I rarely comment on other sports other than an occasionally football item or some noteworthy event that deserves space on The Park.  And this is going to be one of those times.

For all you sports junkies out there, the Mitchell Report is due out today.  I for one I am interested in reading the report just because I am a sports junkie and want to see what all the hubbub is about.  I do find it interesting the report will be released on MLB.com at the same time as the press conference.  In my opinion this is by design.  I am interested to see who was using steroids, why it was allowed to go unchecked, and how MLB created and perhaps perpetrated the atmosphere of steroid use.  I know it probably won’t happen, but I would love for one of the players to be named in this report to stand and admit, YES I used steroids, why he used steroids, and I am sorry for using steroids, etc.  I am so tired of players using the line, I didn’t know.  Doesn’t wash with me, never will.  I can understand how MLB players would be tempted to use steroids.  I mean these guys play games back to back on a weekly basis, travel from town to town and rarely have a day off during the week.  It can wear on a player.  But I just don’t understand why.  I guess I will never know.

In case you don’t know or live a the proverbial cave, Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison on Monday.  Later that night the Atlanta Falcons lost to New Orleans and the next lose a coach.  Watching this unfold for the Atlanta Falcons this season has been interesting.  I am not going to talk about Michael Vick because I don’t think it deserves any more space that it is has received, but what I am going to talk about is the former coach of the Atlanta Falcons Bobby Petrino.  I was to say shocked by his decision to abandon his team with three games left in the season.  That’s right I said abandon.  It’s one thing to move on after one year from a coaching job.  There are several coaches out there who have faced this decision and ultimately moved on.  Sometimes you have to cut your losses.  But to leave with 3 games left in the season, come on now.  I know there is drastic difference in the college coaching ranks and the pro ranks.  Not every college coach is suited for the NFL and vice versa.  Was three weeks going to make a big difference?  You had three games left.  That’s it.  You weren’t making any kind of playoff run.  I think it would been a better pill to swallow if you had decided to leave after one year, but done it after you finished the season.  You let your players, coaching staff, the owner of the Falcons down, but ultimately you let the Falcons fans down.  I don’t live in Atlanta so I can’t speak from their perspective, but if it happened to the Cowboys, I would be one very pissed off Cowboys fan!  I don’t think I can blame Arkansas on this.  I don’t know what kind of conversation Petrino had with the university.  But if I were a parent who was being recruited by Petrino, I would have some doubts about the future of my son’s football career at Arkansas.  How do we know he won’t bolt for a better job after a couple of years?

It is interesting to see Keyshawn Johnson and Terrell Owens going back and forth.  Talk about a pissing contest.  The Cowboys are having a phenomenal year.  This is the first time they have started 12-1.  And yes Coach Phillips was left with a team Coach Parcells built, but who is to say the Cowboys would be 12-1 if Coach Parcells had stayed in Dallas.  This has happened before with the Cowboys.  Barry Switzer inherited Jimmie Johnson’s team and that team ended up winning a Super Bowl.  Say what you will, but you still have to the players to get the job done as well as the coaches.   I haven’t seen the Cowboys play like this since the days of Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith.  It’s exciting for me as a Cowboys fan.  I have never been a big fan of TO.  I still harbor some ill towards him.  I mean you don’t diss THE STAR at Texas Stadium and expect all Cowboy fans to love you.  But he has been one of the keys to the Cowboys resurgence this year. 

Only 64 days until Daytona 500 folks…that’s right…not much longer.

Dear Santa,

As you know, it is that time of the year when you receive lots of requests for presents from all the good little boys and girls.  I just want you to know that I have been a “good” girl for most of the year and at those times where I haven’t I can explain.  I know you are busy this time of year and I know I should have mailed my letter sooner, but here is my list of things I would like to have for Christmas.

1. A race with a little less commercial and LOTS more racing.  I know NASCAR has to pay their bills and everything, but doesn’t the fact the cars have the sponsors on the cars constitute advertising.
2. A magnifying glass so when the caution flag is flown for debris I will be able to see it on the track.
3. The Top 35 to be the Top 30.  There are some great drivers who should be racing on Sunday, but can’t because of this Top 35 thing.
4. More coverage of drivers during The Chase other than those drivers in The Chase.  This was bad this year because I had several drivers who I like get very little or no coverage at all.
5. Kevin James to do ALL the “Gentlemen Start Your Engines” next year.  He really knows how to fire the drivers and crowd up.
6. Dale Jarrett to replace Rusty Wallace at ESPN.
7. The Southern 500 back to where it belongs and California to have only one race.
8. A ban on celebrities who know absolutely NOTHING about NASCAR.  I mean do you really think Paris Hilton knows squat about NASCAR.
9. Respect from non-NASCAR fans.  This may be a tall order for you Santa, but I, along with all of us other NASCAR fans, are tired of having to defned ourselves
10. Tony Stewart–I know this one is an impossible task, but a girl’s gotta have a little hope in her.

