Wednesday, October 15th 'What If' Question

Back when tandem drafting was a thing, the Hendrick Motorsports foursome put on a show at Talladega Superspeedway.

It was May 2011, and the only way to draft was by picking a partner and sticking your nose on their back bumper. Jeff Gordon was the best car at the Aaron’s 499 with then teammate Mark Martin his tandem buddy. Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were the other pair.

They came from 11^th and 12^th with two laps to go to see Johnson pushed to victory in a four-wide photo finish. Earnhardt Jr. ended up fourth. Johnson’s margin of victory was 0.002, the closest in NASCAR history.

The Lowe’s driver made no bones about it that it wasn’t possible without Earnhardt Jr., as the two never left each other throughout the day. Even feeling as though he needed to give Earnhardt Jr. the checkered flag before heading to Victory Lane. Taking it a step further, however, Johnson and Chad Knaus acknowledged they now owed their teammate one the next time around.

It never game to fruition at Talladega or Daytona, though many never forgot. And Johnson took heat in a subsequent July Daytona race for where he and Earnhardt Jr. ended up.

This weekend the series returns to Talladega with both Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. needing a victory to keep their 2014 Chase hopes alive. Tandem drafting no longer applies as restrictor plate racing has gone back to the traditional pack of screaming machines.

It leaves drivers more in control of making their own moves in the pack and not having to worry about the person tagging along.

But …

What if Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. work together again at Talladega, with both needing a win, would and should Johnson return that favor and push Earnhardt Jr.?

@JR88Elves All bets are off if they are in that position on Sunday..

@modifiedcrazy No chance! #88

@kartracer3886 I wish he would lol. But he would go for the win if he could get it. And he wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t go for it

@playingjust14 I think someone should help @TonyStewart for the win!

@JoJo_6040 Nope. All favors are out the window for this chase

@AlecWiseman If one is pushing the other, 2nd has a good chance of moving on to the next round, and the CC will let them know

@LeftTrnLutheran I’d like to see a @DaleJr and @KyleLarsonRacin tandem, one’s looking for a win, and the other a championship

@ladyndewgreen88 Never happen…..JJ will never be second just ask Junior how many times he pushed JJ

@denver2u ..absolutely…JJ has enough championships for now…Time to share and help DaleJr to the next round…if need be!!

Saturday, February 8th 'What If' Question

The short and successful pairing of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and crew chief Steve Letarte comes to end following the 2014 season.

Letarte has taken a position with NBC to become a broadcaster in 2015 as the network begins their NASCAR takeover. He’ll serve as an analyst alongside Jeff Burton and Rick Allen when the second half of the season coverage begins. Yet in doing so that means he has to relinquish his position as crew chief and the only home he’s ever had in Hendrick Motorsports.

Letarte and Earnhardt Jr. have been paired together since 2011 and have made the Chase every season since. Finishing a best fifth in points this past year. In their three seasons together thus far, the two have scored one win and four poles.

Even more important however, was the chemistry the two had built. Something that appeared difficult for Earnhardt Jr. and the numerous crew chiefs who came before. After the announcement was made, the most popular driver talked about how much Letarte has done for him both personally and professionally, changing his personality and confidence.

The two now enter their fourth and final season together. With both firmly stating that nothing would change this year as they continue to prepare the same to win races and challenge for the championship.

The new crew chief for Earnhardt Jr. won’t be announced until late in the season or even after the 2014 season has come to an end. Earnhardt Jr., while he said he doesn’t want any part in deciding who gets the job, might not have a choice as team owner Rick Hendrick said that he among others will have input in the next man to take the hot seat on the 88 pit box.

But …

What if Hendrick Motorsports allowed fan input on who Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s new crew chief should be, who’s your first pick and why?

@BeeOhBeeRT_R Pete Rondeau. Because I like to laugh.

@jerracing10 It should be his race engineer. They should promote him up to crew chief.

@skeene1202 don’t matter-he is the most overrated driver ever. If his last name was diff he would be sitin at home watchin tv.

@RRP88 either Alan Gustafson or wishful thinking Chad Knaus! They have experience working with Jr and know how to handle the pressure

@JamersonD Darian Grubb. Already knows the Hendrick system how Knaus operates. Proven race and championship winning crew chief.

