Welcome everyone to another rendition of our weekend pondering blog series. I’m joined here by Tim Zaegel of DoYouNASCAR and Charlie Turner from On Pit Row for our weekly rendition of “Loose in Turn Three”.
So another Pocono race has come and gone. And we will be treated to yet one more race there seven races later. Pocono just doesn't do it for me and obviously the owners aren't going anywhere anytime soon and their method of repairs seem to be strips of repair as opposed to total repaving projects like other tracks have done in the recent past.
If NASCAR retains two races at the facility, (And I don't see why they won't) I have to wonder if the track management should at least repave the track or is there something they can do to change up the action?
My thought is that it would be nice if they repaved the track. It might make for a wee bit closer racing. Heck, I'd would not even be against installing gradient banking in the corners and a dogleg out of turn 1 (turns 1/2?). Guys?
Charlie: What was wrong with Sunday's race? Did that short stretch of one turn that was patched cause the race to be bad? It was a great 500 mile race. 500 mile races, in 100 degree heat, are not enjoyed by any driver who doesn't finish first. Would re-paving improve the race track? It would make it smoother - and more of a tire tire which would piss off everybody who didn't finish first - again.
TZ: I've gotta go with Charlie on this one. I really didn't think that the racing was all that bad. It could've been better, but it wasn't bad. And, yeah, I think they could probably repave, but that would cost them a ton of money, I'm sure, with as big as the track is. But, really, I'm okay with them just leaving this one be.
Follow the rest of our discussion:
Charlie Turner - On Pit Row
- Would requiring race tracks that host multiple races, to have different race lengths for each race resolve the complaints of those who want to take races away from the Poconos and Californias?
Tim Zaegel - DoYouNASCAR
- Assuming that he was seriously contemplating the move, do the recent penalties awarded to Haas CNC Racing deter Tony Stewart from pursuing future ownership with that organization?
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Weather For The Weekend
I don't mean to be a "Dour Dan" but someone this morning (Thanks Amy!) mentioned the weather issues going on out towards the Brooklyn, MI way so I looked it up, and right now it looks like we might be watching rain delay, human interest stories on Sunday.
According to "sources", (OK, weather.com),
Saturday, the 14th: AM Showers and a Precip chance of 30%
Sunday, the 15th: Isolated T-Storms with Precipitation chance at 30%
Hopefully this link to the weekend forecast for Brooklyn works:
The Weather Channel
For Sparta, KY (Nationwide Race)
They're saying AM Thunderstorms with a 70% chance of rain.
The Weather Channel
I hate rain when it comes to NASCAR and I know domed events are not a reality but that would be cool now.
Maybe we should introduce the NASCAR RC control car races or have them fight it out in Legends Cars when it rains.
At least we'd have something fun to watch! I bet the drivers would be game to play in the rain
According to "sources", (OK, weather.com),
Saturday, the 14th: AM Showers and a Precip chance of 30%
Sunday, the 15th: Isolated T-Storms with Precipitation chance at 30%
Hopefully this link to the weekend forecast for Brooklyn works:
The Weather Channel
For Sparta, KY (Nationwide Race)
They're saying AM Thunderstorms with a 70% chance of rain.
The Weather Channel
I hate rain when it comes to NASCAR and I know domed events are not a reality but that would be cool now.
Maybe we should introduce the NASCAR RC control car races or have them fight it out in Legends Cars when it rains.
At least we'd have something fun to watch! I bet the drivers would be game to play in the rain
Upcomng WeekendTV Schedule for June 14
- NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Michigan | 2:30 p.m. ET Sat. | SPEED
- NASCAR Nationwide Series Kentucky | 8 p.m. ET Sat. | ESPN2
- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Michigan | 12:30 p.m. ET Sun. | TNT
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Owners Points After Pocono 6-11-08
Michael Waltrip lost his grip on 35th last weekend and needs to make it on time this week in Michigan. The new bubble car is the No 77 Dodge of Hornish Jr., but he didn't take the spot from Waltrip, he fell two spots into.
