Opinions expressed here are solely those of the reporter.

Perhaps a short introduction is in order for most, for others they will simply say that the "Buzzman" is back on the track. My name is Buzz Sodeman and I have been involved in one way or another with racing for about 50 years.

I used to cover the Southwest racing scene for several newspapers (The Mohave Valley Daily News, The Valley Enquirer, The Valley Gazette, and the Pahrump Valley Times) and for about a dozen racing-related publications.

I'm an author of a book ('Chrome Cadavers' and BullRing Buddies') based around cars and driving under the influence. I have held positions with Tri-City Dragway, the Mohave Valley Raceway, and the Pahrump Valley Speedway.

I have been away from the monitor and keyboard side of motorsports for more than six years, but I have kept up with all aspects of racing. I'm not an expert, but I strive to report racing as honestly and correctly as possible.

After two years, Brian France has decided to tweak the Nextel Quest for the Cup.

I honestly believe that this decision is based solely on pressures exerted by corporate America, those same people that pay millions of dollars to advertise on the hood, the rear deck, the quarter panels, and anywhere else that will accommodate a sponsor decal.

Corporate America has produced the "cookie cutter" drivers that we see on a weekly basis. "Cookie Cutters" that seem to have forgotten where their roots were planted before becoming the clean-shaven, well-groomed spokesmen that their sponsors relish. It certainly validates, "what wins on Sunday, sells on Monday!"

Last season, two of NASCAR's biggest stars, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr., didn't qualify for the Chase. Gordon was able to garner the $1,000,000 for being the "first loser," that is finishing 11th in the overall standings.

What's significant about not making it into the Chase, is that one of the largest corporate sponsors (Budweiser), as well as DuPont weren't eligible for the championship.

If NASCAR officials want to "tweak" the point championship, maybe they should look at other areas to enhance the enthusiasm of its sponsor-loyal, and diehard fans.

Do away with the "Owner Points" which lock 35 cars into every event. I believe that every car that shows up to try and qualify for a Nextel race should be allowed to make the race on their qualifying time.

It's time to bring closure to the Kenseth/Jeff Gordon rivalry/payback incident in Chicago. Was it payback for a previous on track altercation? Who cares! Had that been the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. laying the bumper on Kenseth, it would be a non-issue.

Remember it was Dale Sr. who once took out Terry Labonte with his bumper and then took the checker. He down played the controversy by being quoted as saying that he just wanted to "rattle Labonte's cage!"

In all honesty, Gordon's attack on Kenseth prior to Chicagoland probably bolstered his fan base; many fans thought that Gordon was somewhat of a wimp, to put it mildly.

Speaking of Gordon, can you say "Pre-Nuptial?"

Enough already about Montoya and Patrick and speculation that they will be the next NASCAR super heroes, Montoya is trading podium finishes where champagne is the norm to the NASCAR winners circle, where visitors are sprayed with soft drinks and sodas or in Jr's case, beer.

From the rich, famous and elite to Budweiser swilling rednecks is quite a stretch. Danica is the most significant draw that Indy car racing has, they aren't about to let her go without sweetening the pot. Don't look for her to jump ship anytime soon.

Putting an exclamation on NASCAR, which stands for National Association for Stock Care Auto Racing, when is the last time that you witnessed four-door production vehicles on the track?

What we see weekly vaguely resemble the cars depicted in the black and white video clips which are often seen in NASCAR adds. Teams have super speedway cars, short track cars, and road course cars <!-- 2013(unknown) --> why not add a couple of dirt races so that they can add a dirt track car to their organization?

Forget the "concept cars."

Put away the "body templates."

Let's see Chrysler 300's racing Dodge Chargers and Chevrolet Impalas or Buick Centurys.

Is it just me or are NASCAR races becoming too boring? I would rather watch a Saturday night local racetrack program where there are heats and mains, fast car dashes and the Australian pursuit. (Many readers probably don't know what an Australian pursuit is!

With all the safety innovations instituted by NASCAR for the protection of their million dollar commodities, why not bury the restrictor plates and let the boys run flat out? I know that was the wish of the late Dale Earnhardt.

Soft walls and improved roll cage construction, as well as the various crumple zones built into their construction, have greatly improved the chances of survival in high speed "racing incidents."

NASCAR can design automobiles that barrel roll and sustain severe damage that allow drivers to emerge from a crumpled mass of sheet metal, flash the victory sign and wave to the crowd.

Why can't American automakers design production cars that can withstand head-on collisions? Of course, that would require that responsible drivers "Buckle Up."

What a novel idea.

Apparently Kurt Busch has conveniently lost my address; every day I check my post office box for an invitation to his wedding but none has materialized thus far. How soon the rich and famous forget.

Tony Stewart boldly proclaims that his pre-race meal usually consists of pizza and Coke. I've noticed that quite a bit of that pizza has gravitated towards Tony's equator. If you don't believe me check out the picture of him trying to climb into that NASCAR modified at Loudon in the Las Vegas Review Journal.

I can say that, now that I've shed almost 60 pounds myself.

By the way, I'm a Tony Stewart fan but then again, I like Derrick Cope, too.

See you at the Pahrump Valley Speedway!