tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15699367765589573662024-03-13T00:12:49.747-07:00The Hot PassA NASCAR fan's inside look at the #22 Shell Pennzoil Racing teamklvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-9134011689071664272012-06-29T17:46:00.000-07:002012-08-27T12:40:42.262-07:00Meet the 2012 #22 Crew - The Shell-Raisers!<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZOQ9FBVPnSGpU_WE_NraUVfbH7XJBitmTwfQ0FTtc3vsGeNpSTwuMErxv2MoI9_11ZFdhhFbUVDHULxDTitOlE-3wPtvkmSpsqtre-5_vt5Fk2OZK0xoIk7kPHjHjRTJLwpwbnokYRGm/s1600/todd.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZOQ9FBVPnSGpU_WE_NraUVfbH7XJBitmTwfQ0FTtc3vsGeNpSTwuMErxv2MoI9_11ZFdhhFbUVDHULxDTitOlE-3wPtvkmSpsqtre-5_vt5Fk2OZK0xoIk7kPHjHjRTJLwpwbnokYRGm/s1600/todd.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pondering a nickname...</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Todd Gordon</i> – Crew Chief </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">1 year at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Camden, NY</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Todd claims he has no nickname...we have to work on this!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Worked in a Pro Shop at a golf course.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Watkins Glen because he won there and its home.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> His dominating win at Kansas last year in the Nationwide series.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> ECU (Electronic Control Unit) because it is his job to gather data and tell people what to do. </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Todd holds a mechanical engineering degree from Clemson University and had a very cool senior project - building a limited super modified race car from scratch. No word on what his grade was but he must have passed because he did race it for 3 years! </span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-u9lZvbdbDy6NDrAiPI0yk3ULMf7aCvgrSA3xonzYbM1Ce9PZlXjGg-2WuDpz3QcMXGtXm5K_jL2c5p72Slc8vKmymcjtYEHoliBJiAcs8IUrPLfR7Jst02xySyDrh_lbb_KW_IPvCyNS/s320/jeffrey.JPG" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1000 is on it!</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>J</b>effrey Thousand</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Car Chief </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">32 (!) years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> St. Louis, MO</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“1000”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Fabricator</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Bristol</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Winning the All Star Race and 600 at Charlotte with Kurt Busch in 2010. </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The engine because he is always running! </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">
Jeffrey has seen and done everything there is to do at Penske. He was
one of Rusty Wallace's favorites and has bucket loads of information and
experience at his finger tips. One of the most respected guys in the
sport who plays it straight but every now and again will surprise you by
doing something completely wacky.</span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3Xas1pJQtVt_GD0k8sQj-NMaMga9yQgI27IR4gnfEq23LibQIiQQCn60MTnNaQl7g9T8L9OW7Yw7MiOQDhlrGH07qBVeqO8lw2PU6odEkKMFvvNdxXcQmoh9NDicZd5mN8oUwdJ2wSyt/s1600/chris.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3Xas1pJQtVt_GD0k8sQj-NMaMga9yQgI27IR4gnfEq23LibQIiQQCn60MTnNaQl7g9T8L9OW7Yw7MiOQDhlrGH07qBVeqO8lw2PU6odEkKMFvvNdxXcQmoh9NDicZd5mN8oUwdJ2wSyt/s320/chris.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy...indeed</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Chris Osborne</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Spotter</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">4.5 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> High Point, NC</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Crazy”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Collecting golf balls at age 8 at the local golf course/range (for free he adds...)</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Bristol for the night race</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> His first Cup win in Phoenix working on Bobby Hamilton’s crew in 1996.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">The throttle because he likes to back the corner’s up and ease it in…</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">
Chris is our smooth-talking “Voice of Victory” that fans associate most
with because we listen to him every week guiding Sam Hornish, Jr through traffic.
He is super laid-back, loved by all, and *always* sunburnt!</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mRPDvsDFyHjzCJhyclUZQiwhG0fvrcYEjp15OyJOAeGQpe8F3ZANYesydrUzP5cEIt2Q2zUrB7b1KFam5PgRdnMHQ76afAesl9BCyFmurbyJJortjzd5XoCfo6CdHJh-0c9kjl6I34M7/s1600/steve.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mRPDvsDFyHjzCJhyclUZQiwhG0fvrcYEjp15OyJOAeGQpe8F3ZANYesydrUzP5cEIt2Q2zUrB7b1KFam5PgRdnMHQ76afAesl9BCyFmurbyJJortjzd5XoCfo6CdHJh-0c9kjl6I34M7/s320/steve.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fear the Beard!</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Steve Reis</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Race Engineer </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">4 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Windsor, Ontario, Canada</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">“STEVEN”</span></i></b></span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">(in a voice like your mom would use)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Green Giant factory sanitizing machinery after hours.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Darlington for the Southern 500</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Winning the Bud Shootout and the Gatorade Duel with Kurt Busch in 2011.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">The tires because he is complicated and hard to understand!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">
Like all race engineers he was easy to spot because he is always
carrying a clipboard and records everything…or it could have been the
beard.</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gCBGrv7n4QrKc4SEg69hx2WqqgJ4etB9AggmmZrVDamW7mlaPgm-IKNpHT0Hi7oyYD9xgh81_wermcuTILJwYWl1JakxORkvSIJCkFxz79-mzlL_1VtjNbBZZUuX0v36iSoo6uSi4GNl/s1600/jonathan.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gCBGrv7n4QrKc4SEg69hx2WqqgJ4etB9AggmmZrVDamW7mlaPgm-IKNpHT0Hi7oyYD9xgh81_wermcuTILJwYWl1JakxORkvSIJCkFxz79-mzlL_1VtjNbBZZUuX0v36iSoo6uSi4GNl/s320/jonathan.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring-y like Tigger?</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jonathan Hassler</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Race Engineer </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">5 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Greencastle, IN</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Go Back On That”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Go-Kart racer!</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Darlington</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Winning at Bristol with “Lil Gator” in the Nationwide Series.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> A spring because “I love springs!”</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Jonathan graduated from Purdue
University with an automotive engineering degree following in the footsteps of Ryan Newman. Proving there’s a
lot of brain power behind that pretty baby-face!</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMrVHDA2HKCVsMYni-uJhN7ydILTwjpf9s2l3q5XaGX-3_0_4MKY_n1gf0_019hFJQnDByVW81M__UKWBjsCCLhCiZvLDiD7A0f_nenuE08o_NdWzwfLK6ESuQAtEt_0Dlziem2ihcO0g/s1600/ray.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMrVHDA2HKCVsMYni-uJhN7ydILTwjpf9s2l3q5XaGX-3_0_4MKY_n1gf0_019hFJQnDByVW81M__UKWBjsCCLhCiZvLDiD7A0f_nenuE08o_NdWzwfLK6ESuQAtEt_0Dlziem2ihcO0g/s320/ray.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ray and those long arms!</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ray Gallahan</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Jackman </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">7 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Lake Helen, FL</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Gorilla” </span></b></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">(because his arm span is huge!)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">
Ray worked at Auto Bell Car Wash during high school and the first year
of college. “I was like their MVP guy in that I knew how to do
anything there. Inside cleanup and vacuuming were my specialties.”</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Daytona</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> In 2007 sneaking into the Chase at Richmond and hearing over the radio “we are locked in.”</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">The</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b> </b></span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">dr</span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">ive shaft because it’s not very complex!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">I
used to think of Ray as the “quiet intellectual” because he would
always go on top the hauler and read. Ray found this pretty amusing
given his choice of car part…</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUzR9r1HN_p5FXU2_oW2ufLpJkwsPWi3FOOwjry3jfN1viz-dGb3-bx3dI4ZCytf7svX7z_0362uRjzFG0VOR0VDfOcEJV6Bn_YxMN3OarxcBt3bZt2Zj4cdfqES-o9bveHVl6cxzH7Jq/s1600/jay.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUzR9r1HN_p5FXU2_oW2ufLpJkwsPWi3FOOwjry3jfN1viz-dGb3-bx3dI4ZCytf7svX7z_0362uRjzFG0VOR0VDfOcEJV6Bn_YxMN3OarxcBt3bZt2Zj4cdfqES-o9bveHVl6cxzH7Jq/s320/jay.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jay enjoying the spoils of Victory!</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jay Hackney</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> - Front Tire Changer</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">10 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> St. Louis, MO</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Hack”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">
Jay worked with his father as a contractor but his dad fired him
because he was being “lazy” and made him work in a saw mill. “My dad
knew how hard the work was and he wanted me to get off on the right foot
while I was getting out of school and having to do things on my own. I
did everything from cutting and hauling the dropped trees to all the
work at the mill. Dad was right, that was the hardest work I can
imagine doing…” and once he learned his lesson his dad hired him back.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Bristol</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> 1<sup>st</sup> Bristol win with Kurt Busch in 2006.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Jay
couldn’t think of a part he was comfortable with but on crew consensus
they suggested he be the splitter because he is always up front and diggin'!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Jay is the most humble guy on the crew and is never comfortable with all the accolades he often gets and very much deserves. </span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKP6FGzyZ4gFezy71V1jaqDSDp-gqklgkcfC4NwLPVovkTrh8dkSuRKPYhY-i9B7T5S9iWOP6jcMrT87HxY0TSSiAg1hCn2TOJH9GhV5hG-ma2vVht8E5MAoI4KSnNjtONmGsVexrUn2p/s1600/travis+j.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKP6FGzyZ4gFezy71V1jaqDSDp-gqklgkcfC4NwLPVovkTrh8dkSuRKPYhY-i9B7T5S9iWOP6jcMrT87HxY0TSSiAg1hCn2TOJH9GhV5hG-ma2vVht8E5MAoI4KSnNjtONmGsVexrUn2p/s320/travis+j.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fueled by Fruit Snacks</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Travis Johnson</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> - Rear Tire Changer </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">7 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">: Chetek, WI</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“T-rav”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Hunt club "whipping boy"</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Indy</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Winning the All Star race and the 600 with Kurt Busch in 2010.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">The drive shaft because he is always caught in the middle!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Travis
returned to the pit crew this year after a mishap on his mountain bike
resulting in a very messed up shoulder in 2011. He is the star of the
always popular "what is Travis eating in the pits" portion of my blog
and gets bonus points for putting up with me!</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcjE6XVC68ROVHzPIafPkq-OTSdyeajk4jvYAhz-JcJaej3Xmdj6PogDvlvDOqlU5zNl2KObewCQhq4hAtqD5Y_bvZMao5hrQTMTxjf7CpQhrPeaRLTh7LGcFgu-SPexwX7bx-Mx2qQYS/s1600/dave+l.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcjE6XVC68ROVHzPIafPkq-OTSdyeajk4jvYAhz-JcJaej3Xmdj6PogDvlvDOqlU5zNl2KObewCQhq4hAtqD5Y_bvZMao5hrQTMTxjf7CpQhrPeaRLTh7LGcFgu-SPexwX7bx-Mx2qQYS/s320/dave+l.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ta Ta" the veteran...</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dave Littau</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> - Front Tire Carrier </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">12 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> El Paso, TX </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“TaTa” </span></b></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">(started by Roy McCauley)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Worked on Kenny Brightbill’s racing team.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Rockingham or Texas</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Rusty Wallace’s last win at Martinsville in 2004</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The frame rails because they last a loooong time and are an integral part of the car.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">
Dave is the “senior” member on the #22 and has worked the longest on
the pit crew despite the fact they are now wearing red and yellow, not blue and gold. He is the go to guy for perspective and always gives you a straight answer. He also has some mad
carpentry skills! </span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6UErbSUZat0nlsJcsYxSes7SNfCzNaRnz59AfIItgMEck2hqi4qV1dDbbzF3sIod914MzpAhNrATSnay0DrkQQuJjzPEa2kxjrWpqNS6dA6ATK9BxM3HvmnsMtjBPdXHZ36rAKGvRyZs/s1600/trent+c.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6UErbSUZat0nlsJcsYxSes7SNfCzNaRnz59AfIItgMEck2hqi4qV1dDbbzF3sIod914MzpAhNrATSnay0DrkQQuJjzPEa2kxjrWpqNS6dA6ATK9BxM3HvmnsMtjBPdXHZ36rAKGvRyZs/s320/trent+c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trent's poker face </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><b>Trent Cherry </b></i></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">- Rear Tire Carrier/Pit Crew Coach</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">15 years at Penske</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Charlotte, NC</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Twitch” </span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Worked for his dad packaging t-shirts.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Las Vegas - not for the track for the poker!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Winning the 2002 All Star Race with Ryan Newman because they had to race their way in, started dead last, and still won it.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">A tire so he can roll out, do his work, and be done.<i><br /></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Trent
came over to the #22 crew after a long stint on the #2 team and has
been a familiar face in the Penske pits as the pit crew coach but his
passion is poker - I know he'd prefer to be a Royal Flush but he is
definitely One of a Kind.</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqkbuMlvAzhf1YSaKSf8dlJ95XK6FhdtUQPiVbtvINv5ePMY2QArh8tALZb1R5ewRpQ_5L7bCnQERnCJl8dgEtnTwiY1W2rK094qzB5ziHcBjlnzhC7JmlAfTc5gOPugdWekIadiPTH1h/s1600/chris+w.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqkbuMlvAzhf1YSaKSf8dlJ95XK6FhdtUQPiVbtvINv5ePMY2QArh8tALZb1R5ewRpQ_5L7bCnQERnCJl8dgEtnTwiY1W2rK094qzB5ziHcBjlnzhC7JmlAfTc5gOPugdWekIadiPTH1h/s320/chris+w.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and his flowing locks</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Chris Williams</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Gasman </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">7.5 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Lebanon, OH</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“C-Dub”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Chris worked at a putt putt golf and arcade.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Rockingham</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">The first time he went to the track as a fan in 1994 to watch the first NASCAR Brickyard practice at Indy. </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">The motor oil because he keeps everyone “loose!”</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"><b>Kristen's Tidbit:</b> Chris has been instrumental in helping design the newest fuel cans to maximize fuel flow during pit stops and give Penske another innovative edge. He's also newly married - congrats! </span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAXvRB2AyvrUPfI5TQc5I1xhGpDlIcwoNyc4pGUKqUIBnc9ugC0Al7Idw-7ETFa6m0juGTzUhNvp2fjXZeBw5fV1oYW-oVvkoIMLqYW7aLsdGEeQiIqnvTuPBpdsXLtRiRvyG6zcbe7Je/s1600/darin.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAXvRB2AyvrUPfI5TQc5I1xhGpDlIcwoNyc4pGUKqUIBnc9ugC0Al7Idw-7ETFa6m0juGTzUhNvp2fjXZeBw5fV1oYW-oVvkoIMLqYW7aLsdGEeQiIqnvTuPBpdsXLtRiRvyG6zcbe7Je/s320/darin.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darin looking for the canooter valve</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Darin Russell</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Engine Tuner</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">6.5 years at Penske</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Sunderland, MA</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Meteor” or “D-Money”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Picking cucumbers…(not sure if I buy this…)</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Texas for the “view”</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Being in Victory Lane with his parents at New Hampshire.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The canooter valve because its the “g-spot” of the engine (*cough cough*)!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Darin
is tough to read sometimes, one minute he is deadly serious the next he
is vogue-ing by the car! He definitely likes to mess with you (can
you tell by his answers?) and has friends on nearly every team in the
garage. You’ll never catch him without his old school converse and his
puka shell necklace and soon he'll be piloting the friendly skies!</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbTvJ4BiVNDN6Yyd6SPx5NtdHRHzgdLsbKJYRzeMp89enI4PFFqDcHJF-02TklXurpgb7JALEJXsjpdLiuzuGNmlqOdvUEbqNPvANHnegf5OG1OUwLXW342-3UtH2b7G87Pz3BqEWJBDj/s1600/coonter.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbTvJ4BiVNDN6Yyd6SPx5NtdHRHzgdLsbKJYRzeMp89enI4PFFqDcHJF-02TklXurpgb7JALEJXsjpdLiuzuGNmlqOdvUEbqNPvANHnegf5OG1OUwLXW342-3UtH2b7G87Pz3BqEWJBDj/s320/coonter.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The infamous "Canooter Valve"...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACD5-q7c1DivxalQkEmi2v2i5QylAAgqW7CG-DuAIiTtrMJ70SuxuGeRBYiJIZ-yA8LzVUqUWBUQhoRUwftyOJVEu_REDKj15MK8o2YFGov-JCSPN7d2_o6VT6mBiv1df4EuYEAo_MsXk/s1600/mule.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACD5-q7c1DivxalQkEmi2v2i5QylAAgqW7CG-DuAIiTtrMJ70SuxuGeRBYiJIZ-yA8LzVUqUWBUQhoRUwftyOJVEu_REDKj15MK8o2YFGov-JCSPN7d2_o6VT6mBiv1df4EuYEAo_MsXk/s320/mule.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claims never been spit on by a llama...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dave Nichols</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Tire Specialist </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">5 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Macedon, NY</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Mule”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> A farm hand at a llama ranch(!)</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Richmond</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> His 1<sup>st</sup> Cup win at the Pepsi 400 working for the Roush #16 team.<b> </b></span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The track bar because he likes to move around…</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">
Mule is easy going and gets along with everyone in the garage and
always has tons of personal jokes going with the crew and does some
pretty darn funny impressions. He also has a big orange "S" tattooed on his arm but it doesn't stand for Shell...</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFWsL6mBLCA70KsoxbAPA9E1EQ6BXHfug-J64tMH-uKSYfEJRaCIicldVtqb5xp9bpd75-g-9bdA1QMFvl7xH5oTC5pCt50fpxKacceZLY7gFApShqs-95sEsgsw4oldaLvijkqu-FbX1/s1600/hansen.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFWsL6mBLCA70KsoxbAPA9E1EQ6BXHfug-J64tMH-uKSYfEJRaCIicldVtqb5xp9bpd75-g-9bdA1QMFvl7xH5oTC5pCt50fpxKacceZLY7gFApShqs-95sEsgsw4oldaLvijkqu-FbX1/s320/hansen.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Come on Dave, what car part would you be?!</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dave Hansen</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Shock Specialist </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">3 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> York, ME</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: “Hansen”</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Mechanic</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> New Hampshire</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Winning Indy with JGR</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Alas, Dave adamantly refuses to answer this question for some reason so his colleagues on the crew suggested he be a bump-stop because he deals with them all day and he always tries to keep things smooth.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">
Dave is the shy one on the team and is like a rare bird that you hardly
ever spot until race day. You can always find him working in the
hauler by the shock dyno machine or where ever there is shrimp being
served.</span></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmk04X2F5bcwevXJ4uT9eRY3-66grVTyDm8Eg7CqRLLPJi7rQkusYGlmH1lErNG-kB46GY922uEa6IchBso9cCJTCbQrIJWKKPzKBuTeqKlStZFo0zf7uLH8YwY3zU33TErOwrc6tzFW2/s1600/stevo.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmk04X2F5bcwevXJ4uT9eRY3-66grVTyDm8Eg7CqRLLPJi7rQkusYGlmH1lErNG-kB46GY922uEa6IchBso9cCJTCbQrIJWKKPzKBuTeqKlStZFo0zf7uLH8YwY3zU33TErOwrc6tzFW2/s320/stevo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stevo waiting on more abuse...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Steve Williams </span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">- Underneath Mechanic </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">8 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Lebanon, OH</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Stevo”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Machinist</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Eldora</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> When he was employed by PPI racing on Ricky Craven’s team and they beat Kurt Busch by a fraction of a second at Darlington in 2003.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The brake pads because he gets the most abuse!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Stevo
always takes the time to answer my questions and explain what they are
doing to the car for which I am eternally grateful! He is the one who
got me hooked on the crew’s favorite Sweet and Sweaty Chicken wings and
has a wood shop in his house that he wishes he could use more often. </span></i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6SdjI_V_il2od2Y_AOw53vjXtG_4_bQWVsWYd7QrsRmoQWQ8JCMg6Rxh6wctQhLAKnDARUsAC6-7dXjj8lEouoGEQS5SAeCaU7oP-aUAXRxBBQbflOJQ4vK9F_9wdLPVCET64RJNSXaL/s1600/stretch+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6SdjI_V_il2od2Y_AOw53vjXtG_4_bQWVsWYd7QrsRmoQWQ8JCMg6Rxh6wctQhLAKnDARUsAC6-7dXjj8lEouoGEQS5SAeCaU7oP-aUAXRxBBQbflOJQ4vK9F_9wdLPVCET64RJNSXaL/s320/stretch+2.JPG" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such concentration! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Eric Bailey</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Front End Suspension Mechanic/Windshield Tear Off </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">7 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Olathe, KS</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Stretch”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Life Guard</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Kansas because its home</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Back to back Charlotte wins with Kurt Busch in 2010.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The muffler bearing because only the coolest cars have them. (Anyone else call BS on this?!) </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Stretch
is also becoming quite the triathlete! He's participated in several this year, often times right before or after a race, and still has energy to spare to pit the car. </span></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTru0yrIyzpZRgq1P7CoJP0fyqBC9o2B0-ciap94asi2dlV43AA9iacvOSHxZnsVgDO4NJmB6wTsT3EuDxe6QU94P2R-k0TXOUxV9HGX7gwdUMGFatuvXGw8zBk5wTQRlarztncB6QQ_z/s1600/billy.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTru0yrIyzpZRgq1P7CoJP0fyqBC9o2B0-ciap94asi2dlV43AA9iacvOSHxZnsVgDO4NJmB6wTsT3EuDxe6QU94P2R-k0TXOUxV9HGX7gwdUMGFatuvXGw8zBk5wTQRlarztncB6QQ_z/s320/billy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Bill being "cool"...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Bill Spencer</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Interior Mechanic/ Fuel Support </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">6 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Brenham, TX</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Wild Bill”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Maintenance at a greenhouse. </span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Indy</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Working as the car chief for AJ Foyt and winning the Indy 500 in 1999. </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The air conditioner because he is so cool…!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Billy
indulges me and makes me feel somewhat useful and very much part of
the team by letting me do his “job” of pulling the tool bag around as
the car goes through inspection. He is also excellent at cleaning
windows and de-stinking helmets.</span></i><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-asa_ij051euZ3c5xvgN8G2KPKUNf27aXuel4EblrxAo909yFxK1R_R49XxHI6YSCoxGw7ONhudgw-OxGic4mKMexdj9uA398-bgcWeWFSmVAHCuj_OM8svgSDzoHA0zvM-2_vO0u5UL/s1600/greg.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-asa_ij051euZ3c5xvgN8G2KPKUNf27aXuel4EblrxAo909yFxK1R_R49XxHI6YSCoxGw7ONhudgw-OxGic4mKMexdj9uA398-bgcWeWFSmVAHCuj_OM8svgSDzoHA0zvM-2_vO0u5UL/s320/greg.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gassy Greg! =)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Greg Sorber</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Transport Driver </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">4 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Shickshinny, PA</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Roadblock”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Cleaning cars in his family’s business.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Bristol</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Getting a “real” job at Penske Racing.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The carburetor because he is full of gas! </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Greg
came to the #22 crew in 2011 after starting on the #77 hauler and enjoys competing against his hauling buddies in the various Freightliner challenges. Greg let me ride along with him in the hauler parade this year at Bristol and see first hand how he negotiates tight spaces! </span></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7C9nIz_mZww0i2zrgxPT0sBK8tEdNnqEt1Uc7n_W-w76R1Yl_k2kJ2MtcPMeSJ4EGbfV93x9_TOKGURcH4FKHUGvY0org5v20c1EvNzf8WkSFea8eBWOrs5op7qXwO3b0zZvFuW0JqzD/s1600/jr.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7C9nIz_mZww0i2zrgxPT0sBK8tEdNnqEt1Uc7n_W-w76R1Yl_k2kJ2MtcPMeSJ4EGbfV93x9_TOKGURcH4FKHUGvY0org5v20c1EvNzf8WkSFea8eBWOrs5op7qXwO3b0zZvFuW0JqzD/s320/jr.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey JR do we have any milk?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>JR Weller</b></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Transport Driver </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">1 year at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Pottstown, PA</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“JR”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Dishwasher</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">All of 'em!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Winning Homestead with Brad Keslowski - his first time driving a NASCAR hauler.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The engine because he is a big guy and has a lot of horsepower! </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> JR is new to the #22 crew this year and he fits right with a great sense of humor (especially in giving me a hard time) and is always willing to lend a helpful hand. The only time you'll catch JR standing still is when he is catching a mandated nap in the hauler.</span></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRJd60ivWcJL0KD7hTmxSpzaKgcjzsGtR8jwmz_mpbRNRlfq4Rhq_scCNRIRqYvNj9H_tvDhkxrCB6Osl6IKm9-6hXrvxPwidNj6Ur6vmUErKumAnHJVabBHH3wIYi2oQrMcUFhN26Dbo/s1600/david+p.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRJd60ivWcJL0KD7hTmxSpzaKgcjzsGtR8jwmz_mpbRNRlfq4Rhq_scCNRIRqYvNj9H_tvDhkxrCB6Osl6IKm9-6hXrvxPwidNj6Ur6vmUErKumAnHJVabBHH3wIYi2oQrMcUFhN26Dbo/s320/david+p.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating the radio's working!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">David Perry</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Trackside IT support </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">1.5 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Charlotte, NC<b> </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Brinks” </span></b></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">(because he leaves a lot of cash at the casinos)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Dishwasher</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Bristol</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">
The 2011 Vegas race where he royally screwed up the radios and
they didn’t work…and the fact he is still employed. Look how far he’s
come!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The antennae because he is always searching for a signal!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">
With the technology involved in racing today and the complicated
communication set ups on the new pit box, David’s skills are sorely
needed, of course his crew-mates would rip him about what those
skills actually are, but thankfully, we have yet another teammate with no self esteem problems!</span></i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yAj16163RAX2U5AflrJmnTi1brmlihb1YHQiB7XAz_n-c79ZyQBzGQQj5f1UwhNZo-I_9kIB0vaeNYVz2HF1R7hjvMBPt7JLzC7MWsl1FSUkvGXAfGsjrsiat15m6O46wu_kodvq1cnw/s1600/chris+c.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yAj16163RAX2U5AflrJmnTi1brmlihb1YHQiB7XAz_n-c79ZyQBzGQQj5f1UwhNZo-I_9kIB0vaeNYVz2HF1R7hjvMBPt7JLzC7MWsl1FSUkvGXAfGsjrsiat15m6O46wu_kodvq1cnw/s320/chris+c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He definitely looks like a front bumper...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Chris Conklin</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Behind the Wall Fuel Technician </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">3.5 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Burlington, NC</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Big Chief Deuces” </span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Bailing hay on a farm in Snow Camp, NC.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Charlotte</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Being the 2010 Nationwide Champions.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The front bumper because he is smooth and sexy (!)</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">I
only spent about 5 minutes with Chris on race day so I have to get to
know him a bit better before I can give you any tidbits but based on his
car part answer, I think we'll have some good stuff in no time! </span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VXhPXUlrmxd7fX3RwcTrp56JV5DNa4eB4bxaVFnHWuYpQCf18f7izJOem2p72LYsYMeo1T7cN2hqFHcUvpkhtz8N2X3jpqPvftCdLJOXPFNBwra0FRsncbiYbEksyMpcFK6QgjZfiWft/s1600/colin+f.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VXhPXUlrmxd7fX3RwcTrp56JV5DNa4eB4bxaVFnHWuYpQCf18f7izJOem2p72LYsYMeo1T7cN2hqFHcUvpkhtz8N2X3jpqPvftCdLJOXPFNBwra0FRsncbiYbEksyMpcFK6QgjZfiWft/s320/colin+f.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Has met Sarah Palin...</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Colin Fambrough</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Back Up Rear Tire Changer </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">1 year at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Tyler, Tx</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Cold Start” </span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Working at a baseball card collectible store.<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Dover</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">His first Cup win at Talladega.<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The exhaust because he is full of hot air.<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Colin is another new pit support crew member this year and as such, I have not gotten a lot of time with him yet since he only arrives on race day but I can tell you he is the rear tire changer for Sam Hornish, Jr's Nationwide car which sometimes makes for a crazy race weekend schedule for him. </span></i></div>
