Thanks a whole lot Fox Sports 1. Still excited over the coming season, an eighth place finish in the Sprint Unlimited, and now this...
I waited two hours to watch Ryan Newman's qualifying run. The commercial was over just in time to see Ryan Newman, drive off the track after he qualified second. Thanks for nothing!
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Honesty is what Ryan Newman is all about
It is always good to hear Ryan Newman's perspective. I relish it. I know I will hear honesty because this is a man of integrity.There are big changes coming to NASCAR, apparently geared more to the entertainment side of racing than racing itself.
In this interview with WSOCTV Ryan Newman talks about some of those changes in NASCAR's 2014 Sprint Cup series. From my perspective it sounds like he is conciliatory about the the new qualifying format and the new winner take all Chase for the Championship, but is far from enamored with them.
Let's face it, Ryan Newman has a history of setting track records with his qualifying prowess. He has a stellar history of earning the pole position, but I'd be willing to bet NASCAR never considered asking his opinion on the subject before they changed the qualifying format.
In this interview, I heard disappointment as he talked about the new format, but I also heard resolve. Newman is not so set in his ways that he would forgo his own success just because he works at a sport where the rules change like the wind. Fortunately, he is adaptable and takes on new challenges with a fervor.
One of the best things about Newman, in my view, is the way he answers questions of reporters. He is always candid; he is always honest. He pulls no punches as he tells it like it is. That is so refreshing in a sport that caters to the "tell 'em what they want to hear' crowd. It may also be why Newman isn't interviewed all that often. That's OK. His words may be limited, but they are generally powerful.
Newman's opinions are not without controversy; he has paid for speaking his peace, so I am glad to hear him answer questions honestly, no matter what.
Newman is a great ambassador for racing. He obviously loves what he does and he's good at it. I can't wait to watch how this season progresses. It will be exciting to watch him conquer all the new challenges set before him--with a new car, new Crew Chief, new owner, and new rules.
It won't be long now, as the Daytona 500 will kick off in 24 more days.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
New qualifying - jury's still out for me for now
 |
| (Photo credit: rogerblake2) |
I used to enjoy watching single-car qualifying on Friday night. I think it will be much more exciting to watch actual racing determine the qualifying order for races.
That said, I can see plenty of room for interpretation in this new format. For example, what if there is a wreck? NASCAR says the wrecked car is done because only pit road repairs will be permitted--pretty black and white--I like that. But what about scoring loops, throwing a caution, stopping the field, re-starting the field, all the other issues that go on week after week during a race. Controversy almost always surrounds decisions made by NASCAR as to when and how to interpret the rules. I'm not sure how this will be any different.
When a race is stopped, what the order of the cars are, when times are calculated--it is all open to interpretation. The grey area seems to be when NASCAR has problems.
Some say this change is just another gimmick to entice fans.
That's OK, but I want to know how it will help the racing. That is the most important part. After all, this is supposed to be a race, not an entertainment venue. Extra efforts to turn racing into strictly entertainment is wrong-headed. Racing is entertaining. It doesn't need any more than that to entice racing fans. Ironically, many of the gimmicks have chased real racing fans away from the sport.
If this new format means that Jimmie Johnson will start every race on the front row, I'm going to hate it.
That isn't because Johnson isn't a good driver, but mostly it is because Chad Knaus is a really good Crew Chief who isn't afraid to push any envelope to put speed into the car. That is a given. But to me, winning races shouldn't be only about just speed. It has to be about the overall effort of the entire team with an emphasis on the driver's skill at wheeling the race car around the track better than anyone else. There needs to be less emphasis on the engineering skills to turn out the fastest race car.
Again, I plan to stay on the fence for now. I lean toward liking this new idea, but I won't hesitate to wave a red flag the minute NASCAR favors one driver over another in that grey area.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Happy New Year!
 |
| Daytona 500 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
The time line in my mind is set on February 23. The way I see it, Christmas is over; the new year has begun. That means the next event on my calendar is the Daytona 500 -- just 52 days from the very moment that I am writing this.
Oh, I can almost feel the excitement. I will make guacamole, a race day tradition. I have a new tablet now, so I will be able to follow Twitter along with my usual computer accoutrements that aid in my race coverage. As a Ryan Newman fan, I'm all about Ryan's race. Generally I am only marginally aware of what else happens on the track.
