Bristol confuses me.
Before they repaved it into the banked mini-monster-superspeedway that it is today, it was relatively flat. Flat and harmful. It only had one groove and bumpers were the main course on this menu when looking to pass other drivers during the race.
By the end of the race, there was a lot of E-Bay sheet metal looking for buyers and nary a car came off the track not looking like... well, like it was at Bristol, or just came off a demolition derby.
But the reconfiguration has me stymied.
The first race I watched after the reconfiguration, I liked it.
Suddenly we had some racing where they could play with each other, side by side. Now the race finished in under 6 hours. That is awesome in and of itself. OK, NBaP is joking about the "under 6 hours" thing, but sometimes it felt like it.
I really don't mind not seeing a caution every 15 to 30 laps.
But the flare that WAS Bristol is gone.
No one came off the track pissed off. No one was called to the hauler. Most of the cars were only rumpled, and not crumpled.
WTH is that about?
It's still a cup race and all, but now, it looks like we only have Martinsville to give us the old style skill and bumper driving.
I wonder when they're going to bank the paperclip? I hope never.
Showing posts with label Bruce's Opinion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bruce's Opinion. Show all posts
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Another NASCAR Banquet Has Come and Gone
Well, another year, and another Bank-Qwet has come and gone.
I dread the annual event that drones on and on for more time than is necessary on my television. My biggest issue is the female announcing voice that pitches the award recipients in such a wAy tHAt emPHasIzes thINgs in sUch a stUpid tonality that I can't help but wonder if this is an attempt to create comedy in the show. But alas, no, it is not. What I don't get is that according to sources over on Daly Planet, say that it's Tia Texada. Yea, Tia Texada. I've seen her in a number of shows and it never struck me that the over dramatized vocalization came from an actress who has been shows like Criminal Minds, CSI: Miami, The Unit, Third Watch, etc.. Does she not know how she sounds? It's corny. Eh? If you do a google search on her name, then click on Images, well, I guess that's what NASCAR is trying to pitch.
If her sounding annoying is well, annoying, I'm thinking that ESPN had to do one last "eff you fans" move of the year with their last broadcast by having the label LIVE in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Wow, it's amazing that after all these years of not covering the sport, they haven't changed their attitude in the slightest towards us, the NASCAR fan.
Well, it was live when they TAPED it for rebroadcast. This was the same timing set up as last year.
My problems with this time-shift issue and the bank-dwet were:
What did I like about the show?:
By then, we'll have heard whether the auto manufacturers tap-danced their way into their own bail out, or if the government treats them like any other of the thousands of businesses going under without so much as a public whimper with no help from anyone else.
I dread the annual event that drones on and on for more time than is necessary on my television. My biggest issue is the female announcing voice that pitches the award recipients in such a wAy tHAt emPHasIzes thINgs in sUch a stUpid tonality that I can't help but wonder if this is an attempt to create comedy in the show. But alas, no, it is not. What I don't get is that according to sources over on Daly Planet, say that it's Tia Texada. Yea, Tia Texada. I've seen her in a number of shows and it never struck me that the over dramatized vocalization came from an actress who has been shows like Criminal Minds, CSI: Miami, The Unit, Third Watch, etc.. Does she not know how she sounds? It's corny. Eh? If you do a google search on her name, then click on Images, well, I guess that's what NASCAR is trying to pitch.
If her sounding annoying is well, annoying, I'm thinking that ESPN had to do one last "eff you fans" move of the year with their last broadcast by having the label LIVE in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Wow, it's amazing that after all these years of not covering the sport, they haven't changed their attitude in the slightest towards us, the NASCAR fan.
Well, it was live when they TAPED it for rebroadcast. This was the same timing set up as last year.
My problems with this time-shift issue and the bank-dwet were:
- On the West Coast, we were told the show was starting at 7 pm Eastern. That's 4 PM West coast time. But the show didn't start on ESPN Classic until 6 PM my time. Hmm. If you have a SIRIUS radio and turned it on, you'd hear just how far behind the TV telecast was. One commentor on Daly Planet coined the network BSPN. Nice.
- If Kevin Costner is a hired fan, how is it that he can refer to Dale Earnhardt as The Terminator? Wrong movie Kevin.
- While I'm watching the "LIVE" telecast of an event that is over an hour old, I get an email from the NASCAR Press Office at 8:31 PM telling me that Cale Yarborough surprised Jimmie Johnson with the Champion Ring presentation. Hmm... that email ruined my surprise which was still 30 odd minutes away for me. Sigh.
- If this thing is tape delayed, which means someone COULD be editing it, how does it run over? My TV menu schedule said it ended at 9 PM.
- During some of the segments, someone really screwed up with video compilations, repeatedly. ONE example was when Clint Bowyer was on stage. The film recap showed the No. 18 car wrecking the No. 88. Eh? Then it went on with footage of Clints car. This happened a few times with the speaker that was on stage.
- What in blue blazes was Tom Cruise doing there????? Oh no, are we smelling a Days of Thunder sequel!? Sigh.
- It's classic that Carl Edwards bolted after his stage time. Kudos to Carl. I now have to buy a diecast of his, to show my support.
- Where'd Jimmie's multi-million dollar check go? We didn't see it this year.
- At one point, this thing was droning on so painfully that I was starting to wish that the ABC owned ESPN network really would go to America's Funniest Videos. (No ABC, I will never let you or anyone forget that the leader of the band pulled that one on us.)
- The camera "work" made me feel like I was watching a Quentin Tarantino sequel production of Pulp NASCAR Fiction! Must have been the same camera director who insisted on endless bumper and in-car cam shots at the worse possible times... like during the race.
What did I like about the show?:
- Rick Hendrick asking Kyle Busch how old he was because he acts like an 18-year-old.
- The 2nd set that the comedian did was pretty funny. He let loose with his own material rather than forcing league related humor.
- That Carl Edwards left as soon as he was done with his piece. Nice!! He must have learned that from Kyle Busch.
- That the show ended.
By then, we'll have heard whether the auto manufacturers tap-danced their way into their own bail out, or if the government treats them like any other of the thousands of businesses going under without so much as a public whimper with no help from anyone else.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
TV Action From Texas and ABC's Squandering Ratings
This weekend, all three series will be coming to us from Texas!
ALL TIMES PACIFIC!! HA!!
On Friday, we have the Craftsman Truck Series on SPEED at 5:30 PM.
Saturday sees the Nationwide Series on ESPN2 at 12 PM.
And Sunday has the Sprint Cup Series on ABC at 12 PM.
The real question though remains: Will ABC actually pick up the pace and improve on their coverage? Despite exciting developing stories with driver changes and 4 drivers in contention for the Cup (At the moment), ratings are flat lining for the free telecasts on ABC as folks head to other sources for their race info. The Daly Planet touches on this issue while I have to ponder why ABC has it's crack staff ask such redundant questions every week instead of trying to mix it up a bit.
If you stop to digest what the reporter is asking, you'll see what I mean. How many times can you ask a driver how a wreck felt? (That elicited my ever popular response: Smack them upside the head with a piece of car hood and say: "Like that.")
Why not ask if they were expecting it, or what was the very first thought you had as it started, or when it ended. Do you hang on to the steering wheel or let go. Do you close your eyes or keep them open. Are you glad you at your Wheaties this morning? Will you have to answer for this come Monday morning?
But no.
It's true, there is very little that you can ask that's different, but you can at least try to mix it up. In my other media job, I've interviewed folks and asked about their intentions, or hey, I have a few questions, but first, is there anything on the table you want to address? Let them start the conversation and bounce off what they say.
