If you have the pipes...

Daytona International Speedway is searching for area singers to participate in the fifth edition of its "Straightaway to Stardom" talent competition with the winner performing the national anthem before the NASCAR Nationwide Series 250-mile race July 3.

For entry forms, go by the Daytona 500 Experience, 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., or go online to daytonainternationalspeedway.com/sts.

Round One of the "Straightaway to Stardom" competition will be May 30 at the ESPN Club, Disney's BoardWalk, 2101 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista.

NASCAR awards banquet moving to Vegas baby!!

It looks like Bruton Smith finally got his way. NASCAR is moving it's year end banquet to Las Vegas. Now boys and girls, this is exciting news. The NASCAR banquet isn't exactly the most entertaining events of the year. It always confused me a bit that it took place in Manhattan. Let's face it, NASCAR fans aren't as common as hot dog stands in the Big Apple.

Smith has been quoted saying "Maybe we could sell 10,000 tickets to the race fans and let them come and enjoy the festivities, that's what I'd like to see". Well Mr. Smith, that is what I would like to see too. Turn this once boring event into a fan filled weekend and maybe, just maybe more people would show interest in the awards ceremony, bringing more money to NASCAR.

The only thing that would make us happier than moving it to Vegas, would be moving it back to Daytona Beach (it was moved from DB to NYC in 1981). This is purely based off of selfish reasons!

Does anyone remember the 2006 awards banquet when Kyle Busch was giving his thank you speech and he called his then girlfriend Erica Dewey by his brothers wives name Eva? That was the entertainment of the night. I am looking forward to the awards show in Vegas for sure!

Who needs March Madness when you have NASCAR Kinetics?

Why didnt have they this when I was in college? According to Wikipedia, NASCAR Kinetics is NASCAR's college experience program. Selected students at 4 universities (Central Michigan University, Howard University, the University of Texas Pan-America and Winston-Salem State University) will participate in a semester-long program, immersing them into the business of NASCAR.

Each school’s NASCAR Kinetics Team will help find solutions to business cases presented throughout the semester. The challenges have included testing campus avidity toward NASCAR, researching local charitable organizations and offering marketing suggestions to the NASCAR Foundation, recommending new ways to promote the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program, creating new green initiatives to be implemented by NASCAR, and coming up with new ways to elevate the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Week. These case studies are based upon actual NASCAR initiatives and developed by and for NASCAR Official Partners.

Each school will hold an ultimate viewing party for a specific race. These viewing parties are open to students and the entire community. The number of people who attend the viewing party will determine which NASCAR Kinetics team wins a grand prize package: an all expense paid trip to the 2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C to interact with prominent NASCAR and Official Business professionals.

The WSSU Kinetics will be holding their Nascar Viewing Party for the Samsung 500 race this weekend in Texas. You can view their facebook here. UTPA also has their viewing party for the Texas race and information is here. CMU will hold their hosting party for the Phoenix race, their facebook group is here. Howard held their viewing party in February....of course they also have a facebook group. If you live in these areas or are students any of these university please support them in any way possible!

Too early to predict the chase? Maybe, maybe not.

Approaching the 4th race of the 2009 season with 32 to go, I decided to crunch a few numbers being I was named the statistical one of the group. I wanted to see where the standings were going into last years Atlanta spring race. Amazingly enough, 7 of the 12 drivers this time last year made it into the 2008 chase. Jimmie Johnson, the 2008 (& 2007, 2006) Sprint Cup winner was not in that category.

Pre-Atlanta 2008, the top 12 went as follows in point standings (their final standings are side noted & everyone that didn't make it in is red)
1. Kyle Busch (finished the season 10th)
2. Ryan Newman (finished the season 17th)
3. Kasey Kahne (finished the season 14th)
4. Kevin Harvick (finished the season 4th)
5. Greg Biffle (finished the season 3rd)
6. Jeff Burton (finished the season 6th)
7. Carl Edwards (finished the season 2nd)
8. Martin Truex Jr (finished the season 15th)
9. Elliot Sadler (finished the season 24th)
10. Dale Earnhardt Jr (finished the season 12th)
11. Tony Stewart (finished the season 9th)
12. Kurt Busch (finished the season 18th)

The 5 drivers out of the top 12 going into Atlanta 08, who made it into the chase were:
Jimmie Johnson was 14th (finished season 1st)
Jeff Gordon was 23rd (finished season 7th)
Clint Bowyer was 24th (finished season 5th)
Denny Hamlin was 20th (finished season 8th)
Matt Kenseth was 16th (finished season 11th)

Cick here for the 2009 current standings.

