NASCAR Fines The Wrong People, Networks Are NASCAR Dumbasses

Last weekend after the NASCAR Sprint Cup at Charlotte Motor Speedway, there was quite the fracas between drivers.  Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski were playing car tag and spinning each other on the track during the warm down laps.  Matt Kenseth charged up behind Brad Keselowski, in front of cameras, blind siding him and getting him in a headlock.  Word was that Hamlin and Keselowski were having an angry car chase through the garages, inches from pedestrians.

And after all that, NASCAR fines Tony Stewart and Brad Keselowski (BK).

Oh, yes, after BK was spun, he bumped into Tony Stewart's rear bumper. In reply, Stewart put it in reverse and "floored" it, nearly demolishing the front end of BK's car.

Where do I begin?

There was concern on the air from drivers about the car wars game that went on, on the track, between Hamlin and BK. The think was, they were talking about getting hit while they were removing their helmets and safety gear.

I for one, for years, have worried about when drivers start dismantling their safety gear while they're still on the track and would look forward to the day that they are required to retain all gear in place, until they're off the racing and pit stalls surface.

It is just too dangerous to be pulling off your gear when there's the potential for someone to pull an ass-hat move while a driver sits unprotected.

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There is that anger that is always just under the skin of Tony Stewart. I presumed it was his temper, combined with something BK did, considering everyone seemed mad at BK.

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Then there was Matt Kenseth. Very unlike him, but he was unraveled and wanted a piece of BK. This, after damaging BK's car during a caution flag, in retaliation for something BK did to him.

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And finally, there was Hamlin and BK, including the quickie car chase through the garages. THAT seemed dangerous.

But Hamlin and Kenseth skated somehow while Stewart and BK got the fines, looking like NASCAR was turning a blind eye towards the part that Hamlin played in the situation.

But then there was the media coverage of the event after the fact.

First things first... if you're going to cover an event, have your reporter watch the last 30 minutes of any telecast before the start reporting bulls*!

Tony Stewart Out of The No. 14, Breaks Leg in Sprint Car Race

This is the huge moment every NASCAR team owner dreads, that their driver is off gallivanting around in a secondary hobby/love, and they get injured, removing them from the cockpit of the car.

In this case, the team owner himself was the one who got hurt.

Tony Stewart was in a sprint car race in Iowa Monday night when, while leading the race, ended up hitting a slower car and flipping down the track.  In the process, he broke both bones (the tibia and fibula) in his right leg.

Damn!

At the moment, no stand-in driver has been announced for the No. 14 for the upcoming Watkins Glen.

But I'm guessing this would be a good time to get a medical sponsor on the hood!

Stewart is ... was the wildcard Chase contender in the top-12 in driver points.

If you're wondering, Stewart drives in about 70 sprint car races each year.  It's his first love of racing and sticks to it as often as he can.

Buggers.

[nascar]

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Official Finishing Positions from Dover Sprint Cup Race

