Does NASCAR Need Franchises To Survive?

Franchising according to theorists would help pull in sponsors, because there would only be 43 Franchised teams. This would mean nobody would go home at the end of qualifying on Fridays, and would also guarantee a full 43 car starting field. Then if a salary cap is applied on expenses (like in the NFL or NBA), the power at the top of the heap would be more evenly spread.

I could not disagree more.

Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500: Surprising, Not Surprising

Rain, rain, go away… Come again another day!

Rain was the story of the weekend, in fact, the Camping World Truck Series will take the green flag today at noon after their race was rained out on Saturday.

Rain kept qualifying from happening, and most of practice for the Sprint Cup boys, but the same drivers rose to the top of the paper-clip in Southwest Virginia Sunday, as Jimmie Johnson and the Lowe’s No. 48 team won themselves another grand-father clock.

Gee, you think Johnson is giving these out for Christmas presents this year?

On to the Surprising and Not Surprising things from this past weekend’s action.

NSCS: 2009 Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 Results

March 29, 2009. Martinsville Speedway.
Pole: Jeff Gordon
Winner: Jimmie Johnson

Circuit Breaks: Kansas

Information about Kansas Speedway as well as other attractions, lodging and restaurants in the area around the track.

In Memoriam: Lloyd Ruby

I know that we always focus on NASCAR and don’t report any news on Indy, but we felt that it was appropriate to pay tribute to the “Best Driver to Never Win the Indy 500″, Lloyd Ruby. Ruby died March 23, 2009 at the age of 81 in Wichita Falls, Texas.

What to Watch for: Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500

This week, the boys head to Southwest Virginia for the half-mile track known as “The Paper-Clip.”

Martinsville is unique. The only similarity it has with any other short-track is the fact that it’s a half-mile.

The corners are flat and sharp, while the straight-aways are long, and also flat.

Jeff Gordon: Not Going for Fifth Sprint Cup Championship

That’s it, I can’t bite my tongue any more.

Jeff Gordon is NOT going for his fifth Sprint Cup Championship! ARRRRGH!

Nobody else has the guts to say it, but I said it!

Jeff has four Winston Cup Championships and is going for his first Sprint Cup Championship. Two totally different accomplishments.

Joe Gibbs: Back on Top or Just Average?

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) gets their second victory this season and finally gets into victory lane at “Thunder Valley” after many years of dominating races at Bristol. Not only does Kyle Busch get his second win, but Denny Hamlin finishes out the one-two punch for JGR.

But the question has to be, is JGR still the team to beat, or are they now just an average team?

Food City 500: Surprising, Not Surprising

One short track down, and another right around the bend. Bristol was…well Bristol.

Although it’s now the “NEW” Bristol, and not the “OLD.”

By new, I mean there is less bumping and passing, and cars can actually pass on the outside.

Anyway, here are a few things I found “Surprising,” and “Not Surprising” following the Bristol weekend.

On Your Side: Nationwide Takes Third Weekend Off

After back-to-back weekends off, followed by action at Bristol Motor Speedway this past Saturday, the Nationwide Series will again be in limbo for the upcoming weekend.

While the Truck and Cup Series head to Southern Virginia to battle it out on the infamous paper-clip, the Nationwide guys will be enjoying a weekend off (again).

Bleacher Report is “On Your Side” with news and notes from this past weekend of racing and the off-weekend ahead.