As expected, another good race at Bristol. I'd like to make several observations:
Congratulations to Mark Martin who started his 1000th race tonight at Bristol. As an Arkansan, I am very proud of Mark. The pre-race show on Speed that told his story was moving. Mark drove a great race tonight. He led the most laps and came so close. His second place finish is nothing at all to be ashamed of. It is just too bad he couldn't have made it to the front one last time.
Congratulations to Kyle Busch, who seemed a little bit humbled (even if it was an act, I am buying it). He pulled off a great win tonight. While he is still not in the chase, it is just a matter of time.
Congratulations to Ryan Newman who proved with his 6th place finish in tonight's race that this week at Bristol had no effect on his precarious 9th points position. It is nice to see him prove this point and to allow me a little 'I told you so' by moving up two spots in the points race - to 7th. Good job Ryan!
Kurt Busch did a magnificent job, finishing in 7th place after all the adversity he had to overcome.
Poor Tony Stewart - did they give him Ryan's race car by mistake? I have a funny feeling that Tony will rebound by winning the next race, or maybe even the next several races or perhaps the championship. Tony can do just about anything. He is that good!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Ryan Newman capable of four-peat
I just read a citizen journalist's story that was picked up by a blogger. I refuse to provide the links because no one else should waste their time reading either.
But the headline was:
Ryan Newman could risk NASCAR Chase spot by attempting four races at Bristol
I responded to both posts just as I will respond to this headline here:
That is just baloney! Ryan isn't risking any more by entering other races than he would without them. Bristol is a crapshoot for all the drivers. Staying out of trouble, usually cause by someone else is the real risk. And that has nothing to do with driving in other races. One race has nothing to do with another. Besides two of the races are tonight. One is Friday. How does that affect Saturday night?
But the headline was:
Ryan Newman could risk NASCAR Chase spot by attempting four races at Bristol
I responded to both posts just as I will respond to this headline here:
That is just baloney! Ryan isn't risking any more by entering other races than he would without them. Bristol is a crapshoot for all the drivers. Staying out of trouble, usually cause by someone else is the real risk. And that has nothing to do with driving in other races. One race has nothing to do with another. Besides two of the races are tonight. One is Friday. How does that affect Saturday night?
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Sprint Cup Race at Michigan
Whew! What an interesting race. I don't know how much of the actual race I saw. I was so busy monitoring points, positions, and times on NASCAR.com's live leaderboard that I probably missed some of the action on the track.
The early part of the race was disheartening as I watched a very frustrated Ryan Newman struggle with an ill-handling racecar. I have to hand it to his crew, however, because they pulled together to get the car drivable again. And the two-tire strategy to get track position was just what the doctor ordered. It was enjoyable to watch Ryan start picking off positions once again. This race could have been a total disaster for him in the points standings, but they pulled it out, leaving him with a no-gain, no-loss scenario. The way this race started today, that is good enough for me. Ryan remains 9th in the points standings. The pressure is really on, however.
A few of my other observations in this race include:
The early part of the race was disheartening as I watched a very frustrated Ryan Newman struggle with an ill-handling racecar. I have to hand it to his crew, however, because they pulled together to get the car drivable again. And the two-tire strategy to get track position was just what the doctor ordered. It was enjoyable to watch Ryan start picking off positions once again. This race could have been a total disaster for him in the points standings, but they pulled it out, leaving him with a no-gain, no-loss scenario. The way this race started today, that is good enough for me. Ryan remains 9th in the points standings. The pressure is really on, however.
A few of my other observations in this race include:
- Congratulations to Brian Vickers. He deserved to win one. He fought hard, especially when considering his run yesterday when he was so close.
- If I were Jimmy Johnson, I wouldn't listen to Chad Knaus next time he wants to try the fuel strategy game. Johnson finished 33rd. That marks twice at Michigan that he led most of the laps of the race and came up short at the end.