ABC - We know how a wreck feels. In fact, before the director sends the reporter to ask that fateful question, maybe we should introduce him to the car hood!
ALL TIMES PACIFIC!! HA!!
On Friday, we have the Craftsman Truck Series on SPEED at 5:30 PM.
Saturday sees the Nationwide Series on ESPN2 at 12 PM.
And Sunday has the Sprint Cup Series on ABC at 12 PM.
The real question though remains: Will ABC actually pick up the pace and improve on their coverage? Despite exciting developing stories with driver changes and 4 drivers in contention for the Cup (At the moment), ratings are flat lining for the free telecasts on ABC as folks head to other sources for their race info. The Daly Planet touches on this issue while I have to ponder why ABC has it's crack staff ask such redundant questions every week instead of trying to mix it up a bit.
If you stop to digest what the reporter is asking, you'll see what I mean. How many times can you ask a driver how a wreck felt? (That elicited my ever popular response: Smack them upside the head with a piece of car hood and say: "Like that.")
Why not ask if they were expecting it, or what was the very first thought you had as it started, or when it ended. Do you hang on to the steering wheel or let go. Do you close your eyes or keep them open. Are you glad you at your Wheaties this morning? Will you have to answer for this come Monday morning?
But no.
It's true, there is very little that you can ask that's different, but you can at least try to mix it up. In my other media job, I've interviewed folks and asked about their intentions, or hey, I have a few questions, but first, is there anything on the table you want to address? Let them start the conversation and bounce off what they say.
ABC - We know how a wreck feels. In fact, before the director sends the reporter to ask that fateful question, maybe we should introduce him to the car hood!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Bank of America 500, A Real Quick Take: ABC and Tires
CONCORD, NC - OCTOBER 11: Jeff Burton, driver of the #31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet, heads for Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway on October 11, 2008 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR) Jerry Markland 2008 Getty ImagesCongrats to a very popular win when Jeff Burton powered his ride across the line first after a grueling 500 mile race.
Do you realize it only takes them roughly 3+ hours to pump out 500 miles? That would be like an 18 hour drive to go from coast to coast! Just thinking out loud.
The news of the night for me was
ABC showing a football game that ended early enough, but then switching over to another game that was drawn out and overlapped the beginning of the pre-race show. For just one quick moment, I thought we'd see timely coverage, but naw! ABC took care of that.
It was also reported over on the Daly Planet that many ABC markets, for whatever reason, didn't show some of all of the pre-race show.
They saw local news, inserted local programming, a local charity telethon, college football highlights of local teams.
When I first heard back when ABC /ESPN got the NASCAR TV contract, I thought awesome! I could not imagine them treating NASCAR today, like they used to in the past when all other sports overlapped and took precedence to the race event. True, NASCAR is not the only sport out there, but at least give NASCAR it's due coverage like you do other sports. Is that not the case of a good request?
This coverage they're producing just reminds me of the coverage of yesteryear of ESPN and ABC. As JD says over on The Daly Planet, "These ABC stations have proven to be a cagey bunch over the last two seasons where NASCAR coverage is concerned."
Then the wrecks started.
The first one was Jessica Simpson, screeching out a country drawl that is not her own, and getting the words wrong to the National Anthem. Smooth move girl.
Then tires were taking people out, like last week. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was one lap shy of pitting when he was just cruising around and the tire went.
I know the economy is getting thin, but is Goodyear's rubber getting thin too?
But as it stood, the top 10 finishers, or survivors were:
Jeff Burton
Kasey Kahne
Kurt Busch
Kyle Busch
Jamie McMurray
Jimmie Johnson
Greg Biffle
Jeff Gordon
Mark Martin
David Ragan
Check out the official results at NASCAR: Official Results
Thursday, October 2, 2008
What Needs to Change to Close the Deal with the No. 88 Team?
Over on the Inside Racing News. com site, Allen Madding points out a fascinating and keen observation about the crew chiefs for the No. 1 of Martin Truex Jr., and Dale Earnhardt Jr..
Both crew chiefs might be able to start out with an excellent set-up, but their ability to keep up with changing track conditions leaves something to be desired.
From Dale Jr. having harsh words with Tony Eury Jr. a few weeks back to this last weekend when Martin Truex Jr. was asking for some changes, and being told to shut up and drive by his own crew chief, Kevin Manion.
Allen says Manion needs to be swapped out for someone who will respect the driver more and expects Dale Jr.'s chief to be able to adapt, much like their garage mates do repeatedly every weekend.
What I see is a common denominator between the two teams: Despite their present teams, they both come from the DEI stable where I suspect they've develop this way from exposure to certain attitudes that have trickled down from the business end of the deal.
DEI has alienated everyone around them from the garage and in their own shop and they just don't see it. Rather than understand the problem and work it, they hire new blood from outside. As if that can still help the core of the issue.
Yes, I've been saying for a long time that Tony Eury isn't a bad crew chief. They've managed to get in the chase and stay in the top 5 most of the season. But they can't close the deal. I think it's a learned mentality that needs to be fixed because the old school system isn't working in the closing laps anymore.
As far as Manion goes, he needs to understand who breads his butter and who he needs to communicate with. Shut up and drive is not an acceptable adjustment for a changing track condition and sounds like he doesn't think it's his fault or his problem.
That's all I've got to say for the moment.
Both crew chiefs might be able to start out with an excellent set-up, but their ability to keep up with changing track conditions leaves something to be desired.
From Dale Jr. having harsh words with Tony Eury Jr. a few weeks back to this last weekend when Martin Truex Jr. was asking for some changes, and being told to shut up and drive by his own crew chief, Kevin Manion.
Allen says Manion needs to be swapped out for someone who will respect the driver more and expects Dale Jr.'s chief to be able to adapt, much like their garage mates do repeatedly every weekend.
What I see is a common denominator between the two teams: Despite their present teams, they both come from the DEI stable where I suspect they've develop this way from exposure to certain attitudes that have trickled down from the business end of the deal.
DEI has alienated everyone around them from the garage and in their own shop and they just don't see it. Rather than understand the problem and work it, they hire new blood from outside. As if that can still help the core of the issue.
Yes, I've been saying for a long time that Tony Eury isn't a bad crew chief. They've managed to get in the chase and stay in the top 5 most of the season. But they can't close the deal. I think it's a learned mentality that needs to be fixed because the old school system isn't working in the closing laps anymore.
As far as Manion goes, he needs to understand who breads his butter and who he needs to communicate with. Shut up and drive is not an acceptable adjustment for a changing track condition and sounds like he doesn't think it's his fault or his problem.
That's all I've got to say for the moment.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
ESPN Disses The NASCAR Fan One More Time
Opinion by Bruce Simmons
Tick Tock, Tick Tock: (It's the 24 clock, but no Jack Bauer - sorry)
5:00 PM
According to my cable schedule, the Nationwide pre-race coverage on ESPN2 started at 6:45 pm Saturday night.
Tick Tock:
6:47 PM
I was running a few minutes late and scurried to get my race on the tube. Huh?
Turning on ESPN2 I discover that the score of a college football game is:
Tick Tock:
7:00 PM
There's 4 minutes and 22 seconds left in the game, but a player is on the ground.
Scrolling across the bottom of the screen it says: That Nationwide coverage is on ESPN classic and their espn360 website.
So now I'm scrambling to figure out if I even have ESPN Classic and what channel it might be on.
For a little bit I scuttle around my channel guide but initially I'm not finding it, so I head over the the ESPN360 website.
On ESPN360, it looks like I need to sign up to see this anything on this service site.
I fill out the on-line form. For my efforts, all I get is that ESPN will tell my cable provider that I have requested this. The little link button that says "NASCAR Nationwide at California Pt 1" still does nothing.
