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  • NASCAR finds itself in the Middle of a Lawsuit with Advanced Fluid Solutions

    NASCAR finds itself in the Middle of a Lawsuit with Advanced Fluid Solutions

    Following a year where NASCAR’s integrity came into question with multiple issues, they find themselves in a middle of yet another lawsuit.

    Advanced Fluids alleges in its complaint that NASCAR illegally terminated the agreement because NASCAR did not give proper written notice that Advanced Fluids was in default and continued to talk to the company during the time it was trying to get the funding finalized. The company is asking for its sponsorship with NASCAR to be reinstated, in which the sponsorship is worth $6.295 million over seven years.

    “AFS (Advanced Fluids Solutions) never performed … any terms of the contract,” NASCAR states in its response to the lawsuit as according to Sporting News.

    Advanced Fluid Solutions agreed to pay that amount to market its new XP4 fuel and oil performance additive through the “NASCAR Performance” program. Their parntership was set to start in 2010, yet did not as Advanced Fluids had not paid the original $500,000 payment. The contract was executed in October 2009 and NASCAR terminated the deal in December 2009.

    The lawsuit was filed by Advanced Fluid Solutions last month in Volusia County (Fla.) Circuit Court, and NASCAR had the case moved Friday to United States District Court in Orlando.

    Last year, NASCAR found themselves in front of a lot of controversy through a lawsuit that Jeremy Mayfield filed with result to being suspended due to drug usage. They also faced a lawsuit a couple years ago from NASCAR ex-official Mauricia Grant due to racial discrimination. 

    Lawsuits are finding their way into NASCAR as the dollar goes up as NASCAR drivers Robby Gordon and Scott Speed have also found themselves in the middle of lawsuits over contracts.

  • Budweiser Shootout Eligibility Criteria Expands For What Purpose?

    Budweiser Shootout Eligibility Criteria Expands For What Purpose?

    NASCAR announced that the eligibility criteria for the 2011 Budweiser Shootout would be expanded.

    Last year it included the previous year’s 12 Chase for the Championship drivers and drivers who have competed in the past two seasons who are past Cup champions, past Budweiser Shootout winners and past Daytona Cup points race winners.

    This year it includes the criteria, along with including Rookie of the Year winners from the past 10 years.

    “When you take a look at the field for this year’s Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, it’s loaded with all-star caliber drivers,” said Robin Pemberton, vice president of competition, in the press release. “From former series champions and Chase drivers, to the past 10 rookie of the year performers, to drivers who have had success at Daytona, we believe the fans are in store for a terrific and highly competitive event on a brand new racing surface.”

    The new format allows Kasey Kahne, Joey Logano, Kevin Conway, Juan Montoya and Regan Smith to be qualified in to the field.

    The old format of the Budweiser Shootout included only pole winners and past winners of the race. The idea was to give those who had worked hard to win a pole throughout the year a bonus – just like the Sprint All-Star Race gives race winners a bonus.

    Though when Coors Light took over the rights of the Pole Award, it was demanded that the format get changed from Budweiser.

    So what is the bonus now for pole winners? Besides starting first and getting first pit selection with some extra cash, pretty much nothing. With the way the races are, on most tracks it doesn’t matter where you start as you can always work your way to the front to win one way or another. The pole isn’t as big as it was before.

    Therefore qualifying day is off of people’s radars a lot as they don’t count that towards if their driver will run well. They just care how their driver is in practice. With that being said, the views on qualifying are down, making things look bad there.

    How can this be fixed? Either go back to the old format or give bonus points for qualifying. 15 for the pole, 10 for second and five for third sounds right – that is what the ARCA Racing Series does and in the end, that could seperate first and second.

    Now NASCAR just comes up with something that looks like an interesting format that has some “criteria” to get as many big faces as they can in. If they want to do that, they might as well just say, “Okay, look – everybody is allowed in. It’s just a non-points race with a big cash bonus.” That is the way it is going as the only drivers in the top 35 not locked in are David Reutimann, A.J. Allmendinger, Martin Truex Jr., Paul Menard, David Ragan, Brad Keselowski, Marcos Ambrose, Elliott Sadler, Sam Hornish Jr., Scott Speed, David Gilliiland, Travis Kvapil and Robby Gordon.

  • Drivers Must Choose To Run For One Championship in 2011

    Drivers Must Choose To Run For One Championship in 2011

    Last week, Brad Keselowski tweeted, “Needed a good laugh tonight after being ruled ineligible for both shootout and NW championship in one loooong week. Thanks for the support.” This began speculation that drivers would have to choose the series that they wanted to compete in for 2011.

    Since then, this has been confirmed to be true as reported on NASCAR.com.

    Kenny Wallace said that there is a box you have to check on the new entry form that he picked up while testing at Daytona for the upcoming 24 hours of Daytona race.

    “The brand-new license forms that are out, there’s a box and in it, it states that you have to mark — put an X — what championship you’re running for,” Wallace told NASCAR.com, quoting his application. “A driver will only be permitted to earn driver championship points in one (1) of the following three series: NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Please select the series in which you would like to accumulate driver championship points. Choose one.”

