Hey hey hey howdy and good day. Welcome Gabbers and others to my NASCAR update and other fast stuff. It's been a long week for me. We had OT and I jumped on it. Got me some extra money to get my car inspected or pay car insurance or get the roof fixed or...you get the idea. Of course we're here to talk racing but first things first.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

If you haven't done it before you read this, it's time to turn the clocks back. Spring back folks. Saturday was in the 50's and showed signs of spring. A dead skunk in the middle of the road, kids on dirt bikes in the fields, kids on tricycles in the driveways and motor cycles on the road. How does it go from frigid to 50's in a day?

Also if you have smoke detectors you might want to change the batteries. Safety first.....

HAMLIN FINED AFTER RACE IN PHOENIX

Denny Hamlin was fined $25,000 for disparaging remarks made about the new Generation 6 car. After the race Hamlin was asked if he learnt anything in the race from the new car. Hamlin said that he learnt a lot and that it didn't race as well as the gen 5 cars. He went on to say it was pretty much single file racing and no ability to pass the guy in front of you. He said they had to work on getting the aero balance right.

Now I heard this and all interviews after the race and it didn't even warrant a blip on my radar. He was matter of fact and not snide or sarcastic in any way. Other drivers were shocked too at the fine.

Hamlin says he's appealing the fine. He's not paying it. He feels NASCAR greatly disrespected him and didn't even have a talk with him before giving him the fine. Now I'm in agreement with him on this but it is Brian France's sandbox. Do ya or don'tcha want to race? Others have said the same thing but ultimately they paid the fine. Like Rusty Wallace paid his in pennies one time.

Hamlin says that right now he's turning his focus on winning Las Vegas for his sponsor FedEx and his team. 

DANICA DANICA DANICA DANICA DANICA

POP...SCREEEEEEEEECH....CRUNCH....BOFF.....POW.....SCREEEEEEEEEEEECH....BOOM. That would be how Danica's day ended late in the Phoenix race last week when her right front tire blew out. David Ragan took her door off. She was on the lead lap back in 25th. I thought she was going to make it to the end. No such luck.

To add insult to injury, at a dirt track on Thursday she was clocked up side the head by a rock which knocked her to the ground. She says she was wearing a hat so that saved her from getting any cuts. She says she's still a little stiff and sore from the wreck at Phoenix but she's ready to go this week.

TRIVIAL NONSENSE

This Sunday is Matt Kenseth's birthday. Wouldn't it be nice to have a win as a birthday present? Well, it's only been done by 2 drivers....EVER. 

Cale Yarborough did it twice and Kyle Busch did it once. I'd have to have an engineer to figure out the odds of that and my budget is tight so we'll just say it's a big deal. 

PHOENIX RECAP

Last week was "Do a back flip at Phoenix day". No not really but for Carl Edwards it was. He broke a 70 race streak without a win. Last year just wasn't a good one for Edwards. Hopefully he's on his way to a better season. I still won't pick him in any of my fantasy leagues yet. But just the same Edwards got the long awaited win and the most laps led with 122. 

The right front tire seemed to be an issue for a lot of drivers but as I said last week this is a track that you set your car up for one set of turns or the other. You have to have a feel for this track. A lot of drivers over drove their cars and used a lot of brakes which melted the bead on the tire and pop they went.

I had thought Mark Martin would do better than 21st but it wasn't to be. He led 74 laps but the race turned into a fuel mileage run and some could make it and some had to pit late. A Green/White Checker was brought about by Ken Schrader's blown tire late in the race with 3 to go. The top 10 all elected to wing it. 

On the restart Keselowski drove into Edwards bumper pushing him ahead of Johnson. This put Edwards out front with Keselowski and Johnson side by side. But wait. Hamlin drives his car deep down onto the apron in a bonsai move that slides him up in front of Keselowski who has to check up. Edwards to the checkered flag with Johnson and Hamlin slamming doors to the photo finish for 2nd place. Johnson by an inch. 

Top 10 are Edwards - Johnson - Hamlin - Keselowski - Dale Jr - Bowyer - Kenseth - Stewart - Gordon - Burton.

LAS VEGAS PREVIEW

Now we're in Vegas. It rained out qualifying on Friday. Yes it did. Rain in Vegas. That even sounds funny. Because it rained out qualifying they set up the field with last years points. I don't understand why they didn't use this years points. There's been 2 races. But this is NASCAR. Ever changing and evolving rules. I just go along for the ride.

Last years winner was Stewart. I expect him to do well again. He's Tony Stewart. Nuff said.

