Tuesday, December 26th 'What If' Question

The 2001 death of Dale Earnhardt changed the complexion of NASCAR in many ways. Earnhardt was killed on the last lap of the Daytona 500 while running third, he hit the turn four wall head-on after losing control of his iconic No. 3 and making contact with other competitors.

Since that time the cars, some tracks, and a plethora of safety innovations have both changed and revolutionized the sport we’ve all come to know and love. For as much as Earnhardt did for the sport as he lived, he’s continued to do so in death. Except, it’s not just the sport that’s changed, those in it have as well.

When he was alive, Earnhardt and wife Teresa ran his own three car operation, Dale Earnhardt Inc., with drivers Steve Park, Michael Waltrip and son Dale Earnhardt Jr. After his passing the company was continued on by Teresa, who did her best to keep her husband’s legacy alive while putting a championship ran team on track.

Soon, as the racing world watched, everything fell apart. Earnhardt Jr., who raced with other family members such as his cousin and uncle, found himself at odds with his stepmother. Changes were being made that he didn’t agree with and prior to the 2007 season he put his cards on the table: give him some control of the company or he walks out of the door.

Teresa never blinked and Earnhardt Jr. signed with Hendrick Motorsports beginning with the 2008 season. Making it easier for her was the fact that Earnhardt Sr. had never had his will changed – perhaps because he either never thought about it or didn’t want to – leaving the company in her control and not with his children.

In any case, what Earnhardt may or may not have wanted, was never seen. Earnhardt Jr. went on to have a successful season: winning one race and making the Chase with DEI doing the opposite. They failed to win and his former car, the No. 8 was shut down because of a lack of sponsorships.

Starting in 2009 the company would be merged with Chip Ganassi’s, forming Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing. They’re biggest season to date would be a year later, 2010, when driver Jamie McMurray won the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400. They have yet, however, proven to be championship contenders.

Earnhardt Jr. meanwhile has experienced his own ups and downs at HMS. He made the Chase in 2008, 2011 and this past season. Yet, he’s won only twice and is working with his third different crew chief.

His Nationwide Series team, which he brought to HMS as well, has found themselves in a similar situation. They brought Brad Keselowski to the spotlight before he left for Penske and now a Cup championship, before struggling to fill their seats and find the winner's circle. Danica Patrick has come and gone, JRM bringing her to NASCAR and now setting her off to a Cup ride of her own.

And the family aspect isn’t as strong for Earnhardt Jr. anymore either. Both his cousin and uncle have left under difficult circumstances. Sister Kelley, who also owns part of JRM, remains at Earnhardt Jr.’s side.

But …

What if DEI had been left to the Earnhardt children - not Teresa - how different would everything/one be now? Including Eanhardt-Ganassi? 

@JamersonD I think EGR wouldn't exist. Still DEI with Jr stil in the 8. I think they'd be getting engines from Hendrick now though. 

@TomLglEdtr hard to say; by most accounts Teresa had great marketing sense (value of Dale Sr. brand); would his kids appreciate that?

@HD388 EGR never happens. Jr stays & DEI would be a solid 3 car operation with that puts all 3 cars in the Chase year after year

@SMofHRinHC It would have fallen apart even faster. 

Kenneth J Carlson (via Facebook) Dale Jr would still be driving the 8 car

Clayton Caldwell (via Facebook) Good question....All the Chevy teams are now second to Hendrick who is quickly becoming the dominate force in NASCAR. Would it have been different. Yes, but how much different. IDK. It wouldn't have been family run cause Pops and Jr got canned at JR Motorsports so .... 

Kelly Crandall (via Facebook - responding) But would they have been? Would things have gone on this far and like they are now? This can be a loaded question because it affects so many people and a few different companies. 

Clayton Caldwell (via Facebook) I agree. My thing is though look at a team like RCR. They are not even close to a team like Hendrick. Harvick left to drive for Hendrick's B team next year? As bad as a job Teresa did running the organization  would it be different? IDK. I mean Chip Ganassi had to merge and he has a ton of money. It's just a completely different sport than it was in 2007 and IDK if DEI would still be a powerhouse. 

Kelly Crandall (via Facebook) It's been a crazy few years since it happened. I think you also have to look at how many changes she made, and if Junior or Kelley being in charge, if they would have made the same ones. Such as moving around teams and personnel, like sending the 8 team to Michael beginning in 2005. Or how Jr.'s Nationwide team would be like now if he didn't have as close an association with Hendrick. And if he never goes to Hendrick, is Kyle still there? Many different ways to look at it, I guess. It's interesting to look back at how much has happened. 

Clayton Caldwell (via Facebook) Yeah and I'm not tryin to kill Jr but this is fact, I mean with the way he struggled so bad in the "COT" they woulda looked at other alternatives, which probably means merger. It is sad what happened to that team, and a lot of teams since 2007. I mean DEI made their own engines. Coming into next year we are going to have 5 engine builders! 5! In 2007 we had 12. It's just changed so much. 

Kelly Crandall (via Facebook) He never did figure out the COT, hated it, in fact. Wonder if he had worked with Pops if he would have done a little better?

Clayton Caldwell (via Facebook) You never know. I mean Pops coulda struggled in the COT too. I think Zipadelli couldn't get his arms around that car and that's part of the reason why the 20 struggled so bad and the 14 and 39 took a hit this year. Just my opinion. 

Thursday, December 20th 'What If' Question

Ford Championship weekend in Homestead-Miami again played host to NASCAR's grand finale. All three National Series would be crowning champions, with the possibility of all three being first-time champions at that.

The first act of the three act weekend was the Camping World Truck Series and the Ford EcoBoost 200. James Buescher entered the weekend as the point leader, hanging to a 15 point advantage on rookie Ty Dillon. Buescher, racing for team owner and father-in-law Steve Turner, was looking for his first title in just his fourth full season.

Buescher had dominated the year, winning the most races (four) and leading the points the final four weeks. Except Dillon wasn't about to let Buescher have an easy clinching race, entering the final race of the season with hopes of becoming the second Dillon to win the CWTS title in as many years. Older brother Austin had won it the year before.

For much of the event Buescher was in firm control of his destiny, ahead of Dillon on track and keeping his point lead. As the race wound down however, business picked up and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops team played their hand, making the necessary adjustments to move Dillon up in the field and more importantly, ahead of Buescher.

With two laps to go he was running second when fellow rookie Kyle Larsen made a bold move to his inside in turn three. The two made contact and hit the wall ending both of their nights and Dillon's championship run. At the time, he would have been within one point of Buescher as they ran on the track.

Dillon instead finished 25th while Buescher came home 13th and won the championship. Afterwards, though disappointed, Dillon noted that he was at peace with that occurred because his team had given it everything they had in trying to win the championship in their first year together. He'll be back in 2013 to try again.

But ...

What if Ty Dillon doesn't wreck at Homestead while racing Kyle Larsen, does he overtake and beat James Buescher for the championship?

@Talon64 As long as the race goes caution-free, then Buescher probably would've slipped back enough for Ty to take it.

@JorgeMondacaFOX No

@HMPPhoto I think he was reaching for straws and going for broke! Like wouldn't have caught Buescher!

Tuesday, October 9th 'What If' Quesiton

Sometimes all it takes to ruin the perfect moment or the perfect race, is one split second decision. Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart found himself in that position when he came down the track to block Michael Waltrip's big run and caused a 25 car wreck.

Stewart, who was leading at the time, was trying to win the race. When he quickly found himself in the sucker-hole, the middle of the track with cars flying past on the outside and inside, he made the only decision he could: try to protect his position.

Stewart ended up getting turned by Waltrip who was being pushed by Casey Mears. When the dust settled and the checkered flag was shown, Matt Kenseth was declared the winner with only Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon making it through the carnage behind him. Stewart did apologize for starting the wreck and took responsibility, but many others weren't happy with the type of racing they had seen.

Most vocal was Dale Earnhardt Jr., who we learned later had suffered a concussion. He'll be sitting out the next two Sprint Cup Series races.

