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I think the thing I like best about traveling for races and other sporting events is what happens before and after the race. The travel, meeting people - other fans - and getting out to see local sights and sample local restaurants.

This time around we headed out to Fort Worth’s infamous Stockyards. We had dinner @ Billy Bob’s (awesome steaks!!!) and stuck around to hear Country singer Travis Tritt (yes, he’s still singing and touring! lol). It really was a blast. I have to say that the people in the Dallas/Ft Worth area are just great. Real friendly - we had an awesome time.

The track was great - it always is. The NASCAR propaganda and other things… well, you know how I feel about that. However, it was a great time and this time around I went with friends instead of family and that added a whole new tilt to the event. Not that my family isn’t awesome, but it was nice to go with friends from work and really just do whatever - not on some planned schedule like usually happens with spouses and kids along for the ride. I was designated driver so it was also fun to see my friends get drunk and stupid after the race. Now THAT’S entertainment!

Will be posting photos on CarRacing.com later today so be sure to check it out. Didn’t get too much because of the cloudy/overcast day and the day-into-night race schedule that NASCAR sure seems to love, but the pics I got were pretty awesome.

So we’re getting ready to head out tomorrow morning - Texas Motor Speedway for our last NASCAR race of the year, well MY last NASCAR race possibly ever. The rest of the family already has plans on going to Daytona which I said I’d never miss, but after the 2009 racing season I’m not so sure. I may give Daytona one last look, but if things don’t change in this series EARLY on in the 2010 season I think I won’t be the only one planning my exit.

The drivers seem to be just as frustrated with the current series plan as the fans do - well, except for Jimmie Johnson who never seems to truly have a bad day, a bad race or any problems. A friend of mine has this theory about Johnson that if ever had to face adversity such as Dale Earnhardt Jr. has had to this season, or seen his winning streak dwindle as Kyle Busch has this season - or even had to face the challenges of starting up a new team and getting the negative press that Tony Stewart has this year - that he would crack under the pressure. When you think about it - what adversity has California-boy Johnson ever had to face? He never seems to have bad equipment, he’s only had a few “bad races” which really when compared to the crap his teammates have faced - including Jeff Gordon - weren’t really all that bad… how WOULD he cope?

Anyway - enough Jimmie bashing, my problems with NASCAR don’t really have anything to do with him. I miss the old NASCAR - that feeling of “anything can happen @ a race”. Now it feels a lot like the old World Wrestling Federation when you knew that the appearance of Hulk Hogan in the ring either meant a slam-dunk WIN or some major drama to be stirred up for a bigger match in the coming weeks. It feels SCRIPTED, PLANNED, PRE-DESTINED or however you want to categorize it. It just doesn’t feel like the sport I used to know, enjoy and get excited to see.

OK - so I’ll go to Daytona. I’m going to enjoy Texas this weekend because that track is always a blast - the PEOPLE there really just know how to watch a race. So no matter who wins or how frustrated I am with NASCAR I’m going to have a good time and bring some pics back for the CarRacing.com galleries. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

The fans are making their voices heard. NASCAR is listening. And experts in the field of social media now rank NASCAR No. 1. When NASCAR formed a Fan Council for fan input and advice on important topics related to the sport, the last thing anyone expected was an award – let alone two awards. But in recent weeks, this unique “advisory board” of the sport’s most avid fans has earned national acclaim by winning the Forrester Groundswell Award in the Business-to-Consumer Listening category and the Vision Critical 2009 Panel of the Year Award.

“The outside attention is flattering, but we’re most happy about the inflow of smart and passionate input from a group of our most dedicated fans,” said Brian France, chairman and CEO of NASCAR. “NASCAR fans are known to be vocal about the sport they love. They want to be heard, and we want to hear them. The NASCAR Fan Council is turning out to be an extremely valuable platform that enables NASCAR to consider fan feedback in key decisions about the direction of the sport.”

NASCAR introduced the NASCAR Fan Council in 2008 to gain a better understanding of its fan base. In 2009, regular consultations with the council, an online community of 12,000 avid NASCAR fans, resulted in two important changes to the sport:

Double File Restarts, Shootout Style: When fan sentiment ran high for a new restart format – in which the leaders line up side-by-side following cautions to restart the race – NASCAR picked up the comments, validated and initiated a new double-file restart rule, to overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Earlier and consistent TV start times: When fans voiced their opinions about event start times, NASCAR listened and quantified sentiment, resulting in earlier and more uniform start times for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in 2010.
Read more…

Talladega Superspeedway announced a list of HALLOW-DEGA℠ fan activities set for the AMP Energy 500 weekend, Oct. 30 – Nov.1.

