NASCAR to the Max


Prior to Sunday’s running of the UAW-GM Quality 500 from the Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC, many were questioning the logic of Chip Ganassi hiring Joplin native Jamie McMurray to drive his third team car next season. McMurray had not won in any of his previous seasons’ in NASCAR Truck or the NASCAR Busch Series. McMurray learned two weeks ago that his induction into NASCAR Winston Cup racing would occur earlier than expected when he was tabbed to finish the season in Ganassi teammate Sterling Marlin’s car because of an injury suffered by Marlin at the race in Kansas City. McMurray’s initial start last week at Talladega resulted in a 26th place finish after running out of fuel mid-way through the race. Sunday’s race from Charlotte silenced some of the critics and skeptics as McMurray claimed the win in only his second career start. This betters the mark set last year by Kevin Harvick who won in his third career start. Though McMurray’s win was achieved in convincing fashion, he took home the five bonus points that go to the driver who leads the most laps during the race, he was chased down the stretch by Bobby Labonte and won by only .035 seconds.

The top five in the points standings held their positions as all had respectable showings with points leader Tony Stewart finishing third and stretching his lead over second place Jimmie Johnson slightly to 97 points. First through fifth are separated by 182 points.

The series’ will have its last short track race of the season this Sunday at the .526 mile Martinsville (VA) Speedway. The track’s paperclip appearing layout is concrete through its tight narrow turns and asphalt down its’ lengthy (as compared to the turns) straights. In the three most recent appearances at the track there have been three different winners, which doesn’t reveal a clear-cut favorite of the 43 starters. Look for the top five in the championship points chase to race conservatively and to try to avoid the typical bumping and banging that typically plagues short track races.

Letter to the Editor
Opinions expressed reflect those of the writer
and not necessarily those of the Mornin' Mail.

Dear Editor,

The Carthage Square is alive and going strong. Yes, most of the businesses on the Carthage Square are doing great.

I can’t believe the Carthage Press has written articles twice about the "Gloom and Doom" on the square based on one businessperson’s opinion — and the same one and only one both times! And, then here comes the Joplin Globe doing the same thing!

Of course, I know the news media likes "Gloom and Doom" stories the best. But, please look around! Check the sales tax records!

Do those two newspapers not think and look for themselves? It seems they are letting one business talk for all of us that have been here a lot longer and are still alive and well?

Oldies and Oddities is doing great! We have great customers from Carthage and around the world and they love Carthage and the Carthage Square.

Please Press and Globe — do your own thinking and investigating. Thanks!

— Roberta Sade

Owner, Oldies and Oddities Mall

We don’t intend ta become the local "stock car" news source, but last week’s win of the NASCAR race by a Joplin driver seems ta warrant a little front page coverage.

‘Course our NASCAR articles are generated here in Carthage by the Mornin’ Mail mystery corespondent (you may have some idea as to the identity). We’ve been publishin’ the NASCAR to the Max for the last two seasons and it seems to be received well. It is intended to target those who may have some interest in the series, but don’t necessarily have the time or the temperament to sit through watchin’ cars go in circles for 500 miles or so.

With the season windin’ down, you might wanna tune in and watch the Jasper County racin’ representative show his stuff on national tv.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click & Clack
TALK CARS

By Tom & Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom & Ray:

I have a troubling situation to ask you about. Three times in the past several months, my wife has parked her car, gotten out and absent-mindedly left this ‘99 Mazda 626 running. Once, she left it running all day at her office. My first question is, what kind of damage can this do? And the obvious second question it, why is she doing this, and how can I stop her? — JR

RAY: Well, to answer your first question, leaving the car running all day won’t do any damage. As long as the engine’s cooling system is working normally, a modern car can run for days and days — until it runs out of gas — without causing itself any harm.

TOM: Think about it, JR. If long-term idling caused engine damage, wouldn’t you see thousands of broken-down police cars in Dunkin’ Donuts parking lots?

RAY: The second question is trickier. I’d have to assume that she’s not used to a car that’s so smooth and quiet. What was her previous car? Was it a 1986 Chevy Cavalier with a bad muffler? My guess is that the signals she used to get from her old car — the noises and vibrations that told her it was running — are not there in her new car. You might need to loosen up the fan belt and get this Mazda squealing.

TOM: Still, a person has to be distracted in some way to forget to turn off his or her engine. So something must have distracted her on those days.

RAY: Here are my suggestions: First, if she hasn’t already she should stash an extra set of keys at work. That might not help her remember, but it’ll save you the trips to rescue her. Then I’d get her one of those retractable key holders that you can clip onto your belt.