Garrett Duke

I know, I know...I have to enjoy it while it lasts.

My boys finish 1-2 today. Johnson finished first...ties his wins with Dale Sr. at 76 and Dale Jr finishes second. So good to hear Jr sound soooo happy after the race. Chase Elliot finished 8th in the 24 car. Great race today...sadly for my fantasy team, I went with Kevin Harvick who led the most laps, but finished sixth. Shoulda went with my boy Johnson. LOL.

And who is in first place? ? ?

Beat me? Oh hog wash. I felt sorry for you last year...now with all this smack talk, I don't feel to bad. I am about to show you all who's boss...ME. LOL. Me and my buddy, Jimmie Johnson, is going to dominate this year!

Sounds like a great idea...sorry I didn't think of that when I created this one.

Thanks Roger for putting this out there...anyone is welcomed to join. It is fun, free, and it is easy to play. Let me know and I'll help you get signed up. It is already very tough on me. I get anxious for Daytona...and then it hits me. Oh yeah, Gordon's going to be in the booth. Not the 24 car. Hard for me to accept that someone else is driving the 24 car...that will always be Gordon's car to me. Don't get me wrong, I am still excited for Daytona. Jimmie Johnson will be my guy to follow now that Gordon isn't out there. Just won't be the same. Please join Roger and I in a little fun NASCAR fantasy league...you don't even have to know a lot about NASCAR to play it. . . I have some sad NASCAR news though...Tony Stewart was in a bad non racing accident last Sunday. By what I read he was at a friend's house where they were driving the guys' sand buggies. At first, people said Tony flipped it. But now it sounds like he got separated from the pack and lost control of it. It must have went air borne and he landed hard on the sand. Sounds like he laid there for ninety minutes before the guy, Jeff Gordon, and Ray Everanham found him, helped him onto a helicopter and flew him to the hospital with a serious back injury. They later flew him to North Carolina's hospital where he had back surgery. Sounds like he broke his lower vertebrae or something like that. They say he will make a full recovery and should be able to return to racing later this season...but in the meantime he will have to find another driver to replace him for Daytona and until he is healed. Sad way to end his stellar career. Stewart said at the end of last season, that this would be his last season in NASCAR. Sorry to put the news here, but I didn't want to take away from my fantasy league. . .

I am highly sad that Christmas is here and over already...New Year's tomorrow. And back to work on Monday. Yuck. I like my job...just not ready to get up to the stupid alarm at three fifteen in the morning again. Oh well. Don't worry about me...I'll be fine in seven more weeks when NASCAR starts back up again. Seven long weeks...

OK...so I cheated. How many Jack songs can there be? Can't think of any Diane songs either...so I will go with and. "You and Tequila" Kenny Chesney https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8XkLrErSHw (btw...I copied and pasted this into the reply box and it still didn't show the picture. You may just be stuck with a link...)

So I couldn't figure out how to post a video on this newer version...so you'll have to handle a link. "Jack Daniels" Eric Church I will warn y'all that he does say the "A" word a few times in the song and for that I apologize. This is the only song I could think of with any of the words on the previous songs and well...I was determined to think of something. I dislike that he uses that word, but do love Eric Church's music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQm4loeXc20

