24 and this is in no way a reference to Jeff Gordon

Just 24 short days till we go back into full swing with the Greatest American Race The Daytona 500. For fear that you,like us will be a little overwhelmed with the massive of name/car/team/mascot....you name it.. changes since Homestead-the Gods at Jayski has simplified it here. I got as far as #5 before I screwed it up so I do implore you to print this out and start studying. We have a lot of work to do!
In other news, it is pretty awesome to see our friend for who we will not name who is allegedly from Long Island, who could possibly own a new race team that we are not blogging about...well its nice to see his name in print :) And this definitely does not remind us about him...Good Luck to Jaeger Bombs and all our peeps in new positions/cars/teams/mascot uniforms, etc.

Wine and Nascar....now we're talking!

David Reutimann will be sponsored by Beringer Vineyards for 5 Nationwide races this season. Two things I love....wine and Nascar. It isn't an oddity that you will find one of us @ a race, trying to sneak a cold one into the garage. Sometimes we look like this after we have had too much.

You can read more about it here on Nascar.com. Cheers!

Hall of Fame First Class

NASCAR will induct five people each year into its Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., beginning with the inaugural class in 2010.That's Racing breaks it nicely down here Just wondering who you would pick as a nominee for its first class? This may take a call to Uncle Pete for his thoughts as it will be years and years (at least I hope so) before we see anyone from today's circuit makes the cut. Just don't get me started on why these Hall of Fame activities aren't taking place in Daytona Beach.

Carl Edwards, enough said.

Now I can say I have seen it with my very own eyes....Carl Edwards is absolutely married. I have known this fact for 2 weeks now, but tonight, we saw him in flesh at the Nascar Fan Fest in Daytona Beach with a ring on that left hand of his....it definitely made me pout for a few minutes. So here it is ladies.....Carl and his wedding ring. Go ahead and weep with me!

Budweiser Shootout.....It's baffling

They added a wild card to the Budweiser Shootout, making it more confusing and controversial than ever. This wild card will allow the manufacture to add a 7th car to the field. The new spot will bring the 7th car in manufacturer points or a previous champion to the shootout. Here is the new line up....

Chevy
Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Casey Mears, Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Wild Card: Tony Stewart (past champion)

Toyota
Denny Hamlin, Joey Lagano, Kyle Busch, Brian Vickers, David Ruetimann, Michael Waltrip
Wild Card: Depends on #22...if they have a car in Daytona, it will be whoever is driving that car, if not, it will be Scott Speed

Ford
Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, David Ragan, Jamie McMurray, Travis Kvapil
Wild Card: Bobby Labonte

Dodge
Kasey Kahne, David Stremme, Kurt Busch, Reed Sorenson, Elliot Sadler, Robby Gordon
Wild Card: AJ Allmendinger
Yes, I said Robby Gordon who left Dodge to race Toyota this season. Nascar, Toyota and Dodge all signed an agreement allowing Gordon to race the Shootout in a Dodge. This makes ZERO sense to me whatsoever. When he left Dodge, his spot should have gone to the GEM #10, and the wild card should be Penske #77. Why would this be beneficial to Dodge, which is apparently what Nascar wants this race to be....to benefit the manufacturers. In my opinion, Gordon should not be the one in this race, his spot should go to AJ Allmendinger, giving the wild card to Sam Hornish Jr. So, Earnhardt Ganassi can pull a Dodge out of their garage and put Juan Pablo Montoya in the race? Seems only fair right?

Like I said...baffling. Plus, how bad does this suck for Martin Truex Jr? He was the 7th in line in Chevy but Tony Stewart grabbed his spot by being a past champion. Nascar is handing out breaks and he still cant seem to get one.

Baby, Its COLD Outside

Yes, I know I know...we are in Florida..palm trees, I wore flip flops to xmas dinner blah blah...today I woke up to a freeze warning....tomorrow I will have to remind myself what to do when there is a thin layer of ice on my windshield....it doesnt happen very often but low and behold as tonight we officially start the NASCAR season...two of three fashionistas are pulling out our winter gear, scarves and hats and will weather (pun intended) temperature in the near unthinkable 30ish degrees...thank god we will have the sights of our favorite drivers to keep up warm...yes, i know that was lame but i believe that the cold has frozen all my creativity. For schedule and such please click here...more reporting to come...you can be sure of that!

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.

What is happening to TV?

I found out today that Prison Break is being canceled. I avidly watched this show every Monday night. This means no more Michael (Wentworth Miller), who is the reason I got hooked on the show! Yet, this news doesn’t come as a shock to me. Sometime before Christmas, I was on the phone w/ a friend and we were discussing how the show needs to end before it gets stupid. How much more could they possibly put these guys through? I am still saddened by this addition to the shows I watch getting the ax in 2009.

A few weeks ago, I took 2 blows by finding out that Dirty Sexy Money and Lipstick Jungle are being canceled. While these are both fairly new shows, they may be 2 of the best ones on TV right now.

