Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot Chevrolet, sits in his car during practice for TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. (Photo credit: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images North America)

But then David Gilliland spun his #34 car and saved Tony from eventually succumbing to Denny Hamlin and going a lap down he was able to come in and get some major work done on his car that helped the handling.  Some pit strategy soon had Stewart battling Kevin Harvick for the lead, battling a little too hard because on the next caution Tony soon had to come in unscheduled because Stewart thought he felt a tire going down. This put Stewart back in the field again.

Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet, celebrates with his crew members after winning the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway . (Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images North America)

However, with four fresh tires and a fire in his belly (and some well timed cautions) Tony worked his way back up the field. Racing with Jeff Gordon, Tony discovered there was more grip on the outside then he though which gave him the confidence to pass Jimmie Johnson on the outside after the last caution.  Tony moved up to second in the points and is only 8 points behind the points leader Carl Edwards.  He is 13 points ahead of third place Kevin Harvick.

Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. (Photo Credit: by John Harrelson/Getty Images North America)

Notes on Martinsville:

1. While I absolutely LOVE Tony’s “We’re not giving up” radio battle cry while battling Denny Hamlin, I was also pretty fond of some chatter I found out about on twitter.  After Jr. turned Joey Logano and Logano said “He just turned me.” His crew chief Greg Zipadelli reportedly replied back with “I’m sick of this shit. You better grow some balls and take care of it.” LOVE it.
2. I am still of the mind that speeding at any point of pit road should not be tolerated.   Pit road at Martinsville is tight enough to begin with with the drivers speeding between the “speed traps” it is only putting the crew members at greater risk. I think NASCAR really needs to add more of the “traps” to each pit road and randomize which ones will be used during any point during a particular round of pit stops.
3. Speaking of tight pit quarters, Sean Irvan, the jackman from the #38 car was treated and released from a Martinsville area hospital for injuries suffered when struck on pit road by Mark Martin during pit stops. He suffered a concussion (and loss of consciousness) neck and knee injuries.
4. I loved Marty Smith’s pre-race interview with Brad Keselowski. Marty really does some of the best interviews around in my opinion both on camera and written.
5. I love the Toyota commercial with Kyle Busch where he pulls into the puts and the crew changes his car from his NASCAR to a street car. It’s a cool commercial all-around, but my favorite part is at the end when Kyle’s singing along to Loverboy’s Working For The Weekend and he gets out of synch with the lyrics and while the lyric he should be singing is “everybody wants a little romance” he actually sings the lyric from a little further in the song so he actually sings “everybody needs a second chance.”  I LOVE that on so many levels. I mean honestly who doesn’t get the lyrics wrong some time. And there is just something apropos about needing a second chance. LOVE IT.
6. Speaking of loving it…I love this picture of Tony signing autographs in the garage:

Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/El Monterey Chevrolet, signs autographs in the garage prior to practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. (Photo Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images North America)

Next weekend is TEXAS.  #KeepDiggingTony and Stewart Haas Racing!

Ok- who ever decided that Jimmie Johnson should switch to the number 5 for the all-star race? That confused my feeble mind- and I can’t imagine that others might have been confused too- especially if they happened into the race without watching pre-race.  I understand the concept behind why it was done (to promote sponsor Lowe’s 5% off program) but Jimmie is the 48.  And forget about trying to find Mark Martin’s car at a quick glance- 25 with a different sponsor made it impossible.

Speaking of alternate paint schemes Tony was running the yellow burger king paint scheme. I also found it hard to find on track, no doubt because my brain is trained to look for RED (after years of being trained to scan for orange) but I liked it because I have a thing for yellow cars:

(Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images North America)

Speaking of Stewart-Haas Racing- The #14 pit crew made it all the way too the semi-finals of the All Star Pit Crew Challenge and the number 14 pit crew picked up THREE individual awards! Go Team 14! Special congratulations to Mike Casto (Jackman), Rick Pigeon (Gas Can), and Ryan Flores (Second Gas Can) on their individual awards!

