As stories of the accident broke on the wire Friday night, many were expecting the worse. Myself, I was expecting the �Report: Jack Rosch dead� headline at any moment. But no such announcement came, but reports still had Rosch in critical condition with two broken legs and a �closed head injury� among other things and was described to be in a �medically induced coma�. But as the day passed on Saturday, reports became more upbeat, and eventually had Rosch described as being �alert�. By race day, additional reports had Jack being upgraded to serious condition, and although it turns out that he also has a collapsed lung, it also turns out that Jack only has one broken leg. It will still be a long road to recovery for Rosch. But what started on Friday as a death watch eventually became not only an amazing rescue tale, but an ultimate testament to the man in the cowboy hat, who I have a feeling we will see again sooner rather than later.

TALLADEGA RECAP

Obviously, the Rosch situation initially cast a pall on the weekend proceedings at Talladega. Then would come an incredible world record 29-car pile up in the Busch race on Sunday, raising concerns that the same thing would happen on Sunday. The Busch race would end with only two cars on the lead lap, and with the sixth place driver finishing six laps down. So it was under this backdrop that the wild ride known as White-knuckle Sunday would be held. The green flag waves with Jimmie Johnson on the pole alongside Robbie Gordon, but it would not take long for restrictor-plate monsters Dale Earnhardt Jr. along with teammate Michael Waltrip to make their charges to the front. Driver experiencing early troubles included Kenny Schrader (dropped a cylinder), along with Jimmie Johnson (overheating), Bobby Hamilton, and Frank Kimmel. Jeff Green is one of the early movers, improving from 30th to fifth in the first green-flag run. Ward Burton on the other hand was one of the drivers lagging behind, sitting in the neighborhood of 39th and 40th.

As the first set of green-flag pit stops approached, only four seconds separate first from 39th place. The pit stops commence with Jimmy Johnson�s crew removing tape from the radiator area of the #48. Michael Waltrip�s team delivers a 16.1, Kurt Busch a 14.9, and Dale Jr. a 14.7 as the crowd goes wild. Meanwhile, Jeff Gordon would be a loser on pit road and drop to 27th. Matt Kenseth remains on the track for several laps after everyone else�s pits and collects five points for leading the first of those laps. Elliot Sadler has now cracked the top five while Tony Stewart as improved from a starting position of 25th up to fifth. Meanwhile Gordon quickly recovers from his bad pit, and resumes his place among the leaders. On the other side of the ledger, the Tony Stewart camp decides to have the #20 drop from the front and to lag back in the vicinity of 33rd place. Don�t know if the decision came from Greg Zimpadelli or what, but it would turn out to bite. Jerry Nadeau would also head to pit road for an unscheduled stop. The non-stop action continues into a second-round of green-flag stops as the race passes the halfway point, with Waltrip and Dale Jr. still showing the way. The #15 would make no adjustments, just four tires and fuel. Kurt Busch�s crew would have a subpar 16.8, Dale Jr�s time is not shown on TV but must be great as Earnhardt nation goes wild again as the #8 pulls out first. Disaster would strike for Ryan Newman, as he overshoots his pit stall and would wind up losing a lap. Again, Matt Kenseth would stretch the fuel mileage and lead for several laps before coming in with a subpar stop that would last 17+ seconds. Still, the stage is being set up by crew chief Robbie Reiser for a quick splash-and-go late should the race remain green.

Finally, the caution flies at Lap 116 due to debris on the track, a huge break for Newman as he stays out to get his lap back. Most other cars go ahead and pit again. The green waves with a freight train of Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, and Mark Martin leading the way. Michael Waltrip is stuck back in the middle of the pack, and is getting impatient in trying to move up. Meanwhile, Kenny Wallace, driving the #98 in a once race deal for Waltrip, is having a great day, running in third, and eventually up to second. Then Ryan Newman�s day would sour for good, blowing a motor for a third week in a row, and becoming the first retiree in the event. I�m guessing there will be a long look at the #12 engine program this week. At this point FOX runs a Virtual Crew Chief poll asking if Dale Jr. will win, 75 percent believe. Meanwhile, trouble suddenly develops for the #17 as a hinge has come off the hood of the Matt Kenseth DeWalt machine, while rival spotters are screaming for the #17 to be black-flagged (to reduce the risk of the hood completely coming off. A subtle problem, but it�s costing Matt precious MPH and drops him towards the back, which would prove costly. The action heats to a fever pitch of 3-wide pack racing as we approach 30 laps to go, with drivers such as Tony Stewart making a charge towards the front. Then it happens, the #33 machine of Mike Wallace, who has had problems all weekend, gets a little sideways into the #20, sending Stewart against the wall. Then it�s on as Wallace and Stewart both wreck, along with twenty or so competitors behind them. Among the casualities are Steve Park, Rusty Wallace, Terry LaBonte, Bill Elliott, Johnny Benson, Matt Kenseth, Bobby LaBonte, Elliott Sadler (who crashes hard into the infield wall), Kevin Harvick, Robby Gordon, Jimmy Spencer, and Ricky Rudd. Front-runners such as Dale Jr., Waltrip, Jeff Gordon, and Kurt Busch escape the carnage. Benson tries to make it back to pit-road but the #10 machine becomes engulfed in flames, and Benson evacuates and in the process gets a good whiff of CO2 from a fire extinguisher. Besides Bensons� minor smoke inhalation, there would be no major injuries resulting from the wreck. Also, the worse injury that occurred in Saturday�s Busch wreck was a tongue cut that resulted in two stitches. That says a lot about safety in the sport. Other drivers avoiding the wreck included Brett Bodine (now up to tenth), and Geoff Bodine, making his second strong plate run of the season. A strange development occurred when Geoff was interviewed on Friday after his qualifying run, as he dropped a bombshell that his fianc�e of six years had passed away earlier in the week. No mention of this was made on any other forum, or on Geoff�s website.

