Texting While Driving Is Deadly

I know this is off the track of NASCAR and Football but I wanted to share this with all of you about the dangers of texting and driving.

This video that I have linked is very graphic but I know that after watching it, if you have teenagers that drive you will want to share it with them to emphasize the dangers of texting while behind the wheel.

I have a 17 year old daughter and I know for a fact that I will be showing her this video.

Here is the link:

Texting Can Be Deadly

Another Hot one in Atlanta

Racing at Atlanta under the lights was everything we'd hoped and more. NASCAR has made a very smart move in bringing the race to Atlanta for the Labor Day weekend, as instead of a snoozefest we usually got in California, we actually got to see racing. Yep, that's right, racing, a foreigh commodity in the era of the COT, it seemed for awhile.

In the Cup series race here we saw 13 different leaders in the race, unheard of in recent races. Granted, some of those were the inevitible "stayed out to lead a lap for 5 bonus points" moves, but Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Juan Pablo Montoya all looked like they were the car to beat at one point or another during the race.

In the end though, it was all about Kasey Kahne, although the other drivers who had a good night looked equally as pleased with their performances, specifically Kevin Harvick. He really wanted to win the double and seemed poised to do so when his teammate brought out the caution with only a handful of laps to go. Kevin hadn't been good on the short run, needing 12 to 14 laps for his tires to warm up and loosen his car up.

With only 15 laps to go on the restart, his crew added a full pound of air to the tires to try to give him a better short run, but when David Reutimann gave Kasey a little nudge to get him going, Kasey was able to check out. He openly thanked Reutimann in his Victory Lane interview, admitting that he hadn't been able to shift through the gears properly all night long and having that bump eased his shifts and propelled him forward. He quickly got ahead of the rest of the pack and there was simply nothing anyone else could do. Juan Pablo Montoya appeared to be strong enough to take over second from Kevin, but when his car got scarey sideways with two to go, JPM settled for third.

Although the top 12 in the Chase Race got shaken up a little, no one from outside the top 12 move in to displace those in. In fact, Matt Kenseth, who was a lap down early in the race after scrubbing the wall, managed a 12th place finish and has 20 points on Brian Vickers - not a lot, but at least he is ahead instead of behind. Vickers didn't have a horrible day, finishing in 7th and leading a couple of laps, but he needs to do better than that and have Matt fail miserably in order to get in the Chase.

Kyle Busch lead 24 laps in the race, and at one point had jumped up to 9th in the point standings, but as we all know, it's the finish that counts. Kyle's true passion for his sport showed yet again and he refused interviews after the race. Interestingly enough,he is making history, even without running for a Championship in the Cup side. if he is unable to make the Chase, I have no doubt he will still go out to win every race, and will likely also concentrate on wrapping up a Nationwide Championship.

Kasey's win jettisoned him five spots in the Chase standings, up to sixth, just behind Carl Edwards, who had a terrible night. Carl, racing with broken bones in his foot, was also racing for Cancer, in a car designed by Cancer patient Jodi Lawrence. She was interviewed prior to the race and also road around the track with Carl and Dave Burns and a camera crew. She looked as if she wished the camera crew would just go away, as she was videotaping her own little souvenir the whole time. Carl's car ended up in the garage early on, with an oil lead that was diagnosed as an oil cooler failure. Unfortunately, that oil cooler is in the radiator, and it took the crew 23 laps to get it repaired.

Jimmie Johnson had catastrophic problems fighting a loose race car all night long and finished way back with Carl Edwards, in 36th. Kurt Busch as well, had a loose car and he crashed out of the race with around 100 to go, and accompanied Carl and Jimmie in the back.

In all, JPM and Kasey were the ones who moved forward, while Ryan Newman and Greg Biffle, really not even mentioned during the race, dropped. The stories of the race, however, had to be Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. For a good portion of the latter part of the race, they were the only two non-chasers in the top ten. While Kevin's crew made a great call on the final pit stop, however, Jr's did not, and whateer tires they put on the car resulted in him going backwards, quickly. And yes, it is the finish that counts, but 17th place is a lot better than the mid 30's he was getting earlier this year.

And Kevin? Well, now that he and Richard Childress have come out publicly to deny any movement anywhere, they seem to have a new-found burn to succeed. Maybe they aren't in the Chase this year, but I do look for them to challenge next year as well.