Jimmie is just Jimmie. He was 2nd last year. Pick him with confidence.

Edwards won here the year before. If his luck has changed you should see him up in the top 5 this week. But I'm still on the wait and see.

Bowyer is taking up where he left off. I look for him to be in the top finishers as well.

Newman would be another one that does well at this track. He'll be a top finisher.

Dale Jr is looking like he too picked up where he left off last year. Mr Steady Eddie. Quietly making his way to the front. He was 10th last year at Vegas.

Menard is not a big splash but he's a good B list pick for this track. A 7th here last year.

Bayne placed 9th here last year. He's a C lister from a small under funded team with potential. 

Biffle has struggled this year so far but he should be back on track with this track.

Kyle, Hamlin and Kenseth being from JGR are not proving that the reliability issues of last year are behind them this year. I would hold out on these 3 till a couple more races. A wait and see for these guys.

Keselowski is proving to be reliable in the new manufacturers ride. Switching from Dodge to Ford had no effect on his racing. Pick him.

Gordon should have a good showing here. That is if his ugly bad luck is behind him. So far so good.

Harvick is a good candidate for a strong finish here.

So there you have my fantasy advise. And this being Sunday, you know the drill. It's pick something cool to do today. I'm thinking chicken on the grill. Maybe some potatoes too. Check out the sun. Haven't seen it in a while. I'm thinking I may even love that prognosticating gopher right about now. You know those marshmallow peeps should be out by now. Maybe I'll toast a few of those on the grill. Peeps in flames. So any way, you all have a fantabulous day. It's off to breakfast for me and....

I'm outta here.....

ScottJax gives some advice to Danica, NBA, MLB and more in this weeks edition of…

This and That

I don't know about you, but I am not that good in playing the Lottery. I figure that since the computer picks the numbers that win, okay its the balls that do it, still there has to be a connection between the balls and the computers. Thats why I have the computer pick the numbers for me. Ah, someday the computer will get it right!!

Wow, I have jury duty and have been assigned to a case, with 13 other jurors. It has been interesting so far. Now on with the show.

 The most unbelievable basketball shot, a front-flip half court shot was performed by Ashlee Arnau, a cheerleader at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Miss. The shot is a take-off on the front-flip throw-in that soccer players do. For the record Ashlee plays soccer and runs track for the college.

And to prove it was no fluke she did it again the next day:

In front a Harlem Globetrotter basketball player.

Awesome!!

2 year old shoots hoops. His name is Titus and he has already appeared on Jimmy Kimmel show, ABC, and Fox News.

When is it too early for a college to offer a football scholarship to a player?

Alabama gave a scholarship offer to Dylan Moses, a 2017 prospect from Baton Rouge, La, He is an eight-grader who measured in at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds.

Funny thing, or maybe its not too funny, is that LSU offered Moses a scholarship last year. I even mentioned it last year on the Gab.

It looks like QB Matt Cassel of the Kansas City Chiefs is on the way out as the Chiefs will be trading for 49ers QB Alex Smith. San Francisco will get a second round pick in this years draft and a 2014 conditional pick.

Are the biggest disappointments in the NBA, The Lakers or The Mavericks? Do you have any suggestions?

What about the surprise team in the NBA? Memphis? Golden State?

Since the NHL has resumed, I am not ashamed to admit it, but I have been watching some games this year. Attendance has been up and the Black Hawks are tearing up the league#

So the mighty NHL Rangers have fallen# Its great to see that they are right above my lowly New York Islanders at the bottom of the Division.

Will bringing in the fence in Seattle help the Mariners??

I like the Washington Nationals, so far, to win it all.

I hope both MLB teams from Los Angeles fall on their faces#

After watching The Oscars I have to buy Lincoln when it comes out on DVD. I very rarely go to the movies# I usually wait til the movies come on cable since I pay an arm and two legs for it.

Just a little observation from this past Sunday Daytona 500. Danica you should have taken the lower track with 5 laps to go# You could have won it. You say you were afraid you were going to get crushed, but that didn’t faze Jimmy Johnson did it???

You have to be aggressive sometimes!!!

Til Next Time

Scott

Hey, Howdy, Good morning and Good day. Welcome Gabbers and others to my NASCAR update and other fast stuff. Guess what we're talking about today. I'll give you 3 guesses but the first 2 don't count. It's Danica Danica Danica. Danica all last year, Danica all this week, Danica all weekend and Danica all day today. Even if she wrecks out it will be Danica theorationalizationings abundant. Talking heads pontificating, prognosticating, projecting, ejecting, rejecting, folding spindling and mutilating every possible angle she will play a part in from now to beyonder and beyonder. Like tomorrow even. And I exit...Stage left even.