The track is finally cleared and racing resumes with less than fifteen laps to go. Tony Stewart�s damaged car has managed to remain on the lead lap but is back in 21st place, and off the pace of undamaged cars. Mark Martin�s car would also expire, bringing the yellow back out with less than ten laps to go. Tony Stewart would also be forced to park it with heavy smoking emerging from his Pontiac. Cleanup takes longer that expected, and the dreaded red flag comes out with five to go, and spotters telling all their drivers to stay in their cars. We also get a pretty entertaining conversation between DW and his brother, as the #15 apparently needs a nudge to get going again. I�m sure Aaron�s enjoyed the plugs.

The final restart ensues with Geoff Bodine running in fifth, but would quickly be hung out to dry and drop to 13th. The waning laps would be held with the familiar scenario of Waltrip running interference for Dale Jr. before making one last gasp to win it himself on the front stretch before the finish line. Junior wins with Waltrip running second, followed by Kurt Busch and Jeff Gordon. It also appears that Kenny Wallace had overtaken Sterling Marlin to finish fifth. However, replays show that Kenny had gone below the dreaded white line to pass the #40. Just like death and taxes, the �Big One� and the white line are sure to rear their ugly heads. This all leads to a pretty hilarious TV interview (with M. Waltrip joining in) where the reporter drops the news to Kenny that he is being dropped 16 positions (to 21st, last car on the lead lap). Kenny�s take on the situation is that of course he had �no place to go�, but that if NASCAR wants to penalize them, to just go ahead, that everyone knows that in reality he finished fifth. Kenny�s a beaut, took it all in stride. But come to think of it he has a lot going for him, a quest for a Busch title, a contract with DEI, sponsorship with Stacker 2 (appearing in spots with Lita now, yum), among other things. I guess a sixteen position loss can be taken in stride. In reality though a overly-severe penalty. Ahh, the controversies of plate racing. Dale Jarrett, Jimmie Johnson, Rusty Wallace, Jeff Burton and Kyle Petty would round out the top ten. Other notables included Hut Stricklin (11th), Geoff Bodine (12th), Brett Bodine (13th), Ricky Rudd (14th), and Ward Burton (15th, after making his way into the top five then fading late). Bad finishes include Tony Stewart (29th), Matt Kenseth (30th), Robby Gordon (33rd), Mark Martin (37th), Bobby LaBonte (41st), and Ryan Newman (43rd again). Is it perhaps time to institute the Ryan Newman award (to the driver who blows an engine seemingly every week)??? In the point standings, Marlin now leads Kenseth by 109 points, followed by Rusty Wallace (-157), Kurt Busch (-177), and Dale Jr. (-191). In other racing news, I switch channels to find an interview with IRL snickie Sarah Fisher who had just finished fourth in her race attended by a gathering of 10,000 people (not to mention what their ratings are v. NASCAR). And if it wasn�t for a looker like Sarah (has anyone ever looked better in a racing suit???), IRL might be down to Florida Marlin weeknight type crowds. That circuits next race is the Indy 500 in over a month. Come on Sarah, jump in the #49 and join NASCAR for a few weeks�

In the aftermath I am hearing about the horrors of plate racing all over again, how that it is not really racing, just a matter of �getting lucky� and surviving the big wreck. Well let�s look at the facts, Dale Jr. has three firsts and a second in the last six plate races while Michael Waltrip has two seconds and a first. They are definitely the cream of the plate crop right now. They run up front all day, and thus avoid the big wreck. By the way, how could the sportsbooks make Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart the favorites against Junior and Waltrip??? Meanwhile drivers such as Stewart and Kenseth, who either chose or got caught at the middle or rear, eventually paid the price. That is what it simply comes down to in plate racing.

