Sunday, September 28, 2008

Sights, Sounds and Antlers


Random observations from the weekend at Kansas Speedway:

+ Coolest name for a minor-league baseball team: the Kansas City T-Bones.

+ Kansas Speedway is a jewel of race track with purple and yellow grandstands, well-groomed grass and wide roads entering and exiting the track — the latter being essential for the race after the race.

+ Two enormous elk heads — yes, heads — graced the Cup garage Sunday morning, a couple of trucks down from the No. 83. Fresh from the taxidermist, they were the trophies of Martin Truex Jr. and crew chief Kevin Manion. Strange, however, seeing stuffed wildlife rub elbows with a stack of Goodyears.

+ The team’s self-proclaimed “fan numero uno” was in full force sporting a Red Bull can-like cape and bullhorns. Eric Novotny, 27, made the seven-hour drive from South Dakota to cheer on Brian Vickers and AJ Allmendinger. Every qualifying and race day, Novotny throws back two Red Bulls and bought 83 cans at the beginning of the season.

+ The team stayed in Overland Park, which ranks ninth on Money magazine’s 100 Best Cities to Live list. It’s also home to Sprint’s world headquarters.

+ Much of the garage was buzzing about Formula One’s first night race in Singapore. If only our races lasted 1 hour, 57 minutes and 16.304 seconds.

+ Wonder if dogfighter Michael Vick can hear the roar of the engines from his cell in nearby Leavenworth? In May, the aforementioned T-Bones wore black and white striped jerseys on “Michael Vick Welcome to the Neighborhood Night.” Their opponent sported orange jumpsuit replica jerseys.

+ The track is unique in that it was built in a large bowl, with spectator hills all the way around (pictured above). The view from RV row along the backstretch is underrated.

+ A college mascot convention broke out in the infield. Among the characters in attendance were Big Jay and Baby Jay from Kansas, Willie the Wildcat from Kansas State, Lil’ Red from Nebraska and Kangaroo Kasey from Missouri-Kansas City.

14 Comments:

Blogger ~Crystal~ said...

Congrats AJ and the 84 Team on a Career best finished today....

2:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Way to fight and overcome opposition all day 83 & 84 teams. Nice finish for AJ - way to prove yourself. And it is such a relief to see the 84 car with a nice points cushion going into Talladega - just in case whoever is driving has troubles.

2:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Allmendinger 9th
Vickers 15th

Great, last race for Red Bull and a best career finish. I will change my name to jacob because i guess that the blog author wont except "gangsta" for a name (gangsta was my last name).

2:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wanna know what BV has to say with all the run ins with Chase guys? The crew guy kicking Stewart's car was by far the highlight of the race! Awesome job AJ!! No worries the way everyone has been talking about you, you will end up some where! Even Jimmy Spencer had nice things to say about AJ and usually he doesn't make sense!

4:18 PM  
Blogger Kristin Weaver said...

So, have we heard if AJ will be racing in the 84 at Talladega? I would hope so. He deserves to be in the car for the remainder of the season. He has worked hard in getting it into the Top 35.

6:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

love me some AJ

6:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Way to go out strong AJ. I am a BV fan but I wish the best for him...I expect a great future for him.

5:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Way to go Aj on a career best finish, you guys are so close on getting that first win for the team,

8:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A.J. would be a great fit for the #45

11:11 AM  
Blogger Rob said...

Skinner is listed on the entry sheet for Talledega

1:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Way to go A.J.
Hopefully youll be in Talladega as my dad and i got pit passes so was hoping to get an autograph.
Anyway good luck in Dega boys, Cya there!

3:24 PM  
Blogger Kristin Weaver said...

Well, it's official. AJ is out of the 84 at Talladega. Mike Skinner will be in the car.

http://www.race2win.net/wc/08/race/ts2/el.html

3:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No, AJ's a great fit for the 84! Wish we could keep him.

Have Brian in the 83
AJ in the 84
Scott in the 82

Red Bull would rock!! (kick some butt)

5:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

that #45 is a career killer, best bet is Chip Ganassi or maybe DEI.....

12:45 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home