Ace of Spades HQ

March 02, 2014

NASCAR: Race Day In Phoenix - [Niedermeyer's Dead Horse]
— Open Blogger

Today, NASCAR takes it to Phoenix for The Profit 500. NASCAR provides a snapshot of the race HERE.

Key race info:

Race time: Coverage begins at 3:00 EST with the green flag scheduled for 3:15

Distance: 500 km or 312 laps

On the front row: Brad Keselowski, Team Penske, No. 2 Ford (139.384 mph); Joey Logano, Team Penske, No. 22 Ford (139.265 mph)

Daytona 500 follow-up:

[Full disclosure: I had never watched an entire race before last week and I am still SHOCKED at how much I enjoyed it!]

Last week saw the opening of NASCAR's Sprint Cup season with the running of the Daytona 500, and it was one for the record books. Only 45 minutes into the race and with less than 40 laps run, one of those infamous Florida thunderstorms, replete with two tornado warnings, moved in to put a halt to the action. More than six hours later the race was underway again and it was an exciting race indeed. Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the checkered flag, his second win at Daytona, following a losing streak of 55 races. It was also memorable in that he won the race with perhaps the most famous number in racing returning to the track, the #3, which had belonged to Dale Jr's father, himself killed in a seemingly casual crash at Daytona in 2001. BUT.... the return of the #3 car wasn't without controversy as rookie Austin Dillon made the race a game of survival out on the track. In total, Dillon was involved in three accidents, two of which he caused himself, taking out several cars. And, after a short stint of leading the pack, Danica Patrick was involved in a 12-car crash which resulted in an all-too-familiar nose into wall, bringing to mind that wretched day in 2001. It was a tremendous relief when she climbed out of that car under her own power. And for the haters out there: There wasnÂ’t a damn thing she could have done to avoid it.

And, also making their debut to great fanfare, the new Air Titan Track Drying System. Just how effective are they? See for yourself. Also making Â“newsÂ” was Jimmy JohnsonÂ’s non-win, as those not paying close enough attention failed to notice that, during the rain delay, Fox replayed the 2013 Daytona 500 in its entirety.

Full coverage of the race can be found HERE, but highlights are shown below.

Michael Waltrip provided the colorful pre-race commentary and had this seemingly awkward moment with rapper and Swan Racing partner, rapper 50 Cent.

Now, before you go and get all up in Michael's grill, there is some context for this exchange. It seems that "Fiddy" was engaged in his own awkward moment just last year:

The race was kicked off by either the greatest or the worst version of the National Anthem in recorded history. Personally, I place it just slightly above Roseanne Barr's wretched and disgraceful rendition from in 1990. Decide for yourself:

Worth another look, the Kevin Harvick/Brian Scott rub which resulted in a 12-car crash and sent Danica nose-first into a wall.

And who's a happy boy? Dale Jr., that's who! ICYMI, here's what it looks like to win the Daytona 500, from inside the winning car.

Dale had said that if he won, he'd join Twitter, and he has, where he's picked up more than half a million followers in just one week. This tweet was particularly touching. Follow him here.

Mrs. Jeff Gordon:

Please feel free to send any complaints or commendations to me at Twitter: Nied's Dead Horse

Posted by: Open Blogger at 10:46 AM | Comments (194)
Post contains 585 words, total size 5 kb.

1 I've gotten into NASCAR over the last few years and it is fascinating to watch as you start getting the hang of how much strategy is involved.

Also there's the ever present possibility of things blowing up so I like that.

Posted by: alexthechick - come for the Global Warming stay for the SMOD at March 02, 2014 10:52 AM (Gk3SS)

2 *fires up engine*

*does donuts in thread*

Posted by: alexthechick - come for the Global Warming stay for the SMOD at March 02, 2014 10:54 AM (Gk3SS)

3 I hear an echo in here ....in here ............in here

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 10:55 AM (DmNpO)

4 AHAHAHAHAAHAHA

"Who's your outfit by Jeff?"

Posted by: alexthechick - come for the Global Warming stay for the SMOD at March 02, 2014 10:57 AM (Gk3SS)

5 AHAHAHAHAAHAHA "Who's your outfit by Jeff?" *** With the top hat! HAAHAHA! He is completely growing on me.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 10:57 AM (DmNpO)

6 NDH welcome to the world of NASCAR. I've been a fan since my uncle and aunt raced stock cars at Ohare speedway in the early 60s. When you can appreciate the strategies and personalities along with various story lines every week there's a lot more to it than turning left for a couple of hours every Sunday. Go Junior!

Posted by: Alf767 at March 02, 2014 10:58 AM (fwmHH)

7 You two have it going on

Posted by: Velvet Ambition at March 02, 2014 10:59 AM (R8hU8)

8 "I like your hat."

That was hilarious. Omg. Omg. The Silverado ad with the bull and you sexy thing.

This is nearly as amusing as the start of the Super Bowl.

Posted by: alexthechick - come for the Global Warming stay for the SMOD at March 02, 2014 10:59 AM (Gk3SS)

9 Cool flyover

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:03 AM (DmNpO)

10 Biggest story I'm following this year with Nascar is how rookie Kyle Larson does and whether his raw talent is enough to overcome being on a 2nd tier team. Most likely it isn't.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 11:03 AM (ZPrif)

11 Now that is quite the fly over.

Posted by: alexthechick - come for the Global Warming stay for the SMOD at March 02, 2014 11:03 AM (Gk3SS)

12 Who is Austin going to take out today?

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 11:03 AM (Q8vlx)

13 Went to Richmond last year in the Spring. Nothing like watching it on TV. First, we took our RV. The RV culture at a NASCAR race is something to behold. and the sound WOW that is LOUD also, something you can watch live at the race is the number of racers that hit Danica Patricks car it was constant throughout the race

Posted by: blaster at March 02, 2014 11:04 AM (46MwU)

14 And for the haters out there: There wasnÂ’t a damn thing she could have done to avoid it. If you aren't a fan of Patrick you are a hater? Gotta admit I've heard something very much like that from democrats about obama. Did I misunderstand? Maybe it wasn't meant that way I'm open to being corrected.

