Kyle Busch seizes lead on final lap of GWC restart to win second straight at Auto Club Speedway

After climbing from his car in victory lane, Kyle Busch was quick to break out a Days of Thunder reference.

Yeah, it was a wild final two laps at Auto Club Speedway. After a spate of tire issues jumbled up the field as the race's final long green flag run wound down, Busch took the lead off turn two on the final lap of a green-white-checker restart and held off Kyle Larson for the win.

It's Busch's second straight Cup win at Auto Club Speedway. On Saturday, Larson beat Busch for the victory in the Nationwide Series race.

"What do you expect when you get a green-white-checker finish and everyone's got to come down pit road and put four tires on?" Busch asked before channeling Harry Hogge, Robert Duvall's character in the 1990 film. "That's a 'Days of Thunder' thing right there. It's - 'What do you mean? there's two laps to go, everybody's going to pit, Cole.'"

After Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski, Marcos Ambrose and finally Clint Bowyer had tire issues in the final 10 laps of the race, the caution flag flew for Bowyer's spin as then-leader Jeff Gordon had two laps to go until the scheduled end of the race.

The race then became about tire strategy. While Landon Cassill stayed out in a Hail Mary attempt for his low-budget team to snatch an improbable win or top 10, everyone else hit pit road. Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart and Paul Menard took two tires. Everyone else, including Busch, took four.

Stewart and Kurt Busch battled for the lead through turn two that final lap and when Stewart slid high, that opened the door for Kyle Busch, who came through the middle with Larson right behind him. Larson made a dive into turn three for a way around Kyle Busch, but unlike Saturday's race, he wasn't able to power ahead of him for the win.

Because of the finish and the overall quality of racing at Auto Club Speedway last year, when Busch powered past Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin as the latter two drivers crashed off of turn four on the final lap, the standards for Sunday's race at ACS were very high. And typically, the NASCAR hype machine tends to devour anything and everything in its path, leaving little to live up to the lofty expectations that are created.

And you know what? The race lived up to them, even if there wouldn't have been a final two-lap wild dash. Yes, many teams had tire issues, but it's the same tire that produced such dramatic racing last year. There was still plenty of passing and multi-groove racing as drivers with good cars were able to cut their way through the field if necessary.

After finishing 10th, Carl Edwards is the new points leader by a single point over Dale Earnhardt Jr. Gordon is third, two points behind Edwards.

- - - - - - -

Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/kyle-busch-seizes-lead-on-final-lap-of-gwc-restart-to-win-second-straight-at-auto-club-speedway-230024563.html

Ettore Chimeri Louis Chiron Joie Chitwood Bob Christie

After missing Fontana, Denny Hamlin is confident and angry about perceived doubts of his character

Denny Hamlin used his media availabilty Friday at Martinsville to dispute any rumors spreading about his absence from Sunday's race at Auto Club Speedway.

Hamlin missed the race after the team says doctors found a piece of metal in his eye on Sunday morning. He felt an irritation in his eye on Saturday and went to the hospital before Sunday's race after doctors at the ACS infield care center couldn't find anything in his eye.

"People who thing negatively of me or think that we side-stepped some sort of drug test or something is ridiculous," Hamlin said. "I?m in one of the top-three cars in NASCAR, I would have to be an absolute moron ? moron to risk that.� I have a daughter that I have to provide for a really long time. For people to question who I am inside and outside the race car, I?ve never done anything to even put that in question. I go to Bobcats games, I got out and hang out with friends out in public -- I don?t stay tucked in my motorhome, I don?t stay tucked into my house, it?s not what I like to do. Because I?m out there a little bit more people think I got out and I party.� I got a wakeup call because I don?t drink at all hardly, ever.� I?ve never done drugs, ever.� I?m as clean as they come. I don?t know why people question who I am outside the race track.� I worked too hard to get here for one to throw it all away. If anyone has any questions about that, they can ask me directly."