The wreck also shook up the point standings. Brad Keselowski extended his lead to 14 over Johnson, who wrecked while Keselowski was able to save his car and drive to a seventh place finish. Anything could have happened had the pack made to the finish line as they were, instead one mistake on the final lap, in the final corner changed everything.

Such is the life in NASCAR.

But ..

What if Stewart and Waltrip didn't get together and start last lap crash, of that big pack coming off turn four, take your pick: who wins Talladega?

@TheOrangeCone Josh Wise

@Anthony_Stuart Kenseth: not enough time was left for them to get by him

@FurnitureRow_78 Waltrip definitely would have won!

@NaScArFaN995 michael waltrip or casey mears

@Gman1439 Waltrip vs Kenseth, I say Waltrip would of won

@31SpazCat15 I think Mikey wins!!

@philenespanol Mikey. He had a full head of steam (hence getting into smoke) and probably would have settled it between him and Clint

@mattwoodruff29 Harvick he was right on Kenseth's and could had went for the win!

@NancyatStudioN Michael Waltrip

@chuckallen2 @mw55 was going to win, no doubt in my mind. His momentum, getting pushed in the perfect spot on track were just enough

@Rasenna Tony! He's the man!

@HarpAmyStabler I think that Mikey or Casey Mears would have duked it out for the win.

Thursday, September 9th 'What If' Question

It all comes down to one race and two drivers. While others are still mathematically eligible  to make this year's Chase for the Sprint Cup Series Championship, all eyes are on Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon going to Richmond.

Busch holds the second Wild Card spot, with his one win from May at the same track. Gordon sits 14th, fighting a year of bad luck and many mechanical failures. He too, has a lone win from Pocono. And the scenario is simple: whoever finishes ahead of the other will make the Chase.

Yet, while both Busch and Gordon have had their fair share of success at the Virginia track, Busch enters the weekend as the favorite. He's the most recent winner at the track and it's Gordon who has to beat him. A tall task simply because of the fact that anything and everything that could happen to a driver and team this season, has to Gordon.

They must continue to fight from behind if they want a shot at the Chase. A situation neither company, Joe Gibbs Racing with Busch and Hendrick Motorsports with Gordon, imagined themselves in before the season started. Except here they are, Busch not wanting to miss the Chase again as he did in 2009 and Gordon hoping to have something go right in his season. Saying it's never over until it's over, and he too, doesn't want to experience being on the outside looking in as he did in 2005.

Each driver knows what they have to do, Busch feeling confident in his team and the track. Gordon looking to avenge a heartbreaking loss to Hamlin at Atlanta, saying he won't make the same mistake twice.

But ...

What if Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon are running together on the last lap Saturday, who makes it back to the checkered flag and into the Chase?

@ARosser14 Whoever's third

@HarpAmyStabler Kyle makes it to the Chase and the checkered flag

Wednesday, August 29th 'What If' Question

A failed drug test at Kentucky and subsequent suspension at Daytona - then firing from Penske - did more than lose AJ Allmendinger his ride in NASCAR. It opened the door to one of the silliest seasons in the Sprint Cup Series and this year's version of musical race seats.

With Allmendinger off the track and taking care of his personal business, Sam Hornish Jr. stepped into the No. 22 Shell / Pennzoil Dodge. Hornish soon found himself doing double duty, competing for the Nationwide Series championship while helping keep the Cup team head's above water. And Hornish hasn't done that bad of a job, impressing many and starting the whispers of who should be in the car full-time.

Those whispers quickly died down when Matt Kenseth not only announced he was leaving Roush - Fenway Racing but reports ran wild that he was going to join Joe Gibbs Racing. That meant more dominoes needed to fall, such as who Kenseth would replace or if another JGR car was going to be added to the stable.

Yet, as details started to emerge of Kenseth's new home with JGR it became clear that Joey Logano was also going to be someplace else in 2013. Penske and the 22 was the logical choice, although many held out hope that the Captain, Roger Penske, would keep the seat in-house and reward Hornish's efforts.

That didn't happen. Kenseth is going to Logano's ride at JGR and Logano is going into Allmendinger / Hornish's ride at Penske. It's the NASCAR snowball effect, one thing leads to another. When one car opens .. well, you get the idea.

Fortunately for Hornish, he still has a job in '13 as he'll remain with Penske, running a full-time NNS schedule again with hopes of Cup races.

But ...

What if AJ Allmendinger was still in the 22, and with Kenseth going to JGR, where would Logano have ended up in 2013 since the 22 would be unavailable? 

@17FordFan Logano would stay at JGR and run full NNS and possible NSCS races if they had sponsor $

@chuckallen2 Probably full time JGR Nationwide/ PT Cup deal. Although nothing was indicating that AJ would keep it regardless.

@HD388 Logano would go back to the Nationwide Series for JGR til sponsorship for a 4th car could be found but

@abullins I've heard Penske started talking to Logano before Kentucky so it would still be his probably.

Wednesday, July 18th 'What If' Question

Since 1909 the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has welcomed racers from around the world and all across the country.

And since that time they've crowned winners in many different forms. From F1, MotoGP, IndyCar and then to the surprise of many, NASCAR. Beginning in 1994 it was stock cars roaring around the famed Brickyard with Jeff Gordon taking home the first checkered flag.

Since then the Brickyard 400 has become one of NASCAR's most prestigious races, and according to IMS the second-highest paying race behind the Daytona 500.

Just two years after NASCAR got there a great Indianapolis tradition was born. In the name of tradition and winning big races, the Daytona International Speedway places the winners car in the Daytona 500 USA museum for a year. The driver is the introduced as the Daytona 500 winner for the remainder of the year and their name goes into the record books not just as winner, but a Daytona 500 champion.

Now when a driver wins at Indy they end up with much the same accolades. Part of their tradition is taking a ride around the speedway in the pace car and going to the "Yard of Bricks."

That's where they'll have one of the most memorable kisses of their life. It was Dale Jarrett and crew chief Todd Parrott who started the tradition in '96 when they innocently went to kiss the bricks after their win. They were soon joined by the entire team who also kissed the bricks and the rest as they say is history.

NASCAR winners and IndyCar winners all get their chance to kiss the bricks and go down in history as a winner at Indianapolis. Win there and you'll be remembered forever, regardless of whatever else you've done.

Beginning next weekend Indianapolis will now host the NASCAR Nationwide Series at the big track. For many years the NNS and CWTS raced away from Indianapolis at the small oval in Clermont, Indiana. The Lucas Oil Raceway - formerly Indianapolis Raceway Park and O'Reilly Raceway Park - will not be hosting NNS or CWTS races beginning in 2012, although many agreed the shorttrack put on some great racing throughout its history.

Now the Brickyard will go from hosting just Sprint Cup drivers and race to the NNS the day before. While Daytona does the same, with only the Cup race being known as a "big" race, this will be the first time in recent memory that a famed track and big race has gone from hosting just Cup cars to sharing it with the NNS.

Cars hit the track starting on Thursday, July 26th when the NNS hits the track for the very first time in practice. When they do it will bring many questions, which will only be answered throughout the weekend.

But ...

What if w/Nationwide now at Indy & if they start kissing the bricks, will it change your view of the prestige of the Cup race there?


@Talon64 yes, but only because the Cup guys would get Nationwide's sloppy seconds on the brick kiss.

@mrheadrick No. Has the prestige of Daytona been tarnished by multiple series running there? The whole #Indycar split several years ago killed the prestige of Indy in my eyes.

@dustin_n_va No not at all any win at indy is prestigious

@JoJo_6040 Yep, but I'm sure the winner will since it's a tradition for cup. Now you have me curious haha. Wish they kept nns at orp.

Tuesday, July 10th 'What If' Question

Before the green flag in Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona there had already been plenty of headlines made.

There was Austin Dillon defending his Kentucky win after a failed inspection, Brian France delivering his state of the sport address and saying there would be no mandatory cautions as Bruton Smith suggested. There was Danica Patrick in a way calling her shot to win before Dillon won the pole and again failed inspection.

