December 28, 2005

What next?

December 18, 2005

Random Thoughts

I was really hoping to find something worth talking about as I cruised over the NASCAR headlines for the past week. Nothing. Nada. Zero. Lawsuits, more sponsor and team juggling with non-impact teams, various track news and the finalization of the buy-out/merger of Action Performance.

No exciting rules changes. No eye popping sightings of drivers doing something stupid. Basically, no fuel for the media monsters.

Ah well. Guess I'll just have to settle for watching the snowflakes fall and wishing for the sound of engines firing...Happy Holidays.

December 10, 2005

Heya!

What a bore! The most interesting thing NASCAR can come up with in the off season is complaining to their drivers about not appearing at the Awards Night? Pathetic.

Jeff Gordon had an awful year. He had an opportunity to do some driving in France, something he turned down in years past, and he wasn't in the Top 10. Why would he want to show up at the Awards Dinner?

The same goes for Lil' E. I don't care what Dale won...it was only some fans vote, you know like cutest driver or driver best able to win at video games.

Awards banquets are boring. The NASCAR night is no different. Nobody looks comfortable in their tuxes and the jokes are just as lame as at the Oscar's.

NASCAR fans watch races. It's on the track that everybody proves their worth. Mike Helton and company need to get over it all.

You know, its only like a month before cars start testing in Daytona...I can wait.

Catch ya'll later!
 

November 28, 2005

Now what???

I'm totally stuck.

There were several days where I savored the lack of a demanding obsession...and then I got bored. Now I stare into the next few months knowing that all I have to stave off withdrawal is the breadcrumbs of CASCAR and ESPN reruns from 1984. ACK!

I could be really clever and talk endlessly about what is over, what is done and frankly I just wasn't blown away by the end of the season. Silly Season is so baffling this year, I may never recover.

I suppose I could study changes in rules that NASCAR intends to introduce with the new season...I could just vegetate. Take a deep breath. Refresh my mind and hope for a new season with better media coverage...hmmm...

I can dream, can't I?
 

November 22, 2005 

An Ugly Duckling Tale 

Once upon a time there was a little racecar driver named Tony Stewart.  He was a very talented boy, capable of winning any kind of race he tried.  He smiled when he won, he pouted when he lost and snarled when he pouted.

 After many years those around him were not much interested in Tony anymore, even when he won.  He continued to snarl, pout and growl.  In fact he didn’t even win that much anymore.  Everyone ran away from him.  And he wondered why…he really wasn’t such a terrible person.  He knew how to launch a practical joke.  He knew how to play with his dog.  He knew how drive a racecar really well!  Why didn’t anybody want to play with Tony anymore?

 Confused and hurt, Tony withdrew from his life.  He wouldn’t meet his fans with a smile and Sharpie.  He closed off his world and only included his car, crew and career.

 And then something wonderful happened.

 Tony went back to his roots.  He visited his home, his Mom, the friends and family that had launched his wildly successful driving career and he found something; the ability to share his trials and tribulations with those around him.  He learned that he wasn’t always judged harshly when he did not succeed.  He learned that those that loved him and cheered for him were prepared to do so through the good times and the bad as long as he welcomed that support.

 It happened slowly.  First he came onto pit road and smiled with his crew, laughed a bit before qualifying and then drove his car.  Next came stopping and signing autographs even if it wasn’t in his schedule.  People began to notice.  They began to smile with him.

 And then he began to win.  Again and again and again.  With each checkered flag he gathered, he recognized the crowds crying their jubilation which made them cheer louder.

 He drove just as hard, just as focused and just as successfully as ever, but now he looked good doing it.

 Finally he arrived at Homestead…on top of the points and ready to do it.  The race was long and tense.  He nearly lost the points lead at one point, but he just kept moving forward.

 And ultimately he won and he didn’t win like a little boy.

 A magical thing had happened to Tony.  He picked up the 2005 NASCAR Sprint Nextel Cup and the world saw a Champion.

 Congratulations Tony!  You really did earn it J

November 20, 2005

November 19, 2005

Trucks, trucks, trucks

Congratulations to Ted Musgrave #1 Mopar Dodge team, the 2005 Craftsman Truck Series Champion! A gentleman driver, Ted has perhaps waited too long to don the crown in the most exciting top series in NASCAR.