    NASCAR refused to comment on the issue as they said it would be addressed during the Competition Update held during Preseason Thunder later this month.

    “I’m sure we can answer all your questions at our competition update.” NASCAR spokesperson Kerry Tharp said.

    From whether owner’s points will be addressed to how giving out the points will be done, that is all suppose to addressed come January 21st during Preseason Thunder.

    This is something that has been rumored to be happening for the 2011 season since last October. It was a move that was being discussed then to help with driver development, small teams attracting sponsors and bringing the series back to its roots as a developmental series. The last non-Sprint Cup driver to win a Nationwide Series championship was Martin Truex Jr. in 2005. Since then, it has been Sprint Cup regulars dominating the Nationwide Series, taking most of the wins and all the championships.

    NASCAR President Brian France also announced that in the next coming weeks, they will be meeting with drivers and owners from each organization to discuss other issues currently facing NASCAR. They will be doing the discussed by organization instead of as a big town hall meeting to hopefully open up the lines of communication more.

    “The old theory was that when you’re at the races with them all the time, we had the communication lines wide open,” France said about the team forums last January to Sporting News. “That’s true, but it’s too busy now to assume that we can have all the communications and get all the issues they want to get resolved with us at the track.

    “So we just changed it around where we’re having these meetings. … In the town hall meetings, a lot of people didn’t want to speak up when there were 12 other drivers or something like that and they didn’t feel comfortable.”

  • As Good as New: Looking Ahead to the 2011 Nationwide Series

    As Good as New: Looking Ahead to the 2011 Nationwide Series

    The 2011 Nationwide Series will be one of uncharted territory.

    It’s hard to try and promise fans that they need to watch this season because it’s going to be bigger and better than years past. It would be unfair to try and say that things are going to be different in the best way possible and the season is going to blow the history books away.

    That has yet to be determined. We’re not in the business of false advertising. That’ll be save for the McDonald’s commercials which always seem to have a burger that looks more appetizing and pretty than what arrives in the bag.

    For the most part however, the upcoming NNS season is one that has begun to paint a very interesting picture. Here are five new things fans should be looking for in the 2011 season.

    New Faces Competing for the Nationwide Series Championship

    Elliott Sadler feels like a kid again.

    After winning his first race in NASCAR’s top three series since 2004 in a Kevin Harvick Incorporated truck, Sadler was given the keys to a full-time NNS ride for KHI. Considering that Sadler is no long a Sprint Cup Series driver, he should be eligible to run for the title in 2011.

    His success in 2010, including a pole and third place finish at Bristol in August, makes him a contender to watch. Sadler has always been a lovable character in the NASCAR garage, who hasn’t had the success that many feel he’s capable of.

    This season it might be hard to wipe a smile off his face.

    At Texas last November after the announcement was made, Sadler said he was looking forward to having fun again. And it also doesn’t hurt that he knows he’s going to be competitive.

    It felt like the first day of the rest of his life. Could Sadler become the next Jamie McMurray comeback story?

    KHI has established themselves as a premiere NNS team, one that will again be looking to take up residence in victory lane. But another returnee to the NNS is going to give Sadler a run for his money.

    If Aric Almirola’s career to be summed up it would take just one race: Milwaukee in June of 2007. At the time Almirola was a developmental driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, the expectant next big star of the sport.

    That’s the race he was yanked out of the car while dominating in favor of Denny Hamlin. Almirola got credit for the victory but he wasn’t in the winner’s circle and doesn’t have the trophy.

    In 2011 JR Motorsports is giving him a chance for redemption. Almirola gets the seat of the No. 88 which in 2008-2009 finished third in the NNS points with Brad Keselowski.

    Veteran crew chief Tony Eury Sr. is back atop the box, a man that has the experience to create another championship driver. When Almirola finished third at OPR last August in his first race with the team, Eury was instantly impressed and knew their driver search was over. Almirola will leave behind the CWTS where he won two races and finished second in points.

    Along with Sadler, Almirola will give NASCAR fans two new Nationwide only drivers to get behind in the title fight.

    And speaking of title fight …

    New Rules for Sprint Cup Series Drivers

    It hasn’t been formally announced yet, but NASCAR has stated they have sent letters to each and every team about the upcoming season. The letter states a driver much declare which of the three series they want to receive championship points in.

    What’s that mean? Drivers such as Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards, Paul Menard and others who attempt to compete for both the NNS and NSCS championship cannot. It’s one or the other.

    That would bring an end to five years of Cup drivers taking home the Nationwide trophy and ensure that a new face gets his chance.

    Cup drivers may still be allowed to run in the series, such as Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick to name a few but they won’t be allowed to rain on the NNS regular drivers parade.

    There have been words of praise for NASCAR. There have been those of criticism. The 2010 NNS champion, Keselowski, had already let the cat out of the bag last week on his Twitter page.

    Keselowski has become a sort of Twitter-holic over the last month. He’s updates numerous times throughout the day and interacts with his fans.

    Keselowski updated on January 7, “Needed a good laugh tonight after being ruled ineligible for both shootout and NW championship in one loooong week. Thanks for the support!”

