Just a few shots from my trip to the Daytona 500.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A View of the Superstretch before the race started.  Not a lot of people in the stands this early as it was chilly and windy.  But the stands did fill up when the race was about to start.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A shot of the big screen TV.  Yep, that's how we saw the start of the race.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Front Row takes a pace lap.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A close-up of the double yellow line.  I'm still not sure why Two lines are better than one.  Didn't anyone learn anything at Talladega last year?  Anyone think the drivers don't have it figured out yet?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know this one isn't very clear, but I'm fascinated by the spotters sitting in the sunoco sign.  How do you get to do that?  My guess is that they are track officials looking for debris.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was my  clearest "race" shot - and it was during a caution.  Guess Tony didn't see the double yellow line.  Maybe in July they need to add a flashing arrow and a third line...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here comes the weather.  Not as dark as summer storms, but stil carried enough rain to delay and then stop the race. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They were getting ready for the red flag, so I snapped this shot of Kenseth leading the parade to pit road.  I guessed they wouldn't restart the race, as the spotters, crew chiefs and drivers were talking about a 2 hour rain shower, followed by an hour window to dry things out and then run the remaining laps before the next set of storms. 

 

 

 

January 25, 2009  9:00:00 p.m.

JJ -

Kitchen knife??????

I was going to ask if you wanted to go golfing in Florida, but with your record, I'm worried the fans would accuse me of sabotage!

Smoke

PS So was this all a ploy to get out of your cooking duties? Is Chani letting you off that easy?

 

January 30, 2009  8:45:22 a.m.

Dear Matt, Greg, David, Jamie and Carl:

I've had a few questions about how we plan to trim a team here at Roush Fenway. I thought I'd put the cards on the table so to speak before the season started.

Basically, we will be utilizing a points system. You will receive points for qualifying well, finishing well, winning races and qualifying for the Chase. Additional points can be gained by "accidentally" bumping into Toyotas, bringing along a sponsor, and of course, through "gifts."

Championships are very important in this scheme.

We'll let you know the particulars as the season goes on.

Remember, I'm keeping track of things.

Jack

CC: crew chiefs, personnel

 

February 1, 2009 1:33:43 p.m.

Brian,

We've added the additional yellow line. I don't understand why it is necessary. Go below the one, advance your position and be disqualified. Why will TWO lines make it better?

Leesa

 

February 6, 2009 1:20:36 p.m.

Brian,

So we're letting this fiction take place? Bobby Ginn, who sold out to DEI last spring, can now claim ownership in the #33 RCR Chevy, thus moving it into the top 35 for Daytona , and Bill Davis can have ownership in the #77 Penske Dodge making that car locked in due to the points from the #22. And the #44 of Petty Enterprises is out, although they were in before this wheeling-dealing.

This is very different from a few years ago when Michael Waltrip bought the entire car from an owner who made it into the 500 and put his paint scheme on it. Now we're completely letting the owners trade points outright. This can't lead anywhere good. Are we getting a cut of these sales?. I'd say let's end this now.

Mike

 

February 6, 2009 3:00:00 p.m.

Mike,

I can't keep track of who's where and who's in the Shootout. Do you have a master list?

Brian

 

February 6, 2009 3:02:00 p.m.

Brian,

I use Jayski. He's up to date. Although Robin tries too.

Mike

 

February 7, 2009 10:34:00 p.m.

Scott,

You'll get the hang of things sometime. It is a lot different than the F1 car. Get used to crashing out - and taking people with you who won't be happy about it. The fans thought I was a moving chicane for at least a year. Now they know I can do it intentionally.

JPM

 

February 7, 2009 10:56:22 p.m.

Joey,

The wrecks will happen. Tony had his fair share, and I expect you'll have some too. It's the first race of the season, so don't get too upset by it.

Zippy

 

February 7, 2009 11:55:54 p.m.

Happy,

Good work. I'm not sure how you got by McMurray , and I'm impressed that after you lost the draft those couple times that you hung in there. So, if possible, do you want to work together on Thursday or Sunday?

Smoke

 

'Twas the Night before Daytona, and all through their house

All the crew chiefs were stirring, even Knaus,

The gadgets were hidden in the stockcars with care,

In hopes that the tech crew would not look there,

The owners were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of the Harley J. Earle trophy danc'd in their heads,

And fans in their T-Shirts and Dale Jr. Caps.

Had just bought new gear after a long off-season nap -

When out in the tri-oval there arose such a clatter,

the drivers sprang out of their coaches to see what was the matter.

Away to the windows they flew like a flash,

Tore open the blackout curtains, and threw up the locked sash.

When, what to their wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature stock car, which filled them with fear,

With a little old driver, so lively and belted,

They knew in a moment it must be Mike Helton.

More rapid than eagles his horsepower came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them out by name:

"Now Dale Jr.! Now Gordon! Now Johnson and Edwards!

"On Stewart! On Shrubby! On Bowyer and Biffle!

"To the top of the grandstand! To the top of the wall!

"Get to my meeting, or I'll boot out you all!"

So up to the tri-oval, the drivers they flew,

With their sponsored PJ's and car numbered slippers too:

As they raced to the scene and were turning around,

Out popped Helton, who came with a bound:

He was dressed all in black, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes all smelled of methanol, tire rubber and soot;

A bundle of restrictor plates were flung to the ground,

And he looked like a menace as he glowered around.

