A decade ago, Des Moines, Iowa, used to have indoor races during the winter.  That tradition was revived last night by Kruse Motorsports in its "Battle at the Barn" event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The racing season in Iowa is rather short - April through September, leaving lots of time to reminisce.  Since Iowa is famous for sub-zero temperatures, gale force winds and lots of snow during the months racing is not in season, running a racing event in January is a bit of a stretch.  Unless, of course, you can rent a large open indoor space, such as Veteran's Memorial Auditorium. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which is exactly which "Barn" was used to run this event.  Racers from twelve states arrived in Des Moines to race their go-carts, three wheelers, quads and motorcycles indoors.

The track was prepared using Coke syrup.  A layer of Coke is sprayed on the slick concrete floor.  The Coke syrup helps the tires to stick to the concrete, causing rubber to accumulate on the floor and preventing the tires from spinning. 

Twenty-eight classes first ran heat races, then features started at 7 p.m.  Racers from young children to retirement aged adults competed, and the night ended around 10:30 p.m.

One of the more interesting events wasn't even publicized:  fist fighting.  One fight happened at the start-finish line, at least one in the pits, and one in the "infield" which led to the promoter throwing the offender out immediately.

I'd take the fighting as a sign we've gone to long without a good race!

 

 

Listen to this quote from Ray Evernham, made to the Charlotte Observer:
"When I left as a crew chief, I said the only way I would come back in that job is to be  Jeff Gordon's crew chief again."
David Poole believes that it means that Evernham isn't angling for Steve LeTarte's job, but rather doesn't want to be a crew chief unless he is competitive.  

1.  Could economic problems help local tracks?
Nascar races are expensive  vacations.  The cost of going to just one Nascar race would likely finance a complete season's worth of tickets at your local track.  
A trip to your local track can be a cheap way to spend a Friday or Saturday night.  In fact, the cost likely ranks up there with the cost of going to a movie.  And the race usually lasts a bit longer.  Many local tracks are trying to be family friendly, featuring kids' clubs, play areas and diaper changing stations in the bathrooms.  Plus, you're likely to meet a few neighbors, find a few local drivers, and get to scout out the pits after the race.
That said, many local tracks have been struggling to get by for years.  The increased costs of insurance and the increased purses have sapped money out of the industry.  Now is the time for all promoters to step to the plate and offer Nascar fans a reason to come to their local track through incentives, contests, and of course, great racing.
2.  Will sponsors shift to other series to save costs?
Nascar sponsorships are expensive.  But racing on the local or even national level with USAC or WOO can provide exposure to fans at the local level.  WOO has a television contract, particularly with the Knoxville Nationals, while USAC has a number of races at Nascar tracks.    Will sponsors find these smaller-priced teams carry a big commercial payoff?
3.  When will good reality TV programs hit racing?
In the past we had Nascar 360 and maybe I'm missing something on SPEED, but where are the shows highlighting how hard it is to make it in Nascar?  Or any racing series?  How about a show about a local track with a promoter who is trying to make a go at it?  Most fans have no idea how that works. And I'd guess that the fans would love to follow the racers at that track as well - think how much drama goes into racing.  The fist fights in the pits, the girlfriends tangling in the stands or the mothers watching their kid win the race.  
Or show us the guys in the shop, working on the car all week.  Or even the work a team owner does to land that big sponsor or cover the tire bill.  Follow the World of Outlaws for a season, showing us how hard it is to make a living driving at a different track every night of the weekend. 
There is so much more to racing than race day, show it to us in a compelling fashion.  Chances are, race fans will watch.  Who knows, maybe a few non-fans will too.
4.  What currently small-time driver will catapult into the spotlight this year?
A couple years ago, it was Clint Bowyer, working his way through the modified and late model scene.  Who is waiting in the wings to make their mark on Nascar?  Will Joey Logano make it?  Or will some other hot foot make a big impression?  Ricky Stenhouse Jr?  Dakota Armstrong?  Levi Jones?  

