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  News Today on the SOZ: 7-3-2009
 Today on RaceTalkRadio.com:
Tune into RaceTalkRadio.com this weekend for more great short track racing! Saturday morning it's the Frank Kimmel Street Stocks from Rockingham Speedway at 10am ET followed by the Cherry Bomb 200 for the ASA Late Model Series. Saturday night we will bring you more exciting Pro Challenge and UARA Stars action with Doc Love! Sunday afternoon we are off to Hickory Speedway for PASS South action. RaceTalkRadio is rocking the short tracks all the way to the Snowball Derby!
- Breaking: Thanks to a federal judge in Charlotte, Jeremy Mayfield will be able to return to NASCAR to race. NASCAR has not appealed and Mayfield has not been seen at Daytona.
- TNT news: After TNT's denial of RTR's report that Bill Weber will be out of the booth for the final two events of their broadcast season, TNT did announce Weber will in fact be out.
- Source: Michael Waltrip Racing will make an announcement on July 7th. Expect Martin Truex Jr. to be added to their team.
- Source: Roush still working on plan to scale back to four teams. The fifth team will move to Yates (Roush's Geoff Smith said on Friday), but who will move is the question.
- NEXT CUP RACE -
 Saturday, July 4th
7:30pm ET on
   
Leaving Mayfield Off Hall of Fame List is Inexcusable!
7/3/09: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Once again the heel of the boot of oppression from Big Brother is firmly planted on the neck of Jeremy Mayfield! Despite winning his injunction against NASCAR we saw the once great organization throw their weight around and discriminate against Jeremy again. Oh sure he was allowed to take his car down to Daytona or race another car. But NASCAR proved their point that they are still in charge by leaving Jeremy Mayfield off the list of 25 names released as contenders for the Hall of Fame when it opens next season. It is inexcusable for NASCAR to rig the election to ban Jeremy Mayfield from Hall of Fame consideration!
Firecracker of a 400 Before the Race, (Jeremy Mayfield Beats City Hall But Will He Show Up?) Fantasy Insight- Daytona 2
7/2/09: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
We all knew fireworks were coming this weekend at Daytona in the race, but we didn't expect fireworks BEFORE the race in the court room! In one of the biggest surprises in NASCAR history Jeremy Mayfield fought City Hall and won. The Judge didn't suggest that the test results were wrong that Mayfield allegedly took methamphetamine; he was more concerned with the rules of the plan. NASCAR is used to being able to write the rule book. This race through the court room has been very bizarre.
Good Finishus Interuptus, Making the Grade - New Hampshire 1
6/30/09: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
There was a time when I would be thankful for rain at New Hampshire to put a boring race out of its misery! But lately the races at New Hampshire have been exciting. The double file shootouts (Rollback Style this week!) added to the excitement. As we have seen several times this year the intensity was building to a thunderous climax but then…rain gave us a case of "Finishus Interuptus" once again!
Other Rules Changes NASCAR Should Consider,
(An Earnhardt Rule Too?)
6/29/09: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Rarely does NASCAR make a rule change in mid-season that the majority of fans love! But this "Double File Restart Rollback Style" is a hit. As NASCAR searches for ways to boost ratings and put more fannies in the seats here are some rules for them to consider. Some I am very serious about but some are put in just for entertainment value! Enjoy and have fun figuring out which ones are serious and which are figments of my warped sense of humor!
Read More: Other Rules Changes NASCAR Should Consider,
Time for Some Chowdah, Fantasy Insight - New Hampshire 1
6/25/09: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Yes indeed folks we get a chance to see double-file restarts in action for the first time on a short track! OK so I understand that New Hampshire Motor Speedway is a one mile oval but it races like a short track. (On a good day) The tight corners here will make restarts interesting after cautions with the third place racer in the cat bird seat if he can get a quick start and follow the leader close into turn one.
Double Filing Did Lead to Better Road Coursing, Making the Grade - Infineon
6/23/09: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Many NASCAR fans have an allergy to road course racing! They would rather that NASCAR was completely an oval series and I can see the logic to that reasoning. But on Sunday at Infineon Speedway we got to see how a simple rule change could lead to better racing. Yes we still had teams playing the fuel mileage games as we always see on the road courses, but the double file restart rule prevented teams from taking that gas gamble too far!
