Huckleberry Pets adorns the TV panel of the #14 Office Depot Chevy of Tony Stewart. (Photo Credit: Edelman)

The finalist paired with driver Tony Stewart is Kacie Howard, owner of Huckleberry Pets in Daytona Beach, Florida.  Huckleberry Pets was started in 2010 and specializes in manufacturing comfortable, stylish and durable pet beds using orthopedic mattresses for your furry friend! They are even willing to work with interior designers to make custom beds to match the decor of a home.  Howard, an avid NASCAR fan herself, plans to use the $10,000 Office Depot makeover to help expand Huckleberry Pet’s manufacturing office in Daytona with new computers and office furniture.

“This is such a great opportunity and provides a fresh new incentive for my business. With the way the current economy is in relation to small business, there are many people who have been talking doom and gloom, so it’s nice to have something positive happen.” Kacie Howard, Huckleberry Pets.

Bales Mold Service, Inc adorns the TV panel of Greg Biffle's #16 3M Ford at Atlanta this weekend. (Photo Credit: Edelman)

Greg Biffle is paired with the other contestant, Sara Mortensen, owner of Bales Mold Services, Inc. Bales was founded in 1978represents the cutting edge of engineered coatings and finishes and continues to be at the forefront of developing new technology to service various industries.  Basically they make specialized components with special finishes for industrial applications.  Mortensen is bringing her receptionist, Cheryl Kennedy, along to Atlanta to share her VIP race experience to thank her for the hard work she did in helping her get the word out about the contest to increase the nominations Bales Mold Services, Inc. received.

“I can’t wait to take advantage of the exciting opportunities that go along with being one of the finalists. The $10,000 Office Depot makeover will be the first major step in helping me to expand my business.” Sara Mortensen, Bales Mold Services, Inc.

As finalists both Mortensen and Howard receive a$10,000 small business makeover from Office Depot and a VIP race experience this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.  Whichever driver finishes highest, the corresponding small business wins the title of Official Small Business of NASCAR, courtesy of Office Depot” and receives use of the Official Small Business of NASCAR logo for one year.  In addition, if either Stewart or Biffle WIN the race in Atlanta, the small business that the drivers are paired with win $1 million dollars!

“I am excited to reward small business owners for the hard work and dedication they put into taking care of business every day. Greg (Biffle), his 3M team and I are proud to have the finalists represented on our cars this weekend, especially knowing that we can deliver a $1 million prize for one lucky small business owner with a win.  It’s going to be a fight to the finish!” Tony Stewart, race car driver and team owner (and small business owner x13).

Congrats to both finalists and good luck!

Tony Stewart - Honoring Our Heros Diecast (Image Courtesy of Lionel NASCAR Collectibles)

The paint scheme is one of many running under the “Honoring Our Heroes” program which is a partnership with Lionel NASCAR Collectibles and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.  A portion of the proceeds from merchandise sales from all of the “Remembering Our Heroes” merchandise will be donated to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which children who have lost a parent, firefighters, and military who have been seriously injured and sacrifice their quality of life in the line of duty.  Other drivers carrying themes under this banner are: Danica Patrick, David Gilliland, Greg Biffle and Jamie McMurray.

The diecast is already available through pre-orders.  There is a reason I don’t collect diecasts:  I would be the type of collector that would have to have every variation of every paint scheme out there…and my bank account would never have any money in it. EVER.  And Roxy kind of likes to eat.  And frankly so do I.  But with a portion of the proceeds going to a wonderful cause, how can I not add this special paint scheme to my collection? You can too here.

For more information on the paint scheme, other drivers running similar schemes and the partnership between Lionel NASCAR collectibles and The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation visit here.

1. You have 10 days to enter this month’s 14 for 14 drawing at OfficeDepotRacing.com…this month you can win one of 14 autographed hats. Enter now then come back and read the rest of this entry and enjoy some Tony pictures.

(Borrowed from the Tony Stewart facebook page: Photo by Rusty Jarrett MRD/CIA Copyright, CIA Stock Photography, Inc.)

