Garrett Duke

Well the Bud Shoot out has just ended and I dont' even know where to begin. It was a fast paced race that was jam packed with wrecks. NASCAR has worked hard during the off season to put an end to the two by two racing and so now instead of doing the two by two, they are drafting in packs. Which causes bigger accidents. Every time a driver went to push on the left slide it ends in a big wreck. First wreck came on lap ten that had Michael Waltrip in flames. Took out a few drivers. Micheal then went into the booth for the rest of the night. Wasn't his night at all, his other two drivers : Clint Bowyer and Martin Truex Jr was in a couple of wrecks of their own later on in the race. In another wreck it took out eight cars as Kevin Harvick left on fire...which also took out fan favorite Dale Jr. Gordon had a great race and led a lot of laps. Was great until right before the white flag dropped he went to move around Kyle Busch or tried moving Kyle Busch out of the way and he slid sideways and got caught up on Kurt Busch's car side ways. He then slid a thousand feet on his driver's door before rolling several times and coming to a stop on the roof. That wreck took out several good drivers as well...including Jimmie Johnson. Not my race at all! I went from being disappointed that he was wrecking to being scared to being relieved to see him walk away. Still very relieved that they have so much safety devices within the car and on the uniform. That was one SCARY wreck. Kyle Busch was sideways most of the night from going out of control, but held on to fight for the win...passing Tony Stewart right at the last second. Top five finishes: 1. Kyle Busch 2. Tony Stewart 3. Marcos Ambrose 4. Brad Keselowski 5. Denny Hamlin There ended up only being ten cars on the lead lap when the checkered flag did drop...only thirteen or so cars on track. If this is any indication of what the Daytona 500 is going to be like, we are in for a crazy ride. I am only hoping it will be better on my top three drivers...Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Dale Jr. . .all of whom where wrecked out of the Bud Shoot out. Qualifying for the 500 will be on FOX at 1:00 ET (I think...so check your local listings to be sure on the time.).

Well y'all I got some exciting news...in just an hour and a half the Budweiser Shootout will start on channel FOX. They drew their starting positions last night...Martin Truex starts from the pole. And opposed to what I posted earlier, I will be watching the Shootout...and will make sure to post my review about it afterwards. Am so excited that the season is about to get started as Speed Weeks will start tonight... And tomorrow will be qualifying for the Daytona 500 race! Anyone else excited for the 2012 season to start?

Here is another article on it. No General at PIR

Well Brian...and everyone, hate to ruin all your excitement about The General being on track, but I bring y'all some sad news. NASCAR has stated that they will not allow Bubba Watson to drive The General on the track due to the Confederate flag. Very sad to see The Dukes and The General cut down like this due to the flag and the negative thoughts that come about it when we all know that is not why the boys put it there to begin with. . .but I guess NASCAR does have to withhold it's image if they want to attract viewers across America and not just the south. Still disappointing for this Duke and NASCAR fan. Here is the article I read it from: Bubba Watson and his General Lee. On a brighter note...eight more days til Daytona. This Saturday night will start Speed weeks with the Bud Shootout Saturday night. Sadly it is looking like I will have to miss it, but am hoping to find a way to record it to watch Sunday or so. Anyway you look at it, I will write the summary up of it the best that I can. On another sad note...Jimmie Johnson's car failed inspection with a too big C post modification. This is NOT the way I was wanting the 2012 season to start out for my #2 driver and am not happy about this, at all...though am sure JJ will prevail this. They said that they will wait to see if they will punish him or not until after the Feb. 26 Daytona race. They flew a new C post in to him today so that he could have it for practice. Gordon, Kahne, and Jr's car all passed inspections...

"Stop it Girl" New Kids on the Block

Thanks for the update Brian. Will be looking forward to seeing it on track.. BTW...only twelve days left til Daytona!

Was never a fan of her music, but still so tragic. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her famiy duing this difficult time.

Received some good Iowa NASCAR news today... Landon Cassill, who got kicked out of his ride when Kurt Busch took over his car, has finally found himself a full time ride for 2012 with a team that is yet to be named or still in the making. The team has taken over Brian Vickers' old 83 car...Vickers had been thrown out of the 83 car last year when Red Bull Racing pulled out of NASCAR (pulling both cars.) And since Vickers' old points will carry over to Cassill for the first five races of the season...and since he finished within the top 35, Cassill will be in the first five races. Meaning Cassill will be in the Daytona 500! Landon had said this will be his first full time ride in NASCAR and his first Daytona 500 race. Have to admit, that even though he is not Jeff Gordon or in the Hendrick team, was very disappointed to see Cassill had gotten kicked out of his old car for Kurt Busch. Was very excited to see he has found himself a new ride for this year...which will start in 15 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well another day is probably a good thing. Hope you get feeling better real soon.

