Play at home for a “BINGO” or a “COVER ALL!”
a MOXOC Media Production
Spade Racing presents Uncle Max vs. Repeat Winners: Martinsville
Kyle Larson is on a ROLL. And usually I’d be happy for him (I don’t really have a favorite driver). But Repeat Winners have been kicking my tail lately thanks to the #5 car!
OK, OK, granted—my FAVORITE picks haven’t been good this year. But I’m still in the run with NEXT FAVORITES, aren’t I? So it looks like that unless Larson wins a fourth straight race, this thing could come down to the wire at Phoenix!
(EDITOR’S NOTE: If the possibility of a tie exists between Repeat Winners and NEXT FAVORITE, the tie-breaker will go to championship picks—Repeat Winner will go with the most-recent champion in the final four.)
Saturday Early Afternoon TRUCK SERIES (4 wins): John Hunter Nemechek—coming on strong.
Saturday Evening XFINITY SERIES Dead On 250 (2 wins): Justin Allgaier—apply directly to the victory lane.
Sunday CUP SERIES Xfinity 500. Repeat winner (6 wins)—Kyle Larson. FAVORITE (2 wins): Martin Truex Jr.—someone’s gotta break through…right? NEXT FAVORITE (5 wins): Kevin Harvick—shades of when he won that race right after he announced he was leaving RCR. DARK HORSE (3 wins): Matt DiBennedetto—proving he’s no Daniel Hemric.
Spade Racing Opens Classic “Blaster Boxes” and Premiere Sets
Recently I acquired a collection of Nascar cards from the past thirty years. Most of it was unopened “Blaster Boxes” (those things you see near checkout at big box stores) as well as a few early-90’s “Premiere Sets”. Lets open them and see what’s inside!
RATING: 4 flat spots out of 10
52 Pickup Racing car “Bad Fast” on the Track
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Boogertown, North Carolina)
Throughout the 52 Pickup Racing race shop today, one phrase was constantly heard to describe the Monday Cigarettes race car last weekend: Bad Fast.
“That car was really bad fast at our last race”, said driver T.B. Dee. “I mean sure, we we’re as fast as some of the big teams, or the satellite teams, or even some of the other independent teams. But I can honestly say that we were bad fast out there.”
“Bad fast. That’s what we were last weekend”, said Maurice “Shorty” Dean, one of the fifty-two co-owners of 52 Pickup Racing.
“I mean, the car looked great, and we were keeping good pace with everyone. Then they waved the green flag and the race started. We really got bad, fast.”
52 Pickup Racing is approaching the end of its first season in NASCAR Cup competition, and is looking at such “bad fast” outings as hope for the future.
“We might not be lighting the world on fire with top-twenty-fives and finishing every race, but the results are there”, Dee said. “If more people could see how bad fast we were, they’d realize what a great opportunity we have to sign up more partners for 2022. Wow—can’t believe we’re already looking ahead to next year.”
QUOTES: “I mean, don’t your remember way back in, like, 2012? A year like 2022 seemed like a decade away! ” —T.B. Dee, driver of the 52 Pickup Racing Monday Cigarettes race car.
“Oh, we did some things well, like spinning out on our own. One thing we’re good at is doing bad, fast” —Maurice “Shorty” Dean, co-owner of 52 Pickup Racing.
ABOUT 52 PICKUP RACING: 52 Pickup Racing is NASCAR Cup’s newest race team. Based out of Boogertown North Carolina, the team employs up-and-coming driver T.B. Dee and will consider putting their car on a literal rail if a Monorail company wants to sponsor them.
For more information please visit the 52 Pickup Racing website at www.52pickupracing.com
For all media inquiries please contact Moxoc Media at moxoc(at)moxoc.com
Quin Houff Disappointed Spell Check Still Autocorrects his Name
With a second-straight disappointing season nearly over and an uncertain future in the Cup Series ahead, Quin Houff isn’t focusing on the negatives ON the track. Instead, he’s voicing his annoyance that his name keeps being autocorrected incorrectly whenever he types it.
