Sport: This Is What Happens When Cousins Divorce

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is NASCAR's most popular driver. I have said before that I do not understand why, other than respect for his lineage.

However, and the myopic citizens of "Junior Nation" need to realize: BEING MOST POPULAR DOES NOT WIN RACES! In fact, it works to increase the pressure to perform, in a sport whose popularity has been slipping recently.

Jr.'s employer, Rick Hendrick, finally did the deed on Thursday. He pulled Jr's cousin and crew chief, Tony Eury Jr., off the pit box. Brian Whitesell will pinch hit this week in Dover, before well-regarded Lance McGrew, whose won as a crew chief in all of NASCAR's top three series, takes over as leader of the 88 band in a couple of weeks.

Even Jr. admitted it: their performance has been poor the last couple of months, and they've not been enjoying the work as they should.

While Tony Jr. will take a post in Hendrick's R&D department (don't be surprised if his relationship with Mr. Hendrick ends sooner, rather than later), Dale Jr. now has to show that HE'S not to blame for the dismal, 19th in points, hasn't won a race in ages performance. Good luck with that.

McMahon to Kroneke: Enos Envy

The strange battle royale between Vince McMahon and his World Wrestling Entertainment empire; and E. Stan Kroneke, owner of the Denver Nuggets and their home Pepsi Center arena, got personal -- and physical -- on worldwide TV Monday.

Catch-up: McMahon booked Pepsi Center months ago for Memorial Day's live "Raw" telecast. Kroneke and his staff, apparently not understanding that the NBA Playoffs are played in May and June and that his Nuggets could legitimately be involved, signed the deal and promoted the USA Network wrestling broadcast for Monday, May 25. When the Nuggets made the Western Conference Finals, Game 4 was scheduled for Monday night in Denver. According to McMahon, neither Kroneke nor his staff contacted McMahon or his staff to work out a solution to a rare "double-booking" at Pepsi Center.

McMahon went public last week, pretty well burying Kroneke in every open media outlet the boisterous WWE Chairman could get on. By late week, McMahon announced that Raw would be moved from Denver to Staples Center in Los Angeles...home of Kroneke's Nuggets opponents in the Western finals.

Monday night, it went into the ring. On USA Network, a WWE performer dressed as Kroneke (complete with the worst wig ever seen on a man), hit the squared circle and, to a loud chorus of pro-WWE boos, slagged McMahon, wrestling, wrestling fans, the Lakers, and anyone else he could think of. All while "look-a-likes" of Jack Nicholson and NBA honcho David Stern watched from ringside.

And then, something amazing happened: "Mr. McMahon," Vince's evil in-ring alter ego, was welcomed to the ring with a standing ovation from the assembled at Staples. He revealed that he'd start a rival league that would fail miserably because McMahon would hire Kroneke and his staff to run it; proclaimed Kroneke's first name as "Enos" (with almost all the rhyming jokes you can do in a PG-rated show); and did what they do in WWE: knocked the competition on its ass.

Later in the evening, five WWE performers in Lakers gear and colors teamed up against five others in Nuggets gear for a ten-man tag match to close the show. The Lakers (John Cena, Dave Batista, Jerry "The King" Lawler, returning Ken "Mr." Kennedy, and MVP) -- the Good Guys -- won.

So did McMahon. This round. Stay tuned...my guess is that McMahon will litigate this issue with great fervor...notwithstanding his dislike of lawyers.

The Best Laid Plans of the NBA...Derailed?

For those who believe that WWE has more credibility than the NBA:

If the "pre-determined" NBA Finals matchup is indeed between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers...

How are the Cavs now down 3-1 to a very, VERY good Orlando Magic team in the Eastern Conference Finals?

Jus' axin...

Racing Wrap: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.

After far fewer miles than expected, a Memorial Day weekend of motor sports is over. Here's the officially unofficial report card.

