(She just keeps getting better!)

Take away the M&Ms, I'm tellin' ya - Farmington Daily Times
Address:http://www.daily-times.com/sports/ci_9292175

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPORTSSunday, May 18, 2008 

Take away the M&Ms, I'm tellin' ya
By Dorothy Nobis The Daily Times
Article Launched: 05/17/2008 02:47:24 AM MDT


I'm gonna ask one more time, will someone puulleese check to see what's
in the M&Ms Kyle Busch is eating before every doggone race?

I'm convinced someone is putting AMP in Busch's little chocolate
candies. It's either AMP or Sunoco fuel (which gives him a little gas).
One or the 'nother.

Busch's win at Darlington last week was not a good way to start my
Mother's Day weekend. The Perfect Children took me to a really nice
restaurant the night of the race (they don't take me out in public much,
and after Saturday night, they threatened to never, ever, EVER take me
out again, at least when there's a NASCAR race on. Whatever), and I was
forced to watch the end of the race from way far away from the nearest
television.

I found out later, the PC requested that table on accounta they hoped if
I couldn't see the race, dinner would be better for everyone, 'specially
the other customers.
We were nearing dessert when the 18 car took the checkered flag. I had
contained myself pretty well (I only stood up and screamed once before
the restaurant manager said if I couldn't sit down and behave, he was
gonna make me eat in the kitchen (of the restaurant next door) and
really tried to make nice for the Perfect Children.

I kept my mutterings to myownself, and acted like I was interested in
the PC's conversation, even though I was straining to hear the
television. I think, at one point, they were talking about finally
giving me a grandchild, which under ordinary circumstances, would have
my undivided attention.

But this was, I remind you, Darlington.

I can only hope when and if they follow through and give me a grandbaby,
it's not born during a race. Note to self: talk to PC about the time of
conception and remind them summer is the best time to have babies.

When Busch took the win, I choked on my crème brulee, took a big
slug of my white zin, and fell to the floor in a fetal position. I
gasped for air, then gasped for more white zin, then asked them to
please put the crème brulee on the floor so's I could finish it. No
sense in wasting a really good crème brulee, yaknowhadimean?

I thought I handled the whole thing pretty well, since the restaurant
manager comped our meals, even though he did so only with a promise from
the PC that they would never, ever bring me back. I pretty much thought
that was mean and hateful of him, and started to tell him that when the
Perfect Child stuffed a napkin in my mouth and ushered me out the door.
I woulda been mad, except it was the napkin I used to sop up the white
zin I spilled when I jumped up and screamed the first time, and white
zin that has aged for an hour isn't bad.

I'm still mad at Busch for deliberately spinning Junior out of the race
at Richmond. I know there will be a couple of you who will say it wasn't
Busch's fault, but it was. And as a card-carrying member of Junior
Nation, I will defend my General until the end. I did, though, feel
sorry for Busch's mom, who was introduced with her Busch Boys during
driver introductions. Kyle was booed  (a lot) by fans, and it really
isn't her fault her younger son has yet to learn humility or
likeability.

Kyle Busch can drive. That was apparent when he overcame stuff during
the race that would have discouraged any great driver. He bounced off
the wall and he dropped back into the 29th spot when his pit crew left a
lug nut off a wheel. Fueled by whatever they put in his M&Ms, the kid
managed to fight back and win. I don't havta like Kyle Busch (and I
don't) but ya gotta admire his talent. I just wish his Mom'd teach him
some manners. He's arrogant and insufferable, ya know.

The first part of the race wasn't easy for me, neither. There my sweet
Baboo was, in seventh place at like, lap three, when he and Tony Stewart
got together. Elliott Sadler, who will love me when he knows me, said it
was his fault and ended up in the garage. Tony, who might like me if he
knew me, finished 21st, but didn't say anything mean and hateful about
my sweet Baboo, which is a good thing because that would give me no
place to shop for my home-improvement needs. (Jimmie Johnson, who drives
the Lowe's car, took out Elliott Sadler several years ago and has yet to
apologize for it, and while I did not shop at Lowe's for any of those
years, I'm trying to forgive and forget and move on, but it's not easy,
let me tell ya.)

Speaking of Elliott Sadler, my NASCAR buddy, Kent from Ohio, sent me a
story about Elliott that said he's thinking about becoming a country
singer. Elliott claims he sings country songs when he's racin', and
thinks his second career could very well take him to Nashville and on to
the Grand Ole Opry.

I'm thinkin' that could be a wise move, but only if he'd invite Ward
Burton and me to sing along. No one could understand Elliott or Ward, on
accounta they have that Virginia accent that's so very cute, but it
wouldn't matter. They could be called "Big and Little" and I could tap
dance in the background. We could all wear outfits like Dolly Parton and
Porter Wagner wore in the olden days. I really think we'd be a huge hit.

I can't sing, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night and I did take
beginning tap dance lessons, even though I was held back and havta take
'em again. I can do a mean step-ball-chain and phlap as part of my
tappin'. Just ask my teacher, the ever-so-nice Debbie, who said the only
reason she held me back is cuz I'll be a good example for the next
beginning tappers. I so love being a role model.

All-Star race is tonight. I can't wait. I've voted for Elliott Sadler a
gazillion times to be the driver voted in by fans. I also attempted to
write in Ward Burton and Dick Trickle, but the poll didn't recognize
'em. Whatever.

Junior will win, followed by Elliott Sadler, followed by Dale Jarrett,
who's gonna drive the truck. Go, Dale, go - give the keys to Ward
Burton.

Whatever it takes......

A river of gold, or green, or orange
By Dorothy Nobis The Daily Times
Article Launched: 04/19/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT

Who knew his favorite color was orange? I'd a thought it was green, the
kind he's gonna make with Whiskey River, in addition to the gazillion
dollars he makes on endorsements and at the track.

According to reports (which I got from the Internet on accounta my
sports editor, King Louie, won't devote all the space necessary to cover
the only sport that matters - NASCAR), Dale Earnhardt Jr. opened a bar,
Whiskey River, this week. It's got a stage, a mechanical bull and a
dance floor (I heard that was put in for Elliott Sadler and me, who I
have suggested as the next perfect, cute couple for Dancing With the
Stars. It will be a surprise to Elliott, who will love me when he knows
me, and he'll wear tight pants and a chest-baring shirt, and I will wear
some cute little number that covers up my three chins, my sagging rear
end, my graying hair and my double knees, which run in my family).

