Pocono: NASCAR, Red Solo Cups & God

I like many of you have been a NASCAR Fan for several years and enjoy it and think I know it about as well as the next fella but, what I learned at Pocono changed it all. NASCAR will forever be more to me than it was or I even thought it would be. Let me set the scene and then I'll tell you what is there, what I saw, what I learned and what I love.

Earlier this year I had spent some time with the JTG Daugherty #47 Bobby Labonte Team at Richmond Spring Race thanks to the great folks/friends at BUBBA Burger. Bubba Burger is one of a handful of great Tailgating Products Sponsors like Kingsford, Bush's Beans, Scott Wipes that support the JTGD Team. So anyway, I got along with the guys and had a great time but told Tad that I really wanted to come to Pocono and see the #47 with Bubba Burger Car as the Primary Sponsor and all over the car. He smiled and said I would be welcome and my little wheels started turning.

After some tears and tantrums, weeping and gnashing of teeth, begging and pleading, those awesome folks/friends at BUBBA Burger hooked a Bubba up. It was actually an email to BUBBA saying I would love to go and him saying he would see what he could do and that's mighty kind of Andy Stenson for sure. 

So I get back to Pit Road Sunday morning pretty early for the race and head back past the Pits through the Garages full of cars going through Inspection and people walking around till I got to the Team Hauler. After a while of talking with many of the different guys on the Team and Bobby Labonte I found myself talking with one of the Gas Men. He was just a good ole boy and seemed nice so I sat there spreading the BUBBA love and all when he got up to go somewhere. He said "Well, I'm gonna be heading over to Church now and I just gotta get another buddy on the Team who is going". I asked if it was a Motor Racing Outreach Service cus I'd heard of them boys and he said yes so I invited myself along.

We got to the ARCA Garages where they had some folding chairs all lined up and a bunch of people milling around so the three of us fellas pulled us up a couple of chairs behind Bobby Labonte and a couple others from our Team and just then Team PR Lady came running in with a big ole smile she had not been late. Just ahead of us I saw David Ruetimann but actually I didn't look around after that I just focused on God. It was great to have two of my favorite things so well blended and I really for the first time was aware of just how well blended they are.

So the ole Preacher boy had a great Sermon where he demonstrated that if we all just look around we see God everywhere. It really hit home that I had had my face right there looking at NASCAR from the outside and now more from the inside but God is right there in plain sight. I will forever see God in NASCAR and seeing the strong faith walking the walk in the #47 Team made me an even bigger fan them too. I spent some time after Church fellow-shipping with that ole boy the Gas Man and we prayed and shared our testimonies and it was just awesome!

Oh yeah, the Red Solo Cups. In his Sermon he told a story about having some great fun by putting a heavy Magnet inside yer Red Solo Cup and putting it on the roof of yer car and driving slowly around parking lots driving people crazy. Ok, so I guess I did learn more then just the one thing from this MRO Preacher Boy. Thank You Andy & Jamie at BUBBA Burger, Tad and his whole JTGD Team and you God for always being there...Everywhere.

Memorial Day: NASCAR Salutes, Congress Slashes

One of my favorite things about NASCAR other than the Excitement, Noise and the smell of burnt High Octane Sunoco Race Fuel is their Patriotism and support for our Military and Country. You see it everywhere in our Sport from the National Anthem to the Fly Over to Teams bring Troops to the Track to Drivers going to the Troops and much more. Heck at Richmond International Raceway Brad Keselowski's Checkered Flag Foundation alone paid for a 70 person Sky Box filled with Wounded Warriors and we see others in our Sport doing the same and much more. You'd think that might get a positive response from our Government but in fact it's working on further damage to an already hurting sport.

What are they doing you ask? A few in Congress want to De-fund the Military's involvement in NASCAR and other Sports. What?! That's right instead of cutting Roads to Nowhere named after themselves or Libraries in their districts or personal Airports just for themselves they want to cut money used very effectively. The Military uses it's sponsorships in NASCAR to get the attention of it's demographics of eligible recruits and trust me NASCAR is full of them. I might go so far as to argue there are more NASCAR fans in the Military then any other sport.

