So get this, JR Motorsports has three drivers. I know, it’s almost hard to believe.

In all seriousness, this week has got to be the pits for Kelly Bires. He started the month hopeful he’d be making his JR Motorsports debut at Daytona with Dale Earnhardt Jr., only to find out he was being booted from the ride in favor of Danica Patrick.

Now Danica is obviously an easy target. It looks pretty bad for her that Kelly Bires is now out of a ride (for Daytona). In one breath she says she’s got to consider he’s running for a championship and in the next she says “I want more racing.” While it’s a safe bet to start the blame game here I would caution you to wait.

As for Jr.’s ride in Daytona, the sponsor obligations were in place long ago. No matter what happened with the #5/#7, he was going to be in the #88. Why doesn’t Jr. just pony up the money you might ask? Again, while it might be easy to go here, this is not the problem (Click here for a response to that question and others).

You might be asking, who then is to blame? The long and short of it is the front office, though not the part you might think. The part I’m talking about is the part responsible for selling the team to corporate America. Through a tough economy and an inability to close any big new prospects (other than Danica and GoDaddy), the team finds itself short on sponsors; and as we know sponsors make the world go round.

I say this not suggesting that selling multi-million dollar deals is an easy thing. It most definitely is not. I do struggle though to understand how they were never able to lock everything up for Bires, when others have been able to. They even lost a sponsor in Fastenal. Mind you, Roush is notorious for undercutting other teams’ offers (they then are notorious for driving sponsors out of the sport, or out their front door); but that still isn’t a great excuse.

Roush was able to re-sign Conway Freight with Colin Braun this season, and last season Penske brought on Verizon (without logos in the Cup Series) to sponsor David Stremme and Justin Allgaier. While these situations certainly vary, they all lack the fundamental strength of JR Motorsports – Dale Earnhardt Jr.

I can’t say why JR hasn’t been able to sign any big new sponsorships. They could be asking for too much money, or they might not be offering enough support, who knows. What I do know is, is a team that operates as a satellite of Hendrick Motorsports and is owned by the most popular driver in the sport shouldn’t be struggling on the sponsorship front like they are.

So don’t blame Danica. She brings with her money and star-power and an existing commitment to run races with a partner she brought.

As we say here so often, this is a business, and this situation is a great example of the reality of that.

As the Danica Patrick bandwagon steams toward the Daytona Nationwide Series race next weekend, don’t worry about saving me a seat just yet.  Finishing sixth in her first ever stock car event is commendable, but I think it’s a bit early to crown her the next big thing.

In case you missed it, Patrick recovered from a late race spin through the tri-oval grass at Daytona to finish sixth in her debut race in the ARCA Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.  She kept her nose clean, didn’t give up, and brought home a car with all the fenders still on it.  Which in itself is quite an achievement in the ARCA Series.  But lets try and remember what she was up against.

Stop by Jayski’s story links page for February 7th and you will find no less then 15 articles about Danica’s debut.  Most of which contain quite a bit of praise for the 27 year old driver, some of which she deserves, and some she doesn’t.

Danica took on the ARCA Series at Daytona in an ARCA car powered by Hendrick and put together by JR Motorsports.  She had a veteran crew chief on the box (Tony Eury Jr.) and had a combination of JR Motorsports Nationwide Series guys and Hendrick Motorsports Cup guys working on and pitting her race car.  Not a bad way to start off a stock car career.

And not to knock the ARCA Series, as it’s a great place to gain valuable experience on bigger tracks, but this is the same series that David Stremme once won a race at Michigan by lapping the entire field once, and up to ninth place twice.

So before we crown her and heap a ton of ridiculous expectations on her, let’s allow her to run a few races and gain some experience against some tougher competition.   I think it’s only fair.

And just as a side note, I know there is a certain motorsports writer (ahem Jeff Gluck) who, before the season started, posed an interesting question and bet to his readers and Twitter followers.  He wanted to know who would outperform the other this season, John Wes Townley or Danica Patrick.  Give round one to Townley, who followed up a fourth place run in last year’s ARCA opener with a third place run this year.

The start of the 2010 season is finally upon us and you know what that means? It’s time for racing! This first week in Daytona brought us the Bud Shootout, Cup Qualifying and the ARCA race (otherwise known as Danica’s debut). On Saturday Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. put their Hendrick cars on the front row for next Sunday’s Daytona 500. The remainder of the field will be decided during Thursday’s Gatorade Duels. And finally Danica Patrick made her much anticipated debut in a wreck-infested Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, finishing sixth. This is the NASCAR week that was January 31 to February 6, 2010.

