NASCAR 2010

BK Kids Meal toys

/ Trixie / 1 Comment

Have you seen them–the Tony Cars at Burger King???? They are the toys now being featured with their kids meals.

I went to one of our local BKs here in Raiderland and let me tell you I was one upset Tony fan. They did not have any of the cars. All I got with my meal, besides the food, was some stinkin’ Crayola fun book! Now what am I supposed to do with that–have fun? I think not people. I guess it will just go where of kids meal toys go to die–in my son’s toy box. I am going to check another location to see if they are up to speed (no pun intended) with the newest toys. What do these people around here think this Tony fan will do, just sit around and wait? I think not. I have lots of people in other cities who can be on the look out for Tony toys. I will have them!

SHAMELESS PROMOTON PLUG!!!! PLEASE KEEP VOTING FOR MY CAR Viva Las Vegas. Remember you have until March 15 to vote for this round. Thank you for your support!

Daytona

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I have to say, I was most definitely surprised how Daytona unfolded.  I didn’t get to watch much of the race due to the fact I was spending some quality time with some wonderful friends and family in New Mexico.  However, I was able to listen in on Channel 128 on my Sirius radio throughout the day. 

As the day started I had high hopes for Tony.  Afater all he came thisclose to winning his dual race and won his third Nationwide race in a row on Saturday.  Tony has won pretty much everything you can at Daytona except for the elusive 500.  But it just wasn’t meant to be this year.  Tony had a rough go of it on Sunday.  I wish had been able to see what had happened to his car and why he ended up 22nd after starting in 6th.  It was also a rough night for the other Stewart Haas Racing team as well.  Ryan Newman finished 34th.  But I have to remember this is race #1.  There’s quite a bit of racing before the Chase begins. 

I was so excited about Jamie McMurray winning his first Daytona 500.  He was essentially let go last season from the #26 over at Roush Racing.  This was due to the fact Roush needed to get to the four race team limit and well Jamie was at the short end of the stick.  Jamie ended up back with his former team at Ganassi-Earhardt to drive the #1.  Was Jamie’s win a surprsie to everyone?  To me no.  The #1 has always run good at restrictor plate races.  Let’s just say it was a pleasant surprise.

Since I didn’t get to post on Monday because I was on the road and didn’t have my computer, I am going to hit the highlights of Speed Weeks.

1. Danica Patrick–she did a pretty good job in both the ARCA and Nationwide races.  She is still learning the ropes with this type of car.  I like the fact that she didn’t come in and say “Here I am” .  I am going to go out in win “x” number of races and compete for the title.  Nope…she understands how hard the car is to drive and she repsects the drivers who are already in the sport.  She is asking questions and taking advice from her crew chief, owner, and fellow drivers.  I can see myself becoming a fan of hers.  What I hope doesn’t happen is that because the media is pulling an all out blitz covering her, that it turns off fans.  I think that is part of the reason I am not a fan of Junior.

2.  Pothole–I hated the fact the 500 was delayed for something such as a pothole, but these things happen.  If you live anywhere where their is cold wet weather, you know what I am talking about.  Crack in the driving surface, it rains, water gets in the crack, temperatures drop below 32 degrees, water freezes, makes crack bigger, 43 cars driving over it at high rates of speed, the track is bound to say enough.  I do applaud NASCAR for trying to get the race in on Sunday.  They were doing everything they could to fix the pothole and get back to racing.  The cool thing about the delay for me was I was able to get back from White Sands, NM in time to see the finish of the 500. 

3.  Green White Checker–I was a little skeptical when NASCAR announced the new rule change.  At first I was thinking WTF, but once I sat down and got off the ledge, I began to understand why they did what they.  I am glad they set a limit on the number of greeh white checkers that can occur.  I think 3 is just right.  I hate having races finish under the yellow flag.  In my opinion, let the boys race for win.