Saturday, March 30th 'What If' Question

The Sprint Cup Series championship picture is constantly changing. Teams go from contenders to pretenders and vice versa. There are drivers who get hot at the right time and charge into the Chase.

Perhaps rarely though, if ever before, had a championship picture changed so dramatically than five races into the season. But when Denny Hamlin crashed on the final lap in the final corner of the Auto Club Speedway two weeks ago, that’s exactly what happened. The crash, involving new foe / old teammate Joey Logano, resulted in Hamlin suffering a compression fracture to the L1 vertebra in his back.

The diagnosis puts Hamlin out of his No. 11 FedEx Toyota for a minimum of five weeks. Taking him out of Chase contention, at least temporarily. Mark Martin will sub for Hamlin at Martinsville and Brian Vickers will be the driver starting at Texas. Hamlin was sitting 10th in points leaving California and will now start to slide backwards with ever race he misses.

Except, it’s not impossible for Hamlin to make the Chase when he returns. The most important thing will be for him to win and try to get himself in the top 20 in points. From there, thanks in part to NASCAR’s new wildcard rule in which drivers who are outside the top 10 in points but have a win, Hamlin could get a Chase spot.

The good news is that some of Hamlin’s best tracks will be ahead of him when he returns. Thus making it difficult, but not impossible for him to make the 2013 Chase for the Championship, something he’s done every season since he’s been in the NSCS.

It will be a few weeks though, before any of that can be set in motion. In the meantime, Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the points as teammate Jimmie Johnson looks for another Martinsville win. Danica Patrick is struggling early in her Rookie season and Tony Stewart made it clear, again, that he’s not a fan of blocking.

But …

What if Denny Hamlin comes back from his injury and makes a charge into the Chase, will he be the story of the year? 

@HD388 without question if @dennyhamlin makes the Chase after coming back from injury it is the story of the year. I think the only story bigger than Hamlin coming back to make the Chase would be if Junior wins the title

@WilliamCheerboy No because it'll be impossible

@JoJo_6040 Depends on who might win the championship. He'd definitely be one if not the biggest stories & probably for years to come

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.

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. 

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.

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, June 6th 'What If' Question

Believe it or not there was a time when Kyle Busch wasn't always hated. Of course that seems long ago as the Las Vegas native seems to have a bandwagon full of those who love to hate him more than those who love to cheer for him.

When he entered the Sprint Cup Series in 2005 Busch was instantly compared to his older brother and 2004 champion Kurt. More time was spent wondering when and how many races Kyle was going to win that it appeared he was doing OK in the popularity department. Some will say that he was doomed when Kurt started having his own problems and that the fans distaste for him was transfered to Kyle.

However, the boo birds began to really show after one night in May of 2008 which no longer left any doubt who was going to be one of the most hated man in NASCAR. Even though the incident involved only one driver, Dale Jr., Busch gained many haters from all sides. Since then whenever he's been involved in an incident and whether or not he was at fault, the haters have come out in full force and found some reason why it was his fault or how he is the one with a problem.

Whether or not this incident was indeed the start of the hatred or straw that broke the camels back, from one perspective it appears that after Busch left Hendrick Motorsports his popularity went downhill.

Insults are hurled and more and more jump on the anti-Busch bandwagon. If the saying is true that fans love winners, Busch is the one who has broken the mold. If fans are said to enjoy hard nosed racing and a driver who isn't afraid to go at it with someone else, Busch again somehow isn't the one the fans want it from.

No matter what he seems to do all those who aren't fans of his, are instantly against him. They spend as much time cheering for their own driver as they do cheering for Busch not to win. Or, recently cheering the fact that Richard Childress finally did what many have dreamed someone would. He took matters into his own hands, literally, and fans rejoiced.

Busch will never be voted NASCAR's most popular driver. He'll never have fans, besides his own, applaud him for his accomplishments. Or agree with anything that he says. Busch is a driver that is unfortunately going to go through the sport with very little love.

But ...

