Saturday, March 31, 2012
Malaysian F1 Grand Prix Victory to Alonso
Battling inclement weather, yesterday's Malaysian F1 Grand Prix provided plenty of auto racing action, with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso taking the checkered flag, followed by Sauber's Sergio Perez and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, with Red Bull's Mark Webber and Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen taking fourth and fifth place.
Related posts:Victory for Alonso at British Grand PrixMalaysian Victory for VettelTurkish Grand Prix Review
Related posts:Victory for Alonso at British Grand PrixMalaysian Victory for VettelTurkish Grand Prix Review
Yo ?RASSCAR! Whudda Yuhs means there?s Other racing going on?
So originally - since apparently I?m a DannaWho? ?HATER; Oh Never Mind! I?d intended to Boycott thee entire ?DayToner 500 racin? thingy... Hey, I mean it?s only scheduled to last 5-and one-half hours, right? YUK! OH SHIT! Where?s the mute button - trying to eat breakfast before the RIVETING ?DW ?LUVfest; Err, interview with guess who was slated to PEAK! Err, pop-up after duh commercial...
Thus I decided to read Donald Davidson?s most Excellante book - Autocourse: The Official History of the Indianapolis 500 instead; WHAT? NO Danica? Hya! Yet apparently I couldn?t stand it, and after finishing the chapter I went out to have a looky-loo at who was leading? But ?Ol Chalkboard Larry Mac screeched ?Somme-thun ?bout tonight?s race; Huh? This made me do a little ?Happy Dance!? When I discovered that the ONLY thingy that can stop the DannaCar express is good old Mother Nature - as I?m hoping that thee GURR-REAT! ?Merricun race gets RAINED OUT! As I wunder if Ye ?Ol Windbag Dave Despain will be kickin? off Wind Tunnel tonight? To which I discovered there was some sorta motorcycle racing going on Down Under from Phillip Island...
Tunin? in with only 15mins of the first race remaining - I watched Max Biaggi simply cruise home aboard his Aprilia rocketship, with Marco Melandri runner-up on his BMW and Sylvain Guintoli third; Huh? Where?s my Numero Uno man ?The Bull.? Don?t tell me Carlos Checa has retired?
Thus I decided to watch race-two in its entirety - as I simply delight over the commentary of Jonathan Green and the other Steve Martin - as Green is even more animated then Mike ?Yippee-Aye-Eh!? King is, whilst Martin is masterfully Dry...
Turned out that The Bull (Checa) had had a ?Mega High-side in round-1 and therefore DNF?ed, which surely isn?t how the reigning World Superbike (WSBK) Champion intended to begin his title defense.
Biaggi simply blew past his competitors down the main straight with the unbelievable ?Grunt? of the Aprilia?s V-4 with a terminal velocity of 325kph! Which I believe is faster then Formula 1 currently circulates around the globe at, albeit ?Jungle Boy,? nee Antonio Pizzonia holds the record at le Autodromo Monza - just shy of 375 ?clicks; SHEISA! Or 231mph for us ?Yank?s - set back in the three-liter V-10 era; But I digress...
F1: Viva Italiano - 2008 Edition
As granted, today?s F1 Landsharks are every bit as fast; BUTT! You?ve gotta admit 201.825mph on a ?Scooter is FREAKIN? INSANE! As Biaggi was simply amazing in round-2 - after he nearly had taken himself out at the start and dropped to stone last on lap-1 while Checa loped around at the sharp end of the grid, albeit dropping as low as third astern - before taking the lead from Jonathan Rea; coming thru Johnny... As Carlos then simply motored off into the distance.
Yet the man of the hour was Biaggi who simply marveled at coming all the way back up to finish runner-up - as Martin wryly noted: ?He only passed three on that lap,? whilst attempting to dust off not one, but both of the BMW?s down the straightaway.
With the best race of round-2 being the massive scrum over the podium?s final step, as thee Irishman Rea simply ran his rubber ragged trying to hold off a hard charging Tom Sykes, the Kawasaki rider having started the day on Pole in race-1 - who?s tyres were in better shape, with Sykes nicking Rea on the final lap.
And it was funny to hear Martin note that the two OLDEST riders on the WSBK circuit - with a combined 78-years between them were 1-2 on the podium; Crikeys! But even more impressive was Leon ?The Lion? Haslam?s stirring performance - as the BLOODY ?BRIT was riding with a broken right leg, toe and heel, with the broken toe being on his shifter foot; aye Karumba! As Haslam gritted thru the immense pain to finish a remarkable fifth in round-2; as Yuhs gotta ask yourself would Danica be able to do that?
Thus I decided to read Donald Davidson?s most Excellante book - Autocourse: The Official History of the Indianapolis 500 instead; WHAT? NO Danica? Hya! Yet apparently I couldn?t stand it, and after finishing the chapter I went out to have a looky-loo at who was leading? But ?Ol Chalkboard Larry Mac screeched ?Somme-thun ?bout tonight?s race; Huh? This made me do a little ?Happy Dance!? When I discovered that the ONLY thingy that can stop the DannaCar express is good old Mother Nature - as I?m hoping that thee GURR-REAT! ?Merricun race gets RAINED OUT! As I wunder if Ye ?Ol Windbag Dave Despain will be kickin? off Wind Tunnel tonight? To which I discovered there was some sorta motorcycle racing going on Down Under from Phillip Island...
Tunin? in with only 15mins of the first race remaining - I watched Max Biaggi simply cruise home aboard his Aprilia rocketship, with Marco Melandri runner-up on his BMW and Sylvain Guintoli third; Huh? Where?s my Numero Uno man ?The Bull.? Don?t tell me Carlos Checa has retired?
Thus I decided to watch race-two in its entirety - as I simply delight over the commentary of Jonathan Green and the other Steve Martin - as Green is even more animated then Mike ?Yippee-Aye-Eh!? King is, whilst Martin is masterfully Dry...
Turned out that The Bull (Checa) had had a ?Mega High-side in round-1 and therefore DNF?ed, which surely isn?t how the reigning World Superbike (WSBK) Champion intended to begin his title defense.
Biaggi simply blew past his competitors down the main straight with the unbelievable ?Grunt? of the Aprilia?s V-4 with a terminal velocity of 325kph! Which I believe is faster then Formula 1 currently circulates around the globe at, albeit ?Jungle Boy,? nee Antonio Pizzonia holds the record at le Autodromo Monza - just shy of 375 ?clicks; SHEISA! Or 231mph for us ?Yank?s - set back in the three-liter V-10 era; But I digress...
F1: Viva Italiano - 2008 Edition
As granted, today?s F1 Landsharks are every bit as fast; BUTT! You?ve gotta admit 201.825mph on a ?Scooter is FREAKIN? INSANE! As Biaggi was simply amazing in round-2 - after he nearly had taken himself out at the start and dropped to stone last on lap-1 while Checa loped around at the sharp end of the grid, albeit dropping as low as third astern - before taking the lead from Jonathan Rea; coming thru Johnny... As Carlos then simply motored off into the distance.
Yet the man of the hour was Biaggi who simply marveled at coming all the way back up to finish runner-up - as Martin wryly noted: ?He only passed three on that lap,? whilst attempting to dust off not one, but both of the BMW?s down the straightaway.
With the best race of round-2 being the massive scrum over the podium?s final step, as thee Irishman Rea simply ran his rubber ragged trying to hold off a hard charging Tom Sykes, the Kawasaki rider having started the day on Pole in race-1 - who?s tyres were in better shape, with Sykes nicking Rea on the final lap.
And it was funny to hear Martin note that the two OLDEST riders on the WSBK circuit - with a combined 78-years between them were 1-2 on the podium; Crikeys! But even more impressive was Leon ?The Lion? Haslam?s stirring performance - as the BLOODY ?BRIT was riding with a broken right leg, toe and heel, with the broken toe being on his shifter foot; aye Karumba! As Haslam gritted thru the immense pain to finish a remarkable fifth in round-2; as Yuhs gotta ask yourself would Danica be able to do that?
Friday, March 30, 2012
Colbie Caillat to perform at NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 29, 2010) ? NASCAR has announced the addition of multi GRAMMY-Award winning singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat to the performance lineup for the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony, set for Friday, Dec. 3 at Wynn Las Vegas. Broadcast live on SPEED at 9 p.m. ET, Caillat will join country music vocal group Rascal Flatts and comedic host Frank Caliendo to create a fully star-studded celebration of the 2010 NASCAR season.
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Quotations of the Year
“We’ve got a lot of racing left, but when we’re winning at places we’re not supposed to, you better watch out.” – Jimmie Johnson, after winning the Food City 500 at Bristol.
“I like Jimmie as good as anybody, but for the sake of the sport, one of the two of us (Harvick, Hamlin) needs to make something happen.” – Kevin Harvick, during the Chase.
“Two tires won the race, but when you’ve got two tires in dirty air, it’s no good.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr., after finishing eighth in the Samsung Mobile 500 at Texas.
“The ‘48’ (Johnson) is testing my patience. I’m hard to get mad, and I’m (ticked) off.” – Jeff Gordon, after the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega.
“If we’d have kept those guys a lap down, that would’ve been selfish.” – Dave Rogers, winning crew chief, on allowing a mass ‘wave-around” during an early caution period in the Heath Calhoun 400 at Richmond.
“When you play at home, that’s when you want to win the most.” – Tony Stewart, from Columbus, Ind., at Indianapolis.
“He's real aggressive. That's cool, but when he starts affecting me with his aggressiveness … I just will not put up with it. I've been around here long enough. I just will not tolerate it.” – Jeff Burton, referring to Kyle Busch, after Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte.
“There’s just a pit that develops in your stomach and doesn’t go away. It’s the championship pit, and it’s there.” – Jimmie Johnson.
“Points? I chipped away, but I didn’t chip away much.” – Kyle Busch, after a fourth at Martinsville.
“In the World Series, when a pitcher’s not doing his job, they put another one in that can.” – Johnson, referring to pit-crew swap at Texas.
“I wonder if anyone else will ever win five of these things in a row, but next year we’re going for six, so away we go.” – owner Rick Hendrick, after Johnson extended his consecutive championships.
“I won't turn on the television, watch any racing. Remove myself from it. I know what I need to do, what my team has to do. I don't want to hear what anybody else has to say.” – Johnson, before the final race.
“I don’t know if part of that is coincidence, or just that those guys who win championships are really good. I don’t know, but it isa difficult race track. You have to do everything right.” – Matt Kenseth, noting the overlap of Indy winners and Cup champions.
“Bristol is a lot like Watkins Glen. You never know what’s going to happen.” – Harvick, naming one thing the two have in common.
“We have a way of forgetting the way history really was. … I think we tend to forget that even the great race teams go through struggles.” – Jeff Burton.
“If I sat down and planned it, we would win every Chase race and I would win the championship. But plans don’t quite work like that.” – Kyle Busch, whose Chase struggles continued.
“Mathematically, it’s possible. Realistically, I don’t think so.” – Jeff Gordon, asked about the possibility of a driver winning the Chase without winning any races.
“There’s a lot of psychology that goes into racing, but all of that goes out the window once the race starts.” – Carl Edwards
“If you get in a problem (at Martinsville), it’s normally because you are a root of it.” –Stewart
“It’s amazing what the Chase format does to the nerves and to the teams and the drivers.” – Kurt Busch
“If the roles were reversed, I would be saying the same thing. As a competitor, you’re tired of the same guy winning. I guess I understand where they’re coming from and what they’re saying … I don’t necessarily agree with it. I think it would be great for someone to win five straight.” – Johnson, who did.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Women on Wheels: Meet Lynda!
This year?s Red Bull Indianapolis GP will take the time to recognize women motorcycle riders. Many events have been organized throughout the race weekend that are just for women. Some selected lady riders have been kind enough to share their riding stories with us. They come from different riding groups and [...]
Goody?s and BC Powders Give Fans a Voice for the Goody?s Fast Relief 500
httpv://www.youtube.com/v/mjCuMyc59Bw?fs=1&hl=en_US
Fans Can Select Favorite Wounded Warrior Project- and Victory Junction-Designed Paint Schemes MEMPHIS, Tenn. (March 11, 2011) ? For nearly a week beginning March 11, fans of Goody's and BC Powders can help choose a race car paint scheme designed by wounded hero from Wounded Warrior ...
Fans Can Select Favorite Wounded Warrior Project- and Victory Junction-Designed Paint Schemes MEMPHIS, Tenn. (March 11, 2011) ? For nearly a week beginning March 11, fans of Goody's and BC Powders can help choose a race car paint scheme designed by wounded hero from Wounded Warrior ...