So if you haven't heard yet, Danica has won the pole position at the Daytona 500. That's the preferred starting spot. How many laps does she keep it? I'm guessing about 2 or 3 before she gets sucked down the middle to the back. I should be waxing poetic about a fellow female making such a huge contribution to my sport. I applaud her accomplishment. I condemn the spectacle she created of herself before her arrival. She besmirched the legacy of those before her. Shirley Muldowney brought it. They feared her when she showed up because she was a threat to win not a threat to take her clothes off.

Last driver to win from the pole at the Daytona 500 was Dale Jarrett in 2000. Show me something girl. Drive like hell, turn left and keep it on the track. Impress me.

So in other qualifying news. Jeff Gordon got 2nd. Through winning Budweiser Duel #1 Kevin Harvick got 3rd. Through winning Budweiser Duel #2 Kyle Busch got 4th. Biffle, Kahne, Montoya, Dillon, Johnson, Bowyer Kurt Busch and Kenseth round out your top 12. Any names familiar? Take note if your in the NASCAR fantasy league. 

Montoya is driving HMS engines. Looks like he likes them. Maybe he'll be racing the other drivers instead of into a jet dryer. Biffle, Kenseth, Kahne, Bowyer, Kyle B, Kurt B, Dale Jr, Gordon and Stewart are your usual suspects at this race. Jeff Burton, Joey Logano, Marcos Ambrose, Trevor Bayne (2011 D500 winner) and Paul Menard are some other surprises to look for. Choose accordingly. 

                 Did I mention Danica got the pole? 

DANICA'S WEIGHTY PROBLEM

Seems there are those that feel she's too light. She came to Daytona at 110 lbs. Her boss Stewart and other team mate Ryan weigh in around 180lbs. 

NASCAR's rule? Drivers who weigh less than 180lbs must add 10lbs in the car for every 10 lbs down to 140lbs. So she'll be assessed a 40lb penalty.

Does it matter? Depends who you ask. Some say the heavier guys compress the springs better pulling the car down out of the air. Others say lighter is faster. There are some wild stories of the past where drivers and crews used some crazy schemes to lighten the cars after the race got started ot after they got through inspection. 

So what would her advantage be? The 40lbs will be added to the frame and can be positioned at a lower center of gravity than the driver but must be added to the left side. We'll let the engineers figure that out. I'm sure they have.

In 2005 Robby Gordon complained to the IRL about Danicas weight. He said he wouldn't participate in the Indianapolis 500 again till they fixed the 100lb difference. He sighted that if he or Stewart got in an IndyCar they'd be 100lbs more. 

At that time IndyCars weighed 1525lbs before fuel and driver. In 2008 IRL ruled it to include the driver. 

NASCAR rules their car to be 3,300lbs including a 180lb driver.

Most drivers don't care. We have Mark Martin weighing in @ 125lbs and then there's Joey "I disappear when I turn sideways" Logano. So pretty much the point is moot. 

OOPSY, BRAD DID IT AGAIN

Brad Keselowski got an audience with Brian France this week due to comments made in an article that showed up in USA Today. No fines. Just a quick get together. Brian wanted Brad to be more careful about what he said and to be more informed before commenting. No word on the exact comment but this might be an idea.

Brad mentioned that Brian and his sister some where in the lines of the sponsors, teams and tracks don't always work together with NASCAR.

He said,"And until all three of those can unite, we're a house divided and we're making bad decisions that are effecting how to generate revenue foe the sport."

So Brad was a little too candid but Brian loves his candidness. Just try to be more informed.

He refused to comment but did get on his Twitter account....."Spent some time with Lisa and Brian from the NASCAR team after yesterdays article, the passion we all share for our sport is amazing."

HUGE NATIONWIDE WRECK ON LAST LAP

By now I'm positive you've all seen the video over and over and over again. I even got to see fan videos. Damn tire landed on a guy and then the seat in front of him. Incredible. The last update I read was around 9pm. There were 14 fans treated and released at the track. There were 14 fans transported to hospitals for treatment with 2 critical. One went to surgery immediately. I'm sure he was the one hit by the tire. 

Driver Michael Annett was sent to the hospital and given a CT scan for chest bruising after he drove head on into the wall. Safer barrier no less but still bad news at those speeds. He will be kept over night.