“I’ve had this phone for almost a year”, Quit said, “and it keeps changing my own name. What the heck, Silicon Valley? I mean, I know I have an odd name, but after a while you’d think it would realize that my last name has an ‘o’ in it.”
Huff, currently driving for the StarCom Racing team, opined that perhaps the difficulty of typing out his name could be causing him issues with his current driving situation.
“We’re all disappointed that StarCom is probably shutting down after this year”, Quinn said, “but its pretty bad when you wonder if Rick Ware Racing isn’t sending you a contract because it keeps changing from Houf to Hough to Hoof. I mean, its just embarrassing, is all.”
Hoff currently sits 32nd in points and, with StarCom having sold its Charter for next season, is unlikely to have a full-time ride in 2022. However, he remains focused on both the positive and the irritating.
“I’ve accomplished everything I wanted to in Cup competition—I competed, it was Cup, everything.” said Half. “Whatever next year holds, I’ll be ready for it. But there’s one thing I can be sure of—at least one press release will have my first name as ‘Quip’”.
StarCom team manager Derrike Cope then chimed in to remind everyone that his first name has a second e, but not a c.
Spade Racing presents Uncle Max vs. Repeat Winners: Kansas
Remember how college football was before they went to 12 games a year and a conference championship game? Y’know, how they’d play their last games around Thanksgiving then have nothing to do until their bowl games around New Years? That’s how I feel about the Truck Series schedule.
Really, they get two Playoff races in the Round of 8, then THREE WEEKS OFF, then the Round of 8 finale? And THEN its an immediate six day turnaround to the championship race? How much sense does THAT make?
Anyways, I’m in an odd spot as we get down to the end of the season, with NEXT FAVORITE tied with Repeat. Kinda funny how my second choices have been more on-the-mark this year than my instincts. Oh well, not the first time my personal opinions have been wrong.
TRUCK SERIES (4 wins): off
Saturday Afternoon Kansas Lottery 300 (2 wins): Austin Cindric—come on AC, get me to 3.
Sunday CUP SERIES Hollywood Casino 400. Repeat winner (5 wins)—Kyle Larson. FAVORITE (2 wins): Martin Truex Jr.—by all means feel free to call it a comeback. NEXT FAVORITE (5 wins): Joey Logano—see Truex Jr., Martin. DARK HORSE (3 wins): Tyler Reddick—a first-time winner leaves Martinsville wiiiiide open.
Spade Racing Opens Classic “Blaster Boxes” and Premiere Sets
Recently I acquired a collection of Nascar cards from the past thirty years. Most of it was unopened “Blaster Boxes” (those things you see near checkout at big box stores) as well as a few early-90’s “Premiere Sets”. Lets open them and see what’s inside!
RATING: 2 prerace concerts out of 10
Crew Chief, Co-Owner take 52 Pickup Racing Team out for Lunch
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Boogertown, North Carolina)
Even near the end of a busy NASCAR Cup season, there needs to be time for reflection and relaxation. That’s why members of the 52 Pickup Racing Team management team took the rank-and-file employees out to lunch this past Thursday in appreciation of their work.
“We haven’t done a real ‘Employee Appreciation Week’, but this is our little way to saying thanks”, said Harry Vahrenhorst, one of the fifty-two co-owners of 52 Pickup Racing, at the restaurant. “While I wish there’d be a bit of a better turnout, I’m glad that we have some small way to give back to the crew that’s put the Monday Cigarettes race car on the track every race weekend this year.”
“I…don’t really know what we were thinking with this”, said crew chief Mark Martinez. “I already told Harry that we outsource most of work. Our pit crew comes from a local school, our shop crew is mostly interns who work full-time during the day, and our only full-time team member Todd (Lefferts) is at the courthouse fighting a parking ticket.”
