Ron Hornaday was marvelous, simply marvelous.  He had the best truck tonight.  And tonight the best truck won the race.  Hornaday took his new sponsor Camping World to victory lane on their first outing with him.  Somewhere on a lake near Charlotte they are having a big bonfire, camp out and celebration party tonight.

By Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press
May 19, 2007
12:23 AM EDT

O.K., I have blogged on about all sorts of various details for all of the guys who need to quit trying to qualify for these Cup races.  If you haven't got the message yet you must be deaf.  I haven't mentioned our newby this week, Brandon Ash.  But Brandon Ash?  What is he thinking? 

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The snakes will be picked up on Snake Hill in Phoenix this week by Brandon Ash, Michael Waltrip, Jon Andretti, A. J. Allmendinger, Jeremy Mayfield, Ward Burton, and David Reutimann.

Now it is also time to pay a lot more attention to something else.  I have a new game.  Jay Jay has posted similar posts.  But this has more to do with who can possibly make it to the top 35  in points this year to set themselves up for next year.  This is a big deal.  The stakes are high.  Real high.

I am calling it "You Can't Drive 35."  Some of these guys are so anchored as go or go home cars that they really need to start thinking about what they are going to be doing next year.  If they don't, Silly Season may come really fast whether they want it to or not.

So let's start taking a look at candidates this week that are really in trouble because while they may continue to make races this year on time, they probably can't get into the top 35 thus failing to anchor five starts for their teams to start the 08 season which will make it darned hard if not impossible to secure sponsorship next year.

The first " You Can't Drive 35" candidate is a familiar face.  Yes Kenny Wallace is back.  Kenny drives for Furniture Row Racing sponsored by itself, Furniture Row so Silly Season may not apply to him in the usual manner.  But how long can these rich boys continue spending their own funds to do this?  And why do they do it?  Oh yeah, I forgot, the purse for starting a cup race is almost more than winning a Busch race.  We have to fix that.

O.K. then, why does Kenny demean himself by driving their car?  The money?

He can't need the money.  Of course, a million dollars is a million dollars and if you would like to have another million dollars and you could get it by doing something you love.  And if you might just luck out and eek out a real upset win on gas mileage or something one time provided you can stay on the lead lap, well, I guess then, that's it.  A million dollars.  "If I Had A Million Dollars... 

With today's interesting weather in Texas today perhaps a sandbag detail is needed to control local flooding.  There was no qualifying based on time today due to the rain, sleet, hail, snow and gloom of night.  Alas, no Paul Revere midnight rides will occur either.

Therefore, the starting lineup has been determined based on owners points.  I actually enjoy seeing this from time to time.  It puts all of the points leaders up front and we can see how they all do in cleaner air.  It's more like, well say an F1 start for example as all the best cars rush off into the first turn.

But rain on qualifying always hits hard on those trying to make the race on time.  They don't even get a chance to try.

Thus a #### week for Michael Waltrip just gets shittier.  However, I can't help but think Michael has brought this upon himself by burning his candle at both ends and generally taking on too much ####  I am not asking Michael to help this week.  Instead, I am keeping him in a holding cell.  This thing is just getting started for him.  Too bad.  But it's going to be a long and sad deal.

Alright, Mr. Lepage and Mr. Allmendinger, you guys have worked with us before, you know we don't goof off.  I expect you to act like leaders today as we go out here and build a few sandbag walls just in case we should get more weather and the creeks rise.  I know you will take this seriously.  This is serious business.

O.K., Kenny Wallace.  Kenny?  Kenny?  What?  Kenny made the race?  L I'll B.

####? ####? Didn't I tell you to go Busch racing boy?  Getouttaheah!

Scott Wimmer, Sorry you didn't get a chance to try to qualify your Richard Childress Holiday Inn car man.  Bad break.  Your dismissed.  Go get some barbecue.

John Andretti, well you keep showing up from time to time so your asking for it.  Get over here with Kevin and A.J.,.

And todays newest member of the your in deep do do and on the #### shoveling sandbagging or whatever else the hell we need brigade, please welcome Jeremy Mayfield.

O.K.,.  Mike, Kevin, back in the hole.  Now, let me see who I can find to help you today.

A.J.?  I hate to do this to you.  But what made you think you could go from CART to Nextel Cup?  Have you ever heard of the IRL?  Craftsman Trucks?  The Busch Series?

Son, I know, it's a hard lesson, but just because someone has faith in you, doesn't mean they are right.  You have to know what you can and can't do son.  You have to know your own limitations.  I say, i say son, you have definitely Peter Principaled this one.

Well, like I say, I hate doin' this to ya son.  But you just get on down there and help Mikey and Kevin out.  Maybe if you can get Mike to shut up on TV and radio and get him back in the shop with you Toyota guys maybe, just maybe, you guys can work something out.  But until then, well until then, you just help him shovel that #### right there.