Garrett Duke

Well I read some NASCAR news this afternoon that shocked me... Matt Kenseth, driver of the 17 car and drives for Rousch Fenway Racing...and has for fourteen years (all of his cup career) will be leaving Ford, car 17, and Rousch for the first time in his career at the end of the season. Rousch will then put in last year's Nationwide Series champion, Ricky Stenhouse Jr in the 17 car while Matt Kenseth will be driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. Matt will either take Joey Lagono's ride in the 20 car since his contract will end at the end of the year or Gibbs may add a fourth car to his organization. Surprising to me since Matt Kenseth at the moment is ranked at number one in Cup points...and Roush driver Greg Biffle is second. Don't know where that leaves Kurt Busch who had been rumored in wanting to take Lagono's ride before Lagono won that race a couple of weeks ago. Though think he needs to adjust his attitude if he wants another team to hire him...he may have worn out his welcome to any big rides. Will be interesting to see where he lands next year...his car looks pretty bare out there - bare of sponsors. Ah but once again that is my unwanted opinion... Wish Matt the best of luck with his new team. Never have been too big of a fan of his ever since him and Gordon got into it at Bristol, but put that aside, Matt is a pretty good driver. A driver who seems to get the job done without making much noise...very consistant driver.

One of my FAVORITE Christian artist. He is awesome to see in person...a lot of energy.

Here is the official point standings after the Sonoma race yesterday (top ten): 1. Matt Kenseth 2. Greg Biffle 3. Dale Earnhardt Jr 4. Jimmie Johnson 5. Tony Stewart 6. Kevin Harvick 7. Clint Bowyer 8. Denny Hamlin 9. Martin Truex Jr. 10. Brad Keselowski

Well I will try this again since my dumb computer has been fighting me all afternoon and lost my last post. Am frustrated right now. Anyway... The race has just got over and went eighty or so laps caution free. NOt a lot of excitement through the first three fourths of the race. Ambrose led the first few before Gordon passed him to lead a few laps before his car went away on him. Martin Truex Jr led a lot of laps as well as Clint Bowyer. Jeff Gordon was doing well until he ran out of gas with thirty laps to go...luckily he was close to pit road when he ran out and was able to slowly make it to his pit stall. But lost a lot of time on pit road. Went in third, came out 15th. He raced hard to come home sixth. Not the win he should have had, but am happy with it with all things considered. But if Gordon wants to get into the chase come chase time, he NEEDS to win races. Not just get top tens. But am happy with it for now. Jr got involved in an accident on the final restart and come home 23rd after winning last week. Roger - David Ragen made it home 27th today. Kurt Busch gave Clint Bowyer a good run today, fighting hard for the win. His back end of the car was going out and got passed by Tony Stewart on the final couple of laps. Clint Bowyer went on to get his first win for Michael Waltrip Racing. Here is the final ten drivers at Sonoma: 1. Clint Bowyer 2. Tony Stewart 3. Kurt Busch 4. Brian Vickers (his third race of the season...overcame a speeding penalty on pit road) 5. Jimmie Johnson 6. Jeff Gordon 7. Greg Biffle 8. Marcos Ambrose 9. AJ Allmendinger 10. Joey Lagono We are going NIGHT racing next SATURDAY night at Kentucky. The race will start 6:30 EST on TNT.

Another GREAT Tim McGraw song...love it. Love the emotion in his voice...he makes me wanna cry for him.

Can't help it I like the better team...HA HA. GO CUBS Well the NASCAR Sprint Cup boys will be turning left and RIGHT tomorrow at Sonoma at the year's first of two road races on the circuit. And for once in a long time, I know I will be around to watch it...all of it. That is if it doesn't rain...it better NOT rain at Sonoma tomorrow. Here is the top ten starting position drivers for tomorrow's race: 1. Marcos Ambrose (second pole for the driver from down under! Way to go Marcos!) 2. Jeff Gordon 3. Jimmie Johnson 4. Greg Biffle 5. Martin Truex Jr 6. Clint Bowyer 7. Kyle Busch 8. Kurt Busch 9. Matt Kenseth 10. Ryan Newman The race will start at 3:00 EST on ESPN...

