Brian Vickers is likely having one of the best days of his life.  He has just won his first Nextel Cup race behind the wheel of a car that he was hand-picked to drive by the late Ricky Hendrick.  Hendrick and Vickers were good friends from what I have read and after the race he was visibly emotional when speaking of his late friend.  What is strange is that Vickers has been excluded from post race team meetings since announcing he was leaving Hendrick motorsports at the end of the year.  This had to have been more than a little uncomfortable in Victory Lane.  His teammates have been open about being ticked at him lately especially Jeff Gordon.  I'm sure Jimmie Johnson now will have reason to be ticked at Vickers as well.  I for one was calling him a few choice names as he took out Junior on the last lap just a few feet away from the checkers.  I'm suprised he didn't take out half the field! 

I didn't see the interview with Johnson after the race but I thought Junior was very respectful.  He chalked it up to racing at Talledega. Things like that just happen and "Congratulations to Brian".  You can bet the Vickers/Johnson conversation didn't go that well.  Wonder if Jimmie went to Victory Lane to congratulate his teammate????

I recently had someone question, "Why do women like NASCAR?"  While I can't speak for the others, I can tell you why I do.  I happen to have the best "Papaw" in the world.  Growing up, I would follow him everywhere trying to help and learn all I could from him.  He had no boys around but I was just as good.  He raced in the 1950s on dirt tracks, mostly as the "crew chief".  He didn't race when I was young but he still loved it.  One of his many jobs was a car salesman.  His first job at the carlot was to run back milage.  I was always intrigued by these stories and I HAVE to know how things "work" so he obliged in every way.  I was taught to change oil, change tires, air filters, you name it.  And I loved every minute of it.  When Nascar started coverage on TV he would always watch.  Around that time I was too busy running around with friends to watch, but on occasion I would sit and watch awhile because I knew he wanted me to. 

Fast forward to marriage.  My husband decided he was going to start watching Nascar so of course I started watching again.  Not because he did but because I finally slowed down enough to watch!  A few years ago we went to Daytona on vacation and decided to tour the track.  I was amazed at the banking, and how big it was.  We watched the IMAX movie of how the cars are made and haulers loaded and that was it.  I had to go to a race.  When February rolled around I discovered the Speed channel.  That was like a drug.  I watched just about all the coverage they had of Speedweeks.  My husband thought I was nuts.  I began to learn the drivers, the teams, how the Chase worked, and the more I learned the more I wanted to learn. 

We went to our first race last year.  I was hooked.  It was the most unbelieveable experience.  I have to also tell you, I have  a thing for cars.  Old, new, doesn't matter.  I think they are beautiful.  I was giddy as we walked to our seatsin turn one at Lowe's for the All-Star.  By the pace laps, I could hardly contain myself.  Needless to say, when the green flag dropped I thought I was gonna have a heartattack!  It was awesome!!  I think it is the biggest rush I've ever had.  I will be a fan for life.  Not for the drivers, for the cars.  It amazes me how the aero and engineering can make such a difference. 

I happen to support a driver that the ladies love.  I get  a lot of flack for that.  I decided that he was my favorite because I liked his demeanor and how he handled himself in the shadow of such a great man.  I might add that I am not a bandwagon fan because my first year as a Jr fan was last year.  We all know how that worked out.  I like alot of other drivers and respect them all.  Not everyone can do what they do.  However, they are human and make mistakes.  I enjoy the drama of the mistakes, maybe BECAUSE I am a woman. 

Drivers may come, and drivers may go, but I am a Nascar fan first. Of the machines, not the men.

I am surely gonna tick someone off, but what's with some of the posters on myspace.com?   A few months ago, I opened an account to check out a page by my soon-to-be ex-sis-in-law, and after reading a few comments about driver privacy decided to go check it out again.  There are about 7-8 spaces there claiming to be Dale Jr and at least one to be Michael Waltrip.  The funniest part is the people commenting and thanking them for "adding them" to their friend list.  Do these people really believe that 1) they have a myspace page 2)they added them to their friend list and 3) they would actually go for  some of the women posting photos that are a tube top away from Hustler?  Yes, I understand that these men knew they would be in the public eye, we buy their merchandise, support them, etc.  However, sometimes the public can go too far.  I admit to standing in line for an autograph, taking binoculars to a race to see pit road, but let's not get carried away.  Tracking airplanes, looking for their homes, etc,  borders on stalker.  No wonder they have to travel with the PR and entourage of rock stars at special events.  I am not saying "those poor millionares" but simply stating that fans should be respectful when showing their "support".

First and foremost, I am a Tony Stewart fan.  However, I think Smoke is becoming grouchy the older he gets.  His post race interview Sunday reminds me of an old man citing, "Those young whipper snappers!!"  I agree that he is one of the most talented drivers that Nascar has ever had, but also quick to judge.  I don't claim to be an expert but while watching the incident with Bowyer I couldn't help but think he over drove the corner and simply slid up into Stewart.  Carl Edwards seemed to be the innocent bystander until he also took matters into his own hands.  The bump on pit road was completely unacceptable.  Too many people could  have been hurt.  If I were Jack Roush I'd be upset that a driver I paid to win races was using my racecar for payback.  I always thought Edwards was this "Aw, shucks" type of guy, but to hear him comment on kicking Stewarts "backside" after the race, and also a few races ago, really shocks me.  Is this the real Edwards?  Or was his Mama gonna do it?  I know emotions run high, but on track safety must come first.  Throw down behind the haulers after the race, that I'd love to see.

