He drives! He dances! He wins at both!

Who knew? Helio Castroneves. Indy 500 winner – twice. He can move more than his hands and feet. (Thanks to Penske Racing for the photo.)

Dancing With the Stars has been fun to watch, and may have gotten a few extra viewers because of Helio. And boy did his website pimp the show and voting.

So who’s next? Can’t be the Nextel, er, Sprint Cup guys, the Chase is underway during the Dancing With the Stars Competition. Hey, does anyone know if Dario Franchitti can act? His wife can.

Speaking of the NASCAR boys, they had the what’s become a traditional drive around Manhattan this morning, taking off from the Good Morning America studio at Times Square. Right after Helio showed off his moves.

ESPN Classic will air the annual NASCAR Nextel (yea, still Nextel) Cup Awards at 9 p.m. Friday from the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Dr. Jerry Punch will emcee the onstage event (yippee, didn’t we love him during the season, he’s so exciting.) It will rebroadcast at midnight on the Deuce.

Funnyman David Spade and singer Kelly Clarkson will perform during the awards program.

I have this feeling the NASCAR awards show won’t be as exciting as Dancing With the Stars. Oh well, racecar drivers are racecar drivers, just some have diverse talents.

King Jimmie

OK, I’ll say it.

Jimmie Johnson is the champion. I even have a photo to make all the JJ fans happy. Me with a JJ car flag.

It’s kind of like politics. You may not like the President of the United States, but you should respect the office.

Same thing with Jimmie. He may not be my cup of Coca-Cola, but he has the hardware and you have to respect that. Remember the commercial with Elliott Sadler? “Just a minute,” Jimmie says. The trophy shows up and he asks, “You were saying?”

Hendrick was the class of the field all season long. The teams combined for 10 wins, and pulled off the driver coup of the century. Hendrick drivers account for more than one-third of the season’s wins. Jimmie won with Chad Knaus, he won without Chad Knaus. Jeff Gordon fared well with and without Steve Letarte.

Now comes the really interesting part of the year. Drivers are looking for rides. Teams are being added and teams are being eliminated. Series sponsorships are changing to Nationwide and a name switch to Sprint. Junior will no longer drive for Budweiser (that’s going to Kasey Kahne). Dale Jarrett will quit driving after a handful of races. And Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch will drive Toyotas.

But, Jimmie Johnson is the champion. Long live the champ.

Freebies!

Jimmie Johnson may have won the championship, but Matt Kenseth won the race Sunday.

You know what that means?

Free Fries! That’s right. Take in the newspaper showing where Matt won the race Sunday and you get free fries at Arby’s. But it’s only for Monday, November 19, 2007. Arby’s has been doing this all season long.

The stipulation is you have to take in proof of the win, and that means the sports page (probably the standings on page B2).

Those fries will be a nice addition to your roast beef sandwich. And best of all, they’re free.

Of course Matt Kenseth won at Miami Homestead. He's a Roush Fenway driver and they RULE Miami Homestead. So sorry for The Biff, but it was still a Roush win. Enjoy the photo from the Associated Press of Jack Roush, Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth.

Can’t we all just get along?

In the book “Men and Speed,” Jack Roush tells the story of putting his teams together in a room during the 2001 season and keeping them there until they aired every gripe, complaint and whatever else was getting under their collective skins.

I wonder if he’s doing it again this week with two of his drivers? Both whom are pretty secure in Roushdom future when he has to pare down to four teams.

During the after race melee, I was in the late stages of the Family Fall Festival at New Life Church. All day long, several of us there were checking the leader board on live phone updates or by calling friends watching the race at home.

But boy did we miss a confrontation between Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth. I’ve since watched it on You Tube and Mr. 99 LOOKS like he’s having a friendly word with Mattman, patting him on the chest and maneuvering away from the camera.

Did he actually think the camera wouldn’t follow him?

But when the fist came up, I lost respect Carl Edwards. He’s the one at Roush Fenway who is supposed to be the media savvy one of the bunch. The cover boy who works hard at his image. You can take issue with other teams, but your own teammate? Gimme a break.

In my view, he just looked like a bully.

Wait 'till next year...

Halloween 310 has come and gone at Ona Speedway and I am again reminded how much more fun you have at the local short tracks versus the NASCAR events.
You are closer to the action.

There are lots of prizes just for showing up and paying $5 as opposed to $130 and $4 for a bottle of water, with roughly the same amount of time at the track.
When they aren’t in the car, drivers sit in the stands before and after their races and visit with the fans.

The wrecks can be just as big, just not at 190 mph. And the drivers still jump out of their cars, voices wailing and arms flailing, the difference is you can actually hear what they are saying.

So if you missed the action Saturday at Ona, you missed out on prizes from the track management and the Official NASCAR Members Club; keeping lots of money in your pocket for chicken sandwiches, reasonably prices beverages and unofficial race pools with your friends; some pretty big wrecks with drivers yelling at each other; and meeting some of those drivers before the race.

Prize winners from the ONMC to non-club members, who received their choice of Dale Jr., Dale Sr., Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart 2002 Championship caps were:
Curtis Hedrick of Milton, W.Va., Peter B. Garrett of Huntington, W.Va., Susan Arthur or Kenova, W.Va., Donna Wageman of Hurricane, W.Va., Terry Lee Solt of St. Albans, W.Va., and Jerry Dean of Branchland, W.Va.

And as a special gift for ONMC club members, the management of the track let me wave the green flag for the Any Car race. Thanks to photographer Jim Ellis for the picture of me on the flagstand.

But don’t fret, next season non-club members will be in the running for “Lucky Dog” prizes at each race. And there will be prizes for ONMC members, too.

So watch the NASCAR chase for the next five weeks, although the winner already seems to be determined. No conspiracy theory here, although there’s always room in NASCAR for that.

Then bide your time, watch the races you’ve taped, and show up in mid-May at Ona Speedway.

Whine, whine, whine

Gas, no gas, light, no light. Juan Pablo cuts a tire and debris ensues. Caution comes out. If the field is frozen, the field is frozen.

Quit whining. But then again, Jimmie Johnson learned it from the best.

I feel sorry for the boys behind The Biff, but NASCAR (in its own take on wisdom) froze the field for a caution. You can’t pass on a caution even if you are yards away from the finish line. Remember, “no racing to the start finish line under caution.”

Hey! They could have called the race during the red flag stop in the thunder, lightning and rain when Tony Stewart was in the lead. It was past the point of no return. But the skies cleared, the track dried and off they went.

But that would have made NASCAR’s Bad Boy the winner and not the Hendrick Pretty Boys.

Only Biff, Greg and Jack know for sure if he was out of gas or not. The Roush team, er, Roush Fenway team, says he had fuel and race officials told him not to fire up the car.

Conspiracy theories aside, you can’t pass during a caution. Biffle wins the race.

But then again, NASCAR could change its mind tomorrow, or today. It is sort of the norm for them.

Ona 2007 finale

Let’s go racin’!

Saturday, Oct. 13 will be the final race of 2007 at Ona Speedway and will feature late models (100 laps), modifieds, classics and Hobby stocks (50 laps each division) and nay car and u-car (30 laps each).

You can meet the local drivers from 4 to 5 p.m., and the green flag drops at 5 p.m. for a night of great racing.

There will be some changes at Ona Speedway next season with races every other weekend to give drivers more time to work on their cars. The 2008 season will begin in May with a demolition derby.

You can check out their new Web site at www.onaspeedway.com and find out more about the Oct. 13 races.

Kenseth showcar coming to town

Members of Roushdom, listen up!

Matt Kenseth’s Arby’s showcar is making a few stops in the region on Thursday and Friday.

Thursday it will be at Greenup, Ky., from noon to 2 p.m. and in Jackson, Ohio, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Arby’s (go figure).

Friday will have stops in Huntington from noon to 2 p.m. at the Arby’s on Fifth Avenue near Joan C. Edwards Stadium (Marshall University, for those who still call it such.) and then move up the road to the MacCorkle Avenue Arby’s in Charleston from 5 to 7 p.m.
There will be games and prizes and Matt Kenseth stuff.

For more information, visit www.arbysracing.com.

Advantage Junior

Who’s the winner?

Junior announces he’s leaving DEI. No advantage to either side.

Junior signs with Hendrick Motorsports. Advantage Junior.

DEI merges with Ginn Racing, won’t give up number 8, announces Mark Martin to have seat time. Advantage Teresa.

Robert Yates gets in the match, asks NASCAR to reassign Dale Jarrett’s old number 88 to Hendrick for Junior. Advantage Junior. (That was a really nice gesture in a fracas that hasn’t exactly been nice.)

Junior gets Mountain Dew AMP as a sponsor, Advantage Junior. Did you notice there’s already merchandise on the NASCAR.comSuperStore with Junior Mountain Dew 88? I think Junior deserves an edge for that, too.

Budweiser signs Kasey Kahne (uplifted hands, "woo!") So that's a point for Ray Evernham, er, Gillette Evernham whatever. The Bud No. 9. OK, The car's red, he's young and good looking. Bad for DEI, gotta find another major sponsor.

I know it’s not a chess match, but that’s how it looks some days. He makes a move, she counters. It’s really sad.

They actually have something in common. Dale Earnhardt Sr. We know how the son feels about the father and we have to believe there’s love and affection between the wife and husband that continues forever.

Obviously Junior is moving on with his life, growing up, showing some maturity. He’s becoming his own man, moving out of the shadow of his father, making his own legacy. Can the same be said at DEI?

You know there’s a counter move coming, it’s just a matter of when? Or has Junior’s DEI equipment been that move?

Happy Birthday Boris!

Boris Said will be racing in this Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Louden, New Hampshire, driving the #98 Dodge for Gillette-Evernham Motorsports.

