Bleacher Report - Articles by David Yeazell

Jimmie Johnson Is Not a Great Driver...Just Sayin'

David Yeazell — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:16:08 -0500

Every form of media has saturated the market for weeks now speculating Jimmie Johnson’s fourth title. His history making championship was all but secured when the checkered flag flew at Richmond International Raceway; it just took 10 weeks to make it official.

Now the media pundits have turned their focus and keyboards to a different hype, one that includes monikers like great and greatest.

While NASCAR is still an ongoing sport, it is impossible to establish who is, or was, the greatest driver.

Johnson is being compared to Earnhardt, Petty and Yarborough. These comparisons, while having some merit, are by far inconclusive and lack foundation.

Earnhardt and Petty’s seven championships are the most in NASCAR history at this time. But each driver accomplished these feats under very different, and albeit difficult circumstances.

Each championship was secured by running a full 36 race season under the direction of multiple crew chiefs and with different types of race cars.

Earnhardt’s championships were won with three different crew chiefs, two different owners and three different Chevrolet body designs (Impala, Monte Carlo and Lumina). Cale Yarborough won back to back titles, changed crew chiefs, and won his third in row.

Johnson has won four consecutive championships by winning the best of 10 races four times. All four championships have been with the same crew chief, same car make, and, by being able to run a mediocre season of 26 races, only needing to remain inside the top 12 in points.

Once the best of ten starts, better known as the Chase, the sandbagging stops, Chad Knaus flips his magical switch that NASCAR cannot find, and Johnson drives away from the competition.

It wasn’t that long ago Jeff Gordon was touted as being the greatest driver. After securing his third championship with Ray Evernham, Gordon was also being compared to Petty, Yarborough and Earnhardt.

Since Evernham’s departure in 1999, Gordon has added just one championship trophy to his resume, and has spent the past eight years driving for five.

Johnson’s accomplishments might be the measuring stick, benchmark, or standard for this generation of racers, but even then, great or greatest should be reserved for those drivers who, unlike Johnson, have accomplishments in more than one racing discipline.

Jeff Gordon has championships in USAC, Sprint Cup, and Rookie of the Year honors in Nationwide and Sprint Cup. Tony Stewart has championships in IRL, Sprint Cup, and USAC. He was also Rookie of the Year in all three. Greg Biffle has championships and Rookie of the Year honors in Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series.

Jimmie Johnson is in fact re-writing the history books. While it is certain to be omitted, prudence demands that Chad Knaus’ history of fines and penalties be included in these re-writes.

Titles and descriptions using the words great and greatest should be reserved for multi-talented, multi-dimensional drivers, not a driver who, is at best, a single-dimensional achiever.

Photo Credit: David Yeazell

Phoenix Could Be Mark Martin's Final Championship Chance Ever

David Yeazell — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:10:32 -0500

As Jimmie Johnson’s car was careening across the track at Texas, Mark Martin fans were already re-calculating how this turn of events could renew his championship hopes.

While Johnson’s car was smashing against the inside retaining wall, championship points were being twittered to Mark Martin’s account.

The early Christmas present wasn’t a full-blown assault on Johnson’s points lead, but it was enough to remove Martin's championship hopes from life support.

The final two races are possibly another chapter in the career long saga of Mark Martin and his futile attempts at a Sprint Cup title.

Martin’s failures, if they could be considered failures, are not from lack of trying, but more from a lack of capitalizing, and the presence of three future Hall of Fame drivers.

Twenty-six points was all that separated Martin from the championship trophy collected by Dale Earnhardt Sr. in 1990. A penalty of 46 points at Richmond, for an unapproved spacer, is said to have cost Martin the championship.

Seven years later, Jeff Gordon would hoist the hardware in New York. Martin finished third in the standings that year; a paltry 29 points in arrears.

It was a mere 63 points that allowed Tony Stewart to be the final driver walking across the stage in 2002.

In each of these three examples, the eventual winners are in an elite group, but given 36 opportunities throughout the year, the margin of victory was in no way insurmountable.

Wins were not a problem during Martin’s career, nor were they part of the solution. In the 16 years he drove for Jack Roush, Martin’s GPS took him to victory lane 35 times, but still no championship.

Starting the chase with the points lead, and then following it up with a win at New Hampshire, and a second place finish at Dover, Martin certainly occupied the cat bird’s seat. Then came Charlotte, Martinsville and of course, the DNF at Talladega.

Once again Martin is faced with a future Hall of Fame driver, a small point’s deficit, and only two races to make a difference.

Phoenix could not only be the deciding race for Martin’s championship hopes, it could also be his final chance ever.

A two-year contract extension with HMS assures Martin at least two more opportunities. Those opportunities are at best, a steep uphill battle.

There is no doubt Jimmie Johnson will win more championships. That alone is Martin’s biggest obstacle in his final two years. If that’s not enough, factor in making the chase, and then mix in names like Gordon, Busch, and Stewart.

Martin must throw caution to the wind at Phoenix and pull out all the stops. Finishing ahead of Johnson should be top priority. Leading the most laps and winning the race must also factor highly into the equation.

Failure at Phoenix will almost certainly impact Martin’s legacy and permanently relegate him to be known as one of the best driver’s who never won a championship.

Photo Credit: David Yeazell

Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, and Mark Martin: As the Wheel Turns in Texas

David Yeazell — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:12:47 -0500

Jimmie Johnson mistakenly decides to race. Hendrick Motor Sports makes it clear who it wants as champion, and it’s a different race, same result, for Kyle Busch.

As the Wheel Turns is an irregular publication that tries to answer questions, solve conundrums, and extricate quagmires occurring on race day and throughout the racing community.

While I try to cover all the bizarre strategies by drivers or crews, and sometimes aberrant decisions by NASCAR, there are times when one event may take up the main focus of an article.

This is not one of those articles.

Given the drama that unfolded on lap two at Texas Motor Speedway this past Sunday, it would be easy to devote an entire article to how Johnson’s Texas Two Step with Sam Hornish Jr. could have cost him the championship.

Actually, it was bad, but not the worst.

Johnson did lose a considerable amount of valuable points. How many points actually depended on how the drivers below him in the Chase standings finished.

NASCAR’s point system rewards drivers not just for winning, but for where they finish the race. Laps down make no difference in points being awarded; it’s just what position you finish.

The next five in points would have had to finish the race one through five for this unfortunate event to have maximum effect.

For every position out of the top five they lost, Johnson actually gained back points.

Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, and Tony Stewart, the next three in points behind Johnson, left a combined 100-plus points on the table Sunday.

When the dust settled, all was not lost at Texas.

Johnson earned $151,901 for his efforts. Not bad considering a 38th place finish, barely three hours of work, and only 205 laps run.

Johnson’s pay day was more than the next 24 drivers who finished ahead of him, and better than the eighth place finisher, Greg Biffle, the 10th place finisher, A.J. Allmendinger, and the 12th place finisher, Ryan Newman.

If there was ever a question of who the favorite son at Hendrick Motor Sports is, it was answered Sunday.

Within moments of Johnson’s car arriving at the garage, a call out was issued for all available personnel to come and lend a hand.

It’s kind of understandable that Jeff Gordon’s team would lend a hand. Gordon is, after all, part owner of the No. 48 car.

On the other hand, Gordon is also sitting third in points with a legitimate shot at catching Johnson.

What’s hard to understand is that every Hendrick team below Mark Martin in the points pitched in to help. Where does this leave Mark Martin in the whole scheme of things?

Sitting second in points, this was actually a plum for Martin, a chance to close the gap on Johnson.

How does Hendrick make a decision to pull all available resources to help one driver when doing so will hurt another, or even two?

Is it possible the decision was made at the beginning of the chase which Hendrick driver would receive the hardware in Las Vegas?

Once again despite dominating the majority of an event, Kyle Busch came up a few gallons short of quenching his thirst for first at Texas.

Making the decision to pit two laps before co-leader Kurt Busch, new crew chief Dave Rogers gambled on fuel, and lost.

This is not the first time Busch has been snake bit. It is, however, the first time with Rogers.

What the future holds for Rogers and Busch is uncertain, but what the present is showing is no different than what the past has held for Busch.

