Props to the Pit Crew

When a team does well in a race, who gets a lot of the credit? The crew chief, car chief, driver. When the car doesn’t do so well, misses a cue on pit road, who takes the fall? The pit crew. A lot of race fans seem to want to blame the pit crew for all the bad and never give credit for the good.

So why is it that the crews tend to take so much heat if the driver they work for does poorly in a race? Is it really fair to the crews? These men spend countless hours each week practicing so that they can be the very best they can be each week.

They’re only human. They make mistakes. Sometimes very costly mistakes. Sometimes NASCAR’s fans can be cold and unforgiving to the crews of their favorite drivers. These men have families, wives and children to feed and for the fans to berate them and say they’re not giving 100% is truly unfair to the teams. To say they are not dedicated to their jobs and their driver is beyond unfair, it is possibly one of the worst insults you could throw at them. They work and travel and practice together, they are perfectly choreographed. It’s like a dance to watch them. They throw themselves into the face of danger each week and some have paid dearly for it.

Sometimes the drivers get angry and rebuke their crews when they make mistake, it’s true, but when do you not see a driver thanking their crew before just about anyone else after the race? A team is a team, through good times and bad. The drivers in the cars are fully aware that if not for the dedication of their pit crews, they would not be success full. So why don’t the fans seem to understand that?

I believe, and you can agree to disagree, that the fans don’t really understand the dedication, time, and practice that it takes to be a member of one of the elite NASCAR Sprint Cup pit crews. Four tires and gas can be done in 13 seconds or less. Could you do it? Even in the best shape of your life, do you really have what it takes to do what they do each week?

I encourage you to do some research. Learn just what it takes to do what they do. Watch the All-Star week Pit Crew Challenge. It’s all about speed and pure brute strength. Watch practice. Really study what they do and then when you think you have a good idea, reevaluate what you think it takes to be out there doing what they do each week.

Genesis

The opinions expressed herein are strictly those of the author and not those of SkirtsandScuffs.com

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Kyle Busch: One Down and One 2 Go!

Another Double at Dover?

On Saturday afternoon the #18 NOS Toyota Camry not only gave Toyota their 14th win for 2010, it broke the record for most wins in a season, giving Kyle his 11th win for the season. Having led 192 laps out of 200, Kyle made history, and broke the record previously set in 2008. In his career at the Dover Oval, Busch has taken the checkered flag 11 times out of a total of 23 races, a stat that he hopes to increase one more time this weekend. Kyle is also tied with Todd Bodine 'Onionhead' for most wins at Dover by a NNS driver with three.

Sunday's Sprint Cup AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway is Kyle’s chance to prove it wasn’t a fluke when he doubled at Dover last May. It was more than just luck when he beat out #48 Lowes Chevy. He is a definite contender in the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship.

In an interview on Tuesday, the driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries for JGR said, "Our game plan (for Dover) is to try to repeat what we can from the Spring race. Obviously we had a good race going, qualified well. We raced well all through the event. Towards the end of the race, it came down to the final pit stop and we were able to get out of there smoothly and cleanly.

Kyle went on to say,"We'll just go back there with our Interstate Batteries Camry and try to make the most of the event and the weekend and get a good, strong finish and keep our momentum rolling here; Trying to get through the final 10 races strong in order to get the championship come Homestead."

With the #48 Lowes Chevy sitting on Pole for the 2nd Race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, this could be a chance for the #18 Interstate Battery Camry to strengthen its position in its pursuit and prove that JGR is among the top competitors in the series.

Sitting at 3rd in the point standings, Kyle had a qualifying run of 154.619 mph and will be starting 11th, 0.167 behind the 4x champion, and new Daddy, Jimmie Johnson.

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Kyle Busch Wins Pole then takes the Checkered Flag

Congrats! goes to #18 Toyota, Kyle Busch’s own truck, for taking the checkered flag in Saturday's TheRaceDayRaffleSeries.com 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This was Kyle’s 18th victory in the three NASCAR Series: NNS 10, SC 3 and CWTS 5. This is the fourth victory this year that Kyle won from pole. He lead eight times with a total of 156 laps. During the 166th lap while Busch and Harvick battled for the lead, both were overcome by James Beuscher.

