Tony Stewart

Saturday Night Racing

/ Trixie / Leave a comment

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.

It’s Here!!!!

/ Trixie / Leave a comment

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!!!

Are You Ready For Some NASCAR?

/ Trixie / Leave a comment

Sorry for “borrowing” the tag line from Monday Night Football…but I am ready for some NASCAR!

Here’s what I found out the local Walmart last night.

I love the Swagger metallic red color.  Don’t get me wrong I love that fact that his Office Deport car is red and black, but the metallic red is just cool! 

I also bought this as well.

I haven’t gone through the entire magazine yet.  There is an interesting article on the Busch brothers.  Notice who is on the cover…not Jimmie, but Tony.  And if you look at the their “Top Ten” notice who is listed as 2nd right behind defending champion…you guessed it, Mr. Stewart himself.  This is definitely different than where is was picked last year.  I can’t remember if it was The Sporting News or another one of the magazines, but one of them didn’t have Tony qualifying for The Chase.  Let’s recall…where did he end up at the end of 2009?  I believe it was 6th.  No bad for a driver who left a championship team at Joe Gibbs Racing to start out on his own. 

I can see why Tony was  a force to be reckon with last year.  He ran a total of 10,468 out of 10492 laps.  That means he missed 24 laps…24 laps.  His lowest point in the standings 8th and that was after a 26 finish at Vegas.  He never strayed out of the top ten in points all year long.  He also ran all the laps in The Chase with the exception of 10 laps (8 at Talladega and 2 at Phoenix).  Come February 14, 2010, Tony will begin is 11 year in NASCAR.  His first start was February 14, 1999 at Daytona.  His finish that day 26th.  If 2009 is any indication, 2010 is going to be even better.

Sqare peg…round hole

/ Trixie / Leave a comment

That’s what it feels like it times.  I am the square peg trying to get through that round hole.  Not matter how much I try it doesn’t seem to fit.  It was a rough day at work.  No matter what I did today someone somewhere was mad, angry, and not taking responsibility for their choices.  I am trying to teach Little Smoke about taking responsibility for his bad choices.  This is a difficult thing to teach a 6 year old, but I am doing my best.  In my line of work I see those who blame others for their bad decisions instead of taking responsibility.  It’s just very frustrating, but I carry on as I do…after all tomorrow is another day. 

I am very excited about tomorrow.  I get to see Jeff Dunham in concert tomorrow.  If you don’t know who Jeff Dunham is, you need to travel on over to You Tube and type in “Jeff Dunham”.  I guarantee you will laugh until it hurts.  Maybe that’s what I need to get over today’s hellish day of work.  It’s going to be a great concert!

I missed the Cup boys this past weekend, but I did catch the Nationwide race up in Montreal.  I felt so bad for Marcus.  On the last turn of the last lap…it just sucks.  But I have to applaud him for his professionalism as ESPN interviewed him after the race.  Yes, it was brief, but very professional.  I wonder how Kyle would have reacted if he was the one in Marcus’s situation.  I think we can all guess what would have happened.  Labor Day weekend is upon us my friends and that means racing under the lights on Sunday at Atlanta.  This is going to be interesting.   There is only Atlanta and Richmond until the final 12 are set for the last 10 races.  I really want to see Mark Martin in the Chase.  It would just suck if he wasn’t there.  I am pretty ambivalent about Kyle. 

Congrats to Brad K. for signing with Penske and the #12 team.  I think he will have success over there with the #12 team.  He has proven he can drive with the big boys.  I am sure Mr. Hendrick will still be keeping his eyes on the young man.  It wouldn’t surprise me if in a few years that Brad returns to drive for HMS.

Don’t forget all you Tony Stewart fans, the Prelude to the Dream is scheduled to run next Wednesday, September 9.  It was originally scheduled for June, but due to Mother Nature it was postponed until next Wednesday.  So head on over to your pay per view channels and order your Prelude.

Just stuff

/ Trixie / Leave a comment

It’s that time of the year…NASCAR and Football!!

