Jimmie Johnson at a National Press Club Luncheon?!

Who in the HELL at Hendrick accepted that and scheduled him for this?!

I do watch C-SPAN, probably the only NASCAR writer that does...other than maybe Jade Gurss...but I digress.

What was going on there? Why did they ask HIM, of all people, who NASCAR fans would support in the presidential election? It is a stereotype, that all NASCAR fans are republicans. We're not. I'm not. So, I will NOT let any driver, on any team, or a republican politician say that I am. I am NOT. I am a liberal, who supports Barack Obama. Take THAT Jimmie.

Never let a NASCAR driver that has not gone past high school, speak in Washington, DC, to a press club. Yes, that includes Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Who in Washington cares about NASCAR and its philanthropic ways? Not many, I'm guessing. As a nation, I don't think their choice in guests, mirrors the tastes and ideas of people all over.

Maybe they should have asked Chad Knaus to speak to the club? They might get some interesting information about the cars, about engineering...about something half way interesting, that a DC audience might listen to.

The fact that the mainstream NASCAR press hasn't really made this a story, confirms that Jimmie wasn't a hot topic of conversation. This luncheon was on July 8th, a few days after the Daytona 400. After a long holiday weekend, a long race...who wants to sit in front of their TV watching C-SPAN cover Jimmie Johnson? Not me, I'd rather be looking at the championship chances for the top 10 in points.

Just sayin'...

The Dark Knight

I truly liked this movie. I'm NOT saying this, because I think Heath Ledger is a brilliant actor. I think this series is more human, more real.

I won't spoil it...so I'll just leave it there. Oscar or no, it's a great movie.

Allergies are disabling things, ya know?

I can't count the number of entries in my other blog, that I have complained about this year long ailment. It's not just seasonal, people. It's ALL.YEAR.ROUND.

Humidity? They hate it. Dust? They hate it. Flowering trees? Hate it. Just all around change in temperature and season? You guessed it, they hate it.

The only thing my ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) doctor can come up with, is to perform a surgery to correct my deviated septum. I had allergy testing, that told me what I already know: grasses, flowers and weeds are not my best friends. Not to mention, dust mites aren't, as well.

Hopefully this season will have a great deal of rain, so the pollen will wash away. It looks like spring came late. Isn't the saying, "APRIL showers, bring MAY flowers?" They came all at once.

[Knocks on screen] Is anyone out there reading this? I love to write, but comments rock!

Hillary, GIVE IT UP ALREADY!

What will it take for you to QUIT?

By EVERYONE'S calculations, you are behind in delegates, you are behind in super delegates, you are BEHIND in the popular vote.

When will you realize that being the mudslinger, is not going to get you anywhere? When will you realize that Barack Obama is the better candidate? For the good of the party...LET.IT.GO.

Your husband is shooting his mouth off. Your supporters are making asses of themselves.

I've heard it all, I've seen it all. I've been subjected to the cable news coverage, which pits you two against each other.

When will it SINK IN?!

Probably never...

The Spanish language and ignorant Americans...

Okay, let's get one thing straight. I'm not latino/hispanic, or whatever you want to label people who are native or are of that decent.

I just happen to speak the language. I'm not as fluent as I used to be.

With that in mind, know that people who are extremely suburban, like one or many of my co-workers, you will hear ignorance spill from their mouths about races, languages, ethnicities and so on.

It makes me want to vomit! I can't understand how all that ignorance can breed and come into contact with young impressionable minds of their children! (Let alone that they have children, but that's beside the point.)

I can understand if they are in their 50's or 60s or beyond. That doesn't excuse them, that just shows that the ignorance is explained by when they were brought up. The other hand, if you're in your 40s or younger, I believe it was taught.

You would think they would know better. This coworker was talking to my boss about how everyone from Spanish speaking countries has to learn English. Hell, their ancestors off the boat did! Well, they probably didn't. Not as quickly as you might think. Hell, I don't think that even the latest immigrants learned, unless they had a school that would teach them!

I replied that there are just different kinds of people, in every race or ethnicity. Some don't want to learn another language, while some do. Some want to earn their way into a country, instead of feeding off of the policies or the programs put into place for citizens.

Of course I was wrong!

"You don't have children to worry about..."

Oh and they're going to be worried as much as you are? In this day and age, they know people who are: gay, divorced, separated, poor, abused, orphaned...the list goes on. They're not really shocked at what they hear. Their parents are the ones who shape what they think about people. The free thinkers are there, they're just oppressed by these ignorant parents, who should know better! Hell, have more life experience with a more diverse section of people!

