RaceWay Tours Blog

The Daytona 500!

The Daytona 500!
Posted by GEORGE January 29, 2009 10:51:37 AM

It won't be long until we kick off the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season with the Great American Race at Daytona International Speedway. The Bud Shootout is February 7th, the NASCAR Nationwide Series Race is February 14th, and the Daytona 500 is February 15th.

Over 168,000 NASCAR fans will be in attendance for the "Super Bowl" of racing at one of the most famous race tracks of all time. Daytona International Speedway is a fast 2.5-mile track with 31 degrees of banking in the corners. The fastest lap ever achieved at Daytona was 210.364 MPH by "Awesome Bill from Dawsonville," Bill Elliott.

Daytona is also the site of the most confusing qualifying rules in all of racing. For Daytona qualifying made simple, take a look at my January 24, 2008 blog: Qualifying for the Daytona 500.

As far as excitement goes, it's pretty tough to beat the Daytona 500. The race usually comes down to the last lap. In last year's race, Ryan Newman beat Tony Stewart with a nicely-timed bump from his teammate Kurt Busch. It was the high light of Newman's year, and it set the stage for what turned out to be a disappointing year for Stewart.

As you can tell, I'm excited about the 2009 NASCAR NASCAR Sprint Cup season, and I'm not sure I've seen a year where the NASCAR Championship was more up for grabs. If someone comes to the front in the Daytona 500 and dominates the race, they would certainly earn the right to be called the favorite to make The Chase and win the Sprint Cup Championship.

Craftsman has announced an extension of their sponsorship as the official tool of NASCAR through 2013! They will also return as sponsor of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crew Challenge in May. Sears has been a solid supporter of NASCAR racing for many years, and they want to be there to increase exposure and to help NASCAR grow.

Jean from Canada asks, "I've followed Mark Martin throughout his career, and I want to know if you think Mark has an honest chance to make The Chase and actually win the Sprint Cup Championship this year?" Boy, I hope so Jean! Wouldn't that be awesome? Jimmie Johnson has proven that staying in the races with a cool demeanor is important in making The Chase and winning championships. Mark Martin perfected these traits, and is now on a winning team which provides top equipment. I included Mark as one of the drivers to make The Chase in my 2009 NASCAR predictions.

Thank you for your question Jean!

See you at the track!

New NASCAR Teams in 2009

New NASCAR Teams in 2009
Posted by GEORGE January 27, 2009 12:49:24 PM

Earlier, I said there would be a 43-car lineup for the Daytona 500, but we should expect some races after that to have fewer than 43 cars. But new teams are jumping at the chance to join the ranks of NASCAR racing. Currently, 15 new teams are seeking NASCAR certification because they believe now is the best time to break into the sport.

That's at least 15 new entries to replace the few which have closed their shops, or are reducing the number of cars in their stables. The feeling is that it might be easier than ever to put a car on the track and achieve success. It appears that there is room for at least some of these new teams.

One of the new teams which may eventually show up on the track is not new to the sport of NASCAR at all. It's an existing organization with some past success in both the NASCAR Truck and Nationwide Series. Kevin Harvick believes the time to expand Kevin Harvick Inc to include the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is rapidly approaching. KHI is an organization which has been running by the book and doing only what they can afford to do. It probably won't happen this year, but then again, it could: Harvick would likely not drive the Cup entry. Interesting concept.

NEMCO Motorsports is a newcomer to NASCAR racing with a seasoned veteran behind the wheel. "Front Row" Joe Nemechek and NEMCO have applied for NASCAR certification and have the sponsorship in place for 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in 2009.

For Chevy and Toyota fans, Nemechek has the solution to the question of who to cheer for. He will drive the number 87 Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the number 87 Chevy in the Nationwide Series.

Many of those new to team ownership already know what it takes to be successful in NASCAR racing, and they believe the current economy creates the perfect time to jump in, get established, and be there for the upturn. This is great news for NASCAR and great news for all of us NASCAR fans!

See you at the track!

NASCAR TV Blackouts?

NASCAR TV Blackouts?
Posted by GEORGE January 22, 2009 9:56:47 AM

No matter what the product is which needs to be sold, promoting the product is what sells it, and smart promoters never miss a chance to put their stuff in front of the public.

Tony Stewart has been a top promoter of NASCAR racing. Tony didn't climb fences for his own enjoyment; he did it because his fans liked it. It remains to be seen if his most recent attempt at promoting NASCAR racing will help ticket sales, but Stewart gave it all he had when he was asked to be the Grand Marshal for the Fiesta Bowl this year. Smoke's efforts were to sell more race tickets when NASCAR heads to Phoenix International Raceway twice this season. Of course having cars carrying Old Spice and Home Depot logos had to help his relationship with sponsors as well.

