Submitted by NASCAR Ranting and Raving Blog

Today’s Busch Race:

Is it me, or are there others that find having Denny Hamlin in that #20 Busch car today a bit stupid? I mean he is running in the Chase after all, and he is sick as a dog with the flu. The 2.5 hours he spent in the car today will do nothing to get him better for tomorrow. They should have put Kurt Busch in the car, he was there anyway.

If Denny is more sick tomorrow, or has a bad day, we’ll all know why.

The only reason why I can see him in that car today is because JGR is trying to get Rockwell to be a bigger sponsor for next year, maybe even a Cup sponsor. That is the only thing that makes sense to me.
My Last 4 Days in The Bush:

I had the great chance to take approximately 20 Eighth Grade students into the wilderness for 4 days on a Leadership Development course at Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve (approx. 70,000 acres and approx. 60 lakes). No cell phone signal, no internet (thus no blogging), etc.

On the first day, after we got there, we did a bunch of team building games and challenges and then went to visit the captive wolf pack on site. What an experience for these kids to hear and see the wolves.

The next day we did rock climbing and worked in teams of 2 and 3 on a high wire course in the tree tops about 30 - 40 feet above the ground. The kids really pushed themselves beyond their ‘comfort zones’ and developed a better trust of each other, as they were depended on themselves to stop each other from falling in each activity.

On the third day we canoed for half the day and then mountain biked back to base camp - tiring to say the least. I did have a mountain bike injury - good thing for helmets - and after a short trip to the ‘infield care centre’ they were good to go, with an ice pack anyway.

I firmly believe wearing helmets while cycling saves lives and prevents injuries. If any one wants to debate me on this bring it on, I’ve got first hand experience in this area that I can use to refute the most harsh skeptic - my son is alive and well today because of his bike helmet! Let’s dance you Nay-Sayers.

The last day consisted of survival skills where the students were divided into 3 groups and had to make a shelter and fire from what they found in the woods and from what remained of the wreckage of their ‘crashed’ airplane.

A short 4 hour drive later we were home.

Photo Credits: Denny Hamlin - Photo/Carolyn Kaster, all others - Me!

Camp photos:

1. Me on the High Rope Course in the tree tops.

2. Canoeing on Clear Lake. Ignore the date stamp, my battery fell out and I didn’t fix the date.

3. Some of my students working together to keep another student safe while rock climbing.

4. A student rock climbing.

5. Me repelling down the rock face while being held up by 3 of my students (Note my free ‘track swag’ Dollar General Shirt from Bristol).

Submitted by NASCAR Ranting and Raving Blog

OK, I promised “in a couple of hours”, but I’ve been busy. I just got back from being away up North with a group of 20 students on a Leadership Course and I’m beat, so I’m going to bed. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow, and I’ll post some pictures of what I did these last 4 days so you’ll see just what we were up to.

Take Care.

Submitted by NASCAR Eclectic

This shot was taken last night just a few miles from our home, courtesy of ERIN REID COKER -one of our local newspaper photographers. The history of this annual event dates back to 1973 making it the 35th year.
http://www.adirondackballoonfest.org/ It’s grown over the years from a Sat. and Sun. event to a 4 days of balloons rising in different parts of the area and now include fireworks and a night flight called “Moon Glow”. Anyone can get a short tethered ride for a fee and there are plenty of goings on for the kids all weekend.

The pic above is of our local airport with what is a mere fraction of the balloons that will lift off today. To witness 100 balloons launch almost at once is spectacular.

I admire Red Bull for their efforts to get Scott Speed involved in NASCAR. He is the latest former Formula One driver to move toward NASCAR, announcing Thursday he’ll run the ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway. The influx of F1 drivers coming into the stock car world is growing with what seems daily and it’s ok by me, yet it’s nice to see an American kid get a chance, and it’s Red Bull that also has A.J. Allmendinger who is another former open-wheel driver.

SceneDaily has reported that Robby Gordon is without a crew chief this weekend after he and Gene Nead parted ways earlier this week. I like Robby and he is in my top 5 favorite drivers list. I know he can be a stubborn S.O.B., but crew chief/driver relationships are vital to success and Gene is a great chief, he and Robby just don’t mesh. Reportedly Robby has former Ginn/Nemechek crew chief Peter Sospenzo in his sights.

Submitted by NASCAR Eclectic

Kudos to Denny Hamlin for the Busch win at The Monster Mile. I caught the beginning of the race and felt bad for the kid as he started the race one sick puppy. Within a few laps he had the lead and I guess the “Bug” helped his performance. Future teammate, Shrub had sat in the #20 Rockwell Automation Chevy to see if the seat would fit in case Denny was too ill to race, and I thought…”NO!! That car will be cursed for life!!” Denny looked horrible, but he took the wheel.

The village of Lake George NY is very quaint. It’s full of a variety of shops and emporiums. It’s waterfront has a beautiful boardwalk and is pretty much a tourist town. Last night Pattyjo and I took the younger kids, Casey 11 and Adam 9, to the Village for the fun of it and to watch fireworks.
Several weeks ago we were there walking around and the Franklin Mint 1969 Camaro Indy Pace Car 1/24th diecast seen above was on display in a shop window along with some other beautiful Franklin Mint diecast. It had caught my eye then but we didn’t have the time to stop. Last night I went into the shop and checked out these beaut’s and then saw the beaut of the price tag on them too. Pattyjo knew I wanted this piece but also knows I hate to pay that much as I am a bargain hunter, so she bought it for me as a wedding anniversary gift. She is such a sweetheart!! The car is displayed among many of my NASCAR diecast in a glass shelved cabinet under lights. It accents things nicely.