Foundational Bricks—The 1994 Brickyard 400: 33rd, Ward Burton

Join me as I take a look back every Monday at the starting lineup for one of the biggest races in NASCAR history, the inaugural Brickyard 400. 

Starting 33rd: (rookie) Ward Burton #31 Hardee’s A.G. Dillard Motorsports Ford

Finished: 31st

Ward Burton in retirement

Career Highlights: Five Cup Series race wins, 2002 Daytona 500 winner, 2001 Southern 500 winner, Cat Skid Steer Loader.

Total Brickyard 400 Starts: 12

Best Brickyard 400 Finish: 6th (1999, 2001)

1994 Fun Fact: Despite failing to qualify for a number of races in 1994, Ward posted a stunning second-place finish at the July Pocono race.  To be fair, its not the first time someone was surprised by Hardee’s (seriously, who puts raw bacon on a Frisco burger?).

www.spaderacing.com updated four times weekly

www.facebook.com/spaderacing

www.twitter.com/spaderacing

Visit the store https://www.cafepress.com/spaderacing

Buy the book 100 Stock Car Racing What Ifs Unauthorized

Does this track have lights?

A MOXOC Media production

www.moxoc.com

2027 Nascar Cup Series Schedule Rumors

This is a parody

As Nascar Cup venues release their confirmed race dates piecemeal, this has led to plenty of rumors about how the rest of the schedule will look.  Here’s a look at a few of the rumored changes for 2027:

—North Wilkesboro getting the All-Star race again, but moving it to an even hotter weekend.

—Dover getting a points race back, but making sure it’s on something like DuMont or SportsChannel.

—A whole bunch more races on Sunday nights for some reason.

—Returning to the Chicago downtown street course just to irritate YOU in particular.

—Bristol’s new night race August date being pencilled-in for a lengthy rain delay that makes sure the race ends around 2am Eastern Time.

—Iowa got the Fourth of July, Talladega got Halloween, so look for Pocono to get National Onion Ring Day.

—Moving Watkins Glen to the fall to give it easier access for vacationing drunks.

www.spaderacing.com updated four times weekly

www.facebook.com/spaderacing

www.twitter.com/spaderacing

Visit the store https://www.cafepress.com/spaderacing

Buy the book 100 Stock Car Racing What Ifs Unauthorized

Does this track have lights?

A MOXOC Media production

www.moxoc.com

Race Picks Richmond: Spade Racing vs. AI

Join me as I test my wits against various AI programs in picking the 2026 Cup races.  Once they’ve made their picks, I’ll make my normal Favorite, Next Favorite, and Dark Horse picks (in addition to my regular O’Reilly & Truck Series picks).  At the end of the year we’ll see who knows more—me, or a soulless machine gobbling up water and electricity.

Claude AI (Sonnet 5) (5 wins) sez: Based on current form, Denny Hamlin leads the 2026 points standings with 4 wins…If I had to bet, I'd lean toward Denny Hamlin.

Truck Series (2 wins) Black’s Tire 250 Friday 7:30pm ET on FS1: LAYNE RIGGS—where will he wind up in 2027?  Well, hopefully not RWR.

O’Reilly Series (4 wins) off

Cup Series Cook Out 400 7pm ET on USA  FAVORITE (1 win): TYLER REDDICK—back on track heading into the playo—er, Chase.  NEXT FAVORITE (2 wins): CHASE ELLIOTT—perhaps punting someone out of the way?  DARK HORSE (1 win): CARSON HOCEVAR—definitely punting someone out of the way.

www.spaderacing.com updated four times weekly

www.facebook.com/spaderacing

www.twitter.com/spaderacing

Visit the store https://www.cafepress.com/spaderacing

Buy the book 100 Stock Car Racing What Ifs Unauthorized

Does this track have lights?

A MOXOC Media production

www.moxoc.com