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Guess Who?s Birthday it is?
YEP!
Yes indeedie - that?s right folks - as once again Dan Wheldon will be colliding with that Go Daddy girl more commonly known as Danica Patrick; YIKES! As IndyCar cannot seemingly cut its ties with Mrs. WunderBar... Whose turnin? thee B-I-G 3-Oh today, ironically the very same day that thee Indy Car Series kicks off its 2012 season in those Dallarer DW12 chassis at the late, great Dan Wheldon?s Hometrack...
Happy B-Day DannaCar!
Yes indeedie - that?s right folks - as once again Dan Wheldon will be colliding with that Go Daddy girl more commonly known as Danica Patrick; YIKES! As IndyCar cannot seemingly cut its ties with Mrs. WunderBar... Whose turnin? thee B-I-G 3-Oh today, ironically the very same day that thee Indy Car Series kicks off its 2012 season in those Dallarer DW12 chassis at the late, great Dan Wheldon?s Hometrack...
Happy B-Day DannaCar!
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."
The Best Seats in the House
The best seats in the house at IMS are well known when it comes to the Indy 500 and the Brickyard 400. When it comes to the Red Bull Indianapolis GP and the IMS road course, it?s a different story. We took the time to scope out the best three places to watch tomorrow?s race. [...]
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The FIA ??said the new car is a temporary legal F1 team promise to be challenging the rules limit
FIA technical director Charlie – Whiting observed in Jerez on Wednesday, the 2012 section of the car and no violations design. According to the earlier foreign media reports, the FIA ??will send representatives to the Jerez test site, whether there is any violation to view part of the team’s new car design. This season, Formula [...]
Monday, March 26, 2012
Guess Who?s Birthday it is?
YEP!
Yes indeedie - that?s right folks - as once again Dan Wheldon will be colliding with that Go Daddy girl more commonly known as Danica Patrick; YIKES! As IndyCar cannot seemingly cut its ties with Mrs. WunderBar... Whose turnin? thee B-I-G 3-Oh today, ironically the very same day that thee Indy Car Series kicks off its 2012 season in those Dallarer DW12 chassis at the late, great Dan Wheldon?s Hometrack...
Happy B-Day DannaCar!
Yes indeedie - that?s right folks - as once again Dan Wheldon will be colliding with that Go Daddy girl more commonly known as Danica Patrick; YIKES! As IndyCar cannot seemingly cut its ties with Mrs. WunderBar... Whose turnin? thee B-I-G 3-Oh today, ironically the very same day that thee Indy Car Series kicks off its 2012 season in those Dallarer DW12 chassis at the late, great Dan Wheldon?s Hometrack...
Happy B-Day DannaCar!
Greg Zipadelli To Host Annual Charity Snowmobile Ride This Weekend
Berlin native and Sprint Cup Series championship winning crew chief Greg Zipadelli will host the sixth Zippy's Crusade for Kids Charity Snowmobile Ride Friday and Saturday at the Ole Barn in Inlet, N.Y.
The event raises funds for numerous charitable organizations.
Zipadelli, the competition director for Stewart-Haas Racing, will take part in the ride, along with his boss and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart.
A number of other well known members of the Stewart-Haas Racing team as well as personalities from all the NASCAR ranks. will take part in the event.
The event raises funds for numerous charitable organizations.
Zipadelli, the competition director for Stewart-Haas Racing, will take part in the ride, along with his boss and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart.
A number of other well known members of the Stewart-Haas Racing team as well as personalities from all the NASCAR ranks. will take part in the event.
KVRT finally confirms BIG Names to its 2012 roster
While I know that many will most likely already know this; nonetheless - this is 'GURR-REAT!!! News for IndyCar, as 'Rubino, aka Rubens Barrichello will contest this year's entire Indy Car Season w/KV Racing Technology whilst chasing R.O.Y. (Rookie Of the Year) honours against Thy Leggy ?Juan, (Katherine Legge) Joseph Newgarden and ?Symone Pagenoe (Simon Pagenaud) whilst getting invaluable pointers from his brother TK ?Follow-your-Schnoz? Kanaan. Just Hope Rubens doesn?t pay too much attention to EJ ?What, Me Worry?? Viso?s antics; Hya!
Yet according to Curt Cavin last night on Trackside - Rubino won?t be running for Rookie Of the Year honours except for Indianapolis; Huh? I mean if reigning F1 Champion ?Il Lione,? aka BLOODY ?NIGE (Mansell) was a rookie, then how come Rubens wouldn?t be? Although it?ll make the rookie battle that much more interesting, right?
Hmm? Perhaps I'll haveda somebody else besides Danica to talk about now, eh? Oh Never Mind!
KVRT Confirms Barrichello, Kanaan
Yet according to Curt Cavin last night on Trackside - Rubino won?t be running for Rookie Of the Year honours except for Indianapolis; Huh? I mean if reigning F1 Champion ?Il Lione,? aka BLOODY ?NIGE (Mansell) was a rookie, then how come Rubens wouldn?t be? Although it?ll make the rookie battle that much more interesting, right?
Hmm? Perhaps I'll haveda somebody else besides Danica to talk about now, eh? Oh Never Mind!
KVRT Confirms Barrichello, Kanaan
Sunday, March 25, 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 [...]
Restrictor plate bigger this time around
The Nationwide Series may have a new car this weekend in Daytona, but the Sprint Cup Series has something new of its own — a new restrictor plate. The plate that’ll be used for Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 will have 1 1/32-inch openings, the largest opening ever. Full Story
Gypsy season ends
Monday was just a great day. I worked all morning, as is the case with every Monday, then just did little things all afternoon.
I read. I went out back of the motel, where the water laps up to a sandy area walled off from the water, and played my guitar, once in the afternoon and then at dusk. A guy I saw at MFB (motel's free breakfast) asked if I was the guy who was playing guitar last night. I told him yes, and he said, "You were good. Really good."
Hah. What does he know?
I was on Mojo Nixon's NASCAR show last night on Sirius XM. "Manifold Destiny." We talked about what sets Jimmie Johnson (and crew chief Chad Knaus) apart from the rest in NASCAR.
Mainly, though, I didn't think about NASCAR on Monday. Well, I mean, other than writing all the copy for "NASCAR This Week," our syndicated page that appears in newspapers across the U.S. and Canada. And a day-after column. And a blog.
I had my encounter with the little sea bird (see video blog here). I had a good supper. I read a few of the stories about Sunday's Ford 400 written by colleagues.
Remember: I didn't think that much about NASCAR. Who am I kidding? It takes over your life.
I needed Monday. It's been a while since I had "one of those days" that brought my temper up close to a boil. I didn't completely lose it, hence the notation "up close to a boil." Things piled up on me, though. I was detained in the lobby because I didn't have the proper sticker affixed to my NASCAR hard card. When I finally got to the press box, it was very hot and I discovered its location had been changed and its size greatly diminished. Because it was so boxed in on either side by luxury suites -- and because it was so narrow, and because there was a large column right in the middle -- the only place to see was on the front row, and until shortly before the race started, the sun was multiplying through the glass and causing that front row to sizzle a bit (not literally).
There were other aggravations but no need to waste excessive words here, lest I come across as just another spoiled journalist.
So I spent a good deal of the day pissed off and trying to control myself. It's not altogether a bad thing. I usually write best when mildly aggravated. The sarcasm bites more.
On Monday, though, I was happy, relaxed and unworried. The season was over (though I'm going to be very busy for at least the next week). I'd had a night to sleep on the frustration. The little bird gave me some perspective. Playing guitar is my refuge from the maddening world.
I finished off a book and stopped by a local bookstore to buy another. I had a nice conversation with the lady at the bookstore about literature. If I'm here (as in "staying in the Keys," as opposed to Miami), I guarantee I'll stop by her store again next year.
The three video blogs offer some evidence of the range of my moods. The first was shot in the Homestead-Miami Speedway infield. I'm really relaxed and content. The second was after all the pre-race frustrations. I'm talking to the air out on the stairwell, more for therapy than entertainment. The third was the next afternoon (Monday), when I felt as content and philosophical as some mystic. Or ascetic. Or some other word that ends with "-tic." I would think none was "lunatic."
One side of me wishes I had a few more days to clear my mind here in Key Largo. Another can't wait to get home.
I'll be co-hosting NASCAR shows on Sirius (NASCAR Channel 128) on Wednesday (11 a.m.-3 p.m.), Saturday (noon-3 p.m.) and Sunday (noon-3 p.m.).
I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. As a general rule, Thanksgiving is all good. The family gets together and it's pleasant. Christmas can get petty. Or maybe it's just that I get tired of normal life.
I've been a gypsy too long.
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 ...
Saturday, March 24, 2012
NASCAR: Harvick looks to take final championship step
NASCAR: Harvick looks to take final championship step
Mayans visit No Fenders
The Infamous ?NeckCar? Hill...
So I know this is supposed to be a racing ?BLOB primarily dedicated to Open Wheel Racing; BUTT! I simply must get this off my chest, as a number of disheartening factions have simultaneously converged upon thee Award Winning No Fenders website.
On the morning of President?s Day, Blogger.com - the blog platform I publish these riveting stories upon inexplicably QUIT working - with ZERO warning; SHEISA! As isn?t it exhilarating when a service you utilize daily simply QUITS working because the gOOgleMunster BASTARDOS have decided to QUIT supporting your current, albeit outdated browser; WTF? I mean couldn?t Google or Blogger have at least given Mwah some type of verbal warning, or is that simply expecting too much? As I thought that it was just supposed to be the cherry tree that ?Ol Georgie chopped down, right?
I had continued utilizing microSOFT?s Internetz Exploder 7 browser since it was the only one compatible with ?Lucy? my esteemed Screen-reader, as after all, if you?re not aware of thee fact, your humble No Fenders scribe is visually impaired and henceforth, relies upon this marvel of modern technology in order to participate as a ?Keyboard Warrior? upon le Blogosphere - of which I?ve previously scribbled ?bout in;
Low Vision Racer
The reason I had stuck with IE7 was for the simple fact that ?Lucy? who came upon my ZoomText 9.0 software wasn?t compatible with the newer IE8 (Internetz Exploder) which required a $215 upgrade - which I chose to try first vs. purchasing a new Confuzer, since I?d need to upgrade to ZoomText 10.0 (ZT10) no matter what!
And instead of trying to scribble the whole frustrating process here instead, as the new & improved ZT10 leaves a whole lot to desire, I?ll just leave Y?all with these tantalizing tidbits from the very nice ?Tekie? who made ?Lucy? work after I?d tried installing her twice; URGH! As these installations had actually made "Lucy" SPAZDIK on ze Internetz.
F%%K! As I'm starting' to think she's become Juan 'O Jerry's Kids with the way she jerks left uncontrollably, stutters, starts ?N stops, doesn?t read ALL text and randomly jumps to wherever she wishes when trying to back up, NOT to mention freezing hourly - especially when trying to read either WICKEDpedia or Gmail; YIKES! And that?s after she was fixed; Oh Never Mind!
'Tink I can already hear U now sayin' just get a new Confuzer; BUTT! The ZoomText Tekie told me I'm gonna HATE microSOFT ?dub-U (Windows) 7! Sez it?s ALL ?ByteHeadz Fluff & is an extreme Cluge! Which I believe is the PC equivalent of Charlie Foxtrot; Err, can U say CLUSTER FUCK!
Told me that ALL of the programs are WORSE! And DON'T even get me started upon le gOOgleMunster SHITHEADS! As I'm thinking I'll write a letter to the National Foundation for the Blind (NFB) 'bout icon based systems.
As you see, (Pun intended) your humble scribe has RP - a hereditary deficiency that according to the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) affects 1 in 4,000 people, or a staggeringly low 0.00025% of Americans. As according to the latest Census figures from July, 2011; the current U.S. population is 311,591,917 people, although I?ve seen the figure of 100,000 Americans being effected by this vision disorder - yet I?m not gonna try multiplying 0. 00025 X 7-billion today; Aye Karumba!
What is RP?
Yet the whole point of this RANT is that I find Google becoming overly Discriminatory towards blind & visually impaired people, as I?ve scribbled above - the latest version of Gmail - which I utilize for this blog has gone to an agonizingly ANNOYING set of ALL icons, i.e.; symbols for its Dashboard header, i.e.; where the words Back to Inbox; Archive; Report to Spam; Delete, etc once were - which imagine how HARD its for somebody who doesn?t see real well and has to click upon these tiny icons, eh? And that?s even before we get to the colours problem, as I can now barely see the box outline I?m supposed to check which is way over to the left-side o the email I?m trying to work with; SHEISA!