2. Have you bought your raffle ticket for the 2011 Convertible Camaro raffle that benefits the Tony Stewart Foundation yet? Each raffle ticket is only $25.00 and there isn’t just a car up for grabs but a VIP NASCAR race weekend package as well as a VIP Eldora race package! To to SmokesChevy.com to get your raffle ticket now.

2011 Prelude To The Dream Poster

3. The Prelude to the Dream charity race will be on June 8th, 2011 this year- benefiting four children’s hospitals.   If you can’t attend in person- how about supporting the kids by holding a viewing party and ordering the Pay-Per-View.  Keep up to date on all the Prelude To The Dream charity race at the Prelude To The Dream Facebook page.

The Mobil 1 paint scheme from Richmond (borrowed from TonyStewart.com's media section)

4. Speaking of The Tony Stewart Foundation- don’t forget this Friday May 6th is Checkered Flag Friday.  These eBay auctions are a great way to support the Tony Stewart Foundation and get something great in return.  Checker Flag Fridays are the first Friday of every month!

Tony and Ryan during practice for Richmond's Matthew and Daniel Hansen 400 (borrowed from the Tony Stewart Facebook page: Photo by Rusty Jarrett MRD/CIA Copyright, CIA Stock Photography, Inc.)

5. Don’t forget the Official Small Business of NASCAR competition that Tony and Greg Biffle are helping with.  I posted about the contest just yesterday but I wanted to remind you- even if you don’t have a small business,  mention it to one you frequent- they just might end up with a chance to win $1 million dollars

Tony Stewart exclusive poster for the month of May

6. Also at the OfficeDepotRacing website is the coupon for this month’s exclusive Tony Stewart poster- pick yours up at the printing department of your local Office Depot!

I think this picture needs a caption...any ideas? (borrowed from the Tony Stewart facebook page: Copyright, CIA Stock Photography, Inc.)

The Southern 500 is at Darlington this Saturday. Darlington is one of the two tracks Tony has yet to win a race on. Let’s all make sure we send Tony some extra luck Saturday! #GoTonyGo!

Tony Stewart's car that will race at the Southern 500 at Darlington will carry information on how you can become the Official Small Business of NASCAR (photo credit: Action Sports Photography)

Enter early because Office Depot will be giving away $1000 gift cards each day to a random entrant.   Two small businesses will be selected as finalists . Each finalist will be awarded $10,000 AND a VIP race weekend.  One of the finalist’s logo will end up on the rear “tv panel” of Tony Stewart’s #14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevy during the Labor Day race at Atlanta Speedway later this season.  The other finalist will have their logo on the rear “tv panel” of Greg Biffle’s #16 3M Ford.  The small business on the highest finishing driver’s car will be this year’s 2011 Official Small Business of NASCAR.  And as added incentive – if either Stewart or Biffle win the Atlanta race- that driver’s small business will be awarded $1 million dollars!

This is a great opportunity for a small business! Don’t take my word for it take Tony’s word:

What are you waiting for? Enter now at OfficeDepotRacing.com!

Greg Biffle, designer Leanne Touhy, and Carl Edwards on the set of Extreme Home Makeover. Photo courtesy of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition / George Verschoor

This two-hour episode airs this Sunday January 30th on ABC at 8:00 pm ET/PT time.  Check your local listings.

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And for those who are thinking that the name of designer Leanne Touhy sounds familiar, this is because she was the character Sandra Bullock played in the movie The Blind Side.

So first I am going to give you my analysis of the three different points systems then I will give you the numbers if you are interested (after the jump).

I kept track of the NASCAR traditional points system, a Hybrid system that was basically the same NASCAR points structure with NO SEEDING (all 12 chase drivers start at 0), and what I call the BadGroove Cup- a completely stand alone system that had the drivers starting at 0 and had a completely separate points structure.

In all three systems, Jimmie Johnson is your winner.  So that didn’t really make a difference- I guess if you are good you are good.  The Hybrid system made a difference in the top three in that Harvick would have overtook Hamlin for second.  Last place in all three systems was Jeff Burton- so again no difference was made.  Really the only difference was in the in-between drivers that were not in the top three but not last.  For instance in the end Stewart finishes as high as 7th in the standings and as low as 11th  (Hybrid-no seeding).  Greg Biffle finished as high as 5th (BadGroove cup) and as low as 7th (Hybrid-no seeding).  Jeff Gordon finished as high as 8th (Hybrid-no seeding) and as low as 10th (BadGroove Cup).  So the big winner would have remained Jimmie Johnson on all three systems and the big loser would have remained Jeff Burton in all three systems.  Overall the Hybrid system and the BadGroove Cup system rewarded overall consistency in the last 10 races.

