Buck Baker Racing School

Move over Kasey Kahne, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart, NASCAR racing will never be the same as I take to the track on Saturday morning. We brave the winds and rain of Ernesto to travel to Darlington Raceway for a NASCAR ride/drive of a lifetime. My birthday present last fall was the 1/2 day ride and drive experience at the Buck Baker Racing School.

Founded solely by two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Buck Baker in 1980, we are the oldest and best-known NASCAR-type racing school in America. Our programs are designed to instill the thrill of racing in everyone - from beginners to more advanced racers. We don't use pace cars. We allow passing. And we use racing radios to provide on-track instruction for our advanced students. Plus, we're the first NASCAR-type racing school to use CD-ROM camera/data acquisition technology in every racecar. We operate at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway, North Carolina Speedway, and the Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Check back for an update later this weekend! I'm afraid there will be pictures involved.

SLOPPY!

During pre-season when your team loses, it's "just pre-season" and when they win it "says something about the upcoming season." In actuality, both are correct. Regardless of a win or loss, it is pre-season. Regardless of a win or loss, it does foreshadow the regular season. Winning teams win...even in pre-season.

What did I see during the Packers pre-season game against Cincinnati so far? In one word: SLOPPY. Offensive line, again, somewhat offensive. Defense, mostly offensive too. Tipped balls, interception and fumble are not going to make this a winning team. As my husband asked earlier this evening, yes, there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

My family has started to give me a hard time. When I watch, the Pack loses. Last week, when the Packers beat Atlanta, I was unable to watch. So, they began to ask me if I would sacrifice watching the games for a Packers' win. I think that's highly unfair!

UPDATE: Suspended.
Game suspended due to threatening weather with 9 minutes left in the 4th. Or perhaps, out of compassion. Thanks for putting us out of our misery!

Five States

This has been a busy week: five states; eight nights; six different beds and/or couch; a 2.5 hour delay for crew and mechanical issues (same plane, two different mechanical issues, two airports); and 1.25 hour traffic jam on the ride home.

Let the Games Begin

Pre-season begins tonight for the Green Bay Packers. The season embarks with a lot of expectation and mostly uncertainty. Mike McCarthy takes his team to San Diego. Since it isn't televised live in my area, I will have to rely on a delayed-tape replay. Check back for some game thoughts.

UPDATE: Uninspiring.
That sums up tonight's game. Offensive line allowed Favre to be sacked or hit multiple times. Speaking of offense, quite offensive. They really need to step up their game. Defense was also less than impressive. There's a lot of work to be done before opening day. Although, if tonight is any indication, we could be in for one LONG unhappy season.

Kudos to United

Well, I flew back from Phoenix on August 10. The date perhaps has a familiar ring to it as it was the day of the thwarted airline plot in the United Kingdom. Not especially fun to wake to that news. Having planned ample time for a normal flight, I knew that it was going to be dicey making it under the new circumstances. The airport was chaotic, no doubt. Security lines were excruciating, and I again quietly thanked my United Executive Premier flying status, which expedited me to a premier line. Purged toiletries and a connection through Denver, I was less than an hour delayed. Considerably impressive for a more than unnormal day at the airport. Hats off to United.

Hot as an Oven (Part 2)

Okay, there is somewhere hotter. Phoenix. Landed in Phoenix at 7 p.m. and the outside temperature was 106 degrees. The rental company gave me a Sebring convertible, which won't get a lot of use when it's 106 degrees.

Seven Days

That's right. Seven days until pre-season starts for the Green Bay Packers. They will be in San Diego to face the Chargers on August 12.


REG-GIE, REG-GIE
Today, Regie White was inducted in to the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Sara White, Reggie's wife, made the acceptance speech saying, "It's not how we die, it's how we live, I encourage you to live like Reggie lived. His legacy will live on through you.''

Hot as an Oven

Hotter than an oven applies if it's 11 p.m. and the heat index is 94 degrees. I was in North Carolina today and the weather wasn't much cooler there either. The forecast for tomorrow is another triple digit day with humidity over 70 percent.