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NASCAR We’ve Got Us a Situation Here: Jersey Shore’s ‘Snooki’ Will Not Wave the Green Flag at Richmond International Raceway

With R. Lee Ermey serving as the Grand Marshal and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi from MTV’s hit show, Jersey Shore originally selected to wave the green flag at the start of this weekend’s Sprint Cup race in Richmond, it seemed fitting that Wonderful Pistachios was the sponsor because it got fans wondering if NASCAR had gone nuts!

[media-credit id=18 align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]The “Wonderful Pistachios 400” takes to the track at Richmond International Raceway on the very same weekend of the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Fans want patriotism and respect in remembrance of a day that changed our lives forever, not a comical farce!

It just so happens that both Ermey and Snooki are spokespeople for Wonderful Pistachios, so along with the race naming rights, they probably come as a packaged deal. The company also employs a variety of other personalities in their commercials, such as Chad Ocho Cinco, but with the NFL season kicking off this week he was probably too busy focusing on his new team and all. Wee-Man couldn’t commit unless he was given a guarantee to wave the flag in a “Jackass” worthy stunt, say from the track’s actual start/finish line and not the actual flag stand and that Keyboard Cat probably had a gig somewhere at a local ASPCA. So we get what we get.

That being said, I actually do get Ermey, who is best known for his portrayal of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in “Full Metal Jacket.” Before becoming an actor, Ermey served in the US Marine Corps for 11 years. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and after injuries forced to retire in 1971, he was later bestowed the honorary rank of Gunnery Sergeant after serving 14 months in Vietnam and two tours in Okinawa, Japan.

Despite his larger than life, often abrasive on screen persona, he was first and foremost a decorated soldier who fought for our country, he deserves to be honored as well as honor those who continue to fight for our freedom. But Snooki? That’s a whole other situation all together.

By right, Virginia is known as one of the Southern states and no matter how hard NASCAR tries to diversify the image; it is a sport that originated in the south and still carries with it a certain charm found only in it’s culture. The mere presence of Snooki, a girl whose ultimate dream is to “move to Jersey, find a nice, juiced, hot, tanned guy and live her life” could prove unsettling to your average NASCAR crowd, but look a little deeper and you will find a heart of gold in that pint-sized pixie. Snooki, the daughter of a volunteer New York firefighter will “pay tribute to to firefighters by passing the flag-waving duties to Frank Siller, founder of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation,” as stated in a RIR press release on Thursday.

Stephen Siller was a FDNY firefighter, who died after running through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001, left behind five children. Frank Siller honored his heroic brother by starting the Tunnels to Towers Foundation bearing his sibling’s name to help children who have tragically lost parents.”My brother dedicated his life to helping people, and he lost his life helping people,” said Frank Siller, “If he was still here, he’d be doing more than any of us.”

Thank you Snooki for doing the right thing, you’ve made a lot of us NASCAR fans proud.

To be fair, this self-professed “Guidette,” (the feminine form of “Guido’), who will still be in attendance on behalf of her sponsor, was probably wondering just what she had gotten herself into as she prepared to do her thing in front of what she probably viewed as thousands of rowdy rednecks. Look, by stereotype alone, born and bred in the south with an inherent love of NASCAR and all things that involve a tractor, I could easily be type-casted as a “redneck.” I know that we’re a tough crowd, but are we really all that different?

Yankee vs. Rebel. “Yous guys” vs. “Y’all.” Sure, they’ve got Springsteen and we’ve got Skynyrd, but the truth is both bands rock in the name of the USA and isn’t that what it’s really all about? By God, we’re Americans, free to express ourselves as we see fit. So instead of hating on all of the little idiosyncrasies, let’s celebrate our similarities.

We both have funny accents.

We both have the potential for big hair. Seriously, you think Jersey girls are bad? Try visiting Texas sometime!

We’re both loud, unruly drunks. They call it a bender, while we lovingly refer to it as tailgating.

They have their trashy tanning salons and well, we have Wal-Mart.

On Jersey Shore they like to throw out the phrase “G.T.L. Baby! Gym, tan, laundry.” We ‘necks prefer “G.T.O. Darlin’! Grand Turismo Omologato.”

Snooki has friends named “The Situation,” Jwoww and Pauly D. While some of us have a father, who also doubles as our uncle, first and second cousin, as well as a nephew.

In 2010 Snooki was arrested for “disorderly conduct.” How can we possibly judge knowing that many of us have been witness to some foolish girl being escorted out of a race for taking her top off and whipping it wildly, lasso style above her head.

So let’s find away to all get along this weekend people and save making fun for when it really counts, on Sept. 18 when a Caveman will serve as Grand Marshal for the Geico 400 in Chicagoland. Ah, he makes it look so simple doesn’t he?

September 9, 2011
Is NASCAR’s Business Model Flawed?

Often we forget that as much as we love a sport there is ultimately a business model behind it. They are intrinsically connected whereas one cannot survive without the other. It is why there are labor stoppages and why leagues such as Major League Soccer struggle to establish a foothold in the American sports landscape.

[media-credit id=18 align=”alignright” width=”228″][/media-credit]In NASCAR, the business side is inherently more visible and interconnected than in other sports. Since Richard Petty first donned the STP colors in the 1970s, the power a sponsor has had over a team, and to an extension the sport, has greatly increased. No sponsor means no team, no team means no driver and no driver means no series.

Today’s announcement of Kevin Harvick Incorporated’s exit from NASCAR team ownership provides yet another example of the problems with the current NASCAR business model.

From a business standpoint , KHI is the dream NASCAR organization. They have public and passionate owners in Kevin and DeLana Harvick. They possess a great depth of drivers, including several past champions. They have countless race wins and series championships. Yet they too have struggled to secure sponsorships, despite their impressive resume.

