Well it's Brickyard week here in Indy and as usual, excitement is running high as the stars of the Winston Cup series make their return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Unfortunately, I just can't really get in to all the pre race hype (hike for my friends and fans of Thomas “Hitman” Hearns) that surrounds the running of the 400.
Yes, I will miss seeing Dale Earnhardt on the track tremendously and I know that this whole season has been somewhat dull to me because he has not been there. I still root for Jr. and have become a Kevin Harvick fan. I still root for Mark Martin and Steve Park. I want to see Ron Hornaday do well for AJ's team. I'd like to see John Andretti do well as he always seemed to be the most gracious of the racing Andretti's-perhaps that is his downfall. And don't think I won't be there giving Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon the finger when they come around and booing when Robby Gordon or Dale Jarrett go by. I will be! But it won't be the same.I've never been a big fan of any driver who was killed before Dale. Not like that anyway. I always liked Scott Brayton but wasn't a big fan. I liked Tim Richmond, but his death came slow and inevitable. I was a Mark Donahue fan, but Formula One coverage was pretty nonexistent when he crashed and died in Austria in 1975. I was a fan of the late Ayrton Senna, but nothing like Dale Earnhardt. Without him at the Speedway, it will seem empty and sad for me. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. I also know that Dale Jr. would like to see an end to the memorials at each race. He wants to focus on the job at hand. Maybe he's right and maybe it is time for all of Dale's fans to come to grips with this tragedy and move on. It's not easy. I'll know that when the tears are in my eyes at the start of the race Sunday, if not sooner. They're there every week when the green flag falls.
For this week, I pray that no one is seriously hurt and that the weather cooperates. It'll be hot, that much is sure. It'll be slow, as anyone who has been to the track in May and then comes back in August can testify to. It'll be crowded as every Winston Cup race is and as every race at IMS is. Unfortunately, that crowd will be missing one of the very reasons NASCAR is in Indianapolis in the first place.
Go 8, 1, 6, 43, 14 and even 2! Goodbye 3! I will miss you this weekend, but your memory will not fade!
Tuesday, July 31, 2001
Tuesday, July 24, 2001
The IRL @ The Nashville Speedway and Some Colts
Saturday night marked the inaugural IRL race at the new Nashville Speedway. Pre race hype was running high as the event was a sellout. Granted the speedway currently has but 75,000 seats, but for the IRL to stage an event in the heart of NASCAR country was quite a feat. But the real story has tot be the re-emergence of Buddy Lazier as possibly the best driver on the IRL circuit.
Let me be the first one to tell you that in May I said that the Indy 500 had been tainted in 1996 when Lazier won. It's not that I felt he did anything to deserve NOT to win, it just happened to be the first year the CART drivers were not at the Speedway. It just seemed opportunistic for a guy who basically had languished in the few CART races he ran and in the 500 up to 1996. When Arie Luyendyk won the race in 1997 it didn't ring as hollow as he had won the race in 1990. But while Lazier hasn't won the race since 1996 he has had some solid runs. More importantly though is the fact that he has become virtually impassable as this season has moved on. His runaway victory at Pikes Peak was a magnificent display of driving. Darting around the other drivers wherever he wanted. Then Saturday night, he gained the lead and was never headed. Lazier is at the top of his game right now. The other IRL drivers best be on the lookout if they are to stop him from winning his second consecutive IRL championship.
It's hard to blame the fans for staying away in droves from the Harrah's 500 at Michigan Sunday. After all, for CART fans in the area, it is a slap in the face to have the best race on the CART circuit pulled. First CART brass blames the loss of the event on International Speedway Corporation and their increasing affiliation with Tony George and the IRL. Then, in what seemed like and effort to tell the fans what they wanted to hear, CART says they may be back at Michigan after next year because ISC only has a one year deal with the IRL. Maybe I'm an idiot, but what does the IRL deal have to do with the CART race? Let's see, NASCAR has two races at the track, CART one. Are they trying to tell us that the track can only support three races a year? You are making a big mistake leaving Michigan CART. Here's hoping your management comes to their senses and stems this tide of nixing oval track races in the US in favor of ovals in Europe, Asia and South America and road course races here. They kinda have it backwards.