His car was slow and didn’t qualify on Friday. HOWEVER, John Andretti's car failed post qualifiying inspection, putting Boris in the race.

Sad for Andretti, happy for Boris! And a gleeful time for SaidHeads nationwide.

Birthday break for Boris! He turns 45 on Sept. 18.

OK all you SaidHeads, send along a birthday greeting to Boris at boriss@nofear.com.

And if you haven't joined in the SaidHeads yet, go to www.saidhead.net and sign up.

Thanks again to SaidHead Deb on the west coast for passing along Boris news as it happens!

NCTS driver Mike Skinner to visit

Pull those belts tight… Ooops, wrong sport.

What do you say about golf? “Fore!”

NASCAR and golf seem to be hand-in-hand for drivers (no pun intended) and Monday will be no different.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Mike Skinner will be at Hurricane, W.Va., on Monday for the annual Toyota/Special Olympics West Virginia Golf Classic at Sleepy Hollow Country Club.

Skinner currently sits in 2nd place in the NCTS, four points behind leader Ron Hornaday going into Saturday’s race at Louden, N.H.

Mike will play in the tournament, which raises money for the West Virginia Special Olympics.

Racing note: Last year at New Hampshire International Speedway, Skinner qualified at 129.626 miles per hour.

You can read more about Mike Skinner at his Web site, www.mikeskinner.com.

Saturday’s race at NHIS will be televised at 3 p.m. on SPEED.

Dario moving to NASCAR?

He’s successful. He’s articulate and smart. He has a nice, bright, well-spoken wife. He’s easy on the eyes. He’s won the Indy 500 and the Indy Racing League title. And besides, the Tri-State’s hometown favorite momma, Naomi Judd, likes him.

Dario Franchitti is mulling a move to NASCAR next season with Chip Ganassi Racing. And according to Sports Illustrated, it’s a done deal. David Stremme is out, Dario is in.

Won’t that be an interesting pairing. And mightn't Chip have his hands full?

The fans haven’t exactly embraced Dario’s potential teammate, Juan Pablo Montoya, affectionately called Juan Problem Montoya by some.

I have to admit, I had secret smiles at Bristol every time JPM was walked up the track toward the wall. But on a redeeming note, when his car burst into flames the other night I was concerned and screaming at the TV, "get out, get out, get out!" I never want to see any driver or crew member get hurt.

Even ABC’s NASCAR in Primetime specials haven’t made Montoya likeable. He comes across as elitist, brash and abrasive with an agenda to run over anyone and anything that gets in his way.

Yeah, yeah, sounds like the southern good old boys.

But back to the Scotsman.

Franchitti wants a few weeks to enjoy his IRL title before making such a major life decision. Who can blame him? Junior took a few weeks after announcing his departure from DEI before starting the decision making process as to his future.

Dario Franchitti in NASCAR would be another good reason to show up at the track.

I may eventually warm up to JPM, but so far, not so. I’ve begun to sort of like – but not pull for – Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, I’m finding redeeming values in them, mostly in the charity circuit. I already like Franchitti. But then again, I like Sam Hornish Jr., too. I can take or leave Danica. She’s good for the gender, but not necessarily for the sport, although she finished 7th overall this season.

By the way, Hornish has been running some Busch races for his owner Roger Penske and will make his Cup debut this weekend at New Hampshire.

We already say Tony Stewart can drive the wheels off any racecar of any type. Dario and Sam moving to NASCAR is just another cog in proving just how good a driver you are in many categories.

More IRL notes:

Helio Castroneves will be on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars this fall. Can his slick moves on the track translate to the dance floor? Time will tell.

And Dario, despite the Indy 500 win and the IRL title, still doesn’t make as much money as his wife, Ashley Judd. You go, girl!

Tony Toyota

"Put me in coach, I'm ready to play" goes the popular John Fogarty song.

Coach Joe Gibbs is putting Toyota on the field in a big way. His drivers are wildly successful, visible, vocal and popular.

Certainly Joe Gibbs Racing has the financial backing to put some serious resources into their cars next year. And if any group of drivers can be successful in a Toyota, it would be Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. Tony's won the Cup in a Pontiac and a Chevy.

But can you imagine Tony’s temper tantrums if the Toyotas don’t perform well? Hello again anger management classes.

Tony Stewart driving a Toyota is sort of like Mark Martin driving a Chevy. Some things just aren’t right.

I’ll be the first to admit Toyota has been good for West Virginia. The Herald-Dispatch’s coverage of the Buffalo plant was award-winning in competition amongst papers of our former owners, Gannett.

Capital investment in Putnam County of nearly $1 Billion (yes, that's with a B), about 1,000 well-paying jobs, money put into Putnam County schools and improving the quality of life in Buffalo, a pleasant little community.

However.

Toyota has struggled in the Nextel Cup Series. Done well in the Craftsman Truck Series, but with a couple of exceptions - Dave Blaney and Brian Vickers - had difficulties even qualifying for the Cup series. Dale Jarrett used up his provisionals almost before the season seriously got underway. As much as we like Mikey Waltrip, how often have you seen him in a race this season?

Will that change next year?

Time will tell and I hope the best for JGR. Coach Gibbs knows football. Let's hope he's made a good decision to leave the Chevy fold and move to Toyota.

Back from Bristol

I’m back from vacation, and back from Bristol!

All of you were right – it’s louder than you can imagine. The only time I could hear the radio traffic was during the cautions, which were few and far between.

The hardest thing was following the leader, which for the most part was Kasey Kahne (woo!). But the track is so short and so fast, watching is an art form it took most of the race to master.

One of my friends noted it’s just like watching Matchbox cars on a little electric track in your living room. He’s right, too.

Just like at every other track, the fans were nice, much nicer than at any other sport. I was surrounded by friends of the Alum Creek Lions Club in the Waltrip section between turns 3 and 4.

Another big event at the track was being part of the Guiness Book of World Records largest stadium card stunt. Being one of 160,000 holding up cards to make it into the book, I still found time to take a few photos of the breathtaking pre-race events.

Bristol was fun, and I’ll go back, but it still wasn’t as much fun as we have at Charlotte.

And the Bank of America 500 is fast approaching.

Visit with Little Debbie #21

The #21 Little Debbie show car will be in the area in early September and you’ll have a chance to get up close.

On Tuesday, September 4, the car will be at Wal-Mart in Jackson, Ohio from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and New Boston, Ohio’s Wal-Mart from 4 to 7 p.m.

On Wednesday, September 5 from 1 to 6 p.m., the car will be at Wal-Mart in South Charleston, W.Va.

On Thursday, September 6, see the car at Wal-Mart in Logan, W.Va., from 1 to 6 p.m.

The next day, Friday, September 7, it will be the last stop on the are Wal-Mart tour in South Williamson, Ky. From 1 to 6 p.m.

The car will move up the country roads in West Virginia to the Shop ‘n Saves at Shinnston on September 11, in Fairmont, W.Va., on September 12 and 13, before heading to Morgantown later in the day September 13.

You can check out the full schedule at the Little Debbie Racing or Wood Brothers Web sites, www.littledebbie.com or www.woodbrothersjtg.com.

NASCAR in West Virginia?

Another drive to locate a NASCAR track in West Virginia is underway, and has made some pretty formidable friends.

I know, we've heard this before and the plans kept falling through. One site proposed had a school built, another had a Wal-Mart built.

West Virginia Racing Thunder chairman Dave Higgins heads up this non-profit, all volunteer organization whose purpose it to get a track in eastern Kanawha County. They’ve set their sites on the Craftsman Truck Series and propose a ¾-mile track with an adjacent dirt track.

Higgins is not releasing the name of what he calls a “bona fide developer’ who will be making a decision in the fall about moving forward with the proposal, to be located on a reclaimed mountaintop mining operation.

Fifth Third Bank in the Kanawha Valley has given the group funds to produce promotional materials – yard signs, removable bumper stickers and lapel stickers. They are available in the downtown Charleston bank location or at the Enterprise Center at Chelyan.

The Kanawha County Commission and it’s president, Kent Carper, have thrown their support toward the effort, placing it on its current legislative agenda and may explore how to financial help out, although funding for the group is not written in stone.

West Virginia Racing Thunder is also a part of the Official NASCAR Members Club – Cabin Creek, W.Va., Local Chapter 253051, and several other local chapter presidents sit on its board of directors.

Thunder’s website, www.wvracingthunder.com has more information and news articles on the track proposal. You can also sign up to be a “Thunder Backer” and show your support for the track.

Go to the website, read the proposal and make up your own mind as to how and if you want to support the $10-$20 million project.

Boris gets it done

And the Wood Brothers move up in owner standings.

Boris Said, driving for Bill Elliott, finished 14th in the Centurion Boats at the Glen on Sunday.

1 - he got to drive on his "home track."

2 - he did well enough to get the Wood Brothers team into the owner standings cutoff.

and 3 - he finished 14th after starting at the back of the pack.

Not a bad day.

After qualifying washed out Friday, Boris was pretty dejected when Bill Elliott saw him and asked what he was doing. Bill suggested Boris drive in his place. The team checked with the sponsors, OK'd it with NASCAR, and a switch was made.

Boris said it was the nicest thing that had been done for him in 44 years.

It was, without a doubt, the most selfless gesture in NASCAR in a long time. Yeah, I know, the underlying motive was to finish well enough to move up in owner points. But it was still a nice thing to do.

Everybody at Wood Brothers seemed happy with the outcome.

Crew chief Fatback McSwain said it was a good road course and a "great road course driver. The weekend was a strange twist...but it worked out for everyone involved."

