I think It's Time To Move

So what do you think?  I've been hinting at it for some time now.  Is it time for me to get off my "Blogger" platform and maybe not only move to somewhere new, but to move to a decent looking platform?  

(No, no...  no shots against Blogger.  It's taken good care of me these last few years.)

I've snagged myself a domain just for little 'ol me and I have been devloping a blog on it under Wordpress for the last few weeks.  It's been pretty tiring trying to either post the same thing, here and there; or picking what to post where.

My new place is almost all ready...  there are still a few snags, but I don't think they're any show stoppers.  So what do you say?  Shall we all have a moving in party and head over to my new place and check it out?

Then let's head on over to(NBaP) NASCAR Bits And Pieces.com!  Shall we?

NASCAR Rev'd Up Event For All-Star Week

"NASCAR Rev'd Up", is a six-hour event highlighted by a concert with Everfine/Atlantic recording group O.A.R., will kick off activities for NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race week in Charlotte, N.C. The event, which is free to the public, will take place Wed., May 13 between 3rd and Mint Streets in uptown Charlotte from 4-10 p.m.

This year, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is being held for the 25th time. Rev'd Up will mark the first time that the all-star week will open with a concert.

The event features driver appearances, show cars and interactive displays, culminated by the O.A.R. concert. Performing as special guests will be Charlotte band Simplified.

SPEED will broadcast its show 'Countdown to All-Star' beginning at 8 p.m. (ET) on May 13 from the concert venue, with guest appearances from several NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers. "NASCAR Rev'd Up" leads off a four-day period heading into the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, set for Sat. May 16 at 7 p.m. at Lowe's Motor Speedway, broadcast live and exclusive on SPEED. Here's a schedule of events for all-star week:

* Wednesday, May 13, 4-10 p.m. in uptown Charlotte: "NASCAR Rev'd Up" featuring a concert by O.A.R. (free admission).

* Thursday, May 14, 7 p.m., Time Warner Cable Arena: NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge Presented by Craftsman (for tickets go to www.pitcrewchallenge.com or www.ticketmaster.com). SPEED will televise beginning at 9 p.m. (ET).

* Friday, May 15: NASCAR Day, an opportunity for fans, corporations, schools and organizations across the country to make donations to the NASCAR Foundation to raise funds for its Family of Charities in an effort to help thousands of children live better lives (for more information go to foundation.nascar.com).

* Friday, May 15, 6:15 p.m., Lowe's Motor Speedway: NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Qualifying (for tickets call (800) 455-FANS or go to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com). SPEED will televise beginning at 5 p.m. (ET).

* Friday, May 15, 8 p.m., Lowe's Motor Speedway: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 (for tickets call (800) 455-FANS or go to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com). SPEED will televise beginning with pre-race coverage at 7:30 p.m. (ET).

* Saturday, May 16, 7 p.m., Lowe's Motor Speedway: 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (for tickets call (800) 455-FANS or go to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com). SPEED will televise beginning at 7 p.m. (ET).

Packing

Man, do I hate packing and moving.  It's such a pain to try and get everything in all the right spots at your new place.

--
Bruce

David Poole Has Passed Away

It is with a saddened heart that I must report that David Poole succumbed to a heart attack at his home Tuesday.

He was in his 13th year of covering NASCAR.

I've had opportunity to talk with David on several occasions because he took the time for the little guy.  We started exchanging emails and then as I pestered the crap out of him with questions, I asked if I could interview him.  Without hesitation, he said sure, and gave me his home phone number.  He was my first NASCAR interview. 

He could be harsh but only if you were on the other side of the argument because once he made his mind up, he dug in and never wavered unless you could downright prove to him where he was being silly.

Whenever I had a question or curiosity, he always had the time. Farewell buddy.  I'll miss our intermittent chats and your perspectives.

RIP David and my condolences to his family and friends.

There's more info over on the paper / website he worked for, ThatsRacin.

