Requiescat in Pace {Rest in Peace} - Jason Leffler

Tribute video from Nascar.com remembering driver Jason Leffler

Jason Leffler #38 Great Clips Nationwide show car
"LEFturn" written over the door
North Carolina State Fair 2011

NASCAR Season Heating Up!

Pinterest

After a break for Easter, the NASCAR Sprint Cup series returns to action this weekend at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, VA.  As a fan, I always enjoy watching the beating and banging on the short tracks.  But, this weekend's race has been highly anticipated following the hard racing at Fontana between Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin.  And, the fireworks on pit road between Joey Logano and Tony Stewart!  Will there be payback this weekend?  I have a feeling Tony Stewart will be looking to dish out some should he and Logano cross paths on the track.  I'm a Tony Stewart fan, but I have to say my respect increased for Joey Logano after the Fontana race.  I thought it was very hypocritical of Tony Stewart to blast Logano for blocking during the final laps of the race.  Logano did exactly what I would expect Stewart to do if he was in the same position racing for the win.  And, I guess Stewart forgot about all the times he's blocked other drivers.  Notably, his block on Michael Waltrip at Talladega that lead to a massive 25 car crash and Dale Jr. getting sidelined with a concussion.  Also, Stewart's comments about Logano being a spoiled rich kid seemed very petty.  It's not the fault of Logano that his parents were able to provide financial support for his racing in a way Stewart's family was not.  In the future should Tony Stewart himself become a father, I have to believe he would use his name, status and wealth to provide opportunities for his children as well.  Anyway, it should be a great race!

Mary Ellen

Danica Patrick Wins Daytona 500 Pole!

Source: usatoday.com via Stewart-Haas Racing on Pinterest

The 2013 NASCAR season has started off on a historic note, with Danica Patrick becoming the first woman to win a Cup pole!  I have to admit as a NASCAR fan, I found the media mania surrounding Patrick as she entered the series to be a bit much.  But, I'm glad Danica is finally getting attention for her abilities on the track and not for who she's dating (the cuteness known as Ricky Stenhouse Jr, if you didn't know!) or her racy Go Daddy ads.  What a great start to the season for Stewart-Haas Racing!

Mary Ellen

Brad Paisley - Old Alabama

No work for me today!
I'm spending the day with Dave & Reed :)
Have a great weekend y'all!

Mary Ellen

Daytona 500!

Racin' is back, and I'm so excited!  Sunday is the Daytona 500!  So you know exactly where I will be tomorrow afternoon :)  It's going to be a Roush Fenway front row, with Carl Edwards on the pole and Greg Biffle starting second.  Here's where my favorite drivers are lining up:

Defending champion Tony Stewart starts 3rd

Kyle Busch, winner of last week's Budwiser Shootout, will start 14th

Racing his way into the 500 via the Duel, owner-driver Robby Gordon will start 17th

2011 Nationwide Champion and regular Ricky Stenhouse Jr will start 21st

And with his new team Phoenix Racing, Kurt Busch will start 28th

Also of note, Dale Earnhardt Jr will start 5th and Danica Patrick will start 29th.

Anyone else excited about the start of the NASCAR season?

Mary Ellen

Tony Stewart Wins!

2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion

Tony Stewart

In order to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship on Sunday, Tony Stewart had to win the race.  And win he did!  Battling back from 40th place after early damage to his car, Tony Stewart held off Carl Edwards to win his third Cup championship.  Even though I'm not really a fan of Roush drivers (except for Ricky Stenhouse Jr on the Nationwide side), I have to say Carl Edwards was absolutely flawless in the Chase.  Which makes Tony's win even more amazing!  

A great finish to a great season!  

Mary Ellen

Photo credit    

NASCAR 2011 Chase for the Championship Final Race Sunday!

So, the NBA is locked out?  Who cares!  The final race of the 2011 NASCAR Chase for the Championship is this Sunday at Homestead in Miami!  It's down to two drivers - Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart.  The two are separated by just three points.  This will bring to an end Jimmie Johnson's five consecutive championship reign.  And unfortunately my favorite driver, Kyle Busch, will have to wait until next year to win his first Sprint Cup championship.  I'm sure ya'll heard about his issues during the Texas race weekend.

My pick to win the championship - I'm going with Tony Stewart!  He's a former champion, an owner-driver, has Hendrick power under the hood.  And he has that agressiveness and swagger I like in my drivers!  But, Roush cars do run well at Homestead.  I can't wait!

Are you a NASCAR fan?  Who's your pick to win the championship?

Mary Ellen     

NC State Fair 2011

For our family, October means Fall, my birthday and the NC State Fair! 

We played hooky from school and work (teacher and boss approved of course!) one day last week and spent a beautiful, crisp fall morning at the fair.  The grist mill near the entrance of the fair.  We were too early for the hot hushpuppies.

But we were able to grab cups of warm apple cider!

Along with rides and food, the fair also highlights our state's rich agricultural traditions

Junior!

#88 National Guard show car

The Great Clips show car hauler - no Kasey Kahne though!

#38 Great Clips NASCAR Nationwide show car

The rides!

The carousel - always my favorite!

"Reedy, look at Mommy!"  Or not!

Riding with Daddy

Mary Ellen

NASCAR Prayer Gets Autotuned

Boogity, Boogity, Boogity AMEN!