Hey there and good morning Gabbers, gawkers and others. I have a fast chick, an award, bragging about my favorite driver, The Danica and a suspension. Lots to talk about.

KAREN STOFFFER

This chick likes to go fast on a bike. A big one. A Pro Stock Motorcycle to be exact. Karen drives for the Gieco Motorcycle Racing team on a Suzuki with husband Gary as her crew chief.  Born April 21,1964. Home town : Minden, Nevada

In 1990 she began racing Sportsman Motorcycles

In 1993 she won the Division 7 Sportsman Motorcycle Championship

In 1996 she made her debut in Pro Stock Motorcycles

In 2002 scored a runner up to Angelle Savoie at Maple Grove in Reading, PA in the first all female final round in Pro Stock Bike history.

In 2004 finished in the top 10 in points for the 1st time in her career.

In October of 2005 Karen had a horrible accident. Her hauler door came loose coming down on her so hard it broke her pelvis, hand, nose, and cheek bone. She sustained cuts on her head and a dislocated finger. She was back on a bike in February of 2006 less than 4 months later. Says she never entertained the thought of never getting on a bike again. Intense rehab and sheer will got her back on that bike. Despite that accident she finished in the top 10 in points a 2nd time.

In 2006 not only was she back on that bike but joined the Mickey Thompson 6 - Second Pro Bike Club with her Maple Grove Reading, PA performance. Also finished 6th in the points. Another top 10.

In 2007 - 2011 All top 10 in points finishes

This year she is currently 5th in the points. Go Karen. Kick ass.

JEFF GORDON

This week Jeff won a Heisman trophy just like the athletes get for his philanthropic work with children. He had it outside his garage stall sitting on top of a tool box. Saw it during an episode of Garage Cam. Love that show. It is what the name implies. A couple guys walking through the garages and video taping the drivers, crews and cars during practice. You can go to NASCAR.COM and see the episodes for free. Congratulations to Jeff Gordon.

THE DANICA

This ones for you Harvey. Saw a video of Miranda Lamberts newest song...wait for it....Fastest Girl In Town. Yep. Danica is her partner in crime as these 2 play car thieves and boost a nice old Camaro from some guy in a bar. Has cheese oozing from this video.

In other Danica news she drove a race car at the Indianapolis Speedway during a Nationwide race last Saturday. Only 38 laps into it she drove up behind Reed Sorenson and hit him so hard he spun and then collected her. Then on Monday she wrecked her boss's car during a tire test at Michigan International Speedway. That would be Tony Stewart's car. Maybe instead of going to Canada to collect 2 wins in the winged sprint cars he should've been at Michigan. Never send a model to drive a race car. Well that's my thinking. Maybe he should've sent Johanna Long instead. Still betting she's the next best thing if a good sponsor would come a long.

TONY STEWART

Tony likes to race. So when he's not racing stock cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series he's racing Winged Sprint Cars. Mostly on dirt tracks. He owns several sprint car teams and has many championships as an owner. 

He's knocked off 6 wins in the World of Outlaws and 360 Winged Sprint Car Divisions. He won 3 of those in the last 4 days with a NASCAR Sprint Cup race in between. Must be addicted to racing. This probably explains why he's not married with kids at 40 years old. Just guessing.

AJ ALLMENDINGER IS DONE @ PENSKE RACING

Yup. As of August 1st after a meeting with Roger Penske AJ was released from his contract. Sam Hornish Jr is going to be in it for the foreseeable future. Wondering how he'll do this with not all Nationwide and Cup races mirroring the same tracks. The logistics of making it back and forth for practice and qualifying for some of those races just won't work.

Statement from Roger Penske

"Penske racing fully supports NASCAR's substance abuse policy and we are disappointed with AJ's positive drug test results. AJ is a terrific driver, a good person and it is very unfortunate that we have to separate at this time. We have invested greatly in AJ and we were confident in his success with our team. The decision to dismisshim is cinsistent with how we would treat any other Penske Racing team member under similar circumstances. As AJ begins NASCAR's Road to Recovery program, we wish him the best and look forward to seeing him compete again in NASCAR."

Statement from AJ

"Effective today, I have been released from Penske Racing as a driver of the #22 Dodge Charger. I wish to thank Mr Penske, Penske Racing, their sponsors and especially all of the #22 team for the opportunity they provided me and for the support in this difficult time. I also , again would like to thank all the fans that really have been awesome through this. I apologize for the distraction, embarrassment and difficulties that my current suspension from NASCAR has provided. As I stated last week, I have begun NASCAR's Road to Recovery program and look forward to using those resources and it's completion to compete in NASCAR in the near future."

