Despite confusing reports, the details are now verified as to who might be subbing for Denny Hamlin while he recovers from his fractured spine injury. (L1 Compression Fracture)
Mark Martin will be taking the wheel of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota coming up at Martinsville. After that, Brian Vickers will be strapped into the No. 11 Toyota for the subsequent races.
Yes, Michael Waltrip Racing is providing the substitute drivers while Denny is recuperating. In some previous media reports, I heard Michael Waltrip say that Denny is a friend of his and is willing to help out any way they can.
And that's pretty cool.
And hopefully, Denny will be on track and git back in the car as soon as possible. Fans are all looking forward to it. And then we'll see Denny get to work and see what he and his team can do to make up the points deficit.
It will be fun for fans to watch and root for to see what comes of it.
-
In the meantime, let's see how Brian and Mark can do in this strange, new car.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Denny Hamlin: After Missing Races, Can He Still Make the Chase? WHO CARES!
Yes, I said that... who cares if Denny Hamlin makes the chase for the Cup in 2013. But I say that with good intent in my heart. I think any fan of Denny's has to adopt that perspective because of the situation.
THE MOST IMPORTANT aspect to take away from the situation right now, is that Denny Hamlin get better and be able to lead a healthy life that's not threatened by this spinal cord injury. He needs to heal, first and foremost.
If Denny tries to do things too fast or too soon, it could be an uglier recovery period.
The Points: Let It Go
About all this points pondering/guessing, folks, you are only going to drive yourself crazy.(er)
I can appreciate all the guessing math-a-bitical (Yes, I just made that word up.) work everyone is doing in trying to see if or how Denny could possibly still make the Chase.
And sure, it is. It's a long shot, but it's possible.
All I do is think back to Tony Stewart's hugely successful run in the Gen-5 (COT) car at the late stages of the season he took the trophy home, so yes, it can be done. (Uh ho, I said that bad 3-letter word)
In the best situation, Denny is back in the car in 5 races. But if something goes wrong with his recuperation, it could be longer. If nothing goes wrong, he's got his work cut out for him.
Sure, if he finishes with "x" points every single race after his return, he might be able to make the Chase.
Aside from Tony's stellar, last-ditch effort in that one year, who else has ever made that kind of run in recent years?
Who else is worried about the little factor called luck?
Luck can make or break a driver. Luck can break a $5 part on the car. Luck can put a tiny hole in a tire. Luck can put an entire car into your fender. Luck can give one the flu.
I can also appreciate that everyone's guessing games involves the absolute best and dazzling good luck possible.
But some fans should brace themselves for the potential reality of the situation.
-
From my perspective, I'm pulling for Denny to heal up properly so he has a long racing career. When he comes back, all he needs to do is his job. I don't want to get my hopes too high and have them dashed on the rocks if something doesn't pan out.
If he does return and starts to outperform everyone at every single race, then my eyebrows will go up and the excitement will build. But until then, I'm trying to stay Zen about it.
When he returns, all Denny Hamlin really has to do is his job and the results thereof, will keep his sponsors happy and his fans too. Doing his job will be what he has to focus on once he returns. If he distracts himself with all the other math-abetical probabilities, well, that could be self-defeating. (Yup, another new word!)
If Denny has a strong recovery, he'll show us how he's feeling with his work behind the wheel.
-Bruce Simmons
THE MOST IMPORTANT aspect to take away from the situation right now, is that Denny Hamlin get better and be able to lead a healthy life that's not threatened by this spinal cord injury. He needs to heal, first and foremost.
If Denny tries to do things too fast or too soon, it could be an uglier recovery period.
The Points: Let It Go
About all this points pondering/guessing, folks, you are only going to drive yourself crazy.(er)
I can appreciate all the guessing math-a-bitical (Yes, I just made that word up.) work everyone is doing in trying to see if or how Denny could possibly still make the Chase.
And sure, it is. It's a long shot, but it's possible.
All I do is think back to Tony Stewart's hugely successful run in the Gen-5 (COT) car at the late stages of the season he took the trophy home, so yes, it can be done. (Uh ho, I said that bad 3-letter word)
In the best situation, Denny is back in the car in 5 races. But if something goes wrong with his recuperation, it could be longer. If nothing goes wrong, he's got his work cut out for him.
