Saturday, February 20, 2010

Live Blogging Saturday In Fontana: Rain And Danica!


The NASCAR TV day begins with NASCAR Live on SPEED at 12PM. That network handles all the action until 5PM. Then, Allen Bestwick takes over and ESPN2 gets ready for another swing at Danica and the Nationwide Series.

Because of the impending weather and all the stories unfolding, we are going to open this live blog at 11AM and run it straight through the Nationwide Series race. We have weather updates, information directly from the track and several TDP readers who are attending the race.

Stay with us and give us your comments on this full day of NASCAR TV. To add your opinion, just click on the comments button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting. Thanks for stopping by, should be an interesting day.

326 comments:

  1. Bob Pockrass says the weather is looking pretty good right now, although he doesn't want to jinx it. I can understand why.

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  2. Be lucky to get the NW race in today, should be interesting to see how ESPN handles it and what happens if it moves to Monday.

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  4. JD couldn't they do it Sun early AM if it rains Sat

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  5. I wonder if NASCAR has considered, and will ever consider going full bore and making an all out NASCAR TV channel? I think that would be pretty cool, kinda like the NFL Network. What do you think?

    As for today, let Danicamainia continue! Hopefully see will finish the race today!!

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  6. I'd actually think ESPN would want to have the race tomorrow night, starting at say 10 pm ET (a day-night doubleheader).

    Assume Danica mania would get more eyeballs on Sunday night than the Bassmaster Classic late-night show.

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  7. Love to know what NASCAR would do in that situation for sure!

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  8. Danicamania is great, but I'm following the Nationwide series more closely this year for a completely different reason.

    For the first time in years, there are several non-Cup drivers who have a legitimate shot at the title. The last NNS champion who ran five or fewer Cup races in the same season was Martin Truex Jr. in 2004. The last one who shunned Cup altogether was Jeff Green in 2000.

    Again, nothing wrong with having Danica around! But if this series really wants to establish its own identity, what better way than to have, say, Justin Allgaier or Steven Wallace as its champion?

    Outside of Danica, this could be the real story of NNS in 2010. I hope ESPN picks up on it. JMHO as always...

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  9. NWS is only showing a 15% chance...and total rain in the afternoon of .01" Looks real good.

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  11. Happy to have your comments about the TV coverage. Danica is a part-time driver who is around for a couple of weeks and then gone.

    The IRL package is on VERSUS and five events are on ESPN/ABC.

    Thanks!

    JD

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  12. Wow, sunny skies I am told. Weathermen not having a very good run this season.

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  13. Dave: That is a great concept. I for one, hope NASCAR never puts limits on Cup drivers doing the double dip. I understand the "need for a NNS regular to be the champion" but in all honesty, I doubt that will ever happen again. Every team, in some way, is associated with the Cup Series. Isn't that the point? To get to the big show? If any team has a chance, it would have to be Braun Racing, or to a lesser note, RWI. Both of those organizations, however, have ties to the Cup Series. Just the way it is now.

    This reminds me of the show NBS 24/7. I wish there was a show similar to that on the air again. Or 7 days? NASCAR documentaries need to come back.

    http://www.thespeedzine.com

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  14. so you cant have a positive comment about a ESPN commercial? Please explain to me why you would remove my comment.

    It contained nothing offensive.

    I had respect for this blog.

    Not anymore

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  15. Don, just drop me a line at editor@thedalyplanet.tv anytime.

    This is not a fan site, just one aimed at the TV coverage. SPEED did not have any Danica last weekend.

    Today, we just started coverage and we will all see how SPEED and ESPN handle her today.

    Happy to have you here and to get your TV comments!

    JD

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  16. couldnt sleep im so excited about this weekend! Lets all have some fun- Go Danica, Go JR, and GO EGR

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  17. hey DP do you think we will have better attendance this weekend w Danica and coming off a great 500? hows ticket sales

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  18. Daniel: Agreed on all counts. To me, that's what makes the possibility of a non-Cup champion even more compelling.

    Last year, I thought Marty and crew at ESPN did a nice job of trying to keep the NNS regulars in the spotlight. This year, I'm hoping that their performance will leave no choice.

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  19. Unfortunately, the Danica factor has not translated to better ticket sales today.

    Not sure what kind of combo tickets folks had to buy.

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  20. JD,


    It's typical Fontana.

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  21. Got the Blue Angels for the flyover tomorrow, nice deal.

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  22. Wendi to Kelly Bires: Are you happy to be racing this weekend?

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  23. JD: When I used to live near the track, I don't remember needing combo tix. You could buy for either or all days or some days.

    Can't account for the last year or so, but that's what I recall.

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  24. JD

    Will you please do a column on hope messed up NASCAR.com is?

    For example, right now if you go there, the only way you would know there is a Nationwide race today is if you click the small "Series Page" link under the Nationwide standings. There is no TV listing for the race on the main page, no pictures of Danica or anyone, no mention of the series unless you find that tiny link by scrolling down tot he bottom. There isn't even a link to the other driving series at the top of the page any more.

    Also, NASCAR.com produces all these videos, but this year their interface on the video page only puts up four videos. Often the links dont work. Great videos are released and then buried as the way to get to old videos can't bring them up. They ruined it.

    Only this week did they update the drivers and new numbers. On Daytona day, Jamie McMurray was listed as dring the Corwn Royal 26 on the webpage. Midrace they updated him to the 1 car and after the race there was NO Jamie merchandise in the NASCAR.com store because, well, they had him as the 26 midrace.

    I could go on and on, but the webpage is a mess.

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  25. Anon, behind the scenes the unraveling of NASCAR.com is a big story.

    As you said, they are just a mess. Trying to satisfy all kinds of agendas and instead upsetting everyone from truck series fans to the TV folks

    I have no idea who is in charge, but it does not reflect well on Turner. That company manages several other high-profile sports websites.

    JD

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  26. Even if Danica wins, there is, nor will there ever be any hope for that speedway. TV ratings will increase, but not by much. Avid race fans will still fall asleep watching a parade of "follow the leader" of mind numbing proportions. Can't get excited even if my hero, The King, was driving still. That speedway needs to be dropped off the schedule. I know this is a blog about coverage, but you can't put lipstick on a pig.

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  27. Imagine being ISC and stuck with that track. Can't get fannies in the stands if you bussed them in.

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  28. There have always been massive give aways to try and get people at the track. Its just not an exciting place to watch racing. Weather looks to be fine today.

    FYI, I got an email from the Indy Car people about the Long Beach race and it contained the following phrase:

    "Danica Patrick, the best-known race car driver in America"

    They didn't say best known Indycar racer, just best known. Whether that is true, or hyperbole, I don't know. I would assume, Jr. is at the top of the list , or Jeff.

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  29. Frank, on all the TV shows that I watched this week, Danica was introduced as a NASCAR race driver.

    I wonder how many casual fans think she is out there slugging it out with the big boys?

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  30. The Davie Brown Index is really good about measuring popularity and they have her behind Junior and Jeff Gordon in terms of awareness, but a lot of that is because she's been hidden in the IRL the last 5 years.

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  31. Bummed they interviewed Kelly Bires and then blew off his qual run for a commercial....

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  32. Could be a case of where the casual fan doesn't realize she's raced before. They may think she's the girl from the commercials on TV who's trying to become a racer. It's like if Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson or some tried NASCAR....the attention would all be on them.

    To look at it another way, the casual fan may look at her as a celebrity who's trying to get into NASCAR....instead of a race-car driver who just happened to do TV commercials on the side.

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  33. Earlier, Daniel was wondering if NASCAR would consider doing something similar to the NFL Network. I sincerely hope not. Can you imagine the mess that would be. They can barely keep up with their website, according to another poster. TV would be way beyond their grasp. Besides, then we could only critique only one channel, not as much fun.

    So far today, Speed's coverage has been pretty good. Not too much about D.

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  34. I totally agree on how bad NASCAR.com is! Poorly organized, impossible to find anything, up until this year their fantasy NASCAR has set the standard for the biggest joke of fantasy gaming on the Internet, and as usual right now Live Leaderboard is TERRIBLE and anything but LIVE (esp. sucks now that Foxtrax doesn't cover N'Wide).

    Poor reflection on the sport for sure.

