Thank God for Nationwide

After the Martinsville race was delayed to Monday, Easter weekend seemed like the second consecutive off weekend for Sprint Cup competition.  And two non-NASCAR Sundays in a row, just don't cut it this early in the season.

But, luckily, as is becoming frequently the case, the Nationwide Series saved the day. And so far this year, the boys in Nationwide are providing the best show in NASCAR. 

Every NNS race is exciting.  There's more than one feud to keep things dramatic. And the rivals du jour (Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski) are leading the points standings - with only a mere 16 ticks between them.

Talk about good television.

Saturday Jason Leffler got parked for reckless driving.  Mired in the back, Brad Keselowski sliced through the field - passing five cars in one swoop.  And Kevin Harvick took only two tires during a late-race caution to hold off a hard-charging Reed Sorenson and claim the guitar trophy for his own safekeeping.

Not bad for a Saturday afternoon in Nashville.  I just wish the Cup races were this exciting ...

More Than Just Sound And Speed

If you're in Nashville for Sound and Speed this weekend, there's more to do than meet your favorite drivers and listen to Hank Williams Jr.

Nashville is one of my favorite towns. And if you really want to appreciate all that Music City has to offer, be sure to check out at least a couple of these itinerary suggestions.

The Travis Mann Band - these guys rock the Full Moon Saloon on Broadway every Friday and Saturday night. The bar itself is bare bones and nothin' fancy, but the music is hot. Think rockabilly swing meets Montgomery Gentry. And the boys in the band can throw it down live. I stumbled into the Full Moon one weekend a couple years ago - and stayed until the show was done. Definitely worth your time.

Shawn Camp at The Station Inn - if unplugged roots music is more your style, then head on over to The Station Inn - a spot frequented by the likes of Dierks Bentley and a heap of other country stars. Saturday night's show features Shawn Camp - one heckuva songwriter who's penned lyrics for headliners like Brooks & Dunn and Garth Brooks, and played with everyone from John Prine to Alan Jackson. Camp's show begins at 9 p.m. on Saturday.

RCA Studio B - Elvis Presley's 75th birthday is Friday. And what better way to pay homage to the King of Rock 'n' Roll than by signing up for the RCA Studio B tour at the Country Music Hall of Fame? A bus will take you out near music row (away from the Hall) and you'll get an intimate look at Elvis' favorite place to record. "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" was recorded here - and it looks like the decor hasn't changed since Elvis was alive. If you heart Elvis - don't miss it.

Homes of the Stars - if you're a country music fan (and if you aren't, you darn sure should be) there are plenty of opportunities to see the way your favorite stars live. One of my favorite tours (and the one most convenient to The Ryman Auditorium) is put on by the good folks at the infamous Tootsie's Orchid Lounge on Broadway. If you've got the time, it's loads of fun.

You Can't Call Busch a Guitar Hero

Kyle Busch put on a show in Nashville Saturday night. He was on the pole. Led almost every lap. And was never really challenged for the lead.

But the fireworks didn't begin until after the race. That's when he literally set the track ablaze in a race-winning burnout and smashed the Gibson Guitar trophy in Victory Lane. Yup. Smashed it. With all the grace of a coked-up death-metal front man, Busch hoisted the custom-designed award over his head and broke it to pieces on the concrete.

This is why no matter how talented he is (and he's remarkably talented, no doubt) most race fans don't cotton to him. He doesn't race with respect. He won't hang around when he has a bad night and answer a simple media question. He leaves his teammate to take the heat for his own bad finish. And when things do go his way, he puts on a display worthy of a three-year-old chimp.

If Kyle ever grows up, fans may come around. But after this business in Nashville, he'll be nobody's hero for a while.