No way you cut it, the race today at Talladega was one of the best of the season, if not the best.
With more lead changes than ever in any NASCAR race, this race was one for the ages.
It had everything you could have wanted in a race. You had side by side racing, two car pull aways. Wrecks, unhappy drivers, blown engines, and a winner who was long overdue.
So if anyone found this race boring, must love to watch grass grow.
For the second week in a row, there is a Jeff and Mini-Me feud. I for one think Johnson needs to be taken down a peg or two. Are you paying attention, because what I am about to say, I may never say again: I hope Jeff Gordon is the one who takes him down a peg. Yes, for once in my life, I am pulling for Jeff Gordon to do something.
It sure was nice to see Stewart and Earnhardt Jr. team up again at the restrictor plate races. Unfortunately for Tony, Greg Biffle got in his way, and kept him from having the kind of finish that Jr. had. But that is the nature of the beast.
And finally, Happy Harvick, made it back to Victory Lane. I was pulling as hard for him the last lap, as I pull for Stewart going for the win. It was thrilling to see Harvick and his team back on top.
Well, I for one was very happy with today's race, even if Stewart didn't win. So guess it is on to Richmond next week. Wonder if Denny will win there next week?
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
A Day Out with My Dad
Living is certainly an amazing thing. Often times we take it for granted. Now I am not going to get philosophical on you. But too many times we get to busy with doing our daily business, and forget to take the time to smell the roses.
I am guilty of doing this. My days are so routine, that I have actually forgotten what day I am in. I have to actually consistently remind myself of what day it is.
Too many times, you say I am going to do this and do that with someone. And before you know it, time has slipped away and days, months and even years have passed by.
Well in this particular case it was years that had slipped away. My dad and I use to do alot of things together when I was younger. But it has been many years since he and I just went somewhere or did something together.
A week or so ago, my dad and I got to talking about NASCAR. And he got to saying how he and I should take a trip to the museum at the Darlington Speedway. And we should also go to Randleman to the Petty Museum.
Well, normally, I would just kind of put it on the back burner. And check into it later. Well not this time. I actually got online checked out the times and prices of both places. Let him know, and I figured that would be the end of that. Because usually that is the way, things kind of go for him and I.
I got to thinking a day or so later. I got to wondering when was the last time my dad and I actually went off together. And I could only remember once he and I went out to dinner, but that too was years ago. So other than the occassion family gathering, that was basically it.
Now, there is one thing I think you should know. Before you go to thinking, she certainly doesn't spend anytime with her family. I work with both of my parents, everyday. So it is not like I don't know what it is going on with them or that I don't see them. I spend 10 hours everyday with them. So we do see it other. And we know what is going on with each other. But that is different. Working with someone and socializing with them is different. So when it comes right down to it, I actually spend more time with my parents than most people do.
So I got up with him and we made plans to go to Darlington.
Well, yesterday, we made that trip to the museum. It was something that only my dad and I share, NASCAR racing. My brother nor sister, care anything for it. My mom no longer cares to watch it. (She has not seen a race since Ernie Irvan retired.) My dad doesn't watch it anymore either. But he and I still keep up with what is going on in NASCAR.
While we were there at Darlington, standing above the racetrack looking down from the perch, (that the speedway has, so visitors to the museum can look down on the track). He was trying to pinpoint the place where Cale Yarborough went flying out of the speedway. He was there that day, and he actually has pictures that he took of Cale flying over the fence. That was when I let him know that the speedway had flipped the track some years ago.
He did not even know that they had flipped the track. But anyway, to make a long story short. When he took into account the fact that the track was flipped, we were standing only yards away from where Cale actually went out of the speedway and landed.
While visiting the museum and watching him take photos and listen to his stories of the races that he had seen, is something that I will always remember. Nothing can ever take away the fact that on that warm Saturday morning. My dad and I spent some quality time together, enjoying talking about something that only he and I have in common. Something that neither of my siblings share with him. And that my friend is priceless.
I am guilty of doing this. My days are so routine, that I have actually forgotten what day I am in. I have to actually consistently remind myself of what day it is.
