For many in NASCAR, this week's snow storms that swept across the East Coast and parts of the South extended their stays in Las Vegas. Delayed by the weather, those that travel week-in and week-out for our entertainment were forced to stay another day away from home - but, hey, at least it was Vegas.

"The entire team ended up staying over in Las Vegas a little longer than expected," Elliott Sadler, driver of the No. 19 Richard Petty Motorsports Dodge pointed out. "I know another day or two in Las Vegas doesn't sound that difficult to some, but when you've been out west for 11 days already, day number 12 or 13 doesn't get any easier."

The first few races of the schedule force teams and drivers to continually stay on the road and away from family and friends perhaps more than at any other part of the season. A lengthy stay in Daytona is followed up by a quick turn-around trip to Fontana, California. After California the teams rush back to Race Country USA, pack their bags and then it's out to the bright lights of Vegas. Always on the go and hard at work, this routine is hardly a routine at all. Throw on top of that an extra night away from the comfort of your own bed thanks to weather...

"These guys have been working hard and away from home for the all but about three of the last 30 days," Sadler added. "That is a grueling schedule and a lot of our guys just wanted to go home and spend some time with their wife or kids or girlfriends that they haven't seen in a long time. That was the plan-get everyone home early this week and give them some down time, but since the snowstorm in Charlotte a lot of plans changed. I know some of the over-the-wall guys for Richard Petty Motorsports didn't get home until Wednesday. The team sent out two planes to get most of them home that left Monday night and got home very early Tuesday morning, but we couldn't get everyone and some had to wait until Wednesday morning for a commercial flight."

In a show of leadership and solidarity, the team's Vice President of Competition, Mark McArdle, gave up his seat on the team's private jet to stay on the road with his team. Sadler explained, "As he put it - 'If you guys are staying - than so am I. We are a team and we stick together like a team.' That was a class move and I know a lot of the guys on the team appreciate it."

Back to the Southeast this weekend for the Kobalt Tools 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, teams will be looking forward to next weekend's break in the action. While there is always work to do and never a weekend off, these crew members deserve a bit of R&R after criss-crossing this great nation for the past four weeks.