Race Picks (the last season?), Uncle Max vs. The Points Leader: COTA

I’m glad to get my first win under my belt (even if it was a Kyle Busch Truck Series gimme), but now we go to the third straight wild card of the season.  After two “drafting” tracks, it’s road course time!

Speaking of winding roads, I just realized that I haven’t really been on a road trip in a few years.  Last time I think was when I went to a baseball game four hours away a few years back.  Of course the downside with baseball (as well as Nascar) is the risk of a rain delay, and that’s exactly what I got.  The game wrapped up around 1am, and without a hotel room booked, I wound up driving home through the dead of night.  Fun fact—if someone spills their beer on you, even if you’re stone-cold sober it’ll take a while to convince the cop who pulls you over that you’re good to drive.

TRUCK SERIES (1 win) off

XFINITY SERIES Focused Health 250 (Saturday 2:30pm ET on The CW) AUSTIN HILL—no, not that one—the RCR one.

CUP SERIES Echopark Texas Grand Prix (Sunday 3:30pm ET on Fox) Points Leader picks RYAN BLANEY.  Favorite: CHASE ELLIOTT—a worthy comeback from a bad race last weekend.  Next Favorite: SVG—the best way to not be seen as a one-hit wonder?  Get another hit.  Dark Horse: AJ ALLMENDINGER—gotta go with the ‘Dinger on a road course.

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Spade Racing Opens a Blaster Box of 2024 Panini PRIZM Cards—1 of 6

I’m changing things up a bit for 2024, as instead of “hobby boxes”, I will be exploring the world of “blaster boxes” for NASCAR trading cards.  

Pack 1 of 6: Prismatic, Some Static, and a “Hair Attic”

First Look: Here’s a look at one of the Blaster Box-exclusive parallels included in this set, as well as the basic design of the cards this year.  As usually, the PRIZM cards are SUPER-shiny, slick, and bright, and my carpeting looks dull but clean.

To the Back: We thought Jimmie Johnson was the next Richard Petty for winning all those races and championships.  But he was also the next Richard Petty for hanging on too long and not being all that successful as a team owner.

Say What: “Other drivers’ spotters are on top of the press box, but MINE live in my hair”.

Final Rating: 3 hot laps out of 10

www.spaderacing.com updated four times weekly

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Spade Racing’s Stars in Unusual Cars: Bobby Allison (part 1)

Bobby Allison becomes “The Matador” for Roger Penske (1974-76)

Join me throughout this year as I take a look at when some of the sport’s biggest stars drove some unusual cars! (Presented in no particular order).

Why? Bobby Allison never stayed one place for long, but it was still a surprise when he left his own relatively-successful team midway through the 1974 season to run for a NASCAR newcomer in Roger Penske.  But most-bizarre of all was the car he’d be racing—a bold red, white, and blue AMC Matador dubbed “the flying brick”.

How successful were they? Despite the AMC’s lack of aerodynamics, Allison won four races in the car over one-and-a-half part-times seasons.  Then, after a single race in the Matador in 1976, Penske switched to a more-conventional Mercury, which Allison used to finish fourth with in points (albeit without a win).

What was the aftermath? Allison would return to the AMC in 1977 before a move to Bud Moore’s Fords in 1978 revitalized his career.  Penske’s NASCAR operations would peter-out before starting anew in 1991 with Rusty Wallace.

Ranking on the Strange-O-Meter? 10 controversial wins out of 10—this just might be strangest pairing in NASCAR history.  Really—an AMC!!!

www.spaderacing.com updated four times weekly

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Introducing the Spade Racing Hotline!

This is a work of parody

Recently you may have seen social media promotions for a new Nascar hotline, which allows fans to call for race weekend information, trivia, and insights.  While I applaud Nascar for coming up with the hottest idea of 1992, I couldn’t help but be inspired to make an even BETTER one.

INTRODUCING THE SPADE RACING HOTLINE!!!

