Sprint All-Star Race – May 16, 2009 Photo – Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Every month in NASCAR’s schedule has its own unique personality. Whether it’s the race tracks in that month or the type of action the month has in store. 


I believe the best of NASCAR shines in May. This year especially, with the addition of Talladega to the first week, joining some of the best tracks offering some of the best racing for the entire year. 


This month NASCAR fans will see drivers traveling to fan-favorite tracks including Talladega, Darlington and then Charlotte for two weekends. Many drivers love this month because the two Charlotte weekends keep them close to home.


Over the years, the sunshine of May has spotlighted the best racing action on NASCAR’s schedule. And in 2012 fans could be in store for the most exciting racing seen since Tony Stewart’s amazing last lap win at Homestead. 


This upcoming weekend at Talladega, fans will welcome the return of its famed superspeedway pack-racing – absent in 2011 – wondering if the “Big One” will make a return as well. At Darlington, the track known as “The Lady in Black,” will bring some great close-to-the-wall racing, featuring drivers getting their famed “Darlington Stripe.”  NASCAR’s road show then returns home to Charlotte for two weeks with two of the best events in motorsports. 


All-Star festivities kick off the Charlotte home stand with the Pit-Crew Challenge – quickly becoming a fan favorite event. Then with incredible finishes and exciting action, the Sprint Showdown and All-Star race bring out the best of Saturday night racing under the lights.  One of my favorites is the 2005 All-Star weekend, during the “Nextel Open” – now the Sprint Showdown – when Brian Vickers spun out Mike Bliss, allowing Vickers to win and advance to the All-Star race later in the day. In that All-Star race the “Big One’ had tempers flaring when Joe Nemechek and Kevin Harvick got into a scuffle with Mark Martin prevailing to win the race! 


The month finishes with the longest and one of the most popular races of the year in the Coca-Cola 600. Charlotte Motor Speedway puts on an amazing show with activities all weekend keeping fans engaged in their celebration of racing.


In NASCAR, May is a month when everyone seems more relaxed and everything is more exciting. Starting off with events in Talladega and Darlington, will offer hope that fans will see action on the track. The events in Charlotte bring out great competition between drivers and teams as everyone has a chance to shine at home with family and friends. The result is phenomenal racing action and incredible finishes that keep fans coming back for more every year.   


After the lack of excitement on the track in April, the month of May will have NASCAR fans remembering why they love this sport. Without a doubt, fans are anticipating this month to bring some of the the best racing in NASCAR, setting the tone for the rest of the season. 


Track owners can forget about digging up their tracks to get more fans and better racing. The drivers will provide exciting action and great racing as the best of NASCAR shines in May.


Jason Schultz, originally published this blog on his website Turn 4 Racing News.
With Jason’s support and approval, Fan4Racing is re-publishing his blog after revisions by managing editor, Sharon Burton.

Kyle Busch celebrates his 4th consecutive Spring Richmond Win with the Checkered Flag Photo – Getty Images

Kyle Busch won the race in Richmond Saturday night, but the race could have had multiple outcomes. 


Penalties hurt drivers like Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards who had very fast cars and a chance to win the race. And an untimely debris caution lost Stewart’s lead and his chance at winning.


Tony Stewart struggled incredibly on restarts which ultimately cost him the race. Kyle Busch beat Stewart off pit road under the final caution and was the race winning move for Busch. 


Pole-sitter, Mark Martin led the first 30 laps before being passed by Carl Edwards.


The competition caution came out on lap 51.  A competition caution was added because of rain that hit the track earlier in the day. 


Then the race off pit road let Carl Edwards regain the lead followed by Hamlin and Harvick. Mark Martin slipped back to seventh. 


On the ensuing restart Jeff Gordon got loose sliding him up the hill, making contact with Kurt Busch. Then in turn 3 Kurt Busch got up into Jeff Gordon again causing moderate damage to each car. The green flag would stay out, and Gordon would have to pit, resulting in his return to the track a couple laps down. 


The second caution came out on lap 117 with Kurt Busch spinning on the backstretch. 


After the pit stops, Kevin Harvick came off pit road as the leader for the first time in the race, but on the restart with three cars battling for the lead, it would be Carl Edwards emerging once again as the leader.  


The next caution flew around lap 230 for debris. 


Then with 114 laps to go Kyle Busch took the lead for the first time. 


Next came the most confusing part of the young NASCAR season. During green flag pit stops, the caution came out for Jeff Burton hitting the wall. Some drivers were just finishing up their pit stops with a couple drivers missing pit road just before the caution came out, causing them to lose precious track position. This mess left only three cars on the lead lap, however, many drivers would get the wave around, regaining position on the lead lap. 


Then during pit stops, one of Jimmie Johnson’s crew members rolled a tire in the pit box instead of carrying it back to the pit wall – leaving Johnson with a penalty and placing him at the rear of the field. 


Coming to the restart with 14 cars on the lead lap, no one was sure if the leader was Stewart or Edwards. According to NASCAR, Tony Stewart was the apparent leader, but Carl Edwards was told by his spotter that he was the leader. Edwards subsequently went too soon on his restart, while Tony Stewart spun his tires, making Edwards pre-mature restart more obvious. NASCAR saw Edwards speed up to beat Stewart to the line, which is illegal, resulting in a black flag for Edwards, forcing him to serve a pass through penalty and giving up his lead. 


Carl Edwards later commenting on his radio regarding the black flag said, “It’s not cool to get a race taken from you like that.” 


This confusing mess gave Stewart the lead at 76 laps to go with the remaining top-five drivers, Kyle Busch, Earnhardt Jr, Kahne and Allmendinger. 


The final caution of the race came out on lap 386 with 14 laps to go, for debris – a water bottle on the backstretch. This caution would bunch the field up for an exciting restart. The winning moment of the race is when Kyle Busch beat Tony Stewart off pit road to gain the lead. 


Coming up on the restart, Tony Stewart spun his tires – for about the fourth time – giving Kyle Busch a decent size lead and Dale Earnhardt Jr. a second place position. After some wild and confusing restarts, in the final laps Earnhardt Jr. didn’t have enough for Kyle Busch and “Wild Thing” went on to win his fourth straight spring race at Richmond. Kyle later commenting in victory lane said, “Last caution was saving grace for us.” 


Earnhardt Jr. was happy finishing second, later commenting, “Even with brakes working, the 18 had a better car.” 


In Tony Stewart’s post race comments, he said, “We gave it away on pit road,” which to some is questionable, as Stewart’s restarts throughout the race were the worst of his career. Spinning his tires on the final restart hurt Stewart’s chances at a potential third win of the season, giving him a third place instead. 


Kyle Busch was elated with two major season accomplishments in Richmond. On Friday night Kyle Busch Motorsport’s Nationwide team with his brother Kurt Busch driving, won their first Nationwide race as an organization. Then on Saturday night, Kyle wins his first Sprint Cup race of the season, becoming the only active driver with four consecutive spring Richmond wins.


Next week NASCAR heads off to one of the most anticipated races of the season at Talladega.