OK...after my last two Indy 500 posts, I guess it is time to get back writing about NASCAR.

Well this week we continue on with another race for the SYMT drivers. And to get us in the racing mood, I'm going to talk about one of NASCAR's most sentimental favorites: Mark Martin. 

                                                    

Mark Martin has been in the Cup series since the mid 1980's.   Like many drivers he began his racing career on the dirt tracks of his home state (Arkansas), and graduated to the asphalt racing. He raced in the ASA (American Speed Association) racing series with his rookie season of 1977. He was rather successful there and won 22 races and FOUR championships in ASA: 1978,1979, 1980 and 1986.  As a matter of fact I remember seeing Mark Martin racing in an ASA sanctioned event when I first started dating my husband in 1983. It was a small track near the Indiana border called Illiana Speedway. 

Mark Martin has had the pleasure of racing with several of NASCAR's elite teams during his career thus far. His longest term association was of course with Roush Racing. He began driving for Roush in 1988 and stayed with the team for 19 years!  During this time he had several sponsors, but the a few of them I remember most: Stroh's, Folger's, and of course the Viagra car. 

Of course we all know he has been the bridesmaid several times in the Cup points...finishing 2nd four times in his career: 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002. But don't let this statistic fool you...he has 37 Cup victories to his credit. 

       

Some of Mark's most popular car's during his Cup career are shown above. 

In 2004, Mark announced that he would retire at the end of the 2005 season with his "Salute to You" tour.  This was the same year that Rusty Wallace also did his retirement tour dubbed "Rusty's Last Call". During the 2005 season many of the tracks had a special commeroration ceremony (or presentation) to the two drivers.  But ultimately Mark Martin decided to come back and race the 2006 season again with Jack Roush.

In the 2007 racing season, Mark choose to race part time (semi-retirement) with Ginn Racing.  He raced the US Army car during that time. However mid 2007, DEI racing acquired Ginn Racing, and then Mark shared his ride with Aric Armola. In 2008 he continued to race part time with DEI. 

 In July 2008 Mark announced that he would return full time to racing with Hendrick Motorsports for the 2009 NASCAR season.  Mark felt that this would give him a shot at the Cup title that had eluded him throughout his career.   Currently he is racing the Kellog's car which has brought him to victory lane twice thus far in 2009.

And yes, Mark also has raced in the Nationwide Series, starting in 1982, and establishing a record 48 wins in the series as a driver.  Mark has also raced occaisionally in the Camping World Truck Series. He has a total of 7 victories in that series also.

And to wrap up this notable career, Mark also has participated in the IROC series during the 1990's and 2000's. He amassed an incredible five IROC titles in the time: 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2005.  Mark is really an all around racer, and has enjoyed every moment of racing in the various series. 

Some other tidbits I uncovered during my browsing on the web: Mark owns two car dealerships: Mark Martin Chevrolet in Melbourne, AR and Mark Martin Ford-Mecury, in Batesville, AR. (His hometown). Also located Batesville is the Mark Martin Museum.

Mark is married to Arlene and has one son Matt. His son Matt was racing in quarter midgets up to the  ASA late model series, but stopped racing last year in order to focus on his studies.  Mark Martin is also an avid pilot and flies his personal jet to and from the races.

So in what many would consider to be the "twilight of his career", Mark appears to be re-energized this season.

Mark is considered  "the best driver to never win a championship". Perhaps 2009 can put an end to this statement ? !!!

 

THE 93RD INDIANAPOLIS 500 MILE RACE....MAY 24, 2009.  

                                                                  

                     

As most of you know I will be one of a few hundred thousand fans at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday for the 92nd Indy 500 race.  With a day full of racing for all fans on Sunday...from the Monaco F1 race across the ocean, the Indianapolis 500 in Indiana, and the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte NC, there's a lot of news to digest.  But I did want to share a fun story with you that was posted today in the Indy Star newspaper by Bob Kravitz. 

I've got a dream.

At the end of Sunday's Indianapolis 500, either Alex Lloyd or Ed Carpenter will stand in victory lane, swilling milk, clutching the Borg-Warner Trophy . . . and accepting his newborn child fresh from the "delivery room" of the infield medical center.

