RACING WEEKEND!

It's Memorial day weekend!  What exactly does that mean?  On Saturday the family gets together and we have a cook out with enough food to shorten my life.  Sunday is racing all day long and here are my preview thoughts.

Formula 1

I am unhappy with the schedule shake up.  In past years, Monaco was the Memorial day race for F1 but this year it's the Turkish Grand Prix.  Still unclear if everyone in attendance gets a free ottoman.  

 I am surprised that Lewis Hamilton hasn't been able to break free of the pack in the standings this year.  Consistent qualifying problems seem to always have him starting back in the field and he makes astounding runs to the top 5 or a podium position before wearing out his tires.  If he fixes his qualifying problems this weekend, watch out.  He is the most talented driver in F1.

Michael Schumacher has hit a learning curve after what looked like a fast return to the series.  The cars must really be different from the ones he raced.  He also doesn't have the luxury of  Ferrari equipment any more.  I still think he will make a run towards the top of the series standings by season's end.

Continue to watch for Jensen Button, Mark Weber and Felipe Massa to be near the top and have competetice races.

IRL

I will not offer a pick for the 500 this weekend because for several drivers the race is a toss up.  I would like to see Marco Andretti win and Jon Andretti to do well.  Look for Marco, Helio Castroneves, Will Power, Dario Franchitti and Sam Wheldon to be the drivers most talked about through the day.

Don't expect much from Danica Patrick.  I think she will prove to be better suited to stock cars than open wheel.  She has her worst qualifying position and has not driven as well as in the past all year long.  Maybe after driving in the Nationwide and ARCA series earlier this year has the fragility of Indy cars in her head.  She may not stay in open wheel much longer.

Cup

As usual, I will be pulling hard for Dale Earnhardt Jr.  To put it bluntly, he needs to show some of the sack he showed the last 2 laps at Daytona this year.  Lance McGrew needs to show he can stay ahead of the car in this day to night, 600 mile race.  I'm sick of seeing my current favorite being overshadowed bu the likes of Kyle Busch.

As usual expect to see one set of drivers up front to start the race and another set take over when the sun goes down.  This has been called a Jimmy Johnson track but, so far, this has not been a Jimmy Johnson year.  My money is on "Smoke".  Tony Stewart is due and has been on the brink all year.