A few scattered sniggles of NASCAR notions on this day of scattered showers (yes, Albert Hammond lied -- it does too rain in California):

• Rusty Wallace, who much to the annoyance of many who last year swore their inside sources said he was a goner from ESPN retains his day job, commented during a stop in this year's cattle call media tour that NASCAR had strayed too far from its roots, thus alienating a large portion of its fan base.  (In other news, water is wet.  But I digress.)  He noted how as part of its effort to reverse this, something Brian France mentioned yesterday, we'd actually be seeing music acts that NASCAR fans like involved with the sport this year, this taking the form of such events as Brooks & Dunn performing at the Daytona 500 and Garth Brooks being a spokesperson for this year's NASCAR Day.  It's not a cure-all, but it's a start.  Maybe next they can bring back this thing called "passing for the lead on the track, not only in the pits."  Hey, I can dream, can't I?
• A tip of the hat and a hearty congratulations to Matt Crossman of the Sporting News, winner in the Race Coverage/Non-Daily category at this year's National Motorsports Press Association convention and awards banquet.  I did notice with dismay the absence of a Best Blogger category, but I'm sure this is nothing more than a minor oversight that shall be corrected, oh, any decade now...
• As has been noted by 4ever3 and no doubt others, Sprint is adopting a slash-and-burn policy in an attempt to reverse the downward spiral of its business fortunes, or to be more precise in this case losing a fortune.  But fear not; all are saying all is well in terms of their NASCAR sponsorship.  No doubt this will be of tremendous consolation to the four thousand or so Sprint employees that will soon find their paycheck on pretty pink paper.  Meanwhile, somewhere deep inside AT&T's headquarters a chuckle can be heard.
• Finally, in news that will send every NASCAR fan with a functioning brain (i.e. everyone who reads this blog and the other fine NASCAR/auto racing blogs listed in the Links area) either reaching for a towel to bury their face in as they sob uncontrollably or making a mad dash to the nearest (ahem) facility area for an extended session of Technicolor burping, NASCAR has re-upped with Turner Sports to continue running NASCAR.COM on through 2014.  Yes, folks, six more years of the abomination that causes desolation standing where it does not belong, sucking the life out of anyone who spends more than five seconds in its clutches.  Thanks, NASCAR.