July 15, 2007
By Kim Roberson

Kim Roberson

Nothing like a Friday the 13th to kick off the race weekend. Let me tell you, I hope the race today goes better than my Friday did. First, My car alarm died, which means that my car was dead because my alarm is also a kill switch. The bad karma continued when I was sitting on my couch (having been unable to go to work due to the car issue) and suddenly, the black screen of death popped up on my laptop. My hard drive was fried. Which mean all of my work, all of my pictures, all of my NASCAR cheat sheets, were gone.

The weekend could only get better, right?

Well, on the plus side of things, Mikey made the race today! Not quite a salve for the pain caused by being rained out of the race last weekend, but it is nice that he was able to make it in on time. Even better, his car today is the same car he finished in the top 10 with in Michigan. Maybe this chassis will become his good luck charm.

Also announced Friday was the fact that the separation of Dale Jr. and Budweiser in 2008 was going to be a matter of fact, and not just a rumor. Merchandisers across America must be frothing at the mouth. That announcement means that all the Bud red with Juniors name and likeness will be out of fashion next year, and the folks who make the goodies that fill the souvenir trailers every weekend will be making all new stuff they can put out to sell. That means big money, as his legion of fans line up to buy new things with their driversʼ new sponsor and colors.

So who will get Bud on the hood of their car? The current rumor is that Kasey Kahne might be the next pitchman for Budweiser.

Is Kasey even old enough to drink beer?

I am a fan of the driver, not the car, not the number, not the sponsor. I have more than one favorite driver, and have proven in the last 18 months that I will follow them, regardless of team, car number, or manufacturer (or the number of races they make or win). I don't really care so much that Kasey is being considered for the Bud pitchman, but I have a really hard time envisioning that as a good pairing. Elliott Sadler pitching Bud I can see. Scott Riggs pitching beer I can envision. Kasey Kahne has a hard time holding a bottle of Vitaminwater without having his hand shake like a leaf. Anyone who has ever opened a shaken beer knows, it isn't a pretty sight, nor does it do anything for the taste of the beer. (Just watch the guys in victory lane after a race if you don't know what a can of beer does when agitated then opened). I think flavored water is the perfect level of beverage for Kahne right now.

Sponsor loyalty is something new in NASCAR. Used to be, when a driver left a team, he left the sponsor and no one thought anything more about it. Dale Sr. left Wrangler. Darrell Waltrip left Mountain Dew. The world didn't stop spinning, and the fans didn't stop rooting. When Michael Waltrip left DEI 18 months ago and NAPA left to go with him, there was a big uproar. How could a sponsor that had been with a team for so long possibly go and follow a driver? Where was the team loyalty? This year, UPS followed Dale Jarrett to Michael's new team, leaving a long relationship with Robert Yates Racing. In 2001, Lowes switched from Richard Childress Racing to HMS, leaving Mike Skinner for Jimmie Johnson.

So now Bud has a decision to make: stay with DEI and deal with whomever they hire to take Juniors place, or go out and find a driver on their own that they feel will fill the shoes that Junior is emptying.

If Evernham Motorsports is a true contender for their sponsorship, Ray needs to seriously consider which driver would best serve the sponsor. Kasey, his pre-teen looks and shaky hands, not so good. Elliott Sadler drinking a Bud while munching on bologna burgers and playing with his hunting dogs might be a much better way to go.

One thing I do know: if Bud stays with DEI and they hire Kyle Bush to replace Junior, there will be a lot of fans who have said they will STOP drinking Bud. And that won't benefit anyone, will it?

I am a week late, but I want to offer my congratulations to Jamie McMurray. My dad and I were sitting downstairs well after my mom and sister had gone to bed, watching the race and being relatively quiet. Then, as the white flag waved, we both edged to the front of our chairs, and as Jamie squeaked by Kyle to take the checkers, we both let out a cheer. (My sister complained the next morning we had woken her up in the process, but was also happy to hear Jamie had beaten Kyle to the line). I will admit, I was so happy for Jamie, I totally forgot who he drove for. (I am NO fan of Jack Roush). While having the Cat in Victory Lane was no thrill, seeing Jamie and how genuinely emotional and excited he was gave me a big smile. Seven races, seven different winners, three first timers, and Jamie who was chalking up his first win in five years, and the first ever for his own team.

Finally, the annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride is underway. This year, instead of starting on the west coast and ending at the Victory Junction Gang Camp, they are starting in Maine and heading south to Hollywood, FL. This is great news for folks like me, who have never had the chance before to go watch the bikers ride past as they make their trek. Tuesday, they will be making their first pit stop of the day about 45 miles from my house, and I am getting up bright and early to go say howdy and see all of them. You can chat their progress, or see if they will be coming to a highway near you, at www.kylepettycharityride.com.

The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.