Championship Race Weekend

From Homestead-Miami, a race fan’s dream weekend. The last race in the Craftsman Truck Series,the Busch Nationwide Series,and the Winston Nextel Sprint Cup Series for this season.

As a race fan, I think tonight’s running of the Craftsman Truck Series finale has the most promise for sheer excitement. Johnny Benson leads the points by 3 over Ron Hornaday, and in a series not known for caution-free racing, anything could, and probably will, happen. I really can’t root for either Benson or Hornaday over the other. I like and respect both, and I’m just looking for tough, hard-nosed racin’ ‘citement.

I see that Craftsman won’t be the major sponsor of the truck series next year. In ’09, it will be known as the Camping World Truck Series. Since 1994, Craftsman has been the series’ title sponsor, and they will be missed. Thanks for the memories, in what is arguably the closest, most exciting NASCAR touring division, the truck series. And welcome Camping World!

-k-

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Nice to See

Bill Elliott, having a good run at Martinsville. From 43rd to top twenty. The Awesome One was never known as a short track racer, but is delivering a stand-up performance today in the legendary Woods Brothers #21.

Even though Original Coors is no longer Bill’s primary sponsor, I’m quaffing a few of those anyhow.

-k-

Autumnal Weekends

A crispness in the air.

Frost warning for overnight; time to drain the outside faucets.

Tweakin’ up the Dell Mini.

Taking apart a fan in the bedroom for my little bride so she can clean it.Damn fan resembles a Chia pet. Even in the best of homes, etc.

NASCAR from Martinsville, the nicest little track on the circuit. Beautiful weather there, too.

Ravens/Dolphins, Cowboys/Rams, Skins/Browns on the gridiron. It sucks being an AFC West guy in an NFC East world.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

-k-

Sweeping Floors, Credit where Credit is Due

In the spirit of blog-like full disclosure, the origin of theĀ  “I’d sweep floors” line is Ron Hornaday , who I heard on an ESPN interview years ago saying:

I’d sweep floors to work for Dale Earnhardt.

And one phone call from Old Ironhead set him up in the driver’s seat of a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Chevrolet. Ron went on to win a couple of championships driving for Dale.

I hope my willingness to sweep floors pays off as well.

-k-

Three Day Weekend

I love three day weekends; Labor Day has always been one of my favorites. Even after NASCAR, in its quest for ever-more-ringing of cash registers, moved the Labor Day Cup event from Darlington SC to Fontana CA. I see the race is called the Pepsi 500 this year. The event was formerly known as the Southern 500, and still lives on by that name in old-timer’s hearts.

Darlington, the Lady in Black, the track Too Tough to Tame, that has been the scene of many a door handle to door handle finish, has been relegated to one event, on Mother’s Day weekend. Darlington, the egg-shaped, narrow track that has challenged man and machine, now lies idle on this holiday weekend.

I know I’m an older guy, and prone to You kids stay off my lawn sentiments, but I’d prefer the rickety yet sturdy seats of Darlington to the glitz and glamor of Fontana anytime.

Still, I have a feeling that I know what channel will be on our teevee tomorrow night.

-k-

Somethings Just Ain’t Right

As I watch the Busch Nationwide cars attempt to race in Montreal in the rain, I wonder: Why?

NASCAR is its own brand, its own breed. Wise up, we don’t race in the freaking rain. Period.

I guess that with the dollar being what it is, NASCAR wants to ring up cash registers elsewhere. Ok, then, count me out. I won’t even mention the windshield wipers. Oops, I just did.

Not ready to cite the shortest verse in the Bible yet, but getting close.

-k-

Tired of Tires

As the NASCAR Brickyard race rolls on with the constant talk of tires, I firmly support the return of competition in the NASCAR tire wars.

Hoosier. Firestone. Goodrich. Whomever.

Give us a choice. For fans. For team owners. For the sport.

-k-

Search for America Tour, 2008

Tomorrow, we head west and a tad north towards Chicago. We’re visiting a college bud of mine, and his little bride.

Whilst there, we’re planning on attending the first night Nextel Sprint Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway.

Like every trip, getting the electronics and spare batteries packed is always the biggest challenge. That’s done, and we’re down to skivvies and toiletries.

We are, in other words, ready to roll.

Updates to follow from the road.

-k-