Knights of the Oval Table: We (heart) Street Races, Sarah, Danica and Leilani!

Three states. Three time zones. Three homeys. The Knights of the Oval table came together via IM chat room to mull the burning questions of the age.

Click it for the latest from the Blog Boys: pressdog, Jeff of MyNameIsIRL.com and MoneyCJ of fastmachines.com (we may get fire suits).

pressdog (12:22:37 PM) has entered the room.

pressdog (12:22:37 PM): Dudes!

MyNameIsIRL (12:22:44 PM) has entered the room.

MoneyCJ (12:22:47 PM) has entered the room.

MoneyCJ (12:23:06 PM): 'sup Ladies?

pressdog (12:23:15 PM): Fly over just happened. Start 'em up.

MyNameIsIRL (12:23:25 PM): dude - 2 minute timeout

MyNameIsIRL (12:23:33 PM): b right back

MoneyCJ (12:23:36 PM): I am pleased to announce....

MoneyCJ (12:23:51 PM): that my rehab is going GREAT. 2 weeks sober

MoneyCJ (12:24:02 PM): and yes, you can keep that in

pressdog (12:24:12 PM): WTF? Cigarettes and now rehab. Seriously?

MoneyCJ (12:24:16 PM): I know

pressdog (12:24:21 PM): Good for you, hoss!

MoneyCJ (12:24:50 PM): thanks! I feel great -- really great.

pressdog (12:25:04 PM): I'm wiping manly tears of pride. Very outstanding.

MoneyCJ (12:25:19 PM): hahaha--do keep it in the final transcript.

pressdog (12:25:31 PM): will do. I think jeffy had to go take a piss or something.

MoneyCJ (12:25:40 PM): if I can encourage someone else to do it who needs it, all the better, yo.

pressdog (12:25:55 PM): You're a role model, Money. I'm with ya.

MoneyCJ (12:26:12 PM): Plus I fully expect to be IN A CAR for the 92nd running and all...

MoneyCJ (12:26:19 PM): jussayin

pressdog (12:26:24 PM): Part of your training. Sure. I can see that.

MyNameIsIRL (12:26:30 PM): Sorry guys - Barnhart wanted a word with me.

MoneyCJ (12:26:31 PM): I'm gonna move down to Miami and work out w TK in the off season.

MyNameIsIRL (12:26:45 PM): Was upset about my incident with Wheldon over the weekend.

MoneyCJ (12:26:48 PM): Barnhart is the one who send me to rehab.

pressdog (12:26:52 PM): Barnhart wanted to know if Jeffy has seen his black flag.

MyNameIsIRL (12:27:01 PM): He warned me to be careful or he will use VERY HARSH WORDS towards me next time.

MoneyCJ (12:27:06 PM): Dang.

pressdog (12:27:14 PM): You must be on probation now.

MyNameIsIRL (12:27:15 PM): I am on additional probation

MyNameIsIRL (12:27:25 PM): We're ALL on probation

pressdog (12:27:40 PM): So, with big ups to Money on his sobriety and lack of smoking, we should light this candle.

MyNameIsIRL (12:27:55 PM): Yes - congratulation and continued success, Money

MoneyCJ (12:27:59 PM): Thanks baby

pressdog (12:28:14 PM): Let's go green-green-green. First issue. Sonoma. WTF?

pressdog (12:28:41 PM): Jeffy, update us on how you dominated there.

MoneyCJ (12:28:47 PM): Yes.

MyNameIsIRL (12:29:07 PM): I had a blast, the facility was top notch, everyone was having a good time.

MyNameIsIRL (12:29:18 PM): And if I never attend another road race I'll be A-OK.

MoneyCJ (12:29:24 PM): I loved the ending.

MoneyCJ (12:29:34 PM): I KNEW my boy Scotty could pull it out.

MyNameIsIRL (12:29:36 PM): If there's one thing that race taught us there are NO team orders at AGR.

MoneyCJ (12:29:42 PM): Tru dat!

MyNameIsIRL (12:29:55 PM): Kanaan is the only guy dealing "team orders"

pressdog (12:30:06 PM): Never count the Iceman out on a street/road course.

