Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Dale Jr. & Richard Petty Appearances Scheduled at All-Star Suite
Dale Jr will be running a special paint scheme that features the Dale Jr Foundation at the All-Star Race on May 16, 2009. In conjunction with the race, his foundation and Lowe's Motor Speedway will be raising money for several charities, including Speedway Children's Charities and The Dale Jr. Foundation, by hosting a hospitality suite at the Race. This is a great opportunity for 120 people to enjoy a special VIP experience, while helping The Dale Jr. Foundation raise money for underprivileged & critically ill youth. Please share this email with your friends and family, as we hope to fill the suite and raise as much money as possible. The package is valued at over $500, yet the tickets are only $288.
The Dale Jr. Foundation All-Star VIP Experience includes:
Q & A session with Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Q & A session with Richard Petty
Enclosed luxury suite for the race in the newly refurbished Diamond Tower
Climate control and elevator access
Delicious food and non-alcoholic beverages
Cash bar (beer & wine)
Professional wait staff
Closed-circuit television
Convenient restroom facilities
Pre-race pit access for guests over age of 18, with proper attire (valid only as track schedule permits)
Race Scanners for use during race (provided by Track Scan)
Exclusive souvenir gift bag
Raffle prizes
Go to: http://jrnationpublic.tickets.sportstoday.com for tickets!
The Dale Jr. Foundation All-Star VIP Experience includes:
Q & A session with Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Q & A session with Richard Petty
Enclosed luxury suite for the race in the newly refurbished Diamond Tower
Climate control and elevator access
Delicious food and non-alcoholic beverages
Cash bar (beer & wine)
Professional wait staff
Closed-circuit television
Convenient restroom facilities
Pre-race pit access for guests over age of 18, with proper attire (valid only as track schedule permits)
Race Scanners for use during race (provided by Track Scan)
Exclusive souvenir gift bag
Raffle prizes
Go to: http://jrnationpublic.tickets.sportstoday.com for tickets!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
David Poole Dead at 50
Sad news for the NASCAR community as word begins to spread that David Poole, a writer for the Charlotte Observer, died today.
Poole reportedly suffered a heart attack at his home in Stanfield, NC. Poole was 50-years-old.
Poole is survived by his wife, two sons, daughter, and grandson.
What a shame.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
RIP David.
Want some cheese with your whine?
I am sick of hearing and reading that Talladega needs to be changed, or that NASCAR needs to create bigger penalties for aggressive driving.
It's racing for pete's sake! Brad did nothing wrong and he was not aggressive. And now NASCAR wants to start penalizing drivers even more?!!! I know I don't want to see any driver be afraid of racing for the win in fear of NASCAR handing down severe penalties.
Every driver complains about Talladega when they are involved in a wreck, however when they win, Dega is awesome. Wrecks happen, it's a part of racing. I just don't understand why some don't want to accept that. Instead they want the drivers to run in a neat and orderly fashion without having any passion for winning. This way there will be no crashes and nobody will complain. Pfft! What a bunch of wusses NASCAR is turning into.
You don't see the NHL changing how hockey players strike the puck when a puck goes flying into the bleachers do you?
You don't see MLB changing how hard baseball players hit the ball when a baseball goes flying into the bleachers do you?
You don't see any huge changes happen in NHRA when funny cars that go two times faster than a stock car slams into a wall and pieces of the car go all over the place.
Yes, I feel awful that fans got hurt but the catch fence did its job. And all this stuff about slowing the cars down more and/or changing the banking of the track is ridiculous. If NASCAR wants to do something, how about just elevating the seating configuration? Sounds like a simple plan to me.
My guess is my opinion isn't anywhere close to most, but that's ok. After all, if everyone agreed it would be a very boring world.
By the way, I have been hit with a baseball, it hurt like heck, but I sure knew before I went to the game, things like that do happen.
It's racing for pete's sake! Brad did nothing wrong and he was not aggressive. And now NASCAR wants to start penalizing drivers even more?!!! I know I don't want to see any driver be afraid of racing for the win in fear of NASCAR handing down severe penalties.
