Grats to Brad Keselowski!

Brad Keselowski started in 37th position and took the win in the Bristol Nationwide race. The 88 Navy car was in 2nd place behind Clint Bowyer when Clint got loose and Brad took advantage of the opportunity with about 24 laps left to go. This is Brad's second win this season and puts him in second place for the championship behind Clint Bowyer. With his owner Dale Jr. starting in 40th for tomorrow's Cup race, maybe this will give Junior a little inspiration.

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Scoop on the "Ride With Dale Jr." paint scheme

I have been sort of anxious to see the paint scheme for the Amp "Ride With Dale Jr." car that he is driving at the Oct. 5th Talladega race. I signed up to get my name on the car on the first day Junior announced it in a press conference. If you haven't heard about it, the first 70,000 names that signed up get on the car.

They haven't "officially" unveiled it yet so there are no photos of it available, but thanks to QVC's "For Race Fans Only" show, I am able to describe it for you. On their August 1st show they were offering a pre-order of the die-cast for the car, but they had a black car cover on the diecast prototype. They said they weren't authorized to show it yet, but somehow they managed to get ahold of the hood of the car itself, which they had hanging on the set. The hood was white, with the Amp logo in green. It looked like a white hood but when they zoomed in on it, you could see the names appear in a subtle gray font. Dan Hughes' guest, "Dr. Diecast" said that the names are in a 12 pt. font. I was actually able to read the names when they zoomed in, but mine wasn't in the sections they showed. Amazing the amount of names that were just in a small area...it's pretty cool!

On the August 15th show they were able to show the prototype of the diecast. It is a reverse of the regular Amp car. The hood, front fenders and roof are white. The sides of the car and rear deck lid are green. White "88" on the sides of the car, and the "88" in red on the roof. Of course the names would be too small to read on the diecast, but when they zoomed in on it, it kind of looks like a gray pinstriping. They said the names are on the entire car (green areas and white) but not where the numbers are. For the diecast, they said a list of the names on the car will be included. For the actual car, they will send out an email to all the folks who are on the car a couple weeks before the race.

And yes....I pre-ordered the diecast! ;) I am looking forward to seeing it on the track.

• 10 Comments
• Ride With Dale Jr., Amp Energy, Talladega, Diecast

Schedule Changes for 2009

Mark Garrow mentioned on the podcast yesterday that NASCAR was considering changes to the schedule next year which would move the Atlanta fall race to Labor Day weekend, the Talladega fall race to Atlanta's spot, and Fontana's race moved to Talladega's spot in October. I think that would be awesome for us Cali fans since Fontana is ungodly hot on Labor Day weekend. October would be much better temperature-wise and would also make Auto Club Speedway a "Chase" track. After the 115 degree temperatures at last year's Labor Day race, I think it would be a smart move on NASCAR's part, and I am sure the driver's would appreciate it too, as hot as the new car gets in 100 degree heat. I hope the rumor is true!

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Wider tire for the COT

On yesterday's podcast Dennis Michelson made a good point about making a wider tire for the COT (or a TOT as Cutler called it, LOL) to help with the handling and tire wear. Ray Evernham brought up the same point on Nascar Now on ESPN. He basically said that NASCAR has restrictions on the dimensions of the tires and that they need to give Goodyear a little bit bigger box to work in concerning the tire dimensions. I really think making a little wider tire will be a good start in helping to stabilize the handling of the car as well as wear issues. Changing compounds is not enough. NASCAR should loosen the restrictions a bit.

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Shake, Rattle and Roll!!!

I just got a hell of a ride sitting in my office! Just had a 5.8 magnitude earthquake with epicenter near Chino Hills, CA. Felt it pretty strong here in Newport Beach and it got stronger as it went. Felt a couple aftershocks as well. Rockin, rollin' and gettin' Rowdy in Cali.

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Scott Kalitta RIP

Racing lost another driver from another racing family. Drag racer Scott Kalitta was killed today when his funnycar burst into flames and crashed going 300 mph during qualifying for the NHRA Supernationals in Englishtown, N.J. It doesn't matter what kind of racing it is, it always hits home when a driver loses his life. I know it sounds cliche, but the only positive thing that can be said is that he died doing what he loved doing. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Kalitta family.

• 8 Comments
• NHRA, Drag Racing, Scott Kalitta, SuperNationals

Rowdy Book Review: "One Helluva Ride"

It's been awhile since I have posted a blog. Things have been very busy lately. About a couple months ago I picked up this book from Amazon.com and I must say it was a great read. The book is called "One Helluva Ride - How NASCAR Swept The Nation" by Liz Clarke who is a sportswriter for The Washington Post and has also covered NASCAR for USA Today, The Charlotte Observer and The Dallas Morning News.

I really enjoyed her style of writing and every chapter was interesting and unique. From the moonshine running days of Junior Johnson to Dale Jr.'s decision to leave DEI for another team, and everything in between is covered very admirably by Ms. Clarke.

Of course, there were chapters dedicated to many of the individuals who have made NASCAR what it is today including The Frances, The Allisons, The Pettys and the Earnhardts; the contrast between two young drivers who changed the stereotype of the NASCAR driver...Jeff Gordon and Tim Richmond; the champion vs. the challenger (Earnhardt/Gordon); Humpy Wheeler starting night racing at the Coca Cola 600 in '92. But also there were chapters on the changing face of NASCAR (seeking new markets, changing away from tobacco, going global); the loss of Dale Earnhardt and much more.

Lot's of variety and some good anecdotes from someone who spent years covering the sport. Whether you are a NASCAR fanatic or you are new to the sport and want to learn some history of NASCAR and how it evolved, this book is a great place to start. A very easy book to read (I got through it in a few sittings) that I highly recommend to everyone! Enjoy!

• 7 Comments
• one helluva ride, liz clarke, Book Review

C'mon Jimmy Spencer!!!

Was watching Nascar Raceday...we are what???...12 races into the season??? Spencer is STILL calling it the NEXTEL cup!!! If you are going to be a NASCAR "analyst"...get your act together man! And it's Hendrick not "Hendrix" Motorsports. Hendrix was a kick ass guitar god!

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I will NEVER own a Kyle Busch diecast!

Talk about a roller coaster of emotions! I was sitting here thinking Junior had his first win in 2 years in the bag when Danny Hamlin had a tire go down and stopped on the track to bring out the caution. I DID NOT want to see the caution!!! (I did notice that Denny did get the car going again after he got the caution...Nice sandbaggin' there Denny!!!) Then with Junior in the lead I thought.."This is it...Junior is going to get a win finally on the 2 year anniversary of his last cup win!" NOT!!! Shrub takes Junior out and it didn't gain him anything other than being the asshat he is and giving him the chance to upstage Junior. I was watching it on Hotpass and they showed it in slow motion and you could literally see Shrub's front wheels turn toward Junior to take him out. (Sometimes I wish Junior wasn't such a nice guy!) Anyway, it is obvious to me that Shrub resents Junior's popularity and has made it pretty well known by his comments. I admit Shrub has raw driving talent...but that's about it! Other than that, he pretty much sucks as a person and I hope he is cursed for the rest of the season and doesn't make the Chase! Screw you Shrub! Yes....I am PIST!!!!

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Hungry for some 88?

A girl in my office gave me this the week after Easter. Thought it was pretty cool. Looks like it needs a little body work. :) I am going to consume that baby anyway when Junior gets his first win. Will it be this weekend at Texas? He won it in his rookie year of 2000 and also had 4 Top 5's and and 7 Top 10's there. I think he might have a shot. Go Junebug!!!

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