tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55772740633314940192024-03-12T18:28:56.515-07:00Ramblings of a Copy EditorAdam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-62767324405570800212008-11-20T16:09:00.000-08:002008-11-20T16:21:13.438-08:00Pork Roll......<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SSX9WAl7czI/AAAAAAAAA2s/29KiT7AQe0g/s1600-h/Pork_Roll.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SSX9WAl7czI/AAAAAAAAA2s/29KiT7AQe0g/s320/Pork_Roll.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270897493465068338" border="0" /></a>I'm a little surprised that more people don't know about Pork Roll in this area of the country. It seems to me (and my father as well) that it would be the perfect southern food. You can cook it just about any way you want and each way it tastes great.<br /><br />For those that aren't in the know, Pork Roll is a northern food, mainly restricted it seems to New Jersey and parts of Pennsylvania. According to the all powerful Wikipedia (sarcasm abounds) Pork Roll, otherwise known as Taylor Ham, was created by one John Taylor of Trenton, New Jersey. It is referred to as Pork Roll because of the "roll" or tube-like sack it comes traditionally packaged in.<br /><br />My family, being from New Jersey originally, all love this stuff. When we get to have it we almost fight each other for it. I'll admit, it's not exactly the healthiest of foods, but sometimes the best foods aren't that healthy at all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SSX-NbSpojI/AAAAAAAAA20/yhU449iw_vg/s1600-h/Pork_Roll_Prepared.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SSX-NbSpojI/AAAAAAAAA20/yhU449iw_vg/s320/Pork_Roll_Prepared.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270898445524771378" border="0" /></a>The typical way of preparing Pork Roll, at least in my family, is frying in a frying pan. If you bought the actual "roll" like my family usually does, you want to slice it pretty thick, at least 3/4 of an inch (I usually slice it thicker then that myself). Once done, just throw it in the frying pan and let it sizzle away. Flip it a few times and after a few minutes once it is throughly cooked throw it on a hamburger bun and serve. Tasty tasty tasty.<br /><br />A hint: If you have more than one frying pan try to reserve one pan for your pork roll and DON'T CLEAN IT. If you can let the grease build up on the frying pan the meat will have a better flavor. But, if your health consciouses, I wouldn't even eat the stuff.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm going to go eat my supper, which just happens to be some boxed Pork Roll I found today at Harris Teeter in Shelby. It ain't great, but it is DEFIANTLY Pork Roll.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-19911987961432614692008-11-13T14:53:00.000-08:002008-11-13T14:58:52.772-08:00A days workSo I had Thursday off and really had nothing to do other then sit around the house and piddle around or play a video game. I was determined to actually do something with my day but I didn't know what I could do. Then, a light bulb went off.<br /><br />I had been meaning for months to put together a collage from my day at Lowe's Motor Speedway during the All-Star Race in May. I was going to package together some of the pictures I took with the front page story I did on local boy Anwar Parrish. So I decided today was as good a day as any to actually sit down and MAKE the collage.<br /><br />After some runs to Ingles and Wal-Mart to pick up some supplies (double sided tape, monster poster frame, pictures from 1 hour photo at Wal-Mart) I sat down and began the creation process. Two and a half hours later, this was the final result. It's not great, but I think it came out pretty darn good. Let me know what you think!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SRyw3vmAW8I/AAAAAAAAA2c/gb2_3OQ0LVM/s1600-h/DSC03804.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SRyw3vmAW8I/AAAAAAAAA2c/gb2_3OQ0LVM/s400/DSC03804.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268280135831804866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SRyw39p5JzI/AAAAAAAAA2k/aLBmnaZvWMo/s1600-h/DSC03805.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SRyw39p5JzI/AAAAAAAAA2k/aLBmnaZvWMo/s400/DSC03805.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268280139606206258" border="0" /></a>Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-89898252129864072102008-11-12T14:09:00.000-08:002008-11-12T14:21:29.840-08:00Signs the (NASCAR) economy is in bad shape<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SRtWx8BnpUI/AAAAAAAAA2U/ysD7ccPTHag/s1600-h/promo_for_sale_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 195px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SRtWx8BnpUI/AAAAAAAAA2U/ysD7ccPTHag/s400/promo_for_sale_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267899605066425666" border="0" /></a>Here are five signs that the NASCAR economy is in bad shape:<br /><br />1. Crowds have been down at nearly every track this season during the Chase.<br /><br />2. Former dominate teams are struggling. A multiple time Daytona 500 winning team, Morgan-McClure Motorsports, was forced to shut down due to a lack of sponsorship. Lets not forget Yates Racing, a former Championship winning team, hasn't had a full time sponsor all season long.<br /><br />3. Another legendary team, Wood Brothers Racing, has not only been struggling to find sponsorship, but have also struggled to race their way into the top 35 in owner points. Without Bill Elliott around to guarantee them spots in races, Wood Brothers Racing would likely have folded already.<br /><br />4. Merger, merger, merger. Wasn't it only last year that Dale Earnhardt Inc. merged with Ginn Racing? Now, all of a sudden, DEI is set to announce a merger with Chip Ganassi Racing (to create Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, supposedly). Lets not forget Bill Davis Racing, Gillett Evernham Motorsports, Hall of Fame Racing, Wood Brothers Racing, Petty Enterprises and Robby Gordon Motorsports have all been in talks to merge with one team or another.<br /><br />5. Owners are selling stakes in their teams to investment groups. Roush/Fenway? Gillett/Evernham? Boston Ventures/Petty Enterprises? What's next? Hendrick/Steinbrenner?<br /><br />Maybe all of these things really amount to nothing, maybe not. Truth is a lot of things are going to change in 2009. Will it be good or bad for the sport? I'm not really sure, but we will soon find out.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-4757486989687927842008-10-27T12:26:00.001-07:002008-10-27T12:29:00.860-07:00Chase = over<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SQYWdLmGTVI/AAAAAAAAA2M/fx7kHmtxhEs/s1600-h/NASCAR+Atlanta+Auto+R_Fenw.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SQYWdLmGTVI/AAAAAAAAA2M/fx7kHmtxhEs/s320/NASCAR+Atlanta+Auto+R_Fenw.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261917905213607250" border="0" /></a>Well if Johnson's win at Martinsville didn't end the Chase, his finish in Sunday's Pep Boys Auto 500 certainly did. It's too bad for Edwards, he thought he gained at least 50 points on Johnson when in reality he only gained 15 while Johnson actually padded his points lead. Jeff Burton and Greg Biffle also faltered, leaving Edwards as the only real threat to Johnson at this point. Do I think Johnson can be caught? No, not really. This Chase is effectively over no matter what Edwards or anyone else might think.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-1281218800782113252008-10-25T12:46:00.000-07:002008-10-25T12:52:37.597-07:00Rain rain go away<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SQN3x7K8zbI/AAAAAAAAA2E/nUFs-adMUUs/s1600-h/NASCAR+Red+Bull+Penal_Fenw.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SQN3x7K8zbI/AAAAAAAAA2E/nUFs-adMUUs/s320/NASCAR+Red+Bull+Penal_Fenw.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261180489279786418" border="0" /></a>Is it just me or is anyone else really getting tired of all the rain at NASCAR events this year? For the 10th time this season qualifying was canceled Friday due to wet weather. I'm inclined to believe that there has got to be a better solution to this rain issue rather then canceling qualifying every week. <br /><br />Granted, weekend schedules at NASCAR events are usually more then a little cramped but that doesn't mean NASCAR can do something to make things better under the circumstances? What about drivers like Bryan Clauson and Joey Logano? Both drivers have missed races due to rain that otherwise they probably would have made. I've heard the suggestion before and I like the idea of holding a special round of qualifying (if rain cancels the main qualifying session) just for go-or-go homers like Clauson or Logano. At least then you would give the drivers not guaranteed a spot in the race the chance to prove how good they are. <br /><br />Or, NASCAR can keep doing what they are doing and continue to get disgruntled looks from drivers and fans alike. Unless of course your the points leader, in which case you don't mind qualifying getting canceled. At least then you can start from the pole. <br /><br />See, there is always a positive for every negative.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-73161317564726172362008-10-18T15:37:00.001-07:002008-10-18T15:47:11.195-07:00How about them Craftsman Trucks?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SPpltY9forI/AAAAAAAAA18/4y3-iXAGfYA/s1600-h/NASCAR+Trucks+Auto+Ra_Fenw.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SPpltY9forI/AAAAAAAAA18/4y3-iXAGfYA/s320/NASCAR+Trucks+Auto+Ra_Fenw.