In order to sell more tickets, Speedway Motorsports Inc's Bruton Smith is contemplating television blackouts at tracks he owns if races do not sell out. Blackouts remove product from at least part of that product's market. But on race days, if I don't have a ticket, and I can't watch the race on TV, I'll go to a movie, or mow my yard. This doesn't help NASCAR racing, and, as you might imagine, sponsors hate the idea.

Recently, The University of Iowa wanted to increase attendance for men's basketball games. Iowa offered that students with season tickets could bring a friend to games for free, but only 250 students took advantage of the offer. Reducing the cost of tickets does not necessarily mean higher attendance, partially because tickets are only part of the expense of attending an event, especially a NASCAR race.

The answer to increasing attendance at NASCAR races isn't restricted TV viewing, or even cheaper tickets for NASCAR fans. Making events more interesting by loosening some of the more recent and restrictive rules may sound too simple, but it could work... Let them race and NASCAR fans will be there.

See you at the track!

NASCAR Rule Change puts Tony Stewart in the Shootout

NASCAR Rule Change puts Tony Stewart in the Shootout
Posted by GEORGE January 20, 2009 7:17:47 AM

Tony Stewart is back in the Budweiser Shootout, after all. Originally, Tony didn't qualify because his car owner points didn't rank him in the top six in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings. But NASCAR has changed the rules, and will allow Smoke to compete.

Tony Stewart deserves to be in the Budweiser Shootout. It will be a boost to his new team, and will be a better contest with Tony in the race. The only person who was not surprised by NASCAR's move to allow Stewart to race was Stewart. He's been preparing a car for the Budweiser Shootout for weeks, figuring NASCAR was going to allow him in.

A points switch at Hall of Fame Racing also puts Bobby Labonte into the Budweiser Shootout. HOF Racing is moving points from the number 38 car to the number 96 car in order to accommodate the change.

Dale Earnhardt Jr is headed into the 2009 NASCAR season in the same poor shape he was in last season. Dale Jr may be in need of a good personal trainer, and this could be the reason he didn't fair well during the second half of so many races last year. Drivers such as Carl Edwards and Mark Martin have always had a strenuous training program to help carry them through the races, and it seems to work. NASCAR drivers are world-class athletes, and most of them can prove it, but evidently not all of them.

There may not be a Petty racing in 2009, but the Petty name will continue on in NASCAR racing, thanks to Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Effective immediately, the new organization will be called Richard Petty Motorsports. Admittedly, it won't be the same as having a Petty on the track, but it's a great tribute to seven-time NASCAR champion, Richard Petty.

As it stands right now, the number 8 car made famous by Dale Earnhardt Jr may see only limited duty this year. The lack of a full-time sponsor could keep the car on the sidelines much of the year.

Joey Logano says he is ready to go, but Joe Gibbs Racing fans should not get their hopes up quite yet. I expect great things from Logano, but not this year. No matter how good a rookie is, he is still a rookie, and will make plenty of rookie mistakes. I'll be happy to see Logano finish in the top 25 in NASCAR Sprint Cup points this year, and I'll consider Joey's season a success if he wins a race in 2009.

See you at the track!

NASCAR Drug Testing

NASCAR Drug Testing
Posted by GEORGE January 15, 2009 6:06:57 AM

NASCAR teams have until tomorrow to provide NASCAR with a list of employees who have passed drug tests. To obtain a 2009 NASCAR license, each employee must be tested for drugs. Anyone found abusing drugs is out of NASCAR, and out of a job. This includes over-the-wall crew members, crew chiefs, support people, spotters, and everyone who works in the shop.

The exception is drivers, but they will not be left out as NASCAR will oversee testing of the drivers themselves. Those tests will start the week of January 20, and any driver who fails will be suspended indefinitely. In addition, NASCAR will test randomly every race weekend.

There is a list of drugs which are not acceptable, including some sleep aids and marijuana. New rules apply to the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and the Camping World Truck Series.

NASCAR has finally become serious about drugs in NASCAR racing, and I'm all for it. There's no room for drugs in any sport, but drugs and 200 mile per hour speeds don't mix. An NBA or a major league baseball player is killing themselves, but a NASCAR driver or crew member is taking the lives of everyone involved in the race into their hands, including the NASCAR fans in the stands.

I applaud the efforts of drivers such as Matt Kenseth who voluntarily began drug testing of employees last year. And now I applaud NASCAR for making it official, and requiring all teams to participate.

See you at the track!

