When I found out this week that NASCAR Scene had laid off its staff and announced it was ceasing publication for good,I was saddened by this news. Every week,I enjoyed the information and the pictures that graced Scene from cover to cover. I enjoyed reading updates along with interviews and profiles from the NASCAR world along with thought-provoking commentaries by staff writers. Sadly,that will no longer happen.
Scene subscribers will be transferred to the same company's NASCAR Illustrated,a monthly publication. I enjoy NASCAR Illustrated but it will not be the same without Scene. The present economic realities have adversely affected NASCAR and the publications that report about it. Scene had been a fixture in NASCAR for many years as a source trusted by NASCAR drivers, decision makers,and fans. It is indeed the loss of what to me served as a friend and companion in the years I was a subscriber. Hopefully, a new weekly publication reporting the latest happenings in NASCAR will emerge. Even if that does happen,it will have some very big shoes to fill,as Scene was without a doubt a reliable source and a well-written publication admired and respected by fans,drivers,and decision makers.
I will miss Scene. Farewell, my old friend. It was a great ride. Thank you for the wonderful memories you have left us.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Travesty at Talladega
Sunday's race at Talladega Superspeedway was by far a disgrace. Traditionally one of the most popular and most exciting races on the NASCAR circuit, this race was probably the worst in the track's history. It all began when NASCAR's Mike Helton announced at the drivers' meeting before the race that bump-drafting would not be allowed. This rightly infuriated most of the drivers and many fans. Dale Earnhardt Sr must have been laughing from beyond the grave as this is how he won many races at Talladega and other tracks. It's called racing, Mr.Helton.
Now, NASCAR races must be as exciting as maypole dances and everybody must be nice and sweet so they don't upset the sponsors. Drivers are no longer allowed to be human. The Car of Tomorrow,or COT,has also made the racing quite boring, unless of course you're the driver of the #48 car. Most people like variety and are bored with the same driver winning nearly every race and consecutive championships. NASCAR just looks the other way despite the consistent cheating or at least "envelope pushing" by the crew chief of the #48 car. The Chase is another exercise in idiocy. The old points system was much more fair. 43 drivers competed for the championship instead of 12. Playoff systems make sense for stick and ball sports,but not for racing. The top 35 rule should be scrapped. All 43 drivers should qualify on speed in order to create a level playing field.
After a boring session of follow the leader and no real racing,it culminated with a string of accidents,the most shocking involving Ryan Newman,who fortunately walked away safely from his mangled car. I agree very strongly with Newman's post-accident comments when he rightly took NASCAR to task for their idiotic rules and making the racing boring for the fans.
Hopefully this will serve as a wake-up call for NASCAR to shape up or the downward spiral will continue as race attendance keeps declining along with TV ratings. Mr.Helton's actions along with a weak defense of the status quo by Ramsey Poston against a refreshingly honest assessment of the state of NASCAR by commentators Kyle Petty,Jimmy Spencer,and Larry McReynolds indicate that NASCAR has yet to come out of its state of denial.
UPDATE : It appears,according to Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin and published reports, that Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon appeared to have a lot of influence in getting NASCAR to ban bump-drafting during the Talladega race. If this is true,it confirms suspicions that Hendrick Motorsports and apparently one of their drivers have a great deal of pull with NASCAR. Isn't it convenient that Jeff Gordon is listed as owner of the #48 car driven by teammate Jimmie Johnson,who is poised to win his fourth straight Cup championship? If these reports are true, NASCAR has no credibility left. It also shows that Hendrick Motorsports will stop at nothing, regardless of how unscrupulous, to win races and championships. This will only cause NASCAR to lose even more fans as I am sure the Talladega fiasco itself has already caused and deservedly so.
Now, NASCAR races must be as exciting as maypole dances and everybody must be nice and sweet so they don't upset the sponsors. Drivers are no longer allowed to be human. The Car of Tomorrow,or COT,has also made the racing quite boring, unless of course you're the driver of the #48 car. Most people like variety and are bored with the same driver winning nearly every race and consecutive championships. NASCAR just looks the other way despite the consistent cheating or at least "envelope pushing" by the crew chief of the #48 car. The Chase is another exercise in idiocy. The old points system was much more fair. 43 drivers competed for the championship instead of 12. Playoff systems make sense for stick and ball sports,but not for racing. The top 35 rule should be scrapped. All 43 drivers should qualify on speed in order to create a level playing field.
After a boring session of follow the leader and no real racing,it culminated with a string of accidents,the most shocking involving Ryan Newman,who fortunately walked away safely from his mangled car. I agree very strongly with Newman's post-accident comments when he rightly took NASCAR to task for their idiotic rules and making the racing boring for the fans.