NASCAR To Penalize Drivers For Playing Within The Rules

As Brad Keselowski said in a post race interview of the NASCAR Talladega race last weekend,

"I was not going to allow myself to be in that same spot as Regan was last year and I just held my ground. I was here to win … and put these guys (his team) in victory lane. … I'm sorry it caused a wreck and sorry for those that are hurt. But that's just the situation with the rules and the way it is"

Yet drivers under stand the rule, as Dale Earnhardt Jr. said in the same post race set of press interviews:

"I kind of like the yellow line rule.  I think that the drivers have begun to understand what it means.  I think that you can't necessarily blame what happened at the finish of the race on the yellow line rule.  Guys have been running over each other for years.  So I mean, guys get into each other way before we had yellow line rules."

But now NASCAR is considering enforcing penalties on excessive blocking or aggressive type driving?  You have got to be kidding me?

A:  First NASCAR enforces a rule saying you can't go below the yellow line at plate races.  Fair enough.

B:  Drivers have the chance to not get penalized if they do cross the line.  Fair enough.

C:  Some drivers have been penalized for not self-enforcing the "out" of the rule of furthering their position.  Fair enough.

D:  Jr. once got a position from going below the line.  They made an exception due to circumstances.  Fair enough?  Curious actually.

E:  Last year we watched Regan Smith get forced below the yellow line on the last lap and not back off on his momentum.  He got penalized for that severely.  Fair?  No.  Consistent rule enforcement?  I don't know.  See "D".  But Regan bowed to the yellow line beast because he was concerned about wrecking Stewart, who, it seemed, did intentionally mean to block Smith.  (But that's another story altogether.)

F:  The message was clearly sent by NASCAR, as Smith noted last year.  Don't go below the yellow line.  Which was implied, and never really denied by NASCAR that if that's the case, you need to go for the win, then obviously someone is going to get hurt because someone will get wrecked.  NASCAR was put on notice.  (How's that working for you NASCAR?)

G: Brad Keselowski, per Carl Edwards, did everything right.  He defended his position, he had the momentum, and Carl didn't see that.  Brad wanted his win, and of course, Regan Smith was on his mind.  Carl came down on Brad and Brad held his ground.

By NASCAR's very own rules and their enforcement of the rules on previous efforts, there's question as to who gets leniency and who doesn't.  The question or fact remains that NASCAR's rules forced the situation that happened last weekend.

Now, they are reportedly looking to come down on aggressive driving / blocking in these races?  Are you EFFING kidding me?  Why don't we just put the drivers in solar powered soap box derby cars and keep the speeds to about 40 mph?  How'd that work for you NASCAR?

No, instead, NASCAR should actually put into affect the "Last Lap, Anything Goes" rule.  Remember how all the drivers were under the assumption that anything goes on the last lap due to a statement made by a Truck Series official?  I think they need to bring back the exception that NASCAR denied that they had.

This last lap, or last 1/2 lap exception would not hurt anyone.  The yellow line rule is in affect to keep people from being on the apron doing 200 mph where cars can't hold their line.  When they're down there and lose their line, they can cause a wreck.  Fair enough.  But once everyone has passed the start / finish line at the checkers, they back off and slow down.  The speeds aren't there and they aren't packed up tightly.  It's at this time that the apron would not be the danger it normally presents during the race.

So let them have their free-for-all in that last 1/2 to 1/4 lap NASCAR.  You would then still have fantastic racing and fantastic finishes, allowing the drivers do what they do best -  race to the line.  Put the intensity back in the finishes NASCAR.  You owe us that after creating the situation that occured last weekend with your yellow line rule.

Ragan Wins First NASCAR Nationwide Race At Talladega

And where did he come from?

Admittedly, I never noticed David Ragan back there behind Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt Jr..  All I can say is that I was intently watching Newman and Jr..  I was waiting to see who was going to wreck who, or if they'll both be so defensive that they end up outside the top 5.

I've seen Dale Jr. try to make a last second pass at a plate track and watch it NOT work for him at all, so I sat apprehensively as those last 3 laps boiled down.

