Burning Rubber - Opinionated Commentary by Valerie Wood

NASCAR Hall of Fame Needs to Fast Track for Success

2011-04-29T17:01:00.003-05:00

Everyone knows that NASCAR was long overdue in establishing a Hall of Fame (HOF) when the effort finally got underway a few years ago. From the onset of this endeavor, they have chosen a curious and excruciatingly slow route to select nominees and ultimately inductees. When the initial list of 25 candidates was proposed it was evident that each of these candidates would one day be in the HOF. From the start, it’s been evident that this enterprise is lagging. Perhaps in a misguided attempt to not ‘rush to judgment’ NASCAR decided to induct five members at a time. Normally, that would be ideal, IF the HOF was up to speed, as it were, with all those who should be in it already inducted. However, since this effort should have been an initiative of NASCAR's at least 25, perhaps more, years ago, it is disconcerting to see such slow going in this effort to honor the many who so richly deserve to be in the NASCAR HOF.

Why do the folks running NASCAR have to make everything so convoluted? Other HOFs for major sports don’t have this problem. When the HOF initiative started, I felt that NASCAR should have grandfathered in the first 25 nominees to get a start on what has been missing all these years. Actually, I would have like to have seen a ‘full field’ of 43 entered. If categories are recognized, then that number would not seem so large, particularly while the HOF is being established. It might take a bit away from the pomp and circumstance of induction, but since this effort is so woefully behind, something needs to be done to get the much needed inductions rolling at a better rate. There has to be a better method of selecting and adding HOF members.

Ideally, in a HOF, there should be divisions, first and foremost, among the nominees. Something along the lines of: Drivers, Car Owners, Executives (such as NASCAR executives, Corporate Executives and Track owners), Crew Chiefs & Crew, and Media. Additionally, there could be a Special Selection Committee to handle nominations that do not easily fit these categories (e.g., a well known pit crew, such as the Flying Aces, The Alabama Gang (as a group), and the Racing Wives Auxiliary. Also, recognize a Sponsors section, for the various well-known racing sponsors such as R.J. Reynolds/Winston, Unocal, etc. to be acknowledged. There could even be a Pioneers Committee. There are ways to organize this effort that are so much better. Women and minorities certainly should have a recognized spot in the sport – Louise Smith and Wendell Scott immediately come to mind – recognition for those who were ground breakers in the sport. Wendell Scott was a racer long before ‘diversity’ became a buzzword. And, women like Lynda Petty, Judy Allison, Flossie Johnson, to name a few, were part of the fabric and backbone of the sport as we know it today.

To get things rolling, in the categories, up to five Drivers, two Executives, two Crew Chiefs, and one Media (writers and broadcasters) inductee should be selected from each category. It’s so patently obvious that many of the veteran drivers should have already been grandfathered into the NASCAR HOF—at the rate things are going it’ll be NASCAR’s 200^th Anniversary before half of those who should be in the HOF are enshrined. After all, this effort is approximately 63 years behind already – comparable to running 63 laps down, if you will.

A further step I would like to see is to NOT allow nominations of ACTIVE drivers, owners, crew, etc. A HOF is for career accomplishments. I firmly oppose ANY ACTIVE member of NASCAR being enshrined in the field in which they are active. Were Richard Childress to be nominated as a driver—that would be one thing. But, if he were to be nominated as an owner, then he should not be eligible until he no longer is a team owner. Ditto Rick Hendrick, Joe Gibbs, etc. Likewise with, say, Darrell Waltrip. Nominate him as a driver? Yes, he is retired from that (we think.) Nominate him as a broadcaster? No. These are all commonsense guidelines that the other sports adhere to.

Financially, the HOF is taking a beating as well. But, what would you expect? A trip to Charlotte to see 10 or so plaques is not exactly on the top of my list for a racing HOF/museum and I am sure others feel the same way. It’s going to be quite awhile, at this rate, before a visit there is a memorable event. Just think Cooperstown and Canton. You get the idea.

NASCAR has a chance to do something timely and remarkable with their HOF. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a little fast-tracking (pun intended) to get it where it should be? By the time NASCAR finally gets around to some of the potential inductees, they will likely have to be posthumous ceremonies. Not a great idea, really. It’s far more rewarding to induct someone while they are still around to receive the recognition and accolades!

Come on NASCAR—you can do so much better than you are on this. It IS a race for time, in a sense. Long overdue and past time to make up ground for those who deserve to be in the NASCAR HOF now. Get your feet off of the brakes and make a charge for the finish line. Put away the red flag. You don’t need a caution flag right now – get out the green flag and go for the checkers. Your fans – and even more important – your pioneers who built this multimillion dollar sport – deserve it.

Hey, NASCAR!!! Shorten Races???

2011-03-23T18:26:00.002-05:00

So NASCAR wants to knock the race length down by 1/5....... Are they gonna lower the ticket prices by 1/5? This is like the item at the grocery store that looks like a 5 pound bag of sugar only now you're gettting 4.8 pounds of sugar for the same price--less product for same amount of money.

What do you say, NASCAR? Gonna cut ticket prices? Might put some behinds in ALL THOSE EMPTY SEATS AT THE TRACKS if you did!!!!

Just saying....

NASCAR: The Fix is In

2010-09-29T18:38:00.002-05:00

NASCAR upheld its own penalty assessed to Richard Childress/Clint Bowyer's Cup Car. Gee, what a surprise. And for a brief moment I thought they might actually have the guts to admit they had made a stupid mistake/assessment.

They've done a lot of in-credible things in the past, but this might just top them all. Good thing we have NFL Sunday football to watch--at least that's usually pretty competitive!!!

NASCAR Has Finally “Jumped the Shark” with Penalty to Bowyer/Childress

2010-09-27T15:13:00.002-05:00

NASCAR is really in-credible. As in totally not credible any more. If anyone had doubts before, the sanctioning body led by Helton, Darby and cohorts’ antics in penalizing Clint Bowyer’s race-winning Cup car THREE DAYS after the New Hampshire race should firmly set those doubts to rest. Just when you think the folks that run this racing series can’t do anything more ludicrous, they absolutely top themselves. The #33 car that Bowyer drives, owned by Richard Childress, was inspected, as are all cars competing, before the weekend activities started, before qualifying inspection, before the race, and also AFTER THE RACE in post-race inspection. According to NASCAR officials, it passed inspection every time. Then, inexplicably, when the car was transported by NASCAR to be re-examined at the NASCAR R&D headquarters in Concord, NC it was deemed to have been ‘illegal’ because of less than 1/16th of an inch—roughly the thickness of a quarter—in the height of the rear panel, according to NASCAR’s templates. Never mind that the car had been pushed from the back by a wrecker, hit in the bumper by other drivers congratulating Bowyer on the win, and examined on the spot in New Hampshire, post-race. I guess if you keep examining something, determined to find a fault, sooner or later you will. Who did this benefit? That’s the question that needs to be addressed.

There are a multitude of problems with this entire scenario and the sudden interest by NASCAR in penalizing Bowyer’s team right after the very first “Chase” race. The prime issue, though, is the challenge to Richard Childress’ integrity and the integrity of his organization. Richard Childress is one of, if not THE most respected owners in racing. Along with Richard Petty and Joe Gibbs, he has a stellar reputation and has sustained this through his entire career in racing. Definitely an opposite to NASCAR’s favored Rick Hendrick, whose felony bribery conviction during the Honda bribery scandals of the late 1980’s have been subject to revisionist history in attempts to sweep the information under the rug and keep newer fans unaware of Hendrick’s illegal doings. If you can find a copy of the book, Arrogance and Accords: Inside the Honda Bribery Scandals, you will undoubtedly receive an eye-opening education about the vast sums of money involved (over $250 million back then—a vast sum now and an even vaster sum in the economy of that decade). It’s almost as though NASCAR has suddenly decided to sling mud at Childress in order to sully his stellar reputation. Childress’ storied career as a car owner and close friend of his driver, Dale Earnhardt is the stuff of racing history. The very best of racing history. For NASCAR to try and slime Childress in this manner is truly troubling, particularly when there is so little in NASCAR Cup racing to get excited about anymore. Fans are staying away in droves and many of us never thought you’d be able to walk up to the ticket window at Bristol on race day and get a good seat for that event. But, you can.

One thing that NASCAR has yet to explain is what possible ‘cheating’ advantage could have been gained by having the rear of the car off by 1/60,000.” Perhaps that is because there simply is no advantage whatsoever in this.

When one looks at all the empty grandstand seats, race after race, it has to beg the question as to Why are fans staying away and no longer avidly interested in the sport? We know NASCAR has been trying to figure this out by way of establishing their “fan council” – years ago, NASCAR was never worried about what the fans thought of their doings because every race was sold out a year or more in advance. And, the folks that run NASCAR just won’t admit that a vast majority of race fans do not like, support or have regard for the Hendrick drivers, particularly Jimmie Johnson. Johnson has never shown himself to be fan-friendly, and while he is a competent driver, his success is seen as a result of a combination of obscene amounts of money spent on cars and equipment, NASCAR’s sanctioning of his crew chief who has been penalized repeatedly over the years for many cheating infractions, and a “keep out of his way” dictate by NASCAR –particularly when it comes to the final countdown races in the Chase.

This is the perception of a wide majority of fans—and former fans who no longer pay prime dollars to buy tickets in a racing series which still seems to pander to the mega-rich. Particularly when they are worrying about how to buy groceries, pay the rent or buy schoolbooks for their kids while NASCAR crew chiefs, driver and owners are tooling around Lake Norman and building their multi-million dollar homes, buying planes and all the trappings of having ‘moved on up’ to the East Side. Just let a poor independent like a Jeremy Mayfield or a Carl Long who is hanging on by their shoelaces because they love the sport and want to race run afoul of NASCAR and they are unceremoniously booted out of the sport.

So, what’s behind this penalty? Figure it out. And when that trophy is handed to Johnson at Las Vegas, with his name likely already engraved on it as of September 2010, NASCAR will still be wondering why there are yet more empty seats next season. I call it the Earnhardt effect. Fans of Dale’s tried to stay interested but have gradually faded away because there is no one in the sport who can spark their passion and imagination like Dale did. At one time, Tony Stewart might have picked up the torch, but his alliance with Rick Hendrick has taken the luster off of that notion. As far as Dale Junior—from the moment he left his father’s company to go ride around in a race car for the one team owner that Dale Senior’s fans could not abide—his impact has lessened to the point where he is just another mediocre driver who happens to have a famous family name. It’s a shame, really. Hendrick lured Junior away under the pretext of helping him win championships. Only problem is, there can only be one champion each season, and Junior had to get in line behind Gordon and Johnson. By the time those two finally decide to hang it up, Junior’s time will have been long gone. One wonders who really convinced Dale Junior that he was better off away from DEI. It’s as if someone wanted to attempt to tear down Dale Senior’s legacy and keep DEI from succeeding.

No one likes a sport that is perceived to be weighted or ‘fixed’—and that perception has been tainting NASCAR’s top racing level for the past several years.

The only way NASCAR can remove the egg it has spread on its own face after this ‘penalty’ was imposed is to overturn it. And, sadly, even that might not be enough to put the credible back into the way they are running this sport.

Where are all these Keselowski Apologists Coming From?

2010-07-20T15:35:00.003-05:00

Did anyone see the race at Talladega last year, when Brad Keselowski sent Carl Edwards' car up into the fence, injuring a fan? Did anyone see the first race Keselowski 'won' when he wrecked the leaders to get the victory? Or the second race he 'won' when he did the same thing? Does anyone else ever notice these things?

And now, because Carl Edwards is racing Keselowski the same way the Keselowski is racing him--suddenly there is an outraged hue and cry about Edwards' driving and wrecking Keselowski in the Nationwide race last Saturday night at Gateway. Do all these media folk even watch the races? Did they not see Keselowski try to wreck Edwards on the previous lap? Some of the articles online are ludicrous. One guy in Florida goes as far as to say park Edwards before he kills someone. Really? Are you that worried about that happening or just looking for a way to get readership?

It can't be both ways. Keselowski has a long, ugly record and reputation for dirty driving--which apparently is hereditary--and when a driver tries to take you out repeatedly for the win, you have two choices--stand up for yourself or roll over and let the bully win. I'm not a fan of Carl Edwards, but I like that he doesn't take it from a dirty driver like Keselowski.

I've been amazed at all the TV and race writers who have jumped on the Keselowski bandwagon. Where were they last year, when Keselowski was getting away with wrecking everyone around him? Carl managed to save his car when Brad tried to wreck him. Brad just didn't have the talent to save his own car when he got a wee bit of payback.

And Bob Keselowski--Brad's father--should have his NASCAR hardcard pulled for the comments he made on television after the wreck. So, he wants to get his driver suit on and go out on the track and take out Carl. What's wrong with this scenario? Complain about someone wrecking your son and how he drives, then go out and do the same to him in revenge? Yeah, Bob, that's mature. Joey Logano's father had his hardcard pulled last year for getting involved in an argument after the race--Keselowski's dad should have his card pulled for the remarks he made on national TV.

Johnson and Bonus Points Make Mockery of Chase for the Cup

2010-07-10T16:47:00.003-05:00

It's very simple. Bonus points are going to affect the way the top 12 drivers line up for the Chase for the Cup once that field is set, and as it stands, Jimmie Johnson will be ranked first regardless of which position he is in because of the bonus point system. Yet another reason fans are disgusted with the Chase format.

We all know Hendrick's 48 team is trying to lie low and play possum til the chase starts. Otherwise, there would be even LESS viewership and even LESS seats sold at the no longer sell-out tracks.

Did anyone doubt that Dale Jr. was going to win at Daytona in the #3 Wrangler car? I could have made a fortune if I could find anyone dumb enough to bet against that one. Diecast sales HAVE been in a bad slump.

A little parity in the sport would have done wonders. Now, anything NASCAR does is just going to be more of the same -- too little, too late.

What is Jamie McMurray Doing in a Hendrick Car?

2010-04-19T17:45:00.004-05:00

One has to suppose that gluttonous multi-team millionaire owner Rick Hendrick is trying to figure out if Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing has any info he needs, since Jamie McMurray has accepted a Nationwide Series ride in the JR Motorsports (run by Rick Hendrick) car. What are Chip Ganassi and Teresa Earnhardt thinking??? It's highly suspect to have one of their Cup drivers desert their organization to take a Nationwide ride for Dale Junior's team. After all, there obviously isn't much love lost between the parties involved....Inquiring minds wonder what's going on.....

Keselowski Got What He Had Coming

2010-03-07T17:24:00.002-05:00

You know, you have to be certified blind or a total fool if you don't think Brad Keselowski deserves a bit of payback for repeatedly wrecking other, better drivers. Keselowski pushed his way into Cup by aggressive driving and it's amazing that Roger Penske actually hired him to drive the 12 car to start with. So maybe Carl Edwards paid Keselowski back this afternoon. A lot of other drivers owe Keselowski a punt, as well. NASCAR claims they're going to let the drivers police themselves. Yeah, right. That lie has already been thrown out with the trash. Keselowski whined after his car wrecked at Atlanta--what's that old saying about the 'pot calling the kettle black'? If NASCAR won't stop him before he seriously injures another driver, then the other drivers have no choice but to let this immature, untalented bully know that his style of 'driving' is not acceptable.

Hendrick is STILL a Convicted Felon

2009-11-23T22:44:00.002-05:00

This blog gets at least 10 hits daily for people trying to find out more about the convicted felon, Rick Hendrick, who has used his million$$$ (billion$$$?) to advance in NASCAR. The fact remains that Rick Hendrick PLED GUILTY to 1 count in the infamous Honda Bribery Scandals. The fact that he was BOUGHT a pardon by a donation to the Clinton Library still does not negate the fact of his admitted guilt.

Some of us don't readily pardon someone who can afford to be involved in a $250 MILLION DOLLAR bribery scandal. Just because you buy your way out does not make it right. NASCAR and HENDRICK have become synonymous with the word GREED. The facts are the facts.

It's sad to realize that NASCAR has become a 'sport' just like the WWE (or WWF or whatever you wanna call it).... The days of the true racers are apparently long past. Maybe those who don't know the sport are impressed with the Hendrick-funded Jimmie Johnson 4th 'championship.' Well, not all of us. It's far more impressive for the NHRA's Tony Schumachers ACTUAL run of 7 (count 'em) SEVEN consecutive championships in a far more difficult series.

Leave it to Keselowski to Cause the Big One at Talladega

2009-11-01T17:39:00.002-05:00

What is NASCAR waiting for -- Brad Keselowski to kill someone??? Yet ANOTHER wreck at the end of the race caused by Keselowski. Maybe they WANT to nickname him Killer....No doubt it would take something like that before the NASCAR hierarchy does something about this talentless jockey causing wreck after wreck after wreck.

We know the sport was altered forever with the death of Dale Earnhardt. We have witnessed too many racing-related deaths over the past 20 years to have much patience with NASCAR's utter avoidance of this issue. Keselowski has not proven that he has an ounce of talent. Only that he is quite adept at the old 'wreck and run.' No wonder he has fit in so well with the other Hendrick drivers....If all the drivers that owe him a payback were to take action, young master Keselowski wouldn't have anything left to load up on the hauler and take home.

