Memorial Day week is always my favorite of the year as a race fan living in Indiana.  Anderson Speedway, The World's Fastest High Banked Quarter Mile Speedway" hosts a USAC Natinoal Sprint Car Series race on Wednesday and The Little 500 on Saturday in addition to The Indy 500, The Hoosier Hundred Silver Crown race on the one-mile dirt track at the Indiana State Fairgrounds plus a USAC midget race on asphalt and another USAC sprint car race on dirt.  There's more great racing than you can attend since some races are run at different venues on the same night but plenty of excitement for all fans.

This year's Little 500, which includes 11 rows of 3 sprint cars on the tight bull ring at Anderson, was, as always, as good as any racing gets.  After 500 laps of hard, side-by-side racing, thirty-six year old Shane "The Throttle" Cottle won the race from his starting spot inside row five.  Tragedy struck during the race, however, as 49-year old Roy L. Hiatt, a track safety worker from Anderson, was killed when he was struck by a car during a caution period on the track.  The caution was brought out when a car running second dumped a massive amount of oil in turn one resulting in a huge pileup.  Hiatt apparently rushed to the track to begin applying oil dry before the other track workers were in place to direct the cars below the line of oil and was struck by one of the competitors.  Hiatt died of massive blunt force injuries to his head and chest area shortly after leaving the track in an ambulance.  Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Scott Dixon was the triumphant one for almost the enitre month of May at Indy.  He consistently turned quick practice times and won the pole position then went on to become the 19th driver to win the Indy 500 from the pole in its 92nd running.  The tragedy at this event was the death of a 43-year old fan from Ruma, Illinois.  He died of carbon monoxide poisoning.  Three family members were also admitted to a local hospital with two in serious condition.  No names have been released in this incident as of this morning and no explannation was given as to why the vehicle filled with the poisonous gas.  This has become an all too frequent occurence at the Indy 500, however.  Just two years ago, there were similar deaths due to a motorhome that had backed across a median on the interstate because it had missed an exit.  In doing so, the exhaust system became blocked by mud and carbon monoxide filled the coach that night.  The importance of checking your vehicle to be sure it is not leaking carbon monoxide into the sleeping area is obvious.  For less than $50.00, you can purchase a battery operated carbon monoxide detector which should be a must have any time you plan on staying overnight in a vehicle where you will be running the engine and heater to stay warm.  Be safe race fans and please hold those who lost there lives at Indiana tracks this week up to God as you offer your daily prayers today.

If you only want to read a blog specifically about football or baseball or basketball or racing or any SPORT, skip this one.  If you just enjoy reading things that put a smile on your face, try these items on for size.  They sure made me smile, grin, chuckle, and even LOL.  lol!!!

They're Back!  Those wonderful Church Bulletins! Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS ) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:  
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The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.  
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 The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water."  The sermon  
 tonight: "Searching for Jesus."
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 Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale.  It's a chance to get rid of those things not  
 worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
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 Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone  
 who is hard to love.  Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you .  
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 Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.  
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 Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving  
 obvious pleasure to the congregation.
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 For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a  
 nursery downstairs.
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 Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir.  They need all the  
 help they can get.
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 Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the  
 church.  So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
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 A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall.  
 Music will follow.
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 At the evening service tonight the sermon topic will be "What Is  
 Hell?"  Come early and listen to our choir practice.
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 Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of  
 several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
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 Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be  
 recycled.  Proceeds will be used to cripple children.  
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 Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased  
 person you want remembered.
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 The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment  
 and gracious hostility.
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 Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
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 The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They  
 may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
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 This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across  
 from the Church.  Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
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 Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch  
 in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.
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 The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation  
 would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
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 Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
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 The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the  
 Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
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 Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church.  
 Please use large double door at the side entrance.  
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 The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last  
 Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours."

Well, Kasey "The Kandy Man" Kahne proved the fans that voted him into the All-Star race knew what they were doing with his surprising victory last night even though most of his competitors had newer tires than he did during the final segment.  His many fans can only hope this was a precursor to better days ahead as he recaptured his Lowes Motor Speedway magic.

I think there were four other "Big" surprises last night and the engine problems of JGR were not one of those surprises.  TRD has proven they are ahead of the curve with their engine program this year and what better event to experiment with additional changes that might tweak out a few more horsepower.  That effort will continue to pay dividends for all the Toyota teams.