Posted by: Bob from table9 at March 02, 2014 11:04 AM (jsa6I)

15 Who is Austin going to take out today? *** It was quite an attention-getting start last week. Do the drivers have locker rooms? That could have been an entertaining room if so.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:05 AM (DmNpO)

16 NDH No lockerroom they go to their motorcoach when the media bs is over.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 11:07 AM (Q8vlx)

17 And for the haters out there: There wasnÂ’t a damn thing she could have done to avoid it. If you aren't a fan of Patrick you are a hater? Gotta admit I've heard something very much like that from democrats about obama. Did I misunderstand? Maybe it wasn't meant that way I'm open to being corrected. *** From the moment word went out that she had been involved in a crash, there were those who instantly took to blaming her, without ever having seen the cash itself. There are just some folks who want to hate her no matter what she does.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:07 AM (DmNpO)

18 15 The Drivers have RVs, no locker rooms.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:07 AM (ojnk6)

19 The Drivers have RVs, no locker rooms. *** I thought as much, but didn't want to assume.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:08 AM (DmNpO)

20 Not a Danica H8r, but I do think she gets more TV coverage than her ability and talent deserve.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:09 AM (ojnk6)

21 >>>It was quite an attention-getting start last week. Do the drivers have locker rooms? That could have been an entertaining room if so.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 03:05 PM (DmNpO)<<<

Yeah, what MWNP said. RV's or the car haulers (sometimes the garage area) are where the drivers would be when they're lingering at the track.

Posted by: Hate Miser at March 02, 2014 11:11 AM (UIxS+)

22 The start of a nascar race is surreal.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 11:11 AM (Q8vlx)

23 22 Word. Went to Talladega last fall. Loud stuff but cool as hell.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:12 AM (ojnk6)

24 I'm a motocross/ supercross fan and i have never understood the allure of nascar. Two hours if circular driving- yet the biggest Motorsport in America. Meanwhile, to ride a dirt bike you must be in the top physical shape of any athlete on earth, but nobody watches your sport. Seems kinda not fair to me lol.

Posted by: The drizzle at March 02, 2014 11:13 AM (ysCLj)

25 I'm a motocross/ supercross fan and i have never understood the allure of nascar. Two hours if circular driving- yet the biggest Motorsport in America. Meanwhile, to ride a dirt bike you must be in the top physical shape of any athlete on earth, but nobody watches your sport. Seems kinda not fair to me lol. *** Like I said above, I am shocked at how much I enjoyed it once I settled in and actually watched.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:14 AM (DmNpO)

26 two weeks till F1 starts, can't wait

Posted by: The Dude at March 02, 2014 11:15 AM (bStrg)

27 NDH any tracks close to you? Seeing that first lap live is something you never forget. Amazing.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 11:16 AM (Q8vlx)

28 I used to be a rabid NASCAR fan, but with the way they've tinkered with the cars and Championship, now I'm kinda meh about it.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:17 AM (ojnk6)

29 Oh I've watched a few races because my wife's family is into it. It's bit that it was horrible, but you can really just watch the last 15 laps rather than the whole race because that's when the strategy and passes actually start happening. Until then it's just background noise to get drunk with. Now formula 1 us the shit to me. Love that type of car racing.

Posted by: The drizzle at March 02, 2014 11:18 AM (ysCLj)

30 Yeah, the "hater" accusations are just useless conversation killers. Just like with Obama. Claim is you know the *real* reason behind even otherwise valid, fact-based criticism. Can't have a conversation then, since you assume the "hater" is arguing in bad faith. The stupid "hater" attack is a good tactic to dismiss even valid criticism. But it's a conversation killer. It's a good bit of sophistry to employ against your enemies, that's about it. It's also a good way to enrage people you want to offend. In fact, on twitter a lot of the foreign policy experts criticizing Obama about Ukraine are being flooded with "hater" and "racist" attacks just for that reason. These are foreign policy experts who normally don't draw the attention of the Obamabots -- so they all at first tried to defend themselves, saying I'm not a hater, I'm not a racist, my criticism is entirely based on the facts. But the whole point of the "hater" and "racist" accusations is to move attention away from the damning facts -- so even if your facts are correct, you are only talking about them cause "hater" and "racist".

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 11:19 AM (ZPrif)

31 >>>Went to Richmond last year in the Spring. Nothing like watching it on TV. First, we took our RV. The RV culture at a NASCAR race is something to behold.

and the sound WOW

that is LOUD<<<

The smaller the track the better, ~1 mile or less. The racing is typically more exciting. And it's much easier to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of racing.

Been to New Hampshire International (Loudon) prob like 4 or five times over the past 8 years. Loved it. Had a co-workers father involved in the truck series that was there the same weekend,managed to get free pit passes to be behind the wall during the truck race. Very cool!

Posted by: Hate Miser at March 02, 2014 11:20 AM (UIxS+)

32 Oh Jesus Christ people! Lighten the ckuf up.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:21 AM (DmNpO)

33 NDH Word.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 11:22 AM (Q8vlx)

34 32 Seconded.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:22 AM (ojnk6)

35 Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 03:19 PM (ZPrif)

http://youtu.be/AfX_oDzOxsc

Posted by: alexthechick - come for the Global Warming stay for the SMOD at March 02, 2014 11:23 AM (Gk3SS)

36 We don't have to drag politics into everything. Plenty of time for that shit. Nice to escape it for awhile.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 11:24 AM (Q8vlx)

37 Let's all turn left!

Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 02, 2014 11:24 AM (aDwsi)

38 NDH any tracks close to you? Seeing that first lap live is something you never forget. Amazing. *** My uncle took me to Daytona when I was a kid and I hated every minute of it. But, there must be something to it if they can pack in a couple a' hundred thousand folks.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:25 AM (DmNpO)

39 What classifies something as a "short track"? Is there an official length?

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:27 AM (DmNpO)

40 Cars already getting lapped.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:27 AM (ojnk6)

I love it that Junior won Daytona this year.

He's paid a lot of dues...and is a really skilled driver who always keeps his cool, even when other cars slam into him and wreck him.

Posted by: wheatie at March 02, 2014 11:27 AM (QsHQT)

42 Let's all turn left! *** A figure 8 track would be interesting.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:27 AM (DmNpO)

43 39 Don't know if there's an official definition, but anything under 1 mile would seem to be a fit.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:28 AM (ojnk6)

44 What classifies something as a "short track"? Is there an official length? Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 03:27 PM (DmNpO)

IIRC, a short track is under a mile.

