Tuesday, January 31, 2012
NASCAR: Harvick looks to take final championship step
NASCAR: Harvick looks to take final championship step
Brace of ?SuperCarz...
Shot of Dallara lobby from stairs
Eagles, Bengals & more
(Photographs courtesy of ?CARPETS)
Eagles, Bengals & more
(Photographs courtesy of ?CARPETS)
ROLEX 24 BLOGATHON
So I won?t be taking part and hence am really not too sure what IT?S all about, but over at a Blogsite called GrabBagSports.com, they?ll once again be hosting their annual Rolex 24 at Daytona Blogathon...
And I think Wedge and the Speed Geek have dropped by No Fenders in the past... As I know they?re the ?Juan?s who got me going BIG Game Huntin? over Justin Bell?s final TV Broadcast at LeMans last year, saying he?d only be writing books from now on; Hya! Which got me to chase him down and get an interview with him, so I have to say Thanxs to Justin and hope he at least finishes ahead of the No. 56 Ferrari...
And I just listened to the GBS 2012 Blogathon Preview Podcast and was immediately struck by how serious these Dudes are, especially Mike, who?s apparently making it his mission to finally watch that EPIC racing film Driven as part of this year?s Blogathon activities... While Alan muses without bursting into laughter how its Cinematography is Monumental and every motorsports film should revolve around the extremely high standards Driven reaches; Hoohah!
As I?ll never forget ?Aunty Harriet saying repeatedly ?I wanna go see Drive!? Of which I had the good pleasure of taking her to at a ?Regal Beagle? theatre. And while I recall the theatre not being overly crowded, I can still hear Joe Tonto whistlin? Dixie whilst picking up Qarters with his Flinstone sticky rubber tyres... See Mike, this is exactly the type of epic cinematography ?Wedge was alluding too; Hee-hee-hee! So good luck with the 24hrs ?O Blogging Boyz and enjoy the FREE movie Driven slated for 1AM Saturday night ?Somme-wares, as I DON?T know if that?s Seattle/Pacific or NY/INDY/East Coast time?
2012 GBS Blogathon Preview Podcast
And I think Wedge and the Speed Geek have dropped by No Fenders in the past... As I know they?re the ?Juan?s who got me going BIG Game Huntin? over Justin Bell?s final TV Broadcast at LeMans last year, saying he?d only be writing books from now on; Hya! Which got me to chase him down and get an interview with him, so I have to say Thanxs to Justin and hope he at least finishes ahead of the No. 56 Ferrari...
And I just listened to the GBS 2012 Blogathon Preview Podcast and was immediately struck by how serious these Dudes are, especially Mike, who?s apparently making it his mission to finally watch that EPIC racing film Driven as part of this year?s Blogathon activities... While Alan muses without bursting into laughter how its Cinematography is Monumental and every motorsports film should revolve around the extremely high standards Driven reaches; Hoohah!
As I?ll never forget ?Aunty Harriet saying repeatedly ?I wanna go see Drive!? Of which I had the good pleasure of taking her to at a ?Regal Beagle? theatre. And while I recall the theatre not being overly crowded, I can still hear Joe Tonto whistlin? Dixie whilst picking up Qarters with his Flinstone sticky rubber tyres... See Mike, this is exactly the type of epic cinematography ?Wedge was alluding too; Hee-hee-hee! So good luck with the 24hrs ?O Blogging Boyz and enjoy the FREE movie Driven slated for 1AM Saturday night ?Somme-wares, as I DON?T know if that?s Seattle/Pacific or NY/INDY/East Coast time?
2012 GBS Blogathon Preview Podcast
Monday, January 30, 2012
ROLEX 24 BLOGATHON
So I won?t be taking part and hence am really not too sure what IT?S all about, but over at a Blogsite called GrabBagSports.com, they?ll once again be hosting their annual Rolex 24 at Daytona Blogathon...
And I think Wedge and the Speed Geek have dropped by No Fenders in the past... As I know they?re the ?Juan?s who got me going BIG Game Huntin? over Justin Bell?s final TV Broadcast at LeMans last year, saying he?d only be writing books from now on; Hya! Which got me to chase him down and get an interview with him, so I have to say Thanxs to Justin and hope he at least finishes ahead of the No. 56 Ferrari...
And I just listened to the GBS 2012 Blogathon Preview Podcast and was immediately struck by how serious these Dudes are, especially Mike, who?s apparently making it his mission to finally watch that EPIC racing film Driven as part of this year?s Blogathon activities... While Alan muses without bursting into laughter how its Cinematography is Monumental and every motorsports film should revolve around the extremely high standards Driven reaches; Hoohah!
As I?ll never forget ?Aunty Harriet saying repeatedly ?I wanna go see Drive!? Of which I had the good pleasure of taking her to at a ?Regal Beagle? theatre. And while I recall the theatre not being overly crowded, I can still hear Joe Tonto whistlin? Dixie whilst picking up Qarters with his Flinstone sticky rubber tyres... See Mike, this is exactly the type of epic cinematography ?Wedge was alluding too; Hee-hee-hee! So good luck with the 24hrs ?O Blogging Boyz and enjoy the FREE movie Driven slated for 1AM Saturday night ?Somme-wares, as I DON?T know if that?s Seattle/Pacific or NY/INDY/East Coast time?
2012 GBS Blogathon Preview Podcast
And I think Wedge and the Speed Geek have dropped by No Fenders in the past... As I know they?re the ?Juan?s who got me going BIG Game Huntin? over Justin Bell?s final TV Broadcast at LeMans last year, saying he?d only be writing books from now on; Hya! Which got me to chase him down and get an interview with him, so I have to say Thanxs to Justin and hope he at least finishes ahead of the No. 56 Ferrari...
And I just listened to the GBS 2012 Blogathon Preview Podcast and was immediately struck by how serious these Dudes are, especially Mike, who?s apparently making it his mission to finally watch that EPIC racing film Driven as part of this year?s Blogathon activities... While Alan muses without bursting into laughter how its Cinematography is Monumental and every motorsports film should revolve around the extremely high standards Driven reaches; Hoohah!
As I?ll never forget ?Aunty Harriet saying repeatedly ?I wanna go see Drive!? Of which I had the good pleasure of taking her to at a ?Regal Beagle? theatre. And while I recall the theatre not being overly crowded, I can still hear Joe Tonto whistlin? Dixie whilst picking up Qarters with his Flinstone sticky rubber tyres... See Mike, this is exactly the type of epic cinematography ?Wedge was alluding too; Hee-hee-hee! So good luck with the 24hrs ?O Blogging Boyz and enjoy the FREE movie Driven slated for 1AM Saturday night ?Somme-wares, as I DON?T know if that?s Seattle/Pacific or NY/INDY/East Coast time?
2012 GBS Blogathon Preview Podcast
ROLEX 24: 2012 Daytona Classic celebrates 50th Anniversary with host of Big Names...
This coming weekend?s Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway; January 28-29 will once again feature a bevy ?O B-I-G name drivers, with several Open Wheel Racing Starz in the mix, not to mention luminaries from the Sports Car world along with ex-Formula 1 drivers ...
And this year?s 50th running of the 24 hours of Daytona has a twist to it too with the announcement of new rules for the Daytona Prototype (DP) Big Boyz, as essentially the ?Greenhouse? cockpit area has been redesigned along with subtle Bodywork allowances in order to more closely mimic production vehicles, i.e.; Corvette, and hence there will be five brand new shiny 2012-spec Corvette DP?s taking part...
IndyCar ParticipantsTeam Penske?s Ryan Briscoe will once again compete with Wayne Taylor?s No. 10 SunTrust Corvette-DP alongside Max ?Thee Ax? Angelelli & Ricky Taylor.
Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti will once again be part of the two car Target Armada, paired with Juan Pablo ?MAC Montoya & Jamie McMurry aboard the No. 02 Riley-BMW DP; while Graham Rahal will return with Scott ?Scooter Pruett, Memo Rojas & Factory BMW DTM driver Joey Hand in the No. 01.
Justin ?BIG UNIT Wilson will begin his seat time re-acclimatization with ex-Champ Car driver A.J. Allmendinger - now a Penske ?RASSCAR Boy, plus Ozz Negri and John Pew Chauffeuring the No. 60 Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian Riley-Ford DP.
And TK ?Follow-your-Schnoz? Kanaan and EJ ?What Me, Worry?? Viso will be partnered with Bully Boy Ryan Hunter-reay, Maurizio Scala and Miguel Potolicchio driving the No. 2 Starworks Riley-Ford DP...
In the No. 6 Ford-Riley MSR Daytona Prototype will be a pair ?O Indy Lights Boyz, with Jorge Goncalvez and thee ?Yak, a.k.a. Gustavo Yacaman behind the wheel... With NO word on whether or not co-driver Michael McDowell will wish to give some bodies (No. 56) Ferrari the Chrome Horn treatment!
James Hinchcliffe will make his Daytona 24hrs debut behind the wheel of a GT Mazda, co-driving the No. 70 RX-8 with Marino Franchitti and Jonathan Bomarito; whilst ex-IndyCar driver ?Rafa Matos will join ?FishyFella,? aka Giancarlo Fisichella and Gianmaria Bruni aboard the brutally quick No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 458 GT.
And I?ve just discovered Thee Thrill from the West Hill, aka ?PT or better known as Paul Tracy?s name as part of the Doran Racing?s No. 77 Dallara-Ford DP effort, with fellow ex-CART competitors Massimiliano ?MAD MAX? Papis in the Number Nine, number-9, number Nein! (No. 9) Action Express Racing Corvette-DP... While Christian Fittipaldi who just celebrated his 41st birthday will chauffer the No. 5 Action Express Racing ?Seester Corvette-DP, and Memo Gidley will co-drive the No. 99 Bob Stallings Racing Corvette-DP...
Nasr Impresses at the ?Roar Before the Rolex 24?, but Chevrolet Command
Other BIG NamesAnd I?m a HUGE Fan ?O Ryan Dalziel?s - as this ?Scot never got his fair shot in Indy Cars, having been forced out at Pacific Coast Motorsports - remember them? Who?ll be looking for his second winner?s Rolex chronograph watch alongside Alan ?The Terrier? McNish, a ?Mega Sports Car ace! Plus ex-Penske Sports Car and Porsche Factory Gun Lucas Luhr in the Starworks ?Seester car...
Not to mention David Donohue, Terry Borcheller, Joao Barbosa, etc. Who?ve all stood on the podiums top step. While I see GM?s loaned out factory boy ?MAGS, nee Jan Magnessen to the Spirit of Daytona Corvette-DP.
Meanwhile there?s a number of ?Sleepers? in the GT field - like the No. 45 with such notables as Patrick Long, Mike ?Rocky? Rockenfeller and Jorg Bergmeister piloting the venerable Flying Lizards Porsche 911 GT3, not to mention another stout lineup piloting a brace ?O Porsche Panzerwagons for TRG!
And then there?s the interesting entry named Yellow Dragon Motorsports with ?Gentleman? John & son Jarett Andretti spearheading the driving line-up with co-drivers Taylor Hacquard and Anders ?the Viking? Krohn, who?s another Indy Lights driver. As it?ll be the first time the Andretti?s have driven together and I believe it?ll be John?s first time in a Mazda RX8?
While another lost in the wilderness OWR talent by the name of John Edwards, not the politician, but the former Star Mazda and Toyota Atlantics champion who?s been driving for Mazda will once again see duty behind the keyboard, albeit this time in a rival Camaro, the No. 57 - sharing seat time with an ex-Dale Coyne (DCR) Sonny?s Barbeque Boy...
And several of la Scuderia?s latest examples will also be on hand - where I spotted lurking off the radar somewhat, Travis Pastrana?s name alongside his ?RASSCAR-LITE team owner Mikey ?Aw Shucks? Waltrip running the No. 56 AF-Waltrip Ferrari 458 GT. Not to mention some Dude named Scotty Sharp who?ll be running in his No. 03 Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari...
Another B-I-G name I recently had the privilege of interviewing here at No Fenders; current SPEED TV ?Funnyman? & Reporter Justin Bell, apparently has gotten the racing bug once again after his return in last year?s Petit LeMans - and will be part of the No. 4?s Porsche GT3 driver lineup...
INTERVIEW: Justin Bell visits No Fenders
LocalsThis is just a small smattering ?O local talent, as I know, what about all of the ?KuhNucks from next door Vancouver, BC, eh? Hey! You try typing down everybody?s name; Otay?
