To put it succinctly, Saturday night stank for the People's Pitstop.
The Internet's favorite fantasy NASCAR team scored only 168 points at Daytona International Speedway. This was our lowest total since ... the last time we were at Daytona. Our season total is now 4,570. And the People's Pitstop has surrendered its lead in the 9beersfantasysportstavern league to Jeff Gordon Dupont 24. We sit in second place, with a 4-point edge over SteelerFan4Tony.
You might notice a theme to this breakdown of the results.
Carl Edwards: Started 14th, finished 37th, 1 lap led and 28 fantasy points. An early spin into the inside wall put him 25 laps down and kept him there the rest of the night. It also cost him his overall points lead.
Mark Martin: Started 1st, finished 33rd, 15 laps led and 46 fantasy points. Martin actually was a contender late I'm the race, until a nudge from Joey Logano on the first green-white-checkered attempt ended his night.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Started 6th, finished 19th, 1 lap led and 64 fantasy points. The final-lap wreck that caught Earnhardt was bad enough. His postrace question "What kind of fricking move can you make?" about what's supposed to be one of his strongest tracks was even worse.
Bobby Labonte: Started 24th, finished 31st and 30 fantasy points. Labonte took damage in a wreck on lap 5, and his car was never the same.
The good news: There's always another week in NASCAR. This one will take us to a brand new track for the Sprint Cup folks: Kentucky. The polls are now up, and they will stay up until Thursday night. (Forgive the order. The phone being used to post this won't let us click and drag.) We need your help to have a shot at redemption, so feel free to vote now.
Showing posts with label Daytona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daytona. Show all posts
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Picking Through the Wreckage
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Fearless Predictions - Daytona
Some traditions just make sense, like racing at Daytona on Independence Day Weekend. And then there are traditions like the People's Pitstop predictions, which we all tolerate before moving on to more pressing matters. Maybe we need to get some special help for these picks for the NASCAR drivers who will finish in the top 10. Last week's predictions went 0 for 4 (again), dropping our season record to 16-40.
In bowling, they call hitting three strikes in a row a "turkey." Is there a term for three gutter balls in a row? Let's hope we don't have to find out.
One from the front: We can't pick the polesitter, Mark Martin, because he's in our starting lineup for this week. (Thank you, voters.) However, since Daytona has become a "dance with your partner" type of track, we can pick the Hendrick Motorsports teammate who has publicly committed to pairing up with Martin. That would be Jeff Gordon, who starts in 4th place and should have little trouble finding Martin.
One from the back: Kyle Busch had a dreadful qualifying session. He will start in 38th place, but he has won this race before. Also, despite an early spin, he finished in 8th place the last time these drivers were here. If anyone can climb from the back, it's Mr. Pink Car.
Two from the middle: Jeff Burton needs to make a move -- quickly. He currently sits 24th in driver points, so he's in real danger of missing the Chase, even if he manages to win a race. Luckily, Daytona has been kind to him over the years. He has nine top 10 finishes on this track, including a 5th-place finish in this race last year. He also starts in 12th place on Saturday.
Kurt Busch has already made his move. He didn't just win last week's road race at Sonoma; he dominated it. He starts in 25th place for this race, but he has finished in the top 10 in a dozen Daytona races, including the last two straight.
Enjoy the race and the holiday, and remember why we celebrate it. We'll be back with the results.
In bowling, they call hitting three strikes in a row a "turkey." Is there a term for three gutter balls in a row? Let's hope we don't have to find out.
One from the front: We can't pick the polesitter, Mark Martin, because he's in our starting lineup for this week. (Thank you, voters.) However, since Daytona has become a "dance with your partner" type of track, we can pick the Hendrick Motorsports teammate who has publicly committed to pairing up with Martin. That would be Jeff Gordon, who starts in 4th place and should have little trouble finding Martin.
