From the April, 2006 issue of Stock Car Insider

Last Week's Headlines

Recap of the 2006 DirecTV 500 at Martinsville Speedway:

I don't like to repeat myself, but here I go. Reference the "Upcoming Events in the World of NASCAR" section above:

"If you're looking for a fan of races at Martinsville, don't look at me. I have never felt that any track with a qualifying speed less than 100 mph should be a part of NASCAR's top circuit. However, yesterday's DirecTV 500 was exhilarating. Watching NASCAR's top drivers, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr come from the back multiple times to finish in the top 5 proves that there is action to be seen at Martinsville."

There was almost as much paint and rubber swapping at Martinsville as last week in Bristol. Even after 500 laps of beating and banging in the Food City 500, no car finished the race looking as cool as Dale Earnhardt Jr's! Who new that losing a right front fender can actually be beneficial? It turns out the lack of sheet metal on the right front helped improve airflow over the right front brakes. With the extremely low banks at Martinsville (only 12 degrees compared to 36 degrees at Bristol), keeping the brakes cool is crucial.

On a side note, I'm not sure why NASCAR believes it has to punish aggressive behavior. I'm referring to the $10,000 fine and probationary period slapped on Jeff Gordon after shoving Matt Kenseth after last week's Food City in Bristol. Avid sports fans love to know they're cheering for passionate competitors. We all love a good fight and trash talk in football, and nothing beats a good 'ole fashioned shirt pulled over your head hockey fight. So why not show the few altercations that do occur at a NASCAR race after the race? In my opinion, NASCAR should only concern itself with policing aggressive behavior on the track. Whatever happens off the track is for the fans' enjoyment.

A recap of EverythingStockCar.com's predictions for Martinsville:

Jimmie Johnson - finished 3rd
Mark Martin - finished 13th
Kasey Kahne - was running in 2nd at times until he blew an engine and finished 35th
Jeff Burton - was running strong until an "unfortunate" bump by Kurt Busch