Posted by: alexthechick - come for the Global Warming stay for the SMOD at March 02, 2014 11:29 AM (Gk3SS)

45 This race, on the shorter track, looks so different than at Daytona. I don't guess we'll see any of that 3-wide racing here.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:30 AM (DmNpO)

46 Not a Danica H8r, but I do think she gets more TV coverage than her ability and talent deserve.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 03:09 PM (ojnk6)

Boobehs.

Posted by: Retread at March 02, 2014 11:30 AM (cHwk5)

47 41 I'm with you as a Jr. fan. Watching him come in 2nd 3 out of the last 4 times was frustrating.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:30 AM (ojnk6)

Oh man, we're getting the full menu today...as far as frozen precip is concerned.

So far, we've gotten frozen fog, freezing rain, sleet, thunder sleet, hail and snow...in various mixtures.

Posted by: wheatie at March 02, 2014 11:31 AM (QsHQT)

49 Thanks. I wondered because they said earlier that this was "nearly" a short-track and, at one mile, I had thought it might qualify. Anyone know the shortest track?

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:31 AM (DmNpO)

50 Oh man, we're getting the full menu today...as far as frozen precip is concerned. So far, we've gotten frozen fog, freezing rain, sleet, thunder sleet, hail and snow...in various mixtures. *** Ugh. I won't rub in what we're experiencing here.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:31 AM (DmNpO)

51 For live race updates, the Nascar live leaderboard is the best I've found. Has a nice race summary and caution summary, too. http://www.nascar.com/en_us/sprint-cup-series/leaderboard/leaderboard-live.html

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 11:31 AM (ZPrif)

52 A figure 8 track would be interesting. Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 03:27 PM (DmNpO)

There's always Watkins Glen: http://bit.ly/1koCUzf

Posted by: alexthechick - come for the Global Warming stay for the SMOD at March 02, 2014 11:32 AM (Gk3SS)

53 46 If she drove in a bikini, I would agree. ;-)

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:32 AM (ojnk6)

54 Boobehs. *** that'll do it

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:32 AM (DmNpO)

55 Used to be a rabid nascar fan, the Dale Sr deal kinda took the edge off for me. Still watch and enjoy, just not as rabid anymore. I've drifted over to the NHRA. Love top fuel and funny cars.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 11:32 AM (Q8vlx)

56 For live race updates, the Nascar live leaderboard is the best I've found. Has a nice race summary and caution summary, too. **** thanks!

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:33 AM (DmNpO)

57 @24 I was a motorcycle road racer. Some time we'll have drinks and weep on it.

Used to be, it wasn't a disgrace to run a 200 or 250 or 300 mile race. People expected it. But today, everything having to be a "Something" 500, we'll go with 500 European, Non-American, Forced on Us By Snoots, Invented by The Same Guys Who Brought You Margarine and The Guillotine, <<Kee-Low-Metres>>.

Hullo, YuhNasker? MEH.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at March 02, 2014 11:34 AM (xq1UY)

58 There's always Watkins Glen: http://bit.ly/1koCUzf *** Cool! Is that a NASCAR track?

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:34 AM (DmNpO)

59 49 NDH, I think Bristol is the shortest at 1/2 mile.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:34 AM (ojnk6)

60 NDH the shortest track would be Martinsville,VA.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 11:34 AM (Q8vlx)

61 If she drove in a bikini, I would agree. ;-)

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 03:32 PM (ojnk6)

Potential for scorched boobehs.

Posted by: Retread at March 02, 2014 11:35 AM (cHwk5)

62 Watkins Glen has one nascar race per year. Very cool.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 11:35 AM (Q8vlx)

63 NDH, I think Bristol is the shortest at 1/2 mile. *** Holy cow! That's nothing but a solid turn.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:35 AM (DmNpO)

64 Cool! Is that a NASCAR track? Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 03:34 PM (DmNpO)

Yup. I'll admit, there are times that I've gotten dizzy just watching that race. If you think this is different than Daytona, just wait until you watch the short track races.

Posted by: alexthechick - come for the Global Warming stay for the SMOD at March 02, 2014 11:36 AM (Gk3SS)

65 Danica really soured me after she managed to actually finish the Daytona 500 last year or the year before. I can't remember which. She came in 8th. And her post-race interview was her bitching about not getting any help at the end. You came in 8TH! You should be pretty fucking happy you finished at that position based on your experience rather than whining that no one was willing to risk their own final position on an inexperienced driver. The one that deserved to be ticked was Gordon who wound up stuck back in 20's because he really couldn't find anyone to help him.

Posted by: buzzion at March 02, 2014 11:37 AM (LI48c)

66 63 However, I could be wrong. Is Martinsville also a half mile track?

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:37 AM (ojnk6)

67 I, ummmmmmmm, happen to like all the ahhhhhhhhhhhh left turns.

Posted by: Balack Obama at March 02, 2014 11:38 AM (jucos)

68 NDH, the "Little 500" at Anderson Indiana has thirty-three 700+HP sprint cars doing just 500 crummy little laps...on a quarter mile track.

TV-and-Wheaties-box era Nascar doesn't do anything less than half-miles, but then there are long and short half-miles. Forty years ago when there were still dirt tracks on the points circuit, there were some about 3/8 mile. But, dirt was different.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at March 02, 2014 11:38 AM (xq1UY)

69 Nascar's RaceView is surprisingly good. I got it one year to see what it was like, it was some promotion. I haven't gotten it since cause I'm cheap, but it was surprisingly good. Basically let's you watch the race in real time from any car in a virtual camera. It's like watching a video game, except the cars are being updated by the live race data. So you can stick the camera behind any driver you want and watch the race from their perspective. Neat idea.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 11:39 AM (ZPrif)

70 Okay, I see that Martinsville is at the end of March and the funky track at Glen Watkins is in August.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:39 AM (DmNpO)

71
I'm missing.

Posted by: The Elbows at March 02, 2014 11:39 AM (gorVZ)

72 I don't know what's going on but Danica Patrick hit me as I was pulling out of my driveway about ten minutes ago.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at March 02, 2014 11:39 AM (oFCZn)

73 >>>This race, on the shorter track, looks so different than at Daytona. I don't guess we'll see any of that 3-wide racing here.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 03:30 PM (DmNpO)<<<

Phoenix is very, very flat. Cars can be trickier to handle here. Almost sliding them though corners. Daytona has very steep banking helping the cars keep their high speeds around the track.

Typically short tracks are Bristol and Martinsville (~.5 miles), Richmond (~.75mi) for the Sprint Cup Series. Dover, Phoenix, and NH (~ 1 mil) are pretty close though, and can offer similar excitement.

Posted by: Hate Miser at March 02, 2014 11:39 AM (UIxS+)

74 Danica really soured me after she managed to actually finish the Daytona 500 last year or the year before. I can't remember which. She came in 8th. And her post-race interview was her bitching about not getting any help at the end. You came in 8TH! You should be pretty fucking happy you finished at that position based on your experience rather than whining that no one was willing to risk their own final position on an inexperienced driver. The one that deserved to be ticked was Gordon who wound up stuck back in 20's because he really couldn't find anyone to help him. *** Poor winners are worse than poor losers.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:40 AM (DmNpO)

75 I don't know what's going on but Danica Patrick hit me as I was pulling out of my driveway about ten minutes ago. **** LOL

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:41 AM (DmNpO)

76 Takes more talent to win on the flatter tracks. You actually have to drive the car.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 11:42 AM (Q8vlx)

77 I'm missing. Posted by: The Elbows at March 02, 2014 03:39 PM (gorVZ) *** Noted.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:42 AM (DmNpO)

78 Dack, sure it wasn't Austin?

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 11:43 AM (Q8vlx)

79 65 Gordon used to do that until Tony Stewart came out and said "Well gosh Jeff, how about if we all slow down for you until you get your car better." Funny stuff.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:43 AM (ojnk6)

80 NDH, here's the clips package from Watkins Glen last year so you can see the difference.

http://youtu.be/1mgQ2GAI3qw

I always love the races at Pocono when a deer suddenly wanders onto the track or when it's raining on one part and perfectly sunny on another.

Posted by: alexthechick - come for the Global Warming stay for the SMOD at March 02, 2014 11:43 AM (Gk3SS)

81 77 I'm missing.
Posted by: The Elbows at March 02, 2014 03:39 PM (gorVZ)

***

Noted.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 03:42 PM (DmNpO)

The Sprint girls are usually pretty cute/hot. If you don't know who I'm talking about, its the chicks that have to stand there smiling at the end of the race during the interview with the race winner while wearing a Sprint Cup fire suit. There job is to just stand there smiling and to make sure they stay in the camera frame.

Posted by: buzzion at March 02, 2014 11:44 AM (LI48c)

82 Phoenix track looks very distinctive on TV with the mountains in the background. Can always tell immediately when it's a Phoenix race.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 11:44 AM (ZPrif)

65....And her post-race interview was her bitching about not getting any help at the end.

Yeah, I know what you mean, buzzion.

While it's kinda cool that there is a girl in the races...because it's still a rarity...I wish she would ixnay on the bitching.

If you're gonna run with the guys, please stfu and don't embarrass us other girls.

Posted by: wheatie at March 02, 2014 11:44 AM (QsHQT)

84 Nothing like watching a NASCAR race live. I grew up just a stones throw from Sears Point (now Infineon), which is one of the two road course tracks on the circuit. I'm now just 90 minutes from the Las Vegas track and I've never been to a race where they go faster than 90 mph. I'm looking fwd to next week.

Posted by: Urban Achiever at March 02, 2014 11:44 AM (nfSGi)

85 When Phoenix was new, it had a dirt back straight. There was a slide apron on turns 3 and 4 so you could blow the dirt out of your tires. If you didn't get her gathered up in that sweep, there was a bulkhead at the beginning of the front straight you could drive head-on into. Damnedest thing you ever saw.

And the cars didn't have any of these fender things on them either. And, no lawn.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at March 02, 2014 11:45 AM (xq1UY)

86 83 65....And her post-race interview was her bitching about not getting any help at the end.

Yeah, I know what you mean, buzzion.

While it's kinda cool that there is a girl in the races...because it's still a rarity...I wish she would ixnay on the bitching.
If you're gonna run with the guys, please stfu and don't embarrass us other girls.

Posted by: wheatie at March 02, 2014 03:44 PM (QsHQT)

Eh, the guys bitch too. Its just that they're probably not going to be bitching about finishing 8th at a track they have limited experience at.

Posted by: buzzion at March 02, 2014 11:47 AM (LI48c)

87 Urban Achiever Las Vegas is a great venue for nascar. Went to the very first race there in 98. Had a great time. I'll be there the end of March for nhra.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 11:47 AM (Q8vlx)

88 A figure 8 track would be interesting.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 03:27 PM (DmNpO)

Back when Fox Sports One was Speed, they had a program titled Lucas Oil Extreme, which had all manner of insanity from speed boat courses to lawnmowers to offroading over boulders (where half the competitors ended upside down). One of the events was figure 8 racing. It went pretty much how you'd expect (you have to slow down for the crossing if any traffic is lagging far enough to be there, which didn't always work out).

Posted by: Methos at March 02, 2014 11:48 AM (hO9ad)

89 Who broke the blog?

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at March 02, 2014 11:49 AM (oFCZn)

90 Oh nevermind

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at March 02, 2014 11:50 AM (oFCZn)

91 The blog was centrist for a short time.

Posted by: Gran at March 02, 2014 11:50 AM (nPMjI)

92 Sooooo. I'm going to assume that since the blog has achieved Zen and centered itself, that elbows were added.

Posted by: alexthechick - come for the Global Warming stay for the SMOD at March 02, 2014 11:50 AM (Gk3SS)

93 Who center justified the Blog?

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:50 AM (ojnk6)

94 I'm driving the center line here.

Those "Sprint Girls" used to be called Trophy Girls.
They didn't wear much, even in the Fifties.
I guess the Muslim fundamentalist fan base had a problem.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at March 02, 2014 11:51 AM (xq1UY)

95 Updated with elbows

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:51 AM (DmNpO)

96 93 Never mind, it's back.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:51 AM (ojnk6)

97 The Southwest now is one of the best covered parts of America for Nascar - Phoenix, Vegas, LA (Fontana) all have tracks now. Phoenix gets two races a year. And Nascar does do really well in Vegas. Which surprised a lot of people. Does so well in Vegas that I agree with a lot of people that Nascar should put the season finale there. Miami/Homestead just doesn't seem to be working out that great.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 11:53 AM (ZPrif)

98 95 Many thanks!