Under crew chief Steve Addington, Busch experienced the same type of turn of events a multitude of times.

If Rogers knew Busch was going to be two or three laps short on gas, then why not pit at the same time that front runner, and eventual winner, Kurt Busch, pitted?

Busch insisted on a crew chief change, and the change was swift, no doubt a bargaining chip used in recent contract extension negotiations with JGR.

Photo Credit: David Yeazell

NASCAR at Texas: Once Again All About Jimmie Johnson

David Yeazell — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:06:00 -0500

At Texas Motor Speedway this weekend, as with the past few Chase races, all eyes, and most of the broadcast, will be on how or what Jimmie Johnson is doing.

Media strategy usually changes beginning with the first race of the Chase at New Hampshire. The majority of the broadcast focus and media attention shifts from the top 15, or even top 20 drivers, to the 12 Chase drivers.

Now as we enter the final three races and Jimmie Johnson’s amassed an almost insurmountable lead, it seems that Johnson alone is garnering the undivided attention of the TV media.

In game six of the 2009 World Series, there was an air of anticipation about the Yankees securing their 27^th world title. As each out was recorded and each inning became history, especially in the final two innings, there was more and more talk of the inevitable.

It’s understandable why this happens, especially when it is quite possibly the final event. It would not be understandable with three, four or five events remaining.

Once Johnson took the points lead, each succeeding broadcast feels like it’s the final event.

While Chad Knaus and team Johnson continue to downplay the inevitable, it seems the TV broadcast continually finds ways to focus mainly on Johnson, and on occasion, the second or third place driver in the points.

Last week at Talladega, even while running in the back of the pack for the mid part of the race, Johnson’s name, position, points lead and what ever else they could find, was being inserted almost every lap.

There were 42 other drivers racing at Talladega, and while it was a bit of a snooze fest at times, it was still a race with 43 potential winners.

This week at Texas will most likely be more of the same. Without actually saying the words that Jimmie Johnson is champion, it will continue to be all about him; with commercials and a few side notes of other drivers filling the dead air gaps.

Johnson only has to finish in the top 10 for the next three races to secure his fourth championship.

Each lap, and each time Johnson’s car changes position, this, and every imaginable scenario, coupled with every imaginable statistical probability, will be the bedrock of Sunday’s broadcast.

The post race show, on the other hand, should be slightly different. It will contain multiple analysis of how Johnson’s increase in points will impact the final two races.

There are still three races left and 42 other drivers competing.

Photo Credit: David Yeazell

A NASCAR Chase Drivers Request: Look into My Eyes and Tell Me Who I Am

David Yeazell — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:41:47 -0500

It’s easy to pick your favorite driver from a crowd. The flashy driver’s suit is usually the first clue in identifying the hero.

Special occasions happen throughout the racing season and your favorite driver might not be in his familiar colors.

No problem, you can still identify him by his car or his walk or swagger, or even the sound of his voice.

You know the wife or girlfriend by name, the color of his hair, or the breed of his dog.

Year after year you become more and more in tune to the ever changing landscape of your favorite NASCAR driver.

Your dedication to knowing every possible detail about him allows you to become one with him.

Really? You really think you know him that well? You consider yourself the ultimate dedicated NASCAR fan?

What if the only clue you had was his eyes, or better yet, his eye? Could you still pick him out?

Could you still without equivocation exercise your inherent eye for detail to maintain the monogamous relationship?

Or, will you stumble and hang your head in shame, realizing your dedication was built only on a facade?

It’s said the eyes are windows to the soul. Have you peered deep into the soul of your gladiator? Can you continue being his loyal subject with only a fraction of detail to identify with?

For those who feel worthy, here is your chance.

Listed in the picture are the optic generators of NASCAR’s 12 chase drivers.

To make this challenge a bit easier, I offer the following hints. There are right and left eyes. Only chase driver’s eyes, and one small hint located in the picture.

Answers start from top left and move right, line by line.

There is also one caveat hidden among the pictures. Only a keen eye will be able to expose it.

Ok, so your favorite driver is not in the chase and you feel at a disadvantage.

A truly dedicated NASCAR fan should make it a point to know the foes of their betrothed.

While your dedication and attention should be on your hero, protection from the enemy must also be part of the equation.

Keep your driver close; keep his competition closer!

Go forth and choose wisely as you are about to expose yourself to the ultimate test of dedication.

Good Luck!

Photo Credit and collage credit: David Yeazell

Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson: As the Wheel Turns, Talladega Edition

David Yeazell — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:26:11 -0500

Ryan Newman flies off the track, Jimmie Johnson hides at the back of the line, and NASCAR once again tries not to wake the sleeping giant.

As the Wheel Turns is an irregular publication that tries to answer questions, solve conundrums, and extricate quagmires occurring on race day and throughout the racing community.

While I try to cover all the bizarre strategies by drivers or crew, and sometimes aberrant decisions by NASCAR, there are times when one event may take up the main focus of an article.

This is not one of those articles.

Shortly after the finish of Sunday’s Amp Energy 500, it was evident there was another big crash at Talladega Super Speedway.

Scattered across the Internet were articles littered with a plethora of verbs and adjectives, depicting the big one and Ryan Newman’s wild ride.

Notably missing each of those articles and headlines were the words killed, death, and tragedy. At least this time they were missing.

Two events, in no particular order, are almost certain to happen at Talladega in the future. A driver, or drivers, will be killed or critically injured, and NASCAR will make sweeping changes to the track and or the C.O.T.

Which ever event happens first will certainly have an impact (no pun intended) on the second.

After laying low and running towards the back of the pack for the majority of the race, Jimmie Johnson increased his points lead by avoiding the big one and finishing fifth.

Once again, littered around the Internet were stories about how Johnson was a coward, chicken, and laying back to protect his points lead.

At this juncture in the season, and with an almost sure lock on the championship, Johnson is none of the above. He was racing smart.

Why put your self in harms way by mixing it up in the hostile environment of Talladega?

During a post-race interview, Johnson fielded a few questions on this subject, and one question about rules.

When asked about the pre-race rule enforcement issued by Mike Helton, Johnson quipped the following benign platitude, “I have no problem with NASCAR rules as long as they police it well and make it fairly even for everyone.”

NASCAR made it clear before Sunday’s race they wanted to see a gap between every car.

Heavier rules enforcement and faced with a smaller restrictor plate, drivers now have to figure out how to draft, or even bump draft, without actually drafting. Confused?

NASCAR has taken steps to slow the cars down and make racing on the super speedways safer. By doing this they have made it almost impossible to pass, and robbed the engines of horsepower which takes away the ability to just press the gas and go.

Restrictor plate racing is at best an oxymoron.

No matter how you spin it, NASCAR has existentially created the environment they are now trying to squelch. They must find a solution before the Car of Tomorrow becomes the Coffin of Talladega.

Photo Credits: David Yeazell

Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus: Racing Outside the Nascar Rulebook?

David Yeazell — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:16:58 -0400

Question: Is it possible NASCAR inspectors are so focused on the minutia of Jimmie Johnson’s car that they can’t see the forest for the trees?

Long ago, I heard a story about two men who came to the border crossing every week. Each Friday, they showed up pulling a large cart filled with dirt and stones. The security guards knew the men were smuggling goods across the border, but could never find any evidence.

Each time the men would try to cross, the guards would labor for hours unloading and sifting through the massive amount of dirt and stones only to come up empty every time. Upon finding nothing being smuggled, the guards had no choice but to allow the men to cross the border.

NASCAR has taken the No. 48 car to its R&D center in North Carolina for inspection four times in a row. While they warned Hendrick his cars were very close to being out of tolerance, they still have found nothing.

The NASCAR rule book is basically a modified how-to manual for teams. It tells them what to build, how to build it, and what the tolerances are. Supposedly everything on the car is covered in this book.

It’s the same book used to inspect the car. What if the 48 team is using its own version of NASCAR’s rule book? Have they found something, not in the rule book, to make their cars so much better than the others?

On restarts, with Johnson and Mark Martin side-by-side, how does Johnson pull ahead by four or five car lengths before entering turn one? When the green flag flies, it’s virtually a drag race to turn one. Martin and Johnson’s cars are basically clones of each other using the same Hendrick engines.

