NASCAR Fans Be Warned: Get Tested [J. Mark English]

This is a story you'd normally find in The Onion. Except this story is true and it comes to you via the Washington Times:

(In the interest of full disclosure, Rep. Robin Hayes is a distant cousin...yes I'm tooting my own horn...)

House Homeland Security Committee staffers are on a peculiar mission to study "public health issues at events involving mass gatherings," which has personally insulted Rep. Robin Hayes of Concord, North Carolina.

The event: NASCAR.

The rub: the requirement that the Democrat and Republican staffers attending first be immunized against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, and influenza.

"I have never heard of immunizations for domestic travel, and as the representative for Concord, North Carolina, I feel compelled to ask why the heck the committee feels that immunizations are needed to travel to my hometown," Mr. Hayes, a Republican, said in a letter to Rep. Bennie Thompson, Mississippi Democrat and committee chairman.

"I have been to numerous NASCAR races, and the folks who attend these events certainly do not pose any health hazard to congressional staffers or anyone else," Mr. Hayes said.

A committee staffer says that the Republican staffers have declined the shots but that two Democrat staffers were immunized before attending the race at Talladega last weekend.

NASCAR Suspends Driver for Pocono Race [David Stefanini]

As Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits on the pole, Robby Gordon will not be allowed to participate in today's Pennsylvania 500. For the story here is NASCAR.com's Dave Rodman:

NASCAR benched owner/driver Robby Gordon Sunday morning at Pocono Raceway, prohibiting him from competing in the Nextel Cup Series' Pennsylvania 500.

NASCAR took the action after Gordon flaunted several NASCAR rules and directives from officials in Saturday afternoon's Busch Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

Gordon's No. 7 Ford, which he qualified in 30th position, will be driven in the race by P.J. Jones. Jones is a close friend of Gordon's and a multi-talented racer who practiced Gordon's car on Saturday while the owner was in Montreal.

Jones will drop to the rear of the 43-car field at the start due to the driver change.

Tony Stewart Wins the Brickyard [David Stefanini]

Watch out NASCAR because here comes Tony Stewart. Stewart is on a roll again in the second half of the NASCAR season. Here is Terry Blout with more:

Stewart's confidence is back in full swing after winning back-to-back races for the seventh time in his career.

That's not a good thing for the rest of the Nextel Cup drivers. The shark in an orange fire suit smells blood in the water. Don't get in his way or he will swallow you whole.

How confident is Stewart now?Trailing leader Kevin Harvick by five car lengths with 15 laps to go, Stewart got on his radio and said, "Here kitty, kitty, kitty."

Comments:
Under the stupid 'Chase for the Cup' rules, Stewart looks to have all the momentum going into the final stretch of the season. Jeff Gordon, who has clearly dominated the circuit this year, is going to have his hands full contending with Stewart. While I was watching the race yesterday I kept thinking to myself how good Tony looked. He ran a smooth race and turned up the heat with 10 laps to go to win it. It was a brilliant performance. He is my favorite going into the Chase to win it all.

Next Stop: Dog Days of Summer [J. Mark English]

Baseball right now is the only sport on the horizon. Football is still a month away. Who cares about basketball during this heat wave? Anyone really taking interest in how much Sydney Crosby will be making over the next few years in Pittsburgh? How about Federer and Nadal? Yea, we can talk about them come the U.S. Open. And the British Open is still a few weeks away.

So baseball really is all there is now, and tonight will feature only an exhibition game, and tomorrow there will be no game. I think tomorrow night may be the only night of the year when none of the professional sport teams (at least in baseball, hockey, basketball, and football) play. Sports Center should be a blast tomorrow night. Exactly what current event highlights will they show?

Perhaps they can continue to pump up their own mini series, the Bronx is Burning. I set my Tivo to record the show, and when I came to watch it, the Tivo had recorded the conclusion of the home run derby. So I missed out on this show that ESPN has been advertising the hell out of for the last few weeks. Grrrrrr.

