Originally Posted on Foxsports.com on May 21, 2006.
Random thoughts on racing: whether horses or cars....
Horses: Barbaro, the Kentucky Derby winner, fractured his leg in two places during the Preakness. The injury is life-threatening. It was interesting how the announcers couldn't decide whether to downplay the life-threatening nature of it or make that the story. Lost in all this was a great run by the winner Bernardini.
The first indication this was serious was that Prado, Barbaro's jockey, was horribly upset. Reminded me of Dale Jr. running through pit road/ garage area after the Daytona 500 crash involving his father in 2001. It didn't feel right for all the wrong reasons.
On a related issue, how should the news cover injuries in racing (or any sport)? At times, they gloss over the issue, and other times seem fixated on it. For example, with Tony Stewart at Talladega in the Busch race a couple weeks ago, TV stayed with the car, even though it was upside down. Stewart was OK, but would they have done the same if he weren't?
Horsepower: The repaving at Lowe's coupled with the new hard tire was supposed to result in better racing. Nascar, for added aggravation, reduced the size of the fuel cell.
After last night's All-Star Crash Fest (a term stolen from Stewart), I'm not convinced the new surface, tire or fuel cell is going to mean less problems on track. Did it slow the cars and prevent "runs" on the car leading? No.
In fact, the smaller fuel cell caused more pit stops, which created more incidents on track getting through traffic to pitroad. Additionally, the track surface makes passing difficult (and treacherous), so the real race is on/off pit road, not on the track. All this happened with about 1/2 the number of cars we have next week. And these drivers are winners and veterans. Next week we add a few rookies and drivers saddled with some sub-par equipment.
The loose condition of the cars caused several sliding sideways incidents. Last year's 600 had 22 caution periods. I think this year could generate more...
The Nextel Open and the final segment of the challenge were boring - the lead car had checked out. There have been closer finishes at other tracks. Will age and weather on the surface help? Yes. But in the mean time, we've got what we've got.
Hornish: Sam Hornish has the pole position for next Sunday's Indianapolis 500. His teammate Helio Castraneves starts second, and defending Indy 500 champ Dan Wheldon completes the front row. Danica Patrick starts 10th, and Marco Andretti out qualified his Dad, Michael.
Hornish has not won the 500, but he drives for Roger Penske, who has won as an owner 13 times. Hornish desperately wants to win the 500. He has been thwarted by misfortunes of his own making and of chance. He once commented that he thought about leaving the IRL to race in Nascar, but he decided he'd rather be known as an Indy 500 winner. Hopefully Sunday is his day - as you have to love a guy who knows what he wants and passes up on more money and/or exposure to achieve his dream.
Hair: Was it me, or was Jeff Gordon sporting a five o'clock shadow after the All-Star crash fest? He's usually very clean shaven, and this wasn't very long or bad, but it was a bit more noticeable than usual. Is he lobbying for a razor deal, copying Stewart, or was the one mile drive from his shop to the track so time consuming he didn't have time to shave?
Hotheads: The All-Star race typically generates at least one feud. Last year, it was Joe Nemenchek and Kevin Harvick. This year, it looks like Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth are back at it after their Daytona spat. Kenseth blamed Stewart for their crash, but conceeded that he may have caused the wreck. Stewart, after hearing Kenseth's remarks, proclaimed that Kenseth was "screwed up in the head" if he believed that Stewart caused the crash. One commentator believed Stewart cut a tire, but no one seems to have confirmed that, and I haven't heard that explaination since.
Things that make you go Hmmm: Lowe's and Jimmie Johnson have both re-upped their contracts with Hendrick Motorsports. Last time, Lowe's, Johnson, and Chad Knaus re-upped at about the same time. This time, Knaus said he had not discussed a contract extension with Hendrick. Hmmm....
This week, Tony Stewart announced that he was going to host a Sirius satellite radio show next year. His co-host will be Matt Yocum. For a guy who hates the media attention (he has a few blow ups/ camera incidents to prove it) and occasionally decries its invasion into his life, this seems like a big wet French Kiss with his sworn and hated enemy. Hmmm...
Kurt Busch donated $1 million to Victory Junction Gang Camp. This is commendable and will give many children the opportunity to attend the camp. Call me a skeptic, but why has it taken him so long to get on-board with this program? VJGC has been raising funds for several years (ie since 2001), and in fairness, Busch may have donated time, memorabilia, or money in the past. However, I do not recall seeing his name affiliated with it before now. I don't recall him being involved in charitable things period. Most other drivers have long standing foundations, or charities they donate to. Roush Racing, Busch's prior car owner, is a big proponent of Speedway Children's Charities. Why do I feel this is a PR gesture more than a heart felt one? Hmmm...
While on the charity front, Kyle Petty was voted in as the fan's choice for the All-Star event. Kyle's sponsor, Coca-Cola, promised to donate $250,000 to Victory Junction if Kyle was voted in. Additionally, Kyle promised to donate his winnings, which were around $125,000. Kyle's other sponsors were going to chip in additional pledges, so the total should be well over $400,000. Not bad for one night's work. Why didn't other drivers step up to the challenge? Hmmm...
