On the Bubble in the Chase For The Cup

Shop Talk: California

Loop Data shows Dale Jr. can still make the Chase, if ...

By Official Release
August 29, 2007
04:10 PM EDT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- One story will dominate the thoughts of NASCAR drivers and onlookers the next two weeks: bubble drivers.

There's a four-driver battle for the final three spots in the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Though currently only five of the 12 spots have been clinched, a four-for-three scenario looks likely to play out come Richmond.

The four: Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Currently, Harvick is the most secure, but not by much. He is 167 points up on Earnhardt. Truex is next at 166, then Busch at 158.

Though an Earnhardt comeback seems improbable, the stats say a "one race at a time" approach might prove successful.

California, which is notably tough on engines, has caused headaches for at least two of the three drivers he is attempting to catch. Below are the stats from the past five races for Harvick and Busch, and the past three for Truex:

Loop Data: California Speedway

Kevin Harvick

Date	Finish	Avg. Running Pos.	Driver Rating	Laps / Top 15	Led
2/05	6	8.1	104.8	226	23
9/05	14	22.5	72.4	74	0
2/06	29	27.4	53.3	20	0
9/06	15	10.9	90.3	227	0
2/07	17	6.8	100.3	226	3

Martin Truex Jr.

Date	Finish	Avg. Running Pos.	Driver Rating	Laps / Top 15	Led
2/06	15	20.1	72.0	37	0
9/06	18	18.1	74.6	78	0
2/07	42	38.8	37.1	13	0

Kurt Busch

Date	Finish	Avg. Running Pos.	Driver Rating	Laps / Top 15	Led
2/05	3	10.2	107.1	192	11
9/05	12	7.5	108.9	227	39
2/06	16	9.1	88.9	218	7
9/06	27	18.1	73.1	95	11
2/07	7	15.3	87.3	171	0

Though his finishes don't exactly impress, Harvick's stats show that he's performed well. In the past two California races, Harvick has averaged a solid 95.4 Driver Rating despite an average finish of 16th. A third consecutive solid finish should solidify Harvick's Chase spot.

Busch and Truex are a different story. In the past two races, the two have struggled. Busch did score a finish of seventh in February, but had only an 87.3 Driver Rating and one Fastest Lap Run.

Truex, though inarguably an improved drive since February, suffered a DNF and 42nd-place finish in February and hasn't finished better than 15th in three career California races. His best Driver Rating at California was a 74.6 at this race last year.

Below are Earnhardt's stats in the past five California races:

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Date	Finish	Avg. Running Pos.	Driver Rating	Laps / Top 15	Led
2/05	32	36.7	47.6	0	0
9/05	38	27.6	47.2	6	2
2/06	11	16.0	78.9	87	1
9/06	2	6.5	119.1	246	6
2/07	40	35.6	49.6	19	0

Clearly, what Earnhardt needs is a Labor Day repeat of last season. By far his best California performance, Earnhardt scored an impressive Driver Rating of 119.1 (second-best in that race to winner Kasey Kahne), an Average Running Position of 6.5 (fifth-best) and a race-best 56 Fastest Laps Run.

Callaway Golf Clubs

The Callaway Golf Club

The Callaway golf club is one of the most popular and also reliable types of golf club in the market today. There are so many people (particularly retired men) that are fascinated with golf today and it is no wonder why the Callaway golf club is now in the peak of success in the world of golf clubs.

The Callaway Golf club is headed by Ely Callaway. He bought half of Hickory Stick USA and renamed it Callaway Hickory Stick USA. After purchasing it, he decided to hire the best people that would be an instrument in supporting his dream of Callaway golf club. He hired Richard C. Helmstetter to be the Chief Club Designer and this as others would say is the point of no return. The designs for Callaway golf club are truly revolutionary and innovative which is why the Callaway golf club is dubbed as the type of golf club that is unique and also high-performance kind golf equipment. After that, Ely Callaway renamed his company into Callaway Golf and then relocated from Cathedral City, California to a sleepy seaside town called Carlsbad, which is just north of San Diego.

One of the most innovative designs that the firm came up with was to create a stainless steel driver that had a larger and more forgiving head than any previous design. The CEO, Callaway dubbed it as Big Bertha which was derived from a German cannon back in WWI which was famous for its capability of shooting long distance range. This type of design was the one that made Callaway golf club a house hold name in the states because it experienced millions of sales and the Big Bertha type of Callaway golf club was the reason why Callaway became the number one manufacturer of golf clubs not only in the US but in the whole world which shows how popular golf is to the whole world.

