It’s getting closer and closer to NASCAR 2009!!!!  I am waiting on pins and needles to see how Stewart Haas Racing will perform this year.  I think they will be a force to be reackon with.  I mean come one now, Tony and Ryan, how can they not be a challenge week to week.  I am in the process of trying to make a list of who I think will make the 2009 Chase.  It’s not an easier task for me.  There are some drivers who I know will be there after Richmond and some who won’t.   I also have some questions to think to about as well when deciding on my list. 

• Will Mark Martin reach that elusive goal of being a NASCAR champion? 
• Will Jimmie Johnson make a run at an unprecedented fourth championship in a row? 
• Will Dale Jr. finally break out and have that season all Dale fans crave and desire?
• How will Joey Lagano perform in his rookie year?
• Can Carl Edwards jumped over that hump can become the next NASCAR champion?
• Is Kyle Busch still polarizing as ever and will he have another year as he did in 2008?
• Who will be the “hot” driver for 2009?
• Will the SHR teams make the Chase?

These are a lot of things to ponder for the next couple of weeks as we get closer and closer to the Daytona 500.

One final thought…today is the 50th anniversary of the “Day the Music Died”.  For those of you who might not know…50 years ago today on February 3, 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P Richardson (aka The Big Bopper) were killed in a plane crash along with the pilot, Roger Peterson, shortly after midnight in Clear Lake, Iowa.  Wayton Jennings (one of Holly’s guitarists) was supposed to be on the plane as well, but gave up his seat to Richardson (he had the flu).  The other guitarist, Tommy Alsup, lost a coin toss with Ritchie Valens for the final seat on the plane.  There are still reminders of him around my hometown.  I usually don’t watch the Buddy Holly Story because I am not a big fan of Gary Busey, but I may go out and rent La Bamba in honor of this day. 

My thoughts are also on my Ms. H today.  God Bless.