Matt Kenseth, going for the Daytona sweep, started it off right by winning the Cup pole. While eventual winner Tony Stewart failed post qualifying because of the same reason Dillon did. Kurt Busch went out and won a wild Nationwide Series race for James Finch and Joey Logano became the latest driver to fail inspection.

On Saturday, in what is normally a lazy day before the Cup race that evening, was anything but. Kevin Harvick flew wife DeLana back home to NC in order to rest before the birth of their first child. Son Keelan would be born the next morning. Austin Dillon thought he might get behind the wheel of the No. 29 until NASCAR nixed that idea, so Kenny Wallace was put on standby.

Bobby Bowden came into the media centered and entertained everyone, while Train rocked out on the frontstretch for the fans. Then came the biggest news of the entire weekend, seemingly out of nowhere.

At 6:00 p.m. ET NASCAR's senior vice president of racing, Steve O'Donnell, walked into the media center to announce that Penske Racing driver AJ Allmendinger had been suspended because of a failed drug test. He had been chosen as the random driver a week before in Kentucky and his "A" sample came back positive.

Sam Hornish Jr. flew back to Daytona from Charlotte, NC to pilot the No. 22 in the race. And since then the talk has been all about Allmendinger. Even though there was Stewart winning his fourth Daytona race in the last eight attempt, as well as the numerous penalties handed down on Tuesday after the infractions found in inspection.

Dillon will now be without his crew chief and car chief for two weeks and lost another six points in the owner and driver standings, Adam Stevens and the car chief of the No. 18 in the NNS was fine and put on probation as well as lost six owner points. And Stewart lost six driver/owner points while his crew chief and car chief were both placed on probation.

Yet, it all went in one ear and out the other. It's all about Allmendinger right now. Speculation has run wild from what caused the failed test, to whether he intentionally  took something, and of course, whether he'll ever be back behind the wheel.

As of Wednesday, Allmendinger was waiting on the results of his "B" sample while he camp released a statement that he had tested positive for a stimulant. What the stimulant was is still a guess, but Allmendinger was said to be going through all his medications and supplements to determine what could have caused the failed test.

With Allmendinger working with NASCAR to determine what has gone on while waiting on the results of his "B" sample, Hornish will again drive the No. 22 this weekend at New Hampshire. Everyone else is left offering their own opinions and theories.

But ...

What if there were no AJ Allmendinger suspension, what would be the big story and have us all talking after Daytona?


@mattwoodruff29 The Harvick's having there first child and the penalties from Daytona.

@HarpAmyStabler 2 complete green flag pit cycles and the outside line not being able to go. No pack drafting excitement 4 passing ... My dad, son, and I were all at the NNS and cup race. NNS race was exciting and fun all the way through .... The cup race was boring and we struggled to stay awake there until lap 120. Shouldn't be that way ... Dad and I have been going to Daytona since 2004 and loved it. We'll go again, but the racing has gotten progressively worse with the exception of the tandem racing. I remember the 1st to 30th & back to 1st in a few laps back in 2004-2008. That was fun for the pack drafting. Bring back tandems if it's not going 2 improve ... I thought that it was sad how sparse the midway & souvie trailer area was. Econ=bad. :(

@NancyatStudioN The big story would be the Army leaving SHR. It could open a whole can of worms. Will the National Guard leave Jr? And why are they paying so much more than Army paid SHR? If Ryan can't get a sponsor to stay there, where will he go? He can't go back to Penske  and can't go to Roush without a sponsor. In fact, can he go anywhere if he can't bring a sponsor? And, will Kurt get a sponsor and take it to SHR? After all, Tony said he'd hire him in a heartbeat.


@DonRohr reason the midway is sparse is because of the heat, the cost, and the ROI in July. overflowing in February ... I thought the race itself was just fine. decent beginning, filling in the middle and balls out at the end

@JoJo_6040 The pack v tandem or Sprint v Nationwide races. I kinda like the combo of pack and tandem. :)

Wednesday, July 4th 'What If' Question

Prior to the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season domination used to belong to two drivers: Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch.

If they weren't battling each other they were fending off Busch's teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing, Joey Logano. Now Logano has picked up where Edwards and Busch have left off. Halfway through the NNS season Logano has five wins, the most of anyone in the series.

Even more impressive, he's only competed in 12 of the 16 races. When he's not winning races he's leading a ton of laps (468) or capturing poles (3). Anytime he's behind the wheel of the No. 18 he's become the driver to beat. Deja vu for competitors when Busch used to be that driver.

At first glance many would be shocked to see that Busch has not yet won a NNS this season. Look closer though and you see that this season different for Busch. His team, Kyle Busch Motorsports, moved to the NNS after coming off a Camping World Truck Series owners title in their first year.

Moving up the ladder however, is hard. Something that Busch fully recognizes. Older brother Kurt delivered the team's first, and so far only, NNS win back at Richmond in April. Not to say that Kyle hasn't come close to winning a few races himself but luck and circumstance just got in the way.

So, as he fights to make his own company contenders, Logano enjoys the role of dominator. The good news for NNS drivers is that Logano will not be in this Saturday's event at New Hampshire as Ryan Truex gets another start in the No. 18.

Kyle Busch will be entered in his No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota. He's won the last three New Hampshire races.

But ...

What if Kyle Busch still ran NNS races for Joe Gibbs Racing, would Joey Logano still be as dominant as he's been this season? 


@mattwoodruff29 No he wouldn't.......

@HD388 Logano wouldn't be dominating NNS if Busch were there. Busch is the far more superior driver & would have 3 wins by now. Logano probably would only have 1

@31SpazCat15 not really answering the what if? But I think it proves that given the same equipment and resources.... Joey is a winner too

Thursday, May 24th 'What If' Question

Wednesday afternoon NASCAR announced their 2013 Hall of Fame class. The five men who will be officially place into the Hall on February 8, 2013 will be Buck Baker, Cotton Owens, Herb Thomas, Rusty Wallace and Leonard Wood.

As noted in his HOF biography on NASCAR.com, many call Wood the innovator of the modern pit stop among the many other things Leonard's credited with. And along with brother Glen, Wood Brothers Racing based out of Virginia, has become one of the most celebrated teams in the garage.

Elliott Sadler earned his first career Sprint Cup Series win in the Wood Brothers No. 21 Ford at Bristol in the spring of 2001. While drivers have come and gone in their cars, the success up and down, they've remained a constant on the track. Doing everything they could to get to the next track, the next race, the next season.

Then a young Tennessee driver named Trevor Bayne came along and gave the fabled team their second wind. Bayne went out and won the 2011 Daytona 500 after an impressive Speedweeks in which he gained the attention of champion and future Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon.

The win was the first for the Wood Brothers since Sadler's 2001 feat, the first Daytona 500 win since David Pearson in 1976. It was just the second career start for Bayne who had turned 20-years-old not even 24 hours before.

It was a sensational story that the NASCAR world latched onto. Bayne became its new star who was only running a partial Cup schedule for the Wood Brothers while competing for Jack Roush in the Nationwide Series. When Bayne got sick weeks after his win and was sidelined for a few months, the Wood Brothers stayed loyal and said the No. 21 was his.

He came back in late 2011 and tried to pick up where he left off but it's been a steep learning curve. Saturday night in Charlotte he'll be behind the wheel of the No. 21 in the Coca-Cola 600, a race that he missed last year. He's eager and excited to put another race under his belt, starting 13th, and certainly now that one of his team owners is a Hall of Famer.

But ...

What if the Wood Brothers hadn't won the 2011 Daytona 500 with Trevor Bayne and then been the focus of so much media attention for a year and a half because of his win, illness and comeback / success, would Leonard Wood still have been chosen as a nominee for the 2013 Hall of Fame class?


@cruetten no. He would've gotten in obviously, but not as soon.

