All is well in my NASCAR world!!

Last night Junior was able to prove that he still does have the talent and drive to make back to Victory lane! Thanks to his Hendrick teammate Jimmie Johnson who gave him the push that he needed Junior was able to cross the finish line ahead of Tony Stewart who was leading until the last lap. This was Junior's first race with his new Hendrick team. His #88 Amp Energy/National Gaurd Chevrolet.

I have followed Junior for as long as he's been racing. Last year was a hard year for him. I think that I can speak for all his true fans when I say, we missed that smile. Ya he smiled and was happy at times but his true smile was missing and has been missing for some time. That smile and confidence that has been missing is back.

I don't think that I ever relized how well the Hendrick teams work together. Last night I seen how well they work together though. When Junior broke away Jimmie, Jeff and Casey (when they were near each other) went with him. As well as Junior followed them when he was near them.

So what does this win mean to us Junior fans? Well to me it shows that the Junior we love to root for has his confidence in himself back. I don't think that it ever really left but I think it maybe got lost a little last year. Now no the Budweiser Shootout isn't a points race but it showed Junior, his new team, his new car owner and all his fans that the talent he has is still there. Of course I picked him to win last night but I truely thought that he really would win. Rick Hendrick hired him a great driver last year.

It was also great listening to Junior's in car radio to hear Rick Hendrick come on before the race started then again after the race ended. I know that is one of the things that Junior was looking for, a owner that was around at the track. It shows that Rick cares about his drivers. I'm not saying that the owners at DEI don't care but I think that being at the track and on the radio is a comforting feeling for those drivers.

Last night was the first of hopefully a lot more wins to come! He was interviewed this afternoon on the qualifying show and he said that he was most looking forward to going home for a few days and celebrating with his mom and his sister. Kelley was and instrumental part of him being with Hendrick and for him having the #88. Kelley is not only his sister but his business manager as well. She also works at JR Motorsports with him. He's close to his family so I'm not surprised that he wants to hurry home to see the joy that I know they will have on thier faces as well!

Take care!