Hamlin Wins 3rd Daytona 500

 It was one of the most exciting conclusions to the Daytona 500 in history, albeit overshadowed by

image MRN.COM

the horrible last lap crash that sent Ryan Newman to the hospital with serious injuries.

As the world pensively watched in simultaneous prayer and terror Denny Hamlin won his second

Daytona 500 in as many years. Hamlin barely edged out third generation racer Ryan Blaney for the win.   It was also the second closest finish in 500 history. Hamlin just happens to have been involved in the tightest Daytona finish as well. Overall it was the 3rd Daytona 500 victory for Hamlin. The number 11  led 79 of the race’s 209 laps and picked 50 regular and 10 bonus points for the win. 

   

 Making this win more remarkable is the fact that Hamlin had to start from the back of the pack after NASCAR inspectors found an irregularity during the pre-race inspection on Sunday.  MRN.COM reported that Hamlin had to surrender his 21st starting position and drop to the back of the back. In addition to the starting grid penalty, crew chief Mark Fordham was ejected.    Regardless of the starting circumstances, one thing remains; Hamlin and the rest of Joe Gibbs racing continued their dominance in the Monster Energy Cup Series with a big win among a myriad of  unfortunate and unusual situations.   

 The season takes us to Las Vegas next for the Pennzoil 400.  The race will air on 101.9/96.3 The Ride.   

Full Daytona 500 Results

 Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney had a classic shootout for the one and two spot in Daytona last night with Hamlin taking the win by the second closest margin in the storied history of the Great American Race.  Here are the top ten finishers from Daytona. 

1 #11 Denny Hamlin

2 #12 Ryan Blaney

3 #17 Chris Buescher

4 #36 David Ragan

5 #4 Kevin Harvick

6 #14 Clint Bowyer

7 #62 Brendan Gaughan

8 #32 Corey Lajoie

9 #6 Ryan Newman

10 #42 Kyle Larson

 See the full results at Foxsports.com 

Ryan Newman's Accident As It Unfolded On Twitter

  Ryan Newman's horrific accident in the closing moments of the Daytona 500 captured the nation's attention last night and overtook social media. Newman related topics shot to the top of social trends as various hashtags were used to share the latest information. The following tweets retell the tense and anxious hours that followed as we all awaited some news... good or bad.. Luckily when the news came it was better than most expected, but still worrisome.

 These were the tweets we were all waiting for.

pic.twitter.com/euuHYxPHxj

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 18, 2020

NASCAR provides an update on Ryan Newman. pic.twitter.com/rZpVKyKeRt

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) February 18, 2020

pic.twitter.com/QTIVlzmSWz

— Ryan Newman (@RyanJNewman) February 18, 2020

 Earlier tweets convey the concern we all felt. 

No official word yet. Please join us in sending prayers for @RyanJNewman, @roushfenway, the @FordPerformance family, and all of the larger @NASCAR family. These moments are never easy. #Daytona500 | #NASCAR

— Roush Yates Engines (@roushyates) February 18, 2020

Big prayers for Newman

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) February 18, 2020

Please please please! https://t.co/c6GgGTRqsz

— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) February 18, 2020

Prayers for @RyanJNewman 🙏🏻

— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) February 18, 2020

Rascal Flatts Adds Dates To Farewell Tour

  The good natured guys in Rascall Flatts have announced  more dates in their farewell tour.   The new dates take them to

• Rogers, AR
• Dallas, TX 
• St. Louis, MO 
• Southaven, MS
• Kansas City, MO 
• Welch, MN
• Omaha, NE 
• Dubuque, IA  
• New Orleans, LA 
• Brandon, MS 
• Birmingham AL
• Columbus, OH 

   
They have also added one final show in Nashville on October 30th to end the tour and an entire era of country music.
 Rascal Flatts will visit Darien Lake on September 5th.

Laughing Gas In Childbirth?