We listened during the final caution lap between his spotter and himself:

Spotter: "I know you know this, but the 33 is real strong by itself.  Just a little information for ya."
Dale Jr.: "He ain't leading the race for nuthing."
Spotter:  "Ya, 10-4, I gotchya."
Dale Jr.: "He just..., let me handle it.  Don't try and talk me out of nuthin."

Ah, the ever terse and delightful Dale Jr. under pressure.

When they took off, Dale Jr. pushed Newman hard, trying to put distance between them and the rest of the pack.  For one lap it looked like it was working but then the rest of the pack tightened up and it was the usual scatter pack coming for that much coveted win spot.

The last 1/4 lap, Jr. made his move and Newman blocked with his fender.  They both got just a bit out of wack and then from behind them, David Ragan charged through those two and took the win from Newman.

I'm not saying David Ragan is like the Intimidator, but damn, that pass from nowhere reminded me of Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s last win here at Talladega.

Congrats to David Ragan and the UPS Racing team.

Did anyone notice after the race during interviews, you can hear the winning team doing their "Wooos" for the photo ops?  On cue almost evey 90 seconds or so, Woo!.

Has Goodyear Fixed The Indy Tire Problem?

Today I heard that Goodyear was still testingtires for Indianapolis that will last more than 12 laps.  For some reason, I presumed that they would have gotten this under wraps by now, but apparently they have not.  Silly me.

As you remember, last years race was a debacle as the field had to pit every 10 laps.  Thus making the race nothing but a series of trophy dashes.

It would seem that Goodyear is still trying to fix the problem and they haven't found the correct mix of compounds yet.  This means that today, right now, they still have tires that only last 10-12 laps, per repetitive tire tests.

Not good gang.  If Goodyear needs 30 days to make a batch of tires for a race and they're running out of time.

I'm betting that right now, if they don't get the correct compound, they'll probably go to a very hard tire that doesn't wear / blow as fast.  This will keep the cars out there longer, but the grip will suck and the drivers will have to adapt and slow way down to keep the cars in their repsective lanes.

Double Duty At 'Dega - Who's Nuts Enough? (With TV Times)

Whose brave enough to do attempt the "double duty" at Talladega this weekend?

• Brad Keselowski
• Brian Vickers
• Carl Edwards
• Clint Bowyer
• Dale Earnhardt Jr.
• David Ragan
• David Reutimann
• Eric McClure
• Joe Nemechek
• Joey Logano
• Kyle Busch,
• Michael McDowell
• Michael Waltrip
• Matt Kenseth
• Ryan Newman

The brave souls that do qualify will be pulling

• 117 laps on Saturday (Aaron's 312 - 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday ABC ) and
• 312 laps on Sunday (Aaron's 499  - 1 p.m. ET, FOX). 

We here at NBaP is tired just thinking of that!

Are Ch 11 Papers Being Drawn Up For Chrysler?

In a shocking, and yet, not surprising move, the Govt. started drawing up Chapter 11 docs for Chrysler.  Or at least that's what the New York Times is reporting.

General Motors Corp. on Thursday did announce plans to shut down 13 assembly plants in North America for "multiple weeks" in the summer to minimize the amount of unsold inventory as they face slowed demand of their product.

All the while they are still trying to negotiate with their creditors in how best to handle the debt.

Meanwhile, NBaP noted that a New York Times article that went to print which is citing anonymous sources that it said possessed "direct knowledge of the action," said the U.S. Treasury is preparing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing that could come as early as next week.

They're (Chrysler) is also looking to submit a restructure plan by April 30th in order to qualify for additional bail out money.

So despite the stories and worry, right now there are several viable options on the table that everyone is looking at and no one is writing anyone off yet.

But you can't help but wonder if the big C goes under the Ch 11 gun, what does that mean to our sport?  And who's next, if anyone?

All we can do is hold our breath and wait.  And hope they pull it all together.

For more details check out the Market Watch article.

Of course, I have to taunt you that speaking of change, change is coming to NBaP!  Keep your eyes open!  You may even miss it at first!

Truck Series Raybestos Rookie Standings

We already have four races in the books and the competition for top rookie honors is heating up.