I just started watching Dirty Sexy Money this season and I was instantly addicted. It has a genius cast and an always surprising “oh no he/she didn’t” story plot. Why ABC would cancel this show is beyond me. It is truly a guilty pleasure show.

I read the book Lipstick Jungle a few years ago and when I heard word that it was turning into a Network series, I was excited and couldn’t wait. It quickly turned into my favorite show on TV. Then right before Halloween, they moved the show from Wednesday to Friday night. Friday is dooms day for any TV show. A few weeks later, I heard the news…..NBC was not picking it up for 2009. WHAT!! No more hot and steamy scenes with Kirby (Robert Buckley)?! To add salt to the wound, NBC resigned Kath and Kim (that horrific show with Molly Shannon and Selma Blair) which had lower ratings than Lipstick Jungle. This is so not right.

So, are we being taken over by reality TV? If they cancel Lost after this season, the gloves are coming off.

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?

Preseason Thunder 09

We are a mere 25 days away from the Budweiser Shootout and I must say I have zero interest in that particular race this year, other than the fact that Dierks Bentley is performing before and after the race. Normally this time of year we can hear the cars testing at the track, partying w/ the boys and waking up with headaches the size of Texas......needless to say, the testing ban has been a little weird this year. Thankfully for all Nascar fans, the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers in Daytona Beach will happen this weekend at Preseason Thunder. I cant be entirely negative about the testing ban being it has given the employees of Nascar to enjoy more time with their families and friends with their much needed longer break.

The schedule for Friday and Saturday is as follows:

Friday starting @ 6pm:

Carl Edwards, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Martin Truex Jr., Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Reed Sorenson, Aric Almirola, Casey Mears, Travis Kvapil, David Gilliland, Mike Skinner and John Wes Townley

Saturday Noon-4pm:

Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, David Ragan, Colin Braun, Erik Darnell, Paul Mernard and Alex Garcia

Saturday 4pm -8 pm

Dale Earnhardt Jr., Michael Waltrip, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski and Ron Hornaday.

Click here for ticket info and the schedule of events for this weekend including autograph session times.

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!

Sprint Tower (Formerly Nextel) Daytona Seats for sale

Hey Kids, I know that its been a while since I have posted but I have been a busy bee! Now that thankfully the dreadful race free December is almost up I will be back in the swing of things. On a more important nature, my beloved Uncle will NOT be using his tickets this year. Although I will miss not seeing him I am glad I dont have to white glove clean my house! We have had these seats since I was a twinkle in my Daddys eyes. They are courtside, ringside, behind the home base so to speak seats. I have four tickets each to the NextEra Energy Resources 250 (Truck Race), Gatorade Duel, Camping World 300, and Daytona 500 for sale. Some of the tickets are pictured above for authenticity of course. Face Value is all that I am asking...$660 a seat for all four races...blame NASCAR baby, not me! Contact me at darlynn.nangano@gmail.com for more infomation

GO GATORS!!!!!!

In less than 2 days, I will be at the BCS championship game in Miami. I cant sleep and I honestly feel like a 5 year old at Christmas waiting on Santa. When I heard the National Championship game was in Miami this year, I dreamt that FL would make it, giving me a chance to go to the game. I had this strong sense of confidence we would make all the way...ask any of my friends who had to hear my mouth all season long. Yet....we lost to Ole Miss by 1 point and from there on, I thought we had no chance.....then one by one, fate made its way. Now here I am, a little more than 24 hours away from heading to Miami to watch my boys try for the title. Not to mention, I have the greatest seats ever. I am being classy and I refuse to speak smack about Oklahoma or Sam Bradford, but it is going to be Heisman vs Heisman, the true 08 Heisman winner will show through and I cant wait to see it in person. GO GATORS!!!!

Its been a while.....

I apologize for the delay in blogging. I had the 2 weeks of Christmas and New Years off and my fellow blog girls have left me hanging as you can see. There is so much to write about and not enough time to catch up on. We are only a few weeks away from the Daytona 500 and I cant wait!! Testing should be happening right now...I hear the cars!!!!....wait, its Danica Patrick and her group...oops. I miss Nascar testing week. Boooo.....

So, what should we start with? OK, I will go ahead and rip the bandaid off. My fake boyfriend Carl Edwards got married this weekend to Dr. Katherine Downey. She is unbelievably gorgeous and I have seen her in person...where somehow, she is even more beautiful than she is in photos. Did I mention she is a Doctor?? Congrats Carl. Speaking of congrats, Allys fake boyfriend, Bootie Barker got married during Thanksgiving so lets throw out a congrats to him as well.

There a new reality show coming out on TLC called Nascar Wives. I think this could be a fantastic idea but I am not quite sure about the wives they have on the show. Only time will tell and I don't like talking nasty about anyone so I will keep my own opinions to myself, which is so anti-blogging, I know. The wives on the show include Delana Harvick (wife of Kevin, who has 11 career Nascar Sprint Cup Series wins), Shana Mayfield (wife of Jeremy, a 15-year Sprint Cup veteran), Kelly Earnhardt (sister of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Nascar's most popular driver) and Angie Skinner (wife of Mike, who competes in Nascar's top three national series). Again, this is when it gets sticky because I know too many people on the inside to say what I want to say...........but if they gave me the opportunity to pick the wives, I could make this the top drama infused reality TV show invented. Step aside Speidi!!!