What If @KyleBusch didn't have history (or whatever you want 2 call it) w/Dale Jr. would he be hated/have as many haters as he does? #NASCAR

@mwoodruff8829 Yes he would still be hated, I have always hated him ever since he got started in this sport.

@JTH88_7 Yes he would still have just as many haters.

@Ryan__OHara I don't think the amount of haters would be as immense, but he still took a shot at Jr after Eury was moved out. #NASCAR

@smokinace88 no I don't think that's why he is hated so much it's the way he treats other IMHO

@cruetten yes. Although the stuff with Jr certainly helped to fuel the fire, KB would be hated anyway--he's just not a likable guy.

@Racing_Observer Smoke is Junior's buddy and was once viewed in the same light. He was punk and was booed -- yet to a lesser extent.

@29TC14 if your going to take Jr out of the picture, you might was well take everyone he's had run-ins with giving a halo

@ronsracing88 Yes, he rubs a lot of people the wrong way and rarely takes responsibility for his actions.

@StrokerAce90 Yes. I used to like Kyle back when he stirred the Jr nation pot, but when i realized he's a jerk to everybody i disliked him. NASCAR's top 3 series competes for TV ratings. They needed a boost so they made Kyle a drama queen. It invites dislike of him. Yes. Kyle is like the kid in high school that keeps monkeying around and tickin people off until he ends up getting a swirly.

@MCs_nascargang I don't think it has anything to do with Dale Jr, just Kyle's attitude and lack of respect for the teams that have to repair all the damage he does

@Miss_Innocence I think people shld realize that @KyleBusch & Dale Jr aren't enemies. If they don't have a problem w/ each other, why do fans

Tuesday, May 31st 'What If' Question

The racing Gods giveth and the racing Gods taketh away.

That's what happened on Sunday in the world of motorsports. The 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 was setting itself up for a dramatic finish. Leaders pitting, others staying out, some good to go on fuel but buried in the field. As the race wound down many different leaders stepped up, including Danica Patrick who held the lead with less than 20 laps to go before having to make her final stop.

Round and round they went as the world waited to see who was going to cycle out in front. Then, with less than three laps to go an improbable contender was driving toward an unthinkable victory. Driving for Panther Racing in the No. 4 National Guard machine, rookie JR Hildebrand found himself with a four second lead over Dan Wheldon.

At the white flag and down the backstretch Hildebrand was about to make history and take the National Guard team to victory lane on Memorial Day weekend. Through turn three and into turn four. Then off turn ... into the wall Hildebrand went while trying to get around a lapped car. While it appeared he tried to keep his foot in the gas and straighten the car out, it was too damaged and Wheldon went roaring by.

The dream was over but a day of racing wasn't. It was time to see if one of NASCAR's biggest races could top what Indy had done earlier that day. Just as the finish a few hours earlier did, the Coca-Cola 600 was going to be decided by who had enough fuel at the end. Greg Biffle was leading Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt Jr. when the caution flag flew with five laps to go.

It set up a green-white-checkered flag finish that saw many heading down pit road for fuel. That included Biffle who had to pit just before the green was shown. It put Kahne and Earnhardt Jr. on the front row for the restart. When the flag flew, Kahne ran out of fuel and stacked the field up, allowing Earnhardt Jr. in his National Guard Chevrolet to drive away.

As Jeff Burton spun off the track in turn one, the caution was not shown and Earnhardt Jr. raced around to the white flag and toward a victory 105 races in the making. As he was driving away down the backstretch and into turn three and four it appeared that he was going to be able to snap his winless streak and take the National Guard team to victory lane on Memorial Day weekend.

But just like it had happened a few hours and few hundred miles away, it wasn't mean to be. Earnhardt Jr. ran out of fuel in turn four and was passed by Kevin Harvick. Two, what could have been, incredible victories were given and right in sight before being snatched away in the final turn on the final lap.

But ...

What if both National Guard cars (#Indy & #NASCAR) made it off turn four on Sunday, who is the bigger story JR Hildebrand or Dale Jr.?
@MattEmbury: Hildebrand, no one gave him a hope in Halloween, the majority of NASCAR fans thought Junior would win.