Thus I just kept to my home state, albeit was unawares of some ?Ol Crooner from Oregon; Hya!
No. 22: Bullet Racing - Porsche GT3; Randy Blaylock, Bothell, Washington and Joe White, Spokane, WA. (Actually, this 5-driver team features two ?Hosers, i.e. Vancouver, BC Boys, one Californian and two ?Warshingtonians...)
No. 41: Dempsey Motorsports/Team Seattle - Mazda RX8; Don Kitch Jr., Bellevue, WA.
No. 99: Bob Stalling Racing - Corvette-DP; John ?CCR? Fogarty; Bend, Oregon. (Transplanted Californian - Two-time Toyota Atlantics champion...)
Ex-Champ Car BoyzNo. 57:Stevenson Motorsports - Camaro; Ronnie Bremer,No. 87: Racers Edge Motorsports - Dodge Viper; Jan ?Van Hagar? Heylen
And currently there?s 14 DP?s and 46 GT?s entered for the race, which you can peruse in the entry list below.
As once again I?m torn between Justin & AJ vs. Dalziel? & McNish, although I?d prefer seeing the No. 60 win overall, while I?ll definitely be rootin? for the No. 41 Team Seattle car in the GT category, with my second choice being the No. 22 followed by the No. 62...
2012 Daytona 24hrs Entry list
And this year?s 50th running of the 24 hours of Daytona has a twist to it too with the announcement of new rules for the Daytona Prototype (DP) Big Boyz, as essentially the ?Greenhouse? cockpit area has been redesigned along with subtle Bodywork allowances in order to more closely mimic production vehicles, i.e.; Corvette, and hence there will be five brand new shiny 2012-spec Corvette DP?s taking part...
IndyCar ParticipantsTeam Penske?s Ryan Briscoe will once again compete with Wayne Taylor?s No. 10 SunTrust Corvette-DP alongside Max ?Thee Ax? Angelelli & Ricky Taylor.
Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti will once again be part of the two car Target Armada, paired with Juan Pablo ?MAC Montoya & Jamie McMurry aboard the No. 02 Riley-BMW DP; while Graham Rahal will return with Scott ?Scooter Pruett, Memo Rojas & Factory BMW DTM driver Joey Hand in the No. 01.
Justin ?BIG UNIT Wilson will begin his seat time re-acclimatization with ex-Champ Car driver A.J. Allmendinger - now a Penske ?RASSCAR Boy, plus Ozz Negri and John Pew Chauffeuring the No. 60 Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian Riley-Ford DP.
And TK ?Follow-your-Schnoz? Kanaan and EJ ?What Me, Worry?? Viso will be partnered with Bully Boy Ryan Hunter-reay, Maurizio Scala and Miguel Potolicchio driving the No. 2 Starworks Riley-Ford DP...
In the No. 6 Ford-Riley MSR Daytona Prototype will be a pair ?O Indy Lights Boyz, with Jorge Goncalvez and thee ?Yak, a.k.a. Gustavo Yacaman behind the wheel... With NO word on whether or not co-driver Michael McDowell will wish to give some bodies (No. 56) Ferrari the Chrome Horn treatment!
James Hinchcliffe will make his Daytona 24hrs debut behind the wheel of a GT Mazda, co-driving the No. 70 RX-8 with Marino Franchitti and Jonathan Bomarito; whilst ex-IndyCar driver ?Rafa Matos will join ?FishyFella,? aka Giancarlo Fisichella and Gianmaria Bruni aboard the brutally quick No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 458 GT.
And I?ve just discovered Thee Thrill from the West Hill, aka ?PT or better known as Paul Tracy?s name as part of the Doran Racing?s No. 77 Dallara-Ford DP effort, with fellow ex-CART competitors Massimiliano ?MAD MAX? Papis in the Number Nine, number-9, number Nein! (No. 9) Action Express Racing Corvette-DP... While Christian Fittipaldi who just celebrated his 41st birthday will chauffer the No. 5 Action Express Racing ?Seester Corvette-DP, and Memo Gidley will co-drive the No. 99 Bob Stallings Racing Corvette-DP...
Nasr Impresses at the ?Roar Before the Rolex 24?, but Chevrolet Command
Other BIG NamesAnd I?m a HUGE Fan ?O Ryan Dalziel?s - as this ?Scot never got his fair shot in Indy Cars, having been forced out at Pacific Coast Motorsports - remember them? Who?ll be looking for his second winner?s Rolex chronograph watch alongside Alan ?The Terrier? McNish, a ?Mega Sports Car ace! Plus ex-Penske Sports Car and Porsche Factory Gun Lucas Luhr in the Starworks ?Seester car...
Not to mention David Donohue, Terry Borcheller, Joao Barbosa, etc. Who?ve all stood on the podiums top step. While I see GM?s loaned out factory boy ?MAGS, nee Jan Magnessen to the Spirit of Daytona Corvette-DP.
Meanwhile there?s a number of ?Sleepers? in the GT field - like the No. 45 with such notables as Patrick Long, Mike ?Rocky? Rockenfeller and Jorg Bergmeister piloting the venerable Flying Lizards Porsche 911 GT3, not to mention another stout lineup piloting a brace ?O Porsche Panzerwagons for TRG!
And then there?s the interesting entry named Yellow Dragon Motorsports with ?Gentleman? John & son Jarett Andretti spearheading the driving line-up with co-drivers Taylor Hacquard and Anders ?the Viking? Krohn, who?s another Indy Lights driver. As it?ll be the first time the Andretti?s have driven together and I believe it?ll be John?s first time in a Mazda RX8?
While another lost in the wilderness OWR talent by the name of John Edwards, not the politician, but the former Star Mazda and Toyota Atlantics champion who?s been driving for Mazda will once again see duty behind the keyboard, albeit this time in a rival Camaro, the No. 57 - sharing seat time with an ex-Dale Coyne (DCR) Sonny?s Barbeque Boy...
And several of la Scuderia?s latest examples will also be on hand - where I spotted lurking off the radar somewhat, Travis Pastrana?s name alongside his ?RASSCAR-LITE team owner Mikey ?Aw Shucks? Waltrip running the No. 56 AF-Waltrip Ferrari 458 GT. Not to mention some Dude named Scotty Sharp who?ll be running in his No. 03 Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari...
Another B-I-G name I recently had the privilege of interviewing here at No Fenders; current SPEED TV ?Funnyman? & Reporter Justin Bell, apparently has gotten the racing bug once again after his return in last year?s Petit LeMans - and will be part of the No. 4?s Porsche GT3 driver lineup...
INTERVIEW: Justin Bell visits No Fenders
LocalsThis is just a small smattering ?O local talent, as I know, what about all of the ?KuhNucks from next door Vancouver, BC, eh? Hey! You try typing down everybody?s name; Otay?
Thus I just kept to my home state, albeit was unawares of some ?Ol Crooner from Oregon; Hya!
No. 22: Bullet Racing - Porsche GT3; Randy Blaylock, Bothell, Washington and Joe White, Spokane, WA. (Actually, this 5-driver team features two ?Hosers, i.e. Vancouver, BC Boys, one Californian and two ?Warshingtonians...)
No. 41: Dempsey Motorsports/Team Seattle - Mazda RX8; Don Kitch Jr., Bellevue, WA.
No. 99: Bob Stalling Racing - Corvette-DP; John ?CCR? Fogarty; Bend, Oregon. (Transplanted Californian - Two-time Toyota Atlantics champion...)
Ex-Champ Car BoyzNo. 57:Stevenson Motorsports - Camaro; Ronnie Bremer,No. 87: Racers Edge Motorsports - Dodge Viper; Jan ?Van Hagar? Heylen
And currently there?s 14 DP?s and 46 GT?s entered for the race, which you can peruse in the entry list below.
As once again I?m torn between Justin & AJ vs. Dalziel? & McNish, although I?d prefer seeing the No. 60 win overall, while I?ll definitely be rootin? for the No. 41 Team Seattle car in the GT category, with my second choice being the No. 22 followed by the No. 62...
2012 Daytona 24hrs Entry list
2012 INDYCAR Tests at IMS
This week was an exciting one for IMS! Dan Wheldon was here with the 2012 INDYCAR for a few days of testing. It?s always an honor to have Dan at the speedway, but it was an even bigger honor to have him here in the 2012 INDYCAR. The IMS oval has had the rare opportunity [...]
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 [...]
Sunday, January 29, 2012
NASCAR Notebook: Johnson ?qualified? to win
Four-time and defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has cameras follow his every move in the garage during practice Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. for Sunday's Ford 400. Johnson qualified sixth, well ahead of Kevin Harvick (28th) and Denny Hamlin (37th). (Photo: Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – For the two contenders seeking to deprive Jimmie Johnson of a fifth straight Sprint Cup championship, qualifying was no cause for celebration.
Johnson qualified sixth at176.482 mph. It was a nice solid run, leaving him well situated for the start of Sunday’s Ford 400.
Kevin Harvick qualified 28th, which wasn’t that unusual. Denny Hamlin qualified 37th, which was. Hamlin’s previous low in qualifying was 34th at Auto Club Speedway on Oct. 8. On the positive side, Hamlin did manage to salvage top-10 finishes in each of his previous qualifying performances that were 30th or worse, and he won after starting 30th just two weeks ago at Texas Motor Speedway.
A poor qualifying performance is also a poor predictor of race-day success, but starting deep in the field adds a certain amount of pressure to an already overheated championship battle.
Johnson held a press conference before qualifying, but what he said seemed pertinent: “I slept great. I don’t know if Denny (Hamlin) did, but I know I did.”
Hamlin’s response? “I feel the same as I do every week. No, I’m never uptight.”
* * *
SPEECHLESS--If Foster Gillett meant to quiet rumors regarding the future of Richard Petty Motorsports, this wasn’t the way to do it.
Gillett, whose father George is the official owner of the team that carries the seven-time champion’s name, was at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Friday. His presence spread quickly, but he refused to responded to any questions posed by media members.
Rumors have the team going out of business, going out of business temporarily while other investors are acquired and being sunk by the reputed mountain of indebtedness faced by the Gillett family.
Foster Gillett’s presence reportedly did nothing to allay fears among team members that their jobs are endangered.
* * *
STEWART’S TAKE-- Tony Stewart is the only driver who has won championships under both the “season-long” and current “Chase” format. Long relegated to the nether regions of the Chase field, Stewart offered his analysis of the three-way battle for the title.
“I think they’re all playing mind games with each other,” he said. “You don’t get this far in the season and be in this position by racing guys dirty. I don’t see it coming down to the last race with guys racing each other dirty.”
* * *
TITLE MAY GO THROUGH HIM--As expected, Carl Edwards established himself as a contender to win the race. He ended a 70-race winless streak last week at Phoenix and qualified second. Edwards won this race in 2008 and has finished eighth or better in five straight races at Homestead.
Referring to Hamlin, Johnson and Harvick, Edwards said, “They’re all going to be aggressive. That’s the way it’s going to be, no matter what they say. That’s how they got in the position they’re in, and now it’s going to be a great race for everyone to watch.
“I hope I’m watching the whole thing in my rear-view mirror, though.”
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 ...
Saturday, January 28, 2012
SFHR New Speedway Headquarters in the Pipeline
With this year's NASCAR racing season at an end, the auto racing industry will be looking forward to 2012, and making plans to promote this exciting sport despite the gloomy outlook for the U.S. economy. The recent ceremonial ground-breaking for the new Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing headquarters to be built on Speedway's main street, can be seen as a vote of confidence that auto racing will maintain its place as one of the country's most popular sports.
Related posts:Castroneves FeverThe INDY 500: Grand Daddy of Them All – Auto RacingDanica Patrick Wins the Japan 300
Related posts:Castroneves FeverThe INDY 500: Grand Daddy of Them All – Auto RacingDanica Patrick Wins the Japan 300
?Rubino to Indy Cars?
Meanwhile the Formula 1 world?s all a flutter, perhaps? Chirp Chirp... Over the news that the sports most experienced driver may be headed stateside for the vaunted IndyCar Series...
As ex-Williams F1 driver Rubens Barrichello, who is the only Formula 1 driver to make over 300 Grand Prix starts and will turn the B-I-G 4-Oh on May 30th, is slated for a two day test at Sebring this coming Monday-Tuesday; Hmm? NOTHIN? to do with his good friend & fellow Brazilian ?TK?s (Tony Kanaan) last minute pull-out of this weekend?s Rolex 24, eh? NOT!