What more does a team have to do?

Earlier this year Red Bull Racing’s announcement of their exit from the sport may ultimately be viewed as the catalyst for the demise of teams like KHI. Red Bull personifies the demographic NASCAR yearns for, yet the corporate offices in Austria decided that NASCAR is not a viable enough source of said demographic to justify continuing to build a team.

So what has changed in NASCAR? A mere ten years ago the sport was the darling of numerous Fortune 500 companies, but now finds themselves often shunned by those same companies. When successful drivers like Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth and Clint Bowyer struggle to find sponsor dollars, clearly there is something wrong.

Much of this can be explained by one of the simplest mantras in business, the lack of a clear identity. In order for your product to thrive, and yes NASCAR is ultimately a product, it has to differentiate itself from others. This is what spurred the rapid growth in the mid-1990s as fans and sponsors relished and the differences of NASCAR when compared to other sports. It was brash, it was exciting and it often produced mesmerizing television.

Over the last ten years those differences have slowly been erased, being replaced by a more monochromatic vision of the sport. To the average fan, the only real difference between the three national series is the length of the race and the vehicles they drive. It is the same tracks, the same drivers and usually the same race winners.

Once upon a time the Camping World Truck Series was known as an old school series, with plenty of beating and banging on short tracks around the country. The Nationwide Series was known as the stomping grounds of future NASCAR greats at both short tracks and the large superspeedways of the Sprint Cup Series. All were interconnect with the occasional appearance of Cup Series stars and companion race weekends, but ultimately each were their own series.

Granted NASCAR has finally taken steps to give the Nationwide Series an identity, but there is still a long way to go. This is most exemplified by the fact the current points leader, and multi-race winner, often lacks a sponsor on race day. In the truck series it is becoming almost a regular occurrence for a season’s champion to suddenly be out of a ride the next season. As a business, why would I be attracted to either of these models? If other businesses are not interested in it enough to sponsor proven teams and drivers, clearly there must be something wrong with the sport.

Right?

A slowing economy finally brought to light the issue of changes in NASCAR over the last decade. Clearly the sport road the coattails of growth a little too long and have now boxed themselves into a corner. This doesn’t even touch on the issues with the large numbers of despondent fans who have a tendency to give the sport a negative vibe. NASCAR now has one of the most cynical fan bases in the country, a fact that I’m sure businesses are well aware of.

If the diehard fans don’t believe in the sport, why should a business?

How does NASCAR fix this? There is no quick or easy answer. Mitigating costs has not worked. Neither has the fabrication of a championship battle by denying points to Cup drivers in the Nationwide series.

Ultimately the sport needs to find some way to give each series its own identity. Put the Truck Series at tracks like Irwindale or Myrtle Beach and market it as the series where drivers cut their teeth and become men. Make the Nationwide Series the place where drivers get their first taste of Cup cars and occasionally battle the stars of the sport. Institute a true ladder system like every other major sport has to attract both fans and sponsors back.

It works for college athletics and their associated

professional counterparts, why wouldn’t it work for NASCAR?

If I were NASCAR CEO Brian France, I would be greatly concerned about today’s announcement. There will be plenty of positive spin, identifying that KHI will still be around, just under the RCR banner. Yet one still has to acknowledge that KHI chose to end their organizational presence despite a wealth of success.

And if that’s not enough to entice teams and sponsors to the sport, than what is?

September 9, 2011
Jeff Gordon’s Quiet Healing Impact on 9/11 Children

[media-credit id=18 align=”alignright” width=”223″][/media-credit]Ten years ago this race weekend, terrorists attacked the United States resulting in loss of life at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and on Flight 93 that went down in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

For thousands of families, their fathers or mothers or sisters or brothers never came home that day. But for the children who lost their parents, September 11^th took away the most important people in their lives.

Because of the magnitude of loss in New Jersey, a family serving agency began a therapeutic healing arts program to help children in their community who had lost their parents in the terrorist attacks.

And in one particular healing arts group, primarily comprised of boys, it was soon determined that another bond outside of 9/11 bound them together, their lost fathers’ love of NASCAR racing.

It was also discovered that the dads who had been killed in the Twin Towers all fancied one particular driver, four-time champion Jeff Gordon, as their favorite NASCAR driver.

With this information and the connection established, the healing art professionals decided that one of their healing projects would be to have the young boys build pine wood derby race cars in memory of their dads and to honor their love of racing.

The group worked diligently on their race cars, crafting them and decorating them, many with the No. 24 displayed prominently, as well as plenty of Gordon-like flames. And as they worked, the boys wondered if there might be any way that they could share their projects with their favorite driver, or better yet, get his autograph on their race cars.

Gordon’s Foundation, then the Jeff Gordon Foundation, was contacted and agreed that they would do their best to get the race cars autographed, turning them around quickly before the first set of holidays that the children would endure without their fathers. The boys packed up their newly-built race cars, with a few notes to share their meaning, and mailed them off to the Jeff Gordon Foundation offices.

In just a few weeks, a package arrived for the group. It was filled not only with races cars bearing Jeff Gordon’s autograph, but also notes to the children and other memorabilia from the NASCAR champion.

Gordon’s healing impact on this particular group of children devastated by September 11^th, 2001 was palpable. They raced their autographed pine wood derby cars in their fathers’ memories and enjoyed them as special mementos and memories throughout the holiday season.

“I don’t think there is anybody in this country that will ever forget where they were and what that experience was like on 9/11,” Gordon said. “Just remembering the devastation and those that were lost, especially as much time as I spend in NYC, having a greater appreciation of the impact that it has had.”

“I sat there I shock like so many others did that day.”

As the days, weeks and months passed, the children grew and learned and healed. And they began to think of some way that they could repay the kindness of one NASCAR driver.

