UPDATE!  You may now change your Back-up Driver.  Login and goto 'Your Page'.  The line for your Back-up Driver is now a dropdown box.  Choose who you wants from the list then click 'Save' - just like making a pick.  If you have any trouble, drop us a call to the JNFL Headquarters.

I would like to remind everyone playing in the JNFL that you will be allowed to change your Back-up Driver following the start of the Loudon race.  Here is what the rules say:

   2-C  The exact time for the mid-point window that you can change your BUD is following the start of the race scheduled for July 1st at Loudon, through the Daytona 400 and up until the start of the Chicagoland race on July 15th. 

This will be the only time you are allowed to do so for the rest of the year.  Use this time wisely.

Dear JNFL,

If you picked Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson at Sonoma, you have been docked 100 points from the original finish due to a penalty handed down by Nascar.  Here is the note from NASCAR.com:

Both cars -- the No. 24 driven by Jeff Gordon and the No. 48 driven by Jimmie Johnson -- were found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); 20-2.1E (parts or components of the car not previously approved by NASCAR that have been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance will not be permitted); and 20-2H (fenders may not be cut or altered except for wheel or tire clearance which must be approved by the Series Director) of the 2007 NASCAR rule book. The violations were found during the initial inspection process last Friday.

As a result, Gordon and Johnson have each been penalized 100 driver championship points. Their respective crew chiefs -- Steve Letarte and Chad Knaus -- have each been fined $100,000, suspended for the next six Nextel Cup Series events until Aug. 15 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2007.

While it seemed that everyone knew this was coming, a few people did pick Jeff Gordon.  John Tasker was one of them.  Remember, John also picked Kurt Busch when he was docked 100 points a few weeks back.  That stinks.  My heart goes out to Rebecca in the Kid's League, she originally picked Jeff Gordon, then heard about the potential penalties to come, with some extra explanations, changed her pick - to Jamie McMurray.  He was leading with 2 laps to go, ran out of gas and finished 37th.  That ends up to be 11 points better.

Saturday Update:  I have updated the stars next to driver's names (*).  There are a couple handful of new drivers this week, take extra caution making your pick to ensure they are in the race.  Looks like a bunch of driver's who were not in the top-35 in points had a specialist come in and drive the car. 

Friday Update:  I have added a bunch of names to the driver's list for this race out west.  There have been a lot of changes here recently as driver's lose their rides and fall in and out of the top-35.  With road racing there are so-called ringers who get in the races because they are specialists at this particular track.  Nice to see Terry Labonte back at the track.

Thursday:  Let's go road racing boys and girls!  The Cup cars are out west this weekend at Infineon Raceway, or as we like to call it, Sonoma.  Never been a big fan of being forced to call a building by a sponsers name.  Take note of the fact that we post Eastern Standard Time on this website - because we all live here.  If you happen to be in California this week for business or pleasure, don't forget to make your pick 3 hours earlier on your watch - Noah.

There are three practices scheduled with one on Friday before qualifying and two on Saturday.  Typical Nascar weekend even though this is the first time the Car of Tomorrow will go road racing.  Could be interesting.  This new car does not spin out so easy like the old design.  I'll be watching.

Hey, I have been searching my small brain for poll questions, sometimes I come up with decent ones but sometimes I flat draw a blank.  If you have any suggestions for a good Poll question, send it over to me.  Currently I am working on one for our new leader, Rob.

While we are at it, if you have a link or website that you find helpful with making your pick or just enjoying Nascar in general, shoot it over to us and I will make a link on the homepage.  Come to think of it I think there is a place in this site to post.  Yea, in the user menu by the log-in boxes.  When you are logged in you can 'Submit Weblink'.  Pretty cool.  If you have a business and you are a member of the JNFL feel free to shoot over a link to your website or a logo for your company.  I can lay them in rotation at the bottom of the site.

Good luck with your picks this weekend, may they be better than Bran Vickers was for me last week.  (He was fast when he wrecked early).