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.
Showing posts with label Jeff Gordon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jeff Gordon. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
A Big Event
Something big is taking place next week. No, I'm not talking about the Presidential Inauguration. I'm talking about the NASCAR Media Tour. Sports journalists and motorsports reporters from around the United States and other nations will converge on Charlotte,N.C.,and the surrounding area,as NASCAR teams will offer sneak previews of the upcoming season by having Q and A sessions with drivers,team owners,and others. It gets me excited because I know the Daytona 500 is just around the corner.
What makes it even more special for me this year is that my sentimental favorite,Bobby Labonte,has a ride that I know he will do well in,unlike the past three seasons in the subpar ride he had at Petty Enterprises. Labonte has joined Hall of Fame Racing,which will partner up with Robert Yates Racing and Roush Fenway Racing as those teams race Fords as HOF will also when Labonte races in the #96 Ford. I have a feeling that with the support Labonte receives from teammates (HOF has essentially merged with Yates),the engine-building program that Yates and Roush Fenway Racing are in involved in,among other factors,that Labonte will do well in the 2009 season. NASCAR media pundits agree that Labonte made the right move by joining HOF.
Another favorite of mine,Tony Stewart,has started his own team at Stewart/Haas Racing. Stewart's teammate is fellow Indiana native Ryan Newman. Stewart has already been testing along with Newman for the upcoming season. Even though SHR is a new team,it should do well in its first year. Stewart,a two-time NASCAR Cup champion,has the experience,know-how,and has already shown himself to be a hands-on team owner. Stewart has been praised by more seasoned team owners for his keen business sense. Look for SHR to be a factor this season. Do not be surprised if Stewart or Newman,or both drivers make the Chase.
Don't expect miracles from Joey Logano. Logano was given the #20 Home Depot Toyota at Joe Gibbs Racing after ten-year Cup veteran and two-time Cup champion Tony Stewart left to start his own team. Here's why I think Logano won't win a ton of races if any at all in his first full Sprint Cup season. While Logano was a phenomenal standout in ARCA and in the Nationwide series during the 2008 season,I think he needs more time in Nationwide before even being considered for the Cup series. A stint in the Camping World Truck series would not be a bad idea either. Also, a heaping helping of humble pie would be in order. The statements Logano made after finishing some races last season indicated a little smugness on his part. Logano is 18,and that in my opinion is too early to start a driver in the Cup series.
There are those who argue that Ricky Rudd started in the Cup series when he was 18 and he turned out being a great driver. That is true but Rudd's immense talent came into full manifestation when he was a little older and more experienced. It's a different,more corporate driven NASCAR today than it was in the 1970s and 1980s. Sponsors want drivers to win almost as soon as they strap themselves into their cars for the first time. Remember Casey Atwood? He was touted as the next Jeff Gordon and he might have been but he was moved to Cup too soon like Logano and as a result,Atwood never got to show his full potential. Atwood was hyped much the same way Logano has been. As a result, Atwood's performance disappointed many fans who expected too much. Now, Atwood has faded away. My concern is that Logano could be headed the same way. I sincerely hope not. I hope Logano proves me wrong and is a tremendous success in the Cup series but his finishes in some races last season seem to indicate otherwise.
Another overrated driver is A.J. Allmendinger. While he got lucky in the #10 Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge in the last five races of the 2008 season, he will probably go back to having mediocre finishes as a part-time driver in the #10 GEM Dodge like he had when he raced for Red Bull Racing, which released Allmendinger because of his lackluster finishes. Also,Allmendinger has a habit of causing wrecks on the track. He showed this trait during the last five races of the 2008 season when he was touted as the greatest driver since "Sliced Bread" Logano. I know this is a likely bone of contention with some who read this blog, but in my opinion Elliott Sadler was right in threatening legal action against Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Sadler signed a new contract in good faith with GEM. In December, GEM kicked Sadler out of his ride and was in the process of giving it to Allmendinger. GEM cried uncle and gave Sadler back his ride. I am glad they did. Sadler has three NASCAR Cup wins. I have a feeling there will be more. Some people might ask why Sadler would want to drive for somebody who wanted him fired? I have no idea. Things probably happen behind the scenes that we'll never know about. Perhaps it was a matter of principle with Sadler or maybe George Gillett did not have the money to buy out Sadler's contract as Gillett reportedly has financial troubles. Whatever the reason,I'm just glad Sadler has his ride back.