You are welcome Roger. You are right about Jr Roger. This is good for the sport as whole. Junior Nation is one happy nation this week. Guess you can include me in there...though he is my third favorite...not first. Gordon will always be number one in my book. You are welcome about Ragen. I like Ragen and wish him the best. For him and you. Jr may have more fans and a bigger name than Gordon or JJ...but they all drive for the same man (though JJ's car is majority owned by Gordon) and that makes them all great to me. As well as Kasey Kahne. GO TEAM HENDRICK!

Well thanks to the dang rain delay they were in, I only got to watch sixty percent or so of the race on TV...the rest I listened to on the radio on the way home. Glad for the radio, but I am a visual person and felt like I missed alot by just listening to the race. But it was better than nothing. They had two cautions that NASCAR put out due to the rain and the new tires...Jimmie Johnson and a few had tire issues. With the tires blistering or the chord showing through. Trevor Bayne and another younger driver (can't recall his name at the moment) had engine failures towards the start of the race. Kurt Busch had something with his car where he spun out to cause the first caution and then he did it again towards the end. Kyle Busch was quick to make it to the front of the race after starting towards the rear of the field...only for his engine to blow. Third race in a row that he had to take his car to the garage. Have to admit, never have been a Busch fan of either brother. But have to admit Kyle has came a long way and he is starting to grow on me (he'll never be considered my favorite) but I did feel bad for him. Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards both had to start at the rear of the field due to changing their engine and both worked their way up towards the front, but never conteded for the win. Jeff Gordon who started 28th was slow to move to the front, but he did and led a few laps under green flag pit stops. He was second for a long time but came home sixth. Am happy with a top ten, but he NEEDS to get WINS if he wants to make the chase. Well y'all I shoulda put money where my words were with Dale Jr when I stated his win is about to come...since he broke his FOUR YEAR winless streak...143 races without that beloved W next to his name. But it came to an end yesterday as he led a lot of laps...playing cat and mouse with Smoke...and went on to win the race. Wish I could have seen it and not just heard it. Am very happy and excited for the entire 88 team...which had been Gordon's team a couple of years ago. Very hard earned win. Though it does leave me questioning NASCAR a bit. A car was on the apron, so it was off the track, but the announcers on the radio made it sound like the tire was ripping off the wheel or something like that. Well that was with six or so laps to go...and NASCAR did NOT throw a caution. Which I normally would agree with. If it is off the track, there is no need to throw a caution. But there has been other times where a car was off the track and they throw a caution...don't get me wrong. I do understand. Jr is the most popular driver and when he wins it is good for the sport as a whole. But at the same time if they put the field back together again for another restart for something like that, it should be done everytime. Not depending on who is leading the race at that time. Though as I said, the win was well earned and well deserved and am happy for the 88 team on breaking their winnless streak. Next time it's Gordon's turn to win. Here is the top ten finishers of the race: 1. Dale Jr 2. Tony Stewart 3. Matt Kenseth 4. Greg Biffle 5. Jimmie Johnson 6. Jeff Gordon 7. Clint Bowyer 8. Juan Pablo Montoya 9. Marcos Ambrose 10. Kevin Harvick (Roger - David Ragen finished 23rd yesterday.) Well Johnson won a couple of races this season so far, Kasey Kahne has won a race, and now Dale Jr. Gotta be Gordon's turn and they are road racing next Sunday. Gordon had been named the road race king and am hoping he lives up to that title next Sunday. Though he has a couple other road racers to deal with such as Marcos Ambrose, JP Montoya, and probably Boris Said.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will race at Brooklyn Michigan tomorrow at noon on TNT. They have repaved Michigan's track since the last time they visited and seems like they have had issues with tires during practices and qualifying. HOpe that won't be a factor in who will win tomorrow... Here is the top ten qualifiers: 1. Marcos Ambrose 2. Kevin Harvick 3. Greg Biffle 4. Kasey Kahne 5. Ryan Newman 6. Matt Kenseth 7. Trevor Bayne 8. Tony Stewart 9. Joey Lagano (who won the Nationwide Series race today...Saturday) 10. Jimmie Johnson This is the track where Dale Earnhardt Jr last won at four years ago...he starts 17th at Michigan. Long time to wait for a win, but with how his season is going, it is bound to come. David Ragen starts 38th and Jeff Gordon will start 28th. I don't know as of yet if I will get to watch the whole race or not...again. But it is Father's Day...but will do my write up either tomorrow night when I get home or Monday afternoon whenever I get the time to get online again. Hope to be reporting a fun and safe race for ALL the drivers. Hope all you Fathers will have a great FATHER'S DAY!

