Random Observations From First Five Races

We’ve got five races under our belt. Regardless of what you thought of them, a lot has happened. NASCAR has loosened the reins, changed the car, and produced some real surprises.

This is my take on some of them.

So much for riding on your laurels from last season, (or your checkbook, as the case may be). From now on, it’s all about what you’ve done this year.  If a team bought points they didn’t earn to jump start the season, but still couldn’t remain inside the top 35, they pretty much wasted their money. Perhaps it would have been better spent elsewhere.

While I’m thinking about purchased points, I have to give props to Dietrich Mateschitz, Jay Frye and the 82 team. Last year, they were the only team to attempt all 36 races that wasn’t able to crack the top 35. Mr. Mateschitz, as the owner of Red Bull, owns two F1 teams, as well as the NASCAR team. He probably spends enough money on racing to launch his own space shuttle if he wanted to. It wouldn’t even been a footnote on his balance sheet to have bought Scott Speed’s way into the top 35  to start this season. The way last season worked out, who could have blamed him? The fact that he didn’t, carries a lot of weight with me. Congratulations to the entire team for doing it the right way. They currently stand 18th in points and Scott may have turned the corner.

It’s no secret that I think the top 35 rule needs to go. Failing that, how about if they suspended it for the first five races? That way, new teams would have a better shot at Daytona, and it would negate the charade of purchasing points. Plus, that would instantly make the Twin 150’s maybe the most exciting races of the season.

It’s been popular to diss Paul Menard. He’s had a very good start to the season. His run at Atlanta was very impressive. He currently resides in ninth, and he didn’t back into it either. I have to admit I’ve liked Paul for a long time. Actually, make that more like jealous as hell. If my Dad had been as helpful, my racing career could have been a lot different, or at least a lot longer. One thing I’ve been curious about is why John Menard didn’t just start his own team, instead of financing other peoples operations.

As different as the plate races are from the rest of the races, about the only way Daytona is very relevant to the rest of the season is if you win it. Great for Jamie Mc Murray, not as great for Junior. Speaking of Jamie Mac, he’s demonstrably a very good plate racer. DEI, at one time, had the whip hand on plate tracks. Everything came together for the “1” team. That’s great, but, (as Pee Wee Herman said, “Everyone’s got a big ‘but’") ty’ve still got work to do on the downforce tracks.

Probably the most important thing I’ve learned is the secret of Jimmie Johnson’s success: it’s his “Golden Horseshoe,” and he keeps it in a VERY safe place. If you just absolutely, positively, can’t stand the “48” car, and think Jimmie and Chad are ruining the sport, you might want to find another sport to follow. I don’t see things changing any time soon.

I expected the Childress teams to be better this year, but I have to admit I’m surprised at just how much stronger they’ve been so far. People are fond of talking about Earnhardt Jr.’s alleged lack of focus, I’ve wondered the same thing in the past about Richard. It seems like he commonly was in some far flung place trying to shoot something. With the winery, et cetera, I wondered just how hands on he was. He seems to be well focused now, and it shows. Roush put all five of his cars in the chase in ‘05. When will Hendrick be able to put all 4 of his in? If you don’t cut your teammate any slack on the track, and wreck him, don’t expect him to cut you any slack in the interview.

Whoever said "sell the sizzle, not the steak," years ago must have had Danica Patrick’s NASCAR debut in mind. If I never see another Go Daddy commercial it would be OK with me.

Tony Stewart’s start is not what I expected when I made him my pre-season pick to have the best shot to derail the “48” team’s "Drive For Five." Come to think of it, the entire first 26 races is all pre-season, so he’s got lots of time to get back to last season’s form. He’s historically a slow starter anyway. I expect his teammate is getting really tired of spotting the field so many points to kick off the season. It must be like having to start the races from the garage.

When NASCAR takes a “start and parker’s” car for inspection, it tends to make a racer out them……at least for one week.

Denny Hamlin is on a self-proclaimed mission to knock off J.J. this season. He’s digging himself into a big hole. Hey Denny, to do that, first you gotta make the chase. He really didn’t like playing second fiddle to Smoke.  Something tells me he’s going to like being behind the 20 car even less now. Hamlin’s famous for throwing his crew under the bus. Now he’s doing it to the entire Toyota organization. As if they didn’t have enough troubles already. Whotta’ a guy! We’ve seen people drive out of deep holes last year, only thing was, they were driving Hendrick cars.

The more I see of  "Mad Max" Papis, the better I like him. His enthusiasm for NASCAR is infectious. Last season, he managed to get the Germain Racing # 13 into 15 of  the 21 races they attempted. Racing, rather than “start and park.” So far this season they have made 4 of the first five. I would love to see what Max could do in a more competitive ride.

