feel free to try and comment.

Jimmie Johnson's win Today

Hey my fellow race fans well the season is almost over and obviously I wish today had gone better for Joey and Denny. However if one of my favorites or my sister's favorite (Trevor Bayne) couldn't win Jimmie Johnson is the next best choice. As anyone who reads my blog regularly knows I have a couple of really good friends who are more like sisters and their family has become my second family. They tragically lost their mom this past January and it doesn't seem real even nearly a year later. I respect my friends so much for how they have handled this situation I can't even imagine being in their shoes and having their life turned upside down. Their mom became my second Mom hen we first became friends and she was a huge Jimmie Johnson fan. She got a lug nut from a fellow Jimmie fan off his racecar and I was their that day and her excitement was through the roof. I never imagined there would be a day we couldn't talk racing and that's been one of the things I've missed the most now that she's gone. I miss her everyday and I wish more than anything that she was still here. Watching Jimmie win today I was thinking how good he looked in that cowboy hat. For the first time in a few months I've had the urge to pull out the phone and text her about that. To realize that I couldn't do that really hit me hard today. Some days are easier than others and having lost a few close friends before this I know that the day will come when Jimmie winning makes me happy and makes me feel closer to her but at this moment with the grief still so fresh it hurts to see Jimmie win and know that I can't talk to her about it. Watching NASCAR I have never been a person who hated Jimmie but I wasn't a Jimmie fan. When he was winning a lot of races or championships I would get a little tired of seeing him win. I never hated him but I did wish to see someone else win some to. I know that's a common thing you love to see your own driver dominate but when it's not your driver it's not very fun. However when I think of all Jimmie has overcome with winning the day of the Hendrick Plane Crash in 2004 or losing his best friend the weekend of his first cup start I really pull for him and want to see him do well. I know the pain of loosing a friend and I can't imagine doing what he did the weekend of his first cup start. I've always respected his talent and what he has done in the racecar. Since losing my Mom 2 he has carried a more special place in my heart. I write this post in dedication to my Mom 2. I miss you everyday and I will always love you, when you left you took a piece of my heart, the memories I have I hold dear to my heart and I know that one day I will see you again. I like to think after seeing how long Brad dominated today and how Jimmie passed him that you had something to do with it. I'm sure that you Ricky Hendrick, Blaise Alexander and all other connections to Jimmie in Heaven are having a big party and gave him that little extra today. Rest In Peace until we meet again. For my fans thank you for giving me a place to express my feelings and write about the sport I so dearly love. Seeing the number of views increase always touches my heart. I may never know you personally but I really appreciate your support and I hope that my posts can help you in some way I may never know. God Bless all of you enjoy the rest of the season I'll post a champions wrap up if I don't post before then. Congrats on the win Jimmie.

The race at Martinsville

Hey guys well today was a crazy race. It was so cool to see Jeff Gordon's excitement winning the race today. I wasn't cheering Jeff on for the win I was hoping Kyle or Denny could get it done. However I am happy for Jeff Gordon to see his excitement was so cool to see. It was also neat to see the fans support for him to know at one point fans booed him and now he was respected like that.  It is because of the type of driver he is he's a legend of this sport and I didn't grow up liking  Jeff I didn't watch his rainbow car. However I know a great driver when I see one and he is a great driver. I was happy to see him win because for a while their it looked like his final season would be winless and he deserves to have a win in his last season after all he has done for the sport. I was glad that his family was there and able to celebrate with him. I was also proud of the NASCAR post race crew for focusing on his win first today and allowing us to see what it's like to be in Victory Lane. I haven't been this happy for a driver who wasn't one of my favorites to win since probably Martin's win at Pocono. I've never see Jeff so excited and knowing that I might be his last win of his career was appropriate for him to win at his best track. Congrats Jeff if one of my favorites can't win the title at Homestead I'll be cheering for you and I'll write up a blog post about his retirement after Homestead.

Now onto the Drama from today I've always been a fan of drivers and never a specific team. However after my three favorites were all driving for Gibbs I really became a Gibbs fan and I can say that when Joey left I was sad however I didn't mind Matt, or Carl so I am still a Gibbs fan. With that said I was disappointed in how today's race played out. I know that lots of people disagree but to me the racing incident between Joey and Matt at Kansas was just that hard racing. I know people could accuse me of playing favorites to my favorite driver. However if you compare it to the incident today their totally different. Matt said after Kansas that he had always respected Joey but not after today. Well before today I respected Matt because you never saw Matt get to riled up and he always raced clean and like a champion of the sport. After today I won't say I lost all my respect for him but it did change my opinion of him slightly. I never expected Matt to do something like that and then to lie and cover it up disappointed me if you're going to do something then admit to it your already parked by NASCAR. I expected Matt to race Joey hard but I also thought he would race Joey clean and fair. I saw in his post race media session Kyle called NASCAR out for being consistent in making inconstant calls. I have to agree with what the reporters were saying that this gave a black eye on the sport and it isn't what this great sport I love is about. However Kyle has a point that NASCAR isn't consistent they didn't call anything on Kevin Harvick last week in what seemed like a pretty blatant wrecking of Trevor Bayne yet they park Matt today when he wrecked Joey but Danica wasn't touched when she purposely got into someone. It's very inconsistent and like Matt said after Talladega NASCAR has lost all control. I think not NASCAR has to suspend Matt Kenseth they need to show that this is not something they will stand for. If you compare it to Kyle Busch wrecking Ron Hornaday a few years ago when Ron was racing for a title NASCAR parked Kyle. To me this situation is very similar and I agree with something Parker Kligerman said I think the drivers feel safe and almost invincible and they take more chances. However Austin Theriault could have easily died a few weeks ago at Las Vegas, Austin Dillon at Daytona and Kyle Busch at Daytona. The sport is safer but no driver is invincible. I was very disappointed in Matt today and I'll be interested to see how NASCAR reacts to the incident. I hope moving forward to finish this chase we can have competitive clean racing. Everyone have a good week and enjoy the races next weekend.