2012 NASCAR Richmond 400 Notebook: Kyle Busch holds off Earnhardt Jr to win after Edwards controversy; Ford Focus Electric paces race.

Oh yeah, after two lacking races at Texas and Kansas, this is exactly what NASCAR, the Cup Series and its fans really needed, a good old fashion Saturday night short track race under the lights at Richmond International Raceway for the Richmond 400.

Of course this one came with a lot of action, some controversial, but in the end it was Kyle Busch holding off a hard charging Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win his first Cup race of 2012.

Notebook:
1. Jimmie Johnson’s pit road penalty made for some exciting racing late in this race. I have to give credit to Johnson, dame what a drive, from the tail end of the lead lap, he raced all the way up to finish in the 6th spot. Johnson was one of the fastest cars on the racetrack for sure picking up spots on just about every lap. This 6th spot will breath rewards later on and shows their strengths.

2. NASCAR black flagging driver Carl Edwards on the lap 320 restart was a game changer for sure and for some, a controversial one. But this wasn’t controversial in my eyes, clearly NASCAR made the right call here. Carl Edwards wasn’t the leader, Tony Stewart was, but even if he was the leader, Edwards still jumped the restart by going before the restart point/box/line. It was a small margin, but he jumped. It’s a clean call, Edwards and the #99 team need to move on.

3.  Hendrick Motorsports has three good cars in Jimmie Johnson (6th), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2nd) and Kasey Kahne (5th), so I believe everyone can relax on Hendrick getting his 200th win, Kahne returning to victory lane and Dale Earnhardt Jr. returning to victory lane. It was another good race for all three, but Jeff Gordon was another story.

Keep in mind, Dale Jr. has scored all top 15 finishes in the first 9 races including a few seconds and third place finishes and now sits in second spot in points, only –5 points behind Biffle.

4. This was Tony Stewart’s race to win and he just didn’t do it after a bad pit stop, a few bad restarts and timing. But clearly Stewart and Johnson right now are the class of the field behind points leader Greg Biffle who had an off night.

5. A Ford Focus Electric Pace car? Yeah, the Richmond 400 featured an all electric Focus pace car and I think that’s cool and it’s a preview of our transportation future and thank you that it wasn’t yet another Toyota. If only NASCAR would have had this electric pace car pace the Daytona 500, that would be better.

(Photo Credit: Ford Racing NASCAR via email

How hard should I try to give back someone else's tablet PC that I received my mistake?

I just read an article over on The Consumerist.com (one of my favorite sites) entitled How Hard Should I Try To Give Back Someone Else's Tablet? where a reader has accidentally received someone else's tablet PC. The OP now finds himself in a problem spot after calling [the tablet pc company] to let them know he has received another person's tablet PC and they don't seem to care. The OP believes by the card inside that he has the real owner's address, but doesn't know what to do next.

Here's my insight: I know most people want to do the right thing, but honestly due to factors of federal law, Massachusetts state law for me and liability issues, not to mention that address inside might not even be right, I would call [the tablet pc company] and try to return to sender only. If I couldn't return to sender which is [the tablet pc company], then I would keep the item and in this case its the Tablet PC. It's not worth my money or the liability issues to send it to the proper owner. Keep in mind, if the OP were to send the tablet PC to the right owner and it is not fixed/or damaged in shipped, that OP is now liable for the price of that Tablet PC which could around $400 give or take. No its not an iPad.

Right now, [the tablet pc company] is on the hook for the tablet PC and they will have to either get the OP to send the tablet PC back or send the owner a new one. Otherwise [the tablet pc company] will be in more trouble than they can handle. They owe the owner his tablet or a new one.

Note: As a blogger for over the last 7 years now, I have learned that leaving out the company in this case is a good thing due to liability issues, so that's why you see the words [the tablet pc company] instead of the actual company. But the actual company is listed on The Consumerist.com article.

A New Mexico Town Threatens To Turn Off Utilities If You Won't Pay Your Traffic Ticket.

I just read an article on The Consumerist.com entitled Town Threatens To Turn Off Utilities If You Won't Pay Your Darn Traffic Ticket via ABCNews.com where town have been trying to figure out how to collect on over $2 Million dollars in unpaid traffic tickets. So since the town can't go through the courts or have any legal enforcement authority, they are trying to find a way to collect. Now town officials have discovered a municipal code that reads "The city may decline, fail or cease to furnish utility service to any person who may be in debt to the city for any reason, except ad valorem taxes and special assessments."

