I heard earlier today that Cup qualifying was rained out for the umpteenth time this season and that they’re starting, as usual, in the position they’re in the standings. Nice. If the weather could cooperate, that’d be great, thanks. These rained out sessions are messing with the fantasy racing scores.

And it would seem that Kevin Harvick is not as forgiving as other drivers are regarding the big one at Talladega that Edwards started. Word is that Edwards and Harvick went fist-to-cuffs and had to be seperated. The funniest thing is - Edwards started it by going to Harvick’s pit garage and Harvick tried to walk away but Edwards wouldn’t let him. Then it seems all hell broke loose, with allegations of Harvick shoving Edwards and then one of Harvick’s crew members putting Edwards in a headlock. Harvick wasn’t commenting and Edwards didn’t deny they argued but didn’t discuss details. Wow.

Good news for Denny Hamlin - he was cleared to go ahead and race this week after a tired exploded last week and sent him hard into the wall. He’d been awake and alert, though complaining of a headache and favoring his right foot after the crash, which sent him for overnight observation at a local hospital. Despite his being cleared to race, he will not be racing the Nationwide Series this week - Dave Blaney will take his spot.

Last but not least - Congrats to Casey Mears and his girlfriend Tricia on the birth of their daughter Samantha Mae Mears - and thanks Amy for letting me know about it.

Well that’s all I have for this edition of Where There’s Smoke -  and I hope you all like the new theme.

Congrats to  Tony Stewart for getting TWO firsts this week! His first win of the 2008 season AND his first win at Talladega! W00T!

I haven’t been posting the past few weeks because frankly, every week has just been a big disappointment as far as the races go. I’m hoping that now that Tony’s finally gotten himself a win, things will get better. Look for a new theme soon.

And as far as that thing with Regan Smith  - ok - if you’re forced down there and have no recourse but to pass to get back on the track, that’s one thing, but when you go down there to pass - and don’t tell me you were forced, I saw the video several times - you went down there ON PURPOSE. You could have dropped back a bit and stayed where you were. Instead when Tony blocked you, you chose to drop past the yellow line and then claim you were forced when they took the race away from you. Besides, why would the rules change for the last lap? That’s when you’d have every car going to the out of bounds area to try and pass to get a better position. It just doesn’t work that way. Sorry.

I hope Denny Hamlin is all right. No updates were given on how he was after they said he’d been taken to a hospital in Birmingham. Reports on FoxSports.com stated he was complaining of a headache and favoring his right foot.

Congrats to the members of Elliott Sadler’s team on their new children. Wow…two sets of twins! And congrats to Casey Mears, who’s girlfriend at last I heard was at the very least in labor.

Congrats to Tony for the 2nd place finish on Sunday’s race. You’ll have to excuse the lateness of this post, as frankly, I work too much to remember to post promptly. As it is, I’m going to have to get to bed very soon, so I won’t be writing much.

So Scott Riggs is hoping to become a part of Stewart Haas Racing. Let me think here, first off, after reading the article on NASCAR.com about it, I find it hilarious that Riggs thinks the “new management” isn’t a big enough man to come tell him that he’s out of a job. Apparently Riggs hasn’t met Tony lately. Last I checked, Tony wasn’t afraid to open his mouth about anything.  Frankly, if he really was worried about whether or not he has a job at Stewart Haas racing, he’d be constantly asking Tony and the rest of Stewart Haas racing if he still has a job. But he already knows the answer to that - no, he doesn’t. He knows he needs to find a new team.

But the saddest part about it is, maybe he wouldn’t have to worry about those “unanswered questions” if he actually performed on the track. Now I am the first to admit that considering the #5’s reputation the past few years regardless of driver, that Casey Mears got a raw deal. But it stands to reason - if you don’t perform, you lose your spot. Tony isn’t going to put himself on a team with a driver who doesn’t perform. Easy as that.

I just wish they’d announce who Tony’s teammate is going to be for certain and  officially soon. Because frankly, I want to know if it’s Newman and if it is, if BK is one of his sponsors and if so, who is the other one. It’s all rumors and speculation - although my source was FoxSports so there you have that. Even NASCAR.com has it speculated that Newman is going to Tony’s teammate. LOL

Ok, off to bed. This turned out much longer than I expected.

Congrats AGAIN to Kyle Busch for yet another win this year in the Nationwide Series. How many is it now? Keep rollin’ Kyle, cuz you’re kickin’ some major ass this year. Just goes to show…that #5 car…I think it’s cursed! I mean think about it… Kyle didn’t do too well in it, Casey Mears hasn’t done too well in it…I think that car has a problem. It’s gonna take some major mojo to get that car out of the funk and I’m just hoping whoever it is (I’ve heard Mark Martin) is able to do it. Otherwise, we may see another car that’s taking a hike.

Oh yeah, and what do you think Stewart Haas Racing’s car numbers are going to be? I don’t have any particular numbers I’d like to see…except maybe a 75. But then again, that’s when I was born so I’m biased.