Monday, February 28, 2011
Chevrolet Cruze 2011: Customer Review
Consumer A Chevrolet Cruz was my first brand car. I researched about lot of cars. I test-drove the car and it was great. It had great pick up. The interior was amazing and it gives a luxury feeling. I got the connectivity package and I use them on a daily basis. It has a fuel [...]
Road Test Review of Cruze 2011
Do not mistake the Cruze for a Corvette, as both the engines offer better acceleration in most of the situations. The turbo charged cruze versions provides a better feel of energy especially in the cities and while merging on to the highway. The manual transmissions and eco versions have not been available yet for the [...]
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Miller to Unveil Revolutionary TIG Welder at 2008 SEMA Show
Get hands-on experience and expert demonstrations of MIG welding, TIG welding and plasma cutting. Test Miller TIG and MIG welders that make it easier to learn to weldperfect for enthusiast-level motorsports applications.
Proposed change to NASCAR?s Nationwide Series Won?t Deliver A True Champion
Through an administrative slipup worthy of inclusion in a Coen Brothers movie, word has gotten out that NASCAR?s anticipated rule changes to strengthen the validity of the second-tier Nationwide Series include drivers declaring which one series title they will pursue.
Although no official announcement of this change is expected until a competition update on Jan. 21 during preseason Cup series testing at Daytona International Speedway, it has been known for some time that NASCAR would make changes to the Nationwide Series to address concerns that drivers from the upper-tier Cup series have taken over what is intended to be a finishing school preparing younger drivers to make the final step up NASCAR?s ladder.
The past five series championships were won by drivers who were also competing full-time in the Cup series, all but Kevin Harvick in 2006 driving cars fielded by Cup teams with vastly more resources than Nationwide-only teams.
But is this rule change wise, as many contend including my fellow Racing In America blogger Bill Tybur?
There can only be one ...
Imagine it?s a year ago and you?re watching the Olympic Games in Vancouver, B.C. In particular, you?re viewing men?s speedskating, the 1,000 meters, and you?re thrilled to see American Shani Davis follow up his gold-medal performance in that event in the 2006 Turin Games by finishing first again.
But at the medal ceremony you do not see Davis climb to the top of the podium to get a medal draped around his neck and hear the Star Spangled Banner. Instead, Mo Tae-Bum of Korea takes the top step and earns the accolades reserved for the winner.
Why? Because before the Vancouver Olympic Games even began Davis was required to announce in which events he would compete for a gold medal, and he decided the 1,500 ? the crown jewel in speedskating ? would be his goal. He was still allowed to compete in the 1,000, but could not medal.
Imperfect analogy, but there?s a reason for that
No, speedskating isn?t a great analogy, but that?s because there are no apple-to-apple comparisons to make. Auto racing is unique in so many ways that any comparison to other major sports is faulty: Imagine seeing all 30 MLB or 32 NFL or 30 NBA teams trying to compete simultaneously at the same venue.
But even as a subset of motorsports NASCAR is unique as it is, to the best of my knowledge, the only major sports sanctioning body to allow top-tier competitors to compete in lower or developmental tiers. We don?t see Fernando Alonso racing in GP2, Mariano Rivera saving games for the Syracuse Chiefs of the Class-AAA International League or Dirk Nowitzki dunking for the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League.
But we have seen Cup regulars Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski and Harvick winning the past five titles and a whole bunch of Nationwide races. And even with this rule change, we will continue to see these and other Cup drivers in the lower-tier series because racers want to race and sponsors want well-known drivers in cars with their logos, especially drivers that win races.
In fact, allowing Cup drivers to continue racing in the lower levels, with no goal but winning races, makes it highly likely that a Nationwide-only driver will be crowned champion without ever having visited Victory Lane. Apparently NASCAR?s ?Emphasis on Winning? only applies to the upper-level series, especially as NASCAR?s anticipated changes to the Cup points system are expected to add even more focus on victories.
What to do, what to do?
Had this rule been in place last season, Justin Allgaier?s fourth-place overall finish would have been good enough to earn the Nationwide crown, with No. 7 Trevor Bayne runner-up and No. 9 Jason Leffler third. Allgaier was the only series regular to win a race in 2010, but it would be tough to say the best driver won the championship.
Although some including Dylan, who blogs at Triple League Racing have suggested banning Cup drivers from lower-tier series, I?m in favor of limiting participation instead. The Nationwide Series needs both the money and visibility Cup drivers bring, but capping their starts will allow for more attention on series regulars and more seat time for young and deserving drivers.
Sponsors may be tempted to sign up for only the races Cup drivers compete in, but if NASCAR and ESPN, its series broadcast partner, work at adding value during broadcasts by highlighting more than just the top three ? the gold standard is how SPEED handles NASCAR?s Camping World Truck Series ? that can be minimized.
At the end of that season, the driver with the most points, the true champion, may just be a Nationwide Series regular.
Read more from Scott Whitmore at Pop Off Valve and follow him on Twitter @ScottWhitmore
Photo Credit: Mark Ellis
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33924321@N07/4285982066/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Although no official announcement of this change is expected until a competition update on Jan. 21 during preseason Cup series testing at Daytona International Speedway, it has been known for some time that NASCAR would make changes to the Nationwide Series to address concerns that drivers from the upper-tier Cup series have taken over what is intended to be a finishing school preparing younger drivers to make the final step up NASCAR?s ladder.
The past five series championships were won by drivers who were also competing full-time in the Cup series, all but Kevin Harvick in 2006 driving cars fielded by Cup teams with vastly more resources than Nationwide-only teams.
But is this rule change wise, as many contend including my fellow Racing In America blogger Bill Tybur?
There can only be one ...
Imagine it?s a year ago and you?re watching the Olympic Games in Vancouver, B.C. In particular, you?re viewing men?s speedskating, the 1,000 meters, and you?re thrilled to see American Shani Davis follow up his gold-medal performance in that event in the 2006 Turin Games by finishing first again.
But at the medal ceremony you do not see Davis climb to the top of the podium to get a medal draped around his neck and hear the Star Spangled Banner. Instead, Mo Tae-Bum of Korea takes the top step and earns the accolades reserved for the winner.
Why? Because before the Vancouver Olympic Games even began Davis was required to announce in which events he would compete for a gold medal, and he decided the 1,500 ? the crown jewel in speedskating ? would be his goal. He was still allowed to compete in the 1,000, but could not medal.
Imperfect analogy, but there?s a reason for that
No, speedskating isn?t a great analogy, but that?s because there are no apple-to-apple comparisons to make. Auto racing is unique in so many ways that any comparison to other major sports is faulty: Imagine seeing all 30 MLB or 32 NFL or 30 NBA teams trying to compete simultaneously at the same venue.
But even as a subset of motorsports NASCAR is unique as it is, to the best of my knowledge, the only major sports sanctioning body to allow top-tier competitors to compete in lower or developmental tiers. We don?t see Fernando Alonso racing in GP2, Mariano Rivera saving games for the Syracuse Chiefs of the Class-AAA International League or Dirk Nowitzki dunking for the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League.
But we have seen Cup regulars Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski and Harvick winning the past five titles and a whole bunch of Nationwide races. And even with this rule change, we will continue to see these and other Cup drivers in the lower-tier series because racers want to race and sponsors want well-known drivers in cars with their logos, especially drivers that win races.