Earlier in the week, Dale Earnhardt Jr. said he was worried about the perception for NASCAR and for Hamlin because there hadn't been a public timeline of what happened over the weekend. The following day, Joe Gibbs Racing released a statement saying Hamlin was cleared to race at Martinsville and what transpired at California.

Unless we've missed something, we're not sure where the rumors Hamlin referenced Friday came from. But he apparently felt them serious enough to address.

"People who assume, people like that. I?ll tell you, but it bothers me that my character is questioned. People think that there?s some kind of conspiracy because like I said, I worked too hard to get here and it?s what I?ve wanted to do since I was five years old. There?s not one thing in the world that I would do to switch positions with anyone in the world because I just feel that lucky. I?m done justifying and defending myself on those things ? I?m not going to let those people drag me down. It?s just frustrating ? just because I?m out there a little bit more in the public that bugs me because I?m a human being and I like doing fun things.� If people think I have to go out and I have to drink to have fun, they?re wrong and they haven?t hung out with me because I don?t. It just bothers me because there?s people that like to make rumors and of course within our NASCAR community rumors become truth when enough people say it.� I?m done.?

Well, no, he wasn't done. He had one more comment before he left the media center. We're not going to say it was a Ruthian call of his shot, but Martinsville is one of his best tracks. And Hamlin obviously likes his chances.

?I?m going to win (the race) this weekend, I promise,? Hamlin said.

�

�

�

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/after-missing-fontana--denny-hamlin-is-confident-and-angry-about-perceived-doubts-of-his-character-202255940.html

Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh Lucien Bianchi Gino Bianco

Hamilton saga nearing endgame

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/09/hamilton_saga_nearing_endgame.html

Johnny Cecotto Andrea de Cesaris Francois Cevert Eugene Chaboud

Iowa Rain Out Causes Pit Crew Problems

On a normal NASCAR weekend when the Truck Series and/or Nationwide Series run companion to the Cup cars, there are a lot of pit crew members who double or triple dip. Crew members make some extra cash and get more reps, and the teams get top talent pitting their cars. But this last weekend presented [...]

TheNASCARInsiders.com

Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/R3FUmt0CNcQ/

Raul Boesel Menato Boffa Bob Bondurant Felice Bonetto

Ecclestone says two new F1 team entries will be accepted

Bernie Ecclestone says that two future F1 entries have been accepted – although he didn’t specify when they would join the World Championship. The two teams in the frame in recent weeks are from the USA and Romania. The Gene … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2014/04/06/ecclestone-says-two-new-f1-team-entries-have-been-accepted/

Piers Courage Chris Craft Jim Crawford Ray Crawford

F1 WAG: Paola Ruiz

Esteban Gutierrez nearly lost his place in F1 for the 2014 season, but we are glad he didn’t. Not just because he’s a talented racer, but because he brings the lovely Paola Ruiz with him on race weekends. The gorgeous brunette really is one of the more attractive prospects at Sauber this season, and here [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/U4rmk3uZn_w/f1-wag-paola-ruiz

Giovanna Amati George Amick Red Amick Chris Amon

Expectations

I am flying to Kuala Lumpur today and that will give me the chance to forget about the flighty Chinese visa I have been chasing in recent days with a proverbial butterfly net. The folks in Shanghai insist that all will be well and it will all be done in the time available. I have […]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/03/26/expectations/

Jorge Daponte Anthony Davidson Jimmy Davies Colin Davis

A potential 1-2 finish went away quickly in the late laps for Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon

On Friday, Jimmie Johnson stressed how it wasn't time for his team to be worrying about getting a win to lock themselves into the Chase. Rather, Johnson said, his team was simply going to keep doing what it was doing and focus on getting good finishes.

On Sunday, Johnson was leading the Auto Club 400 with seven laps to go. Yeah, it was looking like a moment of vindication for the six-time champion's confidence. Going out and winning a race while telling the world and the rest of your competitors you weren't desperate for it? That's a kick in the gut for everyone else, even if they knew to expect it.

