To start off this edition of #3WideBlog, I have to be honest with you all, I didn't watch Sundays NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas this weekend. I know, I know, I missed what was dubbed a "great" race by some. But some others thought the race was, again, "boring" or lacking "action. I didn't want to be caught up in this discussion again, so I made the decision to go out with my family instead. Personally I couldn't handle another race on a 1.5 mile track anyway, but I was just glad Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't finally snap that streak and me miss it. In my opinion there needs to be less of these "cookie cutter" tracks on the Sprint Cup schedule and things need to change.
In the late 90's and early 2000's with the expanding popularity of NASCAR across the United States these 1.5 Mile "cookie cutter" tracks started popping up more and more. The tracks I'm talking about are Las Vegas, Kansas, Kentucky and Chicago. To a lesser extent Atlanta, Texas and Charlotte. Ten of NASCAR's 36 points races are held at these 1.5 mile tracks. This is too much. Four of the Chase races are also held on these tracks, also too much. NASCAR needs some diversity in the tracks it visits.
Personally I enjoy the "dog leg" style 1.5 ovals of Atlanta, Charlotte and Texas, but there is no need for 5 dates on the schedule dedicated to them. I would never touch Charlottes races they are a part of NASCAR's History (Aside from the All-Star Race, which I feel should travel). Texas and Atlanta though need to be changed. One race, at one track, one year then switch for next year. This would bring us down to 3 "dog leg" track races.
Then theres the "D-Shaped" 1.5 mile tracks. Of Las Vegas, Kansas, Kentucky, and Chicago. NOT my favourite. These too should be cut to 3 races. I am sorry for the fans of these areas or these types of tracks, but the masses have spoken. I dont care how they change it, or how they switch back and forth but something has to happen because 5 stops at these types of tracks is too much.
I am a short track fan, So if they took my advice and had 6 races at 1.5 mile tracks instead 10, I would pack those extra openings with different short tracks. I would love to see Sprint Cup series race at Iowa Speedway, a 3/4 mile track with lots of excitement. Or what about any of the 100's of short tracks across the United States. Here's another novel idea, Expand further into Canada!
Either way, in my opinion, NASCAR needs to do some work on their schedule. Bring in some tracks that are unique, and not like something you already have. Go back to "The Rock", revive North Wilkesboro, Build a new track. Anything but another 1.5 mile track, Please NASCAR? Please?
Smitty OUT
Tuesday 24 April 2012
Friday 20 April 2012
#3WideBlog Opinion: Was Texas That Bad? My Point of View.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series raced at Texas Motor Speedway this past week. The biggest story being that the field managed to run the final 234 laps under green. At least that's what ended up being the biggest story. 43 Drivers at NASCAR's most elite level should be able to run 234 laps under green more often in my opinion. But all over twitter and social media fans voiced their opinions. "Texas was boring", "Bad race with no restarts", etc. Even in the NASCAR on FOX Television coverage you could hear Larry McReynolds, Mike Joy and Darrell Waltrip almost begging for a caution it seemed, at least referring to it several times throughout the last 50 laps. Is this not what we were climbing up David Reutimann's tail pipe for a couple weeks ago? Causing a late race caution that changed the complexion of the race? I would bet the farm that a late race caution at Texas would have caused a totally different outcome.
Back in the old days of NASCAR it wasn't uncommon for there to be several cautions. But it also wasn't uncommon for race winners margin of victory to be measured in laps not tenths of a second. The 1965 Southern 500 at Darlington actually holds the record for the widest margin of victory, 14 Laps. Ned Jarrett took the checkered flag 14 laps ahead of Buck Baker. This is also regarded as one of the most wild Southern 500's ever, but regardless there's no race for the win, no contest at all. Richard Petty won one of his many Daytona 500's by 2 laps. Even a late race restart couldn't "fix" that race. This happened many times. If you're a fan of wrecking this is all acceptable, you're not watching the leaders anyway you're watching for a wreck. What about Michigan? Three races held there have had no cautions at all! 1973, 1984, 1999. Were they all terrible races because they had no cautions?
