Five Things to Look Forward to in 2011

Kasey Kahne dons the Red Bull Racing firesuit
at the Fall Talladega race.

Good news: NASCAR fans are on the tail end of the off-season slump.

Pre-season thunder is a mere week away.  And the Daytona 500? Just one month to go.

We're on the verge of a NASCAR  tabula rasa. There are second chances for drivers who need redemption. And endless possibilities for the new kids on track who have something to prove.

There's no telling just what will play out this season, but there are five things I can't wait to see:

Team Earntarte: By all accounts, December testing at Daytona went well for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and new crew chief Steve Letarte.  Letarte has already brought some much-needed positive vibes to his new team - and Junior Nation is feeling it. Letarte could well be the golden ticket that gets Junior back to Victory Lane.

The Boys at Red Bull:  Brian Vickers will be back behind the wheel at Daytona and fans couldn't be happier.  Though it's a hackneyed cliche, Vickers has a new lease on life after his medical leave of absence.  And, to make things even more interesting, he'll be working with new Red Bull teammate Kasey Kahne.  Look for them both to exceed expectations this year.

Edwards vs. Keselowski Part Deux: Edwards ended 2010 with a whole lotta momentum.  And, if he keeps it up, he could be a serious threat to Jimmie Johnson's title dynasty.  And now that neither Carl Edwards nor Brad Keselowski can battle it out for the Nationwide Series crown, look for these rivals to settle their unfinished business on the Cup side.

Chaser McMurray: Although it doesn't affect my life  in any way whatsoever, I'm still dismayed that Jamie McMurray didn't make the 2010 Chase for the Sprint Cup after sweeping the Daytona 500, the Brickyard 400 and Charlotte's Bank of America 500.  In the words of my cousin (also named Jamie), "That ain't right."  Given Jamie Mac's stellar year, I have no doubt he'll be in the top 12 post Homestead.

Waltrip Getting the Nod: In 2010, Darrell Waltrip was left out of the NASCAR Hall of Fame class for the second year in a row.  But I seriously doubt he'll get the cold shoulder again.  Waltrip rejoice - you'll get your moment in 2011.

Kyle Petty Talks Bikes, Childress and the Chase

Kyle Petty is known as a guy who gives it to you straight.  Fans love hearing his no-bull approach to racing analysis.  And they also admire all he does for charity when the cameras are off.

Right now, Petty is getting revved up for the eighth annual Ride to Victory - a charity bike ride that will benefit Victory Junction, the camp for kids with chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses that Petty and his wife Pattie founded.

We caught up with Petty earlier today and asked him about this year's ride, the Childress penalty and other things NASCAR.  Here's what he had to say:

Describe what the Ride to Victory is like for folks who may be thinking about joining you.

"It's like one day on the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. The riders show up and everything is handled from the moment they arrive at zMAX Dragway. All they have to do is get on the bike and ride.

We have one fuel stop at Pilot Flying J, 'the Official Travel Center of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride' with our amazing Charity Ride Fuel Team working the pumps. A typical day on the Ride Across America involved three to four pit stops. First-time riders are always amazed that hundreds of bikes can be fueled so quickly.

We're parading around Victory Junction and heading to my farm. This year we're adding something totally new to the mix - a Songwriters' Jam at my place. My good friend Mark Collie is joining us, along with Rafe Van Hoy and my son-in-law's father Billy Montana. These guys are amazing singers and songwriters and they've written for some of the biggest names in country music. Writers' rounds are really popular in Nashville - on any given night you can find one on Broadway. We've had a few of these songwriters' nights before and they've been a huge hit. This is something we're hoping to introduce to our area."

Can you give us a preview of your set list for the post-ride concert?

"You will recognize the songs from Billy, Rafe and Mark. Songs they've done and songs they've written for other artists you hear on the radio. My songs are all original and are only heard when I play a writers' night such as this or when I play for my friends."

