If anyone ws paying attention, on Tuesday Kurt Busch won for the second time in the last three races. It is believed this was the first Tuesday ran race since 1973.
Ricky Rudd has given indication he will retire at the end of the year.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Are We There Yet? - 8/14/07 Column
Are We There Yet? NASCAR Races Just Keep Going and Going
When you are nestled up in front of your television watching the weekly NASCAR race do you find yourself fighting the urge to take a nap? Can you anticipate when the next Domino’s commercial will air?
The time has come to think about the possibility of shortening some of these races. Yes, the true hardcore fan does sit there with his/her favorite adult beverage and make a day of it. But with every race now having a prerace and a pre prerace show then the actual race followed by some post race commentary and results you will have to invest close to 7 hours on an average race day.
With the conclusion of the second Pocono race a week ago I think there has to be some discussion among NASCAR officials to shorten some of these races. I am realistic and realize that in this day and age this cannot be done.
On the side or reducing the laps in some of these races, teams would save on fuel, engines and other parts. Multiple events could be held in a day, eliminating those fans disguised as empty seats during those Truck Series races. Fans would get more bang for their buck, and there would be less pit stops and more than likely fewer crashes.
On the negative side for the sport would be fewer opportunities for sponsors names and logos to be seen. Television networks will have a much harder time selling those expensive ad spots for a Busch or Truck Series race than for the Nextel Cup Race package. This in fact would kill the golden goose, since it is the sponsors and television that have brought NASCAR to the verge of becoming one of out major sports.
A quick solution would be to try this shortening of some of the dog days of summer races. Pocono, Dover, are just two that this could work at. These races seem excruciating long, and I can’t watch an entire event.
Even the drivers admit that the races drag for the fans who watch on television. Dale Earnhardt Jr. says that adding a few 300 mile races into the mix might make things more exciting. "It would eliminate some of the boring middle laps," adds Jr. New fans especially find the length of races disturbing. During a recent radio call in show in Tennessee a young fan asked why the races don’t end sooner and why are the yellow flags so long?
NASCAR has many problems it needs to address in the coming years. They can’t be short sighted and have blinders on just because the sport is bringing in mega dollars right now. They need to be proactive with the length on some of these races, NASCAR claims to be all about the fans, let’s hope they listen to our concerns a little.
Rick C. Limpert is Nothinbutnascar.com's columnist. He has been a freelance writer and photographer for over 8 years. His works have been featured in numerous print and online publications. To reach Rick with a question or comment his main e-mail is rclimpert003@yahoo.com.
When you are nestled up in front of your television watching the weekly NASCAR race do you find yourself fighting the urge to take a nap? Can you anticipate when the next Domino’s commercial will air?
The time has come to think about the possibility of shortening some of these races. Yes, the true hardcore fan does sit there with his/her favorite adult beverage and make a day of it. But with every race now having a prerace and a pre prerace show then the actual race followed by some post race commentary and results you will have to invest close to 7 hours on an average race day.
With the conclusion of the second Pocono race a week ago I think there has to be some discussion among NASCAR officials to shorten some of these races. I am realistic and realize that in this day and age this cannot be done.
On the side or reducing the laps in some of these races, teams would save on fuel, engines and other parts. Multiple events could be held in a day, eliminating those fans disguised as empty seats during those Truck Series races. Fans would get more bang for their buck, and there would be less pit stops and more than likely fewer crashes.
On the negative side for the sport would be fewer opportunities for sponsors names and logos to be seen. Television networks will have a much harder time selling those expensive ad spots for a Busch or Truck Series race than for the Nextel Cup Race package. This in fact would kill the golden goose, since it is the sponsors and television that have brought NASCAR to the verge of becoming one of out major sports.
A quick solution would be to try this shortening of some of the dog days of summer races. Pocono, Dover, are just two that this could work at. These races seem excruciating long, and I can’t watch an entire event.
Even the drivers admit that the races drag for the fans who watch on television. Dale Earnhardt Jr. says that adding a few 300 mile races into the mix might make things more exciting. "It would eliminate some of the boring middle laps," adds Jr. New fans especially find the length of races disturbing. During a recent radio call in show in Tennessee a young fan asked why the races don’t end sooner and why are the yellow flags so long?
