Kurt Busch NASCAR Foundation Telethon

Yesterday, I called the NASCAR DAY Telethon at the time Kurt Busch had posted on his website he would answer phones. Imagine my great surprise when I dialed the number, and Kurt answered the phone. He actually answered my call! I have been a Kurt Busch fan since he started racing in Cup. I have stuck by him through thick and thin. I wrote letters all over the place when he had trouble in Phoenix a couple years ago. I met him twice-once in NY in 2004 during Champions' week (when Kenseth was champ-he is my other favorite) and once at the Dover 2006 spring race while he signed autographs in his souvenir trailer. He was very cordial and actually had small conversations with me both times. But yesterday we chatted for ten minutes. I felt like I was talking to a friend about racing. It was an absolute delight to talk to him. It validated every reason I stuck by him as he has grown in the sport. I was given so much more yesterday than I gave. I am going to up my donation to his foundation. He is doing wonderful things with the Victory Junction Gang Camp-just ask Kyle Petty. Kyle even mentioned that yesterday during one of the Speed broadcasts. I am so glad to see Kurt is getting back on track. I am delighted he is in 6th place. I know he will win another championship before he retires. I always enjoy watching him race to the front. I know he is tough sometimes on his crew, but it is his desire to win. So I just want to thank Kurt for the great conversation and great racing. I wish him all the best going forward-Eva, too. She is so good for him. Thanks, Kurt!

Dale Jr, a heavy yet hopeful heart

I do not know Dale Jr personally, but his heart was heavy this morning. Some said stoic. But all I saw was a heavy heart; although I do believe he was optimistic for the future. I am with him all the way. I do feel for Martin Truex. I have not thought Truex has had the best possible scenario the last two years. He is a much better driver as is Dale than either has shown the last two years. I hope Truex gets the other seat out there (Gibbs or RCR). I do not think Max Segal understood what was at stake. This certainly does not fare well for his reputation as a business negotiator in my book. I am not sure why Teresa needs so much money; although, I do think she will lose more in the next two years. I have not decided where I hope JR lands. I know he is friends with Stewart and Hamlin. I know he respects Jeff Burton and is friends with Clint Bowyer. I am not sure where he stands with Harvick. Hendrick is a long shot; in my opinion the only possibility there is to trim Casey Mears based on his abysmal performance this year. It will be exciting to watch what unfolds. More exciting than this year's domination by Hendrick is to watch!

So sad about Bobby Hamilton and deaths

I am so sorry about Bobby Hamilton's death. I thought he was doing okay after his chemo. One just never knows about cancer. I am sorry for his wife, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. He was very talented, and from the old school of racing. I hope his son will continue to race. I was just so sorry to learn about this morning.
It seems as though since July 4th, I have just had way too much death, illness, etc in my heart. My 88 year old Uncle fell for no apparent reason other than age. He contracted the c.diff virus in the hospital. He died in August after dealing with that horrible virus for over a month. He was fine other than the fall when he went into the hospital.
Then next it was a friend who lost her battle with cancer. Unfortunately I did not know she was sick until I read the obit. Following that I head about two former co-workers. One died of lung cancer (yes, a heavy smoker). She was too young and had a tragic hard life including the loss of a daughter from spousal abuse. The other co-worker was a kidney transplant patient. Her Dad gave her his kidney many years ago. She died from bladder cancer. Then my beloved dog, Geoffrey died. He was only sick for three days. I will write a post just on him when I can. He was my special prince. Then the same week we lost Geoffrey, our beloved neighbor died from herpes encephalitis. It is very rare and almost always fatal in anyone over 40. He had golfed the week before, became ill the day before Thanksgiving and died on December 6. We continued to reel from all this here. The holidays were very tough.
I hoped the New Year would start out fresh. But on January 3rd, I learned that a former co-worker's husband had his boat fall on him while working on it in this warm weather. The husband graduated from high school with me. And now Bobby Hamilton.
I am also very worried about Benny Parsons.
The good news is that it is a new year with lots to look forward to. Robbie Gordon is running Dakar. Daytona testing starts today. The Eagles won last night. The Auto Show and Indoor Races are in Atlantic City this week. Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin and Erin Crocker are making appearances. So hopefully all will be good-