NHRA
- Admit it, most of you are like me - when I say NHRA you think the pro touring series. I just got used to it being the Powerade Drag Racing Series last year and now they switched it again! New name, new logo & new merchandise required - Full Throttle Drag Racing Series
- Most of the sponsors we were familiar with have cut back their support with the weakening economy so don't look for the familiar colors and logos.
- Larry Dixon and long-time mentor Don Prudhomme parted ways over the off-season. Dixon is now sporting the burgundy rail of the Middle East's Al-Anabi Racing under the eye of Alan Johnson while the new kid on the block, Spencer Massey took over the stick of the US Smokeless Tobacco Snake Racing dragster.
- Antron Brown has shown what he's workin' with after winning both Top Fuel Dragster events thus far on the 2009 tour. Still getting used to seeing him in this division and with MATCO Tools.
- Doug Kalitta and Doug Herbert have more in common other than first names, they both lost long-standing marketing partners during the off-season and have not committed to the full season
- Morgan Lucas is sporting new colors and a sponsorship from GEICO
- We're still at the 1000 ft mark
- Funny Cars seemingly took a harder hit than rails and the entry lists will probably show that as the season wears on
- Ron Capps hasn't been slowed and is red-hot in the opening legs of the 2009 season
- Tracks are promoting several ticket packages and slashing prices regularly so be sure to check track sites directly for the latest offerings
NASCAR
- I am old school so it takes me longer to learn new tricks especially when I still say "Busch Series" for ease rather than Nationwide. Maybe next year I will finally get it's Camping World Truck Series vs Craftsman - I am so used to NCTS after ten years!
- NASCAR continues to embed their claws with their official sponsorships while their teams are struggling to find sponsors. In today's economy, if a sponsor wants to participate in the series with teams and tracks struggling to remain open, it is discouraging that a NASCAR board and their exclusive partnership deals are closing doors.
- I catch myself remembering Tony Stewart is no longer at Gibbs just as Jr is a Hendrick man. How bizarre. I do like the retro vibe of the Stewart-Haas logo though!
- Speaking of Smoke, remember when you see Smoke this year from the No. 20, it's not his fault! Sliced Bread will be making the toast this year. Joey Logano is an amazing young talent but I'm a skeptic and think he's just not ready for Sprint Cup competition yet and they are setting the kid up for a rough time with that league of racing and filling a big seat vacated by Stewart.
- Cup without Schrader - I will admit, I'm not as interested so it is just something I pay attention to the highlights with now. I rather watch Trucks or Nationwide (see, I remembered).
- Newman looks like a US Army guy doesn't he? How many of us think Kasey Kahne and Budweiser just don't fit?! But Newman looks like a camo or black kind of guy.
- Jimmie Johnson with facial hair - whatever. Some guys are the hall monitors, others the playground bullies that's just life. Johnson is the squeaky clean kid that gets tripped in the cafeteria by the Robby Gordon types - don't try to change it now after it's worked so well because it kind of looks like a poser.
- Why do I always forget Casey Mears and where he's at? Bowyer is still the ideal guy for Jack Daniels and it's tough to envision my favorite Hamburger Helper Hand pit sign waiting for him on pit road!
- A Cup guy will win the Nationwide title. Big shock there, right?! However, Nationwide has a few special programs going this year to give bonus money and pointfund perks to full-time Nationwide drivers not competing in the other divisions. I laughed when a Nationwide rep referred to them as "cherry pickers" - how dirt racing! :)
- Between the three divisions I stay confused on what channel the race will air on! Is it ABC, FOX, SPEED, ESPN2, sheesh - I need a mini-guide.
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