This weekend, while the sidewinder... er, truckers sleep tonight (sorry, one too many R.E.M. references there), the Cupsters and claims jumpers descend on Darlington in hopes of double dating with the Lady in Black as she holds hands with the man on the moon.

Darlington is a tough old broad, stubbornly refusing to play nice and gracefully retire from the national killing floor as she seeks her next suitor.  In its mad rush the past few years toward losing its religion in favor of hanging with the shiny happy people NASCAR has done most everything imaginable to throw her out of the bar, but she remains; defiant, proud.  And ornery as ever, even in her nice new dress replacing the old one woven from what sister Sue sells at the seashore.

Darlington is an equal opportunity fickle mistress.  She never hesitates to slap a driver just as they believe she has extended an invitation for dancing cheek to cheek.  Nevertheless, dance they must; for no one gains the lady's favor save those who run high wide and handsome.  It can be a most inelegant turn, but for those who persevere a night with the Lady in Black can become their finest worksong.

Favorites to secure a place at the top of Darlington's dance card?  Both Jeffs (Gordon and Burton) know how to charm the lady, as do Greg Biffle and Jimmie Johnson.  The omnipresent Busch the younger can never be discounted, although given the aforementioned high wide and handsome comment he suffers from the handicap that two out of three ain't bad.  Or should I reserve that comment for a Meat Loaf-themed post?

Enjoy the weekend, everyone.