I have been watching quite a bit of NASCAR lately trying to get pumped up for The Chase here in a few weeks.  Congrats to Tony for his win at Watkins Glen.  That makes three wins this year and 30 bonus points and he is securely in The Chase.  I was a little upset that Mark’s crew chief tried to play the gas mileage game last week at Michigan.  Mark was not in a position to go for the win last week unlike Jimmie Johnson.  It was not worth the gamble and well..Mark is now 12th in the standings.  Congrats to Brian Vickers last week for his first win in the #83 and his Red Bull team.  Plus his stock went up with me because frankly, Kyle needs his ass kicked.  He is a good driver don’t get me wrong, but enough already.  I agree with Brian Vickers…I didn’t get the memo stating either that it was the Kyle Busch show.  It’s called racing Kyle did you get THAT memo?  It’s great Kyle is passionate about his racing, but you aren’t going to win every single race.  Sometimes the mark of a good racer is the way you behave when you lose. 

I have my fantasy football set for this year.  This will be first time I have ever attempted fantasy football.  I didn’t go to the draft part because I was dealing with a cranky infant.  However I sent Postman with my game plan and budget and to be honest he did pretty good.  I really, really wanted Peyton Manning as my other quarterback, but he just went for too much money and to be honest that was not where I needed to put my money.  Besides I do have his brother Eli as my main QB so I am pretty OK with the team.  I would rather have a team with several good players than a team with one star and crappy players.  We shall see how things go for me—stay tuned.

Work has been somewhat interesting and stressful of late.  But hopefully things have turned the corner…as they say hope springs eternal

I am excited about how the Texas Rangers are challenging for the playoffs this year.  I have actually enjoyed watching them.  And now that Pudge is back it’s going to be interesting to watch that Wild Card race with Boston and Tampa Bay.  Go Rangers!  Hopefully the Cowboys are somewhat better than last year.  I think with TO leaving and Romo able to get focused on things on the field instead of what’s going on in the tabloids etc.  It’s going to be interesting as well for my Red Raiders.   I am excited though.  I don’t know if it will be as thrilling as last year, but I am sure the Red Raiders will have some surprises this year.

Little Smoke starts first grade on Monday!  Woo Hoo! We still have some issues we all have to work through, but he is improving and I think things will settle down once he gets into his school routine.  He is playing flag football this year and Postman will be his coach.   Postman may have to ban me from his games because I can get a little passionate about football and no I am NOT one of those moms either.  I respect what the coaches do and let them do their job.

The Brickyard

/ Trixie / 3 Comments

I can honestly say I was excited about yesterday’s race.  To me, Indy is the holy land for racing.  I was on pins and needles at the prospect of tony winning and putting that #14 back in victory lane, but we don’t alway get what we wish for.

The day started out with Mark Martin and Juan Pablo Montoya on the front row.    What a way to start a race!  Mark Martin, who I think has stole the show this year in NASCAR (excluding Tony) and Juan Pablo who would have a chance to win both a 500 and a 400.  It looked like most of the day this would be the case for JPM.  He had a 5 second lead on Mark at one point and it looked like no other driver was going to touch him.  Until JPM hit pit road late in the race and got nabbed for speeding not in one zone, but two zones.  JPM was angry and he even said so over his radio.  I can understand his frustration, but you made a mistake.  He finished 11th.  Not the finish I am sure JPM wanted, but still keeps him in the Top 12.  It’s hard to keep your eye on the big picture sometimes, but I think now that he has had some distance away from the race he can reflect on his effort. 

This whole speeding on pit road issue was the topic of conversation on Sirius this morning.  All those conspiracy theorists were calling in talking about how NASCAR rigs the races, etc.  There are times I wonder because things after in the strangest ways, but come on now.  Drivers are even given 5 miles over the posted pit road speed limit.  JPM was nabbed not in one spot, but two.  I could also understand if more than one driver was nabbed for speeding.  It wasn’t like that truck race a few months ago where it seemed everyone was getting nabbed.  NASCAR doesn’t have some state trooper down with his trusty radar gun hiding behind some tree.  No it’s done electronically.  Besides, I believe it was Junior in a post race intereview commenting on the fact that he was hoping NASCAR would have thrown a few more cautions.  Now that statement boggled my  mind more than the whole speeding incident. 

Speaking of Junior, it doesn’t look like he will end up in the Chase this year.  He finished 36th after starting 4th.  He currently sits in 21st spot in the standings, 367 points back of 12th place, Matt Kenseth.  There are only 6 races left until the Chase begins. If he is going to have a shot at even getting to #12, he is going to have to light it up in the next 6 races as well as have those ahead of him have bad races.  To be honest I don’t see that happening…he would have to jump over Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, David Reutiman, Clint Bowyer, Brian Vickers, Jeff Burton, Marcus Ambrose, Jamie McMuray, Joey Lagano.  I am sorry, but yesterday pretty much put the nail in the coffin.

