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

Today’s Subway 400 was definitely an interesting one, considering some people believe that the rightful winner is not Matt Kenseth, but third-place finisher, Jamie McMurray.  McMurray was the leader after Kenseth and second-place finisher, Kasey Kahne went into the pits on Lap 350.  Right after they finished with their service, and McMurray still in the lead, the caution flew and the field was frozen.  Before Kenseth and Kahne left pit road, the pace car with McMurray passed them.  After some discussions with NASCAR officials, Kenseth and Kahne were kept on the lead lap because they were moving from their pit stalls before the caution came out, and McMurray had not passed the start/finish line to put them a lap down because he was getting ready to pit himself.  Regardless, Kenseth and Kahne having just pitted before the caution came out stayed on the lead lap and inherited the lead again after the rest of the lead lap cars pitted for the caution.  Kenseth went on to win the race by beating a hard-charging Kahne by one-one hundredth of a second.  There was more controversy dealing with Kenseth’s teammate, Mark Martin, blocking on that same restart, but I don’t believe Martin was blocking Kahne. 

Congratulations to Kenseth on his first win of 2004.  Also I’ll say congratulations on a very impressive run to Kahne, the rookie driver for Ray Evernham.  He and Kenseth definitely made for an exciting finish in the end.

Speaking of controversy, we have some of our own.  I was contacted by Sabrina (Susan) and Dylan (Jen T) about their driver picking before the lock times.  Sabrina definitely changed her drivers before the race and even took the time to send me a screen-shot showing me that she changed them.  Unfortunately, the ESPN.RPM Stockcar Challenge Web site did not reflect these driver changes at lock-time.  I have decided to honor her driver changes and not penalize her in our competition.  Dylan also tried to pick her drivers before the lock time today, but was not able to do so.  Again, I blame the ESPN Web site for this problem.  After looking at her driver picks and researching what their point-value is worth on the Web site, I have decided not to honor her team this week because it was over the salary cap of 100 points.  If the team had been under the salary-cap and she was not able to pick her drivers because of a Web-site glitch, than I would’ve allowed her drivers for this week.

So, Dylan, because you do not have a legal team picked for this week’s Subway 400, you are our Charlie’s Angels’ GOLDEN CABOOSE recipient once again.  I think we all wish you much better luck next week.

Ok, late last year, I implemented the first-ever Charlie’s Angels’ BONEHEAD award. In fact, I was the only one to receive it.  It is my distinct pleasure, or rather displeasure to have to award another BONEHEAD award to not just myself, but to Natalie (Donna) and Kelly (Sarah) as well.

As you all are aware, the ESPN.RPM Stockcar Challenge Web site changed its ruling on lock times for picking drivers this week.  I even mentioned in a separate correspondence that this was good for those of us who might have a rookie, or a poor qualifier, on our team.  What I didn’t expect was to be one of three teams that had one driver not make it into the field because he didn’t enter the race to begin with.  I think this is what the ESPN.RPM Stockcar Challenge Web site sought to avoid…but here we are again, with three teams picking the same driver who did not enter the race.

So, Natalie and Kelly, welcome to my world…lol  J

Natalie, Dave Blaney really hurt you because Jimmie Johnson crashed out of the race early.  Adding to your pain is Dale Jarrett loosing an engine, and also having an upside-down quarter lodge in the grill of his Ford Taurus.  That was definitely not something that the defending race champion wanted to happen.  Regardless, Johnson and Jarrett finished 41st and 40th respectively.  Combine those two with Bobby Labonte getting caught up in a three-car wreck, which included a spectacular 5-flip ride for Carl Long.  Labonte continued on and while Long, who is not on your team, climbed out unhurt and was done for the day.  Labonte finished 25th.  Your top driver today, Elliott Sadler finished 18.  Your four drivers’ average finish is a very disappointing 24.8.  Much better luck next week.