Too many times, you say I am going to do this and do that with someone. And before you know it, time has slipped away and days, months and even years have passed by.
Well in this particular case it was years that had slipped away. My dad and I use to do alot of things together when I was younger. But it has been many years since he and I just went somewhere or did something together.
A week or so ago, my dad and I got to talking about NASCAR. And he got to saying how he and I should take a trip to the museum at the Darlington Speedway. And we should also go to Randleman to the Petty Museum.
Well, normally, I would just kind of put it on the back burner. And check into it later. Well not this time. I actually got online checked out the times and prices of both places. Let him know, and I figured that would be the end of that. Because usually that is the way, things kind of go for him and I.
I got to thinking a day or so later. I got to wondering when was the last time my dad and I actually went off together. And I could only remember once he and I went out to dinner, but that too was years ago. So other than the occassion family gathering, that was basically it.
Now, there is one thing I think you should know. Before you go to thinking, she certainly doesn't spend anytime with her family. I work with both of my parents, everyday. So it is not like I don't know what it is going on with them or that I don't see them. I spend 10 hours everyday with them. So we do see it other. And we know what is going on with each other. But that is different. Working with someone and socializing with them is different. So when it comes right down to it, I actually spend more time with my parents than most people do.
So I got up with him and we made plans to go to Darlington.
Well, yesterday, we made that trip to the museum. It was something that only my dad and I share, NASCAR racing. My brother nor sister, care anything for it. My mom no longer cares to watch it. (She has not seen a race since Ernie Irvan retired.) My dad doesn't watch it anymore either. But he and I still keep up with what is going on in NASCAR.
While we were there at Darlington, standing above the racetrack looking down from the perch, (that the speedway has, so visitors to the museum can look down on the track). He was trying to pinpoint the place where Cale Yarborough went flying out of the speedway. He was there that day, and he actually has pictures that he took of Cale flying over the fence. That was when I let him know that the speedway had flipped the track some years ago.
He did not even know that they had flipped the track. But anyway, to make a long story short. When he took into account the fact that the track was flipped, we were standing only yards away from where Cale actually went out of the speedway and landed.
While visiting the museum and watching him take photos and listen to his stories of the races that he had seen, is something that I will always remember. Nothing can ever take away the fact that on that warm Saturday morning. My dad and I spent some quality time together, enjoying talking about something that only he and I have in common. Something that neither of my siblings share with him. And that my friend is priceless.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
"Thank You NASCAR"
While most of the NASCAR media has been all a tingle with the arrival of Danica Patrick. There is one fan who has had enough of this woman and the media crap that surrounds her.
So it was fantastic for me to see the Boys of NASCAR back on the track, even if the Indy female was on the track with them.
The Nationwide series race certainly did entertain from start to finish. Whether you were pulling for Smoke, Harvick, Earnhardt Jr. or any of the other 40 drivers on the track. This was certainly a great way to get the season started.
And no it doesn't hurt my feelings one bit that my driver won it. Now if the Daytona 500 lives up to the excitement of the Dual races, the Shootout and the Nationwide race. The 500 should hail us back to the days of old. When racing was in the drivers hands. Not in whom was pushing whom.
So while I was skeptical about NASCAR keeping their hands off of the bump drafting, I will give credit where it is due. And NASCAR is deserving of the credit. They have let the drivers work the bump drafting out for themselves. And the racing is back in restrictor plate racing.
And thanks to NASCAR the cars are not so dependent on another car pushing them through the line. The owners are able to move up with just a slight bump from the car behind. And the best thing of all, the slingshot is back. All thanks to the larger restrictor plate.
And that was one of the racing moves that I have really missed. And Stewart put on a textbook showing of the slingshot on Thursday, during his Duel race.
So NASCAR, I just want to say "Thank You". You have made decisions that have made this fan, very excited about this season. And I have not been that way in the last four years.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Daytona Ready Or Not, Here Comes NASCAR!
Okay, it has been almost three months since we said good-bye to the 2009 season of NASCAR. There has been some movement among teams, as far as drivers, and sponsors are concerned. Even NASCAR itself is in the process of making some changes.
