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  • HOORAHS AND WAZZUPS: The Shootout was a two car race all over the place

    HOORAHS AND WAZZUPS: The Shootout was a two car race all over the place

    [media-credit name=”David Yeazell” align=”alignright” width=”246″][/media-credit]The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series officially kicked off their 2011 season with the 33d annual invitational race known as the Budweiser Shootout. The 75 lap event brought some radically new changes to restrictor plate racing at Daytona. We also got introduced to some new racing terms such as “two car lockups”, “team mate for a day” and even “dancing with the stars.” With those thoughts in mind let’s begin this week with:

    HOORAH to Kurt Busch for winning the Budweiser Shootout following a stunning finish that saw the race conclusion unveil itself during the final few feet to the checkers. The Las Vegas driver led three of the race’s 75 laps for his first ever Budweiser Shootout win, and a paycheck worth $203,000, in his Roger Penske Racing Dodge. The event was also the first Shootout win for Dodge.

    One of the more interesting aspects of this event was the multiple use of the two car drafting technique instead of the long draft lines we’ve seen in the past at Daytona. This was often referred to as “two car lockups.” It was a game of drivers finding out who they could line up and bump draft the best with. It was also a little hairy at times because the second driver had trouble seeing the track in front of the first car. That led to the driver’s spotters working together in order to quickly convey on track information.

    It was Jaime McMurray’s Chevrolet that actually pushed Busch into the lead during the final few feet of the race. In victory lane a very appreciative Busch called him his “team mate of the day.” That’s a term you’re likely going to hear a lot during the course of Thursday’s Gatorade Duel qualifying events as well as Sunday’s Daytona 500.

    Busch deserves another HOORAH for coining that new racing term as well as a second one when he said “someone call Helio Castro Neves because this is “Dancing With The Stars.” He was of course referring to the IZOD Indy Car champion who surprised us all when he appeared on the popular ABC television show and then danced his way to the winner’s trophy.

    But it was the conclusion of the Budweiser Shootout that everyone is still talking about. On that final quarter lap Ryan Newman was the race leader with Denny Hamlin right on his bumper. Newman’s Chevrolet inched up just a bit in the tri-oval and that’s when Hamlin dropped to the extreme bottom of the track to attempt a winning pass. Unfortunately Hamlin’s tires went below the two yellow safety lines which is an automatic disqualification. NASCAR officials dropped Hamlin from first to 12th in the final finishing order.

    One would think that a mistake like that would automatically generate a WAZZUP. But I’m going to make an exception here and give Hamlin a HOORAH for his mature attitude and the decision he felt he had to make when his car drifted below the yellow lines. After the race Hamlin said he had no problem with NASCAR’s decision and added “the yellow lines are there to protect us and for the fans in the stand’s safety. I just chose to take the route. Winning a Shootout is not worth sending Newman through the grandstands. And for me, as fast as we were running, if I got into his left rear that car would have went airborne.”

    ***********************

    Having said that, Hamlin absolutely gets a WAZZUP regarding that bizarre incident that occurred with his steering wheel during Sunday’s qualifying session for the Daytona 500. Due to space restraints, the steering wheels of Sprint Cup race cars are removed so a driver can get in and out. When Hamlin crawled into his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, he attached the steering wheel onto the column but apparently didn’t give it a tug to insure that it was properly secured.

    After exiting pit road Hamlin pulled out onto the track only to have the car make a sharp left turn all by itself. That’s because the steering wheel came off in the driver’s hands. Fortunately he was only doing approximately 70 MPH at the time, but the car veered into the infield grass and there was some minor damage to the front end. Hamlin did an obligatory slow lap to officially qualify for the race and then brought the car back to the garage for repairs.

    *************

    HOORAH to the Junior Nation, the official fan club of Dale Earnhardt Jr, who have found their smiles again. Okay, I’m well aware that Earnhardt crashed out of Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout after being caught up in a WAZZUP moment triggered by drivers Regan Smith and Carl Edwards. But prior to that, the car and the driver looked really strong.

    His primary car for the Daytona 500 looked even stronger after Earnhardt locked up the pole position for the 500 following Sunday’s qualifying. He accomplished that by turning in a lap of 186.089 MPH. His team mate, Jeff Gordon, posted the second fastest speed marking the third time a Daytona 500 will start with a front row from Hendrick Motorsports.

    Meanwhile the girl friend, still a T shirt wearing card carrying member of the Junior Nation, spent Sunday evening strutting her stuff, in her Junior Nation official clothing, while grinning like the proverbial cat who ate the canary. I, on the other hand, had to sit there and take it because I’m old enough and smart enough to know not to make wise cracks the day before Valentines.

    **************

    HOORAH to young rookie driver Trevor Bayne who guaranteed himself a start in the 500 by qualifying his Wood Brothers Ford third on the speed chart. After the run, the happy young driver said “I didn’t know I could hold my breath for a minute and a half.”

    But the Wood Brothers had a back up plan to make the Daytona 500 via the NASCAR Stock Exchange. In other words they made a deal to acquire owner’s points which would place them in the top 35 of the owner’s points standings. As we all know, any team within the top 35 is guaranteed a start in Sunday’s race. It also guarantees them a WAZZUP from yours truly.

    This arrangement was made with Richard Petty Motorsports who had 2010 owner’s point available from their now defunct #19 team. The details called for the creation of a new racing organization that was named Wood Brothers 2 LLC with Richard Petty being named as the official owner of record of the #21 Ford Fusion. This move, approved by NASCAR, is being referred to as an equity partnership.

    Seriously? Equity partnership? I call it buying your way into the Daytona 500.

    *************

    The final WAZZUP of the week involves a bizarre incident from a jet dryer belonging to the Daytona Speedway. Following a crash, suffered by driver Jamie McMurray during Friday’s practice session, the speedway clean up crew came out onto the track. All of a sudden the engine of this very expensive jet powered dryer burst into flames. It was a sight we may never see again.

    We have two final HOORAHS for you. The first goes to SPEED Channel analyst Kyle Petty who was participating in a lively panel discussion regarding NASCAR’s very popular have at it boys, police yourselves, policy initiated last year. During the course of the topic there was a video overlay of last year’s alleged fight between drivers Jeff Burton and Jeff Gordon. I refer to that moment as alleged because I still say I’ve seen girls in cocktail lounges fight better than that.