Texas did have two cautions, yes the record for fewest at that track. The first being our favourite, a "debris" caution. Lap 67 for "debris" in turn 4. This turns out to be a ball cap. Also at lap 93 Trevor Bayne has some bad luck slapping the wall. So you got two restarts. There were two extra chances for 43 of NASCAR's elite drivers to wreck, and imagine that they didn't! Bet their car owners patted them on the back.
In my opinion races like this past Texas race are the ultimate test. Its the ultimate test of drivers focus at race speed, feeling the forces of the inside of a race car is physically demanding lap after lap. It is the ultimate test of your pit crew, to go through so many cycles of green flag pitstops, getting the job done with no mistakes and not losing track position. It is also the ultimate test of your equipment and set-up. With less cautions to make large set-up changes, you have to get it right early and build on small green flag stop changes. The engine and drivetrain had better be the best its ever been too because with the last 234 laps run under green there's no rest.
This race had several cars on the lead lap, and a pass for the lead with 30 laps to go. There was great side-by-side racing and action all around the track. No my favourite driver didn't win, and yes a late race caution COULD have made a difference. Kudos to NASCAR for not throwing a phantom "debris" caution to make a great hard fought battle more "interesting"
If you're looking for more wrecking at NASCAR's elite level, Maybe instead you could turn to your local county fair. Theres a demolition derby coming to one, near you.
Smitty OUT
Back in the old days of NASCAR it wasn't uncommon for there to be several cautions. But it also wasn't uncommon for race winners margin of victory to be measured in laps not tenths of a second. The 1965 Southern 500 at Darlington actually holds the record for the widest margin of victory, 14 Laps. Ned Jarrett took the checkered flag 14 laps ahead of Buck Baker. This is also regarded as one of the most wild Southern 500's ever, but regardless there's no race for the win, no contest at all. Richard Petty won one of his many Daytona 500's by 2 laps. Even a late race restart couldn't "fix" that race. This happened many times. If you're a fan of wrecking this is all acceptable, you're not watching the leaders anyway you're watching for a wreck. What about Michigan? Three races held there have had no cautions at all! 1973, 1984, 1999. Were they all terrible races because they had no cautions?
Texas did have two cautions, yes the record for fewest at that track. The first being our favourite, a "debris" caution. Lap 67 for "debris" in turn 4. This turns out to be a ball cap. Also at lap 93 Trevor Bayne has some bad luck slapping the wall. So you got two restarts. There were two extra chances for 43 of NASCAR's elite drivers to wreck, and imagine that they didn't! Bet their car owners patted them on the back.
In my opinion races like this past Texas race are the ultimate test. Its the ultimate test of drivers focus at race speed, feeling the forces of the inside of a race car is physically demanding lap after lap. It is the ultimate test of your pit crew, to go through so many cycles of green flag pitstops, getting the job done with no mistakes and not losing track position. It is also the ultimate test of your equipment and set-up. With less cautions to make large set-up changes, you have to get it right early and build on small green flag stop changes. The engine and drivetrain had better be the best its ever been too because with the last 234 laps run under green there's no rest.
This race had several cars on the lead lap, and a pass for the lead with 30 laps to go. There was great side-by-side racing and action all around the track. No my favourite driver didn't win, and yes a late race caution COULD have made a difference. Kudos to NASCAR for not throwing a phantom "debris" caution to make a great hard fought battle more "interesting"
If you're looking for more wrecking at NASCAR's elite level, Maybe instead you could turn to your local county fair. Theres a demolition derby coming to one, near you.
Smitty OUT
Sunday 15 April 2012
#3WideBlog Opinion: Sponsorship Woes In NASCAR, Canadian Perspective
As I sat watching the NASCAR Nationwide series and Sprint Cup series race from Texas Motor speedway this weekend I began to wonder what happened in the sponsorship sector of the sport. Was it the Economy? Is NASCAR not a viable marketing resource anymore? Here's how I see it.
