This weekend the slender note pads used on scene, sit lifeless on my desk. I can honestly say that this weekend is one better sat out. With all the hoopla surrounding Jr. and anyone remotely involved, this week has become a major media circus. (Seeing how the circus will be on tour for quite some time, I am in no hurry to join, and will catch a performance later.) Not that I wouldn't love to be at the race, but with the already tight quarters, (and this weeks world-wide attention) I am content to stretch out here and not get run over in the pursuit of a story that is really "old" news with no "new" news.

Without fear of "leaking" accusations, I can safely say that Jr. is somewhere wondering why you idiots continue to ask the same questions over and over and over...!!! Those who cover Jr. year round (not just in the heat of a moment) have been assured, by Jr. and camp, that this decision will not be made in haste and will be announced as soon as it is made. (He and they kept this promise at least 12-24hrs. ahead of the press conference, so there's no reason to believe otherwise.) So we sit back, and watch as the media "NASCAR Whackers" show how little they truly know about Jr. and about our sport. Not to mention the "fan whackers" who claim to be true fans, but don't know some of the most widely known facts. You may have caught one of these idiots on TV, you know, the one that threw one of those cans "in the name of Earnhardt". (P.S. "Redneck" is only made a bad word when used by the "media" to describe an idiot, most of us are proud to be called "redneck", and find the generalizations offensive. We have worked hard to have the right to "go redneck" on someone, and, though we may sometimes fail in the heat of the moment, we try not to abuse this right by at least knowing the facts before we throw something at you. Please do not use "redneck" to describe "idiot". It only degrades rednecks and confuses the rest of the idiots.)

You don't have to be an insider to really know what the true possibilities are. All you really need is knowledge of Jr. and our sport, and what the two really are about, and enough brains to factor the knowledge logically. This is not hard for the real NASCAR fans, but the attention it has attracted brings the idiots out and the media "NASCAR whackers" will continue to use them to make us all look like idiots. Deciding the outcome may be a little trickier, even with all the facts, we can only provide our own wish list. What may be considered the most popular decision, may not necessarily be the best; and what may seem to be the sweetest deal may not be the best for stricktly personal reasons. Another thing, just because there's bread in the oven, doesn't guarantee it will rise, and, even when baked, bread can grow moldy if not properly stored.

 Jr. is not going to sign for money alone. Logic, people, money is not a problem for Jr. He could retire now and continue to pull millions from a wide variety of sources. His investments, enterprises, and companies could be named a "diversification program" of their own. So throw the paycheck out the window. What does that leave? The real deal, the perks and the pleasure.

Jr. is not going to leave one "unhappy place" to join another. He has realized that being happy and being good do affect each other. If you are performing good, you feel happy, and if you're not happy, you don't perform as well. (Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule.) Jr. wants to enjoy racing again, so he can feel good about putting his whole heart into the passion to win. He let this mess at DEI get in his head, and it has shown in his performance. He wants it to be a passion not a job.

 Look for a new Jr., one with the spark that captured our eyes in the beginning. This break from DEI will finally take the pressure off. (Somewhat ironic, huh?) My boredom with Jr., and Jr.'s own boredom, is now replaced with a sense of pride. Jr. has shown that he is his own man, no longer considered dependant on a name or a company name, and confident in his own ability to be a champion. Jr. no longer hides from the image, he has grown up and now knows he only hid from his own fears. Blood is blood, and comparisons will always be made, but Jr. now knows that self-confidence has a lot to do with whether you take it as a hit or as a compliment. Trying to live up to Daddy became a theme, it shouldn't have been. Now Jr. can concentrate on living up to his own expectations, which, he is realizing, is far more important (and more enjoyable) than living up to others. This is when life really begins for Dale Earnhardt Jr.

 Where Jr. lands will depend on Jr.'s happiness and trust (personal and professional), not his pocketbook. Jr. wants multi-championships, and trust that a program has the ability to achieve that will play a huge part in his decision, but he's not going to sign unless he feels that "fit". Previous rumors and ties will come into play, but with Kelly and crew behind him, he will find that one puzzle that his pieces just seem to fit in.

Something to ponder:

There are 7,694,332,461 possible scenarios. (That was a Flywheel stat so it could be off by 1 or 2. I'm sure, somewhere, my geek gods are designing the perfect program to come up with the exact number.)

There are 4 viable scenarios.(5 if you're still hoping he'll start his own team.)

 How high can you count? Bigger numbers does not mean a bigger story, but some find the real story isn't as exciting as the tales they can create. Beware the fakers, with this much attention, expect a lot more "tabloid" than what we're used to. Welcome to a first under the big top we call NASCAR, "The 8 ring circus" is a wonder for all to see, step inside, for a wonderful ride, be amazed as most perform without nets, have a good laugh as the clowns entertain us, and stand to applaud the ring master, as he scurries to avoid the spot light (and being run over by the little cars full of clowns).

As the world continues to dump pieces on the table, trying to make the puzzle seem unsolvable (and themselves look like geniuses for giving us 10.000.000 solutions), I will continue to stretch out and enjoy the space. I sit here, close my eyes, and imagine the red Budweiser #3, leading the pack to the checkered flag of the "2008 Daytona 500", as I toast with Cindi , Lisa, and Steeler from a bottle of the #3 labeled Childress Vineyard's "Champions" stock, which it just so happens, is red. (Of course this dream becoming reality remains solely upon one thing and one thing only- Will I be able to save enough to buy the wine by February?)

Remember, "Smiles Spread" and, unlike rumors, they never get old or ugly.