Congrats Roger...thought you would be happy about that. I would have done better, but I seemed to curse the drivers I picked and they end up wrecking out or having some sort of problems throughout the race. I am sure they all cringed every time I picked them to do good. Congrats Roger...you deserved it. Well the 2015 season has ended this past weekend and I for one am an emotional wreck about it. One: it was Jeff Gordon's very last race of his career. He is now retired. Though he will be in the Fox booth next season with Darrell Waltrip. And two: I hate NASCAR's off season...LOL. Long season short...after missing eleven races due to a horrendous accident in the Xfinity Series race at Daytona last February, Kyle Busch over come all that when NASCAR gave him a waiver to get into the Chase...as long as he was in the top thirty in points and a win. He strung along several wins to make it into the Chase...and he held on despite several shaky races by the 18 team...to win the championship. KYLE BUSCH IS THE 2015 NASCAR SPRINT CUP CHAMPION!! I know he is getting criticized for not being a true champion due to the eleven missed races, but if you asked me, NASCAR owed Kyle that waiver they gave him. After all, if that track had a safety barrier around the whole track, he probably wouldn't have missed those races. Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, and Martin Truex Jr. are the top four driver in points. I guess it goes without saying that I was really pulling and hoping for Gordon to win his fifth championship...to be celebrating with him - well from my space in this world...LOL. But third place is still something to be proud about. He had the best average finish in the Chase of all the Chase drivers...he had a great Chase with his one and last win coming at Martinsville. So hard to believe that Jeff Gordon is done. Finished. That there is now a new driver that will be driving the 24 car...Chase Elliot. Don't get me wrong, I do like Chase. I have followed him before his Xfinity Series start last year...after all he was tagged to be Gordon's replacement. But I am not ready to watch Gordon leave. Then again, I'll never be ready to see my hero walk away from the sport he helped me to love and follow the past thirteen years or so. Especially not ready to see someone else take over the 24 car...even if it was Gordon's idea for Elliot to take the 24 after him. Yeah, it is great to see the 24 continue it's legacy, but it is hard for me to see it being taken over by anyone. Just so you all know...I will always love Jeff Gordon. Look up to him. Respect him. Jeff Gordon helped change NASCAR, help NASCAR grow. Helped shape NASCAR. He has had a great career, one to be proud of. Not only does he have a great career to be proud about, but most importantly he is a great person and has done so much to help with children cancer. He even has his own children's hospital. He does a lot to help those children and give them some hope they all deserve. I am sure he will continue to do so and maybe more so now that he is retired. Last week I was an nervous wreck about this last race...thinking of all that could go wrong for his last race. I wanted it to be perfect for him. Well...I missed the race...but it sounds like it was less than perfect as he had a tire go down. He went in for a vibration and they worked on what they thought was wrong...only to find out it was a tire. So they got that fixed. So perhaps he didn't get the win I was hoping for and didn't win the championship, but he came home sixth on his last week, third for the overall season. Now I am sad to see him go, to say his career is over, but happy for him. He deserves to walk away when he is ready, and he is ready. I am just glad and thankful that he will be in the booth next year...even more so that it is with FOX and Darrell Waltrip. I love it when the races are on FOX and I love DW...so I will still get to see Jeff Gordon. Or more likely than not, to hear him. I think the number one question that I have been asked since he announced his retirement is, who will you follow next year? And the answer is an easy one...JIMMIE JOHNSON. Jimmie has been my second favorite driver for a long while now...because of Jeff Gordon. Jeff Gordon spotted his talent. Talked Hendrick into hiring Jimmie to race for him...which in turn, Rick Hendrick told Gordon to put his money where his mouth is. . .so Jeff Gordon is car owner of Jimmie Johnson. I see a lot of similarities between the two. If I didn't have Jimmie Johnson to turn to to follow next season, I don't know if I could get excited about NASCAR. Or as excited as I am. Especially after how frustrating this Chase is for me or NASCAR punishment policy. (I agree with what Kyle Busch said a couple of weeks ago...it all depends on the name above the driver's door on whether or not they will cast out punishment. Been like that for some time now and it is beyond frustrating for me.) With all that said, I will keep an eye on Chase Elliot and hope he will do great in the Sprint Cup Series as well.

Well y'all, remember me? LOL. Last I tried signing in, I either got the wrong password or it didn't let me in...and well just gave up after that. Life is busy. I do still watch the races, but unlike last year, normally just have my tablet instead of my computer out to write the write ups. I apologize for disappearing on you. But you seemed to do great with out me, so I guess it doesn't matter much. For better newsworthy news...Tony Stewart made it official yesterday. He is retiring after next year and Clint Bowyer will be taking his seat in the 14 car. After all Tony has gone through in the past few years, it is kind of expected. Though still sad. We are at Dover this weekend...it will be Jimmie Johnson's 500th NASCAR race. And they will start eliminating drivers after the race from the Chase...four to be exact. So hard to believe we are at this point of the season. We are in the Chase and have eight races (counting Dover) til we find out who will be the 2015 Champion. More depressing, it also marks eight more races left to Jeff Gordon's career. I am appreciative of having the chance to watch him race...even if just on TV...and to be a big fan of his. But hate the fact that he is getting ready to walk away from the 24 car...but am also glad that he will be on FOX next season. NASCAR will not be the same with out him. For the sport. Or for me, the fan. I have heard a lot of Gordon fans say that when he is done, they are done with NASCAR. That probably would have been me several years ago when Gordon was my main driver. He is and always will be my all time favorite driver...but now I also follow the rest of the Hendrick drivers. Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are my two main favorite drivers...I get asked all the time who I will root for when Gordon calls it quits. Well my answer is always...Jimmie Johnson. Well had to throw in my hello and to spread word about Tony Stewart...

