Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Gordon snaps winless streak
�After nearly two years, Jeff Gordon made his way back to victory lane by winning the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceay on Sunday. The win was the first for Gordon in 67 races and his 83rd career win, overall, tying him for fifth on the Sprint Cup all-time win list with Cale [...]
MOTOGP: Yamaha Locks Down Lorenzo Through 2014
Yamaha has fired the first salvo of what's destined to be a crucial silly season by retaining the services of MotoGP title leader Jorge Lorenzo.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Interact in Vendor Marketplace
The Vendor Marketplace is one of my favorite spots this weekend. It’s a chance to stroll around and check out some fashion, new motorcycle products, score some sunglasses or accessories and learn more about the motorcycle culture. Plus it’s located in Gasoline Alley. Not bad.
This year I’ve noticed a greater digital influence. As someone that [...]
This year I’ve noticed a greater digital influence. As someone that [...]
Garage Fire subdues Team Willy?s victory party...
NO! I won?t make any jokes about birthday candles for Sir Frank here... As reportedly a scary fire broke out in the Williams F1 Pit Garage whilst the team was having a celebratory photo taken - including Sir Frank, as his daughter Claire wheeled him away to safety...
One crew member was seriously injured, with several others incurring respitory troubles due to smoke inhalation - including the two neighboring Pitlane teams members from Caterham and Force India, with 31-people injured before the fire was put out...
Williams Box on Fire - 31 people treated
Yet the good news is that it sounds like everyone with the exception of the one person with the most serious injuries is now listed in stable condition, with the rest of Sir Frank?s squad returning home...
Williams F1 Team members return home
One crew member was seriously injured, with several others incurring respitory troubles due to smoke inhalation - including the two neighboring Pitlane teams members from Caterham and Force India, with 31-people injured before the fire was put out...
Williams Box on Fire - 31 people treated
Yet the good news is that it sounds like everyone with the exception of the one person with the most serious injuries is now listed in stable condition, with the rest of Sir Frank?s squad returning home...
Williams F1 Team members return home
Women on Wheels: Meet Lynda!
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 [...]
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Donny Lia And Bob Garbarino Reuniting In 2012 On The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
It's a relationship in the past led to a pair of NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championships for Mystic car owner Bob Garbarino.
And it's a relationship back together on a mission to look for a third series title.
Two-time Whelen Modified Tour champion Donny Lia will return to the series in 2012 to drive once again for Garbarino.
"It works for me and it works for him," Garbarino said. "So we're going to do it again."
With Lia behind the wheel in 2007, Garbarino won his first Whelen Modified Tour championship. The pair split after that season, with Lia heading to the Camping World Truck Series.
And it's a relationship back together on a mission to look for a third series title.
Two-time Whelen Modified Tour champion Donny Lia will return to the series in 2012 to drive once again for Garbarino.
"It works for me and it works for him," Garbarino said. "So we're going to do it again."
With Lia behind the wheel in 2007, Garbarino won his first Whelen Modified Tour championship. The pair split after that season, with Lia heading to the Camping World Truck Series.
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.
Six for Six - or will it be Seven for Seven?
So it all seems like a foggy dreamscape to Mwah... As I purposely didn?t wish to be told the winner of the Monaco GP whilst staying at ?CARPETS Manor in Indianapolis during the Indy 500 weekend...
Even first telling Rob to please not give it away and then having to get up and walk outside while he was watching Speedcentre on Monday morning; saying sorry... And then I had to go back outside a further three times when trying to come inside after breakfast as Ye ?Ol Windbag (Dave Despain) was launching into Hot Topics - where he tells you the winners; URGH!
Thus having finally watched the tape upon my return to the Emerald City, I haveda say I was most shocked by ?DER TERMINATOR, nee Michael Schumacher snatching an incomprehensible Pole position from Mark ?Handlebarz Webber; CRIKEYS! As I suppose Michael really wished he hadn?t punted Bruno Senna the race prior and earned a five-spot grid penalty at ?Monn-knockoe,? eh?
As I haveda say that I found the race itself to be very boring and nothin? more then another parade; Hmm? Perhaps ?Somme-thun to dooze with just having sat in Turn-2 at Indianapolis and sweltered thru a real honest-to-goodness motor race - until Dashley LePew?s Squeeze-job...
But I was very happy for Webber to win his first race of the season, while I couldn?t help but grimace over how I?m noticing that ?Brittany, a.k.a. thee Great Nico Rosberg seemingly thinks he?s got the fastest car in every TV interview... While Fredrico Suave (Alonso) was once again his ultra debonair self and I could almost hear him smacking his lips whilst fawning over the fact that he?s now leading the driver?s points standings; YIKES!
But don?t get me wrong, I like Brittany and I found this article about him hangin? out with Mika-the-Finn pretty entertaining...
When Nico met Mika
So will it be Louise ?JAGUAR Hamilton, thee Iceman (Kimi Raikkonen) or somebody else?s turn on the top step of the podium at le Circuit Gilles Villeneuve? Tune in Sunday on FOX...
Even first telling Rob to please not give it away and then having to get up and walk outside while he was watching Speedcentre on Monday morning; saying sorry... And then I had to go back outside a further three times when trying to come inside after breakfast as Ye ?Ol Windbag (Dave Despain) was launching into Hot Topics - where he tells you the winners; URGH!
Thus having finally watched the tape upon my return to the Emerald City, I haveda say I was most shocked by ?DER TERMINATOR, nee Michael Schumacher snatching an incomprehensible Pole position from Mark ?Handlebarz Webber; CRIKEYS! As I suppose Michael really wished he hadn?t punted Bruno Senna the race prior and earned a five-spot grid penalty at ?Monn-knockoe,? eh?
As I haveda say that I found the race itself to be very boring and nothin? more then another parade; Hmm? Perhaps ?Somme-thun to dooze with just having sat in Turn-2 at Indianapolis and sweltered thru a real honest-to-goodness motor race - until Dashley LePew?s Squeeze-job...
But I was very happy for Webber to win his first race of the season, while I couldn?t help but grimace over how I?m noticing that ?Brittany, a.k.a. thee Great Nico Rosberg seemingly thinks he?s got the fastest car in every TV interview... While Fredrico Suave (Alonso) was once again his ultra debonair self and I could almost hear him smacking his lips whilst fawning over the fact that he?s now leading the driver?s points standings; YIKES!
But don?t get me wrong, I like Brittany and I found this article about him hangin? out with Mika-the-Finn pretty entertaining...
When Nico met Mika
So will it be Louise ?JAGUAR Hamilton, thee Iceman (Kimi Raikkonen) or somebody else?s turn on the top step of the podium at le Circuit Gilles Villeneuve? Tune in Sunday on FOX...
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Women on Wheels: Meet Lynda!
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 [...]
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.
Art Pollared: A forgotten driver...
1970 Art Pollard portrait. (Source: artpollard.tripod.com)
Otay, so I won?t try reinventing the wheel here - as it seemed somewhat ironic, or karmic? That thee ?OLDEST? IndyCar blogger Geo. Phillips has recently posted a great story about this relatively unknown IndyCar driver who unfortunately met his maker this very day 39-years ago...
Art Pollared: Always Overshadowed
As I?ll confess that I?ve only ever known the name Art Pollard from my studies regarding what has to be one of my absolute most favourite Indy Cars - those ultra alluring Lotus 56 turbines - having been overly pleased to view Graham Hill?s chassis at the Hall of Fame museum a few years ago; but I digress...
Thus upon hunting around le Internetz I came upon the Art Lee Pollard remembered website, which was a project of his family?s - primarily Mike Pollard, who unfortunately died from complications of Chemotherapy in 2009...
As I?m sure there are countless other racing drivers out there whom also languish in obscurity - or not being known at all, as it seems the more I do this racing thingy the less I know about IT!
Thus I felt even more chagrined to discover that Messer Pollard hailed from Roseberg, Oregon - which is right in my proverbial ?Backyard, as after all Portland International Raceway was my Indy Car Hometrack for two decades... As it?s even funnier yet to learn that Art dominated the Pacific Racing Association series plus West Coast Super Modifieds before finally graduating to the ?Big Carz...
As I was also unaware of the fact that Lone Star J.R. (Johnny Rutherford( was one of Art?s close personal friends - as Rutherford ironically captured his debutant Indy 500 pole the very same day as Pollard?s death and dedicated this achievement in honor of Art...
And I also know that numerous drivers are diligent souls in giving back to their respective community and us the fans, but the part that really hits home with me is Pollard?s immense contributions towards the La Rue Carter Hospital mentally-ill children... Making yearly visits without camera crew or media to the Hospital?s Psychiatric ward - talking with them, telling stories, playing basketball, etc. As the single sentence ?bout Art personally paying for them to attend Day Camp left your stoic No Fenders scribe teary-eyed... As it seems a fitting tribute that La rue Carter named their playground in honor of him.
Art Pollard Playground
And once again - even in death, it seemed very strange that as I spent the weekend rummaging thru the Art Lee Pollard family website - as I watched the Sunday evenings Wind Tunnel, think it was ?Dar? ?Ol OWR Curmudgeon ?R (Robin Miller) wished Joe Leonard a speedy recovery ?Get Well? wish, saying the ex-Lotus teammate of Art?s had recently suffered a stroke.
And say what you might about Robin Miller - but you have to admit that Robin?s obituary below, which I ?Shamelessly borrowed from the Art Lee Pollard remembered website?s More Eulogies section is indeed very touching and definitely gives me a feel for Art Pollard the person, not the racecar driver... Who wasn?t too ?Damn bad at that either.
As Art left the racing arena way too early with 83 USAC Champ Car starts and two IndyCar victories - which George notes that occurred in 1969 at Milwaukee and Dover, along with a second place finish at Langhorne that year.
Pollard also finished a tantalizing runner-up to Jim McElreath at Ontario in 1970 after leading the race by 1-lap before victory slipped away due to a slow tire leak - and for reference, Art?s win tally is double somebody named Danica?s output... Not to mention all of the other various ?One-hit wonders! As Art?s unyielding patience for making time for anybody tends to make me think of another fallen driver named Dan Wheldon...
Art Pollard in the Lotus 56 - Martin Hill. (Source: tamsoldracecarsite.net)
Robin Miller: Riley Hospital for Children had a special wing for kids with emotional issues and that was LaRue Carter where Art would go at night and sit with the kids for a few hours. After his death we had a picnic for those kids every May, drivers played softball, hung with the kids and that went on for 20-plus years before it was stopped.
Art got a late start in racing but was a bad ass in super modifieds and adapted quickly to Indy cars. He was always aggressive and real brave. But there was never a better person, great with the fans and well liked by the other drivers.
He got me started in racing when we bought a Formula Ford from Andy Granatelli (Art was driving for him then) and he was my chief mechanic (on crutches from his broken leg suffered at Indy in 1972 when the hub broke) for my first couple runs. Alley Oop (his nickname) was one of those special people who come along every now and then...
Indianapolis Star - Sunday, May 13, 1973.
by Robin Miller When a race driver is killed on the track the first thing everybody says is,"That's too bad, he was a hell of a guy." In the obituary the next day, his past performances are listed and any other worthy achievements are mentioned. Yesterday Art Pollard left us. Not Art Pollard the race driver, but Art Pollard the human being. This is a personal eulogy. I'm 23 years old. Art was 46 just last Saturday. But we had as much in common as any two people I know. We had a lot of good times together and in the three years I knew him, he showed me why he was different from most. At 46, he was just hitting fourth gear. For one, he was a grandfather but as youthful as any when it came to standing on a gas pedal. His other uncommon feature was that Art Pollard actually cared, gave a damn if you please, about a bunch of people in this world. Whether you raced against him, dined with him,laughed with him or barely knew him, Art Pollard came across as more than an autograph, handshake or wave. In the pressurized world of professional auto racing, most drivers, understandably have too much on their minds to stop and chat with everyone who calls their names. But Pollard made time for nearly anybody. Whether you were a Boy Scout, a crippled child, a pushy mother demanding an autograph or a drunk wanting to talk to "that old guy," Art Pollard tried to tried to become a part of your world at least for a couple of minutes. He spent hours and his own money on the retarded children at La Rue Carter hospital here in Indianapolis. He saw to it they spent one day in May with him at the Speedway each year. And if you don't think that means a lot to people, you are mistaken. Art enjoyed talking as much as he did driving and he was a master of the after-dinner speech. He was also a master at organization. Race drivers are as a group, almost impossible to organize-at or away from the track. But Pollard possessed a knack for getting on the phone and making things happen. Last winter he was at his best. He began a weekly Thursday night poker game at his apartment that saw Johnny Parsons, John Mahler, Cy Fairchild, Billy Vukovich, Art's friends and neighbors, lose money and enjoy themselves. Then on each Tuesday and Thursday morning, Pollard would get up and begin rousing Parsons, Mahler, Merle Bettenhausen and me to go down to the Athletic Club and work out. It was a pleasure to watch Pollard muscle his way around the basketball court for two straight hours, knock a volley ball back and forth for another 90 minutes and finish it up with a weight-lifting exibition that usually sent the steady customers away shaking their heads. Just this past month, the competition had turned to golf and Art, though not the golfer Vuky or Mahler is, played every hole like it was Agusta. But as competetive as he was, he was always vibrant, even-tempered and hardly ever moody. After he helped me get started racing last summer he told me never to burn any bridges in dealing with people. "You've got to keep the right attitude all the time. When somebody spins and causes you to wreck, don't fly off the handle and try to get back at them, 'cause sooner or later you're going to make a mistake too," he used to say. Most of all, though, Art Pollard never seemed to age. Last summer we went to a concert to hear the Carpenters and he knew almost every song they sang. He always dressed with style too. But his mental frame of mind was truly a wonder. A year ago, he suffered a broken leg in a crash after qualifying for the race. That crash probably would have made a lot of guys 35 quit. But Pollard was a tough cuss. Two hours after they put the cast on, he was scheming on how to get it off in time for the Pocono 500. He finally succeeded and ran strong at Ontario. This May had all the signs of being his best since he drove Andy Granatelli's turbine in 1968. He had a '73 Eagle, two good mechanics and a new sponsor. All during practice he'd been one of the fastest. He kept telling me," Man, when things start out smooth and organized like this operation, you know you're going to do well." He was running 191-plus when he crashed. The burns and broken bones he could have survived but it was a spinal cord injury that took his life. So now he's just another name in the Speedway record book, with an asterisk for being dead. They say, "well that's too bad but you got to keep on living." But I can't help feel a part of me and a lot of other people went away yesterday.(Source: artpollard.tripod.com)
For more insight upon Art Pollard - please visit the Family?s website at: Art Lee Pollard rememberd
Thanxs to Robin Miller for sharing his insights...
