Talladega Texts: Emails

Originally Posted on Foxsports on October 7, 2007.


Monday, October 1, 2007 7:32:34 p.m.
Happy,
I'd like to make a $10,000 donation to the "Wax Smoke Fund."  I figure it's the least I can do for the guy who knocked me out of the race yesterday. 
Carl


Monday, October 1, 2007 4:22:57 p.m.
Junior,
Hi!  Do you remember meeting me at Daytona a couple years ago?  Just wonderin' if we could get together sometime soon.
Text me!
Britney Spears
PS.  Do you still get free Bud?
PPS - Was 60 minutes really right about how much you make per year?


Monday, October 1, 2007 7:37:00 p.m.
Jacques,
Please don't take my comments personally.  I think you'll do fine in Nascar.  The issue is that your first race is at Talladega.  Talladega is not a kind track - have you watched the footage from Bobby Allison's crash?  Did you know that several drivers have died there testing? 
I know you need restrictor plate track experience before Daytona, but maybe you should start with Scott and Dario in the ARCA series.
Unless you're planning to help with Montoya, you'd be better off watching the race Sunday.  Montoya is a big moving chicane.  We don't need another one to worry about. 
Jeff


Monday, October 1, 2007 10:34:21 p.m.
JJ -
Thanks for saying I should have won yesterday.  What I don't get is why none of us was penalized if Biff was keeping a reasonable speed.  In fact, didn't you pass me at the end under the caution?
Clint


Tuesday, October 2, 2007 9:10:08 a.m.
Bumgarner,
I don't understand how we passed the pre-race inspection and then failed the post-race inspection with the manifold. 
At least we found out before Sunday.  That would have been a disaster.
So Knaus was in the garage when you left Friday night?
Kyle


Tuesday, October 2, 2007 2:04:22 p.m.
Bill -
I don't understand why Montoya was welcomed with opened arms and I'm not.  I mean, my credentials are even better - I'm an F1 Champ! 
What do I need to do?  Gordon is clearly upset, and he's the calm one of the bunch!  I don't even want to know what that hot-head Stewart thinks.
JV


Tuesday, October 2, 2007 11:34:50 p.m.
Kurt,
Thank you for your kind words.  I'm holding up pretty good, even though the rehearsal schedule is horrible!  It's worse than the Indy 500 for endurance!
I sure will put in a good word for you with the producers.  Why wouldn't they want a former Nascar Champ as a contestant?   I'd hate for those dance lessons for your wedding last year to go to waste!
Helio


Tuesday, October 2, 2007 6:43:24 p.m.
Humpy
Of course I'm serious about moving the track if the City won't let me build the drag strip!
Curtis & I built this.  And I can tear it down.
I plan to tell them that at the meeting.
Bruton


Wednesday, October 3, 2007 2:34:12 p.m.
Denny,
I don't think we've met, but I heard about you from Paris.
Let me put it this way:  Anything she can do, I can do better.
Text Me!
Britney Spears


Wednesday, October 3, 2007 4:32: 08 p.m.
Kyle -
Big congrats on the M&M deal!  I loved that sponsorship. 
Enjoy!
Elliott


Wednesday, October 3, 2007 7:23:34 p.m.
Shrub,
I expect chocolate stocked everywhere next year.
Don't forget my motorhome.
Congrats on the new sponsor.
Smoke


Thursday, October 4, 2007 7:23:34 a.m.
Bushy -
What's up with the Cubs?  When you get up (don't even pretend you didn't stay up all night watching the game), call me.
Newman


Thursday, October 4, 2007 4:52:29 p.m.
Dario,
I'm sure if you want to meet the team you should be able to do that tomorrow.  We'll all be there for practice.  And if there's anything you need, let me know.
David Stremme
PS:  Will your wife be coming to the track with you?


Friday, October 5, 2007 10:34:33 a.m.
Pam,
I'd love to be able to come to your wedding in Vegas tomorrow night, but my schedule makes that impossible.  But, I should be able to host you and your new husband at the track anytime. 
And no, I haven't had any more problems with videotapes.
Smoke


Friday, October 5, 2007 6:43:22 p.m.
Kasey,
Hi!  Remember me?  I think we met a few years ago.  Paris was talking about you.
We agree that you are SO cute.
Text me!
Britney Spears
PS - Have you already started to get free Bud?


Saturday, October 6, 2007 10:23:53 a.m.
Richie  -
Man, you gave us a scare!  I hope you are home resting and getting better.  Sorry you won't be able to see Tony Jr and I win tomorrow.  We'll bring you the trophy!
Junior


Saturday, October 6, 2007 8:42:44 p.m.
Mikey -
You should have the selected dates from UPS.  We think a modified schedule will let me ease into the booth and not have to worry about qualifying every week.
Congrats on the pole.  You look good up there.
Dale


Saturday, October 6, 2007 9:00:03 p.m.
Denny,
JD updated me about the parking.  Tony last week and now you. 
I trust that you will make up for it tomorrow.
Let's talk Monday morning at 8:30 a.m.
Joe


Sunday, October 7, 2007 6:11:47 p.m.
Sorry for the global e-mail - my tire went flat. 
Wish I hadn't collected so many Chasers, but I'm glad everyone was OK.
What was the deal with the hyper security before the race?
Bobby


Sunday, October 7, 2007 7:20:00 p.m.
Richard & Teresa -
We don't have any idea why there were so many engine failures.  It will take some time in the shop to figure out.  It is likely a component that wasn't machined properly.
There is no truth to the rumor that we had a break-in in the garage last night.
I'll keep you updated.
Bill


Sunday, October 7, 2007 8:04:01 p.m.
Mom,
I tried to make tea, and we are completely out of sugar.  Even the extra bag from the pantry is gone.  Could you stop and get some?
Love, Taylor Nicole

Kansas: The Emails

Originally Posted on Foxsports on October 2, 2007.


September 24, 2007 8:34:43 a.m.
Casey,
Thanks for taking one for the team yesterday.  I assure you I won't forget it, and you will be paid back for it soon.  I don't like issuing team orders, but sometimes there is no choice.  Know that both Jeff and Jimmie are aware of  what you did.
Rick

September 26, 2007 5:32:27 p.m.
Casey - I can't believe Kyle hasn't called to thank you yet.  He's probably still ticked that he can't come to the team meetings.
God forbid one of us or Junior bumps into him in the next few races.  He'll go off on a rant like you can't believe about how its all a conspiracy.
C Ya- JJ

September 28, 2007 7:23:11 p.m.
JV -
 Don't get too comfy there as the latest F1 import.
I'll see you at Talladega - ON the track.
Scott Speed
PS - Are you going to talk to Montoya or just ignore him like before?

