Let Us All Give Thanks

Sorry for the bloggus interruptus this morning, but I was overnighting in San Diego so I could participate as an exhibitor at an Episcopal conference. The late/early hours didn't allow any time for writing, and I've never seen so many guys with their collars on backwards in my life. I'll be back on schedule tomorrow.

Meanwhile, let us all bow our heads and give thanks...that NASCAR's back! Tonight is the Bud Shootout (the Good Lord and rain clouds willing). This is a non-points exhibition race which kicks off each season and features all the Bud Pole winners from the previous year, plus various other guys who have either won the Shootout in the past or are past champions. All in all 21 drivers made it into the show.

Interesting factoid: In order to win a Bud Pole, you have to have the fastest qualifying time at a race, AND must have the Bud decal on your car. A few years ago John Andretti, driving for Richard Petty, won the pole, but Petty has always refused to carry beer advertising on his team's cars (he always said his mother would never have approved). Consequently, Andretti started the race on the pole but was not awarded the "Bud Pole" and did not participate in the Bud Shootout the following year.

The broadcast for tonight's race kicks off at 5pm Pacific time on TNT. Next week- the Daytona 500.

Amen.

UPDATE: Rained out - they'll try again at 1pm PDT on Sunday, Feb. 12.