One from the back: Kyle Busch had a dreadful qualifying session. He will start in 38th place, but he has won this race before. Also, despite an early spin, he finished in 8th place the last time these drivers were here. If anyone can climb from the back, it's Mr. Pink Car.
Two from the middle: Jeff Burton needs to make a move -- quickly. He currently sits 24th in driver points, so he's in real danger of missing the Chase, even if he manages to win a race. Luckily, Daytona has been kind to him over the years. He has nine top 10 finishes on this track, including a 5th-place finish in this race last year. He also starts in 12th place on Saturday.
Kurt Busch has already made his move. He didn't just win last week's road race at Sonoma; he dominated it. He starts in 25th place for this race, but he has finished in the top 10 in a dozen Daytona races, including the last two straight.
Enjoy the race and the holiday, and remember why we celebrate it. We'll be back with the results.
Friday, July 1, 2011
The People's Choice - Daytona
Another week is over. Many of us are planning our fireworks viewing and cookout grilling (hopefully not in the same place), but enough of you took the trouble to vote in our polls that the People's Pitstop has a full and complete lineup for Saturday. Here are the NASCAR drivers who will represent the Internet's favorite fantasy racing team at Daytona International Speedway.
A List: Carl Edwards lapped the field in this poll, while Kevin Harvick edged out the other votegetters by virtue of the points tiebreaker. When it came time to qualify, Edwards (14th place) lapped Harvick again (31st) and earned the starting spot.
B List: Dale Earnhardt Jr. easily won this poll, outpacing runner-up Martin Truex Jr. and tiebreaker winners Mark Martin and Ryan Newman. Earnhardt has a well-earned reputation for winning with restrictor plates, and his 6th-place qualifying effort pushed Newman (11th) and Truex (34th) to the bench. But Martin just keeps on ticking; he won the pole for Saturday's race and earned 10 bonus points for the People's Pitstop.
C List: This poll ended in a dead heat between Regan Smith and Bobby Labonte. The qualifying session almost produced the same result. Labonte put up the 24th-fastest time, just four places ahead of Smith, and will start for us as a result.
We'll be back with the predictions for the Daytona night race.
A List: Carl Edwards lapped the field in this poll, while Kevin Harvick edged out the other votegetters by virtue of the points tiebreaker. When it came time to qualify, Edwards (14th place) lapped Harvick again (31st) and earned the starting spot.
B List: Dale Earnhardt Jr. easily won this poll, outpacing runner-up Martin Truex Jr. and tiebreaker winners Mark Martin and Ryan Newman. Earnhardt has a well-earned reputation for winning with restrictor plates, and his 6th-place qualifying effort pushed Newman (11th) and Truex (34th) to the bench. But Martin just keeps on ticking; he won the pole for Saturday's race and earned 10 bonus points for the People's Pitstop.
C List: This poll ended in a dead heat between Regan Smith and Bobby Labonte. The qualifying session almost produced the same result. Labonte put up the 24th-fastest time, just four places ahead of Smith, and will start for us as a result.
We'll be back with the predictions for the Daytona night race.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The Last Time We Visited Daytona
This week, NASCAR resumes one of its long traditions. No, not restrictor plate racing or sponsor hopscotch or drivers blaming everyone around them. This week, NASCAR makes the first of many return trips to tracks it visited earlier in the season -- in this case, the incomparable Daytona International Speedway. In football, a team doesn't return to an opponent's arena unless there's a playoff game (or tons of snow on your own artificial field). In this sport, if at first you didn't succeed, there's a good chance you'll get an opportunity to try, try again.
Thank the deity of your choice for that.
This week, the People's Pitstop starts an occassional series of flashbacks to tracks we've already visited. When George Santayana said those who can't remember the past are doomed to repeat it, he might have been thinking about the Internet's favorite fantasy racing team.