So how does he do it? Where does he get the extra boost of horsepower to pull away like that? Not just from Martin, but from almost everyone.

With Johnson being so dominant at most every track on the Chase schedule, why is Talladega his Achilles heel?

Could it be that NASCAR gains a significant amount of control over a car at the restrictor plate tracks? Springs, shocks, and restrictor plates are all issued and controlled by NASCAR.

Is this where Knaus' hides his keys to success, in the shocks, springs, or carburetor?

Johnson has not won on a restrictor plate track since 2006. That was the same year Chad Knaus was suspended for cheating at the Daytona 500. Halfway through the 2005 season NASCAR found two Hendrick teams, Johnson and Kyle Busch, to be using “suspicious” shock absorbers and ordered a change.

For three years, the two men came to the border. For three years, the guards scoured every inch of the cart, but never once suspected it was carts they were smuggling.

NASCAR is so fixated on finding a needle in the hay stack when actually the problem could be the hay stack itself.

If everything is by the book and there is still a problem, then it's time to look beyond the book.

NASCAR needs to look outside its rule book. Maybe, like in 2006, they're not breaking any listed rules.

Look at Knaus’ rule book, the check lists, build sheets, notes, and everything else associated with Johnson’s car that is not listed in the NASCAR rule book.

As the sanctioning body, it’s time NASCAR finds out what Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus are smuggling and re-level the playing field.

Photo Credit: David Yeazell

NASCAR Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month

David Yeazell — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:17:53 -0400

Pink is the color of choice this weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway. In support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Breast Cancer Awareness month, four NASCAR teams have taken at least one car and tricked it out in pink colors. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer found in women and is the second leading cause of cancer death among women. This slide show is meant to be entertaining and also educational. All photos are copyright David Yeazell.

Begin Slideshow

Nascar: News, Notes, and a Surprise From Lowe's Motor Speedway

David Yeazell — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:33:28 -0400

The picture says it all.

The final race weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway is starting off very slow. Rainy conditions for the past two days have all but stopped the tracks festivities planned for Bojangles Pole Night.

At this point all practice sessions have been delayed and Sprint Cup qualifying is in danger of being cancelled.

Jet dryers have been grazing on the track since early morning, except for times where the rain was heavy.

Team representatives have chimed in about the rain situation.

Ryan Pemberton, crew chief for the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota said he wishes the whole mess would be rained out until the race. “If that was to happen I think we’d have an edge. I think our past notes on this place are so much better than anybody else’s.”

On the other end of the spectrum Peter Sospenso, crew chief for the No. 37 Long John Silver’s Dodge feel’s it would be a huge disadvantage. “We have to qualify on speed; we don’t want it to rain.”

All 12 chase drivers have passed through the media center today. Questions ranged from their thoughts on the Hall of Fame inductees, the possibility of no practice or qualifying, and what needs to be done to catch Jimmie Johnson.

All drivers, except Johnson, were asked if they thought the chase was over and Johnson was uncatchable.

Mark Martin, after spending several minutes telling how proud he was of his team, said there is no way the chase is over and anything can happen.

Jeff Burton said he felt Martin was the one to beat this year and will continue to give Jimmie Johnson a run for his money.

Juan Pablo Montoya said it wouldn’t bother him if he won the championship without winning a race. “Hell yes we would be proud, even if we didn’t win a race. We have been trying to win a race, but its all about points.”

Brian Vickers feels they used up all their luck trying to get into the chase. “We certainly have had the worst luck; I think we ran out of mojo.”

Carl Edwards echoed the fact that there were still six races to go and anything can happen. “A lot can happen between now and then. Of course we need an awful to happen for us to have a shot.” Edwards talked a little bit about his future, most importantly his future addition to the family. “Yes, its official, Kate is pregnant. It’s going to be a girl and she is due around mid February.” Of course he said he and Kate were very excited.

While in the media center, Jimmie Johnson announced he was staring in an HBO 24/7 reality show. Filming has already started and the first of four episodes is slated to air January 26th, 2010. The show will be called “Jimmie Johnson, Race to Daytona.”

UPDATE: Sprint Cup practice is about to begin. Cars will have about one hour to practice. Qualifying has been pushed back to 8:40 pm.

NASCAR Hall Of Fame Inductees: Did They Get It Right?

David Yeazell — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:36:53 -0400

After months of debate, speculation and millions of fan votes, the cardinals of NASCAR have settled on the first five men to permanently reside in the Hall of Fame.

Shortly after noon today, a small puff of white smoke rose from the Hall of Fame chimney, signaling a decision had been made and a gathering would be soon.

The gathering took place at 4 p.m. EDT in Ballroom C of the Charlotte Convention Center. The dark and dreary rainy day outside didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of those gathered inside.

As each name was announced by Brian France, a resounding applause came from those sitting in the reserved seats, as well as those gathered in the standing room-only areas around the periphery.

The five men—in the order they were announced—were Bill France Sr., Richard Petty, Bill France Jr., Dale Earnhardt Sr., and Junior Johnson.

It is fitting that Bill France Sr., founder of NASCAR, was the first inductee.

There is certain to be debate about the remaining four.

One could speculate the theme or commonality among the voters was one of passing the torch.

Bill France, Sr., brought NASCAR from its birth into adolescence and watched as his baby continued to grow year after year. When it came time to step back and hand over the reigns, “Big Bill” called on his eldest son and namesake, Bill France Jr.

Bill France Jr., aided in the continued growth of NASCAR and brought it first to Main Street and then to Wall Street.

Richard Petty was the man to beat during the 1960s and 70s. It has been said that when Petty showed up, the bet wasn’t on who would win, the bet was on who was finishing second.

Richard Petty won 200 races and a record seven championships. His final championship came in 1979, the same year a man named Earnhardt would be crowned Rookie of the Year.

In 1980 Dale Earnhardt won the first of his record-tying seven championships, and like Petty, would be the one to beat for the next two decades.

Junior Johnson captured 46 poles and won 50 races in his 13 year career as a driver. Almost immediately after his final race as a driver in 1966, Johnson became an owner.

As an owner Johnson continued his winning ways, collecting 139 more wins and six championships.

Today’s announcement left 20 nominees to wonder if next year will be their year. David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, and Bobby Allison were the bridesmaids of voting this time around, finishing sixth, seventh, and eighth respectively.

A new crop of nominees will be named next year. There is no guarantee the 20 who didn’t make it this year will be on next year's list, and if they are, with five new nominees added to the mix, there will be a whole new set of caveats to overcome.

Photo Credit: David Yeazell

Changing the NASCAR Chase Format: The Single Best Idea Ever Submitted

David Yeazell — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:18:27 -0400

This article is pretty simple.

After much thought, changing a few light bulbs, some cookies and milk, and my weekly electro-shock therapy, I have come up with the single best idea of changing the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup format.

At this point I have not conferred with NASCAR about this idea, but I do know they read Bleacher Report (so does Goodyear) and are now more in tune with the fans than ever before.

There are four months until Daytona—plenty of time to digest this and make the change.

The first 26 races should not change, and the 10 Chase races should not change.

What should change, first and foremost, are the points. Actually, there should be no points awarded, except for a win, and that should only be one.

The Chase and championship has two flaws. There can only be one winner for each race, and non-winners are rewarded.

If there were just a reward for winning, nothing else, things would be different.

The Chase field should be set at 15 drivers. This allows room for all the winners and several wild cards.

The Chase would still be in effect, but making it would be based first on wins, and the balance of the field would be based on drivers with the highest finishing average for the first 26 races.

Yes, we would have Chase entrants who won based on rain shortened events (Matt Kenseth and David Reutimann), fuel strategies, late cautions, or other anomalies, but luck is part of the sport.

Once all the winners were entered, then remaining spots would be filled by non-winners who had the highest finishing average. They basically would be wild card entries.

This type format in the first 26 races rewards wins, and it still rewards consistency.

When the Chase starts, and since there is no home field advantage, seeding would be simple. Everyone starts at zero.

Chase format would be the same. One point awarded for each win.

If the emphasis is put on wins and wins only, especially in the final 10 races, then it could be anybody's game till the end.