Here's the official race results from

44TH ANNUAL FEDEX "400" BENEFITING AUTISM SPEAKS
DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

Dover, DE - June 2, 2013

Pos	Driver	Team	Laps	Points	Status	Laps Led
1	Tony Stewart	Code 3 Associates/Mobil 1 Chevrolet	400	47	Running	3
2	Juan Pablo Montoya	Energizer Chevrolet	400	43	Running	19
3	Jeff Gordon	AARP Credit Cards from Chase Chevrolet	400	41	Running
4	Kyle Busch	M&M's Toyota	400	42	Running	150
5	Brad Keselowski	Miller Lite Ford	400	40	Running	2
6	Clint Bowyer	5-hour Energy Toyota	400	38	Running
7	Joey Logano	Shell Pennzoil Ford	400	37	Running
8	Kevin Harvick	Jimmy John's Chevrolet	400	37	Running	1
9	Mark Martin	Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota	400	35	Running
10	Dale Earnhardt Jr	National Guard Chevrolet	400	34	Running
11	Jeff Burton	Cheerios Chevrolet	400	33	Running
12	Kurt Busch	Furniture Row/Sealy Chevrolet	400	33	Running	8
13	Ricky Stenhouse Jr #	Best Buy Ford	400	31	Running
14	Carl Edwards	Subway Ford	400	30	Running
15	Greg Biffle	RiteAid/Ace Ford	400	29	Running
16	Casey Mears	GEICO Ford	400	28	Running
17	Jimmie Johnson	Lowe's/Monsters University Chevrolet	399	28	Running	143
18	Aric Almirola	Smithfield Ford	399	26	Running
19	Marcos Ambrose	DeWalt/Ace/CMN Ford	399	25	Running
20	Paul Menard	Menards/Libman Chevrolet	399	24	Running
21	Bobby Labonte	Scott Products Toyota	399	23	Running
22	David Ragan	Ford	397	22	Running
23	Kasey Kahne	Farmers Insurance Chevrolet	396	22	Running	2
24	Danica Patrick #	GoDaddy Chevrolet	396	20	Running
25	Josh Wise (i)	MDS Transport Ford	395	0	Running
26	David Reutimann	Burger King/Dr.Pepper Toyota	394	18	Running
27	Austin Dillon (i)	Phoenix Construction Chevrolet	394	0	Running
28	David Stremme	Widow Wax Toyota	394	16	Running
29	Dave Blaney	SANY Chevrolet	393	15	Running
30	J.J. Yeley	DOHS Click it or Ticket Chevrolet	390	14	Running
31	Joe Nemechek (i)	Royal Teak Toyota	388	0	Running
32	Landon Cassill (i)	Bicycle NASCAR Playing Cards Chevrolet	388	0	Running
33	Jamie McMurray	Parade Media Group Chevrolet	381	11	Running
34	Denny Hamlin	FedEx Freight/Autism Speaks Toyota	380	11	Accident	41
35	Timmy Hill #	OXY Water Ford	378	9	Running
36	Ryan Newman	Haas Automation Chevrolet	298	8	Accident
37	David Gilliland	Long John Silver's Ford	296	7	Accident
38	Martin Truex Jr	NAPA Auto Parts Toyota	279	7	Engine	2
39	Travis Kvapil	Burger King/Dr.Pepper Toyota	161	5	Engine
40	Matt Kenseth	Dollar General Toyota	159	5	Engine	29
41	Mike Bliss (i)	Plinker Tactical Toyota	59	0	Rear Gear
42	Michael McDowell	Phil Parsons Racing Ford	54	2	Overheating
43	Scott Riggs	No Label Ford	16	1	Transmission

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Blocking In NASCAR Should Be A Non-Issue, Welcome to Parity Boys and Girls

The last race we had, Tony Stewart made a move to pass Joey Logano on a restart, but Logano made his own move to block Stewart.  After the race, Stewart was all fired up about Logano doing to him, exactly what he himself would have done.  I'm guessing Tony forgot this was NASCAR and not some other racing league that has banned blocking.

And needless to say, Tony was pissed.  He wanted a piece of Joey's ass after the race.  But almost every fan and reporter, to a tee, made mention how this is something Tony himself has done and all those folks also reminded us of a huge wreck at a restrictor plate race that was caused by Stewart himself making a move to block someone.

So be it.  The goose, the gander, the kettle and the pot.

But I'm a bit surprised this debate about blocking is still going on two weeks later.  Or, then again, maybe not since there's been no new news to capture our attention.  Kurt hasn't mouthed off at anyone, Kyle hasn't called the Gen-6 any foul expletive, Mr. "5-Hour Energy" hasn't chased anyone new down.  So this is the latest headline that's still glowing brightest in the aftermath of the last race from two weeks ago.

But the question remains of whether blocking should be allowed in NASCAR?  Should blocking be a valid or allowed part of the sport?

Folks, WELCOME TO PARITY!!!

