Juan Pablo Montoya is a danger.  He just wrecked my guy, Clint Bowyer...who was leading the Daytona 500 at the time.

This is not the first time JPM has wrecked someone.  But it's the first time he wrecked MY driver.  I was willing to give JPM a chance this year.  Chance over.

I hope that the powers that be at NASCAR do something drastic to reign that fool in.  However, what I'm really hoping for is a full season suspension.  Don't let him back on the track until he proves that he can quit wrecking people from behind.

So let's hear from all you JPM fans.  I want to hear your lame excuses for your lame driver.  And if he doesn't have the guts to face Clint after the race, get down on his knees and beg for forgiveness...then not only is he a lame driver, he'd be a lame human being too.

Go back to Columbia Juan.  Or go back to open wheel.  Go ANYWHERE but a NASCAR track.

Valentines Day.   What a joke.

A "holiday" created as an ode to "Love".  What a transparent cash grab.

Lemme ask you all this....do you need to have a "holiday" as an excuse to treat your significant other as you should treat them every day?  Do you need such an excuse to go out for a nice dinner, or a give a nifty little present?  I hope you answer "NO" to those questions.  

I know, I know.  I'm full of sour grapes about Valentine's Day because I'm in the process of a divorce.  Nuh uh.  Has nothing to do with it.  Truth.

I may not have a wife, but I do have someone...and I won't treat her any differently today than I do any other day.  I don't need this made up holiday to buy her flowers.  If I want to give her flowers, I give them because I want to make her smile...not because FTD says I need to be romantic today.  I guess what I'm saying is that for those of us in relationships...every day should be like Valentines Day.  I buy flowers, presents, nice dinners, and all that stuff....regularly throughout the year.

A dozen long stem roses, last week, cost $19.99.  Now the cost is $50.00.  Tomorrow it'll be back to $19.99 again.  Sounds like an oil company, no?  I call it disgusting.  My mother runs a commercial greenhouse.  She says that today and Mother's Day pay for their entire year.  So there ya go...you see the mentality that drives this particular holiday....business.  I can't think of two things more polar opposite than business and romance.

A box of Hershey's "A Pot of Gold" chocolates was 2 bags for $5.00 last week.  This week each bag is $6.99.  Supply and demand my butt!!!  That's a fleecing, is what that is.  If an individual tried to pull something like that, they'd be arrested for extortion!

And now we come to the Valentine's card.  What a crock.  Someone tell me why I need some stooge at a greeting card company to put my feelings about my lady into words for me?  I guess they feel that we are not capable of doing that ourselves.  My reply is that if you can't tell your partner why, and how much, you love them...then you probably shouldn't be in a relationship at all.  Here's an idea for you...write your own card this year, and don't give Hallmark $8.99 for something that you can do yourself.  And it will be obvious to your partner that you took the time and effort to think about them and how much they mean to you.  Now THAT is special.  Any knucklehead can buy a card...

Now, I have to say that I am an incurable romantic.  Perhaps this is why this "holiday" is so offensive to me.  Christmas is a big cash grab too, but I don't hate Chriastmas.  Folks we should all have Valentines Day in us EVERY day, and our partners should be treated like it's Valentine's day EVERY day.  I find it quite sad that so many people are wrapped so friggin' tight that they have to be reminded with a fake holiday to do something nice for their significant other.  We should all take the time...each and every day...to let our lovers know that we care.  You don't have to spend money...quality time is always more important than money anyhow.

So here's two big middle fingers to Hallmark, FTD, Red Lobster, Hershey Foods, Zales and anyone else who plan on turning our warm feelings for our lover(s) into cash in their bank accounts.  Treat your special someone like you will today, every day for the rest of the year.  Because that is the way it really should be.

Oh, and Clint Bowyer is going to win the Daytona 500.

Hey now...

Sorry for the unexpected absentee-ism...what can I say...life happens.

I'm getting divorced.  Seems my wife doesn't like my girlfriend.  Who woulda figured on that?  I was shocked.  Not. 

So I moved out.  I don't have 24 hour access to hi-speed anymore, so for the next few months I'll be a bit scattered.  But I did want to stop by and say this....The Bud Shoot Out was fun as heck.

I think I know why.  No, not that Jr put his 88 in the winner circle, first run outta the shoot.  Good on 'em and all that, but it's a non-points race, so whatever.  Good for building some Big Mo' though.

Nope, I think it was as much fun as it was because there were only 23 or so cars on the track.  Perhaps NASCAR should look at shortening up the field, especially at the big superemormospeedways.  It would certainly put staying in the lead draft at a premium.  Yeah yeah, but what about the little guys and struggling teams?  Well, to be blunt....f' 'em.  Miracles happen too infrequently to be of any consequence.  Send them back to Nationwide.  At least they'd be competitive there, and that series would benefit from having some good name drivers to attract ticket buyers.