Would you rather be at the race track on a Sunday or on your bike?

"At this point in life - it's a toss up."

The networks who broadcast NASCAR each year can take a beating when it comes to fans' criticism of their race coverage. Do you think NASCAR needs its own TV network? Would having an all-NASCAR, all-the-time channel boost fan interest or make it even harder to attract new fans?

"I don't think a NASCAR network would mean less criticism from the fans and I don't think it would attract new fans. The fans of the sport have access to NASCAR 24/7 365 days a year through the major networks, radio and other media outlets. Social networking and Twitter have a lot to do with this. Fans can ask a driver a question or make a comment and receive an answer from the driver himself, not through a PR rep or media statement. There's as much information for the fan today as there is misinformation for fans. So some of the criticism the sport and networks receive is not always justified."

Who's your dark horse for the championship?

"The 24 - Jeff Gordon"

What are the odds that NASCAR will eventually reduce the penalty against Richard Childress Racing and the No. 33 team? Should Childress just accept the defeat and move on?

"Slim to none. Childress shouldn't accept the penalty, but at the same time he has to move on."

If you were stranded on a desert island, who would you rather be with - Kenny Wallace or Darrell Waltrip?

" 'Kenny Waltrip'. He could talk up a storm that would blow us back to the mainland."

This year's Ride to Victory will take place on Sunday, Oct. 17.  For more information or to pre-register, visit http://www.kylepettycharityride.com/ or call (704) 714-4545.

NASCAR Hall of Fame - Its Timing Is Perfect

Maybe it's a byproduct of aging.  It likely is.  But I'm discovering that the older I become, the more I'm interested in the past of things.  In fact, being surrounded by the nostalgic, even the historic, gives me a certain level of comfort.  I'm a little obsessed with family history and genealogy.  I have 1970s outlaw country on my iPod. I've recently discovered "heirloom" gardening.

And from what I've read, I'm not alone.  Trendwatchers are reporting that the current instability in American culture and economics has led many folks my age - and even younger - to return to the comforts of the past.  That's why traditional patterns and textiles are seeing a resurgence in the marketplace.  Quilting is cool.  So is heritage cooking and roots music.

Car makers have likewise divined this widespread yearning for bygone days - Ford's Mustang actually looks like a Mustang for the first time in years.  And the Chevrolet Camaro has an updated look that's pointedly familiar.

And all of this confirms my belief that today's opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame couldn't have come at a more perfect time.

Fans need this.  NASCAR needs this.

So many of NASCAR's living legends are rapidly aging before our eyes.  The Richard Pettys.  The Junior Johnsons. The David Pearsons.  Even Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Hammond don't look as youthful as they did just a few short years ago.

It's so important that NASCAR honor the people who made the sport great while some of them are still here to honor. And giving fans a place to see the sport's history in person, will do more to educate young fans about its simple beginnings than any book, movie or magazine article ever could.

I remember how I felt when I visited the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville a few years ago.  There in a glass case was Buck Owens' red, white and blue guitar.  The one he strummed every weekend on Hee Haw.  A relic of my childhood Saturday nights.

Here was Elvis' "Solid Gold" Cadillac.  And a very hazy memory surfaced of the day Elvis died. I'm sitting in the back of my parents' 1977 Pontiac Catalina. A newscaster drones on the radio.

I expect the day I vist the NASCAR Hall of Fame will conjure similar imagery.

While children my nephew's age will thrill to the sight of Jimmie Johnson's four championship trophies, I'll be searching out those artifacts from further back.  The checkered flag from the 1998 Daytona 500. The infamous Hudson Hornet.  Junior Johnson's re-assembled whiskey still.

And then I'll remember my Uncle J's ribald tales about the Daytona infield circa 1979.  My Uncle E's stories of running stock cars in South Florida in the 1960s.  My own remembrances of the 2000 All-Star race in Charlotte - the first NASCAR event I ever attended.