THE GOOD:
Five weeks ago, Helio Castroneves was staring down a big barrel of tax evasion trouble. Trouble that he, his fans, and his business manager (and sister) Kati hoped he could overcome. In the end, Helio was acquitted on six federal counts; freed after a hung jury on one other; and returned to racing with a solid finish at Long Beach.
Sunday, in the only really good moment at the vaunted Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Helio Castroneves won his third 500-mile race. Even people who don't follow open-wheel racing with great regularity had to love this story. The 300,000 in attendance were nearly universal in their approval; and Helio's post-race interviews elicited more than a few tears...and more than his own. Sometimes good guys do finish first.

Also good: Michael Waltrip Racing, which I summarily buried at least twice as the NASCAR season began, got its first win late Monday when the rain-delayed and shortened Coca Cola 600 went to David Reutimann. Reutimann and his car owner stood outside in a driving Charlotte rainstorm, sans umbrella, surgically attached to the tarped 00 Toyota Camry for the final two-plus hour rain delay.

THE BAD:
As big time sporting events go, this years Indy 500...in a word...wrecked.

Indy is the only big time race on the IndyCar circuit that gets any level of national mainstream attention. It should deliver excitement and action befitting an event called "The Greatest Spectacle In Racing." This years race, with a false start, minimal passing, and what Speed TV's
Robin Miller called "no rhythm" owing to a caution every 21 laps (average), was only saved as an afterthought by Castroneves' win.

NASCAR didn't have it much better. What was to have been stock car racing's longest night turned into "The 27 Hours Of Charlotte." The Coke 600 never turned a lap Sunday evening, and was rained shortened Monday...only after a ponderous two-plus hour rain delay at the end. The best racing in Charlotte at the weekend might have been the World Of Outlaws races at the dirt track next to Lowe's Motor Speedway.

THE UGLY:
Aside from NASCAR taking it's sweet time getting to the end of the race Monday afternoon, there's then the case of a conversation between Tony Stewart and the aforementioned Reutimann. Stewart's counsel centered around what he considered aggressive early-race behavior by Reutimann, who eventually won the rain...er, race. The chat, on pit road during the rain delay, was driver to driver expressing thoughts to each other...normal behavior, and otherwise innocuous until one of Reutimann's crewmen interjected himself. Replays showed Smoke jawing with the taller, bald crewman (think: lead singer of Midnight Oil) and Reutimann ultimately getting Tony to walk off. Moments later, in explaining the conversation to Fox's Steve Byrnes, Stewart labeled the crew member "Billy Bad Butt" (probably the nicer version of what we're used to from Tony in his pre-owner days). Jeff Hammond buried the crew guy, who got his own graphic twice later on in the broadcast. Something from nothing, and probably would not have been noticed had Fox not had to fill four hours of a seven hour raceday with something other than racing.

At Indy, Tony Kanaan got wrecked. Vitor Meira got burned. And the number of bruises and bumps was just silly. The Greatest Spectacle became the Big Pain. Tony George has got to ask himself: is the danger really worth it?

Your New American Idol

Kris Allen upends season-long favorite Adam Lambert to win American Idol's eighth season championship tonight in Los Angeles.

Kris says Adam deserved to win the trophy (new this series)...and appears shocked by the news that he's won. Kris' performance in last night's finale was apparently enough to get him over.

Kara DioGuardi's "No Boundaries" is the song of record for the winner this time. Kris performed the song to close the show, which ran almost ten minutes longer than scheduled. Then again, Ryan Seacrest warned us last night that was going to happen.

If you're still interested, there's a TON of surprise guests and duet partners for the Top Ten and other returning Idol contestants tonight...and a return visit from Katrina Darrell, aka the vapid and vacuous "Bikini Girl."

For A Good Time, Call Trailer Choir

KNCI Sacramento Assistant Program Director Greg Cole handed me the sheet today that read, "Trailer Choir...conference room...2:30."

What would you think?

Lacking time to Google, I showed up to see mix-and-match talents: Butter, the emcee and lead guitarist in a reversed ball cap and jeans clearly in need of a wash; Big Vinny, a southern speaking party animal every bit of 300 pounds or better, in overalls the size of which Levi Strauss only saw in his nightmares; and Crystal Hoyt, a nicely constructed Louisiana blonde with enough visible flesh to have her declared legally naked.

