Get hands-on experience and expert demonstrations of MIG welding, TIG welding and plasma cutting. Test Miller TIG and MIG welders that make it easier to learn to weldperfect for enthusiast-level motorsports applications.

APPLETON, Wis. -- Miller Electric Mfg. Co. plans to debut a revolutionary new TIG welder on Nov. 4 the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Although the company will not reveal product details until the show opens, product manager John Swartz hints that Miller will introduce a revolutionary new AC/DC TIG unit designed with simplicity in mind for the first-time TIG welder. In early tests, users report that the new TIG unit is easy to operate; offers excellent arc starts, great control over the weld puddle and is affordably priced for the do-it-yourself motorsports enthusiast.

Miller encourages SEMA show visitors to get under the hood try all of its welders on display at booth #23913 in the Racing & Performance section and to ask questions of the welding experts staffing the booth.

Hands-on Experience

In addition to unveiling new products, Miller will conduct live arc demonstrations of the following products:

Millermatic series of MIG welders, including Millermatics 140 and 180 with Auto-Set paired with a Spoolmate 100 Series spool gun for MIG welding aluminum.

Spectrum series of plasma cutters, including the 18-lb. Spectrum 375 X-TREME.

Dynasty 200 AC/DC TIG inverters.

Digital Elite welding helmets including the new Luckys Speed Shop and Vintage USA Designs.

Highlights/Key Facts

* New TIG welder designed for motorsports enthusiasts

* Visit Miller booth #23913 in the Racing & Performance section

* Hands-on product experience, expert demonstrations

Nascar has its hands full with tires at Indy - But are they to blame?

The race at the Brickyard will go down in history as one of the biggest blunders in racing history. Remember Formula 1 had almost the identical thing happen with the drivers and teams withdrew from the race at Indy a few years back because of safety concerns.

But the thing is NASCAR should not be blamed for this mistake. The fault lies with Goodyear. In reality, NASCAR did all that they could to provide the fans with a decent race. Goodyear only brought three teams to test and brought the wrong tire to the track. They relied to heavy on previous races at the track. Goodyear has had some harsh critics this year and in all reality they have not performed up to the sports expectation.

So how do we resolve this problem....In my mind's eye it's very easy. Lets put the pressure on Goodyear and let another tire manufacture like Hoosier or Firestone to come into the series, and give the teams a choice each weekend. I can guarantee you that this would cause Goodyear to work a little harder. I can assure you that if Goodyear knew that as soon as they started popping tires like they were at Indy, teams could switch to another brand. Then Goodyear would of spent more time, money, and energy in making sure they brought a good tire.

Come on, lets think outside the box here a little

A special online auction give you the chance to own Kyle Petty's 2006 Victory motorcycle and join Kyle on the 2009 Ride Across America. But hurry, the auction runs July 15-25, 2008. All proceeds benefit two extremely worthy charaties.

Last year SEMA held its annual Installation Banquet in conjunction with a fundraiser to benefit two very worthy charities: Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. The 2007 event raised more than $175,000. This year the Installation Banquet and Gala Fundraiser will be held on July 25 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine located in Irvine, California.

This special online auction will assist in SEMA’s effort to help raise awareness and addtional funds. 100% of the proceeds from this auction will benefit Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. The auction runs July 15-25, 2008.

THE AUCTION FEATURES

Kyle Petty's own 2006 Victory motorcycle, valued at over $15,000 and driven in the 2007 Ride Across America Charity RIde. This beautiful motorcycle is a black Jackpot model and includes a custom luggage rack built by Kyle himself, saddlebags and a full windshield.