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klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-8053180873529383942012-03-06T13:52:00.000-08:002012-03-06T13:52:33.185-08:00Phoenix Subway Fresh 500 Garage Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFVwdUPA27NsNZCSRGS5agIFCU24SfhIe9tSb4fVM3eaL2TkmQCy7LY839VBqtCHYz8H0zZxwrz58XLUjtiGDt0W-V9wrF7sFZ_9GW-ItieHeTO3tAHh3xOa-GxxpMe8wsXipOYqFmh5w/s1600/IMG_7174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFVwdUPA27NsNZCSRGS5agIFCU24SfhIe9tSb4fVM3eaL2TkmQCy7LY839VBqtCHYz8H0zZxwrz58XLUjtiGDt0W-V9wrF7sFZ_9GW-ItieHeTO3tAHh3xOa-GxxpMe8wsXipOYqFmh5w/s320/IMG_7174.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr2-EKlqyEvvCt_8eWfzdVQ1s1x-CX5TxvV4Fev8jgLZsMg5JB0XUZDui-HKoHTpXW7ajQJMzHVmNebEu4Wa_RdwYSeANO41AWnMXOU561DwslfeNj0IEPfn-mVZVvUAJ8MCtCfkHLb2v/s1600/IMG_7116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr2-EKlqyEvvCt_8eWfzdVQ1s1x-CX5TxvV4Fev8jgLZsMg5JB0XUZDui-HKoHTpXW7ajQJMzHVmNebEu4Wa_RdwYSeANO41AWnMXOU561DwslfeNj0IEPfn-mVZVvUAJ8MCtCfkHLb2v/s200/IMG_7116.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Greetings from the NASCAR Cup garages in 2012...lots of changes, new faces and quite a few missing from last year as the economy takes its toll on the race teams. Of course, the big changes on the 22 Shell/Pennzoil team is the addition of AJ "The Dinger" Allmendinger and our new Crew Chief Todd "I don't have a nickname (yet)" Gordon. Look for an updated Meet the Crew blog coming...probably after Sonoma...because someone didn't do their job interviewing everyone in Phoenix! doh!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtgZnGENrwenezIV4cBMV749q1bWcvGdEPiCG82FR8xM3zh8Drv0tMhCXmegJ8mSYh-bKLwUpL0GCAa9CpOiEwDeMIW5cdubSo1CcQhzgAvdVCusC44Nzl7dPkOa9HMvMPDn0eFOMOKcR/s1600/IMG_7127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgzxl1xb2TfoCDlMK5ZhOTEX709uk20xzunqBODToVUPwgIsPLAdan0C5rY6bS4jTr1y4jRaDgRRwV4c4naUUhpPAvr6piQ8Qp-AT0qUzh3Eo5e6Op_KFQRf5br5uDivUZmP-_0xlQQ34/s1600/IMG_7124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgzxl1xb2TfoCDlMK5ZhOTEX709uk20xzunqBODToVUPwgIsPLAdan0C5rY6bS4jTr1y4jRaDgRRwV4c4naUUhpPAvr6piQ8Qp-AT0qUzh3Eo5e6Op_KFQRf5br5uDivUZmP-_0xlQQ34/s320/IMG_7124.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtgZnGENrwenezIV4cBMV749q1bWcvGdEPiCG82FR8xM3zh8Drv0tMhCXmegJ8mSYh-bKLwUpL0GCAa9CpOiEwDeMIW5cdubSo1CcQhzgAvdVCusC44Nzl7dPkOa9HMvMPDn0eFOMOKcR/s1600/IMG_7127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtgZnGENrwenezIV4cBMV749q1bWcvGdEPiCG82FR8xM3zh8Drv0tMhCXmegJ8mSYh-bKLwUpL0GCAa9CpOiEwDeMIW5cdubSo1CcQhzgAvdVCusC44Nzl7dPkOa9HMvMPDn0eFOMOKcR/s320/IMG_7127.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was only at the track on Friday for practices and race day this time but did manage to get there when the garage opened and stayed until it closed both days. As always it is fun to see the guys in street clothes with fans walking right on by...here we have Lugnut fav's -- Birthday Boy Rootie and Maaacus and your Daytona 500 winner.</span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrpG81Fpk3Kt3NF5TpA9ZULEjC67_5yJ0XgIae3txwCH6JG0CeYDm97QaksLx-KgllqpIcOPAKiOyOAUPahohxBQqGYKBjoc7Qrmx8nWXg8wWkzcJxh7k3wR780eyf-kCZvZYHEaasbiA/s1600/IMG_7136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrpG81Fpk3Kt3NF5TpA9ZULEjC67_5yJ0XgIae3txwCH6JG0CeYDm97QaksLx-KgllqpIcOPAKiOyOAUPahohxBQqGYKBjoc7Qrmx8nWXg8wWkzcJxh7k3wR780eyf-kCZvZYHEaasbiA/s320/IMG_7136.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Turning around we find the masterminds of HMS and possibly a sight not to be seen for another six weeks...yes, we are all "deeply saddened" Chad. I, of course, headed straight to my favorite crew and got caught up on all the news, gossip and story lines so far. They put me to work pulling the tool cart through inspection...gotta say not a fan of the new toolcart - its bigger and louder. Billy is going to work on making it better by Sonoma.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-CMwWEV9IC9ft8JqUnr5a3EpSVD7Xgjh337Br9xxbKhL0Hqdjrw9VIh2OxY8By_Eszuwpzo7hzQCVA8Q1cX6OHB8jeG3LaRuSAWmQh5hRq8FvmqqrR-vwWAUoUa3yXlN8GqJhWLcdntp/s1600/kv+crew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-CMwWEV9IC9ft8JqUnr5a3EpSVD7Xgjh337Br9xxbKhL0Hqdjrw9VIh2OxY8By_Eszuwpzo7hzQCVA8Q1cX6OHB8jeG3LaRuSAWmQh5hRq8FvmqqrR-vwWAUoUa3yXlN8GqJhWLcdntp/s320/kv+crew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They filled me in on the #48 car penalty from last week and how Chad designed the car on the bottom of the C-post to have a crease that fit the template and then bubble up around it which technically fit the template but was outside the bounds of the rules as NASCAR saw it. Interesting way to push the envelope and now made sense why NASCAR didn't need a template to know there was something "amiss."</span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This next picture was by direct request of our beloved Lugnut GUNNY, who asked if Carl could shake up our favorite SpeedBeagle with a call and ask her why oh why does she insist on chewing on that poor duck during the races and eliciting her doggie voodoo on him!?! What has he ever done to her?? Apparently, she was out chasing cars when he called...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1J7mxqdXCkyeAt2D-CtB2x_AaHeSZFPReTo1mAniZjFGWzbTRchIHC8DG1PrZoRV51rPRV8sKg_rAkjAF_amvIP800dp7Dyj446JJXNJw-nne2JgyzVSCopBMh_J999ywGLSb-dya2h2/s1600/IMG_7130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1J7mxqdXCkyeAt2D-CtB2x_AaHeSZFPReTo1mAniZjFGWzbTRchIHC8DG1PrZoRV51rPRV8sKg_rAkjAF_amvIP800dp7Dyj446JJXNJw-nne2JgyzVSCopBMh_J999ywGLSb-dya2h2/s320/IMG_7130.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He soon thereafter he hopped in the pace car and took some VIP for a spin around the track. He requested no pictures in the car since it wasn't a Ford, alas, I couldn't resist and this shot has no identifying features...suffice to say he might be the only driving it next year.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yMwmdf8n4MfFraioiH_0arNECCnc6gL6WVgT_AIeyG39oQ135PKmcHrWdWMiRYWN4pyQmu1mO_-eSNpt-z_B1-tDXxnRvwDpmKlhhmitIOgV5HbCak0f0qhd5l7WjALIJchwVREcxnrQ/s1600/IMG_7140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yMwmdf8n4MfFraioiH_0arNECCnc6gL6WVgT_AIeyG39oQ135PKmcHrWdWMiRYWN4pyQmu1mO_-eSNpt-z_B1-tDXxnRvwDpmKlhhmitIOgV5HbCak0f0qhd5l7WjALIJchwVREcxnrQ/s320/IMG_7140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was quickly time for first practice which is my absolute favorite moment in the Cup garage when the cars roll off in points order and file out to the track. I've gone enough times now to know where to stake out the best spot which my buddy Dobbin's caught me waiting patiently for them to file out...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMXzDHpclvls3w-wF-uQxG9RbtOnDO4-wPNhhIeLDfWLgIEcdoEPvsEIUri4aTQFjAKHhfwgi-kts6rhO45_Y5mTcZdHAInLt00hYlvxS7QxyZWSZ543Rrk4XinwnUSr3PFS_RsXeir3G/s1600/KV+chillin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMXzDHpclvls3w-wF-uQxG9RbtOnDO4-wPNhhIeLDfWLgIEcdoEPvsEIUri4aTQFjAKHhfwgi-kts6rhO45_Y5mTcZdHAInLt00hYlvxS7QxyZWSZ543Rrk4XinwnUSr3PFS_RsXeir3G/s320/KV+chillin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And here is the link to the you tube video I got from the spot...I just love almost getting run over! LOL <a href="http://youtu.be/y75OGsSKj34">http://youtu.be/y75OGsSKj34</a></span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Midway through practice Junior was out of his car and not only checking underneath but actually HELPING his crew - bringing tires over, handing them tools. It was odd. Letarte has that boy more a team player than ever. I had lots of pictures of this but choose his "Captain Morgan" pose because I think its kinda funny and the girls requested a butt shot...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKEsWv-6-zmCcxSsG5aem6Vq7sgWFIQazE1ccQ7-qojYjKcDqp10-9oS9ucW3CTx9A7o4cQBAQJ9mV2H2rt8O7qodgxN1jBL-dKeDQB8hzbD68KZ6D0ZxT903m-byq2-UJ9Mq8BTsQsDx/s1600/IMG_7183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKEsWv-6-zmCcxSsG5aem6Vq7sgWFIQazE1ccQ7-qojYjKcDqp10-9oS9ucW3CTx9A7o4cQBAQJ9mV2H2rt8O7qodgxN1jBL-dKeDQB8hzbD68KZ6D0ZxT903m-byq2-UJ9Mq8BTsQsDx/s320/IMG_7183.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I also found this fairly amusing...not sure this is really necessary!</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg7nzQ5JYgXU4PvCi_2pfbTDJVkC8h40UQsdgzvc315vVZVx4v6EfhfP7hOv21-1sJYgLSzWivMOT9ePzNKXG51wC-dh1v162j6K0EWG9Aw5j3W4lHJ0WWlhP4kIT49UWuKKo6kfS_NBE/s1600/IMG_7192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg7nzQ5JYgXU4PvCi_2pfbTDJVkC8h40UQsdgzvc315vVZVx4v6EfhfP7hOv21-1sJYgLSzWivMOT9ePzNKXG51wC-dh1v162j6K0EWG9Aw5j3W4lHJ0WWlhP4kIT49UWuKKo6kfS_NBE/s320/IMG_7192.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"For racing purposes only not for highway use"</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In between practices most of the top 10 drivers held their media time. Kyle was next to us and was looking spiffy in his new Monster gear...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOkSQr3d0YfcrSb6DrmK7Bos7FscX_qzc1T02g9SRGbU0JsunqRsOJP1XVNKOL6XyU86JshngQOxXnds7ZVUX0AK2jyh-LYMBWNiumsv70ztxwqOT7YdxpPeU_tccktecEjRc1Ixo53Bp/s1600/IMG_7196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOkSQr3d0YfcrSb6DrmK7Bos7FscX_qzc1T02g9SRGbU0JsunqRsOJP1XVNKOL6XyU86JshngQOxXnds7ZVUX0AK2jyh-LYMBWNiumsv70ztxwqOT7YdxpPeU_tccktecEjRc1Ixo53Bp/s320/IMG_7196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The #22 crew worked their asses off in practice, changing everything on the car at least twice as they struggled to get the car to bite into the track and adjust to AJ's style. Despite all the hard work, they still manage to have fun, which is why I love them. Stevo is doing his best equestrian impression as Billy mocks him. Not two seconds later does Roger Penske walk up...it was pretty funny! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwsl1zblCe_xAiYE166LIqWFiELYLPP0Bjv7oxAtOMVmhqMchItKDTtqyth_QFXaYSwt-RrcUyHsOgI6GKKfXYHkZH84vWxhptqCsrbIZYYmSbWfjBNzy8MPBHqqosKH0QwQ1G-nSCmSe/s1600/IMG_7205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwsl1zblCe_xAiYE166LIqWFiELYLPP0Bjv7oxAtOMVmhqMchItKDTtqyth_QFXaYSwt-RrcUyHsOgI6GKKfXYHkZH84vWxhptqCsrbIZYYmSbWfjBNzy8MPBHqqosKH0QwQ1G-nSCmSe/s320/IMG_7205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I stayed until they shut down the garages and enjoyed a dinner out with my buddy Dave and we got caught up. Saturday was another long day of wrenching on the cars for 2 laps on the track....I spent it celebrating my nephew's 8th birthday. </span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sunday I was at the track by 7:00a and I headed straight out to our pit box - WAAAY out in turn 1 -- to see my favorite over the wall guys. Got all caught up on who is pitting the car this year and some changes to the crew. JB is gone and we got Travis back as the right rear tire changer! yay Travis! He was happy to continue his blog feature of "what is Travis eating during the race..." But we also lost my buddy Larry - who is now carrying the rear tires on the #2 car...so he is back in familiar colors but the #22 team definitely misses him. Replacing Larry is the current pit crew coach, Trent Cherry. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwlMW1KD1K-RCTDB2i2NiD-k4yRDb_F_mBIjFxkaq2mWVd0l4UBOgVapQlcTEpNuhULMradS9QZKphV3wmznA8HvugN5fDDDFQJam7AAcGABDS9Ezw-NKlpLOvGfe7SgEjjZTBRzOe3Yp/s1600/IMG_7270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwlMW1KD1K-RCTDB2i2NiD-k4yRDb_F_mBIjFxkaq2mWVd0l4UBOgVapQlcTEpNuhULMradS9QZKphV3wmznA8HvugN5fDDDFQJam7AAcGABDS9Ezw-NKlpLOvGfe7SgEjjZTBRzOe3Yp/s320/IMG_7270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I headed back to the garage to go through inspections with the guys for the final time and followed them out to pit road as Stretch did a bang up job of parallel parking the double deuce. We were ready to race!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzN1wE56m443BmkqoA1Whj76Ywe0iglT4tOS-5Jju2nk3fQEOh99IXBt9F-sv2p2C3QSbVvhc_T36qtCPaHCVxFSqzzFdBvO-G6DTMvY_AoEtR3lh6HRsYTIxPIhnDHRy6N-8VU_SjOHF/s1600/IMG_7212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzN1wE56m443BmkqoA1Whj76Ywe0iglT4tOS-5Jju2nk3fQEOh99IXBt9F-sv2p2C3QSbVvhc_T36qtCPaHCVxFSqzzFdBvO-G6DTMvY_AoEtR3lh6HRsYTIxPIhnDHRy6N-8VU_SjOHF/s320/IMG_7212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I decided to be brave and head over to the driver's meeting - the first time I'd ever gone in as I try to "stay out of trouble" (and we know how well that goes) but there are so many guests in there it was pretty easy to just blend in. Here are a bunch of shots from the "tent" and many of the drivers taking time to meet a young, handicapped boy which had to be a thrill for him.</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitn77SsMaI3tV4-shnoUMnJyrw4JZ5LOkvQs4gYZ0qm0CqaAu3B3SyZruwI9eNraFqM1vUE8Ky5gDWC8zKFmdO-VfQ-XUnxZ9PG5qyR-M3GXT0y0EpfqNXv_R_pzKOtwLgtxElm_PnhjPD/s320/IMG_7215.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view from the back..</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUsqDXiQBdD1by8xh2VyHoJZG2lxV5TA-YQkkjiHFaQsaRwF9-5PxCRnVRKuKqMAZx-R8-zaF0biOakW4W7ySQtE5pe7FBlTFl2kl_X9qTe_B-wl8uEX3op6V18gK01FBrM2bzRMcajBP/s1600/IMG_7217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUsqDXiQBdD1by8xh2VyHoJZG2lxV5TA-YQkkjiHFaQsaRwF9-5PxCRnVRKuKqMAZx-R8-zaF0biOakW4W7ySQtE5pe7FBlTFl2kl_X9qTe_B-wl8uEX3op6V18gK01FBrM2bzRMcajBP/s320/IMG_7217.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle & Sam</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDqmGCSSs1pTyDOWbhuIPc9Zsn-HXAwnwvt65F-FSvrnpwbt6pVJHZg-IArBde0DE34-3yOXJnLsARyqBl8StAK4XRJUMqMKgF9wquxDAytxOFaJ-qiYp_j-KaIftOaFttaNM377xgDgv/s1600/IMG_7225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDqmGCSSs1pTyDOWbhuIPc9Zsn-HXAwnwvt65F-FSvrnpwbt6pVJHZg-IArBde0DE34-3yOXJnLsARyqBl8StAK4XRJUMqMKgF9wquxDAytxOFaJ-qiYp_j-KaIftOaFttaNM377xgDgv/s320/IMG_7225.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kurt</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3RmFcUtCBckC5G6HkOjh-m-74f1Rr-QHKmX2TczqCoEkxTJ2NQISPTbXtZlpuFi5oU6d8qvhBLpqG1KSCyXBdfAnycrAeCoJz8D9PyHsAOKTnUB7XvaZ4xp9SgeHiWgaQT8V89FoJI7b/s1600/IMG_7227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3RmFcUtCBckC5G6HkOjh-m-74f1Rr-QHKmX2TczqCoEkxTJ2NQISPTbXtZlpuFi5oU6d8qvhBLpqG1KSCyXBdfAnycrAeCoJz8D9PyHsAOKTnUB7XvaZ4xp9SgeHiWgaQT8V89FoJI7b/s320/IMG_7227.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JJ</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68fzXigT0nVTrNA1iqQ-L0G3IatZ620p-0jqj_oFRrRZh1TFBCq3C1FF2UHpruPNVfUnfodhoweK4BJ2m4TriMNF_30vChvl1agfSi242GHdZwbiv8yDgZ_Anvl9TxnPLrMLpIO2zjBH1/s1600/IMG_7230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68fzXigT0nVTrNA1iqQ-L0G3IatZ620p-0jqj_oFRrRZh1TFBCq3C1FF2UHpruPNVfUnfodhoweK4BJ2m4TriMNF_30vChvl1agfSi242GHdZwbiv8yDgZ_Anvl9TxnPLrMLpIO2zjBH1/s320/IMG_7230.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BK</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnK60M47N9qH9cKiEyH1OwJSgrGwKIUtYror_dKQ0Io7sBkigKcTGaOgpOPVEhOWuWGfmOfgrSRPBo_rxkaX3XbQmuHsTXyvgyH169au5Y34RbtUS2T9z1XqcB5lzmtt0N06StY8sN3HX/s1600/IMG_7232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnK60M47N9qH9cKiEyH1OwJSgrGwKIUtYror_dKQ0Io7sBkigKcTGaOgpOPVEhOWuWGfmOfgrSRPBo_rxkaX3XbQmuHsTXyvgyH169au5Y34RbtUS2T9z1XqcB5lzmtt0N06StY8sN3HX/s320/IMG_7232.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your race winnner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdNuFldcscFx0goxc924KUp4vYjWYwyB4VnuM42BU0hw_Hdz6sMXnnGzaM0iyp6IAmu-NXRR1owys1ITol49ijpuKIT_p9Uiv6mQ-qkduY_oU70BywwaHd7QBh2UKlEYkhMrrZvVFojnY/s1600/IMG_7236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdNuFldcscFx0goxc924KUp4vYjWYwyB4VnuM42BU0hw_Hdz6sMXnnGzaM0iyp6IAmu-NXRR1owys1ITol49ijpuKIT_p9Uiv6mQ-qkduY_oU70BywwaHd7QBh2UKlEYkhMrrZvVFojnY/s320/IMG_7236.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junyer!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The meeting itself was pretty straightforward - they introduce the celebrity guests, then they watch a video on the basic rules for the race which I must admit was very much like an after school special and sounded like Mike Joy doing the voice over. They established the "Juan rule" with slowing down around the safety vehicles and having those workers wearing fire suits and helmets (which I cannot believe they weren't already doing...) and then the drivers stood for a rousing round of applause for the military families present who had lost children in the war. Kurt sat right in front of us about two rows up so we said hello and wished him luck this year...he definitely seemed in good spirits.</span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Immediately afterwards I went to the NASCAR hauler to snag a pic of the sign in sheet since I knew none of the "brass" would be around...Since I can't ask for autographs with my credentials, this is the best way to get them! lol</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwwkiWIP2-FlNV_YL36OMH2IGbCPL6_OjtzayL2X_g929cFsE6khuuHOdeK9Khl95VxdCeRLPXOyHgawrTUjoWzBOup9WbCrj3eQHI35MD7DtAXa3kk0zHa8iwtdM7Gf31ZKKm-3cXz3F/s1600/IMG_7242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwwkiWIP2-FlNV_YL36OMH2IGbCPL6_OjtzayL2X_g929cFsE6khuuHOdeK9Khl95VxdCeRLPXOyHgawrTUjoWzBOup9WbCrj3eQHI35MD7DtAXa3kk0zHa8iwtdM7Gf31ZKKm-3cXz3F/s320/IMG_7242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Back at the hauler, AJ was finishing lunch and getting ready to race. He signed my 22 visor --wait what? there are no AJ visors you say? Bah! Its my patented look! So I ordered mine off ebay for $2 - an old Dave Blaney CAT car one - the right colors and number and just picked the signature off with a seam ripper. Of course, I don't have a picture of it...doh! It will have to do until we get the new merch! </span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymRyswxmLSbo6EdiEtqrh6FwEH38EpBrpElUbovrrOSGaCyAF86DvMjNZRk2GA2w2i78saZUhz38TJa3qMapwJiG5AItR4jLY45rJc_aAswq0X6WGEpRsW6y7RU_wjbdaXEr-_OQ7Y9aO/s1600/IMG_7243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymRyswxmLSbo6EdiEtqrh6FwEH38EpBrpElUbovrrOSGaCyAF86DvMjNZRk2GA2w2i78saZUhz38TJa3qMapwJiG5AItR4jLY45rJc_aAswq0X6WGEpRsW6y7RU_wjbdaXEr-_OQ7Y9aO/s320/IMG_7243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The guys suited up and we all headed out to pit road...on the way I ran into one of the newest members of the Getty images team....any guesses who this famous photog is? Nope not Photo! </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQQOgsJpYvQqtJHerBFemrbLlDNQh6mre4ewka0t-rqsgmKjcOR6hGnHnVNDkPROHQ8LjjVwFfwS6JcVLzl1RUOtTx5SvWoREdoFzCJFphRN3GNeG5Zj1SbwligDlTOHuHkD4Q2bi8Fe1/s1600/IMG_7253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQQOgsJpYvQqtJHerBFemrbLlDNQh6mre4ewka0t-rqsgmKjcOR6hGnHnVNDkPROHQ8LjjVwFfwS6JcVLzl1RUOtTx5SvWoREdoFzCJFphRN3GNeG5Zj1SbwligDlTOHuHkD4Q2bi8Fe1/s320/IMG_7253.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Randy Johnson ex-Diamondbacks pitcher...weirdness</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was tough to see the track from our pit stall as we were mid turns 1 & 2 but it was cool to see the cars sail off to the back stretch. I sauntered over in front of the pit road exit and got some shots of the track before someone noticed me over there...no pit boxes!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRmih-xd9yS1l7boI9gF8ujh6nznTuf4CsyK5R6er5ikcJZU5EAB3YwSMg27cSmEo1KzOYLqvii4Xh3HBe8RctI-EcqmgF7McUvhKtZtgcIIHdogxciq6yO9ViJLKACXhMmVn49MD8OAr/s1600/IMG_7264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRmih-xd9yS1l7boI9gF8ujh6nznTuf4CsyK5R6er5ikcJZU5EAB3YwSMg27cSmEo1KzOYLqvii4Xh3HBe8RctI-EcqmgF7McUvhKtZtgcIIHdogxciq6yO9ViJLKACXhMmVn49MD8OAr/s320/IMG_7264.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While over there I also snagged this video of the cars coming off pit road mid race...kinda a unique perspective! <a href="http://youtu.be/_6yise8Mj_A">http://youtu.be/_6yise8Mj_A </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Unfortunately, we spent lots of time in the pits this race but the crew did a fantastic job of getting the deck lid reattached. Lots of tape, beating and banging in a very short amount of time.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e3_LBH7gpS7JF9fWfvpY0LxnT1Fiod3Qklzg1DjwccdEcMe2AY86N7tzBMJfW_Gm4wNT6CsL5LvYqsypsRD33uNNNZXhSmCp2ef8ZD8xSZUjQzydq8bsbGjq7ciEncPSanSdiKLJnJ5R/s1600/IMG_7290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e3_LBH7gpS7JF9fWfvpY0LxnT1Fiod3Qklzg1DjwccdEcMe2AY86N7tzBMJfW_Gm4wNT6CsL5LvYqsypsRD33uNNNZXhSmCp2ef8ZD8xSZUjQzydq8bsbGjq7ciEncPSanSdiKLJnJ5R/s320/IMG_7290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We caught lots of long green flag (single file, no passing) racing about 3/4's through the race and it was the perfect time for Travis to grab his snack and continue his blog feature... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XR_5-PRuf2m-oYEg-Ra_Knk4Dp1g3ofZ3W0y0rdT1r8zJCVUiOmDva5dWBcnJkm3CkyqqKkra0qXt9EhA0T7RiHcQid1HzWOrKNUu7aLNmPUkaskaVguJAHI_z7WYymEvS4QMlbaxcMC/s1600/IMG_7309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XR_5-PRuf2m-oYEg-Ra_Knk4Dp1g3ofZ3W0y0rdT1r8zJCVUiOmDva5dWBcnJkm3CkyqqKkra0qXt9EhA0T7RiHcQid1HzWOrKNUu7aLNmPUkaskaVguJAHI_z7WYymEvS4QMlbaxcMC/s320/IMG_7309.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6-RphbSKCmpMmT3zfWH2zC2gjdMkmuKgiyQRX3MsCgfscmWL-HusNEEC2_JEqQUurlFIadEF3a66o_3bfUUSOp1bHGwSjzDuBlRfFelu7Su6uVHjsB-2ZbPYDgzpLEDZvOS1mImA4GnQ/s1600/IMG_7310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6-RphbSKCmpMmT3zfWH2zC2gjdMkmuKgiyQRX3MsCgfscmWL-HusNEEC2_JEqQUurlFIadEF3a66o_3bfUUSOp1bHGwSjzDuBlRfFelu7Su6uVHjsB-2ZbPYDgzpLEDZvOS1mImA4GnQ/s320/IMG_7310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today was "Fruit Snack" day in the pits along with chips and beef jerky...amazing what fuels the crews.</span>..<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thanks Travis! =)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also snuck in a shot of the best PR guy in the business -TR with our buddy Dobbins...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa1VxEcVQzaXXXHsm-grdmOSFkoSZKQ-kce4zJHKz5R963-u_b5bJwu1IAzA5YqzqJcZ5_dF2j-f2Ow5fDxxfMDogIfcryDfJ-dq6hPX6xsjiswe-CQelaaEM35AOpxuVzoxwO1fYhUCi/s1600/IMG_7312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa1VxEcVQzaXXXHsm-grdmOSFkoSZKQ-kce4zJHKz5R963-u_b5bJwu1IAzA5YqzqJcZ5_dF2j-f2Ow5fDxxfMDogIfcryDfJ-dq6hPX6xsjiswe-CQelaaEM35AOpxuVzoxwO1fYhUCi/s320/IMG_7312.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This picture of "TaTa" or Dave Littau, our front tire carrier kinda sums up our race day...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnOX2pLUqXzxTRcGa9_8frwfNXR5j4HrjYhZWOWDwHI3rUXyjGrVO3Z9Dt7GaIhsm17e5oSn4LNJKfuR1Nt1vQggdzqd8Bm03v5yaACGTv2pgYqB1_fYC3wwM1IojzORFOZTIzgeT-TqA/s1600/IMG_7319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnOX2pLUqXzxTRcGa9_8frwfNXR5j4HrjYhZWOWDwHI3rUXyjGrVO3Z9Dt7GaIhsm17e5oSn4LNJKfuR1Nt1vQggdzqd8Bm03v5yaACGTv2pgYqB1_fYC3wwM1IojzORFOZTIzgeT-TqA/s320/IMG_7319.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I know AJ and the team was disappointed to not come out of Phoenix with a top 10 finish but considering they have a new driver, Crew Chief and cars I thought they did a pretty impressive job of sticking with it and making a bad day at least okay. Onto Vegas!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Speaking of, lots of people asking how the hauler drivers were going to swing this. Penske had the 2nd haulers come out to Phoenix to meet them them and switch out the cars for Vegas and then the hauler drivers are heading straight to Vegas, while the 2nd hauler will take the Phoenix cars back home. Everyone else on the crew flew back to NC to work in the garages on the Bristol cars.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On my way out of the garages...I ran into the NASCAR "brain trust" heading off into the sunset...you can almost hear the gun fighter tune in the background. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgW6y_f7hmo5TvVyE2ep7vU2p8RxyEePVsWAVQkkFQnDhQCMIrYYcySXrkCj27mIAmm4K11Vds1XuNYd23d_V27BRklEbrgZ5WW9ieZB5Lu9xhIKbmv1X7soLOXVTabWu-8B2YXzmku5Z/s1600/IMG_7326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgW6y_f7hmo5TvVyE2ep7vU2p8RxyEePVsWAVQkkFQnDhQCMIrYYcySXrkCj27mIAmm4K11Vds1XuNYd23d_V27BRklEbrgZ5WW9ieZB5Lu9xhIKbmv1X7soLOXVTabWu-8B2YXzmku5Z/s320/IMG_7326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hope you enjoyed the read...next up for me, Sonoma!</span>klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-37357009676890654682011-07-02T15:15:00.000-07:002011-07-02T15:15:54.469-07:00Stoked! Got it!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_z5oY4uHgW4wrQbs2_40yAIMWgUxzEGqT1nQ-p8Jx-qL-2z-4prGjbSDbIzgE_GU9YQZcwDjHWWXjiwTUmyMuBZcFIA1UTvH_oZWMsLx9imysft2nYP41YPhF9V1mzHAKE_4QI9OygaAk/s1600/awesome%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_z5oY4uHgW4wrQbs2_40yAIMWgUxzEGqT1nQ-p8Jx-qL-2z-4prGjbSDbIzgE_GU9YQZcwDjHWWXjiwTUmyMuBZcFIA1UTvH_oZWMsLx9imysft2nYP41YPhF9V1mzHAKE_4QI9OygaAk/s320/awesome%2521.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The official photo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-70904206765155596902011-07-01T23:20:00.000-07:002012-06-28T20:43:16.477-07:00Meet the 2012 Shell-Raisers!<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We've had a few changes to "my" crew and I thought it about time to update who is on the team and get some new pictures in their new sponsor colors! I had a ton of fun with them answering the car part question...and learned some very </span><i style="font-weight: normal;">interesting </i><span style="font-weight: normal;">things about them. Truth be told, our crew is still one of the tightest in the garage and the fact they still tolerate me bugging them all the time is truly appreciated! Thanks guys!</span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZOQ9FBVPnSGpU_WE_NraUVfbH7XJBitmTwfQ0FTtc3vsGeNpSTwuMErxv2MoI9_11ZFdhhFbUVDHULxDTitOlE-3wPtvkmSpsqtre-5_vt5Fk2OZK0xoIk7kPHjHjRTJLwpwbnokYRGm/s1600/todd.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZOQ9FBVPnSGpU_WE_NraUVfbH7XJBitmTwfQ0FTtc3vsGeNpSTwuMErxv2MoI9_11ZFdhhFbUVDHULxDTitOlE-3wPtvkmSpsqtre-5_vt5Fk2OZK0xoIk7kPHjHjRTJLwpwbnokYRGm/s1600/todd.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pondering a nickname...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><b></b></i></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <i>Todd Gordon</i> – Car Chief </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">2 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Camden, NY</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Todd claims he has no nickname...working on it!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Worked in a Pro Shop on a Golf Course</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Watkins Glen because he won there and its home.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> His dominating win at Kansas.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> ECU because its his job to gather data and tell people what to do. </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> </span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-u9lZvbdbDy6NDrAiPI0yk3ULMf7aCvgrSA3xonzYbM1Ce9PZlXjGg-2WuDpz3QcMXGtXm5K_jL2c5p72Slc8vKmymcjtYEHoliBJiAcs8IUrPLfR7Jst02xySyDrh_lbb_KW_IPvCyNS/s320/jeffrey.JPG" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1000 is on it!</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>J</b>effrey Thousand</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Car Chief </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">32 (!) years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> St. Louis, MO</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“1000”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Fabricator<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Bristol</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Winning the All Star Race and 600 at Charlotte. </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The engine - because he is always running! </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Jeffrey has seen and done everything there is to do at Penske. He was one of Rusty’s favorites and has bucket loads of information and experience at his finger tips. One of the most respected guys in the sport who plays it straight but every now and again will surprise you by doing something completely wacky.</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMrVHDA2HKCVsMYni-uJhN7ydILTwjpf9s2l3q5XaGX-3_0_4MKY_n1gf0_019hFJQnDByVW81M__UKWBjsCCLhCiZvLDiD7A0f_nenuE08o_NdWzwfLK6ESuQAtEt_0Dlziem2ihcO0g/s1600/ray.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMrVHDA2HKCVsMYni-uJhN7ydILTwjpf9s2l3q5XaGX-3_0_4MKY_n1gf0_019hFJQnDByVW81M__UKWBjsCCLhCiZvLDiD7A0f_nenuE08o_NdWzwfLK6ESuQAtEt_0Dlziem2ihcO0g/s320/ray.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ray and those long arms!</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ray Gallahan</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Jackman </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">7 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Lake Helen, FL</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Gorilla” </span></b></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">(because his arm span is huge!)</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Ray worked at Auto Bell Car Wash during high school and the first year of college. “I was like their MVP guy in that I knew how to do anything there. Inside cleanup and vacuuming were my specialties.”<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Daytona</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> 2007 sneaking into the Chase at Richmond and hearing over the radio “we are locked in.”</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Drive Shaft – because it’s not very complex!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">I used to think of Ray as the “quiet intellectual” because he would always go on top the hauler and read. Ray found this pretty amusing given his choice of car part…</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUzR9r1HN_p5FXU2_oW2ufLpJkwsPWi3FOOwjry3jfN1viz-dGb3-bx3dI4ZCytf7svX7z_0362uRjzFG0VOR0VDfOcEJV6Bn_YxMN3OarxcBt3bZt2Zj4cdfqES-o9bveHVl6cxzH7Jq/s1600/jay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUzR9r1HN_p5FXU2_oW2ufLpJkwsPWi3FOOwjry3jfN1viz-dGb3-bx3dI4ZCytf7svX7z_0362uRjzFG0VOR0VDfOcEJV6Bn_YxMN3OarxcBt3bZt2Zj4cdfqES-o9bveHVl6cxzH7Jq/s320/jay.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jay enjoying the spoils of Victory!</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jay Hackney</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> - Front Tire Changer</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">10 years at Penske </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> St. Louis, MO</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Hack”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Jay worked with his father as a contractor but his dad fired him because he was being “lazy” and made him work in a saw mill. “My dad knew how hard the work was and he wanted me to get off on the right foot while I was getting out of school and having to do things on my own. I did everything from cutting and hauling the dropped trees to all the work at the mill. Dad was right, that was the hardest work I can imagine doing…” and once he learned his lesson his dad hired him back.<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Bristol</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> 1<sup>st</sup> Bristol win with Kurt</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Jay couldn’t think of a part he was comfortable with but on crew consensus they suggested he be the Splitter – because he is always at the front of the car and always digging!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Jay is the most humble guy on the crew and is never comfortable with all the accolades he often gets and very much deserves. </span></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fueled by Fruit Snacks</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Travis Johnson</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> - Rear Tire Changer </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">7 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">: Chetek, WI</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“T-rav”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Hunt club "whipping boy"</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Indy</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Winning the All Star race and the 600 with Kurt Busch in 2010.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">The Drive Shaft because he is always caught in the middle!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Travis returned to the pit crew this year after a mishap on his mountain bike resulting in a very messed up shoulder in 2011. He is the star of the always popular "what is Travis eating in the pits" portion of my blog and gets bonus points for putting up with me!</span></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ta Ta" the veteran...</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dave Littau</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> - Front Tire Carrier </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">12 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> El Paso, TX </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“TaTa” </span></b></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">(started by Roy McCauley)</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Worked on Kenny Brightbill’s racing team.<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Rockingham or Texas</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Rusty’s last win at Martinsville</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Frame rails – because they last a loooong time and are an integral part of the car.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Dave is the “senior” member on the #2/22 having worked the longest on the same pit crew. He is the go to guy for perspective on the sport and always gives you a straight answer. He also has some mad carpentry skills! </span></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trent with his poker face </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><b>Trent Cherry </b></i></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">- Rear Tire Carrier & Pit Crew Coach</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">15 years at Penske</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Charlotte, NC<b></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Twitch” </span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Worked for his dad packaging t-shirts.<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Las Vegas - not for the track...(for the poker!)</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"></span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Winning the 2002 All Star Race with Ryan Newman because they had to race their way in, started dead last and still won it.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">A Tire so he can roll out, do his work and be done.<i><br /></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Trent came over to the #22 crew after a long stint on the #2 team and has been a familiar face in the Penske pit's as the pit crew coach but his passion is poker - I know he'd prefer to be a Royal Flush but he is definitely One of a Kind.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"></span></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and his flowing locks...</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Chris Williams</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Gasman </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">7.5 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Lebanon, OH</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“C-Dub”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Chris worked at a putt putt golf and arcade.<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Rockingham</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">The first time he went to the track as a fan in 1994 to watch the first NASCAR Brickyard practice at Indy. </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Motor Oil – because he keeps everyone “loose!”</span></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He definitely looks like a front bumper...</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Chris Conklin</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Behind the Wall Fuel Technician </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">3.5 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Burlington, NC<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Big Chief Deuces” </span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Doh! I forgot to ask him...</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Charlotte</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Being the 2010 Nationwide Champions</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The front bumper because he is "smooth and sexy (!)"</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">I only spent about 5 minutes with Chris on race day so I have to get to know him a bit better before I can give you any tidbits but based on his car part answer, I think we'll have some good stuff in no time! </span></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any guesses on what Cold Start refers to?</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Colin Fambrough</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Back Up Rear Tire Changer </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">1 year at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Tyler, Tx</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Cold Start” </span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Doh! I forgot to ask him too!<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Dover</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"></span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">His first Cup win at Talladega<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The Exhaust because he is "full of hot air."<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">I