“Its too bad that our driver couldn’t be here today”, said Vahrenhorst, referring to T.B. Dee, driver of the #52 Monday Cigarettes race car. “He told me he’s taking his hamster to the vet for a yearly check-up. Huh—I didn’t know hamsters needed checkups. Learn something new everyday.”
The pair enjoyed their lunch at the Boogertown Diner, ordering only after finding out that hauler driver Ben “Moose” Milacki had overslept.
QUOTES: “Sorry I couldn’t make it guys, but family comes first.” —T.B. Dee, driver of the 52 Pickup Racing Monday Cigarettes race car.
“I gotta say, that patty melt was first-rate.” —Harry Vahrenhorst, co-owner of 52 Pickup Racing.
ABOUT 52 PICKUP RACING: 52 Pickup Racing is NASCAR Cup’s newest race team. Based out of Boogertown North Carolina, the team employs up-and-coming driver T.B. Dee and is crossing its fingers that its race shop can finally pass its building inspection next week.
For more information please visit the 52 Pickup Racing website at www.52pickupracing.com
For all media inquiries please contact Moxoc Media at moxoc(at)moxoc.com
Nascar Forces Chase Elliott, Kevin Harvick to take Rental Car To—Oh No Not This
As a method of diffusing the simmering feud between drivers Chase Elliott and Kevin Harvick, Nascar officials have forced the two to share a rental car on the way to a mandatory dinner.
“Our leadership is all for ‘boys have at it’, but not acting like a couple of children”, said Nascar spokesman Doug Green. “So the two of them will have to show up in the same rental car to our pre-race executive dinner Friday Night—or else”.
“Oh come on, they’re just ripping off Days of Thunder!”, Harvick said upon hearing the news. “That’s about as lame as it gets, just stealing an idea for a movie. What’s next, am I going to have to take my teammate to the hospital for brain surgery?”
“So let me get this straight—they’re having us do what was in that movie, which was based on something that actually happened between (Dale) Earnhardt (Sr) and (Geoff(rey)) Bodine”, Elliott said upon being informed of the dictate. “So they’re ripping off a ripoff? Jeez, I mean, I know its tough to be creative, but wow…really.”
Elliott and Harvick have been battling hard on track off and on over the past few years, but the feud has spiked recently at Bristol and last week’s Charlotte ROVAL race.
“If the two of them can’t ride in a rental car together, then I guess we’ll just have to park them for the weekend”, spokesman Green said. “I mean, what else are they going to do—rent a pair of rental cars and race them, eventually earning each others’ respect?”
When asked about the possible resolution to the feud, radio analyst Rusty Wallace said “You know a lot of guys don’t like them. It’s just a situation where—I can’t believe I’m repeating myself here. What’s worse, those Hollywood screenwriters got my method of speaking all wrong. I didn’t even call anyone ‘cats’ once. Maybe punch it up with a few ‘hot rod’s. I like that.”
Spade Racing presents Uncle Max vs. Repeat Winners: Texas
FINALLY!
It took dang near the whole season, but I finally have my second win in Xfinity Series picks! Thank you AJ Allmendinger!
Of course less than 24 hours later it was “No Dinger No!” when he wrecked in the Cup Series race. This goes to show you the dangers of getting too “cute” in making picks. I mean, granted, the Lions losing on a last-second long field goal to a team in purple two out of three weeks, but how often does it usually happen?
Yeah, I’m taking a bath on football this fall so far. My fantasy team is in last place, my confidence pool has the confidence of an acne-scarred 12-year-old, and don’t even talk to me about college football. But the store I work at DID get rave reviews from corporate for its early Christmas decorations, so there’s that.
TRUCK SERIES (4 wins): off
Saturday Afternoon XFINITY SERIES Andy’s 355 (2 wins): Harrison Burton—hopefully correct picks come in bunches.
Sunday CUP SERIES EchoPark 500. Repeat winner (4 wins)—Kyle Larson. FAVORITE (2 wins): Chase Elliott—sooo much drama talk. NEXT FAVORITE (5 wins): Kyle Busch—coming on strong. DARK HORSE (3 wins): William Byron—redemption for last week.
