Chris and Sean Take the QX80 Trackside

It's finally that time of year. Saratoga Race Course is open for business. There a lot of great things about living in this area, but heading up to Saratoga on a beautiful summer day might be my favorite. I loved test driving the QX80 so much that I jumped at the chance to drive Lia Infiniti's track-themed model up to Saratoga Race Course. I'm used to the luck of being able to park in the media lot, but we had something extra special in store for us today. We drove right up to trackside because this is the vehicle you'll see on the track at Saratoga all summer long.

Of course, Sean came along for the ride and we did what we do best: talk sports.

First thing's first. I cannot believe the NBA is adding in challenges and video replay next season. Look, I get it, we want to get calls right, but can you imagine just how long the last minute of an NBA game is going to take when you throw in one or two challenges? Sean thinks getting it right matters more, but I'm grateful they decided to cap the number of challenges at one per team. One of the reasons basketball works is because the pace of play can be so exciting. The last thing the sport needs is a few minutes of dead time shoved into the middle of it.

The second half of the Major League Baseball season is upon us and the biggest story might not even be the Yankees - it's accusations of "juiced" baseballs. Several ace pitchers, including Justin Verlander, have claimed the MLB has done something to baseballs to make them easier to hit out of the park. They would know if the baseballs felt differently, right? Sean and I hate the idea, but we also can't help but think the game is a little more exciting when batters are knocking the ball out of the yard more often. Whether the MLB made it happen intentionally or if they are just letting the change stand, you can't argue the numbers. We're on pace to obliterate the league's total single reason home run record.

And if it's time for the Saratoga Race Course that means it's almost time for the NFL's return too. This year the Jets look like the best team in New York on paper, but Sean still needs to come around on actually believing it. Who can blame him? They are perennial underachievers. That being said, the Giants have a lot of question marks and haven't performed well for the past few years and the Bill are, well, the Bills. If this Jets roster isn't the best in New York, I don't know to say about it. So here's my prediction: The Jets are the best team in New York this year and they will have the best record of any New York team this year. It will be enough to get them into the playoffs.

If you're someone who doesn't like that ride up the Northway to Saratoga, the QX80 will cure you of that. I'd make the trip every day in one of these.

If you're ready for an upgrade, check out Lia Infiniti — the exclusive dealer for Infiniti in the Capital Region — on Route 9 in Latham, about a mile north of the Latham circle. Tell them Onorato & Bagnardi sent you!