1.  Can Stewart Haas win a race?
Stewart Haas will have Hendrick engines, and Hendrick help.  But can that translate into wins?  Tony Stewart sure thinks so, or he never would have gambled on owning his own team.  Ryan Newman agreed to jump from Penske, so he must believe too.  However, last year saw Stewart only win once, which was the first season he had without multiple wins, and Newman won only at Daytona in the first race of the season.  Maybe the COT is trickier than everyone thinks.  Stewart will have the help of Darien Grubb, schooled at Chad Knaus's knee, but will that be enough to outsmart the savviest crew chief in the business right now?

2.  Will Jeff Gordon win in 2009?  And will Steve LeTarte remain his crew chief?
Jeff Gordon had a 14 year winning streak in the Cup series, until 2008.  Sure, he qualified for the Chase, but he didn't win a single race.  Meanwhile, his teammate, Jimmie Johnson looks invincible as he tries for a record 4th straight title.  What is wrong with Gordon's team?  Is he past his prime?  
For my money, Gordon is still a great driver.  The communication between Gordon and LeTarte leaves a lot to be desired.  At times last year, Gordon looked like he didn't have a clue what was wrong with the car, and the team couldn't help him.  I think if things don't improve, look for a new crew chief.
Psst, Jeff.  Ray Evernham has some time on his hands.  Remember him?  He helped you win 3 titles and you won 13 races in ONE year.  And he taught Chad Knauss how to sweep a floor.

3. Will Mark Martin contend for the title?
Mark Martin has to be everyone's sentimental pick to win the Championship.  But after a few years running partial schedules, is he ready to race every weekend?  He'll have a new team and a new crew chief.  In theory, he'll have the same equipment Jimmie Johnson gets.
Years at Roush produced some runner-up positions in the title hunt, but the Championship eluded him.  We'll see if running a Chevy makes a difference.


4.  Can Kyle Busch find his groove again?
Kyle Busch lit the field on fire early last year, only to inhale too much smoke to be a contender in the Championship hunt.  A bit young, Busch has loads of potential, and probably learned a lot last year.  Toyota should be strong again this year, and a full year with his team should help Busch out this year.  Maybe he'll have learned pacing and save something for the Chase.

5.  Can Earnhardt Ganassi hold it together?  Will Juan Pablo Montoya be able to win in a Chevy?
I'd love to be a fly on the wall at EG.  Chip Ganassi and Teresa Earnhardt are both straightforward people.  And Felix Sabates is no shrinking violet.  This matching has the potential to explode, or to work well together like TNT.  Only time will tell.
Juan Pablo Montoya had a lackluster sophomore season, which is not unusual in Nascar.  Montoya still has potential, but may have to learn a bit of give and take.  Let's face it - Montoya has the potential to draw a large population segment to racing if he's given good equipment.  I, for one, would love to see more Hispanic (along with other ethnicities) at the track.  Let's hope Chevy helps this team out.


6.  Who will emerge out of the Roush camp?
Carl Edwards has been Roush's darling the past couple of years with one Nationwide title and a couple runner's up in the Cup series.  But Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth are lodging impressive numbers as well.  Kenseth was wrestling with a new crew chief, while Biffle seemed to display some of his old magic.   David Ragan is slowly gaining experience and looks poised for his first win.  Jamie McMurray had strong runs at the end of the year too.
In-fighting has plagued  Roush Fenway, with the teams looking like Carl Edwards versus the world.  Whether that was true or just a few spats that got taken out of context, the Roush teams will need to work together to take down Hendrick's line-up (which includes old Roush buddy, Mark Martin).


7.  Who can stop Jimmie Johnson?
After 3 years of Johnson's reign, who is going to stop this team?  Short of another cheating scandal, or Cale Yarbrough's return to the circuit, it doesn't look like anyone wants to step to the plate.  Carl Edwards may have the best shot (and don't you know Jack Roush is spending his snow-days at the shop plotting such an event).
Johnson and Knaus are a great team - they work well together.  And let's face it, Knaus is a crew chief in the line of Smokey Yuniek, a few tricks and a few treats.  I'm not sure one would be as great without the other.  There doesn't appear to be another great pairing on the horizon.  Of course, things looked that way before...