In the first week of the season back in February, the People's Pitstop trotted out this lineup for the Daytona 500: Jeff Gordon, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Michael Waltrip. Two of those drivers (Earnhardt and Waltrip) had won races before at Daytona. All four of them qualified in the top 10 for this race. Earnhardt grabbed the freakin pole, while Gordon and Burton started in the front four.
This normally would have gotten us bonus points, but the Daytona 500's unique qualifying structure precluded that. Still, with a lineup like that, you would have expected the People's Pitstop to start the season on the highest of notes. Instead, we racked up a grand total of 142 points, our lowest total of the season by far (so far). No starting driver finished better than 24th, and Waltrip limped home in 40th place. In the ultra-competitive 9beersfantasysportstavern league, which we currently lead, we started out in 13th place.
Meanwhile, some kid who was making his second career Sprint Cup start (and who, according to his official biography, still can't legally drink in America) won the Great American Race.
The lesson: You can't relax after the qualifying session, whether you're a driver or a fantasy NASCAR player.
Speaking of the fantasy game, you have until Thursday night to make your picks for the People's Pitstop lineup. Two from the A List, four from the B List and two from the C List, please. Your votes will determine who starts for us.
And whether we've learned from the recent past.
Thank the deity of your choice for that.
This week, the People's Pitstop starts an occassional series of flashbacks to tracks we've already visited. When George Santayana said those who can't remember the past are doomed to repeat it, he might have been thinking about the Internet's favorite fantasy racing team.
In the first week of the season back in February, the People's Pitstop trotted out this lineup for the Daytona 500: Jeff Gordon, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Michael Waltrip. Two of those drivers (Earnhardt and Waltrip) had won races before at Daytona. All four of them qualified in the top 10 for this race. Earnhardt grabbed the freakin pole, while Gordon and Burton started in the front four.
This normally would have gotten us bonus points, but the Daytona 500's unique qualifying structure precluded that. Still, with a lineup like that, you would have expected the People's Pitstop to start the season on the highest of notes. Instead, we racked up a grand total of 142 points, our lowest total of the season by far (so far). No starting driver finished better than 24th, and Waltrip limped home in 40th place. In the ultra-competitive 9beersfantasysportstavern league, which we currently lead, we started out in 13th place.
Meanwhile, some kid who was making his second career Sprint Cup start (and who, according to his official biography, still can't legally drink in America) won the Great American Race.
The lesson: You can't relax after the qualifying session, whether you're a driver or a fantasy NASCAR player.
Speaking of the fantasy game, you have until Thursday night to make your picks for the People's Pitstop lineup. Two from the A List, four from the B List and two from the C List, please. Your votes will determine who starts for us.
And whether we've learned from the recent past.
Monday, June 27, 2011
As the Engines (and Tempers) Cool Off...
The People's Pitstop is hanging on for dear life, but at least it's hanging in there.
The Internet's favorite fantasy NASCAR team scored 233 points during Sunday's Sprint Cup race in Sonoma County, California. Our season total of 4,402 keeps us in first place in the cutthroat 9beersfantasysportstavern league, but our lead over runner-up Jeff Gordon Dupont 24 has dwindled to 39 points. Another week like this one (without or without mistakes on our part) will put our lead in jeopardy, to say the least.
Here's what we can say about our drivers without risking a secret NASCAR fine.
Jimmie Johnson: Started 12th, finished 7th and 78 fantasy points. Last year's race winner was the only People's Pitstop starter to improve his position from start to finish.
Kasey Kahne: Started 6th, finished 20th and 52 fantasy points. Kahne was heading for a potential top five finish until he was run over by Juan Pablo Montoya, who needs to consider checking this book out of his local library.
Ryan Newman: Started 5th, finished 25th and 42 fantasy points. Newman (and any fantasy NASCAR player considering using him again) had better hope Tony Stewart was kidding on Sunday about wrecking his teammate.
Paul Menard: Started 3rd, finished 17th and 61 fantasy points. Notice that every starting driver finished on the lead lap, which was more than either Denny Hamlin or Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Stewart could say.