In addition, the winner will receive one core rider position on the 15th Anniversary Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America in 2009 valued at over $13,000 and includes:

*Nine nights hotel accommodations

*Fuel for one motorcycle at all scheduled Pit stops

*All scheduled group meals

*Commemorative Designer Leather Jacket

*Event t-shirt and cap

*All company-sponsored t-shirts

*Transportation of one (1) motorcycle from NC to designated 2009 headquarters of Charity Ride

TO BID OR LEARN MORE PLEASE CUT AND PASTE THE LINK BELOW INTO YOUR BROWSER:

http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=semacarescharities

AUCTION RUNS JULY 15-25, 2008

100% of the proceeds benefit these two important charities

About Childhelp

Founded in 1959 by Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, Childhelp® is a leading national non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect. Childhelp’s approach focuses on prevention, intervention and treatment. The Childhelp® National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. www.childhelp.org

Victory Junction Gang Camp

Victory Junction Gang Camp enriches the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment. Victory Junction Gang Camp was founded by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and his wife Pattie in honor of their late son Adam. www.victoryjunction.org

NASCAR on dirt?

It's no secret that NASCAR is truly concerned with tv ratings. But I would imagine that if NASCAR would consider running a points race on dirt, then they would see a huge boost in their tv ratings.

Of course there would need to be plenty of testing before they could. Goodyear could develop a dirt tire, and the drivers could try the COT on dirt. NASCAR has raced dirt in the past and ARCA has proved that it can be done.

Think about it, NASCAR has tracks that benefit every type of driving back ground except for dirt drivers. The road course drivers always have an edge at Infineon and the Glen.  But the short track races are as close as it comes for the dirt drivers.

Wouldn't you love to see the Cup guys try there hands at Eldora, or the high banks of belleville, or better yet the moody mile? Come on NASCAR Change it up!

John Gibson -Tech Editor, SCR

Hard to believe it's been 50 years since Richard Petty made his first start racing in NASCAR, in what was then the Grand National division (later to become Winston Cup)...

Mooresville, N.C. - Petty Enterprises will celebrate "The King" Richard Petty's 50th anniversary in NASCAR this weekend. The plan includes Petty getting back into a racecar and turning laps at Chicagoland (Ill.) Speedway.

On July 12, 1958, Petty made his first NASCAR start in the old Convertible Division at Columbia (S.C.) Speedway in Cayce, South Carolina. On July 12, 2008, Petty Enterprises and the entire NASCAR community will celebrate the anniversary of that race at the Chicagoland Speedway, where the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is competing in the Life Lock 400.

Petty Enterprises will be marking the anniversary with numerous special events and promotions. The team has extended an invitation for the CEOs of their sponsors and partner companies to come to Chicago to help them commemorate the anniversary. As part of the activities, Petty will return to a racecar to give some of his special guests a ride around Chicagoland Speedway in a Richard Petty Driving Experience stockcar.

"'The King' has carved-out a legacy that can never be equaled in NASCAR," said Petty Enterprises Vice President of Marketing, Brian Moffitt. "Whether it is wins, championships, integrity, commitment to helping others or fan affinity, his career speaks for itself. We are excited to celebrate his 50-year legacy with programs in which our partners find value and at the same time allow Richard to stay connected to the core of the sport, the fan.

As a tribute to Petty and the anniversary of his first race, the No. 43 and No. 45 will be featuring special throwback paint schemes for the Life Lock 400. The paint schemes feature the Petty Blue color made famous by Petty and in a nod to the 60's and 70's, racing strips. Each will also carry the 50th anniversary commemorative logo on the hood of both cars.

Richard Petty is known for his fan friendly approach and as part of the 50th celebration, the team is offering a way for his fans to be included in the celebration. Petty Enterprises will join with Dodge and Marathon Petroleum Company to carry out a unique fan promotion scheduled to launch in early June. "As much as he is renowned for his success on the racetrack, 'The King' has always connected with the fan and still does to this day" said Moffitt. "It's just part of who he is. He understands that the fan is what makes NASCAR successful. He takes the time to sign every autograph and to pose for a picture with every child. It is with that same fan appreciation that our plans include elements in which the fans can participate in this milestone event.

Over his 35 years as a driver, 'the King' achieved some amazing feats on the racetrack including scoring a record 200 wins and seven Winston Cup Championships. Petty changed the sport of auto racing, influenced the way that drivers interact with their fans and in the process became an American icon.

The 50th anniversary of Petty's first race is an opportunity for Petty Enterprises, the NASCAR community, and all NASCAR fans to honor him for his achievements and for the countless contributions he has made to the sport.