NASCAR has worked hard to get all the cars/teams on as equal footing as possible.  And now that they are, we are going to start seeing this tactic more and more.

And yes, blocking should be allowed.  It's a valid maneuver that's deployed within most events that involve tactics.  Period.

Honestly, with Logano's move, that meant his eye was on the prize, that first-place trophy.  And if he didn't block, how would his fans and sponsors feel?

In chess, you make moves to block attacks on the king.  In boxing, you block punches from landing valuable points.  In football, you block the pass-rush and defend your quarterback. In war, you make moves to keep the opponent from making their own successful moves.

Blocking is a valid tactic, no matter what.  Not blocking is like seeing the opponent coming, and laying down. And in this day, when teams are more equal in car,  blocking is going to come to the forefront of our attentions.

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.

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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!

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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

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.

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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 real 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.

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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.

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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!!!

Preseason Thunder And Reign: Talk Of Gen-6 Car Rules Day 1

 

Preseason Thunder And Reign: Talk Of Gen-6 Car Rules Day 1

Defending Daytona 500 Champ Tops Charts; Excitement Builds For New Car Debut

via press release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 12, 2012) – New faces with new teams and new cars were on display during Day 1 of Preseason Thunder at Daytona, but one storyline dominated – the Gen-6 car is sleek and fast.

Defending Daytona 500 champion Matt Kenseth, with new team Joe Gibbs Racing, was fastest in the first practice with a top speed of 192.757 mph and second-fastest in the afternoon session with a top speed of 195.385 mph. Teammate Denny Hamlin topped the speed chart in the second practice (195.712 mph) in his Gen-6 Toyota Camry.

Following Thursday's afternoon session, NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton spoke about how the collective effort of the industry has been key to the Gen-6 car's development.

"We have been working on this car for nearly two years and we have been at the track on and off for well over a year in different stages and forms and configurations of the car," Pemberton said. "Because of the depth of everybody, throughout our entire industry, we were able to take these things and put a long lead time in them and develop a better product."

John Darby, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series director, reiterated the positive feelings about the new car, and was particularly impressed with the close competition during Thursday's test.

"When you look at the enormity of the project … and basically putting three brand-new models of race cars out on a race track … and put speeds up that are within a tenth of a second of each other – it is an incredible, incredible effort," Darby said. "I truly believe there is not another racing series in the world that could accomplish what these guys did since we left Homestead."

As far as competition goes, the Gen-6 car received high marks. But so too did the look and feel of the Toyota Camry, Chevrolet SS and Ford Fusion as they hit the high banks of the World Center of Racing for the first time in advance The Sprint Unlimited on Feb. 16 (SPEED, MRN Radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio) and the 55th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 24 (FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio).

"Everybody is super excited about this race car and what it brings to our sport and the identity that it brings back to the passenger cars you see on the roads," said Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 15 5-hour Energy Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing. "This is my first time I've been in it. I didn't do the Charlotte test so it was fun to get out there and see what it was all about. They're certainly cool looking. [It's great] to see everybody's cars down here and be back to racing."

Carl Edwards hopes to use Preseason Thunder to kick start 2013 after a disappointing 2012 season. Edwards missed the Chase for the Sprint Cup after finishing second in 2011.

"I couldn't be looking forward to it more," Edwards said. "I think it will be an exciting year for me. I would like to put last year out of my memory and not think about it too much. Not in the last few years have I been this excited to go racing. I think it is probably because my offseason has been a little longer than most. I didn't go to Vegas [for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week] so I have been ready to go."

The drivers rounded out Day 1 at Daytona International Speedway with Fan Fest. Fans were treated to driver fan forums, show cars and displays, music and photo opportunities with the 2013 Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy and autograph sessions.

Teams will be back on track for testing tomorrow at 9 a.m. Tomorrow's media availability includes: Dale Earnhardt Jr. 12:05 p.m.; Matt Kenseth 12:20 p.m.; Jimmie Johnson 12:35 p.m.; Greg Biffle 12:45 p.m.