This is Trailer Choir. And I get the sense they really don't care who knows it. Because if you didn't come to party, you'd best get your ass out of this mobile home park...or suffer the highly entertaining consequences.

Trailer Choir cannot be properly explained. These very talented people, who might otherwise have nothing in common except passion, desire and "it" (whatever "it" is, they have it), must be experienced. You don't even have to love country music, or even like it, to absolutely love these guys. Toby Keith has them signed to his ShowDog Records label; they've appeared in TK's film "Beer For My Horses," and played on Keith's tours.

A visit to their website is only a taste of the Trailer Choir menu; check out the video diaries and sample songs including "Off The Hillbilly Hook" and "Rockin' The Beer Gut." Better yet, if you see their name on the marquee, buy a couple of tickets and take your friends. They'll thank you, especially after Big Vinny pops his worm.

Like I said...it can't be explained. Run...do not walk...to the next Trailer Choir appearance where you are.

Ol' Hank Would Be Proud

Country music has a rising star. She was introduced to me as "country music royalty."

The first thing you notice about Holly Williams -- granddaughter of Hank Sr., daughter of Bocephus (that's Hank Jr. for you city folk) -- is her look. Smoky, somewhat mysterious eyes...tall enough to look you straight in the eye...legs so long they ought to be continued on the next girl. Striking and straight up gorgeous.

And then, she sings. Stand by with your hanky.

Music so honest, and so completely real, it legitimizes her considerable lineage. Her dad is and was, if nothing else, honest. Occasionally, brutally. The apple, polished and considerable, doesn't fall far from the tree.

Holly sings of the 2006 accident that nearly ended her life and that of her sister in "Without Jesus, Here With Me," and later sings of her "Mama," who nurtured a loving relationship with her famous Daddy in spite of dad's fondness for Jim Beam and women to whom he was not married.

This is good stuff. And, the picture here doesn't do her justice. Visit hollywilliams.com...soon. Find out that Hank really DID do it this way.

Tracy Lawrence Is The Real Deal

Country singer-songwriter Tracy Lawrence has been through it. Whatever "it" is that can derail your life, he's been there. He reflects on it in some marvelous country songs. Tracy is on a radio station tour, continuing the effort to get the respect and attention he richly deserves. If songs like "Lessons Learned," "I See It Now" and "Time Marches On" don't qualify you as a special talent, I can't help you. Sorry.
Tracy was in Sacramento this week, and some video of his performance can (or soon will) be found at KNCIFM.COM.

The People You Meet

Shea Fisher is a 21-year old singer-songwriter from the Gold Coast area of Queensland, Australia. Now, I am a sucker for anyone who speaks Aussie without use of the word "Fosters." This youngster says a lot with her country songs, and she's just signed to a label co-founded by well-respected Music City producer James Stroud.

Had a chance to meet Shea this week at KNCI Radio here in Sacramento. Charming girl, great voice...a younger Alison Krauss at times....and good songs. Check out her stuff -- that would be her music, dirt freaks -- on MySpace.

Jim Kozimor

If you live in Sacramento, or have at some point lived in Houston, or watch NBC's Olympic Badminton coverage, you've heard the voice of Jim Kozimor.

"Koz" has been here in California's capitol city for over a decade, and did an occasional -- and often brilliant -- talk show on KHTK here. He was also the voice of the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs, until earlier today.

Koz was among those who fell victim of the economy today, as Maloof Sports & Entertainment (parent of the Monarchs and Sacramento Kings) laid off 1% of their workforce, including Koz.

Jim is married to Sandra Furlong, the former local TV reporter/personality. They have gorgeous daughters (they resemble Sandra). Your humble blogger has known them both for a long time, and is honored to call them friends.

Koz will be filling in for Jason Ross, oddly enough on what used to be his timeslot. Log in to KHTK.COM Friday and Monday, 2200 ET. Send him some love through the message boards on that site.

Today's Poor Bastards: Missouri, Oklahoma

It's not a pleasant night at all in the "Show Me" state. The 24/7 weather page at kspr.com is covering tornadoes that are passing over Springfield, MO for the second time in eight days.

