Pre-race photos from Sprint All-Star Race

I tried to take more photos from the pre-race but my camera just isn't made for night photos folks.  Hopefully these will do.  Enjoy!

The crew of former Sprint Cup Champion Bobby Labonte waits to be introduced.  

Ryan Newman, far left, leads his crew during driver introductions.

A member of the U.S. Armed Service leads the No. 1 team of Martin Truex Jr. during driver introductions.

Sprint All-Star Race polesitter Kyle Busch stops to sign an autograph after being introduced.

Fireworks go off at the end of driver introductions.

Post Race photos from Sprint Showdown

The Sprint Showdown trophy.

AJ Allmendinger, right, being interviewed after winning the Sprint Showdown and earning himself a spot in the Sprint All-Star Race.

AJ Allmendinger celebrates with the Sprint Showdown trophy.

Sam Hornish Jr. in the Media Center after placing second in the Sprint Showdown and earning a spot in the Sprint All-Star Race.

AJ Allmendinger in the Media Center after winning the Sprint Showdown.

Photos from Sprint Showdown Driver Intros

The crew of the No. 01 high fives one another before the start of the Sprint Showdown.

David Ragan's crew gets hyped up for the Sprint Showdown.

The cars already qualified for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race sit idle as they await their chance to take the track.

The car of Sam Hornish Jr. sitting on pit road before the start of the Sprint Showdown.

Driver of the No. 21 Air Force Ford, 1988 Winston Cup Champion Bill Elliott.

Team owner Chip Ganassi talking with his injured driver Dario Franchitti.

David Reutimann plays with his daughter before the start of the Sprint Showdown.

Reed Sorenson, driver of the No. 41 Target Dodge.

Patrick Carpentier shows off a smile.

David Ragan talking with a member of the media on the way to his car.

J.J. Yeley walks with his family.

Sprint Showdown Pole Sitter Elliott Sadler.

Driver of the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota, Brian Vickers.

Coverage of NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race

I'm LIVE at Lowe's Motor Speedway today, and boy have I had a heck of a day. Woke up bright and early at 7 a.m. and I wasn't really happy about it. My dad was in the living room on the computer when I came upstairs. He simply stated "Good Morning" to which I responded "What's so good about it?" in a grumpy tone. He laughed and said "Your covering the All-Star race, that's what." He was sure right.

Today, i've seen all sorts of people and had the chance to get lost in the garage area and on pit road. I've done interviews, taken pictures and just generally had a huge grin on my face all day. Here are a few photos from my day at the track so far:

Above, car owner Chip Ganassi (Nos. 40, 41, 42) gives an interview to a member of the media in the media center early in the afternoon.  

My pit pass to get into the garage and pits!

The crew of Reed Sorenson's No. 41 Target Dodge pushes it to the inspection line before the Sprint Showdown.

Crew members work on the car of Kevin Harvick before the All-Star race.

The crew of the No. 22 Caterpillar Toyota driven by Dave Blaney prepares the car for the Sprint Showdown.

The All-Stars of NASCAR

NASCAR is back home in North Carolina this week for the annual Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The All-Star race is one of my favorite events all year, only second to the Daytona 500. Its totally different from anything else the drivers do all year long, so its always a fresh change by the time May rolls around. Here are my picks to win this year's All-Star race.


Carl Edwards, No. 99 Office Depot Ford (Roush-Fenway Racing)
Last Week: 2nd place finish in the Dodge Challenger 500
Career at LMS: 7.3 Avg. Finish, 3 top 5's, 5 top 10's
Why he could win: Carl didn't even get to race in last year's All-Star race. He tried to race his way into the race by competing in the Sprint Showdown, but he got nipped by Martin Truex Jr. and Johnny Sauter. This year, on the other hand, he is back to his old self, winning races on the cookie-cutter tracks like its nothing. If recent history is any indication, expect Carl to be one of the fastest once the green flag drops.

Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet (Hendrick Motorsports)
Last Week: 13th place finish in the Dodge Challenger 500
Career at LMS: 6.8 Avg. Finish, 5 wins, 8 top 5's, 11 top 10's
Why he could win: Johnson is the king of Lowe's Motor Speedway, period. Johnson won the 2003, 2004 and 2005 Coca-Cola 600's along with the 2004 and 2005 fall races at the track. Oh yeah, he won this race in 2003 and 2006.

