Chase Indicator?

Last week in the Daytona Beach News Journal, Godwin Kelley did a feature on and interview Kurt Busch recently had. Kurt was quoted saying the first 10 races of the Sprint Cup Series go a long way to determining the final 12 drivers in the Chase & that ten drivers, who had a top 12 standing after 10 races into the season, were able to hold position through the start of the Chase. I know that after the 5th race, if you are out of the top 35, you are pretty much screwed but I never looked at it this way. Click here for the story.

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.

"I smell a rat"

Even Kelly thinks Kyle is a rat. They sure are making Circus Monkeys out of these boys....

David Letterman Top 12 Reasons to be a Nascar Driver

Last night, David Letterman had his Top Ten segment for the drivers in the Chase. It was called the "Top Twelve perks of being a Nascar Driver" Their answers were a little corny...well very corny, so I am going to come up w/ what they should have said. I need a few minutes to get my creative thinking cap on. Stay tuned.

THE "LATE SHOW" TOP TWELVE: "Perks of Being a NASCAR Driver"
As presented by the top 12 NASCAR drivers in the Chase for the Sprint Cup on the Tuesday, Sept. 9 broadcast of the "LATE SHOW with David Letterman":


(Do not pay any attention to the political blurb on the front of this video)

12. Matt Kenseth: Crazy gas prices? I don’t care…I’m not payin’.
11. Kevin Harvick: Bring your helmet to Taco Bell and they’ll fill it up with guacamole, free.
10. Jeff Gordon: Don’t have to shave your body like Olympic swimmers. Although, why not?
9. Greg Biffle: Hasselhoff promised me one of those talking cars.
8. Tony Stewart: I use old checkered flags to make fabulous throw pillows.
7. Jeff Burton: There’s nothing like going through a car wash at 190 miles per hour.
6. Denny Hamlin: GPS underpants.
5. Clint Bowyer: Sorry, I forgot my joke – I was thinking about Jessica Alba – man she’s hot.
4. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: Run out of olive oil? A little Quaker State will spruce up any salad.
3. Jimmie Johnson: Traveling to exotic locations like Martinsville, Virginia and Dover, Delaware.
2. Carl Edwards: At high school reunions, it’s fun to ask, “So what do you do for a living?”
1. Kyle Busch: After a race, your ass vibrates for days.

I am having issues here people. I guess I shouldn't blog during a deadline. Please post any suggestions under comments!

12. Matt Kenseth:
11. Kevin Harvick:
10. Jeff Gordon: You get to marry Super Models
9. Greg Biffle:
8. Tony Stewart: I am 20 pounds overweight and Subway still endorses me!
7. Jeff Burton: Um, can you say free cell phones?
6. Denny Hamlin: Wherever I want to go, I can get there by 10:30 tomorrow (thanks! that was a good one)
5. Clint Bowyer:
4. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.:
3. Jimmie Johnson: See Jeff's answer
2. Carl Edwards:
1. Kyle Busch: Without Nascar, I wouldnt get laid.