When they learned that Gordon and his wife Ingrid Vandebosch became parents themselves, they crafted a special memory box for Gordon’s daughter Ella Sofia. It was presented to the champion at one of his appearances in New York City.

“Now our world that we live in takes on a whole new responsibility in meaning and pride,” Gordon said. “We want to show how strong we truly are and how this experience has not only made us come together and be a tighter and stronger group and to go out there and show the rest of the world why we’re proud to be Americans.”

This year, on the tenth anniversary of this tragedy that shook the country, Jeff Gordon will be racing his No. 24 Drive to End Hunger/Chase Card Services Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway. Gordon has already secured his place in the Chase and also in history, with his 85^th career win in the sport last weekend at Atlanta.

But there is no doubt that a group of now young men will be carefully watching as the four-time champion takes to the track for the 400 laps of Richmond racing. And they may just have their own special race cars by their sides, remembering the quiet healing impact of one NASCAR driver.

September 9, 2011
NASCAR ‘Never Forgets’ by Honoring the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11 at Richmond International Raceway

As NASCAR’s last race of the “regular season” draws near, we can’t help but to be cognizant of the fact that Richmond’s September race always falls on or near the anniversary of 9/11. We will never forget that horrific day in 2001, just three days after Ricky Rudd claimed victory in the Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400 at Richmond International Raceway (RIR), when terrorists systematically attacked our great nation and life as we knew it would change forever.

In the eight races that have run in the Fall since the attack I’ve seen some pretty amazing tributes at the track. RIR has always made a it a point to honor that day, the men and women who were lost, their families who were left behind, the brave Military who fight for our freedom and all First Responders who do the unthinkable each and every day by running into danger while everyone else is running out.

This year as we remember the tenth anniversary, RIR will honor America with what will no doubt be an extremely emotional ceremony. Hundreds of volunteers will be on hand to pass out American flags to all race attendees as they pass through the gates, collect donations for “NASCAR Unites”, part of the 9/11 “I Will” campaign and assist with the distribution and collection of post card messages for First Responders nationwide.

During the pre-race ceremonies, fans will stand in unison with Wounded Warriors, US Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco and Marine Corps Corporal Todd Nicely; who were the first and second Americans to lose all four limbs in combat and survive, as they recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Danny Rodriguez, who has become know as the “singing policeman from New York City” will sing God Bless America and the U.S. Army’s 29^th Infantry Division Band from Ft. Belvoir, will perform the National Anthem. Fans are encouraged to wave their flags to show their respect and patriotism during the entire pre-race, as well as during the special moment of silence between laps nine and 11.

“Richmond International Raceway is unique in that every year since the 9/11 attacks our September race weekend has fallen on the weekend closest to 9/11,” commented Richmond International Raceway President Dennis Bickmeier. “It has always been important to us to recognize 9/11 and remember the victims and survivors, but even more so this weekend as we remember the 10^th anniversary of 9/11. We are proud of our military and first responders; active, former and retired, and we are honored to have so many join us this weekend. I think our fans will find that this will be the most patriotic pre-race ceremony they have ever been a part of at Richmond International Raceway.”

During driver introductions, each of the Sprint Cup racers will cross the stage and exit into a tunnel of First Responders from Virginia. Each driver will then be partnered with a member of the “Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for America” in a Chevrolet Silverado for a lap around the track, each carrying an American flag.

Virginia’s Henrico County Fire Department will display a large American flag from their ladder truck on the apron of the frontstretch, while the Charlottesville Fire Department ladder truck will be on display on the backstretch of the track. Five color guards will present our nations’ flags; Ft. Lee Army will be positioned on the pre-race pad, Central Virginia Combo Fire Team in Turn One, Virginia State Police in Turn Two, Newport News Police in Turn Three and the Naval Ocean Processing Facility in Turn Four.

To culminate the events and recognize the anniversary, fans at the track, television and radio broadcasters and the track announcer will go quiet for a moment of silence between laps nine through 11 to pause and remember the events that unfolded on Sept. 11, 2001.

“NASCAR takes great pride in the patriotism that the sport showcases every race weekend, and the 10th anniversary of 9/11 is a special opportunity for NASCAR to unite and recognize those we lost and honor those who responded with courage,” NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said. “Bringing together the various 9/11 tributes with the NASCAR Unites platform collectively demonstrates the giving nature of NASCAR fans and those who work in our sport.”

Join the 9/11 tribute movement at to view gratitude and remembrance by drivers, crews, sponsors, tracks and fans as they honor the tenth year anniversary of 9/11 or to create your own accolade by thanking a First Responder for their service and dedication by sending an online post card.

Never Forget.

September 8, 2011
NASCAR’s Last Race Before the Chase: Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting at Richmond International Raceway

This weekend Richmond International Raceway will play host once again to the “Last Race Before the Chase.” Since the introduction of “The Chase for the Sprint Cup” in 2004, Richmond’s September night race has served as the “regular season’s” finale.

[media-credit name=”Barry Albert” align=”alignright” width=”221″][/media-credit]It generally proves to be one heck of a show as the drivers vie for one of the top-10 coveted Chase spots and/or two of the “Wild Card” positions that will ultimately make up the top-12 who will go on to compete in the season’s 10 race showdown that ultimately determines who the 2011 Sprint Cup champ will be.

Heading into Richmond, nine drivers have already secured their place in the Chase. Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman and Brad Keselowski, who currently hold ones of the two Wild Card positions. While technically, any driver currently sitting 23^rd or better has a chance at one of the remaining three Chase spots, all eyes are focused on a handful of drivers who are expected to get the job done.