But I guess there are some news of note to throw out there. Bud Selig will attend the games where Barry Bonds has a chance to break Hank Aaron's record. I hope it takes Bonds two weeks, just to make it painful for Selig.

Baseball agent, Gustavo "Gus" Dominguez, was busted for smuggling ball players out of Cuba. I don't get that. He is getting five years for encouraging players to leave a communist country, giving them an opportunity of a life time. Shouldn't we be celebrating what this guy is doing, not throwing him in jail?

Dayn Perry of Fox Sports breaks down his top 10 All-Star game moments:

1. Babe Ruth wins the first All-Star Game (1933)
2. Carl Hubbell whiffs a quintet of Hall of Famers (1934)
3. Ted Williams returns to Fenway Park (1999)
4. The All-Star color line is broken (1947)
5. Cal Ripken's final All-Star Game (2001)
6. Pete Rose and Ray Fosse (1970)
7. The 1967 marathon
8. The young guns of '84
9. Terry Steinbach redeems himself (1987)
10. The 2003 All-Star Game

I'm biased when it comes to this, but I think the baseball all-star game is the best of the four major sports. I'll be watching tonight. With any luck, the National League will break its losing streak.

Finally, there was a plane crash earlier today which took the lives of some members of the NASCAR community. Here is the story from Barbara Liston of Reuters:

A small plane attempting an emergency landing crashed into two houses near Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday, killing at least five people and causing an intense fire, investigators said.

The twin-engine Cessna 310 was registered to a corporation linked to NASCAR racing and one of those killed, the pilot of the plane, was the husband of NASCAR official Lesa France Kennedy, officials of the popular U.S. motorsport said.

The plane took off from Daytona International Airport en route to Lakeland, Florida but the pilot reported smoke in the cockpit and it slammed into a residential neighborhood in Sanford, near Orlando in central Florida, investigators said.

"We can confirm there were two people on board, including the pilot, Dr. Bruce Kennedy, and Michael Klemm, a senior captain with NASCAR Aviation. Both were killed in the crash," Ramsey Poston, NASCAR's managing director of corporate communications, said in a statement.

Around the World of Sports [David Stefanini]

Lets start with my favorite the NBA. What a horrible NBA Finals it has been. There is no competition, one team is clearly dominate, and the main attraction is playing like a role player. When he has a good game the referee decides hitting someone, and intentionally doing so, does not warrant a whistle we know something is wrong. As Mark pointed out earlier the Spurs are the worst, most boring, pathetic excuse for a dynasty any sport has ever seen. I have one request for the Finals... BRING BACK JORDAN!!!

Now onto baseball. Justin Verlander threw a no hitter, congratulations to him. I just can't get as excited over no hitters anymore. Honestly, I can't get excited over any accomplishments made in MLB because of the steroids. This is the second no hitter of the year, and we should have three this season with Curt Schilling just missing out on one. I'll be impressed with a perfect game, not a no hitter. It's a great feat but its become to common.

Football's only headlines have been Michael Vick's involvement (or lack there of) in dog fighting, and Daunte Culpepper wanting to be released. I'll start with Vick, I have said it before on this blog you are innocent until proven guilty. Vick hasn't even been charged yet and the media has crucified him. I wish the media treated him the way they did McNabb. If that was true every week we'd hear how he is a fighter and will come through this. But it isn't true, so we'll hear about how "great" McNabb his, and how stupid Vick is. I have a problem with Daunte Culpepper. He asked the Dolphins to 'do the right thing' and release him. How about they invested all sorts of millions of dollars into you when many teams wouldn't. I think they have the right to do whatever the hell they damn well please with you. Other than make the team look horrible last year what did you do?

Hockey... do they still play it?

