A few mini-chicklets of information on this rainy Thursday afternoon...

• The news that Ed Hinton is no longer with the Orlando Sentinel gives cause for a somewhat mixed reaction.  While not feeling any compelling reason to share Marc's high dudgeon about it, 'tis duly noted Hinton is a superb NASCAR writer.  That said, in the only direct communication I've ever had with the man he was a condescending jerk, so it's rather doubtful I'll be sending a card saying best wishes in your job search.
• Definition of needing a racing fix b-a-d: last night I had a dream about Mrs. Dude and I going to a gas station to place some petrol in our motor vehicle where I was ecstatic beyond words because with a fill-up you had first dibs on getting Dale Jr.'s #88 Mountain Dew AMP diecast.
• Toyota is now the second best selling car manufacturer in America, ousting Ford from its previous Number Two status.  This probably doesn't mean much in terms of NASCAR, other than how those "thanks for having us" ads are aimed at a larger audience than previously thought.
• In the Not Funny Department: the Dakar Rally is more than dangerous enough in and of itself.  And now the participants have to worry about al-Qaida?  Yes, drivers risk their lives every single time they fire up their vehicle's engine.  But this is ridiculous.  Change the race route, people.  Please.