Partner for Paws Spectacular

Feb 11th, join the NASCAR Foundation for Partner for Paws Spectacular Live and Silent Auction hosted by Greg Biffle and Ryan Newman. This warms my heart and it will be a great chance to get NASCAR memorbilla for a good cause. Click here for ticket information and the listing of silent and live auction items. Proceeds raised from the evening will benefit the Greg Biffle Foundation, Ryan Newman Foundation and Halifax Humane Society of Daytona Beach, three organizations that support improving animal welfare. Upon researching for this article I found a great blog that put a lot of energy compiting a NASCAR pet list from a few years ago.

It is always great to take a second and blog about the drivers like Ryan and Greg that gives back. Over the course of this race season we will feature some of these foundations and all the good that they do.

The Draw Party

Last night, we bundled up like little Eskimos and ventured out in 20 degree Florida weather to attend the Budweiser Draw Party. Luckily, through the radio station, we get VIP access so it is was an evening of good food, free beer and the chance to be up close and personal with the boys. You can see why this has always been one of our favorite events to go to. Although the weather made it unbearable to stay for the whole party, we enjoyed ourselves as usual. I am not sure if our lives can take the debauchery.

I wonder if Jimmie Johnson and Elliot Sadler changed identities. The usually well groomed Jimmie came with his beard still intact....and Elliot was clean looking like a pretty boy! Kyle Busch played nice with the crowd by throwing bags of M&Ms at the fans. I guess the "most hated driver" in Nascar is trying to make a few friends. Watching M&Ms being thrown is slightly different than last year when I watched multiple drivers take "target practice" with their selection flags, Darlynn's chest being the bulls eye.

Tomorrow nights race is going to be different and the lineup has a lot to do with it. I have been complaining since they changed the format. We have 2 rookie of the year contenders running in the Shootout, a driver that didn't race in the Cup Series last year and a few other drivers that do not deserve to be in this race. Meanwhile, last years Daytona 500 winner is not in the race, along with a driver that chased for the cup and a few other guys that in my eyes should be in the Shootout. Regardless, I am excited that we will be at a race tomorrow night.

Parking for a good cause

If you are choosing to pay to park for the races, your money may as well be going towards a good cause! Target on International Speedway will be donating 100% of the parking proceeds to the United Way! Click here for pricing and hours of operation. It is a great way to donate during these tough times.

Our Daytona Beach dining guide.

So if you are anything like me and you are in an unfamiliar town, you will spend weeks googling the best restaurants and bars to visit upon your trip. When I travel, I usually have a planned schedule, broken down by the clothes I am wearing and the places I am visiting. Yet, not matter how many times I have tried, when it comes to out of town races, I end up eating at the closest restaurant around or at a chain....ugh.
This is where we are coming to the rescue. Daytona is full of hidden surprises when it comes to eating out. We put a little list together of our favorite eats and drinks in town. I must say, of everything on this list, you must go to the Brickyard and get a cheeseburger; it is a Daytona legend. Please trust me on this. We kept the list pretty local so driving wouldn't be an issue. If you do get a wild hair and want to travel about 30 min North, you must check out Snack Jacks in Flagler Beach.

So, here is our dining guide. I would love to know if anyone takes our advice and what they think of our suggestions! If you have problems viewing it in full size, there should be an area to zoom, if not shoot us an email and we will send it to you.

Get your Sharpies ready....driver appearances during Speedweek!

Throughout the last week, we have been gathering driver appearances for Speedweeks and this is what I have thus far. I have to admit, that while I am very pretty impressed with the Dale Jr./Adidas promotion on February 12th at the Volusia Mall, I personally will not be within 10 miles of it, with the fear of getting trampled by rabid JR fans.

If anyone has any other driver appearances they would like to add, shoot us an email and I will gladly post it to the list.

Driver Appearances at the track

FEB. 5: Kasey Kahne on the Speed Stage, 7:30 pm.
FEB. 7: Brian Vickers will be making an appearance at the Red Bull merchandise hauler trackside. Check hauler for time.
FEB. 7: Kasey Kahne at the Budweiser Shootout Front-Stretch Pre-Party before the drop of the green flag at 5:15 (tentative) for a Q&A Session.
FEB. 8: Clint Bowyer will appear at the Jack Daniel's Experience (located outside of turn 4) from 11 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Autographs are limited and will be available on a first come, first serve basis.
FEB. 11: Martin Truex Jr. and veteran pro angler Roland Martin will be at the Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats merchandise hauler trackside from 3:45 - 4:30.
FEB. 15: Brian Vickers will be making an appearance at the Red Bull merchandise hauler trackside at Daytona International Speedway. Check hauler for time.