He arrived full-time in the Truck Series in 2001 and finished each year ranked 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd and FINALLY 1st! An interesting stat: Ted is 49. Most of the Cup drivers looking at 50 are looking to retire. That word has not figured at all in Ted's vocabulary this year, snuffing the theory that when you get older, you lose the drive to win.

While he had sporadic success as a Cup driver, the more aggressive and less finicky driving style of the trucks obviously suits Ted better. Certainly the fans haven't suffered from his changes in fortune.

Dennis Setzer completed the season ranked 2nd in points after leading the series for most of the year. He and Ted put on quite a show this year. His day will come after finishing that frustrating 2nd for the past three years. Maybe next year Dennis.

And of course there was a race winner: Todd Bodine brought his #30 truck to Victory Lane for the 3rd race in a row. That makes 5 this year.

I admit to having lived by the credo, "If there was a wreck on the track, a Bodine must've been involved." I may have to revise my decisions. Todd has certainly NOT provided me with any typical "Bodine" moments lately. He's been driving this year reminiscent of his entry into the Cup series however many years ago. I knew I bought that die-cast for a reason...

Next year...A Bodine as a Champion? Could it be?

And a team that just needs a little nudge: the #23 Toyota Used Cars Bill Davis ride driven by Johnny Benson. Through the season we've watched the team come from a top 20 or top 15 team to a Top 5 team. Come on Johnny! What's wrong with a Win? Next year, I know it will happen!

As usual in this sport, anything goes!

Catch ya later!

November 16, 2005

The end of the season

It's already arrived at the regional tracks across America. The All-Star Toyota Showdown was run at Irwindale, CA last weekend. While I don't have HDTV yet, I haven't been able to enjoy many of the "Races Across America" this year. So, the Showdown allowed me a moment to stack some of the Grand National Busch North regulars against some other up and comers in the regional divisions.

Sarah Fischer participated as a representative in the West division. I would suggest that it will only be a year or two before she works her own personal invasion into the higher ranks of NASCAR.

David Gilliland won. He's been around, almost as long as Mike Olsen (the guy who took the checkers with illegal equipment). Both drove a great race.

Matt Kobyluck finished third (or 2nd, it's kind of all a wash unless you're the guy taking home the check.) Matt is old enough to understand that he probably will never make it to the big time. Trucks maybe, but not any farther. Anytime Matt gets on a track longer then a 1/2 mile, he wrecks.

Then came Ryan Moore. He's the next DEI man, already has a developmental contract under his wing. He's young and on fire. Look for this guy!

Sean Caisse...yes, he's young. Yes, he's aggressive. He's even fairly talented. And the media loves him. But this kid needs some seasoning before comtemplating any big jumps.

Scott Gaylord followed. He's always prominent in any race I see him in.

Next is Andy Santerre, the Busch North champion...again! And team manager for the 44, 55 and 35 in the North series. Because of his age, he won't get the nod to drive. But given a few years, I suspect he might make a move and move south to join the management ranks of the bigger teams.

Steve Portenga...he is hot!

Joey McCarthy, another youth from the northeast with a serious future before him.

Brett Thompson and Johnny Borneman closed out the Top 10.

As you can see...this race really is an All-Star show.

And I will mention John Salemi. I know his brother-in-law. John is running his own team in the North series, the #63, with minimal sponsorship and shoe-string budget. He used to run bikes...you know the crazy kind. 200 mph.

John spent the entire season competing for Rookie of the Year against the well-funded Sean Caisse. John logged 1 DNF this year, due to engine failure. He brought his equipment back to his shop after each race intact. He earned himself an invitation to the Showdown...where he met with a racer's bad luck; running into another wreck. An ignominious end to the year. I know he's frustrated. But for me, if Rookie of the Year was based on character and the desire to compete...John Salemi would win.

And then there was a bad call! Yes! Even in the bragging rights only we had controversy.

There was a yellow thrown on the track. Busch North veteran Mike Stefanik in the #55 was then spun out by another car. Now, in any other race all year long Mike would be allowed to return to his spot on the track when the yellow fell. But for the big show, NASCAR chose to rely strictly upon electronic timing...no human scorers were used. The timing program did not understand that Mike had been spun-out, not relating to the original yellow. NASCAR sent the LEADER of the race to the back.

