The boys were at the White House today with the Prez!

Seriously though, you can totally tell Obama has NO CLUE about NASCAR! But it was very cool of him to honor NASCAR today.. VERY COOL!

MEANWHILE….

Here are some highlights from Michigan…..

Kyle freaks on Vickers at the NNS Race at Michigan….

Meanwhile..while Kyle is cryin… the surprise upset! Brad Keselowski takes the JR Motor Sports #88 to Victory Circle at the NNS CARFAX 250 at Michigan!

After all the mayhem, Vickers and Busch have to sit TOGETHER for the Michigan NNS press conference…ha!

The NEXT DAY, Vickers and his RED BULL Toyota win the NSCS CARFAX 400 at Michigan!!! DANG! CONGRATS Brian on the win and the new contract with Red Bull.

Vickers is now on the bubble for the CHASE… only 12 points behind 12th spot held by Mark Martin. Kyle.. well he is 15th … OH SNAP!!!!

But Kyle did win the O’Reilly 200 Truck Series race Wednesday night at Bristol. So, good for him! He needed a win!! CONGRATS KYLE!

JR…IT’S ABOUT TIME!! JEEZ!!! JR NATION IS GETTIN’ FRUSTRATED…BUT CONGRATS ON THE 3rd PLACE FINISH AT THE CARFAX 400 at Michigan….IT’S ABOUT TIME!!! And congrats on Brad’s NNS win!! YEE HAW BABY!

R.I.P. TWIG

Monster Jam – Air Force Afterburner Crew Chief

Hey everyone, sorry I haven’t blogged in a few days, I’ve been getting ready to head out of South Florida for my NASCAR and Country Music road trip!  But, I had to blog about this..

Last weekend I got to hang with some of my ol’ buddies from MONSTER JAM at The Bank Atlantic Center.  Speed TV’s and Monster Jam’s Scott Douglass .. my dirt daddy .. is my very good friend … LOVE HIM!

Scott told me about a tragic accident that took the life of Air Force Afterburner’s crew chief, TWIG.  TWIG worked for driver DAMON BRADSHAW.  I remember TWIG from when I worked with MONSTER JAM on ’07.  He was so nice and he really loved MONSTER JAM. He was filled with passion.  Scott was telling me how everyone from MONSTER JAM pulled together to honor TWIG.

Please take a moment to PRAY for TWIG and his family he leaves behind…..

CLICK HERE FOR A MEMORIAL VIDEO

“Saying Goodbye To Our Friend Twig “
By Scott Douglass

July 9th 2009

“I‘m writing this column sitting on a plane out of Minneapolis after attending the funeral of Air Force Afterburner Crew Chief Jesse “Twig” Barden, who was killed in a jet ski accident last week. Well over one hundred members of the Monster Jam industry came to Rochester, Minnesota, from all over the country to say goodbye to a special friend, one of the most beloved people in the sport to those in this business.

I was asked to speak at the funeral to represent Monster Jam, and while it was hard to keep from choking up, I did so gladly to celebrate a wonderful life that ended way too soon. So for this week’s column I’m going to write here what I said there, in part for the many people in Monster Jam who wanted to be there but couldn’t be and also for the many fans and others who read this website so that they can hopefully understand, at least a little, what a loss this is for all of us.

Since I was not expecting to speak there is not a prepared text, but I’ll just recap what I said at the service.

To begin with, of course, all of us offer our condolences and prayers to Jesse’s immediate family: his mother Joanne, his father Steven, his sister Charise, his grand parents and all of his family that we met there. At the same time we remember that Jesse had a second family, the Monster Jam family. And while it was touching to see so many people from inside Monster Jam there filling up so many of the seats in the church, they represented so many more who wanted to be there, those in the sport who could not be there physically but certainly were there in spirit.

Then I read several quotes that Fleet Manager Henry Cross had put together for me, a combination of his thoughts and comments that some other of Jesse’s peers had said. “When we taught him how to work on trucks we didn’t know it, but he was teaching us.” “I don’t think that I ever heard him say a cross word about anyone.” “He was there when you needed him and even when you thought that you didn’t. He truly would make sure that no one was left behind.” “Everyone would bust Twig’s chops about not taking time for himself. They’d tell him ‘stop working so hard, you’re making us look bad’.” “His true passion was those monster trucks. He wasn’t living a dream, he was living HIS dream. He didn’t need to stop and smell the roses – he was already in the rose garden!”