And I won't be alone.  No matter what their age, ethnicity or driver affiliation, the fans who visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame share a common history.  It's an all-American tale whose every chapter isn't perfect.  Whose heroes hail from farms, back roads and garages.  Whose fans have memories who are all different, but somehow the same.

After all, it's our story.  It's our sport.  It's our NASCAR.

So welcome to the world, NASCAR Hall of Fame.  We're mighty glad to see you.

Photo info: Tour of Glory Road at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Signs You're Too Obsessed With NASCAR

Last week as I was driving to work, I crested a small suburban overpass only to discover debris on the highway. Large pieces of wallboard, recently fallen from a nearby truck, hit the hood of my car and then created a vortex of suction which forced me to pull over and rid my car of the offending material.

First, let me state for the record that I drive a standard foreign import. I do not drive, and have never driven, a stock car.

Second, my mechanical abilities end with checking the oil and changing a tire. Yet regardless of this reality, the first thought that entered my mind when hitting the said wallboard was, "I hope that didn't just damage the splitter".

Seriously.

It took me a moment to fully understand what had just happened within the synapses of my brain. 

Namely this: no longer do I exist in the mundane world of the non-NASCAR fanatic.  A world where cars are just tools for commuting. Where points mean extra credit with the boss.  Where weekends are spent doing yard work and visiting places like museums and the cinema.

I've offically become a NASCAR obsessive - and this incident was just one of the signs.  If I had paid more attention, I would have seen this coming a long while ago. 

So, as this fanatic sets her DVR to record the NASCAR Hall of Fame specials tomorrow, I give you the top 10 warning signs that you may be overly obsessed with NASCAR:

10.  You don't have any vacation days left at Christmas because you've spent all your time off at the race track.

9. You sneak out of church early so you don't miss the green flag on Sunday morning.

8. Your pets have names like Daytona, Junebug and Rowdy.

7.  Sometimes, while looking in your rearview mirror, your first thought is, "uh-oh, they're three-wide behind me".

6. You sing the NAPA Know How song in the shower.

5. You won't pay to see a first-run movie, but you've invested in TrackPass, Sprint FanView and a scanner.

4.  You can't remember your best friend's birthday or your parents' anniversary - but you can recite the years Dale Earnhardt won each of his seven championships without a moment's hesitation.

3.  You can beat the pants off all comers in a round of NASCAR math.

2. Somehow, buying an RV seems like a better investment than paying for college tuition.

1. You can actually understand what Darrell Waltrip is saying.

From Bridesmaids to Babycakes - the Darlington Rundown

Even with a bum knee Denny Hamlin whipped "the track too tough to tame". 

Twice. 

In the same weekend.

But more went on at Darlington than Hamlin's coup de maitre.  Much more.  Below are my takeaways from the weekend that was.  Oh, and note to NASCAR - give Darlington a second date already!

If the crew chief ain't happy, ain't nobody happy: When crew chief Chad Knaus is testy early on, you know things aren't peachy in the Lowe's garage.  At one point, Knaus told his driver just to wreck the car if he hit anything else so they could call it a night.  I bet Knaus will be more careful what he wishes for in the future. It wasn't long after this directive that Jimmie Johnson's night effectively ended when he slammed into the wall courtesy of A.J. Allmendinger.  It's team Johnson's third DNF of the season.  Looks like the shine may be coming off that golden horseshoe.

Truex channels Mikey:  For a moment on Saturday, I thought the No. 56 NAPA Toyota was once again being piloted by the hapless Michael Waltrip.  After all, Martin Truex Jr. doesn't usually hit everything and everyone in his path .  But Darlington's a different animal altogether, and ol' Truex had some trouble keeping his nose clean Sunday night.  Where's that NAPA know-how when you need it?

So close, yet so far: Jeff Gordon has had the car to beat more than once this season, but he just can't end on a winning note.  This time it was bad timing on a pit stop that lost Gordon track position.  Last week it was poor restarts.  So far, Gordon has finished second twice. I just hope for Jeff's sake there's no truth to that old adage - "three times a bridesmaid, never a bride". 

