Streak To The Finish...Just The Bare Facts at Texas II

The silver guns that Stewart shot off in victory lane where not the only things smoking in Texas. Tony proved he was definitely the "Lone Gunman" or "The Smokin' Gun" during the Dickies 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway. Stewart led the most laps and his pit crew gave him nothing but flawless stops during the race. This was definitely a team victory for the #20 Home Depot Chevrolet.

The Dickies 500 also marked the end of a Fantastic career for Texas Terry Labonte. Also known as the "Iceman", Terry finished the day 36th but was truly impressive and gave me those goose bumps was when Terry did his parade laps before the start of the race and his son, Justin, drove up next to him in the old #44 1980 Monte Carlo that Terry got his first victory at Darlington over 26 years ago. Terry had a great run during his racing career with two championships under his belt. You will surely be missed Terry.

Without further delay, here are some of the bare facts from the Dickies 500:

1. Tony Stewart turned his fastest lap on the last lap of the race. Very impressive for a driver that only took 2 tires and the guys behind him were on 4. What does that say about this team?

2. Cutting back on the junk food and having that personal trainer has helped Tony with his fence climbing abilities.

3. Hypothetical speaking, if Tony was in the Chase, do you think the other drivers would have a chance? Inquiring minds want to know.

4. Could you believe it that after Kasey Kahne's engine blew up and he was headed back to the garage area, the NBC broadcasting team made the comment about how he (Kahne) perhaps shouldn't have ran 8 or 9 more laps in practice. Here is one of the Chasers and a sarcastic comment like that is said on TV. I wonder how that announcer would feel if he was stranded on the side of a desolate road with a flat tire and a car drives by and says "You should have checked your tire pressures at that last gas station 75 miles back."

5. This being Terry Labonte's final race of his career, do you think the TV camera's could of given him just a bit more exposure instead of the one shot on TV when he was shown being put a lap down. Yes, yes, they did show him doing his parade lap before the start of the race but for a two-time champion, one would think he would get a tad bit more exposure.

6. Did Harvick take the air off of Rigg's spoiler? By the replays, it sure did look like the #29 wanted by in a bad way. Hence, once again the #10 loses out on a possible Top 5 finish.

7. Speaking of the #29 in Kevin Harvick and his wife Delaney, do you think Ray Evernham will take matters into his own hands in keeping his personnel under control? It was totally uncalled for in what the unnamed crew member of the #10 did by pushing the both of them along with a NASCAR official after the race. Looks like chivalry is truly dead.

8. How many more times do we have to endure the dreaded commercials with the elephant for DLP and the darn cake race for the Low-Definition productions by Sony? Calgon, take me away.

9. Will anyone else be happy when Election Day will be over and done with tomorrow (Nov. 7th) because of the slanderous commercials. Which are more annoying? The politics or hearing Bill Weber announce the race? Your vote does count.

10. What else can happen to the #31 team? Talk about just pure back luck and timing. Jeff Burton needs to keep with that positive outlook he has held this entire season. He still has a chance at this championship. Like him, things can happen to drivers in these last 2 races.

11. Did anyone else scramble on their TV to find CNBC when NBC announced it would switch to that station for the rest of the post race? I know I was one of those fans trying to surf through all 175 channels.

12. Sick and Tired. That is the true statement for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Here is a guy who was suffering from the flu all week but still managed to climb into the race car and drive 500 miles.


Okay, there are only 2 races left before the Champion will be decided. Will it be the bride's maid Jimmie Johnson? How about Matt "Cheese Head" Kenseth? Perhaps momma's boy Denny Hamlin? Or the 2006 Busch series champion, Kevin Harvick. Next up is the sunny valley of Phoenix. Who will be victorious and who will go home crying?