Northwest Nat's time again

Well it's that time again that the NHRA Northwest Nationals are in Seattle again and we are leaving in two day to go watch it. I can't wait! It's the most awesome sporting event I have ever seen.
Although looking thru the entry lists on NHRA.com there may be only 16 cars in each pro class, but given the so called recession it is understandable. BUt it will cut sown on some drama like who will be bumped out of the top 16 qualifiers, as if only 16 show up then they will all make the show.
But it is still awesome to go see.

Oh by the way this us down infront of driver introductions on raceday.
AutoImagery.com

Shot by an autoImagery.com photographer

The Worst Mistake I ever made

The wife and I just came back from a vacation to my home town in Victoria to see my parents and I realize now that moving away from there 7 years ago was probably the biggest mistake I have ever made. As these pictures show Victoria is on beautiful ocean backdrop and surrounded by green grassy yards and colorful spring blooming trees. Too walk away from this I must have been out of my mind. No to say that moving to Calgary was not beneficial to us, we are financially well off better than before but for piece of mind just look at those pics! And we went on a trip up to Nanaimo and I must say the trip up island was nice to not have rocks flying up at the windshield like there is in Calgary. In Calgary everyone has broken windshields from rocks lying on the road from the winter sanding trucks. BRUTAL! In my mind.

Walking along the breakwater I realized right away what we were missing. The blue of the ocean or the brown of Calgary. My mind is made up to go back home as soon as possible. Hopefully within a year.

It is pretty tough not be able go for a walk year round or play sports outside with an environment like this. It is just awe inspiring! And I had all this and walked away from it all. What was I thinking? Anyway I have made it my goal to get back as fast as I can to Victoria as I realize now how much I really miss it and how much of a mistake it was moving to Calgary.

And after having lunch with my old working buddies I used to work with I realize how much fun I used to have here. Plus one of my old friends brought his new car when we all went for lunch which is what you can do 10 months a year, drive a hot rod around town without getting it wrecked by salt or sand.

As you may have guessed I really miss my home town and am in a hurry to get back even though I may have to start my life over again.

Speedweeks 2009

Well I just finshed watching the Nationwise race at Daytona this afternoon and you got to love those cars. The car of tomorrow is a little "iffy" in my books in terms of whether I like them or not. But it still was an exciting race and congrats to the winner Tony Stewart

Well with only a few weeks to go til the beginnigfn of the new NHRA and NASCAR seasons I find myself waiting impatiently til speedweeks in Daytona. Or maybe not..........I don't know how I missed this but apparently last August NASCAR change dthe rules on how the drivers qualify for the Bud Shootout at the start fo Speedweeks in Daytona. It used to be that if you won a pole position during qaulifying for a race during the previous year you were autiomatically in the Bud Shootout. PLus a few past champions and previous Bud shootout winners to round out the field. Now in NASCAR's infinate wisdom they decided to have the top 6 cars of each manufacturer in the race. Meaning that the top 6 Chevys, Fords, Toyotas, and Dodges would be in for a 24 car field. Which means a few drivers who won poles last year will not make the event such as Patrick Carpatentier and Joe Nemechek, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, to name a few. And rookies who have never raced a full season in NASCAR or even won a poel such as Joe Logana are indue to the fact taht they are in a car by an owner who has a top manufacturer car. Now 2 of Waltrip cars are in and they had not very good seasons last year but are still the top Toyotas, I mean you could be the top6 cars in Toyota and finish 31-37 in points last yeaqr but make the race cause you were the top 6 Toyotas.
Does this seem fair?
I was reading some NASCAR forums last nite and some fabs are steamed at NASCAR. Can't say that I blame them afterall the fans made NASCAR and old drivers like Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough gave the fan somethign to cheer for. A real life hero. Guys who made their way in racing from dimes and nickels to millions the old fashion way thru paying their dues. Now rookie drivers land on teams and instantly have success thru rich team owners and find themselves in allstar races wihtout even racing a handful of races in the premier division of NASCAR.
Oh well enough rambling about this......Dale Earnhardt Sr would be rolling over in his grave if he knew what has happened to his beloved NASCAR. And don't even get me started on the Race for the Chase...Me and Dale Sr would be bicthing for a years about this one as well as old time race fans like me. I liek racing the way it was 10 years ago, none of these made for TV rules and sponsoership ratings stuff. Just go out and race. Atthe end of 30+ races teh one wiht the most points is champion.

Here is a link to some stories on this from nascar.com
Nascar.com

Happy New Year

Well Happy New Year race fans. Hope all is well. I see Gillete Evernham Motorsports is merging with Petty Enterprises. That may be cool. Anyway just a couple months away from the Daytona 500 and the start of a new NHRA season.

Can't wait