Category: Nascar

This is really turning into an uneventful Nascar season. I have very little motivation to watch races anymore.

Right now the only thing that could change my feelings is if Mark Matin wins the championship. Go Mark!

Well, Nascar has fined Jimmie Johnson 10 grand because he hid the powerade bottle with a Lowes sign. Ouch.

This seems so trivial stupid. I actually think Nascar is in the right on this. When a car is in victory lane, the driver/team should not alter anything on the roof. We don’t need another Lowes sign, all we ever see is Lowes, Lowes, Lowes all race long. Let Nascar have the roof for the 5 minutes(if even) of victory lane TV coverage to satisfy additional sponsors, even if they conflict with the winners.

I really like the fact that they don’t go to commercial the second the checkered flag flies forcing the winner to sit in his car until the tv station comes back from commercial. That’s the way Fox did it. I’m sure the drivers didn’t appreciate being forced to sit and wait when they would rather be celebrating.

Saturday I went the Busch race at the Milwaukee Mile. It was a one day show, meaning that all practices, qualifying, and race happen on the same day.

It was a typical Milwaukee Mile race(ie. relatively boring), but I brought my camera in for qualifying and took some shots. You can see the whole gallery here, but I’ll post a few thumbs here for easy viewing.

It was announced today that Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth will both be fined $25,000 and put on probation until Aug 11th for their late race actions at Pocono.

As a big Matt Kenseth fan, I’m sad that Matt sunk to Harvicks level and did what he did, but Harvick has tendency to really push other drivers buttons.

I made a quick stop by the official Harvick site and read through some of the message board posts by his fans(can you believe he actually has some) and can’t believe just how ignorant they are. They actually believe that Kenseth is completely at fault for the whole start the ordeal. What a bunch of dillusionists. [sarcasm]Because of course Harvick would never drive rough or take anyone out on purpose![/sarcasm]

…’nuff said…

No! That was 499 miles of boring racing. Even though there were a lot of lead changes, the race was such a yawner! Only race more boring was the Daytona 500.

Nascar.com Story Here

That was a boring 500. Unless of course you enjoy follow the leader. Oh, and DEI winning a restrictor plate race? Not really big news in my book.

If Nascar plans to turn Daytona into another cookie cutter(Chicago, Las Vegas) style event, I guess I can just start Tivoing it and just look for highlights.

Best thing about the race was seeing Michael walk away from yet another horrifying wreck at a super speedway. I’m glad he was ok. I was surprised that they didn’t show the wreck through his helmet cam though.

Next week, Fox comes back so at least the coverage won’t be as annoying.

While most folks fell victim to yesterdays over-marketed hallmark holiday, today is my special day. Today kicks off what is the beginning of what will be many hours pearched in front of a TV over the next 9 months.

Lets hope for an enjoyable, and most importantly, a safe race as Nextel Cup gets underway.

Nascar has one of the shortest off-seasons in any professional sports, probably just a touch under 3 months. This weekend, the 2004 season kicks off with the Bud Shootout. It’s a non points race, but it’s Saturday night, under the lights, and it’s racing.

This season brings a tidal wave of changes, hopefully all the changes make for better results(at least that�s the way their intended to work). The whole change to the points system is the big one. Like a lot of long time fans, I’m not thrilled about the change. I have read a lot of views on the points change, both positive and negative, and many valid points were made in favor of it. I’ll give it this season before I completely go off the handle on it.

The other big news is the new leading series primary sponsor. No longer titled, ‘Winston’ cup series, the transition to ‘Nextel’ cup series seems easier than expected. Without thought, I already say Nextel Cup on a regular basis. It’ll be interesting to see how many on-air slip ups there will be amongst drivers and commentators.

Also for the first few races it’s a matter of getting acquainted with all the drivers that are in new rides.

That�s all on the subject for now.