Open letter and Proposal for Buck, Bass & Cutler

Alright you guys,

I've been a member of this site since early 07, and you've never once come out this way to Infineon for one reason or another. That's cool, I can deal with that. Its a long way to travel for a weekend.

However, I have a proposal for you.

If you provide me with the proper press credentials next year, I will be your Infineon Correspondent for the Rowdy Nation. I'll buy my own tickets, all you have to do is get me the press creds to get me in to the press conferences, garage, etc. (press pass, hot pass, whatever it is) I'll take pictures, write articles, do a phone interview with your for the podcast, you name it.

I'm dead serious.

If you won't make it out here, let one of the Rowdy Nation represent. I'm not saying INSTEAD of other well known personalities, but alongside it.

Really.

You have about 51 weeks to make it a reality. The sooner you decide to do this, the sooner I can start getting my act together for it.

Who better to represent the Rowdy Nation for this race weekend than this twisted redhead? Hmmm?

Think about it, guys. This could be a lot of fun for all of us.

• 15 Comments

Congratulations, Tony Stewart! & other thoughts

Wow, gotta give a big round of applause for Tony Stewart, taking his own car to Victory Lane at the All Star race last night. Simply incredible. I really thought Ryan Newman was going to do it until the wreck that ultimately took Jeff Gordon out.

So, I was cheering for Matt Kenseth to win, but I couldn't help but cheer when Tony Stewart passed him and claimed the victory. As a Matt Kenseth fan, I'm kinda disappointed, even though Matt was doing a great job. I hope I'm not betraying the MK Nation by being happy for Stewart.

Tony Stewart's just one of those guys I can't help but like. Last year when JGR moved to Toyota, I could see how miserable it made Tony. But when he finally made that decision to become an owner/driver, going back to the Chevy camp... that relief was equally obvious. Much as I like Toyotas... Tony's just not a Toyota kind of guy.

Other thoughts on the race...
I could have been just as happy to miss most of the race and watched the last 10 laps. The shootout beforehand was more exciting! I think I dozed off during part of the race, didn't miss much.

I thought the All Star race was supposed to be one of those 'balls to the wall, all or nothing' type of races. This seemed like more of a glorified test session with the 'real' race lasting only 10 laps. Can't blame the guys though... with testing banned, what else can they do?

My main driver, Clint Bowyer and his team are definitely experiencing the growing pains of a new team. They did great those first few races (not including California), then all of a sudden... frustrations galore. They had a GREAT car for Talladega, only to get wiped out in that first 'big one' (of which two of my other favorites were largely responsible... AAAARGH!!). The best thing I can say about Talladega is it REALLY gave me a lot more respect for the rest of Clint's crew on the work they did to get that car back out to the track to finish the race to keep the DNF held off.

I became even MORE of a fan of the rest of the #33 crew that day. Sure, I cheer for the driver, but the TEAM is just as important. In my eyes they have proven they deserve to be there and are still the champion caliber they showed themselves to be when they were on the NNS side.

Clint's Jackman, Bill Ferguson, keeps a blog going that gives the fans the point of view of the over the wall gang. Its good stuff to read. He's also been an active member of the fan forum as his schedule permits. Gotta love the guy for taking the time to keep the fans in the know.

Ultimately Clint's DNF run came to an end at Darlington. Part of me can't help but be relieved about this. Why, I can't say. It wasn't good in the points area because it took him out of the top 12 in points (yeah, yeah, there's still time to bring it back.. but still!!!), but there's this part of me that keeps thinking "ok, THAT little piece of added pressure is gone... let's just focus on getting that car up to the front and getting in some WINS and top 5s like I KNOW this team can do!".

Time to start dancing around the bonfire again.

• 4 Comments

Yay Jeff Gordon!

While Jeff Gordon isn't my #1 favorite driver, he is solidly in my top 5 and has been since I started watching NASCAR racing. He is my husband's favorite driver, so I'm happy to cheer for him.

Let me tell ya, I was screaming my fool head off for him to win today at Texas.

Congratulations, Jeff Gordon for breaking your winless streak, and getting that Texas Monkey off your back!

Jeff Gordon winning, Matt getting 5th and Jeff Burton getting 9th... 3 of my top 5 finished in the top 10. Awesome!

My other 2 being Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick, well, I'm guessing they're happy to get knock the dust off their boots from the Texas track. Better luck in the Fall, guys!

Fantastic run by Tony Stewart too. Good to see him do well in his own car. Its only a matter of time until he gets that 14 in to Victory Lane.

