Are Southerners bad for Nascar? Of Course they are!

Note: This was originally posted May 15, 2007.

No pic again this week. I know, I'm getting lame. First of all, I have nothing against you folks from the North at all. I'm half Northern myself! My mom was from Connecticut. I've been to that great state, as well as Massachussetts many times. My favorite spot in the world has to be the point off of Loblolly Cove in Rockport, Ma.

I Love the Northeast of the USA. It's a special place, and people there are unique. Places like Boston, New York, Baltimore, Washinton, DC. Places farther north, Nashua, NH, Portland ME. They're all great places.

Lately I overheard a conversation in a local restaurant by some visitors that apparently were making the move to my beloved South though.

"I hear racing is a big deal around here, so is football"

"I hear that if you don't wear a ball cap at church you'll get beaten to death."

"I heard that if you don't go kiss the Petty Rock at Darlington, you'll be raped by dudes from the backwoods"


I'm not kidding, I overheard this conversation by 3 ladies in their late 50's or early 60's at a popular local restaurant. They were apparently on their way to a new home near my home, the Upstate of SC.

Let me explain. For those of you have never been to South Carolina, it's a small state. The smallest in the South, I'm guessing. My state is basically divided into 3 regions. The Coastal area contains such cities as Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Beaufort, and Hilton Head. If you play golf or love the ocean, you know about these cities already.

Next is the Midlands. The capitol of our state is in Columbia. Also qualifying as Midland region areas are places such as Florence and Darlington. Darlington has a major racetrack. Years ago, so did places like Columbia and Myrtle Beach.

I live in the highest region of the state, the Upstate of SC. We have mountains here. We have beautiful lakes and rivers. I can drive literally 7 miles from my house and be on a beautiful lake. Some of you might live closer to lakes, but you can't beat the bass fishing on Lake Hartwell. It's hard to beat the boating, especially sail boating on this lake either.

Believe it or not, in the Upstate region, although we have some hot, humid summers, we also have snow and ice in the winters, and enjoy a full 4 seasons of the year.

What's special for the Nascar fan is that we have red dirt clay here. Places like Greenville, SC, Charlotte, NC, South Boston VA, and other towns all over the Piedmont, as we call it, are the birthplace of what we now call Nascar today.

Bill France Sr. sat down and talked to some folks called the Blackwell family in or around 1949. Greenville-Pickens Speedway was born, and up until the 1970's, was still a major race track for the people like Petty, Pearson, Yarborough, and even a guy named Ralph Earnhardt. A lot of race teams still race there before they run Martinsville, because the flat corners of GPS give the teams a good test.

I live in the cradle region of Nascar, and I'm proud of it. Nascar began in and around places like where I live. I'm proud of that.

Most of the time, I deal with people with accents that obviously were not acquired around here. Most of my neighbors lived in the Northeast, or at least the North. One of my best friends is from a town about 1.5 miles from the Canadian border in Minnesota.

He's a great guy, but to me he talks funny. Some of you people say that about us too, I've heard.

I've read about 100 jabs at Dale Earnhardt Jr. today. He talks funny. Funny to whom? He talks like a redneck. If you'd lived in this sun all your life, would your neck not be red? He couldn't manage a McDonalds. I don't know about that either, but he does manage a mult-million dollar company that runs Busch and Late Model cars every week. I don't know that I could manage a McDonalds either, since I probably wouldn't speak the language that most of my employees speak. Jaun Pablo Montoya could, but I couldn't. I'm sure all of them are here legally though, right?

Does Hendrick dominance of Nascar not scream for policing?

Note: This was originally posted on May 7, 2007.

No pic today. Couldn't stomach it. LOL. I just didn't want to see another Hendrick car prissing around victory lane. Just a few years ago, Nascar would have done something to keep all the brands equal. I guess that isn't happening this year, huh? The year of RHR? The year of Gordon? don't know. Sure seems like it though.

I know that Jeff Gordon is a good driver. I know that his understudy Jimmie Johnson is too. But is this not getting a bit old? Hendrick winning every single race. Good for Rick Hendrick, but back a few years ago, Nascar would have stepped in and made a change. Nascar stands for nothing except parity. Or they used to. Where's the rule changes? Where are the changes to spoilers and engines? Nascar, we're awaiting your word!

It's becoming obvious that Nascar has one favorite brand, and that brand is Hendrick. Chevy doesn't matter, neither does Ford or Dodge or Toyota. Nascar seems to think that all is right in it's world with Hendrick Motorsports dominating the Nascar Nextel Cup. Nascar seems to think that it's time to dethrone Dale Earnhardt Jr. from the most popular driver position, and to place the crown securely on either Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson. It's not even close anymore. A Hendrick team seems to win every week. Nascar fans say ho-hum. I'll watch baseball. At least it's competitive.