Who outside of the current top 12 would you want to see in the 2009 Chase For the Sprint Cup? I am going to go ahead and state the obvious, there are a lot of dark horses in the current top 12. We would love your input!!

Scott Speed and Michael Annett win Cook Off in Vegas

Michael Annett and Scott Speed teamed to win the Fourth Annual Raybestos® Rookie Cooking Challenge Thursday afternoon at ESPN Zone Las Vegas. Annett and Speed prepared a tasty dish of elbow macaroni with meat sauce, garlic onion and mozzarella cheese.

Other drivers competing in the event were Max Papis, Scott Lagasse Jr., John Wes Townley and Justin Allgaier. The event was judged by members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas.

“That was a lot of fun,” Annett said. “We love doing anything we can for kids
and something fun like that just makes it even better.”

Annett drives the No. 15 Pilot Travel Centers Toyota in the NASCAR Nationwide Series while Speed begins his rookie year in Sprint Cup in the No. 82 Red Bull Toyota

All drivers who participated in the cooking competition were assisted by members of the ESPN Zone Culinary Team, led by chef Chris Gagen. Once the meals were prepared, each child from the Boys and Girls Clubs sampled the dishes and their applause determined the overall winner. Following the contest, drivers and kids played games in ESPN Zone’s interactive Sports Arena.

Raybestos brand Brakes has been the title sponsor of NASCAR’s rookie program since 1998.

Three things I love? Macaroni, the Boys and Girls Club and Michael Annett! These off track charity events and unique ideas continue to cultivate positive branding for the sport and raise money and awareness to many great causes.

While we are on the subject of food, one of the newer NASCAR cookbooks on the shelves is Pit Stop in a Southern Kitchen written by Martha Earnhardt and Carol Gordon Bickford. That's June Bug's grandma and Jeff's mom to me and you.

Speaking of things that are yummy...

B Lab is NOT going to Earnhardt Ganassi

After all the speculations and rumors, Bobby Labonte announced he will be taking over the #96 car for Hall of Fame Racing and his primary sponsor will be Ask.com. I have always liked Bobby and I have had a crush on Hall of Fame Racing founder Troy Aikman since I was a wee little one....so this is a nice fit. Troy and Bobby also share a little in common.....both Bobby and his brother Terry were inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, and their class included Troy.

Now the mystery stands still...what is happening with Chip and Dale Racings other car?? Anyone want to take a guess?

Keith Urban to perform at Daytona 500 Pre-Show

From Daytona International Speedway Press Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 8, 2009) – Grammy Award winner and country music superstar Keith Urban will perform at the Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show, the pre-race extravaganza leading up to the start of the prestigious “Great American Race” at Daytona International Speedway, on Sunday, February 15th.

Urban is set to perform three of his eight #1 songs prior to the 51st annual Daytona 500 – the season-opening event to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the biggest, richest and most prestigious stock car race in the world.

All race fans that purchase Pre-Race access pass for the Daytona 500 will be able to view Urban’s Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show as well as the driver introductions from the grass tri-oval area.

“Year-in and year-out, the Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show has been a popular hit with race fans,” Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said. “We’re thrilled to have one of the most popular singers in the world in Keith Urban perform a heart-stopping pre-race show that will get the Daytona 500 and the new NASCAR season off to a roaring start.”

In addition to his Pre-Race Concert, a special $195 ticket package designed around Urban and the upcoming Daytona 500 has been created that includes a Superstretch ticket, Pre-Race access, VIP access to the Pre-Race Concert, an enter to win opportunity for an autographed Keith Urban CD and an enter to win meet and greet with Urban prior to the Pre-Race Concert.

For more information on that package and for tickets to the 51st annual Daytona 500 and Pre-Race access, race fans can go online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by call 1-800-PITSHOP.

I almost spit my coffee out when this came across the fax! I hope Nicole Kidman comes with him! That would be so cool! It will be really nice for once to stop the driver/entertainment hook up rumors. I.E. "OMG Kelly Clarkson and Kasey Kahne walked out of the driver meeting at the same time, they MUST be dating!"