So here is my insight: While I understand the position the town is in trying to collect unpaid fines, I strongly disagree with even the thought of taking away water, sewage and gas just for some traffic tickets. I mean this isn't like they're not paying their property taxes. I can see this town shutting off the entire house of a family just because of one person or shutting off to the wrong house. Its just too much power to give a town. So basically if a person has unpaid parking tickets, then there is only two things you can go after, either their car or drivers license.

Someone will challenge this rule and it will up in court...

BTW: The term BV Insight is short of Brian Vermette's Insight or thoughts 

Bristol Motor Speedway, Bruton Smith and track changes, you got to kidding me, but will they work?

Earlier today Bristol Motor Speedway announced that they will change the track in both turns 1 & 2 and turn 3 &4 by taking out the progressive banking in the second grove without touching the straightaways. Come late August, BMS will be what some hope to be once again a one grove racetrack. (Read more…)

But the two magic questions are:
1. Will these changes make the racing better for those fans that loved the “old” Bristol racing (before August 2007)?
Personally taking into account the fact that NASCAR has changed to the new COT since the reconfiguration at Bristol, the tire has changed and more. I don’t believe that fans will see the “old” racing of a one grove racetrack where drivers have to knock each other out of the way to make a pass just by changing the upper grove. Even more, even if they changed everything, I don’t see the “old” racing returning, but instead a different type of racing, maybe a mix of the two.

2. Will these changes draw fans in next April for the spring race since August doesn’t have a problem selling tickets?
As for drawing a near sellout crowd in both August (2012) and next April (2013), I would say that Bristol will see a near sellout crowd in August like they normally do. But next April, no. The biggest problems for Bristol Motor Speedway isn’t the racing itself, but it’s the overall cost of attending the Cup Series race and the April Cup date itself.

Hotel rooms, gas, ticket prices, the overall cost of a family of four is huge and for many is unaffordable. Plus Bristol fans seem to love the Saturday night under the lights racing, I know I do and day racing at Bristol stinks, it doesn’t have the same pop.

A good example of that is Richmond International Raceway. Racing at Richmond on Sunday afternoon just wasn’t there, so they changed it to a Saturday night race and its much better. Now if Bristol can change the Cup date from early April to May or June when the weather is warmer at night, then it would be better for the racing and it could draw fans in.

Bottom line, I don’t agree with these changes, however I will say one thing, Bristol fans for speaking their mind might just see a mix of the “old” racing and “new” racing at BMS. I know one thing, I will be watching both in August and next April on TV like I normally do.

Related Articles:
- My Take: I completely disagree with Bruton Smith on the poor crowd at Bristol and I believe he should keep the "NEW" configuration.

NASCAR and Formula 1 Notebook: Hamlin outduels Truex in Kansas, Lotus shines in Bahrain and Buescher wins Truck race.

Interesting weekend of racing as NASCAR invades Kansas with a Truck Series and Cup Series double header and the controversial Formula 1 Grand Prix of Bahrain is run and in the record books.

Trucks in Kansas:
Yesterday it was James Buescher outdueling Cup driver Brad Keselowski (with the Brad Keselowski Checkered Flag Foundation on his truck) winning his first Truck Series race. It has been quite a year for Buescher has he also captured his first Nationwide win earlier this year at Daytona. Hats off to James Buescher who now sits 2nd in the Truck Series points.

Formula 1 GP of Bahrain:
Honestly, I really didn’t see this GP race going off at all in Bahrain with all of the unrest in the country, but it did. But putting politics aside, the race itself was better than I it has been in past years. There was plenty of passing all race long, however when the dust cleared, it was Vettel in his Red Bull F1 racecar in victory lane.

But I believe the headline story was Lotus getting a 2-3 finish with Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean. To see another team besides Red Bull, McLaren-Mercedes and Ferrari contending for the win is great to see.

And a side note, TV crew vs. Pit crew sucks to watch and Williams F1 crew members playing games with a TV crew member by blocking him outside the garage in the closing laps of the race was useless to watch on TV. Just saying

NASCAR STP 400 in Kansas:
For most of this race that saw more excitement on track despite the long green flag runs than last weekends Texas race saw Martin Truex Jr. leading the most laps only to be outdueled when the sun came out by Denny Hamlin as Hamlin picked up his second win of 2012. Kansas was another fast paced race that saw the fastest cars make their way to the front and the fastest car at the end of the race won the race.

