Saturday Sighs: Lowe's Motor Speedway (Not)

I should be in Charlotte tonight, I really should. I'm sitting here, doing laundry and the occasional half-hearted attempt at housekeeping, wishing I was there. I am watching the race on TV, but my heart's not in it. I am sad, and sadder still because I am only here because I'm being safe, being practical, counting pennies. Feeling badly that I gave into Adulthood and its responsibilities.

I have not been to a NASCAR® race all this season and it's starting to frustrate me. It must be a sign that I'm getting older or something, because I actually (and it kills me to admit this) have weighed the pros and the cons of going versus my budget. Gasoline prices what they are, and Charlotte still having the shortages they are, I made a conscious decision to not go this weekend. Even though it would be the very last time I would see Smoke (Tony Stewart) drive in the #20 car at Charlotte. Even though it would be the last time I would see Smoke and the simply wonderful Zippy (his long-time crew chief and friend) team up together for this October classic at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Even though...well, hell, even though I've not been racing yet this season. Like I could be any more selfish.

I'm sitting, here, though, writing this and hating that I was practical. Hating that I didn't throw $200 at this weekend excursion of mine (and that's hoping I can find a decent rate per gallon somewhere) and, with it, throw caution to the wind. It is not every year, or every weekend, for that matter when the chances are this good for a lively and competitive race. And while my long-time fave Mark Martin is not competitive this year, and most likely Tony and the Home Depot team won't settle their differences in time to likely be champs this their final run, there is also the camaraderie that exists between us NASCAR® fans, too. A spirit that frankly cannot be replicated at home, watching from a television set. But that is where you'll find me tonight. Finding me hoping I'll be able to go in May next year, instead...really hoping.

So, with a hardened eye at my wallet and a wary eye of the unknown, I decided to not go. The decision, sadly, was not the hardest of ones to make from a purely economical standpoint: Lowe's, despite having plenty of seats available even as late as yesterday, still did not have a fire sale to get the stands filled and instead held their ground for the inflated ticket prices (at least in any areas where you won't risk losing your hearing). Hotel and/or motel rooms still were about as high as they usually are...translation: jacked up some because it's 'race weekend'...and let's not even talk about the gas shortages in and around western North Carolina right now that's pushing fuel prices up to about the $4/gallon range (some help is on the way, though). I know economically we're all having it rough and in most likelihood it's going to get rougher, but apply some common sense NASCAR® (and vendors): sell things for a little less profit margin and get people to come out and be thankful. Or, you can do what you did with me and some others I know and make a difficult financial decision that much easier to rationalize. You help us, we help you.

I'm going to put away my wallet and all of my crib sheets that helped influence me in this decision and try and concentrate on the race instead. Damn, I wish I could be there. Damn, I wish I could try (yet again) to see Zippy at work, getting ready and then stressing and maybe even hear him give Smoke a taste of his own medicine on the radio. Damn, I can almost smell the overpriced beer and tough-as-nails 'soft' pretzels. Earlier this week during qualifying I peeked on the television and saw (approximately) the great seat I had for both races last year. Maybe I can swing the near Martinsville race, maybe that would satisfy my cravings for overblown commercialism, extremely tight jeans (both men's and women's, with both good and bad outcomes), choruses of 'hell ya' and 'JUNIOR!', and also some weird need to see my beloved boys in orange try to take it home one more time. Lord knows it's not been an easy year for me as a fan, but it's been much harder for them (or so it seems, anyway) as a team. I hate to see it end this badly...or at least see it end this badly only through the lens and spin of television.

Honestly, as I write this, I don't know where my loyalties will be next year after the Home Depot team as I've known for so long breaks apart... either supporting Tony or supporting Zippy, as supporting both doesn't look viable at present...but I'm so on the fence it's a bit worrisome right now. In a sport where fan allegiance is everything, I wonder if it's acceptable to jump ship from a fave driver to a fave crew chief?? A wild boy racer called Tony Stewart 'brought me to' Greg (Zippy) Zipadelli oh so many races ago, but it's been Zippy's actions as a man and leader that have kept me a loyal fan when Smoke's actions were unacceptable. I admit I've watched them both with equal emotion over the years, and have been proud to call them 'my' team (although Smoke has not made that easy at times). It weighs on me that a Championship appears nearly out of reach already. I'm heartsick at the prospect of this dynamic duo going their separate ways, and it's not even next year yet.

Nor is it the end of this race, but it is the commercial break. Maybe if I find something else I can flip back and forth with on the telly, I won't be this 'racesick' as the night rolls on...