Worst to first: Kyle Busch isn't the first driver to come from last place to p1 during a race. And though he didn't keep the top spot, Busch battled through a cut tire, a hole in the nose and the unforgiving Darlington gauntlet to run up front after starting in the way back. Kudos to Kyle for making the most of an unsavory situation.

Talk of the track: Before the race started, I found it pretty darn amusing that Tony Stewart's spotter called him "babycakes" via the team radio.  (I'd like to see a member of the print media try that one). However it was Dale Earnhardt Jr's scanner that provided the most entertaining chatter of the night.  At one point, Junior regaled all listeners with an explanation of how his visor tearoff somehow got wrapped around his steering wheel, making his glove adhere to the wheel. Then there was the comedic give-and-take between Junior and crew chief Lance McGrew.  But it was No. 88 spotter T.J. Majors who provided the snarky icing on the cake. When Allmendinger hit Johnson, Majors said he was hearing it was a brake problem on the No. 43 car. Then, "I'm not sure if it's brakes or brains".  Touche.

What the what?: Someone in the FOX wardrobe department needs to do a better job at selecting ties for Darrell Waltrip.  Though often attired in Easter egg hues, DW's Saturday neckwear was, well, more strange than usual.  The floral and butterfly combo was enough to distract viewers from what Waltrip was saying.  But on second thought, maybe that was the whole point.

Photo info: The sun sets on Darlington Raceway - Associated Press

No Break in the Weather for NASCAR

They say April showers bring May flowers.  But it sure would be nice if those April showers would stay away on race weekends.

For the third weekend this season, the odds are good that yet another race is going to fall victim to the whims of Mother Nature.

The Saturday forecast for Talladega is pretty dire - severe thunderstorms, hail and possible tornadoes.  Not necessarily racing, camping and partying weather.

However, NASCAR officials decided today that the Saturday show will go on - hopefully.  Here's the details from FOXNews.com -

NASCAR official Jim Hunter said if the Nationwide race is postponed by weather Saturday it would be rescheduled as part of a doubleheader Sunday or on Monday.

Lynch said weather officials told him there is the possibility of one to five inches of rain falling in the track vicinity Saturday. But there also is the possibility of sunshine, he said, and the severe weather could bypass the track.

Hundreds of Alabama state troopers and many emergency services personnel and vehicles will be on speedway property during the weekend.

“The decision was made somewhat easier for us because a huge percentage of our crowd is already here,” Lynch said. “They’re going to be here whether we run this race or not. We will tell them to take precautions and secure everything at their campsites that could blow around. They have to take the necessary precautions that they deem reasonable.”

There are no shelters of significant size in the speedway area.

Hopefully Talladega will be spared any major weather, however, if storms do hit - there are some safety precautions racegoers can take. The below information is courtesy of FEMA:

"If you're in a vehicle, trailer, or mobile home - Get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.

If you're outside with no shelter - Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.

Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.

Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries"

Hopefully, the Darrell Waltrip School of Meteorology is correct in their assertion that speeding cars create a climate vortex which keeps inclimate weather away. 'Cause it sure would be nice to get a break in the weather.

A Few Fontana Notes

So the Spring Fontana race is in the history books. And other than Kevin Harvick's charge at the end and some mild concern about rain shortening the event, the whole thing was a bit of a snooze fest.

But even though I might have dozed off during portions of the broadcast, I did pay attention well enough to observe a few things. So here are my Fontana notes. Now on to Vegas!

In the category of "It's Probably Too Early to Say This, But I Will Anyway" - what in the heck happened to Scott Speed during the off season? The Red Bull racer was darn impressive at Daytona and he ran great in Cali as well. Looks like he's going to have a much better year than 2009.