September 29, 2007 8:54:26 a.m.
Mr. Helton:
How can Nascar think that letting a driver run at Talladega who hasn't ever driven a stock car is a good idea?  He's barely driven an oval in a decade!
There are twelve of us running for a Championship, and we already have to dodge over-eager teammates, beer cans, cars that barely make speed and Juan Pablo.
I can only hope the plan is that Villenueve won't qualify or "fails" post-qualifying inspection.  
Jeff Gordon

September 29, 2007 1:01:04 p.m.
JD  -
If you saw the final practice you saw that the car improved.  You probably also saw that Smoke had a small incident in the garage area with an ESPN camera crew.  Nascar has confiscated the tape, and the rumor is that penalties may follow.
The line forms behind the crew.
Zippy

September 29, 2007 5:45 p.m.
Joe,
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.  I'm sorry.
I didn't know the cameras were live!
I'm sure everything will be taken care of by tomorrow.
Do we really need to get together to discuss this on Monday?
Tony

September 30, 2007 10:34:56 p.m.
Kyle,
I'll buy the fries this week.  It's the least I can do for the guy who beat the guy who took me out of the race.
Carl

September 30, 2007 10:56:35 p.m.
Greg,
Congrats on the win!  Sorry I missed it, but I left, certain that the race was going to be canceled.  How appropriate that the duck won that one!
Jack

September 30, 2007 11:17:20
Jimmie - I can't believe you called it with Kyle and Junior!
Do you think Nascar will rethink that finish?  There's no way that Biff had gas left.  Wonder if they looked at that in the post-race inspection?
Casey

October 1, 2007 2:34:32 a.m.
Tony,
Let me be the first to offer ESPN's sincere apologies for the garage incident at Kansas.  The cameramen were just anxious to catch what you and Robby were talking about; they didn't mean to invade your private conversation.
Secondly, we did have significant damage to at least two cameras in your car.  I must say it was the first time the in-car camera was completely demolished.  Well, except for that minor damage that time you "relocated" the camera during the race.
Let's just call it even.  OK?
Jerry Punch

October 1, 2007 7:34:26 a.m.
Roger,
Thanks for the words of encouragement about my ARCA start at Talladega.  Ashley & I would love to have dinner at your motorhome on Thursday night.
Dario
PS:  Tell Helio that he is doing fantastic on Dancing.  Ash & I can't wait to see how he does tonight!

October 1, 2007 8:02:21 a.m.
Tony,
I can only imagine how frustrated you are about the whole Kansas race situation.  Let's use this as an opportunity to work through those anger management issues again.  I have time to talk with you on the phone tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.  Please confirm.
Dr. Kris
P.S. I already have e-mails about  you from Helton and Gibbs.

October 1, 2007 8:44:58 a.m.
Red -
I can't get to the pond until late Tuesday at the earliest.  Joe wants to meet today and Helton wants to talk about a few things too.  My anger management doctor/coach wants a call tomorrow.
I probably should call Kurt, Martin, and Carl.
ESPN is bugging me and everyone at Gibbs for an interview.  As if.
Smoke

Intercepted Nascar Emails

Originally Posted on Foxsports on September 26, 2007.


Saturday, September 1, 2007 7:48:02 a.m.
Kyle - Just a quick note about the Toyota thing.  Please, Please, Please don't mention it again.  We want to do a big roll out, and we're concerned about how your current employer and the other Chevy guys will take it.  We'd like to win a Championship, and I'm sure you personally would too.  Let's not sink the ship before it's time.  Give me a call if you have any questions.   J.D.
PS - DO NOT MENTION THE M&M DEAL!!!
PPS - If this is the worst thing you ever do, it's no big deal.  I mean, we've dealt with Tony for how long?!?

Sunday, September 9, 2007 5:02:34 a.m.
Bro - I don't know what else we can do to help him out.  I mean we added two drivers to the Chase to make it easier for him to get in, and he still doesn't make it.  Ratings will plummet unless he wins a race this year.  Any ideas who the new sponsor will be?  Frankly I think Bud is out of their freaking mind to let him go.  But then again, they're also walking out of the Busch series deal.  Well, this latest debacle has driven me to drink too.  Any luck with the football team plan?  Sis
PS  - Rumor has it that Smith is trying to buy NHIS.  Sucker.  Like we'll let him move another race, especially to  Vegas.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007 10:23:58 p.m.
Jade - I know I'm moving on from Budweiser, but do you think they'll keep stocking my cooler?  I won't have a beer or liquor sponsor.   I promise to show up once and a while with an old hat or T-shirt.  Thanks for checking for me.  Junior

Saturday, September 15, 2007 6:33:09 p.m.
Champ - Don't worry about failing to qualify at NHIS.  Sometimes it takes a while to get the hang of qualifying, and there are a lot of fast cars that don't make the show each week.  We'll see if it works to add a race later this season.  RP

Monday, September 17, 2007 1:37:55 a.m.
Clint - Congratulations on the win!!  Once I'm back, we'll celebrate in style - that first win is a big deal.  Earnhardt always wanted to go hunting, but we'll figure out what you'd like to do.  Do you think you'll have time to help Austin out again at the dirt track?   Don't let Harvick talk you into anything!  If all goes well, I should have some yak steak to celebrate with by the end of this week.  Enjoy the sponsor in your victory celebration.  Richard

Tuesday, September 18, 2007 8:30:04 p.m.
Kasey - Congrats on the Bud sponsorship.  It is awesome!  If you enjoy it half as much as I have, you will think you've died and gone to heaven.  I have to say, I'm delighted it didn't stay with my step-mother's company.  Karma, I guess.  Junior
PS - If you happen to have any "extra" Bud, I'd be glad to take it off your hands!

Saturday, September 22, 2007 6:23:22 p.m.
Champ - Don't worry about failing to qualify at NHIS  Dover.  Sometimes it takes a while to get the hang of qualifying, and there are a lot of fast cars that don't make the show each week.  We'll see if it works to add a race later this season.  RP

Sunday, September 23, 2007  11:08:43 p.m.
Hammy,   I told you that regardless what happens on the track, the garage stall is SACRED!  How could you let Kyle walk into your garage stall, flip your visor, and scold you like a toddler?!  Are you a man or a mouse?  I'd never take that from another competitor.  In fact, I've had scuffles with Jeff and Robby Gordon when they tried to walk INTO my garage stall to continue an argument.  You need to work on that - I mean the Petty Golden Boy will hardly even draw a PENALTY for it.  Quit worrying about the anger management courses - they're a breeze.  And it's not like Joe or JD will take you to task for it.  You're a proven winner.  Smoke.

Sunday September 23, 2007 11:10:00 p.m.
Kyle - Denny Hamlin?!?  I mean, can't you talk to someone who needs it like Juan Pablo Montoya?!?   Happy

Sunday, September 23, 2007 11:12:02 p.m.
Muscle Man - Heard about your height problem.  Don't let this get you down - Nascar may take some points, but you can do what I haven't done - win the Championship.  Nascar took a bunch of points from me once, and I lost the Championship.  I always figured it was a way to get back at Jack.  But I think they are over that now.  In any event, I'm calling you out again - keep winning and prove them wrong.  Your car looked great today.  MM

Sunday September 23, 2007 11:15 p.m.
Kyle - Flipping open his visor?  That was classic!  My teammate didn't have any idea what to do about it.  I don't think they'll even touch you with a penalty.  It looked like a father lecturing a son.  Maybe you should try it next weekend on Montoya!  Smoke.