Well this isn't NASCAR news worthy...but I apologize for not keeping up with my race reviews and so forth. Life has gotten busy and haven't had the time to really sit down and write any up...and have missed a couple of races here and there. Horrible...I know. Gordon's last year and I am failing him miserably...find it incredibly sad that this time next year, there will be a kid in his seat and not him. At least he will be up in the booth in FOX with Darrell Waltrip. Talking of the booth, tonight's race at Daytona will be the first race on NBC for the past few years. Will be interesting to see who will be in their booth and all that fancy stuff. (Just so you know...next year, my main driver will move over to my second favorite driver. Jimmie Johnson. I am interested in seeing how Chase Elliot will do in the Cup series, just wish it was in another car. 24 will always be Gordon for me.) Anyway Dale Earnhardt Jr got the pole due to the qualifying being rained out and they went by their finish in practice. So tonight is Gordon's last race at Daytona...really hope he will get a decent finish. For his last year, it hasn't been the best for him or his fans...so it is about time to turn that around. Jr will take the green flag 6:30 central time on NBC. Seeing how I have to wake up at four tomorrow morning, I really don't know how long I will stay up to watch it. According to my DVR, it has it ending at 9:30 central time...my time. Which is doable to be up at, but won't be putting me to bed any time early. LOL. So there it is...hope all has been great for you.

Well I am back as well...HNet wasn't accepting my password until now. Figured y'all got me kicked out. LOL. I will admit there was a time I that Kyle Busch kinda bugged me, but I have to admit I have slowly accepted the fact that now that he has matured in the past couple of years I do like him and have respect for him. I am super excited to hear of his return this weekend...though his wife is due any time now. So who knows if she has her baby this weekend if that would sideline him for one more race. It will be great to see him in the 18 car once more. Better yet, NASCAR has waivered him to be Chase eligible as long as he finishes in the top 30 in points with a win come Chase time. Normally the driver has to qualify their car and start the race in order to get points for the race and to be able to go into the Chase...and with Kyle missing two and a half months of races that would side line him come time for the Chase. But NASCAR is making an exception for him. Which they should. If they and Daytona International Speedway had put safety barriers on that wall, he wouldn't have gotten hurt as badly as he did. So super news for Kyle Busch and his fans.

Well if I didn't deserve to be fired a couple of weeks ago, I do now. Sadly, I only caught the last twenty or so laps of the Texas race last night. Just too bad NASCAR is so inconsiderate and doesn't follow my schedule. I mean, really? I am their biggest fan after all... So I guess I will let you know the of the few info that I do know... Kurt Busch started the race from the pole. Jeff Gordon had a car that he fought all day, but thanks to a late race caution where his cc Alan Gustafson gambled with a two tire change, gave him an eighth or seventh place finish Kasey Kahne finished seventh or eighth (he turned 35 on last Friday...). Kevin Harvick led a lot of laps...but not the lap that counted the most. He came in second...after bumping Dale Jr. out of the way. Which is very uncool of him if you ask me. I mean where he figures he can disrespect the sports' most popular driver that way? But to stick with the facts, Jr was second on the white flag flew, coming around the last curve, Harvick bumped Jr. So Harvick finished second, Jr. finished third. Jimmie Johnson who holds the most wins at Texas for active drivers led a lot of laps...and led the lap that mattered to win the race. All four of my Hendrick boys finished in the top ten. Carl Edwards got his first top ten of the season for his new team, team Gibbs. Sorry for my lack of a review. I was hoping to catch the race last night, but just didn't get home in time to do so. Other than to watch the last 27 laps or so. Though I did finally cave in and bought the special package to my NASCAR APP on my phone that lets me listen into the drivers' radio as well as watch from certain drivers screen points. I listened into Gordon's radio (imagine that, right?) for the last 35 laps or so last night. Thought that was pretty awesome. Though he sounded pretty discouraged on the radio...or maybe just tired. Didn't really say anything other than about the pit stop and congratulating Alan on a great call. We are at my all time favorite track next Sunday...BRISTOL baby!!!! Not only that, but Gordon's kids (Ella and Leo) will be the grand marshals for the race. I am so looking forward to it...and really hope to catch the race. . .and to do better with my reviews. I am not forgetting y'all...at all. I promise! Hope you all have a good week.