Lastly, I want to talk about a huge story that happened a couple of days ago in NASCAR. The biggest name in the sport, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has signed with Hendrick Motor Sports. That means Jeff Gordon and Jr. are going to be teammates. Two things are going to be a clear result of this. Jr's father is kicking and screaming in his grave, and Hendrick Motor Sports may very well win 80% of the races from now on. Imagine lining up with Jimmie Johnson, Dale Jr. and Jeff Gordon as your three key drivers? It is the same as having Peyton Manning hand off to LT, and just for insurance have Chad Johnson as the WR.

Famed NASCAR Driver Bill France, Jr. Dies [J. Mark English]

From the New York Times:

Bill France Jr., who took over Nascar from his father when it was a regional stock-car racing attraction and transformed it into a multibillion-dollar enterprise with a national presence, died Monday at his home in Daytona Beach, Fla. He was 74.

President Bush even took sometime today to recognize the life of Bill France, Jr. despite being all the way in Prague:

Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of Bill France Jr. Bill was a legend in the world of NASCAR whose passion and vision for stock-car racing led the sport to the national prominence it enjoys today.

Bill brought racing's excitement to millions of new fans through his steadfast and innovative leadership. Bill also helped ensure that the NASCAR community found many ways to support the men and women of the US Armed Forces. Our thoughts and prayers are with the France family.

Tony Stewart: Please Shut Up! [A.J. Cordi]

Seriously, this guy just won't shut up until he wins a race. Then, he'll probably find something wrong with the way he won (that is, if he wins.) He's finally gotten over not making the chase, but now has a new complaint for NASCAR. "Bogus" caution flags.

Stewart claims he refused to do any NASCAR interviews after the race to "avoid" insulting NASCAR. He then went on to say that NASCAR is "playing God" and started comparing the great racing sport to professional wrestling.

"I guess NASCAR thinks 'Hey, wrestling worked, and it was for the most part staged, so I guess it's going to work in racing, too,'" Stewart said on his satellite radio program.

But that wasn't the end of it. Before reading on, take note that if this had been in the NBA, he would probably be fined or suspended.

"They can almost dictate the race instead of the drivers doing it. It's happened too many times this year ...I can't understand how long the fans are going to let NASCAR treat them like they're stupid before the fans finally turn on NASCAR ...I don't know that they've run a fair race all year."

If that's not bad enough, Stewart actually had the nerve to say that him racing is not all about the money, but the integrity of the sport.

"When I feel our own sanctioning body isn't taking care of that, it's hard to support them and feel proud about being a driver in the Nextel Cup Series when they're throwing debris cautions," he said.

When is enough actually enough? When will he stop crying like a little girl and start acting like a professional? If he put as much effort into his racing as he does his useless and senseless complaining he might actually win a freakin' race!

By the way, good-job Stewart! That was great how you "avoided" insulting NASCAR!

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is Offered Majority Ownership of DEI [David Stefanini]

Junior got what he wanted; he wanted majority ownership of the company his father built and now it is his. I would be shocked if he declined this offer. At the beginning of the season Jr. wanted a bigger percentage of DEI. The current offer is questioned to be around 51%.

Jr. said there were "other things in the contract" that needed to be worked out. That shows his mind is not where it should be. Jr. should be worried about winning races and getting into the top 12. Right now he is not doing either. The contract talk and who will take over DEI can be addressed after the season.

Jr. needs to mature if he is going to win the Nextel Cup this year or any year in the near future. He has the world of NASCAR behind him, it's now up to him to prove to everyone he is the driver his father wanted.

Matt Kenseth Wins at California Speedway [David Stefanini]

From ESPN.com's Terry Blount:

Matt Kenseth won the Auto Club 500 for the second consecutive year Sunday at California Speedway.

Pole-winner Jeff Gordon finished second and teammate Jimmie Johnson was third.

Kenseth also won the Stater Bros. 300 Busch race on Saturday.

Comments:

Kenseth is obviously the dominating driver at this track. Last year he won this race, Saturday he won the Busch race, and now he completed the tri-fecta by winning on Sunday. Kenseth, who started the race 40th in the points, is going to get a huge lift in the point standings. With the new rules with the top 12 drivers going into a 10 race shoot-out, it does not matter who is leading the points now, but Kenseth is going to feel better when he looks at the standings tomorrow mourning and sees himself amoung the leaders.

