It has been awhile since I have posted.  It’s been crazy the last several months, but I am hoping things have settled down enough for me to get back in the groove of my blog.

I am excited about the 2013 season.  We are still about 24 days away from the start of the Daytona 500, but there has been quite a bit of goings on during the off-season.  I think the biggest is the new Generation 6 car.  Teams tested these cars early in January.  I was able to catch a couple of hours of the testing sessions and I have to say I really like the look of the cars.  They are better looking than the COT.  But the big question remains, how will the new car affect the racing?  Will we see more exciting racing than we have had over the last couple of years.  Don’t get me wrong, there has been some exciting racing, but at times, I have been able to get a decent afternoon nap during some of the races.  But until there is a few races under the drivers’ belts, we cannot judge whether the racing is better or worse.  That will be the big topic for the rest of the season I believe.

I am interested to see how Danica Patrick will do this season.  She will be entering her first full season in the Cup series.  There will be a learning curve that is for sure.  She was part-time in the Cup series last year.  She struggled during the races she participated, but I think she learned quite a bit during those races.  I am sure there isn’t a driver out there on the circuit that didn’t have a learning curve.  This season however will be tough.  She will have to race in all 36 races.  I am curious to know how she will do.  And that note, she is dating Ricky Stenhouse her rival for Rookie of the Year honors.  I really don’t care who is dating who.  People date other people in the workplace, what makes this any different?  I just hope the media doesn’t make a bigger deal out of this than it should be.

Predictions?  I really don’t have any.  As from years past, one cannot predicate who will win the championship.  It’s all about getting into the Chase and making the most of the opportunity–just ask the last two champions, Brad Keselowski and Tony Stewart.  Will Clint Bowyer suffer the “2nd Place” Jinx?  In 2010, Denny Hamlin finished 2nd to Jimmie Johnson.  The following year there were high hopes for Denny Hamlin to take the championship, but he struggled during the year and finished 9th in points.  Carl Edwards finished in 2nd to Tony Stewart in 2011.  He ended in a tie with Tony and due to tie-breaking rules, he lost the championship.  Carl struggled in 2012 and finished 15th and out of the Chase.  Will Clint Bowyer suffer the same fate after finishing 2nd to Brad K. in 2012?

I am pumped about the trucks coming to Eldora in July.  I love to watch dirt track racing.  If you have followed this site regularly you know my father took me to watch the races at the local dirt track in Amarillo.  It is was here I developed my love of racing.  This is going to be such an exciting race.  I have always stated the Truck series is some of the most exciting racing on the circuit.  I think it is because the races aren’t as long as the Nationwide and Cup series races.  So basically the drivers have to be up on the wheel when the green flag drops.  So who knows what kind of racing we will get on dirt…either way it will be exciting!

As I do every year I post my NASCAR warning.  This was originally a post I did some several years to warn others around me about how I will be the next 9 months (February-November).  It has somewhat become a ritual for me.  When I worked I would have the sign hanging in my office as a warning to my co-workers.  So here it is…if you are a NASCAR junkie like me, feel free to share it with others.  This way they will know what the next 9 months will be like.

Attention to all of my family, friends, co-workers, and complete strangers, NASCAR season is upon us.  I will NOT be available for family functions, outings, or get-togethers on Sundays.  If there is an event on said Sunday, you will have to understand they must be held prior to the start of the race or after the race.  If you must schedule things during the race be aware I may not attend your function or request that I have access to a television set.  This also applies to races that are held occasionally on Saturday nights.  If you wish to spend time with me, you must understand the topic of conversation will be predominately about the upcoming race, the previous Sunday’s race, Tony Stewart, or anything in general about NASCAR.  This is the time of the year all projects are put aside unless they involve a NASCAR related event.  Please don’t be offended if I ignore you on Sundays or the occasional Saturday…it’s nothing personal…IT’S NASCAR!!!