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?

 

Supported Your Local Track Lately?

Originally Posted on June 4, 2006 on Foxsports.com

I spent the last two nights at my local track.  My local dirt track.  I am continually amazed by the loyalty shown by local fans.  Some are there to support their friends and neighbors who are racing, but many are there because they love racing.  It makes me feel guilty for not going more often.

I think the proliferation of Nascar races has done damage to the local track scene.  Each fall another half-dozen local tracks close due to poor fan turnout, rising insurance costs, and "progress" (ie more housing/shopping malls). 

Nascar now races Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.  I confess it is easier to stay at home and watch the race in my air conditioning, my own bathroom without waiting lines, and whatever I want to cook or order in to eat. 

But I lose out on the spectacle of racing - the pageantry of the pre-race line-up, the interesting conversations with other fans, the excitement of watching a car slice through the field to get to the front, and the fun of tramping through the mud to get to the pits to talk with whomever you find there after the race. 

The Nascar and open wheel stars of tomorrow are out there waiting to be "discovered."  Already many USAC drivers have the eye of  team owners - drivers like Bryan Claussen, Josh Wise, Levi Jones, Jay Drake, and Tracy Hines.   Drivers like Denny Hamlin races at local tracks until the opportunity arose to go to Nascar.

But without fan support at the local track, these future stars will not have places to race, as these tracks will be gone.

Also lost will be the opportunity for fans to watch the race - and bring their friends with them.  The cost of attending a local track race is a fraction of the cost of a Nascar race.  In theory, it can be done for less than $20 a person. 

So, how long has it been since you supported your local track?  Why haven't you gone? 

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.

Waltrip Redux: Buying Your Way Into the Coca-Cola 600

Originally Posted on May 26, 2006 on Foxsports.com

Michael Waltrip failed to qualify for the Coca-Cola 600, which will be run Sunday at Lowe's Motor Speedway. As most Nascar teams consider the Charlotte, NC area their home base, there is a lot of prestige in qualifying for and winning the races at Lowe's. Also at stake for Waltrip is his future success as an owner of the first Toyota Cup team next year. 

Waltrip, who is currently driving for Bill Davis Racing, has been flirting with danger for several races now. He has been out of the top 35 in owner's points, although he has been 35th in driver points. Unfortunately for Waltrip, owner points determine the "safe" car which do not have to qualify on speed. This weekend was the first weekend he did not qualify for the Cup race. Waltrip's qualifying time for the 600 was not good enough to make the field, despite his added "practice" and track time at last weekend's All-Star race (Waltrip was in the field as he was a prior winner of the Challenge). At the All-Star Challenge, Waltrip's car was obviously sub-par and could not maintain the speeds the other cars were going.

The solution for Waltip is to "buy" his way into the race. Waltrip's team has paid the No. 74 team for its car. By buying the car that qualified 43rd for the race, Waltrip will be able to start the race and continue his streak of starts. any owner points he wins will accrue to McGlynn Racing, who owns the 74. Current driver of the No. 74, Derrike Cope would presumably be sent home. Waltrip is buying the actual car, but will probably change engines. He has to drive the actual car chassis in the race to take the spot. More likely than not, he will drive a NAPA sponsored entry, but may or may not have his familiar No. 55 on the side of the vehicle. 

This is not the first time Waltrip has bought his way into a race. At the beginning of the year, Waltrip purchased the No. 77's owner points, thus guaranteeing himself a spot in the Daytona 500. Despite that advantage in points (others like Scott Riggs did not qualify for the 500 and had to go home), Waltrip is still having difficulties collecting points. 

The question is: Should owners/drivers be allowed to buy their way into the race? Why not? If a small team like McGlynn Racing can sell its spot to Waltrip and generate enough money to support further racing attempts by the team, why quash the American free enterprise system? This isn't the first time this has happened - last year there were several "purchases" of racing spots. Some teams want to race regardless of the money thrown at them by a non-qualifying team. Others, who run a limited schedule may take the money and add other races to their limited schedule. The bigger question is, how much money does Waltrip have to continue down this path? And how will it effect his Cup team next year?

Horses, Horsepower, Hornish, Hair, Hotheads and Things that Make you go Hmm...

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...

 

Nascar's All-Star Game: The Nextel All-Star Challenge

Originally Posted on May 17, 2006 on foxsports.com

This Saturday is Nascar's version of the All-Star game:  The Nextel All-Star Challenge.  The annual event takes place at Lowe's Motor Speedway.  It is a non-points race - meaning that not everyone gets to race for the trophy and $1 million pay-out for the win, and the drivers get to RACE for the win without concerning themselves with how they finish. 

Second Place is truly First Loser in this event.

Why Watch?  This is possibly the wildest and most memorable race of the year.  Doubt me?  The Darrell Waltrip-Rusty Wallace feud started here; Dale Earnhardt made his famous "pass in the grass" during the All-Star Race; Jeff Gordon's car T-Rex dominated a race and promptly was banned by Nascar; Dale Earnhardt Jr. won this race during his rookie year as did Ryan Newman; Kyle Petty and Davey Allison had their famous run-in at this race.