@RoushGirl17: Hildebrand, that would have been a winner not many would have called. CMS would have been rockin though! #Indy #NASCAR

@DEBMORETZ: No question.....Dale Jr.

@ARosser14: Hildebrand. Centennial Anniversary of the 500, American rookie wins in a military car on Memorial Day Weekend.

@NancyatStudioN: That depends on whether U prefer Indy or Nascar. Some Nascar fans won't believe it, but there R ppl who never heard of DE Jr

@cruetten: as a biased Dale Jr fan, even i would have to say Hildebrand. Indy 500 is a bigger race. more prestige, more history, etc...

Stephanie Davis (via Facebook) I really dont know how to answer this one. JR Hilderbrand was a big story and took a hard hit, then you have Dale Jr just 1/4 mile away from his first win in like 105 races and Charlotte would've gone CRAZY if he won. Both are big stories.

Jason Remillard (via Facebook) Looking at it from the scenarios involved, the bigger story would be Hildebrand ... and it would have helped being that Indy was earlier in the day, no bumping against deadline. But Junior would have dominated Monday's early morning coverage because NASCAR is bigger mainstream than IndyCar.

Stroker Ace (via Facebook) First i'd like to say its is too bad both of them didn't win on the Memorial Day weekend with their respective sponsor's that they were both sporting on their cars - That must've really sucked for the Military NASCAR fans who were watchin the races - To answer your What If question - That's easy, Dale Jr woulda been the bigger story simply because he is Jr. He's got his own Nation of flag wavin good ol boys (and girls) following him - Nothing against JR Hildebrand, but the last i knew he didn't have all that.

Monday, April 25th 'What If' Question

If the fastest car won each week there wouldn't be much drama, excitement or even much competition in NASCAR. It would be a runaway with the fans having a pretty good idea who was going to take home the trophy maybe before the race even started.

The fastest car doesn't always win though and it helps set up some of the most intense racing on any given weekend. In May of 2008 the fastest car at the Richmond International Raceway was Denny Hamlin who spanked the field and led 381 of 400 laps. The problem for Hamlin was that when the pay window opened and the laps wound down he wouldn't be around for the finish.

On lap 383 Hamlin lost the lead to Dale Earnhardt Jr. as his right-front tire started to go down. Eventually the tire went down and Hamlin would stop on the track to bring out the caution. He would be penalized by NASCAR for doing so and set up a six lap fight to the finish for Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer.

With three laps to go Earnhardt Jr. was sideways and into the turn three wall off the front bumper of Busch who from that day forward would become public enemy No. 1 to Junior Nation. Meanwhile, Clint Boywer would go on to win as Busch fought off Mark Martin for second.

The win was second of Bowyer's career and the first of the 2008 season. For Earnhardt Jr., he was three laps away from taking home his first win in 71 races. It wasn't meant to be as Earnhardt Jr. would have to wait until a month later to snap a 76 winless streak at Michigan.

But ...

What If @DennyHamlin hadn't stopped & brought out caution in 2008, would Dale Jr. have won or would KyBusch have caught & beat him #NASCAR
@18Winning: Dale Jr would of won and saved Kyle and Junior both a lot of grief, but if Clint didn't win, would be as successful today?

@Tmac2824: NOOO!

@88myjr: I was so pissed! DH was being a baby again bc he had a flat. Jr wld have won that race!

Thursday, April 7th 'What If' Question

Every driver needs their big break, something that will propel them into the spotlight and catch the eye of team owners who are looking for a new, fresh face to put in one of their cars.

In late 2007 that's what happened to Brad Keselowski. He got a call from Dale Earnhardt Jr. to come and run the remainder of the season in his No. 88 Navy Chevrolet. Keselowski had impressed Earnhardt Jr. in what he was accomplishing in less than well funded equipment as well as the substitution job he had done for Ted Musgrave's Truck team.

Earnhardt Jr. then signed Keselowski to a full-time deal for 2008 and 2009 in the Nationwide Series. He went out won his first career race and then kept on winning. In both years he finished second in the championship points. In 2009 he was on top of everyone's radar including team owner Rick Hendrick and James Finch. Both let Keselowski drive one of their cars in select Cup Series events.