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:54 AM (ojnk6)

99 Flatbush you are so right. And, it would make sense.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 11:54 AM (Q8vlx)

100

Unfortunately, I can't see the new pic that's been added.

My twitchy internet connection is even more fucked up today, probably because of the weather.

Oh well...I gotta bundle up and get out in the mess for a bit.

There is a starving herd of backyard birds out there, so I'm gonna go fill up the feeders, knock the ice out of the water dishes, give them some water and peanut butter to help them survive this.

Later gators.

Posted by: wheatie at March 02, 2014 11:56 AM (QsHQT)

101 Bruton Smith owns Vegas, so Brian France would never end the season there.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 11:56 AM (Q8vlx)

102 Are you in OK, Wheatie? Freezing rain, thndersleet, and now all snow here in Edmond,OK. Crazy part is that I was outside in shorts and flip flops on Friday.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at March 02, 2014 11:56 AM (o9Rp5)

103 NDH, here's the clips package from Watkins Glen last year so you can see the difference. http://youtu.be/1mgQ2GAI3qw I always love the races at Pocono when a deer suddenly wanders onto the track or when it's raining on one part and perfectly sunny on another. *** Looks like there's lots of spinouts there.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 11:57 AM (DmNpO)

104 99 More races are slated at ISC (France family) owned tracks. Imagine that.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:57 AM (ojnk6)

105 NDH, you should be able to find "Figgerate" racing about anywhere. It won't be with NASCAR rigs, you'll understand, but any quarter-mile that runs local rules Sportsman classes is likely to have it on the card every week. People like it.

It's surprising how much like a demolition derby it isn't. There's a skill to it.

Now for sheer jollity, wait for the coupons and take the Cub Scouts, you'll want

School Bus Figure Eight. Very popular the week before school starts.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at March 02, 2014 11:58 AM (xq1UY)

106 MWNP no surprise there.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 11:58 AM (Q8vlx)

107 Updated with elbows

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

Jeebus, I'm in the wrong business. Should have taken the "Sports star" career track.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at March 02, 2014 11:58 AM (o9Rp5)

108 101 Bruton Smith does a much better job with upkeep and modernizing his tracks than ISC does.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 11:59 AM (ojnk6)

109 Yeah, Nascar WAGs are pretty uniformly super hot. And a lot of the driver are kinda small and/or weird looking dudes. Kyle Busch is a crazy good driver, but is just not a handsome man. The Nascar WAG photos are often these gorgeous women in heels towering above their driver dude. Gordon and his wife are an example.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 11:59 AM (ZPrif)

110 MWNP yes he does. Never stops improving.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 12:00 PM (Q8vlx)

111 The Nascar WAG photos are often these gorgeous women in heels towering above their driver dude. Gordon and his wife are an example. *** Yep http://bit.ly/1koHoG2

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 12:02 PM (DmNpO)

112 111 NDH, bringing the elbows today....

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 12:03 PM (ojnk6)

113 111 NDH, bringing the elbows today....

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 12:03 PM (ojnk6)

114 That's a pretty beard. Kidding really, I'm not much into Nascar but my grandmother loves Gordon so I always give her crap about him being ghey.

Posted by: Adam at March 02, 2014 12:04 PM (Aif/5)

115 That's a pretty beard. Kidding really, I'm not much into Nascar but my grandmother loves Gordon so I always give her crap about him being ghey.

Posted by: Adam at March 02, 2014 12:04 PM (Aif/5)

116 Junior to 2nd. Bring it!

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 12:04 PM (ojnk6)

117 Junior to 2nd. Bring it!

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 12:04 PM (ojnk6)

118 NDH, bringing the elbows today.... *** She's cute. I like her crooked smile.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 12:05 PM (DmNpO)

119 NDH, bringing the elbows today.... *** She's cute. I like her crooked smile.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 12:05 PM (DmNpO)

120 Initial impression is that I prefer the longer track racing.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 12:07 PM (DmNpO)

121 gaming thread up

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 12:07 PM (DmNpO)

122 116 More action throughout the race at shorter tracks. Bigger tracks always get the "big one" that takes out half the field.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 12:09 PM (ojnk6)

123 She's cute. I like her crooked smile.

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

She has a face?

Posted by: Duke Lowell at March 02, 2014 12:10 PM (o9Rp5)

124 More action throughout the race at shorter tracks. Bigger tracks always get the "big one" that takes out half the field. *** I think it's the long shot down the straightaway that I prefer.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 12:10 PM (DmNpO)

125 Fox Sports' Shake and Bake Nascar blog regularly has Nascar WAGs and seems to be going for more of a pop culture, light-hearted Nascar tone. Basically trying to appeal and attract more casual fans. http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/shake-and-bake Racing Reference is the best site I know of for Nascar statistics. http://racing-reference.info/ I find the Nascar site itself kinda clunky, but their Live Leaderboard is the best.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 12:10 PM (ZPrif)

126 Initial impression is that I prefer the longer track racing.

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

Agreed. I much prefer the superspeedway although the restrictor plate has taken some of the excitement out of it.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at March 02, 2014 12:11 PM (o9Rp5)

127 121 Word on NASCAR.com. Nowadays it will barely even load on my phone. Turner yas made it too heavy.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 12:13 PM (ojnk6)

128 For all motorsports, there is a site tvracer.com which does a great job of putting up an easy to read grid of pretty up TV times of every form of motorsports on American TV. Nascar, F1, Supercross, Rally, Indy, MotoGP -- anything. If I ever want to know what races on on TV this weekend -- tvracer.com is where I go.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 12:14 PM (ZPrif)

129 Word on NASCAR.com. Nowadays it will barely even load on my phone. Turner yas made it too heavy.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 04:13 PM (ojnk6)

Yeah. I had to close the tab on that link FBJ posted. It slowed down everything to a crawl.

Posted by: Retread at March 02, 2014 12:17 PM (cHwk5)

130 I want to see NASCAR do a Grand Prix style race. To see 43 of them tearing through the streets of some city would be awesome. They are having trouble filling the stands, they need to change things up some more. The change in qualifying is a start.

Posted by: TC at March 02, 2014 12:18 PM (jqmxX)

131 126 I think Nascar Nationwide does a race like this in Mexico.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 12:20 PM (ojnk6)

132 @118 - Far as I'm concerned re NASCAR road courses are best, then short-track, then pretty much anything else that isn't a superspeedway, then Daytona et al.

Posted by: JEM at March 02, 2014 12:20 PM (o+SC1)

133 128 I would tend to, agree.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 12:21 PM (ojnk6)

134 She has a face? Posted by: Duke Lowell at March 02, 2014 04:10 PM (o9Rp5) Heh. *peers into the screen* What smile? The smile on her face! What face?

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at March 02, 2014 12:22 PM (oFCZn)

135 I preferred the short tracks until they repaved them to "improve" them. Drivers like it cause more race lines means they don't have to bump and spin each other to pass. But it was more fun when they had to push each other out of the way to pass. And the road courses are fun.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 12:26 PM (ZPrif)

136 Half mile tracks -- Not a lot of room for anyone, lots of position changes. Cars aren't going as fast, allows for a more leeway to bang on each other a bit more and not cause "a big one" type wreck. Aerodynamics are out the window too, so cars with noses all taped up and sheet metal missing can challenge for top spots. Who's got the better brakes may win the day.

Mile tracks -- More room to work with, more spaced out racing. Can have a fair number of position changes, but harder to have pack racing.

~1.5 mile tracks (cookie cutters) -- Tend to be the most boring of the races. Spread out racing. Fuel/tire strategy, pit stops my be the best times to pick up positions. Some of the tracks can be very, very fast (Texas) but that doesn't always mean interresting racing.

Superspeedways -- High speeds, restrictor plates and aero packages keep the cars racing in packs. Can be exciting because one false move leads to disaster, but can lead to long stretches of cars just riding around, not moving much in the pack, trying to avoid problems. Cars are so even, racing depends less on your own car and ability, but the drivers around you (can you find a fast group to run with, can you avoid anyone else's mistakes).

Road Courses -- Fun tracks. Longer tracks. Not pack racing, but nose to tail racing. Driver's skill is really on display here. Cornering, breaking are very important. Mild amounts of contact (8 wheels corner better than 4 at times). With only 2 road races a year, they are welcome changes to the left turn, left turn, left turn monotony.

**all just my humble opionions.

Posted by: Hate Miser at March 02, 2014 12:34 PM (UIxS+)

137 If you break the blog by adding elbows is that a barreling? I the AOSHQ style guide committee may need to consider a revision.

Posted by: blaster at March 02, 2014 12:34 PM (4+AaH)

138

102 Are you in OK, Wheatie? Freezing rain, thndersleet, and now all snow here in Edmond,OK. Crazy part is that I was outside in shorts and flip flops on Friday.

--------

Yeah, Duke. ...You're in Edmond?

I'm SW of you, down in the Mustang area.

And yeah...we've had what, about a 50Â° temperature drop?

It's 10Â° now, probably down in the single digits tonight.

Not complaining about getting the moisture, though, even tho it's frozen.

We need it.

But the trees and things are all budded out already, and this cold is gonna mess them up bigtime.

Posted by: wheatie at March 02, 2014 12:37 PM (QsHQT)

139 Posted by: Hate Miser at March 02, 2014 04:34 PM (UIxS+) *** thanks for the education

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 12:38 PM (DmNpO)

140 Yay Danica! You crash girlfriend!

Posted by: johnd01 at March 02, 2014 12:45 PM (r0+v0)

141 Wreck involving Danica. Imagine that....

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at March 02, 2014 12:46 PM (ojnk6)

142 It just cracks me up that they tape up the cars and send them back out.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 12:48 PM (DmNpO)

143 They ruined Bristol. Those races used to always be sod out. Now they advertise tickets up until race weekend.

Posted by: TC at March 02, 2014 12:49 PM (jqmxX)

144 Jimmie....

Posted by: KWDreaming at March 02, 2014 12:49 PM (/yOZJ)

145 No prob at all. Thank you for the main post.

Used to be a really big fan. Still watch it a bit, but the NASCAR head honchos keep tweaking things (like the Chase format, Car of Tomorrow b.s.) that it's in the running with the NFL lately for most annoyingly micro-managed sport.

I still do enjoy greatly when new people find their way to becoming fans. It's a lot more than just watching good ol' boys sitting in a car, going fast, and turning left. It can be a lot to take in with pit/fuel/tire strategies, track characteristics, etc, etc.

Posted by: Hate Miser at March 02, 2014 12:49 PM (UIxS+)

146 Yeah, the 1.5m seem the least popular with the more hard-core Nascar fans -- the dig being that they are cookie-cutter tracks and all the same and have boring racing. Many of them also popped up during the Nascar boom of the 90s/2000s and Nascar ditched older tracks in the southeast for these new tracks -- often built near major metro areas. Nascar spent the 90s desperately trying to shed it's image as a regional Southern sport and become a true national sport. Nascar still really, really wants to get a track built in the Pacific Northwest. They almost had a deal for one outside Seattle in the mid-2000s, but it became a political issue and the Democrats blocked it Same thing happened with a proposed Nascar track in NYC (Somewhere in Staten Island, I think, can't remember exactly). The "Nascar Dads" vs "soccer Moms" helped Nascar at first, but then hurt them because Democrat politicians in Seattle and NYC went out of their way to block the privately funded tracks just because Nascar had become a "Republican" sport in pop culture.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 12:52 PM (ZPrif)

147 Actually the tape has gotten better. There used to be a saying that the Daytona "specials" were held together with baling wire and Calvinist prayer.

For those who might not know of them, I'd like to throw in the one-mile dirt and gravel ovals. If you don't count the board tracks (and please, don't) these were the first really high-speed US tracks. The cars are open wheel, front engine long wheelbase with large V8's. Now they call them "Silver Crown."

There are only four left: New York, Indiana and Illinois State Fairgrounds, and DuQuoin IL. Do not miss a chance to see one of these races. You'll never see anything like it again.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at March 02, 2014 12:55 PM (xq1UY)

148 Ooops.

Posted by: Danica Patwreck at March 02, 2014 12:59 PM (Dwehj)

149 I'm in a Nascar pool at the local pub. You draw a number each week between 0 and 9. Any car that ends in that number that wins the race and you win $100. My number this week is 8. It's fun because you root for multiple drivers.

Posted by: Fan at March 02, 2014 12:59 PM (i7KmQ)

150 For comparison, NYC is throwing tax money to build a new soccer stadium. The last decade has seen 10+ new soccer-specific stadiums built across America, often in more liberal cities, usually at taxpayer expense. The Seattle and NYC tracks would have been totally financed with private money. But Nascar needed the politicians to zone the land to allow them to build. And they wouldn't do it. Would have provided tons of tax revenue and made tons of locals happy to have a local race -- but the more activist parts of the Democrats saw it as a way to defeat a "right-wing" sport. Several of the current Nascar drivers -- Biffle and Kahne -- are from the Pacific Northwest. Tons of Nascar fans out there. Nascar usually tries to get tracks built in rural areas just outside a major metro and right off the interstate.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 01:01 PM (ZPrif)

151 The eco-Left seems to fight all motorsports on principle -- that it's just inherently evil and wasteful to burn gasoline for fun. And we all know how much power the eco-Left has in the Democratic Party these days.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 01:04 PM (ZPrif)

152 Yeah, Wheatie, it's been crazy weather. 71 on Friday and 12 now. I really hope things thaw out by Tuesday as I'm flying out to Salt Lake City for a job interview.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at March 02, 2014 01:04 PM (o9Rp5)

153 Ooops.

Posted by: Danica Patwreck at March 02, 2014 04:59 PM (Dwehj)

*golf clap*

Posted by: Retread at March 02, 2014 01:06 PM (cHwk5)

154 Gordon's wife for the Nascar newbies, is actually his second wife. Wife #1 was a Winston cup girl, who after 10 some years of marriage, up and divorced the guy. Divorces happen in Nascar, but not at the rate in Hollywood, etc. and they tend to be kept very private. Gordon's turned into a bit of a circus, she accused him of marital misconduct(whatever that is..), wanted almost all the stuff they had acquired, including the mansions, airplanes, alimoney, etc. She ended up with somewhere north of 15 million. 2nd wife, Ingrid, was a model as the photo can attest, and has presented Mr. Gordon with two kids. I love seeing the drivers at the track waiting for the starting festivities , holding onto a crumb cruncher while standing with the wife. Much more down to earth than the typical Hollywood types.

Posted by: Jen at March 02, 2014 01:07 PM (XkXzn)

155 I love seeing the drivers at the track waiting for the starting festivities , holding onto a crumb cruncher while standing with the wife. Much more down to earth than the typical Hollywood types. ** I've caught that vibe. It seems very much a God and family type of sport.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 01:09 PM (DmNpO)

156 If we could only make right turns, I'd be fine.

Posted by: Danica Patwreck at March 02, 2014 01:11 PM (Dwehj)

157 If we could only make right turns, I'd be fine. *** I stepped away to do some laundry. Did she hit the wall?

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 01:12 PM (DmNpO)

158 Did she hit the wall?

No. And I still look damned good for my age, I'll have you know. I haven't hit that wall yet.

Posted by: Danica Patwreck at March 02, 2014 01:14 PM (Dwehj)

159 No. And I still look damned good for my age, I'll have you know. I haven't hit that wall yet. *** heh

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 01:15 PM (DmNpO)

160 I cringe every time they take the 3rd turn. I think it's the third turn. Just scraping along that wall.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 01:18 PM (DmNpO)

161 wheatie?

Birds?

You are a kindly soul. Because my first wife was handicapped I had myself "fixed." No children, from her or my second wife, Emily. So we always had dogs and cats and birds.

Posted by: backhoe at March 02, 2014 01:19 PM (ULH4o)

162 I cringe every time they take the 3rd turn.

It's not my favorite, either.

Posted by: Danica Patwreck at March 02, 2014 01:20 PM (Dwehj)

163 I've got a huge crush on the Allstate Mayhem guy.

Posted by: Danica Patwreck at March 02, 2014 01:24 PM (Dwehj)

164 When my gal pals gab about fine china I always think restrictor plates.

Posted by: Danica Patwreck at March 02, 2014 01:30 PM (Dwehj)

165 2nd wife, Ingrid, was a model as the photo can attest, and has presented Mr. Gordon with two kids.

My mother is a big Jeff Gordon fan (what is it with the grannie and Jeff?) so I know this from her: he wanted kids, his ex- didn't and that's a big part of why she's an ex.

As well as seeing the wives and kidlets with the drivers before the race, it's nice that they honor the singing of the SSB, alot of them sing along.

Posted by: Retread at March 02, 2014 01:49 PM (cHwk5)

166 Danica and a 57 Chevy

I apologize to AtC and Anna Puma for the cutoff of teh stompy boots

http://tinyurl.com/k6ecppm

Posted by: kbdabear at March 02, 2014 02:00 PM (aTXUx)

167 Oh crap. I just found myself cheering for Jr. I do't even have a dog in this fight.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 02:00 PM (DmNpO)

168 Danica and a 57 Chevy I apologize to AtC and Anna Puma for the cutoff of teh stompy boots *** I think she looks MUCH better in the less processed shots.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 02:03 PM (DmNpO)

169 Mrs Jeff Gordon

I'd hit that like Danica on the 3rd turn wall

Posted by: kbdabear at March 02, 2014 02:07 PM (aTXUx)

170 It's interesting that someone mentioned how the left hates motor sports. The sport of motocross and supercross changed over to four stroke bikes in about 04 from two strokes due to looming EPA regulations on gasoline- and it completely ruined the sport. It took a 450cc four stroke to put out comparable power to a 250cc two stroke. The tracks had to be made less challenging due to increased weight if the bikes( about 20 extra pounds) and the lack of instantaneous power delivery that two stroke engines provided. Totally changed the dynamic of the sport- and NOT for the better. Fucking democrats even ruin sports with their bullshit.

Posted by: The drizzle at March 02, 2014 02:07 PM (ysCLj)

171 Totally changed the dynamic of the sport- and NOT for the better. Fucking democrats even ruin sports with their bullshit.

Posted by: The drizzle at March 02, 2014 06:07 PM (ysCLj)

No, sports are SAFE now, no one gets hurt, and EVERYONE wins a trophy!!

Posted by: Roger Goodell at March 02, 2014 02:09 PM (aTXUx)

172 That #4 car just screeched today.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 02:11 PM (DmNpO)

173 Totally changed the dynamic of the sport- and NOT for the better. Fucking democrats even ruin sports with their bullshit.