Another overrated driver without a doubt is Scott Speed. Speed has one win in the Formula One series and suddenly he's NASCAR material. Like Logano and Allmendinger, Scott Speed is overhyped and overrated. Speed's arrogance rubs many NASCAR fans the wrong way. Only time will tell if Speed is as good as his media boosters say he is. Speed's showings in the races he ran last season indicate that he likely won't measure up to expectations.
What makes it even more special for me this year is that my sentimental favorite,Bobby Labonte,has a ride that I know he will do well in,unlike the past three seasons in the subpar ride he had at Petty Enterprises. Labonte has joined Hall of Fame Racing,which will partner up with Robert Yates Racing and Roush Fenway Racing as those teams race Fords as HOF will also when Labonte races in the #96 Ford. I have a feeling that with the support Labonte receives from teammates (HOF has essentially merged with Yates),the engine-building program that Yates and Roush Fenway Racing are in involved in,among other factors,that Labonte will do well in the 2009 season. NASCAR media pundits agree that Labonte made the right move by joining HOF.
Another favorite of mine,Tony Stewart,has started his own team at Stewart/Haas Racing. Stewart's teammate is fellow Indiana native Ryan Newman. Stewart has already been testing along with Newman for the upcoming season. Even though SHR is a new team,it should do well in its first year. Stewart,a two-time NASCAR Cup champion,has the experience,know-how,and has already shown himself to be a hands-on team owner. Stewart has been praised by more seasoned team owners for his keen business sense. Look for SHR to be a factor this season. Do not be surprised if Stewart or Newman,or both drivers make the Chase.
Don't expect miracles from Joey Logano. Logano was given the #20 Home Depot Toyota at Joe Gibbs Racing after ten-year Cup veteran and two-time Cup champion Tony Stewart left to start his own team. Here's why I think Logano won't win a ton of races if any at all in his first full Sprint Cup season. While Logano was a phenomenal standout in ARCA and in the Nationwide series during the 2008 season,I think he needs more time in Nationwide before even being considered for the Cup series. A stint in the Camping World Truck series would not be a bad idea either. Also, a heaping helping of humble pie would be in order. The statements Logano made after finishing some races last season indicated a little smugness on his part. Logano is 18,and that in my opinion is too early to start a driver in the Cup series.
There are those who argue that Ricky Rudd started in the Cup series when he was 18 and he turned out being a great driver. That is true but Rudd's immense talent came into full manifestation when he was a little older and more experienced. It's a different,more corporate driven NASCAR today than it was in the 1970s and 1980s. Sponsors want drivers to win almost as soon as they strap themselves into their cars for the first time. Remember Casey Atwood? He was touted as the next Jeff Gordon and he might have been but he was moved to Cup too soon like Logano and as a result,Atwood never got to show his full potential. Atwood was hyped much the same way Logano has been. As a result, Atwood's performance disappointed many fans who expected too much. Now, Atwood has faded away. My concern is that Logano could be headed the same way. I sincerely hope not. I hope Logano proves me wrong and is a tremendous success in the Cup series but his finishes in some races last season seem to indicate otherwise.
