Grand Slamming
Posted July 5, 2009, 3:08 PM ET

I hope everyone enjoyed an awesome July 4th holiday.

I'm still trying to figure out who got slammed harder over the weekend; Andy Roddick or Kyle Busch?

Both guys were involved with tough losses, and amazing conversation around the water cooler.

Roddick was a victim of Roger Federer's 15th grand slam title at Wimbledon. I wouldn't call it the greatest match that I've ever seen on the famed grass at the All-England Club, but the fifth and final set was phenomenal. Federer outlasted Roddick, 16-14 in a fifth set that will be talked about for the ages. For the record, I thought last year's five-set thriller between Federer and Nadal was a better match, but that's a debate for another day.

The win cemented Federer's place in tennis history by snapping his grand slam tie with Pete Sampras. I'm not a huge fan of Andy Roddick, but you had to admire his effort in the finals at Wimbledon.

Down in Daytona, Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart provided all the fireworks you would ever need on July 4th with a wild finish.

It appeared that Busch was in great shape to win by passing Stewart with a lap to go, but we all know that the last lap at Daytona is always a crazy ride.

Tony Stewart returned the favor by nudging Busch out of the way as they entered the tri-oval and the finish line. Afterwards, "Smoke" apologized for the way he won the race, but there was no need to....he was racing for the win, and Busch was, too.

Granted Busch was upset, but he would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed. It was thrilling TV and a finish that we will talk about for a long, long time.

In other news, Junior Nation's highlight had to be watching the 18-car get pounded from every angle on the final lap. It was another awful performance by Dale, Jr. and his new crew chief. I'm assuming that blaming Tony Eury, Jr. is still in vogue.

The good news for Dale, Jr.'s early departure is that he probably had time to check out the local bars and get his partying in before the fireworks show in Daytona Beach.

Earlier, Junior mentioned that the worst move ever by NASCAR was to eliminate the open date week before Daytona, because he and his buddies liked to come down, rent a house and party all week.

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The saddest news of the holiday weekend had to be the sudden and tragic death of Steve McNair.

The four-time NFL Pro Bowl QB was found shot to death in a Nashville condo. While details of the shooting are still being investigated, it is an awful end to a 36-year old man that was respected by his peers and community in the Nashville area.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire McNair family.

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Let me get this straight: Joey Chestnut eats 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes?

That's disgusting, but the man gets to keep the "Mustard Belt".

I wonder if Chestnut would be interested in Detroit Lions season tickets?

I read this past week that the Lions this year are opening an "All You Can Eat" section at Ford Field. Can you imagine this guy sitting next to you consuming everything in sight, while having to watch the Lions play?

"Clean-up in Section 511."

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I couldn't help but laugh at the fans during Tiger Woods' PGA Tour event this past week at Congressional Country Club.

Woods made a mistake by playing with Cowboys QB Tony Romo during the Pro-Am. Tiger should know better than to ask the Dallas QB to play with him in the heart of Redskins Country.

The best part was when Romo teed off later in the round. Instead of the moronic "Get In The Hole" scream from the gallery, a Skins fan chimed in and told Romo to "hit it like it's December".

Great chant....

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I spent the weekend down in the Palmetto state at Litchfield Beach.

I finally found something that gets trashed more than South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford.

It's the beach, the morning after July 4th.

What a dump.

I can't wait to get home. How can people enjoy this stuff?

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I read the 25 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Every single person is worthy of being inducted into the Hall, but only five will make it into the inaugural class in 2010.

Here are my picks, and this will be a hot topic between now and next May when the gentlemen are announced:

Bill France, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, David Pearson and Rick Hendrick are my picks.

This is a tough call, and as I mentioned, all of the 25 are deserving to be represented.

Try going through the list and picking out 5.....once you get past Petty, Earnhardt and France, you'll be guaranteed to have an argument with your racing friends.