Seems this ole boy from Georgia Rep. Jack Kingston [R-Ga.] and a yankee lady Rep. Betty McCollum are leading the way for an Amendment to a Defense Appropriations Bill that would prohibit funding of Sponsorships of Professional Sports or Sporting Events. Rep Kingston states: "None of the funds made available in this act may be used to sponsor professional or semiprofessional motorsports, fishing, wrestling or other sports." It just passed a voice vote and hope when it goes to the Floor it gets what it got last year and that's voted down 281-148.

This Government has already hurt NASCAR by the terrible Economy it created taking money earned by hard work Americans and wasting it. With Gas prices and everything else going up NASCAR tickets and trips to Tracks are the first cut in our Families budget [who can't just raise our Debt Ceiling]. Now they want to take away sponsorship such as Dale Jr's National Guard and Ryan Newman's Army and Richard Petty's Air Force Cars. That's crazy as ole June Bug is the Biggest name in NASCAR and gains the National Guard much attention for Recruiting and exposure. What are those people in Congress thinking of other then lining their own greedy pockets?

So this weekend while we in NASCAR are making our Paint schemes Red, White and Blue or putting Service peoples names and faces on the car. And while we all stand and take off our hats, put our hands on our hearts and face the flag. Just before the singing of the National Anthem while they are giving the invocation add a little Prayer for our National Leaders giving them for once some Common Sense. Amen

Contact you Representatives and tell them you want them voting for the continued funding for Sponsorships by the Military for NASCAR. RUB the VOTE!

RIR w/ BUBBA Burger & JTG Daugherty: Only Driving would have been closer.

As a Fan I got my socks knocked off at the Richmond International Raceway Sprint Cup Race and I gotta thank BUBBA Burger and JTG Daugherty Racing for that. I like to think my little niche in Fan Reporting is going places and relaying about what Fans don't get to see but want to see. I think being in a Sprint Cup Pit Box is where we all dream of standing and I got to so let me tell you a little about my day and the awesome time I had.

I met up with BUBBA Burger and Jamie Sakin who's BUBBA Burger Cruiser was loaded with Shirts, Hats and all kinds of Swag to give away to race fans. We headed out loaded like pack mules with back packs laden with BUBBA Booty and headed over first to some friends Sharon & Shannon at the Air Force #43 display who I know from "The Out-Field Gang" a Facebook NASCAR Fan Page. They invited us back for a swearing in of Recruits and it was such an Honor to be standing there as a General led them through THE OATH.  Jamie was the first to share much BUBBA love with not only the new Recruits but the Veteran Air Men thanking them for thier Service and Sacrifice.

Next we got the call these two BUBBAs were going to get to meet Bobby Labonte and the JTGD Team and I'm thinking "Great! we're headed down to the track to help them tune the Car or something cool like that. Nope! I was wrong they were doing something way more cool. They picked us up in a Cart and we zoomed back to the Driver Camp Ground to pick up Mr Labonte who was finishing up shooting a clip for TV but I won't be a spoiler and tell you what it was about.

Once Ms Jennifer the Team PR Director could got us all pointed in the right direction we were off to visit and speak to some amazing American Wounded Service people. During the trip through the winding camp grounds I had a little time with Bobby and we talked about Race Fans Past and Present and I asked does he see any difference? As we rode in the cold rain of the day he looked out and said "You see those people out there in that freezing cold rain? I'm not sure I would do that just to see me. I think we have the best Race Fans ever in this sport".