Spade Racing Opens Classic “Blaster Boxes” and Premiere Sets
Recently I acquired a collection of Nascar cards from the past thirty years. Most of it was unopened “Blaster Boxes” (those things you see near checkout at big box stores) as well as a few early-90’s “Premiere Sets”. Lets open them and see what’s inside!
RATING: 3 rookie of the year contenders out of 10
52 Pickup Racing Lands New Partner in 360 OTC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Boogertown, North Carolina)
NASCAR Cup competition can be a real headache—especially for a new team like 52 Pickup Racing. That’s why the whole team is glad that pain reliever 360 OTC is joining the team as The Official Pain Reliever of 52 Pickup Racing.
“This is the first ‘official’ deal we’ve inked with anybody—besides our stalwart primary sponsor Monday Cigarettes, of course”, said Pete “Tubby” Spencer, one of the fifty-two co-owners of 52 Pickup Racing. “Hopefully we won’t have too many headaches, but its great to know we’ll have a supply of pain relievers at the ready. Although this last shipment expired in 2010, I’m sure that was just a promotional bottle.”
“NASCAR is all about working hard, long hours, and grueling physical labor”, said driver T.B. Dee. “Well, not for ME, per se—I only show up at the race shop to help install drywall once in a while. But the rest of the team will have access to some great pain relievers.”
“They’ve been involved in plenty of sponsorships before”, said Spencer. “Bill Davis Racing, dirt racing—hey, even a WrestleMania! To be in such great company shows how much progress we’re making in the legitimacy department here at 52 Pickup Racing.”
360 OTC will have “enhanced branding” on the #52 race car this weekend, with further sponsorship details to be announced at a later date.
QUOTES: “‘Enhanced branding’—does that mean they’ll be branding the car like a cow?” —T.B. Dee, driver of the 52 Pickup Racing Monday Cigarettes race car.
“No, T.B.” —Pete “Tubby” Spencer, co-owner of 52 Pickup Racing.
ABOUT 52 PICKUP RACING: 52 Pickup Racing is NASCAR Cup’s newest race team. Based out of Boogertown North Carolina, the team employs up-and-coming driver T.B. Dee and is in no way affiliated with the other tubby Spencer, Jimmy.
For more information please visit the 52 Pickup Racing website at www.52pickupracing.com
For all media inquiries please contact Moxoc Media at moxoc(at)moxoc.com
Spade Racing presents Uncle Max vs. Repeat Winners: Charlotte ROVAL
EDITOR’S NOTE: Uncle Max is off this week dealing with some serious poison ivy. His picks are below.
TRUCK SERIES (4 wins): off
Saturday Afternoon XFINITY SERIES Drive for the Cure 250 (1 win): AJ Allmendinger—come on Dinger, come through for me!
Sunday CUP SERIES Bank of America ROVAL 400. Repeat winner (4 wins)—Bubba Wallace. FAVORITE (2 wins): AJ Allmendinger—no longer a long shot. NEXT FAVORITE (5 wins): Chase Elliott—maybe a call or two will go his way. DARK HORSE (3 wins): Kurt Busch—maybe he won’t have to help his future teammate.
52 Pickup Racing Offering Garage Passes for Race Fans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Boogertown, North Carolina)
In response to a number of requests from its dozens of race fans, 52 Pickup Racing is proud to now be offering garage passes to a select few who request them.
“We’re all about getting our devoted race fans involved”, said Tom Jordan, one of the fifty-two co-owners of 52 Pickup Racing. “And plenty of race fans have wanted garage passes, for some reason. Well, if that’s what they want, that’s what they can get!”
“I don’t really see the appeal of garage passes either, but hey, what do I know?”, said T.B. Dee, driver of the 52 Pickup Racing Monday Cigarettes race car. “But fans will have garage access if they request so through us.”