Lap 169 brought on the eighth caution of the race when the turn 4 wall was hit by Hornaday after contact with Timothy Peters. During the restart on lap 174, Kyle made his move. Although Beuscher felt he was driving dirty, Kyle was able to bring the #18 Toyota in for the win with a visit to Victory Lane.

During the 2010 season Kyle started a total of 11 times, winning 5 of those races. Not only that, it gives him a career high of 80 wins in the three NASCAR series.

Kyle will be starting fourth in NASCAR’s first race of the 2010 Chase on Sunday at this same track in the Sylvania 300. A few weeks prior Busch swept all three of the NASCAR Series races at Bristol. Going into Sunday's race with so much momentum will make for a very exciting race.

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Follow-up on Samantha Sarcinella - Riding Shotgun with Kyle Busch on ESPN

Riding Shotgun

ESPN is airing "Riding Shotgun: Kyle Busch," a reality show leading up to the first race of the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship. If you're a fan of Kyle's, you probably already knew. If not, you're sure to become a fan after watching this five-part series. Although some might say that his fiancee Samantha was actually in the driver's seat, the show really brings forth the strong bond between Kyle and Samantha. Samantha was interviewed earlier this year by Skirts and Scuffs columnist Lindi Bess. You can find that interview by clicking here.

"Hey there hot stuff, you look great!" says Sam in response to seeing Kyle in his bright pink firesuit. This is a scene you will find in the first episode, as well as the "in fun" banter with other NASCAR drivers in the garage when Kyle reveals himself for the first time. This firesuit is the center of the Sponsafier campaign initiated by Toyota this year that allows the fans to interact with the driver in a way never done before.

"Riding Shotgun" follows Kyle and Samantha around during the hussle and bussle of championship week. Airing Sept. 13-17, the show follows the couple as they deal with their upcoming wedding in December as well as documenting the #18 team as they prepare for the championship. This will be Kyle's fourth appearance in the Chase. Should Kyle become the champion, it'll be a first for Toyota. Kyle was the first Sprint Cup driver to bring a foreign car into Victory Lane during his first year with JGR in 2008.

Check Skirts and Scuffs for all your up-to-date Chase information,

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An unforgettable NASCAR experience

To my NASCAR Friends:

I have been taking a break from my Women in NASCAR/Motorsports column in light of personal issues that have needed my full attention. The column will resume tomorrow. It is my hope that you will find the future interviews both interesting and informative to read.

I would love, in the mean time, to share with you my recent visit to Infineon Raceway for the Toyota Save Mart 350 over Father's Day Weekend. It was actually a huge day for my husband and I - our 25th wedding anniversary. Not too mention it was Father's Day weekend. Many things to celebrate and so little time.

We had purchased our tickets months in advance. This year we even busted out and bought pit and track passes as well. Normally, we spend Friday at the track. We would go to watch qualifying as well as practice and check out the entire place to see what has changed or even remained the same. Fridays are not quite as crowded as race day, allowing you time to really move about the track. Don’t get me wrong. We love to watch the races and nothing beats hearing the smells and sounds of the engines starting and making there first lap. But the crowds are huge and it gets pretty dang hot there in Sonoma. 

But with all the things to celebrate this year, we decided to take on NASCAR Race Day 2010. We planned to leave early in the a.m. and arrive hours before the start of the race, experiencing all that Infineon Raceway had to offer us. We also had cold pit tour passes as well as the pit and track passes. We had all our gear that we needed including items we hoped to possibly get autographed, as well as sunscreen, drinks, cameras and of course, tickets!

We were a couple of miles away from the track when that famous Sears Pt. Raceway came into view. We felt the adrenaline rush start to build. The entrance was much like the one to Disneyland. The only difference was the size of the kids waiting to get in. It probably took us just as long to get in and park as it did to get there from our house. But that was okay with us. We were breathing in the whole NASCAR experience. 

About 30 min after our first visual of the track we were just outside the front entrance. We followed the signs to the handicapped parking lot, which was quite a distance from the track. We actually got to the point where the track was in our rear view mirror. Thousands of fans were attempting to get to their place in the sun, all with a different story as to how their love of NASCAR came to be. 

