Daytona 500

Hello NASCAR!!!

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For those of you who know me on a personal level, you know 2011 was a very tough year for me.  I lost my father in April 2011 and then I lost my mother to leukemia on Christmas Eve 2011.  She was diagnosed on December 19 and by Christmas Eve she had lost her battle with to this vicious monster.  She fought this monster with everything she had, but in the it just wouldn’t let go.  I miss both my parents every day.  I love you guys!  This was the one reason I lost sight of myself and The Park.  But I am back with some renewed sense of purpose and maybe, just maybe, getting back into The Park will help me with my healing.

Welcome back all you NASCAR fans!  The off-season is over and it is time to get to business. In case you missed it, we have two races down and one more to go.  I didn’t catch much of last night’s truck race, but I did get home in time to see the finish!  And man, let me tell you, business definitely picked up for the sheet metal fabricators.  It took three green-white-checkers to get our winner.  There was total truck carnage and our winner was John King.  Who?  I repeat John King.  It was his first start and win!  That’s right Mr. John King is a rookie.  That was some crazy stuff!

The Nationwide was sort of a repeat of last nights truck race.  I have to congratulate Danica Patrick on winning the pole for today’s race.  I know there are those out there who think Danica shouldn’t be in NASCAR for whatever reason.  That is their opinion and I respect that.  But for me, I am excited about watching her run with the boys.  I think those out there who do not think she belongs, give her a chance.  She is now in NASCAR full-time.  She will go through growing pains.  But I think she has the support and guidance needed to succeed in NASCAR.  I mean after all who wouldn’t want a 3-time champion mentoring you.

With that being, said, I once again missed most of the race.  I was spending time with my two fellas.  Sometimes my life as a mother takes over my life as a NASCAR fan.  Tony was going to try to win 5 Nationwide races in a row today.  He is that good.  I just wish that success on Saturday would play over into Sunday.  I know there is another Tony fan who shares my sentiment.  But just like the truck race, sheet metal didn’t stand a chance.  It was a crazy finish.  And another first time winner received the checkered flag.  Fellow Texas, James Buescher, who was sitting 11th before all the carnage, came across the start/finish line as the winner.

I am pumped about tomorrow.  This will be the 14th attempt the #14 will try to win the Daytona 500.  I told my co-workers yesterday that if Tony won the Daytona 500 I would probably have some kind of coronary.    He has looked during Speedweeks (both on and off the track).  I listened to the race on Thursday and his post race interviews.  He has that championship feel about him just like he did in the last ten races of 2011.  With that being said, Tony is going to have to fend off quite a field of competitors.  If Tony can’t win, I would love to see someone who hasn’t won this race.  I think we need to watch out for Kasey Kahne and most definitely Carl Edwards. Carl came thisclose to winning it all last year.  He wants that championship and believe you me it is one to watch.   But as we all know the Daytona 500 is unpredictable.  Just look back at last year’s race…who had Trevor Bayne in their Daytona 500 pool?  Certainly not me.

As I close out Saturday and look forward to tomorrow….I am leave you with my annual NASCAR disclaimer.

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 raced 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 Sunday or the occasional Saturday…it’s nothing personal…IT’S NASCAR!

Remembering Dale

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Today begins qualifying for the 2011 Daytona 500.  But as I wait for the qualifying session to begin, I am watching “The Day” on Speed TV.  It first aired on Friday, but I had Tivoed it because I was out celebrating Valentine’s Day with my mom and my fellas.  I was going to wait until Saturday to watch it because I was very tired, but I just could not wait.  I had heard this was going to be a powerful story about that day back in 2011.  I didn’t follow NASCAR back then as much as I do today.  I knew of NASCAR and I usually watched the Daytona 500 on occasion.  I remember watching Dale win his only Daytona 500.  I remembering just crying my eyes out at the respect everyone in the garage gave him that day on pit row.  I knew this story was going to be tough to watch. 