Nascar, if you believe in competition, which you surely did a year or so ago, you'll find out why the Hendrick cars seem to be head and shoulders above the rest of the field. So far this year, you just don't seem to care. You're losing viewers and ticket buyers every week in this very one-sided deal that Hendrick seems to have made with you. You chastise Tony Stewart about the mystery cautions, and you made your point, and about made Tony cry. Tony's point is still valid though. It's not the validity of the cautions you throw, it's when you throw them. the 00 car of David Reutimann drove around Talladega almost a full lap, pouring smoke all over the field. You, Nascar, chose to throw the yellow only after the 24 had managed to grab the lead. You let the 00 drive almost an entire lap, oiling up the track, and you don't understand the controversy? What world are you living in? What did you expect?

Nascar, you just do it to yourselves. Week in and week out, you deny your claim to respectability with your obviously partisan actions. Don't blame Tony Stewart for comparing you with the WWE. Blame yourself. You, Nascar, do this to yourselves. TV ratings fall. Attendance falls. You blame Tony Stewart. Good job, Nascar.

Tony was right.

A Tribute, He says?

Note: This was originally posted on April 23, 2007.

Anyone who knows me or reads this column knows that I'm not exactly a Jeff Gordon or Rick Hendrick Racing fan. I freely admit my prejudice in that way. I admire and have nothing but the utmost respect for what these drivers and crews do every week from February through November, but I think it's safe to say that we all have certain drivers that we admire more than others.

First of all, Congratulations to Jeff are in order for an exciting win at Phoenix on Saturday night. Win #76 has been a long time coming, and he finally tied Dale Earnhardt in total Cup wins. That is a huge accomplishment for any driver. The 'special' flag that he hoisted in the air after the win shows questionable judgment in my opinion.

I enjoyed the Polish Victory lap. I miss the days when those were commonplace, back in the days before the smoky burnouts. I like the burnouts too, don't get me wrong, but it's nice to see a return to older traditions once and a while. For that, Jeff Gordon, I salute you.

If waving the '3' flag was meant as a gesture of tribute, fine. Jeff Gordon and his fans have to realize that a lot of Earnhardt fans were not going to be too happy about it though. I think back to the Daytona 500 in 2006 which was won by Jimmie Johnson, and can't help but think of his words in Victory Lane: "This one is for all the haters out there." That was an 'in your face' gesture if there ever was one. I hope that Jeff's gesture wasn't meant the same way on Saturday night.

After the race, Dale Earnhardt Jr. congratulated Jeff in Victory Lane. Jr. seemed to be sincere in his comments after the race. Then again, Jr. is nothing if not a gentleman, and I've never seen Dale Jr. make an 'in your face' gesture to anyone.

I've got something else I'd like to get off my chest as well. Whoever threw the beers over the fence onto the track at Jeff seriously needs help. I know that the finger gets pointed at the Earnhardt Nation often when this happens, and those Earnhardt fans who have done it should be ashamed of themselves. But it's not just Earnhardt fans that display this behavior. A few years ago I was in the stands at Atlanta, and Jeff Gordon won the race. A few beers got heaved over the fence that day as well, but a man sitting directly 2 rows in front of me flung several cans over. He was wearing a Jimmie Johnson hat and shirt. I'm still trying to figure that one out!

I think in light of the recent tragedy in Blacksburg, VA, and with all the other tributes that were made to the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre, it might have been better if Jeff Gordon had done his Polish victory lap with the VT flag in his hand, not the 3.

Would you like this man saying bad stuff about your Sister?

Note: This was originally posted on April 16, 2007.

Well, that's exactly what happened Sunday on Speed TV's pre-race show. Not my sister, but Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s sister, Kelly Earnhardt Elledge.


Jimmy Spencer pontificates: "Theresa Earnhardt gave Dale Junior his opportunity to race." Uh, Jimmy, I think that Dale probably had more to do with that than Teresa.

At that point, Spencer started his attack on Elledge. "I am shocked that she kept her middle name. Why keep Earnhardt? I think her ego is so big and she is backing Theresa and Max (Siegel) into corners. She's not a good negotiator. If she was working for someone else they would probably fire her." Jimmy, if Earnhardt was my name, I'd let people know it too. Did your wife completely drop her maiden name as well? I doubt it. She may not introduce herself that way, but I bet if she signed a legal document, she'd use it. Most women do.

