If James Brown was known as the hardest working man in show business, Cory Mac by comparison, has to be the hardest working man in motorsports. Every time I have stopped by the house to visit family, Cory has been conspicuously missing. The only good thing about him being gone is that the newest batch of M&M cookies last a lot longer! Cory and the gang have literally burned the midnight oil to get his new ride ready for “The Big Go.” I stopped by to visit on my way back from military duty at Ft. Bragg a couple of weeks ago hoping to spend some time with Cory and the rest of my family. Guess who was missing? Yeah, Mr. Mac. First he was supposed to return home at 6 p.m. Then it was pushed back to 9 p.m. Then 11... He didn’t get home until after 4 a.m. So when I say they have been burning the midnight oil, I’m not exaggerating in the least.

I was shocked to find that the car that will compete at Indy is a brand new car. It hasn’t even been down the track! So in essence, they will be testing at the same time they are qualifying during the U.S. Nationals. Talk about having to punch your way into the field! I’m not overly concerned because I know that the team has good backing and support from the best. The team owner, Santo Rapisarda, has jumped in, with help from DSR, to put this car together. So thanks to Santo and Don for partnering up and putting together this deal for Cory. In my opinion, Cory has a good decade (if not more) left in him, and at this stage of his career, I believe that he deserves to be in a car that is considered to be among the most competitive. So, Rapisarda Racing will have a new car, new paint job, experienced driver, and some of the best backing that exists in the sport of drag racing. Something tells me there is a spoiler on the grounds. It will be interesting.

On the lighter side of the news, I mentioned that I stopped by to see Cory and my sister on my way back from military duty at Ft. Bragg. Even though Cory wasn’t there, I had a nice visit with my sister and nephews. I also picked up a couple of little “tidbits” about Cory that you might find to be interesting. For example, I noticed an iPad2 sitting conspicuously on the floor — in the bathroom! I went over to pick it up off the floor and place it in a more “appropriate” spot, like on a table, and was told by my sister that was where it belongs. On the floor in the bathroom? Next to the...? Yes. As it turns out, that is apparently where Mr. Mac does some of his best thinking. Oh I want to say something sooooo badly right now, but I will try to maintain some sense of journalistic decorum here and keep it clean (it’s killin’ me though!).

Still marveling at the sight of the iPad in the bathroom, my sister and I headed down to the kitchen for some coffee. While chatting, Debi decided to make some cookies. She rarely just sits and talks without doing something with her hands, so I didn’t pay any special attention to what she was doing. I did notice, however, that the M&M cookies were being strategically separated. The biggest ones were going to a colorful plate set off to the side. Naturally I wanted to “snarf” one of those cookies. As I attempted to grab one of the fresh cookies, my knuckles met with a crack of a wooden spoon that would have made “Sister Mary Discipline” stand tall and proud! When I looked at my sister like she had just kicked my truck, I realized what I had just done. The colorful plate that I had just attempted to pilfer a cookie from was “exclusive territory.” After a closer look at the plate, I realized that it said, “Cory’s Cookies.” You have got to be kidding me... Oh I knew that this story wasn’t to be believed, so you will notice the attached: a pic of the potty room iPad, and the plate in question. Cory’s going to kill me, but at least I will die having had the last shot! There’s more, though. If I am still alive after the U.S. Nationals, I have more dirt on him. See you then — hopefully...

I suppose I will continue to guest-blog until things calm down for Cory. There’s no end in sight as the crew continues to prepare for Indy and beyond. So please, stop by the pit and say hello to Cory and welcome him back. Maybe even say hello to his new team owner, Santo Rapisarda. Something tells me that he is going to be on the American drag racing scene for a long time. Welcome Santo! So stop on by and say hi. A word of warning — if you see a colorful plate of cookies, spare your knuckles and steer clear! See you in the pits. It’s Big Go time!!!