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Finally, Colts camp opens Thursday in Terre Haute. Like last year, anticipation runs high coming off back-to-back playoff appearances. This year, however, there seems to be a little more sense of urgency from the Colts and especially from the fans. It is time for this team to produce, not only in the regular season, but especially in the post season. Head Coach Jim Mora has never won a playoff game in the NFL. He isn't the right man for this job and should not have been hired, but que sera sera. This team needs to face each opponent as if they were playoff games, get the home field advantage and the week off and win playoff games. It's as simple as that. Let's all forget about the Edge missing the voluntary camp. I thought he should have been there, but that is my opinion of how a team works together and how they improve. What's done is done and now is time to look forward, not back. Good luck Colts, but if you let us down again this year, don't expect smooth sailing on that stadium issue.
Let me be the first one to tell you that in May I said that the Indy 500 had been tainted in 1996 when Lazier won. It's not that I felt he did anything to deserve NOT to win, it just happened to be the first year the CART drivers were not at the Speedway. It just seemed opportunistic for a guy who basically had languished in the few CART races he ran and in the 500 up to 1996. When Arie Luyendyk won the race in 1997 it didn't ring as hollow as he had won the race in 1990. But while Lazier hasn't won the race since 1996 he has had some solid runs. More importantly though is the fact that he has become virtually impassable as this season has moved on. His runaway victory at Pikes Peak was a magnificent display of driving. Darting around the other drivers wherever he wanted. Then Saturday night, he gained the lead and was never headed. Lazier is at the top of his game right now. The other IRL drivers best be on the lookout if they are to stop him from winning his second consecutive IRL championship.
It's hard to blame the fans for staying away in droves from the Harrah's 500 at Michigan Sunday. After all, for CART fans in the area, it is a slap in the face to have the best race on the CART circuit pulled. First CART brass blames the loss of the event on International Speedway Corporation and their increasing affiliation with Tony George and the IRL. Then, in what seemed like and effort to tell the fans what they wanted to hear, CART says they may be back at Michigan after next year because ISC only has a one year deal with the IRL. Maybe I'm an idiot, but what does the IRL deal have to do with the CART race? Let's see, NASCAR has two races at the track, CART one. Are they trying to tell us that the track can only support three races a year? You are making a big mistake leaving Michigan CART. Here's hoping your management comes to their senses and stems this tide of nixing oval track races in the US in favor of ovals in Europe, Asia and South America and road course races here. They kinda have it backwards.
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Finally, Colts camp opens Thursday in Terre Haute. Like last year, anticipation runs high coming off back-to-back playoff appearances. This year, however, there seems to be a little more sense of urgency from the Colts and especially from the fans. It is time for this team to produce, not only in the regular season, but especially in the post season. Head Coach Jim Mora has never won a playoff game in the NFL. He isn't the right man for this job and should not have been hired, but que sera sera. This team needs to face each opponent as if they were playoff games, get the home field advantage and the week off and win playoff games. It's as simple as that. Let's all forget about the Edge missing the voluntary camp. I thought he should have been there, but that is my opinion of how a team works together and how they improve. What's done is done and now is time to look forward, not back. Good luck Colts, but if you let us down again this year, don't expect smooth sailing on that stadium issue.
Monday, July 9, 2001
Dale Jr., Tony Stewart and Some IRL
Way to go Little E! Despite some folks contention that Saturday's Pepsi 400 at Daytona Beach was fixed, Dale Jr. put on a show of domination rarely seen in NASCAR these days, especially on the restrictor plate tracks of Daytona and Talladega. Dale drove below, above and around the competition seemingly with ease. For those who think the other drivers “let him by” I would only say you haven't been paying attention.
Ask Winston Cup Series points leader Jeff Gordon, who has been highly successful at Daytona, if he didn't want to pad his lead with a victory. After all the points winner collects a cool million at seasons end. I'm sure that Dale Jarrett and Ricky Rudd, who are both hot on Gordon's heels, would never let anyone go by just for sentimental reasons. Ask any of the Winston No Bull 5 drivers if they would pass up the million dollar bonus to let Dale Jr. win.