MoneyCJ (12:30:10 PM): I thought TK showed a lot of class.

MoneyCJ (12:30:13 PM): you?

MyNameIsIRL (12:30:33 PM): He showed a lot of "ass" in the turns - is that close?

MoneyCJ (12:30:53 PM): I mean in not getting uppity toward the end.

pressdog (12:31:11 PM): Couple things: First -- $12 beers would keep me sober. Second -- what Tony did was technically legal, but LETHAL to attracting fans.

MoneyCJ (12:31:15 PM): He so could have passed Dario.

MoneyCJ (12:31:52 PM): Dude those $12 beers are enormous tho.

MyNameIsIRL (12:32:03 PM): He was a good teammate and Dixon admitted he would have done the same for Wheldon, but it's just bad form

MoneyCJ (12:32:12 PM): We agree to disagree

pressdog (12:32:14 PM): Yeah, 36 oz? 24-ounce Tecate's for $7 at Iowa Speedway!

MyNameIsIRL (12:32:24 PM): The thing that caught me is I was watching Helio all over Dixon the last few laps. You poor folks at home missed that.

pressdog (12:32:42 PM): Saw some of the Helio thing. The announcers talked about him bump drafting Dixon.

MyNameIsIRL (12:32:50 PM): (the $12 beers weren't THAT enormous).

pressdog (12:33:12 PM): What, if anything, was Dario and Marco thinking?

MyNameIsIRL (12:33:13 PM): bump-drafting is not your typical road racing maneuver

MyNameIsIRL (12:33:34 PM): Dario had to be thinking Marco was letting him by. Period.

pressdog (12:33:39 PM): Marco wanted to win. Dudes, seriously, he said "Screw that, I'm here to win." I really think so.

MoneyCJ (12:33:47 PM): hahaha

MyNameIsIRL (12:33:51 PM): Marco was WAY LEFT entering Turn 2.

MyNameIsIRL (12:34:11 PM): Clearly changed his mind about letting Dario get by

pressdog (12:34:20 PM): Maybe Dario thought if he slowed and waited to pass Marco, Dixon would pass him.

pressdog (12:34:23 PM): No idea.

MoneyCJ (12:34:25 PM): Seriously? You don't blame spotters??

MoneyCJ (12:34:37 PM): You think Marco know what he was doing??

pressdog (12:34:43 PM): I savor the irony that it wasn't that different than the Cheever/Marco thing at Watkin's Glen in 06.

MyNameIsIRL (12:34:44 PM): Is this Money or Rusty Wallace talking?

MoneyCJ (12:34:50 PM): Put down the crack pipe, hoss.

pressdog (12:35:09 PM): I'm inclined to believe he came out, didn't realize what was what, next thing he knows, Dario is mashing into him. Dario is screaming obscenities like a pissed off Sean Connery.

MoneyCJ (12:35:25 PM): Even though I am PISSED at Marco....I still give him the benefit of the doubt on that one.

MoneyCJ (12:36:08 PM): Now if you want to talk about someone I do NOT give the benefit of the doubt to....

MoneyCJ (12:36:21 PM): well that would be our little buddy Ryan Hunter-Reay.

pressdog (12:36:32 PM): So, now you're a big RHR fan?

MoneyCJ (12:36:45 PM): No.....he drove like a moron.

MoneyCJ (12:37:00 PM): You saw him go up into Marco.

pressdog (12:37:05 PM): Ass-checked Marco right off the track!

MoneyCJ (12:37:08 PM): yeah

pressdog (12:37:13 PM): Road racing. Insane.

MoneyCJ (12:37:24 PM): Wacky, wacky, wacky stuff, Ed.

MyNameIsIRL (12:37:29 PM): Maybe he's afraid Rahal will fire him and replace him with Roberto Moreno.

pressdog (12:37:31 PM): Moreno. The AGELESS one.

pressdog (12:37:35 PM): So, next issue! Points championship. Who wins?

MoneyCJ (12:37:45 PM): ICEMAN.

MoneyCJ (12:37:49 PM): Next question.

pressdog (12:37:58 PM): I feel a chill coming on.

