Wednesday, November 30, 2011
F1 Drivers Pay Tribute to Fallen Racers in India
As always - in Dark times of Tragedy; the Show must go ON! And hence, while IndyCar and MOTO GP continue grieving over their recently fallen Stars, life goes on in the world of Formula 1 - which commences the inaugural Indian Grand Prix this weekend.
Yet many of the F1 drivers participating this weekend are doing their own special little bits to recognize the lives of Dan Wheldon and Marco Simoncelli. With such drivers as Jenson Button and Marc Webber running tribute ?Deckles (Decals) to Jarno Trulli running a replica livery Simoncelli helmet scheme... While Lewis Hamilton runs a previously planned Bob Marley helmet theme this weekend...
McLaren's Jenson Button prepares his tribute for the late Dan Wheldon
Yet SPEED?s Bob Varsha noted during the Saturday Qualifying show that Lewis Hamilton had donated a set of his race worn Overalls from the Italian GP to the Wheldon Memorial Trust Fund Auction - along with Fernando Alonso also donating one of his racing bibs to the cause, which you can check out the Auction and more at: Dan Wheldon Memorial
Yet many of the F1 drivers participating this weekend are doing their own special little bits to recognize the lives of Dan Wheldon and Marco Simoncelli. With such drivers as Jenson Button and Marc Webber running tribute ?Deckles (Decals) to Jarno Trulli running a replica livery Simoncelli helmet scheme... While Lewis Hamilton runs a previously planned Bob Marley helmet theme this weekend...
McLaren's Jenson Button prepares his tribute for the late Dan Wheldon
Yet SPEED?s Bob Varsha noted during the Saturday Qualifying show that Lewis Hamilton had donated a set of his race worn Overalls from the Italian GP to the Wheldon Memorial Trust Fund Auction - along with Fernando Alonso also donating one of his racing bibs to the cause, which you can check out the Auction and more at: Dan Wheldon Memorial
Maybe it?s a matter of winning, not losing
It’s a simple case of the Cinderella story versus the truth of who has the best damn car on the track.
AVONDALE, Ariz. – This Chase race is a bouncing ball. Each week. Back and forth.
Intangibles run rampant. Let’s see.
On Friday, Denny Hamlin was in breakout mode. His crew chief, Mike Ford, has supposedly gotten under the skin of Jimmie Johnson’s crew, which, by the way, wasn’t the same as it had been a week earlier.
On Monday, Johnson still trailed by 15 points, but it seemed as if it was time to get the cases of champagne ordered. Hamlin had played it a bit too safe by pitting near the end of the Kobalt Tools 500, apparently not realizing that most everyone else was going to try to conserve fuel and make it to the end, and more importantly, that most were going to succeed.
At Phoenix International Raceway, Hamlin snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, leaving him to wander aimlessly out of the track’s media center, muttering that he didn’t think he had done anything wrong.
Meanwhile, there was Kevin Harvick lurking, eyeing the two in front of him with the stare of a vulture waiting to snatch up the pieces.
But what if we stopped putting so much weight into the tangibles? What if the tangibles are really going to decide who wins this heated contest?
What if what happens just … happens?
If Johnson emerges next week as the champion, the prevailing view is going to be that Hamlin’s crew chief, Ford, spat on Superman’s (Johnson crew chief Chad Knaus) cape and got what was coming to him. If Hamlin wins it all, it’s going be because he kept a level head and didn’t let anyone get to him.
If Harvick wins, well, it’s going to require some alleged choking or bad luck by not one, but two. Thus will emerge the Cinderella story.
But maybe, just maybe, this championship is to be decided simply by which driver has the fastest car. Maybe no one’s going to choke. Maybe the attention should be justly slanted toward a tale of winning, not losing.
If so, few will notice. What’s between the ears trumps what’s under the hood.
F1 Drivers Pay Tribute to Fallen Racers in India
As always - in Dark times of Tragedy; the Show must go ON! And hence, while IndyCar and MOTO GP continue grieving over their recently fallen Stars, life goes on in the world of Formula 1 - which commences the inaugural Indian Grand Prix this weekend.
Yet many of the F1 drivers participating this weekend are doing their own special little bits to recognize the lives of Dan Wheldon and Marco Simoncelli. With such drivers as Jenson Button and Marc Webber running tribute ?Deckles (Decals) to Jarno Trulli running a replica livery Simoncelli helmet scheme... While Lewis Hamilton runs a previously planned Bob Marley helmet theme this weekend...
McLaren's Jenson Button prepares his tribute for the late Dan Wheldon
Yet SPEED?s Bob Varsha noted during the Saturday Qualifying show that Lewis Hamilton had donated a set of his race worn Overalls from the Italian GP to the Wheldon Memorial Trust Fund Auction - along with Fernando Alonso also donating one of his racing bibs to the cause, which you can check out the Auction and more at: Dan Wheldon Memorial
Yet many of the F1 drivers participating this weekend are doing their own special little bits to recognize the lives of Dan Wheldon and Marco Simoncelli. With such drivers as Jenson Button and Marc Webber running tribute ?Deckles (Decals) to Jarno Trulli running a replica livery Simoncelli helmet scheme... While Lewis Hamilton runs a previously planned Bob Marley helmet theme this weekend...
McLaren's Jenson Button prepares his tribute for the late Dan Wheldon
Yet SPEED?s Bob Varsha noted during the Saturday Qualifying show that Lewis Hamilton had donated a set of his race worn Overalls from the Italian GP to the Wheldon Memorial Trust Fund Auction - along with Fernando Alonso also donating one of his racing bibs to the cause, which you can check out the Auction and more at: Dan Wheldon Memorial
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
This year ? the Chase works
Chase contenders Denny Hamlin, Jimmy Johnson and Kevin Harvick during a Champions press conference on Friday. (Photo: Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Let the best man win. Let the fastest car win. Here’s hoping they’re the same.
Grant the serenity not to have to muddy the Sprint Cup waters with leaking oil or litter them with debris. Here’s hoping no one’s title hopes run out of gas … literally.
Even though “ABC’s Wide World of Sports” is but a memory, it would be nostalgic to have the Ford 400 decided amid “the human drama of athletic competition.” What’s more important than who wins is how he wins it.
In an incredible development, given the slings and arrows of the Chase format, the three drivers who are still in contention – at Homestead-Miami Speedway, in the final race, with a 46-point blanket over them – are the three who deserve to be there.
If there were no Chase – and the points awarded in each race the same as now – Kevin Harvick would lead by 295 points. Of course, there is a Chase.
The driver with the most victories is Denny Hamlin.
The driver with four straight championships is Jimmie Johnson.
Chase or no Chase, they would be the top three now, though in different order. If the true goal of the Chase is to tighten, but not otherwise alter, the course of the season, then this Chase is the one that exemplifies the format. Even those who dislike the Chase – they’re out there – should be willing to concede that this is just about as good as the format, however flawed, gets.
If everything works out perfectly today, NASCAR will have a difficult time justifying further changes, even though NASCAR chairman Brian France has been floating trial balloons on the subject since July.
They’ll probably “tweak it” a little – France and his minions love that word – just to save face.
France was still pumping hot air – perhaps not quite as hot as before – into the balloon as recently as Friday.
The results of the current season, he said, demonstrate that “the more we can do, to have incentives ? an incentive basis -- to decide this championship, that puts it all on the line more often. That's what we need to be thinking about.”
Oh, yeah. “Take paradise and … put up a parking lot.”
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Let the best man win. Let the fastest car win. Here’s hoping they’re the same.
Grant the serenity not to have to muddy the Sprint Cup waters with leaking oil or litter them with debris. Here’s hoping no one’s title hopes run out of gas … literally.
Even though “ABC’s Wide World of Sports” is but a memory, it would be nostalgic to have the Ford 400 decided amid “the human drama of athletic competition.” What’s more important than who wins is how he wins it.
In an incredible development, given the slings and arrows of the Chase format, the three drivers who are still in contention – at Homestead-Miami Speedway, in the final race, with a 46-point blanket over them – are the three who deserve to be there.
If there were no Chase – and the points awarded in each race the same as now – Kevin Harvick would lead by 295 points. Of course, there is a Chase.
The driver with the most victories is Denny Hamlin.
The driver with four straight championships is Jimmie Johnson.
Chase or no Chase, they would be the top three now, though in different order. If the true goal of the Chase is to tighten, but not otherwise alter, the course of the season, then this Chase is the one that exemplifies the format. Even those who dislike the Chase – they’re out there – should be willing to concede that this is just about as good as the format, however flawed, gets.
If everything works out perfectly today, NASCAR will have a difficult time justifying further changes, even though NASCAR chairman Brian France has been floating trial balloons on the subject since July.
They’ll probably “tweak it” a little – France and his minions love that word – just to save face.
France was still pumping hot air – perhaps not quite as hot as before – into the balloon as recently as Friday.
The results of the current season, he said, demonstrate that “the more we can do, to have incentives ? an incentive basis -- to decide this championship, that puts it all on the line more often. That's what we need to be thinking about.”
Oh, yeah. “Take paradise and … put up a parking lot.”
WSR Drivers set to make Debutant F1 Practise starts
This weekend?s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will see the debut of two rising World Series by Renault (WSR 3.5) stars participating in Friday morning?s Free Practice (FP1) session.
Thee Young ?Wicky, aka Robert Wickens, the reigning WSR champion, who hails from Up North Eh! Oh ?KanaDuh; Hya! Will get to run Jerome d'Ambrosio?s Virgin-Cosworth during FP1 as a reward for winning the WSR title.
As I believe the WSR crown also garners Wickens seat time at Loti-ren XP Caladrocious... Err Renault at this year?s F1 Young Drivers test which will commence two days after the Abu Dhabi GP...
Meanwhile, Scuderia Toro Rosso, will see the French Ace and Red Bull Junior Academy driver Jean Eric Vergne will continue his understudy work at Toro Rosso on Friday morning?s for the final two GP?s; having deputize at Korea. And like Wickens, Vergne will run at the Young Drivers test, albeit aboard the all conquering Red Bull RB7 of Master ?Zebb (Vettel) instead...
Vergne makes Friday morning F1 debut in Korea
Thee Young ?Wicky, aka Robert Wickens, the reigning WSR champion, who hails from Up North Eh! Oh ?KanaDuh; Hya! Will get to run Jerome d'Ambrosio?s Virgin-Cosworth during FP1 as a reward for winning the WSR title.
As I believe the WSR crown also garners Wickens seat time at Loti-ren XP Caladrocious... Err Renault at this year?s F1 Young Drivers test which will commence two days after the Abu Dhabi GP...
Meanwhile, Scuderia Toro Rosso, will see the French Ace and Red Bull Junior Academy driver Jean Eric Vergne will continue his understudy work at Toro Rosso on Friday morning?s for the final two GP?s; having deputize at Korea. And like Wickens, Vergne will run at the Young Drivers test, albeit aboard the all conquering Red Bull RB7 of Master ?Zebb (Vettel) instead...
Vergne makes Friday morning F1 debut in Korea
Monday, November 28, 2011
INDYCAR: Taking a Hard Look in the Mirror
The car of driver Will Power goes airborne during the 15-car crash that claimed the life of Dan Wheldon on Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. (Barry Ambrose / Reuters / October 16, 2011)
I?ve refrained from publishing this earlier - in order to let everybody grieve over the STUPIDLY WASTEFUL & SENSELESS DEATH of Indy Cars Two-time and reigning Indy 500 Champion Dan Wheldon...
Yet having been away from Der ?Vurld de Motersporten - Ja Ja! For 8-Dazes in the overly warm climes of Scottsdale, AZ the week following the tragedy; I feel I had ample time to reflect upon my personal thoughts towards the Los Vegas catastrophe... Especially since I purposely took off 8-days of staring at ze Confuzer - along with NO Motorsports reading whatsoever! As I always relish these short breaks away from that dreaded contraption that I spend several THOUSAND HOURS on yearly in order to bring ?Ye Bastards all of my thoughts upon primarily Open Wheel Racing; but I digress...
Therefore, rightly or wrongly(?_ As I?ll let Y?all make the Call upon that I?d like to point out some topics which may focus a harsh spotlight upon Mr. Bernard, who I?ve dubbed The CandyMann ?cause so far to date everything he?s done had come out smelling beautiful...
New Car FolliesWithout spending countless words upon the whole New-for-2012 IndyCar selection process and subsequent delay of fully integrated ?Body-by-Mennen Aerokits until 2013 - this may actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise, albeit I?d like to naturally assume the ICONIC committee or whomever responsible would immediately mandate chassis changes in the need of Driver, Track Marshalls and Spectators safety...
DoubleWide RestartsYes, I?m afraid I?m ?Juan of those Diehard Purists - who believe that the Double-file restarts mandated by Randy Bernard do nothing more then cause unnecessary carnage between drivers and was simply implemented in order to ?Spice-up The Show...
