Busch League
Posted July 6, 2008, 8:13 PM ET

After watching the dramatic end of the NASCAR race in Daytona on Saturday night, it appears that Kyle Busch, with his 6th win of the season, has a firm grasp on the points lead and knows exactly how to alienate Junior Nation.

Even though he didn't have the best car, and nearly wrecked himself out of the race halfway though the evening's proceedings, it just doesn't seem to matter to the younger Busch. He is simply putting on a show this year, on the Sprint Cup circuit.

It was a wild end on the high banks at the Daytona International Speedway. Thank goodness TNT didn't find it necessary to stick in another commercial break in an attempt to miss the fitting conclusion. But once we figured out the winner after the wreck-filled conclusion, it was back to the norm with Busch being in the spotlight.

As he enjoyed another bow to the crowd, it was apparent that Junior Nation is getting tired of seeing Kyle kick the field's rear end for another week. It seems to me that Junior Nation should be getting used to seeing the #18 car holding the flag while conducting another victory lap.

It also seems like Junior Nation would have better aim at this point in the season, too. As Busch zipped around during his "Victory Lap", the sight of cans being hurled at his car were everywhere on the track. Not a single Mountain Dew, Amp Energy Drink or Budweiser can made contact with the Interstate Battery Toyota. You would think as often as the kid wins, that Junior Nation would be able to connect with their arch rival. There's no question that they've had enough practice.

---

In the NASCAR world this past week, there were two very telling stories that involved sponsorships.

I still can't understand how Tony Stewart can announce that he has a new future sponsorship deal in place with Office Depot, but is still under contract through the 2009 season with Joe Gibbs. "Smoke" is even taking offers from other teams/owners about his future place of employment. That seems like a total breach of contract to me.

I know there would be no way that I could announce (much less negotiate) a new contract with a future employer while being under contract with CBS Radio. Perhaps the boys in NASCAR are operating on a newer set of rules and standards than the rest of the world.

While Tony Stewart is taking offers and landing new deals, Dario Franchitti is out of a gig. The driver that left the IRL for the fortunes of NASCAR is now looking for a job. It's amazing that Franchitti, a winner of the Indy 500 and married to actress Ashley Judd, can't find a sponsor.

Here's a suggestion: bag the Chip Ganassi sales team, and get Ashley back to work. It doesn't make any sense to me.

---

During the July 4th holiday, I happened to catch the traditional "Hot Dog Eating" contest on the Worldwide Leader. It never ceases to amaze me, what passes as entertainment in this country. But any moron that wants to consume 60 hot dogs in ten minutes, please be my guest.

Even though, I have to admit that the term "Reversal of Fortune" is one of the best in the business.

Ironically, the epic showdown between defending champion Joey Chestnut and resident eating king, Kobayashi, didn't disappoint. Both carnivores swallowed 59 dogs and buns in the ten minute time frame and forced overtime.

Seriously; I can't make this stuff up. There is such a thing, in an eating competition of this magnitude...it was called a "Dog-Off". Chestnut held onto his title in the extra session, but I think this rule needs to be addressed.

I think instead of the contestants scarfing up another rack of Nathan's hot dogs, how about something else to break the tie? Let's see these guys go after a pound of relish, onions and sauerkraut instead. Now, that would bring the infamous "Reversal of Fortune" into play.

---

So, Brett Favre wants to play again? ...Who knew?

I'll be the first to admit that I've always enjoyed watching the guy play on Sundays, but I have really gotten tired of his off-season approach to the Packers and his impending retirement. Either play, or get out. In this case, Favre must believe he can do both.

The latest rumor floating around has the future Hall of Fame quarterback not only returning to the game, but possibly offering his services to teams outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin. According to a story in the LA Times, one of the teams mentioned resides in Charlotte. That's right; the Carolina Panthers.

While GM Marty Hurney downplays the story and possibility, it certainly gives local sports fans a great topic to kick around. Listen, I have no idea if Favre is interested in Carolina, much less the Packers. But I don't think there are many people that believe Favre is over the hill and can't contribute for at least a single season. His numbers last year were spectacular and few players play with the passion that Favre delivers every week in the NFL.

While the Panthers hope Jake Delhomme is ready to return at 100%, NFL fans will wait for the latest saga surrounding one of the league's greatest quarterbacks. It means that we'll wait a few more weeks until the official opening of the training camps.

---

Now that the All-Star rosters have been announced, we can all sleep easier. I really have very little interest in the Mid-Summer Classic...even though the brilliant Bud Selig has put the added bonus of the winning team determining home field advantage for the World Series.

What an awful concept. But, I digress.

As we approach the All-Star game, I can't help but notice the standings. Every year before the season, I select nine teams that I vow will have no chance at the post-season. One of those teams that I selected this year was the Tampa Bay Rays. It figures that they have the best record in baseball, as we head to the break. Can the pesky Rays go from having the worst record in baseball last year, to being able to hold off the Red Sox and Yankees in the AL East?

Beats me...but I'm going to have fun watching them try to hold the lead in the second half of the season.

It will also be fun to see if anybody in the NL West can finish above .500....seriously, how weak is that? The Arizona D-backs jumped off to a great start and have proceeded to suck ever since. There should be a rule in baseball - in fact, in all of sports - that if you're not good enough to finish above .500, then you should not be allowed in the post-season.