Upcoming Events in the World of NASCAR

After an eventful, weather challenging week, the Nextel Cup and Craftsman Truck teams head to Martinsville Speedway while the Busch Series teams take the week off.

Of the current Nextel Cup drivers, Jeff Gordon has held the key to Martinsville. In 26 starts, Gordon has won 7 times.

Gordon will need to continue his domination of Martinsville if he wishes to stay in the chase for the Nextel Cup championship. After Kenseth's bump in the last lap at Bristol, Gordon fell to 7th place in the standings.

Other drivers to note:

Jimmie Johnson
Mark Martin
Kasey Kahne
Jeff Burton

Next Week's Schedule:
(all times EST)

Nextel Cup
3/31/06 - 12:05pm DIRECTV 500 Practice
3/31/06 - 3:40pm DIRECTV 500 Qualifying
4/01/06 - 10:35am Happy Hour Practice
4/02/06 - 2:00pm DIRECTV 500

Busch Series
Off till the O'Reilly 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8th.

Craftsman Truck Series
3/31/06 - 1:45pm Kroger 250 Practice
4/01/06 - 12:05pm Kroger 250 Qualifying
4/01/06 - 3:15pm Kroger 250

Who's Hot?

Earlier this year, I wrote an article claiming Dodge drivers had their work cut out for them in 2006.

So far, I think they have responded. In the 5 races this season, they have posted 2 wins (Kasey Kahne at Atlanta, and Kurt Busch in Bristol).

Currently, there are 2 drivers in the top five in Nextel Cup Points, Kasey Kahne and Casey Mears.

Let's hope their success carries throughout 2006. There is nothing more captivating than seeing drivers in evenly matched hotrods beating and banging to the finish line!

Who's Not?

There were high expectations this year for Jamie McMurray has he made his move to one of NASCAR's elite teams, Roush Racing. Many thought Jamie would excel with the superior equipment Roush puts out on the tracks week in and week out. So far, McMurray is in 24th place in the Nextel Cup Championship Points standings, and 113 points out of the championship qualifying 10th position.

Thus far Jamie's results have been as follows:

Daytona 500 - 37th
Auto Club 500 - 6th
UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 - 23rd
Golden Corral 500 - 14th
Food City 500 - 35th

Through the first 5 races, Jamie's average finish is 23rd.

Hopefully, Jamie can rebound next week in Martinsville where his average finish is 14th.

Last Week's Headlines

Recap of the 2006 Food City 500:

I love Bristol! After watching a race at Bristol Motor Speedway, I'm always left sitting in a pool of my own sweat and my heart racing almost as fast as the cars shot-gunning around the track! I'm not sure if the drivers enjoy Bristol as much as the fans.

No matter how high the talent level of the driver, or the horsepower his team gives him, a team's day can be ruined in a second as 43 cars cram on a 1/2-mile speedway and bang it out for 500 laps. Case in point, Jimmie Johnson. After maintaining first place in the Nextel Cup standings through the first 4 races of 2006, the celebrated return of Chad Knaus was clouded over by a disappointing 30th place finish.

I think the marketing gurus of NASCAR should approach ESPN or HBO to provide a "Friday Night Fights" kind of production to showcase angry drivers pushing and punching each other as they climb out of the cars immediately after a Bristol race. For Gordon to be such a small guy, he shoved Matt Kenseth pretty good. Gordon was rightfully upset at Kenseth when Matt turned Gordon sideways on the backstretch of the final lap. The only thing missing was Michael Buffer's introduction and Judge Mill Lane officiating.

Just so you know that we here at EverythingStockCar.com are not full of it, we'd like to recap last week's predictions for the Food City 500:

Biffle - finished 7th
Kevin Harvick - finished 2nd
Jeff Gordon - finished 21st (would have finished 3 had Kenseth not wrecked him)
Matt Kenseth - finished 3rd
Mark Martin - finished 6th

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