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.

Racing at the Paperclip

Martinsville Speedway is known as the Paperclip since it is a flat half mile track that from above looks like a paperclip. In Martinsville, beating and banging will earn you a checkered flag. With the new car design, it has replaced Bristol as the track where if you don't finish with torn up sheet metal and donuts on the side of your car, you didn't try. Since qualifying and most of practice was rained out, it is hard to judge who looks good here today and who's pretending. Points leader, Jeff Gordon, will start on the pole and, by virtue of leading the points, got to choose his pit stall first. The pits here in Martinsville are as tight as any on the circuit, therefore, there is only one good pitbox...pitbox number one. You can shoot straight out without having to turn to miss the guy in front of you. There will be many mishaps and fender benders in the pits today, so Jeff may have a huge advantage with the rainout of qualifying. I think the short track specialists will rise and shine today, so my predictions are:
3). Denny Hamlin
2). Jimmie Johnson
1). Jeff Gordon

Yesterday, Andy and Alex competed in the AAU National Wrestling Tournament in Kingsport, TN. Andy had an uphill battle all day and finished 8th in the nation. Alex marched through his competition and won the national tournament!!!! I am so proud of both of them. It may be a bit premature, but I smell scholarships!!!!

Have a great raceday!

FREEBIRD!!!

You know, sometimes the travel gets long, boring, annoying and lonely...but somedays it is pretty cool...like today.
I got to the airport this morning to fly to North Carolina, then drive up to Martinsville, VA. I, as usual, flew Southwest. As I got in line, I saw a long blonde haired guy walk past. I got a quick glimpse, but thought "Wasn't that Johnny Van Zant from the band Lynyrd Skynyrd?" Now for all you "I only listen to old time Gospel music" types out there, Lynyrd Skynyrd is a rock band formed in the '70's. Though there are new band members mixed in now, Skynyrd is still playing today. They created the rock and roll anthems "Freebird", "Sweet Home Alabama" and scores of others. Anyway, they are one of my favorite bands of all time.
I got into what I thought would be the shortest security line and I was about 10 people behind him. I wasn't in full stalking mode yet...it was 6:10am and I was still foggy. I saw a few people stop him and talk to him. Once I got through security, I headed to my gate. I saw him getting a Starbucks and when he came out, I said hi and he stopped asked me my name and we talked for about 5 minutes. I was telling him about this season of NASCAR since he is a big fan and he told me about Skynyrd working on a new album called "God and Guns". We talked about how nearly 100% of NASCAR fans are Skynyrd fans and how he thought the band should try to do more with NASCAR. It was fun. I said bye and went to my gate. Our flight was slightly delayed due to fog, so I turned around to find a seat and saw Johnny sitting all by himself across the hall. I went over and we started up a conversation again. He told me the band was getting ready to tour Europe for about a month. He said one of the funniest things about Europe was a trip to Helsinki when the fans were singing along to "Sweet Home Alabama" with a Russian accent. We talked about being on the road, family, kids...it was a blast. I doubt Johnny Van Zant in blogging about meeting a guy in the Nashville airport today who works in NASCAR, but for me, it was a great time and a cool connection!

Rebel Award

I'm gonna take a break from writing about NASCAR and where we are going this week...well, we're going to Martinsville, the Paperclip, but I'll get into that later this week.
I wanted to tell you about the 2008-09 Franklin High Wrestling banquet last night. Sandy is the president of the booster club and gives about 20 hours a week keeping the club going. The banquet was fun...lots of awards given out and people recognized for their contributions. One of the awards that was given out was The Rebel Award. Now our school mascot is a rebel...an old southern countrified rebel...I didn't pick it. I believe it is just part of Franklin's history.
The coaches confer on this award and give it to the wrestler who best exemplifies determination, dedication and desire...oh, and doesn't complain. They gave the award to Zach!
I was so happy! That is the one award that shows character beyond victories, statistics or popularity. When the coach started to explain the award, all the wrestlers started pointing to Zach...it was great! He busts his butt every day at practice and his passion for the sport he loves continues to grow. He makes me proud! Next year...state champion!