If Only Brad Keselowski Could Drive

2009-10-24T15:19:00.005-05:00

Apparently young master Keselowski only knows one way to race--knocking his opponents out of the way. He has yet to actually win a race by ability and talent. Once again, in today's Nationwide Series race in Memphis, Keselowski showed his appalling lack of talent by taking out Justin Allgaier before 40 laps had been completed, wrecking Carl Edwards later in the race and knocking out yet another young driver towards the end. The Hendrick folk, particularly Tony Eury, Sr., seem amused that they can get away with this. One of these days, Keselowski is going to seriously injure or even kill someone--especially if NASCAR doesn't stop kowtowing to the mighty Hendrick dollar and refusing to do anything about this overly aggressive wanna-be driver. One has to laugh at the folks who used to complain about Dale Earnhardt. Dale was aggressive, sure--but he didn't deliberately wreck the competition like Hendrick drivers have been well known to do over the years. But--that's the difference between a racer, a driver and a hack. Keselowski has shown himself to merely be a hack--and sooner or later, it's going to catch up with him. If you can't win by racing and not wrecking the opposition race after race after race, you don't belong in the sport.

Next season, Keselowski is set to driver for Roger Penske. Penske doesn't have the clout of a Rick Hendrick with NASCAR. Maybe that's why Keselowski is getting what he can now. When he no longer drivers for Rick Hendrick, his talentless shenanigans are not likely to be put up with by NASCAR. Too bad NASCAR doesn't have the guts to pull the reins in now on this kid, before he does injure, maim, or kill someone else.

NASCAR to Standardize Race Times?

2009-10-04T19:49:00.003-05:00

You mean, like it used to be in the olden days when we all knew what time the races started?

Gee...what a novel idea....

Always amazing how far NASCAR has strayed away from what used to work. Now, if only they could de-regulate the major teams that still are strongly suspected of lying and cheating in the sport ... and maybe even penalize the latest cheaters.

Hendrick Cars 'Warned' by NASCAR

2009-10-02T10:07:00.005-05:00

Earlier this week, the #5 Mark Martin car and the #48 Jimmie Johnson car, both owned by Hendrick Racing, were found to be 'close' to the tolerances allowed. Johnson's car was found to be over the limit mandated by NASCAR. The cars had been taken as a routine check to the NASCAR R&D facility in Concord, NC.

Courtesy of Fox Sports:

The buzz within the NASCAR community suggests that the offset on the tail, which helps the rear of the car stick to the ground instead of spinning out, of the #5 Kellogg's Chevy just made the tolerance. NASCAR allows a tolerance of 0.070 of an inch for the body off of the center line of the car. Suffice it to say, JJ's #48 car didn't make it. But by how much? NASCAR claims it was .006 over the tolerance. That's about the thickness of two sheets of copier paper. Others in the garage hint at a charitable disposition on the part of the sanctioning body. So how did NASCAR view the situation with the Hendrick cars? "The 48 and 5 were brought back to the (Research and Development Center)," according to a NASCAR statement. "We've been doing this since the inception of the new car as a part of routine post-race inspection. We bring the winner and a random pick back to the R&D Center after each event. While both cars passed postrace inspection, we informed the 48 and 5 they were extremely close on some of the tolerances.

Leave it to NASCAR to only admonish the two teams leading the points in the 'Chase for the Cup.'

Um, 'too close to the tolerances,' eh? In the olden days this was called C-H-E-A-T-I-N-G.

How about some penalties? Oh, that's right -- these cars belong to Rick Hendrick. Never mind....

NHRA: John Force's Tanking It Is a Slap in Women Racers' Faces

2009-09-14T18:53:00.004-05:00

Anyone who knows me knows a few things. I love racing. All kinds of racing, whether it's NASCAR, IRL, CART, F1, ALMS, NHRA or Thoroughbreds. I love the sport of racing itself. And, I have always maintained that a talented woman racer can compete on equal levels in the sports if she has the same talent, sponsorship and equipment of the top males competing.

Women have had to work to get where there are in this male-dominated sport. Whether it be pioneers like Shirley Muldowney, Lyn St. James, Janet Guthrie or Louise Smith. Then there are the women of the mid-1990s who tried to break into NASCAR - Patty Moise and Shawna Robinson in particular - and there are recent or current racers such as Hillary Will, Melanie Troxell, Shelley Anderson, Angelle Sampey, Danica Patrick, Milka Duno, or Sarah Fisher, women continue to strive to make their mark in racing, often still in lesser quality equipment or with lesser support.

That's what is so disturbing, I think, about the Funny car final rounds at Indianapolis Raceway Park in the US Nationals. Ashley Force has already proven that as a racer she is equal to any male driving in top fuel. Ashley has the talent, nerve, courage and ability, not to mention the famous Force name fielding her car with personal hands-on support from her father, 14-time champion John Force.

It was painfully obvious that Force tanked his round to let Robert Hight win to make the NHRA's version of NASCAR's Chase for the Cup, and in the finals, Hight veered off the line and Ashley Force-Hood became the third woman to win at the US Nationals, and the first to win in Funny Car.

Folks have actually defended this as 'team orders' and a 'time-honored tradition in racing.' Those must be the same folks who put convicted felon Rick Hendrick on a pedestal and really believe Hendrick racing dominates because of the drivers' talents and not the millions of dollar spent on R&R, cars, equipment and etc. every season.

It disparages Ashey's accomplishments to win such an honored and esteemed event based on team orders. Somehow, that doesn't make it quite as spectacular as a win back in the day by Shirley Muldowney or Lyn St. James, who literally had to fight their way to the top. I've long been a critic of NASCAR's WWE-type staging. Now, apparently, the NHRA is proving they are not exempt from these tactics if it helps gain an audience. Too bad--Ashley has talent and ability on her own. She doesn't need 'team orders' to win. By making it happen that way, it lessens this young woman's accomplishments in racing.

Sometimes I Wonder if NASCAR Can Hear the TVs Clicking OFF

2009-08-07T21:40:00.002-05:00

Ratings for race after race are down, down, down.....NASCAR just doesn't seem to realize that a vast majority of fans do NOT love Hendrick Racing, Hendrick the Blob, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Junior or anyone else associated with Hendrick Racing....and despite the announcers' insistence, Mark Martin is NOT the revered fan favorite of all time.....If racing ever gets back to a level playing field where the Hendrick vast fortune is not running the sport--fans might actually start returning to watching NASCAR. Just knowing Johnson is on the pole for a (ho-hum boring) road race is enough to get many of us making alternate Sunday plans rather than sit around watching the TV....or if we do, maybe there will be an IRL or NHRA or (fill-in the blank) sporting event that will be much more entertaining. At least, we sure hope so....

The FIX is IN -- YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!! (POCONO)

2009-08-02T17:53:00.001-05:00

Local Channel 2 sports announcer stated that Jimmie Johnson won today's race at Pocono....Guess no one told him it was delayed til Monday....So, apparently the FIX IS IN for NASCAR's race.

So was the Pit Road Speed Limit 55 or 60 or Did it Depend on Who Was "Caught" Speeding?

2009-07-31T18:56:00.003-05:00

Leave it to NASCAR to have a nebulous speed limit zone on pit road. At last week's Brickyard 400, NASCAR claimed to nab JP Montoya for speeding on pit road. The speed limit was 55. The 'tolerance' was 5 MPH. HUH???? Well, which was it? 55 or 60 MPH? Jeez...NASCAR can't even make a simple determination as to a speed limit without throwing in a monkey wrench. If the speed limit is 55, then it should be 55. Does your State's highway patrol give you a 5 MPH tolerance if they pull you over?? I doubt it. Ours sure doesn't.

Aside from the fact that NASCAR took the race away from Montoya by issuing a speeding ticket for something like 60.001 MPH (and no one else was caught speeding...amazing), the bigger problem is that ONCE AGAIN NASCAR has a 'rule' they are enforcing which is, to be kind, nebulous. Leave it to NASCAR....

As technical and intelligent as NASCAR claims to be, a green flag pit stop should be at a reasonable speed but not necessarily a designated speed. A pit stop under caution should be just that. No one should be allowed to advance their position on a yellow flag pit stop. The field is frozen when the yellow is thrown. Let everyone pit and restore the cars to the same position. Not rocket science, NASCAR. Common sense. The race should be out on the track, not in the pits.

Once Again NASCAR Controls Outcome of Race--this time at Indianapolis

2009-07-26T16:43:00.002-05:00

When Juan Pablo Montoya, who was dominating the Brickyard 400 NASCAR race from Indianapolis, was penalized by NASCAR for speeding on pit road today I turned the television off and went outside to work in the garden. I knew then that a Hendrick car was, indeed, being fitted by NASCAR for a 'win' at the Brickyard. It was bad enough that the pre-race hoopla, primarily on ESPN, focused on the Hendrick drivers ad nauseum to the point where once again fans became suspicious as to the fineagled race outcome. Usually when that happens you can bet someone is being groomed for the winner's circle.

Imagine my lack of surprise when I came back inside and turned the sports on, to find that Jimmie Johnson had won the race. NASCAR did not want Montoya to win this event--that was obvious. It's a shame they have become so transparent. And then NASCAR wonders why fans are leaving the sport in droves....

Incidentally, the plethora of empty seats at the famed Brickyard exceeded even our expectations. Why bother to pay for a ticket and go to the race if you can be relatively sure that NASCAR controlling-Hendrick racing is going to virtually be guaranteed a win???

Rick Hendrick Felony Conviction for Bribery (book review)

2009-07-21T21:42:00.003-05:00

So many folks find this blog via googling "Rick Hendrick" and felony or felon or criminal, I decided to post the following book review of a hard to get, out of print book about this:

BOOK REVIEW: ARROGANCE & ACCORDS - THE INSIDE STORY OF THE HONDA SCANDAL by Steve Lynch

As Reviewed By Michael Daly

In June 1999 Pocono Raceway awarded Rick Hendrick its prestigious Bill France Sr. Award of Excellence. Wrote Speedway Scene when the award was announced, "Rick Hendrick exemplifies the drive, dedication, and ideals long associated with Bill France Sr."

The talk about ideals reeks of irony.

Steve Lynch spent thirteen years with the American branch of Honda Motor Company, and he loves Honda automobiles. This passion helps animate and drive his eyewitness account of the long-running bribery scandal that rocked American Honda and involved one of NASCAR's most powerful team owners. The scandal not only involved Rick Hendrick, it swept others in NASCAR racing as well, through no fault of their own.

Lynch's love of Honda shows in his early account of the dismal state of the American automobile scene circa 1981. There is a certain glee with which Lynch contrasts the high quality of Honda's product with the lesser quality of American marques of the time. Such contrasts in quality were vital, for Honda automobles were selling themselves, unsupported by the kind of extensive marketing campaigns common to auto manufacturers.

But as Honda grew more successful, greed and graft within the American division grew bigger and more audacious, as a gang of car cowboys dipped into the till of corruption and made themselves multimillionaires as a result. Lynch notes how Honda's tightwad employment policies contributed to the atmosphere of thievery.

The prince of payola at American Honda was "the blacksheep son of a well-to-do North Carolina family," John W. "Jack" Billmyer. Billmyer first made himself known as corrupt when he first joined Honda in the mid-1970s. He tried to extort from a Honda motorcycle dealer. When the dealer complained to higher-ups, he was ignored - a trait that would permeate American Honda's approach to the scandal for nearly 20 years.

Billmyer "wallowed in the kickbacks of dealers" throughout the country, and following in his footsteps was his successor as chief of national sales, Stanley James "Jim" Cardiges. Cardiges' own lack of moral scruples first displayed itself in very Clinton-esque fashion around 1977; running a dealership with his uncle, Peter Cardiges, Jim hit on - and ultimately stole - Peter's wife, his own aunt-in-law, Effie.

Such men were natural candidates for criminality.

Rick Hendrick was the biggest dealer influence-peddler to play ball with Billmyer and Cardiges. His relationship with Billmyer went back to Rick's youth as a hot rodder. Billmyer helped Hendrick establish himself in the car sales business and was instrumental in getting him a dealership. Lynch shows how Hendrick wielded undue influence with American Honda and was thus able to acquire more car stores than anyone else. "All it took," Lynch writes, "were a few gifts."

Most car companies limit dealers to about six store. Rick Hendrick, though, didn't believe such a rule should apply to him, and in Honda he found a company that officially did not have such a limit. He nonetheless took no chances; Lynch notes that Hendrick store holdings were frequently in the name of others, notably his brother John Hendrick, and less than $1 million of the bribes Rick paid have ever been recovered.

Lynch shows how Hendrick used bribes and influence-peddling to bankrupt rival Honda dealers and poach their stores. William Van Dalsam of Corono, CA, was one. Dick Young of South Carolina was another. These two cases were directly witnessed by Lynch; there were many other such cases not mentioned in the book because they were not directly witnessed by him. According to Rodger Knupp of Asheville, NC, one such involved former NASCAR driver Dick Brooks; after rebuffing a Hendrick offer to buy his stores, he found cars slated for his stores winding up at Hendrick stores.

This tactic of bankrupting rivals also drives Hendrick's racing, as evidenced by the enormous disparity of Hendrick Motorsports' budgets and engineering compared to those of most other teams.

Lynch also reveals how team owner Junie Donlavey and crew chief Doug Richert wound up getting caught up, through no fault of their own, in Billmyer's corruption. Seeing that Donlavey, a Richmond, VA Honda dealer, needed a crew chief for his team for 1987, Billmyer put the squeeze on a dealer from CT, John Orsini, to put Doug Richert on Executive Honda's payroll. This done, Donlavey had his crew chief. But the deal reeked of quid pro quo, and left a paper trail that would help unearth the massive bribery within American Honda.

Lynch carries the story through the trial and conviction of over 22 defendants, including Hendrick. There is a sense of disappointment in Lynch as he notes that, with Hendrick's guilty plea to one count of mail fraud (pertaining to perhaps the biggest individual bribe he paid Cardiges, a bribe that helped Cardiges buy an obscenely expensive California house), the probe of the Honda scandal seemed to close.

Lynch also notes a lesser-reported angle to the story -- how Hendrick reportedly also bribed Lexus. A cynic might thus question Hendrick's relationship with General Motors as well, given Hendrick's Chevrolet dealerships and the near-monopolistic clout and technical assistance GM provides Hendrick's racing empire.

One might also ask, if Hendrick is such a crook, why so many people so love him. Lynch answers that when he notes that, unlike the lesser dealers who bribed Honda, Hendrick was actually a good dealer, and his dealerships reflect him. Lynch notes Hendrick's generosity, his habit of providing whatever his employees need or want - most notably how he paid for operations on employee family members.

"Rick Hendrick has been a driving force in NASCAR Winston Cup racing," Joseph Mattioli of Pocono stated in announcing the France Sr. award, "and has displayed all the attributes that this award stands for."

Steve Lynch shows us just what attributes Rick Hendrick has displayed. NASCAR fans should be required to read this book.

Jeremy Mayfield Vs. NASCAR: Truth or Dare?

2009-07-20T16:20:00.004-05:00

The issue actually at the forefront of the Mayfield drug test administered by NASCAR and purported by them to be a positive test for meth is that NASCAR has developed a 'drug policy' that rivals their rulebook. Secretive, unavailable to the public, and hard to believe or understand without information as to what's actually in it. One suspects NASCAR doesn't even know which drugs are on the forbidden list. You may recall that NASCAR was reluctant to implement drug testing and only did so at the outcry of fans and media after several minor drivers were quietly booted from the series after being proven to have used drugs. Shane Hmiel and Tyler Walker were the more well-known culprits; a few crewmembers this season have also been found to have been using drugs as well.

NASCAR is probably shocked (shocked!!) that their credibility is again being questioned. It's almost funny--they really don't realize that a vast majority of fans take their statements with the proverbial grain of salt. How can you possibly be naive enough to believe a governing body that could easily go into business full time selling conspiracy theories? How can you trust and believe NASCAR is on the up and up when you know that, a couple of years ago, their Chairman Brian France was heading home one night at Daytona to his condo, driving his Lexus, when he sideswiped two cars (was followed by a witness who got his tag number), ran the Lexus into a pole, then managed to drive it into his gated community where, a good half hour or so later, police showed up and apparently believed his statement that he spilled a soda in his car was the reason for all the carnage. Oh, what--no DUI test? Hmmmm....

I am 1000% for drug testing in sports, especially racing. But, once again NASCAR has managed to subfuge what's right and should be done with what they want to control, cover and hide. It's all so very simple. They need to issue a bonafide list of prohibited substances. If, as Jeremy Mayfield maintains, he was taking something like Claritin-D (a major NASCAR sponsor whose logos appear on Carl Edwards' #99 car during the season) along with other allergy medicines, and that showed a positive test for meth, then either the lab NASCAR is using (hopefully not the Wylie-Coyote owned ACME testing lab) is not up to par or Jeremy is lying. Which just does not wash with racefans who have followed the sport and have a good sense of the persona of the driver involved.

Mayfield got into hot water a couple of years back when he revealed his then car owner Ray Evernham was dating young female Busch-driver, Erin Crocker. Mayfield's main fault appears to be that he is too blunt and honest and does not take BS well. NASCAR appears to be targeting Mayfield, as they did Carl Long back in May 2009. And then theyy wonder why fans don't believe every word that comes out of NASCAR's headquarters is the gospel truth....

Who Really Owns Stewart-Haas Racing??

