Green White Checkered

2009-11-08T21:37:00.000-08:00

Can you believe the Texas Chase Race? Kyle almost made history with the drive for a sweep... just a few more ounces of petro and he would have been the brother celebrating in victory lane.

Then there's the totally unexpected that brought Jimmie Johnson's lead back down to reach. A second lap crash slashed 111 points off the almost insurmountable lead. Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin couldn't maximize the opportunity. What happened to all those faulty fuel gauges? (just kidding)

Eddie Gossage sure knows how to put on a show worthy of the state's tradition. From ZZ Top to a huge chopper delivering the pace car, the experience was thrilling as usual.

Kurt Busch pulled off another reverse victory lap as the Chase tightened for the last two events. His victory meant a million dollar payday for Michael McGee, an Ag teacher who was the Dickies Worker of the Year.

2008-05-01T21:05:00.000-07:00

As a dealer trade driver for a large auto group, I drove to Corsicana, Texas, to trade Toyota Sienna vans. Was I ever surprised when I pulled in to the brand new facility and discovered they were hosting a NASCAR display. Tony Stewart's Home Depot show car and the truck of Mike Skinner.

2008-04-08T20:01:00.000-07:00

Carl Edwards won the Samsung 500 going away at Texas as Roush Fenway continues to dominate there. That's three trip to victory lane this season! I really like Carl Edwards' attitude of gratitude. He is thankful for getting to do what he enjoys. How many times has he given away the trophy to someone he wants to honor?

Kyle Busch won Saturday's O'Reilly 300. He has certainly landed on his feet with the Gibbs organization. Toyota will not be a stranger to victory circle this year.
But the biggest story of the weekend was a nasty looking crash. On his second qualifying lap, Michael McDowell's No. 00 Toyota shot up the track. The MWR rookie slammed into the SAFER barrier, spun upside down several hundred yards, then began at least eight barrel rolls. It was amazing to see him walk away.
I picked the top five for my fantasy team, but my score wasn't real great.

2008-03-09T21:04:00.000-07:00

After some impressive runs this season, the inevitable finally happened. . . . Toyota captured its first very Cup race. Congrats to Joe Gibbs Racing for the 1, 2 sweep. Kyle Bush has been on a roll, winning in just about anything he climbs into. [Note: Toyota has won 4 times in the Nationwide series and 41 Truck events.]

In races 2, 3, and 4 I have been impressed with Dale Jr. and Carl Edwards. The oil cover controversy seems ridiculously trivial. Glad to see Robby Gordan get a break on the mistaken nose.

The commercial with DJ racing the truck was very emotional for all of us Jarrett fans. Just two more races. He has the UPS in 32nd place; a critical part of the retirement strategy. We look forward to seeing him in the booth.

2008-02-18T19:01:00.000-08:00

I watched the Daytona 500 after flying my Earnhardt # 3 flag out front. OK, I did doze off a couple of times. I really pulled for the Toyotas but those pesky Penske Dodges stole the show. It was an exciting race with so many different fan favorites taking turns running up front.
Just like Mark Martin last year, Jeff Burton and Tony Stewart got the title ripped from their grasps in last second surprises. My guy, DJ, bows out with a respectable 16th place finish. MWR went "gold" for charity.
I was really happy to see Dale Jr's breakout earlier in speed week. Looks like Kyle Busch is a good fit with the Gibb's resurrection squad.

2008-02-08T21:30:00.000-08:00

Getting Psyched A side benefit from getting to drive all those brand new cars is having satellite radio along for some of the longer trips. Yes, the wife and I have enjoyed XM on DIRECTV. But with Sirius, I can become immersed with NASCAR on channel 128. Where else can you "visit" with A. J. Foyt, John Force, and Dick Trickle on the same evening? Or hear interviews at Daytona where many of the top drivers just walk up and chat?
I wasn't home for the practice session Friday on Speed, but I sure am looking forward to the SHOOTOUT on FOX!

2007-03-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

Jeff Burton, RCR veteran, picked up his second win in a row. The 29 took the Busch victory at Atlanta; he also won the Atlanta Busch race last year. Burton ripped an appearant victory from Kyle Busch coming out of turn four at Las Vegas last week. Kyle had the strongest car today but ran out of time storming from the back up to 3rd!

What a showing by Richard Childress Racing. . . posting 1st, 2nd, and 6th place finishes.

2007-03-08T10:05:00.000-08:00

Fantasy Season Off To Good Start
Thanks to the Daily Oklahoma's Sports Department, hundreds of us are enjoying their fantasy racing experience (for free!). I pick ten drivers for two different teams for each Cup race. At the California race, I averaged picking 7 top ten drivers. I used to spend several hours on a mathematical formula I devised (using speeds from practice sessions, qualifying position, and momentum).
However, I have come to the realization that the teams that SHOULD win, often have the misfortune of engine failure or being collected up in somebody else's mistake. SO, I just go with my best guesses and cringe when several of them post DNFs.
Over the last several seasons I have usually ranked in the upper 15% of over 30,000 nationwide. In the grand scheme of life, its really not a big deal but for us race fans it spells involvement.
Til Las Vegas, stay out of trouble...
http://www.okcps.org/ms/jackson/canan/Welcome%20to%20NewsOK_com.htm

2007-02-21T08:23:00.000-08:00

What class! Martin is the real deal.
Anyone who watched the post race interviews after the Daytona 500, saw the true nature of one of NASCAR's veteran stars. Mark Martin didn't rant, cuss, or whine about the outcome. Compare that appreciation for getting to participate with the arrogance and self-centeredness of other professional athletes.... NASCAR drivers vs. NFL or NBA players. By the way, wasn't it refreshing to see such class in the two Super Bowl Head Coaches?
Do you watch the super speedway races just to see the numerous wrecks? I don't. We have progressed so much since the passing of Dale and the other great losses on track. All those improvements within the car and to the tracks have given us great rewards, i.e. Clint Boyer climbing unharmed out of a flaming car that had been sliding on its roof for hundreds of yards to the gasps of millions.

