Well, I was just looking to see who all was still around here.  Haven't been on since July, but my friend JokersWild sent a message on here yesterday so I had to log in to read it! Right?

News today is that Kyle Busch will have a new crew chief after this weekend's race at Talladega.

Dave "Magnet" Rogers.  Interesting.

Hope everyone is doing well!

You all remember Kyle Busch's famous comment at Bristol in March 2007, right? He won the first COT race and his comment to the media was ... "I can't stand to drive them. They suck."

I actually was open to the idea of this new, innovative car that promoted safety first. We've seen many gasp-inspiring wrecks where the drivers have walked away with minor injuries, or none at all. Michael McDowell, holy moly!, but walked away.

I also watched those box cars roll out to race in person a few times, and it didn't seem to effect me in any way last year. Once you got past the different style, it seemed to be the same old racing - until this year when the car was used exclusively.

But now, NASCAR said there will be no changes to the new car for next year.

Whatever.

Will someone please remove the blindfolds from the big-wigs' eyes?? If NASCAR can't see that this year's racing has been completely lackluster I'm a mon key's uncle ... er ... aunt.

The car's wing is a huge problem, how many times did we see the leader pull away from the field in clean air this year? Too dang many. The fenders need to be widened. The bump stops need to go. I'm sorry, but it was boring!

At first, I thought maybe, just maybe, NASCAR was thinking about the teams and their financial situation. However, the more I thought about it, I think it is more along the lines of the old infamous C-Y-A.

If, in fact, they made any changes to the new car, how would they handle the teams' outrage at the iron-fisted penalties they have levied against the team's innovations and attempts to circumvent the issues with this car? Remember Dale Jr. and Tony Jr.'s getting busted for the wing brackets last year? I mean, really, they were trying to change the angle to get more down force. Brilliance! And, lest we not forget about Steve Latarte and Chad Knaus getting busted for trying to widen the fenders on the new car last year? Brilliance, yet again.

Yes, more and more teams have been busted for trying to gain an advantage, an advantage that we need to see for this type car to be competitive throughout the entire race - not just out front leading laps. Cheating you say? After this year's racing left a boring, bitter taste in my mouth, I have to say no. What does NASCAR say? Heck no, you ain't messing with this car, there is no grey area. But I give them a big kudos!

I know, however, that the teams will continue to strive to find an edge as they have been doing since the inception of stock car racing, and we will continue to see NASCAR handing down penalties and fines to the drivers and teams that break their law in 2009 and beyond. They've never been contradictory or consistent, though, right?  Bullies!