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.

Now, I have to say, I’m really too tired to do a proper post. But….w00t! Kyle Busch takes his  SEVENTH Nationwide Series Race! And not only that, but he is the FIRST driver to win from the pole at that track. W00T!

Well, Carl Edwards won his second Sprint cup race - I’m wanting to say in a row, but my head is pounding and I’m not feeling well and don’t feel like looking. LOL In any case I’m not a big Carl fan and  wish Kyle would have won. While I don’t agree with Kyle bumping Carl after the race like that, it just goes to show that Carl is no better - and I say that if Kyle is punished for bumping Carl, Carl should be punished for retaliating and spinning Kyle  like that.

So the #4 is out and it’s the #39? Ok, whatever. As long as Newman has a car with Stewart-Haas I don’t care. And I hear that Monday is crunch time for JGR and they’ll be revealing Tony’s replacement. If it’s not Joey Logano, I’ll be surprised. Honestly, we can all see it coming, just like we could all see Newman signing with Stewart-Haas. Obvious much? LOL

In any case, there we have it. Congrats to Carl, Keslowski for Nationwide, and Kyle for Truck Series.

I know I’ve missed some races and such but I haven’t been feeling all that great lately, so I apologize for that. But right now I have a small rant. I can understand suspending crew cheifs, crew members, etc, fining them, docking owner points over finding magnets on the gas pedals. However, docking the DRIVERS? Honestly, do you really think the drivers always know what’s going on?

The crews put these cars together, get them ready, the drivers get in and drive. They’re trusting that the crew has the car exactly the way it should be - nothing that would be suspension worthy or impound worthy. Nothing that could be considered cheating. So why dock the drivers? To me that’s just stupid. Punish the DRIVER for what the CREW did. Yeah, NASCAR, that’s bright.

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.

On his SIXTH Sprint Cup Series win this season! Awesome job! Stupid me thought the race was today, so I was quite shocked when I got in the car after work last night and my best friend had the race on the radio! This is what Charity gets for not paying attention to the schedule! LOL

It kind of sucked that Tony was sick though. At least he got to do part of the race and get his driver points, and Yeley didn’t get him too bad of a finish, although FoxSports and NASCAR’s websites had differing opinions of who got what spot at the end of the race!

Another congrats to Denny Hamlin for winning the Nationwide Series race and to Joe Gibbs Racing for the 13th win in 18 Nationwide races. JGR’s Nationwide program is kicking major ass this year - as it should!

Oh yeah - and congrats to Elliott Sadler who my best friend informed me got engaged sometime this past weekend. They were talking about it during the race I guess.

And I apologize for having neglected this blog. I’ve been having a few “issues” lately and have been dealing with them instead of blogging here. I hope to be back to my normal schedule soon.

I have to say, congrats to Joey Logano! I was hoping he’d win after Kyle Busch crashed out. I was disappointed that Kyle crashed out, but happy to see Joey get his first win on his third career start. Way to go Joey! Keep it up!

I see Kyle did triple duty again this week - 7th in the truck race, crashed out of the Nationwide and I didn’t catch where he ended up finishing due to that, and tomorrow the Sprint race. I hope he does well tomorrow. Although I am interested in a comment he made - he said he was done when asked if he would be at Milwaukee next week, so is he done with Nationwide for the season, or what? I guess I’ll figure it out after Milwaukee if he doesn’t start any more Nationwide races. LOL