As this doesn?t even take into consideration that I?m currently shunning upgrading to le gOOgleMunster?s new & improved Blogger Dashboard which I?ve tried and A) CANNOT see ANYThING upon the Dashboard since the whole colour pallet is almost identical! B) Is graphically driven a la Google Analytics - which I?ll state once again; if you?re visually impaired - chances are you CANNOT read a FREAKIN? graph!
And just think of the 40-million Baby Boomers who?ll be affected by diminishing eyesight in the coming future, not to mention Macular Degeneration, etc.
Yet, if you?re still with me? May be you?re wunderin? why don?t I just switch over to Wordpress instead? Whale Shaggy, it?s got the same HORRENDOUS colour issues that the new blogger platform has - as NOT everybody can see those less harsh, albeit noxious colours you programmers seem to enjoy utilizing!
And speakin ?O programmers; WTF? QUIT making my confuzer smarter then me, I mean when I type in Jonah Street?s name into my blog post QUIT F%%KING changing it into some ?Smart Tag? as Jonah-Street is a Motorcycle rider & person and NOT a FRIGGINstreet Yuhs hear!
And now comes word that the new microSOFT ?dub-U 8 system is wishing to go to an ALL tiles based array of visual icons; OH CRAP! What is WRONG with you people? As NOT everybody can easily read small ?N wacky visual icons - which I find to be overly INSULTING and DISCRIMANTORY towards us visually impaired people - of which Google is the WORST! As I sincerely look forward to the day that somebody CRUSHES them.
Having now been forced thru four iterations of my Blogging Platform with a fifth NEBULOUS change upon thee Horizon - unfortunately, I fear I can already see my time as a blogger coming to an end; as obviously wouldn?t you bee PISSED OFF if you?d devoted nearly six-years of your life to something and then simply had it taken away by some squad of Geeknoids? And don?t worry folks, there?s MORE; SHEISA!
Like notice Mr. CandyMann how I didn?t even mention how FUCKED UP the IMS website is now, see - wasn?t ?Dat positive?
Sorry Y?all, just EXTREMELY frustrated over my continuously losing in the Tech Rat Race...
So I know this is supposed to be a racing ?BLOB primarily dedicated to Open Wheel Racing; BUTT! I simply must get this off my chest, as a number of disheartening factions have simultaneously converged upon thee Award Winning No Fenders website.
On the morning of President?s Day, Blogger.com - the blog platform I publish these riveting stories upon inexplicably QUIT working - with ZERO warning; SHEISA! As isn?t it exhilarating when a service you utilize daily simply QUITS working because the gOOgleMunster BASTARDOS have decided to QUIT supporting your current, albeit outdated browser; WTF? I mean couldn?t Google or Blogger have at least given Mwah some type of verbal warning, or is that simply expecting too much? As I thought that it was just supposed to be the cherry tree that ?Ol Georgie chopped down, right?
I had continued utilizing microSOFT?s Internetz Exploder 7 browser since it was the only one compatible with ?Lucy? my esteemed Screen-reader, as after all, if you?re not aware of thee fact, your humble No Fenders scribe is visually impaired and henceforth, relies upon this marvel of modern technology in order to participate as a ?Keyboard Warrior? upon le Blogosphere - of which I?ve previously scribbled ?bout in;
Low Vision Racer
The reason I had stuck with IE7 was for the simple fact that ?Lucy? who came upon my ZoomText 9.0 software wasn?t compatible with the newer IE8 (Internetz Exploder) which required a $215 upgrade - which I chose to try first vs. purchasing a new Confuzer, since I?d need to upgrade to ZoomText 10.0 (ZT10) no matter what!
And instead of trying to scribble the whole frustrating process here instead, as the new & improved ZT10 leaves a whole lot to desire, I?ll just leave Y?all with these tantalizing tidbits from the very nice ?Tekie? who made ?Lucy? work after I?d tried installing her twice; URGH! As these installations had actually made "Lucy" SPAZDIK on ze Internetz.
F%%K! As I'm starting' to think she's become Juan 'O Jerry's Kids with the way she jerks left uncontrollably, stutters, starts ?N stops, doesn?t read ALL text and randomly jumps to wherever she wishes when trying to back up, NOT to mention freezing hourly - especially when trying to read either WICKEDpedia or Gmail; YIKES! And that?s after she was fixed; Oh Never Mind!
'Tink I can already hear U now sayin' just get a new Confuzer; BUTT! The ZoomText Tekie told me I'm gonna HATE microSOFT ?dub-U (Windows) 7! Sez it?s ALL ?ByteHeadz Fluff & is an extreme Cluge! Which I believe is the PC equivalent of Charlie Foxtrot; Err, can U say CLUSTER FUCK!
Told me that ALL of the programs are WORSE! And DON'T even get me started upon le gOOgleMunster SHITHEADS! As I'm thinking I'll write a letter to the National Foundation for the Blind (NFB) 'bout icon based systems.
As you see, (Pun intended) your humble scribe has RP - a hereditary deficiency that according to the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) affects 1 in 4,000 people, or a staggeringly low 0.00025% of Americans. As according to the latest Census figures from July, 2011; the current U.S. population is 311,591,917 people, although I?ve seen the figure of 100,000 Americans being effected by this vision disorder - yet I?m not gonna try multiplying 0. 00025 X 7-billion today; Aye Karumba!
What is RP?
Yet the whole point of this RANT is that I find Google becoming overly Discriminatory towards blind & visually impaired people, as I?ve scribbled above - the latest version of Gmail - which I utilize for this blog has gone to an agonizingly ANNOYING set of ALL icons, i.e.; symbols for its Dashboard header, i.e.; where the words Back to Inbox; Archive; Report to Spam; Delete, etc once were - which imagine how HARD its for somebody who doesn?t see real well and has to click upon these tiny icons, eh? And that?s even before we get to the colours problem, as I can now barely see the box outline I?m supposed to check which is way over to the left-side o the email I?m trying to work with; SHEISA!
As this doesn?t even take into consideration that I?m currently shunning upgrading to le gOOgleMunster?s new & improved Blogger Dashboard which I?ve tried and A) CANNOT see ANYThING upon the Dashboard since the whole colour pallet is almost identical! B) Is graphically driven a la Google Analytics - which I?ll state once again; if you?re visually impaired - chances are you CANNOT read a FREAKIN? graph!
And just think of the 40-million Baby Boomers who?ll be affected by diminishing eyesight in the coming future, not to mention Macular Degeneration, etc.
Yet, if you?re still with me? May be you?re wunderin? why don?t I just switch over to Wordpress instead? Whale Shaggy, it?s got the same HORRENDOUS colour issues that the new blogger platform has - as NOT everybody can see those less harsh, albeit noxious colours you programmers seem to enjoy utilizing!
And speakin ?O programmers; WTF? QUIT making my confuzer smarter then me, I mean when I type in Jonah Street?s name into my blog post QUIT F%%KING changing it into some ?Smart Tag? as Jonah-Street is a Motorcycle rider & person and NOT a FRIGGINstreet Yuhs hear!
And now comes word that the new microSOFT ?dub-U 8 system is wishing to go to an ALL tiles based array of visual icons; OH CRAP! What is WRONG with you people? As NOT everybody can easily read small ?N wacky visual icons - which I find to be overly INSULTING and DISCRIMANTORY towards us visually impaired people - of which Google is the WORST! As I sincerely look forward to the day that somebody CRUSHES them.
Having now been forced thru four iterations of my Blogging Platform with a fifth NEBULOUS change upon thee Horizon - unfortunately, I fear I can already see my time as a blogger coming to an end; as obviously wouldn?t you bee PISSED OFF if you?d devoted nearly six-years of your life to something and then simply had it taken away by some squad of Geeknoids? And don?t worry folks, there?s MORE; SHEISA!
Like notice Mr. CandyMann how I didn?t even mention how FUCKED UP the IMS website is now, see - wasn?t ?Dat positive?
Sorry Y?all, just EXTREMELY frustrated over my continuously losing in the Tech Rat Race...
Friday, March 23, 2012
Woody Pitkat Fills Out Busy 2012 Schedule With New NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Ride
As usual, Woody Pitkat will be a busy racer in 2012, and that business will include a return to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
Pitkat, of Stafford, has finalized a deal to compete on the Whelen Modified Tour this season for car owner John Lukosavage.
"At this point it's nice to have anything, even if it's five races," Pitkat said. "You're talking about the guy that won the Tour championship two years ago [Bobby Santos III] doesn't even know if he has a ride this year. For me to even have this car for five races I would be ecstatic."
Pitkat, of Stafford, has finalized a deal to compete on the Whelen Modified Tour this season for car owner John Lukosavage.
"At this point it's nice to have anything, even if it's five races," Pitkat said. "You're talking about the guy that won the Tour championship two years ago [Bobby Santos III] doesn't even know if he has a ride this year. For me to even have this car for five races I would be ecstatic."
Maybe it?s a matter of winning, not losing
It’s a simple case of the Cinderella story versus the truth of who has the best damn car on the track.
AVONDALE, Ariz. – This Chase race is a bouncing ball. Each week. Back and forth.
Intangibles run rampant. Let’s see.
On Friday, Denny Hamlin was in breakout mode. His crew chief, Mike Ford, has supposedly gotten under the skin of Jimmie Johnson’s crew, which, by the way, wasn’t the same as it had been a week earlier.
On Monday, Johnson still trailed by 15 points, but it seemed as if it was time to get the cases of champagne ordered. Hamlin had played it a bit too safe by pitting near the end of the Kobalt Tools 500, apparently not realizing that most everyone else was going to try to conserve fuel and make it to the end, and more importantly, that most were going to succeed.
At Phoenix International Raceway, Hamlin snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, leaving him to wander aimlessly out of the track’s media center, muttering that he didn’t think he had done anything wrong.
Meanwhile, there was Kevin Harvick lurking, eyeing the two in front of him with the stare of a vulture waiting to snatch up the pieces.
But what if we stopped putting so much weight into the tangibles? What if the tangibles are really going to decide who wins this heated contest?
What if what happens just … happens?
If Johnson emerges next week as the champion, the prevailing view is going to be that Hamlin’s crew chief, Ford, spat on Superman’s (Johnson crew chief Chad Knaus) cape and got what was coming to him. If Hamlin wins it all, it’s going be because he kept a level head and didn’t let anyone get to him.
If Harvick wins, well, it’s going to require some alleged choking or bad luck by not one, but two. Thus will emerge the Cinderella story.
But maybe, just maybe, this championship is to be decided simply by which driver has the fastest car. Maybe no one’s going to choke. Maybe the attention should be justly slanted toward a tale of winning, not losing.
If so, few will notice. What’s between the ears trumps what’s under the hood.
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 ...
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Victory takes a gallop on the beach
The winner of the Sprint Cup at the conclusion of Sunday's Ford 400 in Homestead may or may not have the best car. What really counts -- in that race, and for the very survival of Racin' -- is what comes from the other side of the tracks of the mind: A dark woman's lucky smile. It's a Stone Agel truth which science getting to from the futurel side of the brain. Or so 'tis said at Ovalscreams today.
NASCAR: Harvick looks to take final championship step
NASCAR: Harvick looks to take final championship step
Tony Stewart Claims First Victory at Las Vegas
The on-track action at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday is what keeps auto racing enthusiasts coming back for more. Tony Stewart put on a superb demonstration of driving skill and determination, leading to his decisive victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Kobalt Tools 400.
Related posts:Tony Stewart on Winning StreakTony Stewart Wins Camping World 200Busch Claims LifeLock.com 400 Victory
Related posts:Tony Stewart on Winning StreakTony Stewart Wins Camping World 200Busch Claims LifeLock.com 400 Victory
Wednesday, March 21, 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 [...]
Chad Knaus should be worried about reputation as a cheater
Chad Knaus said Friday that he isn’t worried about his reputation after his fourth NASCAR suspension in the past 11 years. More
Ask Donald ? Nov. 7
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Historian Donald Davidson has been the expert on the history of the Racing Capital of the World since he arrived in Central Indiana in the mid-1960s. Now 2010 Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductee Davidson is answering your questions periodically in this blog!
Q: Is there any truth that the late Ayrton Senna [...]
Q: Is there any truth that the late Ayrton Senna [...]
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Colbie Caillat to perform at NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 29, 2010) ? NASCAR has announced the addition of multi GRAMMY-Award winning singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat to the performance lineup for the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony, set for Friday, Dec. 3 at Wynn Las Vegas. Broadcast live on SPEED at 9 p.m. ET, Caillat will join country music vocal group Rascal Flatts and comedic host Frank Caliendo to create a fully star-studded celebration of the 2010 NASCAR season.
