The Chase is On...

Richmond...not for us old people

No, I couldn't hang.  I tried to stay awake for the last non chase event to see who the final wild cards would be.  But about 12ish, I guess Scott got tired of my snoring and turned off the TV.  Imagine my surprise when I woke up Sunday morning to find out Bowyer won and Gordon somehow came back to make the Chase field.

I was stunned to say the least.  With the field set, the "real" racing begins.  Not only within the chase drivers, but with those drivers trying to hang on to sponsors and seats.  It is irksome that it starts to really get good about the time college football gets going.  I'll deal.  At least, football plays in the rain.

On to Chicago

The boys started rolling into Chitown Wednesday evening, promoting the 12 drivers that made the Chase.  I'm not crazy about the track itself, another tri-oval.  Whoopee.  But what does intrigue me is the Chitown weather.  You just never know what you'll get up there.  The weather has been known change quickly.

Per the weather.com, the high for Sunday is 80 with a low of 55.  The weather will be cool, breezy with of course, NASCAR rain on Friday.  What does this mean for the cars?  Well, for drivers that like loose or "free" cars, it could be trouble.  Cool temps normally = tight cars.  And a track with a lot of grip.  So the successful driver will probably be the one whose crew chief manages tire wear but most importantly times the pit stops.

And those pit stops just might come under green.  Cause Chicago can be a napper.  Like boring.  Who do I like for this race?  Well, Junior likes it.  But I'd keep an eye on the Bif.  I think he likes creeping on these guys.  As usual, my pick is Kez.

Chase Predictions

I know there has got to be some statistical algorithm NASCAR prediction guru out there somewhere.  You know, some nerdy little engineer that has come up with some regression analysis to predict the chase winner.  God bless him or her, I hope it works and they make off like a bandit in Vegas.

But I've got my on predictions and reasons for 'em with out all that math.  Not only do I think the Chase driver need to watch Bif at Chicago, they better keep on eye on him down the stretch.  He's just been there all season.  And you can't count out JimBob.  That boy can finesse a car.  He definitely has smooth down to a fine art.  Plus he has that entire Hendrick thing going for him, which doesn't hurt.

Of course the fan favorite is Joonyah.  And if he ever had another chance to bag the big trophy, by far this is it.  He better but his big boy britches on and drive his hiney off.  It is definitely time for him to Dew it to it!!  Stewart might also be a force, but I'm thinking he might of should of kept his crew chief from last year.  If he gets his game face on, he could prove to be a contender.  But y'all know that saying about a frog and wings, right?

And lastly, my favorite...Bradly.  The Kez.  It's a sentimental choice.  I'll confess.  I want to see him win one for the Captain.  For Dodge.  But also because he comes from a racing family.  A family that never got rich racing.  His Daddy didn't buy his ride.  That boy worked hard and earned it.

It would mean a lot to us ARCA folks.  To have one of "ours" move up and bring home the big win.  And I think those us who have kept watching, you know us "old" fans from back then, we'd like to see this kid win it too.  He is kind of a throwback to when racers did more than hold the steering wheel and tote a helmet.

So, I'm pulling for Kez.  Win. Lose. Draw.  So, who you got?

5150 in NASCAR

Sheesh...it is getting plum nuts in NASCAR.  Tony Stewart lost his primary sponsor, then resigned Newman. My boy Kez is getting cred for calling out the slight variances in tolerance for Hendrick car set ups.  Of course the icing on the cake is the official announcement of Kenseth to JGR sending Lagono to the 22.  I might have possibly missed some of the minor action, but I think these are the big things that warrent some futher commenting.

Office Depot leaving SHR? Wow.  Right after a championship season.  Weird.  And sort of out of the blue.  Not like there has been any talk of Office Depot being in "play" with other teams.  This seams to be a financial move for Office Depot.  So I checked some financial data and realized that the company, which has been with Stewart since 2009 has had lackluster sales throughout the poor economy.  The OD announcement doesen't say "Gone for good".  So maybe they will be back in some capacity.

Very glad to see Ryan Newman resign a one year deal with SHR.  News is that he has races open for sponsorship.  Newman hasn't been real flashy this year, but has managed one victory.  He stands 17th in points and is very doubtful for the chase. 

The departure of the ARMY sponsorship is a hard hit for SHR.  It is also kind of sad.  Newman spent a lot of time visiting bases and hospitals and extending a warm welcome to military personel in the pits.  A lot of this never made the news.  NASCAR fans tend to be very patriotic and conservative.  I really hate to see the ARMY go.