Another overrated driver is A.J. Allmendinger. While he got lucky in the #10 Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge in the last five races of the 2008 season, he will probably go back to having mediocre finishes as a part-time driver in the #10 GEM Dodge like he had when he raced for Red Bull Racing, which released Allmendinger because of his lackluster finishes. Also,Allmendinger has a habit of causing wrecks on the track. He showed this trait during the last five races of the 2008 season when he was touted as the greatest driver since "Sliced Bread" Logano. I know this is a likely bone of contention with some who read this blog, but in my opinion Elliott Sadler was right in threatening legal action against Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Sadler signed a new contract in good faith with GEM. In December, GEM kicked Sadler out of his ride and was in the process of giving it to Allmendinger. GEM cried uncle and gave Sadler back his ride. I am glad they did. Sadler has three NASCAR Cup wins. I have a feeling there will be more. Some people might ask why Sadler would want to drive for somebody who wanted him fired? I have no idea. Things probably happen behind the scenes that we'll never know about. Perhaps it was a matter of principle with Sadler or maybe George Gillett did not have the money to buy out Sadler's contract as Gillett reportedly has financial troubles. Whatever the reason,I'm just glad Sadler has his ride back.
Another overrated driver without a doubt is Scott Speed. Speed has one win in the Formula One series and suddenly he's NASCAR material. Like Logano and Allmendinger, Scott Speed is overhyped and overrated. Speed's arrogance rubs many NASCAR fans the wrong way. Only time will tell if Speed is as good as his media boosters say he is. Speed's showings in the races he ran last season indicate that he likely won't measure up to expectations.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The 2008 NASCAR Season
The 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup series ended its season November 16th at Homestead International Raceway near Miami. As expected,Jimmie Johnson won his third consecutive NASCAR Cup championship,a feat not accomplished since the 1970s by Cale Yarborough. Points runner-up Carl Edwards won the race,his ninth win of the season. Congratulations to Johnson and Edwards. It was a race filled with firsts, lasts, and much transition. Rookie Scott Speed drove the #83 Red Bull Racing Toyota usually driven by Speed's future teammate Brian Vickers. Speed drove the #83 as the car was in the top 35 in points while Vickers qualified 20th in the #84 Toyota, the car Speed will drive at Red Bull next season.
It was Tony Stewart's last race for Joe Gibbs Racing,where the two-time NASCAR Cup champion drove the #20 Toyota in the 2008 season. From 2003 to 2007,Stewart drove a Chevrolet. In his first four years at JGR, Stewart drove a Pontiac. Stewart will have his own team next season,Stewart/Haas Racing,where he will also be a driver. Stewart's teammate will be fellow Indiana native Ryan Newman,who drove his last race in the #12 Dodge for Penske Racing. The #20 will be driven by 18-year-old newcomer Joey Logano next season while the #12 will be driven by Nationwide series veteran David Stremme,who hails from Newman's hometown of South Bend,Indiana, and grew up with Newman,with whom Stremme remains friends. Stewart will drive the #14 Chevrolet for Stewart/Haas Racing,while Newman will drive the #39 Chevrolet at SHR.
The 2008 season stirred a lot of controversy and debate,especially on the Car of Tomorrow,or COT,and why three drivers,Jimmie Johnson,Carl Edwards,and Kyle Busch,won so many races. Busch's nine wins came during the regular season but he seemed to fizzle as the Chase began. It is odd that four-time NASCAR Cup champion Jeff Gordon did not win a race in 2008 and neither did one of my favorites,the 2003 Cup champion Matt Kenseth. Despite there being no NASCAR races until February, I will have things to occupy me,such as Thanksgiving,Christmas,New Year's,and being with my family,along with UNC Tarheel basketball (the Tarheels won their season opener Saturday against Penn 86-71)and dreaming about the 2009 Daytona 500. I am counting down the days until Daytona already. 91 days until we hear "Gentlemen,start your engines".
It was Tony Stewart's last race for Joe Gibbs Racing,where the two-time NASCAR Cup champion drove the #20 Toyota in the 2008 season. From 2003 to 2007,Stewart drove a Chevrolet. In his first four years at JGR, Stewart drove a Pontiac. Stewart will have his own team next season,Stewart/Haas Racing,where he will also be a driver. Stewart's teammate will be fellow Indiana native Ryan Newman,who drove his last race in the #12 Dodge for Penske Racing. The #20 will be driven by 18-year-old newcomer Joey Logano next season while the #12 will be driven by Nationwide series veteran David Stremme,who hails from Newman's hometown of South Bend,Indiana, and grew up with Newman,with whom Stremme remains friends. Stewart will drive the #14 Chevrolet for Stewart/Haas Racing,while Newman will drive the #39 Chevrolet at SHR.
