Tough: Wow – the CNN debate last week was marshmallow fluff compared to MSNBC’s debate tonight. Tim Russert is going after both these candidates and calling them on their inconsistencies and lack of clarity. No warm and fuzzy here…

Racing!: IndyCar is testing in Homestead FL this week, and tomorrow we get a news conference with more details on the absorption of the ChampCar series and probably more information on how many teams and drivers will be participating this season. Looking forward to getting down to the season – just a month away!

It Has Happened!: One open wheel series…Finally!

She’s Out!: My boss told us today that she’s leaving the company and her last day is Friday. Just when it looked like there was going to be some sanity to our schedules with enough writers to cover everything…well, I hope they backfill her position quickly, because all the sudden, we’re full up with her projects! When I joined in 2004, we were a few contractors that eventually got hired full time, along with my boss to lead us. Now, I’m the last of that crew left. Durable? Or crazy? LOL!

Still Waiting: Still no official word that the IRL and ChampCar have united, but all signs point that way. Last word is there will be a press conference on Thursday. This is going to be interesting. Very enlightening to hear Robin Miller and Darryl Waltrip talking on Wind Tunnel about how Bill France encourage Tony George to split from CART (now ChampCar). Waltrip called it a “divide and conquer” tactic and that France drove NASCAR right by open when racing once it was split. Here’s hoping Tony George has learned from this folly (leave France for the French!). Meantime, ChampCar’s three (or four) amigos – the owners known as KK, GF, DP and PG – look like Keystone Cops the last few years, trying to prop up a losing proposition after CART died in bankruptcy court. The Crappies on Crapwagon.com, a bunch of diehard ChampCar fans, are already predicting that Penske, Ganassi, Andretti Green, Rahal and others will do their best to regain control of the whole thing once it’s back together. Not sure if it will happen, or in time to save open wheel, but it sounds more promising than what the two series have seen lately.

Just Do It: Word’s out that IndyCar and Champ Car will merge for this season, and we should get the official announcement today or tomorrow. If so, 2008 will be a bumpy ride, moving races around on the schedule and getting used to all the new teams and drivers, some of whom have never run on ovals. My sincerest hope is that a plan is drawn up and put in place to really start marketing this new unified series correctly in 2009 and beyond. Neither Champ Car or the IndyCar series has been properly marketed, so hiring a real firm and putting a big spend behind it will be vital. It should be very interesting to watch…

Dizzying: Man, some of my open wheelers defecting to NASCAR has presented me with a real learning curve. There are so many drivers in each series, so many team owners and crew chiefs to learn about. And the whole thing has been a roller coaster ride. Loved to see Junior get the shootout and duels wins and start off so well with his new team. Was great to see Smoke win the Nationwide race. Thrilled that John Andretti raced his way into the 500. But was bummed that Erik Darnell got knocked out of the truck race and crushed that Boris Said didn’t make the 500. I’m a bit immobilized at the moment (long story related to my surgery two years ago) so I guess I’ll be able to watch the whole race tomorrow…all 80 million hours of it. *grin* Hope Dario Franchitti does well tomorrow – he’s the main reason I’m watching this whole thing.

Sweets for My Sweets: Last night I baked about 100 cookies for my coworkers, and today we decorated them with frostings and sprinkles and ate way too many throughout the day. Felt like I spent the whole day in insulin shock. *grin*

On A Roll: Barack Obama has swept eight primaries since Saturday. He looks pretty comfortable with a broom. *grin*

BART Blues: One of my direct reports takes BART to work, and lately she’s being followed by an older Latino man. She’s been taking different trains, hopping off at transfer points, and he follows. Yesterday, he walked up to hear and said, “Taking a detour, I see.” She’s gotten BART police involved and has started driving to work occasionally, but I’m worried about her. It’s a pretty brutal commute and the train is a better option for her than driving every day. I hope the guy leaves her alone so she can do what’s best for her. Creep.

Adorable:  This photo is featured on “mlive: Everything Michigan” blog.

Money!: So, yesterday I set up my donation page on Barack Obama’s site, and established a goal to raise $1000 for him. Today, I awoke to an email notifying me of my first donation – a generous one from my favorite singing goatherd. I hope we all see the “returning sun” of cooperation, dignity and honor to the White House.

Merger!:  OMFG. OMFG!!!! I’m trying so hard not to get excited about this, but the second email I read today, from TrackSide Online, carried news of a last minute push to unite the Indy Racing League and the Champ Car World Series for this season. Robin Miller broke the story late last night and isn’t a done deal – there are a ton of details to work out. It may not be possible at this late date, but it seems all parties are preparing to do everything they can to make it happen. I’m trying to keep my hopes at an even keel, but this looks like the best chance we’ve had to merge our open wheel series and end the feud and start mending the damage. I’ll be watching this closely the next few weeks…

Toss Up: Okay, so it’s more clear on the GOP side – McCain’s looking pretty good there – but Super Tuesday decided nothing as far as establishing a front runner in the Democratic race. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton spent a whole lotta money to decide a whole lotta nothing yesterday – this race is still on. One of the things I love about our times and this election season is how many people are engaged and how they are expressing themselves. Witness this video by the Conventioneers:

Eli’s Arrived, Actually: I wasn’t into this Superbowl as much as the last one, but it’s awfully cool to see Eli Manning follow in his brother Peyton’s footsteps and get the Superbowl MVP along with a ring and a nice new ride. Turned on the TV in the 4th quarter and I’m glad I did. What a finish! Wonder if Eli will drop the green flag on the Indy 500 like Peyton did last time…that would just be perfect!

Is it March Yet?: I’m seriously jonesin’ for open wheel racing to start. And Grand-Am sportscars and ALMS. Even Formula 1. I may even break down and watch the Daytona 500 here in a couple of weeks, just to see some wheels turn. I still have the Chili Bowl pay-per-view on my DVR – I guess I’ll have to get dirty with that again! *grin*

Baker, Baker: Made some majorly-tasty sweet bread yesterday and a nice sourdough today. Starter Joe’s getting tarter – I imagine by summer, my sourdough will be killer!