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.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
David Poole 1959-2009
I was saddened to learn of the sudden death on Tuesday of motorsports journalist David Poole, who suffered a fatal heart attack just hours after completing his morning radio show on Sirius.
Mr.Poole's last column happened to run on the day of his death. A longtime motorsports columnist at the Charlotte Observer, David Poole was the NASCAR fan's journalist. Mr.Poole was never a politically correct patsy. He was not shy about letting his opinions be known.
I will miss Mr.Poole's commentaries and his keen insight on news of interest in racing. He was very passionate about NASCAR and about the sport staying true to its roots. The racing world has lost a great journalist. NASCAR fans have lost an effective spokesperson. Rest in peace,David Poole. You will be greatly missed.
Mr.Poole's last column happened to run on the day of his death. A longtime motorsports columnist at the Charlotte Observer, David Poole was the NASCAR fan's journalist. Mr.Poole was never a politically correct patsy. He was not shy about letting his opinions be known.
I will miss Mr.Poole's commentaries and his keen insight on news of interest in racing. He was very passionate about NASCAR and about the sport staying true to its roots. The racing world has lost a great journalist. NASCAR fans have lost an effective spokesperson. Rest in peace,David Poole. You will be greatly missed.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Speedweeks 2009
The 31st running of the Budweiser Shootout took place Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway. Kevin Harvick, who was almost written off as a having been competitive,won the Shootout. Bobby Labonte had a competitive car until a wreck knocked Labonte's #96 Ask.com Ford out of contention when Labonte's teammate Paul Menard drove his #98 Ford into the #88 Chevy driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr,which got into Labonte's car. Greg Biffle had problems as well with his #16 Ford. Robby Gordon,Scott Speed,and Joey Logano were involved in a wreck that took out all three drivers for the evening. So far Logano is doing about as I expected if not worse,causing wrecks during Shootout practice and making other drivers nervous during the Shootout itself. If Logano drives like this the rest of the season,those media pundits who have overhyped him,will be eating their words by the end of the season.
As the race went on,the excitement intensified. Several drivers fiercely vied for the lead in the closing laps with Jamie McMurray leading the way but suddenly out of the blue, Kevin Harvick came charging through the field and by the final lap,took the lead from McMurray. It was a truly exciting race. Congratulations to Kevin Harvick for his bold move and winning the race.
On Sunday, Martin Truex Jr and Mark Martin were the top two qualifiers for next Sunday's Daytona 500. The rest of the field will be determined in the Twin 150s on Thursday. The 2009 NASCAR Season has begun. Let's go racing.
As the race went on,the excitement intensified. Several drivers fiercely vied for the lead in the closing laps with Jamie McMurray leading the way but suddenly out of the blue, Kevin Harvick came charging through the field and by the final lap,took the lead from McMurray. It was a truly exciting race. Congratulations to Kevin Harvick for his bold move and winning the race.