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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.
Donny Lia And Bob Garbarino Reuniting In 2012 On The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
It's a relationship in the past led to a pair of NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championships for Mystic car owner Bob Garbarino.
And it's a relationship back together on a mission to look for a third series title.
Two-time Whelen Modified Tour champion Donny Lia will return to the series in 2012 to drive once again for Garbarino.
"It works for me and it works for him," Garbarino said. "So we're going to do it again."
With Lia behind the wheel in 2007, Garbarino won his first Whelen Modified Tour championship. The pair split after that season, with Lia heading to the Camping World Truck Series.
And it's a relationship back together on a mission to look for a third series title.
Two-time Whelen Modified Tour champion Donny Lia will return to the series in 2012 to drive once again for Garbarino.
"It works for me and it works for him," Garbarino said. "So we're going to do it again."
With Lia behind the wheel in 2007, Garbarino won his first Whelen Modified Tour championship. The pair split after that season, with Lia heading to the Camping World Truck Series.
NASCAR 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.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Insuring a High-Speed Vehicle
Sports cars are built for performance. They're generally small, with sleek lines and fine details. They're built for driving, often with only two doors, and sometimes with only two seats. They are not passenger vehicles, where the focus is on the ride. Instead, they are designed to be fierce, fabulous, and most importantly fast.
Unfortunately, all those features - the very things that cause our sports coupe cravings in the first place - are the same factors that contribute to a higher cost of insurance. Actuaries and estimators look at our spiffy little speed demons and see oversized engines, non-existent crumple zones, and a dearth of safety features. Sure, some sports cars have front air bags, but since many of these cars are also convertibles, side-curtain airbags are a rarity. Even worse, the average sports car driver is more likely to engage in daring - even reckless - driving behavior, taking hairpin turns at top speeds because they can.
The good news is that it's still possible to reduce the cost of insuring a sports car. A few tips for obtaining the cheapest auto insurance available are:
Shop Online: Studies have shown that people who purchase their auto insurance online save up to 25% more than those who buy their policies the old fashioned way. Remember, also, to get multiple quotes and compare them line-by-line before committing to any one company.
Take a Defensive Driving Class: Not only will a hands-on defensive driving class help you learn to drive your sports car in a safer manner, it will also earn you a discount on your insurance. Most insurers discount policies up to 3% for up to three years, and when that three-year term expires, drivers can take another class and re-instate their discount.
Consider a Multi-Car Policy: You can save money on your auto insurance by bundling the coverage for your sports car with the coverage for any other cars in your family - even if one of those cars is a minivan, SUV or sedan. Most insurers will discount the less expensive car, but it's still cheaper to have two cars on one policy than maintain separate coverage. If you own a home, you can maximize your savings by also bundling your home insurance with your auto policy.
These are just three of the ways that the cost of insuring a high-speed vehicle can be reduced, but there are many others. The best advice when shopping for coverage is to ask the agent directly, "Are there any other discounts that apply to me?"
Unfortunately, all those features - the very things that cause our sports coupe cravings in the first place - are the same factors that contribute to a higher cost of insurance. Actuaries and estimators look at our spiffy little speed demons and see oversized engines, non-existent crumple zones, and a dearth of safety features. Sure, some sports cars have front air bags, but since many of these cars are also convertibles, side-curtain airbags are a rarity. Even worse, the average sports car driver is more likely to engage in daring - even reckless - driving behavior, taking hairpin turns at top speeds because they can.
The good news is that it's still possible to reduce the cost of insuring a sports car. A few tips for obtaining the cheapest auto insurance available are:
Shop Online: Studies have shown that people who purchase their auto insurance online save up to 25% more than those who buy their policies the old fashioned way. Remember, also, to get multiple quotes and compare them line-by-line before committing to any one company.
Take a Defensive Driving Class: Not only will a hands-on defensive driving class help you learn to drive your sports car in a safer manner, it will also earn you a discount on your insurance. Most insurers discount policies up to 3% for up to three years, and when that three-year term expires, drivers can take another class and re-instate their discount.
Consider a Multi-Car Policy: You can save money on your auto insurance by bundling the coverage for your sports car with the coverage for any other cars in your family - even if one of those cars is a minivan, SUV or sedan. Most insurers will discount the less expensive car, but it's still cheaper to have two cars on one policy than maintain separate coverage. If you own a home, you can maximize your savings by also bundling your home insurance with your auto policy.
These are just three of the ways that the cost of insuring a high-speed vehicle can be reduced, but there are many others. The best advice when shopping for coverage is to ask the agent directly, "Are there any other discounts that apply to me?"
NASCAR notebook: Edwards thinks Homestead is a new beginning
Carl Edwards, fastest in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice, was second-fastest in qualifying at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (photo: Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Carl Edwards too has a reason to race, just one not so compelling.
Edwards is out of the Chase in terms of the championship but has fourth place, 47 points ahead of Roush Fenway teammate Matt Kenseth. And, of course, it’s Ford Championship Weekend, and Edwards drives one.
What Edwards talked about was “locking down fourth place.”
“That would be a big accomplishment for us, and we’ll just keep trucking,” he said. “I don’t feel like we have implemented all the things we’ve figured out yet. I think we have a lot of really positive things that they’re working on at the shop, so I think we could even be better yet come Daytona, Phoenix, Vegas (in 20100).
“I think we’re poised to be extremely good at the beginning of next season, maybe in a better situation than we were at the end of 2008, where I felt like we had been ahead and people were catching us.”
* * *
PITS CAN BE THE PITS–Pit choices could play a vital role in the outcome of both the race and the championship. Space is chosen on the basis of qualifying, which means Jimmie Johnson, who qualified sixth, has a much better location on pit road than Denny Hamlin, mainly because the point lead qualified 37th.
Johnson will pit at the midpoint, with an open spot in front of him. Kevin Harvick has a decent spot, behind the pole-winning car of Kasey Kahne and ahead of the No. 66 of Mike Bliss. Hamlin will pit near the pit entrance, behind Matt Kenseth and ahead of Aric Almirola.
* * *
NEW TASK AT HAND--Even though Johnson has won four straight championships, he’s never had to come from behind in the final race or, for that matter, the final two.
“In professional sports, things aren't always going to work out as you hope,” he said. “I wish we were leading the points and had the pressure of defending a championship down here, but I'm making the most of where we are.
“It's not far (15 points) from where we are to where Denny (Hamlin) is. We're going to have to go out and have a great day on Sunday afternoon, take it from there, see what happens.”
* * *
MOVE IT AROUND-- The third contender, Harvick, doesn’t want to see the Chase format change. He wants to see the Sprint Cup schedule change.
“I'd like to see a little bit more diversity in the race tracks,” he said. “I don't think the last 10 weeks should be the same tracks over and over and over again. I think it should rotate around. I think that would help particular race markets get better.
“You have it end at different places, have it start at different places. Maybe you go to some of the same tracks, but I think a different 10 weeks, even a road course at the end of the year, would put that full diversity, I guess you could say, on your champion to getting to all the different styles of tracks.”
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Carl Edwards too has a reason to race, just one not so compelling.
Edwards is out of the Chase in terms of the championship but has fourth place, 47 points ahead of Roush Fenway teammate Matt Kenseth. And, of course, it’s Ford Championship Weekend, and Edwards drives one.
What Edwards talked about was “locking down fourth place.”
“That would be a big accomplishment for us, and we’ll just keep trucking,” he said. “I don’t feel like we have implemented all the things we’ve figured out yet. I think we have a lot of really positive things that they’re working on at the shop, so I think we could even be better yet come Daytona, Phoenix, Vegas (in 20100).
“I think we’re poised to be extremely good at the beginning of next season, maybe in a better situation than we were at the end of 2008, where I felt like we had been ahead and people were catching us.”
* * *
PITS CAN BE THE PITS–Pit choices could play a vital role in the outcome of both the race and the championship. Space is chosen on the basis of qualifying, which means Jimmie Johnson, who qualified sixth, has a much better location on pit road than Denny Hamlin, mainly because the point lead qualified 37th.
Johnson will pit at the midpoint, with an open spot in front of him. Kevin Harvick has a decent spot, behind the pole-winning car of Kasey Kahne and ahead of the No. 66 of Mike Bliss. Hamlin will pit near the pit entrance, behind Matt Kenseth and ahead of Aric Almirola.
* * *
NEW TASK AT HAND--Even though Johnson has won four straight championships, he’s never had to come from behind in the final race or, for that matter, the final two.
“In professional sports, things aren't always going to work out as you hope,” he said. “I wish we were leading the points and had the pressure of defending a championship down here, but I'm making the most of where we are.
“It's not far (15 points) from where we are to where Denny (Hamlin) is. We're going to have to go out and have a great day on Sunday afternoon, take it from there, see what happens.”
* * *
MOVE IT AROUND-- The third contender, Harvick, doesn’t want to see the Chase format change. He wants to see the Sprint Cup schedule change.
“I'd like to see a little bit more diversity in the race tracks,” he said. “I don't think the last 10 weeks should be the same tracks over and over and over again. I think it should rotate around. I think that would help particular race markets get better.
“You have it end at different places, have it start at different places. Maybe you go to some of the same tracks, but I think a different 10 weeks, even a road course at the end of the year, would put that full diversity, I guess you could say, on your champion to getting to all the different styles of tracks.”
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Matt Hirschman Back On The Outside Looking In With The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
With just about two months left before the start of the 2012 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season, 2008 series runner-up Matt Hirschman has no expectations to be in the lineup when the division kicks off 2012 at Thompson International Speedway.
Hirschman, of Northampton, Pa., has officially parted ways with the Mike Boehler owned No. 3 team which he ran for full-time last year on the Whelen Modified Tour. Keith Rocco of Wallingford will replace Hirschman in the Boehler owned ride.
Hirschman said his plans for 2012 will likely include a return focus to competing on the Race of Champion's Tour and running select Modified events around the Northeast, which was essentially his racing schedule for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
Hirschman, of Northampton, Pa., has officially parted ways with the Mike Boehler owned No. 3 team which he ran for full-time last year on the Whelen Modified Tour. Keith Rocco of Wallingford will replace Hirschman in the Boehler owned ride.
Hirschman said his plans for 2012 will likely include a return focus to competing on the Race of Champion's Tour and running select Modified events around the Northeast, which was essentially his racing schedule for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
TV Alert: 12 Hours of Sebring Recap on ABC
In case you didn't spend 12 hours sitting in front of the laptop watching the ESPN3 stream-cast of the 12 hours of Sebring, you can catch a 90 minute recap of the race today on ABC. Since this is not a live broadcast, it is uncertain about what ...
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
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Tony Stewart is a Throwback to a Better NASCAR
There have been an incredible amount of changes over the past decade in NASCAR betting as the sport has abandoned its roots and much of what made it great and unique as it has instead sold its soul in the attempt to go ?mainstream.? But there is one element of NASCAR today that [...]
Monty?s Inferno...
So I know this is OLD news; but - have Y?all ever seen such a bizarre incident ever before? As in when Juan Pablo ?MAC Montoya instantly spun out ?N careened into a Jet-dryer truck - as it was FLAME ON; YIKES!
As the funniest part ?bout all of this was that I?d just hung up the phone after the voice on the other end of the line had inquired: Is Juan Pablo still racing in ?RASSCAR? As we were discussing how nobody?s names get mentioned anymore unless you?re either a Champion, i.e.; ?SMOKE,? ?JJ or Gordon; NO! NOT Robby ?Dirtmann? Gordoun - thee other Gordon, uze know Pretty Boy Jeff. As I mentioned the only NON winners mentioned in the same brevity are Tuh Duh! The NEW Face of ?RASSCAR; Danica-Danica-Danica, or Ironhead Junior; Err, ?lil E, aka Dale Earnhart Jr.
Thus the irony was immense - sortta about as large as the ensuing Fireball that upon hanging up the telephone and returning to my dinner?s soothing soundtrack... I heard the TV Announcers go all Uh-flutter over that most amazing carnage, i.e.; ?Monty?s Chebbie pinballing into an unexpecting Jet-dryer truck containing 200 gallons of Jet-grade kerosene; HOLY MARSHMELLOWS BATMAN!
Did somebody say Marshmallows; Err, Sprinkles? As the ensuing fireball and gushing of 200 gallons of jet fuel racing down the track?s 31-degree banked surface was indescribable... Actually having to agree with ?Ol DW for once about it being the MOST bizarre thingy he?d ever witnessed!