Fatback's right, it was a strange weekend. Sorry Gordon fans, Tony took the track - again. And what a little dustup with Happy Harvick and JPM. Look, Juan Pablo isn't making friends in the Cup series. Aggressive driving is good, but he's taking it to a level where I wonder if he's listening to his spotter at all. Let's see how ABC news Primetime makes him look.

Oh, well,

Good job Tony!

Who said? Boris Said!

Wash out!

Robbed again! That's what happened to Boris Said in qualifying at The Glen for Sunday's race!

First it was at the Pepsi 400. Boris had the pole and we were psyched! Then came the rains and the lineup set by top-35. And Friday's qualifying was called on account of rain.

Boris was robbed.

I don't know about anyone else, but I look forward to the road races to see Boris - and Tony Stewart - compete.

Sunday just won't be the same without Boris at The Glen. Hopefully the rains will go away and there'll be a Sunday race.

If you're looking for a place to watch the race, join the Huntington chapter of the Official NASCAR Members Club and the New Life Church racing fellowship at Hillbilly Hot Dogs around race time Sunday afternoon.

Saidhead Heaven

Fans of our buddy Boris Said will be riding high this weekend at The Glen!

Boris will be driving in the NASCAR Busch race, the Zippo 200 on Saturday, anD the Nextel Cup race, Centurion Boats at The Glen on Sunday. And in all likelihood, he'll run the Grand Am race, too.

He's great to watch, especially on road courses!

Here's the lineup for The Glen.

Friday, on tape delay at 8 p.m., SPEED Channel, The Crown Royal 200 Grand Am.
Saturday, live at 3 p.m., the Zippo 200 NBS race.
Sunday, live at 1 p.m., Centurion Boats at The Glen.

Friday's going to be a bear for Boris, with or without the Crown Royal race, there will be Cup and Busch practice and Cup qualifying, too.

Run, Boris, run!

ODDS AND ENDS

FREE AGENT IN 2008: Kentucky's Jeremy Mayfield will be looking for a ride at the end of the season. He'll be released by Bill Davis Racing. There have been a few qualifying problems, OK a LOT of qualifying problems, with the Toyotas. But you didn't really expect them to come out of the chute competing, did you?

BUSCH BROTHERS: Kurt and little bro Kyle are making some moves. One to a new team, the other to a possible post-racing career.
Rumor has it Kyle will be signing with Joe Gibbs Racing, joining a stable of proven racing talent in 2-time Cup and Brickyard champ Tony Stewart and former Rookie of the Year Denny Hamlin. Hey, JGR is starting to burn as hot as Hendrick, so it’s a good place to be. And it’s time for Smoke’s end of the regular season heading into the Chase hot streak.

Kurt has become a regular co-host (along with Elliott Sadler) on Fast Talk. The former co-bad boy of racing (a title held with the legendary hot head, speak before you think Stewart) is downright pleasant, poised, thoughtful and incisive. I’m enjoying every time he’s on the show.

NASCAR in Primetime on ABC: Thank goodness we’re getting away from the “Preditors” programming. The six-part series premiers Aug. 15 at 10 p.m. It will peer into the lives of drivers, including Juan Pablo Montoya and his family.

Will this be a purely PR piece or actually get to the heart of racing and the sometimes turbulent personal lives of drivers? After all, no matter how much we like a driver, they’re not squeaky-clean, golly, gosh, gee-wilikers, kind of guys.

Are you really the owners?

I found this in my inbox Monday morning as a comment on the Ona Speedway season being cut short.

I hope this is really from the new owners. Now, has the track been sold again? Whoever sent this to me, please call me at The Herald-Dispatch or send another e-mail with contact information so I can verify this.

"August races are still planned under Billy Roses' management. There is going to be a season finale on Oct 13th which will include the Mountaineer 100 (100 lap race) for late models with a $1000 purse. This race will be put on by new owners/managers to show next years potential.

New Owners"

This is why I don't like anonymous posting. If you are Bill & Lynn Bauer, who are listed as the owners of the track, step up and contact me or our Sports Editor Rick McCann. Or, if you've sold the track again, same thing. Step up and go public.

Yeah, yeah, private business deals, I get the picture, but don't leave the fans you do have coming to the track out of the loop. Some very successful businesses in the Huntington region have very public and visible owners. They are out in the town, meeting the people and doing good for the community.

Now if you're going to take the month of September and early October to make some improvements, I have a few suggestions.

Mow the parking field! When the grass is up to my knees, I don't especially like walking through it. Put a few nails in the bleachers so they don't flap, flop and stay loose. Loose is on the track, not in the stands. And a little paint couldn't hurt, either.

So, what's the plan? I'm sure other racefans have some suggestions on how to make the local track experience better for us all.

Faith Motorsports visiting Huntington

Morgan Shepherd and his Faith Motorsports team will be in the Huntington area July 29 and 30, at a local church and then the Tri-State Fire Academy.

On Sunday, July 29, Morgan, his team and car will be at 26th Street Baptist Church, located at 2510 10th Ave., Huntington. There will be a cookout at 4:30 p.m., followed by gospel music at 6 p.m., and an ice cream social at 7:30 p.m. Morgan will share his testimony during the concert.

The following day, his team will participate in a Race Rescue Technology course for area firefighters, EMS attendants and local race track rescue crews.

They will be joined by Brett Rowe of Barboursville who races in the NBS for Revelocity Racing, and local drivers Hubie Hatfield (modifieds) and Jake Keaton (late models).

Both events are free to the public. However, to take part in the rescue class, registration is necessary.

Morgan is the oldest regular NASCAR driver at age 65 and has races for decades in the NEXTEL Cup (formerly Winston Cup) and the NASCAR Busch series. His #89 car boldly proclaims "Racing With Jesus."

Join racefans for Indy

If you don't have a place to watch the Brickyard Sunday afternoon and you want to make some new friends, come by Hillbilly Hot Dogs on 3rd Avenue in Huntington after 1 p.m.

The newly-formed racing fellowship at New Life Church in Huntington, will gather to watch the race at Sonny and Shari's place. The food's always good (and plentiful), the ice tea typically southern and the atmosphere interesting. The kids can look around, color specially printed Hillbilly Hot Dog pages or play on the Hillbilly Stage out back.

Or, if they're trained right, watch the race and cheer on their favorite driver. We all know their driver is actually your driver, because you've taught them from the womb who that would be and baby shower gifts included onzies of that driver and team color.

Come on by, there will be a few race-related door prizes to be given away, compliments of the Huntington chapter of the Official NASCAR Members Club. You can always find out more about local trips to the track and race viewing parties at the chapter website through www.nascar.com. Go to the ONMC link and search Huntington, WV on the chapter locator.

Ona Speedway shutting down season early

Here’s the notice on the Ona Speedway web site:

“Due to business reasons, the 2007 Ona Speedway season will end with the August 18, 2007, race.

Plans for the 2008 season are in progress with Bill & Lynn Bauer who purchased the race track this year.

Please be sure to show you support for local short track racing and join us on August 4, August 11, and August 18, 2007, for FAST, FAMILY, FUN!”

More than that I don’t know.

The newly-formed racing fellowship at New Life Church will be visiting the track on August 4 and 11 for evenings of fun.

I called for Billy Rose yesterday to make sure those dates would remain viable, but I didn’t get a call back. I’ll keep trying, though.

Now you REALLY need a scorecard

Who’s racing where and just exactly when did Teresa E. and Bobby G. start talking merger and controlling interests? Before or after the Teresa Tango with stepson Dale Jr.? Ginn had a lot to bring to the table - Mark Martin and lots of shiny new (costly) equipment

Let’s see who’s driving for who this weekend?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is still driving DEI with Martin Truex Jr. and Paul Menard this weekend at Indy.

Kyle Busch is still driving Hendrick Motorsports with teammates (yes, they still consider him a teammate, at least that’s what Jeff Gordon said in Pittsburg a couple of weeks ago) Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.

Mark Martin and Regan Smith are, uh, well, at DEI, but Bobby Ginn is listed as the car owner.

Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek are out in the cold and you may as well add Smith to that bunch for all intents and purposes.

The Ginn merger maxes out DEI with four Cup teams.

Wasn’t it the beginning of the current NASCAR season Bobby Ginn said he was in this for the long haul? He put money into a driver (Martin), airplanes and building a seven-point shaker rig.

What a windfall for DEI! She has come into some big-money assets from Ginn.

Ginn, I believe, discovered buying a race team is greatly different that purchasing and flipping real estate which has been his forte. It takes a lot of money to buy and a lot more money to be and stay competitive.

Chat live with Boris Said

Hey all you Saidheads! There is a live online chat with Boris tonight (Wednesday) from 7:30 to 8 p.m. EDT, according to Ryan Lake at Watkins Glen International. Saidhead Deb on the west coast has passed the information along.

Ryan said he’s seen the Saidheads at the Glen and wanted everyone to know about the opportunity.

The chat link activates between 7:20 and 7:25 p.m. at the track’s fan forum, www.theglen.com/forum/index.cfm and at the homepage, www.theglen.com.

He said to note that you will only be able to see the text posted from the time you are logged in. If you join and initially don’t see text, Ryan said not to worry.

OK all you Saidheads, let’s support Boris online tonight!

Remember,

Who said? Boris Said!

Bye-bye Bud

Hendrick Motorsports announced a little while ago Dale Earnhardt Jr. won’t be bringing Budweiser with him to his new team next season.

Rick Hendrick said in a statement Friday afternoon "We have agreements in place with sponsors for the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, which prevent us from having a relationship with Budweiser," team owner Rick Hendrick said in a statement. "Honoring our commitments is important to us. The trade-off is missing an opportunity to bring Budweiser, a marquee brand synonymous with NASCAR and its fans, into the fold.

Bud will remain a major sponsor, just not for Junior.