Otay, so I won?t try reinventing the wheel here - as it seemed somewhat ironic, or karmic? That thee ?OLDEST? IndyCar blogger Geo. Phillips has recently posted a great story about this relatively unknown IndyCar driver who unfortunately met his maker this very day 39-years ago...
Art Pollared: Always Overshadowed
As I?ll confess that I?ve only ever known the name Art Pollard from my studies regarding what has to be one of my absolute most favourite Indy Cars - those ultra alluring Lotus 56 turbines - having been overly pleased to view Graham Hill?s chassis at the Hall of Fame museum a few years ago; but I digress...
Thus upon hunting around le Internetz I came upon the Art Lee Pollard remembered website, which was a project of his family?s - primarily Mike Pollard, who unfortunately died from complications of Chemotherapy in 2009...
As I?m sure there are countless other racing drivers out there whom also languish in obscurity - or not being known at all, as it seems the more I do this racing thingy the less I know about IT!
Thus I felt even more chagrined to discover that Messer Pollard hailed from Roseberg, Oregon - which is right in my proverbial ?Backyard, as after all Portland International Raceway was my Indy Car Hometrack for two decades... As it?s even funnier yet to learn that Art dominated the Pacific Racing Association series plus West Coast Super Modifieds before finally graduating to the ?Big Carz...
As I was also unaware of the fact that Lone Star J.R. (Johnny Rutherford( was one of Art?s close personal friends - as Rutherford ironically captured his debutant Indy 500 pole the very same day as Pollard?s death and dedicated this achievement in honor of Art...
And I also know that numerous drivers are diligent souls in giving back to their respective community and us the fans, but the part that really hits home with me is Pollard?s immense contributions towards the La Rue Carter Hospital mentally-ill children... Making yearly visits without camera crew or media to the Hospital?s Psychiatric ward - talking with them, telling stories, playing basketball, etc. As the single sentence ?bout Art personally paying for them to attend Day Camp left your stoic No Fenders scribe teary-eyed... As it seems a fitting tribute that La rue Carter named their playground in honor of him.
Art Pollard Playground
And once again - even in death, it seemed very strange that as I spent the weekend rummaging thru the Art Lee Pollard family website - as I watched the Sunday evenings Wind Tunnel, think it was ?Dar? ?Ol OWR Curmudgeon ?R (Robin Miller) wished Joe Leonard a speedy recovery ?Get Well? wish, saying the ex-Lotus teammate of Art?s had recently suffered a stroke.
And say what you might about Robin Miller - but you have to admit that Robin?s obituary below, which I ?Shamelessly borrowed from the Art Lee Pollard remembered website?s More Eulogies section is indeed very touching and definitely gives me a feel for Art Pollard the person, not the racecar driver... Who wasn?t too ?Damn bad at that either.
As Art left the racing arena way too early with 83 USAC Champ Car starts and two IndyCar victories - which George notes that occurred in 1969 at Milwaukee and Dover, along with a second place finish at Langhorne that year.
Pollard also finished a tantalizing runner-up to Jim McElreath at Ontario in 1970 after leading the race by 1-lap before victory slipped away due to a slow tire leak - and for reference, Art?s win tally is double somebody named Danica?s output... Not to mention all of the other various ?One-hit wonders! As Art?s unyielding patience for making time for anybody tends to make me think of another fallen driver named Dan Wheldon...
Art Pollard in the Lotus 56 - Martin Hill. (Source: tamsoldracecarsite.net)
Robin Miller: Riley Hospital for Children had a special wing for kids with emotional issues and that was LaRue Carter where Art would go at night and sit with the kids for a few hours. After his death we had a picnic for those kids every May, drivers played softball, hung with the kids and that went on for 20-plus years before it was stopped.
Art got a late start in racing but was a bad ass in super modifieds and adapted quickly to Indy cars. He was always aggressive and real brave. But there was never a better person, great with the fans and well liked by the other drivers.
He got me started in racing when we bought a Formula Ford from Andy Granatelli (Art was driving for him then) and he was my chief mechanic (on crutches from his broken leg suffered at Indy in 1972 when the hub broke) for my first couple runs. Alley Oop (his nickname) was one of those special people who come along every now and then...
Indianapolis Star - Sunday, May 13, 1973.
by Robin Miller When a race driver is killed on the track the first thing everybody says is,"That's too bad, he was a hell of a guy." In the obituary the next day, his past performances are listed and any other worthy achievements are mentioned. Yesterday Art Pollard left us. Not Art Pollard the race driver, but Art Pollard the human being. This is a personal eulogy. I'm 23 years old. Art was 46 just last Saturday. But we had as much in common as any two people I know. We had a lot of good times together and in the three years I knew him, he showed me why he was different from most. At 46, he was just hitting fourth gear. For one, he was a grandfather but as youthful as any when it came to standing on a gas pedal. His other uncommon feature was that Art Pollard actually cared, gave a damn if you please, about a bunch of people in this world. Whether you raced against him, dined with him,laughed with him or barely knew him, Art Pollard came across as more than an autograph, handshake or wave. In the pressurized world of professional auto racing, most drivers, understandably have too much on their minds to stop and chat with everyone who calls their names. But Pollard made time for nearly anybody. Whether you were a Boy Scout, a crippled child, a pushy mother demanding an autograph or a drunk wanting to talk to "that old guy," Art Pollard tried to tried to become a part of your world at least for a couple of minutes. He spent hours and his own money on the retarded children at La Rue Carter hospital here in Indianapolis. He saw to it they spent one day in May with him at the Speedway each year. And if you don't think that means a lot to people, you are mistaken. Art enjoyed talking as much as he did driving and he was a master of the after-dinner speech. He was also a master at organization. Race drivers are as a group, almost impossible to organize-at or away from the track. But Pollard possessed a knack for getting on the phone and making things happen. Last winter he was at his best. He began a weekly Thursday night poker game at his apartment that saw Johnny Parsons, John Mahler, Cy Fairchild, Billy Vukovich, Art's friends and neighbors, lose money and enjoy themselves. Then on each Tuesday and Thursday morning, Pollard would get up and begin rousing Parsons, Mahler, Merle Bettenhausen and me to go down to the Athletic Club and work out. It was a pleasure to watch Pollard muscle his way around the basketball court for two straight hours, knock a volley ball back and forth for another 90 minutes and finish it up with a weight-lifting exibition that usually sent the steady customers away shaking their heads. Just this past month, the competition had turned to golf and Art, though not the golfer Vuky or Mahler is, played every hole like it was Agusta. But as competetive as he was, he was always vibrant, even-tempered and hardly ever moody. After he helped me get started racing last summer he told me never to burn any bridges in dealing with people. "You've got to keep the right attitude all the time. When somebody spins and causes you to wreck, don't fly off the handle and try to get back at them, 'cause sooner or later you're going to make a mistake too," he used to say. Most of all, though, Art Pollard never seemed to age. Last summer we went to a concert to hear the Carpenters and he knew almost every song they sang. He always dressed with style too. But his mental frame of mind was truly a wonder. A year ago, he suffered a broken leg in a crash after qualifying for the race. That crash probably would have made a lot of guys 35 quit. But Pollard was a tough cuss. Two hours after they put the cast on, he was scheming on how to get it off in time for the Pocono 500. He finally succeeded and ran strong at Ontario. This May had all the signs of being his best since he drove Andy Granatelli's turbine in 1968. He had a '73 Eagle, two good mechanics and a new sponsor. All during practice he'd been one of the fastest. He kept telling me," Man, when things start out smooth and organized like this operation, you know you're going to do well." He was running 191-plus when he crashed. The burns and broken bones he could have survived but it was a spinal cord injury that took his life. So now he's just another name in the Speedway record book, with an asterisk for being dead. They say, "well that's too bad but you got to keep on living." But I can't help feel a part of me and a lot of other people went away yesterday.(Source: artpollard.tripod.com)
For more insight upon Art Pollard - please visit the Family?s website at: Art Lee Pollard rememberd
Thanxs to Robin Miller for sharing his insights...
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Oreca Peugeot, BMW Motorsport win top classes at Sebring
Historic victory for de Chaunac led team in 2011 opener ORECA Sebring 2011-03-20Hugues de Chaunac 090917-1Peugeot won again at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida on Saturday, this time the Team ORECA Matmut taking victory in America?s greatest sports car race and ...
NASCAR This Week ends operations today
It's been a hoot, but we gotta scoot.
NASCAR This Week is ending operations on Monday, December 6, and will go offline on Dec. 17.
While traffic to the site has continued to grow since April 2008 when we came online, NASCAR This Week failed to meet its financial expectations.
We’d like to thank Monte for his generous permission to feed all his stories to this site. We still believe he’s the best NASCAR journalist out there, and wonder if the NASCAR heat we got last summer was due more to Monte’s voice than the few bucks we were making off advertising.
Keep giving ‘em hell, Monte!
Monte will continue to cover NASCAR. You can find his stories on the NASCAR page at the Gaston Gazette where he works, as well as his blog, also located on the Gaston Gazette website. Monte also posts blogs on his personal MySpace page, and he also maintains a music MySpace page where you can hear his songs and find out where he’s performing next. He also has a page on Facebook.
We also want to thank all of you for stopping by over the past few years to catch Monte’s latest, join in the comment conversation or just enjoying some NASCAR octane.
Please leave us a message of farewell if you care to in the comments section below.
For the next couple of weeks we’ll leave up some of Monte’s best stories from the season. We think they offer ample evidence of why you should continue to follow Monte where you can. As we said, we think he’s the best around.
Here’s to great racin’ in the years to come!
-- Ovalscream
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Fans await Ben Spies at the Oakley Tweet Up
We’ve been getting all of our fans hyped on Twitter and Facebook for the Ben Spies tweet up for the past 2 weeks! Today was finally the day. The first 5 fans in line outside of the Oakley retail garage received a free pair of Oakley Batwolf sunglasses and Ben signed autographs for about 20 [...]
The Best Seats in the House
The best seats in the house at IMS are well known when it comes to the Indy 500 and the Brickyard 400. When it comes to the Red Bull Indianapolis GP and the IMS road course, it?s a different story. We took the time to scope out the best three places to watch tomorrow?s race. [...]
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Las Vegas to Host NASCAR 2012 Champions Week
In 2008 when NASCAR Champions Week left New York - its host city for twenty-five years - in favor of Las Vegas there were some who voiced their concern that the move was less than wise, with quips about rebounds and quickie divorces being made. However, after three years in Las Vegas, NASCAR officials are more than satisfied with the results and have made it known that NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series Awards and Champions Week will be held in Las Vegas for at least three more years ? a happy union between the hot-spot tourist playground and the country's most popular sport.
Related posts:Tony Stewart Claims First Victory at Las VegasAuto Club Speedway to Host NASCAR EventThe Fun-filled Daytona 200 and Bike Week
Related posts:Tony Stewart Claims First Victory at Las VegasAuto Club Speedway to Host NASCAR EventThe Fun-filled Daytona 200 and Bike Week
Ted Christopher Readies For Usual Aggressive Schedule Of Racing In 2012
Age is doing nothing to slow down to Ted Christopher when it comes to setting his schedule of competition in racing.
The 53-year old Christopher will set forth once again with an aggressive schedule that will see him run full-time on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour while also possibly chasing another NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national short track title.
Despite rumors to the contrary, Christopher said his Ed Whelan owned Whelen Modified Tour team is ready to return to full-time competition in the series this year.
The team split briefly last year mid-season but came back together to finish 2011 strong. Christopher finished ninth in the Modified Tour standings last year, despite missing two events.
The 53-year old Christopher will set forth once again with an aggressive schedule that will see him run full-time on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour while also possibly chasing another NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national short track title.
Despite rumors to the contrary, Christopher said his Ed Whelan owned Whelen Modified Tour team is ready to return to full-time competition in the series this year.
The team split briefly last year mid-season but came back together to finish 2011 strong. Christopher finished ninth in the Modified Tour standings last year, despite missing two events.
Indy race as the world?s first high-risk events killed had refused to fight F1 talent
Indy car racing is a competition venue, with the World Championships. The racing originated in the United States, formerly the American Automobile Association-sponsored tournament. 1978 by 18 IndyCar team co-founded the “Indy Championship Racing Team Ltd”, established a series of organized racing event management, has developed unique rules of the game. 1979 organized the first [...]
Monday, June 4, 2012
Sellers back on top of his game with Late Model wins at SoBo
Sellers back on top of his game with Late Model wins at SoBo
The Time Has Come To Move On To Something New ...
What is it they say about all good things?
They must come to an end right?
And so it must come to an end here.
We've documented the good stories, the bad stories, the strange stories and the scary stories.
And now it's time to write the goodbye to this place that has been so good to us over the years.
They must come to an end right?
And so it must come to an end here.
We've documented the good stories, the bad stories, the strange stories and the scary stories.
And now it's time to write the goodbye to this place that has been so good to us over the years.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
INDYCAR Barber Test Day 1 Combined Times
Will Power at Sonoma 2010 // Photo: Michee Ursino// 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) INDYCAR is in Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park this week for an open test in preparation for 2011.�� And while it is early in the week, and only a test, two things are ...