I think that’s one of my favorite things to do. Just hanging out in line, doing the NASCAR meet and greet. Anticipating the time we’d actually get in view of the track. People are so funny when it comes to wearing their lucky T-shirts, hats or dare I say, underwear……. (you know you do)! Occasionally you’d hear that person who has never been to a race. The excitement in their voice can travel from person to person, through the line. Everyone chiming in about their first time and how memorable it was. 

The great thing about NASCAR fans is that they are all so very friendly. You could feel their excitement as they talk about what they went through to get there. We waited in line for our ride to the track near a family that comes together at the Sonoma race for their yearly reunion. There were several generations of fans within this family but there was someone missing this time. The one woman who started this all for them. Grandma, to many, Mom to several and wife to one, Joanne.

Joanne had passed away just after their gathering in 2008. She was the type of woman who always had things scheduled down to the sunscreen they would all forget. Grandma remembered to bring things to keep the little ones occupied; Mom remembered to bring the family favorites for them to munch on throughout the day; Joanne the wife always bought her husband a new hat and shirt to wear, supporting his favorite driver, Mark Martin.

There were many colors visible within the group. Not everyone supported the same driver. But they all would banter back and forth as to whose driver was the best, and who would be taking that checkered flag at the end of the day. Joanne may not have been there in the flesh, but she was there in spirit. They had her favorite chair with her favorite driver’s flag that would soon be draped over it. They showed me past photos of their reunions at Infineon. In 2009, each leg of the family posed with with Joanne’s track chair. The years prior were always done the same way and they felt it was a tradition. They all know that she is there with them, routing on her favorite driver, Dale Sr. Now they like to think that she sits with him, watching each race, with the spirit that she was known for. 

You might ask why didn’t I mention their names, or take a family photo. Well I opted not to because I think this family could be any one of our families. NASCAR ran and still runs deep with them. In my eyes, they are the epitome of NASCAR, making NASCAR what it is today. So different from any other sports fan or sports community out there. They will always hold a special place with me when I remember my times spent at Infineon Raceway or Sears Point Raceway.

Thank you NASCAR for giving us, the fans, a place to gather and enjoy our friends and family. The time we spend at the track is not only exciting, it strengthens the bond within our family. It gives us a chance to catch up and good times to remember.

Next time you’re at a NASCAR race, look for this family. You can’t miss them. They are the ones who have figured out what NASCAR is all about: FAMILY AND FRIENDS! 

Thanks for reading! I just felt it was worth sharing, especially at a time when some may be forgetting that the value of NASCAR goes much deeper than money. Its the core of a true NASCAR fan’s existence. The feeling we experience when we share each and every moment- before, during, and after a race - with our family and friends!

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Chasing the Change

There’s an old saying: “Start as you mean to go on.” It’s something I’ve often tried to live by when a new beginning presents itself, and my first post at Skirts and Scuffs is no different. As I’m a person who generally has definite opinions, not the least of which is about NASCAR, it seems only fitting I offer my first post with regard to a topic that has been percolating in my brain for the last week or so.

As the recent S&S post Let’s Race to the Chase alludes, many NASCAR eyes are focused on the last set of races of the season, by which the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cut champion will be crowned. For over 50+ years, the Cup champion was determined by a season’s worth of points accumulation. Every race was of equal value for every team, especially if you planned to be on stage at the awards banquet at the end of the season. “The Chase”, often referred to as NASCAR’s playoffs, is a comparatively new invention, with this being its 7th year. Whether NASCAR needs The Chase is really a rhetorical debate. It’s here, and it is what it is. However, suggest there needs to be some changes in The Chase, and you will receive a wealth of opinions and conjecture.

Recently as last week, it was reported the powers that be at NASCAR held meetings that included owners and drivers regarding potential changes regarding The Chase. And, frankly, I couldn’t be happier. There are some serious design flaws with regard to the current system. Some speculation has been made that the number of drivers to make the cutoff will be raised to 15 or lowered to 10. Even further ideas have placed half the Chase field being eliminated at the halfway point.