If you think back to the plentiful sponsorship years of the 90's and early 2000's, it seemed that sponsors made deals with teams not drivers. I'm talking big national corporations committing to multiple years and multiple millions of dollars of support to team owners. Contract terms were discussed in years not races. No one could ever forget that black #3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet even 11 years after Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s death. Earnhardt Sr.'s legendary legacy still provides advertising for GM Goodwrench through his ever popular merchandise. These sponsors didn't sign with the drivers at first, they met with owners that made their performance promise. After Earnhardt Sr.'s death GM Goodwrench stayed on to sponsor Kevin Harvick as a rookie in the Cup series for a few years. Not only was a driver noticeable because of their car number, it was generally painted the same way every week too.
It seems with the most recent recession those days are gone. Sponsors want to feed off the "star status" todays Sprint Cup series drivers are given. Sponsors want to make the deals with the drivers instead of owners, leaving some team owners searching not for the driver with the most potential talent, but the most potential sponsor dollars. They use more than the space they've bought on the car, they use the driver for commercials, appearances and anything else they can get them to do. So not only is a drivers talent important, but their marketability is also vitally important to many sponsors. This has left drivers with considerable talent sitting on the sidelines: Kenny Wallace, Trevor Bayne; and others looking to lower tier series or teams for rides: David Ragan, Kurt Busch. Even the multi-car teams have been hurt. Roush-Fenway closed its flagship #6 team in Sprint Cup and #60 Team in Nationwide due to lacking sponsorship. RCR's #33 team, Rusty Wallace Racing and so on.
The fans of NASCAR are a die-hard group and hate to see their drivers sit on the sidelines. Twitter handles like @TheNASCARFans and @followthefans use hash tags like #SponsorKenny and #SponsorTrevor to try and corral major companies to produce sponsorship dollars for their favourite drivers. They've had success too with companies twitter feeds responding. I'd like to see more of this. Its great to see the fans step up and support their drivers, and let companies know that if they sponsor a NASCAR driver that the fans return the favour.
In my opinion NASCAR is certainly a viable marketing resource. The decal on the hood of a car is seen by millions of eyes every race, if you run up front, for long periods of time. Rick Hendrick himself has even sponsored his own, and cars from other stables. Citing his website HendrickCars.com had noticeable traffic increase during NASCAR events it sponsored. Sponsors in NASCAR have just had to transform to adapt to the changing demographic and their changing needs. They don't sponsor a single car for an entire season anymore. They can pick and choose certain drivers and certain races as their own marketing needs see fit. Good performances can mean more races added to your schedule, bad could mean their not interested anymore or will try another team.
So your favourite drivers car is no longer painted the same every week, no even NASCAR's most popular driver Dale Earnhardt Jr has three major sponsors Mtn Dew, AMP, and National Guard to keep their operation running. But be happy if your driver has a sponsor right now because you never know, that's the way it is now. Its a sponsor driven sport where again not necessarily the most talented driver gets the ride, but the most marketable or the one with the most sponsor dollars. So all you race fans out there that know someone, who knows someone who has any say in a company's marketing strategy ... Pull some strings would ya?
Untill next time ... Smitty OUT
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| http://owlworks.wordpress.com/2010/06/ |
It seems with the most recent recession those days are gone. Sponsors want to feed off the "star status" todays Sprint Cup series drivers are given. Sponsors want to make the deals with the drivers instead of owners, leaving some team owners searching not for the driver with the most potential talent, but the most potential sponsor dollars. They use more than the space they've bought on the car, they use the driver for commercials, appearances and anything else they can get them to do. So not only is a drivers talent important, but their marketability is also vitally important to many sponsors. This has left drivers with considerable talent sitting on the sidelines: Kenny Wallace, Trevor Bayne; and others looking to lower tier series or teams for rides: David Ragan, Kurt Busch. Even the multi-car teams have been hurt. Roush-Fenway closed its flagship #6 team in Sprint Cup and #60 Team in Nationwide due to lacking sponsorship. RCR's #33 team, Rusty Wallace Racing and so on.
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| http://www.facebook.com/TheNascarFans |
In my opinion NASCAR is certainly a viable marketing resource. The decal on the hood of a car is seen by millions of eyes every race, if you run up front, for long periods of time. Rick Hendrick himself has even sponsored his own, and cars from other stables. Citing his website HendrickCars.com had noticeable traffic increase during NASCAR events it sponsored. Sponsors in NASCAR have just had to transform to adapt to the changing demographic and their changing needs. They don't sponsor a single car for an entire season anymore. They can pick and choose certain drivers and certain races as their own marketing needs see fit. Good performances can mean more races added to your schedule, bad could mean their not interested anymore or will try another team.