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  35. Yes, nascar.com has been a mess for awhile now. And their live leaderboard isn't exactly "live"....unless you consider something that updates every 75 seconds live. By being the official website of the sport, you'd think they'd be able to link into the live timing and scoring at the track that the teams and TV & Radio uses and make that available to race fans.

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  38. Thought SPEED guys were pretty kind to Danica on that run!

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  39. She said the screwed up the first lap, but the second one was the fastest she'd run all weekend.

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  40. Wouldn't you just love one of these times to see one of these guys they go to commercial during their qualifying attempt, get the pole?

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  41. You forgot to add that she's on with Montoya next week and actually requested that they'd both be on at the same time.

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  42. can't agree completely, jd: she is a rookie in this car & she made a rookie mistake. they pointed it out when it happened, they replayed her stating it to pops and then -- best of all! -- they resisted the urge to replay both laps and analyze them.

    to be fair: they're not known for trashing rookies when they make mistakes & their treatment of her was consistent with that.

    now, they need to re-focus on the rest of the teams and hush about her run, her attitude (which i think is healthy) and everything danica. just . . . HUSH!

    ok, so now i can only hope that they go to commercial and leave her qualifying run behind and move on with the rest of the efforts. stop! now! enough! we get it: she'll be on trackside.

    see, this is what pisses people off about her effort to break into nascar: this is EXACTLY what makes people so angry. booth just can't let it go.

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  43. In fairness, they mentioned her attitude following her interview, which is fine, let them say their piece and move on.



    Complain about her first lap, but the 2nd lap was her fastest of the weekend, that can't really be understated I don't think.

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  44. Up next is NASCAR Live which will take SPEED viewers to 2:30PM and the Cup practice.

    DW, Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds in the booth for that one.

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  45. What's story behind Kyle Petty not being in the booth for SPEED on the Nationwide coverage this weekend, I thought he was supposed to be?

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  46. Dropped SPEED a line about that and have not heard back. No clue if there was real drama or just a typo! Nice....stay tuned.

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  47. i'm gonna finish up w/n'wide qualifying & then i'm out until later. that booth combination is not a good one for me, altho' i don't like to miss mike joy.

    i just can't take dw this season already. so, much like not being able to listen to and appreciate kyle petty b/c of kenny wallace, i won't be around to listen and appreciate mike joy b/c of dw.

    sorry, mike. you're a pro & i respect your work but i just can't do it today.

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  48. Interesting how it works, right? When KW was with Jimmy Spencer, it was KW who was often the voice of reason.

    Now that KW is with Kyle, folks are sending mail saying get rid of him and his silly little act!

    Same for DW. When ESPN was struggling, we looked at Jerry Punch a lot. Now, since the rambling Daytona 500 performance, there is a lot of DW animosity.

    Got to love sports TV, it twists in the wind!

    JD

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  49. "twists in the wind," eh? a bit of an homage to the era of the late alexander haig today, jd?

    to be clear: i'm just weary of dw, not animosity. and kenny wallace has long irritated me with his pattern of telling me how i should feel about the sport and how i should just "shut up and watch."

    but the point is agreed upon: changing dynamics on various sets bring forth strengths and weaknesses of the men and women involved. no one is going to be perfect -- even bestwick has flaws! -- but dw's just been over the top already this season for me.

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  50. Biffle had a tobbacco sponsor? That is disgusting.

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  51. There was a time when the entire sport survived simply because of one major tobacco sponsorship.

    What the are doing with Red Man is calling it Red Man Racing. No ads or signage.

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  52. I am glad times have changed, and for the better. Their NASCAR sponsorship doesn't excuse the millions those companies have killed with their products.

    You can clearly see Red Man Moist Snuff on the hood, more than just the company name.

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  53. @Daniel--we've talked about it for years on forums and people have b****** about it. People saying that they (even back in 2K1) couldn't or barely could afford basic cable as it was and complaining about how it would increase their bill to have to upgrade to a package that would include it. Even when SPEED was good and you couldn't go to the station without something good/racing related on many couldn't justify the upgrade. But many of us fans would LOVE to have an all NA$CAR channel I heard they're looking at an all gymnastics channel.

    People now won't justify a higher bill just for the new NA$CAR show on Showtime. I know from forums the support is there not sure financially how it will work to be a success.