However, it was Johnson and the No. 48 team that ended up kicked in the gut. With a lead of about a second over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon, Johnson cut down a left-front tire on lap 194 and was forced to head to pit road. It was the second straight tire issue for Johnson, who had a right-front tire unravel at Bristol last week not too long after he was leading.

Johnson was 19th at Bristol. He finished 24th on Sunday.

Gordon, who had reported a vibration not too long before Johnson's tire failure, inherited the lead. As other drivers, like Brad Keselowski and Marcos Ambrose had tire issues after Johnson did, Gordon was cautious with his lead. He had a sizeable gap on Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer, there was no need to push the limits.

But then Bowyer lost a tire and spun. The caution flag was out and Gordon's lead was gone.

After taking four tires on pit road, Gordon restarted seventh, the third driver with four tires. However, he didn't get a good restart into turn one and started falling back, away from the battle for the lead that unfolded at the front between Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart.

Gordon finished 13th. But that might not have been the most dramatic part of his day. Earlier in the race, he had to make his way through the field twice.

On the race's first set of pit stops, Gordon sped on pit road, knocking him from the front of the field to the back. Then after he climbed back to the front, Gordon was caught stuck on track during a caution flag when the pit light was flashing red while the flagman at pit road was waving the green flag to signal pit road was open.

Gordon, Keselowski and Bowyer, the top three cars at the time, saw the lights and stayed out. However, by NASCAR rule, the flag overrules the lights. Why did the flag differ from the lights? According to NASCAR VP of Competition Robin Pemberton, the offical at the opening of pit road said his uniform got caught in the fence and he was unable to get to the light switch in time.

Last week at Bristol, the race ended under caution after a NASCAR official in the flagstand bumped the button to turn on the caution lights.

Because of the miscue, Gordon had to pit a lap later and restarted outside the top 30. But once again, he got back to the front.

In addition to the NASCAR official, Gordon and Johnson's teammates had rough days too. Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 12th, but he had two flat tires and even hit the wall because of one of them. Kasey Kahne's tough start to the season continued when he had to go to the garage just past the halfway point of the race because of a rear end gear issue. He finished 41st.

- - - - - - -

Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/a-potential-1-2-finish-went-away-quickly-in-the-late-laps-for-jimmie-johnson-and-jeff-gordon-234639033.html

Michael Bleekemolen Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk Mark Blundell

Thoughts about the Malaysian GP

It has been busy since the end of the race in KL. Having crashed out GP+ in five and a half hours, we took off to the airport (right next door but a 15 minute drive around the airport) and we were soon in the Emirates lounge at KLIA, still writing words until the 02.00 […]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/thoughts-about-the-malaysian-gp/

Tony Brooks Alan Brown Walt Brown Warwick Brown

Keith Olbermann named TMS President Eddie Gossage his 'Worst Person in Sports' on a show last week

Who knew that Texas Motor Speedway's new big-screen television along the backstretch would generate such hate from Keith Olbermann?

The television host, now back with ESPN, named Eddie Gossage, the president of TMS, his "Worst Person in Sports" for one of last week's shows. The "Worst People in the World" segment is a carryover from when Olbermann had his own show on MSNBC and routinely lampooned world and political figures.

Gossage garnered the dubious distinction because of the track's recent unveiling of the "Big Hoss" screen along the backstretch. It's the largest HD screen in the world and will be in use for Texas' spring race on April 6.

"Here's the problem, you know what they show on it?" Olbermann asked in his trademark sarcastic tone. "Auto racing. Because seeing faceless guys in helmets and visors driving for a few hours can't really be appreciated unless you see them on a giant television two-thirds the length of a football field with you guys staring up at it like the way devil worshipers stare at fires."

A shot at auto racing. How original. But was that a subtle reference to the Tennessee woman stabbing her husband for worshiping the Bristol race? I doubt it, but if so, that deserves some props.

Come on Olbermann, what the heck are you trying to accomplish here? Yeah, sure, Texas Motor Speedway gave the screen a very Texas-like name, but that's the schtick of Texas Motor Speedway. Nothing can be done without a name full of rhetoric.