Anyway, Junior named the bar Whiskey River after a Willie Nelson song.
And since Junior's favorite color is orange, there's lots of color in
the bar.

I'm guessin' there will be lots of NASCAR folks rockin' and rollin', and
doin' some line dancing when the season is over.
Maybe this weekend, on accounta there's no race.

I can't imagine anyone not wanting to go to Whiskey River for a good
vintage white zin (which I'm sure "e" stocks, cuz he's got the money to
buy it) or a yagerbomber (before I get nasty calls, I know that's not
how you spell it, but my spell check doesn't recognize it). Not that I
know what a yagerbomber is, you understand. I've just heard they taste
really good and they can make an old woman think she's a younger woman
who dances on tables.

Whatever.

I hope "e" makes it with the bar because he probably will need something
to do in his retirement, 30 years or so down the road. He needs the
extra income, people, because he's still NOT WINNING. What's up with
that? He came so close last weekend - again. There I was, watching and
cheering and whooping it up because he was so far ahead of everyone
else, he was in this week already. Then I had to refill my paper cup
with vintage white zin, came back from the wine crawl space and he was
like, really behind. And who zooms from the back for the win? Who, I ask
you? Jimmie Johnson, that's darned who.

I'm telling ya, Johnson's got probably the smartest crew chief in the
world in ole Chad Knaus. The guy just knows what's happening in the car,
in the pits, in everybody else's car and, I swear, has an in with Mother
Nature. I sometimes wonder, though, if there really is a "Chad Knaus,"
or if it's a robot Rick Hendrick made that has a brain that's totally
NASCAR. I mean, the man's a machine, as good as he is with that No. 48
car.

He's cute, but not so cute that he detracts from the real star of the
team — that, of course, is Dale Earnhardt Jr. in case some of you
were confused.

Anyway, Chad knows his stuff, knows his driver, knows his lines, knows
the tracks and, I'm pretty sure, knows when the camera is focused on him
because he always has that worried look, like he's not sure what he's
doing. I'm thinkin' robot, here, folks. Knaus is just too good to be
real. And how do we know he is - real, I mean. He smiles, and his teeth
shine like stars. He speaks, and he knows of what he speaketh. He chats
with his driver and it's like he's in the car with him. He shows up at
an awards banquet and he has a cute date, he looks great in a tux and he
doesn't sweat. Robot, gotta be a robot. I want one.

Speaking of what's real and what's not, what happened to the Dodges last
week? My sweet baboo, Elliott Sadler's engine blew, and poor ole Rocket
Ryan was cookin' when his blew. Kasey Kahne had trouble with his brakes
and Bobby Labonte lost a cylinder. Bummer. Get these guys some help.

Just so's ya know, I haven't found a ride for Ward Burton yet. I'm
calling people, trying to talk to people, pleading unashamedly (is that
a word?), and no one will return my phone calls. I think Richard
Childress would be a good match, I think Yates could attract a major
sponsor if he signed on Ward, and I think the world would all hold hands
and sing Cumbya if Ward had a car, a sponsor and me as his marketing
guru. For reals.

You know who else needs a ride? That would be Dick Trickle. Y'all
remember Dick Trickle: He was, like, the oldest driver ever to win
NASCAR's Rookie of the Year in the Cup Series, back in 1989, and the
dude was 48 years old and had grandkids, forcryinoutloud. Dick had a
heart attack not too long ago and is sidelined this year, but I'm sayin'
bring him back. Put him and Ward together on a team and they'll be
smokin'.

Back to Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his Whiskey River. (Maybe Ward and Dick
could get together and open a bar for the "older set" of NASCAR drivers
and fans. It could be Ensure Stream, with a trickle of Geritol mixed in,
which would lesson the "burton" of getting older.)

Anyway, the best quote in the online interview with Junior was when the
reporter person asked if other NASCAR drivers would be dropping in to
WR. "There's no one who's not allowed," "e" said. "There are just some
we might not invite."

I can only hope and assume - although you know what they say about
people who "assume" - he means that witchy ole Teresa Earnhardt, who, if
she'da been nice and respectful to the sport's most popular driver and
the son of her late husband, might have had a piece of the cha-ching
that's bound to be the real music in the bar.

Whatever it takes......

(The latest from the always entertaining and insightful Dorothy
Nobis...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Address:http://www.daily-times.com/ci_8658297?source=most_emailed

Let Ward drive the truck, please
By Dorothy Nobis The Daily Times
Article Launched: 03/22/2008 12:41:36 AM MDT

Before y'all ask, yes, I cried.

I cried when they introduced Dale Jarrett for the last time, I cried
when they introduced his family, I cried when his dad waved the green
flag, I cried when the fans help up placards that said "Thanks Dale,"
and I cried when he didn't have a great finish.

I cried when I saw that darned commercial again, which I must say
featured the ever-so-lovable Elliott Sadler, who will love me when he
knows me (I decided to take on a more positive attitude about my
relationship with Elliott. It's no longer a matter of "if," but "when"
he knows me, which will happen as soon as they lift the eleventeen
hundred restraining orders against me. I've considered bribing a judge,
but can't find a judge I can afford. Whatever.)

Anyway, Dale Jarrett's last points race was sad, although I have to
admit, ole DJ didn't seem to mind it as much as his fans. All the
drivers and crew chiefs in the drivers meeting before the race at
Bristol gave him a standing ovation after he gave his farewell address
(which some of
our elected officials could learn from, I might add. It was short and
sweet, which some of those folks us voters place into office can't
comprehend). I think Dale's looking forward to being in the broadcast
booth (if I say that like I really know what a broadcast booth is, I
don't, but I have a vivid imagination. See references to Elliott Sadler
for verification).

The thing that made me cry the hardest, though, even after the tears I
shed when I discovered I was out of vintage white zin before the race
was half over (I think Oliver, The Cat Who Won't Stop Talking, is
getting into the wine crawl space and quaffing my good stuff, because
his meows have gotten a little slurry-er lately. That and the fact that
I'm finding corks under all the furniture and when I uncork a vintage
bottle, I save the corks for a wine garage I plan to build), was that
Dale and UPS did not turn the keys to the truck over to Ward Burton.

