The checkered flag flew for the last time in 2011 on Saturday at Tazewell Speedway. The end of the race season is here. I need to have a beginning to even out this end, so I'm going to work my way through this blog experience as a rookie. Before long, the spring thaw will arrive, and I'll hear thunder coming from Petty's Garage to remind me that it's time to go green once again. Until then, stay tuned. This is probably the time for those afraid they'd end up in my book to take cover and hang on tight.