 It would be hard to capture the content of the article better than the opening paragraph by Kravitz.  But indeed both wives of the 500 drivers; Ed Carpenter and Alex Lloyd are expecting their second baby any day now. And yes...both women will be at the race track Sunday.  And neither driver will be told by his crew IF his wife goes into labor (so he can remain focused on the race).   Well without giving away the rest of the details of the article, I've included a link to it below. Also for the casual fan I've included a link to the starting grid for the Indy 500.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009905230453

http://www.indy500.com/grid

                                                                    

              

Driver Alex Lloyd's ride for the Indy 500 pictured above.

Ed Carpenter's qualification photo for the Indy 500.

Neither of these two can be missed on the track...that's for sure!

Now if I had to pick which driver's wife I'd like to see have a baby at the track tomorrow...it would be Ed Carpenter hands down. Why you may ask??? If you are not already aware of it, Ed Carpenter is the step-son of Tony George. Yep...that Tony George; owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, founder of the Indy Racing League, and owner of Vision Racing (the team Carpenter drives for). 

As track historian Donald Davidson has noted " no children have been born at the Indianapolis Motor Speeday". We would bet that more than a few have been concieved here over the years though.  What history that would be...Tony George's grandchild born at the IMS on raceday. Gee...that kid would be in the history books forever.

Enjoy racing Sunday...I'll be in Turn 4 watching all the action in person!

At the end of this week I head to Indianapolis to see the 500 qualifications for the 25th consecutive year.  There will be many stories to follow during the month of May at Indy.  One in particular to NASCAR fans will be the entry for Richard Petty Motorspoprts/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing: featuring driver John Andretti.

As most of you know, John Andretti raced in the IRL before coming to the NASCAR series.  Even though it has been awhile since Andretti regularly raced in the IRL series, he has still participated in nine Indy 500's (beginning with his rookie year in 1988).  Even owner Richard Petty has visitied the Speedway during the month of May in the past to witness the festivities during qualifications.  However this is the first year he will be there as an owner.

Now for the meat and potatoes part of this blog. As you may (or may not) know, the primary sponsor of the number 43 vehicle is Window World, Inc. which is headquartered in North Wilkesboro, NC. This company is offering a unique feature to racing fans to view the teams  rookie season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway through a special website.  Fans can access the following website: http://www.petty-andretti.com to look through the "Window" of activity during the month of May as the team prepares and qualifies for the Indy 500.

                                        

So for all those NASCAR fans who also keep an eye on the Indy Cars, please remember that this weekend kicks off the qualifications for the 2009 Indianapolis 500.  Listed below are some additional links providing detailed information on the the RPM / DRR #43 team.

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=326683&FS=NASCAR-CUP

http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/news/13518/NASCAR_Legend_Petty_To_Field_Indy_500_Entry_For_J__Andretti?utm_medium=ET_email&utm_content=C14KOZ@AOL.COM&utm_campaign=May-5-2009_Wing+and+Wheel+-+April&utm_source=Wing+and+Wheel+-+April&utm_term=

If you haven't been to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to witness the qualifications, I would urge you to do so. It is a lot of racing excitement packed into the weekend.  Just visit the website for IMS to get the latest updates on activies for the qualification weekends. And if anyone is traveling to the Speedway either this weekend or next, I would be happy to meet up with you at the track to share some racing fun!

www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com

 

Greetings Race Fans....Welcome to the Milwaukee Zoo 150, hosted at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.

Before we begin this weekend's festivities, lets take a look at the history of the Milwaukee Mile.

                                                                  

• Track is a one mile flat oval with relatively flat banking: 9.25 degrees in the turns and 2.50 degrees in the straights.
• The track opened in 1903, and has the distinction of being the oldest operating racetrack in the world. At least one auto race has been held here each year since 1903.
• Track was operated as a dirt track for the first 50 years, and was pave in asphalt in 1954.
• The Milwaukee Mile has hosted events by major sanctioning bodies of: AAA, USAC, NASCAR, CART and the IRL series.