In fact, allowing Cup drivers to continue racing in the lower levels, with no goal but winning races, makes it highly likely that a Nationwide-only driver will be crowned champion without ever having visited Victory Lane. Apparently NASCAR?s ?Emphasis on Winning? only applies to the upper-level series, especially as NASCAR?s anticipated changes to the Cup points system are expected to add even more focus on victories.
What to do, what to do?
Had this rule been in place last season, Justin Allgaier?s fourth-place overall finish would have been good enough to earn the Nationwide crown, with No. 7 Trevor Bayne runner-up and No. 9 Jason Leffler third. Allgaier was the only series regular to win a race in 2010, but it would be tough to say the best driver won the championship.
Although some including Dylan, who blogs at Triple League Racing have suggested banning Cup drivers from lower-tier series, I?m in favor of limiting participation instead. The Nationwide Series needs both the money and visibility Cup drivers bring, but capping their starts will allow for more attention on series regulars and more seat time for young and deserving drivers.
Sponsors may be tempted to sign up for only the races Cup drivers compete in, but if NASCAR and ESPN, its series broadcast partner, work at adding value during broadcasts by highlighting more than just the top three ? the gold standard is how SPEED handles NASCAR?s Camping World Truck Series ? that can be minimized.
At the end of that season, the driver with the most points, the true champion, may just be a Nationwide Series regular.
Read more from Scott Whitmore at Pop Off Valve and follow him on Twitter @ScottWhitmore
Photo Credit: Mark Ellis
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33924321@N07/4285982066/sizes/l/in/photostream/
1998 Daytona 500 FINISH
The final 5 laps of the 1998 Daytona 500, as Dale Earnhardt is able to fend off his competitors until the spinning cars of John Andretti and Lake Speed bring out the caution with one lap to go. addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nascarpitstopblog.com%2Fnascar-tracks%2F1998-daytona-500-finish'; addthis_title = '1998+Daytona+500+FINISH'; addthis_pub = ''; Technorati Tags: 1998, daytona, Finish
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Own Kyle Petty's '06 Victory Bike and Ride Across the US
A special online auction give you the chance to own Kyle Petty's 2006 Victory motorcycle and join Kyle on the 2009 Ride Across America. But hurry, the auction runs July 15-25, 2008. All proceeds benefit two extremely...
Ragan Victim of Last-Lap Crash; Will Start 34th in Sunday?s 500
David Ragan and the UPS team started sixth and finished 20th in the second Duel after getting collected in a last-lap accident with Trevor Bayne
Friday, February 25, 2011
Hobart Brothers Welding Tips Poster
Hobart Brothers offers the cure to common stick welding troubles. The poster illustrates common weld defects, their causes and solutions and is available free of charge in Spanish and English.
David?s Blog: Roush Media Day
The NASCAR Media Tour made a stop with Roush Fenway Racing on Thursday. Check out David's blog about the day and hear how he's spending his final off weekend before Daytona.
Isis Performance S14, 383ci test!
See you guys in Sonoma!!!! Formula D round 6!!!!!!!!!!
Isis Performance S14 Testing for Formula Rd 6 from Beard Life on Vimeo.
Isis Performance S14 Testing for Formula Rd 6 from Beard Life on Vimeo.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Miller to Unveil Revolutionary TIG Welder at 2008 SEMA Show
Get hands-on experience and expert demonstrations of MIG welding, TIG welding and plasma cutting. Test Miller TIG and MIG welders that make it easier to learn to weldperfect for enthusiast-level motorsports applications.
Isis Performance S14, 383ci test!
See you guys in Sonoma!!!! Formula D round 6!!!!!!!!!!
Isis Performance S14 Testing for Formula Rd 6 from Beard Life on Vimeo.
Isis Performance S14 Testing for Formula Rd 6 from Beard Life on Vimeo.
Petty Sold His Soul To Save RPM
[...]TheNASCARInsiders.com
Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
WIN A TRIP FOR TWO TO THE 2011 SEMA SHOW IN LAS VEGAS
The SEMA Action Network (SAN) is looking for committed, passionate SAN members to recruit new members. The SAN is a grassroots organization that plays a critical role in shaping legislation impacting all car and truck hobbyists. Entrants are responsible for identifying and signing-up new members. The entrant who enrolls the most new, unique SAN members [...]
David?s Blog: Roush Media Day
The NASCAR Media Tour made a stop with Roush Fenway Racing on Thursday. Check out David's blog about the day and hear how he's spending his final off weekend before Daytona.
David?s Blog: Special Delivery in Daytona
David talks about delivering Daytona 500 tickets this week and getting ready for the last race of the season
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Seventh Annual Dale Earnhardt Day Set for April 29th
Dale Earnhardt Inc. will host the seventh annual Dale Earnhardt Day at its corporate headquarters in Mooresville, N.C. on Tuesday, April 29th.
The Top 10 NASCAR Races I'm Looking Forward to in 2011
Recently SceneDaily.com announced the 10 races that they are looking forward to this 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. I thought it seemed like an interesting idea because, although I can see why they picked the races they picked, my personal top 10 would be different.
So here is my own top 10 races list for the 2011 season (in order of the schedule - not in my order of preference):
Daytona 500Having just been teased by the Bud Shootout at the Duels, I am chomping at the bit for a full-on NASCAR race by the time the Daytona 500 rolls around. I am READY for some racing. Plus the 500 is always a big show and it?s a race that Tony?s never won - so I always hope beyond hope that this will be the year that he will break through and add this one to his trophy case. Oh, and there is the added anticipation this year of how the new noses on the cars will react with the new surface. LET?S GO RACING BOYS.
Subway Fresh Fit 500k at Phoenix The racing action is awesome at Phoenix Raceway. I use to attend this event in person but this season I will most likely be watching from afar since it's so close to the race in Vegas. That being said, this track is short and fairly flat. It?s usually the sitting-on-the-edge-of-my-seat racing that I enjoy.
Goody?s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Again a short flat track with great racing and tight corners. I love to watch the races at Martinsville. This paperclip shaped track is high on my ?someday I?ll go to? tracks.
Southern 500 at DarlingtonI love the lady in black because she can be a cruel cruel woman. The history that this track has coupled with the fact that she can just reach out and bite a driver for no good reason makes this track a real crowd pleaser- even for me. You know it?s bad when it?s easier to keep track of who did NOT hit the wall during practice. I just always hope it?s not Tony. I also consider this one of the first races of the ?warm season.? ? when Tony really starts to heat up. Go Smoke!
All-Star Race at CharlotteI love this race. It may be a non-points event but I think that is part of what makes it special. The drivers race really hard when the only thing on the line are bragging rights and a nice fat check at the end of the night. The whole All- Star week seems like it would be great fun to attend because it?s also when the Pit Crew Challenge happens - another event I LOVE. I usually sit over here on the west coast wishing I was on the other coast right about now. Plus it doesn?t hurt that this was SHR?s first win.
Coca-Cola 600 at CharlotteThe longest race of the season is a test of endurance on a storied day for motorsports fans around the world. This race is run on the same day as the Indy 500. But it?s the pure length of this race that makes it special. It is pure determination at it?s best.
Kentucky 400 at KentuckyI am looking forward to the introduction of a new track this year for Tony to conquer. It would be awesome to get the first win there. I am mostly curious about this track so that is why I look forward to it.
The Brickyard 400 at IndianapolisIt?s Indy, need I say more?