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258627345377370802" border="0" /></a>I've spent so much time this year talking about the Sprint and Nationwide Series' that I almost totally overlooked what many would say is the most competitive series in NASCAR, the Craftsman Truck Series.<br /><br />For me, when I get the chance to watch the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series it feels almost like your going back in time, back when hard racing was not only common but expected of every driver in every race. These guys beat, bang, bash and just in general race hard. <br /><br />While watching the Sprint Cup race the other week a TV interviewer stopped a moment and talked with Mike Skinner after a crash during the race. She mentioned that Mike was helping the No. 84 Red Bull team that he was driving for (replacing AJ Allmendinger) work on the car after the crash. Skinner simply replied, "I'm a truck driver, that's how we do it over there."<br /><br />THAT is the kinda of tenacity that I like to hear from a race car driver. The Craftsman Truck Series has created some great drivers to never see much mainstream success in the Sprint Cup Series. Skinner, Jack Sprague, Ron Hornaday, Johnny Benson, Bobby Hamilton, Dennis Setzer, Ted Musgrave and I could name countless others. All of these drivers tried their hand at running in the Sprint Cup Series but ultimately found themselves driving Truck's for a living. And believe you me, that is no insult to their abilities, they just found that the Truck Series is more suited to their driving abilities. <br /><br />So if you find yourself with a chance to sit down and watch a Craftsman Truck Series race, do it. You might just be surprised at how good the racing really is.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-20711119355501417092008-10-13T15:56:00.001-07:002008-10-13T16:02:55.191-07:00Busy as a bee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SPPTfVI4dSI/AAAAAAAAA10/0TSfsNwbv1c/s1600-h/NASCAR+Nationwide+Aut_Fenw.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SPPTfVI4dSI/AAAAAAAAA10/0TSfsNwbv1c/s320/NASCAR+Nationwide+Aut_Fenw.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256777725275305250" border="0" /></a>It's been a long few week's around the newsroom and I often find myself a little overwhelmed on occasion. Yet I wanted to sit down today and write a blog about the Chase for the Sprint Cup, despite the fact that I've got work floating up to my eye balls. It's probably gonna be short, but why not.<br /><br />When the chase started, things looked good for Kyle Busch. Now he finds himself more than 300 points behind current leader Jimmie Johnson and all but out of the championship hunt. What's left for him to do? The same thing he was doing before his bad luck began, win everything in site.<br /><br />The truth is Kyle Busch, much like everyone about 200 points back of Johnson, has nothing to lose at this point. For Busch it's go for broke or go home. So if I am Busch and company, I start putting caution to the wind and aim at getting as many wins as possible before the end of the season at Homestead. He's already started in that direction, he won Friday's Nationwide Series race at LMS easily (FYI, that is his 20th win this year in NASCAR's top three divisions).<br /><br />I wish I had time to say more, but I'm swamped. I'll touch base later with more.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-35744199140835485772008-09-29T11:19:00.001-07:002008-09-29T11:21:22.473-07:00Flat Rock Music Festival Videos<div style="text-align: center;">I shot two videos while I was at the Flat Rock Music Festival. Here they are for your viewing pleasure:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The SteelDrivers - "If It Hadn't Been For Love"<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t-lOQgyU7JQ&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t-lOQgyU7JQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Skinny Legs and All - "The Weight"</span><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xZwIpXh-4pA&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xZwIpXh-4pA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /></span></div>Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-1936183789843723012008-09-29T09:40:00.000-07:002008-09-29T11:18:09.822-07:00Flat Rock Music FestivalIt's not often that I take time off, much less time to go do something I've been looking forward to for some time. For the last two years my parents have been pestering me to attend a music festival with them. Finally, I decided that since I have this paid vacation just collecting dust, I'd best go ahead and use it. With that, I decided I'd join my parents at this years Flat Rock Music Festival in Flat Rock, N.C. Needless to say I was so happy I attended.<br /><br />The weekend started Friday with everyone waking up early and preparing my parents RV for the trip. When I say RV I mean an old old RV. I don't remember right off what year the RV is, but it's from the early 1970s, I know that much.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEF382kx5I/AAAAAAAAAy0/idGqgd3SqEA/s1600-h/DSC03312.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEF382kx5I/AAAAAAAAAy0/idGqgd3SqEA/s320/DSC03312.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251485099276683154" border="0" /></a>My transporation/bed for the weekend. Stylish huh?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">We had to stop at three gas stations just to get enough gas to make it to Flat Rock. But once we got fuel and made a few other stops we hit the road to Flat Rock. Of course, once we got there, we were met with the stark realization that Friday was probably going to be a wash. Of course, for those that don't remember, much of the region was met with much needed rain on Friday. Of course, it had to rain on the first day of my mini vacation. Go figure. Oh, I best not forget that in order to get to the festival you had to go ALL THE WAY UP A MOUNTAIN. We parked in a field at the bottom of the mountain and in order to get up to the festival you had to either walk a very bad looking trail (well, it wasn't that bad once it was dryish) or take a shuttle van up to the top (which was one heck of a wild ride in the wet weather on dirt roads).</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEGmU3H6cI/AAAAAAAAAy8/6MBwVu-mrws/s1600-h/DSC03327.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEGmU3H6cI/AAAAAAAAAy8/6MBwVu-mrws/s320/DSC03327.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251485895995419074" border="0" /></a>This is the view from across the pond at the top of the mountain. All the way over there is the main festival stage.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEGmRMIyXI/AAAAAAAAAzE/ipATXeHpiGE/s1600-h/DSC03328.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEGmRMIyXI/AAAAAAAAAzE/ipATXeHpiGE/s320/DSC03328.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251485895009814898" border="0" /></a>A zoomed in few of the festival grounds.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">While Friday was a total wash, Saturday was NOT! I got to see all the bands I was looking forward to from the get go, including The SteelDrivers, Skinny Legs and All, Sonny Landreth and WSNB. I admit my musical taste is a bit out there, so I don't honestly expect many that read this to know who these groups are. Here are a few photos from those sets:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The SteelDrivers</span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEJF0UXl2I/AAAAAAAAAzU/cU-Cco-LQDo/s1600-h/DSC03365.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEJF0UXl2I/AAAAAAAAAzU/cU-Cco-LQDo/s320/DSC03365.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251488636038780770" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEJFjiPf5I/AAAAAAAAAzM/6OX6jyEmJ3I/s1600-h/DSC03346.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEJFjiPf5I/AAAAAAAAAzM/6OX6jyEmJ3I/s320/DSC03346.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251488631533567890" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEJGh6UE_I/AAAAAAAAAzk/FHeTD7ypIbo/s1600-h/DSC03378.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEJGh6UE_I/AAAAAAAAAzk/FHeTD7ypIbo/s320/DSC03378.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251488648277529586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEJGDv5e8I/AAAAAAAAAzc/X9sHZlFeEgc/s1600-h/DSC03367.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEJGDv5e8I/AAAAAAAAAzc/X9sHZlFeEgc/s320/DSC03367.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251488640180779970" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEJQNLbyrI/AAAAAAAAAz0/rPwRTKMMAdo/s1600-h/DSC03416.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEJQNLbyrI/AAAAAAAAAz0/rPwRTKMMAdo/s320/DSC03416.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251488814510885554" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Skinny Legs and All<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEKer17VAI/AAAAAAAAAz8/gCrfnzIvXG4/s1600-h/DSC03499.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEKer17VAI/AAAAAAAAAz8/gCrfnzIvXG4/s320/DSC03499.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251490162771973122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEKfAdpbnI/AAAAAAAAA0E/fLzuOY22MfQ/s1600-h/DSC03521.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEKfAdpbnI/AAAAAAAAA0E/fLzuOY22MfQ/s320/DSC03521.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251490168307281522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEKfcVHSUI/AAAAAAAAA0M/Tlf3R3kJYYw/s1600-h/DSC03529.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEKfcVHSUI/AAAAAAAAA0M/Tlf3R3kJYYw/s320/DSC03529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251490175787682114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEKfsC6GPI/AAAAAAAAA0U/jlKVSaNQ7mI/s1600-h/DSC03506.