Kissing The Bricks...Did you know

How the tradition started at Indy of kissing those gritty and rubber filled bricks? Well being a huge Dale Jarrett fan, I will let you all in on the details, of course I know some of you already know the answer but this is my blog so I can say whatever I want...LOL

Back in 1999 when Dale Jarrett won the Brickyard 400, his crew chief, Todd Parrot suggested that the entire team go over to the finish line, turn their hats backwards, kneel down and all at the same time kiss the bricks. What do you know? Something as simple as that has turned out to be a tradition for the winner. DJ may not be having the stellar season, but he and his crew chief from the past did make history numerous times...as a matter of fact, DJ won the championship that same here.

Happy Birthday Lori Munro...

I wanted to send out a birthday wish to a very special lady. If you don't know who Lori is, she is a very talented artist and you can see her artwork at www.war-wagon.com. Also, Lori hosts numerous radio shows that can be heard over at www.racetalkradio.com. I have known Lori for just over 5 years and you couldn't find a more dear friend. She does so much for the sport of racing and her wit is unmatched.

I am very thankful to have such a friend in my life.

Lori, I just want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Yet Another Merger???

ESPN's Angelique Chengelis is reporting Robert Yates Racing and Newman-Haas Racing will reveal on Friday its plans to merge, a source close to the situation confirmed.

A formal news conference has been set for that afternoon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Actor Paul Newman, an avid racer and long-time team owner in open-wheel racing and partner Carl Haas own the team currently leading the Champ Car World Series with driver Sebastien Bourdais, a three-time champion in the series.

Robert Yates last month at New Hampshire International said he had personally abandoned pursuit of a business partner, saying he had no debts and didn't need to get into a more pressure-packed situation answering to a partner's business demands. He did, however, say he would allow a head-hunting firm continue to look in that area. Like Robert Yates Racing, Newman-Haas has had deep ties with Ford.

RYR is very interested in Kyle Busch driving for them next season. "I've sent word through his agent that I would like to talk to him," RYR co-owner Robert Yates said recently at a Ford function. "I'm very interested," said Yates' son, Doug. "He would look good in a Ford."

Ginn & Budweiser....

Article courtesy of Mike Harper at http://www.spinoutzone.com

Well I was always told never to mix beer and alcohol but it appears that DEI and Ginn Racing will be merging together.

It has been learned an announcement will come on Wednesday merging Dale Earnhardt Inc. with Ginn Racing, in a deal making Mark Martin (No. 01 ARMY), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 8 Budwesier), Martin Truex Jr. (No. 1 Bass Pro Shops) and Paul Menard (No. 15 Menards) teammates for the remainder of the 2007 season.

The deal will become effective immediately, and DEI will acquire all Ginn assets, including its headquarters. Dale Earnhardt Inc., will retain their name, but Bobby Ginn, owner of Ginn Racing will remain a partner in the business. DEI has been looking for land for almost a year because there is no room to expand at the current facility, so this merger will resolve that issue by moving the organization to the Ginn headquarters.

DEI and Ginn employees were told Tuesday that Martin's No. 01 ARMY team will compete under the DEI banner in Sunday's Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

We've also been told by sources that DEI officials have spoken with Mark Martin about driving the No. 8 Chevrolet, currently driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., during the 2008 season. Sources said Martin is committed to running at least 22 races for DEI next season and working long-term with DEI's developmental driver program. We have no word if Martin has accepted the No. 8 car offer.

Looks like Mark will never retire, he has too much of that racing in his blood to just stop racing. Go Mark Go!

Talk About A Small Operation...

E and M Motorsports pictured above in Toccoa, GA

E and M Motorsports, who will be attempting to make the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard this weekend, is probably one of the smallest, privately owned teams in Nascar. Please correct me if I am wrong on this one. The #08 will be piloted by Front Row Joe Nemechek who was recently released from Ginn Racing. The #08 is looking for sponsorship and all the money for this team comes right out of the pocket of owner John Carter. The shop for his #08 is his own garage and he has 3 cars in his stable. He has no COT's and that really puts the pressure on him since next year with the switch. With all the big name teams nowadays with unlimited funds and sponsorship, it is a shame that these teams that work so hard fall short. It is all about the money because without it, you just can not get the equipment to compete in the sport at the top level.

I personally salute Mr. Carter for his dedication and his will to pursue getting his cars into the main event. Nothing like real folk that are hard working and don't forget where they came from and not born with a silver spoon in their mouths.

Good Luck to the #08 Team this weekend at the Brickyard.

The Top 20 Poll...

