I think Martinsville was worth the wait as it was a GOOD one to watch. Lots of bumping and spinning to give us lots of short track action. Sure, the weather sucked, as it was near freezing cold, but conditions were fine from my chair and the race provided enough action for even the most casual viewer. Denny Hamlin won the fourth of his career after a fuel-only stop put him in position. Jeff Gordon was the runner-up to lead Team Hendrick, as all four cars wound up in the Top Ten (heck, in the Top Seven), even though most had to overcome their share of adversity on the day. Jamie McMurray, on the other hand, made sure he won't miss any sleep this week as a Top Ten for him locked his auto in to the field in Texas.

GOOD to hear how veteran drivers love to share their experience with the rookies. After putting up with Michael McDowell in the latter stages of the event, Jeff Burton seems intent on sharing his thoughts with the young man. If that doesn't work, then maybe sharing his fender might become the communicative method of choice. Ask Matt Kenseth what that feels like. He got his rear quarter-panel crushed in early by that same fender while coming in to the pits. It didn't hurt Burton none, but Kenseth's hopes headed to the dumper in a hurry.

No doubt that helped Matt get a bit UGLY. It is interesting to note that while the race was going on, the World Women's Curling Final was also taking place. Yet, the best take out shot of the weekend went to Kenseth, who seemed to make an extra effort to go up the track to send David Gilliland for a ride. NASCAR rewarded his fender folly by parking him for a couple of laps for aggressive driving. Kenseth finished 30th, four laps down.

I can't think of anything more irritating than a burning rear end. Not even Preparation "H" was going to help Kyle Busch escape a BAD situation after the rear gear of his car went to pieces. Busch finished 38th to fall from the top rung down to fifth, 84 points behind Burton, who finished third at Martinsville. Those in between in the standings include Kevin Harvick (12th Sunday), Greg Biffle (20th), and Dale Earnhardt, Jr (6th).

Sometimes GOOD things happen to GOOD people. Ken Schrader, Patrick Carpentier, and Dario Franchitti were among those who made the field, though none cracked the Top Twenty on Sunday. For Schrader, this was the first tour for the team in a Toyota, and while they qualified strong on Friday, they also found themselves missing thirty laps with their own posterior problems.

Sometimes BAD things happen to GOOD people, but we knew this day was coming. Slow cars, both in qualifying and on race day, forecast BAD things were coming for Kyle Petty. This week, he missed the show. Even though we saw it coming, it does not mean we like it. Here is hoping GOOD things are just around the corner.

Elliott Sadler has more than an achy breaky heart. He was feeling BAD enough before driving to a 15th place finish with a lower back injury picked up over the Easter break. I'm guessing he probably isn't feeling any better today. No one seems to know exactly what he did, but it appears he aggravated the situation later on a golf course. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Jimmie Johnson the last Cup driver banged up on the links? Whether you swing a golf club or fling from a golf cart, it appears to be a very hazardous game.

Somebody stole the part that Jack had built, and he's still feeling a bit UGLY about it. Not that this is a new development, but Mr. Roush remains ticked that a sway bar specially made for his Ford team somehow wound up with Michael Waltrip's Toyota crew last season after a race in Dover. Jack went public in a recent interview and while he claims it was theft, Waltrip calls it an accident, NASCAR doesn't seem to care less, which leaves Jack somewhat piffed off. Maybe, like in that old Johnny Cash tune, they were not interested in the part, per say. Maybe they were trying to steal the car, one piece at a time.

BAD Michael. Just when we started to rid ourselves of the memory of gunk in the engine and a walk home in sock feet after wrecking the family vehicle, someone is back stirring up trouble for the boy. So much for "what happens in Dover stays in Dover."

By the way, regarding that Tony Stewart rumor, it is not what it is. Just check the date this column was published. I'm sure some rumors actually get started this way, emerging solely in the mind of a usually GOOD, but sadly demented, writer. By the way, no one can ever accuse me of being a bald faced liar. You see, I have a beard on my face. It is the top of my head that is bald.