The speedway is far from the first sporting venue to install a monstrous video board; look at AT&T Stadium where the Dallas Cowboys play and Darrell K. Royal Stadium, home of the Texas Longhorns to stay in the state. And it's not even the first NASCAR track. Charlotte Motor Speedway installed one in 2010, which was the largest HDTV at the time.

NASCAR is fighting the same battles that other sports are when it comes to attendance. While attending a NASCAR race in person can be a thrilling experience, it's also one that's much harder to keep track of from the grandstands than on the couch. You can only see so much of a 1.5 mile track at a time, and without the benefit of a scanner to pick up radio traffic or race commentary, you can easily lose the storylines of a race.

Large video boards give another avenue to show the running order and provide close-up views of the racing and instant replays. Much like what happens at football, baseball, basketball and hockey venues around the country.

Hardly something to get angry over, right? Ah, but what likely pushed it over the top for Olbermann was the showing of "Duck Dynasty" on the screen at the official unveiling. In an important detail that he fails to mention in his segment, the April 6 race is the Duck Commander 500. You know, the company of the Robertson family, the stars of the show.

As you know, Phil Robertson was temporarily suspended from the show after he made anti-gay remarks in an interview with GQ. The comments drew the ire of many, including, presumably, Olbermann, and ratings for the show's fifth season have dropped significantly from where they were in the fourth season.

But the show still has a loyal fanbase and it doesn't take much of a stretch to realize that fanbase likely overlaps with a large segment of the NASCAR fanbase. And as ridiculous as the "Duck Commander 500" and subsequent Robertson overkill on race day could be to many, isn't that the point of sponsorship? To identify your target market and appeal to them?

Plus, Texas is no stranger to controversial sponsorships. Last year's spring race was the NRA 500, a race sponsorship that led NASCAR to say that it would take a closer look at each potential sponsor deal.

If Olbermann has an issue with the sponsorship, which was announced a little less than two months after Robertson's quotes were published, then that's one thing. But to take it out on a television screen that will enhance the race experience for fans all along the frontstretch is petty, cheap and misguided. Plus it makes Olbermann seem out of touch.

- - - - - - -

(This post originally said the show aired on Monday, March 24. The YouTube clip was posted March 21. We apologize for the mixup.)

Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/keith-olbermann-names-tms-president-eddie-gossage-monday-s--worst-person-in-sports-162157990.html

Juan Manuel Bordeu Slim Borgudd Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion

Would F1 Miss Red Bull?

After Red Bull?s latest recruit was disqualified in the opening race of the season. Daniel Ricciardo?s car did not have enough fuel left over and completing the race at the Australian Grand Prix. Formula 1 engines must have a fuel-flow rate of no more than 100kg/h at full throttle. The fuel-flow rate in the engine [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/jXFyj9IWlUA/would-f1-miss-red-bull

Peter Arundell Alberto Ascari Peter Ashdown Ian Ashley

Future Bentley SUV Will Hit 200 MPH

Winter Testing Schedule

Source: http://www.16thandgeorgetown.com/2013/11/winter-testing-schedule.html

Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot

Denny Hamlin cleared to drive at Martinsville after missing race at Fontana

Denny Hamlin has been medically cleared to drive at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday after missing the Auto Club 400 because of issues with his vision.

Hamlin had a sinus infection, which was initially stated as the culprit for his eye issues. However, Joe Gibbs Racing said in a statement Wednesday that Hamlin had a small piece of metal in his eye that has been removed.

Sam Hornish Jr. filled in for Hamlin and finished 17th.

"During the evaluation at the hospital a small piece of metal was also found to be in Hamlin?s eye. Doctors were able to remove the sliver of metal and Hamlin felt immediate improvement to his condition," The JGR statement said. "A CT Scan did not find any other complications and thus it is believed that the metal was actually the source of Hamlin?s vision issues. He was released from the hospital Sunday�afternoon and was given the doctor?s approval to fly home."