Sunday, September 23, 2007 11:44:17 p.m.
Mr. Petty, Thank you for finally doing to Denny Hamlin what should have been done a long time ago - put him in his place.  He obviously didn't take it well, but he needs to learn the world doesn't revolve around him.  Thanks again, Kristin Buntain, his ex-girlfriend

Sunday September 23, 2007 11: 48:41
KP - Can we get together and discuss what happened with Hamlin?  I just don't understand what happened there - it would never happen like that in Formula One.  Should I be doing that in the garage when people cause me to crash?  Give me a call.  Thank you.  JPM

Gordon vs. Stewart: Is Stewart Thwarting Gordon's Drive for Five?

Originally Posted on Foxsports on September 19, 2007.


Jeff Gordon is a four time Cup Champion, currently comfortably perched in second place in the all time wins column.  Tony Stewart is a two time Cup Champion, currently the only driver to win under both the "old" format and the "new" Chase format.


Arguably, they are the two best drivers in the Cup series today.  In any event, the pair are the only active drivers with more than one Championship.
This year, they are both finally back in the Championship Title hunt at the same time.  In 2005, Gordon missed the Chase, while last year, Stewart missed out. 


In February, 2006, I wrote a blog about how Stewart's success possibly was hindering Gordon's winning a fifth Championship. 


In short, these are the facts:  Gordon's last Championship came in 2001.  Since then, he has not finished higher in the Championship points than 3rd.   Stewart, during that same time period, has won it all twice, and finished second to Gordon in 2001.   Both spent one season outside the top 10 due to their failure to make the Chase.  Both regularly win more than one race each season.   
Prior to Stewart's Cup debut in 1999, Gordon had a hot streak going:  from 1996 to 1998,  he won at least 10 races each year (with a 13 win season in 1998) and he had over 21 top five finishes in each of those years.  Since 1999, the most wins Gordon could put together in a season was 7 and the most top 5 finishes is 18.  In the 1992-1998 seasons, Gordon amassed 3 Cup trophies, 42 wins, 100 top 5 finishes, and 123 top ten finishes.


However, this is how their careers compare since 1999. 
                  Gordon                        Stewart
Wins                37                              32 
Top 5's           128                              116
Top 10's         185                              185
Chmps          2001                            2002, 2005
Top 5 pt fin.     4                                   4
(Stats in above chart from Nascar Scene, Mike Hembree, and through first 26 races of this year)




Granted, several other talented drivers have regularly won during this timeframe (Think:  Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Kurt and Kyle Busch, and Ryan Newman). 


But Gordon's momentum cooled at the time Stewart arrived on the scene, in 1999.  Did the wheels fall off Gordon's car then as the result of losing chief wizard, er, crew chief Ray Evernham?  Or was it Stewart's aggressive style that hindered Gordon's Drive for Five?


Regardless if you love or hate Gordon, or love or hate Stewart, these two giants have the potential to gin up viewership and amp up the rivalry.    The race at Louden gave a taste of what could be coming as these two tussle over every position.


So, is this the year that the two actually go head to head again for the Championship?


I, for one, would love to see it happen. 


After all, who can forget the 2005 love tap at Dover or the 2001 pit road spin at Bristol?  Or the Watkins Glen crash and conference in the garage in 2000?  Or even the twin spins at Watkins Glen this year? 


And this time, I think Stewart better look out on the confrontations in the garage - remember the Matt Kenseth shove at Bristol last year?  Gordon means business.  But then, so does Stewart.

Gibbs to Toyota: The Pros and Cons

Originally Posted September 2, 2007 on Foxsports blogs.


Kyle Busch spilled the beans on the Gibbs Defection to Toyota.  In fact, this is one of the worst kept secrets in the Cup Garage since Busch left Hendrick and Junior moved in.  My take on the move?  Well, that's complicated.

Pro:  Be Toyota's #1 Team.  Gibbs leaves Chevy, where, frankly JGR will always be playing second fiddle to Hendrick.  Hendrick has a long history with Chevy and has the chamionships and trophies to boot.  Toyota's standard bearer is... MIchael Waltrip Racing?  Red Bull? Bill Davis?  It's hard to pick one because none of them have set the world on fire.  BDR has finishes in the top ten, as does Red Bull, when they're able to qualify.  Gibbs should quickly become the Toyota flagship in Cup.

Con:  Leave GM.  Gibbs started Cup racing with Pontiac, and won two championships with them (B. Labonte and Stewart).  They are consistantly a threat to win on any track, and the teams perform on the cutting edge with new ideas and teamwork.  Mark Cronquist, Gibb's engine builder, is clearly on par with Hendrick's program.  Stewart has been one of the faces of Chevy due to his Championship in 2005, and this year his USAC teams have Chevy engines.  What will this mean, if anything to those business deals?

Pro:  Toyota's deep pockets. Toyota demonstrated in the truck series their desire and ability to spend the bucks to get the results.  This is Jack Roush's biggest fear.  Gibbs should be getting an infusion of cash and that means more people, and more technology with the hopes of more wins down the road.

Con:  Lose Chevy support during Chase.  How eager will Chevy be to help out the Gibbs teams?  The other Chevy teams won't be keen on providing information to Gibbs as that info will leap into Toyota's pockets at the end of the season.  This is what I'd worry about if I were Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin going into the Chase.  

Pro:  COT transition.  The new templates with the COT mean that all car bodies are equal.  Teams have little room to fudge the template, and Nascar has shown its willingness to punish offenders.  Gibbs teams have worked with the Chevy COT, and the Toyota COT isn't that much different.

Con:  Lose the new Chevy Engine Program.  Chevy debuted the new engine this year, and clearly it is the class of the field.  Chevy's new engine has been hard to beat.  My question is whether Cronquist stays or goes due to the Toyota switch.  His engines fuel the Gibbs' brigade charges; without him, I'd worry about engine power.  Add in RCR and DEI's new program, and Chevy has the other manufacturer's scrambling to catch up.  Toyota's engine has improved over the course of the year, but the Toyota teams are having difficulties qualifying.

Pro:  JGR has changed before, with little impact.  Gibbs transitioned from Pontiac to Chevy with minimal overall impact.  There will certainly be struggles as the teams transition, but with the skilled people Gibbs has in place, it shouldn't be horrible.  Stewart weathered the prior change.

Con:  Fan backlash.  Some Nascar fans boycotted the Toyota foray into Cup racing.  It remains to be seen how many JGR fans leave the fold due to the manufacturer change.  This will hit the pocketbook in lost sales for merchandise, which may actually hurt the drivers more than JGR.