Meanwhile, in the "heart" of "Texoma", kswo.com is streaming live coverage of nasty weather in west central and central Oklahoma.

The Monday Mess

If you love sport and live anywhere besides Boston or the greater New England area, there's a relatively good chance you had a crappy weekend.

The Bruins, the Celtics and the Red Sox all won on Sunday; the two former in playoff games; the latter moving to 19-12 with a much-needed win over Tampa Bay, who really seem to have Boston's number so far this season.

Laker Fan: you'll still make the finals. But it won't be pretty if you play again like you played against Houston this weekend. Ick.

Mark Martin, who won the 1993 Southern 500 at Darlington, won the newly-renamed Southern 500 Sunday at age 50. There is NO ONE who could look upon a Mark Martin win as anything but extremely cool. Unless you're a Kyle Busch fan. And, if you are...we don't need to discuss it.

Great headline to a bad story: Jeremy Mayfield is suspended by NASCAR after failing a drug test. Judging from his recent performances, it's unlikely he tested positive for speed. (No, I did not make that one up)

From the blotter: stormy weekend in the midwest and southeast. Sad to report death, inuries and massive scattered storm related damage in Missouri, Illinois, the Carolinas and Tennessee. Straight-line winds toppled the thousand-plus foot tower of KSNF near Joplin, MO at the weekend; much of the tower and guy wires fell onto the studio building and a couple of neighboring residential properties below. From the same area, some interesting video at koamtv.com of the storm passing over that stations' studio.

Drew Peterson was arrested. Women everywhere are now safer. Except for those that did or, perhaps in the future, will choose to date this "alledged" lady killer.

Personal note: when in the workplace, keep it professional. In every respect. At all times. Do treat people with respect. Do encourage them in their work. DON'T make personal remarks or gestures, and do not invade their space. Some may not appreciate it, and you must respect that.

Do you, like I, believe that trust and happiness is somehow lacking in this world? Nothing in particular brings that thought to mind...just observing.

Did you watch "Celebrity Apprentice?" Oh, you either...

What is the attraction of "World Of Warcraft?"

Did you skip the Players Championship because neither Tiger nor Lefty had a hope in hell of wininng?

Is the NBA more or less legit than World Wrestling Entertainment?

Read. Discuss. Comment. Keep your nose clean.

More Santa Barbara Fire Coverage

Here's one that I would not have expected: a rock radio station doing emergency coverage...and doing it well! It's KTYD-FM Santa Barbara, living up to its FCC license by dropping programming and doing some really good work. Kudos to Rincon Broadcasting and its crew. Check the stream at ktyd.com.

By the way -- as a broadcaster, I join a team of management and operations personnel in annual, and sometimes semi-annual, emergency preparedness meetings. These drills include discussions, scenarios, and a written plan. My employers have a very good plan in place, should something happen locally...either to our facilities or our community.

How about you and yours?

Manny Ramirez

If you've read this blog, you know about me. Red Sox born, Red Sox bred...and when the journey's over, Red Sox dead. Simple.

Manny Ramirez helped my team get two World Series titles. He's as immortal as any Red Sox player in history, with the exception that he - unlike most of his teammates - has a catchphrase.

Now, we've learned that -- apparently -- "Manny Being Manny" means getting hopped up on female fertility drugs; getting caught by Major League Baseball; and blaming your doctor for it.

I have no doubt that Manny has, at times in the past, had legit injuries. Makes sense. Takes a lot of energy to dance to the beat of a different drummer...parts break down. Doctors are needed.

This, however, is just absurd.

Much as I respect Manny for what he did for my team, and what he's done for the Dodgers, I simply cannot accept any explanation for eating a fifty game, drug policy violation related, 7-plus million dollar suspension that involves (a) blaming your doctor, your lawyer, your Indian Chief, or anyone else; and (b) any 36-year old MAN getting popped for juicing with a female fertility drug. I'm no medical professional...but that's just weird.

Manny cheated. Simple. Grant Napear on KHTK.COM this afternoon summed it up in one succinct word: "guilty." Not fair, perhaps, to convict a guy before all the facts are in...but Manny blew his chance by passing the blame off to someone else.

