After checking in with Dawn, my fabulous friend who is the queen of efficient packing for NASCAR races (she also makes great cupcakes!), I headed over to the driver’s lounge for the driver’s meeting. For some reason my memory of that room was that it was much, much bigger than it actually is. Once the meeting started we were packed in there like sardines. Even some drivers and crew chiefs had to stand.

Nothing earth shattering happened in the driver’s meeting but I like being in there and knowing that I’m in there with ALL 43 drivers. It’s kinda neat. Matt Kenseth was the first driver in the room, showing up 30 minutes early, which is smart move if you want to get a seat. I find his punctuality refreshing.

Post-driver’s meeting I met up with Kristen (read her blog) and the No. 2 Miller Lite “Brew Crew” as they walked their Dodge through inspection. I don’t remember if I’ve ever talked about Kristen before, I apologize if I’m repeating myself. Anyway, back in 2007 she won the “Miller Lite Next Great Sportswriter” Contest and she got to spend a bunch of time and race weekends with Kurt Busch and the entire team doing interviews and writing. She’s been their “unofficial tool cart girl” ever since and she’s superfun to hang out with. We have an awesome time swapping gossip and chatting about this and that.

So Sunday was no different, we got to watch as some Cougar tried to hit on one of the Brew Crew dudes. This woman was a piece of work. I hope she doesn’t read blogs. Anyway, she seemed a little tipsy to me. A couple inspection stations later we saw the same woman touching a security guy. Hilarious.

Oh! So this is good, remember how I said Ron Malec probably thinks I’m some crazy person following him around? Well the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevy & crew were in front of the No. 2 in line for inspection. So the entire time I’m standing with Kristen, Ron Malec is in front of us pushing the 48. I’m dead serious when I say that it was purely a coincidence and the last thing I want to be thought of is as a pit lizard. I have no desire to lick anyone’s helmet (although I’m sure that Cougar did!). I’m just an appreciator of good lookin’ dudes, so of course I took yet another photo of him (see right).

For driver intros I didn’t go behind the stage, thought it better to stay out on pit road. There cars were lined up one-by-one side by side faced out instead of in the usual two-by-two. It looked good and was a better use of space, in my opinion. I walked down to Tony Stewart’s No. 14 Office Depot Chevrolet because I know Lisa, who is a PR person on behalf of Office Depot. I never know where to stand on pit road for the Anthem and all that, so it’s nice to know someone and have a place to stand where you don’t feel like people are looking at you like “What is she doing here??” I don’t know that people actually think that but it’s what I think they’re thinking and it weirds me out.

Anyway, Tony’s dad, Nelson Stewart, was on hand for the day, he even walked out with Tony during driver introductions. He was at the car when Kevin Harvick stopped by specifically to talk to Nelson and give him a hug. It was a cute moment, photos of which you can see below.

After all the invocation, National Anthem and the command to start engines I walked pit road to get a spot behind the pits to watch the start of the race. Luckily, there was a spot right where I wanted to be, right behind the start/finish line. I stood on top of the little wall that sits at the back of the pits, right in front of the grandstands and got the best view of the green flag to start the race.

I hung around down there for a little bit and then headed to the media lounge tent to hang out away from the sun. I ended up meeting a French guy named Mat who was attending a NASCAR race for the first time. He was stranded outside of the garage because he lost his Hot Pass and his roommate that he came to the race with was nowhere to be found. We had an interesting time trying to talk in between the roar of the engines and me trying to understand his accent. It was fun though.

With about ten laps left I went down to Turn 11 to see what I could see and got a front row seat to Clint Bowyer’s caution-less spin out. I asked one of the photographers standing next to me if they could send me the photo and Tyler Takeda of The Madera Tribune obliged (see below). I was too busy screaming, “Ahh! Whoaaaaa!” to take a picture myself.