Angie Skinner: Full-time wife, friend and manager

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the Pinata Syndrome

Race fan’s incredible Daytona 500 streak to continue

Tribe votes down deal, stops betting on NASCAR

NASCAR President Mike Helton says NASCAR using more fan input to make changes to the sport

Vintage Insiders

Sometimes A Win Doesn’t Mean Winning A Race

To All The PR People Out There

**Remember if you have a NASCAR blog or website and would like a recent article you wrote featured in this section email me and you could be part of next week’s NASCAR Week That Was. Please only send stuff you have written.**

Earlier this afternoon I was surfing through major news Web sites checking on the day’s happenings. As I scrolled down the page on MSNBC.com I got to the ‘other top stories’ section. About halfway down was the headline ‘Opinion: NASCAR In Trouble.’ Next to it was a separate article that said something like ‘But Danica Could Help.’

Turns out the opinion piece was written by Scene Daily’s Jeff Owens, he called it “Five things NASCAR needs to happen to rekindle fan interest.” The piece was nothing ground breaking, or earth shattering (if not for the point about the spoiler the Five Things piece could have been written a year ago) but it’s just another example of a marginally negative piece that got a lot of attention.

(Before I go any further, let me say this is not a knock on Jeff Owens he’s a good and talented guy. It just happened to be his story that sparked the idea for this. It really could have been anyone.)

Over the last year I have gotten so tired of these doom and gloom stories. I don’t personally want anything to do with them. Sure things aren’t great, but do we need to make it a constant talking point? No.

I wonder too if anybody has considered that these negative stories and negative comments on mainstream sports and news channels are hurting the sport, and driving people away. It’s becoming a self-fulling prophecy.

Larry McReynold’s last year while talking on the subject quoted Darrell Waltrip. Waltrip compared it to people telling you over and over how bad your favorite restaurant is. Eventually your probably going to start to believe it. You’ll probably stop going. I think Waltrip makes a good point.

Now I’m not saying you need to drink the “kool aid,” or become mouthpieces for the ‘all is fine’ line from NASCAR (it’s not), but can we start focusing on whats good? There really are a lot of positive things to talk about (like this).

I know the lawsuits and penalties and economy talk are all very topical, and it’s fun to examine all of NASCAR’s problems, but at the end of the day it’s all irrelevant. They’re at best distractions (at worst they’re hurting the sport) to what is important and that’s what happens on the racetrack.

Stock car racing returns to Daytona this weekend with some highly anticipated storylines. Please, have fun, enjoy the racing, and don’t get bogged down in all the background noise.

The season has all but arrived, and so has another edition of Ask The Insiders Wednesday.  If you don’t know what this post is, we answer any and all reader questions every Wednesday, right here.  So if you’ve got one, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send one to us.  On to the questions…

1. From Ric:

Does every tire have it’s own unique tracking number or is it only done in batches?

Yes, each tire has it’s own number and subsequent barcode.  Goodyear has handhelds they use to scan each tire into their system and they are tracked from mounting all the way back to dismounting. – T.C.

2. From Doug:

Last week you had a question about Kyle Busch’s salary.  My question goes a bit further.  What kinds of things are in a driver contract?  Does it govern races outside of the primary cup team, either mandating them or barring them?  Does it incorporate manufacturer conditions, such as Danica Patrick not being able to test a NASCAR ride because of a clause in her Honda contract?  Does it mandate a minimum/maximum number of sponsor appearances?  What other things – other than money – might be part of the negotiation process?

Honestly contracts can and do have any number of things in them. Certainly sponsor appearances (the amount of time they spend at an appearance and how many a sponsor gets, though these are more likely to be in the sponsor’s contract) and sponsor conflict clauses exist in many drivers’ contracts. Other things? Drivers usually get a car (if you work for a bigger, manufacturer supported team). I can’t really think of too many other things. The money part is of course the most important part. – Journo

3. From Teresa:

Who could I inquire to about collectors cards?  Dale Earnhardt Sr had a promotion in the 1980s with Sundrop where you collected all 3 cards which were enclosed in 12 packs of Sundrop and since he has passed I wonder who I could talk about these.  Thank you for any information you can provide.

The only thing I can suggest is to check out eBay.  There are always some great collectors items that can be found there, and prices are about as fair as it gets. – T.C.