*Glares at you before shaking my head before climbing on my motorcycle* Call me whatever makes you happy, because the only person who seems to be believing your vicious lies is yourself. But whatever you do, don't you EVER compare me to him! *Turns motorcycle on and is quick to drive away* ()

*Looks at photo, rolls eyes, and throws it on the floor* I don't need that or want that. What I want is for you to leave my vehicles alone and to NEVER associate my Spitting Cobra with General. What a disgrace! *As for his author...have been busy and off line for the past day or two...wish life would slow down some. Give me more time...perhaps I could get more writing in...*

Congrats Captn:p

Oh no! I am really sorry to hear that you are going through such a HORRIBLE time right now. Will definately keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Just so sad. Will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

Thanks for the update. Just so sad. Will keep him and his family in my thoughts and prayers.

*Takes one look at the canvas to shudder and anger rises within at seeing my vehicles done up so ugly. Angrily turns and eyes Hilery* You've got a wicked and ugly imagination to you girl. *Shakes head. Relieved it is only on canvas* Only you would think of painting Spittin' Cobra and my bike such an ugly color as those...best leave that on canvas and throw it in the lit fire place where it belongs.

Thanks Daney for posting that...am soooo excited right now. Just hope I'll be able to go, but with him being so close to where I live, it would just be WRONG to miss Bo Duke himself. Finally, after a long day at work, I have something to smile about! Thanks again!

Thanks for the link Daney. Congrats to the new grandparents!

TRP Coltrane - the game is asolutely FREE! Otherwise I wouldn't be playing that or any other fantasy sport I am playing. On some sites you do pitch in to play and who ever wins gets all that money, but yahoo you don't pay a dime to play. Nor get anything if you win...other than a cyber award. HA. When I started this thread, I had posted the rules and how to play, but it is always good to get refreshed. Just don't feel like you have to agree w ith it if you are not interested in it. Each race week you will have to chose eight drivers...drivers you feel will have the best start and finish to the race (usually you have to pick them out two days before the race or qualifing run). There is three categories...A, B, C -I think the drivers are put in the categories as to how they ran last season. A is the top notch drivers. Drivers that usually have the best finishes, the most wins. B are the good drivers that will win every once in awhile and have an average finish. C are the underdog drivers - drivers that don't normally finish all that well. Every week you chose two drivers from the A category. One will be the starter driver - the driver where points will be given to where they start, how many laps they led, and where they finish. The bench drivers only get points as to where they start - don't matter if they lead a lap or even if they finish the race. Then you chose four drivers from the B category - two starter drivers and two bench drivers. And for the C category you chose one starter and one for the bench. (For an example, here is what my team consisted of last year for Daytona: Group A: Jeff Gordon (S) Jimmie Johnson ( Group B: Dale Jr (S) Jamie McMurray (S) Ryan Newman ( AJ Allmendinger ( Group C: Michael Waltrip (S) Paul Menard () Now you can only start a driver NINE times throughout the entire season. You can use them as bench drivers as often as you like. For example: I can only pick Gordon nine times...or the list of your favorite drivers, you can only use one of them nine times. So you can't use one driver all the time...otherwise you will not get points after you use them for the nine races. Also for scoring wise...they have a spring, summer, and playoff section where you get ranked as to how you did compared to other people who are playing in your league. And then they have a full season where it ranks how you did all year long. Last year I think I finished eightth over all...not where I wanted to be, but it is fun all the same. Gives you more than just your normal drivers to go for. If you or anyone else has any questions please let me know and I will answer them to the best of my ability. Am looking forward to Daytona...28 more days!

I know...figured I'd let Garrett play along.

Miss you? *Suspiciously eyes you* Don't know if that is what I'd call it, but guess it is nice to see you back. That is until you started threaten to vandalize my motorcycle and car. *Eyes the key ring with even more suspious* What's that for? *Is slow to accept it* Thanks. I think.

*Angry look* How dare YOU even think of such a thing! *Shudders at the thought* No one touches my motorcycle or my car...especially YOU! *Takes a step forward* Think it is best for you to get back to where ever you came from! CDoherty95 - Garrett appreciates you stepping up for him and his motorcycle his one of two prized possessions. His car and his motorcycle.

This is an awesome song by my favorite Christian band...Mercy Me!

Love this group/song. They were awesome to see live in concert!

I use to love that show! Had to admit Luke was my favorite character. Perhaps it was his name and appearance, but he was always so nice and friendly - except to the mayor of course. HA HA. They had some cute and funny lines in the show...and yes I remember Jess too. He did have an attitude problem if I remember right. Been a few years since I actually sat down and watched it. Was always sad that Lorelei and him never really got married...unless they did in later episodes. Don't think I've seen 'em all. Did associate Luke's name with Luke, but that is as far as it had went for me Duke wise. Thanks for pointing all that out. Never knew about the restaurant almost being ran by a Daisy...I'd have missed Luke if they did that though.