Why all the action?  Did I mention the winner gets $1,005,000?

How does it Work?

The field for the All-Star Challenge is comprised of :

#1:  Winning drivers from this year and last year:  Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne,  Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr.  Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Jeremy Mayfield, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch, Dale Jarrett and Mark Martin

#2:  Winning owners from this year and last year:  Jamie McMurray (as his owner, Jack Roush won with the car as the #97).

#3:  Past Cup Champions of the last  10 years:  Bobby LaBonte, Terry LaBonte (not racing this year)

#4:  Past All-Star Race winners within the last 10 years: Michael Waltrip

#5:  Nextel Open Winner:  To Be Determined Saturday (explained below).

#6:  Fan Vote:  To Be Announced Saturday (voting continues at nascar.com  for the next few days).

If there are not 20 eligible drivers by this formula, then there are additional ways to get a full field (which I won't go into as we have met the number needed so this won't apply).

In theory, any team can get into the All-Star Challenge:  by either winning the Nextel Open or winning the fan vote.

Race Specifics Or When Did Nascar Add Time-Outs?

The Nextel Open is a 2 segment race run prior to the Challenge.  The first segment is 20 laps long, and the second segment is 10 laps long.  Between the segments, there will be a yellow flag in which teams can elect to pit and make changes to the cars.  However, if teams elect to pit, they lose their track position and re-enter the field in the order they come off the pit lane.  The winner of the second segment transfers to the Challenge.  Everyone else goes home, except for the driver voted in by the fans.  The last couple laps of this race is usually spectacular.  Last year, Brian Vickers bumped Mike Bliss out of the way to win.

The Nextel All-Star Challenge is composed of 3 segments.  Qualifying for the challenge requires a timed three lap run with a four-tire pit stop.  The quickest team starts on the pole, and collects $50,000.

The 1st segment is 40 laps long and teams are required to pit on either lap 15 or 16.  This is a green-flag stop.  Teams can pit during caution flags, but they do not count toward this requirement.  There is a break between the 1st segment and the 2nd segment.  During this "break"  The Red Hot Chili Peppers will perform and a drawing will be held to determine how many cars will be inverted at the start of the 2nd segment.  As few as 6 cars or as many as 12 may be inverted.  The winner of the segment collects $75,000.

The 2nd segment is 30 laps long.  At the end of this segment, the teams may elect to pit during the yellow flag.  However, they again lose track position and restart at the end of the field in the order in which they leave pit road.  The winner of the 2nd segment collects $20,000.

The 3rd segment is 20 laps long.  However, only green flag laps count toward the total in this segment.  Any restarts are double-file, but lapped cars start out at the rear of the field. 

Ken Schrader: Villain or Hero?

Originally Posted on May 15, 2006 on foxsports.com

In Saturday night's race at Darlington, Ken Schrader had two incidents involving Hendrick Motorsports drivers. 

In the first incident, which was the last pit stop of the race, Schrader was coming on pit road.  He was driving on the right hand side of the entry/exit lane, so he had to cross over the other lane to get into his pit box.  Nearly all the cars on the lead lap had come in during this round of green flag stops.  As Schrader did so, Jimmie Johnson, who was trying to get out as the third car on the lead lap, was exiting his pit box upon completing his pit stop.

As Johnson merged right, Schrader merged left.  Schrader was ahead of Johnson and was slowing, which caused Johnson to practically stop in pit lane.  Johnson went out on to the track in fourth place, several seconds behind the leaders.  Johnson didn't blame Schrader, but called it one of "those racing deals."

After pit stops, Jeff Gordon was chasing down leader Greg Biffle.  The lapped traffic was slowing down Biffle, and Gordon was rapidly catching him (thanks in part to one lap newer tires).  On the final lap, Biffle came up on Schrader, who was running in 15th place still on the lead lap.  Schrader yielded his lane and line to Biffle. 

By the time Gordon reached Schrader's bumper, Schrader yielded his lane again.  However, Gordon had been running a unique line through the corner which required 2 lanes.  Gordon was unhappy that Schrader hadn't (apparently) pulled on the apron to let him pass.  His comment was that Schrader cost him the race.

Conspiracy theorists will think that Schrader, who drives a Ford, was blocking for Biffle, another Ford driver.  Or they think that Schrader has it in for Hendrick Motorsports.

The reality is that the timing of the pass was off - whether that was due to Schrader, Biffle, Gordon or just how things happened.  Schrader was probably not watching the line Gordon was taking through the corners, and had no idea what Gordon wanted.  Additionally, Schrader had his finish to think about as well.

Whether you think Schrader is the villian in this or the hero probably says more about your driver or manufacturer alligence than it does about what happened. 

Because it was just racing at Darlington.