An Intelligent NASCAR Twitter Conversation from Danica Patrick to Tony Stewart

My eye spied a conversation on Twitter that was between a few knowledgeable players.  No requests for pictures, no off-the-wall comments from Twitter surfing folk... just a great conversation with news gurus Jenna Fryer, Marty Smith, Jeff Gluck and Jim Utter.

It starts out about Danica Patrick and ends up about why there are no more Tony Stewarts out there.

Check it out...  (Well, at least I found it fascinating)

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Danica learns lesson in retaliating at Kansas bigstory.ap.org/article/danica…
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) October 25, 2012

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JennaFryer 6:07am via Twitter for iPhone

Tossed Danica link out because regardless of opinion, Zippy's quotes are worth a read. I believe he's qualified to comment. #NASCAR

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@jennafryer -- Great job. Why wouldn't you share it? Well done.
— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) October 25, 2012

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@martysmithespn well, some people need to be steered toward the interesting stuff and past the Danica rage.
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) October 25, 2012

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@jennafryer -- You presented the story well, from the subjects involved. Post the link. Let them figure it out.
— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) October 25, 2012

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@jennafryer Like the part where Zipadelli says Danica learns more in a weekend than Logano ever did? Ouch.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) October 25, 2012

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@jeff_gluck well, it is couched by him saying how far off she starts. I think that is an important part.
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) October 25, 2012

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@jennafryer Yes, I think so…for the same reasons Stenhouse will be in the 6. Young, talented and opportunity available.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) October 25, 2012

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@jeff_gluck No way! Stenhouse has far more experience when he's getting his ride than Joey did. Joey would have been in a Stenhouse
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) October 25, 2012

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@jeff_gluck situation if Tony had not left, and thus likely would not have had the struggles Zippy alluded to in piece.
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) October 25, 2012

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@jennafryer @dnewtonespn @jeff_gluck -- He deserves the 22 over Sam and Regan. IMO he'll flourish w/ a new start/knowing he's wanted.
— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) October 25, 2012

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@jennafryer I would argue if Kenseth hadn’t left, a full-time Cup ride wouldn’t have been avail for RSJ. But you’re right, RSJ has more time
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) October 25, 2012

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@jeff_gluck @jennafryer -- The rides were there for Stenhouse, Jeff... He just couldn't take them due to ironclad RFR contract.
— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) October 25, 2012

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@jeff_gluck except he's locked into RFR for like 92 more years. and I think his first 4 born are, too.
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) October 25, 2012

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fact RT @dnewtonespn: Pretty sure zippy would take Joey over DP, hands down @martysmithespn @jennafryer @dnewtonespn @jeff_gluck
— Jim Utter (@jim_utter) October 25, 2012

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Clearly this has gone off the rails. The point is, there are no more Tony Stewarts out there. You cannot just show up and win races anymore.
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) October 25, 2012

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That goes for any series, open wheel and NASCAR. Not an indictment of talent; competition is so strong, it takes time to get on same level.
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) October 25, 2012

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-Bruce

The Tony Stewart Pit Road Ass Grab - Get A Grip People (No Pun Intended)

We're nearly a week beyond the first race of the Chase for the Cup and the NASCAR news that's making rounds in the rest of the world is the single moment where Tony Stewart grabbed Delana Harvick's ass on pit road.  Seriously?

And people are in a tizzy about sexual harassment because of it.

I'm fairly surprised people are going on and on about this.  Or maybe I'm not.  And poor Tony is taking some form of heat.  But what you're looking at is the division between the rough and tumble world of real people who don't have as tight a set of personal limits and those who want to sit in a zone of safety in their cubicle and not be exposed to this kind of rough housing.

This was a funny thing between friends.  I'm not sure I'd like to be in a circle of friends that smack or grab asses, but it's no skin off my back if other folks are like that with each other in their own circles.

I think the phrase is let bygones be bygones.  Or "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me."  Or at least that's how it used to be played before lawyers starting procreating.  Ah, the good 'ol days.