But I?m sure Kanaan will be on hand to help ?Rubens get to grips with the team?s Dallara DW12-Chevrolet. As after all the test is just down the road at the rival Sebring circuit...
Barrichello to test Indy Car?
As ex-Williams F1 driver Rubens Barrichello, who is the only Formula 1 driver to make over 300 Grand Prix starts and will turn the B-I-G 4-Oh on May 30th, is slated for a two day test at Sebring this coming Monday-Tuesday; Hmm? NOTHIN? to do with his good friend & fellow Brazilian ?TK?s (Tony Kanaan) last minute pull-out of this weekend?s Rolex 24, eh? NOT!
But I?m sure Kanaan will be on hand to help ?Rubens get to grips with the team?s Dallara DW12-Chevrolet. As after all the test is just down the road at the rival Sebring circuit...
Barrichello to test Indy Car?
Friday, January 27, 2012
Two To One: Doug Coby Has Single Team Focus For 2012 On NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Last year driver Doug Coby pieced together a full-time run on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour by bringing two teams together to share the load.
This year one of those two car owners is ready to go all-in with Coby.
Team owner Wayne Darling confirmed that he will run his first full season of racing on the Whelen Modified Tour in 2012 with Coby, of Milford, as his driver.
"We're going to try," Darling said. "We're going to try to do the whole series. To me its all about fun and if it's not fun I'm not going to do it. So far it's been fun with Doug so I'm ready to do this."
This year one of those two car owners is ready to go all-in with Coby.
Team owner Wayne Darling confirmed that he will run his first full season of racing on the Whelen Modified Tour in 2012 with Coby, of Milford, as his driver.
"We're going to try," Darling said. "We're going to try to do the whole series. To me its all about fun and if it's not fun I'm not going to do it. So far it's been fun with Doug so I'm ready to do this."
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.
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 [...]
Emerald Green...
No. 67 Snomobile - Front
While Seattle?s being socked by freezing rain, Sleet, SNOW & Ice...
Apparently we were able to send Indianapolis some of our Arctic air... As according to ?CARPETS: In the middle of the ceremony, believe it or not, it started snowing here (too) in the Eastern Time Zone. Here's a couple pics of the snow covered #67 Walgreens car.
No. 67 Snomobile - Side
And inquiring minds wanna know: Do you think race control would drop the green under these conditions??
(Photos courtesy of ?Offical No Fenders photographer ?CARPETS)
While Seattle?s being socked by freezing rain, Sleet, SNOW & Ice...
Apparently we were able to send Indianapolis some of our Arctic air... As according to ?CARPETS: In the middle of the ceremony, believe it or not, it started snowing here (too) in the Eastern Time Zone. Here's a couple pics of the snow covered #67 Walgreens car.
No. 67 Snomobile - Side
And inquiring minds wanna know: Do you think race control would drop the green under these conditions??
(Photos courtesy of ?Offical No Fenders photographer ?CARPETS)
Hoops for Thailand - Encore Presentation
Once again, intrepid Hoops performer Ariel Amara is going to Thailand as part of the Sparks Circus Troupe to perform for underprivileged Children in Burma and needs your help to make it happen financially...
Please check out the link below and if so inclined - please donate if possible to Ariel & Sparks Circus concern...GRATZI!
2012 Hoops for Thailand
Please check out the link below and if so inclined - please donate if possible to Ariel & Sparks Circus concern...GRATZI!
2012 Hoops for Thailand
Thursday, January 26, 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
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Shanghai F1 Circuit F1 Chinese station introduced
“On”-shaped track of the car starting grid position region is the main grandstand at the Shanghai International Circuit, the diamond areas and between regions fleet maintenance, after participating in the car waiting at the starting line before the top set of lights track lights emitted language five red lights went out in the light language [...]
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 ...
Ogier said the King of Kings Challenge, only F1 driver Schumacher into the first 4
NEW YORK, Dec. 5 report: The annual King of Kings Challenge race in Dusseldorf, Germany came to an end, in the personal group areas, WRC driver Ogier beatChrisTeng Sen kings. King of Kings this year’s Challenge race held in Germany in Saturday’s team event, the pair Schumacher and Vettel once again the defending champion, came [...]
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
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 a week ago and it sounded like he's 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 a week ago and it sounded like he's up in the air on what he wants to do," Santos said. "I don't think he's made any decisions yet.
Agendas differ as season hits halfway mark
The 2010 Sprint Cup Series season has reached the halfway point, and there are eight races remaining until the cutoff prior to the start of the Chase for the Sprint Cup, including Saturday night’s Lifelock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.
With the Chase approaching, drivers have differing goals in mind for the eight races remaining in what [...]
With the Chase approaching, drivers have differing goals in mind for the eight races remaining in what [...]
This week's Stockcartoon from Mike Smith
Stockcartoons are created by Mike Smith, editorial cartoonist for the Las Vegas Sun, and syndicated through King Features Syndicate. Mike generously shares them with us here.
Mike is also the primary contributor to the Las Vegas Sun's NASCAR blog,"Bloggity, Bloggity, Bloggity."
Monday, January 23, 2012
DAKAR: 2012 Edition - Gordon?s Qatari HumDinger leads the way...
So late last year, as I was scramblin? to ?Ketsup on stories for Y?all, I suddenly wundered ?bout the fast approaching 2012 Dakar... Which has become intrinsically MORE difficult to obtain information upon, ever since motorsport.com irrevibaclly GOOBERED their website; GGRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!! Why did you haveda make it ALL DARK, Err black and INVISIBLE for a visually impaired ?Vurd Botcherer to SEE??? But I digress, as motorsport.com - Here?s Your Sign!
Thus, obviously I was completely surprised to discover that Volkswagen has left the party - forsaking its all conquering Touareg in favour of its next Motorsports challenge, the 2013 World Rally Championship... as Volkswagen AG takes the season off whilst preparing its 2013 WRC Challenger, the Polo WRC R.
Therefore, VW?s squadron of Rally Raid drivers: reigning Champion Nasser Al Attiyah, Carlos Sainz, (2010 Champion) Giniel De Villiers (2009 Champion) and Mark Miller all found themselves without drives for this year?s 33rd DAKAR Challenge.
Thus I was even more surprised to discover that defending DAKAR Cars Champion Nasser Al Attiyah has now aligned himself with Robby ?Dirtman Gordon?s Hummer H3 team. Hmm? Does this mean that Gordon will become Al Attiyah?s ?Domesteak;? Uhm, ?Water Carrier? Or will Robby simply drive by and NOT see his teammate a la Elisio Salazar if Nasser breaks down?
Recall that ?Greasy ?Ol ?Salad-bar? managed to NOT notice ?Gourdoon?s stranded HumDinger last year - which led to Gordon being DQ?ed (Disqualified) from the event!
2011 Dakar Notes: Stage 4
And with VW?s departure, the Cars category is seemingly wide open, with Al Attiyah vs. The Desert Fox, aka St�phane Peterhansel; who?ll be spearheading BMW?s Mini 4WD Armada.
As Nasser will try defending his title in the Two-wheel Drive Hummer, while last year?s runner-up and ex teammate De Villiers is campaigning a brand new Toyota Hilux pick-up truck.
SPEED FREAKS: Robby Gordon interview
Meanwhile another ?Yank, whom I believe is a newcomer to the Dakar, Mark McMillan will try his luck with the brand new Hemi-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee - with all of the other Usual Suspects, i.e.; Mister Bitchies, Toyota FJ?s, RAV-4 and Land Cruisers. With Nissan Pathfinders, Volkswagen somethings, BMW X-3?s and various Buggies all clammering to win the title and claim the Champions No. 300 plate for 2013...
Once again the ?Scooters (Bikes) category appears to be another ?Rubber-match? between perinial Dakar Stalharts Marc Coma and Cyril Despres; both competing on the ?Uber Dominant KTM?s - the KTM 450cc (4-stroke) Rally-bikes. (With all Motorcycles being relegated to 450cc maximum displacement beginning with the 2011 DAKAR...)
As Spain?s defending Dakar Bikes Champion Coma hopes to repeat as winner over his continuous rival Despres of France, with these two riders sporting the number one & two plates respectively.
Yet once again I?ll be rootin? for my Homeboy Jonah Street from sleepy ?lil ellensberg, WA once again riding his ?YamaHopper (Yamaha)
Meanwhile Sophomore Dakar Bikes competitor Quinn ?Commander? Cody will once again be campaigning a Honda CFR450X, as Cody actually finished ahead of Street in his inaugural Dakar last year, although Street did notch another stage victory during his up ?N down 2011 challenge.
Look for Quinn Cody on the No. 9 Honda, With
Jonah Street aboard the No 19 Yamaha YZ450...
GOOD LUCK BOYZ!
And Versus; Err NbC Sports Channel or whatever they?re calling ?Dem-selves now... Will once again be hosting half-hour vinette?s with Robby ?Purple Floyd as the Narrator. While I?d enjoy seeing Eurosport?s Gernot Bauer back on the ground; as Messer Bauer steadily grew upon Mwah last year... BUTT! I could seriously do without Missy Chee WOW wah - Ines ?Cha-Cha?Sainz; who Y?all DON?T think was hired for her personality? Ariva-Ariva-Ariva... Hmm? Perhaps something to due more with perkiness, eh? After all, remember what Danicker sez: When U Peak, you WIN!
2012 DAKAR Entry List
Thus, obviously I was completely surprised to discover that Volkswagen has left the party - forsaking its all conquering Touareg in favour of its next Motorsports challenge, the 2013 World Rally Championship... as Volkswagen AG takes the season off whilst preparing its 2013 WRC Challenger, the Polo WRC R.
Therefore, VW?s squadron of Rally Raid drivers: reigning Champion Nasser Al Attiyah, Carlos Sainz, (2010 Champion) Giniel De Villiers (2009 Champion) and Mark Miller all found themselves without drives for this year?s 33rd DAKAR Challenge.
Thus I was even more surprised to discover that defending DAKAR Cars Champion Nasser Al Attiyah has now aligned himself with Robby ?Dirtman Gordon?s Hummer H3 team. Hmm? Does this mean that Gordon will become Al Attiyah?s ?Domesteak;? Uhm, ?Water Carrier? Or will Robby simply drive by and NOT see his teammate a la Elisio Salazar if Nasser breaks down?
Recall that ?Greasy ?Ol ?Salad-bar? managed to NOT notice ?Gourdoon?s stranded HumDinger last year - which led to Gordon being DQ?ed (Disqualified) from the event!
2011 Dakar Notes: Stage 4
And with VW?s departure, the Cars category is seemingly wide open, with Al Attiyah vs. The Desert Fox, aka St�phane Peterhansel; who?ll be spearheading BMW?s Mini 4WD Armada.
As Nasser will try defending his title in the Two-wheel Drive Hummer, while last year?s runner-up and ex teammate De Villiers is campaigning a brand new Toyota Hilux pick-up truck.
SPEED FREAKS: Robby Gordon interview
Meanwhile another ?Yank, whom I believe is a newcomer to the Dakar, Mark McMillan will try his luck with the brand new Hemi-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee - with all of the other Usual Suspects, i.e.; Mister Bitchies, Toyota FJ?s, RAV-4 and Land Cruisers. With Nissan Pathfinders, Volkswagen somethings, BMW X-3?s and various Buggies all clammering to win the title and claim the Champions No. 300 plate for 2013...
Once again the ?Scooters (Bikes) category appears to be another ?Rubber-match? between perinial Dakar Stalharts Marc Coma and Cyril Despres; both competing on the ?Uber Dominant KTM?s - the KTM 450cc (4-stroke) Rally-bikes. (With all Motorcycles being relegated to 450cc maximum displacement beginning with the 2011 DAKAR...)
As Spain?s defending Dakar Bikes Champion Coma hopes to repeat as winner over his continuous rival Despres of France, with these two riders sporting the number one & two plates respectively.
Yet once again I?ll be rootin? for my Homeboy Jonah Street from sleepy ?lil ellensberg, WA once again riding his ?YamaHopper (Yamaha)
Meanwhile Sophomore Dakar Bikes competitor Quinn ?Commander? Cody will once again be campaigning a Honda CFR450X, as Cody actually finished ahead of Street in his inaugural Dakar last year, although Street did notch another stage victory during his up ?N down 2011 challenge.
