05.13.2008 - Brownsburg, Ind. – Happy Tuesday, everyone!  Yesterday I ventured home to Indianapolis after spending the weekend in Las Vegas for the now Apple and Tony Fuller’s wedding.  It was a very beautiful ceremony and reception!  Now, I am sitting in the Atlanta airport on my way to Charlotte to spend a couple days before I drive over to Bristol (Tenn.) on Thursday for the NHRA event there this weekend.
      The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visited Darlington Raceway in South Carolina on Saturday night, but only one Penske Racing driver was able to record a top-15 finish.
      Kurt Busch’s 12th place finish was a breath of fresh air for the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge team.  In the previous five races, Busch had finished no better than 23rd.  His finish on Saturday night in the Dodge Challenger 500 boosted him up two spots in the point standings, putting him in 22nd.
      Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman battled issues with his No. 12 Alltel Dodge throughout the race and on lap 238, a broken rear end cause Newman to spin, forcing him to the garage for repairs.  He was able to finish the races, but at 73 laps down in 37th.
      The third driver in the Penske trio, Sam Hornish Jr., was involved in two separate on-track incidents involving the tires on his No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge.  He finished in 38th, right behind his teammate Newman.
      NASCAR Sprint Series All-Star week festivities officially kick off on Thursday with the Pit Crew Challenge.  Newman’s team is the reigning champion of the event and will look to defend their title.  The Craftsman Truck Series returns to action on Friday night, followed by the Sprint Cup All-Star race on Saturday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
      The Championship Off-Road Racing (CORR) Series opened their season in Pomona, Calif., a couple weeks ago.
      The Ringers’ supporting team of Douglas Motorsports and driver Scott Douglas started his 2008 season off with two podium finishes in rounds one and two.  In round one on Saturday, Douglas piloted his No. 7 AMSOIL Ford F-150 to a third place finish.  On Sunday in round two, Douglas sat on the front row for the event and collected another third place finish at the end of the race.
      My flight is now being called to board, so that’s the minute for now!  Full coverage of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals from Bristol, NASCAR All-Star action from Charlotte, CORR action from Las Vegas and more will be my topic of conversation next Monday.  Until then, have a great racing week!