?Whooze Your Daddy SweepstakesI have NOT been a fan of this Made-for-TV Spectali from the day it was announced - especially with the original GIMIC of attempting to lure ?NON-Indy Regulars? into competing; WTF? BUTT NO! The Show MUST GO ON! And hence Randy Bernard concocted the $5m challenge; Hmm? Why does that make me instantly think of the Five-dollar Footlong jingle, eh?
To which we all know the HORRIFYING results of; with NOT one but three cars going airborne, i.e.; Dan Wheldon, Will Power and Townsend Bell/JR Hildebrand? - All being highly accomplished racers who were certainly capable of racing Side-by-Side on Ovaltracks.
Thus like it or not, I believe that Mr. Bernard has to have some portion of blame appropriated to him, as after all he is the CEO of the Sport, the Las Vegas Spectacle was his ?Baby? and he was the force behind making the event a reality...
As I?m quite happy to see the many different entity?s saying ?We?ve got Your Back - Randy!? And in NO way am I claiming that he is solely responsible for Dan Wheldon?s death - Nor did he hold a loaded weapon to the reigning Indy 500 champion?s temple and say: Look Boy; You?re gonna drive the Damn Son-O-a-Gun or else... BUTT! Bernard must be held responsible in some capacity since he was so HELL bent for leather upon making this race the END all to BE ALL For IndyCar season finales...
Yet I?d also like to say that I am certainly not as highly qualified or capable of doing the mostly masterful job of being the Chief Executive Officer of a motor racing league, yet it seems that somebody somewhere?s along the line either forgot to consider the consequences of what this PT Barnum stunt was attempting to do or was overruled upon trying to point out the potential of trying to mimic ?RASSCAR Pack-racing on a 1.5-mile progressively banked Superspeedway... As all I could think of was CART attempting to race at Texas in 2001 - when wisely the Sanctioning Body cancelled the event after multiple drivers complained of ?Vertigo!
As once again it was the delightfully Outspoken ?Aussie Will Power who made me ponder this by calling LVMS ridiculously stupid Flat-out on the floor racing, and thinking it?d be like Chicagoland on Steroids. (My words NOT Mr. Power?s...)
Dan Wheldon's death raises questions about IndyCar racing
AftermathFirst ?N foremost; Obviously I am NOT a qualified Physicist, Engineer or Trained Accident Investigator and will therefore await for IndyCar to conclude its accident Investigation before making my own personal judgment upon its recommendations.
Yet obviously a further rethinking of this type of ?PacMan ?Wreckers or Checkers? racing mentality upon High-speed Ovals needs a clear rethink - and regardless what you may/may not think about the drivers and their perceived lack of ability upon Ovals, Road courses and Street Circuits: Racecar Drivers are and will ALWAYS be racers first, which after all is MOST exemplified by the phrase: Second place is First loser!
And while so far I find The CandyMann to be simply trying to emulate the successes of Humpy Wheeler while trying to throw IndyCar a Lifeline by trailblazing the Open wheel arena as a modern day Barnstormer... I like his tireless pursuit of trying to right a sunken ship and enjoy the breath of Fresh Air he?s brought to my cherished North American premiere single seater series.
And if nothing else, Mr. Bernard?s proven he?s ?A Dooer.? Willing to make mistakes, gamble, re-evaluate and then correct said mistakes... Thus I?d like to see the following ideas implemented in order to help the Indy Car Series move forward. ?GAWD! I HATE THAT STATEMENT... As let?s NOT forget Dan Wheldon?s senseless tragedy all in order to pump-up television ratings! As Mary Ellen said it most succinctly: What an utter WASTE of that young Man?s life! And all in the name of what???
ObservationsI for one am NOT a fan of the new 2012 Dallara?s rear bumper design - as what?s next; turn signals? As I?m all in favour for minimizing careening cars being catapulted Skywards from hitting a competitor?s rear wheel - but will this minimize this effect or potentially lull drivers into a further false sense of security because they?ll be able to get away with more? Perhaps the front end of the car needs to be made wider, longer and higher - along with having its front wing and tyres re-designed to help lower these types of collisions?
I do not know if wheel tethers are currently employed or not? If so it seems that either further strengthening or implementing double tethers should be considered.
According to second hand knowledge - I was told that Bruce Martin had reported that Dan Wheldon?s roll hoop was completely sheared off and this potentially played a role in Dan?s massive Head trauma that occurred from hitting the wall. Therefore IF? This is indeed correct? As I cannot find said article - then it would seem that the roll hoop structure needs additional reinforcing, should be made larger and potentially a secondary back-up structure be mandated for use on all Ovaltracks...
And I said the same words that fateful afternoon, albeit I couldn?t think of the wing?s name - before Robin Miller mentioned the Hanford Device on Wind tunnel Sunday night. As it appears that either a very tight lid is being kept upon this aspect and hopefully NOT being treated as the Elephant in the Room... As not only are we possibly slated for a return to Las Vegas in 2012 as the Season Finale? But we?re also going back to someplace called Fontana... Where Gil De Ferran holds the current ALL time Speed record at 241-plus miles per hour! Not to mention Randy?s desires to break Arie Luyendyk?s one and four-lap Qualifying records at the Speedway... As Earth to IndyCar: what?s WRONG with this picture...
Tracy voices IndyCar concerns
Whilst I think ?Big Daddy Don Garlits put it most succinctly on a previously wind tunnel interview regarding how he felt absolutely 100% certain on NHRA Drag Racing needed to return to its roots and go back to Quarter-mile (1,320ft) racing by SLOWING the Top Fuel Funnycars and Dragsters down with a reduction in Horsepower. As Garlits noted that NASCAR did that awhile ago when the cars were getting airborne when traveling over 200mph - yet the fans have NOT gone away - and NASCAR?s more popular then ever!
Like I said I?m NOT an Engineer or Chassis Designer and may be ALL of these concerns have been addressed already with the new 2012 Dallara Safety Cell DW12 chassis which sounds like an accident waiting to happen... Yet, I?d like to see Mr. Bernard set up a permanent Technical Committee that will evaluate all aspects of chassis design & safety concerns for multiple competitors on any new venues that Indy Car competes on along with vigilantly overseeing all current events increased safety for all concerned, including Crewmembers...
Zanardi hits out at pack racing
I?ve refrained from publishing this earlier - in order to let everybody grieve over the STUPIDLY WASTEFUL & SENSELESS DEATH of Indy Cars Two-time and reigning Indy 500 Champion Dan Wheldon...
Yet having been away from Der ?Vurld de Motersporten - Ja Ja! For 8-Dazes in the overly warm climes of Scottsdale, AZ the week following the tragedy; I feel I had ample time to reflect upon my personal thoughts towards the Los Vegas catastrophe... Especially since I purposely took off 8-days of staring at ze Confuzer - along with NO Motorsports reading whatsoever! As I always relish these short breaks away from that dreaded contraption that I spend several THOUSAND HOURS on yearly in order to bring ?Ye Bastards all of my thoughts upon primarily Open Wheel Racing; but I digress...
Therefore, rightly or wrongly(?_ As I?ll let Y?all make the Call upon that I?d like to point out some topics which may focus a harsh spotlight upon Mr. Bernard, who I?ve dubbed The CandyMann ?cause so far to date everything he?s done had come out smelling beautiful...
New Car FolliesWithout spending countless words upon the whole New-for-2012 IndyCar selection process and subsequent delay of fully integrated ?Body-by-Mennen Aerokits until 2013 - this may actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise, albeit I?d like to naturally assume the ICONIC committee or whomever responsible would immediately mandate chassis changes in the need of Driver, Track Marshalls and Spectators safety...
DoubleWide RestartsYes, I?m afraid I?m ?Juan of those Diehard Purists - who believe that the Double-file restarts mandated by Randy Bernard do nothing more then cause unnecessary carnage between drivers and was simply implemented in order to ?Spice-up The Show...
?Whooze Your Daddy SweepstakesI have NOT been a fan of this Made-for-TV Spectali from the day it was announced - especially with the original GIMIC of attempting to lure ?NON-Indy Regulars? into competing; WTF? BUTT NO! The Show MUST GO ON! And hence Randy Bernard concocted the $5m challenge; Hmm? Why does that make me instantly think of the Five-dollar Footlong jingle, eh?
To which we all know the HORRIFYING results of; with NOT one but three cars going airborne, i.e.; Dan Wheldon, Will Power and Townsend Bell/JR Hildebrand? - All being highly accomplished racers who were certainly capable of racing Side-by-Side on Ovaltracks.
Thus like it or not, I believe that Mr. Bernard has to have some portion of blame appropriated to him, as after all he is the CEO of the Sport, the Las Vegas Spectacle was his ?Baby? and he was the force behind making the event a reality...
As I?m quite happy to see the many different entity?s saying ?We?ve got Your Back - Randy!? And in NO way am I claiming that he is solely responsible for Dan Wheldon?s death - Nor did he hold a loaded weapon to the reigning Indy 500 champion?s temple and say: Look Boy; You?re gonna drive the Damn Son-O-a-Gun or else... BUTT! Bernard must be held responsible in some capacity since he was so HELL bent for leather upon making this race the END all to BE ALL For IndyCar season finales...
Yet I?d also like to say that I am certainly not as highly qualified or capable of doing the mostly masterful job of being the Chief Executive Officer of a motor racing league, yet it seems that somebody somewhere?s along the line either forgot to consider the consequences of what this PT Barnum stunt was attempting to do or was overruled upon trying to point out the potential of trying to mimic ?RASSCAR Pack-racing on a 1.5-mile progressively banked Superspeedway... As all I could think of was CART attempting to race at Texas in 2001 - when wisely the Sanctioning Body cancelled the event after multiple drivers complained of ?Vertigo!
As once again it was the delightfully Outspoken ?Aussie Will Power who made me ponder this by calling LVMS ridiculously stupid Flat-out on the floor racing, and thinking it?d be like Chicagoland on Steroids. (My words NOT Mr. Power?s...)
Dan Wheldon's death raises questions about IndyCar racing
AftermathFirst ?N foremost; Obviously I am NOT a qualified Physicist, Engineer or Trained Accident Investigator and will therefore await for IndyCar to conclude its accident Investigation before making my own personal judgment upon its recommendations.
Yet obviously a further rethinking of this type of ?PacMan ?Wreckers or Checkers? racing mentality upon High-speed Ovals needs a clear rethink - and regardless what you may/may not think about the drivers and their perceived lack of ability upon Ovals, Road courses and Street Circuits: Racecar Drivers are and will ALWAYS be racers first, which after all is MOST exemplified by the phrase: Second place is First loser!
And while so far I find The CandyMann to be simply trying to emulate the successes of Humpy Wheeler while trying to throw IndyCar a Lifeline by trailblazing the Open wheel arena as a modern day Barnstormer... I like his tireless pursuit of trying to right a sunken ship and enjoy the breath of Fresh Air he?s brought to my cherished North American premiere single seater series.
And if nothing else, Mr. Bernard?s proven he?s ?A Dooer.? Willing to make mistakes, gamble, re-evaluate and then correct said mistakes... Thus I?d like to see the following ideas implemented in order to help the Indy Car Series move forward. ?GAWD! I HATE THAT STATEMENT... As let?s NOT forget Dan Wheldon?s senseless tragedy all in order to pump-up television ratings! As Mary Ellen said it most succinctly: What an utter WASTE of that young Man?s life! And all in the name of what???
ObservationsI for one am NOT a fan of the new 2012 Dallara?s rear bumper design - as what?s next; turn signals? As I?m all in favour for minimizing careening cars being catapulted Skywards from hitting a competitor?s rear wheel - but will this minimize this effect or potentially lull drivers into a further false sense of security because they?ll be able to get away with more? Perhaps the front end of the car needs to be made wider, longer and higher - along with having its front wing and tyres re-designed to help lower these types of collisions?
I do not know if wheel tethers are currently employed or not? If so it seems that either further strengthening or implementing double tethers should be considered.
According to second hand knowledge - I was told that Bruce Martin had reported that Dan Wheldon?s roll hoop was completely sheared off and this potentially played a role in Dan?s massive Head trauma that occurred from hitting the wall. Therefore IF? This is indeed correct? As I cannot find said article - then it would seem that the roll hoop structure needs additional reinforcing, should be made larger and potentially a secondary back-up structure be mandated for use on all Ovaltracks...
And I said the same words that fateful afternoon, albeit I couldn?t think of the wing?s name - before Robin Miller mentioned the Hanford Device on Wind tunnel Sunday night. As it appears that either a very tight lid is being kept upon this aspect and hopefully NOT being treated as the Elephant in the Room... As not only are we possibly slated for a return to Las Vegas in 2012 as the Season Finale? But we?re also going back to someplace called Fontana... Where Gil De Ferran holds the current ALL time Speed record at 241-plus miles per hour! Not to mention Randy?s desires to break Arie Luyendyk?s one and four-lap Qualifying records at the Speedway... As Earth to IndyCar: what?s WRONG with this picture...
Tracy voices IndyCar concerns
Whilst I think ?Big Daddy Don Garlits put it most succinctly on a previously wind tunnel interview regarding how he felt absolutely 100% certain on NHRA Drag Racing needed to return to its roots and go back to Quarter-mile (1,320ft) racing by SLOWING the Top Fuel Funnycars and Dragsters down with a reduction in Horsepower. As Garlits noted that NASCAR did that awhile ago when the cars were getting airborne when traveling over 200mph - yet the fans have NOT gone away - and NASCAR?s more popular then ever!
