I'm Just a Chevy Kinda Guy

Toy Truck parked out back (foto from 2013)

I needed to return an item to Costco yesterday; okay, it was set of bed pillows that I found I didn't really like after I got 'em on the bed.  On the way into the parking lot, I noticed the gas pumps were moderately busy and the Toy Truck was getting close to the quarter tank mark.  I decided to fill 'er up while there.

It was a beautiful morning with bright sunshine, moderate temps and a light breeze.  While waiting for the tank to fill, a fella walked over and asked why I decided to go with the Chevy pickup instead of a Ford or another brand.  I am and have been for as long as I can remember, been a car nerd, including trucks.

My first thought was to specify the Chevy advantages, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I bought the Chevy because I'm a Chevy Kinda Guy.  So that's what I told him, "I am just a Chevy kinda guy and this is the one I liked".

So that's the deal.  In today's world of shoppers' comparison publications/websites, what really matters for me in a vehicle is 'what strikes my fancy, what I like.'  All vehicles today are tremendous when compared to 20 years ago that it hardly matters what you buy as long as you like it and it suits your needs.  Anything beyond that is just nitpicking.

JD, here in the BToS on a rainy spring day.

PS - If you want the story of my purchase of the Toy Truck, you can visit my previous blog post Toy Truck Renewal.

PPS - I sure wouldn't buy a Ford just because Consumer Reports told me it was the highest rated truck, or that Truck Trend told me it won their 'Truck of the Year' competition.  The more you consider the culture behind magazine writers, the more you realize your own opinions are probably better for your own needs.

GPS vs Maps - Saturday Morning Road Trip

As an old fart here in the Big Town of Savage, I seldom venture beyond my normal territory.  My son-in-law had a need to visit 7 properties in northern Virginia to take photos and note conditions.  He asked if I'd like to go along since I was more familiar with northern Virginia than he was.

It was a Saturday morning and I figured it would be a good chance for us to spend some time together and bond a bit.  After all, I've only known the boy for 15 years now.  I volunteered to be the tour guide.

Given we were on the road by 7 am, traffic was still relatively light around the 495 DC beltway and over into Northern VA.  I ignored the GPS until we got close to the first property then followed its direction thru Falls Church.  Trip to I95 and Woodbridge was straight forward and the GPS found the 5 properties there.  Then off to Manassas for the last property, also trouble free.

I used the GPS to get us back on to I66 and knew my way home from there, so turned the little gizmo off.  No glitches with the GPS except that when in Woodbridge I accidentally turned off the voice and had to keep eyes on it.  

It was my first extensive use of a GPS on any trip.  Typically I map out a trip on Google Maps and work from there.  I did similar this time to determine the most efficient order of visits to shorten the distance and time.  All worked well with mapping too.

Biggest thing I noticed was that in using the GPS so much I didn't actually feel like I was on a trip visiting locations and taking in the scenery.  My mind was always occupied.  I got home feeling like I had spent 4 hours working instead of enjoying a trip.

I guess I'm saying that taking a trip with a GPS talking to me isn't as much fun as not having it active.  I can see the benefit of a GPS, but with most of my trips being over terrain I'm already familiar with I doubt I'll be using it too much.  On the other hand, my son-in-law definitely needs one in his line of work.

JD, here in the BToS and hoping I don't need to use my GPS any time soon.

PS - I need to remind son-in-law to clean his windshield before we take another trip. 

SUPER BOWL - Not Watching It

I won't be watching the Super Bowl this Sunday.  I don't think I've really watched a Super Bowl since the last time the Redskins were in it.  In the past, I recorded the Super Bowl with my TiVo DVR and would scan through it when it was about due to be over.  I noticed that it only took me about 15-20 minutes to scan the whole Super Bowl telecast last year.

This year, I've decided that I won't even record it on my TiVo, no need.  Hope you enjoy your Super Bowl party, at home or with others.  I know I'll enjoy the quiet time!

JD, looking forward to a quiet Sunday evening here in the BToS with no Super Bowl BS and HYPE.

PS - Might be a good night to watch a flick...think I got a Netflix DVD in the morning mail and, of course, I can always stream a Netflix movie or watch one I have TiVo'd.