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEKfsC6GPI/AAAAAAAAA0U/jlKVSaNQ7mI/s320/DSC03506.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251490180006287602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEKf9O-ZWI/AAAAAAAAA0c/Dy1nhB_3jtk/s1600-h/DSC03536.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEKf9O-ZWI/AAAAAAAAA0c/Dy1nhB_3jtk/s320/DSC03536.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251490184620303714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sonny Landreth<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMIzHVuYI/AAAAAAAAA0k/k0d4HgIzvLE/s1600-h/DSC03555.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMIzHVuYI/AAAAAAAAA0k/k0d4HgIzvLE/s320/DSC03555.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251491985790187906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMJBnO-bI/AAAAAAAAA0s/_-Xv9KY8g58/s1600-h/DSC03559.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMJBnO-bI/AAAAAAAAA0s/_-Xv9KY8g58/s320/DSC03559.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251491989682059698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMKW46TcI/AAAAAAAAA1E/0KAO7RZ7eU4/s1600-h/DSC03586.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMKW46TcI/AAAAAAAAA1E/0KAO7RZ7eU4/s320/DSC03586.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251492012573216194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMKGMj-eI/AAAAAAAAA08/-EivFrC6sy4/s1600-h/DSC03566.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMKGMj-eI/AAAAAAAAA08/-EivFrC6sy4/s320/DSC03566.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251492008092236258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMJ-N_elI/AAAAAAAAA00/vkux2Xnj10I/s1600-h/DSC03561.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMJ-N_elI/AAAAAAAAA00/vkux2Xnj10I/s320/DSC03561.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251492005950749266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">WSNB<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMuMP0qcI/AAAAAAAAA1M/7agvryCkUvs/s1600-h/DSC03655.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMuMP0qcI/AAAAAAAAA1M/7agvryCkUvs/s320/DSC03655.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251492628191816130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMuX1xmkI/AAAAAAAAA1c/hHLHh13DO7A/s1600-h/DSC03653.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMuX1xmkI/AAAAAAAAA1c/hHLHh13DO7A/s320/DSC03653.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251492631303789122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMuM_B2JI/AAAAAAAAA1U/1t9WJKsJYEE/s1600-h/DSC03654.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMuM_B2JI/AAAAAAAAA1U/1t9WJKsJYEE/s320/DSC03654.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251492628389812370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMuvOZZsI/AAAAAAAAA1s/8qQo8M-FQlE/s1600-h/DSC03644.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMuvOZZsI/AAAAAAAAA1s/8qQo8M-FQlE/s320/DSC03644.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251492637581076162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMucBoWQI/AAAAAAAAA1k/IYffQU1e88Y/s1600-h/DSC03652.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SOEMucBoWQI/AAAAAAAAA1k/IYffQU1e88Y/s320/DSC03652.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251492632427256066" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-68600206190356600302008-09-19T13:40:00.000-07:002008-09-19T13:57:08.699-07:00Oh my its been awhile<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SNQQ-Zg6KlI/AAAAAAAAAys/iOL0FelxQHY/s1600-h/cotton_owens_1964.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SNQQ-Zg6KlI/AAAAAAAAAys/iOL0FelxQHY/s320/cotton_owens_1964.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247838129980320338" border="0" /></a>Boy has it really been more than a week since I last posted on here? Seems like a lot less (or, depending on who you are, a lot more). I've been amazingly busy since my last post with my regular copy editing duties, including laying out the sports section a couple nights a week in addition to my regular role of news copy editor. On top of that I am also designing the syndicated NASCAR page that appears every week in The Star with content produced by Freedom Communications resident NASCAR writer, Monte Dutton.<br /><br />Anyway, I apologize for not posting my regular NASCAR stories on here. With my additional duties on the copy desk in addition to my work writing the historical racing stories recently I haven't had much time to do anything, with the exception of sleep of course. But, life goes on.<br /><br />I wanted to note that I've been having a blast writing my historical racing stories. The things I've heard and the stories that have been passed on to me have been amazing and I would never trade the experience for anything. I have even gotten to do a phone interview with former Daytona 500 winner Cotton Owens (he commented on Stick Elliott and the Cleveland County Fairgrounds).<br /><br />With any luck the stories will keep flowing out of me in the coming weeks. I've already got the next story written and prepared. I'd tell you what it's about but I don't want to ruin the surprise.<br /><br />I would like to continue to remind you, the readers of The Star, to keep submitting information to me about things you'd like to hear me write about. Want to hear about an old driver from the '60s? Let me know! Do you have old stories or old photographs floating around? Let me know! These stories will keep coming as long as I have great people here in Cleveland County who are willing to pass on their stories to me. <br /><br />Also, i'm seeking information on the following for possible stories. If you or anyone you know can help me out, that would be great:<br />Herb Thomas and his career ending crash at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds<br />Doug Cooper, Gastonia native, former NASCAR Rookie of the Year in 1964<br /><br />Thanks folks and keep on reading!Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-30185121053466559232008-09-05T12:39:00.000-07:002008-09-05T12:55:11.651-07:00Richmond, last stop before the chaseRichmond is the last stop before the start of the Chase for the Sprint Cup. 12 drivers will be entered into the competition by the end of Saturday's Chevy Rock & Roll 400 and everyone else will just be raising for bragging rights. Five drivers, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Burton, have clinched their spots in the chase. One more, Greg Biffle, only needs to start Saturday's race to clinch his spot. That leaves six chase spots for eight drivers. With that being said, here's who to watch on Saturday...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SMGMj0Hvn8I/AAAAAAAAAoU/0bIB8L63rwg/s1600-h/Hamlin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SMGMj0Hvn8I/AAAAAAAAAoU/0bIB8L63rwg/s320/Hamlin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242625988150403010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Denny Hamlin, No. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">11 F</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">edEx Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)</span><br />Last Week: 3rd place finish in the Pepsi 500<br />Career at Richmond: 10.0 Avg. Finish, 2 top 5's, 3 top 10's<br />Why he could win: This man dominated Richmond in the Spring like Jimmie Johnson dominated at the Auto Club Speedway last week. The only difference is Johnson closed the deal while Hamlin blew a tire and finished back in the pack. I suspect Hamlin and crew will be more determined then ever now to win at Hamlin's home track. Watch out for him Saturday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SMGMj4gXdHI/AAAAAAAAAoM/LDWHmOfnhns/s1600-h/Bowyer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SMGMj4gXdHI/AAAAAAAAAoM/LDWHmOfnhns/s320/Bowyer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242625989327418482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Clint Bowyer, No. 07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet (Richard Childress Racing)</span><br />Last Week: 10th place finish in the Pepsi 500<br />Career at Richmond: 8.8 Avg. Finish, 1 win, 1 top 5, 3 top 10's<br />Why he could win: If there was ever a time for Bowyer and company to pull out all the stops this weekend would be the perfect time. He sits only a few points ahead of 13th place David Ragan and he needs to have a solid run to earn himself a second consecutive trip into the Chase. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SMGMkOoMOsI/AAAAAAAAAoc/hrD674dtjWU/s1600-h/Ragan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SMGMkOoMOsI/AAAAAAAAAoc/hrD674dtjWU/s320/Ragan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242625995265817282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">David Ragan, No. 6 AAA Ford (Roush Fenway Racing)</span><br />Last Week: 13th place finish in the Pepsi 500<br />Career at Richmond: 13.3 Avg. Finish, 1 top 5, 1 top 10<br />Why he could win: Much like Bowyer, everything is riding on Ragan's performance in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. If he were competing for a chase spot this time last year his third place finish in last year's event would have clinched it for him. The problem is that was last year and this is this year. Can Ragan prove everyone wrong and make the chase?<br /><br />My underdog this week is a driver many consider to be the next big sensation...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SMGMjiEWt2I/AAAAAAAAAoE/OYf8hrF4wYU/s1600-h/Logano.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SMGMjiEWt2I/AAAAAAAAAoE/OYf8hrF4wYU/s320/Logano.