Conflicted about NASCAR season drawing to a close

My essential tools for watching NASCAR

As I look around the room, I notice my laptop still sitting on the coffee table. The AC cord is wrapped up and secured with a Velcro strap. My wireless mouse sits on top, its switch in the off position to conserve its batteries. I usually put my laptop in a roll-top desk in the living room. But this week I left it right where it was.

The only time I even use my laptop these days is on NASCAR Race Day. It is an essential tool for watching a race.

Shortly before the green flag waves, I have to get it ready to go, so I always start early. I want to get all the pesky updates--Windows, virus protection, and any necessary software--out of the way before the opening pace laps. I want no interruptions once the race begins.

Once the computer is ready to go, I sign onto NASCAR.com. The first thing I look for is the Live Leaderboard. Lap times and of course track position are necessary information for enjoying a race.

I would love to see a repeat of this!Ryan Newmans #12 after finishing 2008s
Daytona 500 at the first position.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Because the only driver I pay attention to is Ryan Newman, I use the information to focus on his stats. I watch his speed and distance from the driver in front of  him. When he closes that gap I know he is about to pass. That coincides with what is probably the most essential part of my race experience--NASCAR's Race View Scanner. Listening to Newman's radio communication with spotter and crew chief, coincides with what I see on the leaderboard.

I usually tune into Race Buddy as well, although Newman is rarely featured there. When he is, it is a thrill, like being a passenger in his race car. I love watching him drive, seeing him pass other cars in real time. When Newman isn't features on Race Buddy, which is most of the time, I look for a driver that is featured that is near him on the field. That way I can watch him drive in traffic. When he talks about a loose race car, I can see it.

I usually keep up with Twitter as well. If I have a question about what is happening on the track, it is generally cleared up by tweets from Krissie Newman or Stewart-Haas Racing.

To me, these tools make for a satisfactory race experience. It is the next best thing to being there. Without them, I don't know how I would follow Newman's race. Unless Newman is leading the race or running in the top two or three spots, commentators rarely talk about him. Cameras seldom follow him on the track. During most races, I barely get a glimpse of his car, until perhaps the second half of the race. By that time the crew has gotten the car's handling more to Newman's liking which usually results in a late race charge toward the front.

It makes me laugh sometimes when I think about how I used to watch racing. I usually had a sewing project or was crocheting something at the same time. No more! I'm much too busy for that these days. My mouse rarely leaves my hand. I have the television remote in the other hand so I can mute it during the plethora of commercials. I would much rather hear Ryan's spotter tell him about the cars around him than hear one more commercial.

I think the fact that I didn't put away my laptop is probably symbolic. While I have been trying to tell myself I'll be glad when this season is over, the truth is that I look forward to each and every race. I'm going to miss my Sunday afternoon or Saturday night races.

This year has been pretty rough for Ryan Newman fans. We felt the uncertainty. We felt the sting of rejection. But we also feel the hope for a new beginning.

So despite the small hiatus, I'm really looking forward to the 2014 season when Ryan Newman drives the #31 car for Richard Childress Racing. And let's face it, it is pretty exciting that we are only 108 days away from the Daytona 500.

When I think red, I think Ryan Newman and Quicken Loans!

I have wanted to change the color scheme of CHonTrack ever since the U.S. Army left sponsorship for the #39 car. I just hadn't done it yet.

I think it only fair though, since Quicken Loans has proven to be such a good sponsor for the #39 and soon-to-be the #31 car, that it is only fitting that I change my color scheme as well.

Here's to Ryan Newman, his colors, and lots of luck in the final races of the 2013 season.

And most notably, here's to 2014.

Related articles

• Quicken Loans moving to RCR with Ryan Newman
• Quicken Loans following Newman to RCR in 2014

NASCAR; For the time being, I'm still watching

Texas Motor Speedway (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I unabashedly admit that I am Ryan Newman fan. I am confident in his ability, which he proves every single time he climbs into his race car.

If it wasn't for my devotion to Newman, as a driver and the person I believe him to be off the track as well, I doubt very much that I would continue to watch NASCAR. I have been devoted for the past eight years, never missing a race. But lately, there are more things about NASCAR that I dislike than otherwise. I've never been shy to point them out in posts on CHonTrack nor will I be in the future.