I believe the root of the ‘problem’, if you will, is the scoring itself. Granted, Sprint Cup isn’t like traditional ball games, but in very few incidences does a team carry its season record into the playoffs. Once you make the initial cut, everyone starts from the same point. Everyone in the playoffs has an equal chance of coming out on top. Unless NASCAR decides to institute something similar, there isn’t much mathematical reason to have more than 5 or 6 drivers in The Chase. With current scoring, the team starting in the #12 spot has more of a chance of being burned by Ricky Bobby’s invisible fire than actually winning the championship. And, if only 10 men get to stand on the stage at the Waldorf Astoria, there’s no sense in having 12 teams make The Chase. Of course, there’s been plenty of discussion about corporate NASCAR’s sense, or lack thereof, as well.

So, whether it’s 5 or 12 or 15 drivers, full Chase, half Chase, with Junior or without Junior (and yes, there’s speculation that the current wave of changes is to ensure Jr.’s Chase participation – preposterous!), the heart of the matter is the system itself. I’m sure there are some opinions who would say I suggest NASCAR cut off their nose in spite of their face. Frankly, this is one face that could use a great deal of rhinoplasty.

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Tony Stewart Climbs up the Chase Ladder with Second Top-10 Finish

Tony Stewart, after a 22nd place finish in the season-opening Daytona 500, served notice Sunday that he is back in the hunt for another championship as he posted a second straight top-10 finish, just three races into the 2010 season. 

Stewart started ninth at Las Vegas Speedway and ran in the top-10 all day. “We ended up seventh, which is alright, but you always want more,” said Stewart, who finished ninth in last Sunday’s race in Fontana, Calif. “I struggled on restarts. It took a couple laps to get going, and when you lose so much time here on restarts like that, it makes for a long day.”

The Las Vegas finish moved Stewart into the top-12 drivers for the first time this year. Look for the Stewart-Haas owner/driver to improve on his 11th place in the standing as the series moves to Atlanta Motor Speedway where Stewart has two wins in the Sprint Cup Series.

Tony Stewart

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR 

Quotes from SHR Press Release

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Winners and Losers: Can Kyle Busch Win His First Nationwide Race at LVMS?

The NASCAR Nationwide series left Daytona and headed to California for the Stater Bros. 300. For the first time this season, the teams would be able to compare their equipment to the competition's.

Check out the winners and losers of the Stater Bros. 300.



Winner

Kyle Busch

Even though Kyle Busch took the outside pole on Saturday, Busch continued to say over his radio that he did not have a car good enough to win.

Busch struggled with handling all day long. It took a late restart that saw the dominating car of Logano shuffled out of the lead and Greg Biffle and Busch battling for the win. Busch and Biffle banged their way to the finish and Busch took the checkered.

On Saturday, Busch hopes to find a similar result at his home track, Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Busch’s one win at the desert track came last year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series race. In the NNS, he has yet to find victory circle there.

In six starts, Busch’s average finish is 23.0 and in his last two starts he has finished 31st and 30th due to accidents. Busch has one top five at LVMS and that was in 2007, when he finished second. I would expect the results on Saturday to be different.

Points: Third



Kelly Bires

In case you did not know it, JR Motorsports' other driver, Kelly Bires, made his team debut on Saturday. He did it under the radar and came home with a solid seventh place finish.

Bires had a poor qualifying run that had them starting 32nd on Saturday. Bires and his crew were confident they could rebound and make it to the front.

They did not lead the race, but Bires made his way into the top 10 using the long green flag runs and pit strategy.

It was an impressive run for Bires, who has been overshadowed by his part-time teammate, Danica Patrick.

Bires now will head to Las Vegas with momentum on his side. He has only run twice at LVMS with an average start of 17th and an average finish of 26th; his best finish was 15th in 2008.

Bires has a long road ahead of him to rebound from not being entered at Daytona. He has the talent to run up front, but it’s all a matter of limiting mistakes both on pit road and on the track.

Points: 30th



Losers

Joey Logano

Joey Logano led over 100 laps, but it was his teammate, Busch, who took the checkered flag.

Logano had the best car out there all day long on Sunday. They lost the lead early but got it back from Busch.

On the final restart of the race, Logano was shuffled to third after contact between him and Biffle. Logano was not able to regain the lead after then getting spun into the infield after contact between himself and Brad Kesleowski. He finished fifth.

It was a disappointing finish to the race but heading to Vegas, Logano has a lot to look forward to. Logano will be factor for the race on Saturday. He has had fast race cars every week.

Like his teammate, he needs to run a clean race and avoid making mistakes. I expect to see him up front and leading laps at LVMS this weekend.

