December 07, 2013

Saturday Car Thread 12/7/13 - [Niedermeyer's Dead Horse]
— Open Blogger

A couple of young men died this week while racing down a city street in Santa Clarita, CA. Many people died that day, folks from all over the country, but we know of these particular deaths because one of the dead was a Hollywood star. The fact that he was famous and drawing so much press coverage sent many on Twitter into a faux rage about all the attention he received due to his fame. And, I agree that his death is not more tragic simply because he was famous. However, I would also argue that his death was not less tragic either. A young man died and left behind a family who loved him. The fact that we know this due to his fame simply means that we can put a name and a face to the death and that fact alone makes it more personal. Nothing more, nothing less.

R.I.P. Paul Walker


Driving is a dangerous undertaking which is only made more dangerous when speed and/or alcohol are introduced into the environment. There's a reason why racing is conducted in a controlled environment. That's not to say that we haven't all done it. We have, and are blessed to have survived our foolishness. And, that's not to say that all speed is bad. In fact, you're better off not being the slowest guy on the road when every one else is doing 75 mph, but racing down a public street is not the ideal for either the driver, the passenger, or those in close proximity. Toss in some distracted drivers, a few selfish assholes, and a foreigner or two trying to adapt to driving on the right side of the road and, well, it's one big crash-stew on simmer.

Originally, when composing this post, I captured images of famous accident scenes but, in the end, it was all too ghoulish to post. However, it served as a reminder that no person is immune in a car crash: Not the young and beautiful. Not the very wealthy or famous. Not the elite. Not the politician. (See Princesses Grace and Diana, Dodi Fayed, James Dean, Sam Kinison, Harry Chapin, Jayne Mansfield, and Mary Jo Kopechne to start). Hell, even in a controlled environment and with the very best-in-class behind the wheel...

With all the latest advancements in safety in use...

With the latest in automotive design applied...

Even when the accident looks completely survivable...

Speed can kill.

In happier news: The 6th generation Ford Mustang was unveiled this week and, thus far, the press is positive. I've gotta hand it to Ford because those glamour shots on their website are stunning. Looking at it from the side, from the rear tire forward, it has a very refined look to it.


While we're at it, can someone tell me, please, just what the heck they were thinking with Gen-3?


Click here for a more detailed timeline of the evolution of the Mustang.


From the twitter world, where I am now honored to be followed by one Ms. Ruth Buzzi, I have learned that her Rolls Royce is up for sale. Just last week she sold her 1967 Jaguar. It's funny. I would never have thought of Ms. Buzzi as a Rolls Royce kind of gal.

Remember, speed kills. Take your time. Smell the roses.



Feel free to drop suggestions, complaints, and commendations to me at teh Twitter.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 11:25 AM | Comments (252)
Post contains 576 words, total size 5 kb.

1 Paul Walker's best movie is not one of the Fast And Furious movies but a movie named Running Scared. Good actor.

Posted by: Roc Ingersol at December 07, 2013 11:28 AM (aPEuQ)

2 i'm torn I used to race bikes and would never try it on streets what he did could have killed innocents too the hell with him sorry, just my 2 cents

Posted by: navycopjoe FORZA AZZURRI!!! at December 07, 2013 11:29 AM (JFrBt)

3 My death machine when I was a teen was a Cutlass Salon with a 455 Rocket . Only by the grace of god am I still here.

Posted by: Roc Ingersol at December 07, 2013 11:31 AM (aPEuQ)

4 There is no such thing as a muscle car with a "hatchback." 

Purity laws demand it.

Posted by: Fritz at December 07, 2013 11:32 AM (TKFmG)

5 Walker was in a car that had no business on the street as any deviation in the road surface could cause it to go out of control.

Posted by: Roc Ingersol at December 07, 2013 11:34 AM (aPEuQ)

6 There is a reason street racing is 10 points here and automatic loss of license.

Posted by: Vic at December 07, 2013 11:34 AM (RlOaM)

7 While we're at it, can someone tell me, please, just what the heck they were thinking with Gen-3?

They clearly wanted to draft on the powerful pull of the AMC Maverick.

Posted by: pep at December 07, 2013 11:34 AM (6TB1Z)

8 I can honestly say I don't speed and have never sped.  In fact, I am that little old lady with hands clutched at 10 and 2.  The one whose head you can't see over the wheel.  In the right hand lane.  Going 5 under.  That's me. 

Posted by: mama winger at December 07, 2013 11:35 AM (P6QsQ)

9
"young man" at 40?

Posted by: All Grown Up at December 07, 2013 11:35 AM (bkTIc)

10 Strange thing for me to say but somehow my life changed when Dale crashed. I was a huge nascar fan and bigger Dale fan, but I didn't know him in real life but it affected me. One of the mysteries I could never figure out. Nascar has sucked since btw.

Posted by: traye at December 07, 2013 11:35 AM (mLcRC)

11 They clearly wanted to draft on the powerful pull of the AMC Maverick. *** Why yes! Of course! Every young man's dream car.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at December 07, 2013 11:36 AM (DmNpO)

12 It ain't the speed that kills.

It's the sudden unexpected stop that does it.

Gen 3 (Mustang II) I think was about CAFE standards and gas mileage (no v8 ).

They put the Mustang on a smaller chassis (pinto's) to lighten up the total weight.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That (Unexpurgated Edition) at December 07, 2013 11:38 AM (LSDdO)

13 Posted by: mama winger at December 07, 2013 03:35 PM (P6QsQ) Get out of the way lady some people have places to be!!!!

Posted by: Roc Ingersol at December 07, 2013 11:38 AM (aPEuQ)

14 In the right hand lane. Going 5 under. That's me.

As long as you're in the right lane, more power to you.  Leave the left lane Thunderdome to the crazies like me.

Posted by: pep at December 07, 2013 11:38 AM (6TB1Z)

15 The infamous Pintang. But to be fair, pretty much every American car was a piece of shit in that era. *** Ha! I've never heard it called that before.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at December 07, 2013 11:39 AM (DmNpO)

16 Get out of the way lady some people have places to be!!!!


------------------



I get that a lot.  That, and the finger. 

Posted by: mama winger at December 07, 2013 11:39 AM (P6QsQ)

17 Oh gawd, that Mustang looks like it came out of a Jello-O mold as a deformed Camaro...

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 07, 2013 11:40 AM (kFy87)

18 Walker was in a car that had no business on the street as any deviation in the road surface could cause it to go out of control. *** A marvelous car to look at but I can imagine it jumping off the pavement with every little bump.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at December 07, 2013 11:40 AM (DmNpO)

19 Ruth Buzzi is a moron lurker, or even possibly an 'ette? Small world.

Posted by: rickl at December 07, 2013 11:41 AM (sdi6R)

20 Nicest performance car I ever owned? 1969 Buick GS 455 Fastest Car I ever owned? 1998 Camaro SS with a 2:73 rear end and every body and frame brace available. Best racing car I ever owned? A tricked out 2001 Dodge Neon R/T

Posted by: Dept. Of Acuracy at December 07, 2013 11:41 AM (MhA4j)

21 Are they going to fix the transmission in the new Mustang?   The huge ratio jump from 5th to 6th was the dealbreaker for me, really unpleasant.  My new Challenger doesn't have that problem.

Posted by: SpongeBobSaget at December 07, 2013 11:41 AM (kxSZr)

22 The Pintang, not to be confused with the Poontang....

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 07, 2013 11:41 AM (kFy87)

23 I spent my youth racing everything that had wheels. I was, and still am, a consummate gear head. Blood flows Valvoline. From learning how to road-race one of the very early rotary Rx-2's from Mazda, to whipping a 302-powered Comet around like a rum-runner (and getting blown by 460's all day) to spending my weekends street racing my Grand National. KC, Columbus, Chicago, Atlanta, St Louis. Running those that thought they MIGHT be better. And enjoying every minute of it. Taking home a few hundred a weekend just paid for the racing fuel at the few times I could make it to a track. Its addictive, fun, and instructional. Only the strong and the lucky survive. Mostly the lucky. Back then, out-gunning the popo wasn't so hard. Nowadays, forget it. But I'll still drop a fin if you want to line that new Mustang up.... wrung whatcha brung man...

Posted by: Mr. Wolf at December 07, 2013 11:41 AM (Ss56U)

24 What was that?  A Ricky Bobby movie review? 

Posted by: Dash Ripp-Rock at December 07, 2013 11:46 AM (GjPnA)

25 O O  <<<Venn diagram of  Pintang-poon tang relationship.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 07, 2013 11:47 AM (8Fl6F)

26 There's a reason why racing is conducted in a controlled environment. That's not to say that we haven't all done it. We have, and are blessed to have survived our foolishness. -- I'm not a big speeder and have never been ticketed for a moving violation. When I was in CA I became a little bit of a tailgater at low speeds, but I've broken that habit after rear-ending a completely clueless Frenchman at low speed when he finally decided to stop at a (not controlled) intersection after the dude had been slowing to near stops at five prior intersections. I didn't get ticketed or anything, but if I'd been more patient, I wouldn't have hit him. It's such a PITA to deal with the after-effects of a car accident that I'm determined to do everything I can do to avoid another one. Of course, our only other accident was being t-boned by a drunk driver, so there's only so much you can do!

Posted by: Y-not at December 07, 2013 11:49 AM (zDsvJ)

27 RIP Allan Simonsen, who died in at this years 24 Hours of LeMans. Racing is dangerous business. Somebody mentioned Earnhardt's death above. My interest waned for NASCAR after he died and I wasn't even a big fan of his. He was just an interesting cat. NASCAR does suck now. Can't even watch it.

Posted by: puddleglum at December 07, 2013 11:49 AM (+31mQ)

28 There was a mechanic who was a family friend, his sons were one year older and one year younger than me. The older had a 57 Chevy the younger a Chevelle. As far as I know neither ever raced on the street but did so at the track. On the day of my senior prom, the younger son was coming back from the drag strip as a passenger in a friend's car. Just a run of the mill underpowered camaro. The driver ran off the road, not speeding, car rolled, that was that. The wonder is that humans survive in such a high energy environment that is even a moderate speed crash. I had a girl totally run a red light and t bone me and opened my car like a tuna can. The responding officer had JUST come from another accident exactly like mine on the same street about 2 miles away. The t boned driver in the other accident didn't survive. I think I missed that fate by being about one foot forward in travel. The major impact was just behind my seat and not directly at me. I say ban assault cars.

Posted by: traye at December 07, 2013 11:50 AM (mLcRC)

29 I liked the gallery of the 2015 Mustang until the picture of the hipster with the guitar wearing the skinny jeans. What the hell was that all about?

Posted by: unf-ing-believable at December 07, 2013 11:50 AM (hbT3H)

30 My senior year in high school was marked by a 1978 Mustang King Cobra that my grandfather had bought for my grandmother, under the logic that it had an automatic and thus would be easier to drive than her Chevette stick. Obviously I had to save her from this fallacy.

And that's really what it was -- a very tarted-up Pinto with zero cargo space. The 302 V8 was going to last forever, since it had been derated to barely 130 horsepower in a desperate attempt to keep a chassis with a weight balance somewhere north of "front-heavy" from playing hockey puck every time the gas pedal was liberally applied. During an ice storm in January, I drove the car everywhere for two weeks without ever once touching the gas pedal. I also learned quickly never to go over 55 mph with the T-tops off, because at that speed the lift on the rear end was enough to start a tail-wag like a Lab on crystal meth.

But it WAS a King Cobra -- and scarily enough, it was a better-driving and handling car than my mother's '87 Monte Carlo SS. We held on to it, because it turns out Ford only made 500 of them with factory T-tops and it is, in fact, a collectible.

Posted by: North Dallas Thirty at December 07, 2013 11:51 AM (VtbkC)

31 21-DOA- The GSX and GS-455 are still among the sickest things you can put on pavement. 510lbs of foundation-ripping torque will convince you. The GS/X at full boil from a flag drop has to be felt. I'm sure the new Stang/Challengers/Vettes are a thrill to take around corners and such, but, notice they don't riff on torque numbers. HP, yes, but its the torque that really talks to you.

Posted by: Mr. Wolf at December 07, 2013 11:51 AM (Ss56U)

32 >>The Pintang, not to be confused with the Poontang.... Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD But with the right car....

Posted by: Aviator at December 07, 2013 11:51 AM (DI+ja)

33 Paul Walker was apparently a Hollywood actor that appeared in a bunch of movies that I never saw, and have no desire to see, ever, simply because I am about 99% done with movies, period. So, too bad, so sad. If his death with smarten up some of the LIV's out there about the dangers of driving like a dickhead, good.

And the new Mustang? Meh. Looks like your standard new retro-car. Nothing exceptional. For what one costs, you could buy a Series I Mustang, add some modern parts, and have a really fun GT car.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 07, 2013 11:52 AM (8Fl6F)

34 *frowns* 

Took this online grammar test.  32 questions.  Scored 81% and it still rated me as a grammar guru.

That is disturbing n'est ce pas?

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 07, 2013 11:54 AM (kFy87)

35 I liked the gallery of the 2015 Mustang until the picture of the hipster with the guitar wearing the skinny jeans. What the hell was that all about? Posted by: unf-ing-believable at December 07, 2013 03:50 PM (hbT3H) No shit. He aint got no FKN Money. Advertise with a forty something with a blonde twenty something next to him. Feed the narcissism, FEED IT!!!. Or, professional single women. Believe it or not. Teh Womens like their muscle cars.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at December 07, 2013 11:54 AM (XIxXP)

36 O O <<

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at December 07, 2013 11:54 AM (DmNpO)

37 Incidentally, the fastest I've ever gone in a car was somewhere north of 100mph in my 1985 Tempo GLS five-speed.

And then that same day, my best friend and I flipped his Subaru BRAT going about 10 mph on a gravel road.

Karma has a strange and twisted sense of humor.

Posted by: North Dallas Thirty at December 07, 2013 11:55 AM (VtbkC)

38 "However, I would also argue that his death was not less tragic either. A young man died and left behind a family who loved him."

Sorry, but I would have to disagree. Considering his family included his girlfriend who he started dating when she was 16 and he in his 30's it clear the man placed self indulgence over prudence. Given that his death is not tragic at all but predictable. May he rest in peace and I will pray for the people who cared for him.

Posted by: Rocks at December 07, 2013 11:56 AM (vR0sZ)

39 The fabulous Mustang II and that super-performer from GM......the Monza!

Posted by: BignJames at December 07, 2013 11:56 AM (j7iSn)

40 I think you are all referring to the 2nd Generation, which was also called "Mustang II". The Generation 3 was what became known as the "5.0". They were popular at the drag strip.

Posted by: Chris M at December 07, 2013 11:56 AM (4lyMJ)

41 Ruth Buzzi?  How cool!  Just hope her bippy is okay.

Posted by: Ammo Dump at December 07, 2013 11:57 AM (GgPam)

42 It looks like an Audi

Posted by: LurkerB at December 07, 2013 11:58 AM (KZ+oE)

43 '70  Z28. I loved that car. Had to give it up. do to 'bad luck'.

Like Dirty Harry said, "Ya gotta know yer limitations.'

Posted by: It's Science Fiction all the way back. at December 07, 2013 11:58 AM (+RGrp)

44 Ruth Buzzi? How cool! Just hope her bippy is okay. Posted by: Ammo Dump at December 07, 2013 03:57 PM (GgPam) I know who Ruth Buzzi is. I like ruth Buzzi. But god am I old.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at December 07, 2013 11:58 AM (XIxXP)

45 Nice NDH. I knew Earnhardt personally. Since his death NASCAR has never been the same. I really didn't need to see that tape again.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 11:59 AM (0FSuD)

46 I am sorry the 2015 body style shows Ford is going back to the post-Fox design.  Curvy molded blah.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 07, 2013 11:59 AM (kFy87)

47 Well since this is a car thread. I just finished my first week of work in eight years. Twelve hour days at the BMW PLANT IN SPARTANBERG SC. If anyone wants to know about their X1 or X5. I may have some answers.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at December 07, 2013 12:01 PM (XIxXP)

48 Buick Grand Nat. turbo v-6.....said to outrun Vettes....supposedly why they ceased production.

Posted by: BignJames at December 07, 2013 12:01 PM (j7iSn)

49 I had a V8 Monza once. Bought from a brain-dead kid who was using it to emulate Evel Knievel, jumping ramps in a gravel pit. He had landed hard, and caved in the oil pan, and bent the front K-member. The engine leaked oil, and knocked like a bastard because the crankshaft counterweights were hitting the oil pan. He thought he had blown the engine. I straightened out the pan, and got enough straightening back into the K-member that the wheels would align. Hung a paint job on it, and some better interior parts from Pick-A-Part.


It was a fast, fun little car, with a 4-speed transmission, and I made a nice buck when I eventually sold. It was ticket-bait.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 07, 2013 12:02 PM (8Fl6F)

50 That Gen 5 Mustang looks exactly like a Hyundai Gensis.

They chose ... poorly.

Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at December 07, 2013 12:02 PM (uCNam)

51 I really didn't need to see that tape again. Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 03:59 PM (0FSuD) I didn't know him. I never met him. But I did go on a three day drunk when he died. He was my version of Americana. What an American man is supposed to be, flaws and all.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at December 07, 2013 12:03 PM (XIxXP)

52 Fastest I have ever gone in a car was 115.  It was the last time I drove my 1966 Chrysler Newport 2 door.  I lover that car.... slept 6.  It was on Morrison County Rd 39 headed to the cabin.  Blew a rod.  I cried like a 2 year old.

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Gruntled New Business Owner at December 07, 2013 12:03 PM (jucos)

53 That Mustang looks more like a Hyundai.

Posted by: Musty Wang at December 07, 2013 12:03 PM (R6JT1)

54
"Pintang"

You know, I saw a Pinto in a parking lot a couple of years back.  Obviously a never restored daily driver, just well preserved by the SoCal climate. Must say I was favorably disposed. Attractive in it's way for a small car. No idea how the drive-train survived mechanically for over 35 years.

And tell me this bad boy ain't the ultimate panty peeler:

Hemmings Find of the Day – 1978 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon

http://tinyurl.com/kau85rg

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at December 07, 2013 12:04 PM (kdS6q)

55 Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at December 07, 2013 04:01 PM (XIxXP) Contract or regular staff?

Posted by: BignJames at December 07, 2013 12:04 PM (j7iSn)

56 Favorite car:  *turn the key-- it starts and runs*


Posted by: JeanQ at December 07, 2013 12:04 PM (82lr7)

57 Contract or regular staff? Posted by: BignJames at December 07, 2013 04:04 PM (j7iSn) Contract moving to staff after no screw ups and 2000 hours.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at December 07, 2013 12:05 PM (XIxXP)

58 "20 Ruth Buzzi is a moron lurker, or even possibly an 'ette? Small world.

Posted by: rickl at December 07, 2013 03:41 PM (sdi6R)"



I saw her ahead of me in line paying for breakfast at Old West Cafe one Sunday.  She seemed like a nice person, was gracious to people who recognized her and did not pull any DYKWIA crap on the staff.  It is good to know that not everybody who has the opportunity to lord it over the proles chooses to do so. 



Of course, I don't really know the woman and maybe she just doesn't want to attract the attention of the authorities who might ask inconvenient questions about all that recent digging in the back yard and all the missing hobos.

Posted by: Obnoxious A-hole at December 07, 2013 12:06 PM (BcCwi)

59 No shit. He aint got no FKN Money. Advertise with a forty something with a blonde twenty something next to him. Feed the narcissism, FEED IT!!!. Or, professional single women. Believe it or not. Teh Womens like their muscle cars *** Seriously LMAO

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at December 07, 2013 12:06 PM (DmNpO)

60 Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 03:59 PM (0FSuD) I met him when he drove for Bud Moore out of Spartanburg.

Posted by: BignJames at December 07, 2013 12:06 PM (j7iSn)

61

car thread...the 5th generation is a fantastic ride...bad blind spot and air can get underneath it in traffic though.  and the factory tires suck.

 

MustangII -> yikes! gas lines, café standards, insurance rates.

 

afternoon horde.

Posted by: rich@gmu at December 07, 2013 12:07 PM (3yFC4)

62 One of the best racing movies, Le Mans with Steve McQueen is now out in blu-ray.

Posted by: YIKES! at December 07, 2013 12:08 PM (mETGQ)

63 Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at December 07, 2013 04:05 PM (XIxXP) A year....sounds good.

Posted by: BignJames at December 07, 2013 12:08 PM (j7iSn)

64 51- BignJames: yep. Out-run Vettes all day long, up until you hit your speed limiter (About 120 or so). At about 90 the wind became a factor- GN's were shaped like barn doors, Vettes were swallows. The Vette would take you out of the hole, but then the GN would spool up and hunt it down like a lion on a gazelle. Blow past about mid-track. The most famous T-shirt at the time was the 'we brake for Corvettes!' that Buick guys wore- pissed off the Vette owners something fierce. Even Car and Driver was able to verify it. I still have all the magazines from back in the day. GM even had a TWIN-turbo 3.8 in the wings- a bud had a truck load of them that were engineering mules. Gawd I wish I had that today...

Posted by: Mr. Wolf at December 07, 2013 12:08 PM (Ss56U)

65 I taught my kids that the most dangerous thing they would ever do is get in a car and turn the key.  It is and will ever be.  That we rely on the oncoming moron to stay in his lane is an act of faith.  A fatal accident speed?  30 mph.  Little bro the cop has pics of MVA's that quickly made believers of my corn kids and they are safe drivers.  But its not about them unfortunately.   That and 25 years working in the OR seeing people turned inside out from 55-75mph to zero takes the macho out of driving real quick.  But I still get pissed at  slo-moes in the left lane.

Posted by: Right Lane at December 07, 2013 12:08 PM (pJMWm)

66 @48 I was a partner in a business with him. Teresa is still a b*tch. That is all.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 12:10 PM (0FSuD)

67 I used to complain about old men in hats driving so slowly in front of me. Watch if your stuck behind a slow moving vehicle odds are the driver will be an old man in a hat-or Mama Winger. Funny thing is I'm now the old man I'm a hat except I drive the speed limit plus 9.

Posted by: Northernlurker, moron wannabe at December 07, 2013 12:10 PM (BLAfs)

68 For people who don't follow Nascar it's perhaps hard to understand the emotion around Dale Sr's death.
Final turn of the last lap of the Dayton 500. Daytona being the Super Bowl or Nascar, or rather, the Masters or Wimbledon of Nascar. It's not the championship race, but it's the most prestigious, most watched, race of the season.

On that final turn, Dale Sr was in 3rd, Dale Jr was in 2nd, and Michael Waltrip was in 1st.
Dale Sr was a 7 time champion and arguably the greatest Nascar driver ever. It's him or Richard Petty.
Dale Jr was just in his 2nd full time season. Michael Waltrip had been racing in Nascar over a decade and had yet to win a single race.

Meanwhile Darrel Waltrip, 3x champion and Michael's older brother, was calling the race. Darrel Waltrip had just retired the previous season and now was the color commentator. Darrel was one of the all-time greats, while Michael had been a journeyman driver.

Another fact is that Dale Sr was a driver-owner. And both Dale Jr and Michael Waltrip were driving for DEI - Dale Earnhardt Inc.

So coming into that final turn, Darrel Waltrip was going insane with brotherly pride and fear that Michael would lose it on the last turn of the last lap.

Dale Jr and Michael Waltrip battle for the win coming off the final turn, while the wreck happens behind them. Michael wins and Darrel is going insane, literally crying with joy for his younger brother who'd live in his shadow his whole career.

Dale Jr is feeling great about finishing 2nd in the biggest race of the year, in only his 2nd full time season.

And if you watch a reply of the last laps, Darrel Waltrip's voice has so much emotion. Within a minute or two of his extreme joy for his brother you can hear a chilling fear creep into his voice as he's getting updates on his headset about the Dale Sr crash.  He can't tell the home audience but he's getting feedback that is not good, that Dale Sr isn't moving in the car, there's none of the reassuring feedback that you normally get after a regular wreck.

And what made Dale Jr the most popular driver in the past decade is the emotional bonding of the fans watching. Because after the finish the cameras caught him getting out of his car, and getting word about the severity, that his father is being removed from the car and put in an ambulance and taken straight to the hospital. And the cameras catch Dale Jr basically get out of his car and go from great joy to terrible concern and you see him literally get out of his car, take off his helmet, and take off running towards his dying father. Though we now know Dale Sr died instantly form the impact.

It'd be like, I don't know, Michael Jordan dying on the final play in the NBA finals after making a pass to his son, all while Magic Johnson was calling the game and his son made the winning shot. A maelstrom of emotion.

The boom and decline in Nascar's TV rating in the decade since Dale Sr's death are due to that intense emotional bonding wearing off over years. The emotional intensity of the event turned many millions of casual Nascar fans into much more hard-core fans ... for about 5 years. But, like with all deaths, the emotional intensity eventually faded.

Nascar's TV ratings boomed for years after Dale Sr's death, due to the intense emotional bonding of millions of viewers with Dale Jr because they saw that moment he learned his father was dead/dying, they saw him get out of his car and run to his father, and they heard that terrible emotion in Darrel Waltrip's voice as he went from tearful pride for his younger brother Michael, to tearful fear for his great friend Dale Jr.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 12:11 PM (ZPrif)

69 I had my tricked out Z-28 going 150mph, and it was smooth and steady enough to get me laid by one of the young cooters riding with me.  It wasn't until days later that I had the shit scared out of me by the realization that my tires/wheels were nowhere rated for that kind of speed.

Posted by: Fritz at December 07, 2013 12:11 PM (TKFmG)

70 A year....sounds good. Posted by: BignJames at December 07, 2013 04:08 PM (j7iSn) They are killin it. I could work twelve hours a day six days a week. They are building them for the world so there are several different models but damn, who has that much money?

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at December 07, 2013 12:12 PM (XIxXP)

71 Nice NDH. I knew Earnhardt personally. Since his death NASCAR has never been the same. I really didn't need to see that tape again. *** I apologize for that. I hope you have very fond memories of him. He seemed like a real man's-man.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at December 07, 2013 12:12 PM (DmNpO)

72 The fastest I have been in a vehicle wasn't in a car.  145 mph on a bike.

Posted by: Vic at December 07, 2013 12:12 PM (RlOaM)

73 Women in fast cars? Ever notice how many Corvettes are driven by middle aged big haired women?

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 12:14 PM (0FSuD)

74 I used to like stock car racing when it was stock. I have never liked NASCAR.

Posted by: Vic at December 07, 2013 12:14 PM (RlOaM)

75 Watch if your stuck behind a slow moving vehicle odds are the driver will be an old man in a hat-or Mama Winger....

Posted by: Northernlurker, moron wannabe at December 07, 2013 04:10 PM (BLAfs)


______________________



I heard that. 

Posted by: mama winger at December 07, 2013 12:14 PM (P6QsQ)

76 ~ban assault cars~ ...as long as an assault car is defined as 'any car driven by an non-attentive idiot.' And the roads seem full of them. My fastest car ever is one I have right now. Red '97 Prelude goosed up to 640 whp. Only three problems, really. Being front-wheel drive, you have to sacrifice all that hp just for traction when you start off the red light. Second, it's so modified that you have to pay attention to numerous distractions (and distractions kill). Thirdly, the fun begins past 80 mph. And I think you know what I mean.

Posted by: Dominari Nolo at December 07, 2013 12:15 PM (Em374)

77 Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 04:11 PM (ZPrif) Some people like Mike Waltrip, some don't. But he wrote a book about his life after that crash called, "In the blink of an eye" He opened up about what happened to his life afterwards. It was pretty traumatic.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at December 07, 2013 12:16 PM (XIxXP)

78 Got my 1960 Ford Falcon up to 80 MPH once.  For a small car is was really sweet.  Won't mind having another.  The bench seats were great to have at the drive-in as well.

Posted by: Ammo Dump at December 07, 2013 12:16 PM (GgPam)

79 Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 04:11 PM (ZPrif) *** As someone who never really followed Nascar but was well aware of the big names, foremost of which was Dale Sr., I think you described it quite well.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at December 07, 2013 12:16 PM (DmNpO)

80 @74 Not a problem. It just brings back a lot of good times I had with him and his crew. Stories? Shit I have a lot of years of them. NASCAR use to be a lot more fun before Brian fucked it up.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 12:16 PM (0FSuD)

81 Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at December 07, 2013 04:12 PM (XIxXP) If/when you go regular...do they still have the employee discount? Have you noticed how many Beemers are on the road in this area? Even the Highway Patrol has some M3s.

Posted by: BignJames at December 07, 2013 12:16 PM (j7iSn)

82 21
Nicest performance car I ever owned?
1969 Buick GS 455

----------------

Mmmmmmm... torque.

I'm no expert on muscle cars, but it seems to me that the Buick GS's are the thinking man's muscle car. Horsepower gets the press, but torque is where the fun is in the real world.

Posted by: Taro Tsujimoto at December 07, 2013 12:17 PM (celt+)

83 Here's a chart of Nascar's TV ratings from 1996 to 2013.
http://tinyurl.com/moxvolq
The effect of Dale Sr's death is dramatic.
Nascar went from average 3-3.5M viewers per race to about 5M viewers per race over night. Stayed there about 5 years, then from 2007-2010 it steadily declined back to ... about 3-3.5M viewers per race.
Nascar is pretty much back to where it was pre-Daytona 2001.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 12:17 PM (ZPrif)

84 Flatbush nailed it.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at December 07, 2013 12:17 PM (NbOvo)

85 I looked at the 2015 Mustang photo gallery. It looks like a Porsche Cayman/Hyundai Tiburon hybrid.

Not a bad thing. Just not a Mustang thing.

Posted by: Taro Tsujimoto at December 07, 2013 12:18 PM (celt+)

86 "37 It is highly unlikely that ownership of a Pintang ever provided access to poontang.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at December 07, 2013 03:54 PM (HGV/y)"



I am not sure you understand exactly how that works and the level of knowledge among the target audience.  I had a friend who owned a Honda Civic from which he had removed all of the Honda logos and to which he had attached a prancing stallion logo that he had bought somewhere as well as decals that said "Ferrari".  Most guys thought it was a clever joke.  However, it was a disturbingly effective aid to getting young ladies out of their panties.

Posted by: Obnoxious A-hole at December 07, 2013 12:19 PM (BcCwi)

87 I used to complain about old men in hats driving so slowly in front of me. Watch if your stuck behind a slow moving vehicle odds are the driver will be an old man in a hat-or Mama Winger. Funny thing is I'm now the old man I'm a hat except I drive the speed limit plus 9. Posted by: Northernlurker, moron wannabe at December 07, 2013 04:10 PM (BLAfs) ****** I think keeping the the turn signal for the next 100 miles is a requirement for the old folks around here.

Posted by: YIKES! at December 07, 2013 12:19 PM (mETGQ)

88 My number one rule of the road is this:  Anyone going slower than I am is an idiot, anyone driving faster than I am is a maniac.  George Carlin, smartest guy in the world.

Posted by: Peaches at December 07, 2013 12:20 PM (8lmkt)

89 I am not sure you understand exactly how that works and the level of knowledge among the target audience. I had a friend who owned a Honda Civic from which he had removed all of the Honda logos and to which he had attached a prancing stallion logo that he had bought somewhere as well as decals that said "Ferrari". Most guys thought it was a clever joke. However, it was a disturbingly effective aid to getting young ladies out of their panties. *** I am ashamed for my gender.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at December 07, 2013 12:20 PM (DmNpO)

90
The fastest I have been in a vehicle wasn't in a car..
Posted by: Vic

Velocipede?
Posted by: Cicero





Velociraptor.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at December 07, 2013 12:20 PM (kdS6q)

91 My wife's family owned a NASCAR team.  I won't mention names, but anyone who is  familiar with NASCAR knows the team well.  Multiple Daytona 500 winners.   They are now pretty much out of the game.  NASCAR sold out several years ago to the marketing agents.  It's now coming back to haunt them  in a big way. 

Posted by: Havedash at December 07, 2013 12:20 PM (ToMJU)

92 Posted by: Ammo Dump at December 07, 2013 04:16 PM (GgPam) A cousin's cousin had a '65 Falcon Sprint.....289...buckets...4 sp...tach a nice little ride if you couldn't get your hands on a Mustang.

Posted by: BignJames at December 07, 2013 12:21 PM (j7iSn)

93 They are now pretty much out of the game. NASCAR sold out several years ago to the marketing agents. It's now coming back to haunt them in a big way. *** aheeeem... NFL

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at December 07, 2013 12:21 PM (DmNpO)

94 If/when you go regular...do they still have the employee discount? Have you noticed how many Beemers are on the road in this area? Even the Highway Patrol has some M3s. Posted by: BignJames at December 07, 2013 04:16 PM (j7iSn) Not so many in the parking lot, and it's a big darn parking lot. lotsa big darn parking lots. They are non union and pay employees what they are worth and not some bloated union hourly rate. A good living, but not a 50-80K car owning living. There are however nice trucks in the parking lot as well as a few tricked out Minis. Which is why they are in SC. the BMW's I do see are older and some of those are tricked out nicely.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at December 07, 2013 12:21 PM (XIxXP)

95 71 The pass in the grass Bristol with no front end on his car "I didn't mean to wreck him, I just meant to rattle his cage" I was a ten year old NC boy his rookie year. I think it was a requirement that I lived a breathed iron head.

Posted by: traye at December 07, 2013 12:22 PM (mLcRC)

96 Anybody else doing this? http://www.mustang50thhalfmarathon.com/

50 years of the Mustang, as good a reason as any for a party.

Plus it's Vegas, so a spontaneous hobo hunt could break out.

Posted by: Blanco Basura at December 07, 2013 12:22 PM (JawqV)

97 There are 330 million Americans. If our life expectancy was 100 years (it's not, I'm being generous to make the math easier), that means 3.3 million of us die every year of *something*. This doesn't count the million or so babies executed for convenience, a number I include for perspective. With 365 days a year, most years, that means roughly 10,000 of us die every day, 400 every hour, 6 every minute, or one every ten seconds.

Which is why I tend not to get wrapped up in every sob story that comes along-if we tried to give an appropriate weight to all of them, we'd never have time for anything else.

Oh, and if you like driving into things at great speed without consequence, Grant Turismo 6 came out yesterday.

Posted by: Methos at December 07, 2013 12:24 PM (hO9ad)

98 I liked the gallery of the 2015 Mustang until the picture of the hipster with the guitar wearing the skinny jeans. What the hell was that all about?

Looks like hipsterdude is merely walking past...and the 'message' is likely:

If you grow up and get a REAL job, you'll be able to afford one of these!

Posted by: JeanQ at December 07, 2013 12:24 PM (82lr7)

99 All that torque is doing me a lot of good right now...

http://imageshack.com/a/img716/8622/xncd.jpg

Posted by: SpongeBobSaget at December 07, 2013 12:24 PM (kxSZr)

100 OK, let's try tinyurl...

http://tinyurl.com/k42sur5

Posted by: SpongeBobSaget at December 07, 2013 12:25 PM (kxSZr)

101 @87 Flatbush, it is not just DE's death. Bill, Jr retired and let his idiot son start to run NASCAR. He opened tracks in CA, KC, Chicago and closed N Wilksboro and Rockingham and took a race from Darlington. The "New NASAR" is a TV business now, not a fan business. Until 2005 NASCAR still was mostly a cable TV deal, after that they were all network. Who needs fans except for the "show". There fan base is aging out and young people don't go. Think about this the new CA track has NEVER sold out. Daytona 500 has not sold out last three years. They are taking OUT seats at Daytona. New NASCAR=New Coke.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 12:25 PM (0FSuD)

102 New movie lifts curtain on NJÂ’s Ramapough Mountain people This should be fun. They call themselves indians but they are really runaway dutch slaves or something. The "tribe" is already protesting. The movie is about how they stopped the dumping of toxic waste near them. I guess it was suppose to be a greenie feel good movie but the locals don't see it that way. http://goo.gl/kAKXKL

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at December 07, 2013 12:25 PM (kkbgQ)

103 I remember watching Dale's crash. He hit the wall and I said to my wife, "Holy shit, I think he's dead". She said, "What do you mean? We see worse than that every race." I said, "We see more SPECTACULAR than that. Rolling and parts flying off means energy is being shed. That energy just dumped into him."

I know my physics is wonky, but that's the general idea, right?

Posted by: Taro Tsujimoto at December 07, 2013 12:25 PM (celt+)

104 NDH, and you wonder where the dumb blond jokes come from?  The ones who think a Honda is a Ferrari.

This should get the lasses out of the corn field however
http://www.ufunk.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/selection-du-weekend-65-32.jpg

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 07, 2013 12:26 PM (kFy87)

105 A cousin's cousin had a '65 Falcon Sprint.....289...buckets...4 sp...tach a nice little ride if you couldn't get your hands on a Mustang.

Posted by: BignJames at December 07, 2013 04:21 PM (j7iSn)

Dad bought me the Falcon in 1969 for $200.  Needed a paint job.  A cement truck backed into it.  Since the paint was so faded the  repair shop couldn't match the  color.  Free new paint in baby blue.

Posted by: Ammo Dump at December 07, 2013 12:26 PM (GgPam)

106 Oldsailors, how do you like the X1? I'm thinking about it for the next "practical" car, should I ever want to give up my Volkswagen Eos.

Posted by: North Dallas Thirty at December 07, 2013 12:26 PM (VtbkC)

107 Ruth Buzzi lurking at AoSHQ?

Hi Ruth, wanna drive my stick shift?

Posted by: Tyrone at December 07, 2013 12:27 PM (//hi2)

108 Nascar's TV ratings have stabilized since 2010.
And they still are a bit higher than in the 90s.
Attendance still is declining, though it appears near stabilizing as the tracks have reduced seating capacity for the smaller crowds.
But Nascar recently signed a huge multi-billion $ TV contract for the next decade. They got much more money even though ratings are down a good deal from their mid-2000s peak.
So, financially, Nascar is in pretty solid shape.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 12:28 PM (ZPrif)

109 I remember where I was when Earnhardt wrecked. I was pregnant with our eldest, eating pizza on the bed when the wreck happened. I thought, Pffft, no big deal. I had seen worse wrecks before. I was shocked to hear that he had died. Very sad day for Nascar and all of its fans.

Posted by: Jmel at December 07, 2013 12:29 PM (cfFqn)

110 Amy Morons enjoy watching Mecum auctions on Velocity? I love the first day best, when I can see neat things at prices that I could actually afford.

Posted by: Taro Tsujimoto at December 07, 2013 12:29 PM (celt+)

111 Ouch. Wanna check out the back seat?

Posted by: Tyrone at December 07, 2013 12:29 PM (//hi2)

112 Ouch. Wanna call me an ambulance?

Posted by: Tyrone at December 07, 2013 12:30 PM (//hi2)

113 Who cares about this crap. Nelson Mandella is dead and you care about this stuff. At least President Obama knows how great of a leader he was and none of you idiots.

Posted by: Chrissy Liebowitz at December 07, 2013 12:30 PM (iB0Q2)

Posted by: PRIMUS at December 07, 2013 12:30 PM (ZkuJy)

115 Taro, yeah, generally speaking, lots of debris and stuff flying is a good sign. The spectacular crashes (assuming the safety harnesses work) are safer than the sudden stop crashes.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 12:31 PM (ZPrif)

116 Now that's one fugly tractor. Why the Hell bother with aerodynamic styling on a vehicle that will probably never exceed 25 mph in it's entire existence?

It would make much sense to have outward-leaning windshield and side windows so that they would stay dry in normal rainfall, and allow the operator to lean over and get a direct look at the ground or any implements.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 07, 2013 12:31 PM (8Fl6F)

117 105 - Ooooh! Nice! Tactical Winter Camo!

Posted by: Taro Tsujimoto at December 07, 2013 12:31 PM (celt+)

118 98 Saw the new Hyundai Equus yesterday. Still too blocky but getting more stylish. Maybe two more iterations before it'll look like it's worth the asking price. Hey now, I have one on loan in the garage. It has everything my 7 car had on it and it cost $30K less than a new 7 car. The 2014 is a better driving car than mine, a 2013. 429 HP, 8 speed, every option you can find and all for less than $60K. Did I mention they come to your house with a loaner and take your car to the shop for service for FIVE years.? MB and BMW don't. I'll never see the dealership again. I am going to buy a pickup truck with the saving.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 12:31 PM (0FSuD)

119 Was a nascar fan for 30 years. Went to the 600 every year. Since the passing of Dale can't watch a race. Fly to vegas twice a year for the NHRA. Nothing like two 10000 h.p. funny cars rattling every bone in your body as they by fly by at 300 plus m.p.h. Drivers and teams more accessible too.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at December 07, 2013 12:32 PM (NbOvo)

120

Nothing peels panties like a fast, winding ride on a warm summer night on a hog or a custom low rider. Relax, lean back against the pad and enjoy the ride.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at December 07, 2013 12:32 PM (LP0Fj)

121 108 I remember watching Dale's crash. He hit the wall and I said to my wife, "Holy shit, I think he's dead". She said, "What do you mean? We see worse than that every race." I said, "We see more SPECTACULAR than that. Rolling and parts flying off means energy is being shed. That energy just dumped into him." I know my physics is wonky, but that's the general idea, right? Posted by: Taro Tsujimoto at December 07, 2013 04:25 PM (celt+) Yep. If you read the autopsy of that RS reporter who hit a palm tree, they describe the force that fractured his legs,pelvis,spine,arms, and skull and ripped the lower part of his heart away.

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at December 07, 2013 12:33 PM (kkbgQ)

122 The wife is a cousin to Jeff Gordon. We see his grandmother every year at her family reunion.

Posted by: connielu at December 07, 2013 12:33 PM (6fxKx)

123 But Nascar recently signed a huge multi-billion $ TV contract for the next decade. They got much more money even though ratings are down a good deal from their mid-2000s peak. So, financially, Nascar is in pretty solid shape. Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 04:28 PM (ZPrif) It's still cheap programing.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 12:34 PM (0FSuD)

124 AP, got a link to the grammar quiz? Morons like online tests. We can argue about them for hours.

Another OT: go take a look at the special snowflakes in the sidebar. Pretty cool.

Posted by: Retread at December 07, 2013 12:35 PM (cHwk5)

125 127 The wife is a cousin to Jeff Gordon. We see his grandmother every year at her family reunion.

Posted by: connielu at December 07, 2013 04:33 PM (6fxKx)

 

 

I'm sorry.

Posted by: Havedash at December 07, 2013 12:37 PM (ToMJU)

126 The wife is a cousin to Jeff Gordon. We see his grandmother every year at her family reunion.

Posted by: connielu at December 07, 2013 04:33 PM (6fxKx)


My 86 y/o mother thinks Jeff Gordon walks on water. So I got her a life-size poster of him, and put it on the bedroom ceiling, over her bed.

Posted by: Retread at December 07, 2013 12:37 PM (cHwk5)

127

95 My wife's family owned a NASCAR team. I won't mention names, but anyone who is familiar with NASCAR knows the team well.


Wood Brothers?? I know, I know, you won't mention names. ;-)

Posted by: puddleglum at December 07, 2013 12:37 PM (AovVm)

128 Posted by: Retread at December 07, 2013 04:37 PM (cHwk5) Doesn't take up much space, does it?

Posted by: BignJames at December 07, 2013 12:38 PM (j7iSn)

129 Nip, yeah Nascar has screwed up a bunch. When the Nascar boomed happened in the 90s and then really boomed in the 2000s, Nascar went for the money and really tried hard to go from a regional sport to a true national sport. Often to the point of trying to totally ignore their Southern roots. This hurt them.

In many ways it's the same complain hockey fans, especially Canadian fans, when the NHL kept expanding into the Sunbelt.

It's understandable what Nascar did. It's what their TV partners wanted. It's what their sponsors wanted. But they did get greedy and it hurt them. And now that the bloom is off the rose Nascar has come crawling back to what once was their base like a guy going back to his ex-wife after the young hottie he dumped her for dumped him in turn.

But Nascar is never gonna give up on their desire to be a national, hell international, sport.

The one big success in the last 5 years for Nascar actually has been Nascar Mexico. It's a feeder series they run in Mexico and it's done quite well. Leading to a mini-boom in American-style oval tracks in Mexico.

Nascar is trying to kiss and make-up for 15 years of neglect with it's Southern fanbase, but Nascar will never willingly go back to being a regional sport. And yeah, if another rich hottie with NY or LA money comes along, then Nascar will chase them again.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 12:39 PM (ZPrif)

130 Doesn't take up much space, does it?

Posted by: BignJames at December 07, 2013 04:38 PM (j7iSn)


Nope, it's about as thin as a piece of paper.

Posted by: Retread at December 07, 2013 12:41 PM (cHwk5)

131 Here is the Grammar Quiz
http://m.staples.ca/sbdca/en_CA/cre/programs/grammarquiz/

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at December 07, 2013 12:41 PM (kFy87)

132 @131 I knew Gordon when he first started. Really polite guy. You wouldn't believe how short the guy is. I caught him at a restaurant dating "Miss Winston" a real no no in the old days. He married her then divorced her. She was HOT. Shit, I am old.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 12:41 PM (0FSuD)

133 Another OT: go take a look at the special snowflakes in the sidebar. Pretty cool.

Or the AI article. Has me thinking Skynet might turn out to be the antichrist.

What? That would make at least as good a movie as that last Terminator flick.

Posted by: Methos at December 07, 2013 12:42 PM (hO9ad)

134 Well kids, back to writing. I must make good use of the none working time I have.

Posted by: Oldsailors Poet Palin/Bolton 2016 at December 07, 2013 12:43 PM (XIxXP)

135 We own a sweet little 1962 Falcon Futura, I say it needs a 302 four speed treatment, the wifey can always find other things to spend money on. Oh well, I'm a chevy guy anyways.

Posted by: connielu at December 07, 2013 12:43 PM (6fxKx)

136 The one big success in the last 5 years for Nascar actually has been Nascar Mexico. It's a feeder series they run in Mexico and it's done quite well. Leading to a mini-boom in American-style oval tracks in Mexico. Ha Ha. I pitched that idea to Bill, Jr in the 90's. They had one race and the logistics were a nightmare. Glad to hear an old idea is being stolen by Brian.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 12:43 PM (0FSuD)

137

Another OT: go take a look at the special snowflakes in the sidebar. Pretty cool.

Posted by: Retread at December 07, 2013 04:35 PM (cHwk5

 

Just saw the pictures, well worth the time.

Posted by: tbodie at December 07, 2013 12:44 PM (5SlKF)

138 Hwy 280 south out of San Francisco was designed in the early 60's for high speed vehicular traffic, an autobahn of sorts. Early in the morning is the perfect time to let it all hang out.

It's a dream road-coarse between Milbrae and Palo Alto.

CHP used to hang at the Bunker Hill exits, even late at night. [Insert stupid teenage car story here]

Posted by: 13times at December 07, 2013 12:44 PM (fGPLK)

139 Fastest I ever thought I had driven was at age 10 in a 1967 Fairlane station wagon topping out at 95 mph . It was on the runway at Chenaut Airbase. Dad's in those days were allowed to let their sons do things that today would be considered child endangerment .

Posted by: Roc Ingersol at December 07, 2013 12:44 PM (xhupI)

140 95 Morgan-McClure? Damn shame what happened to that team.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at December 07, 2013 12:45 PM (NbOvo)

141 Motorsports can survive with a small, niche audience better than most sports.
NHRA is ignored by most people, but it chugs along year after year. It has it's niche and it's good advertising for the sponsors.

I'm always amazed how many niche motorsports there are. There are professional tractor pull racers. They make a living going from county fair to county fair doing tractor pulls in front of 400 people at a time. No TV. But farmers have to buy tractors and engine oil and it's good advertising.

Lucas Oil alone sponsors a dozen different motorsports series. If it has an engine and you can race it -- Lucas Oil probably sponsors a race series for it.

Lucas Oil has boats, cars, trucks, tractors, motorcycles, etc.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 12:46 PM (ZPrif)

142 Joe, NHRA does not translate very well to live tv.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at December 07, 2013 12:47 PM (NbOvo)

143 Thanks, AP.

Posted by: Retread at December 07, 2013 12:48 PM (cHwk5)

144 Been witness to the CHP exiting then re-entering 280, then sneaking up behind you when you think you are in the clear.

Posted by: connielu at December 07, 2013 12:48 PM (6fxKx)

145 NDH, well written. Good job. Ruth Buzzi a Rolls gal? Wow

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at December 07, 2013 12:49 PM (HVff2)

146 145 95 Morgan-McClure? Damn shame what happened to that team.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at December 07, 2013 04:45 PM (NbOvo)

 

 

Yes, it really was.

Posted by: Havedash at December 07, 2013 12:49 PM (ToMJU)

147 I got to do the Porsche Winter Driving School back when they had it in Colorado. We hardly ever got out of first gear, but on the ice, with traction control off, and elevation changes ... I have never had as much fun playing with fast cars. http://tinyurl.com/mf23u48 Although I must say, doing the regular Porsche Driving School at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama was almost as much fun - and much much faster. Good times

Posted by: Car fun times at December 07, 2013 12:49 PM (5Q1ZU)

148 I have a coworker who drag races several weekends per month. whole family does it her husband and daughter

Posted by: Potatoe at December 07, 2013 12:49 PM (1wctC)

149 Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 04:46 PM (ZPrif) Just saw the Monster truck championship . Talk about the difference between then and now. It actually made me proud to be an American. A uniquely American creation .

Posted by: Roc Ingersol at December 07, 2013 12:49 PM (xhupI)

150 Yeah, rather than run Sprint Cup or Nationwide in Mexico, Nascar Mexico is just local Mexican drivers.

Nascar runs 3 international series now: Nascar Canada, Nascar Mexico, and the Euroseries. The idea is to keep them cheap and low cost and sustainable and build up the stock car racing culture and fanbase. Appears to be working in Mexico.

Nascar also really wants to find a young, handsome Mexican driver to expand the Nascar fanbase.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 12:49 PM (ZPrif)

151 Why the Hell bother with aerodynamic styling on a vehicle that will probably never exceed 25 mph in it's entire existence?

When I worked on tractors, they could go 45mph.  I had to take safety training.  (Don't ask me about the engines; all I did was drive back and forth watching the data on the CAN bus).

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ at December 07, 2013 12:49 PM (hO8IJ)

152 I commute to San Jose a couple of times a week from San Francisco, and 280 is a godsend, especially in the afternoon. Nothing like a drive through stunning scenery on a wide, well-paved road with virtually no trucks to make you feel better about life.

Posted by: North Dallas Thirty at December 07, 2013 12:49 PM (VtbkC)

153 NASCAR discarded their fan base with exorbitant ticket prices and ridiculous PC rules.  The Stars and Bars banned along with traditional Southern tracks.
Bill France respected Dale Earnhardt--NASCAR died with their deaths.

BTW-- CBS (non CABLE) broadcast races through the nineties.  I know because I worked the broadcast booth and production trucks.

Posted by: NCwoof at December 07, 2013 12:50 PM (aUQgu)

154 Flatbush, I use to do stuff with the NHRA when Winston was the main sponsor. NHRA chicks make NASCAR girls look like debutantes. The think I did not understand, till I went to Pomona for a race, shit half their fans race at the track and then stay an buy parts and watch the big cars race. NHRA girls? You ant shit, unless you got a tattoo on your tit.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 12:52 PM (0FSuD)

155 Lucas Oil alone sponsors a dozen different motorsports series. If it has an engine and you can race it -- Lucas Oil probably sponsors a race series for it.

They have their own race track up in Brownsburg.
http://www.lucasoilraceway.com/

If you ever find yourself in the stadium downtown, there's an exhibit of "things their products go in" on the north end that's pretty cool.  Motorcycles and backhoes and stuff.

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ at December 07, 2013 12:52 PM (hO8IJ)

156 The amazing thing about Kinison's death is that it wasn't his fault. Pickup truck drifted into his lane - head on.

Posted by: Comrade Arthur at December 07, 2013 12:52 PM (6jxam)

157 Nascar also really wants to find a young, handsome Mexican driver to expand the Nascar fanbase.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 04:49 PM (ZPrif)

 

 

 

LoL.   Yeah, those snaggle tooth, good ole boy  pendajos ain't gonna market well to the ladies.

Posted by: Havedash at December 07, 2013 12:53 PM (ToMJU)

158 My dad used to sing a song called "Transfusion"... Ha! I found it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbhvZ2y1V80 No video of course. "Toolin' down the highway doing 79, I'm a twin-pipe daddy and I'm feeling fine. Hey, dig that, was that a red stop sign? Transfusion, transfusion, my red corpuscles are in mass confusion, I'm never never never gonna speed again... slip the juice to me Bruce." (79 seems pretty tame, these days, but we have far better steering and stuff.) My dad had a hot rod he built himself on a A-bucket frame... flames and everything with the engine exposed. He fixed it up and drives it now. Ha! Said the song was banned from radio stations in the 1950s... probably because it says "jack ass".

Posted by: Synova at December 07, 2013 12:53 PM (7/PU+)

159 And someday I want to go to a combine demolition derby.

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ at December 07, 2013 12:53 PM (hO8IJ)

160

147>> That's too bad...there are very few things that can compare to two racers coming up to the line and burning in the tires. Being next to a high bypass fan as it starts or watching a jet leave the cat with a full load and burners lit... You can't appreciate raw power like that on a flat screen in high definition.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at December 07, 2013 12:54 PM (LP0Fj)

161 Mary Jo K died from cowardice, not speed.


Well, okay, the one and then The Other, with cowardice being preeminent.

Posted by: Momma Said There'd Be Days Like This at December 07, 2013 12:54 PM (omBWL)

162 I don't even follow NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt's death hurt me. The man had that much influence.

Posted by: Comrade Arthur at December 07, 2013 12:54 PM (6jxam)

163 Of no particular relevance: I was in Vegas Thursday afternoon, hanging out w/a coworker in my room at Treasure island. We noticed a bunch of cops and ambulances congregating at the main intersection up the street. then traffic stopped in both lanes. We were trying to figure out WTF was happening. Then we heard it: Coming up Las Vegas Blvd. were about 15 Nascars. It sounded like the freaking end of the world! One by one each driver launched into the intersection and did multiple doughnuts. The smoke was incredible. The noise was more-so. We were on the 28th floor, and the window was vibrating. Jimmy Johnson put on the best show. Only in America. Only in Vegas.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at December 07, 2013 12:55 PM (18r9d)

164 MonsterJam is a good business. They can do outdoor stadium or indoor arena shows.

Check out their schedule:
http://www.monsterjam.com/events/

It's crazy. They promote the trucks, not he drivers. And there are multiple copies of the trucks. So the same truck can race in multiple cities on the same day. Kids want to see the Batman truck or the Grave Digger or whatever.

On Jan 3-5, 2014, MonsterJam will do shows in 12 different cities all over the country. Bangor, Nashville, Des Moines, Tacoma, Manchester, Columbus, Rochester, Trenton, Houston, Birmingham, Tulsa.

It's a fun, loud afternoon.
The ruling class mocks it, but people keep buying tickets.

It's great kids entertainment. Monster Trucks just kind blow their little minds. They are just so big. It's like seeing an elephant for the first time. Kids love elephants cause they are just so crazy big.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 12:55 PM (ZPrif)

165 I heard that when cars first became popular, people were crashing all over the place and running over pedestrians.

Posted by: soothsayer at December 07, 2013 12:56 PM (imJu1)

166 When did they ban the Star and Bars? I don't think that would sell at Talladega.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 12:56 PM (0FSuD)

167 Jarhead, so true. You have to be there.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at December 07, 2013 12:56 PM (NbOvo)

168 149 CHP are sneaky bastards. Suffice it to say, they never caught us.

Posted by: 13times at December 07, 2013 12:57 PM (fGPLK)

169
Speaking of cars......

Big snow here last night, and so this morning, the 'Port Hole' drivers were out in force. For those who don't know, these are the people that clear just a little round window through the snow on their windshield so they can see out. About the size of a dinner plate. Side, and back windows are still covered. Then they drive around...on icy roads.


Posted by: Sticky Wicket at December 07, 2013 12:58 PM (0IhFx)

170 Coming up Las Vegas Blvd. were about 15 Nascars. It sounded like the freaking end of the world! One by one each driver launched into the intersection and did multiple doughnuts. The smoke was incredible. The noise was more-so. We were on the 28th floor, and the window was vibrating. Jimmy Johnson put on the best show. Only in America. Only in Vegas. Posted by: Brave Sir Robin at December 07, 2013 04:55 PM (18r9d) They moved the NASCAR Banquet to Vegas. Bill, Jr always did a class show in NYC at the Waldorf. Cars riding through Times Sq were pretty cool too. I guess the coke is better in Vegas and that's important for Brian. That and the hotels are probably free.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 12:59 PM (0FSuD)

171 Lucas Oil has boats, cars, trucks, tractors, motorcycles, etc.

Back before Speed got cannibalized by Fox, they had a show in the mid afternoon-Lucas Oil Extreme something or other. That was great stuff. Speed boats on courses, offroad (with boulders and such to drive over), and my favorite-figure 8 racing.

Posted by: Methos at December 07, 2013 12:59 PM (hO9ad)

172 117mph on the Autoroute south of Paris, which at the time was the only freeway in France.  In a Rover.  Most Brit cars suck; Rovers didn't


That's right, I said 'France'.  They eat snails, you know...

Posted by: Momma Said There'd Be Days Like This at December 07, 2013 01:00 PM (omBWL)

173 Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 04:55 PM (ZPrif Forget about blowing kids minds. It blew my mind. And it's not entirely true that its just the trucks and not the drivers. They have teams but one major, known driver. Those suckers do 720 flips now . If they crash on their sides they control each tire to spin like a gyroscope and put themselves back upright. Freaking awesome.

Posted by: Roc Ingersol at December 07, 2013 01:01 PM (xhupI)

174 172  Ever see one flying on a telecast?  Camera crews/directors/producers instructed not to air if one shows up.  Fans can sneak the flag in, but will be escorted out of the infield or stands if NASCAR spots it.   Ever wondered why the Robert E Lee stands were renamed Brasington (after Harold Brasington who built Darlington)?  Sad but true.  Worked Talladega many times.  Never saw one--for long.

Posted by: NCwoof at December 07, 2013 01:01 PM (aUQgu)

175 There's so much money in autoparts that motorsports will always big with us. It'll wax and wane as a big TV sport, but it makes money even without big TV audiences.

And yeah, every NHRA event is a combo race and trade show.

Lucas Oil was genius to sponsor so many series.

Personally, I really like the Lucas Oil Off Road race series. Big trucks on a motocross course basically. Great racing. Has never found a big TV audience. and all the dust and dirt makes it hard to see the sponsor's logo.

I love all the bumping and banging. It's why my favorite Nascar races are the short tracks.

But the off-road racing series keep trudging along cause they still make money even without big TV audiences.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 01:01 PM (ZPrif)

176 I've known Chuck and Del Worsham for about twenty years and make about 4-5 NHRA events a year. The Worshams were the last of the privateer teams until they shut it down in 2008 and Del went to Al-Anabi Racing with Alan Johnson. My daughter went to her first race at age 10 and is 25 now. We were at Pomona when Del won the dragster championship a couple years ago. TV Tommy Ivo likes her and we always get to visit. We know a bunch of racers and they are almost all solid guys and girls. Except Spencer Massey.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at December 07, 2013 01:01 PM (w+zH+)

177 There is a demolition derby in Oregon where the use Combine Harvesters or Combines It is bad ass

Posted by: Potatoe at December 07, 2013 01:01 PM (1wctC)

178 Posted by: Roc Ingersol at December 07, 2013 05:01 PM (xhupI)


Monster Trucks doing 720 flips? Cool!

Posted by: My Inner Child at December 07, 2013 01:04 PM (//hi2)

179 O/T You know who's going to be bitchy tomorrow? Gabe, his OSU boys blew the game in the last minute to OU. Wait, that maybe too many double entrees. ha ha.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 01:04 PM (0FSuD)

180 I heard that when cars first became popular, people were crashing all over the place and running over pedestrians.

I still do.


AAAARRRRGGHHHH!!!!

Posted by: Trevor Philips, inc. at December 07, 2013 01:05 PM (hO9ad)

181 My other kid races at King of the Hammers every year. Best finish so far is 30th.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at December 07, 2013 01:05 PM (w+zH+)

182 SpencerMassey is a punk. Del Worsham is the definition of cool. Fast jack seems like a straight up guy too.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at December 07, 2013 01:06 PM (NbOvo)

183 Good times Posted by: Car fun times at December When I was 16, my future BILs install crew was in Virginia, about 2.5 hours away and they broke a small part that they needed, he asked me if I could drive up and deliver a replacement. He said "can you drive a stick?" Yes I can! I never had driven one but I watched my dad drive a Mack truck all my life so I figured I had the jist of it. He tossed me the keys to his Porsche and off I went. I missed a turn and ended up going over a winding mountain road with no turn around until going down the other side. I liked it so much I went back over the mountain again before getting back on the right path. I haven't thought about that in many years. Damn it was fun.

Posted by: traye at December 07, 2013 01:06 PM (mLcRC)

184 It's great kids entertainment. Monster Trucks just kind blow their little minds. They are just so big. It's like seeing an elephant for the first time. Kids love elephants cause they are just so crazy big.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 04:55 PM (ZPrif)

Our daughter works for Feld, which bought Monster Jam a couple of years ago.  They do Disney on Ice and Ringling Circus.  Quite an operation.

Posted by: Ammo Dump at December 07, 2013 01:06 PM (GgPam)

185 When I worked on tractors, they could go 45mph. I had to take safety training. (Don't ask me about the engines; all I did was drive back and forth watching the data on the CAN bus).

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ at December 07, 2013 04:49 PM (hO8IJ)


Still, the point stands. Wind resistance goes up with the square of the speed, IIRC, but it's still trivial at 45 mph, and how many tractors work at 45 mph. They may spend a few minutes on a quick 45 mph burn between fields, then hours at 2.5 mph dragging a harrow.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 07, 2013 01:06 PM (8Fl6F)

186 Yeah, I like the Monster Trucks, too. They aren't just for kids. But they do market heavily to kids. And kids really love em. Same reason little boys are fascinated with dump trucks and trains. For many kids walking up to a Monster trucks will be the largest vehicle they've ever seen in real life. And it's kinda neat how it blows their little kid mind, how can something be so big!

For those who mourn the Speed Channel. MavTV is trying to step into that motorsports niche.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 01:06 PM (ZPrif)

187 180  If I remember right, Lucas Oil sponsored the dirt race at Eldora Speedway (promoted by Tony Stewart) before the Indy 500.  Sold out crowd.  Dirt racing could revive NASCAR, if the fool Brian France ever got his head out of where it is now.

Posted by: NCwoof at December 07, 2013 01:06 PM (aUQgu)

188 Mav TV is owned by Lucas so there is hope.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at December 07, 2013 01:09 PM (NbOvo)

189 Heather, what year did you drive those tractors?

Posted by: Ronster at December 07, 2013 01:11 PM (Rru72)

190 Ammo,  yeah. Every city in America these days has a good-sized arena and they are looking to fill dates. MonsterJam, Ice Shows, and Ringling Bros make good business touring from town to town

Every day that Arena is empty is lost revenue. There are multiple touring Ice Shows. Disney is the #1 I assume.

You know who also makes a good living as a touring Arena show -- the Harlem Globetrotters. They aren't famous like they once were but you look at almost any arena in America and you see a similar line-up of shows - ice shows, Monster trucks, Ringling Bros, Harlem Globetrotters.

They are perennial. Music acts fade in and out of popularity. But you can get a steady audience year in and year out with ice shows and circuses and monster trucks.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 01:11 PM (ZPrif)

191 164 And someday I want to go to a combine demolition derby. Posted by: HeatherRadish™ at December 07, 2013 04:53 PM (hO8IJ) Me too, that would be awesome

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at December 07, 2013 01:13 PM (HVff2)

192 There's a South Park marathon on now.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at December 07, 2013 01:13 PM (DmNpO)

193 I did the grammar test, and it scored me at 96%, but I know the wrong answer was caused by a mis-strike on the mouse button. So, really, I should have had 100%.


(it was the who/whom question, and I damn well know that "who" is correct in both instances given)

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 07, 2013 01:15 PM (8Fl6F)

194 Lucas Oil sponsors:
drag boat racing
tractor pulling
modifieds
motocross
supercross
endurocross
dirt late models
winged sprint cars
off road racing
drag racing
airplane racing
Monster trucks

If there's an engine that needs lubricating, Lucas Oil will sponsor people and series to race it. Which buys a lot of goodwill.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 01:16 PM (ZPrif)

195 Probably the fastest I ever drove was about 118 mph on an empty road at about 1 am in my old BMW 325 (it wasn't old then). Empty, smooth asphalt road, Route 21 south of the I-77 split in Akron. The car handled like a dream at that speed, you could run all night at 115 in it and be absolutely safe. I once drove my Jensen Healy at an indeterminate speed (105 -115, the speedometer was jumping all over the place) running south from the outerbelt on Rt 315 in Columbus (OH) at about 1:30 am on a Monday morning. This is in the city, and the highway was absolutely empty, but well lit. Did that....once. That car was scary at that speed.

Posted by: Severe Conservative riding Orca at December 07, 2013 01:16 PM (dCwZe)

196 Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 05:04 PM (0FSuD) O/t again, but he also doesn't even pretend to know how to pick cheerleaders either

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at December 07, 2013 01:16 PM (HVff2)

197 @199 Looks like they picked up all the Red Man tobacco venues after they got banned.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 01:17 PM (0FSuD)

198 O/t again, but he also doesn't even pretend to know how to pick cheerleaders either Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at December 07, 2013 05:16 PM (HVff2) Assigning a ghey man to pick elbows is not a smart move. Gabe should ask for help from the horde.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 01:18 PM (0FSuD)

199 One of the older farm families kept their steam combine/tractor and have done some restoration. They run it in parades now. Really cool.

Posted by: Mustbequantum at December 07, 2013 01:19 PM (MIKMs)

200 Now that the statute of limitations is up, I can admit that I saw a speed on the north side of 200 mph on a remote CA desert highway some time ago. I was driving a new Z06 'Vette that had had its engine computer sympathetically tweaked by employees of a nameless corporate entity.

Fun as that was -- the pavement gets Really. Damn. Narrow. -- it was not as exciting as seeing 165 mph on the backstretch at Daytona while driving a Porsche 911 GT2. More interesting than covering miles and miles on the autobahn at 160-plus in a nice cushy Mercedes-Benz E-class AMG.

Haven't made much money or achieved much fame, but I've had a few laughs. No accidents, though.

Posted by: MrScribbler at December 07, 2013 01:21 PM (csjXD)

201 Looks like the ACC football championship is not going to be much fun. 40 degrees with a 60% chance of rain. If FSU is covering the spread(29), at the half, could Duke forfeit?

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 01:21 PM (0FSuD)

202

Except Spencer Massey.

 

He got fired for taking beer into the  NHRA banquet.

He got rehired, but it got his attention.

Posted by: Ronster at December 07, 2013 01:22 PM (Rru72)

203 I did the grammar test, and it scored me at 96%, but I know the wrong answer was caused by a mis-strike on the mouse button. So, really, I should have had 100%.

I got the 'ie and 'eg' pair wrong. Got the who and whom, though. Struck me as basic grammar knowledge that anyone in high school should know. But maybe that's because I was taught by nuns and those ladies know their grammar.

Posted by: Retread at December 07, 2013 01:22 PM (cHwk5)

204

I can haz O/T thread?? I had to turn the sound down for the SEC championship game. Do the announcers really have to be cheerleading for there prefered teams (last week Alabama, this week Auburn)? I wasn't even rooting for anybody but now, GO TIGERS!! Fuck CBiaSports. Or maybe I'm just overreading the situation.

Posted by: puddleglum at December 07, 2013 01:23 PM (AovVm)

205 ROAD HOG!!

Posted by: Mr Magoo at December 07, 2013 01:23 PM (imJu1)

206 I can haz O/T thread?? I had to turn the sound down for the SEC championship game. Do the announcers really have to be cheerleading for there prefered teams (last week Alabama, this week Auburn)? I wasn't even rooting for anybody but now, GO TIGERS!! Fuck CBiaSports. Or maybe I'm just overreading the situation. *** You can talk about anything you like here.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at December 07, 2013 01:23 PM (DmNpO)

207 The grammar test was too easy.  I got 100 but there were no hard questions.

Fastest I ever drove a car was this old piece of shit mitsubishi I had.  Ramped it up to 110 one time on an empty road that ran around Lake Isabella.  Current bf and his punk-ass son were in the car.  Mostly did it to encourage said son's testicles to retract, which I'm pretty sure they did.  I was surprised the car would go that fast.  Later, an ice cream truck tore the door off it.  The guy replaced it with a different colored door, which was more than I could stand.  I gave the car to a young friend, dragged his ass right over to the DMV and made his sign the paperwork in front of me.

Posted by: Peaches at December 07, 2013 01:25 PM (8lmkt)

208 Assigning a ghey man to pick elbows is not a smart move. Gabe should ask for help from the horde. -nip sip Hell, he could've asked one of his lesbian acquaintances to pick out elbows for us. Oh well I will give him a c for effort

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at December 07, 2013 01:26 PM (HVff2)

209 The fastest I've ever driven is about 120 on the Autobahn in Germany. The car was your basic Ford sedan I rented at Ramstein AB. It could move though (Taurus I think).

Posted by: puddleglum at December 07, 2013 01:28 PM (AovVm)

210 Whatever the toppity top speed of a 1998 Corvette ZR1 is, that's as fast as I've been in a car. On the way back from the dealership the day my brother leased it, on Rt. 6, Cape Cod. Terrifying.

Posted by: Lincolntf at December 07, 2013 01:29 PM (ZshNr)

211 The grammar test was too easy. I got 100 but there were no hard difficult questions.

Ahem.

Posted by: Sister Mary Katherine at December 07, 2013 01:29 PM (cHwk5)

212

"Fuck CBiaSports. Or maybe I'm just overreading the situation."

 

Right there with you my friend.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at December 07, 2013 01:29 PM (Lo5Rt)

213 You want to see Mustangs?

Three rare 1970 Mustang Cobra GT "Twisters" which were only sold in Kansas City are going up for auction

http://tinyurl.com/md8co6v


Ford and Shelby originally wanted to use the 428 Cobra Jet but not enough engines were available, so they used the 351 Cleveland

 

Posted by: kbdabear at December 07, 2013 01:30 PM (aTXUx)

214 NDH, not to be contrary, but the PD stated that street racing wasn't a factor. It's quite slanderous to repeat the line that there was racing involved.

Posted by: GeoSTI at December 07, 2013 01:31 PM (K0sbB)

215 Yeah, the road is definitely not the place to "whip it out and try to brag about it." There's nothing heroic or worthwhile about that sort of thing (which isn't merely racing, but a bunch of other "vehicular behaviors" as well). That being said, RIP. Later.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at December 07, 2013 01:32 PM (M8OWQ)

216 I think the 6th Gen Mustang will finally be fitted with IRS, joining the 21st when it comes to suspension


Posted by: kbdabear at December 07, 2013 01:32 PM (aTXUx)

217 Hey Peaches!!! Howz things?!

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at December 07, 2013 01:33 PM (Lo5Rt)

218 With all the latest advancements in safety in use...

Unfortunately, in Dale's case he wasn't using the latest advancement in safety.

The HANS Device was the latest advancement, it was available and it just might have saved him.

Posted by: qt3.14159 at December 07, 2013 01:34 PM (rZq16)

219 I heard some twit on CNN describing the new Mustang and said it'll still have its 'legendary shark bite" front end. Um, dummy, the Mustang is supposed to resemble a horse's head. Eyeballs and nostrils of a mustang. Der.

Posted by: soothie at December 07, 2013 01:36 PM (imJu1)

220 MavTV got picked up by DirecTV over the summer.
MavTV is in 30M homes now, headed towards 50M.
These lower tier motorsports are their most popular programming and they seem to be picking up some of the events that would have been on Speed in the past.

Ooh, I see last month Feld signed a 5 year deal with Fox Sports.
So Supercross, Monster Jam, Arenacross will be on FS1 and FS2.
Almost 300 hours of Feld events.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 01:37 PM (ZPrif)

221 I live in Philadelphia for now, but after I got out of the Army in 1984 I lived in Illinois for a few years--in the area around Joliet.  So I routinely had to drive on the expressways around Chicago.  Anyone who tells you that they weren't almost killed on those expressways was never there--tractor-trailer drivers say "Hi" by trying to run you over and everyone else thinks it's the effin' Grand Prix.

Ennyhoo, the car I drove had serious problems with the defroster, and Illinois gets some nasty summertime thunderstorms.  Usually when I was driving on those expressways.  The sky would go dark and the windows would fog up and I would pull over and wait the thing out--you can fly using only instruments if you're so rated, but don't try driving that way unless you're desperate or suicidal.

One time I did just that.  I was going from Washington DC to Philadelphia on I-95 and a thunderstorm hit just as I was reaching the airport.  I couldn't see a damn thing except the edges of the highway but was surrounded by truckers driving at top speed like it was a clear sunny day.  I kept driving, but only because I thought my chances were better as a moving target....

Posted by: Jenk at December 07, 2013 01:37 PM (e2ysZ)

222 Fastest car I ever owned was a Cobalt SS Turbo that I tuned. Top end was over 140 mph. Smooth as silk up to 115 mph. No idea how it drove over 115 mph. Since traded for an extended cab truck. Jumping on it in the Cobalt was an adventure and not for the faint of heart. I amused myself at the track one day by allowing people to just catch up with me, then putting the hammer down. More than one person came up to me after the session and admitted that I was a lot faster than they expected.

Posted by: Blake at December 07, 2013 01:38 PM (M1cQU)

223 Fastest I ever went was in some sort of full size pickup in the mid-80's, in which I was a passenger of an 18 year old idiot who tried to keep up with a Vette on I-95. We were somewhere north of 110. My big takeaway from that was that my children will ride with me until they leave the house. Oh. But I did have the needle resting firmly at the end of the speedometer, which stopped at 95 mph, in a full-size Ford Econovan for the entire length of the toll road from Nuevo Laredo to Monterrey. With 12 people aboard. In my defense, the road was perfectly straight, absolutely empty, and the shoulder was flat and 1/4 mile wide on both sides. Still, big wind gust or blown tire and it would have been a grisly yard sale.

Posted by: TexasDan at December 07, 2013 01:39 PM (Fa3Hi)

224 Monster Jam has 350 events per year - 4M in attendance annually.
Supercross will actually are live on FS1. Good for them.

People freak out about NFL concussions. Those kids doing supercross and motocross take ungodly damage in their wrecks. And they tend to be young and small, like jockeys, cause there's a benefit to being smaller. They get flung like ragdolls.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 01:41 PM (ZPrif)

225 I have a 1987 Turbo Slantnose Porsche. It's a four speed. The shift out top speed for second gear? 80 MPH. Third? 130 MPH. Yes, I have been in fourth gear.

Posted by: Nip Sip at December 07, 2013 01:43 PM (0FSuD)

226 As for the new Mustang, I'm not a fan. Don't get what they were going for, there.

Posted by: TexasDan at December 07, 2013 01:45 PM (Fa3Hi)

227 Flatbush, do you partake in NASCAR fantasy racing?  I've been doing it last couple of years and find it enjoyable.

Posted by: Ronster at December 07, 2013 01:45 PM (Rru72)

228 I see the Totten thread and the new O/T thread had a death match. The Totten thread won. Congratulations!!

Posted by: puddleglum at December 07, 2013 01:46 PM (AovVm)

229 I don't care  for the looks of a fastback. Doesn't matter who the manufacturer is.

Posted by: Ronster at December 07, 2013 01:47 PM (Rru72)

230 Not the fastest I ever went in a car, but had the scariest ride as a boy of about 8 when my friend's drunk dad drove really fast in narrow rural roads for at least half an hour. Never rode with him again after he was drinking. Lucky to be alive.

Posted by: Car fun times at December 07, 2013 01:48 PM (5Q1ZU)

231 It's really quite amazing the variety of entertainment that comes through the average arena in the typical American city. One week the circus, the next an ice show, the next monster trucks, the next a big rock show, then some flying motorcycles.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 01:49 PM (ZPrif)

232 No, I've never really done any fantasy sports. Not sure why. Tried baseball and football once for a couple weeks.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 01:51 PM (ZPrif)

233 ***Massey. He got fired for taking beer into the NHRA banquet. He got rehired, but it got his attention.*** Ronster, Massey dropped the N-bomb on his teammate at the banquet. Schumacher fired him on the spot but brought him back.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at December 07, 2013 01:54 PM (w+zH+)

234 Ooh, I see last month Feld signed a 5 year deal with Fox Sports.
So Supercross, Monster Jam, Arenacross will be on FS1 and FS2.
Almost 300 hours of Feld events.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 05:37 PM (ZPrif)

It's my understanding Feld signed a deal a while back with Marvel.  Interesting possibilities for tie-ins.

Posted by: Ammo Dump at December 07, 2013 01:56 PM (GgPam)

235 Mr. Dave,  OK  I thought it was because he snuck a cooler of beer in.  Learn something every day.

Posted by: Ronster at December 07, 2013 01:58 PM (Rru72)

236 Ronster, it was Antron Brown who got the insult, audible to everybody.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at December 07, 2013 01:59 PM (w+zH+)

237

I wasn't even rooting for anybody but now, GO MISSOURI TIGERS!!


I guess I should have been more specific. Oops.

Posted by: puddleglum at December 07, 2013 02:00 PM (AovVm)

238 Who won the top  fuel champ. this year. I watched it but can't remember.  My favorite is Pro Stock

Posted by: Ronster at December 07, 2013 02:03 PM (Rru72)

239 Top Fuel was Shawn Langdon for Al-Anabi Racing, Alan Johnson's outfit. Fuel Funny Car was John Force.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at December 07, 2013 02:06 PM (w+zH+)

240 Yeah, I assumed they must have some deal with Marvel (ie Disney) and DC (Warner Brothers) since they run superhero trucks. I assume they need permission for those Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, and Thor trucks.

What MonsterJam has built really is impressive. Arenas are always desperate for events that can draw a crowd. If you can invent some type of sport/art/show that can be an annual draw then you can make great money touring the arenas of America (and Canada, and Mexico, and Europe, etc, etc).

The arenas are a pretty standard bit of infrastructure that nearly every city has now, if you can fit your event in that and draw a crowd you are golden.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at December 07, 2013 02:07 PM (ZPrif)

241 My family had a NASCAR "pin" for 1952, when the events were often co-billed with "jalopy races," and you moved up to AAA midgets. Drivers I knew from that period said that the scene was over when they built that damn big thing at Daytona instead of running on sand. Their last dirt-track race was in the early 70's, and after that they were a "TV" sport. The Daytona Speedway was developed by Guy Lombardo, a record-holding speedboat racer, to be a sports car track.

In retirement, my dad was back-fence neighbors with Harry Gant for several years, and used to dig the foundations for chicken-houses for him and his brother Johnny. Great guy, not just a real sporting driver but a terrific tuner, and he had a good little steakhouse in Taylorsville. I believe I share Bill Elliot's opinion of Dell, so you can just look that up. I grew up -- no, I was an infant -- at race tracks, so I saw Dell's father race against Ritchett's father.

Sporting road driving is not done in traffic. You can go awfully fast, and really test your skills, without any particular spit getting in Death's eye, if you don't insist on doing it while cutting in and out of other people's journeys. But then nobody would see you. That's what that's all about.

Searching for Hispanic drivers is a lot like the 3rd-gen Wymyn's Moovmnt. They've been there all along, but to qualify they have to come from the modern publicity machine. One of the founding drivers of NASCAR, Rebel Mundy, was named Francisco Menendez. I met him in his dotage, and he was one courtly gentleman.




Posted by: Stringer Davis at December 07, 2013 02:15 PM (xq1UY)

242 The new Mustang looks sharp.  The profile looks Aston-ish.  I like it.

Posted by: Titanium at December 07, 2013 02:20 PM (IgOQg)

243 @247 Everything from Ford looks Aston-ish. I might wish they'd rounded off the Mustang's maw just a little bit, for old time's sake.

IRS is not an unmixed blessing. It takes all of your youth (sadly often all your life) to master the point-n-squirt technique of a RWD straight axle. Ever wonder what it was like before differentials? I predict some real good Mustang drivers will come to grief by the little things swinging stubs can throw your way.  

But Ford's old "Studio X" has been head and shoulders better than the Other Two for half a generation now, which I had not thought possible in the everything-oval days. The other retro muscle cars look like a kid's Batmobile sketch on lined paper.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at December 07, 2013 02:26 PM (xq1UY)

244 248 @247 Everything from Ford looks Aston-ish. I might wish they'd rounded off the Mustang's maw just a little bit, for old time's sake.

Very true.  I've thought that the front end of the Fusion looks Aston-ish.  I remember when the IRS came out on the Mustang Cobra over a decade ago.  Guys were willing to trade the IRS + over $1k for the live axle.

Posted by: Titanium at December 07, 2013 02:37 PM (IgOQg)

245 If you ever get a chance to see mini sprint cars they are a blast. Dual Hayabusa engines in a 450 pound chassis, runs like stink.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at December 07, 2013 02:48 PM (w+zH+)

246 o/t.............Wooooo, GO BAYLOR!!!

Posted by: puddleglum at December 07, 2013 02:57 PM (8/+1/)

247 However, it served as a reminder that no person is immune in a car crash: Not the young and beautiful. Not the very wealthy or famous. Not the elite. Not the politician. (See Princesses Grace and Diana, Dodi Fayed, James Dean, Sam Kinison, Harry Chapin, Jayne Mansfield, and Mary Jo Kopechne to start) I'll add in one of my all-time favorite football players: Derrick Thomas. First paralyzed and then died.

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 07, 2013 03:17 PM (7A4qQ)

248 246 [stringer davis]     You are so right about Harry Gant.  Got to meet him second-hand at Darlington.  I drove an old friend, Marion "Preacher" Cox to the spring race (after he retired from Sportsman); and who should come over to have a long conversation with Marion, but Harry Gant.   When he left racing, I understand he went back to his regular life in Taylorsville.  Good man.


Posted by: NCwoof at December 07, 2013 03:19 PM (aUQgu)

249 F&F 6 was the best of all of them.

Posted by: RZ at December 07, 2013 04:39 PM (TW3lo)

250 I have wrecked the following-
Ford Jubilee tractor
John Deere 'A' tractor
Plymouth Valiant
Toyota Celica
Massey Ferguson Tractor
Hughes helicopter
VW bug
Ford pickup
Case backhoe
John Deer mower.
Out of 206 bones, I have broken over 25. Yeah, I'm a moron.

Posted by: EROWMER at December 07, 2013 05:17 PM (OONaw)

251 #118 Nelson Mandella (sic), so, did he win any races?

Posted by: Dominari Nolo at December 07, 2013 06:51 PM (Em374)

Posted by: Vic at December 08, 2013 03:40 AM (RlOaM)

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