Regan Smith #7 was leading with Brad Keselowski #22 behind. He knew Brad would make a move to win and he blocked that move which turned him around and started the wreck. It gave the win to my man Stewart but that's a crappy way to win. There was no celebration in victory lane. Stewart was upset for the fans. He said we as drivers sign up for this and know and except the dangers but it's bad when fans get hurt. He sent well wishes out to the fans.

This is the sport I love. I dread but look forward to Daytona every year. It's freakin' awesome. I love it. Every lap. It's beautiful. Scares the hell out of me too. I hope every one that was hurt makes speedy recovery through to good health. 

DAYTONA 500 STUFF

RAY RAY just won't go away. He gets to be the honorary starter. Yup. He's a waving that green flag to start my Super Bowl. Seems he's from Florida. Perfect fit? Not in my book. 

Last years winner was Matt Kenseth. Can he do it again? Now wait, let me get my Magic 8 Ball......Mmmmmm......Hazy. Stupid ball.

Will this guy finally win one? Came in 2nd last year. Had some motor issues during practice and qualified 19th but that really doesn't matter at this race. He might just drop to the back where it's safe and make a run to the front with 20 laps to go. That seems to be a trend in recent years. Go Dale Jr. Make daddy proud.

Carl Edwards continues his down streak. He's wrecked at least 3 cars already. Him and Newman wrecked in practice Wednesday. Neither one could explain what happened. Edwards wrecked in the Sprint Unlimited and the Budweiser Duel #1. Stay away from him on your fantasy league. He starts 36th. Hearing the Twilight Zone theme? I do. 

So any way, for those of you who haven't joined the NASCAR Fantasy league yet, here's the info. ESPN.com....make up your account and entry.....join a group....Checkered Past....Password : Gabbers. It's easy. I swear. 

So I hope you're all doing well. Enjoy your Sunday doing what you love. Me? It's off to breakfast and then to my parents to watch the Daytona 500. They have cable.

The past is history. The future is a mystery. GO TONY STEWART!!!!

So just like one of my cartoon favorites from the past. It's time to exit, stage left AND....

I'm outta here..Even.....

Danica Patrick won the Pole position for the Daytona 500....(first woman to do so)

Will it really matter? 

Will she actually win?

Well howdy, good morning and good day Gabbers and others. Welcome to my NASCAR Update and other fast stuff. Lots of last minute preparations going on in NASCAR. Teams are adding drivers, deleting driver and extending contracts. Teams are also bringing on more sponsorship too. That's a never ending battle these days. Sponsorship money is the life blood of teams. It makes or breaks a team. Determines how many races they run, in what quality of equipment they run and if it's full time or a Start & Park ride. Mr Bruton Smith owner of several NASCR tracks and general PIA in my opinion wants to do away with Start & Park teams. In this economy you're going to have teams that don't finish races just so they save their equipment to race another day. Getting $40,000 isn't bad for finishing dead last. Some races pay more and others pay less. Some do it to finance their Nationwide team or they do it just to be able to show up and drive in the biggest show. Bruton wants this practice to stop. I say who cares. You still have to buy the car which costs more than my house or most of yours. Then you buy parts when they break, pay your pit crew and fill the tanks of your big rig to drive your car there and back. That $40,000 goes quick. So Bruton needs to back off and concentrate on putting on a good race at his tracks. 

SIMPSON TO MAKE NFL HELMETS

That's right, 72 years young, Bill Simpson, former California race car driver is trying his hand at making NFL helmets. Some of you who ride a motorcycle may have a Simpson helmet.

The story goes that he was at a bar when someone introduced him to Tom Moore who was the offensive coordinator for the Colts. They talked and after many drinks and much conversation, Moore handed Simpson tickets to the Lucas Oil Stadium to see his first NFL game.

During this game Receiver Austin Collie caught a ball from Peyton Manning and a hit to the head from someone else. He didn't get up right away and was finally carried off the field on a stretcher.

When Simpson inquired about Collie's well being later he was told this stuff happens all the time. He was shocked and asked for a helmet to test at his motorcycle facility in Brownsburg, Ind. Moore gave him 3 different types.

Simpson tested these helmets in drop tests and felt he could much improve on them. He tried to apply racing strategy on the helmets but it didn't translate to football very well. He talked to players, coaches and doctors. He had as many as 40 NFL players trying his head gear.

Simpson's take on the physics of helmet weight and movement was that the weight of the helmet is at the core of his research because the head moves when the body is struck. The heavier the head the more it travels. The brain being the passenger. 