Thanks Lizzy for explaining that to me...I thought I knew everything about NASCAR. Guess I was wrong. LOL. Actually I know more about the drivers/crew and most of the supposed rules of NASCAR than I do the actual technical car stuff. Though I always find that interesting. Jeff Hammond use to do a segment in the pre race show on FOX explaining different car info and stuff...I really wish he would still do that. I always enjoyed the info he gave out. As for Ryan Newman and his crew...as I said, I really don't understand why they would attempt to do that right after NASCAR came out saying harsh penalties would come out of it if caught. I know it is the crew chief to walk the line and push the envelope on the rules of the car, but really? A couple of days after NASCAR gave the warning? Just don't make sense to me.

Well y'all I owe you all a huge apology...I did watch last weekends race, but had my niece and nephew over so I didn't have my lap top up (dogs, kids...too many chances of someone knocking it over and what not. Plus...busy, busy, busy.) Anyways, right after the race, we left to take the kids back into town to meet up with my sister. And this being Holy Week, have been busy at church and will continue to be so this week. Wish I was here to say I was going to write a race write up, but I should be in bed right now... So I will agree with Hoss...I was highly disappointed with Jeff Gordon's speeding penalty. He was struggling with his car all race long, hung out in tenth or so for most of the race. He finally got his car up to par and up in clean air and only to get caught speeding. At least he manned up to it and apologized. He didn't get the win I was hoping for, but man it was amazing to hear him go through the field as fast as he did. I think someone said he restarted like 35th or so and in a handful of laps or so, he finished ninth. Maybe he needs to race mad more often. OK . . .just joking. I don't want Gordon mad. If Gordon is mad, I am mad. Just how it goes. Danica Patrick finished seventh or eighth. So way to go Danica! It is great to see her have some success and hope for more down the road. I do like her, just feel like she was pulled up to the Sprint Cup Series too early and above others that was more talented. Jimmie Johnson had several issues throughout the race...finished like 31 laps down. Jr had shifter issues and got caught up in a wreck. It was neat to see Gordon and Kenseth work with each other. I didn't see it happened (I missed the first part of the race...my niece had the TV and wouldn't give it to me...LOL) but I guess Kenseth door slammed Gordon at some point in the race. At the end at one of the restarts, Kenseth was first and Gordon radioed into his spotter saying that it would be nice if Kenseth would repay him for door slamming him by giving him the inside lane (I think it was the inside lane that worked more). Gordon said he was mainly joking, but Kenseth did it. Before the radio conversation came through on the TV, I was wondering why he would give him that lane and so was the announcers. It was just great to see none team mates work together like that. (Gordon just wanted the lane and had said he would let Kenseth past him once the race restarted...which he did.) Gordon and Kenseth didn't always get along so it was great to see them getting along now. I know I am missing most of the race...but Denny Hamlin ended up winning the race and taking home the Martinsville Clock trophy. I apologize that I am missing most of the race and the final results...I really shouldn't even be on right now. Kyle Larson was not in the race (Regan Smith drove for him) as he passed out during his autograph session Saturday. He was released from the hospital last night and is waiting for test results. Still not cleared to race...but they have this weekend off so hopefully they will figure it out before the eleventh when they will be racing at Texas. Before the race, NASCAR said drivers were cheating or doing something with the tires (I thought I read something about drilling holes in them? But I am thinking that has to be wrong and I imagined that...can't imagine how drilling holes in the tires would help them out any) and had said they would punish drivers if caught. Well Ryan Newman has been caught tampering with his tires somehow...his crew chief has been suspended for several races, he has been docked like 75 driver points, and I am sure fines were handed out as well. I really don't understand why they would go out and tamper with the tires just after NASCAR warned them about it. Once again, I apologize for failing at my job here and for doing such a bad job now. If I had more time I would do a better job at it, but four tomorrow morning will be here bright and early. Like every morning. LOL. Thanks Hoss for trying to cover for me. I had to admit I had to go and re-read your beginning paragraph after seeing your final result. I was about to yell at you for giving Brad Keselowski another win this past weekend...but then realized you were talking about last week's race (March 22). No race this week, they are off for Easter. And then they will be racing Saturday night, April 11th at Texas. I will try to do a better job at my reviews...