Terrible accident destructive fighting force Polish Kubica back on track early next year
NEW YORK, July 14 reported Renault driver Kubica That is the beginning of a serious car accident over the pain and almost brought his career, a devastating blow, he believes he will be able to get fully recovered, drove onto the track season opener 2012 . For many drivers like the big nose of people, [...]
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Art Pollared: A forgotten driver...
1970 Art Pollard portrait. (Source: artpollard.tripod.com)
Otay, so I won?t try reinventing the wheel here - as it seemed somewhat ironic, or karmic? That thee ?OLDEST? IndyCar blogger Geo. Phillips has recently posted a great story about this relatively unknown IndyCar driver who unfortunately met his maker this very day 39-years ago...
Art Pollared: Always Overshadowed
As I?ll confess that I?ve only ever known the name Art Pollard from my studies regarding what has to be one of my absolute most favourite Indy Cars - those ultra alluring Lotus 56 turbines - having been overly pleased to view Graham Hill?s chassis at the Hall of Fame museum a few years ago; but I digress...
Thus upon hunting around le Internetz I came upon the Art Lee Pollard remembered website, which was a project of his family?s - primarily Mike Pollard, who unfortunately died from complications of Chemotherapy in 2009...
As I?m sure there are countless other racing drivers out there whom also languish in obscurity - or not being known at all, as it seems the more I do this racing thingy the less I know about IT!
Thus I felt even more chagrined to discover that Messer Pollard hailed from Roseberg, Oregon - which is right in my proverbial ?Backyard, as after all Portland International Raceway was my Indy Car Hometrack for two decades... As it?s even funnier yet to learn that Art dominated the Pacific Racing Association series plus West Coast Super Modifieds before finally graduating to the ?Big Carz...
As I was also unaware of the fact that Lone Star J.R. (Johnny Rutherford( was one of Art?s close personal friends - as Rutherford ironically captured his debutant Indy 500 pole the very same day as Pollard?s death and dedicated this achievement in honor of Art...
And I also know that numerous drivers are diligent souls in giving back to their respective community and us the fans, but the part that really hits home with me is Pollard?s immense contributions towards the La Rue Carter Hospital mentally-ill children... Making yearly visits without camera crew or media to the Hospital?s Psychiatric ward - talking with them, telling stories, playing basketball, etc. As the single sentence ?bout Art personally paying for them to attend Day Camp left your stoic No Fenders scribe teary-eyed... As it seems a fitting tribute that La rue Carter named their playground in honor of him.
Art Pollard Playground
And once again - even in death, it seemed very strange that as I spent the weekend rummaging thru the Art Lee Pollard family website - as I watched the Sunday evenings Wind Tunnel, think it was ?Dar? ?Ol OWR Curmudgeon ?R (Robin Miller) wished Joe Leonard a speedy recovery ?Get Well? wish, saying the ex-Lotus teammate of Art?s had recently suffered a stroke.
And say what you might about Robin Miller - but you have to admit that Robin?s obituary below, which I ?Shamelessly borrowed from the Art Lee Pollard remembered website?s More Eulogies section is indeed very touching and definitely gives me a feel for Art Pollard the person, not the racecar driver... Who wasn?t too ?Damn bad at that either.
As Art left the racing arena way too early with 83 USAC Champ Car starts and two IndyCar victories - which George notes that occurred in 1969 at Milwaukee and Dover, along with a second place finish at Langhorne that year.
Pollard also finished a tantalizing runner-up to Jim McElreath at Ontario in 1970 after leading the race by 1-lap before victory slipped away due to a slow tire leak - and for reference, Art?s win tally is double somebody named Danica?s output... Not to mention all of the other various ?One-hit wonders! As Art?s unyielding patience for making time for anybody tends to make me think of another fallen driver named Dan Wheldon...
Art Pollard in the Lotus 56 - Martin Hill. (Source: tamsoldracecarsite.net)
Robin Miller: Riley Hospital for Children had a special wing for kids with emotional issues and that was LaRue Carter where Art would go at night and sit with the kids for a few hours. After his death we had a picnic for those kids every May, drivers played softball, hung with the kids and that went on for 20-plus years before it was stopped.
Art got a late start in racing but was a bad ass in super modifieds and adapted quickly to Indy cars. He was always aggressive and real brave. But there was never a better person, great with the fans and well liked by the other drivers.
He got me started in racing when we bought a Formula Ford from Andy Granatelli (Art was driving for him then) and he was my chief mechanic (on crutches from his broken leg suffered at Indy in 1972 when the hub broke) for my first couple runs. Alley Oop (his nickname) was one of those special people who come along every now and then...
Indianapolis Star - Sunday, May 13, 1973.
by Robin Miller When a race driver is killed on the track the first thing everybody says is,"That's too bad, he was a hell of a guy." In the obituary the next day, his past performances are listed and any other worthy achievements are mentioned. Yesterday Art Pollard left us. Not Art Pollard the race driver, but Art Pollard the human being. This is a personal eulogy. I'm 23 years old. Art was 46 just last Saturday. But we had as much in common as any two people I know. We had a lot of good times together and in the three years I knew him, he showed me why he was different from most. At 46, he was just hitting fourth gear. For one, he was a grandfather but as youthful as any when it came to standing on a gas pedal. His other uncommon feature was that Art Pollard actually cared, gave a damn if you please, about a bunch of people in this world. Whether you raced against him, dined with him,laughed with him or barely knew him, Art Pollard came across as more than an autograph, handshake or wave. In the pressurized world of professional auto racing, most drivers, understandably have too much on their minds to stop and chat with everyone who calls their names. But Pollard made time for nearly anybody. Whether you were a Boy Scout, a crippled child, a pushy mother demanding an autograph or a drunk wanting to talk to "that old guy," Art Pollard tried to tried to become a part of your world at least for a couple of minutes. He spent hours and his own money on the retarded children at La Rue Carter hospital here in Indianapolis. He saw to it they spent one day in May with him at the Speedway each year. And if you don't think that means a lot to people, you are mistaken. Art enjoyed talking as much as he did driving and he was a master of the after-dinner speech. He was also a master at organization. Race drivers are as a group, almost impossible to organize-at or away from the track. But Pollard possessed a knack for getting on the phone and making things happen. Last winter he was at his best. He began a weekly Thursday night poker game at his apartment that saw Johnny Parsons, John Mahler, Cy Fairchild, Billy Vukovich, Art's friends and neighbors, lose money and enjoy themselves. Then on each Tuesday and Thursday morning, Pollard would get up and begin rousing Parsons, Mahler, Merle Bettenhausen and me to go down to the Athletic Club and work out. It was a pleasure to watch Pollard muscle his way around the basketball court for two straight hours, knock a volley ball back and forth for another 90 minutes and finish it up with a weight-lifting exibition that usually sent the steady customers away shaking their heads. Just this past month, the competition had turned to golf and Art, though not the golfer Vuky or Mahler is, played every hole like it was Agusta. But as competetive as he was, he was always vibrant, even-tempered and hardly ever moody. After he helped me get started racing last summer he told me never to burn any bridges in dealing with people. "You've got to keep the right attitude all the time. When somebody spins and causes you to wreck, don't fly off the handle and try to get back at them, 'cause sooner or later you're going to make a mistake too," he used to say. Most of all, though, Art Pollard never seemed to age. Last summer we went to a concert to hear the Carpenters and he knew almost every song they sang. He always dressed with style too. But his mental frame of mind was truly a wonder. A year ago, he suffered a broken leg in a crash after qualifying for the race. That crash probably would have made a lot of guys 35 quit. But Pollard was a tough cuss. Two hours after they put the cast on, he was scheming on how to get it off in time for the Pocono 500. He finally succeeded and ran strong at Ontario. This May had all the signs of being his best since he drove Andy Granatelli's turbine in 1968. He had a '73 Eagle, two good mechanics and a new sponsor. All during practice he'd been one of the fastest. He kept telling me," Man, when things start out smooth and organized like this operation, you know you're going to do well." He was running 191-plus when he crashed. The burns and broken bones he could have survived but it was a spinal cord injury that took his life. So now he's just another name in the Speedway record book, with an asterisk for being dead. They say, "well that's too bad but you got to keep on living." But I can't help feel a part of me and a lot of other people went away yesterday.(Source: artpollard.tripod.com)
For more insight upon Art Pollard - please visit the Family?s website at: Art Lee Pollard rememberd
Thanxs to Robin Miller for sharing his insights...
Otay, so I won?t try reinventing the wheel here - as it seemed somewhat ironic, or karmic? That thee ?OLDEST? IndyCar blogger Geo. Phillips has recently posted a great story about this relatively unknown IndyCar driver who unfortunately met his maker this very day 39-years ago...
Art Pollared: Always Overshadowed
As I?ll confess that I?ve only ever known the name Art Pollard from my studies regarding what has to be one of my absolute most favourite Indy Cars - those ultra alluring Lotus 56 turbines - having been overly pleased to view Graham Hill?s chassis at the Hall of Fame museum a few years ago; but I digress...
Thus upon hunting around le Internetz I came upon the Art Lee Pollard remembered website, which was a project of his family?s - primarily Mike Pollard, who unfortunately died from complications of Chemotherapy in 2009...
As I?m sure there are countless other racing drivers out there whom also languish in obscurity - or not being known at all, as it seems the more I do this racing thingy the less I know about IT!
Thus I felt even more chagrined to discover that Messer Pollard hailed from Roseberg, Oregon - which is right in my proverbial ?Backyard, as after all Portland International Raceway was my Indy Car Hometrack for two decades... As it?s even funnier yet to learn that Art dominated the Pacific Racing Association series plus West Coast Super Modifieds before finally graduating to the ?Big Carz...
As I was also unaware of the fact that Lone Star J.R. (Johnny Rutherford( was one of Art?s close personal friends - as Rutherford ironically captured his debutant Indy 500 pole the very same day as Pollard?s death and dedicated this achievement in honor of Art...
And I also know that numerous drivers are diligent souls in giving back to their respective community and us the fans, but the part that really hits home with me is Pollard?s immense contributions towards the La Rue Carter Hospital mentally-ill children... Making yearly visits without camera crew or media to the Hospital?s Psychiatric ward - talking with them, telling stories, playing basketball, etc. As the single sentence ?bout Art personally paying for them to attend Day Camp left your stoic No Fenders scribe teary-eyed... As it seems a fitting tribute that La rue Carter named their playground in honor of him.
Art Pollard Playground
And once again - even in death, it seemed very strange that as I spent the weekend rummaging thru the Art Lee Pollard family website - as I watched the Sunday evenings Wind Tunnel, think it was ?Dar? ?Ol OWR Curmudgeon ?R (Robin Miller) wished Joe Leonard a speedy recovery ?Get Well? wish, saying the ex-Lotus teammate of Art?s had recently suffered a stroke.
And say what you might about Robin Miller - but you have to admit that Robin?s obituary below, which I ?Shamelessly borrowed from the Art Lee Pollard remembered website?s More Eulogies section is indeed very touching and definitely gives me a feel for Art Pollard the person, not the racecar driver... Who wasn?t too ?Damn bad at that either.
As Art left the racing arena way too early with 83 USAC Champ Car starts and two IndyCar victories - which George notes that occurred in 1969 at Milwaukee and Dover, along with a second place finish at Langhorne that year.
Pollard also finished a tantalizing runner-up to Jim McElreath at Ontario in 1970 after leading the race by 1-lap before victory slipped away due to a slow tire leak - and for reference, Art?s win tally is double somebody named Danica?s output... Not to mention all of the other various ?One-hit wonders! As Art?s unyielding patience for making time for anybody tends to make me think of another fallen driver named Dan Wheldon...
Art Pollard in the Lotus 56 - Martin Hill. (Source: tamsoldracecarsite.net)
Robin Miller: Riley Hospital for Children had a special wing for kids with emotional issues and that was LaRue Carter where Art would go at night and sit with the kids for a few hours. After his death we had a picnic for those kids every May, drivers played softball, hung with the kids and that went on for 20-plus years before it was stopped.
Art got a late start in racing but was a bad ass in super modifieds and adapted quickly to Indy cars. He was always aggressive and real brave. But there was never a better person, great with the fans and well liked by the other drivers.
He got me started in racing when we bought a Formula Ford from Andy Granatelli (Art was driving for him then) and he was my chief mechanic (on crutches from his broken leg suffered at Indy in 1972 when the hub broke) for my first couple runs. Alley Oop (his nickname) was one of those special people who come along every now and then...