Irwin Tools Bristol Night RaceIt?s Bristol at night. The short track tight corners racing that I love made even more intense because it?s raced at night. Another race that is high on my must see in person list.
Kobolt Tools 500k at Phoenix I LOVE the racing at Phoenix and will most likely attend this one in person. Edge of my seat racing made even better by the fact that it?s the second to last race of the season and a lot can be at stake during this race.
So there you have it. MY top 10 races that I am looking forward to this season. What are you looking forward to?
Side note: You will notice that Talladega did NOT make my list?this may seem like sacrilege to many NASCAR fans but I seriously do NOT like the races at Talladega. I do not like to watch my races through my fingers?
-Amy
Read More from Amy Marbach at Amy's Bad Groove
Photo credit: Davidpb145
So here is my own top 10 races list for the 2011 season (in order of the schedule - not in my order of preference):
Daytona 500Having just been teased by the Bud Shootout at the Duels, I am chomping at the bit for a full-on NASCAR race by the time the Daytona 500 rolls around. I am READY for some racing. Plus the 500 is always a big show and it?s a race that Tony?s never won - so I always hope beyond hope that this will be the year that he will break through and add this one to his trophy case. Oh, and there is the added anticipation this year of how the new noses on the cars will react with the new surface. LET?S GO RACING BOYS.
Subway Fresh Fit 500k at Phoenix The racing action is awesome at Phoenix Raceway. I use to attend this event in person but this season I will most likely be watching from afar since it's so close to the race in Vegas. That being said, this track is short and fairly flat. It?s usually the sitting-on-the-edge-of-my-seat racing that I enjoy.
Goody?s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Again a short flat track with great racing and tight corners. I love to watch the races at Martinsville. This paperclip shaped track is high on my ?someday I?ll go to? tracks.
Southern 500 at DarlingtonI love the lady in black because she can be a cruel cruel woman. The history that this track has coupled with the fact that she can just reach out and bite a driver for no good reason makes this track a real crowd pleaser- even for me. You know it?s bad when it?s easier to keep track of who did NOT hit the wall during practice. I just always hope it?s not Tony. I also consider this one of the first races of the ?warm season.? ? when Tony really starts to heat up. Go Smoke!
All-Star Race at CharlotteI love this race. It may be a non-points event but I think that is part of what makes it special. The drivers race really hard when the only thing on the line are bragging rights and a nice fat check at the end of the night. The whole All- Star week seems like it would be great fun to attend because it?s also when the Pit Crew Challenge happens - another event I LOVE. I usually sit over here on the west coast wishing I was on the other coast right about now. Plus it doesn?t hurt that this was SHR?s first win.
Coca-Cola 600 at CharlotteThe longest race of the season is a test of endurance on a storied day for motorsports fans around the world. This race is run on the same day as the Indy 500. But it?s the pure length of this race that makes it special. It is pure determination at it?s best.
Kentucky 400 at KentuckyI am looking forward to the introduction of a new track this year for Tony to conquer. It would be awesome to get the first win there. I am mostly curious about this track so that is why I look forward to it.
The Brickyard 400 at IndianapolisIt?s Indy, need I say more?
Irwin Tools Bristol Night RaceIt?s Bristol at night. The short track tight corners racing that I love made even more intense because it?s raced at night. Another race that is high on my must see in person list.
Kobolt Tools 500k at Phoenix I LOVE the racing at Phoenix and will most likely attend this one in person. Edge of my seat racing made even better by the fact that it?s the second to last race of the season and a lot can be at stake during this race.
So there you have it. MY top 10 races that I am looking forward to this season. What are you looking forward to?
Side note: You will notice that Talladega did NOT make my list?this may seem like sacrilege to many NASCAR fans but I seriously do NOT like the races at Talladega. I do not like to watch my races through my fingers?
-Amy
Read More from Amy Marbach at Amy's Bad Groove
Photo credit: Davidpb145
2011 Ford Fiesta Price and Features
Ford Fiesta is manufactured by The Ford Motor Company. As one of the most recognized global subcompact cars, this car has been introduced to North American consumers during summer of 2010. The cars are manufactured at Mexican factory. You may choose the Fiesta according to your preference, be it a four door sedan or a [...]
Monday, February 21, 2011
2011 Ford Fiesta Safety Review
Car crash is never a funny thing. Although you can download or watch various car crash simulations on youtube, it would be a horrible thing to watch or experience the real one. So if you’re interested in buying a Ford Fiesta, it would be wise to spend some of your time to do a research [...]
Kris Meeke and Dani Sordo testing the MINI WRC in France [VIDEO]
Video of Kris Meeke and Dani Sordo both driving the MINI WRC during�Prodrive's recent test at Chateau Lastours, France. Meeke and Sordo were also joined by Armindo Araujo during the French test session�as the Prodrive team�ramp up�their preparations�ahead of�the squad's 2011 WRC assault. Meanwhile, Araujo�will�be driving�a Super 2000 MINI Countryman on Rally Portugal where he�will [...]
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Chevrolet Cruze 2011: Customer Review
Consumer A Chevrolet Cruz was my first brand car. I researched about lot of cars. I test-drove the car and it was great. It had great pick up. The interior was amazing and it gives a luxury feeling. I got the connectivity package and I use them on a daily basis. It has a fuel [...]
SEMA Sets July 8th as ?Collector Car Appreciation Day?
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Councils announced July 8, 2011 as ?Collector Car Appreciation Day.? �The date marks the second commemoration in what will become an annual event to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in [...]
David?s Blog: Hitting the Track in Daytona
David and the UPS team are busy getting ready for this weekend's Daytona 500. Check out what he has to say about the new track and the new rules put into place for the race
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Forza Famous!
Saw this random picture posted,� its pretty spot on minus the different front ends!!!� Rad.
Pro-Hobbyist Specially Constructed Vehicle Bill Introduced in Maryland
A version of SEMA model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for specially constructed vehicles has been introduced in the Maryland House of Delegates.� The bill (H.B. 155) defines a specially constructed vehicle as a vehicle that was constructed from any combination of new or used parts; was not originally constructed by [...]
Friday, February 18, 2011
Danica Patrick Stalls at Sufers Paradise ? Indycar 2008
Danica Patrick (#7 Motorola – Andretti Green Racing) stalls after contact between AJ Foyt IV (#Z Vision Racing) , Ed Carpenter (#20 Vision Racing) and Graham Rahal (#06 Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing); and show her dissatisfaction with the track marshals ! www.indycar.com http addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nascarpitstopblog.com%2Fnascar-drivers%2Fdanica-patrick-stalls-at-sufers-paradise-indycar-2008'; addthis_title = 'Danica+Patrick+Stalls+at+Sufers+Paradise+%26%238211%3B+Indycar+2008'; addthis_pub = ''; Technorati Tags: 2008, Danica, INDYCAR, [...]
America's Finest Conquest: The 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans
On Sunday, A.J. Foyt, one of the greatest American-born drivers ever, turned 76 years old. While Foyt is best known as one of only three four-time Indianapolis 500 champions, he is also the only driver to ever have won at Indianapolis, the Daytona 500, the 24 Hours of Daytona, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
While all are great achievements, perhaps it is Foyt?s only win off of North American soil that is the most impressive overall. To this day, his 1967 Le Mans victory is the only time an all-American team ? American drivers driving an American car prepped by an American crew ? ever took the checkers at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Foyt was only two weeks removed from his third Indianapolis 500 win, which he inherited as Parnelli Jones? gearbox failed with merely four laps to go. He was paired behind the wheel with Dan Gurney, who was competing in his second Formula 1 season with his own Anglo American Racers squad and had won the non-point Race of Champions at Brands Hatch.