Dang. And I love that “Mad Max” commercial. “Just ‘cause I got Bud ON the car doesn’t mean I got Bud IN the car,” he says to those "crazy mutant, desert, guys."

Junior weighed in on the matter, too.

NASCAR.com reported, "To climb into that red Budweiser car each weekend has always been a privilege," Earnhardt Jr. said. "Although Budweiser and I will be unable to continue our partnership beyond this season, I remain committed to driving for Bud the rest of this year, and will continue to make it my beer of choice.

"I'm a race car driver. All I can do is drive as hard as I can for my fans and sponsorship partners, and give my best effort each weekend."

ESPN.com is reporting Pepsi wants a shot at Junior and Budweiser is negoting to possibly sponsor Kasey Kahne's red #9 at Evernham.

Dang. More commercials messed up there, too. Those Nationwide stalker girls are pretty funny.

On Fast Talk a week or so ago, talk turned to cars, sponsors and numbers and how fans can separate them.

Not so sure there, either.

When you see the #2 Miller Lite car who do YOU think of? Rusty Wallace.

Ooops, he retired. It's Kurt Busch in there now.

#88? Dale Jarrett. Ooops, he's in a #44 Toyota. Still UPS, but #44. The list could go on and on.

No matter who drives the #8 or red Budweiser car, you'll think Dale Earnhardt Jr. You know you will.

Not broke yet

“I still live in a nice house, so I don’t guess I’m broke.” – Michael Waltrip in the latest issue of NASCAR Illustrated.

There’s been speculation that Mikey’s team troubles have been taking a financial toll on him personally. Granted, Toyota hasn’t exactly been burning up the pavement, and Michael Waltrip Racing hasn’t had a lot of face time on the track.

Did we really expect Toyota to come in to the Cup Series like gangbusters?

No. Take a look at other sports and their expansion teams. In the first three or four years, they aren’t generally contenders.

Success is not an overnight thing, no matter who is the driver and how talented they are or have been.

Toyota drivers are not new names to NASCAR fans. David Reutimann, Dale Jarrett and Brian Vickers, Dave Blaney, Mike Waltrip, AJ Almendinger and Jeremy Mayfield.

DJ burned up his champion’s provisionals fast this season to help Waltrip Racing get a jump start. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out.

Was Mikey’s top-10 finish in the Citizens Bank 400 at Michigan International Speedway June 17 a fluke? Probably not. In the same race, Reutimann and Blaney finished 15th and 18th respectively. Almendinger was 31st and Vickers 41st. They were firing on all cylinders that day.

So it won’t make them the most-talked-about or dominant car. But it was a good showing for the automaker.

And there must be something to fear from Toyota. Roush Racing scrambled to take on an investor to keep up with and/or beat what was happening in the Toyota shops. Other owners are doing the same.

Was the Citizens Bank 400 a turning point for Toyota? Probably not, but it shows promise for the new kid on the block.

Thanks to Autostock Images and www.michaelwaltrip.com for the charicature of Mikey.

Daddy dearest

OK, who should be allowed in the pits at a race. NASCAR allows girlfriends/wives/partners or whatever to be part of the “pit crew,” subject to approval.

Who can forget Nicole Lunders (girlfriend of Greg Biffle) trying to take on the then fiancée of Kurt Bush, Eva Bryan (now Mrs. Busch)? Interesting. Stupid, but interesting. Lunders storming off the pit box and stomping over to the Busch camp, screaming and flailing at Bryan, who just calmly sat there. I remember hot-headed girls like that from Junior High School.

Fast forward to the Indy Racing League and Sunday, July 8, 2007.

Does little Sam Hornish Jr. really need his daddy to take up his fights? Shouldn’t he and Tony Kanaan have handled it themselves? Dad approached Tony and touched him, from what I saw. What was even more wrong was the guy who jumped the elder Hornish from behind and put him on the ground. THAT was dirty play.

Let the boys work it out, they’re grown ups and have made the conscience choice to make their living in a dangerous sport. I think they could tussle on their own, especially with helmets still firmly planted on their heads. Dad with a ball cap and street clothes, Kanaan with a helmet and firesuit. You figure it out, who was in better physical position, not to mention shape.

After everything broke up, Kanaan said he had no intention of getting in to it with the daddy, it was something for the drivers to work out.

And how fast did Marco Andretti get his dad out of the line of fire? And Danica Patrick's daddy said he was in the motorcoach watching, not on the playing field like was first reported on ABC.

Wa-a-a-y to many daddies too close to the competition.

If you don’t own the car or are a real part of the pit crew - you know, the guys who train all week to wield air guns, 70 pound cans of fuel or 80 pound tires - go sit in the stands. If you’re afraid of the fans, sit in the motorcoach and watch the race.

The boy may be your dog, but it ain’t your fight.

By the way, Scott Dixon won the IRL race Sunday, but all eyes were focused on the scuffle on pit road. For the record, it was the third consecutive win for Dixon at Watkins Glen.

Reolving crew chiefs

Did Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson miss their regular crew chiefs Sunday at the Lenox Industrial Tools 300?

Not if their finishes were any indication.

Without Steve Letarte, Jeff Gordon came in a close second to Denny Hamlin, the race winner. And without Chad Knaus (again), Jimmie was fifth.

Not too bad. Actually, Jimmie Johnson has historically fared well without Knaus. Hey, does anyone but me have a problem with Cheatin’ Chad? Once, OK, I could live with that. And he does have the reputation of being able to push the envelope to the absolute edge. But he’s been caught a few (a dozen) times too many.

Post-race inspections were failed by the cars of Kyle Busch and Johnny Sauter, but NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said those didn’t seem as serious as some of the earlier infractions and the failures looked to be race-related, not deliberate tinkering with the COT.

Tuesday will be the day fines and penalties will be announced for the Busch and Sauter teams, if there are any.

Happy July 4th!

Celebrate Independence Day at Ona Speedway!

There will be tons of things going on - pun intended – Keaton’s Complex Monster Trucks and More show, regulars in short track racing and FIREWORKS!

I will admit to having lost the zeal for home fireworks after the Scottown, Ohio, fire a few years ago. I was one of dozens of reporters covering that tragedy.

But if professionals are setting off fireworks, OK. That I can deal with.

Back to the track. There will be an outdoor freestyle event with the trucks and there’s more. Doug Danger, who has bested Evel Knievel’s longest car jump will be at the track with his motorcycle. Jim “Crash” Moreau, a stuntman who crashes cars and blows himself up, will perform, too.

And your favorite local racers will take to the track before the fireworks display ends the evening.

Tickets are $15 for adults and kids 12 and under $5. Pit gate opens at 3 p.m., grandstands open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 6 p.m.

For more information on Ona Speedway call Jennifer Rose or Billy Rose at (304)654-7005 or go to the web site at www.onaspeedway.net.

Listen up, SaidHeads!

Road racer extraordinaire Boris Said will be racing at Infineon this weekend and Saidhead activities abound.

Saidhead Deb and her husband will be setting up camp at the Cougar Campground for the weekend. They invite all Saidheads to join them for a visit. Boris’ sister Leesa will be stopping by and if he has time, the man himself will pop in to say hello.

The Saidhead banners will be flying at the campground, so you can’t miss them.

The Saidheads will be sitting in Turn 2 Earnhardt Terrace on Sunday, so stop by to say “hi!” Again, you’ll not miss them. They will be clad in Saidhead shirts and wigs!

If you want to join the Saidhead Nation, visit www.saidhead.net. There you will find information on becoming a Saidhead and how to get Saidhead gear.

I’ll be proudly wearing my Saidhead shirt and earrings watching the race Sunday!

Like the shirt proclaims –

Who Said? Boris Said!

Racing, autographs and body parts

Well, the JR Nation has come and gone at Ona Speedway, and it was an overall interesting day. It was hot, it was crowded. There were campers in the parking area, something you don't often see at Ona.

Junior’s autograph line was already closed down at 350 people by the time I got to the track. Some folks I talked to had camped overnight and lined up at the gate by 8 and 9 a.m.

Since the Junior line was closed, I hopped in the Kenny Wallace-Sterling Marlin line and got my copy of Pit Road Pets (NASCAR stars and their pets) autographed by Kenny. Sterling had signed the book at Mineral Wells, W.Va., last fall along. Martin Truex Jr. and Clint Bowyer neither one had a pet in the book, so they weren’t as important. It would have been nice to have Junior sign the picture of him and Killer, but that line was shut. Oh well, I’ll just keep carrying it to the races.

And just why would you have a driver sign one of your body parts? Or any celebrity for that matter. I don't understand. My friend Shelly and I just sort of shook our heads as we watched women present arms and legs to be signed with a Sharpie. One person near us said you can have the signature tatooed permanently. Interesting.

A whole lot of people got to see local racing at it’s best with U-Car, Any Car, Late Models, Hobby Stock and Modifieds running before and after the Race of Champions. What a pile-up on the frontstretch in the Late Model Race. And nobody got hurt. A few pieces of car had to be hammered out from the guardrail, but one driver, Brian Royalty from Kentucky, got back in his wrecked car, finished the race and placed fourth.

You can read about all the races at Ona from Saturday in the sports section of Tuesday’s edition of The Herald-Dispatch.

NASCAR has nothing on these guys who race hard, race clean and race to win, delighting racefans every Saturday night.

Come on out and join in the fun!

Hendrick, eh?

Well, Junior has made his choice. Hendrick Motorsports for the next five years.

"I wanted to do what was right for me as a person, give the fans what the expect and deserve and have some fun along the way," Junior said.

Not really a surprise. Hendrick has been the dominating team this season with a darn good chance at the championship. Which is exactly what Junior wants.

As an earlier comment noted today, what's the JR Nation gonna do having to share team with Jeff Gordon?