As the points stand now heading into the weekend, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin are the favorites to secure those last coveted positions, but fans know that in NASCAR anything can and will happen, nothing is guaranteed. In order to process it all one must turn to higher math and perhaps a perfect alignment of all the planets to get it a full understanding of just how things could turn out.

With three victories under his belt, Keselowski has clinched himself a safe haven in one of the two Wild Card positions, but depending on his finish in Richmond is still eligible for a Top-10 spot, potentially knocking Earnhardt Jr. and Stewart out of one of the ninth and 10th spots in which they currently sit.

In order to clinch his spot in the Chase, regardless of how any other driver finishes, Earnhardt Jr., who has failed to make the Chase since 2008, must secure a 20^th place finish or better, 21^st or better and leads at least one lap or 22^nd or better and leads the most laps. Regardless of any other driver’s finish, Stewart will clinch his spot by finishing 18^th or better, 19^th or betting leading one lap and 20^th or better leading the most laps.

Got that? Good! It gets a little trickier from here.

Hamlin can seize his Wild Card spot by winning the race on Saturday night. Paul Menard could potentially take that Wild Card should he win the race. Other hopefuls include Marcos Ambrose and David Ragan, who are also eligible for the Wild Card, but each of them would need to take their car to victory AND advance their point standings into the Top-20.

The best of the rest would require a win, a position in the Top-20 and a variety of scenarios and various finishes from the other drivers in order to earn their place in the Chase.

The Chase can be a tough nut to crack, but just as the race, aptly named the “Wonderful Pistachios 400,” will prove in the end; once the tough outer shell has been cracked, the delicious goodness inside makes the fight for the checkered flag that much more worthwhile.

So who’s it going to be? After a two year hiatus, will Earnhardt Jr.’s performance prove worthy of a Chase spot, will Stewart channel that old school intensity that we know and love to hang on to 10^th place and will Hamlin, Richmond’s favorite son, kick it into high gear to bring home a win at his hometown track for the third year in a row?

Only time will tell, so have at it boys, Saturday night’s alright for fighting, so get a little action in and give the fans a night to remember!

September 8, 2011
NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Atlanta

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

[media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”244″][/media-credit]1. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson nearly chased down teammate Jeff Gordon at Atlanta, but settled for second after ten laps of dramatic racing to close Tuesday’s rain-delayed race. Johnson has three-straight top-4 finishes, and took sole possession of the Sprint Cup points lead with a 21-point cushion over Kyle Busch.

“The weather nearly dictated the outcome,” Johnson said. “Had the precipitation continued, another ‘J.J.,’ J.J. Yeley, would have been the winner. Yeley was praying for more rain. It never came. With a sixth-consecutive Cup title in my sights, I’m praying for more reign.”

2. Kyle Busch: Busch was strong at Atlanta early, leading 19 laps, but after making contact with the wall near the midway point, handling issues arose and he never challenged the lead again. He eventually finished 23^rd, one lap off the pace, and fell out of a tie for the Sprint Cup points lead. Busch is now second, 21 behind Jimmie Johnson.

“I haven’t exactly been dominating in the last two races,” Busch said. “History would suggest I’m just gearing up for a disappointing Chase run. This is one instance in which I wish I was like Juan Montoya. Alas, lately my driving doesn’t strike fear into anyone.”

3. Jeff Gordon: Gordon won for the third time this year, holding off Jimmie Johnson over a tense final ten laps in the AdvoCare 500 in Hampton, Georgia. The win was Gordon’s 85^th career triumph, placing him alone in third in the all-time wins list. Gordon moved up one spot to fifth in the point standings, and trails Johnson by 43 points.

“Jimmie and I wore out our tires battling each other,” Gordon said. “We were slipping and sliding all over the track. Nonetheless, it was a ‘gripping’ finish.”

4. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski finished sixth at Atlanta, posting his sixth-straight top-10 and fifth consecutive top-5 result. He is 11^th in the Sprint Cup point standings and has clinched a spot in the Chase.

“I’m really excited,” Keselowski said. “I’m in the Chase, and I’ll be going up against some of the drivers I’ve admired, and Carl Edwards.

5. Carl Edwards: Edwards led 14 laps in the AdvoCare 500 on his way to a fifth-place showing, his first top-5 result since a fifth at Kentucky on July 9^th. He improve one spot to third in the point standings, and now trails Jimmie Johnson by 38.

“As you know,” Edwards said, “Fastenal has agreed to sponsor my No. 99 Ford for 17 races next year. Couple that with my recent lucrative contract extension, and I’m ‘rolling in dough,’ which may explain why I’ve been so slow lately.”

6. Matt Kenseth: Kenseth looked to be the car to beat in the middle section of Tuesday’s AdvoCare 500, but sudden handling problems dampened his run at the front. Still, he finished a solid ninth and is now fourth in the point standings, 39 out of first.

“As has been widely reported,” Kenseth said, “I was one of the seven drivers from the 2010 Chase who accepted an invitation to the White House. I met Dale Earnhardt, the ‘man in black.’ Now, I’ll soon be able to say I’ve met Barrack Obama, the man in ‘White.’

7. Kevin Harvick: Harvick finished seventh at Atlanta, his 12^th top-10 result of the year. Harvick’s day nearly ended in disaster when contact on a lap 135 restart sent him sideways, but he made an incredible save to continue with no damage. He is sixth in the point standings, but with three wins this year, will likely start no worse than third when the Chase For The Cup begins.

“I saved the day,” Harvick said. “It remains to be seen whether I can save the season. I haven’t sniffed a hint of victory since winning at Charlotte in late May. And that stinks. But let’s face it. With me, ‘V’ isn’t for ‘victory;’ it’s for ‘vendetta,’ against Kyle Busch. But I’ll continue on my merry way with little concern. My motto is ‘Don’t worry, be ‘Happy.’”