The second story simply has to be the feel good story. Bobby Labonte, ousted from the 96 car earlier in the week in favor of Erik Darnell, jumped into the Taxslayer Chevy and pulled off a 18th place finish. Although he didn't lead a lap, he was in the top ten throughout the day.

Oh, and his "replacement"? Well, he finished in a stellar.....30th. Oh, and David Gilliland, who was displaced for Bobby, jumped into the Wood Brothers 21 when Bill Elliott was injured, and managed 19th. right behind Bobby.

With 11 races to go in the Season, there are still a ton of stories to play out. Next week it's on to Richmond for the Race to the Chase finale. Only 4 drivers are locked in, Tony, Jeff, Jimmie and Denny Hamlin. Carl isn't, surprisingly, and with only 85 points separating Carl in 5th from Matt in 12th, almost anything can happen.

Americans Do Show Their Respect

My dad sent this video to me and I wanted to share it with all of my friends here. Most of us take for granted the freedom which we are given here in the United States and often forget those that are overseas protecting our freedom from those who want to take it away from us. This video really shows the support of the American people for a fallen soldier.

Killed in action the week before, the body of Sergeant First Class John C. Beale was returned to Falcon Field in Peachtree City , Georgia , just south of Atlanta , on June 11, 2009 . The Henry County Police Department escorted the procession to the funeral home in McDonough , Georgia . A simple notice in local papers indicated the road route to be taken and the approximate time.
Nowadays one can be led to believe that America no longer respects honor and no longer honors sacrifice outside the military. Be it known that there are many places in this land where people still recognize the courage and impact of total self-sacrifice. Georgia remains one of those graceful places. The link below is a short travelogue of that day's remarkable and painful journey. But only watch this if you wish to have some of your faith in people restored.

Here is the link for the video. I hope you will take the time to watch it.

Sergeant Beale's Video

Mayfield. Guilty or Innocent?

Could it be that Mayfield did take methamphetamines? Jeremy just doesn't fit the profile for someone that would take those types of drugs. There is a lot of speculation on the validity of NASCAR's drug testing and that is what Mayfield's attorney is trying to prove.

To be honest in what I have been reading throughout the internet, it just doesn't look good for Mayfield. It is a shame that this has happened to him especially after he formed his own team and now is having to lay off personnel and borrow money from outside sources such as his family.

Mayfield will be the example that NASCAR will use in the future about how tough their drug testing is and their zero tolerance policy and the consequences of such acts but that all depends if the judge rules in favor of NASCAR.

I am curious to hear what you think about this whole situation.

Happy Birthday Grandmom!!!

I wanted to let everyone know that today would of been my grandmom's 99th birthday. The first picture is of my daughters with Dot Dot (that is what they called her) and the second picture is of me with my amazing grandmom.

There are certain people in your life that you truly look up to and that you can share anything with no matter what it is and that was my grandmom. She was the one I could talk to about anything and she would always have time for me and give me her view and opinions which I always took to heart.

I have so many fond memories of my grandmom and they will last forever because those are the things that are precise to me in my life. I believe too many people tend to forget about their grandparents but I know that our grandmom was truly loved by everyone in our family. Grandmom was always full of life. We gave her the nickname the "Energizer Bunny" because she just kept on going and going and going.

I was very close to my grandmom and when my mom called me and told me that she had passed away, I felt my heart just rip apart. I just could not believe that she was gone but grandmom led a long and wonderful life and I only hope I get to live to that age and be just as happy and joyous as she was in her life.

Tonight, I will be lighting two candles that are placed on each side of my grandmom's picture on a shelf in my house. Those candles will be lit tonight in her rememberance for all the love, happiness and joy that she brought into my life and everyone else's heart that she has touched.

We love you Grandmom. You are missed but never forgotten.

Hamlin the Car Wash Owner

Just when you think you have heard of everything, we have our own Denny Hamlin going down a different venue in ownership. Who would of thought that a NASCAR driver would own his own car wash franchises.

Denny was there for the grand opening of his car wash on April 29th, 2009 in Midlothian, VA near his home town of Chesterfield, VA. He is wanting to give back to the community by opening this car wash along with creating new jobs in the area. Denny even said that he will be an active participant with his new car wash. Look for him to be making guest appearances and heck you might even get lucky enough to have Denny clean your car. Just make sure he gets your car squeaky clean and maybe even give him a tip...LOL

Congratulations Denny on your new business. I am sure it will be a big hit.