Like I said I?m NOT an Engineer or Chassis Designer and may be ALL of these concerns have been addressed already with the new 2012 Dallara Safety Cell DW12 chassis which sounds like an accident waiting to happen... Yet, I?d like to see Mr. Bernard set up a permanent Technical Committee that will evaluate all aspects of chassis design & safety concerns for multiple competitors on any new venues that Indy Car competes on along with vigilantly overseeing all current events increased safety for all concerned, including Crewmembers...
Zanardi hits out at pack racing
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Shanghai F1 Circuit F1 Chinese station introduced
“On”-shaped track of the car starting grid position region is the main grandstand at the Shanghai International Circuit, the diamond areas and between regions fleet maintenance, after participating in the car waiting at the starting line before the top set of lights track lights emitted language five red lights went out in the light language [...]
Good Sam Club 500 Victory to Clint Bowyer
Richard Childress Racing teammates Clint Bowyer and Jeff Burton presented a superb example of teamwork and driving skill as they separated themselves from the pack, chasing each other and working together to maintain first and second positions at Talladega on Sunday.
Related posts:Clint Bowyer ? A Racing GreatBrad Keselowski Jumps Hurdle to VictoryBurton Steals Bank Of America 500
Related posts:Clint Bowyer ? A Racing GreatBrad Keselowski Jumps Hurdle to VictoryBurton Steals Bank Of America 500
This year ? the Chase works
Chase contenders Denny Hamlin, Jimmy Johnson and Kevin Harvick during a Champions press conference on Friday. (Photo: Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Let the best man win. Let the fastest car win. Here’s hoping they’re the same.
Grant the serenity not to have to muddy the Sprint Cup waters with leaking oil or litter them with debris. Here’s hoping no one’s title hopes run out of gas … literally.
Even though “ABC’s Wide World of Sports” is but a memory, it would be nostalgic to have the Ford 400 decided amid “the human drama of athletic competition.” What’s more important than who wins is how he wins it.
In an incredible development, given the slings and arrows of the Chase format, the three drivers who are still in contention – at Homestead-Miami Speedway, in the final race, with a 46-point blanket over them – are the three who deserve to be there.
If there were no Chase – and the points awarded in each race the same as now – Kevin Harvick would lead by 295 points. Of course, there is a Chase.
The driver with the most victories is Denny Hamlin.
The driver with four straight championships is Jimmie Johnson.
Chase or no Chase, they would be the top three now, though in different order. If the true goal of the Chase is to tighten, but not otherwise alter, the course of the season, then this Chase is the one that exemplifies the format. Even those who dislike the Chase – they’re out there – should be willing to concede that this is just about as good as the format, however flawed, gets.
If everything works out perfectly today, NASCAR will have a difficult time justifying further changes, even though NASCAR chairman Brian France has been floating trial balloons on the subject since July.
They’ll probably “tweak it” a little – France and his minions love that word – just to save face.
France was still pumping hot air – perhaps not quite as hot as before – into the balloon as recently as Friday.
The results of the current season, he said, demonstrate that “the more we can do, to have incentives ? an incentive basis -- to decide this championship, that puts it all on the line more often. That's what we need to be thinking about.”
Oh, yeah. “Take paradise and … put up a parking lot.”
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Let the best man win. Let the fastest car win. Here’s hoping they’re the same.
Grant the serenity not to have to muddy the Sprint Cup waters with leaking oil or litter them with debris. Here’s hoping no one’s title hopes run out of gas … literally.
Even though “ABC’s Wide World of Sports” is but a memory, it would be nostalgic to have the Ford 400 decided amid “the human drama of athletic competition.” What’s more important than who wins is how he wins it.
In an incredible development, given the slings and arrows of the Chase format, the three drivers who are still in contention – at Homestead-Miami Speedway, in the final race, with a 46-point blanket over them – are the three who deserve to be there.
If there were no Chase – and the points awarded in each race the same as now – Kevin Harvick would lead by 295 points. Of course, there is a Chase.
The driver with the most victories is Denny Hamlin.
The driver with four straight championships is Jimmie Johnson.
Chase or no Chase, they would be the top three now, though in different order. If the true goal of the Chase is to tighten, but not otherwise alter, the course of the season, then this Chase is the one that exemplifies the format. Even those who dislike the Chase – they’re out there – should be willing to concede that this is just about as good as the format, however flawed, gets.
If everything works out perfectly today, NASCAR will have a difficult time justifying further changes, even though NASCAR chairman Brian France has been floating trial balloons on the subject since July.
They’ll probably “tweak it” a little – France and his minions love that word – just to save face.
France was still pumping hot air – perhaps not quite as hot as before – into the balloon as recently as Friday.
The results of the current season, he said, demonstrate that “the more we can do, to have incentives ? an incentive basis -- to decide this championship, that puts it all on the line more often. That's what we need to be thinking about.”
Oh, yeah. “Take paradise and … put up a parking lot.”
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Hitting The Airwaves: Monday Appearance Scheduled For The Backstretch On Gary Danko's Speedway Line Report
The Hartford Courant sponsored Toyota Camry (we had a top-five car all day until we lost our tango partner) will be making the trek down Interstate 84 to Waterbury Monday evening to light up the WATR-AM 1320 studios.
The Backstretch will be in studio for an appearance on the final 2011 edition of Gary Danko's Speedway Line Report radio show from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday.
Also tentatively scheduled to appear on the show are 1971 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Denny Zimmerman, Chris Pasteryak, who clinched his second Valenti Modified Racing Series championship Sunday, and Fran Lawlor from The Chrome Horn.
The Backstretch will be in studio for an appearance on the final 2011 edition of Gary Danko's Speedway Line Report radio show from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday.
Also tentatively scheduled to appear on the show are 1971 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Denny Zimmerman, Chris Pasteryak, who clinched his second Valenti Modified Racing Series championship Sunday, and Fran Lawlor from The Chrome Horn.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Women on Wheels: Meet Jodi!
This year’s Red Bull Indianapolis GP will take the time to recognize women motorcycle riders. Many events have been organized throughout the race weekend that are just for women. Some selected lady riders have been kind enough to share their riding stories with us. They come from different riding groups organizations from all over the [...]
Four Series Champions Honored At Awards Banquet In Miami Beach
Stenhouse Jr., Dillon, Roush Fenway Racing, Kevin Harvick Inc. Celebrate 2011 Titles
From the snail-mail bag, five great suggestions for getting fans interested again in NASCAR
Great idea #4: Sprint Cup racin' on dirt tracks.
Dear NASCAR This Week,
I read your newspaper offerings weekly, and enjoy them, especially the comments from NASCAR fans. I've been a race fan for 65-plus years and enjoy sprints on dirt and NASCAR. Was talking to some buddies recently about what NASCAR could do to get fans “returning to the track,” and we came up with some suggestions:
Eliminate qualifying in its present format. At each event, have two qualifying races, starting half of the entries in each qualifier. The qualifier starting positions could be set by pulling numbers out of a hat, or something similar. The qualifier races should be short, maybe 50 miles at the max. Then take the top 20 finishers from each qualifier for the feature event. The features should be no more than 300 miles in length (with special exceptions). The races, as they are today, are too long, and real racing is usually put off until the last few laps. Shorter-distance races would encourage more intense competition throughout the event.
Eliminate this top-35 thing entirely. All that does is prevent potential new teams from being able to compete.
The points battle needs to return to the old format. Too much hype on the top 12 thing.
Maybe a couple of Sprint Cup races on dirt? There are some great mile and 1/2 mile tracks out there.
Lower the ticket prices for these events. An empty bleacher seat is a terrible thing to waste.
Thanks. -- Gary H., Newburgh, Ind.
Monte replies: Thanks to you and your friends for putting so much thought into this. We’d love to see Cup races on dirt, too, but there aren’t any dirt tracks capable of accommodating 50,000 or more fans.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
CUP: A Quiet End For Johnson
Statistically, Jimmie Johnson had the worst year of his NASCAR Sprint Cup career...
WTCC Race of Macau 2011
Tacking place in Downtown Macau, the Race of Macau is the last leg of the FIA World Touring Car Championship. The race distance is 2 x 9 laps, with each lap being 6,117 m. The lap record for the event was set by Tiago Monteiro in November 2009 at 2:32.076/144.87 kph. Dates: 20 November 2011 [...]
Related posts:F1 Brazilian Grand Prix 20112011 F1 Italian Grand Prix2011 Coke Zero 400
Related posts:F1 Brazilian Grand Prix 20112011 F1 Italian Grand Prix2011 Coke Zero 400
Women on Wheels: Meet LaTanya!
This year?s Red Bull Indianapolis GP will take the time to recognize women motorcycle riders. Many events have been organized throughout the race weekend that are just for women. Some selected lady riders have been kind enough to share their riding stories with us. They come from different riding groups and [...]
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
NASCAR notebook: Edwards thinks Homestead is a new beginning
Carl Edwards, fastest in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice, was second-fastest in qualifying at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (photo: Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Carl Edwards too has a reason to race, just one not so compelling.
Edwards is out of the Chase in terms of the championship but has fourth place, 47 points ahead of Roush Fenway teammate Matt Kenseth. And, of course, it’s Ford Championship Weekend, and Edwards drives one.
What Edwards talked about was “locking down fourth place.”
“That would be a big accomplishment for us, and we’ll just keep trucking,” he said. “I don’t feel like we have implemented all the things we’ve figured out yet. I think we have a lot of really positive things that they’re working on at the shop, so I think we could even be better yet come Daytona, Phoenix, Vegas (in 20100).
“I think we’re poised to be extremely good at the beginning of next season, maybe in a better situation than we were at the end of 2008, where I felt like we had been ahead and people were catching us.”
* * *
PITS CAN BE THE PITS–Pit choices could play a vital role in the outcome of both the race and the championship. Space is chosen on the basis of qualifying, which means Jimmie Johnson, who qualified sixth, has a much better location on pit road than Denny Hamlin, mainly because the point lead qualified 37th.
Johnson will pit at the midpoint, with an open spot in front of him. Kevin Harvick has a decent spot, behind the pole-winning car of Kasey Kahne and ahead of the No. 66 of Mike Bliss. Hamlin will pit near the pit entrance, behind Matt Kenseth and ahead of Aric Almirola.
* * *
NEW TASK AT HAND--Even though Johnson has won four straight championships, he’s never had to come from behind in the final race or, for that matter, the final two.
“In professional sports, things aren't always going to work out as you hope,” he said. “I wish we were leading the points and had the pressure of defending a championship down here, but I'm making the most of where we are.
“It's not far (15 points) from where we are to where Denny (Hamlin) is. We're going to have to go out and have a great day on Sunday afternoon, take it from there, see what happens.”
* * *
MOVE IT AROUND-- The third contender, Harvick, doesn’t want to see the Chase format change. He wants to see the Sprint Cup schedule change.
“I'd like to see a little bit more diversity in the race tracks,” he said. “I don't think the last 10 weeks should be the same tracks over and over and over again. I think it should rotate around. I think that would help particular race markets get better.
“You have it end at different places, have it start at different places. Maybe you go to some of the same tracks, but I think a different 10 weeks, even a road course at the end of the year, would put that full diversity, I guess you could say, on your champion to getting to all the different styles of tracks.”
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Carl Edwards too has a reason to race, just one not so compelling.
Edwards is out of the Chase in terms of the championship but has fourth place, 47 points ahead of Roush Fenway teammate Matt Kenseth. And, of course, it’s Ford Championship Weekend, and Edwards drives one.
What Edwards talked about was “locking down fourth place.”
“That would be a big accomplishment for us, and we’ll just keep trucking,” he said. “I don’t feel like we have implemented all the things we’ve figured out yet. I think we have a lot of really positive things that they’re working on at the shop, so I think we could even be better yet come Daytona, Phoenix, Vegas (in 20100).
“I think we’re poised to be extremely good at the beginning of next season, maybe in a better situation than we were at the end of 2008, where I felt like we had been ahead and people were catching us.”
* * *
PITS CAN BE THE PITS–Pit choices could play a vital role in the outcome of both the race and the championship. Space is chosen on the basis of qualifying, which means Jimmie Johnson, who qualified sixth, has a much better location on pit road than Denny Hamlin, mainly because the point lead qualified 37th.
Johnson will pit at the midpoint, with an open spot in front of him. Kevin Harvick has a decent spot, behind the pole-winning car of Kasey Kahne and ahead of the No. 66 of Mike Bliss. Hamlin will pit near the pit entrance, behind Matt Kenseth and ahead of Aric Almirola.
* * *
NEW TASK AT HAND--Even though Johnson has won four straight championships, he’s never had to come from behind in the final race or, for that matter, the final two.
“In professional sports, things aren't always going to work out as you hope,” he said. “I wish we were leading the points and had the pressure of defending a championship down here, but I'm making the most of where we are.
