Good Morning from Snowy Atlanta ...

Before I start rambling I need to express my sympathy to Rick Royster and family on the loss of his mother, Dolores this week. Rick's wife, Glenda who is one of my best friends has had a trying week - but managed to join me in Atlanta to cheer Johnny on.

What is the mood of the morning? Disappointment. I wish it was like groundhog day and we could relive the day over again! Plus, I can't believe that I am looking out the window at the hotel and seeing snow. It's hard for me to comprehend that they are worried about 1 inch of snow after what I have lived in GR. The good news is that it's not sticking.

On Friday ....

Before we left the hotel, Russ warned me that NASCAR was going to do everything in their power to get the truck race in - so be prepared - even if they have to race until 1:00 am in morning.

We headed out and stopped at a grocery store. Ran into a lot of NASCAR fans buying their weekend supplies. I just got to say they are serious about their food!

2:30 pm - finally made it to credentials. Another funny story - Glenda got the hot pass for the Cup garage and I got the cold pass. Believe me, I have not let her live it down that she has the superior pass over me.

2:45 pm - called Russ to save us from the parking lot. He came out to pick us up and take us to the motorhome. Which worked out great since we could put our stuff there. JB has a refrigerator on the outside doors - so it's a home away from home for his sister!

3:00 pm - Got to the Cup garage. It was already considered hot, so my pass was no good. The security guard took pity on me and let the both of us in. We found the truck and parked ourselves at the back. The truck driver was very nice and got chairs out for us. I was too nervous to sit in them.

3:15 pm. Johnny is parked between Skinner and Schrader. Nemecheck, Waltrip and Jarrett are also close by. I ask the team if they have the scanner number so I can listen - but no one has the numbers. They tell me to put on a radio - I said no way. (I may forget that I can't talk on it!)

4:00 pm - Fred, one of JB's friend stops by to let me know that JB is running fast. I look at him dumbfounded. JB had left the garage multiple times, just taking two laps around the track at a time - so I thought they were just getting the car sorted out - not making runs. I went to the PR girl and asked if JB was really 4th. She went up into the lounge and verified the news.

4:10 pm - Other sightings: AJ Allmendinger walked by several times. He seemed dejected watching someone else in his car ... Joe Nemecheck's mother hovering around his car - not only does she dust it off, she actually helps push it out of the garage!

4:30 pm - Practice is over ... Finally get a glimpse of JB - as he gets out of the car. He debriefs with Slugger Labbe, the crew chief and a few words with Tommy Baldwin. JB says the car is good - need to make a changes to get it better. Tommy and JB are sharing a few laughs about his experience in practice.

4:50 pm - Glenda and I strolled around the Cup garage. Said hi to Mark Martin (just for Sheryl), saw the media swarm Dale Earnhardt Jr, and talk to Gerald - Tony Stewart's tire guy.

5:00 pm - JB is back over the to Truck garage. Getting ready for qualifying. The truck teams are not that happy. Goodyear brought a different tire to Atlanta than what they tested on.

5:15 pm - JB is sitting in truck - has steering wheel in hand turning it back and forth to line it up before he snaps it on.

5:20 pm - JB qualifies - 6th on the board.

5:25 pm - Glenda and I sit on the wall waiting for qualifying to be over. One of my favorite NASCAR officials stop by. I told him that I have a favor to ask - can they get the #29 to change his paint scheme. Ever time he spins, I think it's JB. He told me that I was in luck, because the #29 was not in Atlanta. Plus I should just go to all the races - so I would not be confused. I guess I need to find a sponsor.

6:00 pm - Qualifying is over - JB 13th. Now it's back to the Cup garage. The Tech line is open. What a cluster! The teams are out of order and the frustration is mounting.

6:10 pm - I see Jay Guy - one of JB's old crew chiefs. I stop by to chat - it was so nice to see him and relive some memories. Also got an update on his tailgating parties.

6:15 pm - Chad Knaus walks by smiling. Personally that was great to see since he seems all business like in his interviews.

6:20 pm - The #27 car is on the move. I recognize one of the guys on the crew - he used to work on Ted Musgrave's car during the old ASA days. The crew is very upbeat - said JB gave them tons of feedback in the practice session - the only concern was dialing him out of contention with all the changes they made.

6:30 pm - We head to the restrooms where I can find a quiet place to call Katelyn to wish her a happy birthday. Ryan Newman breezes by ..

6:45 pm - We make another stroll through the garage area. Even as many years as I have been in the garage area - I am in awe of the stars walking by ... Richard Childress is talking to sponsors ... I came within inches of Montoya - he was constantly talking ... Zippy and Todd Berrier were trading kid stories ...

7:00 pm - Qualifying begins ... Try to sit in JB's pit for the Truck series, but get kicked out because we do not have a "hard card". So, we float back and forth.

7:15 pm - the #27 on the grid. Took a picture of the car and another one of JB.

7:45 pm - Qualifying has slowed down due to raindrops

It's time for the cars that need to qualify on time to make their lap. JB is the 2nd car out. We planted ourselves in front of the jumbo tran. Johnny's lap is a struggle - he is loose, loose, loose. Could not keep it on the line nor straight as he is coming off from turn 4. I struggled with coming to grips with what had happened. I tend to be conservative and positive and take the attitude - let's wait to see what's happen. But geez - when you run that good in practice - it give you extremely high hopes.

Qualifying is over and the jumbo tran lists JB going home ... We are still dumbfounded and decide to the motorhome to get something to eat before the truck race. Not that I really feel like eating. We see Kasey Kahne blast by us on a golf cart. Glenda and I yell Kasey Kahne, Kasey Kahne ... (We were audtioning for the Allstate commerical!)

The trucks are going around the track for the pace laps - We get our scanners ready and head to pit road ...

By lap 20, the nightmare continues ... The race update will be in the April newsletter.

All I can say that JB kept his sense of humor - even being the weatherman on the track. After hitting the wall, he was running laps faster than the leader. It was too bad he was down 19 laps versus one. The #23 team did an awesome job of getting him back on the track. Of course, this had to be a race that no one dropped out.

In closing, I hope that you have enjoyed this blog. I did my best to take notes and try and view things from a fan's perspective. Not sure what my plans are for the rest of the weekend - but if I end up going to the Cup race, I will write another blog.