Points: Second



John Wes Townley

It was an impressive start for John Wes Townley, the Richard Childress Racing driver, after he qualified sixth for Saturday’s race. He ran in the top 10 for most of the first half of the race.

It was on lap 119 that Townley’s day turned for the worse. Townley’s car got loose and spun down the track, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., unable to avoid Townley, slammed the inside wall hard.

Townley finished 30th after what looked like a promising day. Townley has good equipment under him, race-winning equipment, but he is still learning how to minimize mistakes.

When he comes to LVMS, he will only have one other start at the desert track and that was a 38th-place finish in 2009. He should be able to improve that average finish with a strong run on Saturday.

Points: 27th



Final lap…

If you are looking for a few dark horses on Saturday, check out Brad Keselowski. His average finish of 28th does not tell the whole story.

Last year, he had a slow start to the season and that continued at LVMS. I expect him after his third-place finish on Saturday at ACS to be running up near the front.

I would also look out for Brian Scott. After his impressive run at ACS, he is carrying a lot of momentum. He was one of the few drivers who were able to come up and challenge Logano.

I expect to see him start near the front. He has experience at this track when he ran in the Camping World Truck Series. Two very different vehicles but I am confident he will be challenging for the win on Saturday.

My two questions for the upcoming race:

Can Kyle Busch finally win at LVMS in the Nationwide series?

Can Danica Patrick rebound in her final NASCAR race until June?

These are just two of the many questions heading into Las Vegas on Saturday. The Sam’s Town 300 starts at 4 ET on ESPN2.

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Start and Park--What Say You?

Understanding Start and Park

First off, for those of you who don’t understand what ‘Start and Park’ means here is how I understand it:

It all boils down to money in NASCAR. If you’ve got it, you can run a full schedule with full teams and back-up cars. When you don’t, you struggle to keep the one or two cars you have, on the track.

When a team qualifies for a race, they are assured to get what is referred to as a ‘purse’ whether they finish in first or in last place, as long as they start. Usually, its enough for the struggling teams to use to compete in their next race. This has been a practice in NASCAR since its beginning.

For example, Prism Motorsports previously ran their #55 car with McDowell in a 200 lap race. The team had run 195 laps when it experienced a broken driveshaft. Although they didn’t finish the full 200 laps, they still placed 33rd and received $267,495 in purse money. This allowed them to continue on to California’s Fontana race.

Many teams aren’t in the position to purchase new engines, so they put all they have into used ones. They are unable to run full time crews and drivers, due to the lack of funds. They are just doing the best they can to achieve their dreams. Often barely surviving.

So what purpose does NASCAR have in their decision to confiscate any teams race car? The excuse is always the same. “Actions detrimental to the sport of stock car racing.”

At the Fontana race, Prism Motorsports had two cars. #66 driven by Dave Blaney and #55 driven by Michael McDowell. McDowell drove his car to the garage during lap 40, and then Blaney’s car came in on lap 43, both reporting engine failure.

NASCAR's sanctioning body decided to confiscate the #66 car of Dave Blaney. When Bill Henderson, general manager of Prism Motorsports, was asked why he thought this had been done? Henderson replied, “Because they can.”

Do the ends justify the means here? 

John Darby, the Sprint Cup Series director, stated the following, ”We’ve got to make sure that we fulfill our responsibility to our competitors to make sure that everyone is playing with the same rulebook and adhering to the same rules—and that means everybody. That car deserves a look at to make sure it’s up to start.”

NASCAR's Darby stated that choosing the #66 car as the random car met NASCAR's normal inspection policies.

Darby was also quoted in an interview for Fox Sports as saying, “The randomness of the inspection covers everyone in the field. The #66 car was a car that was very competitive. Yes, he was outside of the top 35, but he was the fastest of the group. He was fifth overall qualifying and he led the race today.”

With his primary car gone, all that he has left is the back-up car. A normal back-up car sits without all the basic necessities of the primary—springs, shocks etc. Unfortunately, this leaves them without a complete car to race in Las Vegas next weekend.

Darby’s informed Henderson that his hopes were to have the car inspected in Las Vegas and returned to Prism Motorsports in a “timely fashion” but couldn’t guarantee it. Even if its returned before the race, it won’t be enough time for them to set the car up, practice and qualify.

