God Bless Tony Stewart and Other Stuff

That might sound like a strange headline coming from me. As most of you know I despise Tony Stewart and I think he is a bona fide jackass and a cry baby. I know he is a great race car driver and is generally good for the sport, but his bullshit outweighs (by a large margin) the good. That said, last week Smoke, as his fans call him, made statements on his radio show that enraged the powers that be down in Daytona Beach but endeared him to me.

Stewart said he was tired of NASCAR throwing phantom yellow flags near the end of races to bunch up the fields to provide a more thrilling finish. Strong words? Sure, but for those of us who have felt the same way and have been turned off by NASCAR's ways over the past several years it was music to our ears. Many claimed Stewart was just whining again because he was beat, but he said he knew he was going to lose and this was not an isolated incident.

As a race fan I used to be a big NASCAR fan. I admit that the sport hasn't been as big to me since Dale Earnhardt passed, but the BS that goes on in the NASCAR offices is what really pisses me off. Rules changes in season, 35-8, the provisionals, the phantom yellows and the general arrogance are what really has turned me off. I like the drivers and teams, and yes, even not liking a Tony Stewart or Jeff Gordon makes it fun to root against them because they are so good.

Tony Stewart said nothing more than people like me have thought for years. NASCAR has become a joke and is more entertainment than sport. Sure it rakes in millions of dollars daily, but so does the WWE.

Unfortunately we live in a world where short attention spans are the norm. NASCAR has decided that their fans either can not or will not abide a driver running away with the win. They have decided that their fans are only happy when the race comes down to 2 or more cars crossing the finish line within a half second of each other. Don't get me wrong, close finishes are good for the sport and fun to watch, but manufactured finishes like Smoke is talking about are what has turned a lot of fans against NASCAR. I mean, God forbid that a team comes to a track, has their shit together, has a driver who is focused and hungry, have the best race strategy and win by a wide margin because everyone else doesn't have their shit together.

For Stewart's part he was fined and placed on probation by NASCAR. he also "retracted' his statements. Fine, but obviously we can not "un-hear" his words. He said it, you know he meant it and a lot of fans agree. Even Ol' DW seemed to be leaning Stewart's way during the Phoenix race when no one could find any debris the brought out the yellow.

Maybe NASCAR will heed Smoke's (unspoken now) words and quit playing God with their races. The last few years the IRL seemed to be going down that route, but so far this year the have let them run. Maybe a driver winning by a lap isn't as exciting as a duel decided by .0001 of a second, but that .0001 of a second finish is only good if it is legitimate and not manufactured.

______________________________


Today is May 1. Sunday the Speedway opens for a couple of days of rookie practice with everyone getting going on Tuesday. Unfortunately excitement for the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 doesn't seem to be at a fever pitch. Looking at it I don't even see 33 car/driver combos. But things change rapidly at the Speedway in May and they'll probably get there.
The housekeeping first. I'll be out there on Fast Friday (May 11), Pole Day (May 12), the second week of qualifications (May 19-20), Carb Day (May 25) and Race Day (May 27). I do have some tickets for sale if anyone is interested. I have two up high in the NW Vista (turn 4) and two in H Stand (coming out of 4) about halfway up. I'm looking for face value for them. The NW Vista are $85 each and he H are $70 each. Use the Contact Me link above left if you are interested.

As for the actual racing Dan Wheldon has to be considered the favorite going in. Target Chip Ganassi Racing team mate Scott Dixon looked fast last weekend and should challenge. Their main competition from last year, Penske, seems to be a bit off. Frankly I think Sam is already gone to NASCAR in his mind. Julio may be able to get it done, but the team has struggled everywhere but St. Pete. Tony Kanaan and Dario Franchitti both have been strong for Andretti Green, but Marco has been an embarrassment on the ovals and I think he is spooked, Danica has been so-so and God only knows what Michael will bring to the show.

Frankly, everyone else seems to be an also run. Tomas Scheckter had a decent run at Kansas, but if the winner doesn't come from Wheldon, Scotty D, Sam, Julio, TK or Dario I'd be surprised. I'd really like to hear Kosuke drop another F-bomb while he's here!

See you at the track!