Fontana Garage Report - Race Day

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.

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! 

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!

 

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!    

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.

While hanging in inspection we also had a reunion of sorts - its "10-4" Pat Tryson visiting his old mates...

And not to be out done...Addington found his old crew a little later on pit road...

 

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...

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!

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!

 

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? 

 

Video to be added asap - You Tube still processing! 

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??

 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.

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...

 

Thanks to the entire Miller Lite team for hosting me again this weekend - hope to catch you again in Phoenix!