Luckiest Dude on the Planet - When the world is your oyster, every single race can turn into a pearl. And every event at Fontana swung Jimmie Johnson's way (must be that golden horseshoe). Of course, he still had to outdrive a hard-charging Kevin Harvick at the finish. However, Harvick tapped the wall and JJ cruised on to a win. Must be nice to be so darn lucky.

Speaking of Harvick - Richard Childress Racing is back. After a lackluster 2009, Harvick, Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer are showing well and racing up front. Both Harvick and Burton had the race all but won at different times. And it's great to see these teams this competitive so early in the season. Harvick and Burton will be in victory lane before too long - they just need some of Jimmie's good fortune to rub off on them.

Empty stands - Even though the broadcasters on FOX didn't mention it, the pictures tell the tale. Does anyone in California like NASCAR enough to actually buy a race ticket? I know things are tough all over, but come on! All of those empty sections on the front stretch were borderline embarrassing and each empty seat flies in the face of that old cinematic adage "If you build it, they will come." Maybe NASCAR should rethink Fontana's two-race deal.

Darrell Waltrip, Climatologist - Waltrip's theory regarding how race cars keep the rain away is so off-the-wall, there could actually be something to it. He said he believes that when cars go round and round the track at high speeds, they create some sort of "vortex" that actually wards off inclimate weather. Waltrip's hypothesis just might be believable if both Daytona AND Fontana hadn't been rained out last year.

Hmmm...

Why DIS Is the Best Place to Spend V-Day ...

Ed. Note - My friends at The Breakup Cookbook blog asked me to do a NASCAR-themed Valentine's post. Thanks ladies! A portion of the post is below.

The Daytona 500 falls on Valentine’s Day this year. And this single girl plans to be trackside, celebrating the best V-Day ever.

I know what you’re thinking. Watching loud cars go round and round a paved oval is about as Valentine-ish as say, a teddy bear bought at a gas station. I beg to differ.

Below are a few reasons why the Daytona 500 is the best place to be on V-day. Read on and see if I don’t change your mind.

1. Manly men – The great thing about race day? There are boys everywhere. And they’re usually a combination of John Wayne and Bo Duke. In short, There are no metro/technosexuals here. You don’t have to worry that any of these guys dream of starting their own hair care line. Nor would they rather spend less time with you and more time with the latest issue of Wired. In fact, a race guy can do all sorts of useful things, such as change the oil in your car, barbecue like Bobby Flay or simply stand there and look hot in his oily, worn-out jeans. Of course, you might have to compete for attention with his favorite driver. But that’s not so bad. After all, several drivers are just as good for eye candy as any guy you’d pick up at the track.

Read the rest at Breakup Cookbook!

Darrell, We Will Miss Thee. Digger? Not So Much.

Boogity, Boogity, Boogity! How time flies when you're a race fan.

When the checkered flag flew at Dover Sunday, viewers said "so long" to the FOX Sports portion of the 2009 season. And though the network's coverage has had its up and downs (Sunday's absent ticker being a definite down), this fan will miss Waltrip and company's darned entertaining coverage of the best sport ever.

Say what you will about Waltrip. He makes race day fun. Sure, he's dopey at times. He has an irritating habit of telling every driver he talks to to that they're his pick to win the race. And he's a shameless huckster of gopher paraphenalia (rumor has it that Digger's last name begins with "W"). Still, ol' Darrell is amusing, energetic and one hard-working broadcaster. The same can also be said for his fellow cohorts in the Hollywood Hotel.

The bright spot to the end of FOX coverage is that the-gopher-who-shall-not-be-named and his annoyingly catchy theme song will now be absent from race day broadcasts. But with all that DW/Digger merchandise on the market, it's probably unrealistic to hope that FOX will nix the rodent cartoons in 2010.

Ghastly gophers, absent tickers and occasional dopey-ness aside, I've got to thank Darrell for one heckuva ride. We'll catch you and the boys in 2010.