@NancyatStudioN OMG - Yes! They have 97 wins w 17 dif drivers over 59 yrs. A shame they don't have financing to run TBayne fulltime

@RJ_Number8 They would've gotten in now. We're talking about THE men who invented the modern pit stop; a major contribution to the sport.

Monday, May 21st 'What If' Question

With all the hype and advertising that comes with the Sprint All-Star race, no holds barred and full of wrecks, it was anything but on Saturday night. 

There were no fireworks, except for the ones released post race, nor were there wrecks and angry words exchanged. There was hard racing and smart strategy used and then a familiar face in victory lane. 

The 2012 format of the All-Star race consisted of five segments. The first four were 20 laps each and the final segment a 10 lap dash for the cash. That coming after a mandatory pit stop where as long as all four tires came to a stop in the box, it was considered OK and the driver could continue.

Another new wrinkle was that the drivers who won a segment would be lined up 1-4 coming to pit road for those final stops and that's where things got interesting.  

Jimmie Johnson won the first segment and then disappeared for the remainder of the All-Star. Literally. He restarted in the back of the pack and then let the field drive away as he stayed far behind what could have been potential carnage. 

Then segment two winner Matt Kenseth did the same thing. As did segment three winner Brad Keselowski, all playing possum until the final segment.

After Dale Earnhardt Jr. won segment four, he along with Johnson, Kenseth and Keselowski lined up for the mandatory stop and then exited pit road in the same order. When the green flag flew for the final segment Johnson drove away from the field for his third All-Star win.

Many were left shaking their heads in confusion, disappointment and anger at how the race played out. There seemed to be no racing involved or at least not what the All-Star race is accustomed to. Besides Johnson fans, what happend in the All-Star race wasn't what fans wanted, although Johnson and company simply took the rules and manipulated them to their advantage. 

Clint Bowyer seemed a bit shocked after the checkered flag flew saying, "He ran 30 laps, 30 damn laps and won $1 millon." 

But ... 


What if segment winners weren't allowed to 'sandbag,' how different would All-Star race have played out and does Johnson still win?


@kartracer3886 Lol If JJ didnt sandbag then he would have won every segment. I liked the format. Needs 1-2 slight tweaks


@Race_Girl24_7 idk but I would b good with a system that sends the last place driver to the garage after each segment even if they had won a segment earlier


@JoJo_6040 Each segmt would make 'em have to race. It's a short race, why sandbag? With that scenario, not sure who would've won. 

Wednesday, May 9th 'What If' Question

Leave it to Brad Keselowski to throw out all the logic that comes with racing and winning at the Talladega Superspeedway.

After much anticipation and tweaking by NASCAR, it was back to pack racing at the restrictor plate tracks of Daytona and Talladega. Last weekend drivers went door-to-door and bumper-to-bumper around Talladega for over 180 laps before setting themselves up for a tandem pairing at the end.

On a green-white-checkered finish the driver who had dominated all day, Matt Kenseth, hooked with teammate Greg Biffle and started to pull away from the field. Behind them Kyle Busch started pushing Brad Keselowski and the two began to make headway.

Kenseth though took his eyes off the prize for just a split second and it caused him to become unhooked with Biffle. That lead to Keselowski and Busch blowing by and the win going with them. Keselowski took the white flag as the leader and logic said he wouldn't be the leader when they came back for the checkered flag.

Except just as there's logic which says you can't race and certainly can't win with a broken ankle, Keselowski proved everyone wrong. Coming out of turn four Keselowski took his No. 2 blue deuce and pulled himself off of Busch by moving from the middle lane down to the bottom.

Busch wasn't expecting it and the move gave Keselowski just enough steam to head back to the finish line untouched. Afterwards he said it was a move he had in mind for a while and was saving for the right occasion and that didn't help Busch or Kenseth feeling any better about what had happened.

But ...

What if the Kenseth/Biffle tandem hadn't come apart, would the Keselowski/Busch tandem still have caught them and who wins Talladega? 

@cruetten I'm sure they would've caught them, but I doubt they would've passed them--Kenseth and Biffle would've held tight as a team.

@JoJo_6040 Yes. And BK wouldn't be able to use his shake on KB. Four car run to the finish and Kenseth wins :)

@HD388 still think Keselowski/Busch tandem would of caught Kenseth/Biffle tandem & pulled away from them with Keselowski winning

Friday, May 4th 'What If' Question

Should you take the movie "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" at face value, that being purely entertainment purposes, it truly is a good movie.

There's plenty of jokes, memorable quotes and moments that would never happen in real life. Will Ferrell plays a racecar driver that doesn't resemble anything of a racecar. He's brash and bold, yet can be because he's damn good at what he does.

Sunday in Talladega there might be the real life version of the story. Kurt Busch will be driving a replica paint scheme to the one that Ferrell drove in the movie, where he and rival Jean Girad (played by Sacha Baron Cohen) flipped down the Talladega frontstretch - in what could be described as the longest crash ever- then exited their cars and ran to the finish line.

Busch's paint scheme on his No. 51 James Finch Chevrolet has many buzzing with joy. And quoting their favorite lines from the movie.

For Busch though, the scheme is about more than having fun, it's also for a good cause. Besides the giant Cougar on the hood and the "ME" logos, there are those for the Armed Forces Foundation. According to their website they're a non-profit organization which dedicates their time to providing for members of the armed forces.

On the rear decklid of the car fans will read "Text AFF to 50555 to donate $5."

Unfortunately, Busch won't be driving with a cougar in the car. Not even the stuff animal he had posted about on Twitter. He will though, have many eyes on him as he takes to the track on Sunday, shouting "Shake & Bake" every time he makes a pass.

He might even say it too. It's all for a good cause as a lack of sponsorship on his No. 51 gave way to this opportunity. Except in the end, all the attention might be a good thing for Busch and the Finch team as they head forward.

But ...

What if Kurt Busch wins on Sunday in the "Talladega Nights" car, should he pull a Ricky Bobby and says he wakes up and [pees] excellence? 


@pablao21 I'd pay his fine if he said it.

@rustywings What? You mean he doesn't...that's what he always led me to believe...#NASCAR

@cruetten Absolutely! As of now, he's not really much of a points contender, so whatever imminent penalty would be worth it!

@HD388 I say yes Kurt should pull a Ricky Bobby if he wins on Sunday, just for the fact that I'd like to see him get fined by Nascar

Tuesday, April 17th 'What If' Question

Nelson Piquet Jr. has come ever so close to winning his first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race but something also crept up and took it away.

Last Sunday when NASCAR made their return to Rockingham for the first time in eight years, many predicted the veterans dominating the day. Instead it was Piquet, who had never seen the track until last weekend, that looked as though he'd been racing there for years.

To start the weekend Piquet won his first career pole in 33 attempts. Then on Sunday he flat out spanked the competition when he led the first 85 of 100 laps. Well in control and seemingly cruising to the finish it was about counting down the laps and keeping the truck off the wall.

A slow pit stop though put him back in traffic where he had to fight back to the front. He eventually did and led 107 of 250 laps. He did not win the race though, he crossed the finish line seventh as Sprint Cup driver Kasey Kahne, who had not practiced or qualified his truck, won.

So, how did Piquet go from domination to seventh? On lap 181 he was nabbed for speeding on pit road and had to restart in the rear. He would spend the rest of the race trying to pull off a comeback instead of fighting for the win when he could have restarted second. For as fast as his No. 30 Qualcomm / Autotrac Chevrolet was, traffic ended up getting the best of him.

"I didn't think that I was going to get penalized, just because the exit was so short and my wheels were spinning so much. I had no idea," said Piquet afterwards about the position of his pit stall to the exit of pit road.

"I didn't feel like I pushed it too hard, I guess I just went a fraction too fast and pushed it just over the limit."

Piquet did move up two spots in the point standing to sixth entering Kansas this weekend. Still looking for his first win and he knows that it's close.

But ...

What if Nelson Piquet hadn't gotten a speeding penalty, does he go on to win the race or does Kasey Kahne hold him off? 