Look for Quinn Cody on the No. 9 Honda, With
Jonah Street aboard the No 19 Yamaha YZ450...
GOOD LUCK BOYZ!
And Versus; Err NbC Sports Channel or whatever they?re calling ?Dem-selves now... Will once again be hosting half-hour vinette?s with Robby ?Purple Floyd as the Narrator. While I?d enjoy seeing Eurosport?s Gernot Bauer back on the ground; as Messer Bauer steadily grew upon Mwah last year... BUTT! I could seriously do without Missy Chee WOW wah - Ines ?Cha-Cha?Sainz; who Y?all DON?T think was hired for her personality? Ariva-Ariva-Ariva... Hmm? Perhaps something to due more with perkiness, eh? After all, remember what Danicker sez: When U Peak, you WIN!
2012 DAKAR Entry List
Sunday, January 22, 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 ...
DAKAR: 2012 Edition - Gordon?s Qatari HumDinger leads the way...
So late last year, as I was scramblin? to ?Ketsup on stories for Y?all, I suddenly wundered ?bout the fast approaching 2012 Dakar... Which has become intrinsically MORE difficult to obtain information upon, ever since motorsport.com irrevibaclly GOOBERED their website; GGRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!! Why did you haveda make it ALL DARK, Err black and INVISIBLE for a visually impaired ?Vurd Botcherer to SEE??? But I digress, as motorsport.com - Here?s Your Sign!
Thus, obviously I was completely surprised to discover that Volkswagen has left the party - forsaking its all conquering Touareg in favour of its next Motorsports challenge, the 2013 World Rally Championship... as Volkswagen AG takes the season off whilst preparing its 2013 WRC Challenger, the Polo WRC R.
Therefore, VW?s squadron of Rally Raid drivers: reigning Champion Nasser Al Attiyah, Carlos Sainz, (2010 Champion) Giniel De Villiers (2009 Champion) and Mark Miller all found themselves without drives for this year?s 33rd DAKAR Challenge.
Thus I was even more surprised to discover that defending DAKAR Cars Champion Nasser Al Attiyah has now aligned himself with Robby ?Dirtman Gordon?s Hummer H3 team. Hmm? Does this mean that Gordon will become Al Attiyah?s ?Domesteak;? Uhm, ?Water Carrier? Or will Robby simply drive by and NOT see his teammate a la Elisio Salazar if Nasser breaks down?
Recall that ?Greasy ?Ol ?Salad-bar? managed to NOT notice ?Gourdoon?s stranded HumDinger last year - which led to Gordon being DQ?ed (Disqualified) from the event!
2011 Dakar Notes: Stage 4
And with VW?s departure, the Cars category is seemingly wide open, with Al Attiyah vs. The Desert Fox, aka St�phane Peterhansel; who?ll be spearheading BMW?s Mini 4WD Armada.
As Nasser will try defending his title in the Two-wheel Drive Hummer, while last year?s runner-up and ex teammate De Villiers is campaigning a brand new Toyota Hilux pick-up truck.
SPEED FREAKS: Robby Gordon interview
Meanwhile another ?Yank, whom I believe is a newcomer to the Dakar, Mark McMillan will try his luck with the brand new Hemi-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee - with all of the other Usual Suspects, i.e.; Mister Bitchies, Toyota FJ?s, RAV-4 and Land Cruisers. With Nissan Pathfinders, Volkswagen somethings, BMW X-3?s and various Buggies all clammering to win the title and claim the Champions No. 300 plate for 2013...
Once again the ?Scooters (Bikes) category appears to be another ?Rubber-match? between perinial Dakar Stalharts Marc Coma and Cyril Despres; both competing on the ?Uber Dominant KTM?s - the KTM 450cc (4-stroke) Rally-bikes. (With all Motorcycles being relegated to 450cc maximum displacement beginning with the 2011 DAKAR...)
As Spain?s defending Dakar Bikes Champion Coma hopes to repeat as winner over his continuous rival Despres of France, with these two riders sporting the number one & two plates respectively.
Yet once again I?ll be rootin? for my Homeboy Jonah Street from sleepy ?lil ellensberg, WA once again riding his ?YamaHopper (Yamaha)
Meanwhile Sophomore Dakar Bikes competitor Quinn ?Commander? Cody will once again be campaigning a Honda CFR450X, as Cody actually finished ahead of Street in his inaugural Dakar last year, although Street did notch another stage victory during his up ?N down 2011 challenge.
Look for Quinn Cody on the No. 9 Honda, With
Jonah Street aboard the No 19 Yamaha YZ450...
GOOD LUCK BOYZ!
And Versus; Err NbC Sports Channel or whatever they?re calling ?Dem-selves now... Will once again be hosting half-hour vinette?s with Robby ?Purple Floyd as the Narrator. While I?d enjoy seeing Eurosport?s Gernot Bauer back on the ground; as Messer Bauer steadily grew upon Mwah last year... BUTT! I could seriously do without Missy Chee WOW wah - Ines ?Cha-Cha?Sainz; who Y?all DON?T think was hired for her personality? Ariva-Ariva-Ariva... Hmm? Perhaps something to due more with perkiness, eh? After all, remember what Danicker sez: When U Peak, you WIN!
2012 DAKAR Entry List
Thus, obviously I was completely surprised to discover that Volkswagen has left the party - forsaking its all conquering Touareg in favour of its next Motorsports challenge, the 2013 World Rally Championship... as Volkswagen AG takes the season off whilst preparing its 2013 WRC Challenger, the Polo WRC R.
Therefore, VW?s squadron of Rally Raid drivers: reigning Champion Nasser Al Attiyah, Carlos Sainz, (2010 Champion) Giniel De Villiers (2009 Champion) and Mark Miller all found themselves without drives for this year?s 33rd DAKAR Challenge.
Thus I was even more surprised to discover that defending DAKAR Cars Champion Nasser Al Attiyah has now aligned himself with Robby ?Dirtman Gordon?s Hummer H3 team. Hmm? Does this mean that Gordon will become Al Attiyah?s ?Domesteak;? Uhm, ?Water Carrier? Or will Robby simply drive by and NOT see his teammate a la Elisio Salazar if Nasser breaks down?
Recall that ?Greasy ?Ol ?Salad-bar? managed to NOT notice ?Gourdoon?s stranded HumDinger last year - which led to Gordon being DQ?ed (Disqualified) from the event!
2011 Dakar Notes: Stage 4
And with VW?s departure, the Cars category is seemingly wide open, with Al Attiyah vs. The Desert Fox, aka St�phane Peterhansel; who?ll be spearheading BMW?s Mini 4WD Armada.
As Nasser will try defending his title in the Two-wheel Drive Hummer, while last year?s runner-up and ex teammate De Villiers is campaigning a brand new Toyota Hilux pick-up truck.
SPEED FREAKS: Robby Gordon interview
Meanwhile another ?Yank, whom I believe is a newcomer to the Dakar, Mark McMillan will try his luck with the brand new Hemi-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee - with all of the other Usual Suspects, i.e.; Mister Bitchies, Toyota FJ?s, RAV-4 and Land Cruisers. With Nissan Pathfinders, Volkswagen somethings, BMW X-3?s and various Buggies all clammering to win the title and claim the Champions No. 300 plate for 2013...
Once again the ?Scooters (Bikes) category appears to be another ?Rubber-match? between perinial Dakar Stalharts Marc Coma and Cyril Despres; both competing on the ?Uber Dominant KTM?s - the KTM 450cc (4-stroke) Rally-bikes. (With all Motorcycles being relegated to 450cc maximum displacement beginning with the 2011 DAKAR...)
As Spain?s defending Dakar Bikes Champion Coma hopes to repeat as winner over his continuous rival Despres of France, with these two riders sporting the number one & two plates respectively.
Yet once again I?ll be rootin? for my Homeboy Jonah Street from sleepy ?lil ellensberg, WA once again riding his ?YamaHopper (Yamaha)
Meanwhile Sophomore Dakar Bikes competitor Quinn ?Commander? Cody will once again be campaigning a Honda CFR450X, as Cody actually finished ahead of Street in his inaugural Dakar last year, although Street did notch another stage victory during his up ?N down 2011 challenge.
Look for Quinn Cody on the No. 9 Honda, With
Jonah Street aboard the No 19 Yamaha YZ450...
GOOD LUCK BOYZ!
And Versus; Err NbC Sports Channel or whatever they?re calling ?Dem-selves now... Will once again be hosting half-hour vinette?s with Robby ?Purple Floyd as the Narrator. While I?d enjoy seeing Eurosport?s Gernot Bauer back on the ground; as Messer Bauer steadily grew upon Mwah last year... BUTT! I could seriously do without Missy Chee WOW wah - Ines ?Cha-Cha?Sainz; who Y?all DON?T think was hired for her personality? Ariva-Ariva-Ariva... Hmm? Perhaps something to due more with perkiness, eh? After all, remember what Danicker sez: When U Peak, you WIN!
2012 DAKAR Entry List
Saturday, January 21, 2012
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.
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. [...]
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 [...]
Friday, January 20, 2012
Brace of ?SuperCarz...
Shot of Dallara lobby from stairs
Eagles, Bengals & more
(Photographs courtesy of ?CARPETS)
Eagles, Bengals & more
(Photographs courtesy of ?CARPETS)
DENNY'S DIARY: Winning car, 5th-place finish, still disappointed
DENNY'S DIARY: Winning car, 5th-place finish, still disappointed
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Justin Bonsignore Wants No Part Of NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Silly Season Carousel
THOMPSON - The 2011 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season comes to an end today with the running of the World Series of Speedway Racing 150 at Thompson International Speedway.
And while the cars may be heading back to the shop for the offseason, it doesn't mean the jockeying for positions has ended.
The silly season for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is in full swing, with rumors continuing to sprout seemingly weekly about driver changes and team changes for next season.
One of the big dominoes fell last week when seven-time Whelen Modified Tour champion walked away from his ride with Flamingo Motorsports.
But when it comes to the silliness of it all, Justin Bonsignore doesn't want to be part of it.
And while the cars may be heading back to the shop for the offseason, it doesn't mean the jockeying for positions has ended.
The silly season for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is in full swing, with rumors continuing to sprout seemingly weekly about driver changes and team changes for next season.
One of the big dominoes fell last week when seven-time Whelen Modified Tour champion walked away from his ride with Flamingo Motorsports.
But when it comes to the silliness of it all, Justin Bonsignore doesn't want to be part of it.
Air coming Out of Hummer?s - literally...
Sitting down to hopefully watch the previous evening?s taped Dakar coverage, I thought Oh CRAP! Here we go again as the action started with ?Cars? coverage instead of the usual Bikes first theme of the prior nine days...
But it soon became apparent why, as shockingly Car no. 303 was EXCLUDED from the Dakar after following an intense re-scrutineering effort by Officials. And just who is No. 303 you may be asking? Whale it?s none other then that overly brash Californian Robby Gordon and his monster (2WD) Hummer!
Dakar Organizer Statement:?On completion of the ninth, following observation of technical non-compliance on vehicle number 303 (Robby Gordon) (article 1P and 3P of the technical rules), the Car Race Officials' Committee has decided to disqualify number 303 from the race. The driver has appealed against this decision. During appeals, decisions are placed on hold. As a result, vehicle number 303 will continue the rally until the outcome of the appeal.?
Yet the strange thing about this ?infraction? regarding the Hummer?s tyre inflation system is that reportedly it was approved by the very same Dakar scrutineers for the 2011 Rally - plus this year?s Dakar... And is the exact same system that Gordon?s Hummer?s have been utilizing the past five years.
Interestingly the problem flared-up after Gordon had whittled down The Desert fox, aka St�phane Peterhansel?s lead to under six-minutes. Although it does seem slightly weird that Tech Inspectors found an air line running to the engine?s air intake behind the mandatory air restrictor - whilst Robby boldly told the camera eye: ?We?ll put a bolt in it and still win Stages!?
Of course this was all prior to Peterhansel ?N ?DirtMann? going Wheel-to-Wheel! Err, or as Professor ?B (Jon Bekhuis) said; Gordon?s used to rubbing door handles in You-know-where... As I hear that ?Somme-body will be PEAK-ing over ?Dar in late February; Hmm? Who could it be?
As Peterhansel apparently refused to give way to Gordon - causing him to fly off a berm hitting a rock and destroying his front wheel, along with puncturing two tyres, sustaining heavy suspension damage and losing a further 14-minutes to Stephane...