"It stands to reason that there's a whole lot less of that going on in a 2 lb helmet rather then a 5 lb helmet."

He added that when Collie used his head gear in 2011 he went concussion free but in 2012 without his head gear he had a concussion in preseason. So the research data says Simpson got it right.

He's got helmets being made by hand in progress right now. The insides of the helmets are bleached white so nobody can identify what materials he's using. Custome padding especially at the temples finishes it off. All patents are pending so he's very hush hush about the particulars. 

Next up? Lacrosse helmets. The NCAA says that 11% of injuries are concussions. So Simpson is off to try his hand at lacrosse helmets. Says he knows nothing about the sport but he knew nothing about football either.

ROBBY GORDON AND HIS DAKAR HUMMER

Well, the Dakar race is over and Robby couldn't get the win once again. In stage one he was too careful and when he should've gunned it over a sand dune, he played it safe and got stuck. Took out the transmission and got way behind. This is a timed event just like the Tour Du France so keeping up is everything. He had no other mechanical issues or flat tires but that one thing held him back even though he finished in the top 5 the rest of the way it wasn't enough. The winner had no issues at all and a fast truck.

Not to worry, Robby did his signature burn outs for the crowd even though he came in 14th over all. He said the competition has become fierce. He will be back next year if sponsor money is there.

You can see videos at Planetrobby.com 

THE KING AND DALE JR TEAM UP FOR GOODY'S

Goody's head ache powder was very pleased to announce that Richard Petty and Dale Jr will be doing sponsorship work for Goody's at the track. October 27th is the Goody's Fast Relief 500 @ Martinsville. Dale Jr says he's happy to work with the King and Goody's is a great product. Petty says Dale Jr is a smart businessman and a great driver so he's proud to be working with him.

Ok, enough of the group hugs.

LIFE AFTER THE NFL

Larence Mathis (Receiver for The Jets, Atlanta and finally Pitts) has signed on to be the Vice President of Marketing for LFR (Leavine Family Racing). So if your at a track during a Sprint Cup race you may see him shmoozing with sponsors.

THE DANICA GETS A DATE

Any of you who had your sights set on The Danica after hearing she was getting a divorce are too late now. Danica was married to Paul Hospenthal for 7 years and in November Danica announced their split on Facebook. Jan 3rd she sighted the marriage was irretrievably broken in her divorce papers.

She's now seeing Ricky Stenhouse Jr of Nationwide 2 time champion fame. He'll be driving Matt Kenseth's old ride the #17 at Roush Fenway Racing this year in Sprint Cup. 

To me this is a BAD MOVE. Never fish off the company dock. Seriously Danica, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!?!?!?!?!?! I can't remember a time boyfriend and girlfriend raced together in NASCAR. So I guess this is another thing Danica will be known for. All these records but not the ones that mean something. LIKE W's. And lots of them.

In other Danica news, Stewart says he's not letting Danica use his owners points if she doesn't qualify. He worked hard for them and he's not sharing. This year there's no guaranteed spot for the top 35. You will qualify or go home. The only thing that will save you is those owners points used as provisionals for 37th thru 42nd and possibly 43rd. I'm interested how much money GoDaddy ponies up to Stewart for his owners points the first time Danica doesn't qualify. 

ODDS & ENDS

Dale Jr needs sponsorship for 13 races so if any body is looking to get on a race car , there's your chance.

Kyle Busch fans can rejoice. His contract has been extended and Interstate Batteries  will sponsor 6 races.

Brother Kurt Busch says he thinks he'll stay at Furniture Row Racing instead of moving to RCR in 2014 because he feels it's a forth RCR team. RCR supports FRR with cars and motors. I say, lets see about what type of melt down he has before he counts his tires. My bet is melt down in June. Maybe May. It's a sure bet any more and I don't think Richard can reign him in like he thinks.

Penske Racing & Shell Pennzoil have extended their partnership til 2015. There will be 33 races for them on the #22 with Joey Logano driving. Not expected much from Joey. Maybe I'm wrong but....I don't think so.

Smithfield foods is adding races with Richard Petty Motorsports for a total of 25 on the #43 car with Aric Almirola driving.

There's so much more switcheroos and add ons but I think you get the gist. It's silly season time and the Daytona 500 is around the corner. Fastenacht day and Ground Hog Day come first though. Love my doughnuts with molasses. Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm.

That's another story though. I got to go before this program causes me to punch my laptop. The font and my words keep changing. It's Sunday. You all have a great day doing what you love. I'm going to breakfast and....

I'm outta here......