Fearless

To me, FEARLESS is not the absence of fear. It's not being completely unafraid. To me, FEARLESS is having fears. FEARLESS is having doubts. Lots of them. To me, FEARLESS is living in spite of those things that scare you to death.

FEARLESS is climbing back in that race car even though it landed you in the hospital for the night just the week before. FEARLESS is knowing that what you love to do could kill you but doing it anyway.

FEARLESS is getting back up and fighting for what you want over and over again...even though every time you've tried before you've lost. It's FEARLESS to have faith that someday things will change.

FEARLESS is having the courage to say goodbye to someone who only hurts you, even if you can't breathe without them. I think it's FEARLESS to admit that you aren't as great as the world thinks you are. I think it's FEARLESS to want more than anything to believe them. It's FEARLESS to say "Show me why you think so" and listen while they tell you.



I think loving someone despite what people think is FEARLESS. I think allowing yourself to cry on the bathroom floor is FEARLESS. Letting go is FEARLESS. Then, moving on and being alright...That's FEARLESS too. No matter what life throws at you, you have to believe that someone believes in you. Taking risks, not just at 200 mph but on yourself...that defines FEARLESS to me.

Deciding it's time to stop putting yourself down and minimizing just how awesome you are at what you do is FEARLESS. Looking at your teammate and his "devil may care" attitude and taking that same philosophy and adapting it to your life is the epitomy of FEARLESS.

I have decided that to me a hero is someone who is truly FEARLESS. A man who admits he may screw this thing up at any minute and he's terrified you'll walk out on him is genuinely FEARLESS. Faking it until you believe it yourself....that's FEARLESS too.

43 guys in their firesuits and helmets take a race track every week to live their dream. They live life in moments that take their breath away. They stare death in the eye and laugh at it. But only one is the definition of FEARLESS. Can you guess who?

Is It Just Me Or....

Is the lack of testing hurting the men I love to cheer and boo from the East Coast to the West Coast and all points between?

Last night's Auto Club 500 was the most uneventful race I have seen in quite a long day. I hate crashes, especially when it involves my Fed Ex Toyota but seeing Kevin Harvick crash into the wall and end his streak of races without a DNF was the highlight of the 250 lap event. Every other caution was for rain drops, threatening to shorten yet another race. Thankfully the rain let up and we got to see all of the scheduled laps.

I grew tired of follow the leader a number of years ago and when the leader hails out of the Hendrick camp or is defending series Champion Jimmie Johnson I totally lose interest. I'm over it and ready to see someone else lead and win something. Which is why I am thrilled for Matt Kenseth's 2 for 2 streak he's got going on.

I'm a die-hard Joe Gibbs Racing fan, I want one of my three Toyotas up front, preferably Denny Hamlin every race for every lap. But if that can't happen I'll root for the Roush boys any day. They are all class acts who are talented beyond belief. Their owner may leave a little to be desired but he knows how to get it done. And Kenseth has shown that flashy isn't always the way to get attention.

Denny Hamlin had an impressive sixth place finish, jumping up 13 spots to 14th, just 150 points back of the leader and a mere 13 points out of the top 12 coveted spots to make it into the Chase. Quite a turn around from last week's Daytona 500 crash.

Amazing pit stops, great hustle and a never quit attitude by driver Denny Hamlin showed that the Fed Ex Freight Toyota could hang with the big boys. The real season starts when the haulers roll into Fontana and when Hamlin made his way out on the track he proved that he was ready to race.

The Fed Ex Racing crew heads for the bright lights of Las Vegas this weekend. High roller Hamlin, who proved he had luck on his side with his friendly wagers at the Bud Shootout Selection Show among his Toyota comrades, will be hoping to charm lady luck and attempt to bring home a trophy from the land of the rising son. Sounds appropriate doesn't it?

Denny Hamlin Backs Out Of Sheridan Ridge Deal

Three of the NASCAR celebrities who endorsed the Sheridan Ridge resort development have returned their lots, and the other two have drastically reduced the price paid, county records show.

Quit-claim deeds recorded Dec. 30 indicate that drivers Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart and crew chief Greg Zipadelli gave their lots back to Sheridan Ridge Private Reserve LLC, the North Carolina company formed in 2006 to develop a NASCAR-themed community in the region.

Deeds of correction were entered the same date for their property as well as lots owned by driver Elliott Sadler and FOX Sports personality and former crew chief Jeff Hammond, reducing the price of each lot from $323,205 to $50,000 – just enough to cover the lot release fee.

“Certain infrastructure improvements to the Property were never completed,” according to the deeds of correction, “and the value of the Property on the recording date was actually $50,000.”

Over the last two weeks, none could be reached for comment.

“It sounds like personal business matters and obviously, like any organization, we wouldn’t comment on private matters regarding our employees,” said Chris Helein, of Joe Gibbs Racing, which includes Hamlin and Zipadelli.

No other lots in Sheridan Ridge have been sold, according to county records.

In what has been a controversial project from the start, Sheridan Ridge selected a 1,400-acre site on the steep slopes of Walker and Little Brushy mountains to build a multi-million-dollar residential development with more than 500 houses and a 53-acre “village center” featuring shops and amenities.

Smyth County residents packed a public hearing on rezoning the property. Many saw the development as a potential source of tax revenue and a boon for economic development. But many others were concerned that the project, to be built on steep mountain woodlands, would damage the natural environment and tarnish the community’s rural character.

But in early 2007, the company received the requested rezoning. Later that summer, Sheridan Ridge closed on the $12.7 million land purchase with the help of $6.5 million borrowed from a hedge fund.

Among the marketing features for the development – envisioned by North Carolina home builder Lou Ann Earnhardt, who is not related to the Earnhardt racing family – was a plan that NASCAR celebrities be among the residents.

According to county records, Sadler owns Lot 6 and Hammond owns Lot 9 in the approved subdivision, which is on the side of Walker Mountain and represents the development’s first phase.

Although the subdivision plat and erosion and sediment control plan were filed and approved by Smyth County more than a year ago, there has been no construction on the site.

The latest sign that the project was moving forward came nearly a year ago, when Earnhardt held a March news conference with Hammond, Stewart, Sadler, Hamlin and Zipadelli, all of whom gave their endorsement, along with Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Pat Gottschalk.

Earnhardt said then that building lots would be offered for sale within 60 days.
Representatives of the Sheridan Ridge Private Reserve, including Blacksburg lawyer Jeff Mitchell, who represents the developers, either declined comment or could not be reached to discuss the project’s status.

Mark Martin, chief executive officer of Sheridan Ridge, said recently that the slumping national real estate market has slowed the project.

“The biggest issue over the past 11 to 12 months has been the economy,” Martin said. “Every bank we’ve talked to has basically not been able to offer loans for any developments.”
Bristol Herald Courier