I’m Still Here

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Yes, that’s right I am still here…but just barely.  I have been going through some real bad emotional stuff lately.  I just haven’t had the desire to visit The Park.  I am holding on as tight as I can, but I don’t know if it’s going to be enough.  

A few weeks ago I had one of the highest highs and now three weeks later I am at the bottom of well, bottom.  Postman and I have made the toughest decision of our lives.  We have decided to leave Baby Smoke with his paternal grandmother for now.  There are a lot of complicated issues at the heart of the matter, but right now, Postman and I have to do what’s best for our little family.  This doesn’t mean we cannot revisit having Baby Smoke as a part of our family, but as of right now it’s not the right time.

For those of you who have known me for quite some time, I want to thank you for all the support and friendship over the past few weeks.  You have all been a God send.  I am going to try and focus on what I do have going on in my life…Postman, Little Smoke, and my friends.

I am hoping to get back to some NASCAR postings over the next weeks since Daytona is just several weeks away.  Perhaps jumping into all my NASCAR passions, it won’t hurt so much.

Bad

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I am still here, barely walking through the world that is my life right now. I just don’t know how much strength I have right now. The question begs, “How long can you hit your head against a brick wall before it starts to hurt?”

The only saving grace in all of this right now…Postman and Little Smoke.knockout-clipart1

2009

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Well another year is in the books.  2008 was definitely an interesting year for me.  Postman and I adopted a little boy in November.  And we received a little bit of other good news, Little Smoke will be getting a little brother shortly (hopefully he will be coming home tomorrow).  So let’s just say our 2009 is starting off to a good one.

I don’t necessarily make resolutions, but I try to improve upon things that I didn’t do during the previous year.  Everyone tries to say they will eat less, exercise more, stop smoking, drinking, etc, but that’s just not me.

1.  I promise not to be so NASCAR around my family, friends and co-workers because I know how much you just love NASCAR.

2.  I am going to try to post more here in the Park.  Sometimes it can be difficult with everything going in my life right now, but I really like writing.  My friend Ms. H blogged every single day in 2008.  I give all the props to her because I know how crazy her life can be at times.  I don’t have the strength just yet to try it.

3.  I am going to try and be a little more patient with friends, family, and definitely my coworkers.  I said I would try with the coworkers.  Sometims when you work with the people I do in the environment I do, it can be quite a difficult task to accomplishment.

4.  When I tivo television shows, I will try to watch them as soon as I can instead of waiting weeks to watch them.  I am sure I am not the only who does this from time to time.

I guess that is about it for my “resolutions”.  I wouldn’t put much stock in my first resolution.  I mean, come on now, did you really think I could be less NASCAR?

Have a great New Year’s Day.new-year-image

2009 Bud Shootout

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Can I just say, I am not so thrilled about watching the 2009 Bud Shootout.  I know I probably will just because it means the beginning of the 2009 NASCAR season as well as signifying that the Daytona 500 is just around the corner.  However, I was not happy with the changes that were made with the Shootout.  I like the old way the lineup was determined.  If you are not goingt to reward those drivers who earned a pole, then why have the award.  Of course, in a sense they are rewarded by starting in the first position during a race weekend, but too me I just don’t agree with it.

The Shootout will consist of the top 6 drivers in owner’s points from each of the 4 manufacturers.  Gone now are those drivers who won a pole the previous year as well as past Shootout winners who didn’t earn a pole but finished among the top 50 in the season’s final championship standings.  The new rules will leave out a few notables, including Ryan Newman, Clint Bowyer, and even Tony Stewart.  And there may be a possibility of a few others depending on the Petty Enterprises ~ GEM possible merger. There are also a few other changes to the Shootout…they race will now be 75 laps instead of 70 laps.  There will also be also be a 10 minute intermission after 25 laps so drivers can change tires, fuel, etc.  I know they are trying to make the event more exciting by have basically a 50 lap shootout, but I just want racing.   But I guess that’s why I sit at home and watch on television.

I understand this change was probably due more to a sponsor driven effort than anything.  I mean heave forbid Coors Light and Budweiser work together to give us fans something worth watching.  I am not saying it won’t be worth watching, but it is going to be hard for me to watch a race where Tony is not racing.  With that being said, here is your 2009 Bud Shootout lineup.

Chevrolet

  • #48 Jimmie Johnson
  • #29 Kevin Harvick
  • #07 Casey Mears (Clint will be in the #33 for 2009)
  • #31 Jeff Burton
  • #24 Jeff Gordon
  • #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dodge

  • #9 Kasey Kahne
  • #12 David Stremme (Ryan is now with SHR for 2009)
  • #43 (TBA)
  • #19 Elliott Sadler
  • #10 Reed Sorenson

Ford

  • #99 Carl Edwards
  • #16 Greg Biffle
  • #17 Matt Kenseth
  • #6 David Ragan
  • #26 Jamie McMurray
  • #28 Travis Kvapil

Toyota

  • #11 Denny Hamlin
  • #20 Joey Logano (Tony is now with SHR for 2009)
  • #18 Kyle Busch
  • #83 Brian Vickers
  • #00 David Reutiman (reminder he drove the #44 in 2008)

2008 Trixies

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trixie-trophy2It’s that time of the year here in The Park.  It has been a long year for all the drivers, crew, and to be honest us fans.  Just like last year, this year was very competitive and there has been much debate for several of the awards. I tried to get a comedian and some entertainment, but just like everyone else the economy has hit The Park and well you guys are on your own for the entertainment portion of the show.  So get out those fire up the grills and get those adult beverages of choice on ice so you can sit back in your lawn chair and enjoy this year’s Trixies.

