Garrett Marchant: No Ordinary Kid

If you don’t know the name Garrett Marchant, you will in the next few years. I ‘met’ Garrett a few months ago on twitter through some mutual followers. He was trying to get a lot of followers and I was told to follow him, so I did. Little did I know, I found a good friend in this kid. I even sometimes call him Mr. Garrett, which peeves him a little. Maybe that’s why he like to call me ‘sir’. Great sense of humor, even though he likes to pick on us girls sometimes. At 13, almost 14, Garrett has been racing at tracks around his home in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, which I realized isn’t that far from my old home in Chesapeake, Virginia where I spent a week this past June. Garrett isn’t your typical teenage racer. Though he does race, he races for a cause. Along with his best friend, 9-year-old go-cart racer Ricky Springer, Garrett races to help APFED, or American Partnership For Eosinophillic Disorders. Like I said, he’s no ordinary racer. Garrett has even gotten a few, I guess you can call them famous, drivers to help in Racing For A Cause. Garrett has been doing what my middle school has been doing for CP or Cerebral Palsy, raising money. I can honestly say that I have donated and will probably continue to donate to his cause.

You don’t usually find kids like Garrett. Garrett hosts his own radio show on the internet called “For The Win.” on blogtalkradio.com. He has guests like Camping World Truck Series drivers Max Papis and Justin Lofton, Ross Kenseth, son of NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Matt Kenseth, and Nationwide Series driver Jeremy Clements. Last week Garrett asked if I wanted to ask him a few questions for my blog, which I delight accepted.

What got you into racing?

" Well my dad has raced for about 20 years now so I was at lots of racetracks going up and a few years ago I really decided that hey this is what I want to do."

What is your favorite thing about it?

" My favorite thing is the competition in no other sports series is there as much competition, I also love the speed factor."

What is your least favorite thing about it?

" The amount of sponsor dollars haha, but as far as things on track I hate how you can win a race one week and when you show up at the track you basically just can't even stay out of your own way."

When did you start racing?

" I started racing this year (2010) and I have been very pleased with my results so far and can't thank my team, sponsors, and fans enough for their support!"

I know you are an Elliott Sadler fan, what made you pick him as your favorite driver?

" Well Elliott is local, he lives 10 minute from my house, plus he was the first driver I met and also what really made me a Sadler fan he sent me a signed T-shirt to me without anyone asking him.

What is Racing For A Cause and how did it come into your racing? "Racing For A Cause was started by 9 year old Ricky Springer a few years ago who has the disease, It benefits APFED ( American Partnership For Eosinophillic Disorders). The deal came about pretty simply really I saw the cause and contacted Mrs. Julie Springer and I asked can I carry your logo and that was how it started."

When you are not racing, what are you doing?

" Working on racecars really race season never stops, but I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family since I don't get to spend much time with them during race season and I am at church basically every night so those are things I enjoy."

What do you hope to accomplish in the future with your racing and Racing For A Cause?

" I hope obviously in the first one to make it to NASCAR everybody says that but honestly that is the ultimate goal. To answer your second question I hope to have them on the hood of a car I drive in NASCAR one day and I also would like to educate everyone on Eosinophillic disorders because most people so not know about it.

Who are your Racing For A Cause teammates?

"Ricky Springer ( Founder of RFAC and Kart Driver) Jeremy Clements (NNS) Mike Senica (ARCA) Grant Enfinger (ARCA) Larry Spencer (Enduro) Trevor Ahouse ( FWD Division) and Bronson Butcher (Karts and Legends)

The off-season is here for you and NASCAR, what are you going to do?

" Work on racecars, work out, look for sponsors that type of thing, racing may stop for the fans but

it never stops race teams in the off season."

How do you prepare for a race?

"I like to work out , get lots of rest, eat good foods and that type of thing during the week to get me ready to race."

Any pre-race rituals?

" Yes, the only Pre Race Ritual I have is to pray with my race team before every one of my races but that is my only Pre Race Ritual."

What is your mentality going into next year?

"My mentality is: I'm racing at Orange County and South Boston they are two of the toughest race tracks their are ( I'm running full time at Orange County for points) So If I can get a top 5 in points and ROTY I will feel like I have really done something, I 'd love to win a race but we will see what happens."

Anything else you want people to know about you?

" Not really besides that I am very religious I make sure I am at church every chance I get, and I would also like everyone to know I am very thankful for my fans and family and appreciate every one's support so much it really motivates me to make it to NASCAR."

Like I said, Garrett Marchant is no ordinary kid. Every kid has a dream, and Garrett’s is to make it to NASCAR top level. What sets Garrett apart from other kids his age, Garrett is actually trying to do something about it. I am proud to know Garrett. He’s trying to make a difference here.

If you want to help Racing For A Cause, please contact him at

www.twitter.com/GarrettMarchant or on his Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Garrett-Marchant/319657193853. You can contact me at either www.twitter.com/SamRaeBayne or my e-mail samyoung13@hotmail.com

if you can not reach Garrett. Please help. Kids like Ricky need it.

Why Driver/crew chief relationships are important

In NASCAR, you have to have a good relationship with your crew chief in order to be successful. We've all seen what Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knuas can do together. Steve LeTarte and Jeff Gordon, Joey Logano and Greg Zipadelli, Denny Hamlin and Mike Ford, Kasey Kahne and Kenny Francis. These are some of the more well known driver/crew chief in NASCAR. Most of the time, they get along, but some times, it doesn't go over so well. Rick Hendrick almost split Jimmie and Chad up because they kept fighting. What makes now so different than a few years ago. Jimmie and Chad still yell at each other. As a driver, you HAVE to have faith and trust in your crew chief. How are you two going to work if you don't have either of those? Everybody can say that Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knuas are the best driver/crew chief combo in NASCAR, but they are not. I know they have the 50+ wins and the 5 championships, but they don't quite mesh together as well as a certain driver/crew chief combo. Here's a hint for you. These to have ten wins together, but have recently been separated due to the fact that the driver was release early from his contract. Give up? It's Kasey Kahne and Kenny Francis. These two may not be as successful as Jimmie and Chad, but they have something they don't. Respect for each other. I'm not saying that they don't, I'm saying is that they don't that the relationship that Kasey and Kenny have. When Kasey gets angry, Kenny doesn't yell back. He tries to calm his driver down. You never seen them angry at each other. One driver/crew chief relationship that doesn't work is Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Lance McGrew. Going back to what Kyle Busch said back in 2008 about Rick making Lance Dale's crew chief, "It's always the crew chief, never the driver." In this case, it is the crew chief. From what I have heard, Lance doesn't listen to Dale. They are not meshing. What I think should happen is when Kasey goes to Hendrick Motorsports in 2012 is Kasey should bring Kenny with him as his crew chief of the 5, Alan goes to the 88, and Rick gets rid of Lance completely. Lance is not helping the situation at ALL. You see, driver/crew chief relationships are very important in this sport. (Note: I think Kenny Francis should get a twitter account.)

