The weather has actually taken a turn for the better up here in Seattle, which has everyone around the office talking about working on their car. How long until summer? Here’s the news:

• The judge in the Nick Hogan trial has issued a pre-sentence investigation, a legal maneuver used  when the defendant is a complete tool. Actually, while the logic seems appropriate, that’s not what it’s really for. Tampa Bay Online
• Ford is planning to give out bonuses, and this time, not just to the guys at the top. Even hourly workers will get a piece of the pie. Now is it just me, or does rewarding everyone seem un-American? Freep
• Robby Gordon’s team has been fined for using an improper bumper cover during Sunday’s Daytona 500. The interesting thing? Since it’s pink and made out of yarn, Gordon was arguing that it was actually a bumper "cozy." AutoWeek
• Fidel Castro doesn’t like bio-fuels, so even though Cuba has plenty of sugar to use in production, he never embraced selling them on the world stage. But with his brother in charge, that might change. Wired

As incredible as it sounds, it looks like Nick might not be the stupidest member of the Hogan clan. Perez Hilton has reported that on the day of Nick’s most recent wreck, the Hulkster procured $78 worth of beer and ice, then took his underage son and a couple of buddies to his boat, where they spent the afternoon drinking beer. This information could very well make the elder Hogan liable in the accident, and might explain why his wife Linda recently surprised him with divorce papers. Maybe she doesn’t want to go down with the ship? Honestly, having a couple of cold ones with your pop while underage isn’t a big deal, but the idea that Hulk let his leadfoot kid—who was apparently driving 100MPH at the time of the crash—anywhere near a vehicle afterwards is downright deplorable. Hogan knows best? My ass he does! Check out this photo Larry snapped at SEMA. Here, Nick is doing what he does best—looking stupid.

Apparently, Nick Hogan isn’t the only one in his family with a penchant for street racing. When his mom, Linda, was asked how she feels about it in the 2005 documentary "Vehicular Lunatics," she responded:

"Oh, I love it. I love it. The rush, the speed on the road, stereo blasting, heart-pounding, racing in between all the cars, dodging the cops. It’s awesome."

Of course, even though she can be clearly seen making the comment, that didn’t stop her from denying it in a recent interview. Classy move Linda. There’s also some footage of her actually dragging someone on a public road, while her daughter Brooke rides shotgun. If this whole ordeal wasn’t so sad, it would be hilarious.   

After two months of investigation, police in Clearwater Florida have arrested Nick Hogan in relation to the August 26th street racing crash which left his friend John Graziano in a vegetative state. In addition to felony reckless driving charges, he was cited for illegal window tinting, and get this, having alcohol in his bloodstream. In a completely shameless—but entirely predictable—move, a statement issued by Hogan’s spokesperson promptly shifted blame to the victim, who was sans seat belt at the time of the accident, and pledged that "the entire Bollea [Hogan's real name] family will make it a priority to increase public awareness about the importance of always wearing your seatbelt." Hey guys, how about making it a priority to keep your idiot kid from getting behind the wheel? That seems like a better move! They also disputed that speed was a factor in the accident, which seems pretty bold, given the condition of his Supra after the crash. If that’s the kind of statement Hulk Hogan is willing to be associated with, he probably doesn’t know best.

Since an August street racing crash which left his friend John Graziano in a vegetative state, Nick Hogan has kept silent. But today, he updated his MySpace blog with this text:

"omggggg its been forever since iblogged…hell i dont even know what blog means but i guess its whereyou write stuff for people to read

anywaysmy last one was before i even drove for mopar, if you check my picsyoull see that i did end up driving for them for my amateur season andmost of my pro rookie season. i recently left the mopar teamtho…things didnt work out to well

but!….i picked up a new title sponsor…POLAROID! and started my own team with twin 350z’s pretty cool i know

anyways id like everyone to wish my luck for my 08 season and keep john graziano in your prayers"

After reading that drivel, I’m almost speechless. No "I’m sorry." No "I made a bad decision." No "I’ll learn from this, and I’ll regret it for the rest of my life." No indication whatsoever that he’s anything more than a spoiled, misanthropic rich kid with the IQ of a potted plant. He actually has a ride page for his old Supra, but it hasn’t been updated since 2004. I almost feel like banning him for being so awful.