So, if they can’t qualify and race next weekend, this struggling team will lose at least $100,000 for starting the event. Its a vicious cycle in that by not at least starting in Las Vegas can set them back for the following race.

Its as though Nascar has fined them for something that is not even known to be a rule.

This leaves me to question NASCAR's motives regarding their decision. Are they hoping to send a message to those teams who ‘Start and Park’, collecting a check without the intent of finishing, or are they more concerned with NASCAR’s appearance with the showing of a short field.

This blogger feels that the ‘grey area’ here is somewhat like an insurance policy for the teams that can’t afford to compete with the ‘Big Boys’. This gives them an opportunity to fulfill their dreams.

How do you feel about ‘Start and Park’? Leave us a comment on your feelings regarding it’s place in NASCAR?


Opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and may not reflect those of the site or it's other contributors.

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OBSESSED: A Fragrance For the Crazed NASCAR Fan

Okay, so this article isn't about a perfume for NASCAR fans, although that would be simply put, "Amazing." No this article is about the obsession I have for NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt Jr and I want to hear you stories as well.

Well my story started in December 2001. I had liked NASCAR and liked drivers such as Terry Labonte, Darrell Waltrip and Ernie Ervin. I liked them because my family members liked them, not because they were "my" driver. Well that all changed when I watched a race and noticed the No. 8 Budweiser DEI chevrolet. The driver was Dale Earnhardt Jr and I became obsessed!

In December 2001 I got my first piece of Dale Earnhardt Jr merchandise. It was a pack with playing cards, pencils and a t-shirt. I was so excited. The year is 2010, I am 19 and I have more Dale Earnhardt Jr merchandise then I could ever imagine. I have a bookcase about 61/2 feet tall, overflowing with Little E novelties, both No.8 and No.88.

There was a show on what is now FX and it was called NASCAR 360 and it followed drivers and their life. They had one on Dale Earnhardt Jr and he met a woman named Kortnie Coles. I cried when he asked for her number. I cried and I felt betrayed, and I was 13 years old. That is sad I know. It's also very funny, so go ahead and laugh if you want. It's ok.

I CAN NOT give up on Dale Earnhardt Jr because for me that is like giving up on a family member. Junebug is such a huge part of my life and it wouldn't be the same if I never saw him race the No.8 Budweiser Chevrolet.

Now, if only I could meet him."Hi", says Dale Earnhardt Jr. "AHHH," thud as I fall to the ground because Dale Jr just said, "hi",to me. I can picture that to happen.

As much as I am a Little E fan I am also a diehard NASCAR fan. I asked for the day off from work so that I wouldn't miss the 2010 Daytona 500. I've been to four races gotten about 15 autographs and have stood in front of the SPEED stage for four and a half hours just to get on TV and say HI to drivers and the personalities alike.

Are you obsessed like me? Do you feel there should be a meeting for us NASCAR crazies? It's what we eat, breath and live. It's our passion, our life and for some of us our destiny. For some of us we are new to the sport and some of us are, "pro",fans.

No matter what this is your, mine, our NASCAR!!

________

The opinions in the story are of the writers and photo is from when I entered in the Hellman's Real Fan of the Year contest to meet Dale Earnhardt Jr.

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Who's That Driver Leading the Race?

How bad do you want it? It's a question even Tim McGraw asks in one of his songs. It's also a question 43 drivers asked at the beginning of the 2010 Daytona 500. No this article isn't exactly a recap but more a look at the passion and dedication that lurked upon the field.

I've got to start with the guys who many thought would walk away with that trophy. Kevin Harvick seemed like an early candidate as the No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil led many laps and was leading on lap 206(race ended at lap 208). He ended up finishing 7th. Others of those big namers who lead and who were in contention were the No.16 Greg Biffle and the No.99 Carl Edwards. Biffle finished a very happy 3rd and Edwards finished a very well 9th place.

Okay let's talk about those guys we don't hear so much about! Scott Speed, driver of the No. 82 Red Bull Toyota led laps. He lead lap 168 after the caution and led from lap 174 to lap 184. It was fantastic to see Scott Speed lead laps at the Daytona 500 and that is quite the accomplishment for him and his team. Unfortunatley he had old tires and ended up finishing 19th. He should be pretty proud.

