NASCAR: Todd Bodine tells it like it is about Kyle Busch in victory lane at Kentucky after winning Truck race.

Ever since January when Brian France and NASCAR said “Boy’s, Have at it!”, the drivers not only on track, but off track especially in their interviews have opened up just a little bit more. In the 2010 season, NASCAR drivers have given the media and the fans some amazing and memorable sound bits from Jeff Gordon saying “the 48 is testing my patience’s, I can tell you that”.

Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR

But I have to say that the best sound bit that I have heard so far in the 2010 season was from Todd Bodine in victory lane last Friday night. You see, last Friday night at Kentucky Motor Speedway in the Truck Series race, on lap 96 of 150, Bodine was racing Kyle Busch for the lead and Bodine was underneath coming off turn 4, racing tight and Bodine lost his truck and spun into the grass on the front straightaway. Now I really didn’t see anything wrong there, but I will mention that I did the previous week at Chicagoland.

But that spin would put Todd Bodine on a different fuel strategy and enabled him to strength his fuel and win the race. So in victory lane, Todd Bodine told SPEED "The first person I've got to thank is Kyle Busch for driving dirty and sucking me down and getting me spun out and giving us the gas"

Of course following that interview, Kyle Busch heard that comment and came running into victory lane to confront Bodine. The conversation got heated for a moment and then Kyle Busch left victory lane.

But wait there’s more, after Kyle Busch left victory lane, a SPEED reporter followed up with Todd Bodine where he said "He wasn't happy that I called him out on TV", "It's a shame that -- he's such a good kid and when you get him away from this racing atmosphere and he's off just being Kyle, he's a good kid. He's a lot of fun, I've been there with him. But you put him behind the wheel and he thinks he owns the racetrack. And he doesn't cut anybody a break and if this was an isolated incident, I'd let it slide, I wouldn't worry about it. But he drives that way in every division, every week, and he didn't like it." (Quotes from From the Marbles – Yahoo Sports!)

That second comment was the best hands down and Bodine is right, I’m sure Busch is a nice guy off the track, I know fans say that especially on WindTunnel, but on-track he just doesn’t get it and I tip my hat to Bodine, Bodine said what many haven’t this year and good for him. And Bodine had every right to call out Busch because this isn’t an isolated incident. Bodine had problems with Busch last week a Chicagoland in the Truck race as well when Busch pinched Bodine to the outside wall, forcing Bodine to lift or they would have collided.

If you have watched Kyle Busch drive in all three of NASCAR’s national series especially in the Nationwide Series, Busch does drive like he owns the place. Bristol is another example; Busch came off turn 4 late in the race while racing for the lead and pinched Brad Keselowski, but Brad didn’t lift and Busch ended up driving down into turn 2 and wrecking him. That was purely payback. And I could go on and on with examples…

In all of this, now I just have to wonder, since talking to Kyle Busch doesn’t work, will any driver risk getting retaliation from Kyle Busch and wreck him. Now I want to go on record and say “that I don’t believe in retaliation or payback in the form of wrecking another driver. However if talking to them and trying to run clean with them doesn’t work, then payback is the only option in racing.” Its happen for decades now, just ask Richard Petty, David Pearson, Junior Johnson, Darrell Waltrip just to name a few, they have done it and gotten it right back and so have the late, great Dale Earnhardt.

But don’t expect Todd Bodine or Brad Keselowski to retaliate. Last week on WindTunnel, Bodine said that he wouldn’t wreck Busch back, what would that do to his points if Busch came back and wrecked him and I will add, not to mention his truck. Germain Racing doesn’t have that many Trucks in the stable that could be very costly especially with them running somewhat out of their own pockets. And Brad Keselowski is past that, plus same thing goes for him, he is running for the championship and he wants to win too.

So who might, I’m thinking you will have to wait for Homestead-Miami once championships are wrapped up or Juan Montoya, Ryan Newman, Joey Logano just to name a few. Any which way, don’t expect anything, but what a good sound bit.

Big Brother 12: Who should win out of the final four?

Well ladies and gentlemen, the Big Brother 12 season is winding down and with just four houseguests remaining in the house, its really anybodies game at this point. However just like in past 11 seasons, once the game gets to the final four, its decision time, who do you want to take to the final two. But for the fans, it’s the discussion that if we had a vote, who would we want to win Big brother 12?

Well even though CBS doesn’t allow the fans to vote or be a member of the Big Brother jury, I thought that I would run down the final four and give my take on who I think should win. Now the way I look at Big Brother is the same way I look at Survivor, a houseguest or player has to outwit, outlast and outplay all of the other competitors in order to be a true player and be crowned the winner of Big Brother.