They would run a car prepared by Carroll Shelby, who had taken the top two spots at Le Mans the year before with the Ford GT40 Mk. II. Six of those vehicles were entered the previous year, three by Shelby and three by Holman-Moody. H-M relied on American drivers like Ronnie Bucknum, Mark Donohue, and Mario Andretti, but only Bucknum?s car made it to the finish. Meanwhile, Shelby relied on a Brit and three Australians; his third car was the only all-American team. Consisting of Gurney and Jerry Grant, that car completed 257 laps before dropping out.
But 1967 would be different. Ken Miles, Shelby?s former top driver and the winner of the 1966 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring, would be killed in a testing accident that August. Subsequently, driver pairings would switch around on the Shelby team. Foyt and Gurney took car No. 1; Donohue and defending Le Mans winner Bruce McLaren would drive the No. 2; Bucknum and Aussie Paul Hawkins would take the No. 57. Meanwhile, H-M fielded four cars, primarily employing open-wheel drivers and one car with Ford?s French arm. All seven vehicles would now be Mk. IVs, updated versions of the J-car version of the GT40 in which Miles had been killed.
Foyt and Gurney were regarded somewhat lightly going into the event. Not only were McLaren and Donohue the better road-racing team on the Shelby stable (remember that Foyt was primarily an oval driver in USAC), nobody thought that a team of two ultra-competitive drivers would be able to keep the car together for the full 24 hours of the event.
But Gurney and Foyt chose not to compete with one another in the same car. Instead, they went against their individual natures and cooperated in the car. Gurney, by far the more experienced road racer of the two, guided Foyt around the track with average laps, never getting into a hot lap competition in the same car. Although Foyt ran only a handful of practice laps on the track, they were more than enough, as the two drivers meticulously protected their vehicle.
The No. 1 took the lead 90 minutes into the event and never looked back, even with pressure from the factory Ferrari 330 P4 of Ludovico Scarfiotti and Mike Parkes. The Ford had a good four laps on the second-place Ferrari, but that?s not to say it was taken without a serious challenge.
Parkes looked to capitalize on Gurney?s conservative-but-steady pace by throwing him off his game. In the middle of the night, Parkes closed in on Gurney and began flashing his lights in an attempt to distract the American into overdriving or wrecking his vehicle. Gurney put up with it for a while, but finally pulled onto the grass at Arnage and stopped the vehicle. Parkes did the same.
For a few brief moments, the top two cars at Le Mans were simply sitting still on the race course.
Some say Le Mans is like a chess match; whoever is the smartest in any given race will probably come out on top. Usually, that chess is played at speeds of over 150 miles per hour. But in a rare turn of events, Gurney checkmated Parkes by standing still.
Eventually both cars pulled out, Parkes in front of Gurney; the Ford got by the Ferrari again not long after, and the race was completed. For the second year in a row, a Shelby-prepped Ford would take glory at Le Mans. Gurney initiated a tradition on the podium by spraying those watching below with his bottle of champagne in celebration. Meanwhile, Foyt was reported to have asked on the podium, tongue planted firmly in cheek, ?Do I win Rookie of the Year??
1967 would continue to be a great year for both drivers. Gurney would score the maiden win for his AAR team in Belgium the very next week. Meanwhile, Foyt would win his fifth USAC Champ Car title that year, winning four of the final nine races on his way to five on the year. Meanwhile, Fords would win the next two Le Mans events before pulling out of sports car racing entirely in 1970.
It wasn?t an American race, though American drivers won it. They won it by adopting drastically different driving styles while together than they would have separately. But by proving that they could adapt to different circumstances, A.J. Foyt and Dan Gurney asserted themselves ? and American power, the Ford GT40 Mk. IV, with them ? as the best race car drivers in the world, driving the best race car in the world.
---
Read more from Christopher Leone at Open Wheel America
Photo: Racing in America
While all are great achievements, perhaps it is Foyt?s only win off of North American soil that is the most impressive overall. To this day, his 1967 Le Mans victory is the only time an all-American team ? American drivers driving an American car prepped by an American crew ? ever took the checkers at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Foyt was only two weeks removed from his third Indianapolis 500 win, which he inherited as Parnelli Jones? gearbox failed with merely four laps to go. He was paired behind the wheel with Dan Gurney, who was competing in his second Formula 1 season with his own Anglo American Racers squad and had won the non-point Race of Champions at Brands Hatch.
They would run a car prepared by Carroll Shelby, who had taken the top two spots at Le Mans the year before with the Ford GT40 Mk. II. Six of those vehicles were entered the previous year, three by Shelby and three by Holman-Moody. H-M relied on American drivers like Ronnie Bucknum, Mark Donohue, and Mario Andretti, but only Bucknum?s car made it to the finish. Meanwhile, Shelby relied on a Brit and three Australians; his third car was the only all-American team. Consisting of Gurney and Jerry Grant, that car completed 257 laps before dropping out.
But 1967 would be different. Ken Miles, Shelby?s former top driver and the winner of the 1966 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring, would be killed in a testing accident that August. Subsequently, driver pairings would switch around on the Shelby team. Foyt and Gurney took car No. 1; Donohue and defending Le Mans winner Bruce McLaren would drive the No. 2; Bucknum and Aussie Paul Hawkins would take the No. 57. Meanwhile, H-M fielded four cars, primarily employing open-wheel drivers and one car with Ford?s French arm. All seven vehicles would now be Mk. IVs, updated versions of the J-car version of the GT40 in which Miles had been killed.
Foyt and Gurney were regarded somewhat lightly going into the event. Not only were McLaren and Donohue the better road-racing team on the Shelby stable (remember that Foyt was primarily an oval driver in USAC), nobody thought that a team of two ultra-competitive drivers would be able to keep the car together for the full 24 hours of the event.
But Gurney and Foyt chose not to compete with one another in the same car. Instead, they went against their individual natures and cooperated in the car. Gurney, by far the more experienced road racer of the two, guided Foyt around the track with average laps, never getting into a hot lap competition in the same car. Although Foyt ran only a handful of practice laps on the track, they were more than enough, as the two drivers meticulously protected their vehicle.
The No. 1 took the lead 90 minutes into the event and never looked back, even with pressure from the factory Ferrari 330 P4 of Ludovico Scarfiotti and Mike Parkes. The Ford had a good four laps on the second-place Ferrari, but that?s not to say it was taken without a serious challenge.
Parkes looked to capitalize on Gurney?s conservative-but-steady pace by throwing him off his game. In the middle of the night, Parkes closed in on Gurney and began flashing his lights in an attempt to distract the American into overdriving or wrecking his vehicle. Gurney put up with it for a while, but finally pulled onto the grass at Arnage and stopped the vehicle. Parkes did the same.
For a few brief moments, the top two cars at Le Mans were simply sitting still on the race course.
Some say Le Mans is like a chess match; whoever is the smartest in any given race will probably come out on top. Usually, that chess is played at speeds of over 150 miles per hour. But in a rare turn of events, Gurney checkmated Parkes by standing still.