Take this year for instance. JJ has a win, Tony Stewart has a win, and Mark Martin has a win in the Chase. So, with my format, you have three drivers tied for the championship with seven races to go, and nine other drivers who still have a shot.

Of course, the spoilers are those drivers not in the Chase. They have incentive to take away the wins from the Chase drivers. Teammates would be helpful here.

If there is a tie going into the final race, well, then it’s who wins that race. If there is still a tie after the final race, then the tiebreaker is the driver with the best finishing average in the final 10 races.

So, let’s review: 26 races allows for 26 chances for a driver to make the Chase.

Finishing up front consistently, but without a win, could still possibly get you into the Chase.

When the Chase starts, you have 15 drivers with 10 chances to win. Most wins in those 10 races wins the championship.

Every championship could possibly go down to the final race in this format.

After conferring with my Orkin man, I find there are very few bugs to be worked out in this proposed format.

Will Nascar's Next Big Change Be The Chase Format?

David Yeazell — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:25:26 -0400

Yesterday NASCAR took another step in implementing change based on feedback from the fans.

Double file restarts were implemented with feedback from a town hall meeting. Lower ticket prices are the result of fewer and fewer fans attending events. Now, with feedback from 25,000 dedicated hard core fans being polled weekly, NASCAR is returning to uniform starting times.

Implementation of uniform starting times for races in 2010 has been received with what seems to be an overwhelmingly positive response from the media and fans.

With NASCAR in the change mode, should fans continue applying pressure and now turn their attention to other issues?

Could revamping the Chase format be the next big change?

Implemented at the beginning of the 2004 season, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase has seen only two minor changes from its original format. Bonus points are now awarded for wins, and the original lot of 10 drivers was increased to 12. Both changes took place in 2007, and is only the 12^th time since 1949 NASCAR has made a change to its points system.

In yesterday's teleconference Brian France said NASCAR has been looking at the chase format: “We're always looking to see if there is an enhancement. But I actually think it's working better than it ever has from a competitive standpoint.”

The competition this year leading up to the Chase, and now three races in, has been tighter than ever before. With seven races to go, there are still six drivers within 100 points of leader Mark Martin.

Even though this type of format lends itself to one driver running away with the championship, which seems to be the big issue with most fans, France feels it needs to play out.

“It can be difficult for us to get the perfect formula. But we think we have a very good formula in terms of the racing, the balance of the racing action. We want to let that play out.”

France felt that story lines were also a part of the successful mix.

Without a doubt, this year’s chase is filled with a cornucopia of story lines.

Start with Mark Martin, the quintessential bride’s maid and sentimental favorite.

There’s Juan Pablo Montoya, the feisty Columbian chasing a championship with zero wins and a lot of heart.

We see Jeff Gordon grasping at his fifth title, but watching it slowly slip away, again.

Tony Stewart, former points leader and first year owner/driver trying to become the first owner/driver champion since the late Alan Kulwicki.

And of course there’s current three-time champion Jimmie Johnson, looking to become the first in history to make it four in a row.

If this were the first year of the Chase, it would contain all the ingredients necessary to keep fans tuned in and looking forward to next year over and over again.

But it’s not the first year. It’s the sixth year, and the previous five have been no comparison.

As Brian France said, “It can be difficult for us to get the perfect formula.”

The formula this year is pretty good, but with good only happening once every six years, there's plenty of room for improvement.

NASCAR Listens to the Fans, Announces Big Change for 2010 Season

David Yeazell — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:56:37 -0400

At a special teleconference held today, NASCAR Chairman Brian France announced, beginning with the 2010 Daytona 500, all race start times will be earlier and consistent throughout the season.

“Earlier start times seem to be counter intuitive to sports,” said France. “But research has shown the core fan wants to be watching NASCAR earlier in the afternoon.”

Daytime races on the east coast will start at 1pm with evening races, except for the Coca-Cola 600, starting at 7:30pm. Daytime races on the west coast will start at 3pm. All times are eastern standard time.

France went on to say this was going to be very challenging because NASCAR has the longest season of all professional sports and crosses a number of programming grids. “All of our partners have a lot of programming and it all has to fit in. In order to meet these challenges, everyone must work together.”

When NASCAR moved up to mainstream broadcasting; signing deals with Fox and NBC, start times and broadcast channels slowly became inconsistent.

When NBC bowed out and ABC came on board, this variation of broadcast didn’t seem to change.

For several years fans have voiced their displeasure with this type of programming. Usually their displeasure was directed, or should I say misdirected towards NASCAR.

Chairman of Fox Sports, David Hill, said moving the start times around was a mistake. “I raise my hand and say guilty; we tampered with something we shouldn’t have. The great thing about NASCAR is its traditions, and those traditions come from the core fan.”

Hill said he expects ratings to drop next year, but does expect growth in future years.

When questioned further about the amount of growth, or what’s realistic, John Skipper, Executive V.P. of Content at ESPN, spoke up.

“Were not interested in realistic growth, we are more interested in unrealistic growth.”

As ratings and attendance keep falling, growth in NASCAR could be a disproportionate term.

After dropping 30 percent, an increase of one or two percent is, in fact, growth. But realistically, shouldn’t the actual measurement of growth start at the highest number before the drop off?

Double file restarts, lower ticket prices, and now, consistent starting times, are minor victories, but all steps in the right direction and proof positive that NASCAR is listening more to its fans.

Just Asking Is All...| Is Jimmie Johnson Good for NASCAR?

David Yeazell — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:14:53 -0400

Is Jimmie Johnson good for NASCAR?

OK, let me rephrase that. Is the continued dominance of Jimmie Johnson good for NASCAR?

NASCAR has seen dominance from other drivers. Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. both won seven championships, and Jeff Gordon has won four titles.

Petty’s were spread out over 15 years, and only once did he win back-to-back championships. Earnhardt’s was spread over 14 years, with back-to-back championships twice.

Gordon’s four championships were achieved over a six year period, with back to back wins in 1997 and 1998.

These prior examples were achieved over long periods of time, and in Earnhardt’s and Gordon’s case, when NASCAR was experiencing tremendous growth. Johnson’s dominance comes at a time when seats are empty and TV ratings are plummeting.

History has seen its share of domination in other sports.

John Wooden coached the UCLA Bruins men’s basketball to 10 NCAA titles in 12 years. The New York Yankees have won 26 world titles since 1923, more than any other franchise in baseball history.

In a 12-year span between 1957 and 1969, the Boston Celtics won 11 championships.

Wins and losses are how we keep score. At the end of the regular season, teams with the most wins make the playoffs.

Cumulative scores throughout the year mean nothing. A 50 point loss by an NFL team is just a loss, not a loss of the entire season.

Racing is different. Like other sports there is a playoff system in place, but it is the only sport that keeps a cumulative score, and awards a championship based on overall performance, not wins and losses.

Teams with no wins make the playoffs, teams with the most wins do not.

NASCAR’s playoff system seems to play right into Johnson’s hands. Like other sports, even a modest regular season will still generate a berth into the playoffs. This is where Johnson seems to turn on the afterburners and show what he’s got.

First thing Johnson shows is you don’t have to run hard all year, just hard enough to stay in the top 12. Then, once the door shuts on 31 drivers at Richmond and the points reset, it’s time to play your hand.

This year, Dover is where Johnson played his hand. He showed for the fourth time in as many years, he is shredding the competition and dominating the Chase.

No, he doesn’t win every race, although it seems he could win, or run up front more than he does. Balance has to come into play somewhere. He is however making sure he wins the big prize, the one that matters.

There is something magical about that No. 48 team: a team that can almost win at will. A slow start out of the gate in 2006 didn’t affect Johnson at all.

He won six of the next nine races on his way to the first of three championships. All three secured by dominating overall the final 10 races of the season.

Turning on this kind of dominance just at the right time year after year can only be defined as suspect.

Multiple championships in record setting fashion might be good for Lowe's and Hendrick Motor Sports, but four championships in a row is three too many in a fan-driven sport that has only one winner per week, and, soon to be four years in a row, the same winner each year.

Fans get tired of seeing the same guy win all the time. Whispers of foul play, favoritism, or even cheating, go from whispers, to open conversation.

