A Decade without Dale: Rembering the Intimidator

It was 10 years ago on this fateful day.  Sunday, February 18, 2001 was the date.  I was sitting in the living room of my grandparents house watching the broadcast with my Grandpa on the big screen TV. There was excitement abound for NASCAR fans.  It was time for NASCAR's Super Bowl, the 43rd Annual Daytona 500.  This was the first broadcast on FOX Sports.  Bill Elliott won the pole for this race driving for Ray Evernham.  The talk coming in was about Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, and most notably their new driver Michael Waltrip.  Michael had NEVER won a race to this point, 462 straight races without a win.  People were wondering why, of all the drivers to hire, why Dale hired Michael.  It was because Dale had faith in Michael.  The race started, and with the package, made for a lot of dicy racing.  This same package was in place when Dale went from 17th to win in 4 laps the previous fall at Talladega.  The race had the BIG ONE, piling up 20 cars, including Tony Stewart who flipped wildly in the air.  Passing by all the carnage was the black GM Goodwrench #3 of Earnhardt stealthily.  When the race resumed, he continued driving like I and no one else had seen him do.  He was driving extremely defensively, protecting the #15 NAPA Chevy of Waltrip and the #8 Budweiser Chevy of his son, Dale Jr.  He kept fending the pack off.  When the white flag waved, no one knew what was going to happen next.  The drama was building as the race was winding down was incredible.  It was literally shaping up to be a storybook ending.  Waltrip wins his first race, his teammate 2nd, and his teammate's father and car owner 3rd.  Going into turn 3 Waltrip and Dale Jr. had a small gap between themselves and Dale Sr.  Dale was battling for 3rd while holding the field back from his cars, like a parent protecting their children.  Dale dipped low to block Sterling Marlin, and the accident happened.  At the time, I didn't think it was THAT bad.  I mean, Dale had been in much worse looking accidents than that.  I realized the seriousness when one of my favorite drivers, Ken Schrader, went over to look into the car to check on Dale.  When he began frantically motioning for the emergency crews, I just got an empty feeling.  I was only 12 then, but realized that it was life-threatening.  Seeing Schrader tell Michael in victory lane was absolutely sad.  I, and I know everyone else, felt bad for him.  This was supposed to be his crowning achievement, and Dale was supposed to be there celebrating with him.  It was Dale who took the chance on Michael to begin with.  Schrader's interview pretty much drove it home to me.  Dale was dead.  I was just numb.  When they came on with the press conference, and Mike Helton uttered the words the NASCAR community dreaded to hear.  "After the accident in turn 4 at the end of the Daytona 500, we have lost Dale Earnhardt."  Those words still elicit a deep emotional response from me.  This is like saying that Superman has died.  It just wasn't supposed to happen.  Not like that.  As soon as those words were said, I broke down and cried.  I wasn't a huge Dale Earnhardt fan, but I had respect for the man, and knew what he meant for our sport.  Little did I know then just HOW MUCH he meant to the sport.  The next day, I can remember someone saying something to me that just angered and frustrated me.  "Why are you so upset?  It was just some race car driver who was killed in a wreck.  Get over it."  I just responded to that by saying something simple and to the point.  "You have no idea, so just shut up and leave me be."  Their ignorance was frustrating to me.  Now as I reflect, I have shed a few tears writing this looking back.  Many memories flash back, about the man known as the Intimidator, what he did in the car, and back to that Black Sunday in which NASCAR was altered forever, and how odd it was the rest of that season and into the next as to how odd it was not seeing the black GM Goodwrench #3 on the track, and how Kevin Harvick, a young and fairly unknown driver to most of us helped speed up the healing by helping Dale's team go back to where he would want them to be, victory lane.  He is gone, but never forgotten.  RIP Dale Earnhardt!!

My 2010 season thoughts

It's amazing how time flies.  We are already to the end of 2010, and a lot has occurred in racing over the last 12 months.  It seems like every year the time flies during the season, then drags along during the winter months.  I am going through that feeling now as a fan.  Thank goodness for racing DVD's haha.  I will give my thoughts about what I saw in the world of racing.

National Late Model Scene: Billy Moyer.  Hands down, he was the best driver in dirt late model racing this year and THE force to be reckoned with in 2010.  Moyer scored 24 feature wins overall, but it was the races he won and how he won them that made this season so spectacular.  Moyer scored 9 feature wins that were worth over $10,000 to win.  That is impressive, but what's more impressive is his sweeps at Eldora and Knoxville.  Moyer had struggled over a decade to win at the Eldora Speedway highbanks.  This year, he did something no one else had done except himself once before.  He won BOTH the Dirt Late Model Dream and the World 100.  His win in the Dream was textbook Moyer.  He took care of his car on a dry track and kept the tires under him and didn't bounce off the walls.  The World was a clinic as he knifed his way stealthily through the field from his 21st starting spot to hold off a late charging Scott Bloomquist and win his record 6th globe trophy.   In Knoxville, Moyer went out and did something that had NEVER been done before.  He swept the entire weekend of the Knoxville Late Model Nationals.   He won all 3 nights in convincing fashion, much to the delight of his hometown fans (For those who didn't know, Billy is originally from Des Moines, Iowa).


