Rowdy People

Thanks Bruton

Some people have painted our sport as racist. So I spend a lot of time explaining how diverse NASCAR really is to some of my friends. I explain that it is not just a white Southern sport. I explain that the Confederate flag has nothing to do with NASCAR.

I just thought one of the biggest participants in our sport wouldn't prove me wrong and let down the entire NASCAR family.

When Bruton Smith calls the Miami Homestead area "north cuba" he is being racist. It's just not funny.

The Miami area is rich with cuban culture. In fact, it is one of the most diverse and unique areas in Amereica. It's a melting pot and that's what my school teachers told me America should be.

We've all stuck our feet in our mouth so I'm not condemning Bruton. I would just like him to apologize.

BF

5 Things From Atlanta

1. The Once Hot Smokin Hamlin Has Fizzled: If that was the "best car he ever had" ... Houston we have a problem!!! These guys are sputtering into the Chase.

2. Ryan Plays Rough: What was Ryan Newman thinking? He ran over both Kasey Kahne and Greg Biffle. Maybe young Logano is right.

3. Yikes The 48 Looked Racey: Nuff said.

4. Conflict Of interest: Did anyone else but me find it a little disconcerting That Jeff Hammond was in a Discount Tire commercial with Brad Keselowski? Would Brett Musburger do that or is it just part of the times?

5. Scott Speed Done? Did you hear the condemnation/frustration in the voice of Scott Speed's crew chief when he blew up? I could be reading too much into the comments, but I found them dripping with a sense of finality.

Punk of The Week

Uhmmmmm ... did you hear Brad Keselowski on today's Rowdy podcast? He said he "didn't believe in keeping a score card." Oh really???

Who was the guy keeping score by calling Kyle Busch an "Ass" at driver introductions?

Brad is more full of it than a Christmas Goose.

Brad is a punk.

Going Green

Roush Fenway tossed off a press release today about being the most sustainable race team. Basically they say they are more "Green" than anybody else in the garage.

Does it matter to you that Roush Fenway is doing everything possible to conserve energy? Will that make you root for them more? When you see a product that is allegedly green do you believe it?

Are you like me - cautiously optimistic about everyone trying to be green but starting to feel like it's the Adkins Diet or it's becoming "certified organic". It's getting so hyped.

For fun please list some of your favorite green products. Mine is the Edison 2 car.

BF

Random Thoughts

Basically I just could not figure what comprehensive thing to blog on today. (Shut up Bass. Don't say a word.)

I have a cold that is literally kicking my ass so maybe that's why I'm off. So here's six funny things stuck inside my NASCAR brain.

1. After hearing David Reutimann on today's podcast it's clear that "Have At It Boys" has worked. We got more feuds than WWE. And ... They are real. Kyle hates David. Joey hates Kevin and Ryan. JP hates Jimmie. Kurt also hates Jimmie. Kevin hates Joey. Brad hates everybody.

2. After hearing today's podcast It's clear Carl Edwards has a crush on Marcos Ambrose. He called him a "spectacular driver" and "the best road racer ever." Kiss. Kiss.

3. I talked to a track insider who explained the reason that Bruton wants a date at Kentucky and is willing to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to do it. It is not because he loves Kentucky and it's race fans. It's because he likely owns a lot of Kentucky around the track. The development value is huge. I'll bet he owns a lot of land near by and I bet it goes up in value after they lock down the race. Witness Kansas City. It transformed that town.

4. If Richard Petty is the NASCAR equivalent of Winnie The Pooh ... who's s NASCAR's piglet?

5. I want a Chia race car?

6. I'm now a Carl Edwards fan cause of Claritin D.

Kirk Out

Punk of The Week: Brad Keselowski

Calling a driver an Ass during driver introductions reminds me of WWE. There is just no place for that kinda yip yap in our sport. Brad drives rough and talks big. It's a good thing Kyle Busch is no Jimmy Spencer. At least good for Brad.

That is not "have it boys." It's third grade behavior. However, it does get ratings. I must have seen that clip ten times on Sports Center.