“It's not far (15 points) from where we are to where Denny (Hamlin) is. We're going to have to go out and have a great day on Sunday afternoon, take it from there, see what happens.”
* * *
MOVE IT AROUND-- The third contender, Harvick, doesn’t want to see the Chase format change. He wants to see the Sprint Cup schedule change.
“I'd like to see a little bit more diversity in the race tracks,” he said. “I don't think the last 10 weeks should be the same tracks over and over and over again. I think it should rotate around. I think that would help particular race markets get better.
“You have it end at different places, have it start at different places. Maybe you go to some of the same tracks, but I think a different 10 weeks, even a road course at the end of the year, would put that full diversity, I guess you could say, on your champion to getting to all the different styles of tracks.”
Lost And Found: Ron Silk Rallies Back From Wreck To Win First NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Championship
THOMPSON - From devastation to elation.
Simply put, Ron Silk rode a roller coaster ride of emotions few could have ever predicted was possible Sunday at Thompson International Speedway.
In a span of 168 laps, Silk saw what looked like a fairly easy ride to his first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship go horribly bad and then spin back to be so unexpectedly perfectly right.
Simply put, Ron Silk rode a roller coaster ride of emotions few could have ever predicted was possible Sunday at Thompson International Speedway.
In a span of 168 laps, Silk saw what looked like a fairly easy ride to his first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship go horribly bad and then spin back to be so unexpectedly perfectly right.
Urgent Drive: Ryan Preece Grabs Relieving SK Modified Victory Sunday At Thompson Speedway
THOMPSON - When you have to go, you have to go, and Sunday at Thompson International Speedway, Ryan Preece had to go when it came to getting to the front of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature at Thompson International Speedway.
Preece, of Berlin, held off Ted Christopher over a number of late restarts to capture the victory in the lengthy and caution-marred 30-lap feature.
"I think having to go the bathroom had me wanting to win this race," Preece said in victory lane after the event. "I really have to go."
Ted Christopher of Plainville was second and Michael Gervais of Southbury third.
Preece, of Berlin, held off Ted Christopher over a number of late restarts to capture the victory in the lengthy and caution-marred 30-lap feature.
"I think having to go the bathroom had me wanting to win this race," Preece said in victory lane after the event. "I really have to go."
Ted Christopher of Plainville was second and Michael Gervais of Southbury third.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
And the Hits just keep on coming
And no sooner did I think we?d had the last of unexpected news regarding the 2012 Indy Car Series this week - than another few pieces of the puzzle were seemingly solved. As first Meesh?s ?bud Booby Ruble, Err, Bobby Rahal announced they?d placed orders for two ?12 Dallara?s and would run a 2-car effort next year with Honda engines.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has also hired Tom Anderson to become its Team President, while longtime Team Rahal employee and Bobby?s ?Right-hand-man? Scott Roembke will remain on as a consultant. As I recall Penske Racing?s Tim Cindric wishing him a speedy recovery & get well soon ?Shout-out during ?Juan ?O the Versus broadcasts this year. Thus, I?m guessing the addition of Anderson, ousted from Andretti Autosports after its woeful Indy qualifying performance this year is in order to help ease Roembke?s workload...
Also, as SPEED?s Marshall Pruett reported, Penske Racing will keep its three-car team intact for next season, which makes me most happy for Ryan Briscoe - as hopefully thee Three Amigo?s can finally defeat that perennial Chump, Err Champ-pee-on Dashley LePew; Hya!
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has also hired Tom Anderson to become its Team President, while longtime Team Rahal employee and Bobby?s ?Right-hand-man? Scott Roembke will remain on as a consultant. As I recall Penske Racing?s Tim Cindric wishing him a speedy recovery & get well soon ?Shout-out during ?Juan ?O the Versus broadcasts this year. Thus, I?m guessing the addition of Anderson, ousted from Andretti Autosports after its woeful Indy qualifying performance this year is in order to help ease Roembke?s workload...
Also, as SPEED?s Marshall Pruett reported, Penske Racing will keep its three-car team intact for next season, which makes me most happy for Ryan Briscoe - as hopefully thee Three Amigo?s can finally defeat that perennial Chump, Err Champ-pee-on Dashley LePew; Hya!
Thompson International Speedway Owner Don Hoenig Presented With Sonny "The King" Richards Award
THOMPSON - Usually it's Thompson International Speedway track owner Don Hoenig in victory lane at his facility celebrating the accomplishments of those at his speedway.
Sunday morning he was the one being celebrated.
To kick off day two of the World Series of Speedway Racing weekend at the track, Hoenig was presented Sunday morning with the annual Sonny "The King" Richards award.
The award is given annually to an individual who best represents and is dedicated to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour..
Sunday morning he was the one being celebrated.
To kick off day two of the World Series of Speedway Racing weekend at the track, Hoenig was presented Sunday morning with the annual Sonny "The King" Richards award.
The award is given annually to an individual who best represents and is dedicated to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour..
Davey Hamilton - Postscript (Con?t)
And although I?d originally scribbled previously in Part 1 that it appeared Messer Hamilton wouldn?t make the cut as part of Tony G?s bumbling Vision Racing Squad?s ?08 I500 plans - I was happily corrected, to which I eluded to in; Hamilton?s Vision. (?Circa 2008)
As we all know now, Davey did indeed continue his Indy 500 renaissance that year by once again competing at the Speedway aboard then IRL CEO Tony George?s No. 22 HP/KR/Vision entry. As Davey started P18 and finished 14th; while obviously tony?s Step-son ?FAST EDDIE, aka Ed Carpenter was the highest placed starter of the Vision Racing trio - qualifying his No. 20 Menards/Vision entry tenth, along with being the highest place finisher - winding up fifth. While the third Hombre of this flotilla of Vision cars was ?QUATTRO, nee A.J. Foyt IV whose (Lily Diabetes) Eli Lily?s-mobile rolled off from the inside of the final row in P31 and finished 21st.
For 2009, Hamilton moved to Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and was part of DRR?s growing Big Top four car armada for the Month of May, Err two weeks of May with the team being unofficially split into two camps, i.e.; The Lady & The ?Wookie... (Brit-Rookie) and the OLD Salts, Err seasoned veterans; Hya! As these ?Boyz were that year?s elder Statesmen at the Speedway...
Dreyer & Reinbold Indy 500 EntriesCar # Driver/SponsorNo. 23 Milka Duno/CITGONo. 24 R-Mike Conway/PurexNo. 43 Davey Hamilton/HPNo. 44 John Andretti*/Window World(* = Richard Petty Motorsports in association w/DRR)
Hamilton was the lone DRR entrant to qualify during the first weekend when he put his Dallara racecar P22 - with the other three cars looking tenuous at best , all being down on speed.
As all I seem to remember is Davey being interviewed ?bout the team?s woes and saying he didn?t need to tell John anything - he?s a seasoned Pro who knows how to get around here... As I recall clapping, hooting ?N hollerin? when John bumped his way in at 5:52PM on his third and final attempt of ?Boomp Day,? with ?BULLY-Ray (R. Hunter-Reay) barely qualifying the IZOD/Vision Racing entry in the waning moments by bumping out rookie Alex Tagliani just prior to the six O?clock gun being fired!
Rookie Mike Conway qualified on the outside of Row-9 in P27, while ?Milkalicious decided to withdraw her time and requalify on Sunday - having shocked everyone by finding 3mph in practice before comfortably qualifying 30th, for her third I500...
Yet Davey was the first ?N lone car out at Dreyer & Reinbold
Classified P29 with contact on lap-79; while his veteran teammate John Andretti was the final car on the lead lap (L200) and finished 20th overall.
Milka Duno ?Wandered-her-way in-between a DRR M�nage � trois sandwich of Andretti and Mike Conway by finishing P19 - in actually what would become her best finish at the Speedway, only 1-lap down. And Conway was the team?s highest finisher - keeping his nose clean in the Purex car the whole day and crossing the stripe 18th.
In 2010, once again Davey was on the move, this time teaming up with gil De Ferran?s fledgling De Ferran Dragon Racing team, as Y?all recall when it suddenly became Gil?s team with Jay Penske and Steve Luczo moving into the background...
As Davey joined Luczo Dragon De Ferran Racing?s primary driver Raphael Matos, albeit this time announcing a three race deal - beginning with Indianapolis, then Texas - the sight of his monstrous crash and Chicagoland.
Hamilton qualified his HP ?Calladrocious No. 21 entry 14th, with ?RAFA lining up 12th for the De Ferran Squadra. Yet it was all for naught - as this was the year that Hamilton would publicly call Tomas ?Rockem-Sockem? Scheckter an IDIOT! After the duo were involved in a lap-1 incident which Davey claimed was his second ever worst day in racing; and we all know what was number one... Hamilton went on to say that?s Scheckter for you, he does IT every year and gets away with IT! Hmm? NO Christmas Cards for Tomas I guess? Hee-hee-hee...
Meanwhile Davey?s younger teammate Raphael was busy dashing Hamilton?s next race plans, as first the crew forgot to attach all four wheels during a Pitstop and then Matos smacked the wall on lap-73, as I believe the damage was sufficient enough to cause DFR to use Hamilton?s car at Texas the week following...
Hamilton did compete for DFR at Chicagoland though, albeit qualifying on the very last row in 28th alongside last place?s Jay Howard *P29) in the sister Sarah Fisher Racing entry... And according to the ?DAWG?s (pressdog) in-duh-house race report - Hamilton was a NON-factor all night, being inhaled by Sarah Fisher twice before finishing a quiet 18th.
For 2011; Yep, you guessed it! Davey was on the run again, as De Ferran Dragon Racing ultimately cratered - although being brought back from the ashes in the reincarnated guise of Dragon Racing - hence Hamilton pitched his wares once again with buddies Dennis Reinbold and Robbie Buhl - as part of the Dryer & Reinbold Racing team, in another 3-race ?Dealio; this time Indy, Texas and Los Vegas.
Hamilton qualified his No. 11 HP-mobile a respectable 15th, and then soldiered home to a 24th place finish, albeit 7-laps behind the winner. As I don?t know ?nuttin ?bout the TEXARSE Jokem Twinner?s - as I was off somewheres??? And didn?t feel inclined to record the night?s silly-arse marketing fiesta... Although it?s symbiotic that Davey finally returned to the track that nearly took his feet a decade earlier!
Meanwhile, in February of 2010 - Davey?s growing portfolio of properties increased when he and his Indy Racing Experience co-horts: Scott Jasek, Joe Kennedy and Jeff Sinden purchased the Indianapolis-based Menard Engine Group (MEG) from founder John Menard - which I have NO idea if Menard Competition Technology (MCT) is part of this acquisition? As MCT is/was responsible for the manufacture of the One-make Superleague Formula?s 4.2-liter normally aspirated 750bhp V-12 ?lumps...
And Hamilton is still actively involved in the Terre Haute Action Track; of which he?s a co-owner of - along with his Davey Hamilton Racing operations, which includes Winged Sprint cars and a Firestone Indy Lights team - which primary driver Brandon Wagner won the last year?s season finale at Homestead, where DHR fielded a second entry to promising Dirt Car rookie Henry Clarke - in what appears to be a ?One-off? effort. As I?d personally like to see the ex-Motorcross rookie back in the cockpit, albeit I?m sure it?s a funding issue... While I have NO idea if Davey will race at Indy next year or not? As I guess it?d be a good way to celebrate his big 5-Oh B-Day, eh? Which will occur on June 13, 2012!
And feel free to check out the Davey Hamilton Racing website at: daveyhamiltonracing.com
As we all know now, Davey did indeed continue his Indy 500 renaissance that year by once again competing at the Speedway aboard then IRL CEO Tony George?s No. 22 HP/KR/Vision entry. As Davey started P18 and finished 14th; while obviously tony?s Step-son ?FAST EDDIE, aka Ed Carpenter was the highest placed starter of the Vision Racing trio - qualifying his No. 20 Menards/Vision entry tenth, along with being the highest place finisher - winding up fifth. While the third Hombre of this flotilla of Vision cars was ?QUATTRO, nee A.J. Foyt IV whose (Lily Diabetes) Eli Lily?s-mobile rolled off from the inside of the final row in P31 and finished 21st.
For 2009, Hamilton moved to Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and was part of DRR?s growing Big Top four car armada for the Month of May, Err two weeks of May with the team being unofficially split into two camps, i.e.; The Lady & The ?Wookie... (Brit-Rookie) and the OLD Salts, Err seasoned veterans; Hya! As these ?Boyz were that year?s elder Statesmen at the Speedway...
Dreyer & Reinbold Indy 500 EntriesCar # Driver/SponsorNo. 23 Milka Duno/CITGONo. 24 R-Mike Conway/PurexNo. 43 Davey Hamilton/HPNo. 44 John Andretti*/Window World(* = Richard Petty Motorsports in association w/DRR)
Hamilton was the lone DRR entrant to qualify during the first weekend when he put his Dallara racecar P22 - with the other three cars looking tenuous at best , all being down on speed.