So ESPN just got my personal marketing information and I got nothing for it. Oh well, that's why I've got an email address specifically set up for all the junk / crap I sometimes find I have to sign up for. Thanks AOL. At least it's good for something.
Tick Tock:
7:08 PM
I finally find ESPN Classic, sitting way way up the channel listing up in a range of channels that I normally don't even look at. I came into the program just in time to
A: Hear Ron Perlman fill in the title of his new show for the announcer who draws a complete blank on possibly one of the biggest cool shows to come to the airwaves, Sons of Anarchy, then
B: Perlman calls out for gentlemen... start... your... engineeeeessssssss!
Tick Tock:
7:30 PM
I look away for a moment and suddenly I'm watching an older boxing match. What? Where'd this old show come from? Oh yea, ESPN Classic.
It's 17 laps into the race and the Nationwide race is now where it belongs. Where it's supposed to be, per my channel guide.
After this is all said and done:
I know it's not all about us, the NASCAR fan. But it is about something that continues to happen over and over again.
I preface this by saying that the college football fan is happy to have had their show finish up and see the end of the game. It's a different demographic that probably doesn't care about NASCAR.
The classic boxing fan is probably not happy to see NASCAR in place of the show they were expecting to see. I understand that completely.
Another issue is what happens if cable subscribers don't get the right channel package and don't get the classic channel? It's probable, being how cable providers are these days, with all the special sets or tiers of programming they make available for a few $$ more for each one.
That is, for those who get or subscribe to cable, if they can. Otherwise, those folks are just plain S out of Luck.
Otherwise, I've just gone through another disregard for the NASCAR coverage, thus a disregard for the NASCAR fan. This is Disney / ABC / ESPN. This is what we have to deal with. Never expect to get timely coverage if Football or Tennis or Golf is still in progress.
Now if the College Cheerleader Competition runs over a little, I might not grumble too much. Would I?
Well, regardless - I have to get back to my Kyle Busch demonstration of how to do laps around the Fontana track.
Thanks for reading one of Bruce's Rants.
Update 9/3/08: There's a bit over on The Daly Planet that puts some links out there to other opinion articles on ESPN and a few great reader comments to boot. Go enjoy! (Thanks to Kenny for pointing me that way!)
Related Older Posts:
ESPN and Yellow Flag Restarts
Yellow Flag Restarts
ESPN Apologizes for The Lapse of Coverage
ESPN Race Coverage
ABC ESPN Coverage Nit Pick
Tick Tock, Tick Tock: (It's the 24 clock, but no Jack Bauer - sorry)
5:00 PM
According to my cable schedule, the Nationwide pre-race coverage on ESPN2 started at 6:45 pm Saturday night.
Tick Tock:
6:47 PM
I was running a few minutes late and scurried to get my race on the tube. Huh?
Turning on ESPN2 I discover that the score of a college football game is:
Miss St 14, LA Tech 19. 4th Quarter, with 8 minutes, 19 seconds left in the game.So I turned on SPEED Channel and watched Tradin' Paint because at least there I am getting NASCAR news and opinion that covers for pre-race coverage to some degree while ESPN disses the NASCAR fan yet again, in favor of college football.
Tick Tock:
7:00 PM
There's 4 minutes and 22 seconds left in the game, but a player is on the ground.
Scrolling across the bottom of the screen it says: That Nationwide coverage is on ESPN classic and their espn360 website.
So now I'm scrambling to figure out if I even have ESPN Classic and what channel it might be on.
For a little bit I scuttle around my channel guide but initially I'm not finding it, so I head over the the ESPN360 website.
On ESPN360, it looks like I need to sign up to see this anything on this service site.
I fill out the on-line form. For my efforts, all I get is that ESPN will tell my cable provider that I have requested this. The little link button that says "NASCAR Nationwide at California Pt 1" still does nothing.
So ESPN just got my personal marketing information and I got nothing for it. Oh well, that's why I've got an email address specifically set up for all the junk / crap I sometimes find I have to sign up for. Thanks AOL. At least it's good for something.
Tick Tock:
7:08 PM
I finally find ESPN Classic, sitting way way up the channel listing up in a range of channels that I normally don't even look at. I came into the program just in time to
A: Hear Ron Perlman fill in the title of his new show for the announcer who draws a complete blank on possibly one of the biggest cool shows to come to the airwaves, Sons of Anarchy, then
B: Perlman calls out for gentlemen... start... your... engineeeeessssssss!
Tick Tock:
7:30 PM
I look away for a moment and suddenly I'm watching an older boxing match. What? Where'd this old show come from? Oh yea, ESPN Classic.
It's 17 laps into the race and the Nationwide race is now where it belongs. Where it's supposed to be, per my channel guide.
After this is all said and done:
I know it's not all about us, the NASCAR fan. But it is about something that continues to happen over and over again.
I preface this by saying that the college football fan is happy to have had their show finish up and see the end of the game. It's a different demographic that probably doesn't care about NASCAR.
The classic boxing fan is probably not happy to see NASCAR in place of the show they were expecting to see. I understand that completely.
Another issue is what happens if cable subscribers don't get the right channel package and don't get the classic channel? It's probable, being how cable providers are these days, with all the special sets or tiers of programming they make available for a few $$ more for each one.
That is, for those who get or subscribe to cable, if they can. Otherwise, those folks are just plain S out of Luck.
Otherwise, I've just gone through another disregard for the NASCAR coverage, thus a disregard for the NASCAR fan. This is Disney / ABC / ESPN. This is what we have to deal with. Never expect to get timely coverage if Football or Tennis or Golf is still in progress.
Now if the College Cheerleader Competition runs over a little, I might not grumble too much. Would I?
Well, regardless - I have to get back to my Kyle Busch demonstration of how to do laps around the Fontana track.
Thanks for reading one of Bruce's Rants.
Update 9/3/08: There's a bit over on The Daly Planet that puts some links out there to other opinion articles on ESPN and a few great reader comments to boot. Go enjoy! (Thanks to Kenny for pointing me that way!)
Related Older Posts:
ESPN and Yellow Flag Restarts
Yellow Flag Restarts
ESPN Apologizes for The Lapse of Coverage
ESPN Race Coverage
ABC ESPN Coverage Nit Pick
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Is This Racing or Dancing?
Over on ESPN Lowe's Notebook, they made a note that Jeff Gordon was flipped off by Kyle Busch (Are we shocked?) after racing him hard for his fourth place finish in the Coca-Cola 600.
Gordon was racing hard because track position is important and you need to race for every single position, and strangely I agree.
I see two interesting aspects to this incident.
One: Isn't this racing? If you can race another person for a spot, why shouldn't you? It is what this competitive sport is about, right? And if you think you can go faster than the guy in front of you, you should try, right?
That's been my experience. That's why people sometimes overdrive their cars and get into the wall, or learn to slow down and go faster.
So what's this nonsense about racing someone hard and getting annoyed with it? Is this some form of a gentleman's sport like chess where you make a move and stay on your side of the table. It's not what I think racing is about. Race damn it, that's what I want to see.
The same gripe happened in the Nationwide race between Hamlin and Keselowski. Are some of the drivers becoming prima donna's in expecting others to let them go?
Two: Kyle Busch flipping someone off for racing hard? Isn't that the kettle calling the pot black? Ask Johnny Benson about Kyle's racing for position in closing laps. Kyle has no ground to stand on with his behavioral discrepancies.
Get a grip Kyle!
Source for my gripe: ESPN Lowe's Notebook
Gordon was racing hard because track position is important and you need to race for every single position, and strangely I agree.