One more good week from Vickers ought to get him up into the top 35 and the now infamous No 66 car is surging up two spots. Hopefully proving that their previous success was not modified induced.
One more good week from Vickers ought to get him up into the top 35 and the now infamous No 66 car is surging up two spots. Hopefully proving that their previous success was not modified induced.
| RANK | +/- | CAR | OWNER | POINTS | AROUND 35th |
| 30 | -1 | #7 | Robby Gordon | 1141 | 65 |
| 31 | 1 | #01 | Teresa Earnhardt | 1120 | 44 |
| 32 | -1 | #41 | Chip Ganassi | 1118 | 42 |
| 33 | 1 | #00 | Rob Kauffman | 1105 | 29 |
| 34 | 2 | #66 | Joe Custer | 1086 | 10 |
| 35 | -2 | #77 | Roger Penske | 1076 | 0 |
| 36 | -1 | #55 | Michael Waltrip | 1064 | -12 |
| 37 | 2 | #84 | Dietrich Mateschitz | 936 | -140 |
| 38 | -1 | #96 | Jeffrey Moorad | 901 | -175 |
| 39 | -1 | #40 | Felix Sabates | 888 | -188 |
| 40 | -- | #78 | Barney Visser | 752 | -324 |
Drivers Standings After Pocono 6-11-08
Pocono saw a big move in the points with Denny Hamlin moving up 4 spots to 5th while the biggest drop in the top 12 was Clint Blowyer, falling three spots to 11th!
Meanwhile, David Ragan quietly sits outside of 12th by 7 points, waiting for someone to stumble. Ryan Newman is just three points behind him, also stalking that spot for now.
12th is our new bubble spot excitement zone!!
Here's the Chase Bubble Spot Look:
Meanwhile, David Ragan quietly sits outside of 12th by 7 points, waiting for someone to stumble. Ryan Newman is just three points behind him, also stalking that spot for now.
12th is our new bubble spot excitement zone!!
| RANK | +/- | DRIVER | POINTS | BEHIND |
| 1 | -- | Kyle Busch | 2084 | Leader |
| 2 | -- | Jeff Burton | 2063 | -21 |
| 3 | -- | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 1939 | -145 |
| 4 | -- | Carl Edwards | 1856 | -228 |
| 5 | 4 | Denny Hamlin | 1800 | -284 |
| 6 | 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 1799 | -285 |
| 7 | -2 | Greg Biffle | 1781 | -303 |
| 8 | -2 | Jeff Gordon | 1767 | -317 |
| 9 | 3 | Kasey Kahne | 1719 | -365 |
| 10 | -- | Kevin Harvick | 1690 | -394 |
| 11 | -3 | Clint Bowyer | 1679 | -405 |
| 12 | -1 | Tony Stewart | 1614 | -470 |
Here's the Chase Bubble Spot Look:
| 8 | -2 | Jeff Gordon | 1767 | 153 |
| 9 | 3 | Kasey Kahne | 1719 | 105 |
| 10 | -- | Kevin Harvick | 1690 | 76 |
| 11 | -3 | Clint Bowyer | 1679 | 65 |
| 12 | -1 | Tony Stewart | 1614 | 0 |
| 13 | -- | David Ragan | 1607 | -7 |
| 14 | -- | Ryan Newman | 1604 | -10 |
| 15 | 1 | Matt Kenseth | 1580 | -34 |
| 16 | -1 | Martin Truex Jr. | 1558 | -56 |
| 17 | 2 | Brian Vickers | 1502 | -112 |
Petty Enterprises To Be Run by Equity Firm, Labonte Extends Contract
It's the end of an era as NASCAR fans know it. Petty Enterprises will be run by Boston Ventures, a private equity firm, who's bought controlling interest in the team.
Despite this change in leadershup, Richard Petty will remain involved in the organization. Barry Baker, the managing director of Boston Ventures, will become PE's new chairman while David Zucker will be the CEO.