- Good run for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. However, even though it has been some time since he ran well enough to gush over, it was disgusting to hear the ESPN guys, especially Andy Petrie rave over how Dale Earnhardt, Jr. could win this race, even though he was running sixth. Yes he was the fastest on the track at the time, but that has happened before only to see him lose it and smack into the wall. Can we not have a little reality check boys? They actually put up a graphic showing Jimmy Johnson, Brian Vickers, and Dale Jr. as the commentators talked about the amount of fuel each had left. Trouble is they were running first, second, and sixth at the time. C'mon! They were practically salivating over the possibility that Jr. could win this race, totally discounting the other drivers ahead of him, not to mention those behind him who could have come from behind to win it. This Dale Jr. thing is just a wee bit sickening!
- Kyle Busch was not a factor in today's race. And I'll bet he wasn't happy about Vickers' win after the way the two behaved in yesterday's Nationwide race.
- Poor Kurt Busch and Juan Pablo Montoya. They were doing great until lady luck bit them where the sun doesn't shine.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Nationwide Race at Michigan
I am really becoming a fan of the Nationwide races. They have been fun to watch, and at times, more enjoyable than the Cup races. Ouch! Did I say that?
Today's race at Michigan was no exception, especially the ending. Congratulations to Brad Keselowski, not so much because he won the race, but the way he won it. He just sneaked in there, pretty as you please, pissing off Kyle Busch in the process. It always seems to be a good day when NASCAR's bad boy comes up short.
Funny, I'm really enjoying Kyle -- he has spunk. He's every inch a competitor. He is Popeye's Bluto. I'm waiting for him to tie a competitor to a railroad track or grow a mustache he can twirl. Kyle is necessary to the sport. He brings real life to it. I like how he handles the fans' boos. And, you can't take away from him, the fact that the boy can drive.
I had to laugh when Brian Vickers said he didn't know this was the Kyle Busch show. I really don't like Vickers' style. I saw that little sideswipe he gave to Keselowski as the #88 went around him. I don't think he is a clean racer. He was fast though. And the fact that he kept it out of the wall is certainly testament to his skill. His car was obviously loose, but he ignored it and hung on.
Ryan Newman being in the race is always a draw for me. Ryan had a decent finish. I was hoping for more though. I feel cheated, since I couldn't hear his radio transmissions. Why doesn't NASCAR allow Nationwide races to be on Race Day Scanner too? That would be awesome. Truck races too for that matter.
Tomorrow is going to be a good day - race day!
Today's race at Michigan was no exception, especially the ending. Congratulations to Brad Keselowski, not so much because he won the race, but the way he won it. He just sneaked in there, pretty as you please, pissing off Kyle Busch in the process. It always seems to be a good day when NASCAR's bad boy comes up short.
Funny, I'm really enjoying Kyle -- he has spunk. He's every inch a competitor. He is Popeye's Bluto. I'm waiting for him to tie a competitor to a railroad track or grow a mustache he can twirl. Kyle is necessary to the sport. He brings real life to it. I like how he handles the fans' boos. And, you can't take away from him, the fact that the boy can drive.
I had to laugh when Brian Vickers said he didn't know this was the Kyle Busch show. I really don't like Vickers' style. I saw that little sideswipe he gave to Keselowski as the #88 went around him. I don't think he is a clean racer. He was fast though. And the fact that he kept it out of the wall is certainly testament to his skill. His car was obviously loose, but he ignored it and hung on.
Ryan Newman being in the race is always a draw for me. Ryan had a decent finish. I was hoping for more though. I feel cheated, since I couldn't hear his radio transmissions. Why doesn't NASCAR allow Nationwide races to be on Race Day Scanner too? That would be awesome. Truck races too for that matter.
Tomorrow is going to be a good day - race day!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Race at Watkins Glen
While the road race at Watkins Glen today was anything but boring, it was rather hard to follow. Just by the nature of the race, it is impossible to know where all drivers are at all times and just what they are doing. To be able to comment on 43 drivers, their crews, and 11 different corners all at the same time has proven to be just about impossible for the media.
