In the Pits With Tia

8:52:02 PM EST
I don't have a ton of pictures from Atlanta, but enjoy the ones I did take!

We left Friday morning to drive down to Atlanta. We left Arkansas at around 8:30am and drove through Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Yes, we travel through FIVE states to get to a race. When we crossed into EST my cell phone knew it! How cool is that? It automatically updated to the local time. Oh the wonders of modern technology! We arrived at about 7:30PM ET at our hotel just outside of Atlanta. We always stay about an hour from the track. It's amazing how the hotels jack up their rates on race weekend. The only way to avoid paying top dollar is to do as we did.

Saturday morning we left our hotel around 7AM for the track. At that hour of the day there's not a lot of traffic. We arrived at Atlanta Motor Speedway around 8:00AM. The first item on our to-do list was... SHOP! I love to look at all the cool souvenirs. We shopped at the Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Kurt Busch and Ford Racing trailers. Several hundred dollars later we are walking back to the truck to stash our items and grab our race day stuff. Note to myself to remember SUN BLOCK next year!

As we are walking up to the track we can hear the roar of engines. They had just finished with morning practice. We grabbed something to eat and proceeded up to our seats. Not long after we sat down in our seats it was time for final practice. I guess they couldn't really call it "Happy Hour" because it was a 55 minute session. Mark was second fastest and didn't stay out on the track very long.

Just before the Busch Series race I took a walk to get out of the sun for a few minutes and happened upon a stand selling race scanners. Not the usual looking ones that are bulky and have headsets that give you a headache. They are called RACEceiver. The total package was $120.00 for the scanner, two ear bugs and a splitter. This allows two people to listen at the same time. The guy gave me a demo and I was sold! I can't begin to tell you how neat they are, you'll have to try them for yourself.

The Busch race was exciting and Matt Kenseth came home with the win. Mark Martin finished in sixth. Up next was the IROC race. We'd never seen one of those live, so that was a real treat. Identically prepared cars with no pit crews. They have a competition caution at the halfway mark. Under the caution there are two pit crews that service all the cars. It was an interesting format to say the least. Only one big caution during the whole race and it was right in front of us. J.J. Yeley bounced off the wall exiting turn four and collected Helio Castroneves. He flew through the grass right in front of us. Matt Kenseth won the race and the IROC Championship.

Now on to Sunday's race. We got up and left at 6:30AM to drive down to the track. We had the usual race day traffic, bumper to bumper. We've gotten smart after a few years of going to Atlanta and parked behind turn 2 in hopes of exiting the track quicker than in years past. Kevin took off when we arrived for a bit more shopping, while I stayed behind and people watched. I called my friends from Arkansas to see if they'd made it to the track yet, and they had. They too had gone shopping. When Kevin returned from shopping we packed up our race-day gear and set off walking to enter the track, meet friends and get to our seats for the pre-race festivities.

Note to myself again, BRING SUNBLOCK! Another beautiful day and we are just about to go racing. Mark Martin had the car most of the day. He ended up leading the most laps. Because of a bad decision not to pit at the end of the race when everyone else did, I believe that cost him the race. How fitting for Jimmie Johnson to get the win instead, in honor of the tragedy of the week prior.

Huge shake up in the points. Several of the front runners had difficulty and finished poorly. As you can see by one of my photos, there are 100,000+ people at these events and getting out of the track is no easy task. As I mentioned earlier we parked behind turn 2. We got out of the track in ONE HOUR! I couldn't believe the difference it made. Next year we'll park out on the road and I bet the time will be cut even further.

I'm always glad to get home, but I wouldn't trade attending a NASCAR event for anything in the world.

Until next time.... GO Mark Martin and Roush Racing rules! :)





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1:10:48 AM EDT
We left our home in Arkansas at around 10AM for the short drive over to Memphis Motor Sports Park. The weather looked sort of iffy, low clouds and we'd had rain for most of the early morning hours. I kept telling Kevin that the NASCAR Gods would part the skies long enough for the race to be run. He wasn't as sure as I was. Where's that man's faith anyway?