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242625983304349538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joey Logano, No. 02 Home Depot Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)</span><br />Last Week: Did not race<br />Career at Richmond: Attempting to make first career start<br />Why he could win: Everyone expect's Logano to make headlines fast in the Sprint Cup Series. Who knows, he very well may. I wouldn't put anything past this kid considering how fast he went to victory lane in the Nationwide Series. Watch out for him on Saturday.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-9416837064016024242008-09-04T12:57:00.000-07:002008-09-04T13:12:09.113-07:00California thoughts and observations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SMA978WmwLI/AAAAAAAAAn8/2ufFC1_71m4/s1600-h/APTOPIX+NASCAR+Califo_Fenw.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SMA978WmwLI/AAAAAAAAAn8/2ufFC1_71m4/s320/APTOPIX+NASCAR+Califo_Fenw.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242258066281775282" border="0" /></a>Sorry I didn't get to this sooner, its been a busy week.<br /><br />Jimmie Johnson dominated Sunday's race at the Auto Club Speedway, leading 228 of the 250 laps to win the Pepsi 500. He was followed to the line by Greg Biffle, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thoughts and observations</span><br /><br />Johnson was hardly challenged during Sunday's race. The 228 laps that he led are a proof of that. About the only time he was passed was on pit road where Greg Biffle's crew consistently beat the No. 48 team. It ended up not mattering since Johnson's car was far too strong for Biffle to beat.<br /><br />I was a little disappointed in the Red Bull Racing team of Brian Vickers and AJ Allmendinger. I honestly thought one of those two teams were going to have something for Jimmie Johnson. Guess I was wrong.<br /><br />Carl Edwards finished ahead of Kyle Busch Sunday, by one position. Again. This is becoming a pattern.<br /><br />I swear, this year couldn't get much worse for Kurt Busch. He keeps having awful luck and Sunday was no exception with that blown tire relegating him to a 39th place finish, his ninth finish of 30th or worse this season.<br /><br />David Reutimann did a great job on Sunday keeping his car in tune with the track and bringing the car home a strong 9th. Very impressive to say the least.<br /><br />Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle are going to win this year, mark my words.<br /><br />The race for the 12th and final chase spot is going to be a tight one. Clint Bowyer leads David Ragan by only 12 points and Kasey Kahne is also lurking back in 14th place, only 48 points out of 12th. I really feel like this could be a toss up. Ragan finished third at Richmond in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 only one year ago while just this spring Clint Bowyer won at Richmond. It's anyone's guess as to who will make the chase.<br /><br />The one positive for AJ Allmendinger after Sunday's race was it catapulted the No. 84 Toyota from 36th in the Owner Point's to 31st. It's the highest the No. 84 team has ever been in the Sprint Cup Owner's standings to date. Meanwhile, Sam Hornish Jr. and the No. 77 team now is forced to qualify for this weekend's Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-21142248535660673632008-08-30T14:24:00.000-07:002008-08-30T14:51:54.789-07:00What we know for 2009, Part 2Here is part two of my Silly Season 2009 recap.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm60EuYJdI/AAAAAAAAAmk/5o8YwQCx6ZY/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm60EuYJdI/AAAAAAAAAmk/5o8YwQCx6ZY/s200/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240425045206509010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 10 Gillett Ev</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">ernham Motorsports Dodge</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Patrick Carpentier<br />2008 Sponsor(s): LifeLock, Valvoline, Charter Communications<br />What we know for 2009: Patrick Carpentier's future in the No. 10 doesn't look to good with the recent signing of Reed Sorenson by GEM. Carpentier has publicly stated that he is a free agent, but that hasn't been confirmed by anyone at GEM. Sponsorship remains a question for this team as well.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm7e0DIkCI/AAAAAAAAAms/0NDlz8aBYvk/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm7e0DIkCI/AAAAAAAAAms/0NDlz8aBYvk/s200/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240425779464540194" border="0" /></a>No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota<br />2008 Driver(s): Denny Hamlin<br />2008 Sponsor(s): FedEx<br />What we know for 2009: I have heard of no changes for this team, nor do I expect any.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm7vxddzDI/AAAAAAAAAm0/oGkFA-Y3lOw/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm7vxddzDI/AAAAAAAAAm0/oGkFA-Y3lOw/s200/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240426070827453490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 12 Penske Racing Dodge</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Ryan Newman<br />2008 Sponsor(s): ALLTEL<br />What we know for 2009: This team is going to look nothing like the 2008 Daytona 500 winning team. Newman leaves for Stewart Haas Racing, ALLTEL is likely gone at season's end thanks to the Verizon merger as well. Rumors have David Stremme as the likely full time replacement, but nothing is confirmed yet.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm8SrQ1l7I/AAAAAAAAAm8/Abtp9MJXSXM/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm8SrQ1l7I/AAAAAAAAAm8/Abtp9MJXSXM/s200/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240426670459295666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 14 (was No. 70) Stewart Haas Racing Chevrolet</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Jeremy Mayfield, Johnny Sauter, Tony Raines<br />2008 Sponsor(s): Haas Automation, Hunt Brothers Pizza<br />What we know for 2009: Tony Stewart leaves Joe Gibbs Racing and buys into Haas CNC Racing, making it Stewart Haas Racing in 2009. He will take over the No. 70, changing the number to 14. Sponsorship will come from Office Depot and Old Spice.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm9GU0afGI/AAAAAAAAAnE/g_2RcDn-4SE/s1600-h/15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm9GU0afGI/AAAAAAAAAnE/g_2RcDn-4SE/s200/15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240427557787696226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 15 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Paul Menard<br />2008 Sponsor(s): Menards, Johns Manville, many more<br />What we know for 2009: Lots of unconfirmed rumors floating around about this team. Paul Menard is expected to stay with this team in 2009 and keep his family sponsorship there as well. I see no reason not to expect that myself.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm9t5SmKtI/AAAAAAAAAnM/sxn2x6HXEGU/s1600-h/16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm9t5SmKtI/AAAAAAAAAnM/sxn2x6HXEGU/s200/16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240428237592865490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Greg Biffle<br />2008 Sponsor(s): 3M, Dish Network<br />What we know for 2009: Greg Biffle signed a contract extension and will remain with Roush Fenway Racing for the extended future. 3M will remain as primary sponsor.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm-Jc2Gc-I/AAAAAAAAAnU/xb4YblCgll8/s1600-h/17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm-Jc2Gc-I/AAAAAAAAAnU/xb4YblCgll8/s200/17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240428710993490914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Matt Kenseth<br />2008 Sponsor(s): DeWalt<br />What we know for 2009: I've heard of no changes for this team in 2009, much like the last, oh I don't know, 5 years.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm_piZGiOI/AAAAAAAAAnc/Z6tw2kpSfo4/s1600-h/18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLm_piZGiOI/AAAAAAAAAnc/Z6tw2kpSfo4/s200/18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240430361749915874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Kyle Busch<br />2008 Sponsor(s): M&M's, Interstate Batteries<br />What we know for 2009: No changes at all. Why would you change something that has worked so good in 2008 anyway?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLnAFLrEP3I/AAAAAAAAAnk/eGW5uKMmp_0/s1600-h/19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLnAFLrEP3I/AAAAAAAAAnk/eGW5uKMmp_0/s200/19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240430836687585138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 19 Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Elliott Sadler<br />2008 Sponsor(s): Best Buy, Stanley Tools, McDonald's<br />What we know for 2009: Elliott Sadler signed a contract extension earlier in 2008 and will remain with this team for a few more years. Sponsorship lineup will likely stay the same.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLnAe2t5hAI/AAAAAAAAAns/my9s2j4nn40/s1600-h/20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLnAe2t5hAI/AAAAAAAAAns/my9s2j4nn40/s200/20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240431277738918914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Tony Stewart<br />2008 Sponsor(s): Home Depot<br />What we know for 2009: Tony Stewart leaves at the end of 2008 to become an owner/driver at Stewart Haas Racing. Joey Logano will get the call and drive this car with sponsorship from Home Depot in 2009.