It's the biggest weekend in motorsports. Racing from the most historic racing venues on earth this holiday weekend. Indianapolis, Charlotte, Monaco, and Mansfield, OH. As always this column is Digger free. Let's drop the rag. Highlights, downlows.

Ongoing scientific studies are showing that race car drivers are probably born, not made. Scientists involved in these studies are saying that racers have a complex combination of intelligence, certain inherited brain chemicals and also can be influenced by their environment. They are saying race champions breed champions. I suppose Kyle Petty is the exception that proves the rule?

                        

                                        The Labontes, championship DNA

H. A. 'Humpy' Wheeler has been forced out at Speedway Motorsports Inc. He announced his departure will be effective after Sunday night's race at LMS. He was the Chief Opperating Officer for SMI, and was also the President there since 1980. Wheeler and SMI Chairman and founder, Bruton Smith, have not gotten along for several years. Bruton is the Jerry Jones of NASCAR, while Wheeler was his Jimmy Johnson---the coach, not driver---. Apparently Smith wants his son, Marcus Smith, to take over for Wheeler. Wheeler did more to keep NASCAR alive and relevant than anyone during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.

NASCAR is saying "that's enough boys." The crab walking down the straightaways is being reeled in a little. Some teams had been offsetting their car's rear ends as much as two degrees. NASCAR is ruling that one degree will be the max. Expect new rules to take effect in 2-3 weeks. Two degrees? It sure looked like a helluva lot more.

AFLAC has signed on with RFR to sponsor Carl Edwards' #99 Ford. The deal is reportedly worth 78 million  over three years. Why does my insurance go up every year, and I've never used it? Which is worse, a talking duck, or some horse-face doing back flips?

                 

                                              
                                                 All the years of Gymboree paid off

Kyle Busch's souvenir sales are up 40% at trackside vendors from last year. His sales have skyrocketed from 26th place last year to 7th this year. Plenty of room left on the bandwagon. Everybody loves a winner. Kyle is making even more new fans by the way he plays along with the fans as they boo him. The theatrical bows, the cupped ear, the raise the roof gestures. This will work in his favor better than if he tried to ignore the boos. Some related fallout over Kyle being Public Enemy # Won, is that his brother, Kurt Busch is getting no reaction from the crowds now. At the intoductions before the All-Star race Kurt had a bewildered look on his mug, as if he couldn't believe it. No boos, no nothing.

IRL points leader, Helio Castroneves, is fanning some rumors of him going NASCAR racing. He says he's giving it some thought, and would listen to any offers. Sounds as if someone wants their contract renegotiated.

Derrick Cope's twin nieces were to make their CTS debuts at Mansfield this weekend, but Cope has since withdrawn his two entries for that race. Maybe soon.

               

                                              
                           Topless girl on the yacht, at two o'clock high

Finally, with all the racing and other recreational activities that we enjoy it's easy to forget why we have a three day weekend this week. The next time you see a veteran tell him or her thank you. If you're out this weekend and see a member of our armed forces, pick up their dinner check, or buy them a round. Just remember..."This is the Land of the Free, because of The Brave!"

 

   

                                             
                                                  
      All-American

Note: no gophers were harmed, injured, maimed, or killed while making this blog. Unfortunately.

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