How about good ole` AJ Allmendinger driver of the No. 43 Best Buy Ford. In the matter of ten laps he jumped from 21st to 4th in only ten laps, and on lap 45 he passed Kurt Busch to take the lead. Numerous amounts of times Allmendinger lead the race and ran in the top five until lap 142 when he spun out, he was running in fifth place at the time. AJ Allmendinger finished 32nd and should be proud of how well he ran for Richard Petty Motorsports.

Driver of the new No.56 Napa Auto Parts Toyota Martin Truex Jr had a fantastic race and finish leading laps and finishing in a promising 6th place. That is great for a new team, and should make both Martin Truex Jr and owner Michael Waltrip. Another notable mention is of course David Reutimann driver of the No.00 Aaron's Dream Machine, who finished 5th and helped pushed Dale Earnhardt Jr to his remarkable 2nd place finish. Way to go for Michael Waltrip Racing.

And finally the No.1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet of Jamie McMurray! The winner of the 2010 Daytona 500. McMurray had a new team and it was up in the air whether or not the team would finish solid. Jamie Mac hung out in the back for a while and slowly but steadily worked his way to the front, being sure to avoid any wrecks along the way.

After only leading two laps Jamie McMurray went on to spin right into victory lane.

So what made the Daytona 500 a fantastic and unbelievable race. The fact that there was 21 lead changes and four of them were names that were rarely ever mentioned by the commentators, especially for leading laps in the Daytona 500.

A GREAT DAYTONA 500!!
(And of course Dale Earnhardt Jr finished 2nd, that was also fantastic, but that's a whole different story!)

___________
The opinions in this story are the writers and photo is from my personal collection.

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"The Weekend Starts on Wednesday" takes the Checkers

NASCAR fans come from all around the country. Fans go to extreme lengths to show their loyalty to their driver(s).

Every race fan has a story, a reason why they tune in on any given Sunday to watch a race, or pay to attend a race.

NASCAR fans stories are one of a kind. They represent the core ideals of this sport and its fans.

Andrew Giangola’s new book, The Weekend Starts on Wednesday, is just a snap shot of NASCAR fans. Their devotion and sometimes borderline obsession with the No. 1 spectator sport in the U.S.

TWSW is a collection of NASCAR fans stories. From the infields of Talladega to victory lane, Giangola spoke with NASCAR fans from all walks of life.

Movie stars, college students, retired veterans, media veterans, and fans from all walks of life. In reading this book, with every story you can relate to some part of it.

For some it may be attending the race with your dad or entire family. Or it could meeting your favorite driver on pit road.

It could be your annual trek to a race with friends that leaves you wanting more. Giangola is able to capture the true essence of a NASCAR fan.

Every story seems to flow into the next leaving you engaged the entire time. There are a lot of NASCAR books out there, some about the technical side of the sport, others about the fans.

I have read many of them, none of them though truly capture NASCAR fans like TWSW.

There is the NASCAR and Jeff Gordon fan that climbed Mt. Everest. Dr. Pat Hickey climbed to the top of the summit and planted a NASCAR flag at the top of the world.

The climb up the summit was for a cause, to promote nursing and to help support the education of nursing students at USC.

Hickey got his NASCAR fix as he climbed when fans from around the world would give him updates on what was going on back at the track.

That was just a preview of Hickey’s story. There are over a dozen more stories like it. These are stories of everyday people and their love for NASCAR.

Giangola’s witty commentary only enhances the visual that the fans are painting.

If you are a NASCAR fan, this is the book for you. I wish we got more in this book. I wish every fan had the chance to tell their story. Giangola just touches on the passion and the devotion fan have for NASCAR.

You can get the book online at the NASCAR.com superstore, Amazon.com, or your local bookstore.

Mike Wright, a diehard Richard Petty fan, I think said it best, “I love the fires and the steaks and the cans of beer and the people. This is my lazy boy chair. I’m home here. When I sit and hear the ‘Gentlemen, start your engines,’ I forget everything. Nothing else matters. I’m a kid again. My heart starts pounding, and I can’t sit still. By the second pace lap, when you can smell the fumes of the gas and the rubber coming off the tires, oh man, it is instant adrenaline. If that smell could go into my alarm clock, I’d always wake up happy.”(p.35)

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