Sweet Home Alabama...

Sorry...I was late in posting today and haven't posted since we got to Talladega. It's not because I've been busy living it up in the famed Talladega infield, though. I had to move over to the tape producer position this week and it was a lot of busy work. Plus, I just plain forgot.
So here we sit, about 50 laps in and a "Big One" has already happened. Big speed, bumper to bumper, one twitch and 15 cars are junk. Dale, Jr. is worshipped here, so the cry "Junior!" is heard 24/7. Also, this place is big for camping and "RV"-ing, so the smoke lingers for a week and the truck smells of smoke for a month.
Here's my picks (which I am just making...with the benefit of seeing who's already out...)
3). Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
2). Denny Hamlin
1). Martin Truex, Jr.
Happy Racing!

Scenics from Phoenix

Wow...been awhile since we've raced, but here we are in Phoenix, AZ. It is so beautiful out here! If you're a follower of this little scribbling I do, you know that I love night races. This one is no exception. I like being out here...beautiful mountains, lots of sunshine, and sunshine is what I'd like to focus on today. This race starts at 5:30pm locally, and that is about an hour before sunset. The beginning of the race is so challenging as the drivers come around turn 3 into turn 4 and stare straight into the sun. The cars don't come equipped with sun visors like you and I have on our personal vehicles. They put gaffers tape on the windshield and also wear "tear offs", a thin sheet of plastic...kinda like sunglasses. They have several on, then peel them off one at a time, as the sun goes down. It's a pretty short race, only 312 miles...should be fun!
My predictions:
3). Jeff Gordon
2). Mark Martin
1). Jimmie Johnson....A Hendrick sweep!

Raceday in Texas

It's Raceday here in Texas and it sure is windy. I think it will be a factor in the race if it keeps up! It has been a beautiful weekend here, so the Cup guys got in a lot of practice. One surprise was the 00 of David Reutimann getting the pole. The Michael Waltrip Racing team has been pretty strong this season, except for Michael Waltrip. Reutimann and Marcos Ambrose are both well within the top 35 in points. Today's race should be under sunny skies with long green runs. (Sometimes long, green runs are considered a sign of unhealthy eating habits, but that's a story for another day.)
Yesterday, Kyle Busch dominated the Nationwide race leading 178 of the 200 laps. He won from the pole position. That was the first time that has happened here at Texas Motor Speedway. He is unstoppable in Nationwide. And I imagine that he'll be a huge factor in the final standings today in Cup.
My predictions for today's race:
3). Kyle Busch
2). Greg Biffle
1). Carl Edwards
Have a great raceday!

Texas Time...

This weekend we're at the Texas Motor Speedway just north of Ft. Worth, Texas. This is a very fast track that is generally owned by the Roush camp. Carl Edwards swept the spring and fall races here last season. Today's practice shows that the Hendrick team has done their homework because all 4 teams are in the top 6 in practice speeds.
We had some incredible wind here yesterday...gusts of up to 50 mph. Today it has calmed down and the temperatures will be in the 70's and 80's thru Sunday. Should make for some nice racing under bright blue skies.