8. Kurt Busch: Busch finished fourth in the AdvoCare 500, posting his sixth top-5 finish of the year. He clinched a berth in the Chase For The Cup by virtue of points.

“Hey,” Busch said, “that’s the first time ‘virtue’ and ‘Kurt Busch’ have been used together in a sentence. But I’m just happy to be in the Chase. There’s a number of drivers with legitimate chances to win the Cup. I’m happy to do my part to maintain a healthy balance between ‘contenders’ and ‘pretenders.’”

9. Ryan Newman: Newman came home with a lackluster 20^th-place finish at Atlanta, but clinched a spot in the Chase For The Cup, joining Kurt Busch and Brad Keselowski as the latest drivers to clinch.

“I’m in,” Newman said, “but Tony Stewart has yet to solidify his berth, and likely won’t know his fate until the end of Saturday’s Richmond race. So, I’ve clinched, while Tony will be clenching….his sphincter.”

10. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin led six laps on his way to an eighth-place finish in the AdvoCare 500, his ninth top-10 result of the year. Hamlin sits 12^th in the point standings, and can lock up a Chase berth

“I won at Richmond last September,” Hamlin said. “Hopefully, for once this year, I can live up to last year’s standards.”

September 8, 2011
Helping Danica: The Top-5 Drivers Who Could Share the Cup Ride with Danica Patrick

[media-credit id=22 align=”alignright” width=”215″][/media-credit]The mystery of who will share a ride with Danica Patrick in the third car for Stewart-Haas Racing is still just that: a mystery! Here is my list of the top 5 drivers who would run the remaining 26-28 races on the 2012 schedule.

#1- Mark Martin-

Reasons why- What is not to like about Mark Martin? He has experience, he can help Danica in every way and he is one of the most talented drivers in NASCAR history. Martin’s kindness and respectfulness on the racetrack has won over fellow competitors and other drivers. Fans respect Martin as well which is a big deal for sponsorships.

Why not- Rick Hendrick suggested last week that Mark Martin is interested in running for Phoenix Racing in 2012. Hendrick also indicated that he is interested in running only 20 races next season. If he shares the ride with Patrick he will have to run 26-28 races which may be more than what Martin wants to run.

#2- Landon Cassill-

Why- The former Hendrick Motorsports development driver has had a decent year running the No. 51 Chevrolet this season for James Finch. If Martin replaces Cassill, Cassill may go to Stewart-Haas as sponsors may be attracted to the 22 year old driver from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He has run all the races this season aside from the Daytona 500 in 2011.

Why not- The 22 year old may be a little young for this ride. Stewart-Haas may prefer to go with a veteran type driver to help Danica Patrick learn the tracks and the heavier, faster Sprint Cup Series cars; Something that Landon Cassill may not be an expert in himself.

#3-Bobby Labonte-

Why- Bobby Labonte is a great friend of Tony Stewart as they were teammates from 1999-2005 at Joe Gibbs Racing. He has the past champions provisional if needed. His contract at JTG Daugherty Racing runs out at the end of 2011. He has run every race since the 1993 Daytona 500. He has the experience, the charm, and the talent sponsors are looking for. His fan base is very passionate and a competitive ride would only make them more passionate. The 2000 series champion may be a dark horse for this ride.

Why not- Many people feel he still has something left. He may resign with the No. 47 team if they feel like he can still race. This would only be a one year deal, at best, for SHR since Danica Patrick will run full-time in 2013. Unless Labonte is thinking about scaling back his schedule I doubt he would take the Stewart-Haas ride over the No. 47.

#4- Bill Elliott-

Why- If Mark Martin is out of the picture; Bill Elliott may be a good fit for Patrick’s team. No he has not run more than 20 races in a year since 2003; however, Elliott has said he would race full-time for a team that is very competitive. Elliott also is eligible for the past champions provisional, which is something that could help this team as well. His experience is just as good as Mark Martins. He is also one of the sports’ most popular drivers ever. That’s a big help for sponsorships.

Why not- For the last couple of seasons Elliott has only ran 12-15 races and only 5 in 2011. He may be a little rusty and that may be unattractive to sponsors. He hasn’t won a race since November 2003, which may be unattractive as well.

#5- Elliott Sadler-

Why- Sadler’s got the experience and personality that is attractive to sponsorships. He has had moderate success in the Sprint Cup Series and has run a Cup car as recent as 2010 season. He has had nice success in the Nationwide Series in 2011 and has a sponsor with a lot of money which could help with this ride.

Why not- Sadler’s last three seasons in Cup weren’t something to be proud about. He hasn’t been competitive in Cup in a long time, sponsors may want to put their money somewhere else than on a guy who hasn’t done much in Cup in a while. He also has a contract to run the full season with Kevin Harvick Inc. for the 2012 season in the Nationwide Series. Drivers have flown back and forth to races before however; his Nationwide team may not let him do that.

Other Drivers:

Aric Almirola- He is Danica Patrick’s teammate in the Nationwide Series and is well respected around the garage. He has made 35 Cup starts in his career and many people feel that he is the next driver in line for an opportunity in the Cup series. He has had a better second half of the 2011 season and is a Chevy driver, all of which helps Almirola. However, he is under contract to run full-time in the Nationwide Series in 2012 for JR Motorsports. Many people feel he is a legitimate championship contender for the Nationwide Series title. Having a Cup ride may affect a chance at having that happen.

Clint Bowyer- I highly doubt he won’t run full-time in 2012. It sounds like he may leave Richard Childress Racing, but rumors have it he may have a full-time ride at Richard Petty Motorsports or Roush Fenway Racing. He is a long shot at best for this ride.