Congratulations to Jimmie on winning his second Brickyard in a row.  I have never been a big Jimmie fan and I have stated that here in The Park, but Jimmie and Chad always find a way to get themselves in position to win a race.  It’s not just here and there…it’s every week the #48 team is a threat.  I guess that’s why he has won the Championship three times in a row and is making waves for that 4th one.  Of course, this doesn’t mean I am going to run out and stock up on Jimmie stuff.  I am just saying as a NASCAR fan I have to respect the talent and tenacity of a team to come with both barrels loaded every week. 

I have to say that was a nice piece ESPN did with Tony and AJ Foyt.  How many of us get to meet our idol and let alone become friends with that idol.   Thank you ESPN.  On that note, you can always tell when ESPN takes over coverage of a sporting event.  With the littlest stories, there is this dramatic buildup, the story and the dramatic ending.  Some times their stories even make you cry.   It does make you wonder sometimes if there are trying to see how many people they can fit in a broadcast booth.  Remember the first year…OMG!  That was too much for me to take in before, during , and after.  I still think some of it could be scaled down, but one thing I am glad they did…keep Rusty out of the broadcast booth.  I don’t mind the pre race stuff, race break commentary, or even the post race stuff, but calling the race not his forte.  I do like Ray Evernham.  He has the unique insight that keeps me engaged. 

It’s going to be an interesting over the next few races to see who gets in…who doesn’t. Either way…I am looking forward to the racing.

Back and sort of better than a few weeks ago

/ Trixie / Leave a comment

Sorry for not posting in a long time, but I was having internet issues.  My only access somewhat has been at work before I get going or during the lunch hour.  I did get some things done during this down time, but the laundry still is fighting the good fight. 

You would think the off week would one for all of us to recover and get ready for the push towards the Chase and the Chase itself.  But alas, the whole did he or didn’t he thing took center stage again.  Yes…the whole Jeremy Mayfield is still around.  I know this story has more sides to it than a Rubik’s cube, but I am so tired of it all.   There are more interesting stories to talk about this year.  Take for instance…Mark Martin.  He now has 4 wins this season.  Who would have thought he would have more wins than his teammates, Jimmie (2), Jeff(1)  and Junior (0), combined.  He has a renewed motivation that he didn’t have towards the end of his tenure with Roush.  He clearly is having a blast!

What about Juan Pablo?  He is having a good year.  He is 9th in points even though he has no wins, he has 9 top tens.  Not bad for a driver on a team that really hasn’t been going anywhere this year.  At first I didn’t like JPM, but I think he has realized that in order to have a good season you have to finish races.  You can’t always go out and race balls to wall all the time.  You need to be there at the end.

Silly season is among us now.  Kevin Harvick may want out of his contract at the end of the 2009 season, but still has one year left on his contract with RCR.  His sponsor, Shell’s contract ends this year.  Richard Childress states Kevin will not be let out of his contract.  Gee…isn’t that what owners usually say?  As I recall Tony was supposed to be finishing out his contract with Gibbs this year and we all know how that ended up don’t we?  Do I think Kevin Harvick will end up at Stewart Haas Racing?  I don’t see why SHR could run a third car and perhaps Kevin needs a new team.  I mean he has been running the #29 since 2001 when Dale Sr. died.  Plus Tony has driven for Kevin in the Nationwide for Kevin Harvick Incorporated and they are great friends.  But as I can attest working for and with your good friends don’t always work out.  But if the success they have had in Nationwide can be translated to a team for SHR watch out. 

Of all the race weekends I am looking forward to the most this year is coming up on Sunday.  Tony comes into the Brickyard in the points lead.  He is driving the #14 which just happens to be his idol’s, AJ Foyt’s number, and he is part owner of the team he is driving for.  How wonderful if Tony could get this victory at The Brickyard this weekend?  It might be a little sweeter than his first victory back in 2005.  Watch out everyone!  I hope the tires will last longer than they did in last year’s race.  From what I can tell, this tire Goodyear is bringing this year has been thoroughly tested and should be ready to go for the race on Sunday.  Here’s hoping.

One more thing…love the double file restarts!

Some non-NASCAR items…I have made the leap into fantasy football.  I have joined the same league as Postman.  My goal for the season try to outdo Postman and if a kick a little tail on the other teams icing on the cake.  My QB is Eli Manning.  I would rather have Peyton, but I can’t go wrong with Eli.  Wish me luck!