I see two interesting aspects to this incident.
One: Isn't this racing? If you can race another person for a spot, why shouldn't you? It is what this competitive sport is about, right? And if you think you can go faster than the guy in front of you, you should try, right?
That's been my experience. That's why people sometimes overdrive their cars and get into the wall, or learn to slow down and go faster.
So what's this nonsense about racing someone hard and getting annoyed with it? Is this some form of a gentleman's sport like chess where you make a move and stay on your side of the table. It's not what I think racing is about. Race damn it, that's what I want to see.
The same gripe happened in the Nationwide race between Hamlin and Keselowski. Are some of the drivers becoming prima donna's in expecting others to let them go?
Two: Kyle Busch flipping someone off for racing hard? Isn't that the kettle calling the pot black? Ask Johnny Benson about Kyle's racing for position in closing laps. Kyle has no ground to stand on with his behavioral discrepancies.
Get a grip Kyle!
Source for my gripe: ESPN Lowe's Notebook
The FoxSports Fantasy League: A Review - Or A Warning
It's Friday morning, 4:45 AM, I click on my master link web page that I've created for myself to take me to the Fox Fantasy Auto Racing Page. From that page, I click on the link to access my team. Seems easy enough.
At the MSN FoxSports web page (The page where I had to create an account for this service 3x before anything worked), I put in my account and password (It's an angry password, so it's easy to remember) and then it takes me to the FOX Sports Registration Page yet again. That's the page you encounter when you first give them all your marketing info.. I mean sign up to play.
Yep - Every time I log in, it treats me as if I've never been to the site before, but I figured out a trick. After I've been brought to the registration page (Which btw, filling out again never helps me), I go back to the first page with my jump link and click on the link again and I finally get taken to the page where I can manage my team.
Whew! That was just for signing in and yes, I've tried it from different computers at home, and at work.. same problem.. Fox Sports or MSN Live ID.. not sure which, but it just doesn't like me because other guys in my league don't have the same problems, so I'm just "lucky" in a weird sort of way.
So did I mention it was 4:45 AM Friday morning and I was looking to "manage" my lineup for Sunday NIGHTS Coca Cola 600, but alas, I am locked out from that function because Fox Sports locked down the lineup change pretty dang early in my opinion!
When I get serious about a league, I put some time into it. Track practice and qualifying and other variables play into the choice of the line up pretty much right up to the green flag for me, or as close as possible to the green flag, and there are a few leagues out there that let you do that.. but I can't make any valid choices for the race in the Fox Fantasy league.. just some suppositions from past performances and hope for the best. Pff.
On top of that you can only pick any one driver four times and then he's unavailable to you after that.. so I use a driver 3x, then pick others. This way during the last few weeks, I still have power players to choose from if I'm not too much in a hole at this point.
Speaking of which, since I'm thinking about it I better go over and pick for Dover.. and sure enough, I am warned that the deadline for Sunday's race is Friday at 3:05pm.
This week, I'm reduced to Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, David Ragan and Martin Truex Jr. Three Fords and a Chevy..
I'm doomed in this league for sure.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Talk about a Slap in The Face
So you're a rookie in the Nationwide Series.. you get to participate in time trials or tests at Lowe's and on Tuesday, you are in the top three of the speed charts for both sessions, yet out of the six hundred and sixty words written up about the Nationwide Series tests and who ranked where in each session, you aren't mentioned once.
Needless to say it's more warranted to talk about the Cup drivers as much as possible in this article but not too much on the guys struggling to not only succeed in the Nationwide Series, but to also try to get themselves some good old fashion notoriety.
Such is the case for the driver of the Nationwide Gillett Evernham Motorsports No. 19 car, Chase Miller, who ranked 3rd in the afternoon session and 2nd in the evening session of speed charts.
Poor Chase Miller. He's going to have to make a name for himself some other way..
So be it. Good luck Chase, chasing your fame!! (Did I just actually say that?)
See the reporting negligence over on NASCAR dot Com.
Needless to say it's more warranted to talk about the Cup drivers as much as possible in this article but not too much on the guys struggling to not only succeed in the Nationwide Series, but to also try to get themselves some good old fashion notoriety.
Such is the case for the driver of the Nationwide Gillett Evernham Motorsports No. 19 car, Chase Miller, who ranked 3rd in the afternoon session and 2nd in the evening session of speed charts.
Poor Chase Miller. He's going to have to make a name for himself some other way..
So be it. Good luck Chase, chasing your fame!! (Did I just actually say that?)
See the reporting negligence over on NASCAR dot Com.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
A Saturday Morning Perspective about the Truck Series
Retrospect by Bruce Simmons
First, let me start with what I want to quantify as a rumor:
On Friday (11/16/07) on SIRIUS Satellite Radio channel 128, around 11:30-ish Pacific time, they were talking about the Truck Series going to restrictor plates for all races to minimize engine costs.
OK, you read it here first! My first big scoop. .. Maybe. I say rumor because I can't find any reference to it anywhere on the web. so this is probably a bogus premise.
NOW, on the the real reason for this post:
What does 54, 127, 55, 46, 9, 46, 73, 230, 8, 3, 232, 53 & 126 all have in common?
These are the point spreads between the Champion and 2nd place in the Craftsman Truck Series. In all but 3 of the 13 years of the truck series, the championship has been contended right down to the last race of each year and without the "benefit" of a final 10 race chase format. Imagine that.
Without any tinkering, the Truck series has kept us on the edge of our seats through out the entiretu of most seasons. Obviously, there were a few yawner years, where Bodine and Biffle annihilated the field, but otherwise, each point spread could have been decided in the last race of the season.
How is that possible?
The truck series have limited sets of tires they can use in a race. Cup doesn't.
The truck series doesn't go on for 1/2 a day, ok, 3 to 4 hours. The Cup series is a marathon endurance.
The truck series are not sleek aero guided missiles like the Cup series, but that's going to change in 2008 in the Cup series.
So did NASCAR have it right from the beginning of the Truck series as they let the Cup series evolve itself? As far as points and team equalization goes, it seems that way from here as the Ron Hornaday fans all let out a sigh of relief when they watched Mike Skinner's wheel take it's own path across the track independent of the truck itself.
First, let me start with what I want to quantify as a rumor:
On Friday (11/16/07) on SIRIUS Satellite Radio channel 128, around 11:30-ish Pacific time, they were talking about the Truck Series going to restrictor plates for all races to minimize engine costs.
OK, you read it here first! My first big scoop. .. Maybe. I say rumor because I can't find any reference to it anywhere on the web. so this is probably a bogus premise.
NOW, on the the real reason for this post:
What does 54, 127, 55, 46, 9, 46, 73, 230, 8, 3, 232, 53 & 126 all have in common?
These are the point spreads between the Champion and 2nd place in the Craftsman Truck Series. In all but 3 of the 13 years of the truck series, the championship has been contended right down to the last race of each year and without the "benefit" of a final 10 race chase format. Imagine that.
Without any tinkering, the Truck series has kept us on the edge of our seats through out the entiretu of most seasons. Obviously, there were a few yawner years, where Bodine and Biffle annihilated the field, but otherwise, each point spread could have been decided in the last race of the season.
How is that possible?
The truck series have limited sets of tires they can use in a race. Cup doesn't.
The truck series doesn't go on for 1/2 a day, ok, 3 to 4 hours. The Cup series is a marathon endurance.
The truck series are not sleek aero guided missiles like the Cup series, but that's going to change in 2008 in the Cup series.
So did NASCAR have it right from the beginning of the Truck series as they let the Cup series evolve itself? As far as points and team equalization goes, it seems that way from here as the Ron Hornaday fans all let out a sigh of relief when they watched Mike Skinner's wheel take it's own path across the track independent of the truck itself.
