by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

Well, gang, the Daytona 500 went down in the history books as a great race. Sure Dale Earnhardt, Jr., won the race, and Michael Waltrip had a spectacular crash (the big one) and got mad at the rescue crews. Brendan Gaughan learned a whole bunch during his first outing in the Nextel Cup Series as a competitor, while Kurt and Kyle Busch showed their ability on the big track.

Now the teams head off for Rockingham, North Carolina to compete on the 1-mile oval. This is a track built to the liking of the Busch brothers and especially Gaughan. I'm not saying Brendan is going to win, in this his second outing, but he should gain a ton of respect from his fellow drivers. It appears that all that training the 27 year-old went through over the years has really paid off. I've written about Brendan in the past, mentioning that when he was a little tyke his dad, Michael (he owns the Coast Casinos), would take him along to the off-road races. The youngster would be propped up on a pillow inside dads race car (dune buggy) as they went through technical inspection. When Brendan actually began to race, dad had to drive him to the races because the kid didn't have a drivers license. Oh, there's so much one can write about this guy. But I'll save some for another column-maybe next week.. The #77 Kodak Dodge showed its strength during the 500 and I will predict right now that my friend Brendan will win at least one race this year and very possibly two. I also look for him to end up with a pole spot in at least two races, very possibly right here in Las Vegas.

Brendan and Kurt Busch will be competing in the NASCAR Nextel UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 7. Kyle will be competing in the Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Busch race on Saturday and will attempt to qualify for the Sunday Cup race for the first time. If he makes it in the big race it will mark the first time the brothers have raced in head-to-head competition in a nationally-sanctioned event. "I didn't expect to be racing against Kurt so soon, but I'm excited to do it, especially here at home," Kyle said during a recent interview. "This is going to be a special weekend for me and my entire family." And, as if that wasn't enough, the younger Busch plans on driving in both a Super Late Model and a Legends Car at the Bullring on Saturday night after the 300.

A very special friend of mine will be singing the National Anthem at Sunday's race. Mr. Robert Goulet, who is a long-time resident of Las Vegas, sang the anthem for the Busch race two years ago. Fortunately for us (spectators and television audience) he was available when Jeff Motley, Public Relations for the speedway, called his wife, Vera to see if he would be in town that weekend. You may not be a fan of auto racing but if you want to hear the anthem beautifully presented by a man with a God Given Voice then turn on the TV set to the Fox channel at around 11:30 am. Sunday and watch a master perform. He's the best!

Last week we stopped by the Greek Isle to visit with a few of the entertainers who help make The CAST a very viable entity. This particular luncheon was honoring two of the best at stand-up comedy: Joey Villa and Pete Barbutti. Villa was the first to go on stage and do his routine, which really had the crowd rolling in the aisle (well, at their tables anyhow). Villa worked the Riviera Hotel as a regular and was a very close friend of The Man (Sinatra). He has worked in just about every corner of the globe. Now, it was Pete's turn to take over the stage. He did his famous "playing the cigar" skit which is a classic. He then asked if anyone was having a birthday this month? A friend sitting next to me yelled out my name and I was a goner. Pete has the ability to improvise on the spot. He got anyone who could sing or carry a tune (which was sorta like just about everyone in the room) to come on stage. Then he began: "Happy Birthday to Norman Johnson...etc" Well, gang, this went on for nearly 10 minutes. I honestly believe some of the board members put Pete up to this! But it was fun.

The City of Las Vegas has marked this coming Wednesday as Bernie Allen Day, in memory of the man who created so much laughter during his lifetime. And all his friends along with many, many people who never met him will honor him with a Memorial Birthday Party at the Bootlegger Restaurant. He would have been 88 years-young. A few years ago Bernie started celebrating his birthday at the eatery inviting his friends to bring warm clothing, blankets, etc., to the restaurant. That was the ticket to get inside to have a piece of cake with Bernie. Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt (she owns the place) and has promised to continue the tradition. It should be a fun afternoon with lots of entertainment. It starts at 2 pm and goes until who knows!

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: The Le Bistro Theatre inside the Riviera Hotel will be jumping beginning Monday evening when Kevin Cavenagh takes over the room to present his "Tribute to Sinatra" show. He'll be in for six months and will be performing every Monday night with tickets priced at $24.95 plus tax and fee... The "Exotic Hypnotic's Show" in the same room renewed their contract for another year, making them the second longest running show in the room... The Clark County Parks & Community Services Cultural Division is calling for sculptors and artists living in Nevada to enter the Sixth Annual E Pluribus Artis invitational exhibit. The Best of Show will receive an award of $1,000.00. The exhibit will be located in the rotunda of the Clark County Government Center from April 12-May 21. For further info call Diane Bush at 455-8239... Tommy Blaze opens at the Comedy Stop at the Tropicana Hotel Monday night along with Tom Drake and Jimmy (JJ) Walker...

Well, gang, that's it for another week. I'm outa here!

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