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  54. As they say around my neighborhood, it takes two to tango.

    There was a time when those companies sponsored everything from minor league baseball to pro tennis.

    Lots of fans were upset when hard liquor came back into Sprint Cup racing as well.

    Should be interesting to see if Red Man can make it all season long.

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  55. Gymmie,

    Cable TV is under attack from all kinds of new technologies.

    I have the feeling that when a NASCAR Network rolls around, it may well be online after the Turner contract expires.

    JD

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  56. The qualifying is being done well in my thinking. There is not an overkill of Danika. But, enough to interest new viewership without endangering the existing fans.

    Package ticket deals stink. Been to Dover Cup races many times. Use to go up Friday afternoon to watch practice then quilifying. Was a blast. Only cost 8 or 9 dollars. Then, they linked those tickets with the Truck series and the price shot up to 30 something. I'm talking late 1990's dollars here. Not into the truck series, so that made it way to expensive to watch Cup qualifying. So we have not gone back.

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  57. I'd love it JD! They may be slow to hear from the fans but if they can make it happen count me in :) <3

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  58. I'm with Red on this. One full race in and I'm tired of DW's shtick, just like I'm tired of Kenny Wallace preaching to me and acting stupid. I think after last season, I just have a very low threshold for poor quality broadcasting from any of the networks. Fox has had 9 years of covering NASCAR and should be able to do it in a reasonable and professional manner.


    I've followed all kinds of motorsports for a lot of years. I'm NOT a casual fan, although Brian France did a pretty good job of turning me into one since it has become a lot more difficult for me to sit through an entire race any more.

    I'm looking forward to watching the ESPN broadcast of the Nationwide series today at lot more than the Cup race tomorrow on Fox.

    Nascar.com is a joke, I've quit using it for any real news. I use my trackpass account to follow along with my driver and once in a while to look up phone numbers if I need to call a track directly. You can't even get a decent printout of the schedule.

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  59. Rough weekend for JR Motorsports, 32nd and 36th in Nationwide qualifying.



    Hopefully both cars are decent enough to race into the top 20.

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  60. JD,
    My new TV I just bought supports streaming video straight to the TV. It works pretty nice.

    Cable will survive, but will be due to the high speed internet connection service they provide, rather than the TV programming.

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  61. The NFL used to contract it's official website out....at one time CBS took care of it. But now nfl.com is handled in-house by the NFL. I wouldn't doubt NASCAR goes in that direction as well. After the contract with Turner runs out, I could see nascar.com becoming a part of NASCAR Media Group.

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  62. That Nascar.com site is a joke in all ways. I bailed it a couple years ago and get all my info off Jayski.

    With that said, when Turner is not re-hired after their contract runs out hopefully Nascar can sub it to a company capable of doing it right.

    And if Nascar broadcast on the internet and did a good job, I'd just plug the laptop into the USB on the TV and watch it. Go around ESPN and Fox. Maybe they could get TNT to run it for them, they know racing.

    How in the world can DW do such a good job on Speed AGAIN today, but act so stupidly on Fox during the 500. If he's the class clown again tomorrow, not sure if my TV will stay on or not.

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  63. Nascar.com good for Pitcommand, post race media center video and checks cup race schedule so I can plan vacation

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  64. @Eric -- LOL - good suggestion! I will probably do that tomorrow. Pretty much always do when they are racing at California.

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  65. Mike, I could see that also after another media disaster for Nascar from another media contractor. Espn killed off the chase in 08 and 09. Fox seriously gave Nascar a black eye in Daytona. My brother is a NHRA fan big time. I talked him into watching the 500. He was not impressed and won't be back to Nascar.

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  66. Just got my first glimpse of Jimmy (not Jimmie) Johnson hawking ExtexZe. At lest it's not totally tasteless.

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  67. @JohnP - One of the things I disagreed with when Jack Roush was making all his comments about the negative media is that the problem isn't the things the media SAYS about the sport that aren't positive, the real problem is the way that the media presents the sports to the fans via the broadcasts.

    IMO, if they would all do a good technical broadcast for each race, addressing the issues (if any occur) and deal in facts, most fans would enjoy that a lot more than all the foolish bells and whistles because they'd be tuning in to see the race.

