Hey all--

Just wanted to pass along this link to FORBES.com that featured NASCAR on its cover this week and has a lead story about the troubles our sport faces.  No its not the economy stupid! Its Brian!  Even FORBES knows this...amazing.

Its a good read...check it out.

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0302/082_trouble_at_tracks.html

Oh and free HANAHAN!

I am not as ambitious as JJD attempting to Live Blog a race but I thought it would be fun to have a "Chat Blog" going during the race today if anyone is around!

FINALLY the FOX preview show is over...Gotta say the whole Digger & Friends animated show was particularly disturbing but you have to hand it to them for hooking the kids.  Why we needed 3 songs from Mr. Urban I dont know and so far DW has picked nearly every driver in the field to win it!   

We are almost ready to Start Your Engines (what was up with the sickly sweet version of the National Anthem??)    Lots of story lines to watch for today...Tires, Rain, Rookies, New Teams, Back up Cars, No Pettys...

Who will reign supreme!?!?!  

Look forward to chatting with you all...

So I settled in tonight to watch the ESPN Sprint Cup Preview Show that I had "taped" on the DVR and was pleased to see they started off the show previewing Team Penske (aka Penske Championship Racing-not really fond of the new name but whatever, it gets Sam in).

They showed a bit of the Phoenix Fall race when Kurt gave JJ a run for his money only to finish second and to my utter amusement for just a few split seconds I caught a glimpse of my own pumpkin head in the pits!

After dancing around a bit annoying my husband with the chant "I am on tv!  I am on tv!" I remembered the thrill of that race and am now off to pray to the racing Gods that Miller finds a way to get me back in the garages for another fix!

BTW...who needs lugs?!?!

I was hoping to post this soon after the finish of the Chili Bowl with pictures sent from Corey Tucker of the decals on the cars and some action shots on the track.   Unfortunately for us, Corey has been really busy since returning from Tulsa because he has been switched from being the Car Chief on Kurt's car to the Car Chief on Sam Hornish, Jr's car for the upcoming season and he has a lot on his plate right now.     The new Car Chief on Kurt's car is Jeff Thousand who was Rusty's Car Chief and was "off the road" setting up the cars in the shop for Penske Racing the past several years.

One other change to the Brew Crew is the Team Engineer.  Some of you may remember Brian Wilson from one of the articles I wrote, he is now the Team Engineer for Stremme and the new Team Engineer for Kurt is Save Winston from who previously worked at RedBull Racing.  The Brew Crew told me they are stronger than ever, as is Penske as a whole.  There have also been NO layoffs at Penske which is impressive.   Finally, my buds on the crew said they will sneak me in the garages somehow, even if Miller doesn't come through...yipee!  here comes trouble!

GGW Sponsored Chili Bowl Results

TUESDAY -- Hunter Schuerenberg finished 2nd in his "C Main" qualifying race and moved into the "B Main" qualifier with some awesome moves.  Hunter finished 4th in the "B Main" race and moved into the "A Main" with hopes of qualifying for the main event but got tangled up during the race and finished 24th in the pits.   Hunter finished 3rd in the "D Main" on Saturday and moved to the "C Main" but finished 13th knocking him out of Chili Bowl contention. 

WEDNESDAY--Bryan Clauson started the "A Main" from the 12th spot but had to go to the tail of end of the field after mechanical issues.  Clauson carved through half the field in the opening eight laps before eventually finishing eleventh...Unfortunately, probably not good enough to transfer to the Chili Bowl on Sat.  Bryan finished 3rd in the "C Main" on Saturday and transfered to the "B Main" where he finished 11th, not good enough to continue on.

THURSDAY-- Jason Meyers started the "A Main" on Thursday from the sixth starting spot and was involved in some intense racing at the front of the pack until he spun in turn 3 with only 3 laps to go.  Jason ended up finishing 18th.   Jason won his "D Main" event on Saturday but was taken out by NASCAR's most beautiful person, Kasey Kahne in the "C Main" ending his and Kasey's hopes of getting to the Chili Bowl.