NASCAR has many problems it needs to address in the coming years. They can’t be short sighted and have blinders on just because the sport is bringing in mega dollars right now. They need to be proactive with the length on some of these races, NASCAR claims to be all about the fans, let’s hope they listen to our concerns a little.
Rick C. Limpert is Nothinbutnascar.com's columnist. He has been a freelance writer and photographer for over 8 years. His works have been featured in numerous print and online publications. To reach Rick with a question or comment his main e-mail is rclimpert003@yahoo.com.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Season Half-Way Point - Predictions for The Chase
Picking The Chase
As the season is almost at the half-way point and the cream is starting to rise to the top it's time for me to boldly pick the 12 drivers who will make The Chase this fall. Some are easy to place and some these were pretty tough.
1) Jeff Gordon - Easy pick. He's been the best all year so far. He is fast, he is consistent and he is lucky. He has four wins and five poles; he is hoping he hasn't peaked at this early stage of the season.
2) Matt Kenseth - Very consistent in 2007. Ten top 10's, nobody has more except for Gordon. He has one win (California) and will need to produce a couple if he is going to pass Gordon.
3) Jimmie Johnson - He too is consistent with his top 10's and has wins, but he has to avoid those very low finishes once Chase races start.
4) Denny Hamlin - Has six top 5's and appears to be on the verge of getting some wins if he gets a little bit of luck. He should be a regular Chase participant for many years to come.
5) Jeff Burton - He is currently sitting in 5th place. Last week he was in 5th place, he will more than likely end up the year in 5th place. A real pro, does his job and most of the time nobody notices. Had a well deserved win at Texas and will get at least one more.
6) Carl Edwards - I think some of his Busch Success will translate over to Nextel Cup. Had two top 5's, but no wins yet.
7) Tony Stewart - He is simmering for a win. Has made as much noise off the track as on so far this season. He is too good of a driver to finish lower than 7th this year.
8) Kyle Busch - Wouldn't be a Chase if one Busch Brother didn't make it. Has a big win at Bristol, and I expect him to get at least one more.
9) Kevin Harvick - The Daytona 500 winner is a little inconsistent, but has good equipment and talent, so he will make The Chase.
10) Martin Truex Jr. - Well at least one "Jr." and one DEI driver will make it. Big win at Dover has instilled confidence in him that will vault him into the upper echelon of drivers.
11) Clint Bowyer - He has been consistent with seven top 10's in the first 14 races. Will get some key top 5 finishes that will keep him in the top 12.
12) Casey Mears - A good driver that has found something. He still has some ground to make up as he is only in 23rd right now. Another win or a couple top 3 finishes will keep him moving up in the standings.
WILDCARD - Mark Martin - If he were running a full schedule he would be a shoo-in. He may fall just short as he says he is not running additional races to make the Chase. Has four top 5's in the 11 races he has started. He is close to getting a win.
Remembering France
The NASCAR world remembers Bill France Jr. while laying him to rest last Thursday. Bill Jr. took control of NASCAR in 1972, and his legacy was cemented when he brought large corporations in as NASCAR sponsors and the sport has never looked back. France also brought live television coverage of NASCAR races to the American public starting with the 1979 Daytona 500.
As the season is almost at the half-way point and the cream is starting to rise to the top it's time for me to boldly pick the 12 drivers who will make The Chase this fall. Some are easy to place and some these were pretty tough.
1) Jeff Gordon - Easy pick. He's been the best all year so far. He is fast, he is consistent and he is lucky. He has four wins and five poles; he is hoping he hasn't peaked at this early stage of the season.
2) Matt Kenseth - Very consistent in 2007. Ten top 10's, nobody has more except for Gordon. He has one win (California) and will need to produce a couple if he is going to pass Gordon.
3) Jimmie Johnson - He too is consistent with his top 10's and has wins, but he has to avoid those very low finishes once Chase races start.
4) Denny Hamlin - Has six top 5's and appears to be on the verge of getting some wins if he gets a little bit of luck. He should be a regular Chase participant for many years to come.
5) Jeff Burton - He is currently sitting in 5th place. Last week he was in 5th place, he will more than likely end up the year in 5th place. A real pro, does his job and most of the time nobody notices. Had a well deserved win at Texas and will get at least one more.