The voices of disgruntled fans can be heard on call in shows, blogs, web sites, and quite possibly, in the TV ratings and empty seats.

Kasey Kahne: Is It Too Soon For a Fork?

David Yeazell — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:01:38 -0400

The Chase for the Sprint Cup is NASCAR’s version of a playoff system. When the checkered flag flies at Richmond, the top 12 drivers in points officially become championship contenders. Drivers outside the top 12 are left to watch their championship hopes decompose in the NASCAR point’s landfill.

Championship hopes actually start at Daytona. Each year teams arrive with a renewed hope of a good season and their driver having a shot at being the NASCAR champion.

Much like New Hampshire, Daytona signals the beginning of the end for those hopes and dreams.

It doesn’t take long to sort out the haves from the have-nots. Some teams start the season off with a bad run, but bounce back and find their spot in the standings. Others start off bad and never recover.

Kasey Kahne started off bad at New Hampshire. An engine failure on lap 66 handed Kahne his first DNF of the season.

Heading to Dover, things don’t look to get any better for the No. 9 Budweiser Dodge.

Arguably his worst track, Kahne has five DNF's, an average finish of 24.1, and has only cracked the top 10 twice in 11 tries.

Adding more duress to the situation is problem’s going on internally at Richard Petty Motorsports.

An announcement was made just before the Richmond race that RPM and Yates Racing had committed on paper to merge. Since that time, there has been an exodus of managers and employees from RPM. Most noticeably, those working in the engine shop.

In 2006 Jimmie Johnson entered Dover 139 points behind the leader, and went on to win his first of three championships.

It is possible that Kahne, 161 points behind, can still rebound from all these distractions and quite possibly repeat what Johnson did.

It’s possible, but not likely.

First of all, Kenny Francis can only control what is done to the car once it’s unloaded from the hauler. The ineptitude of quality from inside the RPM organization is quite possibly beyond his control.

Second, Kasey Kahne and Kenny Francis have proven they can win, but they are not Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson, and have no where near the resources of the Hendricks organization.

Finally, three of the drivers ahead of Kahne in the standings are multiple championship winners. It is possible that one, or even two of them may falter in one or two of the final nine races, but highly unlikely all three would.

Fork anyone?

Kyle Busch Fails Post Race Inspection: Fine, Loss of Points and Probation Issued

David Yeazell — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:31:27 -0400

Earlier in the week, I wrote the following:

During the post-race inspection, NASCAR discovered a ride height violation on the No. 18 Toyota of Kyle Busch, who finished fifth in Sunday's Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The car measured below tolerances on the left front side, according to NASCAR spokesperson Ramsey Poston. If penalties are warranted, they will be announced later in the week.

Today, there has been an update to Busch's ugly situation.

After review of information submitted, NASCAR has issued penalties to the No. 18 team as a result of a rule infraction Sunday.

Speculation was that Busch's car did not pass inspection because of several impacts during the late stages of the Sylvania 300.

Busch, outside the top 20 for most of the race, pushed his way to a fifth place finish in the final few laps.

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

Busch, who is not one of the Chase contenders, earned 155 points and $149,523 for his fifth place finish in Sunday's race. Currently 13th in the points, Busch will remain in 13th once the 25 points are deducted. Doesn't look like the $25,000 will impact his financial position either.

Joe Gibbs Racing does have the right to appeal NASCAR's decision.

Source: NASCAR

Kyle Busch Fails Post-Race Inspection

David Yeazell — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:05:28 -0400

In post-race inspection, NASCAR discovered a ride height violation on the No. 18 Toyota of Kyle Busch, who finished fifth in Sunday's Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The car measured below tolerances on the left front, according to NASCAR spokesperson Ramsey Poston. If penalties are warranted, they will be announced later in the week.

It was originally reported the No. 11 of chase contender Denny Hamlin was the offending car. This sent shock waves through the garage area and media personnel scurrying for information.

More on this developing story as details become available.

Source: Marty Smith and NASCAR

No Happy Harvick at New Hampshire

David Yeazell — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 21:11:43 -0400

It seems a part time truck racer would be ecstatic with a third place finish. Not Kevin Harvick. Actually Harvick is pretty upset with his finish, and with the guy who finished second.

Harvick felt he had the best truck today at New Hampshire, and evidently communicated that to second place finisher Ron Hornaday Jr's team. Hornaday didn’t get the memo.

Was it the miss-communication upsetting Harvick, or was it the fact Hornaday didn’t pull over and let his boss goes by?

In post race interviews, Harvick expressed his disappointment and referred to it as poor communication between Hornaday, crew chief Rick Ren and their spotter.

“If you’re going to have teamwork, you gotta have a two way street,” said Harvick.

Hornaday was oblivious of what was going on, and at one point said he was going to talk to Harvick to see what he had done wrong. What he did wrong was not pull over and stop so the boss could win, or at least try to win.

Hornaday is a truck racer, a full time truck racer who is about to secure a championship.

How could you put him in this position Kevin? Why would you risk any possibility of loss of points at this juncture? Why were you even in the race?

Is it because of such a dismal Cup season, you need to manufacture a win in the truck series? Even if at the expense of a record setting driver who is on the verge of bringing you a championship?

You have 10 more chances to win in the Sprint Cup. Or have you given up on the rest of this season and just not announced it yet?

Hornaday admitted backing off several times as Harvick got close to him, giving up the bottom of the track, but Harvick could not seem to make the pass, even with fresher tires.

If you had the best truck Kevin, you had 199 chances to prove it.

Hornaday’s confusion continued as he tried to explain their final pit strategy. “Kevin said he was going on five and I was to go on 10. But he didn’t count down, he just said five and then went, so I went,” said Hornaday. “It didn’t matter, Busch still got out first.”

Was this timing delay set up to assure Harvick exited the pits ahead of Hornaday?

You mentioned teamwork Kevin. When entering the same race as Hornaday, are you listed as his teammate or his boss? Is it counter productive trying to be both?

In the post race interview Harvick also said he felt like they gave the race away, meaning Hornaday, his crew chief and spotter.

The race was given away Kevin. It was given away in the pits with your timing directive, and then given away again while Hornaday was backing off, even though you couldn’t make the pass.

While Harvick was attempting to orchestrate the race fix, Busch ran off and garnered the checkered flag.

Denny Hamlin: It's Time To Drive It Like You Stole It

David Yeazell — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:09:57 -0400

Winning the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 with a dominating performance, Hamlin once again showed he means business this year.

Now it’s onto New Hampshire and the first of ten races to the Sprint Cup championship.

Hamlin started the year with a miserable 26th place finish at Daytona. He would rally though and put up some solid numbers the next few races. When the checkered flag flew at Martinsville, Hamlin was perched at number five in the points standings.

For the next six races, Hamlin would not budge below the No. 5 spot. A couple of times during that run he manned the No. 4 position.

A disastrous run at Dover would see Hamlin drop to No. 7. Then lightening struck again. A 38th place finish at Pocono sent Hamlin plummeting to the bubble boy position.

This might have been a turning point for some teams. It was certainly a turning point for the No.11 FedEx Toyota.

In the final 12 races leading into New Hampshire, Hamlin and his crew would post 10 top-10s, seven top fives, and two wins.

Eleven other drivers would love to be carrying those kinds of numbers and that kind of momentum into New Hampshire. It's the kind of numbers and momentum that champions are made of.

New Hampshire has been good to Hamlin. He has an average finish of 8.3, a win, and two top fives.

Sitting fourth in the points after the reseeding, Hamlin is right where he has been for most of the year. The difference is now he can see the top spot.

With his 400-point deficit reduced to just 20, Hamlin needs to pour the coals to that momentum train and drive it like he stole it.

Photo Credit: David L. Yeazell

Kyle Busch: No Points, No Championship. Time For Joe Gibbs To Step In

David Yeazell — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:39:04 -0400

Immediately after the checkered flag flew Saturday night at Richmond, all 12 Sprint Cup chase drivers and team members were given custom made Sprint Cup chase hats with their sponsor logos on the front.

Kyle Busch, losing his chase chances by eight points to Brian Vickers, did not get a hat.