only spent about 5 minutes with Colin on race day as well </span></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy...indeed</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"></span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Chris Osborne</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Spotter</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">4.5 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> High Point, NC</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Crazy”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Collecting golf balls at age 8 at the local golf course/range (for FREE he adds...)<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Bristol for the night race</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> His first Cup win in Phoenix working on Bobby Hamilton’s crew.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Throttle – because he likes to back the corner’s up and ease it into the corners…</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Chris is our smooth-talking “Voice of Victory” that fans associate most with because we listen to him every week guiding AJ through traffic. He is super laid-back, loved by all, and *always* sunburnt!</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mRPDvsDFyHjzCJhyclUZQiwhG0fvrcYEjp15OyJOAeGQpe8F3ZANYesydrUzP5cEIt2Q2zUrB7b1KFam5PgRdnMHQ76afAesl9BCyFmurbyJJortjzd5XoCfo6CdHJh-0c9kjl6I34M7/s1600/steve.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mRPDvsDFyHjzCJhyclUZQiwhG0fvrcYEjp15OyJOAeGQpe8F3ZANYesydrUzP5cEIt2Q2zUrB7b1KFam5PgRdnMHQ76afAesl9BCyFmurbyJJortjzd5XoCfo6CdHJh-0c9kjl6I34M7/s320/steve.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fear the Beard!</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"></span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Steve Reis</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Race Engineer </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">4 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Windsor, Ontario, Canada</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">“STEVEN”</span></i></b></span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">(in a voice like your mom would use)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">At the Green Giant factory sanitizing machinery after hours.<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Darlington for the Southern 500</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Winning the Bud Shootout and the Gatorade Duel with Kurt in 2011.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">The tires – because he is complicated and hard to understand!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Like all race engineers he was easy to spot because he is always carrying a clipboard and records everything…or it could have been the beard...which he actually shaved off! I have to get an updated picture as he is now sporting a very cool 70's 'stache.</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gCBGrv7n4QrKc4SEg69hx2WqqgJ4etB9AggmmZrVDamW7mlaPgm-IKNpHT0Hi7oyYD9xgh81_wermcuTILJwYWl1JakxORkvSIJCkFxz79-mzlL_1VtjNbBZZUuX0v36iSoo6uSi4GNl/s1600/jonathan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gCBGrv7n4QrKc4SEg69hx2WqqgJ4etB9AggmmZrVDamW7mlaPgm-IKNpHT0Hi7oyYD9xgh81_wermcuTILJwYWl1JakxORkvSIJCkFxz79-mzlL_1VtjNbBZZUuX0v36iSoo6uSi4GNl/s320/jonathan.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring-y like Tigger?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jonathan Hassler</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Race Engineer </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">5 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Greencastle, IN</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Go Back On That”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Go-Kart racer!<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Darlington</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Winning at Bristol with “Lil Gator” in the Nationwide Series.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> A spring – because “I love springs!”</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Sonoma</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> was also the first time I also met Jonathan, who graduated from Purdue University with an automotive engineering degree. Proving there’s a lot of brain power behind that pretty baby-face!</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAXvRB2AyvrUPfI5TQc5I1xhGpDlIcwoNyc4pGUKqUIBnc9ugC0Al7Idw-7ETFa6m0juGTzUhNvp2fjXZeBw5fV1oYW-oVvkoIMLqYW7aLsdGEeQiIqnvTuPBpdsXLtRiRvyG6zcbe7Je/s1600/darin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAXvRB2AyvrUPfI5TQc5I1xhGpDlIcwoNyc4pGUKqUIBnc9ugC0Al7Idw-7ETFa6m0juGTzUhNvp2fjXZeBw5fV1oYW-oVvkoIMLqYW7aLsdGEeQiIqnvTuPBpdsXLtRiRvyG6zcbe7Je/s320/darin.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darin looking for the canooter valve</td></tr>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"></span></b></i><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Darin Russell</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Engine Tuner</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">6.5 years at Penske</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Sunderland, MA</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Meteor” or “D-Money”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Picking cucumbers…(not sure if I buy this…)<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Texas for the “view”</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Being in Victory Lane with his parents at New Hampshire.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The Canooter Valve – the “g-spot” of the engine (*cough cough*)!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Darin is tough to read sometimes, one minute he is deadly serious the next he is vogue-ing by the car! He definitely likes to mess with you (can you tell by his answers?) and has friends on nearly every team in the garage. You’ll never catch him without his old school converse and his puka shell necklace.</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbTvJ4BiVNDN6Yyd6SPx5NtdHRHzgdLsbKJYRzeMp89enI4PFFqDcHJF-02TklXurpgb7JALEJXsjpdLiuzuGNmlqOdvUEbqNPvANHnegf5OG1OUwLXW342-3UtH2b7G87Pz3BqEWJBDj/s1600/coonter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbTvJ4BiVNDN6Yyd6SPx5NtdHRHzgdLsbKJYRzeMp89enI4PFFqDcHJF-02TklXurpgb7JALEJXsjpdLiuzuGNmlqOdvUEbqNPvANHnegf5OG1OUwLXW342-3UtH2b7G87Pz3BqEWJBDj/s320/coonter.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The infamous "Canooter Valve"...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACD5-q7c1DivxalQkEmi2v2i5QylAAgqW7CG-DuAIiTtrMJ70SuxuGeRBYiJIZ-yA8LzVUqUWBUQhoRUwftyOJVEu_REDKj15MK8o2YFGov-JCSPN7d2_o6VT6mBiv1df4EuYEAo_MsXk/s1600/mule.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACD5-q7c1DivxalQkEmi2v2i5QylAAgqW7CG-DuAIiTtrMJ70SuxuGeRBYiJIZ-yA8LzVUqUWBUQhoRUwftyOJVEu_REDKj15MK8o2YFGov-JCSPN7d2_o6VT6mBiv1df4EuYEAo_MsXk/s320/mule.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claims never been spit on by a llama...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dave Nichols</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Tire Specialist </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">5 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Macedon, NY</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Mule”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> A farm hand at a llama ranch(!)<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Richmond for the racing</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> His 1<sup>st</sup> win in Pepsi 400 working for Roush #16 team.<b> </b></span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Track bar – because he likes to move around…</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Mule is easy going and gets along with everyone in the garage and always has tons of personal jokes going with the crew and does some pretty darn funny impressions.</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFWsL6mBLCA70KsoxbAPA9E1EQ6BXHfug-J64tMH-uKSYfEJRaCIicldVtqb5xp9bpd75-g-9bdA1QMFvl7xH5oTC5pCt50fpxKacceZLY7gFApShqs-95sEsgsw4oldaLvijkqu-FbX1/s1600/hansen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFWsL6mBLCA70KsoxbAPA9E1EQ6BXHfug-J64tMH-uKSYfEJRaCIicldVtqb5xp9bpd75-g-9bdA1QMFvl7xH5oTC5pCt50fpxKacceZLY7gFApShqs-95sEsgsw4oldaLvijkqu-FbX1/s320/hansen.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Come on Dave, what car part would you be?!</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dave Hansen</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Shock Specialist </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">3 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> York, ME</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: “Hansen”</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Mechanic<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> New Hampshire</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Winning Indy with JGR</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be? </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Alas, Dave needs more time on this one – TBD! </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Dave is the shy one on the team and is like a rare bird that you hardly ever spot until race day. You can always find him working in the hauler by the shock dyno machine or where ever there is shrimp being served.</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmk04X2F5bcwevXJ4uT9eRY3-66grVTyDm8Eg7CqRLLPJi7rQkusYGlmH1lErNG-kB46GY922uEa6IchBso9cCJTCbQrIJWKKPzKBuTeqKlStZFo0zf7uLH8YwY3zU33TErOwrc6tzFW2/s1600/stevo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmk04X2F5bcwevXJ4uT9eRY3-66grVTyDm8Eg7CqRLLPJi7rQkusYGlmH1lErNG-kB46GY922uEa6IchBso9cCJTCbQrIJWKKPzKBuTeqKlStZFo0zf7uLH8YwY3zU33TErOwrc6tzFW2/s320/stevo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stevo waiting on more abuse...</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Steve Williams </span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">- Underneath Mechanic </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">8 years at Penske </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Lebanon, OH</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Stevo”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Machinist<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Eldora</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> When he was employed by PPI racing on Ricky Craven’s team and they beat Kurt by a fraction of a second at Darlington</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Brake pads – because he gets the most abuse!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Stevo always takes the time to answer my questions and explain what they are doing to the car for which I am eternally grateful! He is the one who got me hooked on the crew’s favorite Sweet and Sweaty Chicken wings and has a wood shop in his house that he wishes he could use more often. </span></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stretch modeling his new Tag Heuer glasses...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Eric Bailey</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Front End Suspension Mechanic/Windshield Tear Off </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">7 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Olathe, KS</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Stretch”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Life Guard<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Kansas because its home</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Back to back Charlotte wins with Kurt</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Muffler bearing – because only the coolest cars have them. (Anyone else call BS on this?!) </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Stretch is also one of my go-to guys for information on what the heck is going on. He likes to pick on me and be disagreeable with a smile and he tolerates a fair amount of ribbing right back. Don’t call him Eric because no one on the team would know who you were talking about…oh and apparently someone online thinks he loves cucumbers.</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTru0yrIyzpZRgq1P7CoJP0fyqBC9o2B0-ciap94asi2dlV43AA9iacvOSHxZnsVgDO4NJmB6wTsT3EuDxe6QU94P2R-k0TXOUxV9HGX7gwdUMGFatuvXGw8zBk5wTQRlarztncB6QQ_z/s1600/billy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTru0yrIyzpZRgq1P7CoJP0fyqBC9o2B0-ciap94asi2dlV43AA9iacvOSHxZnsVgDO4NJmB6wTsT3EuDxe6QU94P2R-k0TXOUxV9HGX7gwdUMGFatuvXGw8zBk5wTQRlarztncB6QQ_z/s320/billy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Bill being "cool"...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Bill Spencer</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Interior Mechanic & Fuel Support </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">6 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Brenham, TX</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Wild Bill”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Maintenance at a greenhouse. <i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Indy</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Working as the car chief for AJ Foyt and winning the Indy 500 in 1999. </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Air Conditioner – because he is so cool…!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Billy indulges me and makes me feel somewhat useful and very much part of the team by letting me do his “job” of pulling the tool bag around as the car goes through inspection. He is also excellent at cleaning windows and de-stinking helmets (and has a great sense of humor!)</span></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gassy Greg! =)</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Greg Sorber</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Transport Driver </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">4 years at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Shickshinny, PA</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Roadblock”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Cleaning cars in his family’s business.</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Bristol</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Getting a “real” job at Penske Racing</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Carburetor – because he is full of gas! </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Greg
came to the #22 crew after starting on the #77 and is teamed up with
George to haul the cars all over the country. Greg seems to be always
doing something and rarely is standing still. He and George make a
great comedy team as well…</span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7C9nIz_mZww0i2zrgxPT0sBK8tEdNnqEt1Uc7n_W-w76R1Yl_k2kJ2MtcPMeSJ4EGbfV93x9_TOKGURcH4FKHUGvY0org5v20c1EvNzf8WkSFea8eBWOrs5op7qXwO3b0zZvFuW0JqzD/s1600/jr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7C9nIz_mZww0i2zrgxPT0sBK8tEdNnqEt1Uc7n_W-w76R1Yl_k2kJ2MtcPMeSJ4EGbfV93x9_TOKGURcH4FKHUGvY0org5v20c1EvNzf8WkSFea8eBWOrs5op7qXwO3b0zZvFuW0JqzD/s320/jr.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other Junyer in the garage</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>JR Weller</b></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Transport Driver </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">1 year at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Pottstown, PA</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“JR”</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Dishwasher</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track: </span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">All of 'em!</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"></span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Winning Homestead with Brad Keslowski - his first time driving a Cup hauler.</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> The Engine because he is a big guy and has a lot of horsepower! </span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> </span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRJd60ivWcJL0KD7hTmxSpzaKgcjzsGtR8jwmz_mpbRNRlfq4Rhq_scCNRIRqYvNj9H_tvDhkxrCB6Osl6IKm9-6hXrvxPwidNj6Ur6vmUErKumAnHJVabBHH3wIYi2oQrMcUFhN26Dbo/s1600/david+p.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRJd60ivWcJL0KD7hTmxSpzaKgcjzsGtR8jwmz_mpbRNRlfq4Rhq_scCNRIRqYvNj9H_tvDhkxrCB6Osl6IKm9-6hXrvxPwidNj6Ur6vmUErKumAnHJVabBHH3wIYi2oQrMcUFhN26Dbo/s320/david+p.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating the radio's working at Sonoma!</td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">David Perry</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – Trackside IT support </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">8 months at Penske </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hometown:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Charlotte, NC<b> </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nickname: <b><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Brinks” </span></b></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">(because he leaves a lot of cash at the casinos)</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">First job:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Dishwasher<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Favorite Track:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Bristol</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Memorable Racing Experience:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> This years race at Vegas where he royally screwed up the radios and they didn’t work…and the fact he is still employed and look how far he’s come!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">If You Were a Car Part, What Would You Be?</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> Antennae – because he is always searching for a signal!</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Kristen’s Tidbit:</span></b></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;"> With the technology involved in racing today and the complicated communication set ups on the new pit box, David’s skills are sorely needed…course his crew-mates would rip on him questioning what those skills actually are…but thankfully, we have another new teammate with a wicked sense of humor who fits right in. </span></i></div>
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</div>klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-84974447526783833792011-06-29T18:27:00.000-07:002011-06-29T18:27:28.208-07:00Sonoma Race Report - VICTORY!AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH! I just spent 2 hours writing this blog and when I went to post stupid Blogger said there was a conflict and when I hit the back button it was gone. CRAP!<br />
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Ok guess we will try again...here we go...and this time I will copy it before I try to post! Dang IT!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQn7_AzcAuYDv6vu2GCfGNQZFn5RllTNqgvLptZoWqZ3S5gC1UkqZabba8x5B8csR48aV9Y8xCFRSAgJbAZfMfJ2EjmSZf2mrSqO17uxXkzryyd6OCOLRAe8GsmqbJ2yIZGPmBBXgAlje/s1600/confetti.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQn7_AzcAuYDv6vu2GCfGNQZFn5RllTNqgvLptZoWqZ3S5gC1UkqZabba8x5B8csR48aV9Y8xCFRSAgJbAZfMfJ2EjmSZf2mrSqO17uxXkzryyd6OCOLRAe8GsmqbJ2yIZGPmBBXgAlje/s320/confetti.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey Tez! I think you have some of this confetti!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It will be impossible for me to even articulate the absolute amazing experience it was to win at my home track in such dominant fashion. So I wont even try (again!) but do want to thank Kurt and the entire #22 crew for sharing a crazy fun race weekend with me!<br />
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Sunday started with me and Tez hitting up Starbucks yet again and getting to the track when the garage opened. Tez hung about while I got the schedule for the day and we met up a short while later at Jeff Gluck's tweet up. Word on the street was "Maaaacus" was going to make an appearance so I texted Tez the super secret squirrel password (Sonoma) to get past security and met him in Victory Circle. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vZ3VXNPyOKCOU4RUBrhB0cXXChqCNELlhnTVCt4tdHvg9ghg2PG4v8CG5kcKkcxTEo-tSY5PpAv2-DsbCoVd7g4OeeyuSNvg5Co-c0rXzCC1MddjysLfbIZ9LWyL22LqG2LBY7UoI3Wk/s1600/gluck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vZ3VXNPyOKCOU4RUBrhB0cXXChqCNELlhnTVCt4tdHvg9ghg2PG4v8CG5kcKkcxTEo-tSY5PpAv2-DsbCoVd7g4OeeyuSNvg5Co-c0rXzCC1MddjysLfbIZ9LWyL22LqG2LBY7UoI3Wk/s320/gluck.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Gotta say Gluck was a bit of a disappointment - the subject of Kurt's girlfriend came up in the tweet up and he asked how he could possibly ask about her in Kurt's media time. I said that probably wasn't the appropriate venue to ask in and he agreed. Well, not sure how many of you saw his article yesterday about Kurt's girlfriend - so he wrote about it by pretending to be high and might and not write about it. LAME! Anyway, we did meet some fellow tweeters and Tez got more quality time with Maaaacus (see his <a href="http://tezgm99.blogspot.com/2011/06/apparently-its-hard-to-keep-success.html">blog</a> for pics!) and when Gluck asked everyone for their picks for the winner this week for the record I TOTALLY called it! =)<br />
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After the tweet up I headed back to the garage to try to finish up my interviews with the pit crew. They were coming up with some really funny stuff for what car part they would be...I hope to have the updated crew blog done by the end of the week!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4GggirjG56LJrqzZ_k3tTsq6vaouzYMMXxOQmrWfhhTCv9XaYd9UfeuP3OIH91W_L3xb5WGk_fNt7JSaYCKsJpn1LiMtPWSCO3sxsgxzwEVhcTbHHFoCeBxRgMo0vXEx0d9iBc83ewvj/s1600/interview+jay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4GggirjG56LJrqzZ_k3tTsq6vaouzYMMXxOQmrWfhhTCv9XaYd9UfeuP3OIH91W_L3xb5WGk_fNt7JSaYCKsJpn1LiMtPWSCO3sxsgxzwEVhcTbHHFoCeBxRgMo0vXEx0d9iBc83ewvj/s320/interview+jay.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The pits were open to the fans and RA6AN, Tez and CR were busy writing good luck messages on their favorite drivers pit walls. I found two of my favorite people wandering on pit lane...Rex and Brandon who are like family to me and who I lived with for nearly 10 years before getting married. It was their first race ever so I gave them the tour of our super swank pit box and managed to get them out on pit road by the cars as well, thanks to Tony, on of my buddies who is an official.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fpjsTGKug0901W5YJ3WIau_kUw0E3mO_ikUmKJKA5bBzqzNNpB8ZHz03JN5NfXFdb3UfsK9fIA34nTjhBIT31xC1d5ToRx49O030r2EQdCMJ1tLnVMWjA9IB9XVUOmpBuDiOHLAt8e_D/s1600/rexbug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fpjsTGKug0901W5YJ3WIau_kUw0E3mO_ikUmKJKA5bBzqzNNpB8ZHz03JN5NfXFdb3UfsK9fIA34nTjhBIT31xC1d5ToRx49O030r2EQdCMJ1tLnVMWjA9IB9XVUOmpBuDiOHLAt8e_D/s320/rexbug.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We Tony the Troublemaker wanted to make sure they were getting the full experience so he grabbed some poor girl out of the crowd and asked her to take a picture with a somewhat shocked Brandon...apparently this is what you do at a NASCAR race? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7CHeecrSLZLzmkhoTg4PG0KjbYNjAZ8_ky08_4b-sgXKHzu1Gl-gUQufWaFZCkOHN_D5DfZTIaR1Q-MAQqj4DZNBDk6I2M4Mw3A2tVcwlw6l9CsjgiuSC6CUrJJWjEcyur3hu0YqRNL9/s1600/girl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7CHeecrSLZLzmkhoTg4PG0KjbYNjAZ8_ky08_4b-sgXKHzu1Gl-gUQufWaFZCkOHN_D5DfZTIaR1Q-MAQqj4DZNBDk6I2M4Mw3A2tVcwlw6l9CsjgiuSC6CUrJJWjEcyur3hu0YqRNL9/s320/girl.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Tony also grabbed a girl for CR and Tez but I'll leave it up to them to post that since I don't want anyone getting in trouble...LOL<br />
<br />
I had to get back in the garages to follow the car through inspection and do my informal job as the cutest tool bag girl on the circuit! This time we made it through inspection without problem. Thanks to Tez and CR who stuck around to get some pictures of me following the guys pushing the car out on to pit lane.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbl-cJ5jch9YYViHGzHHlKyr9LcOLOhpDYtZvP0yavjRwW3y-fwvgPn-fPfzywTQYnwZseB33cxXohpR6s5B2JzglRl6l_Dntmp9t8QL0UVvgrZCH2UGxnGOl3Zg-94GdbmSDZc3Lc71Wm/s1600/toolcart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbl-cJ5jch9YYViHGzHHlKyr9LcOLOhpDYtZvP0yavjRwW3y-fwvgPn-fPfzywTQYnwZseB33cxXohpR6s5B2JzglRl6l_Dntmp9t8QL0UVvgrZCH2UGxnGOl3Zg-94GdbmSDZc3Lc71Wm/s320/toolcart.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I had a bit of downtime once the car was ready to go so I grabbed some food and hung out with our guests at the hauler. We had quite a few visitors this weekend - several winemakers, a bigwig from Shell who came out from Houston along with the two women who star in the commercial with Kurt (the ones who wear the lab coat), also guys from Lennox and a family from Magellan. While we were chatting I couldn't help but snap a picture of Kurt's "beer cozy"...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Idi8jwrsbJWhuTdwGpqky16VulQeqe3Q0nTMqIL_KMOpUTUlxfXRQinuIo_YgvF2We-_DeMmr4Tm3GZUoNaTzNZv6x47_5Ah_gJwJfEP_04tIL4aH31Bpfsqwx-Eh7gQPrMSkzgGDzf3/s1600/kurt+cozy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Idi8jwrsbJWhuTdwGpqky16VulQeqe3Q0nTMqIL_KMOpUTUlxfXRQinuIo_YgvF2We-_DeMmr4Tm3GZUoNaTzNZv6x47_5Ah_gJwJfEP_04tIL4aH31Bpfsqwx-Eh7gQPrMSkzgGDzf3/s320/kurt+cozy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>If you read my previous posts you'll recall a public service announcement about sensible shoes. Well Kurt wasn't going to be in 6 inch platforms today but I am sure with all the shifting, braking and gassing he appreciated his extra padding. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVZb9hbkX78HY1K_fTaJfHHewAyuVB-A_yO-LUWeQlYUIewwgsOwAu744KHrPBlRtyp1UZHNZfJWqfSjz3SqkEGyN_VfthF1C_sU6poZ5athBQ0dNe60zHXYx61tZoNug0nEEDUCGOvSN/s1600/mancave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVZb9hbkX78HY1K_fTaJfHHewAyuVB-A_yO-LUWeQlYUIewwgsOwAu744KHrPBlRtyp1UZHNZfJWqfSjz3SqkEGyN_VfthF1C_sU6poZ5athBQ0dNe60zHXYx61tZoNug0nEEDUCGOvSN/s320/mancave.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The #6 crew Man Cave - but they said girls are allowed so you are all set Melissa!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I headed out to pit road for the pre-race festivities and got a good spot in the corner of the pit box to watch the action. Not much to see except turn 11 but with Kurt leading the whole race it didn't make too much difference! With Addington's aggressive call for the race there wasn't that many opportunities to catch our crew in action.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX35da8K3iB8eYRu2Vgf8V9xcWu9sLmNAL9FT8ebiL4PO84mnuuybNj4ZzfVoFHMLNpebCe-OjBeCO7awvgmhMbnH64ee3VD4r-K0kzrieyhOSkLiggu7fbYe64FEFJMjPcEFYa-QCI33s/s1600/2nd+stop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX35da8K3iB8eYRu2Vgf8V9xcWu9sLmNAL9FT8ebiL4PO84mnuuybNj4ZzfVoFHMLNpebCe-OjBeCO7awvgmhMbnH64ee3VD4r-K0kzrieyhOSkLiggu7fbYe64FEFJMjPcEFYa-QCI33s/s320/2nd+stop.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>But the Red Bull team sure was busy...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39Oi89pfXGGhUo8h5r0TD_V41_oSRpc7wrYth5XgUEGhhFLQUgkhyHynTQ11yUR1v0t5zxJI9d-zC01HE7p0xiEak4GiV35fi1MqIZyqJj7yrzjPcsurqU34YGaUEio7VkdHfoKVb3QvV/s1600/vickers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39Oi89pfXGGhUo8h5r0TD_V41_oSRpc7wrYth5XgUEGhhFLQUgkhyHynTQ11yUR1v0t5zxJI9d-zC01HE7p0xiEak4GiV35fi1MqIZyqJj7yrzjPcsurqU34YGaUEio7VkdHfoKVb3QvV/s320/vickers.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And shortly there after the other teams around us were dealing with problems as well...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg7rvmogyUb75snsnRQHmNe9pYnJgLTzY1KNcbw-XjaykHtLLhR2bZqG6sDf9Ss7FnpIYKev8Uo-5wcpKeO6koDOqfqSOezi10zSy9NwPLUksT0ZIgrW-aQX5kdZAclIYh-DK0P-PhrbA/s1600/pits.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg7rvmogyUb75snsnRQHmNe9pYnJgLTzY1KNcbw-XjaykHtLLhR2bZqG6sDf9Ss7FnpIYKev8Uo-5wcpKeO6koDOqfqSOezi10zSy9NwPLUksT0ZIgrW-aQX5kdZAclIYh-DK0P-PhrbA/s320/pits.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sigh. He just hates Sonoma...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfg9gYu0-fWooYgj6vObfYVUVjwdkhUddT2CRiYhg15dvP5h8on73bT16fhNKXjIKzhwqqMww2A3W42HIoFGKI4T3ghoQfp0xIeFF3HDnlUBnHo5HaBSUjX8qzQEoSfzE1OyuJQ1kYSGD/s1600/not+good+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfg9gYu0-fWooYgj6vObfYVUVjwdkhUddT2CRiYhg15dvP5h8on73bT16fhNKXjIKzhwqqMww2A3W42HIoFGKI4T3ghoQfp0xIeFF3HDnlUBnHo5HaBSUjX8qzQEoSfzE1OyuJQ1kYSGD/s320/not+good+sign.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And so Junyer had to pack up and leave early knowing he couldn't compete for my attentions with Kurt dominating the way he was...bubye.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUDbVuUcVTrFhy6d_kOtZiJAdmg7LJUFm4QeQq0z8GNXvFut_WNB5qvzYwRRN7u7Lx7cYX3yTG75UU2VKMT8bNLRjsvhX-hyWnV-BH9AjrPoJOd9KGL5eEN4RS2aysZGtcliU2EkYRKKx/s1600/gone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUDbVuUcVTrFhy6d_kOtZiJAdmg7LJUFm4QeQq0z8GNXvFut_WNB5qvzYwRRN7u7Lx7cYX3yTG75UU2VKMT8bNLRjsvhX-hyWnV-BH9AjrPoJOd9KGL5eEN4RS2aysZGtcliU2EkYRKKx/s320/gone.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Junyer's empty pit stall was the perfect spot to watch the safety workers try to extract Smoke from the tires...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyn5a8RqczRtcxa27TyQkBnYsvTdGtqP8GqWh_FYEh66ZIt1gGPD2bvpa0si_qfPZw84q4zBDtOQmd__9yz7gjo7tth3YrYXBpIz1CkqGOthmyQKgPiBy7hIy3Msgo_i7xi9rBfZCJKCi/s1600/smoke.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyn5a8RqczRtcxa27TyQkBnYsvTdGtqP8GqWh_FYEh66ZIt1gGPD2bvpa0si_qfPZw84q4zBDtOQmd__9yz7gjo7tth3YrYXBpIz1CkqGOthmyQKgPiBy7hIy3Msgo_i7xi9rBfZCJKCi/s320/smoke.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>While our crew had stellar stops all day, by far the fastest stop was when Dave H had to do a quick tire refill on the tire cart when Stevo had a flat...those air hoses attached to the box are quite handy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpEDxkzaOZinqSie6lnTFmiWkAqlREXvbjjbysWFf8X37rdp0InrvY7iHL_wLpPc7dk0tfJK10FTE5RsN7hifggyfQcyo47DS115vHiyhjNcU3hFluW-yR8BEXDAfIRogf4pS8nDxL14i/s1600/faststop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpEDxkzaOZinqSie6lnTFmiWkAqlREXvbjjbysWFf8X37rdp0InrvY7iHL_wLpPc7dk0tfJK10FTE5RsN7hifggyfQcyo47DS115vHiyhjNcU3hFluW-yR8BEXDAfIRogf4pS8nDxL14i/s320/faststop.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The laps were winding down and we were getting cautiously excited. The guys were so amazingly calm and reminded me there was plenty that could go wrong yet. They were monitoring several other team radios and watching for any trickery with tires but the cautions didn't come and we were sitting pretty! Here is Kurt coming around on our final restart...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGB5btqAESYWAhuJgbheRyT6otCt0vEpJXOxBElNiKkhY_M_eJB24GQAe6_ppTFely_gVkpqEL1yszDjeYUXayNrB5NmNvDaxZ8Kioi6eXCBcMelj8h50kziUVV1-VBfN5eSxBd7QnhuEI/s1600/finalrestart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGB5btqAESYWAhuJgbheRyT6otCt0vEpJXOxBElNiKkhY_M_eJB24GQAe6_ppTFely_gVkpqEL1yszDjeYUXayNrB5NmNvDaxZ8Kioi6eXCBcMelj8h50kziUVV1-VBfN5eSxBd7QnhuEI/s320/finalrestart.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is about when I started bouncing up and down while I was standing on a tire trying to burn off some of my adrenaline...the white flag flew and the guys were up and ready to party!