Well Dover has now come and gone with another scrambling of the points. Previous points leader, Tony Stewart; drops to fourth and we have a tie at the top! Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick are atop the standings with only 19 points separating the top 9. Very close indeed.

Junior nation took another collective groan today as their guy fell to 10th in points having a terrible day right from the start. I am of the opinion that you can probably say good bye to Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman at this point.

Word has it that Michael Waltrip Racing has a press conference scheduled on Friday at Kansas Speedway, Clint Bowyer’s home track. Looks like the announcement will be made official about Bowyer’s going to MWR. I saw something tonight that Rusty Wallace may shut down his two car Nationwide team until sponsorship opportunities become better over the next couple years. Interesting………

On the short track side of things, congrats go out to asphalt Late Model driver Augie Grill for winning the Glass City 200 in Toledo, Ohio run with outlaw Late Models. This was his first time in this type of Late Model, and this is a BIG race for this division. He becomes the only driver to win both the Snowball Derby (template body Late Models) and the Glass City 200. Impressive….

Congrats also go out to Kenzie Ruston, who became the first woman to win a CRA main event of any sort; when she won the CRA Super Series Super Late Model event at Lucas Oil Raceway Park in Clermont, IN. Great job to both. Also deserving a standing ovation is Don O’ Neal for winning the Knoxville Late Model nationals with a last lap pass, when Jimmy Owens caught the berm and stumbled on the last turn. Thrilling stuff for sure….

One last note, I am planning to go up to Martinsville Speedway next Sunday for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300. This is the biggest of all the fall specials for Late Model Stocks. I believe this 200 lap event pays $25,000 to win, and usually draws 80-100 cars each year.

The field is set first by Saturday qualifying, with the top 22 getting locked in. On Sunday is when the real fireworks start, as they hold four 25 lap heat races with top five from each rounding out the 42- car field. Those heat races are supposed to be amazing.

I’ve always wanted to go and this year will be my first time. I love Martinsville, so I am hoping it (the trip) comes to fruition. If you aren’t doing anything next weekend, pay Martinsville a visit!

Until next week, keep the shiny side up!!

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