4.  Have at boys–I am loving the fact that NASCAR is allowing the drivers to take care of business on the track.  In my opinion NASCAR was getting too anal about things.  Let these boys race.  If a driver is continously beatin’ and bangin’ and wrecking other drivers, the drivers will take care of it.  Trust me just ask JPM when he tangled with Smoke.

5.  Baby Boom-Congratuatlations to Elliot Sadler and his wife on the birth of their son Wyatt.  I haven’t seen anything on Carl’s little girl arrival yet, but I am sure it will be any day now.

6.  Matt Kenseth–Matt’s crew was fired yesterday.  I found this rather odd.  I would have thought if you were having doubts about the crew chief you would have taken care of that in the off season.  But I am not Jack Roush and I am not championship NASCAR driver.  So I don’t even want to begin to speculate why this was done after the first race of the season.  Talk about a complete 360 though.  This time last Matt and his crew chief were celebrating their first Daytona 500 win.  Sometimes NASCAR can be a humbling sport.  All I know Jack isn’t afraid to fire or make changes, just ask Kurt Busch.

And finally….today, 9 years ago, the sport of NASCAR lost its beacon–Dale Earnhardt Sr.  I still miss seeing the #3 out there on the track.  I did, however, see a little bit of Earnhardt Sr., in the move the his son made in the last laps of the 500 on Sunday.  I am not a fan of Junior, but I have to give him his kudos for that hell of move he made to get to the front of the pack.  We still miss The Intimidator.  Rest in Peace #3.

Saturday Night Racing

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Congraulations to Kevin Harvick for winning back-to-back Bud Shootouts.  He did pretty good considering he didn’t turn a lap in his car up to the Bud Shoot due to his flu-like symptoms. Tony started 13th and if you watched the Bud Shootout Selction Show, you know that Tony doesn’t like the number 13.  Tony looked great all night and ran pretty much up front most of the night.  Hopefully they were able to get some good data for the Daytona 500 on Sunday.

It was a little strange not to see Jimmy Spencer on Speed’s Race Day.  From what I saw Jimmy Spencer will be hosting his own show on Speed.  Kyle Petty has taken over Jimmy’s spot on Race Day.  I like Kyle Petty as a broadcaster.  I am looking forward to see how he will fit in with John and Kenny.  Of course Kenny has enough energy and excitement to light up a small West Texas town. 

I am looking forward to the Duals on Thursday.  Unfortunately I will be at work, but it won’t keep me from listening.  I will be checking them out on NASCAR.com.  I would love to see Tony win his dual so that he can start near the front on Sunday.  I am hoping for a Tony win on Sunday.  He has won pretty much everything you can at Daytona except the Daytona 500.  From the way he ran in the Bud Shootout, the other drivers better watchout.

2010 Bud Shooout

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I caught a little bit of the Media Day festivities today on NASCAR.com.  I know most people think it would be boring to hear the drivers being asked the same questions by the media people, but I find it quite interesting.  This is a great place to see the drivers before the racing gets going.  The lineup has been set for the 2010 Bud Shootout.  Many of the drivers will have to use a backup car and start at the back of the pack due to a crash in the first Bud Shootout practice today.  But without further adieu….

  1. Carl Edwards
  2. Kevin Harvick
  3. Brian Vickers
  4. Ryan Newman
  5. Greg Biffle
  6. Mark Martin
  7. Jeff Burton
  8. Matt Kenseth
  9. Jamie McMurray
  10. John Andretti
  11. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  12. Bobby Labonte
  13. Tony Stewart
  14. Ken Schrader
  15. Michael Waltrip
  16. Jimmie Johnson
  17. Kyle Busch
  18. Derrike Cope
  19. Kasey Kahne
  20. Juan Pablo Montoya
  21. Joey Lagano
  22. Kurt Busch
  23. Jeff Gordon
  24. Denny Hamlin

Just a few notes from today…I guess NASCAR has baby fever this season.  Both Carl Edwards and Elliott Sadler will become fathers in a few weeks.  Carl and his wife are expecting a little girl, while Elliot and his wife are expecting a little boy.  Congratulations also go out to Jimmie and his wife who will be expecting their first child sometime this summer.  And of course not to be outdone, Jeff announced today at media day that he and Ingrid are expecting their second child this year.  Congrats to all the drivers and their families for their newest additions.