PPS - I would likely TiVo a Super Bowl if the Skins actually made it back in and would definitely record if they were playing the Baltimore Natty Bohs (my name for the Ravens).

Family Adults - No gifting after 21

I have a 'NO GIFTING' arrangement with my three children.  I don't purchase gifts for them and they don't purchase gifts for me for holidays, birthdays, etc.  A card will suffice.

I'm an old fart and they're all in their 40's.  For a bunch of years they had no idea what to get for me and I had no idea what to get for them.  They all have good income and in today's society most people with good income can afford to purchase things they want or need. And, even tho I'm retired, my income is such that I typically purchase anything I need also. 

So gifting between us had gotten to the 'feel good' point and seemed unneeded to me.  So, after Christmas one year I told them I was implementing the no gifting policy beginning January 1 of the coming year.  At first I thought they might be a bit upset with my decision; they weren't.  After thinking about it, all thought it was a good idea.  It's worked well now for about 2 years and my life is much simpler around birthdays and holidays.

Beginning January 1, 2015, my oldest grandchild (he's 21) joins the no gifting situation also.  We'll see how it works out with him.

JD, resting up after an enjoyable Christmas here in the BToS

Revisit - Thanksgiving Light or Dark Meat

Two years ago, I posted a blog entry on my preference for Light or Dark Meat.  Offers a bit of perspective on the foods we eat.

JD, can't wait for Thanksgiving here in the BToS

Where's Martin O'Malley's Anthony Brown Support???

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley's support of Lt. Governor Anthony Brown seems a bit analogous to the Democrat situation in 2002 when Republican Bob Ehrlich defeated Democrat Kathleen Kennedy Townsend for Governor of Maryland after the Parris Glendening governorship fiasco.

Given tax everything O'Malley's negatives among educated voters here in Maryland, the Brown campaign may want to limit his appearances.  I think this video states the case very well.

JD, here in the BToS who's already voted during early voting in Howard County.  Make sure you cast your ballot November 4th.

PS - Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony Brown will no longer be a part of the Maryland government when the new Governor Larry Hogan takes office.  Both he and his 'Old Friend Martin' will, thankfully, be gone.

Early Voting in Maryland - 2014 Gubernatorial Election

 I hit the voting place up at RIDGELY'S RUN COMMUNITY CENTER around 10:15 AM this morning, the first day of Early Voting here in Howard County Maryland.

The small parking lot was packed with vehicles and I was able to find tight spot behind a guy taking up 3 parking spots with a small CUV towing an open trailer.  I hoped he'd see my ToyTruck and not back into it when he left.  As I walked up through the parking area to the building quite a few people wished me a good morning and offered me a flyer for their candidate.

I made it through all those glad-handers and entered the building.  As I walked back to the open space voting area I expected to find a line of folks waiting to check in and vote.  Surprisingly all but one of the people in the room were volunteers working the voting check in and machines.  Must have been at least 10 of them, all very nice volunteers.

I walked straight to the check in and not 5 minutes later was walking back out of the building.  I said 'hi' to all the glad-handers as I walked down through the parking area and headed home.  I may have spent 10-12 minutes parking, walking in, voting, walking out and leaving the parking lot.

I was concerned that being first day of 'Early Voting' the facility might be crowded, and it was, but not with voters.  All in all it was a good experience.  This is twice now I've used the early voting option and I like it more than voting on election day; kinda laid back instead of being a hassle.

JD, back in the BToS after doing due diligence to the Maryland Gubernatorial Election.

PS - Who did I vote for; well the only one I'll divulge is Kittleman for Howard County Executive.

AMAZON - Maryland Sales Tax - Bummer

I don't know about you, but I'm an online shopper and I have to admit that probably 3/4 of my online purchases are from Amazon.  No shipping - No Sales Tax!!!  What's not to like if the price is right on your item(s).

Amazon is opening a distribution center here in central Maryland.  Businesses with facilities located in Maryland are required to collect Maryland's 6% sales tax on products.  Technically, they're supposed to collect the tax even if not physically located in Maryland.  So Amazon will become a good citizen of Maryland and charge tax on my online purchases.

"No Shipping - No Sales Tax" is what initially drew me to online shopping.  What's a few days wait for most items you buy.  It either shows up at the front door or down at the local Post Office here in the BToS.  Since I visit the PO every day they're open to pick up my mail, it's simple to also pick up a product in shipping container.