In the long run, the Toyota move will benefit Gibbs.  But in the short term, it may cost Stewart and Hamlin a shot at the Championship this year.
And that's probably why Gibbs wanted to keep this secret until the end of the season.

Moonlighting: Edwards "Dislocates" Thumb in Late Model Crash

Originally Posted on Foxsports.com on July 23, 2007.

Carl Edwards was happily spending his Cup off week racing - first at Gateway in the Busch series, and then in several late model races. Sunday night, Edwards crashed into another competitor and hurt his hand at a late model race at I-80 Speedway in Nebraska.

Conflicting reports indicate he hurt his left hand, then his right hand. Regardless, Edwards took a trip to the hospital to have it evaluated. His brother, Kenny Edwards, told reporters the right thumb was dislocated when it caught on the steering wheel during the crash.

Edwards has since canceled a testing session at Milwaukee on Monday, another testing session Tuesday at Bristol, and a racing appearance at a dirt track on Wednesday.

This could be a costly injury at the midpoint in the season for the Busch series leader, and the fifth place driver in the Cup standings. Edwards anticipates racing in both the Busch and Cup race this weekend in Indianapolis.

The injury highlights the danger to drivers who elect to moonlight at other racing events/series. Other competitors who regularly engage in moonlighting include Tony Stewart (who has broken ribs), Kasey Kahne, Clint Bowyer, Kenny Wallace, JJ Yeley, Ken Schrader, Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson.

I enjoy seeing Cup drivers race in different series than they typically do, but each race increases the chances that they will become injured and unable to race in their primary series.

Some sponsors have clauses that prevent moonlighting (ie Budweiser-Dale Earnhardt Jr), while other sponsors add their name to the "new" car (ie Dodge/Mopar - Kasey Kahne, Coca-Cola - Tony Stewart).

Owners get into the prevention act by limiting the number of races a driver can race outside his primary series, or by requiring advance notice of the event (Kasey Kahne). Rick Hendrick appears to allow some moonlighting, but not a lot. Jeff Gordon has rarely gone back to his dirt track roots, and while Jimmie Johnson occasionally gets into a Daytona Prototype, he always takes primary sponsor Lowe's with him.

Edwards' injury is sure to cause owners and sponsors to scramble to review their moonlighting policy, And it may be that we will be seeing fewer Cup drivers at the local track.

Danica Attempts a Jeff Gordon and Fails Miserably; Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

Originally Posted on foxsports.com on June 5, 2007.

Danica Patrick was Miffed.  She fumed.  She stomped up to give Dan Wheldon a piece of her mind.  She raised her voice and her eyebrows, dramatically making her point.  Danica went so far as to push Wheldon to make sure he got it.  Wheldon's reaction?

He ignored her.  Like the leftovers you don't want to eat after you get home, and then fester in your refridgerator.

Danica was upset that Dan and Dario Franchitti hadn't let her pass them on the track.  Wheldon went so far as to bump her car.  She managed to keep it off the wall, and finished the race.  But she was upset.

Unfortunately, she hadn't mastered the Jeff Gordon Bristol shove.  Back to the drawing board, Danica!   You did much better slapping Jacque Lazier.

Meanwhile, at the rain delayed Nascar race, Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch had another round of "Oh, yeah, well, take that!" which usually ends with both cars wrecked and ruining a good finish.

However, this version amped up the typical slugfest when Busch bumped into Stewart.  On pit road.  While Jason Lee, a crewmember, was on the right fender. 

Lee had to jump onto the hood to avoid being crushed by Busch's car.   Never fear, it appears Lee gave Busch an earful after it happened, and he wasn't hurt.  

Both sides are claiming the other is at fault. 

The IRL announced neither Danica or Dan would be penalized. 

Nascar parked Busch at the time of the offense, but penalties could be handed down tomorrow.   Busch's problem is that a crew member on pit road nearly got hurt and it was clearly intentional behavior. 

The on-track incident is likely to be considered "just racing" even if you could see the outcome watching the two race without giving.

I think Busch could be up for a signficant penalty.  Maybe even a suspension.

After all, if Junior loses 100 points and his crew chief for 6 races for tinkering with the COT, which didn't almost injure someone, shouldn't intentional behavior which comes within inches of harming a teammember be worth more?

 

Tony Stewart Wants Me to Watch TV?

Originally Posted on May 13, 2007 on foxsports.com

I confess I'm a racing junkie.  I'm relatively sure there is no cure for this disease, and fortunately, I have no desire to take the cure if one exists.

I really will watch any race.  Today in my e-mail box a message appeared from the World Of Oultaws organization, telling me that Tony Stewart wanted me to watch TV.  Specifically, he wanted me to watch the WoO race at his track, Eldora.  WoO is being broadcast on SPEED on Sunday afternoons.  The first race was today.

My quandry was that I love WoO, but I love Nascar too.  My favorite track (tied with Indy), is Darlington.   Thank God for remote controls - I don't have to choose!  Everytime I flipped back to Fox, I caught a commercial, so I stayed with the  Outlaws.

I've been to a WoO race at Eldora - and it is simply amazing.  Stewart changed the track this year by changing the surface, with mixed results.  In fact, the TV picture is cloudy at best, given the amount of dust in the air.  This may be one time I'm glad I'm not there in person!

I haven't been to my favorite dirt track, Knoxville, this year, but hopefully I can remedy that soon.  And I think the Outlaws are due back sometime in June for the final tune-up before Nationals in August.

So, now I wonder who will turn up in my inbox next, requesting I watch this, eat that or go here and there...

Knoxville Nationals

Last week began the annual dirt track orgy in Iowa.  Knoxville Raceway was host to the three day Knoxville 360 Nationals, followed by a USAC Silver Crown Non-Wing Nationals on Sunday.

If four days wasn't enough, tonight was the Front Row Challenge in Oskaloosa, Iowa for winged sprint cars.  Rumor has it Kasey Kahne was going to Osky immediately following his run at the Glen.

Tomorrow night, Osky runs non-wing sprint cars.  Then the Granddaddy of them all starts on Wednesday at Knoxville as qualifying runs, heats and features start.

The Knoxville Nationals culminate with the A Main broadcast on SPEED on Saturday night.  But before that, there are lots of great drivers to be seen, races to be run, and homemade pie to eat. (Thank God the Rotary has the pie tent back this year!  I think I'll gain about 10 pounds thinking of it.).

What drivers will be around, you ask? Kasey Kahne hangs around Knoxville until he has to go to Michigan.  Tony Stewart can be spotted frequently too.  Mario Andretti will be at the Hall of Fame tomorrow (he was inducted in 1996).  Doug Wolfgang usually appears, as does Shane Carson, and Sammy Swindell (he will be running this year).   Erin Crocker is running the Nationals, as is Steve Kinser, Donny Schatz, Joey Saldana, Terry McCarl, Danny Lasoski and many other WoO drivers.  USAC regular Daron Clayton, California ace Tim Kaeding, Tyler Walker and several members of the Pennsylvania Posse:  Lucas Wolfe, Ed Lynch Jr,  Fast Freddy Rahmer, and Cody Darrah.