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2Uw5n7zP90oDiHTx2K-OLn4Zb9TVmtR9ANnowKSooemrzUIjLDL9HvTWUok3IuLq8dHyZhUc9OE6FqXo1JMfDfEVBTdwWwS1Ovlwhj2NBDKUZLjlVqsK-kt5ceb5BWCUjjJrxggVnMz8/s1600/onthewall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2Uw5n7zP90oDiHTx2K-OLn4Zb9TVmtR9ANnowKSooemrzUIjLDL9HvTWUok3IuLq8dHyZhUc9OE6FqXo1JMfDfEVBTdwWwS1Ovlwhj2NBDKUZLjlVqsK-kt5ceb5BWCUjjJrxggVnMz8/s320/onthewall.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And the celebration begins...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-D5nJuWLnAGuew4Jt8yT4NK5onTMSjnXu1UHcvrdGnBdlpymZyejANqB382nbufoJDxQjKPhQMV7DhBTJ2mdC94PIg3CZxtqkyL4MfLrp7aphbCh1rh1NOtsNhaZlUgx2WFpzdZFdSNpi/s1600/celebrate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-D5nJuWLnAGuew4Jt8yT4NK5onTMSjnXu1UHcvrdGnBdlpymZyejANqB382nbufoJDxQjKPhQMV7DhBTJ2mdC94PIg3CZxtqkyL4MfLrp7aphbCh1rh1NOtsNhaZlUgx2WFpzdZFdSNpi/s320/celebrate.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I had really hoped Kurt would try the backwards Victory Lap but it would have taken forever!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqa1SJRngwiinJTgfAmsIVRdVdEURAbJ3xxyhs_IX9L3qhp0R33L7U4tOv4goMztEN7wKhWaid7JRSCCZPkpczLl6Q1WIVSkDCink9rDqmktNprv-9kUC-FIX60LX1EMZnsXZGsfA1WKMC/s1600/burnout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqa1SJRngwiinJTgfAmsIVRdVdEURAbJ3xxyhs_IX9L3qhp0R33L7U4tOv4goMztEN7wKhWaid7JRSCCZPkpczLl6Q1WIVSkDCink9rDqmktNprv-9kUC-FIX60LX1EMZnsXZGsfA1WKMC/s320/burnout.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The beer begins to fly!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fYqbC0Z3fLC_zh-5tKwwRSACM3UsX_JbxnwQEmrCg6al3Kh3_2G0ftEsmpbxPuD29swAOIaN4bhFytc7fZvMvo_Jj4FxvPkPCJpP8IOLbdnSWFAdJ4qLl2iktLqAzfwTMgz86KNKn680/s1600/beer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fYqbC0Z3fLC_zh-5tKwwRSACM3UsX_JbxnwQEmrCg6al3Kh3_2G0ftEsmpbxPuD29swAOIaN4bhFytc7fZvMvo_Jj4FxvPkPCJpP8IOLbdnSWFAdJ4qLl2iktLqAzfwTMgz86KNKn680/s320/beer.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUzOLRTrRlycLJ54QMPUtHOx2Xqijj6Qf7tL7KSYhmGqZVSYJL9_N6KTBQftJGnxfgzlczvCkEZVjSVyOpvZdWSaEHxj7ObY7B_kG9KzF15Jzj7gA1kWXyBCfh4E0nK6XX6fj9YqFJwGe/s1600/victory.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUzOLRTrRlycLJ54QMPUtHOx2Xqijj6Qf7tL7KSYhmGqZVSYJL9_N6KTBQftJGnxfgzlczvCkEZVjSVyOpvZdWSaEHxj7ObY7B_kG9KzF15Jzj7gA1kWXyBCfh4E0nK6XX6fj9YqFJwGe/s320/victory.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And the celebratin' begins! Here is my "Where's Waldo" picture...see if you can spot me!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD0m63bx8SPeblPHckb2SEYLsi_TP3tWG_AmJdueKeQfbpgaTkgjtYX0u0Gte3lW-PxKUpyI06RPQ4TdojduxTKFdgastmomJkvTlhez4U88VO63CZ3NK9nGFRRqpOKafHNZ-J8kAHONy/s1600/waldo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD0m63bx8SPeblPHckb2SEYLsi_TP3tWG_AmJdueKeQfbpgaTkgjtYX0u0Gte3lW-PxKUpyI06RPQ4TdojduxTKFdgastmomJkvTlhez4U88VO63CZ3NK9nGFRRqpOKafHNZ-J8kAHONy/s320/waldo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On left in front row in between fire fighters in the white helmets</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And then it was time to get soaked in Champagne!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjei1mEJQierS5rK8bzvbdM5vZMO_maSEtBgeRtT90XGAcCEMkbrj5MBU89pKqxASkBbgBjDCS-dy7a6JxKNlXPLvO-mrjiPB45oypdoKEMMo491EYNjCLxBUdqasd0WGct_DnNyPWFoqPS/s1600/champagne.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjei1mEJQierS5rK8bzvbdM5vZMO_maSEtBgeRtT90XGAcCEMkbrj5MBU89pKqxASkBbgBjDCS-dy7a6JxKNlXPLvO-mrjiPB45oypdoKEMMo491EYNjCLxBUdqasd0WGct_DnNyPWFoqPS/s320/champagne.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And finally time for the hat dance...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhoW4NQZmMEybmcAVnrAPlUgNBFfjfl44UrxGso6AazUMuy9cxxNjfgLj1JJ4kwLt0hNz811QXrztoiF5v_ySLSZPrCGt9CRfkKLx0H3YtIGdwwBMpdccpPykfP2VSyOaZXwavLZ_HbzR/s1600/hatdance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhoW4NQZmMEybmcAVnrAPlUgNBFfjfl44UrxGso6AazUMuy9cxxNjfgLj1JJ4kwLt0hNz811QXrztoiF5v_ySLSZPrCGt9CRfkKLx0H3YtIGdwwBMpdccpPykfP2VSyOaZXwavLZ_HbzR/s320/hatdance.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>While I was not on stage for the hat dance I did manage to snag one of the Sprint caps they are wearing in this picture and have Addington and Kurt sign it as well as a very cool black Infineon winners circle hat! woot! Kurt then went off and did his Winner's media time and the post race show so I decided to follow the guys and the car going back through inspection.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2NgBMsunEqeRUC8i9LHQYShLlx57qvoQUYIHeuoJqy42P__DeMT6grqeb2xkPztT-tYh7278iWYJpOorffAOxhMJ7vdjsG62RLs5S_pdgQHFJac-A8rgbzibnaFgzJmm2uz3i6Hkl8dZ/s1600/inspection.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2NgBMsunEqeRUC8i9LHQYShLlx57qvoQUYIHeuoJqy42P__DeMT6grqeb2xkPztT-tYh7278iWYJpOorffAOxhMJ7vdjsG62RLs5S_pdgQHFJac-A8rgbzibnaFgzJmm2uz3i6Hkl8dZ/s320/inspection.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It was really quite special to see how many crew guys from the other teams congratulated our guys for the dominating win - NASCAR really is a big family. We even got a special congrats from this guy in the red shirt...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNG6Nb1OpZNI4xQi9iFZ-92uEp0maBIVEYQA9xwtGNg91AEHE-kPlOgsQTFe20gOltUXPuv2FeT7jMPlDRdN5oKS3p0A-iiRAkgPilr6Q0JSkpRolCInnVYXnocBzVVz5vDD9qBbsSc1yK/s1600/tony.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNG6Nb1OpZNI4xQi9iFZ-92uEp0maBIVEYQA9xwtGNg91AEHE-kPlOgsQTFe20gOltUXPuv2FeT7jMPlDRdN5oKS3p0A-iiRAkgPilr6Q0JSkpRolCInnVYXnocBzVVz5vDD9qBbsSc1yK/s320/tony.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My astute readers will definitely recognize those *cough* sexy legs...<br />
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We finished up inspection and the guys started tearing down the car so they could load it up in the NASCAR hauler for them to take back to the tech center to do the full winner's tear down. Kurt was still not back yet from Victory Lane so I headed back over to find him still doing the hat dance for all the sponsors. TR guessed he probably had about 40 hats and photos to take. I was feeling particularly ballsy with all the excitement so I asked TR if he thought Kurt would take a picture with me in Victory Lane and he said he thought he would...and wha'la! How cool is that!?!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirp5mXZ-ellDCtc0I9ojwyid57qLh9E_jdrhgYtwHE1Hvw5o5D91R5UISReV4v4-5owTGFUL-otJh2aQyQApcVi1jl0JYBm3eQmeKyh68kak01OAsminWYAqRiKfJxXGBactgwsPRJmlO_/s1600/me+and+kurt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirp5mXZ-ellDCtc0I9ojwyid57qLh9E_jdrhgYtwHE1Hvw5o5D91R5UISReV4v4-5owTGFUL-otJh2aQyQApcVi1jl0JYBm3eQmeKyh68kak01OAsminWYAqRiKfJxXGBactgwsPRJmlO_/s320/me+and+kurt.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I am waiting on the "official" photographers shot of this but gotta thank TR for not only getting me up there but also for snapping this!<br />
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I am sure you all caught the fancy hand blown glass chalice that Kurt was drinking from in Victory Lane with the Reserve Estate Zinfandel in it. Well after he got zipped in a golf cart to yet more interviews he dropped it off with the crew and they were kind enough to share the spoils of victory with me! (Probably cuz I made them beef jerky...)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInLJoG-ZV5EpPgIrnYYZs_Rg8Ig3I7DJKTQK0VUUMsvk9nMD-watQUgl7F5ye-PkIM3jHbmi2U_5oC9IH15M_MSPEZ2lTE_QgbgzC_91TSmHhZNvIpYS35BTFRL9NRHJWCa6pwayZQ3Ml/s1600/spoils.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInLJoG-ZV5EpPgIrnYYZs_Rg8Ig3I7DJKTQK0VUUMsvk9nMD-watQUgl7F5ye-PkIM3jHbmi2U_5oC9IH15M_MSPEZ2lTE_QgbgzC_91TSmHhZNvIpYS35BTFRL9NRHJWCa6pwayZQ3Ml/s320/spoils.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I am now two for two getting in to the winners circle at the races I have gone to...so I guess that means Kurt wins Phoenix in Nov??!!<br />
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Thanks for reading!klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-70062191178477245912011-06-28T16:28:00.000-07:002011-06-28T16:31:09.829-07:00Infineon Raceway Hot Lap!Join me on a hot lap racing my fellow fans around Infineon Raceway! <br />
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George, one of our very capable transport drivers on the #22 team was sweet enough to give me and some of the other guests of the crew passes for a hot lap around the racetrack given to them by the track in their "gift basket" for hauling those race cars across the country. <br />
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We lined up after the Legends race and the subsequent track grass fire was finally put out and saw four Toyota Camry's out on the track. I figured "phfff!" this isn't going to be worth missing the NW race for! Then they brought out the helmets...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicS432buq33B52P72ZiIIJ2ha2SjxwOkgAvbukntVELdjM3wyUsJMAoHMzcFiVcu4nk933QBSMjvJNSDa3qH3ZZDvFtiJuMzZ6uS2bfJYlmX-ns9Se-Eg-BMEHe2mzgzoHlbjm5Fw-Fqzu/s1600/Sonoma+Sat+2011+040.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicS432buq33B52P72ZiIIJ2ha2SjxwOkgAvbukntVELdjM3wyUsJMAoHMzcFiVcu4nk933QBSMjvJNSDa3qH3ZZDvFtiJuMzZ6uS2bfJYlmX-ns9Se-Eg-BMEHe2mzgzoHlbjm5Fw-Fqzu/s320/Sonoma+Sat+2011+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I was in the 3rd group to go around the track so had the pleasure of watching the first few go - I have a new respect for Camry's! These professional drivers were on it - pedal to the metal, squealing tires, smoking them around the turns and catching air over the rumble strips all while racing side-by-side. <br />
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I apologize to the two older gentlemen stuck with me in the car whose videos I ruined with my giggling and back seat racing...<br />
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Tighten those belts one last time.... <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HLPogX8WBJI" width="425">&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt; and a special thanks to Jeremy for not killing us!&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeABoDlbV9UPhAF_6tgJmAprLhjByQs3tXFgTbpffrQvVW20pg0L223du8cm_WjHi8dkF30EdcEgLiCbPRKd0RVTL9JBFcEuBXG05MQVG2SfO9OSMoodtkLSTLaef5OZ85wFze-CBR4HF/s1600/Sonoma+Sat+2011+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeABoDlbV9UPhAF_6tgJmAprLhjByQs3tXFgTbpffrQvVW20pg0L223du8cm_WjHi8dkF30EdcEgLiCbPRKd0RVTL9JBFcEuBXG05MQVG2SfO9OSMoodtkLSTLaef5OZ85wFze-CBR4HF/s320/Sonoma+Sat+2011+039.JPG" /&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt; &lt;/p&gt;</iframe>klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-50628529148504439172011-06-25T21:52:00.000-07:002011-06-25T21:53:13.374-07:00Sonoma Race Report 2011 - Saturday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsFgF6NhR081KIHkQZaUVlkxImp32oKc0cnInyL_xaOT41FwpilELqX6UgxAVl2fMzbOlLNQJLNdxggFEau3NtRoBOwxDfk0fG5dbtLvtI2GzYQanYHSefLgjBy-Db4wrT7KwJJ6UIDA2/s1600/Tory.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">SATURDAY</span></b><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Today was a somewhat “lazy” day in the garages with only the two Cup practices in the morning made all the more serene by walking to the track through a field of grazing sheep…only in San Francisco! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH33jz6roZlQZ5eS-6AWs6Ya6N8gAuyGmeiISfuWhkKzzMZSp7g3n8lcjey_s6wmCUJ0mXGZnsur9hyq6BMyDAMCqfhkqZ9jF-xEBvBnYzhaxHPc5WnulCVoC2PTgPfSNni2DX05I11tDr/s1600/sheep.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH33jz6roZlQZ5eS-6AWs6Ya6N8gAuyGmeiISfuWhkKzzMZSp7g3n8lcjey_s6wmCUJ0mXGZnsur9hyq6BMyDAMCqfhkqZ9jF-xEBvBnYzhaxHPc5WnulCVoC2PTgPfSNni2DX05I11tDr/s320/sheep.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span> <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I beat most of the drivers to the garage and got a kick out of JJ being told by the officials he couldn’t park where he wanted to…not sure why but it was funny.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHb34fy4KKweudPKBWK1YCk4D5or-hOy__z1c8Er97ZON3-YrcAVigJJFrcfBf-8y5DNgtBpfMgwMzBEczfCfFY1AfNoITNmX9uxEAw2XMLuCtPKHn6Qmx2dRHrHjpPkYZU0epo5OBc4qt/s1600/JJ+park.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHb34fy4KKweudPKBWK1YCk4D5or-hOy__z1c8Er97ZON3-YrcAVigJJFrcfBf-8y5DNgtBpfMgwMzBEczfCfFY1AfNoITNmX9uxEAw2XMLuCtPKHn6Qmx2dRHrHjpPkYZU0epo5OBc4qt/s320/JJ+park.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I nosed in on pit stall selections for a bit and then went to check out the car. We were pretty much good to go and put up some fast laps in the first practice. After the initial practice, Kurt and Brad had a team powwow in the #22 hauler. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3S24_F8kLZkTaOMg30C9Det6CiuYB4aYl5uI9uBNXWT6VVw_7AAi8OOg5blj_7lQnf97VKdUSMiIbAEXuEo74zs0uL5NP5luXs92BtKqg7kqsQfHHDV5GS2oEDbUhfj28_MfdDwSIJdR/s1600/BK.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3S24_F8kLZkTaOMg30C9Det6CiuYB4aYl5uI9uBNXWT6VVw_7AAi8OOg5blj_7lQnf97VKdUSMiIbAEXuEo74zs0uL5NP5luXs92BtKqg7kqsQfHHDV5GS2oEDbUhfj28_MfdDwSIJdR/s320/BK.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU6QRZlkxFPPrggKbwqL0dlA-Vopy-r2Yjvgb16r0a2yjekToYYXixBhsxfd2Z_qyK0YRpPu-eH3zTHwvZON2UM2pHVKGEF45grFIfPP1DSp-WEwoDHgzku2XbT5fwD53Eq_vSi1kPSie/s1600/kurt+meet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU6QRZlkxFPPrggKbwqL0dlA-Vopy-r2Yjvgb16r0a2yjekToYYXixBhsxfd2Z_qyK0YRpPu-eH3zTHwvZON2UM2pHVKGEF45grFIfPP1DSp-WEwoDHgzku2XbT5fwD53Eq_vSi1kPSie/s320/kurt+meet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Clearly whatever Kurt told Brad worked as Bad Brad came away with the trophy – literally! Apparently Sonoma is awarding prizes for being fastest in practice to up the competition. Not only did he get some hardware, he also got a lovely case of wine specially made for Infineon by Shelby...</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqEx1IlCBX9oJ3E1Uw78jcvS1zoxxvrN1srdjrAYQhfFyJcUjjN3yc-_8utAhOxA1TqQK_anQKYCPnIWRP5-BgMjG3LI7V48-cmwZWgG-cY-N5V6MCyOi5NCH9AJ9Gvwd8kDYiJQsp5mU/s1600/Sonoma+Sat+2011+021.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqEx1IlCBX9oJ3E1Uw78jcvS1zoxxvrN1srdjrAYQhfFyJcUjjN3yc-_8utAhOxA1TqQK_anQKYCPnIWRP5-BgMjG3LI7V48-cmwZWgG-cY-N5V6MCyOi5NCH9AJ9Gvwd8kDYiJQsp5mU/s320/Sonoma+Sat+2011+021.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">To understand the odd the phenomenon…(BK beating out KB in practice) we called in the expert Mythbuster! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsFgF6NhR081KIHkQZaUVlkxImp32oKc0cnInyL_xaOT41FwpilELqX6UgxAVl2fMzbOlLNQJLNdxggFEau3NtRoBOwxDfk0fG5dbtLvtI2GzYQanYHSefLgjBy-Db4wrT7KwJJ6UIDA2/s1600/Tory.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsFgF6NhR081KIHkQZaUVlkxImp32oKc0cnInyL_xaOT41FwpilELqX6UgxAVl2fMzbOlLNQJLNdxggFEau3NtRoBOwxDfk0fG5dbtLvtI2GzYQanYHSefLgjBy-Db4wrT7KwJJ6UIDA2/s320/Tory.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Yet another job for the Mythbuster…hmmmm…cigarette butt on a tire, who could it be. ADDINGTON!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0RDu0FZSizAWqwdq9Feb7j6HBdVq78DLWec8F5ewHwtGGSuxeW-XgtZ-gG7eJvSLZswD7o-I_Yuvm-lXBdHlND8XBmBh4KzLNsivCXlMFT7tSV39DatVxddtLzgbYxnRsp3Q7snXhrA3/s1600/cig.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0RDu0FZSizAWqwdq9Feb7j6HBdVq78DLWec8F5ewHwtGGSuxeW-XgtZ-gG7eJvSLZswD7o-I_Yuvm-lXBdHlND8XBmBh4KzLNsivCXlMFT7tSV39DatVxddtLzgbYxnRsp3Q7snXhrA3/s320/cig.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">After practice the plan was to head out and watch the NW race with my blogger buddies but George, our hauler driver, managed to get me a pass for a hot lap around the track. I figured, meh, a hot lap with a "professional" driver in a Toyota Camry how good could this be? Then they brought out the helmets...Well I was glad I stayed! There were four cars on the track RACING AND PASSING around the track, what a hoot! I was giggling and freaking out about not being on the preferred line going into the turns. The poor older guys stuck in the car with me were probably displeased I ruined their videos. Here's our fearless "professional" driver...who by the way brought us home 4th out of four but we were grinning like banshees!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12BQHsjvLpr-RaXLaHMLL8_6MODjP1Nkk_vrEeRym09HIJWIDbhBcddL5E7jEGPDz7cFTdA-hGCR_U70sMNKDr7bJgVX5BVSdOGOnwmTndHRGR9qyjn8y9OKWuFzrWajSuBqFpVJZ1q7n/s1600/hot+lap+driver.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12BQHsjvLpr-RaXLaHMLL8_6MODjP1Nkk_vrEeRym09HIJWIDbhBcddL5E7jEGPDz7cFTdA-hGCR_U70sMNKDr7bJgVX5BVSdOGOnwmTndHRGR9qyjn8y9OKWuFzrWajSuBqFpVJZ1q7n/s320/hot+lap+driver.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">(The video of the entire lap is too big to upload to YouTube on the hotel internet but I will post as soon as I can...) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Okay! Off to bed for an early start tomorrow. I plan on being in the garages when they open at 7a to finish off the questions with the pit crew and soak it all up!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-78391270466508166302011-06-25T21:30:00.000-07:002011-06-25T21:36:15.281-07:00Sonoma Race Report 2011 - Friday<div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">FRIDAY</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cheers from wine country! Another weekend of perfect weather and good times with my fellow bloggers – Tez, RA6AN and CR Racing. Here’s the scoop from Friday and Saturday at the track…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The best part of my race weekend is coming into the garages for the first time and getting big hugs and hellos from my crew and my friends in the garage. Unfortunately, the 22 crew went through some changes in the last month and one of my fav’s “The Dream Maker” Dave Winston is no longer the race engineer. He is apparently still employed by Penske for the moment but replacing Dave at the track are Steve Reis and Jonathan Hassler. I am working on an updated crew blog for the #22 so look for more on them coming soon. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Speaking of the engineering department, I also learned that Dave Demvicki (sp!?!) a long time Penske engineer has assumed the “got to guy” role replacing the new student Tom German with Travis </span>Geisler<span style="font-family: Arial;"> and Mike Nelson in management roles under him. The two race engineers report into Mike and Travis. This weekend Travis is covering the NASCAR race while Mike is covering IRL.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">After getting the scoop on our crew changes I tagged along to Kurt’s media time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As usual, Kurt was the utmost professional answering the same questions over and over about road course racing. Speaking of questions…KBNation tweeted asking me to ask Kurt how many times he shifts during a lap at Infineon. He went through every gear shift in every turn as we mentally went through the course and we came up with 13 – but he quickly said that was a bad number so we landed on 12! 12”ish” shifts per lap, 110 laps = repetitive stress injury.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">While Kurt is definitely a driver to watch at the road courses, no trip to the garage at Infineon would be complete without a Boris Said spotting…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhW0HIsBWJb0iHbxF82D2rGBaQ6tUUqdWvLWD1bfnJSIBk3MoYe7hgUge83XXgQeoLXJZiMXDQUZM2jVafyWVhIkPZhQiUAQsZNlAEs2sznJ4dKahjMw94SinuRWFq-H7MxdNvNWlP9wj/s1600/boris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhW0HIsBWJb0iHbxF82D2rGBaQ6tUUqdWvLWD1bfnJSIBk3MoYe7hgUge83XXgQeoLXJZiMXDQUZM2jVafyWVhIkPZhQiUAQsZNlAEs2sznJ4dKahjMw94SinuRWFq-H7MxdNvNWlP9wj/s320/boris.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Friday was indeed a marathon day in the garages…we started with qualifying practice. The drivers lined up early and then most of them got out of the cars. Here is Kurt climbing back in.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_r5XRiYfyXff5CN5N9cGxwFseSY-DFOauHGYmXhgTcPyGZCiYTs6LbVIObQ1E7QDJilSSQHoW1QOBxRochOEMQZjwlhOhxvdNN8TWsKj1Gk6tXGnW2HbpCGzNZhdnWdi5sENIjielByl/s1600/kurt+getting+in.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_r5XRiYfyXff5CN5N9cGxwFseSY-DFOauHGYmXhgTcPyGZCiYTs6LbVIObQ1E7QDJilSSQHoW1QOBxRochOEMQZjwlhOhxvdNN8TWsKj1Gk6tXGnW2HbpCGzNZhdnWdi5sENIjielByl/s320/kurt+getting+in.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">While Kurt was busy building up to nailing the fastest lap in practice in the last two min of practice I found my friend and official “NASCAR Citizen Blogger” Valli getting ready for Smoke’s media time. If you don’t follow her already you should! Find her fantastic blog at <a href="http://www.thefastandthefabulous.com/">www.thefastandthefabulous.com</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZg6R3BGg30fqPl8TsS7IgTvCUmv5In1mXtSHgYAcHnmZnpONtThvlbqJoipiV-FByaXUfF8zeDf5anaYVRSIseoFDlZ-Uaf5K5jzBHL-ictgPsK93nnM_4LH2W-JsssdE24eh72AIPsgi/s1600/valli.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZg6R3BGg30fqPl8TsS7IgTvCUmv5In1mXtSHgYAcHnmZnpONtThvlbqJoipiV-FByaXUfF8zeDf5anaYVRSIseoFDlZ-Uaf5K5jzBHL-ictgPsK93nnM_4LH2W-JsssdE24eh72AIPsgi/s320/valli.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I also found “Punchy” and tried my best to get a shot of the infamous watch he took off but alas, all I could zoom in on was his big ring.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-DAr7AbZbgswB8zpvf5zYcsV_mVThyphenhyphenQP59t-4J1uOdY2PHwjvyZcnEfTDSEmrRTw-qIap8RUwe9JAn04tA9sMxu26npOILBVkQWp1rlvfUtlghNTIkbcPSrG81Ey-tnqXMP5D8m9xNa5/s1600/Ring+RC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-DAr7AbZbgswB8zpvf5zYcsV_mVThyphenhyphenQP59t-4J1uOdY2PHwjvyZcnEfTDSEmrRTw-qIap8RUwe9JAn04tA9sMxu26npOILBVkQWp1rlvfUtlghNTIkbcPSrG81Ey-tnqXMP5D8m9xNa5/s320/Ring+RC.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I also headed over to our Penske teammate’s garage stall to check out Miller Lite’s latest witty slogan on the back of Brad’s car. They have a new one every week so look for it!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKoYO9LgvQ2qTcMxtIlhcbNQst9IjYmKG4XK0ln0lxmRyPs7q2Uy9rRwrWsdzip5J0gxwyrPUAdHbiMOiybSl5T2_2K8_tAW0K_MLsXPcvZc0JP_NnjkAapMMFnzcM8rAAT37IpHnvIyt/s1600/2+car.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKoYO9LgvQ2qTcMxtIlhcbNQst9IjYmKG4XK0ln0lxmRyPs7q2Uy9rRwrWsdzip5J0gxwyrPUAdHbiMOiybSl5T2_2K8_tAW0K_MLsXPcvZc0JP_NnjkAapMMFnzcM8rAAT37IpHnvIyt/s320/2+car.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Of course, I had to tag along through inspection and used the time to interview the crew for my blog and get to know the new guys. Billy even let me pull that tool box around and feel special again…along the way Jeffrey, our car chief, couldn’t help but pose for this photo op…with cardboard girls…since his run-in with the drunk pit lizard last year he’s taking the safe route this year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlyl-sXfw3IycXGjoIRjOyuDzkQi1fvjbvOdXufp1R08avoS6NC4AKdBV3H_TlJuyr6Y5f2kUqUrdbsotlFJOLo4ss5F6NR_31I7GsldjWf6sQ3uNd5CDsWmBy2Xd3iwd4Jme__HKvWxw/s1600/jeffrey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlyl-sXfw3IycXGjoIRjOyuDzkQi1fvjbvOdXufp1R08avoS6NC4AKdBV3H_TlJuyr6Y5f2kUqUrdbsotlFJOLo4ss5F6NR_31I7GsldjWf6sQ3uNd5CDsWmBy2Xd3iwd4Jme__HKvWxw/s320/jeffrey.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Now for a little “I Spy”…cue ZZ Top please...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vNR-gk-752KkxQ7XeOsRecXWQKnIhwVezLDAPLW1UPplV5QnWk7LBbRrJeNXNsNLof3l1UIKfUrCFTjSvjP0oMVCaWlD9Tc8EQy62zZiNcW2UW5EGn3zAn3Wrcg956oyBN9fWGv8U_gx/s1600/legs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vNR-gk-752KkxQ7XeOsRecXWQKnIhwVezLDAPLW1UPplV5QnWk7LBbRrJeNXNsNLof3l1UIKfUrCFTjSvjP0oMVCaWlD9Tc8EQy62zZiNcW2UW5EGn3zAn3Wrcg956oyBN9fWGv8U_gx/s320/legs.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And those *cough* sexy legs belong to…(of course this is way too easy for Speedbeagle!) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJikpKQtUlKOqgsCeh2wNY9SPL4G7lC3-F8XZZIXLB23wj9aBi9vNOFzetqb9Pk4pmahumH_A3T6uBVBO2RG8vkzlODW_SglPQAWHNk3m7vZ3zymm7lWXjar02Jc-i6j3RyfZ5fOdCgll/s1600/smoke+hiding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJikpKQtUlKOqgsCeh2wNY9SPL4G7lC3-F8XZZIXLB23wj9aBi9vNOFzetqb9Pk4pmahumH_A3T6uBVBO2RG8vkzlODW_SglPQAWHNk3m7vZ3zymm7lWXjar02Jc-i6j3RyfZ5fOdCgll/s320/smoke+hiding.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Pretty sure I got stink eye again from him for taking this picture but he has to know there is just no where to hide from the pumpkin-headed blogger with weird hair. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Speaking of...my fellow bloggers managed to catch me (thanks!!) doing my informal job as the tool bag girl as we headed through inspection.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueM2yX7HIr3U7RGQ0k8tXEXvLxSGxfxGh60riY1fd5O6rivwMfLp2EIyF1SoBZ3UlpDVz7HlPK1B6kTUSFLLmsn0-2iK1dd5w0VaVNClDTbgJhmzEKTsVs92ZSDxUxUcL9WlDI4R9CUZj/s1600/tool+cart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueM2yX7HIr3U7RGQ0k8tXEXvLxSGxfxGh60riY1fd5O6rivwMfLp2EIyF1SoBZ3UlpDVz7HlPK1B6kTUSFLLmsn0-2iK1dd5w0VaVNClDTbgJhmzEKTsVs92ZSDxUxUcL9WlDI4R9CUZj/s320/tool+cart.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So all was fine and dandy through inspection since we were going out last we let lots of other teams skip ahead of us in line until the very last inspection station where the officials deemed the Pennzoil Dodge a fraction of an inch too long on the left side. So the guys had to pull over and fix it…and then go back through the height sticks and weight inspection stations again as well as the last one.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnX9-Gvpz4Hozs9To1XZD4QPjvdqWHf3hnS10zqbc9SlflRc_O-zYTi-EApB-0GOOjjkgdbwD8koYeE6QUarhoHsVyvhmZR2XGI-N8eYIAnyiNBGvAShjxMz9PV46-g8N2vvrf09hXeH-L/s1600/repairs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnX9-Gvpz4Hozs9To1XZD4QPjvdqWHf3hnS10zqbc9SlflRc_O-zYTi-EApB-0GOOjjkgdbwD8koYeE6QUarhoHsVyvhmZR2XGI-N8eYIAnyiNBGvAShjxMz9PV46-g8N2vvrf09hXeH-L/s320/repairs.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Kurt headed out to the car to qualify with his new girlfriend, Patricia, who is the President of the Armed Forces Foundation and has a particular interest in vets with Traumatic Brain Injury. She and I talked “shop” briefly and look forward to being resources to each other in caring for our troops.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsCWH7qD0jxBGC4YnubQwvamTAawtkL9VJyiqcrpJE1q1X3it5-h2QMDgBn56iBSNcdyTZtQv7FJTPQ7GGu_7wW7ptIKSU4rffU317t31cUohY7Csv1ll54tnd21DYQpTE_VN9HakEQ_c/s1600/gf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsCWH7qD0jxBGC4YnubQwvamTAawtkL9VJyiqcrpJE1q1X3it5-h2QMDgBn56iBSNcdyTZtQv7FJTPQ7GGu_7wW7ptIKSU4rffU317t31cUohY7Csv1ll54tnd21DYQpTE_VN9HakEQ_c/s320/gf.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Our fearless leader was a solitary figure as he took in the lap times of our biggest competition near the end of pit road…</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKqHtnc40tBpREVTN0VWk7fTbSCNtztxtBdumszxRaIfa3k2lrwzxBYghRxwGtbcU6XzHWEROizQoJmNl6ejIzAhcdNGT0LADSvp5WM7cQkFnZ7nLMEHlCd2gHvEHS3zllLp4LAzd__Sk/s1600/addington.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKqHtnc40tBpREVTN0VWk7fTbSCNtztxtBdumszxRaIfa3k2lrwzxBYghRxwGtbcU6XzHWEROizQoJmNl6ejIzAhcdNGT0LADSvp5WM7cQkFnZ7nLMEHlCd2gHvEHS3zllLp4LAzd__Sk/s320/addington.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">While TR and I took a break on the pit wall…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EGNDIBWt3RIEoLtmLOpVdPLX4jYKPEEIgQS-YFtzvaB59pUwsGVdL3wiz4t_jSfSDHiQ6Nm4ncNh4OIBswDCzNgj7nzbMSVgw50gA6i5Gk2m0I0enf9hZRqXJcQWCjDCMH0dhR5yaPuh/s1600/me+and+tr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EGNDIBWt3RIEoLtmLOpVdPLX4jYKPEEIgQS-YFtzvaB59pUwsGVdL3wiz4t_jSfSDHiQ6Nm4ncNh4OIBswDCzNgj7nzbMSVgw50gA6i5Gk2m0I0enf9hZRqXJcQWCjDCMH0dhR5yaPuh/s320/me+and+tr.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> And last but not least on this long race day – a public service announcement to all the girls out there who continue to insist on wearing fashionable as opposed to sensible shoes! Victim #1 - meet Amanda girlfriend of Darin our engine guy…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezh2BnakzH4-HnIfHCV4knYyCYbSN7DARi3oSZzE3l_iSik3idIvinBLQYSObjSldqIopa7YJFhTg5n5gov0LT6g4mnbbmNlXeU9czm_EsV4v-_-7oqWIxLdPCgjpi69WvkTrsYj447vw/s1600/amanda.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezh2BnakzH4-HnIfHCV4knYyCYbSN7DARi3oSZzE3l_iSik3idIvinBLQYSObjSldqIopa7YJFhTg5n5gov0LT6g4mnbbmNlXeU9czm_EsV4v-_-7oqWIxLdPCgjpi69WvkTrsYj447vw/s320/amanda.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Well Amanda decided to walk to turn 7 and back…(not a terribly good idea)…but she is pretty dang resourceful! After desperately looking for flip flops to buy with no luck Ms. McGuyver bought a beer cozy and cut it in half and wah’la now she is gel’in.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nQPV60hbrPLnDs_EUxG8_MKhNG0Q5gzCOsp19NoyTIy87f9PRKXW4MYVwWaCSlNuZq75veFa7uphYxUAoXx8xabdFYjyYNpB6YM0VWfUMT_YJiI1zhuCYzyETkBS4G8K0cqV8F3MdI6n/s1600/shoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nQPV60hbrPLnDs_EUxG8_MKhNG0Q5gzCOsp19NoyTIy87f9PRKXW4MYVwWaCSlNuZq75veFa7uphYxUAoXx8xabdFYjyYNpB6YM0VWfUMT_YJiI1zhuCYzyETkBS4G8K0cqV8F3MdI6n/s320/shoes.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Trust me ladies – its much easier to just wear the sensible shoes…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I met up with RA6AN and Tez behind the Trackside stage where they were patiently waiting for Marcos Ambrose to finish his interview…he did and went right up to Tez (who smartly hung his Aussie flag on the fence) and had a proper chat with his fellow countryman. Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!</span></div>klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-7743638872433088772011-05-11T18:27:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:36:58.516-07:00Tom German Announces Penske Departure Many asked after the very public smack down delivered by Kurt Busch about Penske's head of engineering Tom German if Kurt was trying to get himself fired...apparently not. Word came out today from Penske that Tom German would be leaving to attend MIT's Sloan School of (anger)Management. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47VVkr5EXFwOoD7kbMXfAbDq1QT_AWc-JP1N0eVoR33T1lqyotYO0uTA8NZu6sXBmo8G-Qm9bYjGfYUtHn2GlBekf_CoBYrevTSFYkOyAVjLCdC5XmwZNoWkumaZ43_HotpY62tm885j2/s1600/Daytona+Thursday+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47VVkr5EXFwOoD7kbMXfAbDq1QT_AWc-JP1N0eVoR33T1lqyotYO0uTA8NZu6sXBmo8G-Qm9bYjGfYUtHn2GlBekf_CoBYrevTSFYkOyAVjLCdC5XmwZNoWkumaZ43_HotpY62tm885j2/s320/Daytona+Thursday+046.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I would assume you cannot just decide to attend MIT, so I would think if it is true, then German was planning his exit from Penske well before Busch gave him the tongue lashing(s). This would be the best of all circumstances -- if Penske knew German was possibly leaving then we can only hope they have some sort of competent replacement ready to go. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaqxhTXE7w5IFN7NqGmjXET0N_9MFalLxqsVNtSTD1pT25_JyswmbTIG5J-WD6Ck4jksfT4c1SSrVxOamI9KBWkSioqOJxVA59PjGq8m0uoytXVFYvDAze8qUNuKDcSZf8rpaCm3hydUG/s1600/Daytona+Thursday+015.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaqxhTXE7w5IFN7NqGmjXET0N_9MFalLxqsVNtSTD1pT25_JyswmbTIG5J-WD6Ck4jksfT4c1SSrVxOamI9KBWkSioqOJxVA59PjGq8m0uoytXVFYvDAze8qUNuKDcSZf8rpaCm3hydUG/s320/Daytona+Thursday+015.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
If this is a cover story, then god help us because there is no one to my knowledge currently at Penske who can just step in (PLEASE NOT Roy McCauley!!) and maintain let alone improve things.<br />
<br />
