10.21.2009 - Indianapolis – Hello all!  I hope everyone’s month of October is going well.  I cannot believe that next weekend is Halloween already!  This month has completely flown by.
    I spent my weekend in North Carolina for the NASCAR races at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord.  This used to be an annual trip for me, but last year I was unable to attend because the NHRA Richmond race was scheduled the same weekend.  So, I picked up where I left off in 2007.
    Friday night the Nationwide Series took to the 1.5-mile track for the Dollar General 300.  I watched Penske Racing’s rookie sensation Justin Allgaier post a third-place starting position for the race and finish 12th in the race.  Prior to driver introductions, I also had the chance to chat with Ringers’ supporter Brendan Gaughan.  Gaughan also finished in the top-20, with a 15th-place finish.
    On a very chilly Saturday night, the Sprint Cup Series NASCAR Banking 500 commenced.  Penske Racing’s sole Chase contender Kurt Busch piloted his No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge to a sixth-place finish, moving him up to fifth in the point standings.  His teammates David Stremme and Sam Hornish Jr. finished 19th and 40th, respectively.
    Allgaier and the No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge will head to Memphis Motorsports Park this weekend for the Kroger on Track for the Cure 250, while the Cup boys travel just up the road to Martinsville Speedway in Virginia for the TUMS Fast Relief 500.
    Not too much for the Minute this week!  The IndyCar season concluded last weekend and the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series has another weekend off until Vegas the following weekend.  Don’t forget to use this weekend wisely and pick out a Halloween costume!