Here are the other four big surprises I saw last night:

Sam Hornish, Jr. looked like he finally belonged in Cup racing last night.  He has done little to show me he has grown as a Cup driver before last night but he was very racy finally.  He has plenty of talent so last night was a long time coming.

Jeff Gordon was last among HMS drivers and never seemed to improve his car through any of the segments.  You have to wonder how Jr. and his suspect crew chief can continue to outperform the 24 team but it may be time for a new crew chief for Jeff.

Kurt Busch was woeful and that is probably being kind.  He just wasn't competitive and looked like someone who has continued a long downward career slide for quite some time.

Richard Childress Racing didn't have anyone looking competitive last night either.  Harvick was eleventh, Clint was 18th, and Jeff Burton was 20th.  Not the way any three car team wants to leave such a big event, especially at Lowes.

The good news for Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, and the Childress guys is that it was a non-points race but the bad news is there is a huge points race next week on the same track.  I know all their fans hope the surprise next week is positive while Kasey and Sam just want to perform at the same competitive level.

So, do you  agree or not?  What surprised you?

Well at some point, one has to say enough is enough.  I get Foxmail once in awhile from friends I have met on these pages asking me for my opinion about blogs and comments and today was one of those days.  One of the people for whom I have the utmost respect was being severely denigrated by a new blogger because she had the audacity to criticize the blog.  Comments supporting my friend from many others (including two from me) were deleted.  So let me tell you how I feel about that B.S.

Nique, if you can't take any criticism you are going to stay mighty busy deleting comments for awhile and then people will just stop reading your garbage.  Oh sure, you will still get a few supportive remarks  from the normal cadre of kiss butt commenters who think they must always play nice with everyone except a few of us who are brutally honest on these pages.  One, Gunny, even suggested using a comma or two occassionally to make your blog more readable but he has ignored numerous requests from others to stop typing in all caps to make his blogs more readable.  I always ignore his blogs now although, unfortunately, I do see a few comments from him on others blogs.  YM is another who can always be counted upon to criticize uncivility while always posting comments in support of garbage like yours.  Even a guy I have always respected until today, chose to play nice with you for some unknown reason rather than supporting someone with much more class and reasonableness.  Whatever Photoman.

The bottom-line is that almost all bloggers put their opinions out there knowing they will create both positive and NEGATIVE responses.  If you are too thin skinned to handle that, maybe you should refrain from blogging so your fragile little psyche won't be harmed.  At least that is not as cowardly as just deleting the negatives so it appears you are more well regarded than many know you are.

OK trashers.  I know you are out there, dislike me strongly, and will gladly rush to type rejoinders to this blog.  Bring 'em on.  

I haven't posted a blog in nearly two months but have to write to congratulate Kyle Busch for taking over the Cup points lead.  It seems all the idiots and morons who know so little about racing have crawled from under a rock to blast Kyle Busch over his contact with Jr. last night so someone has to set the record straight.

I have read that Kyle Busch hadn't been loose all night so why did he suddenly get loose at that point?  Facts:  Kyle likes his car on the loose side so to say he hadn't hung the read end out all night is totally disingenuous.  Plus, laps were winding down and he was pushing hard to get the lead.  He may have over-driven the corner a little but even Jr. admitted "pinching him down a little which got him loose" so there is NO WAY the contact was intentional.  Kyle is a very talented and very agressive driver but he doesn't drive dirty. 

I have also read that the fact Kyle turned his wheels to the right PROVES the contact was intentional.  So for all you uneducated newbies or head-in-the-sand "veteran" fans, let me ask you a question.  When you have been too agressive getting into a corner on an asphalt track and your read end starts to slide, which way do you turn your steering wheel?  Obviously you all think you know so much about driving a race car so be honest and admit that to save the car once it is loose YOU HAVE TO TURN THE WHEELS TO THE RIGHT.  If you turn them to the left, you will loop the car.  Professional racers get paid big bucks to save the car under those circumstances.