NASCAR: I appreciate history, and what Jimmie Johnson did is difficult.  However, I do believe he did it a LOT easier thanks to the current Chase format, which I absolutely hate.  It doesn't reward someone for a whole season's body of work.  The lack of consistency in fines by NASCAR was something that really, quite frankly pissed me off.  It's garbage like this and the fact that the racing isn't as good as it has been in past years that has led to the decline.  There have been a couple bright spots.  Kyle Busch is one.  Love him or hate him, he gets your attention.  He has immense talent behind the wheel.  His win record proves it.  He too did something that no one in NASCAR history has done.  He swept a weekend in the Cup, Nationwide, and Truck series.  He did it at Bristol, and I have to admit it was cool to watch.  It's so hard to get things to go right to do that, and few drivers will even attempt it to start with.    His attitude isn't always great, but at least he isn't a corporate sock puppet like most drivers have become anymore in this day and age of political correctness.  NASCAR's "Have at it boys" was another good idea.  Let the drivers take care of things.  Physical altercations may happen.  Taking swings at one another is much better than using cars to vent one's frustrations.  In the case of that, just keep an eye on it so it doesn't get out of hand and step in if you see it is.  Otherwise, let them settle it man to man, possibly punch to punch.  I'd much rather see that than the same 2 drivers wreck each other weekly and possibly take others out not involved.  I don't mind seeing drivers rub and bump some, as racing IS a contact sport.  The COT is still hideous, but they have made it somewhat better, although the cars still don't even closely resemble the cars on the showroom floors.  It'd be nice to see the cars be different enough you could identify them without the company stickers on them.

Local Racing Scene: Economy.  This word has had a big impact on the local racing scene.  High fuel prices have wreaked havoc on the industry, as it has made it harder for drivers to travel, fans to travel, and promoters to do the day to day things necessary for a track/series.   It has forced all in the business to be smarter, and it has weeded out some who weren't cut out for it.  Unfortunately, it has hit those who are good at what they do but just couldn't keep up.  This is true of drivers and track promoters/track owners.  While this was the case, some places did well due to promoters who had good resources, good business sense, and good common sense. 

My Race of the Year: North/South 100, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.  This 100 lap race featured the most side by side racing throughout the field I have seen in a long time.  The finish to this one was very similar to the previous year's race where Jimmy Mars beat Don O'Neal going into 3 on the last lap.  Jimmy Owens found something up top with about 20 to go to take the lead, but then Earl Pearson Jr. came on strong to take it away from Owens, only to have Owens reel him in as the laps wound down and he got bogged down in lapped traffic.  At the white flag this year Jimmy Owens and Earl Pearson Jr. were dead even at the start finish line.  Going into 3 it was still either driver's race.  Owens got a good run off of turn 4 and won the race, and the crowd went nuts knowing they had seen a good one.  This one was my choice of my Race of the Year because of the overall quality of racing.  My other pick would have been the 2010 World 100 as there were a couple of drivers who came deep in the field to post solid finishes.


Well, that is a wrap on the 2010 racing season.  I know I enjoyed it.  I am looking forward to see what 2011 has in store.  I know I am not alone.  Happy New Year's everyone!!  Celebrate safely!!

Winter 2010

Winter is a dirty word to some of us.  There is no racing for a majority of us.  The racers do need a break though.  However, few actually get it.  Some have race parties to raise money for their programs and celebrate good seasons with fans.  There is also the trade show circuit.  IMIS in Indianapolis wrapped up last week and currently PRI is going on in Orlando.  There is a Crate Race running at East Bay Raceway Park in conjunction with PRI.  All of this means little free time for racers.  Some are getting their cars ready as they may race as early as January in the Ice Bowl in Alabama, or out in Arizona during the Wild West Shootout.  Others race overseas in sprint cars and midgets.  In some cases, off season means just hustling to get things ready to go.  There really is no rest and relaxation.  Racers are a special breed, and some of us will never understand the hell they go through to do what they do.  Local racers do get more of a break during the winter time wise.  Rather you like or hate a driver, they ALL put a lot of work into what they do, and you should at least respect them for it.  I always try to let my favorite drivers know I appreciate what they do.  You should as well.

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.  

2010 Rumor Mill ETC.1

Well, it's that time of the year.  There are a lot of half truths and whole lies start flowing.  Here are some of the better ones I have either heard or seen.