In Talladega, Keselowski went out and won after a finish with Carl Edwards that won't soon be forgotten. Since then he's been snagged away from the a potential HMS job by Roger Penske and won the 2010 NNS championship. He now runs full-time in the Cup Series and searching for his second career win. Keselowski has officially made it to the top. Just as Martin Truex Jr. had done before him with the help of Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports.

But ...

What If Dale Jr. didn't take a chance & sign @Keselowski to Nationwide deal in 07 would he have ever become big name/winning driver? #NASCAR

@KaitlynVincie: Hard question, without Jr.'s financial backing it may not have been possible. We know success is not solely based on talent.

@ladybug388: No as its all bout opportunity & there was his. Thou he may have with running more truck races for the team & then moving up

@cruetten: doubtful. i think he would've continued his mediocre performance in NNS (before signing w/JR),& stayed permanently in trucks.

@JoJo_6040: Yep! Some other team owner would've noticed his talent. Must admit, I paid more attn. to BK when he started driving for JR

@chuckallen2: his good run subbing in the truck race defined his career. Cinderella story for sure, and why racing is cool.

Tuesday, April 5th 'What If' Question

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was three laps away from winning his first Sprint Cup Series race in nearly three years last Sunday at the Martinsville Speedway. After taking the lead from Kyle Busch with less than 20 laps to go it was all about counting down the laps for the No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, until Kevin Harvick showed up on the scene.

Harvick took the lead and the win with three laps to go and Earnhardt Jr. held off Busch for the second spot. Afterward the talk of whether or not Earnhardt Jr. was back and could contend for the title became the headline early in the week. For Junior Nation it was a close but no cigar moment yet they were proud of how their driver had performed and are anxious for the weeks to come. No more than ever do they feel a win may be around the corner.

For some though it is not enough as attention has turned to how Earnhardt Jr. should have won on Sunday. During a discussion on NASCAR Now on Tuesday it was stated Earnhardt Jr. let Kevin Harvick pass him for the win. Comparisons of his father have always followed Little E, but by not winning on Sunday many feel as though he let his old man down. He should have wrecked Harvick or roughed him up they say.

Yet, for those who really know Earnhardt Jr. and as he stated on Sunday, he doesn't want to be the bad guy. Never one to be overly aggressive and just take someone out, Earnhardt Jr. opted to race Harvick the same way that Harvick raced him, clean. A complete failure he's been called because he is not his father and never will be. In settling for a second place finish it was as if some thought Earnhardt Jr. just let Harvick have it and moved over.

In his post race comments that was far from the truth as Earnhardt Jr. said,"I was thinking at the end that I was meant to win that damn race. Hell, I'm not sitting there leading that thing by seven car lengths thinking I'm about to lose."

But ...

What if Dale Jr. had moved and/or wrecked Harvick for the win, would you have thought any less or more of the win? #NASCAR

@mwoodruff8829: Since being there I would had not thought less if Jr had moved him I like seeing competitive racing between my two favorites!

@MCs_nascargang: I wouldn't have minded if Jr had moved Harvick for the win, not wreck him, but put his nose in there and take the win

@leesdog1966: I would have loved it, its racing like harvick said I am in it to win it, Go dale jr

@kartracer3886: id be happy anyway he won. But I'm fine with the way he raced.

@weizdawg: if jr would have wrecked him that would of been his move to win not on purpose but to win anyone else would have done it to.

@RoushGirl17: Not in the least, Harvick would have moved him, and others would have. He stuck to his way though, got to give it to him for integrity. #NASCAR

@ladybug388: Probably felt the same regardless, personally. Though it'd create excitement in seeing what Kevin would do

@4xLeft: When he had a chance to move Kevin, there were too many laps back. 29 woulda moved him back. He was 2 fast to get away from.

@TominBristol: If the 29 didn't have a wrecked rear, Jr's nudge might have been enuff!

@jester_3: Harvick was positioned so he would have come across and destroyed Jrs front, but had he done it... Just Martinsville

@cruetten: I would've been fine with it, but I'm a Jr fan.Any other driver, and I wouldn't have been fine with it. Yes, I admit my bias!