    Apparently Kyle Petty has a similar opinion because he said “I’m still not sure if that fight was Ali versus Frazier or Laverne and Shirley. That’s just one more reason why everyone loves Kyle Petty.

    The final HOORAH of the week goes to Fox Sports for their very limited appearances from their animated mascot “Digger.” I honestly can’t tell you exactly why that cartoon fat rat bothers me. Perhaps I should seek professional help and deal with this issue once and for all. Then again, I could spend the money on Budweiser at which point, following a certain point in time and libation, “Digger” simply won’t matter anymore.

  • The Key to Speedweeks 2011 at Daytona May Be ‘Push, Push, Push’

    The Key to Speedweeks 2011 at Daytona May Be ‘Push, Push, Push’

    The NASCAR season must be underway because there was no shortage of opinions following Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout.

    [media-credit name=”David Yeazell” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]After hitting speeds past the 200 mph mark in practice, NASCAR officials made a change for the race. Instead of messing with the restrictor plates as was expected, they decided to change the water-cooling system on the cars so that in the two-car drafts it wouldn’t take long before a car overheats.

    It didn’t help; speeds still hit over 200 with Michael Waltrip being clocked as the top speed of the night at 208.29 mph.

    Yet, it wasn’t the speeds that were the problem. It was the drafting.

    Much like has been seen in the past, the two-car tag teams became the top story. There was no large pack; there was no side-by-side, inches away from each other for eight, nine, ten rows deep that have made Daytona and Talladega the chess matches they are.

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. said the racing was ridiculous. Fun, he said, but ridiculous. Matt Kenseth called it “stupid racing.” And Jeff Gordon summed it by saying that it was like playing chess on the edge of a cliff as the wind blew at 50 mph.

    As Speedweeks have now begun it appears that the two-car drafts are going to be key. Find a good dancing partner and don’t upset them for the race and you’ll be in good shape. Being in a two-car draft is almost four mile per hour faster than being out there all alone and with no help.

    That’s how Kurt Busch ended up winning the Budweiser Shootout. Jamie McMurray was stuck like glue to his back bumper and they rode to the front and a one-two finish.

    Mike Calinoff the spotter for Kenseth, put it, “Green flag. Push, push, push!”

    Are the days of, “Green flag, inside, inside. Two-by-two behind you …” going away? Will it become about pushing and pulling and having spotters play dealmakers of when to the driver pushing wants to be the one pushed?

    Have no fear; strategy will still be in effect when it comes to restrictor plate racing. Just that the biggest strategy is when the driver whose pushing deciding when he wants to make his move for the win.

    Unfortunately that’s not what everyone would prefer, drivers or fans. Both of those groups are never at a shortage of opinions.

    Both Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Busch said they would prefer the 30-pack of cars screaming around the track then two-car breakaways.

    Said Busch, “I think it would be a better race to see us all grouped up rather than the two-car deals.”

    Many fans agreed. Some didn’t.

    And then there were others who were just confused.

    That included Mark Martin. Going into turn three Martin got into the back of Kyle Busch and sent them both spinning. He was completely confused as to why that occurred. According to Martin he had done nothing different with Busch than with anyone else.

    Ryan Newman, who finished third, told the media afterwards, “That was the most unexpected race I’ve ever been a part of.”

    Unexpected but record breaking. Heading into the night the record for lead changes was 23 and at the checkered flag there was 28 lead changes. There was also the big wreck, reminding everyone that it was still restrictor plate racing.

    Winner Kurt Busch said come this Thursday in the Gatorade Duels and Sunday in the Daytona 500, it will be all about two-car packs. Instead of having a 40-car pack, there will be 22 car packs consisting of two-cars each he said.

    Welcome to the new NASCAR – at least for now. Vice president of competition, Robin Pemberton said that NASCAR has until Wednesday to decide if they want to make any changes heading into the Daytona 500.

    Until then, everyone can digest this new form of racing that has changed the perception of restrictor plate racing.

  • Spotters: The Hidden Heroes of NASCAR Restrictor Plate Racing

    Spotters: The Hidden Heroes of NASCAR Restrictor Plate Racing

    At the restrictor plate tracks, the spotters are the hidden heroes play a crucial role of helping their drivers navigate through the pack. Spotters were heard barking on the radio throughout the entire race, helping their drivers find that perfect mate and keep them out of trouble. It was Regan Smith’s spotter who was blamed for the big wreck.

    [media-credit name=”David Yeazell” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]So what exactly do the spotters do up on their perch?

    “My primary job is communicating to the driver what is going on around the racetrack; things he needs to be aware of both for safety as well as for competitive advantage,” Jon Bell, who spotted for Dakoda Armstrong last year in the ARCA Series, said. “On the track, the spotter tries to be constantly aware of anything that can affect our car. This can be anything from a crash around the corner to debris falling off another car to blinding sunshine in one corner. Since we do have the best seat in the house, we watch for situations developing with other cars—be it a “personality conflict” ala Brad and Carl that my driver needs to watch out for, or possibly a change in the racing “line” around the track that the driver and/or crew chief might want to adjust for.

    “During caution laps we make sure the driver is aware of track safety workers and equipment that might pose a hazard. Remember, the cleanup and safety personnel don’t have a roll cage to protect them! Another important duty of the spotter is monitoring race control radio. Yep—we have to listen to two radios at the same time. We are the most direct means of communication from race control to both the driver and the crew chief and vice-versa. That’s how they control the “lucky dog” as well as line up prior to restarts.

    “My work during pitting depends on what the crew chief wants. Bill Kimmel let me count the car into the pit stall as well as clear the driver out and away down pit road. Paul Andrews on the other hand wants only a quick pit road speed reminder, and “10 away!” warning. He counts down the car into the stall and clears it back out into traffic at which point I take over.

    “Equally effective, but a very different style. So it’s not just a different driver that a spotter must adjust for.”

    Rocky Ryan, spotter for David Ragan, explain that sometimes during pit stops, explanations are key on the radio.