As all I seem to remember is Davey being interviewed ?bout the team?s woes and saying he didn?t need to tell John anything - he?s a seasoned Pro who knows how to get around here... As I recall clapping, hooting ?N hollerin? when John bumped his way in at 5:52PM on his third and final attempt of ?Boomp Day,? with ?BULLY-Ray (R. Hunter-Reay) barely qualifying the IZOD/Vision Racing entry in the waning moments by bumping out rookie Alex Tagliani just prior to the six O?clock gun being fired!
Rookie Mike Conway qualified on the outside of Row-9 in P27, while ?Milkalicious decided to withdraw her time and requalify on Sunday - having shocked everyone by finding 3mph in practice before comfortably qualifying 30th, for her third I500...
Yet Davey was the first ?N lone car out at Dreyer & Reinbold
Classified P29 with contact on lap-79; while his veteran teammate John Andretti was the final car on the lead lap (L200) and finished 20th overall.
Milka Duno ?Wandered-her-way in-between a DRR M�nage � trois sandwich of Andretti and Mike Conway by finishing P19 - in actually what would become her best finish at the Speedway, only 1-lap down. And Conway was the team?s highest finisher - keeping his nose clean in the Purex car the whole day and crossing the stripe 18th.
In 2010, once again Davey was on the move, this time teaming up with gil De Ferran?s fledgling De Ferran Dragon Racing team, as Y?all recall when it suddenly became Gil?s team with Jay Penske and Steve Luczo moving into the background...
As Davey joined Luczo Dragon De Ferran Racing?s primary driver Raphael Matos, albeit this time announcing a three race deal - beginning with Indianapolis, then Texas - the sight of his monstrous crash and Chicagoland.
Hamilton qualified his HP ?Calladrocious No. 21 entry 14th, with ?RAFA lining up 12th for the De Ferran Squadra. Yet it was all for naught - as this was the year that Hamilton would publicly call Tomas ?Rockem-Sockem? Scheckter an IDIOT! After the duo were involved in a lap-1 incident which Davey claimed was his second ever worst day in racing; and we all know what was number one... Hamilton went on to say that?s Scheckter for you, he does IT every year and gets away with IT! Hmm? NO Christmas Cards for Tomas I guess? Hee-hee-hee...
Meanwhile Davey?s younger teammate Raphael was busy dashing Hamilton?s next race plans, as first the crew forgot to attach all four wheels during a Pitstop and then Matos smacked the wall on lap-73, as I believe the damage was sufficient enough to cause DFR to use Hamilton?s car at Texas the week following...
Hamilton did compete for DFR at Chicagoland though, albeit qualifying on the very last row in 28th alongside last place?s Jay Howard *P29) in the sister Sarah Fisher Racing entry... And according to the ?DAWG?s (pressdog) in-duh-house race report - Hamilton was a NON-factor all night, being inhaled by Sarah Fisher twice before finishing a quiet 18th.
For 2011; Yep, you guessed it! Davey was on the run again, as De Ferran Dragon Racing ultimately cratered - although being brought back from the ashes in the reincarnated guise of Dragon Racing - hence Hamilton pitched his wares once again with buddies Dennis Reinbold and Robbie Buhl - as part of the Dryer & Reinbold Racing team, in another 3-race ?Dealio; this time Indy, Texas and Los Vegas.
Hamilton qualified his No. 11 HP-mobile a respectable 15th, and then soldiered home to a 24th place finish, albeit 7-laps behind the winner. As I don?t know ?nuttin ?bout the TEXARSE Jokem Twinner?s - as I was off somewheres??? And didn?t feel inclined to record the night?s silly-arse marketing fiesta... Although it?s symbiotic that Davey finally returned to the track that nearly took his feet a decade earlier!
Meanwhile, in February of 2010 - Davey?s growing portfolio of properties increased when he and his Indy Racing Experience co-horts: Scott Jasek, Joe Kennedy and Jeff Sinden purchased the Indianapolis-based Menard Engine Group (MEG) from founder John Menard - which I have NO idea if Menard Competition Technology (MCT) is part of this acquisition? As MCT is/was responsible for the manufacture of the One-make Superleague Formula?s 4.2-liter normally aspirated 750bhp V-12 ?lumps...
And Hamilton is still actively involved in the Terre Haute Action Track; of which he?s a co-owner of - along with his Davey Hamilton Racing operations, which includes Winged Sprint cars and a Firestone Indy Lights team - which primary driver Brandon Wagner won the last year?s season finale at Homestead, where DHR fielded a second entry to promising Dirt Car rookie Henry Clarke - in what appears to be a ?One-off? effort. As I?d personally like to see the ex-Motorcross rookie back in the cockpit, albeit I?m sure it?s a funding issue... While I have NO idea if Davey will race at Indy next year or not? As I guess it?d be a good way to celebrate his big 5-Oh B-Day, eh? Which will occur on June 13, 2012!
And feel free to check out the Davey Hamilton Racing website at: daveyhamiltonracing.com
NASCAR Sprint Cup Ends with a Duel
As the final race of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup championship, the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday offered excitement from start to finish, ending with Tony Stewart taking the checkered flag and the championship title. Having won the NASCAR season championships in 2002 and 2005, this was Stewart's third championship victory ? a victory for which he had to battle against very strong competition. The last 40 laps of the 267-lap event proved to be a duel between Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards that kept fans in suspense right to the finish line.
Related posts:Carl Edwards Wins Carfax 250Tony Stewart Wins Camping World 200Kurt Busch Takes Victory at AAA400
Related posts:Carl Edwards Wins Carfax 250Tony Stewart Wins Camping World 200Kurt Busch Takes Victory at AAA400
Solo II at Auto Club Speedway
Organised by the California Sports Car Club, which forms part of the SCCA, the Solo 2 is a low speed handling event that is timed. Courses vary between 1/2 to one mile long. It is a fun event that will improve the driver's skills. This contest will put the driver's ability and the vehicle's handling characteristics to the test.
Related posts:47th Annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA FinalsNorth American International Auto Show 2011Chicago Auto Show 2011
Related posts:47th Annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA FinalsNorth American International Auto Show 2011Chicago Auto Show 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Goody?s and BC Powders Give Fans a Voice for the Goody?s Fast Relief 500
httpv://www.youtube.com/v/mjCuMyc59Bw?fs=1&hl=en_US
Fans Can Select Favorite Wounded Warrior Project- and Victory Junction-Designed Paint Schemes MEMPHIS, Tenn. (March 11, 2011) ? For nearly a week beginning March 11, fans of Goody's and BC Powders can help choose a race car paint scheme designed by wounded hero from Wounded Warrior ...
Fans Can Select Favorite Wounded Warrior Project- and Victory Junction-Designed Paint Schemes MEMPHIS, Tenn. (March 11, 2011) ? For nearly a week beginning March 11, fans of Goody's and BC Powders can help choose a race car paint scheme designed by wounded hero from Wounded Warrior ...
Women on Wheels: Meet Jodi!
This year’s Red Bull Indianapolis GP will take the time to recognize women motorcycle riders. Many events have been organized throughout the race weekend that are just for women. Some selected lady riders have been kind enough to share their riding stories with us. They come from different riding groups organizations from all over the [...]
2012 INDYCAR Tests at IMS
This week was an exciting one for IMS! Dan Wheldon was here with the 2012 INDYCAR for a few days of testing. It?s always an honor to have Dan at the speedway, but it was an even bigger honor to have him here in the 2012 INDYCAR. The IMS oval has had the rare opportunity [...]
Introduction and Audi R15 Racing Pictures
Audi R15 car is diesel-powered Audi to create the second paragraph of Section Le Mans P1 car, the first generation car is the Audi R10, the Audi R15 car is also called second-generation diesel Audi prototype. R10 launch in late 2005, has been taking since his debut, the participation of three Le Mans 24 Hours [...]
Sunday, November 20, 2011
NASCAR grows presence on iTunes
For awhile now, NASCAR has been offering recaps of Sprint Cup races on iTunes. Now, NASCAR fans can also download, via iTunes, what it is calling “NASCAR Classics, Volume I.” The volume honors the careers of three of the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees — Dale Earnhardt, Junior Johnson, and Richard Petty. Full Story
NASCAR highs and lows of 2010
Most improved driver: “Flame On” Harvick. Least improved auto manufacturer: Ford.
HIGH: Jimmie Johnson won a record fifth consecutive Sprint Cup championship, which is even more impressive in that no one else in the sport’s history as won more than three.
LOW: The exhortation of NASCAR vice president Robin Pemberton – “Have at it, boys” – proved to be emblematic of the season that followed. An on-track feud between drivers Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski boiled over in both the Cup and Nationwide Series. No one was hurt, but the crashes were scary and obviously intentional.
* * *
HIGH: Denny Hamlin’s run for the championship was inspirational and heartbreaking. Hamlin persevered in spite of a knee injury that required surgery … while he continued to race. He led Johnson by 33 points with two races remaining – and won two more races -- but wound up losing the championship by 39.
LOW: Dale Earnhardt Jr. continued to struggle. Ninety-three races have passed since his most recent victory. He will begin his fourth season at Hendrick Motorsports with his third crew chief, Steve Letarte. (A fourth, Brian Whitesell, just took the reins for one race.) He finished 21st in the standings and collected only three top-five finishes.
* * *
HIGH: Another driver who didn’t qualify for the Chase won the season’s two most prestigious races. Jamie McMurray captured both the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis.
LOW: Upset at being criticized, NASCAR officials tried to fine two drivers, Hamlin and Ryan Newman, in secrecy. Naturally, word leaked out, leading some to wonder what else the ruling body was hiding.
* * *
HIGH: The season’s two races at Talladega Superspeedway produced a total of 175 lead changes. The individual numbers were 88 and 87, the two highest such totals in the sport’s history.
LOW: Two of the sport’s more dignified drivers, Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton, exchanged blows after Burton inexplicably wrecked Gordon’s Chevy under a caution flag at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 7. It’s difficult to buy Burton’s explanation that he didn’t mean to do it on purpose.
* * *
HIGH: The Raybestos Rookie of the Year in the Camping World Truck Series, Austin Dillon, actually won two races.
LOW: The rookie of the year in Cup, Kevin Conway, never finished higher than 14th and was 35th in the point standings.
* * *
HIGH: The most improved performance came from Kevin Harvick, who improved his average finish from 19.9 in 2009 to 8.7 in 2010. Under the point system in place prior to 2004, Harvick would have finished the season with 295 points more than any other driver.
LOW: Even though three of its drivers made the Chase, and Edwards won the season’s final two races, Ford’s NASCAR program still had a disappointing year. Chevys won 18 Cup races, and Toyotas won 12. Fords won four, and Dodge’s one-team, three-car effort claimed two.
HIGH: Jimmie Johnson won a record fifth consecutive Sprint Cup championship, which is even more impressive in that no one else in the sport’s history as won more than three.
LOW: The exhortation of NASCAR vice president Robin Pemberton – “Have at it, boys” – proved to be emblematic of the season that followed. An on-track feud between drivers Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski boiled over in both the Cup and Nationwide Series. No one was hurt, but the crashes were scary and obviously intentional.
* * *
HIGH: Denny Hamlin’s run for the championship was inspirational and heartbreaking. Hamlin persevered in spite of a knee injury that required surgery … while he continued to race. He led Johnson by 33 points with two races remaining – and won two more races -- but wound up losing the championship by 39.
LOW: Dale Earnhardt Jr. continued to struggle. Ninety-three races have passed since his most recent victory. He will begin his fourth season at Hendrick Motorsports with his third crew chief, Steve Letarte. (A fourth, Brian Whitesell, just took the reins for one race.) He finished 21st in the standings and collected only three top-five finishes.
* * *
HIGH: Another driver who didn’t qualify for the Chase won the season’s two most prestigious races. Jamie McMurray captured both the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis.
LOW: Upset at being criticized, NASCAR officials tried to fine two drivers, Hamlin and Ryan Newman, in secrecy. Naturally, word leaked out, leading some to wonder what else the ruling body was hiding.
* * *
HIGH: The season’s two races at Talladega Superspeedway produced a total of 175 lead changes. The individual numbers were 88 and 87, the two highest such totals in the sport’s history.
LOW: Two of the sport’s more dignified drivers, Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton, exchanged blows after Burton inexplicably wrecked Gordon’s Chevy under a caution flag at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 7. It’s difficult to buy Burton’s explanation that he didn’t mean to do it on purpose.
* * *
HIGH: The Raybestos Rookie of the Year in the Camping World Truck Series, Austin Dillon, actually won two races.
LOW: The rookie of the year in Cup, Kevin Conway, never finished higher than 14th and was 35th in the point standings.
* * *
HIGH: The most improved performance came from Kevin Harvick, who improved his average finish from 19.9 in 2009 to 8.7 in 2010. Under the point system in place prior to 2004, Harvick would have finished the season with 295 points more than any other driver.
LOW: Even though three of its drivers made the Chase, and Edwards won the season’s final two races, Ford’s NASCAR program still had a disappointing year. Chevys won 18 Cup races, and Toyotas won 12. Fords won four, and Dodge’s one-team, three-car effort claimed two.
