Three weeks ago today

.... I was in the stands at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Shelby 427. Bennett was two seats to my right making it basically impossible for us to talk to each other due to the noise from the track. So I texted him the following important message: "Boogity, boogity, boogity." I felt my phone vibrate and saw that he had replied. I was expecting his response to be an enthusiastic "Let's go racing, boys!" but instead I was horrified to find that he had texted me "Gay." With all his ridiculously high levels of education that was the best response he could come up with?

Chris is a very smart guy so his reaction to the race got me thinking: Is it possible that NASCAR isn't as cool as I think it is? I'm from Virignia. From a redneck town full of trailers, double-wide trailers, and, well, more trailers. I grew up with this stuff. It's all I've ever known. When I was a kid, my Dad wasn't teaching me about Joe Theismann or Doug Williams, he was talking about The King and The Intimidator. That's just how it is in the South. That's how it's always been and it's the only way I've ever wanted it to be.

So this recent beating I've taken betting NASCAR has been harder on me than anyone. This isn't just another sport for people like Chris to humiliate the bookmakers on. This is my sport. These are my people. And I really hope I can start to turn it around starting with today's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway aka Thunder Valley. To that end, I have structured my bets so that even if I lose every bet I made on today's race, it will still be my best non-restrictor plate race of the season so far. What a sport.

I'll briefly talk some hoops:

* My girls, the Lady Huskies of Connecticut, took care of business this morning, with a 104-65 victory over Vermont. Funny thing is that the Lady Catamounts actually covered the spread. I have to admit that I am a little relieved seeing as how I vowed to kill myself if Connecticut lost. On to the 2nd round Tuesday against either Florida or Temple.

* Syracuse is moments away from becoming the 3rd Big East team (And the 4th team Georgetown beat this season) to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. The win gives the Big East a record of 9-1 so far in the Tournament. Long term good news for the Syracuse players - They look sharp in orange.

* That Duke game last night was hilarious. As soon as Texas made it too close for comfort, the refs intervened and made sure that nothing was left to chance as the Blue Devils moved on to the next round. Must be nice.

* The ACC did manage to get 2 of their 7 teams through to the Sweet 16. A 1 seed and a team that has 8 guys on the floor at all times. Nicely done.

* The kids have had entirely too much fun betting this tournament. You know that part in Knocked Up when Paul Rudd is talking about how he could never love anything as much as his kids love bubbles? I don't think I could ever be as excited about anything as our kids are about the NCAA Tournament. I'll hear these thunderous "OOOOOOHs" and "AAAAAAHS" and look at the scoreboard and it'll be 12-8 in the first half.

* C-Jack got absolutely murdered last night. I cringed every time I saw the line he had to deal with. And every person in his line had a million questions and no idea what the hell they were doing. Don't these people have anything better to do than bet every single game? I haven't seen a ticket writing display that impressive since the last time Jorgie was in the chair. Give that man a raise.


I want to briefly touch on my upcoming baseball contest. To be in it all you need to do is start your own blog and post whatever baseball bets you make during the season. Whoever finishes up the most "Units" at the end of the season is the winner. What does the winner get, you ask? He gets money. There will be a prize pool and I'm encouraging side bets. I don't think I'll be able to get the pool up to $1 Million so I guess that means Jeff won't be interested but I hope some of the rest of you are. If you have any more specific questions just let me know.

People who are interested in being it just need to either tell me or simply link me to their blog. I am also willing to make a side bet with anyone that I will finish with a higher number of "Units" than they will. (Well anyone other than Chris. Obviously. I wouldn't challenge Tiger Woods to a one-on-one game of golf, either. I like to gamble but I'm not an idiot.) I'm not saying that I'll bet anyone because I'm cocky or anything. I just love the action.


I'm gonna watch this Cup race.

Enjoy.