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-43533202049030336342008-08-29T14:29:00.000-07:002008-08-29T16:00:45.585-07:00What we know for 2009, Part 1Silly Season 2009 is well on its way so far this year. I figured it best to go ahead and do a post summing up the known changes that are coming when the Sprint Cup series takes the green flag for next year's Daytona 500. I'll be doing these 10 at a time, so here is part one:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLhvcNBr0DI/AAAAAAAAAlU/KyXb0DYBu-k/s1600-h/00.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLhvcNBr0DI/AAAAAAAAAlU/KyXb0DYBu-k/s200/00.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240060696769318962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 00 Micha</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">el Waltrip Racing Toyota</span><br />2008 Driver(s): David Reutimann, Michael McDowell, Mike Skinner<br />2008 Sponsor(s): Champion Mortgage, Aaron's<br />What we know for 2009: David Reutimann has been announced as returning to this ride for the 2009 season after leaving the team to replace Dale Jarrett in the No. 44 early in 2008. He brings with him an 18 race sponsorship deal with Aaron's. That still leaves 18 unsponsored races that this team needs to deal with. No word on the status of Michael McDowell, who is still under contract with this team.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLhwunTQa3I/AAAAAAAAAlc/oq0Vg7G24pk/s1600-h/01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLhwunTQa3I/AAAAAAAAAlc/oq0Vg7G24pk/s200/01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240062112571616114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 01 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Regan Smith<br />2008 Sponsor(s): Principal Financial Group<br />What we know for 2009: Not much. This team only had partial sponsorship throughout most of the 2008 season and there is no firm word on the status of this team for the 2009 season. If sponsorship doesn't come up I can't imagine this team will remain active in 2009.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh2seDME3I/AAAAAAAAAlk/RLMbyRgJA-c/s1600-h/07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 168px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh2seDME3I/AAAAAAAAAlk/RLMbyRgJA-c/s200/07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240068672798331762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 07 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Clint Bowyer<br />2008 Sponsor(s): Jack Daniel's<br />What we know for 2009: With the creation of RCR's long awaited fourth team, Richard Childress decided to do some driver shuffling. He has moved Clint Bowyer from this team to the new No. 33 team and replaced him with free agent driver Casey Mears. Sponsorship remains the same for this team.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh3WsDntmI/AAAAAAAAAls/qTeRCBDkSWs/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh3WsDntmI/AAAAAAAAAls/qTeRCBDkSWs/s200/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240069398112745058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 1 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet </span><br />2008 Driver(s): Martin Truex Jr.<br />2008 Sponsor(s): Bass Pro Shops<br />What we know for 2009: There were lots of rumors about Truex Jr. leaving this team but they all ended up being wrong, as Truex Jr. signed a contract extension with the team and will remain with them for the immediate future. Bass Pro Shops should return as the sponsor.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh3z304iyI/AAAAAAAAAl0/vwvrdyFHJ2s/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 163px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh3z304iyI/AAAAAAAAAl0/vwvrdyFHJ2s/s200/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240069899488365346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 2 Penske Racing Dodge</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Kurt Busch<br />2008 Sponsor(s): Miller Lite<br />What we know for 2009: There are no changes expected for this team, despite the fact that 2008 has been by far one of the worst seasons this team has ever faced.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh5J7lJ05I/AAAAAAAAAl8/_MK6O1hmiy4/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh5J7lJ05I/AAAAAAAAAl8/_MK6O1hmiy4/s200/5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240071377964880786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Casey Mears<br />2008 Sponsor(s): Kellogg's, Carquest<br />What we know for 2009: Casey Mears leaves this team at the end of 2008 and will move to Richard Childress Racing to drive the No. 07 Chevrolet. Mark Martin will come out of semi-retirement and drive this car full time for one last shot at a championship. He will then run this car part time in 2010.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh6yPmZGKI/AAAAAAAAAmE/WH5V98Gv578/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh6yPmZGKI/AAAAAAAAAmE/WH5V98Gv578/s200/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240073170045180066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford</span><br />2008 Driver(s): David Ragan<br />2008 Sponsor(s): AAA<br />What we know for 2009: AAA has decided they will be leaving this team at seasons end, meaning Ragan and Roush Fenway Racing need to find a sponsor if they want to keep this team around. Considering the way Ragan is driving I have no doubt that this team will find some form of sponsorship for next season.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh7Vxey3xI/AAAAAAAAAmM/nXLPC3fZ090/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 163px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh7Vxey3xI/AAAAAAAAAmM/nXLPC3fZ090/s200/7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240073780435541778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 7 Robby Gordon Motorsports Dodge</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Robby Gordon<br />2008 Sponsor(s): Jim Beam, Menards, Camping World<br />What we know for 2009: Besides the constant question of sponsorship, I haven't heard about any changes for Robby Gordon and company in 2009. Of course, this team would would love to secure a full time sponsor rather then multiple sponsors like they've had for the last two seasons.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh8MfKo74I/AAAAAAAAAmU/raFWM_dBHps/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh8MfKo74I/AAAAAAAAAmU/raFWM_dBHps/s200/8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240074720411971458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 8 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Mark Martin, Aric Almirola<br />2008 Sponsor(s): U.S. Army<br />What we know for 2009: Aric Almirola will drive this car full time in 2009 and Mark Martin will move over to Hendrick Motorsports full time to take one last shot at at championship. U.S. Army has been shopping its sponsorship dollars around so they may or may not return to this team.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh-_lHPScI/AAAAAAAAAmc/mmKSeomz1Vg/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLh-_lHPScI/AAAAAAAAAmc/mmKSeomz1Vg/s200/9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240077797204904386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">No. 9 Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge</span><br />2008 Driver(s): Kasey Kahne<br />2008 Sponsor(s): Budweiser<br />What we know for 2009: No changes are expected or known for that matter. I don't see any reason to change anything. Despite a little bit of inconsistency this team has been strong in 2008, winning two races and fighting for a chase spot.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-89532887495378421802008-08-28T13:22:00.000-07:002008-08-28T13:37:04.097-07:00NASCAR gets CalifornicatedWith two races left before the start of the Chase, NASCAR makes it second stop this season at the Auto Club Speedway in California. This, along with next week's race at Richmond, will make or break Chase chances for several teams. Here are my top picks to win this weekend:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLcMK91FYCI/AAAAAAAAAkc/6hBK9c4pXh4/s1600-h/Kyle_Busch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLcMK91FYCI/AAAAAAAAAkc/6hBK9c4pXh4/s320/Kyle_Busch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239670074004299810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kyle Busch</span>, No. 18 M&M's Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)<br />Last week: 2nd place finish in the Sharpie 500<br />Career at Auto Club Speedway: 10.2 Avg. Finish, 1 win, 3 top 5's, 6 top 10's<br />Why he could win: He has won everywhere else, why not? He does have a win here, his first career Sprint Cup win in fact.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLcMKGFEHOI/AAAAAAAAAkM/aj3_ifkp8XY/s1600-h/Carl_Edwards.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLcMKGFEHOI/AAAAAAAAAkM/aj3_ifkp8XY/s320/Carl_Edwards.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239670059038940386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Carl Edwards</span>, No. 99 Aflac Ford (Roush Fenway Racing)<br />Last Week: Won the Sharpie 500<br />Career at Auto Club Speedway: 6.8 Avg. Finish, 1 win, 6 top 5's, 7 top 10's<br />Why he could win: He has won everywhere else, why not? Edwards won the spring race which automatically makes him a serious threat to win this weekend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLcMKhOLL-I/AAAAAAAAAkU/IeQgdezQfnc/s1600-h/Kenseth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLcMKhOLL-I/AAAAAAAAAkU/IeQgdezQfnc/s320/Kenseth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239670066324910050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Matt Kenseth</span>, No. 17 R+L Carriers Ford (Roush Fenway Racing)<br />Last Week: 9th place finish in the Sharpie 500<br />Career at Auto Club Speedway: 9.9 Avg. Finish, 2 wins, 5 top 5's, 9 top 10's<br />Why he could win: In the last six races at the Auto Club Speedway Matt Kenseth hasn't finished worse then 7th. If he doesn't win on Sunday i'd bet my bottom dollar he'll finish no worse then 7th.