    A day later Keselowski took back his comment and said he has not been informed of any rule changes. NASCAR has said they will address the issue and many more later this month during the media tour.

    But, it appears that for the first time since Martin Truex Jr. did so back in 2004-2005, the Nationwide Series will have one of their own taking home the championship.

    New Faces in New Places

    NASCAR is once again being invaded, except this time it’s not by an open wheel driver. Travis Pastrana is the newest owner/driver as it was announced that Pastrana-Waltrip Racing will make their debut in 2011 with Pastrana behind the wheel.

    He comes from a sport that is nothing like NASCAR and where if he tries to pull off one of his signature moves, it won’t end well. Trying to double-back flip a stock car might sound exciting and would certainly put on a show, but it won’t help him end up in victory lane or learn very much.

    Pastrana is an X Games hero who will now become the student to some of the best racers in the world. He does have experience on four wheels however, competing in the American Rally racing.

    Fans love fresh faces to root for and Pastrana is a very likable guy with a great fan base. A fan base that is also very diverse, something NASCAR will be excited about as well.

    New Car Creating a New Kind of Racing

    It was run on four occasions last season in preparation of his first full season. In four races there were three winners and none of them came from the Joe Gibbs Racing stable.

    Significant because of the praise drivers gave the car in creating an equal playing field. JGR, specifically Kyle Busch, has made the series his own personal playground the last few seasons.

    In an era when fans have become sick of seeing the same teams and drivers dominate, the new car is bringing hope that 2011 will open up doors for a successful season for many different faces.

    Another compliment handed down was about the car handled and the racing it produced. Some even compared it to driving like a truck, which can be a good thing because many say the CWTS puts on some of the best racing during the weekend.

    Keselowski, who won in the car at Charlotte, said that race was one of the best races he’s ever been apart of and hoped the fans agreed. An official judgment of the cars successful will most likely come after the season has concluded.

    Something to watch though is that now the Cup drivers can’t win the championship, they have nothing to lose when running in the NNS. It’s victory lane or bust for them and that can only lead to some exciting races.

    Oh and don’t forget, the cars look good too.

    New Girl on the Block Gets a Returning Neighbor

    It’s Danicamania part two but this time she has some competition. Patrick will be back for her second season in a stock car as she also returns to tracks for the second time.

    Last season it appeared that she was learning when she ran inside the top 15 at California in October before being wrecked. It was a turnaround from where she was in the beginning of the season.

    The first five races of the 2011 season will again be filled with Patrick’s face and name. Sorry for all the haters. Except, don’t get too upset because another female will be looking to take the spotlight.

    She’s not new to NASCAR but Jennifer Jo Cobb will also be running in the first five races of the season. She has joined 2nd Chance Motorsports where she’ll drive the No. 79 2nd Chance Motorsports Ford.

    Cobb has run NNS races in the past, her last was Kansas last September where she finished 34th. The Kansas City native competes full time in the CWTS and last season she became the highest finished female in NASCAR history.

    Patrick vs. Cobb.

    It’s just one of the new things to watch as the season gets under way next month.

  • Brad Keselowski Joins Darrell Waltrip and Denny Hamlin, As The Latest to Get Ensnared by Twitter

    Brad Keselowski Joins Darrell Waltrip and Denny Hamlin, As The Latest to Get Ensnared by Twitter

    In today’s modern high tech era, the internet has made it easy for any fan to get up to date information which at one time was hard to come by.

    Facebook and MySpace were two avenues the drivers and teams utilized to communicate with their fans, along with the many NASCAR websites such as Jayski, Scenedaily, and the independent websites which make up NASCAR’s Journalist Media Corps.

    This past season, NASCAR took on a whole different look when Twitter joined the already sprawling social networking community.

    Twitter became the backbone for many different reasons, and one of the biggest was to give the fans a glimpse of what goes on during a typical day in the life of their favorite driver.

    The fans that flocked to Twitter were also given some good inside information on how each driver responds to different situations, which included members of the media who probably never realized just how many fans were actually tuned in.

    The Twitter craze also gave members of the media and the fans a chance to interact with one another, because it was set-up as an instant messaging system allowing the participants the opportunity to chat with one another.

    With any form of open messaging that is broadcast over the internet, there will always the downfalls which can quickly turn an average conversation into a costly mistake if the wrong information is broadcast.

    Darrell Waltrip was one of those media members who learned the hard way, that social networking was a lot bigger than what he probably anticipated, when he leaked a story on his twitter page that drew National attention.

    Waltrip posted on his twitter page, the details of Foxsports.com writer Lee Spencer’s article about Dale Earnhardt Jr. driving a No. 3 Wrangler Nationwide Series car at Daytona in July.

    [media-credit name=”Barry Albert” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]Denny Hamlin was another who made the same mistake, when he criticized NASCAR for throwing late caution flags to help make the June 13 race at Michigan more competitive on his twitter page.

    Hamlin took it a step further when he tweeted about some late caution flags, which were thrown during the Nationwide Series race at Chicagoland Speedway July 9.

