The Auto Club 500 At California Speedway

Jimmie Johnson won his 48th career Sprint Cup race on Sunday at Fontana. Johnson got a lucky break on pit road when the caution came out Sunday.He crossed the scoring line before Jeff Burton or Kevin Harvick were able to cross the start finish line. Jimmie was able to stay in the lead when a caution came out when Brad Keselowski spun and everyone else including the two Richard Childress cars of Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton pitted under the yellow. He was able to hold off a charging Kevin Harvick who I'm sure would of caught Jimmie if he hadn't of scraped the wall in the final laps. Johnson is quoted as saying "Yes, we were lucky today," "But you don't get lucky and win four championships and 48 races."

Juan Pablo Montoya driver of the #42 Target Chevy and Ryan Newman driver of the #39 Army Chevy both had engine troubles in the race.

Your top ten in the finishing order for the Auto Club 500 at Fontana were Jimmie Johnson the race winner, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Mark Martin, Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Clint Bowyer, Tony Stewart and Greg Biffle rounds out the top ten.

I didn't get to see the whole race as when it reached 100 laps to go I was finally able to pick up some wireless and watch it on the Internet. I know rain was a factor at one point and I was so excited to see my second favorite driver Brian Vickers driver of the #83 Red Bull Camry in the lead but he ended up having to pit because of needing fuel. After this, Denny Hamlin took the lead followed by Scott Speed, I thought how cool would it be for Scott Speed to win his first Sprint Cup race if the rain comes out and they end up having to call the race? However, I knew that would turn some heads and people would just say he only won because of the rain and he'd never win under any other circumstances...which is just wrong!! Anyone can win, you never know, it's all strategy and some luck of course.

I am already hearing so many people bashing Dale Earnhardt Jr, he had a great run at Daytona where he always seems to do well and than he doesn't have such a great week at California. That doesn't mean his year is over by any means, Jr needs to have a good year and hopefully win a race or two and make the Chase! Don't give up on him just yet, he could definitely turn things around, just take a look back at his run at Daytona as I stated, he could of won it!!! He's not my favorite, I think he's over rated at times but don't give up on him, he is in this sport for a reason and can win, he has proved that before.

I'm very happy to see my #1 driver win the race and it just so happens the 48 car won his 48th career race, that is awesome! I know many people who don't like Jimmie and believe him and his team get lucky breaks way too often and NASCAR picks who wins the races...I disagree with this and I would disagree with this even if it wasn't Jimmie but some other driver. The point of the sport is to go out and win, who really wants to finish second? and if their was cheating in NASCAR they would catch you! They've caught people before whether it be a driver, team, crew member, etc. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and is entitled to like a driver or multiple drivers, that is what makes the sport what it is. Sure, there are some drivers I really can't stand but if someone else likes them, they so be it, all drivers have their fans that stick by them week in and week out.

So what did everyone think about yesterdays race? I  heard many people saying on Facebook how boring California is and one race a year at Fontana is enough, no need to have two, what do you think? Did you enjoy the racing there, did you attend the race? I'd love to hear everybody's thoughts and opinions on the matter. Next week is Vegas and that's always a fun track in my mind, when I flew back to Rhode Island about a week go to move back home from California, we flew right over the track but I didn't have my camera since it broke : ( I was so sad!! I got so close to being at Las Vegas Motorspeedway lol.

Who's your pick for Vegas? and why? I'd love to see JJ win again but Kyle Busch might be a factor at Vegas or even Kurt Busch since it's their home track. Many of their friends and family will be there and everyone always wants to win at home, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see until Sunday but until then congrats again to Jimmie Johnson, Team 48 and Hendrick Motorsports on the win!!

Stater Bros 300 at California Speedway 2/20/2010

Hi everyone! Even though I missed the Nationwide Race this weekend or more specifically the Stater Bros 300 at California Speedway. I did look up what happened through out the race on the Internet and wanted to write up some sort of blog about it. Joey Logano who won the pole for the race, led 130 laps and finished fifth. Logano was trying to win the race from the pole which would have been for the second time in a row. However, Kyle Busch ended up winning the race which was a green-white checkered by 0.51 seconds with Greg Biffle behind him, followed by Brad Keselowski in third.

The big news in NASCAR lately has been Danica Patrick who finished the race in 31st, 3 laps off the pace. Unlike Daytona where she was caught up in a 12 car crash, she did finish this race. Patrick started 36th and quickly dropped to the back of the field. Only 17 laps into the race she was passed by then race leader Joey Logano. Danica also had trouble on pit road twice in which she was caught for speeding. I personally believe that Danica is great for the sport but a lot of people seem to have different opinions about a woman in
NASCAR. What is your opinion? I'd love to hear it. It seems as if the past two weeks, I've heard good things about Danica and bad. I've tended to hear how their giving her too much coverage and it's only because she's a girl and she's "hot" so to speak. I think it's great to see a woman in NASCAR and actually racing, I know their have been other woman that  have raced before but I feel as if Danica is here to stay and in my opinion it's awesome and it's been a long time coming!!