I apologize for my lack of a review of last week's race...I was out and missed the race. I had thought I was going to be able to make it back in time, but as it turned out, I didn't even get to watch any of it. I can tell you Kevin Harvick won. But that is about it...oh and that Gordon finished nineth, Johnson eleventh...Jr 43rd after a wreck, and Kasey Kahne finished I think fourth. But that is about it. So I am sorry. If all should go as planned, am hoping to watch the race on Sunday. But with that said...I have some sad NASCAR news. Brian Vickers who was sidelined with blood clots in his leg in 2010 and missed the beginning of this season due to an emergency open heart surgery in December, is now out indefinitely as they have once again found blood clots in his leg. He is on blood thinners and he is not allowed to race while on blood thinners. Brett Moffitt will take his car for him while he is out...Brett had drove for him while he missed the first two races of the season. Brian and his family is in my thought and prayers as he goes through this ordeal once again. Ironically, this is blood clot awareness week and Brian was scheduled to do some appearances for it before the race... On a happy note...Dwight Yoakam will be the honorary starter for the race. Love Dwight's music!

Well We are under way at Las Vegas. Jeff Gordon won the pole...his first at Las Vegas...only to get wrecked out in the second practice by Danica Patrick...and had to go to a different car. So he went from starting first to starting last. Or second to last because David Ragen had to go to a different engine and he had to start in the back as well. David Ragen is driving the 18 car for injured Kyle Busch...and will be in the 18 car until Kyle Busch comes back on track. Joey Logano and Kasey Kahne started on the front, but Joey was quick to get up front and distance himself from the rest of the field...but it didn't take too long until Jimmie Johnson got out front. Johnson led until seven laps after a green flag pit stop he got a lose tire and had to go back in to put him a lap down. On that pit stop, Tony Stewart got penalized for a lose tire that another car hit away. A few laps after that Brad Keselowski had a tire get away and got penalized and put him a lap down...and a caution. Kevin Harvick was quick to take the lead. Brad Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson was waiting for a caution to see who would get t heir lap back...well Jimmie Johnson hit the wall and Jeff Gordon got into the back of Jeb Burton to send him into the wall.(Gordon said in his post race interview that he was getting read to make a move past Jeb and when Jeb slowed down - due to Johnson - Gordon thought he was letting him go pass. He didn't know of Johnson's deal until after he bumped Jeb.) To bring the caution out and Brad Keselowski got the free pass back onto the lead lap. (For the record...I am a very unhappy Gordon/Johnson fan right now...) And if that isn't bad enough...Johnson hit the wall again due to tire issues. Sixth caution was when Carl Edwards ran Kasey Kahne into the wall. Kasey Kahne got mad and went back into Edwards to send Edwards spinning into the infield. Both cars suffered damage to their cars with the whole ordeal. Kevin Harvick went on to win the race...with Martin Truex Jr. coming home second. Official results: 1. Kevin Harvick 2. Martin Truex Jr. 3. Ryan Newman 4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 5. Denny Hamlin 6. AJ Allmendinger 7. Brad Keselowski 8. Kyle Larson 9. Matt Kenseth 10. Joey Logano 11. Jamie McMurray 12. Joey Logano 13. Brian Scott 14. Greg Biffle 15. Brian Vickers 16. Regan Smith 17. Kasey Kahne 18. Jeff Gordon 19. Ryan Blaney 20. Austin Dillion 21. Clint Bowyer 22. David Ragen 23. David Gilliland 24. Sam Hornish Jr. 25. Casey Mears 26. Aric Almirola 27. Danica Patrick 28. Trevor Bayne 29. Ricky Stenhouse Jr 30. Michael McDowell 31. Justin Allgaier 32. Cole Whitt 33. Tony Stewart 34. Josh Wise 35. Landon Cassill 36. JJ Yeley 37. Brett Moffitt 38. Brendan Gaughan 39. Michael Annett 40. Jeb Burton 41. Jimmie Johnson 42. Carl Edwards 43. Alex Bowman On a side note, it was great to see Brian Vickers return to the number 55 car. In December, Vickers had open heart surgery and was told he wouldn't be able to race until this weekend. He had a great attitude of being grateful to be alive after the ordeal and looking forward to getting back into the car. I pray that all his health issues are a thing of the past...he is a great guy and hate to see anyone face what he had to face. Go through what he went through. Am so glad to see him on the track today. We are onto Phoenix next Sunday...

