Hot 20

Funny what 38 points can do for a driver. That is the amount NASCAR gave back to Matt Kenseth after hearing the appeal for that engine violation that bit him after Kansas. For the 2003 champion, the change of mind moved him from outside a Chase place all the way up to fourth in the standings.

Jimmie Johnson remains our hot dog as the action swings to Talladega, Alabama this weekend. Both Carl Edwards and Clint Bowyer would have been regulated to third except for a certain rear end housing. Two in fact.

You know you have had a bad day when you dominate a race, win it, and wind up with three fewer points than the guy who crashed out first. That is the current fate of Matt Kenseth after "winning" at Kansas when NASCAR discovered a single connecting rod in his engine that weighed less than their minimum specifications.

Sometimes teams get real upset when NASCAR docks them six points for a rule infraction. I am thinking Martin Truex Jr and Waltrip Racing said thanks, as they got a peck on the cheek from momma. Compare that to the boot in the nether regions experienced by Team Penske after Texas.

Don't you just hate excellence? The New York Yankees won five straight World Series titles in the 1950's, 27 in their history. How should we respond? That's right, hate ‘em.

When the season started, we wondered about Mark Martin's chances of making the Chase. Even in running a partial season, the 54-year old still had the chops to possibly win a couple of races before the deadline and claim a wildcard spot. If we contemplated Martin making it in, the odds of Denny Hamlin slipping through must be that much greater.

This week, back in 1933, there was no NASCAR. Moonshiners, for sure, and probably a few in Saskatchewan. My dad was born there 80 years ago this week, and along with mom we got together recently with his six children, their spouses, seven grandchildren, and even one great-grandchild still a few months away from making his or her debut.

Danica, Danica, Danica. Sounds a bit like a Brady Bunch classic, but as much as the public relation boys and girls try, the thunder from Daytona is fading into the distance. The good news is that in 2013 points, Danica Patrick is running one spot better than team-mate Ryan Newman. The bad news is that after disastrous runs in Phoenix and Las Vegas he sits 32nd.

Las Vegas, the home of the Busch brothers, is next, but as we near race time for the Kobalt Tools 400, the hot topic is April's NRA 500.

The cream rises to the top, and stays there it seems. Defending champ Brad Keselowski continues to have the hot hand while Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson is just behind, along with Clint Bowyer.