Takin’ a break today…and as if you folks didn’t know already, but this is “How Jedi I Am”

how jedi are you? :: by lawrie malen

Tony will attempt to race on Sunday at Dover. He will need to at least start the race in order to receive points for the race. this is one of these injuries that just has to run its course. Of course how long Tony will stay in the car depends on how much pain he can endure.

On the upside though, JGR has tapped Ricky Rudd to relieve Tony on Sunday if necessary. Ricky Rudd will also practice and qualify the #POWERade Orange #20 (see note below). Ricky Rudd has won four races at Dover and I like Ricky. I don’t have a problem with him taking over the #20 on Sunday. Smoke is going to need all the rest he can get. I am just glad this happened now and not during the last 10 races.

Smoke’s #20 car will sport a different kind of orange in Dover after it’s decked out in custom POWERADE Orange graphics to support the launch of the brand’s new, ultra-grippable 32-ounce bottle. Not only will the race car help introduce the new POWERADE Orange packaging, but it also will help raise money for the Tony Stewart Foundation.

Good Luck on Sunday Tony!

According to NASCAR.com
“The predominantly cream-colored car will feature vintage Budweiser bow-tie logos which were introduced in 1956 — the same year Ralph Earnhardt won the NASCAR National Sportsman title, a series that eventually became the modern-day Busch Series. Dale Earnhardt also raced a similar paint scheme when he began his NASCAR career in 1974 — the same year Dale Jr. was born.”

Can’t wait until Michigan! First the black #8 at Talladega and now this. Talk about Back In The Day! Thanks Junior!

I have been watching all that has upfolded this past weekend with Mr. Waltrip.

Did he violate any NASCAR rules by purchasing Derrike Cope’s ride? No.

Was is it professional? Maybe in his eyes it might have been. I mean after all his big brother did it. So why not? I also noticed that old DW didn’t have much to say on the subject or it could have been the fact that I am learning to tune DW out when he speaks–but that rant is for another day.

I would like to think if Mikey had that kind of money to “buy” his way into the race, he could invest it into his car. By investing into his car wouldn’t you assume, you would have the car week in and week out to qualify for the races? Come on Mikey, you have NAPA auto parts for a sponsor. Couldn’t you get some car parts from them? Maybe if he stopped making all those annoying NAPA/Aaron’s commercials, he would have time to focus on his car, his driving, etc. (NAPA commercials are just not the same any more without Dale Jr. in them.).

When Scott Riggs didn’t qualify for the Daytona 500 this year, you didn’t see him or his owner buy their way into the race. Scott took his “defeat” and soldiered on. And he has qualified for every race ever since, including winning the pole for the Coca Cola 600.

To be honest, I never knew who Michael Waltrip was until he won the Daytona 500 back in 2001. Of course, I didn’t follow NASCAR as much as I do now, but I knew enough to know I didn’t even know of him. Of course the only thing I remember about that Daytona 500 was the loss of Dale Sr.

I really hate it when the pit reporters interview him. Can’t they find someone more interesting and less annoying to interview say like Little Shrub or Unibrow? It seems as if he isn’t focused or serious about his performance this year. It’s like he doesn’t care because next year he will be racing with Toyota and Dale Jarrett will be his teammate. Just a reminder Mikey, if you want to be guaranteed a spot in the first 5 races of the 2007 season, you need to be in the top 35 in owner points.

Oh, well, I have probably somewhere upset Mikey fans, but you know what I don’t care. I thought what he did was wrong.

YEA KASEY!!!! YEA KASEY!!!!!!
ENGINE, ENGINE #9 GOIN’ CROSS THE FINISH LINE!!!!

NO HMS IN VICTORY LANE!!!! UNIBROW HAS TO SETTLE FOR 2ND!!! The woes of HMS!
1st out: Vickers

Of all the HMS drivers, I wanted to see Vickers have a decent night. He doesn’t “fit in” with the others at HMS.
2nd out: Busch

I am really tired of Kyle Busch. Why on earth did Kyle feel the need to throw his Hans device at Casey Mear’s car? Hello…Casey’s car got loose! He didn’t do it on purpose. Kyle is such a JERK!!!!
3rd out: Gordon

Oh my…Jeffy Poo crashed into the wall. Something broke on his car. Oh what a shame..shucky darn. Would you like some cheese with that whine???

I fought the wall and the wall won
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO…Tony! As they pulled Tony out of the car, he didn’t look too good. He was definately in some serious pain. I mean he is probably still sore from last night’s wreck and then now this. Your body can only take so much. I don’t care how much protection the drivers have around them, back to back crashes into a wall can a toll on one’s body. Tony was transported to a local hospital for observation. Tony has a fracture in his right scapula. Yikes!!!

Candyman Report
Once again, Elliott struggled all night long with his car. What’s up with that? I think Yates needs to look at the crew chief or perhaps others on the crew. How long can Elliott keep going like this? It has to be frustrating for Elliott. I am hoping things start looking up for Elliott. Elliott finished a dismal 30th.

Other Tidbits
Apparently Michael buying his way into the race didn’t work out for him tonight. Sometimes karma bites one in the butt. You finished 41st.

All in all I was happy with the results of the race. All 5 Roush cars were in the top ten. Postman hubby was happy with a 4th place finish for his driver Mark Martin.

Nice finish for Matt Kenseth. The weekend turned around nicely after the DNF in the Busch race.

Top Ten
1. Kasey Kahne
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Carl Edwards
4. Mark Martin
5. Matt Kenseth
6. Jeff Burton
7. Greg Biffle
8. Jamie McMurray
9. Denny Hamlin (R)
10. Reed Sorenson (R)

Congrats to Sam Hornish Jr–2006 Indy 500 Champ!

This is his first Indy 500 win in seven attempts. I thought the way it was looking early that Dan Wheldon, last year’s winner, was going to dominate. However, just because you dominate doesn’t mean you will be there at the end of the race. It’s not where you start, but where you end up. Hornish had a terrible pit stop where he was penalized after a fuel hose was still connected to his car. It looked like that pit stop and penalty was going to keep Hornish from winning the 500, however this wasn’t going to be the case.

Props toMarco Andretti, 19-year old rookie & son of Michael Andretti, almost won the Indy 500! Can you imagine? You have to feel bad for Michael though…the 500 has been so elusive for him.

I like to take this time to remember what Memorial Day is all about.

I would like to say “Thank You” to all the men and women who are serving today to protect my freedom. I would like to say “Thank You” for all of those men and women who have served before you. I would also like to say “Thank You” for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Without all these brave men and women I would not be able to have the freedoms I have today.

A special prayer to those who never made it home–you are still in our hearts!

A special thank you to my my father, Claude Crews (who served in the Air Force), my father-in-law CharlesPeterman Sr. (Army and ret. National Guard, Vietnam Vet), Uncle Chris Christy(ret. Air Force), Uncle Cecil Rupert (ret. Air Force), Uncle Goffrey “Junior ” Crews (ret. Air Force, Vietnam Vet), Uncle William McKenzie (who served in the Marines), my and my cousin Joe Cave (ret. Navy). Thank you for your service and dedication!

My prayers and thoughts are with the soldiers who are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. May you come home safely and soon.