This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of Richard Petty's first race, which occurred on July 12, 1958. In celebration of his half-century of involvement in NASCAR, here is a reproduction of a Petty Enterprises race report from that day. In his first two years of racing, Petty competed in two different NASCAR series, the Convertible Series and the Grand National Series (which is now the Sprint Cup Series). During his 35-year career 'The King' scored a record-setting 200 victories and seven Winston Cup Championships. Today, 50 years after he began racing, Richard Petty continues to dedicate his life to the sport that made him a true American icon.

RANDLEMAN, NC (July 12, 1958) - This was a successful and special weekend for Petty Enterprises. Lee Petty drove to his 15th top-5 of the season and his son, Richard, scored a sixth-place finish in his first NASCAR race.

Driving the #42 Petty Enterprises Oldsmobile, Lee Petty finished fourth at McCormick Field, a quarter-mile paved track in Asheville, N.C. Jim Paschal won the event, which was Grand National race number 29. Paschal was piloting the #49 Chevrolet; he started first and led all 150 laps of the 48 minute race. Fifteen cars began the event and twelve were running at the conclusion. Petty finished one lap down, he followed Cotton Owens and Rex White across the stripe. Jack Smith was two laps down and came in fifth. Petty earned $265 for his top-5 finish. He has won four races so far this season.

Racing this weekend at Columbia Speedway in Columbia, S.C., was Lee's son, Richard, who made his NASCAR debut in race number 14 for the Convertible Series. Bob Welborn took the win but Richard, who turned 21 only ten days ago, made a strong showing in his first race by finishing sixth.

"That was fun, a lot of fun," said Petty. "I've been watching my dad race all these years. It feels good that he trusted me, Dale and Red to come down here and race. I'm glad he had a good run in Asheville. For us to come home sixth, man, that feels like a win. It was real muddy, real slick out there. I learned a lot though. With a little more experience I think I can compete with these guys."

Richard started 13th in the #42 Petty Engineering Oldsmobile and moved through the field to finish only five laps down. Twenty-five cars started the 100-mile event but only 10 were running at the close of the race, which lasted nearly two hours. The young Petty won $200 for his first top-10 finish.

Fireball Roberts started from the pole in his #22 Chevrolet and crossed the stripe in second place. Larry Frank stayed on the lead lap to earn a third-place finish. Completing the top five were Doug Cox and George Dunn. Columbia Speedway is a half-mile dirt track that has hosted the Convertible Series since NASCAR began running the division in 1956.

The next Grand National event for Lee Petty is in four days at State Line Speedway in Busti, NY. Richard Petty's next race will be on July 18th in Toronto at the Canadian Exposition Stadium. It is scheduled to be Richard's Grand National Series debut; he will race alongside his father for the first time.

Busch again was in the right place at the right time to claim victory in the pepsi 400

Kyle Busch out deuled the teamates of Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth to win yet again. If the last caution hadn't of come out Busch was going to be a sitting duck to the Roush-Fenway Fords in my opinion.

And another thing I understand why NASCAR has to be concerned about the safety of the drivers and all. But in my opinion if the caution comes out on the last lap the drivers should be allowed to race back to the line, especially at Daytona and Talladega. The drivers would of had ample time to slow down their machines before reaching the accident scene.

Just my 2 cents

Once again Mother Nature conspired to keep Tony Stewart out of victory lane...

With his recent run of crappy luck, maybe Stewart should look at voodoo or human sacrifice to snap the streak?!

Yeah, Tony could've stayed out, but the sun would've probably come back out, and he be stuck running on fumes and old tires!

What do you think Tony Stewart should do to snap his bad luck?

An innovative backpack cooler from TrackPack chills and dispenses 20 beverage cans with the flick of a wrist, complies with most public venues and tracks and is easy for one person to carry. Drink up!

We're right in the middle of the car show season and no matter where you are that's gonna mean staying outside for hours, walking miles checking out cars and, more than likely, a few cold-ones. Handling and care of those coldies, as we all know, can be a major pain. TrackPack has come out with a backpack cooler that should make your life on the show or racing circuit easier.