Eventually both cars pulled out, Parkes in front of Gurney; the Ford got by the Ferrari again not long after, and the race was completed. For the second year in a row, a Shelby-prepped Ford would take glory at Le Mans. Gurney initiated a tradition on the podium by spraying those watching below with his bottle of champagne in celebration. Meanwhile, Foyt was reported to have asked on the podium, tongue planted firmly in cheek, ?Do I win Rookie of the Year??
1967 would continue to be a great year for both drivers. Gurney would score the maiden win for his AAR team in Belgium the very next week. Meanwhile, Foyt would win his fifth USAC Champ Car title that year, winning four of the final nine races on his way to five on the year. Meanwhile, Fords would win the next two Le Mans events before pulling out of sports car racing entirely in 1970.
It wasn?t an American race, though American drivers won it. They won it by adopting drastically different driving styles while together than they would have separately. But by proving that they could adapt to different circumstances, A.J. Foyt and Dan Gurney asserted themselves ? and American power, the Ford GT40 Mk. IV, with them ? as the best race car drivers in the world, driving the best race car in the world.
---
Read more from Christopher Leone at Open Wheel America
Photo: Racing in America
NASCAR?s 2008 ?Regular Season? Ends
Cross posted from Rev’ Jim’s RantsnRaves: NASCAR’s regular season for 2008 ended with a great shootout between two of the best drivers in the sport. The entire season had its share of similar exciting moments, as well as some huge disappointments. Dodge started out on a high note, with the Penske and Gillett-Evernham teams making [...]
Thursday, February 17, 2011
From Racedriven ? Win a $25 BP Gas card photography Contest.
I?m sure most of us have seen the every changing gas prices daily over the past several months including hitting $4 for a gallon for gasoline at one point this year, so thanks to M80 on behalf of BP, I am running an automotive photography contest with each winner receiving one $25 BP Gift Cards. [...]
Bernella Dodge Polara Funny Car: Della and Bernie Woods
Della Woods needs no introduction, as she established herself as a first-class funny car driver over the decades she competed. She got her start with the Bernella Polara funny car.
Maine Working Group Recommends Delays to Further Restrictions on Aftermarket Exhaust Systems
In 2003, a version of SEMA-model legislation to create an enforceable motor vehicle exhaust noise standard was signed into law in Maine.� Prior to 2003, Maine deemed illegal all modifications that increased noise levels above that emitted by the vehicle?s original muffler. Under the SEMA model, an exhaust system modification is legal if it results [...]
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Bonnie Anderson and the That Girl Chevelle Funny Car
That Girl was a true altered-wheelbase match-bash funny car. Bonnie Anderson was one of the pioneer women funny car pliots and she was a regular on the UDRA circuit,.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
GM PERFORMANCE PARTS ANNOUNCES LSX CHALLENGE SERIES FOR 2011
GM Performance Parts (GMPP) announces the LSX Challenge Series. It is a four-race points series for the 2011 racing season, culminating with the 5th annual LSX Shootout, to be held in conjunction with the NMCA World Street Finals, Oct. 6-9, in Indianapolis, Indiana. The LSX Challenge Series represents a major expansion of drag racing with [...]
Monday, February 14, 2011
Richard Petty Drivers Search
Renowned road course racer Marcos Ambrose and two-time Nationwide series champion Randy LaJoie will, again, be among the guest instructors when Richard Petty's Driver Search III takes place December 6-9, 2010 at Charlotte...
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Honda Jazz Price and Hybrid Model Features Review
Are you looking for Honda Jazz price ? Do you want to know more about the new hybrid Jazz features ? Follow me and let's take a quick peek
Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California
Hear tall tales and bench racing exploits from some of the original�members of the Low Flyers of Santa Monica – one of hot rodding’s earliest and most important car clubs. Join us at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. with moderators Museum Chairman Alex Xydias and Jim Miller, [...]
Nate Brasz?s Isis Sponsored S13!
Nathan Brasz wins the 3rd annual StreetLife Tour for the 2nd time!
The third annual StreetLife Tour was the place to be in Xenia, Ohio this past weekend. The Kil Kare raceway was host to over 3,000 spectators with a car show, concert, Stunt bikes, drag racing, and bikini contest to lead up to the head-lining
The third annual StreetLife Tour was the place to be in Xenia, Ohio this past weekend. The Kil Kare raceway was host to over 3,000 spectators with a car show, concert, Stunt bikes, drag racing, and bikini contest to lead up to the head-lining
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Don Schumacher and the Stardust Charger Funny Car
Don Schumacher's Stardust Charger funny car wasn't a flip top. Instead it featured an extreme altered wheelbase with both the rear and front wheels moved radically forward.
2011 Ford Fiesta : All You Need To Know
The extraordinary 2011 Ford Fiesta is assembled in Cuautitlan Izcalli, somewhere in Mexico. If you look at this new hatchback model of Fiesta, you’ll find out that the overall size of the vehicle is similar to Honda Fit. This Fiesta is 160 inches long and has a unitized steel body that rides on a 90 [...]
Pro-Hobbyist Specially Constructed Vehicle Bill Introduced in Maryland
A version of SEMA model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for specially constructed vehicles has been introduced in the Maryland House of Delegates.� The bill (H.B. 155) defines a specially constructed vehicle as a vehicle that was constructed from any combination of new or used parts; was not originally constructed by [...]
New Ford Fiesta RS WRC dominates opening day at Rally Sweden
Ford's all-new Fiesta RS World Rally Car made a perfect debut at Rally Sweden today to hold first and second places after the opening leg. Four of the top five positions in this opening round of the FIA World Rally Championship were owned by the car after an unpredictable start to the 2011 season in [...]
Friday, February 11, 2011
Miller to Unveil Revolutionary TIG Welder at 2008 SEMA Show
Get hands-on experience and expert demonstrations of MIG welding, TIG welding and plasma cutting. Test Miller TIG and MIG welders that make it easier to learn to weldperfect for enthusiast-level motorsports applications.
David?s Blog: Happy Thanksgiving
David talks about Miami, Thanksgiving and getting ready for the 2011 season in this week's video blog
Bernella Dodge Polara Funny Car: Della and Bernie Woods
Della Woods needs no introduction, as she established herself as a first-class funny car driver over the decades she competed. She got her start with the Bernella Polara funny car.
Ragan Finishes 25th in Phoenix
David and the UPS team started 12th and finished 25th at Phoenix International Raceway
Thursday, February 10, 2011
NASCAR releases telecast schedule
NASCAR releases telecast schedule NASCAR officials have released the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series telecast times. Read more on Fox Sports addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nascarpitstopblog.com%2Fnascar-sprint-cup%2Fnascar-releases-telecast-schedule'; addthis_title = 'NASCAR+releases+telecast+schedule'; addthis_pub = ''; Technorati Tags: nascar, releases, schedule, telecast
Funny car showdown: Jerry Harvey against Wayne Gapp
In a battle of SOHC powered Fords, Wayne Gapp defeated Jerry Harvey at Detroit Dragway's 1967 Midwest Championshps.
Ask The Insiders Wednesday #112
[...]TheNASCARInsiders.com
Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
GM Performance Parts to Auction First LSX454R Crate Engine
GM Performance Parts (GMPP) will auction the first production LSX454R crate engine at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale event this month, with the proceeds going to the American Heart Association. The charity sale is scheduled for the evening of Friday, Jan. 21, and will be carried live on SPEED?s coverage of the Barrett-Jackson auction. The engine carries [...]