One final point before Jr. Nation starts attacking this blog.  I wanted Jr. to win last night and still hope he will win the championship if Jeff Gordon doesn't.  Any HMS champion is better than a JGR champion for me BUT if you keep whining about Kyle Busch (not Bush as so many critics spell it) running up front and winning races you are going to become a constant whiner for the next several years.  He has more talent than Jr. and 99% of the other drivers out there so cut him some slack once in a while.  Sr. was the dirtiest driver ever yet he was beloved for intentionally wrecking people to get wins.  Now Kyle comes out being extremely agressive but NOT wrecking people on purpose and everyone wants to criticize him.  You are all just showing your ignorance about the sport you supposedly love.  Get over it.

P.S.  Updated info. - 84% of 170,000+ voters on a FOXSports poll believe it was Jr.'s fault.  Only 5% voted it was just a racing incident.  That is surprising and unbelievable that so many fans don't have a clue what they saw.  It was NOT Jr.'s fault and it was not Kyle doing anything intentional.  It was a racing deal, plain and simple.  I guess the prevalence of Kyle bashers just means the Jr. Nation folks are quite vocal but certainly represent a very small minority in terms of their beliefs about last night's incident since such a large majority of voters actually blame Jr.

This intrepid reporter has more breaking news regarding the riff between Tony Stewart and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.  It was not long after the TV crews had packed up their equipment to depart Bristol that I stumbled across another heated exchange between Smoke and a representative of Goodyear in the infield at the track.  Stewart, who looked like a sure winner in the closing laps, accused Goodyear of purposely using a special compound on the right front tire of Brian Vickers car on his last pit stop that would guarantee it would fail in the closing laps of the race. 

Due to that failure, a caution was thrown allowing smart crew chiefs to bring their cars onto pit road for four fresh Goodyears with just a handful of laps to go.  Stewart was quoted as saying the right front which went on Vickers car during the previous pit stop was the worst tire anyone in Cup racing had ever driven on during his entire professional career.  Vickers refused to comment other than to say that Stewart is normally not into conspiracy theories so he hopes there will be a thorough investigation as to whether Goodyear did, in fact, sabotage his race team to hurt Tony's chances to finally win another race.   When the race went green again, Stewart fell from first to fourteenth in a matter of seconds when, according to his own words,  he apparently didn't allow Kevin Harvick enough room to pass even though he knew Harvick had four fresh Goodyears.  Long-time Stewart observers are hinting that it is a good thing Cup drivers don't have to race next weekend since he seems on the verge of a complete breakdown.

 

OK, I know every Cup fan could come up with a different list of "The 20 Most Talented Active Drivers  in Cup Racing" so I'll throw my list out and look forward to hearing who you think I left off that should be included and who I included that you feel shouldn't have been. 

The only caveat is that you must realize there is a difference between listing The 20 Best Active Cup Drivers and The 20 Most Talented Active Drivers in Cup Racing.  I'll illustrate that significant difference while presenting the list.

Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon have to be the top two on my list.  Their winning percentage and championship runs speak for themselves.  Johnson gets my nod for number one but boy would I have liked to seen the difference if they had swapped crew chiefs the past couple of seasons.

My next two are Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart.  While Kyle hasn't been around long, I give him a slight edge over Smoke.

Carl Edwards gets my nod at number five although his most recent win was certainly tainted with compelling evidence that there was intentional cheating.

Sixth through Tenth in Order:  Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Dale Jr., Ryan Newman, and Mark Martin.

I'd put Kenseth, Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Kasey Kahne in the next group but I have to add Juan Pablo, Dario, and Sam Hornish as being arguably more talented than any of those four.  While they haven't shown their full talent in a Cup car yet, they proved plenty in open wheel cars to earn spots on this list (which again is not a list of the Top 20 Cup Drivers but instead is a list of the 20 Most Talented Drivers in Cup Racing).

That leaves three spots and my picks are Denny Hamlin, a 3-time Cup race winner and two guys with single victories so far in Cup racing, Clint Bowyer and Brian Vickers.

Notably Absent:  Robby Gordon, Bobby Labonte, Martin Truex, Jr. and ???

I know Robby has tremendous car control and talent but what has he really done with it?  As for Bobby, his winning percentage is 12th best of the drivers listed above, but he is with a bad team and on the down side of his awesome career.

So, now it's your turn and I look forward to reading your comments. 

