The Strike Team

pfont size=3One of our fellow writers herenbsp;is havingnbsp;an important celebration this week. He’s a great writer, a great person, and a great friend to all who know him./font/p
pfont size=3Most of us look forward to his insights, wisdom, and fairness that stretchnbsp;well beyond his years. His ‘Speeding Bullets’ column has become must reading for all discerning NASCAR fans at foxsports.com./font/p
pfont size=3As his profile says, Just call him Gonger. He’s been writing his blogs here for a year now, and I’m proud of how far he’snbsp;advanced with his writing. He’s already surpassed most of us, including yours truly./font/p
pfont size=3The big day? Oh yeah, Gonger is turning 16. That’s a big one for anyone, especially a race fan. /font/p
pfont size=3This is one of the first big steps down the road of life, Gonger. There will be several more that are more important. Enjoy life as it comes to you. One day you’ll look back and these carefree times will be the good old days. You have your whole life in front of you….don’t grow up too fast./font/p
pfont size=3Happy Birthday, brother!/font/pbrbra href=”http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/29/The_Kids_Alright#comments”No Comments/a

p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriAs I turned onto my street I checked under the dash and pulled out my throwdown piece. I saw the Buick up ahead and I pulled up so that my passenger door wasnbsp; two inches away from its driver side door, leaving no room for the driver to exit the silver sedan./font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriI powered down the window about a third of the way and recognized the surprised face in the Buick. Biggun!nbsp; Now I’m wondering if the .38 I had in my hands would even faze that big guy./font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriI yelled over, “You lookin’ for me, Tiny?”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“Yeah, I got something for you.”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“Just hand it through the window.”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriHe tossed a familiar looking manila envelope onto my front seat. Damn! I snatched it up and rifled through it. Nine thousand, nine hundred bucks. All there!/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriThen Biggun told me, “I followed you out last night, just to make sure everything was okay…”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“Great job,” I interrupted./font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“Hey, I never saw the dude pop you until you were falling down. I stopped to check on you and he got away. That envelope fell out of your pocket. I figured that the cops didn’t need to see it,” he continued./font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“Well, thanks for returning it.”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“Don’t thank me, thank the boss.”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriI had to ask, “Dale Jr?”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“The boss,” was all he would say./font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont color=#000000font size=4***nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; /font/font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibri color=#000000 size=4After leaving the bouncer I went inside mynbsp;place to throw some stuff in a bag fornbsp;my flight to Michigan. I called Victoria Lane while packing to give her an update. She seemed more concerned about Jr than my head injury. Nice! /font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriInbsp;then returned the call from the unknown female. It was the waitress from Whisky River. Found out her name is Jennifer.nbsp; She also followed me out of the bar last night to make sure I was okay. Damn, for all those people to be looking out for me, my head sure hurts./font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibri color=#000000 size=4Finally, I called Shaft and told him if he wanted his five Gs he better be at my place in the next three hours. He wasn’t too thrilled when I told him I also needed a ride to the airport. /font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriShaft got to my place in record time. As I opened the door he laughed, “You gettin’ on a plane with that on your head, Ahmed?”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont color=#000000font size=4“What?”nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; /font/font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“You, gettin’ on a plane, with that turban on your head. That’s what.”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“Oh. Maybe I’ll take it off then.”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriFive minutes later, after replacing the bandages with an Amp Racing cap, I was climbing into Shaft’s Escalade for the trip to the airport through Friday afternoon rush hour traffic. The five thousand dollars made him a little happier./font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri***/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriAfter a rough flight through some thunder storms up to Michigan all I wanted was to lay my busted gourd down on a nice, clean pillow. Well, at the Shamrock Motel—- yeah, it’s as classy as it sounds —you get a not so nice, not so clean pillow.nbsp; So, I decided I needed a drink, or seven, to soothe my head and hopefully, make me a little less picky about my room’s linens./font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriI sauntered into Frothy’s— yeah, it’snbsp;as classy as it sounds — and decided to stick with beer tonight. I lucked into a barstool right beside the waitress station and ordered a Blue Moon. The bartendernbsp;seemed like a friendly chap, said his name was CK and asked if I was in town for the races./font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“Yeah, sort of,” I let him know./font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“Any driver in particular you’re pulling for?” He asked./font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“Not really. I’m kind of interested in Dale Jr, though.”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriHe chuckled, “Save your breath, Mister. He won’t be visiting Vicky Lane anytime soon.”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“How’s that? I thought he had a decent shot here?”