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Angie
 Joe Weatherly had a short but extraordinary career. His exploits off the track were as legendary as his accomplishments on the track.
When you hear people talk about the drivers who were there at the beginning of NASCAR, you often hear them called “good old boys.”
If you’re not sure what that means, just take a close look at Joe Weatherly.
He was well known for his love of liquor, women and hard racing. Weatherly was also the king of practical jokes and became known as “The Clown Prince of Racing.”
In the days before start switches, Weatherly would sneak along pit road and steal the keys to all the cars. When the command, “Gentlemen, start your engines,” was given, only one car fired up. It didn’t take much detective work to figure out that Weatherly was the culprit. Continue reading →
Robert
 Image via Wikipedia
I have been a die-hard fan for many years (I’m Old..  and the days of doing anything I could to get to any race are long gone. The tracks that I make an effort to go to are all a mile and under in length with one exception. Short tracks have the action and you get more bang for your buck by far. After a visit or two, the cookie cutter, 1.5-2 mile tracks (Vegas, Charlotte, etc.) no longer have any draw for me. The sight lines aren’t great, it’s hard to see what is going on at the far end from where you’re sitting, and frankly most of them are boring (my opinion). Continue reading →
Lee
 Image via Wikipedia
It’s time to change the rules for qualifying for NASCAR Sprint Cup races. Locking in the top 35 in points just doesn’t make a lot of sense, especially given the economic climate that currently exists. Under the current rules, after this weekend’s race in Bristol, the top 35 teams in owner’s points are locked into the race (for the first five races of the season it’s the top 35 in owner’s points from 2009) regardless of where they qualify. After the top 35 in points, the remaining spots are filled with the fastest eight of teams outside the top 35, unless there is a past Sprint Cup champion, where the most recent champ gets an automatic spot if they don’t qualify on speed. Confused yet? Continue reading →
Lee
 Image by Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway via Flickr
This weekend, at Atlanta, Ryan Newman is reasonably sure of achieving one milestone in his career, and maybe two. On Sunday, Newman will start his 300th NASCAR Sprint Cup Race. And he’s doing so where he has started on the pole more than any other driver in the history of NASCAR, with the exception of Buddy Baker. Of 15 starts at Atlanta, The Rocket, has captured the pole 7 times, and is hoping to be fast enough Friday evening to get his 8th pole at the track.
Newman has faced some pretty rough times over the course of the first three races this season, and is currently 32nd in the Sprint Cup standings, one spot better than he was at this time last year. Ryan was featured in this week’s NASCAR teleconference where he talked about the milestones ahead of him at Atlanta and his struggles so far this season.
Q. Atlanta, this weekend you’re going to possibly set a pole record with the Buddy Baker situation and tiebreak that. Where does that fit in your career? How much do you actually place emphasis on your career on poles or is this something you naturally do well? Continue reading →
Angie
The world was watching as Danica Patrick made her first stock car start at the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, an ARCA Series event at Daytona International Speedway.
Her foray into NASCAR has been eagerly anticipated since the announcement was made this past December that she was joining JR Motorsports. Fans and critics alike have been vocal in expressing their differing opinions.
A third contingent of fans took the wait and see attitude and Danica did not disappoint.
She qualified in the 12th position, stayed in the top ten for much of the race and ran as high as fifth at one point. On lap 54, however, she bumped fenders with Nelson Piquet Jr., spinning off the track and into the grass. She managed to straighten out her car and avoid the other drivers, exhibiting great car control. Continue reading →
Angie
Dale Earnhardt Jr will begin the 2010 season under the glare of a spotlight. His fan base is known for its almost fanatical loyalty but his detractors are just as vocal. After the worst season of his career, both sides are waiting to see what he does next.
It’s interesting to note how two groups of people can look at the same person or situation and come to two completely different conclusions. Our perceptions are colored by life experiences, emotions and countless other variables. This usually results in heated debate especially when the subject is Dale Jr.
The first thing you’ll hear from many race fans is that Jr is not as good as his Daddy and he never will be. They’ll go on to tell you that he would never have gotten a chance to become a stock car driver if not for his famous father.
This may be true but what does it really mean? Continue reading →
Angie
The 2010 NASCAR season began for many fans on Friday at the Preseason Thunder Fan Fest at Daytona. With driver interviews featured throughout the weekend, it gives the fans a first look at the upcoming season and sets the stage for the Budweiser Shootout and the Daytona 500.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., sporting a full beard, seemed relaxed and confident as he talked about the disappointment of 2009 and his expectations for this year.
This is a completely different Dale Jr. than the one we saw at the end of 2009. His words towards the end of the season reflected his frustration and self doubt.
“I’m about to the end of my rope on it,” he said. “I’ve been riding it out, but there comes a point where you don’t want to ride it out no more. You’ve just had enough.”
On Friday, he spoke with a renewed passion and a quiet confidence. Continue reading →
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Joe Weatherly had a short but extraordinary career. His exploits off the track were as legendary as his accomplishments on the track.