Photos: Daytona 500 [J. Mark English]

Kevin Harvick Wins Daytona 500 [J. Mark English]

In his 23rd Daytona 500, Mark Martin came within .02 of a second of winning his first Daytona 500. Instead, Kevin Harvick completed the fourth Busch-Cup weekend sweep at Daytona. The win comes six years to the day this team lost its driver and NASCAR lost an icon, Dale Earnhardt. Behind Harvick and Martin, Harvick's Richard Childress Racing teammate Jeff Burton finished third and then all heck broke loose as several cars crashed and another RCR driver, Clint Bowyer, crossed the finish line on his hood in and was able to escape his car as it caught fire. - Fox Sports

2007 Daytona 500 Results

Race Results
POS	DRIVER	CAR	MAKE	LAPS	MONEY	START	LEAD	PTS	BONUS	PENALTY
1	Kevin Harvick	29	Chevrolet	202	$1,510,469	34	4	190	0	0
2	Mark Martin	01	Chevrolet	202	$1,102,258	26	26	175	0	0
3	Jeff Burton	31	Chevrolet	202	$819,216	7	0	165	0	0
4	Mike Wallace	09	Chevrolet	202	$615,658	22	0	160	0	0
5	David Ragan	6	Ford	202	$529,350	35	0	155	0	0
6	Elliott Sadler	19	Dodge	202	$407,153	30	0	150	0	0

Kevin Harvick Wins Daytona 300 [David Stefanini]

Kevin Harvick won the first race of the Busch Series this season. It is no shock he won the race because he ran away with the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series title.

It is not right what is happening in the Busch Series. You have NASCAR regulars, guys who not only race on the Nextel Circuit but also are winners. Kevin Harvick is a serious contender for the Nextel Cup title this season, why is he allowed to run in the Busch races. It is supposed to be like the minor leagues in baseball or the NBDL for the NBA. You do not see LeBron James going to the NBDL and dominating that league do you? You do not see Johan Santana going down to the minors and making everyone he goes up against look pitiful do you? Why is NASCAR allowing this to happen?

If they are going to let this happen they should just let the NASCAR regulars race twice a week and count it to the points two times a week.

Celebrities Weigh in on Daytona 500 [J. Mark English]

I have to go with a sentimental favorite and a driver long overdue for the big win: Bobby Labonte. - Lance Armstrong

I think my husband is going to win. - Ingrid Vandebosch, Jeff Gordon's wife

I'll go with Kasey Kahne because he is the local boy from Seattle. - Matt Hasselbeck Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks

How can I go with anybody but Jimmie Johnson? He has the same name as me. - Jimmy Johnson, NFL & College Football Championship Coach / FOX Analyst

Dale Jr., because there will be a sea of red at Daytona International Speedway willing him to the front of the draft. -Howie Mandel

I think Jeff Gordon will win. He's been really consistent over the years and he's always been one of the Top-10 racers-and I think he's going to pull it off. - Jonathan Vilma Linebacker, New York Jets

My colleagues and I recently had the pleasure of welcoming Jimmie Johnson to the Capitol to congratulate him on his success as NASCAR Champion. He is a gifted athlete, a great ambassador for the sport of NASCAR, and my pick to win the Daytona 500. - Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House

Kurt Busch...I've been following him since I moved to Charlotte and I've also had the chance to meet him and think he's in it for all the right reasons. He's all about winning. - Adam Morrison Forward, Charlotte Bobcats

Jeff Gordon is my man. He is always driving at the top of his game. I see Jeff adding another Daytona trophy to his HUGE trophy case. - Steve Harvey, host of the nationally syndicated radio show The Steve Harvey Morning Show

I think Jimmie Johnson will win the Daytona 500 because he's the man. - Desmond Howard, Superbowl XXXI MVP and 1991 Heisman Trophy Winner

