After carefully reviewing their options for next year, Riney Enterprises has decided not to return to the Lucky Dog Cup Series or Lucky Dog Busch Series in 2007. "Its not an issue of sponsorship." said team Owner Will Riney, "We actually received major offers this past week from Total Sports Inc and Sunkist brand soda. After looking at the two series, we just decided we would not gain anything from racing there anymore. There were many issues with the Series this year and we didn't want to get caught up in all of the drama again in 2007."

Major problems with Lucky Dog Racing in 2006:

-Change in Busch Wacker definition in mid-race, costing Tyler Bevering (aptly named Busch-Wacker Motorsports) several points.

- Picks being changed 45 minutes into Cup qualifying by the league president

-Those compromised picks earned the League president $75 in the Money Pit Segment #3, which he won by 33 points. Could that explain why he was so adamant not to take a points penalty? Had I or any of my family/friends been in the Money Pit for that segement, it would have been quite a different ending. As it was, the 2nd place finisher was very gracious in defeat, which was a breath of fresh air for this league.

- Responses from the League president like this "I'm not about to give myself a penalty since I know what happened and if people don't like it.... oh well, sh** happens."

and this

- The League president refused to listen to reason as far as having picks submitted before practice. And I quote "You make it sound like I'm the only one who can see practice speeds. Ummm.... I work Monday through Friday too. It's posted on the internet where anyone could see them... NASCAR does not mail them to me alone." and

"I'm not the only one who makes late picks or makes changes. There are quite a few others who do it as well."

- The week after the League president refused to listen to a change in the picks deadline, he changed the picks deadline because he would be out of town.

- The League President will email Cup members if they select drivers over the allotted $180,000 budget, but consistently lists Busch Drivers on the picks sheet that are not even entered in the race. When I asked him if he could either stop listing the drivers not entered in the race or send a courtesy email to people who make this mistake (since he does it for Cup players who go over the budget). He said no. He only considers the Busch Series a development series. I think those players only in the Busch Series would say they deserve as much respect as the players in the Cup Series. I agree.

AND THE STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK....

- Threats by the League President to shut down the league when questioned on rules violations. Who wants to play in a league where the president threatens to shut the whole thing down if people continue to question his rulings? Want his direct quote? Here it is "If people aren't happy with the way the league is run maybe I can just make it easier for everyone and not have one next year."

People can make their own decision on whether or not to stay in Lucky Dog, but in light of these events, I will not be returning to Lucky Dog in 2007. I have informed my (10) family members and friends. I do not expect any of them to return, however they may all decide on their own.