Race Day NASCAR Pictures: Pure Michigan 400 at MIS
by BethAnne, Special To NASCAR commentary and driver pictures, 2012 NASCAR schedule, video, Bench Racing With Steve and Charlie
I am the field producer/photographer of the syndicated radio show/website ON PIT ROW. When Steve and Charlie ask me to 'jump', I say "Yeah right."
September 4, 2011 9:59 pm UTC 1 CommentExclusive NASCAR photos from Sunday at Michigan Speedway
Michigan is always hot on race weekend at MIS. Sunday was no different. Hot weather and hot action on the track too.
- #16 Greg Biffle #32 Kenny Schrader turn 2 Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #11 Denny Hamlin #9 Marcos Ambrose turn 1 Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #2 Brad Keselowski #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr #24 Jeff Gordon turn 2 Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #5 Mark Martin #18 Kyle Busch #33 Clint Bowyer #56 Martin Truex Jr #14 Tony Stewart turn 1 Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #17 Matt Kenseth turn 2 Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #20 Joey Logano turn 2 Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #24 Jeff Gordon #4 Kasey Kahne turn 1 Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #48 Jimmie Johnson #20 Joey Logano turn 1 Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #51 Landon Cassill #38 Travis Kvapil #36 Bave Blaney Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr #24 Jeff Gordon #39 Ryan Newman turn 1 Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #2 Brad Keselowski turn 2 Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #24 Jeff Gordon #22 Kurt Busch turn 2 Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #42 Juan Pablo Montoya #83 Brian Vickers turn 2 Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #14 Tony Stewart turn 2 Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- Pitstop in turn 1 Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #4 Kasey Kahne pitstop Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #22 Kurt Busch pitstop Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
- #36 Dave Blaney pitstop Michigan International Speedway heisler sum 11
Photo credit: BethAnne Heisler – OnPitRow.com
Looks Like a Chevy vs Toyota Showdown at Talladega
by Charlie Turner
Thanks for stopping by OnPitRow.com and the Bench Racing with Steve and Charlie blog. The best NASCAR and IndyCar news and opinion, exclusive pictures and video. I'm Charlie Turner. Follow me on Twitter @onpitrow
October 30, 2010 7:57 pm UTC No Comments
Juan Pablo Montoya took his second career pole at Talladega Super Speedway and along with Clint Bowyer, gave Chevy the front row and six of the top eight spots on the grid.
Earlier, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota drivers Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch topped 201 MPH (lap average speed) in practice, while drafting together – which they just may do some on Sunday in the race.
The AMP Energy Juice 500 shapes up to be Fast and Fabulous, as are most races at the big track. Despite a nice qualifying showing by the Penske Racing Dodges of Kurt Busch (3rd) Sam Hornish Jr and Brad Keselowski (10th and 11th), the Racing for Glory this week shapes up to be between the Bow-tie camp and the Rice Burners.
With lots of three and four wide action, there will be plenty of the old Rubbing’s Racing talk during and after this one. And there is bound to be a big wreck or two. Maybe the Fords can shake their problems and the Dodges are for real. It is Halloween after all. Strange things do happen.
Talk of Danica in NASCAR Won’t Go Away
by Steve Wronkowicz
I am co-host of the syndicated radio show: ON PIT ROW. Over ten years on the air and three on the net; see what can happen when I don't let the facts get in the way of my opinions.
October 6, 2009 8:05 am UTC No CommentsDanica Patrick signed a three year contract with Andretti-Green Racing to continue running in the IRL and the talk of her moving to NASCAR stopped….for a few weeks.
Now new information is coming from Hendrick Motorsports and it’s Nationwide satellite team JR Motorsports that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Danica Patrick may be working together in 2010. Patrick and Earnhardt are looking at their connection with sponsor GoDaddy.com as a way to make the IRL darling a part of NASCAR.
Patrick could run Chevys out of the Hendrick/Earnhardt stable in selected events in 2010 when not running in the IRL. Selected ARCA events could also be on the slate to move her along the fast track into stock cars full time when her IRL contract is concluded.
A lot has been written about Patrick’s purported move to NASCAR and each time the “leverage” angle pops up. Many believe her talking with NASCAR owners is nothing more than a tactic to increase her paycheck from her IRL suitors.