Clint Bowyer (33) gets turned around into the side of Elliot Sadler’s car Sunday during the Toyota Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma. (photo credit: Tyler Takeda/The Madera Tribune)

Instead of rushing over to Victory Lane to take my usual picture of the winner driving his car in, I decided to pass through the garage. It’s an interesting place to be post-race since cars are coming in smashed up and crew members are rushing around trying to be the first team out of the track. Those guys are super fast, it’s amazing how quickly they can pack up. Maybe they can help me out the next time I have to move?

I was there when Boris Said’s crew chief Frank Stoddard yelled at Tony Stewart — as Tony was climbing out of his car — to “Come on! You fat fuck!” Tony just sort of waved him off and went into his hauler. I wasn’t quite sure I had heard him right until I locked eyes with a smiling GoDaddy.com crew member walking toward me. It was then that I knew I had heard him perfectly and rushed off to the press conference room where my cell phone was charging to send out a tweet about it. Funny stuff. (If you want the full story on what went down and caused that outburst check out the article over at SBNation.com)

Although now that I look at the photo I took in the garage just before Stoddard make his comment, I think Tony might have said something first (see below).

That’s Tony on the far right getting out of the car and that’s Frank Stoddard in front wearing the #26 Air Guard uniform.

And so that was my day at the Toyota/SaveMart 350. Photo fun time below!

Cars lined up and ready to go on pit road for the Toyota/SaveMart 350 on Sunday, June 20, 2010 at Infineon Raceway.

Eva Busch, wife of Kurt Busch, walks down pit road to her hubby’s car. If I ever reach a point where I can have an assistant at the track their entire job would be to take pictures of WAGs. Between making sure I got pictures with my cell phone for tweeting and my regular camera, I missed stuff! Grr!

In the second photo here, of Kevin Harvick greeting Tony Stewart’s dad Nelson, you can see the top of Tony’s head. He was kneeling to do something with his shoes.

The pit crew for the No. 39 Haas Automation Chevy lined up for the National Anthem.

The green flag drops for the Toyota/SaveMart 350 at Infineon Raceway. My view! So cool.

Kevin Harvick. Yet another one of my “I don’t know how I got that photo” photos.

Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson

Dale Earnhardt Jr. pulls into the garage after the race. So glad he finished 11th! Now he’s 13th in points! Yay!

“First of all, I’d like to express my sincere thanks — to Red Bull for inviting a Swede with zero NASCAR experience to compete in the United States and to Audi for the possibility and approval that enable me to fulfill this dream,” said Ekström, 31.

I, too, would like to express my sincerest thanks to Red Bull for inviting a cute Swedish dude to race in NASCAR for the first time ever. Can you say, “fresh meat?” It’s perfect timing since I’ll be at Infineon next week for the Toyota/SaveMart 350. Can wait to see Mattias in action. Zero NASCAR experience and his first race is at Infineon. I love it.

That’s Mattias (left) with Casey Mears, sporting his wedding ring. I forgot Casey got married!

In other news…

– The 2010 Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream was held last night and drivers from all kinds of racing disciplines were on hand, including Travis Pastrana who is famous for his motocross & supercross & general extreme sport background. I really, really wish Travis would try his hand at NASCAR. It would be a good time for sure. That guy is funny and super talented.

His team won, representing Levine Children’s Hospital, and included Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, David Reutimann, Dave Blaney and Marcos Ambrose.

Tony Stewart, driver of the #14, talks to the media during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Travis!! Marry me! Did I just say that? oops.

Travis Pastrana, driver of the #199 Red Bull late model speaks with the media during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Tony Kanaan, driver of the #11 Seven Eleven late model speaks with the media during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Kasey Kahne, Driver of the #9 Budweiser late model, talks with the media during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

I choose to believe that the reason why we haven’t seen little Anne Edwards is because she’s SO cute our eyeballs would fall out of our heads, so Kate & Carl are saving everyone from dying from cute overload.

Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Aflac late model Ford, sits in his car during the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s late model Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

Clint Bowyer, Jimmie Johnson’s car owner poses with Jimmie and the trophy after winning the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway on June 9, 2010 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for True Speed Communication)

The two days that hold the Sprint Cup Series qualifying and Nationwide Series races are always my favorite days during any race weekend. It’s because there’s always, like, 50% less people running around the garage. I know it’s silly but I love feeling like I have the garage all to myself. And practice is always the best time to get pictures of the cars as they exit and enter the track.

On this particular day I witnessed something that has been going on forever but I only discovered it last weekend. I’m not sure what the process is but some cars come off the track and before going to their garage stall to make adjustments they stop at some designated area near or in the garage and the guys from Goodyear check out their tires. There’s also a crew member from their team checking stuff and taking notes.

The supercute part about the whole thing, and I’m sure I’m the only person who thinks this is “supercute,” is when the person from Goodyear hands the driver the little white piece of paper with info about his tires on it, and the driver takes it with him back to his team. You had to be there, it struck me as funny/interesting that they’re taking this “note” back to their team. I dunno, I thought it was cool. My curiosity knows know bounds. I’m like Harriet the Spy, I want to know everything!

Anyway, having learned of this practice I made it my business to be near those Goodyear dudes so that I could get good car shots. It was perfect. During the first Sprint Cup practice there was a traffic jam and there were a bunch of cars inches from me. Loved it.

Eventually I got tired of standing and went back to the Media Center for lunch. There I had an awesome conversation with Rob Albright, one of the turn announcers from PRN. It felt like we talked about everything, from my blog to up & coming racers to who should be inducted into the Hall of Fame next. It was a good time. So glad I met him.

Then during our conversation I noticed something starting to happen. These Sprint Cup drivers started walking by our table trying to make their way to the Nationwide Series drivers meeting. There I was having this cool convo trying to act natural when Jamie McMurray, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman, and Joey Logano walk by. Half of my brain was wondering if it made sense to try and grab my camera to take a picture and the other half was all, “Hey, Carl Edwards is RIGHT behind me right now.” So funny, and the answer was no, it didn’t make sense to grab my camera.

On my way to driver introductions it was my full intention to introduce myself to the three Nationwide Series drivers I’d interviewed in April. The only one I was able to make it happen with was Michael Annett. He was very nice and I was very nervous so I didn’t make any attempt at, like, having a conversation. He probably thinks I’m weird. But I don’t know what to say. I’m shy! I just wanted to say hello, really.

The race happened, blah, blah, blah. When I got “home” to my room, I relaxed for a minute before heading out and down to the Speed Street shenanigans that were taking place just a block from my hotel. Speed Street takes over a bunch of blocks in Uptown Charlotte, it’s free to get in and there’s all this stuff to eat, drink and check out including artists and bands. Plus a lot of drivers had Q&A and autograph sessions throughout the three-day event. I only went down there because I wanted to see Pat Benatar because I love her. I lasted through 2 songs and then I had to get the heck out of there. There were a million people squished in an intersection, with another million people pushing past us trying to get wherever. Interesting stuff and Pat still sounds amazing.

Brian Vickers and Casey Mears compared notes during practice.

Cars lined up to get checked out by Goodyear reps during Sprint Cup practice.

I’m assuming Brad Keselowski is explaining to Mike Massaro how he hurt his jaw on Thursday.

Michael Annett leaves the stage after being introduced for the TECH-NET Auto Service 300 powered by CARQUEST.

Jeremy Clements had the greatest sponsor ever: Boudreaux’s Butt Paste!

I loved that finish, especially since Larry McReynolds didn’t think Denny could pull it off and then voila he rushes to the front and takes it. That was so cool. If only we could have finishes like that every week, and if only Dale Earnhardt Jr. could be the one rushing to the front to take the win. I could live with that, I really could.

I was hoping Jeff Gordon would go and find Matt Kenseth after the race and shove him again like he did that one time, but he didn’t. Lame! That would have been funny. hehe. I think I have issues because I love it when drivers get pissed at each other in any shape or form. Am I what’s wrong with NASCAR? ha! The correct answer to that is no, of course not.

