Ryan Newman needs 'no fault insurance'

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Sometimes it is difficult to be a fan. In one afternoon I went from a kid on Christmas Eve to one who got coal in her stocking.

Ryan Newman's day looked promising; his WIX Chevrolet looked great at Phoenix International Raceway, one of his favorite tracks. He has seen some success at Phoenix. But not this time!

Newman and his team found speed and balance in what had mostly been an ill-handling race car. Then, just like at Daytona days earlier, while Newman was making his way into the top 10, he was taken out--collateral damage--caused by someone else. This time, Newman was on the outside, going around Carl Edwards who was on the inside. Edwards bobbled a little; it was just enough to hit Newman in the left rear quarter panel, sending him spinning hard into the wall.

Miraculously, Newman's #39 team repaired the car well enough to allow Newman to finish the race. He crossed the finish line in 21st place. It was certainly not what he wanted, nor was it fun to watch.

All is not lost however, as Newman actually rose two spots in the points--up to 18th--43 points behind the leader. With this being just the second race of the season, there is plenty of time to make up the deficit. Newman is as good as anyone at rising from the ashes. So, it is on to Las Vegas.

On to Phoenix

Feeling like a kid on Christmas Eve, I'm excited to see Ryan Newman go to Phoenix International Raceway.

Daytona is always exciting, but it really isn't a good barometer of race car drivers' potential. So much can happen, usually does, and in Ryan's case, it did.

In Newman's mind, as well as probably all other drivers except for Matt Kenseth perhaps, the 2012 NASCAR racing season will start at Phoenix.

Newman's fans got a glimpse of what Ryan was able to do during the Daytona 500. There were times he was the fastest car on the track, driving in excess of 200 mph.

The flip side was as usual, due to circumstances beyond his control. It involved a spinout from a tire going down, and a pit road incident that resulted in his being two laps down. He never let up, fighting to get those laps back. When he finally got on the lead lap, he made it to the top 10 in a good position with four laps to go. He was inches away from being in the clear on the last crash of the night, as he made his way into the outside lane. Tony Stewart was about to meet up with him. The two had probably planned to draft in tandem toward the lead. It would have worked too, had Tony not been spun around. The result was that Tony Stewart got into Kyle Busch, who got into Ryan which sent him spinning. Pretty good, Newman was basically taken out by his teammate who was BEHIND him. Oh, Daytona!

Despite significant damage, Newman still managed to eek out a 21st-place finish.

Phoenix is nothing like Daytona. Phoenix is a drivers' race track, according to Newman. Its different corner configurations make it a challenge for a crew chief to get the car handling right. They do the best they can, but the driver has to make up the difference.

Phoenix is one of Newman's favorite tracks. It is where he got his start in what was then the Winston Cup back in 2000.

Newman got is first win at Phoenix in 2010. In nineteen starts there, Newman has seven top 5's; seven7 top 10's and started on the pole four times. He has led 171 laps there.

Congratulations Ryan and Krissie Newman

Congratulations to Ryan and Krissie Newman. The two are expecting a baby daughter at the end of July. That will make Brooklyn a big sister.

Best wishes to the happy and growing family.

Daytona relief

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The only word to sum up the long-anticipated Daytona 500 this year is relief.

I am relieved that the Great American Race finally got underway. I'm relieved I wasn't there because sitting in the rain all weekend would have been nightmarish. And I'm relieved that real racing competition can finally get under way now that Daytona is behind us.

Who would have imagined that 2012 would be the first time the most prestigious race of the year would be rained out or that it would be postponed because Juan Pablo Montoya would, under caution, spin out of control into a jet dryer loaded with jet fuel? Who would have imagined the racing surface would ignite into an inferno?

The only thing that was predictable was the wreck fest that took place despite the obvious care being taken by drivers to prevent "the big one."

For that matter, why do we call it the big "one" when obviously that is an inadequate descriptor. Instead of the Great American Race, perhaps it should be named NASCAR's Great American Wildcard Race or NASCAR Demolition Derby.

Despite the word of the day being "relief," I have to say I enjoyed the weekend anyway. I didn't even mind waiting around all day Sunday, knowing in my heart there was no way 43 cars and 500 miles would be compatible with those huge dark green splotches covering Florida's weather map. I found plenty to do in close proximity to the television set, my attention never far away, just in case.

I should give a shout out to Fox Sports, since everyone did an excellent job staying on the air, keeping us informed. Since this was the first real race of the season and it followed a pretty eventful speed weeks, it isn't like they didn't have plenty to talk about. Then again, it isn't like all those guys don't like to talk about their favorite sport anyway.

Congratulations to Matt Kenseth, by the way. Bringing what was once a boiling motor into Victory Lane was nothing short of miraculous, a real testament to Ford engines.

Danica makes my gender proud!

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Danica Patrick's debut in the Nationwide Series race wasn't quite what she had hoped for, no thanks to her own teammate Cole Whitt, the 20-year old California kid that probably spent a sleepless night last night contemplating his future. I doubt this one incident will derail his career, but his actions on the track did end a perfectly good run for Patrick.

She isn't the first driver to get caught up in a Daytona incident. She won't be the last either. The best of the best often suffer the same fate.

Listening to Patrick's radio and watching Twitter comments was pretty telling. It seems there is a contingent that loves her as well as one that hates her. Personally, I think the latter is rooted in either jealousy or ignorance.

Her reaction after she was hit was raw and honest. It was real.

I'm not a "feminist," but as a woman, I know that sometimes, we have to work a little harder than our male counterparts to achieve equality. It isn't fun; it isn't fair; but that is the way it is. Danica has been in the racing world long enough to know how to handle herself.

I'm going to enjoy watching this gender dynamic unfold in the sport this year. It will be very exciting to watch. NASCAR can only benefit by the presence of a strong woman.

Patrick has attitude. I like that. There is no question she is capable. For a woman to step into a race car is proof. Her qualifying on the pole underscored it. I suspect we will see more of her achievements.

I liked what I heard on the radio, Patrick behaved much like a good student, asking the kinds of questions that could only help her understand and deal with situations. She wanted things spelled out for her ahead of time, so she could evaluate and anticipate how she might react as new scenarios arise. She was methodical, analytical, as she tried to take her driving to the next level. She and her crew maintained almost constant radio contact. It is a shame she couldn't complete her task. I would have loved to see how she would have finished.

From what I've seen so far, I think Danica is going to hold her own just fine in this sport dominated by men, both in the garage and in the stands. While there will always be those guys whose brains hold them back from seeing beyond her pretty face, I think for the majority, she will have their respect one day, because she will have to work hard to earn it.