Jimmy wasn't done yet. "I think she is using ego to control this direction, and Dale needs to be careful about it." Jimmy, Kelly has taken care of Dale Jr. most of his life. She's always been there for him, and she probably has more of her father's personality in her than Dale does. Oh, and Jimmy? She's probably still a better race car driver than you ever were.

Jimmy Spencer then delivered one more zinger: "There are a lot of true Dale Earnhardt Sr. fans who will lose respect for Dale Junior (if he leaves DEI)." Spencer stated "I don't think Dale Junior needs to leave the organization. I don't like what Kelly (Elledge) is doing...how she is putting them (Theresa and Siegel) in corners." Spencer then stated: "Dale and Theresa and Max need to sit down and get this worked out. If the old man was still living, he would kick Earnhardt (Junior's) butt. I would hate to see that organization fall apart."

Jimmy Spencer later apologized for getting too "personal" in his remarks, but damage has been done here. Dale Jr. is probably much more a gentleman than I am, but if Jimmy had made those remarks about my sister, I'd probably be kicking down Jimmy's front door right now, in order to apply a foot to his backside.

Let Dale Jr, Teresa, Max, and Kelly work this out on their own. Jimmy, apply brakes to your mouth for a change. Kyle Busch, apply brakes period.

My thanks to John Daly at www.thedalyplanet.tv for Jimmy Spencer's exact words.

We have a repeat winner at TEXAS!

Note: This was originally posted on April 15, 2007.

It's not this guy, but here is the man of the hour. Folks, racing is a hard business, but that shot in the behind that Dale Jr. got today was completely uncalled for. Kyle Busch had more time to slow down for Tony Stewart's spin than Dale did. Kyle's hit on Dale Jr. was at over 50 mph faster than Dale Jr. was going. I just don't understand Kyle's thinking on this. He's in 3rd position, but he drives blindly through smoke with his foot on the hammer? I just don't get it.

Is this boy stupid or what? He took out not only his own car but eventually Dale Jr.'s car, which could have won the race, and at worst, might have been a top 5 car. Kyle Busch, please get some help. You were an absolute fool to drive into that smoke with your foot on the gas pedal. Did you not see the big RED car in front of you slowing down? Do you need glasses or contacts? Seriously, dude, that was about as dumb a move as I've seen in years.

Kyle Busch didn't get his car going, in 15 minutes apparently. Kyle left the track, and went home. The crew kept working on it, and got it running late in the race. Who climbed in the car and drove it's final laps? None other than Dale Jr., who blew his motor by having it spin backwards during Kyle's idiocy.

Folks, take this down, and learn it and memorize it. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a pure racer. When his own car blew up, he went and found a ride for a few laps in the car that put him in the garage. Folks, that's class. Pure class, and it's also Old School. Jr. hopped in the damaged 5 car and finished the race, while Kyle was somewhere over Arkansas.

Dale Jr., you proved to me that you're a stand up guy, and you deserve all the accolades for that. Kyle Busch? You proved to me that you're a punk. I hope you grow up soon.

Congratulations to Jeff Burton, that was an awesome win.

Back to the Grind

Note: This was originally posted on April 12, 2007.

A lot has happened in the last 2 weeks since Martinsville. I enjoyed watching the Busch race last weekend at Nashville. That's one of the tracks I wish they still raced in the Cup Series. Personally, I'd rather see North Wilkesboro and Rockingham back on the circuit than California or Kansas or even Chicago. It's not that I don't like the newer tracks, I just like the old ones better. If Nascar drops Darlington's remaining date, I'll probably not even follow Nascar anymore. Nascar grew up on shorter tracks, and 1.5 milers suddenly abound, but the short tracks are where it's at, as far as I'm concerned. Atlanta is a great 1.5 mile track, but I'm beginning to think that it's going to be years before we see great racing at Charlotte again.

Texas is another great 1.5 mile track. In it's short history, there has never been a single repeat winner in the Cup Series. It's a good track for a first time winner, it seems. Most likely first time Cup winner Sunday? I'm guessing maybe Clint Bowyer or Martin Truex Jr. Both drivers have been knocking on the door for a while, and I'm guessing that Sunday might be a day remembered forever for one of these drivers.

Michael Waltrip's woes continue, and I'm sure everyone who's reading this has read all that has been said already. I'm not going to comment on this at this time, because we just don't know all the facts yet. Needless to say, this is another very untimely incident for Michael. I'm actually starting to feel sorry for him. This poor guy hasn't made a race since Daytona, and he got penalized 100 points then, so he's still in the hole on points. Michael Waltrip isn't the official spokesman for Toyota in Nextel Cup, but he's got by far the biggest mouth, and I don't envy him one bit the mountain he has to climb to make his team a serious contender for Toyota.