Ask that arrogant hot head Tony Stewart if he would let anyone pass. There was no fix! Sure, Michael Waltrip made a spirited charge to the front the last couple of laps, and may have actually been faster than Dale. But Michael and Dale are teammates. I was up yelling for Michael to be a team player and thankfully he did!
The victory celebration that started in the grassy area between the track and the pits continued at least until NBC's coverage went off the air a half hour after the race. Lot's of drivers and crewmen were quoted as saying a better script couldn't have been written. Some people immediately took that to assume the race was fixed. They are certainly entitled to their opinion, even if it's wrong. For those of us who are Dale Jr. fans it was a race that was a delight to watch. The restrictor plates, which nearly every driver it seems despise, are meant to keep the cars slowed down making them equal and therefore run in huge packs all race long. Dale didn't ever lead by a lap, but once he got to the front he was simply unbeatable. I loved it!
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Tony Stewart, part of my All-Wheezy Windbag team, showed his ass again Saturday night. NBC reported at the top of their broadcast that the drivers were told at the drivers meeting that driving below the yellow line was going to result in a penalty. With a handful of laps remaining, Stewart was attempting to pass Johnny Benson. Stewart obviously had a faster car, but as usual, showed no patience. Stewart went low in the tri oval area and below the yellow line in his attempt to pass Benson. NASCAR black flagged Stewart, who in turn ignored it. Smooth move Scott Goodyear Jr. After the race, Stewart was informed he was being dropped 20 positions in the final race standings and he did his usual meltdown. He had to be physically separated from NASCAR competition director Gary Nelson and later pushed and knocked a tape recorder from a reporter's hand.
Stewart is a menace both on the track and off. Last year he put other drivers in jeopardy driving like an idiot in the Winston. Now I don't like Jeff Gordon at all, but Stewart's actions in the pits after the race at Bristol were reprehensible. That incident earned him probation until August. Now this boob is at it again. He drove below the yellow line. It's just that simple and he knows it. But he thinks he's God's gift to racing. NASCAR needs to set this punk down for a race or two and let him decide if he wants to heed the rules or if he would like to go back to the dirt tracks from which he came. I suppose there is a fine line between being aggressive and being dangerous. This moron has crossed the line too many times to just call it racing and blaming emotions.
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The IRL ran their first race at the new Kansas Speedway yesterday. Wow! Besides putting on another excellent show, even if Eddie Cheever won, they actually drew a great crowd for the race. The track holds 75,000 and that's how many seats were sold. Now before you think the IRL can sell out in the Kansas City area, keep this in mind. The track sold tickets to the IRL race, the truck race on Saturday and the Winston Cup race in September as a package. IRL officials knew the 75,000 tickets sold were bought because of the Winston Cup show. They were simply hoping that the ticket holders would come out and see their product. Much to the surprise of everyone, they did! I'm sure it helped that the race took place at a time when the Winston Cuppers weren't running, but nevertheless the stands were full, and the Indy boys didn't disappoint.
Side-by-side racing was the norm. Hopefully the race will encourage those who were there just out of curiosity to attend other IRL events. If they can start to increase attendance, the IRL may just wipe CART off the map.
The Kansas Speedway proved to be an excellent venue for Indy Car racing. The mile and a half tracks seem especially well suited for the cars and for exciting racing action. IRL has decided not to go back to Atlanta next year, which is a shame, but crowds were just dismal. However they are picking up Michigan and there is even some rumblings of a street race in the future. I welcome the new ideas and tracks. I would like to see Pikes Peak left off the schedule as it just does not seem to inspire good racing. The IRL is off to the new track at Nashville. Let's hope they have a good turnout for that event!
Monday, July 2, 2001
Bring McCain Home
Four rallies were held over the weekend in Arizona calling for the recall of Senator John McCain. The recall rallies are the result of Senator McCain's incessant liberal leanings. The people are attempting to bring McCain home and replace him with a person who will represent them. McCain no longer fits that bill.