I hate to be a nag (contrary to what several of my ex-husbands will tell
ya), but we're gettin' into the season and my itty-bitty buddy Ward
still doesn't have a ride or a sponsor. I didn't think it was too much
to ask to have UPS give Ward the truck, and for NASCAR officials to make
one teeny tiny exception and let the little guy race. UPS had great
commercial success with Dale Jarrett, but can you imagine how popular
Ward would be?

Give him a booster seat and a six-foot ladder to get in the truck and,
I'm tellin' ya, the big brown truck would find its way into Victory
Lane. And UPS could tell viewers anything they want, on accounta you
can't understand anything Ward says anyway.

My buddy, Ron, who is a lucky stiff who covers NASCAR in Las Vegas, and
has covered NASCAR for, like, forever, has actually interviewed Ward
Burton more than once (it so should be me. I'd pretend to be Ron at a
race, but there's, oh, prob'ly a good foot and a half difference in our
heights and my mustache is bushier than his), and he said he's never
seen Ward's lips move. Still, putting Ward in the truck, with a team
like — Childress or Hendrick or WOW (Women of Ward, a new team I
hope to get started, although I understand his lovely wife, Tabitha,
isn't on board yet. Go figure.) would generate a new buzz, a new
excitement, in the garage area and most certainly in the stands. I can
see the COW (Colors of Ward) mixed in with the green and blue of
Earnhardt Nation. For reals.

Speaking of Ward, I probably should mention that his younger brother,
Jeff, won the Bristol race last weekend, and it was a very popular win.
You can never whine when Jeff Burton wins a race (OK, "e" fans can whine
a little, but even Junior's legion of fans like JB), because he's nice
and kind and not whiny or nasty to people and is someone you'd like to
have as a best friend. And I love it when Jeff's lovely wife, Kim, gets
all excited up on the box, even after all these years. They're such a
cute little couple — much like Elliott and I will be.

No one really saw Jeff's win coming, though. Early on, it looked like
Kyle Busch was going to be the car to beat, but darn the bad luck,
Kyle's power steering failed and he wrecked. Then Kevin Harvick wrecked
Tony Stewart, which left Denny Hamlin the remaining threat to Burton.
Alas and alack, though, Hamlin didn't have a great re-start and Burton
cruised to a win. Richard Childress was a happy camper, because three of
his cars and drivers: Burton, Harvick and Clint Bowyer finished in the
top three. (Note to Richard: if Ward were driving the truck for you, it
could have been the top four. Just an FYI.)

Earnhardt Jr. fans were hoping for a win by the sports most popular
driver, but "e" finished a very respectable fifth, which puts him in
front of the other Hendrick drivers. Quite frankly, it's stuff like this
that makes "e's" teammates a little more likeable to me. I'm really
growing quite fond of Jeff Gordon, because he's got that cute baby at
every race, although I wish they'd give her ear plugs or put ear
thingy's on her when those engines rev, yaknowhatimean.

And I'm working on the Jimmie Johnson thing. I actually drove into a
Lowe's parking lot last weekend. I was shaking so hard, I couldn't
actually stop, though, and it did take a few days for the rash to go
away, but I'm tryin', people, I'm tryin'.

I'm also apt to go into deep depression this week, because NASCAR
drivers don't work on Easter, which I personally think is a good thing.
I'll save my depression for after church services, then I'll wallow in
it and, if Oliver hasn't popped the last cork, I'll offer a toast with
my vintage white zin, for all Easter means.

Whatever it takes......

Address:http://www.daily-times.com/ci_8582849?source=most_emailed
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dale's gonna race the truck
By Dorothy Nobis The Daily Times
 03/15/2008

It will be a sad day at Bristol.
While the world (yes, I say, the world) has waited for Dale Jarrett to
drive the truck, when he takes his final lap (and we're gonna hope he
makes it to the final lap, cuz it's the right thing to do) Sunday, I
will cry.

I've never known a NASCAR world without Dale Jarrett. Always soft
spoken, always nice, always professional, Jarrett was the epitome of
what a champion should be. His speeches at the annual Awards Banquet
were always peppered with names of his sponsors and he was a driver
everyone else looked up to (of course, he's like six feet, 80 inches
tall and poor little Ward Burton looked him square in the knee cap, but
DJ was always very nice to the little guy. This is an important fact to
know.).

I remember the year Jarrett won the Daytona 500 and his dad, former
NASCAR champion Ned Jarrett, was calling the race from the booth (do ya
sorta like it that I sound like I know what a "booth" is?). Anyway, it
was very exciting and I cried then. I just wish I were one of those
pretty criers;  you know, those women (and, dare I say, some guys) who
cry and their eyes glisten all cool and their mascara doesn't run and
their face doesn't get all splotchy. When I cry, it's like total
boo-hoo-ville and my nose runs, which is never pretty, and my eyes swell
up almost shut and I never, ever have tissues, so have to use my sleeve.
I pretty much don't associate with women (or guys) who cry pretty, which
has narrowed my associations, I'll have to tell ya.

I digress, however. While Jarrett has had lots of cool sponsors (I say
that because at the moment I can't remember them, but they know who they
are), it has been UPS that has created the magic that is Dale Jarrett.
For the past seven years, UPS has been Jarrett's sponsor and their
commercials have always been fun. They built an entire marketing
campaign around DJ (does anyone hear "raise" for that marketing guru?),
and it has worked for both of 'em.

I've seen the last UPS commercial, though; the one where Dale finally
gets in the truck and takes to the track at Phoenix International
Raceway. He is joined, except in their for real race cars, by Elliott
Sadler, who would love me if he knew me, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Petty
and Bobby Labonte, who race with him. The final seconds of the
commercial show Dale hanging up his truck keys and clutching a race
truck key chain.

Talk about makin' me cry; heck, I've seen the darned commercial like 10
times, and I still cry. I cry so loud that The Cat Who Won't Stop
Talking thinks I've turned into a banshee and hides in the tub, behind
the shower curtain, and does his "business".
(Did I mention The Cat Who Won't Stop Talking wasn't the smartest of the
litter? But he, like his mistress (not THAT kind), was the cutest. It is
a cross we both must bare; or is that bear? Whatever.)

Anyway, I will miss Dale Jarrett. He's a cool dude and a class act and a
great driver. I know we will see him in the booth (there I go again),
where he will undoubtedly make Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip sorely
jealous on accounta he's like goooood. I understand NASCAR plans a
tribute to Dale on Sunday, which will make me cry more. Maybe I'll
invite a friend over, in case I run out of sleeve.