This week, the NASCAR caravan hauls back across the country for a Saturday night race at Daytona International Speedway. We'll have more about this race in our next post, but the lineup polls are now up and open for voting. Since qualifying is Friday, you have until Thursday night to make your votes. (And they will be reflected in this week's lineup. Cross our heart.)
The Internet's favorite fantasy NASCAR team scored 233 points during Sunday's Sprint Cup race in Sonoma County, California. Our season total of 4,402 keeps us in first place in the cutthroat 9beersfantasysportstavern league, but our lead over runner-up Jeff Gordon Dupont 24 has dwindled to 39 points. Another week like this one (without or without mistakes on our part) will put our lead in jeopardy, to say the least.
Here's what we can say about our drivers without risking a secret NASCAR fine.
Jimmie Johnson: Started 12th, finished 7th and 78 fantasy points. Last year's race winner was the only People's Pitstop starter to improve his position from start to finish.
Kasey Kahne: Started 6th, finished 20th and 52 fantasy points. Kahne was heading for a potential top five finish until he was run over by Juan Pablo Montoya, who needs to consider checking this book out of his local library.
Ryan Newman: Started 5th, finished 25th and 42 fantasy points. Newman (and any fantasy NASCAR player considering using him again) had better hope Tony Stewart was kidding on Sunday about wrecking his teammate.
Paul Menard: Started 3rd, finished 17th and 61 fantasy points. Notice that every starting driver finished on the lead lap, which was more than either Denny Hamlin or Dale Earnhardt Jr. or Stewart could say.
This week, the NASCAR caravan hauls back across the country for a Saturday night race at Daytona International Speedway. We'll have more about this race in our next post, but the lineup polls are now up and open for voting. Since qualifying is Friday, you have until Thursday night to make your votes. (And they will be reflected in this week's lineup. Cross our heart.)
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Time to Bounce Back
The Daytona 500 was a great time to be a rookie but a rough time to be a piece of sheet metal, or the People's Pitstop.
The Internet's favorite fantasy NASCAR team compiled only 142 points during the Sprint Cup season opener. That leaves us in 13th place (out of 14) in the 9beersfantasysportstavern group on Yahoo Fantasy Auto Racing.
Here are some of the details.
Jeff Gordon: Started 2nd, finished 28th (35 laps behind the leaders), 1 lap led and 46 fantasy points, including 10 for leading a lap.
Jeff Burton: Started 4th, finished 36th (116 laps behind the leaders), 5 laps led and 30 fantasy points.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Started 1st (technically), finished 24th (6 laps behind the leaders), 9 laps led and 54 fantasy points. So much for that conspiracy theory.
Michael Waltrip: Started 8th, finished 40th and 12 fantasy points. Waltrip was our only started who did not lead a lap. Maybe he should stick to talking.
Anyway, we have a chance to rebound this weekend in Phoenix. The race is Sunday, and qualifying is Saturday. The polls are now open and will remain open through Friday night. Please vote now.
We'll be back.
The Internet's favorite fantasy NASCAR team compiled only 142 points during the Sprint Cup season opener. That leaves us in 13th place (out of 14) in the 9beersfantasysportstavern group on Yahoo Fantasy Auto Racing.
Here are some of the details.
Jeff Gordon: Started 2nd, finished 28th (35 laps behind the leaders), 1 lap led and 46 fantasy points, including 10 for leading a lap.
Jeff Burton: Started 4th, finished 36th (116 laps behind the leaders), 5 laps led and 30 fantasy points.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Started 1st (technically), finished 24th (6 laps behind the leaders), 9 laps led and 54 fantasy points. So much for that conspiracy theory.
Michael Waltrip: Started 8th, finished 40th and 12 fantasy points. Waltrip was our only started who did not lead a lap. Maybe he should stick to talking.
Anyway, we have a chance to rebound this weekend in Phoenix. The race is Sunday, and qualifying is Saturday. The polls are now open and will remain open through Friday night. Please vote now.