    “Some drivers even like to know where the two cars in front of them, coming on pit road are pitting,” Ryan said. “For example, the 24 and 48 are in front of us when the caution comes out. I will tell our driver where those two are pitting on pit road. That way, if say the 24’s pit stall is two stalls before us, and the 48’s pit stall is 10 stalls after us, then I will tell the driver that. This way, when the 24 turns left to go into his stall, then you aren’t surprised. Remember, it’s very difficult to see through these cars, so when someone turns left on pit road, is he trying to avoid something, or is he just going into his stall? Well, if he KNOWS that the 24 will be turning left before him, then he doesn’t worry. If the 48 turns before him, then he knows something has happened in front of us, and he better turn too.

    “And if we have time, it’s always good for a spotter to look up and down pit road, during the stop, to get an idea of what the other teams are doing during their stops, i.e. two or four tires, just fuel, big adjustments, etc.”

    For Bell, the hardest part of his job is actually the pre-race preparation.

    “What time do I have to be up top? Did I get spare batteries? Radio? Snacks, drinks, coat, sunscreen?” Bell listed off. “Earlier this year at Salem, IN, I forgot to take my hat during practice and got roasted; except for the wonderful white stripe across the top of my head from the radio. That looked great the next week at work!”

    Part of that preparation better include going to the bathroom.

    “You better go before the race starts, because you are up there for 4 hours plus,” Ryan said. “You don’t go to the bathroom during a race. People can be killed because you’ve gone to the bathroom.”

    Though Bell adds that travel isn’t the easiest thing, either.

    “Travel is tough as well,” he said. “ARCA is very much a blue collar series. The majority of us don’t work in racing as a primary job. Living in Georgia adds a little to the commute since I’m not able to travel with the team, based in Mooresville NC.”

    For Rocky Ryan, he says there are many difficult parts to the job.

    “There isn’t one part that is more difficult than others,” Ryan said. “Understanding exactly what your role is can be difficult. You want to win every race, yet your primary functions is to be a safety factor. Do you do whatever it takes to win, or do you use your best judgment, and remember that your driver, and his family depend on YOU to bring him home safely?

    “It’s difficult to stand on the roof for sometimes as long as 5 hours without a break, it’s difficult to see almost two miles across the track at a superspeedway. It’s difficult to carry enough equipment with you, to ensure that you have enough replacements, should something happen.

    “It’s difficult to watch your car become involved in an accident, then to have to radio him to make sure he’s ok, then begin to describe the damage to the crew so that they can be ready to work on it when in gets back to the garage. But, the hardest part of the job should ALLWAYS be, that your drivers safety depends on YOU. Very bad things can, and have happened on the race track. The spotter is responsible for doing everything he/she can to protect their driver. Understanding that you can’t make a mistake, or people can be killed. That’s the hardest part of the job.”

    For the spotters, they seem to always receive the criticism when a wreck happens in getting blamed for it or for not giving their driver the correct information to help them win.

    “My attitude regarding that is pretty much the same as with anything I hear TV racing commentators say,” Bell said. “Until you have done what I do, who are you to critique my decisions and actions/reactions? If you are overly sensitive to other’s opinions of your calls, you won’t last long. Every person, whether fan, commentator, or competitor is entitled to their opinion, but unless you are my driver or crew chief—you’ll just get shrug from me.”

    For Mike Calinoff, who spotters for Matt Kenseth, he says he values the criticism by who it comes from.

    “It really depends who’s saying it,” Calinoff said. “If it’s coming from a driver then I think it’s usually valid. If it comes from a crew member who can only see the frontstrech or the media, I give the criticism less value.”

    With a spotter, they also have to learn to spot on a different variety of different types of tracks, from road courses to short tracks to the restrictor plate tracks. In the course of spotting on a variety of tracks, it can cause a variety of likes and dislikes.

    “Best track as far as the easiest for me is Martinsville, because it’s just a simple oval,” Chris Lambert, spotter for Brian Vickers, said. “The speeds are really low and it’s just a small, simple track.”

    Rocky Ryan says the list varies depending on the spotter and what they like.

    “Each spotter has their favorites and the ones that they prefer to miss,” Ryan said. “Personally, Bristol, Atlanta, Martinsville and Infineon are my favorites. And Phoenix, Indianapolis, Talladega and Watkins Glen are my least favorites. Sightlines, facilities and overall accommodations are a plus at the favorite tracks.

    “As far as the least, Phoenix is the worst oval track to spot from, because they don’t put the spotters on the front stretch, we are located in turn one. We can see the entrance to pit road, we can’t see the bottom of turns three and four, and the cars are coming straight at you, so it is very difficult to clear them on the front stretch. Indy is tough, because it’s the only track we go to, that places the spotters inside the track and not outside of the track. So we are constantly turning to follow the race. Talladega is Talladega, you work so hard, harder than anywhere else, and can ruin a good day by someone else’s mistake. Watkins Glen is very tough because as a road course, we can not see all of the track. It’s takes 3 spotters per team to cover Watkins Glen, and if you put that many people on a radio, it is very difficult to relay information.”

    If you’re looking to be a spotter, Bell says that you need to have empathy.

    “I’d say empathy is a good start,” he said. “You really need to try to understand and feel what your driver is experiencing in that car. The spotter is the calming voice when circumstances aren’t great. You also may have to be a calming influence when things are going really great!”

    Bell also says to get out there and get involved.

    “Go to your local racetrack, get your behind down in the pits after the races, and meet the people down there,” he said. “I guarantee before long you will meet someone who would love to have your help—whatever help you can provide. Find what you’re good at and what you love and pursue it.

    “Getting to the top of our sport is no easier, quicker, or less demanding than in football, baseball, or golf. Just as NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers are some of the best racing drivers in the world, their mechanics, pit crews, fabricators, and spotters are that good in their respective positions. I never pass up an opportunity to spot a race. Besides ARCA, this year I have worked for a team in the Pro Cup series, I have worked for Kimmel’s son and nephew, and when schedules permit I still love to follow my nephew to the track and spot for him. Every bit of practice I can get! Whenever the opportunity presents, I will unashamedly scan the Cup guys to learn their styles, timing, phrasings, anything I can try to adapt to improve my game. My goal is to rise as far in the sport as opportunity and ability allow me. God has given me a fantastic opportunity!”

    Lambert says you also have to be a good multi-tasker.

