Monitoring The Pulse Of NASCAR At Mid-Season
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As we get ready for Saturday’s Lifelock 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, followed by next week’s off-weekend on the Sprint Cup Series, let’s make a quick run on the hottest news on the circuit:
* Jeremy Mayfield essentially says he’s mad as hell and isn’t going to take it anymore from NASCAR. With the sanctioning body having filed an appeal earlier this week to keep Mayfield sidelined for alleged methamphetamine use, he really has nothing else left to lose if he opens his mouth and keeps it opened. But at the same time, I hope Mayfield tries to maintain some semblance of civility, even if he feels he’s not being treated in kind. If he starts doing things like revealing some of NASCAR’s dirty secrets, he’s only going to wind up hurting himself – and his cause – even more, to the point where it might be irreparable and end up costing him any chance of getting his career back together again.
* Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Thursday that he would like to race in the Indianapolis 500. Maybe it’s me, but shouldn’t Junior get his Sprint Cup house in order first before he starts talking about racing in another series? I don’t begrudge him if he has the desire and eventually gets an opportunity, but shouldn’t focusing on the Cup series be the only thing on his mind right now? Once again, he’s putting the horse before the cart, instead of the other way around.
* To some, Kyle Busch’s comments Thursday at Chicagoland – including feeling Tony Stewart dumped him at Daytona last week, and that any time a situation like that happens, the dumper should be black-flagged by NASCAR – once again showed immaturity. I disagree. Busch simply was saying what was on his mind when he was asked a question. What’s he supposed to say, that he enjoys being dumped? I think if the shoe were on the other foot, Tony Stewart or any other driver would likely have said the same thing.
* Roush Fenway Racing has never won at Chicagoland Speedway since the Sprint Cup series first raced here in 2001. Don’t be surprised to see Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth, who has two runner-up finishes in his career at Chicagoland, finally breaks through. Also, watch out for Carl Edwards, who is still in search of his first win of the season, as well as David Ragan, who many think will win his first Cup race before year-end, including myself.
* As many of you know, I’m completing my first book, tentatively titled “101 Great NASCAR Debates.” I’ve decided to open up the final chapters to readers. If you can come up with a question in a debate format, and we wind up using it in the book, not only will we give you written credit in the book, we’ll also send you a free copy. If you have any suggestions, e-mail me at Motorsportwriter@MSN.com. Thanks in advance for your help!
Have a great weekend, everyone, and we’ll catch you back here on Monday.
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