Here we are in Indianapolis for the Allstate 400 at The Brickyard. (Which I still call the Brickyard 400 myself) Tony Stewart is the defending champion of this race. Can he defend it? Will he be too distracted? Can Jimmie Johnson win it again? Jeff Gordon? Dale Earnhardt Jr.? How about Mark Martin winning it for his first time? Well, we'll have to see. Should be a good race all the way to the end.

Here is the starting line-up and driver stats:

07/27/08-Allstate 400 at The Brickyard-Indianapolis Motor Speedway-ESPN/1 p.m.

1) 48-Jimmie Johnson-Chevrolet-Lowe's
2) 8-Mark Martin-Chevrolet-U.S. Army
3) 12-Ryan Newman-Dodge-Alltel
4) 9-Kasey Kahne-Dodge-Budweiser / LifeLock
5) 24-Jeff Gordon-Chevrolet-DuPont
6) 19-Elliott Sadler-Dodge-Stanley
7) 2-Kurt Busch-Dodge-Miller Lite
8) 26-Jamie McMurray-Ford-Crown Royal
9) 99-Carl Edwards-Ford-Aflac
10) 17-Matt Kenseth-Ford-DEWALT
11) 88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.-Chevrolet-National Guard / AMP Energy
12) 16-Greg Biffle-Ford-DISH Network / DishDVRs
13) 42-Juan Montoya-Dodge-Big Red Slim Pack
14) 20-Tony Stewart-Toyota-The Home Depot
15) 10-Patrick Carpentier*-Dodge-Sears Auto Center / Valvoline
16) 6-David Ragan-Ford-AAA Insurance
17) 83-Brian Vickers-Toyota-Red Bull
18) 29-Kevin Harvick-Chevrolet-Shell / Pennzoil
19) 18-Kyle Busch-Toyota-M&M's
20) 38-David Gilliland-Ford-FreeCreditReport.com
21) 70-Jason Leffler-Chevrolet-Hunt Brothers Pizza
22) 41-Reed Sorenson-Dodge-Target
23) 11-Denny Hamlin-Toyota-FedEx Office
24) 47-Marcos Ambrose-Ford-Little Debbie
25) 1-Martin Truex Jr.-Chevrolet-Bass Pro Shops / Cub Cadet
26) 84-A.J. Allmendinger-Toyota-Red Bull
27) 43-Bobby Labonte-Dodge-Cheerios / Totino's Pizza Rolls
28) 28-Travis Kvapil-Ford-Hitachi Power Tools
29) 7-Robby Gordon-Dodge-Johns Manville / Menards
30) 00-Michael McDowell*-Toyota-Champion Mortgage
31) 5-Casey Mears-Chevrolet-CARQUEST / Kellogg's
32) 31-Jeff Burton-Chevrolet-Prilosec OTC
33) 44-David Reutimann-Toyota-UPS
34) 55-Michael Waltrip-Toyota-NAPA AUTO PARTS
35) 66-Scott Riggs-Chevrolet-State Water Heaters
36) 78-Joe Nemechek-Chevrolet-Furniture Row
/ DenverMattress.com
37) 15-Paul Menard-Chevrolet-Johns Manville / Menards
38) 77-Sam Hornish Jr.*-Dodge-Mobil 1
39) 96-J.J. Yeley-Toyota-DLP HDTV
40) 07-Clint Bowyer-Chevrolet-Jack Daniel's
41) 22-Dave Blaney-Toyota-Caterpillar
42) 01-Regan Smith*-Chevrolet-Principal Financial Group
43) 45-Terry Labonte-Dodge-Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil

Rookies:
Patrick Carpentier
Michael McDowell
Sam Hornish Jr.
Regan Smith
A.J. Allmendinger
Marcos Ambrose
*This might give some some good rookie bonuses.*


