the Monday after!

   Wow ok, so this is not the next day I know, the last 4 days have been jam packed and I'm finally able to sit here and hammer this out. First I said I would give my thoughts on AJ so here it goes.
   First im puzzled by a few things. After all this time we still dont have a clue as to what it was that lead to the failed test, and really, we have not heard a word from AJ since he was suspended back at the Kentucky race.
   His business manager says it was a nanogram(really? what exactly is a nanogram anyway?) Over what NASCAR allows and NASCAR says it's way more then that. I really belive its time for AJ to step up and fill us in. Public opinion is very important on matters like this, why you ask? because sponsors rely on the public to purchase their goods and with all the speculation as to what the drug was and the continued silence from AJ, people are going to really start doubting him. If the fans start doubting him they wont buy whatever product he is trying to promote. In my personal opinion, I really do not think AJ will be back in cup any time soon, if at all. I can't see a multi million dollar sponsor spending that kind of money for someone they can't trust or are unsure of. And let me say this, I really like AJ and I'm a big fan, I hate to see him go through this, and I t hink he is getting some bad advice.
    Now on to last weeks racing action. I did'nt get to watch the truck race this last weekend, so I can't comment on it. I actually didn't even get to see who won.
    I want to say congratulations to the whole NASCAR Nationwide #2 team. they didn't let what happen at Indy get them down and they came back and won the next race at Iowa Speedway. I think Mr. Sadler has put everyone on notice that this year, this is his year and no matter the what happens, he is the man on top and your going to have to be damn good to beat him. With 4 races in the win column, can Elliot win 4 more? With the way that team is running I see no reason why they can't.
    Now on to cup, with rain in the forecast and the track getting drenched the morning of, it was shapping up to be a baby making day (seems like when a race is rained out  more NASCAR members, both crews and reporters, end up announcing that in a few months they are
expecting, oh and by the way, congratulations to Denny Hamlin and his girlfriend, they announced this weekend they are expecting...when did it rain last?)
    At  the start of the race Juan, the poll sitter, did what he had been doing the whole year, falls back and fast, something is way out of whack at EGR, they just can't seem to get going this year. And also like usual, the Hendrick team, all 4 cars, went to the front. Very quickly all 4 cars were in the top 10 with Dale Jr quickley taking the lead running out to a 3 second lead. and JJ was moving up just as fast, eventually driving past Jr. It looked like it was shaping up to be a great race for the whole Hendrick bunch. Went down hill fast though with transmisson problems for Jr and a wreck that appears to have started when Jimmie got sideways and started a little fender bender that ended up catching Hamlin and Matt, who if he wouldn't of got t-boned by the 11 car would of taken the points lead back from Jr.
    All in all team owner Rick Hendrick still got to celebrate in victory lane with the number 24 team in a rained out finish that seen Jeff Gordon finally win one this season and Jr returned to the track and was able to keep his lead in the series. It also looks like just maybe.... Jeff might make it in the chase as he now leads the  field for the remaining wildcard spot for the chase. With the road course coming up and the spark of the win, Jeff could surely make the best of the momentum.
    I want to say one other thing, I seriously don't think what happened with this storm was neither the tracks or NASCAR's fault. They can control the race, not mother nature. It's very sad that we lost a fan as tragically as we did by a lightning strike, but I just can't see blaming the track for what happened. My condolences to the family.
    Next week, the Glen! If I get time I will do a review of what we might expect.