    “Truthfully, I don’t think it matters to the fans who win the race as long as it’s a good ‘show,’ even if it comes as the expense of competition.”

    Unlike Waltrip whose tweets came under attack from Earnhardt, “It’s unfortunate DW uncovered, and blew the lid off of it on Twitter no less. That kind of ruined our announcement that we had planned,” said an upset Earnhardt after Waltrip broke the story on Twitter.

    Hamlin faced NASCAR who hit the driver of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota Camry, with a reported $50,000 fine.

    “Other people before me, not to name names – Tony Stewart – have said way worse than what I have, way worse direct hits at somebody and got away with it.”

    “I’ve always been raised to speak my mind and be, maybe, too over-opinionated at times,” said Hamlin after hearing about the penalty.

    After these two unpleasant incidents, and these words of advice from Waltrip, “Lesson learned be careful what you tweet, because you never know who is reading. Oh by the way, I did learn one thing, Twitter is a great way to get the word out, even people that don’t have it know what’s on it.”

    Brad Keselowski, became the next driver to inadvertently use Twitter as an avenue to talk about one of NASCAR’s rule changes for the 2011 Nationwide Series, and beyond.

    Even though NASCAR hasn’t made any formal announcement, thanks to Keselowski displeasure at not being eligible for the Bud shootout, we now know that cup drivers will not be allowed to race for the NNS championship, which was one of the rule changes a lot of the fans were hoping for.

    Keselowski said on his Twitter account Friday that, “Needed a good laugh tonight after being ruled ineligible for both shootout and NW championship in one loooong week. Thanks for the support.”

    If there was one question that was answered through Keselowski’s blunder and that is the teams, and drivers know beforehand of any rule changes to the series before the fans and media are informed.

    Whether or not Keselowski is telling the truth with this tweet on Saturday, remains to be known until NASCAR makes an official announcement.

    “To clarify last nights remarks about NW championship No I have not been notified by anyone at NASCAR about the 2011 rules for eligibility.”

    The only question remaining is, will Keselowski be willing to post on his twitter page if NASCAR decides to fine him for leaking the rule change?

  • A.J. Allmendinger and Richard Petty Motorsports Renew With Best Buy

    A.J. Allmendinger and Richard Petty Motorsports Renew With Best Buy

    Best Buy announced earlier this week that they were renewing their partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports and AJ Allmendinger.

    “Best Buy is proud to renew our relationship with Richard Petty Motorsports and driver AJ Allmendinger for the 2011 season,” said Drew Panayiotou, senior vice president of marketing for Best Buy in a press release.

    [media-credit name=”FMCM” align=”alignleft” width=”300″][/media-credit]“Richard Petty is a motorsports icon and is well respected within the sport of NASCAR. Being a part of a team with his leadership is a privilege. We will be doing some innovative work with Richard Petty Motorsports surrounding our sponsorship, creating new and fun ways to engage the fans. We look forward to continuing our support of AJ and the No. 43 team as they strive to make their way to Victory Lane.”

    “It’s great to have Best Buy back onboard our No. 43 Ford,” said Allmendinger. “They have been a great partner and I’m really excited about the opportunity to work with an organization that is as passionate about its racing program as I am. I think this is going to be a great year for this Richard Petty Motorsports team and I can’t wait to get the Best Buy Ford into Victory Lane.”

    Best Buy announced that they would be the primary sponsor for 26 of the 36 races on the schedule.

    AJ Allmendinger displayed a solid performance during the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with two top-5 and eight top-10 finishes.

    In addition, he scored his first-career pole at Phoenix International Raceway. Allmendinger closed the season 19th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings, a career-best.

    This marks a key step in rebuilding Richard Petty Motorsports following a year filled with turnmoil.

    The team ran into financial trouble that saw them almost miss the final three races of the year after George Gillett, former part owner, made some bad financial decisions outside of the racing business.

    Sporting News reported that Gillett, who owned as much as 70 percent of the team, defaulted on it’s roughly $90 million loan last February. Sirius Speedway reports that he still owes $70 million to Wachovia Bank, while still making payments to Ray Evernham for the purchase from him. Evernham told Sirius Speedway that Gillett is up to date in his payments.

    The sale of Liverpool FC was suppose to help Gillett restructure it, however, it sold for a amount far less than expected causing some of these strains.

    To try to put some of the pieces together, Gillett sold his stock in the companies that operate the Northstar-At-Tahoe Ski Resort in Vail Resorts on Tuesday, which is worth $63 million as according to Sirius Speedway.

    Gillett’s moves did not help the team in restructuring, though.

    At the end of the season, Petty announced a partnership with Medallion Financial and DBG Investments, who as a group purchased the assets from Gillett. They also have made the choice to downsize to two cars instead of running a full fleet of four.  

    Allmendinger will remain behind the wheel of the famous No. 43 Ford and Marcos Ambrose will drive the No. 9 machine with sponsorship from Stanley and DEWALT.

    Considering everybody’s thoughts of worry and feelings that RPM would be shut down, they look to have everything under control going into 2011.

    The only question is: How will they do on track and will things continue on a good path?