There are still many online vendors that do not collect Maryland sales tax.  I'm sure I won't completely desert Amazon, but I will spend a bit more time on Google reviewing my purchase options.

JD, changing my shopping paradigm here in the Big Town of Savage in Central Maryland

Where's My Country Music Gone?

I thot I was the only one complaining about today's popular country music radio until I ran across this song someone had shared on Facebook this morning.

Post by Big D & Bubba.

JD, here in the BToS wondering too... ...

Packed Emails Wear Me Out

The one thing I find irritating about many of today's emails are the ones that contain many, many images.  The images may be cartoons, people fotos, scenery or whatever and are meant to possibly tell a story or just provide a laugh or two.

After scrolling thru the first few images, I quickly become disinterested.  Emails loaded with images tend to dull a person's brain.  The first couple are OK, then you just want to get to the end.  B-O-R-I-N-G!!!

Isn't it better to concentrate on one or two images in an email and not over-do it.  That way you keep the reader's attention.  Interesting content delivers a message to the reader.  Grab the reader with one relevant image that will make your point.

So there ya have it.  Bigger isn't always better.  Keep your emails short and to the point.  I've already dragged on more in this blog post than I originally envisioned.

JD, here in the BToS deleting loaded emails.

PS - The email message 'Subject' should describe the focus of the email message, not something meaningless or inane.

Where to Vote - Fire House is no more

This new fire station opened here in Savage in summer 2013.  It has all the amenities that fire stations of today have to have here in the county of Howard in Central Maryland.  It's located in the Savage jurisdiction, but is no longer in the center of Savage as the old one used to be.  I think that's a good thing as it's adjacent to main roads and a major intersection.  Plus I no longer get to hear the sirens every time they have a call.

This is the old fire station up on Lincoln Street that's been decommissioned with the property now under someone else's control.  It was a good ol' station since I was a youth.

The lower rear area of the fire station was used as a social hall and more importantly to me, it served as my voting location for all these years.  It was only a block up the hill from my house; a nice short walk.  Just a great place to vote and catch up with a few locals I don't regularly see.

My previous blog post indicated that I had taken advantage of the 'Early Voting' for the June 24, 2014 Primary here in Maryland.  I did that because of a schedule conflict for tomorrow, Primary Election day.  As I mentioned it was a pleasant experience, but not at all like the jaunt to the local fire house to vote.

The new Savage Fire Station evidently isn't going to be used as a voting location.  My new voting spot is at a school over on Gorman Rd, a couple of miles away.  As much as I need the exercise, I doubt I'll be walking to the new polling location.  I'll have to drive over there and muddle along with the rest of the folks over that way. 

And it ain't even in the Big Town of Savage!

JD, here in the BToS wondering what happened to the world I once knew.

Email Video Link -- No Description - Delete

Seems every day I'll get emails with a link to a video that's described as "must watch" or "important".  I'm sure you get similar.  Typically if I receive an email with that type link and no description of the video, I'll ignore the email and move on to the next.

Back in the old days, the organization I worked for was tasked with supporting software systems at sites around the world.  Network communication was just coming of age and bandwidth was limited.  Our network use was limited to work-related communications, some of those communications were via email.

The organization had standards for email content.  One of the standards was that the 'Subject' line specified the purpose of the message and a description of  the email.

Just looking at the 'From:' and the 'Subject' content allowed you to determine whether it was an important action item, a less urgent information item, or something else.

People, I think they're people, today send emails that provide no indication of message content and provide links to web sites or videos without providing any kind of description of the item.  Typically, it'll just say "you gotta see this one" or ... ...  I'm sure you know exactly what I mean.

My point is that if you're going to go to the trouble of sending an email to someone you know, take time to include some kind of description of the content in the 'Subject' header and descriptions for any links to websites and/or videos.

JD, here in the BToS scratching my head over some of my morning emails with nothing in the Subject header or description of the video link.

PS - That's my rant for an overcast Saturday morning.  Looks like a fairly slow weekend, so possibly another rant tomorrow.  :-)

Tonight Show Moves On Without Jay

Image found with no owner specified

Jay Leno is ending his run on The Tonight Show on February 6.  I've been watching Jack Paar, Johnny Carson and Jay for as long as I can remember and enjoying them all.