My boy Kez done called 'em out!
Reckon the news that NASCAR is placing "limits" on rear suspension movement is in NO way a reaction Kez calling them out after Bristol.  The Hendricks driver were none to happy with Kez.  But my Granny Fussell always said a bit dog will bark.  Now all you Junior fans, no hate mail.  Looks like NASCAR wasn't willing to let the Hendrick engineers travel any further into the "gray area" also known as cheating.

Way to go Kez!!

Kenseth leaving Ford...to drive a Toyota????
I would have never believed this one.  And I'm thinking when I see it at Daytona, then it just might be real.  I've never seen Matt Kenseth drive anything that didn't have a blue oval on it.  What were you detroit idiots thinking??  Kenseth might be a little on the oatmeal side, but he has been a solid player for Ford and Roush for years.  I still can't quite wrap my brain around him leaving.

But on the other hand, I have a tremendous respect for Joe Gibbs.  He has a team that I would gladly work for. (Scott says I'd work for any of 'em.  I'm old an have gotten a bit ticky.)  Coach Gibbs is an amazing man of integrity...a Godly man...and places a very high value on family.  With Kenseth and wife Katie's family growing, maybe this is a good fit for them.  I truly wish him success.  I think Matt will bring some maturity to the Gibbs team and will allow them to grow and attract sponsors.

The Kicker, Lagano to Penske
Well, well.  I admit I didn't see this one coming.  By far, this might be the best decision this kid has made in his career...other than moving down south!  Penske's very well oiled and structured environment has proven to be successful for several young drivers, most recently Keselowski.

The kid needed more time in the Busch series to mature as a driver and young adult before being thrown in the Cup series.  He has struggled and probably wouldn't have made it this far had it not been for Joe Gibbs.  So I applaud this decision Joey.  And it makes it even better that your team mate kind of picked you out too.  Kez will be a good mentor for Joey.  I think the two of them will be able to work together and bring the Captain his 2nd series title.

That's right...my pick is still the Kez for the big trophy!!  All the way to Homestead Kez and bring home that hardware!

My Home Track: Atlanta International Raceway

(Now known as Atlanta Motor Speedway)

It was the first big track that I ever went to.  Back then the Walt Nix and L. G. DeWitt family owned Atlanta International Raceway and it was the best damn oval in racing.  Quote me. 

I don’t have one single memory of my first trip to AIR.  In the summer of 1969 my mama was pregnant, very pregnant with me.  The Dixie 500 was held on August 10^th and Judy was in the grandstands, 8 months preggers.  It was hot.  And apparently I was hooked! (LeeRoy Yarbrough won, FYI)

As a child, my daddy had season tickets.  He and Uncle Paul would get up at the butt crack of dawn on race day and drive to the track.  Eventually, they took Robin with them, leaving me at home.  I wanted to go sooo bad.  But being the typically raised southern male child, Robin told me that girls couldn’t go to the racetrack. 

After Robin died, Daddy finally caved, taking me to my first race when I was 15 years old.  We sat in the family no drinking section about row 40 (behind a bunch of bleeping Earnhardt fans).  We had the most awesome view of the start finish line.  And basically, another one was gone, done, sucked into the vortex of NASCAR fandom when the sport was at its greatest.

I was in the infield when the local home grown favorite won the first professional sports championship in the state of Georgia.  Yes, for years we were blue oval die hard Bill Elliot fans.  And I so badly wanted to be in the pits.  I had found my true love and my home. 

My very first pit pass was at AIR as a guest of the great team owner Junior Johnson in March of 1991.  I went on to become an intern with Racing for Kids Magazine the summer of 1992.  I traveled all over the US, writing about motorsports.

It wasn’t enough.  I wanted to WORK for a team.  And back then, there weren’t a whole lot of women in the sport.  Wives and trophy girls, that’s about it.  A few PR girls were beginning to tenaciously venture in.  Fast forward through a bunch of race teams, lots of road trips, short tracks and headaches.

Atlanta had now become Atlanta Motor Speedway.  Bruton strait out rurnt the track, adding that dog leg and flipping the start finish line.  The condos are nice, but I still loved that true oval, not the cookie cutter want a be a superspeedway track.