Denny Hamlin celebrates winning the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500, his second straight victory at Martinsville Speedway. (Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Crew members of Kevin Harvick’s No. 29 Shell Pennzoil Chevrolet work on the right rear of the car after Harvick was forced to the garage during the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. (Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

After starting the green-white-checkered finish in fourth position, Denny Hamlin pushed his way to the front of the field and took the lead when Matt Kenseth cut across the field but couldnt stay in the groove. (Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Denny Hamlin celebrates his Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 win with his home-state fans at Martinsville Speedway. (Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)

In this case, I was very, very wrong! Poor Joey Logano, his accident on the 31st lap was absolutely insane. I couldn’t believe he flipped that way and that much. It was neat, but I was oh so glad that he — and everyone else involved — were OK. I can’t even begin to imagine what that must feel like and from his reaction it wasn’t anything good.

Okay, so I said that the race wasn’t boring, but that was just for the first 31 laps. After that it headed down Snoozeville Road. Jimmie Johnson dominated the race and won it, and that is just not good. As I’ve said a billion times before, I don’t dislike Jimmie. I just find it highly annoying if he keeps winning all the time. It’s the same show over and over. Bleh.

In other news…

– Did you see my new blog header?? (scroll up) Niiice right? I needed a change. Actually I need more changes, but baby steps, baby steps.

– I’m particularly proud of my Chase predictions. Read them again.

Kasey Kahne, currently 12th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings, qualified sixth for the AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway despite poor practice times. (Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Wow, hottie!

Joey Logano was third-quickest in the final practice for the AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway. (Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Mechanic Joe Claridge gives Jimmie Johnson a beer bath in Victory Lane after his win in the AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway. (Photo Credit: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Welcome to the gun show!

Former Roush Fenway Racing teammates Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth joke around in the garage before practice for the AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway. (Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Clint Bowyer celebrates winning the Dover 200 at Dover International Speedway, his second win of the season. (Photo Credit: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

I think it’s going to be a very fun Chase, at least I hope it is. It better be crazy at New Hampshire next weekend.

Oh and super congrats to Denny Hamlin for finally winning at his hometrack! Even though the ESPN announcers were doing their best to try and jinx Denny it didn’t work.

Brian Vickers is congratulated by crew chief Ryan Pemberton after racing his way into the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. (Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Joey Logano, driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota, shares a laugh on pit road with Tony Stewart, driver of the No. 14 Office Depot Chevrolet, during qualifying on Friday for Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway. (Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The 2009 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field (From left, top row: Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon. From left, bottom row: Juan Pablo Montoya, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Brian Vickers) pose after the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway. (Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Super Bowyer!

Jeff Burton, driver of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet, Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 33 Holiday Inn Chevrolet, and Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 17 Dewalt Ford, talk in the garage area during Friday’s practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va. (Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Crew members for Brian Vickers’ No. 83 Red Bull Toyota react after Vickers crossed the finish to secure the final berth in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. (Photo Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

That’s all I know, but it’s very cool news. Congratulations to Katie and Matt!

Mmm. Okay, yea I can’t. This weekend means a lot to me for reasons I can’t specifically describe to you in this post. Let’s just say that I need this opportunity, now more than ever, to be immersed in the world of NASCAR and to think of nothing else for three whole days. NASCAR is my escape. It’s funny, this weekend I watched “Into The Wild,” a film based on the true story of one man who got rid of all material possessions except for a backpack and clothes and headed to Alaska to be with nature. I also read the Vanity Fair article about Johnny Depp (on newsstands now) and learned all about how he escapes (in short, he owns islands in the Caribbean and big boat). After taking all of that in I realized that I use this blog and NASCAR as my escape from all of the trappings of “the real world.” This blog isn’t work, it’s fun.