Of course this just egged on the Mini drivers to uncork about Gordon, as second place overall competitor Nani Roma told the camera eye: ?I CANNOT SAY ON TV WHAT I THINK OF GORDON!?
Meanwhile, Robby?s teammate Nasser Al Attiyah retired the day previously after breaking his Hummer?s alternator belt three times - to which Gordon mused ?Nasser? had wanted to quit four days earlier...
Hmm? Disgruntled teammates followed by the boss?s exclusion... Makes Yuhs wonder just how exactly the scrutineers were tipped off what to look for, eh?
But it soon became apparent why, as shockingly Car no. 303 was EXCLUDED from the Dakar after following an intense re-scrutineering effort by Officials. And just who is No. 303 you may be asking? Whale it?s none other then that overly brash Californian Robby Gordon and his monster (2WD) Hummer!
Dakar Organizer Statement:?On completion of the ninth, following observation of technical non-compliance on vehicle number 303 (Robby Gordon) (article 1P and 3P of the technical rules), the Car Race Officials' Committee has decided to disqualify number 303 from the race. The driver has appealed against this decision. During appeals, decisions are placed on hold. As a result, vehicle number 303 will continue the rally until the outcome of the appeal.?
Yet the strange thing about this ?infraction? regarding the Hummer?s tyre inflation system is that reportedly it was approved by the very same Dakar scrutineers for the 2011 Rally - plus this year?s Dakar... And is the exact same system that Gordon?s Hummer?s have been utilizing the past five years.
Interestingly the problem flared-up after Gordon had whittled down The Desert fox, aka St�phane Peterhansel?s lead to under six-minutes. Although it does seem slightly weird that Tech Inspectors found an air line running to the engine?s air intake behind the mandatory air restrictor - whilst Robby boldly told the camera eye: ?We?ll put a bolt in it and still win Stages!?
Of course this was all prior to Peterhansel ?N ?DirtMann? going Wheel-to-Wheel! Err, or as Professor ?B (Jon Bekhuis) said; Gordon?s used to rubbing door handles in You-know-where... As I hear that ?Somme-body will be PEAK-ing over ?Dar in late February; Hmm? Who could it be?
As Peterhansel apparently refused to give way to Gordon - causing him to fly off a berm hitting a rock and destroying his front wheel, along with puncturing two tyres, sustaining heavy suspension damage and losing a further 14-minutes to Stephane...
Of course this just egged on the Mini drivers to uncork about Gordon, as second place overall competitor Nani Roma told the camera eye: ?I CANNOT SAY ON TV WHAT I THINK OF GORDON!?
Meanwhile, Robby?s teammate Nasser Al Attiyah retired the day previously after breaking his Hummer?s alternator belt three times - to which Gordon mused ?Nasser? had wanted to quit four days earlier...
Hmm? Disgruntled teammates followed by the boss?s exclusion... Makes Yuhs wonder just how exactly the scrutineers were tipped off what to look for, eh?
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Longtime Gentleman Racer and MOMO Founder Passes away...
This is sad news, as I was surprised to read late Sunday night that MOMO Founder Gianpiero Moretti had passed away at the age of 67 in Milan - as I?ll forever regale in the thought?s ?N sights of those memorizing scarlet rosso and yallo Ferrari 333SP?s... Of which I had the good fortune of seeing pound ?round Portland International Raceway in 1999!
And if you?re ?Car Crazy? at all, then you?d definitely known the name MOMO, which I?ve always associated with ?High Performance? steering wheels & shifter knobs, as I once knew two brothers who?d ?Kitted their Subaru and Porsche 914 with such accessories...
And I believe it was none other then the very same Messer Moretti whose beaten ?N bandaged MOMO Corse 333SP gave rise to an ex-Formula 1 Italian driver named Massimiliano Papis, who literally drove the wheels off of the scarlet Ferrari which had been given the ?MAC Montoya treatment over the 24-hours of that year?s Daytona endurance classic...
Recall that it was 1996 when ?MAD MAX? was born at Daytona Beach, Florida when he not only unlapped the Ferrari, but came within just 64 precious seconds adrift (behind) the winning Riley & Scott MkIII-Oldsmobile of Wayne Taylor by running breakneck qualifying laps during his entire last driving segment.
As the 1996, ?97 & ?99 winning Riley & Scott MKIII?s will be taking part in this year?s 50th Anniversary display at Daytona.
1996, ?97 & ?99 Rolex 24 Overall winners to be part of 50th Anniversary Display
And I like the quote of how Gianpiero claimed he?d probably spent the equivalent of 1,000 Rolex timepieces in his pursuit of winning just one prized Chronograph watch! But he wanted to win Daytona in the worst way possible as a racing driver - which he finally did on his 15th attempt with co-drivers Mauro Baldi, Arie Luyendyk and Didier Theys. As the Italian responsible for convincing la Scuderia to return to Sports Car racing by creating the exquisite 333SP fittingly gave Ferrari its lone Daytona 24-hours Overall victory in 1998.
Yet how many of you know that Gianpiero was always searching for the best possible machinery in his personal quest towards winning that prized Rolex timepiece and thus purchased the once dominant Electromotive Nissan GTP chassis in the early 1990?s, albeit at the end of its competitive life-cycle. As by then, unfortunately for Moretti, some guy named Dan Gurney?s ?lil Toyota ?4-banger was decimating the IMSA GTP field.
Yet, like many trinkets sprinkled about ?Somme-wherez in Tomaso Manor - carefully put away in a protective tube is a poster of that very same red & yellow MOMO livery Nissan GTP that was co-piloted by some ?Chap named Derek Bell, whom just so happened to be autographing them in the Portland paddock... As apparently this was a stop-gap measure until Mr. Moretti?s brand spankin? new Ferrari 333SP was delivered...
Gianpiero Moretti: The Rolex 24 Loses One of its Most Popular Stars
Salute Gianpiero!
And if you?re ?Car Crazy? at all, then you?d definitely known the name MOMO, which I?ve always associated with ?High Performance? steering wheels & shifter knobs, as I once knew two brothers who?d ?Kitted their Subaru and Porsche 914 with such accessories...
And I believe it was none other then the very same Messer Moretti whose beaten ?N bandaged MOMO Corse 333SP gave rise to an ex-Formula 1 Italian driver named Massimiliano Papis, who literally drove the wheels off of the scarlet Ferrari which had been given the ?MAC Montoya treatment over the 24-hours of that year?s Daytona endurance classic...
Recall that it was 1996 when ?MAD MAX? was born at Daytona Beach, Florida when he not only unlapped the Ferrari, but came within just 64 precious seconds adrift (behind) the winning Riley & Scott MkIII-Oldsmobile of Wayne Taylor by running breakneck qualifying laps during his entire last driving segment.
As the 1996, ?97 & ?99 winning Riley & Scott MKIII?s will be taking part in this year?s 50th Anniversary display at Daytona.
1996, ?97 & ?99 Rolex 24 Overall winners to be part of 50th Anniversary Display
And I like the quote of how Gianpiero claimed he?d probably spent the equivalent of 1,000 Rolex timepieces in his pursuit of winning just one prized Chronograph watch! But he wanted to win Daytona in the worst way possible as a racing driver - which he finally did on his 15th attempt with co-drivers Mauro Baldi, Arie Luyendyk and Didier Theys. As the Italian responsible for convincing la Scuderia to return to Sports Car racing by creating the exquisite 333SP fittingly gave Ferrari its lone Daytona 24-hours Overall victory in 1998.
Yet how many of you know that Gianpiero was always searching for the best possible machinery in his personal quest towards winning that prized Rolex timepiece and thus purchased the once dominant Electromotive Nissan GTP chassis in the early 1990?s, albeit at the end of its competitive life-cycle. As by then, unfortunately for Moretti, some guy named Dan Gurney?s ?lil Toyota ?4-banger was decimating the IMSA GTP field.
Yet, like many trinkets sprinkled about ?Somme-wherez in Tomaso Manor - carefully put away in a protective tube is a poster of that very same red & yellow MOMO livery Nissan GTP that was co-piloted by some ?Chap named Derek Bell, whom just so happened to be autographing them in the Portland paddock... As apparently this was a stop-gap measure until Mr. Moretti?s brand spankin? new Ferrari 333SP was delivered...
Gianpiero Moretti: The Rolex 24 Loses One of its Most Popular Stars
Salute Gianpiero!
Second NASCAR Hall Of Fame Class Officially Enshrined
Pager item text:
NASCAR Hall Of Fame
Slide text:
<p>
With each win, and each championship, a legend grew. And now, those legends have a permanent home.</p>
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 23, 2011) ? With each win, and each championship, a legend grew. And now, those legends have a permanent home.
The second class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame ? champions all ? captured over 350 victories and a dozen championships in NASCAR?s premier series. The five inductees ? Bobby Allison, Ned Jarrett, Bud Moore, David Pearson and Lee Petty ? make up the second class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., which was officially inducted tonight, Monday, May 23.
read more
NASCAR Hall Of Fame
Slide text:
<p>
With each win, and each championship, a legend grew. And now, those legends have a permanent home.</p>
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 23, 2011) ? With each win, and each championship, a legend grew. And now, those legends have a permanent home.
The second class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame ? champions all ? captured over 350 victories and a dozen championships in NASCAR?s premier series. The five inductees ? Bobby Allison, Ned Jarrett, Bud Moore, David Pearson and Lee Petty ? make up the second class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., which was officially inducted tonight, Monday, May 23.
read more
On second thought ?
Team owner Rick Hendrick and drivers with swapped crew chiefs: Mark Martin (who now has Lance McGrew), Dale Earnhardt (Steve Letarte), and Jeff Gordon (Alan Gustafson).
First, a preface. On Monday night, I was on Mojo Nixon’s Sirius NASCAR Channel show, “Manifold Destiny.” I noted that many Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans had been suggesting, no, demanding, that Earnhardt be given crew chief Chad Knaus, who assisted Jimmie Johnson in winning the last five Sprint Cup championships.
I said that, based on my knowledge of both men, Junior and Knaus wouldn’t get along for 15 minutes. I then said that I thought Steve Letarte, Jeff Gordon’s crew chief, would be a better match for Junior.
The next day Hendrick Motorsports announced that it was swapping the teams of the three drivers other than Johnson. Letarte moved to Earnhardt’s team. Lance McGrew moved to Mark Martin’s team, and Alan Gustafson moved to Gordon’s.
It looked as if I had had inside information. I hadn’t. It was just an observation that happened to occur the very next day. It made sense to me. I guess it made sense to Rick Hendrick, too. Skill is rewarding, but luck is more fun.
On Wednesday, I co-hosted another Sirius NASCAR (Ch. 128) show, “Trading Paint,” with Danny “Chocolate” Myers, who worked with Dale Earnhardt for years and is still affiliated with Richard Childress Racing.
On the day before, while driving, I had listened to some of the NASCAR Channel, just to see what everyone was talking about. Everyone was talking about the Hendrick moves and still were when Choc and I answered their calls and talked about them for most of four hours.
On Tuesday, while I was listening, almost everyone had been angry, particularly the fans of Earnhardt and Gordon.
On Wednesday, while I was talking to them and trying to answer their questions, most all of them had reconsidered.
The transition didn’t particularly surprise me. It’s not unusual for people to overreact on first impression, then think it through and come around. The near unanimity of the change is what surprised me.
The day before, it was the same show, Choc paired with his regular sidekick, Rick Benjamin. I was just substituting.
That made me the variable, I guess, but I don’t really think that had anything to do with it.
North American International Auto Show 2012
The North American International Auto Show 2012 will see members of the automotive community from around the world coming together to look at the latest technologies and developments. A number of new vehicles will be debuted.
Related posts:North American International Auto Show 2011North American International Auto Show 20102008 North American International Auto Show
Related posts:North American International Auto Show 2011North American International Auto Show 20102008 North American International Auto Show
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
VINTAGE: Time-Capsule Gullwing At B-J
The remarkable 1954 Mercedes 300SL with just over 4,000 miles on its odometer is part of the Salon Collection at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale.
Autosport Awards Honor Top Achievers
The prestigious Autosport Awards are held annually in December at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Autosport readers vote for the winners, and the gala event is attended by prominent celebrities in the auto racing world. The 2011 event took place on Sunday 4 December, with Sebastian Vettel being awarded the title of International Racing Driver of the year for the second time in a row, making history for setting a new record of fifteen pole-positions during the season, as well as for being the youngest double Formula 1 champion.