So I'm not sure why folks want to get involved and jump and shout and run about, regarding Tony grabbing ass.  Though it did get on national television at a bad moment in time during the NASCAR pre-race show.

So does that mean more people are closet NASCAR fans than meets the eye?  Or is this drawing more people in to now watch NASCAR for the fortuitous and one-time grab of ass?  Or are the folks that never watched NASCAR now threatening to never watch NASCAR?  Not sure where the threat is in that one.

Be it as it may, Tony probably should have been a bit more careful.  But my having been on pit road with the teams and drivers on occasion, it's a very family and friends oriented situation.  It's like seeing your buddy at the water cooler, or seeing them off to work... except your buddy suits up with safety gear and climbs into a hole to get strapped into something that is about to haul ass at 200 mph. Your buddy is hurling off into a realm many will never get and on a rare occasion, could get hurt doing.

There's a different mindset going on here that many who grumble will never, ever get.  Period.

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DO NOT MISTAKE this glib take for an ignorance of the existence or need for rules regarding sexual harassment in the work place.  I do get it.  When someone repeatedly grabs or touches you inappropriately or says things to you repeatedly that are of an uncomfortable and unwanted nature, the legal workspace protections that are in place are there for noise like that from creepy people like that.

But this situation is being taken totally out of hand and I think many of you should just sit back, understand what this is, and let it go.  We've got bigger fish to fry in the world like fighting and beating the evil of cancer.  Or rampant starvation around the world.  That is where our focuses should be.  That seems more constructive to me.

But that's me.  And then again, I find the rough and tumble camaraderie of Sons of Anarchy a fun kind of environment too where an ass grab probably won't ruin my day!

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Sponsor News for Truex Jr and Stewart: Some Good, Some Bad

There was some mixed sponsor news this week... some good news came out earlier in the week and some not so good sponsor news came out this weekend.

Martin Truex Jr. Renews with Michael Waltrip Racing

First up, Martin Truex Jr., along with NAPA, reupped with Michael Waltrip Racing.  For Truex and/or MWR fans, that's great news.

I had a chance to chat up Michael Waltrip a few weeks back at Sonoma.  We were just sitting around on pit road and I was taking pics of him and he gave me a funny look and said "Whatch'yoo doin?"  He was in jest of course and I asked him how it felt to have his cars at the front of the qualifying pack and he said that it was less stressful to have the cars up there.  It was a nice change of pace and that he could get used to it.

I presume he's still getting used to it as his teams keeps showing up in the front of the pack more and more.

Truex Jr.'s contract renewal is for a three year contract extension.

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Tony Stewart Loses Office Depot

That was the good news.  The bad news is that Tony Stewart's team is losing Office Depot as their primary co-sponsor.  Though Office Depot is backing out of their co-primary position, it's said that the two organizations are exploring other possible associations between them.

Stewart-Haas Racing had this to say on their Facebook page:

"A quick note to all of our fans regarding Office Depot…

When we formed Stewart-Haas Racing at the end of 2008, Office Depot was the first partner to join our team. We became immersed in their business, and they became equally engaged in our business. Strong B2B relationships were fostered off the track, and on the track our partnership culminated with the 2011 Sprint Cup championship.

We remain proud of all that we accomplished together, and are committed to seeing this relationship through by defending the championship we won together and by continuing to act on Office Depot's behalf in the representation of small businesses everywhere."

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Does this say something about the financial environment when the defending champion can't even hang on to a sponsor, or do you think this is just a move on Office Depot's part that signals they may be having troubles we don't know about?

-B

Tony Stewart's Wing and a Helmet; At Least It Wasn't A Butt Spank!

I'm surprised by the fervor that has seemingly erupted from Tony Stewart flinging his helmet at Matt Kenseth weekend.

