February 9th

22 cheerleaders on Red Bull for breakfast – My itinerary, same as most who fly to Speedweeks, put me on a flight to Orlando. A high school that’s about twenty minutes away from where I live was sending their cheerleading squad to Disney for a competition. They did cheers for us on the plane before 7AM…hooray.

What’s the only kind of person that’s more excited than a fourteen year-old cheerleader on Red Bull? Answer: The parent of that cheerleader on coffee, Red Bull and weight loss tablets with Michael Bolton music coming out of their iPod. The kids were actually quite well behaved and the cheers they did were probably on demand of the parents and coaches in their company who were quite a bit more annoying than their children and students.

Pick a car any car – I rented a car from a company that just let’s you choose whatever car that is in the lot. I picked a winner. It had burned out light bulbs, 26,000 miles on the odometer and a number of other challenges.

It’s all Jay’s fault – Jay was on Eddie Partridge’s [expletive deleted] list. Actually he wasn’t. Ed just broke his shoes unmercifully about each and every problem that arose this week and blamed it on him.

1-800- thank you for ruining my day – Shopgirl had travel plans for Valentine’s Day. I chose to send her gift to work today by ordering it online back in January. I called the company a couple of times to no avail and the gift never arrived.

Mentality of Lines: Platinum Banking vs. Greg the Turn 4 Vendor – I spent about a half hour at the bank of one of my suppliers last week. I was in line behind four people with one teller and more than a half dozen bank employees on the floor. Over the single teller was a sign that read “Platinum Banking”. It would have been generous to call the level of customer service in this bank Polyethylene much less Aluminum. I won’t name the bank but no one had to CHASE me out of there when I finished my transaction forty minutes later.

There was a single person waiting on folks at the window of the Italian Eatery trailer outside Turn 4 at New Smyrna Speedway. I watched this guy, Greg, hustle through several hundred dollars of orders in just a couple of minutes between races tonight. He was waiting on as many as four people at one time. Somebody give that guy a tee-shirt.

Beers clicks with Crowley but loses link, wins anyway – Earlier in the week it had been announced that Eric Beers would combine with Kevin Crowley and the #94 team on the Whelen Modified Tour. Kevin accompanied Eric to New Smyrna with Eric’s #9 cars that he races regularly on the RoC Tour. Eric took down the win in the opening night Tour Modified feature leading wire to wire.

The amazing thing is that the right-side sway bar arm fell off of the #9 car on the first lap! Eric drove a car that many would have found way too loose to complete a single lap to Victory Lane. After the race Eric told me the quote of the day, “I drove a year on dirt so I was used to driving a loose racecar.”

Power steering and victory lane – I didn’t come to New Smyrna to write. I came to work with a team. Eddie Partridge and the TS Haulers gang made me feel welcome right away. Eddie fielded a Sunoco Modified for Jimmy Blewett to race in the SK Modified events.

The #12 car was really fast right out of the box. Jimmy started from the pole and led the feature wire to wire. This was not an open and shut case. Jimmy lost the power steering on the first lap, just as he had in the #19 Tour type Modified less than an hour earlier. Our car was also plagued by an oil leak that nearly paved the front of Earl Paules’ #8 car over the course of the race.

I’d love to say that my presence had something to do with the victory. These guys know how to win with the limited type Modifieds and they didn’t need anything from me to find Victory Lane. It was nice to smile for Howie and Mary when we got there.

February 10th

Auto Pros; They’re not the sharpest knives in the drawer anymore – I mentioned that the rental car had burned out bulbs. It took several tries for the kid at the counter to get the right bulbs for the car. At least he lent me a screwdriver.

The #12 Valdez – Most of the day Saturday at the #12 camp was dedicated to solving what appeared to be a massive oil leak. Stanley worked for hours to take things apart and get them back together. A new seal and some silicone fixed the big problem.

Power steering and victory lane – The power steering seemed to work once we had the oil leak solved. It was surmised that oil from the leak had gotten on the belts and caused the problem. On the first lap of the feature, a plume of smoke burst out of the left side of our car. No power steering again. Jimmy drove under Earl Paules in turn three on the apron to take the lead from his third place starting position and was never headed. Two fingers this time guys.

Practice? - After the win, there had to be some folks scratching their heads. Our car had practiced only once out of the four possible times prior to the two first races. With two victories and a pole to show for the effort, some folks probably thought we were playing mind games with them. Let people think what they want.

Truth be told, we missed the second practice on Friday because we couldn’t figure out how to read the schedule. On Saturday, we spent the afternoon solving the oil leak that nearly got us black flagged on Friday night. By the time the car was ready to go, practice was over.

Say It Ain’t So Dawg - I heard famous SK detractor Mad Dawg was down here working on an SK! He was working with John White from Riverhead until John popped a motor and decided to call it a week. I saw him later in the week working with Jim Storace’s Tour car.

