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

Today’s race was definitely an interesting one to say the least.  Let me first start off by saying that I hope Dale Jarrett’s jackman, John Bryon, has a speedy recovery following the freak accident on pit road when Jarrett spun his car coming down pit lane.  From what I understand, Bryon has already been released from the hospital.  His injuries are unknown though. 

Congratulations go to Kevin Harvick for two reasons, one he set a track record with his pole win yesterday, and then backed it up again today with a win of the Brickyard 400.  Everyone watched Tony Stewart lead most of the race and what they thought was a sure win, but with anything NASCAR, there is never a sure win.  Stewart had a stellar car for most of the day, but pit strategy played against him.  Harvick was in the right place at the right time to take the lead in a gutsy move from Jamie McMurray.  Harvick went on to win, while McMurray finished third and Stewart claimed 12th. 

Matt Kenseth dodged a bullet today and almost lost a lot of ground in the Winston Cup point’s race.  He was forced to make a pit stop during a caution after most other cars pitted during green-flag racing.  What usually happens is the car that stays out gets passed during the caution because he/she comes into the pits while the other cars stay out.  What happened today was that more cars than usual came back into the pits even after pitting just a few laps earlier. 

There wasn’t a lot of give and take today as the drivers were bunched up a couple of times because of crashes.  The last one happened with 15 laps remaining.  That crash claimed Joe Nemachek, Mike Skinner, Jimmie Johnson, Sterlin Marlin and a few others. 

Unfortunately for you, UnNamed One, it wasn’t that crash that hurt you, but Jarrett’s crash in pit road and Elliott Sadler’s blown engine.  Both of those factors played heavily on you being this week’s recipient of the often received, much repulsed GOLDEN CABOOSE AWARD.  Sadler finished 42nd, while Jarrett couldn’t recover from his crash and finished 39th.  Greg Biffle had a solid run and finished 21st.  Kurt Busch made a strong recovery in the end using pit strategy and a bit of luck finishing 7th.  Your top finisher this week is Kenseth and his 2nd place finish.  Your team’s average finish is a disappointing 22.2.  Much better luck next week.

Tiffany, you didn’t faire much better either this week.  You also have Jarrett on your team, which didn’t help you, but this week you also have Ricky Rudd.  Rudd was caught up in that late 7-car pileup which ultimately took him out of the race.  He finished 38th.    Johnson was also involved in the crash, but didn’t hit anything and lost about 20 track positions.  He recovered well and finished 18th.  Dale Earnhardt Junior finished 14, while your top driver this week is race winner, Kevin Harvick.  Your average finish is 22 even.  Like the UnNamed One, much better luck next week.

Mr. X, Jarrett was your problem driver today too. Biffle didn’t give you too many problems with his 21st place finish.  Johnson had a top-5 car but because of the late race crash, finished 18th.  Stewart’s woes compelled him to that 12th place finish while your top driver today is Kenseth and his 2nd place finish.  Your average finish is 18.4.  Better luck next week.

Jill, it seems that Jarrett was your problem driver as well and really hurt you today.  Your other drivers did fairly well.  Even with Johnson’s spin he still managed an 18th finishing spot.  Stewart managed a 12th, while Ryan Newman finished 11th.  Your top finisher is Jeff Gordon, who, up till today’s 4th place finish, was on a two-race slide backwards in the points race.  Today he held steady and propelled your team to an 16.8 point average finish.  Better luck next week.

Kelly, you didn’t have Jarrett on your team, and that definitely helped you today.  J  Unfortunately for you, the Labonte brothers are on your team.  Bobby Labonte tried a different pit strategy and it cost him a lap midway through the race.  He finished 22nd, while Terry Labonte could only muster a 19th place finish.  Stewart definitely didn’t hurt you with his 12th, while Rusty Wallace definitely helped you with his 10th place finish.  Your top driver today is Mark Martin and his 9th place finish.  Your average finish is 14.4.  Better luck next week.

That late race crash definitely hurt me because Mike Skinner was doing decently when he was spun and crashed into Ricky Rudd.  Skinner finished the race in 35th.  Johnson, also caught up in that crash, finished 18th.  I also have Stewart’s 12th, Gordon’s 4th and Matt Kenseth’s 2nd place finishes on my side as well.  My average finish is an even 14. 

Bosley, Greg Biffle was your worst driver with a 21st place finish.  Mikey Waltrip finished 16th, while Stewart and Wallace finished 12th and 10th respectively.  Your top driver today is Busch and his 7th place finish.  Your average finish is a nice 13.2.   Better luck next week though.

Kris, congratulations on you being our TOP ANGEL AWARD winner this week.  Your worst driver also is Biffle and his 21st place finish.  What set you apart from everyone else is that you also have Earnhardt (finishing 14th); Stewart (12th) and a surprise 8th place finish from Jimmy Spencer.  Your top driver today is Gordon and his 4th place finish.  Your TAA average finish is a nice 11.8  Congratulations.

Our combined teams’ average finish is a nice 13.3.

Next week’s race is the Sirius at the Glen at Watkins Glen International Raceway.  Please have your drivers updated by 11:59 pm Pacific Time on Thursday.

Good luck next week, Angels,

Charlie