I like this Keselowski guy

April 28, 2009

By Jon Johnson

I never had heard of Brad Keselowski before he remarkably won the Aaron’s 499. After watching him hold his ground as Carl Edwards blocked, and then brashly talked about how he loved the wild racing the Superspeedway presented, I’ve got some real respect for this young driver.
No doubt he want be intimidated by the “big boys” of racing. He reminds me a lot of a young Dale Earnhardt Jr., and I’ll be following him in the coming races to see if he is the real deal.
On another thought, you’ve got to be happy for James Finch, the owner of the car Keselowski drove. Finch, who for over 20 years ran his car shop in Lynn Haven, Fla., got his first Sprint Cup win as an owner on Sunday.
It was something to see - young Keselowski and the veteran Finch - celebrating like there was no tomorrow.
Good, good stuff.
And thank goodness nobody was seriously injured after the horrific crash at the race ended.

Dega at halfway point

April 26, 2009

By Jon Johnson

We’re approaching the halfway point of the Aaron’s 499 and it’s anybody’s race.
The Big One wreck came real early, seven laps in, when Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon made contact and started a wreck which affected 14 cars.
With many of those cars sent to the garage, the field has obviously been thinned and no major problems since.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. wasn’t involved in the early wreck, so maybe this will be his Sunday to find Victory Lane once again.

At Talladega for the race

By Jon Johnson

I’m at the Talladega Superspeedway for today’s Aaron’s 499. The traffic was horrible coming in, and by the looks outside an hour before race, there’s still plenty making their way in. Lots of empty seats right now, though I figure it will still be a big crowd by the time the engines roar. Hot, hot, hot.
Alabama football coach Nick Saban is supposed to the starter today. That should bring some cheers.
I talked to some folks from Samson and Geneva before the race. There were 1,000 tickets given to the community by the Superspeedway in wake of the tragedy of several weeks ago. The Samson fans in attendance were recognized before the driver introductions.

Jacobs says no

April 15, 2009

By Jon Johnson

One scrimmage down

April 04, 2009

By Jon Johnson

I wasn’t there, but by reading Andrew Gribble’s report for us, it appears Gus Malzahn’s up-tempo offense is the talk of the camp. Fast-paced, for sure. But don’t expect the football to be flying all over the field. Sounds like the running backs are a big, big part of this offense. And Ben Tate is having a great spring camp. Perhaps this will be his big year.
Neil Caudle and Kodi Burns appear to be neck-and-neck for the quarterback job, and redshirt freshman Barrett Trotter is very much in the mix. I’ve just got a sneaky feeling Caudle will make a real push. After being in the shadows for so long, no doubt it’s make-or-break time for him.
The Tigers hit the field again for practice Sunday.