IRL: Think American

I’m very disappointed with the departure of so many IRL drivers. The IRL needs to promote American drivers to keep us watching. There are many talented individuals at many bullrings throughout the country.
I thought this was a series that kept costs down. What happened to a regular steering wheel? What happened to a jack? Get back to basics, and let the drivers drive. Get rid of all the computers — that just adds costs.
Supermodifieds don’t go as fast as Indy cars but they are similar and put on a lot better show. Take note, IRL.

NASCAR, USAC Miss Boat

NASCAR is missing the boat with the “go or go home” cars. It should have a short race — say, 25 laps or so — with all the GOGH cars. In fact, anyone 36th in the standings and down should have to race their way in. This would be much more entertaining and could eliminate provisionals.
I have no huge problem with the CoT. The wing is no sillier than the huge spoiler on the yestercar. I think the idea of the wing was to ease the aero push the old car created for the second-place car. I really don’t care how badly they handle — that’s the driver’s problem. Besides, anything that emphasizes driving ability is a good thing, right? I think the people who hate it the most are the fans whose guy either missed  The Chase or didn’t win The Chase. Wings like they had on the Super bird would help rear vision (also, not my problem).
Many of today’s NASCAR fans are only happy if their driver wins. It doesn’t matter how fantastic a race it may be. The outcome is only acceptable if you’re wearing $200 worth of the same logos that are on the winning car.
USAC had a unique opportunity with the new Silver Crown car to make an impact — to make a premier series. Instead, we get this ungainly looking thing that is slower than a midget on a mile track. I understand they have someone trying to do a facelift on this thing. I hope his name is Merlin.
I think narrower tires on both sprints and midgets would keep costs down and put driving skill at a higher premium. Tire management would be a bigger factor, too, and you wouldn’t need a $40,000 engine to race for a $1,100 purse.
Wouldn’t you think the USAC could get a few races on a TV network that would come with a basic satellite package? Ford, Toyota, Mopar — you’d think they would make this happen. I like to go to five or six races a year, but you can’t get to all of them, and TV is the next best thing to being there.

More On Busch-Whackers

I have debated for about the last six months about writing this pertaining to the Busch-whackers, and after seeing John Clayton’s column, here it is:
I think calling the Cup drivers “Busch-whackers,” is being way too kind, and I feel a new label should be “Cup Suckers.” They are sucking the life out of the up-and-coming drivers who dream of making it to the Cup series. We all know who they are, starting with Carl Edwards and up to 20-plus of his Cup pals.
The Cup drivers are not in it for the money or the points except for a few. They are in the Busch race to have a better Cup car on Sunday. The “Cup Suckers” have all made at least a few million or more. All the purse money does is put a new toy in their garage or a stable or even a race track behind their mansions.
The Cup Suckers should not be given purse money or points. The purse should start with the first Busch driver to finish and go down the line. So, if there are 21 Cup drivers starting a Busch race, the 22 Busch drivers or whatever the number would end up with the entire purse.
Busch drivers who say they like to have the Cup drivers race with them because they know they have beaten the best are not thinking clearly. For every Cup driver who qualifies ,one Busch driver goes home. How many Busch races have been won by Busch drivers when Cup drivers are in the race?
Now, we hear Carl Edwards will be back in 2008. Sorry guys, but until NASCAR wakes up, you Busch drivers will continue to get the crumbs, and that’s not right.

Indy’s Future?

I saw my friend, Jim Liska, the other day. He’s a Badger midget afficianado and historian, knowledgeable guy. So, he says, “Rick, I predict in 10 years the Indy 500 will be a NASCAR stock-car race. It’s the only way we’ll get to see American drivers and cars.”
I thought for a minute, looked him straight in the eye and said, “I could buy that, but they have to rip the bodies off, let the fab shop work their magic and put in a second seat so the crew chief rides along.”
Jim just smiled, turned, shook his head, laughed and walked away.

Chase Changes

The Chase was uneventful with the two Hendrick cars at the front in almost every race. The only bright spot for any challengers was Clint Boyer’s first win.
My thoughts are that (NASCAR) needs a new formula. Get rid of the top 35 and have everyone qualify on speed.
Give points for cars moving up positions from their starting spot. This is good racing and should be rewarded.
Also, give points for laps led as they do now, points for front-row starts and keep points for winning the same.
This would reward increased performance, which should be whether you start 19th and finish fourth or start 10th and finish first. Anyway, performance is what should count for all cars finishing ahead of their starting positions.
God bless America.

Television Critique

I loved Stew Reamer’s recent column. Although I have never announced at a race track, I’ve been in broadcasting for nearly 30 years and the skills are transferable.
The crummy announcers on NASCAR and other racing broadcasts are about to drive me crazy. In addition to the trite, overused phrases Stew mentions, here are a few more I picked up today:
“Heavy contact” or simply “contact.” Why not bump, rub against or crash into? Contact is a politically correct, benign term that should be outlawed.
“Knocked the wall down.” That’s physically impossible, except in rare instances — at which time it needs to be repaired.
“Tore up a race car.” I heard Rusty Wallace say this at least 10 times. The correct usage is torn, Rusty.
“Fresh rubber/fresh tires.” The announcers had no qualms about saying the tires were old. Why can’t they be new and leave the produce in the grocery store?
“Deal,” “situation” and “issues.” These all need to go. Dr. Jerry Punch used a variant of “issue” 28 times before I stopped counting.
Another thing that bothers me: Why is it that networks think it is a good idea to hire washed up jocks to be commentators? Almost without exception, they are all sorry. (Larry McReynolds falls into this category.) Those that worked at it and succeeded include Ned Jarrett and the late Benny Parsons.
Our sport would improve if it were portrayed in a more sophisticated, less “hillbilly” light, as it is a national avocation now. The broadcasters need to read this and Stew’s column and adjust and improve accordingly.

Banquet Coverage

I have to comment on the ESPN coverage of the NASCAR Awards Banquet. All season ESPN pounded the airwaves with great coverage in HD on ABC and ESPN2 but then, on the biggest day for these guys to celebrate they throw this on ESPN Classic. It was broadcast later on ESPN2 and it was still was not in HD. Come on, ESPN. If you are going to do this with class, finish it with class. Also, NASCAR forget the stand up comics. When Tom Brokow is funnier than David Spade, forget it.