(Nehalem Winery)

Today we made a pit stop at a local Nehalem Bay winery, the Nehalem Winery.

I was impressed with their red wines. The Merlot was uncharacteristically smooth. There was no biting after taste associated with the Merlot.

Both the Pinot Noir and the Cabernet Sauvignon were equally full flavored and smooth, as well!

Although this is not the Napa, Sonoma, or Mendicino Valley, the Nehalem Wimery wines are very flavorful and full bodied!

Til next time, ROGER, WILCO, OVER, and OUT!

Sent from Leon Hammack's smoking' iPhone!

Well it has been about 33 years since I have been to some AMA flat track motorcycle races, and tonight I am at the Petaluma Speedway taking in some bike races!

It is really cool to watch the riders lay their bikes, and let the foot pegs drag. The boys were handle bar to handle bar and really "twisting the wick"!

So far this summer vacation has been extremely fun, as well as relaxing.

For now it's Roger, Wilco, Over, and Out!

Sent from Leon Hammack's smoking' iPhone!

(all that's missing is you!)

We stopped at the Russian River Winery Friday. We tried some of their wines, both white and red. What I found to be intriguing was that their Red Zinfandel was quite intriguing!

This area is known for it's pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, however, this particular winery produces a very flavorful Red Zinfandel.

It is a 2009 vintage sold under the label of "Chester" Zinfandel:
Redwood Valley with a price tag of $23. This product is named after the "winery pooch". The label has his picture, Chester, on it!!

More to come about the Russian River Valley and the associated wineries in the area!

Sent from Leon Hammack's smoking' iPhone!

Brad Paisley just finished his four song set at Daytona International Speedway. His song set consisted of "This is Counteu Music", Mud On The
Tires","American Saturday Night", & "Water".

He rocked the Speedway crowd this afternoon!! Note to me: Got to go see his show!

From high up in the Sprint Cup Tower, Roger,Wilco,Over,and Out!

Sent from Leon Hammack's smoking' iPhone!

The excitement is building here at the track for, what is a sad but historic occasion, the tenth anniversary of the death of "The Inmidator", Dale Earnhardt,Sr.

The story lines for the finish of today's race could be the ultimate feel good stories The first possibility, can Michael Waltrip return to victory lane like he did on that fateful Sunday afternoon on February, 2001? The second story line, can Dale, Jr. win his second Daytona 500?

Either of those two results would result in a highly emotionally charged fan base celebration! In either case, all would be well in NASCAR country!

So from high up in the Sprint Cup Tower. I am still working on my REDNECK!
Sent from Leon Hammack's smoking' iPhone!

Good morning race fans!

As you can see, the race track is getting all the final equipment in place for the Brad Paisley pre race concert, as well as the driver intros.

For those who have never made the pilgrimage to Daytona, the atmosphere is electric, the fans are energized, and excitement is in the air! Today's race promises to deliver intensity and excitement for the fans.

The underlying story line is the 10th anniversary of Dale Earnhardt,Sr's death. As we all remember, it was in the last turn of the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 that the tragedy occurred, forever impacting motor sports.

Can Michael Waltrip visit victory lane as he did for his very first time on the bone chilling Sunday afternoon? Can Dale Earnhardt,Jr. win his second Harley J. Earl trophy, a fitting tribute to his father, The Intimidator!

Those questions and many more will be answered in about 6 hours. So tune into "The Great American Race" to see what unfolds!

Til next time, I am still working on my REDNECK!

This message is sent to via Leon Hammack's smokin iPhone!

It is the final practice for the Sprint Cup cars before the Daytona 500. They have paired up onto those"two car tangos" that become all too familiar this week!

The crews are making those last minute adjustments that they hope will get their cars faster. But one fact that prevails, two Toyotas together are not very fast! They need a Ford to push them!

This weekend has already produced a "feel good" story with Michael Waltrip winning in the Camping World Truck race Friday night! Could there be more stories like that to come?

Stay tuned to see....

Til next time, I am still working on my Redneck!
Sent from Leon Hammack's smoking' iPhone!

Live from the "World Center of Speed", the Daytona International Speedway, today is final practice for the Sprint Cup cars for Sunday's Daytona 500. Additionally, today the Nationwide Series races in "The Drive 4 COPD 300. The weather is ripe for a fast and exciting car race in about two hours.

See you after the races!

Sent from Leon Hammack's smoking' iPhone!

It's about 90 minutes before the green flag flies for the Camping World Truck race here at the Daytona International Speedway.

As you can see, they are preparing the stage for the driver introductions coming shortly.

The weather has been excellent today! It should make for a very exciting and fast race to open up the 2011 NASCAR season!

Til next time, I am still working on my REDNECK!

Sent from Leon Hammack's smoking' iPhone!

The Nationwide cars just finishing qualifying for tomorrow's race. It is about two hours til the Camping World Trucks open up their season with their NextEra 250 race under the lights at Daytona.

Til next time, I will see you at the track!

Sent from Leon Hammack's smoking' iPhone!