Mike parked his car, since there weren't enough laps left to return to the win.

Bad call, NASCAR. If it's really an All-Star event...NASCAR needs to score it like one.

Well, that's all folks. Thompson is already accepting requests for numbers for the April Icebreaker. The off-season has arrived just in time to let us sing a few carols before returning to the track

And now, we return you to Miami!
 

November 14, 2005

In the public's eye

Morality clause...that is apparently what ultimately tripped up #97 Kurt Busch.

Most of the world has heard that he was pulled over after driving erratically near the Phoenix International Raceway. What happened after that is full of denial, innuendo and hearsay. The worst rumors say he was stinking drunk. The nicest say he was a complete ass to the deputies. The citation issued said he was driving erratically, failed to stop at a stop sign and failed to stop for an officer.

NASCAR looked at the citation on its face and replied, "It's only a traffic ticket. Not our deal."

Rousch kept their response low key and below the radar all weekend...until the media got hold of it and put it all over the world that the reigning Nextel Champion may have been caught driving drunk.

Kurt's sponsor is Crown Royal. Part of the hard liquor industry's agreement with NASCAR is that in order to sponsor a car, the liquor company must present a "drink responsibly" message to the fans. Crown Royal looked at Kurt Busch's antics over the weekend and made a decision. They could not have a driver acting like that wearing their colors.

Kurt Busch was let go immediately.

Was it right? Was it wrong?

Just consider this. If you made a habit of driving 180 mph with 42 other people on a weekly basis, just how important would it be to you that the other people were sober? Would you want to get on that track gambling that somebody might be running on anything less than 100%?

As a sponsor, would Crown Royal want to entertain the possibility that next time the breathalizer machine would work?

As an owner, would Jack Rousch want to be shopping for sponsors for an unreliable poster boy?

As a family sport, would NASCAR wish to have its champion convicted of DUI?

Are these unreasonable demands to make of any man? To hold him up to these expectations? I didn't make that decision. Kurt Busch did. He knew these were the rules when he signed up to be a NASCAR Nextel Cup Driver. That is the deal if you want to earn millions of bucks selling die-cast and t-shirts.

Roger Penske knows what has to be done...a massive PR program to exume Kurt Busch's reputation will be underway come February. I wish him luck. I'm not certain that it will be enough to save Kurt's image on the track...or off.

What a pity this had to be the story of the week.
 

November 6, 2005

It never gets old

When I was four I watched my Mom challenge herself and win the local softball league championship. As us kids got older, she coached us, cheered for us and consoled us in our competitive endeavors. And it was a good feeling to look to the sidelines and see her clapping.

Time moved forward. I've had the opportunity to see some of her volunteer accomplishments and return the favor of "great job!"

In NASCAR, it's a wonderful thing to see that even though the teams deal with millions of dollars, media glitz and high pressure situations, it's still Mom's cheers that the competitors cherish.

Carl Edwards was the lucky recipient of a Mom hug in Victory Lane today (after another very fine backflip).

While he's a fresh faced youngster, age has very little to do with parental pride in the Cup ranks. We've met Tony's folks, Jeff Gordon's, Joe Nemechek's and Dale Jarrett was lucky enough to have his Dad call his Daytona 500 win. Of course there is the very visible Darrel and Micheal Waltrip brothers. And then there is Kurt Busch and his younger brother Shrub...the active family support in the racing ranks is part of what makes the weekly show a reassuring part of life.

It's family, it's familiar and it's fun.

The Chase is racing towards the final checker. Tony Stewart is lined up to win a second championship after almost redeeming his bad boy image this year...last week's griping about Biffle didn't help any...

Jimmie Johnson has not lost sight of the big prize. It's there, within reach, tantalizing Jimmie with it's eerie similarity to last year's finale.

And then there's Carl. Smiles, dimples, easy going, back-flipping...what are we supposed to not like? The fact that he might squeeze Mark Martin out of an elusive Cup? Won't work for me.

Besides, wouldn't it make a nice Norman Rockwell to have Carl receive a hug from his Mom while holding up the Nextel Cup?

See? Never gets old...this is good stuff.