John Gazarkiewicz (via Facebook) More, he needs to be more aggressive, Harvick is...

Stephen Taylor (via Facebook) no I would have applauded!

Tuesday, March 1st 'What If' Question

It's hard for NASCAR's most popular driver to go under the radar, no matter how hard Dale Earnhardt Jr. tries.

Heading into 2011 it will be even harder now that team owner Rick Hendrick has again made changes to his No. 88 AMP Energy / National Guard Chevrolet team. In a widely discussed and publicized move, Hendrick took Earnhardt Jr. and had him pick up his driver's seat and head over to the shop that used to be the 24/48 shop. Earnhardt Jr. inherited everything that used to be Jeff Gordon's.

With that move came the move for Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin. Gordon now has everything that was once the 5 team and Martin has everything that was once the 88 team. Hendrick denied all claims that the move was made solely for the purpose of Earnhardt Jr., instead saying that he wasn't pleased with any of his team's performance in a year where Jimmie Johnson was the only HMS car to win a race.

When the combination of Steve Letarte and Earnhardt Jr. hit Daytona it was instant chemistry. By luck they sat on the pole for the Budweiser Shootout, but ended up wrecked in the garage. The next day, by speed, they won the pole for the Daytona 500, but again ended up wrecked in the garage after a practice session.

Never one to panic, Letarte told Junior not to worry they had another car. The two got to work and went out and ran strong all during the 53rd running of the great American race. Only, to once again, end up wrecked. While many will say that's nothing to be proud of, others will say looking at their performance as a whole they did everything right.

At Phoenix it was more of the same. All of the HMS teams struggled in practice and qualifying but were able to fight their way to front come race time. Earnhardt Jr. in a surprising turn of events never really lost too many spots on the racetrack and instead was fighting all day long to crack the top 10.

When the checkered flag flew he had done so and came home with a 10th place finish. Again, some will say it's nothing to be excited about but for a team that has a long season ahead of them it was a step in the right direction.

But ...

What if Dale Earnhardt Jr. did not have a flat tire at Daytona and a loose wheel in Phoenix, does he still end up with same results? #NASCAR
@mbauerherzog: No, he would have been at least a contender in both races. He may not have have gotten the win but would have been up there.

@Talon64: Top 10 at Daytona but not at Phoenix; forced Phoenix pit strategy gave him fresher tires at the end. He'd be top 10 in points

@cruetten: absolutely not--Jr's final results would've been much better! I still think before his wreck, Jr had a legitimate shot to win the daytona 500. This year Jr has the crew chief, the cars, and the confidence to win races and possibly make the Chase. He just needs a little luck...

@Jim_Yoak: What if? At Daytona YES. At Phoenix, NO. He wasn't a top 10 car until everyone else had bad luck. he was top 10 by default.

@The_Bumpdrafter: doubtful. Prob top sox or seven at Daytona. About the same at phoenix. Maybe ninth.

Stephanie Davis (via Facebook) I say no...atleast in Daytona

Sunday January 30th 'What If' Question

Two days after Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson won his fifth consecutive championship and as many still tried to wrap their arms around the concept, team own Rick Hendrick decided to grab some more headlines.

Hendrick announced major changes in his organization for the 2011 season. Three of his four drivers - Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin - would be picking up their driving seat and moving to different teams. Earnhardt Jr. would now be paired with Gordon's team led by Steve Letarte and be driving old 24 cars. Gordon would be moving to Martin's old team led by Alan Gustafson and would be driving old 5 cars. And Martin would be moving to Earnhardt Jr.'s old team led by Lance McGrew to drive old 88 cars.

Everything but the drivers and the sponsors stayed the same. While many were quick to try and point out the change was made because of the continuing struggles of Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick made it clear that he was not satisfied with the performance of any of his teams in 2010. Johnson was the only HMS driver to win a race and in May Hendrick said he felt that Joe Gibbs Racing had caught and passed his organization.

For Earnhardt Jr. he hasn't won a race since June of 2008 and missed the Chase in both 2009 and 2010. Gordon has been winless since April of 2009 but did make the Chase in those two years. Martin has been winless since September of 2009 when he made the Chase but then he too missed it in 2010.