Driver Appearances at the Volusia Mall (across from the speedway)

FEB. 10: Kurt Busch, Sam Hornish, David Reutimann, Marcos Ambrose, Johnny Benson and Ron Hornaday are scheduled to appear for the live broadcast of PRN's Daytona Beach Fast Talk Radio in the Volusia Mall at 6:00pm. For more information visit the Performance Racing Network website.
FEB. 10: Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer, Ryan Newman, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson & Tony Stewart are scheduled to appear for the live broadcast of PRN's Daytona Beach Fast Talk Radio in the Volusia Mall at 6:00pm. For more information visit the Performance Racing Network website.
FEB. 12: Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler, Greg Biffle and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are scheduled to appear for the live broadcast of PRN's Daytona Beach Fast Talk Radio in the Volusia Mall at 6:00pm. For more information visit the Performance Racing Network website.
FEB. 12: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be at an Adidas meet-and-greet at Champs Sports. The first 88 fans to make a $150 Adidas purchase, including one Dale Jr. item between February 6-11 will receive an 'Adidas Hot Pass' to meet Jr. at the store on Thursday, Feb. 12. Each of the 88 fans also will have their photo taken with Dale and will receive a collectible picture frame.

Other Driver Appearances throughout Daytona

FEB. 6: Kasey Kahne with special guest, Dierks Bentley at the “Off the Track. Off the Record” One Night Stand event located at the Coliseum in Daytona Beach, presented by Budweiser. You can can obtain the tickets to the event via radio and/or retail promotions in and around the Daytona Beach area.
FEB. 10: Tony Stewart at the Office Depot on 560 South Nova Road (at Belville Road), Daytona Beach from 5-7 p.m. Tony will be signing autographs. Wristbands will be required and distributed to the first 600 customers beginning at 7 a.m. on the day of the event.
FEB. 10: David Ragan will be signing autographs at Discount Tire at 1051 Beville Road Daytona Beach from 4-6 p.m.
FEB. 11: Joe Logano Joey will be signing autographs at the Home Depot at 1551 Dunlawton Blvd., Port Orange. from 5-7 p.m.
FEB. 14: Ryan Newman will be signing Pet Road Pets book at the Meaty Bone Experience tent at Speedway Village at the Daytona Beach Flea and Farmer's Market at 1:45 p.m.

Drivers scheduled to race at local tracks during Race week

FEB. 6-14: Kraig Kinser will race the No. 20 Bass Pro Shops/Chevy/JD Byrider Maxim in the Tony Stewart's World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL. For more details, contact Volusia Speedway Park at (386) 985-4402 or visit the official Web site of VSP.
FEB. 9-10: Ryan Newman is scheduled to participate in the NASCAR Modified Series race at New Smyrna Speedway located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida on Monday & Tuesday, February 9 & 10, 2009. Newman is scheduled to drive the #7NY Aggressive Hydraulics Chevrolet. For ticket information and start times please call 386-427-4129 or visit the New Smyrna Speedway website.

NASCAR drivers weigh in for Superbowl

Experts from a Toyota Press Release:

Sprint Cup rookie Scott Speed based his rooting interest on his only experience watching a live NFL game. “I went to my first NFL game a couple weeks ago when the Panthers played the Cardinals in the playoffs," Speed said. "The Panthers lost really badly because the Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald caught everything that got thrown in the sky! I’m pulling for the Cardinals to win the Super Bowl, for sure. Fitzgerald is the man -- he has sticky fingers. I don’t like the Steelers, not for any particular reason, I just don’t like them. I think they’re bullies! On Sunday, I’m going to have some friends over to my house to watch the game, so I hope my team can pull off the win!”