We got to the track and went right up to the Suite Brad K. and his Checkered Flag group who had about 60+ fioks they had hosted for the day at the race. Brad was signing autographs so Jamie and I started handing out swag and much BUBBA Love to these great guys and gals while Bobby Labonte shared his warm affection and support. They all wanted to hear Bobby speak so he told us everything from being bored racing at Texas to what to expect to see in that night's race. There were some great questions in his Q&A Session and he must have signed a zillion autographs like a true Champion. Thanks for being such a great example Bobby.

Jamie and I were introduced and I got to speak to these great American Heroes how I felt about them and how our Country felt about them. I let them all know how very Proud of them we all are and that our collective hearts go out to them but, our hands also go out to them for support or to left them up as well. I told them what they had given to me and to us all with their Blood, Sweat and Tear selflessly I wanted to applaud so I did and the next thing I knew so did the whole room. Thank you Lord for words I never prepared for that you gave me. Jamie and I spent a good long time talking with men and women of every Branch of Service about NASCAR, BBQ and BUBBAS and signed a bunch of Programs and swag and had a great time. Thank you American Moms & Dads!

Next thing I knew it was getting close to Race time so with the HOT Pit Pass JTGD hooked me up with off to Pit Road I headed. Ok, I stopped for a quick cold beer before hitting Pit Road cus they don't want Drinking and Driving. But I digress. We stopped by the SPEED Stage where 100+ folks got some Shirts and Hats we supplied to our friends at SPEED and folks were showing their BUBBA Love right back!

Pit Road is more alive during HOT Pit Road time which is 1 Hour Before a Race till 1 Hour After a Race which makes sense cus hey there's a Race going on and all the Fans are in place. I found my way to the JTGD/Bobby Labonte Pit Box and met up with Team Owner Tad Geschickter and his friends I had met earlier. After that I stepped back to get out of the way but Tad had none of that and got me a Head Set and Radio and pointed to a spot in front of the Pit Box just behind the Wall. DO WHAT? Really? This is a Fan's Dream I thought to myself.

As I stood right next to the Jack Man Mike Klien who is like their QB and must work out like an animal in his Fire Suit I was thinking two things: "This is awesome standing here so close as a Fan!" and "What the heck am I doing standing so close without a Fire Suit as a Fan?!". There is not an Inch closer a Fan could ever be to NASCAR without a Fire Suit and what I got to see at that Race. I mean, I mean there is 100 times more action, work, thinking, adjusting this Team was doing and it was like clock work around me.

My Radio told me we were getting close to a Pit Stop and I saw Mike put on his Helmet, Grab his Jack from next to me and give me the look of "You don't want to be around here" at which point I retreated to a much safer spot to watch these guys Pit Service Bobby's car. Wow! How do they do all that in 14 seconds is a wonder but it was wonderful to get to see so close. No sooner had Bobby sped out of the Pits and the Gas Man Jimmy Watts safely secured the Gas Cans Tad was flagging me to get beck in my spot on the Wall.

Getting to watch a Race like I did from the Wall between a Jack Man and Rear Tire Changer and being treated like a welcome Team Member as a Fan I will always remember and treasure. So to Tad and his Wife and Bobby Labonte and all the great folks at JTG Daugherty and to Andy & Jamie and all the great BUBBAS at BUBBA Burger I want to thank you for a Fan's dream come true... and please invite me back.

And as always Thanks Lord!

Fan Reporting for BUBBA Burger at RIR

Hey Race Fans I have some pretty cool news to share with you this week. I've been invited to do my Fan's Reporter Interviews and Videos for BUBBA Burger at this Springs NASCAR Race at Richmond International Raceway. This is going to be great as we will be down on Pit Road with the JTG Doughty #47 Team and NASCAR Champion Driver Bobby Labonte. What a great honor it will be to maybe interview the Driver that took the new Joe Gibbs Racing Team and the #18 to their first Championship.

So what am I doing now? HOMEWORK. Yup I'll be reading up on the somewhat new JTG Doughty Team and also Bobby Labonte as I want to have some great questions. Race Fans have different questions then Race Reporters so I'll be looking for the questions Bobby and the Team will want to answer for Fans. If you have a question for Bobby or the Team send it to me and if I use it in my interviews you'll win a free something!