Last weekend's Busch race seemed in someways to be a repeat of a bad dream. Can Johnny Sauter drive a full race without hitting half the other drivers on the track? I hate to pick on him, but it seems like he's been involved in about 75% of the crashes in the Busch series this year. Sauter is also driving a full Cup series this year, and he's usually one of those cars that seldom mentioned, unless he crashes, but his driving in the Busch Series makes me wonder if he needs anger management or driving lessons. I'm sorry, but wrecking 3-5 drivers a race just isn't pretty.

They supposedly fixed the infamous dip at Texas at Dale Jr.'s request. I think Jr. is embarrassed about that, because his name got attached to that whole deal, but I'm sure he's not the only driver that's complained about it. Dale Jr. carries some pretty serious horsepower though, as Nascar's most popular driver. His dad would be proud, because if he were still alive and made a comment about that dip, I'm pretty sure they would have jumped right on that ASAP. Love him or hate him, Dale Jr's first win in the Cup Series came at Texas in his rookie year in 2000. I'd say the man knows what he's talking about.

Staying on a Dale Jr. theme, I have to say that not only is Dale Jr. the most popular driver on the web polls, (see this site to vote for your MPD http://www.mostpopulardriver.com/ ) But literally every weekend there is a virtual sea of red at every racetrack. It's almost impossible to deny that Dale Jr. drives not only his red Budweiser Chevy, but he basically is driving Nascar and their fans to the next level, which would be the most watched sport in the USA. What exactly is Jr.'s appeal? Is it his famous name? Is it his homespun wit and humor? I don't know. I don't know. All I know is that it takes a hardend Jeff Gordon fan to hate Dale Jr. Invariably, when I read the message boards, the only negative comments I see about Dale Jr. are by people who can be positively identified as Gordon fans. Jeff Gordon has won a lot more races and multiple championships in his career, but the tide seems to be turning toward Dale Earnhardt Jr.

That's about all I have today. I hope you all have a happy and safe race weekend, and I hope that you all get the results that you would like from Sunday's race.

The Year from Hendrick?

Note: This was originally posted on April 5, 2007.

I'm beginning to think that Rick Hendrick Racing had a bit of an advantage on the Car Of Tomorrow.

With back to back wins at Bristol and Martinsville, it's not hard to think that. I don't want to start conspiracy theories or anything, but what does Hendrick have on the rest of the field? A distinct advantage, I think.

Although Kyle Busch said the COT "sucks", you can't argue with success. I can't imagine winning a race and saying that my car sucked. If I won any race at all, I'd say that the Pennziolhappycamperhootersdaimlerchryslerfordchevrolettoyotafoodcitywinn-dixie Hyundai was a great car today, and I thank my sponsors for my wonderful victory, and please understand that I am a mere driver, but the engineers made this fantastic victory possible. I'd be so excited that I'd grow hair on my chin.

Martinsville was a great race for 2 reasons. 1st of all, the finish was great. 2nd of all, the great finish could have been avoided entirely.

On lap 358 Dale Earnhardt Jr. had by far the best car. He led so many laps, and stretched it out, it looked possible that he might indeed lap the field. It would have been good if he had. But, then, the rains came. Many people thought it was an instant victory for Dale Jr. That was not to be.

On Lap 10,000 or what seemed to be, the 48 and the 24 raced side by side, and beating and banging, finally finished a race that had been on tv for what seemed like 40 hours. What seemed like 20 straight hours of listening to DW and Larry McReynolds kiss the collective posteriors of the two top Hendrick drivers so much that I had to finally turn off the tv. Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon could not have had two more enthusiastic fans than DW and Larry Mac. Fox Sports denies this, of course, but I was watching, and it was a bit sickening. Finally, after what seemed like 40,000 laps, Jimmie Johnson won a close one by beating Jeff Gordon to the line. I was relieved. I'd been watching TV for about 12 hours, with all the pre-race coverage. Jimmie was a little downbeat, saying, in essence, that he hated to beat his team mate that way. Jeff was very downbeat, saying that he hated getting beat that way.

My opinion? A win is a win. Team or no team, you still have to win the race, and for that I congratulate Jimmie Johnson. He did what he had to do. Jeff's predictably whiny behavior was, well, predictable.

Dale Jr. finished 5th, and got hammered in most of the media for not winning. What they fail to see is a driver that has recovered from 2 DNF's to being a contender to win every race.