Barden really did live his dream. Feld Motor Sports TV Producer Mike McFarlin grew up in the Rochester area and remembers meeting Jesse when Barden was 12 or 13 years old, and how excited Jesse was just to see that McFarlin had a Monster Jam shirt on. He immediately started raving about going to see the monsters in the Metrodome. Soon Jesse was involved in those Metrodome shows, first by running his radio control trucks at the events, then by joining the respected Minnesota track crew, the crew that also works the World Finals. It didn’t take long for Monster Jam officials to take notice of the hard working young man who wanted to be a part of Monster Jam more than anything and he was hired as a tech but it wasn’t long before he found his true calling working on these trucks. He’s an inspiration to all those who watch Monster Jam and dream of being a part of the sport. Barden proved that with desire and a strong work ethic you really can live your dream.

One of the aspects that makes his passing so difficult to deal with is that he was so young. Just 23 years old. But I have to point out that Barden lived a great life even though we wish it would have lasted longer. He loved working on the trucks. He was so proud every time he put on his Air Force Afterburner shirt, he and driver Damon Bradshaw proudly representing our air men and women (by the way, Air Force representatives were at the services and made a special presentation to Barden’s family, showing how much the USAF values the job they did representing them). Jesse was a vital part of almost every trip overseas on the Monster Jam World Tour, and enjoyed travelling the world and all the experiences that come with it, all while doing what he loved, working in Monster Jam. He was one of many who really delighted in being with the kids from Make A Wish who come to some of the events, it was a cause you could feel his passion for. In those 23 full years of life Jesse Barden touched more lives and made an impact on more people than most will who may be on this Earth decades longer.

Not only was he living his dream, he had in a very short time reached the pinnacle of the industry. Let’s consider just the last year. Barden was named “Crew Chief of the Year” at the Monster Jam fleet summit last December in Virginia Beach. That same night he was honored with another special award, being named Monster Jam’s Most Valuable Player. What makes that honor even more special is that it is decided by a vote of the drivers and mechanics. The MVP plaque shows just how loved and respected he was among his peers.

Then go forward to March at the World Finals in Las Vegas where his team won the World Freestyle Championship. The picture that will remain in my mind forever, as it will for many others I’m sure, is from that night. It’s Jesse standing there in his Air Force Afterburner crew shirt with the biggest smile we’ve ever seen (and Twig was always sporting a big smile anyway), embracing his driver Damon Bradshaw as they held the World Championship trophy. Jesse Barden is a World Champion. He will always be a World Champion. That’s on the track. Off the track he’s an even greater friend.

Finally I told the large crowd in attendance that I couldn’t speculate on whether there are race tracks or Monster Jam courses in heaven, but it seems to me that for whatever reason God needs a Crew Chief, so he called home one of the very best.

A couple of final notes from Jesse Barden’s funeral. The pall bearers were several of his best friends in the business; Bradshaw, Adam Anderson, Dennis Foltz, Coty Saucier, Robert Wells, Becky McDonough, and Alex Blackwell, who were joined by his life long friend Michael Albers in that special role. As they carried the casket to its final resting place, all of them wearing their Monster Jam team crew shirts and Albers donning an Air Force Afterburner shirt I couldn’t help but think how proud Barden would be of that moving scene. And I was touched by the comments of Father Meyer at the close of the proceedings. He told us that while he had performed many funeral services in the past he had never witnessed such a large group of people from one industry attending and displaying so much love and emotion for one of their own. Those words made me extremely proud and thankful to be a part of Monster Jam. At the same time I’ll not forget that all of that love and emotion was on display for one very special friend who touched us all, and our lives are all that much richer simply for having known him. Twig, we miss you already.”

Written by Scott Douglass on Monster Mayhem

Pay close attention to the 2:00 to 2:45 segment

I am not trying in any way to say that I am completely educated on anything Government. But, I got this in my e mail today and it’s pretty scary! Is the Government really trying to gain access to our computers? Can FOREIGN AGENCIES gain access if we sign on to this site?? What does this all mean?? Think what you wish, make your own decisions….

A few months ago, a CC Radio Personality in Orlando was arrested for shooting his wife in the head and also his dog, and now this.    Steven Brancik, Aka “Branzig,”producer of the very popular Paul and Young Ron CC morning radio show was arrested for allegedly molesting a boy.  Brancik was arrested on Monday on four counts of molesting a victim between 12 and 16 years old.  Read full story HERE

Please keep the boy’s family in your prayers.

How cool is Taylor Swift? LOVE THIS!! As reported on “The Boot“:

“Keith Urban got quite the shock as he started to perform ‘Kiss a Girl’ at his show in Kansas City, Mo. on Saturday. Taylor Swift and her band rushed the stage, all dressed as Kiss, complete with painted faces, spandex pants and black wigs. A few backup dancers dressed as Hershey’s Kisses were thrown in, as well, to make for one funny concert prank. Watch the video after the jump.”

Oh Hilliary, I am sorry. I know you have a lot going on right now girlfriend!! I mean, Bill did bring home those two journalists who were arrested in North Korea, he did become the Nation’s Hero last week..I understand your resentment..I do sister .. I am with you..but resentment is like drinking your own poison….. go get your nails and hair done and chat with some girls over some wine .. you’ll be fine!! I still love ya girl!