It was said this week that Danica stated it was difficult for her not knowing how things are suppose to feel in a stock car. Her crew chief Tony Eury Jr is quoted as saying "You've progressed a lot in this race, girl. I'm proud of you, what you've learned." This was said 2/3 through the race at Fontana. Your top 10 finishers in the Stater Bros 300 are race winner Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle, Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards, and Joey Logano rounds out the top five. Followed by, Steve Wallace, Kelly Bires, Brian Vickers, Justin Allgaier and Brian Scott which finished in tenth place. I really wish I hadn't missed the race as I've missed the first two of the season so far. Kyle Busch isn't my favorite but congrats to him, it seems a bummer that Joey Logano didn't win after he had led so many laps in the race. Congrats to Kyle though on his win which gives Joe Gibbs Racing it's fifth consecutive Nationwide Victory at Fontana. I had wanted to see how Danica did in NASCAR so far as well but so far no luck with that, I know she hasn't done the best but it would be nice to see her progress in the races that she does run this season. I'm hoping to be able to catch the races next weekend, I'd rather write a blog after I had watched the race or races myself instead of having to look up information on the Internet after their finished. It would be nice to watch it myself and than be able to fully give my opinion or opinions.

Was there anything any of you saw in the Nationwide race that surprised you? Did anyone finish better than you thought they would? I'd love to hear everyones thoughts and opinions on the race and any upcoming race. I do plan on writing a blog up on the NASCAR Cup Series race that is on tomorrow, I know I'll miss it so I will have to read up about it but I'll do my best to write a decent blog. Remember if any of you can think of anything that would start a great debate than please, let me know about it so I can post a blog about it as soon as possible.

Congrats to Jamie McMurray!

I'd like to say congrats to Jamie McMurray on winning the 2010 Daytona 500! That is such an awesome win in general but very awesome for Jamie and his career. To think he just switched to a new team and crew and than to pull of that win is so awesome!

I apologize for the lack of new blog updates and the lack of updates on the Facebook Fan Page. I just got back to RI less than a week ago and I have crappy Internet right now, I finally was able to get on a linksys connection tonight but it's horrible and only two little bars. I should have cable and Internet soon so than I can watch the races again and update the blog along with the fan page. I was able to update the fan page some and add a photo of Jamie with his 500 trophy.

No need to worry, the blog isn't going anywhere!! I just wanted to let everyone know what was happening and why I hadn't been on lol.

Nextra Energy Resources 250 Truck Race At Daytona

If your looking to watch the Craftsman Truck Series Race on Speed tonight, be prepared to have a little bit of a wait as the rain/weather hasn't been nice in Florida. The green flag was suppose to drop around 8pm on the East Coast but now has been delayed until 10pm EST. I still plan on checking it out here in California, which will be around 7pm here, I'm going to attempt to write a blog about it. I was only going to keep up with the news, debates and more with the Sprint Cup Series but I've decided to try and keep up with the Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. It will be a lot of work considering I'm the only one who works on this blog and the fan page on Facebook but it's worth a shot and might bring me more readers and fans.

If your not a fan on Facebook, than please become one, I have 231 right now and it goes up each and every day which makes me very happy!! Here is the link to the Facebook Fan Page for Race Insider.  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Race-Insider/190992907125?ref=ts

Don't forget to suggest the fan page to your friends and family who enjoy racing.

Ok I don't want to erase all this...but I just tuned into Speed and the Truck Race just started, it's on lap 1 of 100...enjoy!!!

Recap Of The Gatorade Duels At Daytona!

Hi Everyone!

Who watched the Gatorade Duels at Daytona on Speed today? Believe it or not, I missed it. My sleep has been so messed up with trying to get things situated with the move back to Rhode Island. I did check out what happened and the news on it on NASCAR.com and FoxSports.com, thank god for those two web pages ha ha.

Congrats to Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne on both winning a duel race, that is awesome. I was so nervous about Jimmie having to start in the back because of yesterdays practice but he sure turned things around and came out on top yet again. I was also happy to see that Michael Waltrip raced his way in, I was worried about Mikey getting into the 500 but he did it! Waltrip said on his Facebook page that he will have a good car come Sunday if he can get the car handling better. With finishes of 14th and 15th Michael McDowell and Max Papis earned the two transfer spots for drivers forced to race their way into the Daytona 500 on Sunday. Mike Bliss who was in a back up car also raced his way into the 500 with a 13th place finish in the second duel.