Best case scenario is that Penske goes cherry-picking and grabs some talent from any of the big teams. He throws enough cash around in IRL - time to make NASCAR an equal in importance not the red-headed step child (see I had to get a Dale Jr reference in here somehow! LOL)klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-3386338146242385902011-02-24T19:32:00.000-08:002011-02-24T19:32:47.221-08:00Sunday Garage Report - Daytona 500!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Woot!<span> </span>Sunday, SUNDAY, Sunday…Race day and everyone was ready to see the best drivers in the world strut their stuff but first the North Turn Crew had some NASCAR 101 classes with me in the Fanzone.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">We headed in to Daytona’s infield and their spiffy area for fans to see in the garages through windows in each garage stall and from on top the garages for a birds eye view of the drivers, crews and the rest of the motley fools wandering around in the Cup garage.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The NTC started out at Kurt’s window – mostly because it was close and open! – and got a long lecture introducing them to the crew guys and their jobs, the car and what they were doing to prep the car for inspection and the race.<span> </span>By the time I turned around and finished talking the 7 of us had turned into about 30 people!<span> </span>I really have to try to get paid for this someday…LOL</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">We then headed up top of the garages hoping to catch some drivers but we were on the wrong side for the drivers meeting.<span> </span>We still spotted a few as well as some owners and learned all about the inspection stations.<span> </span>We did manage to spot our ole buddy Luke, who is now the shock specialist on the #56 team.<span> </span>As is custom for women on the garage roof I just had to yell out to him that I wanted to have his baby – I cannot tell you how many times I heard women yelling this to drivers over the week, that and “you suck XXX” – Luke laughed and I am pretty sure gestured for me to kiss his arse…!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">After getting the NTC some free water from the hauler (Ellie saved her bottle even – now that is a rabid fan!) we hoped to get a tour of the brand spanking new, million dollar #22 pit box.<span> </span>Problem was the Fanzone pass didn’t allow you on pit road.<span> </span>To continue the magic of the weekend for the NTC, Kurt’s pit just happened to be the one right next to the cut through the fans took to get to the infield grass and the concerts.<span> </span>So I told them to follow me like they belonged there and I’d get them in and sure enough we did it!<span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgko-t5lWlWDhvWB7H3l1GBDmgEeQrMWvmMnzTmch_9_OJLrdMkAIA78UbiG9sfZ5jgv0HA1jVeo0IU_yTrwFvmP00zINSlp5dq_3lG7iw3uongKdGGflZsCl6dn0LTxGhjuUx-XSDkmNEL/s1600/pit+box.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgko-t5lWlWDhvWB7H3l1GBDmgEeQrMWvmMnzTmch_9_OJLrdMkAIA78UbiG9sfZ5jgv0HA1jVeo0IU_yTrwFvmP00zINSlp5dq_3lG7iw3uongKdGGflZsCl6dn0LTxGhjuUx-XSDkmNEL/s320/pit+box.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Our new pit box is pretty swank including stadium seating for all the guests of the race team and even nicer flat screen TV’s and computers along with satellite dish and high end electronics.<span> </span>The guys used to have the old pit box up in about a half an hour and this one took about 3 hours the first couple times to put it up and they had to help the #2 crew with theirs!<span> </span>NASCAR is getting pretty high tech…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">After the tour of the pit box the NTC headed out to the infield where we came upon Cupcake’s winning car from last year.<span> </span>Gotta love year old champagne and confetti!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB1Bu6kLhc9sDjMV5LiQji9O_0dhwfwHObwrFNj6PVLeJYFvN-92R4XpM8AJNLjkrq53DlEhtMVSsho_YDNZm6Mdx-2wDzmM0LtwywGSteL2kXJMdOOd9EQrSwHOYOKy-rtum6SPrqIhX/s1600/cupcakecar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB1Bu6kLhc9sDjMV5LiQji9O_0dhwfwHObwrFNj6PVLeJYFvN-92R4XpM8AJNLjkrq53DlEhtMVSsho_YDNZm6Mdx-2wDzmM0LtwywGSteL2kXJMdOOd9EQrSwHOYOKy-rtum6SPrqIhX/s320/cupcakecar.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">We headed over to the track itself and signed the start finish line – I am surprised the white checks could even be seen with all the sharpie signatures all over it.<span> </span>Afterward we headed over to where I assumed the drivers would be coming out – the stage – to wait for driver intros as we jammed to Brad Paisley.<span> </span>Of course, the drivers did NOT come across the stage which I thought was ridiculous!<span> </span>Why even have it up then?<span> </span>We could barely see them through the throng on the grass as they walked down the walkway to the cars.<span> </span>The only major disappointment we encountered.<span> </span>My NTC headed up to our grandstand seats and I decided (with their insistence) that I just couldn’t pass up watching the race from the pits, especially given how well Kurt had been running.<span> </span>Could you imagine me stuck in the stands watching that finish?<span> </span>I would have died if he had won…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The green flag dropped, Kurt grabbed the lead and kept it until the famed silent #3 lap.<span> </span>Here is a shot from my view, none of the crews participated that I could see but it was an impressive sight to look up at the grandstands to see the salute.<span> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOU6r4YvSvIFwjSNAEXYpFru0lT0cYl9VpQVOpFBclQWnNCit9EALUQvaEHUGj9w-DiTEYo-f3jOg5WiVdGmDKlW7nKl5b3oeGH5xkiCEfY8qU7EnCc1n8zrl_SzSLTpEsU4pzMJgBODF/s1600/3lap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOU6r4YvSvIFwjSNAEXYpFru0lT0cYl9VpQVOpFBclQWnNCit9EALUQvaEHUGj9w-DiTEYo-f3jOg5WiVdGmDKlW7nKl5b3oeGH5xkiCEfY8qU7EnCc1n8zrl_SzSLTpEsU4pzMJgBODF/s320/3lap.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Our first stop for tires was a hot mess but not for the reasons we were prepared for – Kurt came in too hot to the pit and slid through the pit box. <span> </span>In the picture below you might be able to make out the pit road sign being broken off and flying through the air and the guys trying to save the air gun hose.<span> </span>Because Kurt stalled the car while backing it up, some fuel ended up in the tailpipes and when Kurt restarted the car it produced a giant blow torch and was right when our new rear tire changer was just getting to work.<span> </span>Luckily he and Larry, our rear tire carrier, managed to avoid being toasted and were both fine.<span> </span>Thankfully the stop was under yellow and we had our dancing partner with us on pit road anyway (the #78).<span> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaeGwc9iX55xV6bGfXFwaYdDUVglfSs2XdsMMyU2ErhMxg8GD6QM-zSSS0aHFUbKfSVvYwvxxAeDuhdXvsaOHSeVw-hEmT92DHk6_X1lt63Rxg2_plJyyDV74MQBEt7FCH3yogJO3p8gF/s1600/oopsstop.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaeGwc9iX55xV6bGfXFwaYdDUVglfSs2XdsMMyU2ErhMxg8GD6QM-zSSS0aHFUbKfSVvYwvxxAeDuhdXvsaOHSeVw-hEmT92DHk6_X1lt63Rxg2_plJyyDV74MQBEt7FCH3yogJO3p8gF/s320/oopsstop.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Speaking of the pit stops – the Double Deuce ran into trouble later in the race with a hole in the grill that needed patching.<span> </span>We started with some sticky tape (the first piece they pulled off got stuck to the lamppost in our pit stall and is probably still there) to cover it and that is all we would usually use but because of the new drafting style Kurt was yelling on the radio about how we were going to get stuck to the #78 and needed something slicker on there.<span> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissCwSTDceN9yTKJ7774f3aBgXpwpJbLxQwpzQ2Tgufcp9huZxHzuRNN6d5PgPk3rD1YcQxNaH-jFrNrN5SC0x-JUwwzktyXV22S2aKkANWGO01ftAfu7psl1KzuxDlxFvASkfSuc0pbkm/s1600/fixinghole.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissCwSTDceN9yTKJ7774f3aBgXpwpJbLxQwpzQ2Tgufcp9huZxHzuRNN6d5PgPk3rD1YcQxNaH-jFrNrN5SC0x-JUwwzktyXV22S2aKkANWGO01ftAfu7psl1KzuxDlxFvASkfSuc0pbkm/s320/fixinghole.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">So the guys pop riveted a piece of aluminum on there so Kurt could continue to slide the bumper.<span> </span>He noted later in the race that his bumper was really chewing up who ever he was drafting with as a result but that was about all the guys had to work with.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSTRUe3kJ6_1G2nxnrE2Xuq0LTy99n3T4Z-lnjWfcLeJXE9PuJCP_6T0qK3RzyjRrlcc_VKdHx0I21VGcv5QC-H8g4u_VR9J-QYq-iM0uykJYed6PGmbRTCL-QpksyMA-kdHncIExjuBJ/s1600/cuttire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSTRUe3kJ6_1G2nxnrE2Xuq0LTy99n3T4Z-lnjWfcLeJXE9PuJCP_6T0qK3RzyjRrlcc_VKdHx0I21VGcv5QC-H8g4u_VR9J-QYq-iM0uykJYed6PGmbRTCL-QpksyMA-kdHncIExjuBJ/s320/cuttire.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">We had one more problem later in the race when we cut a tire – luckily Addington and Kurt were all over coming right into the pit and getting it changed so it didn’t cause any damage to the body. <span> </span>Our pit crew was one of the only ones to fix things and keep their driver in the running…yet I noticed today they aren’t even an option for the best pit crew voting on FOX.<span> </span>Boo! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">In keeping with tradition on this blog I had to get a picture of lunch in the pits.<span> </span>Since we lost Travis who usually posed for me I had to sneak a shot of Jeffrey, our car chief, snacking on some grapes while he sat on the pit wall.<span> </span>The rest of the menu included beef jerky and Pringles.<span> </span>I cannot believe these guys can perform they way they do fueled by junk food!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwu5ya6i2QQPjw3GprrfECpLtuidA1iO9asHaQwxhE33R6O_VIOSMZrb-8FI0KCbuB972GBYd_wv9dQpY7dDb6CI4YadAVysHU7ZnbrzJduOQPOVybBFrQmAw7vqe73_BCjAQW9Inn7C9D/s1600/jeffgrapes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwu5ya6i2QQPjw3GprrfECpLtuidA1iO9asHaQwxhE33R6O_VIOSMZrb-8FI0KCbuB972GBYd_wv9dQpY7dDb6CI4YadAVysHU7ZnbrzJduOQPOVybBFrQmAw7vqe73_BCjAQW9Inn7C9D/s320/jeffgrapes.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Our pit was really a good spot this weekend for men in uniform.<span> </span>We had the true young gun pilots of the Thunderbirds hanging out most of the race.<span> </span>They were so impressed with the racing, I kinda found that funny given they fly just as close together as the drivers race and go about 10x faster!<span> </span>They were certainly fun to look at though!<span> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkS8KbpDwRBcJWpgyPJkvyfMb9JebNqgelTcuUntNeKQnFLcSCA02wZGlOAtOu3ny9Sswt-MieCG-XvpcdFbcIqkbVaFzm-RnLh98RzsEkzmGsYzzBP3fjsdKSO2b1yGiNF-fjQkhBXifz/s1600/thunderbirds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkS8KbpDwRBcJWpgyPJkvyfMb9JebNqgelTcuUntNeKQnFLcSCA02wZGlOAtOu3ny9Sswt-MieCG-XvpcdFbcIqkbVaFzm-RnLh98RzsEkzmGsYzzBP3fjsdKSO2b1yGiNF-fjQkhBXifz/s320/thunderbirds.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">While Dave, our front tire carrier, tried cozying up to the officials, Kurt and our spotter Chris, aka “The Voice of Victory” were trying to find a dancing partner in the final laps.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhducn9znts5miN4gIomW5lolyqjqBx-FgqUKA7MoTuVnHz8YT0qtDY6m8jC8ySWs6fHAOQKBvwJqiHf1qaqLfAJ5M4bmgz5d65oJkLhKjaEa6zp7WJOzqSq1pnaMTMnuIy1VZoFYoM64bz/s1600/dave%2526official.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhducn9znts5miN4gIomW5lolyqjqBx-FgqUKA7MoTuVnHz8YT0qtDY6m8jC8ySWs6fHAOQKBvwJqiHf1qaqLfAJ5M4bmgz5d65oJkLhKjaEa6zp7WJOzqSq1pnaMTMnuIy1VZoFYoM64bz/s320/dave%2526official.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Everyone Kurt had worked with had wrecked by the final laps of the race and Chris was searching for a partner when over the radio came a familiar voice…Kyle said, “hey bro I heard you need a drafting partner…I’ll push you.”<span> </span>There was a pause and the crew waited for Kurt’s reply which was “I guess we still share the same mother…if you get me to the checkers I’ll buy you an ice cream”<span> </span>Crack up!<span> </span><span> </span>They then strategized and Kurt asked Kyle, “not getting ahead of ourselves but what are you going to do in turn 4?”<span> </span>Kyle replied something along the lines of “we’ll deal with it when it happens…”<span> </span>aka I’ll pass ya or wreck ya!<span> </span>Roger then got on the radio and said, “if you boys behave I’ll take you both to ice cream!”<span> </span>We never found out because Kyle cut a tire in the first GWC and we got stuck in the final round with “he is Juan!”<span> </span>When Kurt found out who Chris had hooked him up with his first response was “where is the #1?”<span> </span>Not thrilled to say the least. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">At this point I was nearly peeing my pants because everyone in our pit knew if Kurt had a pusher stay on his bumper we were going 3 for 3.<span> </span>Juan Pablo either couldn’t keep up with the Penske powerhouse or got sucked off the car by the others passing or just isn’t as talented as people think…whatever, our chances for the win faded when Juan fell back just a few feet.<span> </span>Kurt was VERY hard on himself for not jumping in front of Edwards but God knows with the #99 record at restrictor plate wrecking (oops I mean racing) I wouldn’t have done it either.<span> </span>Kurt did go to Victory Lane to congratulate Trevor Bayne with the sting of knowing another 500 was within his grasp.<span> </span>He’ll get it and I hope to be there!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhg_2_w4tNbziEpUmx0x9lDK-4GrCby2I5LES28WMUskwjeBLQHhbj9rEcz4wuscjkzxNM8O5On0cWp4Qj2YMRqpXh9nuDmUqBJm8MjEkseKCGEs-8FtUPluJYLCRRM3xwAzWBnrYT2wo/s1600/trevor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhg_2_w4tNbziEpUmx0x9lDK-4GrCby2I5LES28WMUskwjeBLQHhbj9rEcz4wuscjkzxNM8O5On0cWp4Qj2YMRqpXh9nuDmUqBJm8MjEkseKCGEs-8FtUPluJYLCRRM3xwAzWBnrYT2wo/s320/trevor.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Congrats to the rookie!<span> </span></span></div>klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-89154218655357306562011-02-23T08:35:00.000-08:002011-02-23T08:36:21.787-08:00Saturday Garage Report - Daytona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkczb87cI5Rk6fXeK-pjCEUuzoD14RFJE95psjCA85E71aP-c3TVKEhBvnLfSzdYK0SIZOaODEvRGVx5QHeyIQIewjQR6fUa_dNaTkRL73pDSOrGqSt4l_0Xqf0O4kFzoJ1cvySTAS2jL4/s1600/sr+statue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkczb87cI5Rk6fXeK-pjCEUuzoD14RFJE95psjCA85E71aP-c3TVKEhBvnLfSzdYK0SIZOaODEvRGVx5QHeyIQIewjQR6fUa_dNaTkRL73pDSOrGqSt4l_0Xqf0O4kFzoJ1cvySTAS2jL4/s320/sr+statue.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Saturday was the first day I had my North Turn Crew (NTC) in force. We got to the track and the rookies were starting to “amp up!” We secured scanners and headed into the merchandise/sponsor circus. On the way we passed the often shown statue of Dale Earnhardt Sr and paused to remember #3. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">One of the first sponsor attractions we came upon was the Chevy display and managed to time it just right to find Jimmie Johnson on stage to the delight of our new Jimmie fans. While they watched Superman (in his Ed Hardy shoe-stringless hipster tennis shoes) Bob suggested we scope out where to get them some autographs…good thing he was thinking! I plopped DJ and Tim in what I thought was a good spot and a few minutes later they both had secured the autograph of the 5x Champ. (Notice DJ’s jaw dropping look of astonishment! LOL)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnX2DAPH-OuubqyprMI9gpbONA85LVJl65puzgKIOnQjQAVG0L7yJv9qm5wEclh3JbWZhTyBOgfVIu_Z_WAGLLOH4u0hTLXRdwIsx5MkfpcBB9N05TUBKpzOZX5fDKIO6qzRSKPUAHfp6w/s1600/jjfirsttime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnX2DAPH-OuubqyprMI9gpbONA85LVJl65puzgKIOnQjQAVG0L7yJv9qm5wEclh3JbWZhTyBOgfVIu_Z_WAGLLOH4u0hTLXRdwIsx5MkfpcBB9N05TUBKpzOZX5fDKIO6qzRSKPUAHfp6w/s320/jjfirsttime.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Big Daddy Gordon was next up on stage so while they were chasing down JJ I staked out a better spot so the two Jeffy G fans could possibly go 2 fer 2. Tim had to lay out to get it but he managed to secure another impossible to get autograph in less than 20 minutes! Tim immediately informed me he had “the fever”…</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmO5vJ2nLqrJo_4sEWXUN5EWEV1J_ydJs7mx3N4IN4pFRw_2S_RmZDot6Z8RsunbIhyphenhyphen4_o1Q6-pkd9uqLlTzo1wptr-1UiMQAmuIh3h1xDdYy4h_eGUbhRu3LK-orcdkKYlkGx96KVys_/s1600/gordonauto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmO5vJ2nLqrJo_4sEWXUN5EWEV1J_ydJs7mx3N4IN4pFRw_2S_RmZDot6Z8RsunbIhyphenhyphen4_o1Q6-pkd9uqLlTzo1wptr-1UiMQAmuIh3h1xDdYy4h_eGUbhRu3LK-orcdkKYlkGx96KVys_/s320/gordonauto.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">We then went to all the merchandise haulers and got everyone their driver swag for the race and collected our freebee’s along the way…cereal, tums, shampoo, tornado’s samples, stickers & tattoos. Of course Bob & I couldn't pass up the opportunity to pose with our <i>favorite </i>rodent...NOT!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQXT6b4m-VIblQYSjtcm3xq_pdOD0ZJ7q9yZHfMycl_iJarONq_TQgOgnZ111CcoCRU5eQjdC-d6n0BjlfvhPmRt1NZfK9vMqxichyphenhyphenxEJCVszlDig6JzWR-nYRsBO0w9CsvN3tGWHqR5_/s1600/digger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQXT6b4m-VIblQYSjtcm3xq_pdOD0ZJ7q9yZHfMycl_iJarONq_TQgOgnZ111CcoCRU5eQjdC-d6n0BjlfvhPmRt1NZfK9vMqxichyphenhyphenxEJCVszlDig6JzWR-nYRsBO0w9CsvN3tGWHqR5_/s320/digger.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> We shopped til we dropped and missed most of the action early in Happy Hour but managed to catch the last 30 min of practice in seats right along the fence line in turn four. The look on their faces when the first twosome flew by and rattled the stands was priceless. At track level the cars really do go so fast you cannot turn your head in time to follow them – they didn’t believe me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Before the Natiowide race I popped into the garage to see if the guys were happy with our practice and the car – we were switching out brakes but otherwise we were good to go on Sunday. I headed back out to our grandstand seats once the race started – how cool it was to have the cars roaring over my head as I crossed under the track through the tunnel. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">It was a bit shocking to me to see the fans go nuts when Danica rocketed up to the front of the pack. It was clear she was fairly comfortable being pushed but Jr worked with her quite a bit mid-race on the racing line but only had her on his bumper for ¾ of a lap before she couldn’t keep up. Not a good day for the Penske – related drivers - Bad Brad returned to his wrecking ways, Sliding Sam (ah dreamboat!) picked up where he left off and poor Lil Gator had several hard wrecks in his new ride. I thought for sure JuuuuunnnnnnYER would pull off the win for me but the (supposedly 15# lighter) fat man still managed to block the best of the rest. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KH_3-mNW7HxUw-Zp4HfrynjFWFedeAhaxY0ucJUrLp4OiOgpu2ikBnp5aOzY2LvB7JfYl3ZegVy4K1KQ9wVg7Nl_d9egixcQqRRXC8VnCML386iPxnpifOGkDZVI83SQJiJx1_8fc-Zp/s1600/smoke.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KH_3-mNW7HxUw-Zp4HfrynjFWFedeAhaxY0ucJUrLp4OiOgpu2ikBnp5aOzY2LvB7JfYl3ZegVy4K1KQ9wVg7Nl_d9egixcQqRRXC8VnCML386iPxnpifOGkDZVI83SQJiJx1_8fc-Zp/s320/smoke.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only Smoke pic I got all week! He really is skinnier...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">We trudged down the stands with great anticipation of the racing action we would see tomorrow. The NTC loved the scanners and were getting a feel for the personalities and talent out on the track. We ended the day with another dinner, this time Mexican, with our favorite official and got more great stories from him and some of the history of NASCAR's best "innovators." </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">We all hit the pillow early with SUNDAY, Sunday, SUNDAY looming in just a few hours...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div>klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-1611606622552958102011-02-23T08:11:00.000-08:002011-02-23T08:11:21.904-08:00Friday Garage Report - Daytona<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Friday brought another day of me alone in the garages while my NTC relaxed before the big weekend at the pool, hot tub, and beach and waited on Bob to arrive.<span> </span>While Friday was a little slow out on the track with most teams (including ours) choosing to skip one or both practices, it was not a slow day for Kurt.<span> </span>He was in uniform and doing appearances from 8:45 am until the minute before the garaged closed at 4 pm – while most of the other drivers were well out of there by 2 pm.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">One of the coolest appearances was when several of the HOF nominees showed up at the hauler for a photo opportunity with Kurt.<span> </span>Can you name them?<span> </span>(Mostly I am asking you this b/c I an only name 3 of the 4!<span> </span>Ooh bad fan!!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGCAtlhsFzy_l-5CoI15pboRG_qqcenvU6PBms6A9ZFRmSO32PRS1OkZ5lqw79hIgETiUEfn8K3PE3MD2h319pjzJS5Fm5MowFCpFqVyjwyZrGCFsVed5QzNJ7BiyYO4AYe6879LNmpv1/s1600/KurtHOF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGCAtlhsFzy_l-5CoI15pboRG_qqcenvU6PBms6A9ZFRmSO32PRS1OkZ5lqw79hIgETiUEfn8K3PE3MD2h319pjzJS5Fm5MowFCpFqVyjwyZrGCFsVed5QzNJ7BiyYO4AYe6879LNmpv1/s320/KurtHOF.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTujeEH53kXpkrkB8AvVI6rpgcQ5UVFUzUrB14iOznjnw0fOG9__SKrO_0KUcaieHQiG_SZC0BjBp4UJLX49y2PFJn9O5ZqO1nMEDZQz6KPWM4SXp1l3w6rcl_fJXsLMTN0CQ2AVFB9gDv/s1600/KurtHOF2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTujeEH53kXpkrkB8AvVI6rpgcQ5UVFUzUrB14iOznjnw0fOG9__SKrO_0KUcaieHQiG_SZC0BjBp4UJLX49y2PFJn9O5ZqO1nMEDZQz6KPWM4SXp1l3w6rcl_fJXsLMTN0CQ2AVFB9gDv/s320/KurtHOF2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">It was interesting to listen in on them asking Kurt to describe the “new” way of drafting on the track and how Kurt described the track as “almost boring” because the surface is so smooth so you no longer have to “wheel it” as much or worry about getting out of shape and instead focus so much more on partnering up.<span> </span>I dunno about you guys but it seems far from boring out there to me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Kurt also was visited by one the rep of his new sponsor TAG Heuer..<span> </span>You may have seen Kurt’s new line of sunglasses – well TAG Heuer brought a pair for every single one of the guys on the crew.<span> </span>They were pretty stoked!<span> </span>They also got super swank TAG Heuer watches from Kurt for Christmas this past year.<span> </span>Here is Stretch modeling for me!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcvrs0Z6u2hyphenhyphennAFBVZcTIJPWtLwcaqvDxWOwVrffjtRX1SkwfCIJ-gOJ_5udGBn4FRauSOl_FflSLg3962-ilUqYlgyaeqTpnCqGH5FweJpV-lynoov1f09dMgekpbWUqEULFv-d1yId3/s1600/new+glasss.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcvrs0Z6u2hyphenhyphennAFBVZcTIJPWtLwcaqvDxWOwVrffjtRX1SkwfCIJ-gOJ_5udGBn4FRauSOl_FflSLg3962-ilUqYlgyaeqTpnCqGH5FweJpV-lynoov1f09dMgekpbWUqEULFv-d1yId3/s320/new+glasss.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">For some of you super astute Kurt fans – you may have noticed in Victory Lane on Thursday Kurt was not wearing his new shades.<span> </span>That’s because he “lost” them…he apparently left them in his rental car unknowingly and a couple of the guys took his car out Wed night and when they got back the gate to the drivers lot was locked so they parked the rental right outside.<span> </span>Well of course the car got towed!<span> </span>Craig,the coach driver, found the rental and unbelievably Kurt’s red sunglasses were still in there.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The two new Ms. Sprint Cup ladies were also hanging about and asked me if I could take a picture of them with the “newest driver on twitter” (Be sure to follow @KurtBusch22 and @22carPR).<span> </span>Of course I was happy to do it and get a picture with them myself in return.<span> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxT2skrg8DblL3Fgdn8LuEXZXmyNGlNwM7o1d-Tpy4ZoHdK9lmITLstOZ_ihyphenhyphen8Ry1vusaz0zwHmJOwVbqJr4G_6uOVXvsesskoNRnKOCuQmlaARWmh4OoEijEOECwgUrSuet983OPkWypc/s1600/mrsprintwkurt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxT2skrg8DblL3Fgdn8LuEXZXmyNGlNwM7o1d-Tpy4ZoHdK9lmITLstOZ_ihyphenhyphen8Ry1vusaz0zwHmJOwVbqJr4G_6uOVXvsesskoNRnKOCuQmlaARWmh4OoEijEOECwgUrSuet983OPkWypc/s320/mrsprintwkurt.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXB9Bx3HAeURhiq0dSTnFqvE4q1F_4PeGbmZVSN5_TknBYZidiobfqpBxovsi9M7jFo6cd2FAqzX9uw5B_bOhz_xAH8clijA-piOBvLILOhfVdVQoe2S4C3zmtH0H8QBktuaXP-YA_hZmc/s1600/me%2526mssprints.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXB9Bx3HAeURhiq0dSTnFqvE4q1F_4PeGbmZVSN5_TknBYZidiobfqpBxovsi9M7jFo6cd2FAqzX9uw5B_bOhz_xAH8clijA-piOBvLILOhfVdVQoe2S4C3zmtH0H8QBktuaXP-YA_hZmc/s320/me%2526mssprints.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span>Man I wish I had those sunglasses I lost running to Victory Lane! The squinting and the sun burn starts here!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Kurt was also did appearances for the Paralyzed Veterans of America and has taken this charity on as one of his focuses again this year as well as multiple TV, radio and print media interviews.<span> </span>A few of you caught me in the background when Kurt was being interviewed by Dick Bergeren on SPEED.<span> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyx2qAc0I5ri4sC5EHZVPJGhhKUB4erqPCStb3hEsc2uslWwoLkc3DuoUmGJo1i_76P37jR8fJPH67aWu7ClCaQFUDsE_aQUyUufxwlzF5XIdG-VGCG22YLfF4rfyvVMMPC4GM-qae9k9H/s1600/kurtanddick.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyx2qAc0I5ri4sC5EHZVPJGhhKUB4erqPCStb3hEsc2uslWwoLkc3DuoUmGJo1i_76P37jR8fJPH67aWu7ClCaQFUDsE_aQUyUufxwlzF5XIdG-VGCG22YLfF4rfyvVMMPC4GM-qae9k9H/s320/kurtanddick.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span></span>I did pass along the message that Kurt Busch Nation would *really* like to get their hands on the NHRA Pro Stock die cast and Kurt said he would be making that happen.<span> </span>I also hear that Kurt Busch.com would be updated this week – apparently both Kurt and Penske’s website had some problems getting updated from the company hosting them and now should be done.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The crew was endlessly working on the car and towards the end of the day there were only a few loyal fans left in the Fanzone area looking in through the windows.<span> </span>To prove we have the coolest crew in the sport – Dave Winston, our head engineer, spotted two little girls and their dad watching and he went out of the garage around to the window and got them and brought them into the garage to take pictures by the car.<span> </span>They were so over the moon and are now three more #22 team fans for life.<span> </span>Dave will henceforth be known as the “Dream Maker”…LOL Since the entire crew doesn’t have a nickname anymore (Oilslicks?<span> </span>Shellraisers?) I am making it my mission to come up with individual names for each!</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bljCdTVAMQ9Ph75poW7pPPD826WYeocS0MvhntgawyTZkKYxQWmv7dyWWF5TRh8zPCaa_kKQMrpVZI2KyTwC6SI0heaPli3PLtuqVtrylxRK5LRXtiK_Q2uJ1Cyj3CrOVNJQr7KoeAGZ/s1600/dave+w.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bljCdTVAMQ9Ph75poW7pPPD826WYeocS0MvhntgawyTZkKYxQWmv7dyWWF5TRh8zPCaa_kKQMrpVZI2KyTwC6SI0heaPli3PLtuqVtrylxRK5LRXtiK_Q2uJ1Cyj3CrOVNJQr7KoeAGZ/s320/dave+w.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L to R - Steve-O (rear end mechanic) Chris (Steve-O's son & our gas man), Addington and the Dream Maker!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Kurt and TR came running back to the garage with seconds to spare before it closed at 4pm and I hooked up with TR to finally pay him back with dinner for all the love he gives me.<span> </span>He took me on a tour of Daytona Beach showing me all the highlights and where history was made.<span> </span>I saw where Rusty & Dale Sr. kept their yachts and where Mr. Penske parked his when he was in town.<span> </span>He showed me many of the driver condo’s and the France family compound as well as many of their offices.<span> </span>TR then took me by the bar where the points system was first hammered out on a napkin and then the hotel where they finalized it.<span> </span>I saw the airplane hanger where FOXsports did all the photo shoots for the season and the hospital were Dale Sr. was taken.<span> </span>History and stories too much to recount.</span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Another funny story – we had to head back to TR’s hotel because just like the crew his official Penske/Pennzoil/Shell shirts were not all in yet and he was expecting a box of them that day.<span> </span>TR was out of shirts and asked if I would be willing to iron a few of them for him!<span> </span>I was cracking up and happy to do it since I need to pay TR back anyway I can but I am not much of a domestic girl it took me almost 30 min to do two shirts! LOL<span> </span>I told TR to tweet about it but he said his wife would kill him for asking me to do this!<span> </span>I think he looked <i>pretty</i> wrinkle free on Saturday and Sunday. Sadly I have no pictures of this....</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">TR and I headed out for dinner and beers and got caught up on all kinds of good stuff.<span> </span>There were plenty of racing personalities at the restaurant including Hollywood Hammond who stopped by to say hello.<span> </span>We headed back to the hotel bar to finish watching the truck race with some of the #22 crew who were hanging out there and rooted on Parker Klingerman.<span> </span>Another late but fun night for me – thank goodness I run on adrenaline at the races!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span></span></span></div>klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-42980189353596097242011-02-23T07:34:00.000-08:002011-02-23T07:37:08.873-08:00Thursday Garage Report – Daytona<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Let me begin by saying sorry for slacking on getting the blogs up so late. Once you read the non stop fun to be had you’ll understand why…</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">First, let me give you a little background info…my amazing trip to Speedweeks was born out of a conversation about bucket lists between my Uncle and his friends who happen to have a condo in Ponce Inlet, just south of Daytona Beach. None of them had ever attended a NASCAR event and going to the 500 came up. My Uncle said if they wanted to get a real NASCAR experience they should include me and told them of my exploits. The invitation shortly followed (Thank You Uncle Frank, Terry and Ellie!!) and we eventually became the “North Turn Crew” named after the restaurant just up the road on the beach where NASCAR used to race. I was dubbed the “crew chief” and my crew consisted of my Uncle Frank (rookie rooting for #39), Terry & Ellie (rookies rooting for #48), Tim (rookie rooting for #24), DJ (young gun rooting for #24) & Bob (who we all know as Dwindy1 rooting for #18 of course!). </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMZ0mpLJBtryeEWvs3JtZVkFQfSjXto-7iU39KFGfHanPFEwoOcuMgJoGMyFc2kUtNdZhIgDlWQDLdO0QO5aWeQJpZxbMFz2uE8u7nJ0DX1GUj3Q9kQgM9AF-juw2iirJur03zrhfCGmQ/s1600/NTC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMZ0mpLJBtryeEWvs3JtZVkFQfSjXto-7iU39KFGfHanPFEwoOcuMgJoGMyFc2kUtNdZhIgDlWQDLdO0QO5aWeQJpZxbMFz2uE8u7nJ0DX1GUj3Q9kQgM9AF-juw2iirJur03zrhfCGmQ/s320/NTC.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we have L to R DJ, Tim, Terry, Ellie Frank and Bob!</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">For more exploits of the North Turn Crew (NTC) at Daytona see Dwindy1’s blog here: <a href="http://dwindy1-walkingeagle.blogspot.com/2011/02/daytona-500-experience.html">http://dwindy1-walkingeagle.blogspot.com/2011/02/daytona-500-experience.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">On Thursday, most of the NTC were still traveling in for the race so I spent the day at the track in the garages. After picking up my credentials I headed to the infield of the famed raceway. I was shocked to find the race track sitting on the main drag with shopping and restaurants right across the street. Every other track I’ve been too it’s a good long ride out of town to get there. Not the World Center of Racing – it is the town.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">After hoofing it to the garage area, I was welcomed by our favorite crew all decked out in their new colors and sponsor. It sure was odd to see them in yellow and red but worse was seeing the Miller Lite guys walking around and waving at them and them looking back at me like I was crazy (I only know a few of those guys)! I had to get new pictures of everything and found out our mechanics don’t even have their official uniforms yet. I wore my Penske Racing t-shirt and was about to head out to the merchandise hauler to gear up but before I could TR (Kurt’s fabulous PR guy) dropped some sa-weet swag in my lap so I was good to go in our new colors.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">After winning the Bud Shootout, Kurt was probably the most popular interview in the garage and he had more appearances than any other driver through the weekend. I couldn’t keep up so instead spent time asking about the changes to the car and meeting the new guys on our crew. Sadly, we lost hauler drivers, Cindy and Stump, to our old buddies Pat Tryson and Luke Cunnington over on #56 team. They are very happy in their new racing family and we now have George and Greg, who drove the #77 hauler teaming up to get the Pennzoil Dodges to the track. They told me the #22 hauler is really the #2 from last year and the #2 hauler is the #77 from last year because the #12 hauler was the oldest. <i>Lots</i><b> </b>of repainting going on in the off-season at Penske. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">We retained our entire crew of mechanics but added another team engineer. He was not at the track by the time I arrived and had already been sent home to work on the cars for the next 5 races as Dave Winston had the engineering at the track well in hand. Kurt also has a new coach driver, Craig who has been around the sport for many years. We did have a few changes on the pit crew – we lost Travis as the rear tire changer and now have Jonathan Billy coming from the #29 team. We also have Paul who was in training to be a gas man for the #77 who moved over to work behind the wall passing and catching the new larger gas cans during pit stops. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkYDrobr28OG1TjqHNEA3wVLSlacNOJ0yB019I1jLJhtp_epRUO6R1_F7X9pMEub6teIwJZSHLlm63S7Y8Rg2Ex94ruJHV4xWEQTn0t2feNuFsNajhrkTjD-ypgul9yZRrUwprV2VeNxM/s1600/gas+cans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkYDrobr28OG1TjqHNEA3wVLSlacNOJ0yB019I1jLJhtp_epRUO6R1_F7X9pMEub6teIwJZSHLlm63S7Y8Rg2Ex94ruJHV4xWEQTn0t2feNuFsNajhrkTjD-ypgul9yZRrUwprV2VeNxM/s320/gas+cans.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Speaking of the gas cans…did you know they weigh 90#? Yikes! No wonder our guys dealing with them are huge. Chris, our gas man, said Penske is working hard on improving the flow out of the cans and doing a ton of research on them to get them as efficient as possible. I am not so sure about the gas being environmentally friendly though – gas seemed to be spouting out of the gas cap area on every car in the garage and most of the garage stalls had puddles of gas behind them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTqkSYntzYFozJdWWGRR4VIx4RAyqTIYJvCZbdr0ZuzQMZZxN2bSSuWpSHdDQe7jysbqI3FloEW21J9e_n-YnBY2NdHgipDKu8oJLjnvt03f_v6EFBXGmOvp1Vi2fogyPQe6Y3TiaP_si/s1600/hauler+race+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTqkSYntzYFozJdWWGRR4VIx4RAyqTIYJvCZbdr0ZuzQMZZxN2bSSuWpSHdDQe7jysbqI3FloEW21J9e_n-YnBY2NdHgipDKu8oJLjnvt03f_v6EFBXGmOvp1Vi2fogyPQe6Y3TiaP_si/s320/hauler+race+view.JPG" width="320" /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I decided to watch the duels from on top the hauler for a better view of the racing action which I must say was super. Just as Duel 1 started up the ladder comes a Miller Lite pit crew member. I freaked out asking “why the heck aren’t you pitting the car?” and he had to remind me that we were no longer Miller Lite (again!). Duh! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2QZwtr2r4K1aFecSZO-fgassfIe894CE2sZFzxGh6IbZXw0DgB05v-oNnqQNKYkknK8XgwGy016dsiFhjCd1q6YHGthtRsYiH4nmhmRpLtYk4ExVW8MtY_UryY0XnX8kZuiFaP6xLGb5/s1600/MLtopofhauler.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2QZwtr2r4K1aFecSZO-fgassfIe894CE2sZFzxGh6IbZXw0DgB05v-oNnqQNKYkknK8XgwGy016dsiFhjCd1q6YHGthtRsYiH4nmhmRpLtYk4ExVW8MtY_UryY0XnX8kZuiFaP6xLGb5/s320/MLtopofhauler.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">As you know, Kurt was driving the wheels off the Pennzoil Dodge and came sweeping off turn 4 with me screaming like a banshee jumping up and down with Terry LaBonte on the hauler next to us laughing at me. I have never EVER gotten off the top of the hauler faster (those steps down are really steep!) and ran up pit road to Victory Lane. I was going so fast my sunglasses flew off and I made it just in time to follow a familiar fire suit in … and for once I didn’t confuse Brad with Kurt! (Only because I knew Kurt was in the car! LOL) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ggg02UrujcpkDH5okv4ViD3pcC4dLWsjXgKUqbtz7s6cgH_hYVFvYH-WPx2FL0Pjq9k0cwwVSZBNo1OPXFqhX5ttGT0Q4Canrf7vhu76u3Kx5yBaxfKCOQP2utU9zbjvzFtcF2AodPG0/s1600/brad+VL.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ggg02UrujcpkDH5okv4ViD3pcC4dLWsjXgKUqbtz7s6cgH_hYVFvYH-WPx2FL0Pjq9k0cwwVSZBNo1OPXFqhX5ttGT0Q4Canrf7vhu76u3Kx5yBaxfKCOQP2utU9zbjvzFtcF2AodPG0/s320/brad+VL.