Congratulations to Ryan and Krissie Newman

Nothing compares to having a first baby. Nor is there anything more splendid than looking into the face of your newborn. There is a sense of familiarity, not just for the mother who nurtured the tiny infant, but for her father as well. It is that first monumental moment when you realize that all things really are possible.

I'm so happy for Ryan and Krissie Newman. Ryan announced the birth of their daughter, Brooklyn Sage Newman on Thursday, when he reported via Twitter and Facebook that mother and child are doing fine. I can't wait to see first pictures, hear the first interview.

These are two beautiful, caring people whose very nature is loving and nurturing. Brooklyn is a lucky little girl to have such caring parents.

Congratulations to the happy couple and Happy Birthday to Brooklyn.

Race for the Chase for the Championship ends

Finally, Ryan Newman fans can breathe again.

The NASCAR Race for the Chase for the Championship and all the associated drama is over. That's OK. Ryan did well, finishing just a few points behind the top 12. Had better luck prevailed, he may have been inside the cut-off rather than just outside.


Perhaps hindsight will give 20/20 vision to Newman's critics. Maybe they will get it now -- why Ryan was so ticked off at Joey Logano. Had it not been for the incident at Michigan where Newman had been running in the top 10, perhaps the entire outcome of his season would have had a different result as well. Ryan could have squeaked past Clint Bowyer in the points. We will never know, thanks to the incident with Logano. It is not far-fetched to believe that it cost Ryan a chase berth.

It no longer matters, however, since as they say; it is, what it is.

While those guys get all dressed in their suits and their wives spend a fortune on gowns for the big awards dinner--all uncomfortable and having to make small talk, Ryan and Krissie will be sitting in the comfort of their home, playing with their new baby, enjoying all that the good life has to offer. I think when that time comes, Ryan will be much happier at home than the other 12 of his com padres in Las Vegas.

With the chase pressure off, the remainder of the season can be used to figure it all out.

For us fans, we just have to tune out the commentators, but then we are used to doing that. Ryan obviously isn't the golden boy when it comes to broadcast coverage. We fans will hardly notice all the fawning they do over the top 12 drivers. But that doesn't mean that the 13th among them can't rally from just behind the line to win races. I can't wait for Ryan to win a post-chase race. It will force those broadcasters to have to talk about him. Perhaps they will even get it--that being oh-so-close, isn't so bad.