Pass the Chili Bowl, Please

Originally Posted on January 12, 2007 on Foxsports.com

Last year, I decided I wouldn't be a fair weather fan. I was willing to gamble on rain, thunderstorms (even with a couple tent camping excursions), snow, sleet, and ice. However, the weather forecast for this weekend tested my resolve.  Mother Nature went all in with a huge ice storm forecasted to cover the entire road trip from here to Tulsa, Oklahoma with between 0.5 inch and 1.5 inches of ice.  I folded, even though I had waited for tickets to the Chili Bowl since last February.

Why wait a year for tickets?  Because the Chili Bowl is an indoor midget race run each January.  The drivers list reads like a who's who of racing.  Entered in the event are sprint car drivers like Steve Kinser, Danny Lasoski, Terry McCarl, and Daryn Pittman; Late Model drivers Tim McCreadie (last year's surprise Chili Bowl winner), Josh Richards, and Brian Birkhofer; Nascar stars Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, JJ Yeley, and Justin Allgaiter; IRL driver A.J. Foyt IV (his first Chili Bowl); USAC stars Josh Wise, Dave Darland, Levi Jones, Tracy Hines; and Knoxville locals Billy Alley and Wayne Johnson. 

In all, there are over 280 entries.  Emmett Hahn and Lanny Edwards are the legendary promoters of the annual event.  This year, the 21st Chili Bowl will feature A.J. Foyt as the grand marshall on Saturday night.

The Chili Bowl added a pre-qualifying night on Tuesday for those drivers who had not competed in a Chili Bowl previously, or had limited experience.  Then Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights were qualifying nights for the A Main on Saturday night.  Starting Saturday at around noon will be a L Main.  Following the alphabet backwards, the A Main should push off sometime around 9:30 - 10:30 p.m.

Instead of seeing the races in person this year, I'll have to listen on an internet radio.  Hopefully, next year, I'll get my chance to see it in person.  That is, if Mother Nature cooperates.

 

Monday Morning Phone Calls: Tony Stewart & Boris Said

Originally Posted on Foxsports.com on June 26, 2006

On track antics led to a Monday morning phone call between Tony Stewart and Boris Said.  Any bets on whether any of these things were said?

1.  The sun glare off the gold color scheme blinded me, and I missed the turn.

2.  I thought  you were Robby Gordon, and I need to pay you back for something done in an IRL race back in the day.

3.  I injured my shoulder last week pounding out the fender at Michigan and I had trouble turning the wheel.

4.  I forgot to turn right instead of left.

5.   Here's the name and phone number of my barber/hairdresser.

6.  AJ Allmendinger got engaged and then won the next race, Jeff Gordon announced his engagement and was looking like he'd win.  So I was thinking about who may be available around Brickyard time and lost my concentration.

7.  I'm still mad at you for not putting me on your team for that Nuremburgring race last year.

8.  No problem.  The alleged fight should generate publicity through the race next week - and probably through the next road race.  I'll refuse to discuss it next week and it will drive the media crazy.

 

From Earl's Dream to Tony's Prelude: Who Knew Dirt Track Racing Was So ... Cool?

Originally Posted on June 6, 2006 on Foxsports.com

In 1994, Earl Baltes, the owner/promoter of Eldora Speedway had another one of his wacky ideas:  A Dirt Late Model Race with a $100,000 payout.  That's right, the winner got $100,000.  Earl called his race "The Dream" because for most drivers, winning $100,000 in one race would be a dream. 

Since the inaugral running, The Dream has attracted  scores of drivers hoping that they can make it to the A main and the chance to win the money.  The event has become one of the premiere Late Model events in the country.

Tony Stewart purchased Eldora Speedway from Baltes in late 2004.  To add his own touch to the track, he added some events, including "Nextel Prelude to The Dream" a Late Model race between current racing stars.

Last year, the first running of The Prelude, Kenny Wallace astonished everyone by winning.  Red Farmer, a dirt track regular, former Cup driver and senior citizen, was the pole sitter.  This year, the cast of characters includes both Wallace and Farmer, in addition to Matt Kenseth, Elliott Sadler, Ron Capps, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Petty, Bobby Labonte, Robby Gordon, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, JJ Yeley, Ryan Newman and Dave Blaney.  Stewart, due to his shoulder injury, will not be competing.  Dale Earnhardt Jr and Greg Biffle will be at the track as well.  Proceeds from the event will go to the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

What I like about this race is that it gets together two distinct groups of fans in auto racing:  Nascar Fans (who may not go to a dirt track) and Late Model fans (who may not ever go to a paved track).  Who knows what they might learn from each other?

The other cool thing about this race is that a lot of publicity is generated for a dirt track via this event.  People who would not even know a place like Eldora exists may actually be interested in the race results.

And all of this is before someone wakes up on Sunday morning with $100,000.

Maybe some of the Baltes promoter magic rubbed off on Stewart?

 

Bad Boys, Bad Luck and Bad Endings

Originally Posted on May 29, 2006 on Foxsports.com

Bad Boys:  Kurt Busch - On Friday night, Kurt Busch had a literal "run-in" with a traffic control person at the "Cars" premiere at Lowe's Motor Speedway.  Apparently, Busch was following a police escort when the traffic controller tried to stop Busch's car by stepping in front of it.  (maybe he wanted an autograph?)  Busch brushed by, grazing the man's knee.  The man's knee was checked out after he finished work about 15 minutes later.  Nothing further will happen as a result of the incident, as it appears no one knows who should do something about it - Nascar claims it wasn't their event, track security was not contacted, and the local authorities can't do anything without a report. 

Not to be out-done by his brother's second run-in with traffic control laws, Kyle Busch drug a Nascar official away from the ambulance after a caution flag. Casey Mears slid to start crash, which culminated in Busch violently crashing into the wall.  Busch was so disgusted with Mears that he pulled the official from taking him to the ambulance and threw his HANS device at Mears.  This happened in the same week Busch pled guilty to improper driving in Richmond, VA.

Bad Luck:  Tony Stewart crashed twice this weekend - first in the Busch race on Saturday, and then in the Cup race on Sunday.  At this time, he has a broken right shoulder.  Will this slow down his extracurricular driving activities?  In addition to his Cup duties, he has more Busch races on-tap, a Modified race in New Hampshire in July, and the Prelude to the Dream Late Model race at Eldora next week.  And that's just what he's told us about ...

Kevin Harvick, who has been solidly in the top 10, had another bad race, following his trouble at Darlington.  Harvick had a tailpipe that broke, which caused him to be stuck in the garage for several laps.

Is it me or does Jeff Gordon have the same undiagnosed mechanical problem every other race? 