  • The Brian France Era of NASCAR

    The Brian France Era of NASCAR

    Brian France has stood stalwart against the verbal stones and arrows aimed in his direction because his approach to the operation of NASCAR is so different from that of his father and grandfather.

    He is not the hands on, dictatorial leader of stock car racing that NASCAR’s founder, Bill France and his son, Bill France Jr. were.

    Since the time of NASCAR’s inception, the leaders were at the track every race.  They ran the show from the ground, face to face with owners, drivers and crews.

    [media-credit name=”Brad Keppel” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]Brian France was appointed leader of the NASCAR world in 2003 and maintains a corporate style that fans feel distance him from the reality of the sport.

    This France may show up at 15 or so races a year and usually just to make a statement of some sort.

    It is NASCAR President, Mike Helton’s job to interact with the teams at the track along with a plethora of people whose job it is to keep NASCAR rules and policies enforced on the competition level.

    Though France grew up around racing, serving in most every capacity, his interests are in marketing.

    His college education at the University of Central Florida was marketing based.  Before being named Chairman and CEO of NASCAR, he managed the marketing department and touring divisions.

    France brought the Craftsman Truck Series (Camping World Truck Series) into  NASCAR’s top series during 1996.

    There have been many changes with NASCAR since France took the helm in 2003.  Some fans of the sport have failed to forgive him for implementing the Chase in 2004.

    Under his reign, the sport became globally recognized.  He negotiated massive television deals and the five year deal with Sirius/XM Satellite radio for exclusive NASCAR coverage.

    NASCAR and the mother-ship of the France owned tracks, International Speedway Corporation, is operated out of their headquarters in Daytona Beach, Fl. 

    Bill France Sr. and Bill France Jr. worked autonomously, but Brian reports to a board that includes his sister Lesa France Kennedy and his uncle, Jim France, who both maintain significant stakes in NASCAR.

    France’s time is spent on the business side of the sport.  NASCAR is a massive entity with numerous operating divisions.  The NASCAR leader spends most of his time behind the scenes with policy development and business negotiations.

    When France took over as the head of NASCAR, the sport was still expanding.  There were new tracks built in the late 90’s, the economy was growing and fans spent freely at racing venues.

    All was going relatively well until the economy tanked in 2008 and 2009. The sport experienced loss of revenue from sponsors, attendance and television ratings dropped and a myriad of cascading events took it’s toll on all phases of the economy  and the general population.

    Reportedly, an ESPN Sports poll showed a drop in the average viewing age of males younger than 45.  The fastest growing age group was 45-54 and 65 and older.  The Nielsen Co. indicated 51.6 as the median viewing age.

    Clearly such a continuing pattern long term would not bode well for NASCAR, though much of the spending power lies with the baby boomers. 

    As a result, digital media, diversity programs, the greening of the sport and licensing issues have taken on greater importance in an effort to attract new fans in varying ways.

    France faced criticism for dumping smaller tracks like Rockingham and North Wilkesboro in favor of the intermediate size, cookie-cutter tracks.

    Some fans believe France turned NASCAR into a brand as opposed to the sport it once was.  Many people believe he has abandoned the southern roots of NASCAR with the expansion into larger markets throughout the country.

    The NASCAR CEO does not operate in a bubble, making decisions on a whim.  Change is made by many working together with a great interest in the good of NASCAR, though that does not guarantee success with all of their decisions. 

    In the past decade we have seen more exciting racing, better competition, safer drivers in the COT and better access to races by fans in other parts of the country. 

    There are still those who will tell you that the races are boring until the final 25 laps, complain of starting times, want shorter races and on it goes.  The commercials overwhelming the race during television coverage is also an issue to be addressed.

    Changes including “Boy’s, have at it,” green-white-checkers, double-file restarts, the redesign of the NASCAR Nationwide cars and much more were implemented under France’s oversight.

    The 2010 Chase was the best we have seen following the culmination of 26 weeks that included some of the most competitive racing we have seen in years.

    The head of NASCAR is working to regain any ground the sport has lost.  He is open to a great deal of feedback via the town hall meetings, Fan council, social media and of course directly from team owners and drivers.

    NASCAR television contracts come up for renewal in a few years.  France knows he has got to get the fans back in the stands and in front of the televisions.

    His methods of attracting a new fan base may seem disheartening to diehard race fans.  NASCAR must continue to evolve if it is to remain strong against other major sports. 

    Certainly tough decisions will need to be made and some changes won’t fare well with all fans.  In an age of instant gratification it is harder to keep fans focused with so many options.

    Shortly France will announce changes to the Chase and decisions impacting Cup drivers in the Nationwide series.  There may be other announcements as well.

    France and those who play a major role in the operation of NASCAR will continue to implement changes.  It is just the way it works.

    It remains to be seen how this third generation NASCAR leader will be perceived in the history books.  The fact remains, NASCAR is a great sport and France will hopefully do whatever needs to be done to see that it continues as such under his watch.