Hopefully this will serve as a wake-up call for NASCAR to shape up or the downward spiral will continue as race attendance keeps declining along with TV ratings. Mr.Helton's actions along with a weak defense of the status quo by Ramsey Poston against a refreshingly honest assessment of the state of NASCAR by commentators Kyle Petty,Jimmy Spencer,and Larry McReynolds indicate that NASCAR has yet to come out of its state of denial.
UPDATE : It appears,according to Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin and published reports, that Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon appeared to have a lot of influence in getting NASCAR to ban bump-drafting during the Talladega race. If this is true,it confirms suspicions that Hendrick Motorsports and apparently one of their drivers have a great deal of pull with NASCAR. Isn't it convenient that Jeff Gordon is listed as owner of the #48 car driven by teammate Jimmie Johnson,who is poised to win his fourth straight Cup championship? If these reports are true, NASCAR has no credibility left. It also shows that Hendrick Motorsports will stop at nothing, regardless of how unscrupulous, to win races and championships. This will only cause NASCAR to lose even more fans as I am sure the Talladega fiasco itself has already caused and deservedly so.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Good Night,Uncle Walter
Walter Cronkite, legendary TV journalist,died Friday in New York City. He was 92. Mr.Cronkite was an American institution and the dean of American television journalism.
Walter Leland Cronkite,Jr was born in St.Joseph,Missouri. He lived in Kansas City,Missouri,in his early years and moved with his parents to Houston, Texas,when he was ten. Early in his career,he took a job with the Houston Post.
During World War II, he served as a war correspondent. In 1950,he took a job with CBS-TV and the rest is journalistic history. His mentor was the great Edward R. Murrow.
Mr.Cronkite was among the first to report that President John F. Kennedy had been shot and choked back tears when he reported the President's death to a national television audience. Though Cronkite was impartial during his newscasts, he was not shy about making some of his opinions known. During the Vietnam War, Cronkite came out in opposition to the war. The response of President Lyndon B. Johnson was reported to have been, "If I lose Cronkite,I've lost Middle America". Cronkite is well remembered for his coverage of the first time humans walked on the moon. In the 1970s, Cronkite brought the Watergate scandal to the forefront that ultimately resulted in the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon. Cronkite's last newscast came in 1981. In the years since, Cronkite served as the elder statesman of American journalism. He coined the word "anchor" for television newscasters.
I grew up watching Walter Cronkite and have always had a tremendous respect for Mr.Cronkite. I will always remember his signing off with the statement "And that's the way it is". Even if I did not agree with Mr.Cronkite on every issue, he was still a fine man of integrity. Mr.Cronkite was voted the Most Trusted Man In America. He set the standard and helped shape television journalism. Cronkite lost his wife of 65 years in 2005. He is survived by two daughters and a son. Good night,Uncle Walter. You will be missed.
Walter Leland Cronkite,Jr was born in St.Joseph,Missouri. He lived in Kansas City,Missouri,in his early years and moved with his parents to Houston, Texas,when he was ten. Early in his career,he took a job with the Houston Post.
During World War II, he served as a war correspondent. In 1950,he took a job with CBS-TV and the rest is journalistic history. His mentor was the great Edward R. Murrow.
Mr.Cronkite was among the first to report that President John F. Kennedy had been shot and choked back tears when he reported the President's death to a national television audience. Though Cronkite was impartial during his newscasts, he was not shy about making some of his opinions known. During the Vietnam War, Cronkite came out in opposition to the war. The response of President Lyndon B. Johnson was reported to have been, "If I lose Cronkite,I've lost Middle America". Cronkite is well remembered for his coverage of the first time humans walked on the moon. In the 1970s, Cronkite brought the Watergate scandal to the forefront that ultimately resulted in the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon. Cronkite's last newscast came in 1981. In the years since, Cronkite served as the elder statesman of American journalism. He coined the word "anchor" for television newscasters.
I grew up watching Walter Cronkite and have always had a tremendous respect for Mr.Cronkite. I will always remember his signing off with the statement "And that's the way it is". Even if I did not agree with Mr.Cronkite on every issue, he was still a fine man of integrity. Mr.Cronkite was voted the Most Trusted Man In America. He set the standard and helped shape television journalism. Cronkite lost his wife of 65 years in 2005. He is survived by two daughters and a son. Good night,Uncle Walter. You will be missed.
Friday, July 10, 2009
More Thoughts About Kyle Busch
Will Kyle Busch ever grow up? He never takes responsibility for anything. Now he blames Tony Stewart for Busch's last lap crash at Daytona International Raceway in last week's Coke Zero 400 Sprint Cup race. Busch was a victim of his own impatience and made a poorly calculated move. Busch only has himself to blame. Stewart thought he was in the clear but Busch abruptly cut in front of Stewart and ended up against the wall and in the infield. Stewart tried avoiding contact with Busch but Busch's sudden move seemingly caught Stewart off guard.