Danica is a force to be reckoned with regardless of which series she runs. Wins are not the total factor in determining her value to a series. You only have to look at her perspective car owner to see that. While Earnhardt has struggled at the track for two years, his fan base has never wavered.
Bring Danica into the fold and let her learn the right way. Put her in good equipment in the Nationwide and ARCA series and let her fans swarm the race tracks.
This week’s BUZZ ON PIT ROW is:
Now that Danica has an IRL contract; can her entry into NASCAR be considered legitimate?
Let us know what you think and we could use your answer on this week’s ON PIT ROW radio show. Listen live every Tuesday at 5pm ET. Your call could win you a Kevin Harvick bobblehead if you are the Shell-Fuel my Passion call of the day. Call the show live at 1-800-645-2946 or send a tweet to @onpitrow.
Fast Laps: Infineon
by Matt Mercer, Special To NASCAR commentary and driver pictures, 2012 NASCAR schedule, video, Bench Racing With Steve and Charlie
I'm the former blogger of The Catfish Show NASCAR Blog and a contributor to On Pit Row. Follow me on Twitter: @mattmercer
June 17, 2009 11:49 pm UTC 3 Comments
Back in black,
I hit the sack,
I’ve been too long I’m glad to be back…
Fast Laps is back, with a new writer hoping to continue what Charlie and The Idiot have started here. I’m Matt Mercer, a contributor to Bench Racing and I’ve got the green light for some Fast Laps on the way to wine country. The road course “ringers” have become less of a factor than in the past. Only cars concerned with the top 35 are turning to them now. One that will enter the race, Ron Fellows in the #09, could be a sleeper if it’s one of the Hendrick Chevys and not a Finch Dodgepodge. Patrick Carpentier will try and put the Napa Toyota near the front, which is ironic since in his open-wheel days he was considered an oval specialist. Go figure.
Let’s get to the questions and comments, but be warned I’m going to have some different rules. Instead of 100 words or less per question, I’m limiting your responses to 100 words to answer all 4 questions. Got it? 100 words or less or I’ll beat you with Steve’s microphone.
Also, don’t forget to answer the new Checkered Flag question: there’s no word limit at the checkers, so get creative and follow up on your answers. All of us at On Pit Row enjoy debate so bring it on.
1. Is this the year that Mark Martin wins that elusive championship?
2. Brian France talked about more foreign manufacturers entering NASCAR, provided they have production facilities in the United States. Those companies are Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, BMW, and Mercedes. Which of these companies would dedicate the efforts necessary to compete in NASCAR?
3. Will the Camping World Truck Series survive? Could the series “merge” with the Nationwide Series or disband altogether?
4. Can a US-based Formula One team achieve any real success?
Checkered Flag: What is Marc Davis’ future? Will he solidify a competitive ride or will his career follow Bill Lester’s trajectory?
Photo credit: Icon Sports Media
Kyle Busch Wins Food City 500–While Earnhardt Fans are left to Wonder
by Steve Wronkowicz
I am co-host of the syndicated radio show: ON PIT ROW. Over ten years on the air and three on the net; see what can happen when I don't let the facts get in the way of my opinions.
March 23, 2009 8:56 pm UTC 3 CommentsJoe Gibbs Racing teammates Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin battled past the scheduled end at Bristol.
Hamlin was chasing Busch when JGR rookie Joey Logano blew an engine causing the race to finish in a green-white-checkers fashion. Busch dominated the race, leading the most laps, on his way to a second consecutive win.
While the Gibbs boys were on their way to a one-two finish, a trio of Hendrick Motorsport drivers were busy finishing in the top six. Jeff Gordon took his fourth place finish and continues to lead the Sprint Cup standings. Jimmie Johnson finished third while leading 88 laps, second only to race winner Busch. Mark Martin started on the pole for the second week in a row and finished sixth.
Missing in the Hendrick good finishes again was Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Junior took his Chevrolet to a respectable 14th place finish. But when your teammates finish in the top six, more is expected from the fourth driver. When that success doesn’t happen regularly, questions begin to be raised. The restless start calling for heads to be put on chopping blocks.