But hats of to Martn Truex Jr. and the entire MWR race team, its been a good 2012 so far for that organization and I believe Truex Jr. will win a race in 2012, ever so close today in Kansas. 

With all that said, now I can’t wait to see what happens next weekend with the NASCAR double header in Richmond, a short track race under the lights on a Saturday night, what could be better. All I got to say is, come on Dale Eamhardt Jr. and Hendrick Motorsports at Richmond.

Rockingham Speedway returns to NASCAR schedule with Kasey Kahne going from last to first to win the Good Sam 200 Truck race.

In watching the first 150 laps, I would thought that the domante truck of Nelson Piquet Jr. would have won this race. But it wasn't to be as Nelson Piquet Jr. make a critical error on the final pit stop by speeding on pit road to open the door for the other fast truck of Kasey Kahne who had to start dead last in the #4 Turner Motorsports Chevrolet to win the Good Sam 200 at Rockingham Speedway.

Hats off to Andy Hillenberg for bring back racing to The Rock, this one was a good old fashion short track race like I remember at The Rock and it was in front of a good sized crowd. Well done.

And I can't help myself but to say this, hahaha Bruton Smith who left this racetrack for dead years ago. But I don't know about The Rock returning to the Cup Series schedule anytime soon unless NASCAR realigns the Cup Series schedule to a one Cup date per track schedule.

Nico Rosberg captures his first Formula 1 victory along with Mercedes AMG in the Chinese GP over Button and Hamilton.

Nobody and I mean nobody including me gave Mercedes AMG even a chance at winning this race despite the fact that Rosburg and Schumacher started 1-2. But nonetheless, the Mercedes AMG of Nico Rosberg dominated this race and won the Chinese Grand Prix going away over Jenson Button and Lewis Hamliton. Well done, congrats, what a damn good way to collect their first victory together.

But what a surprise to see the Red Bull Racing teams of Webber and Vettel battling it out for just fourth and fifth spot. Could 2012 be a season of firsts, yeah so far this is wide open. Now only time will tell.

Greg Biffle beats Jimmie Johnson to win in NASCAR Texas 500; Maybe Wood picking Biffle instead of John Roberts on RaceDay was good.

Well Greg Biffle snaps his win less streak of almost 2 years (Kansas 2010) by leading 156 laps to win the Samsung Mobile 500 at Texas Motor Speedway over 5 Time champ Jimmie Johnson. But what struck me about the Texas 500 was this was a fast paced, few cautions race with the fastest cars including Jeff Gordon going from 34th to finish 4th. The race wasn't boring, but it was just okay.

Notebook:
1. It's interesting that Rutledge Wood and more so Bob Dillner picked Biffle first over John Roberts to win tonight, maybe that's a good luck deal and of course stick with the Biff.

2. Jeff Gordon finishes in 4th after starting back in 34th

3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. comes home in the 10th spot, another good finish. Keep in mind, Junior has finished 15th or better in all 7 races this season so far.

4. MWR grabs 3rd (Martin), 6th (Truex Jr)

5. And Kasey Kahne comes home in his best finish of 2012, 7th.

Well this Texas 500 mile race was really nothing to write home about, except Biffle and RFR on top, high winds blows cars around and only a few cautions with some really long green flag runs. But now it's off to Kansas. Just one thing to the FOX broadcast, enough with talking about Reutimann and the finish of Martinsville a few weeks ago, its old news period.

Notebook: I'm thinking Rusty Wallace, Benny Parsons, Red Byron, Cotton Owens and either Raymond Parks or H. Clay Earles for the 2013 NASCAR Hall of Fame class.

Yesterday, NASCAR announced the 2013 NASCAR Hall of Fame 25 nominees that include Buck Baker, Red Byron, Richard Childress, Jerry Cook, H. Clay Earles, Tim Flock, Rick Hendrick, Jack Ingram, Bobby Isaac, Fred Lorenzen, Cotton Owens, Raymond Parks, Benny Parsons, Les Richter, Fireball Roberts, T. Wayne Robertson, Herb Thomas, Curtis Turner, Joe Weatherly, Leonard Wood, plus the five newcomers of Ray Fox, Anne B. France, Ralph Seagraves, Wendell Scott, and Rusty Wallace.

