sportsjabber.net

Why is that the driver in the first slot at the start of a race is referred to as “on the pole”? To each his own and I’m no one’s judge, but as a guy, I never want to be accused of being on a pole. But I’m sure someone will answer this question of racing-lexiconic origin for me.

Nonetheless, Jeff Gordon is…AHEM…on the pole for Sunday’s Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Of course, there are about a thousand jokes running through my head right now vis a’ vis “on the pole” and “Goody’s Fast Pain Relief”, but NOPE…not going there. Jeff didn’t exactly WIN the pole, he basically backed onto the pole (This is hard). Qualifying was rained out, so Jeff, as Sprint Cup points leader, was given the pole (This is REALLY hard).

Martinsville (and the pole) represents both good news and bad news for Jeff. Good news: He’s won there seven times. Bad News: He hasn’t won diddly squat (that’s a racing term) since Oct. 13, 2007, spanning 46 races. That’s also about the same time that the Detroit Lions garnered their last victory. Okay…different sports, but we crack on the Lions for going 0 for 16 in 2008, yet Jeff went 0 for 40-something. Jeff was just quoted as saying, “We need wins. That’s something we’re working really hard on right now — to get to Victory Lane”. Uhhh…no jivin, Jeffie!

My suggestion to Jeff is that he do what the Lions did…fire Matt Millen! Can’t hurt!