  • HOORAHS AND WAZZUPS: So, It Begins Again

    HOORAHS AND WAZZUPS: So, It Begins Again

    While the NASCAR focus should be squarely aimed at the upcoming test session at Daytona, there seems to be some other very interesting story lines this week. Michael Waltrip is on the verge of publishing a book and then plans on hitting the road as a stand up comedian. Also this week some very deserving drivers and teams received some good news regarding their 2011 plans. Then there was the matter of a bizarre lawsuit against World Wrestling Entertainment that actually has a stock car racing connection. With those thoughts in mind let’s begin this week with:

    [media-credit name=”Simon Scoggins” align=”alignleft” width=”300″][/media-credit]HOORAH to Michael Waltrip for expanding his horizons in some very unique ways. One would think Waltrip would be plenty busy overseeing his two NASCAR Sprint Cup teams with the start of a new racing season so close at hand. But he’s found time in his schedule to undertake some new adventures.

    Just this past weekend he was in Dubai where he joined Michael Waltrip Racing co owner Rob Kauffman and competed in a sports car road race. Waltrip got to race a high powered Ferrari which he referred to as “a dream.”

    Waltrip also announced plans to drive one of his own Toyotas in the February 20th Daytona 500. It will mark his 25th consecutive appearance in the great American race. There are also plans for him to compete in Daytona’s annual Bud Shootout as well.

    Michael Waltrip the author will make his debut on February 1st with the release of “In the Blink Of An Eye: Dale, Daytona And The Day That Changed Everything.” This book tells the poignant story of Waltrip winning the 2001 Daytona 500 only to have that special moment completely overshadowed by the tragic accident in this race that claimed the life of Dale Earnhardt Sr. It’s anticipated that the book is going to hit the best seller’s list.

    Then there’s Michael Waltrip’s Comedy Garage. Headlined by premiere stand up comedians Henry Cho and John Reep, the comedy tour will be hosted by Waltrip who will also perform a stand up comedy routine. The tour makes its official debut January 21st at the Ameristar Hotel and Casino in Kansas City and then it’s on to Ontario-Canada the following day. There is also a scheduled stop at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas.

    ***********

    Speaking of the Waltrip family, WAZZUP with NASCAR champion, turned broadcaster, Darrell Waltrip and a recent concern regarding age issues? In a recent “Twitter” message “DW” wrote: “I’m really upset about my age. I just realized I missed my mid life crisis. (I) think I’ll go out and buy a sports car, a convertible no less.”

    Hang in there ‘DW”. It won’t be much longer before you’ll be returning to the Fox Sports broadcast booth to cover the Daytona 500. That experience will make anyone feel young again.

    ***********

    Here’s some HOORAHS for drivers and teams who made quick work of answering the door when opportunity came knocking.

    The first one goes to Sprint Cup driver A J Allmendinger, and his Richard Petty Motorsports. team, who recently found out that Best Buy Stores will be returning as a primary sponsor this year. The national store chain will be on the hood of Allmendinger’s #43 Ford for 24 races plus the two non points events: the Gatorade Duels and the All Star race. Best buy will also be an associate sponsor on RPM’s second team driven by Marcus Ambrose.

    HOORAH to Justin Lofton who recently announced that he will be driving a Toyota Tundra for Germain Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this year. After winning the ARCA Series championship in 2009, the talented driver from southern California spent his rookie season in the truck series impressing a lot of observers. His 2010 stats included four top fives finishes, eight top tens and 12th in the final points standings.

    HOORAH to Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing who recently announced plans to collaborate with Second Chance Motorsports for the first five races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The plan calls for Cobb to drive the #79 Ford Mustang with Roush Yates supplying the engines. More races will be added to their schedule if additional sponsorship can be found. Cobb will be rather busy this year with plans to continue campaigning her self owned Ford team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

    ************

    On the opposite end of this extreme, WAZZUP with Roush Fenway Racing’s struggles finding sponsors for their three NASCAR Nationwide Series? Carl Edwards, who will again be racing the full Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series schedules, only has enough sponsorship from Fastenal to cover half of the 34 Nationwide event after Copart announced they would not be returning this year.

    Meanwhile RFR’s other two Nationwide Series teams, driven by Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Trevor Bayne, may find themselves starting the new season with no sponsor logos at all on the hoods of their cars.

    ************

    The final HOORAH of the week goes to the SPEED Channel for their planned comprehensive coverage of the upcoming pre season Sprint Cup test at Daytona set for January 20th through the 22nd. Check www.speed.com for air times. Hang in there racing fans, the withdrawals are almost over.

    ***********

    The final WAZZUP of the week belongs to Kentucky resident Ronald Basham and a lawsuit he recently initiated against World Wrestling Entertainment, WWE. It seems that approximately 11 years ago the then seven year old Basham was attending a WWE event that featured wrestling superstars “The Rock” and “Triple H.” The intensity of this match eventually wound up in the grandstands where a female fan was accidentally hit causing her to land on Basham’s right leg and knee. After filing the lawsuit 11 years later Basham said that “at age seven he was too young to sue for himself.” His attorney said his client “suffered severe and painful injuries that will continue to bother him.” This is despite the young man’s stint playing high school football.