Indianapolis Star - Sunday, May 13, 1973.
by Robin Miller When a race driver is killed on the track the first thing everybody says is,"That's too bad, he was a hell of a guy." In the obituary the next day, his past performances are listed and any other worthy achievements are mentioned. Yesterday Art Pollard left us. Not Art Pollard the race driver, but Art Pollard the human being. This is a personal eulogy. I'm 23 years old. Art was 46 just last Saturday. But we had as much in common as any two people I know. We had a lot of good times together and in the three years I knew him, he showed me why he was different from most. At 46, he was just hitting fourth gear. For one, he was a grandfather but as youthful as any when it came to standing on a gas pedal. His other uncommon feature was that Art Pollard actually cared, gave a damn if you please, about a bunch of people in this world. Whether you raced against him, dined with him,laughed with him or barely knew him, Art Pollard came across as more than an autograph, handshake or wave. In the pressurized world of professional auto racing, most drivers, understandably have too much on their minds to stop and chat with everyone who calls their names. But Pollard made time for nearly anybody. Whether you were a Boy Scout, a crippled child, a pushy mother demanding an autograph or a drunk wanting to talk to "that old guy," Art Pollard tried to tried to become a part of your world at least for a couple of minutes. He spent hours and his own money on the retarded children at La Rue Carter hospital here in Indianapolis. He saw to it they spent one day in May with him at the Speedway each year. And if you don't think that means a lot to people, you are mistaken. Art enjoyed talking as much as he did driving and he was a master of the after-dinner speech. He was also a master at organization. Race drivers are as a group, almost impossible to organize-at or away from the track. But Pollard possessed a knack for getting on the phone and making things happen. Last winter he was at his best. He began a weekly Thursday night poker game at his apartment that saw Johnny Parsons, John Mahler, Cy Fairchild, Billy Vukovich, Art's friends and neighbors, lose money and enjoy themselves. Then on each Tuesday and Thursday morning, Pollard would get up and begin rousing Parsons, Mahler, Merle Bettenhausen and me to go down to the Athletic Club and work out. It was a pleasure to watch Pollard muscle his way around the basketball court for two straight hours, knock a volley ball back and forth for another 90 minutes and finish it up with a weight-lifting exibition that usually sent the steady customers away shaking their heads. Just this past month, the competition had turned to golf and Art, though not the golfer Vuky or Mahler is, played every hole like it was Agusta. But as competetive as he was, he was always vibrant, even-tempered and hardly ever moody. After he helped me get started racing last summer he told me never to burn any bridges in dealing with people. "You've got to keep the right attitude all the time. When somebody spins and causes you to wreck, don't fly off the handle and try to get back at them, 'cause sooner or later you're going to make a mistake too," he used to say. Most of all, though, Art Pollard never seemed to age. Last summer we went to a concert to hear the Carpenters and he knew almost every song they sang. He always dressed with style too. But his mental frame of mind was truly a wonder. A year ago, he suffered a broken leg in a crash after qualifying for the race. That crash probably would have made a lot of guys 35 quit. But Pollard was a tough cuss. Two hours after they put the cast on, he was scheming on how to get it off in time for the Pocono 500. He finally succeeded and ran strong at Ontario. This May had all the signs of being his best since he drove Andy Granatelli's turbine in 1968. He had a '73 Eagle, two good mechanics and a new sponsor. All during practice he'd been one of the fastest. He kept telling me," Man, when things start out smooth and organized like this operation, you know you're going to do well." He was running 191-plus when he crashed. The burns and broken bones he could have survived but it was a spinal cord injury that took his life. So now he's just another name in the Speedway record book, with an asterisk for being dead. They say, "well that's too bad but you got to keep on living." But I can't help feel a part of me and a lot of other people went away yesterday.(Source: artpollard.tripod.com)
For more insight upon Art Pollard - please visit the Family?s website at: Art Lee Pollard rememberd
Thanxs to Robin Miller for sharing his insights...
Earnhardt Jr. on pole for Daytona 500
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s pole for Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout may have just been credited to the luck of a draw, but he hit Daytona International Speedway on Sunday and turned in the fastest lap in Daytona 500 qualifying to claim his first pole at Daytona in a points-paying race.
“Obviously, it gives you good ideas that [...]
“Obviously, it gives you good ideas that [...]
Formula 1 Grand Prix Santander Germany 2012
The first and second practice sessions will take place on Friday 20 July, with practice session 3 and qualifying rounds on Saturday. The Formula 1 Grand Prix Santander Germany ...
Related posts:Formula One Monaco Grand Prix 2012Spanish Grand Prix 2012Formula One European Grand Prix 2012
Related posts:Formula One Monaco Grand Prix 2012Spanish Grand Prix 2012Formula One European Grand Prix 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
Kurt Busch takes umbrage at Newman's post-Darlington comments
Pager item text:
Kurt Busch - Ryan Newman
Slide text:
Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman are friends -- at least they were.
CONCORD, N.C. -- Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman are friends -- at least they were.
As late as 2008, the drivers were teammates at Penske Racing, and in the first race of that season, Busch pushed Newman to victory in the Daytona 500.
In light of their past relationship, Busch took offense at Newman's comments after last Saturday's Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, an event that ended with Newman's No. 39 Stewart-Haas crew -- specifically gas man Andy Rueger -- confronting the driver of the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet.
read more
Kurt Busch - Ryan Newman
Slide text:
Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman are friends -- at least they were.
CONCORD, N.C. -- Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman are friends -- at least they were.
As late as 2008, the drivers were teammates at Penske Racing, and in the first race of that season, Busch pushed Newman to victory in the Daytona 500.
In light of their past relationship, Busch took offense at Newman's comments after last Saturday's Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, an event that ended with Newman's No. 39 Stewart-Haas crew -- specifically gas man Andy Rueger -- confronting the driver of the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet.
read more
Bruton Smith on prize money in NASCAR, says Bristol probably not a sellout
Bruton Smith weighed in on how NASCAR is parsing out price money in a story from NASCAR.com:
"I would like to take half of the money from the points fund and give it to the winners of the races. I'd like to see a $300,000 to $400,000 difference between ...
"I would like to take half of the money from the points fund and give it to the winners of the races. I'd like to see a $300,000 to $400,000 difference between ...
Hamlin's team has embraced switch from carburetors
Hamlin's team has embraced switch from carburetors
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Interact in Vendor Marketplace
The Vendor Marketplace is one of my favorite spots this weekend. It’s a chance to stroll around and check out some fashion, new motorcycle products, score some sunglasses or accessories and learn more about the motorcycle culture. Plus it’s located in Gasoline Alley. Not bad.
This year I’ve noticed a greater digital influence. As someone that [...]
This year I’ve noticed a greater digital influence. As someone that [...]
Tony Stewart is a Throwback to a Better NASCAR
There have been an incredible amount of changes over the past decade in NASCAR betting as the sport has abandoned its roots and much of what made it great and unique as it has instead sold its soul in the attempt to go ?mainstream.? But there is one element of NASCAR today that [...]
AMA SBK: MMP Review
AMA Pro Superbike and SportBike title leaders Josh Hayes and Martin Cardenas rebounded from their Sonoma crashes to remind the paddock who's boss.
Bobby Santos III Waiting On Decision From Car Owner Concerning His Future With The Whelen Modified Tour
As it stands today, the 2010 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion will not be in a ride in the division in 2012.
Bobby Santos III, who won the championship in his first full season in the division in 2010 driving for Mystic car owner Bob Garbarino, said Tuesday evening that as of now he doesn't have a ride in the series this year. Santos also raced for Garbarino in 2011.
"I talked to Bob probably a week ago now and it sounds like he's kind of up in the air on what he wants to do," Santos said. "I don't think he's made any decisions yet.
Bobby Santos III, who won the championship in his first full season in the division in 2010 driving for Mystic car owner Bob Garbarino, said Tuesday evening that as of now he doesn't have a ride in the series this year. Santos also raced for Garbarino in 2011.
"I talked to Bob probably a week ago now and it sounds like he's kind of up in the air on what he wants to do," Santos said. "I don't think he's made any decisions yet.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Hamster racing at the UK
International Online Zhuangao: According to “Daily Mail” reported on August 20, recently, in Durham in the vicinity of Valley Children’s Adventure Playground held a spectacular racing. Participating in the “driver” is a cute fluffy little hamster only. In this interesting game, each has its own small hamster racing, this trait is installed on the car [...]
Back before things got rotten
photo: Jim Hunter, NASCAR communications exec who died last Friday of cancer at age 71.
TALLADEGA, Ala. – It’s Halloween at Talladega, and neither Jim Hunter nor Ed Shull is here.
Where are the grown-ups going to get their tricks and treats? Beats me.
Kids live in a Halloween world in which one night of the year, they get apples and candied corn and Zagnuts and all kinds of stuff that cost a penny when I was a kid and now runs at least a quarter.
Grown-ups live in a Halloween world all the time, and guys like Hunter and Shull made it bearable, doling out jokes and smart-alecky remarks, all of which, on balance, were enjoyable. Both could, when necessary, spew what seemed like acid from their tongues, sort of like unto a velociraptor, but the taste left in your mouth was never worse than dark, semi-sweet chocolate. Both could also charm a cobra without need of a flute.
Hunter, who died Friday night, was titular. He always held positions of influence: vice president of this or that, president of Darlington Raceway. Hunter never got sent out to a pasture that would hold him long. He could wield power and influence whether occupying the crown or just telling the despot in training what to do in order to keep the rabble in check. In terms of public relations, Hunter was the equivalent of what Jake Gaither said about Bear Bryant: He could take his’uns and beat y’ourn or take y’ourn and beat his’uns. I’d have liked a “flack-off” between Hunter and Humpy Wheeler. There’s no way the National Stock Car Racing Commission could have judged the outcome. The Supreme Court would have had to flip a coin.
The two men, Hunter and Wheeler, once played football, at the same time, at the University of South Carolina, on teams that weren’t notably successful. That’s almost certainly coincidental, but one can’t help but wonder what the Gamecocks had in the water coolers on the sidelines back in the late 1950s.
Wheeler said, via one of dozens of statements circulated on Saturday and one of the few that meant anything other than to meet perceived obligations, “Jim Hunter will be sorely missed because he knew more about pure media relations, and particularly how it relates to the fan, than anyone in motor racing. He was best in crisis, always giving sage advice behind the scenes. He also knew when to interject humor when everyone was ready to crack.”
That’s a fact. Several times he talked to me when I was ready to crack.
Not as many knew Shull, who passed away earlier in the week. A pity. I only had lunch with Hunter once, back in those confused days before NASCAR wrote guys like me off. Hunter and I didn’t dine more often because he probably had a purpose in mind any time he dined. It was in Michigan, back in the 1990s, and Hunter got me together with Jim France, probably because he suspected I had an aversion to anyone with that last name, and he wanted to preserve the reputation of at least one member of the ruling family in my jaded mind.
In one way, it worked. I enjoyed it. In another way, it didn’t. I don’t think Jim France and I have exchanged a word since. I’d be shocked if he has any idea who I am. I do think the quiet member of the family has a lot of sense, which may have something to do with why he doesn’t often traffic in sportswriters.
Shull and I had dinner many times, not because there was any notable reason but more because we enjoyed each other’s company. A typical Shull confab might include yours truly, David Poole, Ray Cooper, Dan Zacharias and a few others, and it might take the form of meeting at (a.) a restaurant that hardly anyone other than us knew about, or (b.) a ballgame, usually involving a pass to one of the luxury suites Gatorade used to have in most of the country’s venues. Shull once invited me to the World Series, which I turned down because I thought my presence alone would contribute to the likelihood of a victory by the New York Yankees. I didn’t go and the Yankees didn’t win, so I’ve no regrets even though it’s probably the only chance I’m ever going to have at seeing the World Series, given this infernal world I’m in.
That was a different century, and in terms of what I do for a living and what Shull did, a different world.
A man in my shoes can’t afford to compromise himself, and that was never an issue with either Hunter or Shull. I hardly ever go to dinner or ballgames or concerts anymore with any “official” who invites me. Then again, hardly anyone ever invites me.
Everything nowadays has to be for a purpose. Influence the media. Affect the outcome. Target the market. Grease the skids. Stuff the ballots.
Most of my dealings with Hunter and Shull were because I liked them, and they liked me. They knew I was too stubborn to be influenced, and I’m pretty sure I told both of them, “Now, you realize, just to make sure there isn’t an issue, I’m going to have to rip you.”
It was a point I didn’t need to get across. I was mainly kidding. They both laughed. Now they’re gone. So are Poole and Cooper. And I don’t laugh quite as often.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Formula One Canadian Grand Prix 2012
The Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada covers a total distance of 305.270 km, made up of 70 laps of 4.361 km. Rubens Barrichello set the lap record of 1:13.622 in 2004.
Related posts:Formula One European Grand Prix 2012Formula One Monaco Grand Prix 2012Spanish Grand Prix 2012
Related posts:Formula One European Grand Prix 2012Formula One Monaco Grand Prix 2012Spanish Grand Prix 2012
INDYCAR is calling on you to vote on the ?lucky dog? rule
Yesterday INDYCAR announced several rule changes for the 2011:� Side by side restarts at all tracks, later green flag starts, and a "lucky dog" rule.� The fan reaction to the last one, the luck dog, was tepid at best.
I actually am in support of these rules, but a lot of ...
I actually am in support of these rules, but a lot of ...
Monday, May 28, 2012
Mystic Missile Mystery? Bob Garbarino Unsure Of Racing Plans This Year On NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Bob Garbarino has won three NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championships as a team owner over the last five years.
With a little less than three months to go before the start of the 2012 Whelen Modified Tour season, Garbarino isn't sure if he'll be gunning for his third title in six years this year with his Mystic Missile racing team.
"I'm kind of in neutral right now," Garbarino said. "I don't have any real plan put together yet. I'm hoping to have a plan put together, but I don't right now."
With a little less than three months to go before the start of the 2012 Whelen Modified Tour season, Garbarino isn't sure if he'll be gunning for his third title in six years this year with his Mystic Missile racing team.
"I'm kind of in neutral right now," Garbarino said. "I don't have any real plan put together yet. I'm hoping to have a plan put together, but I don't right now."
NASCAR This Week ends operations today
It's been a hoot, but we gotta scoot.
NASCAR This Week is ending operations on Monday, December 6, and will go offline on Dec. 17.
While traffic to the site has continued to grow since April 2008 when we came online, NASCAR This Week failed to meet its financial expectations.
We’d like to thank Monte for his generous permission to feed all his stories to this site. We still believe he’s the best NASCAR journalist out there, and wonder if the NASCAR heat we got last summer was due more to Monte’s voice than the few bucks we were making off advertising.
Keep giving ‘em hell, Monte!
Monte will continue to cover NASCAR. You can find his stories on the NASCAR page at the Gaston Gazette where he works, as well as his blog, also located on the Gaston Gazette website. Monte also posts blogs on his personal MySpace page, and he also maintains a music MySpace page where you can hear his songs and find out where he’s performing next. He also has a page on Facebook.
We also want to thank all of you for stopping by over the past few years to catch Monte’s latest, join in the comment conversation or just enjoying some NASCAR octane.
Please leave us a message of farewell if you care to in the comments section below.
For the next couple of weeks we’ll leave up some of Monte’s best stories from the season. We think they offer ample evidence of why you should continue to follow Monte where you can. As we said, we think he’s the best around.