But then again, my new hero, Lauren (Warren as some have misconstrued) Wallace would just say: "Whatever! I doesn't matter what I'm in. One second I'm there, the next, Hey, where's he go?! " And then he would go back to chewing on his toothpick.
Food for thought, or really, a Saturday morning retrospect while I wait for the rest of the family to wake up today.
Food for thought, or really, a Saturday morning retrospect while I wait for the rest of the family to wake up today.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The Talladega Race - Was it?
Opinion by Bruce Simmons
I've read and heard a lot of opinions, from fans and drivers alike that the Talladega race was not a race at all, but just a boring ride around the track, as Dale Earnhardt Jr put it in a post race interview.
To some degree, it's quite disappointing to see a 200 mph train of cars doing lap after lap, hearing NASCAR putting the squash on bump drafting and watching 160 of 188 laps go quietly by with a mishap here and there.
This event, despite our expectations, can't go much differently while we see restrictor plates and even more restrictive rules designed to squash the driving style needed to combat the restrictor plate.
Though it was boring, it was not disappointing for me. The last 30 laps was what this race was all about, and those last laps provided a fairly good level of frustration, anticipation and excitement as you said: "Huh, where'd he come from?" on that last lap.
Me for one, it gave me my 3 to 4 hours of ME time at home that I can take without guilt, because that's the way it is. It wasn't as exciting as it could be, but then again, who remembers the all green Talladega race a few years ago?
Check out Ryan Newman's perspective at this scenedaily.com article.
Update:
I'm watching the replay of the race today on SPEED, (10/11/07) and I need to add a thought.
A perspective I don't think we give any credit to: The race looks boring because these guys are that good.
At those speeds, there's more to it than just putting your foot down and holding the steering wheel still. A tiny wheel turn requires a counter turn.. of comperable measure. The tires aren't sitting on the ground like our tires do when we drive to work and around the block. These tires want to break loose, being on the edge of their speed ratings / parameters.
At those speeds, the car can break loose ever so lightly, that it takes the skill of these drivers to recognize it before it becomes physically apparent to us, the observer, and counter that manuever before it gets out of hand.
If you have it on tape, or the next time a restrictor plate race happens, watch the straight-a-ways very carefully... the cars bounce around because they are in the draft. The wind is not directly pushing the car down, they have to keep it in line under the vacuum of the air going over them and coming down behind the car behind them.
Just food for thought.
I've read and heard a lot of opinions, from fans and drivers alike that the Talladega race was not a race at all, but just a boring ride around the track, as Dale Earnhardt Jr put it in a post race interview.
To some degree, it's quite disappointing to see a 200 mph train of cars doing lap after lap, hearing NASCAR putting the squash on bump drafting and watching 160 of 188 laps go quietly by with a mishap here and there.
This event, despite our expectations, can't go much differently while we see restrictor plates and even more restrictive rules designed to squash the driving style needed to combat the restrictor plate.
Though it was boring, it was not disappointing for me. The last 30 laps was what this race was all about, and those last laps provided a fairly good level of frustration, anticipation and excitement as you said: "Huh, where'd he come from?" on that last lap.
Me for one, it gave me my 3 to 4 hours of ME time at home that I can take without guilt, because that's the way it is. It wasn't as exciting as it could be, but then again, who remembers the all green Talladega race a few years ago?
Check out Ryan Newman's perspective at this scenedaily.com article.
Update:
I'm watching the replay of the race today on SPEED, (10/11/07) and I need to add a thought.
A perspective I don't think we give any credit to: The race looks boring because these guys are that good.
At those speeds, there's more to it than just putting your foot down and holding the steering wheel still. A tiny wheel turn requires a counter turn.. of comperable measure. The tires aren't sitting on the ground like our tires do when we drive to work and around the block. These tires want to break loose, being on the edge of their speed ratings / parameters.
At those speeds, the car can break loose ever so lightly, that it takes the skill of these drivers to recognize it before it becomes physically apparent to us, the observer, and counter that manuever before it gets out of hand.
If you have it on tape, or the next time a restrictor plate race happens, watch the straight-a-ways very carefully... the cars bounce around because they are in the draft. The wind is not directly pushing the car down, they have to keep it in line under the vacuum of the air going over them and coming down behind the car behind them.
Just food for thought.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
ESPN and Yellow Flag Restarts
Opinion by Bruce Simmons
It is a constant complaint from NASCAR fans. Why do the networks seem to miss so many restarts? I've noted this on my own blog at Yellow Flag Restarts on ESPN , and apparently I am not alone.
ABC's broadcast of Saturday night's Nextel Cup race from Richmond missed a few of the 12 restarts. One time, the network missed the restart and before commercials ended, caution came out again for oil on the track.
Ah, according to their best 'reason' for being the only broadcaster to miss restarts, ESPN is quoted to saying:
"Extending caution laps when we're in a commercial -- we try to do our breaks after pit stops around yellow flags -- could ultimately affect the game or affect the race because so many fuel-mile stories are involved in any given time."
And this shoddy coverage isn't going to change any time soon:
"The idea of running extra laps is not something under consideration at this time..."
Well, as I've heard time and time again, at least our sport is ON TV, even if it's sub par to what I have become accustomed to on other networks who manage to catch ALL the restarts.
See the entire detailed article over at The Roanoke Times
It is a constant complaint from NASCAR fans. Why do the networks seem to miss so many restarts? I've noted this on my own blog at Yellow Flag Restarts on ESPN , and apparently I am not alone.
ABC's broadcast of Saturday night's Nextel Cup race from Richmond missed a few of the 12 restarts. One time, the network missed the restart and before commercials ended, caution came out again for oil on the track.
Ah, according to their best 'reason' for being the only broadcaster to miss restarts, ESPN is quoted to saying:
"Extending caution laps when we're in a commercial -- we try to do our breaks after pit stops around yellow flags -- could ultimately affect the game or affect the race because so many fuel-mile stories are involved in any given time."
And this shoddy coverage isn't going to change any time soon:
"The idea of running extra laps is not something under consideration at this time..."
Well, as I've heard time and time again, at least our sport is ON TV, even if it's sub par to what I have become accustomed to on other networks who manage to catch ALL the restarts.
See the entire detailed article over at The Roanoke Times
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
The Boredom of Bristol
An opinion by Bruce Simmons
I've read a lot of commentary that people did not like the Bristol race. From what I can gather, folks are looking for the angry fender rubbing and chrome bumper applications that result in the feuds that erupt later. (OK, so those can be fun when a driver tosses his helmet at a car, and then gets hit by it when it bounces back.)
Yes, the race seemed, boring, if that was what you were looking for.
On the other hand, how often have you seen 3 wide happen for extended (OK, more than a corner or two) periods of time at Bristol? I found that interesting.
I even saw 4 wide at moments through the weekend, and through it all, Carl Edwards worked the wheel to win the first reconfigured track surface race at Britsol Motor Speedway.
You know what I didn't miss? So many yellow flags that the race extended to a 4 or 5 hour television program nap!
Combining the 3 wide, the oft side by side racing, and the lack of yellows (David Ragan being 1/3 of the yellows!) is what contributes my positive perspective of the race.
YET, the COT and the harder tires could be components to what made the race so bland for most.
One other issue I noted: During one of the spins in the race, I watched one of these COT's get so out of hand, that it was more the 45 degrees sideways headed out of the turn, and it snapped back to facing the right direction without much loss of momentum as if it was on a rail.