Just call 1-800-SPADE and get all the information you need.  Here’s a sampling of what you’ll hear by calling today:

"If you are calling from a rotary phone,
please give me access to your time machine"

“Hello, and thank you for calling the Spade Racing Hotline (*sneezing, followed by hoarse coughing*) sorry, allergies.  Please pay attention to the following list of options, as our menu has changed.  Seriously, its brand-new, so don’t just press zero:

To find out the start time of today’s race, PRESS ONE

To find out the actual start time of today’s race, skipping the insipid Michael Waltrip grid walk, PRESS TWO

To find out what channel the race is on, PRESS THREE

If you’re disappointed the race isn’t on another channel, please re-evaluate what you care about in life—you could be gone tomorrow.

To hear the starting lineup for today’s race, PRESS FOUR

To hear my corny nicknames for drivers in today’s starting lineup, like Erik “Mr.” Jones “and me” or Todd Gilliland-of-a-thousand-dances, PRESS FIVE

For Uncle Max’s race picks, PRESS SIX

If you’d like to learn Uncle Max’s home address to see about restitution from his horrible Daytona 500 betting advice, PRESS SEVEN

For a special personalized belated Valentine’s Day message, PRESS EIGHT or hang up and call our sister hotline, 1-900-COPELOVE

For a list of local MRN or PRN radio affiliates, PRESS NINE

For a list of local MRN or PRN radio affiliates whose signals actually work ten miles beyond their antenna towers, too bad

To hear fun facts about Nascar, PRESS ZERO

To hear fun facts about Buckshot Jones, PRESS ZERO ZERO"

www.spaderacing.com updated four times weekly

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Visit the store https://www.cafepress.com/spaderacing

Buy the book 100 Stock Car Racing What Ifs Unauthorized

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A MOXOC Media production

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Race Picks (the last season?), Uncle Max vs. The Points Leader: ATLANTA

0 for 3 (or 0 for 5, I guess) at Daytona is NOT the way I like to open the season.  It’s just been, well, it’s been irritating the past few months.  I feel like anything that goes my way is more coincidental than as a result of any hard work.  Its like when you win a contest at work for a free t-shirt where everyone had one entry—yeah, its nice to have a new t-shirt, but wouldn’t you rather have something you worked for (or something nicer than a t-shirt)?

On the plus side I’ve been able to avoid most of the big snow storms this winter.  Oh, sure, I’ve seen some snow, but the two worst days happened to be days off for me.  Nothing like a fresh 5” of white stuff to motivate one to get their taxes done!  Or motivate them to clean their whole townhouse while putting off getting their taxes done.

TRUCK SERIES FR8 208 (Sat. 7:30pm ET on FS1) KYLE BUSCH—its like Groundhog Day again…and again…and again.

XFINITY SERIES Bennett 250 (Saturday 5pm ET on The CW) ARIC ALMIROLA—takes the sting out of losing his Smithfield discount.

CUP SERIES Ambetter Health 400 (Sunday 3pm ET on Fox) Points Leader picks WILLIAM BYRON.  Favorite: DENNY HAMLIN—a Toyota-type of weekend at the “plate track” that’s not exactly a “plate track”.  Next Favorite: TYLER REDDICK—seems like the kind of year where Reddick and Byron dominate the regular season (and then Penske dominates the playoffs).  Dark Horse: CHASE BRISCOE—not a Dark Horse for long.

www.spaderacing.com updated four times weekly

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Visit the store https://www.cafepress.com/spaderacing

Buy the book 100 Stock Car Racing What Ifs Unauthorized

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A MOXOC Media production

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Spade Racing Opens a Blaster Box of 2024 Panini PRIZM Cards—PREVIEW

I’m changing things up a bit for 2024, as instead of “hobby boxes”, I will be exploring the world of “blaster boxes” for NASCAR trading cards.

The sealed Blaster Box

What’s a Blaster Box?  Well, it’s those things you see near the checkout lane at Target or Walmart—usually cube-shaped and priced at around $30.  The good news is that they are affordable, still have a good amount of cards, and usually have a parallel set exclusive to them (like “red dazzle” or “blue diamond”).  The bad news is that they usually don’t have memorabilia or autograph cards, and there are far less cards overall (hence the cheaper price).