Here's a comment about Jay in his youth from my old Savage Elementary School chum and Leno fan, Anne-Marie Gabor.

"When my sister was living in Roswell, Georgia, she had a blonde girlfriend named Susannah.  Susannah was formerly a nightclub singer in Chicago, and she used to date Jay Leno.  Susannah said that she dumped him because she couldn't get past his huge chin!"

Personally I can believe that rationale regarding Jay's chin.  I know that subconsciously men are all about procreation and that's why they're here on earth and it's their basic drive in life.  I don't understand the drive for women other than to have offspring...it occurs to me that they may be selective based on what they think their children would look like/be like if fathered by the man in their presence; possibly Leno's Jaw caused anguish.

JD, here in the BToS pondering late nite TV without Jay Leno

PS - I will miss Leno.  Personally, I can't relate to the other late night show hosts.  Ferguson is probably the only other one I devote any time to.  Great as Letterman is one night, he's almost unwatchable for me the next night.  And, the younger hosts are beyond my comprehension much of the time.  Guess an old fart here in the BToS can only change so much to keep up with TV targeted to a much younger demographic.

Did We Think It Thru?

"I'm sure it'll all come together when we get near the end."  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the early details of a project that we forget about the final product.  Or, we get so wrapped up in selling something to meet a requirement that we forget the goal of the requirement we're devoting all the effort to produce.

It's always good to take a step back and get a different perspective on the efforts of your team.  Managers that don't learn that, are seldom successful when it really counts.

JD, pondering life here in the Big Town of Savage on a Thursday morning.

PS - Notice I never once mentioned the "Affordable Care Act", better known as "ObamaCare" or in Maryland as "Lt. Governor Brown Care".

The Gay Divorcee - Back When "Gay" Was Different

I'm, what I call, a retired 'Old Fart' here in the Big Town of Savage.  As much as I dislike paying my cable TV/internet bill each month, I do appreciate the excellent, trouble-free internet service and manage to find some excellent, entertaining shows, especially the older movies on the TCM (Turner Classic Movies) channel.

During a quiet spell this morning I was perusing the TiVo programming guide for the TCM channel and set a few movies to record.  One of them was 'The Gay Divorcee', a movie made in 1934.  The DVD case cover image, shown above, shows a woman and a man glancing at each other with smiles.

It occurred to me that many young people in today's society may be ignorant of the 1934 definition of the word "gay" when it was primarily used as an adjective describing a lighthearted and carefree personality.  Today's accepted definition describes 'gay' as a, now politically correct, adjective/noun describing a homosexual; with the 1934 definition relegated to the second adjective definition shown below.

But, there I go again thinking that today's young folks might be perusing movies made 80 years ago before even I was born.  Most of that group probably wouldn't give them a second thought, but there may be a few and likely they already know the derivation of the term 'gay' as used in today's language.

Occasionally I catch myself contrasting today's world with the world I lived in 50 years ago.  I guess that's just part of the whole aging process for folks.  We see today's happenings, but they don't always make sense to us and we wonder why they had to change.  I find myself thinking that it might be nice to tell someone "what a gay ol' time I had last nite" and have them intuitively know what I mean to say without them having to think about it, or ask me what I meant.

JD, having a time-travel moment from my computer chair here in the BToS.

PS - I also can't get used to the current usage of the word 'fun' compared to 20 years ago.

Holiday Shopping - No Glow For Me

I used to love nothing more than last-minute shopping on Christmas eve.  I'd be looking for that last minute gift, typically jewelry, for my girl, later my wife.  I'd always run into someone I know at the local stores at what then was the Laurel Shopping Center (as I recall).  I'd get my few gifts, come home and have 'em wrapped before Christmas morning.

I always felt focused by the last-minute shopping.  Of course, I'm talking about the mid-60s when life was simpler with fewer folks living in the area and uncrowded stores.  I could actually take a few minutes and talk to a sales person that I may have known; never was there a rush.

The world is a much different place 50 years later.  In central Maryland uncrowded stores seldom can be found from late November until after the new year begins.  Constant shopping deals flood every form of media and shopping crowds are a favorite topic for local news reporting.

