Start-and-Park Controversy

I read an article this week that I am having troubling making up my mind about. This whole stigma attached to the teams who "start-and-park" has recently blown up into the news since NASCAR confiscated the #66-Prism Motosports car driven by David Blaney this past Sunday at Fontana, CA.

Blaney parked his car in the garage after only 43-laps Sunday. Now the reports and results lists post his status as an engine failure. The other Prism Motosports driver, Michael McDowell, also ended up in the garage after only 40-laps, with the same engine failure report. It is not often that cars on the same team have similar problems at a track.

So why is there speculation about why NASCAR confiscated the #66 for their 'post-race inspection' that is done at random?

I think the underlying issue here is that NASCAR doesn't like the idea of start-and-park cars. It looks as if NASCAR is trying to prove a point to teams who have done this in the past and have thoughts to attempt it in the future.

Im not so sure this is such a bad thing!

On one hand: teams who don't have the sponsorship dollars flowing into them like Hendrick Moneysports, ahem, I mean Motorsports and celebrity, whoops I meant drivers, like Dale Jr. on their teams don't always have the money to fully fund a team for the whole race weekend.

Now Im sure some of you are saying "well don't come if thats the case." BUT, If those teams can qualify (like Blaney qualified 5th) and earn money to hopefully fund future races, Im left to wonder if that's such a bad thing?!?

On the other hand: Getting paid to only do half the work the other teams do is hardly fair. Why should you get to sit out while other teams drive pedal to the metal and risk ruining their equipment? With all the restriction NASCAR is regulating currently to see that everyone has the same opportunities is it necessary for teams not to compete just to save money and equipment?

Maybe its none of these situations, maybe its both, maybe NASCAR just wants to flex it's rule-making muscles some more.

Here is the link to the story I read:

Questions Arise over Start-and-Park Cars

SPEED Channels Fast Track to Fame

This week Michael Waltrip announced he would be hosting the new talent competition featured on SPEED Channel called 'Fast Track to Fame'. Wlatrip took to his twitter on Monday to tell us...

"Start Your Engines: Speed Greenlights 'Fast Track to Fame' and im your host!"

The show is set to begin on March 1st. With a 10-week run. Featuring Michael and his co-host Charissa Thompson. Judges wills be Riki Rachtman, Kathy L. Carter, and one guest judge each week from the NASCAR scene (i.e. drivers, crew chiefs, owners).

My first thought was that it would be a competition between all the drivers and crew cheifs to see who had hidden talents, (I still think that should be pitched to networks!) but alas the show will feature contestants from different NASCAR towns.

Fast Track to Fame's website says it is looking for singers, dancers, comedians, variety & novelty acts. With auditions in Dallas, Birmingham, and Phoenix.

Now don't get me wrong Im glad Mikey has found something to do in his spare time and and he is quite the comedian himself. But really? Does the sport need this type of publicity? It comes across a little desperate to me (I will have to watch to be proven wrong) but I just don't see how this could be considered helpful.

When the rest of the sporting world looks down on racing, or NASCAR specifically, as a bunch of hicks watching cars go round (shame on you world!!!!!!!!) how would it react to one of us winning a talent competition. But who knows!!!!

I included the link to the website for your own personal browsing! LoL!

Tomorrow's topic: start-and-park cars

http://www.fasttracktofame.com/index.html

NASCAR on Twitter

Twitter was started in July of 2006 with its first tweet. At the end of 2009 the site had over 19 million users. With its growing popularity many celebrities have taken to the trend. From Actors, musicians, famous heiresses, and tv hosts, the trend has reached college students, housewives, and many businesses. Users are given 140 characters to post their location, mood, idea, or anything else they please!

One of the newest facets to twitter is the growing NASCAR population! There is an official NASCAR twitter that features pages for the sports 3 biggest series (Cup, Nationwide, and Truck). Many of the tracks have twitter accounts keeping fans updated about events and such.

The latest addition in NASCAR on Twitter are the multitude of drivers of all 3 series joining the network. From Elliot Sadler's posted pictures of his newborn, Michael Waltrip's announcement as host of the "Fast Track to Fame", and Martin Truex Jr's game of 'guess where Im buying fish tacos'! Other drivers using twitter that I've found are: Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman, David Ragan, Juan Pablo, Brad Keselowski, Bobby Labonte, Jeff Burton, Robby Gordon, Michael McDowell, AJ Almindinger, and several others.

I think that this is a wonderful idea for drivers and the sport in general. More exposure during this economic times could mean more new fans, and more interaction with existing fans. I for one enjoy reading about what my favorite driver did on his off days or seeing snapshots of their daily lives.

In a sport where most fans only see the hood of their favorite drivers car (especially if they are not in one of the top tier teams) this could be a revolution for the sport. New drivers can broaden their fan base and interact more with their fans.

I think it paints the sport in a much more human light, than just this big oiled NASCAR machine. Not to mention the banter back and forth between drivers is often a big laugh!

Check out twitter to see if your favorite driver is up and posting!

Fontana, CA Leaves Much to be Desired

The second race this season ended prematurely for my most beloved driver. The 56-NAPA Toyota pulled into the garage after a blown engine. The driver, Martin Truex Jr., said that he was looking at the silver lining in the situation because this sport is just too tough not too.

Truex's car started 34th and by lap had broken into the top 15. Truex completed only 64/250 laps. However, he commented that "his best year in the cup came after the same thing happened in Fontana," so maybe things are looking up for this driver.

For you Jimmie Johnson fans out there, yes I know you've done your happy pants dances, and gloated about the first win in the drive-for-five, but calm yourselves it's only the second race and all it proves is that he's not rolling over just yet.

Other teams that stood out this weekend was RCR's #29-Penzoil team. Driver Kevin Harvick finished second at Auto Club Speedway and is now sitting atop the Sprint Cup standings. Harvick led a total of 27 laps Sunday after starting 6th.

Roush driver, Matt Kenseth, was in the news much of last week for his new crew chief,Todd Parrott who replaces Drew Blickensderfer. The surprise move switch has Blickensderfer, 17-car crew chief since December of 2008, working in the teams department at Roush Fenway Racing.

That's the roundup for Fontana. Tune in tomorrow to talk about Driver's and their tweets?!?