Additionally, with the company changing hands, Bobby Labonte has signed a four-year extension with Petty Enterprises.
Who's Boston Ventures? Boston Ventures invests in media and entertainment (And now motorsports). Its past investments include Motown Records, Six Flags Entertainment, Billboard Publications, Continental Cablevision and American Media Inc., publisher of The National Enquirer. (Eww)
OK. So who's this David Zucker guy? Up until March, Zucker had been CEO of Midway Games (video games). Previous to that, he was president and CEO of Playboy Enterprises and from 1988-1999 he was an executive vice president at ESPN under the Walt Disney Corporation. He also was director of ESPN International.
Bruce's Take:
And again, an outside business invests in yet another team who has to do this to maintain viability in the sport. At what point will the outside investors start to look for outside outside investors? What happened to a sport who's purse winnings helped pay a team to stay competitive? It seems that competing in NASCAR is just becoming a marketing tool for the hood and fender decals these days since the shops can't afford to spend the funds necessary to stay competitive. I could be wrong, but that's just my emotional reaction to this development. Somewhere down the road, it will be APPLE racing vs The Wall Street Journal racing teams.
You know what I do see, or more to the point, predict? Kyle Petty can sit back and actually just drive the car. The one year he did that, his performance improved greatly over his present output. If that's what he does. It would be a mistake to have him still do both now that they have an outside corporate structure. He needs to choose what he wants to do. I like him in the TNT booth. It gives us some pretty fresh, competitive perspective. I wouldn't mind if he went that direction.
Source: USA Today
Despite this change in leadershup, Richard Petty will remain involved in the organization. Barry Baker, the managing director of Boston Ventures, will become PE's new chairman while David Zucker will be the CEO.
Additionally, with the company changing hands, Bobby Labonte has signed a four-year extension with Petty Enterprises.
Who's Boston Ventures? Boston Ventures invests in media and entertainment (And now motorsports). Its past investments include Motown Records, Six Flags Entertainment, Billboard Publications, Continental Cablevision and American Media Inc., publisher of The National Enquirer. (Eww)
OK. So who's this David Zucker guy? Up until March, Zucker had been CEO of Midway Games (video games). Previous to that, he was president and CEO of Playboy Enterprises and from 1988-1999 he was an executive vice president at ESPN under the Walt Disney Corporation. He also was director of ESPN International.
Bruce's Take:
And again, an outside business invests in yet another team who has to do this to maintain viability in the sport. At what point will the outside investors start to look for outside outside investors? What happened to a sport who's purse winnings helped pay a team to stay competitive? It seems that competing in NASCAR is just becoming a marketing tool for the hood and fender decals these days since the shops can't afford to spend the funds necessary to stay competitive. I could be wrong, but that's just my emotional reaction to this development. Somewhere down the road, it will be APPLE racing vs The Wall Street Journal racing teams.
You know what I do see, or more to the point, predict? Kyle Petty can sit back and actually just drive the car. The one year he did that, his performance improved greatly over his present output. If that's what he does. It would be a mistake to have him still do both now that they have an outside corporate structure. He needs to choose what he wants to do. I like him in the TNT booth. It gives us some pretty fresh, competitive perspective. I wouldn't mind if he went that direction.
Source: USA Today
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
NASCAR Finds Themselves In a Discrimination Suit
An ex technical inspector for the Nationwide Series is suing NASCAR for $225 million, where she reports that she was on the receiving end of racial and sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful termination.
Mauricia Grant said she loved her job but there was an ongoing daily pattern of abuse during her tenure in the ranks of NASCAR from January 2005 until October of 2007 when she was let go.
She cites fascinating nicknames that the officiating staff used to reference her (You can follow the link because I am not putting that here) and various unwanted sexual advances.
The lawsuit lists 23 specific incidents of alleged sexual harassment and 34 specific incidents of alleged racial and gender discrimination.