Just a few of the things that drive me crazy and may drive me away from NASCAR are:

• Too many commercials on television--which is ridiculous because everything about NASCAR is a commercial, from the drivers' fire suits, decals on the cars, banners and billboards along the track, to commentator's coffee cups and shirt logos
• We know the gas is from Sunoco; we see the signs throughout the track, must we mention "drivers are filling up with Sunoco gas"?
• Must we hear "drivers are pitting to get their Goodyears"? 
• Too many and too inconsistent seat-of-the-pants rules
• Driver favoritism, especially by commentators 
• NASCAR's obvious political affiliation and non-secular activity--is a public invocation really necessary?
• Driver fines and suspensions imposed inconsistently
• Timing of rain delays, qualifying set based on top drivers first, competition cautions, timed debris cautions, emphasis on points versus winning
• Drivers' free speech curtailed by NASCAR brass

I'm sure there are more things. The bottom line is NASCAR is now totally "managed" resulting in predictability and political correctness.

I don't think I'm alone either. I couldn't help but notice the empty seats in the grandstands at Texas Motor Speedway. It didn't used to be that way. If there is a place where NASCAR should be a staple of southern living, it is in Texas. But Texas is not alone. Not only are there less fans filling the seats, but there is more of a buzz than ever about NASCAR potentially dying on the vine. Just one Google search will show how much negative buzz there has been about what ten years ago was considered the most watched sport.

Related articles

NASCAR's Greed and Sagging Attendance
NASCAR has a Republican kind of problem
Is NASCAR on the decline?
The Earnhardt Conspiracy

Newman/Borland team; what will become of them?

Working out the scanner issues (Photo credit: purduenila)

As I was listening to the radio communication between Stewart- Haas Racing's Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 car and his Crew Chief, Matt Borland, Sunday at Kansas, I began to wonder about next year. 

Changes always require a period of adjustment, but I can't help but wonder what will become of the long-time relationship between these two. They have built a real team, both on the race track and off. Yet in 2014 Ryan Newman will move to Richard Childress Racing; his crew chief will be Luke Lambert on the #31 Caterpillar/Quicken Loans car. There has been no word on the future of Matt Borland. Will he remain with Stewart-Haas Racing, or follow Newman, as occurred when Newman joined Stewart-Haas.

These two have been through so much together. From 2001 to 2006, the two worked well together at Penske Racing, scoring 12 wins and 37 poles. Following a brief separation, they coalesced once more under the Stewart-Haas banner. Borland was hired in an engineering capacity, but returned as Crew Chief to Ryan Newman's #39 car last year. The result brought an end to Newman's winless streak at New Hampshire and a big win this summer at Indianapolis. Newman has also posted top speeds, giving him the pole twice in recent months.

There is no question that the two, both with engineering backgrounds, and an analytic approach to problem-solving, work well together. They are personal friends. Matt was the best man at Ryan and Krissie Newman's wedding.

Added pressure of the last few races of this season; perhaps the last races the two will work together, are undoubtedly stressful. It was made more so, according to the sense I got from hearing the tone of the voices over the radio at Kansas yesterday. Newman just happened to be the collateral damage when Justin Allgaier lost control of his car, hit the wall and slammed into Newman. The damage was severe, though the team worked hard to get Newman back onto the track to earn one more position before the race ended.

The situation called for some tense moments, as the crew had to practically rebuild the back end of the race car as well as the right side. Borland urged the team to calm down and just do their jobs. But that normally cool demeanor was preceded by a few raised voices and loud directives. It was not a good day for the #39 team. The result was losing five places in the points. If it wasn't for bad luck, Newman would have no luck at all. The team never gave up however. They got Newman fixed up, back on the track in time to make up one more position. Every point counts. He finished the race in 35th position. 

New track record for Ryan Newman at New Hampshire

Ryan Newman

It certainly feels good to be a Ryan Newman fan these days!

Congratulations to Ryan Newman for qualifying on the pole and at the same time setting a new track record at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with a time of 27.904 at 136.497 mph.

The Loudon, NH track is a special one for Newman. It was here that he won his first official cup race in 2002. Since then he has scored two more wins.

Today marks Newman's 51st pole, the sixth of which he has earned at this track.

Starting at the front of the field plays right into Newman's strategy, since he believes track position is important. He said passing at Loudon is difficult. And, winning the pole allows Newman to choose the first pit stall, which is just icing on the cake.

This is the second race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship. Last week at Richmond, Newman ran a great race, finishing tenth, which moved him up to 8th in points. He started the Chase in 12th.