Underway Once Again...

Hello to all my friends out there. Perhaps most of you don't know it but I work for a Navy government contractor and occasionally we are tasked with riding submarines for various testing and operations. I will be going out on the USS Virginia SSN-774, the Navy's newest submarine and the first in her class. Unfortunately I can not say when I am leaving or coming back but I am leaving shortly and will be back sometime around the middle of March.

I am sure going to miss watching the races and reading all the articles and blogs out there so I will have a lot of catching up to do.

The one great thing is we have e-mail while we are underway. You just have to love modern technology.

Everyone be safe and I will drop a message here after I get back.

Till then,

Tom

Petty Enterprises Gets A Ringer with AJ Allmendinger

I do recall talking about AJ in my blog during last season as for one of those drivers to watch out for and low and behold, he jumps in the #44 and finishes 3rd in the grand event of Nascar in the Daytona 500.


When AJ was driving for Red Bull Racing, his career was like playing the game of chutes and ladders but unfortunately hitting one too many chutes and eventually got replaced by Mike Skinner late last year. Did this discourage AJ? Not in the least, if anything, it made him strive harder to be a better driver and he showed the doubting Thomas` in the last 5 races when he took over the #10 ride with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. He may not have had the best numbers in the world but for a guy to just jump into a new car with a new team for him and have 4 Top 20 finishes is might impressive.



There was a lot of speculation as to what was going to happen to AJ after the 2008 season but it appeared that AJ would stay with GEM and take over the #19 from Elliott Sadler. Well, we all know the drama that surrounded that incident and Sadler kept his ride but for a moment left AJ hung out to dry. Low and behold here comes the King to save the day after Petty Enterprises merged with GEM and thus gave AJ his own full time ride in the #44 for the entire season. The King was a happy camper having his #44 finish 3rd in the 2009 Daytona 500.



AJ is out to prove himself a Sprint Nascar Series driver and I am expecting to see great things come from him in the years ahead. You might think he has a funny name but at least this kid can get into his pit box and finish the race with a car that was in one piece.



Great Job AJ!!! I, for one, am pulling for you as I did last year! You got the talent!

Dale Jr. gets the Daytona 500 Spotlight

There is no doubt that the talk of the race is all about Dale Jr. From the missing the pit box, to an inch over the pit box line, slicing and dicing his way through the field due to impending rain, to the unfortunate accidents that occured.

I am sure that all the Jr. fans out there will find excuses for his actions on the track but lets face it, Jr. was in the wrong. Jeff Hammond stated before the race began that the one of the keys to winning the race is not to let yourself get beat in the pits or on the track, well Jr. let that happen in both cases.

How many excuses will we hear on why he missed his pit box? Jr. has been racing in the series for over 10 years now and this is not the only time he has missed his pit box but to blame it on there were too many pink signs waving in the air sounds pretty poor to me. Jr. is a very talented driver but he is letting his emotions and frustrations beat him on the track. I really feel he senses the pressure of living up to his father's reputation on the track. Jr. is not his father in the driving sense, there will NEVER be another Dale Earnhardt and perhaps once Jr. realizes that, he might start winning some races and even bring home a championship.

There are so many people quick to jump on the bandwagon and bash Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson but lets face it, between these two, they have 7 Championships combined. Jimmie has not been in the sport for as long as Jr. has but low and behold, Jimmie has achieved a level of driving that is beyond imagination. Jimmie nor Jeff were born with silver spoons in their mouths or inherited a famous last name, these are two drivers that have worked their way up the ranks to show everyone that they can get behind the wheel of a car and win. What is Jr's excuse? Well we have heard quite a few and it is getting old. Jr. needs to get it done and be the racer that he is inside his heart.

