Duels Day

As some of you may know, I have been actively looking for a new car. Well, not a new car, but new to me! So tonight, I’m once again off to look at a Honda CR-V. Cross your fingers, because I’m really over dealing with car salesman.

NASCAR Update:
There has been more fall-out from the Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) #55 debacle. A report is claiming that a substance used in jet fuel was found in the manifold. Also MWR’s VP of Competition, Bobby Kennedy and the #55’s crew chief David Hyder have not only been escorted out of Daytona, but they have also been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR. Hyder has been fined $100,000 and rumors have Hyder being fired, but nothing has been officially announced. The #55 car will be allowed to race in today’s Gatorade Duel, a qualifying race for the Daytona 500, provided the back-up car passes inspection. However, the #55 has been docked 100 driver and owner points and was unable to practice on Wednesday. (foxsports.com and AP)

Random Quote: "In the past 12 months, Michael Waltrip Racing has hired more than 150 people and we currently employ more than 200. Although we have grown at an accelerated pace, it has been our mission to hire people with high moral value and character to properly represent our sponsors and our ownership. During preparations for the 2007 season and especially the 2007 Daytona 500, I specifically requested that our competition teams not disrespect NASCAR, our competitors or our sponsors by blatantly circumventing the rules. This is not the action of an organization, a manufacturer or a sponsor. This was an independent act done without consent or authorization from me or any of my executive management team. As an owner, I realize I am ultimately held responsible for the actions of my employees. Therefore, I accept the penalties issued tonight by NASCAR. I respect NASCAR's rules, its people and the sport's integrity, which is why I am so sad and embarrassed. I am dedicated to get to the bottom of this because I will not let the independent act of an individual or individuals tarnish the incredible accomplishment my organization has made to be where we are today. I want to apologize to the other owners, who know how hard I've worked to get here in such a short period of time, NASCAR, Toyota, NAPA, all my sponsors, the drivers and especially the fans." -Michael Waltrip's statement regarding the rules infraction. (jayski.com)

Mark Martin will drive for Hendrick Motorsports in the Busch Series. Martin drives for Ginn Racing in the Cup Series which leases engines from Hendrick Motorsports. (SPEED)

It is official, John Henry, principal owner of the Boston Red Sox, has purchased half of Roush Racing for an estimated $60 million. (Reuters)

Around Sports:
Baseball
The New York Yankees will honor teammate Corey Lidle, who died in a plane crash last October by wearing black arm bands. (espn.com)

The Chicago Cubs will sell ads on the ivy growing on the outfield wall in Wrigley Field. How do you spell desperate? C-U-B-S! (espn.com)

College Basketball
Duke finally broke their four game slide with a 78-70 win over #21 Boston College. A nice belated Birthday present for Coach K, I’m sure. Around the World:
The new one dollar coin featuring George Washington goes into circulation today. Take that Sacagawea! (cnnmoney.com)

Great Value is not always as good as it sounds. That’s what consumers of Great Value and Peter Pan peanut butter found out. Some 300 people have become ill after eating contaminated PB. ConAgra has requested consumers to return any PB with a product code beginning with “2111” or your PB & J will come with a side of salmonella. (AP)

Passengers of a Jet Blue plane at New York’s Kennedy Airport bound for Cancun were stranded on the tarmac for 11 hours before buses were sent to pick up them up. As a consolation, Jet Blue will reimburse passengers for this flight as well as give them a round trip ticket to anywhere Jet Blue flies. Do you think you could sell that on ebay? (AP)

Popo in my crib News:
Kansas City Chiefs Jared Allen will spend two days in jail after Allen pleaded no contest to DUI charges. Watch out Jared, because the popo are on your tail! (AP)

Celebrity Tid Bits:
Congratulations to Kerry Russel who married her fiancé Shane Deary on Wednesday. The couple is expecting their first child this spring. (people.com)

COUPLE ALERT: Cheryl Burke and Matthew “my favorite brother” Lawrence

Naomi Campbell says she’s ok with herself, but I still wouldn’t get too close. She has deadly aim with a cell phone! (people.com)

Keith Oberman has agreed to a four year extension with MSNBC. At least something good will be on TV. I totally heart Oberman! (AP)

TV ALERT: Is Jim really a vampire? I guess Dwight will have to figure it out, on an all new episode of “The Office” on NBC at 8:30 PM/est.

TV ALERT: The second to last episode of “The OC” airs tonight at 9 PM/est on FOX.

“American Idol” is down to their final 24 and it will not include Roby Troup, the winner of My Grammy Moment contest on Sunday. Troup preformed with Justin Timberlake and T.I. I guess you can say when one door closed, an even more kick-ass door opened blaring “SexyBack.” (people.com)

Happy Birthday shout outs to Brandon Boyd of Incubus (31), Sarah Wynter (34), Mikey Craig of Culture Club (47), Janice Dickinson (52) and Jane Seymour (56).

It’s been fun blogging with you,
Kate