Daytona Speedweeks In Pictures

The Daytona 500 has concluded, and Jamie McMurray is back in action! However, as I was digging around for pictures...too many of them were too amazing, and demanded a little...attention. ;)
Let's start off with my man, Dale Jr. For 35, you're still amazingly hot. Now if only he'd grow his hair out a little longer, say as long as it was way back when....

Oh hell yes, let's go back to that...well, with a little stubble still. Damn, this reminiscing is reviving my celebrity crush. :3

He's not exactly new meat, but he hasn't had quite the hype that he deserves. At least till today's performance. Holy fucking hottness, where have you been hiding for so long?! You've gained a new fan, Mr Scott Speed. >:D You know it's a good thing when the man's name is a drug. Or promises of very fast things.

Tony Stewart, you have the greatest expressions of anyone, I believe.

I can't tell, is this 2010 or 1998?...OH, that's right, in 1998 he was driving the 3 car! And there was more blue on his car. But still, very reminiscent of that year. Strange, I actually didn't freak out after he flipped...I actually kind of giggled, and thought it was pretty cool. So did he apparently, asking his PR guy if the flip was worth the ton of money lost on it. God, what I'd do to be his PR person...Sigh.

Speed in that adorable hat of his. I've never hated shirts as much as I do at this moment.

Ohhh Ryan and Tony, how you make a perfect Caption This moment! "Hey, is he trying to get into my trailer? Let's go bust his ass!"

Dale Jr rocking the new beard. How did he know I'm a sucker for facial hair?! Sigh...also, I probably shouldn't be surprised, but I can still make out his scar from when he was uber burned on his neck. That was 2005 when that happened, I think, that detail should've slipped me by now...mmm still smexy...

Caption This moment: Fear or delight, I can't tell...he might've dropped her on her head too often, and her emotions are too confused now... (God, I don't know why he has to have such a cute kid!)

Finally, the champion with his trophy. Speaks for itself, really! :)

Men Crying Is Now Demanded

This morning, while I was watching the prerace festivities for the Daytona 500, I realized something. I couldn't remember the last time I saw a driver cry after winning a race, or a championship. Now I think this might have came about because I've been reading Date Me Baby One More Time, which touches on the subject of men crying. Also, they had just shown a bunch of Jimmie Johnson pictures and shit, and I think he's becoming overblown. Urg.

But back to the subject at hand. Now crying at the drop of a hat, yes that can be very strange. But for something much more deep, like winning a championship? You'd think men were more prone to crying after something as epic as that.

I did in fact tell my mom before the race that I hope whoever won the race today would cry.

I really did, too. Really, a man should burst out in tears for momentous occasions that they worked their whole lives for. Football guys, they'll cry whether they won the Super Bowl or not. In the Indianapolis 500, it was good enough for Helio Castroneves to cry after his victory--and he had won it multiple times.

However, it seems that when it comes to NASCAR, I couldn't for the life of me remember the last time I saw the victor shed a tear afterwards. And I do fear that Johnson has become desensitized to his championship streak. Side effects including inability to appreciate a championship, much less a win, and high expectations of doing it for a fifth straight time...gag me. And desensitization to championships or important races such as the Daytona 500 can be disastrous. If the driver isn't choking on tears because of something so amazing like this, why should anyone else be? I would much rather have a driver like Helio Castroneves milk it for all it's worth (if he wasn't sincere, but since he is, I appreciate that a ton), than have Jimmie Johnson appreciate the amount of work his team did to get him there. Been there, done that, wearing the damn t-shirt.

So we enjoyed the race, in company with an adorable Dale Jr cake that the rental neighbors gave us! I swear, they can NOT move, period. We love them too much, and their delicious cookies and treats... :D

And in the end...the victor gave me my wish.

I absolutely loved Jamie McMurray's victory, because he was more sincere about his win than anyone else has been in so long...a race this big deserved a celebration just as huge, and Jamie delivered. My faith in him has certainly restored! Finally, a driver who has the balls to cry after winning a race... :)

And even though Dale Jr finished second, I'm glad he finished second to Jamie. He really deserved the win. And Dale, we're thrilled that you finished second. You earned this positive step in the right direction! (Plus, we know you would've cried too if you had won the race)