So from who I want to win the most right down to least, here we go.

1. Britney. In being the only female in the house that really hasn’t stopped Britney from being the most competitive person in the house at this point in the game. She has outplayed the other final three HG’s by winning one HOH and I believe 3 POV’s so far. She has put herself in position in the house especially with aligning herself with Lane, despite the fact the brigade still holds three strong. Britney has proven throughout the game that she will do what it takes to win and that includes winning challenges.

At this point, I would really like to see Britney win BB12, she has earned it. But for that to happen, she would have to win the final POV to stay in the game or convince the sole person who casts the only vote this week not to evict her. But her chances are slim unless its Lane and then she has a chance.

2. Hayden. If Britney doesn’t win, Hayden would be the next logical choice and the one that I believe will win just by looking at the numbers and who he is aligned with, plus how many votes he might get in the jury house. Hayden has outplayed the other HG’s by winning two HOH’s so far. Hayden was the first HOH and was the HOH on double-eviction week.

But I have to be honest in saying his strongest move has been aligning himself with Matt and his two other Brigade members (Lane and Enzo). He only plays when he has too and throws challenges the rest of the time. Let’s be honest, out of the remaining Brigade members, he has the most blood on his hands or has had a hand in getting out some of the jury members. But again he most likely will win BB12. And I would congratulate him if he did.

3 and 4 are Lane and Enzo. Up till two weeks ago, I really didn’t even notice that either one was even in the house sort of speck especially when it comes to game play. And of course neither one of them have really done any game play besides attach themselves to Hayden and especially Matt that did all of the work.

Now I will give Lane some credit, he won 1 HOH only after another Brigade member lost. And he saved Britney from possible eviction last week which was a good move especially for Britney. But really he has floated.

However nobody has floated through BB12 better than Enzo. Enzo has won 1 POV in a smashing way to make sure Ragen went home. His biggest move has been also attaching himself to Matt and Hayden along with Lane and doing nothing.

I have to say that in watching this secret Brigade walk their way through this game was interesting, but now that three are in the final four, it’s kind of sad that we have two people that have floated to the end, but it’s not the first time neither…hint hint June. But I wonder what the jury will think of either one or both if in the final two?

I do believe that Matt and Brenden will have something interesting to say of course that they really didn’t play the game and who knows what Rachael will say.

However especially for Lane to win big Brother, they should take Britney to the final two considering Britney has no friends in the jury house. And taking Hayden most likely will guarantee them $50,000 and a runner up finish. But keep in mind, I do think that it might not matter for Enzo as he might just steal this one considering he has no blood on his hands and is friends with just about everyone in the jury house.

At this point Big Brother has done all they can do, now it’s time for the game play to begin, a person needs to win POV to be save this week and cast the sole eviction vote. Then win the final three-part HOH in order to go to the final two.

But I will say that in watching the entire season of Big brother 12 and being a huge BB fan, I will say that this season has the one of the best in Big Brother history hands down and yes that includes Rachael, of course now I know why the house relaxed a little bit after she was evicted, damn she created some of the drama in how she treated the other Houseguests.

So now its all up to the Houseguests, who wants it the most and who will win the final POV and go on to win the final three-part HOH, see you Wednesday for a special eviction episode.

What are your thoughts on BB12 so far, is it the best season in Big Brother history? Who do you think will win?

Poll & Thoughts: What is your biggest complaint about NASCAR even with the good racing?

As I sit here at my desk after an interesting Bristol quad-header weekend, I began thinking about the racing so far in 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season and yet there is always a complaint or two, but in all of that, what is your biggest complaint (and please keep it to racing and not saying Kyle Busch is winning, Jimmie Johnson is winning or whatever)

1. The Chase itself.
2. The COT.
3. The 3 attempts at a green-white-checkered finish
4. The cookie cutter tracks on the schedule.
5. The lucky dog free pass (including the multi-car wave around)

Personally, my vote would be #1, the chase itself. The reasons are:

First while the COT isn’t what the fans wanted (including me), nor does it look like a car off the showroom floor. However with the next generation rear spoiler and especially the safety, I can live with the COT and it does produce good racing at several racetracks.

Second, with the exception of Daytona and Talladega, I like the three attempts at a green-white-checkers. However when it comes to Daytona and Talladega, one attempt is enough and even that causes wrecks because of very aggressive drivers.

Third, the lucky dog free pass gives drivers a second chance. Sure it needs to be tweaked like how many times a single driver can use it during one race or even that you can only get the lucky dog if you’re one lap down, not several. But it adds to the racing.

