Well, it was a gorgeous day in Richmond on Saturday. We pull into Randy's Auto Service parking lot at 3:00. Randy was thrilled to see us. Because we're old pals? Because we needed an oil change? No, that's where we tailgate, and he collects $20. Only the best when you party with us....Randy's wife is pushing Moon Pies on us pretty hard for some reason. Only $1. Uh, no thanks. (Can you use those profits to upgrade the plumbing in your freakin' bathroom?) First beer cracked at 3:01.

~3:15, Dave gets the grill fired up. Cheddar burgers and hot sausages. The local wildlife was quite enthralled. And by "wildlife", I mean the rednecks. No, I'm not trying to sound superior, I'm half-redneck myself. Second beer cracked at 3:17.

~5:00, start walking to the track (it's about a half-mile away, but it's worth it since we miss all traffic when we leave). I lose count of the confederate flag-bearing pickups halfway to the track. Working on fourth beer.

~6:00, after picking up the tickets from Will Call, run the gauntlet of souvenir trailers with minimal financial damage. I buy a #19 koosie (sic?), and that's it. Others in my party not so lucky. Not sure which beer at this point....sixth?

~7:00, arrive at seats. After walking around the track and the souvenir trailers, I'm shocked to realize I saw not one other person sporting #19 garb. OK, not so shocked. But a little disappointed. Our seats are in a sea of Junior fans; also not a shock.

~7:30 the festivities get rolling. Driver introductions. The usual chorus of boos for Jeff Gordon, the usual roar for Junior. Surprised to start hearing a similar response for Jimmie Johnson that you hear for Jeff Gordon. Shouldn't be surprising, since Johnson is pretty much Gordon the Second. Nice cheers for Denny Hamlin, the local guy, and Jeff Burton, another Virginian. Although Elliott Sadler is also a Virginian, but he didn't get much of a response. Other than me. I get some strange looks from The Nation surrounding me. Beer #8.

Then the National Anthem. On a serious note here, I gotta say I was very disappointed in the crowd. I've been to around 10 Sprint/Busch races, all but one at Richmond, and this was the first time I noticed the disrespect for the National Anthem in the crowd. People talking, making jokes, laughing, and I'm thinking I thought NASCAR fans pride themselves on being the most patriotic fans out there? Usually seems to be the case, but not on this night.

Then the Flyover. Best ever. The Blue Angels. The timing was absolutely perfect, right at the end of the Anthem. Maybe the best flyover in NASCAR history? Hard to say, I know, but I can't imagine one better.

To the race; my boy Sadler gets stuck behind his teammate, the #10, and goes backwards. After finally getting by the #10, he starts picking cars off. The #48. Then the #42. Then the #29. It was freakin' beautiful. Soon up to fifth! Then the gorgeous sunset. I thought it was a sign of things to come....

Sunset over RIR, 5-3-08. A Sign? Will the NASCAR gods allow Sadler to win?

Uh, no.

Then I go down to meet my cousin-in-law (editor-in-chief of NASCAR Illustrated, great magazine by the way, sorry for the plug) and by the time I get back, the #19 is way back in the pack. Right where he's comfortable. I breathe a sigh of relief, since I would have had no idea what to do if Sadler actually had a shot to win. Whew, dodged a bullet there! I down a $7 24-oz. Miller Lite in celebration.

Well, we all know how the race went in the latter stages. Denny dominated, then lost his tire, then his head. Michael Waltrip then proceeded to lose his head bigtime. Then The Incident That Shall Not Be Named. And Oh Yeah, Bowyer won. Beer count at this point is completely unknown, in the mid teens I think.

Then the trek back to Randy's, who's long gone at this point. Not sure how the wife made out on the Moon Pie sales, I'll try and find out.

Anyway, it was a phenomenal day at RIR, the rain held off, and neither of the Goody-Two-Shoes Twins (Gordon/Johnson) won. Sounds like a winner to me!