MoneyCJ (12:38:22 PM): What if Helio wins at Belle Isle?

pressdog (12:38:25 PM): You got Belle Isle coming up, and Chippy's crew has been in full bitchslap mode at Chicago for some time now.

MyNameIsIRL (12:38:27 PM): Franchitti has taken a total nosedive and hasn't bested Dixon since Nasvhille - and he's only back by 4 points.

MyNameIsIRL (12:38:38 PM): I'm not counting Dario out yet.

MoneyCJ (12:38:41 PM): But what if Helio wins?

MoneyCJ (12:38:43 PM): Belle Isle?

MoneyCJ (12:38:49 PM): Chicagoland Shootout.

MyNameIsIRL (12:38:53 PM): There is no what if - Helio will win.

MoneyCJ (12:38:59 PM): I agree, actually.

pressdog (12:39:02 PM): Doesn't matter. I'd like to see them tied going into Chicagoland.

MoneyCJ (12:39:07 PM): Totally.

pressdog (12:39:14 PM): Total STREET FIGHT, only on an oval.

MoneyCJ (12:39:17 PM): I was in Detroit this week.

MyNameIsIRL (12:39:19 PM): Chicagoland will be a real contest, unlike last year.

MoneyCJ (12:39:28 PM): Flew over the venue but didn't have time to visit.

pressdog (12:39:39 PM): Money was in Detroit picking up a case of AKs.

MyNameIsIRL (12:39:40 PM): You jet setter.

MoneyCJ (12:39:54 PM): suffice to say....the good people of the greater Detroit area are not exactly in a froth over this weekend's event.

MoneyCJ (12:40:00 PM): at least the ones I talked to aren't.

pressdog (12:40:09 PM): Speaking of, NEXT ISSUE. Belle Isle. Thanks for the segue, Money.

MoneyCJ (12:40:18 PM): Oh! You're welcome.

pressdog (12:40:21 PM): Street race. Could be No-Doz time.

pressdog (12:40:38 PM): But, it looks kind of parkish, so that could give it a Road America feel or something.

MyNameIsIRL (12:40:59 PM): Announcement: I will be recording the race and not actually watching it live. I'll be up in the hills of Arizona most of the day.

MyNameIsIRL (12:41:07 PM): That's how excited I am about a street race.

MyNameIsIRL (12:41:12 PM): Color me uncultured.

pressdog (12:41:24 PM): Just an aside, but Sonoma looks like it hasn't seen rain in about 76 years on TV.

MoneyCJ (12:41:27 PM): I love street races.

pressdog (12:41:32 PM): Bullshit.

pressdog (12:41:40 PM): You just don't want any flame.

MoneyCJ (12:41:47 PM): I love street races.

MyNameIsIRL (12:41:54 PM): Money IS Rusty Wallace!

MoneyCJ (12:42:00 PM): Hey I have a question--

MyNameIsIRL (12:42:01 PM): he's hijacked your account.

MoneyCJ (12:42:05 PM): may be dumb, but....

pressdog (12:42:13 PM): If Money called Sonoma "Sears Point" I'd be convinced.

MoneyCJ (12:42:32 PM): OK...on an oval, if someone so much as spits on the track the yellow flies....

MoneyCJ (12:43:04 PM): Then why does the tape show Helio blowing through puddles of water during his Belle Isle test?

MyNameIsIRL (12:43:06 PM): No yellows for rain on road/street courses, friend.

MyNameIsIRL (12:43:12 PM): They use tires with grooves.

MoneyCJ (12:43:21 PM): I thought he was on slicks.

MyNameIsIRL (12:43:42 PM): Tn the rain they use grooves. at least they should.

MoneyCJ (12:43:46 PM): I know that.

pressdog (12:43:48 PM): I'm sure he was taking it easy since there were no catch fences, etc. up. Just checking for smoothness, etc.

MoneyCJ (12:43:59 PM): ah

MoneyCJ (12:44:10 PM): Was awesome looking though!

pressdog (12:44:13 PM): Probably just LIFTED when he went through the water no biggy.

pressdog (12:44:23 PM): It was FUN-TASTIC.