The incident that happened between Jr. and Vickers will have debate till days end. Was it Jr's fault? Was it Vickers at fault? It is all up to interpretation but at the end of the day, everyone will see it that if it wasn't for Vickers going down to block Jr. that none of this would of happened. I give credit for Vickers during his interview and not holding back but not once did Vickers make a comment as the one Jr. did about not feeling sorry for him but the others that were involved in the wreck. Does that mean if Vickers was seriously hurt it would not have mattered to Jr? Oh, but wait, a few laps later after that we see Jr. get tied up with Jeff Burton causing Jeff to go into the wall and wreck and then we hear how Jr. was very apologetic about his actions towards Jeff that he should of worked more with him vice causing him to wreck and that he felt horrible about what happened. Hmm, so Jr. feels bad about wrecking Burton but not Vickers, what is wrong with this picture? Oh yes, Jeff Burton is a veteran driver and very well liked by the other drivers and the fans so instead of looking bad, Jr. makes mends.

The one driver that really suffered out of all of this is Kyle Busch who did have the best car on the track. Kyle was an innocent victim and pointed the blame towards Jr. Yet another driver not afraid to voice his opinions about Jr but we do know these two have a history of getting together a time or two and how we remember how much Kyle got chastised when he took out Jr last season. People may hate Kyle but here is another talented driver that won an amazing 8 races last year to Jr's one win at Michigan which was just barely a win running on fumes.

Jr. has all the tools and resources available to him. He left DEI to go to Hendrick Motorsports but did we really hear that much negative publicity about how Jr. left the company that his dad founded to go to the team that has the two drivers that are probably the most boo'd in the sport? No! It is like the pot calling the kettle black.

Now, I am not saying that Jr. is not a talented driver but he really needs to be focused on the job at hand and that is winning races and getting his first championship. I wonder if Mr. Hendrick will be having a little heart to heart with his driver over what happened at Daytona. I am sure that Mr. Hendrick, unlike NASCAR, will tell Jr. the way it is.

Come on Jr, you are the Most Popular Driver in NASCAR six seasons running, now it is time to give the fans something back in return instead of excuses.

Exciting News About My Daughter...

-I am just too excited that I am about to burst at the seams so I have to share this news with you all.

-My daughter, Chelsey who will be 15 this March, will be doing a casting call this Sunday in Hartford, CT for Disney and Nickelodeon. This opportunity is for upcoming commericals by the two companies.

-Chelsey is a member of Broadway Kids & Company in Niantic, CT. Please visit their website to read all about them. She is very involved with them and will be in one of the leading roles in their upcoming musical in February.

-God, I can not believe this, this is the best news ever and I am so very proud of my daughter. She is wanting to major in drama and attend New York University when she goes to college. Chelsey is a freshman at Ledyard High School. She is also involved in the school chorus and cross country.

-Needless to say, she is a very busy young lady. I will be saying some extra special prayers for her. Please keep your fingers crossed and also say an extra special prayer for her.

-Move over Hannah Montana, here comes Chelsey

Breaking News about Bobby Labonte

I just learned from the SpinOut Zone that Bobby Labonte will be joining Hall Of Fame Racing in 2009. Bobby will be driving the #96 that will be sponsored by Ask.com

This is fantastic news for all those Bobby Labonte fans out there. I knew it was just a matter of time before he would get a ride for 2009.

Hall of Fame Racing is teamed with Yates and will be driving Fords. This is a change for Bobby. He drove Dodge's for Petty and then Chevy when he was with Gibbs Racing.

Congratulations Bobby on getting yourself a ride for 2009.

The King is still on the Throne, well sort of...

This is exciting news to hear that Richard Petty, despite Petty Enterprises will be closing its doors, will still be part of NASCAR. You have to admit, it just would not be the same without seeing the King around. Petty Enterprises have merged with GEM. They will be fielding 4 cars in the 2009 Season which will include the 9, 10, 19, and 43.

Here is the story from Nascar.com. Richard Petty will remain a prominent figure in the garage. However, Petty Enterprises -- a 60-year staple in the Cup Series -- has closed its doors. Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Holdings announced Thursday an agreement in principle to form a new Cup team co-owned by Richard Petty, Petty Holdings and Gillett Evernham Motorsports.

One interesting fact to watch for that Nascar.com just learne about is that you may see Elliott Sadler returning to the #19 for the 2009 season. Sounds pretty interesting and will be a continuing saga until everything is ironed out. I do like Elliott Sadler but if this does happen, I do feel bad for A.J. Allmendinger. This kid has the talent and looked to be set up for a full time ride in 2009 with GEM but the legal battle with Sadler may effect this outcome. Lets just hope for the best for everyone.