“Our plans are coming together for the World’s Largest Halloween Party,” said Talladega Superspeedway President Rick Humphrey. “Best of all, there will be something for everyone. We have activities for the kids and parents too.”

Activities for Saturday, Oct. 31 include:
·The SPEED Scream Contest on the SPEED stage
·The Sprint Costume Contest in the Sprint display
·A haunted maze located in the display area
·A fortune teller that will peer into the future
·A wax hands interactive display
·A Pumpkin Seed Spitting Contest in the display area
·Halloween characters roaming throughout the display area
·A hall of mirrors and much more

More activities will be announced soon. To keep up-to-date on all the latest HALLOW-DEGA activities, fans should visit the new and improved www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.

In 2009, Talladega Superspeedway proudly celebrates forty years of the most competitive racing in NASCAR. While the track has seen changes made to the cars that circle its high-banks, the surface that they race on and the grandstands that thousands of fans fill twice a year, one constant remains; Talladega Superspeedway is authentic NASCAR racing at its finest.

Race fans should make plans now to experience the AMP Energy 500 weekend, Oct. 30 through Nov. 1. This weekend features the Mountain Dew 250 fueled by Fred’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and Race Number Seven in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the AMP Energy 500. For information on attending HALLOW-DEGA℠, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA. For our hearing impaired guests, please call TDD 1-866-ISC-TRAK (1-866-472-8725). Tickets also are available in person by visiting the Talladega Superspeedway Ticket Office from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. CDT, Monday- Friday.

Since the 21st Century began, NASCAR’s Sprint Cup teams have been faced with not only overcoming the traditional mechanical challenges presented by Martinsville Speedway, but also trying to figure a way to defeat Hendrick Motorsports at the circuit’s shortest track.

Ever since Jeff Gordon won his first race at the tough paper clip-shaped track in September 1996, Hendrick Motorsports has gained strength at the speedway, similar to that exhibited by Petty Enterprises in the 1960s and ’70s. By the time the 1990s ended, Gordon had three victories at the track. It was 2003, however, when the Hendrick Motorsports domination began.

Gordon swept the track’s two races in 2003. Then, teammate Johnson collected his first Martinsville win in October 2004. However, there was no jubilation as Johnson and the rest of the motorsports community learned after the checkered flag that a Hendrick Motorsports’ team plane had crashed on a foggy Virginia mountain that morning en route to the race. Among the losses were Rick Hendrick’s son, his brother, two nieces and the organization’s engine department head Randy Dorton. Tony Stewart’s helicopter pilot also was on the ill-fated plane. From that day forward, Denny Hamlin is the only driver to have won at Martinsville since that day who doesn’t have a connection to the plane crash.

Gordon swept the 2005 races, while Stewart and Johnson split the 2006 events. Johnson then won three straight before Hamlin broke his string of victories in March 2008. Johnson returned to the victory podium in October 2008 and has been there ever since.

With Johnson winning this year’s spring race at Martinsville, he now has claimed five of the track’s last six Sprint Cup events. His 41st career Sprint Cup victory in March provided Hendrick Motorsports with its 10th win in the last 13 Martinsville races. Overall, Hendrick has collected 18 Martinsville victories, just one shy of tying Richard Petty as the winningest car owner in the track’s history.

Just read a press release about NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program [LINK] and it got me to thinking… what do NASCAR fans think about this program? The program was started to help to “diversify” NASCAR - to bring in more female drivers, more minority drivers… to give opportunities to youth that otherwise might not have the opportunity to drive in a racing series as prestigious as NASCAR.

But what about you and me? Would we qualify for this program? Could your parents afford to do - as Jeff Gordon’s parents did - all the things necessary, to make all the sacrifices - to move the family and uproot them to another state - all for the sake of a potential, possible racing career for ONE of their children? I think MOST families would qualify for this program based upon income and opportunity - but, unfortunately, the factors of gender, race and community can greatly affect one’s chances to “qualify” for NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program.

If the point of this program is to make sure that racing doesn’t “miss out” on the next Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt or Darrell Waltrip - shouldn’t they also be seeking participants based upon talent, drive and ambition?

Not sure exactly how I feel about this program, but would definitely like to hear some input from more fans - or perhaps even folks involved with NASCAR or this program - and get a solid insider’s point of view. What do you think about Drive for Diversity? Is this a good program, a good way to get more people from more backgrounds involved in the sport? Or do you think this is just a waste of $$$ and a way for NASCAR to look more Politically Correct in the eye of the media?

SOUND OFF!