Elliott Sadler currently resides in 25th place with no real signs of life. How much longer do you think he’ll be able to hang on to his ride? Ditto for David Reagan in 27th. Wonder if Jack would like a “do over?”

I’m generally opposed to retiring numbers in NASCAR, however,
having watched the “43” since Richard climbed out, I can see some merit. This has nothing to do with the first 5 races. Just call it a freebie.

What’s the deal with the new Ford FR-9 engine? They spent all this time and money developing the thing, now no one wants to run it. Something’s fishy here. Either it’s no real improvement on the old one, or the teams don’t want to spend the money to make the change. Maybe a little bit of both.

With all the comparisons being bandied about between NASCAR 
and World Wrestling Federation, I’m a little puzzled by the advertising campaign for Charlotte. Guys, are you waving the white flag or what?

On the subject of ad campaigns, Cousin Carl got loads of grief for
dumping Brad. How about FOX cashing in on it to pump, (or is that pimp) viewership for Bristol?

Tire issues again at Atlanta, much like in years past, but it’s not the Goodyear tires folks. According to the talking heads, it’s all the teams’ fault. They have just screwed up the air pressure, and the set ups. Yepper!

Take the tire issues, the road rage and the finish out of the equation, and the bulk of the Atlanta race was pretty uninspiring.
I guess I thought that when you patched your car up and came back out to log laps, and try to pick up a few positions, you tried to stay out of the way. I guess Cousin Carl sees it differently. We may just have the rivalry that many fans want to see. In the interview, Dick Berggren asked "Carl did you wreck Brad on purpose?" To paraphrase Carl, Weeel, I didn’t really mean to wreck him that much! One thing about it, "Bad Brad" got more "air time" for Dodge than Kurt got for winning.

This just in…..Carl has just left the NASCAR trailer. We now know what his punishment is. He is prohibited from watching any more Madhouse from Bowman-Gray Stadium.

I absolutely loved the Polish Victory lap. My jury’s however, still out on the backward victory lap. One thing I will say about it, it beats the hell out of snow angels! Cup definitely has it’s “haves” and it’s “have nots.” Last season we saw what is essentially a “start and park” team win a race. Will we see a similar surprise this season?

By the way, I’m all over anything that saves owners money,… normally. In the truck series, where they REALLY need to save money, I have to question the self venting gas can with only one fuel man over the wall and no catch can man. I’m seeing some big fuel spills. They’re just a spark from a lug nut away from a pit fire. The truck’s not gonna blow up, but it could get a little warm for the tire changer.

Speaking of saving the owners money, I have to think about the multiple “green, white, wreckers” finishes. Let’s hope these bring the TV numbers up enough to bring in some sponsors, because the owners are going to pay in torn up racecars.

The “If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It” Award goes to Bristol Motor Speedway.  The new variable banking does lead to better racing, no argument there. Only problem is, the old fashioned single groove racing that created the wreck fest and hot tempers was what made Bristol the hottest ticket in  NASCAR. If they hadn’t changed it, they wouldn’t have any trouble selling it out recession, or no recession. BUNCHES of empty seats. The attendance numbers this year must  be furnished by the Brothers Grimm. As in Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

Watching Harvick’s interview after drop kicking Logano in the Nationwide race. That wasn’t a "bump and run," just your basic "bump and dump.” He needs some work on faking sincerity. Logano wasn’t talking, and no one asked Carl. I’m sure he’d have been happy to set the record straight.

Bristol is a place where the driver needs to drive the car. By the time the spotter tells him what to do, and he processes the information, it’s too late.

Mikey Waltrip may have finally found his niche as a driver- a
“start & parker.”

Yet again, tire issues. Making the car heavier and harder to turn, but keeping the tire footprint the same doesn’t seem to be working out so well.

Marcos, Mate, do your racing on the track. Not the pit road.

I’m used to wrecks at Bristol, but not the big one! Wow, “The Biff’s” radio came unplugged, and he couldn’t hear his spotter. I used to tell my Momma, I didn’t hear her when she called me to come in, but she never believed me.

The record stands, Chevrolet 4 (or if you prefer, JJ) 3, the rest of the Bowtie camp, 1, Dodge 1,  very nearly 2. At least they’ve shown they’ve got the chops. Ford, Zippo. Star of the Blue Oval camp so far is Matt Kenseth just doing what he does best- tending to business. Not much flash, just results.

We all know that things tend to get a little jumbled up early in the season. Average teams can catch lightning in a bottle. Really good teams can have horrendous luck. Look at last year. It’s a long, (many say, "too long") season.

Strap in and enjoy it.