@betseybydesign I think Kasey would have still won!!JMO!!:)

@Talon64 Kasey didn't even pull away from Buescher so Piquet had the speed. But Piquet poor restarts might've cost him anyways

@HarpAmyStabler I think that Piquet would have gone to victory at the Rock. He had the dominant truck all day.

@DonRohr piquet was class of the field. Especially on older tires. (Anything past lap ten in this case).

@JanisRothermel That speeding penalty infuriated me. NP had the truck to beat.Would have been great to have 2 1st time race winners-F1's NR. *Editor's note - In Formula 1 Nico Roseberg had won his first career race on Sunday, the Chinese Grand Prix

@scubazuke72 don't think anything was stopping Kasey on Sunday. His truck was flying from the start.

@HD388 gotta say that Kahne would of held off Piquet, Kahne's truck was just a little bit stronger than Piquet's

Saturday, April 7th 'What If' Question

It's the NASCAR story that just won't end.

In May of 2009 NASCAR announced that Jeremy Mayfield had been suspended indefinitely for a failed drug test. According to NASCAR officials he had tested positive for methamphetamine but instead of Mayfield admitting wrongdoing and getting help in order to be restated, the sordid tale began.

Conspiracy theorists haven't been happier as Mayfield accused NASCAR of setting him up. Claiming that over the counter medications were to blame for the positive test. He attempted to get an injunction on his suspension, which was granted until he failed another drug test weeks later.

Soon family members and other witnesses were coming forward to say that Mayfield was indeed a drug addict. He in turn went back on the attack of NASCAR and Brian France. Attempting to claim that France had his own drug issues while outing his financial issues and divorce.

He tried to drag NASCAR's drug testing policy through the mud, including David Black who then was the head of the lab testing company NASCAR used. Mayfield continued to insist on his innocence while saying that others were after him.

And then, for those who continued to stick by Mayfield's side, came the straw that broke the camel's back. Last November he was charged with possession of 1.5 grams of meth, 50 guns and potential $100,000 in stolen items.

Again, Mayfield claimed his innocence and "that it appears Catawba County authorities have been coordinating with NASCAR officials." Here in 2012 Mayfield continues his fight with NASCAR and the law.

Of course though, there's more to the story. Late last week ARCA Series team owner Roger Curtis said that if ARCA approved him, he'd put Mayfield in one his cars. It would be for the June event at Pocono, since Mayfield's NASCAR suspension doesn't involve ARCA.

He'd have to apply for a license to race and neither Mayfield or ARCA have commented on the Curtis offer.

But ...

What if Jeremy Mayfield was to apply for a license to compete in the ARCA Series, should ARCA approve it & would you watch him race?

@johnson1439 Acra should not approve him until all court cases are cleared up and he is able to pass a blood/hair test drug screen

@widsss yes and yes.

@48hollywood if he's tested and clean, yes they should and yes I would!

@jasonskow I don't see him getting approved anytime soon

@LeisaBeez2988 can he pass a drug test?

@KensCourageRun I would love to see JM race again!!!

@srs1159 definitely! He deserves a second chance.

Rich Bohr (via Facebook) I would watch ARCA no matter if he was in it or not

Matt Wenzel (via Facebook) I would watch ARCA anyhow. But, I guess until Jeremy is found guilty of some crime by a court of law - he is still innocent until proven otherwise in this country - so he has just as much right to race in ARCA as anybody else.....as long as he abides by their rules and passes their tests.

Monday, April 2nd 'What If' Question

Everything was in place on Sunday for Hendrick Motorsports to have an historic day at Martinsville Speedway.

Kasey Kahne won the pole, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all led laps. And when came time to decide the winner Gordon, Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. were running first, second and third with less than 10 laps to go.

Whoever won the event for HMS would have delivered team owner Rick Hendrick his 200th Sprint Cup Series win. David Reutimann, Clint Bowyer and Ryan Newman had other plans and quickly postponed the celebration.

As Gordon took the lead by inches on Johnson on lap 498 of 500, David Reutimann came to a stop near turn one in his No. 10 Chevrolet. He had been slow for a few laps and had been issued the black flag by NASCAR, get off the track in other words.

Reutimann though was determined to finish the race and try to remain locked into the top 35 in points. Had he done so he would be guaranteed a starting spot in the series next race at Texas. Instead he said he had motor problems and the car shut off, stopping him to get back to pit road.

The caution bunched the field back up and when Earnhardt Jr. pitted it put Clint Boywer in third place, Brad Keselowski fourth, Ryan Newman fifth and Earnhardt Jr. sixth. When the green flag flew Newman shoved Bowyer toward turn one and Bowyer decided to take it three wide for the lead.

Johnson spun, Gordon got sideways and then spun Bowyer. Newman came out with the lead, AJ Allmendinger second and Earnhardt Jr. third. That's how they would finish when the race had their second attempt at a green-white-checkered finish.

Afterwards it was hard to find a happy driver. Either upset with the move by Bowyer, the push from Newman but most certainly because of the caution caused by Reutimann. Days later harsh words still remain for both Reutimann and the top 35 rule with both being the main topics of conversations concerning Martinsville.

HMS will once again put away the boxes full of 200 win hats and wait until Texas in two weeks to see if one of their drivers can win capture the checkered flag.

But ...

What if David Reutimann hadn't caused a caution as Gordon & Johnson raced for the lead, who scores the 200th win for HMS?

@ronsracing88 Jeff Gordon would of won.

@HD388 Gordon would of easily have won the race, he had run Johnson down & was passing him & would of driven off from him

@cruetten Jeff Gordon

@michaelwsays Jimmy would have laid the chrome bumper to the 24

@StrokerAce90 JJ

@CSoloy Niether-M'ville upchucks chunk AGAIN, goes through 24 grill, in turn clips 48 who pits, falls 2 end of lead lap

@HarpAmyStabler Jeff Gordon. My thots on Reuty are the following: He's fighting for the top 35. If you don't want something like that to affect the outcome of the race, then NASCAR needs to get rid of the top 35. But, in this economy, we need sponsors so we need to keep the top 35 rule. It's really a no-win situation here. All drivers have agendas on the track. Respect them.

Monday, March 26th 'What If' Question

Racing at the Bristol Motor Speedway would normally bring forth thoughts of beating, banging, rivalries and other such exciting thoughts.

Recently however, thoughts about racing at Bristol have been anything but positive. Then again, it depends on who you ask. One side, including winner of the last two Bristol races Brad Keselowski, will say that racing at Bristol is the best that it has ever been. Good racing doesn't have to include 50 cautions and half of the 43 car field torn up.

It can be side-by-side and long green flag runs. The other half though, say that's nonsense and racing at a shortrack like Bristol means the action should be tight, bumpers should be bent. That hasn't happened lately and many are upset that they've lost a great track to too many changes.

Hearing things like "flying fighter jets in a gymnasium," or "racin' the way it ought to be," or calling it "The last great colosseum" just falls flat. Goosebumps are no longer evoked and many are now calling for changes to be made to the track.

Bruton Smith has granted their wish. Last week he announced that changes will in fact be made to the track, but he didn't say what exactly that would entail. Whatever work he has planned will begin soon in order to be complete by the time the track sees action again in August.

"The race fans have spoken," said Smith in a statement. "We had input that included a wide range of opinions. But the majority we heard from said they wanted to see changes made. As a result, I have ordered the equipment and work will begin within the next two weeks to allow time to have everything ready for August."

The news has of course been met with mixed emotions. Keep it the way it is and let things play out, some say. Others want it torn up and started over, progressive banking done away with.

There are many questions left to be answered but for right now Smith is content to give fans what they want. Will these changes be enough or 'work' is another question and one that won't be answered for another four months.

But ...

What if Bristol was to be torn up & repaved, would you (A) agreed with that decision and (B) think it would be the best thing to do? #NASCAR

@celticsracin18 A

@hookemhorns51 a) no. b) nope. Economy, weather and Kentucky are the reasons. I like the idea of a softer tire for faster wear.