Granted that's a formidable stable of cars and Junior will have his best shot at a Championship in the near future. Junior in a Hendrick car, especially in the COT next year. Let's face it, that team has perfected the COT and it will be great to see Junior in a car that has a real chance to win.

All this leads to the next question.

What will happen to the kid? Not Gordon's soon-to-be born, but Kyle Busch. Granted, he's a bit of a hothead (OK, a major hothead) But I don't recall Kyle ever saying he wanted out of his contract. That was his big brother and Roush Racing.

Break out the conspiracy theories. Kyle's demise may have been the day he stormed away from his car and Junior took it back onto the track, earning the kid a few points. From Rick Hendrick's comments, it sounds like negotiations on the contract extension broke down right after that.

It didn't mean a thing, Junior said of hopping into the 5 car.

Oh, really?

In this morning's press conference, Rick Hendrick said he'd been negotiating a contract extension with Kyle since 2006, but Hendrick saw other teams talking to the young Busch.

But about the time of the Coke 600, it "became obvious a fresh start would be good for both of us," Hendrick said without further explaination. "I had an unbelievable opportunity and we both agreed to pursue the opportunities."

The wait may be over

Dale Jr. has called a press conference for Wednesday at JR Motorsports and his spokesman Mike Davis says it’s to announce his plans.

The garage is full at Hendrick, which leaves Chevy teams at Childress’ and Gibbs’ places.

Rick Hendrick himself put the quietus at his team, full up with the four NASCAR will allow. But anonymous Associated Press sources say Hendrick has been working for weeks on a way to add him to the stable, which may include releasing Kyle Busch.

There are issues at Gibbs Racing with the Budweiser sponsorship thing.

The issue at RCR is the fact Junior doesn’t want to spend the next 10 years of his career running his dad’s number (read legacy). But he wouldn’t mind finishing his career in the Black 3.

This gives a really big reason to come out to Ona Speedway on Saturday and see Junior and hear what he may have to say.

As the story is updated today, we’ll pass it along to you.

On Wednesday, we’ll monitor SPEED, which will interrupt programming at 10 a.m. EDT for the press conference, which should last about one hour.

And the rumors fly again

Jeff Burton piped up on NASCAR.com with the “likely” addition of a fourth Cup team at Richard Childress Racing.

Hmmmm. What driver might be available for that expansion?

Burton wouldn’t speculate on a name, but said RCR seems to be planning for a team addition for next season. There’s two drivers in the development program, and Scott Wimmer on the sidelines. But it probably wouldn’t be them.

But wait, there is another driver with strong ties to Childress. A driver who’s a free agent looking to be signed. He has a good racing pedigree and some name recognition. He’s also got a good, committed sponsor.

Nah, you don’t think?

Well, RCR is mum on who a fourth full-time driver might be.

Burton had this to say Saturday: "Obviously we can't divulge what's on our minds, but we have some exciting things that could happen and we have some exciting things that might not happen. There's a lot in the air right now that we don't 100 percent know what's going to happen there."

Maybe we can see this possible expansion driver on the flagstand at Ona Speedway on Saturday.

Unless there is an announcement by then, the question of the day from the media and fans will probably be :

“Hey, Junior, you gonna race for Childress?”

FYI: tickets are still on sale for the C&O Motors Race of Champions. You can get them online or at Dixie Thunder in the Huntington Mall.

Even if you don’t come for the ROC, every Saturday night provides some pretty good local racing in all divisions. Visit www.onaspeedway.net for details, photos and local drivers.

Battles and consequences

After a period of relative calm, rebuilding his image and even being a kinder, gentler person, Kurt Busch has returned to his pre-Penske personality.

He’s been docked 100 driver points, fined $100,000 and put on probation for the rest of the season.

I have less problem with the on-track antics between him and Tony Stewart than when Busch deliberately drove to Smoke’s pit and nearly ran over a member of his crew. That’s where there’s a problem. Tony’s a pretty contentious guy, but I don’t think he’d pull that kind of stunt. He’s more likely to have a “discussion” with you or mouth off to the press post race.

Team Penske won’t appeal Busch’s punishment. And Roush-Fenway Racing folks must be secretly shaking their heads and saying “I told you so.”

In the other corner, the Indy Racing League, begins the battle of Danica Patrick and Dan Wheldon.

Danica had a little catfight (shoving) with Wheldon at Milwaukee after the race and Dan left his fighting to words (“spoiled brat”).

Despite the physical confrontation on Danica’s part, there was no official repercussion, no fine, no nothing.

Where’s justice?

Bottom line is both Busch and Patrick were unprofessional and endangered another person.

Now you may not think a shove is dangerous, but it is violence against another person. It may not be a two-ton mega-horsepower machine, but it’s still violence. And Wheldon shows great restraint, not just decking her in retaliation.

There should be some consequence for Danica Patrick, she shouldn’t be allowed to get by this time. Next time, and there WILL be a next time, it could escalate, as violence does.

Local racing and special June events

Congrats to June 2 winners at Ona Speedway, Brian Royalty (late models), Gary Queen (modifieds), Kenny Chapman (BathFitter Hobby), Rodney Snodgrass (classics), Keith Watson (U-Cars), and Patrick McClanahan (any cars).

Check out the Ona Speedway website: www.onaspeedway.net for photos of the winners and upcoming events.

You can also check out everyone’s lap times and speeds at the site by clicking on to www.mylaps.com on the left hand side of the homepage.

The next action-packed night of racing will be Saturday, June 9 with a full schedule.

AND

If you wear your Ona Speedway t-shirt, you get in for $8.

Don’t forget Dale Jr. and his pals will be in town June 16.

Tickets are still available.

If you want to have it in your hand instead of ordering online or by phone, go to Dixie Thunder in the Huntington Mall. They have ‘em.

There will also be a Relay for Life from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday, June 22 at the speedway to benefit the American Cancer Society. More information on that coming later. If you are a cancer survivor, sign up for the RFL when you visit the track Saturday night.

Across the river at Rock Top Raceway in Coal Grove, Ohio, racing gets underway Friday, June 8 with late models, modifieds and bombers.

Admission is $12 for general and $25 in the pits.

Check out their website at www.rockytopraceway.net.

Finally, a win for DEI

Teresa Earnhardt got a huge simian off her back Monday when Martin Truex Jr. took the win at the Autism Speaks 400.

It’s been a while since a DEI driver led the only important lap. And who would have thought anyone but a Hendrick car would win a COT race?

But honestly, Truex had a strong run pretty much all day long, and answered the question “Can DEI win?” Nevertheless, it squelched the “where will Junior go” talk and was a bit overshadowed by the death of Bill France Jr.

Speaking of where will Junior go . . .

Gibbs Racing would love to have him, but not his sponsor. It’s a personal choice by Joe Gibbs, and I both understand and respect that.

In the past few days, Ginn Racing has been bantered about as a good home for Junior and Bud. It could be a good fit between the youngster and the casino owner who would have no qualms about Anheuser-Busch as a sponsor. Officials at Ginn also have a good working relationship with A-B.

And as was noted on Monday night’s Fast Talk, since the death of the elder Earnhardt, it would provide a mentor for Junior in Mark Martin.

Hmmm, I hadn’t even considered Ginn Racing as his next home. They have room, they have money. They have Mark Martin, Joe Nemechek and Sterling Marlin, mostly Mark Martin, who still can make the Chase running a limited schedule.

Well, the Dale camp says they hope to have a decision by the end of June.

We’ll see if something happens by the time he shows up at Ona Speedway June 16, or what he’ll have to say to the media on the subject.

Back to basics

Looking for some fun on a Saturday night? Get back to basics at a local short track, namely Ona Speedway.

Billy Rose and his wife Jennifer are doing everything in their power to make sure fans have a great time at the track.

First of all, winners in the divisions for May 26:

Late Model, Brian Royalty; Any Car, John Shaffer; Classics, Jason Garrett; Hobby Stock, Mike Taylor: Modifieds, Hubie Hatfield; and U-Car, Joe Workman.

For a complete run down of the entries and how they fared, go to the Ona Speedway homepage at www.onaspeedway.net or www.onaspeedway.com and at the left hand side of the page, click onto MyLaps.com. Use the search engine for Ona Speedway. Everyone’s laps, best times and speeds are detailed, along with photos of the car if available. There’s even a guestbook to send a message to your favorite drivers.

We all know about and are counting down the days until the Dale Earnhardt Jr. appearance June 16 for the Race of Champions. If we will recall, Junior has said he hopes to have an announcement by the end of June as to his 2008 plans. Sounds like pretty good timing for local fans. Junior-fever will be at a frenzy nationwide by then.

There will be a family movie night on Friday, June 15 and your Race of Champions ticket will get you in for that, too.

But that’s not all planned for the summer.

Monster trucks invade the speedway on Wednesday, July 4. In addition to the trucks, there will be racing and fireworks! Sounds like a pretty good night to me.

Billy said they at the speedway want to give back to the community, and they are planning a Relay for Life event from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday, June 22. More information will be coming in the near future, but get your walking shoes on and pick your teams to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Check out the happenings at the Ona Speedway web site, and stay connected here at www.herald-dispatch.com.

Endurance day pays off for Mears

Well, the endurance race of NASCAR has come and gone and it was nice to see some “new” names in the top five. OK, not exactly new names but not-so-regular top five finishers.

What a gamble on fuel Casey Mears took. And that little roll of the dice paid off big with his first NASCAR Nextel Cup win! Just how nice was that to see. Of course, he ran out of gas just after crossing the finish and had to be pushed to Victory Lane.

Following Casey across the line were J.J. Yeley, Kyle Petty – yes at long last – Kyle Petty, Reed Sorenson and Brian Vickers in a Toyota.