Every driver complains about Talladega when they are involved in a wreck, however when they win, Dega is awesome. Wrecks happen, it's a part of racing. I just don't understand why some don't want to accept that. Instead they want the drivers to run in a neat and orderly fashion without having any passion for winning. This way there will be no crashes and nobody will complain. Pfft! What a bunch of wusses NASCAR is turning into.
You don't see the NHL changing how hockey players strike the puck when a puck goes flying into the bleachers do you?
You don't see MLB changing how hard baseball players hit the ball when a baseball goes flying into the bleachers do you?
You don't see any huge changes happen in NHRA when funny cars that go two times faster than a stock car slams into a wall and pieces of the car go all over the place.
Yes, I feel awful that fans got hurt but the catch fence did its job. And all this stuff about slowing the cars down more and/or changing the banking of the track is ridiculous. If NASCAR wants to do something, how about just elevating the seating configuration? Sounds like a simple plan to me.
My guess is my opinion isn't anywhere close to most, but that's ok. After all, if everyone agreed it would be a very boring world.
By the way, I have been hit with a baseball, it hurt like heck, but I sure knew before I went to the game, things like that do happen.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Wow, what a race!
We had the big one, then the sequel and in the end, Carl Edwards was UP in the catch fence. Unbelievable.
What was also unbelievable was Junior not missing his pit stall the entire race. And, he finished 2nd. I really believe Junior could have won, but he wanted to see Brad win. I don't know if that is the truth, but it looked like it went that way to me.
What a day.
Well, that didn't take long...
Lap:7 - The Big One comes early as Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon get together causing the No. 24 to go around collecting Casey Mears, Jamie McMurray, David Gilliland, Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Scott Riggs, Brian Vickers, Mark Martin, A.J. Allmendinger and Kasey Kahne.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Mears, Earnhardt Jr. put PIR incident behind them
"Me and Mears are cool," Earnhardt said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway. "We've been buddies. What happens on the track stays on the track. It's good to be on probation every once in a while, I guess."
The two were teammates at Hendrick Motorsports last season. Mears now drives for Richard Childress Racing.
"We ended up texting back and forth this week; we kept missing each other's phone call. It's not that big a deal," Mears said.
Then, thinking of Earnhardt's vast fan base as NASCAR's long-running most popular driver, Mears amended that comment before describing what happened in his eyes. Read the entire article here.
The two were teammates at Hendrick Motorsports last season. Mears now drives for Richard Childress Racing.
"We ended up texting back and forth this week; we kept missing each other's phone call. It's not that big a deal," Mears said.
Then, thinking of Earnhardt's vast fan base as NASCAR's long-running most popular driver, Mears amended that comment before describing what happened in his eyes. Read the entire article here.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Update On Gunner
GUNNER'S SURGERY WENT WELL. THEY TRIED TO GET MOST OF THE ARTHRITIS OUT OF THE AREA. VET SAID HE SHOULD MAKE A FULL RECOVERY IN TIME. HE HAS EXCELLENT HIPS AND BONES THOUGH.
I COULDN'T GO AND GIVE GUNNER LOVE BECAUSE WHEN I CAME TO VISIT HIM, HE WAS JUST FULLY WAKING UP AND HE WAS CRYING FOR ME. THEY JUST CALMED DOWN AS I ARRIVED AT THE VET HOSPITAL. I DID GET A PEAK AT HIM, HOWEVER I HAD TO BE VERY QUIET SO THAT HE WOULDN'T GET EXCITED ALL OVER AGAIN. THE VET ASSISTANTS TOLD ME HE KNEW I WAS THERE, HE PROBABLY SENSED ME EVEN BEFORE I SPOKE A WORD IN THE RECEPTION AREA.
I HAD TO CALL THE HOSPITAL A LITTLE WHILE AGO BECAUSE IT'S THUNDERING OUTSIDE AND GUNNER WILL TRY TO GET UP AND GET CLOSE TO SOMEONE. I KNOW THEY DO NOT WANT HIM TO BECOME STRESSED, SO I THOUGHT TELLING THEM WAS A GOOD IDEA.
NEXT COMES THE HUGE BILL...ESTIMATED AT $2300.00. I AM LOOKING INTO PET INSURANCE, BUT IT'S A LITTLE TOO LATE FOR THIS GO-AROUND.