1.  The World of Outlaws Late Model Dirt Series and it's parent company, DIRT Motorsports Inc., will fold, leaving only the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.  This one to me seems to be the most far fetched.  WoO had a strong year this year, and I think come next year, the schedules, with some small changes here and there, will look similar.  It's gone around more than once in the past.

2. Some notable drivers may jump series.  This isn't too surprising.  Some may be looking for a fresh start or want to go to certain tracks more and stay away from others.  2 drivers who's names came up about possibly jumping to the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series are Tim McCreadie and Steve Francis.  I could see those, but only time will tell if that one is true.  Also rumors of Matt Miller and Scott James joining the tour again.  If those 2 can secure solid funding, it wouldn't be a big surprise. Zach Dohm, Brady Smith, Frank Heckenast Jr., and Dillan White all rumored to be running for the ROTY.  Heckenast Jr has it on his site, so he is the only one as of now that has said so and put it out there.  How Brady Smith can is beyond me as he has won the Knoxville Late Model Nationals.  Might be a very interesting rookie class next year.

3. Jimmy Owens: There have been so many rumors about the Newport Nightmare.  Some say he will stay in a Bloomquist Team Zero Chassis.  Others say he is going to switch to a Victory Circle M1 by Moyer.  I've heard others as well, but those 2 seem like the most plausible choices.  I honestly expect to see Owens in a Bloomquist car come February.  Also rumors as to what he will do.  Seen one where he won't run the LOLMDS.  I really expect Jimmy to be a championship contender for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series crown, as he was a thorn in the side of Bloomer this year.

4. Farmer City Raceway will have a new promoter.  That much is fact.  After that, the names have flown around.  I've not really heard names, but there is one that a couple of Southern gentlemen will come in and run it.  The Fair Board meets here at the beginning of next month, so time will tell.  All I can say is I hope someone who has deep financial resources as well as a passion for the sport ends up getting it, as it needs someone with deep pockets to fix certain things, as well as someone who cares and knows the sport that can prep the track (or have someone else who knows how), and can draw cars and fans back to one of the best tracks in the state of Illinois.

5. Peoria Speedway will be UMP Sanctioned next year.  This one has floated around in the past, but anymore, nothing is too much of a shock to me.  If it happens or doesn't, the result won't catch me off guard by any means.

6.  The Illini 100 will be at LaSalle Speedway in 2011.  It seems to be gathering a lot of steam, and it's not far fetched since the Izzo's have rented out the track before.  The track, when prepped right, would be a good track for it racing wise. 

These are some of the ones making a lot of noise, and it's not even November yet.  I expect to hear a lot more good rumors about various tracks, events, drivers, and promoters.  Should be another entertaining winter.

2010 Season Recap

Well, it is the time of year I always dread, the end of my racing season.  As of now, I am done.  It has been another good season overall despite the economic hardships drivers, tracks, and fans are all facing.  My first race was way back in March at Brownstown Speedway for the Indiana Icebreaker, and my final race was the UMP Fall Nationals at Eldora Speedway.  Between those 2 were at least 60 other races of all disciplines.  Many were at my local tracks (Macon, Farmer City, Lincoln, Fairbury).  As I usually try to do, I added a couple of new tracks to the list of places I have been.  Currently, I have been to 30 tracks in 6 states, and seen races at 29 of those tracks.  I even sponsored a long haul award for the DRC King of Compatcs event at Brushcreek Motorsports Park this year as well.  I feel However, just because on track action is over, doesn't mean the whole racing scene will be dead.  When the season ends, the race party season begins.  I look forward to hitting as many as I can.  I also plan on enjoying the rest of the college football season and college basketball when it gets going, as well as the NFL and NBA and whatever else I can find to pass the free time I have while not doing my main duty, getting my work done as a college student.  Hope you all go out to some of your local driver's race parties, have fun, and help support them.  I know I will.  This COULD be the last blog posting of 2010, but we shall see about that.

Before I wrap this blog posting up, for those who don't know, former NASCAR star who was banned for life for substance abuse Shane Hmiel, son of NASCAR crew chief Steve Hmiel, was hurt this last Saturday night during qualifying for the Sumar Classic USAC Silver Crown event at the Terre Haute Action Track in Terre Haute, Indiana.  I could attempt to describe the wreck, but I will post the link to the video which is on YouTube.  This is the video of the entire lap.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vitPUBo5E4k&feature=related I warn you, it isn't easy to watch and might be disturbing to some.   Shane needs our thoughts and prayers.  There is a Facebook page giving updates about Shane's condition.  The link to it is http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Shane-Hmiel-Road-to-Recovery/156856564346848  For now, be safe everyone.  Thank you for reading the blog!!