Who’d have thought you’d see a Toyota that high in the finishers this season. Toyota hasn’t exactly been tearing up the tracks.

As happy as you were for Casey’s first Nextel win, you had to grin from ear to ear and let out a happy giggle for Kyle Petty. It was the first time in 10 years he’d finished in the top five and went to the post-race press conference.

And in the nation’s midsection earlier in the day, the Indy 500 had a Kentucky connection with winner Dario Franchitti. He’s married to Ashley Judd of the Ashland Judd fame.

During the FOX broadcast, Darrell Waltrip offered his congrats to his Franklin, Tenn., neighbor Franchitti. Dario just doesn’t sound like he lives in Tennessee. I guess the Judd accent hasn’t rubbed off on him yet.

Car show and racing this weekend

Lots of fun is in store if you make the trip to Ona Speedway Saturday.

Before the green flag drops at 7 p.m. there will be a car show, compliments of the Covered Bridge Car Club of Milton. It will feature cars from the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s plus street rods and muscle cars.

The car show runs from 3 to 7 p.m. at the track. Proceeds from show entry fees will be given to ECCHO, a food and clothing pantry in Milton.

After the car show, there will be racing with Hatfield U-Cars, Any Cars, Bath Fitter Hobby Stock, Classics, Elite Mods and Late Models.

Admission is $9 for adults and kids under 12 are free. Grandstands open at 5 p.m.

Car of Today

OK, we have a choice of topics: The Busch Brothers taking each other out at the All-Star Challenge or the COT.

Hmmm. Let’s go COT, which is now the Car of Today. Well, Car of Next Season.

Yep, NASCAR changed it’s mind again and will run the full 2008 season with the COT. That’s a full year earlier than their original plan.

Good idea (thought to self: finally).

Now teams can concentrate on one set of cars, not two. The races can be closer at the finish, and apparently more cars are finishing races in the COT duels.

NASCAR’s vice president of competition, Robin Pemberton, noted the car has performed well in all it’s five outings this year.

It’s really performed well if you drive for Rick Hendrick. That team has it figured out.

Gibbs Racing president J.D. Gibbs said it will benefit teams financially by eliminating the current car program, letting them focus on one, not two sets of cars.

Ginn Motorsports GM Jay Frye agreed. A mid-size team, they will be able to put more resources (read: money) into the COT and gear up for next season.

Kyle Petty takes the thought even further. He's so happy with the COT, he’d like to see it used the entire second half of the season.

Lest you think everyone is happy, think again. Despite the Hendrick COT success, Jeff Gordon isn’t sure it’s time has come.

"Without being on a mile-and-a-half track, I don't see how we can just go completely forward with it," Gordon said to the Associated Press.

Local racing this weekend

Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and the green flag will drop at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 12 for a full night of racing at Ona Speedway.

Admission is $9 for adults, kids under 12 free.

Pits open at 3 p.m. and the grandstands at 5 p.m.
There is open practice on Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m.

The sky was gray and overcast for the most part May 5, with raindrops falling for much of the day. Consequently, racing was cancelled. The make up date will be Saturday, September 22.

The night before, Friday, May 11, Rocky Top Raceway at Coal Grove, Ohio will have a full racing program with late models ($1,200 to win), modifieds ($650 to win) and Bombers ($350 to win)

General admission is $12, and $25 in the pits.

The next entry for Revelocity Racing and Barboursville Brett Rowe will be at Nashville Superspeedway on June 9 in the Federated Auto Parts 300 in the NASCAR Busch Series.

The race is at 6:30 p.m., and can be seen on ESPN2.

Brett is currently 62nd in the NBS with four races this season.
At Richmond International Raceway last weekend, Brett’s DNF came at lap 83 of 190, result of an accident.

Where to go, where to go?

It’s finally official. There will be no Earnhardt driving a Nextel Cup car at DEI in 2008.

But where, oh where, will Junior go?

Immediately discount any and all Ford, Dodge and (duh) Toyota teams. Sorry Jack, probably won’t be you, although you do have some financial advantages, you have way too many drivers. Ray and Mikey don't field the right brand, either.

So, let's look at the house of Chevy.

Sentiment says Richard Childress Racing. After all, Junior's dad raced there and RCR does own the #3. Sentiment also says it would be cool to see Junior race with the #3 on his doors someday. By the by, who owns the rights to the #8?

Junior is a huge Washington Redskins fan. So that would lean toward Joe Gibbs Racing. Hmmm, Junior and Tony in the same stable. Interesting thought, isn’t it? Great drivers, big personalities, honest talkers. Good corporate spokesmen, great in commercials.

That sounds like a winning combination.

Then there is the Hendrick factor. That’s the hottest team in NASCAR this season. They apparently have the Car of Tomorrow right. If the sport goes there sooner than 2009, Junior would have a contender garage of cars to drive, a garage that has the COT figured out. Not necessarily a lot of strong personal connection, but a strong future.

Junior is listening to all offers. I’m thinking it will take Chevys, a good engine program, talent in the garage and in the pits, and (probably, even though he may not admit to it) a lot of cash.

Racin' around

It will be a busy weekend for local racers close to home and in neighboring states.

There will be a full menu of races at Ona Speedway and Rocky Top Raceway in Coal Grove, Ohio.

Ona Speedway will run the gamut Saturday, May 5 with something for everyone.

At 6 p.m., kids on bikes take the track in two age brackets, 5 to 8 years old and 9 to 12 years old. If you’re going to participate, you must bring a helmet.

The green flag drops at 7 p.m. for a full night of racing. Admission is $9 for adults, kids under 12 free.

Pits open at 3 p.m. and the grandstands at 5 p.m.

At Rocky Top Raceway on Friday, May 4, there will be a full slate of racing with late models, modifieds, mod lites and Bombers.

General admission is $12 for adults, $6 for kids 6-12 and free for kids under 6-years-old. Pit Admission is $25 ($10 for kids 6-12).

Gates open at 4 p.m. with Drivers Meeting at 7 p.m. and Hot Laps immediately following around 7:15 p.m.

Our local NASCAR Busch driver, Brett Rowe, is entered at Richmond International Raceway for the Circuit City 250.

Qualifying is at 4 p.m. Friday and can be seen on the SPEED Channel. The race will be on ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m.

Good luck to everyone at all three places. (Especially to Brett and my pals Jimi Eplion and Shane Koontz at Ona.)

Good for Talladega!

Finally, some repercussions for being an idiot.

Talladega Superspeedway has banned for life 14 "fans" after being arrested for throwing things onto the track after Jeff Gordon's win Sunday in the Aaron's 499.

I say good!

Yeah, I know, those 14 could still buy tickets from a scalper or let someone else buy them, but it's a good thing in principle.

Kyle Petty had his ponytail torqued over the incident. On Monday's Fast Talk, he outlined a few things you may not have considered.

First, Gordon was past most of the throwers, so the other cars behind him felt the brunt of the objects (beer cans).

That leads to problems for the other drivers. You get the car dented by a can, your aero package is shot. That means take it back to the shop, refab the car and put it back in the wind tunnel at, oh, $20,000 to $25,000 per session, Kyle said.

Kyle also said if his car got hit and he could know who did it, THEY would get the bill for the car.

A friend of mine Tuesday night suggested fining each of those arrested at least $1,000 and banning them from all NASCAR events. That way, he said, if you're too drunk to remember making the throw, you have a consequence you will remember.

He also said it's a real shame to pay $130 for a race ticket get drunk either before or during the event and not be able to remember it the next day. What a waste of good money.

If you don't like the outcome of a race, live with it. It doesn't have any effect on you personally -- you aren't the driver, crew chief, car chief, pit crew member, mechanic, sponsor or owner. You have no financial stake in the matter.

And in five years, will it really make a difference?

‘Dega dealin’

First off, congrats to Jeff Gordon for getting the monkey off his back and passing The Intimidator’s record.

Now on to the issues.

For the past couple of years I’ve been going to live NASCAR races, I’ve sung the praises of the fans. They have been nice, polite, helpful and congenial, and made my experience pleasant whether I’ve been with a group or by myself.

I’ve had people help me to my seat in the middle of the row, direct me to the best in track cuisine, assist me with my Track Scan and how it operates and give me tips to make the live visit more fun.

I have never seen such a display of poor sportsmanship as at Talladega over Jeff Gordon surpassing Dale Earnhardt’s win record. I’ll admit to not being a Jeff Gordon fan, but give the man some credit, he’s proven himself on the track. And Gordon is still a young man and can, i.e. will, break more records. And each time he does, I’ll applaud him.

But what possesses people to throw things toward a driver? That’s dangerous – not necessarily for Jeff Gordon, but for the fans sitting between the thrower and the track.

More than likely you’ve consumed some of the cans’ contents and even if you have an arm like the Minnesota Twins’ Johan Santana, you probably can’t clear the fence. That means someone is going to get a head, back or lap full of beer, not to mention the thump and subsequent bruise or cut from the can.

It’s stupid, pointless and dangerous. On the practical side, some drinkers would say a waste of good beer.

As Junior said, “That ain’t cool. That ain’t cool at all.”

OK folks, time to vent. Let’s hear it. Whether it’s about throwing trash, talking trash, today's pretty-boy drivers, Juan Pablo Montoya’s five finger wave minus a few digits (he’s really not making any friends), the debris cautions, rookie “mistakes” or whatever, let’s hear it.

About our photo:
Race fans throw objects at the car of Jeff Gordon after Gordon won the NASCAR Aaron's 499 auto race, breaking a tie with the late Dale Earnhardt on NASCAR's career victory list, Sunday April 29, 2007, at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/Glenn Smith)

How do you spell conspiracy?

According to Tony Stewart, NASCAR.

