Ron Thornton

617 POSTS
19 COMMENTS
A former radio and television broadcaster, newspaper columnist, Little League baseball coach, Ron Thornton has been following NASCAR on this site since 2004. While his focus may have changed over recent years, he continues to make periodic appearances only when he has something to say. That makes him a rather unique journalist.

The Final Word – A fine weekend at Kansas might be a prelude to a similar fine time in Charlotte

Ron Thornton -
It was a fine weekend. Sure, you may think I say that due to Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhard, Jr. and Jeff Gordon coming across the line in that order in Kansas. Okay, there might be some truth in that.

Hot 20 – Kansas race is the SpongeBob SquarePants 400…You just can’t make stuff like that up

Ron Thornton -
There are a dozen races run on eight tracks that are truly iconic NASCAR events. Last Sunday was one of those races. The SpongeBob SquarePants 400 in Kansas is not. That is not to say we will not see one of the all-time great races this Saturday night...though the odds might be stacked against us.

The Final Word – Talladega Produces the 100th Cup Victory by an Earnhardt

Ron Thornton -
In NASCAR, it is also all about family. It was started by a family and has featured such families as the Pettys and Allisons. We were thrilled by their success and crushed by their tragedies. They were and remain a part of us.

Hot 20 – 500 miles at Talladega, as it always has been and always should be

Ron Thornton -
“It's no secret that attention spans, especially with the millennial fans, are changing,” or so says NASCAR boss Brian France. Hard to argue with that, but it basically states that today’s fans are idiots who need the keys jangled before their faces much like one does with a bored infant.

The Final Word – Kurt rises to the top at Richmond as Roush-Fenway continues to free fall

Ron Thornton -
Rain changed the Saturday night race at Richmond into a Sunday afternoon affair. Was it worth the wait? For Kurt Busch, the answer was “yes.”

Hot 20 – As we remember Steve Byrnes, it is on to Richmond

Ron Thornton -
I am a blessed man. I have a multitude of wants, but I already have all those things I truly need. I just wish that when we pray for a miracle, the odds of realizing it were not as astronomically against its success.

The Final Word – With all the rain and challenges at Bristol, the only guy missing was Jeff Probst

Ron Thornton -
Just about the only thing missing was Jeff Probst and his Tribal Council as this turned into a game of survival. With the rains that delayed the start, the rains that stopped it again and again, the day race that ran into night became a reality show of its own.

Hot 20 heading to Bristol – Even being among the Lukewarm 30 would be beneficial for Tony

Ron Thornton -
Our Hot 20 is a look at those in contention to slip into one of the sixteen Chase spots. A win while in the Top 30 in points could prove to be just as good. Neither matters at the moment for Tony Stewart. Sadly, 2015 has been a year Smoke has been a participant, not a competitor.

The Final Word – Texas was all about Jimmie and Kevin with a Junior cameo

Ron Thornton -
Jimmie, and Kevin, and Dale, oh my. Jimmie, and Kevin, and Dale, oh my. Last Saturday night was a good one if you happened to be a fan of one of the above-mentioned drivers. Johnson was the class of the field, leading 128 laps, including the final one.

Hot 20 – Texas awaits as our thoughts are with a broadcaster back in the hospital

Ron Thornton -
A week of rest, a week of contemplation, a week for those of faith. I so desperately pray that miracles do happen. Pit reporter Steve Byrnes is back in the hospital in his fight against neck and head cancer. He is in the ICU with pneumonia and a blood clot in his lung.
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