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriHe leaned over the bar and whispered, “It’s all rigged, man. Just like the WWE.nbsp; NASCAR doesn’t wantnbsp;Jr to see Miss Lane until later in the season, to raise interest in the race to the chase.”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“Okay, Sparky, I think you’ve forgotten the number one rule of bartending….don’t over use the product.”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“Oh, I’m soberer than you, flatfoot. Want some proof?”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“What I really wanted was an orange slice in my Blue Moon Ale, not a lemon wedge, bro”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriHe continued on, “Sorry about that. Here’s your proof. NASCAR has set up an unbelievable finish for Sunday’s race. The top two cars run out of gas on the last lap. Two! And the old geezer Martin gets with Victoria Lane —nbsp;again. Still think that ain’t rigged?”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri“Okay buddy, there is no way NASCAR would think that people would buy that ridiculous ending.”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriCK leaned in again and said, “I have connections, just wait and see.”/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibri***/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriI was at the track on Saturday doing a little snooping when I saw Victoria Lane. What a classic American beauty. I finally caught her alone for a minute and told her about the wild conspiracy theory of NASCAR keeping her and Dale Jr apart. The way she just smiled and nodded her head seemed strange to me./font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=CalibriThe next time I saw Victoria Lane was late Sunday afternoon. Martin was with her after the top two guys ran out of gas on the last lap, just as CK had predicted. The NASCAR guys were all over her so Inbsp;couldn’t get a wordnbsp;in.nbsp;Shenbsp;finally turned and gave me a helpless look./font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibri color=#000000 size=4Why do dames think they can play Hanner with a pretty smile and a kind word? /font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=4font face=Calibrinbsp;/font /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=1font face=Calibrinbsp;/font Previously…/font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont color=#000000font size=1font face=Calibrinbsp;/font /fonta href=http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/12/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye_IVfont size=1http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/12/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye_IV/font/a/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pta href=http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/09/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye_IIIfont size=1http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/09/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye_III/font/a/p
pfont color=#000000/fonta href=http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/02/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye_IIfont size=1http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/02/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye_II/font/a/p
pa href=http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/05/17/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eyefont size=1http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/05/17/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye/font/abr //pbrbra href=”http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/17/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye_V#comments”No Comments/a

p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4Oh, my head. How much did I drink last night? Wait. I recognize that smell. Definitely a hospital. What happened? How did I get here? /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I remember leaving Whiskey River, and walking through the parking lot. That’s all, though. Now I’m lying on a paper sheeted gurney with a couple of rolls of gauze wrapped around my melon. /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I remember meeting Victoria Lane earlier… wait! Where in the hell are the ten Gs!? In my coat. Where’s my coat? /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Nurse!”nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4Considering that it was 4 a.m., in an E.R., the nurse looked pretty decent. Not as hot as the chick that wears the nurse’s outfit at Southern Belles, but pretty nice anyway. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 177.2ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“What is it, sir,” she asked?nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“My coat, where is it?” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“It’s right here on this chair, sir.” /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I tried to get up but I fell back on the gurney as it felt like a truck load of rocks had just been dumped on my head. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Could you get it for me, please?” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4She brought the coat to me. Looked at my bandages, and swiveled on out. I looked in the inside pockets, and suddenly my head didn’t hurt at all. Now the truck load of rocks was on my chest. /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4The envelope full of Benjis was gone! /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4*** /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I heard the heels clicking down the hallway, and even in my condition, I recognized that quick stride. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Well, if it isn’t Mike Hanner. I was wondering if you were still alive. I mean, I’m used to you not calling me for weeks at a time, but it’s been a few months now, Mike,” she started right in. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Hello, Chloe, “ I moaned. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“You can’t be bothered long enough to even leave me a message to let me know that you’re okay. No, I get a call, from a cop, in the middle of the night, saying that you’re in the emergency room,” she continued. “What in the hell is wrong with you, Mike? Hell, what is wrong with me for putting up with your drinking, your cheating, your generally just being an asshole?” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“It’s nice to see you too. Think you might be able to give me a ride home? Come on, Chloe, I miss you. Don’t you miss me?” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Oh, I’ll give you a ride home, Hanner, but that’s all I’ll give you,” she hissed. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I grabbed my coat, and tried to keep up with Chloe as she clicked down the hallway. It was a long, dark, silent ride until I noticed that she wasn’t taking me to my place. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“We’re going to your house,” I asked? /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Of course, who else is going to take care of your sorry ass? One of your strippers? Those hoes don’t want anything to do with you if you’re not waving a fistful of money.” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Just because they’re dancers doesn’t mean they’re hoes,” I corrected her. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4That earned me a look that could have melted more ice glaciers than any of Al Gore’s wild theories. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4*** /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I woke up the next day, in Chloe’s guest bedroom. How nice, I thought as I got up and headed for the kitchen. Thirsty. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4She heard Jenna barking at me and came in to see if I needed anything. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“I’m okay. I could use a ride back to Whiskey River to get my truck,” I told her. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4We piled in her Jag, with the dog, and started out. I knew she was thinking about how to give me the same talk I’ve heard from her five or six times before. The one where she’s not getting any younger, I need to settle down, and get a real job. Yeah, that one. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4So, I beat her to the draw, “I’m sorry, Babe. I’m involved with a case right now that’s taking all my time. I promise when I get back from the race in Michigan, we’ll sit down and discuss the future.” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Now you’re running off to Michigan?” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“I have to. That’s gonna be my best chance to crack this case. If it doesn’t happen there, it may not happen for a long while,” I told her. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4She pulled up behind the El Camino, grabbed my hand and said, “Be careful, Mike.” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I laughed and pointed at the turban of bandages on my head and said, “I always am.” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4Chloe was not amused. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4*** /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I checked my messages on the drive home. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4strongMessage one/strong… 10:20 a.m., Victoria Lane, “Mike, this is Victoria. I couldn’t wait any longer, did you see Dale Jr last night? Is he okay? Please call me as soon as possible. Bye.” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4strongMessage two/strong… 11:48 a.m., unknown female, “Hey…you. Are you okay? I saw them carting you off last night, and I think Inbsp;have some info for you. Call me, 867-5309.” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4strongMessage three/strong…12:33 p.m., Cam Shaft, “Yo, Hanner, where the hell are you? I just rode by your place, there’s a dude in a Buick sitting out front like he’s watching the place. Knowing you, it’s probably just a jealous husband. I need those five biggies, dude. Those twonbsp;vatos I contracted that job out to ain’t as patient as I am, and they wanted to get theirs about a minute ago. Ya hurr?” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4Damn, my head is killing me./font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibri size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibri size=1Part III…/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pta href=http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/09/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye_IIIfont size=1http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/09/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye_III/font/a/pbrbra href=”http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/12/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye_IV#comments”No Comments/a

pfont size=3Kelly Bires is a young, up and coming driver trying to get a foothold in the world of NASCAR. Only 25, Bires started out in Late Models in his home state of Wisconsin. Henbsp;was an ASA Rookie of the Year and series champ. He also has top 5 finishes in NNS and ARCA races./font/p
pfont size=3In 2008, Bires ran every NNS race, and was 13th in the final point standings. The team changed manufacturers and underwent a major overhaul, leaving Bires without a full time ride this year./font/p
pfont size=3Bires will drive the #33 Chevy for KHI in the NNS race this weekend in Kentucky. He came home in fourth place in the KHI Chevy earlier this year in Nashville. /font/p
pfont size=3Bires recently took some time out to answer a few questions regarding his career./font/p
pimg class=media id=fullSizedImage style=WIDTH: 201px; CURSOR: default; HEIGHT: 320px alt=kbmansfield1.jpg Kelly Bires image by oldhippie_2007 src=http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w235/oldhippie_2007/NASCAR/kbmansfield1.jpg galleryimg=no //p
