A lot of people have been talking about the economy and its affects on NASCAR lately. We are certainly guilty, writing on everything from layoffs at the end of the season to poor at track attendance. While the current economic climate is not good, the difficult times could ultimately prove to be beneficial for the [...]
Archive for October, 2008
What Doesn’t Kill Us Makes Us Stronger
October 30th, 2008 
Journo Update on #51 NCTS Hauler Fire & Some Thoughts
October 29th, 2008 T.C. I just wanted to update a news item that appeared earlier today from the Truck Series. It was reported by the Shreveport Times that the #51 Billy Ballew Motorsports hauler caught fire while in route to Texas for this weekend’s NCTS race at the Texas Motor Speedway. The truck is scheduled to be driven in the race by Cup [...]
Entourage
October 28th, 2008 T.C. No, I’m not talking about the ridiculously amazing show on HBO. I’m talking about those that follow some drivers to each and every race. Some are good, and some are not so good. Either way, they are a reality in the sport because those at the top are young, well paid, and popular. The entourage [...]
Posted in NASCAR at the Track, Those Crazy Race Fans 
Tags: Driver, entourage, hauler, pit area, pit pass, race fans, track 
4 Comments »Tough Off-Season Ahead for Crew Guys
October 27th, 2008 T.C. I wrote a post a while back about the Silly Season for crew guys kicking off, and we are currently neck deep in it. For me personally, there may be a few opportunities to go somewhere else for next season, but as we move ever closer to Homestead, I’m starting to feel like maybe I [...]
Posted in In the Shop, Over The Wall, The Business of NASCAR Tags: crew, crew member, Economy, employment, job, off-season, pit crew, team 2 Comments »Standings If There Had Been No Chase: Part 1
October 26th, 2008 Journo Nothing in NASCAR has divided the fan base quite like the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Since it was instituted in 2004, it has been met with praise and skepticism. Some arguing it creates a playoff system that is much like every other American sport. Still others say it penalizes those who have success early on in [...]
The NASCAR Week That Was: Oct. 19-25
October 26th, 2008 Journo NASCAR dropped the hammer on another team this week after a post-race inspection revealed a rule violation. NASCAR indefinitely suspended #83 car crew chief Kevin Hamlin and car chief Craig Smoksted after it was discovered the team was using sheetmetal thinner than the NASCAR mandate. Additionally, NASCAR fined Hamlin $100,000 and penalized driver Brian Vickers [...]
NASCAR Should Consider Other Manufacturers
October 23rd, 2008 Journo In an interview with ESPN last week, team owner Felix Sabates brought up the idea, among others, of new manufacturers entering the sport. More specifically he brought up the idea of Honda joining the sport. Now neither he nor I are suggesting that this is going to happen, but I wonder, why not? With the [...]
Posted in Racing Observations, The Business of NASCAR Tags: big three, chevrolet, Craftsman Truck Series, dodge, ESPN, Felix Sabates, ford, formula 1, Honda, IRL, manufacturer, Motocross, NASCAR, Nationwide Series, Nissan, Toyota 7 Comments »Reader Question: Athletes or Mechanics?
October 22nd, 2008 T.C. It’s no secret that over the last several years, race teams at the highest levels have begun recruiting some serious athletes to become pit crew guys. Up and down pit road you’ll find guys who played college and professional sports that are jackmen, tire changers, tire carriers, and fuelers. The thought is, is that these guys [...]
Posted in Ask the Insiders Tags: athlete, Crew Chief, jackman, mechanic, Over The Wall, pit crew, shop, tire carrier, Tire Changer 4 Comments »Respect the Trucks
October 21st, 2008 Journo If you’re not watching the Craftsman Truck Series, you’re not alone. Despite recent increases in television ratings, the series remains the most underrated, under-promoted series in NASCAR. In recent years as the Nationwide Series became another place for Sprint Cup stars to show off their talents, the truck series picked up the role as the development [...]
Random Rumblings from Martinsville
October 20th, 2008 T.C. With Martinsville now in the books, we march ever closer to the end of the 2008 season. And although the picture is starting to become clear for next season, there are still a few unknowns to sort out. A.J. Allmendinger: Rumors continue to fly about Dinger’s future, but after a strong 15th place run following Martinsville, don’t be surprised if [...]
