There's racing this weekend?

Wow! Fresh off a 5 day ocean cruise to Mexico and I am so relaxed! It was fantastic! I am currently in Brownwood, TX visiting some friends with Sandy. I fly back to Nashville on Monday.
I hear there's a race in Talladega this weekend. I have been so out of touch, I really don't know much about what's been going on in the NASCAR world. I did hear that qualifying got rained out, so Jimmie Johnson will be on the pole. I have a feeling that this is Jimmie's title again.
Have a great raceday!

Martinsville...but I'm not really here.

Martinsville, VA...Race #6 in the Chase. Jimmie Johnson is rolling towards his 4th straight Sprint Cup Championship with a 90 point lead. This race is one of the most entertaining with it being the shortest track on the circuit, beating, banging, trading paint...but can I tell you...I've already checked out in my head. This time tomorrow I'll be heading towards a large Carnival Cruise ship in Galveston, TX to spend 5 days with my lovely wife. We'll have two ports stops in Mexico. One of the stops in Cozumel where I plan to scuba dive with some sea turtles. I am so excited, I can hardly wait.
Ok, back to racing. Yesterday's practices were rained out, so nobody has had a lot of track time. Ryan Newman took the pole on Friday. Pit selection and position is so big here. This race and next week's race in Talladega will be the two races that are really wild cards in the Chase. You could be having the best day of your racing career and get punted into the fence or caught up in "The Big One" and have your day ruined. I am still holding out hope for Mark Martin or Tony Stewart. Heck, I'd even take Jeff Gordon at this point. To me, this chase is kind of like the last presidential election. No matter what the outcome, it will be historic. Whether Obama was elected as the first African American or we had the first woman Vice President, it would be historic.
Well, if Jimmie wins the cup, it will be the first time someone has won 4 in a row. If Mark Martin wins, it will be his first Cup after coming in 2nd so many times. If Tony wins, it will be his first as an owner/driver and third over all. If Jeff wins, it will be his 5th Championship, but first Sprint Cup. Oh, I am tingly with anticipation!
There is no way to predict how this one will come out, but here goes anyway:
3). Mark Martin
2). Jeff Burton
1). Jeff Gordon
Have a great Raceday...I will update next week with stories of a great vacation...I won't be in Talladega, but I will still keep you posted on the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Last Lowe's...

Lowe's became the track sponsor for the Concord, NC (Charlotte) track in 1999. They have ended their agreement to sponsor the track, so today's race will be the final race at the Lowe's Motor Speedway. If anybody out there has a few million bucks laying around, I think Bruton Smith, the track owner, would love to talk to you about some sponsorship.
Tonight's race begins at 7:25 Eastern time...the sun will be setting and the temperature will be dropping. It may even hit a low of the high 30's. That will give the track a lot of grip...except for the icy parts.
Jimmie Johnson is on a tear...like always. He took over the points lead from Mark Martin last week with his win in Fontana, CA. Mark Martin is by no means out of the race, though. He is only 12 points back, followed by Juan Pablo Montoya who's 58 points back and Tony Stewart who is 84 points back. I think one of those 4 are the only ones who can claim the title this year now. And the 48 team is hitting on all cylinders right now, so there is no reason to believe they won't capture their 4th consecutive title.
Crap. I'm not Jimmie fan, but, wow, what a team. They just keep plowing and overcoming until they snatch that trophy year after year after year! Jimmie has been dominant again this week at the "home" track for most of the Cup teams. He had the top speed in all the practices and took the pole with the 3rd fastest time ever.
My predictions (actually, my hopes) for tonight's race:
3). Jimmie Johnson
2). Mark Martin
1). Juan Pablo Montoya
Have a great race night everybody!

Fontucky...

That's the nickname a lot of folks give Fontana, CA. I like being in California. The weather has been great and I got a day off yesterday, so I spent some time by the pool, went and watched a couple of movies and then had dinner with some old TBN friends. It was a great day!
Race 4 of the Chase is today and Denny Hamlin is on the pole. The word in the garage is Denny is the favorite for today.
My predictions:
3). Greg Biffle
2). Jimmie Johnson
1). Denny Hamlin
Have a great raceday!

KC...Masterpiece.

Kansas City...Race 3 in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. It's a lovely morning here. We arrived at the track around 5:30am greeted by a full moon in the partly cloudy sky.
Mark Martin maintains a slight edge over Jimmie Johnson in the points chase, but after Jimmie's win at Dover last week, the margin is only 10 points. I hate to say it, but it looks like Jimmie and the 48 team are peaking and might carry off a record 4th Cup in a row.
There were very windy conditions here on Friday when the Cup cars first hit the track, but today's weather should be quite calmer, yet chilly...65 degrees...when the race commences today at 2pm Eastern. Mark Martin took the pole and should be strong today. I am hoping Mark can stretch his lead today.
My predictions for today...
3). Kyle Busch
2). Joey Logano
1). Mark Martin
Have a great Race Day!