sports

The TV show Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan will be visiting Daytona International Speedway on February 17-18 to film a NASCAR-centric episode. And one lucky dog-owning NASCAR fan from the Daytona region could find themselves showcased in the episode alongside two NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers.

Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan will be filming an episode focused on NASCAR and will include Greg Biffle and Kevin Harvick for the first segments, and a fan for the third segment.

Kevin Harvick and his wife DeLana will be featured with their Chihuahua, Little One (LO), and Greg Biffle will select animals in need through his charity, the Greg Biffle Foundation.

How You Can Be On The Show:

Some Winter Sports News, Both Sad and Good [Burke; Weir]

by Bruce Simmons on January 20, 2012

in sports

Johnny Weir Is Coming Back

Johnny Weir Announced on Jan 19th that he is returning to the world of competitive ice skating, with his eye on the 2013 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the chance to get on his third Olympic ice skating team.

But as IceNetwork put it,

“For Weir to take part in the 2013 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, he would have to either compete in the regional and sectional championships or receive a bye as a result of skating in an international event, or some combination of the two. His inclusion in the Grand Prix Series can only be as a host country selection.”

As a side note, Weir got married on New Year’s Eve to Victor Voronov.

I wonder if he has himself an uphill battle or if he’ll be once again accepted readily into the sport? He has the potential… it will be interesting to see him go at it!

[IceNetwork: Weir Returning to Competition]

The NASCAR 2012 Shootout at Daytona: The Lineup

by Bruce Simmons on January 20, 2012

The upcoming NASCAR 2012 Daytona Shootout will be the 34th time it runs. It’s been through a rule change here and there, so the field has grown a bit…

The Shootout launches NASCAR‘s Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway and is taking place on Saturday, Feb 18th, 2012.

NASCAR drivers qualified for the Shootout (I have such an urge to type Budweiser in front of that…) by the following qualifications:

The highest ranked 25 competitors in 2011 NSCS driver points
Previous winners at Daytona, including the Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola, and Shootout events

With that in mind, here is the field for the 2012 Shootout at Daytona:

The Busch Brothers: Kurt Driving for Kyle And Other Developments

by Bruce Simmons on January 20, 2012

The Busch Brothers News and Notes: Kurt Driving for Kyle and observations on other Busch NASCAR news.

Kurt Busch landed on his feet, or at least, got himself a ride with Phoenix Racing for the NASCAR 2012 season. Meaning, he found a team brave enough to take him on, hoping he’s learned his lesson from his Penske experience.

One of his sponsors with Phoenix Racing, for a few races at least, is his sunglasses manufacturer, Tag Heuer Eyewear. Kurt Busch has a personal-services agreement with the organization, so this seems like a nice extension of the their business partnering.

Tag Heuer will be on Kurt’s car in the Shootout (as primary sponsor) and the Daytona 500 and Kobalt Tools 400 in Las Vegas, where they will be an associate sponsor.

Obsevation: Has anyone noticed that in most every news piece or interview, Kurt keeps calling this opportunity “fun” to be in. Do you think that’s truly the case, that he’s having fun, having to make do with a non-premiere team. When I hear about Kurt’s “fun” on his new team, I can’t help but think about the Limp Bizkit lyric goes,

“Cause your mouth’s writing checks that your *** can’t cash “

2012 Olympic Team Trails Marathon from Houston Texas

by Bruce Simmons on January 15, 2012

in running, sports

The 2012 Olympic Trials marathon was held in Houston, Texas on January 14th, 2012, and was televised nationally

For the first time ever, both the men’s and women’s Olympic Trials Marathon were held on the same day at the same event, at the Houston to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The qualifying race sends the top 3 men and 3 women to the London games. These 6 came from fairly large fields of contestants… 110 men, 191 women competed in the marathon.

The Men’s Marathon:

Ryan Hall took the early, dominate lead… (Sorting out the posers, as they say).

While Hall set the men’s pace with a few of them breaking away from the pack at the 3 mile mark.

The men were pacing sub 5-minute miles and then Meb Keflezighi moved to the front, with Hall drafting him.