I know I will probably offend someone, but here goes.  I disagree with the way NASCAR handles their fines.  After the Kyle Busch penalty, I looked into it a little and discovered that all fines are distributed among the top 25 drivers at the end of the year.  Does anyone out there get a check in the mail at the end of the year for speeding ticket fines they have paid?  Me neither.  I think this money should be distributed among the many charities that NASCAR supports.  What is the point of fining someone if they will get some back anyway? 

I welcome your comments about this subject and if anyone out there knows anymore about this or why this done, please enlighten me!

 

Thank you for the recent comments, I would have replied but as you know I've been on vacation.  First stop, Concord N.C.  We decided to drive all night, never again, and arrived about 11:00 am.  Our hotel room wasn' t ready so we headed to the track.  We purchased our NCTS  & Cup qualifiying, looked around awhile and then back to unload the van.  I strongly suggest attending a truck race and qualifying if possible.  We had great seats, it wasn't crowded and saw some great racing, but I was running on 2 hrs sleep, not cool. 

The next day we set out early for tailgaiting and the race.  What  a beautiful day!  It was warm, nice breeze, great for racing, right?  Not.  As we left the concert( Train was great, by the way!)  It started to cloud up and sprinkle.  By the time we were in our seats it would rain enough to get our ponchos on and then stop.  The guy in front of us had weather on his cell and would keep us updated and it wasn't really that bad. 

You have to know, I am a Nascar fanatic.  Here I am, decked out in my scanner, headset, camera, and poncho.  I was the only person at that track!  My poor kids and husband had to fend for themselves!  But, all my planning and programming paid off!  When Stewart was in all the wrecks I would switch over to listen.  Man, was he "colorful".  I haven't heard a conversation using so many f"s in all my life!  I know he was frustrated but it was really kinda funny to hear him go on like that! 

If I'm rambling, I apoloigize, my son is building a "racetrack" and wants my input!  I will fill ya'll in on the rest of the trip next time! 

 

I almost have all my bags packed, my driver gear, my tailgaiting supplies, and a map of every road remotely close to Lowe's Motorspeedway.  You see, last year my family went to our first Nascar race.  We arrived late Friday night before the 2005 All Star Challange.  I am a diehard Earnhardt fan so I was determined to visit DEI.  How could I be that close and not go?  We got up early Saturday morning, ate breakfast and set out to find the "Garage Mahal".  My husband decided to get a haircut on the way since time had not allowed before our trip.  Okay, this shouldn't take long I thought.  After all, one of my fav bands was going to be at the track for a concert and I was psyched!  The Black Crowes, DEI, my first race, all in one day!  Now hubby's ears are lowered and we're on our way.  We drive for what seems like forever and a few heated disscussions about directions and finally....there it is.  The Garage that Dale built.  Winding through the North Carolina countryside I'm thinking, "No way, we can't be going the right way." This massive glass showcase sitting right in the middle of a field.  Beautiful.  Kind of takes your breath away.  We make our way through the museum, gift shop, take a look around outside and decide we'd better eat and head to the track.  No problem right, and we have a concert to get to.  We finally find I-85 and OMG, where did all these people come from????  Finally, we make it to Speedway Blvd.  I'm driving and hubby giving directions, telling me "park closer".  Bad idea.  We end up parking on non-speedway parking that costs $20 and took us over 3 hours to get out  of because after the race no one was directing traffic out of our lot.  By this time, I am upset because as we are walking into the speedway, the concert goers are walking out.  I missed the Crowes!!!  We head to our seats,  kids in tow, and settle in to watch the race.  I must say, Nascar fans are the greatest fans in the world!!  We sat next to some great people.  The gentleman next to me took up with my son and fed him candy all through the race.  They are renewable seats so we will get to talk again this year!  The guy next to my husband had a scanner and was nice enough to keep us updated on the cautions and such. 

We had the time of our life but we learned alot too!  This year, I already have one scanner and plan to rent or purchase another, VERY detailed maps, plenty of snacks, and I refuse to leave Speedway property the day of the race!!  I WILL see the concert, I WILL NOT park in non-speedway parking, and I WILL tailgate all day!! 

I am new to blogs, but here goes.  I guess you could call me the "new generation of Nascar".  I didn't grow up a die-hard fan but watched occasionally.  That all changed about a year ago.  I am the kind of person that wants to know "why".  If you can't tell me, I will find out for myself or die trying.  My family and I visited Daytona Speedway in July 2004 and it only took about 6 months for me to become a Nascar junkie.  We watched the IMAX movie about the race teams, and how the cars are built and taken to and from the track.  For a curious person like me this was only the first step of the learning process.  Over the next few months I watched races on occasion.  I have two kids and it was summertime, so we were busy playing outside mowing the yard,etc.  That's what most people do on the weekend, right?  Fast forward to February.  Over the holidays my husband had Tivo'd the "3" movie and a 60 minutes special with Dale Jr.  He and my son are Tony Stewart fans and growing up my Papaw followed the late Dale Earnhardt.  For some reason, the ol' green and white Skoal car always seemed to stick out in my mind.  I decided that I needed to pick a driver of my own.  I decided to follow Dale Jr for several reasons.  I have always kind of felt I had to prove myself to some people and I saw that in him.  He didn't want to be known just as the son of the  "Intimidator".  He wanted to carve out a spot for himself.  I always hear groans when I tell someone who I follow.  They assume I like him because "All the women like JR".  Sorry guys, I did my research and female following had nothing to do with it.  Last year being his worst I feel I can justify that I didn't pick a driver "just because he wins alot".  I kept my mouth shut, remained a loyal fan, and living with two Stewart fans, took alot of ribbing at my driver's point standings.  I don't bash other drivers and hope no one reading will bash mine.  This is purely for entertainment.  I welcome your comments and hopefully will get and give some useful info for race goers!