Sure, if he finishes with "x" points every single race after his return, he might be able to make the Chase.
Aside from Tony's stellar, last-ditch effort in that one year, who else has ever made that kind of run in recent years?
Who else is worried about the little factor called luck?
Luck can make or break a driver. Luck can break a $5 part on the car. Luck can put a tiny hole in a tire. Luck can put an entire car into your fender. Luck can give one the flu.
I can also appreciate that everyone's guessing games involves the absolute best and dazzling good luck possible.
But some fans should brace themselves for the potential reality of the situation.
-
From my perspective, I'm pulling for Denny to heal up properly so he has a long racing career. When he comes back, all he needs to do is his job. I don't want to get my hopes too high and have them dashed on the rocks if something doesn't pan out.
If he does return and starts to outperform everyone at every single race, then my eyebrows will go up and the excitement will build. But until then, I'm trying to stay Zen about it.
When he returns, all Denny Hamlin really has to do is his job and the results thereof, will keep his sponsors happy and his fans too. Doing his job will be what he has to focus on once he returns. If he distracts himself with all the other math-abetical probabilities, well, that could be self-defeating. (Yup, another new word!)
If Denny has a strong recovery, he'll show us how he's feeling with his work behind the wheel.
-Bruce Simmons
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Denny Hamlin Sidelined, Tony Stewart Gets No Fine, The TRACK Should Get Fined!
Boys have at it has had quite the shining moment this past weekend in Fontana, in a big way or two, if you count both the Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart altercations with Joey Logano.
What an interesting common denominator.
First up was the Denny Hamlin/Joey Logano spat that turned into a "I wasn't going to let him win" thing with Joey Logano.
Prior to knowing the extent of Hamlin's injuries, Logano was being quoted to saying "good" about Hamlin's wreck.
This is classic "Boys have at it," whether you like it or not. But where Logano and Hamlin tangled, you'd never guess that this simple altercation between them would result in a fractured spinal column for Denny Hamlin, putting him out of the car.
But then again, it's always fun until someone gets hurt. Right?
Hamlin is looking to be out six weeks to give his spine time to heal, and unless he sneaks in and drives the first lap of each of the next five races, he's probably not looking at being a contender for the Chase for the Cup... but hey, wilder things have happened.
-
Then there's the Tony Stewart vs. Joey Logano spat, where Stewart got upset that someone raced him on the track.
If anything, it's not the altercation that should get a fine for Stewart, but rather, for being so silly about it.
Wah! He did to me what I do to others... wah!
-
You know who should get a fine? Auto Club Speedway. That's right!
Any track in this day and age that does not have the entirety of their track wall surfaces covered in safer-barriers, should get fined by NASCAR for being bone heads!
I don't care about the statistical chances of hitting or not hitting a wall... any point on any wall is suspect, and sooner or later, it will get hit. Period.
-Bruce
What an interesting common denominator.
First up was the Denny Hamlin/Joey Logano spat that turned into a "I wasn't going to let him win" thing with Joey Logano.
Prior to knowing the extent of Hamlin's injuries, Logano was being quoted to saying "good" about Hamlin's wreck.
This is classic "Boys have at it," whether you like it or not. But where Logano and Hamlin tangled, you'd never guess that this simple altercation between them would result in a fractured spinal column for Denny Hamlin, putting him out of the car.
But then again, it's always fun until someone gets hurt. Right?
Hamlin is looking to be out six weeks to give his spine time to heal, and unless he sneaks in and drives the first lap of each of the next five races, he's probably not looking at being a contender for the Chase for the Cup... but hey, wilder things have happened.
-
Then there's the Tony Stewart vs. Joey Logano spat, where Stewart got upset that someone raced him on the track.
If anything, it's not the altercation that should get a fine for Stewart, but rather, for being so silly about it.
Wah! He did to me what I do to others... wah!
-
You know who should get a fine? Auto Club Speedway. That's right!
Any track in this day and age that does not have the entirety of their track wall surfaces covered in safer-barriers, should get fined by NASCAR for being bone heads!