Thanks Roger. Yeah too bad our boys do play in the same devision...but it gives us a friendly rivalry. If I recall in the nineth inning was when they scored the third run...but can't recall on the top of my head at the moment. Wrigley Field was invaded by Tigers fans...lot of 'em...they were happy. I was glad the Cubs were at least in the game and not losing 1 to 11 or some outragous score like that. And do have to admit it was neat seeing Verlander and Fielder at Wrigley as well...just wish they were wearing Cubbie blue. LOL If it helps any...every time I see the Pirates score or who they are playing, I think of you. IF they are not playing the Cubs, I am happy that they win.

Well y'all...think yesterday has got to be the fastest day in history. Sadly it was the day I went to Chicago to see the Cubs play. Had a great day, but went way too fast. The Cubs lost 3-5 to the Tigers, but did their best. Alfonso Soriano, my favorite current Cubs player, got on base once and struck out twice trying to hit me that home run I was hoping for. Was great to see him play in person, last year they had someone else in left field...he came to hit for someone and guess who missed his one at bat last year? ME. LOL. This year he was in the whole game. And though I am a die hard Cubs fan, was great to see Justin Verlander and Prince Fielder play in person. Well attached (if I did it correctly...) is three photos. One of the great Wrigley Field (think I love that field more and more I go there...another reason why everyone should be Cubs fans) another one is of Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano at first base with Prince Fielder. And the other one is of the Chicago Cubs sign...not the marquee one that is notable, but the sign on the other side of the field where we waited for the bus. Had a great time and am looking forward to going back again!

NOT A CHANCE, ROGER! First of all, I don't have a second favorite baseball team. If I had to chose a second one, I would go for the Yankees I guess since they got Jeter and I know more players, but don't do the AL thing if I can help it. Baseball = Cubs...Cubs = baseball to me. And if you think I would ever trade them as my favorite team, especially the Pirates, you are sadly mistaken. Second of all, JEFF GORDON will ALWAYS be my FAVORITE NASCAR driver. End of story. You and David Ragen are just outta luck. Third of all, I only play the best of the best in my fantasy team. Especially facing YOU. Prepare to lose, Roger. . . So I guess you can say that I am not interested in ending this nasty rivalry of your's...that is unless you have gained a better sense of taste in sports and go for the CHICAGO CUBS and JEFF GORDON. Sounds like a great idea to me. (Oh by the way...tell your buddy Tim Lincecum a happy 28th birthday...since he is on one of my fantasy teams...) Hope you know I say all that cause I care and hope only for the best for you...hurts me deeply that you go for such teams that you do. Perhaps some of my GREAT taste will rub off on you. I can only hope... BTW...GO CUBS GO!!!!!! GO JEFF GORDON GO!!!!!!!!!

You trader Roger. Just kidding. Know how you feel...it is a long season. Having two favorite drivers to watch makes it more interesting and gives you more to watch for. Though I think it should be Jeff Gordon...he needs your support. LOL...Though I do like Jimmie Johnson as MY second favorite driver so you did pick a good second driver to follow.

Well the race is over and Jeff Gordon did NOT win without me...in fact he finishes 19th it looks. By what I read it sounds like had to pit at the end due to running out of gas to lose a top five finish. The story of his season thus far... Don't have much detail for y'all today and my computer I am at right now is too slow to look much up right now but will give you the top ten finishers: 1. Joey Lagano 2. Mark Martin 3. Tony Stewart 4. Jimmie Johnson 5. Denny Hamlin 6. Clint Bowyer 7. Matt Kenseth 8. Dale Earnhardt Jr 9. Paul Menard 10. Jamie McMurray (Roger - David Ragen finishes 27th today.) Onto Michigan next Sunday...Jeff Gordon's favorite track.

