The Official Race Thread

[Little Whiskey]

wow, we are now up to 3!!!


I've always wanted to do that FC. sounds like it would be a blast. the problem is $$$$. can i ask what it cost for you to go?


now to task at hand. we need to find you a driver to root for. From what i know about you from the forums. i might suggest Jamie McMurray. He drive the #26. He is sponserd by Crown Royal/Sharpie/Rubbermaid. he is also one of the prettyboys of the racing. So i think he meets EC and Alcohol requirment for you. He is not doing extremely great right now, but give him another year under rousch and he will get better. so jump on his bandwagon now.

[FavreChild]

It *was* a blast, and extremely well-done. The best part...it didn't cost me anything! A friend of mine won the experience from Marlboro and brought me as a guest. I almost felt bad b/c I do not smoke, and Marlboro really went all out for its customers. It lasted about three hours - definitely an experience worth a couple hundred bucks. They let us keep the racing gloves, but not the $2,000 racing suits. But we got lots of pictures of us in the cars, wearing the full gear. Sweet.

I have always liked IRL, but haven't really followed NASCAR. I know a lot of the big names, of course, but don't root for any of them. Thus, I like your suggestion and the fact that I haven't heard of this Jamie McMurray fellow. I'll have to check him out....

[Little Whiskey]

FC, here is your driver.

Jamie McMurray broke into Cup Cars, back in 2002 when he sub for an injured Sterling Marlin. He won in just his second race. When Marlin returned Chip Gnassi (team owner) found room for him in the #42 Havoline Dodge. Since his big break in 2002, Jamie has had up and down seasons. He lured away from Genassi last year by Jack Rousch and was asked to take over for the then departing Mark Martin, however since Kurt Busch thought that Miller and Penske offered greener pastures the decided to ask Martin to drive one more year and put jamie in the 26. (at the time it was the 97 car). The recently switched crew cheifs between Jamie and Carl Edwards and i don't know yet if it was good or bad. I look for Mcmurray to finish this year on an up note and be settled by next year.

[FavreChild]

OK, we'll give it a try. Is there a race coming up soon that I'm supposed to be watching (besides the Indy 500)?

[Little Whiskey]

This week is the the all star event (used to be called the Winston). there is three ways to be able to race in this event. first is to win a race the previous year. or second is to win the qualifing race. or third is to be voted in by the fans. I don't think McMurray won a race last year, and i don't think he will be voted in by the fans. so in order for him to race this weekend he is going to have to win the qualifier. he might. but this weekend will be a good race to watch. if you don't finish first you don't win anything. so those last laps will be some beating and banging. next weekend is the cocacola 600. it is at the same racetrack but 600 miles!! it is the longest race of the season. and Lowes motorspeedway, usually lends itself to good racing. but i'll be honest the next good beginer race to watch will be daytona on 7/1. don't get me wrong you can practice watching up until then. Since you like IRL and you are going to watch the indy500, did you know that Nascar races at indy? 8-6, for the brickyard 400. Who do is your driver for IRL?? I'm not a huge fan, but i will watch the 500 and every now and then i will watch a race.

I think you should post some of the pic from your racing weekend!! do you have any action photos? how fast did they take the corners? please tell me you didn't scream and cry?!! every week the anouncers (ex-drivers) take some sort of celeb for a lap or two around the track. i don't remember who it was but they took this woman in the car for a lap around atlanta (fastest track) and after they came out of the corner he road up near the wall...i think she just about pissed herself!! screaming and carrying on, covering her eyes and holding her face. too damn funny. i hope this wasn't YOU.

[Little Whiskey]

last night, as part of the all star festivities, they held their anual pit crew competion. Martin Truex Jr beat Kasey Kahne to take the crown. the compition consists of heats, each team must change four tires, fill the car with gas then push it down the pit road. fastest wins. Its nice to see nascar recognize some of the behind the scenes guys. it kinda pisses me off that truex could find time in his busy schedule to root his team on. these guys give their heart and soul to him week in and week out and root him on during the race, without any fame or glory. now it is their turn and he can't make it. SHAME!!

[FavreChild]

LW, they told us that we had an average speed of 100 mph on the oval. They made us sign about a bazillion disclaimers, and they told us ahead of time that we'd be going as fast as the real drivers do, and riding up next to the wall, and that we'd have to climb in through the IROC window and all that stuff. We knew what we were in for! Also, they sort of did a "test lap" on each track to make sure the riders were okay with the speed. Then you would give the driver the thumbs-up to go full speed. I thought it was frickin' sweet - but there were some people who didn't like taking the turns or driving up next to the wall. No one freaked out, though.