1-800- thank you for ruining my day – Shopgirl’s gift still hadn’t arrived. Not that I would have known without calling to check on it anyway. “We can’t help you until she receives it.” Someone in Carle Place is getting a visit. Donny Lia won the Tour type race. Quote of the day; Steve Pontino told us, “The only thing legal on your car is the vinyl.”

February 11th

The Awful House – One thing that has been a traditional icon of the redneck lifestyle is the Waffle House restaurant. I have enjoyed breakfast at this place for many years. Shopgirl calls this the awful house. Flying single Sunday morning I delved in Deltona.

Playstation with Robbie – The day off allowed me the opportunity to spend some time with my nephew Robbie. Robert Newcomb King is four and a half years old. He is into racing in a way that his parents can’t understand.

We played his NASCAR 2007 Playstation game for hours. The kid beat me once but he was more interested in wrecking the whole field. I’m glad I don’t have one of those things because I don’t think I would ever leave the house.

NASCAR Spokesman Speechless – Between races, Robbie and I watched NEXTEL Cup qualifying from the big track. Michael “Mister, You Better Know What’s in Your Car if You’re Going to Drive It” Waltrip couldn’t quite explain what had triggered “a problem” that caused officials to confiscate the intake manifold from his racecar. Reportedly the infraction had been detected by an official who noticed a peculiar smell. Can anyone say fondue?

February 12th

We won’t get this in – It began to sprinkle in the morning. The forecasts all showed for rain. It looked as though we wouldn’t get the show in. The quote of the day goes to Jimmy Blewett who said, “Hurry up and call this thing so I can go get some hot wings!” Instead of the show being cancelled, the weather gradually improved with clouds to the south hanging like impending doom. Eventually it did rain but not until we were done.

1-800- thank you for ruining my day – I called again to find out about Vicki’s Valentine’s gift. Finally someone spoke to me who would call up the shipping company. What could brown do for me? Send flowers to Fort Lauderdale. Apparently someone at Dale Jarrett’s sponsor thinks that Fort Lauderdale is right next to Fort Knox, Kentucky. That’s where Shopgirl’s flowers went. I called information, found a flower shop down the street from Vicki, ordered flowers and they were delivered in less than an hour; so much for the Internet being more convenient.

Victory Lane and Dick Brooks – Jimmy took off from the outside poll like a guy who wanted some hot wings. This was different. The #12 got loose as the race went on and this time it looked like Earl Paules was going to pounce. A lap short of the finish, it appeared that Paules’ #8 suffered a mechanical problem of some kind. Three fingers guys.

With the bottom of our car dry, we proudly presented our car to post-race technical inspection. “Look, its clean!” one exclaimed. Jimmy told Dick, “You can’t complain about that one Brooksie. They were all over me.” Brooks responded, “It was a close race tonight because, no one had to race in your oil”.

Speed51 at the Pub – Bob and Matt Dillner’s driver, Zach Stroupe, won his second consecutive Pro Challenge race tonight. The Dillner’s told their fourteen year-old driver that he had to go to the Pub (Gilley’s Pub 44) after the race because of tradition after last night’s win. Unfortunately, the Pub was closed. Tonight, the first thing out of the kid’s mouth was, “Do we get to go to the Pub?” They did and it was great to see them there.

February 13th

We won’t get this in – It’s not raining…yet. The forecast is for heavy thunderstorms with a possibility of tornadoes this afternoon. Breakfast conversation revolved around where one might hide in the event of a twister. Meanwhile, it is hot and muggy here as the folks up home face a blast of the white stuff.

Everyone went to work and our car was prepared before practice began. We chose to skip practice and get the car loaded in the hauler. When the rains came, we looked pretty smart. The quote of the day goes to Eddie Partridge. Ed said, “If you want to go…” and I was gone. I headed toward Fort Lauderdale to see Shopgirl.

During the course of my travel the weather cleared out at NSS and they got the race in. Meanwhile, I drove through some of the worst weather I have ever encountered on the road. Two separate hail storms and enough rain to cause wake behind cars on the Interstate.

Live Updates and Victory Lane – Show them four fingers guys. I finally got some Internet access and the Duponts have been doing a great job. The message board indicated that Jimmy’s fourth win was a less than popular victory. Even though I wasn’t there to enjoy it, I felt more a part of the fourth win that any of the first three.

While everyone else was at Pub 44, Vicki and I had a nice Valentine’s dinner. She’s flying into the teeth of that winter storm on Wednesday. I hope she doesn’t get stuck in Tampa.

February 14th

I can’t find my award – When I ran into Larry “Grub” Solbo earlier this week, I asked him if he liked the award that I had given him. As it turns out, Grubby hadn’t seen the story yet. He approached me as I entered the track and told me he couldn’t find it. With a little help from Bobby Grigas, we got online and I showed how the article had been double archived. The Grub saw it and there was peace.