The TrackPack's roomy 14h" x 14"w size was designed to comply with the most common size restrictions set by public venues and arenas - perfect for races and track events. It has an internal plastic frame that holds beverage cans stacked on their sides in four vertical columns - a lot like a soda machine. To keep everything cold, the TrackPack comes with three removable and reusable freezer gel-packs. They act sorta like an internal refrigerator and, here's a huge plus, they won't leak. While you're wearing the pack, reach back, whip open one of the flaps on either side of the bag, and grab an ice-cold one. The next can falls into the previous can's position.You can also access the cooler via a zippered flap on the top but the side flaps are much easier.

If you forget to freeze the gel-packs, the TrackPack comes with a waterproof liner insert. Just pull the internal plastic frame out of the bag, Velcro the liner in place and add crushed ice along with cans, bottles, or whatever you want to keep cool.

We gave the TrackPack a try at a recent event in Florida. We froze the gel-packs overnight (make sure you lay 'em as flat as possible or they may be tough to slide in to the rail system), loaded it up with some cans, slung it over the shoulder and headed out. After tailgating for a little while near our car, we put the TrackPack in the trunk with about 10 cans left in it and checked out the venue for about three hours. When we got back the drinks were still cold and, best of all, the cooler hadn't leaked or filled with water. Granted, nothing beats drinks submerged in cooler full of ice, but the TrackPack kept the cans pretty cold for hours in the trunk of a car in the Florida heat. If that had been an ice-chest, it would've been filled with nothing but warm water.

The TrackPack works like advertised and it did make transporting and keeping our drinks cold a ton easier. After we got back we took out the gel-packs, laid 'em flat in the freezer and it'll be ready to go for the next event. At just under $40, it's not as cheap as those Styrofoam coolers but it's not a bad deal considering the dough you'll save on ice. Plus, it's easy for one person to carry and will fit under the bleacher seats.

For more on TrackPack check out their website at www.trackpackcoolers.com.

Hobart Brothers offers the cure to common stick welding troubles. The poster illustrates common weld defects, their causes and solutions and is available free of charge in Spanish and English.

Hobart Brothers has created the fourth in an ongoing series of free educational welding posters, addressing the 10 most common welding problems and their likely causes and solutions. Using diagrams and concisely written explanations, the poster is a handy reference tool for both professional and educational welding environments.
 
The problems discussed apply to SMAW welding. Included in the poster are discussions of the following welding problems:

* Porous welds
* Cracked welds
* Undercutting
* Distortion
* Spatter
* Lack of fusion
* Overlapping
* Poor penetration
* Magnetic Arc Blow
* Inclusions

This poster and the previous three posters in the series, "Types and Positions," "AWS Classifications" and "Tensile and Impact Strength," are also available in Spanish.
The posters, measuring 28-in. X 22-in., are available free of charge by contacting the Hobart Brothers Information Center at (888) 462-2789 or email the company fulfillment center at databs@mindspring.com. For product spec sheets or to learn more about Hobart Brothers products, visit Hobartbrothers.com, call 1-800-424-1543, or write Hobart Brothers Company, 101 Trade Square East, Troy, OH 45373.

Dale Earnhardt Inc. will host the seventh annual Dale Earnhardt Day at its corporate headquarters in Mooresville, N.C. on Tuesday, April 29th.

Dale Earnhardt Inc. will host the seventh annual Dale Earnhardt Day at its corporate headquarters in Mooresville, N.C. on Tuesday, April 29th. The event, which celebrates the birth date of the seven-time NASCAR Champion, also serves as a major benefit for the Dale Earnhardt Foundation, with a percentage of the event's merchandise sales being donated to the Foundation.

The event, which is themed "Behind the Legend, He was One of Us," will run from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and will feature a variety of activities and displays for the entire family. Personal photos, mementoes and trophies highlighting Dale's personal & professional life through the decades of the '70s, '80s and '90s, will be on hand at the event.