    I agree with your comment about ESPN killing their portion of the season by making all the coverage being chase, chase, chase all the time. Obviously they need to cover the points, but they need to cover the race, too.

    We're one race into the 2010 season and they are already talking points and chase. I made up my mind after last season that if ESPN goes to that sort of coverage this year, I won't be watching. I can follow things via internet.

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  68. Just weird that he needs the money. The original celeb endorser backed out at the last min.

    Johnson had never heard of the product before, so the content of the ad is just a joke.

    But, at least it's a little classier than last season...

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  69. JD who was the original celeb endorser?

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  70. That is the million dollar question! He actually backed out right before the commercial shoot.

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  71. Will somebody tell D.W. Talladega is not 2.5 miles in length? You'd think he'd know that.

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  72. The picture is intermittently breaking up on Speed HD for me. I'm with Shaw Direct Satellite in Eastern Canada. Is anybody else experiencing this problem or is it just my provider? It was doing it yesterday afternoon too.

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  73. Maybe DW has been shook up by all the comments about his way of covering the 500

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  74. Martin, been rock solid all day with no technical glitches.

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  75. Most people love Kyle Busch's pink car and suit in the Toyota commercial, but I think Joey Logano is funnier in his chain mail armor suit and unwilling to play along.

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  76. WD-40 . . . Mike is full of knowledge.

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  77. He says that every season at least once....don't tell anyone.

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  78. @inkthatpaints - I've amazed my co-workers many times with the explanation of Yellow Freight's trucks being painted orange. One of those useless facts.

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  79. Just curious, ow long is Bestwick's pre-race show today?

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  80. Definitely wish the guys would be running at Irwindale rather than California Speedway. That would fill the seats for sure and we wouldn't have to drive 2 hours from Los Angeles to go watch it. Ahhhh . . . one can dream of such a day.

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  81. Wouldn't that be awesome? Rather see Trucks and Cup there instead of Cup Lite.

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  82. This is going to be fun!! Anyone have ESPN Classic? Did they start the pre-race over there?

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  83. Here we go again with B/B! I hate ESPN for this reason.

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  84. @JD - There must be no originating coverage anywhere because TSN2 is in commercial-after-commercial mode waiting for the coverage to come.

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  85. TSN2 has now switched to the Nevada / Missouri St. game, which is probably what you guys are watching too.

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  86. No prerace on classic.

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  87. Humm I can't seem to find classic I wonder where it went.

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  88. Got Kate Walsh for the command, should be a good race.

    Wonder what happens if Danica fades?

    Told the lines for her souvenir trailer are out of control.

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  89. With Danica starting way back, its rather easy to get lapped here. Fontana is a boring race, so I doubt the viewers will stay like they did at Daytona.

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  90. hey DP from what I can see the stands look a tad more filled than the last nationwide race there. I think last nationwide race there they may have been 3 people there lol. I can remember Marty saying despite the thin crowd lol still sad and I dont know I sorta enjoy Cali last nationwide race there was a barn burner so looking foward to today

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  91. Yep, that is the point. Get a lap down early and don't get the lucky dog....oh boy.

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  92. damn shes fine!!! I want me some Danica

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  93. Wow, this is new. Using Rusty and DJ without Brad.....

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  94. I never liked that presentation. Way too little room for video, its mostly just their background graphic, especially if you have an HDTV where they don't bother to use the sides of the screen.

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  95. Just turned on the Danica Patrick 300....

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  96. I have pre-race on espn2, but listening to Rusty talk is a can miss for me, I'll check back in a few minutes and see if they are ready to race yet.

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  97. NASCAR may end up modifying the Lucky Dog rule on the fly ... the first male and the first female driver a lap down gets the lap back.

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  98. Hey MV, did MSRP skip Daytona? Looks like they tried to have 3 cars get in today and all 3 DNQ'ed which makes me LOL!

    Karma....

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  99. Eddie D'Hondt bought into MSRP? oy vey.

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  100. Only two D'Hondt-Humphrey (formerly MSRP) cars, the 90 and 91. The 92 is a K-Automotive car driver by an ex-MSRP driver that would likely have tactically withdrawn from the race had it qualified.

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  101. oh my, anthem is waaay off. she doesn't have the range for this song.