  1. ” Feels Like The First Time”–Ryan Newman–Congratulations to Mr. Newman and Roger Penske for capturing their 1st Daytona 500.
  2. “What Happens In Vegas, Stays In Vegas”–Carl Edwards–I guess he should have checked that oil reservoir cover before he won the race.
  3. “Rupunzel, Rupunzel, Let Down Your Hair”–Tony Stewart–the reason why Tony let his grow long is still a mystery and for showing some “courage” to have his back waxed to raise money, this was not a good year for Tony’s hair
  4. “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”–Michael McDowell–If you didn’t see this crash during qualifying at Texas, then you must have living in some cave out in the middle of nowhere with no television, radio, satellite, or internet.  I am still cringe every time I see the crash and even more amazed he walked away.
  5. “Would You Like Some Cheese With That Whine”–Denny Hamlin–There were others who were deserving of this award, but Denny whined his way to this award.  Denny voiced his concern about Brad K. driving him hard during a Nationwide race.  
  6. “A Long Way To Go & A Short Time To Get There”–Kyle Busch–Kyle’s attempt for the trifecta by racing in three races in three different locations in one weekend.  He wasn’t very successful, but only Kyle would be that crazy to attempt this feat. 
  7. “Hold All Your Cards, We Have a BINGO”–Dale Earnhardt Jr.–finally he won a race after, what, two years?  It was getting old week after week hearing how many races he had gone without a win.
  8. “Everything That Bounces Off Me, Ends Up…Well Out Of The Race”–Elliot Sadler–I swear every time you turned around Elliott was spinning or crashing into Tony.  I know 20 comes after 19, but it was getting to where I cringed every time I saw 19 near 20.
  9. “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”–Tony Stewart–Tony’s announcement to leave JGR after 10 years to form SHR with driver Ryan Newman.  Sometimes the breakup is hardest on the ones we love
  10. “Karma’s a Bitch Baby”–Dale Earnhardt Jr. & Carl Edwards–I couldn’t just give this award to one driver.  Both Dale and Carl got their just desserts with Kyle B. and his “tactical” driving skills
  11. “If You Ain’t Cheatin’ You Ain’t Tryin”–JGR Nationwide Teams–Magnets were found under the gas pedal in the cars for the Nationwide Series.  This was the first year Chad Knaus was not given the award.  I guess some times a blind squirrel finds a nut.
  12. “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”-Kevin Harvick/Carl Edwards–I swear you would have thought this incident was something that happens between classes in your local junior high.  I mean, leaving a wimpy note for Kevin on the plane and then scuffling in front of everyone in the garage.  I have seen more action watching paint dry.
  13. “Are My Ears Bleeding Yet?”–Rusty Wallace–I wasn’t sure if I wanted to give out this award, but damn enough already.  I know Rusty may be knowledgeable about NASCAR, but on-air personality he ain’t..well in this race fan’s opinion.
  14. “And When We Get Behind Closed Doors”–NASCAR–Officials were tired of drivers voicing their concerns about the COT and basically told the drivers to shut up and drive.  Whatever dudes…
  15. “Here a Tire, There a Tire, Everywhere a Tire”–Goodyear Tire Company–The Brickyard disaster.  You have tons of engineers/designers at your disposal you couldn’t come up with a better tire for one of the biggest races of the year.  It was one of the worst races all year.  Thanks a lot Goodyear—not!
  16. “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head”–Mother Nature–I can’t believe how many rain delays we had this year, what was it 9…10…I guess Mother Nature is a Jimmie Johnson fan.
  17. “Thanks for the Memories”–Dale Jarrett-thanks for all the wonderful memories you brought to all of us NASCAR fans.

That’s quite a list of award winners this year.  There were a lot of close races in each category, but I felt this were the most deserving this year.  Sorry for the delay, but with dealing all the downsizing, lack of money, and overall sponsorship I have had to do all of thi

s all on my own.  But now for the moment you have been waiting for…who is the winner of the 2008 Trixie?  This was a long arduous process with several nights full of tears, shouting matches, hair pulling..wait who am I kidding..there was only one person who deserved this award…drum roll please…

2008 TRIXIE AWARD WINNER

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That’s right, Tony Stewart.  Some of you may think I am a little biased when it comes to the winner and I would have to say, “yes I am”, but looking back over 2008, he has been all over the place.  From his criticism of Goodyear, his efforts for Victory Junction with Prelude to a Dream, to forming Stewart Haas Racing, he seemed to be everywhere this year.  He joins previous winners Dale Junior (2007) and Robby Gordon (2006) in this elite group.  Of course I would have preferred the award of 2008 Sprint Cup Champion, but don’t fret Smoke fans, Tony will be back in 2009 and better than ever.

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 McQueen, Hudson, & Mater.  All decisions are final and the results were not known by the winners until today.