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Tony Stewart Vampire Slayer

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, 2011 12:22 pm CST No Comments

With his win in the 2011 AAA Texas 500 Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway, Tony Stewart cut Carl Edward’s Chase to the Sprint Cup lead to 3 just points.

Smoke has won four of the eight 2011 Chase races, including the last two. And even though Edwards leads in the standings, it is the Stewart wins at Martinsville and Texas that have driven a spike through the heart of Jimmie Johnson’s six year reign of NASCAR terror.

Put the garlic away NASCAR Nation - Count Johnson is dead - metaphorically. Even Jeff Gordon will be able to sleep at night again - actually.

What? You think I’m over reacting? With 30 laps to go at TMS whom do you think Stewart and Jack Roush were watching closer - Kevin Harvick and The Kez, or Count Five Time?

But it’s over. The people of Transylvania and Dixie can open their windows at night and turn on the Speed Channel again. No more Sunday nightmares. California Dreamin’ will be sung by the Beach Boys again, not Chad and Jimmie.

But seriously, Johnson and the #48 team had an unbelievable run, there’s nothing supernatural about it. Just a great team, and a magic time. I just have one question.

Has anybody ever seen Johnson’s reflection in a mirror?

Photo credit: Round girl Cyndi by BethAnne Heisler for OnPitRow.com

Filed under: Brad Kesolowski, Carl Edwards, Chase for the Cup, Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, NASCAR, Roush Racing, Sprint Cup Series, Stewart Haas Racing, Tony Stewart, jimmie johnson

Tagged with: AAA Texas 500

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5 More Years! 5 More Years!

by Charlie Turner

September 2, 2011 12:57 pm CDT 1 Comment

The news that Rick Hendrick has agreed to extend the contract of Dale Earnhardt Jr for five more years is no surprise. It should be music to the ears of Junior Nation as well, since there is no place else where NASCAR’s most popular driver has a better chance to get back to winning than at Hendrick Motorsports.

But can he?

Junior has one win - and that on a fuel strategy gamble at Michigan Speedway - in his HMS, Sprint Cup career. He currently sits ninth in Sprint Cup Series points, a precarious spot to be in, without a win or two. If he falls from the top ten, he won’t make the Chase. Again.

Everybody likes Junior. Well, most everyone. For fans, he brings an honest, down-to-earth air to the sport. You don’t get much “Driver Speak” from him. And he wears his frustration where we can see it. Kind of vulnerable. Chicks dig that, I’m told.

Owners dig that they don’t have to worry about sponsorship on Earnhardt’s car. Every team is looking for money. But that won’t be an issue on the #88. Ever.

And NASCAR still seems to peg their popularity to the success of that #88. Early this season, when TV ratings were up a bit, we heard many anecdotal opinions that said - “No wonder. Junior’s doing well…”. I have doubts about that being the reason. But it sure isn’t because of the economy.

So here’s to five more years. Go get ‘em Junior.

Photo credit: Glenn Bure - OnPitRow.com

Filed under: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR, NASCAR Bidness, NASCAR business

Tagged with: #88, Junior

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Jeff Gordon’s Drive for Five Alive

by Charlie Turner

February 11, 2011 8:57 pm CST 2 Comments

Who has the best chance to dethrone Jimmie Johnson?

Denny Hamlin or Kevin Harvick? Carl Edwards or maybe Kyle Busch?

I think it might be Alan Gustafson.

Gustafson - most recently the crew chief for Mark Martin’s Hendrick Motorsport effort - has a new driver.

Four time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon is the new guy in the shop. And I like the pairing.

Back in November, when HMS announced the driver swaps of the 25, 5 and 88 teams, Gordon said all the expected things.

“I’m certainly looking forward to working with Alan,” Gordon said. “I’ve known Alan for a number of years, always respected him and I guess in the back of my mind, I always thought it would be kind of cool to work with him. It’s a great opportunity.”

Whatever. Something had to change on the Jeff Gordon/Steve Letarte team. They had a good year but….

Good ain’t great enough.

Gotta win races. And at least one more Cup.

The drive for five. Used to belong to Gordon. Now that Jimmie Johnson has his five, it might again be the anthem of the 39 year old.

And I think he might be able to do it. With Alan Gustafson.