<br /><br />My underdog this week is another Roush Fenway driver...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLcMLc3n8mI/AAAAAAAAAkk/XHatTl7HNJA/s1600-h/McMurray.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLcMLc3n8mI/AAAAAAAAAkk/XHatTl7HNJA/s320/McMurray.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239670082336453218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jamie McMurray</span>, No. 26 Crown Royal Ford (Roush Fenway Racing)<br />Last Week: 12th place finish in the Sharpie 500<br />Career at Auto Club Speedway: 13.7 Avg. Finish, 3 top 5's, 5 top 10's<br />Why he could win: If anyone could pull off a surprise win I suspect McMurray could be the man to do it. Historically he has always seemed to have a pretty good car here.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-52133450329054557272008-08-25T13:57:00.001-07:002008-08-25T14:13:45.755-07:00Bristol thoughts and observations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLMc4DXj1RI/AAAAAAAAAkE/ovKFr0vIiPY/s1600-h/NASCAR+Bristol+Auto+R_Fenw.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SLMc4DXj1RI/AAAAAAAAAkE/ovKFr0vIiPY/s320/NASCAR+Bristol+Auto+R_Fenw.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238562540864394514" border="0" /></a>Carl Edwards put the bumper to Kyle Busch Saturday night at Bristol, the result being Edwards' 6th victory of the 2008 season. Busch crossed the line second followed by Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick and Jeff Gordon.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thoughts and observations<br /><br /></span><span><span>Uh oh ... looks like we have a little bit of a rivalry going on between NASCAR's two hottest drivers. Kyle Busch, who has had no problem moving people out of the way in the past, got moved out of the way by Carl Edwards, a move that ended up winning Edwards the race. Busch didn't exactly agree with the move and showed it by bumping Edwards after the checkered flag. Edwards' response? He simply spun Busch out. My how I love Bristol night racing.<br /><br />Remember the last few Bristol races, they were boring and frankly not all that interesting right? Well the Bristol of old popped its ugly head out from under that pavement and bit several drivers, including Jeff Burton, Kasey Kahne, Michael Waltrip, Casey Mears and several more. Welcome back Bristol, I missed ya.<br /><br />Ryan Newman had a strong car all weekend at Bristol, running up front and never really falling from the lead pack. I have to wonder if he'll earn another win for Penske before jumping ship at seasons end.<br /><br />Several drivers, including the DEI trio of Aric Almirola, Regan Smith and Paul Menard, had strong race cars all night long and really impressed me. Almirola ran in the top 10 for a good chunk of the race before falling a little short. Smith qualified well and backed it up with a very respectable 14th place finish. Menard meanwhile qualified 16th and finished, shockingly enough, 16th. Good night for all three drivers.<br /><br />The bad luck bug didn't just bite Chase contenders Kahne and Burton, it also bit Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. While it hurt Kahne and Burton much more then it did Johnson and Earnhardt Jr., you never like to see Championship contenders have bad luck like that.<br /><br />Am I the only one that was mildly impressed with how well Bill Elliott hung out up front for the first 150-200 laps of the race? He raced in the top 10 for over 100 laps before finally slipping back to a 26th place finish. I was kinda hoping 'ole Bill might pull off a top 10, but alas, it was not to be.<br /><br />David Ragan is so close to a berth in the Chase he can taste it. He is only 12 points behind 12th place Clint Bowyer with only two races left before the Chase. Meanwhile, Kasey Kahne fell out of the Chase all the way back to 14th, behind both Ragan and Bowyer.<br /><br />Elsewhere in the points, Scott Riggs is barely holding on to the 35th and final guaranteed spot on the starting grid over AJ Allmendinger in 36th. This might be a more interesting race to watch then the one for the championship if Kyle Busch or Carl Edwards go on a tear during the Chase.</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-68806523256982587962008-08-22T09:35:00.000-07:002008-08-22T09:50:21.900-07:00Back to BristolNASCAR returns to Bristol for its second race of the 2008 season and it brings with it a lot of drama leading up to the start of the Chase. Everyone knows who the drivers to beat are (Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards) but the question is who is going to make the chase and who is going to be sitting on the sidelines watching. If Saturday's race is anything like it usually is, this race will make or break some drivers chances of making the chase. Here are my drivers to watch this weekend:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SK7rzi8RBKI/AAAAAAAAAjk/q4ar_CClnYY/s1600-h/Biffle"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SK7rzi8RBKI/AAAAAAAAAjk/q4ar_CClnYY/s320/Biffle" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237382687463900322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Greg Biffle</span>, No. 16 DISH Network Turbo HD Ford (Roush Fenway Racing)<br />Last Week: 4th place finish in the 3M Performance 400<br />Career at Bristol: 9.7 Avg. Finish, 4 top 5's, 7 top 10's<br />Why he could win: Greg Biffle is probably the best driver who has yet to win in 2008. In addition, he has the best average finish of all active drivers at Bristol. Combine that with the added push every driver wants before the Chase begins and you have a great choice to win at Bristol.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SK7rz2zvZwI/AAAAAAAAAjs/6m5zCaL5P1A/s1600-h/Ku_Busch"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SK7rz2zvZwI/AAAAAAAAAjs/6m5zCaL5P1A/s320/Ku_Busch" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237382692796851970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kurt Busch</span>, No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge (Penske Racing)<br />Last Week: 36th place finish in the 3M Performance 400<br />Career at Bristol: 14.3 Avg. Finish, 5 wins, 5 top 5's, 9 top 10's<br />Why he could win: In recent years its been hard not to bet on Kurt Busch to win at Bristol. Despite having an awful 2008 season I still think Kurt Busch will have a car to watch on Saturday night. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SK7rzykuRgI/AAAAAAAAAj0/MpYCf8zmJPc/s1600-h/Ky_Busch"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SK7rzykuRgI/AAAAAAAAAj0/MpYCf8zmJPc/s320/Ky_Busch" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237382691660121602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kyle Busch</span>, No. 18 M&M's Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)<br />Last Week: 2nd place finish in the 3M Performance 400<br />Career at Bristol: 14.0 Avg. Finish, 1 win, 2 top 5's, 4 top 10's<br />Why he could win: Kyle Busch, besides being the best driver in the world right now, also won the first COT race at Bristol. Why wouldn't you think he'd be a threat to win Saturday?<br /><br />My underdog this week is a man who got his first career victory at Bristol.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SK7r0Hgz0iI/AAAAAAAAAj8/msMxNejMOmQ/s1600-h/Sadler"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SK7r0Hgz0iI/AAAAAAAAAj8/msMxNejMOmQ/s320/Sadler" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237382697280852514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Elliott Sadler</span>, No. 19 Stanley Tools Dodge (Gillett Evernham Motorsports)<br />Last Week: 9th place finish in the 3M Performance 400<br />Career at Bristol: 22.4 Avg. Finish, 1 win, 3 top 5's, 4 top 10's<br />Why he could win: Sadler has shown remarkable consistancy in the last several weeks and a trip to Bristol might be a perfect chance for Sadler to break his winless streak. I'd keep a very sharp eye on Sadler Saturday night.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-42683795804496248882008-08-18T14:08:00.000-07:002008-08-18T14:23:04.543-07:00Back from vacationIts been awhile since i've been able to make a detailed post here on my blog. The last several weeks have been pretty hectic for me and last week I took some time off, so much time in fact that I totally missed this weekend's Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series races. I'm hoping on getting back on track this Thursday by posting my picks for the weekend at Bristol. Everything should pick back up as usual on my blog by then.<br /><br />Speaking of vacation, I took a trip to Charlotte this weekend for the NWA Legends FanFest. For those that don't know what that is, it is an annual gathering at the Hilton Hotel in Charlotte for pro wrestling fans. Legends from the sports past, present and future make appearances during the three day, four night event. My goal was to get a shirt with the logo from my website on it totally filled with autographs. I got to meet a lot of legends, including Bruno Sammartino, Ted DiBiase, J.J. Dillion, Magnum TA, Ken Patera and more. I heard lots of stories, had lots of fun and bought a bunch of DVD's (at amazing prices). Big thanks to Mr. Graham Cawthon for encouraging me to attend, if I can I'm going to make that an annual event.