I blame Kyle Busch for the severe sleep deprivation that I've suffered over the last two weeks. I also blame Kyle for the fact that I've now run myself down to the point that I have caught a nasty cold.
My defenses are weak, my head is full of congestion and throbbing from the pain, but Mr. Busch will have to turn up the mojo. Try as you might, you won't stop my wicked ways. It hurts too good!
I work nights, 7pm-7am. My days are spent locked away behind room-darkening shades and plushy eye masks. I do whatever I can to trick my circadian rhythm into believing that noon is actually midnight. Not an easy thing to accomplish on any given day, but now that The Chase is underway, the lines between day and night are truly blurred.
It began with Loudon, the race was on and I knew that I would not or better yet, SHOULD not stay up to watch it in it's entirety. If I'm scheduled to work on a Sunday night, I always Tivo the race, avoid any sports coverage and watch it Monday morning when I get home.
Because it was the first race of the chase, I got sucked up in the excitement and stayed up to watch it to the bitter end. I convinced myself that because I stayed awake that afternoon, I somehow warped the universe or something equally as crazy, allowing me to single handedly change the fate for Kyle Busch. He came in 34th that day.
Next stop Dover. Again I cheated myself of precious sleep. I sat in the exact same spot, doing the exact same thing as I had done the week before. Busch' s outcome, 43rd!
Thanks to this year's Chase my superstitious ways have evolved from mild-mannered hopin' and wishin' and prayin' to down right witch doctor-like practice.
Because it was the first race of the chase, I got sucked up in the excitement and stayed up to watch it to the bitter end. I convinced myself that because I stayed awake that afternoon, I somehow warped the universe or something equally as crazy, allowing me to single handedly change the fate for Kyle Busch. He came in 34th that day.
Next stop Dover. Again I cheated myself of precious sleep. I sat in the exact same spot, doing the exact same thing as I had done the week before. Busch' s outcome, 43rd!
Thanks to this year's Chase my superstitious ways have evolved from mild-mannered hopin' and wishin' and prayin' to down right witch doctor-like practice.
Up until this season if I was scheduled to work on race day, I always wore red hospital scrubs for my beloved Dale Jr. By wearing them I thought that I could score a win for my driver or at the very least prevent him from a DNF. Last year proved that the scrubs had lost their magical powers, perhaps I had washed the ju-ju right out of them.
I was sitting in the stands in Richmond when Dale Jr spun out Kyle Busch. I realized then that it was time to kick the voodoo into high gear. If I couldn't will Jr. into a first place finish, at the very least I could stop Busch from dominating the remaining ten races.
Am I really arrogant enough to believe that my own superstitions can control the outcome of a NASCAR race, you betcha!
An AP survey from 2007 suggested that 1 in 5 sports fans have a special technique that they use to help influence the outcome of a sporting event. Experts say the psychology behind our superstitions come from our inherent need feel closer or more connected to a game, player, driver, etc.
By not shaving the "playoff beard" or wearing a lucky shirt or eating the same chips and salsa every Sunday we feel connected, like part of a team. By putting weight on our own actions it allows us to feel that we are part of a winning effort.
NASCAR teams and drivers have their own superstitions. Peanuts in the shell, the color green and $50 dollar bills are the three most prominent superstitions in racing.
Am I really arrogant enough to believe that my own superstitions can control the outcome of a NASCAR race, you betcha!
An AP survey from 2007 suggested that 1 in 5 sports fans have a special technique that they use to help influence the outcome of a sporting event. Experts say the psychology behind our superstitions come from our inherent need feel closer or more connected to a game, player, driver, etc.
By not shaving the "playoff beard" or wearing a lucky shirt or eating the same chips and salsa every Sunday we feel connected, like part of a team. By putting weight on our own actions it allows us to feel that we are part of a winning effort.
NASCAR teams and drivers have their own superstitions. Peanuts in the shell, the color green and $50 dollar bills are the three most prominent superstitions in racing.
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2 months ago
Very, very nice. I really enjoyed this Kara. Great Job
from 2 months ago
Thank you so much Kelly!!
2 months ago
Kara, love the picture of the Shrub and really liked this one alot. I had my lucky Bobby Labonte hat, two t-shirts that combine for 16 of his wins, Also in 2006, had a camouflage t-shirt, wore a backwards Chicago Bears, they were 7-0 till I goofed and didn't wear it on week eight.
from 2 months ago
Thank you SM for validating that I'm not the only one here with a superstition. As for the picture, God bless photoshop & the people have hae the time & patience to do it. I googled Kyle Busch to find that little gem. The original was so much better but wouldn't fit. It was a movie poster called Kyle Pee Wee Busch's big adventure.
2 months ago
You are evil!!! I kid! Watching a race with you probably has to be about as or more fun than the race! I used to do superstitions to drivers that I wasn't a particular fan of. Whenever I played my NASCAR Racing 2 game on my PC 10 years ago, I'd spin out the drivers I didn't like in the hopes that on race day, the same or something like a mechanical failure would occur. Hah, it sometimes worked. Maybe you are the Karma Queen of NASCAR!
Definitely my POTD!
from 2 months ago
Thanks Rob!!
