New Year is Here!

Well, say a last, fond farewell to 2011, because 2012 is here. For NASCAR fans, it is the toughest time of year, because it's still a month-plus to Daytona, but somehow we all get through it.

News has been in short supply of late, with only the AJ Allmendinger move from RPM to Penske in the big spotlight. Kurt Busch has signed on with Phoenix Racing, and seeing if he can rise from the ashes will be a talking point for all of us the rest of the season.

There was some action on the Nationwide Series front, as Kasey Kahne will split time with Brad Sweet in the No. 38 Great Clips car this season. Sweet has been poking around the Camping World Truck Series for a couple seasons, and he has driven open-wheel cars in USAC for...Kasey Kahne. Ain't it funny how these things work out?

Speaking of Kahne, by now you're all aware of the flap Ol' Blue Eyes got into by his Twitter comments on breast feeding in public. Apparently, one mother was taking care of business in a local grocery store and Kasey happened upon it.

He Tweeted something to the effect that he no longer wanted to shop--or eat--after witnessing the most natural of processes. Predictably, the firestorm that erupted consumed the Twitterverse, and Kahne issued a public apology via the social media network.

Just goes to show you that, while you CAN communicate instantly with a great number of people, it doesn't mean you SHOULD, at least in some cases.

At some point today or tomorrow, the driver for the No. 43 Ford from Richard Petty Motorsports should be known. Sources are saying it's going to be Aric Almirola, while some are saying it's David Ragan. Smithfield Foods and Air Force will sponsor races on the car this season, after Best Buy left to go to Roush Fenway Racing for 11 races.

That said, it might be that with the reduction in sponsorship, RPM can't afford to pay Ragan Cup money, but could afford Almirola, who is coming up from the Nationwide ranks.

In other news, Tony Stewart skipped going to Australia to race open-wheel cars this year, preferring to stay close to home. He made it work, sweeping the Indy Karting Classic and the Rumble in the Dome midget race in Indianapolis.

Smoke broke out his ancient Mike Fedorcak-built Munchkin chassis to sweep both features in the Dome. I was around when it was introduced, and it was a killer car on short ovals. The thing is powered by a Volkswagen engine, which is what they were running back in the day when a very young yours truly was watching them at places like Winchester and the Indy Speedrome.

Did you know that they use Coke syrup to keep the concrete floors sticky inside the stadium? Now you do!