OMG!!!!!  CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS??!!

LOL!!! LOVE IT!!!!!

WOW!!!  Ladies be gettin’ crrraazzzyyyy!!  It’s just so funny!  I mean, the guy who was cheating on these wmen, Donessa T. Davis, have you seen him??  He ain’t no Denzel Washington .. I’ll tell you that!!

Donessa T. Davis

This guy deserved to get his thing glued to his leg, he called the cops after the ladies fled .. then he got arrested cuz he has a record .. what an IDIOT!!!!!!  He is in the slammer today after being arrested for child abuse, theft, unlawful phone use and harassment with a death threat in a domestic abuse investigation. My goodness!

The women involved were in court Monday, they all face up to 6 years in prison.  Now, these women, should’ve known better!!  I mean, to date this guy.  I APPLAUD AND SALUTE them for the committing the FUNNIEST crime of the year, BUT.. I mean ladies….this guy is NOT WORTH IT!!  Girls.. we need to make sure our fellow sisters who behave in this way DON’T GET CAUGHT!!! They are making us look bad!!  LOL!!!!  I am only joking… sort of…

So, moving on….I don’t want to get STUCK on bashing this guy ..  hahahahahaha!!  Ok…Therese Ziemann, the group’s so-called mastermind, was on the TODAY SHOW this morning… She told Meredith Vieira, the women are victims, not criminals in this case.  She said:

“Nothing was done against his will, we’re the victims,”

It seems to me there is some kind of child abuse involved and that is what she was getting at, but she couldn’t say too much, because she doesn’t have a lawyer.

WATCH IT HERE!!!

WELL … now a civil trial is about to begin.  According to THE SACRAMENTO BEE, three other contestants sued ENTERCOM for emotional distress.  One woman claims the contest left her with “a fear of water, and that she can no longer listen to the radio.” Another says “she has gained 60 pounds and suffers from irrational mood swings.” And a third worries about her own mortality, “like I am destined to die young, maybe at my own hand.”

YIKES….

BROOKS AND DUNN BREAKING UP??!?!?!

NO!!!!!!!!

Yes, folks, I am so sad to tell you it’s true.  Our favorite Country Duo is breaking up after 20 years!  I can’t believe it!  My first time on a jumbo-tron at a concert was during a Brooks and Dunn show in Dallas!  It was during the song “I Believe” I even remember what I was weraing… Camos, a white tank, and a cowboy hat.  SIGH…  I’ve seen them so many times live .. they put on one of the best shows I have ever seen!!

Here is the statement they put on their web site Monday afternoon:

“After 20 years of making music and riding this trail together, we have agreed as a duo that it’s time call it a day. This ride has been everything and more than we could ever have dreamed … We owe it all to you, the fans. If you hear rumors, don’t believe them, it’s just time.

We will release our “#1′s and then some” on SEPTEMBER 8th and come see you all one more time in 2010, with The Last Rodeo Tour”

A new greatest hits compilation, #1′s and Then Some, will be released on Sept. 8. I am still in shock!  It’s like the day Michael Jackson died!!  NO!!

Brooks and Dunn have won many awards during their 20 years.  It all started in 1991, with their debut album, Brand New Man. 20 #1 singles came from this album!!  Today, they have sold more than 30 million records!!  In total they won 19 CMA Awards – 14 in the vocal duo category.  24 ACM Awards-15 as the top vocal duo. 2 Grammys for best country performance by a duo or a group for “Hard Workin’ Man” and “My Maria.”

WE WILL MISS YOU BROOKS AND DUNN!!!!

Only a few laps into the final practice, NNS Jason Leffler was 4th fastest. He was going about 119 mph into Turn 9 at The Glen when his #38 Great Clips Toyota went airborne. Jason had to switch to his back up car with no time to practice.

Joey Logano and Robby Gordon had some issues on the track at the NNS Zippo 200 today at The Glen, sending Joey and his #20 GameStop Toyota crashing into the tires at Turn 9, like Leffler in practice. Joey says about Robby “You can’t fix stupid” – LOVE IT!!!

NNS ZIPPO 200 Defending Champ Marcos Ambrose leaves Kyle Busch behind at the bus stop on his way to Victory Lane in his #47 Toyota. WATCH HERE

MEANWHILE IN THE NSCS…...

CONGRATS Jimmie!!  He is sittin’ at the pole tomorrow for the Sprint Cup Series Heluva Good! at Watkins Glen! This is the 3 time Champion’s FIRST road course pole of his career and he has never won a road race.  Read more HERE.

The Glen is an 11-turn, 2.45-mile road course in upstate NY.  Tune in tomorrow at 1pm on ESPN for the Sprint Cup Series HeluvaGood!