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center Offers Free Race Entry and NMCA Membership At First LSX Challenge Series Event
Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center (SDPC), the official GM Performance Parts host dealer for every LSX Challenge Series event in 2011, is offering a free race entry (up to $150 value) to all LSX Challenge Series competitors at the first event at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, FL, the weekend of March 18-20, 2011.� With 5 classes [...]
Darrell Gwynn Foundation Raises $490,000 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction
The Darrell Gwynn Foundation auctioned two cars and made a wheelchair donation at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction on Friday, January 21. Proceeds from the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction totaled $490,000 which will primarily benefit the foundation?s Wheelchair Donation Program, but also the foundation?s Education & Prevention Program, Paralyzed Assistance Fund and Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week [...]
AMSOIL Monster Truck ? Shocks & Entertains
Having been an Independent AMSOIL Dealer for a little over 1 year, I’ve come to appreciate the effective methods employed to promote the AMSOIL message: improved performance economics of cost maintenance environmental responsibility In addition, they really like to have fun in their sponsorship opportunities.� AMSOIL is involved in many types of racing series & [...]
Who?s Up For Some NASCAR Schedule Details?
Who’s Up For Some NASCAR Schedule Details? Free Online Articles Directory Why Submit Articles? Top Authors Top Articles FAQ ABAnswers Publish Article 0 && $.browser.msie ) { var ie_version = parseInt($.browser.version); if(ie_version Login Login via Register Hello My Home Sign Out Email Password Remember me?Lost Password? Home Page > Sports and Fitness > Who’s Up [...]
Pictures of the Production Ready Noble M600
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ The original blue Noble M600 prototype was an insanely fast machine. And thanks to a new carbon fiber body the weight of the british supercar has dropped from 1275 Kg (2810 pounds) to nearly 1200 Kg (2645 pounds)! That will lead to some serious performance figures knowing that the original prototype could do the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in 3.0 seconds and had a top speed of nearly 362 km/h (225 mph)
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Kubica woken from induced coma
Formula One driver Robert Kubica was brought out of an induced coma Monday and was reported in stable condition after suffering serious injuries in a rally car crash. View full post on NBCSports.com: NASCAR / Motors addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nascarpitstopblog.com%2Fnascar-racing%2Fkubica-woken-from-induced-coma'; addthis_title = 'Kubica+woken+from+induced+coma'; addthis_pub = ''; Technorati Tags: Coma, from, induced, Kubica, woken
SEMA Sets July 8th as ?Collector Car Appreciation Day?
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Councils announced July 8, 2011 as ?Collector Car Appreciation Day.? �The date marks the second commemoration in what will become an annual event to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in [...]
Monday, February 7, 2011
Best Western Independence Hotel ? Charlotte, NC
Welcome to Best Western Independence Hotel! Minutes from Downtown Charlotte and Matthews, North Carolina! This beautiful, award winning Charlotte hotel is located in the Crown Point Development Business Park. The Best Western Independence Hotel is conveniently located off Highway 74 with easy access to local attractions including Matthews Park, McAlpine Park, Paramount’s Carowinds Amusement Park [...]
American Automotive Legends Make Rare Group Appearance
American automotive legends gather for a rare group appearance to celebrate the Shelby American Collection?s 14th Anniversary Holiday Party at the Shelby American Collection Museum in Boulder on Saturday, December 4, 2010. �Pictured from left to right: Shelby American World Championship driver, Jack Sears; Shelby team driver, Tom Yeager; Shelby mechanic, Chuck Cantwell; Shelby team [...]
The Uniden 100 Channel Scanner with a Nascar Headset
The Uniden 100 Channel Scanner with a Nascar Headset document.body.offsetHeight ? document.body.scrollHeight : document.body.offsetHeight + ‘px’)}*:first-child+html #TB_window{position:fixed;background:#fff;z-index:99102;color:#000;display:none;border:4px solid #525252;text-align:left;top:50%;left:50%;overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden}#TB_window{position:fixed;background:#fff;z-index:99102;color:#000;display:none;border:4px solid #525252;text-align:left;top:50%;left:50%;overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden}* html #TB_window{position:absolute;margin-top:expression(0 – parseInt(this.offsetHeight / 2) + (TBWindowMargin = document.documentElement && document.documentElement.scrollTop || document.body.scrollTop) + ‘px’)}#TB_window img#TB_Image{display:block;margin:15px 0 0 15px;border-right:1px solid #ccc;border-bottom:1px solid #ccc;border-top:1px solid #666;border-left:1px solid #666}#TB_caption{height:25px;padding:7px 30px 10px 25px;float:left}#TB_closeWindow{height:28px;padding:11px 25px 10px 0;float:right}#TB_closeAjaxWindow{padding:7px [...]
Sunday, February 6, 2011
New Backpack Cooler Keeps Cold-Ones Close By
An innovative backpack cooler from TrackPack chills and dispenses 20 beverage cans with the flick of a wrist, complies with most public venues and tracks and is easy for one person to carry. Drink up!
Ragan Finishes 25th in Phoenix
David and the UPS team started 12th and finished 25th at Phoenix International Raceway
Engine Compression Check Made Easy
Keep tabs on your engine's compression ratio and performance with this cool new compression tester from Katech Performance...
Merry Christmas To All
Cross Posted from Rev’Jim’s RantsnRaves Santa didn’t forget We almost let Christmas slip by without offering a wish list for some of our favorite drivers, teams, and NASCAR personalities. I’m not going to let that happen. Silly season never really ended. Bobby Labonte was released from Petty Enterprises even after avowing his loyalty to that [...]
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Female Racers Free to Be Themselves at the Track
PHOENIX -- I suspect that if I gave you six guesses, or for that matter, sixty six guesses, you still wouldn?t guess what Danica Patrick is doing today, Monday, January 17, 2011.
Is she testing an Indy car? Nope.
How about shooting another music video or Sports Illustrated swim suit photo? Nope and nope.
And nope and more nopes to your other guesses.
So, what is she doing?
?I?m taking a sewing class,? Patrick said here Sunday during one of two panel discussions that were part of the fourth annual Wheels of Wellness historic racing car show, which annually kicks off classic car auction week in Arizona?s Valley of the Sun.
Though people may assume she has to be the ultimate tom boy to go wheel to wheel in the 200-mph world of Indy car racing, ?I enjoy being a girl,? Patrick said. ?And I like to iron. I?m very much a girl.?
Patrick?s point, I think, was that you really can be a woman and a race car driver. She found no disagreement among the other panelists -- Desire Wilson, former South African racing champion and the only woman to win a Formula One race; Denise McCluggage, pioneering sports car racer as well as the first woman to receive press credentials to cover the Indy 500; Bobby Rahal and Dario Franchitti, neither of them a woman but both Indianapolis 500 winners; and moderator Lyn St. James, the first woman to win rookie of the year honors at Indy.
The panel was to have included one more driver, three-time Indy pole winner Tom Sneva, but his grandson was racing his quarter-midget elsewhere in Phoenix and Sneva is crew chief and had to make that duty his priority.
Patrick also said she and the growing number of women now participating in motorsports have benefited from the groundwork established by women racers of previous generations. The history of women in American is being highlighted this year in the Women in the Winner?s Circle, a traveling exhibit from The Henry Ford museum.