2007-01-31T13:03:00.000-08:00

Just a few more days! If you're like me you have been waiting for Daytona to get here {17 days 22hours 48minutes.... but who's counting?} The 2007 Season promises all kinds of exciting changes. From the Chase format to the COT, from the debut of Toyota to an abundance of full time race teams trying to qualify for each show. From new media coverage to added popularity.
The Bud Shootout can't get here fast enough for all of us die-hard fans that make up Nascar Nation. Yes, I've got my ticket for Texas Motor Speedway.
A Tribute to All Involved NASCAR is more than one winner and 42 losers. That car on the track represents millions of dollars and lifetimes of research invested in each of those teams. And a team is more than a driver, an owner, a crew chief, and the over-the-wall gang. There's the engineers, the experts in the engine shop, the perfectionists in the fabrication shop, the support personnel, to name a few back home.
The race day wouldn't be anything for the fans without three other closely knit entities: the officials of NASCAR, the track operations staff, and the media professionals. For every thrilling week, we, the millions of faithful fans, are grateful to all of you dedicated people who make victory lane possible. Thank you for all you do to bring the sport to the troops around the world and to us, the common folks in towns far, far away from the venues, museums, and race shops.
sincerely, gary

2006-07-08T12:46:00.000-07:00

Green White Checkered
Long time not posting . . .
Who would have ever thot? Dale Jarrett leaving Yates to team up with Michael Waltrip? Well, Ford, it's been a great ride! It'll seem strange to cheer for a Camry.
Speaking of cheers: way to go U.P.S. for making the bold move as well. Now we can still look forward to more good commercials (and good finishes at the track).

Yes, I'll miss the M & Ms (at least Sadler will be a neat TV expert). I wish RYR all the best in signing a new driver. How about Ward Burton; he's rested and ready to go?
Smoke has given us some excitement - just remember which side of the fence you came up!
A giant thanx to all the FOX family for a great season of stellar performances week after week . . . for the very best team of professionals in the industry . . . for innovative and creative approaches that keep America in touch with our "Nation"!

2005-11-20T11:55:00.000-08:00

What a great time to be a NASCAR fan! For all those who "just can't get excited about 43 cars turning left", I'm sorry you don't get it. Most athletes take on one opponent at a time. In NASCAR, teams challenge 42 others and only one can be the victor.
A team is more than a driver, an owner, a crew chief, and the over-the-wall gang. There's the engineers, the experts in the engine shop, the perfectionists in the fabrication shop, the support personnel, to name a few of the vital people who share in a good showing at the track.
The race day wouldn't be anything for the fans without three other closely knit entities: the officials of NASCAR, the track operations staff, and the broadcast / media professionals. For every thrilling week, we the millions of fans are grateful to all of these dedicated people who make victory lane possible. Thank you for all you do to bring the sport to the troops around the world and to us, the common folks in towns far, far away from the venues, museums, and race shops. gary http://justturnleft.blogspot.com/

2005-07-26T06:54:00.000-07:00

Where there's Smoke there's ....
Wow! If his FB squad would just rip off such a streak, Coach Gibbs would be smiling all the time. Like him or not, Tony Stewart, a.k.a. "Smoke", is red hot, errr make that orange hot. Stewart has won three of four races - Sonoma, Daytona and New Hampshire in recent weeks, advancing from 10th in points to second! Nineteen races into 2005, Stewart was second in bonus points earned with a total of 75. Leading all Nextel Cup drivers in bonus points earned was Greg Biffle with 80.
The 2002 NASCAR champion and 1999 Rookie of the Year, Smoke has established himself as a dominant wheel man. Out of the open wheel ranks of the Midwest, Stewart can spread the smiles all around Joe Gibbs Racing when he keeps on turning left. Like him or not ~ he is for real!

2005-07-03T15:13:00.000-07:00

Where's Krista Voda?
Second Straight Top Five for DJ
Jumping into the Top 10, Jarrett joins Yates teammate Elliott Sadler after smart racing strategies at Infineon Raceway and Daytona International Speedway. Chicago, N. H., and Pocono are next as the 1999 NASCAR champion and three time Daytona 500 winner ('93, '96, and 2000) approaches The Chase.
Congrats to Tony Stewart, Jamie McMurray, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Rusty Wallace for an exciting finish of "the late, late show" (a.k.a. the Pepsi 400). Also I tip my hat to Ken Schrader, Jeff Burton, and Mark Martin.

Of interest: Danica Patrick sat on the IRL pole at Kansas and fought back to another Top 10. Lance Armstrong is on another quest... you can do it!

Well, I suffered a week now without the real "Nascar Nation" TV Show on Speed. I miss the professionalism of Krista Voda and friends. Anybody know "What in the world were they thinking?" when they imported the "MTV" cheesers? More on this later after m blood quits boiling! - g

2005-07-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a new Blog for my passion of following NASCAR. I'd talk racing every day... to any one who'll listen. My forever hero is the Gentleman Champion in the U.P.S. Yates 88 Ford Taurus. Dale Jarrett is one classy person, tireless competitor, great teammate, and All-American role model. Look at his roots [Ned is another Southern gentleman]. Look at his family life. Look at their commitment to help others [Yeah for KOMEN!]