TONY STEWART

A/K/A

SMOKE!!

WILL WIN THE DAYTONA 500!

FINALLY ~ !!

Oh, I'm sorry, I thought we were talking about the Super Bowl of NASCAR around here.  The Daytona 500.

P.S.  GO CARDS!!

Disclaimer:  This was a joke, and only a joke, please do not pull the fire extinguisher lever, and immediately return to your desk jobs.  That means now.

First off, I have to extend my condolences to the entire Blaney family.  The patriarch Lou Blaney passed away this Sunday, January 25,2009, at the age of 69.  You can read about it here.

Now to Dave Blaney. 

You thought he was gone, didn't you?  Didn't think you would have to hear about him again now that the CAT sponsorship for the #22 Bill Davis Racing machine went to RCR, and subsequently BDR sold his race team during the off season.  Well, you'd be wrong.

Seems Blaney will be driving for Prism Motorsports after Daytona.  Terry Labonte is slated to command that ride for the Daytona 500.  It is being reported that Prism Motorsports formed a technical alliance with Michael Waltrip Racing and will buy engines from Joey Arrington.  Bill Henderson is reported to be Blaney's crew chief for 2009.

I am guessing the o-fer streak for the Buckeye Bullet will continue.  Hope not.

Good luck Blaney!!

I had to share the contents of this post by Doug Demmons from my local newspaper.  The original post can be found by clicking here.

"Scott Speed is not one of those drivers that people talk about when they complain that NASCAR drivers are too politically correct and don't say what they really think. Speed has no such restraint.

On Wednesday he was asked about a theme that has come up many times this week during the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour -- the need for drivers to do more for fans to encourage greater attendance at tracks.

Speed is not on board that train.

"American fans are obnoxious," he said. "It's ridiculous to get a picture or an autograph. Everywhere else in the world there's just more respect. We'd get off the airplane in Tokyo and there'd be people everywhere. The whole airport would be shut down but not one would ask you for a picture.

"They (American fans) are just not shy at all. They have no problem saying, 'Hey can I have a picture?' Like you're at a bowling alley or something, a bar, whatever, and they say, 'I want a picture.' All right, so you say you want a picture and then everybody else wants a picture and then the next thing you know, it's a whole autograph session."

Granted, drivers shouldn't be hounded 24/7 for autographs, but contrast Speed's perspective with Richard Petty's. Petty will sign autographs until his hand falls off.

He said this week that when he signs an autograph he considers it a thank-you note to a fan for supporting NASCAR."

(Credit:  Doug Demmons/Blog of Tomorrow/ www.al.com)

You all remember Kyle Busch's famous comment at Bristol in March 2007, right? He won the first COT race and his comment to the media was ... "I can't stand to drive them. They suck."

I actually was open to the idea of this new, innovative car that promoted safety first. We've seen many gasp-inspiring wrecks where the drivers have walked away with minor injuries, or none at all. Michael McDowell, holy moly!, but walked away.

I also watched those box cars roll out to race in person a few times, and it didn't seem to effect me in any way last year. Once you got past the different style, it seemed to be the same old racing - until this year when the car was used exclusively.

But now, NASCAR said there will be no changes to the new car for next year.

Whatever.

Will someone please remove the blindfolds from the big-wigs' eyes?? If NASCAR can't see that this year's racing has been completely lackluster I'm a mon key's uncle ... er ... aunt.

The car's wing is a huge problem, how many times did we see the leader pull away from the field in clean air this year? Too dang many. The fenders need to be widened. The bump stops need to go. I'm sorry, but it was boring!

At first, I thought maybe, just maybe, NASCAR was thinking about the teams and their financial situation. However, the more I thought about it, I think it is more along the lines of the old infamous C-Y-A.

If, in fact, they made any changes to the new car, how would they handle the teams' outrage at the iron-fisted penalties they have levied against the team's innovations and attempts to circumvent the issues with this car? Remember Dale Jr. and Tony Jr.'s getting busted for the wing brackets last year? I mean, really, they were trying to change the angle to get more down force. Brilliance! And, lest we not forget about Steve Latarte and Chad Knaus getting busted for trying to widen the fenders on the new car last year? Brilliance, yet again.

Yes, more and more teams have been busted for trying to gain an advantage, an advantage that we need to see for this type car to be competitive throughout the entire race - not just out front leading laps. Cheating you say? After this year's racing left a boring, bitter taste in my mouth, I have to say no. What does NASCAR say? Heck no, you ain't messing with this car, there is no grey area. But I give them a big kudos!

I know, however, that the teams will continue to strive to find an edge as they have been doing since the inception of stock car racing, and we will continue to see NASCAR handing down penalties and fines to the drivers and teams that break their law in 2009 and beyond. They've never been contradictory or consistent, though, right?  Bullies!