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  102. I ran into some interesting Nelson ratings for the Nationwide race for Daytona last week. The rating set an all time record high for that series. While Cup set a record low since 1991. Something is up with that.

    Funny thing though, from what I read the most people viewing was in the last 20 minutes, well after Danika wrecked out. Maybe she brought some new viewers, and they liked it and stuck around. That's good for Nascar if true.

    @GinaV24: Exactly. I've been to many races at several tracks. There is Always a race somewhere. Espn just ignored them during the Chase. It's not the racing, it's not the negative comments from the media broadcasters. It's the crappy coverage from the media broadcasters. But they seem thin skinned to me. To bad for the fans I guess. Buck up and fix your issue is what this fan says. Try admiting your "story lines" are for kids. Us Nascar fans Don't Need Them. The story is the Race!

    Huh, imagine that. The Race!

    Looking forward to watching this Nationwide race. Last week Espn did a great job, lets see if they can do it twice in a row.

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  103. yikes, singer on anthem..flat, out of tune.

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  104. @David - MSRP is now called D'Hondt Humphrey Motorsports and they are the same 2 cars as last year. They did skip Daytona.

    What 3rd car did you think was theirs?

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  105. Yeah rob the more I dug the more I saw that.

    Least they missed the race. I hate it for O'Quinn but I cant pull for a team that is start and parking just for $$$.

    Not anti S&P, just when you use it as a business model.

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  106. I think I'll start up SNPR, Start 'N Park Racing.

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  107. I hope Marty doesn't pick up the good Dr.'s sailing problem. Did Marty do that last year I don't recall it but of course I'm old now so I'm allowed to forget stuff :p

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  108. @David - K-Automotive Motorsports is again running the #92 and #96 to bring in more money to finance his #26 entry.

    I was puzzled by Eddie D'Hondt being listed as the owner of the #90 until I saw the announcement today on his team's website. Don't know if Phil Parsons is out as co-owner now that he owns 2 Cup cars.

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  109. You have to wonder how the ratings are vs. the Olympics right about now.

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  110. Finally a fun, dramatic start your engines without being over the top screaming.

    Too many people say the command without enthusiasm..but the screaming of some guys is not needed. This was nice.

    :)

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  111. Women's curling is being shown on CNBC right now. USA vs Great Britain.

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  112. Different command alright. Go back to Lady and Gentlemen start your engines.

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  113. Gymmie

    Don't start this you're old business. I could be your mother.

    Provided I'd started as young as Loretta Lynn did. :)

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  114. YAY Pops and Ms. Martha! :) (sorry if it was shown last week was 'puterless so not able to view and no TV). Glad to see them doing commercials :)

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  115. Not the was she said she was going to give the command on MRN-interesting. Well done, tho.

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  116. Glad they put the pointer in on the 20 car - while it was sitting on pit road! At least it showed "0 mph".

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  117. Glad to see Justin got in car, but please don't let him sit there not being able to hear him.
    Must get on @ttiana.

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  118. Poor Mr. Alligator :( hope he can overcome the jinx :(

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  119. Expected S&P teams today: 70, 73, 87, 96.

    Nemechek has no sponsor, so I listed him. Could be a maybe though.

    #70 Mark Green is really the #49 Jay Robinson Racing car, ML Motorsports wants the attempts to try and get locked-in when Shelby Howard runs his part-time schedule.

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  121. MV, Joe is going to park you think today? That is a shame.

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  122. Just heard from @ttiana, problem was in car, no ESPN for Justin
    .

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  123. Alrite! Marty calling out S&P's!

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  124. "Start and park" announcement. Amazed they haven't told Marty to stop bringing that up.

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  125. Well, that just sums up Danica's NASCAR's career.

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  126. LOVE hearing Marty Reid call out the start and parks on the lap they park. Just give us the facts and let us judge.

    Hear that Rick Allen??

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  127. Seriously ... What point does BradD serve?? Other than to annoy us ...

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  128. Seriously ... What point does BradD serve?? Other than to annoy us ...

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  129. The "new" NASCAR.com Live Leaderboard is still TERRIBLE!! Is there a backdoor Foxtrax link out there somewhere?

    NASCAR and Turner should be embarrassed.