The 2008 season stirred a lot of controversy and debate,especially on the Car of Tomorrow,or COT,and why three drivers,Jimmie Johnson,Carl Edwards,and Kyle Busch,won so many races. Busch's nine wins came during the regular season but he seemed to fizzle as the Chase began. It is odd that four-time NASCAR Cup champion Jeff Gordon did not win a race in 2008 and neither did one of my favorites,the 2003 Cup champion Matt Kenseth. Despite there being no NASCAR races until February, I will have things to occupy me,such as Thanksgiving,Christmas,New Year's,and being with my family,along with UNC Tarheel basketball (the Tarheels won their season opener Saturday against Penn 86-71)and dreaming about the 2009 Daytona 500. I am counting down the days until Daytona already. 91 days until we hear "Gentlemen,start your engines".
Thursday, October 9, 2008
NASCAR 2008: Favoritism,not fairness
NASCAR really outdid themselves this time. I have often taken stock car racing's sanctioning body to task for their blatant favoritism, but this time they have gone too far.
During last Sunday's Talladega race,it was quite the crashfest as the races there often are. There were at least a couple of big crashes,one of them caused by Carl Edwards,who wrecked two of his Roush Fenway Racing teammates, Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth. Biffle sounded somewhat conciliatory in his post-crash interview but Kenseth was visibly angry by the look on his face but as always, managed to keep his composure. I have a feeling that bad feelings linger between Kenseth and Edwards after last year's post-race incident at Martinsville when Edwards physically confronted his teammate as Kenseth was starting a post-race interview. Edwards apologized and took responsibility for the accident at Talladega. I just hope that in the future,Edwards thinks before making another costly move.
REGAN SMITH-THE REAL RACE WINNER
Regan Smith was the clear winner of the Talladega race. Smith was attempting to pass Tony Stewart on the final lap for the win. Smith was across the finish line first but then Stewart proceeded to block Smith and almost wrecked him. Even more outrageously,NASCAR declared Stewart the winner. That made a mockery of the whole race. NASCAR has proven again that they have their chosen favorites. Then another unkind cut by NASCAR. They gave Smith an 18th place finish when he should have at the very least been given second place. NASCAR sounded off a bunch of hogwash that Smith had violated the rules by racing below the yellow line. NASCAR must suffer from amnesia,or more likely,hypocrisy. Johnny Benson won a Truck series race in 2007 from below the yellow line. NASCAR themselves have stated that if a driver is below the yellow line on the final lap and can see the checkered flag,that driver is allowed to compete for the win,so according to that interpretation,Smith clearly won the race. NASCAR conveniently manipulates and ignores their own rules to benefit their chosen favorites,of which Tony Stewart is definitely one.
Another thing to consider,Home Depot and Coca Cola,two of Stewart's sponsors,give NASCAR lots of money. NASCAR will do anything to keep their big-money sponsors happy,even manipulate or throw races. Also,PR probably played a big part in NASCAR's decision to give Stewart the win. Look at the headline,"Stewart Finally Wins At Talladega". It makes good press. Also,in Stewart's last season with Joe Gibbs Racing before venturing out on his own,even more icing on the cake. I am in mourning for a once-great sport that has been taken over by greed and favoritism since Brian France took over as Chairman and CEO. If "Big Bill" France and Bill France Jr were still alive,they would probably box Brian's ears. Apparently,only drivers named Tony Stewart,Jeff Gordon,Dale Earnhardt Jr,and Jimmie Johnson are allowed to win races in today's NASCAR. I am not the only person who feels this way. Judging by the letters in this week's NASCAR Scene and most message board posts I've read,many rightly disgruntled and disillusioned fans are ready to throw in the towel. I think this is the last straw for many NASCAR fans,including myself. I'm not sure if I want to give NASCAR another chance. Like the saying goes,fool me once shame on you,fool me twice shame on me. I will not be fooled again by those who run today's NASCAR.