It's that kind of thinking, that stunts children's reasoning skills and judgment skills. This irrational thinking, where 'they're going to take over' the country, is racist, it's something that you would hear at a KKK rally!

That statement is not true...it's just people's nature. I don't respect people that will not speak another language, because they don't want to. If I wanted to live in a country that spoke Spanish, I'd bone up again and get myself immersed in the culture!


I was so angry and fuming when I heard this. How can people stand to say or listen to this stuff!

If only I had the patience and wisdom like Obama.

Spanish and ignorance...(I mean the language)

Going to post more soon... Believe me, I'm angry.

People that think certain things, just shouldn't speak.

NASCAR over priced? Say it's not so!

When did someone realize this?

From my own personal experience, I know what it's all about. I've only been to two tracks: Dover and Charlotte.

One requires driving 3 and a half hours each way, plus an over night hotel stay. That would be Dover.

The other requires a longer stay to make it worth the money that I shell out for a plane ticket and hotel for a couple of days.

Oh and did I forget a rental car? Yeah, I guess I did.

Put that all together and you get debt, along with the tickets and food and what not.

Yes, I put my love of travel before thinking about my bank account. Yes, I went a little crazy with my credit cards.

Regardless, it's not cheap to go to one race, let alone two in one year.

Unless you're someone who is independently wealthy, such as the top 1 percent of our population, or more...or have invested wisely for your retirement...guess what? You're only going to be sitting on your couch.

That's what I'm going to end up doing again, when I sell my tickets for the June Dover race. Stub Hub here I come!

My job doesn't pay me enough and in this economy, it makes it tougher. Even if you have a college degree like I have, there are no jobs out there to pay me like I deserve to be paid.

I believe in full disclosure, so I will tell you that I am an Obama supporter. Bloggers and Citizen Journalists alike are supposed to express their views, but not be biased. I will say that anything that he has expressed about the bitterness of the middle class and poor IS correct. There is NOTHING negative that he has said, in regard to this. Hillary Clinton is just using her spin, so she can get her dishonest discourse and rhetoric back in the White House.

NASCAR is a part of this corporate structure that is hurting our economy. It's hurting those that are supporting them.

I'd like to tell the commentator on AOL Fan House, that it was quite obvious that this was going on for years. Eight years to be exact. When did you begin to figure this out? Or was it pure sarcasm? I hope it was. If it wasn't, I think someone needs a reality check. NASCAR tickets, like all other expenses are not in line with reality. They're all over priced, they're all out of reach for the fans that they're trying to reach.

Vacation is coming soon...

I'm counting down the days. I can't seem to think that I could just let go and leave my worries behind. But of course, with me, that's not the case. They'll be in the back of my mind, but they'll still be there.

The uncertainty of my future, my empty or near empty bank account, come to mind. Not being secure enough in my life, also comes to mind.

Animal Kingdom and the beach...and relaxation. That would be great! I've never been to AK, so as an animal lover, I think I'll enjoy that. My skin however, will NOT enjoy the sunshine. I will be carrying SPF 30 or more.

I'm even surprised I could afford a flight. Good thing I paid for it months in advance, with a Southwest gift card, no less!

Gift cards are a woman's best friend. (Not that diamonds aren't nice, I'm just not the materialistic kind.

So, there's no Recession, Dubya?

Well, if you were smart enough to notice, you'd see that there are thousands of people out of work and poor.

I am one of them, believe it or not.

I'm struggling to pay the bills, living paycheck to paycheck. Gotta love it.

Being negative in your checking account, brings you to that realization. Yes, I should budget and cut things. Yes, I should not buy as much.

But didn't you want us to spend the stimulus check? How the hell is that going to stimulate the economy? All us poor and middle class people, trying to pay our bills, should be spending it. I know for sure, I'm going to spend it on paying back my creditors: mostly credit cards.

I can't stand it. Aren't college grads like me supposed to be living well and doing a job that I love?

I really don't get it.

People say that looking to Obama isn't going to get us anywhere. I believe that he's above all the bullshit and he's going to do something right.

Being apethetic, will fade into optimism. Hopefully...

Yes, I said the word HOPE.

I'm broke, anyone want to hire me?

I have a job right now, but it's not cutting it. I want to do what I'm educated to do: be in the media, or manage it.

What do you do? How did you get it done?

I guess this blog will be about whatever I want to talk about...

I use Live Journal, but I think that a separate blog for opinions and commentary.

