Sadler Wins First Truck Series Race at Pocono

As an Elliott Sadler fan, Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win was the highlight of my year. It was definitely a well deserved and much needed win for Sadler. In only his seventh start in the truck series, Sadler grabbed the pole and the win all in one day, breaking his six year winless streak in NASCAR.

For a race at Pocono International Raceway, this was not a boring one. The excitement started on lap 2 with a single car spin by Bobby Hamilton Jr. After a cleanup lap, Sadler led them back to the green flag racing until lap 21 when Kasey Kahne took the lead. Kahne, along with Denny Hamlin and Todd Bodine battled for the lead with Sadler for most of the day.

A late race caution that was caused by Donny Lia and Chase Mattioli getting together helped bunch the field back up for a green-white-checkered finish. This first attempt was interrupted when Sadler’s teammate, Ron Hornaday Jr went for a spin. There wasn’t much of a battle for the lead when the green flag was waved again. Once Sadler got out front, he stayed there until the checkered flag.

To say that Sadler needed this win is a vast understatement. Tears welled up in my eyes once the white flag was waved because I knew that he had won it. I have been a fan of his for the past eight years and in his recent struggles, I have yet to give up hope in him. I believe that he is one of the best drivers out there and I know he could prove it if he was given the chance.

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The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not reflect this site or its other contributors.

Photo: Chris Trotman and Drew Hallowell /Getty Images for NASCAR

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Sadler to Drive For KHI in 2010

Kevin Harvick Inc. announced today that Elliott Sadler and Kevin Harvick will share the No. 2 truck series ride for 15 of the 25 races in 2010.

Sadler will start off the season at Daytona. The last time he was in a truck was in 2003 so he's excited to return to the series.

“Racing in the truck series in 2010 with KHI will be a blast,” said Sadler. “It’ll be nice to jump in the truck and go out and race for wins and not have to worry about points. We’re going to kick the year off with a bang in Daytona and have some great races to run between then and the finale in Homestead.”

Sadler is confident that he chose the best tracks for him to race at and will run well in KHI equipment.

“Every track that’s on my schedule in the No. 2 truck is a place I know we can go out and win,” Sadler said. “I’ve won races at some of the tracks during my career and I know Kevin and Ron Hornaday contend for wins when they climb behind the wheel of a KHI truck. This is going to be a lot of fun.”

Not only is Harvick a owner, but he won three times in his own truck last season on a limited schedule.

"I really enjoy being a part of the Truck Series," Harvick said. "I feel like the combination of Doug George as crew chief and Elliott and I will bring experience and success to the team immediately."

The remainder of the driver lineup for the No. 2 team will be announced at a later date.

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For Elliott Sadler 2010 Could Be Good or Bad

Imagine this: you're leading the Daytona 500 with rain coming. You know that there's a huge possibility that they could call the race on rain and you could become the Daytona 500 champion; a title that is very much respected throughout NASCAR. And then you get passed; a half a lap later they wave the red flag for rain. You end up finishing 5th. Anger and disappointment doesn't even begin to explain the way Elliott Sadler was feeling at the end of that race. Sadler had led 24 laps and was up front for most of the race. Finishing 5th in the biggest race in NASCAR isn’t a bad thing but it hurts when you know how close you were to winning.

Before the 2009 season started, Sadler didn't even know if he was going to have a ride for the upcoming season. With rumors swirling around that fellow team mate, AJ Allmendinger was going to take over his ride. So to say that he had a disappointing season also doesn't even begin to explain how awful it really was. Here's a talented race car driver that was constantly finding himself finishing races many laps down. His car and team weren’t able to perform the way they needed to, so that they could keep up with everyone else in the garage area. Sadler came out of the 2009 season with only one Top 5 and 5 Top 10s and finished 31st in the overall standings.

Not only was it a disappointing year for Sadler and his team, but for his fans also. It’s really hard seeing your favorite driver struggle when you know the potential he has. I know I can speak for all Sadler fans in saying that I am excited for the 2010 season. With him driving a Yates Ford again, I know that we all will see improvement. Sadler was more successful in Fords and with Yates. Plus the Roush-Yates engines are impressive.

With a baby on the way, I’m hoping Sadler’s spirits will be lifted in 2010 and hopefully help his excitement while in the car. I may be favoring him but I’m personally expecting Sadler to lead laps and win races this season. Good luck to you and your team in 2010 Elliott!

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The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and may not reflect upon those of Skirts and Scuffs or its other contributors
Photo courtesy of NASCAR Media

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Is Hamlin taking the feud with Keselowski too far?

(November 13, 2009 - Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images North America)

For those of you that read my little biography on this site, you’ll notice that I’m a Brad Keselowski fan. A really big one. One friend even called me “the grade A of BK fans”. I’m the kind of fan that will defend him and make up excuses for him even when I know he’s wrong. But that’s just who I am and I don’t see myself changing anytime soon.

So to bring up the feud between Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin really gets my blood boiling. I wasn’t a real big Hamlin fan before all the drama started. And the race at Phoenix was the icing on the cake for me. I’m beginning to think that Hamlin is taking this all too far. All of his complaining and little comments are making him look bad while Keselowski sits back and says nothing.

Yes, Hamlin started the on track pushing and shoving this past weekend, which was clear. But Keselowski could and should have stopped it. He didn’t have to bump Hamlin back and he should have stopped after one hit. So my question is: Where was NASCAR when all of this happened? Were they not watching? They should have at least warned Keselowski about rough driving because obviously that hit was intentional. But they didn’t do anything. And, after the race, when Hamlin was strong in his comments, promising to retaliate the next time he’s in a Nationwide car. Uh, NASCAR? What are you going to do when their on track feud ruins another driver’s day? What happened to penalizing when threats are made? NASCAR just said that they aren’t going to “police” their feud. What?

The confrontation that happened after the race was surprising to me. I was proud of Keselowski when he didn’t egg on Hamlin’s angry feelings. He knew that it wasn’t a good idea to talk about it right then. Instead of this being a good thing, what does Hamlin do? Whine and complain to the media that Keselowski wouldn’t talk to him. Will they ever talk it over? I doubt it. I don’t see them just talking it over and resolving everything. They’re both too stubborn.

Hamlin didn’t just stop with threats about Keselowski to the media. He went to Mike Helton and Keselowski’s Nationwide team owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr. What’s Junior going to do? Keselowski only has one more race left with JR Motorsports. No one has reported what was said in that meeting. But I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall in that motor coach.

In my opinion Hamlin should handle all of this like a true racecar driver. No, I don’t mean punching the daylights of Keselowski in the infield. But by showing that he is that amazing racecar driver that he thinks he is. Go out there and win races, finish better than Keselowski, and when asked about the feud, answer it with a mature answer, one that sponsors would be proud of, instead of just insulting Keselowski.

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The opinions expressed in this post are those of the individual writer and may not reflect those of the group.

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