David Gilliland- He has had moderate success with the No. 34 team this year and is Tony Stewart’s drafting buddy on Superspeedways. However, I doubt a man in the prime of his career will take a part time ride, even if it is a Hendrick Motorsports car.

Michael McDowell- He has start and parked at HP Racing for most of the last 3 seasons. However, he is young and has some experience in Cup which could make him a factor for the ride.

Besides these few drivers not much else is out there for Tony Stewart. It will be interesting to see what he does to fill that ride.

September 8, 2011
SOME COMMENTS DESERVE TO BE REPEATED

It’s was a very interesting few days, coming off of the Labor Day holiday weekend, for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Following two days of unscheduled overtime at Atlanta, NASCAR went to the White House for a special reception that somehow managed to launch a completely unjustified political debate. Oh yes, there was also plenty of comments that deserve to be repeated.

[media-credit name=”Kirk Schroll” align=”alignright” width=”220″][/media-credit]

The participants of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase For The Championship, along with NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France, were invited to attend a special reception at the White House where President Obama praised NASCAR for their decades of success, their willingness to give back to the communities through a high number of charity projects and their high profile support of the members of our Armed Forces.

In a tongue in cheek moment the President looked at five time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and reminded him that if his team made just one mistake, in the upcoming 2011 Chase, the competition would be on him. “I have observed that there IS some trash talking in NASCAR,” the President said adding “for a moment I thought I was watching the WWF”, (World Wrestling Federation.)

Prior to the reception it was revealed that Sprint Cup drivers Tony Stewart, Greg BIffle, Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards were not planning to attend. That’s when the NASCAR and political conspiracy theorists joined forces and ran amuck.

In a move that was completely unjustified, not to mention unfair, the theorists claimed that these four drivers intentionally snubbed the President’s invitation because they did not agree with the administration’s policies and were generally dissatisfied with the state of the union. Surprisingly this theory went well beyond the typical NASCAR media coverage. It became a topic of interest on national newscasts, politically themed television talk shows, the Internet and, needless to say, it ran rampant on the social networks.

These four drivers had to spend some of their very valuable pre race time at Atlanta assuring everyone that they felt the President’s invitation to the White House was a true honor but they were forced to respectfully decline due to schedule conflicts that simply could not be avoided.

The life of a Sprint Cup driver is filled with tight schedules. There’s a lot more going on in their world than just the annual 36 races plus the special non points events. They are constantly in demand for personal appearances for their team sponsors, TV commercial productions, special track events to help sell tickets as well as meet and greet sessions with the fans. Many of these commitments are scheduled months in advance. The process begins long before the start of the racing season and continues after the season has concluded.

A perfect example of this process involved Greg Biffle who had to decline the trip to Washington DC because of a very important two day appearance in Minnesota on behalf of 3M, his primary sponsor, that had been scheduled months ago.

Biffle probably put it best when he said “I saw some comments that we rejected the invitation. To me, that’s not what we did. Rejecting means, ‘no, I don’t want to go. I’m not going to go. You can’t make me go.’ That’s rejecting. Having a conflict and not being able to go is something different.”

SPEED Channel analysts Kyle Petty also had an interesting perspective on this topic when he said “they just can’t stop what they’re doing just because the President called. It’s not political. I don’t stop what I’m doing just because my wife calls. This isn’t “Face The Nation,” it’s racing. If you want politics turn the channel to “Face The Nation.”

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One of the special moments, from the NASCAR weekend at Atlanta, was watching Jeff Gordon celebrate his 85th series win that now places him in sole possession of third on the series’ all time win list. After the race a grateful Gordon got on “Twitter” and wrote “(the) best thing about a big win like today is coming home, seeing my family and looking at all the congrats from the fans on Twitter. Thank U.”

The Atlanta win allowed Gordon to break a three way tie, on the NASCAR win list, with Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison. Acknowledging the accomplishment in a “Twitter” message Waltrip wrote: “When I retired in 2000 I felt like Jeff Gordon was the only guy out there that might be able to catch me and Bobby. Jeff Gordon is worthy of all the praise he is getting for what he has accomplished, not only as a true champion but as a great person as well.” This is exactly why everyone thinks “DW” is a class act.

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The Atlanta Sprint Cup race was not devoid of some road rage controversy. This is especially true of drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Clint Bowyer who have had some memorable moments with each other in the past. During the Atlanta race there was some light contact by Bowyer to the back of Montoya’s car which was basically a simple racing deal. However Montoya took the matter personally and retaliated. Boywer ended up parked along side of the retaining wall, had to settle for a 32nd place finish and quite possibly has seen the end of any hopes of getting into the Chase line up.

After the race a highly frustrated Bowyer said “you just can’t race around a jackass. Anybody in this sport knows what you’re up against when the 42, (Montoya), shows up. He dive bombs the starts, bully’s his way up there and before you know it he’s in the way and wrecking with somebody. Unfortunately I was his victim this week.”

With the surliness of a tiger from a South American jungle, Montoya replied: “they all think we’re supposed to back off because they’re trying to get into the Chase and he’s also looking for a ride next year and everything. He just needs to prove himself a little more.”

Bowyer had nothing further to say about the Atlanta incident on his “Twitter” account but Montoya did offer the following “Tweet”: “we made some real progress with the car. I heard Bowyer wasn’t too happy. I guess next time he’ll give me a little room.”

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Now for the final comments of the week. In one of her “tweets” Danica Patrick announced that she had something in common with veteran actress Betty White and wrote: “Betty White and I share the same mental condition: road rage. Scary to think that, as I grow older, it won’t go away. My poor hubby.”

DeLana Harvick was asked “do you ever just say ENOUGH to stop the craziness between the boys?” She replied “yes, but usually with a few F bombs.”

