This week Shane Hmiel was kicked out of NASCAR for life. Why? After being suspended from NASCAR until 2007 for testing positive to illegal substances last year, he was directed to undergo a rehab program.

And then last week he tested positive again.

Is this fair? Or right? The test was a random test. Not taken because he was ready to re-enter competition. Obviously he wouldn't be driving a NASCAR race anytime soon. Nothing was said over whether he was stating he was clean. It just feels like an incomplete story at the moment. Addiction is a hard thing to beat. Maybe NASCAR is requiring a higher standard for their drivers. But at the same time, don't they also need to provide some kind of support for a competitor that is having a hard time beating their problem?

This is one of those paradoxes. NASCAR wishes to appear to fly on a higher moral ground then the rest of the world. So they have a no tolerance policy for drug abuse. Fair. Then who's there to help the driver that unfortunately falls into the morass of addiction? The team that will terminate the driver's contract at the drop of a hat? Probably not. NASCAR has shown it won't be them. Is there an advocate for these superheroes?

And perhaps this is the price of addiction; complete loss of your livlihood and workplace support systems.

I sincerely hope that Shane has found somebody to help him out of this pit. Whether that helping hand comes from the NASCAR community or his family, he needs to understand that the American public will not condemn him for life...even if NASCAR already has.
 

Your driver. My driver. Most conversations circling around NASCAR contain those phrases among the fandom. And most fans are convinced there is something morally superior about their driver over the other one. And I admit to falling into that pit from time to time.

But actually, does it really matter? I mean come Sunday afternoon does it matter that my guy likes to eat Cheerios and walk his dog and your guy likes to play SEGA and party all night long? Not one bit.

What does matter is how fast that car is whizzing around the track. And nothing else.

I’ll take a few examples. #1. Kurt Busch. Let’s just say that he drove past the rest of the field on Sunday and took the checkers. Let’s just say that he didn’t bump a single car all race long and he smiled politely and thanked his sponsors with a humble nod while having his picture taken. And maybe add him hugging his family and friends.

Yet, the stands would surely echo with the reverberations of the boos pouring forth from the shining examples of humanity above.

#2. Tony Stewart. While the boy in orange will surely be accompanied to his car by a horde of admiring groupies, he will be greeted by a chorus of jeers from the stands. He’ll be condemned for being overly aggressive, hypocritical and what ever happened to the Tony we came to love last year?

Well, his car didn’t get any slower. His reflexes are still dazzling. And I’m sure he’ll be making it to Victory Lane anytime now.

And here they come, around Turn 4, fender to fender, bouncing off of each other, engines screaming, tires squealing as they fight the other off…

For in that instant what might have been said before in their lives, it matters not. Right then I’m a race fan and I’m being treated to the very best of what I love…a race!

And I’ll try to remember that the next time Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart meet at the wall in a questionable tangle of bravado and stupidity. Honest.

Later!

 

When Tony climbed from his car after the Bud Shoot Out and proclaimed that if everybody didn't get a grip, it wouldn't be long before we saw one of our best drivers in the morgue, NASCAR gathered the wisest of the wise and determined they would have to play "Aggressive Driver" police.

Was it effective? Did it result in the kind of competition we all hoped for?

It's true the Daytona 500 was remarkably devoid of the type of wrecks we fear and hope for. It's also true we saw the same kind of bonehead attempts by the drivers to "scare" eachother off that we've always seen in almost every race on the circuit.

So, what was accomplished? Tony got to sound all official and leader-like. Then he got to sound childish and petulant. NASCAR looked level headed and consistent, for the first time in history.

Will anything change in the future? I don't think so. The next plate race at Talladega will probably run much like every other plate race in Cup history. Don't be deluded. Sunday's 500 was a one off. The wrecks will be back. Tony's prediction is still likely to come true unless NASCAR makes huge changes to the cars. A safe driving style doesn't stop the cars from flying into the walls at 200mph. Control is not magically conveyed to the driver's hands.

It's all an illusion.