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images North America)

Notes on the All-Star Race:

1. To make the All-Star race a little more exciting I have a suggestion: Make the 10 minute stop earlier in the race, change it to a 5 minute stop and require that drivers get out of the car and stand at a specific place on the pit wall.  At the end of the five minutes, fire a gun and require drivers to run to their car to strap themselves in and take off from the pits, like a teeny footrace combined with a standing start.  Okay…I kid. Kinda. In all seriousness though?  I think the segments should be cut down to two- trying to force strategy doesn’t work.
2. If you, like me, where wondering what the heck happened to Jeff Gordon during that last pit stop? Apparently his tire carrier got clipped by teammate Jimmie Johnson who was exciting thus destroying his pit stop.

Ok and I just have to share with you this photo from the All-Star Race qualifying. I think it is an AWESOME pose. Between his stance, his expression and the angle of the photo he looks totally like he’s striking a superhero pose, don’t you think?

Anyone got a witty superhero-esque caption?? (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images North America)

My favorite part of the Mother’s Day weekend race is ALWAYS the command to start engines because it is given by a bunch of the driver’s moms! I LOVE that part.

Tony Stewart and his mom, Pam Boas, at driver introductions for the Southern 500 at Darlington (photo Credit: CIA Stock Photography, Inc.- borrowed from Tony Stewart facebook page)

I tried to find a picture of the mothers all lined up for the command- but darned if I could find one from this year (I did find one from last year’s race though).

So can we talk about how AWESOME Tony’s run was at the beginning of the race? He seemed extremely happy with the balance on the car.  After starting the race 9th, he quickly moved up into the top five and ran mostly in the top three for much of the race.  It was so encouraging- that despite two pit stop problems (one nearly missed pit box and one problem with one of the tires) they remained in the top ten through out much of the race.  Then it happened- Darian called Tony in for a green flag pit stop- which went flawless.  And then as soon as Tony was back out on the track the yellow flag waved for debris from Mark Martin blowing a tire and instantly Tony was a lap down.

Tony Stewart pits the #14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SHOWTIME Southern 500 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America)

Since he had just pitted Tony was able to take the wave around and went from being a lap down to THE LAST CAR on the lead lap- 20th with only 80 something laps left. Did you hear someone cursing a blue streak? Well that was me (and probably a throng of other Stewart fans joining in).

However, a little luck and determination would bring the Office Depot/Mobil 1 team from that last car on the lead lap position up through the field .  First just fighting his way through traffic Tony was pretty much stuck right around 17th position.  However when a late race caution came out- Darian told Tony that they would do the OPPOSITE of what the majority of the cars in front of them would do. If they pitted- Tony was to stay out. If they stayed out Darian would call Tony into the pits.  A majority of the cars came in for fresh tires.  Tony stayed out.  This brought him up to 3rd- but with old tires with 20 laps or so left.  Tony fought hard to maintain his position but with all that fresh rubber behind him he eventually fell back.  He ended up finishing 7th.  He is 7th in the points.

Race winner was Regan Smith who fought off Carl Edwards for the win. Carl Edwards remains the series points leader.

Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images North America)

Notes About Darlington:

• So at the very beginning of the race weekends all fans heard about was the Ryan Newman / Juan Pablo Montoya carry over from Richmond- with much speculation about what happened in the NASCAR trailer between the two (there were reports of a physical altercation between the drivers). Then at the end of the race there is the dust up between Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick.  I think that mostly that was just “Boys Have At It” and honestly- I am fine with that.  Should Kyle have thought twice before pushing Harvick’s car? Yes- he was putting people in danger because pushing the 29 car out of his way jump-started Harvick’s car caused it to careen into the pit wall where tons of personnel were working (not to mention the crew members and officials on foot making their way to the dust up).  Do I think it’s something that Kyle should be penalized for? Probably not.
• Too bad Darian doesn’t have a crystal ball…then he might be able to predict things.  Seriously this year has been lousy for luck like that.  I could tell Tony wasn’t thrilled about what had happened- but it was good that he didn’t take it out on Darian either.
• Don’t forget to read Misty’s Mid Season Report Card on the new points system.

Next week is The Monster Mile- Dover on Sunday.

And don’t forget to enter the Office Depot Official Small Business of NASCAR contest over at OfficeDepotRacing.com:

Tony Stewart's car that will race at the Southern 500 at Darlington will carry information on how you can become the Official Small Business of NASCAR (photo credit: Action Sports Photography)

Congratulations to race winner Matt Kenseth.