This will also beat the pants off some of the entertainment we have seen in the past. Are we to assume that he will also bang out the National Anthem? Is that politically correct for him? I am not realllly being funny...but is that a conflict of interest, being a native of Australia? At any rate, how exciting!

Clearly the last time Nicole Kidman has set an UGG boot (get the Australian reference?) was when she filmed Days of Thunder which was filmed 20 years ago here in Daytona and hooked her up with a pre-couch jumping Tom Cruise.

Wonder if she will even bother or blames Daytona for her shortcomings (sorry I couldn't resist) At any rate, Cheers mate to great entertainment to warm us up for the Great American Race!

Penn St cologne and perfume?!

I remember a few years back when Nascar introduced the Daytona 500 cologne....

It was one of those moments that I sat there and said WTF!?! Nascar promised to "leverage the prestige and popularity of the great American race." So what does that mean? You smell like tires? Or gas? Or beer!! I could have a field day marketing products in Nascar but cologne wouldn't be one of them.

Which brings me to something I saw on ESPN tonight. Apparently, Penn State has come out with a perfume and cologne line. So all of you Penn State fans out there can smell like JoePa!According to the University, the official perfume and cologne that captures the essence of the school's blue and white colors, according to the scent's developer, Harrisburg-based Masik Collegiate Fragrances. The company said the Penn State perfume exudes vanilla, lilac, rose and white patchouli, while the cologne smells of blue cypress and cracked pepper vapor. The 3.4-ounce bottles cost $60 each. I know exactly what Ally can get Doodle for Christmas....

The end of a really long season that went by really fast.

After the race Sunday, emotions were on a high. Things are changing. The sport is going to be different next year. The economy has everyone freaking out. Sponsorship issues are no longer a concern, they are now an absolute issue. According to Nascar.com, this past Monday was dubbed as "Black Monday" due to ongoing layoffs between the 3 series.

This brings me to something I didn't want to blog about but have received a few emails asking why it wasn't brought up yet. I am speaking of the DEI/Ganassi merger. After many thoughts and discussions over it, I've decided to have an optimistic outlook on it. This season was rough for both teams and next year brings a fresh start, a new beginning and a new team, with the experience of Chip Ganassi. I know it is hard for a lot of the NASCAR nation to swallow the fact that Dale Earnhardt Inc. is no longer "DEI". It's not the end of the legacy, it is the start of a new one. At the end of the day, mergers are awful, I saw it happen last year first hand with Ginn Racing and let me tell you, it wasn't a pleasent experience.

I learned that NASCAR is a business and businesses go through rough times like this, especially in today's times. We must remember that it is not about the past but about what the future holds. I have a feeling that next year will be a great year for Martin Truex Jr. and the whole Bass Pro team. Go Chip and Dale Racing!Our good buddy Regan Smith won Rookie of the Year!!!! Winning Rookie of the Year is the best case scenario for Reegs and hopefully all will be well and very successful next year. I can only wish him the best. He is truly a class act, something I have known for years. He has made a name for himself this year with the way he handled the Talladega conterversay. I know that no matter what happens, this is the start of a successful career for him. Now we need to find our boy a sponsor! Good luck bud!

Carl Edwards....sigh. I must state how much I hate the chase. He crushed the others with statistics and still came up short in the Series title. He had 9 wins, 19 top 5's and 27 top 10's. He was first in all 3 categories yet came up 69 points shy of the cup. As a Carl Edwards fan, I have to say, I am very proud of him. I really was hoping he won the cup but there is always next year!! Well, then again, shouldn't I be saying I want Martin Truex Jr. to win the cup in 09? I don't want to get in trouble!

So what has this year taught us? Next year, next year, there is always next year. 2008 has been a rough one for mostly everyone I know, personally, financially, emotionally and career wise. 2009 has to be more promising. Or I quit.

This may be the most depressing blog I have ever done.

Here are a few of our photos from the Homestead-Miami weekend.

Top left: Megan, Bono, Knuckles, Ally, Doodle. Top right: Ally, Doodle

Middle left: Megan and Ally @ the Bass Pro Pits. Middle right: Megan and Ally @ Jimmie Johnsons celebration. Botttom left: Megan and Ally on the track, after the race.

Bottom right: Megan and Sweet Jim.

Our favorite Nascar commercials of 2008

#1 Best commercial of 2008 has to be the Kasey Kahne Allstate Sponsorship commercial. I cant remember the last time I laughed as hard as I did the first time I saw this classic commercial.

