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Chicagoland Media Center Writer’s Block Blues

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

September 18, 2011 1:30 pm CDT No Comments

I am stumped for a story. Is it a sign that NASCAR’s Chase to the Sprint Cup format is flawed somehow? I have read about everything written - all the possible scenarios, involving any of the Golden Twelve and Brian France’s playoffs. A lot of it is really good. Some, not so.

I don’t feel like adding to that, either way. As I sit here waiting, but doubting, the start of the GEICO 400 and The Chase, at soaking wet Chicagoland Speedway I wish somebody would punch someone.

It probably won’t happen here in the media center. These folks are way too civilized. Or maybe I’ve only seen them on their best behavior. I wish The Diecast Dude was here. Jeff Gluck vs The Dude - The Rematch. Damn.

Richard Childress was in here awhile ago. He mixes it up on occasion. Too bad Kyle Busch wasn’t here. Probably hiding in his hauler.

Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch is over. Five-Time and Four-Time haven’t had so much as a spat in months. Carl Edwards vs Matt Kenseth? Way old news.

My only hope is probably Juan Pablo. Or maybe a food fight in the media center.

Photo credit: Round girl Cindi by BethAnne Heisler - OnPitRow.com

Filed under: Chase for the Cup, Chicagoland Speedway, NASCAR, NASCAR & the Media, NASCAR Feuds, Richard Childress Racing

Tagged with: GEICO 400, NASCAR on Twtter, Richard Childress, The Chase

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Race Day NASCAR Pictures: Pure Michigan 400 at MIS

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."

September 4, 2011 9:59 pm CDT 1 Comment

Exclusive 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

Filed under: Brad Kesolowski, Brian Vickers, Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dave Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, Joey Logano, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kasey Kahne, Kenny Shrader, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Marcos Ambrose, Mark Martin, Martin Truex Jr., Matt Kenseth, Michigan International Speedway, NASCAR, NASCAR photos, Red Bull Racing, Richard Childress Racing, Roush Racing, Ryan Newman, Sprint Cup Series, Stewart Haas Racing, The Busch Bros, The Wood Brothers, Tony Stewart, Toyota, jimmie johnson

Tagged with: NASCAR pictures, Pure Michigan 400

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NASCAR Pictures: Best of Clint Bowyer 2010

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 22, 2011 4:29 pm CST No Comments

Exclusive NASCAR Driver Photos of Clint Bowyer

I really thought that 2010 was going to be the year that Clint Bowyer assumed the mantle of Richard Childress Racing’s top dog. Bowyer had a very good year, made the Chase to the Cup, then got sucked into the big points penalty following his Chase opening win at Loudon. We got some nice pictures of Clint in 2010. Check ‘em out.

: Clint Bowyer intros Phoenix International Raceway 10

: Clint Bowyer in car pre-race Michigan International Speedway 10

: Clint Bowyer Richard Childress and crew Michigan International Speedway 10

: Clint Bowyer pre-race summer Michigan International Speedway 10

: Clint Bowyer on car intros Phoenix International Raceway 10

: Clint Bowyer press conference Michigan International Speedway 10

: #33 Clint Bowyer race Michigan International Speedway 10

: Clint Bowyer victory circle Camping World Truck Phoenix International Raceway 10

: #2 Clint Bowyer Camping World Truck Phoenix International Raceway 10

: Clint Bowyer burnout Camping World race winner Phoenix International Raceway 10

: Clint Bowyer Indianapolis Motorspeedway presser 10

: Clint Bowyer and Jeff Burton indianapolis Motorspeedway 10

Photo credit: BethAnne Heisler - OnPitRow.com

Filed under: Clint Boyer, NASCAR, NASCAR photos, Richard Childress Racing

Tagged with: Loudon, NASCAR pictures

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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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Martinsville NASCAR Shark Fin Soup

by Charlie Turner

October 25, 2010 10:12 pm CDT No Comments

NASCAR held a 4-way shootout with five races to go. When the smoke cleared, three Sprint Cup contenders stay standing. And they are closer than I thought they’d be.

Denny Hamlin did what he had to do. He was the favorite to win at venerable Martinsville. Hamlin won the pole and almost immediately went backwards from the race start. But the Joe Gibbs Racing #11 team kept their composure and clawed back to the front, actually driving away from his two chief tormentors at the end. Pressure performance.

Hamlin yelled “Who said it was over? I told you it wasn’t over!” after the race. And indeed it - The Chase to the Sprint Cup - is not over.

But there are no more short tracks, no more races in Virginia, in 2010. It gets tougher.

Kevin Harvick and the RCR #29, with pinch hit pit crew in place, didn’t get the win, but did finish third and two spots ahead of the points leader, Jimmie Johnson. Harvick gained points on Johnson and had his best career finish on a track where he has been weak before. Clutch. Very clutch.

The biggest loser was probably Jeff Gordon. Gordon looked strong early, on a track where we expected strength, but he faded to finish 20th and probably killed his 2010 drive for a fifth Cup title.

Johnson remains in front, but the lead is single digits over Hamlin, and Harvick is only 68 points back, with the wildcard at Talladega next up.

Harvick was the spring ‘Dega winner and is a top plate track racer.

It’s down to three with four to go. Like it.

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

Filed under: Chase for the Cup, Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, Joe Gibbs Racing, Kevin Harvick, Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR, Richard Childress Racing, jimmie johnson

Tagged with: rcr, Round girl Jen, the paperclip

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