What is with NASCAR drivers growing the beards?

I figured, since Austin Dillon has joined this group, why not blog about NASCAR stars and their facial hair, or the lack there of. Why am I talking about NASCAR driver's facial hair? Frankly, I have no clue. Oh wait! I do! It's all Austin Dillon's fault! He's been growing a beard for the past two weeks. I am not saying facial hair is bad, when you look like Kasey Kahne or Denny Hamlin, but when drivers start to look like Big Foot, like Jimmie Johnson and Dale Jr, that is where I draw the line. Where do you official draw the line with the facial hair? Who is their right mind would grow a big Foot beard? What kind of things would you find in there? Some people look good with beards, others do not. Austin's beard hasn't quite grown on me (see the play on words? lol), but it looks pretty darn hot. Dale Jr. *pukes in mouth a little* What the HELL where you thinking? When you don't shave, you look like a hobo, hence one of my first blog subjects. You can NOT tell me that you think that looks hot. If someone went through it with a comb, they would probably find a bird or some food who dropped in there. That is disgusting. You need a weed whacker for that? I'd say. Jimmie Johnson *cringes* Now, what the hell were you thinking? You wanted to be like Junior? That's not right. Yours doesn't look as bad as Junior's, but it still looks bad. Kasey Kahne *tiger growl* Oh man! Have you seen this guy with facial hair? Sexy! ;D You see? Some guys look hot with facial hair and some do not. I know this is one of my weirder blogs, but all well. Austin, why did you have to go and mess with Ashley's head? I mean, she likes you anyway, but this just kind of confuses her. Don't get my wrong, you look pretty good with the beard, but it's weird. I wonder how long you are going keep the hair. Just don't confuse Ashley more than what you already have! Oh! I almost forgot this! Kyle Busch soul patch from his Hendrick days! It looked like you had an unremovalable dirt patch on your chin. I am GLAD that you came to your senses and got rid of the damn thing. Now, if Dale can take a hint about the full of beard, then we would be all happy.

Cup race at Texas was pretty fucking hilarious

YES! I used an obscene word in my title. How else am I suppose to describe yesterday's race? I mena, between Denny getting the win and the points lead, a double Jeff fight on the back stretch which, my driver Kasey Kahne wanted to stop and watch them go at it, and the very obscene hadn gesture Kyle Busch gave an official, it was really fucking hilarious.
YES! Denny Hamlin has the points lead by 33 points over Jimmie Johnson. Stat: every year since the Chase started, the points leader with two races to ago has won the championship. Just food for thought there.
YES! Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton got into a fight on the back stretch after the two of them got tangled up under caution. I have to say that everytime I saw the fight, I hade to laugh. I thought it was funny! Not to play favorites here, but I would have gone with Burton.
YES! Kyle Busch gave a NASCAR official the finger while he was held for a lap for speeding on pit road. That got him two more laps. I think maybe the old Kyle Busch is back, but that's just me.
At the end of the night, Denny Hamlin came out victorious. He almost finished second to Matt Kenseth, IF Matty didn't hit the wall after passing him for the lead. Does that remind you of anybody back in 2008 at Kansas? Carl Edwards pretty much did the same thing trying to beat Jimmie Johnson for the title and the race. Can you believe it's been almost two years since we've seen Carl Edwards in Victory Lane in Cup?
YES! Trevor Bayne DID make the race! *Sings* Happy, Happy, Happy! YES! He DID finish on the lead lap! YES! He DID finish 17th, ahead of some of the chase drivers. Isn't that awesome? I think so. The kid is so amazing! (I know I shouldn't be calling him a kid cuz he's older than me, but all well!)He never went a lap down, he passed quite a few really good drivers out there. he qualified 28th but had to start in the back because of a transmission change. he dug and dug and got a great finish for his first Cup race!
He did better than Joey did in his first Cup race. Speaking of Jo-Lo, he finished 4th after leading some laps. Now, that kid is really proving himself, trying to get career win number 2. After finishing 27th the week before, Kasey Kahne finished 13th, his best finish with the new team. I predict that Kasey Kahne will break into Victory Lane before the end of the season at either Phoenix or Homstead. He is a great driver and he refuses to give up.
Now, on to Nationwide. I don't usually do this, but I think it deserves some words. Carl Edwards won the race and Brad Keselowski wrapped up the driver's Championship for Roger Penske's first NASCAR championship. They are trailing the owner's championship to Joe Gibb's #18 Toyota by 80 points, so these last two races are going to be tough ones. so congratulations to both Roger and Brad.
So what does the nest two races have in store for Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, and Kevin Harvick? I don't know, so we are all going to have to find out!

Why Trevor Bayne deserves this Cup ride over everybody else

Unless you have been living under a rock or in a different galaxy, you know that Trevor Bayne will be attempting to make his first Sprint Cup race at Texas with three races left in the 2010 season. Everybody that knows me knows that I am a Trevor Bayne fan. when I heard this news, I am pretty fucking excited. Almost as excited as I was when Kasey wasn't racing for RPM anymore. Some people may argue that Trevor Bayne isn't ready to make his Sprint Cup debut. I say other wise. Jack did the right thing by making that decision. Trevor Bayne, 19, has come a long way from where he was a year ago. Three consecuative poles (first time that has been done in the Nationwide Series in 18 years-he was one), five top-five, 12 top-tens. The kid has really shined this year. When news hit that Trevor may not have a ride with DWR (Diamond Waltrip Racing), I will admit I was devastated. I'm nto going to lie, I thought I was going to cry. BUT I didn't. I kept my head led high and told myself, He'll get a ride. no one will let this kid not race. Sure enough, about two days later, Trevor landed a ride with one of my favorite race teams Roush Fenway Racing. For several weeks, Jack Roush was debating on whether or not to have Trevor make the jump to Cup for his first race up in the big leagues. People were saying that he would make that start with RPM. Who would want to make their Sprint Cup debut with that team? So, the whole Trevor making his Cup debut was put on hold until this past week when it was decided that, at Texas, Trevor would try to make his first Cup race with the Wood Brothers in the 21 car. If Trevor makes the race, he will join the likes of Joey Logano as the second driver born in the 1990's to race Cup and the first driver to be born in 1991 (my birth year :D). He would also be the youngest in the field, something Joey has been since the 2009 Daytona 500. This blog isn't about Trevor going to Cup, well it is, but there is something I have to get to here. The fact that he was chosen over the other Roush developmental drivers. Roush has quite a few. Colin Braun, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Brian Ickler, just to name a few. I have seen that some people think that Ricky Stenhouse Jr. deserves the Cup ride more than Trevor. Are you huffing something? Trevor is the better driver, hand down. He has run better, has posted better finishes. Who in their right mind would give Ricky Stenhouse Jr., a driver back in spring was close to falling out of the top-30 in owner points, a ride over Trevor Bayne. I'm not saying that I don't like Rucky, I'm not, but Trevor is the better choice for the Cup ride than Ricky. The facts are there, the stats are there. Just face it. Ricky may never make it to Cup. Trevor has a chance to get up to Cup. You gotta face reality sometime. Trevor is the better driver out of the Roush developmental drivers. I am NOT stating an opinion, I am staying a fact. I am sorry if I offended anyone, but it's the truth. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. fans, if you want to come at me and hang me by a tree for saying what I said, but I know when something should be said. This had to be said. This next part is directed at EVERYBODY. Unless your driver is Jimmie Johnson, there is NO way that your driver is better than everybody else. There is NO way that they are going to win the race unless they do. This is directed at a driver. Trevor Bayne, do let ANYBODY tell you that you can not race at the Cup level. You have to go out there this comign weekend and show them that you may be only 19, but you can run with the big dogs. Don't let anybody put you down. You are Trevor Bayne, 19-year-old NASCAR Nationwide phenomenon. You have the Lord and a lot of people on your side. Go out there and do your best. You WILL make the race and get a good finish. Believe in yourself like I believe in you. Like God believes in you. Like all of your fans believe in you.

Kahne out of the 9 car, Almirola in

We all knew this day was coming, but did anybody think it would come 5 races before the end of the season? I sure didn't. The decision came days after Kasey's brakes failed for the second time in three weeks. Kasey was furious. Who wouldn't be? He had two great practices and his brakes fail about 30 laps into the race. Havig no brakes caused him to wreck with Sam Hornish Jr. He brought the car to the garage. He was physically sick, saying her threw up. People are saying that he was just mad and not sick. It could be the reason but we don't really know. What made him even more mad was a RPM employee came up to him saying that he needed to start doing his part. How can he do his part when he is getting shitty equipment? I know he had only 5 races left until he and crew chief Kenny Francis make the more to Red Bull. Now, with Kasey making the move early, will Kenny do so as well? Another question is, what made RPM decide to release Kasey from his contract early? Did they finally realize that Kasey knew that they were screwing him over? Something like this is not going to quiet him. This absolutely disgusts me. I have been a fan of Kasey Kahne's for almost four years and NEVER in those years have I EVER been upset with his raceteam like I have been for the past few months. Ever since RPM heard that Kasey wasn't returning to the organization, they decided to give up on him. Since Richard PEtty joined them right before the 2009 season, they have a total of 2 wins, both of which have come from Kasey. They have a chase appearance, from Kasey. Can you see the pattern here? Kasey WAS the best driver at the organization and they just threw that away. Who is Kasey going to be passing the torch to at RPM? Can any of them live up what Kasey as done? He has 11 wins, 49 top-five and has led 3,011+ laps in his career. None of them have come close. Elliott has three wins (none with the organization), AJ and Paul have none. Kasey has pulled the wagon for the organization since 2006, where he won 6 races and finished 8th in the chase. Richard Petty Motorsports, in my opinion, is one of the WORST teams in NASCAR. I know it's mean to say, but it's true. They all have their heads up their asses. There is NO team out there that would screw over a driver that wasn't renewing their contract with the team. You can say everything that went wrong with Kasey's cars this season was an accident, but you tell me why Kasey had brake problems TWICE in THREE weeks? FISHY!!! After the whole 'Kasey released from RPM' thing, Kasey tweeted about his day: 'Just finished testing Sprint cars in South Carolina. Went real well. Sounds like I have lots to do tomorrow!' I wonder what he meant by the last part. Is it referring to Sprint Cars or Sprint Cup? There's only one way to find out. Kasey tell us! All of RPM's drivers are racing at Martinsville, BUT RPM MAY BE CLOSING UP SHOP! This is because they are losing funding from RFR (Roush Fenway Racing). Parts and cars were taken back to RFR this week. The Petty name is slowly fizzling out of NASCAR. Back to Kasey. Kasey WILL be racing this weekend and the rest of this season with Red Bull in the 83 car, which was previously going to seat Aric Almirola, but he is taking over Kasey's old ride. Next year, Kasey will be in the 82 car, BUT it won't be the 82. it's going to be the 84. Why? Kasey's number racing Sprint cars was 84. Now, you're probably asking 'what about Scott Speed?' I have one thing to say about that. I HAVE NO IDEA!!!

Trevor Bayne: A great driver, just overlooked

The one I really want to stress on is the fact that Diamond-Waltrip Racing decides to replace their best Nationwide driver, maybe the best driver out on the track. Trevor Bayne is being replaced by Ryan Truex and Martin Truex Jr. May I ask why they would do something so idiotic and fucking stupid? Trevor Bayne has to be one of the best Nationwide driver out there and yet he is getting passed over by the Truex brothers. How is that fair? Trevor works so hard every week and works his ass off on the track and gets kicked out of the car for someone who has one a few Nationwide starts. Diamond-Waltrip Racing made a huge mistake in releasing Trevor. When I heard the news about this, I didn’t believe it at first. My friend Ashley told me that it was on their Facebook page. I went there and couldn’t believe what I saw. What pisses me off even more than Trevor being released is the fact not even an hour afterward they announced that the Truex brothers were taking over the car. Trevor had Out! Pet Care on the car for 12 races, the last race being this past week at Loudon, he finished 6^th. DWR did not have another sponsorship for the car after this past weekend. That meant that there was a possibility that Trevor wasn’t going to be in the car when the Cup and Nationwide roll into Kansas this weekend. On Monday, the news rocked the NASCAR world. I would call myself a really big Trevor Bayne fan. Everything I have said about the Trevor Bayne/Diamond-Waltrip Racing spilt has been clearly opinion. I am NOT happy with this decision. They shouldn’t have gotten rid of the best thing that has happened to their team in a while. Sure, I like Ryan and Martin Truex, but I like Trevor a lot more. Now, what’s going to happen now? Where is he going to go? Who is going to pick him up? Here’s what I think. Trevor should be picked up by Kevin Harvick Incorporated. It’s the best option for Trevor. They have really great set-ups and equipment there. Kevin and DeLana Harvick would make a mistake if they didn’t sign Trevor. That’s my opinion. Now, it’s your turn to form your opinion.

Things that piss me off about NASCAR

I love this sport, but some things really get on my nerves. I already wrote about one of them, now for three others. I am warning you now, if you don’t like my ranting, please do not read, but please tell your friends that like ranting to come read. Every so often I find something about NASCAR that really pissing me off. Drivers, races, situations, feuds, and plenty more other things.

The first thing that is pissing me off right now is ESPN’s coverage of this past Sunday’s Cup race, or the lack there of. Commercials at the wrong place, showing the wicked witch of the West all the time, and not showing the reason for a debris caution. With that let’s go deeper into the last debris caution. Kasey Kahne, in my opinion the hottest driver in NASCAR, hit the wall, causing some things from his car to fall onto the track. Now, show of hands, how many people actually knew why exactly the caution came out? Unless you were listening to his radio or someone told you, you didn’t know. ESPN failed to broadcast that over the air. The reason why THIS pisses me off is because ESPN doesn’t understand that unless they show it on TV, people watching at home are NOT going to know what happens. Another thing. Commercial breaks. Taking a break after 7 laps is NOT cool. Taking a break with 15 laps to go is NOT cool. Another thing. Interviews. Perfect example. Danica Patrick. She was interviewed BEFORE the third place finisher at last week’s Nationwide race. Another thing about ESPN. Go back a couple of months to when Trevor Bayne won three poles in a row. How long to do think they talk about that? About two days, until a Cup regular won the race. ESPN gives Cup regulars more coverage during the nationwide race.

Next thing Richard Petty Motorsports. They really piss me off because since Kasey decided to leave them at the end of the year, they decided to give him crappy equipment and give the team mate wrecker AJ Allmendinger everything. Kasey and Elliott are getting the short end of the stick over there and AJ is being treated like the favorite child. It really pisses me off.

NASCAR fueds: are they or aren't they?

Everybody keeps talking about who is going to be the next feud. Just this season, we have seen quite a few 'feuds'. But the question is, are they really feuds or are they just drivers getting aggravated this each other on the track. First example: Brad Keselowski vs. Carl Edwards. It looks like Brad is pissing in pretty much every body's cornflakes these days. First 'sighting' of a feud? April, Talladega, 2009. Edwards into the catch fence as Keselowski goes to Victory Lane. Second sighting? March, Atlanta, 2010. Two offences here. Edwards with trouble after Keselowski spins him (i think). Keselowski flipped up into the wall, Edwards driving away. The most recent sighting? July, Gateway 2010. Final lap. Keselowski turned into the wall, causing a big pile up, Edwards going to Victory Lane. Is this a feud or is this just racing? They both said that they have no beef with each other, but after four offences , two for each, I'm thinking maybe it could be a feud. Brad has gotten into Hamlin for about half of last year's Nationwide season. That was a feud. Next person. Kevin Harvick. This one is a good one. Kevin has had 'feuds' with people ever since he started in the sport. Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Joey Logano just to name a few. I am more up to code with the Harvick/Logano thing. Both offences I have seen, Kevin Harvick is the one who is guilty. The most recent? Pocono, June 2010. Joey has fifth. Kevin doesn't. Joey gives him room. Kevin doesn't take it and he spins him out. Joey comes back to finished 13th. Joey, not a very happy camper, calls Harvick the 'F' word and after the race, has to be retrained from getting at Harvick. Just a few months later, Joey accidently spins Ryan Newman and Ryan gets angry with Joey. Joey, only 20, calmly tries to talk to Ryan, but Ryan wouldn't listen. Ryan is a big guy, so naturally, he goes after the skinnier guys. Last Saturday at Atlanta, He spun Nationwide driver Trevor Bayne. Sunday night, Ryan Newman gets into Chase hopeful, Kasey Kahne, causing him to get into Kurt Busch. Kasey finished 32nd. Ryan ruined Kasey's chances of winning the race and getting into the Chase. The best 'feud' I have seen this season has to be between Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon. You see these everywhere in the sport. I guess you can say it is what makes the sport interesting. What doesn't make it interesting is when a driver gets taken out by his team mate. Kasey Kahne and Elliot Sadler can account to that one. Kasey at Pocono in June and Elliott there in August. The offender? AJ Allmendinger. June. AJ pushed Kasey into the grass, causing Kasey to come up back on the track and wreck about four other cars. August. Kurt Busch starts an accordion effect through the field, AJ doesn't slow, causing him to hit Elliott. Elliott spins and goes spinning into the inside reattaining wall, his engine flies out of of his car. Feuds can make or break you. You have to choose whether or not it's going to do something with it or not.

Why sometimes I think NASCAR officials are stupid

We all know that I like NASCAR. Hell you can even say that I love NASCAR. I do. But sometimes, I find myself saying "What the Fuck?" Why yo may ask? First thing. Kyle Busch. Yeah, I'm going there. He may be a good driver, but letting him dominate the Nationwide Series when others driver don't even get to race. You can say he is the best driver ever, you can say that he is a dirty racer and whines when he doesn't win. Hell, you can say both. I know for a fact that Kyle Busch is not the best driver ever, but he does race dirty every now and then, even if he doesn't admit it. This whole blog is not about kyle Busch, only a part of it. The whole point I am going to try to make is the fact is how many Cup regulars have won a Nationwide race this season? Here is an easier question. How many Nationwide regulars have won a race this season? If you answered one, you hit it right on the nail. One. Justin Allgaier at Bristol in March. One. Just one. You think there is something wrong with this, then you are right. It's sad that only one Nationwide regular has won this year. This can't keep happening. There are a lot of Nationwide drivers still looking for their first career win, but haven't been able to because Cup guys like Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Carl Edwards are dominating the races. You how long people talked about 19-year-old Trevor Bayne and his three consecutive poles? About from the time it happened to the end on that third race. That was about two days, not even. He was the first driver to that in the Nationwide series in 18 years. he was only a year old. Guess who won that race? Kyle Busch. Surprise? You shouldn't be. Pissed? You should be. I am. Trevor finished 5th in that race. He led the second most laps to race winner Kyle Busch and probably got about 2 minutes of TV time. I didn't get to see the race since I was sitting in the stands at Thuner Hill Raceway in Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin. Trevor has been consistant each week and the Cup guys take top-tens, top-fives, and even wins from him and other Nationwide guys. I can't stress enough that NASCAR should do something about all these Cup guys running full schedules in Nationwide. There are drivers that want to race but can't because they get passed over for a guy with "racing experience". How are the "inexperienced" drivers get the expreience they need by sitting on the sidelines watching the Cup guys race? Prime example. Joe Gibbs Racing*. Let's look at this. Joe Gibbs has Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and Joey Logano in the Cup series and Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Brad Coleman, and Matt DiBennetto for Nationwide series. I will give you two guesses who usually runs the races. If you picked Kyle Busch and Joey Logano, you got it. Matt DiBennetto is only 19 with only a few races under his belt. Before a couple of months ago, Brad Coleman hadn't been in a racecar for about a year. Kyle was last year's Nationwide Champion, but missed the Cup chase. Did running a full schedule fuck him up in the Cup series? I think so. The point here is put Brad Coleman and Matt DiBennetto in the car instead of the Cup regulars. Trade your "experienced" drivers for drivers that need more seat time in the car. Let your Cup regulars run two or three races so that your Nationwide drivers have some insight on what to do. Kyle Busch has been a Cup regular since he was 20 years old. Give someone else a chance to race. NASCAR, you need to do something about this. We will never see Trevor Bayne in Victory Lane if you keep letting the Nationwide Series be raided by Cup drivers. We will never see Justin Allgaier, Trevor Bayne, Jasson Leffler winning championships if the Cup drivers are running full schedules. I want to see Trevor Bayne in Victory Lane this year. I want to see someone like Justin Allgaier win a NASCAR Nationwide Championship. I want to see more Nationwide drivers in the top ten in points. What can you, NASCAR, do to let this happen? Just think about it.

Ryan Newman mad at Joey Logano after on track inceident

We all know that Joey is always being push around by other drivers. Kevin Harvick, Greg Biffle to name a few. Joey has never really been the type to get back at them. We have now seen Joey tell Kevin Harvick exactly how he felt when Harvick spun him out at Pocono back in June. Joey was not a happy camper with Harvick. what made matters even worse, Joey's father got into the mix. All I have to say about Tom Logano getting into it is that your boy is 20 years old. He is prefectly capable to defend himself against another person. What you did was wrong and you should have let Joey handle this on his own, because if he doesn't no one is going to respect him. To make this whole thing about joey can't defend himself even bigger is last weeks's incident with Veteran Driver Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 Stewart-Haas Racing Army Chevrolet. Joey's car was loose and Newman was racing Joey hard. JOey got even looseer and got into Ryan rear corner panel, which in turn spun Ryan Newman. Joey came on the radio and Told Zippy that his car was wicked loose. After the race, Ryan Newman found Joey to tell him that he didn't like how he was raced. Joey tried to explain the situation, but Ryan didn't listen. Ryan then shoved Joey and the officials got in the middle of the fight. Here are some opinions of what happened: "My opinion is simple. What happened on the track was an accident. Joey could have simply went to Ryan and apoloized like a man. Instead, Joey went looking for trouble, once again. He complained to Ryan about racing too hard. it's a race! Either race or put your training wheels back on and go to to the school yard. Joey put his hands on Ryan first! If he wants respect, it's time starts earning it." Mindy McDaniel. "When you race someone hard it's bound deermined something will happen. Joey got loose and that was that. Had Newman let him go early in the race it would of been avoided. Joey got loose and lost it, it happens. Joey has been on the receiving end NUMOROUS times! It was just hard racing. Proud of joey for his 10th place finish!" Dustin Keith Rossell. "Well what I think of this whole Joey and Ryan fight is that Joey got loose and got into Newman and then Newman spun out. Ok. After the race, Joey went up to Newman to ask him why he was racing so hard (and really, Ryan Newman was racing hard), and Ryan was mad about getting spun out. I can see why he was mad, I mean he is contending for the Chase. Ok fine. But there was no reason at all for him to push Joey like that. I'm not saying this because i'm a Joey fan, i'm saying this because it's true. I see posts on Facebook about how Joey pushed Newman first. Well that's not so much the case. Joey touched him, not pushed, touched. & Newman got outta control and pushed Joey. Joey was just trying to get an answer out of the guy to see why he was racing so hard. But I guess that's too much for Ryan to do. I've lost all respect for Ryan Newman and I was a fan of his, now i'm not. I'm sorry but my first favorite driver comes first. That's why Joey Logano is my first favorite driver. I am and always will be a proud Joey Logano fan. So yeah that's all I have to say!" Kiley "Joey Logano was obviously having trouble handling his racecar, but MIS is a track with multiple lines with lots of room It was natural for Newman to be hot under the collar. His chase chances took a huge hit. But he should be upset at himself 4being that close to an ill handling 20 car" Matt Humphrey. I could go on and on about what people think. Here is what I think: Joey and Ryan were racing hard. Joey's car got loose and turned into Ryan and he spun. Ryan should have watched a replay before he went and bitched Joey out. It's unforunate for what happened, but what is done is done and there is nothing either of them could do to go back and prevent it. They both need to move on from the incident. Joey handled it like a mature adult and Ryan should have done better with the situation. Sometimes you need to know when it is the right timee to flip out and when it is right to act like a mature adult.

Everything about me is NASCAR

When you look at someone, what do you see?
Do you see the color of their eyes?
Do you see the color of their hair, their skin?
What do you see when see me?
Everything about me is NASCAR.
The way I walk, the way I dress, the way I am.
You can look at me and roll your eyes, talk about me behind my back.
Everything about me is NASCAR.
The way I act, the way I talk, the way look at you.
You can say anything you want about me, you can just walk away.
Everything about me is NASCAR
I live, breath, drink NASCAR
All I have that won't leave is NASCAR.
I walk with it,
I talk with it,
Everything about me is NASCAR
I am who I am because of it.
I watch Kasey Kahne every week,
I watch Joey Logano every week.
I talk about it
I think about it
No matter what I do, it's there.
Circling around me
Following me around every turn
Holding my hand every step of the way
You can't take it away from me.
It is always there
Everything about me is NASCAR
What you don't see
What you don't hear
What you refused to see, hear, feel
It's what make me, me
Everything about me is NASCAR
You say it's stupid
You say there's no point
You say "all they do is go in circles"
But, you don't know
Have you ever even tried to watch?
Everything about me is NASCAR
You can't change me
You can't make me not like it.
You can't tell me it's stupid
You can't look at me and roll your eyes
Everything about me is NASCAR
I walk with the others,
the other fans
walking with the drivers
standing by our men
being excited from the drop of the green flag
to the checkered flag
no matter how dominant one driver gets
I will always watch it because
Everything about me is NASCAR

Reuty's night

Just days after the birth of his frist child, Jimmie Johnson took the green flag in second. Jeff Gordon was about to make his 600th start. Landon Cassill was going to make his 2nd cup start. Kasey Kahne was hoping to finish in the top-five for the 4th time in the last five starts And David Reutimann had no idea what was in store for him. Jamie McMurray led the field to the green, but was quickly overtaken by none other than Jimmie Johnson. Surprise!! Jimmie would lead until grean flag pit stops where he makes a roookie mistake. His misses pit road. He loses the lead to pole sitter and evenual 5th place finisher, Jamie McMurray. That didn't stop Jimmie. he ran down 2nd and then ran down Jamie to take the lead back. Caution. Restart. Jimmie Spins. Caution again. Jimmie never really recovered from that. Went 2 laps down. Got a lap back. Hit the wall, went another 2 laps down. He's not the only driver high up in points that had problems that night. Points leader Kevin Harvick also had problems. Now, to about the last 70 laps. Your leader, Jeff Gordon. Your 2nd place car, David Reutimann*. Reuty wears him down for about 18 laps. with 52 laps to go, Reuty takes the lead. He never looks back. Carl Edwards finished 2nd, Jeff Gordon finished 3rd, Clint Bowyer finished 4th and Jamie MacMurray finished 5th. On a more serious note, Kasey Kahne, the 6th place finisher, came over his radio stating the he was dizzy and nauseous. It night have be Carbon Monoxide poisoning. But, after several tweets, his publicist said he was just fine. Congratulations to David Reutimann on his second career win!
*(Note: david Reutimann was in teh top-five all night. Plus he got that stupid asterik erased from by his 1st win!)

Jimmie and Chandra Johnson welcome baby, but don't have a Name :(

on my mom and Landon Cassil's birthday, Jimmie Johnson's wife Chandra gave birth to a 6 pound 14 ounce baby girl. They haven't figured out a name yet, so they call her "Baby J". Jimmie, who starts second tomorrow, has been show people pictures including soon-to-be team mate Kasey Kahne. Now, the big question is, what are they going to name her? Everyone has been pitching names. I heard Bristol and Victoria Lane. So, I have some suggestions for Jimmie and Channy. Besides Bristol and Victoria Lane, I have got Charlotte, Hannah, Jalynne, Daisy, Angeline, Lola, and Raina. There will probably be more and more name suggestions for them. I have got to wonder. Did they have any names floating around before "Baby J". All I have to say is, what ever they pick, it will be a perfect name for little "Baby J". Plus, I think I am not the only one just wondering waht they are going to name her.

I'm getting really mad at Kevin Harvick right now

First off, welcome to my blog. i didn't get to say this when I first started because well, I forgot. Now on to the goodies, or with a title like this one, I guess you have to say baddies, if that's even a word. First order of business. Kevin Harvick won last night's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona. Second order of business. Jimmie Johnson crashed out with about 13 laps to go along with half the field. Third order of business. Despite being in pretty much all the wrecks last night, Kurt Busch managed to finish 7th. Out of the three business orders I mentioned, I am only happy about one. Can you guess? Yes, you guessed it. The one about Jimmie Johnson. What the hell is Kurt Busch's problem? I mean, he crashed out like 10 guys and he gets a top-ten out of it? and Kevin Harvick, you have a nice lead, i know it will go away once the chase starts, but the guy the finished behind you, the perfect haired, perfect everything Kasey Kahne, needed the win a lot more than you did. I mean coming in to last night's race, he was 20th in points and 174 points back. Well, I guess you already guessed the second place guy, huh? Yeah, my man, Kasey Kahne, finished second. That would make three top-five finishes in four races. It would have been four top-fives in four races, if his engine didn't go in last week's race at Loudon. all i have to say is thank god I beat my grandpa in our weekly bet. He has Jeff Gordon, the race's third place finisher and I have Kasey, the sexy runner-up guy. That's three out of four, should have been four out of four, but all well. Dale Jr. had a solid night last night, finishing fourth after winning the night before in the Nationwide race in the Wrangler 3 car his dad made famous. Rounding out the top-five was Kevin Harvick's team mate Jeff Burton. With 13 laps to go, Kurt Busch (surprise, surprise) gets in it with Jeff Burton, bundling up the rest of the field. Well, you can only imagine what happens next. Oh yeah, the BIG one! The 09, 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 20, 31, 38, 39, 42, 47, 48, 77, 78, 82, 83, 98 were all involved and two of your top-five finishers were in there. Now, what is going to happen next week? Can Kasey Kahne finally pull off a win? Can he get into the Chase? I guess we all have to find out next Saturday at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL Which is 264 miles from my current city! Food for thought. See ya!

How I became a Kasey Kahne fan in a half of a race

Everyone can probably recall how they became fans of their favorite driver. Maybe they can describe it better than I can do for myself. Maybe theirs is probably more glamorous than mine, but I can assure you mine is worth hearing. I had always been a NASCAR fan. In the late 1990's, like my dad, I was a Dale Earnhardt Sr. fan, but then again, how can a eight-year-old pick a different driver when all that was in the house was Dale Sr. fans. In 2001, when Dale Sr. die, I knew that I did not want to like the same driver as my dad. So I decided i needed to find a new driver. That was when i saw Dale Jarrett race for the first time in my eyes. I knew then that I had found my new favorite driver. Now, this lasted for about two years until i decided not to watch NASCAR anymore. i wouldn't watch another race until May of 2006, three years after my last. I can tell you right now that i didn't watch the whole thing though. I was upstairs in my room. For some reason, I don't remember what, I came down the stairs to find my dad, a Dale Jr. fan, watching the 2006 Coca-Cola 600 on FOX. Intrigued, I sat down in the nearest spot and started watching. On a commercial break, they showed a Kasey Kahne commercial. I thought, "Man, he's cute!" As the night went on, Kasey Kahne raced the best race I had every seen in years! right then and there I knew I had found my new favorite driver. I had said this out loud and my sister Rachael had said the words I will never forget. "You only like him because you like he's cute!" Well, she wasn't entirely wrong though. What she had wrong was the fact that wasn't the only reason I like him. I knew he was a great driver and he could win races. Till this day, I remain a Kasey Kahne fan, watching him go to victory lane countless times, watching him barely miss a win, watching his engines blow, watching him make the chase for the first time in his career, sticking with him as he had a bad season in 2007, going win less that same year, watching him go back to victory lane at the same place I watched him go to victory just two years before, just barely missing the chase. As you can see, I have been behind Kasey Kahne for four years and I am pretty sure that I will still be his fan until the day I die. I am a die-hard Kasey Kahne and proud of it! A true NASCAR fan sticks with their driver through good times and bad, not jumping ship when things don't go your way. If someone would call me an obsessed fan girl of Kasey Kahne, I wouldn't deny it. I would proudly say, "Yes, I am! Do you have a problem with that?" and proudly display my alliance with Kasey on my shirt and root for him every weekend no matter what! I can proudly say that Kasey Kahne made me like NASCAR again.

Why does everytime Kasey Kahne is going for a win, he gets screwed?

Okay, I have a good question. Why does every time Kasey Kahne is going for a win, he gets screwed. For the past 4 weeks he was in contention for the win and either someone passes him with like four laps to go, his team mate take him out (damn you, AJ! Yeah I am still mad at you!), or his engine blows after leading the most laps. Why does everything have to happen to my man? Really? What do I have to do, what do the fangirls of Kasey have to do in order for Kasey to get his first win of the season? What do I have to do in order for Kasey to make the Chase? Why does Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin have to be winning all the races and guys like Kasey Kahne, Joey Logano, David Ragan, Clint Bowyer, and countless others are still waiting for their first win of the season and some their first win of their career. 52 times we have watched Jimmie Johnson go to victory lane. I am sick of seeing him win. You know what I what to see? Kasey Kahne go to victory lane. Let's look at something. 2004, Kasey Kahne gets 5 runner-up finishes. A couple of those he had for a victory when it just slipped away. Why? Did God say, "no, not yet."? Well, why not? Why couldn't have he went to victory lane in his rookie year. Did you think he was not good enough for victory lane yet? My man keeps getting screwed and i can't handle it anymore! So many times in his career , he had victories and God had said, "no, not yet. It's not your turn yet." But, how come he had it is his turn only 11 times, when he has said it was Jimmie's turn 52 times? Is God playing favorites. Why does Kasey keep getting screwed? Why does he keep getting run it to and run over? Why does he keep getting the expiring engines? Why does Kasey have to be the loser in a three-wide situation? Why does other drivers think that, "Oh, he doesn't matter. he won't be mad at me if i do this."? Let me tell you something? He does matter. He does care if you do something to him. You know something else? I care what you do to him. All the fangirls care what you do to him. So, you know what? Stop screweing him over. The only reason you would do something like that is because you know would beat you bad later in the race. I think i might have gone off topic a bit. People might just say it is just bad luck. I say it is getting scrwed over by everyone who just doesn't care. By everyone who thinks the guys who dominate this sport are more worthy, I guess is the word, at a win or a championship than Kasey. I just can't take it. Everytime he is cheated, I die a little inside. I died a little today when i saw his engine blew. Kasey shouldn't be cheated out of anything he is in contention for. A win, a top-five, a top-ten. i just can't stress enough how much Kasey Kahne gets cheated and screwed over in this sport! Every week from now until Kasey Kahne gets a win, i will get angrier and angrier, until my head explodes! Now, I guess I have to pray every day that Kasey gets a win next week or I will not have a head anymore! I love Kasey Kahne, and he can't keep getting screwed over and he can't keep getting cheated.

looks like Jimmie Johnson is out of the slump

Surprise, surprise! Jimmie Johnson wins! La Dee freaking da! It looks like Jimmie is out of the slump all of us were praying that he would not get out of. Jimmie Johnson dominated the race, taking over the lead on the first lap from pole-sitter, 4th place finisher, and defending race winner Kasey Kahne. Today's race was boring in my eyes, the girl that hardly very thinks a race is boring. First caution was on lap 19 for a two car spin, the 33 of Clint Bowyer and the 1 of Jamie McMurray. Both had help around, AJ Allmendinger spun Jamie and Kyle Busch spun Clint. Busch received heavy damage and never was a factor afterward. JGR had extremely bad luck today, both Denny and Kyle receiving damage is several different wrecks and Joey Logano's engine expired on the last lap. Jeff Gordon was the bully of the race, spinning almost everyone around him that he could get to: Martin Truex Jr.; David Ragan; Elliott Sadler, who took Clint Bowyer with him who had recovered from his lap 19 spin. On lap 67, the big one happened. Kurt Busch, Juan Montoya, Martin Truex Jr., Mattias Ekstrom, Denny Hamlin, Sam Hornish Jr. and among others get bunched up by Boris Said on a restart and crash. NASCAR red flagged for about 21 minutes. Marcos Ambrose was leader at the last restart when he made the big mistake of stalling his car. He took over his spot, but NASCAR puts him in seven spot, right behind Kasey Kahne, giving Jimmie Johnson the victory, his first road course win, first win in 10 weeks, and his fourth win of season and moved up to 2nd in points. Robby Gordon finished 2nd, points leader Kevin harvick finished 3rd, Kasey Kahne finished 4th and Jeff Gordon finished 5th. At the Final restart, Kurt Busch was in the top-ten, but had a flat left rear and faded to 32nd.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: NASCAR's hobo

What the fuck is up with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and that damn beard? It makes him look like a hobo. Hey, Junior! Maybe the reason why you can't win a race is because of that god aweful beard of yours. Or maybe it's because you're not very good. Have you ever thought that maybe for a second you are as good as everyone else. I mean really? Is your life-long dream is to become in sport's hobo? Come on, your dad was Dale Earnhardt Sr. for god sakes! Just because you work for the so-called best team in the sport doesn't mean that you can do what ever the hell you like! You know, what ever problem you have, it's not your crew chief's fault, it's yours. You are not doing what you are suppose to be doing. You know what? That beard is probably messing with your head. You just can't grow a beard in NASCAR like that! WTF were you thinking? Really? I mean, come on! I got to say, anyone with a full-grown beard looks like a hobo. I don't care who you are, it just not good! I mean, why do people think that a full-grown beard looks good? I think it just looks weird. Hey, Junior! You can't drive well anymore and the only way you can get better is to first know that you are not good anymore right now. Then. you gotta relize that you are at fault for the bad finishes. Your crew is at fault for a small part, but you are at fualt the most. Next, get rid of that damn beard, you look like a hobo. If you don't start getting better finishes more often, you will be the odd man out at Hendrick and Kasey is going to take your spot. Hey, I don't mind ir Kasey take your spot because i like him a hell of a lot more than I like you. it's the truth and you gotta face it sooner or later or it is going to hit you hard in the face like a soccer ball to the nuts. I just don't understand why you keep running shitty. Do you like being passed by the guys that should be worse than you? Do you like be lapped three or four times in a race because you can't get the handling of your car right? Come on, you are 34 years old! Hell, Joey Logano is going better than you and he is only 20 years old. Can you count? 15 years separate the two of you in age and last year and this year he is running better than you.

Who really cares if Jimmie Johnson misses the chase!

Jimmie Johnson has been dominating the Sprint Cup and a lot of people are saying, "STOP!!" You know what, Jimmie? Enough is enough already! You just don't understand that people hate watching people win everything all the freaking time! I hope you can't start a race when your wife goes into labor! I hope, if you do get to start a race, you CRASH in the opening lap. Yeah, i said it. You SUCK!! Not really, but you really got to stop winning and let other people win a championship. I just don't know why you have to be so anal. Just wondering, is your beard telling you what to do? Is your brain in there? Is that why Chad hates it? Cuz it gives you a brain. Well, if your brain was in there, it's a not very good brain! You know what Jimmie? I don't care if you miss the chase. I will be pissed if you did, though cuz i don't LIKE you! Your beard is almost as bad as Dale Jr.'s. Well at least yours doesn't make you look like a dirty hobo in a stolen fire suit. Does DeLana have your fire suit too? Maybe you and Kevin could join forces and fail an attempt to get them back. What else do I want to vent out at the four-time champ? Maybe that you are a four-time champ? You are making NASCAR boring with all your damn winning. You know what? I kinda like that you are in a slump right now. Did your lucky horseshoe fall out your ass? Maybe Denny Hamlin found it, cuz he has been doing your winning lately. Can you see where this is going? Oh, yeah. You are getting it good. You know what? You are going to fall out of the Chase and then you are going to cry like a little baby and i am going to laugh. Yes, laugh cuz it is going to be funny. Maybe Jeff Gordon has a right to be pissed at you. I think he knock your horseshoe loose and AJ Allmendinger ripped it out at Darlington when he "accidently" hit you. I am going to have a field day when you miss a race and when you miss the chase. What are you going to do when someone else is hoisting that Championship trophy and you know it's not you?Have fun trying to see the stage at the Ceremony Banquet in Las Vegas. Maybe I will send you a pair of binoculars for you to see everything from where you are going to be sitting and maybe a GPS so you can find your spot! Have fun sitting with the guys you call the "losers". Guess what? You are one of them!

What I think of Kevin Harvick (oh yeah, I'm going there!)

Kevin, you didn't think anyone was gonna get into your Kool-Aid did you? You got in Joey's, so I'm gonna get in yours! You gotta understand that what you did to Joey at Pocono, was a dumbass thing to do. You got the young guy pissed off at you! Plus, his dad, who, I take it, is someone you don't want to mess with. After his dad, you got a lot of teenaged girls issed off at you because you took out Joey. He was racing you clean, he gave you plenty of room. So, why did you have to go and wreck him. Have you finally figured out that Joey is more respected than you or the fact that maybe you knew that he was going to beat you for that spot? Just pick one reason. No matter which one you choose we teenaged girls will still be pissed at you. Now for you Crew Chief, Gil, you're really said that it was Joey's fault that Kevin wrecked him? REALLY? you really think that? I think that i was your driver's fault, clearly. Actually I don't think it was his fault. I KNOW it was his fault. I just don't understand why you would have to say something like that. Now, back to Kevin. Do you really want another driver pissed at you? What does Joey make? Eight? Nine? Just take some advice from me. Just stop talking and just driving. Don't be so angry and mean to everyone. Who are you going to go after next? A team mate? Please just stop. Just stop or no one is going to like you anymore. The way you are acting makes me feel that what Joey said about your wife is true. You gotta start wearing the firesuit in the family, not her. She have your balls in her firesuit pocket too? Get them back and start actinng like an adult.