Flying helmets are nothing new to the sport of NASCAR.  They happen. I'm surprised fans want to see fines levied for this deed.  Are the fans starting to change on us too?  I don't remember hearing about disgruntled fans from previous incidents of solo-flight helmet anger.  It is what it is.  Frustration needing to be vented. I'd rather it be this way than some other ways.  In fact it wouldn't be a season if a helmet did not take flight at least once during a caution flag.  But there are other ways besides using a two-handed helmet toss to evidence one's displeasure at another competitor. (Not to mention the more often used one-handed, more manly fling!)

There's the finger wag that Danica Patrick deployed in the very same night at Bristol.

The empty, hands in the air, shoulder shrug that Kenny Schrader delivered with utmost precision at his dumper.  (Dumper, meaning the other driver that helped him wreck.  Not "that other" dumper.)

Of course there's the classic Kurt Busch Spanker.  Back some years ago, Jimmy Spencer dumped Kurt at Indy.  Kurt got out, bent over pointing his butt at Spencer and spanked himself when Jimmy drove by.  Most interesting.  Was that anguish or an offer?

Any how, since we see at least one helmet a year take flight, maybe NASCAR should stock the EMT wagon with throw-away helmets.  Something lighter that would be easier to throw.  I'm just saying.

Be it as it may, Tony Stewart made a statement earlier today that in regards to his threatening demeanor about running Kenseth into the ground for the rest of the year, he rectified that by saying that the racing will be clean.

So for now, the tempest may be fading.  But I'm betting Tony will have to live with that two-handed moment for quite some time because if someone doesn't use that video bite for ads, I'd be surprised!

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Stewart's Daytona Penalty, Dillon's 2nd Oops and B Samples

Tony Stewart's Penalty
I don't know about you but I was surprised to hear about Tony Stewart's car not passing post-race inspection after he won the Daytona race last weekend.

"The No. 14 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the NASCAR Rule Book); and 20-2.1J (unapproved open vent hose inside of the car). The violation occurred during post-qualifying inspection July 6.

As a result, crew chief Steve Addington has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Aug. 22. Car chief Jeff Meendering has been placed on NASCAR probation until Aug. 22. Driver Tony Stewart and owner Margaret Haas have been penalized with the loss of six championship driver and six championship owner points, respectively."

Ouch.

Later reports indicated that the competition director for Stewart's Stewart-Haas Racing team, Greg Zipadelli, indicated that this was not an intentional penalty (are any of them?) and came about in a hasty repair to a rear window.  Doing that

"...jostled a cooling hose that was behind the seat. We understand NASCAR's position and will abide by its decision."

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Austin Dillon Dinged Again
I'm sad for Austin Dillon, to see his first win marred by a race inspection failure, but then in the subsequent weekend (last weekend) at Daytona, they again failed another inspection.  This can get bad because team members were on probation from the first violation!

"The No. 3 team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1; 12-4J and 20A-2.1J (unapproved open vent hose inside of the car). This violation occurred during post-qualifying inspection on July 6.

Crew chief Danny Stockman has been fined $10,000 and due to the violation of his probation, has been suspended from NASCAR until July 25. Car chief Robert Strmiska has also been suspended from NASCAR competition until July 25 due to the violation of his probation. This past May 1, both Stockman and Strmiska were placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, for rules violations committed at Richmond International Raceway.

Driver Austin Dillon and owner Morgan Shepherd have been penalized with the loss of six championship driver and six championship owner points, respectively."

Austin is going to have a tough go at it, recovering from this, unless he has his own Stewart-streak in upcoming races!
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AJ Allmendinger B Sample
Fans are shocked as is AJ Allmendinger and his team from his failed drug test.  But following NASCAR protocol, AJ was allowed to submit a second part of his first sample, called the B sample, for subsequent testing.

The B sample results could get AJ out from under this hot water, or could cement the over-shadowing doom of this cloud.

It's been said he's a very health conscious individual and all parties concerned are surprised.

Fans out there are concerned that there could be a situation where the tests are pulling up false positives for drugs that are not illicit drugs.  AKA, back in the day, some poor folks started discovering that mouth wash had just enough alcohol in it to help a driver fail a sobriety test!  So fans are focused on that aspect of the situation.

