This is the Statt Mann Baby!! Time to Scatt a little bit.

Fascinating conversations last night in the media center at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale. Both could involve you.

Say you could only watch one race a year. Which one would it be? Daytona? Indy? Monaco? Lemans? A World Rally Championship event?

A writer and I decided next weekend’s Indy 500 would have the most tradition, racing, race strategy, passing and overall driver talent. Well worth the afternoon of time.

My list, though, had next weekend’s F1 race at Monaco close behind. Obviously there wouldn’t be as much passing but the tradition, racing and overall driver talent and race strategy would be second to none. Add in the beauty of the venue and you have to make room for Monaco.

How would that fit in your list?

Then after that conversation, I spent time after the racing was over to talk about Eric Clapton’s last two guitar/blues festivals in Dallas and Chicago.

Watching a Texas thunder storm form behind ZZ Top as the group wailed in Dallas. You’ve got to see the DVD.

You never know who or what you’ll talk about during Saturday night short track racing. The beauty of short track racing is only rivaled by the lifestyles you’ll mingle with in the experience.

Peace.