2009-07-07T11:46:00.003-05:00

Once again, NASCAR's version of the Blob, "Mister" Rick Hendrick, was fast to Victory Lane after Saturday night's Daytona win by Tony Stewart, to claim credit for Tony's victory in the race. Hendrick has been on the Speed Channel's Victory Lane show, as well, in the past to brag about how 'his' team, won the All-Star race. Funny, all this time, we have been told that Tony Stewart and Carl Haas owned the team, and Hendrick only supplied the motors. Looks like, once again, Hendrick is skirting the rules about team ownership and, in addition to his 4 Hendrick Racing teams, owns two more teams -- Tony Stewart's and Ryan Newman's. Leave it to Hendrick to find a way around the rules. Guess a convicted felon like Hendrick still is working at circumventing legalities.

It's very disappointing for Smoke's fans to see Hendrick mooch over and claim all the credit for Tony's work. Tony deserves better -- unless, of course, Hendrick really does own the team. Then it's just Hendrick $$$ once again running NASCAR. Maybe that should be changed to HASCAR -- Hendrick Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. And, poor Jack Roush -- he has to get rid of 1 team, to comply with having 4 by 2010 -- while Hendrick can brag about having 6 teams (at least).

Poor Tony Stewart Can't Even Celebrate as Owner Without Being Overshadowed

2009-06-07T19:26:00.006-05:00

Tony Stewart has visited victory lane two times this year, with Sunday's win at Pocono. Under normal circumstances this should be quite an achievement for a brand new team. It's too bad this new team owner/driver can't even celebrate in victory lane without NASCAR's very own version of the Blob, Rick Hendrick, mooching over to take credit for the wins. Both times, Hendrick has managed to move in and try and grab credit for Tony's wins. One would think Hendrick's massive ego is fed enough with his prima donna ultra teams of Gordon and Johnson (funded by Hendrick's multi-millions of dollars poured into the outfit)? Add to that his masterminding of getting Dale Jr. away from Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI), by suggesting the powerplay that ultimately led to Junior departing from DEI and managing to paint Teresa Earnhardt as the villain at the same time--well, you get the idea. Hendrick must fancy himself quite the Machiavelli of NASCAR. He's virtually running the front office of NASCAR as well, judging by the way NASCAR toadies up to him. Hopefully, some day Dale Jr. will realize how he has been played by Hendrick. No doubt the idea of getting NASCAR's most popular driver for the past several years into his stable of young men had Hendrick salivating. This move has also effectively alienated a lot of fans and there is not a noticeable 'sea of Amp green' in the grandstands like there used to be a sea of Budweiser red. NASCAR folks will tell you it's because Junior isn't winning. There's a lot more to it than that. Even P.T. Barnum said, 'you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.'

How much credit does this convicted felon need? What kind of massive ego is housed in that portly body? It's pretty pathetic to see him horning in on Stewart's time in the spotlight. Add to that how neatly Hendrick took over Dale Jr.'s JR Motorsports and moved in to make that his own, and you begin to wonder what kind of meglomaniac this guy is. He is openly skirting NASCAR's team limit by providing engines to Stewart-Haas racing--in effect, he has at least 6 Cup teams under his umbrella by being so closely involved.

There is plenty of information online about Hendrick's conviction in the Honda Bribery Scandal and how he managed to avoid jail time with a mysterious form of leukemia which has since been apparently cured. Just google "Rick Hendrick Honda Convicted Felon" and you'll get all the information you can use. For example:

Largest US Honda Dealer Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud
Seattle Times, 8/14/1997

ASHEVILLE, N.C.-- Rick Hendrick, one of the nation's biggest auto dealers and owner of a top stock-car racing team, pleaded guilty to mail fraud today in a case in which he was accused of making hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to American Honda executives. The mail-fraud charge was one of 15 against Hendrick in a 1996 federal indictment that alleged a conspiracy to build his dealership empire by buying favorite treatment from the auto supplier. Prosecutors recommended a sentence of 10 to 16 months and a $250,000 fine and agreed to allow Hendrick, 48, to serve the time in home detention because he is being treated for leukemia.

Racing fans should be asking--if someone can manage to avoid jail time in a scandal in which hundreds of thousands of dollars changed hands, what is keeping this same type of thing from happening in NA$CAR? What, indeed?

Carl Long's Treatment by NASCAR is Embarrassing to the Sport

2009-06-04T12:18:00.015-05:00

It is absolutely astounding and embarrassing that NASCAR has fined and suspended independent car owner and driver, Carl Long, 12 races, $200,000 and 200 points. And, Long's appeal was denied--of course--by NASCAR's so-called 'Appeals Board' which is known to be a joke in the world of sports. If it wasn't a joke before--it certainly is now!

What is particularly astounding is that the penalty was assessed to Long for a car being entered in the NASCAR All-Star Race. It wasn't even a sanctioned points event!!! Does anyone else remember in the late 1990's when there was a wreck in the opening lap of this same event and, because Jeff Gordon's car was involved, Gordon was allowed to get his backup car off the trailer and run it in the All-Star race? That was the first time anyone was ever allowed to run an uninspected backup car in a race--and, even more amazing at the time, was the fact that the race was getting underway when this happened. But, that was a Hendrick car and it was 'only' an All-Star race.

For Carl Long to be penalized with the largest fine and points penalty in the history of NASCAR is abominable, blatantly unfair and totally egregious. Carl Long is known to be a dedicated racer who does not play the cheating games played by the major NASCAR team, particularly the Hendrick stable whose own Chad Knaus has been found guilty of cheating seven times--that we know of. With their multi-millions, despite the sinking economy, Hendrick could well afford to pay a $200,000 fine. Both Carl Long and his crew chief, Charles Swing, were EACH penalized $200,000--an act which could certainly bankrupt both men and send their personal finances into ruin. And, for what exactly? NASCAR once again fails miserably to see the big picture. First, this was an All-Star race. Gee whiz. Wow, what egregious cheating!!! More important, though, is the fact that the infraction was because the engine was found to be 358.17 cubic inches, 0.17 more than the legal limit. My God, what horsepower that would have produced!!!! A number so miniscule that only the most diligent could have likely found that numeral. A top engine builder could not possibly attempt to produce an engine with a .17 'advantage.'

When Jimme Johnson's car for the 2006 Daytona 500 was found to be illegal, Johnson and Knaus were fined and penalized--yet still allowed to run the illegal car in the Daytona 500, which Johnson 'won' that year. They were actually allowed to run the same car that was found to not fit the templates and specifications in the biggest race of the year! But, of course, that was Jimmie Johnson, not Carl Long. In Long's case, NASCAR argues that Rules are Rules. Guess it depends on who is breaking the rules.

Righfully, Carl Long is frustrated. In a statement issued, he said, 'Big Bill [France, NASCAR founder] and Bill Jr. ruled the sport like a father -- at the end of the day they took care of their family' Long said. 'These guys don't care. They don't have any heart. Basically, it seems like they don't care about the sport, they just want to make a dollar. I truly have a sour taste of the management in our sport. They've forgotten the roots of how this sport was created, and who are the people buying the tickets, sitting in the stands. The people in the stands are me. I am very disappointed in NASCAR's decision. I am not arguing that the size NASCAR measured is big. Ernie Elliott says this happened because of distortion from heat. Allow me the .17 for expansion or show me metallurgy that states how much a block can change at extreme temperatures. Then take this hole in the rules and make engine companies sign the inspection sheet and take responsibility. Fix the rule! Engine builders can argue with NASCAR and their engineers instead of leaving drivers, owners, and crew chiefs to explain properties of cast iron, nickel, and the growth due to heat. We have the option to appeal to the national board in Daytona. I am trying to overcome my emotions versus the facts. After today's hearing, I have lost all faith in the way the appeal system works.'

So have we, Carl. So have we. Once again, NASCAR has pounded on the little guy still trying to make it in the sport while the multi-million dollar teams appear to get away with virtually anything they please. NASCAR is clearly only interested in catering to their Big Three--but in this case, that Big Three is Hendrick Motorsports, Roush Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing. Incidentally, whether it's admitted or not, Stewart-Haas and Junior Motorsports are no more than satellite or R&D teams for Hendrick's operation--which is another way of skirting around the 4 team limit for one owner. How does an independent owner racer stand a chance these days?

If the owners and drivers in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series really care about the state of the sport, they would put together a fund to pay the total of $400,000 in penalties assessed to Carl Long and Charlie Swing. Even better, NASCAR should for once remove its collective head from its butt and rescind (or at least significantly reduce) the fine imposed. The amounts fined are simply astounding--and apparently intended to drive this struggling owner out of the sport. That would be the decent thing for NASCAR to do -- since NASCAR's governing board (Brian France and company) obviously does not care a whit how fans view their actions or that NASCAR is bankrupting one of the truly nice guys in the sport whose integrity, loyalty and love of racing has never been questioned.

PS -- Fans are already donating whatever they can to help out Carl Long. Sprint Cup driver and recent first time winner David Reutimann has already given $5,000 to get the ball rolling! For more information, visit Carl's website, www.carl-long.com .

Dirty Racing Deal at 'Dega--Kesalowski Proves Nothing

2009-04-26T22:25:00.003-05:00

How many of you out there are sick and disgusted at the Fox broadcasters TELLING you what YOU saw, putting their spin on it, and defying anyone to disagree with them? Once again, after a harrowing wreck at Talladega on the last lap of the race, the 3 Stooges of the booth, Jeff Hammond, Larry McReynolds and good old Darrell "Jaws" Waltrip quickly jumped to the defense of Brad Keselowski, who wrecked leader Carl Edwards on the way to the checkered flag. It was clear that Keselowski got into Edwards left rear and caused the wreck, claiming that he had no 'choice' because Edwards was blocking him.

Can you imagine if Dale Earnhardt Senior had done the same thing? Do you think the Fox Stooges would have defended Dale???? No, there is no doubt they would have crucified his driving and intentionally wrecking the leader. So, why is this 'OK' now--because Keselowski was driving a Hendrick powered car? That's pretty well the bottom line. NASCAR vieweship, ticket sales, merchandise sales and about any other sales have plummeted--partly because of the economy, but as much if not more because the multi-billionaires running the sport have chased the long-time fans away with manipulation, greed and allowing multi-teams such as Rick Hendrick racing to run rampant even while insisting the Jack Roush's and other former multi-teams cut the number of cars they field. Now it's getting hard for even a venerated team like Earnhardt Ganassi to fund the #8 car, which was parked a couple of weeks ago due to lack of sponsoprship. Never fear, Rick Hendrick's tainted money will keep his own stable running, even as it also apparently keeps several satellite teams (such as Keselowski's) running partly as R&D teams for Hendrick. Oooops....we're not supposed to know about that stuff.

Keselowski's 'win' should have been stripped from him. It's certainly nothing to be proud of. And, if the Native American curse is indeed still active at Talledega, who knows? He might well join Bobby Hillin and a few others as drivers whose only NASCAR win came at the venerated raceway. That would be poetic justice indeed. Particularly since his car was sponsored by the Miccosuke Indian Casinos....

Carl Edwards was classy, as usual, in the post-race interview, declining to point fingers at Keselowski. The fans who watched the race's end -- and NOT the Fox announcers -- saw what happened, and it wasn't as they tried to portray it. Keselowski wrecked Edwards. Well, NASCAR is thriving on greed, so what's new?

Why Does NASCAR Have it in for Kyle Busch?

2009-03-30T13:40:00.003-05:00

In NASCAR, it's who you are that apparently determines how you will be treated. If you're a Rick Hendrick racing driver, you can get away with punting the opponents, speeding down pit road, and various other infractions. If you're a talented, intelligent driver who threatens the status quo--then look out. We saw for a few years how Tony Stewart was treated by NASCAR, particularly when he spoke up for himself or spoke out about the (lack of) quality of Goodyear tires. For the past couple of years, Kyle Busch has become the victim of NASCAR's tactics. Witness last weekend's race at Bristol where a tire got away from one of Busch's crewmembers. The NASCAR official who was 'Johnny on the spot' there could have stopped the tire from crossing outside of the pit. We've seen NASCAR officials stop tires for the 24 and 48 teams in the past and no infractions were given. But, since this was Kyle Busch, instead, a penalty was called which effectively took Kyle out of the running to win the race.

In today's rain-delayed Truck Series race at Martinsville, under caution with only a few laps to go, Kyle made a move to skim his truck's back fender along the pit wall in order to try and keep the fender from rubbing the tire. Outside of the fact that this was an extremely smart move, the Truck Commentators, particulary Phil Parsons and Michael Waltrip, immediately pointed out to the viewers--and the NASCAR folks monitoring the broadcast--that Kyle had crossed the commit line to pit road, despite the fact that there was no intention on pitting. After mentioning this three more times, NASCAR penalized Busch for this 'infraction.' It's hardly the first time we have seen the announcers affect the outcome of a race and point out infractions to the NASCAR officials--it's just quite interesting that they only do this in particular instances. One can be quite sure they see many other infractions take place--they're just selective as to who they talk about.

The bottom line is that there is a lot of concern about Kyle Busch because he is quite probably the most talented racer we have seen on a track in a long time. And, Kyle is a racer, not just a driver or sheet-metal jockey. Kyle has 'made his bones' as a determined, competitive, smart and fast-thinking racer and a lot of people just can't stand the fact that he is so talented. Kyle dislikes being compared to other superstars of the sport, but he has easily proven himself to be the closest thing to a Dale Earnhardt, Sr., since Dale's tragic death. For those of us who like to see a racer actually race, instead of 'driving around in circles,' Kyle is a refreshing change to the style of the current batch of drivers and jockeys.

NASCAR should pay heed to this and stop trying to penalize Busch everytime he turns around. The current blend of vanilla bland drivers is certainly not keeping fans interested in the sport. Whatever is left of 'Junior Nation' is not showing itself in a sea of green. Hendrick Motorsports has only proven that money can buy championships and races--and the nauseating promotion of Rick Hendrick by FOX and Speed 'analysts' over the past couple of years only shows that they really don't believe that the real fans are familiar with Hendrick's felony bribery conviction during the Honda scandals of the early 1990's. Some of us don't put criminals and felons up on a pedestal--and NA$CAR seems to have conveniently forgotten that fact--or maybe they've just been paid to overlook it.

Denny Hamlin Should Realize Nice Guys Don't Finish First

2009-03-29T19:58:00.003-05:00

Was anyone surprised to see Denny Hamlin get punted out of the lead by Jimmie Johnson in Sunday's Martinsville race? It's funny how the Hendrick drivers get away with tactics like that but let someone else try it and they'll get penalized or black flagged. Hamlin, who led most of the race, raced Johnson cleanly. Johnson returned the favor by a cheap shot pushing Hamlin's car high, then taking over the lead with less than 18 laps to go. And NASCAR folks are wondering why fans are getting more and more disgusted at the thinly-veiled favoritism shown the Rick Hendrick drivers.

Sure were a lot of empty seats at Martinsville, today, as well. Fortunately, ESPN ran the NHRA finals from Houston late this afternoon, so there was some actual competitive racing to watch...

It's Time for NASCAR to Change Qualifying System in Event of Rainouts

2009-03-28T19:03:00.004-05:00

Last season we watched Jimmie Johnson's enormous advantage of being on the 'pole' several times in the final races for the Chase for the Cup due to rain-outs in qualifying. If memory serves that was 9 times. Clearly, that was a distinct advantage when it came to starting the races and affected the finishes. Not to mention having first choice of pit stalls each time...NASCAR has never attempted to run qualifying at any time other than the initial qualifying time scheduled for the event (unless of course the rain stops in a 'reasonable' amount of time so qualifying can be run). It's long past time that this practice was changed--since NASCAR automatically locks in the top 35 in points in the races anyway, there is no real reason not to have the cars attempt to qualify on a Saturday -- or even on a Sunday! -- before the race. Most of the time the Truck and Nationwide cars qualify the same day, so what's the big deal?

This weekend at Martinsville is a prime example of this problem. Qualifying was rained out for the Cup cars on Friday, but the Truck Series managed to get qualifying in on Saturday morning--even though the Truck race was postponed to Monday due to rain. Even if qualifying were rescheduled and again rained out and ultimately not doable for Saturday or Sunday, there are certainly alternatives to starting races by points. How about drawing numbers? OK--it would have to be done in 2 segments to accommodate the current rules, first the top 35 cars, then draw among the rest of the cars entered to fill out the field. Since most of the cars are within thousandths or hundredths of seconds from the front of the field anyway, this would be at least an attempt at fair play. NASCAR needs to revisit this issue. They're wondering why ratings were down last weekend 18 percent from last year's Bristol race--Bristol!!--between the NASCOT (NASCAR COT) and general alienation, fans who are having to watch their budgets are not only not buying tickets, they're not even watching on TV....

It is apparent that fans are tired of the 'super team' concept. Fans are looking for equity. There is no equity in starting a field by points if qualifying can't be worked in. And as in this weekend at Martinsville, there were windows of opportunity for qualifying that, once again, were ignored.

Get rid of the starting by points. There has to be a better way, in the event of rain washing out qualifying. If NASCAR wants to lure fans back they might well implement something SOON that looks like they are at least trying to be proactive and, dare we say, fair?

Someone Please Give Jimmie Johnson a Razor!!

2009-02-21T16:57:00.001-05:00

Why does Jimmie Johnson want to look like Brian Vickers? Yikes...

No YELLOW LINE Rule for Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

2009-02-17T16:52:00.004-05:00

With all the hulabaloo the past few days over the incredibly stupid and sheer boneheaded move by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., to cause the big one at Daytona, taking out the race leaders, not once did I hear any of the FOX announcers, or the ESPN analysts, or the SpeedTv analysts bother to mention the most obvious rule violation made by Dale Junior. He clearly went well below the double-yellow line when he was trying to pass Vickers (who technically was the first of the lapped cars; Junior's was second), then came back up and hit Vickers' car to cause the wreck. Didn't anyone else see this? I saw it when it happened and wondered about it; all the replays clearly show Junior's car below the line...What gives? Are the yellow lines for everyone but the 88 car? Apparently....