I cannot recall what I was doing that day.  Like I said, I didn’t follow the sport back then as I do today.  But I do remember watching my local news coverage about the death of Dale Earnhardt.  I immediately called Postman (at the time we had just started dating) to tell him.  I then spent the next few days trying to wrap my head around the whole thing.  I was looking for any kind of news coverage on the story.  I wanted to know everything I could.  Media coverage wasn’t like it is today–no Facebook, no Twitter, etc.  But as with anything, I continued on with my life.  It wasn’t until I went to Las Vegas for my honeymoon in June of 2001 did I realize how much fans were still paying tribute.  We stayed at the Sahara which happens to be the home of NASCAR Cafe.  Inside the gift shop adjacent to the restaurant was a #3 car on display.  Surrounding the car was cards, signs, flowers, etc. in tribute to Dale.  It was surreal.  I think it was at that moment I fell in love with NASCAR.

“The Day” was very powerful.  I found myself emotionally drawn to the story.  It was the first, I can recall, seeing Ken Schader discussing that day.  Even now you still see how much that day has affected him emotionally.  Everything about what we know about NASCAR changed that day.  The person I feel for most is Michael Waltrip.  Michael Waltrip up until that day had not won a race.  He started 462 races and never finished first.  Dale Earnhardt took a chance on him and hired him to drive #15 for DEI.  But what should have been the most important day of his racing career turned into one of his worse.  He should have been celebrating his victory but inside was grieving for loss of his owner and friend.  Michael Waltrip has put his story about that day into the book, “In the Blink of an Eye” which was just released. 

As many of you know I am not a Dale Jr. fan.  But as someone who follows the sport I feel I can be objective when it comes to this post.  I would not want to walk in Dale Jr.’s footsteps.  NASCAR may have lost one of the best drivers of all time, but bottom line Dale Jr. lost his father.  I can’t even begin to understand what it is like to lose a parent.  But Dale lost his father with the nation watching.  He has been dealing with the loss since then.   Do I think it has affected his success in NASCAR?  I can’t answer that.  I am sure in his quiet moments he ponders this question.  When he made the decision to leave DEI, the company his father created, it probably was one of the hardest decisions of his life. 

On Friday, February 18, it will mark 1o years since Dale Earnhardt’s death.  It will be marked on Sunday with a silent lap on Lap 3 of the race.  A #3 will also be painted in the grass at Daytona the night before the race.  All of these things will be to honor not only the racer, but the man known as the “The Indimidator”. 

Note from qualifying…it looks like a HMS front row for the Daytona 500.  How appropriate that Dale’s son and friend & race rival Jeff Gordon, will be leading the pack as the green flag flies on Sunday.

Daytona

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I have to say, I was most definitely surprised how Daytona unfolded.  I didn’t get to watch much of the race due to the fact I was spending some quality time with some wonderful friends and family in New Mexico.  However, I was able to listen in on Channel 128 on my Sirius radio throughout the day. 

As the day started I had high hopes for Tony.  Afater all he came thisclose to winning his dual race and won his third Nationwide race in a row on Saturday.  Tony has won pretty much everything you can at Daytona except for the elusive 500.  But it just wasn’t meant to be this year.  Tony had a rough go of it on Sunday.  I wish had been able to see what had happened to his car and why he ended up 22nd after starting in 6th.  It was also a rough night for the other Stewart Haas Racing team as well.  Ryan Newman finished 34th.  But I have to remember this is race #1.  There’s quite a bit of racing before the Chase begins. 

I was so excited about Jamie McMurray winning his first Daytona 500.  He was essentially let go last season from the #26 over at Roush Racing.  This was due to the fact Roush needed to get to the four race team limit and well Jamie was at the short end of the stick.  Jamie ended up back with his former team at Ganassi-Earhardt to drive the #1.  Was Jamie’s win a surprsie to everyone?  To me no.  The #1 has always run good at restrictor plate races.  Let’s just say it was a pleasant surprise.

Since I didn’t get to post on Monday because I was on the road and didn’t have my computer, I am going to hit the highlights of Speed Weeks.

1. Danica Patrick–she did a pretty good job in both the ARCA and Nationwide races.  She is still learning the ropes with this type of car.  I like the fact that she didn’t come in and say “Here I am” .  I am going to go out in win “x” number of races and compete for the title.  Nope…she understands how hard the car is to drive and she repsects the drivers who are already in the sport.  She is asking questions and taking advice from her crew chief, owner, and fellow drivers.  I can see myself becoming a fan of hers.  What I hope doesn’t happen is that because the media is pulling an all out blitz covering her, that it turns off fans.  I think that is part of the reason I am not a fan of Junior.

