Fontana - Sat Garage Report

Greetings from cold, windy and slightly rainy Southern California.   I got to the track early today since I still had to get my credentials and wanted to catch NW qualifying and got to see a rare sight - an empty Cup garage.   The big guns didn't have to start until 9:30a today.

I headed to the NW garage and found the #22 Penske team going thru inspection.   Of course nearly everyone was milling about the No 7 hauler...well almost everyone...Front Row Joe was out and about checking out his competition. 

 

I stuck around long enough to snap a pic of the Driving Diva herself as she headed out to qualify but the media mob was just completely over the top about 2 minutes later so I headed over to the Cup garage to see some talent instead.

I got a warm welcome from my NASCAR friends and of course the Brew Crew.   There are a few new faces, as you know, Luke the shock guy is now with Pat Tryson on the #56 team and we now have Dave, who came to us from the #20 team.   

Our  superb rear end mechanic, Steve, is no longer doing the Catch Can duties on Sundays.  He was bummed about the change but said NASCAR is moving towards a different fueling system that will no longer require the catch can (they have started using it already in the truck series) and they will likely implement it next year.   Steve would have liked to finish out the "job" especially because his son, Chris, is our gas man but is glad he is still a traveling mechanic.

 

Of course the biggest change is the addition of Steve Addington...who I might add is way taller in person!  I didn't get a chance to meet Steve formally today but the crew says they are very impressed so far.   Rumor has it Steve and the team started gel-in' at Daytona during a particularly festive Super Bowl party.  

Kurt was also elusive today and was all business as they worked the Blue Deuce over today during both practices trying to get it fast and comfortable.   Unfortunately, Kurt barely found the wall again (he tagged in quals yesterday) and "Stretch" and our fab guys had some extra work to do...oops!

Perhaps the intensity was high in the No 2 garage because The Captain was here - on a special day in fact! One that he told me I am not supposed to tell anyone about - but it usually involves cake...

Here Mr. Penske is predicting the winner of the Auto Club 500 for me...Mr. Penske spent a ton of time in our garage reviewing the performance of the car with Steve and Kurt.  He also spent a good deal of time chatting with our neighbor Jeff Gordon.  Talk about a power couple!   I think with 5 teams now competing, Penske is putting more focus on NASCAR and it is great to see him in the garage.

I spent most of today wandering around soaking in the sights and sounds just happy to be back in the garages.  After downloading my pictures of the day, I seem to have a ton of driver shots.    How 'bout we start with "FIND THE DRIVER!"  in the next few...

All I can say is my dad never dressed so cool...at least he won't embarrass Ella Sophia! 

 

Do you see the garage ghost with only 2!!! photographers around? The rest are following his NW driver.

And here is the "Oh-my-Gawd-its-a-MIRACLE-Not-Only-is-hell-Freezing-but-so-is-California" picture of the day...That pumpkin shaped man in black is ACTUALLY signing autographs!!  I kid because I care...

Here are a few more driver pics just for fun...

Your Daytona 500 Champ looking up at his crew chief like a little kid in trouble for some reason.

 An "arty" shot for my good friend "RA6AN"...

The obligatory porta potty shot...sorry Colin!

And finally, a fan favorite with the best hair in NASCAR...

I finished my day tailgating with Luke and his family, friends and some of his crew buddies - thanks for a delicious meal and great company!   Will be hitting the track early tomorrow so off to bed with dreams of Victory Lane dancing in my head.