Now, Tony is a great whiner and just when you think he’s being prudent and begging off post-race interviews to cool down after losing to Jeff Gordon in Phoenix (congrats to #24 on tying the Dale Earnhardt record wins; your tribute was classy), Tony goes off again.

Once again, Tony voiced his conspiracy theory of racing, NASCAR just can’t keep it’s mitts off the race and uses “debris” cautions to manipulate the outcome.

On his Tuesday night Sirius Satellite Radio show, Tony not only said – once again – NASCAR is playing God with the races, but likened it to professional wrestling.

No matter on which side of pro wrestling you stand, you know it’s all scripted. Did you really think Donald Trump would put up with being shaved bald just before The Apprentice finale? You knew it would be Vince McMahon on the business end of the clippers.

Is it really possible to influence the outcome of a race by throwing a well-timed caution? Wouldn't you have to be able to predict who’s crew is fastest late in the race, who'd be first off pit road and have great pit box position. And haven’t drivers been known to have something “blow out” of the car, complain they see something on the track or think they ran over something when they stood to gain from a caution?

I’m not saying there’s no cahoots happening and everything is clean, but on the other hand, there’d have to be an awful lot of cavorting between officials, drivers and crew chiefs.

Shades of JFK folks, that’s some conspiracy.

About our photo:
Thanks to the Associated Press for this Tony shot with Mike Helton. Their conversations have probably digressed, if they even speak at all, since this was snapped last season.

Corn Hole and NASCAR

Just in case you don’t have tickets to the Coca-Cola 600 this Memorial Day weekend, here’s a chance to win a pair.

Warm up your throwin’ arm, Hillbilly Days in Pikeville, Ky., will be having a Corn Hole Tournament this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with winners awarded race tickets.

Official ACA will be observed for the tournament, and there’s no cussin’, feudin’, shootin’ or spittin’ allowed.

First place winners on Thursday and Friday will win a pair of tickets to the 600.

For the first place winners on Saturday, you get, not only a pair of 600 tickets, but a pair of tickets to the fall race at Bristol.

To be fair, if you place second on Saturday, you still get a pair of Coca-Cola 600 tickets.

Oh, yeah. There are also sportshades, coolers and chairs, and Coke racing t-shirts and liquid products to be won, too.

All games commence in Pikeville City Park at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Entry fee is $10 per team on Thursday and Friday, and $20 on Saturday. All money raised from entry fees will be donated the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.

For more information, contact Randy Robinson or Libby Gillespie at 606-218-7280.

Corn Hole is catching on at NASCAR parking lots. Last fall at the Bank of America 500, there were several set ups and lots of folks playing. Even the Crown Royal tent had a game set up. Those ladies at the Crown Royal place had a tough day, tossing corn bags all day long. They were pretty good, too.

We even had a game going at the Official NASCAR Members Club tent. Granted, the board was a little slick, not the painted set ups we're used to (the boards were finished with a laminate of some kind. My tosses kept skidding off the end.)

Check out the car

Dozens of adults and kids showed up Friday at the Huntington Alltel store to take a gander at the #12 Dodge of Ryan Newman. The NASCAR showcar made a pitstop at the store on Route 60 in Huntington and folks got an up close and personal look at the innerworkings of the car.

Kids lined up to have photos taken in front of the car, including Zach Bocook of Huntington, who let me snap his picture.
Lest you think it was a shell car that’s never seen a green flag, this was a former road race car of Newman’s team Penske from two seasons ago.
Others – young and adult - tried their hand at the pit crew challenge of loosening and tightening the lugnuts on a tire. Participants were astonished to find out the average NASCAR tire weighs 70 pounds.

In the following weeks, the car will visit Alltel stores in Putnam and Kanawha counties.

To find out where, visit www.alltelracing .com.

Showcars routinely make stops at sponsor shops and individual team and sponsor websites usually have information on appearances of cars and drivers.

NASCAR Day May 18

NASCAR Day is fast approaching.

That’s the day some businesses let you wear race gear and a special pin to show your support of the NASCAR Foundation. Each pin is $5 and can be purchased at The Home Depot, NASCAR.com or from Official NASCAR Members Club local chapter presidents like me.

This year, NASCAR Day is Friday, May 18. Many ONMC members will be in Charlotte, N.C. for the second annual convention and the following day’s All-Star Challenge, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be involved in the fund raising effort.

Among charities supported by the NASCAR Foundation are: The Dale Earnhardt Foundation; The Dale Jarrett Foundation; Ernie Irvan Race2Safety Foundation; Formula Smiles Foundation; The Green Foundation; The Greg Biffle Foundation; Hendrick Marrow Program; The Jamie McMurray Foundation; The Jeff Gordon Foundation; The Jimmie Johnson Foundation; The Kasey Kahne Foundation; The Kenny Irwin Jr. Foundation and the Dare to Dream Camp; The Kurt Busch Foundation; Kyle Petty Charity Ride; Martinsville Speedway Children’s Foundation; Racing 4 Literacy; Racing for a Reason, a Ray Evernham Foundation; The Randy Dorton Memorial Fund; Ricky Craven Snowmobile Ride for Charity; Roam for a Home Terry Labonte Foundation; The Ryan Newman Foundation; The Bobby Scruggs Memorial Foundation; Speediatrics; Speedway Children’s Charities; Spirit of America annual blood drive at Michigan International Speedway; The Tony Stewart Foundation; Urban Youth Racing School; and Victory Junction Gang Camp.

Most of those charities involve work with at-risk kids or critically ill children, some deal with bettering the lives of children in Colombia, Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, the American Red Cross, registering and testing people to make bone marrow matches, while others raise money for animal rights issues and to build no-kill animal shelters.

To learn more about any of those charities, you can visit their websites and The NASCAR Foundation link through NASCAR.com.

If you, your civic group or your business want to purchase pins go to any Home Depot or send an e-mail to leeannlcp257051@yahoo.com. If you want to be a Crew Chief for your group or business, you can also contact the Foundation directly.

Showing up, showing off

OK you Ryan Newman fans, a replica #12 Alltel Dodge will be in Huntington Friday for a pit stop. You can see the car and try your hand at being on the pit crew in a challenge.

It will be at the Alltel store on Bonnie Boulevard (by Eastern Heights Shopping Center on U.S. Route 60) from 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 13.

You can be the tire changer on the #12 Alltell Dodge Charger and see how fast you can complete the change. Yeah, 13-second pit stops? Go ahead and try.

There will also be kiosks to play Ryan Newman’s video racing game.

To find out other stops on the Alltel Race Team Tour, visit www.alltelracing.com.

More changes

Not that NASCAR would ever make changes mid-stream, but here they go again.

They work for years to build a better mousetrap, only to find it has problems once you put it to use.

Yep, that’s the COT – Car of Tomorrow or Car of Today, also known to Kevin Harvick as the COF or Car on Fire. On Fast Talk Monday, NASCAR said the melting, smoldering, fire issue with the right side door panel foam seemed to be relegated to the 29.

Both NASCAR and Dow Chemical are playing the blame game. The sanctioning body says the foam isn’t installed right, it’s too close to the exhaust or the barrier system isn’t thick enough.

Don’t they mandate the placement and equipment? Thought so.

Dow says they just provide the material and the foam has been in use for 50 years with no problems. They also insist any release from the material in marginally toxic.

Marginally toxic? Really? Weren’t drivers complaining of headaches after the Bristol race from something being emitted into the car?

NASCAR will issue a bulletin on how to “properly install” the right side foam before the next COT race April 21 in Phoenix. They seem to think all it needs is more air to stop the problem.

I understand the cars run hotter on a short track and the big ovals provide more air and room needed to keep things cooler. Maybe today’s changes in the door panel foam installation will alleviate the problem.

Don’t know until you try it out with the million-dollar talent in the driver seats.

Who said?

Boris Said, that’s who.

Here’s a quick update on our favorite road racer and all-round great character, not to mention our friends, his sister Leesa and SaidHead Deb of www.saidhead.net.

Boris is entered in the NASCAR Busch Series’ Pepsi 300 this Saturday at Nashville Superspeedway.

He’ll be driving the #9 Stanley Tools Dodge for Ray Evernham.

Qualifying is set for 11 a.m. Saturday before the 3:30 p.m. race. Both will be televised on ESPN2.

Also entered and hoping to qualify is Barboursville’s Brett Rowe, driving the #73 Imperial Bedding Ford Fusion. Brett and I have been playing phone tag for two days now, trying to connect for a story in The Herald-Dispatch sports pages this weekend.

Good luck to both our friends on the track!

Goodbye, Eric

Racing doesn’t stop in the face of tragedy, and last weekend’s O’Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals was no exception. It was, however, missing John Force Racing.

Force Racing’s 33-year-old Eric Medlen, POWERade Drag Racing Series driver, died March 23 from head injuries and related trauma associated with a March 19 testing crash in Florida.

The team expects to resume racing in mid-April at the SummitRacing.com Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The Spring Nationals’ Top Fuel winner J.R. Todd and Funny Car racer Ron Capps both dedicated their wins to Medlen. Each plan to give their trophies to the Medlen family.

Medlen died March 23 in the University of Florida Shands Medical Center. A six-time NHRA tour winner, Medlen took part in the ACDelco Gatornationals on March 18, and remained in Gainesville an extra day for testing. It was during a test run he crashed into the guard rail and suffered head injuries.

This begs the question about safety surrounding the track. Would SAFER barriers benefit the NHRA. JFR has already said they will be looking to make the driver cockpit safer following this young driver’s death.

Medlen’s death was the first in the NHRA Funny Car division in nearly 38 years. The last NHRA Funny Car death was reportedly in 1969 when Gerry Schwartz died in the Springnationals in Dallas, Texas.

A website has been set up to post messages to Medlen’s family at goodbyeeric@castrol.com.