Roush Driver X – Several of the drivers that were a part of the Discovery Channel reality show, Roush Driver X, spent time next door to our paddock position. Danny O’Quinn drove one of their cars the other night and Peter Sheppard was there that night too. The driver who has been there the whole time was Jason Boyd. Tonight, Jason took down the win in his Murphy Motorsports Dodge. Our cook, Roy Bartow, went out to get in the picture with their team. He held up five fingers.

Now it’s not legal? – The carburetor spacer plate for our car was presented at inspection and was approved last Thursday. Today after we tried a different carburetor and spacer plate, we elected to put what we had been running back on the car. After Jimmy set fast time in the #12, his time was disallowed because of the same said spacer.

Five nights in a row – It wasn’t to be our night. However, Showtime took down the win in George Bierce’s #19 Tour type Modified at the end of their fifty lap feature. Eric Beers, a former Bierce pilot, finished the fifty-lapper in the runner-up spot. Roy held up six fingers.

Tire Guy with Fatal Attraction – A tire specialist I know from up north recently moved to the New Smyrna area. He was at the Pub tonight. This guy spent most of the night crouching in conversation to avoid a young lady he had dated who happened to be in attendance. The way he told it, it sounded like she’s been stalking him.

Fondue-Gate – Penalties came down for Michael Waltrip Racing today. NASCAR came down hard. The big sanctioning body doesn’t like it when people mess with fuel. The application of gelled cooking fuel to the inside of the intake manifold runners was the equivalent of the use of nitrous oxide in the eyes of NASCAR.

Waltrip released a statement to clear his management team and self from blame. MWR informed NASCAR that his crew chief would be terminated. That’s how quickly a person can get thrown under the bus. One minute you’re a millionaire, the next you’re an outcast.

If Waltrip were innocent and had no knowledge of these actions, he wouldn’t have so vehemently denied them nor would have he had any guilt in the wake of the penalties. If someone had smeared this stuff on an air cleaner, or in a cold box, I could understand that. The way that this Sterno was applied, it took an incredible amount of planning, technical assistance, clandestine work and conspiracy. I don’t buy the story.

The World’s Biggest Sparkler Toy – Bobby Grigas nailed the wall off of turn four in qualifying tonight. Greg Narducci and the rest of the #09 crew thrashed away on that car to get it ready for the race. Gregsy told me that it took eighteen turns just to get the car on the positive side of the wedge balance. Grigas told us later that the car had a shimmy in the corner. The quote of the day was when I said, “That’s what it feels like when you’re dragging a frame rail.” Those who drove behind the #09 might have wanted to pit for welding goggles.

February 15th

At least we’ll get this one in - Today is the day after Valentine’s Day or “Duel Day” as the folks in Daytona would like us to call it. I don’t think the people at Gatorade or ISC have a good grasp of the meaning of the word Duel. Perhaps they meant Dual and the sign painter misspelled it. Dual as in two races like the Twins the Duels replaced.

A Duel is typically a fight between two individuals with pistols, swords or dare I say [Say It, Say It!!!] banjos. There are a lot of people down here that look like the banjo player from Deliverance. I don’t know whether that influenced anyone in the offices on International Speedway Boulevard.

Super Sweet and Sour – Jimmy put both cars on the pole today. As the Tour Modifieds were coming to take the green flag in their feature, the yellow came out for rain. There had been a light drizzle for over an hour but we hadn’t lost the track and the Florida Modifieds had just completed their race. Twenty minutes later they called it a rainout.

Under the Weather – It was actually a pretty nice day today until the showers came. Although it was a little cooler than it had been it was perfect sweatshirt weather. There were people who were under the weather and most of those were seen doing Jell-O shots last night.

February 16th

Good News – (At least for us) Race officials determined that the starting lineups for tonight’s races will be determined by yesterday’s time trials. The bad news is that since there won’t be any qualifying for the Modifieds today, it will be a long drawn out day. That’s okay, despite the fact that it is unseasonably cold, the sun in shining and we are all in good spirits.

Thanks For the Meal – During the long wait today, I got a burger at the Brady Bunch grille. Joe and Linda are so cool. The Murphy folks hooked us up with pasta and a special meat sauce tonight. Still we have to thank Roy for all of the fine cuisine he has prepared all week.

That’s My Theory – Frank Kull, who was working with the #58 Tour Modified and the #05 SK talked to me at the scales before tonight’s race. Kull had the quote of the day when Frank said, “You have to keep a smile on your face when it comes to short track racing. It definitely helps. That’s my theory.” Thank you Professor Kull.