Senator McClain used his bully pulpit as a Senator and former POW to make a run at the Republican nomination for President against George W. Bush. McCain's message of campaign reform was a popular and relevant platform. But his campaign seemed to be focused on the fact that he had been a POW in Vietnam and not his Senate voting record. “W” ran his campaign largely on tax cuts and breaks and bringing the country back to it's more conservative roots after eight years of Bill Clinton's assault on the constitution.
The Republican primary season was ugly. McCain and Bush seemed to be on opposite ends of every issue. Even as it became apparent that “W” would win the nomination, McCain repeatedly took shots at him. For a republican such as myself, it was sickening to watch this proud candidate sink into a pathetic, whining poor loser. To be honest, it's a wonder Bush ever won the election as divided as the Republican's were last August. McCain finally came around to a certain extent, even speaking at the Republican National Convention. He was still stressing his idea of campaign reform.
So now we are eight months past the election and in the seventh month of “W's” presidency. His tax cut measures were passed and signed into law last month, but Senator John McCain did not vote for the measure. In May, McCain sponsored a bill with former Democrat Vice Presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman making it even more difficult for honest Americans to purchase guns. And finally, along with Ted Kennedy, McCain co-sponsored the patients' bill of rights. A measure strongly opposed by the White House and the rank and file Republican members of congress.
Just where is Senator McCain now? One of two possibilities exists. Either McCain has become a liberal-or more likely a Bush hater-or he has his sights set on the White House in 2004 and sees his anti-conservativism and the outrage it conjures up as a way to keep his name in front of the public. If he has become a liberal he needs to be brought home. His constituents voted for McCain on the basis of his conservative views. If he has changed his own personal views, more power to him. However, he no longer represents his constituency and needs to be recalled. If this blowhard just wants to keep his name in front of the public, he needs to get with the Republican agenda and help mold what are probably overly conservative ideas and reign them in so even those in the Republican camp will be comfortable with the party's platform. Something I can't say I am right now.
To the people of Arizona I wish good luck in your fight. At least it will let you know where this guy really stands.
Senator McClain used his bully pulpit as a Senator and former POW to make a run at the Republican nomination for President against George W. Bush. McCain's message of campaign reform was a popular and relevant platform. But his campaign seemed to be focused on the fact that he had been a POW in Vietnam and not his Senate voting record. “W” ran his campaign largely on tax cuts and breaks and bringing the country back to it's more conservative roots after eight years of Bill Clinton's assault on the constitution.
The Republican primary season was ugly. McCain and Bush seemed to be on opposite ends of every issue. Even as it became apparent that “W” would win the nomination, McCain repeatedly took shots at him. For a republican such as myself, it was sickening to watch this proud candidate sink into a pathetic, whining poor loser. To be honest, it's a wonder Bush ever won the election as divided as the Republican's were last August. McCain finally came around to a certain extent, even speaking at the Republican National Convention. He was still stressing his idea of campaign reform.
So now we are eight months past the election and in the seventh month of “W's” presidency. His tax cut measures were passed and signed into law last month, but Senator John McCain did not vote for the measure. In May, McCain sponsored a bill with former Democrat Vice Presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman making it even more difficult for honest Americans to purchase guns. And finally, along with Ted Kennedy, McCain co-sponsored the patients' bill of rights. A measure strongly opposed by the White House and the rank and file Republican members of congress.
Just where is Senator McCain now? One of two possibilities exists. Either McCain has become a liberal-or more likely a Bush hater-or he has his sights set on the White House in 2004 and sees his anti-conservativism and the outrage it conjures up as a way to keep his name in front of the public. If he has become a liberal he needs to be brought home. His constituents voted for McCain on the basis of his conservative views. If he has changed his own personal views, more power to him. However, he no longer represents his constituency and needs to be recalled. If this blowhard just wants to keep his name in front of the public, he needs to get with the Republican agenda and help mold what are probably overly conservative ideas and reign them in so even those in the Republican camp will be comfortable with the party's platform. Something I can't say I am right now.
To the people of Arizona I wish good luck in your fight. At least it will let you know where this guy really stands.
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