The race season is almost halfway over, and that makes me really sad. I never would have thought that my weekends would revolve around a race schedule but when the season ends... my weekends seem extremely long and boring. Lucky enough, there are still 21 races left this season and the excitement is picking up each and every race! This weekend was no exception.

First and foremost...what the heck happened to Hendrick Motorsports?! They, as an organization, haven't finished outside of the top-25 since 2005. With a 28th, 37th, 38th, and 39th place finish on Sunday in Michigan, their showing, by results, was embarrassing. BUT, it you look at what each driver did during the race, it tells a different story. Jeff Gordon is the Lone Ranger in that we never got to see what his car was really made of, but Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson all led multiple laps throughout the race before they ran into unfortunate issues. Hopefully this doesn't happen for this team, or any other team, again any time soon.

One notable finish in Michigan was Rookie Danica Patrick. She started 37th and finished 13th Sunday after an impressive run for her first time at the track. Pit strategy played a big part in her top-15 finish and all of that work on pit road was thanks to her Crew Chief Tony Gibson and his fantastic crew. Stewart-Haas Racing couldn't have paired a better CC and Crew with this high profile Rookie. After tuning in to her radio multiple times since Daytona, it's clear to see that their chemistry is undeniable. Look for more of these finishes this season from Ms. Patrick.

The racing world lost a great driver earlier this week in Jason Leffler. It always hits the racing community hard when someone loses their life and fortunately it's not something that happens often. One thing that just amazes me is how much everyone comes together to support each other and the drivers family. I love seeing everyone put away their differences and just celebrate the life and legacy of a fantastic individual.

I've started this new project titled "Chasing the Dream." It's something that I have had in my head for a while now and finally got it started. I am so excited to help others get their story heard and can't wait to feature many great individuals that will hopefully make up the world of motorsports in a few short years. So if you or even someone you know is chasing their dream, then send them to my page!

I titled this post Checkers or Wreckers because that is what many teams and drivers say or think before each and every race. I think that it can also be implied to every day life as well. Checkers or Wreckers. Try your hardest to succeed. Definitely something that I hold near and dear to my heart. Chasing my own dreams of making it in the motorsports industry has been a long journey so far and hopefully it will all pay off. Fingers Crossed!

Well, I've got to go watch The Voice finale....Go Danielle Bradbery!

The series hits the halfway point in the Race for the Chase and the drivers and teams are all wondering one thing; who will defeat the monster?

Well, as we wait to find out, I'll be writing down all of my random thoughts and comments that pop into my head during today's race! This could be very interesting for you...and bad for me!

During RaceDay, I took to twitter to find out what YOU wanted to know. You submitted questions... and here are your answers!

*On the gen6 I feel they are performing well as far as safety but performance they still need work how do you feel?
    I agree that the safety of these new Generation 6 cars is top notch. As far as performance wise, it's coming along. Each and every race the cars get a little bit better and the race teams push the limits of the car just a little bit further. I am 100% sold that this new car will bring some of the most exciting racing in this era of NASCAR, it's just going to take a bit of time and it's still pretty early in the season!
*Do you think any SHR car will make the chase this year?
    Unfortunately, no. If any of the three cars are going to make the Chase, it's going to be Ryan Newman. He has had by far the best performance of the three teams this season and is ranked higher in points at the halfway point. We all knew that Danica didn't have a chance at making the Chase but Stewart's performance this season in quite surprising. Watching RaceDay this morning, I was irked that they blamed the SHR slump on their new Rookie. The entire organization has been on a downhill slide since Darian Grubb left. The reason the drivers haven't been performing is because the organization isn't working as a whole. They aren't giving their drivers the equipment they need to go out there and win. They seem to be turning around, slowly, but unless Stewart runs consistently up front and gets a few wins...he may just miss the Chase.
*Do you think NASCAR should impose penalties on Cup drivers in Nationwide and Truck series?
    No. As much as I want NASCAR to regulate the number of Cup drivers in lower series, it will never happen. Last season, it was Joey Logano and this year it's Kyle Busch. It's unfortunate for those who are competing for the Championship because instead of worrying about those drivers contending as well, they have to focus more on the Busch's, Kahne's and Kenseth's. I'm perfectly fine with drivers competing in a few races a season, like Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick, but running all but 5-6 races? That's a little extreme.
*Do you think taking out some seats would be good PR for tracks like Dover? (who has 140,000 seats)
Taking out seats would be a mistake in my opinion. Just because they can't fill them now doesn't mean it won't happen in the future! Instead, they should put them to good use. Instead of trying to sell seats on the ends of the grandstands or on the backstretch, use them instead for publicity. Stretch an American Flag across them, or invite Military members to come to the race free of charge and fill those seats with the heroes of our great country.
*What attracted you to NASCAR racing instead of other motorsports, or do you follow other motorsports series (NHRA) too?
I stumbled upon NASCAR in a completely random way (read about it here). Since then, I have ventured into various other forms of motorsports including IndyCar, Grand-Am, and even a little NHRA. NASCAR is where my heart is, but if it involves a motor, I'll be tuned in.