As for Jimmie's victory...I'm cheering. If in a somewhat subdued manner. Jeff's day full of trouble was rather depressing.

Here's to the #48, once again proving that nothing can get in their way to Victory Lane!
 

So, look at who won the 300 Kissables yesterday and you will see a portent on how the season will pan out in the Busch Series. Tony Stewart undoubtedly was the class of the field. And he rubbed fenders with his fellow Cup cohorts. Fine. Life rolls on and the boys with the money and backing are going to run away with all the recognition to be had from winning a race on Saturday. *sigh*

But to me the Busch series is all about what is going to be in the near future. Youth and inexperience demonstrating the desire and spark needed to continue the climb towards the stars.

So, instead of commenting on the disastrous tri-oval wreck that destroyed Tony's sterling victory, I will look to the battle that occured just behind him.

Who the heck is Burney Lamar? Where did the #77 come from?! How did I miss this?

Burney is what the Busch series is all about. A 25 year old veteran of the West Series, he has paid his dues in every conceivable kind of vehicle as he's climbed his way into the bright lights of NASCAR. Kevin Harvick has had him in his stable as a development driver and Burney is signed to a full-time ride this year.

So, do me a favor. Instead of tuning in on Saturday this year to cheer your Cup favorite into Victory Lane, find a new face in the crowd and really pay attention to his or her growth through the season. Who knows? They might make it all the way to the top. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart came from somewhere after all
 

Mark Martin is a happy guy. He finally has won a race at Daytona. As a rookie . The truck race provided plenty of entertainment. Todd Bodine continued his near perfect run and came in second.

Even though the race finished under caution, and I wrinkled my nose in disappointment. I had to think back a couple years and recalled the truck races that couldn't finish if they tried! 4 and 5 attempts at Green/White Checkers that resulted in just more tore up trucks. These guys last night had their chance and proved they were unable to get it down, so Mark was given the win.

Erik Darnell, the winner of the Driver X program for 2005, finished an impressive 5th. Rousch most assuredly is one of the most accomplished owners at bringing new talent along. Just think back over the last five years and who do you see? Greg Biffle, Jon Wood, Carl Edwards, Todd Kluever...now that's a run of good luck or shrewd business knowledge. Take your pick.

Mike Wallace took a hard hit during the truck race and may possibly sit out the Daytona 500 with a concussion.

The IROC race...Kenseth won. Tony took a hard shot in his door. I hope his ribs didn't get knocked around too much. Kinser ended up on his roof. And everybody walked away. I did get a chance to watch Truex bump with the best in the draft. Maybe we shouldn't write him off of the 500. Martin really showed a lot of ability during this shoot out.

Happy Hour! Kenny Schrader posted the fastest time in the #21 Air Force car. While it doesn't mean that much as far as the whole 500 goes, it sure is a shot in the arm for Kenny. Just look at his smile! This is a ride he's been waiting for. Have fun Kenny!

JG sat out practice. When Jeff is this confident (and he's been this way since early January), he's frightening. The field is going to have a tough time getting around him.

Bobby Labonte's luck just doesn't get good. He popped his engine during Happy Hour and will start at the rear of the field. But don't give up Bobby! Richard Petty has put all the right people together this year. I think he's really serious about winning again. Put this behind you. I want to see that #43 in the Top 10 tomorrow.

Vickers complained of a tight car. His team fixed that. It was so loose, he drove it into the wall. Now they have to fix it. Ah well...

Lil' E was complaining. That's not good.

Who else is silent and ready to eat up the field? Harvick. The media has been ignoring the #29 and Kevin has lurked in the middle of practice and the short races. I think he's just waiting for the money.

And bump drafting...will NASCAR's attempt to police the driving style of the cockiest set of drivers work? I doubt it. I can see major changes to the cars coming for Talladega.

Catch ya'll later!
 

I am now syndicated! If you have Yahoo or another RSS service that allows you to enter URL's and you want to see all the latest headlines from this blog, USE THIS URL!