Let's be realistic here.  I think that those of us who follow NASCAR could probably give you the top 15 finishers in each race...probably not in the right order...but we know who is fast.  And we also know who ISN'T fast, and who isn't going to be fast. 

So this is my theory:

If NASCAR were to shorten Sprint Cup races to a field of 25, and eliminate all the back-markers...it just stands to reason that the racing would be better because the competition would be better.  Then we could get rid of the ridiculous "Chase" format.  The only car guaranteed to make the following year's Cup race should be the Champ.  Everyone else has gotta bust butt to be fast enough at speed week to get in the show.  That's right.  That's what I'm suggesting.  Only the Champ is safe.  Everyone else has got to prove that they belong...and they have to do it each and every season...or they are OUT.  Bad week?  Broke some parts?  Had a crash?  Made some bad calls in the pits?  Just can't get that speed up?  Or maybe you were just unlucky?  Gee, that chews cud,  but you messed up, and now you are in Nationwide.  Shut up and race.  Go fast and be competitive...or get "relegated" as our Brit friends would say.

Now, I know that will never happen.  Too much money from too many sponsors is up for grabs.  NASCAR will never jeopardize that.  But it sure was nice watching only 20+ good cars/drivers out there doing their thing without all the back markers clogging up the works and getting in the way. 

Sunday...watch the 07.  Clint looks racey.  Black-Chevy-Childress-Daytona....been a real good combo in the past.  Bowyer is in it to win it.  He can spread the gospel according to Jack Daniels a lot better from the winner's circle.  Go get 'em Clint.  Make my day....

As my ol' pal Keith Richards likes to say...."It's good to be here.  Hell, it's good to be anywhere!"

Ever since the death of Dale Earnhardt, I haven't really had a driver that I've been able to pull for.  I mean, I like Dale Jr...but he's no Intimidator.  So I've just been pulling for Chevy, marking time until someone popped up and made me take notice.  Well, I'm happy to officially announce that next season I have given my allegiance to Clint Bowyer.  I'm even gonna buy some of his merch.

Here's 10 reasons why I think you too should be a Clint Bowyer fan.

1.  He drives a Chevy.

2.  His main sponsor is Jack Daniels.

3.  He crossed the finish line in 18th place at the Daytona 500 ...wheels pointed skyward and on fire.  And then he carried some Daytona infield sod around on his shoulder like a pro wrestler championship belt!

4.  He proved that he can win races...by winning a race.

5.  His car is black.

6.  He built a dirt track in his backyard so he can race go-karts and quarter midgets with his buddies.

7.  He can drive his butt off...and he does it in pressure situations.  When his team needed a win to ensure a place in the chase...he went out and won.

8.  He considers himself to be very forunate to be where he is, and is committed to doing whatever it takes to be successful.  Humble is a refreshing change compared to most of the self-entitled primmadonnas that are driving today.

9.  He's no metrosexual.  Race car drivers should be macho manly men.  If your guy has a weekly mani/ped scheduled...or even knows what a mani/ped is...you should be very wary.  Clint is a t-shirt and jeans guy...he does not have an account with Armani or Dolce & Gabanna(sp?).

10. His namesake is Clint Eastwood.  So you gotta ask yourself one question.  Do you feel lucky, punk?  'Nuff said. 

So there ya go.  10 good reasons why you should be pullin' for Clint next year.  I fully expect you all to be wearing Jack Daniels gear real soon.

So here's to you Clint!  See, I'm already brand loyal!

In a race season full of lowlights...there had to be at least one monent during the season that made you wake up and take notice.  What was that moment for you?

I know what mine was.

Clint Bowyer finished in 18th place at the Daytona 500.

What was so darned great about that?

He crossed the start/finish line on the track.  On his roof, wheels up.  And he was on fire.  When his car came to a stop in the Daytona infield, he crawled out, took off his helmet & gloves.  He then crawled back INTO his burning car, and grabbed a big hunk of Daytona sod.  He threw it over his shoulder like a pro wrestling championship belt and mugged for the crowd as he walked towards the infield.

THAT was awesome.

Unfortunately for me...that was the big highlight, and it came at the end of the first race.  The next 34 races had nothing that jumped out at me.  Long season.

I can't say that I'm not glad 2007 is almost in the books.  On the other hand, it just makes me wonder how bad 2008 will get?

So let us all know what you think NASCAR 2007's best moment was...and if you feel like it, tell us what you look forward to(or are NOT looking forward to...)in 2008.