After 50 years, with my kids grown and grandkids almost grown, I'm more of a non-shopper now.  Anything I need is at my fingertips via the internet to online stores.  Amazon and other sites have everything 24/7 and it shows up at your door, typically with no hassle.  My shopping now consists of M-F morning hours at Costco or Sam's Club.  No crowds, light traffic and I'm home in time to prepare a nice 1 pm lunch.

JD, laidback here in the Big Town of Savage with no shopping in my plans any time soon.

Critters and Cats - Cats Win, Critters Gone

When I moved into this house just before 1970, I'd see all kinds of critters in the yard at times; rabbits, chipmunks, etc.  I can't recall the last time I saw a rabbit around here and the last chipmunk is but a cute memory.  We have many feral cats running loose here in the BToS and NO CRITTERS.  Some would say that's good that the feral cats eliminate the critters.  I tend to disagree.

I've never understood how we can have and enforce leash laws for dogs and not for cats.  But, as an old fart here in the BToS, I tend to be a bit ignorant of what's acceptable and PC in today's world.

Here's a link to a recent Smithsonian article on the subject.

Feral Cats Kill Billions of Small Critters Each Year

 

JD, still searching for some rare critters here in the BToS.  I must admit that the squirrels seem to be able to outdo the feral cats.

PS - Animal control rounds up stray dogs, but no such effort for stray cats.

All Great Truths Begin as Blasphemies

I have no idea if these Great Truths are correctly attributed, but I did find them interesting and they certainly provide a bit of perspective that we don't always get from our MSM (Main Stream Media) here in Central Maryland, home of Pretty Boy O'Malley (our precious Governor who'll soon be on the National Stage while running for US President or VP in 2016.)

JD, laid back on a Sunday morning here in the BToS.

GREAT TRUTHS

1. In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress. -- John Adams

2. If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed. -- Mark Twain

3. Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But then I repeat myself. -- Mark Twain

4. I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. -- Winston Churchill

5. A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. -- George Bernard Shaw

6. A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money. -- G. Gordon Liddy

7. Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. -- James Bovard , Civil Libertarian (1994)

8. Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer of money from poor people in rich countries to rich people in poor countries. -- Douglas Case , Classmate of Bill Clinton at Georgetown University.

9. Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. -- P.J. O'Rourke , Civil Libertarian

10. Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else. -- Frederic Bastiat , French economist(1801-1850)

11. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. -- Ronald Reagan (1986)

12. I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts. -- Will Rogers

13. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free! -- P. J. O'Rourke

14. In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other. -- Voltaire (1764)

15. Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you! -- Pericles (430 B.C.)

16. No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session. -- Mark Twain (1866)

17. Talk is cheap, except when Congress does it. -- Anonymous

18. The government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other. -- Ronald Reagan

19. The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery. -- Winston Churchill

20. The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. -- Mark Twain

21. The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -- Herbert Spencer , English Philosopher (1820-1903)

22. There is no distinctly Native American criminal class, save Congress. -- Mark Twain

Friday Lunch 1:30 - Famous Dave's BBQ Nachos

I found this image on Famous Dave's website.  It made me hungry for some BBQ Nachos, especially since I'd sampled an order of the Pulled Pork BBQ Nachos during a dinner visit to Famous Dave's in Columbia, Maryland a couple of months ago.

After the clouds cleared late morning it was just a beautiful day here in the Big Town of Savage.  I got all my work done around the house and thot it was time for some lunch.  I'd been craving some BBQ Nachos for about 2 weeks.  One of the bad things about living alone is meal time if you're looking for some company.  Most folks I know have their own life and need a bit of coordinating to join me for lunch, which typically takes a week or so.

I thot it was a bad idea to head out on a Friday for lunch, especially at Famous Dave's, a place that draws groups on Fridays, especially on a beautiful day.  Nevertheless, I jumped in the ol' truck a little after 1 pm and headed out for the 20 minute drive to Dave's in Columbia.  By the time I entered the restaurant foyer it was 1:30.

With the bright sun outside, the first thing I  noticed was the lack of light in the entrance foyer where the 'take you to your table' folks await behind their podium (well it looks like a podium).  In this case the only person to be seen close by was a young lady talking on the phone in the background.  I guess it wasn't too obvious that I wanted some lunch since it was Friday and I was standing by myself; NOBODY does that on a beautiful Friday.

