Kurt Busch -My Thoughts Saturday Richmond

On Monday, an article by Jenna Fryer appeared in the Atlantic City Press about Kurt Busch, Nascar Chase contender. The article appeared in the Sports Section. I am a long time fan of Kurt Busch, I believe Jenna is a long time non fan of Kurt. I want to tell you about the other side of Kurt Busch; the one I know. Before almost every single race, Kurt sits in his hauler outside the track and signs autographs for fans and allows photos of him and his fans. No other driver of his stature does this almost every week and right before the race. Kurt funded a gym at the Victory Junction Gang Camp for chronically and terminally ill children. The gym has a special air system that allows children to play in specially conditioned air. Kurt works tirelessly with Veterans and visits Veteran's Homes and Hospitals. Last year he worked with Operation Homefront, and has now switched his efforts to the Armed Services Foundation. Last week before the race he visited the Richmond VA Hospital. One Nascar Foundation day a couple years back, I called to make a donation and Kurt answered the phone. We spoke for ten minutes about racing and his career including his 2004 Championship. My Mom walked in during the conversation and thought I was talking to a friend. This February I went to the Philadelphia Auto Show and saw Kurt walking through the hall. He graciously stopped and allowed me to get a great photo of him. Kurt is a passionate racer. He wants to win another championship. Yes, sometimes his temper gets the best of him and sometimes he is own worst enemy-aren't we all at times, but his is because he is passionate about racing and his accomplishments in the sport. He wants to win as much as Jimmie Johnson, and like all else wants to be recognized for his achievements. This is the side of Kurt Busch, Jenna Fryer did not acknowledge. This is not her first negative article about Kurt. She also has written many articles which are totally favorable toward Jimmie Johnson (do a google search), no matter what. But this side of Kurt above is the Kurt I know and who I have been a fan of since 2000 when he appeared in the Nascar Truck Series, and this side of him is rarely mentioned.
In my opinion Jenna pushed all of Kurt's buttons Saturday night by asking Johnson about what Kurt said, but not exactly in the same words he said what he said, and not in the same context. Why didn't she ask Kurt what he meant? Why ask someone else (Johnson) who had not even heard the comment or its original context?
Jenna tweeted to Johnson yesterday. I saw no tweets to Kurt. I question this whole issue.
And the incidents on track involving Kurt and Jimmie, Junior and Kvapfil, Vickers and Ambrose are worthy of another article as there were some definite inconsistencies as to the drivers who got penalties for their actions on track Saturday night and who did not. Although it was very clear Vickers was pulled off the track and held, Nascar is supposedly saying today there was no penalty. Granted Vickers had to repair his car. But many have questioned why the 88 and 48 were not also given penalties for intentionally wrecking other drivers. Experts, like Dave Despain and Kyle Petty said Kurt did not intentionally wreck Johnson first. His brakes locked up. What Kurt went through with questions asking if he can race clean or not, and then Jenna misconstruing context and exact wording would be enough to erupt anyone's temper. He finished fifth in the race, oh by the way. And Kurt is seeded seventh for the Chase.
I hope his passion for racing works through this, and he goes on to show the great racer he is.

January 2

Quiet day today. Watched Sunday Morning and was glad they did a segment on Billy Taylor. I always loved his segments on the show. Read the whole Sunday NY Times. Also watched American Master's Glenn Gould which was wonderful. And watched Live From Lincoln Center's New Year's Eve Special. Lang Lang was the guest and was great. It was all Tchaikovsky including the Polonaise and Act II of Nutcracker. Then we watched The White Ribbon which held my interest, but was not at all what I expected. I much preferred The Secret in Their Eyes, and now know the Academy made the right choice for Best Foreign Film. Some lighter fare on TV and segment one of the Dakar with Robby Gordon coming in 8th today due to not having four wheel drive, more reading, found five photos of Kyle Busch's wedding (none of Kurt) some light yoga, finished the fabulous duck from Steve and Cookies, and now off to bed. An uneventful, peaceful day, a post holiday recharge day on a dreary weather day in Longport.

New Year 2011 I will be 60 this year

In June, I will turn 60. I wanted to start the year out in an exciting way, and I decided to do the Polar Bear Plunge in Margate, NJ at noon on New Year's Day. This had been on my bucket list for many years. When I awoke this morning, I was not sure, but as I thought further about it, I decided this was exactly what I needed to do to kick off my momentous year.
I dug out my 2 piece bathing suit, put it on, did some quick grooming, slathered moisturized with SPF on my face and a little pink lipstick and Kiehl's lip balm on my lips. I grabbed my Mom, and said let's go. Luckily she was amenable. I wanted her to share this moment with me as well as take photos, hold my coat and gloves (the Mom role that she excels at). We were amazed how many people were there. It is not my fault, but today was not as cold as some New Year's Days, but the water temperature was plenty cold. The plungers were dressed in everything imaginable-pajamas, bathrobes, jeans, bathing suits of every size and shape, skirts on men, some of the strangest hats and other get ups I have ever seen.
My Mom snuck over and bought me a T-Shirt with proceeds supporting Covenant House in Atlantic City, a great charity. Now I have something special to show for my adventure.
About 11:45AM, the plungers left Robert's Bar and headed for the beach with bagpipers leading the way accompanied by firetrucks, ambulances, rescue boats and other things that made me almost think this through again. The beach was loaded with people from all over. Kids, teens, young people, married people and families of all ages, many over 60; and some were accompanied by their family pets. One lady told me she was 67, and this was her 7th year of taking the plunge. I saw many greyheads way over 60 in their bathing attire.
At noon everyone ran to the water. I had no time to think it through. I was carried by the crowd, and my Mom was clicking away and cheering me forward. When that water hit my barefeet and legs, I thought they had been swept away. They were totally numb. But as I got all the way into the water, I did not feel it as much. It actually felt great. No sooner was I in the water, but out again, swept along with others leaving the ocean. I never shivered once; it was positively exhilarating. What a way to start the New Year and my 60th. I got home, took a shower, and had lunch. It was almost surreal.
Tonight my Mom and I will celebrate New Year's Day dinner at Steve and Cookie's Restaurant, a fine dining establishment overlooking the bay in Margate. I will look at the water, and remember with pride that a few hours earlier I took the plunge into the Atlantic Ocean and into my 60th year.
Postscript-If I choose to do this next year, I will definitely wear makeup!!!!

Pocono Truck Qualifying

Watching the new truck qualifying. It is a little bit of an F1 knockoff. The first lap had a spin; so that was a bit of a mess. It is going fast. I wish they would do this for some of the Cup races especially the road courses and long tracks like Pocono and Talladega. But leave Daytona Speed Weeks' qualifying alone.

Dover

Fabulous weather, not the greatest races. What can one do! Poor Kurt-looked like he had a good car, but alas all went wrong from there. He somehow managed to finish 19th staying in the top 12. I do not like this lack of consistency I am seeing, but I do like the chatter between Kurt and Steve. I also had a chance to see Kurt, and that was all good.

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New Year

Happy New year. I will be updating this blog to follow racing better and will also be incorporating paperart projects into the site.
Look for this to come soon! The Rolex 24 Daytona is next weekend. Go Patrick Dempsey and Team!