When you look back at the past 25 races, it would be pretty easy to speculate where Kyle Busch could have picked up eight extra points.

Busch led the majority of laps at Darlington until a visit to the turn one wall sent him backwards to a 34th place finish and a paltry 66 points.

The Coke Zero 400 at Daytona was another opportunity for Busch. A final turn tango with Tony Stewart relegated Busch from a certain top 5 finish to a 14th place finish. These two races represent a potential gain of over 150 points.

There are certainly more examples. What stands out here is not the bad luck or missed opportunities; it is a statement that makes regular appearances in Kyle Busch interviews.

“I don’t race for points, I race for wins.”

An article in Sunday’s Virginian-Pilot stated that Joe Gibbs Racing was working on a contract extension with Kyle Busch. This extension would keep Busch at JGR for the next few years. The original contract is set to expire at the end of the 2010 season.

Early in the 2005 Sprint Cup season Joe Gibbs told Tony Stewart he could not race in any races other than his Sprint Cup obligations. Gibbs’ said Stewart needed to focus more on winning the championship. It worked.

If Joe Gibbs Racing is in fact going to keep Kyle Busch past next season, maybe it’s time for Coach Gibbs to educate Busch and once again issue a few directives.

The first order of business should be points. It takes points to win a championship. No points, no championship.

Juan Pablo Montoya and Carl Edwards have no wins this season. Mark Martin has four wins, the same amount as Busch does this season. Because of points, not wins, all three are eligible for a championship. Busch is not.

The next directive should be the same one issued to Stewart. Joe Gibbs has to put a governor on the amount of races Busch feels a need to run every weekend.

Slow down for a year or two and put all your efforts into winning a Sprint Cup.

Finally, Busch’s antics need to stop. Yes they are great for the fans and NASCAR needs a bad boy to keep ratings inflated. The question here is when it is enough.

There is no way Busch’s antics do not have some effect on his team. It just cannot be possible that his tantrums and emotional outburst’s do not spill over onto his team causing more than the usual amount of stress.

Busch has now missed his fifth opportunity at a championship. If Coach Gibbs does not intervene and changes are not made, he will miss many more.

Source: Pilotonline.com/Dustin Long

Photo credits: David Yeazell

Are Tony Stewart and Darian Grubb Going in The Wrong Direction?

David Yeazell — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:12:49 -0400

The Sprint Cup chase is set, and Tony Stewart will start the chase at New Hampshire in second behind Mark Martin.

Stewart has not had much to crow about since his win at Watkins Glen in early August.

A string of four races since the Glen has seen Stewart’s average finish fall to 19.5, including a miserable 33^rd at Bristol. Ryan Newman, the other half of Stewart-Haas racing, has finished ahead of his boss in each of those four races.

Speculation could be that by Newman finishing ahead of Stewart in each race, it gave Newman the cushion he needed to secure a chase spot.

Speculation could also be that Stewart and crew chief Darian Grubb are experimenting with different chassis set-ups, hoping to gain an advantage going into the chase.

This theory might be the answer, but it covers only part of the final 10 races.

If Stewart’s 11^th place finish at Atlanta was the result of some set-up experimenting, this would make perfect sense because four of the final 10 races are on a 1.5 mile track. But why experiment? Why change something that is working?

Leading up to Atlanta, Stewart won at Charlotte and finished 4^th at Chicagoland, both 1.5 mile tracks.

Experimenting with set-ups at Bristol and Richmond makes no sense either, especially since the only track less than 1.0 mile in the chase is Martinsville.

Maybe, just maybe Stewart has entered into a late season slump. The magic and momentum might be slipping away.

This would be the worst possible time for a slump. Entering New Hampshire Stewart’s 237 point cushion is gone and everyone below him, except for Martin, is now just a bad pit stop or an ill timed caution flag away from being ahead of him in the points.

If Grubb and Stewart have been playing with the chassis, and actually found a slight advantage on the mid range race tracks, it could be all Stewart needs to secure his first championship as an owner and third as a driver.

If Stewart is experiencing a slump and cannot turn things around, it could be the second year in a row the point’s leader watches his chances slip away.

Photo Credit: David Yeazell

News, Notes, and Pictures from Richmond International

David Yeazell — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:13:42 -0400

Practice is over for the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series. Juan Pablo Montoya led the speed charts for the second Cup practice. Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne rounded out the top 5. Qualifying is set to begin at 5:40 eastern time, with the Nationwide race to follow. Of course the news around the speedway is the chase. This final race is make or break for those chase contenders not yet locked in. Flags were at half mast today in honor of those who were lost during the September 11th attack on America.

Begin Slideshow

Would a NASCAR Driver Throw the Race to Secure a Chase Spot for His Teammate?

David Yeazell — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:41:44 -0400

The hottest questions in the media center this morning were centered on a very touchy subject.

Would a driver throw the race so his teammate could get into the Chase?

Last week, John Force was accused, and rightfully so, of throwing his semifinal qualifying run in order for his teammate to make it to the finals.

This question was lobbed at every driver who visited the media center at Richmond.

Ryan Newman assured everyone that deals and team strategies have been going on since the arrival of any teammate.

When asked if Tony Stewart, his teammate and boss, would throw the race to assure Newman’s spot in the Chase, Newman seemed comically evasive.

“I have been offering Tony $10 a week to let me win a race,” said Newman. “By the end of the year, we could have had a pretty good little kitty of money built up.”

While Newman didn’t answer the question directly, he did assure everyone that he was a stand-up driver and made every effort he could to win at every race.

Juan Pablo Montoya was much more open and forward about his take on this situation.

“Do you think if Kyle Busch is running second and needs a win to secure a Chase spot, and Denny Hamlin is ahead of him, Hamlin will not be getting out of the gas?”

Montoya went on to say that even though teams do not publicly tell their drivers to back off, they do discuss it with each other.

“They would be stupid to not discuss what would happen if a teammate needed help,” said Montoya.

Montoya denied ever throwing a race in Formula 1 but did say he was told on at least one occasion to do just that.

Jimmie Johnson said there was no deal or discussion about this with Rick Hendrick. “Rick Hendrick would not ask us to do this,” said Johnson.

When pushed harder about helping Mark Martin secure a spot in the Chase, Johnson offered up this synopsis.

“If there was a possibility of Jeff or I letting Mark win a race so he could be in the Chase, and Mark was aware of it, he would get out of his car and whup our butts.”

It will be very interesting to see how this plays out Saturday night. If the opportunity presents itself, will a driver lie down for his teammate?

Photo Credit: David Yeazell, Richmond International Raceway media center.

Petty-Yates Merger Is New Start for Some, End for Others, and Just Hazy for Rest

David Yeazell — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:55:19 -0400

Today’s merger between Richard Petty Motorsports and Yates Racing is certainly another sign of the times. It also signals the end of an era for each team involved and possibly the beginning of the end for Dodge in Sprint Cup.

The ripple effects of today’s decision could have a profound impact on each team involved and a few not involved.

Robert Yates founded Robert Yates Racing over 20 years ago after purchasing the race team assets from Harry Ranier and J.T. Lundy. The late Davey Allison was the first driver for the newly formed team.

Over the years Yates saw success with drivers like Allison, Dale Jarrett, and Ernie Ervin. Although RYR did win one championship, it was the Yates engines that struck fear in the competitors.

On Dec. 1, 2007, Robert Yates handed the reins of his racing empire to his son Doug. Since that time, Yates Racing hasn’t had much to celebrate on the track except mediocrity.

While the complete details of today’s merger are still hazy, one thing is very clear: Yates Racing is more than likely the first on a growing list of former powerhouse teams to disappear.

Richard Petty has had an on-again, off-again lifelong relationship with Dodge. Petty has driven some of the most famous, and most sought after, automobiles in the history of Chrysler-Plymouth Dodge. Buick Regals, Ford Torinos, and the Pontiac Grand Prix were also part of the Petty stable through the years. Petty didn’t find near as much success with those manufacturers as he did with Dodge.

Today’s merger announcement is twofold: It brings an end to that 50-year relationship, and it leaves Penske Racing as the only team fielding Dodge cars.

