Dazed in Dover...

First off I have to thank the folks at Rowdy for hooking me up with the opportunity to witness my first race, I really had a blast hanging out with my friend and seeing firsthand how fast these guys are on the track. I already had respect for racers but I respect them a lot more for what they do and how they keep a car running that fast in control.

Yes, and it was loud as hell, made a lot of the concerts I've been to not even compare in volume and decibels. I'm going for some earplugs next time, and a scanner (should've listened to you Lauren).

Seeing Biffle lead all those laps was pretty cool for a while but somewhere within the hundred-or-so laps I was dazing out for a while only to be ripped back into reality by a swarm of roaring engines right on turn two which where we sat above.

I missed the crash with Sadler, Stewart and others, it happened so quick and there was a bridge blocking our view, I saw it on replay from a large screen in the infield which I used to follow some of the race.

Even with it being the same five guys in front of the field, there were some guys I was rooting for in that group, was also rooting for my new favorite driver Brian Vickers (picked up one of his shirts as well).

All in all it was a great day, travel time was quicker than expected as we didn't hit too much traffic.

Now I can't wait for the September race, thanks again to the guys at Rowdy.

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Dover 400 Roll Call... and let me know where we can meet up

So besides taking in my first race I hope to meet some members of The Nation on Sunday. Me and my buddy will be leaving Philly around 8AM. Who's heading out there and where can we meet up?

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Another update... and this just in... I AM BOUND FOR DOVER!

Well, it's been a while since I've posted here. Got sidetracked with moving a little over a month ago into our new house. Still following the races of course and staying the loop listening to the podcasts.

I have posted a photo of our latest addition to the family, a little calico we named Lulu. She showed up in our backyard only days after we moved in. We took her in and once the vet gave her a clean bill of health she really became a member of the family.

Now, I have to say once again that the folks who run Rowdy are the ABSOLUTE BEST! I especially want to give a huge shout-out to Cutler and Cindy because thanks to them I am now going to be attending my first ever race at Dover next weekend.

To say that I am excited would be an understatement, and getting the tickets in the mail today really got me psyched. Dover has become one of my favorite tracks and now me and friend will be taking in the sights and sounds of a race in person. Damn right it was a good day.

So once again, thanks again Rowdy... you guys are so awesome and I can't thank you enough for this wonderful gift.

And I hope to meet some fellow Rowdy folks that day.

Everyone have a safe and great holiday weekend.

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One thing I've learned with fantasy NASCAR games online...

... never take Jr. out of my teams, I so wish I didn't swap him for Newman at the last minute.

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To all you new "people" and spam bots

NO PROFANITY HERE PLEASE.
THAT IS ALL.

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NASCAR Now segment on Alan Kulwicki

Sunday morning I caught the last fifteen minutes of NASCAR Now as they presented a segment on the late Alan Kulwicki discussing the upcoming fifteenth anniversary of his death (which is today).

Lots of emotional interviews and memories from people who knew and worked with him but the part that really put a lump in my throat was seeing the video clip of his team truck leaving Bristol Motor Speedway the following day, man was that a bummer.

Watching the profile I came to admire Kulwicki's "do-it-yourself" attitude and methods he brought to racing, I loved how some of his former crew were recalling being intimidated when Kulwicki would stand behind them or beside them as they were working on his race car and not knowing what Kulwicki was thinking as he would remain silent and observe.

And of course seeing the inception of the "Polish Victory Lap" was pretty damn cool, especially the TV announcers' reaction which made it even more gold.

Can some of the older fans here recall any memories they had of Kulwicki like some of his rivalries and/or best moment on and off the track? I only know of what I saw in that ESPN segment and some stuff I read online.

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• Alan Kulwicki

Hot Damn~! McMurray places in 5th for Martinsville

Checking the line-up for Sunday and I saw Jamie McMurray in fifth for Sunday's race.

Nice to see after hearing this week how under the gun he must have felt with having to qualify for speed in this upcoming race in Martinsville.