So for this weekend my only worries will be whether I should attend Kyle Busch’s press conference or ditch him in favor of Matt Kenseth or Juan Pablo Montoya who all have conferences scheduled at the same time. Ah, such simple decisions. I can’t wait to figure that all out. I’m leaning towards Kyle just because you have now idea what he’ll say, but I’m guessing it’ll include some lame remarks about Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans.

Besides all of that there is the matter of double-file restarts. On this road course it’s going to be tricky to say the least. It’s going to be good people, for once you won’t fall asleep watching this race. It’s gonna be fun which is why I zeroed in on this quote from Jeff Gordon this week:

“I’m anxious to get through it and see how it works out,” said Gordon. “I think Pocono and Michigan were two good tracks for NASCAR to try out the double-file restart rule, but I think it’s going to create some havoc here.

“The drivers may need to rethink how we’ve raced in the past. We’re going to need to figure out how to get through the first set of corners on each double-file restart. But, at the same time, we’re going to be battling even harder and more intense for each position. And sometimes that leads to more mistakes and more accidents.

“Then off the track, our crew chiefs are also going to have work through some interesting scenarios with pit strategy.”

Mistakes? Accidents, you say? Sign me up! I’m all in.

Jaw. On. Floor.

I couldn’t believe it. Here I was thinking that Dale Earnhardt Jr. was going to win it and then Brad Keselowski comes from outta nowhere — after getting in the way all day — and takes it.

Only seven laps in we got a “Big One” that took out guys that I like, including Bowyer and Gilliland, which was highly disappointing. But I still had Dale and the hope that he had read my post and had taken it to heart. Ya never know. Plus well, Talladega is a really good track for him so I’m sure it had everything to do with that and nothing to do with me, but because he left there with a top-three finish (which is what I asked for) I like to think it was mostly me.

Anyway, I congratulate Brad on his first Sprint Cup win.

I’m so glad that Carl Edwards is A-OK and that his crash only looked absolutely horrible and didn’t result in anyone’s death. Actually because of that insane fly through the air Carl will be a guest on “The Ellen Degeneres Show” that airs tomorrow (Wednesday, April 29th, check your local listings).

Apparently Ellen thinks that Carl should take it easy from now on and gives him a new ride, a “Cruzin Cooler”, to be exact. It’s a cooler on wheels. Niiice.

I don’t know the answer to the safety questions surrounding Talladega. I’m not going to lie and say that I don’t like watching cars run 3 or 4 wide. It’s pretty cool. And yes, seeing the “The Big One” happen is interesting to me. It’s also crazy to see two cars hook-up and push each other past the entire field. It’s so unique and I like it. Whatever NASCAR needs to do to make it so that people don’t get themselves into the situations that Carl and Matt Kenseth found themselves in this past weekend they should do, but hopefully that doesn’t involve taking the banking away.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (left), driver of the No. 88 National Guard/Amp Energy Chevrolet, congratulates Brad Keselowski (right), driver of the No. 09 Miccosukee Chevrolet, in Victory Lane on his first Sprint Cup Series win at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. (Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Marcos Ambrose (right), driver of the No. 47 Little Debbie/Kingsford/Clorox Toyota talks with team co-owner Brad Daugherty (left) during Friday’s first practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. (Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)

David Ragan, driver of the No. 6 Discount Tire Ford, celebrates his first NASCAR national racing series win Saturday in Victory Lane after capturing the checkered flag at the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway. (Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Tony Stewart, driver of the No. 14 Old Spice Chevrolet, waves to the fans following driver introductions and before the start of Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. (Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)

Mike Skinner and his No. 5 Bad Boy Mowers Toyota team celebrate winning the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway. The win was Skinner’s first of the season and the first for the team since becoming Randy Moss Motorsports last summer. (Photo Credit: Darrell Ingham/Getty Images)

Tony Stewart, driver of the No. 14 Old Spice/Office Depot Chevrolet chats with former teammate Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota in the garage during Friday’s practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Earlier in the day, Stewart held a news conference about the 2009 Prelude to the Dream. (Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)