    “To be a good spotter you have to be able to multitask,” Lambert said. “You have to be 100% focused for about 3 1/2 — four hours a race and help your driver in every way that you can, give him any advantage that you can. During any given race I may wear many different hats. I’m a punching bag when he wants to vent, a cheerleader when he needs to be pumped up, a psychologist when he needs to be calmed down. We all go through several different emotions throughout a race and we have to be that calming voice no matter what is going on, we have to stay positive and keep everyone else’s heads up and digging.”

  • Dale Earnhardt Jr. Grabs Daytona 500 Pole, Hendrick Teammate Jeff Gordon Second

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. Grabs Daytona 500 Pole, Hendrick Teammate Jeff Gordon Second

    When the green flag is dropped for the 2011 Daytona 500 next Sunday, it will be an all Hendrick Motorsports front row.

    [media-credit name=”David Yeazell” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole with a speed of 186.089 mph (48.364 seconds) for the 10th pole of his Sprint Cup Series career.

    “We’re fired up,” Earnhardt said. “We had a great car today. I didn’t have a whole lot to do with it; I just held on. They build awesome cars which allows us to do it.

    “You can win the race with any car. It just takes a lot of pressure off me in the Duel to qualify well and we can just go out there and take the hardware home.”

    The 2004 Daytona 500 winner will be going for his second Daytona 500 victory in his 400th career start. The last time Earnhardt Jr. won the Daytona 500, he started on pole after pole sitter Greg Biffle had to drop to the rear of the field.

    Starting along side Earnhardt will be three-time Daytona 500 winner Jeff Gordon, who qualified with a speed of 185.996mph (48.396 seconds).

    “That is awesome,” Gordon said. “I’m really excited about everything that’s been going put out about Daytona. This is a special race – means a lot to Rick, means a lot to all the Hendrick Motorsports employees.”

    Rounding out the top five was Trevor Bayne, Paul Menard and Clint Bowyer. Jeff Burton qualified sixth, followed by Ryan Newman, Mark Martin, Greg Biffle and Tony Stewart.

    Of the go-or-go homers, Bill Elliott, Travis Kravil and Joe Nemechek are all now locked in based upon speed with Terry Labonte locked in with the champion’s provisonal. The rest of the drivers who will start the Daytona 500 and the starting positions third through 43rd will be determined on Thursday with the Gatorade Duels on SPEED.

    The only dramatic moment of qualifying came when Denny Hamlin pulled off pit road and instead of heading on the banking, he headed towards the infield grass.

    “It locked and came to the left,” Hamlin said. “Its a different steering column then I’m comfortable and thats just about it.”

    The car got some front valiance damage, yet the team doesn’t look to be switching to a back-up car. Hamlin ran his two laps after his experience, pulling the 44th quickest speed, but was already starting at the back of his Gatorade Duel due to an engine change during yesterday’s practice.

    Qualifying Results
    1.Dale Earnhardt Jr. (locked into No. 1 spot)
    2.Jeff Gordon (locked into No. 2 spot)
    3.Trevor Bayne
    4.Paul Menard
    5.Clint Bowyer
    6.Jeff Burton
    7.Ryan Newman
    8.Mark Martin
    9.Greg Biffle
    10.Tony Stewart
    11.Kurt Busch
    12.Juan Pablo Montoya
    13.Marcos Ambrose
    14.Kevin Harvick
    15.Jimmie Johnson
    16.David Ragan
    17.Bill Elliott* (locked in based on speed)
    18.Carl Edwards
    19.AJ Allmendinger
    20.Travis Kvapil* (locked in based on speed)
    21.Joe Nemechek* (locked in based on speed)
    22.Matt Kenseth
    23.David Reutimann
    24.Brad Keselowski
    25.Michael Waltrip*
    26.Dave Blaney*
    27.Jamie McMurray
    28.Regan Smith
    29.Kasey Kahne
    30.Kyle Busch
    31.Marcos Ambrose
    32.Brian Vickers
    33.Martin Truex Jr.
    34.Joey Logano
    35.Todd Bodine*
    36.Kevin Conway*
    37.Casey Mears*
    38.David Gilliland
    39.Steve Wallace
    40.Michael McDowell*
    41.Robby Gordon
    42.Terry Labonte* (locked in based on past champion’s provisional)
    43.Robert Richardson Jr.
    44.Denny Hamlin
    45.JJ Yeley*
    46.Andy Lally
    47.Derrike Cope*
    48.Brian Keselowski*
    * – Required to qualify on time

    To see more articles by Ashley McCubbin and live updates from the weekend, check out http://newsfromthepits.blogspot.com/

  • Denny Hamlin Robbed Of Second Shootout Victory

    Denny Hamlin Robbed Of Second Shootout Victory

    I know beforehand that this article probably won’t go down well with Kurt Busch fans and I understand that, but I also know that a lot of old school fans will like this article because it pertains to the yellow line rule that Mike Helton implemented in 2001 and the first driver to get nabbed with the rule was Tony Stewart at the 2001 Pepsi 400 when he was inadvertently blocked by Johnny Benson, which forced him below the yellow line. NASCAR didn’t seem to care and penalized him anyway after Stewart refused to acknowledge the penalty.

    But anyway, back to the race. I thought the finish could have been way better than it looked. Daytona has become too much like Talladega and it is definitely lost some of its luster, but hey the speeds tonight were incredible and as long as the fans are enjoying it that is all that really matters, but tonight we saw Denny Hamlin make a move on Ryan Newman at the start-finish line and was forced below the yellow line. Here is the thing, Hamlin had the lead by an inch or two before he went below the yellow line and according to Mike Helton’s statement after the 2003 Aaron’s 499 ruling for Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hamlin should be the victor.

    Now, for those of you who didn’t get to see that race, I will put it in detail for you. Jr. makes move on Matt Kenseth for lead in Turn 3 and goes below the yellow line slightly and takes the lead. Jr. goes on to win the race and NASCAR does not penalize him for the infraction. Mike Helton comes out and claims Jr. was ahead of Kenseth before he went below, which still makes Jr. the winner and according to the amazing invention of instant replay and television we saw that Helton was wrong, but Jr. still won the race. So, what do we have here? A double standard perhaps? I voiced this on my video podcast all last year that NASCAR needs to have consistent rulings and not let popularity dictate their decision. Was that the case tonight? No. Kurt Busch isn’t all that popular, but NASCAR seems to forget their past and a lot of us fans have really good memories.