I ALSO WENT TO THE DOCTORS TODAY AND WAS PRESCIRBED MUSCLE RELAXERS BECAUSE MY NECK MUSCLES ARE SO TENSE THAT I'VE HAD A STIFF NECK FOR WEEKS. UGH!!!
THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, I REALLY AM GRATEFUL.
I COULDN'T GO AND GIVE GUNNER LOVE BECAUSE WHEN I CAME TO VISIT HIM, HE WAS JUST FULLY WAKING UP AND HE WAS CRYING FOR ME. THEY JUST CALMED DOWN AS I ARRIVED AT THE VET HOSPITAL. I DID GET A PEAK AT HIM, HOWEVER I HAD TO BE VERY QUIET SO THAT HE WOULDN'T GET EXCITED ALL OVER AGAIN. THE VET ASSISTANTS TOLD ME HE KNEW I WAS THERE, HE PROBABLY SENSED ME EVEN BEFORE I SPOKE A WORD IN THE RECEPTION AREA.
I HAD TO CALL THE HOSPITAL A LITTLE WHILE AGO BECAUSE IT'S THUNDERING OUTSIDE AND GUNNER WILL TRY TO GET UP AND GET CLOSE TO SOMEONE. I KNOW THEY DO NOT WANT HIM TO BECOME STRESSED, SO I THOUGHT TELLING THEM WAS A GOOD IDEA.
NEXT COMES THE HUGE BILL...ESTIMATED AT $2300.00. I AM LOOKING INTO PET INSURANCE, BUT IT'S A LITTLE TOO LATE FOR THIS GO-AROUND.
I ALSO WENT TO THE DOCTORS TODAY AND WAS PRESCIRBED MUSCLE RELAXERS BECAUSE MY NECK MUSCLES ARE SO TENSE THAT I'VE HAD A STIFF NECK FOR WEEKS. UGH!!!
THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, I REALLY AM GRATEFUL.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Earnhardt, Mears placed on probation for PIR incident
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR announced Tuesday that it has placed Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Casey Mears on probation for the next six races in the Sprint Cup Series, as a result of their on-track incident last Saturday at the conclusion of the race at Phoenix International Raceway.
Earnhardt, driver of the No. 88 car, and Mears, driver of the No. 07 car, both violated Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock-car racing; hitting another competitor's car after the race had concluded) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book.
The probation takes effect beginning with this weekend's event at Talladega Superspeedway.
Earnhardt, driver of the No. 88 car, and Mears, driver of the No. 07 car, both violated Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock-car racing; hitting another competitor's car after the race had concluded) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book.
The probation takes effect beginning with this weekend's event at Talladega Superspeedway.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
What the heck?!
I'll post something about tonight's race as soon as I get done beating my head against the wall. Why am I going to beat my head against the wall you ask? One word...Junior. PFFT!
What made things even worse was this.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Madden retires after 30 years in booth
NEW YORK -- John Madden is retiring from football announcing, where his enthusiastic, down-to-earth style made him one of sports' most popular broadcasters for three decades.
The Hall of Fame coach spent the last three seasons on NBC's "Sunday Night Football." His final telecast was the Super Bowl in February.
"You know at some point you have to do this -- I got to that point," Madden said on his Bay Area radio show Thursday. "The thing that made it hard is not because I'm second-guessing, 'Is it the right decision?' But I enjoyed it so damn much.
"I enjoyed the game and the players and the coaches and the film and the travel and everything."
Cris Collinsworth will replace Madden, moving over from the network's studio show, NBC Sports chief Dick Ebersol said. Collinsworth filled in when Madden took a game off last October.
Ebersol called Madden "absolutely the best sports broadcaster who ever lived."
Madden said his health is fine, but at the age of 73, he wanted to spend more time with his family. His 50th wedding anniversary is this fall, and his five grandchildren are old enough to notice when he's gone. Read the rest of the story here.
The Hall of Fame coach spent the last three seasons on NBC's "Sunday Night Football." His final telecast was the Super Bowl in February.
"You know at some point you have to do this -- I got to that point," Madden said on his Bay Area radio show Thursday. "The thing that made it hard is not because I'm second-guessing, 'Is it the right decision?' But I enjoyed it so damn much.
"I enjoyed the game and the players and the coaches and the film and the travel and everything."