Webfolks Can Be Fun – In addition to our friends the Hodges, who have been providing great pictures of all of us on the Chrome Horn, several of our fellow Internet friends have been around all week. Matt and Bob Dillner weren’t the only folks from Speed51. Bob recently hired Jason “Stix” Buckley, who is known for his Motorsports Lounge site. Jason and I talked at length today. Our posts on the Motorsports Lounge site helped us expand our Live Updates audience last season.

Drive For Five – Jimmy dashed off from the pole tonight and took down his fifth SK win in the #12. Earl Paules was all over us with one to go but pushed it too hard and Eric Beers got by him at the end. Post-race tech went quickly; I think it was a magic wand wave or something like that. Show all five guys.

Richie Evans 100 – Showtime started in the third spot and followed pole-sitter Eric Beers under his brother, JBIII, on the initial start. Jimmy made a power move on Beers early to take a lead he would not relinquish. After that he saved his tires for the end of the race. When TC got past Beers late in the race, Jimmy stretched out a big lead for a convincing victory. I don’t know how many fingers Roy was holding up after the win but I heard he was the first person out on the track.

It’s Downright Cold – By the end of the Tour type Modified race, the mercury had fallen considerably. 55 gallon barrels were ablaze and folks were huddled around them. Even though the temperatures were probably twenty degrees warmer than they were in the areas around our hometowns, conditions were far from comfortable.

Hi, I’m the guy who finishes second – We went to the Pub together tonight. Earl Paules ventured over from a nearby table and introduced himself. “Hi, I’m the guy who always finishes second. Except tonight because I felt like finishing third.” said the 2006 RoC Champion.

February 17th

Hey! It’s almost over! – Today we come to the mixed realization that “it” is almost over. We are melancholy in the fact that the racing that we have enjoyed over the past week will soon be over and it will be a while before we can get back into the swing of things. We also long for the opportunity to take a bath or a home-style shower and a chance to do the things we normally do at home.

The Blewett Brothers [A Blues Brothers homage] – Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to New Smyrna Speedway. You know racing today is so full of propped up, pre-programmed, pretty boys, we rarely get a chance to see master Modified drivers practicing their craft anymore. By the year 2016, the racing today known as the Modifieds will exist only in those volumes of old Speedway Scenes down at your local public library. So tonight ladies and gentlemen, while we still can, allow me to introduce, from Howell Township, New Jersey, the Mod duo of John-boy III and Showtime Blewett, the Blewett Brothers. JBIII and Showtime were the show all week.

FAT – Speaking of the Blewetts, Showtime is putting together a new racing diversity program. This program will be to support those drivers who are in excess of two hundred and fifty pounds. He is actively recruiting drivers to participate in this program. Be prepared to eat and drink as heavily as you think you can race.

Long Island Photographs – I told Howie Hodge and Matt Dillner that we needed some more pictures of Long Island competitors to finish off the week. Kevin Goodale took down the win in the SK finale. The forty-lap affair was the best SK race of the entire weekend. It featured Earl Paules and Jimmy Blewett battling wheel to wheel for several laps. Congratulations to the boys from Riverhead.

Showtime did take down the SK Speedweeks Championship as well as the win in the Tour type Modified finale. Eric Beers took the Championship for the Tour type cars. Everyone can go home now. Special thanks to Keith from Murphy Motorsports for his girlish cheer in Victory Lane.

Where did my trailer go? – Allegedly, Joey Caraccia stole the track’s front load machine and had plans on moving all of the trailers in the infield to different locations to confuse their owners. Joey was last seen adjusting the valves on an engine with a tire crayon and yelling, “Thanks for all of your help!” Caraccia is still at large.

Frisbee Contest – Bobby Holmes entered the first annual New Smyrna Speedway, Frisbee championships when his flung his steering wheel in the direction of Donny Lia. There were taunts of foul play in the inspection area. It was suggested that certain objects be used as suppositories but no one was able to get a prescription at that late hour.

Bad Boy, Bad Boy, whatcha gonna do? – We were witness to an episode of the hit show COPS in the paddock area. It revolved around a domestic dispute. There was an arrest but fortunately the racer was the good guy in this situation.

Who do you think you are? – Eric Beers earns my final quote of the day. Eric said, “Take your twenty dollar Harley-Davidson jacket and get out of here.”

Special thanks – Southwest Airlines provided what amounted to a charter flight for all of us Long Island Speedweeks folks at 7AM Sunday. Everybody got their own row.

I wish there were more time and space to tell more. It has been a long week but it was a lot of fun. Thanks to Eddie Partridge and the TS Haulers team for allowing me to come along for the ride. Thanks to the Hodges for including us in all of their pictures. Thanks to the Murphy Motorsports guys and everyone else that made this a memorable week.

The next event we will attend will be the SpeedwayEXPO on the first weekend in March. Several of the MSS staffers will be in attendance. I plan on being there Saturday.