FIRST CHANCE TO SEE NEW MUSTANG

The first computer rendering released earlier this year caused quite a stir.

Now, race fans who have been anxious to see what it will really look like will finally get their chance as Ford and Roush Fenway Racing unveil the new 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Mustang on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

This is the first public unveiling of the new 2010 Nationwide Mustang, and the first time media and public will see the car that will compete in limited races next year.

The unveiling will take place at Roush Fenway Racing Headquarters in Concord, NC. The program will begin with lunch from Noon-1 p.m. and follow with the formal program at 1 p.m.

Members of the media are invited to attend for lunch, interviews and video/photo opportunities.

WHAT: Ford-Roush Fenway NASCAR Nationwide Mustang Unveiling

ATTENDEES:
Edsel B. Ford II, member of the Board of Directors, Ford Motor Co.
Brian Wolfe, director, Ford North America Motorsports
Jack Roush, owner, Roush Fenway Racing
Colin Braun, driver, Roush Fenway Racing

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 13

TIME: 12-1 p.m. Eastern (LUNCH); Unveiling at 1 p.m.

WHERE: Roush Fenway Racing Headquarters is located at the Concord Regional Airport. The unveiling will take place at the marketing building, located behind the water fountain at 4600 Roush Place.

MEDIA: Photo, video and interview opportunities will be available.

CONTACT: Dan Zacharias
Ford Racing Media Relations
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Thought this was interesting… nice to see NASCAR really get “tough” on testing policies - it’s about time. It’s not like football or baseball - substance use/abuse in auto racing is just wrong and needs to be monitored and addressed. While I don’t agree with ALL of their decisions this year (some seemed a little overkill, others a little too lenient), I’m glad they are working to get this under control.

NASCAR announced today its 2010 testing policy for its three national and two regional touring series.

The policy will again prohibit testing at tracks which host NASCAR national series events, by teams in the following series: NASCAR Sprint Cup; NASCAR Nationwide; NASCAR Camping World Truck; NASCAR Camping World East; and NASCAR Camping World West.

In 2010, however, testing will be allowed at NASCAR-sanctioned tracks that host a regional touring event but do not host a national series event. Based on this season’s regional tour schedules, the following tracks would be eligible to host tests next year:

Greenville-Pickens Speedway; Tri-County Motor Speedway; South Boston Speedway; Thompson International Speedway; Adirondack International Speedway; Lime Rock Park; Thunder Hill Raceway; All American Speedway; Madera Speedway; Douglas County Speedway; Toyota Speedway at Irwindale; Portland International Raceway; Miller Motorsports Park; Colorado National Speedway.

Did you hear about this? Did you see this on ESPN? Did you read about this on NASCAR.com? I didn’t… I read the NASCAR website and the media access site several times each day and from what I’ve seen, this got totally swept under the rug… Conspiracy theorists - here you go… Kyle cheated, got a “slap on the wrist” - or less - and the media never picked up on it as far as I can see. Anyway, just my .02… a 25 point “fine” once the Chase has already been decided and the #18 is out of the running isn’t really a punishment at all. Anyway - you decide… post comments and let me know what your take is on this:

NASCAR has issued penalties to the No. 18 team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as a result of a rule infraction found last Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The No. 18 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-12.8 1B (the height of the car at the left front fender did not meet the required specification; too low in post-race inspection) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book.

Crew chief Steve Addington has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Driver Kyle Busch and car owner Joe Gibbs have been penalized 25 championship driver and 25 championship owner points, respectively.

I realize this is a racing blog but I’ve just got to say that after a LONG season with a lot of high points, low points and, well - a LOT of B.S. - I’m ready for some championship racing, end season highlights and of course, some of my beloved FOOTBALL!

After watching some pretty exciting college football this weekend - and some pretty lame and boring NFL football (with a few exceptions) - I am reminded that it’s not the “premiere” or “center stage” sporting events that are the most fun. It’s the home town, home team, local-level events that have - from my experience anyway - the most heart. Following big series like NASCAR, IRL and F1 where there are a lot of politics, big money and even bigger egos sometimes makes me a little jaded about the world of racing… that is, until I attend a local short track.

If you haven’t been out to your own local short track - dirt, asphalt, off-road or WHATEVER - I suggest you make plans to DO SO. It will change your perspective, give you a renewed love for the sport and get you back “on track” (pun intended). So… whatever your love - rally, stock cars, sprint cars, midget racing, etc. - get OUT THERE, grab some of those under-$20-tickets that are available and see it LIVE.

Already making plans for the 2010 season at my local dirt and asphalt tracks and YES, I am SO ready for some FOOTBALL!