    So, what does any of this have to do with auto racing? It seems that Basham went on to become a stock car driver at his local race track despite the intense pain in his leg. His personal “Facebook” page is loaded with photos and video streams of his racing career including some hard crashes into concrete retaining walls. Don’t bother looking up Basham on “Facebook.” It seems that his attorney, in recent days, had him remove everything connected to racing from the page. Imagine that.  

    I just thought you might find this change of pace story interesting but that’s assuming that you can “smell what the Rock is cooking.”

  • Sprint Cup Series To Test at Daytona January 20-22 with Live Speed.com Stream

    Sprint Cup Series To Test at Daytona January 20-22 with Live Speed.com Stream

    In antipation for the new season, the Sprint Cup Series cars will hit Daytona International Speedway for a three-day test session (January 20th-22nd) to try out the new pavement.

    Fans are welcome to attend to test for free as they will be able to view from a section of the Oldfield Grandstands in turn four and from the SPRINT FANZONE.

    As in years past, Daytona will host their annual NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest, where fans can ask the drivers questions. Headlining the list of stars set to appear are last year’s Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray, four-time champion Jeff Gordon, defending and five-time champion Jimmie Johnson and most popular driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.  

    Drivers currently scheduled to make appearances on Thursday, Jan. 20 beginning at 6 p.m. are Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski, David Ragan, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin, Martin Truex Jr. and Regan Smith.

    Scheduled to appear on Friday, Jan. 21, during the 5-7 p.m. session are Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, David Reutimann, Casey Mears, Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano, Kevin Conway, Kyle Busch, Paul Menard and Ryan Newman.

    In the 7-9 p.m. session, drivers scheduled to appear are AJ Allmendinger, Brian Vickers, Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Juan Pablo Montoya, Marcos Ambrose and Matt Kenseth.

    For those wishing to attend Preseason Thunder Fan Fest, tickets are $20 and available by calling 1-800-PITSTOP or online at daytonainternationalspeedway.com.  If you have a ticket for the 2011 Daytona 500, you will recieve admission free.

    Advanced reservations are available (limited to 250 people) for special autograph sessions to be held with participating 2010 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers and Daytona 500 champions. Additional driver autograph sessions will be held on both days with wristbands available the day of the event. To request access to the special autograph sessions, race fans can call 1-800-PITSHOP or visit the Daytona International Speedway ticket office beginning on Saturday, Jan. 8 at 9 a.m.

    SPEED has announced that they will be providing live stream coverage on their website. They plan to show 23 hours in total.

    “The most important thing we do at SPEED is cover the NASCAR season from the minute the cars first hit the track until the champion makes his acceptance speech at the banquet each year and everything in between,” said SPEED President Hunter Nickell. “We’re psyched that we get to start a little earlier now that Daytona testing is back, and based on what we heard from drivers at the Goodyear tire test in December, this is one test session you won’t want to miss.”

    John Roberts and Jeff Hammond host SPEED’s on-air coverage from the studio above Victory Lane at Daytona. Steve Byrnes, Larry McReynolds and Darrell Waltrip will offer analysis throughout the practice sessions with reporting by Bob Dillner and Krista Voda. SPEED.com is presenting live streaming of all on-track activity with the exception of 3-5 p.m. ET Thursday, and will feature a rotation of on-air personalities.

    SPEED schedule for Daytona testing (all times Eastern and live unless otherwise indicated):

    Thursday, Jan. 209 a.m. – 12 p.m. (SPEED.com)1 p.m. – 5 p.m. (SPEED.com)5 p.m. – 7 p.m. (same-day delay) (SPEED)

    Friday, Jan. 219 a.m. – 12 p.m. (SPEED.com) 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. (SPEED)2 p.m. – 5 p.m. (SPEED.com)

    Saturday, Jan. 229 a.m. – 12 p.m. (SPEED.com)1 p.m. – 2 p.m. – (SPEED) 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. – (SPEED.com) 

    This test marks an important test as many drivers will be working with their crew chiefs for the first or second time since the off-season swaps. With the new pavement, many teams will be out to try new tricks to see if their cars will work a certain way as they vow to win the biggest race come February, the Daytona 500.

  • Jeff Gordon ‘Has At It’ with Jimmie Johnson, Sonoma Raceway and Jeff Burton

    Jeff Gordon ‘Has At It’ with Jimmie Johnson, Sonoma Raceway and Jeff Burton

    Past the stories of Kyle Busch’s behavior and the Carl Edwards-Brad Keselowski feud, there were many other stories that hit the headlines with the new ‘Boys, Have At It’ policy. Lots of other drivers showed their displeasure with each other in their own unique way.

    [media-credit name=”Simon Scoggins” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]Jeff Gordon is one of the subjects to this discussion via his dustups with teammate Jimmie Johnson, the road course race at Sonoma and the fight with Jeff Burton.

    All of these have created controversy surrounding Gordon as people are questioning whether this is due to frustration with the lack of success, or if Gordon is finally letting his personality show.

    The fun all began in April at Texas Motor Speedway after some contact between the teammates. When they were racing side-by-side, Gordon made contact with Johnson while it could appear that Johnson crowded his teammate.