#2 has to go to Carl Edwards and the Aflac Duck. Although I am starting to get a little sick of seeing this commercial, it is still one of the best ones on TV

#3 goes to Tylenol Fast. The best part of this is Kevin Harvick, and you will rarely hear those words out of my mouth. He is what made this commercial.

#4 actually has 2 commercials. The Juan Pablo Montoya Big Red and Juicy Fruit commercials are hillarious. I dont know which one I like better so I had to put them both up here.



#5 goes to Jimmie Johnson Lowes repairs. This commercial wouldnt be as good w/o Chad Knauss. I think he loves being on TV.

And I couldnt do this without including the Denny Hamlin Fast commercial. Being it is Allys favorite commercial of all time, I had to put it up.

Brian Vickers escapes to SoHo

So this is where HABV goes to hide...a Manhattan penthouse in Soho. Now we like him even more! Click here for the story from NYtimes.

Nascar goes pink

Anyone that knows me is fully aware of my obsession w/ the color pink. Anything that comes in the color pink, I have to have. Just a small example, my kitchen is full of pink small appliances and my golf clubs/bags are pink. I wanted to buy a pink cross bow at Bass Pro Shops....then I remembered, I don't hunt. I had to stop myself from buying a pink Dyson Vacuum cleaner the other day...being I already have a perfectly working purple one.

So it is fitting for me to get excited over all the pink cars on the track this weekend to benefit Breast Cancer Awareness. This is a wonderful thing that the sponsors and Nascar are doing for the Susan G Koman foundation during the month of October. It makes me sit back and recall a conversation I had 2 1/2 years ago with a certain team owner...telling him that we should paint one of the cars pink in October....and his response was "Are you going to go after Tampax to sponsor the car?" HA! Seems I wasn't that out there.

Nascar Mirrors Fashion

I just ran across an article on the Bleacher Report that spoke about Nascar, Fashion and Project Runway.... Were onto something here people.....click here

Hey we are just amateurs with passion...check out what some professionals said about Talladega

Its just nice to know that like in politics, there are two sides to every story and we pick this one from Sporting News Or this jewel from Thats Racing

Do whaaaaaa? Talladega Review take 3

First off, just as a general sigh of relief...all girls made it home from Talladega alive and very well. Actually our trip home was quite luxurious, but more on that later.

So, even as I was packing I was a little apprehensive....what the hell was I getting myself into?? I mean really? I grew up in Daytona Beach, I have seen the craziest of Spring Breaks....Club 3 in Daytona was scary enough....how bad could this be??

On a low note, I will tell you I was nauseous when Martin Truex Jr wrecked...the look on everyone's face from the pit box and the running towards the car was scary.... I am really glad that he was ok, that it wasn't his fault and noone had to pull a Rhianna...next week punkins next week!

Lets get on to the high notes shall we? The trip itself was quite awesome. We were fed and given libations till we couldn't see. The first night was the most fun. Can I tell you how happy I that we are on a motor coach that had an endless supply of Red Bull...I really needed the extra energy, especially for Talladega Blvd.....the most fun was at that tent that was at the place with the thing about the stuff...dont really remember how this was THE apparent meeting spot. But there Tool was and let the party begin...all was well and we were introduced to this person and that person.

Met some guy that did sales or something for DEI...apparently this is an inside sales job as he had the personality of a pin. Have you met me? I can make friends with a fork! I was proper and inquisitive (as dur I have been in sales and marketing for 14 years) and I tried to find a common ground with him to no avail...moving on!

Then we run smack dab into Reed Sorenson and his wing man...great eyes, nice enough but did you know reed is another word for instrument as in a tool? Just saying. His wingman did a horrible job trying to save him from the claws of Blue shiny jacket Pinky Tuscadero from Grease...god bless him...he was really nice.

Saturday was awesome, Napped and watched football and ate and drank....perfect! Sunday was the race and at the end of the day my time in dega was well spent, well remembered and impressionable by all .

I will give you my two cents about the race. As you know, by default Tony Stewart is one of my favorites...thanks to Uncle Pete. I am glad that he won, but I am sad that Regan Smith not only didnt win but NASCAR didnt give him second. Thats just wrong. This is racing and this is what the fans pay to see....but that is bullcrap. What will be interesting is how this event will be portrayed in the media.I believe that this is a blessing for DEI...why?? THIS IS the bees knees for PR!!! If they pull it off right, which I have 100% confidence that they will...they can put Reegs smack dab in the Nascar Spotlight on the map as the driver who didnt go out like Cryle Busch...he is a good racer, took it like a man and god narmit deserves a fantastic sponsor next year.