NASCAR Preseason Thunder: Day Two at Daytona International Speedway

by Bruce Simmons on January 13, 2012

After the first day of preseason testing at Daytona, NASCAR made some adjustments to the cars. The adjustments were two-fold…

Tinkering with the restrictions to deter the tandem drafting in the NASCAR restrictor plate race, and as they put it, a test of NASCAR also.

What ever that might mean, is your interpretation.

NASCAR 2012 Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway – Day 1

by Bruce Simmons on January 12, 2012

Softer springs, smaller spoilers, smaller radiators, new fuel system and a no-talk rule are all the new rage in NASCAR for this 2012 season… is everyone ready for some racin’? I know I sure am… NASCAR has always been good to me, and the folks within the industry are just awesome to deal with, so bring it ON!

With the Daytona 500 only 45 days away, well, one of the longest sportings seasons is about to get back underway, and it started with PreSeason Thunder as the teams got to get out on the track and test the new scenarios they’ll be up against when the 2012 NASCAR season commences once again.

Jeff Gordon paced the morning pack today in practice hitting a lap speed of 192.773 as everyone got on-track and practiced their solo and two-car runs, to see how things are going to shake out.

Kyle Busch, with Joey Logano tailing him, paced the afternoon pack with a 202.402 speed.

And not to mention, how the new fuel injected systems are going to work for the gang.

As teams hit up the track, this is the race, the Super Bowl of NASCAR. Sure, it’s the first race of the season, but it’s a storied track and many important events have taken place here, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Coming into today, everyone was looking to get a feel for the smaller spoiler, smaller radiator & larger restrictor plate! And I presume, they were also possibly playing around with the new radio rule, which is no more chatter between drivers in a race.

Upcoming Changes In NASCAR – Do You Approve?

by Bruce Simmons on January 9, 2012

‘Tis the new season and it’s time for new rules, as is usually the case when it comes to NASCAR.

That’s not a ding, just an observation that as they continue to try and improve their product, NASCAR balances on a fine line between fine-tuning and tampering with the end result.

Last year’s 2011 NASCAR race season was pretty impressive. I think all in all, we had quite a few great finishes that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Yes, we also had gas-mileage races, but you have to admit, if its your guy in the car looking at fuel fumes, it can be pretty dramatic trying to not give yourself an ulcer worrying about whether he’ll make it or not.

{Psst: Daytona International Speedway Testing will take place January 14th to 16th}

But be it as it may, NASCAR is looking at some changes for the upcoming year… specifically, they’re looking at what they can change to minimize or eliminate tandem drafting. The people have spoken and NASCAR is reacting for them.

But how do you appease the people and keep it safe out there on the track? That’s a good question because face it, “the people” are not out there behind the wheels in 120 degree cockpits, hurtling along at 200 mph, trying to keep the car going straight and not crashing. (Trust me, they don’t drive like our cars do!)

Jason Leffler to Kyle Busch Motorsports in NASCAR Truck Series

by Bruce Simmons on January 9, 2012

This could be very, very interesting, considering how Leffler tends to be sometimes behind that wheel. And well, ’nuff said on Kyle’s intents for 2012.

Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) announced today that Jason Leffler will be the primary driver of the team’s No. 18 Tundra in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for the 2012 season. The veteran driver will be behind the wheel for at least 14 races this season, beginning with the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway. Dollar General, the nation’s largest small-box retailer, will serve as the primary sponsor for Leffler’s 14-race schedule.

KBM will be making an announcement about their Nationwide Series program this upcoming Thursday.

KBM press

Former Miss Sprint Cup, Paige Duke, Now on Reality Dating Series

by Bruce Simmons on January 9, 2012

Remember when the former Miss Sprint Cup team member, Paige Duke, was booted from the sprint cup girl squad because of some older “personal” images that popped up on the web?

Well, she seems to be rebounding nicely from that slight dip in her professional career.

Though she should know better*, Paige Duke can be seen on the CMT reality dating series called Sweet Home Alabama which is premiering this Friday at 9 p.m., ET..

The 26-year-old will be approached and drooled over by 22 new bachelors for the new season.

Paige Duke only has 10 episodes to decide who and what she wants out of life. The city boy or the country boy, if any of them!