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I was SO excited to be there finally and was kinda happy not to get my new shirt drenched in Gatorade (since it was our 500 car we didn’t want it to get all sticky) but Kurt was not so lucky…</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0h8g0guWkeGgunDyhd4lN_jBod69d9Xp3NJcoqFHce8F8qiUGCcZAouFLxBdBRDuSZC89ku2lQcmjlTfJ6mcC_3cI4F0hvywX_ufUCLSLzWPL_cNjIL6sURm69P0cFvdeV9N0DssfT0nS/s1600/Kurt+gatorade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0h8g0guWkeGgunDyhd4lN_jBod69d9Xp3NJcoqFHce8F8qiUGCcZAouFLxBdBRDuSZC89ku2lQcmjlTfJ6mcC_3cI4F0hvywX_ufUCLSLzWPL_cNjIL6sURm69P0cFvdeV9N0DssfT0nS/s320/Kurt+gatorade.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I was such a dork I had Billy (our interiors mechanic) take my picture while up on stage and then had Ms. Spring Cup take this one…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XhXgh7DVK1RBkkg12-A15hRoPe8MqpMVRo7uqr45FSRi8H3XrpIYX4emhrqXedyQ9LfaajDhOA4Jw8cRPtowegLnK_U-URNquz9qaBu8ZFOykYAIsaYtosquh8KoIM8yiKhNsSUyZUOC/s1600/me+VL.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XhXgh7DVK1RBkkg12-A15hRoPe8MqpMVRo7uqr45FSRi8H3XrpIYX4emhrqXedyQ9LfaajDhOA4Jw8cRPtowegLnK_U-URNquz9qaBu8ZFOykYAIsaYtosquh8KoIM8yiKhNsSUyZUOC/s320/me+VL.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I sent these pictures to my parents and later they asked why I sent them…(HUH?) well didn’t recognize ME in red and yellow and in a hat (my patented visor is not available until Vegas!) In fact, it took a few days for some of the officials who I know to recognize me since my “inverted bob” hairdo was hidden by my Pennzoil hat. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I got to participate in the hat dance and now have an awesome new hat collection. My favorite is the black Gatorade Victory Lane hat that Kurt was kind enough to autograph for me later…sa-weet! I watched Kurt on SPEED being interviewed after the race and had to chuckle that they were sponsored by Sunoco. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrJnY-P0YjVrPuL_JrCvdanJEOlo34TClAoyjDoRZeW2XaSAuKmU6Nun636-7HlH6NS49hwOa8lgVxHl7XEonDLbwnL5hvZ9hrPGw5lNlJu0zSv8aVbo2IbSEFKmHg5wvMtWj3q6o54zl/s1600/Kurt+TV.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrJnY-P0YjVrPuL_JrCvdanJEOlo34TClAoyjDoRZeW2XaSAuKmU6Nun636-7HlH6NS49hwOa8lgVxHl7XEonDLbwnL5hvZ9hrPGw5lNlJu0zSv8aVbo2IbSEFKmHg5wvMtWj3q6o54zl/s320/Kurt+TV.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Time out for a funny story…because Sunoco is the official fuel of NASCAR, Pennzoil/Shell has to focus on marketing the oil part of their business and minimize the gas part. You all are familiar with the giant “Pennzoil” on the hood of the car and may have noticed the seashell –otherwise known as a </span><span class="spelle"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Pecten</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">– is considerably smaller. Well, apparently, Kurt’s uniform has also been redesigned several times to make Sunoco “happy” and Kurt noted the other day “Hey my pecten is so small!” and Addington told him “that sounds like a personal problem to me.” Now that is funny. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Pecten is also the name of the chassis that won the Budweiser Shootout.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JNX4LlDztjJISk1_UOTkxXgp2FZ9irhgnia7mdO4H4QpBFhcILEPC5vcu6Q1eqz-w5LC3SyLvxfsRv4W2IKTvFmG1trY1C-Nw1a3kJEQaiZdtnDfn2b0ydotseHqdu-I6qGE1E94oDcD/s1600/KV%2526Kurt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JNX4LlDztjJISk1_UOTkxXgp2FZ9irhgnia7mdO4H4QpBFhcILEPC5vcu6Q1eqz-w5LC3SyLvxfsRv4W2IKTvFmG1trY1C-Nw1a3kJEQaiZdtnDfn2b0ydotseHqdu-I6qGE1E94oDcD/s320/KV%2526Kurt.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Kurt was kind enough to pose with me by the hauler after his Duels win while the crew got to work changing engines. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">There were several Penske powerhouses to choose from and the crew put me to work. They asked me to block the engines from view and stop folks in the garage from taking pictures while they made the swap…like I am wide enough to block an engine but I did my best…and I got this “Digger” shot of Stretch. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCh1ZX9HODa66iS0Qoke8m8K2GTKOZEvIIXCJEuh_TpNHWo3k2YjKZQ3rXy66NmE6WYfWArcfVxg-_hXqQbBqDArKYhosMHA7qlJUDJlRqHwotOPvJVZfwfU-mPC6NWphX87iM8bzSWqB/s1600/stretch+in+car.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCh1ZX9HODa66iS0Qoke8m8K2GTKOZEvIIXCJEuh_TpNHWo3k2YjKZQ3rXy66NmE6WYfWArcfVxg-_hXqQbBqDArKYhosMHA7qlJUDJlRqHwotOPvJVZfwfU-mPC6NWphX87iM8bzSWqB/s320/stretch+in+car.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Soon after Mr. Penske himself came down to congratulate the entire team. He and the rest of the Penske brass were super happy to start the season off “2 fer 2.” Mr. Penske was (rightfully) very proud of our spotter – Chris Osborne – who proved to be one of if not the best out there this weekend. I have now dubbed him “The Voice of Victory” – feel free to use it! =)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55k0ohoNkZQ_ziq9Ne3ygp7KA1BMv-uIuOmVVrdVW2fDI9YYOREeT2wY2B4P3dfhZdhX7rqWxdQmgknjQtOUucA4D5QsOxnpTYS66SHK0jxu2nH3Y7hsArx39DB2BvDbUVP2A_WgN29Zn/s1600/Roger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55k0ohoNkZQ_ziq9Ne3ygp7KA1BMv-uIuOmVVrdVW2fDI9YYOREeT2wY2B4P3dfhZdhX7rqWxdQmgknjQtOUucA4D5QsOxnpTYS66SHK0jxu2nH3Y7hsArx39DB2BvDbUVP2A_WgN29Zn/s320/Roger.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Thursday ended with me and our favorite official who works the shocks inspection station meeting up with the NTC for dinner. We ate at Caribbean Jacks which happens to be on property owned by the France family and right next door to Brian France’s private yacht club. Wow. Spoiled Rotten. The NTC were stoked to pick his brain and learn about the sport from a “professional.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">All in all an unforgettable first day at Daytona I must say…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">One last picture - here is one of the official photo's from Victory Lane...see if you can find me! LOL</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0BXyKLpgbEPxudVYm0X8TZ5E1Kkb1f4uraekFKCi5DKwmTbuPtln4dnuFxyy3R4pAGDFYpze__BLlw7DOdIOsaEAZTAYSTZV65ppQFF0pqFq7cELhIgq4LqheujAICtnOcLiRrYZgZGT/s1600/KV+VL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0BXyKLpgbEPxudVYm0X8TZ5E1Kkb1f4uraekFKCi5DKwmTbuPtln4dnuFxyy3R4pAGDFYpze__BLlw7DOdIOsaEAZTAYSTZV65ppQFF0pqFq7cELhIgq4LqheujAICtnOcLiRrYZgZGT/s320/KV+VL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div>klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-57535722235591558732010-06-30T16:04:00.000-07:002010-06-30T16:06:16.165-07:00New Tire for Daytona<i>Jayski broke this story yesterday so I will assume it is okay for me to finally discuss it and post pics.</i><br />
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</div>Goodyear is rolling out a new tire for Daytona in all NASCAR series- no it is not a new compound or size - it is just made with a lot of pride and heart. As you can see, they are "Supporting Our Troops" and will be rolling out all kinds of cool promotions along with the tire - including tires signed by drivers that you can bid on and proceeds will go to the troops and their families as well as ways to interact with the troops overseas NASCAR style. Go to <a href="http://www.racegoodyear.com/">http://www.racegoodyear.com/</a> starting July 2nd for more details.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPjhykTA9cXVP-2-s5TvXLrpcChbb-YSklsvAcJ2kJiJQ3mNV_eWje3Uf1SrScm_Br1m_kw8HHIaz0HDd80ZGGiPalUCpzvnEyGPd8QlmLM5pnvwT-k9we0HW-4q3tuevvoxq78kjJKT_/s1600/rcr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPjhykTA9cXVP-2-s5TvXLrpcChbb-YSklsvAcJ2kJiJQ3mNV_eWje3Uf1SrScm_Br1m_kw8HHIaz0HDd80ZGGiPalUCpzvnEyGPd8QlmLM5pnvwT-k9we0HW-4q3tuevvoxq78kjJKT_/s200/rcr.JPG" width="200" /></a><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiwakU0TVw21XDe2ga06wy_g_kZJMr86c9Q0GLPVUA9Upo0boWY-fEOgwUWN8pZ_y7LiErlmJk72okvIy-6U1nNIeg1VOOFQ9OpxskH9WDdjRF5mXbNMa2oUIKjt03Ccf2g9PNGvqsjlz/s200/penske.JPG" width="200" /></div><br />
Also look for your favorite Penske and RCR drivers promoting the cause during the Daytona races this weekend. They did a great job nailing their lines while filming the commercials at Sonoma although none of them seemed to keen on the make up!klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-8501676522406175702010-06-21T10:21:00.000-07:002010-06-21T10:34:07.711-07:00Sonoma Race DaySunday, Sunday, SUNDAY! Race day at Infineon Raceway brought an early and busy start to the day with the race starting a good two hours earlier than before. I asked the Brew Crew if the earlier start time affected their schedule and they said no, not really, that if they had the extra two hours they would have just wasted it! =) <br />
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The over the wall guys had the pit box set up bright and early and I found these two bloggers ready to switch over to root for Kurt rather than Harvick and Ambrose today...(ha!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYOVw0rvDkaAObZVKqyWtI7k2ZZPtMdpYXV0tMLU0m2a5mYaF7MGAoO77dd_QV_xiLGLfmdRi6aFyFwa6WZoVJUkl1pMzzsfqWNWv7XpXOCJhMNOuTRwzq-SIB1XamTKuWQaW6-i_zXl2/s1600/2+supporters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYOVw0rvDkaAObZVKqyWtI7k2ZZPtMdpYXV0tMLU0m2a5mYaF7MGAoO77dd_QV_xiLGLfmdRi6aFyFwa6WZoVJUkl1pMzzsfqWNWv7XpXOCJhMNOuTRwzq-SIB1XamTKuWQaW6-i_zXl2/s320/2+supporters.JPG" /></a></div>I had a good long chat with the pit crew while they were prepping the five sets of tires we had this weekend and unfortunately found them more than a little somber about losing the Miller Lite sponsorship and changing over to Penzoil. Some of our over the wall guys have been with the Miller Lite car since Rusty's early days and have worked their entire career on the Miller Lite Dodge. Despite being pretty bummed about the change they all quickly added they would rather lose the sponsor than their driver and reassured me they will still be the elite team at Penske. My "Brew Crew" will need a new catchy name next year...suggestions welcome!<br />
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After hanging out with the pit crew I headed back to the garage to see if the guys were ready to push the car through inspection. They were pretty late leaving and still had to "run the car" one more time because of something to do with a possible leak in the oil transfer case? Here is a great example of "don't try this at home" - our rear end mechanic, Steve, is under the car with a flashlight while Darin, our engine guy, is "driving" it with the rear end held up by three jacks. The rear wheels are spinning God knows how fast right above Steve's head. These crews do not get enough credit for how hard they work and how dangerous it really is. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQU4Ud0-vUxZU5i4W_7Ibehfewzov0uEgcdF2FNwN-_HOMgRFpn4H1IZ8G0W25CppgKKRrNcCmaJUV-O8fxiDfRkKPq9qv3p-LJNq37kaVy8Yd1RqoLquRvIwshzG3Ne6Osz6QWkPGMkg/s1600/stevo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQU4Ud0-vUxZU5i4W_7Ibehfewzov0uEgcdF2FNwN-_HOMgRFpn4H1IZ8G0W25CppgKKRrNcCmaJUV-O8fxiDfRkKPq9qv3p-LJNq37kaVy8Yd1RqoLquRvIwshzG3Ne6Osz6QWkPGMkg/s320/stevo.JPG" /></a></div>We headed out through inspection shortly after and I actually had to help push the car around - which is comical since I can barely move the thing - while the guys switched out to grab some food. Valli, the NASCAR citizen blogger of <a href="http://www.thefastandthefabulous.com/">http://www.thefastandthefabulous.com/</a> hung out with us in the inspection line and had a good laugh as the crew was attacked by a (possibly drunk?) Cougar.<br />
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We were so late starting inspection and then unfortunately had problems again at the last station so we wer one of the last cars out. It was good for me though....Billy, our interior mechanic had to get suited up and go get the gas so he left me in charge of the tool cart again. By the time we made it through the final inspection spot there were only four guys and me left pushing the car all they way out to our third starting spot on the grid. And do any of my fellow bloggers there get a picture of this!? No...they were all too busy watching driver intros!<br />
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By the time I got to the pits, the National Anthem was just about to be played. Gave the guys high fives all around and hunkered down for the race. I won't bother recapping the action since you all know what happened. Addington had Kurt on the perfect pit strategy right there with Ambrose and JJ and we were looking to get at least a top 5 finish. We had great pit stops all day...here is a shot of the crew in action.<br />
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And for you Smoke fans...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfhGWh_NUzWl_J6z8VkeDaee0yfH9AyCJFlhDUOgBc7ug8Ps2X5PzFh-C7Bi623UaJpX5bQPbX0gHIByXKojl7XBDlF3vP2kP4PJyzazHICrtSes2ZW-v-0-ryZkY9_th37EZSDebdA9j/s1600/smoke.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfhGWh_NUzWl_J6z8VkeDaee0yfH9AyCJFlhDUOgBc7ug8Ps2X5PzFh-C7Bi623UaJpX5bQPbX0gHIByXKojl7XBDlF3vP2kP4PJyzazHICrtSes2ZW-v-0-ryZkY9_th37EZSDebdA9j/s320/smoke.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And for you Yeley fans...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9CidP8eeee-PBoJzRD2wMSOYZy-FW0vjfVMW07cV7UGGZHjCMduJYHcX616LyhuAyPFGU2iHrWmpWo9WLwv3LPQd4saDzrj7bcqU1TV2Lyh7gdPwFrymOG7pgwp_jKFhugOJS9k1YgYg/s1600/yeley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9CidP8eeee-PBoJzRD2wMSOYZy-FW0vjfVMW07cV7UGGZHjCMduJYHcX616LyhuAyPFGU2iHrWmpWo9WLwv3LPQd4saDzrj7bcqU1TV2Lyh7gdPwFrymOG7pgwp_jKFhugOJS9k1YgYg/s320/yeley.JPG" /></a></div>But seriously, kudos to Yeley and his team - they pitted that car with three over the wall guys - the gas/catch can man, a tire carrier and tire changer. Took them a LONG time to pit the car each stop but they finished the race. It was a little painful to watch - I almost wanted to go help them!<br />
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Of course this race day blog would not be complete without a picture of Travis eating something! Nutter Butters is his snack of choice today...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha17Iz_WMbNjQGddaS7SV5i_SSB0phiqDNpVeLLyKdQDn0OzKaBCpNtHTq0Zt35zIF3CGh-nPnoml4dyVKUGPpsAq2U9k0vv9Mo30zFy4-pbsvGp3akqZLn2wkh-8mR9eYE_Y_Tw8TlH6S/s1600/travis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha17Iz_WMbNjQGddaS7SV5i_SSB0phiqDNpVeLLyKdQDn0OzKaBCpNtHTq0Zt35zIF3CGh-nPnoml4dyVKUGPpsAq2U9k0vv9Mo30zFy4-pbsvGp3akqZLn2wkh-8mR9eYE_Y_Tw8TlH6S/s320/travis.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Mid-race things were humming along for our team and Larry, our rear tire carrier was chillin' before things got crazy...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVDEUtZUcG-4s3nlghwdc1N_Mneell91xRu9kQV8yFFr6gL5MK7wlIYQLecrwFCJRUHjS2UfEKXyBg5YHHKf7hCM9J-7eSDGhX-8X6uQdr6-tjFUQqMoxz6bzhZZLHgedgkbDxw2COv5i/s1600/larry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVDEUtZUcG-4s3nlghwdc1N_Mneell91xRu9kQV8yFFr6gL5MK7wlIYQLecrwFCJRUHjS2UfEKXyBg5YHHKf7hCM9J-7eSDGhX-8X6uQdr6-tjFUQqMoxz6bzhZZLHgedgkbDxw2COv5i/s320/larry.JPG" /></a></div>And crazy they did just a few minutes later....it was just about now that the big wreck that red flagged the race occurred and Hamlin peeled into the garage smoking his tire so much that he actually set off the sprinklers in the media center! Our pit was right in front of the media center and the alarms were going off and water was leaking out of the sprinkler pipes on to our extra equipment. Never a dull moment!<br />
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I headed into the garage to see the carnage first hand. The #56 was destroyed as was the team. Mikey was there lamenting the wreck as it pulled into the garage on the back of the truck.<br />
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Not to be outdone - Poor Sam wrecked his back-up car in this mess and the #77 crew was back to work fixing the primary car that now didn't look so bad to get Sam back out on the track. Sam must be hating road courses by now after this wreck and the huge hit he took at Watkins Glen a few races back. Ouch.<br />
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We all know how this one ends - Ambrose got some very bad advice from his crew chief and Big Daddy pretty much took out everyone in his path including Kurt with only two to go. Kurt had some choice words for Gordon over the radio especially since we are now two for two with HMS taking us out at Somoma. With Ambrose out of the picture - JJ pretty much cruised to a win. As annoying as it is, have to give him props for stepping up his game on the road course. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9m5Oll7Cx-numkN1W8yr5dvnWc66EPGCpiEoDKMHaqU50JwsamSGQuCRd7Y9S_QTm-sLKnCEZ6IwFqtYjGo2odGDANykEB2hVWTbR01gWLFyKQh2I4et6SMr85rpaGLU5wB5IGYUkeL8M/s1600/jj.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9m5Oll7Cx-numkN1W8yr5dvnWc66EPGCpiEoDKMHaqU50JwsamSGQuCRd7Y9S_QTm-sLKnCEZ6IwFqtYjGo2odGDANykEB2hVWTbR01gWLFyKQh2I4et6SMr85rpaGLU5wB5IGYUkeL8M/s320/jj.JPG" /></a></div>I didn't bother to watch the Victory Lane celebration instead hoofed it out to our hauler and said my goodbyes to the guys. Kurt was understandably still quite pissed and left fast - so fast that there was not security ready at the gates where the drivers catch golf cart rides to the helipad. One truly obnoxious fan got in Kurt's face yelling at him about how much he sucked and Kurt nearly (and probably should have) clocked him.<br />
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So a request to my fellow fans - no matter how much you dislike a driver please respect them because that was truly an ugly display of unsporting conduct by that fan. Boo the drivers from the stands all you want but when you have contact with a driver the best rule is if you have nothing nice to say, then don't say anything at all. Encounters like that make the drivers a lot less inclined to visit with fans and to sign autographs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPofHNjqmfKbjjt4xak55GVQKbMxuMuD0NZCEzm9nWDK22pnsHiKs0CAJ2XuTsWJLrtRqUszHAFmETNyAHw_yZIcrzbVe7V-tF2yYDlMVRGXTLpyAimgDd3veBbwBFJortdoR7Qzp1azXw/s1600/bloggers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPofHNjqmfKbjjt4xak55GVQKbMxuMuD0NZCEzm9nWDK22pnsHiKs0CAJ2XuTsWJLrtRqUszHAFmETNyAHw_yZIcrzbVe7V-tF2yYDlMVRGXTLpyAimgDd3veBbwBFJortdoR7Qzp1azXw/s320/bloggers.JPG" /></a></div>Thanks for a great weekend Tez, RA6AN, and Jon464! We all know who the real race winner was...Aussie Aussie Aussie...oi! oi! doh!!klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-20962774349654526842010-06-19T22:43:00.000-07:002010-06-20T06:28:40.123-07:00Sonoma Qual & Practice Garage Report<i>[Ok, this blog might not be as brilliant "as usual" since I have three famous bloggers watching me write this over my shoulder...talk about pressure! TEZ says maybe this blog will more brilliant than before and is wrapped up in his boxing Kangaroo flag...JON464 thought he found gas mileage notes on the table next to us at dinner and is polishing his Harvick Crocs and RA6AN is too busy drooling over an old ESPN magazine cover to pay any attention to us....]</i><br />
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Ah, Sonoma, "I feel the need, the need for speed"..."Pop quiz, hotshot. There's a bomb on a bus"...whoops too many movie quotes but seriously pop quiz...what is wrong with this picture?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvgc-jr-qm-VyxfJDT1yjiRFgJnYwzsOCyYkL68QrbVRYF0sC8U8uKiGob1m62JSN4kv1-ItWApWvM1YGMiSAmNhy4VBddX7L00yTacjNPXLZdfrP7kEZOJt7MAmUFKUAvkAkMT6s1C6j/s1600/hauler+missing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvgc-jr-qm-VyxfJDT1yjiRFgJnYwzsOCyYkL68QrbVRYF0sC8U8uKiGob1m62JSN4kv1-ItWApWvM1YGMiSAmNhy4VBddX7L00yTacjNPXLZdfrP7kEZOJt7MAmUFKUAvkAkMT6s1C6j/s320/hauler+missing.JPG" />..</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Notice anything missing?? Like a big blue hauler in between the #11 and #17 haulers? Unfortunately, the race weekend got off to a rough start for the Blue Deuce. Our hauler apparently broke the "turbo bearing" in the engine in the Nevada desert and had to be towed (can you imagine the size of the tow truck!?!?) to Vegas. For a short time there was a real scare that the #2 car(s) would not make it to the track. Luckily Stump and Cindy are crack mechanics and fixed it up but the delay put them pulling into the garage at 2 AM Friday. Of course, all the other haulers were already lined up so we got to pull in at the very, VERY end of the line-past all the start and parkers and right next to JJ Yeley. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuR9uMovDk2ovaWrAkmwJ6qTmFR00X2NH414OcnYsuweuoEwo9cufjH7B1OFNKkqANWHy35yxTQLFQISekRFWzUF-_B9QF4ObFHv8jij-fsYqha2kIMX6HbmuJJtSIdqfrECth9pQfxCF/s1600/hauler+found.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuR9uMovDk2ovaWrAkmwJ6qTmFR00X2NH414OcnYsuweuoEwo9cufjH7B1OFNKkqANWHy35yxTQLFQISekRFWzUF-_B9QF4ObFHv8jij-fsYqha2kIMX6HbmuJJtSIdqfrECth9pQfxCF/s320/hauler+found.JPG" /></a></div>The worst part of it all is that they had to unload the hauler at 2 AM pretty much by themselves so when the crew got to the garage at 7AM the car was actually in the garage ready to start the inspection process. Oh and a thing about the garage...NASCAR didn't change our garage stall so our car and all of our equipment are in garage stall 5, and to repeat, hauler spot 43. Not only has the Brew Crew lost significant weight running back and forth already this weekend but Kurt fans are getting unprecedented access to autographs from him as he makes the long, long trek. <br />
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I was privy to a rare sight in the garage...it is not often you see drivers getting make up! What a cool job eh?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3A6flNF7l23hEgCTrnESe1O_fg2XSUwWOOa3S-EZpVwBvBwU0yWm_GZkvHEtmKJBnlwp0uqLv2cPcwiEVpSYGpZQyZzL1330XL97RaJ5JY4RxMh54LE9IyBb6lLzXHnEitY9yJzFqDJB/s1600/sam+makeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3A6flNF7l23hEgCTrnESe1O_fg2XSUwWOOa3S-EZpVwBvBwU0yWm_GZkvHEtmKJBnlwp0uqLv2cPcwiEVpSYGpZQyZzL1330XL97RaJ5JY4RxMh54LE9IyBb6lLzXHnEitY9yJzFqDJB/s320/sam+makeup.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRwGEggGGQhJ9Ier3g-MtD8bsc1ChDs3gmusPRcPrz8cOZTkeNzPOF8iC_4lu_bmmf_eR7IZ3SJAukTyL7M0UXHTdCulhH0hbsDhZPoyWWbEIPwNE_ykc2-dATpvz_cWt2zaEXNtrjegH/s1600/kurt+makeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRwGEggGGQhJ9Ier3g-MtD8bsc1ChDs3gmusPRcPrz8cOZTkeNzPOF8iC_4lu_bmmf_eR7IZ3SJAukTyL7M0UXHTdCulhH0hbsDhZPoyWWbEIPwNE_ykc2-dATpvz_cWt2zaEXNtrjegH/s200/kurt+makeup.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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I cannot say quite yet what exactly this Goodyear commercial featuring Sam, Kurt, as well as Harvick, Bowyer and Burton is about but it sure was fun watching them play TV star for a little bit. They both did a great job with their lines but had to do them over and over for the perfect cut and splice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JMlhcqi6-n8LMi_ayCxvOWfBiPw7S0iH5shs0JcXHYnt9XgptSScFr60R9D83MGFVWVKvBjzTwSu8jp9EUPjdr_QVC1_O7HUmXuC6ORFZO26JOBTLseujL0AlCYMkuMR8BCtygWp68Mu/s1600/commerical+shot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JMlhcqi6-n8LMi_ayCxvOWfBiPw7S0iH5shs0JcXHYnt9XgptSScFr60R9D83MGFVWVKvBjzTwSu8jp9EUPjdr_QVC1_O7HUmXuC6ORFZO26JOBTLseujL0AlCYMkuMR8BCtygWp68Mu/s320/commerical+shot.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The "product" will be announced by Goodyear at the Daytona race in July but you can say you heard a rumor about a new product here first...and once it is announced I'll post the rest of the pictures I do have. I will say it is a very cool idea. While we will have to wait a bit longer - one thing that all of the drivers could not wait to do was to get rid of that makeup! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMVC09fpK7uzDJLyvNcgZd0gWsYjYKV7tbR1vOKapHLpFS50VPbC8-POPoEm06mDS3AzIyxQNLYJ6IcVMgH1P0xtwtnOy36696tBnBzBTygRzjgBrejj-UiM2k1loZcs0LBLkiHwnTHK-/s1600/makeup+off%21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMVC09fpK7uzDJLyvNcgZd0gWsYjYKV7tbR1vOKapHLpFS50VPbC8-POPoEm06mDS3AzIyxQNLYJ6IcVMgH1P0xtwtnOy36696tBnBzBTygRzjgBrejj-UiM2k1loZcs0LBLkiHwnTHK-/s320/makeup+off%21.JPG" /></a></div>Right after filming the commercial Kurt was back in front of the camera (maybe he should have left his make up on?) for Speed Vision. They were filming messages from the drivers to their fathers and/or all the fathers to be played on the JumboTron on Sunday.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2_RM4DuS1oXXcILlzytl54htkKEqPiya6hunIAVCNJXQ5CZKQxjbwaIKyGOGOzrdogiFZFNKSOGCnyyZTeJxrZqydgaiPhIMmtEMgG45hGwEFZopyMLrHnxVgnqr3X-jEFqP47kfcKA9/s1600/fathers+day+jumbo+tron.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2_RM4DuS1oXXcILlzytl54htkKEqPiya6hunIAVCNJXQ5CZKQxjbwaIKyGOGOzrdogiFZFNKSOGCnyyZTeJxrZqydgaiPhIMmtEMgG45hGwEFZopyMLrHnxVgnqr3X-jEFqP47kfcKA9/s320/fathers+day+jumbo+tron.JPG" /></a></div> Keeping up with the theme of rare garage experiences - not often you get to see a Swede...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN93QBdzpUFHNbzNab6yNXr8bkXjkwOKpfLQ9rT5Gsg6A_0WUyFDbBmT2VOGCH9NXy8c6pfkKgQA4ASDGtae85HpZ7OGRwHSMZnnrViQ_aYVm8ZwMfhJ-gvpr533ZhFSHiEcb0mFDANj8/s1600/swede.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN93QBdzpUFHNbzNab6yNXr8bkXjkwOKpfLQ9rT5Gsg6A_0WUyFDbBmT2VOGCH9NXy8c6pfkKgQA4ASDGtae85HpZ7OGRwHSMZnnrViQ_aYVm8ZwMfhJ-gvpr533ZhFSHiEcb0mFDANj8/s320/swede.JPG" /></a></div>Nor is it very common to have your sponsor incorporate their logo into your name...now that is brand loyalty! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM9ibECLBh1SedfwtBta4yriZHHW0msG8kCk_gCqMpZ2knzxcK95VF5uOHXmAAqRC4S2Mn1d_T_PkQAtpyitmS73qIL6d3HEb0X0IR9DoHk247NhVSLCKeksH77mNLTuLzDrmpiAf7L_I/s1600/jmac.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM9ibECLBh1SedfwtBta4yriZHHW0msG8kCk_gCqMpZ2knzxcK95VF5uOHXmAAqRC4S2Mn1d_T_PkQAtpyitmS73qIL6d3HEb0X0IR9DoHk247NhVSLCKeksH77mNLTuLzDrmpiAf7L_I/s320/jmac.JPG" /></a></div>Notice the belt...Ummmm, I'm lovin' it!<br />
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Fun moment on pit road right before Kurt went out to qualify - some good ole fashioned trash-talking between old teammates... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQpcATYS1PK8DxClOPnTPnPwHpLWn2mL3GYfdkUFhFCfa0Ml095MZqHVSf35iqmxGbWrltDOy0Duo-MEedg2FPsHFox2EuPuXQWCS1Ve9uCvJPy51wkJQY046RvL4t5sMwKrAr5xPn_3f/s1600/addy+%26+kyle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQpcATYS1PK8DxClOPnTPnPwHpLWn2mL3GYfdkUFhFCfa0Ml095MZqHVSf35iqmxGbWrltDOy0Duo-MEedg2FPsHFox2EuPuXQWCS1Ve9uCvJPy51wkJQY046RvL4t5sMwKrAr5xPn_3f/s320/addy+%26+kyle.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Kurt laid down a lightening fast lap in qualifying picking up nearly a second over practice and kept himself in front of the media. Here he is being interviewed by Dodge PR and in the background you can see Kurt's PR guy keeping his eyes on the rest of the qualifiers on his Sprint Fan View. Oh and our hauler, yeah so far down its still not in the picture!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbkfGN7ZTPpzz-PQ1l8ewmfFt0UfqgaRh9zXSxTrvDymNWPiAUtS5rjJ6TUMNIcYg8VNXQHKH_JSUc0HSPz99Fw6HFDrOrrOZT72E4Gt1zA_QTdeclMtPIXfvqG6ViGnhCaD2uLsnkoq1/s1600/tr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbkfGN7ZTPpzz-PQ1l8ewmfFt0UfqgaRh9zXSxTrvDymNWPiAUtS5rjJ6TUMNIcYg8VNXQHKH_JSUc0HSPz99Fw6HFDrOrrOZT72E4Gt1zA_QTdeclMtPIXfvqG6ViGnhCaD2uLsnkoq1/s320/tr.JPG" /></a></div>Saturday was a quick but eventful day. It started with Luke - our favorite shock specialist now on the #56 car - getting Marcos Ambrose to sign Tez's boxing Kangaroo flag for him. Apparently, Marcos wrapped himself up in it and said how much he wanted to go visit home...wish I was there with a camera but greatly appreciate Luke for making Tez practically pee his pants!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwIzfpDNXVRYYkEttMbjedj-RlnG-g2NzDtU9jjl0vVr_g1umJyix-xWpKPf9KSCj6NtIAuByvbaAxyE2JU-FXVry43-LJEcFotmQrUshsQlenCQnqMwlje_4ofFIy5W99xeDq899Fh6C/s1600/marcos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwIzfpDNXVRYYkEttMbjedj-RlnG-g2NzDtU9jjl0vVr_g1umJyix-xWpKPf9KSCj6NtIAuByvbaAxyE2JU-FXVry43-LJEcFotmQrUshsQlenCQnqMwlje_4ofFIy5W99xeDq899Fh6C/s320/marcos.JPG" /></a></div>The only wreck in practice today was unfortunately my beloved Sammy. He smashed the car up real good and all three Penske teams pulled together to get the back up out and the wrecked car safe enough to haul back home. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzqcjH2Vpy2dwa0p87mMTDjs8w7PdDRkQL0HAazbsEAGaTD-Daphg-vEK8bqj4zlQQ2netWJSuzRSRQPSdLMNgx-uLHmechsoAI0hSVuKwob0H0nYf0LiukcmHvUtQcS7G03eCbCaYwaG/s1600/sam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzqcjH2Vpy2dwa0p87mMTDjs8w7PdDRkQL0HAazbsEAGaTD-Daphg-vEK8bqj4zlQQ2netWJSuzRSRQPSdLMNgx-uLHmechsoAI0hSVuKwob0H0nYf0LiukcmHvUtQcS7G03eCbCaYwaG/s320/sam.JPG" /></a></div>Being a good teammate was definitely the theme of the day - as you all know Brad Keslowski was in Wisconsin racing the NW right about the time practice was starting at Sonoma. Hmmm, yet the 12 car was mysteriously out on the track...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPAIgTqCc2gp6SZV86czKYKTbezlqv3kzD7dsz3RQj7M8yc9Sa2KR8h19ky2-uMCqkRJiZhziDpkw8KFN5Muqnv2lTdTZi4OJPv4iCIirFAhk3le85G07hwJRsu76-SQAOJJ1qVgELL-t/s1600/kurt+in+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPAIgTqCc2gp6SZV86czKYKTbezlqv3kzD7dsz3RQj7M8yc9Sa2KR8h19ky2-uMCqkRJiZhziDpkw8KFN5Muqnv2lTdTZi4OJPv4iCIirFAhk3le85G07hwJRsu76-SQAOJJ1qVgELL-t/s320/kurt+in+12.JPG" /></a></div>BK can give a hearty thanks to KB for shaking down his car in both practice and Happy Hour and better hope the Blue Deuce is strong since we missed out on half of our practice time as KB ran between the cars....literally!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwglKfV_0u_AoAYXr9_uRO61FpZmLSNUE-U3Dc9DCt5Yoi6vfAYCcbSH5C07Kr5o7NiT3PPfPGwhWFpIGmsEkdk9m8egEJ8NKOcEWWc7Anq1fautZH8R9sLTtW-qQuBWBY1cz93snEWFrw/s1600/run.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwglKfV_0u_AoAYXr9_uRO61FpZmLSNUE-U3Dc9DCt5Yoi6vfAYCcbSH5C07Kr5o7NiT3PPfPGwhWFpIGmsEkdk9m8egEJ8NKOcEWWc7Anq1fautZH8R9sLTtW-qQuBWBY1cz93snEWFrw/s320/run.JPG" /></a></div>As it is already 10:45pm and I have a 6 am wake up call, I will leave you with one parting shot of the day...the mastermind at work on top of yes, yes a porta potty....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQLAqiM2kSt2BRe2V4FxFeiPjqmR-FvruC1aJECJ4vuu6xNsRtf1MxhYEKJM_lb0dAFGb0pT2ow1PTnOQJ8k2Cq2YY57SKn8DtNOLR6XFRphBvJc5JgEkOSVkkFaZVoI8uDz5Lp2BqYpK/s1600/chad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQLAqiM2kSt2BRe2V4FxFeiPjqmR-FvruC1aJECJ4vuu6xNsRtf1MxhYEKJM_lb0dAFGb0pT2ow1PTnOQJ8k2Cq2YY57SKn8DtNOLR6XFRphBvJc5JgEkOSVkkFaZVoI8uDz5Lp2BqYpK/s320/chad.JPG" /></a></div><br />
More to come....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-41197354674385152382010-04-11T10:52:00.000-07:002010-04-12T09:55:36.180-07:00Phoenix Race ReportI could have stuck with the "spoiled" theme for this race day blog but instead we will go with Snake Bit. Meet the Brew Crew's team mascot for the weekend...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QcnyVCuEOuiiRPKIHeOFMoKVTBv56livUyuEzaTBqih6Nxoj-GgxKZH1AeN6ackK1YG7YoK0olkYOLVD-Xqor4vuqFE2_LBMBHtHxb3XXOvfL5I1i_vPm35fZadicIFBkzDnaUrvCWgc/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QcnyVCuEOuiiRPKIHeOFMoKVTBv56livUyuEzaTBqih6Nxoj-GgxKZH1AeN6ackK1YG7YoK0olkYOLVD-Xqor4vuqFE2_LBMBHtHxb3XXOvfL5I1i_vPm35fZadicIFBkzDnaUrvCWgc/s320/001.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div>The guys freaked out a good number of fans and competitors with this little rattler - none better than a crewman on the #20 team - I thought he was going to hit his head on the top of the garage when he found it under Logano's car. Unfortunately, ultimately the joke was on us tonight. Sigh.<br />
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A few technical updates learned as we slogged thru inspection yet again today -- we made it thru weight and height sticks no problem this time but still got stuck again in the final inspection station with the car being too wide. Took out the wheel spacers again - but so did JJ so we thought we were in good company at least. This meant that Billy had to run back to the hauler again for tools making me the tool cart girl out to the grid again! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-L24e5CJVheE4iXysDYlOEizX6_Bckcd31Fco7E21mPQwIM6AfFOwTrDarAfjMEpX7WKMytW2CHUAbtpAQHEGNljzFjyXmrPNIIkvpdc0k4YnlLbFwgiEQBkKBz1kE9ppYqA5OyJkPSP/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-L24e5CJVheE4iXysDYlOEizX6_Bckcd31Fco7E21mPQwIM6AfFOwTrDarAfjMEpX7WKMytW2CHUAbtpAQHEGNljzFjyXmrPNIIkvpdc0k4YnlLbFwgiEQBkKBz1kE9ppYqA5OyJkPSP/s320/006.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div>Anyway back to the tidbits. So yes Tez, very astute observation that the spoiler is vertical unlike the previous one and it's specs are finalized by NASCAR. It bolts directly to the lip of the decklid and NASCAR provides special bolts with numbers on them to show it has been approved. The part that will change is above -- the fin along the left side of the rear window and deck lid. For Phoenix and the previous races the fin has been 2.5 inches but for Texas they will increase it to 3.5 inches but the height of the spoiler will not change. Make sense? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>While we were going thru inspection, Travis, our rear tire changer was busy modifying his helmet for the night race. His five dollar fix had nothing on the jack man for the 20 team. The entire inside lip of his helmet was lit up with LED lights - he looked like he belonged in Vegas. Travis scoffed at that helmet - easily costing Gibbs upwards of $300 -- because we know you've got to be good, not just flashy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVx36MyhFTBD9KpnkfjrMdNh7V8xABAcD9FfqAooMlGnzLYE_AiDAnd-E43oaqJBS_Bn3DIJyGb6BUIDTGZYIGs6_pRQqY5r3Jp_dAUg9yeCB0ARWh9OMvRxvVLPtdIXlk8gNVN5OA79J6/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVx36MyhFTBD9KpnkfjrMdNh7V8xABAcD9FfqAooMlGnzLYE_AiDAnd-E43oaqJBS_Bn3DIJyGb6BUIDTGZYIGs6_pRQqY5r3Jp_dAUg9yeCB0ARWh9OMvRxvVLPtdIXlk8gNVN5OA79J6/s320/031.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