Ok, I have been officially been in Alabama too long!

Live from Talladega, it's Saturday Night Live

24 hours into the debauchery of the Talladega Girls Weekend and we already have too much to write about.

Melissa is now officially known as Hilljack.

Darlynn is frequently using the term "Doo Whaa?"

Melissa said "We got heels here"....Darlynn and I asked why she brought heels to a race, and she said "no, not heels, heels.....like that large round thing over there"...."Oh Melissa, you mean Hills."

Apparently they are making King of the Heel into a movie and the worlds largest casting call for Boomhauer is taking place in front of our very eyes.

I was proposed to by a complete stranger last night....oddly enough, he had all his teeth.

The 3 of us must be in one of those naked dreams because people are staring at us like they have never seen a woman.

We cock blocked for Reed. The girl was wearing a shiny blue satin jacket.

Talladega Blvd. was giving out Hep C and Staff infections last night....free tattoos in the infield. I can only imagine it now....Look MA! I got a JR tattoo in Dega. WOOO.

On the plus side, it is Saturday and I have not seen the infield care center yet.

I believe that we have seen it all!

Ladies Ladies Ladies, step right up and get your one of kind LADYBUDS...yes they are earring, and they are earplugs....wait for it....all in one! Yours now, in designer styles of ugly, butt ugly and oh no she didnt....

Whats next? Scanner Headbands??

Nascar, Nascar, Nascar.....why????

I saw something tonight that made my eyes bleed, then after I regained vision and nearly died of laughter, I felt I must share. I stumbled across Nascar shoes....yes....Nascar shoes. Not only do they have the Nascar label and full endorsement; they are hideous. Track Lizard's, Track Bunny's, whatever animal you want to be this week, line it up. Its your time to shine. Oh, and they are 1/2 off at Sears!! Dear god help us all. If you don't believe me, please visit sears.com and check out the Nascar shoes....swear to you, I am not lying. Paging...ahem... Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and my favorite wallet drainer, Christian Louboutin.....HELP....anyone?? Hello??? I guess not.....

Way to Go Bono!!!!

Finally the nation is catching on to what we have known forever! Our very own Kevin Bono Manion is a PROBLEM SOLVER! Like Nascar's version of Einstein... please read below on the very prestigious award he received on Sunday in New Hampshire.

Truex's crew chief wins Problem Solver award

Kevin Manion, crew chief on the Dale Earnhardt Inc. #1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Chevrolet driven by Martin Truex Jr. in the Sylvania 300 wins the Moog Problem Solver of the Race award.

The award is presented to the crew chief whose team finishes in the top 10 and posts the largest increase in average lap speed (-.734 sec) from the first half to second half of a race. Truex moved up two spots to 15th in the 2008 Sprint Cup point standings after his 7th place finish in Sunday's race at the New Hampshire Motor

Here he is below explaining to Martn Einstein's Law of Relativity....

Congrats Bono!!!

"You have got to be kidding me"

Megan and I were at Daytona in July when Randy Moss unveiled his new truck team! How exciting, we just happened to be standing right there, as the cameras rolled, and flashbulbs clicked...it was like paparazzi central! When Megan asked the person in front of us very quietly "Who is that???!" and they enthusiastically replied, "Randy Moss, he has a truck team now!!!" - I unfortunately was thinking out loud again, and said, quite obnoxiously "OHHH You have got to be kidding me?" to which I was greeted with stares and glares.....WOOPS!!! I hate thinking outloud!!!! But apparently Racing News agrees with me....see below!

Randy-Moss-To-Start-Nascar-Truck-Team-And-No-Were-Not-Joking

Randy Moss, the man who combined with Tom Brady to give us quite the fantasy football season last year (and, apparently, helped take the Patriots to the Super Bowl), is going to be starting a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team. Fox Sports is reporting that Moss hopes to get the team running in races later this year in advance of a full 2009 season. At the moment he lacks a manufacturer, a driver and a sponsor. But he's Randy Moss, so that doesn't much matter. Plus, if Dan Marino and Troy Aikman can do it why can't he?