Kyle Busch, No. 18 M&M's Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)
Last Week: Won the Dodge Challenger 500
Career at LMS: 25.9 Avg. Finish, 1 top 5, 2 top 10's
Why he could win: Come on, he is the hottest man in NASCAR. Why would he NOT win?


Rather then picking an underdog this week, i'm going to attempt to pick the driver who is going to win the Sprint Showdown, the qualifying race before the All-Star race. The winner and second place finisher automaticly advance to the big dance. Lots of drivers like Kasey Kahne, David Reutimann, Robby Gordon, Travis Kvapil, Brian Vickers and Michael Waltrip will be trying to race their way in via the Showdown, but I don't think any of them will win. So who do I think will?

David Ragan, No. 6 AAA Ford (Roush-Fenway Racing)
Last Week: 5th place finish in the Dodge Challenger 500
Career at LMS: 38.5 Avg. Finish, no top 5's or top 10's
Why he could win: I don't know about winning the All-Star race, but winning the Showdown? That could very easily happen if he is able to drive his car like he did at Talladega and Darlington. Of course, we will just have to wait and see.


Don't forget folks, i'll be at the race looking for stories all day Saturday, so if you see me don't hesitate to come over and say hello!

Darlington thoughts and observations

Kyle Busch is hotter then the sun. Busch drove to victory Saturday in the Dodge Challenger 500 at Darlington International Raceway, leading a race high 169 laps. He beat Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and David Ragan to earn his third win of the season.

Thoughts and observations

What can stop Kyle Busch this year? I mean really? Your not supposed to be this good after leaving Hendrick Motorsports, that just doesn't happen. However, Kyle Busch seems to be the exception to the rule.

I think the next driver to earn his first career win very well may be David Ragan if he keeps up his outstanding runs. His 5th place finish this weekend at Darlington moved him into 12th place in the points, the last chase eligible spot. I certainly would not have picked Ragan to be in the chase at any point during the 2008 season.

Speaking of drivers who have been impressive, say hello to Travis Kvapil. Travis had his second top 10 in three races this weekend, bringin home his retro Ford sponsored by Lafayette Ford in 8th position. The finished moved Kvapil up one position in the standings to 18th, ahead of former Cup champions Bobby Labonte, Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch.

Speaking of Matt Kenseth, after four awful weeks of racing he finally had a good race, coming home in 6th position. Kurt Busch didn't do too bad himself either, coming home 12th after a season full of bad luck. While 12th isn't a win for Kurt, its at least a place to start.

Greg Biffle must be wondering what he did to anger the racing gods. Biffle, the winner of the 2005 and 2006 races at Darlington, sat on the pole and looked to have the only car that could race with Kyle Busch at all on Saturday. So what happens? His motor breaks and he finishes 43rd. Go figure. At least he still finds himself in the top 12 in points and chase eligible.

A big 'ole that a boy to Dave Blaney. His first top 10 of the year (and first at Darlington since finishing third behind Ricky Craven & Kurt Busch here a few years ago) catapulted his team into the top 35 in owner points, bumping rookie Sam Hornish Jr. into 36th.

Did anyone else catch the announcement out of Petty Enterprises this week? Terry Labonte is coming out of retirement, again, to race for Petty Enterprises in a few races this year. The plan, as I understand it, is to put Terry in the No. 45 Dodge normally driven by Kyle Petty for five races during the summer when Kyle is working as an analyst for TNT. Chad McCumbee is also scheduled to drive the car in two races for Petty Enterprises as well. Who'd have thought, Terry and Bobby Labonte on the same team. 10 years ago any car owner in NASCAR would have LOVED to have that combination.

Next week NASCAR comes home to Lowe's Motor Speedway for the annual Sprint All-Star Race. I will be attending the race personally as a member of the media, the first time in my career I've had the chance to do so. I'll be at the track all day, taking pictures and chronicling my day along the way. I even ordered a brand new Apple MacBook (using money my parents had been saving as a graduation present from last year) to use at the event. If anyone see's me feel free to come over and chat, and if I look lost don't be surprised. I'll probably be looking for the media center.

Tater in Charlotte at The Neighborhood Theater

Local band Tater made the trip east to Charlotte on Saturday to open for Hayseed Dixie at The Neighborhood Theater. Here are some pictures I took during the show: