When we set up the new Conway NASCAR League blog, replacing our previous website, we wanted to make it interactive. With that in mind, we identified some other websites and blogs we thought you may find interesting. They are located on the right, and you can click to go visit them.
One of the blogs, Life In The Turn Lane, was written by Charlotte Observer NASCAR beat writer David Poole. In a bit of very sad news, Poole died today of a heart attack, notes The Charlotte Observer.
Jayski says Poole helped him get started, and we know just how good Jayski is. I really enjoyed reading Poole's blog, and his last column, posted post Talladega, ran in today's paper. Poole must have driven a Pontiac, and he will indeed be missed.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
White Knuckle Highway
When the good ole boys hit the Superspeedway restrictor plate races at Daytona and Talladega, the races usually invovle a major accident, which is commonly referred to as the big one. Often, the big on has been followed by a late race accident involving cars getting airborne.
The reason NASCAR implemented the restrictor plate, a small plate placed over the carburetor which restricts the flow of fuel to the engine thus reducing horsepower, was due to the following crash in 1987 as Bobby Allison in his Miller High Life Buick almost entered the grandstands. Check it out:
The placement of the restrictor plate slowed the cars down about from about 210 to 195 and seemed to bunch the cars together for tight racing, but it did not stop the major crashes. Take a look at Neil Bonnett, who was returning to competition after a few years in the television booth in the Mom and Pops Chevrolet Lumina, a car owned by his buddy, Dale Earnhardt.
Bonnett would later lose his life in a practice lap in his Country Time Lemonade Chevrolet at Daytona in 1994.
Another nasty crash at Talladega found Rusty Wallace finishing the race in sixth place in his Miller Genuine Draft Pontiac Grand Prix barrel rolling through he air. Take a look at this one:
Other drivers who have had last lap flips at Talladega, otherwise known as the White Knuckle Highway, are Elliott Sadler in the M&M's Ford and Bobby Labonte in the Interstate Batteries Pontiac.
The running of the Aarons's 449 yesterday at Talladega Superspeedway had it all. We had the big one on lap eight and then a very scary incident involving Carl Edwards as his Ford Fusion, in an eerily similar crash to the aforementioned Bobby Allison crash, almost entered the stands. Eight spectators were injured, either from debris from Edwards car or from broken parts of the catch fence. Check out this heartstopper:
I have been attending races at Daytona since 1992 and the catch fence is quite imposing and obviously capable of prohibiting the cars from breaking through to enter the stands. You can see the fencing in this photo of Jeff Gordon in his Dupont Chevy at Daytona last year:
NASCAR has made great safety strides with the safer walls, the catch fencing, the restrictor plates, roof flaps, fuel cells, roll cages and the HANS device. I remember Ernie Irvan and Dale Earnhardt wrecking in front of me on the Daytona Superstretch in 1997 when Irvans hood flew up toward where we were sitting. NASCAR is an awesome thrill and I love the sport, but I am in those stands twice a year and find it amazing there have been very few spectator injuries. Maybe ISC (ISCA:NASDAQ) might want to consider raising the fence height about two feet or so after the events of this past weekend. NASCAR is reviewing policies.
The reason NASCAR implemented the restrictor plate, a small plate placed over the carburetor which restricts the flow of fuel to the engine thus reducing horsepower, was due to the following crash in 1987 as Bobby Allison in his Miller High Life Buick almost entered the grandstands. Check it out:
The placement of the restrictor plate slowed the cars down about from about 210 to 195 and seemed to bunch the cars together for tight racing, but it did not stop the major crashes. Take a look at Neil Bonnett, who was returning to competition after a few years in the television booth in the Mom and Pops Chevrolet Lumina, a car owned by his buddy, Dale Earnhardt.
Bonnett would later lose his life in a practice lap in his Country Time Lemonade Chevrolet at Daytona in 1994.
Another nasty crash at Talladega found Rusty Wallace finishing the race in sixth place in his Miller Genuine Draft Pontiac Grand Prix barrel rolling through he air. Take a look at this one:
Other drivers who have had last lap flips at Talladega, otherwise known as the White Knuckle Highway, are Elliott Sadler in the M&M's Ford and Bobby Labonte in the Interstate Batteries Pontiac.
The running of the Aarons's 449 yesterday at Talladega Superspeedway had it all. We had the big one on lap eight and then a very scary incident involving Carl Edwards as his Ford Fusion, in an eerily similar crash to the aforementioned Bobby Allison crash, almost entered the stands. Eight spectators were injured, either from debris from Edwards car or from broken parts of the catch fence. Check out this heartstopper:
I have been attending races at Daytona since 1992 and the catch fence is quite imposing and obviously capable of prohibiting the cars from breaking through to enter the stands. You can see the fencing in this photo of Jeff Gordon in his Dupont Chevy at Daytona last year:NASCAR has made great safety strides with the safer walls, the catch fencing, the restrictor plates, roof flaps, fuel cells, roll cages and the HANS device. I remember Ernie Irvan and Dale Earnhardt wrecking in front of me on the Daytona Superstretch in 1997 when Irvans hood flew up toward where we were sitting. NASCAR is an awesome thrill and I love the sport, but I am in those stands twice a year and find it amazing there have been very few spectator injuries. Maybe ISC (ISCA:NASDAQ) might want to consider raising the fence height about two feet or so after the events of this past weekend. NASCAR is reviewing policies.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Open Thread Talladega
Things happen in a hurry at The White Knuckle Highway, as Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth found out during yesterdays Aarons 312 at Talladega Superspeedway.
This is an impound race with no practice after qualifying. The final practice speeds are HERE, with Carl Edwards topping the chart. The field for todays race is set, with Juan Pablo Montoya as the polesitter. Anybody got any predictions for today's race. Will Montoya take the checkers or maybe Junior will get it done today?
This is an impound race with no practice after qualifying. The final practice speeds are HERE, with Carl Edwards topping the chart. The field for todays race is set, with Juan Pablo Montoya as the polesitter. Anybody got any predictions for today's race. Will Montoya take the checkers or maybe Junior will get it done today?
Week 8 Commentary
A Saturday night shootout at Phoenix International Raceway saw fan favorite Mark Martin roll into victory lane. Martin win was very popular, with drivers Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart showing up in victory circle to congratulate him.
Budah led all Conway NASCAR League racers to the stripe with a post of 1065 points. Eight drivers, including BMF Lugnuts*, SPC Racing, BAHL, WTF Rcing, The Big LeBowski, Blind Squirrel Racing, URBANSGATORS and Slow Motion Racing, tied for second with 1042 points.
We had a few who did not adjust their lineups, and as usual, they paid a heavy price. Among the car behind the wall were Team Glass, Club BDawg*, JD Racing* and Turn4Gator (must have been delayed in Hogtown from the Orange and Blue game).
The standings are beginning to settle in a bit now that we have ran a few races with box 2. Racers who made the best of PIR included Slow Motion Racing, Greendbud, Budah WHS Racing, URBANSGATORS, SPC, Team Taser^, The Big LeBowski and BMF Lugnuts*.
Toga Phil and Ed Racing* crashed out early, dropping over 20 spots. Other who had issue were Snookbabe, Oiler^, Team Glass, Big Time Drivers* and Blood or Tears Racing.
This week we head to the White Knuckle Highway in Talladega, AL for the Aarons 499. The green flag drops at 2:16PM, and it commands your full attention.
Budah led all Conway NASCAR League racers to the stripe with a post of 1065 points. Eight drivers, including BMF Lugnuts*, SPC Racing, BAHL, WTF Rcing, The Big LeBowski, Blind Squirrel Racing, URBANSGATORS and Slow Motion Racing, tied for second with 1042 points.
We had a few who did not adjust their lineups, and as usual, they paid a heavy price. Among the car behind the wall were Team Glass, Club BDawg*, JD Racing* and Turn4Gator (must have been delayed in Hogtown from the Orange and Blue game).
The standings are beginning to settle in a bit now that we have ran a few races with box 2. Racers who made the best of PIR included Slow Motion Racing, Greendbud, Budah WHS Racing, URBANSGATORS, SPC, Team Taser^, The Big LeBowski and BMF Lugnuts*.
Toga Phil and Ed Racing* crashed out early, dropping over 20 spots. Other who had issue were Snookbabe, Oiler^, Team Glass, Big Time Drivers* and Blood or Tears Racing.
This week we head to the White Knuckle Highway in Talladega, AL for the Aarons 499. The green flag drops at 2:16PM, and it commands your full attention.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Open Thread Phoenix
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The King Visits Hannity
Seven time Sprint Cup Series Champion Richard Petty joins FOX News Sean Hannity on the Great America Panel kicking around some of the political issues of the day.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Week 7 Commentary
Jeff Gordon finally mastered Texas Motor Speedway as he collected his first win at the track, leaving on Homestead-Miami Speedway as the only track he has not visited victory lane at.
WTC Racing led the Conway NASCAR League to the finish line, collecting their first win of the season. Crossing the stripe of his left rear quarter panel were WTC Racing, Lug Nuts*, O Racing and SPC Racing.
Burke, O Racing, Sweethang (nice team photo), Speedway Princess, SPC Racing and Brady Bunch* were the top movers for the week.
Caught in the very few cautions we had were Brian Racing*, Smoke's Fury, Blood or Tears Racing, Budah, The Big Lebowski (seats A2-A4 at Chili) and Jimbo, causing a steep drop in the standings.
NJ Motorsports has grabbed a share of the lead with BAHL, The Blue Deuce, WTF Racing and Tippy Twister round out the top five.
We take Easter weekend off and return on April 19th at Phoenix International Raceway, home of Ricky Racer and his moped. The Nationwide gang will be at Nashville on Saturday, so you will get some racing over the weekend.
Happy Easter!
WTC Racing led the Conway NASCAR League to the finish line, collecting their first win of the season. Crossing the stripe of his left rear quarter panel were WTC Racing, Lug Nuts*, O Racing and SPC Racing.
Burke, O Racing, Sweethang (nice team photo), Speedway Princess, SPC Racing and Brady Bunch* were the top movers for the week.
Caught in the very few cautions we had were Brian Racing*, Smoke's Fury, Blood or Tears Racing, Budah, The Big Lebowski (seats A2-A4 at Chili) and Jimbo, causing a steep drop in the standings.
NJ Motorsports has grabbed a share of the lead with BAHL, The Blue Deuce, WTF Racing and Tippy Twister round out the top five.
We take Easter weekend off and return on April 19th at Phoenix International Raceway, home of Ricky Racer and his moped. The Nationwide gang will be at Nashville on Saturday, so you will get some racing over the weekend.
Happy Easter!
King Puts Andretti in Indy 500 Seat
Richard Petty, the King of stock car racing, will for the first time field an entry in the Indianapolis 500. John Andretti, who is the last driver to win on the Sprint Cup Series in the famed 43, will be the driver.
No doubt, I will be pulling hard for a win for the 43.
No doubt, I will be pulling hard for a win for the 43.Saturday, April 4, 2009
Open Thread Texas
We are set for the SAMSUNG 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. David Reutimann is our polesitter. Jimmie Johnson was fastest in Happy Hour practice.
Texas is a very fast race track and you can get in trouble in a hurry. However, for the most part it is a snoozer. Kyle Busch dominated last year. What are your thoughts on Texas and who might visit victory lane on Sunday?
Texas is a very fast race track and you can get in trouble in a hurry. However, for the most part it is a snoozer. Kyle Busch dominated last year. What are your thoughts on Texas and who might visit victory lane on Sunday?
Thursday, April 2, 2009
WEEK 6 Commentary
It seems the COT is limiting the damage of bumping and banging as Martinsville came and went without too many ruffled feathers. I guess we should not have posted a story on Denny Hamlin as he had some bad luck in the form of Jimmie Johnson moving him out the way en route to yet another grandfather clock.
Folks were completely dialed in for the short track at Martinsville at the aggregate scores were among the highest ever recorded for our league. Team Taser, who had a sensational rookie campaign a year ago, led the way as the only racer over 1100 points. He had no room to rest as AFC Patriots, Glynn^, The Big LeBowski and Burke were off his right rear wing. 56 drivers scored over 1000 points.
Speaking of Burke, we wish him a speedy recovery from some under the hood work he had to undergo. We will keep his beer cold in the interim.
BAHL managed to retake the lead and win the first of six segments. Since his highest finish ever is 12th, he likely will drop back in the field after the first set of pit stops, which is now as the boxes will change for this weeks race at Texas Motor Speedway. The Blue Deuce*, WTF Racing, Ratatack and Brian Racing* round out our top five. Seventeen drivers are still within 200 points from the lead while 3 drivers have top tens 50% of the time, which at the end of day will guarantee a strong finish. Five drivers have 2 top fives, most notably former champ Glynn^. Needless to say, top five finishes bode well.
Racescore keep stats on the segment leaders so you can check it for the segment two leaders as we progress.
As previously mentioned, this weeks race is at Texas Motor Speedway, which is one of the fastest track on the circuit. The green flag drops at @2:16PM. You may not want to miss qualifying, which provided some real excitement last season. Refresh your memory:
Folks were completely dialed in for the short track at Martinsville at the aggregate scores were among the highest ever recorded for our league. Team Taser, who had a sensational rookie campaign a year ago, led the way as the only racer over 1100 points. He had no room to rest as AFC Patriots, Glynn^, The Big LeBowski and Burke were off his right rear wing. 56 drivers scored over 1000 points.
Speaking of Burke, we wish him a speedy recovery from some under the hood work he had to undergo. We will keep his beer cold in the interim.
BAHL managed to retake the lead and win the first of six segments. Since his highest finish ever is 12th, he likely will drop back in the field after the first set of pit stops, which is now as the boxes will change for this weeks race at Texas Motor Speedway. The Blue Deuce*, WTF Racing, Ratatack and Brian Racing* round out our top five. Seventeen drivers are still within 200 points from the lead while 3 drivers have top tens 50% of the time, which at the end of day will guarantee a strong finish. Five drivers have 2 top fives, most notably former champ Glynn^. Needless to say, top five finishes bode well.
Racescore keep stats on the segment leaders so you can check it for the segment two leaders as we progress.
As previously mentioned, this weeks race is at Texas Motor Speedway, which is one of the fastest track on the circuit. The green flag drops at @2:16PM. You may not want to miss qualifying, which provided some real excitement last season. Refresh your memory:
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
April Fools on the Hill
Car and Driver is reporting the President Obama has directed that General Motors and Chrysler cease participation in NASCAR after the 2009 season due to financial woes at the now government sponsored companies.Well, it is April Fools, so at least for now, this is a joke. The idiocy in Washington, however unfortunate, is not.
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