And looking at the practice speed stats he was 11th, and judging by his history at this track he has some good finishes and some crappy ones as well. But maybe being this close up the field McMurray can recover and get up from the downstroke to at least get a decent run and finish in turn obtaining some confidence and momentum towards the rest of the season.

We shall see...

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Reutimann gets the #44 but loses points from the #00

So I'm reading on ESPN's website that David Reutimann will not be getting his points from the #00 car transfered to Dale Jarrett's former #44 ride which Reutimann will be taking over.

This has got to be a kick in the teeth as Reutimann felt honored for being picked to inherit the 44 but he was 27th in owner's points with the 00 while the 44 is 34th and close to falling out the top 35 tier.

According to NASCAR the points-swapping deal is for when teams are restructuring and other business changes, not to give drivers better position in the points standings.

I was comparing this to the points swap in Penske where Hornish got Busch's points, and I guess that was more to help Hornish make the first few races rather than qualifying via speed, am I correct? It wasn't so much for better position as it was just to get the rookie in the race without worries, right?

Forgive my ignorance as I am still learning this sport, if any of ya'll can clear this up for me I'd appreciate it because I'm not sure if this is just another of NASCAR's inconsistencies with rules and polices or not.

As for Reutimann, one can only hope that if he's had some success in the 00 car that he can be consistent with the 44 and work his way back up, but it has to be frustrating to earn those points then have to kind of start from scratch but hey, that's life.

The lucky recipient of Reutimann's points will be Michael McDowell as he's taking over the 00 car.

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AWESOME Jr. car!

Man, I just saw this silver/black color scheme for the 88 that will appear at the Sprint Cup All-Star Race and I'm totally diggin' it! I'd love to get a diecast of this ride but it won't be out until late summer. I wish this was one of his regular cars on the circuit.

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Time for an update...

Well it's been a while since I've been here, still listen to the show but there's a lot going on in my life at the moment.

First off, me and my chick are moving, still in Philadelphia but we'll be living in a 3-bedroom house. I can't believe it, it's been a dream to get a house someday, we're still renting but may buy the place someday if the landlord allows us.

My job's been getting busy as I've acquired some more responsibilities that I'm happy to deal with, it involves communicating within the company I work for and god knows that this place can use MORE communication amongst employees and departments.

Oh and sorry for the bummer but our cat Bela died over a week ago, was very torn up by the whole deal.

Anyway, I should incorporate some racing-related bits here to conclude this here blog.

First off, the Pat Rummerfield interview by Cutler was awesome! The best one I've heard on Rowdy. That dude made me feel like a heel for getting worked up over stupid, petty things. He's such an inspiration, very cool guy.

Proprietary Part-Gate:
Roush accusing Toyota of galavanting around the track with a Roush Racing part cracks me up for some reason. This storyline is quite intriguing for me, Lee White and Jack Roush should just duke it out in an electric, barbed-wire steel cage of death before the next race... right there at the infield.

Nice to see Scott Wimmer get a win last weekend, too bad though for Rowdy Busch losing it on the track. I have to say he kept his composure very well when asked by an ESPN reporter (can't remember who) what happened to his car. I hate reporters who ask moronic questions like that.

Also nice to see Jeff Burton get a win along with his RCR teammates finishing well but I'm still waiting for the 24 to get a win, I think it'll be this coming weekend.

Read an article on Yahoo debating whether the season should start off with the Daytona 500. One reader suggests starting the season in Vegas and concluding with Daytona. As a newer fan, I enjoy having that excitement and tradition of Daytona start off the season, it sets the groove for anticipating the entire season personally. What do you guys think?

I'm actually checking out the XM Indy 300 on Saturday night, see what they have to offer. I watched a bit of Indy Car last season but not enough to follow any storylines, think Danica still has to win a race... that's all I can think of from that series... oh and some guys from open wheel are in NASCAR now.

Am I crazy for wanting a #18 M&Ms jacket?

I'm still hoping to head to Dover this season, keeping my fingers crossed on that one.

Well, that's all for now. I'll probably be back here in another month or so.

Ya'll have a great week.

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