As the boys and girl drive in Delaware this weekend, not everyone gets to go. Kyle Busch, for example, will not have the benefit of his crew chief until the All-Star race. Adam Stevens got sent to exile island along with front tire changer Josh Leslie, and docked $20,000, for a post-race lug nut infraction. NASCAR wants five on, and they must stay on until the race is over and the car no longer is being eye-balled by those who must be obeyed. It appears they really mean it.
Romain Grosjean is a Swiss-born Formula One driver with 88 starts heading into the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend. He has two runner-up finishes in his career and ten podiums, including a run of five straight near the end of 2013. Grosjean also drives for Gene Haas, the guy who is Tony Stewart’s partner in NASCAR. He would like to race a big heavy beast of a car with fenders, and some think that could happen in time for Watkins Glen. I said could, not would.
If he does, it will be on a nice smooth freshly paved track. Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne and Trevor Bayne did tire tests there this week, and they all seem to like the results. We will see how much they like it in August.
Finally, there is the continuing saga about North Carolina washrooms, where the Governor signed into law a bill saying that the equipment one’s birth certificate attributes to them determines which washroom they can use. This applies to facilities in government offices, universities and road-side rest stops. Some believe NASCAR, which is a huge presence in the state, should take a stand against this law as it discriminates against transgenders. Actually, there are a host of solutions available.
All single-stall facilities should be unisex, just insist all pee where they should pee. Set aside some single stall rooms for those who require a bit more privacy for whatever reason. Set aside facilities marked men, women, and could not care less. Ask any woman in a long lineup if she would jump at the chance to go into the men’s room, any damn room, to seek relief, and many would have no problem with a unisex solution if it might speed things up. In public facilities, the public area can be monitored to ensure security, while it would not matter what equipment is being used to perform the task in the privacy of the stalls. Any arguments?
Of course, when I started this column, I never thought there would be a day when I would be writing about penalties, paving, pee, and poop. Welcome to the new NASCAR.
Now, back to business…and not THAT kind of business. Here are our Hot 20 heading to Dover…
1. KYLE BUSCH – 3 WINS – 386 PTS
If he ends May with a win and starts June the same way, he will have run the table.
2. CARL EDWARDS – 2 WINS – 367 PTS
Carl is to athleticism and fitness what I am to lethargy and slothfulness. We each have our roll to play.
3. JIMMIE JOHNSON – 2 WINS – 353 PTS
Already has 10 Miles the Monster trophies on the shelf.
4. BRAD KESELOWSKI – 2 WINS – 332 PTS
Scarlett has her first birthday next week. Some things are more important than racing.
5. KEVIN HARVICK – 1 WIN – 390 PTS
New South Carolina home will have a view of a swamp. Well, to each their own.
6. DENNY HAMLIN – 1 WIN – 273 PTS
He saw the hole, attempted the split, then lo and behold, it all went for…
7. KURT BUSCH – 350 PTS
The Busch brothers have a combined three wins between them this season. Yes, I’m a jerk.
8. JOEY LOGANO – 320 PTS
Buried the hatchet with Kenseth, but didn’t Lizzie Borden do the same with her parents?
9. AUSTIN DILLON – 307 PTS
The first of what will soon enough become another talented brother act is doing just fine.
10. DALE EARNHARDT JR. – 305 PTS
Before there was Teresa, there was Kerry, Kelley, and Dale Jr. born to the Earnhardt name.
11. CHASE ELLIOTT – 303 PTS
The kid has finished seven of 11 this season in the Top Ten.
12. MARTIN TRUEX JR. – 303 PTS
Okay, this time for sure.
13. JAMIE MCMURRAY – 276 PTS
Coming off his worst finish (26th) of the season just after having his best (4th) at Talladega.
14. MATT KENSETH – 269 PTS
Fourth place at Kansas was sweet, but seeing Logano finish 38th had to have been even sweeter.
15. A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 265 PTS
Finished eighth last week, yet dropped a spot.
16. RYAN BLANEY – 255 PTS
His weekend was much, much better than the one experienced by his dad.
17. RYAN NEWMAN – 253 PTS
Making the Chase could be imperative if he wishes to avoid falling victim to the Ty that binds.
18. KASEY KAHNE – 249 PTS
Spends way too much time outside the Top 15 than inside, and that has got to change.
19. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. – 246 PTS
New commercial has the boys over for Sunny D, though hostess is not who you would expect.
20. TREVOR BAYNE – 244 PTS
When Mark Martin drove the car, Viagra seemed an appropriate sponsor. Bayne? Not so much.