pfont size=3You’re from Wisconsin, home of some great racers. Who was your racing hero growing up? br /br /emquot;Have to say Jeff Gordon. He was onenbsp;I rooted for, until Matt Kenseth started making progress in the NASCAR world. Always have to root for your homestate drivers then.quot;br //embr /You’ve driven for the Wood Bros, JTG, and now Kevin Harvick…who has done the most to advance your career?br /br /emquot;They all have been an important part and all have given me great opportunities to race and show my ablility in a car. I would have to say Wood Brothers and JTG, just because they gave me a shot as an unknown driver.quot;br //embr /Which drivers do you seek out at the track, for advice?br /br /emquot;Mark Martin has always been a great help to me. He’s the one I go to ifnbsp;I have a question or need advice for any siuation I may come across.quot;br /br //emYou have a couple of races scheduled for later this year with KHI, at Kentucky and Memphis. How about the rest of your schedule? Are you looking for more rides, or are you pretty much booked up for the rest of the year?br /br /emquot;I do have two more races for KHI, this weekend in KY and Memphis later in the year. I will also be running Iowa for Braun Racing. As of now, thats allnbsp;I got. Working hard to fill the blank spots in. It’s tough right now.quot;br //embr /You finished fourth in an ARCA race at Talladega in 2006, driving a Ken Schrader-Wood Bros car. Was that your best race so far? And how do you like those huge superspeedways?br /br /emquot;It was my best finish in the couple ARCA races i’ve done. Nashville’s 4th place finish was my best in the Nationwide Series. I do enjoy speedway racing because it really rewards the patient and smart drivers.quot;br //em/font/p
pfont size=3I have to ask this one for the ladies. You are still single, right? Steady girlfriend, or just taking it easy?br /br /emquot;Very single right now. It’s important at thisnbsp;time to get everything with my career right. Then, there will be time for the ladies.quot;br //embr /I know you’re a big Packer fan. Can they win their division this year? Has Favre tarnished his image any by going to the Jets, and not staying retired?br /br /emquot;Absolutely they can win their division. I hate that Brett Favre didn’t retire as a Packer. I believe he hurt his image, but he still gave us a lot of good years, sonbsp;I will for forgive him. I still will watch him play, no matter what team its for.quot;br //embr /Do you have any charities or organizations you work with that you would like to mention?nbsp;We have some very generous and caring readers.br /br /emquot;I work directly with Speedway Children’s Charity and The Samaritians Feet Organization. Both excellent Charities that serve great purposes.quot;/em/font/p
pfont size=3Thanks, Kelly, and good luck in the future.br //fontfont size=3emnbsp;/em/font br /br //pbrbra href=”http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/11/Exclusive_Kelly_Bires_Interview#comments”No Comments/a

pfont size=3Tony Stewart wins his first race as an owner/driver. Reports say that Jeremy Mayfield had Meth in his system. Kyle Busch smashed a guitar./font/p
pfont size=3All NASCAR news items from the past week. Guess which one is getting the mostnbsp;gloss on the web, on the radio, on TV? That’s right, the earthshattering event of Kyle smashing a trophy guitar./font/p
pfont size=3Most of the time the clueless bash Kyle for demanding that his crew be the best. Now, he smashes a guitar…specificaly to give the crew a ‘piece’ of the trophy…and, that is wrong too! /font/p
pfont size=3He smashed that guitar, while cameras were rolling, for the shock value. And, Rube Nation ate it up. Free advice for the clueless, if you want to hurt Kyle….IGNORE him. No booing, just total silence. Thatnbsp;would really eat away at him./font/p
pfont size=3He thrives on your booing, and all the overblown attention for any meaningless thing he does, like the guitar smash. He takes his bow after each victory just to get the boo birds fired up, and they play right into his hands. /font/p
pfont size=3He works you guys just like a piece of Play-Doh. It really is a joy just to sit back and watch NASCAR’s version of Pavlov’s act./font/p
pfont size=3This puppet master is only 24 years old, and has his ‘puppets’ saying that he is the one who needs to ‘grow up’ or .mature’. Really? /fontfont size=3One more McMurray, Sorenson, Sadler…just what we need. Albeit, one with talent, though. /font/p
pfont size=3So, keep up the booing, rubes. He loves it, and a lot of us love a good puppet show./font/pbrbra href=”http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/10/Pile_on_Kyle#comments”No Comments/a

p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4It was after nine by the time I made it to Whiskey River, the bar where my informants told me that Dale Jr sometimes hung out. Damn, this place is packed.nbsp;I finallynbsp;parked the El Camino around back next tonbsp;a dumpster, and headed for the front door. /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4As I made my way closer to the entrance, I couldn’t help but notice that the dress of choice for these patrons was Levis, NASCAR sponsor logoed golf shirts, running shoes, and the ubiquitous ball caps. I felt a little overdressed in my slacks and sport coat. /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4Once at the door, I nodded at the three slabs of beef, all wearing the standard two sizes too small, black, staff, tee shirts.nbsp;/font/font/p
pfont size=4nbsp;/fontfont face=Calibrifont size=4I asked them, “Which way to the gun show, boys?” No one smiled. Tough crowd. /font/font/p
pfont face=Calibrifont size=4I tried again, “Dale Jr been around tonight?” /font/font/p
pfont face=Calibrifont size=4The smallest one of the three, who I’ll call Biggun snorted, “Haven’t seen him, mister.” /font/font/p
pfont face=Calibrifont size=4“If you do, could you tell him that Mike Hanner is looking for him?” I asked. /font/font/p
pfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Will do, Chief,” Biggun replied with a sneer somewhere south of contempt. /font/font/p
pfont face=Calibrifont size=4I moseyed on inside andnbsp;belined for the bar. I elbowed my way up the rail, waved an AJ, and told the biggest bartender, who I’ll call Chesty, “Jose Gold, straight up, please.” /font/font/p
pfont face=Calibrifont size=4Chesty made it back with my shot, and I told her, “Keep the change. You been working here long?” /font/font/p
pfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Too long, Sweetie.”nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; /font/font/p
pfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Yeah, I’ve heard that before. You know Dale Jr?” /font/font/p
pfont face=Calibrifont size=4She smiled, “Oh, yes, he’s a sweetheart.” /font/font/p
pfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Is henbsp;here tonight?” /font/font/p
pfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Haven’t seen him, Hon.” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Okay, thanks,” I tossed back as I walked away from the bar, and out into the club. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4My eyes were now adjusted to the dim lights, and I was scanning the room for a friendly face. I noticed the long, black hair cascading down the bareback of a cocktail waitress, and knew that Inbsp;recognized her from somewhere. When she finally turned around I was right behind her. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4Her eyes lit up like a cash register as she recognized me and said, “Hey… you.” /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Well, hey yourself, babe. I haven’t seen you since you were at the Gold Club. How long have you been here?” /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“A couple of months now,” she smiled with that fake, buy me a new car, stripper smile. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I looked over her shoulder and saw Chesty and one of the bouncers having a conversation at the bar while looking at me and the ex-stripper. They didn’t seem too happy. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I continued on with, what the hell is her name, “So, babe, you know Dale Jr?” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Oh yes,” she purred as that cash register smile lit up again. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Seen him lately?” /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Yes, he in the VIP section, and that bitch, Roxxi, is working his table tonight.” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Can you get me in there to see him?” /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Sure thing, babe,” she said as I could tell by the look in her eyes that this would require some grease. So I peeled a Benj off of the stack I’d picked up from Victoria Lane earlier. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4Cash register eyes took me by the hand and led me into the VIP room, right by another security guy that looked like the Incredible Hulk. That is if the Hulk was smaller and had that same strange spray-on orange tint as this dude. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4The waitress led me right up to Dale’s table. He was sipping a Bud, and holding court with two other guys and three girls. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I introduced myself, “Dale, I’m Mike Hanner, and I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions?” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Sure, man,” Dale smiled, and nodded for the others to clear out. “There you go, sit down, dude. I heard you was tryin’ to find me. What’s up?” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I sat down, and could feel the Orange Hulk’s stare on the back of my neck. Jr nodded towards the Hulk to let him know that everything was okay. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I led off, “Dale do you remember Victoria Lane?” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4He grimaced, “Well, it has been a while, but who could forget her?” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Yes, I’ve met her, she is unforgettable,” I continued, “She misses you, Dale, and she wants to see you.” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4His voice raised slightly, “You think I don’t miss her, and want to see her? Damn, If it was up to me, I’d be living with her. Just tell her I do want to see her, but it’s gotta be on my terms.” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I felt the clamp of the Hulk’s paw on my shoulder and I started to rise so he wouldn’t break anything. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4Dale put his head down as Hulk said, “That’s it, let’s go.” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I saw the ex-stripper by the bar, looking the other way, as Hulk escorted me to the front door. I noticed that only one of the three meatheads was there now. /font/fontfont face=Calibrifont size=4I was almost to my truck when I heard someone behind me. As I turned, I never saw the large silhouette step out from behind the dumpster. I did hear the thwack of Louisville Slugger on the side of my head, though. Then, nothing. /font/font/p
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pfont face=Calibri size=4nbsp;/font/p
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pfont face=Calibri size=1Part II…./font/p
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pufont color=#800080 size=1a href=http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/02/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye_IIhttp://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/02/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye_II/a/font/u/p
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pfont size=1Part I…/font/p
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pufont color=#800080 size=1a href=http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/05/17/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eyehttp://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/05/17/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye/a/font/ua href=http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/02/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye_II/a/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont size=4font face=Calibri/font/font/pbrbra href=”http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/09/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye_III#comments”No Comments/a

p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4Bam. Bam. Bam. /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4My eyes tried to open, made it about halfway, then closed again. Damn, those four or five tequilas from last night were still lingering. Okay, who am I kidding, it was more like four or five em style=mso-bidi-font-style: normalhours/em of tequila. /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4Bam. Bam. Bam. Bam. /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4‘Who in the hell can that be,’ I thought. /font/fontfont face=Calibrifont size=4I noticed the redhead as I struggled out of bed. ‘Not bad, Hanner, almost a dime. I hope this isn’t some jealous boyfriend beating on my front door.’ /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I looked out the peep hole, and lowered my gat, as I recognized that familiar scowl. /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“C’mon in, Shaft,” I slurred, while I was unlocking the door. /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“What’s up, Jim?” he started. /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Why are you beating down my door at the crack of noon?” /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“I got some good news for you, cuz.” /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“All right, let’s hear it, Cam.” /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“You know that female’s case, the one where she wanted dude’s cousin to disappear?” /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Yeah, Victoria Lane,” I smiled, as I remembered her leaving my office three weeks ago. “Yeah, Dale Jr’s cousin.” /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“It’s done, man. Dude is buried,” Shaft whispered. /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“What? No, no, no. He wasn’t supposed to get clipped,” I nervously hissed back. /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Be cool, man. He’s alive. He’s buried in something called Ramp;D.” /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I asked, “What the hell is Ramp;D?” /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Let’s just say that she won’t be seeing the cousin around anymore,” Shaft replied. /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“All right, dude. How much is it gonna cost her,” I queried. /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Five thousand.”nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“ Okay Shaft, I’ll call her and set up a meet to get the money for you.” /font/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4Shaft made sure to tell me, “Cash is King, Homes. Ya feel me?” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Yeah, yeah, I got it, man.” /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I let Shaft out, and grabbed some Gatorade and Motrin for my headache. Damn, I might have to upgrade this thing from hangover, to hangaround. Meanwhile, I might as well put that Private Investigations degree from the Devrie Institute to use, and go see how that redhead got tangled up in my sheets. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; **** /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I finally made it to my office around two, and looked up Victoria Lane’s digits. I felt like a high school kid rehearsing what I was going to say before I called her. What is wrong with me? /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I could feel me face flushing as I heard her phone ringing through the receiver. “Hello,” she said. /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Hi, Miss Lane, this is Mike Hanner with some good news.” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Please call me Victoria.” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Okay. I have good news on the Dale Jr missing person case.” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“That’s wonderful,” she purred. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4And now, for some reason, my heart is pumping warm, melted butter through my veins. Great. Get a hold of yourself, man. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I composed myself and told her, “My friends have taken care of Dale Jr’s cousin. He won’t be the one keeping you two apart anymore.” /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“That is great news, Mr Hanner.” /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Please, call me Mike. Can I meet you somewhere later to pick up the payment for my friends,” I asked? /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Sure, just tell me when and where,” she replied. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I started, “Well, a few of my informants in Foxtown have told me that Jr sometimes hangs out at a place called Whiskey River. So, I’m checking it out later tonight. We could meet there about…” /font/font/p
pfont size=4/font/p
p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4She interrupted me, “That’s not a good idea. If Jr is there, I’d rather not see him on his turf. I’d rather him come see me. I really don’t want him to know that I’m looking for him. I am a lady.” /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Okay then. How about the west parking lot at South Park Mall at eight-thirty tonight?” /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Alright, I’ll be there,” she let me know. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Good. The cousin disappearing is going to cost you ten thousand dollars, cash. Bring it in a manila envelope, and I’ll have a detailed expense report for my first two weeks on the case. You can mail me a check for that,” I told her. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; *** /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I saw her Mercedes as I rounded the back corner of the mall at 8:15. I pulled up beside her and rolled down the window of my El Camino. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Sorry I’m late,” I began. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“It’s alright, I just got here myself.” /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Look these parking lots have mobile guards and video cameras everywhere, let’s make this handoff quick,” I told her. “Here are my daily updates on the case and my expense reports.” /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4She took them through the window, and handed me a 5×7 manila envelope that was stuffed like a small piece of carryon luggage. /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I told her, “Thanks. I’m heading to Whiskey River to see if I can get a word with Dale. Sure you don’t want to be my escort? Uh, not that I think you’re an escort, or anything. Sorry, I meant, are you sure you don’t want to go just to, maybe get a look at him.” /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“No, no I better not. I might get all emotional and start crying or something.” /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I left her with, “That’s cool. I’ll let you know what I find out at Whiskey River.” /font/font/p
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I flipped through the cache of hundred dollar bills in the envelope as I idled the Chevy through the parking lot towards Independence Boulevard. I turned left on Indy, and gunned the cherry bomb El Camino towards the Charlotte skyline. /font/font/pbrbra href=”http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/02/Mike_Hanner_Private_Eye_II#comments”No Comments/a