Everyone is holding their breath, awaiting news.  AJ Allmendinger's fans are standing by their man, as is his team.   Though they've entered Sam Hornish Jr as the driver for New Hampshire... just in case things go poorly in the testing realm.
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2012 Prelude to the Dream - Images

The old-school dirt upon which professional stock car racing was built played host to today’s racing stars in the Prelude To The Dream last night at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. 


The eighth annual dirt Late Model race featured more than 25 world renowned drivers as they battled for dirt supremacy. 

The event was presented live to the entire nation on HBO Pay-Per-View with net proceeds from the telecast supporting Feed The Children, a U.S.-based charity that domestically has helped more than 365,000 families since 2009 through its Americans Feeding Americans Caravan.

Kyle Busch won the event and if you head on over to my Facebook photo album, you can catch several images from the event!  (It's a public album and you don't need to have a FB account to view it.)

-Bruce

FOX Let's The Debris Black Helicopters Continue To Circle

Last Saturday night's Richmond race was pretty interesting as fates of drivers changed hands quickly during the different late-race cautions.

But one in particular, was when Tony Stewart was trouncing the field in his clean air and looking like the race was his to lose.

That is, until the debris caution.

Now maybe I looked away and maybe they just didn't cover it, but I don't remember seeing on the TV coverage from Fox, the debris.  Tony Stewart's been quoted in grumbling about the debris being a plastic water bottle.  But he had additional issues when his pit crew flubbed it up a bit too.

But others saw a piece of sheet metal being picked up, so maybe Tony was focused on the wrong thing.

Regardless, Dave Moody said he saw the metallic debris getting picked up and that is wasn't a water bottle.  He added during his Sirius XM NASCAR broadcast that drivers constantly toss out water bottles after leaving pit road and the they usually drift down the embankment towards the inside wall.  And we don't see cautions for those.

So be it as it may, while fans are getting in a tizzy about the mystery caution, it seems the Fox dropped the ball again on covering the debris.

Why?

Because fans get suspicious when yellow flags come out at wonderfully opportune times to gather up the field and they need to be soothed.  At least the logical ones do.

In jest, some were suggesting that the track man who picks up the debris should hold it up and pose with it until the TV coverage catches it.  I say put a helmet cam on the man, or make him tweet a picture of what he picks up.

Either way would be good evidence that would circumvent telecast oversights.

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Heads up: Tony Stewart to Visit The White House

via press release:

Three-time and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart will be honored by President Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday, April 17 @ 4:20 p.m.  EDT. The event also will include NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and each member of the 2011 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field.

This event will be livestreamed at www.whitehouse.gov/live if you're interested in checking it out.

 

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NACSAR 'Kobalt Tools 400' Mini Recap

Today's race was from Las Vegas, the Kobalt Tools 400, in the desert of Nevada.

Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt Jr. led the pack to the race starting green flag and by the end of the first lap, Dale Jr. had himself the lead, which he held onto for 70 laps.

Cautions today included a

• Lap 44 incident with Timmy Hill.
• 73:  A David Reutimann spin.
• 127: Travis Kvapil blew an engine.
• 204 & 229: debris caution.
• 244: Landon Cassill blew an engine.
• 255: Kurt Busch RR tire blew, sending him into the inside wall.
• 259: Kyle Busch LR tire, solo spin.

That that said,

Brendan Gaughan  hit the wall early... no caution, but hard enough to mess his day up.

Despite Dale Jr. pulling away and leading the entire first bit of the race, he had a scare when he started pitting on lap 44/5 when the caution came out... but he got back out in time and retained the lead for the restart.

On the restart, Dale Jr. again led them to speed...

On lap 71, car Nos 88, 17, 29, 16 and 14 were the front runners.

The lap 78 restart found Dale Jr. back in the pack for the first time today, in 16th after taking four tires while many took two!