While Canadian J.R. Fitzpatrick (No. 7 Mammoet Chevrolet) maintained his slim point lead following Martinsville, the rest of the class is right behind him and waiting for him to slip just one little mis-step.

Washington native Tayler Malsam is only four points behind Fitzpatrick. Malsam heads to Kansas with a little experience, having competed in last year's ARCA race, where he came in 14th, despite being involved in an accident.

Tied with Malsam is James Buescher (No. 10 International MaxxForce Diesel Ford). The 19-year-old comes off a strong run at Martinsville where he finished 11th, his best finish so far this year.

Raybestos Rookie Standings after four races of the 2009 season:

1	J R Fitzpatrick	42
2	Tayler Malsam	38
3	James Buescher	38
4	Ricky Carmichael	37
5	Johnny Sauter	32
6	Chase Austin	16
7	Brent Raymer	12
8	Chris Jones	5

Probably The Most Exciting Race Weekend Coming Up

The following is written as a rough perception of how restrictor plate racing is. It's not meant to be the end-all of info on the issue. This is an emotionally based article. Have fun and I hope this is helpful to some.

4 Words:

Talladega. (That's pronounced Tal-A-Day-Ga) LOL.

But for some, this is one of the 4 of the most exciting races to watch all year long. It's a restrictor plate race, which means NASCAR has sanctioned the addition of a component to limit how much "go juice" (gas) one can pump into the carburetor. This limits the speeds of the cars.

The Down Side:

That means that they can't get going so fast that they don't become airplanes. I've watched these cars hit 200+ mph and then do a nose lift and go tumbling. No fun for the driver, the cars around them, or the fans. Hence, this safety measure.

The Up Side:


With limited fuel flow, the drivers need to stay as close as possible to the car in front of them to stay within a competitive distance to the other car. It's called drafting and there are advantages to drafting.

A car by itself can run about 160 - 170. Cars that are drafting together can run around 190 mph. Because they need to draft to keep competitive, you'll usually see the majority of the pack side by side throughout the day. Drafting also is a nasty little trick for passing other cars because you're not using as much HP to keep up with the guy in front, so you have a few extra horses to zip out and around the guy in front of you... if others follow you. Otherwise, you stick your nose out there, and the line of drafting cars just pass your a** up as you sit helplessly and watch!

Of late, during races the drivers have been more patient and string out, but as you hit the last 60 laps or so, everyone starts to play chess, trying to jockey for that one position that you can draft from and slingshot around the car in front of you for that win in that magic final lap.

Drivers Hate It:


Drivers don't think it's racing. They sit around all day driving 200 mph in close knit packs less than a few feet apart as the car jostles from the wind, trying to avoid the big wreck. The big wreck happens when someone blows a tire usually, or if someone does something stupid to cause issues because they get impatient.

Either of those tend to happen when you pack a bunch of win-hungry drivers together.

I think it is racing. Why? Because we inevitably see the more skilled drivers at the front of the pack at the end of the day. If front runners were more random, I'd agree with the "It's not racing" statement. So to me, it is racing.

Fan Intensity:

I have to say, it's one of the more edge-of-your-seat events on TV. In car camera shots or bumper cam shots are very telling in what the drivers have to deal with while they look like they're putting around the track, lap after lap. Hard core fans don't like the cam shots. At times, I love them. It says it all.

In the end, of the cars left running, usually the best car out there is competing for the win if they don't get outwitted in the draft game. If you're driver moves too soon, he gets left behind. If he waits too late, there isn't enough time to make up for it.

What other race will you see the top 30-35 cars go across the start-finish line in under 1, maybe 2 seconds?

That's why it's so fun to watch.

Some New Starters Hitting Talladega In The Nationwide Series

Several drivers are aiming making their first NASCAR Nationwide Series start of the 2009 year.

• Ryan Newman (No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet), 
• Kerry Earnhardt (No. 31 Chevrolet, owned by Stanton Barrett),
• Bobby Gerhart (No. 275 Chevrolet, owned by Bob Schacht) and
• Justin Hobgood (No. 91 Chevrolet, owned by Randy Humphrey).