6) Carl Edwards - I think some of his Busch Success will translate over to Nextel Cup. Had two top 5's, but no wins yet.
7) Tony Stewart - He is simmering for a win. Has made as much noise off the track as on so far this season. He is too good of a driver to finish lower than 7th this year.
8) Kyle Busch - Wouldn't be a Chase if one Busch Brother didn't make it. Has a big win at Bristol, and I expect him to get at least one more.
9) Kevin Harvick - The Daytona 500 winner is a little inconsistent, but has good equipment and talent, so he will make The Chase.
10) Martin Truex Jr. - Well at least one "Jr." and one DEI driver will make it. Big win at Dover has instilled confidence in him that will vault him into the upper echelon of drivers.
11) Clint Bowyer - He has been consistent with seven top 10's in the first 14 races. Will get some key top 5 finishes that will keep him in the top 12.
12) Casey Mears - A good driver that has found something. He still has some ground to make up as he is only in 23rd right now. Another win or a couple top 3 finishes will keep him moving up in the standings.
WILDCARD - Mark Martin - If he were running a full schedule he would be a shoo-in. He may fall just short as he says he is not running additional races to make the Chase. Has four top 5's in the 11 races he has started. He is close to getting a win.
Remembering France
The NASCAR world remembers Bill France Jr. while laying him to rest last Thursday. Bill Jr. took control of NASCAR in 1972, and his legacy was cemented when he brought large corporations in as NASCAR sponsors and the sport has never looked back. France also brought live television coverage of NASCAR races to the American public starting with the 1979 Daytona 500.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
NASCAR Marketing Hits Potato Chips and ARM Pits
Over the years NASCAR has had some great marketing campaigns. Remember the Viagra sponsorship of Mark Martin. The current Busch Series ads that run on ESPN2 are fantastic, and NASCAR received kudos from Promo Magazine for its MBNA VISA card which when used to purchase goods or services from NASCAR sponsors earns the cardholder special NASCAR gear and collectibles.
But something my fiancé’ brought home from the grocery store last week had me stunned in amazement. I love Pringles, the addictive thin and tasty potato chip. But while eating some the other night she started peppering me with trivia questions about NASCAR and The Daytona 500.
I looked up and sat at attention and wondered where this sudden burst of NASCAR knowledge in her had come from. She replied, “The potato chip.” It turns out, and evidently these came out a couple years ago there is a NASCAR factoid or trivia question in blue ink on each chip.
One cannot absolutely go wrong with this. Great tasting chips and boning up on your NASCAR knowledge while eating them. If you watch NASCAR in a group play a little side game of trivia as those middle of the race laps drone on.
Usually when you are watching a race and a mention of “pits” come up you are usually getting ready to watch a car come to a screeching halt and what looks like a “Chinese Fire drill” begins to take place around the car. Well pulling into the pits has new meaning in 2007.
Tony Stewart is teaming with deodorant Old Spice to offer his likeness on Old Spice High Endurance deodorants and body washes. If you are a customer who likes Old Spice you have a chance to take home Tony’s one of a kind driver’s suit that will be given away to one lucky fan at the end of the year. Wonder how that suit is going to smell by November.
Kudos to P&G for keeping NASCAR fans in mind with these two products.
But something my fiancé’ brought home from the grocery store last week had me stunned in amazement. I love Pringles, the addictive thin and tasty potato chip. But while eating some the other night she started peppering me with trivia questions about NASCAR and The Daytona 500.
I looked up and sat at attention and wondered where this sudden burst of NASCAR knowledge in her had come from. She replied, “The potato chip.” It turns out, and evidently these came out a couple years ago there is a NASCAR factoid or trivia question in blue ink on each chip.
One cannot absolutely go wrong with this. Great tasting chips and boning up on your NASCAR knowledge while eating them. If you watch NASCAR in a group play a little side game of trivia as those middle of the race laps drone on.
Usually when you are watching a race and a mention of “pits” come up you are usually getting ready to watch a car come to a screeching halt and what looks like a “Chinese Fire drill” begins to take place around the car. Well pulling into the pits has new meaning in 2007.