Photo credit: Jordan Tabak - OnPitRow.com

Filed under: Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, NASCAR, Sprint Cup Series, jimmie johnson

Tagged with: Alan Gustafson, drive for five, Steve Letarte

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NASCAR Pictures: Fast Finishing Carl Edwards Looks Good in ‘11

by BethAnne, Special To NASCAR commentary and driver pictures, 2011 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."

January 10, 2011 5:30 pm CST 1 Comment

Exclusive NASCAR Driver Photos: Carl Edwards 2010

2010 was not a Ford year in the Sprint Cup Series. Roush Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports and others never put together anything threatening to the Hendick Motorsports - RCR Chevies or the Joe Gibbs Toyotas. But three Roush Fords made the 2010 Chase to the Sprint Cup and Carl Edwards finished strong enough to earn Charlie’s early 2011 Sprint Cup champ call. Here are some of my favorite 2010 photos of Carl Edwards.

: Carl Edwards smiling at Michigan International Speedway

: Carl Edwards being spontaneous at Michigan International Speedway

: Carl Edwards answering questions at presser Michigan International Speedway

: Carl Edwards at Indianapolis Motorspeedway 10

: Carl Edwards Michigan International Speedway press spring 10

: Carl Edwards leaving pits Indianapolis Motorspeedway 10

: Carl Edwards pit stop Texas Motorspeedway

: Carl Edwards celebrating Sprint cup win Phoenix International Raceway 10

: Carl Edwards Sprint win Phoenix International Raceway with big hammer

: #60 Carl Edwards Nationwide at Michigan International Speedway 10

: Carl Edwards preparing for flip Phoenix International Raceway Nationwide 10

: Carl Edwards landing Phoenix International Raceway ationwide 10

: Carl Edwards Phoenix International Raceway win 10

: Carl Edwards trophy Phoenix International Raceway 10

Photo credit: BethAnne Heisler for OnPitRow.com

Filed under: Carl Edwards, Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, NASCAR, NASCAR photos, Richard Childress Racing, Roush Racing

Tagged with: NASCAR pictures

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NASCAR Pictures: 5 Time Jimmie Johnson

by BethAnne, Special To NASCAR commentary and driver pictures, 2011 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."

November 22, 2010 11:32 pm CST No Comments

Photos of NASCAR Driver & Sprint Cup Champ Jimmie Johnson

Say what you will about Jimmie Johnson, the man has talent and he long ago earned the right to be respected. Now he has achieved an unprecidented five consecutive cup championships. In those five years, he has raced clean, has never been the in-your-face-asshole type, has always had a positive attitude towards his team, his friends, his family and his fans. So I say congratulations to Jimmie and his crew on a job well done.

: Jimmie Johnson in car ii Phoenix International Raceway 10

: Jimmie Johnson in car Phoenix International Raceway 10

: Jimmie Johnson waiting for qualifying Phoenix International Raceway 10

: Jimmie Johnson on track Chicago 10

: Chad Knaus Texas Motorspeedway 09

: Jimmie Johnson in garage with Chad Knaus Texas Motorspeedway 09

: Jimmie Johnson in garage Texas Motorspeedway 09

: Jimmie Johnson Indianapolis Motorspeedway 10

: Jimmie Johnson Michigan International Speedway spr 10

: Chad Knaus Jimmie Johnson Chandra and daughter on pit road Dover 10 bure

: Jimmie Johnson Chad Knaus victory lane Dover 10 bure

: Jimmie Johnson Rick Hendricks victory lane Dover 10 bure

Photo credit: BethAnne Heisler; Last three photos Glenn Bure - OnPitRow.com

Filed under: Chase for the Cup, Hendrick Motorsports, Homestead-Miami Speedway, NASCAR, NASCAR photos, Sprint Cup Series, jimmie johnson

Tagged with: Chad Knaus, Chandra Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR pictures, Rick Hendrick

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Looks Like a Chevy vs Toyota Showdown at Talladega

by Charlie Turner

October 30, 2010 7:57 pm CDT 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.

Filed under: Brad Kesolowski, Chase for the Cup, Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon, Joe Gibbs Racing, Joey Logano, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Kyle Petty, Mark Martin, NASCAR, Sam Hornish Jr, Sprint Cup Series, Talladega Superspeedway, jimmie johnson