Feb 16 2009
It looks like lap 125 of the 2009 Daytona 500 will be with us for a while.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brian Vickers got together and caused a wreck-fest, the Big One, if you will. Whether it’s ultimately remembered as the Lap 125 Caffeine Crash, Red Bull vs. Amp Energy Drink, or just another no-brainer dumb move by the driver of your choice, remains to be seen. Continue Reading »
Aug 23 2008
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. – as often pointed out by his distracters – was the beneficiary of one of the greatest names in NASCAR history. And, after last year’s public tussle with stepmother Teresa, it may be that his inheritance is his name and his driving ability, along with the lessons a father hands over to his son.But, it looks a lot like he may have also inherited his father’s generosity, as well as his tendency to quietly mentor younger drivers.
We hear about JR Motorsports on a regular basis. Some of the better known:
But, we don’t hear so much about the Late Model operation at JR Motorsports. It’s where Dale Jr. runs a development program, mentoring up and coming drivers and giving them the chance to learn and grow into bigger things.
Junior cut his racing teeth in the Late Model division. It’s where he built the cars he drove, where he worked with his half-brother Kerry and drove against Kerry and sister Kelley. Continue Reading »
Aug 10 2008
August 10, 2008 - Today’s win marks Kyle Busch’s eighth in his stellar 2008 season – so far. Joe Gibbs did him a huge favor by recognizing his talent and putting him with the very capable #18 team. And Kyle has responded by leaving the competition in the dirt (or wall) at every opportunity. So much so that by the third race of the season, the race media looked ready to hand him the championship trophy.
But, the season is not over just yet. Four races remain until the Chase, then 10 more to the end of the season. Kyle is sitting solidly at the top of the points standings, but there’s more to prove before claiming the big trophy. In fact, there are plenty of reasons why he may not even get a close look at it – and here are the top five:
#5) The competition. Other top drivers are closing the points gap on Kyle – and they ARE top drivers. The biggest names in the sport are not likely to lie still and wait for their whipping from Busch. They are fierce competitors with championship trophies of their own – the likes of Gordon, Johnson and Stewart. They have sponsors, owners and crew chiefs who want the best from them, and they will do their best to deliver. Continue Reading »
Apr 26 2008
Saidhead60 has made several guest appearances, always with a direct message and a refreshing point of view. This is her first post of the current NASCAR season…welcome back.
Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes – or in this case, drove a mile in his car! Maybe ‘fair weather fans’ can judge Boris Said’s entire career reputation by one incident – but, I refuse to turn against the guy – yet. Of course, the ‘incident’ in question is the Marcos Ambrose/Boris Said ‘row’ during last weekend’s road race in Mexico City.
After reading MANY post-race comments on NASCAR-related web forums, I was surprised by how many are suddenly ‘anti-Said’. It seems a good percentage of race fans, and at least one RacingOne journalist, are shocked by Said’s “dangerous threats” and “childish behavior.” The words ‘classless’, ‘whining,’ and ‘baby’ popped-up more than once.
Now, I’m NOT saying I think Boris is right or wrong in this situation. What I am saying is…I can understand where he’s coming from. Boris obviously feel strongly that Ambrose took him out intentionally. And, because Boris has never struck me as a driver who blames his bad luck or crappy performances on others – I have to ask myself, “Why would he start now?” Continue Reading »
Oct 26 2007
What is it that makes the Busch brothers, Kurt and Kyle, such controversial figures in the world of NASCAR? Are they really bad, or do we fans have a need for someone to boo and blame?
They have a lot of good things going for them. For instance:
Oct 21 2007
When he started the September 16 race, Clint Bowyer was a very likable guy who had never won a Cup race. He had a good enough season to make the last place in the Chase, but was not considered a viable championship contender. Vegas odds-makers had him finishing the season in 12th place, last among the Chase contenders. And his fan base was definitely outside the top 12.
But he won the Loudon race. And four races later he is one of only three drivers still in the running for the series championship.
To be truthful, I wasn’t wearing my Clint Bowyer t-shirt that day.
Aug 16 2007
A really wide swing of the racing pendulum took me from the Turn 3 Race Team’s palatial campsite at Texas Motor Speedway last April. Off I went to a city park in Fort Worth to lend a hand as a coach at a Soap Box Derby car-building workshop. It seemed like it would be a meaningful experience with the added hook of a rumored appearance by Jimmie Johnson, winner of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship.I should explain that my invitation didn’t come because I am a seasoned veteran of Soap Box Derby construction. I was just expected to follow instructions and pass on the basics of mechanical theory – lefty-loosey, righty-tighty – to a teenager whose background had not included a parent to share this basic knowledge.
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