Fourth, the schedule is a mess and while we need more short tracks and road courses, the cookie cutter tracks aren’t the biggest problem with the racing. No it’s the chase.

I believe that the chase has gotten stale or is out of date and it takes away from the first 26 races. Not only that, but the points system is broken and any driver not in the chase is treated like a second class citizen. NASCAR needs to completely redo the entire points system and that along will help the chase. Other ways to mix it up would be to put new tracks in the chase like Bristol, Sonoma, and end in Las Vegas. I will get into the schedule another time.

Of course I believe that getting rid of the chase completely and replacing it with a 34-race schedule, a tight points system and one champion is the better way to go. That would mean that all 34-races equally mean the same and reward the same, no points reset and no driver just gets 12th for sticking around in the chase even with mediocre performances, while another driver outside the chase can’t get higher in the standings.

And in order for a driver to win the championship, they have to be good all season long and not just in the chase.

I hate getting stiffed by an advertiser: 3 tips for bloggers, webmasters, advertisers and companies on doing business.

Normally even the thought of venting my business frustrations and problems openly not only online, but on my own lifestream (the next level of a blog) is the last thing I would want to do, I try and be professional in life especially when I have a situation and if one arises, I will attack the problem with logic and find a real solution.

However I live by the old saying, “treat people the way you want to be treated” or “do unto others as you would have done unto you”. But when business people not only treat you like a second class citizen (and that’s putting it loosely), but are completely unprofessional, that sounds a red flag and needs to be discussed.

Over the past 5 years of running RaceDriven.com, I have been doing business not only with accepting advertising, but in general and while I have to say that in a lot of cases I have been treated with respect, the business person has been very professional and represented there companies well. However over the same span, there are those business people that have been unprofessional, disrespectful and not represented their company well at all. And for the life of me, I can’t understand why.

Now when I do business with a person, I am also doing business with the company that person represents. So if the business person is unprofessional, disrespectful and not represented that company well, what make you think that I would want to do business with not only you, but that company again? Think of it as a first impression, first impressions make a huge difference.

Now I should mention that in one case of doing business with a person from a company, the deal ended up being a disaster and going dead. The business person was unprofessional and had choice words for me, of course I didn’t response to his response because I had already said I wasn’t interested and that would have created a heated exchange.

However, I did do business with that company again, but a different person, only to get the silent treatment 6 months later during the renewal process that he wanted. One minute I’m hearing what he wants and the next minute after giving a price, nothing. No email, even after a follow up, nothing. How hard was it to say “I’m not interested anymore” or give details of what you wanted. Of course afterwards, he wanted me to recommend him on LinkedIn, no.

Anyway, I would like to offer some tips for bloggers, webmasters, site owners, advertisers and companies:

1. Be professional. I can’t give this tip or advice enough. You (the business person) are not only doing business with the other person, but representing your or the company you work and being unprofessional isn’t going to get you anywhere especially in getting a good deal. The only thing it will get you is a door in your face or a virtual door in your face and a bad reputation.

And remember, not every business deal is going to work out, in that case, you simply say I’m not interested anymore and give a reason.

2. Don’t instantly go silent with people you’re doing business with (meaning stop communications instantly). Above I described an case where a person was talking to me, but immediately stopped communications by email with me with no warning or reason, that means going silent and that is unprofessional. Instead email the other person you were doing business with and say this “I regret to info you that I’m no longer interested in doing business with you. If in the future I’m interested in doing business with you again, I will contact you.” Now if you get another email, add this line if your still not interested “All future emails with go unanswered”. Basically, you have informed them that you’re done and that’s it. There is nothing else you can do.

3. When you say I will send payment, send payment within 24 hours. This is a huge problem that I have come across. Don’t get me wrong, I have done business with clients that within one hour, we have made a deal, payment has been made, service has been delivered and in the case of a banner ad, the duration has begun.

But not every transaction goes that way and I understand that it may take 24 hours to get payment sent out. One reason is that the person you’re doing business with has to put in a request in for payment within the company. However I will say that I have seen payment take up to 7 days before, if you need more than 24 hours, tell them that, but 7 days is ridiculous.

But don’t say payment is send and not follow through and sent payment. That is stiffing someone and that clearing has happened to me a few times especially within the last week. And keep in mind that I only accept payment via PayPal, in most cases, once payment is send, the payment will be delivered its within minutes.

What do you think?

Top 6 NASCAR things learned from Bristol – Kyle Busch wins triple in Bristol, but isn’t the best in NASCAR.

Well ladies and gentlemen, in this week’s edition of the “Top 6 NASCAR things learned”, I give you my take on all of the racing action from the bullring in Thunder Valley, yes none other than Bristol Motor Speedway.