We'll be back.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
And We're Back!
The People's Pigskin did not end up winning its group in the ESPN Fantasy Playoff Challenge, but the Internet's favorite fantasy sports site now can turn its sites to the track.
That's right; the People's Pitstop is back! We're going to use the collective wisdom of you, the Internet, to win fantasy NASCAR glory (or at least the 9beersfantasysportstavern group in Yahoo Fantasy Auto Racing). The rules are like those of last season. Each week, you'll be asked to vote in polls like the ones on the right side of this page. We need to pick 2 drivers from the A List, 4 from the B List and 2 from the C List. Each week, one of the A List drivers, 2 of the B List drivers and one of the C List drivers will start for us and earn fantasy points according to their performance in the race. Each driver may start for us only nine times during the NASCAR season.
Anyway, the polls are open. They will close Sunday morning before the start of the Great American Race. (Apparently, anyone talking about the Daytona 500 is contractually obligated to use that phrase. Who knew?) Please vote now. Thanks.
That's right; the People's Pitstop is back! We're going to use the collective wisdom of you, the Internet, to win fantasy NASCAR glory (or at least the 9beersfantasysportstavern group in Yahoo Fantasy Auto Racing). The rules are like those of last season. Each week, you'll be asked to vote in polls like the ones on the right side of this page. We need to pick 2 drivers from the A List, 4 from the B List and 2 from the C List. Each week, one of the A List drivers, 2 of the B List drivers and one of the C List drivers will start for us and earn fantasy points according to their performance in the race. Each driver may start for us only nine times during the NASCAR season.
Anyway, the polls are open. They will close Sunday morning before the start of the Great American Race. (Apparently, anyone talking about the Daytona 500 is contractually obligated to use that phrase. Who knew?) Please vote now. Thanks.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Picking Up the Pieces
The people who bring you the People's Pigskin hope you had a better Independence Day weekend than our fantasy NASCAR team.
The People's Pitstop managed to score only 242 points during Saturday night's Sprint Cup race at Daytona International Speedway. The team's season total is 4,801, dropping us to 54,143rd overall on Yahoo Sports but somehow raising us to 68th place in the Fans of From the Marbles league.
It would be tempting to skip the detailed results, but we're going to present them anyway.
Jimmie Johnson: Started 2nd, finished 31st (19 laps behind the leaders), 1 lap led and 40 fantasy points. The good news is that Johnson managed to get the 10 bonus points for leading a lap. The bad news is that he, like about half the field, had his night ruined by the proverbial Big One. And yes, it was big.
Matt Kenseth: Started 7th, finished 15th and 62 fantasy points. Well, at least he finished on the leap lap, and he did get to play table tennis with John Isner.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Started 13th, finished 4th and 84 fantasy points. After winning the Nationwide race in his father's paint scheme (and launching a fresh crop of conspiracy theories), Earnhardt ran near the front all night and provided the closest thing to a bright spot for the People's Pitstop.
Paul Menard: Started 23rd, finished 18th (1 lap behind the leaders) and 56 fantasy points. Another quiet week for our C List representative.
Speaking of another week, we start one now. And this week, NASCAR takes its show to Chicago for another Saturday night special. The lineup polls are now open and will stay open until Thursday night. The results of the Fourth of July poll appear can be found below.
[polldaddy poll=3422897]
The People's Pitstop managed to score only 242 points during Saturday night's Sprint Cup race at Daytona International Speedway. The team's season total is 4,801, dropping us to 54,143rd overall on Yahoo Sports but somehow raising us to 68th place in the Fans of From the Marbles league.
It would be tempting to skip the detailed results, but we're going to present them anyway.
Jimmie Johnson: Started 2nd, finished 31st (19 laps behind the leaders), 1 lap led and 40 fantasy points. The good news is that Johnson managed to get the 10 bonus points for leading a lap. The bad news is that he, like about half the field, had his night ruined by the proverbial Big One. And yes, it was big.