MyNameIsIRL (12:44:24 PM): Splash n go.

pressdog (12:44:42 PM): Next issue. Chicagoland. I'll be there. I'm nearly passing out over it already.

MyNameIsIRL (12:45:06 PM): Tell Leilani I said Hi. I think she only remembers me as "pressdog's friend"

MoneyCJ (12:45:07 PM): Gonna be awesome. And don't forget--PJ!!

MoneyCJ (12:45:32 PM): I may join you, dog.

pressdog (12:45:47 PM): The umlauted one. Yes. Hope to say hi to her. My shadow is pretty gig, Jeffy, in more ways than one. Don't beat yourself up.

MyNameIsIRL (12:45:47 PM): I'm Sofa King jealous.

pressdog (12:45:56 PM): Money in the house?

MoneyCJ (12:46:04 PM): Looking into it, homeslice.

pressdog (12:46:05 PM): Is Jamie getting you in?

MoneyCJ (12:46:20 PM): Duh.

pressdog (12:46:32 PM): Me and Bre = TIGHT.

MoneyCJ (12:46:34 PM): Nah...If I'm there I'm team CHESSON, bro.

pressdog (12:46:57 PM): Peej. He'll get a new tat to mark the occasion. Cars are sick looking, tho.

MyNameIsIRL (12:47:15 PM): Does he get a new tattoo for each race?

MoneyCJ (12:47:22 PM): haha--no. Just his first Indy.

pressdog (12:47:24 PM): What up with the relative Crowd Scene at Chicagoland. 22 cars maybe.

MoneyCJ (12:47:32 PM): love it!

MoneyCJ (12:47:38 PM): Go out with a bang.

MyNameIsIRL (12:47:48 PM): Delphi Safety Teamis at the ready.

pressdog (12:48:03 PM): True. Could turn into a.......

pressdog (12:48:11 PM): Festival of Carbon Fiber

pressdog (12:48:13 PM): I guess. Hope that's a good sign for more full-time teams in '08.

MoneyCJ (12:48:14 PM): I have high hopes for '08. I think this has been a hell of a season.

pressdog (12:48:26 PM): Agreed! I think '08 is looking pretty good so far.

MyNameIsIRL (12:48:57 PM): I don't know how many more/less cars there will be in '08, but a number of the Indy Pro teams are planning to move up in '09.

pressdog (12:49:23 PM): You keep talking about this "Indy Pro" stuff. What is that?>

pressdog (12:49:42 PM): OH, you mean Leilani's League. OK. Now I get ya.

MyNameIsIRL (12:49:45 PM): It's insanity personified

MoneyCJ (12:49:46 PM): Nice

MyNameIsIRL (12:50:06 PM): Much less lockstepedness.

pressdog (12:50:20 PM): I hope you're right, Jeff. I we need some teams or drivers to move up from there. So far, not so much.

pressdog (12:50:45 PM): NEXT ISSUE: Biggest surprise so far.

MyNameIsIRL (12:51:04 PM): My biggest surprise is that there are so many pregnant wives this year

MyNameIsIRL (12:51:28 PM): Kanaan, Hornish, Caprenter - even Alex Lloyd - all got buns in their wives ovens.

pressdog (12:51:35 PM): Dude. That's just twisted/insane.

pressdog (12:51:42 PM): Never you mind about drivers' wives ovens.

MyNameIsIRL (12:51:43 PM): The league might soon be sponsored by Pampers.

MoneyCJ (12:51:48 PM): well there WERE a lot of rain delays.

MyNameIsIRL (12:51:53 PM): there ya go.

pressdog (12:51:55 PM): LOL

MoneyCJ (12:52:10 PM): Lets see...biggest surprise....

pressdog (12:52:21 PM): My biggest surprise is the tanking of Wheldon. And it pains me to say that, because I dig him.

MoneyCJ (12:52:39 PM): Yeah....and the weakness of Team Penske.

MyNameIsIRL (12:53:02 PM): Remember how there were rumors that Wheldon's team was caught cheating at Indy?

