RaceBuddy road blog

Day 37 -- Friday, July 11

• We've reached the end of the yellow brick road. After more than a month on the road, we'll take to the friendly skies for the trip home.

• But first, there's the race -- and it should live up to expectations. Pick a winner? I'm 0-for-the-trip, so take it with a 200-pound sack of salt: Kyle Busch (again) shakes off the burdens and makes the most of a dominant night.

• Thanks for riding along. See y'all at the next rest stop ...

Day 36 -- Friday, July 10

• Not a lot going on at the track this a.m. -- but Nationwide qualifying, a couple of Cup practices and the Nationwide race makes for a busy afternoon.

• Anyone else have the gut feeling that Smoke and Shrub, Part Deux maybe be worth the price of admission. My guess, there may be some paint-trading if they get close to each other but both drivers understand the big picture. ... Then again, both have been known to have a short fuse, a quick trigger, whatever you want to call it.

• If you see Kyle Petty today, give him a pat on the back; today would have been Adam's 29th birthday.

Day 35 -- Thursday, July 9

• The view from the Sears Tower is spectacular! And now there is a glass balcony on the Skydeck -- the 103rd floor. Trust me, taking the first step onto the 1 1/2-inch glass is tough ...

• The Navy Pier is cool, too -- but it seems to have taken a page from NASCAR's playbook. Do we really need McDonald's signage at the top of the entrance?

• There are two Nationwide practices, a Cup practice and Cup quals today. We're hitting Gino's for lunch and will work off the deep-dish, crumbled-sausage pizza through the evening; qualifying begins at 7:30 local time.

• For the record: Wrigley over Comiskey (refuse to call it by its corporate name) every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Even with the rain delay, it was heaven on earth.

Day 34 -- Wednesday, July 8

• Indianapolis is a jewel; downtown is one of the best-kept secrets. We walked around for three hours, stopped in five different places, munched on five different kinds of foods and never lost sight of where we parked.

• I'm a big fan of Mexican food -- the spicier the better. One thing I haven't found on this trip, even in the Southwest, was "the best" Mexican food. Tried two different places on Tuesday and both rated good, not great.

• Chicago is my kind of town. Today: Braves at Cubs. Tonight: Indians at White Sox. A true double-dip. See y'all in the bleachers!

Day 33 -- Tuesday, July 7

• Music City, baby! For as much crap as Nashville gets about not being a "big" city or "cosmopolitan" enough, I like Nashville. It's big enough to get lost in but small enough to find your own way out.

• Strange feeling reading and listening to the news reports about the death of former Titans QB Steve McNair.

• Caught the Michael Waltrip news conference on TV. Bittersweet feelings on this one. It is time for Mikey to focus on life after racing. As for Martin Truex Jr., it's a great move; he'll have the support to move back among the elite drivers.

• One thing I really like about being in the road: Stuckey's. Is there a better snack than a pecan log and a Dr Pepper?

• We're rolling into Indy tonight, with a stop in Louisville. See y'all at the Slugger museum!

Day 32 -- Monday, July 6

• I cannot describe how great it was to sleep in my own bed last night! There's nothing greater than walking up the front steps and a 4-year-old jumping into your arms.

• And then we're back on the road this a.m. First stop, Lynchburg, Tenn., for a visit with the Jack Daniel's folks.

• On a sad note, Lynchburg is mourning the passing of Peggy Gattis. She was the mayor and my mom's second cousin.

• There's nothing like small-town American, in general, and Tennessee, specifically. And bring on the Sun-Drop! Gimme a pimento-and-cheese sandwich, a bag of Lay's and a Sun-Drop while perched under a mimosa tree with the race on the radio and I'm in heaven -- and 7 again at my granny's homestead at the corner of Tanyard Hill Road and Majors Cemetery Road.

Day 31 -- Sunday, July 5

• Kyle Busch blocked and paid for trying to make his car twice as wide as it really is. Tip your cap to Tony Stewart -- he made his move, held his line and let the chips fall.

• The post-race fireworks were spectacular -- just a tick below the in-race ones!

• I'm firmly with Jeff Gordon: more horsepower is the answer to better racing at restrictor-plate tracks. Knowing you can stick your foot in it when necessary has to take the edge off these guys coming through the tri-oval instead of wondering if they will make it across the line in one piece.

• En route to Atlanta today. Home. My own bed. Mama's cooking. One week to go and it's been a blast -- but I'm ready to get off the road.

• Lunch on Monday at Rosa's Pizza. It's a three-slices-of-pepperoni kinda day ... (Continued)