FOX's analysts, particularly Darrell Waltrip, went from an immediate reaction of "That's just plain wrong" to a damage control reaction of "Oh, Junebug doesn't drive like that!" Well, DW--you and your buddies should realize that yes indeed "Junebug" does drive like that. His antics in the qualifiers, as well as the 500, show a driver who is out of focus and making a lot of errors. A few years ago at Bristol Dale Junior deliberately spun his car to get a caution, then was simple-minded enough to say so on the radio. Had he not done so, and that sound byte played on the air, he likely wouldn't have been penalized for that.

In the Nationwide Series race the day before, Jason Leffler was penalized for rough driving for 5 laps for something not nearly so vicious and egregious. But, NASCAR hasn't given up on touting Junior as their poster boy, so fans must assume that he's above reproach and won't be penalized by NASCAR -- or by NASCAR via the announcers who are certainly opinionated when it comes to some drivers.

It's Official: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Has Run Out of Talent

2009-02-15T20:04:00.004-05:00

Ever since Dale Jr.'s much ballyhooed defection to Hendrick Motorsports, it has become increasingly clear that the apple has indeed rolled far, far away from the tree, and every day is rolling even farther.

Junior's antics this weekend, kicking off the racing season at Daytona, leave us baffled. Apparently, he does not know how to enter the pits anymore. He also doesn't seem to know how to race. In today's Daytona 500, Dale Jr. triggered an 11-car wreck that took out the leaders--and he was in a lapped car. He went below the double yellow lines (which the Fox announcers conveniently forgot to mention while they were trying to defend Junior's running out of talent and causing the wreck), then moved back up in the field to knock the other lapped car of Brian Vickers' into the lead pack.

Poor Junior. It's bad enough that he doesn't even know how to speak properly anymore during an interview...we've noted his grasping for words on many occasions since joining Hendrick Motorsports--now he doesn't have the remotest sense of accountability for causing a wreck which he clearly caused. Indeed, his major point made in his post-race interview was that since he had been penalized in the pits, then the rules needed to be changed....Huh??? Boy, he fits right in with his teammates. No accountability--just change the rules instead of penalizing him for breaking the rules. What an ego!! And, apparently a lack of talent to back it up.

Jeff Gordon is Saving $ by Flying Commercial?

2009-02-09T22:22:00.007-05:00

Not using one of the the many Rick Hendrick's -- or his own -- personal jet? (Or, actually 'jets' -- they DO have more than one.)

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You mean His Royal Hiney Jeff is going thru airport security like the rest of us peons? Seriously doubt that...especially with his 'supermodel' 'wife' and baby Ella.....yeah, That'll Be the Day....

I guess those folks at Hendrick believe that we're so damn stupid we'll believe absolutly anything they say!!!

That was a good one. We needed a good laff today!!!!!

Ratings were down about 22 % for the 'Bud (or should it be DUD) Shootout,' by the way....

What's the Difference Between NASCAR and the World's Oldest Profession?

2009-02-06T22:33:00.002-05:00

Not much, apparently. Points can be bought by other teams....it doesn't matter what the details are or how the points were earned. If you've got the money, honey, NASCAR says FINE....

Well, I'm b-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-c-k!!! NASCAR, have you missed me?

2009-02-04T21:34:00.005-05:00

After a well-deserved break, I am back to help kick of the 2009 NASCAR racing season, such as it is....and apparently, just in the nick of time!

How come points can be sold between teams???? Ironic that NASCAR controls car numbers and won't let teams sell those--but points, on the other hand, are a a commodity that can be sold between teams.... WHY???? Why should one team be able to purchase points from another? That's just plain creepy. And, if NASCAR isn't profiting from this, that's almost creepier!!

It all goes back to that horrible decision NASCAR made around 2002, I think it was, that the top 35 in owners points are 'guaranteed' a spot in a race. Instead of (and I've said this a kazillion times) the FASTEST 43 CARS MAKING THE RACE. Maybe this will be the season in which NASCAR finally realizes that this is the ONLY FAIR WAY to set a field. After all, once the series is down to about 4 teams fielding 15-20 (depending on how you count the '4 team limit rule (ahem...)) cars, maybe they'll realize they should just let the race teams COMPETE AND RACE.

Tickets are still available for Daytona--who'd have ever thought that??? Sooner or later the 'braintrust' that runs NASCAR has to get it, don't they? Well.....one can always hope....

Ho-Hum Homestead is Here--Does Anybody Care?

2008-11-13T17:13:00.005-05:00

Barring a last place finish by Jimmie Johnson and a 1st or 2nd place finish by Carl Edwards at the same time on Sunday, that NASCAR Cup trophy which has had Johnson's name etched on it since the Chase started will be a total waste of a race day. NASCAR brass are finally panicking at the future forecast of their sport--something they have been in denial about for the past 3-4 years much as an ostrich with his head in the sand standing on the beach as a tidal wave descends denies that he is going to get wet.

Did you ever think DEI would have to merge with anyone? Did you ever think you'd hear about shortening the racing season? Did you think you'd hear about the ratings being down an average of 10% below the figures from last year, which were 6-9% below the figures from the year before? Did you ever think you'd see so many empty seats at Atlanta that you could actually count the attendance? Did you ever think NASCAR would consider eliminating testing as a cost-savings measure? Did you ever think that the Winston-Salem Journal, which has been covering NASCAR since 1949, would ELIMINATE its NASCAR coverage at the end of November?? The multi-millionaires that own and run the sport have been out of touch with the common folks--the folks that built the sport through their enthusiasm, caring and support.

NASCAR, indeed, could have stopped some of the apathy that's become apparent during the Chase by making changes that would have leveled the playing field--such as having qualifying for Cup races the days after rainouts set the field. That in itself can be credited for the championship Johnson is poised to 'win.' There is absolutely no reason qualifying could not have been held for the rainouts in the Chase. NASCAR has changed rules mid-season before. It's not like it would be a precedent.

Cale Yarborough WON 3 consecutive championships in a time where there were not million dollar motorhomes, full time race day crews, flights in and out on raceday, 100,000 square foot shops and an industry built around racing. Cale's wins were tough, competitive and gruelling. To try and compare Johnson's soon to the 3rd consecutive 'championship' with Cale Yarborough's is ludicrous. Johnson may tie Yarborough, but there is no comparison as to the feat. It's like in the olden days of baseball when the Baltimore Orioles had four 20-game winners in 1970 -- and the wins were NOT aided by setup men and closers. If a team today has one 20-game winner (a rare feat), it is not done without limiting pitches and having top-notch closers. That's much the same type of difference between racing in the 1960's-1980's and today. Teams today are corporations and to try and compare a feat like 3 consecutive championships in Cale's era versus today is simply ridiculous.

And, one more thing....HOW ABOUT LETTING THE 43 FASTEST CARS RACE, ELIMINATE THE CHAMPION'S PROVISIONAL AND RETURN TO REAL RACING? IF YOU WANT FANS BACK, NASCAR, START MAKING IT MORE OF AN EVEN FIELD AND LESS OF A MEGA-TEAM RACE SERIES!!!

Kyle Busch Shows True Class While Tying Sam Ard's Record--I Dare the Other NASCAR DRIVERS to Match him!!!!

2008-11-01T23:48:00.004-05:00

Kyle Busch's 10th win of the season at Texas Motor Speedway in the NNS Series on November 1 tied the record held by pioneer Sam Ard. Maybe a lot of the 'new' race fans don't know of Sam Ard--but if they love the sport and learn the history, they certainly should! Celebrating his own milestone victory, Kyle not only mentioned that he has a lot of respect for Ard's achievements in the Busch (now Nationwide) Series but added that he is donating $100,000 to Sam Ard to help with his medical bills as Ard battles Alzheimer's Disease. The 23-year-old racer dedicated his win to Ard, a two-time Busch Series champion who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and in tough straits financially. "Sam Ard was one of the pioneers of the sport and this really means a lot to me," Busch said after his now-traditional victory bows to the crowd. "I got to thinking about it and I decided I'm going give him $100,000 to try to help him out."

Kyle Busch has shown more class and altruism in his short career than most NASCAR drivers have exhibited in longer and less stellar careers.

Well, how about it--all you CUP and NNS and CTS millionaires? Do you have the generosity of spirit to match Kyle Busch's contribution? Do you recognize what Sam Ard did for your sport? Do you have the compassion to help out a driver whose achievements have allowed you to be where you are today?

I hope so. I hope we hear of many other drivers helping out Sam Ard. A true racer and champion who needs your help now. How about it?

Qualifying Rain Out on a Thursday Nite for a Saturday Night Race? What a Joke!!!

2008-10-09T21:45:00.002-05:00

Unbelievable. Rain caused cancelling of qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday night. So, Jimmie Johnson is on the pole...Wow... What a surprise.... (NOT!)...NASCAR continues to trudge forward and help Johnson out every chance they get. There is no reason whatsoever qualifying could not have been rescheduled for Friday or even Saturday...at least if it rained, then, it wouldn't look quite so suspicious.

NASCAR, no doubt, is sticking to its antiquarian rules about qualifying....oh, that's right. They can change the car's body (COT), change the point system (Chase), change whateverinhell they want...but this last bastion of control, qualifying, has yet to be altered. And, no wonder ratings are down an average of 5% per race, and TICKET SALES are down at ISC tracks (as announced today) 10-15% from last year...and it's not getting better.

Way to go, NASCAR. Continue to favor the 48 team. That'll get you new fans.......Not.....

Montoya's Pole Time Disallowed so that Jimmie Johnson Can Start First

2008-09-26T20:54:00.005-05:00

Leave it to NASCAR to start 'Jimmie-ing' things at Kansas for the 48 car. Juan Pablo Montoya's pole winning time was disallowed after qualifying was done today because 'the car's rear shock exceeded the maximum pressure allowed' according to NASCAR.' That allows the 48 Lowes car driven by Jimmie Johnson to move from second to the starting spot. What, with the mysterious car failures of Kyle Busch's #18 in the first two races, one can only wonder how much NASCAR is working to fiddle with and handicap the outcome of the Chase for the Cup. Many fans have reached the point where we do not trust NASCAR at all, particularly when it comes to officiating the races and overseeing the cars. Particularly when, every time this happens, it appears to benefit the Rick Hendrick Racing entries.

To quote an article on nascar.com:

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Juan Montoya's misfortune was serendipity for Jimmie Johnson, who will start from the pole in Sunday's Camping World RV 400 at Kansas Speedway after Montoya's qualifying speed was disallowed.

Montoya turned a lap in 31.368 seconds (172.150 mph) Friday to knock Jimmie Johnson (172.007 mph) out of the top starting spot for Sunday's race -- only to see his time disallowed because the nitrogen gas pressure in the rear shock absorbers of his No. 42 Dodge exceeded the 75 pounds per square inch allowed under NASCAR rules...

They failed to state the exact numbers telling how severe (or not) the infraction was...

Does NASCAR already have Jimmie Johnson's name engraved on the Cup trophy, too?

Dover's ratings were down drastically. Look for more of the same at Kansas. And, if NASCAR keeps Jimmie-ing the Rules, it is not going to get any better. At least there's a full slate of NFL games on Sunday....

Is Kyle Busch's Car Being Sabotaged?

2008-09-23T13:38:00.003-05:00

It's sure looking suspicious. Kyle Busch's car has had two major failures in the first two races in the 'Chase for the Cup.' Denny Hamlin has also had difficulties. These Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) cars have been stout all year; Kyle came into the Chase with a substantial lead, considering the point system for wins and laps lead. First in New Hampshire--the sway bar problem (which looks like it was tinkered with). Now, in Dover on Sunday, an inexplicable problem arises again.

One has to wonder if Joe Gibbs Racing has hired any ex-Hendrick employees this past season? Inquiring minds want to know. Or has someone on the inside been bought off? At the risk of sounding conspiracy theorist, it certainly looks like sabotage. After all; this is for a multi-million dollar championship.

Who's sabotaging the 18?

NASCAR's Brass is SOOOOOOO Funny (About time for the drug testing!!)

2008-09-20T10:29:00.003-05:00

NASCAR announced today that they are instituting a drug testing policy--something this writer has advocated for about 5 years now. NASCAR sez that they are being 'pro-active' and it is not in response to demands for this.

ROFLMAO..............Pro-active? NASCAR? In ONE SENTENCE?????

The folks who run NASCAR have such super over-inflated egos and opinions of themselves....bet they truly think they came up with this idea all along--and it was not in response to finding out that more than one driver has used drugs over the past several years and been under the influence on raceday.

As John Stossel says, "GIVE ME A BREAK!!"

NASCAR pro-active. Now, THAT's the funniest thing I've heard in a long time....

Guess the bottom line is that they are FINALLY DOING SOMETHING ABOUT A DRUG TESTING POLICY, no matter how long it took or silly they look in trying to claim it was their idea all along. After all, all the MAJOR SPORTS have had a drug policy in place for some time.

'Sliced Bread' Logano Looking for Dough and Fame

2008-09-02T18:55:00.004-05:00

ESPN's E-60 featured an interview with Joey Logano--you know, the kid dubbed the 'best thing since sliced bread'--earlier this evening. Logano is already living the Richie Rich lifestyle and his parents falsified his age (listing him as 12 when he was 10) so he could compete in the Donnie Allison Pro Legends series 8 years ago--or was that 6 years?...Some of us will have to be convinced of the superior talent of this youngster. After all, when you compete with top-notch equipment, like Jeff Gordon did when he was a child beating up on the other poorer kids whose dads worked to put their cars together, it is hard to get a genuine feel on talent. Same for Matt Martin, who is no longer racing--his father Mark Martin made sure the kid had Jack Roush engines when he competed against the other 12 and 13 year olds. One wonders how these kids would have done in equally prepared equipment. Motorsports allows the more affluent parents to buy better equipment to give their little darlings an advantage. So, the question certainly remains--how good is Logano? We've seen many young drivers brought up too early, too highly touted, and gone after a year or so. It will be interesting to see how Logano fares when he is in the Cup Series. I'm not quite ready to put him on a pedestal with former Cup champions.

Joey Logano also sounds quite immature when he is interviewed. His main interest is, apparently, becoming a 'famous' driver. Well, he has that already.... The question remains as to whether Sliced Bread will be a fresh face and talent -- or just become toast. ;)

YAWN.....Did anyone on the East Coast Care about CaliBOREnia's Race?

2008-09-01T17:56:00.004-05:00

What a yawner. The Cup race at CaliBOREnia was uninteresting, unexciting and unbearably boring. The only thing the COT has brought to racing is little passing and little racing. Who didn't know that Jimmie Johnson was tapped for the win after 2 days of hype by the racing analysts that 'no one has ever won from the pole'.....Hopefully Richmond will be better this weekend. And, how about all those empty seats in California? Darlington NEVER had that problem on Labor Day Weekend. NASCAR blew off a lot of fans when they destroyed the tradition of a Labor Day Race at the Track Too Tough to Tame. What IDIOT thought that moving that race to California was a great idea? Bet they're last name is France....

Tony Stewart MUST Make Savvy Decisions for New Teams' Crews

2008-08-17T12:42:00.003-05:00

At last Tony Stewart will be back in a Chevrolet--something long-time Stewart and Chevy fans are quite happy about. With the recent announcement that Ryan Newman will drive the second Hass-Stewart NASCAR Cup car in 2009, the next question becomes exactly who Stewart will hire to manage the teams and crew the cars. Rumors surfaced this morning that Darien Grubb, a Rick Hendrick engineering manager for the #5 and 88 cars, would be hired as a manager for the new teams.

Tony Stewart needs to put the right folks in place with his new teams. Hiring a Rick Hendrick Racing (RHR) employee might sound good from the outside, but hopefully Tony will be smart enough NOT to let a fox run his henhouse. The relationship with RHR concerning the engines that RHR has provided Haas in the past is troublesome enough; adding a RHR employee in the mix to run things could prove to be a very bad move if that employee has RHR interests at heart and not the interests of Tony Stewart.

Smoke needs to be cautious in adding the best folks he can find. Go back several years to when Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) dominated the restrictor-plate tracks. Then, DEI hired former RHR employee Richie Gilmore, and over the next few years RHR racing became proficient in restrictor plate racing. Hmmmmmmm...... no connection there, eh? And no one seemed to connect those dots.

There IS no such thing as 'Coincidence.'

Be careful, Tony. Some of us already don't trust that your team will get comparable engines to those that the 24 and 48 get....after all, the 88 and 5 RHR teams don't get the cream of the crop in engine work. Why would RHR give something that good to someone who is one of the best racers in NASCAR--especially when he's not on their team? Stay tuned....

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Whining About Pocono Race Being 'TOO LONG'

2008-08-01T17:05:00.001-05:00

Hey, Junior--why don't you reimburse all the fans who have bought tickets about 1/4 of their ticket prices, if the race is too long for you. Or, better yet, why don't you go and run your Whiskey River bar instead of racing, and free up a seat for someone who wants to RACE???

Boreyard 400 - The Fix was in?