Notebook:
1. I would like to see Smokey Yunick, Ken Squier and Alan Kulwicki included on the 2014 list of nominees.

2. I know that Rick Hendrick and Richard Childress will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in the future. However both car owners’ are still making history right now. So unfortunately now isn’t the time to induct them.

With that said, in looking at the 2013 list of nominees, I’m thinking Rusty Wallace, Benny Parsons, Red Byron, Cotton Owens and either Raymond Parks or H. Clay Earles for the 2013 NASCAR Hall of Fame class. But nobody is a lock anymore and I believe like the past years have shown us, you will see at least one surprise.

NASCAR Martinsville Cup Race aftermath continues: Clint Bowyer vs. Jimmy Spencer on NASCAR RaceHub.

Just a thought: Earlier tonight on NASCAR RaceHub on SPEED, I found Clint Bowyer's interview with Danielle Trotter to be interesting and at times funny especially in the beginning. Danielle started the interview by wanting to talk about the coveted race two weeks ago at Martinsville. Clint Bowyer's response was cool with him saying you dragged me all the way down here to talk about two weeks ago at Martinsville. But still a good interview.

However a few nuggets:
1. For the record Clint Bowyer, most NASCAR fans aren't really talking about the end of the Martinsville Cup race anymore, just the media is.

2. Since it was asked, I consider the big wreck with Bowyer, Gordon, Johnson and more to be more of a racing incident than anything else. Sure Clint Bowyer did cause some of it, but it was the end of the race, the win was on the line and there was a small hole below Jeff Gordon heading into turn 1. So it was what it was and that's all folks...a racing incident.

3. However I still stand behind what I said about David Reutimann stopping on-track after the race "My original reaction to David Reutimann stopping on-track and bring out the caution to set up the first of two GWC was how stupid could he be. But after hearing his post-race comments, his car owners and other drivers' comments, I believe while he meant well in him trying to stay in the top 35 in points (which he didn't), I believe that he should have done his job as a driver, stop listening to the others in his ear and parked it considering the race car was creating a safety issue. I believe that Reutimann, the people in his ear and NASCAR are all to blame. Welcome to the game known as the top 35 in points." (read more)

Keep in mind, if the #10 was running fine at the end of the race, then I wouldn't have had a problem with Reutimann finishing the race, no harm there especially with the top 35 the way it's set up. But the car was slow, sputtering and creating a safety hazard, time to park it no matter what. I just really hope that something good comes out of this.

4. While I don't always agree with Jimmy Spencer's segment on NASCAR RaceHub, I do find Jimmy Spencer interesting and let's be honest, agree or disagree with him, at least Spencer tells the truth unlike some other media members who don't. More radio replay please.

Now I can't wait for this Saturday night's Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Prediction: By 2016, consumers (for tablets) will have choices including Apple exclusives, Android with costs, features and options and Windows finally getting out of the gate.

Earlier today over on TechCrunch (a blog I read along others regularly), I came across an article with the headline “Apple Of Our Eye: Gartner Predicts 665 Million Tablets In Use By 2016, Over 45% Of Them iPad Devices”.

However I disagree and here’s why: I think the headline should read:"By 2016, consumers have choices including Apple with good exclusive products at premium pricing, Android hits high note for cost, features and options packed in a good product, and Windows finally gets out of the starting gate."

As a consumer, I believe having Apple, Google's Android and Microsoft's Windows in the Smartphone and tablet markets is going to be a good thing. A consumer can buy what they want and I wouldn't underestimate Windows 8, even though it's late to the party.

Keep in mind three things:
1. The starting price tag of a new iPad (April 2012) is $499 for a 16GB wifi only model. That price doesn’t even include a warranty (if the consumer wants one), apps and of course accessories. Add $100+ if you want more storage space and that’s wifi only.

2. Android tablets offer more for less with cost, features (USB Ports, HDMI and more storage at a reasonable price) and options (namely a consumer can choose between upwards of 5 different quality manufacturers and models. The starting price is $250+ for a 7 inch (Acer A100) to $350-$500 on average for a 10 inch model. And if the rumor mill works out, Google may bring out their own branded tablet.

3. While Windows 8 tablets haven’t hit the market yet, many consumers are already interested in Windows 8 on PC and Smartphones. If Microsoft with Windows 8 and the manufacturers can hit on cost, features and options like Android have, consumers will jump on-board for sure. I see Windows as being a good performer in the tablet market just like they are in the PC market.