On Sunday, Martin Truex Jr and Mark Martin were the top two qualifiers for next Sunday's Daytona 500. The rest of the field will be determined in the Twin 150s on Thursday. The 2009 NASCAR Season has begun. Let's go racing.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Rest In Peace,Kay Yow
Kay Yow,longtime head women's basketball coach at North Carolina State University and a former U.S. Olympic team coach,passed away Saturday after a long bout with cancer. She was 66. Just this week,there was talk that Yow might return to her coaching job at N.C. State but sadly it will not happen. Yow had 737 wins in her coaching career,including conference titles. Yow coached teams that played in NCAA tournaments. She won a gold medal as an Olympic coach in 1988. Ms. Yow was a deeply dedicated Christian. Ms.Yow's faith sustained her through the hard times in her life. She is definitely in a much better place now. Ms.Yow's character, courage, and determination were an inspiration to many. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 but fought the good fight with class and dignity. Ms.Yow's friend and N.C. State men's basketball coach Jim Valvano died of cancer in 1993. The V Foundation For Cancer Research was started by Valvano and ESPN,where Valvano was an analyst. Ms.Yow served on the Foundation's board. ESPN remains committed to a research fund established in Ms.Yow's name. Rest in peace,Kay Yow. Well done,thou good and faithful servant.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
A Big Week
It has been a big week for sure. On Tuesday,the 44th and first African American president of the United States,Barack Obama,was sworn in. Congratulations to our new president. Regardless of party affiliation or ideology,I wish the new president well and hope that he does great things for our nation. In NASCAR, driver Elliott Sadler married his girlfriend Amanda Prince last Saturday. Congratulations to the newlyweds. In Charlotte,N.C.,it was the NASCAR Media Tour,in which media from around the nation and the world converged on the Charlotte area and were given tours of race shops along with Q&A sessions with drivers and team owners. As a Bobby Labonte fan,I am very excited about his new ride with Hall of Fame Racing,though technically he will be a Robert Yates Racing driver. Labonte will drive the #96 Ask.com Ford for Hall of Fame Racing,which receives engines from Roush Fenway Racing and Robert Yates Racing. Also,Tony Stewart is well underway with getting Stewart/Haas Racing ready for the 2009 season. Stewart annouced a new sponsor for SHR this week-Burger King,in addition to Stewart's main sponsor,Office Depot,and the U.S. Army,which will sponsor teammate Ryan Newman's car for a number of races this season.
In college basketball, the North Carolina Tarheels got their game back this week when they defeated Miami on Sunday 82-65 and delivered an impressive game on Wednesday when the Tarheels defeated Clemson 94-70. Tyler Hansbrough sustained injuries during the Clemson game when he was accidentally hit in the mouth during a scramble under the basket and had a tooth loosened. Hansbrough wore a mouthpiece the rest of the game. I pray that he has a speedy recovery. The Tarheels' next game will be at Florida State next Wednesday.
In college basketball, the North Carolina Tarheels got their game back this week when they defeated Miami on Sunday 82-65 and delivered an impressive game on Wednesday when the Tarheels defeated Clemson 94-70. Tyler Hansbrough sustained injuries during the Clemson game when he was accidentally hit in the mouth during a scramble under the basket and had a tooth loosened. Hansbrough wore a mouthpiece the rest of the game. I pray that he has a speedy recovery. The Tarheels' next game will be at Florida State next Wednesday.
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.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Finally,A New Team For Labonte
After leaving Petty Enterprises in December, fans of driver Bobby Labonte had been wondering where the 2000 NASCAR Cup champion would drive next. The most prominent rumor was that Labonte would be driving the #41 at Earnhardt/Ganassi Racing,then as recently as Monday, rumors had Labonte driving the #8 EGR ride. Then late Tuesday in a sudden and surprising turn of events,came the annoucement that Labonte will drive the #96 Ford for Hall Of Fame Racing. HOF recently merged with Robert Yates Racing. HOF will have the benefit of the engine-building program shared by RYR and Roush Fenway Racing. Ask.com has reportedly been named the sponsor of the #96 car.
With the 51st running of the Daytona 500 on February 15th approaching, fans were becoming concerned about whether Labonte would have a Cup ride this season. Fortunately,the waiting is over. Bobby Labonte is not the first person in his family to drive the #96. Bobby's brother Terry Labonte,the 1984 and 1996 Cup champion, drove the car (though it was then a Chevrolet) for a few races in the 2006 or 2007 season if memory serves.
I am so happy not only as a Bobby Labonte fan but also for Bobby Labonte himself. I wish Bobby well in the #96. Bring on the 2009 season. Go Bobby!!!!
With the 51st running of the Daytona 500 on February 15th approaching, fans were becoming concerned about whether Labonte would have a Cup ride this season. Fortunately,the waiting is over. Bobby Labonte is not the first person in his family to drive the #96. Bobby's brother Terry Labonte,the 1984 and 1996 Cup champion, drove the car (though it was then a Chevrolet) for a few races in the 2006 or 2007 season if memory serves.
I am so happy not only as a Bobby Labonte fan but also for Bobby Labonte himself. I wish Bobby well in the #96. Bring on the 2009 season. Go Bobby!!!!
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