    You know what would be even better? How about we get rid of this stupid yellow line rule altogether and that will solve the problem. Lets let the drivers use the entire surface and let them make their decisions. NASCAR is getting too much like a totalitarian society where you are nagged on what you can and can not do. I’m pretty positive that Mike Helton couldn’t drive one of these things, let alone at Daytona. Let the drivers drive and maybe we can get that popularity like we did back in the 90’s. Jeff Gordon’s move on Rusty Wallace during the 1999 Daytona 500 to get in the lead group would have been banned today. Gordon’s move on Bill Elliott to take the lead at the 1997 Daytona 500 would be banned today and last, but certainly not least, Dale Earnhardt’s attempted move on Gordon on the final lap in 1999, but ended up in 2nd.

    Denny Hamlin was clearly robbed tonight of his second Budweiser Shootout victory. He knows he was. He absolutely knows, but if he says anything, NASCAR will probably fine him like they did last year with Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman. Like I said before, NASCAR is getting too much like a totalitarian society. Think about it. “Hey! You said we robbed you!! That’s a crime!” You have been fined and placed on probation. “Hey!! Ryan!! You said our points system is like a lottery!” (It is) You are fined as well! “You spoke out against our dictator.” You have been thrown in jail.

    Do you see where I’m going with this? NASCAR please get the heck of the way and let the drivers drive. If we wanted you to drive we would have let you know a long time ago, but I’m afraid you are too enormous to get in one of these things. A little common sense to start 2011, which we desperately need.

  • Busch wins by a nose; Hamlin goes below the yellow line

    Busch wins by a nose; Hamlin goes below the yellow line

    Denny Hamlin looked to have made the winning pass when he pulled out from behind race leader Ryan Newman and made inside pass for the race lead exiting turn four on the last lap.  But Newman came down the track to block, sending Hamlin below the yellow line, thus per NASCAR’s rules, Hamlin advanced his position and was disqualified for going below the out-of-bounds line.

    “That yellow line is there to protect us and the fans in the stands safety and I just chose to take the safer route. A win in the Shootout is not worth sending the 39  through the grandstands. For me, as fast as we’re running, if I get into his left rear, that car will go airborne. For me, it was a tough position.” Hamlin said.

    Hamlin was black-flagged and dropped to 12th position, the last car on the lead lap.

    [media-credit name=”David Yeazell” align=”alignright” width=”201″][/media-credit]Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray also made their move to the outside while Newman and Hamlin where fighting for the lead and Busch crossed the finish line a nose ahead to win Saturday nights Budweiser Shootout.

    “I knew the 11 was going to split away from the 39.  I was hoping he would do it soon enough.  It worked out in our favor at the end because McMurray stayed with us.  For Shell/Pennzoil to believe in Penske and me, this is unbelievable to deliver them a victory in this 22 car.” Busch said.

    This was Busch’s first shootout win in eight tries.

    “What an amazing win.  To get to victory lane for Shell/Pennzoil is incredible.  This Dodge Charger was fast and I have to thank my “teammate” Jamie McMurray so much.  What an unbelievable experience, this two-car draft.” Busch said.

    Carl Edwards and Dale Earnhardt Jr. spun out after contact from Edwards on lap 27.  Juan Montoya, Regan Smith and Joey Logano were also involved.

    “We were all just battling for position.  We were at least three-wide and I had my car up against Dale Jr.’s as best I could and the 78 was on the outside.  I was in the middle and I don’t think he knew my nose was in there.  I was probably hidden by the 88 and he just kept coming down.” Edwards said.

    “We were hooked in the rear, the right rear quarter panel and I was watching it and you know, when I saw this gold car coming at me and I thought I had it saved for a second but it’s hard to drive them that fast when they’re out of control. But it was fun. The racing might look kind of crazy but it was pretty fun.” Earnhardt said.

    On lap 48, Michael Waltrip gets loose after “bump draft” contact from Tony Stewart.  Waltrip went into the outside wall and then slid down through the grass.

    In lap 36, Mark Martin and Kyle Busch spun after “bump draft” contact from by Martin.

    “It just went around on him. We were perfect-latched and nothing was different. So I don’t know if our tires being colder or, I don’t know why that happened. I have no answers. I’m sorry. I was doing the same thing everybody else was doing. It’s just a bad deal. I hate that.” Martin said.

    2011 Unofficial Race Results

    Budweiser Shootout, Daytona International Speedway

    February 12, 2011 | Exhibition

    Pos. No. Driver Make Sponsor Laps Status
    1 22 Kurt Busch Dodge Shell / Pennzoil 75 Running
    2 1 Jamie McMurray Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops / Tracker 75 Running
    3 39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet Wix Filters 75 Running
    4 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe’s / Kobalt Tools 75 Running
    5 16 Greg Biffle Ford 3M 75 Running
    6 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Drive to End Hunger 75 Running
    7 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Budweiser 75 Running
    8 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Caterpillar 75 Running
    9 33 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Cheerios / Hamburger Helper 75 Running
    10 47 Bobby Labonte Toyota Reese Towpower / Highland 75 Running
    11 14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet Mobil 1 / Office Depot 75 Running
    12 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota FedEx Express 75 Running
    13 17 Matt Kenseth Ford Crown Royal Black 75 Running
    14 64 Derrike Cope Toyota Sta-Bil 73 Running
    15 115 Michael Waltrip Toyota NAPA Auto Parts 47 In Pit
    16 18 Kyle Busch Toyota M&M’s 41 In Pit
    17 5 Mark Martin Chevrolet GoDaddy.com 36 In Pit
    18 20 Joey Logano Toyota The Home Depot 27 In Pit
    19 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet National Guard / Amp Energy 27 In Pit
    20 42 Juan Montoya Chevrolet Target 27 In Pit
    21 99 Carl Edwards Ford Scotts EZ Seed 27 In Pit
    22 78 Regan Smith Chevrolet Furniture Row Companies 27 In Pit
    23 97 Kevin Conway Toyota Extenze 26 Running
    24 4 Kasey Kahne Toyota Red Bull 7 Out
  • Ten Years Later, How Do You Explain Dale Earnhardt’s Death?

    Ten Years Later, How Do You Explain Dale Earnhardt’s Death?