And I did actually see the other oddity a zillion years ago, Y?all know when ?Ol Super Mario, nee Mario Andretti decided to RAM into a stationary safety truck parked alongside the wall with its lights flashing at Detroit?s Belle Isle when I believe it was aiding none other then his son ?Mikey?? As I?m told it was the 1991 event which Y?all can find upon Youtube if so desired.
Yet as we all know, the good news towards both of these incidents are that all parties involved - including a very shaken Jet-dryer truck driver, who was from Michigan International Speedway?s crew and a veteran of 24yrs were all ok...
As the funniest part ?bout all of this was that I?d just hung up the phone after the voice on the other end of the line had inquired: Is Juan Pablo still racing in ?RASSCAR? As we were discussing how nobody?s names get mentioned anymore unless you?re either a Champion, i.e.; ?SMOKE,? ?JJ or Gordon; NO! NOT Robby ?Dirtmann? Gordoun - thee other Gordon, uze know Pretty Boy Jeff. As I mentioned the only NON winners mentioned in the same brevity are Tuh Duh! The NEW Face of ?RASSCAR; Danica-Danica-Danica, or Ironhead Junior; Err, ?lil E, aka Dale Earnhart Jr.
Thus the irony was immense - sortta about as large as the ensuing Fireball that upon hanging up the telephone and returning to my dinner?s soothing soundtrack... I heard the TV Announcers go all Uh-flutter over that most amazing carnage, i.e.; ?Monty?s Chebbie pinballing into an unexpecting Jet-dryer truck containing 200 gallons of Jet-grade kerosene; HOLY MARSHMELLOWS BATMAN!
Did somebody say Marshmallows; Err, Sprinkles? As the ensuing fireball and gushing of 200 gallons of jet fuel racing down the track?s 31-degree banked surface was indescribable... Actually having to agree with ?Ol DW for once about it being the MOST bizarre thingy he?d ever witnessed!
And I did actually see the other oddity a zillion years ago, Y?all know when ?Ol Super Mario, nee Mario Andretti decided to RAM into a stationary safety truck parked alongside the wall with its lights flashing at Detroit?s Belle Isle when I believe it was aiding none other then his son ?Mikey?? As I?m told it was the 1991 event which Y?all can find upon Youtube if so desired.
Yet as we all know, the good news towards both of these incidents are that all parties involved - including a very shaken Jet-dryer truck driver, who was from Michigan International Speedway?s crew and a veteran of 24yrs were all ok...
Maybe it?s a matter of winning, not losing
It’s a simple case of the Cinderella story versus the truth of who has the best damn car on the track.
AVONDALE, Ariz. – This Chase race is a bouncing ball. Each week. Back and forth.
Intangibles run rampant. Let’s see.
On Friday, Denny Hamlin was in breakout mode. His crew chief, Mike Ford, has supposedly gotten under the skin of Jimmie Johnson’s crew, which, by the way, wasn’t the same as it had been a week earlier.
On Monday, Johnson still trailed by 15 points, but it seemed as if it was time to get the cases of champagne ordered. Hamlin had played it a bit too safe by pitting near the end of the Kobalt Tools 500, apparently not realizing that most everyone else was going to try to conserve fuel and make it to the end, and more importantly, that most were going to succeed.
At Phoenix International Raceway, Hamlin snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, leaving him to wander aimlessly out of the track’s media center, muttering that he didn’t think he had done anything wrong.
Meanwhile, there was Kevin Harvick lurking, eyeing the two in front of him with the stare of a vulture waiting to snatch up the pieces.
But what if we stopped putting so much weight into the tangibles? What if the tangibles are really going to decide who wins this heated contest?
What if what happens just … happens?
If Johnson emerges next week as the champion, the prevailing view is going to be that Hamlin’s crew chief, Ford, spat on Superman’s (Johnson crew chief Chad Knaus) cape and got what was coming to him. If Hamlin wins it all, it’s going be because he kept a level head and didn’t let anyone get to him.
If Harvick wins, well, it’s going to require some alleged choking or bad luck by not one, but two. Thus will emerge the Cinderella story.
But maybe, just maybe, this championship is to be decided simply by which driver has the fastest car. Maybe no one’s going to choke. Maybe the attention should be justly slanted toward a tale of winning, not losing.
If so, few will notice. What’s between the ears trumps what’s under the hood.
Earnhardt Jr. on pole for Daytona 500
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s pole for Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout may have just been credited to the luck of a draw, but he hit Daytona International Speedway on Sunday and turned in the fastest lap in Daytona 500 qualifying to claim his first pole at Daytona in a points-paying race.
“Obviously, it gives you good ideas that [...]
“Obviously, it gives you good ideas that [...]
Mayans visit No Fenders
The Infamous ?NeckCar? Hill...
So I know this is supposed to be a racing ?BLOB primarily dedicated to Open Wheel Racing; BUTT! I simply must get this off my chest, as a number of disheartening factions have simultaneously converged upon thee Award Winning No Fenders website.
On the morning of President?s Day, Blogger.com - the blog platform I publish these riveting stories upon inexplicably QUIT working - with ZERO warning; SHEISA! As isn?t it exhilarating when a service you utilize daily simply QUITS working because the gOOgleMunster BASTARDOS have decided to QUIT supporting your current, albeit outdated browser; WTF? I mean couldn?t Google or Blogger have at least given Mwah some type of verbal warning, or is that simply expecting too much? As I thought that it was just supposed to be the cherry tree that ?Ol Georgie chopped down, right?
I had continued utilizing microSOFT?s Internetz Exploder 7 browser since it was the only one compatible with ?Lucy? my esteemed Screen-reader, as after all, if you?re not aware of thee fact, your humble No Fenders scribe is visually impaired and henceforth, relies upon this marvel of modern technology in order to participate as a ?Keyboard Warrior? upon le Blogosphere - of which I?ve previously scribbled ?bout in;
Low Vision Racer
The reason I had stuck with IE7 was for the simple fact that ?Lucy? who came upon my ZoomText 9.0 software wasn?t compatible with the newer IE8 (Internetz Exploder) which required a $215 upgrade - which I chose to try first vs. purchasing a new Confuzer, since I?d need to upgrade to ZoomText 10.0 (ZT10) no matter what!
And instead of trying to scribble the whole frustrating process here instead, as the new & improved ZT10 leaves a whole lot to desire, I?ll just leave Y?all with these tantalizing tidbits from the very nice ?Tekie? who made ?Lucy? work after I?d tried installing her twice; URGH! As these installations had actually made "Lucy" SPAZDIK on ze Internetz.
F%%K! As I'm starting' to think she's become Juan 'O Jerry's Kids with the way she jerks left uncontrollably, stutters, starts ?N stops, doesn?t read ALL text and randomly jumps to wherever she wishes when trying to back up, NOT to mention freezing hourly - especially when trying to read either WICKEDpedia or Gmail; YIKES! And that?s after she was fixed; Oh Never Mind!
'Tink I can already hear U now sayin' just get a new Confuzer; BUTT! The ZoomText Tekie told me I'm gonna HATE microSOFT ?dub-U (Windows) 7! Sez it?s ALL ?ByteHeadz Fluff & is an extreme Cluge! Which I believe is the PC equivalent of Charlie Foxtrot; Err, can U say CLUSTER FUCK!
Told me that ALL of the programs are WORSE! And DON'T even get me started upon le gOOgleMunster SHITHEADS! As I'm thinking I'll write a letter to the National Foundation for the Blind (NFB) 'bout icon based systems.
As you see, (Pun intended) your humble scribe has RP - a hereditary deficiency that according to the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) affects 1 in 4,000 people, or a staggeringly low 0.00025% of Americans. As according to the latest Census figures from July, 2011; the current U.S. population is 311,591,917 people, although I?ve seen the figure of 100,000 Americans being effected by this vision disorder - yet I?m not gonna try multiplying 0. 00025 X 7-billion today; Aye Karumba!
What is RP?
Yet the whole point of this RANT is that I find Google becoming overly Discriminatory towards blind & visually impaired people, as I?ve scribbled above - the latest version of Gmail - which I utilize for this blog has gone to an agonizingly ANNOYING set of ALL icons, i.e.; symbols for its Dashboard header, i.e.; where the words Back to Inbox; Archive; Report to Spam; Delete, etc once were - which imagine how HARD its for somebody who doesn?t see real well and has to click upon these tiny icons, eh? And that?s even before we get to the colours problem, as I can now barely see the box outline I?m supposed to check which is way over to the left-side o the email I?m trying to work with; SHEISA!
As this doesn?t even take into consideration that I?m currently shunning upgrading to le gOOgleMunster?s new & improved Blogger Dashboard which I?ve tried and A) CANNOT see ANYThING upon the Dashboard since the whole colour pallet is almost identical! B) Is graphically driven a la Google Analytics - which I?ll state once again; if you?re visually impaired - chances are you CANNOT read a FREAKIN? graph!
And just think of the 40-million Baby Boomers who?ll be affected by diminishing eyesight in the coming future, not to mention Macular Degeneration, etc.
Yet, if you?re still with me? May be you?re wunderin? why don?t I just switch over to Wordpress instead? Whale Shaggy, it?s got the same HORRENDOUS colour issues that the new blogger platform has - as NOT everybody can see those less harsh, albeit noxious colours you programmers seem to enjoy utilizing!
And speakin ?O programmers; WTF? QUIT making my confuzer smarter then me, I mean when I type in Jonah Street?s name into my blog post QUIT F%%KING changing it into some ?Smart Tag? as Jonah-Street is a Motorcycle rider & person and NOT a FRIGGINstreet Yuhs hear!
And now comes word that the new microSOFT ?dub-U 8 system is wishing to go to an ALL tiles based array of visual icons; OH CRAP! What is WRONG with you people? As NOT everybody can easily read small ?N wacky visual icons - which I find to be overly INSULTING and DISCRIMANTORY towards us visually impaired people - of which Google is the WORST! As I sincerely look forward to the day that somebody CRUSHES them.
Having now been forced thru four iterations of my Blogging Platform with a fifth NEBULOUS change upon thee Horizon - unfortunately, I fear I can already see my time as a blogger coming to an end; as obviously wouldn?t you bee PISSED OFF if you?d devoted nearly six-years of your life to something and then simply had it taken away by some squad of Geeknoids? And don?t worry folks, there?s MORE; SHEISA!
Like notice Mr. CandyMann how I didn?t even mention how FUCKED UP the IMS website is now, see - wasn?t ?Dat positive?
Sorry Y?all, just EXTREMELY frustrated over my continuously losing in the Tech Rat Race...
So I know this is supposed to be a racing ?BLOB primarily dedicated to Open Wheel Racing; BUTT! I simply must get this off my chest, as a number of disheartening factions have simultaneously converged upon thee Award Winning No Fenders website.
On the morning of President?s Day, Blogger.com - the blog platform I publish these riveting stories upon inexplicably QUIT working - with ZERO warning; SHEISA! As isn?t it exhilarating when a service you utilize daily simply QUITS working because the gOOgleMunster BASTARDOS have decided to QUIT supporting your current, albeit outdated browser; WTF? I mean couldn?t Google or Blogger have at least given Mwah some type of verbal warning, or is that simply expecting too much? As I thought that it was just supposed to be the cherry tree that ?Ol Georgie chopped down, right?
I had continued utilizing microSOFT?s Internetz Exploder 7 browser since it was the only one compatible with ?Lucy? my esteemed Screen-reader, as after all, if you?re not aware of thee fact, your humble No Fenders scribe is visually impaired and henceforth, relies upon this marvel of modern technology in order to participate as a ?Keyboard Warrior? upon le Blogosphere - of which I?ve previously scribbled ?bout in;
Low Vision Racer
The reason I had stuck with IE7 was for the simple fact that ?Lucy? who came upon my ZoomText 9.0 software wasn?t compatible with the newer IE8 (Internetz Exploder) which required a $215 upgrade - which I chose to try first vs. purchasing a new Confuzer, since I?d need to upgrade to ZoomText 10.0 (ZT10) no matter what!
And instead of trying to scribble the whole frustrating process here instead, as the new & improved ZT10 leaves a whole lot to desire, I?ll just leave Y?all with these tantalizing tidbits from the very nice ?Tekie? who made ?Lucy? work after I?d tried installing her twice; URGH! As these installations had actually made "Lucy" SPAZDIK on ze Internetz.
F%%K! As I'm starting' to think she's become Juan 'O Jerry's Kids with the way she jerks left uncontrollably, stutters, starts ?N stops, doesn?t read ALL text and randomly jumps to wherever she wishes when trying to back up, NOT to mention freezing hourly - especially when trying to read either WICKEDpedia or Gmail; YIKES! And that?s after she was fixed; Oh Never Mind!