It's The Great American Race Season

...and it's starting with its Big Kahuna today, otherwise known as The Daytona 500. And, just to add to the nostalgia, it's the 50th running of said race, so no chance to over-promote it will be missed by all the powers that be. (The hoopla is already going on with various television channels...and has been for all this week...but technically the race coverage starts at 2pm EST today on FOX. Truly, while this is the season 'opener' of NASCAR®, it's also their equivalent of the Super Bowl®.) I've been waiting for this day for a bit now...as Lord knows I love my racin'...but now that it's here I want it over and done with already. Enough of the hyperbole, can we get some action going here, fellas? Dunno why the impatience exactly, but I suspect maybe it's because I'm growing a bit weary of supporting a sport that has strayed so far from its roots, and its original fans, and has become such an overblown media event every week. Let's go racin', already.

I'll be watching today, as I always do, trying to figure out where my loyalties should be placed this year. Being from the Midwest and having spent far too many years gulping in Ozarks-area dirt track fumes alongside my father, I always go back to cheering for 'my boys' from the area. Longtime fave Mark Martin (starting 12th) is running out of opportunities to finally win this race, as he's getting up there in age and viable chances...and God Bless Him, he came so damn close last year. Carl Edwards, a fellow Missouri native (via Columbia way) and genuinely nice guy, also has strong credentials and could do well here. Carl (ahem, "Mikey" as he's called by those who've known him from way back) starts just ahead of Mark in 11th position. Kenny Wallace (starting 17th)...the court jester of NASCAR®, or at least The Speed Channel® where he is a part-time host on their pre-race coverage...hails from St. Louis and is actually a helluva driver, if he can ever get a team and sponsorship behind him for a full season. (Like everything sports related in the US, no and/or little money or sponsorship = wasted and unharvested talent.) Then there is Jamie McMurray, another driver from my Ozarks backyard of Joplin, Missouri. Jamie (starting 38th) is one that I wish I could say the same glowing remarks about as the others, but sadly, I cannot. I'm not really sure where Jamie's career is going these days, as it seems to have stagnated and maybe even retreated a bit. I hope I'm wrong about Jamie's potential...today and in the future...I really, really do.

I'll also be watching two of my international faves this year: 40th place starting Scotsman Dario Franchetti (husband of actress of Ashley Judd, so I'm sure there will be more than the average in-the-pits camera shots for that reason alone) making his first ever intro to NASCAR® racing, and Aussie (and super-nice guy) Marcos Ambrose, who is trying to move up from the 'juniors' to the 'majors' of NASCAR®. Marcos didn't qualify for this big race today (and actually had a bad day with the 'junior' race yesterday), but his skills are extremely sharp and constantly improving. (Incidents with Robbie Gordon in Canada notwithstanding.) Franchetti leaves international racing with a storied career of both victories and crashes under his belt...including a 2007 victory at the Indianapolis 500. Both Francetti and Ambrose are top-notch drivers from other formulas, but...as any proud NASCAR® fan will tell you...'that is that, and this is NASCAR'®. In theory, the inclusion of these two should 'legitimize' NASCAR® in the international racing world, but in practice I suspect what will happen instead is that these two greats will figure out 'the good ole boys' way' and then proceed to show them a thing or two (with an accent and a ready smile). Time will tell how those 'good ole boys' and their fans will react if and when that happens. The more things change, the more we want things to stay the same, after all.

And, finally, still on my race radar...although I sometimes question my sanity on this...is the Drama King himself, Tony Stewart. Smoke starts 6th today, and won the 'junior' race yesterday...a deadly combination for a man already known for his confidence level. Hands down, Tony is the most off-track news making character the sport has right now for all of his antics (both good and bad). We haven't even started the season yet, and he's already on a six-race infraction watch by race officials for essentially a practice race about a week ago. (So welcome to 2008, people. To quote The Who in "Won't Get Fooled Again": "meet the new boss, same as the old boss." Sigh.)