Random Thoughts:

*Gloriana singing the National Anthem... perfect way to kick of racing at Dover!
*Did she just say "Lady and Gentlemen start your engines" to start the race? That doesn't happen often...and at least she didn't bomb it like Franco did at Daytona!
*Danica Patrick's radio feed is engaged... fully prepared for some laughs today.
*Love how most teams start the pace laps with a pep talk on the radio.
*The minute the race goes green, my dog comes up to me shaking...
*My radio feed is ahead of the TV broadcast... this has never happened before.
*I'm watching this race in surround sound... it's almost like being at the race....almost.
*I need to do laundry today...gives me something to do during cautions.
*There are going to be a lot of drivers that are multiple laps down during today's race.
*Commercial already? It's been 15 laps people!
*Danica Patrick to pit road already with damage.... her car is NOT good... again.
*Busch is leading...is this surprising?
*How did Hamlin lose so many spots?
*Johnson was picking up spots pretty quickly... then lost spots...lots of them. He is still my pick for today.
*This track is SLICK!
*really hope this advil kicks in... this headache is putting a damper on my raceday!
*Johnson just went a lap down... I thought his car was fast....
*Pit Stops under green should be interesting....
*Commercial.... time for food!
*Never-mind... caution.
*There are only 19 cars on the lead lap...
*Raceday in my house is NEVER fun...considering I'm the only one who has a passion for this sport.
*There is a BIG water bottle near the enterance to pit road... according to Danica.
*Johnson is back on the lead lap... all is right with the world.
*100 laps in... dad is yelling at me to fold clothes...
*The clouds have really moved in...may we see rain?
*It's really depressing to think that Kasey Kahne is over 10 years older than me.
*This deer jerky is REALLY good!
*ISSUES!!!!! Kenseth and Logano.
*I wish they had roof cams on the cars for ALL races.
*Thought under caution: I want to learn how to drive a stick shift.
*Thoughts from Johnson's mind: "Nice rear end there Montoya!"
*I still wish Kahne would have won the Coke 600...the we would have had more shots and pics of his eyes :)
*I'm really NOT looking forward to Fox Sports 1
*Haters really make me mad... especially on raceday
*I am definitely buying a diecast of Johnson's car...MONSTERS!!!!
*New Leader..... 48!
*Danica's radio has been quite "unfunny" today.
*The NAPA commercial gets me every time. Boog-ity Boog-ity
*Truex just blew up.... I think I might just cry.
*I still haven't had lunch yet... it's 2:30....central time.
*Krista Voda has my dream job.
*Monica Palumbo once told me I was on my way of becoming the next Krista Voda.
*Newman just tried to dump the 34....wrecked himself too...
*Ok...now I am crying....Kahne into the wall.
*Danica's talking about her BF on the radio...
*Johnson is leading again...all is right with the world.
*Motorsports currently hold 4 of the 10 trends on twitter. Gilliland. NASCAR. IndyCar. Newman.
*Hamlin's paint scheme makes me smile. Need to have more like his.
*If you have never read anything from THOUGHT CATALOG you are seriously missing out.
*Johnson just lost himself the race.
*Stewart may just have himself a win.
*For Stewart's worst track...and worst start EVER in his career.... he just got himself a win.
*P24 for Danica
*All of SHR is doing a victory dance in Stewart's pit.

Well....those were my thoughts during today's 400 lap race at Dover... well...most of them. Now, onto the summer stretch and TNT race broadcasts.

Go Smoke!

Sincerely,
me :)