Wednesday Night...once a year. It's like Christmas in Summer. The trucks take to the high-banked mixing bowl and provide entertainment as the sun sets over my house--in the middle of the week! I don't know what's so special about a Wednesday night Truck battle, but it is.

And just to spice things up, Speed will be broadcasting the Whelan Modified race before the truck race. This you don't want to miss. A Northeast specialty, these cars grew up and compete on little 1/2 mile ovals across the region. The drivers are a nice mix of long-lived veterans and gutsy newbies to the regional circuit. There's always excitement when the green flag flies. Maybe you don't know all the names...but don't worry, just pick Donny Lia, Teddy Christopher, Woody Pitkat or Flemke...or if Tomaino is racing, he's good, too. Fact is, there's depth to this field and personality to spare.

I'll be stopping to pick-up some take out tonight so I don't miss the big event. LIVE Whelan Modified racing. Speed Channel at 7PM Eastern. At Bristol!

See you there
 

There's been a familiar #3 circling the tracks of the Camping World East Series for the past few years. Nobody has made much noise about the black car...I wonder why that is? Anyway, the driver is Richard Childress' grandson, Austin Dillon, and he does OK. Not amazing...he didn't have much for Joey Logano, but there's been steady improvement.

Today, he will be attempting to qualify in the Nationwide Series race at Michigan in the No. 2 car. I guess they didn't want to get the Dale Sr. fans too stirred up...too bad. Jeff Burton was seen giving him pointers in the garage area yesterday. It's kind of nice to see a talented youth making his way up the ladder, without a high profile media avalanche. With his grandfather's backing, he can make a splash, then hopefully garner attention through good old fashioned racing.

That's how it's supposed to happen, right? Race well. Land a ride. Get a sponsor...not the other way around?

Catch ya later!
 

Hey ya'll. It's been an eternity! I'm still writing my weekly commentary over at The Frontstretch every Tuesday. AND this season I've been writing a racing mystery. Blue Smoke and Burnt Rubber has been appearing in the Fronstretch newsletter every Friday. Hopefully Frontstretch.com will get a facelift soon and the entire story will be linked on the front page.

What about racing this year? Well, you gotta subscribe to the Newsletter. I make my opinions known. As do a bunch of talented writers over at the Frontstretch.

BIG NEWS! I'll be covering the New Hampshire race in September from the infield. That's right...credentials! The Frontstretch is now part of the NASCAR Citizens Journalist Media Corp. What does it all mean? I haven't the foggiest. But it means I am recognized among the NASCAR journalists out there...makes me puff my chest a bit.

Gotta go! Catch ya on Tuesday!


 

Yes, my weekly column is still appearing every Tuesday. Just join the above Google Group! But this piece I feels needs to be given to the NASCAR public. Just click on:

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Will NOT be running in the Newsletter. Look for Sitting in the Stands with S.D. Grady on the website! http://www.frontstretch.com

I can't believe I'm backing Robby Gordon up this week, but I am! Read tomorrow's article to find out why!
 

Whoever you are...reading my archives Still, it's nice to know somebody is reading. Thanks!

So, what's on my mind? If you checked in at the Frontstretch Newsletter today, you know what I think of the current Race to the Chase...yawn! Oh, sorry. Didn't really mean that.

What remains the most riveting story is DEI. Yes, yes. Jr. has traded in his Bud #8 for the Hendrick ride...I'm over that now. Wait until next season before we have fits over the Rice Krispies paint job. LOL That'll teach the Red Army...tattoos with Snap, Krackle and Pop. *evil grin*

Anyway...now we get to watch the big merger try and be what neither garage managed to be in the past. Will Ginn's foresight in building a top-notch garage facility assist DEI in obtaining the elusive glitz powdered only on the very best teams? I still don't see it happening. Max Seigel continues to talk a very good line. And yes, Truex has been showing us he knows how to drive...we already knew that. But will the magic follow the #01 team? That is a question. How happy is Mark Martin to be out of the Hendrick shadow and part of a team that's #1 selling point is the deceased namesake? hmmm...yeah, he'll retire this year for sure.

I'm not psychic. But I'm not sold on this big business move. It doesn't feel right. I could be wrong. Time will tell.

Oh, how silly the season is!

Later!
 

Didn't recognize too drivers many, did ya? Was it boring? NO. Exciting? YES

For once we got a peek at the crop of up and comers. Rookies made rookie mistakes. Cars were hard to drive. Tires shredded. Still, far more entertaining than almost any other Busch race this season! (save for the Mexico City road race...that was awesome.)

Yes, the outcome was much the same. Sorenson took home the trophy. But this wasn't just a repeat of a Cup event. Unique. Had flavor. Might actually remember this race later this year...

I'm on vacation starting tonight, so no Tuesday newsletter at Frontstretch. I will return next week with my impressions of the Brickyard 400!

Later
 

for Indy.

Why? you ask. Economics. Micheal Waltrip Racing is fighting to keep its head above water. When you don't even make the race...it doesn't matter much who is driving it.

Indy offers one of the highest purses in the NASCAR calendar. By cashing in on Terry's Past Champs Provisional, the #55 is guaranteed to start and guaranteed a nice chunk of change at the end of the weekend...even if he finishes 43rd.

Ever wonder why the #89 Racing for Jesus showed up as a "field filler" last year, ran ten laps then parked it? Easy, if you make the show, NASCAR ensures your bills are paid for the weekend. AND it keeps your sponsors happy.

The naysayers are arguing about killing the Past Champs Prov. They want the fastest cars. Which is good. But you will never have variety if you don't allow the little owners a shot. This provisional provides a long shot...and America loves that.
 

is heading over to Ginn Racing as the other driver for the Mark Martin #01 Army car.

Good move? I'm not so sure. Aric has been moving up slowly through the Gibbs development program. While I was suitably impressed by his ability at Milwaukee a few weeks ago, I'm not so confident he belongs in a Cup ride right now...especially in a team that just laid off half its assets and merged with another team. That is not a stable or supportive environment Aric is walking into.

While I can understand his frustration in being looked over at Milwaukee, I just don't think he made the best choice for his future. How about a full-time Busch ride for starters? Huh? It certainly didn't hurt Truex, Green or Riggs to pocket a championship before putting their cards on the table with the sharks.

Making this move now just accelerates the likelihood that Aric is fast forwarding into driver anonynimity. Which is too bad...I like letting the new guys take a shot. But I also like to see them have a chance.
 

What's on my mind this week?

Not Tony Stewart. His little diatribe about Denny Hamlin deserves no more airplay. That's just Tony being the whiny little boy he has proven himself to be time and again.

I'm not enthralled with the new TV coverage. Why not? Check out the Frontstretch Newsletter tomorrow and find out I know. That wasn't nice.

But gotta go! Busy, busy, busy....