Bad Endings:  The Indy 500 was a bad ending for the Andretti family - leading the race going into the fourth turn, Marco Andretti looked destined to win the race as a rookie.  However, Sam Hornish had other ideas and took the race at the line.

Scott Riggs was leading the Coca-Cola 600 when he had problems in the pits that probably cost him the race.  The only solice had to be that his teammate won (although that might be more like salt in an open wound).

Jimmie Johnson finished second in the 600.  Given his domination at Lowe's over the past few years, second has to feel strange.

What Really Happened to Denny Hamlin's Hand

Originally Posted on May 4, 2006 on Foxsports.com

The News Report:   Joe Gibbs Racing reports that rookie Denny Hamlin gashed open his hand at Lowe's Motor Speedway after testing yesterday.  He was reportedly engaged in a foot race around the hauler when he clipped a piece of chrome causing the injury. Hamlin pointed out that despite the injury, he won the race.  He will be able to race on Saturday.

However, I believe that this story has been cleaned up a bit for the masses. 

Here is what really happened:

Kyle Busch was celebrating his 21st birthday in the victory lane area.  Kyle's brother Kurt and his fiancee Eva Bryan baked Kyle a cake.  Well, actually they bought it at Food Lion. 

During the celebration, Greg Biffle's boxer, Foster, ran into the festivities chased by Nicole Lunders, Biffle's girlfriend.

Foster ran behind Kyle, pushing him face first into the cake.  When Kyle came up out of the cake, he spit cake down the front of Bryan's shirt.  An upset Bryan proceeded to yell at Lunders who had stopped chasing her dog because she was laughing so hard at what had happened.  Naturally, Bryan was even more enraged at all of this, so she grabbed Lunders' hair. 

Humpy Wheeler, the President of Lowe's Motor Speedway, was attending the Busch party.  He was shoved by Lunders and Bryan in their skirmish off of victory lane into Tony Stewart, who was walking by carrying his monkey, MoJo.

Stewart caught Wheeler, but dropped MoJo, who promptly ran off toward the garage area.  MoJo caught up to Foster, and jumped on his back.  Stewart and Lunders, who had extracted herself from Bryan, chased the fleeing animals.  Kurt and Eva ran after Stewart and Lunders because they blamed them for ruining Kyle's party.  Kyle, meanwhile, was crying inconsolably in victory lane.

As Stewart and Lunders crossed the first garage, they ran into Kevin and DeLana Harvick and knocked them down.  Stewart yelled apologies and commented that Kurt Busch was chasing him.  Harvick had barely gotten back on his feet when Kurt Busch ran into the garage.   Harvick, upset that DeLana's white pants had gotten oil and grease on them, body slammed Busch as he attempted to run by.  When Busch tried to get up, Harvick grabbed his ear and wouldn't let him.  Eva decided DeLana could hurt her, and instead suggested that they go shopping for a new shirts and pants.

Foster and MoJo continued toward the Joe Gibbs Racing Haulers.  The crew members from the three teams had been packing up to leave.  Denny Hamlin was talking to Greg Zipadelli.  Stewart, who was getting tired, Lunders, Foster and MoJo ran by.  Stewart stopped, collapsed and gasped for breath.  He pleaded for help catching MoJo.  Zipadelli declined as he was watching his son and  daughter, but Hamlin agreed to give pursuit. 

Foster ran over to the #8 hauler, looking for Dale Jr's dog, Killer.  Apparently not finding what he was looking for, he ran on through the garage and then turned back to the Gibbs haulers.

As Foster raced by the Gibbs Hauler, MoJo jumped off his back.  MoJo saw a DLP HD TV playing a video clip of Stewart, so MoJo naturally tried to jump into the televised Stewart's arms.  At this point, Kyle Busch was stumbling around, still upset, trying to find his team.

MoJo's delusion became apparent when he pulled the TV out of its mounting and off the pitbox it was located on.   All this occurred as Kyle walked by.   

Hamlin tried to catch the TV and shoved Kyle out of the way, but the TV  gashed open his hand instead.  And the huge TV landed squarely on Kyle Busch's left foot.   MoJo lost his footing and landed on Kyle's head, screeching.

Stewart, having recovered somewhat from his run, grabbed MoJo and began lecturing Busch on how he was celebrating his 21st birthday in an irresponsible manner.  Or at least, Stewart was until he saw the blood from Hamlin's hand and fainted. 

Kasey Kahne had been watching in amusment while Stewart lectured Busch.  Kahne tried to catch Stewart, but ended up underneath him instead.  Kahne hit his head on the pavement and blacked out.

In the end, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Wheeler, Lunders, Bryan, Hamlin,  Stewart, and Kahne all ended up at the emergency room.  Doctors found minor bruises on the Busch brothers, Lunders, Wheeler and Bryan; Stewart had nothing wrong with him, Kahne was fine given his Talladega injuries, and Hamlin had stitches. 

All parties agreed it would be less embarrassing if Hamlin were the only one who reported injuries.  Nascar is now considering banning wives, girlfriends, pets and HD TVs from the garage area. 

Texas Tangles: Was this a Short Track? Or just a return to Busch Brother Bashing?

Originally Posted on Foxsports.com on April 9, 2006.

Nascar finished its Texas weekend, celebrated 10 years of racing at the facility, and managed to continue the Busch Brother Bashing that had been going on for several races. 

Kurt Busch v. Greg Biffle:  Although the President had a taped greeting at the track, the majority of the Busch Bashing this weekend was betwen Kurt Busch and Greg Biffle.  Biffle's car had been strong during the first 50 or so laps, but he was cycled out of the lead due to pit stops.  As he was working his way back to the front, he came across Kurt Busch.  Whether Busch or Biffle was to blame for what happened next depends on your point of view.  Busch, who  was down a lap, end up running into Biffle's back bumper, causing him to crash.  Biffle blamed Busch for ended his day.  Biffle's girlfriend, Nicole Lunders, walked to Busch's pit box and had words with Busch's fiancee Eva Bryan. 

Kurt Busch vs. the Media? The news media wanted Busch's reaction to Biffle's wrech after the race.  Busch gave an explanation blaming Biffle for coming up in front of him and slowing down.  When another reporter asked him what happened, Busch snapped back at them that he had answered the question and stormed off into his hauler.  He later came back out and answered a few more questions.  Apparently the Penske PR people have not quite worked their magic with Kurt...

Clint Bowyer vs. Kyle Busch:  Late in the race, Bowyer opted to take 2 tires instead of 4 to gain track position.  As he was sliding backwards in the field, he began racing with Kyle Busch for position.  As they raced, Bowyer crashed.  Bowyer claimed Busch got into him, Busch claimed Bowyer did it on his own.  The tape is unclear.   Given that Bowyer is a rookie and Kyle Busch is,  well, Kyle Busch, both are probably at fault in some way.

