Kasey Kahne gave HMS win #201 on Sunday night in the quickest Coca-Cola 600 ever. (photo credit: NASCAR)

Everybody deals with pressure at one point in their lifetime and Kasey Kahne is no different.

Sunday night all the pressure that had been mounting since signing with Hendrick Motorsports was lifted in one drop of a checkered flag.

Kasey Kahne won his third Coca-Cola 600 and also placed himself back in the hunt for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup title.

Last night’s victory was Kahne’s 13th overall in Sprint Cup and the first since winning in Phoenix last season.  Last night was also Kahne’s 300th career Sprint Cup start as well.

» Continue reading “Sprint Cup: Make That #201, Mr. Hendrick…”

Changes announced for my second home...

The fans have spoken, and Bruton Smith has answered.

Bristol Motor Speedway used to be just one step better than a demolition derby.  I described it to friends as “put 43 cars in a blender and hit puree.” After the surface change in 2007, this was not the case.

Bristol became a follow the leader track, but with more than one racing groove.  This is improvement, yes?  I thought so, but I was in the distinct minority.  I was able to actually watch them race instead of stopping to clean up the track and pick up the pieces every 50 laps or so.

And who am I?  A Bristol season ticket holder for the past 10 years.

The stands were empty for the March 2012 Bristol race, and Bruton wasn’t having that.  Smith said that he is not a fan of the progressive banking either and he is changing it.

» Continue reading “Bristol Motor Speedway Announcement: Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes”

And then THIS happened after Reutimann drew the caution...

How do you lead well over 400 of a possible 515 laps and NOT win the race?

Let’s ask David Reutimann.

Hendrick Motorsports embarrassed the competition in Martinsville by their total dominance of the Goody’s Fast Relief 500.  Jeff Gordon led the most laps with 328, Jimmie Johnson led around 105 laps, and even Dale Earnhardt, Jr led a handful of laps.  At one point in the race, those three Hendrick cars were running 1-2-3 and one of them was poised to earn Rick Hendrick’s 200^th win.

It was not to be.

» Continue reading “NASCAR Sprint Cup: How Reuti!”

Remember our special Monday Night edition of the Daytona 500?

Ooooookay, so everybody remembers what happened the Monday night of the Daytona 500 after it finally took place, right?  How can anybody forget the towering inferno that was the poor jet dryer? 

If you haven’t heard (because you live under a rock) here it is in a nutshell:  yellow flag, Juan Pablo Montoya racing back to catch the field, rear end broke, jet dryer in his path filled with 200 gallons of jet fuel.  End of story.

Robin Pemberton (vice president of competition) kindly reminded the drivers about their speeds around safety vehicles under cautions. 

Here’s another idea on how to protect your workers and drivers, Robin:  how about drivers not racing back to catch up with the rest of the field under yellow?

» Continue reading “Exploding Jet Fuel + Fire = A New Rule I Don’t Like”

Ok, fans, we got what we asked for.  NASCAR made changes to the car to eliminate the Daytona/Talladega two car tandem racing.  We are back to large pack racing and even larger wrecks.

I spent the greater part of the race curled up in a little ball, ruining my manicure by chewing my nails, and finding it difficult to breathe.  It takes us back to watching these restrictor plate races knowing that one false move from one bonehead driver will wreck a good portion of the field.

The Big One is back.

Kyle Busch managed to survive to beat Tony Stewart to the Bud Shootout checkers.  I don’t even know how Kyle was able to straighten his car out from not one, but two Hendrick attempts to dump him.

The first save of the night after a love tap from Jimmie Johnson’s 48 was the sickest save I have seen in quite some time.  This video will make the end of the year highlight reel.  No question.

» Continue reading “NASCAR Bud Shootout: The Pack Is Back”

Joey is talking to a sports shrink. Have you called yours lately? (photo credit: NASCAR)

Looks like we’re going to see a few trends this year in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup series and one of those happens to be drivers seeing and consulting with sports psychologists.

The newest driver added to the list:  Joey Logano.

So correct me if I’m wrong but it seems that two of the three drivers at JGR are seeing one now, right?  Yes, I am correct but I still think the one that needs the most help needs more than a sports shrink. 

Are you listening, Little Shrub?

Joey apparently is seeing the same sports psychologist that Denny Hamlin is currently consulting with according to USA Today who reported Logano’s meetings with sports psycologist Bob Rotella.

It goes without saying, however, that Joey recommends seeing a sports psycholgist to anybody.  Maybe I’ll give it a whirl sometime:

I was against it at first, thinking, ‘I don’t need a shrink…But it’s not about that, it’s confidence. It’s not that you’re screwed up in the head. It’s not like you’re a weirdo. I think it’s good for anybody. I have a whole new outlook. I’d recommend it to anybody. (Joey Logano via USA Today)

In other racing news it’s been confirmed that Robbie Loomis has been let go of his duties at Richard Petty Motorsports who has spent the past six years as RPM’s chief operating officer.  I hate seeing this man out of a job because he kicked some major butt with Jeff Gordon back in 2001 and won twenty-three races in five years with him.

No joke, these really do exist for NASCAR fans.

Okay, people.  Christmas is approaching (in nine days but who’s counting)!  Have you finished your shopping for that die-hard NASCAR fan such as myself?

Just in case you haven’t and were wondering what NASCAR and racing-related gifts rock our faces off this holiday season look no further than right here at Lipstick and Lugnuts.

In salute to our top ten drivers in the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup we have something for every, single race fan on our Christmas shopping list. 

» Continue reading “10 NASCAR Christmas Gifts That Sort Of Don’t Suck”

Ummm....Uhhhh....WTF?!?

Some seriously strange things come out of NASCAR’s Championship week.  We learned from Morgann’s article that Ryan Newman can pass gas from A to Z and who not to let your daughter date in the NASCAR garage.  That’s really just the Ol’ Boys Club picking at each other a bit.

What I saw tonight brings a whole new side to What Happens in Vegas….

» Continue reading “Jeff Gordon: So You Think You Can Dance?”

Dear Santa: I have a few things on my NASCAR wishlist I'd like to see you take care of -- like pronto.

For the offical record it does not include our current 2011 Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart tied up and wrapped in a big red bow underneath my Christmas tree.  However, that would be very nice in case anybody is thinking of me, won’t lie.

Good morning, everybody.  Since we’re officially dead in the middle of racing withdrawl season, I’m taking an opportunity to address issues, concernes, grievances and things I’d like to see either changed or improved for the upcoming 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup series.

This can be anything from track and safety conditions to driver rides and penalty enforcement changes as well.

So take a ride with me and we’ll see if Santa is nice enough to check my list twice because I’ve been a good girl this year so I deserve at least something, right? 

» Continue reading “88 Days And Counting: A NASCAR Christmas Wishlist”

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Dinner followed by A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving? Perfect.

I would like to take a moment to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!  I hope that everyone is getting their fill of turkey and pumpkin pie.

We have so many things to be thankful for as race fans.  I wanted to take a moment to discuss a few of mine here.  Please leave a comment below with yours.  Enjoy!

» Continue reading “Yeah, Thanks…Now Is It February Yet?”