NASCAR gave fans a special treat this weekend, a quad-header (if you will) at Bristol Motor Speedway with four NASCAR series in action from the NASCAR Whelon Modified Tour and the Truck Series on Wednesday night, the Nationwide Series on Friday night and of course the main event, the 500 lapper Cup Series race on Saturday night.

But I do have to say that last week was very special for me as it was my birthday week. I know birthday week, well hay you only live life once and for one week a year, I celebrate my birthday. But consider this, it’s a week long of racing entertainment leading up to my birthday last Monday, yes August 23rd where I turned 31 years old. Now life really begins and that’s a good thing.

Anyway on to the racing action from Bristol and the previous week’s NASCAR edition of news. So what did we learn?

1. The 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule was released, one word “frustrating”. All I kept hearing for the last few months especially from Brian France was that NASCAR wanted to make well bold moves, change the schedule and make it better for the fans. Well, where was the schedule better for the fans exactly? A perfect example of frustration had to making Phoenix the second race of 2011 and a day race. Placing it there right before Las Vegas is a mistake, Phoenix is 300 miles from Las Vegas and that market can’t handle two dates one week apart. And Phoenix as a night race is amazing.

I’m not excited about Chicagoland playing host to the first chase race nor moving New Hampshire’s first Cup Series date back to the middle of July. And of course Kansas got their second Cup date just because NASCAR owns ISC and there is a casino and hotel next to track. Give me a break, what a joke. They don’t need or can handle a second date plain and simple.

2. Best race of the week had to be the NASCAR Whelon Modified Tour. I have to say that Wednesday night’s running of the Whelon Modified Tour race was the best race of the Bristol week hands down. What a battle lap after lap with the best series in NASCAR. In being from Massachusetts, I know what the Whelon Modified’s are and have been a fan for years and watched them at New Hampshire when I can. The racing was perfect.

A few drivers swapped the lead several lead for most of the 150 lapper between Ted Christopher and Mike Stefanik, before Ryan Newman took the lead in the late stages to win again this season.

3. Why Dale Earnhardt Jr. running well in the Nationwide Series is a good thing. I’ve been a Dale Jr. fan since around 1997, just before Dale Jr. started running in #3 what id now the Nationwide Series and winning back to back championships. I believe that Dale Jr. can drive, but the COT has not been his friend at all since it was introduced back in 2007. However I believe that the answer to Dale Jr.’s quest to get back into victory lane actually is at JR Motorsports with his running the #88 out of his own shop with Tony Eury Sr. and Jr. on top of the pit box.

I believe that Dale Jr. would fair better driving for himself like Tony Stewart does at Stewart-Haas Racing with Tony Eury on the pit box. He would be around family and family for Junior is huge. With the exception of Rick Hendrick, Dale Jr. doesn’t really have anybody at Hendrick, but he does at JR Motorsports. Just a thought, but he has already won at Daytona and finished fourth at Bristol in the #88 this season in the Nationwide Series.

4. Enough with all of the Cup Series drivers in the Nationwide Series already. I really don’t need to say anymore.

5. Brad Keselowski calls Kyle Busch an a** during Saturday night’s Irwin Tools 500 intros. And Brad got a huge crowd reaction. You see in the Nationwide Series race at Bristol, Kyle Busch took out Brad Keselowski and went on to win. And of course with Brad under probation, there was nothing Brad could do and Kyle could just run all over him.

6. After Kyle Busch sweep all three National series race at Bristol this past weekend, SPEED’s RaceHub on Facebook asked “Kyle sweeps at Bristol...is he the best driver in NASCAR?”

Simply put “NO”. While I will give Kyle Busch a lot of credit, he can handle a racecar like very few drivers can whether its loose or tight and drive/win in several types of racecars including Cup, Nationwide, Trucks, East Series, Dirt and etc., the fact is, is that Kyle Busch isn’t the best. He has yet to win a Cup series championship, learn how to act and be respectful to other competitors on and off-track and he is driving some of the best equipment in the Nationwide Series and Truck Series.

I believe that it will be along time before Kyle Busch is the best in NASCAR. Call me when he has over 100 NASCAR wins, a few championships and grows up. And keep in mind, I’m talking about Kyle Busch, the professional racecar driver, not Kyle Busch in his personal life, I’m sure he is a nice guy in his personal life, but he has a lot to learn as a racecar driver. Oh yeah “Deal with it!”

And with that, I’m off, see you next week.

American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior – Your 15 minutes of fame is up.