Hamlin visited a Charlotte-area doctor on Monday and Wednesday and was subsequently approved.

It's the second time Hamlin has missed races because of medical reasons in the past two seasons. And coincidentally, Auto Club Speedway has been involved each time. Last year, Hamlin missed four races with a lower-back compression fracture after he crashed into an inside wall on the final lap while racing Joey Logano for the win at Auto Club Speedway.

If Hamlin wins a race or is high enough in points to qualify, he will be eligible to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup. NASCAR said Sunday that Hamlin would be covered by the medical exemption built into the new Chase rules that applies to a driver who isn't able to attempt all 26 pre-Chase races.

Martinsville is one of Hamlin's best tracks. He has an average finish of 8.1 and has four wins in 16 starts at the half-mile track.

�

- - - - - - -

Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/denny-hamlin-cleared-to-drive-at-martinsville-after-missing-race-at-fontana-195427063.html

Bernard Collomb Alberto Colombo Erik Comas Franco Comotti

Chrome Horn Post-Fontana Debrief: There's no need to exaggerate a great race

It's some mid-week Chrome Horn action for you.

Join Geoffrey Miller and yours truly as we discuss everything and anything Fontana, including the tire issues, NASCAR officials getting their uniforms caught in the fence, and how the race was a very good one even without the final restart.

And speaking of that final restart, I'll dive in to why there's absolutely no need to exaggerate the moments that happened on Sunday and turn them into something greater than they were.

In a brief span Monday afternoon, two prominent NASCAR media members described the moments after the green flag waved for the final restart as "seven-wide." While cars may have been using seven different lanes, they most certainly were not "seven-wide."

It's like the NASCAR version of the fish story with an event that happened hours, not years, ago. And it shouldn't be necessary to trumpet what was a thrilling race. Sometimes things need no exaggeration.

Give it a listen. Click here to listen or click here to download. Find us on iTunes here.

�

- - - - - - -

Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/chrome-horn-post-fontana-debrief--there-s-no-need-to-exaggerate-a-great-race-131857940.html

John Cordts David Coulthard Piers Courage Chris Craft

The Tattletale Issue

Let me just say this first: I don’t care that somebody threw the Penske guys under the bus. There, I said it. (Cue the “you work for Hendrick” trolling in 3…2…1…) Last week, after both Penske cars were busted by NASCAR at Texas for some creative rear-end components, Jenna Fryer wrote that NASCAR may have [...]

TheNASCARInsiders.com

Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/TKI9I0UF9Q0/

Eddie Cheever Andrea Chiesa Ettore Chimeri Louis Chiron

If you weren't named Carl Edwards, leading laps was a treacherous proposition at Bristol

If you led during Sunday's race at Bristol won by Carl Edwards, there was a good chance you were going to have a significant issue.

12 drivers got a bonus point for officially leading a lap in the twice-rain-delayed race and eight of them had problems that significantly derailed their chances of winning. Those problems, coupled with intense side-by-side racing, made the battle around the half-mile track very enthralling despite the two delays, including one of almost three hours and 20 minutes.

Joey Logano, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Jamie McMurray, Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski all spent time at the front of the field and all were either caught up in a crash or had an equipment failiure.

Harvick's issue was the most spectacular. His car started trailing white smoke and just a couple laps after the problem appeared and the smoke intensified, he hit the wall on lap 452. Harvick, who had led 28 laps, was able to steer his car to the garage, but as he came to a stop, a fire erupted underneath the hood of his car. The suspected cause? A possible problem with the oil line from tire rubber. Harvick finished 39th.

McMurray and Keselowski were caught up in the aftermath of Harvick's crash, as they were apparently unable to slow down from the oil that was dropped onto the track and Keselowski crashed into McMurray. While Keselowski's crew ripped the hood off his car and kept him on the track, McMurray was forced to go to the garage for repairs. He finished 38th while Keselowski salvaged a 14th place finish.

