Submitted by NASCAR Eclectic

It’s been a quick off season for me as I busied myself with my photography. I am currently sitting 1200 miles from home in central Florida at my father in-laws computer desk. The kicker is….in a couple of hours PJ {still asleep} and I are driving up to Daytona to take the Daytona I.S. tour. En-route we are stopping in the Orlando area to have coffee with none other than George V. or better known to most as Vroom. George always supplies us with an entertaining blog post with his southern style wit.

It was just about a year ago when I, for no other reason than wanting to meet NASCAR friends, started this blog. George was my first commentator and his comment was a welcoming one to the Racing Blogaters world. I have since had the pleasure of connecting with several Blogger’s and Racing Website owners as well a couple of more famed media folk who read my blog, one for example is Steve Byrnes. This is awesome! I’m not sure why someone with the experience and fame as Steve would read my blog, but it’s an honor. It could be entertaining for folk like Steve to read us lowly blogger stuff, because there are many who write whatever is on their minds and we aren’t held back by editors and the hirearchy of Fox Sports or NASCAR.com. It’s fun for me and strictly a hobby and along the way I have met many awesome people and learned more about NASCAR than I ever thought I could possibly know. This I have to thank all my fellow bloggers for.

Today will be a milestone for both Pattyjo and I. Meeting George in person and then on to the Queen of Speedways. I have been to Daytona Beach several times back in the 70’s, but that was for all the other obvious reasons a teenager in the 70’s went there. Walking into the gates of the Speedway today!! Not for a race, not for qualifying…just to walk the grounds, take the Daytona Experience tour, drive a simulator, eat lunch and shoot hundreds of photos. I cannot think of a better way to kickoff the 08′ season.

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Submitted by NASCAR Ranting and Raving Blog

The unoffical start to the NASCAR season is the Bud Shootout and it is this Saturday, I can’t wait!

Here is the complete list of the Shootout’s starting order:

1. Kurt Busch
2. Mark Martin
3. Michael Waltrip
4. Jamie McMurray
5. David Gilliland
6. Reed Sorenson
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr
8. Kasey Kahne
9. Martin Truex Jr
10. Tony Stewart
11. J.J. Yeley
12. Denny Hamlin
13. Ken Schrader
14. Bill Elliott
15. Dale Jarrett
16. Casey Mears
17. Greg Biffle
18. Jimmie Johnson
19. Dave Blaney
20. Carl Edwards
21. Clint Bowyer
22. Jeff Gordon
23. Ryan Newman

Now for the most important question: Who do you think is going to win?

Here is my prediction of possible winners based on car manufacturer:

Toyota - Tony Stewart
Ford - Greg Biffle
Dodge - Kurt Busch
Chevy - (oh man, this is tough, Jr or JJ, Jr or JJ, which one … which one? Uhg! OK, OK, …) Jimmie Johnson (sorry Jr fans)

Now tell me I’m wrong, I dare you!

This is my second post in the last few hours, so be sure to check out my previous post - especially you Dale Jr fans - because there are some pictures of the new JR Nation clothing line there!

Photo Credit: Lust for Life

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Submitted by NASCAR Ranting and Raving Blog

My Adidas insider is working overtime. Here is what I just got from him for you:

The link to The Sports Authority splash page, - where you can purchase the new JR Nation Adidas apparel - will be www.sportsauthority.com/88. This page will be live Febuary 8th, but you won’t be able to purchase anything from The Sports Authority page until Febuary 15th (at least that is my understanding).

I’ve included some pictures of the merchandise available, but if you want to see more then use the link at the end of this post.

Here is Adidas’ official press release:

DAYTONA, Fla. /PORTLAND, Ore. (February 5, 2008) – After months of research, development and design collaboration, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will debut the adidas three stripes at the 2008 Daytona Speedweeks, which starts on Feb. 9 with the Budweiser Shootout and ends Feb. 17 with the year’s premier NASCAR event Daytona 500. On Feb. 15, Dale Jr.’s exclusive adidas JR. Nation Gear will go on sale at Sports Authority available first in Daytona.

“I’ve been wearing adidas my whole life. It’s who I am. Throughout my career I’ve been fortunate to partner with brands that fit my lifestyle, and adidas fits,” explained Dale Jr. “I’ve been working with adidas on the design of a new suit and I’m wearing what we came up with at Daytona.”

Dale Jr. continues to work closely with the adidas Innovation Team to create a race suit featuring ClimaCool® technology. With extreme temperatures in the car, ClimaCool® will keep Dale Jr.’s body temperature lower, ultimately combating fatigue and therefore allowing him to be more alert and responsive throughout the entire race.

“Adidas’ philosophy has always been to work closely with athletes and have them involved in the design process. Dale Jr. has been involved every step of the way providing feedback, comments and opinions,” said Mark Clinard, business director for Motorsports, adidas America. “Our ultimate goal is to help Dale Jr. perform at his maximum level and gain a competitive edge on the track. Along with the racing gear, Dale Jr. assisted in designing a complete adidas JR. Nation fan apparel line, which will provid e fans access to the same ClimaCool technology that keeps him cool on the track.”

Dale Jr.’s official adidas JR. Nation apparel line will launch with men’s and women’s apparel such as t-shirts, jackets, hats and jerseys. The adidas JR. Nation fan collection features the same adidas ClimaCool technology that allows Dale Jr. to stay cool on the track and will be first available at Sports Authority in Daytona on February 15 at 9 a.m. in conjunction with Speedweek. In celebration of the launch, the first 88 people to purchase adidas JR. Nation Gear will receive an autographed hat. Fans can text “88” to “adidas” from their mobile phone to receive a message from Dale Jr. about the latest adidas gear. Throughout the season, new products, including footwear, accessories and other exclusive gear, will debut in conjunction with special events like All-Star in Charlotte this May.

“I’m really excited for my first adidas line to launch here in Daytona,” said Dale Jr. “It goes on sale Friday morning at 9 a.m. at Sports Authority, across from the speedway and on adidas.com. This stuff will have some of the same adidas technology, like Climacool that I’ll be racing with in the car. Fans can text ‘88’ to ‘adidas’ for more information.”

Adidas ClimaCool technology is a ventilation system that addresses the needs of the body based on adidas’ research of body mapping. This system utilizes specially engineered air channels, materials and components to provide superior moisture management, enhanced evaporation and better breathability.

Through adidas’ strong nationwide network of retailers including adidas stores and Sports Authority, the adidas JR. Nation fan gear will be more accessible for Dale Jr. fans than ever before.

Now, try not to spend too much will you?

Photo Credits: Adidas (go to the link, as there are more items there than pictured here).

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