Thursday, March 22nd 'What If' Question

Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus will go down in the NASCAR history books as one of the greatest driver and crew chief combinations the Sprint Cup Series ever saw.

On the bottom of that page however, it could also be said that they were one of the sports greyest combinations. Their success and five-straight championships haven't come without controversy, instead they seem to be the poster boys for it. Knaus has made quite a name for himself in the garage and around the grandstands, some call him smart, an innovator and hard worker.

Others call him a cheater for the following reasons:

During his time in the Nationwide Series with Stacy Compton:

- unapproved shoulder harnesses, suspended two races and $5,000 fine
- unapproved window clips, $750 fine

Sprint Cup Series with Johnson:

- improperly installed mounting bolts, $25,000 fine
- unapproved air directional device $1,000 fine
- unapproved refrigerant, $2,500 fine
- car failing to meet height sticks after Las Vegas win (2005), team docked 25 championships points and Knaus suspended for two races, which was later overturned on appeal. Was still placed on 90 days probation and $35,000 fine
- shock absorbers taken by NASCAR after failing inspection following win in Dover (2005), NASCAR announced no penalties, saying team had exploited a loophole. Rulebook was later changed
- rear window fails inspection on 2006 Daytona 500 car. Knaus ejected from Speedweeks and later suspended for six weeks
- unapproved fenders at Sonoma (2007), cars were kept in the garage during the first practice. Knaus and teammate Steve Letarte both suspended for six weeks, 100 points taken away

Last fall in Talladega Knaus was caught on camera telling Johnson that should he win the race he needed to 'crack' the back of the car. He wasn't penalized but NASCAR kept a close eye on the 48 for the remainder of the season. That seemed to have carried over into 2012 when the 48 made news on opening day for the Daytona 500.

The car's C-posts were confiscated and the team made to rebuild that area before the car could participate in practice. The car however, never went through inspection. After Speedweeks was over NASCAR announced a six week suspension for Knaus and car chief Ron Malec, 25 driver and owner point deduction and a $100,000 fine for Knaus.

On their second appeal to Chief Appellate officer John Middlebrook the penalty, all except the $100,000, was completely overturned. Johnson moves to 11th in points entering California and won't have to lose Knaus or Malec. HMS reportedly argued that the car was not only legal but the C-posts have been inspected by NASCAR and used last year on HMS cars.

The ruling has sent shockwaves through the garage. Surprise seeming to be the biggest reaction while others say it was the only fair ruling since the car never went on the track, Johnson didn't gain an advantage. Kyle Petty went as far to say last weekend that the appeals process and those involved didn't know the team, the sport and shouldn't be judging Johnson or anyone else.

Once the appeal was overturned Petty declared how satisfied he was. There are still those however, that are wondering what exactly happened and if Knaus got one past NASCAR. The haters will continue to call him a cheater, others say no harm no foul since the car remained in the garage.

But ...

What if the No. 48 had made it to inspection then C-posts failed, does penalty still get overturned & do some still agree w/ruling? #NASCAR

@cruetten no. only reason I agree w/the penalty being overturned is 'cause it never got on the track. If it had, I would feel differently

@Albee_M no it would not have been overturned, and no I do not agree with the final ruling

@HD388 no way the ruling gets overturned if the 48 fails inspection probably would of made for a tougher punishment given Chad's past history, I agree with the ruling given the fact that the car never made it to inspection & they weren't allowed to sand or grind the C-post down like the other teams though I still am not sure why the fine stood

Saturday, March 17th 'What If' Question

The fastest cars don't always win, not even when a driver thinks they have the race all wrapped up.

Saturday in Bristol it was the defending champion, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., cruising toward his second straight win and first at the short track when the caution came out with 40 laps to go. The leaders came down pit road for their final stops but Elliott Sadler stayed on track and inherited the lead.

Sadler went on to win the race, Stenhouse fell back to finish sixth in frustration. Feeling he had the best car, Stenhouse wasn't happy with where he had finished or with fellow competitor Justin Allgaier, whom he says pinched him into the wall early in the race and then had another run in with him at the end.

Stenhouse knew though that it came down to the pit road call. His No. 6 team came in for two tires as Sadler didn't pit and earned the track position. While Stenhouse didn't berate his crew chief or team for the decision, he understood that as the leader he was a sitting duck and whatever he did, someone else was bound to do the opposite.

However, it doesn't make it any less frustrating. With Sadler and his new Richard Childress Racing team on a roll thus far in 2012 - two wins, two third place finishes and the points lead - Stenhouse knows it's going to be a long year. Having won last week in Las Vegas, the 6 team was looking to continue the success they've had since last season and sending a message that they're ready to defend their title.

They can see though that Sadler and his team will be putting up a much better fight this time around. Sadler leads Stenhouse by 25 points heading into the season's fifth race next weekend in California.

But ...

What if that last caution hadn't come out, does Elliott Sadler or anyone else catch Ricky Stenhouse Jr for the win today at Bristol? #NASCAR

@armond_ealey no

@StrokerAce90 I would say yes, Elliot was a man on a mission.

Thursday, March 15th 'What If' Question

For all those "Did you see that?" moments look no further than the Daytona 500.

In its 54 year running there's been a little bit of everything: there was 'the fight', rain shortened events, rained out events, potholes, animals demolished by machines, tragedy, triumph, and now not only a Monday night race but a jet dryer explosion. Of course we all should have known we were in for some excitement when this year's race, for the first time in history, had to be postponed until Monday.

Then more rain pushed the race to Monday night, primetime and the excitement was notched up another level. The action started right away with a major crash that collected Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Danica Patrick and others on lap two. From there the Roush Fenway Racing drivers of Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle dominated the field.

And then as the race started to wind down it happened. Fire!

One of the jet dryers used to clean the race track during cautions began burning in turn three. A massive fire broke out as the gasoline from the jet dryer burned down the track. Upon further review it was found that something on Juan Pablo Montoya's No. 42 Target machine broke as he was trying to get up to speed and catch the field.

The car snapped away from him and spun into the jet dryer and chaos ensued from there. The race was red flagged for two hours as the track was cleaned and repaired. During that time Brad Keselowski tweeted from his car, drivers hung out on the backstretch and some raced each other to the porta potty.

When the race finally restarted it was Kenseth scoring his second 500 win over Dale Earnhardt Jr. Once the post race interviews and press conferences were over it was nearly 2:00 Tuesday morning. As the rest of the world woke up that Tuesday the Daytona 500 was national news, first because it was a primetime event and because of the amazing video of the jet dryer fire.

Keselowski tweeting from inside his race car didn't hurt either. NASCAR was already off to a roaring start in 2012 and the Daytona 500 got to add another historic page to its history book.

But ...

What if the jet dryer explosion hadn't happened, what would have been the most memorable moment of the 2012 Daytona 500 & would the race still have made national news?

@WickedJ8 No, it wouldnt have made news. But the story wouldve been not fully sponsored 17 winning the biggest race of the year..again

@Tradertoms Fact is that we will never forget that incident but considering it WAS a Night race, it was sure to make National News

@rcracer20 prime time and @DanicaPatrick ,had to think about who won

@StrokerAce90 Most memorable moment woulda been Danica's first Cup start. She made the Daytona 500 bigger National news by just being in it

Thursday, February 23rd 'What If' Question

This question was a fan submission from @AdamHeasley
Sunday's 54th annual Daytona 500 ends a long week filled with racing.

It started last Saturday night with the Budweiser Shootout, an exhibition race that's run only for fun and normally filled with plenty of excitement. After nearly wrecking in his No. 18 M&M's Toyota twice, and seeing Jeff Gordon barrel roll, Kyle Busch captured his first Shootout win. The following day Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle put Roush Fenway Racing on the front row for the Daytona 500 with Edwards capturing his first 500 pole.

And then came Thursday what might the most exciting but nerve-racking day of Speedweeks. Thursday two Gatorade Duel races not only decide the starting lineup of Sunday's Daytona 500 but who makes the Great American Race and who has to head home and try again next year.