McCluggage not only raced before there were corporate sponsors, but even before there were what we now recognize as professional racing teams, and she talked about how in 1961, she drove her own Ferrari 250 GT from New York to Sebring, where, with a co-driver, she won her class in the 12-hour race -- and was 10th overall -- then drove the car home by way of Chicago.
Some two decades later, Wilson was approached by Bernie Ecclestone about joining his Brabham F1 team as Nelson Piquet?s teammate. Instead, Ecclestone put another driver in the car and Wilson found a ride with the Ken Tyrrell?s team.
When she asked Ecclestone why he changed his mind, she was told the other driver -- Hector Rebaque -- ?has really good hands.?
Wilson looked at her hands and asked if they were not good enough.
?His hands write really big checks,? Ecclestone responded in his way of saying that Rebaque and his sponsors had purchased his ride.
Meanwhile, Patrick noted that when she returned from racing Formula Fords in England, it was Rahal who personally engineered her Barber-Dodge series car, and then put her into his Toyota Atlantic racer and, in 2005, into one of the Rahal-Letterman Indy cars.
Read more from Larry Edsall at iZoom
Photo Credit: Larry Edsall
Is she testing an Indy car? Nope.
How about shooting another music video or Sports Illustrated swim suit photo? Nope and nope.
And nope and more nopes to your other guesses.
So, what is she doing?
?I?m taking a sewing class,? Patrick said here Sunday during one of two panel discussions that were part of the fourth annual Wheels of Wellness historic racing car show, which annually kicks off classic car auction week in Arizona?s Valley of the Sun.
Though people may assume she has to be the ultimate tom boy to go wheel to wheel in the 200-mph world of Indy car racing, ?I enjoy being a girl,? Patrick said. ?And I like to iron. I?m very much a girl.?
Patrick?s point, I think, was that you really can be a woman and a race car driver. She found no disagreement among the other panelists -- Desire Wilson, former South African racing champion and the only woman to win a Formula One race; Denise McCluggage, pioneering sports car racer as well as the first woman to receive press credentials to cover the Indy 500; Bobby Rahal and Dario Franchitti, neither of them a woman but both Indianapolis 500 winners; and moderator Lyn St. James, the first woman to win rookie of the year honors at Indy.
The panel was to have included one more driver, three-time Indy pole winner Tom Sneva, but his grandson was racing his quarter-midget elsewhere in Phoenix and Sneva is crew chief and had to make that duty his priority.
Patrick also said she and the growing number of women now participating in motorsports have benefited from the groundwork established by women racers of previous generations. The history of women in American is being highlighted this year in the Women in the Winner?s Circle, a traveling exhibit from The Henry Ford museum.
McCluggage not only raced before there were corporate sponsors, but even before there were what we now recognize as professional racing teams, and she talked about how in 1961, she drove her own Ferrari 250 GT from New York to Sebring, where, with a co-driver, she won her class in the 12-hour race -- and was 10th overall -- then drove the car home by way of Chicago.
Some two decades later, Wilson was approached by Bernie Ecclestone about joining his Brabham F1 team as Nelson Piquet?s teammate. Instead, Ecclestone put another driver in the car and Wilson found a ride with the Ken Tyrrell?s team.
When she asked Ecclestone why he changed his mind, she was told the other driver -- Hector Rebaque -- ?has really good hands.?
Wilson looked at her hands and asked if they were not good enough.
?His hands write really big checks,? Ecclestone responded in his way of saying that Rebaque and his sponsors had purchased his ride.
Meanwhile, Patrick noted that when she returned from racing Formula Fords in England, it was Rahal who personally engineered her Barber-Dodge series car, and then put her into his Toyota Atlantic racer and, in 2005, into one of the Rahal-Letterman Indy cars.
Read more from Larry Edsall at iZoom
Photo Credit: Larry Edsall
David?s Blog: Happy Thanksgiving
David talks about Miami, Thanksgiving and getting ready for the 2011 season in this week's video blog
Ask The Insiders Wednesday #110
[...]TheNASCARInsiders.com
Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
Danica�revived after quiet offseason
Danica Patrick is ready to hit the gas again, with Daytona, the first of her four opening Nationwide races, just a couple of weeks away. View full post on NBCSports.com: NASCAR / Motors addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nascarpitstopblog.com%2Fnascar-racing%2Fdanica%25c2%25a0revived-after-quiet-offseason'; addthis_title = 'Danica%C2%A0revived+after+quiet+offseason'; addthis_pub = ''; Technorati Tags: after, Danica�revived, offseason, quiet
Friday, February 4, 2011
David?s Blog: Ready for Preseason Thunder
David is getting ready to head down to Daytona for preseason testing and fan fest!
NASCAR's New One-Championship-Only Rule Rocks
NASCAR is about to officially announce a new rule that forces drivers to choose one and only one series in which they're going to race for championship points.
Bully for NASCAR.
They had to do something. Cup drivers dominating the races in trucks (most recently Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and any driver Harvick put in his No. 2 Chevy) and especially the Nationwide Series (Busch, Carl Edwards, Harvick, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, the ringer du jour in a DEI car, etc.) were ruining the two support series.
With a small handfull of Cup teams and drivers showing such a undeniable advantage the triple A and double A -type NASCAR series 'regulars' had as much chance of winning as they did of competing for the sponsorship dollars that would allow them to be competitive.
NNS and truck race promotors love the Cup drivers because they sell tickets. I can't blame them for worrying their gates are going to suffer if the Cup stars decide to pass on a few races, e.g. "their" races, since they won't be able to compete for a championship.
There's absolutely no doubt. Stand alone NNS and truck races a long, long way from same weekend Cup events are going attract smaller crowds without the Cup stars, especially when disposable income is still scarcer than hen's teeth. The entries normally driven by Kyle, Carl, Kevin and others will either stay home or have not-in-the-same-Cup-star substitutes behind the wheel -- to the great, I-think-I'll-pass chagrin of Billy Bob, Bobby Jo and thousands of others Sprint Cup -obsessed NASCAR fans.
Fact: The Nationwide Series will wither and die without some protection from irrelevancy after nearly a decade of cherry picking champions.
So Cup teams and owner/drivers are going to have to do what's best for the Family and give up the glorious goal of multiple championships.
NNS and Camping World Truck Series champions will now be non-Cup regulars and all will be right with the world.
Theoretically, and ideally, a driver or driver/team combination can start with the truck series, move up to Nationwide and then, if they win races or contend for a championship move up to the Cup Series. And that's after they find some success in local late models, one of the NASCAR 'home track' series, ARCA or even USAC on their way to the pick-em-up series.
Success is defined by winning or at least competing for wins. Wins are what sponsors want. Running at the front where the cameras are pointed is what the sponsors want. Interviews after the race, where pit reporters and SPEED TV hosts talk to the top three finishers and give them the chance to spew their annoying "the Depends/Billy Beer/isitlowt.com Chevy ran great today" drivel are exactly what the sponsors want.
If the sponsors can't or don't get what they want in the Nationwide or truck series they either move their money to a winner (even if it means moving to another series like IndyCar, Supercross or NHRA drag racing) or they leave motorsports completely.
NASCAR can't afford either of those possibilities. If the ladder system is going to work it has to have different levels of sponsorship and support spread throughout the three series in order to keep them all solvent.