p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4Bam. Bam. Bam.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4My eyes tried to open, made it about halfway, then closed again. Damn, those four of five tequilas from last night were still lingering. Okay, who am I kidding, it was more like four or five hours of tequila.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4Bam. Bam. Bam. Bam.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4‘Who in the hell can that be,’ I thought.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I noticed the blonde as I struggled out of bed. ‘Not bad, Hanner, hope this isn’t some jealous boyfriend beating on my front door.’ I looked out the peep hole, and lowered my gat, as I recognized that familiar scowl.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“C’mon in, Shaft,” I slurred, while I was unlocking the door.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“What’s up, Jim?” he started.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Why are you beating down my door at the crack of noon?”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“I got some good news for you, cuz.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“All right, let’s hear it, Cam.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“You know that female’s case, the one where she wanted that dude’s cousin to disappear?”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Yeah, Victoria Lane,” I smiled, as I remembered her leaving my office three weeks ago. “Yeah, Dale Jr’s cousin.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“It’s done, man. Dude is buried,” Shaft whispered.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“What? No, no, no. He wasn’t supposed to get clipped,” I nervously hissed back.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Be cool, man. He’s alive. He’s buried in something called Ramp;D.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I asked, “What the hell is Ramp;D?”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Let’s just say that she won’t be seeing the cousin around anymore,” Shaft replied.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“All right, dude. How much is it gonna cost her,” I queried.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 124.35ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Five thousand.”nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“ Okay Shaft, I’ll call her and set up a meet to get the money for you.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4Shaft made sure to tell me, “Cash is King, Homes. Ya feel me?”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Yeah, yeah, I got it, man.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I let Shaft out, and grabbed some Gatorade and Motrin for my headache. Damn, I might have to upgrade this thing from hangover, to hangaround. Meanwhile, I might as well put that Private Investigations degree from Phoenix College to use, and go see how that blonde got tangled up in my sheets.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4****
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I finally made it to my office around two, and looked up Victoria Lane’s digits. I felt like a high school kid rehearsing what I was going to say before I called her. What is wrong with me?
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I could feel me face flushing as I heard her phone ringing through the receiver. “Hello,” she said.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Hi, Miss Lane, this is Mike Hanner with some good news.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Please call me Victoria.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Okay. I have good news on the Dale Jr missing person case.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“That’s wonderful,” she purred.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4And now, for some reason, my heart starts pumping warm, melted butter through my veins. Great. Get a hold of yourself, man.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I composed myself and told her, “My friends have taken care of Dale Jr’s cousin. He won’t be the one keeping you two apart anymore.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“That is great news, Mr Hanner.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Please, call me Mike. Can I meet you somewhere later to pick up the payment for my friends,” I asked?
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Sure, just tell me when and where,” she replied.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I started, “Well, a few of my informants in Foxtown have told me that Jr sometimes hangs out at a place called Whiskey River. So, I’m checking it out later tonight. We could meet there about…”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4She interrupted me, “That’s not a good idea. If Jr is there, I’d rather not see him on his turf. I’d rather him come see me. I really don’t want him to know that I’m looking for him. I am a lady.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Okay then. How about the west parking lot at South Park Mall at eight thirty tonight?”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Alright, I’ll be there,” she let me know.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Good. The cousin disappearing is going to cost you ten thousand dollars, cash only. Bring it in a manila envelope, and I’ll have a detailed expense report for my first two weeks on the case. You can mail me a check for that,” I told her.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I saw her Mercedes as I rounded the back corner of the mall at 8:15. I pulled up beside her and rolled down the window of my El Camino.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Sorry I’m late,” I began.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“It’s alright, I just got here myself.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“Look these parking lots have mobile guards and hard video cameras everywhere, let’s make this handoff quick,” I told her. “Here are my daily updates on the case and my expense reports.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4She took them through the window, and handed me a 5×7 manila envelope that was stuffed like a Christmas turkey.