Manny Being Moron. Disappointing. Kinda sad, as well. You'd think they'd learn by now...there is shame in cheating...admitting it is the first step to at least a modest amount of redemption.

And forgiveness....from the people who make these guys who they are. That, by the way, would be US.

Santa Barbara Fire

California is not officially in "fire season" yet...and already Santa Barbara is ablaze. No doubt you've heard about it...follow it with an ongoing radio narrative from Santa Barbara's KZSB, operated by the News-Press newspaper. The webstream is all you'll find on the website, and the coverage is non-stop except for BBC World News at the top of the hour at http://www.newspress.com/Top/sbnp_radio/radio.html

Michael J. Fox

Caught the bravest man I've ever seen, Michael J. Fox, in FX's "Rescue Me." Tremors or not, this man is still the real thing. Amazing talent, and an even more amazing story. Check it out in reruns as soon as it plays or hit the website for the webisodes.

By the way...Tracy Pollan (Michael's wife) is no slouch. Aging wonderfully, and what strength of talent and character. Those two people...made for each other. Reinforces your faith in humanity.

NBC Has No "Life"

Not sure which I liked more about the low-rated NBC cop drama "Life." Can't tell you if it's the dry, fruit-laden precision of Damian Lewis' star turn as ex-con-turned-cerebral-cop Charlie Crews; the complex relationship between Crews and partner Dani Reese, played by the uber-sizzling Sarah Shahi; or the even more complex (and not well concealed) relationship between Reese and her boss, portrayed by Donal Logue. Good writing; good direction; well photographed...good television. Not great, but really entertaining and sometimes bizarre television.

None of that matters. NBC, whose Chairman Ben Silverman preaches "margins over ratings" -- and which will bring Jay Leno to 10pm weeknights in a few weeks -- has pulled the plug on "Life."

Next on the decision list: the only other reason I ever watch NBC outside of football season, "Chuck." And, the future of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" may go forward without leads Chris Meloni and Mariska Hargitay, both of whom are looking for a bigger reason to go the pay window.

Stay tuned.

Let's Play Catch-Up

Welcome back to the blogosphere. Time for a few random items, none of which are necessarily related...except that they all happened to or were observed by me.

The Boston Red Sox are a pretty good baseball team...just off the front of the AL East...but the Los Angeles Dodgers and St Louis Cardinals are the class of baseball, second to none.

The NL West is so bad, they ought to do what they do in English Premier League Soccer: relegation for most of the division.

Spent Saturday in California's Shenadoah Valley, home of some of the best wineries in California. In case you're not a geography major, it's east and slightly south of Sacramento in the Sierra Foothills. Google map Plymouth or Amador...and, in spite of the rain and my lack of participation in wine tasting, it would be hard to find a more beautiful place in Northern California. Outside of my beloved Napa Valley, of course.

A day at the wineries and associated eateries, including a white wine release party at the stunningly beautiful Villa Toscano winery, shot my diet straight to hell...for one day. No damage done; as of Monday morning your delightful host (me) is ten pounds less a man than he was just 21 days ago.

Firebird owners are a fun bunch. My broadcasting buddy Mark Demsky and I spent part of Sunday afternoon with them at Marc Freire's Rocklin Automotive for a live radio broadcast and Firebird car show. Good group, and in high spirits in spite of the rain.

Speaking of: can any of our highly regarded Sacramento area weather guessers get a forecast at least close to right? Three-plus days of rain...we need it, but at least give us a little bit better idea when it's going to end. SHEESH!

Kyle Busch is good. His race teams are good. This kid, at 24, is going to put up Jeff Gordon-like numbers in NASCAR when the story's done. If someone doesn't beat the crap out of him first.

Hugh Laurie is the best actor on television. Debate it.

There are no middle feelings about the Fox series "Fringe." Everyone I know either absolutely loves it, and won't miss an episode...or just can't stand it.

MSNBC is on the "left." Fox News is on the "right." Where is CNN?

If a man likes "General Hospital," does that make him -- dare I ask -- bored with his life?

Jus' axin...