Welcome back, Waltrip ... yeah NASCAR needs ya

"Who'd have thought they'd lead ya (Who'd have thought they'd lead ya)
Here where we need ya (Here where we need ya)
Yeah we tease him a lot cause we've got him on the spot, welcome back,
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.
-- theme from Welcome Back, Kotter

Have you ever just left a song on the radio and didn't know the reason? Maybe it's on in the background and you're not paying attention and the song just plays right on through to its conclusion.

Beau Estes co-hosts the Jack Daniel's Post-Race Show with Nikki Alexander. It can be seen following every Nextel Cup race live on NASCAR.COM.

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Perhaps later, you're embarrassed to admit the song made it past the first chorus on your FM receiver. I understand this, I really do. However, this is not one of those stories.

When the theme from Welcome Back, Kotter made its way from my antenna through to my speakers on the drive home following the Sunday washout in Delaware, the only move I made was to jack up the volume.

You see, all week long leading up to Dover I had become consumed with seeing Michael Waltrip finally make it back onto the track in a Nextel Cup event and for some reason when John Sebastian's song popped on the stereo, the notes struck a chord with me.

It's hard not to like Mikey, in my book. He's the younger brother of a NASCAR legend who will always be climbing uphill chasing Darrell's shadow.

Forevermore, he'll be tied to one of NASCAR's darkest days in a race he won the 2001 Daytona 500.

And yet, amidst all of this and more, his positive personality and sense of humor in commercials and on television -- like the sunshine -- seems to shine on through.

To say it's been a tough 2007 for him, though, is a bit like saying, "Gee, that Barry Bonds sure seems to have gotten a smidge bigger and stronger in the past 10 years." You're en route to an accurate assessment; the destination just hasn't been reached yet.

A quick review of Waltrip's year would include the humiliating discovery of an illegal substance on his intake manifold at Daytona where he finished 30th. His 73 points earned in Florida put him just 27 shy of even par after NASCAR docked him 100 owner and driver points following the incident.

"MikeyGate" also included long suspensions for his crew chief, David Hyder -- who was unceremoniously dismissed -- and competition director, Bobby Kennedy.

This was followed by 11 consecutive races in which Waltrip's Toyota failed to qualify for a Nextel Cup race. Because they weren't in the darned show they couldn't put Daytona behind them, much less get on the plus side in the point standings.

Off the track but still on the road, Waltrip was cited for reckless driving after he fled the scene of a one car accident near his home. Luckily, he walked away (in fact, all the way home) unscathed.

It appeared all the pressure had pushed the NAPA pitchman into a full-scale Britney-esque meltdown. All we needed now was a grainy black and white photo of him shaving his trademark locks.

This is about the time I started hoping for something, anything, good to happen to the guy. Americans seem to love train-wreck TV -- just ask Jerry Springer -- but I much prefer a train safely reaching the station. All too often these stories end badly, and say what you will about the sincerity of Waltrip's personality, this story needed a good ending.

Why do I say this?

Consider the fact that in the 2007 NASCAR NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver Award poll Waltrip, after appearing in only one race in this season, was still considered among the top-10 drivers in fan popularity after nearly one million votes. I think it's safe to say the fans forgive him.

As for the men inside NASCAR, listen to what Waltrip had to say about the support he received from other teams during his dry spell. "There's a lot of people who have been really supportive of us, not only on the Toyota side, but other teams have pitched in and said, 'Think about this,' or, 'Think about that.' I'm just real thankful for the fact that they have supported me and they cared enough to try to get us in."

To me, this says the guys at the track were in his corner, as well.

So after a few months of turmoil, yes some self-inflicted, I'm willing to laugh, forgive and yes, forget -- then say, Yeah we tease him a lot cause we got him on the spot, welcome back. Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.

Oh, and Britney, get well soon.

Previous Question of the Week
Who do you think will win the championship at this point?

After extending a week the polling on the question, the results are in; and may I say after the leader I'm a bit surprised.

First of all, it's hard to disagree with Jeff Gordon at the top, however with the bonus points for wins factored in once the Chase starts, I thought Jimmie Johnson would get a little more support.

The number that stood out for me though was Dale Earnhardt Jr. at .8 percent. If nothing else, I thought his fans would just pump up the numbers to support NASCAR's favorite son. In the comments I read it seemed like most of the 8 fans were abandoning ship, which caught me a bit off guard.

Here are some of the best e-mails I received on the subject:

From Chris in Buda, Ill.
Honestly, I think it's going to come down to a Jeff Gordon vs. Jimmie Johnson showdown. My vote is on Gordon, because it'd be the perfect ending to the record-breaking season. Sure, he had a bad outing in the 600, but that won't phase the way his team is running this year. This is Gordon's year to shine.

I would love for it to come down to JG vs. JJ. In fact, imagine if Gordon needs to pass Jimmie on the last laps at Homestead and has the faster car like earlier this year at Martinsville. Does the 24 bump the 48 at that point?

From Laurie in Georgia
I'll go with Kevin Harvick or Jeff Burton. I believe that once the rubber hits the road in the Chase, it will be all that Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson can do to hold on for the ride. This may be the biggest runaway lead in 11 years, but remember, when the Chase starts, everyone is going to be within 50 points plus the bonus.

This is why I can't believe Dale Jr. didn't get more votes in the poll. If he makes the Chase, he's got a legitimate shot.

It's also why I will always keep a private tracker of who the champ would have been under the old system. It seems like we've invented drama for drama's sake rather than truly crowning the champ.

However, it's hard to argue with the excitement generated in the past 10 races.

Question of the Week
What is your take on the Kurt Busch/Tony Stewart feud? (watch video) Who is at fault and where will this all end?

I'm looking forward to the responses I'll get on this one. Remember the best printable answers get published. Include your first name and hometown and send them to my ever-expanding inbox at Beau.Estes@Turner.com.

Have some fun with this one.

Chat-room chatter

Here are some of the best comments from a somewhat somber, but not maudlin Jack Daniel's Post Race Show chat room following the Dover race and the announcement of the passing of Bill France Jr.:

From Nick in Herndon, Va.
Bill France Jr.'s forceful personality and cutting-edge vision for the future pushed NASCAR to the place that it is today in modern sports. His passing will leave a void in the sport that will be impossible to fill.

From Andrew in Newfoundland, Canada
Thank you Bill France Jr. You brought what NASCAR means to everyone today -- from one of the most unpopular sports to one of the greatest sports in North America. Thanks again, Bill. I will miss you.

Sometimes you wish the people that are gone could hear the glowing thoughts those left behind have to say about them.

From Tom in Kissimmee, Fla.
I think Kurt Busch stopped to tell Tony that he wasn't painting the outside wall with Home Depot paint.

I think Kurt is lucky that his side-swiping stop didn't land him in jail. What happens if he hits Tony's jackman, Jason Lee, and causes serious harm or worse?

From Bill in Yuma, Ariz.
I guess DEI can win a race. Go Martin!

Let's hope that Martin Truex Jr.'s win doesn't get overlooked by the other headlines coming out of Dover.

I only have two thoughts as we head to Pocono ...

1. Can we call it a slump if only one Hendrick car made it into the top 10 at Dover? A ninth-place Jeff Gordon was the best of the HMS fantastic four. Maybe this is a bit of a reach, but that's how high these guys have set the bar.

2. Would I even have a column or post-race show without the tracks laid by William Clifton France Jr.? I think not. Mr. France, you brought the joy of NASCAR to many people who may never have otherwise been exposed to the sport. For that, we are all indebted to you.

Enjoy the race, everyone.

The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.