I now present to you the results for the last two races (Phoenix and Homestead) in just the raw numbers:

NASCAR Standings After Phoenix:

1. Denny Hamlin- 6462
2. Jimmie Johnson- 6447
3. Kevin Harvick- 6416
4. Carl Edwards- 6198
5. Matt Kenseth- 6151
6. Jeff Gordon- 6124
7. Kyle Busch- 6115
8. Greg Biffle- 6113
9. Tony Stewart- 6074
10. Kurt Busch- 6033
11. Clint Bowyer- 6028
12. Jeff Burton- 5958

Hybrid (Same NASCAR points, no seeding) after Phoenix

1. Denny Hamlin- 6275
2. Jimmie Johnson- 6227
3. Kevin Harvick- 6216
4. Carl Edwards- 6043
5. Matt Kenseth- 6000
6. Kyle Busch- 5985
7. Jeff Gordon- 5985
8. Greg Biffle- 5905
9. Kurt Busch- 5890
10. Clint Bowyer- 5852
11. Jeff Burton- 5844
12. Tony Stewart- 5812

BadGroove Cup (Stand alone system) After Phoenix

1. Denny Hamlin- 88
2. Jimmie Johnson- 86
3. Kevin Harvick- 82
4. Carl Edwards- 68
5. Greg Biffle- 64
6. Matt Kenseth- 58
7. Kyle Busch- 52
8. Jeff Gordon- 52
9. Clint Bowyer- 47
10. Tony Stewart- 47
11. Kurt Busch- 46
12. Jeff Burton- 39

Final NASCAR Standings (after Homestead)

1. Jimmie Johnson- 6622
2. Denny Hamlin- 6583
3. Kevin Harvick- 6581
4. Carl Edwards- 6393
5. Matt Kenseth- 6294
6. Greg Biffle- 6247
7. Tony Stewart- 6221
8. Kyle Busch- 6182
9. Jeff Gordon- 6176
10. Clint Bowyer- 6155
11. Kurt Busch- 6142
12. Jeff Burton- 6033

Final Hybrid Standings (no seeding)

1. Jimmie Johnson- 6450
2. Kevin Harvick- 6381
3. Denny Hamlin- 6348
4. Carl Edwards- 6238
5. Matt Kenseth- 6143
6. Kyle Busch- 6052
7. Greg Biffle- 6039
8. Jeff Gordon-6005
9. Kurt Busch- 5999
10. Clint Bowyer- 5979
11. Tony Stewart- 5959
12. Jeff Gordon- 5919

Final BadGroove Standings

1. Jimmie Johnson- 97
2. Denny Hamlin- 93
3. Kevin Harvick- 92
4. Carl Edwards- 85
5. Greg Biffle- 71
6. Matt Kenseth- 66
7. Tony Stewart- 56
8. Kyle Busch- 54
9. Clint Bowyer- 53
10. Jeff Gordon- 53
11. Kurt Busch- 50
12. Jeff Burton- 42

Did you see Tony during the pre-race ceremonies holding Gavin Grubb (son of crew chief Darian Grubb)…that Gavin is ADORABLE!

KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 03: Tony Stewart, driver of the Office Depot Chevrolet, holds his crew chief's son Gavin Grubb during prerace for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Price Chopper 400 on October 3, 2010 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

NOTES ABOUT KANSAS:

• I can only bet that winner of the OFFICIAL SMALL BUSINESS OF NASCAR (sponsored by the Office Depot) winner from last week at Dover, Mike Pagano of PaganoPhotography, wishes that Greg Biffle had won LAST weekend because that would have been a million dollar award to his small business.  To quote my two and a half year old nephew, AWW MAN!

Next Race: Autoclub Speedway in California! GoTONYGo!