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To All Those Going To Martinsville

Okay all, word to the wise about these spring races - the weather can change at the drop of a hat. And it's vitally important to pay attention to the weather forecast (especially this weekend, since it's changing every hour).

bubblesbrnaid, eliz and I know of what we speak, as last year at Martinsville we had the pleasure of all day misting, frigid temps (and not warm enough clothing - I had a jacket, but I needed a heavier one), and at one point snow (confirmed by Jeff Gordon). It was supposed to be in the 60s that day. And there was snow.

Things you need:

1. Poncho (never go to a race without one - get the foldable ones at Wal-Mart, don't open until you need)

2. Sunscreen (also never go a race without this)

3. Extra socks (leave in the car, just in case there's rain and after the race you need to put on new socks that are dry)

4. Blankets (also leave in the car unless you get to the track and find the temp is cold out - I have emergency blankets and those suckers came in handy)

5. One to two bags (soft side cooler and one other bag - they don't allow any more than that in per person, and you don't want more at your seat because at Martinsville you're definitely shoved in there like sardines)

6. Money to buy a hot dog if you're not a vegetarian (Look for the signs that indicate the authentic Martinsville hot dogs. Yes, they're red. No, there is no logic behind that. Get it All The Way southern style. Which is chili, slaw, mustard and onions. Although you can ditch the onions if need be. Just remember - don't try to be a hero or Elliott Sadler. There's no need to eat more than 16 in one day.)

(no subject)

Two NASCAR news items of note

1. Jamie Mac and Juan Pablo are feuding? But Jamie isn't sure why? Even though Juan was trying to apologize for something? I'm sorry, but the whole story is convoluted and I can't stop laughing. Either Jamie is clueless about what the incident was that Juan was apologizing for, so his confusion was mistaken by Juan, or Jamie's pissed and didn't feel like dealing with him (and Jamie that pissed is PISSED) and Juan isn't taking the rebuff well. Either way, I want to see the Juan on Ellyut fight. (What? Jamie's not fighting that fight. Ellyut will step in and whoop ass. And then Stremme will come over and...yeah, this could turn into porn quickly, so I'll stop.)

2. So the US F1 team is considering Allmendinger or Speed, but not Kyle Busch or Danica Patrick. The reasons why they're not considering Danica weren't detailed, but the supposed reason they're not considering Kyle is a lack of open wheel experience? Really? REALLY? Guys, I adore AJ. I like Scott Speed. They both have talent. But I'm going to be honest - if you think that Kyle Busch's lack of open wheel experience means he's not good enough of a driver, you're fucking nuts. Test him first. Unless you've approached him and commitments on his part mean he's not interested (which would be highly likely). Just don't act like he's lacking some sort of special skill that no one else can handle but open wheelers, because the honest truth is, a gifted driver can drive in any series. NASCAR is obviously the more magnanimous group if we can take open wheelers and welcome them but even a US team can't accept Kyle into F1. (Tis an argument that feels bigger than Kyle, to me. It's about F1 stereotyping NASCAR.) Hell, let's see you tell Tony Stewart that he's not good enough for F1 because of a lack of experience. (I'd bet they'd be stupid enough to. Even though he has raced open wheel.)

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Did my first solo animal rescue today.

Unfortunately, it was an animal I hit. Damn kamikaze squirrels.

The squirrel actually stopped in the middle of the road (wet road, I tried to slow down without swerving because you can't sacrifice your own life in favor of an animal). I thought it was dead but went back to check. It was still alive, but the head was twisted one way, the body another. So of course I grabbed it in a blanket from my trunk and drove like hell to the rehab center. Kind of wish I'd had my cell with me, because i just knew the squirrel had a broken neck or back and needed to be euthanized. Of course, the real result is that the squirrel was merely stunned (and had a compound fracture of the right front leg, which was impossible to fix and give the squirrel a viable life, so it had to be put to sleep).

Lesson, folks, is that that animal you hit on the road may not be dead. Please don't just leave it laying there. Check.

Another lesson - have a box in your car, because the random blanket you wrap the squirrel in may not be enough when the squirrel gets over its shock and flips out. (Luckily I was in the rehab center parking lot. I just wrapped it tighter and ran like hell. I'm getting a box damn soon. Although now it dawns on me I had boxes in the trunk. Next time I will put the squirrel in a box.)

Dale Jr. For The Hilarious Win

JUNIOR HAS NO PROBLEM WITH KYLE'S BOASTS

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said he can't fault Kyle Busch for talking about how he's outperformed him.

"He has been and he has every right to brag as much as he wants," Earnhardt said. "I wouldn't trade positions with him, though. I like where I'm at."

Told that Busch said that he didn't think there was anything wrong with Earnhardt's crew chief, Tony Eury Jr., Earnhardt said: "I think Kyle has a heart down in there somewhere. I think he's a good guy. He just, you know, has a funny way of wording things sometimes."

Bug Eyed Dummy Tweets

• 15:25 Kind of pissed on behalf of Kyle Busch. It's weird. #

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