For once I was actually standing in a good spot for driver intro's and got to high five a few and get some good close ups. I only got the top 15 or so and here are some of the best shots and blogger favs...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtml6yLmCYH7vIYKOJResxLjmRmSUWUHlocrky2Bx2OxIUpgoMvLFtHICfni9VFJBDqbFTjdAtpH-S3_x5Vv2fbLvYrR233jB2sI3uul5crQoJeG1LRt-pVTD9ieJEJ6JVHFkRQPwzxB8a/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtml6yLmCYH7vIYKOJResxLjmRmSUWUHlocrky2Bx2OxIUpgoMvLFtHICfni9VFJBDqbFTjdAtpH-S3_x5Vv2fbLvYrR233jB2sI3uul5crQoJeG1LRt-pVTD9ieJEJ6JVHFkRQPwzxB8a/s320/014.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div> Lookin' like he owns the place...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxmBaCBti_9qqzglprQS6VEZaUwYhoZqqvj17p0i5an7cB9eMnkxrzvbgRTkmT8lObLFwFNwTKyjfMtHzXYewrgUE0dIA0H83nxHEC8_vqfTYnU3W0gzBMKQc9nD9SL-JPyEmNC3NJ1GK/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxmBaCBti_9qqzglprQS6VEZaUwYhoZqqvj17p0i5an7cB9eMnkxrzvbgRTkmT8lObLFwFNwTKyjfMtHzXYewrgUE0dIA0H83nxHEC8_vqfTYnU3W0gzBMKQc9nD9SL-JPyEmNC3NJ1GK/s320/018.JPG" wt="true" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A smile! Clearly not looking at me...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpHqSydQ_3tj7xhQvmdPuHtw702fy9lY0kOO_C2W46kCMnLNgmzd3gEKztZ6d1dvULLWX6CdeREmhEZxNIXP2uaWfLPwsavbsPSZhfImB78aTnLCfIAAyi5ELKuEjJvjlWoKQdQIRnO1w/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpHqSydQ_3tj7xhQvmdPuHtw702fy9lY0kOO_C2W46kCMnLNgmzd3gEKztZ6d1dvULLWX6CdeREmhEZxNIXP2uaWfLPwsavbsPSZhfImB78aTnLCfIAAyi5ELKuEjJvjlWoKQdQIRnO1w/s320/020.JPG" wt="true" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What is up with his haircut??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What happened to my goofy, fun always happy Junebug? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcm6ZJd84dF4iuY9ta4HQb3MLO6zpwcJDAYDGC95CtT0jYqD9Lu7BvHXPfxGVFoYV-eI23oQwDRZppjNRes9zSklMPsOPIp_hI3My5kSaBw7hCAZnNdDesRcxx4S9qhsXDncPv0TNddesr/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcm6ZJd84dF4iuY9ta4HQb3MLO6zpwcJDAYDGC95CtT0jYqD9Lu7BvHXPfxGVFoYV-eI23oQwDRZppjNRes9zSklMPsOPIp_hI3My5kSaBw7hCAZnNdDesRcxx4S9qhsXDncPv0TNddesr/s320/025.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi! Oi! Oi!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsfFooEXhhI0Io0HoD96ncITLNLBxaUYtOdz5X5ASZqqdWX2ILj8CPz1GnTLOSNhYpPARCDhxi-ows8KvawHHaFJNLM7rtJRp2ife-7lYJhw2ZgnCulAtSgxGZFcyHX4zhsKYnBV-bySX/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsfFooEXhhI0Io0HoD96ncITLNLBxaUYtOdz5X5ASZqqdWX2ILj8CPz1GnTLOSNhYpPARCDhxi-ows8KvawHHaFJNLM7rtJRp2ife-7lYJhw2ZgnCulAtSgxGZFcyHX4zhsKYnBV-bySX/s320/026.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6S8FK2xlkIpQAdKndXQwd9CNjvkvyVRwehpQGC-0gXzMSff30z5uqVletcPMPDmirZZ2pH0zsjiHBKFndg3fhHGNpeXb_N1uAUYm4I1mKW2lt8Y1G07PfSlVERs2u374J_a6J1l3gTAlj/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6S8FK2xlkIpQAdKndXQwd9CNjvkvyVRwehpQGC-0gXzMSff30z5uqVletcPMPDmirZZ2pH0zsjiHBKFndg3fhHGNpeXb_N1uAUYm4I1mKW2lt8Y1G07PfSlVERs2u374J_a6J1l3gTAlj/s320/009.JPG" wt="true" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the only shot I got of Kurt today...</div><br />
<div style="border: medium none;">So back to being snake bit. Our race was over on lap 15 when Kurt slid up into Kasey as they were racing to avoid going a lap down early and our night was over. We pitted about 4x and were able to stay on the lead lap in between fixes but the front end was destroyed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpS99iRmYO6PIlLIt8T7oLszAXVadSlX7ndTIVCqSNFFC19J34OMhqoCNxBUWDi-Yh4nAiLkFr__K3lDzranqpGdc6YSMC16Uk1OV3E-2fTy6Zf1R4IxOEvyZVqPwJv-ey6cJH25EBc85/s1600/072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpS99iRmYO6PIlLIt8T7oLszAXVadSlX7ndTIVCqSNFFC19J34OMhqoCNxBUWDi-Yh4nAiLkFr__K3lDzranqpGdc6YSMC16Uk1OV3E-2fTy6Zf1R4IxOEvyZVqPwJv-ey6cJH25EBc85/s320/072.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
They couldn't get the fenders off the wheels and had to use some ingenuity to create a tool to pull the sheet metal away. Larry, Dave and Travis got some random metal bits from the war wagon, used a saw and hammer and rigged up this little contraption (above). They then attached it to the larger crow bar and we were back in business. They were able to get the tires changed and the car adjusted and somewhat driveable. Unfortunately we stayed out too long trying to get into Lucky Dog position and Kurt blew a tire. It was shredded by the damage a bunch of wire from inside the tire got wrapped all around the duct work and brakes ripping them up. The guys did their best to pull it away but they ended up having to saw it off as well as replace half the splitter and we lost 8 laps in the process. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26MYqIPSkQaGGKwUX6eq2HEQeomMbWsh3MKxl5HKtAVVgTfVzPzNlugd-GEw-LxTbmOislaxwFh1kwiEDOOX-8SJuA8sFYxFChjMRQAWtCR5CG0XgrwP4eqWP9U9R5ghAEzJRwboc87Xb/s1600/nascarphoenix+183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26MYqIPSkQaGGKwUX6eq2HEQeomMbWsh3MKxl5HKtAVVgTfVzPzNlugd-GEw-LxTbmOislaxwFh1kwiEDOOX-8SJuA8sFYxFChjMRQAWtCR5CG0XgrwP4eqWP9U9R5ghAEzJRwboc87Xb/s320/nascarphoenix+183.jpg" /></a></div> (you might be able to see some of the wire off to the top right...)</div><div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border: medium none;">It made me realize how dangerous their work can be. Travis was completely under a jacked up car with his head under a red hot wheel and his arms up under the car pulling off broken bits. Larry and Dave both hurt their hands trying to pull that wire out and they were all exhausted after 10 stops in a row. Darin our engine tuner and car chief, Jeffrey made several appearances over the wall to help fix the car and Addington was off his box investigating the tires and damage often. Was bummed to see the broadcast of the race - the guys really did some great patchwork but none of it was on TV - you would think they might actually show some of the "team work" involved but no. Here are a few shots from the pits...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJkkjtH97NTImqHpQCWHm2MeUFauJn-hUjEg8dsjWvJ9Fs25Xyt3fqqd0m4KxQ6xa6a-CmDHPx8YNTXiRyNTw7lNUgty9vaVT6DLH4JIDZDqH54Z0cDwH0TbmmfS8BDLOIWmpzYkeRw5n/s1600/nascarphoenix+141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJkkjtH97NTImqHpQCWHm2MeUFauJn-hUjEg8dsjWvJ9Fs25Xyt3fqqd0m4KxQ6xa6a-CmDHPx8YNTXiRyNTw7lNUgty9vaVT6DLH4JIDZDqH54Z0cDwH0TbmmfS8BDLOIWmpzYkeRw5n/s320/nascarphoenix+141.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoK6hJjrafR1qqlww_GspXkCAyaM4k-4BYRpjHgK8ShE_akWc5uOmmq8lKyZ2t6IDVy56VTEMusdzB7CJ6CP4TXT4Wv2xEWlH8kv6idI8i-sh9g0TDn0gvRIUMPWUH48EUfzTrYX8LYl8/s1600/nascarphoenix+187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoK6hJjrafR1qqlww_GspXkCAyaM4k-4BYRpjHgK8ShE_akWc5uOmmq8lKyZ2t6IDVy56VTEMusdzB7CJ6CP4TXT4Wv2xEWlH8kv6idI8i-sh9g0TDn0gvRIUMPWUH48EUfzTrYX8LYl8/s320/nascarphoenix+187.jpg" /></a></div>In the second picture above you might be able to see that silver bar along side the car. The crew held these on both sides to re-align the wheels for Kurt.<br />
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We had an extra man over the wall to help with the bug problem and I just thought this was an extra cool shot of Stretch getting the tear off off!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzktJqJ7yb7U73Co6Ev9nuzQuDa-wOsZM78SLGhslx0aaL9GSf9XkIvKs_z34NFqemamPJfENrGC9n9gbrvGK69k0Ga6EXn-40Abz5q-PWGnwMw_q1PV-n9p65ZWDv6brkuiEeNZiJMRw/s1600/nascarphoenix+216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzktJqJ7yb7U73Co6Ev9nuzQuDa-wOsZM78SLGhslx0aaL9GSf9XkIvKs_z34NFqemamPJfENrGC9n9gbrvGK69k0Ga6EXn-40Abz5q-PWGnwMw_q1PV-n9p65ZWDv6brkuiEeNZiJMRw/s320/nascarphoenix+216.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3zRCV_ad1RUXLVLf-VKd2SPrCdSgQTFlda-S8uwAMi73pKd7A5Cdxnxe5KCbPpmd-MhnqGdwvPHSaDE2KpLdqioRZrxFfNx3GqDXnxhXHZlyF0jBntZ_wWh5Y332Arl9pWaXUppIu8Jc/s1600/nascarphoenix+210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3zRCV_ad1RUXLVLf-VKd2SPrCdSgQTFlda-S8uwAMi73pKd7A5Cdxnxe5KCbPpmd-MhnqGdwvPHSaDE2KpLdqioRZrxFfNx3GqDXnxhXHZlyF0jBntZ_wWh5Y332Arl9pWaXUppIu8Jc/s320/nascarphoenix+210.jpg" /></a></div>And here is part of the collection of tools used to fix the Blue Deuce! Oy our pit was a mess.<br />
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We were pitted between Joe Nemechek and Max Papis and it was amazing to see the pits of the start and park/underfunded teams. We probably had 15 sets of tires - they had two. They had incomplete pit crews, four guys total in their pit box as far as I counted and Papis went to the garage to get service, he was only in his pit once. That is racing on the barest of bones. But it did afford me two good spots to watch the race since no one was in those pits next to us about half way thru the race! LOL<br />
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Ok, pop quiz...what is different about these tires?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEr8cZKFoFagcdTfjKa3il7rCiE2_QWz0V5maUm3neVxyXg_W9jZwmeZj3sCvnLxQ1p8ej3enR6HigT2k8SuvizpXeVHcXALxZEaZ3zSdrvuiVo-SeghCsxzjOzqg_pLZY2Vo5D6aqqIa/s1600/nascarphoenix+190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEr8cZKFoFagcdTfjKa3il7rCiE2_QWz0V5maUm3neVxyXg_W9jZwmeZj3sCvnLxQ1p8ej3enR6HigT2k8SuvizpXeVHcXALxZEaZ3zSdrvuiVo-SeghCsxzjOzqg_pLZY2Vo5D6aqqIa/s320/nascarphoenix+190.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Well you might have noticed the wheels are not our Miller Lite yellow. As soon as Kurt was out of the race we gave away all of our "stickers" to the 77 and 12 teams and took the scuffs from the 12. The crew had to re-prep the scuffs and re-glue the lugs so they were a busy bunch on Saturday night. <br />
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Another change mid-race was our rear tire changer. Travis was sent to the 12 team to change tires after their guy got sick. He came to our pit since our stops didn't really matter anymore. Mostly he sat by a trash can waiting to throw up...but held it together! LOL<br />
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We thought for sure the late caution was going to hand JJ the win. Newman winning seemed to go over well with the fans. He almost nailed a few of the photographers when he hit the inside track wall doing his burnouts....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovTMVLWuUCnkxQ5U0Dys-x9ChEW1PUPqNhyphenhyphend9KT4qU712XHlfjCUw-qzl4LXyAC5bc9KKaeLU6CmbXnhAsn5W0xNmqlrX3gL43w0vYV_heHt-DKpCTdyffr7X8oJ34lHERUgUNaA2a5oV/s1600/nascarphoenix+227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovTMVLWuUCnkxQ5U0Dys-x9ChEW1PUPqNhyphenhyphend9KT4qU712XHlfjCUw-qzl4LXyAC5bc9KKaeLU6CmbXnhAsn5W0xNmqlrX3gL43w0vYV_heHt-DKpCTdyffr7X8oJ34lHERUgUNaA2a5oV/s320/nascarphoenix+227.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And look-ie who I ran into heading to Victory Lane...for being the winning owner I've got to say he didn't look to happy at the time. Maybe it was me...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmH3qoRjlMLhRfP_pndv-JB-kJeFQBlxjbOgWZzv6GF599dT1vilBwuosdYWHeCz0XJcd1oK3vL2JXHpk6iR4epXMoQg36k5y-8gKmoGETP_ByVGQEdCHICEx4wfDMwjO1k2YQ1769lJk/s1600/nascarphoenix+234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmH3qoRjlMLhRfP_pndv-JB-kJeFQBlxjbOgWZzv6GF599dT1vilBwuosdYWHeCz0XJcd1oK3vL2JXHpk6iR4epXMoQg36k5y-8gKmoGETP_ByVGQEdCHICEx4wfDMwjO1k2YQ1769lJk/s320/nascarphoenix+234.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And finally, it wouldn't be a Phoenix race report without me hiding behind a cactus in Victory Lane...at least it wasn't JJ but one day I would really love it to be Kurt and the Brew Crew!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpI5TmOoDAs8Xy5VX-GonSHlngMAEQBtmeNjyvQpHoShQ_0nc5rlbD7H-XxhR2hF8VU_U8M3Ta5JvSRDlfpZXJUakEHpIBdDwvkq0ri61DPY5PqOvtQOgdaht8P31Y1sGIbWOPoqgTfTm/s1600/nascarphoenix+227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAZDMlnhgd9Nti6uSaFS26kHHOKcZlHD4CWh1hB5M-GLB4eGmVhwO8I1m5sZkl_Hhlfp6UmNQXj2B0KlB4LTyD3MMD-f-xDg_INJPLO9pB429En-cE9YlfaFmOzHbtJYnWHFYx1SUdm_0/s1600/nascarphoenix+235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAZDMlnhgd9Nti6uSaFS26kHHOKcZlHD4CWh1hB5M-GLB4eGmVhwO8I1m5sZkl_Hhlfp6UmNQXj2B0KlB4LTyD3MMD-f-xDg_INJPLO9pB429En-cE9YlfaFmOzHbtJYnWHFYx1SUdm_0/s320/nascarphoenix+235.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Thanks for reading! Next garage report hopefully coming to you from Sonoma...</div>klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-6803202013053160252010-04-09T23:49:00.000-07:002010-04-09T23:50:20.523-07:00Phoenix Friday Garage ReportA spoiler can be defined in many ways...yes we have a "new" (old) addition to the car that is looking mighty slapped welded together for the moment as NASCAR fine tunes the specs. Didn't realize how much I disliked the wing until it was gone. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNS04C45nMakF5EJKvFVfxxVC-9TLBjiVG2f7pmKtS4MOUp4WLCrHIFbK1udXCEIJrCeOjuER4pkJZIGqJjq6wIPF641H_VxGktXo8GMmNNp_IBTgC_YHv9Jwk5NxJmLhLZ0l7dAVzdGs/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNS04C45nMakF5EJKvFVfxxVC-9TLBjiVG2f7pmKtS4MOUp4WLCrHIFbK1udXCEIJrCeOjuER4pkJZIGqJjq6wIPF641H_VxGktXo8GMmNNp_IBTgC_YHv9Jwk5NxJmLhLZ0l7dAVzdGs/s320/002.JPG" /></a></div>Then we have Superman who is spoiling the entire series...here we see JJ and super evil genius Knaus passing the secret "black portfolio" on the way to their team meeting in the 24 hauler after qualifying. I am pretty sure Chad was passing it to Jimmie so he wouldn't have to share its contents with the other crew chiefs with the hope that the drivers wouldn't make head or tails of the jibberish within. Forget lugs (and cookies), we have a new target - get on the storyline SpeedBeagle!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxlE9_L5PC9FgUNfaBouqn4yqRUnpBwHdEsj-FZwqtad6414jZZfz1vJiINXDElXtolWZYNaq083D7XY3VyRbdEO8tKjO8HH5Lp7HSqA9DQnRFuNPkKYDwOU42ptpx1qtDxJs_egCNBvX/s1600/080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxlE9_L5PC9FgUNfaBouqn4yqRUnpBwHdEsj-FZwqtad6414jZZfz1vJiINXDElXtolWZYNaq083D7XY3VyRbdEO8tKjO8HH5Lp7HSqA9DQnRFuNPkKYDwOU42ptpx1qtDxJs_egCNBvX/s320/080.JPG" /></a></div>And finally we have just plain spoiled rotten - as in my dad spent lots of money so I can race cars - but yet somehow is in the top 12 in points. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJyUB0A9TUkzfElBtZlSKLIamU8kmgTywJ3-P4Y8Dzgb3xe1tUbk0bgr_icZ8i4Js4hzKgT3GZoeHGYbTCvcXFOHeasDzyumgCQoXcAnxjvbz6Nmk3_hEnnGWonGKYusDYu58iX6jQjfY/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJyUB0A9TUkzfElBtZlSKLIamU8kmgTywJ3-P4Y8Dzgb3xe1tUbk0bgr_icZ8i4Js4hzKgT3GZoeHGYbTCvcXFOHeasDzyumgCQoXcAnxjvbz6Nmk3_hEnnGWonGKYusDYu58iX6jQjfY/s320/036.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Oops! Didn't mean to put that picture of Junior in there (BTW talk about spoiling a beautiful face - ugh that beard is worse in person!)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggduc6jhRvb0KKW9NU9KkgiRRWKO6kd6ssyWnb2Y_2VUNnhyXfvDkeycJpx9ezpgYz11qyPR-PDEbRzl-xfxT2GSkpPPw1F-umwMnC_I3aQKXEmwEiZDkkD7msdlaAg3a21U8N8To7olT0/s1600/065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggduc6jhRvb0KKW9NU9KkgiRRWKO6kd6ssyWnb2Y_2VUNnhyXfvDkeycJpx9ezpgYz11qyPR-PDEbRzl-xfxT2GSkpPPw1F-umwMnC_I3aQKXEmwEiZDkkD7msdlaAg3a21U8N8To7olT0/s320/065.JPG" /></a><br />
No no no, I was talking about Mr. Menard.<br />
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Enough spoilage? Moving on...so I was working on my psychological voodoo trying to perfect "getting in the drivers heads." Naturally, I had to try my stuff out on Smoke first. I stood for much of the practices right behind Kurt's garage stall, which just happened to be the spot that Smoke would see in his rear view mirror as he backed out of his stall a few garages down. After getting a mirror full of that pumpkin-headed Miller Lite girl starring him down for nearly 3 hours he finally succumbed - as Smoke pulled out for his final run in Happy Hour he smacked Bowyer's tool cart with his right front fender sending the tool cart skidding off nearly ramming some photographers and bashing in his fender. I am no Yoda, but I might be onto something! Sadly, I have no pictures of the crash so I'll just give you one of Jabba the Hutt instead.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFR80nezGC6vOi_fna4BetsNFPYuuVrLsKynNyWhe898gjV-fgAghAA5zHToxmoJ8bO8gb4wFm1EbgPCz25_vlFjdQ8xE3tqXfkLR-G0HNmUypV-yEjjeKNO639ovbSemei3HjwFOiSCUR/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFR80nezGC6vOi_fna4BetsNFPYuuVrLsKynNyWhe898gjV-fgAghAA5zHToxmoJ8bO8gb4wFm1EbgPCz25_vlFjdQ8xE3tqXfkLR-G0HNmUypV-yEjjeKNO639ovbSemei3HjwFOiSCUR/s320/029.JPG" /></a></div>Here we have Da Biff playing the role of Obi Wan as he counsels young Luke (aka Kasey) on how best to lay down a fast lap in the desert.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWVB_NSDrDfj5MXJAKMmAwuvVmVnBXN3cHhVGtum5LQQ57u0VFSof075HGYuOr4mgY9x4tYFyF5KByxdlcP5QfR0wTH1KXJERQbKAPFXpEt9w_rM622m3KpBumD0YcUJBQzHxedGsdHOV/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWVB_NSDrDfj5MXJAKMmAwuvVmVnBXN3cHhVGtum5LQQ57u0VFSof075HGYuOr4mgY9x4tYFyF5KByxdlcP5QfR0wTH1KXJERQbKAPFXpEt9w_rM622m3KpBumD0YcUJBQzHxedGsdHOV/s320/073.JPG" /></a><br />
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Speaking of Dancing with the Star Wars - nope, sorry no Helio, I am still waiting to Mambo with him but instead I had a lovely exchange with our 3rd place qualifer, Sam Hornish who was quite pleased with his quick step today. Interesting to note, some have speculated that the engine and mechanical problems the 77 team has had this year could be due to over-revving the engine in the pits. Its an IRL thing apparently and hard to unlearn. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HhOMKI8RROFb3FQvZK6pnXvQedIdchp7ODmEw3O7ddaUKA8euqmDTM9QPQpwoAJEvB-6xcrnqRyHeSJj2DMfw4WxQGYu41tvg6rfbPN6X8acUTx-T2YElRq-JBYAp8sD_rDSEQdZuy4M/s1600/087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HhOMKI8RROFb3FQvZK6pnXvQedIdchp7ODmEw3O7ddaUKA8euqmDTM9QPQpwoAJEvB-6xcrnqRyHeSJj2DMfw4WxQGYu41tvg6rfbPN6X8acUTx-T2YElRq-JBYAp8sD_rDSEQdZuy4M/s320/087.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0w8JjTWLI1R9OuZ7TWhI4X30LCPsCbAJ_aRmJ4lNTq6COXNExixRkYuznnnBff6HHyNZ5tHQEiTL248YmKxUU-kzrv6IG1YOLd5IB3ioXVuLshGfwtqUXxJRO9Y8JR2PST85XYC70dVT/s1600/075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Someone who is not going to be dancing anytime soon is last week's winner and someone who I hope you did not pick on your Fantasy team this week. The Hamster is clearly hobbled - Casey Mears traded off with him several times in practice but Denny qualified the #11. Seems he was none too pleased with is effort as he came screaming into the garages and fishtailed it into his garage stall stopping on a dime in the nick of time. Shockingly no one bothered him for autographs as he limped his way to his hauler.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0w8JjTWLI1R9OuZ7TWhI4X30LCPsCbAJ_aRmJ4lNTq6COXNExixRkYuznnnBff6HHyNZ5tHQEiTL248YmKxUU-kzrv6IG1YOLd5IB3ioXVuLshGfwtqUXxJRO9Y8JR2PST85XYC70dVT/s1600/075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0w8JjTWLI1R9OuZ7TWhI4X30LCPsCbAJ_aRmJ4lNTq6COXNExixRkYuznnnBff6HHyNZ5tHQEiTL248YmKxUU-kzrv6IG1YOLd5IB3ioXVuLshGfwtqUXxJRO9Y8JR2PST85XYC70dVT/s320/075.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlA9GVB2ZTgxt22HeRad8QS-zhxOntVfc4fbGpOcVDUazw2h419xKf9vTbtlnWw14MoX7BA5qq2Aep14KQOYU8StIOlHqpfCwBYtvdH69yLf1r17-yPYcGVd7Q8mSnI9oL675MP4h6651/s1600/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>And in honor of Kurt Busch Nation - finally your Kurt and Brew crew updates for the day! First, atta'boys went all around for their recent efforts. In response on how best to represent in the stands - wear Miller Lite gear, drink Miller Lite, have fun and cheer loud! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMRA75hWQrs6y2fcEZpki3Q9krc3GQhFajDXRwfC0Vb2T3p1noIezR0u75QrCk9TA12roMToy360j1cWFRPLP1nbgdJS6pgwKPdeCaOl1zIZivuN8imSeR-RUS_zP3RSLIbNeARwJL5fU/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMRA75hWQrs6y2fcEZpki3Q9krc3GQhFajDXRwfC0Vb2T3p1noIezR0u75QrCk9TA12roMToy360j1cWFRPLP1nbgdJS6pgwKPdeCaOl1zIZivuN8imSeR-RUS_zP3RSLIbNeARwJL5fU/s320/057.JPG" /></a></div>Kurt was in good spirits today. The car was fast in race trim and we knew we would have to pass some cars after pulling the 2nd qualifying spot. Kurt and Eva spent their off weekend in St. Lucia while I believe Steve Addington was in St. Thomas. So they are coming into this race weekend relaxed and ready to go. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlA9GVB2ZTgxt22HeRad8QS-zhxOntVfc4fbGpOcVDUazw2h419xKf9vTbtlnWw14MoX7BA5qq2Aep14KQOYU8StIOlHqpfCwBYtvdH69yLf1r17-yPYcGVd7Q8mSnI9oL675MP4h6651/s1600/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlA9GVB2ZTgxt22HeRad8QS-zhxOntVfc4fbGpOcVDUazw2h419xKf9vTbtlnWw14MoX7BA5qq2Aep14KQOYU8StIOlHqpfCwBYtvdH69yLf1r17-yPYcGVd7Q8mSnI9oL675MP4h6651/s320/054.JPG" /></a></div>Unfortunately, we had a few problems getting through inspection so we were really late getting out to the grid today. Above is the team pow-wow deciding how best to make adjustments on the width of the car in order to pass. Billy had to run back to the garages so I was the unofficial tool cart girl again pulling it all the way down pit road. We were so late that Kurt jumped in the car after the final inspection spot and got pushed out to the grid. It was a little frantic to get the car ready to go but all in all they were pleased with the effort. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUf3Pdohn4vvuxVPLlUlqm0wooe_bhLedmHDYpi7IWZxdYeGwNqV9Eoh0gbtuc0rynA5NKIT_xWgHjVl2KxVt5sGv4ew2uwdLIPyhoqlS9mHyDB0UigYc5Hz6p8TcrluaarspriV3QTpB/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUf3Pdohn4vvuxVPLlUlqm0wooe_bhLedmHDYpi7IWZxdYeGwNqV9Eoh0gbtuc0rynA5NKIT_xWgHjVl2KxVt5sGv4ew2uwdLIPyhoqlS9mHyDB0UigYc5Hz6p8TcrluaarspriV3QTpB/s320/059.JPG" /></a></div>Word on the street is that Roger will be in attendance on race day and last but not least a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Stump - our hauler driver who turns 57 today. Being soaked with Miller Lite in Victory Lane is better than cake right?klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-19039762830838852482010-02-21T21:42:00.000-08:002010-02-21T21:50:34.844-08:00Fontana Garage Report - Race Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Early start for today but you couldn't really say it was "bright"...after a downpour last night and threatening skies this morning, the only clear thing was that weather was going to be a factor. The first couple of people I ran into in the garage were our Daytona 500 champ talking with Jeff Burton who was on his way to do "story time" for kids at the track. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSiC3hwUchvlPOW2i_LfzE80ks4pzTPDMERBJUuYbn88DaBsZ0LGr_N7Ebxj7t2nuoPFyb0Itl-73csjPGryx1Xxng9kNYTZjzfc6HESMcr_eNjR4PqC-Z7wEc-JS-e2FZQj4gJzqKwXU/s1600-h/jeff+and+jamie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSiC3hwUchvlPOW2i_LfzE80ks4pzTPDMERBJUuYbn88DaBsZ0LGr_N7Ebxj7t2nuoPFyb0Itl-73csjPGryx1Xxng9kNYTZjzfc6HESMcr_eNjR4PqC-Z7wEc-JS-e2FZQj4gJzqKwXU/s320/jeff+and+jamie.JPG" /></a> I always love race day because not only do I get to hang with my favorite mechanics but I also got to catch up with the guys on the pit crew. The Penske pit crews all flew out yesterday and are flying back tonight whereas the all the mechanics are going straight to Vegas after meeting a 6 car hauler and switching out the team cars. This is a new plan in attempt to save money - taking bets on who in the Brew Crew gets into the most trouble in Vegas! </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
Another far less popular change in the garage and at Penske is the absence of the BBQ's in front of the team haulers. Apparently there has been some concern regarding food safety issues (what? solvents, gas, and toxic fumes are not a good marinade?) and fire safety concerns (seems to me the BBQ is the least of their worries...) so NASCAR has started to discourage BBQing at the haulers. Now the guys have to trek all the way across the garage to a catering hauler AKA "the Garlic Garage" to get some grub. This change is particularly crappy for the Brew Crew - not only is Cindy one of the best cooks in the garage - she was also just about to be featured with the new NASCAR chef and now won't get that well deserved press. Plus, no more hot dog machine in the hauler. Boo!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimX40s4GaP5W2pjhcGuV07_JokFyWxbFVETjm25lfL0ouA3NoKSpwLZ_HtjhvtRS52l6_tVojlPmPxFfyYhTQRM9JY3ll-YnIy4X_OMzP60IaAukDOpyznOTp92sIGTAo31XPXDieEpSKD/s1600-h/cinde.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimX40s4GaP5W2pjhcGuV07_JokFyWxbFVETjm25lfL0ouA3NoKSpwLZ_HtjhvtRS52l6_tVojlPmPxFfyYhTQRM9JY3ll-YnIy4X_OMzP60IaAukDOpyznOTp92sIGTAo31XPXDieEpSKD/s320/cinde.JPG" /></a><br />
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From one Cindy to another - Got a chance to meet one of Kurt's biggest fans and the mastermind behind Kurt Busch Nation (www.kbnation.com). Meeting up with fellow bloggers and fans is one of the coolest things about going to the races - great to meet you girl! </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
After hanging with Cinde in the pits, I followed the Blue Deuce through inspection and got a chance to get to know Dave Hansen, our new shock guy, better. He is a really great guy - with a food phobia at the track anyway...he refuses to eat anything out of the Garlic Garage and survives solely on snacks and power bars! He had some interesting insights on Toyota (remember he came from Logano's team). He said they share everything between all Toyota teams - absolutely transparent across the board except for some proprietary engine info primarily at Gibbs. So when Toyota teams test every Toyota team gets that information as well as data from NW and Trucks. Seems like a huge advantage but apparently it is so much information the teams have yet to figure out how to streamline and use it most effectively. He said they are working on that now and once they do - they will be a force. Might explain how MWR got up to speed so quickly and he said when Red Bull came into the sport Gibbs was essentially told to tell them everything...might be the only way to compete against the HMS/SHR powerhouse. Which bodes poorly for the lonely Penske Dodges in the long run.<br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While hanging in inspection we also had a reunion of sorts - its "10-4" Pat Tryson visiting his old mates...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tY-vuyKvy7why1rfxnokAe2OhfXjGTJYRSxWtDGnzO4ytAxVfKzFCgQ4ljQBLAwc9km9b-VfAIAicvBiQeIZA4AJQN0BjYwcxvTyaQPpJeIoFTzGKTdYqLFwmR_Pu4nM57z6xmq-LzVT/s1600-h/pat+and+crew.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tY-vuyKvy7why1rfxnokAe2OhfXjGTJYRSxWtDGnzO4ytAxVfKzFCgQ4ljQBLAwc9km9b-VfAIAicvBiQeIZA4AJQN0BjYwcxvTyaQPpJeIoFTzGKTdYqLFwmR_Pu4nM57z6xmq-LzVT/s320/pat+and+crew.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And not to be out done...Addington found his old crew a little later on pit road...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2S89ZoWxije0xhwELPVsggrfRtC83oRnRiQP6lRmYsNa0DNWCaofdxMUS-n8KUuGvrc0WFdl3rLmpWxc_ZtuS0GpWWTRasMc78bnUZcWVhTLWlC7SFjF8uOeKYmeDI9R7hIrl99ImBBF/s1600-h/addington+and+crw.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2S89ZoWxije0xhwELPVsggrfRtC83oRnRiQP6lRmYsNa0DNWCaofdxMUS-n8KUuGvrc0WFdl3rLmpWxc_ZtuS0GpWWTRasMc78bnUZcWVhTLWlC7SFjF8uOeKYmeDI9R7hIrl99ImBBF/s320/addington+and+crw.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NASCAR is just one big incestuous family! Speaking of family - how cute is Matt Kenseth with his daughter, Kaylin! There will be lots more pictures like this one come next year...</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1lQZ4um91Sbxwre_F4BBkayfKmW_4fmDyofzbhhXih3QqxUOMHMiAbp3N-UwMQYGNeNYO9pa8fHiAFCAX3wDV5cUClw2a_Fo0qNJitekQEbWLODW-qbWFFq5tT1i1Hz1DSrlaeWRv3fj/s1600-h/kenseth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1lQZ4um91Sbxwre_F4BBkayfKmW_4fmDyofzbhhXih3QqxUOMHMiAbp3N-UwMQYGNeNYO9pa8fHiAFCAX3wDV5cUClw2a_Fo0qNJitekQEbWLODW-qbWFFq5tT1i1Hz1DSrlaeWRv3fj/s320/kenseth.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I snapped these pictures as the drivers headed to their "bus" to go to driver introductions. Apparently, the infield was too wet and muddy for them to walk thru. Got the funny picture of the day here - not sure what is up with Bobby Labonte and the tongues?? The guy in the back is a crack up!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVba7ClpnvKeNo9wr9nIxlGSqLVu-4RVHumwy3yQiU2bug1p5FbJoPBm5_BUcBS2Ql0RXZ0jQuagizaF7rwfD5FggOfxv_XVC4qXr5fmuGvqmrbiEeGlY1ToVPcOwxPuqp3yIQwhwCb3jR/s1600-h/bobby.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVba7ClpnvKeNo9wr9nIxlGSqLVu-4RVHumwy3yQiU2bug1p5FbJoPBm5_BUcBS2Ql0RXZ0jQuagizaF7rwfD5FggOfxv_XVC4qXr5fmuGvqmrbiEeGlY1ToVPcOwxPuqp3yIQwhwCb3jR/s320/bobby.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I headed out to pit road and caught up with Kurt at the car with Eva. She is super excited because she got herself a beautiful new horse in February - an Andalusian from Europe that she is hoping to show in Dressage soon. His name is Lorro and you can almost see Kurt's eyes glazing over as she talks horses...LOL!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauA5r6ZvuX8lNhLETGKK2760kmu02jwn0Cy-E-Qt2__57qzjfCUUdS6KQNhGlkjurCGd2J9emdrrXPet5nQztiHL9YRcOCsdxtc40_CuOX4eRi1KjIzRczsNstvsPO0Lr6oqUQonD2o9b/s1600-h/kurt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauA5r6ZvuX8lNhLETGKK2760kmu02jwn0Cy-E-Qt2__57qzjfCUUdS6KQNhGlkjurCGd2J9emdrrXPet5nQztiHL9YRcOCsdxtc40_CuOX4eRi1KjIzRczsNstvsPO0Lr6oqUQonD2o9b/s320/kurt.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The race got underway and we had a surprise guest in our pit - "Lil Gator" was in the house! I won't bore you with deets from the race itself since you have all been there - seen that - or slept through it anyway! I will challenge you to figure out what is unique in this video of one of our pit stops. Watch closely as to who is the odd duck working on the front of the car. Did you catch it?<i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i> </i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Video to be added asap - You Tube still processing!</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Clearly the race was long but our guys passed the time on their home made "tire couch" in their "man cave" - with the rains we had to protect the glue on the lugs from getting wet. They look comfy eh??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qIc_rR9n38slr4fcO9bZ7lqkZCKahl5c2nLI5tV0o3iRyNEA0Vd2TXlHVPOvLVCp-Pe27LOht36DXsGbdXxPcNTeILrx8YteJ0qPNmTgJmv7XMWT-ztEDVNP-4qgo_qikwfqGVbDB7kB/s1600-h/crew+couch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qIc_rR9n38slr4fcO9bZ7lqkZCKahl5c2nLI5tV0o3iRyNEA0Vd2TXlHVPOvLVCp-Pe27LOht36DXsGbdXxPcNTeILrx8YteJ0qPNmTgJmv7XMWT-ztEDVNP-4qgo_qikwfqGVbDB7kB/s320/crew+couch.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> And of course I had to get an updated version of Travis eating something in the pits...last time it was Tasty Cakes (still not sure what those are exactly) this time roast "beast" sandwich.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuflimlDWdJKBddjVZauDYqRFu1tZssf8-p18vYkvn0Ynb8oPs3bNGjyQhEza7P7hr-c3kN0PgIcHbjqWh1gcfuOTHPmVO5dpcd3TzjbAywS-IVmTDuxfxhfiu6RuxwdfoXn25gPGjTki/s1600-h/travis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuflimlDWdJKBddjVZauDYqRFu1tZssf8-p18vYkvn0Ynb8oPs3bNGjyQhEza7P7hr-c3kN0PgIcHbjqWh1gcfuOTHPmVO5dpcd3TzjbAywS-IVmTDuxfxhfiu6RuxwdfoXn25gPGjTki/s200/travis.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>The Brew Crew should be very proud of their efforts today - coming back from what seemed like some bad adjustments at mid race to finish a solid 6th. Kurt and Steve seemed to be on the same wavelength making calls on when to pit and what to do to the car and finally the crew seemed to be able to catch up after a brutal Speedweeks losing two cars so early on. I didn't bother seeing JJ in Victory Lane - seen it too many times. Instead headed to the hauler and caught the Blue Deuce heading for the heavens...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGUs7rpXXDynvQk5LTiYPLB3UqoRuZbHL1lrbNCSMcGMCXm9WL3eNMFV-DPKo2SCx5s0aE7Q3DPYm6QzEizVH5Cc8BCc9-3-3iZpoWOVnhukxDMZaZHAN2ILRxcO5oiOmcSBnBOSnzqj2/s1600-h/up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGUs7rpXXDynvQk5LTiYPLB3UqoRuZbHL1lrbNCSMcGMCXm9WL3eNMFV-DPKo2SCx5s0aE7Q3DPYm6QzEizVH5Cc8BCc9-3-3iZpoWOVnhukxDMZaZHAN2ILRxcO5oiOmcSBnBOSnzqj2/s320/up.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks to the entire Miller Lite team for hosting me again this weekend - hope to catch you again in Phoenix! </div><br />
</div>klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-6129594621636788332010-02-20T21:57:00.000-08:002010-02-20T22:16:15.183-08:00Fontana - Sat Garage ReportGreetings 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.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74fGmVXHqth-yujAUq4P09CNwyAnuChOZnUgiTuHJLF4J1dcOz6iUAGovm3RsFHGZqAucF5obEgfW8uYpEfWb682lwJiftsCo6WuxzWMUVNGgNrYnNsar7jz7WH6RLqZ_dQr8se9OenfV/s1600-h/empty+garage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74fGmVXHqth-yujAUq4P09CNwyAnuChOZnUgiTuHJLF4J1dcOz6iUAGovm3RsFHGZqAucF5obEgfW8uYpEfWb682lwJiftsCo6WuxzWMUVNGgNrYnNsar7jz7WH6RLqZ_dQr8se9OenfV/s320/empty+garage.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUZ3TLNYLIf7FTYoPXB6dpKp6CTe8zuzcdHEOWH9urhuaVn5qIhcLOr-2JFB5cTGa3fG8vxKZF-t4go-nHTueIiYDRUpZKHIq5JqhXf32di6XbxLS-uS-MOWcefc5lt2amOOEZ5bdZg_R/s1600-h/joe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUZ3TLNYLIf7FTYoPXB6dpKp6CTe8zuzcdHEOWH9urhuaVn5qIhcLOr-2JFB5cTGa3fG8vxKZF-t4go-nHTueIiYDRUpZKHIq5JqhXf32di6XbxLS-uS-MOWcefc5lt2amOOEZ5bdZg_R/s320/joe.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfmjukLPpQz9qZJuVmCe0WI6FSWemrugwBiTU1B6Z0xhAZQJNoa8QRsPTwkhcOhVML-XV16PbOGWaM89Ve4oiuWjrTvvZSWnntFomzrWrjBSs1PiCduvBJ6gan4uHk2O7ohHA3qYA3_61/s1600-h/danica.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfmjukLPpQz9qZJuVmCe0WI6FSWemrugwBiTU1B6Z0xhAZQJNoa8QRsPTwkhcOhVML-XV16PbOGWaM89Ve4oiuWjrTvvZSWnntFomzrWrjBSs1PiCduvBJ6gan4uHk2O7ohHA3qYA3_61/s320/danica.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.<br />
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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. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LfvFa8lxYTUohI4rxuUrSTqaQFRXWxmqmd5ZHXxZOhstaW98Kdos4LeAAiqtb6EJEVmnFvkoHPvmcnC9a8V0EGfVPUR4PG3_dNDsEbV_bvFJFNsgfcpZv1qvxzZDFu8MK9Y8seYdhBTQ/s1600-h/brew+crew.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LfvFa8lxYTUohI4rxuUrSTqaQFRXWxmqmd5ZHXxZOhstaW98Kdos4LeAAiqtb6EJEVmnFvkoHPvmcnC9a8V0EGfVPUR4PG3_dNDsEbV_bvFJFNsgfcpZv1qvxzZDFu8MK9Y8seYdhBTQ/s320/brew+crew.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.<br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyOoy2XzK8o3Vx10i0EbhbjDu9jUvlHxoAcEuQQoPXLxnHRNZ5AvKPgFuZ78xdPksUwKgaqQ9b1GNsE3FQhVMQXB-vXDYLYPck4m446Ms2j1g1vX3OXkGRyHExaqPPKVWeLsM4li-Y_9F/s1600-h/kurt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyOoy2XzK8o3Vx10i0EbhbjDu9jUvlHxoAcEuQQoPXLxnHRNZ5AvKPgFuZ78xdPksUwKgaqQ9b1GNsE3FQhVMQXB-vXDYLYPck4m446Ms2j1g1vX3OXkGRyHExaqPPKVWeLsM4li-Y_9F/s320/kurt.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN77L7HWLB7p8HNNACjZ4y5x1uTgW7kXzmORZLjJikqhrY5nYLmabS_HDFggMwmkT9SzUjENKoHG_9APgD5GvnfQ7h4U7xJTUk59mSLt72Mwn15iYVEi6Kgrww5NNf8tFxsH5IX9ND-xA7/s1600-h/stickers1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN77L7HWLB7p8HNNACjZ4y5x1uTgW7kXzmORZLjJikqhrY5nYLmabS_HDFggMwmkT9SzUjENKoHG_9APgD5GvnfQ7h4U7xJTUk59mSLt72Mwn15iYVEi6Kgrww5NNf8tFxsH5IX9ND-xA7/s200/stickers1.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NczZE3NOxY0Dbdz2CCC8C77VNukI7yt5joysUKDeTBu5F-HsLUstSEGlISUzEXGdnVQQyeBwsp_B1dsxSDTCunvrr2yzuytEAUnbVYo7vUQ-PR2CRD0Ddx02Qb51XoPS3h6gXdeLV78Y/s1600-h/stickers2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NczZE3NOxY0Dbdz2CCC8C77VNukI7yt5joysUKDeTBu5F-HsLUstSEGlISUzEXGdnVQQyeBwsp_B1dsxSDTCunvrr2yzuytEAUnbVYo7vUQ-PR2CRD0Ddx02Qb51XoPS3h6gXdeLV78Y/s200/stickers2.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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... <br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkObcjsICk3-FV3EOzN2UG_YxW0sr5j8-PnAwUXqhEsyeLAjqzf5Esd9zIrkyn9NMB3xhyphenhyphenVUYm8JQOp2NdpidzXNjaPyMZqBensloIf3CoCFjxUbyfsfKKn3OyxW2Xs7iucL2SKu5Qazup/s1600-h/roger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkObcjsICk3-FV3EOzN2UG_YxW0sr5j8-PnAwUXqhEsyeLAjqzf5Esd9zIrkyn9NMB3xhyphenhyphenVUYm8JQOp2NdpidzXNjaPyMZqBensloIf3CoCFjxUbyfsfKKn3OyxW2Xs7iucL2SKu5Qazup/s320/roger.JPG" /></a><br />