We arrived at the track a bit after 10:30am. What's up with these people drinking beer at 10:30am? Makes my stomach queasy at the thought of it. I'd prefer to remember going to the race, thank you!

We parked Kevin's truck and EWWWWWW! I had on my brand new Reeboks and it is sooooo very muddy. What was "I" thinking? Anyway, we walked over to the track and shopped for a few minutes, OF COURSE! Then off to the cross over into the garage and pit area.

Not a lot was going on that early in the morning. Mostly teams in the garage were making last minute tweaks to their engines. Or at least that's all I saw them doing. Not too long after that the teams starting pushing cars around to technical inspection. That goes really quick. Those guys are amazing to watch with all the different templates they use to measure different areas of the car.

Off to walk around a bit more and I see Randy LaJoie talking to some folks from the press. He was here just in case we got rained out to take over for Greg Biffle. Oh and by the way, it's still not raining. hehehe Thanks NASCAR God! After snapping a few more photos we continue to walk around and we run into one of my online friends who works for McDonald Motorsports. HI JOHN! It was really nice to see him again.

Onward we go, and who do we see, AWESOME Bill Elliott doing an interview with some guy from SpeedTV. Another great photo opportunity! Kevin got one of his diecast cars autographed. Now that is priceless!

At this point we are getting hungry, so it's off to get some food. Man those were the biggest hamburgers I've ever seen at a race track. I'd be willing to bet they don't serve the same food near the grandstands. We took a pretty long break after that, my back was hurting a bit.

After a bit of a rest we walked around a bit more. Several more photos taken. I saw Kenny Wallace's wife. I recognized her part because of watching the show, NASCAR 360. It was so cute too, Kenny gave her a big kiss just before leaving to go to driver introductions.

We went up to the stage and got ready to watch introductions when we bumped into Mike Waltrip. He and several other drivers had visited St. Jude Children's Hospital and some of the kids were at the track. That was SO neat! I got a really cool photo with Mikey. Several more photos at driver introductions.

Ut oh! Rain drops, but they didn't last long. Thanks again NASCAR God!

We then went up to our seats, and I do mean UP. All the way at the top. My back got a real workout! The race was GREAT! What you would expect from any short track. Lots of passing and LOTS of cautions.

I noticed every time there was a caution the flag man was having a cigarette. LOL You would think they'd be told they can't smoke up there, but what do I know. We were sure Greg Biffle was going to win it when the last caution came out and froze the field. The race ended with a green, white, checker finish. Martin Truex Jr. wins and several fans around us were happy. Maybe it was all the beer they drank during the race? Well, either way, it was a GREAT day.

Did I mention the NASCAR Gods didn't let it rain? SEE I told you so Kevin!

That's all for this week. Stay tuned... More photos next weekend after we get home from Atlanta.





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8:50:24 PM EDT
Hearing Wimbledon on ESPN2

NASCAR needs to wake up!

Drivers are having trouble acquiring and retaining sponsors. The cost of being a primary sponsor of a Nextel Cup car is over $20 million, few can afford the expense. Why should NASCAR close the door to potential sponsors, so long as they produce lawful products?

The Food and Drug Administration label lumps beer, wine and hard liquor together, so why should NASCAR sponsored for years by a cigarette company bat an eye? Car hoods already have the name of Smirnoff Ice, Budweiser, Miller Lite or Coors Lite. Is it really that different? Is NASCAR any less family oriented if the primary sponsor of a car is vodka as opposed to, say, an erectile-dysfunction drug?

Race sponsorship should have nothing to do with an individual's decision to irresponsibly drink and drive. Sponsor endorsement, especially from an alcohol manufacturer comes with a lot of stings attached to ensure the product is used safely and responsibly.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving states in "Myths About Alcohol for Teens" that blood alcohol is alcohol." Again, no distinction between beer, wine or hard liquor is made.

The IROC (International Race of Champions) let whiskey producer Crown Royal be its title sponsor. They should be applauded for turning to Crown Royal to save the endangered series. Their three-year contract will ensure that the series will survive tough economic times.

NASCAR should follow IROC's lead for the good of the sport and out of respect for their fans' ability to make responsible decisions.