Thanks for the memories, the championships and the incredible talent you
brought to the track, Dale. And I especially thank you for being one of
the few in the garage who has not had a restraining order issued against
me.

You're the best, in my book.
Now that my eyes are all swollen, my mascara gone everywhere but my
lashes and my face is all ugly blotchy, I have just a coupla things to
say about last week's race at Atlanta.

First of all, and it pains me more to say this than it did giving birth
to the Perfect Child, Kyle Busch drove a heckofa race. The kid has a
talent behind the wheel of a race car and his heckbent determination to
win every race is a good thing. I still find him arrogant and
insufferable, but I will no longer deny that he is a good race car
driver who will eventually turn into a great one. Maybe I won't have to
dispose of my millions of dollars of M&M stuff, which is my children's
inheritance. That would be a good thing. That and the fact that I
really, really miss having M&Ms with my vintage white zin every night.
It's called "dinner."

Tony Stewart came in second, but Tony's been totally dissing those
Goodyear tires all week; much to the dismay of Goodyear stockholders,
who will likely see their stock plummet if the drivers continue to hate
the tires. I know next to nothing about tires, except they are very
expensive and I once traded in a vehicle on accounta it was cheaper than
buying new tires for it. For reals. But even Dale Jarrett said Tony has
a point, so it will be interesting to see if the Badyears are fixed and
become Goodyears again. Stay tuned. Film at eleven; in the booth.

I was very, very excited to see "e" come in third. It is just a matter
of time - seconds, really - until Junior takes a checkered flag and goes
to Victory Lane. I hope witchy ole Teresa is watching.

My heart broke, though, when Elliott Sadler (w-w-l-m-i-h-k-m) crashed
not once, but three times. His little face was just fraught with
disappointment and while I didn't break out into a big cry, my eyes
watered, which made my mascara run. If Elliott didn't have bad luck, he
wouldn't have any. He always does well at Bristol (I think, if he
hasn't, he will), so I expect great things from him. 'Course I always
expect great things from him, but those things aren't gonna happen until
the restraining order is lifted. Whatever.

I'm buying extra white zin for Sunday's race and am continuing my search
for a ride for Ward Burton. Maybe Ward could drive the UPS truck. I know
David Reutimann will have Jarrett's car, but what about the truck? If
anybody can put the Big Brown Truck in Victory Lane, it's Ward. Give him
the keys, DJ, give him the keys.

Whatever it takes......

Finally, a REAL juicy story to read about Nascar.  It has been getting
really boring out there.

If only you could get inside and report more 'up front and close'
going's on like this.

Thanks.
lbtb



--- In wardburton2@yahoogroups.com, kentdaughtrey@... wrote:
>
> (Here's the latest in the always eagerly anticipated weekly columns by
> Dorothy Nobis.  Enjoy...-K-)
>
>
> Taking Vegas by the handcuff-y thing-y
> By Dorothy Nobis
> 03/08/2008  Farmington Daily Times
> Address:http://www.daily-times.com/ci_8498668?source=most_emailed
> ~~~~~
> He stood there, talking to his crew chief, close enough that I could
> have reached out and touched him, if they'd only have let me.
>
> A pane of glass was all that separated me from the man of my NASCAR
> dreams; the window and possibly the three-deep crowd that surrounded me.
> He turned, though, and I'm sure our eyes met. His, soft and brown, mine
> a tad blood-shot and blue (the wind made 'em blood shot, just to
> clarify). I really think Elliott Sadler was ready to know me and to love
> me if I hadn't screamed in excitement and clawed the three women who
> were in front of me while I tried to break the glass.
>
> It was sad, really. Elliott took one look at me, my face scrunched up
> against the window and my nose bloodied from the wrath of the women I
> flung to the ground, and called security. It was not what I had
> envisioned for my first meeting with Elliott Sadler. I had planned
> something more like champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries; not the
> plastic handcuff-y things and the stale beer they dumped on me to
> "control" me.
>
> Whatever.
>
> What happens in Vegas is s'posed to stay in Vegas, but I have a feeling
> those charges are gonna follow me to every race I attend.
>
> Despite the fact that after my little "incident" in the Neon Garage with
> Elliott, who will someday know and love me, and NASCAR naming my friend
> Charlene as my designated handler, the Vegas race was just way too fun.
>
> I did try to find a sponsor for Ward Burton, just so's y'all know. In
> fact, I met a volunteer firefighter (Steve, and he was cute, I have to
> say) and he said his real job is with Best Western. Despite Charlene
> poking me in the side on accounta she was embarrassed, I asked the very
> nice and very cute Steve if Best Western would sponsor Ward Burton. He
> said he would most definitely take it to the "top" of the motel chain,
> and he thought he could get it done.
>
> Then we saw Richard Childress, who was waiting for Bobby Labonte to
> qualify for the Busch race. When I saw Richard (who was wearing starched
> Wrangler jeans and an equally starched white shirt, but didn't seem very
> starched himself), I was going to leap over the barrier and ask him when
> Best Western sponsors Ward, if he'd make room for Ward on his team.
>
> Charlene stopped me, though, and reminded me I couldn't talk to anyone
> "official" looking from NASCAR on accounta the plastic handcuff-y thingy
> and the restraining order. I'm not sure those Vegas people really know
> how to have fun.
>
> Oh, and I so have to tell you: We were standing by the place where the
> cars drive back to the garage area during a practice session and Tony
> Stewart; the for reals Tony Stewart; walked by. He is way cuter than he
> appears on TV, and in spite of the handcuff-y thing-y, he winked at me
> and said "meet me later at my motor home." Or at least, that's what I
> thought he said, but Charlene had a different story. I like mine better.
>
> The really, really neat thing about the whole race experience was being
> stuffed into the grandstands with 160,000 fans who totally went wild
> when Dale Earnhardt Jr. came on to the track. And when he took the lead
> in Sunday's Sprint Cup race, well, I'm tellin' ya', the fans went
> absolutely crazy. The last couple laps, when Carl Edwards was in front
> and Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth were chasing "e" for second place, the
> roar of the crowd had to have been heard 'round the world. And I so
> would not ever want to be the driver who accidentally or "accidentally
> on purpose" takes out "e" during the final laps. Talk about your stock
> tanking; it would.
>
> Carl Edwards won, but when NASCAR officials found out he didn't have the
> cover on his oil tank and slammed him Wednesday with a major penalty, I
> wasn't happy. I'm not sayin' he cheated, but someone did somethin'
> wrong. That, my friends, cost Junior a win. Oh, and a side note to Carl
> (who I hear is a religious reader of this column), the fans weren't
> cheering for you when you came to the checkered flag, bubba. It was the
> driver of that AMP/National Guard car; the world's most popular driver;
> who had fans on their feet. Just needed to clear that up so's I can
> sleep nights.
>
> Speaking of not being a happy camper, neither was Kyle Busch when he
> wrecked right in front of us in Turn 4 during the Nationwide race. I
> yelled and hollered and carried on until the guy behind me asked me not
> very politely to cease and desist. I'm thinking he was a relative of
> Kyle's on accounta he was sorta whiney. That, maybe, and the fact he was
> decked out in Kyle Busch outerwear. I didn't ask about his underwear.
> Some things inquiring minds don't want to know.
>
> Reed Sorenson signed autographs and he's very young, very shy and would
> make his mother proud. Jeff Burton and his lovely wife, Kim, walked by
> us, but he pretty much ignored me when I asked where Ward was. I'm
> thinking it was those darned handcuff-y thing-ies. Charlene said it was
> orders from the Big Hauler (where all major decisions are made, I guess)
> that noone NASCAR could talk to me. All 'cuz I want Elliott Sadler to
> know me and to love me. Whatever.
>
> The nice man who sat with us at lunch one day while claiming to be a
> Waste Management top dog said NASCAR's going to take a race away from
> one of those Eastern states and give it to Vegas. I'm very excited about
> that. It won't be for another year, which means the restraining order
> should be lifted by then.
>
> Oh, and I did ask if Waste Management would sponsor Ward Burton. All of
> a sudden the "top dog" became a regular employee and wouldn't commit.
> I'm tryin', little Ward, I'm tryin'.
>
> Whatever it takes......
>