The race at Atlanta started with the cars drying the track from a small rain shower last night before the green flag flew with Joey Logano leading the field. Harvick who had qualified second started in the back due to an engine failure in practice...and a lot of the cars who started in the back due to the qualifying fiasco were quick to move up the field. On lap 24, Atlanta had the number 24 on the driver position tower to respect Jeff Gordon...also had the number 24 on the grass to thank Jeff Gordon. They had a competition yellow on lap 25 due to t he rain last night. They had another caution for debris when Austin Dillion had a flat tire and since NASCAR didn't list the caution to his tire, he got the free pass. A few laps later his tire went again to bring on another caution. This time NASCAR listed him as the reason to the caution. Landon Cassill's engine blows for the second time this season to bring out another caution. The guy can't catch a break this season. A restart from a debris caution sent Denny Hamlin, Jamie McMurray, and Jeff Gordon going three wide into a turn until Hamlin got lose and by the sounds of it got into McMurray and Gordon hit the wall hard to end their day. (The wall Gordon hit was concrete...just like Kyle Busch. I am just glad that Gordon is OK. NASCAR needs to wake up with their walls. It is 2015 - it shouldn't be this big of an issue!) On the restart, Greg Biffle got loose and caused a big accident involving Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Clint Bowyer, Tony Stewart, Joe Nemechek. They red flagged the race to clean the race track afterwards. Jimmie Johnson went on to win his 71st career win...his fourth win at Atlanta. 1. Jimmie Johnson 2. Kevin Harvick 3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 4. Joey Logano 5. Matt Kenseth 6. Martin Truex Jr. 7. AJ Allmendinger 8. Brett Moffitt (driving for Brian Vickers - Vickers will be back next week.) 9. Brad Keselwoski 10. Ryan Newman 11. Aric Almirola 12. Carl Edwards 13. Paul Menard 14. Kasey Kahne 15. Casey Mears 16. Danica Patrick 17. Regan Smith 18. David Regan 19. Trevor Bayne 20. Justin Allgaier 21. Sam Hornish Jr. 22. David Gilliland 23. Alex Bowman 24. Clint Bowyer 25. Greg Biffle 26. Kyle Larson 27. Michael McDowell 28. Brendan Gaughan 29. Michael Annett 30. Tony Stewart 31. Mike Bliss 32. Josh Wise 33. Joe Nemechek 34. JJ Yeley 35. Jeb Burton 36. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 37. Cole Whitt 38. Denny Hamlin 39. Austin Dillion 40. Jamie McMurray 41. Jeff Gordon 42. Ron Hornaday Jr. 43. Landon Cassill We are onto Las Vegas next Sunday...

Good connection there Boss. Have been following that story too. Sad to see an under funded team get dealt this. He will not be able to race today bacuse of it.

Well they had qualifying for the Sprint Series race today...for Sunday`s race in Atlanta. Or should I say some of the drivers had qualifying...seeing on how fifteen drivers were not given the chance to qualify at all. Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth were not able to set foot into their race cars to qualify for Sunday`s race due to running out of time. I guess they were stuck in inspection...some even got inspected two or three times. Though Gordon will get in Sunday`s race on last year`s points, Stewart, Johnson, and Kenseth will get in on their championships. Sounds like others who did not get a chance to qualify will not be able to race at all. NASCAR is really making a joke out of their qualifying. Last week it sounds like it was more like a demolation derby than qualifying and now they fail to let all drivers qualify? As Gordon says, it is embarrassing and NASCAR needs to apologize to its fans. Gordon, Johnson, Stewart, and Kenseth will at least be able to race...though will start in the way back of the field. Jeff Gordon and others upset after not being able to qualify With that said, Daytona 500 winner, Joey Logano has won the pole and will lead the field to the green flag Sunday at Atlanta...

