Plenty of action this weekend at home and away, and I’m going to add a post later today or early tomorrow addressing some of the goings-on in Richmond.
But for now, let’s see how we did with the weekend’s picks.
NASCAR, NHRA, ARCA
My Guest Predictor, Diana Moss, started off strong with the correct pick of Denny Hamlin winning Saturday’s Nationwide race in Richmond.
And she was right in picking Joey Logano to win the ARCA Re/Max race on Sunday in Rockingham, N.C. (Ed: Local drivers Tayler Malsam of Monroe and Nick Tucker of Bremerton finished 14th and 16th, respectively).
But then things didn’t quite work out the rest of the way.
Clint Bowyer scooted past Diana’s pick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., when Junior and Kyle Busch tangled late to get the win in Sunday’s Cup race in Richmond.
Here is Diana’s take on the finish: “Dale Jr would have won … had it not been for the antics of Denny Hamlin stopping on the track to bring out the caution (so that he wouldn’t go a lap down because of a flat tire) which allowed his teammate Kyle Busch to catch up to Dale Jr … and then Kyle took out Dale Jr when he got loose under Jr … Denny got “parked” for his antics … “
My pick, Matt Kenseth, was involved in the “big one” started when JJ Yeley tried to squeeze past Carl Edwards.
On to NHRA where Diana got a win of sorts when John Force recorded his 1,000 round victory on Sunday, an unbelieveable stat.
Force was Diana’s pick to be the overall Funny Car winner, but Tim Wilkerson took the title, beating Force’s employee Mike Neff in the final.
“Hot” Rod Fuller won in Top Fuel, Kurt Johnson took home the Pro Stock trophy and Andrew Hines finished first in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Diana had picked Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Chip Ellis (Pro Stock Motorcycle).
Diana did point out to me that both Schumacher and Ellis lost to the eventual winners. She also added: “In my defense, Tony “Sarge” Schumacher and Mike Neff (of John Force Racing) did make it to the final round … So, had Neff won the event, John still would’ve technically gotten the win (as the car owner) …”
Evergreen Speedway
On the local front, it looked like I was going to be 2-for-2 at Evergreen Speedway. Both my picks for the super stock and bomber divisions, James Mugge and Travis Blackwood respectively, led early in their main races.
But Mugge had a tire go down, and Blackwood spun on the backstretch, leaving the way open for a pair of Langs.
Naima Lang won the super main and Jill Lang won the bomber main, making history as the first husband and wife to win features on the same night at Evergreen Speedway.
My pick, Nick Gunderson, made a strong run through the field in the super figure eight main, but time ran out and Doug Delfel took home the trophy.
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