Click on the Poll to visit Stock Car Pit Pass. Home of the Top 20 Poll

The latest and greatest Top 20 poll from StockCar Pit Pass is out on the streets. Would you like to be a voter in the Top 20? We have a great panel of writers who submit their picks every week. One lucky person gets selected to be a guest voter. This is my second year of being part of this Fantastic poll and you really need to stop on over and check it out. Just remember, click on the banner. Oh, and when you do check it out, look whose comment is for #1 (Jeff Gordon)

Inspiration & Desire...

My Daughters Kaitlynne(left) & Chelsey (right)
during Father's Day

Okay, now all of you are probably wondering what the heck I am going to talk about with a title called "Inspiration & Desire."

First, lets break down each word:



1. Inspiration: the act of influencing or suggesting opinions



2. Desire: to long or hope for



Both of these words relate to a great deal of things in our lives. We have those in our lives that give us that inspiration to better ourselves in all that we do. I am sure everyone has someone in their life that gives them that extra push that they need in their life. Someone that is always there when you need words of encouragement or to lend a helping hand. You see these types of things happen in NASCAR all the time. These crews and drivers that come out week after week looking to be the car in Victory Lane and hold that trophy high up in the air. Take Denny Hamlin for example, do you remember who he said inspired him to pursue his dream of racing? It was his mom and dad that always backed Denny in what he dreamed of doing and even took out a second mortgage to finance his racing. There are two special people in my life and those are the two in the picture above. My daughters are my inspiration. Now if that isn't inspiration, I don't know what is.



There was a time for myself where I found that I almost gave up on this blog along with my website. I have been doing my website now for 5 years and this blog just over a year so to just toss it all off to the side would take alot for me to do and as I said, I was so close to doing it. Suddenly something happened in my life that gave me that "Inspiration" to start working on my website again and start blogging. It only takes one moment in time that turns your life around for the better and I have my Guardian Angel out there keeping a constant eye on me making sure that whenever I start to have those thoughts in my head to kick my ass to the curb and put me back on the right path. I know that you all have someone like that in your lives and always be thankful for those people.



Now how about that word Desire. This can be seen in the eyes of every driver when they get behind that wheel whether it is the Cup, Busch, Truck, ARCA or any kind of race series. The desire to win and always be remembered for winning at that track. Do you think that desire plays into any part of the Cup series when they race the Daytona 500? Oh Hell Yes!!! That is a dream of every driver and that dream FINALLY came true for the late, great Dale Earnhardt and did you see the reaction of the fans and every pit crew. To see everyone lined up to congratulate him as he drove by, that is a wonderful part of this sport. Even though these teams go head to head every week, at the end of the race they are one big family. What is your desire? Do you have one? Could your desire be just to be happy for the rest of your life? I know for a fact that I have always desired to share my life with that special someone where I can just be myself and not worry about being judge. To be able to just sit and talk and tell each other about one anothers day. Desire is a very strong word to use but when you really want something in your life that you have been waiting for a lifetime, you have to reach out and take hold of it and never let it go. Always remember the saying "Keep your eye on the prize."



Who inspires you? What do you desire?



I want to share this quote with everyone that My Guardian Angel sent to me:



Just as the wind dances in my hair, as the ocean massages my thoughts, as the sun blankets me in happiness, and as the earth travels with me across universal challenges, so all the elements of your love fill my life

Chicago...Chicago...It's the place to be

It is off to Chicago this week. DJ sits 40th in the points standings and of course will have to qualify on time. The UPS Toyota has had one issue after another and trust me when I say that I have been very disappointed in their performance. Don't get me wrong, I know this is their first year in the Series and they will get better with more time, it is a learning process, but when it is your favorite driver and he is not making races, well it just plain stinks. I do watch the race every weekend despite Dale not being in most of them but it is just me. You sometimes find yourself battling over whether you still want to follow him but I keep telling myself that DJ will always be my favorite driver no matter what he drives. He is a Cup Champion and noone can EVER take that away from him.

I am back and ready to get going...

Hello to all my friends out there. First off, I want to say that I am truly sorry that I have been away for such a long period of time. There are things that happen in our lives that we can not control but we move on. I will admit that I lost my interest in doing something that I truly enjoy and that is working on my blog and my website, both of which have been neglected for far too long.

There is one special person out there, you know who you are, that has given me that inspiration again to start writing. Words can not express how much I appreciate everything this person has done for me. I wanted to share something with all of you that means a great deal to me:

A Time Of Change

It took some time to change my mind,
To open up and leave the fear behind

All your patience and gentle ways
Helped to open me up day by day

Now I look into your loving soul
I know I am finally completely whole

You are my lover, my soulmate and friend,
keeping my heart safet now and until the end.

I just want to say again that things in life happen for a reason. There is a higher power looking out for each and every one of us. Once you see it happen, DO NOT EVER let it go.