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| thefinallap.com |
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| thefinallap.com |
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| dalejr.com |
Untill next time ... Smitty OUT
Tuesday 10 April 2012
#3WideBlog Opinion: Why Earnhardt Jr. Is Strong Early
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| Getty Images |
In the last 5 years Dale Earnhardt Jr.has not traditionally started off well. In 2007 he posted finishes of 32nd, 40th, 11th, 14th, 7th, and 5th in the first 6 races. Average finish was 18.2 position. In 2008 (the year of his last win at Michigan) his first 6 races were 9th, 40th, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th, with the average of 10.8 being brought down by the 40th place finish at Fontana. 2009 was abysmal, 27th, 39th, 10th, 11th 14th and 8th were the first 6 race results, average being 18.2. I am betting at this point you can see a trend. 2010 and 2011 are similar with 14.5 place and 11.2 place averages respectively. Both years see a best finish of 2nd place in the first 6 races but worsts of 32nd and 24th.
Fight through the statistics and its easy to see why 2012 looks to be a good year. With finishes of 2nd, 14th, 10th, 15th and two 3rds it is the best first 6 race average (7.8 th place) of the last 5 years . In fact I believe the best of his career. He is currently sitting 2nd in Sprint Cup Series points, 6 points back of leader Greg Biffle and 6 points ahead of defending champion Tony Stewart. Earnhardt Jr. has led laps in 3 of the first 6 races this year and his current laps led total of 75 beats his entire last years total of 52.
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| DaleJr.com |
I believe a couple things at the shop have changed as well that has also helped Jr. have success at the beginning of the year. Days after Jimmie Johnsons 5th championship in 2010, Earnhardt Jr's team owner Rick Hendrick switched the crew chiefs. Steve Letarte moved from Jeff Gordon’s #24 team to lead Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the #88 team. Hendrick also has the 48 & 88 shops move in together in an effort to make Earnhardt's team as competitive as possible for 2011 and beyond. In my eyes both moves have worked. In 2011 Earnhardt Jr. made the chase for the Sprint Cup for the first time in 2 years and finished 7th in the standings, a vast improvement from 25th and 21st in the 2009 and 2010 standings.
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| DaleJr.com |
In that time he has also developed a great personal and professional relationship with Steve Letarte on and off the track that is crucial to on track success. You can see this confidence in pre and post race interviews even after pit road mistakes and miscommunications. Talks about what was good about the day and how it can be improved. No more monotone Jr. in interviews going through the motions. As a fan of his it is great to see all of this come together for him. It is great to tune in Sunday and see him up front and racing competitively again.
As Earnhardt inches closer and closer to his first elusive win since Michigan 2008, I can only hope for myself and the rest of #JrNation that it all keeps clicking. With 1 win, 3 top-5's, and 10 top 10's in his career at Texas it is looking good for him to keep it up. I hope.
Until next time Smitty OUT
Friday 6 April 2012
#3WideBlog Opinion: Mayfield in ARCA?
I have learned through twitter and reading an article by Bob Pockrass, that ARCA team owner Roger Carter wants to enter a car for suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield. My jaw absolutely dropped when I read this. I couldn't believe that anyone would release this kind of statement untill Mayfield had dealt with his US Court cases. May 1st 2009 at Richmond, Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamine, the next week at Darlington, Mayfield was indefinitely suspended by NASCAR for violating their substance abuse policy. At the time Mayfield had stated, "I believe a combination of a prescribed medicine and an over the counter medicine reacted resulting in a positive drug test".
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And that's what ARCA officials are waiting for, to see the outcome of Mayfields court case. Until then ARCA has stated, no comment because Mayfield hasn't applied for an ARCA license . I personally tweeted Steve O'Donnel Senior VP of NASCAR and asked him his thoughts on Mayfield in ARCA. His response? "no thoughts" My thoughts on Mayfield racing in ARCA? Listen, I am all for give a guy a second chance. I know people make mistakes, and change and get better. Hey most of this is alleged at this point anyway so its all speculation. But be any of this true, ARCA and any other sanctioning body for that matter had better take some serious precautions before they let someone with that history drive at those speeds with other drivers. Its about safety not chances. Again this is if its true. But rehab a must, and tests every week.