Well here it is, Sunday afternoon. I got 4 hours of sleep in this morning after working last night. I'm back in at 7 pm tonight, so here goes the sleep deprivation theory. We'll see what I can do with my mojo today. There may be other drivers running today who are in need of my help!
2 months ago
Muah-hahaha I loved it.
from 2 months ago
Thanks Andy! Like I said on your bulletin board this morning, I am looking forwad to reading more from you! Get to writing! =)
2 months ago
LOVED IT!!!!!
from 2 months ago
Thanks Mary Jo. I will use my powers for good today & send out a happy wish for your boy JG!
2 months ago
Muah-hahaha.
I've gone and done it again. Busch continues to have issues and Jr. has moved up a spot. Sorry to my #18 lover friends, once I got started I just can't stop!
And Mary Jo...look at Jeff, sick as a dog & he pulled off a great finish!
Fantastic finish between Edwards and Johnson!
from 2 months ago
I know - am so proud of JG! You are really putting the whammy on the 18!!
2 months ago
ok. enough already with your voodoo. it is obviously stronger than mine. i thought the first couple of weeks that i was causing the bad luck--i was wearing my new blue m&m's shirt i bought back at "fontuckit" instead of the black "loud and proud" t-shirt i wore every race day all year.
i knew i shouldn't have changed anything coming into the chase. but i did, and the first two races were abominable. so today, i went back to the black shirt. the beginning didn't look good, but when he got his lap back i thought i had found the problem. the black shirt's mojo was a'workin. but had i known you were still awake, i would have just done it with the rest of the laundry.
that being said, i'm very concerned for you. sleep deprivation can be very devastating--i know from extreme experience. so promise me that you will start to take better care of yourself. i wouldn't want dislike of my favorite driver to cause you such problems. you need your sleep, especially on sundays.
you are getting sleepy, very sleepy. wait, hold that sleepy feeling until next sunday...
remind me never to cross you while you are wide awake...
;-)
from 2 months ago
i think i found the problem; i left out a key part of my "regular season" wardrobe.
so here's the deal. your voodoo vs. my voodoo - next sunday. are you up for the challenge?
;-)
from 2 months ago
MB: I am totally up for the challenge! Next week will be interesting, because I DON'T have to work that night. It could be an advantage or a total curse, we shall see! I just woke up after sleeping for about 11 hours, recovering from yesterday!
2 months ago
Kara, for this week, maybe we should all chant, dont draft with the Shrub, dont draft with the shrub. I am betting that other than his teammates, he has a hard time and the way he drives, you can bet the big one will be his making.
from 2 months ago
What would Talladega be without "the big one" This week will be very interesting! After hearing Kyle's post-race statement this Sunday & his almost "giving up" attitude, I wonder how that will affect his driving. He might just get out there with a "Don't give a crap" attitude and do whatever it takes. He might just get out there and drive hard for himself at this point. I don't think for a minute that he would intentionally endanger other drivers or himself, but I also believe that he wouldn't shed any tears if someone gets banged up along the way!
2 months ago
Great writing Kara. This is my first week in bleachers and I'm hooked already. Between Nascar (Go JR. ) and Alabama football ( Roll Tide!) I have found me a new home. It's like Earls karma, it's all finally coming back around and at the most convienent time! The pic is great!! Keep up the good work and I'll keep reading.
2 months ago
Great writing Kara. This is my first week in bleachers and I'm hooked already. Between Nascar (Go JR. ) and Alabama football ( Roll Tide!) I have found me a new home. It's like Earls karma, it's all finally coming back around and at the most convienent time! The pic is great!! Keep up the good work and I'll keep reading.
2 months ago
Great writing Kara. This is my first week in bleachers and I'm hooked already. Between Nascar (Go JR. ) and Alabama football ( Roll Tide!) I have found me a new home. It's like Earls karma, it's all finally coming back around and at the most convienent time! The pic is great!! Keep up the good work and I'll keep reading.
2 months ago
Great writing Kara. This is my first week in bleachers and I'm hooked already. Between Nascar (Go JR. ) and Alabama football ( Roll Tide!) I have found me a new home. It's like Earls karma, it's all finally coming back around and at the most convienent time! The pic is great!! Keep up the good work and I'll keep reading.
from 2 months ago
Thank you Jim! Welcome aboard! This place is awesome & the people that you meet here are incredible! I am always happy to have another Jr. fan!! Like Earl, do you think that Rowdy is compliling a list right now of things to change during the off season? It could be a great reality show! I'm looking forward to reading some articles of yours!!
2 months ago
PS: So sorry for muliple posts. I just kept clicking and nothing was happening. Big rookie mistake.lol
from 2 months ago
Its cool....practice makes perfect! =)
about 1 month ago
I'm not sure he is mature enough to compile a list..lol. I do know his brother did not make a very good champion to represent Nascar. Know you stay up Sunday to keep the Mojo going against him. lol
I just seen where Jr blew a motor today and then blew a rear tire in the 2nd practise. Lets hope all of Jr's bad luck is over now. Starting from the rear in his back up car shouldn't be too bad. ( It is the car he ran the 500 with)
about 1 month ago
Iwould rather Jrs tire blow out during practic, then during the "Big "One
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