    How do you explain the aftereffects of the 2001 Daytona 500 to someone unfamiliar with the sport? How do you explain an event that, even ten years later, can cause the burliest of men to shed a tear? How do you explain how one singular event can so deeply affect a legion of fans?

    For the last ten years there has been countless times where I have attempted to explain why the death of someone I have never met is nonetheless still profound. My wife doesn’t understand, most of my friends don’t understand, and anyone else I explain it to provides an inescapable look of confusion on their face.

    It seems silly to some in numerous respects, but in order to understand that fateful day one has to understand the context in which it occurred.

    NASCAR Cup racing prior to Nextel, prior to the Chase, prior to the COT, was a massively different sport. On paper, the changes seem minute, but there was an intimacy to the sport that has been lost over the years.

    In this era it was our sport and our drivers. Rebuked by the media and fans of the more typical stick and ball sports, we sat alone… and cherished it. Much criticism is expressed about today’s coverage, namely because in those days it almost seemed as if you were watching a race with your buddies.

    Whether it was Bob Jenkins, Ned Jarrett, Benny Parsons, Eli Gold or the late Neil Bonnett, you felt as if you were sitting on the couch right next to them. Truly, that was the beauty of that era, the feeling as if there was no divide between the sport and the fans.

    Today much is made about the accessibility of sports starts today. From how stars like Shaq or Chad Johnson will respond to fans on Twitter to the way someone like Deion Sanders gives back to his community. The media will tell you that this is the most intimate era of sports in history.

    But that isn’t true because in those days it was different. Much, much different.

    Drivers were often as accessible as you were to your family and friends. It wouldn’t be unheard of to be hunting deep in the woods of North Carolina and bump into Dale Earnhardt. Or visit a Bill Elliott dealership and actually chat with Elliott himself.

    When Harry Gant was in the midst of his record setting winning streak in 1991, a reporter searched high and low for Gant in order to interview him. Eventually resorting to a phone call to Gant’s wife, she informed him where he had been all week… perched on the roof of his house doing some shingling.

    These drivers were the same as you, as I, as everyone else. They were truly the every man of the sporting world… and we loved it.

    So on Sunday afternoons we weren’t just cheering on our favorite drivers, we were cheering for what could be a family member or a close friend. There was no facade of a public image, what you saw was a person whom, presumably, was just like you and trying to make a living.

    They just so happened to be doing so at 200 miles per hour.

    [media-credit name=”nascar” align=”alignright” width=”284″][/media-credit]Dale Earnhardt was the epitome of this notion. When I was younger, he was as close to as a deity as anything I had seen. He was my Michael Jordan, a person beyond greatness whom I, and many others, deemed to be infallible.

    Over his career, we had witnessed Earnhardt perform remarkable feats on the track that defied belief. Watching him wheel a stock car was like watching Picasso with a brush. It was an utterly breathtaking experience.

    Even more so when the camera would pan towards him and you would see Earnhardt’s typical smirk. Sliding a car sideways and snaking it between others would be enough to dirty the shorts of most drivers, but for Earnhardt it was just good ole fashioned fun.

    Ironically the last race he completed, the opening IROC event at Daytona, was a micro-chasm of who he was as a man and as a driver. After performing what is arguably the most spectacular save in the history of Daytona International Speedway, he retaliated by spinning the instigator, Eddie Cheever, after the race.

    Upon exiting their vehicles, one would expect anger and malice. Instead, their stood Earnhardt, grin and all, mucking it up with Cheever. It was like it was nothing more than a squabble you or any of your bodies would have, culminating in a cold beer and a good laugh.

    It was what we loved not only about Earnhardt, but the sport itself.

    As the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 drew near, we noticed a different Earnhardt. Instead of the Intimidator, there raced the protector as he watched his son and his previously snake-bitten driver, Michael Waltrip, streak to victory.

    Much has been written and said about what had happened inside of that black number three on the last lap, but the only certainty is that he possessed his trademark smirk heading into that final corner.

    What happened then seems as unbelievable today as it did that day. The epitome of the sport, the infallible driver who once raced with a sternum so shattered and broken it overlapped, was gone.

    Every fan has some indelible image stamped in their memories from the first moments after that race. For me, it was the slowness of the ambulance as it made its way to Halifax Medical Center and the scramble to find out what was happening afterwards.

    The most popular analogy we give other sports fans is having to watch Michael Jordan die on the court in the midst of a game winning pass or score.

    Only it’s not that simple. Fans were not as intrinsically and emotionally connect to Jordan, or any other sports star, during their period of greatness. They were always above the fans because of their greatness, but their death would be nonetheless tragic.

    This is different. This is personal.

    It’s disconcerting to witness something of this nature. I can only surmise that it is like witnessing the sudden last moments of a loved one or close friend’s life. Every second is re-livable… and every second is just as painful.

    Its why, ten years later, I personally have not been able to sit down and watch Earnhardt’s funeral. I’m not sure if that VHS tape will ever move from the shelf in my office. Ten years later it’s still… too real.

    A monumental amount of good has come from that inauspicious day. No amount of good will ever be able to erase the pain that we all feel this time of year.

    Perhaps it’s easier to explain to others that on that day, part of ourselves died as well. It’s a sore that is as real as if a family member had died. And that each year it becomes a bit easier, but it is something which will never heal.

    That’s what happens when you see your hero die before your eyes. That’s what we live with every Daytona Speedweeks.

    Is that so hard to understand?

  • NASCAR Needs Ounce of Prevention in Substance Abuse Policy

    NASCAR Needs Ounce of Prevention in Substance Abuse Policy

    Before the official start of the 2011 NASCAR season, the issue of substance abuse again made headlines for the sport, with the arrest of up and coming driver Michael Annett for driving under the influence.

    [media-credit name=”FMCM” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]Annett, age 24, allegedly blew a .32 in the breath alcohol level test. This is four times over the legal limit in North Carolina, where he was pulled over after an accident.

    Rusty Wallace Racing, the team for whom Annett drives, took immediate action.  The team announced that Annett will not be allowed to drink alcohol at all and will get no ‘second chance’ if he violates that requirement.

    “It’s real serious to me what happened,” Rusty Wallace, principal of the team, said. “We’re doing the right things with Michael. NASCAR trusts we’re doing the right things.”

