Hello Angels, Bosley, Mr. X and the UnNamed One,

It’s been two weeks since NASCAR officials implemented the no-racing-back-to-the-yellow-flag rule, and it’s seemed to benefit several drivers, including those drivers who have made negative comments about the rule, giving the last car not on the lead lap a free lap back, putting them on the tail end of the lead lap.  Last week, Dale Earnhardt Jr., was a lap down when the caution came out and he finished second.  This week Jimmie Johnson, who won the pole, but crashed during practice ended up the last car not on the lead lap and gained a free trip when a caution flew.  He finished seventh.  So, what do you think?  Should NASCAR have put in the provision for the “free pass?”  Or, should they leave it up to the drivers to race and gain their laps back on the restarts and during green-flag racing?  Tell me what you think.

As for today’s race…Ryan Newman did it again.  He’s reminiscent of Jeff Gordon when Gordon won his 13 races to tie Richard Petty for the most races won during a single NASCAR season.  Today is Newman’s eighth win so far.  In my opinion, Newman is going to be a champion one of these years, while this year he is not in contention as of yet, he’s definitely making a charge to the front, jumping from fifth to fourth in the Winston Cup championship race. 

Matt Kenseth showed that he is not as invincible as everyone thought by having his troubles two weeks in a row.  Last week, he blew an engine, and this week he crashed avoiding a spin by Michael Waltrip.   He did manage to get back out on the track, but could only muster a 36th place finish.  Waltrip finished 39th.

So, where do we all fit in to the points system after today’s Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods? 

Well, Bosley, last week you went from worst to first, and now you're back down to worst again.  This is because of Waltrip's accidents, along with Kurt Busch's engine letting go sending a fire throughout the cockpit of the car.  Busch was able to get out unscathed, but I’m sure it was still pretty worrisome seeing and feeling flames right next to you.  Ward Burton tried to help you, but finished 21st.  Rusty Wallace had a decent car all day and finished ninth, while Newman went on to win the race.  Your CHARLIE’S ANGELS’ GOLDEN CABOOSE AWARD winning average finish is a very disappointing 22 even.  Much better luck next week.

Kris, you didn’t do too much better either, having only one top-10 finisher this week.  Hurting you the most was Busch’s engine failure and subsequent 40th place finish.  Mike Skinner started on the outside pole today but faded quickly and finished one lap down in 29th position.  Earnhardt didn’t help you any with his 18th place finish, while Terry Labonte rebounded a little bit from last week with his 16th place finish.  Your only top-10 finish came with Jeff Gordon and his fifth place finish.  Your average finish today is also a disappointing 21.6.  Much better luck next week.

Mr. X, you did a little better this week than Bosley and Kris, but still had your own problems to contend with.  Kenseth’s crash and Dale Jarrett’s engine blowing up didn’t help you in your bid to the top today.  Kenseth of course finished 36th, but Jarrett was running in the top-15 when his car’s engine let go.  He finished 33rd.  Greg Biffle had a nice run with a 12th place finish, while Jamie McMurray finished eighth and Gordon finished fifth.  Your average finish today is 18.8.  Not to bad, but not too good this week either.  Better luck next week.

UnNamed One, your day didn’t start out very good when Kenseth had his crash.  It didn’t end that entirely great either when Jarrett blew an engine.  But somewhere in the middle, you did all right.  This is because Biffle, Ricky Rudd and Newman made up the difference with their 12th, 10th and first place finishes.  Your average finish didn’t suffer too badly with a 18.4.  Better luck next week.

Tiffany, Waltrip definitely hurt you this week, when he crashed...several times.  He could only manage a 39th place finish.  John Andretti is doing well in the DEI car.  He finished 19th.  Earnhardt finished one spot ahead in 18th, and Johnson and Kevin Harvick teamed up to finish seventh and sixth respectively.  Your average finish is 17.8.  Better luck next week.

Kelly, somehow you managed a decent finish this week, even with Dave Blaney blowing an engine, and finishing last today.  This is because the Labonte brothers teamed up to finish 17th and 16th, while Gordon continues on his hot streak as of late with his fifth place finish.  Jeremy Mayfield is also back on the right track with his 3rd place finish today.  Your average finish is 16.4.  Nice job.

We have a tie between Sabrina and Jill for the second place finish this week.

Sabrina, I’ll start with you.  Your worst driver is Ken Schrader who didn’t have that great of a car today.  He showed that by finishing 28th place.  That other Gordon, Robby, was your next worst driver when he failed to finish on the lead lap, in 25th place.  Earnhardt could only muster an 18th place finish, while Johnson and your stud, Tony Stewart, finished seventh and fourth respectively.

Jill, Busch’s engine failure and Mike Wallace’s 32nd place finish really hurt you today.  This is because you also have Jeff Gordon, Stewart and Newman, with their fifth, fourth and first place finishes, on your team as well.  All I can say is better luck next week.

Your average finish this week, Sabrina and Jill is, 16.4.   Still a nice job.

That leaves me for my first CHARLIE’S ANGELS’ LEAGUE TOP ANGEL AWARD of this segment, and quite possibly this year.  (I don’t remember if I’ve won one or not, I’ll definitely have to check the record books…)  I thought my day was done for when Kenseth spun and hit the wall.  Luckily, he was able to return and pick up some spots on the track.  Andretti helped me with his 19th place finish, while Biffle kept me alive with his 12th place finish.  Johnson and Jeff Gordon teamed up to be my top drivers with their seventh and fifth finishes.  My TAA winning average this week is a squeaker, at 16 even.  YEAH...

Our combined team’s average finish this week is 16.6.

Here are where we stand after last week’s EA Sports 500.

1	Tiff's Young Guns, J. Young	618	594	680	564	690	3146
2	Jill's Jockeys, J. Lindsey	493	570	587	614	727	2991
3	Mr X, D. Nunes	671	607	468	651	488	2885
4	Charlie's Boyz, E. G.	539	528	603	652	509	2831
5	Kelly's Knights, S. Riddle	659	595	481	520	563	2818
6	Unamed Ones Fords, R. Young	570	610	518	577	476	2751
7	Bosley Bombers, J. Kratzer	384	581	518	400	764	2647
8	Kris' Boy Toyz, P. Grill	419	528	600	409	679	2635
9	Sabrina's Stallions, S. Jackson	0	0	0	0	638	638

Next week’s UAW-GM Quality 500, on SATURDAY Night at 7 p.m. Eastern time.  Make changes to your team’s lineups by Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

Good luck next week Angels,

Charlie