 
   A recent TV report claimed that the same laughing gas used by dentists could be effective in the delivery room as well.   Experts have long debated the safety and effectiveness of nitrous oxide being used in childbirth. The topic has become so widely discussed that the mayo clinic has created an FAQ.    The site covers everything from side effects to reasons why some moms are taking this route.  The FAQ Can be found by clicking here.   

Mini Aldeans visit OLD TOWN ROAD

 Jason Aldean's babies know a hit when they hear it.  The Dirt Road Anthem singer's youngsters, Memphis and Navy are seen in an Instagram video going crazy to another song about a road,; the Lil Nas X/ Billy Ray Cyrus hit Old Town Road.

View this post on Instagram

When u go too hard in the paint! @lilnasx @billyraycyrus 🐴

A post shared by Jason Aldean (@jasonaldean) on Feb 17, 2020 at 4:59pm PST

NASCAR is back. Today's Daytona 500 Schedule

Image: USA TODAY

   It all begins again today!  The 2020 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series kicks off with the 62nd running of the Daytona 500.   The festivities are set to begin under sunny Florida skies with driver introductions at 2:15 followed by the invocation and national anthem at 2:53.  The anthem will be  punctuated by a fly over by the US Air Force Thunderbirds. President Trump is giving the command to start engines at  3:06. President Trump is the second sitting president to give the famous command.   George W. Bush was grand marshall in 2004. 
   The 200 lap/ 500 mile race is divided into three stages. The first stage ends on lap 65, the second on 130 and the final stage ends with the waving of the checkered flag.
    Coverage begins at 2:30 on WYDC Big Fox.  You can watch is live online by visiting  https://wydc-tv.com/ and clicking the FOX NOW icon. 

91 Year Old Motivates The World

91 year old LLoyd Black in Alabama was recently named Member of the Month By his gym. The gym’s post has gone viral, making LLoyd a beacon for those looking for motivation. 

  Gym manager Ashley Seaman wrote, “Mr. Black became a part of our anytime family 1 year ago and we have seen nothing but motivation and inspiration from him since he started. He says he is 91 years young and brags about how much his workout routine has helped him in his daily routines”    

 Black told GMA "I had reached the point where simple chores, like yard work, I could no longer do and therefore I started [going to the gym] and it has really helped," said Black. "I am also motivated by my daddy. He was a man who never gave up and so I hope I've inherited some of his traits."

   Black tries to get to the gym 3 times a week his routine includes the leg press, strength training and time on the treadmill.   And he does it all in Overalls!   Click here to read the original story from Good Morning America.

Today's Nashville Music News

     Tanya Tucker is Kicking off the CMT Next Women of Country Tour tonight with special guest Brandi Carlisle.  Carlisle is the first in a lineup or rotating guests including  Aubrie Sellers, Brandy Clark, Erin Enderlin, Hailey Whitters, Madison Kozak, Walker County, and shooter Shooter Jennings.  The tour rolls into Albany May 22nd.

 (source CMT.COM)

   

 Miranda Lambert fans are hoping that she is on the mend after illness forced her to cancel two shows over the weekend in Denver and Salt Lake City. She has promised make good shows in both cities within a month.    Miranda is set to add to an already frenzied week in Kansas City Tomorrow night.  Fans in the Show Me State are waiting with fingers crossed.
  (source Twitter & CMT.COM)

    Billy Ray Cyrus says talks are in motion for a Hannah Montana prequel. The landmark kids tv show relaunched Billy Ray’s career and made Miley Cyrus a household name in the mid 2000s.  Billy Ray says the best part of revisiting Hannah Montana would be getting his mullet back.
 (source: Tasteofcountry.com)


 Get  the latest Nashville Music News every weekday morning at 10:20 on Kickin; Country 105.3 
 Brought to you by Jim's Equipment Repair. 
KICKINCOUNTRY1053.COM

Couple Wins Lottery on Their 70th Anniversary

A North Carolina married couple of 70 years have a weekly ritual. Each Tuesday they drive to the corner store and buy a Cash 5 lottery ticket.  They've played the same numbers for over three decades across multiple states with no luck.  That all changed on their 70th wedding anniversary when their diligence finally paid off in a big way.  At nearly $700,000 in prizes it's safe to say this will be an anniversary they won't forget.  The lucky lovers, James & Maxine told lottery officials that they plan on taking a cruise.