Matt Kenseth: Started 7th, finished 15th and 62 fantasy points. Well, at least he finished on the leap lap, and he did get to play table tennis with John Isner.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Started 13th, finished 4th and 84 fantasy points. After winning the Nationwide race in his father's paint scheme (and launching a fresh crop of conspiracy theories), Earnhardt ran near the front all night and provided the closest thing to a bright spot for the People's Pitstop.
Paul Menard: Started 23rd, finished 18th (1 lap behind the leaders) and 56 fantasy points. Another quiet week for our C List representative.
Speaking of another week, we start one now. And this week, NASCAR takes its show to Chicago for another Saturday night special. The lineup polls are now open and will stay open until Thursday night. The results of the Fourth of July poll appear can be found below.
[polldaddy poll=3422897]
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Fearless Predictions - Daytona
Before you fire up your grill or light your firecrackers (only where that's legal, of course), it's time to offer a set of predictions of which NASCAR drivers will finish in the top 10 at Saturday night's race at Daytona International Speedway. Last week's predictions went 4-6, dropping our season record to 77-83.
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. If Friday's Nationwide race showed anything, it's that Earnhardts still know how to find Victory Lane at Daytona.
2. Kevin Harvick. Call him lucky. Call him a long shot. But be sure to call him the points leader (and, thanks to Friday's rainout, the pole sitter).
3. Jimmie Johnson. He's in second place in points, and he has a NASCAR-leading five victories this season.
4. Denny Hamlin. Tying him with this guy.
5. Jeff Gordon. Again, he has more wins on this track than any other active NASCAR Sprint Cup driver. If nothing else, he can call on muscle memory.
6. Jamie McMurray. Speaking of memory, the last time we were at this track, McMurray was proving that Roush Fenway's decision to let him go may have been short-sighted.
7. Kyle Busch. He won the 2008 July race at Daytona, and despite his recent travails, he's still third in driver points.
8. Tony Stewart. He won last year's July race here, and you have to think it's only a matter of time before Stewart finds his way back to Victory Lane.
9. Carl Edwards. For what it's worth, he currently holds the final spot in the Chase, and you'd think he'll want to hang on to it. Speaking of the Chase...
10. Ryan Newman. This week's medium to long shot (OK, more emphasis on the "medium" this week) sits only 15 points behind Edwards (and 12 behind Earnhardt), so he'll have some motivation to make some passes.
We'll be back with results and fresh lineup polls.
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. If Friday's Nationwide race showed anything, it's that Earnhardts still know how to find Victory Lane at Daytona.
2. Kevin Harvick. Call him lucky. Call him a long shot. But be sure to call him the points leader (and, thanks to Friday's rainout, the pole sitter).
3. Jimmie Johnson. He's in second place in points, and he has a NASCAR-leading five victories this season.
4. Denny Hamlin. Tying him with this guy.
5. Jeff Gordon. Again, he has more wins on this track than any other active NASCAR Sprint Cup driver. If nothing else, he can call on muscle memory.
6. Jamie McMurray. Speaking of memory, the last time we were at this track, McMurray was proving that Roush Fenway's decision to let him go may have been short-sighted.
7. Kyle Busch. He won the 2008 July race at Daytona, and despite his recent travails, he's still third in driver points.
8. Tony Stewart. He won last year's July race here, and you have to think it's only a matter of time before Stewart finds his way back to Victory Lane.
9. Carl Edwards. For what it's worth, he currently holds the final spot in the Chase, and you'd think he'll want to hang on to it. Speaking of the Chase...
10. Ryan Newman. This week's medium to long shot (OK, more emphasis on the "medium" this week) sits only 15 points behind Edwards (and 12 behind Earnhardt), so he'll have some motivation to make some passes.
We'll be back with results and fresh lineup polls.
