The All-Star Race, Fan Vote and a little rambling

So, I am sitting here in the radio station at college and it gives me a lot of time to think between songs. So much time in fact, that I have ample time to write this blog post!!!!

To start....let's discuss the All-Star Race! I didn't get the chance to watch the Sprint Showdown but I did catch a decent portion of the All-Star Race thanks to my DVR. What started with a Busch Brothers show turned into a win for now Mr. 4-Time Jimmie Johnson. Johnson started towards the back after a not-so-great qualifying run but battled his way towards the front in each of the segments. Johnson's pit crew won him the race in my opinion. They pulled of a pit stop that was just over 11 seconds and that is just amazing. That allowed him to start up front and eventually pass by teammate Kasey Kahne. After he was out front, the race was all but over.

Johnson became the first 4 Time winner of the All-Star Race and that is quite the achievement. For those of you who think he cheated in some way or doesn't deserve it, this one he fought for. It wasn't like last year where he won the first segment than sandbagged the last 3; he came from the back on this one.

Looking at the start of the race though, I thought we were bound to see one of the Busch Brothers in Victory Lane at the end of the night. Kyle Busch's average finish was 2.2 and his brother Kurt's was 2.6. Pit Road was where the Busch Brothers faltered leaving Kyle with a third place and Kurt with a fifth place finish when the checkered flag waved.

Jamie McMurray and Rookie Ricky Stenhouse raced their way into the All-Star Race via the Sprint Showdown. Reigning Sprint Cup Series Champion Brad Keselowski finished the night 22nd after losing his transmission after 2 laps.

The Sprint Fan Vote winner was none other than Danica Patrick. Patrick ran well in the 40 lap Sprint Showdown and finished 9th but her appearance in the All-Star Race was less than spectacular. During the first segment, something was not right with her car and her Crew Chief just could not figure out what had happened between the races. Listening to her radio during the race, you could hear the frustration and confusion in both of their voices. In the end, she finished 20th but learned a lot leading into the Coke 600 this weekend.

A lot of race fans were upset that Patrick got in via Fan Vote saying it was rigged to make her win. I hate to tell all of you out there that actually believe that but she won that vote fair and square. with almost 1 Million followers on Twitter, that girl as a lot of people supporting her whether they are race fans or not. Danica Patrick just might give Dale Jr a run for the Sprint Cup Series Most Popular Driver.

This weekend kicks off summer and also hosts two of the biggest racing events in the season. The Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 both run this Sunday and it is one of those days that race fans love. It gives us an entire day to sit on our butts in front of our TV screens and enjoy some of the best competition racing has to offer.

I for one will be watching both this weekend and I get to spend my time watching the Coke 600 at a radio station here in town learning how to run the board for the MRN broadcasts. I am SO excited! Radio and racing all in one and it's also getting me one step closer to my dream of working in the motorsports world.

I can't wait to see where this new job leads me and hopefully I will see some of you at the track this summer. If you are heading to Iowa in August or Kansas in October, let me know! I am working on getting there myself and would love to meet some of you amazing people face to face!

Until next time, Your Ever Awkward Race Friend,
Katie :)

P.S. Don't forget to comment with your topic suggestions :)

P.S.AGAIN: If you want to get a hold of me and need more space than provided on Twitter...shoot me an email! You can click on the envelope icon at the very top of the page or head to the CONTACT ME tab and you can send me an email right from there! Can't wait to here from you!

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