4. From Jon:

I’ve been watching a little of the Toyota All-Star race and was wondering what the major differences are between Nationwide cars, NASCAR Elite regional cars and ARCA cars. Thanks.

ARCA Series cars are very similar to Nationwide Series cars.  The NNS requires cars to have a 105″ wheelbase, whereas ARCA allows cars that are either 105″ or 110″ (110″ wheelbase cars are what the old style Cup cars were).  The major difference is the engines.  I don’t know exactly what the engine rules are for ARCA, but I’m sure they have less horsepower then a NNS car.  The East and West Series cars are also 105″ and 110″ wheelbase cars, with less horsepower then a NNS car.  Many East/West and ARCA cars are old NNS and Cup cars purchased from teams.  The Elite Regional Series cars are a latemodel car with a composite body, smaller wheelbase, and usually run rack and pinion steering, versus a steering box for the bigger NNS cars.  They will also have less horsepower, along with some other mechanical differences. – T.C.

5. From Mike:

How is Jim Hunter doing? Any Updates? Can cards be sent?

As far as I know he’s still doing OK. I’m sure if you wanted to send a card to the NASCAR address (1801 W. International Speed Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL, 32114) they would pass it on to him. – Journo

And that brings yet another “Ask The Insiders Wednesday” to a close.  Thanks to everyone who sent in questions.  And remember, if you’d like to be a part of next week, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send your question in!

The 2010 racing season is officially upon us!  The Rolex 24 at Daytona kicked it off Saturday, and haulers carrying stock cars will roll into DIS this week.  Daytona 500 qualifying and the Budweiser Shootout headline a busy upcoming weekend.  Along with the NASCAR events, the ARCA Series will open it’s season with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 on Saturday afternoon.  And with the names that are on the entry list for the ARCA race, SPEED may be in for record breaking ratings.

The most notable of those names on the entry list for the ARCA opener is of course, Danica Patrick.  She will be making her much anticipated stock car debut under the watchful eye of Tony Eury Jr. and her new JR Motorsports team.  A lot will be riding on her performance in the race, as a successful outing could lead to her being approved for the Nationwide Series race at Daytona in two weeks.  NASCAR won’t be the only one watching her on Saturday though, as I’d imagine many race fans will tune in to see if the hype is really justified.

Besides Patrick, this may be one of the more interesting entry lists we’ve ever seen for a Daytona ARCA race.  There are no less then six women drivers attempting the race including Patrick, Milka Duno, Alli Owens, Leilani Munter, Amber Cope, and Jennifer Jo Cobb.  There is also a former Formula One driver attempting his first stock car race in the person of Nelson Piquet Jr.

The race will also feature the usual bevy of young, up and coming development drivers like Dakoda Armstrong and James Buescher, along with a mix of series veterans including Frank Kimmel and Bill Baird.

In the past, the ARCA race at Daytona has proven to be wildly unpredictable because of the inexperience of many of those competing.  There are very few opportunities to run at tracks like Daytona, and many drivers log their first ever restrictor plate track time during this event. 

Besides the problems with inexperience, drivers in this race sometimes have a tendency to drive over their heads in the hopes they can run well and impress the NASCAR team brass that will be in attendance.  A solid performance here could lead to an opportunity to move up, or attract new sponsorship.

This combination of inexperience and over-driving has often led to dramatic wrecks, crazy finishes, and angry drivers.  Something tells me this edition will be no different.

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona gets underway on Saturday afternoon at 4:30PM EST on SPEED.  My only question for you is, will you be watching?

T-minus two weeks until the Daytona 500. Danica Patrick led the news this week as JR Motorsports released her 2010 schedule. Patrick is expected to make her first start at Daytona or California. In other news NASCAR confirmed this week a cut in purse payouts across all three series. The move is intended to save tracks money. And finally Jim Utter reported this week about the possible departure of Miccosukee from NASCAR despite announced plans for 2010. This is the NASCAR week that was January 24 to 30, 2010.

Mooresville teen receives dream job from ‘life saver’

NASCAR lists more than 100 banned drugs in rule book

NASCAR questions? Easy, but answers are tougher

Sabates’ remarks, Michigan response…and then…Sabates’ apology

Sneaking a peek at the NASCAR rule book

Vintage Insiders

Never Take Your Helmet Off

It’s Zero Hour

**Remember if you have a NASCAR blog or website and would like a recent article you wrote featured in this section email me and you could be part of next week’s NASCAR Week That Was. Please only send stuff you have written.**

The Charlotte Observer’s Jim Utter reported earlier in the week about the potential exit of Miccosukee from NASCAR. The Florida Indian Tribe was set to sponsor a truck for Kyle Busch Motorsports and Nationwide and Cup Series teams for Phoenix Racing.

For Kyle Busch Motorsports, the potential move by the tribe would certainly cause headaches. In their first year of NASCAR competition having a sponsor pull out this close to the start of the season is nothing short of irritating. That said they can sustain and have said they will run the season regardless of what the tribe decides to do.

For the other team caught in what could be a bad situation, things are a little more dire.

Miccosukee entered NASCAR with James Finch’s Phoenix Racing and Geoff Bodine in 2002. In recent years the tribe’s sponsorship has been vital to Phoenix’s operation.

With that sponsorship and hard work they managed to have a good 2009. Through several drivers they performed pretty well in the Nationwide Series, including a win at Charlotte, and they scored their first and only Cup win and some solid finishes with Brad Keselowski.

In 2010 the team is planning to run the #09 Cup car with Aric Almirola and a full-time Nationwide schedule with James Buescher. Those plans though are now likely in flux.

For James Finch and Phoenix Racing, and for that matter Aric Almirola and James Buescher, this really is very unfortunate should it come to fruition. Sure Finch has done some starting and parking in the Cup Series, but when he’s been able to, the teams have run.

As with most things, money makes the world go round. That’s especially true in NASCAR. While there is a chance if funding falls through the teams will continue (I suspect Buescher may continue), this puts them at a severe disadvantage with little time to find a replacement.

Hopefully for the sake of Phoenix Racing and all of its employees and drivers everything works out.

Rolex 24 at Daytona

We’re still about a week away from NASCAR taking the track at Daytona, but that doesn’t mean you can’t see racing sooner. The 24 Hours at Daytona starts Saturday and I know I for one can’t wait.

The 24 hour sports car race features drivers from a wide spectrum of the North American racing community. Drivers like Dario Franchitti, AJ Allmendinger, Max Angelelli, and of course Jimmie Johnson among many others will compete head-to-head in the endurance race.

Despite a field that normally spreads out pretty far, last season the event had it’s closest ever finish with the #68 Brumos Porsche team just edging out the #01 Ganassi team. Not far behind on the same lap was the other Brumos Porsche team and the Suntrust Racing team. Not too bad after 24 hours.

This year will be interesting. The Suntrust Team of Angelelli / Lamy / Taylor / Taylor are on the pole with the Michael Shank and Ganassi teams in the next four positions. Ganassi will definitely be a wild card after switching to BMW in the off-season. Check out full qualifying results here.

The racing kicks off at 3 p.m. EST on Speed and continues beginning at 7 a.m. on Speed Sunday. Check it out!

Cars will be back on track at Daytona in just a few short days!  The Rolex 24 kicks off Speedweeks at Daytona this weekend.  But before it does, it’s Q & A time.  If you don’t know what this post is, we answer any and all reader questions every Wednesday, right here.  So if you’ve got one, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send one to us.  On to the questions…

1. From Ric:

Do people write notes on the tires? Not specs, but things like “Best Wishes”, or “Win this one for …”?

I’ve never seen anyone write anything like that on the tires before.  That’s not to say it hasn’t happened though. – T.C.

2. From Dennis:

My favorite driver Kyle Busch recently re-signed this week.  Any idea what kinda dollar figure ballpark that type of deal will be worth?

It’s really hard to say. This is obviously not something they release and depending upon the percentage he gets of winnings, the salary will fluctuate. It could be $5 million, it could be $10 million (ok, probably not $10 million). If I had to guess I’d say $3 or $4 million but I honestly don’t really know. – Journo

3. From John:

Hey guys, I love reading your column on a weekly basis. I am a sponsor rep for a company currently in NASCAR. What are the crew members’/teams’ opinions of sponsor reps and their respective companies? Are we viewed as a necessary evil or just another one of the guys on the traveling circus that is NASCAR.

I personally have never thought of any of our reps as a necessary evil.  Sponsors are what allow us to go play each weekend, so you can’t be too mad about that.  In fact, most of the reps I’ve been around are really great people.  I think most enjoy being at the track and they aren’t afraid to have a little fun afterward. – T.C.

4. From Mark H:

Is it true that Johnny Sauter has a cup ride this year?