NASCAR Pit Passes

NASCAR Pit Passes
Posted by GEORGE January 13, 2009 6:58:45 AM

I've been there many times, NASCAR fans, and I never miss an opportunity to go back. I'm talking about pit road at the NASCAR races, a very cool part of a NASCAR tour package!

If you want to meet pit crews, have a chance to say hello, and have your picture taken with them, pit tours are your best bet. You might even be lucky enough to see the cars being brought out onto pit road.

Pit crew members are busy, but will generally take the time to pose with you. You might even pick up a souvenir lug nut used on your favorite driver's car. At the least, you'll see crews preparing for the race, and you'll get close to the tool carts which house everything from tools to the equipment used to keep an eye on the weather.

I enjoy standing in pit stalls, where all of the action takes place during pit stops, and where races are sometimes won and lost. With track speeds which allow a car to travel the length of a football field in one second, the difference between a 13-second pit stop and a 15-second pit stop can mean gaining or loosing 200 yards on the track.

The opportunity to be on pit road and walk on the race track is an experience a NASCAR fan never forgets. Take a camera, because you'll want to have a permanent record of the event and a little proof to show your NASCAR friends back home!

See you at the track!

The 2009 NASCAR Season is Straight Ahead

The 2009 NASCAR Season is Straight Ahead
Posted by GEORGE January 8, 2009 11:59:23 AM

The holidays are behind us, and January is moving ahead. I like January because I can finally say, "The first race of the 2009 NASCAR season is next month." Even the cold, snow, and ice here in Iowa can't lessen the joy of knowing that next month we'll be watching NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing.

I'm guessing we'll be watching a full 43-car field at the Daytona 500. Our NASCAR tour group is pumped, and ready to kick off a new season of NASCAR racing.

NASCAR news is starting to flow, and we're keeping up on the latest here at TrackChatter. For instance, the pressure is being put on Dale Earnhardt Jr to consent to allowing Tony Eury Jr find himself something else to do for a living. The Hendrick Motorsports gang is leaning toward Eury Jr as the cause of a lack of improvement in Dale Jr's performance. That may or may not be true, but the head honchos at Hendrick will probably win out in the end. It could happen this season, but I'm guessing Tony Eury Jr will have until the end of the year to get Earnhardt in the top five, competing for the Sprint Cup Championship.

Heavy layoffs are hitting home at Petty Enterprises, and word has it very few of the Petty gang will be retained after the buy-out is finalized. Robbie Loomis may be the only survivor after it's all done.

How about Robbie Loomis returning to Hendrick Motorsports and becoming Dale Earnhardt Jr's crew chief? I haven't actually heard this, but it makes for some interesting conversation.

Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart are working on a strong partnership. Krissie Newman, Ryan’s wife, is even overseeing work on a new house which Tony Stewart is building in Indiana. She's in charge of the deals and decisions involving contractors. I've said all along that neither Newman or Stewart will make The Chase in 2009, and I'm sticking with that statement, but look for the two of them to be spoilers in a few races this year.

Check back with us here at www.TrackChatter.com each Tuesday and Thursday, and we'll keep you informed about what's happening in the world of NASCAR!

See you at the track!

Shorter NASCAR Races?

Shorter NASCAR Races?
Posted by GEORGE January 6, 2009 7:43:16 AM

In many of the longer NASCAR races on the Sprint Cup circuit, drivers spend much of the race staying out of trouble while positioning for a run at the end of the race. Some drivers, especially the seasoned ones, manage this by staying in the back of the field during the early stages of the race. By staying towards the back, they are not using up their car, and they are keeping accidents in front of them so they can dodge disasters when necessary.

Other drivers choose to drift in and out of the top ten while allowing their cars to find the best racing line. They don't push their car to any degree, and they save it until the end of the race, where it really matters.

So why not eliminate all of this business, and get the racing going from the start? The best way to do this would be to shorten longer races to the point where every lap is meaningful to the outcome.

I know the Daytona 500 needs to remain the "Daytona 500" by title, or it just wouldn't sound the same. But wouldn't it be more exciting if it were the Daytona 300, and all of the drivers would race all of the laps rather than biding their time early in the race?

Beer, food, and merchandise sales might not be as large, but race fans would get to see a race that would keep them on the edge of their seats rather than give them an opportunity to catch a snooze early on.

Race fans complain about one car getting into the lead and nobody challenging him until late in the race. Shortening the races would eliminate this, and racing would start on the first lap. There would be more lead changes, and strategy would play a bigger part in each race. It's a simple solution to many complaints about the longer races, and it would be an easy fix.

Happy New Year!

See you at the track!