Auto racing: Hamlin wins Trucks race at Martinsville
Auto racing: Hamlin wins Trucks race at Martinsville
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Don?t Forget Greg Moore - and ALL of the Others...
Just finished a very enjoyable radio interview on WTMY - 1280 AM with Thom & Jeff(?) who offered your humble scribe thee opportunity to give his Two-cents on the current state of IndyCar racing and Jimmy Johnson?s infamous NO MORE OVALS! Quote... Of which I wasn?t able to squeeze in the fact that today marks the 12th Anniversary of Greg Moore?s death at Fontana - NO less than on an Ovaltrack, of which I?ve scribbled my thoughts previously in: Greg Moore - 10 Years After
And Thanxs to that ultra fine ?Kuhnaidiun lass Meesh for reminding us all in: Remembering the good times...
And Thanxs to that ultra fine ?Kuhnaidiun lass Meesh for reminding us all in: Remembering the good times...
Maybe it?s a matter of winning, not losing
It’s a simple case of the Cinderella story versus the truth of who has the best damn car on the track.
AVONDALE, Ariz. – This Chase race is a bouncing ball. Each week. Back and forth.
Intangibles run rampant. Let’s see.
On Friday, Denny Hamlin was in breakout mode. His crew chief, Mike Ford, has supposedly gotten under the skin of Jimmie Johnson’s crew, which, by the way, wasn’t the same as it had been a week earlier.
On Monday, Johnson still trailed by 15 points, but it seemed as if it was time to get the cases of champagne ordered. Hamlin had played it a bit too safe by pitting near the end of the Kobalt Tools 500, apparently not realizing that most everyone else was going to try to conserve fuel and make it to the end, and more importantly, that most were going to succeed.
At Phoenix International Raceway, Hamlin snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, leaving him to wander aimlessly out of the track’s media center, muttering that he didn’t think he had done anything wrong.
Meanwhile, there was Kevin Harvick lurking, eyeing the two in front of him with the stare of a vulture waiting to snatch up the pieces.
But what if we stopped putting so much weight into the tangibles? What if the tangibles are really going to decide who wins this heated contest?
What if what happens just … happens?
If Johnson emerges next week as the champion, the prevailing view is going to be that Hamlin’s crew chief, Ford, spat on Superman’s (Johnson crew chief Chad Knaus) cape and got what was coming to him. If Hamlin wins it all, it’s going be because he kept a level head and didn’t let anyone get to him.
If Harvick wins, well, it’s going to require some alleged choking or bad luck by not one, but two. Thus will emerge the Cinderella story.
But maybe, just maybe, this championship is to be decided simply by which driver has the fastest car. Maybe no one’s going to choke. Maybe the attention should be justly slanted toward a tale of winning, not losing.
If so, few will notice. What’s between the ears trumps what’s under the hood.
Bloggers Start Your Engines - It?s Silly Season time...
Listened to a very long winded, rambling, bumblin? Trackside with Kevin & Cavin Tuesday night who spent a good portion of the show speculatin? over the current field ?O IndyCar drivers and their potential for next year?s title chase.
Obviously the current ?Hottest? Free-agent property is Justin ?BIG UNIT Wilson, who could apparently be mulling over offers from as many as six potential teams? With arguably the best ride being the empty No. 7 Andretti Autosport seat that Dan Wheldon was to occupy next year.
Yet, now that KV Racing Technology has finally announced publicly one of the worst kept secrets - that its joining the Bowtie Brigade next year alongside current Chevy customers Penske and Andretti... I?m personally hoping Justin will choose KVRT over Andretti, since he?d potentially have a better opportunity to ?shine? there, eh? As in three-cars vs. four, albeit Alan McDonald did return to the fold - TAG?s (Alex Tagliani) Indy 500 Pole-winning Engineer...
Yet, I?m wondering if perhaps Mikey already has his Bonafied Open Wheel star in his stable; Hmm? Why couldn?t ?BULLY-RAY (Ryan Hunter-Reay) take over the No. 7 seat instead and then let an up ?N comer future talent deputize in the ex-Hunter-Reay seat? Say like Joseph Newgarden, Martin ?PLOWIE Plowman or even Wade Cunningham?
After Wilson, I?d haveda guess the next biggest fish in the pond would be le Hamburgular, aka Sebastian ?Sea Bass Bourdais, who?d like to step-up from his Dale Coyne ride... Whilst the likes of Vitor Meira & Alex Lloyd come to mind for teams seeking Ovaltrack experts, albeit not sure how many Ovals will be retained next season? While hopefully the Loudon and Milwaukee scuttlebutt will come to fruition; so ?Dar Yuhs have-it, let the Silly Season Shenanigans begin...
What will the Rookie Class look like in 2012
Obviously the current ?Hottest? Free-agent property is Justin ?BIG UNIT Wilson, who could apparently be mulling over offers from as many as six potential teams? With arguably the best ride being the empty No. 7 Andretti Autosport seat that Dan Wheldon was to occupy next year.
Yet, now that KV Racing Technology has finally announced publicly one of the worst kept secrets - that its joining the Bowtie Brigade next year alongside current Chevy customers Penske and Andretti... I?m personally hoping Justin will choose KVRT over Andretti, since he?d potentially have a better opportunity to ?shine? there, eh? As in three-cars vs. four, albeit Alan McDonald did return to the fold - TAG?s (Alex Tagliani) Indy 500 Pole-winning Engineer...
Yet, I?m wondering if perhaps Mikey already has his Bonafied Open Wheel star in his stable; Hmm? Why couldn?t ?BULLY-RAY (Ryan Hunter-Reay) take over the No. 7 seat instead and then let an up ?N comer future talent deputize in the ex-Hunter-Reay seat? Say like Joseph Newgarden, Martin ?PLOWIE Plowman or even Wade Cunningham?
After Wilson, I?d haveda guess the next biggest fish in the pond would be le Hamburgular, aka Sebastian ?Sea Bass Bourdais, who?d like to step-up from his Dale Coyne ride... Whilst the likes of Vitor Meira & Alex Lloyd come to mind for teams seeking Ovaltrack experts, albeit not sure how many Ovals will be retained next season? While hopefully the Loudon and Milwaukee scuttlebutt will come to fruition; so ?Dar Yuhs have-it, let the Silly Season Shenanigans begin...
What will the Rookie Class look like in 2012
WSR Drivers set to make Debutant F1 Practise starts
This weekend?s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will see the debut of two rising World Series by Renault (WSR 3.5) stars participating in Friday morning?s Free Practice (FP1) session.
Thee Young ?Wicky, aka Robert Wickens, the reigning WSR champion, who hails from Up North Eh! Oh ?KanaDuh; Hya! Will get to run Jerome d'Ambrosio?s Virgin-Cosworth during FP1 as a reward for winning the WSR title.
As I believe the WSR crown also garners Wickens seat time at Loti-ren XP Caladrocious... Err Renault at this year?s F1 Young Drivers test which will commence two days after the Abu Dhabi GP...
Meanwhile, Scuderia Toro Rosso, will see the French Ace and Red Bull Junior Academy driver Jean Eric Vergne will continue his understudy work at Toro Rosso on Friday morning?s for the final two GP?s; having deputize at Korea. And like Wickens, Vergne will run at the Young Drivers test, albeit aboard the all conquering Red Bull RB7 of Master ?Zebb (Vettel) instead...
Vergne makes Friday morning F1 debut in Korea
Thee Young ?Wicky, aka Robert Wickens, the reigning WSR champion, who hails from Up North Eh! Oh ?KanaDuh; Hya! Will get to run Jerome d'Ambrosio?s Virgin-Cosworth during FP1 as a reward for winning the WSR title.
As I believe the WSR crown also garners Wickens seat time at Loti-ren XP Caladrocious... Err Renault at this year?s F1 Young Drivers test which will commence two days after the Abu Dhabi GP...
Meanwhile, Scuderia Toro Rosso, will see the French Ace and Red Bull Junior Academy driver Jean Eric Vergne will continue his understudy work at Toro Rosso on Friday morning?s for the final two GP?s; having deputize at Korea. And like Wickens, Vergne will run at the Young Drivers test, albeit aboard the all conquering Red Bull RB7 of Master ?Zebb (Vettel) instead...
Vergne makes Friday morning F1 debut in Korea
The state of the art is messy
Jeff Burton wrecked at ‘Dega, and he wrecked again at Texas … (photo: Getty Images)
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Have at it, boys. Those words, spoken back in January by NASCAR’s Robin Pemberton, might as well have been the slogan of the season.
Oh, by the way, remember the Maine, the Alamo and Joe Hill, too.
Once, when I was in high school, our team paid a visit to a conference rival we’d beaten 62-0 the year before. That school normally wore orange, but when we trotted out on the field for warm-up, we immediately noticed the other team was wearing red and white T-shirts, matching our school colors. The T-shirts read:
WE REMEMBER! 62-0!
We remembered, too. We won, 34-6, and there weren’t any T-shirts the next year.
While pro football implements rules that limit the capacity of overgrown physical specimens to, uh, play football, NASCAR tumbles into old-fashioned laissez-faire.
If a driver doesn’t like the way another driver is racing him, he can just duke it out, by gosh. Unlike a beanball in baseball, NASCAR doesn’t eject or issue warnings, anything like that.
Have at it, boys. The three R’s are rubbin’, retaliatin’, and wreckin’.
The august ruling body must, of course, prevent an outbreak of anarchy. It can’t have these cocky, rich whippersnappers just rioting in the streets (uh, tracks). They can be scrapping among themselves all they want, but don’t be “sassing” a NASCAR official. Kyle Busch didn’t need words to “sass,” but he would have been no better off had he launched into a profanity-laced diatribe.
One reason modern racers can “have at it” is that they have few limitations.
In the old days, when a driver wrecked a car, he had to fix it, and if he didn’t fix it, he paid to have it fixed. Nowadays that’s the domain of millionaire owners with accompanying millions from sponsors. Now a dozen cars, just like the wrecked one used to be, sit back at the shop. They’ll send a transporter to pick another one up, if need be.
More than 20 years ago, Darrell Waltrip was kidding when he suggested that a car owner’s advice to a driver was, “If you can’t win the race, at least tear up the car.”
That’s no longer a joke. That’s the state of the art now.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Costa Wins the Race, Wickens Takes the Championship
Canadian Robert Wickens may not have finished the race in Barcelona on Sunday, but he nevertheless won the Formula Renault 3.5 Championship on points. Starting the last race of the season with a nine-point lead over Jean Eric Vergne of France, it initially appeared that Wickens may have lost the title due to an accident on the first lap with his Carlin Motorsports teammate.
Related posts:Massa Wins Race, Hamilton Wins F1 ChampionshipEdwards Wins Race But Johnson Still In Championship LeadMatt Miller Wins UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals ‘Birthday Race’
Related posts:Massa Wins Race, Hamilton Wins F1 ChampionshipEdwards Wins Race But Johnson Still In Championship LeadMatt Miller Wins UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals ‘Birthday Race’
NASCAR notebook: Edwards thinks Homestead is a new beginning
Carl Edwards, fastest in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice, was second-fastest in qualifying at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (photo: Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Carl Edwards too has a reason to race, just one not so compelling.
Edwards is out of the Chase in terms of the championship but has fourth place, 47 points ahead of Roush Fenway teammate Matt Kenseth. And, of course, it’s Ford Championship Weekend, and Edwards drives one.
What Edwards talked about was “locking down fourth place.”
“That would be a big accomplishment for us, and we’ll just keep trucking,” he said. “I don’t feel like we have implemented all the things we’ve figured out yet. I think we have a lot of really positive things that they’re working on at the shop, so I think we could even be better yet come Daytona, Phoenix, Vegas (in 20100).
“I think we’re poised to be extremely good at the beginning of next season, maybe in a better situation than we were at the end of 2008, where I felt like we had been ahead and people were catching us.”
* * *
PITS CAN BE THE PITS–Pit choices could play a vital role in the outcome of both the race and the championship. Space is chosen on the basis of qualifying, which means Jimmie Johnson, who qualified sixth, has a much better location on pit road than Denny Hamlin, mainly because the point lead qualified 37th.
Johnson will pit at the midpoint, with an open spot in front of him. Kevin Harvick has a decent spot, behind the pole-winning car of Kasey Kahne and ahead of the No. 66 of Mike Bliss. Hamlin will pit near the pit entrance, behind Matt Kenseth and ahead of Aric Almirola.
* * *
NEW TASK AT HAND--Even though Johnson has won four straight championships, he’s never had to come from behind in the final race or, for that matter, the final two.
“In professional sports, things aren't always going to work out as you hope,” he said. “I wish we were leading the points and had the pressure of defending a championship down here, but I'm making the most of where we are.
“It's not far (15 points) from where we are to where Denny (Hamlin) is. We're going to have to go out and have a great day on Sunday afternoon, take it from there, see what happens.”
* * *
MOVE IT AROUND-- The third contender, Harvick, doesn’t want to see the Chase format change. He wants to see the Sprint Cup schedule change.