At present, there are six classifications of the Callaway Golf club. The first classification is the drivers which are comprised of two models which are the Big Bertha Fusion FT4 and Big Bertha Titanium 454. The next classification of Callaway golf club is called the Fairway Woods. Fairway Woods have three types of clubs which are Big Bertha Fusion Fairway Woods, Big Bertha Titanium Fairway Woods, and Big Bertha Fairway Woods. The next classification of the Callaway golf club is a hybrid which is designed for long and distant shots. The model for this type of Callaway golf club is called Big Bertha Heavenwood Hybrids. The next classification is called irons which are divided into five types of models and these are Big Bertha, Big Bertha Fusion, X-Tour, X-18, and X-18 Pro. Another classification of the Callaway golf club would be the wedges and the model here is called Forged+ Wedges. The last classification for Callaway golf club is called the Putters. The Putters have two models in its classification which are Callaway golf I-Trax Putter and tour Blue.

The classification and models of Callaway Gold Club mentioned above are the ones that the firm manufactures. All of these models were made in the lieu with science, research, and practice. All of these models are worth a try and who knows? You might be the next Tiger Woods in the world of golf.


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Tim Watson is a tax preparer during the season who also runs an SEO directory and an iPod directory. You may use this article as is provided the resource box stays intact.

New AC/DC DVD

This is not really the news I wanted, but at least the band has not retired(yet).

Columbia Records Announces the Release Of AC/DC's 'Plug Me In,' the Ultimate Career-Spanning DVD Boxed Set of Live Performances & More from the World's Most Electrifying Rock & Roll Band

AC/DC's 'Plug Me In,' 5 Hours of Rare & Collectible High Voltage Rock &
Roll on 2 DVDs, Available Tuesday, October 16
Deluxe 'Plug Me In - Collector's Edition' -- Including 3 DVDs Containing
over 7 Hours of Rare & Unreleased Material Along With a Treasure Trove of
Facsimile Reproductions of Vintage Memorabilia -- Also Available Tuesday,
October 16

NEW YORK, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbia Records will release Plug Me
In -- the ultimate career-spanning DVD box set of live performances,
interviews and more from AC/DC, the world's most electrifying rock & roll
band -- on Tuesday, October 16.
The first AC/DC release since the band came to Columbia Records earlier
this year, the AC/DC Plug Me In DVD collection brings together for the very
first time an astonishing five hours of definitive live concert and
television performances -- many of them previously unavailable --
chronicling the on- going career (now in its fourth decade!) of a
groundbreaking rock & roll powerhouse whose music transcends the test of
time.
"AC/DC has delivered the most dynamic rock & roll music in the world,"
said Steve Barnett, Chairman, Columbia Records. "Columbia is honored to be
releasing this definitive career-spanning retrospective featuring many of
AC/DC's finest filmed performances."

Read The Rest Here

I was hoping for a new album, but whatever. I have most of these shows already, and the ones I don't have I have seen. It looks like it will be a great DVD.

News About AC/DC?

On the AC/DC forum I moderate, someone posted that there is going to be a major announcement concerning AC/DC on Friday. This person is pretty reliable and claims to already know the news. I'll find out Friday what the news is, if any.

AC/DC last release was 'Stiff Upper Lip' in 2000, and the band has not played a show together since late 2003. I know all of the die hard fans have had their patience tested either waiting for new material and tour, or waiting on the band's retirement. I hope it is the former.

What a Stupid Mistake

As I may or may not have mentioned, I'll be moving here in a few months so I'm painting the house. I needed some caulk for the back porch. So I went to the neighborhood hardware store after dropping my girlfriend off at her place this morning. I went right to the section, got what I needed, paid and went home. I got the ladder out, set it up, and trimmed the tip of the tube. I start caulking and what color comes out? Brown! I never bothered to check the color of the tube. I have bought caulk so many times before, and this is the first time this has happened. Oh well. I know how to caulk, so it is no big deal. The primer and paint will cover it up real good.

Still, what a dumb mistake.

I Turned 40 Today

Yep...no big deal, age is just a number. I still look young, after I shave I can pass for 33 easily. My girlfriend will be 40 in December, and she still gets carded for beer. Not too shabby.

We are going to BBQ place tonight with all you can eat ribs. I should eat 2 racks and all of the sides no problem.

In the meantime, for those who are looking to make money from home, take a look at Disciples Cross. I can 100% say that this is the real deal, no scam here. My brother and I will be making a lot of money making the crosses. We already have orders and we have not even made one yet. They are easy to make and are high quality. One hint, also buy the long handled pliers there at the site for 7 bucks. We could not find them anywhere around here, and I live in a land of strip malls and the big box stores.


Disciples Cross

Monkey With A Death Wish

This video is hilarious. A monkey teases 2 tiger cubs.