No, I don't really have a prediction but I'm sure it'll be a great race. - O.J. Simpson, NFL Hall of Famer

Jimmie Johnson: He follows our program and comes to games now and then, and his wife is a Sooner. - Bob Stoops, head football coach, University of Oklahoma

The only Daytona 500 I went to, Sterling Marlin was the winner and he won in the Kodak car. I always liked him as a driver and he's going to win this year! - Keith Hernandez, Former New York Mets first baseman and current Mets broadcaster

I pull for Jeff Gordon because he is a San Francisco 49ers fan and I am showing him the same support he showed the 49ers. - Dwight Clark, Former San Francisco 49ers receiver, Infamous for "The Catch"

Jeff Gordon will win the Great American race and be back on top in 07. - Nicole Vaidisova, #5 in the 2007 WTA Tour

As a native of Daytona Beach, I'm always excited to see a safe and entertaining race that will make sports fans want to return to Daytona year after year. Of course, I'm going with Mark Martin, a resident of Daytona Beach. - Vince Carter Guard-Forward, New Jersey Nets

I personally think that Sterling Marlin is going to be the man to beat at the "Daytona 500" this year. Simply said, he is going to win it!!Sterling knows how to live life like he's got nothing to lose. He's got a real heavy foot, the heart of a warrior and he loves to have fun. Don't hurt a thing that he's driving a Chevy and he's proven over again he knows how to win on this track. And that's why my friend Sterling is gonna win the "Daytona 500. - Big Kenny of "Big and Rich" Grammy Nominated Country Duo

I am going with Tony Raines to win this year's Daytona 500 because of the great team owners he drives for and because my guitar tech knows his crew chief. -Brad Paisley, Country Music star (2006 CMA Album of the Year -- "Time Well Wasted")

I thought all the freaks, misfits, and outcasts lived in the Rock and Roll world, but after the great time we had when NASCAR came to New York in the fall, I know they're alive and well in racing world as well. And while I can't predict who will win Daytona, I have a special place in my heart for the Richard Childress Racing Team. - Steven Van Zandt, actor, rock and roll legend

Clint Bowyer will win. Those other guys, Dale and Jeff - they know what they gotta do if they think their kneecaps are helpful in their careers. - Steve Schirripa, actor (Bobby Bacalla on The Sopranos)

Casey Mears has a new team, new car, a winning crew chief and something to prove. He will win it. - Gilbert Arenas All-Star Guard, Washington Wizards

This is Dale Earnhardt's year. He's had success at this track many times and is motivated. It certainly helps that he is in the final year of his contract. - Scottie Pippen, Former Chicago Bulls Forward-Guard

Looking at years past, I like the DEI cars, mainly now, Dale Jr. I also like the Hendrick teams, mainly Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. But you can never count out Tony Stewart with the way he finished up last year. If I were going to pick one for Daytona, it would be Junior. With all that's going on with him at DEI, he will try to make a statement. - David Akers Kicker, Philadelphia Eagles

Daytona 500: 8 Days Away [David Stefanini]

The Super Bowl of racing is only 8 days away. The Daytona 500 is the first race in the Nascar Nextel Cup season and is the biggest race of them all. Every year 42 drivers start the race with a goal of winning and having their name said amongst past winners such as; Dale Jarret, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and others. So which driver is the early favorite this year to win the big race?

It seems the early favorite is Dale Earnhardt Jr. Daytona is a restrictor plate race track, thus Jr. has to be the favorite. For the past several years Jr. has become the dominating driver at this type of track. In 2004 he won the Daytona 500 and has continued his dominance in restrictor plate races. At one point he won three consecutive. Last season Jr. should have won a race at Talladega (also a restrictor plate race track) but was spun out on the final lap, all but ruining his chance at the Nextel Cup.

This year promises to be an exciting one with Jr. going after his first Nextel Cup, Jeff Gordon looking to re-capture his championship swagger, and Jimmie Johnson looking to repeat as champ.