Related posts:Podium for Vettel in AustraliaButton Celebrates Success in HungaryButton Steals the Limelight
Related posts:Podium for Vettel in AustraliaButton Celebrates Success in HungaryButton Steals the Limelight
Monday, January 16, 2012
Time to Get Dirty!
It?s time once again for the Dakar Rally to begin... So, if you?re ?Jonezin? for some Motorsports... Then Y?all may wanna check out the very late night airing of this year?s Dakar on that new & improved? Television channel now known as NBC Sports, previously Versus; which according to my TV Guide Decoder, will be airing the first Day?s coverage at 10:30PM Pacific tonight...
sponsored fashion F1 driver
Since March 2010, the lifestyle brand THOMAS SABO has become a F1 driver Nico – Nico Rosberg (Nico Rosberg)’s official sponsor. In the latest quarter is approaching, THOMAS SABO and Nico – Nico Rosberg (Nico Rosberg) to establish their ambitious ambitious goals, and strive to break through the achievements of the previous quarter, continued to [...]
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Ryan Truex plans first Nationwide start at Gateway
Defending NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion and current points leader in that series, Ryan Truex, will make his Nationwide Series debut this month when he climbs behind the wheel of a Michael Waltrip Racing entry on July 17 at Gateway International Raceway. He will pilot a NAPA-sponored No. 00 entry and will be a [...]
Who knows why the bubble burst?
The morning after the Amp Energy Juice 500 was as muddled as the race. It required a long drive home to get the old thoughts in order.
This race featured 87 lead changes. It ended in a side-by-side finish, though, oddly, not at the finish line. The last-place driver in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, Clint Bowyer, became the only driver so far to win two of its races. Of course, the reason Bowyer is buried so deeply is the absence of 150 points due to a NASCAR penalty.
See what I mean by muddled?
But what fired my ruminations was the question of declining interest in NASCAR. Many opinions have been offered, most by folks who, in some way, have a specific interest in the view they offer. Those who are having trouble economically blame the economy. Those who love Dale Earnhardt Jr. blame his struggles. Those who loathe Jimmie Johnson blame his dominance.
It can’t be contended that the sport hasn’t reacted. Ticket prices have been slashed. Rules have been changed to promote excitement. Nothing seems to work. The NASCAR estimate of the Talladega Superspeedway crowd was 110,000. In 2003, it was 170,000. Those who point out how convenient it is to watch on TV fail to account for why TV ratings are declining as rapidly as attendance.
I’ve pondered and addressed all these issues and offered a few of my own, but the truth is, I don’t know, either. And I don’t think NASCAR does.
One word occurred to me while driving the interstate: “bubble.”
In the stock market, there was a “dotcom bubble.” I’ve heard of mortgage bubbles, real-estate bubbles and Indy 500 qualifier who are “on the bubble.” The world is one big bubble bath.
The idea is that something grows too rapidly. The perception of prosperity creates something of a feeding frenzy. Everyone gets on board, so much so that growth is artificially enhanced in a way that can’t be maintained.
And the bubble bursts.
All that “Fastest Growing Sport” rhetoric, which NASCAR so enthusiastically circulated, may have burst. “Burst” may be too harsh a word. In the stock market, there is often a “fallback position.” Maybe that’s where NASCAR is right now. It’s still big, but not as big.
This race featured 87 lead changes. It ended in a side-by-side finish, though, oddly, not at the finish line. The last-place driver in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, Clint Bowyer, became the only driver so far to win two of its races. Of course, the reason Bowyer is buried so deeply is the absence of 150 points due to a NASCAR penalty.
See what I mean by muddled?
But what fired my ruminations was the question of declining interest in NASCAR. Many opinions have been offered, most by folks who, in some way, have a specific interest in the view they offer. Those who are having trouble economically blame the economy. Those who love Dale Earnhardt Jr. blame his struggles. Those who loathe Jimmie Johnson blame his dominance.
It can’t be contended that the sport hasn’t reacted. Ticket prices have been slashed. Rules have been changed to promote excitement. Nothing seems to work. The NASCAR estimate of the Talladega Superspeedway crowd was 110,000. In 2003, it was 170,000. Those who point out how convenient it is to watch on TV fail to account for why TV ratings are declining as rapidly as attendance.
I’ve pondered and addressed all these issues and offered a few of my own, but the truth is, I don’t know, either. And I don’t think NASCAR does.
One word occurred to me while driving the interstate: “bubble.”
In the stock market, there was a “dotcom bubble.” I’ve heard of mortgage bubbles, real-estate bubbles and Indy 500 qualifier who are “on the bubble.” The world is one big bubble bath.
The idea is that something grows too rapidly. The perception of prosperity creates something of a feeding frenzy. Everyone gets on board, so much so that growth is artificially enhanced in a way that can’t be maintained.
And the bubble bursts.
All that “Fastest Growing Sport” rhetoric, which NASCAR so enthusiastically circulated, may have burst. “Burst” may be too harsh a word. In the stock market, there is often a “fallback position.” Maybe that’s where NASCAR is right now. It’s still big, but not as big.
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 [...]
Stafford Motor Speedway Shakes Things Up With Modified 2012 Schedule
It will be a new look schedule for racers at Stafford Motor Speedway in 2012.
Track officials released a 2012 schedule on Tuesday chock full of new tweaks and modifications.
The most noticeable event change is Stafford moving its traditional Extreme Tuesday show to a Saturday night next season. For the last eight years the event - which showcases the ISMA SuperModifieds, NEMA Midgets and Pro Four Modifieds - has been run on a Tuesday night. In 2012 CarQuest Extreme Tuesday turns into CarQuest Super Saturday with a June 30 event date.
Track officials released a 2012 schedule on Tuesday chock full of new tweaks and modifications.
The most noticeable event change is Stafford moving its traditional Extreme Tuesday show to a Saturday night next season. For the last eight years the event - which showcases the ISMA SuperModifieds, NEMA Midgets and Pro Four Modifieds - has been run on a Tuesday night. In 2012 CarQuest Extreme Tuesday turns into CarQuest Super Saturday with a June 30 event date.
A look back at 2010: Hendrick Motorsports
The 2010 Sprint Cup Series season was both good and bad for Hendrick Motorsports, with varying degrees of good and bad depending on the Hendrick Motorsports team in question. Overall, the organization claimed $22,023,180 in winnings with six wins, 38 top-fives and 59 top-10 finishes across its four teams.
It was the best season possible for [...]
It was the best season possible for [...]
Saturday, January 14, 2012
HAPPY HOLIDAZES!
Whale, its ?Dat time of thee year again; as hopefully Santa came to your house and left you some tidings of Glee... Not to mention Eggnog, Biscuits, Candy Canes, Mekons, (Tangerines) and perhaps a ?lil ?Somme-thun Naughty??? Oh Never Mind!
And thus, your humble No Fenders scribe is taking a Holidaze break for the next two weeks and will return on January 9, 2012...
HAPPY HOLIDAZES TO ALL!Tomaso
And thus, your humble No Fenders scribe is taking a Holidaze break for the next two weeks and will return on January 9, 2012...
HAPPY HOLIDAZES TO ALL!Tomaso
GT: Black Falcon Leads Mercedes 1-2-3 In Dubai 24
Jeroen Bleekemolen, Sean Edwards, Thomas Jager and Khaled Al Qubaisi win Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai...
World Series Of Speedway Racing Winners Abound Saturday At Thompson International Speedway
THOMPSON - Frank Cardile held off a charging Earl Pelletier at the line to win the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature Saturday at the World Series of Racing at Thompson International Speedway.
Cardile, of Bolton, inherited the top spot late in the event after Zach Aszklar and Jay Goff crashed in a battle for the lead.
Pelletier, of Wolcott, held on for second. Dylan Liseo of East Hartford was third.
One of the most dramatic finishes of the day came in the Outlaw Mini Stock feature, where Richard Fournier and Phil Evans came to the checkered hooked together.
Cardile, of Bolton, inherited the top spot late in the event after Zach Aszklar and Jay Goff crashed in a battle for the lead.
Pelletier, of Wolcott, held on for second. Dylan Liseo of East Hartford was third.
One of the most dramatic finishes of the day came in the Outlaw Mini Stock feature, where Richard Fournier and Phil Evans came to the checkered hooked together.
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 ...
Friday, January 13, 2012
sponsored fashion F1 driver
Since March 2010, the lifestyle brand THOMAS SABO has become a F1 driver Nico – Nico Rosberg (Nico Rosberg)’s official sponsor. In the latest quarter is approaching, THOMAS SABO and Nico – Nico Rosberg (Nico Rosberg) to establish their ambitious ambitious goals, and strive to break through the achievements of the previous quarter, continued to [...]
Thursday, January 12, 2012
INDYCAR news - 26 car fields, lucky dogs, Bourdais, and more
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="110" caption="Sebastian to Coyne? / Image by Getty Images via @daylifeof "][/caption]
There's some nice bits of INDYCAR news floating around the web this week, so here is the latest edition of short-shifts. The definition of "full field" was redefined this week by Randy Bernard, as INDYCAR ...
There's some nice bits of INDYCAR news floating around the web this week, so here is the latest edition of short-shifts. The definition of "full field" was redefined this week by Randy Bernard, as INDYCAR ...
Vettel is expected to break the single-season record of praise pole qualifying is the king of the Seine
Vettel could remain in the season to break a record for nearly 20 years, if successful, he will become a season in F1 history to obtain the largest number of pole driver. Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel won the season eight races, most of them come in pole position. The ongoing 2011 season, 13 races, [...]
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
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Women on Wheels: Meet Tamara!
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 [...]
2012 INDYCAR Tests at IMS
This week was an exciting one for IMS! Dan Wheldon was here with the 2012 INDYCAR for a few days of testing. It?s always an honor to have Dan at the speedway, but it was an even bigger honor to have him here in the 2012 INDYCAR. The IMS oval has had the rare opportunity [...]
My First Brickyard 400
Earlier in the summer I attended the Indianapolis 500.� On Sunday, July 31st, 2011 the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) hosted the 18th Annual Brickyard 400, which was the first Brickyard 400 I had ever attended. I didn?t know what to expect. I had never been to a NASCAR Race before. I wondered how the NASCAR [...]
What if they tried stability?
Jimmie Johnson – Underdog? What might that do for the popularity of NASCAR?
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Just what does Brian France want to change?
The NASCAR monarch – after all, stock car racing has a clearly defined royal family and order of succession: Bill I, Bill II, Brian I – thinks if times are bad, the only possible solution is change.
The Internet hasn’t changed as much in the last decade as NASCAR.
Why not wait on the fans for once, instead of asking them to adapt?
The Chase, which made finishing 12th as important as first (for 26 races), is in its best shape since 2004, when it debuted. Somehow, by the strangest quirk of fate, one race remains and Jimmie Johnson actually doesn’t have it sewn up.
Johnson, unbeatable and unloved, thinks winning it this year might actually decrease the number of fans who dislike him. He’s going into the final race without the lead. Could the specter of Johnson the … underdog … be raised?
“It would probably be received better than the ones in the past, with the runaway show we’ve had in a couple of them,” he said.
It’s worth a shot, yes?
Lead changes and exciting finishes are up. The flip side, of course, is that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is down.
NASCAR changed its grading system and put everyone on a curve – or maybe all the courses are strictly pass-or-fail – for 26 races. It made all the cars so close to identical that Johnson himself might not be able to tell a Ford from a Chevy without those handy headlight decals. It revved up the action with rules that make the old “racing back to the caution flag” seem safe. The number of laps aren’t even reliable anymore.
Some fans are ticked off. Some are just tired.
Maybe change has been transacted at so dizzying a pace that people just can’t keep up. And contradictions flourish.
With cars that look just alike, inexplicably, one manufacturer, Chevy, dominates as never before.
Exciting races are perceived widely as just the opposite. “Boring” is just a strange word to be used in relation to what has taken place on the tracks this year, but fans say it every day.
Every change is sold as cost-cutting, but none of the teams ever actually save any money because, before they get a chance to do so, more changes emerge from that godforsaken Research and Development Center.
Even change gets old when it never stops.
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Just what does Brian France want to change?
The NASCAR monarch – after all, stock car racing has a clearly defined royal family and order of succession: Bill I, Bill II, Brian I – thinks if times are bad, the only possible solution is change.
The Internet hasn’t changed as much in the last decade as NASCAR.
