GoBowling.com 400

Dale had an awesome day at Pocono! Coming behind from 25th, he led a few laps and finished 5th. He remains 5th in points.

Here are some pics from my annual August trip to Pocono Raceway!!

 Dale helped welcome a soldier who had served in the Pennsylvania National Guard and his family.

 Junior being introduced. You can't tell, but I zoomed in after taking this pic and Dr. Rose Mattioli (co-founder and wife of late Pocono Raceway founder Doc Mattioli) is holding Dale's hands in hers.

 

 

 Junebug leading!!

Crown Royal Presents The Samuel Deeds 400 At The Brickyard

Dale had a strong day at the Brickyard, starting 15th and working his way to a 6th place finish. He is still 5th in points.

Falling behind on updates, I know....

and I'm sorry!! My Mom and I took care of my 3 nephews (ages 10, 8, and 6) a few weeks ago, and it's been another crazy summer so far, so here are the recaps for the races I've missed.

Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts

Started: 1st
Finished: 12th

Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola

Started: 16th
Finished: 8th

Camping World RV Sales 301

Started: 3rd
Finished: 14th

As of the race finish yesterday, Dale Jr is still in the top 10 in points, sitting in 5th. Next week the guys go to the world famous Indianapolis Speedway. Then I'll be at Pocono for the GoBowling.com 400. :)

Race rescheduled

The race at Kentucky was rained out, the jet dryers would get just about done and it would start to rain again. So after the third attempt, NASCAR called the dryers in and rescheduled the race for 12noon tomorrow. Tune into TNT to see who takes the checkered flag!!

Dale on the pole at Kentucky!

Earnhardt's granddaughter to race as No. 3

by Holly Cain, NASCAR.com

Twelve-year-old Karsyn Elledge proud to carry on family's tradition in racing

SONOMA, Calif. -- Her name and car number are familiar signs of racing success, and Dale Earnhardt's 12-year-old granddaughter Karsyn Elledge announced plans Saturday to enter the family business full throttle.

Wearing a bright pink SpongeBob SquarePants driving suit, the petite eighth-grader stood in the Sonoma Raceway Winner's Circle and proudly unveiled the new No. 3 Nickelodeon-sponsored pink Mini Outlaw sprint car she'll use barnstorming the West Coast for her summer vacation.

Elledge has been racing for four years and has dominated the Mini Outlaw Box Stock class at her local Millbridge, N.C., short track, winning five of eight races this season. Her father, former Sprint Cup Series crew chief Jimmy Elledge, felt it a good idea to test her elsewhere, and the Nickelodeon sponsorship cemented the deal.

"It's very fun and not just because it's my family's thing," Elledge said of racing. "It's interesting and so much fun. And, I'm thankful for the opportunity."

As for the famous car number that donned her grandfather's championship cars, Elledge said,  "I definitely am proud of the No. 3. I didn't get to witness what went on with this number, but I've only heard how great it was and I'm excited to carry on."

While Elledge comes from a lineage of racing royalty -- her mother is Earnhardt's daughter Kelley and her father is a former Cup winning crew chief -- she couldn't be more down to earth.

For someone on a first-name basis with Danica Patrick and who calls the sport's Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., 'uncle,' Elledge seems very much a typical pre-teen.

And that includes her list of heroes.

"(Danica Patrick) is like my idol because she's a girl and she races and she shows that girls can do it, too. That's why I like her," Elledge said. "She always asks me how my racing's going and wishes me luck. It's always fun when I talk to her because … she's Danica Patrick."

When Elledge isn't racing she said she spends time on her phone or computer, likes to ride her bike and visit with her horse. She insists her classmates in school don't pay much attention to her racing.

And Elledge couldn't be more humble about her early success and promising future.

"I've been to Victory Lane a couple times and I've had some not-so-good nights too,"
Elledge said smiling.

Her father got a bit emotional during the announcement, looking over to his daughter and acknowledging, "I guess she's growing up."

"You think, 'wow, this is a 12-year-old kid,' and you realize life is progressing faster than you think.

"I did not expect it. I took her to a race with me and she thought they were cool cars, and ignored her about it, but she kept asking and kept asking. So we got her a car. I didn't know if she'd stick with it or even be competitive at it. And we've evolved to this today."

Quicken Loans 400 and Toyota-Safe Mart 350

Dale had a strong run going until his engine blew up and ended up finishing 37th and falling to 7th in points.

Today Dale was up in the top 5, but got turned around in the closing laps and finished a decent 12th. He stays in 7th place in points.

Next Sunday the guys are headed to Kentucky.