Shawn Courchesne | Auto Racing

Yes, I Got In The Racecar

I know, I know, it was the big question after posting last night's blog. Would I get in the car or not?

Well, for the record, I did it. I know now that knowing what I know now, I would have been pretty upset if I hadn’t done it.

I’m not going to throw the wild “experience of a lifetime” superlatives out there, but I’ll say this, it was amazingly exhilarating riding around the 1.5-mile Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Thursday.

Here’s my thumbnail review of my three laps.

OK Fine, I'll Be Excited About Riding In The Racecar

I’m mere hours away from riding around a 1.5-mile super speedway at nearly race speed.

Yes, I know, according to just about everyone I’ve talked to I’m supposed to be jumping for joy at the chance to get a ride along with the Richard Petty Driving experience Thursday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.

It’s the same thing from pretty much everybody, ‘You cover racing, you’re supposed to want to do this.’

Hollow Words From Hillbilly Racing Principles Sting Former Driver Woody Pitkat

This much is certain about the Hillbilly Racing Team of the Whelen Modified Tour and crew chief David Hill: One would be hard pressed to put any stock in his word at this point in time.

We all know that driver relationships with teams sometimes change faster than a pit stop during a race, but it’s hard not to chuckle a little bit now about the insincerity of Hills’ own words on June 14, 2007, when he talked about putting Woody Pitkat behind the wheel of the car owned by his father for the remainder of the season. Pitkat replaced Chuck Hossfeld, who had been released by the Hills after 4 races last season.

It was the first Tour ride for Pitkat.

Woody Pitkat Out, Ron Silk In At Hillbilly Racing

Ron Silk of Norwalk was named Friday as the new driver for Hillbilly Racing of the Whelen Modified Tour.

“I’ve wanted to race for a team like the Hill’s - who wouldn’t,” Silk said in a release from the team. “I was hoping to find a ride that I could be in for quite a while and I think this will be that car. . . . I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone and begin the communication process. Getting off to a good start will be important.”

Silk takes over the seat vacated after the Hill Family, which owns the team, released Woody Pitkat. Silk finished fourth in the Modified Tour standings last season with 11 top-10’s, 7 top-5’s and his first career victory.

Hey There, Remember Me?

What’s going on?

It’s been a while. Miss me?

I know, probably not.

I've been busy trying to start a second career as a place kicker. It's not going well.

I’m sure Bill Elliott nation and the Denny Hamlin fan club have definitely missed me. By the way, I can’t mention Hamlin without pointing out the fact that clearly one of his biggest fans discovered me recently. Hmmmm, Hooked on Phonics or a leather Denny Hamlin coat? I’m thinking she went with the coat.

Called In By The Clash Of The Choirs

One thing I’ve never been a fan of is any sort of reality TV or reality game show or whatever it might be. I’m proud to say that I’ve never watched a single episode of Survivor.

But somehow this week I got sucked in to something I would have never expected.

Clash of the Choirs on NBC.

Can’t really explain it, stumbled upon it Wednesday night and couldn’t change the channel and I went back for seconds on Thursday night for the super duper live big time finals.

Red Bull Racing Resolutions

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a fan of those who don’t have to take everything in the world of big time sports so seriously 24-7.

Well, I mean, Michael Waltrip doesn’t take himself too seriously very often, but then again, really, who does take Michael Waltrip seriously ever.

That said, it put quite a smile on my face when I was rummaging through the inbox and found this little gem from Red Bull Racing.

The Perfect Gift For The Hard To Buy For Person On That Christmas List

Admit it, there’s that person on the Christmas list that you just never know what to get for them.

Stuck this year again?

Here’s the perfect gift, much better than that Olive Garden gift certificate you know you were eyeing up.

A membership into The Club at Lime Rock Park.

Whelen Commits To Modified Tours Through 2016

Chester based Whelen Engineering recently pledged their backing of the Whelen Modified Tour and Whelen Southern Modified Tour though 2016.

Whelen has been involved with the Modified Tour since 2004.

"When Whelen became the entitlement sponsor of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, I stated that we were in this for the long run and now we have formalized that commitment," Phil Kurze,  vice president of motorsports for Whelen Engineering said in a release. "The Modified Tours are very special to everyone at Whelen. We think these Tours provide some of the most exciting and competitive racing NASCAR has to offer and we are proud to be associated with both of them. Our support of grassroots racing is very strong and we have demonstrated that by providing NASCAR with the longest running entitlement sponsorship agreements for any NASCAR Series."

Michelle Theriault Still Looking For A 2008 Ride

Bristol driver Michelle Theriault, who competed full-time last year on the Busch East Series, is still looking for a full-time seat for the 2008 season.

Theriault participated in an ARCA RE/MAX Series test session last weekend at Daytona International Speedway with Rick Markle Racing.

“I’d like to once again thank Rick Markle Racing for providing me a car at the test.” Theriault said in a release. “Without their support, I probably would not have been able to participate. . . . I learned a lot about restrictor plate racing and hope to have the chance to put it to use in the ARCA 200 in February [at Daytona].”