I don't care about the statistical chances of hitting or not hitting a wall... any point on any wall is suspect, and sooner or later, it will get hit. Period.
-Bruce
Monday, March 25, 2013
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Official Race Results from Auto Club Speedway
Race Comments: Kyle Busch won the Auto Club 400, his 25th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory. Prior to the green flag, the following cars dropped to the rear for the reason indicated: #2, 16 (engine changes). And look who took over the points standings after all was said and done!
NEXT EVENT: April 7, 2013 - 64th Annual STP Gas Booster 500, Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway, VA (263 Miles) (500 Laps)
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES OFFICIAL RACE REPORT No. 5
17TH ANNUAL AUTO CLUB "400"
AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY
Fontana, CA - March 24, 2013
2-Mile Oval
200 Laps - 400 Miles Purse: $5,899,231
==========
================
Caution Flags: 9 cautions for 35 laps. [Beneficiary in Brackets]
30-33 (Car #30 Spin Turn 2 [35]);
38-42 (Fluid On Track [36]);
92-95 (Debris [83]);
118-121 (Car #87 Accident Turn 2 [20]);
132-136 (Debris [78]);
171-174 (Debris [83]);
177-180 (Car #38,55 Accident Backstretch [None]);
186-189 (Car #15 Spin Turn 3 [7]);
200 (Car #11,22 Accident Turn 4 [None]).
Lap Leaders: 17 lead changes among 8 drivers.
Hamlin-pole, Kenseth 1-10, Ky. Busch 11-30, Kvapil 31,
Ky. Busch 32-43, Logano 44-67, Ky. Busch 68, Harvick 69,
Stewart 70-75, Ky. Busch 76-92, Hamlin 93-95, Ky. Busch 96-121,
Logano 122-132, Ragan 133, Stewart 134-145, Ky. Busch 146-193,
Logano 194-199, Ky. Busch 200.
=============
====================
Owners Points After the Auto Club 400
==========================
In case you missed it at the top of the post....
NEXT EVENT: April 7, 2013 - 64th Annual STP Gas Booster 500, Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway, VA (263 Miles) (500 Laps)
--
NEXT EVENT: April 7, 2013 - 64th Annual STP Gas Booster 500, Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway, VA (263 Miles) (500 Laps)
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES OFFICIAL RACE REPORT No. 5
17TH ANNUAL AUTO CLUB "400"
AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY
Fontana, CA - March 24, 2013
2-Mile Oval
200 Laps - 400 Miles Purse: $5,899,231
| Fin | Car | Series | Bonus | Leader | ||||
| Pos | No | Driver | Laps | Points | Points | Status | Times | Laps |
| 1 | 18 | Kyle Busch | 200 | 48 | 5 | Running | 7 | 125 |
| 2 | 88 | Dale Earnhardt Jr | 200 | 42 | 0 | Running | ||
| 3 | 22 | Joey Logano | 200 | 42 | 1 | Running | 3 | 41 |
| 4 | 99 | Carl Edwards | 200 | 40 | 0 | Running | ||
| 5 | 78 | Kurt Busch | 200 | 39 | 0 | Running | ||
| 6 | 16 | Greg Biffle | 200 | 38 | 0 | Running | ||
| 7 | 20 | Matt Kenseth | 200 | 38 | 1 | Running | 1 | 10 |
| 8 | 27 | Paul Menard | 200 | 36 | 0 | Running | ||
| 9 | 5 | Kasey Kahne | 200 | 35 | 0 | Running | ||
| 10 | 39 | Ryan Newman | 200 | 34 | 0 | Running | ||
| 11 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | 200 | 33 | 0 | Running | ||