Here’s to great racin’ in the years to come!
-- Ovalscream
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.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Off The Schedule At Lime Rock Park In 2012
For the first time in two decades, there will be no NASCAR events at Lime Rock Park in Salisbury in 2012.
Lime Rock Park officials announced their 2012 schedule on Thursday and gone from the track's lineup of events was the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
The Whelen Modified Tour made its debut at Lime Rock in 2010, with Dale Quarterley winning the first event at the track.
Lime Rock Park officials announced their 2012 schedule on Thursday and gone from the track's lineup of events was the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
The Whelen Modified Tour made its debut at Lime Rock in 2010, with Dale Quarterley winning the first event at the track.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show Indianapolis 2012
The 34th annual National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show returns to Indianapolis on May 24, 25 and 26 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in the Our Land Pavilion.
This long-standing fixture of the Indy 500 weekend attracts collectors, fans and dealers from around the world.
Related posts:The National Auto Racing Memorabilia ShowThe National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show30th Annual Memorabilia Show This Weekend
This long-standing fixture of the Indy 500 weekend attracts collectors, fans and dealers from around the world.
Related posts:The National Auto Racing Memorabilia ShowThe National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show30th Annual Memorabilia Show This Weekend
Earnhardt Jr. on pole for Daytona 500
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s pole for Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout may have just been credited to the luck of a draw, but he hit Daytona International Speedway on Sunday and turned in the fastest lap in Daytona 500 qualifying to claim his first pole at Daytona in a points-paying race.
“Obviously, it gives you good ideas that [...]
“Obviously, it gives you good ideas that [...]
Saturday, May 26, 2012
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.
Penske Racing Museum - Inaugural visit
Whale lookie here folks; Tuh-duh! Another Meisterbrau; Err Masterpiece has managed to escape the tenuous grasp of that all conquering nebulous black hole diabolically known here as the NoFenderz WormHole vortex; Hya! As in honouring El Capitano, aka Roger Penske, Thee Captain an his 40th Anniversary of his debutant Indy 500 victory this May, (Mark Donohue - 1972) thought I?d post this long lost classic (story) in the No Fenders archives - especially whilst I?m playing ?Ketsup in Der ?Vurld de Motorsporten Ja-Ja! Having just returned from goin? round ?N round in the Dessert...
PrefaceI vaguely remember copying the following paragraph from the Penske Racing Museum?s website page - which I recall, being semi-difficult to navigate, (and is even WORSE now, as its NOT Screen-reader compatible...) as the following paragraph seems quite quaint now, albeit obviously out-of-date. And although not as magnificent as the IMS Hall of Fame museum, nevertheless - thanxs to my Blogmeister?s willingness to take me their on a yearly basis, not to mention the price is right: ?FREE!? It?s Juan ?O my favourite Arizona hauntz...
Museum website
?Come celebrate 40 years of winning racing tradition at the Penske Racing Museum. Located at the new 41 acre North Scottsdale Auto Mall, owned and operated by United Auto Group, Inc.The Penske Racing Museum celebrates nearly 40 years of the winning tradition of Penske racing, showcasing an amazing collection of vintage race cars, racing trophies, and various racing memorabilia. The world-class collection at the Penske Racing Museum includes 11 of the 13 Indy 500 winning cars, several NASCAR vehicles, and Indy 500 pace cars. Drivers featured include Helio Castroneves and Gil de Ferran of the Indy Racing League, as well as Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman of NASCAR.?
IntroductionFaithfully watching Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, during the weekend of the (2005) Phoenix ?RASSCAR? race, I watched with bemusement as ?The Captain? (Roger Penske) stoically defended his newest ?Gun.? While being interviewed from his new museum in Scottsdale, AZ, Penske categorically dismissed any rumours that defending ?NUTCAR? champion Kurt Busch wouldn?t be taking over Rusty Wallace?s ride next year as planned...
Roger Penske:?Kurt had a run-in with the Sheriff and we intend to do everything possible to make something positive occur from this unfortunate situation.?
That?s the infamous ?Sherriff Joe,? (Arpaio) self-proclaimed ?toughest Sherriff in America? - as Roger went on to mention that they had a few of his Indy 500 winners on display and that approx. 50,000 people had been through the museum. Hey! I?m going to be in Scottsdale shortly - for the Turkey Lurkey (Thanksgiving) holiday and I wanna go see I-T and check it out! (As it seems overly ironic to read how Kurt ?GFYS!? Busch was thee ?Captain?s man some 7yrs ago, eh? As I?m much happier with Busch?s replacement, i.e.; A.J. Allmendinger...)
First Museum Tour(Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005)Staying at my brother?s ?Housianda in Scottsdale, Miguel asked: ?How do you know about that?? Even more humourous was the fact that it was just 10 minutes (approx.) north of his house.
Entering the parking lot, Miguel spotted a brand new red Ferrari F430 parked outside; this must be the place, eh? After snapping what would become the first of many zillion pictures, (80) we sauntered over to view a ?Fly-Yellow? 2002 Maserati Spyder parked next to a 2005 Corvette. The ?Maser? was listed at a ?kOOL $66.5,? marked down to ONLY $59,900.00.
Before entering the museum I had to get my picture ?Turr-aken in front of the Ferrari F430. As my brother attempted to take my ?mug-shot? the building?s automatic glass doors opened and a woman dressed in a smartly looking blue blazer told us: ?If you?re going to take a picture of that car... Then you definitely need to come inside and take a picture of the half million Porsche!? As parked in the showroom?s display window sat NOT ?Juan but two of Porsche?s latest Supercar, the Carrera Porsche. (Red, silver; with a $OLD sticker on it)
Walking inside I told the woman that we were just going to the museum. She replied: ?This is just like the museum except you can BUY these cars...?
Turns out she was the receptionist for the flagship portion of the UAG Arizona (Penske) ?Superstore? Auto Mall, the ?Used Cars Dept.? We ended up having a pleasant 5-10 minute conversation with her as she sat behind her desk. Standing there while surveying the ?Used? cars... She corrected herself by referring to them as ?Pre-Owned Cars.? While she was raving about the Bentley they?d just acquired from New York with 17k miles on it, suddenly a sight totally unexpected jumped out at me, as I noticed a brilliant yellow car with twin black stripes on it! Is that a Ford GT, I asked? It sure is she replied... It?s even the preferred colour option; SHEISA!!!
My brother asked her about if she enjoyed her job and what type of clientele frequent the showroom? The majority of our customers aren?t here to buy a car. They already have several. They?re coming here mostly to buy a ?TOY.? Usually the Ferrari buyer?s look likes they ?Just fell out of bed.? (Was she referring to mwah? Yeah that?s me, Mr. Ferrari buyer, right? In a frumpy sweatshirt and having let my face grown long...)
I wandered over to a lone black Ferrari 360 Modena, and then took a serious look at the Ford GT. What a FREAKIN? AWESOME car! (Ford definitely hit a HOME RUN with this magnificent re-incarnation of the original GT 40!) As the aura of the Ford GT made me simply pay ZERO attention to the Aston Martin DB9 behind it... As it?d sound even better when we had to drive in behind a black Ford GT at Indy for the ?06 USGP; Aye Karumba!
Then we meandered around two more ?garden-variety? Aston Martin?s, a red Ferrari F355 GTS, and a black Lamborghini Gallardo along with a gaggle of four different Ferrari 360 Modena?s.
Can you say: Oh What a Feeling!
As Miguel took a photo of ?Juan ?O? the 360 Modena?s, a salesman entered the showroom. Turning around I noticed he was flaying his arms & legs, saying, ?I wanna be in the picture.? When viewing the photo?s on Miguel?s Confuzer the following day, the salesman was caught fully in air doing a perfect Toyota ?Oh what a feeling? jump!
Finally we forced ourselves outside to gawk at the purple Bentley Continental GT. What a wild machine... (6.0 liter Twin Turbocharged V-12) Forlornly looking abandoned sat a ?Nasty? red 2003 Porsche 911... The Porsche looked menacingly ?slammed and ALL business!? And that was before we ever made it to the Racing museum - double SHEISA!!!
Penske Racing MuseumTearing ourselves away from the ?Fanta$y Garage,? we walked next door to the museum. Entering from the rear of the 8,000 square foot building, the very first car to greet us was the magnificent Sunoco Special! Marveling at the AWESOME gleaming Sunoco Blue paint, I couldn?t believe that I was staring at the actual 1972 McLaren M16B that Mark Donohue drove to victory at the Indy 500... This was the first of Roger Penske?s (Record) 13 Indianapolis 500 victories. (This was prior to Sam Hornish?s 2006 & Helio Castroneves ?09 victories. Not to mention some chap named Donald Davidson informing me years later that this Sunoco special was a replica...)
?D Squared?
As Miguel began to take a few pictures of the car, another woman in a blue blazer approached us. You may take photos of all of the cars EXCEPT for the Red & White Marlboro cars. Also NO photos of any Marlboro memorabilia on the walls behind the cars or anywhere in the museum... How come, I asked? Because of the possibility of lawsuits; there are countless amounts of litigation occurring over Tobacco sponsorship; as I exclaimed that I was highly disappointed, since part of the whole reason I had come was to take pictures of the ?BAD HABBIT$ carZs.?
She replied that most museums wouldn?t even let you take any pictures... My brother countered by saying ?Don?t shoot the Messenger.?
Opposite the Sunoco McLaren sat Rusty Wallace?s 2005 ?Last Call? Miller Lite Dodge Charger and ?Pardenerin? the Dodge was the 1963 Pontiac Catalina that Roger Penske drove to victory in the Riverside 250. What??? Roger Penske won a ?RASSCAR race? Unbelievable!
The center of the museum featured two rows of four racecars divided by the main aisle. Across from the Rusty ?BARK at the MOON? Wallace (Stock Car) ?Bomber sat the Norton Gould liveried 1981 Penske PC-9B, driven by Bobby Unser. (B. Unser?s 3rd Indy 500 victory) alongside is the bright yellow ?Pennzoil Special.? The 1984 March 84C was piloted by Rick Mears. (Mears 2nd Indy 500 victory) Next is the first of five BAD HABBITZ (Marlboro) chassis. The 1993 Penske PC-22 which garnered ?emmaLOe or ?EMMO? (Emerson Fittipaldi) his second Indy 500 victory... And at the end of ?Winner?s Row-1:? was the second banana yellow charger. The 1988 Penske PC-17 piloted by Rick Mears to his third Indy 500 victory.
The ?kOOLest? part about this row of Indy winner?s was that these four race car chassis bodywork were removed and hanging above each racecar respectively. As it?s always amazing to look at how these missiles are packaged so compactly!
Directly across from these four cars is the museum?s main entrance, with receptionist desk and three more chassis facing inwards. The woman who?d earlier ?scolded us? asked if we?d like to sign the guest register while offering us brochures. A man decorating a large Christmas tree ?chimed-in,? asking: Where are you from and how did you hear about the museum? I replied that I?d seen Mr. Penske being interviewed on Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain from this museum. Yes, the receptionist said: He sat right there at the end of the museum in front of the Miller Lite car.
I mentioned how he was talking about his newest driver (Kurt Busch) who?d had a little trouble with Sheriff Joe of Maricopa County... To which the woman replied: ?Lots of people have trouble with Sheriff Joe!?
Moving along towards the three racecars beckoning our attention, quite amazing was the stark contrast between the 1974 Penske PC-1 Formula 1 chassis and the 1977 Penske PC-5 Indycar, parked side by side. The F1 chassis utilized much smaller diameter, wider width tyres compared with the Indycar. Mark Donohue & John Watson drove this F1 chassis, as sadly Donohue died from accident injuries incurred while piloting a Penske F1 car in 1974..Tom Sneva, ex-school teacher from Spokane, WA, piloted the Norton Spirit PC-5; as Sneva, known as ?The Gasman? was a recent co-host of Wind Tunnel, (Robin Miller spins a great yarn about Sneva stealing a school bus when CART traveled to Mexico City in the early 1980?s?) became the first person to qualify above 200mph at Indianapolis aboard this car... And rounding out the row sat the 1979 Penske PC-6 piloted by Rick Mears. (Mears maiden Indy 500 victory)
Tom Sneva: The Gasman
Perched on an engine stand sat the all-conquering Mercedes Benz 500i ?Push-Rod? motor. Taking a page from Donohue?s book: The Unfair Advantage, Penske and Mercedes exploited a loophole for Indy ?Stock-Block? engines; with the ?Merc ?lump producing 1,024bhp, it was the first engine to claim both pole position and victory in its debut race with Al Unser Jr. decimating the field. (1994) The Speedway promptly banned this engine the following year...
Tucked into a cubbyhole against the wall sat a very impressive three racecar grouping. First was the famous ?Spin & Win? chassis. Danny Sullivan spun the 1985 March 85C 360 degrees while attempting to pass race leader Mario Andretti. ?Sully? recovered undamaged to win the ?85 Indy 500 upon making his second pass on Mario stick?. This fame led to his cameo appearance on Miami Vice...
Pennzoil racecar with Rick Mears helmet
In the middle was the ?Hertz-Doughnut? yellow Cummins Diesel 1987 March 86C piloted by ?Big Al? (Al Unser Sr.) to his record tying 4th Indy 500 victory. Interestingly the car had been a show car prior to the ?Month of May,? hence being a year old chassis, with the second Bad Habits car filling out the row.
The 1991 Penske PC-20 piloted by Rick Mears also made history when Mears became only the third driver in history to win four Indy 500?s. An Ilmor-Chevrolet 265A engine accompanied this row of winners, with another left-over Chevy ?lump (motor) floating about the museum...
The final row of four vehicles was a mixed euphoria, which seems to mirror the current state of open wheel racing. I found myself mesmerized by the beautiful red & white non-Marlboro liveried #68 Dallara IRL chassis. Perhaps it was the side view profile? Or the fact that this car seemed to closely mimic the style of today?s current F1 designs?