Here's what I'm thinking: If this is true, this is going to really hurt NASCAR's image as an equal opportunity employer and their Drive for Diversity. On the other hand, I'm surprised at the allegations. My own perceptions from my few visits at the tracks or watching television, I have a hard time wrapping my mind around this. She sites very specific incidents in the article I've linked to, and some of the items just shock me that someone would actually say or do some of these things, period. Then again, I live a sheltered life inside my lab hole at work.
Like I always like to say, Time will be the telling factor in this matter.
Source: FoxSports
Mauricia Grant said she loved her job but there was an ongoing daily pattern of abuse during her tenure in the ranks of NASCAR from January 2005 until October of 2007 when she was let go.
She cites fascinating nicknames that the officiating staff used to reference her (You can follow the link because I am not putting that here) and various unwanted sexual advances.
The lawsuit lists 23 specific incidents of alleged sexual harassment and 34 specific incidents of alleged racial and gender discrimination.
Here's what I'm thinking: If this is true, this is going to really hurt NASCAR's image as an equal opportunity employer and their Drive for Diversity. On the other hand, I'm surprised at the allegations. My own perceptions from my few visits at the tracks or watching television, I have a hard time wrapping my mind around this. She sites very specific incidents in the article I've linked to, and some of the items just shock me that someone would actually say or do some of these things, period. Then again, I live a sheltered life inside my lab hole at work.
Like I always like to say, Time will be the telling factor in this matter.
Source: FoxSports
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Kahne Wins the Pocono 500
Coming back from a miscue in the pits which set him back to the back of the pack, Kasey Kahne worked his way back up into the winners circle, followed by Brian Vickers, Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Burton rounding out the top five finishers.
Of note: Kyle Busch wrecked early coming out of turn three and pulled up in front of Jamie McMurray clipping McMurray's nose resulting in Kyle smacking the outside wall, needing almost the entire front end replaced.. this relegated Kyle to 43rd for the day. I'm waiting for someone to question if it was an exhaustion issue from running the other races Friday and Saturday, though I personally doubt it. Those younger kids are pretty resilient.
Greg Biffle was having a good day and a late race pit road speeding penalty took him out of the contest and into 15th. Tony Stewart was also caught speeding and he ended up 35th.
An interesting set of observations: 12 minutes into the pre-race broadcast TNT had some interesting sound issues, and all I heard from the peanut gallery in my home was,"They're screwing up already?". Things happen.
The more curious event was when Juan Pablo Montoya's car caught on fire. He pulled past pit road and stopped in front of the emergency crews and extricated himself safely, but then the emergency crew stood around chatting with Montoya, extinguishers in hand while the back end of the car was making like a giant birthday candle. Everyone was OK, so it wasn't an issue, but it just seemed odd.
Otherwise it was a quiet, long race from Pocono and I have to wonder when they just may repave the whole track and not just strips of it in turn three.
Unofficial Results over at NASCAR.
Of note: Kyle Busch wrecked early coming out of turn three and pulled up in front of Jamie McMurray clipping McMurray's nose resulting in Kyle smacking the outside wall, needing almost the entire front end replaced.. this relegated Kyle to 43rd for the day. I'm waiting for someone to question if it was an exhaustion issue from running the other races Friday and Saturday, though I personally doubt it. Those younger kids are pretty resilient.
Greg Biffle was having a good day and a late race pit road speeding penalty took him out of the contest and into 15th. Tony Stewart was also caught speeding and he ended up 35th.
An interesting set of observations: 12 minutes into the pre-race broadcast TNT had some interesting sound issues, and all I heard from the peanut gallery in my home was,"They're screwing up already?". Things happen.
The more curious event was when Juan Pablo Montoya's car caught on fire. He pulled past pit road and stopped in front of the emergency crews and extricated himself safely, but then the emergency crew stood around chatting with Montoya, extinguishers in hand while the back end of the car was making like a giant birthday candle. Everyone was OK, so it wasn't an issue, but it just seemed odd.
