28th February 2007

NASCAR: “A Democrat versus Republican Thing”

I’m not sure the reasoning offered by Adele Ferguson for opposition to NASCAR’s and its twisted sister ISC’s plans for a track in Kitsap County is valid, but it has a certain odor of authenticity.

In an editorial in the Port Orchard Independent Ferguson asks when the issue had “become a political hassle between the Democrats and the Republicans?”

She correctly identifies, with few exceptions, those in opposition are Democrats and those in favor are Republicans. Unsubstantiated rumors were floated the Democratic party would not support any candidate who was for NASCAR.

Although the rumors were never proven to be true Kitsap County Commissioner Jan Angel was quoted as saying:

posted in Commentary, NASCAR | 7 Comments

28th February 2007

Remember That Danica to NASCAR Ploy?

How could you forget, but for those that spent last year on an Outer Mongolia sabbatical here’s a refresher.

During contract talks with her then current IndyCar Series team the press ran 6 weeks worth of rumors (pumped up by hot air provided by her father) she was considering a jump to NASCAR. The rumor cycle ended when she was quoted as saying the 36 week NASCAR schedule and its physical demands weren’t to her liking, followed shortly thereafter by a new IndyCar contract signing.

Keep those complaints of NASCAR’s “physical demands” in mind as you read these Danica quotes describing why she won’t be driving in the 12 Hours of Sebring sports car race March 12th:

“What it came down to was a safety thing,” Patrick told host Dave Despain on SPEED’s “Wind Tunnel” show.

“I have to make sure I am in shape to go into Homestead, the first race of the year (March 24), for the series I am driving in. And just with the size of me and everything, it (car) didn’t fit properly, so maybe somewhere down the road. And Le Mans . . . I haven’t worked on that one yet.”

Huh!

12 days between events and she’s concerned about her physical condition? After an event she would at most drive for a maximum of 4 hours and possibly as low as 3 in a four man, er driver team?

Excuse me!

And speaking of “somewhere down the road,” I think we have been down the “size of me” road before. If mammary, er…ah, memory serves she’s had complaints about 6 point shoulder harnesses and being in a “constant state of excruciating pain and discomfort” previously.

Or I could be wrong. Or she could be.

Or maybe I’m the one in a “constant state of excruciating pain and discomfort”

But, all is not lost. Danca and her look alike still look good. For what it’s worth.


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posted in IRL, NASCAR | 4 Comments

27th February 2007

Razorback Dreams of NASCAR

Razorback LogoInvestors are making the rounds of towns and cities in Arkansas with the possibility that a NASCAR track could be built in the area.

Investors said they have approached officials in Bentonville, asking about the number of hotels and restaurants in northwest Arkansas.

“I think they felt like this area was growing to a point where they needed to take a look at that kind of amenity,” said Bentonville Chamber of Commerce spokesman Ed Clifford.

(Ah huh, and have they looked at the NASCAR schedule that has zero “amenities” for the foreseeable future - ed)

NASCAR already has a presence in Bentonville a possible location of a new facility. They work closely with Wal-Mart to supply the retailer with NASCAR-licensed products. Many welcome the idea of a race track, even if it’s paved right across the border.

(Oh yea, that’s a “good” selling point, NASCAR-licensed products at Wal-Mart. If that’s the criteria why not try Jiaxing? Bet they have a few Robbie Gordon bobblehead dolls in stock and probably manufactured just down the street.)

Investors said they are not interested in building a track in Benton County because it is a dry county.

Well now, that seals the deal. Jiaxing it is.

NOTE, to my dear readers: Frankly I don’t have the heart to do it, but if one of you can send these “investers” (and porcine lovers) a CLUE I’d much appreciate it. And if you could, let’em know I have a basketball autographed by “Geese” Ausbie I could part with for the right price. (and after the ink dries)

UPDATE: These same investors have crossed the border into Missouri looking for sites in the Show Me State. Investors have contacted some landowners and plan to perform core drills to see if land parcels they’ve identified would be suitable for a track. Test results will not be ready for at least two months, Anderson, MO., Mayor Corcoran said.

“Every night I get down and say a little prayer that I hope this happens,” he said.


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posted in NASCAR | 6 Comments

26th February 2007

Auto Racing: Making Connections

One of my favorite TV shows of years past (I ain’t sayin’ how past) was Connections.

It was a serial documentary produced by the BBC, aired by PBS and was based on a book of the same name authored by James Burke.

Connections was focused primarily on series of “serendipitous” events that led scientific discoverers or inventors to the development of major ideas or machines that have had a great impact on modern life.

The best example I can give is via this short video where Burke makes a direct scientific connection between ancient Arab square sailed ships and the detonation of the atomic bomb at Hiroshima in 1945. Also, see if you can answer this question as posed in the sidebar of that page: How was Napoleon important to the development of the modern computer? (And no, Waterloo and Microsoft isn’t the correct answer. But I bet many thought so.)

Puzzled yet?

If not, try these connections of my own making on for size as they relate to auto racing and leads to a current news event. Note these aren’t in chronological order but by similarity of subject matter.

Lee Petty & Juan Manuel Fangio. Ayrton Senna & Dale Earnhardt. Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) & Stock Car Racing. Bernie Ecclestone & Big Bill France. FIA & NASCAR. And finally, the world-wide 10,000lb gorilla called Formula One & the American 10,000lb gorilla called NASCAR.