All six packs

But starting next week I’ll be opening up six packs of five cards each from a 2024 Panini PRIZM blaster box!

www.spaderacing.com updated four times weekly

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Visit the store https://www.cafepress.com/spaderacing

Buy the book 100 Stock Car Racing What Ifs Unauthorized

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A MOXOC Media production

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Spade Racing’s Stars in Unusual Cars: Joey Logano

Joey Logano debuts (sort of) with Hall of Fame Racing (2008)

Join me throughout this year as I take a look at when some of the sport’s biggest stars drove some unusual cars! (Presented in no particular order).

Joey's first-ever Cup Series practice

Why? With Tony Stewart leaving to start his own team in 2009, Joe Gibbs Racing needed a replacement.  They turned to the best NASCAR prospect since…well, “sliced bread”, prepping him with a handful of races near the end of the 2008 season.  After failing to qualify the JGR 02 car for Richmond, Logano moved to JGR satellite team Hall of Fame Racing, making his debut with them at New Hampshire.

How successful were they? It didn’t go well.  Logano made his much-anticipated debut and came home 32nd, followed by a 39th-place finish at Kansas.  He then returned to JGR’s 02 car for two more races (failing to qualify for one of them).

What was the aftermath? Talk about going in two different directions.  Hall of Fame Racing essentially closed down after the 2008 season, “running” as a Yates Racing entry for 2009 before completely shutting own as a legal entity.  Logano, meanwhile, has gone on to win three Cup championships, and is still racing today.

Ranking on the Strange-O-Meter? 7 confusing DLP commercials out of 10—maybe “its the mirrors”, but it still looks odd to see Logano in anything other than the 20 or 22 car.

www.spaderacing.com updated four times weekly

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Visit the store https://www.cafepress.com/spaderacing

Buy the book 100 Stock Car Racing What Ifs Unauthorized

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A MOXOC Media production

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Promotion of Other Racing Series Bad for Some Reason

This is a work of parody

Amidst the pomp and circumstance of the Daytona 500, some fans and self-professed insiders have become concerned over Fox Sports’ promotion of its new IndyCar broadcast rights.  This is, apparently, bad for some reason.

“The IndyCar ads have been impossible to ignore, and there’s been at least three of them”, said Nascar-centric YouTuber ERiPMe.  “Meanwhile, Nascar only gets one commercial for the (Daytona) 500—how is that fair?  For some reason that just doesn’t sit well with me.”

The Fox Sports portfolio has included Nascar for 24 years now, with coverage of the first third of the Cup Series schedule and the entirety of the Truck Series.

“See, this is proof that Nascar is slipping—or even worse, dead”, said Nascar fan and critic Jimmy Heathcliff.  “When a network chooses to promote one racing series over another, that means that Nascar is in real trouble.  This is very bad for Nascar, although I can’t really explain why.”

Of note, the entire IndyCar schedule will appear on Fox, which is free and over-the-air, as opposed to Nascar, which will primarily air on FS1 after the first few races.

“They (Fox) are putting the whole IndyCar schedule on Fox, while they put Nascar on FS1?  Hoo boy, that’s not good news”, said a fan at this week’s Speedweeks events.  “I don’t know why Fox is doing that—maybe it’s just to justify how much they charge cable companies to carry FS1, but it’s probably some other reason I can’t quite define.”

The 2025 Daytona 500 airs live on Fox today at 2:30pm ET after a lengthy pre-race show.

www.spaderacing.com updated four times weekly

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Spade Racing 2025 Xfinity Preview: Nascar Wrestles with its Future

Spade Racing 2025 Xfinity Preview: Nascar Wrestles with its Future

1. Cup Regular Season Preview

2. Cup Team Rankings & Grades

3. TV/Streaming Preview

4. Truck Season Preview

5. Xfinity Season Preview

Who doesn’t like a good tag team?  You?  Well, too bad—I’m pairing up Xfinity Series drivers by where I expect them to finish and there’s not much you can do about it.

