Over the past several days we learned that a true NASCAR legend, and Hall Of Famer, Junior Johnson is returning to the team ownership business. Meanwhile a financial investor literally stole a motorsports complex in Tennessee. Kyle Busch got married in a ceremony that was witnessed by the paparazzi and it appears we have the opportunity to smell like Carl Edwards. With those thoughts in mind, let’s begin with:
HOORAH to the legendary Junior Johnson for opening a new race shop to support the racing effort of his 17 year son, Robert, whom he truly believes has the potential of becoming a NASCAR Sprint Cup star. The shops of the newly established Junior Johnson Racing is located on the Hall Of Famer’s 278 acre estate in Hamptonville-North Carolina.
The plan calls for the team to field a car for Robert Johnson in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East this year with some possible appearances in the Pro Series West such as the end of the season race at Phoenix International Raceway. During their free weekends on the schedule, Johnson will also drive in some UARA and NASCAR Whelen All American Series events.
Junior Johnson recently purchased some Toyota Camrys from Red Bull Racing but has yet to make a final decision regarding the team’s manufacturer. Somehow Junior Johnson and Toyota just doesn’t feel right.
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WAZZUP with the Memphis Motorsports Park beging sold for the paltry sum of $1.8 million? Dover Motorsports, the owner of the famed complex since 1997, closed the Millington-Tennessee facility over a year ago and, this past April, put it on the market for $6 million. That price alone was a major bargain. Simply put: the dirt under the parking lot was worth more than that.
But there were no takers and that led to the auction on the property held in mid December. The bidding began at $3 million and the auction audience sat there in stony silence. The result was no different when the opening bid was dropped to $2 million. When the opening price fell to $1.5 million that’s when Joe Lubeck, the managing partner of the Florida based Palm Beach International Raceway, stepped up and made his amazing deal. This entire process took approximately ten minutes.
So, what did Mr. Lubeck get for his $1.8 million investment? It was a .75 mile paved oval, that used to, and could again, host NASCAR’s Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series along with a 1.77 mile road course. Also included in the deal was a quarter mile drag strip that used to, and could again, host the NHRA.
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From our God Bless department, congratulations to Kyle Busch and Samantha Sarcinella-Busch who were married on New Year’s Eve in Chicago. We wish the couple a life time of happiness.
But, at the same time, WAZZUP with the paparazzi crashing the ceremony and leaking the wedding photos? In a “Twitter” message Kyle Busch wrote: “the photos weren’t leaked. Since it was a public church, u can’t turn anyone away and thus there was paparazzi there. The pics out there weren’t authorized by Samantha and I. We look forward to sharing our wedding with our fans on the “Style” Network in early March.”
The “Style” Network? Are we talking about the making of another reality show here?
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A God Bless also goes out to Crystal and Sam Hornish Jr who welcomed the arrival of their second daughter on December 28th. Eliza Jo Hornish weighed seven pounds and 15 ounces while measuring 20.5 inches long. Mom, Dad and big sister Addison are reported to be fine and thrilled.
Another God Bless goes to SPEED Channel reporter Wendy Venturini and husband Jarrad Egert, of Joe Gibbs Racing. They welcomed the arrival of a son, Caleb James, on December 22nd.
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I suppose whether or not this next item is a HOORAH or a WAZZUP depends on what you smell like at the moment or how you would like to smell.
It seems that the often mentioned girl friend, still a card carrying T shirt wearing member of the Junior Nation, is also an avid supporter of the Avon Cosmetics industry. I know this because approximately once a month a heavily painted lady arrives at our front door carrying small product bags and catalogs.
Following the latest Avon visit the girlfriend couldn’t wait to show me the catalog page featuring a new men’s fragrance, endorsed by NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Carl Edwards, with the macho name: Turn 4 XT.
According to the catalog write up: “Turn 4 XT is an eau de toilette spray. The invigorating drive of spicy pepperwood accelerates into a smooth, sexy finish intensified by a jolt of java vefiver and masculine mahogany.”
For the nominal fee of $26 you can smell just like Carl Edwards. Look on the bright side: pepperwood and mahogany beats smelling like Sunoco race fuel any day of the week.
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The final WAZZUP of the week goes to NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Brian Scott. It’s seems this driver had problems with folding a fitted bed sheet and made the situation worse by telling the world about it on “Twitter.”
Scott’s “Twitter” messages read: “AHHH ! It’s impossible to fold a fitted sheet. This is so aggravating. I have tried every trick and every angle of attack on those fitted sheets. I admit defeat. They piss me off.”
By now you’re probably thinking the same thing I am. Considering the salary levels of modern day NASCAR drivers why not just hire a house keeper?