Well y'all...I got some happy news for you. NASCAR SEASON IS FINALLY HERE!!!! I am beyond excited about it...but also a sad. Excited because life isn't complete without NASCAR...but sad that this is the last year that Jeff Gordon will be driving the 24 car. Can't imagine NASCAR without him. But am sure NASCAR will continue without him... Today was the Superbowl of NASCAR...the biggest race of the season. The race everyone has been waiting for. Jeff Gordon started the race on the pole with Jimmie Johnson starting besides him. Jeff Gordon had a fast car and led several laps on the opening of the race. First caution is for Landon Cassill as his engine or something broke. Second caution is for Matt Kenseth and Tony Stewart who hit the wall with heavy damage. On the restart Joey Logaono took the lead and Johnson second. Jeff Gordon has led the most laps at Daytona in his career and at the moment...Gordon has led 84 laps with 92 laps to go. They are just getting ready for a restart from a debris caution. Johnson got penalized for his crew getting over the wall too early and Edwards along with few other drivers got caught for speeding on pit road. (Sorry...am trying to type this as the race goes to see if I can remember more. Let me know if this is better or not...) Gordon had gotten the lead back but has slid back and Dale Jr. took the lead to lead several laps and now Joey Logano is now back in lead. We have 45 laps to go and they are on their final green flag pit stop and Logano is still in the lead. And now with 40 laps go go we are under caution because Brad Keselowski's car smoking up...a second caution due to engine failure. Jamie McMurray slid on Kesleowski's oil and went into the wall, Ryan Nemwan ran into the back of him. Gordon and a few drivers are pitting for fuel. Jimmie Johnson is now leading on the restart. Jeff Gordon has clinched most laps led today. Clint Bowyer has helped Carl Edwards past Jimmie Johnson after the restart. And now caution number five for Ryan Blaney as his engine blows as well... and now Joey Logano is voicing similar problems as his teammate Brad Keselowski. And now with seven to go, Joey Logano's car is still staying within and he is leading the race. Behind him cars are three wide. And with three to go Justin Allgaier and Ty Dillion get in an accident to bring on the yellow flag. And now they are red flagged as they are trying to clear the track of Allgaier's car off the track. They restart with Logano in the lead and on the last lap, Austin Dillion got in the back of Jeff Gordon to cause a big wreck to bring out the yellow flag and end the race. Joey Logano has won his first Daytona 500. Official results: 1. Joey Logano 2. Kevin Harvick 3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 4. Denny Hamlin 5. Jimmie Johnson 6. Casey Mears 7. Clint Bowyer 8. Martin Truex Jr. 9. Kasey Kahne 10. Greg Biffle 11. David Gilliland 12. Sam Hornish Jr. 13. Michael Annett 14. Austin Dillion 15. Aric Almirola 16. Regan Smith 17. David Regan 18. Johnny Sauter 19. Matt Crafton 20. AJ Allmendinger 21. Danica Patrick 22. Cole Whitt 23. Jamie McMurray 24. Carl Edwards 25. Michael Waltrip 26. Bobby Lagonte 27. Paul Menard 28. Ty Dillion 29. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 30. Trevor Bayne 31. Michael McDowell 32. Reed Sorenson 33. Jeff Gordon 34. Kyle Larson 35. Matt Kenseth 36. Mike Wallace 37. Justin Allgaier 38. Ryan Newman 39. Ryan Blaney 40. JJ Yeley 41. Brad Keselowski 42. Tony Stewart 43. Landon Cassill Well...race one in the books. We are off to Atlanta next Sunday...perhaps Bo and Luke will be there. LOL

Am hoping that one day you will be able to meet them...don't give up. I never thought I would meet any of them. So if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. And yes, I was excited. I was shaking when I met them...

It had some neat cars, but I guess I didn't pay close attention to them. My focus was on Tom...I even missed the General due to being too excited about meeting Wopat. Sorry.