Well, while all of that is going on, we the fans have been easing our minds. Calming our nerves. Getting that itchy feeling to have engines blaring around a track once agin.
So while we are only one week away from the official opening of the 2010 NASCAR season.
Let's take one more look at some of the highlights of 2009. And feel free to share any of your favorite moments.
My list of memorable moments starts off with: Mark Martin. What three years ago, the man was on his way to retirement. Or at least his version of it. And here he signs with a new team, and he not only puts them in contention for wins. But they won 5 races, and they were the number one seed when the chase started. Mark Martin proved that it is not how old you, but how good you are that keeps in the winners circle.
Marcos Ambrose, while he did not win any races last year, he showed that he belongs in NASCAR. He increased his exprense level dramatically. Don't be surprised to see this man in victory circle this year.
Juan Pablo Montoya and Tony Stewart at Homestead. What were you two thinking? Did you both not realize that you both had cars that could have won the last race of the year? Especially you Stewart. Call me crazy, but that was probably one of the dumbest things you two could have done to your teams.
Tony Stewart's first year as a Cup car owner. Starting out of the box with basically not one but two new teams. Both teams proved that they were going to be contenders to win each and every week. While Ryan Newman did not find victory lane, his owner did. Not one but five times. Four points paying races and the All-Star Race.
And that leads me to my favorite highlight of last year: 2009 All-Star Race. Since 1999 Stewart had tried to win the All-Star Race. And each year he always came up empty. But in 2009, he was not going to be denied. Capturing the $1 million dollars was just a bonus, to the fact that this organization had its first official win in NASCAR. And then for them to go to Pocono and win that race on fuel mileage. That was just too perfect of a season for a re-built startup team.
What memories will 2010 bring? Will we have a first Daytona 500 winner? Can someone finally take the Cup championship away from the 48 team? Will someone take Brad Kesolowski to school? Will Joey Logano and the 20 continue to build on what they started last year or will they falter? What about Penske, being the only Dodge team left in NASCAR? Will Stewart-Haas finally get Ryan Newman back into victory lane?
Will Mark Martin ever win at Daytona? Or will Tony Stewart finally take that illusive Daytona 500 victory? How will the cars react to a spoiler, instead of the wing?
While I don't know the answer to these questions. Some will be answered in a couple weeks, the rest we will have to wait until the end of the season. Either way, 2010 should be an interesting year.
Well, while all of that is going on, we the fans have been easing our minds. Calming our nerves. Getting that itchy feeling to have engines blaring around a track once agin.
So while we are only one week away from the official opening of the 2010 NASCAR season.
Let's take one more look at some of the highlights of 2009. And feel free to share any of your favorite moments.
My list of memorable moments starts off with: Mark Martin. What three years ago, the man was on his way to retirement. Or at least his version of it. And here he signs with a new team, and he not only puts them in contention for wins. But they won 5 races, and they were the number one seed when the chase started. Mark Martin proved that it is not how old you, but how good you are that keeps in the winners circle.
Marcos Ambrose, while he did not win any races last year, he showed that he belongs in NASCAR. He increased his exprense level dramatically. Don't be surprised to see this man in victory circle this year.
Juan Pablo Montoya and Tony Stewart at Homestead. What were you two thinking? Did you both not realize that you both had cars that could have won the last race of the year? Especially you Stewart. Call me crazy, but that was probably one of the dumbest things you two could have done to your teams.
Tony Stewart's first year as a Cup car owner. Starting out of the box with basically not one but two new teams. Both teams proved that they were going to be contenders to win each and every week. While Ryan Newman did not find victory lane, his owner did. Not one but five times. Four points paying races and the All-Star Race.
And that leads me to my favorite highlight of last year: 2009 All-Star Race. Since 1999 Stewart had tried to win the All-Star Race. And each year he always came up empty. But in 2009, he was not going to be denied. Capturing the $1 million dollars was just a bonus, to the fact that this organization had its first official win in NASCAR. And then for them to go to Pocono and win that race on fuel mileage. That was just too perfect of a season for a re-built startup team.