 1.  Will the new format for the 2009 Bud Shootout result in TV ratings?  Or will the silly season mix-ups screw it up?
Who is in?   Chevy:   Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kevin Harvick,  Casey Mears (in Clint Bowyer's car), Jeff Burton       Ford:  Carl Edwards, Jamie McMurray, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, David Ragan, and Travis Kvalpil
Toyota: Kyle Busch, Joey Logano (Tony Stewart's car) , Denny Hamlin, David   Reutimann, Brian Vickers, and Michael Waltrip Dodge:  Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, David Stremme (Ryan Newman's car), AJ Allmendinger (Elliott Sadler's car), Someone in Bobby Labonte's car, and Reed Sorenson

At this point, the list of those out is significant:  Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Juan Pablo Montoya, Mark Martin, Elliott Sadler, Robby Gordon, and Clint Bowyer.  Newman is last year's Daytona 500 winner, and a pole winner numerous times.  Martin and Stewart have won the Shootout in the past.  Bowyer is a race winner.
The off season's mergers, manufacturer switches and driver additions and subtractions have moved many in and out of the Shootout.  With the auto manufacturer's on the verge of bankruptcy, will this line-up hold until early February or is more jockeying to occur?


2.  Can California Speedway support two dates?
Nascar desperately wants to get into the Los Angeles market.  With two dates, the attendance has been lackluster, but Nascar has given the track a Chase race this year.  If the track can't deliver, will Kansas end up with one of these dates?    
If I were track president, I'd have  a true promoter, Humpy Wheeler, on speed dial and offer a nice consulting fee to help me sell tickets.  So far the mostly D-List celebrities on hand have not generated ticket sales, probably because those fame-whores are at every coffee shop opening.  Sell the race, not the audience!


3.  Will the recession hurt tracks who were already failing to sell-out?
Next year (2010) looks to be a radically new schedule.  Nascar has already announced that it would like to give Kansas a second race.  Where does that race come from?  Martinsville, California, and Pocono are on the short list.  But there could be others.  Of course, many tracks would like a second race.  This is the year for track owners to sell tickets and prove worthy of their race dates.  If the financial troubles continue into 2010, will Nascar react by shortening the season (which some argue is needed now)?
How will tracks attract fans to the races?  Lowe's in Charlotte partnered with hotels to reduce prices.  A big help, but the average fan knows the price gouging that goes on with everything from hotels, car rentals, meals and airfare.  Without help all around, many fans will be staying home and watching the race on the couch.


4.  Can Indianapolis host more than a tire test?
IMS turns 100 this year, and the plans for a big birthday bash are already in place.  However, Nascar fans who were burned by last year's extended tire test  may be wary of spending money on another ticket.  What will IMS and Goodyear do to improve the racing?  And will Nascar suspend the testing ban for IMS so that the race improves?



5.  Will the auto manufacturer's troubles continue to impact Nascar?
The financial difficulties of the Big 3 trickles down to Nascar, and has resulted in a couple mergers (Earnhardt-Ganassi) and a couple changes (Robby Gordon).  Many teams were feeling the impact in generating sponsorships, such as Stewart Haas, JR Motorsports/Hendrick and  Roush Fenway.  The cuts from their manufacturer's budget will not be welcome.  
GM and Dodge teams felt the most heat, but Ford had problems too.  Toyota registered its first loss in 70 years.   Will Toyota continue to spend money on racing or will it meet the budgetary ax?  With Ray Evernham out at GEM, will Dodge feel compelled to stay in Nascar?


6.  Will TV ratings go up?
Fans pan the TV broadcasts.  Everyone has a favorite, and everyone has someone or something they don't like.  Direct TV's Hot Pass is gone (probably because it was largely a black hole for their extra cash with no return).