'Tink I can already hear U now sayin' just get a new Confuzer; BUTT! The ZoomText Tekie told me I'm gonna HATE microSOFT ?dub-U (Windows) 7! Sez it?s ALL ?ByteHeadz Fluff & is an extreme Cluge! Which I believe is the PC equivalent of Charlie Foxtrot; Err, can U say CLUSTER FUCK!
Told me that ALL of the programs are WORSE! And DON'T even get me started upon le gOOgleMunster SHITHEADS! As I'm thinking I'll write a letter to the National Foundation for the Blind (NFB) 'bout icon based systems.
As you see, (Pun intended) your humble scribe has RP - a hereditary deficiency that according to the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) affects 1 in 4,000 people, or a staggeringly low 0.00025% of Americans. As according to the latest Census figures from July, 2011; the current U.S. population is 311,591,917 people, although I?ve seen the figure of 100,000 Americans being effected by this vision disorder - yet I?m not gonna try multiplying 0. 00025 X 7-billion today; Aye Karumba!
What is RP?
Yet the whole point of this RANT is that I find Google becoming overly Discriminatory towards blind & visually impaired people, as I?ve scribbled above - the latest version of Gmail - which I utilize for this blog has gone to an agonizingly ANNOYING set of ALL icons, i.e.; symbols for its Dashboard header, i.e.; where the words Back to Inbox; Archive; Report to Spam; Delete, etc once were - which imagine how HARD its for somebody who doesn?t see real well and has to click upon these tiny icons, eh? And that?s even before we get to the colours problem, as I can now barely see the box outline I?m supposed to check which is way over to the left-side o the email I?m trying to work with; SHEISA!
As this doesn?t even take into consideration that I?m currently shunning upgrading to le gOOgleMunster?s new & improved Blogger Dashboard which I?ve tried and A) CANNOT see ANYThING upon the Dashboard since the whole colour pallet is almost identical! B) Is graphically driven a la Google Analytics - which I?ll state once again; if you?re visually impaired - chances are you CANNOT read a FREAKIN? graph!
And just think of the 40-million Baby Boomers who?ll be affected by diminishing eyesight in the coming future, not to mention Macular Degeneration, etc.
Yet, if you?re still with me? May be you?re wunderin? why don?t I just switch over to Wordpress instead? Whale Shaggy, it?s got the same HORRENDOUS colour issues that the new blogger platform has - as NOT everybody can see those less harsh, albeit noxious colours you programmers seem to enjoy utilizing!
And speakin ?O programmers; WTF? QUIT making my confuzer smarter then me, I mean when I type in Jonah Street?s name into my blog post QUIT F%%KING changing it into some ?Smart Tag? as Jonah-Street is a Motorcycle rider & person and NOT a FRIGGINstreet Yuhs hear!
And now comes word that the new microSOFT ?dub-U 8 system is wishing to go to an ALL tiles based array of visual icons; OH CRAP! What is WRONG with you people? As NOT everybody can easily read small ?N wacky visual icons - which I find to be overly INSULTING and DISCRIMANTORY towards us visually impaired people - of which Google is the WORST! As I sincerely look forward to the day that somebody CRUSHES them.
Having now been forced thru four iterations of my Blogging Platform with a fifth NEBULOUS change upon thee Horizon - unfortunately, I fear I can already see my time as a blogger coming to an end; as obviously wouldn?t you bee PISSED OFF if you?d devoted nearly six-years of your life to something and then simply had it taken away by some squad of Geeknoids? And don?t worry folks, there?s MORE; SHEISA!
Like notice Mr. CandyMann how I didn?t even mention how FUCKED UP the IMS website is now, see - wasn?t ?Dat positive?
Sorry Y?all, just EXTREMELY frustrated over my continuously losing in the Tech Rat Race...
Friday, March 16, 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 [...]
Women on Wheels: Meet LaTanya!
This year?s Red Bull Indianapolis GP will take the time to recognize women motorcycle riders. Many events have been organized throughout the race weekend that are just for women. Some selected lady riders have been kind enough to share their riding stories with us. They come from different riding groups and [...]
Thursday, March 15, 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.”
Late Model drivers to get opportunity to race at Daytona
Late Model drivers to get opportunity to race at Daytona
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Bahrain Unrest continues Daily...
Perhaps Y?all read Uncle Bernaughty?s latest wrap upon those silly ?Kid?s? mucking about the streets in Manama? Oh Bernie, you?re such a Scream... As this just in from Bahrain, where torture & rendition are the current rage in the Gulf Nation Kingdom...
2 Westerners Are Detained as Protests Continue to Roil Bahrain
As really F1? You?re still gonna race in Bahrain this April? Hmm? Perhaps Y?all will wish to read The Mole?s latest intelligence report for a more pragmatic look upon the Geopolitical landscape of Bahrain?
Lunch with the Mandarin
2 Westerners Are Detained as Protests Continue to Roil Bahrain
As really F1? You?re still gonna race in Bahrain this April? Hmm? Perhaps Y?all will wish to read The Mole?s latest intelligence report for a more pragmatic look upon the Geopolitical landscape of Bahrain?
Lunch with the Mandarin
History of the NASCAR Pit Stop
What can you do with an automotive degree in NASCAR? The answer is simple: work with a racing team and aim to become a member of the pit stop team. The NASCAR Nation explains that only six crew members have the opportunity to work on pit stops during a Sprint Cup series race. A seventh crew member remains on stand-by; if he is allowed to join the crew during a stop, he has the job of swiftly cleaning the windshield.
Related posts:NASCAR Montreal Race Wettest In HistoryClimbing the NASCAR LadderNASCAR Sprint Cup Ends with a Duel
Related posts:NASCAR Montreal Race Wettest In HistoryClimbing the NASCAR LadderNASCAR Sprint Cup Ends with a Duel
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Victory takes a gallop on the beach
The winner of the Sprint Cup at the conclusion of Sunday's Ford 400 in Homestead may or may not have the best car. What really counts -- in that race, and for the very survival of Racin' -- is what comes from the other side of the tracks of the mind: A dark woman's lucky smile. It's a Stone Agel truth which science getting to from the futurel side of the brain. Or so 'tis said at Ovalscreams today.
Formula Ones next Danica? Not Really...
Cyndie Allemann; source: motorsport.com
In case Y?all haven?t heard the news? Female driver Maria De Villota has been announced as Marussia?s Test & Reserve Driver - in what surely is nothing more then a PR exercise, as even the Happy-Happy, Joy-Joy Media-speak from Marussia denotes how the 32-year old Spaniard won?t actually drive the car ?til the Young Drivers test at Abu Dhabi next December? As the test won?t occur until after the Brazilian GP on November 25th, unless it?ll occur whilst the teams are at Yas Island previously? Hmm? This seems possible with the Abu Dhabi GP on November 4th and the debutant COTA event at Austin, Texas a Fortnight later on Nov. 18th.
Yet the whole point of this rant is NOT to condemn Maria or women in general, as it?s surely high time another Femme Fatale made waves in Uncle Bernaughty?s circus, eh? It?s just the fact that is De Villota really the right candidate? As reportedly she lacks a FIA Superlicense - perhaps part of the reason she won?t be taking part in any Friday morning testing? As Maria?s CV highlights seems to be prattling ?round in the Superleague, albeit the Lotus-Renault XP Caladrocious gang gave her some seat time in one of their F1 chassis last year.
Hmm? Perhaps the original Swiss Miss, nee Cyndie Allemann, (Age 25) the ex-Indy Lights driver who?s currently languishing in relative obscurity in the Japanese GT series would have been a better choice? Not to mention what happened to ?KanaDuh?s Great White hope thee Young ?Wicky, aka Robert Wickens, you know the reigning World Series by Renault (WSR 3.5) champion. Or does that simply speak volumes regarding the real reason behind Marussia?s inking of De Villota?
Marussia hands Female driver De Villota test role
In case Y?all haven?t heard the news? Female driver Maria De Villota has been announced as Marussia?s Test & Reserve Driver - in what surely is nothing more then a PR exercise, as even the Happy-Happy, Joy-Joy Media-speak from Marussia denotes how the 32-year old Spaniard won?t actually drive the car ?til the Young Drivers test at Abu Dhabi next December? As the test won?t occur until after the Brazilian GP on November 25th, unless it?ll occur whilst the teams are at Yas Island previously? Hmm? This seems possible with the Abu Dhabi GP on November 4th and the debutant COTA event at Austin, Texas a Fortnight later on Nov. 18th.
Yet the whole point of this rant is NOT to condemn Maria or women in general, as it?s surely high time another Femme Fatale made waves in Uncle Bernaughty?s circus, eh? It?s just the fact that is De Villota really the right candidate? As reportedly she lacks a FIA Superlicense - perhaps part of the reason she won?t be taking part in any Friday morning testing? As Maria?s CV highlights seems to be prattling ?round in the Superleague, albeit the Lotus-Renault XP Caladrocious gang gave her some seat time in one of their F1 chassis last year.
Hmm? Perhaps the original Swiss Miss, nee Cyndie Allemann, (Age 25) the ex-Indy Lights driver who?s currently languishing in relative obscurity in the Japanese GT series would have been a better choice? Not to mention what happened to ?KanaDuh?s Great White hope thee Young ?Wicky, aka Robert Wickens, you know the reigning World Series by Renault (WSR 3.5) champion. Or does that simply speak volumes regarding the real reason behind Marussia?s inking of De Villota?
Marussia hands Female driver De Villota test role
Earnhardt Jr. on pole for Daytona 500
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s pole for Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout may have just been credited to the luck of a draw, but he hit Daytona International Speedway on Sunday and turned in the fastest lap in Daytona 500 qualifying to claim his first pole at Daytona in a points-paying race.
“Obviously, it gives you good ideas that [...]
“Obviously, it gives you good ideas that [...]
Monday, March 12, 2012
AMA SBK: 2012 Championship Prediction Countdown: #5
With the Daytona season opener just days away, we place our bets on the 2011 AMA Pro Superbike Championship, starting at #5.
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."
VIDEO: SX - Daytona Analysis
SPEED's Ralph Sheheen, Jeff Emig, and Ricky Carmichael analyze an eventful Daytona Supercross.
Sunday, March 11, 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 probably a week ago now and it sounds like he's kind of up in the air on what he wants to do," Santos said. "I don't think he's made any decisions yet.
Bobby Santos III, who won the championship in his first full season in the division in 2010 driving for Mystic car owner Bob Garbarino, said Tuesday evening that as of now he doesn't have a ride in the series this year. Santos also raced for Garbarino in 2011.
"I talked to Bob probably a week ago now and it sounds like he's kind of up in the air on what he wants to do," Santos said. "I don't think he's made any decisions yet.
Bahrain Grand Prix 2012
The 2012 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix will take place on Sunday the 22nd of April 2012. Practice sessions 1 and 2 will be on 20 April, while Practice session 3 and Qualifying ar on 21 April. The race consists of 57 laps around a 5.412 km circuit, totalling a distance of 308.238. [...]
Related posts:Formula One Chinese Grand Prix 2012Spanish Grand Prix 20122010 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix
Related posts:Formula One Chinese Grand Prix 2012Spanish Grand Prix 20122010 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix
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."
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Danica AIN?T NO First Lady of ?RASSCAR!
For some strange reason, I decided to watch the February 20th edition of Speedcentre and was immediately bowled over when I heard Adam Alexander boldly proclaim that Danica Patrick was the FIRST Lady of ?RASSCCAR; WTF? You?re FREAKIN? kidding right Adam? I mean C?mon, this ceaseless frothing over Queen DannaWho has really gotta STOP!
As Yo Adam - Newsflash! For the record, Danicker is NOT 'RASSCAR's First Lady... As that honour belongs to none other then Janet Guthrie - who was not only the FIRST female driver to contest the Indy 500; BUTT! Ditto for NASCAR! Becoming the first woman to contest a Superspeedway event in 1976, along with being the FIRST Femme Fatale to compete in the DayToner 500 where she finished 12th in 1977 after losing two cylinders in her engine with 10-laps remaining...
While I'm not certain 'bout Lyn St James, the first female Rookie Of the Year at the Speedway in 1992, albeit I seem to recall seeing her in a Ford Thunderbird racecar 'Summe-wearz, right? Perhaps what she used to set a closed course speed record in? Or just publicity shot with Awesome Bill (Elliott) from Dawsonville? Although I do know that St James done ?Somme-thun Princess Perma-pout HASN?T! Can you say le 24 Heurs du Mans? Which St James contested twice in 1989 & 1991. Along with WINNING the Rolex 24 twice and Sebring once whilst kicking the Big Boyz tails in those Narly Roush Mustangs...