Kyle Busch and Micheal Waltrip have a special place in their heart for Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, above. "I’m kind of friends with Kurt Warner, so I would really like to see him win," Busch said. "I got to spend some time with him at a Super Bowl party last year in Phoenix when M&M’s had me out there. Kurt came around the room and we talked a little bit, so it would be great to see him do well and the Cardinals win.”Said Waltrip: “All of my friends are Pittsburgh Steelers fans, so I hope the (Arizona) Cardinals win. Plus, I love Kurt Warner because he’s old like me -- really not quite like me."

Young Joey Logano apparently didn't grow up in a NFL-crazy house. But he still has a rooting interest in Sunday's game. "I have to admit, I’m not a huge football fan -- I did follow the Redskins a little when Coach Gibbs was there," Logano said. "It’s tough when you race during most of the football season. Every year we do get family and friends together to watch it though. This year I’m pulling for Pittsburgh, they are closer to where I grew up. And anyway, I have a 50-50 chance of being right.”

Camping World Truck Series champion and Michigan native Johnny Benson knows his football and he likes the Steelers' chances. “I like Pittsburgh. Their defense is awesome," Benson said. "Ben Roethlisberger is cool under pressure and does a really good job. I think the Cardinals are a good team, too, but I just think the Steelers have the upper hand. Pittsburgh made it this far because they're a really good team and their coach does a good job. I'm even trying to get tickets so I can go to the game.”

But Marcos Ambrose, a native of Tasmania (an island state that is part of Australia), had the best reason to root for the Cardinals. “I have to go for the Cardinals because of Ben Graham (right), their punter. He’s Australian,” he said.

Oh! This is just too good not to blog about! First off, the person that okayed this to go out to the general public should be fired immediately for actually releasing this piece of crap! At the very least they could have taken out the quotes that are so ridiculous my eyes are burning from reading it! I have a four year old nephew that could have penned more poetic with his crayons!

Kryle are you kidding me? A grown man making a football prediction over a couple of shared m and m's? Remind me not to give you my money to go to Vegas for fear you will make your bets based on the bus boy's tips from the Craving Buffet at the Mirage.

Very disapointed at Joey Lagano's PR people. Why are you letting this child talk about anything but the new season lineup on the Disney channel? This is the second interview I have read today and am shaking my head with amazment that he actually has "people". You have a 50/50 chance of being right? Really? Also, it must be very difficult to follow any teams without the invention of that dvr or help from the that little information superway called the internet? I cant even imagine what a conflict all those races on Monday night must cause!! Oh, my little pony please save your remarks for stuff you can actually relate to!

I also have a feeling that oh my hottie hotterton Marcus Ambrose probably said something a little more substantial in his quote than they gave him credit for. Lastly, perhaps Toyota could possibly spell Waltrip's first name correctly? I dont want to get too picky here...

Just my two cents for a SuperBowl Sunday not only without a team to root for but for the first time in a couple of years no Manning to drool over. I place my hopes on the underdog only because I think that yellow towel is stupid and annoying.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports to be featured in Nationwide Insurance 2009 marketing campaign

NASCAR Nationwide Series sponsor introduces 'Nationwide Insurance Dash 4 Cash' and NASCAR Nationwide Series ESPN 'Driver Pick 'Em' game at media day

Charlotte, NC — Nationwide Insurance announced today at NASCAR Nationwide Series media day that NASCAR racing superstar, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his company JR Motorsports will be featured in a new marketing campaign that will begin in February.
The company also introduced other activities related to the sponsorship, including the Nationwide Insurance Dash 4 Cash, which involves an increased winner's purse at four NASCAR Nationwide Series races, and the NASCAR Nationwide Series ESPN 'Driver Pick Em' game presented by Nationwide Insurance, a weekly interactive competition for cash prizes that will be available on ESPN.com
The campaign is a departure from previous Nationwide ads featuring celebrities. Despite the obvious opportunity for a racing pun, the ad does not include the company's famous Life Comes at You Fast line and is not intended to be humorous. It's framed as a customer testimonial, and true story from a family with one of the richest traditions in NASCAR.
An interactive site with more information on this can be found here

As a marketer, I love Nationwide campaigns! Geico freaks me out and tries too hard. Allstate really had this NASCAR area covered with their funny Kasey Kahne commercials . Initially, I thought that Nationwide really has their work cut out for them but this can be easily achieved with Dale Jr. You haters can say what you want but there really isnt a better face for sponsorship than him. Fame, talent and hot as haiti-ness aside, Dale has the persona that is a sponsors dream. His likeability and trustworthy manner dominates not only the strong obvious support of the Junior nation but will more than likely brand Nationwide to um Nationwide numbers. Must make mention of this silent battle of advertising swop a roo with Kasey and Junebug....first Budweiser now competing insurance agencies? hmmm....