And yet Wow, another iOS vs. Android debate, who didn't see that one coming. But could Windows play a spoiler? It’s a thought ladies and gentleman and while some will dismiss it as nothing, others will agree and even see the logic in it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and this is my opinion.

AT&T forces GoPhone Smartphone users to switch to monthly plans or lose data – I feel cheated and I want my $100 for my Smartphone back.

Originally published: 4/4/2012
Article rewritten with updates: 4/18/2012

On April 4th, AT&T set off a small firestorm among AT&T GoPhone users like myself who are on either the $2/day plan or the 10 cents a minute a plan that use Smartphones and buy blocks of data ($5 for 10MB, $15 for 100MB or $25 for 500MB) with one simple text message:

"AT&T Free Msg: On 4/18 data packages and auto renew will only be available with monthly plans. Pls move to a monthly plan if you want 2 continue data package use."

I can really only speak for myself in this article, so here's my take on how I got here and on today's announcement by AT&T.

Back in April 2011, after seeing the new AT&T GoPhone rates including being able to use a Smartphone on a 10 cents per minute plan and being able to buy blocks of data. I decided that I wanted to upgrade to AT&T GoPHone, so in November 2011, I purchased the new GoPhone Branded LG Thrive Android Smartphone so I could have a new Android Smartphone on a prepaid account with data. I shelled out $100 for the new Smartphone (earlier Black Friday deal at Best Buy) and a $100 refill card.

Now fast forward to today's announcement that changes the terms of advertisement from last April were now I will no longer be able to purchase blocks of data for my Smartphone unless I move to a monthly plan.

I feel cheated, and ripped off. I truly believe that AT&T has created a bait and switch move with doing this and with this move, it has rendered my Smartphone useless on the go without data. I have no intention of switching to a monthly plan, it would be a total waste of money for me, of course money I don't have.

I am a very light voice and text user, but data were a different story for me. As a matter of fact, I believe that by November 2012, I would have been spending around $120/year on data, but now nothing. I believe that AT&T at the very least should either grandfather current Smartphone users in on being able to buy blocks of data especially considering I bought their GoPhone branded Lg Thrive or my $100 back/$100 credit so I can buy a non-Smartphone like the LG Encore or something like I was going to buy before I say the LG Thrive.

As for the future, I'm just going to stay with AT&T GoPhone with my Smartphone on the 10 cents per minute plan using wifi only and going unplugged the rest of the time until next March (2013) when my account expires and hopefully I have some extra money and then what plans other wireless carriers have for Prepaid users who don't want to go monthly, but want data. I think T-Mobile is a good option so long as they have good coverage in my area (New England). Maybe Verizon Wireless will upgrade their service by then.

All I got to say is good job AT&T, way to screw over millions of customers who were buying blocks of data, hope your happy.

Trying out Instagram on Android with a recent photo of Wegmans. Here's a few thoughts.

Earlier today, the widely popular Instagram app was finally released on Android after being on Apple's iOS for a few years now. Since I got myself an Android Smartphone that runs Android 2.2.2, I have wanted to try out Instagram for its photo filters, sharing, marketing and of course for its community. So many Smartphone users including one of my favorite actresses and artists Selena Gomez is on Instagram. In another words, I want to follow others and see they see.

So since downloading the new app, I decided to try the app out by using a photo I recently took a few weeks ago of the popular grocery store here in Massachusetts, Wegmans. So far I like the app and its easy to use. However I'm disappointed to see that app on runs on my Android Smartphone and not my Acer Iconia Tab A100 Android Tablet. The tablet has a camera and wifi too.

This photo looks more like a painted portrait than a photo.

Original Photo taken by me (Brian Vermette)

But I haven't figured out how I'm going to share all of my instagram photos here at ThinkingBrian.com (which is hosted on blogger.com by the way) because this site is not only a blog, but a stream too and that includes photography. I will figure that out soon enough with some trial and error.

My Take: Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Thompson Square win big at the 2012 ACM Awards in Las Vegas.

Last night's Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas was pretty much what I expected it to be filled with amazing performances, two hosts (Reba and Blake) having a little fun with recent events including Taylor Swift (as long as she's single, she'll make headlines for who she dates or is linked to by rumors) and some surprise wins in the awards categories.