Jimmie Johnson: 1 w, 1 t5, 2 t10, avg. 23.5 (6) (LW-2006)
Mark Martin: 5 t5, 9 t10, avg. 14.4 (14)
Ryan Newman: 1 t5, 1 t10, avg. 23.7 (7)
Kasey Kahne: 2 t5, 2 t10, avg. 20.5 (4)
Jeff Gordon: 4 w, 8 t5, 11 t10, avg. 8.9 (14)(LW-2004)
Elliott Sadler: 1 t5, 1 t10, avg. 29.0 (9)
Kurt Busch: 1 t5, 3 t10, avg. 14.9 (7)
Jamie McMurray: 1 t5, 2 t10, avg. 17.2 (5)
Carl Edwards: 1 t10, avg. 13.0 (3)
Matt Kenseth: 4 t5, 5 t10, avg. 13.2 (8)
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: 2 t10, avg. 21.1 (8)
Greg Biffle: 1 t10, avg. 19.2 (5)
Juan Montoya: avg. 2.0 (1)
Tony Stewart: 2 w, 4 t5, 6 t10, avg. 7.6 (9)(LW-2007)
Patrick Carpentier*: Rookie
David Ragan: avg. 16.0 (1)
Brian Vickers: 1 t5, 1 t10, avg. 17.5 (4)
Kevin Harvick: 1 w, 3 t5, 5 t10, avg. 7.7 (7)(LW-2003)
Kyle Busch: 1 t5, 3 t10, avg. 7.0 (3)
David Gilliland: avg. 17.0 (1)
Jason Leffler: No stats
Reed Sorenson: 1 t5, 1 t10, avg. 17.5 (2)
Denny Hamlin: 1 t10, avg. 16.0 (2)
Marcos Ambrose: No stats
Martin Truex Jr.: avg. 24.3 (3)
A.J. Allmendinger: Rookie on this track
Bobby Labonte: 1 w, 4 t5, 5 t10, avg. 15.6 (14)(LW-2000)
Travis Kvapil: avg. 31.0 (2)
Robby Gordon: 2 t10, avg. 22.5 (8)
Michael McDowell*: Rookie
Casey Mears: 1 t10, avg. 23.8 (5)
Jeff Burton: 1 t5, 3 t10, avg. 18.4 (14)
David Reutimann: avg. 38.0 (1)
Michael Waltrip: 1 t10, avg. 20.8 (12)
Scott Riggs: avg. 30.5 (4)
Joe Nemechek: avg. 24.3 (12)
Paul Menard: avg. 20.0 (1)
Sam Hornish Jr.*: Rookie
J.J. Yeley: avg. 35.0 (2)
Clint Bowyer: 1 t5, 1 t10, avg. 8.5 (2)
Dave Blaney: 1 t10, avg. 24.8 (9)
Regan Smith*: Rookie
Terry Labonte: No stats

HEre are the cars attempting to qualify for the Nationwides Kroger 200 benefiting Riley Hospital for Children at O'Reilly Raceway Park tonight:

07/26/08-Kroger 200 benefiting Riley Hospital for Children -O'Reilly Raceway Park-ESPN/7:30 p.m.

0-Larry Gunselman-Chevrolet-SponsorDavis.com
1-Mike Bliss-Chevrolet-Miccosukee Resort & Gaming
01-Danny Efland-Chevrolet-SponsorDavis.com
2-Clint Bowyer-Chevrolet-RVs.com / Camping World
4-Derrike Cope-Chevrolet-TBA
5-Landon Cassill*-Chevrolet-National Guard
05-Brett Rowe-Ford-31-W Insulation / CertainTeed
6-David Ragan-Ford-Discount Tire
7-Mike Wallace-Toyota-GEICO
9-Chase Miller*-Dodge-Ragu
16-Colin Braun-Ford-CitiFinancial
18-Kyle Busch-Toyota-Z-Line Designs
20-Joey Logano-Toyota-GameStop
22-Josh Wise-Dodge-Supercuts
24-Eric McClure-Chevrolet-Hefty
25-Bobby Hamilton-Ford-Eckrich
27-Brad Coleman-Ford-Kroger
28-Kenny Wallace-Chevrolet-U.S. Border Patrol
29-Scott Wimmer-Chevrolet-Holiday Inn
30-Kenny Hendrick-Chevrolet-Interstate Equipment Sales & Rentals
32-James Buescher-Toyota-FOE / Braun Ability
33-Cale Gale*-Chevrolet-Camping World
36-Charles Lewandoski-Dodge-Supercuts
37-Brad Baker-Ford-Baker Curb Racing
38-Jason Leffler-Toyota-Great Clips
40-Bryan Clauson*-Dodge-Fastenal
47-Kelly Bires-Ford-Clorox
52-Brad Teague-Chevrolet-Means Racing
59-Marcos Ambrose-Ford-Kingsford / MatchLight
60-Carl Edwards-Ford-Vitamin Water
64-David Stremme-Chevrolet-Atreus Homes & Communities
66-Steve Wallace-Chevrolet-Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches
81-D.J. Kennington-Dodge-Mahindra Tractors
84-Mike Harmon-Chevrolet-Mike Harmon Racing
88-Brad Keselowski-Chevrolet-U.S. Navy
89-Morgan Shepherd-Dodge-Racing With Jesus
90-Johnny Chapman-Chevrolet-MSRP Motorsports
91-Terry Cook-Chevrolet-MSRP Motorsports
99-David Reutimann-Toyota-Aaron's Dream Machine
102-Andy Ponstein-Chevrolet-Stott ClassicRacing.com
111-Jason Keller-Chevrolet-America's Incredible Pizza Company
149-Kertus Davis-Chevrolet-Jay Robinson Inc.
156-Travis Kittleson-Chevrolet-Bob Steele Chevrolet
157-Chad Beahr-Dodge-In Memory of Joe Matzelle
161-Brandon Whitt-Ford-Specialty Racing
170-Mark Green-Chevrolet-Foretravel Motorcoach
173-TBA1-Dodge-TBA
213-Shelby Howard-Chevrolet-Bobcat
257-Nick Tucker-Dodge-Ege Motorsports
292-Brian Keselowski*-Dodge-K Automotive Performance

My picks for the Sprint race: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and S. Hornish Jr.