Notes:

• NASCAR on FOX got on my bad side during the post-race- Chris Meyer’s stated they would speak with Tony Stewart and then they NEVER did. URG.
• I don’t know what is going on with Tony’s team- but I can only hope that they are getting this bad stretch out of their system early so we can totally ROCK the rest of the season.  Not only is it: #goTonyGo but it’s #goTeam14go!
• So I felt a little bad for Carl Edwards- driving while not feeling so hot during the race.  That can’t be fun.  But then he threw his mom “under the bus” by blaming her cooking for it on national TV.  That made me wince.  I am sure he didn’t think about it before he said it- but wow…I think you probably owe your mom a HUGE mother’s day present now Carl.
• What was with everyone playing bumper cars in the pits during the race? That was crazy.
• Why is there no SAFER barrier on the inside wall where Mark Martin hit?  Texas should consider installing some.

Unfortunately it’s not like we can even relax next weekend- for it’s the race I watch every year through my fingers! It’s DEGA baby.

Of course we worked all of our fun around watching the race.  I admit I was a wee bit worried that it would rain all night in Daytona and our Sunday plans would have been ruined- but luckily they were able to get the race underway with just a 90 minute delay for a thunderstorm that passed through.

There I go getting ahead of myself though- so while I was out and about something happened during practice and Tony ended up wrecking in the primary car and resorting to a back up car.  One of the things that irritates me the most about Daytona is the fact that one lap my driver can be running 5th and the next 35th…all depending on how the draft was working out.   Tony was working his car towards the front of the race and even led the race twice (yey for bonus points for leading a lap) only to be caught up in “The BIG ONE” on lap 148 pf the race.  This “Big One” was aptly named because 19 cars were involved in the accident.  It was huge.  Although if you were watching the TNT race coverage you would think that the only car that was on fire was Mark Martins.  Nope…as Misty said…I guess Tony’s Burger King sponsored car took “flame broiled” a bit too literal:

Tony Stewart bursts into flames after a late race crash in turn three during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida on July 3, 2010. UPI Photo/Malcolm Hope Photo via Newscom

That picture caption up there is NOT something I wrote …I just had to point that out- they are written by the source of the photos…because I would have never worded it “Tony Stewart bursts into flames” because that makes it sound like the man spontaneously combusted or something….I just had to clarify that.  Anyway, those flames look like they are right on my name. My name was probably all melted and charred.

After seeing a photo like that you might be surprised to know that Tony’s pit crew did an awesome job fixing up the 14 Burger King chevy and were actually able to get him back on the track.  You might be surprised to find this out because TNT never really mentioned it at all.

Tony Stewart, driver of the Burger King Chevrolet, drives after being involved in a crash during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 3, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

You can see from the above picture that the crew got Tony’s car back out on the track- granted it didn’t look the same.  From the Tony Stewart  Facebook race report:

“Really proud of everyone on this race team,” said Stewart, who started ninth after qualifying was rained out on Friday and the field was set by car owner points. “Everyone had a role and they worked quickly and efficiently to get me back out to make enough laps to where we ended up picking up a lot of positions. Little things like that make a big difference.”

I think Tony and the whole #14 crew should be really proud of getting back onto the track and not giving up and just loading up the hauler and heading back up to Charlotte.  Tony was able to gain back several positions (7!) and really didn’t too much of a hit in the points. Tony finished the race 25th and is currently 9th in points.  Race winner was Kevin Harvick. Notes About Daytona:

• TNT’s Wide Open Coverage? Kind of stinks when you have a small TV. I am just saying.  I also find it kind of stressful because I don’t feel I have a moment’s break.
• Speaking of TNT- you know what was kind of sucktastic about the broadcast?  That they never really talked about Tony after “the big one” and honestly they didn’t really talk too much about him before it.  But the only thing I heard about Tony was “Tony Stewart (long pause that made Misty look over at me with a worried look) released from the infield care center.” Yep that is all they said.  It would have been nice to grab a look at the team repairing the car in the garage or maybe the car as it rolled back out onto the track or something…anything.
• I forgot how FUN it is to watch a race with Misty. She is competitive and it definitely spills over into her NASCAR loving.
• My favorite moment from the race was watching the Lowe’s pit crew guys drag Mark Martin from his burning car…it was so brave and yes I know they are teammates but I bet they wouldn’t have done it not matter who it was. Good thing  Mark Martin is on the smallish side and was probably a bit easier to help get out of the car!
• Did anyone else catch the Burger King commercial about Tony actually working at a Burger King? I have looked ALL OVER for more information on this and haven’t found any. Let me know if you come across any information…I would love to write about this.
• I also wanted to pass along this article from Raygan Swan at NASCAR.com about a woman who got her minivan skinned by Newman sponsor TORNADOS as well as got to visit him in Daytona…it’s a great read.