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MSN does not allow random syndications to be listed. Yahoo is much more accomodating. I have listed with several other RSS Feed lists. Hopefully you can find me!
 

Elliot Sadler and Jeff Gordon are the winners of the Twin 150's.

These short versions of Sunday's program provided some insight into what will be coming our way. The Yates cars looked strong. The DEI #8 and #1 both were shaky in the start but pulled out definitive performances in the long run. The #20 and #11 finished decently in the 1st race, showing that they only wanted to keep the fenders on their cars. J.J. in the #18 only proved my opinion of his driving abilities by wrecking late in the 2nd race.

The entire Hendrick stable was dominant. However, with the #01 blowing a Hendrick engine, we've got to worry. Echoes of two years ago rattle in the attic, especially after Vickers blew an engine earlier this week.

The Childress boys looked fine. Jeff Burton ran out front for the majority of his race. Harvick appeared to be minding his fenders and the #07 played with the best of the boys.

Rousch: Status quo. Near perfection.

Entertainment value for the night: Sterling Marlin failed to see the entire field brake for debris and sent the #88 into a spin with his crushed nose.

Kenny Schrader demonstrated what he is capable of doing in a solid ride. We should see him up front quite a bit on Sunday.

So...predictions? Jeff Gordon is cocky, Kyle Busch youthfully eager, Carl Edwards still having fun, Mark Martin has nothing to lose and Elliot Sadler wants it bad. And Kevin Harvick has been sandbagging all week.

I'll take, hmmm, *closes eyes and spins* Elliot Sadler.

Keep your seatbelt buckled. We have a truck and Busch race to play with before the big boys take to the track

Later!
 

What a start to the season! We got everything. Rookies winning the Bud Shoot Out, veteran teammates pushing said rookie to the front and a trusted crew chief gets creative but ends up in the time-out corner.

Sunday we got a race full of all the stuff that we love racing for. Wrecks (you gotta admit we love those ), penalties being issued for all the wrong and right reasons at the same time, bodyslamming, slam drafting, upset drivers and tears from the parents of the victor. Hubby said my squeaks and squeals of excitement were as good as a whole bowl of Wallys. I don't know if that's a compliment or not.

Denny Hamlin in the #11 Gibbs car took the checkers. For most of the race I couldn't decide if Stewart in the #20 was setting Denny up for a pass or if Tony was holding off the wolves. I still haven't decided.

Ryan Newman lost the entire panel off his rear bumper due to some rather athletic slam drafts.

Carl Edwards learned what NASCAR means by DO NOT PASS BELOW THE YELLOW. He has decided he still wants to play in the NASCAR sandbox and will abide by NASCAR's calls.

So, is the Shoot Out a good thing? And how!!

Now, on to more serious matters.

If I understand this correctly...Chad Knaus tried to sidestep the rules book and gerry rigged a read end adjustment screw to adjust the rear window height at the same time...resulting in Jimmie Johnson's #48 car not to meet a post qualifying inspection. Hence, Chad was escorted from Daytona and told not to come back to that track until July.

Last year when Todd Berrier at the #29 was caught cheating the system he suffered a similar sentence. And the only reason these guys were caught during qualifying was that their little contraptions worked too well. It seems that if you're going to install a blatantly problematic part, you should tell the driver to go slower...but that's kind of counterproductive, ain't it?

That's the trouble! NASCAR keeps an eye open on the best of the best for a reason. They want to be able to say that the winners got there within the parameters set on this particular playground.

It's a shame. The #48 team has a real chance to win the Cup this year, and they will probably start the season at a 50 point deficit.

I don't know whether to thank Chad for making the beginning of the season more interesting, or mad at him for getting caught... Ah well!

Until next time!
 

Is it true? Can it be possible? Will my favorite driver find the speed and confidence necessary to redeem himself in the 2006 season?

Well, starting on the outside of the front row for the Daytona 500 is not a bad way to start the season.