<br /><br />Also, i'm still searching for sources for my history of racing in Cleveland County project. I've spoken to a few people in the County and I even spoke with former Daytona 500 winner Cotton Owens in Spartanburg, S.C. about the project so far. If anyone has any suggestions on who I should contact, again, please don't hesitate to let me know by dropping me an email (adamfenwick@shelbystar.com) or calling me at work (704-869-1728). The more information the better, I can never have enough.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-67703556410816373152008-08-10T08:31:00.001-07:002008-08-10T08:41:35.199-07:00Looking for help finding racing's past<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJ8J4KkaV7I/AAAAAAAAAjc/YtCHgKINNT8/s1600-h/1965-nascar-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJ8J4KkaV7I/AAAAAAAAAjc/YtCHgKINNT8/s320/1965-nascar-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232912152542205874" border="0" /></a>Some who read this blog know that recently I wrote a story about NASCAR racing that was held at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in the 50's and 60's. Well that article and the interest it spawned has given me the inspiration to do further research into the history of racing in Cleveland County and the drivers from the County and surrounding areas.<br /><br />But in order for me to do that I need your help.<br /><br />I can make all the phone calls and find all the old photos and stories that I want, but what I need is to speak to people who know about the history of racing in Cleveland County and the surrounding area. For example...<br /><br />I know Stick Elliott, a former NASCAR driver and regional star, was from Shelby. I'm looking for anyone that might know something about Mr. Elliott and his history in NASCAR or just his racing career in general. <br /><br />I know Doug Cooper, a former NASCAR Grand National Rookie of the Year in 1964, was from Gastonia. I can find little to no information on Mr. Cooper, save the picture above where he appears in car No. 60 at Daytona International Speedway. Any information on him would be very helpful.<br /><br />I'm looking to speak with any old drivers from the 50's or 60's. I've spoken to two or three, some receptive of the idea of talking about their racing career's, some not so much. The more drivers I can speak to from that era the more stories i'll be able to pass on to the next generation. <br /><br />I'm not trying to break any new ground here. I'm sure there are those out there who have done something like this before. What i'm trying to do is find out about the history of racing in Cleveland County and at the same time put pen to paper and let the people of Cleveland County read about exactly what i'm hearing and seeing. <br /><br />If you know anyone, have any old newspaper clippings, or are interested in speaking to me about this project yourself, please feel free to contact me by email at adamfenwick@shelbystar.com.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-18273307608738329462008-08-08T12:45:00.001-07:002008-08-08T12:58:47.833-07:00Racing at the GlenThe first NASCAR race I ever attended was held at Watkins Glen. Rusty Wallace won the race with a splash of gas late in the running. Do I remember it? No. But my dad made sure i'd see the race when I got older, he taped the entire thing and I use to spend my afternoon's watching it. Boy was that fun.<br /><br />Anyway, Watkins Glen has always been a great place for road course races. Lots of great names have won at Watkins Glen and races here tend to be not only fun but oftentimes heated. Just ask Juan Pablo Montoya and Kevin Harvick.<br /><br />Anyway, here are my picks to win this weekend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJyjuoTReaI/AAAAAAAAAjE/DOUU8AX92_g/s1600-h/Kyle_Busch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJyjuoTReaI/AAAAAAAAAjE/DOUU8AX92_g/s320/Kyle_Busch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232236888585238946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kyle Busch</span>, No. 18 M&M's Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)<br />Last Week: 36th place finish in the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500<br />Career at Watkins Glen: 16.3 Avg. Finish, 0 top 5's, 2 top 10's<br />Why he could win: Busch proved at Infineon earlier this year that he was a threat to win anywhere on the circuit. Because of this I have every expectation (especially now that qualifying has rained out and he is on the pole) that he will run up front and be a threat to win.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJyjuxfQioI/AAAAAAAAAjU/wwUiSQ2m4Yw/s1600-h/Tony_Stewart.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJyjuxfQioI/AAAAAAAAAjU/wwUiSQ2m4Yw/s320/Tony_Stewart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232236891051428482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tony Stewart</span>, No. 20 Home Depot Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)<br />Last Week: 2nd place finish in the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500<br />Career at Watkins Glen: 6.1 Avg. Finish, 4 wins, 5 top 5's, 7 top 10's<br />Why he could win: It's Watkins Glen, why shouldn't Tony Stewart be a serious threat to win? Just look at that average finish! If he isn't running up front by the end of the race something is seriously wrong.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJyjuWY3IdI/AAAAAAAAAi8/MsOPrY8m0m8/s1600-h/Jeff_Gordon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJyjuWY3IdI/AAAAAAAAAi8/MsOPrY8m0m8/s320/Jeff_Gordon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232236883776840146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jeff Gordon</span>, No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet (Hendrick Motorsports)<br />Last Week: 10th place finish in the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500<br />Career at Watkins Glen: 12.4 Avg. Finish, 4 wins, 6 top 5's, 8 top 10's<br />Why he could win: Please see Tony Stewart's why he could win, all the information there pretty much applies to Jeff Gordon as well.<br /><br />My pick for the under dog driver isn't really an under dog, but in the grand scheme of things I really think he is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJyjumBsPMI/AAAAAAAAAjM/3bGVDAjtXKA/s1600-h/Robby_Gordon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJyjumBsPMI/AAAAAAAAAjM/3bGVDAjtXKA/s320/Robby_Gordon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232236887974624450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Robby Gordon</span>, No. 7 Jim Beam Dodge (Robby Gordon Motorsports)<br />Last Week: 37th place finish in the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500<br />Career at Watkins Glen: 8.8 Avg. Finish, 1 win, 7 top 5's, 7 top 10's<br />Why he could win: If any independent driver can win at Watkins Glen Robby Gordon is the man to do it. He always brings quality equipment to the road courses and should always be considered a threat to win. Anyone that overlooks him will be in for a rude awakening Sunday.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-2946461495720022822008-08-04T12:48:00.000-07:002008-08-04T13:06:03.076-07:00Pocono thoughts and observations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJddQSspu5I/AAAAAAAAAi0/fw_Ukh785I8/s1600-h/NASCAR+Pocono+Auto+Ra_Fenw.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJddQSspu5I/AAAAAAAAAi0/fw_Ukh785I8/s320/NASCAR+Pocono+Auto+Ra_Fenw.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230752026692533138" border="0" /></a>Carl Edwards used great fuel strategy Sunday afternoon to win the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500, his fourth victory of the 2008 season and second career win at Pocono Raceway. He was followed to the line by Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick and David Ragan. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thoughts and observations</span><br /><br />It was actually kinda funny to watch Edwards disagree with his crew chief Bob Osborne after the race was halted after 131 laps due to rain. Edwards wasn't happy with Osborne's decision to pit, a decision that left Edwards far far behind on the grid. Lucky for Edwards however, the race got started and that pit strategy ended up working in his favor.<br /><br />Kevin Harvick recovered beautifully after an early spin to finish fourth. Its recoveries like that that prove Harvick is a legitimate threat once chase time comes along.<br /><br />Another week, another great run for one David Ragan. Sooner or later people are gonna realize that this kid might have actually figured out how to drive in the Sprint Cup Series.<br /><br />Mark Martin looked like he had the car to beat early in the race Sunday before fading. Yet, thanks to fuel mileage, he found himself back up front looking to earn a win. I really feel like Martin is going to win a race this year in the Sprint Cup Series, he still has it no matter what anyone else thinks.<br /><br />Kahne almost stole the race Sunday with his slick move to stay out right before the rains came. Another 20 or 30 minutes of heavy, hard rain and Kahne would likely have won both Pocono races this season. Alas, it just wasn't to be.<br /><br />Luck is suddenly NOT on Matt Kenseth's side. After last week's horror filled run at Indy where he blew a tire, this week he saw a solid top 10 disappear thanks to fuel mileage. Yet he still rallied back and finished 11th. Regardless though, Kenseth has gone from 8th in the standings two weeks ago to 13th, one spot out of the Chase. And the bad news? Watkins Glen is next week.<br /><br />Bummer for Scott Riggs, it looked like he had a guaranteed top 10 run going until he ran out of gas. Considering he came all the way back from 43rd on the starting grid after an engine change he still had an outstanding run despite the final finishing position.