Johnson Shows Why He's the Champ

There was a point in the Autism Speaks 400 when everyone thought the #48 team had given the race away, like so many cans of English peas at a Thanksgiving food drive.

After a miscue amongst its tire changers, the Lowe's Chevy suffered through a lengthy pit stop and forked over eight spots, exiting the pits in a miserable 9th position. And with only 30-some laps to go and a heap of lapped cars in the way, it looked like the fastest car at Dover would go home winless. Commentator Darrell Waltrip even said that Johnson might catch the leaders, but he'd never beat them...there simply wasn't enough time.

But Waltrip and race fans ought to know by now--never ever count out Jimmie Johnson.

In a super-fast ride with four fresh tires, Johnson swept through the field like a wildfire in August, picking off cars, gaining momentum and leaving stunned viewers in his wake. Then, to top off this lesson in late-race showmanship, Johnson ran side-by-side with Tony Stewart, eventually edging out Smoke for the win.

After the race, even Stewart admitted that Johnson deserves this victory hands down, "The fastest car won today."

And for Johnson, this impressive win is just another trophy on his shelf--and one more mile marker on his way to a history-making championship season.

Photo caption: Johnson gets ready for his appearance on Speed TV's Victory Lane, courtesy of @kylepetty on Twitter.

"Who Wouldda Thunk It?" Only Anyone Who's Been Paying Attention...

Tony Stewart smoked the All-Star race Saturday night taking the #14 car to Victory Lane for the first time since making the switch from driver to driver/owner.

But seriously...was it really that much of a surprise? Darrell Waltrip and the folks on Speed TV seemed to think so. Waltrip even seemed mildly shocked that his personal Mini-Me Kyle Busch didn't leave the track with a runaway victory. "Who Woulda Thunk It?," was DW's exact quote, when Stewart crossed the finish line first.

Actually Darrell, all of us who have been monitoring Stewart-Haas' continued improvement over the last several races "thunk it" indeed. With the kind of progress Stewart-Haas has been making and the talented moxy that Stewart possesses, we all knew it was just a matter of time before he took the checkered flag in 2009.

Stewart's performance Saturday night was a welcome reminder that Rowdy isn't the only driver in the field who knows how to handle a stock car. From Stewart's almost-pass-in-the-grass to his slick moves late in the race, it's clear that Stewart's still got it--and he's got it in spades.

Wet Your Whistle at Bristol With Some "Thunder Valley Lightning"

NASCAR legend Junior Johnson will put his own potent potable up for sale at Bristol this weekend. Junior Johnson Brand Premium Sweet Iced Tea and Lemonade will be used in the new signature drink from Bristol Motor Speedway – “Thunder Valley Lightning”. As previously announced, Bristol Motor Speedway has partnered with Piedmont Distillers, Inc. and its Junior Johnson Midnight Moon moonshine to introduce the new signature drink.

For the spring race weekend, race fans will be able to purchase the signature drink in a 24-ounce collectible cup at 20 drink stations located throughout Bristol Motor Speedway’s concourse area inside the track and at exterior locations surrounding the track. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will go to a non-profit organization.

After retiring from driving, Junior Johnson became the third most successful team owner in NASCAR history. His drivers won 139 races and six series championships. Cale Yarborough won three straight titles from 1776-1778 and Darrell Waltrip won the three other championships in 1981, ’82 and ’85.

NASCAR in Hollywood -- A Trend That Could Be Lucrative

Now that Jeff Burton is appearing in soap operas and Michael Waltrip is trying his hand at situation comedy, why not go all out? The stars of NASCAR could begin a lucrative new entertainment trend by following suit. Besides, the drivers are already old hands at delivering lines on camera. Why not parlay that experience into some off-season fun for the masses? It would make the diehards happy and it just might bring new fans into the sport.

