Full Throttle

Just got stranger!

I think everyone would agree the Chase has been out of the ordinary so far. The last two events have produced more movement within the top twelve than a high speed elevator in Chicago’s Sears Tower.

But no one, I repeat no one could have predicted the qualifying order for Sunday’s Talladega event.

Mikey Waltrip on the pole!

“Jet Fuel” Mikey. The same Mikey that has had trouble getting out of his own way for much of the season. The same Mikey that is a “proud” owner of a very used up SUV and became a poster boy for tree huggers everywhere as an example of what not to do with your local flora.

That Mikey. On the pole. In a Toyota! At Talladega!

But wait it gets stranger. All three of Mikey’s Toyotas are in the starting field. (I think the Earth’s magnetic field just reversed!)

And Mikey’s dancing partner on the front row is a Toyota with Dave Blaney at the wheel. And they’re only two of the FIVE, count’em five Toyotas in the top ten!

One of which is driven by someone that has been the object of so much column space this week his name produces more Google hits than this weeks latest Pop-Tart escapade.

Jacques Villeneuve. Qualified. In. Sixth. Place.

But WAIT… there’s more.

The top eight qualifiers all are permanent residents of the Below 35 Crew and had to make the field on time.

This isn’t just strange. It’s positively Rod Serling-like.

Certainly congrats go out to Mikey and the rest of the Below 35 Crew who will lead the field under the green Sunday, but I have one hope.

A single wish to be granted.

I wish the powers that be ensure Mikey has an in car camera installed for the race.

I want to see if Mikey is playing the part of Bob Wilson and he spots a gremlin outside his window net and has entered “the darkest corner of the Twilight Zone.”