The newly formed team will still race under the Richard Petty Motorsports banner. Although George Gillette is listed as the senior managing partner at RPM (technically the company owner), it’s the allure of the Petty name that draws the sponsors.

Mergers can be a good thing. Shared resources, information, technology, and secrets are just a few critical necessities important during the merger of a race team. Personnel, essential or non-essential, is probably the most duplicated resource. The majority of RPM employees were laid off earlier in the year because of cutbacks and depleting factory funds from Dodge.

This once unfortunate set of events could now have a silver lining. The impact of removing duplicitous employees should be very minimal.

Two employees who have become suddenly non-essential are Reed Sorenson and Jamie McMurray.

McMurray is employed by Roush-Fenway, but lack of sponsorship for next year had his future uncertain. Rumors were flying that McMurray would move over to Yates next year.

This situation could be playing right into the hands of McMurray. While seemingly unemployed, he actually might now be a front runner for the recently vacated Martin Truex ride at EGR.

The complexity of a merger raises many questions. This weekend at Richmond the tape recorders will be working overtime as members of the media are certain to quiz each of the players in this developing story.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Please Help, I Have Some Questions

David Yeazell — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 12:32:48 -0400

I know Jr. is pretty busy with racing and commercials, and I don't really expect him to help answer any of these questions, but since "Jr. Nation" hasn't had much to crow about this year, maybe a few of them could take the time to figure out legitimate answers to some of these questions I have.

In Saturday’s Nationwide race, it was Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. running one, two and three.

With 14 laps to go and a seven-second lead, Kevin Harvick pitted. Busch would pit also. Jr. stayed out.

Why?

He was told he would be five laps short on fuel. Why not stop for gas? Tires were going to be an issue by the end of the race. Why not stop for tires and fuel, as Harvick did? Why not just two tires and fuel?

A less-than-stellar pit stop caused Harvick to lose almost all his lead over Busch. When the dust settled, Jr. was leading, but according to calculations, would be five laps short on gas.

Was Brian Campe betting on a caution flag late in the race? Was this decision influenced by Tony Eury Jr., who was sitting to his left atop the war wagon?

Jr. was still ahead of Harvick by 2.6 seconds with four laps to go. It was obvious Jr. was trying to conserve fuel. It was also obvious he was a sitting duck.

Fresh tires and a full tank of gas make a perfect late race cocktail on the track.

Harvick passed Jr. in turn two like he was parked. Busch would do the same just one turn later.

Earnhardt Jr. ended up finishing third, exactly where he was when the decision was made not to pit.

In the post-race interview, Jr. was asked if Harvick was just too much for him. He never really answered that question. What he did say was that he didn’t know where Harvick was in the final laps.

Did you really say that? Did you just tell a national TV audience that you were unaware of where your closest competitor was on the track?

Comedian Bill Engvall could sum up that comment in three words: Here's your sign!

How do you not know where the guy is that’s running you down? Did your spotter forget to keep you informed? Was your crew chief not watching the race?

Why not pit with the others? Was there concern the team couldn’t pull off a good pit stop and get you back out in the same position? Or was Jr. concerned his well-documented pit road problems would continue?

How does your crew chief miss a fuel calculation by so much? When Jr. crossed the start/finish line with two laps to go, he still had gas and was a full second ahead of Harvick. Shouldn’t his spotter have informed him Harvick was coming hard? Wouldn’t it have been best for your crew chief to throw caution to the wind and tell you to stay ahead of Harvick by running hard the final two laps?

Has Jr. lost so much confidence in his abilities and his team that they don’t know what to tell him or how to help anymore? Was finishing third just easier than going for the win?

As the Wheel Turns: Will Sprint Cup Races Be Blacked Out If Not Sold Out?

David Yeazell — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:15:27 -0400

As the wheel turns is an irregular publication that tries to answer questions, solve conundrums and extricate quagmires occurring on race day and throughout the racing community.

While I try to cover all the bizarre strategies by drivers or crew, and sometimes aberrant decisions by NASCAR, there are times when one event may take up the main focus of an article.

This is one of those articles.

During the recent broadcast of a popular NASCAR radio show, a media writer brought up the subject of NASCAR races being blacked out if the race was not sold out.

The host and the media writer both seemed encouraged by this idea.

When major networks advertise a broadcast schedule for the NFL, there is always a disclaimer that games are subject to local blackout. This blackout is instituted if the local game is not sold out by a certain time.

Like NASCAR, the NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLB have permanent stadiums located in select cities. Where NASCAR is unique is their stadiums, or tracks, are used only once, sometimes twice a year. A typical NFL stadium is used 10-12 times a season.

Not long ago there was a minor league hockey team in my town. For the first few years attendance was always at 75 percent capacity or more. Then, in year three the team started broadcasting home and away games on the radio.

Needless to say it was much cheaper to listen to the game then it was to buy tickets, pay for parking and concessions. Over the next two years attendance nose dived and the team eventually folded and left town.

Times are tough right now. It certainly is much cheaper to watch a race than it is to attend one. Some fans say it’s their vacation money they spend, or a treat to attend one or maybe even two races instead of several each year.

Television attendance, like track attendance, has been dropping steadily also. Is blacking out a broadcast really going to help things? Wouldn’t that cause ratings to plummet even more?

There are over 500,000 people in Atlanta. If the Pep Boys 500 is 4,000 tickets short of being sold out, is NASCAR going to black out the local broadcast?

Even if only 10 percent of Atlanta watches the TV broadcast, is it prudent to deny the advertisers 50,000 potential customers versus 4000 less fans at the track?

NASCAR has said they understand the economic pain fans are suffering right now. They have lowered ticket prices at some venues, but it doesn’t seem to be enough to fill the seats.

Reducing a ticket 20 percent is a great start. But if the ticket is $120.00 to start with, then it’s still almost $100.00 after discount. When you factor in taking a wife, girlfriend, or both, parking and any type of food or beverage, you are still out $300 dollars, or more.

Sure, there are cheaper seats. But any seasoned race fan knows you don’t see a race from the cheap seats. You see car tops and pieces of rubber between your teeth. Most tracks have jumbo screens you can watch. This does allow for more of the overall race to be seen. But, parking, food and beverages still cost the same in the cheap seats.

At this time, does a lazy boy, a cold beer and a 50” HD TV seem like a better set up?

Sold out races, except for maybe Bristol or the Daytona 500, are a thing of the past.

A friend who owns a local Harley- Davidson dealership told me he is selling more higher end motorcycles than he is the cheaper ones. If things are so bad, how is this possible? It’s simple. There are those with money who are unaffected by these tough times. They have the money to spend.

More and more NASCAR fans are showing they don’t have the money to spend. When the tracks get a handle on this, and react accordingly, then the seats will start filling up again.

Is it a quick fix? That’s doubtful. Can it be fixed? Yes, it certainly can be fixed. It will take time: maybe more time than NASCAR is willing to allow for some venues.

NASCAR has always been able to sell its self. The fix is not forcing ticket sales by blacking out local broadcasts.

This stratagem is neither a good tactic nor strategy. It will only alienate fans and drive away any potential fans. It's tough to be convinced that any advertisers would pay for exposure with the possibility of being denied locally.

As The Wheel Turns: Bobby Labonte and Carl Edwards Get The Boot

David Yeazell — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:18:23 -0400

As the wheel turns is an irregular publication that tries to answer questions, solve conundrums and extricate quagmires occurring on race day and throughout the racing community.

While I try to cover all the bizarre strategies by drivers or crew, and sometimes aberrant decisions by NASCAR, there are times when one event may take up the main focus of an article.

The bye week is over and were back to racing at Atlanta. The long break has given teams time to rest, evaluate and prepare for the final 12-race push. Teams will have much less than normal turn around time this week because of racing on Sunday night, and then next week at Richmond on Saturday night.

Keselowski is in for the next three years at Penske Racing, and Labonte has been booted from his Hall of Fame Racing ride for the majority of the remaining races.

Keselowski is a no brainer, but how do you remove a class act and former champion like Labonte in favor of a less than qualified rookie.

Lets log onto ASK.com and see what they have for an answer.

Speaking of boots, Roush-Fenway Racing announced that Carl Edwards has also been booted.