I'm not a complete NASCAR dummy - I know the CocaCola 600 and the Brickyard and the major races, and who the major drivers are. I just don't watch them.

When I was little, I always watched the 500, though. I remember liking the Andrettis, Arie Luyendyk, and I would root for Lyn St. James 'cause she was the only chic. I haven't followed IRL much lately, so I don't know about many of the drivers other than the big names - Andretti, Cheever, Castroneves, and of course Patrick.

I got my picture taken sitting in the car that won the Milwaukee Mile last year - NOT a replica - I think Hornish was the driver...?

[Little Whiskey]

so now that you are pumped up on racing again, are you going to get tickets to the bush or truck race at The Mile??? not the same as a cup event, but a good time. make sure to tune sat night at 7pm for the all star. your boy needs all the help he can get!!

[FavreChild]

OK, I will try to remember.

(Or at least try to remember to look up how he does so that I can be ready when you quiz me.)

[Little Whiskey]

FC, i'm counting on you. i won't be able to watch the race since we are going up north this weekend and it is on FX, no cable in the cottage. ahh but maybe it will be a good excuse to visit the local establishment. BRILLIANT!!

[GBRulz]

FC, that's very cool about getting to ride in that car!

I used to attend more of the local races. State Park Speeday and also Marshfield are two of my old stomping grounds.

I follow my friend Scott Wimmer, whom I have known since high school, but other than that, I'm not big on the NASCAR circuit.

[Little Whiskey]

GBM, i've always liked wimmer since his earlier bush days. (mostly cause the wisconsin thing) but since he has moved into cup, he has driven for subpar teams. when he took over for ward burton on the 22, bill davis was going thru a feud GM, because of his dealings with Toyota and helping them into the sport, so he had to switch to dodge with poor factory support. Then davis fired him and he is driving for Morgan Mclure, who just doesn't have the funding to give him top notch equipment.

so that means we need to pick you a new driver.

from what i know about you from the forums. I would suggest for you Carl Edwards. while he is not a member of the EC gang, he does have a small town attitude. He is from Columbia MO, but you would swear he is from BFE. Just a real down to earth guy. He climbed his way up thru the ranks. he went out and worked his butt off for every opportunity that he has gotten. His trademark is his backflip, when he wins a race. He drives the OfficeDepot 99 Ford. Which didn't have a sponser when he took the car over, from jeff burton. He is an up and comming driver. Last year he finished second in the overall points standings. As this is his second season racing, this would be a great time to jump on the Carl Edwards band wagon. what do you think??

[HarveyWallbangers]

Sports talk . . . with Jaime Pressly
By Zach Bodendieck - SportingNews

The actress, model and NASCAR nut talks to Sporting News about her love of racing:

TSN: How did you become a NASCAR fan?

Pressly: I was born and raised in North Carolina, that's how. It's like basketball in North Carolina -- everybody just kind of knows about it because it's there.

TSN: How fast do you drive?

Pressly: My dad sold cars my whole life, so I love cars--and I love driving fast.

TSN: How many tickets do you have to your name?

Pressly: I don't have any, actually. I didn't get out of tickets; I just haven't gotten any. I am very aware when I'm driving, that's why.

TSN: Who's more fun to party with -- rock stars or athletes?

Pressly: Partying with a rock star is way more fun than partying with an athlete. I don't really party with athletes.

TSN: Joy, your character in My Name is Earl, would like which driver?

Pressly: I think she'd pretty much like every driver because they have money. And they're famous. I mean, she's after Earl's money, and she thinks she's a star in her own right. I think any of them would do for her.

TSN: So who's your favorite driver?

Pressly: Jamie McMurray.

TSN: Many people probably now consider you the most attractive NASCAR fan. Thoughts?

Pressly: I would never say that, but if someone thought that, it's a huge honor and compliment.

[chain_gang]

I have couple drivers I like, Kenseth mainly cause I'm such a frickin homer, and Denny Hamlin. Used to like Gordon when he used to spin people all the time at the end for the win, but now he's a wuss. Bristol Race is one I'd like to see in person. I went to the Michigan 400 a few years back, and it was alright. But I'll be honest I mainly like watching the wrecks. If they don't have any I get a little bored.

I prefer Indy racing though. Love going down to the milwaukee mile for the race at the end of july, A.J. Foyt 225. Now that Danica Patrick is a chick I'd like to take home, lol.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Stewart is never at fault for anything, apparently.