It needs full fields, rivalries and the steady, race-by-race or even season-by-season reveal of big fish in small (trucks) and medium (NNS) ponds. It needs to introduce and grow the drivers and teams NASCAR Sprint Cup fans will begin to follow as they prove their mettle and show they're worthy of moving up to the next rung on the ladder.
I applaud this decision. I see no downside to restricting NASCAR drivers to single championship eligibility with no restrictions on their right to race and pick prize money maraschinos.
Cup teams and drivers will still race and win in the two lower series. But the championship battle will be a new and different storyline throughout the season.
And that's what those indispensable, you-can't-go-racing-without-us sponsors want: A story, some content, media exposure and the branding opportunity that justifies the value of their motorsports marketing investment.
This should work.
Nice job, NASCAR. You rock.
-Bill
Read more of Bill Tybur's thoughts on fantasy racing at FMFL
photo credit: RWM
Bully for NASCAR.
They had to do something. Cup drivers dominating the races in trucks (most recently Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and any driver Harvick put in his No. 2 Chevy) and especially the Nationwide Series (Busch, Carl Edwards, Harvick, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, the ringer du jour in a DEI car, etc.) were ruining the two support series.
With a small handfull of Cup teams and drivers showing such a undeniable advantage the triple A and double A -type NASCAR series 'regulars' had as much chance of winning as they did of competing for the sponsorship dollars that would allow them to be competitive.
NNS and truck race promotors love the Cup drivers because they sell tickets. I can't blame them for worrying their gates are going to suffer if the Cup stars decide to pass on a few races, e.g. "their" races, since they won't be able to compete for a championship.
There's absolutely no doubt. Stand alone NNS and truck races a long, long way from same weekend Cup events are going attract smaller crowds without the Cup stars, especially when disposable income is still scarcer than hen's teeth. The entries normally driven by Kyle, Carl, Kevin and others will either stay home or have not-in-the-same-Cup-star substitutes behind the wheel -- to the great, I-think-I'll-pass chagrin of Billy Bob, Bobby Jo and thousands of others Sprint Cup -obsessed NASCAR fans.
Fact: The Nationwide Series will wither and die without some protection from irrelevancy after nearly a decade of cherry picking champions.
So Cup teams and owner/drivers are going to have to do what's best for the Family and give up the glorious goal of multiple championships.
NNS and Camping World Truck Series champions will now be non-Cup regulars and all will be right with the world.
Theoretically, and ideally, a driver or driver/team combination can start with the truck series, move up to Nationwide and then, if they win races or contend for a championship move up to the Cup Series. And that's after they find some success in local late models, one of the NASCAR 'home track' series, ARCA or even USAC on their way to the pick-em-up series.
Success is defined by winning or at least competing for wins. Wins are what sponsors want. Running at the front where the cameras are pointed is what the sponsors want. Interviews after the race, where pit reporters and SPEED TV hosts talk to the top three finishers and give them the chance to spew their annoying "the Depends/Billy Beer/isitlowt.com Chevy ran great today" drivel are exactly what the sponsors want.
If the sponsors can't or don't get what they want in the Nationwide or truck series they either move their money to a winner (even if it means moving to another series like IndyCar, Supercross or NHRA drag racing) or they leave motorsports completely.
NASCAR can't afford either of those possibilities. If the ladder system is going to work it has to have different levels of sponsorship and support spread throughout the three series in order to keep them all solvent.
It needs full fields, rivalries and the steady, race-by-race or even season-by-season reveal of big fish in small (trucks) and medium (NNS) ponds. It needs to introduce and grow the drivers and teams NASCAR Sprint Cup fans will begin to follow as they prove their mettle and show they're worthy of moving up to the next rung on the ladder.
I applaud this decision. I see no downside to restricting NASCAR drivers to single championship eligibility with no restrictions on their right to race and pick prize money maraschinos.
Cup teams and drivers will still race and win in the two lower series. But the championship battle will be a new and different storyline throughout the season.
And that's what those indispensable, you-can't-go-racing-without-us sponsors want: A story, some content, media exposure and the branding opportunity that justifies the value of their motorsports marketing investment.
This should work.
Nice job, NASCAR. You rock.
-Bill
Read more of Bill Tybur's thoughts on fantasy racing at FMFL
photo credit: RWM
MINI returns to Monte Carlo with old and new models
Monte Carlo, 2nd February, 2011. MINI is back in Monte Carlo and this time it is the iconic version that won the famous rally in the sixties meeting up with the latest MINI WRC that sees the brand back on the world rally stage. Rauno Aaltonen (FI) was driving the 1960s version when he was [...]
Thursday, February 3, 2011
34 down, 2 more to go
That’s right the 2008 season is winding down. �With only two races left, it’s Jimmie’s championship to lose. �Carl did cut down some of Jimmie’s lead in Texas, but Jimmie and Chad have been here before. �I have to admit since Talladega I haven’t been all that excited about the racing. �I guess it’s because [...]
Best way to Quit Smoking ? How to Quit Smoking Cigarettes
A real no-nonsense solution that will show you, step by step, exactly how to crush your last pack of cigarettes, quit smoking, and walk away forever, without using psychoactive drugs, patches, gum or hypnosis! Best way to Quit Smoking – How to Quit Smoking Cigarettes addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nascarpitstopblog.com%2Fdanica-patrick%2Fbest-way-to-quit-smoking-how-to-quit-smoking-cigarettes'; addthis_title = 'Best+way+to+Quit+Smoking+%26%238211%3B+How+to+Quit+Smoking+Cigarettes'; addthis_pub = ''; Technorati [...]
Old-Skool Willys Gasser | 1967 Detroit Autorama
This Willys coupe appeared at the 1967 Detroit Autorama, looking like a throwback to more colorful drag racing era.
Richard Petty Drivers Search
Renowned road course racer Marcos Ambrose and two-time Nationwide series champion Randy LaJoie will, again, be among the guest instructors when Richard Petty's Driver Search III takes place December 6-9, 2010 at Charlotte...
Bonnie Anderson and the That Girl Chevelle Funny Car
That Girl was a true altered-wheelbase match-bash funny car. Bonnie Anderson was one of the pioneer women funny car pliots and she was a regular on the UDRA circuit,.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Dale Jarrett: A Look Into Life as a TV Analyst
In a special blog for UPS, Dale Jarrett gives you a look into what a race week is like for him now as an analyst with ESPN/ABC
Merry Christmas To All
Cross Posted from Rev’Jim’s RantsnRaves Santa didn’t forget We almost let Christmas slip by without offering a wish list for some of our favorite drivers, teams, and NASCAR personalities. I’m not going to let that happen. Silly season never really ended. Bobby Labonte was released from Petty Enterprises even after avowing his loyalty to that [...]
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
David?s Blog: Happy Thanksgiving
David talks about Miami, Thanksgiving and getting ready for the 2011 season in this week's video blog
2011 Ford Fiesta Price and Features
Ford Fiesta is manufactured by The Ford Motor Company. As one of the most recognized global subcompact cars, this car has been introduced to North American consumers during summer of 2010. The cars are manufactured at Mexican factory. You may choose the Fiesta according to your preference, be it a four door sedan or a [...]
34 down, 2 more to go
That’s right the 2008 season is winding down. �With only two races left, it’s Jimmie’s championship to lose. �Carl did cut down some of Jimmie’s lead in Texas, but Jimmie and Chad have been here before. �I have to admit since Talladega I haven’t been all that excited about the racing. �I guess it’s because [...]
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