Scott and I had met, married and had two kids.  He had semi-retired from racing.  I was a part time grad student and SAHM.  He got to talking to a former team owner, Mark Gibson again.  Yeah, we missed racing.  We were living in Jasper at the time.  So Scott went over and helped Mark with a little body work prior to the upcoming Atlanta ARCA race.

We arrived at the track early that Saturday morning.  It was almost a reunion of the old MGR crew.  In fact, several discussed how Mark “owed” us one.  I even told his wife Jan, that I felt entitled to a trip to Victory Lane because Mark had done me wrong on his first ARCA win.

Flashback September 14, 1997

Mark and the CSG racing crew were all in St. Louis at Gateway  International Raceway.  And I was in Winder, Georgia overseeing the move into a new shop.  I had lucked into some really cheap tickets round trip to the race for 99 bucks each and had told Kenneth Jackson that whatever happened, they better not miss that flight back…unless they won the race.

Uh huh.  Famous last words, y’all.  First I get a phone call from the team owner’s wife (and friend) Anne.  She was babbling so excitedly I figured out that Mark had won the race.  Then I get a call from Kenneth and the crew from victory lane.  Yelling, screaming and carrying on something about missing their flight.  Rub it in boys.  And they did.  Did I mention this was only two weeks before my birthday?

So the next day when they got home, I was a tick jealous and maybe a bit mad.  I mean, I worked hard, helped load trucks and push cars.  Why did I have to miss that first win?

Back to March 8, 2003

Mark and the crew were wrenching on the car before the race making some mysterious changes.  Eventually the cars were rolled out to the track and everybody headed down pit road.  The new Atlanta track has a terrible view from pit road.  I commandeered a few tires and attempted to watch what little bit of the race I could see.

Mark started 10^th and as usual Frank Kimmel was on the pole.  Mark, with a few well timed pit stops had begun passing everybody in the field as was running second with 13 laps to go.  Kimmel’s motor went sour and Mark inherited the lead.  It was by far the longest 13 laps of my entire lap.  And probably the sweetest!

Mark Gibson in Victory Lane
(AP photo)

That's it right there people.  That trophy.  And why I'll always love Atlanta.  Wishing I could be there this weekend.  But for the truck or Busch race only.  Y'all can have that cup traffic! 

Michigan Ramblings

Go Kez Go

I have made no secret…I am a Kez fan.  I am a Dodge fan.  And I am deeply saddened by Dodge’s decision to exit NASCAR.  I was employed in the NASCAR truck series when Dodge returned to factory backing in NASCAR.  I have a picture of Jimmy Hensley’s winning dodge truck autographed, nicely framed and hanging in prominence in our game room.

When Kez chose to go to Penske I just knew that in time, the Captain and Kez would win a NASCAR championship for the Dodge brand.  As a child raised up on Petty blue and Dodge it is just in my nature to pull for Dodge. 

And with the few races remaining in the regular season, I remain loyal to Dodge and truly hope that Kez can get it done.  It would bring some racing history full circle for the brand and the Keselowski family.The Keselowski family has a long time relationship with Dodge, dating back to Bob's ARCA series days and championship.

I’m actually excited about the Chase races and I am not a fan of the format.  Kez has basically told the Hendrick boys to back off, that trophy doesn’t belong to old JJ just jet.

The 48 [of Johnson] might be the favorite for the championship, but we're not going to roll over and just let them have it." Keselowski said. "We're doing everything we can do, and we nailed it on that last green-flag sequence.

Kez has strung together 7 top tens and most recently back to back 2^nd place finishes.  His consistency has paid off with a solid fifth place in the points run for Chase positions.

Harvick has New Old Crew Chief

In what appears to be a move to make the Chase, Harvick’s former crew chief Gil Martin has been named crew chief of the 29 car.  Personally, I think Shane Wilson has done a tremendous job with the resources that are RCR.

Perhaps RCR should take a look a little harder at its technology and engine programs.  Also, maybe Happy Harvick should admit that becoming a first time father was a little more distracting than he would like to admit.  Distractions affect performance. Period.

Glad Mark Martin is OK

That was a harsh lick. Good thing Martin is in the best shape of probably all the drivers in the garage.  That could have been really bad.  I don’t like these new cars too much.  But can’t argue with moving that driver’s seat over. 

Watkins Glen Recap

Wow!!  What a finish.  No really WOW!!! NASCAR hasn’t had that kind of hard racing amazing finish all year.  Maybe it was the oil on the track.  But whatever “IT” was, by far the best last lap of the year.  Kez drove everything he had out of the car.  And my #2 man Ambrose ( Kez is #1, it’s an ARCA family thing) went after the win. 