Cris Collinsworth will replace Madden, moving over from the network's studio show, NBC Sports chief Dick Ebersol said. Collinsworth filled in when Madden took a game off last October.
Ebersol called Madden "absolutely the best sports broadcaster who ever lived."
Madden said his health is fine, but at the age of 73, he wanted to spend more time with his family. His 50th wedding anniversary is this fall, and his five grandchildren are old enough to notice when he's gone. Read the rest of the story here.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Phillies Broadcaster Kalas Dies
Radio and TV broadcaster Harry Kalas, whose baritone delivery and signature "Outta here!" home run calls provided the soundtrack to Philadelphia baseball for nearly four decades, died Monday after collapsing in the broadcast booth before the Phillies' game against the Washington Nationals. He was 73.
Shortly after noon Monday, Kalas was in the visiting clubhouse at Nationals Park, jotting down the Phillies' lineup so he'd be ready to help call the game. About half an hour later, he was discovered in the booth by the Phillies director of broadcasting. Kalas was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the Phillies said. Read the full story here.
Shortly after noon Monday, Kalas was in the visiting clubhouse at Nationals Park, jotting down the Phillies' lineup so he'd be ready to help call the game. About half an hour later, he was discovered in the booth by the Phillies director of broadcasting. Kalas was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the Phillies said. Read the full story here.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Waltrip signs younger Truex to development deal
By The Associated Press
Michael Waltrip Racing has signed the 17-year-old brother of Sprint Cup regular Martin Truex Jr. as a development driver.
Ryan Truex will begin his new association this weekend in the NASCAR Camping World East series season-opener at Greenville Pickens Speedway in South Carolina.
Last season, Truex finished 11th at Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut in his East debut and only career start while driving a car prepared by Dale Earnhardt Inc.
"Pairing with a racing organization like Michael Waltrip Racing is a great opportunity for me," Truex said. "MWR is really coming on strong this year in the Cup Series and I hope to learn a lot from just being there each week."
"In essence, Ryan was ready to move to the next level," said Ty Norris, general manager for the Waltrip team. "The Truexes had the cars and the engines, but needed someone to house [them], employ the staff and operate the team. I've known the Truexes since we approached Truex Jr. about driving for DEI's Nationwide team in 2003.
"Ryan has the bloodline and needed the opportunity, so we partnered in this entry. We heard he was aggressive and fast and we can't wait to see him compete."
Truex started racing four years ago in a bandolero at Wall Township Speedway in New Jersey. He graduated to legends and won a speedway championship at the track in 2007. Last season, Truex raced a family owned late model at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va.
Michael Waltrip Racing has signed the 17-year-old brother of Sprint Cup regular Martin Truex Jr. as a development driver.
Ryan Truex will begin his new association this weekend in the NASCAR Camping World East series season-opener at Greenville Pickens Speedway in South Carolina.
Last season, Truex finished 11th at Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut in his East debut and only career start while driving a car prepared by Dale Earnhardt Inc.
"Pairing with a racing organization like Michael Waltrip Racing is a great opportunity for me," Truex said. "MWR is really coming on strong this year in the Cup Series and I hope to learn a lot from just being there each week."
"In essence, Ryan was ready to move to the next level," said Ty Norris, general manager for the Waltrip team. "The Truexes had the cars and the engines, but needed someone to house [them], employ the staff and operate the team. I've known the Truexes since we approached Truex Jr. about driving for DEI's Nationwide team in 2003.
"Ryan has the bloodline and needed the opportunity, so we partnered in this entry. We heard he was aggressive and fast and we can't wait to see him compete."
Truex started racing four years ago in a bandolero at Wall Township Speedway in New Jersey. He graduated to legends and won a speedway championship at the track in 2007. Last season, Truex raced a family owned late model at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va.
I knew it...there goes the #8
The car that Dale Earnhardt Jr. made famous is being shut down indefinitely.
The No. 8 car at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing is suspending operations due to a lack of sponsorship, the team confirmed Wednesday. The vehicle, driven this season by Aric Almirola, lost the backing of primary sponsor U.S. Army to Stewart-Haas Racing over the winter, and has raced this year on short-term deals.
EGR president Steve Lauletta said the suspension was something the team knew was a possibility, given that the No. 8 car opened the year without full-time backing.