2008-07-29T09:09:00.003-05:00

If ANYONE ever doubted that NASCAR could control the outcome of a race, the results of Sunday's debacle at Indianapolis Motor Speedway should effectively put those doubts to rest. This was a classic example of NASCAR controlling a race, from start to end. When the weekend started, NASCAR knew there would be major tire issues. Rather than let those multi-million dollar, well-paid prima donna teams run their own races -- those guys knew they'd need to pit every 10 laps or so -- NASCAR effectively and efficiently maneuvered the race and its outcome, while piously contending they were acting in the name of safety. In a situation like this, who else but the car in the first pit stall had a major advantage?

NASCAR has proven beyond a doubt that they can control how a race ends. We suspected it--now we know....

Competition Yellows by NASCAR Turn Brickyard into Boreyard

2008-07-27T18:27:00.002-05:00

NASCAR ought to refund the ticket money to every single person who attended the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis on Sunday (July 27). It is unfathomable that a NASCAR Cup race was run entirely under the issuance of 'competition yellow' flags. Apparently, NASCAR felt that the teams were incompetent to police themselves when the Goodyear tires were shown to be extraordinarily poor in performance on the track. NASCAR's answer? Throw a caution every 10 or so laps, to force the teams to pit and change tires. Amazing. This effectively turned one of the true gems on the NASCAR race schedule into a colossal deadly bore of a race. Add to that the unusually poor ESPN quality of transmission--several times the television screen went totally blank--and it all added up to NASCAR's version of Much Ado About Nothing.

It is not racing to run a 400 mile event stopping every 10-12 laps. This sets a new height of absurdity in NASCAR micro-management of racing. They should have let the race run. If a driver felt a tire was going down he certainly could have pitted to prevent damage or wrecking.

We thought we'd seen everything. Leave it to NASCAR to come up with yet another twist.

NASCAR Doesn't Play Fair

2008-07-23T22:20:00.002-05:00

The Toyota teams had 9 cars confiscated after the last race in order for NASCAR to evaluate the horsepower in the engines. The David Reutimann car was found to have an approximately 3% advantage in horsepower over the other makes.

Where was NASCAR when the Rick Hendrick Racing cars, particularly that of the 24 and 48, were running rampant over the other teams a few years ago? NASCAR didn't confiscate any of the RHR cars to evaluate their engine packages.

Once again, NASCAR is using their clout to affect the playing field. RHR tested the COT last year and had an advantage. This season, Joe Gibbs Racing did their homework and it has paid off in victories, particularly for the #18 Kyle Busch Car.

Guess it all depends on who NASCAR is trying to push. Lord knows we've all had enough of them pushing the Gordon and Johnson cars down everyone's throat the past few years. Looks like those teams whined enough this season to convince NASCAR to penalize the competition. Particularly since the competition has outclassed them in performance and talent all season.

Makes one hope that the Kyle Busch team continues to dominate. That, at least, would prove that NASCAR isn't controlling the racing outcomes so far. If they were, the 24 and 48 would have made it to victory lane by now.

Parity and NASCAR -- does it ever really exist??

Maybe Dale Jr. Should Change his Last Name

2008-07-05T11:29:00.002-05:00

Dale Earnhardt Junior is sounding more and more like a member of the Hendrick family. Maybe he should change his name to Dale Hendrick...Post-race after the NNS race at Daytona last night, he came across with his new, bitchy attitude about how he was going to have to go back and talk to the team about the bad pit stops for his 'protege', Brad Keselowski. By the way, it's rather interesting when you note the pattern of 'young' drivers brought along by Rick Hendrick. And don't think that Hendrick was not instrumental in having Shane Huffman fired and Keselowski hired. Hendrick has been in the background pulling the strings for JR Motorsports for a lot longer than most folks believe.

Just MHO.....

A 'SELLOUT' at New Hampshire?????

2008-06-29T21:16:00.003-05:00

Wow, there must have been a LOT of matchstick thin folks in the stands at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the NASCAR Cup race on Sunday (June 29) --because there were OBVIOUSLY thousands and thousands of empty seats. According to Jayski's report New Hampshire was proclaiming the 27th consecutive sellout.

Oh, maybe the folks were at the restrooms...or getting a hotdog...or visiting the souvenir haulers...

The empty seats at Michigan last week were rather obvious--this looked even worse. At least at Dover the speedway attempted to cover blocks of thousands of seats with advertising intended for television....

Oh, by the way, did you miss me? :D

Dale Jr -- We Hardly Knew Ye

2008-05-24T21:29:00.002-05:00

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has truly become an adopted son of Hendrick Racing. No longer does he speak and have the confidence he showed for years as Dale Earnhardt JUNIOR. Now he stammers and scrounges for words when he is interviewed. He does not sound confident, self-assured, or even like he did a few years ago.

He has bonded, lock, stock and barrel with Rick Hendrick. If Dale Jr.. thinks Hendrick is a substitute for the father he lost, he is sadly mistaken.

Dale Sr. would never have approved of Dale Jr.'s deserting DEI, especially for the Hendrick camp. Dale Sr. would have expected more of Dale Jr.

So did we.

Dale Jr. Obviously, we overestimated you and did not know you as well as we had thought.

In the recent interview with ESPN the Magazine, it was confirmed what we had intuited long ago. Rick Hendrick was behind the attempted takeover at DEI by Dale Jr. last season. It was obvious, really. Who else would have attempted to appear so 'clever' and have tried (successfully) to get Dale Jr. to make a power-play for half of DEI....Hmmmmm...who could that be?...................

Rick Hendrick is playing Dale Jr. like a cheap Stradivarius knockoff....He'll do so as long as it keeps the 24 and 48 teams ahead of Dale Jr.

Funny, one would have thought an Earnhardt would have had more 'street smarts.'

Dale Junior a Cheap Date?

2008-05-03T18:28:00.004-05:00

This week, Eddie Gossage offered Dale Earnhardt, Junior $100,000 to drive an IndyCar in the IRL race at Texas; the money to be donated to a charity of Dale Jr's choice. It's not surprising that Dale Jr. refused the offer. He's hardly capable of jumping in an IRL car and racing. Besides, the IRL folks would make him go thru rookie training and orientation. Junior gave what has become a typical Dale Jr. smart-ass remark (ever since he joined Rick Hendrick racing fans have seen a snide, defensive side to Jr. we'd never seen before), that Eddie Gossage must think he's (Dale Jr) a 'cheap date.' I guess when you're Dale Hendrick, Jr....or was it Dale Earnhardt, Jr.,...$100,00 IS just chump change. For most of us that might be a combined couple's yearly salary if both have good jobs.

Poor Junior. Sometimes he might need to learn to think a bit before he comes up with a 'witty' retort. He's been in hot water all week for not aiding teammate Jeff Gordon at Talladega last week. Seems Junior has only traded one prima donna -- leaving DEI at the end of last season -- for another....

Dale Earnhardt Day in Mooresville Still Helps Fans Heal

2008-04-29T17:48:00.002-05:00

On this, the anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's birthday, it's terrific to see so many folks turn out for 'Dale Earnhardt Day' in Mooresville. ESPN's NASCAR Now had a very nice hour-long show from the DEI Motorsports facility, culminating with interviews with Jerry Punch and Richard Childress.

It's still very hard for those of us who loved and supported Dale for over 20 years, in many ways, to think about the loss of someone we so admired, respected, and loved. I had the good fortune of speaking to Dale twice, and have never forgotten how gracious and concerned he was about the fans.

Danica Patrick Deserves to be Congratulated!!

2008-04-20T18:40:00.004-05:00

I have already seen one Yahoo sports columnist diss Danica Patrick's IndyCar win at Motegi. Because she won a fuel milage race.

Funny; I didn't see a similar column from this yahoo last week when Jimmie Johnson won a fuel milage race.

Will women always face a double-standard in racing? With attitudes like that of writers like Bob Margolis, I guess so. His article at Yahoo was condescending and a backhanded insult to women in racing. Never mind the driver paying her dues, racing full-time, and still being a comparative newcomer. Teaming up with Team Andretti was a terrific move on Danica's part. I dare say if Marco Andretti had won a race on fuel milage, that writer would have been singing a different tune.

How many drivers have scored in a major victory in a major racing league in 50 starts? A lot of NASCAR's 'superstars' are still waiting for that moment in time.

Frankly, however, Margolis' opinion means little -- if anything -- to real race fans who are glad to welcome a new race winner into Victory Lane. I didn't see an article by him condemning the Rick Hendrick Racing Money Machine's win by virtue of 'fuel mileage' at Phoenix.

Congrats, Danica!! I'm glad you haven't let critics like that stand in the way of your racing. The confidence from the first win is something that carries over and helps in future racing. And, they can't take that away from ANY first time race winner.

NASCAR Refuses to Act for Safety

2008-04-17T15:08:00.006-05:00

NASCAR's President, Mike Helton, says it's not a problem. Brian France, whose family owns NASCAR and who wrecked his Lexus on the way home one night in Florida last year without even getting so much as tested for DUI for formality's sake says it's not a problem. Well, the lack of drug testing in racing IS a problem.

The drivers want it, a large majority of fans and sportswriters want it, but NASCAR -- operating on a 'wait until someone gets killed or injured, then we'll react' policy, has dug its collective heels in and is refusing to consider testing drivers and team members for drugs. Like I said in my last blog, it's more about not wanting to put up the money to set up a testing system. Why else? What's it going to take for NASCAR to admit they need to have routine drug testing in this sport? I daresay none of the older, established drivers would be stupid enough to race while on heroin or speed or marijuana, but what about some of the unknowns? Like say, Aaron Fike -- who stated in an ESPN The Magazine interview that he used heroin on race day more than one time. There is not one, single solitary reason for the biggest racing circuit in the USA not to drug test the drivers.

NASCAR claims they're all about safety. That's why the big push for the COT. Well, if they're really concerned about safety, the driver testing should be their paramount concern. One wonders what the multi-billionaires running NASCAR are thinking by refusing to safeguard the drivers via drug testing. Isn't about time they dug their heads out of the sand and used some intelligence in this matter?

NASCAR and $AFETY -- What's the Real Issue?

2008-04-11T10:12:00.009-05:00

NASCAR brass 'talk the talk' but we're not seeing them walk the walk, as the saying goes. For several years, many of us have said and written many times our belief that NASCAR should start taking proactive responsibility for the drivers' physical safety. Now, I am not talking about the COT. There are other equally -- if not more -- serious issues that NASCAR has repeatedly refused to consider, despite many drivers, fans, owners and others in the sport feeling that these should be addressed. The Aaron Fike issue that just surfaced publicly this week -- that Fike admitted actually using heroin on race days -- is yet another prime example of NASCAR not wanting to step in and take care of a situation which can easily be monitored. Since when is NASCAR concerned about the privacy act? It's more likely that NASCAR will only ever react when someone is killed on the track after either a run in with a driver on drugs or a driver using drugs themselves dies. Is that what it takes for NASCAR to see a need to get involved??? That's a truly sad, horrific and scary thought.

For years, many of us have advocated a 'Safety Safari' such as the NHRA and IRL/CART has. If you don't know, that's an entire medical team that travels from event to event as part of the show, along with the race officials. They know the drivers; they have their medical records.They are on the spot and react quickly to medical emergencies. Each track, instead, has their own team which does a competent job; still there are times where if you had a state-of-the-art team like the NHRA/IRL/CART has, it just might make a literal life-or-death difference.

Dare we say it might be MONEY which is keeping NASCAR from enacting routine drug testing and a Safety Safari? The poor, poor France family that owns NASCAR has their spot on the roster of the 100 RICHEST PEOPLE IN THE USA. Guess Brian and his Uncle can't spare a few dollars to quite potentially save the lives of the drivers who make their sport what it is. One can only conclude that the Frances and Company don't want to dip into their millions in profits to help safeguard the lives of the drivers on the track. After all, the COT didn't cost NASCAR anything....

Baseball was in denial over steriods. Looks like NASCAR is once again in denial over drugs in racing (never mind the Shane Hmiels, Tyler Walkers and Aaron Fikes of the sport). Not only should drivers be tested weekly, but crew members should also be tested at least a few times during the season. It only takes one incident to turn into a tragedy. As a long-time fan, even one tragedy is too many.

Drivers such as Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman and Jeff Burton, to name the more prominent ones speaking out about safety and drug testing are ignored by NASCAR. There is no real leader in the garage who has NASCAR's 'ear' when it comes to what needs to be done for the sport.

I applaud Kevin Harvick for having the courage to speak out this week about drug testing. After all, if you're not using drugs, why would you have an issue with being tested? Maybe the NASCAR officials and sport owners need to be tested. Particularly the owners (not team owners but the NASCAR hierarcy). Because the decisions they are making on this issue are not sound. As I recall, a year or so ago Brian France crashed his Lexus on the way back to his home in Florida. It seems he wasn't tested for anything, either. Hmmmmmm........

Martin Truex Not Worried About Negotiations for his DEI Contract?

2008-03-29T13:34:00.003-05:00

Maybe that's because he's been busy auditioning for his old buddy, Dale Jr.'s, team. It was interesting that Truex tried to qualify the #5 Dale Junior/Rick Hendrick Grand National car a few weeks ago....Casey Mears might well watch his back; sure is looking like Hendrick via Dale Junior is trying to woo Truex away from DEI.

Teresa and Max--you'd better watch the shop, as they say. Hendrick already fineagled Dale Junior away from you. Truex is likely to be next.

Claim Jumpers is About the Dumbest Thing Fox Has Come Up With

2008-03-20T21:00:00.003-05:00

Fox broadcasters are trying to be clever and top 'BuschWhackers' -- which is what a LOT of us old time writers have called the Cup drivers who cherry pick in the Busch (or Nationwide now) Series taking points, wins and money away from the drivers trying to get experience and their big break in racing.

Honestly. Claim Jumpers? That sounds pretty pathetic.

We've offered other alternatives since BUSCH is no longer acceptable in the broadcast booth...

Saturday Cupsters, Cherry Pickers, Low Down Mangy Varmints....Visit FOXSPORTS/NASCAR and send your ideas in to them via their contact form.

There has to be something better than claim jumpers.....

FoxSports Bristol Coverage Had an Eerie Sound

2008-03-17T16:08:00.003-05:00

For whatever reason, Fox must have insisted Darrell Waltrip be in the booth for Sunday's race at Bristol, inspite of an incredibly hoarse and raspy voice. Guess Fox doesn't give 'sick leave' to the announcing crew....it reached a point where I burst out laughing whenever Waltrip spoke, because his voice sounded like a really, really bad imitation of either the Godfather or a horror show demon voice. Whatever it was, I hope it's cleared in up in 2 weeks, because I don't think we can take much more of the evil Darrell twin doing the commentary...

The Tire Issue: Smoke Speaks Up When No One Else Wants to

2008-03-14T13:05:00.006-05:00

You've all read all week -- or heard live on television last weekend -- Tony Stewart's angry but well-voiced remarks about the extremely poor quality of tires Goodyear has been sending to the track, culminating with a really bad product at Atlanta. After all, when you think about it, drivers really do put their lives on the line literally race after race, and it is reprehensible that a company would provide a part of the equipment -- in this case the tires -- that is not up to par with what the drivers and teams need and expect. The performance of the cars, and the other drivers' overall agreement with Stewart's remarks should be taken as speaking volumes. No one wants to rock the boat or be the 'bad guy' and once again Tony is put in the position of speaking up and being honest, at the cost of being criticized for being outspoken. Tony Stewart has, reluctantly I feel, had to pick up the torch as far as being the voice of the racers in the garage, since the loss of the late great Dale Earnhardt. Other big name drivers tend to stick to the NASCAR party line and try not to take responsibility. Tony has the maturity, ethics and sense of responsibility to try and address an issue when it becomes potentially dangerous to the drivers. It's admirable to see someone willing to speak up at the risk of NASCAR's ire.

Stewart is one of the few racers in the series who has raced in virtually every major racing circuit out there (with the exception of Formula One, IF you want to call that a major racing circuit -- but that's another blog for another time). With the experience Stewart has, if he says the tires Goodyear is bringing to the track are garbage, then you can pretty well bet the ranch on that.

I've heard it said the past few years that Goodyear has been 'clearing out the warehouses' and getting rid of a lot of tires via what they bring to the races.

NASCAR has been on the safety high-horse the past 7 years since the death of Dale Earnhardt. The shoe box COT is NASCAR's answer for more in-car safety. Why aren't they at the forefront of this question trying to find out what Goodyear really is sending to the track instead of sticking their feet in cement and doing their usual lip service to a vendor they do not wish to offend? Mike Helton went on Tony Stewart's Sirius satellite show this week and tried to tone down things, but only came across as a NASCAR apologist. Yes, I know. That's his job. It's what he does.

If one of the premiere racers in NASCAR says there is a tire problem, you can pretty well believe that where there's Smoke, there's fire...

Strange Bedfellows Redux - or - What is DEI doing working with Hendrick?

2008-03-07T15:46:00.002-05:00

It was announced that Martin Truex is going to drive the #5 JR (Dale Junior/Rick Hendrick) Motorsports NNS car at Bristol...Mark Martin has already driven for Hendrick this season, even thought both of these drivers are DEI drivers. What gives? No loyalty anymore or are the contracts so open that anyone can drive anywhere? This was interesting....

Starting to wonder if Teresa Earnhardt and Max Siegel know what they are doing. You just don't let your drivers zip back and forth to the 'enemy camp.' And, yes, other Chevy teams are definitely the enemy camp.