    “It’s some alcohol awareness, it’s some community service, he’s at that race shop at 7 a.m. every morning,” Wallace continued. “We’ve got him polishing the freaking drive shafts because I’m pissed at him.”

    NASCAR has also imposed its own sanctions on Annett as well.  The sanctioning body announced that is has paced Annett, driver of the No. 62 race car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, on probation until December 31, 2011.

    Annett will be evaluated by a certified drug and alcohol professional at NASCAR’s discretion.  The young driver will also be subject to random testing throughout the year as well.

    Unfortunately for the sport, Annett is not alone in having an alcohol-related driving incident prior to or during the racing season.

    In 2009, Richard Petty Motorsports young gun AJ Allmendinger was arrested for driving under the influence.  Even veteran driver Michael Waltrip has had his share of incidents, one in 2009 and another in 2007 where alcohol was suspected to be a factor in crashes behind the wheel. However, Waltrip was never charged.

    With all this attention to alcohol-related issues, especially with drivers getting behind the wheel of a car after imbibing, NASCAR has indeed reacted swiftly and decisively to the various incidents.  NASCAR, as well as the race teams involved, should be commended for that.

    Yet, in addition to the reaction, the sport must also seriously consider adding some prevention strategies to the mix.

    Let’s face it, while not excusing it in any way, shape or form, anyone can make a mistake when it comes to having a few glasses of wine or a few beers and then getting behind the wheel.  Most of us, particularly in our youth, could claim the phrase, “There but for the grace of God go I” when it comes to those situations.

    But the element that the sport may be missing when it comes to their substance abuse policy is that element of prevention. What is NASCAR really doing to educate those who participate in the sport at whatever level as to the dangers of drinking, drugging and driving prior to it happening?

    As a licensed clinical social worker, as well as someone who has run programs for those who have been convicted of driving under the influence, it has been my personal experience that most individuals have no clue how little alcohol they have to have in their bodies in order to be impaired behind the wheel of any vehicle.

    In fact, most folks that I have worked with in my professional career have had no idea of the alcohol content in one drink, whether it be beer, wine or other spirits.  They are also stunned when they learn of the amount of alcohol that it takes for their particular body type to be considered legally and functionally impaired.

    NASCAR must consider being more proactive when it comes to prevention of substance abuse in the sport.  This is true especially in a sport where the majority of the drivers are young, male, and fearless as they need to be to even participate as a race car driver.

    NASCAR, as well as the various race teams, should run regular substance abuse education and prevention courses that are required for drivers at every level. This should be a part of the licensing requirements, where not only do the drivers declare which Series they are running for championships in but they also check off that they have participated in at least one substance abuse awareness seminar or course.

    Having said that, these substance abuse prevention and education requirements should not just be made for the Cup, Nationwide and Truck Series.  They should also be required in the Camping World East and West Series, and yes, should even be required in the up and coming series where those teenagers and even pre-teens are now racing.

    Perhaps if substance abuse prevention and education programming was added to NASCAR’s substance abuse policy, situations like with Michael Annett will become a thing of the past.  And that would be great not only for the sport, where the athletes serve as role models to so many youth, but for the athletes themselves who can avoid having to be punished or sanctioned, to the detriment of all.

    Best of all, alcohol and drug prevention and education might just save a life.  And that truly is the most powerful argument of all for NASCAR to add that ounce of prevention to the sport’s substance abuse policy.

  • Dale Earnhardt Jr. Grabs Bud Shootout Pole At Draw Party

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. Grabs Bud Shootout Pole At Draw Party

    Lately it seemed when Dale Earnhardt Jr. went to pick his spot, he’d always get a crappy starting position – like 20th. This year was different as he drew the pole for Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout at the Draw Party.

    [media-credit name=”David Yeazell” align=”alignleft” width=”225″][/media-credit]”I’ve been in this race a lot and I’ve never started from the pole,” he said. “Hopefully I can find out who starts third and am good friends with them.”

    Before he peeled his label off, he predicted it’d to be first.

    “You knew it, didn’t you?” Kenny Wallace asked him.

    “I did,” Earnhardt responded. “We’re good.”

    Sporting a clean look this year instead of the beard, Earnhardt cited it being due to the sponsors not allowing it.

    “My sister got smart and has photo shoots every three weeks so I can’t grow it,” he said.

    Starting on the outside of the front row will be one of Earnhardt’s best drafting partners in the past – Tony Stewart. Instead of his starting position being talked about the most, the talk surrounded his incident in Australia, where he stated that he didn’t hit the guy with the helmet like rumor said, and him losing weight.

    “You know you’re famous when the biggest story of the winter time is Tony loses weight,” Kenny commented.

    “Its kind of scary when one guy talks about another guy’s weight,” Stewart said near the end of their conversation. “If I didn’t know your wife, I’d be scared.”

    Drawing the fourth spot was Denny Hamlin, who was quite content with what he got.

    “Actually, wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Hamlin said.

    After coming so close last year, Hamlin comes into the new season ready to challenge, with new backing from Michael Jordan.

    “Its a good business deal for the both of us,” he said, of the deal. “Its a big deal for myself to be the first Jordan branded athlete in racing.”

    The fifth starting spot came to equal irony as it would be Kasey Kahne, who is set to drive that number in 2012.

    “I think we’re going to learn a lot for the duels and the 500 next week,” Kahne said.

    Rounding out the top 10 was Bobby Labonte, Clint Bowyer, Ryan Newman, Derrike Cope and Michael Waltrip.

    While the focus was on determining where everybody would start, the discussions were a little all over the place as Kenny Wallace and Steve Byrns hosted the event.

    Kyle Busch, who will start 21st, spoke off his wedding to Samantha that took place on New Year’s Eve in Chicago.

    “I do got some extra weight on my hand, but we’re drinking strictly bottled water as there’s lots going on here,” he joked. “We both had a great time. The wedding was awesome. We had a wonderful opportunity to get our friends out there to celebrate – 300 of them.”

    Jeff Burton and Jeff Gordon joked about their little feud that they had at Texas.

    “Ah yeah, we’re buddies,” Gordon responded when Wallace asked him if they spent thanksgiving together. “We’ve been hanging out all off-season long……..I think its funny how every place we go, they put us next to each other to try to start something.”

    “My daughter said when I got home, she said she’d kick his ass,” Burton said.