Earnhardt attempted to compete earlier in the season but was unable to earn a starting spot.

Meanwhile, 22 drivers have competed in all seven Nationwide Series races this season. The highest positioned driver who has not competed in all seven is Joey Logano (No. 20 GameStop Toyota).

There are 47 drivers hitting the timing lights for the 43 starting spots in this weekend's Nationwide race.

Among those looking to make the field on speed are

• Scott Wimmer (No. 40 StopRepairBills.com Chevrolet; 31st in car owner points),
• Jeff Green (No. 05 31W Insulation; 32nd),
• Brian Keselowski (No. 26 Schweitzer Tile Dodge; 33rd),
• Kenny Hendrick (No. 42 Dodge, owned by Chip Ganassi; 34th) and
• John Wes Townley (No. 09 Zaxby's Ford; 35th).

Owners Points - Nationwide Series

Despite the different drivers that have wheeled the No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet, the teamwork has paid off in getting the car near the front of the point standings. The car is only nine points out of the point lead, behind the Joe Gibbs owned No. 18 Toyota and six cars are within 77 points of the No. 18 machine.

Ryan Newman will be the fourth driver to compete this season in the No. 33, which has five top 10s and sat on the pole for the Camping World 300 at Daytona International Speedway. This will be Newman's first NASCAR Nationwide Series race of 2009 and first time in a Nationwide race at Talladega.

While KHI is second, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owners hold first, four of the top five and seven of the top 10 spots in Nationwide owner points. The two other series-only regulars that hold spots are the No. 38 Braun Racing Toyota (eighth) and the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet (ninth).

NASCAR Nationwide Series Car Owner Standings

     Owner                  No.    Points
1   Joe Gibbs              18      1,075
2   Delana Harvick       33      1,066
3   Jack Roush            60      1,028
4   Jack Roush            16      1,015
5   Richard Childress    29      1,014
6   Joe Gibbs               20      998 
7   Jack Roush             6       949
8   Ralph Braun            38      932
9   Dale Earnhardt Jr.    88      898
10 Todd Braun              32      891

Stewart Creeping Ever Close To That Owner / Driver Win

Sept. 27, 1998.

Yep.  That's the last time a driver-owner won an event in a Cup Series race and it was Ricky Rudd at Martinsville Speedway.

yet after just 8 races in his new team, Tony Stewart in the No. 14 Old Spice Chevrolet would seem to be creeping ever closer to that first victory.  As it stands, Tony heads to the wreck fest potential, Sunday's Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway, 4th in the series points.

Talladega is one of NASCAR's fastest tracks, the 2.66-mile Talladega tri-oval. Ironically enough, it is also where Stewart's last previous NASCAR Sprint Cup win occurred.

At the moment, he's starting to be compared to Alan Kulwicki in his slow, methodical approach to that front points spot and NBaP is impressed.  Which means, for the first time since Alan Kulwicki's magical march to the series title in 1992, the words "driver-owner" and "championship" are compatible when used in the same sentence.

"This is the best start to the season that I've ever had in my career," Stewart said. "The last three weeks have just been amazing. I mean, it's been so much fun. We've been in contention. We've led laps. We're doing everything right. It's just a matter of time.

"We are consistent now and that's the way you've got to be. We're just clicking them off one at a time here. I don't think any of us would have predicted we would be in the top five in points."

Probation For Thumpin' And Bumpin

NASCAR announced today that it has placed Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Casey Mears on probation for the next six races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as a result of their on-track incident last Saturday at the conclusion of the race at Phoenix International Raceway.

If you recall, Jr got spun and it would seem to be that he blamed Mears.  Then he spun Mears on the cool-down lap.  Then Mears warmed up the cool-down lap by thumpin' Jr. back.

Kids, kids, kids.

Earnhardt, driver of the No. 88 team and Mears, driver of the No. 07 team, both violated Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing; hitting another competitor's car after the race had concluded) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book.

The probation takes effect beginning with this weekend's event at Talladega Superspeedway.