A Wrap on a Long, Difficult Week

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• 2011 MotoGP Highlights

A Wrap on a Long, Difficult Week

Odds and ends, bits and pieces, this and that as we put a wrap on a long, difficult week:

* I can’t wait for Saturday’s 25th annual Sprint All-Star Race, particularly the 10-lap shootout to determine the winner of the $1 million-plus first prize. The format has changed so many times over the last few years that it’s nice to see it return to its roots with the shootout – perhaps one of the most exciting elements in motorsports anywhere.

* I know I can be critical of NASCAR, but this time, I’m praising the sanctioning body for a heck of a good idea, and for some very good causes: NASCAR is auctioning off the chance for fans to ride around Lowe’s Motor Speedway with their favorite driver next Sunday during driver introductions prior to the Coca-Cola 600. All money raised goes to the NASCAR Foundation, Victory Junction Gang and Speedway Children’s Charities.

* Okay, nice-nice time is over. It’s back to criticism time: will Brian France or Mike Helton finally man-up and openly discuss all the facts in the lingering Jeremy Mayfield issue any time soon? The longer NASCAR’s top two officials keep their lips sealed, the more the sport’s credibility erodes even further.

* The All-Star Race was the favorite not only of the late Dale Earnhardt, but also of Charlotte Observer writer and Sirius NASCAR Radio personality David Poole, who passed away a little over two weeks ago. Poole long wrote volumes of heaping praise, but also took Sprint and NASCAR to task when the popular format was tinkered with one time too much. Now that we’re back pretty much to the best format option of all, somewhere I know Dale and David are looking down upon us with big smiles on their respective faces.

* On a more personal nature, please say a prayer some time today for a good friend of mine and one of the nicest guys in the sport, Dodge representative Denny Darnell, who will be undergoing triple-bypass surgery Friday morning in his native Kingsport, Tenn.

Catch you back here bright and early Monday morning.