During the official Dale Earnhardt Day Ceremony, starting at 3 p.m., The Hershey Company will unveil a replica of a fan photo mosaic as a tribute to the racing legend. A mosaic bearing Earnhardt's likeness will be comprised of more than 1,000 photos from fans across the country. Fans on-site will have an opportunity to be photographed for the final permanent mosaic at the Hershey's Photo Booth. When completed later this year, the final mosaic will be on display at the Dale Earnhardt Inc. Headquarters.

In addition, Dale Earnhardt Inc. Sprint Cup drivers will be on hand for the ceremony, which also honors The Dale Earnhardt Foundation Legend Leadership Award Winners and the Dale Earnhardt Motorsports Scholarship Recipient winner from Clemson University.

ESPN's Dr. Jerry Punch will serve as the emcee for the event, with live entertainment being provided by Nashville Star & Combustion Music Recording Artist Brent Keith, who sang "Looking for a Road", the title track for the movie DALE. Also performing will be local band Coconut Groove.

Fans at the event will have chances to win prizes and bid on limited edition collectibles and raced sheet metal from Dale Earnhardt Inc. race cars. All proceeds from the raffle and auctions will benefit the mission of The Dale Earnhardt Foundation. Furthermore, The Dale Earnhardt Tribute trailer will be on hand continuing to accept new or gently used books for the Dale Earnhardt Book Center at the Center of Hope in Charlotte, N.C.

In addition, Bass Pro Shops and the U.S. ARMY will operate outdoor activity areas, and Turtle Wax, the NASCAR Technical Institute and Hershey's will also be on hand with interactive displays. Also, Dale Earnhardt Inc. drivers and personalities will be on hand for the ceremony and to sign autographs. The event will feature three separate autograph sessions, with upcoming DEI drivers, Kerry Earnhardt and Mark Martin signing at 11 a.m.; Martin and Aric Almirola signing autographs at 4:30 p.m.; and Martin Truex Jr., Paul Menard and Regan Smith signing at 5:30 p.m.

Taylor Earnhardt of the Earnhardt Equestrian division will be doing riding demonstrations during the day, and will be on hard to sign autographs as well.

Wristbands will be handed out for Martin's morning autograph session and each of the afternoon autograph sessions to the first 350 people in line requesting them, beginning at 9 a.m. on the day of the event. Each session WILL require a different wristband and only one wristband will be handed out per person for each session. Due to time constraints, autographs will be limited to ONE per person with NO EXCEPTIONS. Fans are encouraged to visit the Company's official website http://www.daleearnhardtinc.com for event updates.

What ever it takes

The Daytons 500 was a great race. It would have been more exciting if we had eliminated the first 140 laps and just run a 60 lap sprint, thats where all the action was. The drivers all kept a cool head until the money lap was close. The Dodges did a great job of placing themselves in a position to win. That is really what the deal is about. Putting yourself in a position to win.

I was looking for the Toyotas out of the Gibbs camp to win the whole show. They had the cars to beat but the handwriting is on the wall. Toyota is a force to be reconed with this year and it is clear they have cracked the code. They will be a force this year. I would look for NASCAR to review the engines in the very near future. We will have to see just how they run in unrestricted form.

Penske sweeps the front two positions at the 500

If Anyone says they chose either Ryan Newman or Kurt Busch this morning to win the 500. Well they are lieing, not even on anyone's radar Ryan Newman with drafting help from his teammate Kurt Busch stuns the entire field and puts Dodge into the Daytona Victory Lane. Ryan Newman became the 32 different winner of the Daytona 500.

All in all one of the best Daytona 500's in recent memory. It's hard to trump last year's finish, but this one was extremely exciting.

- Stewart said that this was one of the most disappointing races in his career

John Gibson - Tech Editor, SCR

Busch dominating, in an excellent 500

Just over halfway thru the 500 and from the drop of the green flag the race reminded me of a mid 80's Daytona 500. If you are judging success on how the race is ran today then I would have to say that Nascar has hit a home run with the Car Of Today. Outside of Kyle Busch (who has been the only one running consistently upfront) the race has featured a lot of different drivers running up front. I was standing at the end of pit road and got to look at the tires coming off of the front runners and I noticed that everyone was blistering tires, with the worse being Dale JR, who was missing half his tread. But Hamlin's was amazingly clean. If it wasn't for his left rear quarter-panel, I think he would be contending for the win. But I was a nay-sayer with the COT but I must say so far the race has made the teams get the car handling good first before worrying about the draft. It was just the opposite in years past.

