The Fastest Traffic Jam in Alabama

That's how Fox commentator, Mike Joy, referred to this past weekend's race. I know some who love restrictor plate racing and those who despise it. Those who hate it say it doesn't feel like a real race since you need help to win it. I love it. I think 4 races a year, 7 if you count the shootout and the duels, is the right number. I wouldn't want to race like this every weekend but a few a year is great.

It was amazing to see two cars hook up and take off on their own going 10-15 mph faster than the rest of the field. Keep in mind the rest of the field is already doing 189 mph. Like Heather said in her post, Denny Hamlin was the drafting king. I think he drafted with anyone and everyone. It was also kind of cool to see Juan Pablo Montoya lead a few laps and finish second.

Kyle "Wild Thing" Busch showed maturity. He got a lap down, kept his cool and worked his way back to the front for the win. I wasn't sure if I'd like him joining JGR, but it's been fun watching him win. He even had that run-in with Jamie McMurray in front of the whole field and they both held on. Like DW says, you can't do that!!! It was neat to see all three JGR drivers hook up and push each other. Kind of like those Hendrick boys used to do. By the way, where were they on Sunday ?

It was heartbreaking to see Tony caught up in "The Big One" part 1. Who knows where he would have finished if he hadn't cut that tire and had to battle back. But Saturday was sweet because Mr. Stewart won the Nationwide race in such dominating fashion. Plus, cute little Brittany, a Make-A-Wish foundation child joining him in Victory Lane was priceless.

"The Big One" part 2 on the white flag lap collected a bunch of big names...Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, and Jamie McMurray, again. It was pretty sweet to see Jeff Gordon running second to Kyle Busch only to get kicked out of line, finishing 19th. In case I wasn't clear, I am not a Jeff Gordon fan. I respect that the man because he can drive, but he is such a whiner. How many times did he complain during the race that Junior hung him out to dry? He claims he tried to draft with him, but that their cars just didn't work together. Whine, complain...that's Jeff Gordon.

Finally, a shout out to some racing firsts...Congrats to Danica Patrick on her first IRL win in Japan. Yes, a fuel mileage race win counts! How many NASCAR guys have won that way?!?!Congrats to Chrissy Wallace, daughter of Mike Wallace, for signing a contract with Germain Racing in the Craftsman Truck series...(With Coach Tony Stewart doing his part!) And Congrats to Ashley Force for being he first woman to win a NHRA funny car race, beating her dad, John Force, out of what would have been his 1000th win !!! Next up for the NASCAR boys is Richmond...the Left Turn Ladies will have a preview later this week!

What A Day For Joe Gibbs Racing

I have one word to sum up Sunday's race. WOW! I was on the edge of my seat for the entire race. I love this race track. Denny Hamlin summed up the day by saying that if you didn't like Sunday's race, you are not a racing fan.

Speaking of Hamlin, he was the drafting king. Some may say he was aggressive, but I found it exciting. With this new Car of Today, it appears that you REALLY need a drafting partner. If you don't have one you might as well head to the back of the pack. "The big one" came at the last lap of the race...10 cars got tangled up in the mess.

And what a finish by Kyle Busch! Who would have guessed that Kyle would find his win at 'Dega...that's another reason why I love this sport. My biggest disappointment of the day came when Tony Stewart crashed along with several other top runners. Usually that's when I lose considerable interest in any race, but the ending was a fun and unpredictable. Anytime a Joe Gibbs Toyota is near the front you can believe it will be a great race.

Green, Green, Green Let's Go Racing Boys!

Welcome to Shut Up & Drive with the Left Turn Ladies. I'm Heather Seavey and I’m a NASCAR fan. I enjoy watching the sport both on T.V. or trackside, especially at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, N.H. I became a fanatic about five years back. I have always enjoyed the sport of racing, but it wasn’t until I came face-to-face with a NASCAR driver that I became hooked. I met Tony Stewart back in 2002 after he won the championship and came to Bangor for an autograph signing. I was lucky enough to meet Tony at a press conference before the signing and through his responses I gained new respect for what it takes to be a NASCAR driver. Oh, and I did get an autograph!

Each week, both myself and my Tony-loving friend Beth will blog about anything NASCAR, from upcoming races, post-race reaction to controversy off the track. I am a Tony Stewart fan and I know what comes with that responsibility. Tony is an outspoken driver who usually finds himself in the middle of controversy, which is one reason I really enjoy watching him. I'm not afraid to talk about my opinions and feelings, or the actions of any of the drivers. I am NOT a Jeff Gordon fan. So I’m sure we’ll have some fun when his name comes up. I can tolerate almost any other driver on the circuit. I can take or leave Dale Earnhart Jr., but I do enjoy watching Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and an oldie, but goodie- Mark Martin.

So, thank you for checking out our blog and the left-turn ladies are looking forward to hearing from you.

The Warm-Up Lap

Hey it's Beth here, one half of the Left Turn Ladies! Here's a little background info on me and my love of NASCAR.

Racing has been part of my life in one form or another for as long as I can remember. I've watched many a car race with my Dad...Indy cars, NASCAR and IROC. My dad has been a race fan his whole life, traveling to races in Daytona and Indy in the 60s and to local New England race tracks in between.

Somewhere in the mid 80's after my parents and I moved from CT to Cape Cod, my dad's childhood friend, Uncle "Skeets" revived his weekend racing career and bought a midget race car. The midget is an open wheeled car with or without a wing on top. When Uncle Skeets had a race in western MA, NH or Maine my parents and I would jump in the car, meet up with him and be his pit crew for the weekend. I fell in love with the noise, dirt and action of the race cars flying around the track. It's one thing to see it on TV but in person, it's wild.

Following Uncle Skeets and his experiences racing a midget lead me to my favorite NASCAR driver Tony Stewart. Tony spent part of his career racing midgets all over the Midwest. The first time I saw Tony race was on an ESPN show called "Thunder". They would broadcast various midget races throughout the country. Even after Tony moved on to the Indy Racing League, Dad kept me up to date.

I lost touch with racing a bit when in college and my early years here at WCSH. But I always watched the big races...Daytona, the all star race and whatever race was on when Mom and Dad visited from Cape Cod.

The internet is a big part of what sparked my renewed interest in NASCAR. I can remember in the days after the death of Dale Sr. just cruising the internet and taking in all it had to offer.

My weekly obsession, I mean following, started after Elliott Sadler won the Spring Texas race in April 2004. Elliott had a niece diagnosed with autism at about the same age and time my son was diagnosed. Some famous names had also begun to promote autism awareness. Fox Sports jumped on board, since Artie Kempner, lead director of NASCAR & NFL coverage, also had a child diagnosed with autism. Elliott carried the puzzle piece awareness ribbon on his car and it was shown and talked about on tv. I was so excited that Elliott won because I knew he would promote awareness in victory lane. That's when my internet time reading about anything and everything NASCAR including the one and only Tony Stewart, kicked into high gear.

Why Tony? He's competitive in any and every type of race car he sits in. He pushes the limit and occasionally steps over the line. He's an old school racer. He tells it like it is...no robotic, politically-correct, pre-scripted corporate BS.

And that's what I hope you'll find in our posts. No BS...just telling it like it is. We'll have a complete wrap from Talladega the next time you hear from us, but until then, let's drop the green flag and let's go racing!