MoneyCJ (12:53:08 PM): mmmhmmm

MoneyCJ (12:53:22 PM): Chippy don't cheat, man

MyNameIsIRL (12:53:27 PM): I mean, not indicting anyone but that seems to be where the decline started.

pressdog (12:53:37 PM): Like there are rules in the IRL. Um, NOT.

MoneyCJ (12:53:53 PM): You know what has also surprised me?

MoneyCJ (12:54:00 PM): Actually 2 things:

MoneyCJ (12:54:21 PM): Marco's bad luck and Danica driving her ass off.

pressdog (12:54:48 PM): I can go with you on that one. Danica has surprised me, although she's got one of the five to seven best cars on the track, so ...

MyNameIsIRL (12:55:15 PM): Danica still has work to do on restarts and pit stops though if she's gonna get her haircut.

pressdog (12:55:19 PM): You think people will be dissing Danica if she doesn't win this year?

MoneyCJ (12:55:27 PM): Nah.

MyNameIsIRL (12:55:31 PM): Not really. Next year, yes.

MoneyCJ (12:55:32 PM): She's come damn close

MoneyCJ (12:55:37 PM): agree w that Jeff.

pressdog (12:55:51 PM): Me too. DAMN, I hate when that happens.

MoneyCJ (12:55:58 PM): I think Sarah and Milka were actually blessings for her -- know what I'm sayin

MoneyCJ (12:56:09 PM): kind of put things in perspective....

MoneyCJ (12:56:19 PM): like, YEAH....Danica's a very good race car driver....

pressdog (12:56:35 PM): Now, come on, Danica is such a TREMENDOUS TALENT she could put a DRR pig on the front roooooowwww.

MoneyCJ (12:56:43 PM): I knew you would go there.

MoneyCJ (12:56:44 PM): dick.

MoneyCJ (12:56:49 PM): You know what I mean.

MyNameIsIRL (12:56:56 PM): I'm SO not getting into this.

pressdog (12:56:58 PM): You're trying to provoke me, aren't you?

MoneyCJ (12:57:19 PM): U put Milk or Sarah in Danica's car and they're gonna have podiums? Noooo way.

MoneyCJ (12:57:26 PM): Sorry.

MyNameIsIRL (12:57:34 PM): Oh boy.

pressdog (12:57:39 PM): You're huffing.

MoneyCJ (12:57:46 PM): You disagree?

pressdog (12:57:55 PM): I'd LOOOOOOVVVVEEEE to see Sarah in Danica's car.

pressdog (12:58:03 PM): She's instantly P7.

MoneyCJ (12:58:04 PM): Sarah would do OK.....

MoneyCJ (12:58:16 PM): Milka would put it in the wall.

pressdog (12:58:34 PM): Sure. But that's not saying Sarah is the greatest. I think anyone in Danica's car is instantly P7, aside form Milka.

pressdog (12:58:41 PM): And maybe Marty.

MoneyCJ (12:59:02 PM): I'm just saying there's more to DP's improvement than just the car. She's become a stronger driver.

pressdog (12:59:21 PM): I can agree with that. But you only become a strong driver if you have something to drive, which is my point.

MoneyCJ (12:59:24 PM): And I cannot believe I am kissing her ass like this.

MoneyCJ (12:59:32 PM): Lets move on please.

MyNameIsIRL (12:59:39 PM): You keep talking about Danica's backside.

pressdog (12:59:39 PM): I cannot believe you are kissing her ass either. You know she'd go out of her way for you, Money.

MyNameIsIRL (12:59:53 PM): Is there a rehab for that?

pressdog (12:59:55 PM): Not going there.

pressdog (1:00:03 PM): OK, finally, anything else?

MoneyCJ (1:00:04 PM): Damn rehab is making me weird

pressdog (1:00:14 PM): Who will win Chicagoland?

MoneyCJ (1:00:20 PM): uhhh...LiveBlog Sunday at 3 PM EDT

MoneyCJ (1:00:31 PM): ooohhhh...tough one

pressdog (1:00:37 PM): Leave it to Money to shill his own site.