“I'd like to see a little bit more diversity in the race tracks,” he said. “I don't think the last 10 weeks should be the same tracks over and over and over again. I think it should rotate around. I think that would help particular race markets get better.
“You have it end at different places, have it start at different places. Maybe you go to some of the same tracks, but I think a different 10 weeks, even a road course at the end of the year, would put that full diversity, I guess you could say, on your champion to getting to all the different styles of tracks.”
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Carl Edwards too has a reason to race, just one not so compelling.
Edwards is out of the Chase in terms of the championship but has fourth place, 47 points ahead of Roush Fenway teammate Matt Kenseth. And, of course, it’s Ford Championship Weekend, and Edwards drives one.
What Edwards talked about was “locking down fourth place.”
“That would be a big accomplishment for us, and we’ll just keep trucking,” he said. “I don’t feel like we have implemented all the things we’ve figured out yet. I think we have a lot of really positive things that they’re working on at the shop, so I think we could even be better yet come Daytona, Phoenix, Vegas (in 20100).
“I think we’re poised to be extremely good at the beginning of next season, maybe in a better situation than we were at the end of 2008, where I felt like we had been ahead and people were catching us.”
* * *
PITS CAN BE THE PITS–Pit choices could play a vital role in the outcome of both the race and the championship. Space is chosen on the basis of qualifying, which means Jimmie Johnson, who qualified sixth, has a much better location on pit road than Denny Hamlin, mainly because the point lead qualified 37th.
Johnson will pit at the midpoint, with an open spot in front of him. Kevin Harvick has a decent spot, behind the pole-winning car of Kasey Kahne and ahead of the No. 66 of Mike Bliss. Hamlin will pit near the pit entrance, behind Matt Kenseth and ahead of Aric Almirola.
* * *
NEW TASK AT HAND--Even though Johnson has won four straight championships, he’s never had to come from behind in the final race or, for that matter, the final two.
“In professional sports, things aren't always going to work out as you hope,” he said. “I wish we were leading the points and had the pressure of defending a championship down here, but I'm making the most of where we are.
“It's not far (15 points) from where we are to where Denny (Hamlin) is. We're going to have to go out and have a great day on Sunday afternoon, take it from there, see what happens.”
* * *
MOVE IT AROUND-- The third contender, Harvick, doesn’t want to see the Chase format change. He wants to see the Sprint Cup schedule change.
“I'd like to see a little bit more diversity in the race tracks,” he said. “I don't think the last 10 weeks should be the same tracks over and over and over again. I think it should rotate around. I think that would help particular race markets get better.
“You have it end at different places, have it start at different places. Maybe you go to some of the same tracks, but I think a different 10 weeks, even a road course at the end of the year, would put that full diversity, I guess you could say, on your champion to getting to all the different styles of tracks.”
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Fast To The Front: 18-Year Old Whelen Modified Tour Crew Chief Brian Ross Gets First Win In Second Race On The Job
On Oct. 2 at Stafford Motor Speedway Brian Ross served for the first time as a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour crew chief during the CarQuest Fall Final 150.
In his next event as a crew chief the 18-year old from Southington celebrated in victory lane.
When Glen Reen pulled into victory lane Sunday at Thompson International Speedway following the Whelen Modified Tour season ending World Series of Speedway Racing 150, it proved to be one of the most stunning upsets in recent history in the division.
In his next event as a crew chief the 18-year old from Southington celebrated in victory lane.
When Glen Reen pulled into victory lane Sunday at Thompson International Speedway following the Whelen Modified Tour season ending World Series of Speedway Racing 150, it proved to be one of the most stunning upsets in recent history in the division.
IndyCar Series Driver Dan Wheldon Killed Sunday In Event At Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon was killed following a crash Sunday during an IndyCar Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Wheldon was 33-years old.
Wheldon's car was involved in a fiery 15-car crash on the 11th lap of the event Sunday on the 1.5-mile oval. IndyCar Series officials made the decision not to restart the event.
Drivers participated in a five-lap salute to honor Wheldon hours after the fatal crash.
"IndyCar is sad to announce that Dan Wheldon passed away from unsurvivable injuries," read a statement from IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan and his family. INDYCAR, its drivers and teams have decided to end the race."
Wheldon was 33-years old.
Wheldon's car was involved in a fiery 15-car crash on the 11th lap of the event Sunday on the 1.5-mile oval. IndyCar Series officials made the decision not to restart the event.
Drivers participated in a five-lap salute to honor Wheldon hours after the fatal crash.
"IndyCar is sad to announce that Dan Wheldon passed away from unsurvivable injuries," read a statement from IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan and his family. INDYCAR, its drivers and teams have decided to end the race."
Who knows why the bubble burst?
The morning after the Amp Energy Juice 500 was as muddled as the race. It required a long drive home to get the old thoughts in order.
This race featured 87 lead changes. It ended in a side-by-side finish, though, oddly, not at the finish line. The last-place driver in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, Clint Bowyer, became the only driver so far to win two of its races. Of course, the reason Bowyer is buried so deeply is the absence of 150 points due to a NASCAR penalty.
See what I mean by muddled?
But what fired my ruminations was the question of declining interest in NASCAR. Many opinions have been offered, most by folks who, in some way, have a specific interest in the view they offer. Those who are having trouble economically blame the economy. Those who love Dale Earnhardt Jr. blame his struggles. Those who loathe Jimmie Johnson blame his dominance.
It can’t be contended that the sport hasn’t reacted. Ticket prices have been slashed. Rules have been changed to promote excitement. Nothing seems to work. The NASCAR estimate of the Talladega Superspeedway crowd was 110,000. In 2003, it was 170,000. Those who point out how convenient it is to watch on TV fail to account for why TV ratings are declining as rapidly as attendance.
I’ve pondered and addressed all these issues and offered a few of my own, but the truth is, I don’t know, either. And I don’t think NASCAR does.
One word occurred to me while driving the interstate: “bubble.”
In the stock market, there was a “dotcom bubble.” I’ve heard of mortgage bubbles, real-estate bubbles and Indy 500 qualifier who are “on the bubble.” The world is one big bubble bath.
The idea is that something grows too rapidly. The perception of prosperity creates something of a feeding frenzy. Everyone gets on board, so much so that growth is artificially enhanced in a way that can’t be maintained.
And the bubble bursts.
All that “Fastest Growing Sport” rhetoric, which NASCAR so enthusiastically circulated, may have burst. “Burst” may be too harsh a word. In the stock market, there is often a “fallback position.” Maybe that’s where NASCAR is right now. It’s still big, but not as big.
This race featured 87 lead changes. It ended in a side-by-side finish, though, oddly, not at the finish line. The last-place driver in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, Clint Bowyer, became the only driver so far to win two of its races. Of course, the reason Bowyer is buried so deeply is the absence of 150 points due to a NASCAR penalty.
See what I mean by muddled?
But what fired my ruminations was the question of declining interest in NASCAR. Many opinions have been offered, most by folks who, in some way, have a specific interest in the view they offer. Those who are having trouble economically blame the economy. Those who love Dale Earnhardt Jr. blame his struggles. Those who loathe Jimmie Johnson blame his dominance.
It can’t be contended that the sport hasn’t reacted. Ticket prices have been slashed. Rules have been changed to promote excitement. Nothing seems to work. The NASCAR estimate of the Talladega Superspeedway crowd was 110,000. In 2003, it was 170,000. Those who point out how convenient it is to watch on TV fail to account for why TV ratings are declining as rapidly as attendance.
I’ve pondered and addressed all these issues and offered a few of my own, but the truth is, I don’t know, either. And I don’t think NASCAR does.
One word occurred to me while driving the interstate: “bubble.”
In the stock market, there was a “dotcom bubble.” I’ve heard of mortgage bubbles, real-estate bubbles and Indy 500 qualifier who are “on the bubble.” The world is one big bubble bath.
The idea is that something grows too rapidly. The perception of prosperity creates something of a feeding frenzy. Everyone gets on board, so much so that growth is artificially enhanced in a way that can’t be maintained.
And the bubble bursts.
All that “Fastest Growing Sport” rhetoric, which NASCAR so enthusiastically circulated, may have burst. “Burst” may be too harsh a word. In the stock market, there is often a “fallback position.” Maybe that’s where NASCAR is right now. It’s still big, but not as big.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
NASCAR Honors National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Pager item text:
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Slide text:
NASCAR is "going pink" with concentrated efforts during this weekend?s activities at Charlotte and Las Vegas Speedways.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 12, 2011) ? In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NASCAR is "going pink" with concentrated efforts during this weekend?s activities at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway to build awareness and raise funds for breast cancer-aimed charitable organizations.
read more
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Slide text:
NASCAR is "going pink" with concentrated efforts during this weekend?s activities at Charlotte and Las Vegas Speedways.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 12, 2011) ? In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NASCAR is "going pink" with concentrated efforts during this weekend?s activities at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway to build awareness and raise funds for breast cancer-aimed charitable organizations.
read more
Victory takes a gallop on the beach
The winner of the Sprint Cup at the conclusion of Sunday's Ford 400 in Homestead may or may not have the best car. What really counts -- in that race, and for the very survival of Racin' -- is what comes from the other side of the tracks of the mind: A dark woman's lucky smile. It's a Stone Agel truth which science getting to from the futurel side of the brain. Or so 'tis said at Ovalscreams today.
Sprint To The End: Tough Run For Rowan Pennink Closes Once Promising Whelen Modified Tour Season
It was a run that few fans who were at Thompson International Speedway on Sunday won't soon forget.
Unfortunately for Rowan Pennink, it was a run that had nothing to do with sitting behind the wheel of a racecar.
On a day that saw wild storylines all over the place when it came to the season ending event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Pennink's sprint across the Thompson Speedway infield after getting wrecked will be remembered as one of the signature moments of Sunday's 2011 finale for the division.
Unfortunately for Rowan Pennink, it was a run that had nothing to do with sitting behind the wheel of a racecar.
On a day that saw wild storylines all over the place when it came to the season ending event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Pennink's sprint across the Thompson Speedway infield after getting wrecked will be remembered as one of the signature moments of Sunday's 2011 finale for the division.
IndyCar Series Driver Dan Wheldon Killed Sunday In Event At Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon was killed following a crash Sunday during an IndyCar Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Wheldon was 33-years old.
Wheldon's car was involved in a fiery 15-car crash on the 11th lap of the event Sunday on the 1.5-mile oval. IndyCar Series officials made the decision not to restart the event.
Drivers participated in a five-lap salute to honor Wheldon hours after the fatal crash.
"IndyCar is sad to announce that Dan Wheldon passed away from unsurvivable injuries," read a statement from IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan and his family. INDYCAR, its drivers and teams have decided to end the race."
Wheldon was 33-years old.
Wheldon's car was involved in a fiery 15-car crash on the 11th lap of the event Sunday on the 1.5-mile oval. IndyCar Series officials made the decision not to restart the event.
Drivers participated in a five-lap salute to honor Wheldon hours after the fatal crash.
"IndyCar is sad to announce that Dan Wheldon passed away from unsurvivable injuries," read a statement from IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan and his family. INDYCAR, its drivers and teams have decided to end the race."
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Kasey Kahne Wins NASCAR Sprint Cup Race at Phoenix International Raceway
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Kobalt Tools 500 at Phoenix - Race Results
Women on Wheels: Meet LaTanya!
This year?s Red Bull Indianapolis GP will take the time to recognize women motorcycle riders. Many events have been organized throughout the race weekend that are just for women. Some selected lady riders have been kind enough to share their riding stories with us. They come from different riding groups and [...]
WSR Drivers set to make Debutant F1 Practise starts
This weekend?s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will see the debut of two rising World Series by Renault (WSR 3.5) stars participating in Friday morning?s Free Practice (FP1) session.
Thee Young ?Wicky, aka Robert Wickens, the reigning WSR champion, who hails from Up North Eh! Oh ?KanaDuh; Hya! Will get to run Jerome d'Ambrosio?s Virgin-Cosworth during FP1 as a reward for winning the WSR title.
As I believe the WSR crown also garners Wickens seat time at Loti-ren XP Caladrocious... Err Renault at this year?s F1 Young Drivers test which will commence two days after the Abu Dhabi GP...
Meanwhile, Scuderia Toro Rosso, will see the French Ace and Red Bull Junior Academy driver Jean Eric Vergne will continue his understudy work at Toro Rosso on Friday morning?s for the final two GP?s; having deputize at Korea. And like Wickens, Vergne will run at the Young Drivers test, albeit aboard the all conquering Red Bull RB7 of Master ?Zebb (Vettel) instead...
Vergne makes Friday morning F1 debut in Korea
Thee Young ?Wicky, aka Robert Wickens, the reigning WSR champion, who hails from Up North Eh! Oh ?KanaDuh; Hya! Will get to run Jerome d'Ambrosio?s Virgin-Cosworth during FP1 as a reward for winning the WSR title.
As I believe the WSR crown also garners Wickens seat time at Loti-ren XP Caladrocious... Err Renault at this year?s F1 Young Drivers test which will commence two days after the Abu Dhabi GP...
