NASCAR: Camping World Truck Series: Rockingham, NC

This was my second Trucks race that I’ve managed to watch on TV; usually they’ve been on so late at night UK time that it’s been difficult to watch.

I’d heard good things about the track (affectionately known as The Rock), it has a massive historic background with relation to NASCAR. It’s in the city of Rockingham, North Carolina which apparently is named after the Marquis of Rockingham. Population is a mere 9,672 according to the 2000 census.

The race began with high hopes that Johnny Sauter would make history by being the first driver to win three consecutive races at the start of a Truck Series season. But Kyle Larson led 187 out of the 205 laps; James Buescher led 17 laps and Johnny Sauter only led 1 lap.

There was controversy when Ron Hornaday and Darrell Wallace Jr. got into each other just before the end. They scraped alongside each other fighting for position and during a caution Hornaday nudged Wallace’s truck and rubbed his tyre. This in turn ended up with Wallace wrecking. Eerily similar to the clash between Hornaday and Kyle Busch in 2011. NASCAR are reviewing the situation.

The race was exciting with a nail-biting green-white-checkered finish between the young 20-year old Kyle Larson and the Sprint Cup series regular driver Joey Logano. Logano just couldn’t catch Larson as the laps wound down and Larson took the win.
Kyle, driving the No. 30 Turner Scott Motorsport Chevrolet, is a graduate of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity programme. In 2012 for the Rev Racing team he finished 1st in the K&N Pro Series East also winning Rookie of the Year 2012 in that series. He has been with Turner Motorsports during 2012 and 2013 in the Camping World Truck Series and now in the Nationwide Series for 2013.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rockingham results, April 2013

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: NRA 500, Texas Motor Speedway, Texas

13th April 2013 (via NASCARplus on YouTube)

Westlife: Shane Filan: Solo career

(The following text and the above photos are from www.shanefilan.com)

“Hi everybody,

So today’s the day!  I’m sorry that I had to keep you all waiting for so long, but I hope it’s worth the wait!

Today I’ve signed my first deal as a solo artist with London Records which is part of Universal Music Group.  I’m going to be releasing my first single this summer with my debut album coming later in the year!

I’ve been writing and recording songs over the past few months in both the UK and the USA.  It’s been an amazing experience and I’m so excited for you guys to hear the songs that I’ve done.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

The past twelve months have been very tough at times but if nothing else it proved to me that family, health and happiness are the most important thing in life.  Now my focus is on my music and solo career – singing is all I want to do.  I am very grateful to be getting this amazing opportunity to work with the team at London Records and am going to work as hard as I have ever worked to make this album a success.

The next chapter starts now.  I want you all to join me on my journey.  Keep checking my website, Facebook and Twitter and you’ll be the first to know about all my news, music, live dates etc.

I can’t wait to see all you guys again – it’s been way too long!  I can’t thank you all enough for the love and support you’ve given me, especially over the last year.  I’ll never forget it.

Love always,

Shane”

(Taken from Shane’s new official website)

 

Daily prompt: Bedtime stories

What was your favourite book as a child? Did it influence the person you are now?

I had numerous favourite books… all Enid Blyton (Famous Five, Secret Seven, Cherry Tree farm, Adventure series, Magic Faraway Tree/Enchanted Wood, Malory Towers, St. Clare Twins) and also Narnia books by CS Lewis.

As for influence, I have no idea lol.

NASCAR: Sprint Cup: Bristol starting line up

NSCS Bristol starting line up

USA: CA: California Sprint Car Civil War Series crash

MARYSVILLE, CA – Two people were killed after a sprint car lost control at the Marysville Raceway Park Saturday evening.

An announcer at the track Steven Blakesley told ABC News the car, driven by Chase Johnson, had apparent mechanical problems and did not make the corner at turn 1. The car hit the left wall and then crashed into the two victims.

Blakesley said one of the victims is the driver’s 14-year-old cousin and a 68-year-old owner of a few cars in the race.

The Yuba County Sheriff’s Department said the older man was pronounced dead at the scene; the teen was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The sheriff’s department said no other people were injured.

The crash happened during hot laps, which started at 6 p.m. The race was scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

TWITTER: @Steven Blakesley

Crowds were at the park for the California Sprint Car Civil War Series. Events at the raceway have been cancelled after the crash.

The 30 teams who entered in the race have donated their combined entrance fee of around $10,000 to the families of the victims, Blakesley told ABC News.

On its Facebook page, the Marysville Raceway Park posted, “Our thoughts and deepest prayers go out to everyone. Out of respect we will not elaborate on details. We ask everyone to respect each other and the families.”

(Story via News 10/KXTV, CA and TWITTER: @TheOrangeCone)

Daily Prompt: Flavours…

Vanilla, chocolate or something else entirely?

Vanilla!