TRACK WORKER KILLED DURING DASH SERIES RACE:

I don't know how many of you have heard about the tragic accident that occurred during today's Dash Series race at Daytona International Speedway, and I know it has nothing to do with Elliott Sadler, but here are the basics VIA a news article I found on the internet:
"There was a viscious wreck early in the race, which involved two cars, driven by Bill Clevenger and Tony Billings. Neither driver was injured during that wreck, although Billings had to be cut from his car, and went to a local hospital to be checked out. Meanwhile, a 44-year-old track worker, Roy H. Weaver III, was struck by a driver trying to catch up to the lead pack following the caution.
Weaver was in the middle of the track, picking up debris from the wreck involving Clevenger and Billings, when driver Ray Paprota struck him. Based on reports, Weaver was killed instantly."

Now, what irritates me the most about this story is something that hasn't happened yet, but is most definately inevitable. Before anything else is said about this horrible accident, let me just tell you what I think, no, scratch that, what I KNOW is going to happen:

I turned on the Speed Channel to watch this race today, because I saw the Dash Series in person last year at the Winston, in Charlotte. Well, during the pre-race activity, they introduced us, the tv audience, to a special driver in this very race, a man that was paralyzed from the waist down, and had special equipment installed in his car, which enabled him to accelerate, brake, and work the clutch without the use of his feet and legs.
I, myself, was very moved by the story, and was rooting for this driver, because it would have been SO awesome to see him win it. He didn't get to start the race with the rest of the pack, however, because he had a faulty battery. Well, as it turns out, this same driver is the one that hit the track worker, he had just come onto the track after getting the battery problem fixed, and was trying to catch up to the other cars and get in line for the restart.

It's a shame, is what it is. There are so many points to make about this story, that I don't even know where to start. So I'm going to skip all that, and tell you what's going to happen next. I can almost guaruntee you that Ray Paprota will never be allowed to race again. They will blame the accident on the fact that he's paraplegic, and say he shouldn't have been driving in the first place. I don't agree with that, however. I will say no more about this, since it is only my humble opinion, other than the fact that several other factors need to be brought to attention before people make such hasty decisions about Paprota's driving abilities. Like, for example, this track worker has been working at this same track for seven years...why was he in the middle of the track picking up debris when there were still moving cars on the track? I guess we'll never know, but either way, it's a shame. Daytona claims another one...rest in peace, my man....very, very sad deal....Moving on....

DAYTONA PRACTICE:

February 6th, First Bud Shootout Practice: Elliott Sadler Was 19th Quickest In The First Practice Session.

February 6th, Second Bud Shootout Practice: Elliott Was 10th Quickest In The Second Practice Session.

Drawing Starting Spots For The Shootout: Elliott Will Start 9th In Tomorrow's Shootout.

February 7th, First Daytona 500 Practice: Elliott Sadler Was 6th Quickest In The First Practice Session.

February 7th, Second Daytona 500 Practice: Elliott Was *FIRST* Quickest In The Second Practice Session. (But who couldn't see THAT one coming? C'mon now, BE HONEST!! The Boy Is Awesome! *wink wink*)

Bud Shootout Results: Elliott Started 9th, & Had A Great Run Going In The 20-Lap First Segment. He Got As High As 1st At One Point In The Race, And Lead One Lap, But Some Problems Later On Cost Him, And He Wound Up Finishing 13th.

Teammate Dale Jarrett Went On To Win The Shootout With 2 Laps Remaining. Congrats, D.J.!

And, Was I The Only One MIFFED By The Lack Of Interest In Elliott's Performance By The Folks At NASCAR? I Mean, Sheesh! We Don't Want To See Dale Jr. ALL THE FREAKING TIME, MAN!!! Okay, I'll Stop Venting Now. This Is NEWS & RESULTS Afterall, Not 'Melanie's Page.' *_~

And P.S.>> KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, ELLIOTT!!!!!

DAYTONA TESTING:

Thursday Morning Tests: ELLIOTT WAS FIRST!!! YAY!!! WAY TO GO ELLIOTT!!!

Thursday Afternoon Tests: Elliott Sadler Was 11th Fastest In The Afternoon Testing Session.

Cumulative Test Standings As Of 1/15/04: Elliott Sadler Rose From 17th, To 5th Overall. Told Ya He Was Sandbagging ;) Way To Go, El!!!



Wednesday Morning Tests: Elliott Sadler Was 11th Fastest In The Morning Testing Session.

Wednesday Afternoon Tests: Elliott Was Also 11th In The Afternoon Testing Session.

Cumulative Test Standings: Elliott Is Currently 17th In The Overall Testing Speeds & Times. He's Got One More Day Of Testing To Pick Up On It Some, And Even If Not, Who Knows...He May Be Sandbagging A Bit...Can't Give Away All You Got This Early On...*wink wink*

The M&M's Great Color Quest:

Okay, I'm sure most of you have heard about the "Black & White" promotion that M&M's are doing now. They have the really cool commercials with Dorothy from Wizard Of Oz, too. But if you've visited www.mms.com lately, then you probably also know that at the beginning of the 2004 season, Elliott will be driving a black & white M&M's car to go along with the promotion. ***UPDATE: Pictures Of The New Black & White Paint Scheme Can Be Found @ Jayski's Silly Season Site As Well!! His Site Can Be Found On The Links Page!!!*** I can also tell you when and where the car will be driven:

February 7th, 2004: Budweiser Shootout @ Daytona International Speedway

February 12th, 2004: Gatorade Twin 125's @ Daytona International Speedway

February 15th, 2004: The Daytona 500 @ Daytona International Speedway

February 22nd, 2004: Subway 400 @ North Carolina Speedway

March 7th, 2004: UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW MR. AND MRS. RYAN NEWMAN!!! WAY TO GO!!!!!



I can't wait until racing season starts. If you'd like to see pictures of the regular 2004 M&M's paint scheme, check out the links page, where you'll find a link to Jayski's Silly Season Page, he has a gallery of all the 2004 schemes released so far, M&M's 38 included.

If I come accross any pictures of the black & white car before speed week, I will pass them along, and you guys will be the first to know. Have a great 2004!!

pet medication

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