Unless it’s something with a startup team that hasn’t been announced yet, I don’t believe so.  Look for him to return to the #13 truck as a teammate to Matt Crafton in the Truck Series for Thorsport Racing. – T.C.

5. From Mark:

Where do the owners stay on a race weekend, and do some owners have suites at the tracks?

Many of those that do stay for the weekend have motor coaches just like the drivers have.  Some owners though are in and out race day and don’t stay overnight.  And yes, some owners have suites.  I know for sure Felix Sabates, and the Pettys have one at Charlotte Motor Speedway, as does Teresa Earnhardt.  Others might as well. – T.C.

6. From Emanuel:

I can’t wait for Danica’s debut next month.  I really don’t care how good or bad she does.  I’m more interested in seeing her temper flare up as has happened on a few occasions in the IRL.  My question is do you think NASCAR will drop the hammer on her like they have done with others (Kenseth/Gordon comes to mind).  I really don’t care that Danica has only won one race in IRL.  The does she/ doesn’t she belong is a moot point, as she’s getting her shot.  What I want to see out of NASCAR drivers is some emotion, and Danica seems willing to show some when she feels like she’s been slighted.   I know she won’t take any crap, but how much of a leash will NASCAR actually give her?  Good luck in the new season guys!

I think given the “have at it boys” attitude we saw at the end of last season and that NASCAR said they’ll employ in the season to come, I doubt you’ll see them put much of a leash on her. In fact I think the brass at NASCAR would probably like to see some of her emotion too. They (thankfully) have realized the fans want to see drivers get mad at each other. Rivalries make for good races and that does wonders for the bottom line. – Journo

7. From Bobby#7fan:

A few years back Speed TV had a really cheezy realty show hosted by Ruttledge.  The winner was to receive an internship with the Speed Channel.  Do you know anything about this?  Is the winner still with Speed?  I have not heard or seen anything since and thankfully the show was only a one year deal.  I just started wondering about this today and thought I’d ask.

The show was the Speed Road Tour Challenge. John Lucrezi is the guy who won. If I’m not mistaken he works for JHE, which does mobile marketing for Sprint and Speed among others. So he’s still around the sport. – Journo

And that brings yet another “Ask The Insiders Wednesday” to a close.  Thanks to everyone who sent in questions.  And remember, if you’d like to be a part of next week, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send your question in!

Amid all of the hub bub from last week’s Media Tour, it was announced that NASCAR was adding the drug policy to it’s rule book for each series.  The 2009 season was the first for a hard and fast policy against substance abuse for NASCAR, and needless to say, it didn’t go so well.  An actual written policy or list of banned substances was never really published, so the news that NASCAR is finally putting one out is certainly a step in the right direction.

Since we started this site in April 2008, we’ve written about drugs and testing no less then seven times (and that doesn’t count the majority of the Mayfield posts).  You can see those old posts by browsing around this link.  One of those posts I wrote in May of last year addressed this issue specifically.  In it, I wrote:

As a NASCAR licensee and hard card holder, I’ve suddenly realized that my career could be in serious jeopardy because I don’t know what I can and can’t use.  I’m not a doctor, and I’m not up on what is against the rules and what isn’t.  I’m certainly not using any performance enhancers, and I don’t use recreational drugs, but this really scares me. 

Now, that the official policy has been put out there, I feel a ton better about the testing program.

I’ve actually seen the full version of the policy and while I won’t recreate it here (not sure if it’s allowed) I will tell you that the text covers prohibited substances, medications, alcohol, supplements, testing, disciplinary action, and self-reporting among other things.  The policy applies to drivers, crew members, and officials.

While I can’t pronounce most of the substances listed (see dehydryochlormethyltestosterone), it’s comforting to know that we at least have something we can refer to in the event we have a question about a substance or the testing procedure.  NASCAR cannot claim to have an effective policy without having a list of banned substances and a published version of the policy for all to see.

Now that we’ve gotten a list though, I still think NASCAR should take more from the other sports leagues’ policies and implement things like a drug hotline.  I’ve heard that the drivers can call the infamous Dr. David Black with questions about the policy, but there needs to be a liaison for the crew members as well.  They need to give us every opportunity to make sure we are doing things right and not putting substances into our bodies that may cause us to test positive.

After a rough rookie campaign for the drug policy, we certainly have to give NASCAR credit for continuing to improve on it.  The nature of substance abuse is constantly changing, and NASCAR needs to be diligent in making sure their policy changes with it.  They now have a solid base to work from, but more improvements are still needed.