2.  Pothole–I hated the fact the 500 was delayed for something such as a pothole, but these things happen.  If you live anywhere where their is cold wet weather, you know what I am talking about.  Crack in the driving surface, it rains, water gets in the crack, temperatures drop below 32 degrees, water freezes, makes crack bigger, 43 cars driving over it at high rates of speed, the track is bound to say enough.  I do applaud NASCAR for trying to get the race in on Sunday.  They were doing everything they could to fix the pothole and get back to racing.  The cool thing about the delay for me was I was able to get back from White Sands, NM in time to see the finish of the 500. 

3.  Green White Checker–I was a little skeptical when NASCAR announced the new rule change.  At first I was thinking WTF, but once I sat down and got off the ledge, I began to understand why they did what they.  I am glad they set a limit on the number of greeh white checkers that can occur.  I think 3 is just right.  I hate having races finish under the yellow flag.  In my opinion, let the boys race for win.

4.  Have at boys–I am loving the fact that NASCAR is allowing the drivers to take care of business on the track.  In my opinion NASCAR was getting too anal about things.  Let these boys race.  If a driver is continously beatin’ and bangin’ and wrecking other drivers, the drivers will take care of it.  Trust me just ask JPM when he tangled with Smoke.

5.  Baby Boom-Congratuatlations to Elliot Sadler and his wife on the birth of their son Wyatt.  I haven’t seen anything on Carl’s little girl arrival yet, but I am sure it will be any day now.

6.  Matt Kenseth–Matt’s crew was fired yesterday.  I found this rather odd.  I would have thought if you were having doubts about the crew chief you would have taken care of that in the off season.  But I am not Jack Roush and I am not championship NASCAR driver.  So I don’t even want to begin to speculate why this was done after the first race of the season.  Talk about a complete 360 though.  This time last Matt and his crew chief were celebrating their first Daytona 500 win.  Sometimes NASCAR can be a humbling sport.  All I know Jack isn’t afraid to fire or make changes, just ask Kurt Busch.

And finally….today, 9 years ago, the sport of NASCAR lost its beacon–Dale Earnhardt Sr.  I still miss seeing the #3 out there on the track.  I did, however, see a little bit of Earnhardt Sr., in the move the his son made in the last laps of the 500 on Sunday.  I am not a fan of Junior, but I have to give him his kudos for that hell of move he made to get to the front of the pack.  We still miss The Intimidator.  Rest in Peace #3.

Three Weeks

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Three weeks from today is the 2010 Daytona 500 and the start of the 2010 NASCAR season. I have to say I am pumped about this year. I have a decision or “resolution” (I don’t belive in them and I don’t make them) to pay more attention to The Park. So far I have been doing a better job than the last several months. I changed the theme of things for now. I am still tweaking things, but I need to take care of the home front for now.

Back to NASCAR….I see that Denny Hamlin will be racing this year with a torn ACL. Man…that’s going to be tough on the knee throughout the season. I have had a knee injury before, granted it wasn’t a torn ACL, but it was very, very difficult to drive a standard with a bum knee. But Denny will have surgery at the end of the 2010 season.

The Daytona 500 may still be three weeks away, but there is racing in the next few weeks. The Rolex 24 at Daytona is next weekend. For me, it means the NASCAR season is just around the corner. I have to say I like watching this event. I don’t know a lot of the non-NASCAR drivers, but its definitely fun to watch. Then next up…is the Bud Shootout on February 6. That’s when the boys getting to hit the track for racing since Homestead. Normally qualifying for the front row for the 500 is on the Sunday following the Shootout, but due to the Super Bowl being held that day, front row qualifying will be held on Saturday–the same day as the Shootout. Then on Thursday, February 11…it’s on! The Gatorade Duels where the rest of the field for the 500 is set.

How sweet that the Daytona 500 will be held on Valentine’s Day. But like last year I will be away from the television set and won’t be able to see the Daytona, but I will have my Sirius radio tuned into Channel 128—NASCAR radio. Why? I will be in Ruidoso, New Mexico spending time with my family and my wonderful friends. They understand to some extent my passion for NASCAR and how tough this is for me. But I know what’s important in life and NASCAR will just have to take a back seat for a weekend.

