A Fast Lap with Regan Smith

Today's Fast Lap features NASCAR Sprint Cup driver, Regan Smith.

Q. What music have you recently put on your iPod?
A. Anything by Avenged Sevenfold

Q. What was the last movie you saw in a movie theatre?
A. Haven’t been to a theater in forever, watched Batman the Dark Knight in my house the other
night though....it kicks A!

Q. What are your favorite TV shows, or something you must have in your DVR/Tivo recorder to watch when you return home from the track?
A. 24, Fringe, and Carolina Hurricanes games

Q. What other sporting teams/events do you follow?
A. Carolina Hurricanes Hockey!

Q. What is one personal item you can not live without?
A. iPhone, I sent these answers on it

Q. What are your favorite places to visit?
A. Colorado Mountains to snowboard

Q. What is your favorite clothing brand?
A. I love True Religion Jeans

Q. What is your favorite book or publication?
A. Playboy...for the articles of course ;)

Q. What is your favorite activity to do in your off time?
A. Snowboard, watch hockey and be at home

Q. What is your favorite cuisine?
A. Can't beat a great steak.

Next week we will feature Crew Cheif Richard Slugger Labbe

It's official! 2008 Rookie of the year, Regan Smith to drive for Furniture Row Racing!!

While I hate that Regan Smith isn’t part of EGR for the 2009 season, I am happy he has a ride, even on a part time basis. Regan is a sponsors dream; he is a wonderful guy, a true class act and has a mass amount of potential to be a top driver. With Regan being the only car for Furniture Row Racing, I am excited to see what comes to light for him this year. Regan will compete in both Cup races at Daytona, along with Phoenix, Talladega, Dover, Infineon, Watkins Glen, Las Vegas and the second race at Richmond.

How is this for Irony....Joe Nemechek used to drive the #01 Army car for Ginn Racing (& MB2 Motorsports) but was moved into the #13 car in 2007 when Mark Martin joined Ginn Racing. Mark ran a part time schedule and mentored Regan, while sharing the #01 Army car. When DEI merged with Ginn Racing, Regan retained the #01 car for 2008 season (under a different sponsor) and Joe went to Furniture Row Racing to drive the #78....which is where Regan will be in 2009.

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.

Dale Jrs take on Regan and Talladega

I promise this will be my final post about Regan Smith at Talladega. I have had many conversations over the past week regarding the controversial ending at Talladega. Again, I am biased being I am friends with Regan. Nevertheless, if it were Juan Pablo that got screwed out of the win, I would still be shaking my head at Nascar. You can not sit here and tell me that if it were Dale Jr. that was pushed below the yellow line, that he would not have come out of that race as the winner. Oh, thats right...its happened to JR before and he DID come out the winner! Nascar rules are Nascar rules...until an unsponsored rookie almost takes the win from Sir Tony Stewart. Click here for the article Foxsports.com has regarding Dale Jrs take ont he race. One day, we will all be sitting in winner circle screaming winner winner chicken dinner.

I am ending this with a few quotes from JR.

"It was exactly the same. I was forced below (the yellow line) and that was declared OK,"

"I know for a fact Regan didn't go down the front straightaway with a plan to pass (Stewart) on the apron. He was under (Stewart) on the race track when Tony came down and he was forced onto the apron."

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!

A race full of heartbreaks

SO, Tony Stewart is my new hated driver. I try not to take things personal when it comes to Nascar....but when my friend almost gets his first win....at Talladega of all places, only to get the win snatched out from under him infuriates me. I am so upset with Nascar. They are saying Regan tried to improve his position because Tony pushed him below the yellow line. Regan prevented a wreck when he did this. Now Regan ended up getting black flagged. Well bud...I will always consider you as the winner of this race and I couldn't have been happier with your performance yesterday.
Now, lets move onto my other heartbreak of the race....Martin Truex Jr. getting wrecked. Darlynn and I were sitting in the Bass Pro pits when the wreck happened right in front of us. It seems the boys cant get a break. How many weeks in a row have they had the car to win and end up getting screwed? Its like they cant win for losing.

Now the next chapter is the positive one about our weekend. I can honestly say, I was a little apprehensive coming into this weekend, although I was with 2 girls I love and many guys I love to be around. I was very surprised for the most part. The race was the worst part of my weekend. Who can honestly say that? I had the greatest time and all of us needed this weekend. Melissa and Darlynn have already put their two sense as to what happened so I wont need to elaborate.

"Its Just Dega...."

Those were the words from Bono, "It's Just Dega". GOD what a freakin mess of a race today!?!?! Martin had a great car- Top 10 all day- even taking the lead at times.....then THE TIRES. Brian Vickers blew a front right tire, and just wiped out our Martin Truex Jr. Bad and Hard. I think they said he took a total of 5 hits. OUCH. He went high, hit the wall, got spun by multiple cars 3 more times, then hit the lower wall- HARD. They came back from commercial, and I just saw that black chevy hitting the lower wall and I immediately jumped up from my coma and was like "OH F**K"- the scanner was on delay on the computer, so the wreck had not happened yet...then I hear Joey going "Are you ok?, Martin talk to us" and it was silent. SILENT. The TV had flashed to some of the other cars...then I saw Martin out of the car, and he was pissssssssssed. Tore off his tear sheet, took his helmet off and threw it in the car...it was bad- then they showed him walking by himself, just rubbing his hands over his head....It just SUCKED.

The girls were there, and I am sure they will talk about it first hand, cause I know they were by the Bass Pro pits when it happened. What a freakin mess.

Then- 5 to go. Our Reegs is running 2nd...I cant even write about the ending to that race. If you saw it, you know. REGAN WON THE RACE. REGAN WON THE RACE. But of course cause he got pushed under the yellow line for the pass....he got F**ked. So, no, TONY actually won the race. Probably one of the most controversial finishes all year. Poor Reegs. He really did win that race.

Have a beer for me Regan. You too Martin.

Nascar Junkies

The trials and tribulations of 3 Nascar junkies.....First I have to state that NO, we do not stalk drivers to get their photos. We know many of these guys personally. Once you have an "in" in the Nascar world, it is easy to get to know people. Then you become well known on Pit Road and it's all over from there. Just imagine walking in the garage and a crew chief stops what he is doing to scream "skanks" at you! (he's kidding) I know that sounds bad but the "MY NEW HAIRCUT" video on youtube and too much Moonshine had a lot to do with that. Or how about Darlynn and Ally who became known at Darlington '07 as "The two girls in black cowboy hats" by pretty much everyone on pit row. I got a call from a certain driver friend of mine who starts telling me about these girls who were talk of the garage. Well, go figure, they were my best friends. To boot, at this years Pepsi, scratch that Coke 400, someone came up to them and asked if they were the "two girls in black cowboy hats". It is almost ridiculous.

So below, I would like to share some of our photos with you.


Ally and Tony Stewart


Megan and Carl Edwards



Darlynn and Ally with Martin Truex Jr.


Ally and Dale Jr. at Whiskey River


Wendy and Megan with Mark Martin


Megan and Wendy with Kasey Kahne



Megan with Regan Smith and his girlfriend Megan



Wendy, Megan and Keri with Michael Waltrip


Megan and Kelly with Kurt Busch


Megan with Joe Nemechek and his son, John Hunter















Ocean Deck, July 08......Although they may not drive the car, they are the "nuts" and bolts that hold the car together. From L-R, Darlynn, Clark (Mechanic for #1 car), Ally Rocker, Megan, Tommy Baldwin (Crew Chief for #22), Kevin "Bono" Manion (Crew Chief for #1).