On to Phoenix in a couple weeks. They all do well there, and I can't wait to see it!

• 4 Comments
• Jeff Gordon, Texas, Wins

Just...WOW!!!

Ok, I'm starting this blog by stating that I decided before the beginning of this 2009 NASCAR season by giving ALL drivers a clean slate. All the ones I've been ticked off at, growled at when I've seen their name, hated on... all that we as race fans do regarding other drivers that we develop dislikes for.

That of course gave all drivers an equal opportunity to tick me off anew at the beginning. Ironically the first one to claim that dubious honor is Dale Jr. for that stunt that took out several good cars in the race. Mistake, or deliberate, it still made me wonder "what the HELL was he thinking?"

Now before the Jr. Nation decides to descend on me with pitchforks torches and beer cans, let me tell you that I really don't give a rat's patootie who it was, that move was asinine. It could have been ANYBODY doing that and it would have pissed me off. Even if it was one of my favorites.

However, I bet the penalty would have been a lot more severe if it was performed by anybody but NASCAR's sweetheart. By contrast, Leffler was screwed in Saturday's Nationwide race for doing the same thing and losing 5 laps. I can only imagine the pissing and moaning if Jr. had been slapped with the same penalty.

Again, put the pitchforks and beer cans away. Normally I like Jr. I'm less than fond of the hype behind him.

Looking at it in another context... Jr. deliberately ran into Brad K. coming off pit road after Brad made his asinine move leaving his pit. Are we seeing a more temperamental side to Jr. now?

Wow, vented more on that issue than I meant to, so on to what I originally meant to write about.

Rainout victory or not, I am positively ECSTATIC that Matt Kenseth won the Daytona 500! Or is that Daytona 380? No matter, he was lucky to be in the right place at the right time, and he was good enough to get there to begin with.

During that wreck Jr. caused I saw Matt right behind it and cringed inwardly because he's been taken out by similar incidents. I was very relieved to see him drive out of it undamaged. Seeing him take the lead shortly afterward was very gratifying.

Now granted, I prefer a race to run to its conclusion and not be cut short, but I really can't complain too badly about the results from this. Matt Kenseth wins, and a couple other of my favorites were also in the top 5.

Speaking of my favorites... How about that Clint Bowyer in that bright yellow #33 Cheerios car? New ride, new crew chief, "new" pit crew (over from the NNS series), top 5 finish in their first series race? I hope that is a sign of things to come from this team, because Clint deserves it. I loved the Hamburger Helper commercial. Hate the product, but the ad was funny.

Props to Kevin Harvick. His car was giving him fits earlier, and to get it back up to 2nd... AMAZING work on his and the crew's part.

And I have to give props to AJ Allmendinger for his making it to the top 5.

Felt really bad for Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin. All of the Gibbs drivers, actually since Joey Logano was taken out of the race too. Kyle and Denny were running strong, and running cleanly. Its a shame they were taken out of the race, even if it would have meant a different winner for the race.

Now, I know a question on a lot of people's minds is going to be 'did NASCAR call the race too soon because of the rain?' Maybe. Maybe not. But after that fiasco with Fontana last year, they probably opted to err on the side of caution.

Speaking of Fontana... time to grit our teeth and bear it next weekend. Then again, maybe it will actually be an exciting race weekend this year. Or what was that about flying monkeys?

• 8 Comments
• Matt Kenseth, Daytona 500

I'll Cheer for Cheerios… but I refuse to wear yellow!

I've had mixed feelings about Clint Bowyer driving the #33 Cheerios car ever since it was announced. On one hand, very sad because the 07 Jack Daniel's car is the best looking and coolest car out there with its Jet Black Jack Attack scheme. And to me, Jack and Clint went together well. On the other hand… happy for him because a company like General Mills wants him to represent their brands.

Ok, I like Cheerios. There's a box of it in my pantry. On the other hand, I loathe (LOATHE!) Hamburger Helper. And the Hand gives me the creeps.

Though it would be amusing to see the Hamburger Helper Hand and the Arby's Oven Mitt do a battle to the death. But I digress.

My biggest gripe about the whole thing is I can not wear yellow! It just doesn't work! I look like a corpse in yellow. *sigh* I hope the folk in charge of the merchandising for the #33 are aware that there are some that just refuse to wear yellow and give us some nice black shirts instead.

