• The first thing I wanted in this cartoon was a Matt Kenseth cartoon. I'm a big fan, and over the 3 years of doing this, had not drawn one, so which car was to be used was simple.

• Years ago safety issues were different. I always remember the Daytona 500 in the mid 80's that Geoff Bodine won.  Dale Earnhardt had to come in for fuel late in the event. He came screaming down pit row, slammed on the brakes and skidded through his pit. They fueled the car as it was positioned well out of the pit box. If I remember correctly, there was even contact with some crew members.

• At that time, if you had told race teams and drivers that you want to put in a speed limit, parking rules and passing rules, they would have scoffed at you.

• Times have changed and for the better. I've written a few cartoons that include safety issues lately. That is because safety is a major topic at this time. NASCAR has gradually evolved to make racing safer. Still it is ironic to hear these particular violations in a racing rule book.

Curtis