My perspective is that with the COT that 'pushes' more than the older design, what I saw did not surprise me, though that could have been driver skill also, BUT ESPN did not even make mention of the deed, and the challenging camera angle prevented me from ID'ing who it was.
We also saw how hard it is to move someone, as evidenced from Martinsville, when Jeff Gordon collapsed his front end from hitting Jimmy Johnson so hard in the back end in the corners to move him, and not succeeding. If you remember, Jeff said after the race something to the effect that these cars (COT's) are a lot harder to move than I thought.
I think, as Goodyear does get some tire tests under it's belt, and now that the drivers have a better feel for this new Bristol configuration, we might see more drivers meeting the threshold of sane racing to get past their opponents next time we visit this track.
If you think about it, this was a short track race as they tend to pan out, if they didn't have yellow flags. The better teams worked their way through the field, got out there, and stayed out there., unless they "blowed up" like Denny Hamlin did when he got himself from 43rd to 7th before the flame out.
So from what I see, the feuds are what you want to see and yes, this could become a mini-Michigan or California, but on the bright side, you can see the cars at every point on the track!!
The funny part is that the Busch and Truck races were better! Go figure.
Here's another pespective on the issue over at: foxsports.com
Take care and thanks for reading.
I've read a lot of commentary that people did not like the Bristol race. From what I can gather, folks are looking for the angry fender rubbing and chrome bumper applications that result in the feuds that erupt later. (OK, so those can be fun when a driver tosses his helmet at a car, and then gets hit by it when it bounces back.)
Yes, the race seemed, boring, if that was what you were looking for.
On the other hand, how often have you seen 3 wide happen for extended (OK, more than a corner or two) periods of time at Bristol? I found that interesting.
I even saw 4 wide at moments through the weekend, and through it all, Carl Edwards worked the wheel to win the first reconfigured track surface race at Britsol Motor Speedway.
You know what I didn't miss? So many yellow flags that the race extended to a 4 or 5 hour television program nap!
Combining the 3 wide, the oft side by side racing, and the lack of yellows (David Ragan being 1/3 of the yellows!) is what contributes my positive perspective of the race.
YET, the COT and the harder tires could be components to what made the race so bland for most.
One other issue I noted: During one of the spins in the race, I watched one of these COT's get so out of hand, that it was more the 45 degrees sideways headed out of the turn, and it snapped back to facing the right direction without much loss of momentum as if it was on a rail.
My perspective is that with the COT that 'pushes' more than the older design, what I saw did not surprise me, though that could have been driver skill also, BUT ESPN did not even make mention of the deed, and the challenging camera angle prevented me from ID'ing who it was.
We also saw how hard it is to move someone, as evidenced from Martinsville, when Jeff Gordon collapsed his front end from hitting Jimmy Johnson so hard in the back end in the corners to move him, and not succeeding. If you remember, Jeff said after the race something to the effect that these cars (COT's) are a lot harder to move than I thought.
I think, as Goodyear does get some tire tests under it's belt, and now that the drivers have a better feel for this new Bristol configuration, we might see more drivers meeting the threshold of sane racing to get past their opponents next time we visit this track.
If you think about it, this was a short track race as they tend to pan out, if they didn't have yellow flags. The better teams worked their way through the field, got out there, and stayed out there., unless they "blowed up" like Denny Hamlin did when he got himself from 43rd to 7th before the flame out.
So from what I see, the feuds are what you want to see and yes, this could become a mini-Michigan or California, but on the bright side, you can see the cars at every point on the track!!
The funny part is that the Busch and Truck races were better! Go figure.
Here's another pespective on the issue over at: foxsports.com
Take care and thanks for reading.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Notes on the TNT Coverage
by Bruce Simmons, July 8, 2007
Well, I tried to embrace it, and I appreciated it, but the TNT full time coverage drove me a little nuts.
For one, the 3 required breaks by cable providers:
So much for commercial free, which is what I thought I was going to get.
Ads in the corner, out of the way while we continue to watch the race:
I liked that, but there was the Toyota ad that showed the making of one of their newer commercials, and there was a lot of text to read, and, well, you could not read it. Yep, I tried, and actually wanted to read it, but it is what it is. I hope Toyota isn't too miffed.
The Action in the background:
Not bad, to be able to see the race all the time, but during a break where we are hearing the ad, but on a few occassions, it was maddening, to watch Jr pull down to the inside and fall off the pace, or to watch Jamie McMurray to pull down to the inside and make an unscheduled pit stop, and not know why until the ad words were over.
The running order off to the side:
It was great to see the running order scroll by and not have it obscure part of the racing action.
The picture format:
It worked for me.
Overall, it was good to see the whole race most of the time, and on occassion, a little maddening to see something happen and not know why, but we got a lot more racing coverage than normal, and that, I apprecaited.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.
Well, I tried to embrace it, and I appreciated it, but the TNT full time coverage drove me a little nuts.
For one, the 3 required breaks by cable providers:
So much for commercial free, which is what I thought I was going to get.
Ads in the corner, out of the way while we continue to watch the race:
I liked that, but there was the Toyota ad that showed the making of one of their newer commercials, and there was a lot of text to read, and, well, you could not read it. Yep, I tried, and actually wanted to read it, but it is what it is. I hope Toyota isn't too miffed.
The Action in the background:
Not bad, to be able to see the race all the time, but during a break where we are hearing the ad, but on a few occassions, it was maddening, to watch Jr pull down to the inside and fall off the pace, or to watch Jamie McMurray to pull down to the inside and make an unscheduled pit stop, and not know why until the ad words were over.
The running order off to the side:
It was great to see the running order scroll by and not have it obscure part of the racing action.
The picture format:
It worked for me.
Overall, it was good to see the whole race most of the time, and on occassion, a little maddening to see something happen and not know why, but we got a lot more racing coverage than normal, and that, I apprecaited.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.
DEI, the #8, Number Legacy
By Bruce Simmons, July 8, 2007
Over on NASCAR.com, there's an article stating that DEI has re-signed Bass Pro Shops to the #1 car, and later on in the article, it touches on the number 8 scenario.
Max Siegel says the issue isn't a simple one. "It's more complicated than people give it credit for."
"There's a lot of history, there's a legacy, there's emotion, there's commercial value to everyone involved. The one thing that I know is that, throughout every process we've had, everyone's been committed to doing the right thing."
Maybe I'm winding up over nothing, but the history of the number is that is was used by an Earnhardt driving it. Jr has driven in the #8 for DEI, but his father drove the eight under a different car owner, and so did his grandfather. And Siegel, I hope isn't counting when Joe Weatherly used the number.
The legacy Siegel quotes is what I just noted. It's been driven by the family, known by fans as the number on the Earnhardt side. But it's an emotional legacy. The number 8 legacy has been on the side of multiple drivers through the years.
2000 - 2007: Dale Earnhardt Jr.;
1998: Morgan Shepherd, Buckshot Jones & Hut Stricklin;
1996-7: Hut Stricklin;
1994-5: Jeff Burton;
1993: Sterling Marlin;
1992: Dick Trickle & Rick Wilson;
1991: Rick Wilson;
1983 - 1990: Bobby Hillin, Jr;
1982: Dick Brooks & Bobby Hillin, Jr;
1981: Jimmy Means, Dick May, Rick O'Dell & Kirk Shelmerdine;
1980: Kevin Housby & James Hylton;
1979: Ed Negre;
1978: Ferrel Harris, Ed Negre, Skip Manning, Dick May;
1977: Ed Negre;
1976: Ed Negre & Gary Matthews;
1975: Ed Negre, Dale Earnhardt, Dick May & Dean Dalton;
What legacy are we talking about Max?
