February '07 Archive

245. HotPass on DirecTV	ID #490630
Posted: 2-25-2007 @ 10:32 pm EST

Yes, we paid the extra bucks to have the five in-car channels provided to us this year. And two races into the season, what do I think?

Actually, we turned off the sound to the regular race coverage and listened to the pit reporters for Juan Pablo Montoya instead. Wendy Venturini and other regular SpeedTV reporters provided the commentary and they were great! Instead of the comedic words usually provided by Waltrip and company, we were treated to in-depth coverage discussing unleaded fuel, the effect on the engines, how the team restricted use of the engine during pre-race activities, pit strategy, in-car radio from Juan Pablo and of course his spotter's advice throughout the race.

We were not treated like newbie NASCAR fans. We were treated like we would understand all the racing terms. Guess what? We do!

We already have the extra DirecTV receiver and piled another TV on top of the bigscreen. However, since the second receiver doesn't go through the TiVo unit, the HotPass channel ends up running about 2 seconds ahead...sometimes distracting us as a yellow comes out before the bigscreen said so.

Last week, we watched Lil E' wreck live on his channel. It took a full minute for the regular broadcast to replay the footage.

I love this. The constant spotter chatter places me at the track with my scanner on. It provides more insight into the team's actions and the driver's decisions on the track.

If you have the ability to get HotPass and you are a NASCAR fan that will watch the races without requiring a racing primer being dictated to you by Hollywood Hammond, spend the $100. Granted our living room is getting slightly out of control with all of the electronics we use to watch the race...but I'm good with this. This program, unlike the tourist pocket gouging Nextel Fanview, is truly targeted to the smart NASCAR fan and provides a real bang for your buck

Yep, Rousch won the race. big surprise... but Jeff and Jimmie arrived smartly in second and third. Great job! And look at the points! Mark Martin, are you sure you're only running a partial schedule this year?

I shall catch ya'll later

244. Hard racing or intentional wrecking?	ID #490283
Posted: 2-24-2007 @ 11:17 am EST

Mark Martin in the #21 Woods Bros. entry was all set to win yet another truck race last night. He and Mike Skinner in the #5 had spent 80 laps racing eachother clean. Now, Mark had stayed out to maintain his position during a caution and he was all lined up to win. All he had to do was execute a clean restart and he should have been able to drive off into the sunset...

Except for one little thing. Ron Hornaday sat behind him in the #33 machine. Mr. Hornaday...known in the racing world as the king of the restart. He'll rub you, bump you, jump the flag...basically do anything to slip past the leader. We held our breath. He did it again.

Mark Martin held off on the restart with 10 laps to go. Whether he was saving his worn tires or simply trying to out manuever Hornaday...well it's a moot point now. Hornaday ran into the back of Martin, lifting the #21 tires off the ground, sending Martin's truck spinning into the infield and killing any chance that Mark had at racing to the finish.

To me it looked intentional. It looked like Ron was doing anything, including removing the competition, to win. It looked like a black flag and rough racing call...but that's me. That's not NASCAR.

NASCAR got what they wanted--a showdown at the finish with Mike Skinner and Ron Hornaday racing to the end and a slightly controversial event and fans that will stay in their seats until the checkers.

I wonder...

Last year the Cup series and Busch series had more Green/White/Checker finishes then ever before. It was actually kind of irritating because you don't really get a great race at the end. The red flags and slow yellow laps preceding the final showdown kind of take away the excitement building in the final 25 laps.

Did NASCAR sit down in the off season and decide that muscle moves during the final 10 laps of the race that resulted in wrecks would be ignored? NASCAR turned a total blind eye to Hornaday's antics last night. They apparently lost the ability to push the button bringing out the yellow during last week's 500 when half the field was spinning across the finish line. Has the safety of the competitors been banished in the hopes that a better show will be provided to the fans?

I wonder...

