Wasn't that a wonderful celebration with Jamie Mac on Sunday at Daytona? That young man was thrilled to win. Heck, he was thrilled just to have a Sunday ride!
Six months ago he was chopped from the Roush-Fenway team, a casualty of downsizing. Not by Jack's idea, but of NASCAR's. Anyone surprised by that? Didn't think so. Seems people took exception to the Cat in the Hat fielding five Cup teams, and all five getting into the Chase in 2005. That would have been Mark Martin, Jamie Mac, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch and Greg Biffle. Shoot, if he's got the money, I say let Jack have all the teams he can afford!
Flash forward. Jamie is pickup by his old buddy Chip Ganassi (Earnhardt Ganassi) and voila! Got a ride for 2010.
HOWEVER, Daytona winners haven't always fared well the season they hoisted that trophy. The last two winners - Kenseth and Ryan Newman - failed to make the Chase the year they took Daytona.
Then there's poor Kevin Harvick. He's a personal fave of my Lion's Club pal Homer Jimison. Happy Harvick hasn't made a trip to Victory Lane in the Cup Series SINCE winning the 2007 Daytona 500.
Furthermore...
It's been rain-shortened twice (2003 and 2009).
And in 2001, it ended with, well, you know, THAT crash.
This was the year of the pothole, making for one of the longest races we've watched - then listened to the end, because it was how many hours long? Nap-mats anyone? Honestly, you could lose a pace car in that hole.
Don't get me wrong, it was a good race, an exciting race at times, especially the end, if you lasted that long. And no, I don't believe anyone was telling their drivers to hold off and let JR pass. Puhleeze.
Seriously, there's just something about that place that bodes dark.
Yet, in an odd twist of fate, Dale Jr., who's been kind of struggling for a while, finished second. A lot of my friends, and members of the JR Nation, praised the fella for the best drive they'd seen from him in a while.
Well alrighty, then. On to Cali-forn-i-a! Yee-Haw!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Boogity, boogity, boogity - Nationwide Series on the way!
The decision has been made – someone is going to attempt to qualify in the Nationwide contest at Daytona.
The car has a sponsor, an experienced driver and qualifying is Friday.
Danica, you ask? Naw, who cares? Barboursville’s – and Herd Racing’s – Brett Rowe.
Cool looking car to enter the Drive4COPD qualifying belongs to Herd Racing. The #75 Dodge Charger hopes to charge it’s way into the NNS contest, set for Saturday at 1:15 p.m. It will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Here’s the car you’re looking for in practice Wednesday and Thursday and in qualifying on Friday.
Around West Virginia, we don’t need an explanation of the number and green and white color scheme. Although, the Daytona entry is a retro gray and black.
But for the uninformed who don't live in West Virginia, Ohio or Kentucky, or those who missed the movie, We Are Marshall, starring Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox, it dates back to a cold, rainy night in November, 1970. The number, 75, denotes the number of people who died in a plane crash that night – and airline crew, and Marshall University football players, coaches and university boosters.
Driver Brett and team owner Dana Tomes both attended Marshall University, which boasts the Thundering Herd as the team mascot and green and white as team colors.
You get it now? Herd Racing, green and white, 75. Alrighty, then. Let’s move ahead.
Brett has around 30 NNS races under his belt since entering the series in 2007, and he was the 2005 ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series champ. He’s bi-vocational, being the purchasing and sales manager at his family’s business, Imperial Bedding. And he’s also in ministry service as youth director at Roach Baptist Church.
In past Nationwide races, Herd Racing has been a really, really a local team, taking West Virginians to be his pit crew.
Proud Son of Marshall – crank it up and as DW says, “let’s go racin’!” And I add, "let's go HERD!"
The car has a sponsor, an experienced driver and qualifying is Friday.
Danica, you ask? Naw, who cares? Barboursville’s – and Herd Racing’s – Brett Rowe.
Cool looking car to enter the Drive4COPD qualifying belongs to Herd Racing. The #75 Dodge Charger hopes to charge it’s way into the NNS contest, set for Saturday at 1:15 p.m. It will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Here’s the car you’re looking for in practice Wednesday and Thursday and in qualifying on Friday.
Around West Virginia, we don’t need an explanation of the number and green and white color scheme. Although, the Daytona entry is a retro gray and black.
But for the uninformed who don't live in West Virginia, Ohio or Kentucky, or those who missed the movie, We Are Marshall, starring Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox, it dates back to a cold, rainy night in November, 1970. The number, 75, denotes the number of people who died in a plane crash that night – and airline crew, and Marshall University football players, coaches and university boosters.
Driver Brett and team owner Dana Tomes both attended Marshall University, which boasts the Thundering Herd as the team mascot and green and white as team colors.
You get it now? Herd Racing, green and white, 75. Alrighty, then. Let’s move ahead.
Brett has around 30 NNS races under his belt since entering the series in 2007, and he was the 2005 ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series champ. He’s bi-vocational, being the purchasing and sales manager at his family’s business, Imperial Bedding. And he’s also in ministry service as youth director at Roach Baptist Church.
In past Nationwide races, Herd Racing has been a really, really a local team, taking West Virginians to be his pit crew.