Did Former Bills Make an Impact in the Super Bowl?

Sunday's big game saw a familiar face on the field making major contributions in Kansas City's championship game. Sammy Watkins the 4th overall draft pick by the Bills in 2014 spent two years in Buffalo before being traded to Rams in 2017. Watkins landed in KC for the 2018 season and has been a major player. His Superbowl Performance included 5 receptions for 98 yards. Another familiar face in the form of LeSean McCoy watched from the KC sideline in inured reserve. The Journeyman running back has been tearing up defenses for 11 seasons in NFL having spent most of his career with the Eagles. Shady was traded to the Bills for the 2015 season and become a commodity right out of the gate. McCoy was released just prior to the start of the 2019 regular season and picked up by the eventual champions, The Chiefs. He only took one snap in the playoffs before being made inactive.

My Favorite Super Bowl Commercials 2020

 Here are my favorite commercials from the Super Bowl.   Which one did you dig? 


Google had far and away the best commercial of the night, but the others posted here get an honorable mention for sure.

Stats From the Chiefs' 4th Quarter Come Back

Image: CNN

  It was almost time to flip the channel with 8 minutes left in the Super Bowl when Patrick Mahomes and his stellar teammates engineered one of the most exciting comebacks in recent history.    It is a story that had been told twice before in the this year's post season, but with so much more on the line; An entire city looking to end a 50 year championship drought,  a coach with 206 wins as a head coach...but never a head coaching win in the big game, and a word wide audience wincing at the thought of another super-blowout.   The 24 year old eventual Super Bowl MVP didn't disappoint as the boys from KC racked up successful scoring drives enroute to their 31-20 victory.   The Sporting News broke down the numbers from last night's comeback.   Here are the highlights.


Kansas City’s win on Sunday was their first appearance in the Super Bowl in 50 years and their first as an NFL Team


The Chiefs’ racked up 190 yards in their  final three touchdown drives.  All previous drives only netted 175 yards total vs. Richard Sherman and the rest of the stingy 49ers defense.

The Chiefs' comeback win is tied for the second-largest in Super Bowl history.

Mahomes made history Sunday by becoming the youngest player in NFL history to win Super Bowl MVP honors. At 24 years, 138 days,

  Visit The Sporting News For the Complete Statistical Breakdown of Last Night's Game

Girl Scout Go Getter Sells Across America

Photo:Yahoo News

    7 year old Rory Clark from  Morgantown WV is early on in her Girl Scout Career, but she is already achieving big things.   The first grader has sold cookies in all 50 states in this year's campaign.  She told Yahoo News, “Well, it started at my school [where] we did a postcard exchange and [when] I got home mommy said, ‘Hey, how about we try to sell Girl Scout cookies to every single state?’” Rory tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “I was like, ‘Sure, it’s gonna be kinda challenging, but I think we can do it.’” In addition to traditional face to face selling, Rory also used the available online platform to reach potential buyers.  
  Girl Scouts will be selling their trademark cookies in a neighborhood near you through mid March or early April, depending on the region.  

Coach Gibbs Is A Hall of Fame Double Dipper; NASCAR and Pro Football

image: NBC SPORTS

   Former Redskins coach, three time winning Super Bowl Coach, and 4 time NASCAR Cup Series Championship team owner Joe Gibbs was honored during the NFL 100 Ceremony prior last night's big game, but it wasn't the only honor for the 79 year old sports legend. 
  Gibbs was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC last Friday night.   Joe Gibbs Racing has amassed a total of 8 racing championships (4 in the Cup Series and 4 in the Xfinity Series) and a total of more than 400 trips to victory lane.