Edwards was fitted with a fiberglass boot on his right foot after he broke it playing Frisbee at his home in Missouri.

Edwards, sitting fifth in the points standings, is in Atlanta and has been cleared to race both races this weekend. This situation could have a huge impact on Edwards the next two races. Jack Roush would certainly have a relief driver standing by for Edwards just in case. Is the duck available?

As long as Edwards starts the race, he will accumulate any points earned during the race. Atlanta shouldn’t be so bad, but navigation of Richmond requires more foot work.

Kyle Busch and Mark Martin are tied with most wins this season at four. Busch is still on the outside of the chase sitting in 13^th. Martin is holding down the 10^th spot, but has only a 26 point cushion.

Atlanta has not been kind to either Busch or Martin. Their respective finishing averages are 18.2 and 17.2.

A very interesting situation could be shaping up for NASCAR. It is possible that one or both drivers with the most wins this season will not be eligible for the chase.

Those at the top of the standings might be hoping for just that scenario. If Martin or Busch, or both, make the chase, they will go from the bottom to the top when racing starts off at New Hampshire.

While both drivers could be dangerous sitting at the top of the standings, all eyes should be on Busch. Last year Busch felt he was owed a championship. This year his attitude seems a little different and he looks like he’s working harder at earning the champions trophy.

It’s very doubtful Busch would squander a second chance at NASCAR’s most coveted prize.

Criminals In Professional Sports: Where Do We Draw The Line?

David Yeazell — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:16:29 -0400

The Michael Vick halftime show is coming to an end. At 8 pm tonight in Philadelphia, the second half of his career will begin.

It was two years ago this month that Vick pleaded guilty to felony charges of dog fighting. In November of that same year Vick entered prison to begin serving a 23-month sentence.

Now Vick has come full circle and will once again step onto the grand stage of the NFL.

This moment has been in the planning since the day details of this heinous crime were made public.

While the details of this case made headlines on every media outlet, those headlines also competed with the speculation of how, when and where Vick would return to the NFL.

It is often the case where crimes committed by professional athletes are overshadowed by something more important: what the future holds, if convicted, and how soon the individual can return to their beloved sport.

We will never know if Vick pulled a dogs teeth, slammed a dog to the ground until death, or hung one upside down inside a bucket of water. Those details are of no concern to the moral majority. As with most crimes, if it doesn’t have a direct effect on us, it doesn’t affect us.

Roger Goddell said Vick must show remorse in order to be re-instated. He has been very cooperative and helpful to PETA, and it was rumored Vick cried in prison. Was it over the loss of mans best friend, or the loss of $130 million dollars? Something else we may never know.

It is almost certain there will be signs and protest and demonstrations from supporters and non supporters of Vick at tonight’s game.

What is not certain is where do we as a society draw the line? How much do we allow before we have had enough and stop supporting criminals in professional sports?

Dany Heatley was driving over 100 mph on a neighborhood street when he crashed his Ferrari and killed his team mate Dan Snyder. He was back at work in less than a year.

Donte Stallworth was speeding and drunk when he killed a pedestrian in Florida with his Bentley. He will be back at work next season.

In the coming years, each of these men will go on with their lives, be eligible for awards and vie for championships in their respective sports. All supported by money from unaffected fans.

However, each of the victims involved here, will still be dead.

Can Fans Accept Kyle Busch as He Is?

David Yeazell — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:16:17 -0400

Bristol Motor Speedway followed in the footsteps of MLB, the NBA, and the NHL by playing preselected music during driver introductions for the Sharpie 500 on Saturday night.

Each driver was allowed to select a song to be played while being introduced to the crowd.

Kyle Busch, by the recommendation of Scott Speed, chose "Amazing" by Kanye West.

With an estimated crowd of 160,000 roaring fans, it’s hard to imagine anyone heard the short snippet being played.

Either way, the first verse said it all:

It’s amazing

I’m the reason

Everybody fired up this evening

Busch was certainly the reason for the roar. Love him or hate him, he’s in the race and will be for a very long time.

It’s not the racing that’s drawing fans to Busch, though. It’s the lure of what will happen next.

Busch has become the Howard Stern of NASCAR. His outrageous antics, trash-talking mouth, and crybaby tantrums have become weekly fodder for the media.

His behavior has ruffled some feathers in the NASCAR world and drawn sharp criticism across the board. However, like Stern, when you ask those detractors why they keep tuning in, the overwhelming response is a simple statement:

“To see what happens next.”

It wasn’t that long ago there was another Kyle Busch manufacturing media fodder week after week in the NASCAR tabloids.

His name was Tony Stewart. Not too long before that, his name was Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Unlike Stewart and Busch, Earnhardt did most of his talking on the track, rarely from behind a microphone.

Stewart the owner is certainly a different person than Stewart the driver.

Could it be that Stewart has changed his ways now that he’s Stewart the owner? It’s a well-known fact that sponsors pay the bills, and sponsors don’t like negative press. Do more fans like the docile Stewart, or do they want the bad boy back? Are there fans who hated Stewart then as they do Busch now?

In an interview after the race, Busch explained his reason for choosing the song he did, and that he really just wanted fans to accept him as the person he is.

Who is Kyle Busch? Who is Tony Stewart?

Driving skills, determination, attitude, and the love for racing make Stewart and Busch the same person. But this year, Stewart is a media darling, and Busch is a media goat.

It’s not that easy for people to accept someone for who they really are. The wiring just doesn’t allow it.

If it were that easy, then Dale Earnhardt Sr. would have won most popular driver before he died.

Mark Martin said afterward that he raced Busch clean because he knew Busch would have done the same for him. Does he know Kyle Busch?

If longevity is in Busch’s future, then statistically he will be smashing record books instead of guitars. Even with the record books at his feet, Busch will probably never be a most popular driver or win any award that has some kind of voting. I am sure he’s not bothered by that.

Busch is amazing, and for now, he is the reason everyone gets fired up.

But if someday he decides to take the same road Stewart has, will we see a different Kyle Busch? Is that what we really want? Can the fans accept a race car driver for the person he truly is?

Tune in to Atlanta to see what happens next.

Rick Hendrick: Puppet Master, Genius, or Both?

David Yeazell — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:39:01 -0400

Brad Keselowski has turned a few heads this year with his performance on the track. Now he’s turning heads off the track with his decision to leave JR Motorsports for Penske Racing next year.

While there are still many unanswered questions surrounding this move, the biggest question could be this: Did Keselowski make this decision, or was it Rick Hendrick?

Keselowski is expected to replace David Stremme in the unsponsored No. 12 Penske Dodge. Rumors say it is a short-term move.

Why Penske? Why short-term?

Stewart-Haas, a Hendrick affiliate, has plenty of room to add another driver.

Why would a driver ensconced in the Hendrick organization give it all up and move to a troubled manufacturer and a race team that hasn’t had much to crow about lately?

Because he’s not really giving it up.

Enter Rick Hendrick.

Hendrick could easily loan Keselowski to Penske for a year or two. During that time Hendrick could also reach into his arsenal of sponsors and provide a primary sponsorship for Keselowski’s Dodge.

This situation is a win-win for Hendrick. It provides valuable seat time for Keselowski, even if it is in a Dodge. This also allows Hendrick to see how Keselowski will progress in the Sprint Cup Series. If Keselowski shows the talent and promise everyone expects, then Hendrick can make good on his earlier comments and pull Keselowski back in.

The most valuable asset to come from this situation is time. Hendrick needs time to open up a ride for Keselowski.

Mark Martin has said he will run a full schedule through 2010 and then retire. Does Keselowski fill that seat?

What about Jeff Gordon? Is that what Hendrick is really looking at?

Gordon has said he doesn’t want to drive past the age of 40. Chronic back problems could hasten that decision.

DuPont has been a staple of the Hendrick organization for two decades. It’s rumored they will scale back sponsorship once Gordon retires.

What if Hendrick put Keselowski in the No. 24? Would that keep the DuPont cash flowing?

There is one caveat to this convoluted plan: What if Keselowski fails? What if, like so many other promising drivers, he fails in the Cup series?

We should know the answer to this, and other questions posed here, in about two years.