Tony Stewart is teaming with deodorant Old Spice to offer his likeness on Old Spice High Endurance deodorants and body washes. If you are a customer who likes Old Spice you have a chance to take home Tony’s one of a kind driver’s suit that will be given away to one lucky fan at the end of the year. Wonder how that suit is going to smell by November.
Kudos to P&G for keeping NASCAR fans in mind with these two products.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Waltrip and Montoya have Different Degrees of Success
Waltrip, Montoya have Different Degrees of Success
Two of the most talked about stories coming into the 2007 NASCAR season involved drivers who were looking at making a new statement in racing. Michael Waltrip and his three car Toyota team were looking to take Toyota to the top of NASCAR. Juan Pablo Montoya, a successful driver at many levels of racing now was embarking on his initial season in NASCAR with lots of experts predicting a quick learning curve and success of the ovals of NASCAR. So far in 2007 these two drivers appear to be heading in different directions.
Waltrip’s season has been anything but a success. Until racing in Saturday’s Nextel Open Waltrip’s only racing in 2007 had been at the Daytona 500 or in practice or qualifying. Waltrip has failed to qualify his Toyota Camry in ten consecutive races. At this point in the season Waltrip actually has negative driver’s points in the standings as a result of an illegal substance found in his fuel at Daytona. His crew chief and team manager were suspended and his crew chief David Hyer eventually quit the team altogether.
Waltrip tries to stay positive. He puts most of the blame for his own struggles on the fact he is trying to keep a three car team using new equipment together. Running a three car team for an established team is hard enough, for Waltrip and his new Toyota’s it has been too much.
Juan Pablo Montoya has been trying to do everything the right way in his first NASCAR season. Montoya has been making his way through the first part of the NASCAR season and has had moments of success. The rookie driver sits 21st in the Nextel Points race, ahead of such drivers like Reed Sorenson, Kasey Kahne and Sterling Marlin. He has two top tens and one top five so far this season. In the Busch series Montoya ranks 9th in the points and has three top tens. The jewel of Montoya’s 2007 season so far has to be his Busch series win in Mexico.
Although Montoya has not won on the 2007 Nextel Cup circuit, he has been sniffing around waiting for his opportunity. I said before the season Montoya would win a race and it still could happen with a little luck. There is no doubt he is a great driver and as he sees these tracks for the second and third times he should be even more competitive.
Two drivers, one new to the grind of NASCAR, one that has been around the block a few times. Both with great resumes of racing, one seemingly heading the right direction, and one trying to stop the bleeding. This is one of the reasons NASCAR is that ever evolving soap opera of racing. Two stories to keep your eye on for the remainder of 2007.
Two of the most talked about stories coming into the 2007 NASCAR season involved drivers who were looking at making a new statement in racing. Michael Waltrip and his three car Toyota team were looking to take Toyota to the top of NASCAR. Juan Pablo Montoya, a successful driver at many levels of racing now was embarking on his initial season in NASCAR with lots of experts predicting a quick learning curve and success of the ovals of NASCAR. So far in 2007 these two drivers appear to be heading in different directions.
Waltrip’s season has been anything but a success. Until racing in Saturday’s Nextel Open Waltrip’s only racing in 2007 had been at the Daytona 500 or in practice or qualifying. Waltrip has failed to qualify his Toyota Camry in ten consecutive races. At this point in the season Waltrip actually has negative driver’s points in the standings as a result of an illegal substance found in his fuel at Daytona. His crew chief and team manager were suspended and his crew chief David Hyer eventually quit the team altogether.
Waltrip tries to stay positive. He puts most of the blame for his own struggles on the fact he is trying to keep a three car team using new equipment together. Running a three car team for an established team is hard enough, for Waltrip and his new Toyota’s it has been too much.
Juan Pablo Montoya has been trying to do everything the right way in his first NASCAR season. Montoya has been making his way through the first part of the NASCAR season and has had moments of success. The rookie driver sits 21st in the Nextel Points race, ahead of such drivers like Reed Sorenson, Kasey Kahne and Sterling Marlin. He has two top tens and one top five so far this season. In the Busch series Montoya ranks 9th in the points and has three top tens. The jewel of Montoya’s 2007 season so far has to be his Busch series win in Mexico.