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  130. @JD - Not totally sure #87 will S&P, but I thought he would since he doesn't have a sponsor.

    Didn't expect #83 Borneman to S&P.

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  131. I think the writing might be on the wall for Daugherty. Did you see them avoid him today and use Rusty and DJ on a split screen in the pre-race?

    It was fine for the first year or so, but now fans want info and not conversation.

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  132. Is the ESPN2 Bottom Line going to be present all through the broadcast? TSN2 has had its Bottom Line over it since all along.

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  133. yeah Brad needs to go they need LaJoie in the both but hey thats just me.

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  134. Fox back door link no longer works since the upgrade the site a while back and I use the word upgraded with much sarcasm

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  135. Looking for another timing and scoring link. Nothing on Fox Sports.

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  136. JD -

    Have you seen how NBC uses Cris Collinsworth during the Olympics?

    He goes out and does interviews and shows what fans are seeing at various venues, then appears with Costas and the fake fireplace.

    But never during actual coverage of any event.

    What if Brad did that? During the hour long pre-race shows and midweek Nascar Now shows there'd be time for it.

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  137. Has Danica been lapped yet? I see they have spread out as per usual for Cali. This could get ugly.

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  138. why is she sooo slow in Hendrick Stuff??

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  139. Great point about CC on the Olympics.

    Danica is in for a long day.

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  140. found radio link, hope I can post this

    http://www.wnpv1440.com/

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  141. Now that Danica has been lapped, I hear many clicks of TV going to curling.

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  142. Because there was no big track to test. She tested in Orlando and did one ARCA test in Daytona.

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  143. Try ESPN racecast? Its not perfect, but better than nothing

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  144. @Sophia you're just a youngin' yourself <3

    @Martin--E2 has it the entire show regardless of what it is. E1 only does it the top/bottom of each hour with their "music" to let you know it's coming up.

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  145. So whens Danica going to get the black flag for not going fast enough?

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  146. ESPN needs to quit making excuses for Danica

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  147. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  148. Jonathan, please do not do that again buddy...thanks.

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  149. sorry jd didint know I couldnt put that up my bad

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  150. @anon 5:57 as long as it's not embarrassing like that PTL short lived "Brad goes around begging for food at various haulers" segment they tried a few years back. And even did a few times last year to "tie" in his sponsor into the pre-race show.

    I'm way outta the loop didn't realize Cris wasn't with FOX anymore...I need to keep up with stuff I don't keep up with :)

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  151. So, at the front we get the race for the lead and at the back we get Danica vs. the start and parkers.

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  152. Jerry Punch is excellent back in his natural position. Glad they made the switch, bet he is too.

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  153. Nascar's site has been 2-3 laps off on live scoring all race. Are the NASCAR people oblivious or do they just not give a hoot? Sheesh!

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  154. hope ya got the link before you deleted it, JD!

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  155. Brian Scott impressive! He reminds me of a young Carl Edwards. Enjoyed him in the truck series last year. Great driver I have a feeling he has a great future ahead of him

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  156. Looking at how spread out the carsa re in 30 laps, how can anyone wonder why the races here are boring. OH. A phantom caution to catch up the field. Does that get Danica the charity lap?

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  157. The first Danica caution in NASCAR history. How nice....

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  158. Well booooooooo...I missed it I wanna know what was so bad :(

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  159. Did anyone see them picking up any debris? No? Imagine that.

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  160. They have been chasing Justin.tv around and those of us who run sites are legally in the mix if we publish links.

    The NFL lost their mind on the Super Bowl stuff.

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  161. Nascar please if your going to do that at least have someone throw something on the racetrack so it looks belivable on tv!

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  162. There was debris on the track ... a lot of cars have been dodging it for a few laps now ... it's the 7 car. ;)

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  163. Much more organized style of covering pit road than Fox's disorganized debacle last week at Daytona when they couldn't make up their mind on what the heck they wanted to do and basically covered every set of yellow flag stops with a different style or combination of styles(2 boxes, 3 boxes, 4 boxes, 5 boxes, full screen).

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  164. Danica's not going to get the Lucky Dog, there are many cars ahead of her that are one lap down.

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  165. That proves Danica HAS been listening to Juan Pablo!