His eyes - how they twinkled! His mustache: how hairy,

His cheeks were like red flags, his nose like a cherry;

A twinkle of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon let them know, they had everything to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And sorting the plates, then turned with a jerk,

And pointed at Johnson, Junior, Gordon and team

"This plates not standard, do you see what I mean?"

He tossed one at Stewart, Then said with a sneer

"Did you think we wouldn't find your little trick here?"

He threw one at Kenseth who gave it to Biffle,

"This hole is much bigger than a typical whiffle."

Onto Truex and Montoya, his rage did not abate,

"I can't believe you tried to pass this restrictor plate,"

He turned to them all and said with a tone,

"I'd send you home, if it weren't everyone!

"The next time you try to pass such a cheat,

"I'll take all your points and then, nice and neat,

"I'll ban you from the garage, just as quick as I can,

"Leaving your owners without any plans.

"Your crew chiefs are clever, but I run this show,

"It's me that you owe how you make all your dough.

"The Chase is in weeks, but don't get too set,

"I can decide to forfeit your wins, and then I'd just let

"The Nationwide drivers take over your spots.

"And they'll follow my rules, like it or not."

He sprung to his car, and began to whistle,

And away he drove off, like shot out of a pistol:

But they heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight -

"Good luck at Daytona, Boys, but don't forget this night!"

August 25, 2008      3:02:34  p.m.

Brian,

I'm not sure the new format is smart.  No pole-sitters?  No past champion provisional?   Limiting the manufacturers to just 6 cars and taking out the provisionals could mean some crowd pleasers are bumped.  If they are, ticket sales will tank.

Mike Helton

 

August 26, 2008         9:12:57 p.m.

Mike,

It will work.  People will buy tickets. It will have the top Chase teams involved.

The announcement is set for the 30th.

Brian

 

December 23, 2008     12:10:56 p.m.

AJ -

We have it all lined up for you to drive the #19 GEM Dodge.  After the first of the year, we'll get you settled into things here at GEM.

Glad to have you aboard!

George Gillett

 

December 24, 2008      7:57:10 a.m.

George,

I have all these media reports that I need to discuss with you.  I've tried to call you, but your secretary says you are always busy.  I want to know why I'm hearing these reports about  Allmendinger replacing me in the #19.

Elliott Sadler

 

December 31, 2008         1:22:08 p.m.

George,

I still haven't heard from you about our contract.  I'd like to discuss the situation with you, or I will be filing a lawsuit shortly. 

Elliott

 

January 5, 2009     9:02:33 a.m.

George -

In sum, your financial situation sucks.  The Bill Davis deal fell through because we couldn't get financing.  You owe money on the Liverpool team.  You have to buy out Sadler (and his suit has merit).

Second, the Evernham buyout drained some of your resources.  We need sponsorship dollars to shore things up.

The Petty deal will help us out.  Dodge will be backing us as the premier team.  But it takes money.  And lots of it.

My advice is to cancel the Allmendinger deal and stick with Sadler.  Otherwise, new loans or even bankruptcy will be the best option (and sponsors don't like that idea).

Tom Reddin

 

January 8, 2009         9:20:00 p.m.

AJ -

We still want you, but we need to wait to get Sadler out.  We can have you run a limited schedule and hope some sponsorship opportunites pan out.

George

 

January 8, 2009        9:23:33 p.m.

Elliott -

I am delighted that we were able to work this out so quickly. The sponsors are excited to have you onboard.

See you at the shop tomorrow.

George

PS - when will you be dropping the lawsuit?

 

January 15, 2009      9:39:00 a.m.

Brian,

Ticket sales for the Shootout are dramatically down.  When we ask Daytona ticketholders why they won't buy for the shootout, they cite the fact that Stewart, Newman and a few others aren't in the shootout but Logano, Kvapil, and Almirola were in.

Can't we add a few cars????

Leesa

 

January 15, 2009       3:23:40 p.m.

Mike,

We've tweaked the Shootout format - we'll add a wildcard: either the next in points or a past champion provisional.  It will add excitement.

Brian

 

 

A decade ago, Des Moines, Iowa, used to have indoor races during the winter.  That tradition was revived last night by Kruse Motorsports in its "Battle at the Barn" event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The racing season in Iowa is rather short - April through September, leaving lots of time to reminisce.  Since Iowa is famous for sub-zero temperatures, gale force winds and lots of snow during the months racing is not in season, running a racing event in January is a bit of a stretch.  Unless, of course, you can rent a large open indoor space, such as Veteran's Memorial Auditorium. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which is exactly which "Barn" was used to run this event.  Racers from twelve states arrived in Des Moines to race their go-carts, three wheelers, quads and motorcycles indoors.

The track was prepared using Coke syrup.  A layer of Coke is sprayed on the slick concrete floor.  The Coke syrup helps the tires to stick to the concrete, causing rubber to accumulate on the floor and preventing the tires from spinning. 

Twenty-eight classes first ran heat races, then features started at 7 p.m.  Racers from young children to retirement aged adults competed, and the night ended around 10:30 p.m.

One of the more interesting events wasn't even publicized:  fist fighting.  One fight happened at the start-finish line, at least one in the pits, and one in the "infield" which led to the promoter throwing the offender out immediately.

I'd take the fighting as a sign we've gone to long without a good race!