| 12 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | 200 | 32 | 0 | Running | ||
| 13 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | 200 | 32 | 1 | Running | 1 | 1 |
| 14 | 43 | Aric Almirola | 200 | 30 | 0 | Running | ||
| 15 | 13 | Casey Mears | 200 | 29 | 0 | Running | ||
| 16 | 51 | AJ Allmendinger | 200 | 28 | 0 | Running | ||
| 17 | 31 | Jeff Burton | 200 | 27 | 0 | Running | ||
| 18 | 56 | Martin Truex Jr | 200 | 26 | 0 | Running | ||
| 19 | 1 | Jamie McMurray | 200 | 25 | 0 | Running | ||
| 20 | 17 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr # | 200 | 24 | 0 | Running | ||
| 21 | 7 | Dave Blaney | 200 | 23 | 0 | Running | ||
| 22 | 14 | Tony Stewart | 200 | 23 | 1 | Running | 2 | 18 |
| 23 | 2 | Brad Keselowski | 200 | 21 | 0 | Running | ||
| 24 | 34 | David Ragan | 200 | 21 | 1 | Running | 1 | 1 |
| 25 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | 199 | 20 | 1 | Accident | 1 | 3 |
| 26 | 10 | Danica Patrick # | 199 | 18 | 0 | Running | ||
| 27 | 36 | J.J. Yeley | 199 | 17 | 0 | Running | ||
| 28 | 47 | Bobby Labonte | 198 | 16 | 0 | Running | ||
| 29 | 38 | David Gilliland | 198 | 15 | 0 | Running | ||
| 30 | 33 | Landon Cassill | 194 | 14 | 0 | Running | ||
| 31 | 30 | David Stremme | 193 | 13 | 0 | Running | ||
| 32 | 87 | Joe Nemechek | 193 | 0 | 0 | Running | ||
| 33 | 83 | David Reutimann | 192 | 11 | 0 | Oil Leak | ||
| 34 | 93 | Travis Kvapil | 188 | 11 | 1 | Running | 1 | 1 |
| 35 | 15 | Clint Bowyer | 184 | 9 | 0 | Engine | ||
| 36 | 9 | Marcos Ambrose | 182 | 8 | 0 | Running | ||
| 37 | 55 | Mark Martin | 179 | 7 | 0 | Running | ||
| 38 | 42 | Juan Pablo Montoya | 169 | 6 | 0 | Running | ||
| 39 | 32 | Timmy Hill # | 108 | 5 | 0 | Rear Gear | ||
| 40 | 35 | Josh Wise | 103 | 0 | 0 | Overheating | ||
| 41 | 44 | Scott Riggs | 66 | 3 | 0 | Vibration | ||
| 42 | 98 | Michael McDowell | 60 | 2 | 0 | Vibration | ||
| 43 | 19 | Mike Bliss | 44 | 0 | 0 | Fuel Pump |
| TIME OF RACE: 2 hours, 57 minutes, 19 seconds AVERAGE SPEED: 135.351 mph MARGIN OF VICTORY: Under Caution | ||||||||||
| COORS LIGHT POLE AWARD: Denny Hamlin (187.451 mph. 38.410 secs.) | ||||||||||
| 3M LAP LEADER: Kyle Busch (125 Laps) | ||||||||||
| AMERICAN ETHANOL GREEN FLAG RESTART AWARD: Kyle Busch | ||||||||||
| DURALAST BRAKES "BRAKE IN THE RACE" AWARD: Kevin Harvick | ||||||||||
| FREESCALE "WIDE OPEN": Carl Edwards | ||||||||||
| MAHLE CLEVITE ENGINE BUILDER OF THE RACE: Toyota Racing Development (#18) | ||||||||||
| MOBIL 1 DRIVER OF THE RACE: Kyle Busch | ||||||||||
| MOOG STEERING AND SUSPENSION PROBLEM SOLVER OF THE RACE: Ryan Newman (crew chief Matt Borland, 0.354 seconds) | ||||||||||
| NASCAR SPRINT CUP LEADER BONUS: No winner: rolls over to $60,000 at next event++ | ||||||||||
| SUNOCO ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Ricky Stenhouse Jr |
================
Caution Flags: 9 cautions for 35 laps. [Beneficiary in Brackets]
30-33 (Car #30 Spin Turn 2 [35]);
38-42 (Fluid On Track [36]);
92-95 (Debris [83]);
118-121 (Car #87 Accident Turn 2 [20]);
132-136 (Debris [78]);
171-174 (Debris [83]);
177-180 (Car #38,55 Accident Backstretch [None]);
186-189 (Car #15 Spin Turn 3 [7]);
200 (Car #11,22 Accident Turn 4 [None]).