Like Natalie before me, I too have Blaney and Johnson on my team. That definitely hurts.  Lucky for me, my remaining three drivers, Sadler; Brian Vickers; and Jeff Gordon, finished 18th, 16th and 10th respectively.  My four driver average finish is 17 even.  Again, I ask all Angels for their well-wishes…because I need it.   L

Kelly, Blaney hurt you too, but not as bad as Natalie and I because your other drivers finished 26th or better.  In that 26th spot is Sabrina’s Italian Stud, Tony Stewart.  He was doing well until he had a left, rear tire blow out.  It cost him the lead lap, and he eventually finished four laps down.  His teammate, Bobby Labonte didn’t do too much better after his crash and finished 25th.  Rookie Scott Wimmer is doing well and finished 15th.  Your top-driver today is Dylan’s second husband, Dale Earnhardt Jr.  He finished fifth.  Your four driver’s average finish is 14.2.  Much better luck with driver picks next week.

Julie (Sally), let me start off by saying congratulations on all five of your drivers making it into today’s race. But that didn’t help you too much after Kyle Petty crashed early.  He finished 39th.  Michael Waltrip was penalized for leaving his pit-box with pit-equipment still attached.  That cost him to start at the rear of the longest line on the restart, and he eventually fell several laps down after other equipment problems on the car itself.  He finished 33rd.  Joe Nemachek finished 24th despite being in a crash, and Kenseth finished first as I’ve mentioned before.  Your average finish this week is still a disappointing 22.8.  Much better luck next week.

Tiffany (Jen Y) and Jill (Jennie), you both tie for sixth place this week.

Jill, I’ll start with you because two of your drivers finished worse than Tiffany’s.  Those two drivers are Johnson and Jarrett, who finished 41st and 40th respectively.  Your remaining three drivers did pretty well.  Finishing 15th is Wimmer, while Earnhardt finished fifth.  Your top driver this week is McMurray and his third-place finish.

Tiffany, like Jill you also have Johnson and Earnhardt.  Helping you to a tie with Jill though is John Andretti finishing 29th, Vickers finishing 16th and Kevin Harvick finishing 13th. 

Your average finish is also a disappointing 20.8. Much better luck next week.

UnNamed One (Ray), you didn’t do much better than Tiffany or Jill.  Jarrett hurt you the most with his 40th place finish.  Greg Biffle had an okay run with his 23rd finishing spot, while Ricky Rudd struggled all day with his car, finishing 19th.  Sadler finished 18th with your top-driver today, Kenseth, also won the race.  Your average finish is still a disappointing 20.2.  Much better luck next week.

Kris, having Jimmie Johnson on your team didn’t hurt you too badly considering how poorly the rest of us have done so far, but he definitely didn’t help your average finish.  Helping that this week is Rudd and Sadler finishing 19th and 18th respectively, along with Vicker’s 16th place finish.  Topping your driver charts this week is Earnhardt with his fifth place finish.  Your average finish is still a disappointing 19.8.  Better luck next week.

Sabrina, like the first, lapped-car when a caution comes out, you received the “lucky-dog” award for changing your drivers on time this week.  If you hadn’t sent me your screen-shot, I would’ve been forced to use Kenny Wallace for one of your five drivers.  But, you changed drivers and it paid-off for you dearly.  Robby Gordon had a similar crash to Carl Long, but didn’t flip over five times.  He finished though 36th.  Your stud, Stewart, finished 26th, while Vickers finished 16th.  Martin finished 12th two laps down and Earnhardt was your top driver with his top-five finish.  Your average finish this week is 19.  Again, better luck next week.

Bosley (Jude), Waltrip is your worst driver of the day with his 33rd place finish.  Stewart didn’t help much with his 26th either.  Wimmer showed some serious promise with his 15th place finish, while this week’s pole-sitter, Ryan Newman, finished sixth.  Your top-driver this week is McMurray and his third-place finish.  Your average finish is a nice, 16.6.

That leaves you, Mr. X to be our TOP ANGEL AWARD winner this week.  Your worst driver is Biffle and his 23rd place finish.  Brenden Gaughn finished 20th, while your remaining three drivers finished in the top-10.  Newman finished sixth, Earnhardt finished fifth, and McMurray finished third.  Your TOP-ANGEL AWARD WINNING average finish is a very nice, 11.4.  Congratulations.

Next week’s race is the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas International Raceway.

Don’t forget to check the RPM.ESPN Stockcar Challenge Web site after qualifying on Friday to make sure all of your drivers qualified for the race.  I definitely don’t want to award anymore “Boneheads” to anyone.

Good luck Angels,