Kyle Busch spun into the wall on lap 395, much to the excitement of a fan who happened to be near the accident scene. Busch, who had led 73 laps and won Saturday's Nationwide race, ended up 29th. At the same time as Kyle Busch's problem, Kurt Busch, who led 28 laps, had a problem with the left front tire on his car. He finished 35th.

Kenseth was in second place on lap 157 when Danica Patrick and Cole Whitt crashed ahead of him. He and leader Kurt Busch slowed down for the crash but as they slammed on the brakes, Timmy Hill didn't slow down nearly as fast behind them. Hill slammed into the back of Kenseth's car, significantly damaging the rear of his car.

Kenseth's crew was able to get the car fixed up and he drove his way back through the field and even led at one point. But his car then had a couple of laps where Kenseth felt like a tire was going down and he got loose and in a subsequent corner, into the wall. He finished 13th.

Logano and Johnson had their issues in the race's first 124 laps before the three-hour-plus rain delay. Logano, who led for 12 laps early after starting fourth, saw the power steering fail on his car. He wrestled his No. 22 until the rain delay, and when the race restarted, his team immediately fixed the issue and he rejoined the race three laps down. Johnson was three laps down after his right-front tire unraveled right before the rain hit on lap 119. Johnson had led 44 laps prior to the incident, thanks to a left-side-tires only pit call earlier in the race. Johnson finished 19th while Logano finished 20th.

�

- - - - - - -

Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/if-you-weren-t-named-carl-edwards--leading-laps-was-a-treacherous-proposition-at-bristol-025132316.html

Piero Carini Duane Carter Eugenio Castellotti Johnny Cecotto

The Chrome Horn Podcast: Episode 2, Phoenix I

Join Nick Bromberg and Geoffrey Miller for our post-Phoenix podcast. We chat Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick, pre-Vegas, and even set an over/under for gambling references during Sunday's race broadcast. What's yours?

Click here to download the podcast or here to listen to in your browser. And we're on iTunes! Find us in the Podcast section right here and subscribe. Listen!

- - - - - - -

Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/the-chrome-horn-podcast--episode-2--phoenix-i-173138506.html

Slim Borgudd Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion Sebastien Bourdais

Things that don?t get noticed immediately

Formula 1 has tried for many years to give a professional impression with its use of car liveries. Back in the 1950s the cars were painted up in national colours. The advent of sponsorship led to some real Spanish omelettes and then gradually the teams were convinced to smarten up and present the same basic […]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/03/19/things-that-dont-get-noticed-immediately/

Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra Derek Bell

Happy Hour: Dale Earnhardt Jr., the 500 and Austin Dillon

Throughout the week you can send us your best questions, jokes, rants and just plain miscellaneous thoughts to happyhourmailbag@yahoo.com or @NickBromberg. We'll post them here, have a good time and everyone's happy.

We're back! And we have some great material for our first in-season Happy Hour. The Madison Rising edition didn't count, we just had some emails that were too good to share. Let's get to it. This is going to be good.

I think they did an awesome rendition of the National Anthem! It showed lots of emotion, and pride . I enjoy country and old music for my favorite music, but I thought this was great! It even sent a chill down my spine. I believe all the soldiers who fought, and those that gave their lives would be proud of Madison Risings rendition of the National Anthem. Thank you! - Nan

Sorry, I had to publish one more. No more Madison Rising forever and ever and ever. And no. Just, no, Nan. No.

---------------

Is the NASCAR glass half empty or half full coming out of Daytona? Junior wins, Junior tweets, etc. great for sport, ( As was Trevor Bayne, Wood Bros. win if i recall), or very low ratings,low secondary market resale ticket prices etc. bad for sport. And as a side question, how much did NASCAR luck out by the veto of the Arizona law and the questions that would have brought this weekend. Thanks, keep the good work going. - Brian

This was the best possible PR outcome for NASCAR that didn't involve a certain female driver in a lime green car. The No. 3 on the pole and then Earnhardt Jr. winning? That's a nice lift. But the million-dollar question is how long it will last. Are more people going to tune in at Phoenix because Junior won? And if they do, are they going to be bored to tears with what we're all expecting to be a one-groove racetrack?

