Right Sides Only

NASCAR hits the Dirty South one more time this week when they storm into Atlanta Motor Speedway. No glitter rock and roll for this Labor Day weekend show. The official 'end of summer' race returns to the Southeast this year. Not quite Darlington, but laps ahead of Fontana.

The Cup series just enjoyed it's last weekend off for the rest of their year. Twelve straight races will determine this year's champion. Atlanta, and Richmond next week, will set the playoff field for the Chase.

I have to take one last look back at last week's debacle in Montreal. Stock cars are not meant to race in the rain! Especially last week when three quarters of the race were run under fair conditions for all drivers. Then, the rain tires went on and the race was turned upside down. Just like driving on the interstate in the rain, the moron up front who hits the brakes, unexpectedly, comes away with no damage. The cars behind him pay the price in lost points, damged equipment, and, in the near future, injuries. If Kyle Busch had stole this race instead of Carl Edwards, everyone would be calling for the end of rain tires in NASCAR.

Brad Keselowski signed to drive the #12 Cup car for Penske next year. Let's see, he's leaving the best NNS team to go drive the third car for a second rate Cup team. Bradley, only one driver has ever improved or had any success after leaving HMS. And he's in a lot better ride than you're getting in. Talented Penske developmental drivers, Parker Kliggerman and Justin Algaier, will be ready to take over at your first signs of struggle. When that happens, don't expect Rick to return your calls....out of sight, out of mind.

RCR and Kevin Harvick announced that they are staying together---at least untill the kids are out of school. Harvick has been disruptive for months now as he tried to force Richard Childress to let him leave early. Happy and Richard both put on a happy face when they announced this rededication to winning. Don't look for Kev to be smiling if RCR doesn't come out of the gate fast in February.

For the first time in the last 568 races, Bobby Labonte won't be starting a Cup event. RFR driver Erik Darnell will bring sponsorship to the #96 HOFR Ford for seven of the last twelve races. Labonte is one race behind Jeff Gordon is current consecutive starts. Hopefully some team will see the fire still burns---- and the past champ's provisional doesn't hurt either--- and put Labonte in a competitive car.

Danica Patrick visited the SHR shops, again last week. Her tour guide was none other than Tony Stewart himself. She also visited the office of Mike Hanner: PI. Seems she also wants to see more of Victoria Lane. Hanner threw her out. I guess he's still not drinking.

David Stremme and Paul Menard both make their 100th Cup start at Atlanta. Both are still gunning for that first win. Three more NASCAR crewmen have been suspended for drug violations. Among them was Gary St Amant, former driver, turned crew chief in the Truck Series. Say it ain't so Bluebird!

Darrell Waltrip is forcing a Canadien memorabilia shop to change it's name from Boogity Sportswear. The owner opened the shop, then named Boogity, Boogity, Racing, in 2001---- four years before DW trademarked his lame ass catch phrase. DW should be thanking the guy for being the only one in North America that thinks that's a cool name for a store.