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I told her, “Thanks. I’m heading to Whiskey River to see if I can get a word with Dale. Sure you don’t want to be my escort? Uh, not that I think you’re an escort, or anything. Sorry, I meant, are you sure you don’t want to go just to, maybe get a look at him.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4“No, no I better not. I might get all emotional and start crying or something.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I left her with, “That’s cool. I’ll let you know what I find out at Whiskey River.”
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p class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 10ptfont face=Calibrifont size=4I flipped through the cache of hundred dollar bills in the envelope as I idled the Chevy through the parking lot towards Independence Boulevard. I turned left on Indy, and gunned the old El Camino towards the Charlotte skyline.
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pfont face=Calibri size=4nbsp;/font/p/pbrbra href=”http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/06/01/test#comments”No Comments/a

pfont size=3I’m hearing a lot of rumors today concerning annbsp;upcomingnbsp;Dale Earnhardt Jr crew chief change. The new chief could be in place as early as this week when the team gets to Dover./font/p
pfont size=3Tony Eury Sr is the name being thrown around to step up to the Sprint Cup level for HMS (he currently chiefs the #88 NNS car for HMS). The interesting part is that Tony Eury *Jr* is Dale Jr’s chief right now.nbsp;How’d you like to be thrown out, and replaced by your old man? However, execs at HMS know how classless it would be to have a father replace an underperforming son./font/p
pfont size=3So, unnamed sources are saying that Eury Sr willnbsp;go, notnbsp;to Dale Jr’s team, but to Mark Martin’s team. That would leavenbsp;Martin’s crew chief, nbsp;Alan Gustafson, to report for duty as Dale Jr’s new man. Gustafson already has led Martin to two wins this year./font/p
pfont size=3Inbsp; look for this new chemistry to help some…..Jr couldn’t do much worse, could he? But, unless Chad Knaus is swapping teams, and coming to Jr, don’t expect too much, Nation. In fact, I suggest coming up with some new suspects to blame Jr’s struggles on./font/p
pfont size=3Also hearing that Humpy Wheeler is going to be the new head man at Indy Motor Speedway. This would certainly be some welcome news for Indy NASCAR fans. Humpy has worked with tire companies in the past, and that may help him deal with Goodyear’s troubles at the Brickyard./font/pbrbra href=”http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/05/27/Jr_Nation_gets_its_Wish#comments”No Comments/a

pfont size=3It seems like each year I’ve come tonbsp;recognize Memorial Day not as a three day party, but more and morenbsp;as a time to remember the heroes who sacrificed so that we can be free to have three day parties./font/p
pfont size=3No matter who we voted for, or who are favorite teams are, we are Americans first, last, and always. You can run down someone’s favorite player, or driver, but if you run down our flag, damnit, you’ll have to leave. /font/p
pfont size=3Walter ‘Bud’ Moore was born in 1925 in Spartanburg, SC. He was part of the the largest invasion ever on June 6, 1944 when he splashed ashore at Utah Beach./font/p
pfont size=3Imagine being a 19 year old country boy moving a couple of hundred yards through the cold sea water, into the face of withering enemy fire. Not questioning why me? Or, what am I doing here? Just doing nbsp;the right thing with no complaints./font/p
pfont size=3Bud Moore would stay in Europe through the end of World War II. He followed Patton to Bastogne to rescue the 101st Airborne. Moore earned fivenbsp;Purple Heartsnbsp;and two Bronze Stars for Valor./font/p
pfont size=3Bud made it back to South Carolina, where he started racing dirt track cars in the late 1940s. He became a NASCAR Cup team owner in the late 1950s./font/p
pfont size=3His team won two Cup championships, 1962, 1963, with Joe Weatherly driving. Bud Moore Engineering won 63 races with drivers such as Dale Earnhardt, Bobby Allison, Buddy Baker, and Ricky Rudd. /font/p
pfont size=3The multi-car teams of the 1990s were the beginning of the end for Moore, and his one-carnbsp;team folded in 2001. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame earlier this year./font/p
pfont size=3Bud Moore was the epitome of hard work, perseverance, class, and ingenuity. Whether at the race track, or on the battlefield. Thank you, Bud./font/p
pfont size=3/font/pbrbra href=”http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Hanahan/2009/05/20/Remembering_the_Heroes#comments”1 Comment/a