It will not be limited to NASCAR this time. It will be about politics, world events, social issues and everything I want to write about.

So...I think this is a start of something different.

Sorry for the lack of posts...

Like anyone is reading, anyway.

Life sucks right now, I have to work 2 jobs to make as much as I SHOULD with ONE part time job. Anyone wanna give a gal a job writing? How about in NASCAR or the music industry?

I think this blog will be for commentary only, no race reports.

I think I'm more cut out for editorial material, anyway.

Cali is on...I'm sure I'll have something to say.

Battle of the Beverages: Pocono.

MAN...Bud vs Miller Lite. Since I don't drink beer, that means nothing to me. But, it means the WORLD to those two sponsors.

The win could have been Earnhardt Junior's. He hasn't won since May 2006, in Richmond.

He still says that he can do it...that his team can do it. Well, if someone wouldn't sabotage his cars, maybe he could.

No doubt, the number 2 Dodge had an amazing set up and were blazing on to the finish. Pat Tryson migrated from Roush Fenway, to Penske to become Busch's new chief. Maybe his knowledge will transfer to this car. Who knows. I wouldn't call him equal to Greg Zippadeli, or Chad Knaus, but he could have something here.

Denny Hamlin, a two time winner at Pocono, had something for those two, but couldn't pull it out in the end. He told ESPN that next time, "it will be a whole other ball game." Maybe so. I think the great shop and engineer guys, would give him something to contend with at another oval.

Hendrick driver Casey Mears was running up front, even keeping a pace with Junior, who was racing him hard. Can't say the same for Johnson. He fell back 450 points, with his wreck at Indy. He gained a few places, but is hopeful to make it to the Chase.

The 2 car is back, huh? We'll see about that. I'm sure all the other teams are bringing up their game, starting at the Glen next week.

Stewart Wins At Indy

For the second time, Tony did it. I guess when you have a real love for your home state and that track, you can get it done.

I don't know why I was gunning for Harvick, because he's won it before, too.

It seemed as though I was watching the same race: wrecks galore and blown engines.

Johnson wasn't spared, as his sheet metal got banged up, repaired and then slammed into a wall. Earnhardt's engine blew up, the pulley was broken.

I only saw from lap 42 on, because I was watching the Baseball Hall of Fame ceremonies. Cal Ripken is one of my heroes, so I couldn't resist it. For the first time in a LONG time, NASCAR took a back seat to one of my first loves: baseball.

The coverage left much to be desired, as TGOM has said, Rusty Wallace IS a robot.

I wanted to knock him out, seriously! "I'll tell you what...I'll tell you what..."

Doc couldn't save it. Where the hell is Allen? IN THE PITS. Why? Because ESPN are DUMBASSES. Made me mute the sound, when it came to the IDIOTS that they have on there.

The mind boggles, when the powers that be in Bristol, place these people on the air. The anchors? Same thing. One is a former basketball player, that used to have a Truck team. He's an expert, how?

The other is a sideline reporter for the NFL. She knows NASCAR how?

Oh and sticking in a non qualifying driver as a commentator...not a cool thing.

Pocono is next, let's see how badly they can mess this up.

Stewart Wins at Chicagoland

It's been a while, but he did it. After a talk with Coach Gibbs, everything seemed to be hunky dory with the FedEx and Home Depot drivers.

It wasn't much of a wreck fest, but it was more of a engine blowing mess. Menard, Truex, to name two, had those problems, while Earnhardt did not. He had the pleasure of having his power steering go out. Never having this happen before, he had no idea how to deal with it. It seemed like a flat tire to the Budweiser driver, and surisingly, Eury Jr handled it quite well.

Jimmie Johnson wasn't so lucky, slamming into the wall, after cutting a tire at full speed. It looked more serious than it actually was. My breath was caught, waiting for the Lowe's driver to emerge frm the number 48. I never like to see ANY driver hurt, not even Johnson. That was a close call indeed, with only a bruised elbow to show for it...not a concussion or broken bones.

Of course, I need to mention the broadcasting side, because I am a trained broadcaster. TNT didn't do a bad job, but I would have eliminated Weber in the booth. Allen Bestwick should always be in the booth...but of course, contractual obligations would interfer with that. Certain contracts have non competition clauses which eliminate that possibility.

ESPN will pick up where TNT left off in Indy after a week off.

I will blog in between...so feel like commenting? Please DO!

McMurray Wins at Daytona

It was a long one and I didn't even see the end, because I fell asleep!

I went to nascar.com to find out who won. I know, LOSER!

