Full Throttle

Mike Mulhern, before I get to what earned you the title of Whiner of the Week, I want to correct an error well, let me rephrase that, let me correct a misconception contained the first paragraph of Fridays Journal article.

At one time, when NASCAR men talked about South of the Border they probably were talking about the tourist stop off Interstate 95 south of the North Carolina border.

Maybe, to some people, but not to those that know a bit of NASCAR’s history.

When NASCAR men talked about South of the Border they referred to a Mexican Road Race, the Carrera Panamericana (link is to the 2008 edition). First held in 1950 it celebrated the opening of the Pan American highway from border to border through Mexico. Bill France Sr. teamed with Curtis Turner to drive in the 2,178 mile race the first year. (Monte Dutton has posted an excellent photo of Hershel McGriff’s 1950 winning Oldsmobile 88)

More on that race in a later post.

Lets get to the Verbal Chardonnay committed:

However, NASCAR’s Mexico City venture could be fizzling. The number of top drivers making the trip appears to be dwindling, and the two best NASCAR road racers — Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart — continue to snub the race.

First of all if Gordon and Stewart continue to snub the event, and records indicate they have not gone south, how can they be part of any “fizzling” of support for the race?

However, the point that wins the Whine of the Week is an attempt at having it both ways. For the last several years the cacophany heard over Cup drivers invading Busch and now the Nationwide series, including Mulhern and a cast of thousands, has been non-stop.

No matter how hard anyone tries you just can’t have it both ways. To complain about drivers not attending the Mexico City event now is silly, and to base your argument using two drivers as examples that have never raced there is ludicrous.

And with that the Half-Vast Staff™ of Full Throttle salute you on the Whine of the Week. (with Mad Dog 20/20)

UPDATE: Come on down Kenny Bruce and accept your “award” for runner-up Whine of the Week. Kenny makes some good points on the current state of competitiveness in Sprint Cup, but his basic premise and this closing line rates as the “winner” of the runner-up position: “So forget about more front-end downforce. Forget about allowing more testing. Because it’s not up to NASCAR to make the races more competitive. In the end, it’s up to the teams.”

EXCUSE me, aside from safety, making the Cup series more competitive by designing and introducing the new car was the point and they DID take responsibility.

Kenny, the Half-Vast Staff™ of Full Throttle salutes you also.