I've never worked with a company or group of guys more fun then the folks at BUBBA Burger. They have made me feel like family and been kind to me from the moment we met. Hey that reminds me of that very first meeting when I actually got to meet and interview Walter "BUBBA" Eaves the founder and inventor of the BUBBA Burger. This has always been my most memorable and treasured interview and it's because of the unexpected.

Let me set this up. Myself and Jimmy Joe Ball were invited by BUBBA Burger into the Hospitality area for some BUBBA Burgers and you guessed it cold beers. I was introduced to Mr Eaves and after a few minutes of small talk I asked to shoot a 1 minute videos. That went well but Jimmy kept the camera rolling as Fan's wanted to get our picture of Bubba and me. SO like two old boys will do we kept talking.

Jimmy Joe Ball saw that something magical was happening and thank goodness he turned the video back on and caught this. Just two proud Marines from different generations humbly talking about their service. I will never, ever forget what a true honor it was to spend such wonderful time with this great American.

So will I be working very hard for my friends at BUBBA Burger and especially for that man Mr. Walter BUBBA Eaves. Thanks guys and I won't let you down!

You'll Never bite a better burger than a BUBBA!

Get Well Soon to the Great American Hero: Junior Johnson

We heard news this week the NASCAR Hall of Fame Driver/Owner Junior Johnson was hospitalized and that sure is sad because he is such a Great American Hero. He has an infection he needs to get cleared up so he can have the surgery for a Pace Maker. I could go on and on about Mr Johnson quoting amazing NASCAR statistics but heck you can look them up on yer own. What to learn about a Driver that drove on the beach at Daytona and got 50 Wins and 6 Championships by all means Google "Junior Johnson".

What I know about Junior Johnson comes from hearing NASCAR Legend Crew Chief and now SPEED Commentator Jeff Hammond talk about becoming DW's Crew Chief. Just about the entire Team had left Junior and Jeff was bold enough to walk in and tell Junior Johnson he was the man for the job and Junior being smart enough to know he would be. History proves them both were correct.

But what I really know about Junior Johnson came from meeting him and spending just a few minutes talking like two ole boys will do over some BBQ Chicken. I was in Daytona for the 2010 Speed Week when we got the call to cook BBQ Live on National TV for Fox & Friends for Junior Johnson, Michale Waltrip, Carl Edwards and a few other. When Mr Johnson arrived I know I was next to NASCAR Royalty and I'm not one to be star struck but I was. Maybe Jeff remembers Junior being more hard but when I met him he was soft spoken Southern Gentleman from his handshake to the twinkle in his eyes.

So I don't have a great racing story to share about Junior Johnson just a day sharing BBQ Chicken some stories about the old school NASCAR days with a Great American Hero.

Get well soon Mr Johnson and I'll have BBQ ready any time you want!

Things Happen Fast in NASCAR: Bristol

Things have always happened fast in NASCAR and news that Bristol Motor Speedway was going to do something after fan reaction and empty seats in the Last Great Colosseum still caught me off guard. I like Bristol and I liked the old style of Bump & Run but I also liked the much fewer Caution Flags letting the Drivers race so, I could argue either side of that. What it got me thinking was how important we Fans are to NASCAR and it's Tracks that our input quickly acted on.

For example I think the greatest changes we have seen were after the Crash that took the life of the late great Dale Earnhardt Sr. That struck a deep nerve with Fans that the sport we all love so very much was still capable of killing. What do you know very quickly NASCAR came up with the HAANS Device and Safer Barriers and modifications to the cars. Now we've seen Drivers walk away from terrible crashes that before would have killed or maimed them.

The Two Car Tandem at Daytona and Talladega was another thing Fans hated and became very vocal about and low and behold NASCAR started working on breaking them up. Fans didn't like how the cars could stay together so long making for such boring races and Big Daddy NASCAR took away Air and Water which did the trick. With smaller Radiators and the Air Intakes moved to the middle of the nose made the cars will overheat in just a few laps which for all intent and purposes did the trick and we saw much better racing already ay Daytona.