"When we started last November forming Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, our plan was to go into the season and run the three cars, but we knew we needed funding for Aric's car in order to make that happen," Lauletta said. "... We did everything we could to find that one company that would jump on board and take a number of races to keep going, but we haven't had the time to do that just yet. It takes a long time, especially in these economic conditions, to bring a sponsorship to closure. While we were doing that, we just couldn't continue to keep going to the race track without the proper funding from a sponsor perspective."
Almirola said he knew the No. 8 team had enough money to get to Texas, but after that there were no guarantees. He learned Monday night that the team had suspended operations. Read the rest of the story here.
The No. 8 car at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing is suspending operations due to a lack of sponsorship, the team confirmed Wednesday. The vehicle, driven this season by Aric Almirola, lost the backing of primary sponsor U.S. Army to Stewart-Haas Racing over the winter, and has raced this year on short-term deals.
EGR president Steve Lauletta said the suspension was something the team knew was a possibility, given that the No. 8 car opened the year without full-time backing.
"When we started last November forming Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, our plan was to go into the season and run the three cars, but we knew we needed funding for Aric's car in order to make that happen," Lauletta said. "... We did everything we could to find that one company that would jump on board and take a number of races to keep going, but we haven't had the time to do that just yet. It takes a long time, especially in these economic conditions, to bring a sponsorship to closure. While we were doing that, we just couldn't continue to keep going to the race track without the proper funding from a sponsor perspective."
Almirola said he knew the No. 8 team had enough money to get to Texas, but after that there were no guarantees. He learned Monday night that the team had suspended operations. Read the rest of the story here.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Viva Las Vegas
Rumors are going around saying that the NASCAR Sprint Cup banquet is moving from New York City to Las Vegas.
I feel this should have been done years ago. Having the Cup guys there seems to be a huge burden on the city particularly those who live and drive right smack in the middle of all the hoopla during the week of the banquet.
So good-bye New York and hello to the bright lights of Las Vegas!
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Bad News
I swear if it weren't for bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all....
As most of you know we have a "Chessie" (Chesapeake Bay Retriever) named Gunner. Well he's been "limpy gimpy" for a few weeks and I thought it was arthritis. I made a vet appointment and thought he'd get some pain meds and all would be alright. Well, upon visiting the vets yesterday, everything is not alright.
Gunner has a torn ACL in his left rear leg. The vet says he's had this for at least a couple of months but it hasn't really made him lame until now. I about had a meltdown because I let my dog get this way. He said it was nothing I did wrong but it was caused by arthritis weakening his bones and cartilage and it all snowballed from there.
The cost to repair his ACL tear is $2300.00. I don't know how in the world we are going to pay for this. Joey is the only one working because I'm unable to work. I am still waiting to get my social security/disability which I am hoping to start receiving money sometime in the next six months or less.
Gunner is set to have his surgery on April 22nd. I guess we'll put the bill on a credit card and hopefully be able to pay it. Needless to say, I am unable to sleep because I have all this amongst other things weighing on my mind.
Please if you have time, throw my name along with Gunner's in your thoughts and prayers. I would greatly appreciate it.
As most of you know we have a "Chessie" (Chesapeake Bay Retriever) named Gunner. Well he's been "limpy gimpy" for a few weeks and I thought it was arthritis. I made a vet appointment and thought he'd get some pain meds and all would be alright. Well, upon visiting the vets yesterday, everything is not alright.
Gunner has a torn ACL in his left rear leg. The vet says he's had this for at least a couple of months but it hasn't really made him lame until now. I about had a meltdown because I let my dog get this way. He said it was nothing I did wrong but it was caused by arthritis weakening his bones and cartilage and it all snowballed from there.
The cost to repair his ACL tear is $2300.00. I don't know how in the world we are going to pay for this. Joey is the only one working because I'm unable to work. I am still waiting to get my social security/disability which I am hoping to start receiving money sometime in the next six months or less.
Gunner is set to have his surgery on April 22nd. I guess we'll put the bill on a credit card and hopefully be able to pay it. Needless to say, I am unable to sleep because I have all this amongst other things weighing on my mind.
Please if you have time, throw my name along with Gunner's in your thoughts and prayers. I would greatly appreciate it.
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