                                                              

                                                   Our event sponsor is the Milwaukee County Zoo, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

 

Some tidbits about the zoo for you animal fanatics are:

• Opened in 1892 in downtown Washington Park in Milwaukee.
• By 1902 the Zoo had grown to about 800 animals on 23 acres of land
• The Zoo moved to its current location in 1958, and is home to 1700 animals representing 350 species.
• The Zoo has several endangered animal programs, featuring; Humboldt Penguins, Bonobo's (Primates) and Trumpeter Swans.

 

OPENING DAY at the track is Friday for practice of the Show us Your Moon Tour 2008. The drivers are anxious to begin. The first four events of the season saw four different drivers win a four events: Jon464, Tezgm99, Jbroomy, and Klvalus.  Will this weekend's race give us a new winner for the season? Or will one of our prior winners become the first two time winner for 2008?

Wait a second...there's some commotion down in the infield by the tunnel area. It seems that the Milwaukee County Zoo has given guest passes to some of the Zoo residents to cheer on their favorite GGW drivers.

The first pair of guests spotted are looking for their favorite driver...Jokerswild!

 

Closely behind them is a single Big Brown Bear looking for RSO author...Hanahan!

Sitting to the side is the Silverback Gor*illa  looking for the banana smoothies. He is the third cousin twice removed of GGW driver...Photogr!

Mischieviously peeking behind the others is GGW prankster...Texascudaguy!

Another observer to this weekend's activities is from the step family of....Sweetkena!

Looking above the crowd is a good friend of GGW driver...YeeMum! 

WOW, we certainly have a good mix of fans here at the track this weekend!

What's this.... a group of penguin's looking for the ice cream and favorite driver...Gerrel!

OK...OK...back to the racing drivers and the practice for the day.

The first practice session is almost done, and last week's winner Klvalus is leading the pack of Girl-rilla's. The Guy-rilla's are not far behind with Tylerhead staying calm and cool behind the leader.

As the second practice session winds down later in the afternoon, there is a lot going on at the track, and Hotfootlori has now dominated the field. Klvalus is not too happy with the turn of events. Better watch out...these GGW drivers have been known to keep an ace up their sleeve!

 

SATURDAY DAWNS clear and bright for Qualifications at the Milwaukee Mile. All the drivers are ready to give it their all, and as the session winds down we have the following GGW drivers in the top 10 positions for Sunday's event:

1. Jokerswild
2. Tylerhead
3. Forensic2
4. Tezgm99
5. Jbroomy
6. Texascudaguy
7. MeanDovine
8. Hanahan
9. Sweetkena
10. Tsfanpc

Uh, Oh...Someone is not too happy...Ms. Hotfootlori is out for retaliation. It seems that during her qualification run, several lug nuts came loose, and the right side tire came off after the first lap, giving her a 12th place start in the field. Klvalus was seen with a pocketful of lugnuts and bragging to Dwindy how she was going to make Hotfoot eat some crow!

So sad fellas! Moseby and Jon464 are trying to forget that they are in the back of the pack for this week's race.

 

Some of the rest of the gang; Tylerhead, Jokerswild, Forensic2, Tezgm99, and Jbroomy were content to relax for the evening...knowing that they were in the top 5 for tomorrow's event.

Watching the final event of the day with great interest was 24X2 and Speedbeagle. The parrots were in fine form during practice of the flyover for Sunday.

And as a backup, the seagulls were practicing their manuever's also.

Both MeanDovine and Frevr3fan got a little too close watching the seagulls, and ended up with some white bird doo-doo in their guy-rilla fur.

Well Folks, tomorrow is race day. Grab your buddies, get a seat with a good view,

And come on out to enjoy the race with the GGW gang!

 

WE'LL SEE YOU IN VICTORY LANE AT THE MILWAUKEE ZOO 150!  

 

 

OK - Just trying to see if I can get a pic in the blog. Have never done this before...here goes.

Photo : Samuel Blanc / www.sblanc.com

 

I think this worked!!!! Let's see if it will post.