NASCAR Mandates Seat Belt Changes

There was an announcement made on Wednesday, January 10th, that NASCAR made a huge change for the safety of all drivers in their Top Three series in that they have to wear the six-point belt harness instead of the old five-point belt harness. However, some drivers already use the five-point harness as a seven-point belt by adding two extra straps to the contraption. Instead, NASCAR's safety expert Steve Peterson and two of General Motors' safety personnel stepped in and felt that the six-point harness is the way to go when it comes to preventing major injuries. Personally, I don't care whether there are five-point or seven-points to the contraption, as long as there is as much safety as possible involved, and somehow I have a feeling that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. would agree with me because he once said that if it involved more safety - - bring it on or bring it to his attention, I strongly agree !!!

Testing At Daytona International Speedway

"We brought in a different car for our other car today. It is a little different build. I'm excited to see what it will do in the draft. We'll get out this afternoon and get a lot more. I've been pleased with what I see so far." Jarrett said. He is swapping his Robert Yates Racing Ford for one of the brand new Toyotas. Michael Waltrip will use Toyota exclusively for his new team, of which Dale Jarrett is an integral part of that team. Obviously I support the entire team of Drivers, Michael Waltrip, Dale Jarrett, David Reutimann, Josh Wise and whomever else may come onboard !!!

Will a Toyota win a race in it's first Nextel Cup season? Dale Jarrett says that's not even the right question.

"I don't think winning one race is the question," Jarrett said. "I think it's a question of how many we win. I don't think there's any doubt we will win, the question is whether each of the teams will be involved, and I think they will be."

"The goal right now is to make sure each car is in the race," Jarrett said, Speaking for the three-car Waltrip team but saying what most certainly applies to all of the Camry fleet. "That's something we're going to have to work hard on the first eight to ten races to make sure to get the cars in the Top 35 and keep them there." But Jarrett said he believes that by season's end someone in a Camry could be a contender for more than just an occasional win. Matt Borland, one of the sports top Crew Chiefs will lead Jarrett's team. David Hyder will try to reverse Waltrip's 2006 struggles. While Frank Kerr will team up woth Reutimann as he moves up from the Craftsman Truck Series.

Ground Breaking For NASCAR's Hall of Fame

The ground breaking ceremony will take place on January 25th at 3 p.m. in Charlotte, N.C.

The ceremony will take place at the final stop on the annual NASCAR Nextel Cup Media Tour presented by The Lowe's Motor Speedway. As part of the Hall of Fame plan, a NASCAR Office Plaza Tower will also be constructed on the Hall of Fame site that runs by Stonewall Street and Caldwell Street.

Motor Racing Network pit reporter and one of Duke Power's vice presidents, Winston Kelley will serve as executive director of the Hall of Fame. With a cost of $155 million, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is slated to be open in the fall of 2009.

DEI Hires Kerry Earnhardt

Kerry will join DEI, as a full-time employee next week, serving as a liaison between the Nextel Cup and Busch programs and driving a handful of races. "Teresa and Richie have been talking to me about coming there for several years." Kerry said of team owner/stepmother Teresa Earnhardt and director of motorsports Richie Gilmore. "I've been thinking about the company a lot in my head. It's hard to give up driving. Now, I've come to a point where I realize that doing the things I'm doing is not doing me any good, just riding around and not having any decent finishes." Kerry also said, "I've got four kids, a baby 3 1/2 years old." "There have been several times when we've blown a right-front tire or got caught up in somebody else's accident and I've taken some pretty hard licks. I've started thinking more about my life than my career."

I personally think that there is a lot more to the story than we are being lead to believe. I for one plan to hang around to see how this drama unfolds, will Dale Jr. get what he is after from DEI ??? Is he looking to "take over DEI ??? Is there any possibility that he may pack up and head for Richard Childress Racing ??? What would Kevin Harvick have to say about that, if anything???

Voda Signs With SPEED

SPEED officials say veteran sports journalist Krista Voda has signed a multi-year contract that will include hosting the network's pre-race show for all of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races in 2007.

Krista alwo recently signed with Fox Sports as a pit reporter for the network's NASCAR Nextel Cup Series races in 2007.

"Krista is a tremendous talent with great passion for her work," said Frank Wilson SPEED vice president of productions. "She understands racing, knows the players and has a great deal of experience and credibility covering NASCAR and all forms of racing."

Voda began her work in NASCAR in 2002 as a reporter and host for "Totally NASCAR". Since then, Krista has worked on multiple programs for both SPEET and Fox Sports.

I say, "You go, Girlfriend !!!" As the NASCARQueen, I say "This ones for the girls !!!".

Off-Season Appearances

Elliott "The Former Candy Man" Sadler reports that he had a great hunting season and will be enlarging his kennels to accomodate 50 to 60 dogs. He now has 36, that he dearly loves. He's optimistic about making the Chase this season. Since Elliott is my second most favorite driver, I suddenly have this overwhelming urge to become a puppy !!! Shhhhh, PLEASE, don't tell Mikey !!!

Tony "Smoke" Stewart spent time on his radio show and has once again been an intricate part of the most entertaining production effort. For a guy that did not particularly fancy the media, he certainly has become an asset to thier ranks. Tony is open, well spoken and fun to listen to !!!

Kasey Kahne, J.J. Yeley and Tony Stewart participated in the Chili Bowl races at the dirt track in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I believe it was. Going back to your roots, Boys ??? As some of you may know, I also follow The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Races. They are said to be "The Greatest Show On Dirt", and what's a little mud in your beer, amongst friends, anyway???

That's all I have for this post. Don't forget Michael Waltrip and David Reutimann will be testing at Daytona International Speedway beginning on Monday, January 15th through the 17th. Good Luck to them, I for one will be thinking of them as I work my way through my own week !!!

Later,
The Wal-NutzManiac