Carl Edwards vs. Jeff Gordon vs. Tony Stewart?  Carl Edwards, who was in third place, was racing with Jeff Gordon, who was a lap or two down.  Edwards got out of shape, hit Gordon, hit the wall, narrowly missed hitting Stewart and then crashed into the inside wall.  Needless to say, he was out of the race at that point.  Reporters questioned Edwards and asked if Gordon or Stewart caused the accident, Edwards denied it  and said it was just him pushing too hard at the time.  After the race, reporters went to Stewart and asked him what he thought happened - Stewart said Edwards was driving too hard ("in over his head") and lost it, then commented he was glad Edwards was OK because it looked like a hard hit into the wall.  In other words, the drivers didn't have issues with each other, but the reporters tried to generate a fight.  No one appears to have taken the bait.

Busch Series Racing Notes:  Kurt Busch won his first race in the Busch series, and to celebrate, he did his "trademark" snow angel.  I admit it was somewhat charming at Bristol where it had snowed all weekend, but I'm not sure it should be his "trademark" celebration.

Reed Sorenson may be penalized after it appeared he threw a piece of his rollbar padding/insulation onto the track to cause a caution.  He then called in that there was debris in the corner.  The Fox cameras caught the piece of foam flying out the window - it didn't seem to be certain that Sorenson threw it, but he was penalized by Nascar for the infraction (he was sent to the end of the line and lost about 5 places).  Nascar may exact a point penalty as well. 

More interesting was a conversation that Kyle Busch and his crew chief had immediately after that accident.  Busch was warned not to throw anything on the track to cause a caution because they had caught Sorenson.  Busch replied that he didn't have anything to throw.  Seconds later he remarked it would be stupid to do it since he had an in-car camera. 

You'll remember that Greg Biffle eventually won a Busch race when someone caused a caution by throwing a glove onto the track.  Nascar never found out who caused the caution or lost the glove.   Hmm...

 

Kings Royal by Crown Royal? Corporate Sponsorship at Dirt Tracks

Originally Posted on Foxsports on April 8, 2006.

Crown Royal announced that it would be sponsoring a dirt track race - the King's Royal at Eldora.  Eldora, a revered dirt track built and promoted by Earl Baltes, is now owned by Tony Stewart.  It isn't hard to see that Stewart, who has already drawn Old Spice, Home Depot, and Coca Cola into  sponsorship at Eldora, has the midas touch when it comes to making executives pony up money for local dirt track racing.

For those who don't know, the King's Royal is a race for winged sprint cars, which has a $50,000 to win paycheck.  Traditionally, the World of Outlaws and the All-Star Sprints have raced at the July event.  This year, hopes are that the splintered series (WoO and National Sprint Tour) will both show up at the event.  Given the new corporate sponsorship of the race and the tremendous pay out, drivers would be foolish not to.  For drivers the sponsorship could be used as a platform to get additional sponsorship for their operations.

Fans flocked to the race before, and the sponsorship will not likely affect their attendance.  However, the question for fans is:  Can they take Stewart's corporate sponsorship boon and translate it into a boon for other tracks? 

Should promoters try to duplicate Stewart's success?  Many local dirt tracks have strong local audiences.  The more successful tracks have major races that draw out of towners to the track (Knoxville, Belleville, Anderson, Eldora etc.).  Those tracks have some level of corporate sponsorship, but Stewart's new conquests have upped the ante.  Of course, Stewart is a well-known name in sports given his numerous championships in various forms of racing.  His antics (and temper) are legendary and generate controversy whether earned or not.  But local promoters should look at this new sponsorship as an indication that corporate America may finally be waking up to the potential of small tracks, whose fans are fiercely loyal.

Stewart is hoping that the corporate-powers-that-be continue to shine on Eldora - and hoping that it will even open the television market to the potential of dirt track racing.

Top 11 Ways For Jeff Gordon To Generate $10,000 to Pay a Fine

Originally Posted on March 28, 2006 on Foxsports.com

11.  Borrow money from ex-wife.

10.  Only 1% of $1 million bonus from finishing 11th last year.  Oh, wait, spent that on trips to South Africa and Paris.

9.  Charge appearance fee from Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. for their radio shows (@ $5,000 each.) 

8.  Savings from not renting tuxedo for last year's award banquet.

7.  Fine Chad Knaus for missing 4 races as owner of the car. 

6.  Ask girlfriend if you can sell pictures of her for swimsuit calendar.

5.  Design "new" pit cap logo.  "Drive for fine"

4.  Auction off helmet from race on e-bay.  (Ask Kenseth to sell his firesuit with it).

3.  Steal Brian Vickers' hair care supply and sell it to Boris Said, Kasey Kahne, Casey Mears and Jimmy Spencer.

2.  Fee for small role in  "Spaceballs II:  Revenge of the Rainbow Warriors"

1.  New sponsor for the car.  "Tony Stewart's Anger Managment Seminar"

 

Cheating & Smoking: Back From the Track

Originally Posted on February 20, 2006 on Foxsports.com.

Daytona races generate cash, crashes and controversy.  This 500 was no different, and since I attended my first Daytona 500, here are my thoughts on what happened at the race.

Jimmie Johnson's Car:  Yes, this team has a history of hovering their foot over the black areas of the rule book (think Dover, Las Vegas etc).  And Crew Chief Chad Knaus tried a new trick and got caught.  So, the team was penalized - the team kept the car,  passed inspection and  won the race.  Knaus watched the 500 from home while his team celebrated all last night and most of today.  It is expected that a harsher additional penalty will be levied tomorrow (Read - more weeks to get caught up on his at-home projects for Knaus). 

It is interesting to me that the team got to keep the car - Nascar has taken cars for less.  In 2003, at Texas, Tony Stewart's car was seized by Nascar because it didn't fit the back window X template.  Stewart had to run a backup car - the car wasn't returned until much later - although nascar kept the sheet metal body  (and still has it in its impound shop).  Some speculate that Nascar suspected traction control, couldn't find anything and kept the car to save face.  Rumor has it that Stewart and Zipadelli got the engine and chassis of the car back months later after they mentioned to a reporter that Nascar took the car to provide an engine to toyota.  The reporter published the story, Nascar adamently denied it, and immediately turned over the majority of the car.  Nascar similarly impounded Kyle Busch's busch car a couple years ago.

So, should Johnson have gotten to keep the car?  Well, if the parts that were in violation were removed by Nascar, then why not?  That is typically how the situation is handled (and the illegal parts are set out for the rest of the teams to get a look at).  The complaints arose mainly because Johnson won - otherwise, this would be a non-issue.  By the way, Johnson gets to take home approximately $1.5 million for this one race.  Second place (Casey Mears still gets over $1 mil).

