News and Rumors 2010-2011 Part 2

Here is some news and rumors I have picked up upon.

1.  Tyler Reddick is the newest member of Team Zero.  This comes as no surprise to me.  I had heard from a very reliable source that they were considering them.  I think it will be a good fit for Tyler.

2.  The 2011 Show-Me 100 will be televised on CBS.  It will be tape delayed.  This was the biggest announcement to come out of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series banquet by far.  To say I was shocked was an understatement. 

3.  Jimmy Owens will represent the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in the Chili Bowl.  Bloomquist had won the opportunity by winning the series championship. 

4.The hideous new age Silver Crown Cars now have their own Series.  It is called the Gold Crown Series.  They will run on Large Ovals and Road Courses.  Details at http://www.goldcrownchampionship.com/

5.  Chevy and Lotus return to Indy in 2012.  Both legendary manufacturers have been absent for a while.  Chevy was around until bowing out at the end of 2005.  Lotus last tasted success at Indy in 1965 when Jim Clark won the Indianapolis 500.  It will be interesting to see how this improves competition.

6. 2 powerful names may be working together in Indy.  Ganassi is close to signing Rahal.  Bobby's son Graham has had success in CART and the IRL, but hasn't had a ride for the last year.  I hope this happens as I know Rahal will be a good fit for Chip Ganassi Racing and can be a championship contender, and have a very good chance as joining his father as a winner of the Indianapolis 500. 

I know it isn't much at this point, but I will try and do one of these every so often.  Rumors and news will pick up as the trade shows happen.  

 

2010 Lowes Food World Finals Broadcast on SPEED

As the title of this entry says, it is all about the SPEED Channel broadcast of the World of Outlaws World Finals at the Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway.  This year's event was sponsored by Lowes Food and Bimbo Bakeries.   This event for the last 3 years has been the final event for the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.  This year's event was no different in that aspect.  This year's race, however, had a new division join them, the Super DIRTCar Series Big Block Modifieds.

This was something I had hoped to see, and I was quite happy when it was announced.  It would be a great chance for them to get some national media coverage along with the sprints and late models.

Now, on to my actual thoughts of the racing.

The racing during the on-air portion of the program was pretty good.  It wasn't AS good as years past, but considering they ran a full show in the morning, turned the track over and reworked it and had 3 hours in between before starting again, they did an absolutely fantastic job.  It was exciting even on television.  I thought there was a much better balance between the divisions racing this year compared to the last 2 years.  Sprints still had the most coverage, as they do bring in the most sponsorship money.  I understand some fans frustration with the coverage, but it definitely beats no coverage at all, that is for sure.  Exposure is a good thing for the sport.  We need to figure out how to draw new fans.  If we make a new fan because of that, that is most certainly a good thing.  If it gets them to a local track and gets them hooked, even better.

Broadcast coverage was good.  Good camera work.  Only thing I couldn't stand was Shane Andrews.  Listening to him butcher the name Marlar all night was horrible.  I just can't stand listening to him.  That was the weakest part.  Everyone else did a great job.  My final grade for it was a B.  It still beats the hell out of Pinks, Wrecked, or other non racing programming that is on a channel that's supposed to be all about racing.

Congratulations to Tim McCreadie on winning the Super DIRTCar Series feature, Jason Meyers the World of Outlaws Sprint Car feature, and Jimmy Owens on winning the World of Outlaws Late Model feature.  It was a heck of a season.  The late model championship was decided on the last night.  Both Darrell Lanigan and Josh Richards had fought hard all year long for it.  In the end, Richards did what he had to do and won it.  Congratulations to Josh Richards on winning the 2010 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Championship, Jason Meyers the 2010 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Championship, and to Matt Sheppard on winning the Super DIRTCar Series Championship.