Is it worth it folks? Should we let Brad act like an Ass to get ratings?

Ironically, Kyle actually behaved quite well. I never thought I would ever say that any driver could learn a thing about good behavior from Kyle Busch, but Brad should learn from Kyle's past.

BF

PS. Can you believe this guy drives for Roger Penske?

Rick and Ricky

I grew up rooting for Ricky Rudd. He was from Chesapeake and we lived in Virginia Beach. When I think Tide I think Rudd not DW.

So when he left the sport Rick Mast told me I could be sure of one thing. He would absolutely disappear and never look back. Mike Smith from Martinsville wanted him to be the Grand Marshall at a race there. No call back.

Terry Labonte promised he'd never come back and race for the money. I can't fault him. It's in his blood. I'm glad he's coming back, but I sure wish Ricky would come back. He's the last driver that I can truly say was my favorite.

I know Rick is right, but it's a damn shame. I would pay good money to see Ricky run in the back. I don't know what that says about me or the sport, but guys like Rudd just don't exist in our sport anymore. Maybe Smoke, but he's been towing the party line way too much these days. Maybe Hamlin, but he's been muzzled too.

And it looks like Elliott is toast too. Find me another card board cut of Carl Edwards. Yippie.

Punk Of The Week: Ryan v. Joey

At Punk we are sorta torn by this one. Nearly every driver I've talked to says Ryan never gives an inch on the track when you are faster and behind him. On the other ... it's called racing. Why should Ryan give anybody a free pass.

Drivers talk about the unwritten code of letting a guy go by you early in the race if he is faster. The thinking is that if you keeping blocking you are doing nothing but slowing you both down. This is the Mark Martin rule.

The other unwritten rule is hazing and pushing a young guy to see what he's made of. If a guy is going take it you are gonna dish it.

In my heart of hearts I wanna believe Joey, but he managed to fire up Kevin earlier it the year. So ... maybe he has been chopping off Ryan too?

At least he stood up for himself without his Dad getting in the way.

Punk of the week: Ryan Newman.

Moving ... NASCAR Style

So I'm moving into my new crib here in Charlotte. Naturally it needs to be outfitted. Tightened up NASCAR style.

So I'm trying to figure out exactly what items, accoutrements and accessories will scream out ...

...This Is The Crib Of NASCAR Lovin Buck Fever.

I have my fuzzy bunny slippers and Buster Crab Swim fins. I have my Dale Jr Croc Pot. Check to my Tony Stewart soaps. Got the Kasey Kahne cherry candles. Yes to lug nut candies. Uh huh to the green Bobby Labonte bean-bag chair. Did not forget the Kurt Busch chew toy. Yup to Days of Thunder picture disc. I've got a Neil Sedaka CD but that is my cousin's.

Do I go with the 48 couch or maybe Fed Ex throw rug? I know I've gotta get the Jeff Gordon bunk bed. Is it too much to get a budweiser Kevin Harvick mailbox?

Now over to the fridge. Yes to Red Bull, Coke and Smirnoff Ice. Got the Hellmans. Is there an official NASCAR cheese? And ... what are the avocados that Kasey runs on his winged sprint car?

Help me out Rowdy Nation. What else do I put in my new crib ... Marcos Ambrose nose hair trimmers?

Rowdy Racing Driving Playlist --NO HITS

Sooooo let's pretend we are on the road to Michigan. It's gonna take us all day to get there. I'm driving, but you guys are all traveling with me. Everyone in the Rowdy Nation has an iPod in their hand. You be the driving DJ's. Let's make a long playlist of tunes we are listening to as we drive to the race.

We are creating The Rowdy Michigan Playlist. Who knows ... maybe we can do this for every race.

Here's the kicker. Let's stay away from obvious hits and try to introduce each other to songs we've not heard. I'll go first posting the first 5.

Song: Jimmy Buffet - Death of an Unpopular Poet

Song: John Mayer - 83

Song: Gomez - How we operate

Song: Sugarland - Come on get higher

Song: Velvet Revolver - Gravedancer