Lap Leaders: 17 lead changes among 8 drivers.
Hamlin-pole, Kenseth 1-10, Ky. Busch 11-30, Kvapil 31,
Ky. Busch 32-43, Logano 44-67, Ky. Busch 68, Harvick 69,
Stewart 70-75, Ky. Busch 76-92, Hamlin 93-95, Ky. Busch 96-121,
Logano 122-132, Ragan 133, Stewart 134-145, Ky. Busch 146-193,
Logano 194-199, Ky. Busch 200.
=============
| NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES TOP 12 | ||
| Driver | Points | Wins |
| 1 - Dale Earnhardt Jr | 199 | (0) |
| 2 - Brad Keselowski | 187 | (0) |
| 3 - Jimmie Johnson | 183 | (1) |
| 4 - Carl Edwards | 164 | (1) |
| 5 - Greg Biffle | 164 | (0) |
| 6 - Kyle Busch | 163 | (1) |
| 7 - Kasey Kahne | 159 | (1) |
| 8 - Paul Menard | 154 | (0) |
| 9 - Joey Logano | 146 | (0) |
| 10 - Denny Hamlin | 145 | (0) |
| 11 - Matt Kenseth | 141 | (1) |
| 12 - Ricky Stenhouse Jr | 139 | (0) |
====================
Owners Points After the Auto Club 400
| POS | Car # | Owner | Points | Starts | Wins | Top5 | Top10 |
| 1 | 88 | RICK HENDRICK | 199 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| 2 | 2 | ROGER PENSKE | 187 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 3 | 48 | JEFF GORDON | 183 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | 99 | JACK ROUSH | 164 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 5 | 16 | JACK ROUSH | 164 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 6 | 18 | JOE GIBBS | 163 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 7 | 5 | LINDA HENDRICK | 159 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 8 | 27 | RICHARD CHILDRESS | 154 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 9 | 51 | JAMES FINCH | 153 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 | 22 | WALTER CZARNECKI | 146 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 11 | 11 | J D GIBBS | 145 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 12 | 20 | JOE GIBBS | 141 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 13 | 17 | JOHN HENRY | 139 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | 55 | MICHAEL WALTRIP | 138 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 15 | 78 | BARNEY VISSER | 137 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 16 | 15 | ROB KAUFFMAN | 137 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 17 | 29 | RICHARD CHILDRESS | 130 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 18 | 1 | FELIX SABATES | 125 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 19 | 43 | RICHARD PETTY | 125 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | 24 | RICK HENDRICK | 123 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 21 | 56 | MICHAEL WALTRIP | 122 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 22 | 39 | TONY STEWART | 121 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 23 | 13 | BOB GERMAIN | 118 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | 14 | MARGARET HAAS | 108 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 25 | 9 | RICHARD PETTY | 107 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | 31 | RICHARD CHILDRESS | 105 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 27 | 36 | ALLAN HEINKE | 92 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 28 | 7 | TOMMY BALDWIN | 89 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | 10 | GENE HAAS | 87 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 30 | 30 | BRANDON DAVIS | 86 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | 42 | CHIP GANASSI | 83 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | 47 | TAD GESCHICKTER | 82 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | 83 | RON DEVINE | 74 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 34 | 34 | BOB JENKINS | 74 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | 38 | BRAD JENKINS | 64 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | 32 | FRANK STODDARD JR. | 59 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 37 | 93 | RON DEVINE | 57 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 38 | 33 | JOE FALK | 52 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 39 | 87 | ANDREA NEMECHEK | 45 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 40 | 35 | JERRY FREEZE | 44 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
==========================
In case you missed it at the top of the post....
NEXT EVENT: April 7, 2013 - 64th Annual STP Gas Booster 500, Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway, VA (263 Miles) (500 Laps)
--
Entitled Drivers and Safer Barriers
I actually missed all the fun at California's Auto Club Speedway in Fontana this last weekend. It's a huge, D-Shaped oval and I've seen the racing there before. So I had scheduled a bunch of honey-do things to tackle on Sunday. I didn't even turn the TV on. I've seen the races from the D-ovals before. Apparently I missed some live carnage and good racing.