When Race Buddy is available, I watch it. Otherwise, I am tuned into NASCAR's live leaderboard. I like to monitor Ryan's speed, lap times as well as the times of other competitors near him. I can glean the separation between his car and those directly in front or behind him, so I can pretty much tell when he is about to pass another car or if another is about to pass him. My suspicions are usually backed up by the race day scanner, which will always be tuned to what will now be the #31 team at Richard Childress Racing (RCR).
It is a bummer knowing I won't hear the familiar voice of Matt Borland, Ryan's crew chief both at Penske Racing and more recently at Stewart-Haas Racing. Luke Lambert will take over that role at RCR. Recognition of his voice and style will take some getting used. What is even more important than the sound of his voice though will be how he and Newman relate to one another. Of course, Ryan's voice on the radio will be easily recognizable. He doesn't say much on the radio, but there is generally enough to tell the story. He is always clear and concise about his concerns as he communicates concerns about handling issues and the car's aerodynamic behavior.
With Newman having a three-year contract, this first year will be an interesting learning experience. As the time for Speed weeks draws closer, the excitement level will undoubtedly escalate. For now though, I remain in anticipation mode.
Looking at the new year ahead is going to be so much more enjoyable than looking back at the last season.
The new diecast cars are available to purchase. Check this out--purchase a new diecast of the Quicken Loans #31. The Caterpillar car is also available for purchase at NASCAR.com.
So fellow race fans, it won't be long now...
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Loyalty to Stewart-Haas Racing - done!
I know my opinion doesn't matter to anyone but me, but for what it is worth, I just "unliked" Stewart-Haas Racing on Facebook.
I "liked" RCR Racing, Ryan Newman's new 2014 home in the #31 car.
My support for Newman is well-documented here. This symbolic gesture merely represents my dissatisfaction with Stewart-Haas Racing for letting Ryan Newman go and for putting him through hell this season. Thankfully all that drama is now behind him and the rest of us who watched with interest.
The potential for drama next year at SHR is high for several reasons.
It will certainly be interesting to watch the Kevin Harvick/Kurt Busch/Tony Stewart relationships, since all of these excellent race car drivers are very competitive, as well as a little belligerent, sometimes reckless, and always impetuous.
There is also that relationship between owners, Gene Haas and Tony Stewart that will be worth watching. I can't imagine Stewart was thrilled with how Haas sprung the hiring of Kurt Busch just days after Stewart told Newman there wouldn't be a third car team. I suspect Newman will be relieved to keep his distance from whatever brouhaha comes to play, if it does.
And then there is poor Tony, who has no idea how his leg is going to react to long hours behind the wheel. This whole incident with his broken leg had to have really thrown him.
It has been reported that Stewart will get a new crew chief this year. Chad Johnston, formerly of Michael Waltrip Racing will replace Steve Addington. Johnston was Martin Truex, Jr.'s crew chief.
We finally know what will come of Matt Borland in 2014
Stewart-Haas has announced that Borland will stay with SHR, but as vice president of engineering. He will also act as mentor to Daniel Knost, building on a continuing a relationship that had already been built upon. Knost will be the crew chief for the #41 car driven by Kurt Busch.
I "liked" RCR Racing, Ryan Newman's new 2014 home in the #31 car.
My support for Newman is well-documented here. This symbolic gesture merely represents my dissatisfaction with Stewart-Haas Racing for letting Ryan Newman go and for putting him through hell this season. Thankfully all that drama is now behind him and the rest of us who watched with interest.The potential for drama next year at SHR is high for several reasons.
It will certainly be interesting to watch the Kevin Harvick/Kurt Busch/Tony Stewart relationships, since all of these excellent race car drivers are very competitive, as well as a little belligerent, sometimes reckless, and always impetuous.
There is also that relationship between owners, Gene Haas and Tony Stewart that will be worth watching. I can't imagine Stewart was thrilled with how Haas sprung the hiring of Kurt Busch just days after Stewart told Newman there wouldn't be a third car team. I suspect Newman will be relieved to keep his distance from whatever brouhaha comes to play, if it does.
And then there is poor Tony, who has no idea how his leg is going to react to long hours behind the wheel. This whole incident with his broken leg had to have really thrown him.
It has been reported that Stewart will get a new crew chief this year. Chad Johnston, formerly of Michael Waltrip Racing will replace Steve Addington. Johnston was Martin Truex, Jr.'s crew chief.
We finally know what will come of Matt Borland in 2014
Stewart-Haas has announced that Borland will stay with SHR, but as vice president of engineering. He will also act as mentor to Daniel Knost, building on a continuing a relationship that had already been built upon. Knost will be the crew chief for the #41 car driven by Kurt Busch.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)