Proud Son of Marshall – crank it up and as DW says, “let’s go racin’!” And I add, "let's go HERD!"
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Pre-season musings...
The NASCAR community is a group with a heart as big as, well, a super-speedway. And they are quick to act where they see a need.
Since the earthquake in Haiti, Richard Childress has stepped up and has been sending his planes back and forth.
The super-owner has been sending two 45-passenger Saab 2000 aircraft and flight crews and support staff to assist Missionary Flights International.
The mission, to get American citizens out of Haiti and transporting Haitian orphans to the United States.
As late a Wednesday, Hendrick planes were still on their mission, their task, their calling.
I say, “Good for you, Rick.” I guess I can pull for your drivers – a little bit – now. Stewart-Haas will just have to get over it.
Jamie McMurray has jumped into the Haiti relief effort, too. He has donated and autographed 10 firesuits and 2 leather jackets. The auction is through the NASCAR Foundation to the American Red Cross. Jamie Mac also co-hosted a special on SPEED to benefit the Haitian relief funds.
Personally, I missed the special. I’ve been glued to Anderson Cooper 360 and searching the CNN databases for the names of the children I have supported the past five years.
Auction reserves will range from $150 to $750 per item, and are being auctioned online at www.nascar.com/foundation.
Like we learned in the movie The Blind Side, sometimes you do something simply because it’s the right thing to do.
Now for the big jump. The leap of faith. The thing that just leaves me shaking my head.
Danica. She’s already like other “superstars” of racing that are identifiable by one name.
Junior.
Danica.
Yep, she’ll fit in quite nicely there, don’tcha think?
Junior and Danica sittin’ in the cars, c-o-m-p-e-a-ting. Compeating? Well, we can dream.
A couple of years ago, Junior’s step-mom Teresa the lady in black (seriously, it’s been long enough! A little pop of color in your wardrobe won’t hurt!) said the boy needed to decide what he wanted to be – a media personality or a racecar driver.
Well, here comes little Danica, a media personality who drives a racecar, too! BTW, she’s on next Wednesday’s CSI: NY at 10 p.m. on the CBS network. The pic of her with show star Gary Sinese was released from the network. I know, Cousin Carl has made TV appearances on Bill Engvall and Daddy Gordo has co-hosted Live with Regis and Kelly.
And, in the words of Mr. France or Mr. Pemberton, “let ‘em have at it!”
OK, NASCAR changed its mind one more time – shock of the year! – to let the fellas drop the gloves and come out bumping.
Seriously, a year ago, Robin Pemberton was talking about the drivers’ intentions when sheet metal touches. Now, hey, turn them loose!
At least NASCAR has come to understand that rubbin’ is racin’ and just let them go. Last season was pretty dull, you have to admit.
Who'll be the first to whine?
Since the earthquake in Haiti, Richard Childress has stepped up and has been sending his planes back and forth.
The super-owner has been sending two 45-passenger Saab 2000 aircraft and flight crews and support staff to assist Missionary Flights International.
The mission, to get American citizens out of Haiti and transporting Haitian orphans to the United States.
As late a Wednesday, Hendrick planes were still on their mission, their task, their calling.
I say, “Good for you, Rick.” I guess I can pull for your drivers – a little bit – now. Stewart-Haas will just have to get over it.
Jamie McMurray has jumped into the Haiti relief effort, too. He has donated and autographed 10 firesuits and 2 leather jackets. The auction is through the NASCAR Foundation to the American Red Cross. Jamie Mac also co-hosted a special on SPEED to benefit the Haitian relief funds.
Personally, I missed the special. I’ve been glued to Anderson Cooper 360 and searching the CNN databases for the names of the children I have supported the past five years.
Auction reserves will range from $150 to $750 per item, and are being auctioned online at www.nascar.com/foundation.
Like we learned in the movie The Blind Side, sometimes you do something simply because it’s the right thing to do.
Now for the big jump. The leap of faith. The thing that just leaves me shaking my head.
Danica. She’s already like other “superstars” of racing that are identifiable by one name.
Junior.
Danica.
Yep, she’ll fit in quite nicely there, don’tcha think?
Junior and Danica sittin’ in the cars, c-o-m-p-e-a-ting. Compeating? Well, we can dream.
A couple of years ago, Junior’s step-mom Teresa the lady in black (seriously, it’s been long enough! A little pop of color in your wardrobe won’t hurt!) said the boy needed to decide what he wanted to be – a media personality or a racecar driver.
Well, here comes little Danica, a media personality who drives a racecar, too! BTW, she’s on next Wednesday’s CSI: NY at 10 p.m. on the CBS network. The pic of her with show star Gary Sinese was released from the network. I know, Cousin Carl has made TV appearances on Bill Engvall and Daddy Gordo has co-hosted Live with Regis and Kelly.
And, in the words of Mr. France or Mr. Pemberton, “let ‘em have at it!”
OK, NASCAR changed its mind one more time – shock of the year! – to let the fellas drop the gloves and come out bumping.
Seriously, a year ago, Robin Pemberton was talking about the drivers’ intentions when sheet metal touches. Now, hey, turn them loose!
At least NASCAR has come to understand that rubbin’ is racin’ and just let them go. Last season was pretty dull, you have to admit.
Who'll be the first to whine?
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