The front runners included Kenseth, Harvick, Johnson, Stewart and Biffle.

A bit later Jimmie Johnson took the lead from Kenseth...

With around the 50 to go mark, we had Stewart, Earnhardt Jr., Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman and Matt Kenseth lead the pack to speed.

With 38 to go, we had a caution and the field piled onto the pits.  Two or four tires?  If any!?  Leaders were topping off only and everyone was ready for the last dash of the day.  (I thought)

But one more caution pulled everyone together for a restart but this restart cursed Brad Keselowski which was a shame... it looked like he might have won this race... but he had some sort of fuel issue.

But now the race looked like it was going to come down to Tony Stewart (leading) and Jimmie Johnson on his tail.  (I wonder if Jimmie might have been saying "Here kitty, kitty, kitty"?)

But then as they got going, the No. 51 car of Kurt Busch drove-piled the wall after his RR tire went away, bringing everyone back together and cooling those tires back down down.  Again.

(I don't think Kurt's having fun yet this season.) 

Again... with 9 to go, Stewart led them aggressively to the line and pulled away while Johnson spun his tires.

AND THEN KYLE BUSCH spins and lands it in the grass...  LR tire flat.

OK, once again, with feeling!

With 4 to go...  Stewart, Johnson, Biffle, Kenseth, Edwards... and Edwards shot down onto the apron to pass the pack and Kenseth gets into the outside wall... the closing few laps Johnson covered Stewart's butt like a blanket, trying to pass him.

With one to go, Johnson can't quite get there and Tony Stewart won the Kobalt Tools 400, Jimmie Johnson finished 2nd, followed by the 16, 39, 99, 16, 27, 1, 21 & 88 cars.

It was good to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. perform well in clean air but once he got in dirty air, he seemed to have a few more issues.

Plus, I was keeping an eye on Dale Jr. during restarts.  On SiriusXM radio, a caller had said earlier in the week that Jr sucked at restarts.  It seemed to be a bit of an iffy talent of his on this day.

But there you have it...  a snarky race recap from NASCAR Bits and Pieces on the Kobalt Tools 400.
NASCAR: Kobalt 400 results - unofficial

Now... we all wait until Tuesday when we'll hear about the No. 48 team appeal decision!  See ya there!

=-Bruce

So What Happened to Tony Stewart's EFI System at PIR?

Anyone remember before the season and hearing how the EFI system was bullet proof because it's used in other racing leagues?  Anyone not believing that any more?

Well, I know a few teams that aren't believing it.  And Tony Stewart's team is one of them.

Last weekend Tony Stewart tried to play the fuel-saving game by cutting off his motor to save gas, then found that he could not restart it.

Turns out that Stewart's new crew chief, Steve Addington, at least found the culprit as being a breaker switch that shut off.  It didn't affect the car until Tony had turned the car off... it was then that the impact of the switch was made apparent when it wouldn't let the car refire...  grr.

And it seems this situation may have been seen at both Daytona and PIR.

I had a car once that wouldn't turn back on... it had to do with no heat shield over a solenoid.. but that's not a breaker, unless the breaker is heat sensitive...  but that's my uneducated guess.

Until then, I'm thinking the teams need to be more careful about killing the engines to save fuel, as that doesn't look like it's saving positions!

Car Photos from Daytona International Speedway

Hey all, I had a "man" on the inside...  OK, at the track and he snagged some images for me to use here on NASCAR Bits & Pieces!  My "man" is Leon Hammack, the power behind Working On My Redneck and he embodies the cooperative nature of cool, co-peers in the world of blogging.

With that said, check out the cool pics he sent me from Daytona, from the '72 hours of Daytona!' (click to enlarge) -Bruce

 Carl Edwards no. 99 Ford

 Daytona 500 race winner, Matt Kenseth!

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Denny Hamlin's No 11 Joe Gibbs machine

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 Jimmie Johnson, 

the man who didn't make it past lap 2 and will probably not have crew chief for a few races!

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