Alongside the #68 was the now full Marlboro liveried Dallara also piloted by ?Hulio Castro-nervous, who drove both Penske Bad Habits cars to consecutive victories in 2001-02.The final race car was the 2003 G-Force driven to victory by Gil de Ferran, garnering Toyota?s first Borg-Warner trophy. What a really ?kOOL? sight to see three BAD HABITZ chassis parked together! As I was highly tempted to have Miguel snap an ?ILLEGAL? picture of three IRL cars? (Am I LOSING my mind, eh?) Looking absolutely LOST and out of place was the 2003 ?Chebbie SSR Pace truck at the end of the row. What an absolute WASTE of display space!
Alongside the Sunoco McLaren was the corresponding 1972 Hurst/Olds Cutlass Pace car and a 40% wind tunnel Marlboro Penske Indycar.
Finally walking upstairs, the second floor seemed to lack the luster of downstairs. Situated around a circular hole in the floor sat six wonderful 40% scale wind tunnel replicas of various Indy cars in individual display cases... Along the wall was a small display of trophies, including 2001 F1 Gran Premio Brazilia and 1999 Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps Constructors trophies... (As my sensory-overloaded ?64k confuzer? has just figured out that these were the winning Constructors trophies that Ron Dennis accepts on the podium. Ilmor Engineering built the Mercedes Benz F1 engines prior to being ?bought-out? by Mercedes)
The far corner featured a triangle shaped room serving as the gift store with various Penske ?knick-knacks? for sale, i.e.; T-shirts, Coffee mugs, etc. (Which weirdly NEVER has any attendants in it whenever I visit! As I guess they want you to do your shopping online?)
These trinkets were interspersed between other various memorabilia, with the most interesting item for sale being a single side front speedway wing section autographed by Sam Hornish Jr. & Castroneves for $1,000.00...
Securely tucked against the wall was a mammoth Vanderbilt Cup trophy engraved with 2000-01 Champion Gil de Ferran. (CART Driver?s Champion) Further along the wall was a Honda ?ChumpCarzs? valve cover in recognition of Penske?s 100th Champ Car victory. Also for sale were two Carousel 1/18 diecasts... The newly released 1972 Sunoco Donohue: $140.00; 1-of-3,600 pieces, (My latest acquisition) and a 1976 Cam2 red McLaren hand-signed Mario Andretti for $120.00.
Outside the gift shop resided a lone racecar, the 2004 NASCAR Dodge Intrepid of Ryan Newman, and you could actually touch this car, as it sat without ropes or gates around it. To which I must admit they?re pretty ?bad-ass? looking cars, whilst I could only imagine planting my foot on the gas pedal of this 775bhp gorilla, snapping into several doughnuts before smacking the wall! (Sounds like a seen straight out of Days ?O Blunder with Cole Trickle behind the wheel, right?)
A full-length wall display case is filled with various trophies, including a pair of ?Texas-sized? gold plated boots - while for some reason several Monterey Grand Prix (Laguna Seca) winners? trophies dominated the display case...
Prior to walking back downstairs I spotted the BESTEST! Photograph of Roger Penske I?ve ever seen... (At the head of the stairway) The 6-foot by 4-feet photo captures Penske jubilantly spraying champagne at the camera while celebrating his record 100th Champ Cars victory. The entire team is on one side of Penske all adorning 100 WIN hats, with joyous fans on the other side behind the winning Gil de Ferran chassis. Penske looks so ?stoked!? (I want that picture!)
Returning downstairs to quickly count the number of Indy winners... We counted twelve: With the only chassis MISSING being the 1994 Penske PC-23 Al Unser Jr. car which I assume must be in the brand-new Unser museum in Albuquerque, NM, eh? (As this visit was prior to the ?06 Indy 500...)
Then a quick jaunt outside to the adjoining Land Rover test track, Yep, that?s correct... A ?wicked? test track of every off road obstacle imaginable including a waterfall... ?Juan? last dash back through the ?Used Cars Dept;? Err Pre-owned cars led us back outside for ?Juan? last mug-shot beside a black Hummer H2 before forcing ourselves to leave...
EpilogueI guess I?ve been a ?Pe$ke-Basher? for several years? Since Penske always seems ?Juan ?O? the team?s to BEAT? And thus I?d detested Roger Penske?s DEFECTION to ?lil napoleons (Tony ?Ronnie? George) irL (Indy Retirement League) in 2002 and regularly lambasted Rodger?s exploits by spelling his name ?Pe$ke? as he happily took Marlboro?s millions on his way back to the Brickyard...
The Captain wrangled Emerson Fittipaldi along with the Marlboro ssponsorship away from Pat Patrick in 1990 as Penske Racing scored three more Bad Habitz speedway victories including Marlboro?s final CART Indy 500 victory in 1994. Al Unser Jr. triumphed from pole.
Going ?From Hero to Zero,? Penske?s team was unable to qualify his cars the following year. Yet having sat out five runnings of Indy as a loyal CART owner, Penske returned in 2001 with Non-Marlboro liveried chassis before becoming the first major CART ?Domo (owner) to jump ship full time to the rival Indy Racing League.
In late 2004 A Penske ?penned? Editorial appeared in a prominent East coast newspaper pleading for the reunification of the two rival leagues. Vainly trying to bring ?The Split? full-circle, Penske?s effort failed as the two sides seem determined to stay at loggerheads, as ironically Roger was instrumental in forming CART in 1979.
Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) was formed in order to break away from Indy?s United States Auto Club (USAC) sanctioning body - as the team owners had felt that they weren?t being treated right... And now Roger was trying to re-incarnate open-wheel racing - as fortunately the two whimpering, warring factions finally reunited in 2008...
Watching Penske?s interview on Wind Tunnel, (some six-plus years ago) I chuckled to myself over how impressed I was by ?The Captain,? noting how much of a class act he was and how business ALWAYS comes first.
And on my final day of vacation, after mondo burritos for lunch at Chupatas with Miguel, I found myself back at the museum once again, picking up a few extra brochures. (Which I thought I?d do something clever with - like may be framing ?Juan?) Of course another ?walk-about? was mandatory. This time I noticed that every Indycar had the respective driver?s helmet sitting on the left-hand sidepod.
While checking sponsors of the three yellow ?Hertz-Doughnut? chassis, we discussed how the ?Spin & Win? Miller Beer March 85C racecar had the most obliquely bulbous square nose! Being totally unique, the nose cone was blunt, unlike the expected pencil sharp pointed noses on the rest of its contemporary speedway brethren - of which I was certain this, was a road course ?Snauzage. (As I seem to recall that I did learn that the Indy configuration was indeed different...)
Also noted was the severe ?lowness? of the Penske PC-20. This chassis had the lowest ground clearance of all the Indy cars present. It appeared to have approx. one-inch ground clearance from the nose to the start of the cockpit before transitioning to two-inches approx.
Once again talking to the museum?s staff, my ?eagle-eyed? brother inquired; where is the Donohue Porsche RSR IROC car shown in the brochure? To which we were informed that the car had just left last week when the Sneva car arrived after its restoration... It?s currently being displayed in the new ALMS shop.(Penske?s main facility: Penske South in Mooresville, NC, alongside the 225,000 sq. ft. NASCAR operation) Oh, you mean the LMP2 Prototype? Yes, the DHL car. (As this was prior to Penske Racing relocating the Indy Car operation from Reading, PA and consolidating Operations in Mooresville...)
Penske will campaign the entire 2006 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season with a pair of Porsche RS Spyders after winning the LMP2 category during its debut at the Laguna Seca season finale. (?Juan? can only speculate that this will eventually lead to Porsche?s return to Lemans for overall victory in the LMP1 category, eh?) Porsche plans to have Penske build and sell RS Spyder?s to wealthy ?privateer? teams beginning in 2007 with a projected base price of $1.25 million? (Approx. four times the cost of a Porsche 911 GT3!)
Once again, Miguel commented how it just didn?t feel right to be climbing back into his ?daily driver.? Look, they moved the Ferrari. (F430) Asking is that the same black Lamborghini we saw yesterday? Yeah, it must be... Look at that car, it?s freaking AWESOME!
Pulling up to the ?Lot-Jockey? Miguel asked him if that was the same car that was inside yesterday? Yes, he replied while casually polishing a fender. Then he climbed inside and started the Lambo.BBBURRAPPP- BBBURRAPPP- BBBURRAPPP-VROOMMMMMMMMMM....... As the Gallardo sat idling, we watched with shear humility as he drove back inside the dealership. SHEISA!!! I want that job... ?I?ll just be gone for about one-our while I go down the street to get some petrol!?
I was TOTALLY blown away by this AWESOME museum nestled inside the LARGEST MEGA Auto dealership I?ve ever been too - with the museum exuding typical Penske perfection.
The funniest part of my first two visits before flying home was that after my sentimental favourite (the 1972 Sunoco Donohue McLaren) I could NOT quit marveling, gawking and commenting how AWESOME the 2001 Dallara IRL chassis looked... SHEISA!!!
Although I still despised the ?irL - which I promptly nicknamed the inDEE retirement League, and ALL of the ?Heavy-Hitter?s? (Ganassi, Rahal, Fernandes, etc) who DEFECTED from the sinking ship (CART ) to follow Penske?s example of switching leagues, I still applauded Champ Cars resurgence circa ?05 - refusing to admit that NOBODY beats Indianapolis... Although it seemed pathetic that the two rival leagues would both be running chassis built by the same raceing car manufacture in 2007, (Panoz) while this year (2005) both series will be powered by single-source engine suppliers (Cosworth: Champ Car World Series, Honda: Indy Racing League) Thus, It sure would be nice if ?lil napoleon & The Three Musketeers? could return to the ?Glory Days of the mid-1980?s & early ?90?s. ?Can you say ?Consolidation??
?Desert!?Shortly the UGLY DUCKLING?S of Sports Car racing (Grand Am: endorsed by ?RASSCAR, hey! NOT only were they members; BUTT! They liked the series so much that they bought I-T! (France family) will launch the 2006 Motorsports season with another running of the Rolex 24. (Daytona 24hrs) With the DREADED start of another SPN-CAR season waiting to rear it?s Godzilla-like girth upon ?mainstream America? beginning at Daytona in February, SPEED will soon revert back to it?s 800+ hour weekly allegiance ?O Roundly-Round?The Open-Wheel Feud looks set to continue once again with a new wrinkle. PKV & Rocketsports Racing have both tested Katherine Legge in winter tests at Sebring recently. Legge, whom unlike Danica Patrick, WON a race last year in Toyota Atlantic?s?Look for the ?Battle of the Sexes? to heat up when the ?Cheeky Brit? Katherine takes on Danica.
Can you say ?Cat-Fight - Meow...?
Old School Chevrolet Ilmor 2.65-liter V-8 turbocharged CART engine
Fall, 2005: PRM-Cars on DisplayThis is the list of vehicles I noted whilst making my debutant visit to The Captain?s Cathedral ?O Speed - which the vehicles on display has changed over the years since, albeit the Indy Cars, Formula 1 & engines remain the same - their locations do tend to change... ?Bombers?1963 Pontiac Catalina: 421 cid Pontiac Super Duty V-82004 Dodge Intrepid: 358 cid Dodge V-8; 775bhp2005 Dodge Charger: 358 cid Dodge V-8; 800bhp
Pace Vehicles1972 Hurst Oldsmobile Cutlass: 455cid V-8; 300bhp2003 ?Chebbie SSR Pacetruck: 5.3 liter V-8; 300bhp
EnginesMercedes Benz 500I V-8Ilmor Chevy 265A V-8Ilmor-Chevy 265(?) V-8
Indy cars1972 McLaren M16BTurbocharged Drake-Offenhauser Inline 4; 850bhp @ 9,000RPM1977 Penske PC-52.65 liter Turbocharged Cosworth DFX V-8; 800bhp @ 9,000RPM1979 Penske PC-62.65 liter Turbocharged Cosworth DFX V-8; 800bhp @ 9,000RPM1981 Penske PC-9B2.65 liter Turbocharged Cosworth DFX V-8; 600bhp @ 9,800RPM1984 March 84C2.65 liter Turbocharged Cosworth DFX V-8; 700bhp @ 10,000RPM 1985 Penske March 85C2.65 liter Turbocharged Cosworth DFX V-8; 700bhp @ 10,000RPM 1987 Penske March 86C2.65 liter Turbocharged Cosworth DFX V-8; 700bhp @ 10,000RPM 1988 Penske PC-172.65 liter Turbocharged Ilmor-Chevy V-8; 720bhp @ 11,000RPM1991 Penske PC-202.65 liter Turbocharged Ilmor-Chevy V-8; 720bhp @ 11,000RPM1993 Penske PC-222.65 liter Turbocharged Ilmor-Chevy V-8; 720bhp @ 11,000RPM2001 Dallara IR13.5 liter Ilmor Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V-8; 675bhp @ 10,700RPM2002 Dallara IR23.5 liter Ilmor Chevy Indy V-8; 675bhp @ 10,700RPM2003 G-Force GF33.5 liter Toyota Indy V-8; 675bhp @ 10,300RPM
Formula 11974 Penske PC-1: 3.0 liter Cosworth- Ford V-8; 450bhp @ 10,000RPM
PrefaceI vaguely remember copying the following paragraph from the Penske Racing Museum?s website page - which I recall, being semi-difficult to navigate, (and is even WORSE now, as its NOT Screen-reader compatible...) as the following paragraph seems quite quaint now, albeit obviously out-of-date. And although not as magnificent as the IMS Hall of Fame museum, nevertheless - thanxs to my Blogmeister?s willingness to take me their on a yearly basis, not to mention the price is right: ?FREE!? It?s Juan ?O my favourite Arizona hauntz...
