What we learned: Drifting through the Twilight Zone

I finally figured out a way to watch a race on TV while still spending time with my granddaughter.

For Sunday’s Cup race at the Glen, I got out several of my diecast cars — especially the No. 18 M&M’s because that’s her favorite — and we tried to find the real versions on the screen.

She played with the cars — I watched the race. When the big wreck came late in the race, there was another big pileup on the living room floor.

Just like at Watkins Glen, no one was hurt.

Unlike the Glen, however, none of her drivers were called to the NASCAR diecast hauler.

It’s there, every morning when I get up.

The bathroom we’re remodeling. Excuse me, the unfinished bathroom we’re remodeling.

I missed the Formula Drift at Evergreen Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 9. You could say I had a choice, and I chose to work now so I could play (Ed. — go to races) later.

For all the details on the drifting action in Monroe, visit the Formula Drift Web Site.

Thanks, Smoke … I needed that.

Tony Stewart’s second-place finish in Sunday’s Cup race at Watkins Glen helped me crack the top-20 in the NASCAR Race to the Chase Media Challenge.

I’m tied with one other journalist-type for 18th … 25 points behind the leader. With just four races left before the Chase, I’m not optimistic about my chances, but anything is possible, I suppose.

Some guy named Kyle Busch completed a sweep of the Cup road course races by winning at the Glen. Busch also won the Nationwide race in Mexico, making him a 3-time winner on road courses this season.

Marcos Ambrose had quite a weekend in Upstate New York, winning the Nationwide race at the Glen and coming in third in the Cup race.

My pick for the Nationwide race, Patrick Carpentier finished 22nd while fighting carbon monoxide fumes in his car after being hit by Brad Coleman.

In the Craftsman Truck race, Johnny Benson won his third straight while my pick, Ted Musgrave, finished eighth.

How unlucky is Helio Castroneves?

I caught the end of the IndyCar race on streaming video on the Web. I had the sound muted because I was listening to an interview I had on my digital recorder, but saw Castroneves was ahead as the white flag flew.

My thoughts? Good for him, to get his first win this season and cut into the points lead of Scott Dixon; good for me as he was my pick to win.

Then as he came out of turn 4, I saw another car — Dixon — go by Castroneves like he was parked at a red light. What the …?

I scrambled to get the sound unmuted and the headphones off, to hear that Dancing Man had run out of gas.

Ouch.

How classy a guy is Castroneves, though? In his post-race interview he was obviously pained, but he managed to smile a bit, and offer congratulations to Dixon.

1. I’m going back and forth on doing something more on this subject, but women racers are having a big year. Ashley Force recorded her second straight No. 1 in qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in beautiful Brainerd, Minn.

Sierra Jackson, a soon-to-be 16-year-old from Middleton, Idaho, became the first female and youngest driver ever to win an American Speed Association Northwest Sprint Racecar Association feature this past weekend at Ephrata Raceway Park. Jackson, who has also raced late-models in Idaho, won the Rebel Jackson Memorial.

2. I’ve reported this before, but Mill Creek, Wash., resident Tayler Malsam is stepping up the racing ladder next week.

Malsam, who has been racing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series as a developmental driver for Cunningham Motorsports, will make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut on Aug. 20 in Bristol.

Malsam has also raced sprint cars this season for Rudeen Racing in Monroe, Wash.

3. Speaking of the NHRA (see No. 1 above), Tony Schumacher recorded his fourth straight Top Fuel victory — and ninth overall this season — in Brainerd.

I know I don’t do as much with drag racing as I’d like, but Schumacher’s dominance this year rivals that of Kyle Busch on the NASCAR side.

4. Donny Schatz joined the legendary Steve Kinser as the only other driver to win the Knoxville Nationals sprint car race three years straight.

1. NASCAR Cup rookie Michael McDowell has now been the center of two spectacular wrecks: his much-YouTubed flip-fest at Texas and the multi-car pileup at Watkins Glen.

McDowell spun David Gilliland and Gilliland’s spinning car collected Bobby Labonte. Dave Blaney, Sam Hornish Jr. and Max Papis were also caught up in the melee, which was covered from multiple camera angles by ESPN.

To paraphrase a line from “Top Gun,” McDowell seems to be writing checks his driving ability can’t cash.

McDowell and Gilliland were called to the NASCAR hauler after the wreck and warned not to carry forward any bad feelings into future races.

2. How many times do you think I can include Jeff Gordon in this category? Maybe I’m just mad at myself for following the media herd and picking him to win the Chase.

Anyway, another less-than-stellar performance on Sunday, and at a track that Gordon is supposed to be dominating at.