Friday, July 2, 2010
The People's Results - Daytona
Once again, you, the Internet, have chosen the drivers who will suit up for the People's Pitstop for Saturday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Daytona. Here are the results of our polls.
A List. This poll came down to a tie between Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson. Whoever qualifies better will get the starting spot.
B List. This contest was clearer. Two drivers won the starting spots here: Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (who won't be using his father's paint scheme for this race). The bench spots go to Jamie McMurray and Kevin Harvick.
C List. Another week, another tie. This time we have Paul Menard duking it out with Travis Kvapil for the starting spot.
We'll update this post when the qualifying session concludes. In the meantime, a new poll is up, and the lineup poll results appear below.
UPDATED 9:30 A.M.: The qualifying session for this race was rained out, so the race order will be set by driver's points. That means Jimmie Johnson (2nd in points) will start over Kyle Busch (3rd), while Paul Menard (23rd) will start over Travis Kvapil (38th). We'll be back with the top 10 predictions.
[polldaddy poll=3404194] [polldaddy poll=3404206] [polldaddy poll=3404215]
A List. This poll came down to a tie between Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson. Whoever qualifies better will get the starting spot.
B List. This contest was clearer. Two drivers won the starting spots here: Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (who won't be using his father's paint scheme for this race). The bench spots go to Jamie McMurray and Kevin Harvick.
C List. Another week, another tie. This time we have Paul Menard duking it out with Travis Kvapil for the starting spot.
We'll update this post when the qualifying session concludes. In the meantime, a new poll is up, and the lineup poll results appear below.
UPDATED 9:30 A.M.: The qualifying session for this race was rained out, so the race order will be set by driver's points. That means Jimmie Johnson (2nd in points) will start over Kyle Busch (3rd), while Paul Menard (23rd) will start over Travis Kvapil (38th). We'll be back with the top 10 predictions.
[polldaddy poll=3404194] [polldaddy poll=3404206] [polldaddy poll=3404215]
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The People's Facts - Coca-Cola 400
Yes, the People's Pitstop, like the rest of NASCAR, is returning to the self-proclaimed Birthplace of Speed for Saturday night's Sprint Cup race. You still have time to vote in our lineup polls, which will close Thursday night. In the meantime, it's time to offer some information about this week's site.
Track basics: It's still Daytona International Speedway. It's still a restrictor plate race. It's still a track that breeds the Big One on a regular basis. If you really need the Internet's favorite fantasy NASCAR team to introduce this track to you, you've been listening to the vuvuzelas too long. But if you do need help, you can download a guide from Yahoo Sports by clicking here.
Recent winners: For the July race, the most recent winners are Tony Stewart (2009), Kyle Busch (2008) and Jamie McMurray (2007).
Who wins here a lot: Jeff Gordon still leads active NASCAR drivers with six wins at Daytona. Tied for second with three victories apiece: Stewart and ... you're not gonna believe this ... Michael Waltrip. Yes, that Michael Waltrip.
Are a lot of folks bringing Union Jacks to this event? To help keep everyone as safe and as comfortable as possible, the Daytona International Speedway's Web site offers fans a list of things they may and may not bring to this weekend's races. Since Sunday is Independence Day, the following passage seems particularly relevant.
"Flags are acceptable for admissions, provided they are not attached to poles and that they do not obstruct other fans viewing of racing activities. No flag poles of any type will be allowed."
"Small nationality flags attached to a pencil sized diameter wooden stick, will be allowed."
I know these folks are trying to prevent people from slipping through loopholes, but you'd think they can just say, "Bring the Stars and Stripes. Leave the poles at home."
We'll be back with more thoughts and observations. In the meantime, please vote.
Track basics: It's still Daytona International Speedway. It's still a restrictor plate race. It's still a track that breeds the Big One on a regular basis. If you really need the Internet's favorite fantasy NASCAR team to introduce this track to you, you've been listening to the vuvuzelas too long. But if you do need help, you can download a guide from Yahoo Sports by clicking here.