Notebook:
1. Cool to see the ACM's start off with Carrie Underwood performing "Good Girl", what a song. I love Carrie's music and I said this years ago after seeing her performance on television at the Grand Old Opry and I'll say it again, when she opens her eyes, it looks like a butterfly spreading its wings.

2. Keith Urban's saluting the troops with his performance, that was worth a standing ovation for sure. It even brought me to tears.

3. Scotty McCreery goes from winning American Idol to winning the ACM New Artist of the year award, what a year this kid's had and what a career he will have to. Congrats to Scotty, good win and there's no way to do it then in a fan voted award category.

4. It's really no surprise to me to see Lady Antebellum win Top Vocal Group of the Year, Miranda Lambert wins Top Female Vocalist of the Year and Blake Shelton win Top Male Vocalist of the Year because they are all tops in their categories and they give killer performances as well especially Miranda Lambert. Congratulations.

5. Even though it wasn't shown on the TV broadcast which is terrible, congratulations to Thompson Square on winning the Top Vocal Duo award, they deserve it. I love listening to Thompson Square and their new music video for "Glass" is incredible and breathtaking to watch and has such meaning behind it.

6. Oh yeah, a big congratulations to Taylor Swift on winning the fan voted Entertainer of the Year Award, damn that's so cool. And yes I am a fan of Taylor Swift and love her music. But what gives, no performance by Taylor Swift? Did I miss something, I was really looking forward to that.

And with that said, congratulations to all of the winners at last night's 47th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas and hopefully everyone had a good time.

NASCAR: Ryan Newman wins Goody's 500 at Martinsville as Johnson vs. Gordon in final laps denies Hendrick 200th win.

Originally Published: 4/1/2012
Partly rewrote and updated: 4/2/2012

Damn, what an ending to what was a very tamed 500 lap race. My how things change in the blink of an eye as one minute I'm thinking with 10 laps to go, this one is shaping up to be a Jimmie Johnson vs. Jeff Gordon round whatever (I lost count) with either driver winning the race to capture Hendrick Motorsports their 200th Cup win and it would be a Hendrick 1-2-3 finish to a caution flag, a wreck and a surprise win.

Notebook:
1. My original reaction to David Reutimann stopping on-track and bring out the caution to set up the first of two GWC was how stupid could he be. But after hearing his post-race comments, his car owners and other drivers' comments, I believe while he meant well in him trying to stay in the top 35 in points (which he didn't), I believe that he should have done his job as a driver, stop listening to the others in his ear and parked it considering the race car was creating a safety issue. I believe that Reutimann, the people in his ear and NASCAR are all to blame. Welcome to the game known as the top 35 in points.

Keep in mind, NASCAR did black-flag Reutimann, but it was too late and also called Reutimann-Baldwin to hauler, but no further penalties will be given.

2. The 1st green-white-checkered restart was a classic old tires vs. new tires, aggressive driving and the end of the race spelled chaos in turn 1. Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson on old tires couldn't get going, Newman jumped to the inside and Bowyer went to block Newman, got hit and part of that caused the wreck in turn 1 resulting in Johnson, Gordon and Bowyer out of contending for the victory, while  Ryan Newman, A.J. Allmendinger and Dale Earnhardt Jr emerged the carnage to restart 1-2-3.

3. On the final GWC restart, I was really hoping that Dale Earnhardt Jr could win this one, but Junior just couldn't get going and that would leave the battle for the win up to Ryan Newman and A.J. Allmendinger with Ryan Newman overcoming a pit road speeding penalty to win the Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville over A.J. Allmendinger and Dale Eanhardt Jr who finishing 3rd.

4. It was a surprise win for sure, but Ryan Newman was in the right place at the right time to capitalize and win the race. Hell of job for Newman and the #39 Stewart-Haas Racing team.

5. Conclusion: This was a good old fashion short track race at Martinville that was in front of a packed house. The Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway was exactly what NASCAR and fans including me needed especially after last weekend's boring, rain shortened race at California Speedway.

But while next weekend will have no racing what so ever (Easter Weekend), but the following weekend will be a double-header for NASCAR at Texas Motor Speedway with Nationwide on Friday night and Cup on Saturday night. Of course the race I'm looking forward to the most is next Sunday with the Truck Series returning to Rockingham Speedway (haha Bruton Smith and you thought that The Rock was worthless).