Month: April 2011

The Paperclip

/ Trixie / Leave a comment

I have to admit I did watch all of the race like I wanted.  I was still recovering from a nasty case of laryngitis and upper respiratory infection.  I know sitting around the house and watching the race seems like a way to rest, but I found it hard to concentrate between all the coughing and drowsiness. 

I have to say Tony’s day was junk.  That’s pretty much it in a nutshell.  Tony finished 34th.  Not exactly where this fan wanted her driver to finish. 

I still cringe at the replay of the wreck between Truex and Kahne.  It is amazing both drivers were able to walk away from that type of crash.  Of all the things that NASCAR has done over the last 10 years since Earnhardt’s crash it has been the safety features for the drivers as well as those on pit road.  I do not know if Truex might have walked away unharmed like he did yesterday.  I have to give props to great sportsmanship to Truex as well. 

Now on to Mr. Harvick.  Even before the race began, all the pre-race shows were all about Hamlin and/or Johnson.  I cannot blame them for talking up these two drivers.  Between the two of them they have won the last 9 races there.  The last time a different driver won the race before yesterday, was Tony Stewart who took the checkered flag at the Fall 2005 race.  Oh by the way, that was the same year he took the championship.  I saw the clip of Kevin passing Dale Jr. and once again Kevin made a clean pass for the victory.  I have read a couple of message boards and I do understand some of the comments.  Can Harvick race dirty?  Yes.  Would he moved Junior for the victory?  He might have.  But yesterday, he didn’t.  I think some of the comments were from Dale Jr. fans who once again disappointed by Dale’s finish. 

I have always been honest about the fact that I am not a Dale Jr. fan.  I have to say I was a little skeptical about the change in crew chiefs with the HMS teams.  But as we all know Mr. Hendrick does not make changes to just make changes.  He knew three of the four teams struggled last year and well, sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures.  I was wondering if this change would help Junior or be another attempt to fix something, well to frank, cannot be fixed.  But I for one am pleasantly surprised how well he has run so far this season.  All you have to do is check out his results in the first six races of the season.  (Note:  2010 result in parenthesis)

  • Daytona–24th (2nd)
  • Phoenix–10th (12th)
  • Las Vegas–8th (16th)
  • Bristol–11th (7th)
  • Fontana–12th (32nd)
  • Martinsville–2nd (15th)

I would have to say Letarte has been able to put Junior in position for a win.  He was thisclose to a win on Sunday.  This has to be a confidence booster for Jr.  For those in Junior Nation, I feel Junior will win a race this year.  Good things come to those who wait.

Up this week…the boys head to my home state of Texas!  Unfortunately I will not be able to make the trip this go around, but I am doing everything I can to get myself to TMS for the fall race.

Hello again

/ Trixie / Leave a comment

It has been an interesting three weeks for me.  I have made so many visits to the doctors offices, I just didn’t have the energy to write here in the Park.  I figured once I turned 40 last year it was time to get things checked out.  And boy did I.  I saw several doctors and had various tests run.  I have to say all have turned out negative.  The one I was worried about the most (the stress test and echocardigram) turned out good.  I have two more and I am done for the year, I hope.  And just when I thought I was done with the medical community, I end up with a nasty respiratory infection which resulted in the loss of my voice.  I know those around me have been teasing me about this fact.  For me, it has been frustrating since my job requires me to talk with people.  But I do have some really good medication and on the way to recovery. 

I have been watching NASCAR.  I just haven’t felt the desire to write about it.  I can’t explain why.  I am working on a little project related to NASCAR.  I am keeping it close to the vest right now.  It’s something I have wanted to research for awhile and am hoping to parlay into something.  So for now, I am quietly doing my research and putting things into place.  Hopefully it comes out the way I want it to. 

I have to say I was thrilled to see Kevin make a last lap pass on Jimmie last week at California.  That is what I like to see in NASCAR.  Makes it all worth watching the race.  I did kind of find it a little funny that Kevin had a big “JJ” on his hood.  I also have to give Kevin props too.  I have seen Kevin move people out of the way to get the win.  Prior to California, the boys were at Bristol.  I do not find racing at Bristol as exciting as I use to.  I guess I liked the beatin’ and bangin’ and movin’ people out of the way.  I guess I am just odd in my way of thinking.  I tend to like Martinsville more now than before.  Of course I do like short track racing over the mile and halfs. 

Next week, the boys travel to my home state of Texas.  Wish I was headed out that way next weekend, but with our family getting ready to move to another house and other expenses, it is not going to be possible.  I am crossing my fingers and saving the green to possibly make the trip in November.  In the mean time, I will be watching the racing next weekend.  For those who have never been to a night race at TMS…I love it.  The trucks race at night and they always have great racing action at those events.  I am hoping it is the same way next Saturday!

Other non-NASCAR notes…baseball season has begun!  The Texas Rangers are the defending American League champions!!!