As Yo Adam - Newsflash! For the record, Danicker is NOT 'RASSCAR's First Lady... As that honour belongs to none other then Janet Guthrie - who was not only the FIRST female driver to contest the Indy 500; BUTT! Ditto for NASCAR! Becoming the first woman to contest a Superspeedway event in 1976, along with being the FIRST Femme Fatale to compete in the DayToner 500 where she finished 12th in 1977 after losing two cylinders in her engine with 10-laps remaining...
While I'm not certain 'bout Lyn St James, the first female Rookie Of the Year at the Speedway in 1992, albeit I seem to recall seeing her in a Ford Thunderbird racecar 'Summe-wearz, right? Perhaps what she used to set a closed course speed record in? Or just publicity shot with Awesome Bill (Elliott) from Dawsonville? Although I do know that St James done ?Somme-thun Princess Perma-pout HASN?T! Can you say le 24 Heurs du Mans? Which St James contested twice in 1989 & 1991. Along with WINNING the Rolex 24 twice and Sebring once whilst kicking the Big Boyz tails in those Narly Roush Mustangs...
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
Donny Lia And Bob Garbarino Reuniting In 2012 On The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
It's a relationship in the past led to a pair of NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championships for Mystic car owner Bob Garbarino.
And it's a relationship back together on a mission to look for a third series title.
Two-time Whelen Modified Tour champion Donny Lia will return to the series in 2012 to drive once again for Garbarino.
"It works for me and it works for him," Garbarino said. "So we're going to do it again."
With Lia behind the wheel in 2007, Garbarino won his first Whelen Modified Tour championship. The pair split after that season, with Lia heading to the Camping World Truck Series.
And it's a relationship back together on a mission to look for a third series title.
Two-time Whelen Modified Tour champion Donny Lia will return to the series in 2012 to drive once again for Garbarino.
"It works for me and it works for him," Garbarino said. "So we're going to do it again."
With Lia behind the wheel in 2007, Garbarino won his first Whelen Modified Tour championship. The pair split after that season, with Lia heading to the Camping World Truck Series.
Swedish Speed Merchants (Con?t)
?Stevie Johnson,? aka Stefan Johansson
Continuing on with my past hunt for Swedish Open Wheel Racing standouts, I came up with a total of nine characters fitting this description, as we definitely ?Brack? into the characters in this final portion of Icelandic ?lore...
(5) Tommy ?Slim? BorguddSeries: F1Teams: ATS; TyrrellYears: 1981-82Wins: 0
Karl Edward Tommy Borgudd, better known as ?Slim,? made his name originally as a Jazz/Rock Drummer - reputedly playing for the Bands Made in Sweden & Solar Plexus before garnering Fortune ?N Fame as a Session Drummer for the ?Mega Pop rock group ABBA...
Yet Borgudd also began dabbling in motor racing in the early 1960?s behind the wheel of a Lotus Formula ford before moving onto Swedish Touring Cars between 1972-75 - whilst claiming the Scandinavian Formula Ford series title in 1973. Slim than set about moving up the ladder and ultimately won the 1979 Swedish F3 Championship for his own concern behind the wheel of a Ralt-Toyota.
Unable to land a ride in F2 the following season, Borgudd made his Formula 1 debut for the Minnowesqe ATS F1 Team at the 1981 San Marino Grand Prix - having affixed ABBA logos to his chassis flanks in hopes of luring other sponsorships, albeit ABBA didn?t contribute any financial backing to the Percussionist turned Grand Prix racer...
Slim ultimately made ten Formula one race starts with his high point coming with a sixth-place finish at the 1981 British Grand Prix for ATS, where multiple drivers dropped out due to a plethora of mechanical maladies.
For the 1982 season ?Uncle Chopper? (Ken Tyrrell) hired the ?Swede as Eddie ?The Great? Cheever?s replacement; upon Slim reputedly having ?shined On;? Err shone up an Italian driver by the name of Michele Alboreto the year prior during qualifying, now his teammate at Tyrrell. Yet Borgudd didn?t exactly set the F1 world alight and was impolitely jettisoned from Ken?s team after that year?s USGP WEST race at Long Beach, the third of the season, as Slim?s money had run out! Subsequently being replaced by a British ?Chap named Brian Henton...
Afterwards, Borgudd made a career out of Tin tops, most notably in Trucks, where he won three Championships, along with Saloon racing in the British and Swedish Touring Car Championships, also participating in a ?one-off? at the ?87 24 Heurs du Mans before ultimately retiring from Professional Motorsports in the mid-1990?s.
Having settled down in Coventry, ironically Messer Borgudd just celebrated his 65th birthday this past November 25th - now joining full Senior Citizenry status - while there?s NO word on whether or not he broke out the Drum kit and played ?Will you still Need Me; Will you still Feed Me, when I?m 64?? Hoohah!
(6) Kenny BrackSeries: Indy Racing League; CART; IndyCar.Teams: Galles Racing; A.J. Foyt Enterprises; Team Rahal; Target Chip Ganassi Racing; Rahal Letterman Racing.Years: 1997-2003, 2005Wins: 10
The ?Brackster will always hold a special place in my memory banks ? for two main reasons; as first he?s the only Big Name Indy Racing League driver I can think of who made the reverse switch, from the IRL to CART, when everyone else was going the opposite direction, albeit it may have not been his wisest career move?
Secondly, with my lucky choice of Kenny to my Chump Carz Fantasy Racing league, I ended up losing the title by a very scant 4-points in the final race at Fontana, as my success as runner-up was based largely upon Brack?s fantastic sophomore season (2001) for Team Owner Bobby Rahal in that sharp lookin? yellow & white Shell IndyCar...
But don?t forget that Kenny actually began his ?Big Carz baptism under fire as a rookie for the faltering Galles Racing team in 1997 before moving onwards & upwards to A.J. Foyt?s team the following season - where he promptly won the Indy Racing League title.
Brack followed this up the next year by winning the B-I-G show, a.k.a. the Indy 500 - ?Ol SuperTex?s (AJ Foyt) last time in Victory lane at the Speedway, albeit as a Team Owner in ?99. (As I seriously doubt that Foyt will ever win again at Indianapolis...)
And then Kenny made the most unusual move to CART the following season; Hmm? Perhaps he was getting? fed-up with having to eat Chicken Fried steak, which is some of AJ?s favourite grub - Yuhs Hear? Hya!
Brack?s debut Championship Auto Racing Teams season driving for Meesh?s favourite Booby Ray-X; Err Bobby Rahal, saw the likeable ?Swede paired with ?MAD MAX? Papis.
In his sophomore season with Team Rahal, Brack had a breakout season by winning four races and finishing runner-up to eventual Champion Gil De Feran; taking his second consecutive Drivers crown for The Captain, nee Roger Penske. Kenny then moved onto TCGR and thee ?Cheepster, a.k.a. Chip Ganassi; who?s got a very high level of expectation regarding his racing drivers... And hence, as apparently ?Cheep didn?t think Brack was cutting the mustard, the ?Swede?s CART career ultimately floundered, albeit winning the season finale for Ganassi in Mexico City before parting ways...
For ?03, Kenny returned to his old haunt, although now being known as Rahal Letterman Racing and residing in the rival IRL, where Bobby amongst other CART owners had defected too - where things didn?t go exactly Swimmingly... As Kenny was injured in a ?Mega fence climbing accident at Texas World Speedway which recorded the highest ever G-Forces since the IRL began recording these. Spiking at a MASSIVE 214 G?s!!! As it would take Kenny 18-months to recover from his multiple injuries, with Brack?s RLR-seat being taken over by Buddy ?HotRod? Rice, who?d go onto win the 2004 Indy 500.
Yet in another twist ?O fate, or synchronicity; it would be none other then Brack who?d substitute for the defending Indy 500 winner the following May, as ironically Rice suffered major back injuries at you guessed IT! Texas World Speedway... Therefore it was a Cinderella story in the making when Kenny claimed that year?s fastest qualifying speed with a 4-lap average of 227.598mph. With Kenny?s run beating the Pole position speed set by TK ?Follow-your-Schnoz? Kanaan?s 4-lap average of 227.566mph for the ?05 Indy 500, having qualified after Pole Day.
Yet it wasn?t to be thee ?Brackster?s year - as the affable ?Swede would retire from mechanical woes on Lap-92; and then retire from Open Wheel Racing. As his rookie female teammate named Danica Patrick stole ALL of that year?s Headlines, while Oh Yeah; somebody named Dan Wheldon actually WON the race!
Yet Kenny was lured out of retirement four year?s later to compete in Rally-X Games where he?d win a Gold medal and subsequently has dabbled in other Rally?s and Vintage Racing, including having co-driven a narly 427 Cobra recently at Goodwood with ?Mr. LeMans,? aka Tom Kristensen...
(7) Stefan JohanssonSeries: F1 (CART & Sports Cars)Teams: Shadow; Spirit; Toleman; Tyrrell; Ferrari; McLaren; Ligier; Onyx; AGS; Footwork. Years: 1980, 1983-91Wins: 0
Poor Stefan will forever be known to me as ?Stevie Johnson,? courtesy of Randall ? The Moniker King, who came up with this clever adaptation of the ?Swede?s name during ?Juan of our yearly treks to Portland International Raceway.
Yet it?s kinda funny how I seemed to know just ?Kibbles ?N Bitz; Err bits & pieces of ?SJ?s career, albeit having learned he?d filled in for some Hot-schue named Ayrton at Toleman, when the Brazilian was ?Sat-down? for one race for breaking his contract to jump to Team Lotus - before Toleman ran into contractual dispute over its tyre supply in ?85, leaving the Swede High ?N Dry.
Stefan then substituted at Tyrrell for Stefan Bellof who?d fallen out of favour with ?Uncle Chopper? (Ken Tyrrell) for the season opener at Brazil - before replacing Rene Arnoux at la Scuderia when the Frenchman was sacked by Scuderia Ferrari prior to the Portugal Grand Prix.
After two frustrating seasons of driving for il Commendatore, nee Enzo Ferrari - Johansson moved onto McLaren to partner ?The Professor,? aka Alain Prost for 1987 where I first noticed Stefan?s name, although Stefan simply was Prost?s ?Wingman keeping the seat warm for Senna...
And as I?ve previously mentioned, I first really took notice of Stevie-J? aboard one of my favourites from the 1989 Iceberg GP at Phoenix, a very neatly penned Alan Jenkins chassis, the Onyx ORE 1-Ford/Cosworth DFR V-8... Yet I must admit I lost track of Stevie when he departed Onyx and didn?t take notice again ?til his resurgence Across-thee-Pond in CART driving for Tony Bettenhausen?s Penske ?B-Team? squad, i.e.; AMAX sponsored Penske/Chevrolet racecars, in which Johansson won Rookie Of the Year (R.O.Y.) honours in ?92. As the Swede won his first CART Pole-position appropriately at Portland the following year, before eventually leaving CART after the 1996 season...
Yet Stevie-J? did go onto a successful Sports Car career, winning le 24 Heurs du Mans in ?97 with ex-Ferrari teammate Michele Alboreto and ?Mr. LeMans,? aka Tom Kristensen aboard the TWR ?Open-top? Joest-Porsche, along with having won the 12-hours of Sebring earlier that year aboard a Ferrari 333SP.
Stefan has also previously ventured into Open Wheel Team Ownership roles twice, with a successful Indy Lights team, with somebody named Scott Dixon driving for him. Plus a one year Champ Car squad with Jimmy Vasser and rookie Ryan Hunter-Reay who took an opportunistic win for Stevie?s American Spirit Team Johansson at Surfers Paradise in the wet.
And I had the pleasure of briefly meeting Johansson at the 2011 Indy 500 World?s largest autograph session, whilst when not busy signing his John Hancock for admirers, manages IndyCar driver Scott Dixon along with designing his boutique watches.
As I?m certain he?s not too bummed over ?Quick Nick (Heidfeld) breaking his record for F1 podiums without a victory, which was previously eleven before the German recorded his twelfth last year before being dumped by Lotus-Renault XP ?Calladrocious...
(8) Bjorn WirdheimSeries: F1, (Friday/Third Driver) Champ Car & Japanese Super GTTeams: Jaguar & HVM RacingYears: 2004-2005Wins: 0
Bjorn began by racing Go-karts for five years, culminating with his winning of the Southern Sweden Championship at the age of 15. He then transitioned to single seaters, moving into the Formula Ford 1600 Junior series in ?96 ? before winning the Championship in ?97 with a ?Mega 17-victories...
