Unless you have access to a television at your workplace, it’s not likely you’d be able to keep an eye on Cup and Nationwide practice, which typically happens Fridays. Perhaps you’ve watched qualifying and you may watch the actual races, but it seems like the track is rarely free for any significant length of time. (This, of course, changes on Saturday, when the Cup race is the focus of the day.)

If you’re not at the track, it’s hard to imagine what goes on here when TV isn’t looking. There are even a handful of fans in the stands, though they’re largely engulfed by the empty seats around them. (Hey, I’d probably be outside relaxing with a drink too.)

There have been random press conferences this morning; nothing major. Greg Biffle said it’s his “100 percent intent” to re-sign with Roush Fenway Racing. Biffle has been in contract negotiations for some time, but said he feels no pressure to rush to get anything done. He said he’s looked around, but feels like the unknowns of a new organization are a big potential downside.

I’m happy to say the prediction from earlier in the week is holding up nicely. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has the fastest lap in practice; he’s one of four drivers that have cracked 122 mph, along with Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon. (Then, just as I’m getting ready to post, Mark Martin rockets to the top of the chart - a full half-second quicker than Junior. Will DEI be a player this weekend?)

I will say that as soon as I hit ‘publish’ on that prediction, I had a twinge of regret. Busch has also run quite well here; given the way he’s run this season, it should not surprise anyone if he were to win.

But that’s the scene here. We’ll have a story, maybe two, in tomorrow’s paper. Plus the feature on Todd Brewer comes on Sunday, and I think that’s going to be a good one.

We’ll also check in tomorrow with our bi-annual pre-race post, just to set the scene for a hopefully-dry Cup race on Saturday.