After finishing second to Kyle Busch in a photo finish in the Budweiser Shootout it was Tony Stewart who captured the first Duel's checkered flag. He'll start third in the Daytona 500 as he attempts to win the big race for the first time in his career. But as Stewart headed for the checkered flag and a third place starting position in the 500, it was one of the cars that he owns who took a big hit behind him.

Rookie Danica Patrick found the inside wall on the backstretch after contact from Aric Almirola sent her No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet for a wild ride. The caution immediately flew and the field was frozen and NASCAR ruled where each driver had been when the caution had come out.

Patrick was forced to a backup car and will start the Daytona 500 from the 29th position. Finishing behind Stewart was Dale Earnhardt Jr., who will lineup fifth on the starting grid.

But ...

"What if Duel #1 was the Daytona 500 and #NASCAR threw a caution while Junior had a run on Stewart on the final lap? What reactions would there be?"

@ARosser14 I'd be partying my butt off and wouldn't care what the Official Cult of NASCAR (Junior Nation) had to say about it one bit.

@NancyatStudioN Obvious answer - JR Nation would have gone berserk

@cruetten we would start throwing things, develop anger issues, schedules would clear up, would grow scraggly beards & take in stray animals

@murp0443 Better? Will Nascar start using better dscrtn when throwing caut on last lap. If wreck is behind leader no caution needed... On last lap ALL there is 2 think about is, "Wave yellow or let finish?" NOT tough to make the safe call & have great finish! I get safety. I get not racing back to the yellow mid-race... But just change that rule on final lap. Race till Checkers!!!

@AdamHeasley It would go to show how inconsistent NASCAR can be. It would cause a big controversy. Oh and I'll take credit for this one :)

Tuesday, February 21st 'What If' Question

The signing of Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Hendrick Motorsports have brought forth a major change to the landscape in the NASCAR garage. That includes the news, attention and focus by those watching and covering the sport.

The 2008 season featured the HMS lineup as Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Casey Mears and Earnhardt Jr., with Kyle Busch being the odd man out and landing at Joe Gibbs Racing. To some it appeared that Hendrick had chosen Earnhardt Jr. over Busch and the consensus, those that weren't profanity fulled, seemed to be that he [Hendrick] would regret it.

Busch went out and won eight races in 2008 to Earnhardt Jr.'s one and when the two tangled in Richmond while racing for the win with less than five laps to go, the racing world ignited. It was fueled further when Earnhardt Jr. seemed to return the favor at the fall race in Richmond later the year. The have been constantly compared while the the team changes for both have been dissected and analyzed for who it has benefited more.

Busch has experienced both the highs and lows at JGR. He's won multiple races and contended for the championship only to see it disappear when the Chase started. He's broken records in the CWTS and NNS and then been benched in the Cup Series because of his actions.

Earnhardt Jr. has also had the ups and downs of racing. In 2008 he broke his winless streak and made the Chase. But in 2009 and 2010 fell off the map again and went through many team changes. To which Kyle Busch said, "It's always the crew chief, it's never the driver" and Earnhardt Jr. replied by saying that he's always had a problem with him and would take a shot whenever he could. Including during a race when laughing that Earnhardt Jr. was a lap down. In 2011 Earnhardt Jr. returned to the Chase but still hasn't won a race.

Meanwhile, Casey Mears only lasted the 2008 season with Hendrick before moving the RCR. Mark Martin came to Hendrick for the 2009-2011 season and now Kasey Kahne inherits the No. 5 for the next few years. Mears went from RCR to Key Motorsports in 2010 but then subbed for the ill Brian Vickers at Red Bull Racing for the remainder of the year. Starting in 2011 Mears became the driver of the No. 13 GEICO Toyota for Germain Racing.

Time will tell what's ahead for everyone involved as the 2012 season gets underway in Daytona with the 54th annual Daytona 500.

But ...

What if Rick Hendrick & Hendrick Motorsports hadn't kept Casey Mears over Kyle Busch in 2007 when signing Dale Earnhardt Jr., would the two still have been watched as closely and compared by others, would Busch still have taken jabs at Junior when he struggled and changed crew chiefs or would the two have been able to coincide on the same team with no problems?

@cruetten I think KB would've become an even bigger PR disaster at HMS because he would've constantly tried to outshine Jr's star.

@dougthethird Kyle would still be there, Kasey wouldn't, and RCR would still have 4 teams

Monday, February 13th 'What If' Question

Blame it on the milk and cookies.

Had it not been for that now infamous meeting at Hendrick Motorsports between Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus following the 2005 season the two most likely wouldn't have gone on their incredible five-year championship run. The reason is at the time the No. 48 team was going through some internal turmoil and the relationship between Johnson and Knaus wasn't what he once was, they no longer were seeing eye-to-eye.

After blowing a tire in the season finale at Homestead, finishing 40th and failing to overtake Tony Stewart for the '05 championship tem owner Rick Hendrick sat the two down. It was time to put it all out there and get over whatever problems they were having. And yes, they literally had milk and cookies as Hendrick told them if they were going to act like children he was going to treat them like it. The plates even had mickey mouse ears.

The two hashed it out and the team stayed together instead of splitting up like rumors seemed to indicate. A few months later Johnson went out and won the 2006 Daytona 500, with Knaus at home after having been suspended earlier in the week when the car failed post-qualifying inspection. Johnson went on to win a few weeks later at Las Vegas, then Talladega before earning his first win at the Brickyard and Martinsville on his way to his first NASCAR championship.

Everyone knows what happened in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 before Tony Stewart came along again in 2011 when Johnson finally had a bad year, at least by the standards that many have become accustomed to. While it's impossible to think that Johnson and company will never win another title, his five year title reign will be remembered the most. That was the time when he seemed invincible, untouchable and everyone's biggest nightmare. He'll go down in NASCAR history and if there's anyone would could match the feat it would be himself.

But ...

What if there was no milk & cookies meeting for @JimmieJohnson & CKnaus before 2006, would their 5yr title run still have happened?

@HarpAmyStabler I think that a championship might've happened. But, maybe not a 5 yr stretch run.

@rcracer20 best ? yet. think chad would be gone and no titles, think chad/gordon would have been unstoppable #ihate24

@cruetten i think if that meeting and every other star hadn't aligned just as it did, there wouldn't have been a five-year run of Cups.

Wednesday, February 8th 'What If' Question

The upcoming 2012 Camping World Truck Series season was supposed to be the return campaign for one of its former champions: Johnny Benson.

Benson was looking to be behind the wheel of a truck for Turn One Racing and team owner Stacey Compton. The deal fell through a few weeks ago and it unfortunately doesn't appear that Benson will be back in the CWTS anytime soon. It's been a loss for the series being that Benson is thought of as one of the good guys around the garage and he's been sorely missed.

He's one driver, however, that has experienced the ups and downs of racing. In November of 2002 Benson finally broke though for his first career Sprint Cup win at Rockingham before he was then replaced in 2003. It wouldn't take him long to find new work in a series where he excelled. Benson returned to the CWTS in the later part of the 2004 season for Bill Davis Racing and quickly impressed, finishing top 10 in points in 2005.

The 2006 brought his first career CWTS win at his hometrack, Michigan, as he went on to win five races that year before finishing second in points to Todd Bodine. Benson was also voted the most popular driver that year. By the end of 2007 there was no doubt that Benson had found a new home in the CWTS as he won four more races and finished third in points.

Nothing though will compare to the 2008 season for Benson and his fans. Following three poles, five wins, 14 top fives and 18 top 10 finishes Benson claimed his first Truck championship, second in NASCAR - he was the 1995 Nationwide champion. Nice guys can in fact finish first and another championship was well deserved and long awaited for Benson.

The excitement, however, didn't last long. The plan for 2009 was to run for Red Horse Racing in the No. 1 but not having a sponsor ended both Benson's CWTS career (to this point) and Red Horse Racing's season. Things got worse for Benson when he was then seriously injured in a SuperModified race in June, suffering injuries that would keep him sidelined.