Back in the good ole days......

Scott Speed is engaged

Scott Speed and his PR girl Amanda Mathis are getting married. Scene Daily reported that he proposed to her after the Homestead race in November. We met both Scott and Amanda at Talladega and they both seemed like nice people. Scott is a great addition to Nascar and I love the fact that he is so unique. I cant wait to see what he brings this season. My only question is what color is he going to paint his toenails for the big day?
Congrats to you both!!

2009 NASCAR Entertainment & Fanzone schedule for Daytona

Daytona International Speedway released their entertainment & Fanzone schedule and we thought it would be helpful to post on our little website. We are huge fans of the Budweiser Bistro and as normal, we will be spending a lot of time there during Speed Weeks. If you are going to be here for the races, you must check out the Trans Ams Friday in the Fanzone. Ally and Darlynn are good friends w/ them and they are a riot.

It's hard to believe that we are 1 week away from the start of it all!!

Thursday , February 5, 2009:
12pm Sprint FANZONE Opens to Public
12pm Inspection for Bud Shootout Cars Sprint - FANZONE
7pm Budweiser Draw Party Speed Stage Outside Turn 4 Tunnel

Friday, February 6, 2009:
10am Sprint FANZONE Opens to Public
10am Inspection for DAYTONA 500 Cars Sprint - FANZONE

Saturday, February 7, 2009:
10am Sprint FANZONE Opens to Public
10am Inspection Station Activity Sprint - FANZONE
10am-7pm Rock Wall & Power Jump Sprint - FANZONE
10am-8:10pm Live Mural Experience: David Arrigo Sprint - FANZONE
12pm-5pm DJ RERUN Main Stage
12:30pm-1:30pm ARCA Series Autograph Session Blue Garage
1pm Daytona 500 Pace Car Unveiling Sprint - FANZONE
(4:15pm ARCA Green Flag Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200)
(8:10pm Sprint Cup Green Flag Budweiser Shootout)
Post-Race Concert: Dierks Bentley Main Stage

Sunday, February 8, 2009:
12pm Sprint FANZONE Opens to Public
12pm Inspection Station Activity Sprint - FANZONE
12pm-4pm Rock Wall & Power Jump Sprint - FANZONE
12-4pm Live Mural Experience: David Arrigo Goodyear Legends
12pm-4pm DJ RERUN Main Stage

Wednesday, February 11, 2009:
10am Sprint FANZONE Opens to Public
10am-5:30pm Rock Wall & Power Jump Sprint - FANZONE
10am-6pm Live Mural Experience: David Arrigo Sprint - FANZONE

Thursday, February 12, 2009:
9am Sprint FANZONE Opens to Public
9am Inspection Station Activity Sprint - FANZONE
9am-11am DJ RERUN Main Stage
9am-1pm Rock Wall & Power Jump Sprint - FANZONE
9am-2pm Live Mural Experience: David Arrigo Goodyear Legends
9:30am &10:30am Show Car Tech Talks Sprint Display
11:15am – 1pm Live Band: Dueling Pianos Main Stage
(2:00pm Sprint Cup Green Flag Gatorade Duel)

Friday, February 13, 2009:
1pm Sprint FANZONE Opens to Public
1pm Inspection Station Activity Sprint - FANZONE
1pm-7pm Rock Wall & Power Jump Sprint - FANZONE
1pm-8pm Live Mural Experience: David Arrigo Goodyear Legends
1pm-3:30pm DJ RERUN Main Stage
3pm Show Car Tech Talk Sprint Display
3:30pm-3:45pm Appearance: Jamie McMurray Crown Royal Display
4pm-7pm Live Band: The Trans Ams Main Stage
5pm-5:30pm Joe Gibbs Main Stage
5pm-5:45pm NCWTS Autograph Session Sprint - FANZONE
5:30pm-7:00pm DJ RERUN Main Stage
6:15pm Show Car Tech Talk Sprint Display
(8:00pm Truck Series Green Flag Nextera Energey Resources 250)