Meanwhile, Scuderia Toro Rosso, will see the French Ace and Red Bull Junior Academy driver Jean Eric Vergne will continue his understudy work at Toro Rosso on Friday morning?s for the final two GP?s; having deputize at Korea. And like Wickens, Vergne will run at the Young Drivers test, albeit aboard the all conquering Red Bull RB7 of Master ?Zebb (Vettel) instead...
Vergne makes Friday morning F1 debut in Korea
Monday, November 14, 2011
Thompson International Speedway Owner Don Hoenig Presented With Sonny "The King" Richards Award
THOMPSON - Usually it's Thompson International Speedway track owner Don Hoenig in victory lane at his facility celebrating the accomplishments of those at his speedway.
Sunday morning he was the one being celebrated.
To kick off day two of the World Series of Speedway Racing weekend at the track, Hoenig was presented Sunday morning with the annual Sonny "The King" Richards award.
The award is given annually to an individual who best represents and is dedicated to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour..
Sunday morning he was the one being celebrated.
To kick off day two of the World Series of Speedway Racing weekend at the track, Hoenig was presented Sunday morning with the annual Sonny "The King" Richards award.
The award is given annually to an individual who best represents and is dedicated to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour..
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Kurt Busch Takes Victory at AAA400
Auto racing fans like nothing better than nail-biting rivalry right through to the checkered flag, and the AAA400 at Dover International Speedway on Sunday October 2nd provided plenty of action and excitement as Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson battled for first place. The race ended with Busch taking first place by 0.908 of a second, and Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards coming in at second and third.
Related posts:Kenseth’s Position Boosted by Charlotte VictoryBusch Claims LifeLock.com 400 VictoryBusch Takes Winners Trophy at Daytona
Related posts:Kenseth’s Position Boosted by Charlotte VictoryBusch Claims LifeLock.com 400 VictoryBusch Takes Winners Trophy at Daytona
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Sprint To The End: Tough Run For Rowan Pennink Closes Once Promising Whelen Modified Tour Season
It was a run that few fans who were at Thompson International Speedway on Sunday won't soon forget.
Unfortunately for Rowan Pennink, it was a run that had nothing to do with sitting behind the wheel of a racecar.
On a day that saw wild storylines all over the place when it came to the season ending event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Pennink's sprint across the Thompson Speedway infield after getting wrecked will be remembered as one of the signature moments of Sunday's 2011 finale for the division.
Unfortunately for Rowan Pennink, it was a run that had nothing to do with sitting behind the wheel of a racecar.
On a day that saw wild storylines all over the place when it came to the season ending event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Pennink's sprint across the Thompson Speedway infield after getting wrecked will be remembered as one of the signature moments of Sunday's 2011 finale for the division.
Friday, November 11, 2011
India Prepares for Inaugural F1 Grand Prix
As India prepares to host the inaugural Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix taking place on 28-30 October 2011, President and CEO of Formula One Management, Bernie Ecclestone, has been reported as saying that F1 authorities are happy with the progress at the newly constructed Buddh circuit located outside New Delhi.
Related posts:10th Anniversary of the Malaysia Grand PrixThe Honda Grand Prix of St. PetersburgAbu Dhabi hosting 2009 F1 Grand Prix
Related posts:10th Anniversary of the Malaysia Grand PrixThe Honda Grand Prix of St. PetersburgAbu Dhabi hosting 2009 F1 Grand Prix
NASCAR?s big, but not that big, here
Will Denny Hamlin join the Miami posse of Lebron James? The opposite is unlikely.
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – It’s all about the South down here. No drawls. No plantations (well, there is a city near here called Plantation). But there’s South Beach, and the geography is unmistakable. Homestead-Miami Speedway may not be Southern but it’s as south as the United States of America gets.
NASCAR takes its traveling show to most parts of the country, but it doesn’t get much glitzier than this. Juan Pablo Montoya held his annual South Beach gala – or soiree or extravaganza, or whatever – on Thursday night.
In other big news, Denny Hamlin met LeBron James.
“It was just at our hotel, basically,” said the Sprint Cup point leader. “One of the guys that I know, that works at the hotel, asked if I cared to meet him, and I said, ‘Of course. Sure.’ I just briefly talked to him for just a second. It really wasn’t anything too big. Obviously, he’s one of the most interesting guys of the past year, so it was good to experience that.”
Asked if the NBA star knew anything about NASCAR, Hamlin said not too much.
“He’s heard of it. I don’t know,” said Hamlin. “I really didn’t ask him too much about to be honest with you. I got to thinking, though, I was sitting there and looking around and the scene around him, and what-not, and I was thinking, why in the world would he leave Cleveland for this?”
It may have been a bit like the time Red Grange visited the White House. Grange was introduced to Pres. Calvin Coolidge, who was told, “This is Red Grange of the Chicago Bears,” and the president replied, “I’ve always enjoyed animal acts.”
NASCAR is known here. Every Chase has ended here, not to mention the seasons of 2002-03 before there was a Chase. NASCAR holds its grand finale in a city made famous at various times by Jackie Gleason, Tony Montana and Dan Marino. It’s going to take at least a Montoya championship to make NASCAR a household name.
Or maybe Hamlin can win the championship and thus earn a place in LeBron’s posse.
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – It’s all about the South down here. No drawls. No plantations (well, there is a city near here called Plantation). But there’s South Beach, and the geography is unmistakable. Homestead-Miami Speedway may not be Southern but it’s as south as the United States of America gets.
NASCAR takes its traveling show to most parts of the country, but it doesn’t get much glitzier than this. Juan Pablo Montoya held his annual South Beach gala – or soiree or extravaganza, or whatever – on Thursday night.
In other big news, Denny Hamlin met LeBron James.
“It was just at our hotel, basically,” said the Sprint Cup point leader. “One of the guys that I know, that works at the hotel, asked if I cared to meet him, and I said, ‘Of course. Sure.’ I just briefly talked to him for just a second. It really wasn’t anything too big. Obviously, he’s one of the most interesting guys of the past year, so it was good to experience that.”
Asked if the NBA star knew anything about NASCAR, Hamlin said not too much.
“He’s heard of it. I don’t know,” said Hamlin. “I really didn’t ask him too much about to be honest with you. I got to thinking, though, I was sitting there and looking around and the scene around him, and what-not, and I was thinking, why in the world would he leave Cleveland for this?”
It may have been a bit like the time Red Grange visited the White House. Grange was introduced to Pres. Calvin Coolidge, who was told, “This is Red Grange of the Chicago Bears,” and the president replied, “I’ve always enjoyed animal acts.”
NASCAR is known here. Every Chase has ended here, not to mention the seasons of 2002-03 before there was a Chase. NASCAR holds its grand finale in a city made famous at various times by Jackie Gleason, Tony Montana and Dan Marino. It’s going to take at least a Montoya championship to make NASCAR a household name.
Or maybe Hamlin can win the championship and thus earn a place in LeBron’s posse.
Bernard Throws in Extra Prize...
?R (Robin Miller) & Randy Bernard fighting over who?ll go home from Vegas sayin? All I got was this LOUSY T-Shirt! (Photo courtesy of Tacey Woollard)
Not only could some ?Rucky Dawg win ?$2.5-million? in Las Vegas this weekend, BUTT! Now comes word that some lucky winner could also be taking home this very coveted No Fenders limited 1st edition T-Shirt; Hya! Albeit, you?ll need to read the fine print which sez...
This T-Shirt has ALREADY been given away - better luck next time you?re in Los Vegas - Baby!
Not only could some ?Rucky Dawg win ?$2.5-million? in Las Vegas this weekend, BUTT! Now comes word that some lucky winner could also be taking home this very coveted No Fenders limited 1st edition T-Shirt; Hya! Albeit, you?ll need to read the fine print which sez...
This T-Shirt has ALREADY been given away - better luck next time you?re in Los Vegas - Baby!
Sleepless in Seattle... Again!
So in case you hadn?t noticed, your Humble No Fenders Scribe was off to The Valley of the Sun all last week and hence returned to the ?Ol Jet City yesterday afternoon before promptly being awoken at 3:27AM to the soothing NOT! Tones of my ASSHOLIC neighbors that believe everybody wishes to listen to their CRAP! Err, R-A-P Snoop-Snoop HomeDog whenever they feel like Parteein? - but I digress...
As this nonsense, along with the Gossip I just heard ?bout She ?Texted the Bartender ?bout her Daughters over NOTHING because she?s apparently a BITCH! All seem so NOT important after the HORRIFICLY WASTEFUL DEATH of Dan Wheldon - as I?ll save my true comments ?til next week as I?d like to pay my small token of admiration towards the ?Cheeky Brit prior to moving on...
As not only have we lost ?DannyBoy, but also ex-Moto2 Champion and emerging MOTO GP rider Marco Simoncelli - who?s death made me immediately flashback to the checkerboard motif planter-box with tree honoring another fallen rider at Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA - when this Unknown Rider (to Mwah) was tragically killed whilst trying to crawl across the ?Ash-fault after having tumbled off his motorcycle several years ago...
And how many people know of the late Rick Huseman (plus his brother and pilot) whose death was also confirmed upon the same fateful Sunday as Dan Wheldon?s? As I myself had never heard of the Off Road Champion prior to his Aeroplane?s plummet into the Baja desert. And lastly, let?s not forget six-year old Michael Wanser; son of Barry - Dario Franchitti?s Strategist who succumbed to his fight against leukemia... (As I HATE to see anybodies life taken prematurely - MOST especially a child?s!)
As hopefully we?ll all take a moment or three to think of, honour and/or pay homage to in our own individual ways to the people above - along with the unfortunate Souls to come in the future...
The right way to grieve...
As this nonsense, along with the Gossip I just heard ?bout She ?Texted the Bartender ?bout her Daughters over NOTHING because she?s apparently a BITCH! All seem so NOT important after the HORRIFICLY WASTEFUL DEATH of Dan Wheldon - as I?ll save my true comments ?til next week as I?d like to pay my small token of admiration towards the ?Cheeky Brit prior to moving on...
As not only have we lost ?DannyBoy, but also ex-Moto2 Champion and emerging MOTO GP rider Marco Simoncelli - who?s death made me immediately flashback to the checkerboard motif planter-box with tree honoring another fallen rider at Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA - when this Unknown Rider (to Mwah) was tragically killed whilst trying to crawl across the ?Ash-fault after having tumbled off his motorcycle several years ago...
And how many people know of the late Rick Huseman (plus his brother and pilot) whose death was also confirmed upon the same fateful Sunday as Dan Wheldon?s? As I myself had never heard of the Off Road Champion prior to his Aeroplane?s plummet into the Baja desert. And lastly, let?s not forget six-year old Michael Wanser; son of Barry - Dario Franchitti?s Strategist who succumbed to his fight against leukemia... (As I HATE to see anybodies life taken prematurely - MOST especially a child?s!)
As hopefully we?ll all take a moment or three to think of, honour and/or pay homage to in our own individual ways to the people above - along with the unfortunate Souls to come in the future...
The right way to grieve...
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Lost And Found: Ron Silk Rallies Back From Wreck To Win First NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Championship
THOMPSON - From devastation to elation.
Simply put, Ron Silk rode a roller coaster ride of emotions few could have ever predicted was possible Sunday at Thompson International Speedway.
In a span of 168 laps, Silk saw what looked like a fairly easy ride to his first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship go horribly bad and then spin back to be so unexpectedly perfectly right.
Simply put, Ron Silk rode a roller coaster ride of emotions few could have ever predicted was possible Sunday at Thompson International Speedway.
In a span of 168 laps, Silk saw what looked like a fairly easy ride to his first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship go horribly bad and then spin back to be so unexpectedly perfectly right.
A look back at 2010: Hendrick Motorsports
The 2010 Sprint Cup Series season was both good and bad for Hendrick Motorsports, with varying degrees of good and bad depending on the Hendrick Motorsports team in question. Overall, the organization claimed $22,023,180 in winnings with six wins, 38 top-fives and 59 top-10 finishes across its four teams.
It was the best season possible for [...]
It was the best season possible for [...]
IndyCar Series Driver Dan Wheldon Killed Sunday In Event At Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon was killed following a crash Sunday during an IndyCar Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Wheldon was 33-years old.
Wheldon's car was involved in a fiery 15-car crash on the 11th lap of the event Sunday on the 1.5-mile oval. IndyCar Series officials made the decision not to restart the event.
Drivers participated in a five-lap salute to honor Wheldon hours after the fatal crash.
"IndyCar is sad to announce that Dan Wheldon passed away from unsurvivable injuries," read a statement from IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan and his family. INDYCAR, its drivers and teams have decided to end the race."
Wheldon was 33-years old.
Wheldon's car was involved in a fiery 15-car crash on the 11th lap of the event Sunday on the 1.5-mile oval. IndyCar Series officials made the decision not to restart the event.
Drivers participated in a five-lap salute to honor Wheldon hours after the fatal crash.
"IndyCar is sad to announce that Dan Wheldon passed away from unsurvivable injuries," read a statement from IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan and his family. INDYCAR, its drivers and teams have decided to end the race."
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