(Here's the latest in the always eagerly anticipated weekly columns by
Dorothy Nobis.  Enjoy...-K-)


Taking Vegas by the handcuff-y thing-y
By Dorothy Nobis
03/08/2008  Farmington Daily Times
Address:http://www.daily-times.com/ci_8498668?source=most_emailed
~~~~~
He stood there, talking to his crew chief, close enough that I could
have reached out and touched him, if they'd only have let me.

A pane of glass was all that separated me from the man of my NASCAR
dreams; the window and possibly the three-deep crowd that surrounded me.
He turned, though, and I'm sure our eyes met. His, soft and brown, mine
a tad blood-shot and blue (the wind made 'em blood shot, just to
clarify). I really think Elliott Sadler was ready to know me and to love
me if I hadn't screamed in excitement and clawed the three women who
were in front of me while I tried to break the glass.

It was sad, really. Elliott took one look at me, my face scrunched up
against the window and my nose bloodied from the wrath of the women I
flung to the ground, and called security. It was not what I had
envisioned for my first meeting with Elliott Sadler. I had planned
something more like champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries; not the
plastic handcuff-y things and the stale beer they dumped on me to
"control" me.

Whatever.

What happens in Vegas is s'posed to stay in Vegas, but I have a feeling
those charges are gonna follow me to every race I attend.

Despite the fact that after my little "incident" in the Neon Garage with
Elliott, who will someday know and love me, and NASCAR naming my friend
Charlene as my designated handler, the Vegas race was just way too fun.

I did try to find a sponsor for Ward Burton, just so's y'all know. In
fact, I met a volunteer firefighter (Steve, and he was cute, I have to
say) and he said his real job is with Best Western. Despite Charlene
poking me in the side on accounta she was embarrassed, I asked the very
nice and very cute Steve if Best Western would sponsor Ward Burton. He
said he would most definitely take it to the "top" of the motel chain,
and he thought he could get it done.

Then we saw Richard Childress, who was waiting for Bobby Labonte to
qualify for the Busch race. When I saw Richard (who was wearing starched
Wrangler jeans and an equally starched white shirt, but didn't seem very
starched himself), I was going to leap over the barrier and ask him when
Best Western sponsors Ward, if he'd make room for Ward on his team.

Charlene stopped me, though, and reminded me I couldn't talk to anyone
"official" looking from NASCAR on accounta the plastic handcuff-y thingy
and the restraining order. I'm not sure those Vegas people really know
how to have fun.

Oh, and I so have to tell you: We were standing by the place where the
cars drive back to the garage area during a practice session and Tony
Stewart; the for reals Tony Stewart; walked by. He is way cuter than he
appears on TV, and in spite of the handcuff-y thing-y, he winked at me
and said "meet me later at my motor home." Or at least, that's what I
thought he said, but Charlene had a different story. I like mine better.

The really, really neat thing about the whole race experience was being
stuffed into the grandstands with 160,000 fans who totally went wild
when Dale Earnhardt Jr. came on to the track. And when he took the lead
in Sunday's Sprint Cup race, well, I'm tellin' ya', the fans went
absolutely crazy. The last couple laps, when Carl Edwards was in front
and Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth were chasing "e" for second place, the
roar of the crowd had to have been heard 'round the world. And I so
would not ever want to be the driver who accidentally or "accidentally
on purpose" takes out "e" during the final laps. Talk about your stock
tanking; it would.

Carl Edwards won, but when NASCAR officials found out he didn't have the
cover on his oil tank and slammed him Wednesday with a major penalty, I
wasn't happy. I'm not sayin' he cheated, but someone did somethin'
wrong. That, my friends, cost Junior a win. Oh, and a side note to Carl
(who I hear is a religious reader of this column), the fans weren't
cheering for you when you came to the checkered flag, bubba. It was the
driver of that AMP/National Guard car; the world's most popular driver;
who had fans on their feet. Just needed to clear that up so's I can
sleep nights.

Speaking of not being a happy camper, neither was Kyle Busch when he
wrecked right in front of us in Turn 4 during the Nationwide race. I
yelled and hollered and carried on until the guy behind me asked me not
very politely to cease and desist. I'm thinking he was a relative of
Kyle's on accounta he was sorta whiney. That, maybe, and the fact he was
decked out in Kyle Busch outerwear. I didn't ask about his underwear.
Some things inquiring minds don't want to know.

Reed Sorenson signed autographs and he's very young, very shy and would
make his mother proud. Jeff Burton and his lovely wife, Kim, walked by
us, but he pretty much ignored me when I asked where Ward was. I'm
thinking it was those darned handcuff-y thing-ies. Charlene said it was
orders from the Big Hauler (where all major decisions are made, I guess)
that noone NASCAR could talk to me. All 'cuz I want Elliott Sadler to
know me and to love me. Whatever.

The nice man who sat with us at lunch one day while claiming to be a
Waste Management top dog said NASCAR's going to take a race away from
one of those Eastern states and give it to Vegas. I'm very excited about
that. It won't be for another year, which means the restraining order
should be lifted by then.

Oh, and I did ask if Waste Management would sponsor Ward Burton. All of
a sudden the "top dog" became a regular employee and wouldn't commit.
I'm tryin', little Ward, I'm tryin'.

Whatever it takes......

Vote early, and vote often:
Address:http://www.mostpopulardriver.com/content/default.aspx

Whatever it takes......

:http://www.longislandpress.com/main.asp?SectionID=20&SubSectionID=201&ArticleID\
=15224&TM=73103.94

As The World Turns (Left)
By Josh Stewart, Syosset, NY
jstewart@...

Thursday, February 28, 2008
There's Still Hope At Morgan-McClure
Josh Stewart

Give credit to Larry McClure for retaining his sense of humor.
"Kind of scare one up up there in Long Island," the co-owner of
Morgan-McClure Motorsports implored me when the subject of a sponsor
came up, prompting laughter on both ends of the phone. "There's some big
bucks up there."