Now it is on to my often imitated, but never duplicated tri-weekly rankings � based on current events w/points ranking in ( ) and movement since my last ranking�

1. (1) Marlin, 2. (2) Kenseth (+3), 3. (5) Dale Jr. (+1), 4. (7) J. Gordon (�2), 5. (8) Stewart (�2), 6. (4) Busch (+1), 7. (3) R. Wallace (+3), 8. (6) Johnson, 9. (9) Martin (+9), 10. (17) B. LaBonte (�1), 11. (11) J. Burton, 12. (16) Jarrett (+3), 13. (10) Rudd (+1), 14. (13) W. Burton (�1), 15. (15) Craven (+1), 16. (12) Elliott (+3), 17. (20) Spencer, 18. (21) Newman (�12), 19. (14) T. LaBonte (NR), 20. (29) Harvick (-7)

Dropped out: Nadeau (was 20th)

Now on to the docket for this week�

CALIFORNIA PREVIEW

We only race at this 2-mile oval once a year, and this is only the sixth edition at this venue, so there isn�t much of a history here. But you can look for one of the smoother races in recent weeks without much attrition. Look for top speeds in qualifying around the 185 MPH range, so look for a quickly-paced race where fuel mileage and late-pit gambling could pay off.

BEST BETS

Jeff Gordon � By far the most successful driver in the brief history of the track, with two wins and a second on his resume. He gets a slight nod as a favorite over�

Tony Stewart � Like Gordon, someone who cannot be given up, even with three clunker finishes on the year. Had a nice weekend here last year, both qualifying and finishing fourth.

Jeremy Mayfield � Believe it or not, a two-time winner in Fontana. Also qualified third and finished fifth in the #12 last year. He knows how to get around this joint.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. � Started in provisional land but finished third last year, which at the time was by far his best effort since the events in Daytona two months earlier. Looks more like a cup contender each week.

Sterling Marlin � Finished ninth last year, will be a factor as always.

Jimmy Spencer � Qualified ninth and finished seventh in �01, this should a huge weekend for him as well.

Matt Kenseth � Had a chance to pull out Talladega with smart pit strategy. This should be a good track for one of the most reliable performers right now.

Rusty Wallace � Defending Champ here, his most recent cup win. He�s a Penske driver, and this is a Penske track, should bode well.

Ryan Newman � Many are jumping off the bandwagon due to three straight weeks of engine failure. That will not happen this week, and long hours are being spent in the #12 camp rectifying it. And remember, this is Mayfield�s old ride. Penske driver, Penske track. Nab him while it�s a bear market. A top five awaits.

Ricky Rudd � Qualified and finished sixth last year. Should be a good solid ride.

POSSIBLE LONGSHOTS

Kevin Harvick/Robby Gordon � These are home games for both drivers, don�t be surprised to see Harvick, or even Robby turn around their seasons right here.

DON�T COUNT ON

Michael Waltrip � Just a friendly reminder, no plates this week, keep MW on your taxi until the Pepsi 400 in July.

Ward Burton - Ward took a nasty lick here last year, WB would just like to get through this one in one piece.

Hermie Sadler � Penske driver, Penske track, no wait, that only works to a certain extent.

After the dust clears look for the finishing order to be as follows: 1. J. Gordon, 2. Stewart, 3. Wallace, 4. Newman, 5. Kenseth, 6. Marlin, 7. Dale Jr., 8. Mayfield, 9. Rudd, 10. Harvick

And here are the odds (per nascarodds): J. Gordon 3-1, Rudd 4-1, Stewart 9-2, Marlin 5-1, Kenseth 6-1, Mayfield 7-1, B. LaBonte 8-1, R. Wallace 9-1, Dale Jr. 10-1, Johnson 11-1, J. Burton 12-1, Jarrett 13-1, Busch 14-1, Martin 15-1, Newman 16-1, W. Burton 17-1, Harvick 18-1, Spencer 19-1, Elliott 20-1, Nadeau 22-1, Benson 24-1, Park 26-1, Green 28-1, Hamilton 30-1, Skinner 32-1, Waltrip 34-1, Craven 36-1, T. LaBonte 38-1, R. Gordon 40-1, Schrader 42-1, Petty 44-1, Andretti 46-1, Blaney 48-1, Compton 50-1, Atwood 55-1, B. Bodine 60-1, E. Sadler 65-1, Stricklin 70-1, Grissom 75-1, Mast 80-1