Arguably Smoke's the best driver out there, and as we fans of his like to say, Stewart could find a way to drive a bathtub to Victory Lane. (Only with the help of his long-suffering #20 support team and Crew Chief Greg 'Zippy' Zipadelli, though...somehow those guys get all too frequently forgotten in the media writeups.) Arguably he is also the most anxiety-causing driver out there to his fans, too, as there is no 'peaceful' season...but instead we fans just have to ride out the next incoming tidal wave, one right after the other. Between the temper tantrums, the verbal throwdowns with the media, some physical throwdowns with others (including other drivers) and all the miscellaneous other personal actions off the track...there is no wonder why Smoke's own fan base constantly wars against, splinters, and then has to reglue itself back together again. His driving and on track causes are worthy of fan appreciation and support...Tony is, in many ways, seen as an (perhaps one of the very few) 'old school' driver against all the 'new school' stuff that NASCAR® seems all too willing to shove down the fans' throats...it's just all the off track nonsense that can be totally draining. Hell, this season he's even got fans supporting him for his on track racing, but boycotting his merchandise sales for his off track activities...and I think that just may be a first, even for NASCAR®. For the rest of us Smoke fans we volley from being jubilant, to being embarrassed, and then to see a glimmer of maturity...so we get hopeful again. Wash, rinse, repeat. For the first time in years, I'm back to being on the fence with Smoke. And that really pains me, as I think he's the last of a breed of drivers we may never see again. It could be a very, very good year for him and his team...new car, new manufacturer, new enthusiasm, new support...but it will only be a good year for his fans too if Smoke starts to grow the hell up (again) sometime soon. We're simply done with all the crap. It's Dr Tony, Mr Smoke most of the time now...and it's a tough road show.

And, on that positive note LOL, I'm off to go get some lunch before the flag gets dropped and before WR stops over to help me sample the incubating beer brew we created last month. (By the way, those who have DirecTV satellite can see the entire race, Hotpass©-wise, for free today. Stewart, perennial fave Dale Earnhardt, Jr., (Friend of Blog's Baby Abba's champ) Jeff Gordon, and Kevin (Happy) Harvick are the four drivers you can watch and/or listen to. And, as always for the 'language' people, have the remote and/or mute button ready if you're watching with small children. All four of these guys, but especially Smoke, can be blistering on their radios if things don't go well. Remember, these are team communications, not a commercial that Miss Manners would approve of. That said, they're also pretty damn funny, too, most of the time when things are going well, or at least okay. Consider Dale, Jeff, and Happy potentially 'PG-13' rated, while Smoke's more of a 'R'. Consider yourself warned.)

May the best (or at least the luckiest) team win today. And may everybody go home safe and ready to compete in this new season.

Pull the ripcord to stop a NASCAR® team's free fall?

And I thought I was jinxing them (well, not really, but hey racing can be a superstitious sport) by attending the last two races (in Charlotte on 10/13 and last week in Martinsville on 10/21) in person. So, in theory anyway, I'd stay home this weekend and the more winning ways would return for My Boys racing for Home Depot®. Wrong.

As it's now obvious to my fellow Tony Stewart fans and myself, something has went decidedly wacky (and uncharacteristically subpar) really since the bizarre 'shoulda/coulda/woulda' won controversy that was the Kansas Speedway race last month. Today, God help us, The Orange Army entered The Pep Boys Auto 500 in Atlanta, 4th in points (249 back behind the leader) and with a strong hope for victory, normally at a track that has historically been good for the team. Tonight, post-Atlanta, we've fallen back to 5th place in the points (322 points behind, with only 3 races to go before a champion is crowned), after barely surviving today for a 30th place finish. It was a woefully long day, and one filled with tension, frayed nerves, and raw emotion...three things becoming all too common for us these days. For highlights of the massacre, click here. (Highlights from ESPN, one of the networks that has down an abysmal job of production of the races this year, for what it's worth.)

It's just not been the same for the #20 team since Kansas (see video link below), and it's been a roller coaster ever since...mostly down, as the points now show. To say we Home Depot® and Tony Stewart fans are depressed is a major understatement. Not too long ago, we could at least touch victory, if not outright taste it. Alas, certainly not tonight.

The fiasco at Kansas from September 30, complete with all the confounding NASCAR® rules glory (video from YouTube, as usual):

So, five weeks ago, Smoke & Company were still in strong contention for the Championship. Now, after two so-so weeks which were then followed by three very problematic weeks (to put it mildly), we're now out of contention for all intents and purposes (unless something mathematically wondrous happens and Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson both implode somehow...which has less favourable odds than yours truly winning the Powerball lottery). I know I'm one of many Stewart's and Zippy's ("Zippy" being the very level-headed crew chief of Stewart, Greg Zipadelli, fondly referred to as "Saint Zippy") fans who openly wonders just how the hell did this all happen, with this quality caliber of team, on these race tracks, and this damn quickly.

(All together now...drink. It will make you feel better when watching the sports recap on the news.)

So, while all of us #20 fans are off finding and/or finishing off liquor of some sort to go heal what ails us (or at least until reality sets in, whichever comes first), we're also all hoping Our Boys have a 'coming to God' meeting with management, friends, family, everybody and anybody...and immediately. Championship or no Championship this season, it's time to hang on for dear life, breathe deep and restructure for next season...and, please, dear Lord, finally stop the free fall from continuing any further.