NASCAR Actually Got the Robby Gordon Appeal Right (well, almost)

2008-03-05T21:55:00.005-05:00

On Wednesday, March 5, NASCAR reviewed Robby Gordon's appeal and rescinded the 100 points for driver and owner and the crew chief suspension. Curiously, they increased the crew chief's fine from $100,000 to $150,000... All in all this was a very successful appeal for the Robby Gordon team. Just strange that the fine was increased. It should have been reduced if not omitted. Nevertheless, it's amazing to find that NASCAR actually basically did the right thing. After all, the part number on the 'wrong part' and the 'right part' were the same. Even NASCAR couldn't find a way to make an honest mistake cheating.

Wonder how long this new, improved NASCAR will last?

Why is Mark Martin in a Hendrick NNS Car??

2008-02-29T17:25:00.003-05:00

It's bad enough seeing Mark Martin come over to DEI to co-run the #8 car this season. Martin is a long-associated Ford driver whose name is well connected and associated with that brand. While DEI is trying to field the 8 car this year competitively, it has greatly irked many Chevy and DEI fans to see Martin come aboard to drive the 8 -- a car made famous by Ralph Earnhardt and Dale Junior. Of course, the big story this past year in NASCAR was Dale Junior leaving his father's team to go race for Rick Hendrick -- something else particularly grating to dedicated Earnhardt fans (whether Dale Sr. or Dale Jr.). So, watching this collusion between the drivers of the two teams does not make fans of one -- or the other -- team happy.

DEI's President of Global Operations, Max Siegel, was interviewed on ESPN this past week. He's pretty polished and slick at doing his job--trying to make it look like all is roses and candy between Dale Junior, DEI and Rick Hendrick Racing -- but one has to wonder, after seeing some of Dale Junior's interviews the past 2 months, how true this is. Junior does not sound nor look like the Junior of old. His expression, body language and demeanor does not come across like someone who is entirely pleased with how things have turned out. Maybe he's starting to realize that he's no longer the big fish in the small pond, but rather the smaller fish in the bigger pond.

We've noticed that racing revisionists now claim that Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt, Sr. were colleagues, and that Hendrick and Dale Sr. were buddies. Well, that's not the way that those of us who have followed stock car racing for the past 30+ years remember it that way. 'Back in the Day' you pretty well were either Ford or Chevy and many a battle took place off the track by the fans. NASCAR, in their attempts to make the sport more homogenized, has tried to take the emphasis off of car makes. While our own American brands are having financial difficulty, and charity should begin at home, NASCAR has taken the stance that foreign car makes are going to bring yet more $$$ into their ever-burgeoning coffers; hence the push for the generic COT. It has yet to be revealed 'who' is profiting from the new car design. The shops are not allowed to fabricate the bodies any more. Someone has to be providing all this new stuff...I have my suspicions...

If Martin is in a Hendrick NNS car, then what he is doing driving a Cup car for DEI? That's the main question. Doesn't Hendrick have all these 'talented' drivers, and upcoming stars-in-grooming like Landon Cassills, to put in cars? Top that off with Martin's forays into CTS racing -- again, taking the proverbial food out of the mouths of those that need it for their teams to survive -- and one has to wonder about Mark Martin's ego and what it takes to feed that.

Martin has no firm allegiance to anyone, apparently. Jumping between make-to-make of car from each Series (Cup, NNS and CTS) grates on some of us 'old fans' that NASCAR is committed to wooing back. NASCAR is determined to deemphasize the 'branding' of the cars by ramming the so-called COT (car of today which, last year, was the car of tomorrow) down everyone's thoats.

It's ironic that Martin tries to appear as a mentor to young drivers when, in fact, his actions generally serve to help send the less-financed driver, who is trying to break into the series and gain experience, and his team, home.

DEI might think about how their information is being shared with their good buddies at Rick Hendrick Racing. No one is going to go back and forth between teams and not dish about it.

Speed Channel is Worried about what to call 'BuschWhackers'

2008-02-29T17:08:00.004-05:00

How about 'GREEDY CHERRY PICKERS'?

Or 'DOUBLE-DIPPERS'?...

Or SCUM SUCKERS....

Or just plain 'WHACKERS...

Or ... THIEVIN' VARMINTS!! Yes, that's the one...

Bank the Track at California? How About Just Stopping the 'Weepers'??

2008-02-27T16:31:00.004-05:00

The other day, Mikey Waltrip voiced an opinion in the media that he thought the track at California should be banked like Daytona or Talladega for restrictor plate racing. Well, that's one of the silliest things I've heard in a long time. Guess Michael's had too much time on his hands, what which his breakout Toyota season last year....

Before they worry about repaving the track and building up the banking, maybe they should figure out how to get rid of the underground water/weepers that plagued the track this past weekend.

A more fan-friendly proposition might be to take away one race from California and give it back to Rockingham. Or, move the race date to Darlington...Fans want good old fashioned racing at those tracks, not the creation of yet another restrictor-plate track.

Why Does NASCAR Hate Robby Gordon?

2008-02-22T13:33:00.007-05:00

Poor Robby Gordon. You gotta feel for the guy whether you pull for him or not. Once again, NASCAR has come down on him with both feet for a 'violation' of the rules that was not even of his own making. And, it was obviously not to gain an 'advantage' or an attempt to circumvent the rules or cheat. What gives? This isn't the first time NASCAR has hefted a pretty heavy penalty at Robby; although it certainly is, by far, one of the hugest issued by NASCAR to date.

Robby has been pretty well the last of the 'independents' for a few years now. A couple of weeks before Daytona, he switched from Ford to Dodge, to work with Gilette Evernham Motorsports (GEM). He gets new car parts on the fly, a minuscule problem is found in pre-race inspection at Daytona with the wrong nose being sent to his team for the new Dodge, and he is hit with a $100,000 fine, 100 points, and suspension of his crew chief. Yikes!!! Yet, NASCAR sure doesn't come down on legitimate cheaters like Hendrick Motorsports, with the Dale Earnhardt Junior car being found deliberately bodily altered before the 'Nationwide' Series Daytona race. Junior's Hendrick team was fined $50,000 and 50 points (driver Earnhardt Junior and owner Hendrick) -- and this was for an alternation intended to make an advantage for the car.

Regarding the penalty, which Robby is appealing, he issued a statement:

"This was an innocent mistake made by someone not even on my team. They accidentally supplied us the new Dodge noses that NASCAR hasn't yet approved because of what amounted to a clerical error. It was discovered during technical inspection and corrected before the race. It was not even close to being an intent to create some competitive advantage, and the mistake was not even made by my team. This penalty is way out of proportion when you compare it what happened last year when a team was penalized 100 points for adding a substance to the fuel, or when a team deliberately changed the bodies of the COT. To penalize my team the same amount when we didn't even make the mistake, and the mistake was nothing more than inadvertent human error by someone else is just not fair. Other teams who have had similar issues to what happened with the nose on my car were only penalized 25 points. I hope that NASCAR can reconsider when they have all the facts. In the meantime, we have no choice but to appeal this penalty. We started the season off on a high note with a top 10 finish at Daytona and we look forward to continuing that at California and Las Vegas."

Go figure. NASCAR doesn't go after the multi-multi-millionaire team owner like Rick Hendrick, whose teams seem to get caught cheating at Daytona year after year after year; they'd rather stomp on an independent who's trying to make it in the old-fashioned way, instead of buying or bribing his way in...Maybe if some serious fines were FINALLY issued to Hendrick and his teams, rather than the 'chump change' they must regard a mere $50,000 as, they'd get the message. For most people in America, $50,000 would be a great yearly salary. NASCAR's big team owners certainly are in an elite millionaires club of their own.

When Jimmie Johnson's #48 Hendrick team was caught cheating at Daytona in 2006, NASCAR did not strip points from Johnson because the sanctioning body was 'reluctant' to force a team to start the season in the red. Guess it just all depends on whose team you race for.

Yet another reason the 'olde fans' are turned off more and more by NASCAR's ongoing shenanigans. What level playing field???

If NASCAR does not overturn this penalty completely and remove the fine and points assessed, they are doing a huge disservice not only to Robby Gordon, but to the sport itself. Unless, of course, NASCAR enjoys walking around with egg on its collective face. The fans can differentiate between intentional cheating and a genuine mistake. Can NASCAR?

Daytona 500 Was Super, but the Lead Up to Race Time Was Overkill

2008-02-19T17:10:00.004-05:00

By the time Sunday rolled around, neither my husband nor I could bear yet another feature about Daytona. Perhaps, had all this SpeedTV and ESPN coverage been available when Dale Earnhardt was around, we would have felt differently; as it was it was beginning to get nauseating with all the hype about Dale Junior, Hendrick, and stoking the Fox commentators egos over and over and over.... Speed Channel and ESPN (to a lesser degree--since they only had Busch race (yes, BUSCH RACE!! coverage)) just overkilled on the overblown, over hyped, and overrated pre-race coverage.

On Sunday, we finally tuned in about 2:30...having not seen an actual start time for the RACE itself all week. We thought it would be around 3. Noooooooooooo, it was 3:45 by the time all of the diverse pre-race hype by NASCAR for the 50th Anniversary was done. Yes, there was good stuff, but it did not need to drag out that long!! Brooks and Dunn saved the pre-show for NASCAR as far as I was concerned. Kool and the Gang??? Guess they were there for the new fans that NASCAR isn't worried about keeping...Chubby Checker--well he is an American Classic and I guess since he's an Icon of the 1950's I can see his being there for that reason; but neither are folks that would really be associated with NASCAR. Brooks and Dunn are well known as NASCAR fans, and their performance, during which the 10th anniversary win car of Dale Earnhardt's was brought out, was the highlight of the whole shebang. The crowd looked pretty dull and uninterested until Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks kicked it up a few notches. Trisha Yearwood did a fine job on the anthem, of course.

The race didn't start til 3:45 p.m. EST....So much for pushing back start times, eh? Hope NASCAR does better for those CORE FANS they're trying to pull back into the sport.

Congratulations to Ryan Newman -- and an American Made Car wins at Daytona!!

2008-02-17T19:30:00.005-05:00

Ryan Newman drove a smart race and pulled off a win in the most prestigious stock car race of the year--the Daytona 500. Add to that the fact that his team owner, Roger Penske, had never had a restrictor-plate race win at all, and Kurt Busch, Ryan's teammate finished second in the 50th running of the Great American Race.....well, for the Dodge fans things could not be much better.

Except, perhaps, that Roger Penske showed up in Victory Lane in a Hendrick motor sports hat. What was that all about??? You'd think Penske would be proud of his own outfit and finally winning not only a restrictor-plate race, but a DAYTONA 500 -- not promoting Rick Hendrick racing. Yeah, yeah, yeah....I heard him say he said something to Rick Hendrick and Hendrick gave him the hat. Still, it was not very flattering to his own teams.

Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart ran smart races; Busch easily had the strongest car of the day, even if it was a Toyota. Ah, well. Kyle has shown maturity and the ability to work as a teammate. Gibbs Racing has three top-notch racers under their roof. Look to them for bringing Toyota the success that Michael Waltrip could not produce last season. I'm still not a Toyota fan, but they are the lesser of some evils out there...

Most interestingly, the best laid plans of Hendrick racing didn't end up with their three top teams in the top 5. Guess you just can't buy everything....

Dale Junior's NWS Team Caught Cheating at Daytona -- or -- Lay Down with a Dog and Get up with Fleas

2008-02-15T15:11:00.007-05:00

On Thursday night, the Nationwide Series (NWS)(formerly Busch Series) car that Dale Junior is driving at Daytona was found to be in flagrant violation of the rules.

From ESPN.com:

'The #5 car Earnhardt will drive in Saturday's Nationwide Series opener was impounded by NASCAR on Thursday night after officials discovered the team altered the spoiler to create an aerodynamic advantage following inspection. The car was returned on Friday morning minus the trunk lid and spoiler, repaired and sent back through inspection.'

In all the years that Junior has driven a Busch car, there has not been a violation of this type. Of course the team owner, Rick Hendrick, is a well known convicted felon whose teams have a history of a litany of cheating violations over the past 15 years. Hopefully, for Dale Junior, his 88 Cup team won't have the same type of leadership. But, as they say, those who do not learn from the past are destined to repeat their mistakes...

On another note, much has been made of the five Hendrick Cup cars having their motors pulled -- and taken off the track back to the shop in NC -- without NASCAR having any look at or input about these 'practice' motors. It makes one wonder what else they are trying to hide, and why they rushed to get those motors away from the track.

Dale Junior's 'Win' Courtesy of Hendrick Team Orders

2008-02-11T12:29:00.000-05:00

Wonder if Dale Junior is going to split the loot he won at the Bud Shootout Saturday night with Jeff Gordon? After all, had Gordon not backed off and took the momentum away from Tony Stewart, that race would likely not have had a Hendrick fairy tale ending...Tony's car was just as fast, if not faster--looks like the Hendrick team orders were to help out their newest driver. Junior always does well at restrictor plate tracks, so that part is not a surprise; but even Ken Squier commented on the air that, had Gordon not helped out Dale Junior, then Tony Stewart would have won that race.

This was a non-points race, anyway; it'll be interesting to see if Junior's teammates are as helpful once the season starts. Somehow, I don't think so...

So NASCAR Wants the 'Old Fans' Back? Part 1 -- Stop Revising History!

2008-02-06T14:32:00.001-05:00

NASCAR wants us 'old fans' back. Well, for starters, maybe the folks there could stop changing the series name references in regard to past Cup champions every time a dollar turns and the
'naming rights' to the Series are changed. Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt never were -- and never will be -- 'Sprint Cup Champions.' To hear Dale Earnhardt described on NASCAR Now as 'Seven time Sprint Cup Champion' is blasphemous to fans. The WINSTON CUP USED TO MEAN SOMETHING. Now, according to NASCAR, who clearly dictates how the television folks refer to the series, everything is put in the context of the current $eries $ponsor.

It's not 'confusing' to fans to have the right titles referred to when talking about the legendary drivers that have won the WINSTON Cup.

So, here's #1 on the suggested list of things NASCAR can do to bring the fans back. STOP PRETENDING WINSTON NEVER SPONSORED THE SERIES AND THAT THE DRIVERS NEVER WON THE WINSTON CUP....Or, are you going to go back and re-issue all the trophies won over the 31 years that the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company sponsored the series? Yeah, right...If you're going to revise history, then do it right! Better yet, stop referencing Sprint when it comes to former WINSTON CUP winners.

Richard Petty never won a Sprint Cup. Neither did Rusty Wallace, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Alan Kulwicki, Bill Elliott, Dale Earnhardt, Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough, David Pearson or any other racer who was a WINSTON CUP Champion.

That's the problem with NASCAR selling out it's naming rights in a prostitutory manner. All they had to do was NAME THE TROPHY -- how about the Bill France Cup, the Dale Earnhardt Cup, The Richard Petty Cup -- all excellent choices -- and they would not have created this problem. Ironically, in talking to so many fans over the years, a fair amount of them never really related 'Winston' to cigarettes. Winston Cup sounded regal or classy, and later fans who were not into the product often did not equate the Winston Cup to a tobacco brand.

As a fan, I still cringe when I hear someone call Petty or Earnhardt a Sprint Cup Champion. They weren't and never will be. They were Winston Cup Champions--back when it really meant something.

NASCAR Going 'Back to Roots' -- OR -- We Want Your MONEY Back!!

2008-01-25T19:42:00.000-05:00

For the past week, articles have abounded about NASCAR, with Brian France, Rusty Wallace and Humpy Wheeler talking about NASCAR 'going back to its roots.' What does that mean exactly? Is the Labor Day Race going to go back to Darlington? Are they going to do away with the confirmed top 35 in points guaranteed a starting spot in races? Are the races going to be kept at their lengths and not shortened anymore? Is the 'Car of Tomorrow" (which should be the 'Car of Today' now) going to be the Car of Yesterday and teams actually get back to using STOCK cars? Is Toyota leaving?

Well, No, No, No, No, and No....

So far, all we've heard is that starting times for Sunday races are going to be put back to where they used to be (and should never have been changed in the first place because NASCAR wanted to accommodate the West Coast fan base. Yes, that huge fanbase that can't even fill up the seats at the super speedways NASCAR has built and promoted out in California, in particular.)

Ticket sales are flat and dropping event by event. Ratings are down a cumulative 20 PERCENT from 2 years ago. Teams are allowed to cheat -- at least certain teams -- and NASCAR refuses to do anything about it unless it's brought out in the media. NASCAR is run by a family who has become too savvy about how to spin the 'State of the Sport' and too slick when it comes to commercialization. Some of us have been vocally rumbling and grumbling for over 7 years now about how the sport has changed for the worse. NASCAR seems to be saying they are finally listening to the fans. Are they? Well, we the fan will be the judge of that.

There's an old song that goes, "too much, too little, too late." Wonder if the NASCAR hierarchy has heard that one?

NASCAR's mouthpieces - Darrell Waltrip, Jeff Hammond, Larry McReynolds enjoy 'telling' us what we are seeing on the track. I have a problem with that. I don't need a commentator putting a spin on something and revising history concerning what I have seen while watching a race. It isn't cool. It isn't professional. It is why these guys have lost a lot of credibility with the 'old' race fans that NASCAR wants to win back. How about putting some folks in the booth that don't have an agenda? These three are entertaining, but they are NASCAR spokespersons first and foremost. Whichever network is broadcasting the race (and that seems to be a week to week change as well sometimes), the commentators need to be free to speak and be constructively critical. That would be a welcome change.

Football Humor -- Off Topic!