Final note…congratulations to the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints. It’s going to be an interesting Super Bowl this year. I do want to thank the Saints for beating the Vikings and that old guy. As a Cowboys fan, I was a little pissed off at the Vikings for that final touchdown last week. Guess the Vikings will be watching the Super Bowl just like me…at home with friends and family. Maybe now that old guy will FINALLY retire (but I ain’t holdin’ my breath). I will be rooting for the Indianapolis Colts. I am pumped. I just wished it had been the Colts and the Cowboys, but at least one of my teams is in the Super Bowl.

Daytona…short and sweet

/ Trixie / 1 Comment

Sorry for the short post for now. I was a little jaunt to Ruidoso, NM this past weekend. It was definitely relaxing. Did a little sand surfing, snow tubing and hot tubbing. Mix in a little hissy fit…from Little Smoke, and not Junior, it was a great getaway.

Congratulations to Matt Kenseth for winning this year’s Daytona 500 even though it was shortened because of rain. I was able to listen to quite a bit of the race on Sirius. It wasn’t the same as watching it from the recliner, but I was able to get my Daytona fix.

I saw the little “hi, how are you?” between Vickers and Earnhardt. Enough already people! It was a racing deal in my personal opinion. They were BOTH trying to get their lap back. I have quite a bit to say about the matter (I have seen the clips on ESPN), but I want to see things for myself. I tivoed the race. I may post later on in the week once I recover from my little mini vacation.

I have to give kudos to Tony for finishing 8th yesterday in a back up car. Ryan Newman didn’t fair as well…he finished 36th. I bet Newman is just glad to get out of Daytona. And a WOO HOO to Tony for his win on Saturday!!!!

On to California boys!

Friday Night

/ Trixie / 1 Comment

Wow…was that some racing yesterday!!!  I didn’t get to watch yet, but Postman told me it was great racing.  I can’t wait for Sunday! 

Back on December 5, 2008 I posted about some new items recently purchased and won. I also posted about how I had a dilemma I needed to figure out. Funny how that all comes full circle today. Here is part of that post that specifically addresses the moral dilemma I had…

With reference to the 500, I have a bit of a moral dilemma…what would you do? Postman, Little Smoke and myself have been invited to spend a fun filled weekend with some great friends of ours in Ruidoso, NM. Guess which weekend? That’s right folks…Daytona 500 weekend. It didn’t occur to me until this morning. Now, that is the biggest race weekend for all of NASCAR fans. It’s our Super Bowl. What would you do? Would you…

1.  Honor your commitment and have a fun filled weekend without watching the race.
2.  Honor your commitment and make sure you plan events around the race so you can return to hotel to watch race.
3.  Honor your commitment and make sure you can be in your car traveling at the time of the race so you can listen to it on Sirius radio
4.  Honor your commitment, set the TIVO, and make sure no one lets you see and/or read about the race until you get home on Monday, Feb. 16 to watch the race.
5.  Convince Postman to buy Trixie (who he has so lovingly devoted his life to) a portable Sirius radio so that she can listen to the race while enjoying the weekend.
6.  Send Postman and Little Smoke and enjoy a quiet weekend with just you, Tony and the rest of the NASCAR boys.
 

So…the time is near..and I made a decision. I am going with #4. I know it’s a shock, but sometimes you have to make that sacrifice for your family and friends. I will for the first time Tivo the Daytona 500. I will probably want to know how the race turned out, but I am OK with that. At least I will be able to fast forward through all those boring commercials. I will stop for the ones that look funny or have Tony in them. I did Tivo the duels yesterday and will probably watch them after the Truck race. I love watching Truck series I think even more than the Nationwide series.

OH…..I got 2 packages from UPS today!!! Why am I so excited you ask? Because they include two new Tony shirts and one fabulous #14 sticker for the my vehicle. Delivered just in time for Sunday! And that my friends is what brown can do for you!!!

I don’t know if I will be able to get to a computer until Monday night so have a great weekend, watch a lot of racing, and GO TONY!!!!

Pole Day

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pole665Looks like it is was the Martin and Martin show today at Daytona.  Congrats to Martin Truex Jr for out qualifying the rest of field today to capture the pole for the 2009 Daytona 500.  And not to be outdone, Mr. Mark Martin.  It looked like that Martin had the pole until the other Martin came along.  If today was any indication of how Mark is going to run this year…I think we all better watch out.  Tony will start 6th in this dual race on Thursday.  I won’t get to watch the duals this year, but Postman will be home and I am sure he will keep me up to date on things.