Give up yet? As Burke’s connections do, they all seem to be

posted in Commentary, Formula One, NASCAR | 3 Comments

26th February 2007

Jack Roush, Don’t Look Now…

Would it be safe to say the “honeymoon” between Jack Roush and new partner and investor John W. Henry will be of short duration?

As background, Henry is THE major domo behind the Boston Red Sox and his new partnership with Roush has not only infused some major cash into the racing operation but a new name as well, Roush Fenway Racing.

David Ortiz, Red Sox designated hitter/first baseman can’t become a free agent until 2011 and has watched a number of his teammates rake in millions in new contract extensions.

Henry looking to soothe the ego of his star gave Ortiz a new pick-up truck when reporting for spring training. Not just any truck, but a brand new Toyota Tundra pick-up truck.

Oops! Someone better keep Jack busy and burn all the newspapers within 500 yards.

Babe Ruth (originally a Red Sox) was once quoted as saying, “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.”

Mr. Henry… methinks you have your first strike.


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posted in NASCAR | 4 Comments

25th February 2007

Fontana: Get Out the Brooms and Dustpans

Martin Truex Jr

I didn’t see Matt Kenseth’s crew chief or Jack Roush brandishing any NHL-like brooms after he crossed under the checkered flag at Fontana, but it would have been a fitting symbol of Kenseth’s clean sweep of the weekends events.

In a weekend that features the Academy Awards Hendrick Motorsports screened a Hollywood type sequel of their own, like Saturday’s Busch Series event, the #17 was chased to the finish line by a Hendrick’s driver, this time pole winner Jeff Gordon.

Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick looked to be in position for a sweep of the first two Cup points events but it wasn’t to be. As the field was readying for the final restart, he suffered a flat left front tire, dropping from second to a 17th place finish.

And then their are the dustpans.

A week after Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a few disparaging remarks about his engine shop and lack of horsepower at Daytona DEI teammate failed to make the 15 lap mark after detonating his engine. Junior also had engine problems that eventually became fatal well before the halfway mark.

“I know the guys at the shop that build the motors are really upset right now. I just want them to keep their heads up, and we will figure it out,” said Earnhardt Jr., who now has two consecutive DNF

posted in NASCAR | 4 Comments

25th February 2007

Toro Rosso Still “Speeding”

Scott Speed will again race for Scuderia Toro Rosso in Formula One this year, the team have confirmed.

The future of the 24 year-old American had been under threat with team co-owner Gerhard Berger insisting he needs to find some more speed from somewhere.

But, following the final day of this week’s testing at Sakhir in Bahrain, the team confirmed that the Red Bull-contracted driver would indeed stay with the team for a second season.

A brief statement said:

posted in Formula One | 1 Comment

24th February 2007

Mark Martin, is it Time for the Jet Fuel Yet?

Geesh… what does it take for Mark Martin to cross the finishline under a checkered flag waving exclusively for him? Obviously not a trip to Fontana.

At least not Friday, maybe Sunday will turn the trick.

Five days after being passed on the last lap and losing to Kevin Harvick by than a hood length, Martin was dominating the NCTS race at California Speedway before Ron Hornaday Jr. bumped him out of the lead on a restart with five laps to go.

Former series champion Mike Skinner jumped past Hornaday into the lead before the caution flag came out and stayed out front, earning his 20th truck victory.

“We have to thank Ron Hornaday,” said Jeff Hensley, Skinner’s crew chief. “Mark Martin had us all covered. We lucked into one.”

Martin, who pitted after spinning into the infield grass, wound up 23rd.

“You know, the thing just kind of lifted up, starting spinning its wheels and I got behind on the steering,” he said. “But that’s OK. We had a good race. That truck was really fast and I had some fun.”

Always the gentleman. To hell with that, it may be time to get out the jet fuel!

Jack Sprague finished third followed by pole winner Carl Edwards, Ted Musgrave, Johnny Benson and 2006 series champion Todd Bodine.


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posted in NASCAR | 6 Comments

23rd February 2007

Beatin’ the NASCAR Cheatin’ Horse Dead

I’d like to say this would be my last post that associates NASCAR with the word cheating.

As long time fans know it’s more likely to find Rochfort and Gorgonzola on the dark side of the moon than see all cheating stop. The term itself is confusing. As Eddie Wood, co-owner of Wood Brothers Racing tells it there

posted in NASCAR | 0 Comments

23rd February 2007

A Neophytes View of NASCAR

Graeme Fletcher is a self admitted neophyte on the subject of NASCAR and in particular Daytona.

He arrived at Daytona last week “expecting to find 200,000 yokels,” but upon reflection he had a “rather myopic view” and far from reality. It’s an interesting read that includes a prime Richard Petty quote and a funny anecdote that occurred during a Speed interview with Richard Childress.

I’ll leave it for you to read but here’s my favorite section:

It all stands in stark contrast to Formula One’s overpaid prima donnas and the accelerated pace laps they call racing.

The other major difference is that NASCAR drivers are readily accessible and actually appear to think something of the fans who pay a pretty sum to watch them.

By comparison, F1 drivers are the epitome of the aloof, ego-driven, don’t-give-a-tinker’s-damn attitude that’s killing the series.

Ah… yea, what he said.

From the long-time NASCAR fan side of this equation comes this “strange” headline that ledes a story about fans that attended the Fontana Racefest Thursday:

“Fans brave harsh weather for hours to meet the stars at Racefest”

Huh… “harsh” weather? It drizzled rain, that’s it. The headline writer must be one of those Left Coasters that that drive every which way but straight when three rain drops hit the I-5 tarmac.


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posted in NASCAR | 3 Comments

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