MyNameIsIRL (1:00:39 PM): You mean since we've all agreed Helio is having a drive in the park this weekend?

pressdog (1:00:56 PM): I didn't agree to that. I think Dixon is the guy to beat on all road courses.

pressdog (1:01:21 PM): I'm calling Chicagoland for Wheldon. Call me insane. Danica is the dark horse.

MoneyCJ (1:01:39 PM): I think Dario will probably win Chicagoland....what w three blockers and all.

pressdog (1:02:03 PM): True. I could see Wheldon pulling over if Dixon needs the win/position.

MoneyCJ (1:02:18 PM): Iceman only has one teammate.

MyNameIsIRL (1:02:20 PM): I'll save my pick for the Cheat Sheet.

pressdog (1:02:31 PM): Now Jeff shills his site. WTF?

MyNameIsIRL (1:02:32 PM): Since we're pimping out sites

pressdog (1:02:44 PM): bitches.

MyNameIsIRL (1:02:46 PM): Hey dog, I've shilled your shirts more than a few times

MoneyCJ (1:02:58 PM): Yeah, bitch. I wore a pressdog shirt at Indy!

pressdog (1:02:58 PM): You guys need to make some shirts.

MoneyCJ (1:03:00 PM): Blow me!

pressdog (1:03:12 PM): I'd be in for one.

MoneyCJ (1:03:19 PM): For blowing me?

MoneyCJ (1:03:23 PM): Thats sick man

pressdog (1:03:47 PM): A SHIRT, ya sick, dried-out bastard.

MoneyCJ (1:03:53 PM): LOL

MyNameIsIRL (1:04:07 PM): Remember when we used to talk about racing? Oh, those were the days

MyNameIsIRL (1:04:24 PM): Now it's sex, drugs and...more sex and drugs

pressdog (1:04:28 PM): OK. white flag. Anything? Anything? Bueller?

MoneyCJ (1:04:38 PM): Twas fun as always....

pressdog (1:05:03 PM): I'll wave to your asses from Chicagoland. May give Goodyear $50 to say "circus music" on the air.

MyNameIsIRL (1:05:05 PM): We need to personally attend more races. I think ESPN should sponsor us.

pressdog (1:05:16 PM): Ah, sha. Yeah.

MoneyCJ (1:05:18 PM): I want a firesuit ...

MoneyCJ (1:05:24 PM): and a tan.

MyNameIsIRL (1:05:29 PM): Can't have both ...

MyNameIsIRL (1:05:34 PM): unless you're Arute.

MoneyCJ (1:05:40 PM): Foiled again

pressdog (1:05:42 PM): We could have our own Blog Boys fire suits. Money can do the cut-away car.

MyNameIsIRL (1:06:08 PM): I don't think it's drivable, dog.

pressdog (1:06:19 PM): We'd say something like, "The IHJ needs to grow a set" and that would be it.

pressdog (1:06:43 PM): Have you seen his black flag? It's around here somewhere, I swear.

pressdog (1:06:53 PM): OK, dudes. Turn 4.

MyNameIsIRL (1:06:54 PM): I think they lost the black flag.

MoneyCJ (1:07:07 PM): Zanardi!

pressdog (1:07:15 PM): Enjoyed it. Have a good Labor Day weekend. Turn some zanardis!

MoneyCJ (1:07:23 PM): See ya boys.

MyNameIsIRL (1:07:30 PM): I just ate some Zanardis this morning.

pressdog (1:07:33 PM): GO SARAH!

MyNameIsIRL (1:07:41 PM): have a safe weekend guys.

MoneyCJ (1:07:46 PM): I (heart) Danica!

pressdog (1:07:50 PM): we're checkered!

--

Comments

[john]

Click and Clack had better watch out!

[anon]

Let's just say I came for the Marco, I stayed for the Blog Boys (and some others).... keep up the great work guys, you brighten up many dull hours of the day

[MoneyCJ]

Wow--that's the coolest comment we've ever received! Thanks so much!

And, dog....love the headline pic, yo.

[Joan]

I think he needs to bring the white sunglasses back, at Indy he dictched em, and it's been downhill since!