Check out Charlie’s post: Earnhardt, Jr. to Dump Eury, Jr: Signs may be Pointing that Way. Charlie chronicles comments by Jeff Hammond about the lack of success coming from the cousin combo.
Which gives us this week’s BUZZ ON PIT ROW:
Whose decision should it be whether to replace Tony Eury, Jr?
Let us know what you think and we may use your comments on this week’s ON PIT ROW radio show. Listen live from 5-7pm ET Tuesdays here. Call in to The Bench Racing Hotline at 800-645-2946
Photo credit: Icon Sports Media
Win a Great New DVD: Dale Earnhardt’s 10 Greatest Wins from A&E
by Charlie Turner
Thanks for stopping by OnPitRow.com and the Bench Racing with Steve and Charlie blog. The best NASCAR and IndyCar news and opinion, exclusive pictures and video. I'm Charlie Turner. Follow me on Twitter @onpitrow
November 7, 2008 12:24 am UTC 9 Comments
A & E Home Video has another of their terrific NASCAR DVD collections out and we have five sets to give away to worthy OnPitRow.com readers. Dale Earnhardt Sr fans especially need to jump on this one. Here’s what A&E has to say about their latest masterpiece.
He was called ”The Intimidator”, ”The Man in Black”, and”Mr. Restrictor Plate.” He was a champion, a mentor, a hero, and a true American icon who was perhaps the greatest driver of all time - Dale Earnhardt - and the mention of his name provokes powerful emotions in race fans around the world.
On October 28, A&E Home Video and NASCAR® Media Group unveiled DALE EARNHARDT 10 GREATEST WINS, a commemorative souvenir that provides both a tribute to the icon’s competitive fire and a showcase that displays the essence of a hard-driving, world-class champion. Featuring the most memorable wins of the driver that defined NASCAR and etched his place in history, this unprecedented 5-disc collector’s set is a must-have for any racing fan.
Across 10 classic races, celebrate the man in the bucket seat, from his first very first checkered flag behind the wheel of his legendary black #3 Chevrolet, through his final victory — with some historic, mind-bending, memory-making, heart-pounding races in between! Buckle up and let ‘em rip!
The 10 featured races in this collection, include:
1984 Talladega 500, Talladega Superspeedway First win driving #3
1987 The Winston, Charlotte Motor Speedway Fearless? Innovative? The Pass in the Grass
1989 Southern 500, Darlington Raceway victory over Darrell Waltrip; Ralph Earnhardt was inducted into the Darlington Hall of Fame the Thursday before the race
1993 Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte Motor Speedway 1st race to finish under the lights; 2 penalties, lap down, victory over Jeff Gordon
1995 Busch Clash, Daytona International Speedway sixth and final Clash victory for Dale Earnhardt
1995 Brickyard 400, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Earnhardt enters the victory lane of this world-renowned track
1995 Save Mart Supermarkets 300, Sears Point Raceway First and only road course win
1998 Daytona 500, Daytona International Speedway Finally! After 20 years on the legendary track, Dale takes the flag and his first Daytona
2000 Cracker Barrel 500, Atlanta Motor Speedway Guts and Glory – a photo-finish victory over Bobby Labonte
2000 Winston 500, Talladega Superspeedway - Driving hard, he moved from 18th to 1st over the final three laps to capture his final victory
When #3 took to the track, fans stood, cheered and watched his every move. This definitive piece of memorabilia, from arguably one of racing’s greatest and most beloved champions, will help keep Earnhardt’s memory alive for future generations of racing fans.
Bonus feature: Exclusive footage of Dale and his father Ralph’s induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
So, how do I enter, you ask? Here’s how. In the comment section of this post, tell us your most memorable Earnhardt moment. You don’t have to be a fan of Senior. It could be your own favorite Earnhardt win or maybe the thing he did that so ticked you off, that you hated him from that moment on. Just tell us a story.
And here’s how you win. The folks at A & E Home Videos have provided us with five copies of the DALE EARNHARDT 10 GREATEST WINS DVD set. We’ll use our random drawing method to determine the five winners from the comments submitted. We will stop taking entries at 11:59 pm CST on Friday November 28, 2008. Good luck!


