Tell me, NASCAR, where did your commitment to the safety of the competitors go?

Personally, I'm torn. The blood thirsty American in me loves the bad boy type of racing. And yet, a sense of fair play keeps ruining the moment for me.

What will ultimately be the determining factor? Probably TV ratings and the injury rate...

Stay tuned for more excitement today (If racing in a strung out line is what you call exciting )

Later!

243. Looking for something to talk about...	ID #489593
Posted: 2-21-2007 @ 4:54 pm EST

Since the 500, the NASCAR news scene has been pretty, well, boring. I could find comments on the race, comments on penalties, comments on fantasy leagues... What happened to the news about the sport? I guess after the feeding frenzy at Daytona, the media and the newsmakers are just plum worn out. So I dug a little bit today...

Over at Backstretch Motorsports (http://www.backstretchmotorsports.com/bm/index.php?option=com_content&task=...) I enjoyed reading an interview with Chip Ganassi and his thoughts on the year so far, about the industry...and I sighed in relief. Real comments about real issues.

It was reassuring to hear honest feedback from Chip about the state of his team. He understands the pros and cons of maintaining his young stable of relative newbies. He, too, is looking at Juan Pablo as a new leader for his men. He commented on the rising costs of the sport and I found an interesting comment.

People are still the #1 cost when it comes to running this sport. We often hear about complaints about the equipment. But when it comes down to it, the number of team members that are carried from track to track and are "required" for a competitive run continue to climb as teams like Hendrick and Rousch never stop building. Where will the future of the sport come from when a team appears to need an entourage 100 strong in order to enter a race?

Over the past couple years, I'd have to say the most competitive newcomers to the owners list are the drivers. With their lucrative "back-end" sponsor deals, they accumulate the kind of wealth needed to just seed a team. They enter the truck and Busch world with at least a running knowledge of the people needed and where to get the equipment. So, the superstars of today appear to be the superstar owners of tomorrow.

What happened to the "every man" image that NASCAR was founded on so many years ago? Even now, the sanctioning body is running ads on Speed and raceday sending the racing fan to their local tracks. But honestly, even though men like Andy Santerre are building a "stable" in regional series, do I believe that he would be capable of taking it national? Not really. I suspect a business manager with a degree from Harvard would be the first thing needed.

The image of NASCAR is changing. While it is still possible for a local racer to "make it" as a driver in the big leagues, the amount of money and connections needed to field a car at the Cup level is no longer possible for the local car dealership.

For me? I'd be just as happy if NASCAR existed only on the local level. The circus of the Cup world is entertaining, but the personality of the competitors almost gets lost in the polish of commercials. The edge of racing still lives in bent sheet metal and unburnt fuel. And that is not expensive.

On that note...the Spring Icebreaker at Thompson is only two months away. It'll lack the glitter of Daytona, but it will still have all the excitement

Catch ya later!

242. What am I supposed to think about this?	ID #488940
Posted: 2-18-2007 @ 7:30 pm EST

Harvick won the 500. Harvick won the Busch race yesterday. Happy Harvick...

At some point I'm gonna have to accept the fact that Kevin is an incredible racer...but that won't be today. This wasn't his fault. He raced off of 3 and 4 riding a push to the front, banging doors with Mark Martin in the #01 Army car. He didn't cause the wreck! The wreck...

The wreck that littered the entire front stretch with cars, flames, tires and irate drivers. Nope, that was Kenseth. Just like he took out MacMurray a few laps earlier. It looked like to me that Matt ran out of patience and common sense. He started shoving his way to the front, disregarding anybody he might send into the wall on the way.

So what I was left with...a wish that Mark Martin had won. Or that Jeff Burton was a little luckier. And that Jeff Gordon had a better day. Or maybe NASCAR might have thrown the yellow flag for the final quarter mile of the race.

Yes, it was exciting and thrilling and everything that I wanted out of a race.