Busch showed at Thursday's press conference at Chicagoland Speedway that he was still upset with Stewart and blamed him for the wreck. Busch seems to have contradicted himself. Busch said earlier this week that he and Stewart were "on the same page", then Busch later blamed Stewart for the incident. Tony Stewart took the high road. He even called Kyle Busch after the race and asked him if he was OK . Busch's immature and ungrateful attitude showed at the press conference. Kyle Busch is an immensely talented driver but he needs an attitude adjustment. He must become man enough to admit when he makes a mistake and not always blame others for his own actions. Kyle Busch has not completely matured. He has shown this week that he still has a long way to go.
Busch showed at Thursday's press conference at Chicagoland Speedway that he was still upset with Stewart and blamed him for the wreck. Busch seems to have contradicted himself. Busch said earlier this week that he and Stewart were "on the same page", then Busch later blamed Stewart for the incident. Tony Stewart took the high road. He even called Kyle Busch after the race and asked him if he was OK . Busch's immature and ungrateful attitude showed at the press conference. Kyle Busch is an immensely talented driver but he needs an attitude adjustment. He must become man enough to admit when he makes a mistake and not always blame others for his own actions. Kyle Busch has not completely matured. He has shown this week that he still has a long way to go.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Congratulations, Joey Logano
I must admit I was skeptical at the beginning of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, when the media kept talking about a new young sensation from Middletown,Connecticut,named Joey Logano. I thought it was mostly hype and some of Logano's early season finishes convinced me of that even more but recently, Logano has impressed me with his finishes. On Sunday at his home track at a race shortened by rain, Logano won his first NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire International Raceway. Logano is the driver of the number 20 Home Depot Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing,previously driven by Tony Stewart,who came to Victory Lane to congratulate Logano, and Logano's crew chief Greg Zipadelli,who was Stewart's crew chief for ten NASCAR Cup seasons.
I am glad that Logano has proven me wrong. I expressed that hope before the season began. Congratulations,Joey Logano. May this be the first of many wins for Logano in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. At 19, Logano is the youngest winner ever in the NASCAR Cup series.
I am impressed by Logano's classy and grateful attitude along with his humility. He never lashes out at his pit crew or other drivers. Some drivers could learn a few things from Logano.
I am glad that Logano has proven me wrong. I expressed that hope before the season began. Congratulations,Joey Logano. May this be the first of many wins for Logano in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. At 19, Logano is the youngest winner ever in the NASCAR Cup series.
I am impressed by Logano's classy and grateful attitude along with his humility. He never lashes out at his pit crew or other drivers. Some drivers could learn a few things from Logano.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Goodbye,Ed,Farrah,And Michael
This week,we lost three well-known people whose lives were part of ours. Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson's longtime sidekick,died at age 86. Actress Farrah Fawcett,probably best known for her work on the TV series "Charlie's Angels", lost her courageous battle with cancer at age 62. Pop icon Michael Jackson died Thursday in a death that shocked the world. He was 50.
I grew up watching Ed McMahon on "The Tonight Show" when Johnny Carson was host. I loved the sound of Mr.McMahon's laugh and the chemistry he and Johnny Carson had made them bond well with each other and their audience. Mr. McMahon also hosted the syndicated program "Star Search", a sort of forerunner to "American Idol". Of course, Mr. McMahon will also be remembered for saying "Heeeere's Johnny!" at the beginning of every show Johnny Carson hosted. Rest In Peace, Ed. Thanks for the laughs and the memories.
Farrah Fawcett died on Thursday after a battle with cancer and after the courage and fighting spirit she showed during her final months. Probably best known for her work on the 1970s detective series "Charlie's Angels", Ms. Fawcett's poster hung in the rooms of many teenage boys. She also starred in many dramatic works that earned her praise for her strong performances. In the final months of her life, Ms. Fawcett showed courage,determination,and strength in the face of life-threatening illness. She shared her struggle in the program "Farrah's Story". Rest in peace,Farrah. Your story inspires us all.
I was deeply shocked when I learned of Michael Jackson's death on Thursday. I like his earlier music,as he did with his brothers as part of the Jackson Five, along with his popular songs of the late 1970s and early 1980s. In more recent years, Mr.Jackson dealt with controversy such as his trial on child molestation charges,of which he was cleared. He was planning a tour of Europe in July, including a string of concerts in London. Rest in peace,Michael. Thanks for the music and the memories.
I grew up watching Ed McMahon on "The Tonight Show" when Johnny Carson was host. I loved the sound of Mr.McMahon's laugh and the chemistry he and Johnny Carson had made them bond well with each other and their audience. Mr. McMahon also hosted the syndicated program "Star Search", a sort of forerunner to "American Idol". Of course, Mr. McMahon will also be remembered for saying "Heeeere's Johnny!" at the beginning of every show Johnny Carson hosted. Rest In Peace, Ed. Thanks for the laughs and the memories.