2008-01-22T13:12:00.000-05:00

Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and Tom Brady arrive in Heaven at the same time. They are escorted to the throne of God, where he receives them. God looks at Peyton Manning and asks, “Peyton, tell me what you believe.”

Peyton replies, “I believe in Jesus Christ as my personal savior. I believe in helping others and doing good. I believe in life eternal in Heaven.”

“Very good,” God replies. “You may take a seat here on my right side.”

God then addresses Brett Favre. “Brett, tell me what you believe.”

Brett replies, “I believe in Christian principles. I believe in humility, being thankful for your bounty, and all you have given us.”

“Very good,” God replies. “You may take a seat here on my left side.”

God then addresses Tom Brady. “Tom, tell me what you believe.”

Tom Brady replies, “I believe you’re sitting in my chair.”

The End of the 2007 NASCAR Season Wasn't Anything to Write Home About

2007-12-31T18:05:00.000-05:00

Not much going on in the racing world since the (yawn) end of the NASCAR Cup Season...Fans are left with a curious feeling that the next season will be the most political one in many years. The "Car of Tomorrow" (now the Car of Today??) has proven to be a clumpy unwieldy un-racy effort created by NASCAR supposably in the name of safety. It just seems odd--NASCAR has never really gone out on a limb about safety before. That was left to the teams and innovators such as Bill Simpson, who was nearly driven out of the sport in 2001 after NASCAR attempted to blame his equipment for the death of Dale Earnhardt....

How will Junior do at Hendrick? How many folks truly care anymore? It still leaves a hollow feeling and taste for true Earnhardt fans. And these attempts to re-engineer history by claiming that Rick Hendrick and Dale Earnhardt were friends, buddies....Does anyone REALLY believe that? Some us us have been race fans since the mid 1970's. And, we have a loooooooooonnnnnnggggg memory when it comes to Dale. It's a moot point to argue that if Dale were around he'd be livid with Junior. Because, frankly, if Dale were still around--well, you can bet your last dime that Junior would not have defected to the enemy camp.

Folks are trying to make Teresa Earnhardt the wicked stepmom, but if you think this through--there was a LOT more to the sudden demand by Junior and sister Kelley for 51 percent of DEI. Some clever person in the background--probably someone who has a history of lies, deceit, bribery--was the mastermind behind that. What better way to cause a rift at DEI? This person has been playing Dale Jr. like a violin...and it's not to Junior's benefit, unfortunately.

So, this is my crystal ball background for 2008. It'll take a few months, but the defection of Junior to Hendrick Racing is not going to be the answer for him, unfortunately. It's going to take awhile, but that initial comment by Hendrick, "there's no room at the Inn" (kind of appropriate for this Christmas season), which suddenly became "Of course we have room for Junior!!" will prove to be prophetic. There IS no room at Hendrick Racing for Dale Junior--unless Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are going to move over. Why should they??

Juan Pablo Montoya - "Rookie" of the Year

2007-11-24T18:39:00.000-05:00

It's been a lot of fun watching the extremely talented Juan Montoya in NASCAR this year. Not unexpectedly, his 'learning curve' has been pretty swiftly elevated. Other open-wheel drivers will join the series next year, but Montoya has always been in a class of his own. His talent parallels that of racers such as Ayrton Senna, Dale Earnhardt, Sr., Emerson Fittipaldi and that caliber. There's a lot of jealously out there, particularly from some of the 'chasers,' but that's to be expected.

Congratulations, JPM -- probably the most experienced 'rookie' to race in NASCAR Cup in a long time!!

Mikey, Won't you Please Shut up??

2007-11-24T18:38:00.001-05:00

The NASCAR CTS is easily the best pro racing going. They actually had a championship RACE down to the wire, and not a points runaway. That said, it was so unfortunate that Toyota Mouthpiece Michael Waltrip was on hand to help 'call' the race for SpeedTV. Mikey didn't make the Cup race field (AGAIN -- how many Cup races did he make this year? Rumor has it that he had to refund $300,000 to Toyota for each race he missed), so the geniuses (or is it genii) at SpeedTV once again kept him around to help broadcast the Truck race finale at Homestead, FL. All too often this year, we've had to put up with Waltrip in the booth. For this race, what was particularly annoying was that, shy of hoping to plant a grenade in Hornaday's truck, Waltrip was overtly rooting for Hornaday to blow up, crash or have problems on the track. At times, Mikey sounded like he was wired on Red Bull or something; it's one thing to be excited and enjoy a race and quite another to spend most of your air time trying to predict an accident for one of the championship contenders. I love it when announcers are sincere and don't play a party line. Unfortunately, Mikey always seems to have an agenda when he's in the booth providing commentary.

I have never heard such a trite, unprofessional job of calling a race before tonight. What promised to be (and was--if one could ignore Waltrip's commentary) a superb ending to the CTS with the down-to-the-wire finish between Ron Hornaday and Mike Skinner was dismally blotted by Waltrip's commentary. Obviously devastated that his beloved Toyotas were not going to win the CTS championship. Even with less than 20 laps to go, and Skinner in 35th place (out of 36 trucks), well, you have to admit that Waltrip was loyal to the bitter end. And, it must have been bitter for him, since Hornaday won the championship in typical Hornaday championship style.

Waltrip's comments seemed to be over-the-top pathetic in trying to root for his Toyota favorite. The only good thing about the end of the truck racing season is that we don't have to listen to Michael's whining and whimpering any more.

Congratulations to Ron Hornaday and the Kevin/Delana Harvick-owned 33 team for a fantastic finish. Hornaday is a true champion and deserved the championship this season.

Don't Hold Back, Junior--Tell us how you Really Feel...

2007-11-20T18:16:00.000-05:00

"I'll be glad when I get with good people and not have to deal with jerks."

That was Dale Earnhardt Junior's comment after the Homestead race on Sunday.

Nice going, Junior. Whatever class you had is swiftly departing as you join your new Hendrick 'family.'

It's hard to think that Dale Sr. would have approved of Junior's bailing out of DEI. As a matter of fact, those who knew Dale Sr. feel he would be pretty angry and appalled at the way things turned out this year.

Ho-Hum Here Comes Homestead -- And No Wonder Ratings are Down

2007-11-13T18:03:00.000-05:00

No matter how many television analysts tell you how wonderful they think Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson is, the fact of the matter is that a huge proportion of racing fans do not agree with the Marty Smiths and Stacy Comptons of the world who spend 95 percent of their time on the air kowtowing to the Hendrick racing drivers. Just because someone tells you what they want you believe, well, that doesn't make it so.

NASCAR ratings are consistently, seriously down -- not just the 4 or 5 percent we saw last season and earlier this season, but to the tune of a whopping 16-20 percent per event. NASCAR's Brian France dismisses this stat with a notation that 'all sports ratings are down.' Huh??? Well, maybe he's referring to soccer or badminton. Sports ratings for the major four are thriving, and college football is enjoying an excellent season, as well. Sponsors are not paying for fans not to watch the sport, after all. The 'Chase,' to be blunt, is BORING. Drivers have been warned by NASCAR officials to stay away from the top 12'ers and not impact the Chase.

A large majority of long-time race fans are truly sick of the politics, money, greed and over-promotion of the sport. Then, we have the 'car of tomorrow' (COT) which NASCAR has contrived as a sort of generic car for the sport--a car which is not racy, not particularly fast, not well-handleable, and not liked. It doesn't look remotely stock. And the fact that manufacturers have had to 'brand' a name for their COT (Avenger, Fusion, Camry and Impala -- and I've yet to see a 2-door Impala at my local Chevy dealership), it just makes for a cruddy looking product. Not to mention the COTs are not delivering any sort of exciting racing for the fans.

Add to that the Dale Earnhardt Junior defection to Hendrick--he's been a lame duck since June 13, 2007, when he had his press conference announcing he was leaving DEI to go to greener pastures--and you have a perfect storm of the type that NASCAR hoped never would happen. One which has resulted in 1 out of 5 fans NOT watching racing. Not caring which Hendrick team wins the Cup. And, it's interesting that Budweiser made no effort to try and stay with Dale Jr. Actually, it's very telling. Their marketing folks created the 'cool Dale Jr.' persona in the ads; no doubt they will help Kasey Kahne develop an image/persona of his own. These folks (Anheurser-Busch) spend over $225 million each year in ADVERTISING alone. Don't underestimate that they are one of the biggest spenders in all sport.

Junior's fans seem to think that he will receive the same equipment and technology that the 24 and 48 receive.....HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA....ROFLMAO, as they say. The 24 and 48 shops are at the top of the hill at RHR. The 5 and 25 shops are, and have been, at the bottom. Why do you think Kyle Busch bailed? And Brian Vickers? Even Terry Labonte finally got fed up with the food change at RHR. Little ol' Casey Mears appears to be content to be an also-ran. This is the situation, and it will not change. One can foresee Hendrick throwing Junior a bone or two when the season kicks off, but the bottom line is that there are two premier teams at Hendrick Racing. Unless one of the two (Gordon or Johnson) leaves--or retires--there's still not really 'room at the inn' for Dale Junior (to quote Rick Hendrick in May 2007). Why should this change?

Dale Junior Part of Hendrick Now--Busch Team Caught Cheating

2007-11-08T20:40:00.000-05:00

Well, it looks like Dale Junior is now officially a member of the Hendrick family. His Busch team (the #88 Navy team with driver Brad Keselowski) was caught cheating at Memphis (altering lug nuts in an attempt to make pit stops faster). Hendrick Busch driver Casey Mears' team was also found guilty of the same infraction. A trick that Tony Eury, Sr. said he picked up from RHR.

People used to complain about Dale Sr.'s aggressive driving. In all my years of following stock cars (beginning in 1976), I don't recall cheating being leveled at Dale Sr. or his teams. I'll take aggressive driving over cheating any day of the week.

Looks like Dale Junior is already learning the nefarious, crooked cheating ways of the Rick Hendrick organization. Integrity obviously is no longer an issue for the JR Motorsports team.

Anyone who thinks Dale Earnhardt, Sr., would approve of Junior and the course his career has taken obviously has no concept of what Dale would have thought of this. It would hardly be approving.

NASCAR is FINALLY Considering Changes to Busch (Nationwide) Series

2007-11-01T10:23:00.000-05:00

This is a subject on which I have written many times, in many venues, over the past 10 years. NASCAR is finally considering making significant changes to the 'feeder' series (Busch Series, which will become the Nationwide Series in 2008). So far, their tentative thinking is to disallow Cup drivers receiving points for competing in the races (probably limited to those in the top 35 in Cup points).

They could take it a bit further. How about disallowing the prize money?? That should go to the Busch/Nationwide regulars. It would afford them a better payday, and they certainly have been shafted in that area particularly in the past 5 or so years. If a Cup team wants to do their R&D in the companion race, why is NASCAR paying them to do that? Seriously, this is something that should be thrown on the table.

The Busch Series was developed and intended as a developmental series, not as a practice round before the Cup race. It's about time that the AAA-leaguers were given priority in their own league. Watching a Kevin Harvick or a Carl Edwards come in and run the Series with their Cup money, development and team members, while amassing 800-900 point leads is disheartening to those who are trying to get the proverbial foot in the door.

Hopefully NASCAR will make some better decisions for the future of the new Nationwide Series. Going to what are termed 'pony cars' (Mustangs, Camaros, etc.) would also be a good way to separate the two Series. Perhaps we'll actually be able to applaud NASCAR on this one someday.

Torre Rejects Yankees Offer -- Off Topic!

2007-10-18T15:55:00.000-05:00

Let me be blunt. I am a lifelong Yankees and and I love Joe Torre, but it's easy to see why he turned down the offer. First of all, it was a pay cut with 'incentives' to reach the postseason. It's hard to believe that Steinbrenner tried to scapegoat Joe with the media threats the way he did, but well, that's George for you. I have a feeling that Riviera, Posada and A-Rod will likely not be back, if Joe isn't. It was an insult to this truly great manager to try and get him to take a pay cut after dissing him in the media during the Cleveland Series. I hope Joe gets another, good deal somewhere he wants to be and although I'm a diehard Yankees fan, I'll also be a fan of whatever team he might decide to manage for.

Joe got the Yankees into the playoffs every year he's managed them. Even this season, which started so poorly and had folks writing the team off -- well, Joe got the boys to the wildcard position.

Joe will be in the HOF as a manager; that's a given. As usual, he has managed to out-class George Steinbrenner. Look for the Bronx to be burning once again...

The Chase is BORING...and so is the Busch Championship

2007-10-13T10:38:00.000-05:00

So much for NASCAR's ballyhooed Chase for the Cup. It's basically a two car 'race' now -- the 24 and 48 have a substantial lead on the field. Only Clint Bowyer is a potential threat but if things continue to go as they are, and with the failure of the DEI-RCR engines last week at Talladega, well, the 07 Jack Daniel's team has to be sweating bullets...There would still need to be a major points loss for both the 24 and 48 teams in order to make this Chase more interesting. Fortunately, we now have playoff baseball and NCAAF and NFL and NHL as alternatives. And a lot of people are apparently looking at alternatives, judging by the ratings.

If the resources of all the other 'chasers' were put together, they still would not be able to compete with the Hendrick teams. And, I'm not talking racing talent. It's equipment, checkbook, and the usual 'gray areas' of the rule book being overlooked for RHR. Any one of the other Chasers (or for that matter, just about any Cup or Busch driver) could compete and win effectively in either the 24 or 48 car. Now, the other Hendrick teams--well, that's another story. Only Kyle Busch has shown he has the ability to compete and win in the lesser Hendrick equipment. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out next season when Dale Jr. takes over that ride. After all, the 5 shop is NOT located in the same area as the 24 and 48 shops. Nor is the 25 team, for that matter.

Television ratings are down for virtually all NASCAR events this season. Look for the last 6 races in the chase to continue to drop in viewership.

It's ironic that the chase was extended to 12 drivers this year, instead of 10, in hopes of Dale Jr. making the field. Well, that didn't work....

Too bad the Busch Series doesn't have a Chase format. Never thought I'd say that...This second season of a Cup driver (this year Carl Edwards, last year Kevin Harvick) running away with the points lead has really put a damper on that. On the one hand, drivers can race for the event win, so that makes Busch racing a little more exciting than Cup has been. Cup racing has been more of a 'don't wreck the chasers' drivers meetings mandate from NASCAR. Who knew that Talladega could be made boring? NASCAR certainly managed to make it so with the use of the car of tomorrow (COT).

For awhile, it looked as though at least the Busch Series' dynamics might change for next season with their using stock cars and not COTs--but if the COT is run in Busch next year, that will certainly not help level the playing field. Hopefully, they will stick to the plan of not using the COT in Busch til 2009. Too bad they can't plan just to not use it all all.

What's the difference between an IROC and COT? NA$CAR couldn't make any money off the IROC Series. It was neutral and competitive.

In NASCAR, the Race is NOT to the Fastest

2007-10-06T14:17:00.001-05:00

NASCAR's embarrassing itself more and more lately. Several of the fastest cars in qualifying at Talladega on Saturday will not be in the field because they are not 'locked in' by being in the Top 35 in points and have to race for the remaining 8 spots in the field.

This just ain't right. NASCAR always claims to want to give the fans a show. Well, give 'em the FASTEST 43 cars in the field!!! That's racing.

Is Bruton Smith the Britney Spears of NASCAR?

2007-10-04T22:00:00.001-05:00

Self-centered, egocentric and above the law? Bruton is throwing a hissy-fit because the Chamber of Commerce angered him when they voted to ban drag strips--addressing concerns of homeowners in the vicinity worried about the noise. Bruton's reaction? Threaten to close the 2 mile Charlotte Motor Speedway and build a new site elsewhere.

"In light of what's happened ... now I could take that $200 million and maybe another $100 (million) or $150 million and I could build a new facility," Smith said.

Talk about wanting to cut the nose off to spite the face! What an idiotic reaction. Sounds more like a self-centered teenager than a multimillionaire businessman. So much for history, community, and smart business practices. Hey, Bruton--since you have money to burn, send a few million my way. Apparently, you won't even miss it...Maybe you can rent the old speedway out to Hendrick racing for their practice sessions - oh, wait, that's right. They already use it for that...

The antics of Britney Spears, particularly in the past few weeks, reminds one of Bruton's reaction. Boo hoo hoo.... I'm above the law and they won't go along with me, so I'll show them! Yes, Bruton--show the racing community that you are an over-inflated egomaniac. Yep. That'll show 'em...

NASCAR Tops Itself in Lucricidity at Kansas

2007-10-01T10:13:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure if Lucricidity is a word, but if it is, there ought to be a NASCAR logo next to it in the dictionary.

What the hell was that at Kansas Motorspeedway Sunday??? The race starts, then is delayed by rain. The race restarts. A little after halfway, a downpour halts the race. NASCAR rushes to dry the track (why? Because the 24 and 48 are a lap down because of green flag pitstops?). The race is restarted with NASCAR announcing that lap 225 will be the last lap. A wreck occurs. NASCAR announces that the race will end at lap 210, since it's getting dark. With less than 4 laps to go, another caution flies when the 42 car blows a tire. Since it's getting a bit dark, NASCAR then announces that the race is over. Greg Biffle is in the lead. Biffle does NOT cross the start finish line; he pulls off the track. NASCAR says Biffle won it, anyway, because the scoring loops (which are the PREVIOUS point at which a car is scored, around the track) show Biffle was leading (even though he did not cross the finish line first) are where the field was 'frozen.' Huh???

