I figured jbroomy would have posted this but since I don't see it yet I'll announce the latest news from the IRL - Champ Car merger. Apparently Forsythe Racing announced today they are closing up shop. That means Paul Tracy is now a free agent looking for a ride. Early rumors say he may end up driving for Tony George's Vision Racing team joining A.J. Foyt IV and Ed Carpenter. It was also reported today that the field at Homestead may include 8 cars from Champ Car meaning a total car count of anywhere from 24 to 27 cars. Most of you who follow open wheel probably already know that the Long Beach race will be run the same weekend as Motegi with the Champ Car teams in Cali and the IRL teams in Japan. Points will be awarded at both venues so the combined fields at Homestead and all other dates will have both groups on an even playing field points-wise.
Well, the NASCAR pages have given us some great new information this week about the sport we love. Thanks for the wonderful bloggers who were kind enough to share their unique perspectives with all of us.
So here are my Top 5 Things We've Learned From NASCAR Bloggers Since Daytona
#1 - The term "Situational Awareness"
For many of you this may be a completely new word to add to your racing vocabulary. Thankfully, a guy who lists his 5 favorite sports on his profile, with none being racing, has brought this new term to our attention. We can only hope Chip Ganassi is sharp enough to pick up on this concept. Apparently, in spite of F1 and Indy 500 wins, two consecutive Rolex 24-hour wins, and Rookie of the Year honors in Cup last year, Juan Pablo Montoya lacks this crucial factor necessary for success in racing. We can only hope he learns it before his career is ruined. It's amazing how he has managed to fool car owners and sponsors for so long. Perhaps Chip Ganassi and several other owners should consult with the blogging expert who identified this key to racing success so they can enlist his services as a driver talent scout. He could also prove valuable as someone who could evaluate all the current Cup drivers to tell owners who they need to fire immediately.
#2 - The Car of Today looks like it has been a good investment so far for many reasons. Obviously, cost and safety considerations were important when NASCAR decided to implement the COT project. Being able to run a Martinsville chassis successfully on a super speedway is an obvious example of how successful Cup officials have been in developing and implementing this concept. The Daytona racing was also excellent bringing back some of the drafting and sling-shot passes we used to enjoy.
#3 - The purpose of some of NASCAR'S rules are still unclear to some particularly passionate "fans" who think being late to work should not cause a driver to be moved to the rear of the field and that doing so had "an impact" on the results of this year's race. Of course, many of you realize that being moved 100' or so backwards at the start of a 500 mile race shouldn't hurt a driver with a good horse under him. Nevertheless, this points out the need for keeping fans apprised of such rules which have existed in almost all forms of racing for many, many years. Who knew this situation would result in such a rant.
#4 - The appointment of klvalus to continue SouthernCindi's Who's Hot & Who's Not is a perfect decision by FoxSports. Kristen brings great writing talent and a true love for NASCAR racing to the table. We will always miss Cindi but should all be grateful Kristen has accepted the torch and will continue to run with it.
#5 - My number five was going to be about how there are wannabe racing sportswriters blogging who get their facts wrong and then are way too defensive about it but anyone who follows these pages has probably had enough of that subject.
So how do you like my new avatar. There's a blog in that picture. If your grandmother was on a plane and she saw a guy who looks like that coming onboard would she?
a. Think he might be a middle-Eastern terrorist
b. Think he just needs a shave and a haircut OR
c. Recognize him as the bad boy wannabe of Cup racing who couldn't care less whether his sponsors are comfortable with his grunge look
The opinions of this acerbic, bombastic, and caustic racing professor are due mostly to improper balance of medications that should probably just be used to put me in a coma. Thanks for stopping by.