Breaking news out of the Concord, North Carolina headquarters of Sponsorship Monthly, a magazine devoted to news, notes, rumors, and comings & goings from within the community of thousands of corporations who sponsor and  support auto racing throughout the United States.  Their editor-in-chief, Richard Cranium, has confirmed that Tony Stewart has signed a new personal services contract with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. of Akron, Ohio.  Complete terms are not known yet but one clause that was divulged says Tony will appear in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade this fall dressed in a silver spandex warm-up suit complete with matching silver gloves, boots, and stocking mask along with the traditional blue banner sporting the yellow Goodyear logo as seen on each of their blimps.  He is set to walk the entire parade route in this costume so he has begun working out to prepare for this assignment by making two extrea trips a day up and down the steps to his motor coach.

A spokesman for Mr. Stewart, who requested anonymity, said Tony is remorseful over the ill-timed, unprofessional, and over-the-top criticism which he leveled against Goodyear after the Atlanta race and chose this agreement as a way to make amends in lieu of an actual apology.

Rumors are also circulating that Tony  has challenged Mike Helton to a race from Philadelphia back to Ft. Lauderdale in two blimps to be provided by Goodyear as part of this promotional package.  More details as they become available.

Hot off the press, this intrepid reporter has just learned that some major sponsors who were approached by Joe Gibbs Racing to be added to those currently sponsoring the #20 Cup car have said NO!!!  Here's your update on this developing story:

1)  Supercuts has said NO for obvious reasons.  How does he trim his hair?  With a weed wacker perhaps.

2)  NutriSystem has also said NO because even though they have worked miracles with other celebrities they know trying to slow down Tony's voracious appetite would be even tougher than trying to slow down his rapid fire mouth which he so frequently engages without putting his brain in gear.

3)  L'Avion has added its name to the quickly growing list of potential sponsors for Smoke's Cup team who have said NO.  As the "100% Business Class" airline, they have found that their large, comfortable passenger seats aren't large enough for the MIchelin Tire mascot wannabe who drives the #20.

4)  Gillete too has said NO to sponsoring Mr. Stewart.  First, they want to stick with "The Young Guns" theme which has worked well for them and, second, they are worried that Tony has aged so much so quickly that he can't even remember to shave most days thus making him a totally inappropriate spokesperson for their products.

5)  Dale Carnegie Seminars, the "How To Win Friends and Influence People" specialists have also determined that Tony is the poster boy for how to lose friends and influence no one so they too have added their name to the "Just Say NO To Tony" list of prospective sponsors.

We will continue to monitor Advertising Age and other industry publications to keep you all updated on new developments in JGR's sponsor search as they unfold.

P.S.  Since we have all learned that Smoke's fans have little or no sense of humor, let the bashing begin.

Several car owners said they've got proof the loose oil reservoir lid inside Carl Edwards ' winning Las Vegas car was deliberate. Several saved the clip of Edwards doing his customary back-flip after winning, and in that clip it appears two bolts in a side window also were loose. The backseat window behind the driver's door wasn't securely fastened, and that would allow air to pass through the oil reservoir tank, into the cockpit and out the side window. All of that would help create as much as 100 pounds of extra downforce on Edwards' car, several teams confirmed. -- Augusta Chronicle

So is Mr. Jack with Bats in his Hat Roush still eager to take a lie detector test.  If he passes, that just means he doesn't know what his crew chiefs are doing.

Perhaps those of us who felt the penalties were fair should be polled again.  Upon further review maybe Carl and Jack should have received 43rd place points and prize money and a new winner declared.  When you intentionally CHEAT and are caught, shouldn't the penalties be even more severe than for the "gosh, we just don't know how those parts came loose" scenario.  I'm betting now that Mr. Roush will rethink appealing the penalties which suddenly seem to not be harsh enough.

First, for those of you who don't already know, I think Tony Stewart has awesome talent as a driver but he also has awesome talent at being childish, boorish, mean-spirited, and a total jerk at times.  While his complaints about the performance of Goodyear tires lately obviously have some merit, his delivery of that message could certainly be improved.  What is ironic is that tires with a compound that is too hard actually favor the most talented drivers.  Tony and Kyle and Biffle are perfect examples.  They all can get more out of ill-handling race cars than 90% of the guys on the track so they all owe Goodyear gratitude for the tires provided for the Atlanta race.