Otherwise it was a quiet, long race from Pocono and I have to wonder when they just may repave the whole track and not just strips of it in turn three.
Unofficial Results over at NASCAR.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
A Sports Journalist Legend Passes Away - Jim McKay
Jim McKay, the venerable and eloquent sportscaster thrust into the role of telling Americans about the tragedy at the 1972 Munich Olympics, has died. He was 86.
The voice of many a sport, including our beloved NASCAR, just had an emotional hole open up as Jim McKay left this world today.
In 1961 he started his forty year career as host of ABC's "Wide World of Sports" and was the voice we heard in the intro to the show, as we all remember, ".. the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" as that unknown skier (To me) goes for his infamous cartwheel.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his friends and his peers.
Source: AP
The voice of many a sport, including our beloved NASCAR, just had an emotional hole open up as Jim McKay left this world today.
In 1961 he started his forty year career as host of ABC's "Wide World of Sports" and was the voice we heard in the intro to the show, as we all remember, ".. the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" as that unknown skier (To me) goes for his infamous cartwheel.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his friends and his peers.
Source: AP
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Race in Texas
Last night I tuned in for the last 40, long, slow laps of the truck race in Texas.
The excitement hit in the last few laps as Kyle Busch had gotten up behind Ron Hornaday Jr. and they announcers said the only thing Hornaday didn't need was a yellow flag. That's because on the green flag restarts Kyle made up spots in his usual, quick, furtive style after taking the green.
Sure enough, as if on cue, Scott Speed became Scott 'in the wall' and a yellow came out.
Now I was wondering what was going to happen. Would the ace restarter in NASCAR hold off the kid who's gotten pretty good at making up spots on the restart?
Whew! Ron Hornaday Jr. did what he does best and took the green flag and pulled away to win the Sam's Town 400 at Texas. Those who followed behind him was Kyle Busch, Johnny Benson, Jack Sprague and Todd Bodine to round out the top 5 and with this win, Hornaday takes over the points lead in the truck series.
Race Results
Standings
Article - http://www.nascar.com
An observation: When I tuned into the Speed Channel coverage of the race, it had the strangest atmosphere of dull, boring low toned coverage. Maybe it was just me coming off of playing a video game, but when I turned on the TV, it was so uninteresting sounding. It was probably just me, because that seemed unusual for their coverage. The other odd thing I did note was that in the closing 10 laps, you can see Ron Hornaday Jr. putting space between him and the 2nd place truck of Kyle Busch, but the announcers tried confusing me (It's all about me, you know) because they said Kyle was closing the distance, when in fact he wasn't. Ug... Weird night.
The excitement hit in the last few laps as Kyle Busch had gotten up behind Ron Hornaday Jr. and they announcers said the only thing Hornaday didn't need was a yellow flag. That's because on the green flag restarts Kyle made up spots in his usual, quick, furtive style after taking the green.
Sure enough, as if on cue, Scott Speed became Scott 'in the wall' and a yellow came out.
Now I was wondering what was going to happen. Would the ace restarter in NASCAR hold off the kid who's gotten pretty good at making up spots on the restart?
Whew! Ron Hornaday Jr. did what he does best and took the green flag and pulled away to win the Sam's Town 400 at Texas. Those who followed behind him was Kyle Busch, Johnny Benson, Jack Sprague and Todd Bodine to round out the top 5 and with this win, Hornaday takes over the points lead in the truck series.
Race Results
Standings
Article - http://www.nascar.com
An observation: When I tuned into the Speed Channel coverage of the race, it had the strangest atmosphere of dull, boring low toned coverage. Maybe it was just me coming off of playing a video game, but when I turned on the TV, it was so uninteresting sounding. It was probably just me, because that seemed unusual for their coverage. The other odd thing I did note was that in the closing 10 laps, you can see Ron Hornaday Jr. putting space between him and the 2nd place truck of Kyle Busch, but the announcers tried confusing me (It's all about me, you know) because they said Kyle was closing the distance, when in fact he wasn't. Ug... Weird night.
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