“Honestly, there’s not that much to see”, said Jordan, touring the garage. “I mean, here’s where I park my car when I’m in the race shop office. And here’s where we keep our garden hose and some Christmas decorations. Really, its not that much different from anybody else’s garage, other than the big stack of hero cards in the corner.”
Fans who obtain garage passes are advised to come by on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, but will not be able to tour the race shop due to the voluminous amount of heavy-duty work being done, as well as various zoning regulations.
QUOTES: “If you find a red satin jacket in there, that’s mine.” —T.B. Dee, driver of the 52 Pickup Racing Monday Cigarettes race car.
“We really gotta start organizing that place—last week I almost backed over a bag of wood chips.” —Tom Jordan, co-owner of 52 Pickup Racing.
ABOUT 52 PICKUP RACING: 52 Pickup Racing is NASCAR Cup’s newest race team. Based out of Boogertown North Carolina, the team employs up-and-coming driver T.B. Dee and is proud that its garage has a drain in it.
For more information please visit the 52 Pickup Racing website at www.52pickupracing.com
For all media inquiries please contact Moxoc Media at moxoc(at)moxoc.com
Spade Racing Presents The Sophomores: OCTOBER RANKINGS
Last year Spade Racing took a look at the six drivers competing for Rookie of the Year. This year we continue to look at that vaunted class (sans John Hunter Nemechek and Brennan Poole) as they strive to establish themselves while avoiding the “sophomore slump”. Returning for 2021 is the PRETTY grade: Performance Relative to Equating Team’s Typical Year (its pretty much how well each driver is doing considering their equipment). Here’s how things look heading into Talladega:
1. Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing). Best finish: 1st (Daytona Road Course). PRETTY grade: B+. Bell takes sole possession of first place thanks to his advancing into the next round of the Playoffs. Goes to show you the importance of regular-season wins…well, unless you’re Kevin Harvick, I guess.
2. Tyler Reddick (Richard Childress Racing). Best finish: 2nd (Homestead). PRETTY grade: A-. A mediocre first round of the Playoffs eliminated Reddick from any chance at the championship. On the plus side, I mean, lets be real—RCR hasn’t contended for a championship since Nascar was popular.
3. Cole Custer (Stewart Haas Racing). Best finish: 10th (Talladega/Dover). PRETTY grade: D+. Things keep getting worse for Cole, who is the worst-running driver for a top-level team. He’s even behind the JTG-D cars AND Bubba Wallace for crying out loud.
4. Quin Houff (StarCom Racing). Best finish: 22nd (Indy Road Course). PRETTY grade: D-. Sounds like Houff is losing his ride next year—quite literally, as the StarCom team will be shutting down and selling its Charter. On the plus side, he DID waste everyone’s time for two years.
Spade Racing presents Uncle Max vs. Repeat Winners: Talladega
Well by the time you read this, I’ll be deep in the woods in my buddy’s cabin. I got all the necessities—food, beer, and insect repellant. Thankfully I was able to get someone to cover for me at work this weekend.
Speaking of which, here’s some free advice—always offer food to someone you’re trying to get to help you out at work. You’d be surprised how much a pizza and a donut or two will get you in the grand scheme of things.
Well, I gotta run, so onto the picks!
Saturday Early Afternoon TRUCK SERIES Chevy Silverado 250 (4 wins): Grant Enfinger—hey, its The Dinger and The Finger.
Saturday Late Afternoon XFINITY SERIES Sparks 300 (1 win): AJ Allmendinger—stickin’ with The Dinger.
Sunday CUP SERIES YellaWood 500. Repeat winner (4 wins)—Denny Hamlin. FAVORITE (2 wins): Ryan Blaney—hey, I might as well throw darts at the wall this weekend. NEXT FAVORITE (5 wins): Chase Elliott—or maybe spin a roulette wheel. DARK HORSE (3 wins): Justin Haley—or play “pin the tail on the upset”.