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  166. @JD--thanks! I see! Yes definitely keeping on the DL with them! Did you get that email I sent about last week?

    Too funny! She speeds on Pit Road! HA!

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  167. Remember the dude who used to come on here and post that the race coverage on ESPN was great because it was in HD and that was all that matters?

    Well, I got U-verse HD yesterday and this is my first race in HD (and I also got a 47" lcd flatscreen, too, when the old tv broke a couple of weeks ago).

    It does look great. Really great.

    But these Fontana races are just such snoozers with the field all strung out!

    I think I'm going to go run out to the grocery store and pick up something for dinner real quick.

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  168. ESPN Racecast is much better than NASCAR.com's scoring. Thanks for the suggestion!

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  169. I was amazed that FOX fell apart on the pit stop coverage last week. They just caved.

    It is going to be fascinating to see if they get back on track tomorrow.

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  170. Is Danica the moving chicane they needed at California. If she keeps up getting lapped every 15 or so laps, it could be bad.
    This is what TV deserves for hyping her so much.

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  171. and I can recall before Daytona I heard DW say oh fox is going to be rolling out all kinds of new things this year. Hmmm what a new graphic for crank it up and the 3,4,5 wide pit cameras? thats all I saw

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  172. Kevin Lepage got the LD last time. No one saw debris......

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  173. @newracefan,
    I should have let you use that first. Said on twitter it was an excellent observation.
    This race sure gets spread out fast, doesn't it.

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  174. lol that A-TEAM crap needs to go. That just takes the class out of are sport I hate it

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  175. Perfecdt way to give a 'Danica update'...a small spot in the corner to give her position.

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  176. New fans expecting to see Daytona type of racing action at California are probably dozing off in shear boredom.

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  177. Why doesn't Nascar just throw a spike strip down in front of any car ahead of !Danica! That would save them the trouble of bogus yellows.

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  178. Looks like Kevin Lepage went behind the wall just after getting the Lucky Dog. Didn't think he was going to S&P, so maybe he has legitimate issues.

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  179. No biggie, my biggest problem can't tell who's in which car immediately like I can for cup or at end of season therefore harder to multitask. Marty not sucking the life out of the race also makes me want to watch

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  180. It should be interesting to see what they do with her in Vegas.

    If she keeps her nose clean and finishes she can save face on this one.

    JD

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  181. Danica is in 36th. Saving face is the least of her worries.

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  182. Since Nascar is in California-How about a little salute to Danica

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu6yV8Q0YHo

    No-go showboat no-go showboat (no-go showboat)

    Well I got a wild custom that wins every show
    But it's a no-go showboat (no-go showboat)
    Yeah but everybody knows that she just don't go
    She's my no-go showboat (no-go showboat)
    White wall slicks with racing mags
    She's just for looks, man, not for drags
    'Cause it's a no-go showboat (no-go showboat)

    No go
    No go

    Well the guys all dig it they've got no complaints
    About my no-go showboat (no-go showboat)
    And the chicks really flip for that metal flake paint
    On my no-go showboat (no-go showboat)
    It really rates fine in the custom clan
    With hand-formed panels, tuck-and-roll rear pan
    'Cause it's a no-go showboat (no-go showboat)

    No go
    No go

    Well the engine compartment's filled with all chrome goodies
    In my no-go showboat (no-go showboat)
    Yeah but everybody takes me even old Ford woodies
    In my no-go showboat (no-go showboat)
    When it comes to speed, man, I'm just outa luck
    I'm even shut down by the ice cream truck
    'Cause it's a no-go showboat (no-go showboat)

    No go
    No go
    No-go showboat (no-go showboat)
    No-go showboat (no-go showboat)
    She's just my (no-go showboat)
    She's just my (no-go showboat)

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  183. Brian Scott is a Billy Wilburn team? Good pit report, I had no clue to that one.

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  184. Two boxes of Danica running in 35th. Why, she isn't doing anything?

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  185. I wonder what other driver in 35th spot, would have all this television time?

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  186. It's amazing the hype machine gets split screen coverage for running 1 lap down in 35th.

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  187. Remember, they took a race weekend away from Darlington so that they could have a second weekend at this place each year.

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  188. @JD - I may have been wrong about Nemechek, he's running solidly in 21st place.

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