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.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkKu0AkGNFIk1O7eCJWeUP3D9bY_olS44bs63fod8hAI7b3KpRckmKGk17oLvoYmaPPkOezHJTc9_P0dFZu5c1AV7uAdFjCaId7MLIwyAd8yrBNyxqFjqL8QeQa6lzoYNuDFVnBnDNaIn/s1600-h/jeff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkKu0AkGNFIk1O7eCJWeUP3D9bY_olS44bs63fod8hAI7b3KpRckmKGk17oLvoYmaPPkOezHJTc9_P0dFZu5c1AV7uAdFjCaId7MLIwyAd8yrBNyxqFjqL8QeQa6lzoYNuDFVnBnDNaIn/s320/jeff.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All I can say is my dad never dressed so cool...at least he won't embarrass Ella Sophia! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjNEM9g9Br8F-or20e46mpvuhdQI_EEaZuS4vDdQ5sBZ5h1l_ogstqNeAmfbn_jT_txiSTAlEq8np5vJeWQquSVRalTT0Hb_VX-YYrSDURt1DEwJmAYuwUJy-oawHuy6W6CUBkPcEJIj8/s1600-h/jr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjNEM9g9Br8F-or20e46mpvuhdQI_EEaZuS4vDdQ5sBZ5h1l_ogstqNeAmfbn_jT_txiSTAlEq8np5vJeWQquSVRalTT0Hb_VX-YYrSDURt1DEwJmAYuwUJy-oawHuy6W6CUBkPcEJIj8/s320/jr.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you see the garage ghost with only 2!!! photographers around? The rest are following his NW driver.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81807-acqDy21s9IKKx-UqOGvuVskvS-oBnutErtyulztvUJRMuV1ckawSPjySez7CtnAJtsAEq-gP8jmI4_L1weYk6k6AldPLXoWxydtA5tgH2UIXoLdXv8uN0BVM1DhfTihiZLZSWpb/s1600-h/tony.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81807-acqDy21s9IKKx-UqOGvuVskvS-oBnutErtyulztvUJRMuV1ckawSPjySez7CtnAJtsAEq-gP8jmI4_L1weYk6k6AldPLXoWxydtA5tgH2UIXoLdXv8uN0BVM1DhfTihiZLZSWpb/s320/tony.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are a few more driver pics just for fun... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Your Daytona 500 Champ looking up at his crew chief like a little kid in trouble for some reason.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPFzwLKUH6Z59x33RXXB-m52k-glCOiXPZsHpD-wBebafYunTUi1OzrbktL9A-F86xeK9obOQA8bSzeztyMKkEHmBNC-pcec0rNqQc5TFf24wrbF2DTpjxbq9_0fSDiWFxxqEq2EoPMkO/s1600-h/jamie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPFzwLKUH6Z59x33RXXB-m52k-glCOiXPZsHpD-wBebafYunTUi1OzrbktL9A-F86xeK9obOQA8bSzeztyMKkEHmBNC-pcec0rNqQc5TFf24wrbF2DTpjxbq9_0fSDiWFxxqEq2EoPMkO/s320/jamie.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_NNfbREBCizN4yOplqi7-trO6KQ_f9uNGFC5pdNx-Y_mjasdbrYgr6nPbXC-Y-HXbC6rAyonLRgfN7TGwY1VhXd6Uyb6mq8541glulnNULT2jrCx36wz9BFvVQ7hFAJc4MAmj1ALvAVs/s1600-h/ragan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_NNfbREBCizN4yOplqi7-trO6KQ_f9uNGFC5pdNx-Y_mjasdbrYgr6nPbXC-Y-HXbC6rAyonLRgfN7TGwY1VhXd6Uyb6mq8541glulnNULT2jrCx36wz9BFvVQ7hFAJc4MAmj1ALvAVs/s320/ragan.JPG" /></a> An "arty" shot for my good friend "RA6AN"...</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The obligatory porta potty shot...sorry Colin!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMX-mFU3akCJ5vk-bnvxbVYh3vSVXrACiA5Dr4kJyvB3HPRh316-3O41-6AohkEWuGUEf9cRxkUVonnPThrdnOuqBLWLLbDAiHxFmqoCr1Lw9Mtn_UlicvPxGxdYlaAAEeyi9oUzjgSJuW/s1600-h/colin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMX-mFU3akCJ5vk-bnvxbVYh3vSVXrACiA5Dr4kJyvB3HPRh316-3O41-6AohkEWuGUEf9cRxkUVonnPThrdnOuqBLWLLbDAiHxFmqoCr1Lw9Mtn_UlicvPxGxdYlaAAEeyi9oUzjgSJuW/s320/colin.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And finally, a fan favorite with the best hair in NASCAR...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1TYxMppXRJAolXSa27X8BqL1bOJOTpLCjN7zPlcZ9_CHsAnc2Z_f8yf5vv3eZE_XmGg_xm_m6AfpFzsx3UlPouhrRObwGYmRcNgvgtL4jVhALHRZWzNWYwQMcDOhdNueLjCsAA7PMYF5/s1600-h/boris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1TYxMppXRJAolXSa27X8BqL1bOJOTpLCjN7zPlcZ9_CHsAnc2Z_f8yf5vv3eZE_XmGg_xm_m6AfpFzsx3UlPouhrRObwGYmRcNgvgtL4jVhALHRZWzNWYwQMcDOhdNueLjCsAA7PMYF5/s320/boris.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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. </div>klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-83912753643943478012010-02-08T13:59:00.001-08:002010-02-09T08:07:10.564-08:00V8 Isn't Just For Breakfast Anymore!<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Road Rules are the Pits</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I haven’t seen much written about the two new pit road rules that NASCAR has introduced for 2010 so thought I would pass them along. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The first new rule states a driver can no longer speed down pit road to avoid being lapped. For example, your favorite driver cannot sit in their pits getting repairs for as long as possible then hit the after burners to beat the pace car out and end up on the tail end of the field. Nope now if they do, they will be put a lap down. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I like this one as it should add to some strategy and keep those on pit road just a bit safer. It could result in more lapped cars out there and might effect the quality of repair work done putting even more pressure on those pit crews. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The second rule change fixes the situation when a driver crosses the pit-road commitment line under green but then the yellow comes out before the driver hits the pit-road entrance line. Now, the driver can continue down the closed pit road be put back in line where the car was when it entered pit road.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">This one seems like a no-brainer and takes away just a little bit of that bad racing luck. </span><br />
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Please keep in mind, however, that these are NASCAR rules so the likelihood they are actually enforced consistently is ??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">A Word on Bump Drafting…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The “Powers That Be” have also announced they will punish bump drafting no more and it is up to the drivers to self police out on the track. I dunno about you, but I think there was <i>plenty</i> of bump drafting last year with no less than five NASCAR babies on the way!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Cousin Carl will be the first changing diapers with his first baby girl due during the Vegas race weekend. ESad will follow in March with his first son. Then we have the holy trinity of babies –The Champ with his first, Big Daddy with his second, and Mr. Juanderful with his third - all due this summer. </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIIF_Xwmz_j4Fu5pVE1QEkV_MSjzv9SivWkuh7nZwjfnHZoiINlqQZj79UPKYoIEsPwWQzgh4G2muXuA_6bqmzCYCCMNpUHYxtLy8iR66Q7KzwquLSrN5pafyqa3NHNFeeHw9Rhb701OI/s1600/jeffy+gorden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIIF_Xwmz_j4Fu5pVE1QEkV_MSjzv9SivWkuh7nZwjfnHZoiINlqQZj79UPKYoIEsPwWQzgh4G2muXuA_6bqmzCYCCMNpUHYxtLy8iR66Q7KzwquLSrN5pafyqa3NHNFeeHw9Rhb701OI/s320/jeffy+gorden.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">If you need a sleeper Daytona 500 fantasy racing pick, I would pick from one of these expert bump drafters if I were you…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Speaking of fantasy leagues – if you haven’t joined KLV’s NASCAR NUTS on Yahoo Sports time is running short! Group ID is #15288 and the password is “lugnut”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Ok, I Am So Totally Getting This!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Since I never did get my Dale Jr GPS last year (and as a result still have a perfect record finding my parking spot!) I think I will have to put the <i>SoundRacerV8</i> on my wish list. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><object height="315" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/b9XAC-BvUyo&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/b9XAC-BvUyo&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="315"></embed></object><br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">My little Nissan Sentra so needs this gadget! Now if they would only make it in Dale Jr or Miller Lite colors…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Bloggers Unite Sonoma 2010<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Sounds like there is interest in doing another blogger race meet up at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Sonoma</st1:city></st1:place> again this year. RA6AN and I will definitely be going and would love to invite the rest of you to join us for the June 20<sup>th</sup> weekend. Anyone interested leave a comment and we can start planning early! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiqNTocMIlYVd7zazJLeqIMxpP7k5wa113py5G99ZeW-wIkAnWFDoW_WUOOmYvdqJ5dCQZwybqlorm23IqWbHW8azkDqQetLHq3CkrNRiu63P8Uyr3w56SDisgUrVzGVkGKwp6_SL9pZD/s1600/kv+and+ragan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiqNTocMIlYVd7zazJLeqIMxpP7k5wa113py5G99ZeW-wIkAnWFDoW_WUOOmYvdqJ5dCQZwybqlorm23IqWbHW8azkDqQetLHq3CkrNRiu63P8Uyr3w56SDisgUrVzGVkGKwp6_SL9pZD/s320/kv+and+ragan.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Hold On To Your Lugs!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">And finally, no lugnut will be safe as I am heading to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Fontana</st1:place></st1:city> for the Cup race in a few weeks with the Miller Lite team. Any questions for the Brew Crew, Kurt or others in the garages feel free to ask below and I will do my best to get some answers! I am really looking forward to meeting Steve Addington – he just seems like a kick in the pants!<o:p></o:p></span></div>klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-58344068327118592812009-09-18T15:56:00.000-07:002009-09-18T19:05:00.224-07:00My Favorite "Twits" and a Beer ChallengeYes, I am aware no less than three weeks ago I said I would be blogging more often - well, we can all see how successful I have been at that! I have another <b><i>That's Debatable</i></b> blog in the works but I got a few interesting tidbits from Miller Lite Racing that I thought I would pass along...<br />
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<b><i>Let's start with my favorite Twits</i></b>... <br />
<a href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:o0Q1tsWShArWaM:http://www.theyoungestcandidate.com/main/Portals/0/twitter_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:o0Q1tsWShArWaM:http://www.theyoungestcandidate.com/main/Portals/0/twitter_logo.png" /></a>The Brew Crew has entered the wide world of Twitter and are "tweeting the Chase" from the track and the Penske garages for the next ten weeks. Luke (shocks), Darin (engines), Stretch (mechanic), Bill (interior/gas), Mule (tires) as well as Pat Tryson and the rest of the pit crew will be answering questions and giving us exclusive updates and insights in real time. You can follow them on twitter as "<b>@BlueDeuce2Win</b>." Be sure to ask them who their favorite tool cart girl is...<br />
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Penske Racing is also hosting a Chase contest through its Twitter page. Followers of <i><b>"@penskeracing" </b></i>can participate by tweeting their guess as to where Kurt will finish in that week's race. Those that correctly guess Kurt's finishing position will be identified and up to 10 winners will be randomly selected to receive a free Penske Racing t-shirt. One weekly grand prize winner will also be selected to receive an autographed No. 2 car diecast signed by Kurt. <br />
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<i><b>On Another Note...</b></i><br />
The Battle of the Beer Cars might actually happen this year. Miller Lite once again threw down the gauntlet challenging Budweiser to a weekly duel for charity. If Budweiser accepts, which ever beer car finishes ahead of the other will win $2,500 each race for their charity of choice and whomever finishes higher in the Chase standings will win $25,000 for their charity.<br />
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Kurt Busch is racing for <i>Operation Homefront</i> - an organization that provides emergency and morale assistance for our troops, the families they leave behind and for wounded warriors when they return home. I had the honor of meeting some of the staff for this amazing organization at the Texas race in 2007 as well as several members of the military who were attending their first ever NASCAR race - and who of course went home with some lugnuts!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_dCVmZlP2_IMqokfR00da6oGf4pJ4jXgBmhvo3RwGY9tNbvbROJ4nEToM1I3xdx6Ne9mh11vz3db_ZJVCoRzZFM4aDjqLyECoK8BXH7gDr3M5g99Dqm_vhhS-dAtzjB09VsQWmNtxDDX/s1600-h/Nascar+Texas+Weekend+319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_dCVmZlP2_IMqokfR00da6oGf4pJ4jXgBmhvo3RwGY9tNbvbROJ4nEToM1I3xdx6Ne9mh11vz3db_ZJVCoRzZFM4aDjqLyECoK8BXH7gDr3M5g99Dqm_vhhS-dAtzjB09VsQWmNtxDDX/s320/Nascar+Texas+Weekend+319.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Let's hope Bud finally antes up and gets in the game for the sake of charity...Go Kurt! <br />
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<i><b>And Finally...</b></i><br />
As you can imagine, I was heartbroken to hear the news that Pat Tryson is indeed leaving Penske for MWR and the No. 56 with Martin Truex, Jr. in 2010. Many have attributed this move to a rift between Pat and Kurt and use the evidence of Kurt's, ahem, "passionate" expressions over the radio. This could not be further from the truth - Pat was woo'ed with a hefty raise and job security and in this economy and current state of affairs for teams/crews, no one can blame him for looking out for number one. Word is Penske is looking to go in a different direction and utilize their strength in engineering as they seek new crew chiefs for both the Cup and Nationwide series.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6X4T5aZ6N7IOqp5TPDr0KkK_ssPkeABJsU2D7azLDuDs8Z6y_Zj9NhmrKP3bKpbAMZ1fzgOGNQFLb3uJErnaf1sRslMxWbxE4fnb9_6jHpR6vJfkJl50LlnIQUvh-J9fVWeY-V3P4xl1/s1600/dave+kurt+pat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6X4T5aZ6N7IOqp5TPDr0KkK_ssPkeABJsU2D7azLDuDs8Z6y_Zj9NhmrKP3bKpbAMZ1fzgOGNQFLb3uJErnaf1sRslMxWbxE4fnb9_6jHpR6vJfkJl50LlnIQUvh-J9fVWeY-V3P4xl1/s320/dave+kurt+pat.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>I would like to personally thank Pat for always saying hello (and heck, he even knows my name!) and for being so available for autograph requests and to answer your questions. He will be missed!klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-57279433116964545802009-08-25T10:45:00.000-07:002009-08-25T21:34:01.091-07:00That's Debatable - Chasing Kyle Busch<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I realize I have not been able to write much on my own blog lately and am vowing for that to change. I am working on a few blogging ideas that lend themselves to more consistent posting and that are not solely focused on the Brew Crew (although I will continue to bring you the inside scoop when I can).</i></span><br />
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As we all know, the world of NASCAR is ripe with controversies, opinions, and heated discussions and I hope to highlight some of them here and get your take on it.<br />
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So without further ado, onto this week's <b>THAT'S DEBATABLE! </b> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGsVlegtvYDbLCD7szXFF7fZOVNiEQtT_XkoM1OpOMr4BB3z6nZETTcW41LhM9AFWxY3xcZnV4hDzI7fcXRVr_9p_jCJGhLQN5gnrjwoIn_STlFf8bY3BgVinVNFjzJgLwZNb1KaFGyAk/s1600/kyle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGsVlegtvYDbLCD7szXFF7fZOVNiEQtT_XkoM1OpOMr4BB3z6nZETTcW41LhM9AFWxY3xcZnV4hDzI7fcXRVr_9p_jCJGhLQN5gnrjwoIn_STlFf8bY3BgVinVNFjzJgLwZNb1KaFGyAk/s1600/kyle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGsVlegtvYDbLCD7szXFF7fZOVNiEQtT_XkoM1OpOMr4BB3z6nZETTcW41LhM9AFWxY3xcZnV4hDzI7fcXRVr_9p_jCJGhLQN5gnrjwoIn_STlFf8bY3BgVinVNFjzJgLwZNb1KaFGyAk/s320/kyle.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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<b>WHO: </b>Kyle Busch, aka "The Show", "Thorn", "Rowdy" or "Shrub" and public enemy numero uno to Junior Nation, Brian Vickers Nation (albeit a small, peaceful nation) or pretty much anyone Kyle is racing around.<br />
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When the checkered flag flies, you will find Kyle either taking a bow (4 times this year) or confronting a fellow driver and stomping off avoiding the media. Love him or hate him, with the #18 team there is no in between. <br />
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<b>WHAT: </b>The Chase for the Championship is only two races away and Kyle sits 34 points out of the 12th and final spot in the Chase. <br />
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<b>SO WHAT?</b> It is possible that Kyle could enter The Chase seeded first (or nearly so) based on his number of wins this season or he could be the first driver with four wins to not make The Chase.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Many fans believe Brian France took away all incentive for the top teams to race for wins by creating The Chase resulting in a less-than-entertaining sport of points racing. Clearly, as Kyle's situation demonstrates, it pays to be a top 15 finisher every race rather than going "wreckers or checkers."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvWY7J-xmahYZEQEj8pRPgLujeK2pLy2JEsEKDfztzMejxupqGgQ7FePy3CFMKdA4alfe4i7g67hT6NWUY4BxRFnBHpZWV1d2gtMS4ztAPMDZSsHvJ_HBbAfzZSYiwJ5HF5BipmASOHCs/s1600-h/kurt+and+kyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvWY7J-xmahYZEQEj8pRPgLujeK2pLy2JEsEKDfztzMejxupqGgQ7FePy3CFMKdA4alfe4i7g67hT6NWUY4BxRFnBHpZWV1d2gtMS4ztAPMDZSsHvJ_HBbAfzZSYiwJ5HF5BipmASOHCs/s320/kurt+and+kyle.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I have seen many articles, blogs and tweets already bemoaning the fact we are heading into a part of the season where only a few drivers will actually be racing and the rest will be "playing it safe." The Chase has become a game of who can avoid problems not who wins the most races.<br />
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Now many of you will say, wait Kristen - the Cup Championship used to <i>highly </i>reward consistency not wins, so what's the diff? <br />
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You tell me.<br />
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Seems unlikely The Chase is going away and I for one am a fan of going for broke and getting the win. So how I see it, the only way to get any excitement into The Chase this year is to root against Kyle. Even better, what if he misses The Chase by a mere point or two, triggering monumental frustration which results in him driving like a drunk hummingbird, taking it four-wide every opportunity and spanking the field as he runs away with win after win. What if he ends up with more wins than the Champ and racks up more points than anyone else in the last 10 races? Then what Brian?<br />
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So, The Chase for the Championship is neither a chase nor a championship....Discussklvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-16725714471573048792009-08-05T14:41:00.000-07:002009-08-05T15:53:19.644-07:00Shocking, Isn't It?In my never-ending quest to try to report about what actually goes on in the NASCAR garages, I bring you the <span style="font-style: italic;">shocking </span> story of the procedure the rear-end shocks move through on race weekend. My partner in crime is none other than Luke Cunnington, our very own Miller Lite Dodge Shock Specialist. Luke was kind enough to let me follow him from the moment he removed the shocks from the car to when he turned them into NASCAR to finally getting them back on the Blue Deuce on Sunday. <br /><br />To make this all the more <span style="font-style: italic;">shocking</span> you get to watch it, not just read about it! But you'll still have to deal with me and my cheesy questions... <br /><br />To start, here is Luke previewing the procedure with the rear-end shocks.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/J6yuz5Dy_L4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/J6yuz5Dy_L4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />In this next video clip, we have moved into the Miller Lite hauler where Luke explains the difference between shocks on a road course vs. an oval and then shows us the shock dyno. (sorry for the rough edits!)<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/g8px_hKss5g&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/g8px_hKss5g&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />This video clip shows just a bit of the shock dyno working and then Luke explains the output on the computer. It is difficult to see the computer screen but essentially there is a graph with two curving lines that curve away from one another. So not only do these guys wrench on the cars, they do need a lot of computer knowledge as well to keep themselves on the cutting edge of the technology of speed.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/XCKrtLBY30c&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/XCKrtLBY30c&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Here Luke shows off the uber-organized shock cabinet in the Miller Lite hauler. I have found all the Penske haulers would put my closet to shame. Luke said it is imperative to have the shocks easy to find especially when they need to change them out quickly during practice.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/HIRtmzwz6zE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/HIRtmzwz6zE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />And here you get a better flavor of how packed in the haulers are with crew members and equipment. Luke completes the process with the shocks in the hauler by removing all the air pressure from them and discusses how some teams abused shocks to get an advantage.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/9l03dsKB5qs&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/9l03dsKB5qs&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Finally, in this video clip we head over to the NASCAR Shock inspection station. Every team must have their shocks inspected, tagged and stored here before the garage closes. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/DD21oTHz6lg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/DD21oTHz6lg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />On race day, the Brew Crew gets the car tuned as they want it and then pushes the car through inspection. The first inspection station they arrive at is always the shock station. Here they find the same inspectors from the night before with their tagged shocks. They cut the yellow tie off them and Luke usually has Stretch (aka Eric Bailey, the general mechanic on the No. 2 car) put them back in the car. Sadly, I don't have the picture of Stretch under the car so this will have to do.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Oy26dumqpH-v9LP9iaEc-TxZb43Qr6muXs_NqkfDFjWkfiDT3gBZaIc5rl_Z47qcgYHNfRci5Z6kuhbnr_fDjs4bszR-qXanV2nkvn1FTMcjgmec7AEIZqgtVepBPnMLOHT8TbTUXZfZ/s1600-h/stretch.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Oy26dumqpH-v9LP9iaEc-TxZb43Qr6muXs_NqkfDFjWkfiDT3gBZaIc5rl_Z47qcgYHNfRci5Z6kuhbnr_fDjs4bszR-qXanV2nkvn1FTMcjgmec7AEIZqgtVepBPnMLOHT8TbTUXZfZ/s320/stretch.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366610919318200482" /></a><br /><br />Hope you enjoyed following the Miller Lite shocks around the garage -- Thanks to Luke and the officials for letting me document this on video and film!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_wwXnxRVK7TdO1WPHDRYn17fSKKF0y7Q_ZVRFElrwiVov7r5DTNycQvR87eYLnjm-KgrKWGfVGlCaOWW8mHuQJ1XrowLbOnJBeJ10V2xkj92aySxXBZAoVvuh9x-CzQpkbTmZGjM443t/s1600-h/luke+and+inspector.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_wwXnxRVK7TdO1WPHDRYn17fSKKF0y7Q_ZVRFElrwiVov7r5DTNycQvR87eYLnjm-KgrKWGfVGlCaOWW8mHuQJ1XrowLbOnJBeJ10V2xkj92aySxXBZAoVvuh9x-CzQpkbTmZGjM443t/s320/luke+and+inspector.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214523534831002642" /></a><br /><br /><br />And as always...thanks for reading!klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1569936776558957366.post-1412625163559703452009-07-19T11:53:00.000-07:002009-07-19T12:07:58.918-07:00Indy Week -- Tirelessly Talkin' TiresAs we know from last year at Indy, four infamous Goodyear Eagle racing tires can make you or break you on race day. We may think we know tires, but there is a lot “More-2-It” than we realize. How many of us have actually tried to change all four of our tires in under 15 seconds with six other friends? Not many I reckon! Let me tell you what I have learned from the Miller Lite racing team about their tires.<br /><br />First off, one tire costs about $450 and most teams buy between 10-15 sets of tires for each race weekend. That’s a lot of dough! The teams give Goodyear their wheels and Goodyear mounts the racing tire chosen for that particular race for the teams at the track. The Miller Lite tires are always easy to find because they are the only ones with blue wheels. The tires each weigh about 60 pounds when they have the inner safety liner (used at high speed tracks like Daytona) and about 45 pounds without the safety liner (used at road courses and lower speed tracks). Each set of tires has an average life of about 150 miles.<br /> <br />One last thing, these tires are “smooth”, they have no tread on them. When teams use new tires out on the track they are called “stickers” because they still have the sticker on them from Goodyear indicating the batch and once the tires have one “hot lap” on them they are called “scuffs.” Sometimes teams “scuff” tires in practice just in case their car setup works better on older tires. <br /> <br />The Miller Lite Dodge arrives at the track with a set of “Set Up Tires” that are clearly marked on the outside in blue writing. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcR1vH3Q-7E5nyP2p6SZJJZKrzTas932_Re5_nRxwVb5k6z7BNPHqpNQi8INbmMzGO8jGp_J1exiihenRN9FFmhMXQYHKySHz0W2WakZ8AHunskeuQeRPLe8lGrmG3jUAveLy3ZH5PAWe/s1600-h/setup+tire.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcR1vH3Q-7E5nyP2p6SZJJZKrzTas932_Re5_nRxwVb5k6z7BNPHqpNQi8INbmMzGO8jGp_J1exiihenRN9FFmhMXQYHKySHz0W2WakZ8AHunskeuQeRPLe8lGrmG3jUAveLy3ZH5PAWe/s320/setup+tire.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223726227657870082" /></a> These tires come from the shop and are not counted towards the team’s tire limit for the weekend. They cannot be used outside of the garage area. Each team’s tires are labeled with the team numbers and are bar coded so Goodyear can track them if the teams have any problems with them. Dave “Mule” Nichols is the Miller Lite team’s “tire guy” and he is responsible for getting the tires from Goodyear for practice, qualifying and for the race and making sure they are all at the desired air pressure amounts as decided by the crew chief, Pat Tryson.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHliRR3QZ9Hi6kibdJ3KLNIUWoPOTLcSj_c64Q_y6uaaT9ZbBZoz9HMFBy9EqkM9NGbb0Iw4CsvfUMaNzidZSkGiicyW4mlowzrBZU0Qv-n-l-MvYrNn9bcj3oMZeARsicnCFc8qvRqUYh/s1600-h/mule.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHliRR3QZ9Hi6kibdJ3KLNIUWoPOTLcSj_c64Q_y6uaaT9ZbBZoz9HMFBy9EqkM9NGbb0Iw4CsvfUMaNzidZSkGiicyW4mlowzrBZU0Qv-n-l-MvYrNn9bcj3oMZeARsicnCFc8qvRqUYh/s320/mule.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223726220486433810" /></a> <br />Here is a video of Mule telling me about his tire routine and his reactions to the Indy race last year. <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/eCdkncZBi7Q&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/eCdkncZBi7Q&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <br />Mule starts his weekend by trotting over to the Goodyear garage and picking up tires for practice and qualifying. On race day, he gets help from the pit crew as they lug their tires to the pit box. One of Mule’s main jobs is removing the air from the tires and replacing it with nitrogen. By using nitrogen instead of air, they have more control over how much the pressure will increase when the tires heat up. He also measures the circumference of each tire and takes other measurements to try to match them into sets.<br /><br />Each tire has five to six “wear holes” about the size of the tip of a sharpie marker in a diagonal across the tire. Mule uses a gauge that measures the depth of these holes and notes them before they put them on the Miller Lite Dodge. After the team makes a practice run and Mule again checks the depth of the wear holes to see how the different set ups are wearing the tires.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFUGhoFs2KfomduN5NRAS0qPbZDpkdHmzaIZYOWJF35fHOJM-LTxwiXKnZp-ZyBBYJQTSstQK3vUA2rYD2l7srdZ_l1FaSxJstUPH99CW-RbLwLFj5C6k9ncb9jZZY5cU5E5C_cQhUVzC/s1600-h/wear+holes.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFUGhoFs2KfomduN5NRAS0qPbZDpkdHmzaIZYOWJF35fHOJM-LTxwiXKnZp-ZyBBYJQTSstQK3vUA2rYD2l7srdZ_l1FaSxJstUPH99CW-RbLwLFj5C6k9ncb9jZZY5cU5E5C_cQhUVzC/s320/wear+holes.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223726391868327394" /></a> <br />Often when the car comes into the pits, there is a bunch of rubber and debris built up on the tire from the track. You’ll see Mule using a small torch to heat up that rubber and then he scrapes it off to clean off the tire so he can get back to those wear holes. Right after a pit stop, you’ll see Mule radioing the information he learns about the tire wear, tire temperature, and air pressure build-up to Pat Tryson (crew chief) and Dave Winston, the team engineer who has to make sense of that data.<br /><br /> But I am getting ahead of myself. There is a whole lot of work that goes into the tires on race day before they are used in the race. Usually the pit crew is responsible for getting and preparing the sets of tires to be used during the race. Teams have anywhere between 5 and 10 sets of tires in their pits depending on the type of race. The tires are labeled by Mule with chalk “LF, LR, RF, RR” to indicate where on the car they go and he numbers them to indicate which set they belong to.<br /><br />The pit crew then uses a strip of hot pink tape to indicate the left side tires and a strip of bright blue tape to indicate right side tires. They place this tape in the same place on each tire because it also indicates where the tire carriers should hold the tires as they carry them during the pit stops. This ensures they get the tire consistently and easily lined up with the studs for quick stops. <br /> <br />Each rim has to be “cleaned” and the team uses three different types of steel brushes on each tire to clean the holes for the studs and the center hole that slides over the wheel cap. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfInkkL2TS6-USenN3m4h1VTMhEOvWBwSeJcLUNsZVQvaTU8avfa08sxqoiHqRhsurXV89aL1yamLJTUZuxOnewOt3yVeYWyHsitzpka9RkMaKuvJoXOHhWkkNHdxqVbATr3GgOSFUGUvn/s1600-h/three+drills.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfInkkL2TS6-USenN3m4h1VTMhEOvWBwSeJcLUNsZVQvaTU8avfa08sxqoiHqRhsurXV89aL1yamLJTUZuxOnewOt3yVeYWyHsitzpka9RkMaKuvJoXOHhWkkNHdxqVbATr3GgOSFUGUvn/s320/three+drills.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223726232289321298" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdZgBNRDUNALYYXasDcKm6RH-vsDJNxExgB9WTKYCj_uZWM4vcHR3M8JyQRVIqUv3Gdike2MXWmBbMT16Bi3EYUT6vFaluD-HjrkdAOaJ24UI1i1pKxE0GbVwNgAXXLrUbIG4bcvfA1BU/s1600-h/cleaning+tire.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdZgBNRDUNALYYXasDcKm6RH-vsDJNxExgB9WTKYCj_uZWM4vcHR3M8JyQRVIqUv3Gdike2MXWmBbMT16Bi3EYUT6vFaluD-HjrkdAOaJ24UI1i1pKxE0GbVwNgAXXLrUbIG4bcvfA1BU/s320/cleaning+tire.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223726219146314114" /></a> After the grime and paint is removed by the brushes, the wheels are ready for the lugs. About four hours before the start of the race, the pit crew starts gluing on the bright yellow lug nuts onto the wheels with a weather stripping adhesive. Finally, they use a heavy, flat piece of metal that presses the lugs into the adhesive and makes for a good seal.<br /><br />When the Miller Lite Dodge rolls out onto pit road on race day, the pit crew also lubes the studs on the car so the tires slide on and off easier. The studs are long and have no threads for the first three-quarters of an inch so the lug nuts glued to the rim don’t get cross-threaded when the tire changers are putting the tires on the car. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUe9o-sgUCo2uVDKkIIAnaz6Vmmzr-L8VJgBDLFLm-3LP6ZvJc-Vt-T23I9mZdlfOqkO2DF6xEL-xYu4Dr5-r2vPdZQez8j3xkMjfm4qJsT96WnouUplrvMuDFn7UfzGy1pbwfFV48G5o9/s1600-h/stud.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUe9o-sgUCo2uVDKkIIAnaz6Vmmzr-L8VJgBDLFLm-3LP6ZvJc-Vt-T23I9mZdlfOqkO2DF6xEL-xYu4Dr5-r2vPdZQez8j3xkMjfm4qJsT96WnouUplrvMuDFn7UfzGy1pbwfFV48G5o9/s320/stud.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223726231453238498" /></a> When the wheel is placed on the car during the pit stop, the air gun torque breaks the adhesive and the lug nut is tightened normally. Sometimes the adhesive is too gooey and sometimes to brittle and it will interfere with the “feel” and rhythm of the tire changers. There is always a danger that the lug nuts might fall off while changing the tire, so the over-the-wall guys wear special gloves that have a couple lug nuts attached to them on top by their wrists so they can grab them quickly if needed.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqI0pXWPVrZcUJJ5VotPvTb1qDdAGXkYxKjKIN7Rom84zgRWIy3m748sD8WxT8_HjSjOIyiaK5ULlcYQ5TVS4qtlJeKq4oFnr8DEwuBVlivhHM8XFdXwFwRMsXZw-HYm-h218CDftJ5op/s1600-h/lugs+on+gloves.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqI0pXWPVrZcUJJ5VotPvTb1qDdAGXkYxKjKIN7Rom84zgRWIy3m748sD8WxT8_HjSjOIyiaK5ULlcYQ5TVS4qtlJeKq4oFnr8DEwuBVlivhHM8XFdXwFwRMsXZw-HYm-h218CDftJ5op/s320/lugs+on+gloves.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223734933535976178" /></a><br /><br />Tired of reading about tires yet? I have a feeling this isn't the last time you'll be hearing about tires this week but all indications seems to point to the fact that Goodyear has finally figured something out.klvalushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17013035051062088498noreply@blogger.com31