FRIDAY--Jerry Higbie, Jr fell ill and was replaced by Kyle Larson who went out and raced his way to the "A Main" but was forced to pit with mechnical issues.   Billy Wilburn finished 3rd in his "C Main" on Friday but then finished 8th in the "B Main" failing to transfer into the Chili Bowl.

So unfortunately none of our Chili Bowl racers made the main event but I think we can all agree it was exciting racing and we are very proud of them nonetheless!   If and when I get photos I will post them!

Finally, I sent along one of our decals to Southern Cindi's mom, Mamma Sue (it was GUNNY's idea) 

and I just received a lovely card from her thanking all the bloggers for remembering Cindi and keeping her memory alive.  The best part was, I quote, "I hope Tony gets a good look at the decal and remembers too!"

Gotta love Mamma Sue!

Bring on the Bud Shootout!

The 2009 Chili Bowl qualifiers are set to begin on Tuesday and will continue all week until the feature race in the dirt on Saturday night.  There is an unprecedented number of entries this year...293!!   That is a LOT of midgets!  LOL

Of course, there are FIVE very special entries in the Chili Bowl this year.  The FOXSports NASCAR bloggers have pulled together to sponsor the cars of Corey Tucker Racing (Kurt Busch's car chief) which will carry this uber-cool decal designed by our very own Forensic2 in the races:

Corey said the decals came out awesome and said he will be sending photos of the decal on the cars as soon as he can.   He did manage to send me a few pictures of the cars before he loaded up and headed to Tulsa.   (PS-Corey has sent out the decals to those who "ordered" them!)

Hunter Schuerenberg will be starting our team off by qualifying on Tuesday http://www.chilibowl.com/2009qualtue.asp and here is a picture of his ride:

***WOOHOO!  HUNTER finished 2nd in his "C Main" qualifying race and moves into the "B Main" qualifier with some awesome moves.  Hunter finished 4th in the "B Main" race and moved into the "A Main" with hopes of qualifying for the main event but got tangled up during the race and finished 24th in the pits.*****

Here is the midget Bryan Clauson will be piloting on Wednesday              

against the likes of JJ Yeley and previous Chili Bowl winner Tim McCreadie and most probably Tony Stewart in his "TBA" No. 14.    Here is the link to the qualifying list for Wed: http://www.chilibowl.com/2009QualWed.asp?uUrl=1/9/200982006.41

***Bryan Clauson started the "A Main" from the 12th spot but had to go to the tail of end of the field after mechanical issues.  Clauson carved through half the field in the opening eight laps before eventually finishing eleventh...Unfortunately, probably not good enough to transfer to the Chili Bowl on Sat...***

Thursday night will see Jason Meyers in this ride in action against Tracy Hines, one of Tony Stewart's top entries: 

Here is the link to qualifying on Thursday: http://www.chilibowl.com/2009qualthu.asp

***Jason Meyers started the "A Main" on Thursday from the sixth starting spot, was up to fifth when the first caution flew after five laps and was involved in some intense racing at the front of the pack but spun in turn 3 with only 3 laps to go.  Jason ended up finishing 18th.  Tracy Hines pulled out a win after two GWC attempts in front of his car owner, Smoke, watching from the infield. 

Friday night will feature our final two entries, Jerry Higbie, Jr. and Billy Wilburn against NASCAR's favorite pretty boy Kasey Kahne.  http://www.chilibowl.com/2009qualfri.asp

For more information on Chili Bowl qualifying, the latest results and how to tune into the race coverage via the internet go here:

http://www.chilibowl.com/home.asp?uUrl=1/9/200982593.55 

Stay tuned for more updates, pictures and to see if the FOXSports NASCAR bloggers can get ourselves into Victory Lane!