If you don't cross the finish line, then you really shouldn't get the win. Sorry, Biff -- you blew this one.

NASCAR had to issue YET ANOTHER 'clarification' as to how the end of THIS race was scored.

We need to stop insulting the WWE. At least they don't pretend they're not scripted.

How Come NASCAR Allowed Johnson to Pull Backup Car out Even Before He Got the 48 Car off the Track??

2007-09-29T18:42:00.000-05:00

In happy hour today (Saturday), Jimmie Johnson brushed the wall. His car, which had qualified on the pole for Sunday's race at Kansas, was immediately taken to the garage and TV cameras showed the crew getting the back up car out even before Johnson drove his 'wrecked' car back to the garage. It took all of 22 minutes to have the backup car out on the track for final practice AND Johnson's 'backup car' was fasted in practice...HMMMMM....Looks like this was a premeditated setup to get a 'qualifying car' in the race for the pole, and then the 'backup' car in the race to run the race. And the fact that Johnson will drop to the back of the field at the start is utterly meaningless. Within 20 laps he'll likely be in the top-15, barring an unforeseen accident. It is so tiresome seeing the Hendrick teams pull stunts like this, and get away with it.

NASCAR officials have always made the decision as to whether a care is repairable or whether a backup car may be brought out. Surface sheet metal damage was minimal and NO NASCAR officials were shown around the car while the team decided to bring out the back up car. Frankly, this was quite surprising. NASCAR always says they run the show. In this case, it looked like Hendrick Motorsports was calling the shots for NASCAR once again.

If NASCAR was keeping tight control over this situation, well, it sure didn't look like it!! Guess they were too busy worrying about Tony Stewart's being caught cussing in the garage.

Denny Hamlin Getting a Bad Rap for Kyle Petty Incident

2007-09-26T14:33:00.000-05:00

I've watched the replay of the Petty/Hamlin/BOWYER incident at Dover from Sunday's race about a dozen and a half times. Too bad they won't show about a half of a lap leading into it. Petty doesn't seem to realize that Bowyer was involved and closed up any 'hole' Hamlin had to try and not get into the back of Kyle's car. If you watch closely, you'll see what I mean.

Kyle used his position to really run his mouth about Hamlin -- and that seemed unusual for Kyle Petty. Kind of wish he had seen a few replays first. You can't put this one on Denny. And, Denny's comments about Kyle's cars usually being a second or so slower than the other cars are also true.

NASCAR should have fined Kyle for slapping Denny's helmet in the garage, while he was strapped into the car.

Kyle's getting a new spotter, starting this weekend. Interesting, eh??

Of Course Dale Jr's Number is Going to be 88!!

2007-09-17T17:18:00.001-05:00

That's the number on his Busch car, as well, for all you rocket scientists out there who couldn't figure this one out....

Budweiser a Great Fit With Kasey Kahne

2007-09-14T11:05:00.000-05:00

It shouldn't be surprising that Budweiser elected to go with Kasey Kahne and the #9 Evernham Dodge. It's a great fit! Kahne has already shown he has the talent for some of the best racing commercials (particularly the AllState ones, with the three women fans who stalk him); he has charm, looks, the whole package. It'll be interesting to see how he's portrayed in the new Budweiser commercials.

Accusing Teresa Earnhardt of Having Junior's Motors Sabotaged is Truly Ridiculous

2007-09-11T20:16:00.000-05:00

Saw this headline on Yahoo Sports tonite: Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s stepmother derailing his car wouldn't be surprising, writes Jenna Fryer (AP writer).

I thought AP writers had to have higher standards and more ethics than that.

More fuel for the conspiracy theorists. And, hey, sometimes I am one of them, too...But, in this case, it's laughable because it's so utterly preposterous. If Dale Jr.'s hard luck and misfortunes are to be put at anyone's feet, it is his own; after all, he has kept basically the same shop team and crew together and he's had similar misfortune the past several seasons. He went into the last race to the Chase over 100 points behind 12th place. It wasn't as though he was in 11th or 12th and holding off the competition.

DEI and Budweiser and Chevrolet have too much at stake, and while many of the newer Junior fans might think it's fun to make charges such as this at Teresa Earnhardt, the facts remain that she is CEO of DEI and has a lot at stake financially. It would be petty and beneath her to order something like that done. And, do you really think that 'secret' could be kept in this sport? There are few secrets in the garage. The gossipiness of racing crew members is legendary. This alone would preclude a secret sabotage effort.

The likeliest culprits are the folks on Junior's crew that deal with the engines. That's where fingers need to be pointed. If I had five or six engine failures, I know I'd be reassessing who is working on the engines and what they are doing. Not trying to blame Mrs. Dale Earnhardt for trying to keep her step-son out of the Chase. After all, that sure would have helped sell all that leftover Budweiser and #8 souvenir swag that is still hanging around; most of it at half-price.

So it was hot in California on Labor Day Race Weekend...

2007-09-06T10:28:00.000-05:00

Boo-hoo-hoo....Cry me a river.

We never whined about that when the NASCAR race was at DARLINGTON, where is should have been kept at.

NEXTEL Shows Utter Lack of Class in Suit Against Childress and ATT/Cingular

2007-09-03T17:47:00.000-05:00

You know those cute ATT commercials about the miscommunications when calls are dropped? It's starting to look like NEXTEL is the one doing all the dropping. When they signed on to be the title sponsor the the NASCAR Cup Series, there were already a few major players in car sponsorship, particularly Alltell and Cingular.

This year, ATT and Cingular merged, so naturally one would expect the car sponsorship on the Richard Childress owned 31 car, driven by Jeff Burton, to switch to ATT. That would have been the obvious, polite and normal expectation. NASCAR, as usual, had other ideas and stepped in to 'protect' it's new multi-million dollar title sponsor. Apparently, they don't see an anomaly in NEXTEL's change to Sprint next season and why everyone else is confused as to why it's OK for NEXTEL to change a name brand with a sponsor's merge, but it's NOT OK for Cingular to change to ATT when those two companies merged earlier this year.

If NEXTEL thinks that this suit is making fans of their product, they might do well to reconsider this PR blunder. All that this tells this race fan is that they are two-faced, petty, insecure, do not respect an owner who has been a respected mainstay in this sport for over 30 years, and that they are definitely NOT the product for me. I just got a new Cingular phone; this is certainly not making me think that NEXTEL is the better product. Just the more obnoxious, pushier, insecure and pathetic one.

NASCAR claimed that the telephone carriers who were sponsors were grandfathered in when NEXTEL bought the naming rights to the Cup Series after Winston left. Now they are arguing that this does not, ahem, include name changes with business mergers...oh, wait...then where does that leave Sprint? Race fans are so tired of the two-facedness of NA$CAR. Wouldn't it be nice if they could play nice just this once? A competitor and a series sponsor are two diffenent things. It begs the question: Doesn't Brian France have enough money yet to retire and buy that NFL team he wants for the west coast?

Congratulations, NASCAR -- You Managed to Make Bristol BORING...

2007-08-26T10:49:00.001-05:00

Yep, those cars of tomorrow (COT) really change racing. Less speed, less action, and more boring racing. How can Bristol be made boring? Just run a COT there. Saturday night's Cup race was one of least memorable in racing's history.

Can't wait to see how you NASCAR COT folks manage to ruin Talladega. Oh well, maybe there'll be a football game or something else to watch.

Hendrick doesn't get the #8 for Dale Jr.

2007-08-15T20:42:00.000-05:00

Somehow all those commercials for Bud with Junior announcing his number change to 6.3 are REALLY funny now....

Good for Teresa sticking to her guns!! The number 8 belongs at DEI. It belonged to Ralph Earnhardt, Dale used it, and it belongs with DALE Sr.'s company.

Tony Stewart in a TOYOTA??? Say it Ain't So, Tony!!!

2007-08-14T14:56:00.000-05:00

All these swirling rumors about Joe Gibbs Racing defecting to Toyota -- I just can't see Tony Stewart running a Toyota in Cup racing. Particularly since he is so involved in World of Outlaws (WoO) and dirt car racing. Tony has been a Chevy guy since day 1! Paul McMahan runs one of Tony's Chevy's and Donnie Schatz is expected to run another Chevy next year.

Latest word is that Gibbs racing does have a governing board, and their three current drivers are on that board. Hopefully they will be able to make a case for keeping JGR with Chevrolet. Sure hope so!

Toyota's entry in Cup has been less than stellar, shall we say, and jumping ship next year would be a tremendous hurdle for a team changing manufacturers. No matter how good JGR is, that will be a 'lost season' for any driver of Tony's or Denny Hamlin's talent.

Joe Gibbs still runs JGR, even if son J.D. is managing the race teams. Hopefully this is just one of those rumors that will go away.

Please!!!

KEEP THE NUMBER 8 AT DEI -- WHERE IT BELONGS

2007-08-04T21:43:00.000-05:00

If Teresa Earnhardt is truly concerned with carrying on the legacy of her late great husband, Dale Earnhardt, Sr., there is only one option concerning the number 8. Keep it at DEI. The 8 was the number of Dale's father, Ralph Earnhardt, and it was Dale Sr. who set up the 8 team for Dale Jr. to run, honoring his father's number.

Rick Hendrick has his fat checkbook out ready to buy the number 8 from DEI. Teresa--you don't need his bribery-tainted funds. Hendrick's history (as a convicted felon, charged on 15 counts of bribery in the Honda scandals of the early 1990's, who pled guilty to one count in a plea bargain) is well known among the long-time fans of the sport.

The number 8 belongs at DEI. To give it over to Hendrick would be blasphemous. After that, then what? Is the number 3 going to be up for sale, too?

NASCAR proclaimed they would not interfere with any private sale of the number. As usual, NASCAR has let the Hendrick bank account interfere with their thinking. Either NASCAR controls the numbers--or they do not. Which is it, Brian France? Do you have any inkling as to what is going on in the sport?

Teresa, the true Dale Sr. fans hope you keep the number 8 safe along with Dale's legacy. There's enough sell-out in racing today. Some fans hope you keep the number 8 at DEI, where it belongs.

NASCAR Cup Qualifying Should be Strictly on Time

2007-08-01T17:10:00.000-05:00

Too often, this season in NASCAR, we've seen the faster cars not make the field because of the political rule that NASCAR's brass put in a few years ago locking the 'top 35' cars into the field. This rule was purportedly to protect the big name sponsors, but basically all it has done is muddy the waters and allow some Cup teams who are fairly mediocre to make the race regardless.

Now NASCAR is toying with an idea to let the teams NOT locked in qualify in a separate group. This does not solve nor resolve anything. It's still a matter of disallowing some cars which may well be faster than some of the 'locked in' cars from racing.

If a Cup team -- regardless of WHO they are -- cannot make the show on speed, well then, So What??? The fastest 43 cars qualifying should race. Even the 'Champion's Provisional' which has notoriously been used this year to get Toyota into 6 races with Dale Jarrett, and is now available to Bill Elliott, among other past champions, is still an uneasy way to get into a race. Among this year's tinkering with the rules for qualifying past champions are now limited to using the provisional 6 times per year. This is something that should be either unlimited--or eliminated. Do one or the other.

It's frustrating to see a team which would have otherwise made the field go home because a driver in the lower 35 in team owner's points is guaranteed a spot.

With the multi-million dollar teams out there competing--if they can't make the race on time, they SHOULD go home. The bottom line is, once again, the fans are being cheated of the best event because of another inane NASCAR rule.

Come on everyone at NASCAR -- think about it. The fans want to see the fastest cars race. What's wrong with that?

EITHER QUALIFY ON TIME OR GO HOME

2007-07-15T18:55:00.000-05:00

The top 35 teams in points being guaranteed a spot in a race has always irked me. The top tier of NASCAR--the Cup racers--are supposed to be the best in the business. That said, NASCAR's instituting the top 35 rule a few years ago has never made sense from the sporting standpoint or the fan's standpoint. The rule was put in to help 'guarantee' sponsors would have their cars in the race.

It's really very simple. The top 43 cars in qualifying should be the 43 cars in the race. No provisionals, no 'special rules.' The fans deserve to the the best/fastest cars race. If a team cannot make the race on time, then they should not be allowed to run. And, that includes if a car does not attempt qualification for whatever reason (wrecked in practice, etc.). We've seen a few cars race that did not qualify on time.

As they used to say--you can't win the race if you don't qualify. And, if you can't qualify on time, you shouldn't be in there anyway.

Shane Huffman Ousted by JR Motorsports--WHY?

2007-07-10T18:00:00.000-05:00

Shane Huffman was running 13th in Busch Series points, and 5th, if you were to exclude all the cherry pickers from the Cup Series who have invaded the Busch Series once again. Add to that the fact that team owner Dale Earnhardt, Jr. qualified the #88 Navy car (after giving Huffman notice earlier last week) quite poorly, and was candid that the car and equipment was not nearly as good as he had thought it was. So for that Shane gets fired? Now Junior is going to put Brad Keselowski in the car--a far more inexperience driver than Shane. Oh, yes. This should be fun. Nothing against Brad, who is definitely a talented, up-and-coming driver--but this move makes little sense in light of Shane's performance is subpar equipment.

What a raw deal for a very talented racer. Shane Huffman deserved better of JR Motorsports. Perhaps the bigger issue was that for some reason DEI did NOT have a Busch car entered for the Friday night race. So, was this the real reason Shane was ousted? Because Junior needed a Friday night ride to prep for the Saturday Cup race at Daytona?

That's the most likely scenario. Hopefully some of the other team owners have taken note of Shane's success in what is now admittedly below par JR Motorsports race cars. He's a good, solid racer and needs a break. And, apparently, some decent equipment.

Suspended Crew Chiefs Banned from Track -- The Way It Should Have Been All Along!!

2007-07-06T11:43:00.000-05:00

According to Scene Daily:

Suspended Crew Chiefs banned from the track: NASCAR has changed its policy and will not allow crew chiefs to attend races while they are suspended, NASCAR Vice President Jim Hunter said Thursday at Daytona International Speedway. Previously, the policy was to simply suspend a NASCAR license, meaning crew chiefs and others under suspension could not enter a track's garage area or pit road.

The suspensions were never intended to allow the crew chiefs to continue to work on the cars. Enough outrage about this was made in the media and online that NASCAR realized what was going on. About time.

Some Guy Named Doug Guthrie Loves My Blog!!

2007-07-03T20:23:00.000-05:00

This guy is a hoot. He writes for the Detroit News/Sports with a weblog. I guess I have a bona fide fan...What's really funny is that he says most of the same things I say, particularly about the topic of the "suspended" Hendrick crew chiefs in his own blog...

Doug's latest column includes (these are his words):

"Last time I linked to a rant by Valerie Wood she e-mailed me an angry message that said I was rude. I warn you that her opinions are heavily weighted by her love for Dale Junior and her hatred for everything Hendrick. Last time she defended Talladega's beer-throwing fans saying malicious destruction of property and borderline felonious assault are the only form of expression open to her sunbaked Budweiser-powered faithful. This time I actually agree with part of what she is saying. The three suspended crew chiefs were at New Hampshire leading their teams from motor homes a few steps outside the garage -- meeting the letter of NASCAR's laws. As for spirit, NASCAR doesn't care about anything that isn't the color of money. It is a farce and it made Valerie mad. She's fun to read when she's angry."

Well, I did email Doug. I said (verbatim from my email):

Doug,

You'll never understand the whole thing with Gordon. And, no, I don't "HATE" him and I don't appreciate your putting that out there as you did. It is true I don't admire him. You and the NASCAR media are never going to change that fact...Not for me and for a very large majority of fans. There's too much I know about him, from being around the sport for 35 years, but you might be a little more discerning if you're going to cruise around the web looking for fodder for your articles. Not that we mind being quoted!! But, come on. Don't say I hate someone when I don't. That was rude.

Valerie Wood

Not that Doug ever gave me the courtesy of a reply. It's true -- I don't like being accused of 'hatred'. That's a bit overblown. I don't like cheating, lying, stealing, bribery, and just about any other felony you could name. If that makes me a 'hater' in someone's book, well, perhaps they should re-evaluate their own opinions and definitions. Some of us, with the 4th of July upon us by the way, love truth, justice and the American way....

Thanks, Doug, for the mentions! How can I be mad at someone who loves to quote me, and who takes me so seriously? At least he realizes my opinionated commentary is very often humorous...

NASCAR Alibi's for the Suspendees

2007-07-02T16:40:00.000-05:00

Good ol' Robin Pemberton had to go on TV prior to yesterday's race at Loudon to explain that those who are suspended may not go where any NASCAR license is needed (e.g., pit road, the pit box, the garage). Apparently it's OK to sit in the motorhome, buy a ticket and talk on your exclusive Hendrick frequency....oh, that's right....they don't think we recall that several weeks ago much ado was made of Hendrick Racing having their very own private radio frequency. What will Nextel/Sprint come up with next?

The crew chiefs are allowed to text message, cell phone, email, etc. On tonite's NASCAR Now, Tim Brewer stated that both Knaus and Letarte met with their interim crew chiefs prior to and after the race. I'm sorry--what part of suspension don't we understand???

The fact remains that in REAL sports, suspensions are SERVED, not worked around. I've been defending NASCAR as a real sport for over 25 years....guess that stance needs re-evaluation once again. This year has been one of the worst dog-and-pony shows in a long time. Add the COT to that, and you really get a mangled season....

If a team is caught cheating over and over, do you really think they are going to suddenly abide by the rules???