Why not wait on the fans for once, instead of asking them to adapt?
The Chase, which made finishing 12th as important as first (for 26 races), is in its best shape since 2004, when it debuted. Somehow, by the strangest quirk of fate, one race remains and Jimmie Johnson actually doesn’t have it sewn up.
Johnson, unbeatable and unloved, thinks winning it this year might actually decrease the number of fans who dislike him. He’s going into the final race without the lead. Could the specter of Johnson the … underdog … be raised?
“It would probably be received better than the ones in the past, with the runaway show we’ve had in a couple of them,” he said.
It’s worth a shot, yes?
Lead changes and exciting finishes are up. The flip side, of course, is that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is down.
NASCAR changed its grading system and put everyone on a curve – or maybe all the courses are strictly pass-or-fail – for 26 races. It made all the cars so close to identical that Johnson himself might not be able to tell a Ford from a Chevy without those handy headlight decals. It revved up the action with rules that make the old “racing back to the caution flag” seem safe. The number of laps aren’t even reliable anymore.
Some fans are ticked off. Some are just tired.
Maybe change has been transacted at so dizzying a pace that people just can’t keep up. And contradictions flourish.
With cars that look just alike, inexplicably, one manufacturer, Chevy, dominates as never before.
Exciting races are perceived widely as just the opposite. “Boring” is just a strange word to be used in relation to what has taken place on the tracks this year, but fans say it every day.
Every change is sold as cost-cutting, but none of the teams ever actually save any money because, before they get a chance to do so, more changes emerge from that godforsaken Research and Development Center.
Even change gets old when it never stops.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Sarah Fisher & Co making Big Offseason Moves!
First of all, I found myself overly ?JAZZED ?bout the recent announcement that not only was Sarah Fisher Racing returning in 2012; BUT! They were coming into the new 2012 Body-by-Mennen, Err Dallara Aerokit era with guns ablazin... Having signed the 2011 Indy Lights Champion Joseph Newgarden to a three-year deal; CRIKEYS! As I was so pumped that I immediately predicted the Nashvillian would become the R.O.Y. (Rookie of the Year) for 2012! Without even knowing if he?s guaranteed a Full-season ride? To which I was immediately lambasted about! Although I?m guessing that?Symone Pagenoe? (Simon Pagenaud) may have something to say ?bout this, eh?
Anyways, way to GO Sarah, Andy and your new ?Offical Pardner Wink! (SFHR) As I concur with thee OLDEST IndyCar Blogger on the planet; Hya! Geo. Phillips assessment of this being a bonafied STEAL!
The Steal of the Offseason
Meanwhile, in case Y?all haven?t noticed? SFR has added another letter from the Alphabet to its name, now going under the banner SFHR - as in Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing... As Willis E. ?Wink? Hartman, of Hartman Oil - reputedly the guiding financial force behind saving Sarah?s sponsor less 2008 Indy 500 campaign, when proposed sponsor ReeseQ never quite got ?round to putting the check in the mail... Not to mention the donor of a brand spankin? new ?09 Dallara chassis so Sarah could have an adequate backup racecar... Has now become an Official partner of Sarah Fisher Racing, hence the name change to SFHR from now on; although I?ll have a hard time doing this - since it?ll always be SFR to Mwah...
Then on top of the new Race Team name, word comes once again from the Dom ?O Indy Car Bloggers... That?s Mr. Pressdog to uze Danny; Hya! Has just thrown out the following gem regarding how SFHR will become a new ?Anchor? tenant on Main Street in Speedway, Indiana. As the Speedway Redevelopment Commission (SRC) has announced jointly that SFHR will build a brand new race shop in Speedway, with plans to relocate by September, 2012.
Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing moves to Main Street, Indiana
Hmm? Perhaps they?ll be building upon that mysterious U7 Spy Shot ?Offical No Fenders Photographer ?CARPETS spotted back in July, eh?
Mystery Spy shot
Anyways, way to GO Sarah, Andy and your new ?Offical Pardner Wink! (SFHR) As I concur with thee OLDEST IndyCar Blogger on the planet; Hya! Geo. Phillips assessment of this being a bonafied STEAL!
The Steal of the Offseason
Meanwhile, in case Y?all haven?t noticed? SFR has added another letter from the Alphabet to its name, now going under the banner SFHR - as in Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing... As Willis E. ?Wink? Hartman, of Hartman Oil - reputedly the guiding financial force behind saving Sarah?s sponsor less 2008 Indy 500 campaign, when proposed sponsor ReeseQ never quite got ?round to putting the check in the mail... Not to mention the donor of a brand spankin? new ?09 Dallara chassis so Sarah could have an adequate backup racecar... Has now become an Official partner of Sarah Fisher Racing, hence the name change to SFHR from now on; although I?ll have a hard time doing this - since it?ll always be SFR to Mwah...
Then on top of the new Race Team name, word comes once again from the Dom ?O Indy Car Bloggers... That?s Mr. Pressdog to uze Danny; Hya! Has just thrown out the following gem regarding how SFHR will become a new ?Anchor? tenant on Main Street in Speedway, Indiana. As the Speedway Redevelopment Commission (SRC) has announced jointly that SFHR will build a brand new race shop in Speedway, with plans to relocate by September, 2012.
Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing moves to Main Street, Indiana
Hmm? Perhaps they?ll be building upon that mysterious U7 Spy Shot ?Offical No Fenders Photographer ?CARPETS spotted back in July, eh?
Mystery Spy shot
World Series Of Speedway Racing Winners Abound Saturday At Thompson International Speedway
THOMPSON - Frank Cardile held off a charging Earl Pelletier at the line to win the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature Saturday at the World Series of Racing at Thompson International Speedway.
Cardile, of Bolton, inherited the top spot late in the event after Zach Aszklar and Jay Goff crashed in a battle for the lead.
Pelletier, of Wolcott, held on for second. Dylan Liseo of East Hartford was third.
One of the most dramatic finishes of the day came in the Outlaw Mini Stock feature, where Richard Fournier and Phil Evans came to the checkered hooked together.
Cardile, of Bolton, inherited the top spot late in the event after Zach Aszklar and Jay Goff crashed in a battle for the lead.
Pelletier, of Wolcott, held on for second. Dylan Liseo of East Hartford was third.
One of the most dramatic finishes of the day came in the Outlaw Mini Stock feature, where Richard Fournier and Phil Evans came to the checkered hooked together.
Good Sam Club 500 Victory to Clint Bowyer
Richard Childress Racing teammates Clint Bowyer and Jeff Burton presented a superb example of teamwork and driving skill as they separated themselves from the pack, chasing each other and working together to maintain first and second positions at Talladega on Sunday.
Related posts:Clint Bowyer ? A Racing GreatBrad Keselowski Jumps Hurdle to VictoryBurton Steals Bank Of America 500
Related posts:Clint Bowyer ? A Racing GreatBrad Keselowski Jumps Hurdle to VictoryBurton Steals Bank Of America 500
Monday, January 9, 2012
The Perfect Storm - Really Indy Car?
FUCK! That OVER-used catch-phrase is really beginning to PISS ME OFF!
You mean The Perfect Storm as in a Tempest in a Teapot? C?mon INDYCAR! Dan Wheldon deserves BETTER than that!!! As have Y?all noticed how almost every Media report includes the careful wording of how the number of Cars competing; the Pack-racing; the Oval Track?s configuration and Go Daddy $5.0 million Prize had NOTHING to do with Wheldon?s totally UNNECESSARY Death - to which all I can say is BULLSHIT!!!
Dan Wheldon?s Death: A Perfect Storm of rare events says IndyCar
While I appreciate the fact that we now actually have some factual data explaining what caused the irrepressible ?Brit?s death - which Gee Wally! Uh Duh; a massive blunt force trauma... Of trying to stop a moving object hurtling 325-feet airborne while decelerating from 224mph to 165mph in a scant 2.4-seconds into an UN-moveable object, i.e.; the tracks catch fencing... Well, obviously we know the outcome... As I knew it was bad as soon as I heard ?Ol ?PT?s post accident interview...
But what I still do not understand is: How did the catch fencing strike Wheldon in the head? As Gordon Kirby?s story notes:
?The chassis impacted a post along the right side of the tub,? said Indy Car?s operations chief Brian Barnhart. ?That created a deep defect in the tub that extended from the pedal bulkhead along the upper border of the tub and through the cockpit. The pole intruded in the cockpit and made contact with the driver?s helmet and head...?
Fence pole strike killed Wheldon
Does that imply that the tip of the catch fence speared Wheldon?s hurtling Dallara racecar? Or was it just a vicious side impact? As there seems to be infinite conjecture over Los Vegas Motor Speedway?s catch fencing design/installation - to which I?d agree it really DON?T matter which side the posts are on during such a high speed impact! As I?d not only say the fencing did its intended job; but! IndyCar?s DAMN FREAKIN? LUCKY that NO Spectator?s were seriously or fatally injured!
But C?mon Indy Car; you?re doing a HUGE disservice to Dan Wheldon?s death by simply trying to sweep it under the rug... As isn?t it a tad bit late for Brian Barnhart to be telling us after the fact that ?IndyCar is forming a committee to study the viability of racing on high-banked ovals in the future.?
Barnhart said each track must be evaluated separately because the overall track geometry varies from track to track...?WTF? As I still recall Robin Miller?s most prophetic words - regarding ex-CART/IRL Driver Adrian Fernandez claiming he?d never seen so many drivers looking scared before the start of the race...
As let?s call a Spade A Spade here... IndyCar spent nearly one whole year trying to come up with an unheard of spectale for its Season Finale race - intended to totally Blow-up the typically dismal Homestead ratings. Izod Indy Car Series CEO Randy Bernard personally pulled out ALL the stops to personally promote the race with PT Barnum-like antics; first with his NON-Indy Car driver challenge; Chirp-Chirp! And when that FAILED, he was HELL bent to NOT be denied and concocted the Dan Wheldon who?s-Your-Daddy Celebrity Match Race... So you asked for the Perfect Storm and guess what happened?
Perfect Storm? of Events Led to Wheldon?s Death, IndyCar Report
As I sincerely hope that the Indianapolis Star - who?s online story by Curt Cavin includes the words BUY IMAGE associated with the photographs of Randy Bernard and Brian Barnhart isn?t keeping a single ?BLOODY Red-cent and instead, is donating 100% of these proceeds to the Dan Wheldon Memorial Trust Fund...
R.I.P. Dan Wheldon!
You mean The Perfect Storm as in a Tempest in a Teapot? C?mon INDYCAR! Dan Wheldon deserves BETTER than that!!! As have Y?all noticed how almost every Media report includes the careful wording of how the number of Cars competing; the Pack-racing; the Oval Track?s configuration and Go Daddy $5.0 million Prize had NOTHING to do with Wheldon?s totally UNNECESSARY Death - to which all I can say is BULLSHIT!!!
Dan Wheldon?s Death: A Perfect Storm of rare events says IndyCar
While I appreciate the fact that we now actually have some factual data explaining what caused the irrepressible ?Brit?s death - which Gee Wally! Uh Duh; a massive blunt force trauma... Of trying to stop a moving object hurtling 325-feet airborne while decelerating from 224mph to 165mph in a scant 2.4-seconds into an UN-moveable object, i.e.; the tracks catch fencing... Well, obviously we know the outcome... As I knew it was bad as soon as I heard ?Ol ?PT?s post accident interview...
But what I still do not understand is: How did the catch fencing strike Wheldon in the head? As Gordon Kirby?s story notes:
?The chassis impacted a post along the right side of the tub,? said Indy Car?s operations chief Brian Barnhart. ?That created a deep defect in the tub that extended from the pedal bulkhead along the upper border of the tub and through the cockpit. The pole intruded in the cockpit and made contact with the driver?s helmet and head...?
Fence pole strike killed Wheldon
Does that imply that the tip of the catch fence speared Wheldon?s hurtling Dallara racecar? Or was it just a vicious side impact? As there seems to be infinite conjecture over Los Vegas Motor Speedway?s catch fencing design/installation - to which I?d agree it really DON?T matter which side the posts are on during such a high speed impact! As I?d not only say the fencing did its intended job; but! IndyCar?s DAMN FREAKIN? LUCKY that NO Spectator?s were seriously or fatally injured!