Although Montoya has not won on the 2007 Nextel Cup circuit, he has been sniffing around waiting for his opportunity. I said before the season Montoya would win a race and it still could happen with a little luck. There is no doubt he is a great driver and as he sees these tracks for the second and third times he should be even more competitive.
Two drivers, one new to the grind of NASCAR, one that has been around the block a few times. Both with great resumes of racing, one seemingly heading the right direction, and one trying to stop the bleeding. This is one of the reasons NASCAR is that ever evolving soap opera of racing. Two stories to keep your eye on for the remainder of 2007.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
DEI Better Without Junior
There is that old saying that sometimes you have to take a step back to jump a few steps forward. I believe this is what will happen to DEI. Yes they are losing NASCAR’s most popular driver, but if DEI plays its card right and they survive the publicity hit they are experiencing now brighter days could be ahead.
The shining star might be Jeffrey Earnhardt, grandson of Dale Sr. and son of Driver Kerry Earnhardt. Although only 17, Jeffrey has been on the radar of NASCAR fans for a couple years. Jeffrey is currently still in high school in North Carolina and will run Busch East events this year. Jeffrey won’t be rushed to the forefront at DEI, but it’s inevitable he will be given every opportunity to lead a stable of DEI drivers at some point in the future. The mob of fans at tracks where Jeffrey races or tests just about guarantees he will have similar followings to his grandfather and uncle’s. Having a magnetic personality and the Earnhardt name will surely help Jeffrey attract that major sponsor that will give him mainstream exposure and make him that crossover star.
Losing Junior also gives DEI as a whole the opportunity to breathe. Everyone knew about the rocky relationship between Dale Jr. and step mom Teresa and this had to have caused a trickle down effect throughout the organization. This allows Teresa to restate her claim to DEI and leave no doubt to who is in charge. Employees of DEI will not have to choose sides anymore, that choosing of sides usually leads to a slow erosion of the organization that sometimes cannot be fixed.
If Jeffrey Earnhardt is still a few years away from making an impact with DEI, Teresa and DEI president Max Siegel have picked the right year to be in the market to hire drivers. Assuming Martin Truex Jr. leaves to go somewhere with Dale Jr., DEI could possible pick from the likes of Jeff Burton, Tony Raines or Bobby Labonte in the current drivers looking for work category. Wildcards could be someone like truck racer Todd Bodine, or CART driver Sam Hornish Jr. Adding a veteran like Jeff Burton or even a Sterling Marlin might make Teresa step back a little from having her hand in every aspect of DEI and that could be a good thing.
The shining star might be Jeffrey Earnhardt, grandson of Dale Sr. and son of Driver Kerry Earnhardt. Although only 17, Jeffrey has been on the radar of NASCAR fans for a couple years. Jeffrey is currently still in high school in North Carolina and will run Busch East events this year. Jeffrey won’t be rushed to the forefront at DEI, but it’s inevitable he will be given every opportunity to lead a stable of DEI drivers at some point in the future. The mob of fans at tracks where Jeffrey races or tests just about guarantees he will have similar followings to his grandfather and uncle’s. Having a magnetic personality and the Earnhardt name will surely help Jeffrey attract that major sponsor that will give him mainstream exposure and make him that crossover star.
Losing Junior also gives DEI as a whole the opportunity to breathe. Everyone knew about the rocky relationship between Dale Jr. and step mom Teresa and this had to have caused a trickle down effect throughout the organization. This allows Teresa to restate her claim to DEI and leave no doubt to who is in charge. Employees of DEI will not have to choose sides anymore, that choosing of sides usually leads to a slow erosion of the organization that sometimes cannot be fixed.
If Jeffrey Earnhardt is still a few years away from making an impact with DEI, Teresa and DEI president Max Siegel have picked the right year to be in the market to hire drivers. Assuming Martin Truex Jr. leaves to go somewhere with Dale Jr., DEI could possible pick from the likes of Jeff Burton, Tony Raines or Bobby Labonte in the current drivers looking for work category. Wildcards could be someone like truck racer Todd Bodine, or CART driver Sam Hornish Jr. Adding a veteran like Jeff Burton or even a Sterling Marlin might make Teresa step back a little from having her hand in every aspect of DEI and that could be a good thing.
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