What was up with Tony Stewart wrecking his teammate, Denny Hamlin? I looked at that replay as everyone else did...in disbelief and complete horror.

What was up with that?

Then, by doing that, Tony had to wreck Dale Junior, who was innocently trying to get around this mess.

It seems as though everyone was just trying to survive this wreck fest.

Truex was doing well, but his teammate was laps down because of the wreck and their engine counterparts were blowing up. (Meaning the new alliance between DEI and RCR. Kevin Harvick had major problems with his ride.)

On the broadcast side of things, it was nice to see TNT, in their next to the last race of the season, show the coverage ESPN style, with the race in the background, with the commercials in a window at the bottom of the screen.

I don't think ESPN will be doing this when they take over, because NASCAR doesn't want them to, of course. I think that will only work with the IRL races. Why? I have no clue. NASCAR is the king of inconsistencies and it will probably be a given, throughout the rest of the sanctioning body's history.


Which leads to the ruling about crew chiefs not being allowed anywhere near the track, when they're suspended. Eury Jr was AT NHIS. Why? I have no clue. You would think it would be understood that they couldn't be anywhere near the cars. BUT, of course, there are always loopholes. They found them and were infringing on them. When Jeff Gordon lashed out at NASCAR for having a hypocritical system, of course they took heed to Wonder Boy's words and made sure that Hendrick's suspended chiefs were not even in the area, when the race was in town.

Does that mean that they can't use cell phone voice calls and texting? Well, maybe. I don't know if the officials could be able to catch the interim chiefs communicating with their bosses that way. Who knows if Tony Gibson was doing that with Tony Eury, Jr. Only DEI and Dale Junior know.

Moving on to Chicagoland next week. Let's hope that Kenseth and Gordon don't get carried away again in the last laps.

I missed Loudon...

So...no report from me. I will read up on what happened though...and state my opinions then.

Sorry guys...

I know, bad blogger!

[whacks herself]

Viva Juan Pablo!

The Columbian racer got a win, the first in a LONG time for Ganassi Racing. While Robby Gordon and Jamie McMurray were giving everyone a run for their money, the former F1 driver pulled it out with a pass and good fuel milage.

It's a great day for this rookie and I'm glad someone else won this time. Especially another make and team. This win gives some variety to all 36 races.

Usually I take a nap during road course races, but all the spins and passes kept me somewhat awake.

We'll see what happens to Knaus and Letarte this coming week. Let's hope the punishment fits the crime. if not, you know that the fans will give HELL to NASCAR. I know I will.

Knaus: Innovative or Big Fat Cheater?

This weekend, Chad Knaus was sited for violating rules, regarding the CoT.

Being that their front fender was not sporting the regulation splitter, fierce penalties will be deliberated on.

Since that isn't measured by a template, should the crew chiefs and crews take liberties with these parts? Should this be considered daring? Should this be considered innovative? Or is Chad a big fat...CHEATER?

I think if he goes against the rules, he is a cheater. If he dares to do something diffrent, it's cool, it's great if you're not being watched by officials.

But if you're going to win by an advantage that another team will get KILLED by such an advantage...not cool.

So, I see it from both sides, but if they are goingt against NASCAR's rules, then they should be punished SEVERELY.

Edwards Wins at Michigan

Well, Cuz Carl won, after a 52 race drought. I'm sure he was HAPPY to see that his coach driver shaved, especially after hearing that he found TICKS in his beard.

EWW!

Martin Truex could have won yesterday, but he had a strong second place, bumping him up in the driver and owners points.

Dale Junior got 5th, which was great, considering all his complaining on the radio about his car.

The rest of the field? It was a fuel guessing, wreck occuring mess.

The drivers got 3 and sometimes 4 wide on this 2 mile oval.

I like seeing that kind of racing, but when someone like David Gilliland slams into Stewart's car like that...well, you just have to wonder why some of these drivers are out there, to begin with. I think Ricky Rudd has to sit down with this young, inexperienced driver and tell him what's what.

I think that he has enough respect for the veteran driver, that he'd take the time to listen. He said he wouldn't talk to Tony, but he was forced to go to the 'Oval Office' anyway.

Half of the Hendrick stable, weren't strong. They took chances with pit stops, that didn't go in their favor. Fuel milage was a factor, as the laps finally got to the white flag, we saw Johnson coasting to pit road.

I guess Chad Knaus wasn't on top of his game, like he usually is.

Kudos to Casey Mears, who was moving his Chevy to the front.

Onto Sonoma...road course. Boring.

We'll see if all the ringers come out to play.