There is the second caution, so lets hope for a finish under the green.

John Gibson - Tech Editor, SCR

Today ends the HYPE of the last 10 days

Lots of news today JV is out at Bill Davis and the tension grows for the race toady. I for one, have picked Tony Stewart to win the show. I picked Tony several months back just after the announcement of Joe Gibbs racing dumping the Chevrolet in favor of the Toyota. (I still would like to see Mark Martin win this deal.) You know that there was some strong under currents of power not just a money deal. I think Tony has enough money, he wants to win! I did not think it was a money deal. Although I would think that some pennies have changed hands over that deal.Now we are hearing of some big HP differences under the hood and through the drive-train allowing the power to reach the rear wheels. Time will tell.

Lots of issues around Camshafts and the related drive train. Lots of loads in the engines running today. Is this a mechanical thing or ate the loads just so high that the lubricants just can't hold up to the agressive loading that the cam designers are driving into the valve trains. Time to make sur that the car has a full load of minerals, like Zink and Sulphur. My mom always told me that taking my vitamins and mineral was important. Notice that the teams at the front are the ones having the issues with engines.

I hoe you all enjoy the race today and tomorrow we can talk about the events and the issues that boil up today. Like the majority of you I will have to sift through all of the TV input and search out what is the real story. Watch carefully and look for the big moves on the track. It is just that simple.

Teams roll in early for the Daytona 500

Good morning from the Daytona 500! So who is going to win is the main topic of conversation this morning. Most everyone here is saying that Toyota is going to win its first Nascar and Daytona 500 win. But I think that they will have to do battle with Jr and the rest of the Hendrick gang before claiming victory. Jr is the only driver to win a race at Daytona this week that was not driving a Toyota. If it wasn't for Jr, it would of been Toyota dominating all the races.

One other note, isn't it strange that Jr has been getting all of the press and relieving Jimmie of the publicity. I think that Jimmie will surprise a lot of people with how well he runs today. Chad knaus knows how to build a restrictor plate car.

John Gibson - Tech Editor SCR

Stewart wins with Kyle Busch finishing a hard fought second.

The Nationwide series kicked off it's season opener at Daytona with Stewart taking home the top honors but it didn't come easy at all. Stewart had to hold off a charge from Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt jr. Kyle led a lot of laps before settling for 2nd. It was probably the most hard fought second place finish in recent memory. I couldn't believe how many blocks he pulled on not only Martin Truex and Dale Jr, but also his teammate Tony Stewart. In the post race press conference he said, "what else am I going to do? ...That's what you have to do to win in these restritctor plate races." Truex had a legit shot to win the race, however a late race pit stop mistake put him back a few positions and he just ran out of laps. All in all the race went by extremely quick and allowed the cars to really get strung out. But the end did not disappoint with numerous lead changes and the eventual pass for the lead with three to go.  Kyle Busch keeps the streak going, in the past 7 NNS races he has not finished worst then 2nd.

A few notes from Daytona 

Hello from sunny Daytona International Speedway! After a cold start here on Thursday the weather has finally warmed up to what I expected the Florida weather should be like. The on track action has also heated up with the truck race kicking off last night and after a rough start it finally had some exciting racing with Todd Bodine taking the checkered flag followed by Kyle Busch and Johnny Benson.

- Erik Darnell in my opinion had the fastest truck by far. It was rough seeing him suffer from a vibration that ended up causing him to be involved in a crash that dropped him from the race.

- John Hill is right in his Blog about Kyle Busch; anytime he is around a wreck they immediately assume it’s his fault. He ran extremely well and finished 2nd in the race

- Rookie Justin Marks had an impressive run. Running top 5 most of the night before being caught up in the Erik Darnell accident, but rebounded to finish 8th.