Last Thursday night was the season or what TLC called the series premiere of American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior and like I said last week, if anybody was expecting either a completely new show or a show that returned the good old days of American Chopper that showcased a company with a group of guys building one-of-a-kind choppers that became works of art, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but it’s the same old show just several months later.

If that wasn’t enough, last night’s episode was even worse, Paul Sr. decided to go on a rant again about Paul Jr. and his pursuit of building a new bike building company. One former fan and reader of RaceDirven.com commented on the first two episodes:

enriquemichaeltijerina has left a new comment on your post "American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior – It’s the sam...":

I am inclined to agree with you. first of all the first two bikes built by OCC in the first two series were completely uninspired and unimpressive. I stopped watching when the series became all about Paul Sr.'s childish blow ups and his total lack of respect for the people who helped make OCC a success. Paul Sr. has shown in the first two series his complete lack of fatherhood instincts and respects for his sons ambitions. I look forward to Paulies first build and hope it blows peoples socks off.

That comment was right now.

At this point, I have four things to say:

1. Paul Sr. should be worried about his own falling company (OCC) and not his son trying to return to his roots and passion and do what he does best, design and build choppers.

2. I’m also looking forward to Paul Jr’s first build and I hope it blows people away too.

3. Thanks TLC for ruining what was once a great show, most fans didn’t want just another drama filled, trash talking reality show and for that I say good-bye to writing about American Chopper unless Paul Jr. builds an amazing chopper. I wish another network would have signed Paul Jr. Designs and developed a real chopper show.

4. Just so everyone is clear, it was Paul Sr. that started a custom chopper company (OCC), but it was Paul Jr. (and of course the crew at OCC like Vinnie, Rick, and more) that made OCC famous with his designing and building one-of-a-kind theme choppers. Yes one-of-a-kind theme choppers like the Jet bike, Fire Bike, Lincoln Mark LT Bike, Black Widow Bike, Liberty Bike, Gillette Bike, Mercedes-AMG Bike, HP Bike, and Intel Chip Chopper, OCC wouldn’t have been so famous. Of course being famous only lasts for so long and then it’s up to you to keep the success going and some have it, while others don’t.

However I will say that when Paul Sr. built the POW-MIA bike that was impressive too especially with Justin’s paint job.

What’s Next…

It’s Kevin Harvick in the Budweiser Chevrolet vs. Brad Keselowski in the Miller Lite Dodge for the battle of the beers in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2011.

Image Credit: RCR Facebook page

Its official, Budweiser will sponsor the #29 Kevin Harvick RCR Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2011. The partnership announced Tuesday will put Budweiser as the primary sponsor for the #29 Kevin Harvick RCR Chevrolet in 20 races, the 2 points races during Speedweeks and co-primary sponsor of the All-Star race. Budweiser will also be an associate sponsor for the (16) remaining races on the schedule.

So that means that they need at least one more sponsor to cover the 16 remaining races which is pretty common especially in this economy. I wouldn’t be surprised to see more sponsorship deals like this where the company sponsors most of the schedule.

But as I sat in my chair catching the end of the Budweiser, RCR and Kevin Harvick press conference on NASCAR.com where Richard Childress, the rep from Budweiser and Kevin Harvick tossed their new found relationship, I began to think about where Budweiser has come over the years especially in the last 10 years from Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne to now Kevin Harvick.

I have to say that as a NASCAR fan, I’ve seen some interesting partnerships or sponsorships over the years, but this Kevin Harvick, Budweiser deal struck me as odd. What I mean is, when Dale Jr. had Budweiser, it was a match made in heaven, the two made a great combination. Then when Kasey Kahne joined Budweiser, it took a little while, but it became a good match. However Kevin Harvick and Budeiser leave me with questions. I don’t know, the match doesn’t hit me right.

And think about this, Brad Keselowski will be the new Miller Lite driver of the #2 Penske Racing Dodge in the Cup Series next season as well. The point is, Kevin Harvick doesn’t strike me as a person who sells beer because that’s what sponsorship is, the driver is the spokesmen for that company. But then again, maybe at Daytona next season when Harvick is in Budweiser red, I will see this partnership more clearly. Yeah that’s a good plan.

Now of course this means with Kevin Harvick in Budweiser and the previously announced deal of Brad Keselowski in the #2 Miller Lite Dodge in 2011, we have a very interesting battle of the beers next season. It’s the second year driver Brad Keselowski vs. veteran driver Kevin Harvick, this should be fun to watch.

Image Credit: Budweiser’s Facebook page

Related article:
- 2010 NASCAR Silly Season Part 1: The facts, the speculations and the predictions. UPDATED which has been updated.