For the 1998-99 seasons, Bjorn contested the Formula Palmer/Audi series before moving onto German Formula 3. Then in 2002 he switched once again, this time into International Formula 3000, the predecessor to today?s GP2 series. In his rookie campaign, he finished fourth overall + Rookie of the year with Arden International. The following year he was so dominating enroute to the Championship ? that he broke Justin Wilson?s record points tally while becoming the series only ?Swede to win the title, before signing as Jaguar Racing F1?s third (Friday) driver, when the team was still owned by Ford.
For 2005 Wirdheim joined Keith Wiggin?s struggling HVM Racing Minnowesqe Champ Car Team and slogged his way thru 11-races before deciding to part company. Next he switched to Japan?s formula Nippon for 2-years and has most recently been competing in the Super GT series for Toyota...
And before Y?all say where?s No. 9, Number Nine, Number Nein? As in MEx who I first became aware of in 2009; I?ve left the promising ?Swede out as I?ve chronicled his pursuits in another riveting tale depicting my Young Guns of 2009 selections; YIKES! Which I?ll spin off into another riveting story on a further day...
Continuing on with my past hunt for Swedish Open Wheel Racing standouts, I came up with a total of nine characters fitting this description, as we definitely ?Brack? into the characters in this final portion of Icelandic ?lore...
(5) Tommy ?Slim? BorguddSeries: F1Teams: ATS; TyrrellYears: 1981-82Wins: 0
Karl Edward Tommy Borgudd, better known as ?Slim,? made his name originally as a Jazz/Rock Drummer - reputedly playing for the Bands Made in Sweden & Solar Plexus before garnering Fortune ?N Fame as a Session Drummer for the ?Mega Pop rock group ABBA...
Yet Borgudd also began dabbling in motor racing in the early 1960?s behind the wheel of a Lotus Formula ford before moving onto Swedish Touring Cars between 1972-75 - whilst claiming the Scandinavian Formula Ford series title in 1973. Slim than set about moving up the ladder and ultimately won the 1979 Swedish F3 Championship for his own concern behind the wheel of a Ralt-Toyota.
Unable to land a ride in F2 the following season, Borgudd made his Formula 1 debut for the Minnowesqe ATS F1 Team at the 1981 San Marino Grand Prix - having affixed ABBA logos to his chassis flanks in hopes of luring other sponsorships, albeit ABBA didn?t contribute any financial backing to the Percussionist turned Grand Prix racer...
Slim ultimately made ten Formula one race starts with his high point coming with a sixth-place finish at the 1981 British Grand Prix for ATS, where multiple drivers dropped out due to a plethora of mechanical maladies.
For the 1982 season ?Uncle Chopper? (Ken Tyrrell) hired the ?Swede as Eddie ?The Great? Cheever?s replacement; upon Slim reputedly having ?shined On;? Err shone up an Italian driver by the name of Michele Alboreto the year prior during qualifying, now his teammate at Tyrrell. Yet Borgudd didn?t exactly set the F1 world alight and was impolitely jettisoned from Ken?s team after that year?s USGP WEST race at Long Beach, the third of the season, as Slim?s money had run out! Subsequently being replaced by a British ?Chap named Brian Henton...
Afterwards, Borgudd made a career out of Tin tops, most notably in Trucks, where he won three Championships, along with Saloon racing in the British and Swedish Touring Car Championships, also participating in a ?one-off? at the ?87 24 Heurs du Mans before ultimately retiring from Professional Motorsports in the mid-1990?s.
Having settled down in Coventry, ironically Messer Borgudd just celebrated his 65th birthday this past November 25th - now joining full Senior Citizenry status - while there?s NO word on whether or not he broke out the Drum kit and played ?Will you still Need Me; Will you still Feed Me, when I?m 64?? Hoohah!
(6) Kenny BrackSeries: Indy Racing League; CART; IndyCar.Teams: Galles Racing; A.J. Foyt Enterprises; Team Rahal; Target Chip Ganassi Racing; Rahal Letterman Racing.Years: 1997-2003, 2005Wins: 10
The ?Brackster will always hold a special place in my memory banks ? for two main reasons; as first he?s the only Big Name Indy Racing League driver I can think of who made the reverse switch, from the IRL to CART, when everyone else was going the opposite direction, albeit it may have not been his wisest career move?
Secondly, with my lucky choice of Kenny to my Chump Carz Fantasy Racing league, I ended up losing the title by a very scant 4-points in the final race at Fontana, as my success as runner-up was based largely upon Brack?s fantastic sophomore season (2001) for Team Owner Bobby Rahal in that sharp lookin? yellow & white Shell IndyCar...
But don?t forget that Kenny actually began his ?Big Carz baptism under fire as a rookie for the faltering Galles Racing team in 1997 before moving onwards & upwards to A.J. Foyt?s team the following season - where he promptly won the Indy Racing League title.
Brack followed this up the next year by winning the B-I-G show, a.k.a. the Indy 500 - ?Ol SuperTex?s (AJ Foyt) last time in Victory lane at the Speedway, albeit as a Team Owner in ?99. (As I seriously doubt that Foyt will ever win again at Indianapolis...)
And then Kenny made the most unusual move to CART the following season; Hmm? Perhaps he was getting? fed-up with having to eat Chicken Fried steak, which is some of AJ?s favourite grub - Yuhs Hear? Hya!
Brack?s debut Championship Auto Racing Teams season driving for Meesh?s favourite Booby Ray-X; Err Bobby Rahal, saw the likeable ?Swede paired with ?MAD MAX? Papis.
In his sophomore season with Team Rahal, Brack had a breakout season by winning four races and finishing runner-up to eventual Champion Gil De Feran; taking his second consecutive Drivers crown for The Captain, nee Roger Penske. Kenny then moved onto TCGR and thee ?Cheepster, a.k.a. Chip Ganassi; who?s got a very high level of expectation regarding his racing drivers... And hence, as apparently ?Cheep didn?t think Brack was cutting the mustard, the ?Swede?s CART career ultimately floundered, albeit winning the season finale for Ganassi in Mexico City before parting ways...
For ?03, Kenny returned to his old haunt, although now being known as Rahal Letterman Racing and residing in the rival IRL, where Bobby amongst other CART owners had defected too - where things didn?t go exactly Swimmingly... As Kenny was injured in a ?Mega fence climbing accident at Texas World Speedway which recorded the highest ever G-Forces since the IRL began recording these. Spiking at a MASSIVE 214 G?s!!! As it would take Kenny 18-months to recover from his multiple injuries, with Brack?s RLR-seat being taken over by Buddy ?HotRod? Rice, who?d go onto win the 2004 Indy 500.
Yet in another twist ?O fate, or synchronicity; it would be none other then Brack who?d substitute for the defending Indy 500 winner the following May, as ironically Rice suffered major back injuries at you guessed IT! Texas World Speedway... Therefore it was a Cinderella story in the making when Kenny claimed that year?s fastest qualifying speed with a 4-lap average of 227.598mph. With Kenny?s run beating the Pole position speed set by TK ?Follow-your-Schnoz? Kanaan?s 4-lap average of 227.566mph for the ?05 Indy 500, having qualified after Pole Day.
Yet it wasn?t to be thee ?Brackster?s year - as the affable ?Swede would retire from mechanical woes on Lap-92; and then retire from Open Wheel Racing. As his rookie female teammate named Danica Patrick stole ALL of that year?s Headlines, while Oh Yeah; somebody named Dan Wheldon actually WON the race!
Yet Kenny was lured out of retirement four year?s later to compete in Rally-X Games where he?d win a Gold medal and subsequently has dabbled in other Rally?s and Vintage Racing, including having co-driven a narly 427 Cobra recently at Goodwood with ?Mr. LeMans,? aka Tom Kristensen...
(7) Stefan JohanssonSeries: F1 (CART & Sports Cars)Teams: Shadow; Spirit; Toleman; Tyrrell; Ferrari; McLaren; Ligier; Onyx; AGS; Footwork. Years: 1980, 1983-91Wins: 0
Poor Stefan will forever be known to me as ?Stevie Johnson,? courtesy of Randall ? The Moniker King, who came up with this clever adaptation of the ?Swede?s name during ?Juan of our yearly treks to Portland International Raceway.
Yet it?s kinda funny how I seemed to know just ?Kibbles ?N Bitz; Err bits & pieces of ?SJ?s career, albeit having learned he?d filled in for some Hot-schue named Ayrton at Toleman, when the Brazilian was ?Sat-down? for one race for breaking his contract to jump to Team Lotus - before Toleman ran into contractual dispute over its tyre supply in ?85, leaving the Swede High ?N Dry.
Stefan then substituted at Tyrrell for Stefan Bellof who?d fallen out of favour with ?Uncle Chopper? (Ken Tyrrell) for the season opener at Brazil - before replacing Rene Arnoux at la Scuderia when the Frenchman was sacked by Scuderia Ferrari prior to the Portugal Grand Prix.
After two frustrating seasons of driving for il Commendatore, nee Enzo Ferrari - Johansson moved onto McLaren to partner ?The Professor,? aka Alain Prost for 1987 where I first noticed Stefan?s name, although Stefan simply was Prost?s ?Wingman keeping the seat warm for Senna...
And as I?ve previously mentioned, I first really took notice of Stevie-J? aboard one of my favourites from the 1989 Iceberg GP at Phoenix, a very neatly penned Alan Jenkins chassis, the Onyx ORE 1-Ford/Cosworth DFR V-8... Yet I must admit I lost track of Stevie when he departed Onyx and didn?t take notice again ?til his resurgence Across-thee-Pond in CART driving for Tony Bettenhausen?s Penske ?B-Team? squad, i.e.; AMAX sponsored Penske/Chevrolet racecars, in which Johansson won Rookie Of the Year (R.O.Y.) honours in ?92. As the Swede won his first CART Pole-position appropriately at Portland the following year, before eventually leaving CART after the 1996 season...
Yet Stevie-J? did go onto a successful Sports Car career, winning le 24 Heurs du Mans in ?97 with ex-Ferrari teammate Michele Alboreto and ?Mr. LeMans,? aka Tom Kristensen aboard the TWR ?Open-top? Joest-Porsche, along with having won the 12-hours of Sebring earlier that year aboard a Ferrari 333SP.
Stefan has also previously ventured into Open Wheel Team Ownership roles twice, with a successful Indy Lights team, with somebody named Scott Dixon driving for him. Plus a one year Champ Car squad with Jimmy Vasser and rookie Ryan Hunter-Reay who took an opportunistic win for Stevie?s American Spirit Team Johansson at Surfers Paradise in the wet.
And I had the pleasure of briefly meeting Johansson at the 2011 Indy 500 World?s largest autograph session, whilst when not busy signing his John Hancock for admirers, manages IndyCar driver Scott Dixon along with designing his boutique watches.
As I?m certain he?s not too bummed over ?Quick Nick (Heidfeld) breaking his record for F1 podiums without a victory, which was previously eleven before the German recorded his twelfth last year before being dumped by Lotus-Renault XP ?Calladrocious...
(8) Bjorn WirdheimSeries: F1, (Friday/Third Driver) Champ Car & Japanese Super GTTeams: Jaguar & HVM RacingYears: 2004-2005Wins: 0
Bjorn began by racing Go-karts for five years, culminating with his winning of the Southern Sweden Championship at the age of 15. He then transitioned to single seaters, moving into the Formula Ford 1600 Junior series in ?96 ? before winning the Championship in ?97 with a ?Mega 17-victories...
For the 1998-99 seasons, Bjorn contested the Formula Palmer/Audi series before moving onto German Formula 3. Then in 2002 he switched once again, this time into International Formula 3000, the predecessor to today?s GP2 series. In his rookie campaign, he finished fourth overall + Rookie of the year with Arden International. The following year he was so dominating enroute to the Championship ? that he broke Justin Wilson?s record points tally while becoming the series only ?Swede to win the title, before signing as Jaguar Racing F1?s third (Friday) driver, when the team was still owned by Ford.
For 2005 Wirdheim joined Keith Wiggin?s struggling HVM Racing Minnowesqe Champ Car Team and slogged his way thru 11-races before deciding to part company. Next he switched to Japan?s formula Nippon for 2-years and has most recently been competing in the Super GT series for Toyota...
And before Y?all say where?s No. 9, Number Nine, Number Nein? As in MEx who I first became aware of in 2009; I?ve left the promising ?Swede out as I?ve chronicled his pursuits in another riveting tale depicting my Young Guns of 2009 selections; YIKES! Which I?ll spin off into another riveting story on a further day...
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