Roger said his phone has been ringing off the hook and Brad Keselowski who is a stable mate of the #22 team has said he put his 2 cents in for who he wants in that car. Brad said he was happy with Kurt Busch and up set when he was kicked out last year. He's hoping for a high profile driver with whom he can work with. 

B.O.B. was worried about drivers sitting in for other drivers. Here's the explanation on that. At the beginning of the season a driver must tell NASCAR which Series he wants to accumulate points for. A driver is only allowed one series for points but can drive in the Nationwide, Trucks and Cup if he wants too. A lot of drivers will pull a double if the Nationwide Series is at the same track as the Cup Series. That's extra seat time. Kyle Busch was competing in all 3 Series full time for a couple years. Ahhh to be that young and have that much energy again.

Now if a driver is sick or hurt, he can have another driver sub for him but if he wants the points for that race he must start that race. Usually during a caution the drivers will switch out because it takes awhile to strap in. Most drivers will tough it out. Like last years winner of the Pocono 400 Brad Keselowski. He wrecked during a testing session just 4 days before Pocono. His brakes failed and he drove straight into the wall which was not a safer barrier wall at 155 mph breaking his ankle. He tweet a picture of his ankle. I saw it. UGLY. He opted to stay in the car and won the race.

Now in AJ's case, it's different. He's done collecting points for this year but who ever drives the car will be giving Penske car owner points. These points are important. Whether they keep the top 35 rule or not they are important. They can be sold to a new team that's just starting up or used at Daytona for the Daytona 500 race where every one is starting fresh with no points at the beginning of the season. Sam Hornish can drive the #22 but he won't get points because he already committed to the Nationwide Series.

POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS

1. Joey Logano - He's in the #20 at Joe Gibbs Racing and his contract is over at the end of the season. Joe hasn't said yea or nay yet. If I were Joey I'd be asking for a chance to go after that ride.

2. Brian Vickers - His full time ride died when RedBull racing closed shop last year. Proved he could get it done and still young enough to get more. He's been subbing for Mark Martin who has a part time schedule this year.

3. David Ragan - Drove for Roush Fenway Racing till sponsorship dried up. Now he's in the Start & Park rides. Still has promise. 

4. Ryan Newman - He wants to stay at Stewart Haas Racing but Delta Dental and Quicken Loans aren't enough of sponsorship to get him a full time ride there. US Army leaving was a big deal. Stewart wants to keep him too. Ryan drove for Penske from 2002 till 2008. He had 13 wins and plenty of poles. Says he didn't burn any bridges when he left but still wants to stay at SHR.

5. Trevor Bayne - Last years Daytona 500 winner can't get a full time ride in Nationwide or Cup due to sponsorship woes. When he's in Cup he drives for the Wood Brothers in the #21 Ford. Since Penske is switching to Ford next year it's possible that Ford may put in a good word or 2 for Trevor. 

SUMMARY

There are lots of eligible drivers right now gunning for AJ's vacated #22 ride. Hamlin, Johnson and Gordon were all asked what they thought J's chances were of coming back to NASCAR and if they'd be afraid to compete with him. All 3 were pessimistically optimistic. Yes they'd welcome him back because they know NASCAR won't let him back till he's clean but they know he'll have a tough time when he gets back. He won't have a top tier ride like now and sponsors may be afraid of his past. This makes 2 dings for The Dinger. He got a DUI while still at Richard Petty Motorsports and now the positive drug test result. 

Truth is, nobody has a gage to go off of because NOBODY HAS EVER tested positive, gone to NASCAR's rehab program and then came back to race. So this is a wait and see. Personally I think AJ is done in NASCAR. The Cup Series any way. Matt Kenseth is a past champion and had issues getting full sponsorship for his car 2 years running. So if a top driver can't get sponsorship I really can't see AJ getting any. Back to Indycar maybe?

GOOD LUCK AJ

POCONO 400

It's the Pocono 400 this week in Long Pond, PA. I'm in a tie for 3rd in my work fantasy league and miraculously I'm still #1 in my Yahoo league. WOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!!! This week I'm taking Johnson - Martin - Newman - Hornish. Wish me luck.

So that's it for now. Hope you all had a good week and I'll see you all later.......