Was it Really Exciting?
First thing I heard about was how it was a fantastic race. I have yet to catch the replay of the event, but I'm curious if these references involve the actual race or just the usual emotional anchor attached to an exciting finish that usually labels an entire race as exciting? If the entire race was fun for all, then dang, I guess I did miss something.
-
Entitled Drivers
Second thing I've heard come out of the weekend, and seen numerous sound bytes and video recaps, was that of Joey Logano blocking Tony Stewart on a restart, and then after the race, Tony Stewart and team going after Joey and his team for his seeming terrible actions on the track.
My perception of any sporting event, is that they usually involve tactics. Those being both offensive and defensive.
I also know of way too many times when Tony Stewart has actually gotten defensive and blocked people. I believe there might have been a rather highly publicized block that took place back at Talladega last year. I think that block involved twenty-five cars? Just wondering. So I am not sure I can add much to what anyone else is saying about the one-sided perception of Tony Stewart, but since I like grinding out a weekly piece on the race that was, well, hey...
Tony has got to stop getting mad at people that use his own tactics. Since the incident, I've seen nothing but trash-talk about the driver and how only he can be allowed to block cars trying to pass him. I'm thinking if he really hates blocking, I hear IndyCar has rules againstreal tactics blocking. Maybe he'd like to go to that racing league instead?
I just find it short-sighted on how angry he got. And crass that he had to take a shot at Joey's lineage and upbringing.
And just when I was starting to think Tony has his s*$! together and maturing from owning multiple teams.
But this isn't the first time I've heard this from a NASCAR driver. How often do we hear the grumblings of drivers who have been blocked, or the radio chatter where someone starts bitching about being blocked. Sure, when Juan Pablo Montoya is 10 laps down, his blocking may seem irritating. But at his core, he's a racer, racing. (I'm not saying I approve, but I see where he's coming from.)
These millionaires have become such because they have the talent to get to the front. And they've proven it in fields of competitors who they have bested. And I'm betting they've done enough blocking on their parts somewhere in the past. But when I hear drivers complain about a fellow competitor being in their way, I take a step back and start to question exactly what is this? Isn't this racing, where the end goal is to race around everyone and win the race? Or is it a gentleman's sport?
Driver 1 to Driver 2: "Excuse me good sir! I was able to catch you and would like to pass on your left please! I shall turn my lane-change signal on now!"
Driver 2: "By Jove, I am terribly sorry for being in the way while trying to race to the number one spot in the pack. Here good man, let me move aside like the spineless jellyfish I am and let you dust my arse, my sponsor's arse and incur the wrath of my fans while I'm at it! Have a dashing good day sir!"
Driver 1: "By god, it's about time you got out of my way. For a moment there, I thought I would have to scrub some extra tire wear off, and use some sort of competitive tactics and driving talent in trying to circumvent you. For a moment, I thought I might have had to work for it and earn it!!!"
No, you only see that in the classic race leagues where teams are running 100-year-old cars and they don't want to ding up their one-and-only version of their car. I expect my drivers in NASCAR to get the front by racing. If it were a gentleman's sport, what's the point of different shaped and sized race tracks? Where would be the fun of short-track events? But that's just me. I'm weird that way.
-
Safer Barriers Have No Place To Not Be
Many people today and wondering why all walls at a race track aren't covered in safer barriers? And I'm right there with them. Sure, it might have been a cost-savings measure in a tight, economic times. But this is racing and if you don't think it's happened in the past, and hence, won't happen in the future, I don't think that's a good premise.
Right now Denny Hamlin is suffering from smacking the inside wall at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. As far as I'm concerned, any track should have the safer barriers on every wall that a car at speed, has some form of potential access to.
And that's that.
-
Now I have to go find myself an encore performance of the race. Word on the street is that the TV ratings for this event were overall, 30% higher than they were last year. Of course, that's not all good. Next year, if the numbers flub a little, the media will be all over the fact that ratings are down 10%. It seems most ratings reports focus on the numbers that way. But that's just an observation. It's the train wrecks that get the attention.