I am hearing that my bud Regan Smith is possibly getting a part time ride with Furniture Row racing. He deserves a chance to show the class act driver he truly is. Again, this is when I must be politically correct (on many fronts) but I feel Regan has been robbed of opportunities since he entered the cup. Maybe he will get his chance now, hopefully. Speaking of which, I hope that Joe Nemechek gets a ride since he and Furniture Row went different ways. I have always personally adored Joe and his family.

That's all I have for now. It is getting late and I am finally getting tired.

PS if you haven't read the Twilight series yet, you must do it. Trust me.....

Tommy Baldwin Racing!?

According to Jayski.com and a few friends, I found out tonight that Tommy Baldwin, a great friend of ours, is starting a Sprint Cup team and is aggressively shooting towards running in 51st annual Daytona 500. Wow, that will be one party that we will sure be attending. We are already trying to prep our livers for those 2 weeks, god help us all!!!!

Tommy's team, Tommy Baldwin Racing, is planning on competing full time in the Sprint Cup. He has 12 years of experience in the Cup, not to mention he is a winning Daytona 500 Crew Chief. You can read all of it here on jayskis site. I couldn't be happier to write this blog. Honestly, I was online to find information on the new Reality series, Nascar Wives when I decided I am way too cranky to speak of that show right now. Of course Tommy takes precedence over a silly reality show. So many congrats to you Tommy!! You know you already have a few cheerleaders on your side!!!!

So you want to smell like a Whopper?

Just when you think Burger King has lost it's mind with it's "fast food virgin" marketing campaign, they come at you with the Fire meets Desire. They have launched a new men's body spray called "Flame" which is described as "the scent of seduction with a hint of flame-broiled meat". The website shows scenes of seduction and this picture came up. Yes, that is the Burger King, laying naked on a lion rug. So, here is my question.....if a guy wears his seductive "Flame" body spray while hunting, will he be attacked by bears? Where and how do they come up with this stuff???!!!! Let's hope they don't whore out Tony Stewart like this next year.

Nascar hits Marquee in NYC

As I sit here taking a break from Christmas shopping, I felt the need to share some photos from the Nascar Championship week taken this past week at Club Marquee in NYC. Guest of Guest has posted tons of photos on their site, you owe it to yourself to check them out here and here. I was quite bummed that there weren't any pictures of Regan Smith and Megan Mayhew. You must look at the second group of photos to see the many WTF moments I had while browsing....there is also a girl on the first group that brought her dog!!! And no, it was not Paris Hilton or Britney Spears. One of our readers graciously informed us that it was Aubrey O'Day, previously of the pop group Danity Kane. Of all the WTF moments, this may have been the best. I mean, really, isn't that a Halloween costume? Why on earth would you wear that to Marquee? Or are you that desperate to fit in at a Nascar function? Didn't quite work out for you did it?

Here are some other apperances and people that actually dressed like they belonged there.

Jeff Gordon and Ingrid Vandebosch

Jimmy and Chandra Johnson...love her purse.

Chad Knaus and Lisa Rochelmann....what happened to Bruna Oliveria???

DJ A.M!!!! He looks fantastic.

Brian Vickers.

Please say it isn't so.....

I copied the story below from the Orlando Sentinal and I am trying to hold back the tears. There is a possibility of us loosing Tebow, Brandon Spikes and Percy Harvin a year early. I am just ill. No words can explain this.....stay tuned, there will be an interview w/ Tebow tomorrow on College Gameday.

Gators quarterback Tim Tebow told the Sentinel on Tuesday that he'll "probably" petition to the NFL draft advisory committee to determine his potential status should he decide to leave school early."It's the smart thing to do," said Tebow, a junior. Tebow has not decided on his future and is focused on Saturday's SEC title game against No. 1 Alabama. The advisory committee is composed of NFL officials, scouts and general managers. Gators linebacker Brandon Spikes told Florida Today of his plans to petition, and Gators wide receiver Percy Harvin also might petition.
As one of the most celebrated college football players of all time, Tebow is working on his second Heisman Trophy campaign. How the Gators finish the season is expected to play a part in Tebow's NFL decision. The winner of Saturday's SEC title game could land a spot in next month's BCS National Championship in Miami. Either Oklahoma or Texas is expected to be the other team in that game.Tebow already has one national championship ring. He was Chris Leak's backup on the Gators' 2006 national championship team.The Heisman is awarded next week, after the conference title game. If Tebow could win college football's top individual award again, he would be only the second player to be a repeat Heisman winner, joining Ohio State running back Archie Griffin.

PLEASE DON'T LEAVE US EARLY!

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.

Happy Birthday Darlynn!!

Today is the national holiday of Darlynn Nangano's birthday! Happy Happy Birthday!!