Except that Mr. Harvick sat in Victory Lane giggling like the happy go luck guy he is.

Well, next week is California. We'll see how the real season starts then

Catch ya later!

241. Trucks...this is racing	ID #488702
Posted: 2-17-2007 @ 2:57 pm EST

The race last night had it all! Great racing, drama, three wide, almost upside-down and last lap lead change (actually it was the last 500 feet lead change )

I am sorry for Travis Kvapil, but there was nothing to be done about that Jack Sprague, congratulations. And Johnny...your second place finish really made me cringe. I was waiting for NASCAR to declare the pass on the bottom was illegal (below the yellow line), but the gods were looking the other way. Great job!

If anybody has any reservations about what the COT will do for Cup racing...just look at the trucks. Every single week is a beatin' bangin' bully fest. There's no easing the car through the wind, hoping the aero-forces keep your tail on the ground. It's just horsepower blowing its way to the front. The boxy front-end of the COT should see some changes in the way the Cup boys race. I'm hoping it results in races more like the trucks.

I don't need a superstar winning when the field is fighting three wide all the way to the finish.

240. 150's provide a look at something else	ID #488469
Posted: 2-16-2007 @ 12:26 pm EST

If only for a short time, we didn't focus entirely upon some team's attempts to circumvent the rules. What a refreshing idea! Instead we were treated to some underdog stories, not the least was James Hylton.

Should there be an age restriction for participating in any of NASCAR's circuits? I think not. Currently the determination for eligibility is based upon the driver's ability to compete and their physical condition. A very reasonable approach to the problem I, too, cheered as Mr. Hylton walked to his car, waving at the fans perched on top of the Cup garage. This is the best part of racing.

So, a quick look at those that raced in.

Mike Waltrip #55 Well, that's the way you show 'em. That helps to redeem the unfortunate choices made during the past week. Not only did the #55 make it in, Dale Jarrett #44 took the past champion's provisional and David Reutiman in the #00 qualified on his time. Take that!

Boris Said #60 Boris proved once again that he is more than capable of running with the best. I'm proud!

Joe Nemechek #13 Further proof that his time spent in the #01 was not wasted. This team is ready to go

Mike Wallace #09 This man drives with heart. He doesn't drive often. But he always puts on an honest show. Congratulations!

Tony Stewart looks impossible to beat, happy and carefree. He won the Shootout and his 150.

Jeff Gordon made an incredible move on the last lap to win his 150, only to fail post race inspection. A rear shock mount broke, causing the car to sit too low. Determined unintentional but unsafe, Jeff will start the 500 from the 42nd position. Bummer. But not lethal. Starting at the back just means you have to pray 'the big one' doesn't collect you during the race.

Interesting comments from drivers...they are letting off in the corners which means there is some ability to make a move on the track. We should see some of the best racing at Daytona in years

Catch ya later!

239. Times are changing	ID #488242
Posted: 2-15-2007 @ 11:39 am EST

You know, it isn't so much about condemning the actions of the #55 team, or any other team. It's about change.

The sport is changing. Some people (Mr. Excitement) are speaking about competing in an honest and forthright manner...Jimmy Spencer is saying this. Pardon me while I laugh. There is hardly a single racing team out there that hasn't tried to push the envelope at some point and time. It's part and parcel of the sport. A bit like boxing goes with hockey...or at least it used to.

I understand that NASCAR is attempting to reinvent the image of the sport as the audience continues to expand. This means there must be an image of impeccable integrity...even if it's something of a hypocritical effort.

This sport stands on innovation. Innovation, invention...cheating. Can you see how easily one slips into the other?

However, what was done to the #55 car was cheating. Blatant. It wasn't bending the rules or tweaking an interpretation. What was attempted has been outlawed for decades. It was a desperate attempt to find a few more horsepower so that the #55 would get into the 500. Why didn't they get out the back-up car? The modification (some kind of fuel additive in the intake manifold) was probably in the back-up car as well. The crew chief has been fired. But I do wonder just who all knew about this...I wonder.