Hendrick decided he wanted to do something fresh, something to give the company another shot in the arm. In doing so he rocked the NASCAR world and made sure there was plenty to talk about during the offseason and heading into the 2011 Sprint Cup Series season.

From the drivers themselves to the media and down to the fan, the opinions of what's in store of HMS this season have been widespread and widely documented.

But ...

What if Rick Hendrick didn't make changes to 3 of his 4 teams, what would you be expecting from Dale Jr, J. Gordon & M.Martin this year?

@cruetten: a mediocre year for Jr, an impressive final year for Martin, and possibly a championship for Gordon.

@StrokerAce90: I'd be expecting Jr to argue with his crew chief, Gordon to give Burton payback & M.Martin to help JJ win a 6th Championship.

Adam Amick (via Facebook) What if Dale, Jr. was worth a crap as a driver? What if Steve Letarte didn't make so many bonehead calls over the past few years? What if Mark Martin had quit when he said he was and someone else (Brad Keselowski) was in the seat? What if Jeff Gordon hadn't hired Jimmie Johnson in the first place? What if? What if? What if? But to answer your question: If there hadn't been any changes, there wouldn't be any changes... (See above)

Monday, December 27th 'What If' Question

It's hard to remember the time that no one could touch Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Daytona International Speedway.

Little E had picked up where his dad left off, by winning something whenever NASCAR was in town. In the Sprint Cup Series: the Pepsi 400 (2001), Budweiser Shootouts (2003, 2008), Gatorade Duel races (2003, 2004, 2008), and the Daytona 500 (2004). In the Nationwide Series (2002, 2003, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010).

But lately it's been a struggling in anything that Earnhardt Jr. has sat in, not winning a point paying race in the Sprint Cup Series since June of 2008 and being shut out of victory lane in Daytona since the Nationwide July race in 2006. He did win the July race this past season.

Before that however, Earnhardt Jr. was back in the season-opening race for the Nationwide Series looking for another win. In order to do so he would have to beat the Kevin Harvick Inc. car of Tony Stewart, who has won the last two February events. Earnhardt Jr. was a contender, as always, back in February, driving his own No. 88 Hellmann's Chevrolet.

Running third on lap 92 of 120, Earnhardt Jr. was suddenly flipping down the backstretch instead of charging into turn three. Carl Edwards had turned right, clipping Brad Keselowski who clipped the rear end of Earnhardt Jr.'s machine and sent him for a wild ride. Stewart went on to win his third straight race.

For Earnhardt Jr. it was an expensive day. With the No. 88 mangled, as well as the No. 7 of Danica Patrick who also crashed, JR Motorsports he said would have to go back and balance their check books. The bright spot though, was that his crash was spectacular, he didn't want to go flipping and not have it be worth it he said.

But ...

What If @DaleJr didn't flip in February NNS race @ Daytona, could he have ended Tony Stewart's win streak (Stewart won 3rd straight)

@ARosser14 No. And that isn't bias. KHI's cars were far better. A guy collected in that crash, Kevin Harvick, would have if anyone did.

@smokinace88 I believe June could have won it he had a strong powerful car all day

@cruetten if Harvick hadn't wrecked too, it would've been Jr, Stewart, and Harvick at the end with Jr winning the race--not Stewart.

@RoushGirl17 Yes...I think he had the car, and the confidence to have won that race. He was running right up front and doing a great job when he flipped. Just look at what he did in the 500...right up the middle and almost caught McMurray.

Wednesday, December 22nd 'What If' Question

Everyone has a moment in their life that they would love to get back or moments we would love to have been able to enjoy more.

In NASCAR there have been so many great races in its 62 year history that fans are left wondering what it would have been like to able to see those races. They may live on in history through highlight reels or even old video tapes, but some moments are just those you need to be there for.

Seeing your favorite driver win his first race. Or just seeing them win any race. Seeing a champion crowned in Homestead-Miami or attending the Daytona 500, the biggest race of the year.