What memories will 2010 bring? Will we have a first Daytona 500 winner? Can someone finally take the Cup championship away from the 48 team? Will someone take Brad Kesolowski to school? Will Joey Logano and the 20 continue to build on what they started last year or will they falter? What about Penske, being the only Dodge team left in NASCAR? Will Stewart-Haas finally get Ryan Newman back into victory lane?
Will Mark Martin ever win at Daytona? Or will Tony Stewart finally take that illusive Daytona 500 victory? How will the cars react to a spoiler, instead of the wing?
While I don't know the answer to these questions. Some will be answered in a couple weeks, the rest we will have to wait until the end of the season. Either way, 2010 should be an interesting year.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Denny Hamlin Injured
NASCAR.com is reporting that Denny Hamlin has torn his ACL, anterior cruciate ligament, in his left knee.
According to the article Denny was playing basketball on Friday, when the injury occured.
Denny is still planning on driving the whole season. And will have surgery at the end of the season.
With the Daytona 500 only three weeks away, it will be interesting to see how well he does. And just how long he will actually stay in the car. Especially this soon after the injury.
Good luck Denny, I think you are going to need it. But I guess, the one good thing is that, it is his left knee instead of his right.
According to the article Denny was playing basketball on Friday, when the injury occured.
Denny is still planning on driving the whole season. And will have surgery at the end of the season.
With the Daytona 500 only three weeks away, it will be interesting to see how well he does. And just how long he will actually stay in the car. Especially this soon after the injury.
Good luck Denny, I think you are going to need it. But I guess, the one good thing is that, it is his left knee instead of his right.
Is Health Care Reform Really Dead?
As you well know by now the people of Massachusettes spoke loud and clear this past Tuesday. They let Washington know that they are tired of the status quo.
There have been rebumblings that the Health Care Reform bill is dead. Pelosi claims that she doesn't have the votes to pass it. And it appeared that the bill was at least headed for File 13 (the Trash).
But if you will read the undertide of what is really being said, you will realize that the health care bill is not dead. Oh, don't get me wrong, some of the incentives that has been put into this bill, is dead. But the Democrats will find away to ram this bill down the throats of the American people.
Before the election on Tuesday, Pelosi and the Democrats were already looking into reconciliation. Where a bill can be passed with only 51 votes. One way or another it seems that the Left-wing is determined to ram this bill down the throats of the American people.
The left-wing is determined to get a government plan in place that they will do anything to do it, even if it means backdooring it.
Don't be surprised by anything that may come out of Washington in the next few months. And if you think that the Liberals will not get their government run option on the books of this country. Keep watching. They will word it in such away that most people will not realize what it is until it is passed.
This is what lawyers, politicians and scavengers do best. The liberals want to turn this country into a socialist country. And right now they have the man in office who is spearheading it. And Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are doing backflips because they know, they have to get this done before November. Because if this is not done by November, the American people will vote enough of their liberal friends out of office and they will not have enough votes for even the reconciliation.
The government health care plan is coming. It is not a matter of if, but when.
There have been rebumblings that the Health Care Reform bill is dead. Pelosi claims that she doesn't have the votes to pass it. And it appeared that the bill was at least headed for File 13 (the Trash).
But if you will read the undertide of what is really being said, you will realize that the health care bill is not dead. Oh, don't get me wrong, some of the incentives that has been put into this bill, is dead. But the Democrats will find away to ram this bill down the throats of the American people.
Before the election on Tuesday, Pelosi and the Democrats were already looking into reconciliation. Where a bill can be passed with only 51 votes. One way or another it seems that the Left-wing is determined to ram this bill down the throats of the American people.
The left-wing is determined to get a government plan in place that they will do anything to do it, even if it means backdooring it.
Don't be surprised by anything that may come out of Washington in the next few months. And if you think that the Liberals will not get their government run option on the books of this country. Keep watching. They will word it in such away that most people will not realize what it is until it is passed.
This is what lawyers, politicians and scavengers do best. The liberals want to turn this country into a socialist country. And right now they have the man in office who is spearheading it. And Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are doing backflips because they know, they have to get this done before November. Because if this is not done by November, the American people will vote enough of their liberal friends out of office and they will not have enough votes for even the reconciliation.
The government health care plan is coming. It is not a matter of if, but when.
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