Nationwide pick: Joey Logano

In the Sprint race I will go with Tony Stewart and A.J. Allmendinger for rookie.

In Nationwide I will go with Brad Keselowski.

For the nation wide May I have 18-Kyle Busch-Toyota-Z-Line Designs


For the Allstate 400 please let me have 84-A.J. Allmendinger-Toyota-Red Bull for Rookie and 20-Tony Stewart-Toyota-The Home Depot


Thank you Kind Sir,


Lokischi DSP

Here are the picks for the Nationwide race:

1) Deifan: Joey Logano
2) Jokul: Brad Keselowski
3) Blizz: Carl Edwards
4) Phalcon: Clint Bowyer
5) Rose: Joey Logano
6) Silver: Joey Lagano
7) Loki: Kyle Busch
8) Matt: Jimmie Johnson
9) Windy: Carl Edwards
10) Ray: Carl Edwards

Good luck to all!

One more lap and the green flag drops!

Well I guess if any driver can prove the critics wrong it would have to be Kyle Busch this season. NASCAR made the Toyotas decrease their horsepower because they felt that Toyota was at an unfair advantage this season. They said that was why Toyota has won so many races in the Nationwide series. (Even though when they did a dyno test, they saw Toyota didn't even have the most horsepower) Well last night, Kyle Busch proved them wrong. He went on to lead 197 of the 200 laps and win the race in a very dominating way. I guess the critics and NASCAR were wrong? Good Job Kyle! (Even though I'm not a Busch fan)

Here are the points standings as of now:

1) Deifan: 2961+142= 3103 (8)
2) Jokul: 2946+106= 3052 (19)
3) Blizz: 2545+130= 2675 (11)
4) Phalcon: 2462+109= 2571 (18)
5) (+1) Loki: 2255+195= 2450 (1)
6) (-1) Silver S: 2257+142= 2399 (8)
7) Rose: 2114+142= 2256 (8)
8) (+1) Windy: 1344+109= 1453 (18)
9) (-1) Matt: 1415
10) Ray: 929+109= 1038 (18)
11) CG: 175+142= 317(8)

Congrats to all!!

This is tough. For sentimental reasons I'd love to go with Mark Martin because I like to see the "old guys" win (for obvious reasons). I'd also like to go with Tony Stewart or Ryan Newman because having grown up in Indiana, like them, I just can't get years and years of hearing "Back Home Again in Indiana" out of my mind when the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is open for business.

However, I'm going to be really pissed off if I don't go with Kyle Busch as well as he's doing. Besides, at this point in the exercise my goal is to come in ahead of Deifan. So even if he doesn't win, I'm inclined to think Kyle Busch in the #18 Miller Lite Dodge is going to finish better than Junior.

And as for my rookie choice. Why not? I'll go with Patrick Car-pon-tee-ay again.

Well we are about 10 minutes from the green flag. So here are the picks (as I have them)for the Allstate 400 at The Brickyard.

Deifan: D. Earnhardt Jr., S. Hornish Jr.
Ray: Kyle Busch, P. Carpentier
Phalcon: T. Stewart, S. Hornish Jr.
Blizz: C. Edwards, S. Hornish Jr.
Rose: Jimmie Johnson, Patrick Carpentier
Jokul: Tony Stewart, A.J. Allmendinger
Loki: Tony Stewart, A.J. Allmendinger
Silver: G. Biffle, R. Smith
Windy: J. Gordon
Matt: J. Johnson, R. Smith
Diva: David Ragan
Bluemonick: J. Johnson, Regan Smith

Good luck to all!

BOOGITY! BOOGITY! BOOGITY! (I love that when I hear it)

Now that was a very interesting race. Those tires were crap. The track was just taking the rubber right off those tires. Then they decided to bring some of their Pocono tires over in case they were needed. Well they knew they would need them before the race. Why not just issue them to the teams and we wouldn't have needed all the competition cautions. (8 I believe) Well they'll know next year when we return to Indianapolis.

Jimmie Johnson did a good job leading the most laps and winning. It was doubtful he would near the end when Denny Hamlin got out front. Well Johnson got it back after the last caution and spent the remaining laps keeping Edwards from passing him. He almost didn't succeed.

The tire issues caused problems for some and they spent the rest of the race playing catch-up. *sighs*

Anyway, here are the points standings after 20 races:

1) Deifan: 3266+172= 3438 (12)
2) Ray: 3260+173= 3433 (15)
3) Phalcon: 3252+134= 3386 (23)
4) Blizz: 3142+215= 3357 (2)
5) Rose: 3109+245= 3354 (1)
6) Loki: 2926+154= 3080 (23)
7) Jokul: 2902+154= 3056 (23)
8) Silver: 2788+162= 2950 (8)
9) Matt: 2737+215= 2952 (1)
10) Windy: 2732+160= 2892 (5)
11) Diva: 1687+121= 1808 (14)
12) Bluemonick: 334+215= 549 (1)

Congrats to all!!

See you all next week in Pocono (Sprint) and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Canada (Nationwide).