But C?mon Indy Car; you?re doing a HUGE disservice to Dan Wheldon?s death by simply trying to sweep it under the rug... As isn?t it a tad bit late for Brian Barnhart to be telling us after the fact that ?IndyCar is forming a committee to study the viability of racing on high-banked ovals in the future.?
Barnhart said each track must be evaluated separately because the overall track geometry varies from track to track...?WTF? As I still recall Robin Miller?s most prophetic words - regarding ex-CART/IRL Driver Adrian Fernandez claiming he?d never seen so many drivers looking scared before the start of the race...
As let?s call a Spade A Spade here... IndyCar spent nearly one whole year trying to come up with an unheard of spectale for its Season Finale race - intended to totally Blow-up the typically dismal Homestead ratings. Izod Indy Car Series CEO Randy Bernard personally pulled out ALL the stops to personally promote the race with PT Barnum-like antics; first with his NON-Indy Car driver challenge; Chirp-Chirp! And when that FAILED, he was HELL bent to NOT be denied and concocted the Dan Wheldon who?s-Your-Daddy Celebrity Match Race... So you asked for the Perfect Storm and guess what happened?
Perfect Storm? of Events Led to Wheldon?s Death, IndyCar Report
As I sincerely hope that the Indianapolis Star - who?s online story by Curt Cavin includes the words BUY IMAGE associated with the photographs of Randy Bernard and Brian Barnhart isn?t keeping a single ?BLOODY Red-cent and instead, is donating 100% of these proceeds to the Dan Wheldon Memorial Trust Fund...
R.I.P. Dan Wheldon!
This year ? the Chase works
Chase contenders Denny Hamlin, Jimmy Johnson and Kevin Harvick during a Champions press conference on Friday. (Photo: Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Let the best man win. Let the fastest car win. Here’s hoping they’re the same.
Grant the serenity not to have to muddy the Sprint Cup waters with leaking oil or litter them with debris. Here’s hoping no one’s title hopes run out of gas … literally.
Even though “ABC’s Wide World of Sports” is but a memory, it would be nostalgic to have the Ford 400 decided amid “the human drama of athletic competition.” What’s more important than who wins is how he wins it.
In an incredible development, given the slings and arrows of the Chase format, the three drivers who are still in contention – at Homestead-Miami Speedway, in the final race, with a 46-point blanket over them – are the three who deserve to be there.
If there were no Chase – and the points awarded in each race the same as now – Kevin Harvick would lead by 295 points. Of course, there is a Chase.
The driver with the most victories is Denny Hamlin.
The driver with four straight championships is Jimmie Johnson.
Chase or no Chase, they would be the top three now, though in different order. If the true goal of the Chase is to tighten, but not otherwise alter, the course of the season, then this Chase is the one that exemplifies the format. Even those who dislike the Chase – they’re out there – should be willing to concede that this is just about as good as the format, however flawed, gets.
If everything works out perfectly today, NASCAR will have a difficult time justifying further changes, even though NASCAR chairman Brian France has been floating trial balloons on the subject since July.
They’ll probably “tweak it” a little – France and his minions love that word – just to save face.
France was still pumping hot air – perhaps not quite as hot as before – into the balloon as recently as Friday.
The results of the current season, he said, demonstrate that “the more we can do, to have incentives ? an incentive basis -- to decide this championship, that puts it all on the line more often. That's what we need to be thinking about.”
Oh, yeah. “Take paradise and … put up a parking lot.”
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Let the best man win. Let the fastest car win. Here’s hoping they’re the same.
Grant the serenity not to have to muddy the Sprint Cup waters with leaking oil or litter them with debris. Here’s hoping no one’s title hopes run out of gas … literally.
Even though “ABC’s Wide World of Sports” is but a memory, it would be nostalgic to have the Ford 400 decided amid “the human drama of athletic competition.” What’s more important than who wins is how he wins it.
In an incredible development, given the slings and arrows of the Chase format, the three drivers who are still in contention – at Homestead-Miami Speedway, in the final race, with a 46-point blanket over them – are the three who deserve to be there.
If there were no Chase – and the points awarded in each race the same as now – Kevin Harvick would lead by 295 points. Of course, there is a Chase.
The driver with the most victories is Denny Hamlin.
The driver with four straight championships is Jimmie Johnson.
Chase or no Chase, they would be the top three now, though in different order. If the true goal of the Chase is to tighten, but not otherwise alter, the course of the season, then this Chase is the one that exemplifies the format. Even those who dislike the Chase – they’re out there – should be willing to concede that this is just about as good as the format, however flawed, gets.
If everything works out perfectly today, NASCAR will have a difficult time justifying further changes, even though NASCAR chairman Brian France has been floating trial balloons on the subject since July.
They’ll probably “tweak it” a little – France and his minions love that word – just to save face.
France was still pumping hot air – perhaps not quite as hot as before – into the balloon as recently as Friday.
The results of the current season, he said, demonstrate that “the more we can do, to have incentives ? an incentive basis -- to decide this championship, that puts it all on the line more often. That's what we need to be thinking about.”
Oh, yeah. “Take paradise and … put up a parking lot.”
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Time to Get Dirty!
It?s time once again for the Dakar Rally to begin... So, if you?re ?Jonezin? for some Motorsports... Then Y?all may wanna check out the very late night airing of this year?s Dakar on that new & improved? Television channel now known as NBC Sports, previously Versus; which according to my TV Guide Decoder, will be airing the first Day?s coverage at 10:30PM Pacific tonight...
Hitting The Airwaves: Monday Appearance Scheduled For The Backstretch On Gary Danko's Speedway Line Report
The Hartford Courant sponsored Toyota Camry (we had a top-five car all day until we lost our tango partner) will be making the trek down Interstate 84 to Waterbury Monday evening to light up the WATR-AM 1320 studios.
The Backstretch will be in studio for an appearance on the final 2011 edition of Gary Danko's Speedway Line Report radio show from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday.
Also tentatively scheduled to appear on the show are 1971 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Denny Zimmerman, Chris Pasteryak, who clinched his second Valenti Modified Racing Series championship Sunday, and Fran Lawlor from The Chrome Horn.
The Backstretch will be in studio for an appearance on the final 2011 edition of Gary Danko's Speedway Line Report radio show from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday.
Also tentatively scheduled to appear on the show are 1971 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Denny Zimmerman, Chris Pasteryak, who clinched his second Valenti Modified Racing Series championship Sunday, and Fran Lawlor from The Chrome Horn.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
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 [...]
Friday, January 6, 2012
Another legendary Race Team turns OUT the Lights
Unfortunately this occurred just days prior to Thanksgiving... And I didn?t actually discover it until after returning from Hawaii. As I was wunderin? what duh Speed Freaks were talking to The Bud King ?bout - which I discovered upon their Turkey Lurkey weekend rebroadcast. (Which I didn?t bother listening too...)
Thus, upon fishing for the Kenny Bernstein interview; it was kinda sad to think that another legendary NHRA Team is closing its doors - following on the heels of Don ?The Snake? Prudhomme?s shuttering back in 2010.
Kenny Bernstein was always a BAD HOMBRE to Mwah - becoming the first National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) ?Flopper (Funnycar) pilot to successfully cross-over and win the Top Fuel Dragster category; a feat he did twice, (1996, 2001) to go along with his four consecutive Top Fuel Funnycar titles. (1985-88) As Bernstein was also the first ?Rail-driver to record an official NHRA pass breaking the 300mph barrier in 1992 and eclipsing this with the first 310mph blast in ?94!
Yet for me, I tend to remember Kenny B more as the frustrated(?) Back marker Championship auto Racing Teams (CART) Team Owner of King Motorsports, of which I thought their crowning achievement was Jimmy Crawford?s finishing 8th in 1991 at the Speedway, right? Although I?d forgotten that Roberto Guerrero captured the Pole at Indianapolis in 1992. Or that Scott ?What Pace Car?? Goodyear won a race at Michigan in 1994; the team?s lone IndyCar victory.
As I remember Bernstein?s CART Operation running in the colour scheme of green & white with primary sponsorship from Quaker State - with ?The King of Speed?s? cars being predominantly powered by those OVER-boosted ?Stock block? turbocharged Buick V-6?s. ..
And after King Motorsports teammates Jim Crawford and Roberto Guererro had spent the whole Month of May flirting with ?A NEW TRACK RECORD!? Indy 500 Pole-sitter Guerrero managed to ?Flick-his-bic,? Err spool-up his rocketship Lola/Buick and break traction, sending the Hapless Columbian spinning into the wall on the Pace-lap and NOT even take the 76th running?s Green-flag; OOPS! Thus opening the door for ?lil Al and Scott Goodyear to battle over that most memorable race victory...
As your humble scribe had been SUCKERED once again in the annual B-Squared I500 Pool; magik-IL-lee having drawn the very LAST starting spot (No. 33) which ironically, just so happened to be Scott Goodyear in the Walker Racing Mackenzie Financial Lola/Chevrolet - in which I, riding on the Coat-tails of thee ?Kuhnadiun Goodyear almost pulled off the most unpredicted upset!
Meanwhile Bernstein?s NHRA Budweiser sponsorship of 30yrs was the longest ever association in Motorsports with a solitary sponsor - while whenever I think of Kenny B?s BUTTWIPER ?Flopper, I immediately think of revered Crew Chief Dale Armstrong. (Along with Lee Beard...)
And I was totally unawares that ?The Bud King? is the ONLY Team Owner to ever WIN a race in the three disciplines of NHRA, NASCAR and Indy Car, as Bernstein?s King Racing won three times in NUTCAR with Brett Bodine and Ricky Rudd in Quaker State livery in the early 1990?s...
SPEED FREAKS: Kenny Bernstein interview
Thus, upon fishing for the Kenny Bernstein interview; it was kinda sad to think that another legendary NHRA Team is closing its doors - following on the heels of Don ?The Snake? Prudhomme?s shuttering back in 2010.
Kenny Bernstein was always a BAD HOMBRE to Mwah - becoming the first National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) ?Flopper (Funnycar) pilot to successfully cross-over and win the Top Fuel Dragster category; a feat he did twice, (1996, 2001) to go along with his four consecutive Top Fuel Funnycar titles. (1985-88) As Bernstein was also the first ?Rail-driver to record an official NHRA pass breaking the 300mph barrier in 1992 and eclipsing this with the first 310mph blast in ?94!
Yet for me, I tend to remember Kenny B more as the frustrated(?) Back marker Championship auto Racing Teams (CART) Team Owner of King Motorsports, of which I thought their crowning achievement was Jimmy Crawford?s finishing 8th in 1991 at the Speedway, right? Although I?d forgotten that Roberto Guerrero captured the Pole at Indianapolis in 1992. Or that Scott ?What Pace Car?? Goodyear won a race at Michigan in 1994; the team?s lone IndyCar victory.
As I remember Bernstein?s CART Operation running in the colour scheme of green & white with primary sponsorship from Quaker State - with ?The King of Speed?s? cars being predominantly powered by those OVER-boosted ?Stock block? turbocharged Buick V-6?s. ..
And after King Motorsports teammates Jim Crawford and Roberto Guererro had spent the whole Month of May flirting with ?A NEW TRACK RECORD!? Indy 500 Pole-sitter Guerrero managed to ?Flick-his-bic,? Err spool-up his rocketship Lola/Buick and break traction, sending the Hapless Columbian spinning into the wall on the Pace-lap and NOT even take the 76th running?s Green-flag; OOPS! Thus opening the door for ?lil Al and Scott Goodyear to battle over that most memorable race victory...
As your humble scribe had been SUCKERED once again in the annual B-Squared I500 Pool; magik-IL-lee having drawn the very LAST starting spot (No. 33) which ironically, just so happened to be Scott Goodyear in the Walker Racing Mackenzie Financial Lola/Chevrolet - in which I, riding on the Coat-tails of thee ?Kuhnadiun Goodyear almost pulled off the most unpredicted upset!
Meanwhile Bernstein?s NHRA Budweiser sponsorship of 30yrs was the longest ever association in Motorsports with a solitary sponsor - while whenever I think of Kenny B?s BUTTWIPER ?Flopper, I immediately think of revered Crew Chief Dale Armstrong. (Along with Lee Beard...)
And I was totally unawares that ?The Bud King? is the ONLY Team Owner to ever WIN a race in the three disciplines of NHRA, NASCAR and Indy Car, as Bernstein?s King Racing won three times in NUTCAR with Brett Bodine and Ricky Rudd in Quaker State livery in the early 1990?s...
SPEED FREAKS: Kenny Bernstein interview
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