With that in mind, here are my picks for what NASCAR personalities should star in which shows. Feel free to offer your own suggestions:

Tony Stewart on "Celebrity Apprentice": Much like The Donald, Stewart has an intimidating personality, obvious business acumen, and he doesn't suffer fools. And now that Stewart is the proud owner of a Cup team, he could be a very smart casting call for the next installment of Trump's hit "reality" show. Imagine what drama would ensue should a tire blow during Tony's trip to the board room.

Carl Edwards on "Survivor": The guy is super-fit, downright charming and clearly competitive. He'd be a shoe-in to win all the physical challenges, and socially savvy enough to make advantageous alliances when necessary. Besides, who wouldn't want to see him run shirtless down some exotic beach?

Kurt and Kyle Busch on "The Amazing Race": They're brothers. They're rivals. And between them, they've got enough attitude to make for some darn good television. With only each other to lean on, they're the perfect pair to engage in a dramatic race around the world.

Jimmie Johnson on "Dancing With the Stars": I can see him now ... all dressed up in a tux and tails doing an elegant foxtrot with a bedazzled partner. Johnson's got the looks, self-possession and style to be a serious contender for that glittering disco ball trophy. Besides, if Jimmie is too busy, Darrell Waltrip could always sub with a ballroom version of the "Ickey Shuffle".

Dale Earnhardt Jr. on "The Office": Although casting him for "The Bachelor" seems the more obvious choice, that might be too much of an invasion of privacy for ol' Junebug. But I've heard that "The Office" is one of Junior's favorite shows. Perhaps he could play the new Dunder Mifflin temp and Michael Scott's whipping boy for an episode or two.

Speedway Superlatives

Best headline of the week: "Mark Martin: East Bound and Down" (by Greg Engle over at NASCAR Examiner). Any writer that can work a Smokey and the Bandit reference into a racing story deserves both our respect and attention. Salute! Good news for Martin though, he's not so down tonight. As I type, he's currently on the Kobalt Tools 500 pole.

Quote of the night: This has to be Darrell Waltrip's description of the Atlanta Motor Speedway's track trajectory. Quoth Darrell, "These ARE the banks of America." Gotta love DW.

Best qualifying surprise: Go-or-go-homer Joe Nemechek scores an eighth place starting spot for the Sunday show. He may not have money, tires or even a pit crew--but "Front Row Joe" wowed them all with a faster run than Kyle Busch.

Worst qualifying surprise: What ails thee, Carl Edwards? Edwards had a less than impressive qualifying lap tonight, which is about par for the season so far. He better get it in gear if he wants to challenge for the championship again in '09. America wants more back flips!

Old Coots vs. Young Guns -- An All-Star Race We'd Love To See

We all know the economy is in the tank and track owners from Daytona to Martinsville are trying anything and everything to get people out to the races.

Thus, it is in the interest of economic stimulus for the sport we all know and love, that I offer a race weekend promotion that's guaranteed to generate the interest of fans across the nation: an Old School versus New School Shootout.

Who wouldn't want to see Richard Petty go head to head with Kyle Busch? What could be more fun than watching Ricky Rudd, Darrell Waltrip and Rusty Wallace race to the finish with the likes of Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne and Denny Hamlin? Of course the logistics could be a nightmare, and then there's the little matter of cars and equipment. However, I for one, would like to see how the current Sprint Cup hotshots measure up. Today's newbies come to the sport with tons of hype reflecting off their designer sunglasses. But when it gets down to brass tacks, do they really have what it takes to hang with the legends of motorsports?

Of course we'd have to find a spot for Dale Junior or it wouldn't be an automatic sellout. And Kyle Petty would probably pout to the media if he weren't included in some way. But these are just minor obstacles. The possibilities of such an event are endless. Who knows, Cale Yarborough might even be persuaded to show up and throw a punch or two!

Race Weekend Ramblings

Am I the only chick out there who thinks roughneck American Idol contestant Michael Sarver and a certain NASCAR driver share more than a slight resemblance? As my friend T pointed out ... Sarver looks like a big Dale Junior. Judge for yourself.