Museum website
?Come celebrate 40 years of winning racing tradition at the Penske Racing Museum. Located at the new 41 acre North Scottsdale Auto Mall, owned and operated by United Auto Group, Inc.The Penske Racing Museum celebrates nearly 40 years of the winning tradition of Penske racing, showcasing an amazing collection of vintage race cars, racing trophies, and various racing memorabilia. The world-class collection at the Penske Racing Museum includes 11 of the 13 Indy 500 winning cars, several NASCAR vehicles, and Indy 500 pace cars. Drivers featured include Helio Castroneves and Gil de Ferran of the Indy Racing League, as well as Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman of NASCAR.?
IntroductionFaithfully watching Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, during the weekend of the (2005) Phoenix ?RASSCAR? race, I watched with bemusement as ?The Captain? (Roger Penske) stoically defended his newest ?Gun.? While being interviewed from his new museum in Scottsdale, AZ, Penske categorically dismissed any rumours that defending ?NUTCAR? champion Kurt Busch wouldn?t be taking over Rusty Wallace?s ride next year as planned...
Roger Penske:?Kurt had a run-in with the Sheriff and we intend to do everything possible to make something positive occur from this unfortunate situation.?
That?s the infamous ?Sherriff Joe,? (Arpaio) self-proclaimed ?toughest Sherriff in America? - as Roger went on to mention that they had a few of his Indy 500 winners on display and that approx. 50,000 people had been through the museum. Hey! I?m going to be in Scottsdale shortly - for the Turkey Lurkey (Thanksgiving) holiday and I wanna go see I-T and check it out! (As it seems overly ironic to read how Kurt ?GFYS!? Busch was thee ?Captain?s man some 7yrs ago, eh? As I?m much happier with Busch?s replacement, i.e.; A.J. Allmendinger...)
First Museum Tour(Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005)Staying at my brother?s ?Housianda in Scottsdale, Miguel asked: ?How do you know about that?? Even more humourous was the fact that it was just 10 minutes (approx.) north of his house.
Entering the parking lot, Miguel spotted a brand new red Ferrari F430 parked outside; this must be the place, eh? After snapping what would become the first of many zillion pictures, (80) we sauntered over to view a ?Fly-Yellow? 2002 Maserati Spyder parked next to a 2005 Corvette. The ?Maser? was listed at a ?kOOL $66.5,? marked down to ONLY $59,900.00.
Before entering the museum I had to get my picture ?Turr-aken in front of the Ferrari F430. As my brother attempted to take my ?mug-shot? the building?s automatic glass doors opened and a woman dressed in a smartly looking blue blazer told us: ?If you?re going to take a picture of that car... Then you definitely need to come inside and take a picture of the half million Porsche!? As parked in the showroom?s display window sat NOT ?Juan but two of Porsche?s latest Supercar, the Carrera Porsche. (Red, silver; with a $OLD sticker on it)
Walking inside I told the woman that we were just going to the museum. She replied: ?This is just like the museum except you can BUY these cars...?
Turns out she was the receptionist for the flagship portion of the UAG Arizona (Penske) ?Superstore? Auto Mall, the ?Used Cars Dept.? We ended up having a pleasant 5-10 minute conversation with her as she sat behind her desk. Standing there while surveying the ?Used? cars... She corrected herself by referring to them as ?Pre-Owned Cars.? While she was raving about the Bentley they?d just acquired from New York with 17k miles on it, suddenly a sight totally unexpected jumped out at me, as I noticed a brilliant yellow car with twin black stripes on it! Is that a Ford GT, I asked? It sure is she replied... It?s even the preferred colour option; SHEISA!!!
My brother asked her about if she enjoyed her job and what type of clientele frequent the showroom? The majority of our customers aren?t here to buy a car. They already have several. They?re coming here mostly to buy a ?TOY.? Usually the Ferrari buyer?s look likes they ?Just fell out of bed.? (Was she referring to mwah? Yeah that?s me, Mr. Ferrari buyer, right? In a frumpy sweatshirt and having let my face grown long...)
I wandered over to a lone black Ferrari 360 Modena, and then took a serious look at the Ford GT. What a FREAKIN? AWESOME car! (Ford definitely hit a HOME RUN with this magnificent re-incarnation of the original GT 40!) As the aura of the Ford GT made me simply pay ZERO attention to the Aston Martin DB9 behind it... As it?d sound even better when we had to drive in behind a black Ford GT at Indy for the ?06 USGP; Aye Karumba!
Then we meandered around two more ?garden-variety? Aston Martin?s, a red Ferrari F355 GTS, and a black Lamborghini Gallardo along with a gaggle of four different Ferrari 360 Modena?s.
Can you say: Oh What a Feeling!
As Miguel took a photo of ?Juan ?O? the 360 Modena?s, a salesman entered the showroom. Turning around I noticed he was flaying his arms & legs, saying, ?I wanna be in the picture.? When viewing the photo?s on Miguel?s Confuzer the following day, the salesman was caught fully in air doing a perfect Toyota ?Oh what a feeling? jump!
Finally we forced ourselves outside to gawk at the purple Bentley Continental GT. What a wild machine... (6.0 liter Twin Turbocharged V-12) Forlornly looking abandoned sat a ?Nasty? red 2003 Porsche 911... The Porsche looked menacingly ?slammed and ALL business!? And that was before we ever made it to the Racing museum - double SHEISA!!!
Penske Racing MuseumTearing ourselves away from the ?Fanta$y Garage,? we walked next door to the museum. Entering from the rear of the 8,000 square foot building, the very first car to greet us was the magnificent Sunoco Special! Marveling at the AWESOME gleaming Sunoco Blue paint, I couldn?t believe that I was staring at the actual 1972 McLaren M16B that Mark Donohue drove to victory at the Indy 500... This was the first of Roger Penske?s (Record) 13 Indianapolis 500 victories. (This was prior to Sam Hornish?s 2006 & Helio Castroneves ?09 victories. Not to mention some chap named Donald Davidson informing me years later that this Sunoco special was a replica...)
?D Squared?
As Miguel began to take a few pictures of the car, another woman in a blue blazer approached us. You may take photos of all of the cars EXCEPT for the Red & White Marlboro cars. Also NO photos of any Marlboro memorabilia on the walls behind the cars or anywhere in the museum... How come, I asked? Because of the possibility of lawsuits; there are countless amounts of litigation occurring over Tobacco sponsorship; as I exclaimed that I was highly disappointed, since part of the whole reason I had come was to take pictures of the ?BAD HABBIT$ carZs.?
She replied that most museums wouldn?t even let you take any pictures... My brother countered by saying ?Don?t shoot the Messenger.?
Opposite the Sunoco McLaren sat Rusty Wallace?s 2005 ?Last Call? Miller Lite Dodge Charger and ?Pardenerin? the Dodge was the 1963 Pontiac Catalina that Roger Penske drove to victory in the Riverside 250. What??? Roger Penske won a ?RASSCAR race? Unbelievable!
The center of the museum featured two rows of four racecars divided by the main aisle. Across from the Rusty ?BARK at the MOON? Wallace (Stock Car) ?Bomber sat the Norton Gould liveried 1981 Penske PC-9B, driven by Bobby Unser. (B. Unser?s 3rd Indy 500 victory) alongside is the bright yellow ?Pennzoil Special.? The 1984 March 84C was piloted by Rick Mears. (Mears 2nd Indy 500 victory) Next is the first of five BAD HABBITZ (Marlboro) chassis. The 1993 Penske PC-22 which garnered ?emmaLOe or ?EMMO? (Emerson Fittipaldi) his second Indy 500 victory... And at the end of ?Winner?s Row-1:? was the second banana yellow charger. The 1988 Penske PC-17 piloted by Rick Mears to his third Indy 500 victory.
The ?kOOLest? part about this row of Indy winner?s was that these four race car chassis bodywork were removed and hanging above each racecar respectively. As it?s always amazing to look at how these missiles are packaged so compactly!
Directly across from these four cars is the museum?s main entrance, with receptionist desk and three more chassis facing inwards. The woman who?d earlier ?scolded us? asked if we?d like to sign the guest register while offering us brochures. A man decorating a large Christmas tree ?chimed-in,? asking: Where are you from and how did you hear about the museum? I replied that I?d seen Mr. Penske being interviewed on Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain from this museum. Yes, the receptionist said: He sat right there at the end of the museum in front of the Miller Lite car.
I mentioned how he was talking about his newest driver (Kurt Busch) who?d had a little trouble with Sheriff Joe of Maricopa County... To which the woman replied: ?Lots of people have trouble with Sheriff Joe!?
Moving along towards the three racecars beckoning our attention, quite amazing was the stark contrast between the 1974 Penske PC-1 Formula 1 chassis and the 1977 Penske PC-5 Indycar, parked side by side. The F1 chassis utilized much smaller diameter, wider width tyres compared with the Indycar. Mark Donohue & John Watson drove this F1 chassis, as sadly Donohue died from accident injuries incurred while piloting a Penske F1 car in 1974..Tom Sneva, ex-school teacher from Spokane, WA, piloted the Norton Spirit PC-5; as Sneva, known as ?The Gasman? was a recent co-host of Wind Tunnel, (Robin Miller spins a great yarn about Sneva stealing a school bus when CART traveled to Mexico City in the early 1980?s?) became the first person to qualify above 200mph at Indianapolis aboard this car... And rounding out the row sat the 1979 Penske PC-6 piloted by Rick Mears. (Mears maiden Indy 500 victory)
Tom Sneva: The Gasman
Perched on an engine stand sat the all-conquering Mercedes Benz 500i ?Push-Rod? motor. Taking a page from Donohue?s book: The Unfair Advantage, Penske and Mercedes exploited a loophole for Indy ?Stock-Block? engines; with the ?Merc ?lump producing 1,024bhp, it was the first engine to claim both pole position and victory in its debut race with Al Unser Jr. decimating the field. (1994) The Speedway promptly banned this engine the following year...
Tucked into a cubbyhole against the wall sat a very impressive three racecar grouping. First was the famous ?Spin & Win? chassis. Danny Sullivan spun the 1985 March 85C 360 degrees while attempting to pass race leader Mario Andretti. ?Sully? recovered undamaged to win the ?85 Indy 500 upon making his second pass on Mario stick?. This fame led to his cameo appearance on Miami Vice...
Pennzoil racecar with Rick Mears helmet
In the middle was the ?Hertz-Doughnut? yellow Cummins Diesel 1987 March 86C piloted by ?Big Al? (Al Unser Sr.) to his record tying 4th Indy 500 victory. Interestingly the car had been a show car prior to the ?Month of May,? hence being a year old chassis, with the second Bad Habits car filling out the row.
The 1991 Penske PC-20 piloted by Rick Mears also made history when Mears became only the third driver in history to win four Indy 500?s. An Ilmor-Chevrolet 265A engine accompanied this row of winners, with another left-over Chevy ?lump (motor) floating about the museum...
The final row of four vehicles was a mixed euphoria, which seems to mirror the current state of open wheel racing. I found myself mesmerized by the beautiful red & white non-Marlboro liveried #68 Dallara IRL chassis. Perhaps it was the side view profile? Or the fact that this car seemed to closely mimic the style of today?s current F1 designs?
Alongside the #68 was the now full Marlboro liveried Dallara also piloted by ?Hulio Castro-nervous, who drove both Penske Bad Habits cars to consecutive victories in 2001-02.The final race car was the 2003 G-Force driven to victory by Gil de Ferran, garnering Toyota?s first Borg-Warner trophy. What a really ?kOOL? sight to see three BAD HABITZ chassis parked together! As I was highly tempted to have Miguel snap an ?ILLEGAL? picture of three IRL cars? (Am I LOSING my mind, eh?) Looking absolutely LOST and out of place was the 2003 ?Chebbie SSR Pace truck at the end of the row. What an absolute WASTE of display space!
Alongside the Sunoco McLaren was the corresponding 1972 Hurst/Olds Cutlass Pace car and a 40% wind tunnel Marlboro Penske Indycar.
Finally walking upstairs, the second floor seemed to lack the luster of downstairs. Situated around a circular hole in the floor sat six wonderful 40% scale wind tunnel replicas of various Indy cars in individual display cases... Along the wall was a small display of trophies, including 2001 F1 Gran Premio Brazilia and 1999 Belgian GP Spa Francorchamps Constructors trophies... (As my sensory-overloaded ?64k confuzer? has just figured out that these were the winning Constructors trophies that Ron Dennis accepts on the podium. Ilmor Engineering built the Mercedes Benz F1 engines prior to being ?bought-out? by Mercedes)
The far corner featured a triangle shaped room serving as the gift store with various Penske ?knick-knacks? for sale, i.e.; T-shirts, Coffee mugs, etc. (Which weirdly NEVER has any attendants in it whenever I visit! As I guess they want you to do your shopping online?)
These trinkets were interspersed between other various memorabilia, with the most interesting item for sale being a single side front speedway wing section autographed by Sam Hornish Jr. & Castroneves for $1,000.00...
Securely tucked against the wall was a mammoth Vanderbilt Cup trophy engraved with 2000-01 Champion Gil de Ferran. (CART Driver?s Champion) Further along the wall was a Honda ?ChumpCarzs? valve cover in recognition of Penske?s 100th Champ Car victory. Also for sale were two Carousel 1/18 diecasts... The newly released 1972 Sunoco Donohue: $140.00; 1-of-3,600 pieces, (My latest acquisition) and a 1976 Cam2 red McLaren hand-signed Mario Andretti for $120.00.
Outside the gift shop resided a lone racecar, the 2004 NASCAR Dodge Intrepid of Ryan Newman, and you could actually touch this car, as it sat without ropes or gates around it. To which I must admit they?re pretty ?bad-ass? looking cars, whilst I could only imagine planting my foot on the gas pedal of this 775bhp gorilla, snapping into several doughnuts before smacking the wall! (Sounds like a seen straight out of Days ?O Blunder with Cole Trickle behind the wheel, right?)
A full-length wall display case is filled with various trophies, including a pair of ?Texas-sized? gold plated boots - while for some reason several Monterey Grand Prix (Laguna Seca) winners? trophies dominated the display case...