    They will start the Budweiser Shootout near each other as Gordon got 12th while Burton got 15th.

    Besides the feud, Burton also spoke of the busy off-season he had.

    “We did a lot of racing, more racing than normal,” Burton said. “I’m a car owner and I’m a crew chief.”

    20th may not be the number that must drivers want, but Mark Martin was plenty happy with it.

    “I got some great race fans and one of my fanss said to get this one,” he said. “This is just where I wanted to start so this is no problem.”

    Last year’s Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray said that last year was a really good year for him and he spent the off-season with his new baby, Carter.

    “We had a baby – on Thanksgiving day,” he said, before choosing 14th. “We’ve had a really good off-season. it was nice that we had carter right when the season was over so we got to stay with him.”

    Kevin Harvick, who is going for his third Budweiser Shootout in a row, spoke of his latest experiences with Budweiser.

    “I went with Budweiser and anywhere you go with Budweiser, you can’t help but have a good time,” he said before drawing 18th. “I got to go the Superbowl, NHL All-Star game and drink beer. We got to go to the headquarters in St. Louis and got to drank really good beer.”

    Starting Lineup      

    1.         Dale Earnhardt Jr.

    2.         Tony Stewart

    3.         Carl Edwards

    4.         Denny Hamlin

    5.         Kasey Kahne

    6.         Bobby Labonte

    7.         Clint Bowyer

    8.         Ryan Newman

    9.         Derrike Cope

    10.       Michael Waltrip

    11.       Greg Biffle

    12.       Jeff Gordon

    13.       Juan Montoya

    14.       Jamie McMurray

    15.       Jeff Burton

    16.       Kevin Conway

    17.       Kurt Busch

    18.       Kevin Harvick

    19.       Matt Kenseth

    20.       Mark Martin

    21.       Kyle Busch

    22.       Joey Logano

    23.       Jimmie Johnson

    24.       Regan Smith

    To see more articles by Ashley McCubbin and live updates from the weekend, check out http://newsfromthepits.blogspot.com/

  • Joe Denette Parlays A Dollar and A Dream Into His Own Race Team

    Joe Denette Parlays A Dollar and A Dream Into His Own Race Team

    Every NASCAR fan dreams of winning the lottery and starting his or her own race team.  NASCAR fan Joe Denette did just that, parlaying his dollar and his dream into his own race team after winning the Mega Millions Lottery.

    [media-credit name=”Joe Denette Motorsports” align=”alignright” width=”210″][/media-credit]The Fredericksburg, Virginia native had been a bit down on his luck prior to picking the winning ticket.  In fact, Denette was unemployed.

    “I was a construction worker up until January of 2009 and then I got laid off,” Denette said.  “In May of 2009, I hit the lottery and I’m still laid off.”

    “I just played the lottery like I usually do and woke up one morning in May and found that I had won,” Denette said.  “Needless to say I went from there to the race track.”

    At the race track, in fact at Richmond International Raceway, Denette met Hermie Sadler, NASCAR driver and SPEED TV personality.  Denette and Sadler clicked during a ride around the track in celebration of his lottery win and the partnership was formed.

    “During the check presentation for the lottery, he (Sadler) drove me around the track and that’s how I got with him,” Denette said.  “We became friends then and we’re still real good friends.”

    “One thing led to another and we started talking about starting our team,” Denette said.  “And that’s what we did.”

    Denette decided to focus on the truck series because of his affinity for the race vehicles.

    “I love trucks to start with,” Denette said.  “I drive a truck myself so I’m a little partial to trucks.  I’ve always loved racing and this will be the best start.”

    After claiming his winnings of over $70 million, Denette decided to first work with his new NASCAR mentor Sadler to field a truck at the Bristol race in 2009, with Sadler behind the wheel.  Denette continued to support Sadler in various runs throughout 2010 before deciding to launch his own team for 2011.

    This year, Denette will launch his new Camping World Truck team, Joe Denette Motorsports.  The new owner plans to participate in the season opening truck race at Daytona and will run the entire 2011 schedule.

    “To start with, we plan on winning races and winning the championship,” Denette said confidently.  “Jason White will be driving our No. 23 truck and GunBroker.com is our primary sponsor.”

    “We are running all 24 races and we will make them and contend for a championship.”

    Denette is most confident in his new team, as well as his driver, citing White’s experience, as well as his pole run at Daytona last year.  “I think he can do it again this year,” Denette said.

    White will be paired with crew chief Chad Kendrick, fresh off his stint with Germain Racing, where he worked with drivers such as Max Papis, Stacey Compton, Narain Karthikeyan, and Timothy Peters.  The 31 year old driver, competing in his  fourth year in the series, echoed the confidence of his new owner as well.

    “I feel like I am finally somewhere that I can grow, be competitive and race for wins,” White said.  “With this team and my sponsor behind me, I feel like we will be not only win races but contend for the championship.”

    Denette is sparing no expense in his racing endeavor.  Under the tutelage of Sadler, he has purchased top notch equipment, as well as forming an alliance with Kevin Harvick Inc.

    “We’re renting a place to house all of our trucks from KHI,” Denette said.  “Kevin Harvick is also doing all of our chassis and bodies and we basically have an alliance so we get our research and development from him.”

    Although Denette is trying to be as involved as he can in all aspects of his new truck team, he is primarily focusing on the business side of the operations.

    “But as many chances as I can get to go to the shop, I take,” Denette said.  “And as many times as I can get to the track, I will go.”

    Denette clarified, however, that he might not be able to make the trip himself for the first race of the season at Daytona.

    “My wife’s expecting a baby, due the following week and we’re not sure if he’s going to wait until then,” Denette said with a chuckle.  This will their first child and he realizes that, although he is now a NASCAR team owner, he has little control of when his son decides to enter the world.

    “When he’s ready, he’s ready,” Denette said.

    Although Denette is experiencing many new transitions in his life, from husband to father and from unemployed to NASCAR truck team owner, he still primarily defines himself as a race fan.

    “I’ve been a NASCAR fan my entire life,” Denette said.  “Now rather than sitting in the stands just watching the race, I’m a part of it.  I’ll be in the pits and a part of all the action.”

    “A lot of times, I do want to pinch myself,” Denette continued.  “And I think, I hope I don’t wake up from this dream.”