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December 3, 2007
Your Grades Needed Too
Making the Grade-NASCAR Banquet 2007
By Dennis Michelsen (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Each season the NASCAR Cup banquet is the last chance for the fans to see their favorite drivers until Daytona. There have been quite a few memorable moments in the past. This year the production work and the banquet itself might have been the best ever. Unfortunately ESPN and NASCAR did a great job of hiding the banquet from the fans by placing it on ESPN Classic... MORE

November 20, 2007
GEM Isn't a Gem
Making the Grade-Homestead/Miami
By Dennis Michelsen (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Way back when in 2006 Kasey Kahne won more races than any other driver in NASCAR's Nextel Cup division. Fast forward one whole year and not only did all three Gillette-Evernham's teams not win a race, they only posted one top five finish all season! How did the wheels fall off this team so fast?... MORE

November 14, 2007
Last Race for the Car of Yesterday
Fantasy Insight-Miami-Homestead
By Dennis Michelsen
Everyone was hyping the storyline about "Who would win the first COT race" but no one seems to care about the other half of this story. Who will win the last Car of Yesterday race? Heading to Miami there is a lot of streaking going on! Jimmie Johnson has a chance to etch his name into the record books alongside Richard Petty and Bobby Allison... MORE

November 13, 2007
All Jacques'd Up in the Desert
Making the Grade-Phoenix Fall Race
By Dennis Michelsen (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Another race and more hard wrecks involving Jacques Villeneuve. There is no doubt that if this was any other up and coming racer he would be sent back down to the lower levels to get some seasoning. Last year NASCAR was quick to hold up David Ragan after a rough outing at Martinsville. This year NASCAR has given a free pass to Villeneuve and he has done nothing to inspire confidence!... MORE

November 8, 2007
Menards Saved More Money at Nashville
By Dennis Michelsen
NASCAR fans are more brand aware than your average consumer. Many fans will buy the NASCAR related brand over another even if the price is higher and I am no different. Most of the home improvement store industry is involved in NASCAR's highest level of racing. I had been a regular at Menards for my home improvement needs but I am so irritated I think I will visit Home Depot for a while... MORE

November 7 , 2007
Can Anyone Beat Hendrick?
Fantasy Insight-Phoenix Fall
By Dennis Michelsen
A 50% winning percentage for one team is not the kind of parity that NASCAR was looking for as they switched to the Car of Tomorrow design. But whether it was the new car or the old car each week the guys to beat have one thing in common, the HMS label on their shirts!... MORE

November 6, 2007
God Bless Texas
Making the Grade-Texas Fall Race Weekend
By Dennis Michelsen (RaceTalkRadio.com)
After that nutty week of racing in Atlanta it was nice to have a real race this weekend at Texas! NASCAR drivers are always criticized for "Points Racing" but that closing lap duel between Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth showed these guys still want to win races real bad... MORE

October 31, 2007
Will the Drama Be Bigger Too?
Fantasy Insight-Texas Fall
By Dennis Michelsen
Oh the drama as Hendrick teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson slug it out to the finish. This season started with these two at the top of the heap and it is very fitting that despite the silly Chase for the Championship format this is how it will all turn out too!... MORE

October 30, 2007
Worst Weekend of Racing Ever?
Making the Grade-Atlanta Fall Race Weekend
By Dennis Michelsen (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Hey NASCAR do you wonder why there were empty seats at Atlanta on Sunday? Oh sure you can blame it on the drought or the price of gas or 4000 other things but the way the race ended on Sunday might also explain it! Was this your first rodeo? What ever happened to waving off a restart?... MORE

October 25, 2007
What is Up With Crazy Cousin Carl
By Dennis Michelsen
On a rainy day in Mansfield, Ohio I got the weird idea to find out if Carl Edwards was just as nice as he appeared to be during race broadcasts of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on Speed Channel. From his crewmen, to fellow drivers, NASCAR officials, and sponsor reps the response was unanimous. Everyone liked Cousin Carl and nothing seemed to ever faze this guy!... MORE

October 24, 2007
Hot (and dry) Lanta
Fantasy Insight-Atlanta Fall
By Dennis Michelsen
The best mile and a half speedway on the NASCAR schedule just can't seem to catch a break from Mother Nature. Tornadoes have ripped this place apart and now a severe drought is putting a strain on the NASCAR visit this weekend. If NASCAR switches this to an impound race it would change my outlook on the event... MORE

October 23, 2007
Martinsville Mania
Making the Grade-Martinsville 2
By Dennis Michelsen (RaceTalkRadio.com)
The Car of Tomorrow on the Racetrack of Yesterday is an interesting combination. A record twenty cautions is testament to the fact that Crew Chiefs and drivers are having a tough time getting this car to turn on the flatter tracks. NASCAR better keep this track on the schedule twice every season. This is the true test of driver and crew at one of the series' classic old-school tracks... MORE