According to McClure, some folks with big bucks are coming through his
Virginia race shop, allowing him to hold out hope that his team will
return to Sprint Cup action.

In January, the company—which has visited Victory Lane three times at
the Daytona 500—announced that it was ceasing operations due to lack
of sponsorship. But McClure said Thursday that two Fortune 500 companies
and one Latino group are considering sponsoring the No. 4 Chevy.

One of those potential suitors, who McClure said he's been in contact
with on three separate occasions, will be visiting his Abingdon complex
next week.
McClure added that he could have secured one-off sponsorship to attempt
to make the Daytona 500, but that scratching by isn't the company's
objective anymore.

"Here's what we kind of decided as a group: You've got to have a pretty
good staff of people who are here all the time and have bought into the
program," McClure said. "You can't do this stuff, pardon my expression,
half-a**, and we've had to do that the past [few] years."
Kodak left as the team's primary sponsor after the 2003 season, and the
sponsorship situation has been shaky, at best, since.

[The potential sponsors] can afford to do this, and that's the big
thing," McClure said. "A lot of people want to do it, and then, that's
what's happened to us the last four or five years. We've gotten with
people, but they were more wannabes than could-be's. And then we ended
up paying the price for it."

McClure said he has six COTs at the shop raring to go, and that with
sponsorship his team can be more competitive than in the past for a
couple of reasons. Before funding fell through, he said MMM had an
agreement to be a satellite team for one of the "big three" Chevy
operations in Cup for 2008. These kinds of pacts, most recently
exhibited when Robby Gordon Motorsports switched from Ford to Dodge to
partner with Gillett-Evernham Motorsports, give a single-car owner some
of the benefits of a multiple-car shop. McClure said a return to racing
would be contingent on having that kind of alliance and seemed confident
that that opportunity would still be there.

In addition, McClure said the team had purchased engines from a team
that was switching brands. ("You can imagine who that was," McClure
said.) Joe Gibbs Racing switched from Chevy to Toyota for the 2008
season.
"We made a large investment to go really fast," McClure said.

The owner added that a realistic goal would be for the team to return at
the midway part of the season if things go well. In the meantime, the
few people left at the shop have been refurbishing the car that won the
1995 Daytona 500, the second of Sterling Marlin's consecutive wins.

McClure couldn't stop stressing that MMM won't return unless similar
success is possible.

"If I do this again, and we're sitting here with our pistol cocked and
loaded and ready to go, if I do it again I want to be able to do it and
it work and be competitive."

Whatever it takes......

"Even God doesn't want us to race here," unnamed NASCAR official.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Motorsports Soapbox
Address:http://www.sirius-speedway.com/index.html Changed:1:40 PM on
Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Whatever it takes......

(More entertainment than you bargained for!  -K-)

Rocket Ryan blasts into Victory Lane - Farmington Daily Times
Address:http://www.daily-times.com/sports/ci_8343587

Whatever it takes......

Sports: Miller column: Even in the rain, one guy still cooks at Fontana
- OCRegister.com

Address:http://www.ocregister.com/sports/nascar-fontana-kasey-1986276-kahne-case\
y

Whatever it takes......

(Another fine column by Viv Bernstein of "The New York Times," probably
the only person in New York City who truly appreciates NASCAR)


Nascar Returns to Basics in Hope Fans Will Return to Nascar - New York
Times
Address:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/17/sports/othersports/17nascar.html?ei=50\
87&em=&en=7b817421ec743450&ex=1203397200&pagewanted=print

Whatever it takes......

...How Dario's home country looks at NASCAR.  More than a little
"looking down their nose at us" bias in this article.  It does, however,
provide some insight as to how we (NASCAR Fans) are viewed in that part
of the world.   I found the article interesting, if at times
annoying....-K-

Express deliverance - Scotland on Sunday
Address:http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/sport/Express-deliverance.3786088.j\
p

Whatever it takes......

A story to make you smile and become a bit misty at the same time.
Remembrance and sentimen on display here. Enjoy...and thanks, David!
-K-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dale Earnhardt and his lucky Daytona 500-winning penny
Address:http://www.thatsracin.com/topstories/story/11012.html

Whatever it takes......

Here's another great column by Dorothy Nobis.  Take my word for it, you
will enjoy the read, and my bet is that you'll smile more than once
while reading....-K-


Farmington Daily Times - He's baaack! The General forges to the front
Address:http://www.daily-times.com/sports/ci_8278187

Whatever it takes......

NASCAR demands country over rock as the DAYTONA 500 returns to its
roots.

(Maybe they are seeing -or at least glimpsing- the light...-K-

Bloomberg
Address:http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20670001&refer=home&sid=aPd01Qgbj\
1Sw
Changed:7:42 AM on Saturday, February 16, 2008

Whatever it takes......

If you haven't already seen this....enjoy.  The memories and photos are
worth the time it will take to read....Kent

Daytona Time....The Way It Used To Be
Address:http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/Guest/LA/020208.html
Changed:10:36 PM on Friday, February 1, 2008

Whatever it takes......

(Some great photos here....Kent)

Dinner with Ward Burton - Jan. '08
Ronnie Moorefield donated $800 to Christmas Bucks for Kids and got to
have dinner with race car driver Ward Burton.
<http://www.wakg.com/gallery/DinnerWithWard> WAKG Scrapbook
<http://www.wakg.com/gallery>

Whatever it takes......

(Another great Dorothy Nobis column....she just keeps crankin' 'em
out...K)

Finding a ride for Ward
Farmington Daily Times - Farmington,NM,USA 4 Chevrolet that was driven
by the great, the talented and the ever-so-nice Ward Burton has shut its
doors on accounta it can't find a sponsor. ...
<http://www.daily-times.com/sports/ci_8083323>

Whatever it takes......

Here's the latest from the author who brought us "Saint Dale."
