Today is photo shoot day down in New York for Sprint Cup Series Champion, Jimmie Johnson. Remember this photo?

Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus

Seriously, let's hope and pray they don't do a repeat of this pose. I wrote about this wacky pose last year. You can bet I will have my laughs and likely will poke some fun at some of the pictures this year because that's what I do best.

So I'm here. I am alive. I've just been taking a break from the NASCAR scene. It was such a long season. I haven't read any news, read any blogs, or even been on jayski or nascar.com on my little break. I'm not even really ready now. But I did want to drop a line and say hello.

The NASCAR awards ceremony is Friday night. I plan on watching part of it and likely falling asleep but I'll have my dvr set to record the entire thing. It is being televised at 9 p.m. on Friday on ESPN Classic or you can catch it on Monday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. on ESPN2.

Are you planning on watching? I will report back on my thoughts of the event. My updates will be a bit sporadic on the off season. If you're signed up for e-mail updates, then you will know when I post a new entry. If not, come back every now and then to see what kinds of wacky things are going on in my head. I look forward to hearing your comments as well. (they are almost better reading than the posts themselves...)

Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus

sing along...

Schlemeel, schlemazel, Hasenfeffer Incorporated.
We're gonna do it!
Give us any chance, we'll take it.
Give us any rule, we'll break it.
We're gonna make our dreams come true.
Doin' it our way.

HAHAHAHAHA! I couldn't resist. This picture of Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus put the biggest smile on my face and the first thing I thought of... the Laverne and Shirley theme song.

I watched part of the NASCAR awards ceremony. I don't know about you, but I was quite disappointed. David Spade, what can I say? It was almost too painful to watch. He wasn't funny in the slightest.

Kelly Clarkson, well, I've never been much of a fan. There were definitely some technical difficulties with the mic. It sounded really muffled so that didn't help the burning in my ears listening to her.

On a more positive note...

Tom Brokaw's tribute to Bill France Jr. was absolutely touching. His speech was well written and was just so sincere and touching. His personal stories and insight into the France family kept me wanting to hear more and more.

He went on to reflect on other prominent figures in NASCAR who passed this year: Benny Parsons, Bobby Hamilton, Billy Hagan, Ray Cooper, Shav Glick, Joe Collins, Pete Babb, Dennis James, Morris Metcalfe, Mike Klemm, Dr. Bruce Kennedy. I hope that you got a chance to see it. If you didn't, try to make it a point to see it, it was that good.

And per usual, the speeches from each of the drivers were very standard. They thanked all their sponsors and in most cases, the support of their wives. Every now and then they would throw out a one liner that would make me chuckle.

What did you think of the banquet?