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!"