Following the Atlanta NASCAR Nationwide Series race, Kenny Wallace flew to Chicago for a personal appearance in the windy city and sent the following “Tweet” : “I have landed in Chicago. I always think of Al Capone when I come here. I guess it’s all the history I was taught. Sorry.”

During a Sunday morning SPEED Channel interview, while waiting for it to stop raining at Atlanta, we learned that Brad Keselowski likes a pre-race heaping bowl of Captain Crunch breakfast cereal. Explaining the tradition, he said “it’s good for you, you have to say young at heart.”

NASCAR “Twitter” fans are well aware that SPEED Channel analyst Kyle Petty has a rather large “Twitter” following. Most of them are also aware that sometimes Petty tries to rattle our cages with some of his responses because he finds that amusing. However, recently he received a “Twitter” question, that even he chose not respond to, that read: “do you believe in God or (actor) Tom Cruise’s God?” (WHAT????)

Absolute item last is a comment that made the ESPN air waves during their coverage of the Atlanta Nationwide Series race. Following a multi-car crash, the voice of an unidentified spotter came over the air telling his driver “yellow flag, watch out for debris. There’s s**t flying around all over the place.” Apparently ESPN’s official censor couldn’t activate the kill switch before the S word made it on the air. That prompted the network’s broadcast anchor, Marty Reid, to say “we’re certainly sorry about that.”

From toddlers developing their new found vocal skills to great grand parents, that’s a word that is used probably a billion times per day in America. However, the word is frowned upon when it glides through the public air waves. You may have noticed that my very fine editor prefers me to place two stars in the middle of the word rather than spell it in its natural state.

To coin a well used racing phrase: “it is what it is” and sometimes it just plain old s**t !

September 8, 2011
Hot 20 over the past 10 – Gordon is blazing, but Keselowski is bringing his own kind of heat

Jimmie Johnson has five straight titles, and he is again poised to add yet another finger bauble, but one man standing in his way operates out of the company’s other shop. It has been a decade since the recently turned 40-year old Jeff Gordon claimed his fourth crown, but there is nothing old about his act as of late.

[media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]In his last ten events, Gordon was 17th at the Glen, 11th in Loudon, with the rest all Top Tens, including his 85th career victory last Tuesday on the asphalt of Atlanta. He has averaged more than 39 points per race over the span, claiming more than 80% of those available to him. Under the current system, where last place gives you just 2% and even tenth is under 70%, his results lately have been stellar. Gordon appears up for the challenge.

However, watch for the young man from Michigan. 27-year old Brad Keselowski has been outstanding, especially in his last six starts. Two wins, a second, a third, a sixth at Atlanta, and 9th at the Brickyard. He moves into the Chase with three wins and a chance to even earn a Top Ten berth in the standings with another great effort at Richmond.

Quite frankly, it appears that ten of the 12 currently holding down a place in the Chase are set and ready for the fun to begin. For Dale Earnhardt Jr and Denny Hamlin, they need to throw another log or two on the fire, as the embers appear to be cooling off.

Here is a look at the hottest 20 drivers over the past ten events…

POS (LW) DRIVER – PTS/10 – (W-T5-T10)

1 (1) JEFF GORDON – 392 pts (1-4-8)
Petty, Pearson, & Gordon. Junior partner joins the firm.

2 (6) JIMMIE JOHNSON – 370 pts (0-6-8)
Visits the White House so much, it is now called the Johnson Bedroom.

3 (5) BRAD KESELOWSKI – 364 pts (2-4-8)
A bit of the spotlight has found this darkhorse.

4 (2) KYLE BUSCH – 349 pts (2-5-6)
Tuesday will be a crash fest? Well, maybe he meant next Tuesday.

5 (3) MATT KENSETH – 343 pts (0-2-6)
Has been called silent but deadly. That stinks.

6 (4) RYAN NEWMAN – 330 pts (1-4-5)
If he ever ran neck and neck, he probably would lose.

7 (9) KEVIN HARVICK – 307 pts (0-0-4)
Don’t send him a last minute invite. Just ask a certain Mr. B. Obama.

8 (8) CARL EDWARDS – 303 pts (0-3-5)
Wanted to go, but had a date with a duck.

9 (7) JOEY LOGANO – 303 pts (0-3-4)
A hundred races and the best is yet to come.

10 (13) MARTIN TRUEX JR – 300 pts (0-2-4)
Nothing that a win and a raid on Hamlin’s hauler wouldn’t cure.

11 (12) KURT BUSCH – 298 pts (1–3-5)
After three straight duds, Atlanta was welcome.

12 (10) TONY STEWART – 297 pts (0-1-4)
His schedule opens up after November 20, if the President wants to reschedule.

13 (11) A.J. ALLMENDINGER – 296 pts (0-0-2)
Victory, and by at least 11 points over Hamlin, would do the trick.

14 (15) MARCOS AMBROSE – 281 pts (1-2-4)
Richmond To-Do list includes winning and moving into the Top 20.

15 (14) KASEY KAHNE – 280 pts (0-1-3)
Red Bull? More like bulls***

16 (23) JEFF BURTON – 258 pts (0-0-1)
Jeff, where the hell have you been?

17 (20) GREG BIFFLE – 256 pts (0-0-2)
If only 3-M retreat had been at Camp David.

18 (16) PAUL MENARD – 255 pts (1-1-3)
Win at Richmond, he’s in the Chase. Don’t, and he won’t.

19 (18) DENNY HAMLIN – 254 pts (0-1-3)
A good day back in June looms big for the Pied Piper.

20 (21) JAMIE MCMURRAY – 253 pts (0-2-2)
In the Top 15 thrice in past ten just not good enough.

21 (24) DALE EARNHARDT JR – 248 pts (0-0-1)
In recent weeks he is about as much a threat to claim the title as I am.