Oil on the track…

NASCAR competition director Pemberton claims he did not see the oil.  But the drivers claim it was there.  And the cars drove like the track was oiled.  But what the hey…oil down Bristol the last ten laps and I’ll buy a ticket!! 

Kyle Busch uh oh’ed

Ooops…  Busch swung a little wide and came down on Kez.  At least that’s how the beginning of the last lap looked to me.  And I replayed it twice.  Call it camera angle if you want.  I call it mistake by Busch.

The King in Victory Lane

Now how awesome is that?  Only would have been better had it been the 43 car.  Still love the King.  Always will.

Wild Card

Cue up the “Wild Thang” music.  Now who really has the wild man within?  Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman are 1 and 2 in the wild card standings.  Newman is feistier and I think the slug fest for that final chase spot is his if he powers it on at Michigan.

Junior, Where are you?

A late race spin cost Junior 10 spots in the running order for the race.  More costly, the drop to fourth in points.  Never fear, Michigan is next and he seems to have a fondness for the wide track.  And he’s not too bad a playing fuel poker.  I’m looking for the 88 to make a strong run next weekend also.

Tony…its Walk…not Talk

Soooo in Tony’s media center interview prior to the race Tony Steward basically states that he will punt anyone who attempts to block him during the race.  Gee Tony, road course racing is the fraternal twin to a short track…kind of hard to determine if someone is blocking or just trying to get around the track.  Regardless, while running 2^nd, Tony wrecked and finished 19^th. 

My take on the AJ situation

So the Dinger admitted that he took an Adderall, unknowingly.  He blew up twitter and most of the NASCAR XM shows like a bomb.  So I went back and read some of the transcripts.  I then listened to part of the interview on espn.com.

 AJ’s Explanation

I’m not totally comfortable with the explanation of “my friend gave me an energy supplement” explanation and the supplement turned out to be Adderall.

Sorry, AJ.  My middle child takes ADD medication so that she can focus in class each day.  I purposefully picked the one medication that is synthesized through the liver and CAN NOT be ABUSED.  Unfortunately, for people without a clinical diagnosis of ADD, the medication can and does act as a stimulant.  So if someone is tired or potentially depressed, the Adderall would be a great boost of energy.

In the ESPN interview, AJ admitted to getting treatment more so for stress than for drug abuse.  AJ’s personal business is just that, his.  However, with this suspension, his personal life has come under scrutiny.  And while we “normal” people can pretty much keep our lives out of the tabloids, the NASCAR community isn’t so lucky.

My Theory:
AJ’s personal life has had some turmoil; his transition at Penske had been rocky as he had just recently started to have some good runs.  The stress from the combination led to a really poor decision of taking someone else’s prescription.  Bad decision.  Really bad decision.  And he got caught.

AJ stated in the interview that he would complete his prescribed Road to Recovery program by late August.  So, what will he do then?  Will a top tier Cup team touch him?  I have no clue to either question.  Would I hire him? YES.

I think he royally screwed up.  But haven’t we all made poor decisions at some point?  If I had a few trucks, he would be a no-brainer hire.  Hopefully, there is a truck series owner out there that thinks the same thing. 

 Note: I was involved in motorsports several years ago when a noted driver from a lower series was suspended and then reinstated.  NASCAR diligently drug tests throughout the recovery program and continues testing once the person gets reinstated, to the point that this driver was tested each morning of practice and the morning of the race. 

Pocono Storm Tragedy

We are so saddened by loss of life and the injuries at Pocono due to the storm. Our prayers are with the Zimmerman family and those who are still recovering.

Scott and Rebecca

Pocono Roundup

Gordon to Victory Lane

Well, well didn’t know Jethro still had it in him. Hadn’t figured him in for one of the wild card chase spots either. Pretty much figured that Newman would continue racking up top tens and lock that wild card down. Oops on my part. Guess the old saying it’s better to be lucky than good half applies here…Gordon finally got Lady luck on his side and he capitalized on his team mate’s error.

Gordon is definitely adding some interest to these last non chase races. Wins count now more than ever. The only hope a few drivers have is to bring home the hardware. I’m still pulling for Newman. It’s an old ARCA thing.