Well, lessons are learned and I hope the media madness is over. The Duels are on this afternoon. We'll be racing for real. Time to focus on the part of the sport that demands our attention week after week...

The boys will be going fast

238. Tis the season!	ID #487771
Posted: 2-13-2007 @ 1:19 pm EST

For cheating

Micheal Waltrip's response to the discovery of an unknown substance in his intake manifold was interesting... "I'm just the driver! I don't know much about engines..." Might I remind Mr. Waltrip that he is not 'just the driver' now-a-days? He's the owner and holds a higher level of responsibility when it comes to playing with the rules.

He thinks he was condemned before being tried? Let's face facts...something really alarming happened there. NASCAR is not tearing down the #55 because it entertains them. You were pushing the envelope and got caught. Stop crying, Mikey.

Kenseth and Kahne's cars...aerodynamic enhancements. They cut holes in their cars where they shouldn't have. Last year JJ lost his crew chief over some clever maneuverings like this. We're waiting upon the results, but don't be too shocked at high points, cash and suspensions. The teams were warned last year.

But this is Daytona...in another year we won't be seeing restrictor plate engines or even this particular car design. Racing at the brightest gem on the Cup circuit will not be the same. This is the last opportunity for teams to try these particular tricks at this location. The importance of this race can't be stressed enough! Especially when the face of this sport will be morphing into something bigger and better.

So, yeah, they're cheating. THey're bump drafting in the tri-oval. They're whining about tires and aero-loose. This is Daytona. It's February.

The boys are back! Sit back and enjoy

236. OK, seriously...	ID #486899
Posted: 2-9-2007 @ 8:04 pm EST

The big day is tomorrow. Toyota will make its debut in the competitive Nextel Cup arena. And...?

Yeah, Toyota came in with a bottomless wallet and started up a bunch of brand new teams with quite a few big names and some major talent. Now why is Rousch crying? Honestly, I don't know. Probably because it's just one more thing trying to put an end to his domination over the NASCAR kingdom. His heart beats for this sport, that I know. However, part of the sport is the never ending battle of perfection seeking individuals that color the canvas.

Should Rousch lose his position at the top of the mountain, another will take his place. Ten more years down the road will be another stable. There will never be an unending reign attributed to any team...ever. Got it? Stop crying, Jack. There is a new kid in town, and it will take a while for him to form his own posse. You're not out, yet.

Oh yeah...everybody is wondering why Toyota didn't just come in and buy one of the major stables. The answer is simple. They're smart. Toyota is refusing to set up their teams "the way that everyone does it." This means they won't reproduce decade old habits. There won't be anybody sitting in the corner that says, "Because that's the way it's done."

Because that's not the way you win.

Remember, once upon a time this crew chief named Ray Evernham walked into the sport and reinvented Pit Crews in the span of a year. It's never been the same. He didn't do it the way everybody else did. He did the right way. He won.

Toyota's gonna win and they're gonna do it in a manner unlike any other team out there. Next...

Dale Jr.

Stop it! All of you! He is negotiating his contract. It's what sports professionals do. He's not mad at Theresa. She's not mad at him. It's business. More money than you can imagine is involved. Let the men who keep track of all the dollar signs do their thing. One thing is for sure, DEI will bend over backwards to keep their cash cow. With Dale Jr., it really doesn't matter if he never wins a Cup. He is an unending dollar sign. He is a rock star. Wanna win? Take all that money and hire another driver

ESPN...

I watched the daily NASCAR show on Monday. I have one thing to say. Where have you guys been for the past month? I will try again next week, but if you can't provide timely coverage for the sport, you might consider hiring new reporters. Honestly!

And that's all for now.

Catch ya later!

235. Oooooh! We're back!	ID #486877
Posted: 2-9-2007 @ 5:47 pm EST