Double Filin' and Whinin', Fantasy Insight - Infineon
6/18/09: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
So who will be the first driver to whine about the double-file restarts in wine country? This is going to be pretty crazy on the restarts this week to say the least! Crew Chiefs will still plan this race backwards but if someone does have an issue they might be able to take advantage of some quick passes after the restart. Will it change the strategy? Will we see any of the road course ringers challenge for the win?
Please Lord No More Fuel Mileage Races, Making the Grade - Michigan 1
6/16/09: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Once in a while a fuel mileage race is fine but the new Cup car design seems to cause them more often than any other type of car. NASCAR racing is supposed to be about side-by-side racing and speed! If we wanted to watch races based on fuel mileage we would watch solar powered racing instead! Next week NASCAR goes road course racing so will we get three mileage races in a row? Please LORD, no more fuel mileage races.
Good, Bad and Ugly of the Racing Weekend - June 15th Edition
6/15/09: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Each week I will look back at the weekend that was in racing and compile my version of the good, the bad and the ugly. This article was a mainstay years ago on another website and is brought back out of mothballs for use on RaceTalkRadio.com starting this week! Your feedback is not only welcome but essential to make this the fan favorite feature of the past.
Shutting Detroit Down, Fantasy Insight- Michigan 1
6/12/09: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Two of the big three automakers that call Michigan home have gone into bankruptcy since our last visit to Michigan International Speedway. OUCH! This race has always been the battle of the automakers but this year perhaps that battle is even more meaningful. The house that Penske built has turned into the house that Roush dominates in recent years! With the new Dodge engine in use this will be a great battle between the big three automakers this year trying to defeat those evil Toyotas. John Rich's song "Shutting Detroit Down" tells the story of what everyone is going through right now.
Good to the Last Drop, Making the Grade - Pocono 1
6/9/09: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Hoorah for the double file restarts! Did you see that amazing finish that was set up by the new rule change in NASCAR? No I didn't see it either I saw another fuel mileage race at an average track for NASCAR racing. Pocono is a unique track and a test of a driver's ability. But do we really need two races at Pocono each year? Tony Stewart's ride was good to the last drop.
It's Junior Not the Adjustments, (Over Hyped Double File Restarts, Guitar Hero Kyle)
6/8/09: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
The second race of the Lance McGrew experiment is showing us a lot about team 88 and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Almost every race we see Junior fade at the end. The excuse is always that the team made the wrong adjustments and the car got too tough to drive. Junior Nation picked former Crew Chief Tony Eury Jr as their whipping boy for the longest time. Eury Jr was made to look like the Barney Fife of Crew Chiefs! Even some of the experts suggested that Tony Eury Jr was great at setting up the car but not so great at making the right adjustments to keep up with the changing track.
SOZ Says, Where's the Outrage on Danica's Irresponsible Drug Comments and Kevin Harvick Hits Rock Bottom at RCR
6/5/09: SOZ Studios, MI - RaceTalkRadio.com:
Question: This week in a column, Danica Patrick admitted she'd take performance-enhancing drugs if she knew she could get away with it to help her win the Indianapolis 500. Then she backtracked and told the USA Today it was a joke. Should the racing industry be outraged by her comments?
SOZ Says: Absolutely! This was incredibly irresponsible of IRL's most popular driver and this should wake up industry leaders from both NASCAR and the IRL to the fact that some in sport believe they're bigger than the sport itself.
Is NASCAR Going LONG to Snuff Out Start and Parks?
6/5/09: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
This whole Carl Long situation has me a bit befuddled and concerned. I hear so many people arguing in favor of NASCAR saying the rules should be the same for everyone in the sport no matter what their financial situation might be. I couldn't agree more that the rules should be the same for the top team in the garage or the smallest independent trying to scratch out a chance to chase their dream.
Missing Turn Four and FOX, Fantasy Insight- Pocono 1
6/4/09: SOZ Studios, MI - By Dennis Michelsen "DMIC" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
Will it take all six TNT races to make fans miss Digger? This week the NASCAR circus heads to the track that is missing a turn with a new television crew. After weeks of setting that DVR for FOX now race fans have to figure out where TNT is located again! Starting your television season with Pocono is like having the MLB Game of the Week start with a game between the Yankees and the Washington Nationals.
SOZ Archive Columns
 www.annualcharitydinner.com
The Seventh Annual Children's Leukemia Foundation Dinner event will be hosted on Friday night August 14th at 7:00pm. We have already signed Rupert Boneham the TV Star from "Survivor" with many more announcements to come soon. This event will be hosted by West Michigan Fundraising. Tickets will be on sale through Ticket Master and the Wings Stadium Box Office.