Or there are times when a race fan had the chance to attend an event but decided not to. When that race is one of the most memorable in NASCAR history as well as one of the most emotional, that guilt will live with them forever. That's what happened to my father and his friend.

Back in 2001 after the death of Dale Earnhardt they talked for months and months about how they should go to the Pepsi 400 that July, the return trip to the Daytona International Speedway. They never went and watched from home as Dale Earnhardt Jr. pulled off an emotional victory at the track that took his father's life.

While they regret not attending, it turned out well for me. Watching the race on TV left me to watch as well, it was my first ever NASCAR race and I was hooked from just that one. The rest I guess you could say is history.




For some fans their chance to attend a race they always wanted to is just that, history. They won't get that back and will have to wait until they purchase their next set of tickets and hope that event will be another memorable moment in NASCAR's biography.

But ...

What if you could go back in time and attend a race of your choosing. Which race would you choose and why?

@Talon64 #NASCAR, the 2003 Busch/Craven Darlington race. Racing in general, any Monaco #F1 race.

@hillbillyDem 1992 Atlanta Journal 500, Kulwickis championship, the Kings last race, Jeff Gordons first race, 6 guys going for championship

@Jrocket10 2001 Daytona 500 and change the last lap result!!! RIP Dale Sr.!!!!

@ARosser14 2006 Bass Pro Shops 500. I was going to be there until the Thursday before the race, and Tony dominated and won.

@Crutten I would go back to see Dale Sr win the 1998 Daytona 500. Dale Sr was the reason I started watching nascar in the early 90s, and to see him capture that historic win would've topped any race I've ever attended.

@Shaggy_5150 '98 Daytona 500...Grrew up an Earnhardt fan...no further explanation needed :)

@amarquis32 NASCAR -- 2003 Kroger 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park, an instant classic! Any race -- 2006 ARCA outlaw late model Glass City 200 at Toledo Speedway.

@ronsracing88 98 Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt win.

@robwright11 l I would want to be in the grandstands in Darlington when Ricky Craven and Kurt Busch had their photo finish. Just the way the last few laps played out, and how Ricky Craven was my favorite driver.

Monday December 13th 'What If' Question

The Daytona 500 is both the season-opening race and one of the biggest races of the NASCAR season. A driver's name lives on in the history book for infamy, there face becomes engraved on the Harley J. Earl trophy for life and their winning car sits in Daytona USA for an entire year.

No matter what happens for the rest of the season or even their career, the driver who wins the Daytona 500 can't have it taken away from them. They can say they won the Daytona 500. It's that big of a race and that big of a weekend and it's not good when something goes wrong as the entire world is watching.

The 2010 Daytona 500 decided to shake everything up.

Things started off without a hitch but then things started to get a little bumpy inbetween turns one and two. On lap 122 of 200 as Clint Bowyer led, NASCAR brought the red flag out and had the drivers come and park on pit road because a pothole had formed on the track. Crews quickly got to work to repair the hole so the race could finish its listed distance even though it was already an official race.

After an hour and 45 minutes of repairs the race restarted.

But on lap 159 the red flag came out again, this time with Kevin Harvick leading, because the pothole had formed again. NASCAR officials again went to work, determined to finish the race. An hour later the race was restarted again and would go to it's conclusion but not without two green-white-checkered finishes that saw Jamie McMurray take the lead on the last lap and Dale Earnhardt Jr. charge to second.

McMurray won his first Daytona 500 in his reunion with Chip Ganassi while Earnhardt Jr. finished an exciting second.

But ...

What if Daytona 500 was run straight through (no red flags/pot holes). Would it still have had dramatic ending/Jamie McMurray win?

@TJIngerson Daytona 500 should end under lights, and no pothole means it wouldn't have had that great ending

@NASCARJeannie yes I believe it would have had the same outcome just maybe not as dramatic.

@mwoodruff8829 No because Kevin Harvick had the most dominating car that day and he would had won it ether way pothole or not.

@cruetten yes. Both Daytona and Talladega have had mostly dramatic finishes lately, regardless of race circumstances.

@garrettu88 doubt it very much

@MattEmbury Dramatic ending yeah, maybe a different winner...probably Harvick.