Personally, I love her work.  She has a genuine love for the people of
the sport....Just in case you might be interested...K

Sharyn McCrumb, Once Around The Track
Address:http://www.sharynmccrumb.com/once_around_the_track.html

Whatever it takes......

(Really, it's Dorothy's gift.  I enjoy her columns so much, I feel
obligated to share them with all of you....Kent)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A letter to Jimmie -- Let's be friends
Farmington Daily Times - Farmington,NM,USA I'll bet you've kept the
missus up many a night, worrying about why Elliott Sadler (who would
love me if he knew me), Ward Burton and Little E have places ...
<http://www.daily-times.com/ci_7950288?source=most_emailed>

Whatever it takes......

Alot of you expressed your enjoyment of Dorothy Nobis Christmas Column
about Bea Clause.  Here is her  latest...for New Years...enjoy...K

Mutterings and meanderings for 2008
Farmington Daily Times - Farmington,NM,USA Or the life-sized Ward Burton
wind-up doll. Or the dismissal of all the stalking charges Elliott,
Little E and Ward had against me. ...
<http://www.daily-times.com/ci_7887388?source=most_emailed>

Whatever it takes......

Sprint Cup drivers to get back to work with Daytona testing
Address:http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080104/SPORTS01/801\
040425/1052&template=printart

Whatever it takes......

(OOH, a west coast Bristol...yeah, that's the ticket...K)

Jan 3, 2008 Stock Car Gazette
http://motorsportsnews.net/archives/951
A Fan's Wishes For The Future of NASCAR
by:  Joy Mergen
 

Whatever it takes......

NASCAR sale-a-thon - sacbee.com
Address:http://www.sacbee.com/100/v-print/story/595649.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NASCAR sale-a-thon
Teams sell old cars cheap to prepare for new model in '08
By Debbie Arrington - darrington@...
December 28, 2007

Looking for a good deal on a slightly used Monte Carlo, only driven on
Sundays?
NASCAR teams have hundreds of stock cars that are now obsolete and
looking for buyers. With the Car of Tomorrow (NASCAR's standardized new
model) set to race the full 2008 Sprint Cup schedule, team owners are
unloading their 2007 inventory of other models at rock-bottom prices.

That's great news for lower-rung NASCAR owners like Antelope's Bill
McAnally, whose team competes in NASCAR's Grand National West Series.
Many of the former Cup cars will find new homes racing on that circuit,
which uses spec engines but otherwise the same basic body and chassis as
the outdated Cup cars.
"I'm squirreling them away for the future," said McAnally, who could buy
five almost-new 2007 Toyota Camrys for the price of one of his former
Monte Carlos. "Next season, if we wreck a car, we can roll out a new
one."

In 2008, McAnally's team is switching from Chevrolets to Toyotas, which
made their Cup debut in 2007. His timing could not be better.
"We could always buy used cars from back East (at NASCAR's North
Carolina base), but these are practically brand new and real bargains,"
said McAnally, who bought three from Bill Davis Racing plus six
stripped-down Camrys from Michael Waltrip. "They're beautiful race cars
that have hardly been raced."

Hendrick Motorsports estimated it had 60 outdated Chevrolets it needed
to unload. Roush Fenway Racing had 90 Fords in stock.

Some drivers want to keep a specific car for the memories. Jimmie
Johnson, who won the last two Nextel Cup championships, asked boss Rick
Hendrick for the No. 48 Chevrolet Johnson drove in the season finale
"for sentimental reasons." And Kurt Busch is restoring one of his former
favorites.

Owners also expect to keep a few of their big winners for racing museums
and as show cars for special events.

Many of the Cup cars are destined for the ARCA (Automobile Racing Club
of America) developmental series, too.
"I honestly don't know what's going to happen to all our cars, but I can
tell you one thing, you'll see a (heck) of an ARCA series next year,"
owner Ray Evernham told reporters.

The 2008 conversion to Cars of Tomorrow is costing Cup owners millions
in inventory. Chevrolets that were worth $500,000 or more are now
available at a tenth of that cost – or less. Most Cup cars (not
including engines) cost at least $100,000 apiece to build.

Some race teams are offering bigger bargains. For example, Michael
Waltrip Racing pulled usable parts from its 2007 Toyotas and sacrificed
the bodies with chassis for as little as $5,000 each. Other teams
discounted their race cars to under $20,000, less than the cost of
comparable models on the showroom floor.

Race-used cars might still have their decals. Unused cars are primer
gray. These stock cars also can be made street legal – if the buyer
can find high-octane fuel. Then, there's the gas mileage (maybe 5 miles
per gallon, tops).
"If anybody wants a NASCAR race car, we'll be happy to help get you
one," McAnally said.


The Sacramento Bee, 2100 Q St., P.O. Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95852
Phone: (916) 321-1000
Copyright © The Sacramento Bee

Whatever it takes......

Christmas wishes from me and Bea
By Dorothy Nobis The Daily Times
12/21/2007

Mrs. Claus and I are tight, ya know?
In fact, I'm probably one of the few who know her as Bea Claus, which is
her for-real name. Well, maybe not her real, for-real name. It came from
Santa, who would tell the elves when they wanted something they
shouldn't have that they couldn't have it "Bea Claus" she said so.
Whatever.

Anyway, Bea and I sat down recently over wine coolers to talk NASCAR.
She's a real fan, you know. And when you get a few coolers in ole Bea,
she'll tell you all kinds of things, most of which I can't discuss here
Bea Claus (get it? I'm too funny, aren't I?)

Whatever; some of you aren't laughing and I'm tellin' Santa. Santa isn't
a huge NASCAR fan, Bea said, just 'cuz he's a tad jealous of all the
attention the drivers get 10 months out of the year, while he drives all
the way around the world in one night and people only care about 10
weeks. Maybe if he'd get a sponsor and learn how to do burnouts when he
gets back to the North Pole, that would help. And he probably needs
horsepower instead of reindeer power, do ya think? Just don't get those
horses from DEI; they have a high failure rate.

Back to Bea and me. Bea is doing her own gift-giving this year, but just
to some of the NASCAR drivers. Bea likes the same drivers I do, Bea
Claus (are ya gettin' it yet?) she and I are totally on the same