Farrah Fawcett died on Thursday after a battle with cancer and after the courage and fighting spirit she showed during her final months. Probably best known for her work on the 1970s detective series "Charlie's Angels", Ms. Fawcett's poster hung in the rooms of many teenage boys. She also starred in many dramatic works that earned her praise for her strong performances. In the final months of her life, Ms. Fawcett showed courage,determination,and strength in the face of life-threatening illness. She shared her struggle in the program "Farrah's Story". Rest in peace,Farrah. Your story inspires us all.
I was deeply shocked when I learned of Michael Jackson's death on Thursday. I like his earlier music,as he did with his brothers as part of the Jackson Five, along with his popular songs of the late 1970s and early 1980s. In more recent years, Mr.Jackson dealt with controversy such as his trial on child molestation charges,of which he was cleared. He was planning a tour of Europe in July, including a string of concerts in London. Rest in peace,Michael. Thanks for the music and the memories.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Thoughts About Kyle Busch
I am sure that most people who saw the aftermath of Saturday night's Nationwide series race at Nashville Speedway in Lebanon,Tennessee,must have been shocked,saddened,and angered by the appalling and outrageous conduct shown by Kyle Busch when he smashed a Gibson guitar that he was given after winning the race.
Artist Sam Bass,contrary to earlier reports that said he was "OK with it", was actually crushed and heartbroken by the irresponsible and stupid act committed by Kyle Busch. Sam Bass,unlike Kyle Busch,has too much class to make a scene,but Mr. Bass was obviously saddened by what had happened. Mr. Bass put much time and effort into his work,along with Gibson employees. Gibson executives and Speedway officials were also upset by Busch's punk behavior. Officials from race sponsor Federated Auto Parts walked out in disgust. Kyle Busch apparently lied when he said that Sam Bass,along with Gibson and Speedway officials, along with race sponsor Federated Auto Parts, were OK with Busch destroying an object,an object extremely valuable into which much time and effort were put. Mr.Bass and others have said they were not told this would happen. This is an insult to Sam Bass,Gibson Guitar Company, Federated Auto Parts,Nashville Speedway, NASCAR, NASCAR fans, and the city of Nashville.
What is so idiotic is that Kyle Busch's defenders say that rock stars destroy guitars all the time. To begin with,Kyle Busch is not a rock star. Secondly, the rock star thing is no excuse. The gleeful destruction of objects or property is never a good thing. Kyle Busch has no respect for people or property and has shown it time and again. Kyle Busch's parents obviously did not raise their son properly. They apparently never taught him to respect others,not destroy objects or property,and that the world does not revolve around him. Kyle Busch has acted like a jerk many times and thrown childish tantrums when things do not go his way.
Kyle Busch's values are apparently different from the values of practicing Christian Joe Gibbs,who should release Kyle Busch from Joe Gibbs Racing. I know it will not happen but as far as I am concerned,it would be the right thing to do.
Information from Scene Daily at www.scenedaily.com.
Opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Artist Sam Bass,contrary to earlier reports that said he was "OK with it", was actually crushed and heartbroken by the irresponsible and stupid act committed by Kyle Busch. Sam Bass,unlike Kyle Busch,has too much class to make a scene,but Mr. Bass was obviously saddened by what had happened. Mr. Bass put much time and effort into his work,along with Gibson employees. Gibson executives and Speedway officials were also upset by Busch's punk behavior. Officials from race sponsor Federated Auto Parts walked out in disgust. Kyle Busch apparently lied when he said that Sam Bass,along with Gibson and Speedway officials, along with race sponsor Federated Auto Parts, were OK with Busch destroying an object,an object extremely valuable into which much time and effort were put. Mr.Bass and others have said they were not told this would happen. This is an insult to Sam Bass,Gibson Guitar Company, Federated Auto Parts,Nashville Speedway, NASCAR, NASCAR fans, and the city of Nashville.
What is so idiotic is that Kyle Busch's defenders say that rock stars destroy guitars all the time. To begin with,Kyle Busch is not a rock star. Secondly, the rock star thing is no excuse. The gleeful destruction of objects or property is never a good thing. Kyle Busch has no respect for people or property and has shown it time and again. Kyle Busch's parents obviously did not raise their son properly. They apparently never taught him to respect others,not destroy objects or property,and that the world does not revolve around him. Kyle Busch has acted like a jerk many times and thrown childish tantrums when things do not go his way.
Kyle Busch's values are apparently different from the values of practicing Christian Joe Gibbs,who should release Kyle Busch from Joe Gibbs Racing. I know it will not happen but as far as I am concerned,it would be the right thing to do.
Information from Scene Daily at www.scenedaily.com.
Opinions expressed are strictly my own.
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