<br /><br />Speaking of good runs going bad, Kyle Busch looked on his way to a top 5 finish before he ran out of fuel. To make matters worse he couldn't get the engine restarted late and ended up finishing way back in 36th place. Ouch.<br /><br />Another week and AJ Allmendinger gets a little closer to getting himself a guaranteed spot in each race. Scott Riggs holds onto the 35th position in points, but not by much. Michael McDowell is only four points behind Riggs with Allmendinger (only 38 points behind Riggs) nipping at their heels.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-67605439400157977202008-08-02T20:34:00.000-07:002008-08-02T20:41:14.666-07:00NASCAR in the rain?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJUng4ILlRI/AAAAAAAAAis/eHt_9OYT59Y/s1600-h/NASCAR+Nationwide+Mon_Fenw.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJUng4ILlRI/AAAAAAAAAis/eHt_9OYT59Y/s320/NASCAR+Nationwide+Mon_Fenw.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230129988036695314" border="0" /></a>Mother nature must have a sense of humor.<br /><br />After last week's tire fiasco at Indianapolis NASCAR's Nationwide Series made history at the historic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve by racing for the first time under wet conditions with specially designed rain tires.<br /><br />It was certainly an interesting attempt by NASCAR to bring something different into the sport and I give them credit for making every effort to run the race despite the awful conditions. But eventually the rain just became way too much. Jacques Villeneuve and Joey Logano both ended up crashing under caution while running up front. That, along with the heavy down poor and <span style="font-size: 11px;" id="_oneup"></span>standing water on the track, convinced NASCAR to call the race early, handing the win to road-racer (and Canada native) Ron Fellows.<br /><br />It was another disappointing day for one Marcos Ambrose, who looked like he had the car to beat until a miscommunication on pit road dropped Ambrose back to third. I really feel like Ambrose is bound to win one of these races sooner or later, its just a question of when.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-64035099563015058782008-08-01T08:55:00.001-07:002008-08-01T08:57:46.911-07:00I think the deer missed me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJMyAP7OTcI/AAAAAAAAAik/qqtXjPqEhJM/s1600-h/DSC02918.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJMyAP7OTcI/AAAAAAAAAik/qqtXjPqEhJM/s320/DSC02918.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229578572163599810" border="0" /></a>I recently moved to Shelby after a year of driving back and forth from Polk County and its nice to not have to drive as far every night to work. <br /><br />On Tuesday I went back home to Polk County to see my parents, pick up my mail and generally be as lazy as possible (though it didn't work out that way). As I was leaving late Wednesday afternoon to come back to Shelby this fella was just hanging out by a series of trailers less then an 1/8 of a mile from my families home. <br /><br />Apparently the deer missed seeing me every night and hearing me slam on the brakes to avoid hitting them. Well sorry fella, I didn't miss seeing you.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-71772698891543838372008-07-31T12:40:00.000-07:002008-07-31T13:01:46.424-07:00Returning to PoconoAfter last week's tire fiasco at Indianapolis I'm sure most race fans will be happy to know that the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams are headed to Pocono this weekend for the second time this season. Here are my picks to win this weekend's event:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJIWf4c928I/AAAAAAAAAiE/192vNxNPzYk/s1600-h/Edwards.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJIWf4c928I/AAAAAAAAAiE/192vNxNPzYk/s320/Edwards.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229266854316202946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Carl Edwards</span>, No. 99 Office Depot Ford (Roush Fenway Racing)<br />Last Week: 2nd place finish in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard<br />Career at Pocono: 16.1 Avg. Finish, 1 win, 2 top 5's, 3 top 10's<br />Why he could win: I'm almost positive that after last week's race at Indianapolis that Carl Edwards is more determined then ever to get back to victory lane. Why not do it at Pocono where Edwards earned his second career Sprint Cup victory.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJIWfzPyq0I/AAAAAAAAAiM/XByEIi8BaNQ/s1600-h/Kahne.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJIWfzPyq0I/AAAAAAAAAiM/XByEIi8BaNQ/s320/Kahne.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229266852918766402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kasey Kahne</span>, No. 9 Budweiser Dodge (Gillett Evernham Motorsports)<br />Last Week: 7th place finish in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard<br />Career at Pocono: 17.7 Avg. Finish, 1 win, 2 top 5's, 3 top 10's<br />Why he could win: Kahne dominated at Pocono earlier this year, leading the most laps en route to his second win of the 2008 season. If he can duplicate that run this weekend I don't think anyone will be able to beat him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJIWf5HoBgI/AAAAAAAAAiU/vnwIl7qVLXw/s1600-h/Hamlin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJIWf5HoBgI/AAAAAAAAAiU/vnwIl7qVLXw/s320/Hamlin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229266854495127042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Denny Hamlin</span>, No. 11 FedEx Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)<br />Last Week: 3rd place finish in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard<br />Career at Pocono: 2.8 Avg. Finish, 2 wins, 4 top 5's, 5 top 5's<br />Why he could win: A 2.8 average finish? Is that real? Apparently it is. With that kind of consistency its hard to believe he's only been a full time driver on the circuit for a few years. <br /><br />This week's underdog just earned his first career Sprint Cup top 10 last week and had a strong run at the spring Pocono race.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJIWgBc3PEI/AAAAAAAAAic/qu8OmuOXrwg/s1600-h/Allmendinger.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJIWgBc3PEI/AAAAAAAAAic/qu8OmuOXrwg/s320/Allmendinger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229266856731688002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">A.J. Allmendinger</span>, No. 84 Red Bull Toyota (Red Bull Racing)<br />Last Week: 10th place finish in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard<br />Career at Pocono: 25.5 Avg. Finish, 0 top 5's, 0 top 10's<br />Why he could win: Allmendinger had a very competitive car here when the teams visited this track earlier this season, running in the top 10 most of the afternoon before fading late. After last week's strong run at Indianapolis I have every reason to expect Allmendinger to continue running up front.Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5577274063331494019.post-7147465313696617172008-07-30T18:03:00.000-07:002008-07-30T18:10:54.006-07:00Fire on the mountain<div style="text-align: center;">So I was relaxing at my parents home in Polk County, NC today when the phone rang. My father, who works in and around Lake Lure daily, was in Lake Lure watching fire helicopters trying to put out a forest fire on the backside of Chimney Rock. So what do I do? I jump into superhero mode and grab my camera and fly out the door to Lake Lure. Below are a few of my favorite photos, the end results of my labor shall we say.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJEQVDk4FQI/AAAAAAAAAhM/P3DiQgj8IT8/s1600-h/DSC02864.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJEQVDk4FQI/AAAAAAAAAhM/P3DiQgj8IT8/s320/DSC02864.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228978596277130498" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJEQa8Vb_CI/AAAAAAAAAh8/8QExz0PE0js/s1600-h/DSC02910.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJEQa8Vb_CI/AAAAAAAAAh8/8QExz0PE0js/s320/DSC02910.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228978697412541474" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJEQa64oQcI/AAAAAAAAAh0/hKQ3fEuvo2I/s1600-h/DSC02906.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJEQa64oQcI/AAAAAAAAAh0/hKQ3fEuvo2I/s320/DSC02906.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228978697023275458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJEQVGKN4GI/AAAAAAAAAhU/I1SL-NQ_qis/s1600-h/DSC02876.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJEQVGKN4GI/AAAAAAAAAhU/I1SL-NQ_qis/s320/DSC02876.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228978596970618978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJEQVeDQuXI/AAAAAAAAAhc/zTk_VuXVL1Y/s1600-h/DSC02877.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJEQVeDQuXI/AAAAAAAAAhc/zTk_VuXVL1Y/s320/DSC02877.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228978603383896434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJEQVboVtqI/AAAAAAAAAhk/NqPhQTXXMTE/s1600-h/DSC02884.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJEQVboVtqI/AAAAAAAAAhk/NqPhQTXXMTE/s320/DSC02884.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228978602734106274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJEQV730KTI/AAAAAAAAAhs/jCv9Dui0YKg/s1600-h/DSC02888.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJEQV730KTI/AAAAAAAAAhs/jCv9Dui0YKg/s320/DSC02888.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228978611388950834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Xf9GiEKD-zg/SJEP7LbNDAI/AAAAAAAAAg8/cyhHuaIA_lA/s1600-h/DSC02906.jpg"><br /></a>Adam Fenwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16443583195257401190noreply@blogger.com0