I know that is quite a list Santa, but I will understand if you can’t get all of it for me.  If you are feeling generous, I have a few other requests for some of my favorite drivers.

1. Dale Earnhardt Jr.–I don’t think he really needs much these days.  He is now with a team who can provide all the equipement and cars needed to make a run for the championship.  So perhaps I could get him a trophy case for the champhionship he will win some day.
2. Matt Kenseth–I can get him a Cheese Head Hat to wear during Happy Hour, I mean Happy Hour should be enjoyed as it is intended to be.  Go Packers!
3. Clint Bowyer–Maybe some Goodyear tires for the top of his car that way when he decides to drive on his roof, he won’t catch on fire
4. Carl Edwards–a gift certificate to Office Depot.  I hear they have pens and stationary at the Depot.  Perhaps the next time you want to have a meet and greet with your teammate, you should take pen in hand and write a little note to him.
5. Jeff Gordon–this one is tough.  He has a new daughter, a wife and 4 championships, what more does this man need.  In fact, he should be getting me something for Christmas…oh, I know..how ’bout one of those t-shirts guns so he can load it with beer cans and shoot them back into the stands at Talladega.
6. Kyle Busch–a GIANT candy dish.  With his new sponsor, he is going to need it.  Who can resist M&Ms?
7. Kevin Harvick–private wrestiling lessons from a WWE wrestler.  Hey, if you are going to rumble, you might want to add some more techniques in your repoirtoire.
8. Tony Stewart–How ’bout a gift certificate to Procuts?  I don’t mind a little stubble and long hair, but if you aren’t going to keep it groomed do something about it.   

That about sums everything up I want for Christmas.  I will understand if you can’t get everything on my list, but I have one last request for my favorite driver, Tony Stewart.  How ’bout a 3rd championship?  He would be the first driver to win a Winston, a Nextel Cup and a Sprint Cup.

Merry Christmas

At least the 2007 Trixie awards have finally entered the track premises.  The Trixies (formerly known as the Not-So Championship awards) were very competitive this year.  Because of the competitiveness of the awards, it has taken a wee bit longer to tally the votes and name the winners.  I wasn’t able to get a comedian to host the Trixies or some singer to entertain everyone, so you are on your own for the jokes and entertainment portion of the show.  So pull out the lawn chairs and nice adult beverage of choice and enjoy the 2007 Trixies.

1. “Hey Ya’ll, Watch This”–winner: Clint Bowyer-Clint receives this award for his spectacular display at the 2007 Daytona 500.  I mean after all you finished the race flipping, sliding across the finish line on your roof, and to make it all worthwhile, it was on FIRE!  You gotta love how he entertained the crowd.  What will he think of for next year’s Daytona 500!
2.  “Kiss My Butt”–winner: Clint Bowyer-for not only making the Chase, but showing all those naysayers he belonged there, by winning the first race of The Chase and finishing 3rd.  Let’s all raise our shot glass full of Jack Daniels and say “Salute”!
3. “Celebration, Time Come On”–winner: Robby Gordon-for his burn out during a Busch race north of the border.  I have to give an honorable metion to the other Gordon for his salute to Dale Sr.
4.  “We Are Family”–winner: Kyle Busch–you know a cool million and I would dump my own grandmother. 
5. “Tough Guy”–winner: David Reutiman-give major props to David for walking away from a violent crash at California.  Those bells you heard wasn’t Dominos at the door.  Honorable mention to Brad K (can never get the spelling of his name) over in the Busch series.

6. “Can’t We All Get Along”–winner: Carl Edwards/Matt Kenseth-“teammates” who don’t seem to get along…who said you had to get along with your co-workers.  Hnorable mentions go to Tony/Denny.   The Tony/Denny saga lasted oh about a week when THE Mr. Gibbs stepped in and gave that “come to Jesus” talk.    Carl/Matt was much more entertaining.