Saturday, February 14, 2009:
9am Sprint FANZONE Opens to Public
9am Inspection Station Activity Sprint - FANZONE
9am-1pm Live Mural Experience: David Arrigo Goodyear Legends
9am-1pm Rock Wall & Power Jump Spring - FANZONE
9:30am Show Car Tech Talk Sprint Display
9:45am-10:15am Hellman’s Fan of the Year Announcement: Main Stage Dale Jr., Mark Martin, Brad Keslowski
10am-10:20am Driver Appearance: Tony Stewart Main Stage
10:30am Show Car Tech Talk Sprint Display
11:30-1pm Live Band Main Stage
(2pm Nationwide Series Green Flag Camping World 300)

Sunday, February 15, 2009:
8am Sprint FANZONE Opens to Public
8am Inspection Station Activity Sprint - FANZONE
8am-10:00am DJ RERUN Main Stage
8am-2:30pm Rock Wall & Power Jump Sprint - FANZONE
8am-3:30pm Live Mural Experience: David Arrigo Goodyear Legends
9am Show Car Tech Talk Sprint Display
10am-1pm Live Band: Orange Avenue Main Stage
1pm-2pm DJ RERUN Main Stage
1pm Show Car Tech Talk Sprint Display
1:00pm Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 Trophy Procession Sprint - FANZONE
2pm Show Car Tech Talk Sprint Display
(3:30pm Sprint Cup Green Flag Daytona 500)
7:30pm-11:30pm Daytona 500 After Party – Mister DJ DAYTONA 500 EXPERIENCE

Speedweeks 2009

In only 10 days, the 2009 Speedweeks of Daytona will kick off with one of our favorite events, The Budweiser Shootout Drawing Party. Hopefully this year, the guys won’t find it amusing to throw the selection flags at Darlynn for “target practice”. We are blessed this year by having 2 of the hottest men in Country Music to bless the stage with their presence. Dierks Bentley is performing for the Shootout and as Darlynn previously posted, Keith Urban is performing at the Daytona 500. I for one will be stalking Dierks!

With so much going on both on and off the track during Speedweeks, I thought it would be helpful for all to post the 2009 Daytona schedule, that I graciously pulled from the DIS website. We will post an off track event schedule as soon as we can put one together!

Thursday February 5th
12:00 pm-5:00 pm ARCA Practice
7:00pm Budweiser Shootout Draw Party

Friday February 6th
12:00pm ARCA Qualifying
4:15pm-5:00pm Budweiser Shootout Practice
5:10pm-6:15pm ARCA final practice
6:30pm-7:30pm Final Budweiser Shootout Practice

Saturday February 7th
10:30am-12:30pm NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice
1:30pm-3:00pm NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice
3:30 ARCA Driver Introductions
4:15pm: ARCA Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 (80 laps, 175 miles)
7:50pm NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver Introductions for Budweiser Shootout
8:10pm: Budweiser Shootout (70 laps, 175 miles)

Sunday February 8th
1:10pm Daytona 500 Qualifying

Wednesday February 11th
11:00am-11:55am: NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice
12:00pm-1:50pm Camping World Truck Series Practice
2:00pm-2:50pm Final NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice for Gatorade Duals
3:00pm-4:50pm Nationwide Series Practice
5:00pm-5:50pm Camping World Truck Series Practice

Thursday February 12th
9:30am-10:50am Final Nationwide Series Practice
11:15am-1:20pm Camping World Truck Series Practice
1:40pm NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver Introductions for Gatorade Duals
2:00pm Gatorade Duals race #1 (60 laps, 150 miles)
3:30pm Gatorade Duals race #2 (60 laps, 150 miles)
6:10pm Camping World Truck Series Qualifying

Friday February 13th
1:40pm-2:40pm NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice
3:10pm Nationwide Series Qualifying
7:30pm Camping World Truck Series Driver Introductions
8:00pm Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 (100 laps, 250 miles)

Saturday February 14th (Happy Valentines Day!)
11:00am-12:30pm Final NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice for Daytona 500
12:45pm Driver Introductions for Nationwide Camping World 300
1:15pm Nationwide Camping World 300 (120 laps, 300 miles)

Sunday February 15th
2:30pm NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver Introductions for the Daytona 500
3:30pm Daytona 500 (200 laps, 500 miles)

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.