Mark Martin who won the pole for the Daytona 500 on Sunday finished 21st in Duel 1 and Dale Earnhardt Jr who will start second on Sunday finished 21st in Duel 2 after damaging his car. Boy, Dale Jr just can't catch a break can he?? It'll be interesting to see how he does this season but I'm hoping he does well at Daytona since it's one of his better tracks.

I did notice that the finishes in both duels were "photo finishes" has it came down to the wire, I wish I hadn't missed it but I did. That's the great thing about Daytona is the great racing and can be anyone's win at the finish line. I personally wish that every driver trying to get into the 500 could just race in it and whatever happens through out the race would happen but it's just not how the rules work. It's such a great race every year and my personal favorite so to see teams and their driver/drivers work so hard and than not make it, it's heart breaking.

Did anything that happen in the duels get any of you fellow fans aggravated? Is there anything major that I missed that I should have seen? and last but not least was there a driver who didn't make it into the 500 that you were hoping would make it? If there is anything else you'd like to share in the comments section as far as the duels, Daytona or NASCAR in general go right ahead, I'd love to get some sort of discussion going! and be sure to check out the Facebook fan page for news and a way to interact with other NASCAR fans. I made it to over 200 fans today and that makes me very happy, I wish I was making more money off the blog itself but Google Ad Sense isn't always reliable.

Happy Racing Everyone!!

Gatorade Duels At Daytona

Just a reminder for all you NASCAR fanatics out there that the Gatorade Duels at Daytona are on tomorrow Thursday February 11, 2010 on Speed. The first duel is on at 2pm EST and the second duel is on at 4pm EST.

If you missed the practices on Speed today 4 time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson will have to start the 150's in a back up car. The reason being Mike Bliss lost control of his car on the low side of the track in front of a pack of cars that were coming out of turn 4. Bliss ended up slamming into Joey Logano's car and than Jimmie Johnson rear-ended Denny Hamlin. I'm a huge Jimmie fan so to hear this I was none too happy but better than the 500 and let's hope that Jimmie will be able to make his way through the field tomorrow in the 150's.

Matt Kenseth led the second practice, followed by Kyle Busch, Brian Vickers, Jeff Burton and Carl Edwards rounded out the top five.

Of course the duels are to prepare us all for Daytona and than we'll see where all the drivers will start, who will make it in and who won't. I wish every driver trying to get into the 500 would get in but there are only so many starting spots. I'm already thinking ahead and hoping Mark Martin will pull off the win on Sunday, he is long overdue and deserves to win the Daytona 500, if not Mark than another first time winner would be cool...as long as it's not Kyle Busch haha, I can't stand him, I've never been a fan of his and never plan on being one.

Will you be watching the duels tomorrow? If so who do you hope will win in each of them and who do you hope will race their way into the 500? and finally who is your pick to win the Daytona 500? If you've already wrote on the Facebook's fan page and told me than you don't need to answer me again, I just love to see everyone's opinion. If your not a fan on FB and wish to be than just search Race Insider and it will show up, right now the default photo is a photo of Kevin Harvick from his win in the Bud Shootout last Saturday.

I plan on writing again tomorrow since the duels will be on and I look forward to hearing from everyone and seeing you active on the fan page.

Bud Shootout!

Racing is back for another season and what a way to start off the season, if you didn't see the shootout earlier tonight on Fox you missed a pretty good race. Kevin Harvick won his 2nd Bud Shootout in a row and only the 4th driver to 2-peat in a row!! Harvick usually isn't one of my favorites but I didn't mind him winning tonight, the guy did great considering he had flu symptoms just the other day.

I didn't hear much about Jimmie Johnson through out the night, he is my favorite but he usually peaks around July and when the Chase comes around so maybe we have a while to hear from JJ lol. What happened to Dale Jr? That's all I keep seeing on Facebook all night, give the guy a break, it's only the shootout, if this was the Chase, I might worry but the season just started! If you didn't notice he qualified second for next Sunday's Daytona 500!! I was shocked but it's a great way to start out the 1st race of the season that counts wins/points wise, let's hope Jr has a great run! and congrats to Mark Martin on getting his first 500 pole of his career, he'd be a great winner next Sunday, it would be about time if Mark win's, he deserves it!

What did you all think of the shootout, boring or exciting? Who is your Daytona 500 pick? As much as I'd love to see my top driver Jimmie J win, I'd like to see a first time winner such as Brian Vickers or Mark Martin...could Joey Logano pull off the win?? I guess we'll just have to wait until next Sunday to find out how everyone does.

I don't think comments are working, per usual so if you'd like to respond...please e-mail me at Sarah.Handy85@gmail.com and put Race Insider in the subject line, thanks.

Oh before I forget, did anyone else see Danica Patrick in that ARCA race? Wow! She did a great job, she's going to be great to watch this season, she looks like she's been in a car like that for a while with how she ran if you ask me lol, I'm looking forward to seeing more of her on the circuit!