Go fast…turn left…don’t crash!

Will Tony repeat his victory at the Brickyard this weekend? I would like to see him do it. I think it will help boost the team after the last couple of weeks. People are still talking about Pocono. For me, it’s over and done with.

I would LOVE to see Tony in Victory Lane again. Let’s just hope he keeps his anger in check this week. I hope this year’s Brickyard is as exciting as last year’s Kasey gave Tony a run for his money last year, but as we all Tony would not be defeated. The Brickyard belonged to Tony last year!

Just a little reminder of last years highlights…

Go fast…turn left…don’t crash! (Unfortunately, I crashed.)

You know how Tony looked after he hit the wall at Lowe’s??? Well, that was me after yesterday’s exam.

First of all I suffered severe brain freeze for about 30 minutes. I looked over the test and realized HOLY CRAP BATMAN–WTF! I have to complete ALL of this in 3 hours.!!! Ok. My brain went into shock trying to decide what to do. Once I calmed myself down I was able to focus.

Of course it was not an error free test that would be too easy. When your exam requires the use of computer applications there is going to be some kind of glitch. I was so frustrated I thought I would throw my computer across the testing room. I finished as much as I could. I didn’t leave anything blank. So hopefully I did ok. I do have an oppotunity to complete an extra credit assignment to help boost my grade. I wasn’t going to attempt this assignment (I have an “A” in the class so far), but after yesterday HELLO extra credit. As I walked out of the testing room, my head and neck were in severe pain. I am only assuming it was stress related. I can only relax today. I have a project presentation tomorrow, an extra credit review to complete, that pesky extra credit (due Monday), and my final exam on Monday. So it will be a mad dash this weekend…of course I will definitely be taking a break on Sunday. I do have my priorities to think about!!!!

Go fast…turn left…don’t crash!

Well, looks like Yates is cleaning house. Slugger Labbe AND Tommy Baldwin crew chiefs for the #88 and #38 cars respectively were fired by RYR. Butch Hylton who has been working at RYR since June will take over crew chief duties for the #88 car this weekend. Charles “Cully” Barraclough will take over crew chief duties for the #38 car this weekend as well. Barrablough has previously worked as crew chief in the Busch Series for Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin. So I am hoping this is a good sign for Elliott.

Once again we will all have to watch and see how this plays out of the next few months.

Go fast…turn left…don’t crash!

Congratulations to “Cousin” Carl Edwards on his victory last night. I watched some of the race between company and studying for an exam I have on Tuesday. Thought Denny was going to continue his winning ways, but it was Carl who came away with the victory.

I still am wandering around the old homestead trying to find things to do on this non-Cup weekend. I have been trying to upload my web page to my website via TTU, but with no luck. I called IT help at TTU and well, I thought this was going to work….let’s just say I want to throw my lap top across the room. I think I will make one more attempt with the IT people and call it a day.

Also since I can’t watch the NASCAR boys today, I am going to watch the INDY cars. Racing on Sunday is better than nothing. Danica will NOT be coming over to NASCAR. She signed with Andretti Green this week. I think she wants to make her name in Indy cars first and then perhaps come over to race with the NASCAR boys.

Hope everyone is enjoying their off weekend. It’s time to get back to “work” and get ready for the rest of the season.

Go fast…turn left…don’t crash! (Cup boys still on vacation)

I posted earlier today about how HOT it has been here in the vast part of Texas…well some kind of liquid came falling from the sky this evening. I think it’s what most people call rain, but since it has happened I am going to assume it is rain.

One would think rain would cool things off…well, it’s not as hot as it was earlier today, but it is still warm. It reminds of those days when it would rain in Houston and it would still feel like a hundred.

Well…if you didn’t have a cold one earlier…have one now.

Go fast…turn left…don’t crash! (Cup Boys are on vacation this week–so i am posting about random stuff)

I just have to say…it is muy caliente!!! Not just HOT, but DAMN HOT!!!

And what am I doing in two weeks??? Going to the desert where it’s even hotter!!! LAS VEGAS!!!

How hot was Las Vegas yesterday?? 104
How how was Lubbock?? 98

98??? I drove by a bank yesterday and it was reporting 105!! I guess it was cooler out at the airport.

What am I doing about the heat? Staying inside with the AC cranked up. I hate this kind of hot weather. Of course, I am glad I don’t live where there is any kind of crazy humidity. Here it’s like standing in front of on open oven–more of a dry heat.

Stay cool everyone and have a cold one on me!

Go fast…turn left…don’t crash!

Unbelievable!Mr. Hamlin! That’s right a rookie won both poles and both races this year at Pocono Raceway. Denny dominated yesterday’s race. It was as if no matter what the other drivers did to their cars, Denny was that much better. Denny’s over the wall guys got it done for him in the pits as well. The last pit stop–great move. That forced the hands of all the other drivers–just gas, two tires/gas, four tries gas…it didn’t matter. You were awesome Mr. Hamlin. Enjoy your week off–next race–Indy! This victory put Denny 8th in the standings.

Smoke Report
Tony qualified 13th–not bad starting position. However, on Lap 31, Tony scraped the wall on Turn 3. From all the videos, it seemed Clint Bowyer squeezed Tony up against the wall, however, Clint did move over to give Tony room to recover. Tony was not happy which led to a hand out the window and Tony turning into Bowyer. This caused Bowyer to hit Carl Edwards–thus ending Carl’s day to have a good run. Tony was black flagged one lap for aggressive driving. He was not given the lucky dog–he had to earn his lap back. A caution came out at Lap 65 when Kyle Petty hit the wall HARD! As Tony is entering pit road, Carl spins Tony out in retaliation for the incident on Lap 31. Carl received a black flag and had to serve a one lap penalty for aggressive driving. All in all Tony finished 7th which moved him to 10th place in the standings–of course as well all know this could change come the next race.

I will defend Tony’s actions most of the time they are warranted and defendable. However, yesterday, I just couldn’t defend what Tony did. From my point of view (on my couch in Lubbock, TX), Clint looked like he squeezed Tony up into the wall, however, Clint moved his car down and Tony could have recovered. That could have been the end of it there. Tony is a passionate driver and wants to win, however, what he did yesterday could have cost him a spot in the Chase. This was something that was detrimental to not only him, but his team and all their hard work. The penalty was fairly issued.

Candyman Report
Nothing to report except his car was CRAP all day. He did however lead a lap and get his 5 bonus points. Elliott finished a dismal 32nd.

Other News
Junior didn’t have a great day either. He crashed out and finished 43rd again. This dropped in out of the top ten to 11th. He went from 3rd to 11th in two weeks. He looked disgusted yesterday.

What a weekend for Kevin Harvick. He finished first in the Busch race on Saturday and scored a top five in the Cup race. I feel he will definitely be there contending for the championship along with his RCR teammate Jeff Burton (finished 9th)

I think this week off will allow everyone to get back to where they need to be to make that final push to get into the Chase.

Other notables
10. Martin Truex, Jr.
14. Matt Kenseth
19. Mark Martin
24. Greg Biffle
36. Jimmy Spencer