I again believe in second chances but they have to be the right way and under the right circumstances. He was quite the wheelman, and if he could prove that he is drug-free absolutely I would like to see him race again. Just tested every week.
Until next time Smitty OUT
Bob Pockrass article http://aol.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2012-04-03/jeremy-mayfield-arca-racing-roger-carter-suspended-from-nascar-meth
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Mayfield
PS NEW Comment Section, ANYONE can comment now. Criticism and opinions appreciated but please be polite.
David Black (oversaw testing program at the time) said "What we have is a clear violation of policy. I have never seen a violation like this due to the combination of over-the-counter or prescription products." Saying it was "a drug of concern."
Mayfield at the time and still has not attended NASCARs rehab and rather has taken legal action against NASCAR. I am sure this rehab offered by NASCAR would have been a be a paid for stay. Successful treatment and evaluation by a doctor could even clear his name, but yet it seems he would rather take the long road and sue NASCAR.
A US District Court Judge temporarily lifted Mayfield's suspension. But in July 2009, NASCAR stated that Mayfield had again tested positive for meth on July 6, five days after his suspension was lifted. To me this is a clear indicator that this is a problem. While under suspension he continued his legal battles with NASCAR untill a US appeals court in refused to reopen the lawsuit by Mayfield's against NASCAR over his suspension for failing the drug test. All the while I believe not entering ANY rehab programs to at least clear his name. Mayfield got into more trouble too. In 2011 he was arrested for allegedly having 1.5 grams of meth in a safe, and $100,000 in stolen goods on his property. Allegedly. That case is still before the courts.
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And that's what ARCA officials are waiting for, to see the outcome of Mayfields court case. Until then ARCA has stated, no comment because Mayfield hasn't applied for an ARCA license . I personally tweeted Steve O'Donnel Senior VP of NASCAR and asked him his thoughts on Mayfield in ARCA. His response? "no thoughts" My thoughts on Mayfield racing in ARCA? Listen, I am all for give a guy a second chance. I know people make mistakes, and change and get better. Hey most of this is alleged at this point anyway so its all speculation. But be any of this true, ARCA and any other sanctioning body for that matter had better take some serious precautions before they let someone with that history drive at those speeds with other drivers. Its about safety not chances. Again this is if its true. But rehab a must, and tests every week. I again believe in second chances but they have to be the right way and under the right circumstances. He was quite the wheelman, and if he could prove that he is drug-free absolutely I would like to see him race again. Just tested every week.
Until next time Smitty OUT
Bob Pockrass article http://aol.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2012-04-03/jeremy-mayfield-arca-racing-roger-carter-suspended-from-nascar-meth
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Mayfield
PS NEW Comment Section, ANYONE can comment now. Criticism and opinions appreciated but please be polite.
Monday 2 April 2012
#3WideBlog Opinion: Who To Blame at Martinsville?
NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series went to the half mile paper clip shaped track of Martinsville Speedway this week. What a race. After a couple of snoozer races in the Food City 500 at Bristol (truly a surprise) and the rain shortened Auto Club 400 (200something rain shortened), I personally was pumped for another short track race. And boy did Martinsville deliver.
Very close, side-by-side, door-to-door action the whole race, just what NASCAR fans (myself included) were clamoring for the past couple of weeks. Drivers using their bumpers to move other cars out of the way. It was awesome. But as the laps dwindled down the midset of "Give & Take" faded, patience wore thin, and there was alot more taking than giving. NASCAR at its finest.
Through all of that, Jeff Gordan and Jimmie Johnson had driven off to a 5 second lead over Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jeff and Jimmie were in the midst of sorting the race out between themselves with less than 5 laps left when the #10 Tommy Baldwin Racing entry of David Reutimann slowed and came to a stop on the frontstretch near turn 1. Reutimann's motor had been breaking apart in the laps prior and he was limping his car around the track off the pace, in an effort to pass his teammate Dave Blaney in the #36 to gain a spot in the coveted Top-35. The caution that ensued changed the complexion of the race indefinately.
