A New Sheriff In Town?

Well, not really........
It's just been so long since this familiar face has made the trip to Victory Lane that everyone, including Jeff, forgot what it was like.
But the old dog did learn a new trick during his absence.
After doing a burnout at the Start/Finish Line after he won the Samsung 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway, Jeff rode around the track with the checkered flag.
During the post race interview, Jeff admitted that he had not done that since his days when he was racing quarter midgets when he was 8 years old.


I wasn't sure he could win this one. He seemed to be good on restarts and short runs, but the Rousch cars of Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards were really good on long runs.

Tony Stewart showed some muscle on long runs, also.


But a caution with about 25 laps to go and some bad pit luck and strategy by the Rousch cars kind of sealed the deal for Gordon.


Sometimes you gotta gamble. When it works, you look like a hero, and if it don't.....well, I guess you're a goat.
The Rousch cars never could make up the deficit.


After a while, especially during a really boring race, I get looking for something different. Something to entertain my brain. Something you don't normally see.


Joey 'Sliced Bread' Logano pits during the Samsung 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway.


Just another different look to entertain my brain.


I got caught at the head of pit road with my 400/2.8 when Kyle Busch made a pit stop. So, when life deals you lemons, you gotta make lemonade. Right?
This shot worked as a candid portrait for the front tire changer.


My inner Getty is trying to escape.


Just another different look down pit road.


The pit crew of Denny Hamlin services his car during the Samsung 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway.


I can't help it.......I need to be exorcised of my inner Getty!!!!!!!


You just have to look around. Artwork is everywhere


I want to know, what the hell is Tucan Sam doing on pit road.


During a walkthrough of the garage area on Saturday, I caught Matt Kenseth and his crew chief Drew Blickensdorfer (or something like that) discussing shocks and springs. I know, because I watched them change both sides.


Joey Logano and his dad share a smile before little Joey goes off to play with the big boys.


Elliot Sadler gave me a moment for this quick portrait.


Did you ever wonder what happens to all of the lugnuts that comes out of the air gun after a team changes tires during a race?


During the Victory Lane celebration with Jeff Gordon, they shot confetti up in the air. At Texas, the confetti is shaped like the state of Texas. Yep, they're proud of their state.


Even the pavers in Victory Lane and throughout the Media Center is shaped like the state of Texas (and interlocks).


As we were driving through Fort Worth, we saw this billboard advertising the Texas Lottery..........9 Dollars?


On Friday night, we ate at a really cool steak house. Great food and decorated smartly. All kinds of eclectic signs, decorations, and chickens.


Yep....I said chickens. After they had visited the local taxidermist.


SaltGrass Steak House.
If you're ever in this part of Texas, or if you ever get a chance to have dinner at one, you won't regret it.
Best steak I've had in a very long time.


And what would a Texas bar be without a cowboy?
We found this one in the Stockyard district in Fort Worth at the Internationally known Cattleman's Steak House.


This place had a couple hour wait, so we ate in the bar.


We should have known what we were getting in to when the waitress walked up to the bar.


But we were distracted by the sights.


Don't waste you hard earned money on this place.
I've had better steaks at buffett's.
This place was the biggest disappointment of the trip. And costliest.