Again, I say, "Let me run for the President of NASCAR!"

Tell Me What You Think!

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3:51:42 PM EDT
Hearing CNN

I don't know what any of you think, but I think NASCAR has a credibility crisis right now. People (the fans) are beginning to shake their heads at NASCAR's lack of consistency when dealing with the rules they have set.

Let's take a closer look at the race last weekend at Dover. What was the deal with them running over 30 laps of caution while they "sorted out the field" with less than 80 laps to be run in the race? Why didn't they throw a red flag while they figured it out? Then and only then do you restart the race.

Is it just me or do others see that NASCAR is trying to help the most popular driver. Gheshh do they have to make it so darn obvious? This time they did have the red flag out and restarted the race when the track wasn't cleaned. I know exactly why they did it, it allowed Dale Earnhardt Jr. to restart in a single file only three cars back from the leader with, yeah you guessed it, fresh tires. Why not afford Mark Martin the same luxury? No, he had to go to the end of the longest line.

Why doesn't NASCAR just admit they made a stupid move with good intentions and make the changes necessary? I don't see where they are making it "safer" by freezing the field under caution. Matt Kenseth said as much after he got wrecked after a caution was thrown and several drivers were still going at it. The emergency workers STILL hadn't gotten to the car.

I know the Dale Jr. fans are probably going to e-mail me hate mail for this, but I have to say it. Sunday, Rusty barely hit the wall and a caution was thrown, and guess who benefits from it? Dale Earnhardt Jr. Later in the race Mears was throwing down oil all over the track and yet no caution was thrown. This took out some really good race cars too. I have nothing against Jr., but what I hate is the way he is treated by NASCAR.

I don't know how NASCAR came up with the system for restarts at Dover, but it was the dumbest thing I've seen in racing. I've been a fan since the early 80s. They need to sit down with all parties involved and mandate the rules for the entire season. Make decisions on when the red flag should come out, restarts, pit road rules, penalties, green flag finishes and etc. If they find during the season that things are not working well, make the adjustment for the next year's race season. I can't think of another sport where the rules change like this.

It's not rocket science -- the inconsistency is killing our sport.

Tell Me What You Think!

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5:25:07 PM EDT
Hearing Judge Judy

I have to admit I was a little upset that Rockingham was losing their race with next year's NASCAR schedule. I know several people (fans) and others who share that thought.

Quote from Rockingham's president Chris Browning, "We are a victim of our own success."

Quote from Gary Roberts, a Tulane University law professor, "The folks at NASCAR at least sleep with one eye open realizing that the very fact that they own race tracks as well as govern the sports is [suspect]."

Now for my thoughts on the subject after completely digesting it, and why I think it's good for business.

Let's take a look at this: Rockingham, Darlington, Martinsville, Charlotte, Bristol and Richmond are all within about 250 miles of one another. So you have six tracks that have a total of 12 races. It's no wonder they didn't sell out.

So in moving two more races out west they will more than likely help the sponsors and give NASCAR a financial boost in the process.

Did you know that Phoenix is one of only eight cities in the US that hosts all four major sports -- NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and a major college football bowl game (Fiesta Bowl). Then you can add TWO NASCAR events. I read somewhere that a second race at Phoenix is worth $175 million annually. That's a bundle!

Be prepared though -- If they don't sell out at Phoenix, California or Texas they'll probably adjust the schedule again. Can you say Kentucky?

In closing I'd like to say; NASCAR is no different from any other sport. They are trying to be in business for the next 20 years. Wouldn't you like to see the sport go to another level? I sure would! The only way to do that is to grow and change with the times.

Tell Me What You Think!

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8:49:05 PM EDT
Hearing NBA Playoffs

Today I'm going to talk about a different Martin, Martin Truex Jr. Is it just me, or do other people (fans) think he's being groomed to take over the #15 car currently driven by Michael Waltrip? All I know is Truex is pretty impressive thus far. And how can you go wrong with the likes of Dale Earnhardt Jr. behind you?