7.  “If You Can’t Beat Them…Cheat”–winner: Michael Waltrip-There were several contenders for this award and it was a very, very close race, but ultimately it went to Mikey.  We still don’t know what was “added” to his car at Daytona.
8. “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”–winners: Kevin Harvick/Pablo Montoya–it was interesting to watch these two go helmet to helmet right there on the track.  Of course I would have liked a little more action and little less conversation, but hey we this isn’t Burger King…I can’t have it my way.
9. “WTF Were You Thinking”–winner: Teresa Earnhardt–I don’t really have to say much about the winner.  This award category wasn’t even contested.  The closest competitor was…wait for it…crickets chirping…nope still waiting…no one.
10.  “Poke the Sleeping Bear”–winners: Larry Seaquist (Washington State politician), and Bennie Thompson (NC politician).  Mr. Seaquist’s and Mr. Thompson’s comments, NASCAR fans have once again needed to stand up and unite.  We are one of the strongest and loyal fan bases of any sport.  We are NASCAR!
11. “Mr. Media Darling” and “Damned If I Do, Damned If I Don’t”–winner: Tony Stewart-Smoke is always good for a sound bite for the media.  No matter what he says someone, somewhere will be angry over his comments.  He just speaks his mind.  If you don’t like what he says, don’t ask him questions.  He is who is and he makes no apologies about.  Fight the Power Smoke!
12. “It’s Your Call”–winner: Greg Zippadelli–brilliant call to have Tony stay out at Kansas, but not so good with Tony’s tire rub…dude..Tony should have come in and changed his tire.  Everyone at the track knew, the race commentators knew, those at home knew…TONY’S TIRE IS GONNA BLOW!
13. “Much Ado About Nothing”–winner: Car of Tomorrow–how was the car going to do, would it bring better racing, worse racing, the look is weird…yada, yada, yada…it’s here, get over it already
14. “Enough Already”–winner: NASCAR media–from Dale Watch 2007 to the J & J Show, I never saw so much over coverage of stories in my life.  I think we all understand the Top 35, the Chase format, and all those other dead horses that were covered during the season.  Let the horses rest in peace my friends.   
15. “Snake Bit”–winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.–all those DNFs and just plain bad luck over the season…this was clearly by far the worse luck I have seen for a competitor in a long time. 
16. “Mr. Pissy”–winner: Kyle Busch–your car was toast there at Texas and you stomped away like a little child who didn’t get his way on the playground
17.  “Best Kept Secret”–winner:  Dale Jr. to HMS–first it was denied HMS wasn’t going to woo Dale and then bam…never saw it coming (wink, wink).
18. “Stand Your Ground”–winner: Cingular-The New AT&T or whatever they call themselves these days–for not budging on your sponsorship with Jeff B. and the #31 team. 
19. “One Class Act”–winners: Mark Martin and Jeff Burton–it would have been so cool to see Martin compete for the title, but he kept his word about running a part time schedule even though he was leading the points series early on, plus he always the first one to say “Thank you” to the fans…he definitely has it going on…Jeff Burton is one of those people who you want to gravitate towards.  He speaks his mind, races clean and competitively.

20. “I’m OK, You’re OK”–winners: Earnhardt Nation–with all the changes with the #8, it has been somewhat of a rough year for the #8 nation…but the good news…it won’t take much to fix up all those #8 tattoos

Before announcing the winner, I would like to give major props to all the nominees this year.  The 2007 season has definitely been a wild and crazy one.  I would also like to thank my loyal readers.  I know I haven’t been as on top of things this year, but like the NASCAR season, it has been a wild and crazy one.  But as we enter into the “off season” I hope eveyrone has a wonderful and joyous holiday season.  We will all need the rest to gear up for what the 2008 season will bring us. 

And finally, without further ado…there was much debate, there was some hair pulling, punches thrown, helmets and Hans devices were sent sailing across the room, and several tears were shed, but the 2007 Trixie Award goes to…wait for it…DALE EARNHARDT JR. (much applause and cheering).  With all the drama that has gone on this year with will he leave DEI, he’s leaving DEI, he’s going to HMS, number and sponsor change, I felt he captured everyone’s attention and hearts this past year.  It was well earned Mr. Earnhardt!

Nominees in each category were submitted and final voting was counted by The Count over at Sesame Street and certified by the accounting firm of Larry, Darryl and Darryl.  All decisions are final and the results were not known by the winners until today.

WTF with the BCS??  Man…I have had Calculus exams that were less complicated.  Don’t get me wrong..I am glad OSU is in the Championship game, but there are other teams that have a legimate case to be in the championship.  Oh well…

I have been trying to get my “Not So Championship” Awards posted, honestly.   But dang…there are so many award receipients to sift through…I am hoping to get them done this week.

Let’s see..today is Monday..all freakin’ day. 

I was productive this weekend.  Got my tree up-complete with NASCAR decorations as well as all the other decorations up.  My office decor was done up last week complete with the Tony Stewart tree and pink flamingo lights around the old desk.  Now you can’t tell when you walk into my office who my driver is..he he.

Oh well..hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season. 

Only 23 more shopping days…and only 76 days until Daytona.

I am still around, just under the radar.  I hope everyone a happy Thanksgiving.  We had a white Thanksgiving.  It was nice because it finally felt like fall instead of summer.  I am still working on my “Not So Championship” awards.  I am still recovering from the past weekend and all that football. Just in case you didn’t get a chance to catch it all..here are some highlights.Dallas and Green Bay won. LSU was knocked off again in OT this time by unranked Arkansas. Missouri vs Kansas Border Showdown was good.  I was expecting a better showing by Kansas, but Missouri’s defense just dominated the game.  Missouri now plays for the Big 12 championship against Oklahoma.  And for those of you who don’t remember…Tech beat OU…but lost to Missouri.A&M beat Texas.  I don’t care for either team, but I like A&M better than tu (as the Ags would say). I guess that’s about it for now…Have a great week.

One more thing..since it is the holiday season I thought I would decorate The Park!

TEXAS TECH 34                                    OKLAHOMA 27

TEXAS TECH 34                               OKLAHOMA 27