TV ratings were down for the 500, but that's some overrated talk. The race had an over six-hour rain delay. How many people have the ability to put their Sunday afternoon and evening into a NASCAR race, even if it's the Daytona 500?

NASCAR is just like the NFL when it comes to the Arizona bill that was vetoed by Gov. Brewer Wednesday. It allows the focus to be on the racing and not the inevitable "What do you think about this?" questions that would have followed had it been passed. The NFL was in a tougher spot though. Threatening to move the Super Bowl can't be empty talk.

---------------

@NickBromberg Do you think @NASCAR would ever consider running the Daytona500 on Saturday night? Better race, extra weekend day for rain

? Andy R. (@andyacr) February 27, 2014

Brian France mentioned that it could be a possibility if Fox and the track agreed to it. I could see it happening if NASCAR wanted to move it back to President's Day weekend. With a holiday that a lot of people have off on the following day, it'd be a way, a la the Coca-Cola 600 and the Atlanta race, to have a Sunday night race.

---------------

@NickBromberg Do you think there could be the potential for a Daytona 500 hangover for the winner due to the publicity tour afterwards?

? Nathan Caldwell (@nathanc82) February 27, 2014

Well, it certainly can't be extremely beneficial from a "getting prepared for Phoenix" perspective, but from an "attention for the sport" one, it is. And I think everyone who wins the Daytona 500 realizes that and it's a worthy tradeoff.

That said, I don't think we're going to be wondering if the media obligations affected Junior and team's performance at Phoenix at all.

---------------

So excited about Jr?s win but it has nothing to do with that sissy punk Dillon and the 3 car. Him and his granddaddy are LIARS and trash. Shut up about them nobody gives a (blank) about them. That had nothing to do with Jr. Dillon caused 2 wrecks that night and he was at the back where he belongs. He will always be there!! He an RC are (blank). Trying to ride now on Jr?s win. Quit trying to shove him down everybody?s throat. Congrats DALE EARNHARDT JR.!!!!! - Marilyn�

Which leads us to this...

I saw a video{taken right after the 500} of one of the drivers talking angrily about Dillon causing wrecks and his path to Sprint Cup competition. Being spoon fed I believe. Who was that driver and where is that video? I haven?t seen or heard about it since that early clip. - Kent

Which leads us to this...

Can you explain the animosity for Austin Dillon? I know many people think he got his ride because of his grandfather. Okay, maybe he did. No doubt NASCAR's most popular driver no doubt started by sweeping his dady's garage for $2 an hour and had to buy his first race car and pay for all his racing expenes on his own, and being the son of Dale Earnhardt Sr. was of no help to him. Nor did Paul Menard get a ride because of his relationship to the car owner, and being the son of Richard Petty did nothing for Kyle Petty. Nope, no one else in the history of NASCAR ever benefited by being born into the right racing family. I now understand: Austin Dillon is evil because he got his ride because he's Richard Childress' grandson. Got it. - Paul

There's going to be a minority of folks who will be so pro-Earnhardt forever that they'll feel no one else can drive the No. 3. But it's Richard Childress's car and Dillon has been using the number since he entered the Camping World Truck Series. It was inevitable, and the inevitability is here.

Paul, the clip was of Kevin Harvick, when he delivered his parting shot to the Dillons and Richard Childress Racing at Martinsville before his departure at the end of the season.

Dillon has legitimate racing talent, and anyone who thinks differently is crazy. You don't win a Nationwide Series title simply because you have fast cars. So what if he didn't win a race. With the way that the Nationwide Series is currently set up, it's hard for a Nationwide regular to take the checkered flag. Plus, he's also got a Truck Series title too. He's the odds-on favorite to become the first driver to win all three NASCAR national series championships. Yes, even over Greg Biffle at this point.

- - - - - - -

Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @NickBromberg

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/happy-hour--dale-earnhardt-jr---the-500-and-austin-dillon-181953991.html

Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison