Live from the Seneca Lodge Bar

I tried not to get myself TOO involved in this subject but it just won't go away. Last night while watching Busch qualifying I heard something said that made me have to speak about it again.

I normally agree w/Tony Stewart, or at least enjoy his opinions on things but if I had been in the Talledega pits last night and had overheard his coversation on Speed Channel, the Yankee in me would've lost it. I would have had no choice but to confront him about it because I couldn't believe what he was saying. I guess sometimes when you have to justify your actions, you don't say the most intelligent things.

I can't quote him but what I do remember was him saying that Cup drivers running the Busch series races is okay because they "have a right to work". Okay, so a guy whose present earnings (just THIS year alone mind you) are almost two million dollars needs to work another job. To me that would be like the CEO of Walmart taking a gig away from a frontdoor greeter. Or maybe a store manager because I'm sure they don't make shit for a salary either.

I took a look at Paul Menard's present earnings considering he's the highest full time Busch driver in the standings right now it's just over three hundred thousand dollars. And that's with DEI under his hood and signing his paycheck. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel bad for Paul but how about the other drivers, owners, crew chiefs, mechanics, pit guys and motorcoach drivers who work for single or double car teams who don't have the backing of DEI, Gibbs, Rousch or Hendrick. You're going to make them try and compete with multi-millionaires?!?!?

Do you think it's any coincidence that they only had 43 cars qualifying for the Busch race this week? Why would small, independant teams waste their time and money to travel to these tracks and try and compete against those big houses and earn a purse that doesn't even cover their expenses?
Okay Tony,...now's your chance, jusify THAT!

On another quick topic, I have to give a shout-out (OMG, did I actually just write shout out??) to Randy Cox. Randy has been Kenny Wallaces' crew chief this year for his Busch ride with PPC Racing. Unfortunately, per Jayski, Randy has been relieved of his duties as crew chief but will be staying at a PPC. Personally, I still don't understand why David Stremme didn'ttake Randy along with him to Cup. Those two have a great history together and it sucks to see Randy get left behind. Hopefully someone out there will see Randy's worth and put him back up on the pitbox where he belongs.

While the other half of my brain is busy bruising their VISA in Texas, I guess I'll have to take over the Picture of the Week for this week.

I'm not a card-carrying member of the Jr-cult but even I have to admit that this is one SWEET lookin' ride. Much better than that tin-can looking thing that happy-Harvdick drives around when he's not complaining or throwing verbal daggers at the Busch brothers. (oh wait, I'M the one who verbally pimp-slaps the little Busch, sorry about that Kevin)

One topic I'll have to dicuss at a later date is the whole Busch-whacker issue. I can't get into it now because my blood pressure this week is at an all-time high and talking about something I am THAT passionate about could put me in the hospital!
I will say this, I don't think ANY Cup driver who's in the Top 20 in points should have his stupid ass running in the Busch series. I remember watching Dale Jr completely dominate the summer race at Daytona a few years back and it was freaking BORing. To those who say no one will go to the Busch races without Cup drivers in the field, you are WRONG. REAL race fans will go to it whether there are Cup drivers in it or not and if they don't,...then NASCAR needs to start marketing that series a HELL of alot better. So I'll leave it at that.
The one saving grace is that the highest driver in that series standings that runs the full Busch schedule (except for a few Cup events) is Paul Menard. If a Cup driver steals that title from him, he's gunna have ME to deal with!!

And on a final note. Shrub, you shouldn't insult drivers who enjoy the attention of "pit lizards". If you didn't have the cash you do in the bank that pretty brunette you pay to have on your arm each weekend would be fucking your pit crew instead of your ugly ass. 'Nuff said.

I wax nostalgic every time the April race in Texas rolls around. I was fortunate enough to attend that race back in 2002 and although the main event was rained out Sunday and run Monday, although the track is in the middle of NOwhere and although the traffic getting out is ridiculous, it was a memorable time and makes me enjoy watching the event every year since.

A few random thoughts about yesterday:

The anthem was AMAZING. Hands-down the best this year. I got to see Little Big Town open for Keith Urban this past fall and they did not disappoint with their remdition. Proud of 'em. Sang it quick and straight.

I have no real opinion on the president giving the command to start engines. He's pretty good at reading cue cards, and that's all I'll say about him.

I didn't feel bad in the LEAST seeing Keebler spin the Bug-eyed-dummy into the wall. My disgust of the Roush team is pretty well documented and seeing one jackass spin another is usually the highlight of the day for me. The best part is after BED's girlfriend smacked her water bottle down in disgust she toed her stupid ass down to Keebler's pit and allegedly had some words for the blonde on the #2 cars pitbox w/the huge rock on her hand. I bet it was quite an intellectual conversation.

Looks like the problems on the 38 team last year had nothing to do with their crew chief. (Poor Tommy Baldwin) I have to laugh at RYR and their issue-solving skills. DJ's gone through crew chiefs like Beccy Gordon goes through drivers and they still can't get the shit corrected. Let me give you a hint Robert...maybe it's the DRIVERS??

Ryan Newman is a man of few words but his post-wreck interviews are as funny as any interview of Tony's. "I'm pretty sure Sterling Marlin's hair piece just got in his eyes and he couldn't see what was going on". Let's take a vote; whose rug is worse? His or Spencer's bouffant? (see pic below)

Nice to see Kasey Kahne in victory lane again. I repeat; poor Tommy Baldwin.

Both of my favorite drivers finished in 7th this weekend. I didn't get to see the Busch race but Scott Riggs' run yesterday was pretty fucking impressive. Evernham had two of their three cars really dialed in. I'm sure that 10 driver was disappointed as hell but it shows how freaking important qualifying is sometimes. Damn it!

Hoppy Easter everybody!

Have a Coke and a smile, Spencer... couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.