1. STARKEY & STARS: Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas—18 William Sawalich

and 19 (multiple drivers).  Sawalich has shown he can dominate already, but how will he adjust to going up against the second-best in stock car racing on a regular basis?  Well, having experienced teammates (even on a rotating basis) should help.

The top of the catch fence would
be a great spot for an elbow drop

2. THE COMPANY MEN: Haas Factory Team Fords—00 Sheldon Creed and 41 Sam Mayer.  Lots of changes at the former Stewart-Haas Racing, but having two solid wheelmen and rock-solid financial backing should help the transition.

3. THE YOUNG LIONS: JR Motorsports Chevys—1 Carson Kvapil and 88 Connor Zilisch.  Two drivers with little experience but lots of talent and incredibly bright futures in front of them.  Also, incidentally, probably the two drivers whose last names are most-frequently incorrectly auto-corrected.

4. THE WELCOME WAGON: Richard Childress Racing Chevys—2 Jesse Love and 21 Austin Hill.  Both have established themselves as Xfinity Series stalwarts, putting them at a Jason Keller-level of success thus far.

5. JR’S VETS: JR Motorsports Chevys—7 Justin Allgaier and 8 Sammy Smith.  Overshadowed a bit by their younger teammates, don’t be surprised to if either of them wind up in the championship four this year.

6. COACH’S BACKUPS: Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas—20 Brandon Jones and 54 Taylor Gray.  While not possessing the sky-high potential of William Sawalich or the win-or-else attitude of the #19 “all star car”, they DO have decent Xfinity Series rides.

7. THE KAULIGLOUS FREEBIRDS: Kaulig Racing Chevys—10 Daniel Dye, 11 Josh Williams, and 16 Christian Eckes.  These three could go just about anywhere in the standings this year, but it’s hard to leave a guy with an unironic mullet off of Bradstreet USA.

8. ONE CAR WONDERS: AM Racing Ford—15 Harrison Burton, and 48 Big Machine Racing Chevy—48 Nick Sanchez.  Who says you need to have teammates to make the playoffs?

Has anyone ever used a tire as a weapon in a
hardcore match?

9. EVERYBODY’S UNDERDOGS: RSS Racing Fords—28 Kyle Sieg and 39 Ryan Sieg.  The Official Underdogs of Nascar could use their own version of the Freebird Rule to sneak a car into the playoffs.

10. TEAM JAR: Jordan Anderson Racing Chevys—27 Jeb Burton and 31 Blaine Perkins.  They may not have the most funding, but they always have the most press releases.

11. OUR HUNT IS FOR WINS: Our Motorsports Toyota—5 Kris Wright, and 26 Sam Hunt Racing Toyota—Dean Thompson.  Look for them to be aggressive on plate tracks.

12. TEAM GREEN: SS-Greenlight Racing Chevys—07 (multiple drivers) and 14 Garrett Smithley.  Slowly but surely?  More like Quickly and Smithley (…sorry).

13. YOUNG, YOUNG & INDEPENDENT: Chevys of Alpha Prime Racing--4 Parker Retzlaff, Young’s Motorsports 42—Anthony Alfredo, and Jeremy Clements Racing—51 Jeremy Clements.  Three smaller teams aiming for top-twenties and, with a little luck, contending for a win or two.

14. THE FLYING FLORIDIANS: DGM Racing Chevys—71 Ryan Ellis and 91 (multiple drivers, mostly  Josh Bilicki).  Its not easy when you’re not based out of North Carolina.

15. THE MASKED BACKMARKERS: 35, 44, 70, 99 cars.  Somebody has to finish in the 30’s, but hopefully all these teams can make progress throughout the year.

www.spaderacing.com updated four times weekly

www.facebook.com/spaderacing

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Visit the store https://www.cafepress.com/spaderacing

Buy the book 100 Stock Car Racing What Ifs Unauthorized

Does this track have lights?

A MOXOC Media production

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