Gotta admit though, at least the car design is a lot better than it was on Labonte's car. Throwing in the vivid yellow with the red & Petty blue made it look like it was designed by Crayola.

Hmmm… now there's an interesting concept. Crayola needs to sponsor a car. That would be a fun one to design.

• 7 Comments

Kansas Speedway Here I Come

Yeah, you read that right. In a couple days I'm on a plane to Kansas.

Why Kansas? Because it's Clint Bowyer's home track! Where else will I find such a large concentration of members of the fan club? Hmmmm?

Can't wait! Meeting up with a number of them... WOOOHOOO!!

Question is, will I get a Buck & Bass sighting, or what?

• 5 Comments

Thoughts on Kyle Busch

Ah, Kyle Busch. This year's driver everybody loves to hate. 6 wins this year, pretty much dominating wherever he goes. Driving the Jr. Nation crazy. Love him, hate him, he's probably the most talked about driver this year. Toyota must LOVE him with the success he is giving them in Cup.

Funny thing is, I remember saying something to my husband last year to the effect of... "You watch that Kyle Busch kid next year. Wherever he goes, he's going to start winning a lot of races and make Hendrick regret getting rid of him". I don't know about Hendrick regretting it, but I was right on the first part. Kid has something to prove, and its adding fuel to the fire.

I still think he's an arrogant, immature little punk. And a brat. But I saw something in a GoMotorBids catalog this morning that made me think of another driver's "arrogance". A picture taken in 1979 or 1980 of Dale Earnhardt Sr. opening up his firesuit to reveal a t-shirt that says "Damn I'm Good". Sr. wasn't much older than KB when this pic was taken... maybe 5 years older. And they didn't call that guy The Intimidator for nothing. A lot of people hated him when he was alive, now the man is damn near deified.

No, I'm not jumping on the Kyle Busch Bandwagon. But I'm not going to hate on him either. I'll probably still get upset when he wins over the guys I cheer for, and I'll still get pissed at him when he does stupid stuff on the track, or exhibits bratty behavior. But I'm not going to hate him. Hell, he may even win me over eventually. It will take a while, but it could happen. Will he ever take the #1 spot in my fandom? No. But he could (eventually) make it in to the top 10. Maybe. He'll have to mature a little first.

• 2 Comments

What is with Jimmie Johnson?

And what is up with Jimmie Johnson? I swear the man was exposed to a highly contagious case of The Ass. Last weekend he was whining that Jeff Gordon was racing him 'too harrrrrd'. Uh, hello? They raced each other even harder last year and it didn't seem to affect their friendship. This week it seemed he had it in for Jeff Gordon. Practically slamming into him on pit road on numerous occasions, repeatedly hanging him out to dry when they should have been hooking up for the draft. Jimmie, dude, that's your boss.

• 5 Comments

Sing it with me now...

Here he comes
Here comes Speed Racer
He's a demon on wheels
He's a demon and he's gonna be chasin' after someone.

He's gainin' on you so you better look alive.
He's busy revvin' up a powerful Mach 5.

And when the odds are against him
And there's dangerous work to do
You bet your life Speed Racer
Will see it through.

Go Speed Racer
Go Speed Racer
Go Speed Racer, Go!

He's off and flyin' as he guns the car around the track
He's jammin' down the pedal like he's never comin' back
Adventure's waitin' just ahead.

Go Speed Racer
Go Speed Racer
Go Speed Racer, Go!

"Speed Racer" the movie comes out this Friday. I am totally stoked about this one! Iron Man last weekend, Prince Caspian next weekend... geez, the 3 movies I'm excited about all at once.

I grew up watching 'Speed Racer' cartoons. That and 'Kimba the White Lion' were my first exposure to anime (VERY early anime) and I still enjoy watching it. Speed was my first crush. Yes, my first crush was a cartoon character. Hey, I was 5!! Not surprising... my first crush a car guy. Explains my fascination with fast cars too.

Its going to be campy, cheezy, and the special effects are going to be totally and completely OVER THE TOP! I can't wait!!!

• 2 Comments
• Speed Racer, movie

How About That Clint Bowyer?

GO CLINT!!

Seriously! How about the kid from Kansas that kept it clean, didn't use up his car, and WON the race on Saturday?

GO CLINT!!

Now THAT'S something worth celebrating!

GO CLINT!!

How about that... the Jack Daniel's driver won the Crown Royal 400? Hey, Jack is a winner over Crown with me every time anyway.

GO CLINT!!

• 4 Comments
• Clint Bowyer