He did make a few starts in 2010 for Kyle Busch Motorsports and Billy Ballew but neither were able to put together a full season for Benson. Since then he's been working as a driver coach with JR Motorsports star Danica Patrick as she made her way into NASCAR and stock cars for the first time. Only time will tell when Benson gets to be the driver again.

But ...

What if Johnny Benson hadn't been seriously injured in a supermodified race in 2009, would he still be without a ride in the CWTS? #NASCAR

@WilliamCheerboy Kelly, you're amazing. Anyways, what if. JB would still have a ride today, well known star in the Truck series. BTW if the "you're amazing" part doesn't make your blog, I'll be horribly disappointed.

@cruetten doubt it-Benson was a nice fixture in the truck series. It's a shame.

Monday, February 6th 'What If' Question

Speedweeks 2012 begins in a little over a week when cars hit the track for practice in advance of Saturday night's Budweiser Shootout.

A cheat sheet might be needed by some to keep track of the many driver and crew chief changes. However, there are still notable drivers who don't have rides for the upcoming season such as former Red Bull Racing driver Brian Vickers. Back in 2004 Vickers debuted with Hendrick Motorsports after having won the Nationwide Series title in 2003.

He quickly earned much attention as a fresh faced kid with talent that was just waiting to be shown. In June of 2006 though he announced that he wouldn't be back at Hendrick in 2007, instead choosing to depart for the newly formed Red Bull Racing team where he would be the face of the franchise instead of just another driver on the roster.

Up until last season he was. Vickers won his second career race with the team at Michigan in 2009, from the pole. It was the first win for Red Bull and the first for Toyota at Michigan. A long way since their early struggles of missing races and performance woes as they tried to run with the bigger teams.

Following the win Vickers made the Chase and signed a multi-year extension with the team but it wouldn't be as long as he had planned. In 2010 he was sidelined after just 11 races because of blood clots but returned for a 2011 season that was anything but a welcome back. The team again struggled, finishing 25th in points with only seven top 10s.

There were also a few races and Vickers would most likely like to have back. While most remember the run-ins that he had with Matt Kenseth at the end of the season, the two tangled in the second race of the season at Phoenix as well. The contact started a 13 car pile up with Vickers saying that Kenseth had what was coming to him.

After it had seemed everyone moved on and as the 2011 season started to wind down, Kenseth and Vickers found each other again in Martinsville during the Chase. It was also during that race that Vickers made contact with a few other drivers and prompted friend Jimmie Johnson to say that maybe a driver needs to realize that they are the problem when they're continually in incidents.

Vickers defended his actions, saying not all the incidents were his fault. A few weeks later in Phoenix he was left to defend himself again when he and Kenseth, again, made contact. According to Vickers when he ran into Kenseth and drove him into the wall it was because Kenseth had lifted halfway down the backstretch and nearly stopped.

Kenseth's side of the story was that he was running out of brakes so he attempted to stay on the high side of the track to let others go by. That's when Vickers showed up and drilled him from behind at 165 miles per hour and "cleaned us out." It left a bitter feeling in many mouths around the garage, grandstands and press.

Vickers though had other things to worry about. He was searching for a new job since Red Bull Racing had announced they would be closing the doors at the end of the season. Everyone involved would be looking for jobs, including their drivers. Kasey Kahne was already headed to Hendrick Motorsports, leaving Vickers scrambling to find a new home.

He hasn't found one, instead has watched other drivers like David Ragan, Landon Cassill, David Reutimann and others fill seats. All the 'good' equipment have either been filled up too or cars and teams shut down. There's really not even slim pickings left out there for Vickers, who becomes in danger of missing the start and maybe more of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

But ...

What if BVickers hadn't ended 2011 with negative attention, deserved or not, would he have a ride now & will he eventually find one? #NASCAR

@SpringWolf There are too many good up & comers. I don't think teams will put up with the neg. attitudes much this year.

@philenespanol I don't think so. Negative attention or not, there are more out of work drivers than there are seats. And I think he suffered because of the economy and the fact that there is little to no sponsorship out there right now. Hell of a driver, though.

Tuesday, January 31st 'What If' Question

The social media sphere exploded earlier this week when it was announced that Danica Patrick had a guaranteed starting spot in the upcoming Daytona 500.

Patrick, who has never completed a lap in the Sprint Cup Series, is embarking on her first full season in stock cars. She'll be back behind the wheel of the JR Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet while doing a partial Cup schedule in the No. 10 for Stewart-Haas Racing. The Daytona 500 later this month will be her first race and she won't have to worry about qualifying on speed.

Stewart-Haas bought the points of Tommy Baldwin's No. 36 which had been driven by Dave Blaney last season. Further part of the deal was that in the 26 races that Patrick isn't running for Stewart-Haas the No. 10 car will be run by David Reutimann. Patrick's cars will be prepared by Stewart-Haas and Reutimann's by Tommy Baldwin Racing.

Those around the NASCAR world haven't taken to the news kindly. Then again, whenever it comes to Patrick, whether she's right or wrong, the news is normally meet with a chorus of boos. This was no different, many saying that the deal shouldn't have been allowed by NASCAR and buying or swapping points needs to be stopped.

What's interesting is that it's something that's occurred for years. In fact, the Wood Brothers did the same thing in 2011 in order to get rookie Trevor Bayne in the Daytona 500. No one said a peep and instead went crazy over Bayne when he won the race and since then they haven't gotten enough of the young driver.

Patrick isn't getting the same warm welcome, opinions being that she doesn't belong in the sports biggest race. Others have said she got a free pass and should have had to race her way like many others will attempt to do during the Gatorade Duel races on Thursday, February 23.

The hate isn't anything new. If Patrick appears on TV many yell for her to get off, she's not worthy of airtime. Should her commercials air or she does another photo shoot, there are those changing the channel and saying they don't take her seriously as a racecar driver. And heaven forbid her from voicing her opinion because she hasn't accomplished anything in NASCAR that allows her to complain. When she asks questions or voices her honesty about not knowing the rules or ways of NASCAR, she's ripped for that.

From her sunglasses to sponsor and performance, everything is up for grabs. There was even backlash from Patrick saying that she was going to embrace the Honey Bader attitude. She was accused of stealing the nickname from college football player Tyrann Mathieu.

And this chick better not hit the wall, hit another driver, speed down pit road or do anything else besides win or finish top 10 because she'll never hear the end of it. Let's not mention though that Patrick hasn't done anything any other driver or celebrity hasn't done. The rules are just different when it comes to what she can and can't do.

Damned if she does, damned if she doesn't. Patrick just isn't very popular and she hasn't done much to deserve it. That's what didn't make the latest round of negative comments that flew around and caused Twitter and Facebook to nearly explode much surprising. But whether they like it or not, Patrick will race in the Daytona 500 and that's a good thing for her and for NASCAR.

It kicks off the 2012 on a good note. The Sprint Cup Series will get a lot more attention and so will Patrick. There are a lot of expectations on the GoDaddy driver in her first full season. Her learning curve and improvement have begun to show, now she'll look to contend on a weekly basis in the Nationwide Series and bring home a top 10 points finish. On the Cup side she'll get a better taste for what the big boys of racing can do as she dips her toes in the big end of the pool.

And of course along the way she'll blow up the Internet, annoy those watching the TV broadcast and give many media members plenty of material. For Patrick knows all too well: Haters gonna hate.

But ...

What if @DanicaPatrick had had more success in #INDYCAR before coming to #NASCAR, would opinions and criticism of her be different?

@mcanchola2 yes they would.

@BuckyButler Yes. All anyone has ever wanted was for the performance and results to match the hype.

@thebigshmoog most definitely. The hype would be backed up with results.

@chuckallen2 opinions may be different, but I believe her success in INDY will pale in comparison to her NASCAR career. Shes a winner.

@StrokerAce90 Certain NASCAR fans and media would still and always will have the same opinions and criticism of @DanicaPatrick even if she had more Indycar success than she already has.