But even more importantly, Smoke has at least five other complaints that should supersede any discussion of tires.  While he hasn't gone public with some of these yet, I have a spy in his organization who has confirmed that these are the five topics about which he whines most frequently.

#1)  He is now taller lying down than he is standing vertically.

#2)  Because of his recent Cup winless streak, Mary Kay Cosmetics has discontinued the Home Depot Orange lipstick that he prefers.

#3)  Subway is cutting commercial ties with him since he is now wider than most of their stores.

#4)  Pillsbury has filed legal action against his use of the nickname "The Pillsbury Dough Girl" and

#5) He is now known to be only the second best driver on the JGR team.

Poor Tony, so many issues, so few brains. 

I figured jbroomy would have posted this but since I don't see it yet I'll announce the latest news from the IRL - Champ Car merger.   Apparently Forsythe Racing announced today they are closing up shop.  That means Paul Tracy is now a free agent looking for a ride.  Early rumors say he may end up driving for Tony George's Vision Racing team joining A.J. Foyt IV and Ed Carpenter.  It was also reported today that the field at Homestead may include 8 cars from Champ Car meaning a total car count of anywhere from 24 to 27 cars.  Most of you who follow open wheel probably already know that the Long Beach race will be run the same weekend as Motegi with the Champ Car teams in Cali and the IRL teams in Japan.  Points will be awarded at both venues so the combined fields at Homestead and all other dates will have both groups on an even playing field points-wise.

OK fans, here's the deal.  I'm going to list 10 multiple choice questions.  Foxmail me your answers if you want and I'll reply with your score or just wait until some time early Sunday morning (well early for me) and I'll add the answers to this blog.  This is just for fun and covers the  so-called "modern era" of Cup racing so younger fans will probably find some of it more difficult than the oldtimers.  But it's just for fun so give it a shot. 

1)  The active driver with the highest winning percentage with at least one full season in Cup racing is: 

A.  Kurt Busch     B.  Jimmie Johnson     C.  Jeff Gordon     D.  Tony Stewart

2)  Which driver holds the all-time record for finishing second in the Championship?         

A.  Bobby Allison     B.  Richard Petty     C.  Mark Martin     D.  Cale Yarborough

3)  Which driver has the most career cup wins without a single Championship?                   

A.  Fred Lorenzon     B.  Fireball Roberts     C.  Mark Martin     D.  Junior Johnson

4)  Which current competitor has run the most Cup races since his last win?                         

A.  Sterling Marlin     B.  Kyle Petty     C.  John Andretti     D.  Ken Schrader 

5)  Two drivers are tied for the most wins in a single season in the modern era.  Which two?    

A.  Richard Petty and David Pearson     B.  Dale Sr. and Jeff Gordon   C.  Darrel Waltrip  and Dale Sr. 

D.  Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty

6)  Which active crew chief has the most wins?     

A.  Jimmy Fenning     B.  Chad Knaus        C.  Greg Zipadelli      D.  Todd Parrott

7)  Which crew chief has the most wins all time?    

 A.  Tim Brewer     B.  Ray Evernham        C.  Kirk Shelmerdine     D.  Jeff Hammond

8)  Which active driver has the longest streak of seasons with at least one win (through 2007)?          

A.  Tony Stewart     B.  Jimmie Johnson     C.  Matt Kenseth     D.  Jeff Gordon

9)  Which of the following drivers is the only one who has never had four consecutive Cup wins?         

 A.  Mark Martin     B.  Jeff Gordon     C.  Jimmie Johnson     D.  Tony Stewart

10)  Which former Rookie of the Year holds the record for most wins in his rookie season?            

A.  Davey Allison     B.  Tony Stewart     C.  Kevin Harvick     D.  Kyle Busch

Here's a bonus question to honor Dave in Indy for his outstanding contributions to NASCAR bloggers.

Juan Pablo Montoya has never entered a race for which of these sanctioning organizations?          

 A.  IRL     B.  F1     C.  The Rolex Series     D.  FOCA

OK folks, have fun.  I know you could look all of this up but I already have so just give it your best guess.  Answers to follow along with my grading scale.  Have a GREAT weekend even if we don't get to watch any racing from California Speedway.