racetrack. Here's what the drivers are getting, but don't tell on
accounta we want them to be surprised Christmas morning.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. will get real engines that work, an owner who truly
appreciates him and no DNFs next year. Witchy ole Teresa Earnhardt, the
wicked stepmother, gets coal and videos of Little E's Most Popular
Driver Award presentations, which she will be forced to watch every race
day since she never goes to the track. Junior also will get more fans
next year, more wins (which, unfortunately, won't be difficult since he
didn't win at all last year) and an autographed photo of Bea and me,
which he will put in his car as inspiration; or else. (Whoops, here
comes the restraining order.)

Kasey Kahne will get 24-carat-gold handcuffs, which he will never have
to wear. He will also get a "Get Out of Jail Free" card, in case some
goofy security guard doesn't recognize him as one of the hottest drivers
on and off the track. Bea likes Kasey beaclaus he has blue eyes like
Santa that twinkle when he has a Bud or two.

Elliott Sadler (who would love me if he knew me) will get anything and
everything he wants. He's also getting wins, a real sponsor (Dodge was
OK, but Best Buy is, well, just the best), all the fried bologna
sandwiches he can eat, wherever he is, and a blow-up doll of me in a
very cute velour sweatsuit that says "Elliott Loves Dorothy" on it. Bea
says he can't put it in the race car with him, though, beaclaus it will
distract him. Bea knows, you know.

Little Ward Burton is getting a full-time ride and lifts in his shoes so
he doesn't need a step stool to get in and out of his car. It hasn't
been easy for him, having his race seat pushed up so close to the
steering wheel, either, you know, so we're also giving him those
way-cool clutch, brake and gas pedals that you can adjust to your
height, or lack thereof, if yaknowhatImean. Bea also promised to get him
a seat that will allow him to see over the steering wheel, which I'm
positive was the reason he didn't qualify for every race. I mean, if ya
can't see where you're going, ya can't get there very fast. I love
little Ward, even if you can't tell what he's saying when he talks. My
men don't have to talk, they just have to race, ya know?

Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon are getting reality checks, and those
aren't the checks they can cash, like they did the ones at the awards
banquet. These checks, Bea said, will help them to understand that they
are no longer the Pete and Re-Pete of Hendrick Motor Sports. There's a
new Dude in the HMS garage and his name is Little E, whose every move
will be closely monitored by the media and that little bitty camera I
had an undercover agent place in his driver's suit — up by his
collar, you nasty little devils.

No one, not even Santa, much to his dismay, commands as much attention
and fan fervor as Junior. Bea loves Little E almost as much as I do,
which has caused some dissension between her and the Mr. So much so,
that this year Santa threatened to deliver Junior an "alienation of
affection" paper instead of the voodoo doll of witchy ole Teresa he
asked for;  just beclaus.

Those who will have no wishes granted by Bea and me include that
arrogant and insufferable Kyle Busch, who whines and moans and groans
and will meet his match with Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin when he joins
the Gibbs stable.

Joe Gibbs will get a year's supply of Tums and Pepto Bismol, though, on
accounta he's going to have to put up with the egos of the three and
will have to play referee a lot, Bea and I think.

Teresa Earnhardt, naturally, doesn't get anything good either. She
mistakenly thinks she's the star of DEI and let the sport's most popular
driver go this year and wouldn't give him No. 8. That alone eliminates
her from getting anything from Bea and me, but when you add in the fact
that she said mean and hateful things about Junior before the season
even started last year, she got her expensive Jimmy Choos (those are
shoes, for those of you who are fashion-challenged) pointed in the wrong
direction.

There are lots of people Bea and I hope all their wishes come true, and
that's all the nice people who are NASCAR fans and who actually read
this column (OK, there are four of you, but you matter, you really do).
Have a Merry Christmas, quaff a cup of 'nog for me, and remember that no
matter where you are or what you do, someone is watching you, just Bea
Claus.

Address:http://www.daily-times.com/ci_7784247?source=most_emailed

Whatever it takes......

The column isn't bad, but I'm forwarding it so you can read the comments
that follow. Alot of us have the same feelings as some of his
responders, and they articulate them very well...enjoy...Kent
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just keep it simple
By Monte Dutton

It's not like it used to be. I hear it all the time. I think it all the
time. But is it my imagination? Am I merely nostalgic for the NASCAR of
my youth? Is it really better than it's ever been? Well, in many ways,
it's good. ...
<http://blogs.gastongazette.com/MonteDutton/archive/2007/12/18/just_keep_it_simp\
le.aspx>

Whatever it takes......

It's better to give
By Steve Waid
Animals and the envrionment are, too, thanks to Greg Biffle, Ryan Newman
and Ward Burton. No, I haven't listed them all - there are so many.
Among them is Tony Stewart. We all know about him. He's the guy with the
volatile personality ...
<http://blog.scenedaily.com/index.php/2007/12/18/its-better-to-give/>
SceneDaily Blog
<http://blog.scenedaily.com>

Whatever it takes......

(Here's another entertaining column by Dorothy Nobis.  I always smile at
the way she looks at racing; especially her affection for certain
drivers.  She has a decided affection for NASCAR and it is readily
apparrent in her writing.  I hope you enjoy it...Kent)

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Announcing the UFO Awards
Farmington Daily Times -

Farmington,NM,USA Finally, on accounta I'm running out of space, the "He
Would Love Me if He Knew Me" Award goes to Elliott Sadler, with Ward
Burton taking second. ... <http://www.daily-times.com/sports/ci_7726941>

Whatever it takes......

Sit back, read and fantasize.  Most gearhead's dream...K

The Pedal-to-the-Metal, Totally Illegal, Cross-Country Sprint for Glory
Address:http://www.wired.com/print/cars/coolwheels/magazine/15-11/ff_cannonballr\
un

Whatever it takes......