The best thing about being down in Daytona, asides from seeing the Daytona 500 and the supporting series’, is being able to practically drive 30 or 40 minutes any direction and be at another track. On Thursday I went to New Smyrna Speedway and tonight I will be traveling to Volusia County Speedway to watch the World of Outlaw dirt late models.

At New Smyrna I spotted for a good friend of mine Les Law who was running a late model truck. He jumped out quick to a good running spot of 4th out of 25. But suffered from a brake problem halfway thru the event that dropped him from the race. New Smyrna Speedway featured a lot of great young drivers and some great races. It was the first time I had seen the SK modifieds, and let me tell you they put on a great show.

Whoa they just fired the engines for the Busch race; I need to get back out there.

More to come from speed weeks

John Gibson - Tech Editor, Stock Car Magazine

Kyle Busch get a bad rap

It seems that when ever a wreck happens close to Kyle he gets blamed. (There could be a reason for that but...) It looked like there were multiple people who could share responsibility for the first of the big ones that happened in the truck race. Cut the kid some slack!

Lets Mix it up a little. Let's add some dirt to the show!

While I enjoy the racing on the pavement, I for one would like to see the COT race on some 1/2 mile dirt tracks. Change the tires and go racing in the dirt. Make them a Friday night race at a local bull ring close to the speedway. It could work great at Vegas or at Lowes. I think the fans would love the show. I would love to see the Trucks on a dirt track. The racing would be great and I think the drivers would like the show. It would make a great way to garner bonus points. Make the dirt show only available to drivers out side the top 20 in points. Could be a way to really tighten the points up. Maybe if the drivers in the top 20 raced they could only get 1/2 points and the driver in the lowwer half of the show could get the full point value. The point is we need to shake this deal up and give the fans something more to talk about.

Is it the equipment, the team, or just feeling that you are valued?

It seems that Jr. is doing very well in the "new" 88. What can we attribute to the new found speed.

• Is it a better prepared car?
• Better team dynamics?
• The boy is just happier and can concentrate on driving the car and not worry about the politics on the team?
• If he keeps winning will the other boys play nice?
• Will the other drivers on the team, Johnson, Gordon and Mears be happy with the role of supporters if Jr goes on a tear?

 It is just good to see him running like he can and should have been if given the right equipment.

So far the teams running Toyotas seem to have a good bit of "steam". If they start to win the crying will begin from all the other teams. I am still waiting for the Dodge Boys to start crying about needing new engine rules to allow more even competetion. They will not be getting any chassis breaks with the COT. It is going to be an interesting year. If I was a betting man I would look for Tony to finally break through this year and stop the streak of second place finishes he has in the 500.

The time just after the finish of the 500 will be telling if we start to get the racers runing something other than what just won to start crying foul. I would hope that it does not happen but racers being the political animals that they are I can only imagine that we will start to see the lobying start if they feel they can gain any sort of advantage .

Watching the first qualifying race, I was once again annoyed...

After wacthing some good guys lose out on making the race, I was disgusted to know Kyle Petty, who ran at the back of the pack the whole race, and qaulified at the very bottom of the pack on Sunday, is in the Daytona 500 to be a traffic hazard once again, while you've got cars that were way faster in qualifying are packing up to go home.

Honestly, when is NASCAR gonna end the Kyle Petty rule, and when is Kyle going to do himself some credit and get of the car for good?

The motorsports community has a chance to help a young lady who lost her father recently...

The motorsports community has a chance to help a young lady who lost her father recently. Mitchell Stimpson, a regular competitor at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem North Carolina, was shot and killed on December 4, leaving behind a 13-year-old daughter, Lauren Stimpson, who was asleep at home when her father was shot in the middle of the night in the living room of the family’s house. Lauren’s mother previously died of cancer. A trust fund has been established to benefit Lauren, and donations can be made to the Lauren M. Stimpson trust at any Wachovia branch bank.

When is this gonna end?!

Kyle Petty made the Atlanta race with a 186 qualifying speed?! Five cars that didn't "qualify" were at least one mph faster than Petty, but because of the Kyle Petty Rule couldn't make the race.

It is really time to go back to the old qualifying . You get in if you're fast enough.