Recent winners: For the July race, the most recent winners are Tony Stewart (2009), Kyle Busch (2008) and Jamie McMurray (2007).
Who wins here a lot: Jeff Gordon still leads active NASCAR drivers with six wins at Daytona. Tied for second with three victories apiece: Stewart and ... you're not gonna believe this ... Michael Waltrip. Yes, that Michael Waltrip.
Are a lot of folks bringing Union Jacks to this event? To help keep everyone as safe and as comfortable as possible, the Daytona International Speedway's Web site offers fans a list of things they may and may not bring to this weekend's races. Since Sunday is Independence Day, the following passage seems particularly relevant.
"Flags are acceptable for admissions, provided they are not attached to poles and that they do not obstruct other fans viewing of racing activities. No flag poles of any type will be allowed."
"Small nationality flags attached to a pencil sized diameter wooden stick, will be allowed."
I know these folks are trying to prevent people from slipping through loopholes, but you'd think they can just say, "Bring the Stars and Stripes. Leave the poles at home."
We'll be back with more thoughts and observations. In the meantime, please vote.
Monday, June 28, 2010
The Weather's Hot, But ...
... the People's Pitstop is not.
The Internet's favorite fantasy NASCAR team managed to score only 266 points Sunday at the Sprint Cup race in New Hampshire. That leaves us with a season total of 4,559, putting us in 52,148th overall on Yahoo Sports and dropping us 2 spots to 77th place in the Fans of From the Marbles league.
Here's how so many cast to many votes to get so few points.
Denny Hamlin: Started 20th, finished 14th and 64 fantasy points. The first five-time winner of the Sprint Cup season (but no longer the only one) picked this week to perform like a middle-of-the-pack runner.
Jeff Burton: Started 17th, finished 12th, 89 laps led and 78 fantasy points. Burton was the only People's Pitstop driver to get the 10 bonus points for leading a lap. Unfortunately, he was also the only one to apologize to Kyle Busch after the race.
Clint Bowyer: Started 9th, finished 7th and 78 fantasy points. The good news for Bowyer is that he remains high enough in driver points to still call himself a contender for the Chase.
Sam Hornish Jr.: Started 8th, finished 23rd (1 lap behind the leaders) and 46 fantasy points. Our C List driver puts up another C List performance.
Now it's time for NASCAR to return to where the season started: Daytona Beach. The new lineup polls are up. As usual, they will close Thursday night, because the qualifying session is Friday. Please vote now. The Danica Patrick poll results appear below.
[polldaddy poll=3390763]
The Internet's favorite fantasy NASCAR team managed to score only 266 points Sunday at the Sprint Cup race in New Hampshire. That leaves us with a season total of 4,559, putting us in 52,148th overall on Yahoo Sports and dropping us 2 spots to 77th place in the Fans of From the Marbles league.
Here's how so many cast to many votes to get so few points.
Denny Hamlin: Started 20th, finished 14th and 64 fantasy points. The first five-time winner of the Sprint Cup season (but no longer the only one) picked this week to perform like a middle-of-the-pack runner.
Jeff Burton: Started 17th, finished 12th, 89 laps led and 78 fantasy points. Burton was the only People's Pitstop driver to get the 10 bonus points for leading a lap. Unfortunately, he was also the only one to apologize to Kyle Busch after the race.
Clint Bowyer: Started 9th, finished 7th and 78 fantasy points. The good news for Bowyer is that he remains high enough in driver points to still call himself a contender for the Chase.
Sam Hornish Jr.: Started 8th, finished 23rd (1 lap behind the leaders) and 46 fantasy points. Our C List driver puts up another C List performance.
Now it's time for NASCAR to return to where the season started: Daytona Beach. The new lineup polls are up. As usual, they will close Thursday night, because the qualifying session is Friday. Please vote now. The Danica Patrick poll results appear below.
[polldaddy poll=3390763]
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