Posted by: The drizzle at March 02, 2014 06:07 PM (ysCLj)

Catchers can't block the plate starting this season in baseball. I'm waiting for the rule where a runner can't try to break up a double play at 2nd

Posted by: kbdabear at March 02, 2014 02:11 PM (aTXUx)

174 Roush Racing has really fallen off. Not long ago they rivaled Hendrick as he dominant team.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 02:11 PM (ZPrif)

175 Hendricks gets 3 of their 4 in the top 10.

Posted by: toby928© beating memes to death since 2006 at March 02, 2014 02:14 PM (QupBk)

176 It's interesting that someone mentioned how the left hates motor sports.

I tried to tell my moonbat sister about the new Gordon Pepsi ad, and she went absolutely berserk about how she didn't want to hear anything about NASCAR.

Posted by: Methos at March 02, 2014 02:15 PM (hO9ad)

177 And Kahne was 11th. Think Hendrick finished 2, 5, 6, 11

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 02:15 PM (ZPrif)

178 and Kahne was in 11th.

Posted by: toby928© beating memes to death since 2006 at March 02, 2014 02:15 PM (QupBk)

179 but not the checker

Posted by: toby928© beating memes to death since 2006 at March 02, 2014 02:16 PM (QupBk)

180 The corporate Nascar people hate that their sport has become a part of the political war. They throw tons of money at stupid "green" crap trying to get left-wingers to give them a chance. It's the new Left progressives that hate them -- the old style union Democrats love Nascar. Motorsports are huge all over the midwest. It's the New Left where everything is some political statement that have to hate Nascar on principle. The old union Dems are much better -- they just want to get above-market wages from their union, they aren't on some ideological jihad like the New Left. But that's who runs the Democrats these days.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 02:18 PM (ZPrif)

181 Pity NASCAR doesn't have the stones to tell the New Left to pound sand. It isn't as though they'd lose ticket sales if they did.

Posted by: Retread at March 02, 2014 02:20 PM (cHwk5)

182 I bet their are greenies out there crapping their pants about Harvick burning rubber after the win.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 02:21 PM (DmNpO)

183 Larson got a top 20. If he can regularly run top 20 his rookie season that's good. He'll be disappointed, but that's good.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 02:22 PM (ZPrif)

184 there are... dangit

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 02:23 PM (DmNpO)

185 I'm trying to figure out how the points are calculated. Jr. has 48 pts but Hanlin, in second place, has 43 pts.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 02, 2014 02:25 PM (DmNpO)

186 Brian France and the corporate side of Nascar have made it really clear -- they want to appeal to everyone They definitely don't want to pick fights with the rulers of the Democrats. The two biggest PR initiatives Nascar has done in recent years are their Green stuff and their Drive for Diversity. Nascar has been very consciously trying to get the Obama's and Pelosi's of the world to like them -- or at least stop hating them. They've thrown money at left-wing ideological causes. They invite any celebrity who will show up to their races. Nascar craves mainstream attention, Hollywood attention, praise from the New Left. At least Brian France and the corporate side of Nascar does.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 02:31 PM (ZPrif)

187 Drizzle: Demonrats ruin everything the fuckin pricks.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at March 02, 2014 02:36 PM (Q8vlx)

188 It's understandable. Nascar doesn't want to be a regional sport. Or a sport just for rural people -- especially as more and more people live in cities. Nascar wants to be a national -- an international sport. They want to be the F1 of stock cars. They definitely don't want to pick fights with any large or influential part of America.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 02:36 PM (ZPrif)

189 The greenies will never stop hating NASCAR, even if they went so far as to race with electric cars. They need them as a whipping boy and France ought to be able to figure that out.

Posted by: Retread at March 02, 2014 02:37 PM (cHwk5)

190 Actually I think the new FIA Formula E electric car race series is supposed to start this year. I believe Leonardo DiCaprio is a big backer/endorser. Gonna be a car owner.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 02:42 PM (ZPrif)

191 I'm trying to figure out how the points are calculated.

If you look late in the list it looks like the basic 43 for first, 42 for second, etc. seems to hold for later positions on the list. In addition you get 1 point for leading a lap, 1 for leading the most laps, and another 3 per victory. If Junior led the most laps last week, that still holds, though last season, you didn't get those 3 point awards until you got to the chase.

Points aren't going to matter for most folks though. Under the new format unless more than 15 drivers win a race in the first 26 races, winning gets you in the chase regardless of points. For each less than 15 winners, one more driver will get in on points, but that's not likely to be many.

Posted by: Methos at March 02, 2014 02:48 PM (hO9ad)

192 Brian France and the corporate side of Nascar have made it really clear -- they want to appeal to everyone They definitely don't want to pick fights with the rulers of the Democrats. The two biggest PR initiatives Nascar has done in recent years are their Green stuff and their Drive for Diversity. Nascar has been very consciously trying to get the Obama's and Pelosi's of the world to like them -- or at least stop hating them. They've thrown money at left-wing ideological causes. They invite any celebrity who will show up to their races. Nascar craves mainstream attention, Hollywood attention, praise from the New Left. At least Brian France and the corporate side of Nascar does. Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 02, 2014 06:31 PM (ZPrif) Which is why Nascar has thrown "she who hits the wall "out in front of the cameras constantly. It's a PR stunt attempting to get the wymen studies folks all a flutter over the fact that there is a female driver in Sprint Cup currently(they seem to have forgotten there were 15 previous women drivers in Sprint Cup, going all the way back to 1977, 7 in Nationwide (and 7 that are currently active, including Panica), 17 in the Truck series(2 currently active) and 11 in Nascar's local , misc. series. Shawna Robinson had an all female pit crew when she drove at Texas, and I know there are currently a few pit crews in Sprint and Nationwide that have at lease one female crew member...I think one was even a tire changer, which is a scary thought. Richard Petty was absolutely right about Danica's good support from Nascar, she is the peace offering to the leftists. She was the complete package, enough driving creds from open wheel that everyone could accept her Nascar licensing, enough T&A to peak some interest from the male fans, and what they thought would attract "little girls" to the sport, hence paying the leftist duty.

Posted by: Jen at March 02, 2014 03:57 PM (XkXzn)

193 NASCAR is so cool. Turn left, drive fast, dont crash and dress like a pimp.

Posted by: butternut at March 02, 2014 06:06 PM (+8yte)

194 NASCAR is so cool. Turn left, drive fast, dont crash and dress like a pimp. At 180mph, you'd piss yourself.

Posted by: toby928© beating memes to death since 2006 at March 02, 2014 06:23 PM (QupBk)

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