Let's not forget recently after the explosion from the Colombian Car Bomber plowing into a Track Jet Dryer we all learned TIDE can be used on Fuel Spills. And what change did we quickly get after this you ask? Track Jet Dryer Crews now get full Fire Suits and Helmets which honestly I thought they already had.

So it was no wonder after watching the Food City 500 and seeing so many empty seats that Bristol Motor Speedway would quickly react and they sure did. Within days of the race we heard from Mr Bruton Smith that came out and set up ways to gather Fan input about what Fans wanted him to do to fix things and bring them back. We Fans talked and he surely listen because he said "something will be done" and would let us know in the coming weeks what that would be to have it in place for the Irwin Tools Night Race. That's impressive.

But why would they do it to me is very clear "It's Personal" to Bristol Motor Speedway which is Track Operations but it's also Family. From the very first race I attended at BMS they from the Top down made me feel not just like a welcome fan but family. The Fans that come from all over the World make friends that become Life Long Friendships and extended Families. When I say "It's Personal" I don't just mean for the Race Fans but heck all the great folks that work at the Track. Take a minute and read what Director of Brand Management Drew Bedard has to say about it: http://www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/handler.cfm/article,blog/art_id,606145/cat_id,47046/

Let me wrap this up with a High Five and a thank you to Bristol Motor Speedway. I don't know exactly what they will do but I do know a few things and they are Bristol Cares, I Will be there to support them in August for the Irwins Tools Night Race and though Bristol is in another State and Seven Hours away from me "Bristol is MY Home Track!" See ya in August BMS!

The Lady & the Flaming Hot Latin

The Daytona 500 to me is like the "Attention Whore" of all the Races on the NASCAR Schedule. It has to be First, it has to be Longer, it has to have more Races, it has to take Two Weeks and it has to have bigger Crashes and Faster Speeds. And Drama it has to have more Drama and it certainly did again this year.

After waiting and counting down the 100 days from the last race at Homestead something just had to come along and extend the whole thing even more and that was the Weather and Rain. I know many of Daytona 500 viewing parties that well, got washed out and many that went to the race had to extend their stays. But you know NASCAR came out of this Race on Prime Time for the Nation to watch and hopefully gain some new fans.

And what they all saw was a great Race right from the beginning when on Lap 2 Elliot Sadler pushed Jimmie Johnson and the #48 into a crash that gathered up many including Kurt Busch, Trevor Bayne and Danica Patrick. And speaking of the Lady Danica Patrick in the #10 Go Daddy she certainly was the talk of the weekend with her being the first female Driver in the Daytona 500 in a long time and then taking the Pole for the Nationwide Race. This Lady is a pretty good Driver and will only get better and in my opinion great for the Sport and for NASCAR. The Lady is also tough as nails and we saw that when she pounded the wall in the Twin 125. Had that not been a new Safer Barrier and am really afraid to think of how that would have all turned out.

And if that was all not spectral enough for a Daytona 500 Juan Pablo Montoya's car shooting up the track into a Track Dryer Truck exploding into 2 Fireballs and a Lake of Fire on the Track sure as heck went over the top. I didn't see THAT coming! And neither did NASCAR or the folks at the Track but they did a great job of putting it all out and making sure everyone walked away safe. I did hear the guys in the Track Dryers will start wearing Fire Suits and Helmets but I thought they already did.

What could be even more entertaining? Pee Breaks for Danica Patrick and Kyle Busch seems to be what folks were laughing about during the almost 2 hour Caution. Oh and a guy named Matt Kenseth won the race but no JUAN will remember that just the Night Race and the Flaming Hot Latin. I loved it! Bravo Daytona International Speedway and NASCAR!

That's my story and I'm sticking with it.