Now, let's take a look at Mike Waltrip. Don't get me wrong, I think he's a great guy with a super personality, but what has he done? Nothing spectacular! Only four Winston Cup victories. Highest he's ever finished in the season points is 15th and that was in 2003. Is this his last year with current sponsor NAPA? What about his contract with DEI? Could it be that Mikey joins forces with his brother next year? Toyota will make their introduction into the Cup scene, and Darrell is very much behind that manufacturer.

Here is my list of "What If's:"
1.) What would happen to NAPA? I think Mikey does some incredible commercials for them. I would take a guess that they would follow Mikey over to the Toyota team.
2.) Would Truex's current sponsor follow into Nextel? The costs involved in the Nextel Series are far greater than the lesser Busch series.
3.) Does Dale Jr. have any say at DEI? I'd be willing to say he does.

It's a little early for silly season, but this idea has gotten my interest and has me wondering what will happen in 2005. Maybe we'll even start hearing rumors before the end of this season.

I see regular members to the Motor Sports Community here on AOL share my interest. I wandered upon a couple of message board threads. 
A thought to ponder on

Question about Truex Jr.

I guess time will tell, or will it?

Tell Me What You Think!

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12:28:04 AM EDT
Hearing Emeril Live

I am FAR from a Tony Stewart fan. He is really starting to irritate me this year. I honestly believe he has anger issues. I've read different things about him from various sources. Some of which are saying, "Oh, it's just racing." Well, I'm sorry people, it's NOT just racing. Tony admires Mark Martin. You might ask yourself why? Because Mark is a gentleman racer. He would never bump someone on purpose to advance a position on the race track. Tony should try to mirror himself after Mark and so many other of the "good guys" on the track.

It sure looks like Jeff Gordon and team has gotten their program together this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see him grab yet another championship. I just hate the anti-Gordon fans who say NASCAR gives him races. No, I'm not a Gordon fan either. But dang, give the guy credit! Funny how at the beginning of race season people were saying NASCAR was giving Dale Earnhardt Jr. races. I guess there are fans who love to hate a winner.

Now how about Matt Kenseth, yes one of my favorites. He is ever so quietly having good finish after good finish. He too will be a contender for this year's championship. He is one heck of a person on and off the track. Someone I'd want my kids (if I had any) to look up to as a roll model.

Will NASCAR ever get consistent with the caution laps this year? I'm sure they have their rules, but just like the new "Chase for the Championship" they can and should take a good hard look at how they allow races to finish. It's my opinion that a race should never finish under caution, with one exception, where an act of nature would dictate the shortening of an event.

Hey, maybe I should run for the President of NASCAR.

Tell Me What You Think!

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4:34:29 PM EDT
Hearing CNN

NA$CAR is at it again! They've taken away another of the greatest race tracks on the circuit, Rockingham. They will give a second date to the Texas Motor Speedway.

All of the older traditional tracks are losing dates because they don't seat 100,000 or more fans. It makes me sad that the sport has gotten so damn money hungry.

Article: http://www.thatsracin.com/mld/thatsracin/8483885.htm

I wish the drivers, owners and sponsors would step up and complain. I wonder what some of the greatest drivers in history would have to say about the current state of NASCAR. I bet their observations would be less than favorable. So much for history.

 

                                            

 

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4:11:30 PM EDT
Hearing CNN

Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 oz. each)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 package (6 oz.) chicken stuffing mix
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons butter
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

Flatten chicken to 1/2-inch thickness; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Prepare stuffing mix according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, saute the pecans in butter until lightly browned; add to the stuffing.

Place 1/2 cup stuffing down the center of each chicken breast half; roll up and secure with a toothpick. Place seam side down in a greased shallow 1-qt. baking dish.

Spoon soup over chicken; sprinkle with remaining stuffing. Cover and bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Remove the toothpicks before servicing. Yields 4 servings.

 

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3:56:54 PM EDT
Hearing CNN

The other day we went to adopt another cat. Well, guess what? We came home with two kittens. So I'm a softy for kittens. We almost came home with all four.

The babies have been named Caesar (white boots) and Arthur. We are now a five cat family. I think we'll have to stop adopting cats for awhile. :)

Meowwwwwww!

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