Prior to walking back downstairs I spotted the BESTEST! Photograph of Roger Penske I?ve ever seen... (At the head of the stairway) The 6-foot by 4-feet photo captures Penske jubilantly spraying champagne at the camera while celebrating his record 100th Champ Cars victory. The entire team is on one side of Penske all adorning 100 WIN hats, with joyous fans on the other side behind the winning Gil de Ferran chassis. Penske looks so ?stoked!? (I want that picture!)
Returning downstairs to quickly count the number of Indy winners... We counted twelve: With the only chassis MISSING being the 1994 Penske PC-23 Al Unser Jr. car which I assume must be in the brand-new Unser museum in Albuquerque, NM, eh? (As this visit was prior to the ?06 Indy 500...)
Then a quick jaunt outside to the adjoining Land Rover test track, Yep, that?s correct... A ?wicked? test track of every off road obstacle imaginable including a waterfall... ?Juan? last dash back through the ?Used Cars Dept;? Err Pre-owned cars led us back outside for ?Juan? last mug-shot beside a black Hummer H2 before forcing ourselves to leave...
EpilogueI guess I?ve been a ?Pe$ke-Basher? for several years? Since Penske always seems ?Juan ?O? the team?s to BEAT? And thus I?d detested Roger Penske?s DEFECTION to ?lil napoleons (Tony ?Ronnie? George) irL (Indy Retirement League) in 2002 and regularly lambasted Rodger?s exploits by spelling his name ?Pe$ke? as he happily took Marlboro?s millions on his way back to the Brickyard...
The Captain wrangled Emerson Fittipaldi along with the Marlboro ssponsorship away from Pat Patrick in 1990 as Penske Racing scored three more Bad Habitz speedway victories including Marlboro?s final CART Indy 500 victory in 1994. Al Unser Jr. triumphed from pole.
Going ?From Hero to Zero,? Penske?s team was unable to qualify his cars the following year. Yet having sat out five runnings of Indy as a loyal CART owner, Penske returned in 2001 with Non-Marlboro liveried chassis before becoming the first major CART ?Domo (owner) to jump ship full time to the rival Indy Racing League.
In late 2004 A Penske ?penned? Editorial appeared in a prominent East coast newspaper pleading for the reunification of the two rival leagues. Vainly trying to bring ?The Split? full-circle, Penske?s effort failed as the two sides seem determined to stay at loggerheads, as ironically Roger was instrumental in forming CART in 1979.
Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) was formed in order to break away from Indy?s United States Auto Club (USAC) sanctioning body - as the team owners had felt that they weren?t being treated right... And now Roger was trying to re-incarnate open-wheel racing - as fortunately the two whimpering, warring factions finally reunited in 2008...
Watching Penske?s interview on Wind Tunnel, (some six-plus years ago) I chuckled to myself over how impressed I was by ?The Captain,? noting how much of a class act he was and how business ALWAYS comes first.
And on my final day of vacation, after mondo burritos for lunch at Chupatas with Miguel, I found myself back at the museum once again, picking up a few extra brochures. (Which I thought I?d do something clever with - like may be framing ?Juan?) Of course another ?walk-about? was mandatory. This time I noticed that every Indycar had the respective driver?s helmet sitting on the left-hand sidepod.
While checking sponsors of the three yellow ?Hertz-Doughnut? chassis, we discussed how the ?Spin & Win? Miller Beer March 85C racecar had the most obliquely bulbous square nose! Being totally unique, the nose cone was blunt, unlike the expected pencil sharp pointed noses on the rest of its contemporary speedway brethren - of which I was certain this, was a road course ?Snauzage. (As I seem to recall that I did learn that the Indy configuration was indeed different...)
Also noted was the severe ?lowness? of the Penske PC-20. This chassis had the lowest ground clearance of all the Indy cars present. It appeared to have approx. one-inch ground clearance from the nose to the start of the cockpit before transitioning to two-inches approx.
Once again talking to the museum?s staff, my ?eagle-eyed? brother inquired; where is the Donohue Porsche RSR IROC car shown in the brochure? To which we were informed that the car had just left last week when the Sneva car arrived after its restoration... It?s currently being displayed in the new ALMS shop.(Penske?s main facility: Penske South in Mooresville, NC, alongside the 225,000 sq. ft. NASCAR operation) Oh, you mean the LMP2 Prototype? Yes, the DHL car. (As this was prior to Penske Racing relocating the Indy Car operation from Reading, PA and consolidating Operations in Mooresville...)
Penske will campaign the entire 2006 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season with a pair of Porsche RS Spyders after winning the LMP2 category during its debut at the Laguna Seca season finale. (?Juan? can only speculate that this will eventually lead to Porsche?s return to Lemans for overall victory in the LMP1 category, eh?) Porsche plans to have Penske build and sell RS Spyder?s to wealthy ?privateer? teams beginning in 2007 with a projected base price of $1.25 million? (Approx. four times the cost of a Porsche 911 GT3!)
Once again, Miguel commented how it just didn?t feel right to be climbing back into his ?daily driver.? Look, they moved the Ferrari. (F430) Asking is that the same black Lamborghini we saw yesterday? Yeah, it must be... Look at that car, it?s freaking AWESOME!
Pulling up to the ?Lot-Jockey? Miguel asked him if that was the same car that was inside yesterday? Yes, he replied while casually polishing a fender. Then he climbed inside and started the Lambo.BBBURRAPPP- BBBURRAPPP- BBBURRAPPP-VROOMMMMMMMMMM....... As the Gallardo sat idling, we watched with shear humility as he drove back inside the dealership. SHEISA!!! I want that job... ?I?ll just be gone for about one-our while I go down the street to get some petrol!?
I was TOTALLY blown away by this AWESOME museum nestled inside the LARGEST MEGA Auto dealership I?ve ever been too - with the museum exuding typical Penske perfection.
The funniest part of my first two visits before flying home was that after my sentimental favourite (the 1972 Sunoco Donohue McLaren) I could NOT quit marveling, gawking and commenting how AWESOME the 2001 Dallara IRL chassis looked... SHEISA!!!
Although I still despised the ?irL - which I promptly nicknamed the inDEE retirement League, and ALL of the ?Heavy-Hitter?s? (Ganassi, Rahal, Fernandes, etc) who DEFECTED from the sinking ship (CART ) to follow Penske?s example of switching leagues, I still applauded Champ Cars resurgence circa ?05 - refusing to admit that NOBODY beats Indianapolis... Although it seemed pathetic that the two rival leagues would both be running chassis built by the same raceing car manufacture in 2007, (Panoz) while this year (2005) both series will be powered by single-source engine suppliers (Cosworth: Champ Car World Series, Honda: Indy Racing League) Thus, It sure would be nice if ?lil napoleon & The Three Musketeers? could return to the ?Glory Days of the mid-1980?s & early ?90?s. ?Can you say ?Consolidation??
?Desert!?Shortly the UGLY DUCKLING?S of Sports Car racing (Grand Am: endorsed by ?RASSCAR, hey! NOT only were they members; BUTT! They liked the series so much that they bought I-T! (France family) will launch the 2006 Motorsports season with another running of the Rolex 24. (Daytona 24hrs) With the DREADED start of another SPN-CAR season waiting to rear it?s Godzilla-like girth upon ?mainstream America? beginning at Daytona in February, SPEED will soon revert back to it?s 800+ hour weekly allegiance ?O Roundly-Round?The Open-Wheel Feud looks set to continue once again with a new wrinkle. PKV & Rocketsports Racing have both tested Katherine Legge in winter tests at Sebring recently. Legge, whom unlike Danica Patrick, WON a race last year in Toyota Atlantic?s?Look for the ?Battle of the Sexes? to heat up when the ?Cheeky Brit? Katherine takes on Danica.
Can you say ?Cat-Fight - Meow...?
Old School Chevrolet Ilmor 2.65-liter V-8 turbocharged CART engine
Fall, 2005: PRM-Cars on DisplayThis is the list of vehicles I noted whilst making my debutant visit to The Captain?s Cathedral ?O Speed - which the vehicles on display has changed over the years since, albeit the Indy Cars, Formula 1 & engines remain the same - their locations do tend to change... ?Bombers?1963 Pontiac Catalina: 421 cid Pontiac Super Duty V-82004 Dodge Intrepid: 358 cid Dodge V-8; 775bhp2005 Dodge Charger: 358 cid Dodge V-8; 800bhp
Pace Vehicles1972 Hurst Oldsmobile Cutlass: 455cid V-8; 300bhp2003 ?Chebbie SSR Pacetruck: 5.3 liter V-8; 300bhp
EnginesMercedes Benz 500I V-8Ilmor Chevy 265A V-8Ilmor-Chevy 265(?) V-8
Indy cars1972 McLaren M16BTurbocharged Drake-Offenhauser Inline 4; 850bhp @ 9,000RPM1977 Penske PC-52.65 liter Turbocharged Cosworth DFX V-8; 800bhp @ 9,000RPM1979 Penske PC-62.65 liter Turbocharged Cosworth DFX V-8; 800bhp @ 9,000RPM1981 Penske PC-9B2.65 liter Turbocharged Cosworth DFX V-8; 600bhp @ 9,800RPM1984 March 84C2.65 liter Turbocharged Cosworth DFX V-8; 700bhp @ 10,000RPM 1985 Penske March 85C2.65 liter Turbocharged Cosworth DFX V-8; 700bhp @ 10,000RPM 1987 Penske March 86C2.65 liter Turbocharged Cosworth DFX V-8; 700bhp @ 10,000RPM 1988 Penske PC-172.65 liter Turbocharged Ilmor-Chevy V-8; 720bhp @ 11,000RPM1991 Penske PC-202.65 liter Turbocharged Ilmor-Chevy V-8; 720bhp @ 11,000RPM1993 Penske PC-222.65 liter Turbocharged Ilmor-Chevy V-8; 720bhp @ 11,000RPM2001 Dallara IR13.5 liter Ilmor Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V-8; 675bhp @ 10,700RPM2002 Dallara IR23.5 liter Ilmor Chevy Indy V-8; 675bhp @ 10,700RPM2003 G-Force GF33.5 liter Toyota Indy V-8; 675bhp @ 10,300RPM
Formula 11974 Penske PC-1: 3.0 liter Cosworth- Ford V-8; 450bhp @ 10,000RPM
The Time Has Come To Move On To Something New ...
What is it they say about all good things?
They must come to an end right?
And so it must come to an end here.
We've documented the good stories, the bad stories, the strange stories and the scary stories.
And now it's time to write the goodbye to this place that has been so good to us over the years.
They must come to an end right?
And so it must come to an end here.
We've documented the good stories, the bad stories, the strange stories and the scary stories.
And now it's time to write the goodbye to this place that has been so good to us over the years.
Friday, May 25, 2012
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
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Coca-Cola 600 Changes But Remains Test Of Endurance
FOX?s Darrell Waltrip Won Race Record Five Times Listening, Being Patient
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
F1: Williams Back On Track After Massive Effort
The Williams team is back on its feet and ready to race in Monaco less than two weeks after a garage fire in Spain...
Garage Fire subdues Team Willy?s victory party...
NO! I won?t make any jokes about birthday candles for Sir Frank here... As reportedly a scary fire broke out in the Williams F1 Pit Garage whilst the team was having a celebratory photo taken - including Sir Frank, as his daughter Claire wheeled him away to safety...
One crew member was seriously injured, with several others incurring respitory troubles due to smoke inhalation - including the two neighboring Pitlane teams members from Caterham and Force India, with 31-people injured before the fire was put out...
Williams Box on Fire - 31 people treated
Yet the good news is that it sounds like everyone with the exception of the one person with the most serious injuries is now listed in stable condition, with the rest of Sir Frank?s squad returning home...
Williams F1 Team members return home
One crew member was seriously injured, with several others incurring respitory troubles due to smoke inhalation - including the two neighboring Pitlane teams members from Caterham and Force India, with 31-people injured before the fire was put out...
Williams Box on Fire - 31 people treated
Yet the good news is that it sounds like everyone with the exception of the one person with the most serious injuries is now listed in stable condition, with the rest of Sir Frank?s squad returning home...
Williams F1 Team members return home
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.”
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Donny Lia And Bob Garbarino Reuniting In 2012 On The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
It's a relationship in the past led to a pair of NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championships for Mystic car owner Bob Garbarino.
And it's a relationship back together on a mission to look for a third series title.
Two-time Whelen Modified Tour champion Donny Lia will return to the series in 2012 to drive once again for Garbarino.
"It works for me and it works for him," Garbarino said. "So we're going to do it again."
With Lia behind the wheel in 2007, Garbarino won his first Whelen Modified Tour championship. The pair split after that season, with Lia heading to the Camping World Truck Series.
And it's a relationship back together on a mission to look for a third series title.
Two-time Whelen Modified Tour champion Donny Lia will return to the series in 2012 to drive once again for Garbarino.
"It works for me and it works for him," Garbarino said. "So we're going to do it again."
With Lia behind the wheel in 2007, Garbarino won his first Whelen Modified Tour championship. The pair split after that season, with Lia heading to the Camping World Truck Series.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Keith Rocco Lands Full-Time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Ride For 2012 Season
The question many have asked over the past few years in the circles of Northeast Modified racing is why Keith Rocco isn't on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour full-time.
It's a question that no longer needs to be answered.
Rocco, of Wallingford, finalized a deal Friday to drive for car owner Mike Boehler in the famed Ol' Blue No. 3 on the Whelen Modified Tour in 2012.
Rocco, the 2010 Whelen All-American Series national champion, replaces Matt Hirschman with the Boehler team.
It's a question that no longer needs to be answered.
Rocco, of Wallingford, finalized a deal Friday to drive for car owner Mike Boehler in the famed Ol' Blue No. 3 on the Whelen Modified Tour in 2012.
Rocco, the 2010 Whelen All-American Series national champion, replaces Matt Hirschman with the Boehler team.
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