Country music and racing

Should you find yourself in Nashville on April 7 – yes, we know it’s the day before Easter – swing by Courtyard by Mariott on East Park Drive in Brentwood at 10 a.m. and meet country music recording artist Julie Roberts.

She will be appearing to promote her new single “Men and Mascara” and Revelocity Racing. No ticket is necessary, just show up.

Revelocity will debut at that afternoon’s NASCAR Busch Series Pepsi 300, with the #73 Ford Fusion, driven by Ona native Brett Rowe. Roberts will be the guest sponsor of Revelocity and it’s Honorary Crew Chief for the day.

Jason Hager, Revelocity’s CEO, said Roberts will also be the day’s Grand Marshal on behalf of the team at the race.

You can find out more about the team at http://www.revelocityracing.com/ or about Roberts at her website, http://www.julieroberts.com/. Remember, that’s Julie, not Julia, Roberts. Vast difference.

If you can’t make the race in Nashville, watch it at 3 p.m. on ESPN.

Where do you watch races?

The NASCAR Busch Series takes a breather this week while the NEXTEL Cup and Craftsman Truck Series tear it up at Martinsville.

For those of you without cable, you have two races to watch on Fox –The Kroger 250 at 3 p.m. Saturday and the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

As of today, your Cup leader is Jeff Gordon, followed closely by Jeff Burton, who is only 3 points back. Jimmie Johnson is in third, 75 points away and fourth is Matt Kenseth, 94 points back.

Mark Martin took off the weekend at Bristol and went from the lead to only seventh place, 162 points out of the lead.

How did he spend his day off – the first in more than 600 races? Watching the Food City 500 on television and helping son Matt with his late model race. Big surprise.

Yeah, but did he watch the race from the rocking chair he was given by Fox TV at his first retirement in 2005?

What I want to know is where do you go to watch the races on television?

Thanks to Larry Keesee for the Mark Martin photo at Darlington a couple of years ago. Larry said when Mark saw him taking the photo, he just stood there and posed.

Getting ready to race

I got to spend some quality time with Revelocity Racing and Brett Rowe last Friday at Tomahawks Smokehouse and Saloon at his meet and greet with the fans.

It was good to have face time with not just Brett and his wife Shelley, but the others involved at Revelocity.

We spoke briefly about his run at Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago and, needless to say, the reason he got so much camera time – his meeting with the wall in lap 4 and replays at virtually every caution flag that dropped.

Any time Rusty Wallace is talking about you is good, but gee, that’s a hard way to get noticed.

Any publicity is good publicity, said Revelocity CEO Jason Hager. If they don’t talk about you, you apparently aren’t standing out in the crowd.

Brett said he didn't black out when he missed the SAFER barrier by a dozen feet and hit driver side into the wall, but he said he hit hard.

Brett is getting prepared to qualify for the Busch race at Nashville on April 7. His car and back up are in North Carolina, and on the evening of his autograph session, getting the seats installed.

A gaggle of friends of Revelocity showed up along with the Official NASCAR Members Club to support Brett, who signed autographs and took photos with the fans.

ONMC members including a few local chapter presidents and a national advisor are in discussion of making the trip to Nashville to cheer on Revelocity.

If you want more information, or to express interest in joining the ONMC or going to the Nashville race, contact the ONMC local chapters from www.NASCAR.com, Paul Mullins, National Advisor at nascarmemberswva@yahoo.com; me, Huntington Local Chapter President at leeannlcp257051@yahoo.com; or Beckley Local Chapter President Barbara Burdette at storm8n20@msn.com. If you live in another area, you can find a local chapter at http://www.nascar.com/

To find out more about Brett Rowe and Revelocity Racing, visit their website at http://www.revelocityracing.com/

Car of Today

OK gang, we’ve seen it now, the Car of Tomorrow, er, the Car of Today.

Did you hear race winner Kyle Busch? “I still can’t stand to drive ‘em, they suck.”

Tell us what you really think, Kyle.

Well everyone likes how they look, at least. They do look pretty cool and pretty stock, which is something new for the National Association of STOCK CAR Racing. Let’s not get started on the idea of stock car racing being done with stock cars. Oh, on second thought, weigh in on that, too.

The COT is touted by NASCAR as being safer for the drivers and a car to provide better racing for the fans.

Do 15 cautions really mean better racing for the fans? Do 15 cars on the lead lap with about 50 to go mean better racing for the fans?

Just asking.

What do y’all think?

About our photo:

David Ragan (6) spins out in front of Juan Pablo Montoya, left, and Denny Hamlin, behind Ragan, during the NASCAR Nextel Cup Food City 500 auto race in Bristol, Tenn., Sunday, March 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Tires, walls and other thoughts

Well, Goodyear tried to spin the tire issue their way Saturday during the Busch race in Atlanta.

Didn’t work in my book. Everyone had problems with tires, everyone complained about tires and car chiefs really weren’t happy with tire performance – or lack thereof.

And those complaints carried over to the Cup race Sunday.

Weren’t the final few laps of the Cup race good? Some seriously good racing between Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson. Yeah, Tony whined about getting squeezed into the wall, but wow, good, hard racing and hat’s off to Jimmie, who said it wasn't his intentionn to put Tony into the wall. Not my choice for the winner, but hey, that’s just me. He had the chance to pass, did it and won and that’s what matters.

And you gotta love the commercial for the Cup Jimmie and Elliott Sadler have out. Elliott gives advice, but Jimmie calls in the Cup and stands there.

He has it for a reason, and Sunday was just another cog in the wheel as to why.

Congrats, Jimmie.

Meet and greet

Saturday was a tough day for Barboursville’s Brett Rowe. He crashed hard on lap 4 of the Sam’s Town 300 in Las Vegas and collected a DNF.

Some of us watching held our collective breaths until he loosened the windownet.

Now Brett can look forward to Nashville on April 7, when he cuts loose with Revelocity Racing.

There will be a meet and greet for Brett at Tomahawks on U.S. Route 60 in Jefferson, W.Va. from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 23. He’ll be there for photos and autographs with his team.

The event is sponsored by the Official NASCAR Members Club and is open to the public. Tomahawks – which is one neat motorcycle shop, too – is the Official Clubhouse of the ONMC in West Virginia.

So come on out, purchase some food and legal beverages from the menu and talk racing with Brett, Revelocity and the ONMC.

Good luck, Brett

Qualifying for the Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will take to the airwaves live Friday night at 8 p.m. on SPEED.

That will be the Tri-State’s first chance to see hometown racer Brett Rowe in action this season.

He’s got his work cut out for him, though. He’ll be competing with those we affectionately call the Buschwhackers with last’s year’s race winner Kasey Kahne leading the charge.

Brett ended last season 9th in the ARCA RE/MAX series with 23 races and six top 10 finishes, including a second place finish at the Southern Illinois 100.

This weekend he’ll be racing for his past sponsor, Day Enterprises.

He’ll kick off this year’s campaign in the #73 Imperial Bedding Ford Fusion with Revelocity Racing at the April 7 Busch Series Pepsi 300 at Nashville Superspeedway.

There will be a meet and greet Friday, March 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. Tomahawks Smokehouse in St. Albans to give Brett a sendoff to Nashville.

But first things first.

Send Brett your best wishes for the Vegas outing at contact@revelocityracing.com

Viva Las Vegas

Barboursville’s Brett Rowe is planning to hit Vegas racing this weekend in the Sam’s Town 300 Busch Race.

You can catch the action on ABC beginning at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

“We hope to make the hometown people proud,” Brett said Monday from his shop in Barboursville.

He’ll be Nevada-bound on Thursday with his Day Enterprises racecar.

Plans are to qualify for a bunch of Busch races this season with Revelocity Racing, a West Virginia team.

Brett said he’s looking toward running at Nashville, Richmond and Kentucky at the least. And the Kentucky race in June is a perfect road trip for fans.

The 39-year-old driver still works full time at the family business, Imperial Bedding, and puts in plenty more hours at the shop on his parents’ farm in Barboursville.

So, come on racefans, let’s get behind this homegrown racer. Who knows, we might just come up with our own version of Owensboro, Ky., prominence.

And the driver is...

Brett Rowe.

Revelocity Racing, a South Charleston, W.Va., team, has announced it’s plan to run Brett Rowe in the #73 Ford Fusion at the April 7 Pepsi 300 Busch race in Nashville.

They will be running a 2006 Robert Yates Racing Ford Fusion and is also getting a back-up car from RYR.

Rowe is a West Virginia native and ARCA Champion.

There are plans for a raceshop at Barboursville and a meet and greet before the Pepsi 300 so local fans can get a chance to meet Brett and the Revelocity team.

They also have a website at www.revelocityracing.com.

Bah, Humbug...

The season is a week old, and I’m already thinking, Bah, Humbug. Buschwhackers.

I tolerate the Busch series. I'm liking the Craftsman Truck Series more and more.

I understand the sponsors want the marquee names in the Busch rides. But I wish the tier 2 races were for up and coming drivers getting seat time.

Look at the Orbitz 300 race, won by Kevin Harvick on Saturday. Yes he had a dominant car.

But to find a Busch series driver – not a Cup driver – you have to go to places 13, 14 and 15.

OK, here’s my idea. If you can find a sponsor, have a 3-tier car series. Cup, neo-Cup and Busch. Keep the big names in the Cup and neo-Cup races and let the guys and gals getting experience have the third series to themselves.

I don’t think it’s right – or fair – for the Busch regulars to have to compete so early with the Cup drivers and all their technical backing.

As to when to run the lower two races, Busch first then the marquee. That would put fans in the seats in the first race, waiting on the second. The sponsors get the name racers and people watching.

But, hey, it’s just my idea. And the hurdle is, of course, series sponsorship.