Here's where the blame game begins. Drivers and fans alike all threw David Reutimann under the bus. Quick to say "He should have pitted" "He stopped on purpose" "Why is he even out there". Both David and crew chief/owner Tommy Baldwin were quoted as saying the steering broke. I dont know about you, but if the steering broke on my car, I would stop. Reutimann was also quoted saying that the car had quit entering turn three (just past pit entrance), again if my car quit, I would pull down and get out of the way. The reason in my opinion, why he was still out there limping, this all happened is NASCAR's top-35 rule. The top-35 rule locks the top 35 cars in the points into the upcoming race. The first five races of the year are run based on last years top 35, after the first five races it reverts to this years points. Had Reutimann not been vying for that one extra point he could gain to lock him into the next race, potentially he may have not been out there. But who's to say something else wouldn't happen. It is NASCAR right? Any thing can happen right? Would that person be chastised as much as Reutimann? I can't say, but it is NASCAR and anything can happen.
There was some blame game on the ensuing restart as well. Both Jimme Johnson and Jeff Gordon stayed out during pit stops on the caution to retain the front row on the restart. Clint Bowyer, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Newman, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all had pitted and had fresh tires. Jeff and Jimmie spun the tires when the green came out. Clint poked his nose to the inside entering turn one and Ryan pushed Clint down into Jeff and Jimmie taking all three cars out of contention. Clints post race interview consisted of him trying to explain himself, and then him too blaming the 10 car for stopping on the track having no idea what had happened. A few other drivers in post race interviews threw blame around, to various scapegoats.
Very close, side-by-side, door-to-door action the whole race, just what NASCAR fans (myself included) were clamoring for the past couple of weeks. Drivers using their bumpers to move other cars out of the way. It was awesome. But as the laps dwindled down the midset of "Give & Take" faded, patience wore thin, and there was alot more taking than giving. NASCAR at its finest.
Through all of that, Jeff Gordan and Jimmie Johnson had driven off to a 5 second lead over Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jeff and Jimmie were in the midst of sorting the race out between themselves with less than 5 laps left when the #10 Tommy Baldwin Racing entry of David Reutimann slowed and came to a stop on the frontstretch near turn 1. Reutimann's motor had been breaking apart in the laps prior and he was limping his car around the track off the pace, in an effort to pass his teammate Dave Blaney in the #36 to gain a spot in the coveted Top-35. The caution that ensued changed the complexion of the race indefinately.
Here's where the blame game begins. Drivers and fans alike all threw David Reutimann under the bus. Quick to say "He should have pitted" "He stopped on purpose" "Why is he even out there". Both David and crew chief/owner Tommy Baldwin were quoted as saying the steering broke. I dont know about you, but if the steering broke on my car, I would stop. Reutimann was also quoted saying that the car had quit entering turn three (just past pit entrance), again if my car quit, I would pull down and get out of the way. The reason in my opinion, why he was still out there limping, this all happened is NASCAR's top-35 rule. The top-35 rule locks the top 35 cars in the points into the upcoming race. The first five races of the year are run based on last years top 35, after the first five races it reverts to this years points. Had Reutimann not been vying for that one extra point he could gain to lock him into the next race, potentially he may have not been out there. But who's to say something else wouldn't happen. It is NASCAR right? Any thing can happen right? Would that person be chastised as much as Reutimann? I can't say, but it is NASCAR and anything can happen.
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| AP |
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| Getty Images |
The only common denominator is short track racing. Had Reutimann not stopped on the front stretch, someone would have run out of gas, or blew a tire, or hit the wall. Could have been a pot hole, DEBRIS, or a jet fuel fire. A plane could have fallen out of the sky. ANYTHING could have happened to bring out that last caution, causing the ensuing Green-White-Checkered, causing the pile-up in turn one ... Get my point. Don't blame Reuti. If you have to blame someone, and we all know we have to (unless your a Newman fan your laughing at all of this) blame short track racing. Anything can happen.
Over and OUT.
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