After I waited much longer than a minute, the lady on the phone finally looked up and asked if she could help me with something.  By this time, I'd become a bit irritated and lost my craving for BBQ Nachos.  I said something to the effect that I was there for some lunch, but had changed my mind.  She seemed pleased to get back to the phone as I turned and walked out the door.

The Columbia Famous Dave's had full tables in the dining room and in the bar, so I guess I just picked a bad time to get some of Famous Dave's BBQ Nachos.

JD, just finishing my sausage cheese burger, salsa and chips here at the home computer in the BToS

PS - Given the lack of attention I received while awaiting a table at the Columbia Famous Dave's, I'll likely do without the BBQ Nachos until I'm with a large group that can't be ignored as we come in thru the front door.  That may never happen, so Famous Dave's in Columbia may not get ANY of my money for a long, long time.

PPS - A reader of this post reminded me that today is Friday the 13th, I shouldn't expect anything normal.  For Famous Dave's sake, I sure hope this isn't normal service at their restaurant.

Postseason Playoffs - NASCAR Doesn't Fit TV's Terminology

The last few months of the 2013 NASCAR season, I've noticed SPEED TV announcers and other TV sports announcers began using the term 'Playoff' in referring to the NASCAR Sprint CUP Chase.  I noticed also they've started referencing the 10-race Chase as the Postseason.  In the few days since SPEED TV converted to FOX Sports 1, the announcers that came over from SPEED TV to FOX Sports 1 have made these two terms basic to their NASCAR Chase discussions.

If you've read my blog in the past, you know that being an old fart, I'm adverse to change, especially change that doesn't fit my paradigm of what the world should be like to make me happy.  I've been a NASCAR fan since I first discovered NASCAR racing as a teenager back in the late '50s.  That was a time that racing attention was focused on the winner of the race and not on a Championship, which paid little money and wasn't really important at the time.

Over the years things have changed significantly, especially with the advent of TV coverage of NASCAR races.  Then early in the 21st century, NASCAR leadership decided they needed a late season competition among the top point earners of the season for the NASCAR championship; thus, the Chase for the CUP (my terminology, not theirs) was born.  The goal was to hype the NASCAR championship and provide a vehicle to boost interest in NASCAR after the NFL began its season.

Since then, all discussion among TV announcers at races is about qualifying for the 'Chase'.  The most exciting racing of the year is typically the last 2-3 races before the Chase to see who's going to qualify for the championship.  As of today, there are 3 races left until the Chase begins with races at Bristol, Atlanta and Richmond.  Once the Chase begins all TV shots of on-track action highlight the 12 Chase participants, even though there are still 43 cars in each NASCAR CUP race.

I guess the real question for me here in the BToS is, can I adapt to TV once again changing terminology used to describe NASCAR racing.  TV will insure it changes to fit their 'SPORTS TV' paradigm and I'll have to live with it as I have no option.

However, I will state my opinion that the NASCAR Chase is not a 'playoff during the postseason'.  After all, the teams that didn't qualify for the Chase don't quit racing and go home for the season like happens in stick and ball sports.  They continue to race for victory lane each race for 10 more weeks.

The difference is that you will only see 'Chase Contestants' featured on TV; ESPN will ignore the other competitors as if they don't exist.

JD, here in the BToS, missing the old SPEED TV channel, following the Chase and cringing while TV sports announcers refer to it as Playoffs and Postseason.

PS - I can also tell you after 3 days of FOX Sports 1 coverage of NASCAR, I don't care much for their hyped up, high speed announcing and short discussions.  The previous Race Hub show was kinda laid back with no rush because they had to fill an hour of TV time.  Now the screen is full of graphics boxes below and to the right and announcers hardly have any time to discuss and reflect on subjects.  I've seen changes come to SPEED channel live shows during the past year knowing things were moving in this direction; less racing coverage and more pizazz.  Life is change and whether I like these changes or not, I'll have to live with it.

PPS - Image above is a SNIP of a Google page after I did a Google Image Search for 'playoffs postseason'.  Notice there is no image of anything to do with NASCAR, nor were there any throughout the multiple pages of search results.