Not the typical Spring Break

It is that time of year for most college kids, myself included.  It is Spring Break.  Most think of Florida, Cancun, Panama, and other warm places.  Well, call me an oddball, or call me a diehard race fan.  While most were planning out these trips, I was scouring my calendar for races the weekend of my Spring Break.  The one that I eyed, as I did a year ago, is the Spring 50 at Florence Speedway.  I wanted to a year ago, but was dog sick.  I even had a ride lined up.  This year, as long as mother nature plays nice, I will kick my season off here.  Do I enjoy warm places similar to where me counterparts are?  Sure.  It's been all winter though, and I am ready to smell the sweet smell of race fuel in the air, see dirt flying and cars running side by side, and the sweet sounds of powerful racing motors at full song.  I would much rather spend my break supporting the sport I love more than just about anything else.  That time is almost here for myself and many others.  The ice has thawed, the weather is warming up, the drivers are itching to go as well.  I am ready for the green flag to drop on my 2011 season!!

2011: It's finally here

Well, after a long winter, lots of snow shoveling (at least for some), and other bizarre weather, we can finally see the ground.  Georgia-Florida Speedweeks for Late Models, Big Block Modifieds, UMP Modifieds, and WoO Sprint Cars are all now a not quite so distant memory.  NASCAR is 3 races in now.  In a sense for us as race fans, March Madness is upon us as well.  Tracks have practice days and schedules set mostly, and the local drivers are toiling endlessly to have their cars ready for the car shows and open practices before the season goes green for them for the first time.  Some tracks are starting earlier than others.  Mother Nature and fuel may play a role in how much fans and drivers alike are willing to travel.  I myself may travel almost 5 hours and 300 miles to Florence Speedway in Florence, Kentucky for the 35th Spring 50, as it falls during my Spring Break.  While others are wanting to travel to warm, tropical locations, I much rather would be at a dirt track watching late models, modifieds, sprint cars, midgets, or anything else sling dirt, see side by side racing, and take in all the sights and smells the sport has to offer to a junkie like myself.  I am smitten by the bug, and I need a dose.  It's time.  The 2011 season is FINALLY here!!

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.