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News and Rumors from Jayski - SOZ says:
Winners and Losers from the Lenox Indust Tools 301 from NH
Winners: Top Winner - Joey Logano who wins his first Cup Series race.
SOZ Says: Kurt Busch. A huge thank you goes to Kurt for making this race fun. He continued to push the envelope when racing Jeff Gordon and finished 3rd in a rain shortened race. Continues to be the top Penske driver.
Second winner goes to David Reutimann. I get the feeling he wants to be the one to put MWR in the Chase. Finished 4th at New Hamshire and is only 12 points behind the 12th spot in the standings.
Third winner goes to Brad Keselowski. When Brad races in the Cup Series he is finding success. In five events he has 3 top 10's and 1 win. He finished 6th this past weekend and continues to prove he needs to have a ride at this level. By the way: Dale Jr. has 3 top 10's in 17 starts, showing that young Brad is doing a great job!
Got to mention: San Hornish finishes inside the Top 10 for the fourth time this season. Casey Mears - top RCR car in 11th.
TOP LOSER: David Ragan continues to fall. Finishes 38th after getting collected in the Busch-Truex Jr. wreck and sits 30th in the standings. Keep in mind last season he was 13th in the standings.
SOZ Says: Kevin Harvick. Just a bad, bad season for the No. 29 team. Finishes 34th and drops 2 more positions in the standings to 27th. Who wouda thunk this?
Second loser goes to David Stremme. Another bad run for the No.12 team. I'm one who thinks DS is in the hot seat!
Got something to say? Email Me!
 2009 Season Predictions from SOZ
Who will be the biggest surprise of the season?
SOZ Says: Who? I would have to say Stewart-Haas Racing. Don't be shocked to see both Tony and Ryan win a race or two this season.
UPDATE: Tony Stewart wins the 2009 All Star Race.
Who will be the biggest disappointment of the season?
SOZ Says: We'll see several drivers this season who will fall short of meeting their expectations. First, Casey Mears in the No. 07 for RCR. Bowyer did an outstanding job for RCR in that car and I feel they've taken a "chase" team and turned it into a 15th to 20th car. Sad!
Second, I'm not impressed with the David Stremme to the 12 team at Penske. But I hope Stremme proves me wrong - he's a good guy.
Third, again I must say Hornish. When a driver needs to buy points (or borrow points like last season) to make the show - that's a sign that maybe the Cup Series is not for you.
Who will be the first Cup driver to lose his job in 2009?
SOZ Says: Marcos Ambrose driver of the No. 47 team. It will start by being replaced by a past champion for a few races. I'm using the Michael McDowell game plan on this one.
Who will be the hottest free-agent this season?
SOZ Says: Without a doubt, Kevin Harvick. Rumors have him starting his own team or look for him to partner with his friend Tony Stewart at Stewart-Haas Racing.
UPDATE: Kevin Harvick extended his contract with RCR through 2010. Looks like next year!
Who will win the Daytona 500?
SOZ Says: Last week I had Mark Martin as the guy to beat. But after watching the Duel races I'm going with Tony Stewart. What a way to start a season with a new team.
UPDATE: Matt Kenseth wins the Daytona 380.
Will Jimmie Johnson win his fourth championship this season?
SOZ Says: No. He will finish the season in 7th.
Who will win Rookie of the Year?
SOZ Says: The good news is it will be better than last season's ROTY! Both Scott Speed and Joey Logano scare me. I say that because both are very talented, but each one has a downside. Speed can be a little over the top and if he pushes the wrong buttons (with drivers) he will end up eating a wall or two. Logano is just too green. Yes, he has been out there on the track but not at this level. So I will say - Logano flops and Speed will win it.
Which sponsor walks away from who?
SOZ Says: NAPA leaves Michael Waltrip.
Names we should watch in 2009?
SOZ Says: Justin Allgaier at Penske and Brad Coleman at Gibbs.
Who would be a good sleeper pick?
SOZ Says: I like the move Bobby Labonte made to Yates. He could end up in the Chase!
Who won't make the "Chase" that made the "Chase" last season?
SOZ Says: Clint Bowyer. It's a new car, new sponsor and new people. Not a good thing when you've been in the Chase.
Who will win the championship?
SOZ Says: Chevy wins. Hendrick Motorsports wins. I will give it to Mark Martin in the No. 5.
Second choice - Carl Edwards.
Third choice - Jeff Gordon wins his 5th!
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