Next week: Chicago at Night! Whoo!

I admit it…I have a competitive streak a country mile wide.  Some say it is due to my astrological sign (Fierce Leo- ROAR!), but I simply don’t get all the people who don’t feel the same desire, no need to win.  The need not only to win, but to decimate your opponent, whether in a debate, a feverish game of Monopoly, a rousing episode of Jeopardy or on the track.  I not only want to win, I want to crush my opponent so there can be no doubt who the King or Queen of the Jungle is (there is that Leo again, ROAR!).  Whatever it is that gives me this irrepressible desire to obliterate, it also draws me to NASCAR.  The competition, yes, but more importantly the individual competition where at the end of the day there is a single victor proving dominance.
 
Of course my competitve nature also raises my stress level to scary levels and transforms me into a sailor many Sunday afternoons when my driver isn’t winning.  It took me a long time to accept that my guy isn’t going to win every weekend and big picture points is as important as the individual races.  I am particularly disconcerted when certain drivers are ahead of my guy:  certain drivers being drivers that my friends or co-workers root for.  It is like it is a personal competition between me and them and having their driver finish ahead of mine, is a personal defeat.  If I am at a race, and the guy in front of me is wearing a Bobby Labonte shirt, then my mission becomes to finish ahead of Labonte or whoever this poor sucker in front of me is supporting, all so that at the end of the race I can smugly think to myself “ha- I win!”  I can bask in my silent victory celebration in my own mind!  Crazy?  Probably.  Competitive and cut-throat?  Without a doubt!
 
All of this digression to set the stage for the horror I felt this weekend at Bristol when I heard Mark Martin ask his spotter to ask Kurt Busch’s spotter if Kurt would “let” Mark lead a lap to get his five bonus points, so that they could both stop racing so hard.  Well… all I can say is- never before have I said this and I never thought I would, but Kudos to the Blue Deuce for NOt accepting Mr. Martin’s offer.  From my perspective on my couch, it did not appear that Kurt was in any danger of losing the lead or running his tires off, so why on earth would he agree to such a deal.  That flies in the face of the competitive nature of the sport and is sheer madness in my opinion!  First of all, where is the competition in such an “arrangement”?!  Secondly, how much of a schmuck would Kurt look like come this summer if Mark bests him for a spot in the Chase by a few points?  Points that Kurt more or less would have given him in such a deal. 
 
Racing is about competition and dominance not sharing and taking turns- this isn’t kindergarten guys!  If you can race for the lead great- do it, if you can’t, perhaps you can steal those five bonus points with a strategy move- stay out a little longer next caution – but don’t ask to be given the points!  As one of my new favorite t-shirts says, Go! Race! Win! ROAR!

In case you didn’t know, Joey won his first NASCAR SPRINT CUP pole today.  Exciting right? He SHOULD be excited.  Winning your first pole has got to be a good feeling.

However Joey is not receiving the usual Coors Light Pole award.  Why? Because Joey is only 19 years old.  You might remember me mentioning both last year and this year during the Budweiser Shoot Out position draw that Joey’s crew chief, Greg Zipadelli, would draw Joey’s bottle (the position numbers for the Shoot Out are drawn by picking a bottle of Budweiser containing a flag with the starting number on it).  This was due to the fact that Joey is underage.

So instead of the Coors Light Pole award, Joey gets the 21 Means 21 pole award.  I just find it kind of funny.  I can only imagine that Joey can not WAIT to turn 21 so he can pick his own Bud Shoot Out bottle and that they don’t have to change the name of the pole winner award so he can accept it.

It was also pointed out to me that Mark Martin was going for his 50th pole award (and if I remember correctly there was something about him tying or beating a record from Cale Yarborough too) at Bristol.  And it’s pretty damn ironic that Mark Martin is old enough to be Logano’s father….

Anyway congratulations to Joey and the Home Depot team on their first pole…no matter what they call it.