UPDATE: It appears Dale Earnhardt Jr agrees with me. Earnhardt Jr said that Regan Smith won the race at Talladega. Smith drives for Dale Earnhardt Incorporated,founded by Earnhardt Jr's father. This is a bold move for Junior,considering he is buddies with Tony Stewart,who was declared the race winner by NASCAR. Way to go,Junior,for recognizing the real race winner and doing the right thing.
During last Sunday's Talladega race,it was quite the crashfest as the races there often are. There were at least a couple of big crashes,one of them caused by Carl Edwards,who wrecked two of his Roush Fenway Racing teammates, Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth. Biffle sounded somewhat conciliatory in his post-crash interview but Kenseth was visibly angry by the look on his face but as always, managed to keep his composure. I have a feeling that bad feelings linger between Kenseth and Edwards after last year's post-race incident at Martinsville when Edwards physically confronted his teammate as Kenseth was starting a post-race interview. Edwards apologized and took responsibility for the accident at Talladega. I just hope that in the future,Edwards thinks before making another costly move.
REGAN SMITH-THE REAL RACE WINNER
Regan Smith was the clear winner of the Talladega race. Smith was attempting to pass Tony Stewart on the final lap for the win. Smith was across the finish line first but then Stewart proceeded to block Smith and almost wrecked him. Even more outrageously,NASCAR declared Stewart the winner. That made a mockery of the whole race. NASCAR has proven again that they have their chosen favorites. Then another unkind cut by NASCAR. They gave Smith an 18th place finish when he should have at the very least been given second place. NASCAR sounded off a bunch of hogwash that Smith had violated the rules by racing below the yellow line. NASCAR must suffer from amnesia,or more likely,hypocrisy. Johnny Benson won a Truck series race in 2007 from below the yellow line. NASCAR themselves have stated that if a driver is below the yellow line on the final lap and can see the checkered flag,that driver is allowed to compete for the win,so according to that interpretation,Smith clearly won the race. NASCAR conveniently manipulates and ignores their own rules to benefit their chosen favorites,of which Tony Stewart is definitely one.
Another thing to consider,Home Depot and Coca Cola,two of Stewart's sponsors,give NASCAR lots of money. NASCAR will do anything to keep their big-money sponsors happy,even manipulate or throw races. Also,PR probably played a big part in NASCAR's decision to give Stewart the win. Look at the headline,"Stewart Finally Wins At Talladega". It makes good press. Also,in Stewart's last season with Joe Gibbs Racing before venturing out on his own,even more icing on the cake. I am in mourning for a once-great sport that has been taken over by greed and favoritism since Brian France took over as Chairman and CEO. If "Big Bill" France and Bill France Jr were still alive,they would probably box Brian's ears. Apparently,only drivers named Tony Stewart,Jeff Gordon,Dale Earnhardt Jr,and Jimmie Johnson are allowed to win races in today's NASCAR. I am not the only person who feels this way. Judging by the letters in this week's NASCAR Scene and most message board posts I've read,many rightly disgruntled and disillusioned fans are ready to throw in the towel. I think this is the last straw for many NASCAR fans,including myself. I'm not sure if I want to give NASCAR another chance. Like the saying goes,fool me once shame on you,fool me twice shame on me. I will not be fooled again by those who run today's NASCAR.
UPDATE: It appears Dale Earnhardt Jr agrees with me. Earnhardt Jr said that Regan Smith won the race at Talladega. Smith drives for Dale Earnhardt Incorporated,founded by Earnhardt Jr's father. This is a bold move for Junior,considering he is buddies with Tony Stewart,who was declared the race winner by NASCAR. Way to go,Junior,for recognizing the real race winner and doing the right thing.
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