I felt a little bad for Joey Lagano who couldn’t choose his spot in the Bud Shootout due to the fact he is not 21 years of age.  I hope Kevin Harvick gets to feeling better so he can do some racing tomorrow night.  Maybe Kevin should let Gil Martin pick his spot in the shootout every year. 

I did catch Danica’s interview with the NASCAR.com guys today.  I have to say she did a very good job considering this is her first NASCAR media day.  I am a little bit intrigued to see how she will do in the ARCA race and in the Nationwide races this year. 

Well…that’s about it for today.  I am like a cat in nip….it’s NASCAR season baby!!!!

It’s Here!!!!

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Today is Media Day!!!  I will be listening to things on NASCAR.com this morning.  I know the points racing season doesn’t “officially” start until the Daytona 500, but for me it starts today!  I have been looking foward to the season starting.  I will be watching tonight on Speed to see the draw for the Bud Shootout.  Then Saturday we have front row qualifying for the 500 and the Bud Shootout!  I am pumped about the 2010 season.  I think Jimmie betta watch out.  The rest of the field is coming to get ya!  As I have done for the last two years, here is the warning I post to warn all my friends and family about the next nine months.

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!!!

Three Weeks

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Three weeks from today is the 2010 Daytona 500 and the start of the 2010 NASCAR season. I have to say I am pumped about this year. I have a decision or “resolution” (I don’t belive in them and I don’t make them) to pay more attention to The Park. So far I have been doing a better job than the last several months. I changed the theme of things for now. I am still tweaking things, but I need to take care of the home front for now.

Back to NASCAR….I see that Denny Hamlin will be racing this year with a torn ACL. Man…that’s going to be tough on the knee throughout the season. I have had a knee injury before, granted it wasn’t a torn ACL, but it was very, very difficult to drive a standard with a bum knee. But Denny will have surgery at the end of the 2010 season.

The Daytona 500 may still be three weeks away, but there is racing in the next few weeks. The Rolex 24 at Daytona is next weekend. For me, it means the NASCAR season is just around the corner. I have to say I like watching this event. I don’t know a lot of the non-NASCAR drivers, but its definitely fun to watch. Then next up…is the Bud Shootout on February 6. That’s when the boys getting to hit the track for racing since Homestead. Normally qualifying for the front row for the 500 is on the Sunday following the Shootout, but due to the Super Bowl being held that day, front row qualifying will be held on Saturday–the same day as the Shootout. Then on Thursday, February 11…it’s on! The Gatorade Duels where the rest of the field for the 500 is set.

How sweet that the Daytona 500 will be held on Valentine’s Day. But like last year I will be away from the television set and won’t be able to see the Daytona, but I will have my Sirius radio tuned into Channel 128—NASCAR radio. Why? I will be in Ruidoso, New Mexico spending time with my family and my wonderful friends. They understand to some extent my passion for NASCAR and how tough this is for me. But I know what’s important in life and NASCAR will just have to take a back seat for a weekend.

Final note…congratulations to the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints. It’s going to be an interesting Super Bowl this year. I do want to thank the Saints for beating the Vikings and that old guy. As a Cowboys fan, I was a little pissed off at the Vikings for that final touchdown last week. Guess the Vikings will be watching the Super Bowl just like me…at home with friends and family. Maybe now that old guy will FINALLY retire (but I ain’t holdin’ my breath). I will be rooting for the Indianapolis Colts. I am pumped. I just wished it had been the Colts and the Cowboys, but at least one of my teams is in the Super Bowl.