Mostly posting this to remind everyone that Andy Gray is killin’ it with the SI Vault Twitter. If you’re not following, you’re missing out on an epic stream of classic sports content from the Sports Illustrated photo, er…vault.

Thought the above photo of a 17-year old Sarah Palin (#22) hooping it up for Wasilla High merited a create-a-caption contest – bonus points if you can identify the model/brand of sneakers on her feet (are those the original Nike Dunks?)

I posted it here and on Facebook, leave your captions in the comments and I’ll post the best submissions to round out the week tomorrow.

Interesting read in the Anchorage Daily-News about the new drug testing policies the Iditarod will be instituting in 2010. Read on to hear what three-time champion and medical marijuana user Lance Mackey has to say about the matter (“I’m going to pee in their little cup, and laugh in their face.”)

In May, the Iditarod Trail Committee voted to expand Rule 29 (“Use of Drugs and Alcohol”). And now, racers may find themselves being tested at checkpoints during the 10-day, 1100 mile race. The vote passed with only two board members John Handeland and Jim Palin voting no to drug tests.

It begs the question, is Jim Palin who I think he is?

Father of Todd, a snow mobile champion in his own right. Grandfather of Bristol, Trig, etc. Would-be Grandfather-in-law of Levi. And Father-in-law of you know who?

I looked online for hard evidence – even emailing a blogger who covered the drug testing story – but am yet to confirm. But how many Jim Palin’s hailing from Wasilla, AK could there be?

I need to know if this is the Jim Palin, because if that dude voted against drug testing in dog sled racing and it goes mostly unknown, that would be a tragedy.

I think I found Sarah Palin a new gig!

She’ll host/ judge/ ruin this new reality show about the Iditarod, and, boom, six months from now – the White Oprah! (Tip of the hat to J Dot Domingo, who’s actually predicting this White Oprah outcome, he’s probably kidding)

It indeed flew under my radar that the Discovery Channel was airing a new show this Fall about the 1,000+ mile Alaskan sled dog race, called “Toughest Race on Earth: Iditarod“, which premiered on 10/14 and airs every Friday, at 8 p.m. Check out the trailer:

Since this series is apparently baked, I’m thinking as a follow-up: “America’s Next Top Musher”, hosted by Palin, featuring a cast of characters resembling the usual cast of reality show characters. (what’s Bonaduce been up to, anyway?)

And, boom, a year from now you can rest assured that Sarah Palin is preoccupied folksin’ around in Alaska with a bunch of VH1 producers, and has all but abandoned blind political ambitions.