Here's where I get spinning up: "there's emotion, there's commercial value to everyone involved." The commercial value I see is the strong association of the number to the color red, to the sponsor Budweiser, and to the driver, Dale Earnahrdt Jr. with the fans.
Now mind you, I'm no marketing guru or image spin master, but I'm thinking the only imaginable commercial value to DEI the number would hold, would be to draw new fans who have heard of the #, to the teams fan base, or as a commodity to be bartered for with Hendrcik Motorsports. If DEI retains the 8, it will be a cost value for them while it's still a flash in the pan, but it will fade, and with it, any form of appreciation of the team known as DEI.
Like I said, there may be more to it, but that's what I'm seeing as I read the article I came across. Here's the article: nascar
Over on NASCAR.com, there's an article stating that DEI has re-signed Bass Pro Shops to the #1 car, and later on in the article, it touches on the number 8 scenario.
Max Siegel says the issue isn't a simple one. "It's more complicated than people give it credit for."
"There's a lot of history, there's a legacy, there's emotion, there's commercial value to everyone involved. The one thing that I know is that, throughout every process we've had, everyone's been committed to doing the right thing."
Maybe I'm winding up over nothing, but the history of the number is that is was used by an Earnhardt driving it. Jr has driven in the #8 for DEI, but his father drove the eight under a different car owner, and so did his grandfather. And Siegel, I hope isn't counting when Joe Weatherly used the number.
The legacy Siegel quotes is what I just noted. It's been driven by the family, known by fans as the number on the Earnhardt side. But it's an emotional legacy. The number 8 legacy has been on the side of multiple drivers through the years.
2000 - 2007: Dale Earnhardt Jr.;
1998: Morgan Shepherd, Buckshot Jones & Hut Stricklin;
1996-7: Hut Stricklin;
1994-5: Jeff Burton;
1993: Sterling Marlin;
1992: Dick Trickle & Rick Wilson;
1991: Rick Wilson;
1983 - 1990: Bobby Hillin, Jr;
1982: Dick Brooks & Bobby Hillin, Jr;
1981: Jimmy Means, Dick May, Rick O'Dell & Kirk Shelmerdine;
1980: Kevin Housby & James Hylton;
1979: Ed Negre;
1978: Ferrel Harris, Ed Negre, Skip Manning, Dick May;
1977: Ed Negre;
1976: Ed Negre & Gary Matthews;
1975: Ed Negre, Dale Earnhardt, Dick May & Dean Dalton;
What legacy are we talking about Max?
Here's where I get spinning up: "there's emotion, there's commercial value to everyone involved." The commercial value I see is the strong association of the number to the color red, to the sponsor Budweiser, and to the driver, Dale Earnahrdt Jr. with the fans.
Now mind you, I'm no marketing guru or image spin master, but I'm thinking the only imaginable commercial value to DEI the number would hold, would be to draw new fans who have heard of the #, to the teams fan base, or as a commodity to be bartered for with Hendrcik Motorsports. If DEI retains the 8, it will be a cost value for them while it's still a flash in the pan, but it will fade, and with it, any form of appreciation of the team known as DEI.
Like I said, there may be more to it, but that's what I'm seeing as I read the article I came across. Here's the article: nascar
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Transformers Movie Review
What? Why would I put a movie review of the new movie Transformser, here in my NASCAR site?
I have only one (OK, maybe two) excuses.
An awesome movie for the fun, and Optimus Prime looks like Jeff Gordon's paint scheme.
My review is short and to the point, and gives absolutely nothing away, so if you're looking for that, this ain't it.
See it here, at: transformers-review
I have only one (OK, maybe two) excuses.
An awesome movie for the fun, and Optimus Prime looks like Jeff Gordon's paint scheme.
My review is short and to the point, and gives absolutely nothing away, so if you're looking for that, this ain't it.
See it here, at: transformers-review
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
DEI, the #8, Hendrick Motorsports
With the opinion about the numbers and the little dance the story took over the last few weeks, it got me to thinking.
At first, we were all thinking the number 8 was a potential sale item between race teams. Then we heard it was out of their hands, and then this last week, NASCAR declared it could be bartered between teams. A most exciting prospect indeed, for teams and fans alike.
But there is one hurtle that needs to be dealt with in this whole number 8 scheme, and that, may very well be Teresa Earnhardt.
It goes without saying that the fans want to see Budweiser and the number 8 go to Hendrick Motorsports. What Budweiser does is something unto themselves and will do what they need to do to position themselves best within the industry.
What Teresa needs to do is consider the idea of letting the number go. The number is DEI's to use for the moment, and it does have marketing appeal to retain it. A smart team would retain it. But a smarter team may ponder the very idea of making a gesture to the fans and letting the number go.
I'm not saying for them to give it away, but for them to make whatever financial arrangement that would be amicable to everyone, without making it a prohibitive maneuver.
Teresa's image is mediocre at best with the fans. Not being at races, making the hard business decisions that the fandom didn't agree with, and having her public differences with Jr, to the parting of ways that I'm sure some might believe to be her fault entrely. Business decisions, based on a business basis and not an emotional or public pressured one, are tough all around.
Here's hoping the 8 ends up where it truly belongs.
Bruce Simmons, the Fan Reporter.
At first, we were all thinking the number 8 was a potential sale item between race teams. Then we heard it was out of their hands, and then this last week, NASCAR declared it could be bartered between teams. A most exciting prospect indeed, for teams and fans alike.
But there is one hurtle that needs to be dealt with in this whole number 8 scheme, and that, may very well be Teresa Earnhardt.
It goes without saying that the fans want to see Budweiser and the number 8 go to Hendrick Motorsports. What Budweiser does is something unto themselves and will do what they need to do to position themselves best within the industry.
What Teresa needs to do is consider the idea of letting the number go. The number is DEI's to use for the moment, and it does have marketing appeal to retain it. A smart team would retain it. But a smarter team may ponder the very idea of making a gesture to the fans and letting the number go.
I'm not saying for them to give it away, but for them to make whatever financial arrangement that would be amicable to everyone, without making it a prohibitive maneuver.
Teresa's image is mediocre at best with the fans. Not being at races, making the hard business decisions that the fandom didn't agree with, and having her public differences with Jr, to the parting of ways that I'm sure some might believe to be her fault entrely. Business decisions, based on a business basis and not an emotional or public pressured one, are tough all around.
Here's hoping the 8 ends up where it truly belongs.
Bruce Simmons, the Fan Reporter.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The Panalties on the Hendricks Teams
Up until now, I was on the fence about these gray areas of the rules that Hendrick and others keep noting, versus, what does the rule book say to make it seem so gray to everyone. Ahh, the gray may be in the rose tinted glasses used to read the rules!!
David Poole of the Charlotte Observer and Thatsracin.com, over on his blog, The Turn Lane, expressed the infractions like this:
You’ve got people looking at the rule book and deciding that if something isn’t prohibited, by actual word printed in that book, it’s legal. This "gray area" is where they try to make a living, but what it shows me is a lack of "gray matter" in their brains.
Here are the salient portions of the rule governing penalties against Hendrick Motorsports at Infineon Raceway:
Rule 20-2.1
The car body must be acceptable to NASCAR officials and meet the following minimum requirements:
-Streamlining of the contours of the car, beyond that approved by the Series Director, will not be permitted.
-If, in the judgment of NASCAR Officials, any part or component of the car not previously approved by NASCAR that has been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance, will not be permitted. All cars must remain standard in appearance.
-Fenders may not be cut or altered except for wheel or tire clearance, which must be approved by the Series Director.
--- end of quote from David's post---
Here is my response to part of his post:
First: It's awesome to see the penalty compared directly to the much referenced, but little seen rulebook of NASCAR. Thank you David.