Tsk Tsk Kasey…Watch those tweets…

As a race fan you plan your event weekend…save your pennies, buy tickets, hunt the best motel deals or gas up the ole homemotor. You anticipate the excitement and spending a long weekend with 100,000 plus likeminded race loving individuals. And you also know that once the checkered flag falls, the real race begins…exiting the race track to start your journey home is a race unto itself. And has been for as long as I’ve been a race fan, attending a few events a year.

Even for team members, the end of the race presents its own unique challenges. If you are fortunate enough to work for a flush cup team, the flight home is a very nice, large private plane. If your team is economizing, your flight home might be a group charter…filled with 100 plus folks as tired and ready to be home as the next exhausted crewmember.

So when Kasey Kahne tweeted that “Crew members are by far the biggest a$$holes on the road after any NASCAR race. Week in and week out”, I took exception and along with a few other wives of crew members and let the spoiled little helmet toter hold one.

The race at Pocono ended amid a major storm with high winds and lightening. Crew members were scrambling to get equipment off of pit road and loaded into the hauler. Once the haulers were loaded the crew guys literally had no here to go but to their rental cars and then to the airport. No motorcoaches, no private planes.

Gee whiz Kasey. You couldn’t sit in your bus a little longer before heading out to your private plane ride home? For a driver that has been over hyped and consistently under delivered, now is not the time to bash crew members. Yours or anyone else’s. Especially using social media.

I had hoped to look on twitter today and find at least a half-hearted apology. So far, no go. Guess Kasey doesn’t need friends in the garage or his own crew members. Without his crew, Kasey is just another steering wheel holder. I doubt seriously he can work on/set up his car nor load the hauler and drive it to Watkins Glen. But if I were on his team, he’d get the opportunity. Oh, yeah pretty boy…don’t forget your eyeliner!

Is AJ’s Career Permanently Dinged?

I have yet to weigh in on the Dinger situation, mainly because I am an AJ fan and was thrilled when he got the Penske ride.  I felt that his season had finally turned the corner and his team was beginning to jell…and their finishes supported this.

I also think AJ is a really good guy. So I was very surprised that he popped his drug test.  I also respect his choice to not identify the drug.  I also greatly respect that he has chosen to cooperate with NASCAR’s rehab program. I hope that he can eventually return to the sport. 

I also fully support NASCAR’s testing program.  I would not want a team mate/driver on the track with somebody doped up. I most certainly don't want my husband going over the wall to change tires while wondering if some driver coming down pit road has a drug problem.

I have had several NASCAR licenses prior to the drug testing program.  Then and now I would happily pee in the cup.  Not a problem for me. 

However, under today’s rules, I would have to be very devout about keeping up with my prescription and over the counter meds. Which I think is a bigger issue and what is generally perceived by the fan base.  Many of over the counter meds are made in foreign countries.  As are many generic medications.  I know what the bottle says I’m taking…but I’m pretty clueless about the ingredients.

Does this mean that each driver should have a personal toxicologist to review all medications ingested? Gees…they have lawyers, accountants, personal trainers and now Toxicologist?  I am concerned that perhaps the NASCAR drug testing program is too broad.  Hopefully NASCAR will continue to review its policy and make adaptations as needed.  Until then, my best wishes to AJ. 

AnnaB Wants a Race Car

There is no doubt that Scott and I love us some racing. Just about any series. After spending the summer at Atlanta Motor Speedway and watching the Summer Legends shootout, I've had a hankern' to buy us one of those little cars.

AnnaBelle (darlin' daughter #3) took a shine to the Bandoleros. Cute little cars. And I've been trying to find her one reasonable priced. I'm a hardcore bean counter folks. My reasonable and your"s probably aren't the same.

AB can't get licensed in INEX until she turns 8, which will be this December. And don't think she has forgotten about wanting a race car. Of course, this is not a cheap endeavor. And her Mimi isn't really happy about "her baby" strapping into a race car.

I'm not concerned with whether AnnaBelle can handle the competition. She is exactly the opposite...I'm worried that she will get booted for rough driving.

We also have to weigh the expense of running the Bandolero series with the interest of daughters #1 and #2. Maddie has taken a shine to basketball which will start up this fall. So it's looking like AB will have to wait until the Summer shootout series this next summer to make her racing debut. Which is just fine with me....I'll get a few more months for her to be my baby.

Next up will be a test in Florida. We will keep everyone posted and let you know how our girl does. Now to find a pink driving suit and helmet!