    “I guess four-time doesn’t like how I was racing him.” Gordon commented on the radio following the contact and some radio discussion.

    Then at Talladega later in the month, Gordon blamed Johnson for getting him caught in the big wreck after a controversial move in the draft.

    “I am mad right now,” he said in the interview after the race. “It takes a lot to make me mad and I’m pissed right now.”

    Jealousy is something that some stemmed to believe from the pair of incidents as Gordon was taking out of his frustration on Johnson. With both of them being in the same shop, it would be believed that both would have the same equal amount of success. This has not happened as while Johnson won the championship this year, Gordon finished ninth in points with no wins. Some people have questioned how even things are in the shop, though Rick Hendrick stands by the fact that all the information is shared from one team to another to therefore benefit all.

    A lot of people have said the difference between the teams has been the lack of chemistry. As a result, Gordon will be working with Alan Gustafson in 2011. Whether the combination produces success is definitely a question that will be interesting to see answered.

    Another interesting dynamic is how Gordon is now moving to the same shop as Mark Martin while Dale Earnhardt Jr. moves up to the shop with Johnson. Does this come as a result of what happened in April? Or as a result of what happened later in the year with the pit crew swap? Or is Hendrick looking to just combine the best combinations and not as a result of anything above?

    According to those inside at Hendrick, they say that things are still good between everybody and that it was a co-operative effort within the organization with the pit crew swap.

    A couple months later when it came to the road course at Sonoma in late June, Gordon found himself in the middle of it again. Multiple drivers complained after the race about Gordon driving too hard and as a result, causing problems for them. Martin Truex Jr. came out and said, “The 24 turned me around.” and vowed for payback.

    Rather than jealousy, this could have been driven by frustration on Gordon’s part due to being so close to winning at tracks recently, yet still not finding victory lane. It could also be the new coming with Gordon in where he realized that if he wants a piece of the Chase and wants to be in the middle, he has got to fight for it. Maybe he interpreted that the wrong way and instead caused more problems then he intended.

    Gordon’s most dramatic move, however, came in Texas with the argument with Burton.

    Burton is known for being the mayor of the garage, having the voice of reason and being able to represent the drivers’ views in general.

    Gordon is known for being the professional who became NASCAR’s first young-gun star that seemed polished. As he’s grown to be a more mature driver, he’s taking a role like Burton’s in having a professional representation of the sport.

    Though following the events of what happened, it looked like both of their roles within the sport had fallen apart.

    Under a caution for Martin Truex Jr. wrecking, Jeff Burton made contact with Jeff Gordon, causing them both to wreck.

    “That sucker killed it,” Gordon said after the contact on the radio. “What the hell? He’s the one being a dumb###.’’

    Gordon was angry about the whole event and proceeded to get out of his car and throws some punches at Burton.

    For Gordon, the entire trickle of events led back to the previous green flag lap before the caution.

    “He went wide going into turn three, I went underneath him,” Gordon said after the incident. “There were three car lengths between us and he came right down to me and got into me.

    “Under caution, I went up to him to tell him what I thought; I never even touched him. He just drove into my right rear and put me into the wall under caution. Out of all the people, I never would have thought that Jeff Burton would do something like that. I had a lot of respect for him and now I’ve lost a lot of respect.

    “I was walking toward him, and I started going through all the scenarios in my mind. Thankfully, I had a long walk down there to him, because I did about the least amount I wanted to do. I wanted to show him how upset I was, but I wanted to do a whole lot more than that. I held back.

    “I’m just still in disbelief. I like Jeff. Usually he’s a guy that’s very rational and I respect his opinion. He apologized. It’s over.”

    Burton said he didn’t mean to get into Gordon, as he wanted to tell him he was right to be mad.

    “Well, we came off turn four and he drove underneath me and when he drove underneath me, I should’ve let him go,” Burton said. “He pulled up next to me to tell me he was upset with me. Then I went to pull up next to him to acknowledge him, to say he was right. I turned left, and he was turning left, and we just hung up. And when we hung up, off we went. I honestly don’t know what happened.

    “One hundred percent, it was my fault. It was definitely my fault. We got together, I couldn’t get off of him. I didn’t mean to hit him, I meant to pull up next to him and tell him he was right.”

    Burton also said that he’s not mad at Gordon for wanting to say a few words.

    “I knew he was going to be mad, and I don’t blame him for being mad,” Burton said. “He didn’t do anything he shouldn’t have done. He was upset, and he should have been upset. I wrecked him under caution – I didn’t mean to wreck him, but I wrecked him under caution – and he meant to tell me he was upset. That’s OK. I don’t have a bit of problem with what he did. He was mad, and he should have been mad.”

    Burton also said later in the week, “I can assure everybody that there is no way that I would turn somebody driver-side first into the wall. That’s not just how I am.”

    It created an interesting dynamic as a lot of people were surprised, though as Burton said, it was needed via the events.

    Whether Gordon’s actions are possibly led by frustration, jealousy, or other reasons, they made for a lot of entertaining moments this year.