In the context of the matter, with the fenders flared outside the tolerances you mentioned this morning, then obviously, they were hoping they'd get by with this gray area tinkering, but the text does say no aero adjustments.
(Someone presented the idea that the 2 Hendrick teams accidentally installed test fenders)
I don't buy the premise of a test fender being put on accidentally. These guys, being the seasoned professionals, knew what they were doing.
As far as the penalty goes, it is consistent. It's these teams first COT penalty, and hence, treated the same as Jr.'s fiasco.
Excessive? That's why I don't think it was escalated.. this time. It seems excessive, but the message is being delivered unto the minions of the sport. Is it not?
Race on boys!
David Poole of the Charlotte Observer and Thatsracin.com, over on his blog, The Turn Lane, expressed the infractions like this:
You’ve got people looking at the rule book and deciding that if something isn’t prohibited, by actual word printed in that book, it’s legal. This "gray area" is where they try to make a living, but what it shows me is a lack of "gray matter" in their brains.
Here are the salient portions of the rule governing penalties against Hendrick Motorsports at Infineon Raceway:
Rule 20-2.1
The car body must be acceptable to NASCAR officials and meet the following minimum requirements:
-Streamlining of the contours of the car, beyond that approved by the Series Director, will not be permitted.
-If, in the judgment of NASCAR Officials, any part or component of the car not previously approved by NASCAR that has been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance, will not be permitted. All cars must remain standard in appearance.
-Fenders may not be cut or altered except for wheel or tire clearance, which must be approved by the Series Director.
--- end of quote from David's post---
Here is my response to part of his post:
First: It's awesome to see the penalty compared directly to the much referenced, but little seen rulebook of NASCAR. Thank you David.
In the context of the matter, with the fenders flared outside the tolerances you mentioned this morning, then obviously, they were hoping they'd get by with this gray area tinkering, but the text does say no aero adjustments.
(Someone presented the idea that the 2 Hendrick teams accidentally installed test fenders)
I don't buy the premise of a test fender being put on accidentally. These guys, being the seasoned professionals, knew what they were doing.
As far as the penalty goes, it is consistent. It's these teams first COT penalty, and hence, treated the same as Jr.'s fiasco.
Excessive? That's why I don't think it was escalated.. this time. It seems excessive, but the message is being delivered unto the minions of the sport. Is it not?
Race on boys!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
What to do with Infractors, an Article by Bruce
Yea, it's a new word. It's a play on infractions, and those who accumulate them.
But in all seriousness, it's a pickle that NASCAR is in as to what to do about it. At the moment, they are being as stern / strict as they've ever been with uncovered violations, and there is some anticipation that Knaus will get an even stiffer penalty than the others because of his past digressions.
I've heard radio talk shows where the callers say send the whole team home for a race, or even 6 races!
As much as I'd like to see violators given the proper "stick", let's think about this for a moment: Say you bought tickets to go to New Hampshire a few months ago. Now say one of the main reasons you are going, your team that you like rooting for, isn't going to be there.
In my past, when my guy gets taken out of a race, I feel like, what's the point if I can't scream and yell in support of him every time he goes by? Now I have 42 cars I somewhat don't care about. (I think my seat neighbors would get tired of me randomly yelling out supporting cheers for a car that isn't even on the track!)
You also threaten the sponsorship contracts. Why would someone want to sponsor a team or driver that may miss any number of races due to their proclivity to cheat? And sadly, our beloved sport is based on a certain amount of relationship based, financially supportive advertising that allows us to see our drivers on tv, in print, and in the ever growing output of the newspaper, as is evidenced by the coverage Montoya's win got last weekend.
Bruce's take:
Start suspending random crew members. Take a teams primary tire changer out for a race. We've seen that suspending the crew chief doesn't seem to impact the team much. One race suspensions are good for everyone. Crew members, drivers, what not. Multi-race suspensions will only hurt the business.
Heck, since we're suspending people, we might as well dole out community service! Hey Jimmie Johnson, get up to the end of pit road and operate the entrance light next race. Or Jeff Gordon, track the scoring loop data. Have a penalty box behind the stands that the drivers / chiefs / crew have to go to, and sign autographs or babysit all day during race day. Yea, I'm on a roll now..
Which is my clue to stop. writing and hit my publish key. Thanks for dropping by.
By Bruce Simmons, the Fan Reporter
But in all seriousness, it's a pickle that NASCAR is in as to what to do about it. At the moment, they are being as stern / strict as they've ever been with uncovered violations, and there is some anticipation that Knaus will get an even stiffer penalty than the others because of his past digressions.
I've heard radio talk shows where the callers say send the whole team home for a race, or even 6 races!
As much as I'd like to see violators given the proper "stick", let's think about this for a moment: Say you bought tickets to go to New Hampshire a few months ago. Now say one of the main reasons you are going, your team that you like rooting for, isn't going to be there.
In my past, when my guy gets taken out of a race, I feel like, what's the point if I can't scream and yell in support of him every time he goes by? Now I have 42 cars I somewhat don't care about. (I think my seat neighbors would get tired of me randomly yelling out supporting cheers for a car that isn't even on the track!)
You also threaten the sponsorship contracts. Why would someone want to sponsor a team or driver that may miss any number of races due to their proclivity to cheat? And sadly, our beloved sport is based on a certain amount of relationship based, financially supportive advertising that allows us to see our drivers on tv, in print, and in the ever growing output of the newspaper, as is evidenced by the coverage Montoya's win got last weekend.
Bruce's take:
Start suspending random crew members. Take a teams primary tire changer out for a race. We've seen that suspending the crew chief doesn't seem to impact the team much. One race suspensions are good for everyone. Crew members, drivers, what not. Multi-race suspensions will only hurt the business.
Heck, since we're suspending people, we might as well dole out community service! Hey Jimmie Johnson, get up to the end of pit road and operate the entrance light next race. Or Jeff Gordon, track the scoring loop data. Have a penalty box behind the stands that the drivers / chiefs / crew have to go to, and sign autographs or babysit all day during race day. Yea, I'm on a roll now..
Which is my clue to stop. writing and hit my publish key. Thanks for dropping by.
By Bruce Simmons, the Fan Reporter
Monday, June 25, 2007
TNT in-car Snafu
Well, it was interesting, listening to Kyle Petty. I liked the recap of info as we heard what he was saying to the booth and what not, but I thought NASCAR, et al had learned lessons and had mechanisms in place to edit language.
In turn eleven, early on in the race, Kenseth had dove under Petty to take a spot, slapped him (Petty) good, and we get to hear the true, in race reaction as Kyle spats out "What the f***" on air, and we find ourselves hearing Bill Weber apologizing to us for the profanity.
TNT Spokesman Jeff Pomeroy says that the audio can't always be identified: "We can assume that audio came from one of the three cars in the accident. But we can't be sure it was Kyle." Give me a break gang. That was Kyle. Well, to be fair, it sounded A LOT like Kyle.
As Kyle put it, "everybody is a passenger today", even our ringing ears!!
In turn eleven, early on in the race, Kenseth had dove under Petty to take a spot, slapped him (Petty) good, and we get to hear the true, in race reaction as Kyle spats out "What the f***" on air, and we find ourselves hearing Bill Weber apologizing to us for the profanity.
TNT Spokesman Jeff Pomeroy says that the audio can't always be identified: "We can assume that audio came from one of the three cars in the accident. But we can't be sure it was Kyle." Give me a break gang. That was Kyle. Well, to be fair, it sounded A LOT like Kyle.
As Kyle put it, "everybody is a passenger today", even our ringing ears!!
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