Tony Stewart's Daytona Daze:  Smoke may be an appropriate nickname this week - Stewart was on fire about the bump drafting going on at the track.  Apparently, the on-track antics during the Shootout continued to smolder in Stewart's mind, because he was not in the mood to put up with anything on Sunday (or Saturday).  Stewart is an aggressive driver - given a half-way competent car, he'll find a way to get it to the front.  On Sunday, Stewart had several near spins, passes through the grass, and bumps to and from other competitors.  He was upset about the bumping and banging that was going on. 

First, he had an incident with Gordon.  Gordon slipped up the track in front of Stewart and hit him.  Stewart had given him room, but the room stops at the concrete wall - Gordon (or his spotters) lack of clearance of Stewart's car damaged 2 potentialy winning cars.  After that, Stewart had problems with McMurray and Kenseth.  Kenseth bumped Stewart and Stewart then drove him down on the grass, resulting in a penalty for Stewart.  Kenseth then retaliated by driving up on Stewart as they left pit road.   Kyle Busch was later penalized for rough driving to Stewart - after Stewart complained to his crew chief about it.

Was Stewart wrong to run Kenseth onto the grass?  Yes.   Was Kenseth wrong to retaliate?  Yes.  Could there be more penalties tomorrow?  Yes.  Will this generate more drama for the next race thereby increasing ratings?  Absolutely.  I mean, did you know that Matt Kenseth had this much personality, let alone a temper?  First, he names his cat after the lead singer in Metallica, and now picks a fight with Stewart?   He may actually get an interview next week instead of Junior!   So much for just being a quiet cheesehead from Wisconsin...    Throw in the Kurt Busch-Jamie McMurray feud and things get really interesting. 

Note to Nascar:  Why not run a short track race immediately after Daytona - that way, the drivers can make things look "accidental" and, heck, we're going to have a car crash war regardless what track is next - why not do it when we expect we'll be wrecking the cars anyway, and are only driving 60-80 mph? 

Gordon's Drive for Five Thwarted for Years ... By Tony Stewart?

Originally Posted on Foxsports.com on February 3, 2006.

Jeff Gordon is a four time Cup champion, winning in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001.  To date, Gordon has 73 wins in the Cup series.  Since his last championship, Gordon has been mounting a "Drive for Five" - his fifth Cup championship.   However, since his championship in  2001, he has not finished higher than 3rd in the point standings. 

Gordon had a hot streak going in 1996 through 1998 - he won at least 10 races each year (with a 13 win season in 1998). He had over 21 top five finishes in each of those years.

Then in 1999, things started to go downhill for Gordon - the most wins he has had in a season is 7 and the most top 5 finishes is 18.  Aside from the championship in 2001, Gordon hasn't finished higher than 3rd.  In the 1992-1998 seasons, Gordon amassed 3 Cup trophies, 42 wins, 100 top 5 finishes, and 123 top ten finishes.  In the 1999-2005 seasons, Gordon won 1 Cup trophy, 31 wins, 99 top 5 finishes and 146 top 10 finishes.  A record any racer would kill to have, but a bit off the pace Gordon had set in his early years.

2005 was a dismal year for Gordon - a mere 4 wins, 8 top 5s, and 14 top 10 finishes.  He finished the lowest he has since his rookie year - 11th in points.

Why the sudden stop in his success?  Maybe because Tony Stewart joined the Cup series in 1999.  Stewart stormed in and finished the year with 3 wins (the most ever by a rookie).  He finished 4th place in points that year.  Gordon finished 6th.

Since Stewart started racing in the Cup series, he has finished four years ahead of Gordon in points - including winning two championships to Gordon's one during the time they were racing head to head.  While Gordon still has more wins over the period Stewart has been in Cup (31 vs. 24), Stewart has the edge on top 10 finishes (149 vs. 146).

Granted the parity of Cup racing has improved in recent times - and Hendrick Motorsports, Gordon's team, probably had an edge in  the mid-1990's in technology and  team dynamics.  Gordon also lost his crew chief, Ray Evernham,  in 1999.   And there have been several drivers added to the series since 1999 who have regularly won races, and finished well (Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, Ryan Newman, and Kurt Busch to name a few). 

But Gordon's decline in wins, and top finishes started in 1999 - when Stewart hit the scene.  It seems the answer to Gordon's failure to get a 5th championship is that Stewart is stealing points from him!

 

Moonlighting: An Unacceptable Risk

Originally Posted at Foxsports.com on January 15, 2006.

Late last week, Tony Stewart, the reigning Nextel Cup Champion,  raced at the Chili Bowl in a midget.  He rolled the car on Wednesday night during hot laps, and on Friday night, rolled the car again at the start of a Qualifying race.  Stewart had to go to the hospital to be evaluated, but reportedly had no injuries.  He did sport a cast for the rest of the weekend, a precaution until he could see his own doctors. 

Stewart plans to still run "extracurricular" races at the Rolex 24 hour race, and more than likely will race sprint cars, late models, and midgets throughout the racing season (as he has done nearly every year since he started racing in the IRL and nascar series).  Typically he also races in the truck series, Busch series and in a Daytona Prototype in the Grand American Rolex Series.  Stewart calls his moonlighting, particularly in the midgets and sprint cars, his vacation -  events he looks forward to each year. 

Stewart was not the only nascar driver moonlighting at the Chili Bowl:  Kasey Kahne, Jason Leffler, JJ Yeley, and Tracy Hines were also there.  Nearly all of these drivers raced midgets (and at the Chili Bowl) prior to racing stock cars.   Of the other 270ish entries, there were drivers who primarily drive in the World of Outlaw, USAC and late model series, among others.

Moonlighting has its detractors.  In fact, Stewart comments that Joe Gibbs, his owner, was/is not too keen on him driving in any other series.  The moonlighting detractors say that the extracurricular racing is too dangerous - and the drivers are not considering the fans, race teams, and sponsors who are relying on them to driver in their primary series.  Car owners worry about the loss of control and income.  Dale Earnhardt Jr's fiery crash and subsequent injuries in 2004 re-alerted the Cup garage to the inherent dangers involved in and great loss that could occur due to moonlighting.  One wonders if driver's contracts are being re-negotiated to exclude or include the moonlighting opportunites.

Moonlighting supporters point to the versatility drivers develop, the alternate access given to fans, and the "back to their roots" element that occurs as reasons to encourage the practice.  The reality is that drivers can be injured at home (David Stremme while tending his lawn), playing other sports (Juan Pablo Montoya - tennis, although better rumor is that it was motorcylce racing), driving or flying to the track.    

Certain drivers rarely moonlight.  Jeff Gordon has participated in the Race of Champions, as has Jimmie Johnson.  Johnson has raced in the Rolex 24 hour race at Daytona.  But outside of those 2 events, the Hendrick drivers may not be allowed to race in non-nascar events. 

After Stewart's crash, sportscasters were wondering if Joe & JD Gibbs would let his moonlighting continue.  That remains to be seen - and really is an issue that Stewart and the Gibbs need to resolve.

I don't know what the right solution is, but I do know this:  Anytime you force someone to give up something they love, you only breed bitterness, anger, and frustration.