22 (19) DAVID RAGAN – 242 pts (1-1-2)
Soon Big Brown will be just a skid mark.

23 (17) CLINT BOWYER – 242 pts (0-1-2)
Dear Juan: You are a jackass. Your pal, Clint.

September 7, 2011
The Key To Success

There was rain. There were floods. There were even tornado’s in Atlanta. But for the second time in modern history, NASCAR ran on a Tuesday morning.

[media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”227″][/media-credit]The story that came out of the race was not the Chase points. It wasn’t those that clinched and those that lost all chance of making it. It was the story of persistence. It was the persistence of the fans that stayed and weathered the storm literally. It was the persistence of a 4-time champion who refused to quit. It was the persistence of a 2-time champion who was down and out who lady luck seemed to have forgotten. It was the story of a young man who has seen the bottom over four years and suddenly has found the spark. Persistence was the story of the day.

The race weekend in Atlanta began on Friday. It was hot and humid to the point of being miserable and 87,000 people were there. On Saturday the weather was the same and the fans were still there. On Sunday the skies opened up and delivered a tropical torrential down power and the fans were there until NASCAR finally lost the track about 9 PM. Because of the weather warnings local authorities requested the race be rescheduled for Tuesday morning. Tuesday Morning 16,000 people were in the stands in the cold and damp and endured the on and off heavy mist. The cost of their perseverance was probably very high with 2 missed days of work or more for most. But their dedication to the sport and their favorite drivers was strong and their loyalty unwavering. Their persistence was rewarded with being witness to history being made.

Through the delays there was a burning light. It was a light that had been burning since 1976 in Rio Linda California at a track called Cracker Jack Raceway. A fire that never dimmed and reach heights of greatness that the man it burned inside of only had dreamed of. The 4 time champion had struggled the last 2 years with a long winless streak broken in Texas last spring and punctuated by a crew chief change this winter. It was only two short years ago the media and the fans were talking about Jeff Gordon retiring but he didn’t. Instead he drove hard and on a rainy Tuesday in Atlanta Georgia, Jeff Gordon won his 85^th race and secured third place on the all time win list. He continued to forge ahead, believing in himself and his Hendrick Motorsports team and keeping his eye on the prize, another championship.

Two time champion Tony Stewart has been through the gamut of emotions in the last two years, from becoming the owner of his own team, to winning his first race in his own cars to struggling to get out of his own way this year. Smoke’s luck reached rock bottom with an uncharacteristic 30^th place finish 2 laps down in Bristol last week. Smoke proclaimed in Michigan that they didn’t need to make the chase if they couldn’t perform any better than they were. “There is no use in being in the chase if you can’t challenge for the win.” He said. So when the white flag flew at Atlanta and Smoke made a classic sprint car dive to the inside of Kurt Busch in a Hail Mary move for 3^rd his fans held their breath. Smoke’s talent had never been in question but his luck that was something else. But Smoke held on to the Office Depot Chevrolet and made the move work looking more like the two time daring, devil may care champion that his fans have grown to love. He never gave up. He was frustrated. He was down. But he was never out. He pushed himself and his team harder than he had ever pushed before and he made the decision to succeed and to continue on to the chase.

In June, Dale Earnhardt Jr sat 3^rd in the points and was a picture of consistency. But lady luck would not be on his side. A string of bad finishes and misfortunes hit at absolutely the worse time, the end of the race for the chase. The media began doubting he would make the Chase. The slide was terminal they hinted. Even with all the improvement in the driver and the team there was still something missing. Pit stops were slow. The car had no speed. The qualifying efforts were poor. The race results slipped to top 20 finishes instead of top 10 finishes. The nay sayers pointed their fingers and the negativity flowed like water from a tap. But this time something was different about Dale Jr. This time he didn’t give in to the negativity. Instead he said we are working on the problems. He was honest. He was upfront but he never lost his swagger or his confidence. In Atlanta even with a bad car and handling problems, Earnhardt Jr held on to 9^th place in the points. Going into Richmond he would only have to pull a 20^th or better finish to secure his Chase spot. “That is the job we got, so we will try. I feel confident and you don’t stop trying until it’s over.” Earnhardt said after the race. And that is the secret after all to his being there isn’t it? He never quit trying. He pushed on and in doing so he found that his goal was within his reach.

All of these situations have a common thread. People took control of situations that were not in their control. The fans took control to outlast the weather and show their devotion to their sport. Jeff Gordon took control of his abilities and over came a slump by refusing to accept anything less than being a championship contender. Tony Stewart took a string of bad luck and in true Smoke fashion man handled it until it became something he could out drive. Dale Jr. dug deep inside and reached out for a new voice on the radio and found his confidence and belief in his talents.

All could have walked away. All could have said it was a great ride but… Instead they persisted through the storms, the trials, the bad luck, and the negativity. They reached back and found the time tested and true adage of racing…It ain’t over until the checkered flag waves and the check clears the bank. When they did they found the truth in racing. Persistence equals success every single time.

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Congratulations to Ron Hornaday on his Camping World Truck victory. It was awesome to see the champ in victory lane again.

Congratulations to Carl Edwards on his Nationwide Series win.

Congratulations to Jeff Gordon on his hard fought victory in the Sprint Cup Series and a historical 85^th win to take sole position of 3^rd on the all time win list. Not bad for a kid whose mustache use to be penciled in with eye brow pencil.

Kudos to Tony Stewart for one of the most incredible Hail Mary passes the sport has seen in a long time.

That said, to all the competitors in all the series thanks for giving us everything you have to give, you are our heroes. Most importantly, thanks to all the families who shared their loved ones with us so we could cheer our favorite driver and favorite teams. You are the true heroes of the sport and we are forever in your debt.

September 7, 2011