Greased Lightening

I hate to make a reference to an awfully dorky chick flick like Grease but getting on the freeway today I felt like John Travolta in Grease... playing a good game of chicken in my hot rod....

So today I went for my monthly allergy shot down at the free clinic (or so it feels - frankly I don't read the magazines, touch as few things as possible, and wash my hands at least once while there) on Folsom Blvd near Alhambra. So, I head west on Folsom, turn right on on Alhambra (or is it 30th?) and head north along side the freeway. When I get to J, the on ramp is across J, two lanes, short on-ramp, merging to one lane pretty quick, up-hill, and I often use this as a test track for my little car.

As I cross J, there is a new model Maxima in the lane next to me on the left. He's a few car lengths ahead but not too far.

I often pass whatever chump is there just as if this was Santa Rosa Avenue back in '88, when I was rolling the 5.0, with the fake cell phone and the big woofers. Ahhhh, the good ol' days of driving fast at EVERY stop light the second they turned green....

Anyway, getting on the freeway today I decide to overtake this new model Maxima.
As I pass, I glance left and notice he isn't going away... but I am in third gear so don't have all my mojo... nonetheless, I punch it and leave his ass. Yes, it's the "same" enginge but I am rocking 298 horsies with the 6 speed and he's NOT with his automatic. I hope that keeps that guy from ever again trying to say he has the same engine as a G35. I can just hear him talking... "my car is just like the G35 but much more refined... same engine, 4 doors, but I didn't pay extra for the name badge on the back...." It seems to me he clearly SAW the name badge on my butt as I passed his butt!

So, back to the game of chicken... I could tell he was pushing it as it took me a second and I had to think about slowing down for a moment. Let him go or complete the move no matter what... roads are slick.... Glad I didn't chicken out!