Well sorry y'all to disappoint y'all for the second week in a row, but I did NOT get to watch the Pocono race due to my own...stupidity. Sorry but that is how I feel right now. Went on a picnic with the family thinking I would skip on the hike and go home to watch the last half the race to realize half way home that I don't have the keys to my parents' house...and I don't have cable at my apartment. So I am sitting here hating the fact that I have to miss this race as well. According to NASCAR.com a minute or so ago they have ten laps to go... My only wish is that Gordon will do great without me. . .

Well Roger, David is a young and upcoming driver who races for a unfunded team...meaning they run on lower money. Hopefully he will be able to break out of that and do better. Qualifying helps a little bit but it matters where they finish more than where they start. Too bad you live on the other side of the state perhaps you could go and give us a live report. Then again for noise and all the cars is is opt to bring, perhaps it is a good thing. Hope they all have a fun and safe race.

Well the Sprint Cup Series will be racing at the tricky triangle...Pocono...tomorrow. Remember, the race will be on TNT...not FOX. Noon on TNT. Here is the top ten qualifiers: 1. Joey Lagano 2. Carl Edwards 3. Paul Menard 4. Kyle Busch 5. Denny Hamlin 6. Mark Martin 7. Regan Smith 8. Dale Earnhardt Jr 9. Marcos Ambrose 10. Kasey Kahne (Jeff Gordon 12th, Tony Stewart 22, Jimmie Johnson 24th, David Ragen 34th - those are the drivers I know who have fans on the site -including myself. If anyone has someone else they like and wish I would write more of, please let me know and I will make note to include them next week.) Well as of right now I don't know if I will be able to watch it or not...but am HOPING to do so...but may have an aunt coming over that may interrupt it for me. I don't know right now. Either way I will make sure to do my review after the race. Pocono is known as the tricky triangle and is a triangle and not the normal oval. Denny Hamlin is known to be good at this track (if memory serves me right, his rookie year he won both races that season.). But who knows who will be good since they have repaved the track since the last time they were at Pocono.

Wow Roger you are full of insults tonight...first you say my Cubs are one of the worst teams in baseball...and then you have the nerve to ask me if I root for the...don't know if I can say it...the White Sox. Well my Cubs may be statistically last right now, but I refuse to believe they are or ever will be the worst team in baseball. They are going through a lot of changes right now and sooner or later they will come back. As for the White Sox...I refuse to go for a rivalry team. Well at least one of our teams is doing alright...but if memory serves me right, your Pirates were on a roll this time last year as well. LOL. But for your sake, I hope that they will last.

"Step By Step" New Kids on the Block LOVE this song...one of their bigger songs.

This was on their Christmas album...though think it could be listened to all year long. Working at a day care...have to love this song even if it wasn't NKOTB who sang it.

LOVE this song! Love this video! Am listening to the songs I downloaded onto my computer from the New Kids On the Block's Greatest Hits and this song is w hat is currently on...and if history proves itself, will push the repeat button a few times. LOL

Me make sense? Why would I ever want to make sense for? I start doing that people may just then begin to understand what I am talking about and that would just be too scary... Well then to your last sentence, Roger...guess I should say, thank-you. I think.

Well got some sad news today...car owner / driver Cotton Owens died at 88 years old. He has been suffering with cancer and his condition got worse when his wife died in April. Cotton was elected to the NASCAR Hall Of Fame on May 23 and will be inducted into the HOF in February. Cotton has won nine times including a Daytona 500 and almost won the '59 championship but got beat by Lee Petty (Richard Petty's father). Junior Johnson, Ralph Earnhardt, Dave Pearson are a few drivers who had driven for him giving him 38 races, 33 pole positions in 405 starts as a car owner. Very sad day in NASCAR...Cotton will be missed but his memory will live on through the Hall of Fame.

Sorry to hear you are having trouble JadedPhoenix. The car and the fic. Not fun at all. Due to the lack of time I haven't been able to read much of anything online but of what I have seen, you are too good of a writer. Plus I am always reminding myself, it is mainly for the fun of it that I write. Not for the reviews. Think positive... Rodney - you have to start somewhere. I've been writing for fifteen years...fanfic that is. And probably still not good. Practice makes perfect. So they say...