I am grateful for NASCAR's raceday scanner. I love the technology that allows me to keep track of the #39 car. There were times today, I wish I didn't know what was going on. Ryan Newman was lucky -- in that he didn't lose points today.
From the moment he started the car, there were problems. The alternator was apparently malfunctioning. And although Ryan wanted to have it changed, the process would have been too complex, so batteries were changed instead. For the entire race, Newman ran on less than optimum power. Since there are two batteries in the car, the driver can switch from one to the other. Newman was advised to do that every ten laps. Imagine trying to concentrate on hitting your marks, driving at about 120mph through curves and corners, with 43 other drivers doing the same thing, at the same time as having to play with switches on the dashboard?
Newman also had to turn various fans off and on throughout the course of the race. That includes the fan inside his helmet that keeps him cool. He went through numerous bottles of water -- not just to drink, but to pour on his face and into his fire suit. It was hot today. Most drivers, stopped after the huge wreck on lap 60, complained about the heat because they had to turn off their engines, which meant their fans. In comparison Ryan ran that heat equivalent magnified by the what heat the engine put out for the whole race with only minor relief when he turned on the fans intermittently. The burning fuel also emits fumes.
On top of all that the car was "wicked loose," according to Ryan's radio transmission. I may be mistaken, but it didn't sound to me like there were many adjustments made to the car during its multiple pit stops. Tires, gas, and batteries took up most of the crew's time and attention.
But that is where the luck came into it -- he didn't lose any points in the race for the chase. He remains in 9th position. In fact, he even passed several cars in the final laps of the race.
Other than Ryan Newman's issues, the race was quite eventful. It was good to see Sam Hornish, Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton walk away from that crash on lap 60. It was probably the most violent wreck I've seen.
Congratulations to Tony Stewart for a job well done. He ran a pretty much flawless race and it paid off.
Next week is Michigan, Ryan Newman's home track. That can only be good. I wish him well, both on the track and wherever he decides to plant his fishing pole.
I am grateful for NASCAR's raceday scanner. I love the technology that allows me to keep track of the #39 car. There were times today, I wish I didn't know what was going on. Ryan Newman was lucky -- in that he didn't lose points today.
From the moment he started the car, there were problems. The alternator was apparently malfunctioning. And although Ryan wanted to have it changed, the process would have been too complex, so batteries were changed instead. For the entire race, Newman ran on less than optimum power. Since there are two batteries in the car, the driver can switch from one to the other. Newman was advised to do that every ten laps. Imagine trying to concentrate on hitting your marks, driving at about 120mph through curves and corners, with 43 other drivers doing the same thing, at the same time as having to play with switches on the dashboard?
Newman also had to turn various fans off and on throughout the course of the race. That includes the fan inside his helmet that keeps him cool. He went through numerous bottles of water -- not just to drink, but to pour on his face and into his fire suit. It was hot today. Most drivers, stopped after the huge wreck on lap 60, complained about the heat because they had to turn off their engines, which meant their fans. In comparison Ryan ran that heat equivalent magnified by the what heat the engine put out for the whole race with only minor relief when he turned on the fans intermittently. The burning fuel also emits fumes.
On top of all that the car was "wicked loose," according to Ryan's radio transmission. I may be mistaken, but it didn't sound to me like there were many adjustments made to the car during its multiple pit stops. Tires, gas, and batteries took up most of the crew's time and attention.
But that is where the luck came into it -- he didn't lose any points in the race for the chase. He remains in 9th position. In fact, he even passed several cars in the final laps of the race.
Other than Ryan Newman's issues, the race was quite eventful. It was good to see Sam Hornish, Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton walk away from that crash on lap 60. It was probably the most violent wreck I've seen.
Congratulations to Tony Stewart for a job well done. He ran a pretty much flawless race and it paid off.
Next week is Michigan, Ryan Newman's home track. That can only be good. I wish him well, both on the track and wherever he decides to plant his fishing pole.
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