Of course he's sharing the front row with another...Jeff Burton Burton spent last season looking better than he had been in the #99 at Rousch during the 2004 season. And now his first Daytona pole. Not bad. Not bad at all.

While I can be impressed that Dale Jarret and Elliot Sadler fill the "second row" of qualifying, it simply won't signify in the race. First they have to draft through the 125's without wrecking their primary car. Then their speed that landed them near the top of the qualifying charts must translate into the 500 miles of drafting hell next Sunday.

I think the Ford Fusion is a superior package. I think Yates has been looking exceptionally sharp for more than a year. But there is so much more to bringing home the trophy to the 500, I can't make a blanket statement that the Yates boys might win.

And I can't even say that for Jeff and Jeff. *sigh*

Still, this was a good day. And the upcoming Bud Shootout this afternoon will provide further sustenance for my starving racing self.

Crank 'em up!
 

will be appearing in the Spring 2006 SpeedWorld issue:

Keeping Track

By S.D. Grady
sd.grady@gmail.com

I am a creature of habit. I like the reassuring patterns of life. NASCAR usually provides a certain amount of repetition in its rituals and indeed even in its cast of stars. For years and years the #3 was black and driven by Earnhardt, Gordon’s #24 sped by in a rainbow blur as a few feathers danced in its wake, and the #2 in its customary blue coat had the name of Wallace over the door. I could list the names of my heroes as easily as I filled out the grocery list. However, this year my pre-season assignment of matching names, numbers and paint jobs is much more complicated than usual.

What happened? It appears the list of teams has been completely deleted on the master computer and I have been presented with a wordfind. Puzzling… Should I try to solve the challenge by tracking where the driver came from, the whole jigsaw should settle rather quickly into a starting grid. Right?

Let us see…the #2 Miller Lite Penske car is now driven by Kurt Busch after he was forcefully removed from his successful if controversial ride in the #97. So, I look in the #97 for his replacement. Except that the #97 does not exist. It is now the #26 where Jamie McMurray is sporting the Irwin/Sharpie uniform for Jack Rousch. Jamie came from the #42 Havoline at the Ganassi stable where Casey Mears moved over from the #41 Target-mobile so rookie Reed Sorenson could retain his familiar number and sponsor sheet from the Busch series. It is getting pretty muddled. Further, Ganassi apparently was not happy with already moving around two of his teams so Sterling Marlin’s #40 Coors Light Silver Bullet was yanked from beneath the veteran for David Stremme.

Sterling can now be found driving the #14 Waste Management Chevy for MB Motorsports on the old #10 points. So, where did the Valvoline Scott Riggs #10 disappear to? Scott moved with his sponsor and car number over to Evernham where he is using the #91 points.

Are you thoroughly befuddled yet? What about the Gibbs world? I spent all last season watching J.J. Yeley spend much of his time in the wall. Then why am I seeing J.J. Yeley in the #18 Insterstate Batteries ride when that has been Bobby Labonte’s deal for over a decade? Oh yes, because Bobby left the incredibly well-funded and Cup winning Gibbs stable to join The King, Richard Petty, at the #43 shop. Jeff Green left the General Mills colors to join the group at Haas Racing and don the Best Buy uniform in the renumbered #66. Mike Bliss simply vanished into the mists.

Is there more? You bet. Are you beginning to understand my misery and confusion? Ricky Rudd up and left the #21 U.S. Air Force Wood Brothers ride leaving the door open for fellow veteran Kenny Schrader to step in, leaving the #49 BAM racing ride open to recruit a rookie, Brent Sherman.

More? Oh yes. My pencil is getting dull and the list grows with each moment. I mutter to myself and wonder why the powers that be persist in creating such an array of changes. To what point? It is certainly not for my peace of mind. I march forward, slowly bringing the starting grid into focus.

And my diligence will pay off, just as assuredly as the green flag drops on the third Sunday of February every year heralding the beginning of the season. After 500 hundred miles the checker will fly, a car will drive into Victory Lane; a driver will climb from the window to accept the first trophy of the season, and I will be able to shout out his name!

I think.