Cheers to Brad Keselowski, Regan Smith, Joe Nemechek, Max Papis, David Gilliland and Todd Bodine. They'll be racing on Sunday in the Shelby 427.

Earlier tonight, while the boys on Trackside were discussing the whereabouts of Darrell Waltrip, the director cut to a shot of DW driving a golf cart. Lying across the back of the cart like a piece of freakish plush roadkill was a gi-normous Digger. At first, I thought Darrell had finally had all he could take of that irritating varmint and had mowed him down in a fit of manic rage. Too bad that wasn't the case.

Mark Martin had the fastest car in Sprint Cup practice and qualified eighth. The man has seen success in Vegas before. Does he have checkers in his future?

Winnin' With the Blick-ness

Although it seemed like a major case of deja vu to this race fan at least, Kenseth's win at Fontana proved his Daytona victory can't just be blamed on the rain.

Kenseth ran great all night and, once again, took the checkers -- this time under green. As the race came to a close, Kenseth fended off Jeff Gordon, giving the rookies in the field a textbook lesson in how to drive under pressure. However, I can't help but think that if not for the stellar performance of Kenseth's crew, under the leadership of Drew Blickensderfer, Kenseth wouldn't have pulled out a victory so easily.

In just two races, "Blick" has shown his fellow Sprint Cup contenders that he has what it takes to be a major player at the highest level of motorsports. While Jimmie Johnson seemed to be the car to beat early on, adjustments on pit road kept him from dominating. And though Jeff Gordon ran the tires off his car in an effort to end his winless streak, his car just didn't have the goods at the finish.

As the outcome of the race became clear to Darrell Waltrip and the FOX crew, they discussed how much difference a year has made in Matt Kenseth's performance. Has it? 'Cuz this fan thinks the difference can be summed up in four syllables: Blick-ens-der-fer.

Some Broadcast Tips for the Boys at FOX

After watching the Daytona 500 on Fox Sunday, I can’t help but think that the boys at Fox need a bit of advice.

Not that I have anything against Darrell Waltrip, Larry Mac and co., but I don’t watch a race to see music-laden cartoons of a hapless gopher and cutaway segments for Ask.com.

If the folks at FOX want to keep this race fan happy, and keep me from switching to MRN coverage, here’s a few pieces of advice:

1. Limit your on-screen graphics. I can’t tell you how many times during the race I felt like I was looking around and even through the graphics to see what was happening on the track. I want to see the race. Not experiments in how many cool stat boxes you can fit on screen at the same time.

2. Call it like you see it. If you’ve been to a race or ever listened to coverage by MRN radio, you’ll know what I mean. Sure the guys in the Hollywood Hotel are entertaining, but they sometimes forget to call the race (especially when they’re doing a sponsored segment). And sometimes, when they do call the race, they lack the excitement that makes MRN so fantastic. Pay attention, tell me what's happening and get hyped up boys – it’s racing!

3. Radio chatter – I want more. Of course, if I’m watching Direct TV I can listen to chatter all I want. But it would behoove the folks at FOX to pay heed to this snippet of advice: don’t leave out this most interesting discourse of all. This is what fans really want to hear. Take, for instance, Junior’s threat to meet Brian Vickers in the garage after the race. Fox didn’t play it. I had to read that online. Remember, drama sells. And some of the best drama can be heard on team radios.

4. Commercials, is there no end? I know commercials pay the bills. And I’m thrilled that there are corporate sponsors who still find room in their advertising budgets for NASCAR air time. But could you please limit the number of commercial interruptions and run some ads on the bottom of the screen instead? Though this seems to contradict my first point, I stress that one commercial at a time, while the race continues above, would not bother me in the least. It would be a blessing.

Truly guys, I wish you no ill-will. You work hard, you’re funny and you clearly know what you’re talking about. Just please lessen this fan’s race-watching frustrations and consider my advice. It would make this fan, and a host of others, real happy.