Until my next Race Rant!!!
Was it Really Exciting?
First thing I heard about was how it was a fantastic race. I have yet to catch the replay of the event, but I'm curious if these references involve the actual race or just the usual emotional anchor attached to an exciting finish that usually labels an entire race as exciting? If the entire race was fun for all, then dang, I guess I did miss something.
-
Entitled Drivers
Second thing I've heard come out of the weekend, and seen numerous sound bytes and video recaps, was that of Joey Logano blocking Tony Stewart on a restart, and then after the race, Tony Stewart and team going after Joey and his team for his seeming terrible actions on the track.
My perception of any sporting event, is that they usually involve tactics. Those being both offensive and defensive.
I also know of way too many times when Tony Stewart has actually gotten defensive and blocked people. I believe there might have been a rather highly publicized block that took place back at Talladega last year. I think that block involved twenty-five cars? Just wondering. So I am not sure I can add much to what anyone else is saying about the one-sided perception of Tony Stewart, but since I like grinding out a weekly piece on the race that was, well, hey...
Tony has got to stop getting mad at people that use his own tactics. Since the incident, I've seen nothing but trash-talk about the driver and how only he can be allowed to block cars trying to pass him. I'm thinking if he really hates blocking, I hear IndyCar has rules against
I just find it short-sighted on how angry he got. And crass that he had to take a shot at Joey's lineage and upbringing.
And just when I was starting to think Tony has his s*$! together and maturing from owning multiple teams.
But this isn't the first time I've heard this from a NASCAR driver. How often do we hear the grumblings of drivers who have been blocked, or the radio chatter where someone starts bitching about being blocked. Sure, when Juan Pablo Montoya is 10 laps down, his blocking may seem irritating. But at his core, he's a racer, racing. (I'm not saying I approve, but I see where he's coming from.)
These millionaires have become such because they have the talent to get to the front. And they've proven it in fields of competitors who they have bested. And I'm betting they've done enough blocking on their parts somewhere in the past. But when I hear drivers complain about a fellow competitor being in their way, I take a step back and start to question exactly what is this? Isn't this racing, where the end goal is to race around everyone and win the race? Or is it a gentleman's sport?
Driver 1 to Driver 2: "Excuse me good sir! I was able to catch you and would like to pass on your left please! I shall turn my lane-change signal on now!"
Driver 2: "By Jove, I am terribly sorry for being in the way while trying to race to the number one spot in the pack. Here good man, let me move aside like the spineless jellyfish I am and let you dust my arse, my sponsor's arse and incur the wrath of my fans while I'm at it! Have a dashing good day sir!"
Driver 1: "By god, it's about time you got out of my way. For a moment there, I thought I would have to scrub some extra tire wear off, and use some sort of competitive tactics and driving talent in trying to circumvent you. For a moment, I thought I might have had to work for it and earn it!!!"
No, you only see that in the classic race leagues where teams are running 100-year-old cars and they don't want to ding up their one-and-only version of their car. I expect my drivers in NASCAR to get the front by racing. If it were a gentleman's sport, what's the point of different shaped and sized race tracks? Where would be the fun of short-track events? But that's just me. I'm weird that way.
-
Safer Barriers Have No Place To Not Be
Many people today and wondering why all walls at a race track aren't covered in safer barriers? And I'm right there with them. Sure, it might have been a cost-savings measure in a tight, economic times. But this is racing and if you don't think it's happened in the past, and hence, won't happen in the future, I don't think that's a good premise.
Right now Denny Hamlin is suffering from smacking the inside wall at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. As far as I'm concerned, any track should have the safer barriers on every wall that a car at speed, has some form of potential access to.
And that's that.
-
Now I have to go find myself an encore performance of the race. Word on the street is that the TV ratings for this event were overall, 30% higher than they were last year. Of course, that's not all good. Next year, if the numbers flub a little, the media will be all over the fact that ratings are down 10%. It seems most ratings reports focus on the numbers that way. But that's just an observation. It's the train wrecks that get the attention.
Until my next Race Rant!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)