Bleacher Report - Articles by Kara Martin

The Talladega Take-Off: Why Ryan Newman's Crash Is Good for NASCAR

Kara Martin — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:15:52 -0500

Ryan Newman sat down with NASCAR’s vice president for competition Robin Pemberton and Sprint Cup director John Darby earlier this week to discuss his wild Talladega ride.

Newman’s docket was filled with just two items. The dynamics behind the crash that sent his car airborne and the length of time that it took rescue personnel to extricate him from the carnage.

Although NASCAR officials would not disclose the details of the meeting, other than to say it was positive, Newman remains an outspoken advocate for safety and the critical need to stop the cars from taking flight during accidents.

"From an aerodynamic standpoint, ultimately, our biggest thing is to keep the race cars on the ground," Newman said Friday at Texas Motor Speedway.

"Crashes have always been a part of racing. There are fans that like that. Sometimes that adds to extra excitement, don't get me wrong. When we can bounce off each other, get the car fixed, go back out and try to win a race, I understand that part of it.

"Keeping the race cars on the ground is how we keep the drivers, and especially the fans, safe. We have crashes all year at every track, but only at Talladega do the cars leave the ground.''

Newman, the only full-time Sprint Cup driver to possess a four-year college degree, could just be the voice that NASCAR needs to listen to.

With a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, Newman not only harbors a need for speed, but he also understands the mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, and energy behind it.

Hey NASCAR, sounds like Newman might actually know what he is talking about here; let’s use that knowledge!

During Wednesday’s meeting, NASCAR officials affirmed they have already begun testing some things to help keep the cars from getting airborne, but is it enough to satisfy Newman and put the other driver’s minds at ease?

"From an engineering standpoint, whatever we can do speed-wise and aerodynamically to keep the cars on the ground is what we need to focus on," said Newman.

"There has been testing done. I learned some of that stuff on Wednesday morning talking to Mr. Darby and Mr. Pemberton, that they have tested.

"But I don't know that they have tested everything, I don't know if you can test everything. But obviously more testing needs to be done in order to make it safer for everybody."

"The faster you go, the more likely you are to take lift. An airplane takes off at 160 miles an hour. We're going 40 miles an hour above that at times. There's plenty of potential for a car to take lift, whether it's going forwards, backwards, or sideways.''

The wreck at Talladega was not Newman’s first, but it was in his words, it was “the worst hit I’ve ever had.”

For years, Newman has been a strong advocate for safety modifications by NASCAR.

After a crash during practice at Watkins Glen in 2003, where he sat in his vehicle for nearly two minutes before rescue crews even arrived, a furious Newman pushed for NASCAR to provide the traveling safety/rescue teams that other major series have been employing for years.

He stated, "I don't know why we don't have a traveling safety crew." "Maybe it's a financial issue, which should never be an excuse when it comes to safety, but my point is, it's all about communication. If we could have a safety team in place every week, it would make a difference."

"If we could communicate with those people week in and week out, they'd know where everybody's cut-off switch was. Some of these people don't know things that they ought to. Some of them are volunteers. Some of them get paid. For some of them, it may be the first time they've ever seen a race car.

"It might be their free pass to the race track to be part of the safety crew. You never know. If we can create a little relationship with the team, I think it would be great for the sport and the drivers."

Perhaps a permanent safety crew, one who trains strictly on the issues faced on a race track with stock cars and their driver’s needs would have made the lengthy extrication process smoother for everyone involved, including the fans.

We all watched anxiously as it took rescue workers nearly 15 minutes to get Newman out of the car.

Radio communication was lost after the car came to rest on its roof, crippling the antennae. It wasn’t until the car was gingerly turned right-side up that Newman could radio his crew that he was all right.

The roof and roll cage were so badly crushed, that in order to get Newman out safely, the roof of the car had to be cut off and removed.

"I want to make a point that I wasn't dissatisfied with the way I was taken out of the car," Newman said. "I just feel there were things that potentially could be done to make it easier for the next guy. That's my responsibility, because the next guy might be me again. You never know."

"I know (the rescue process has) been an evolution, but the evolution is behind. I'm not mad at them, but I want it to be known from a driver's standpoint what can be done to make it better.”

While we will never see the end of crashes on the track, Newman hopes the knowledge shared between he and NASCAR will help implement safer equipment and expedite the process of extricating drivers safely and efficiently post-crash.

A mind such as Newman's is a terrible thing to waste!

NASCAR: The Bluest Eyes In Texas (Motor Speedway) Are Haunting Me Tonight

Kara Martin — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:30:19 -0500

The bluest eyes in Texas are haunting me tonight, for that matter so are the browns, greens, grays, and hazels.

Let me preface this by saying this one is all about me folks.

I planned on being trackside today, reporting from my home state.

It was all arranged perfectly, or so I thought. The plan was put into motion three months ago. Tickets were purchased, accommodations were made and a family reunion of sorts was set.

Although I live in Washington DC, I hail from Texas and it will always, ALWAYS be home. My extended family is scattered about the Lone Star state, so there are endless reasons to visit, but this one was going to be special.

When I told my family of my plans, it sounded like the a perfect excuse to rally the troops. My father made arrangements to fly in from North Carolina and my mother traveled from Virginia to be there.

I’d planned on shacking up with my aunt and uncle, spend a few days with relatives near and far then head off to Texas Motor Speedway with my cousins.

It was a trip that I’d been looking forward to for months.

So then why am I shivering on the “coldest night of the season” in the Nation’s capital when I should be basking in the Texas sun?

Unlike mainstream media, those of us who write as part of NASCAR’s Citizen Journalist Media Corp are unique in the fact that many of us have not quit our day jobs yet.

My alter-ego deals day in and day out with the sick and injured in a busy ER. Right now H1N1 Swine flu is our business and business is good, too good in fact…and that’s bad!

Selfishly, very bad for me.

Thanks to the pandemic, a policy was recently enforced within our hospital. We as staff members are on a permanent “on-call” status throughout the winter months.

No matter where we are in the world, if we get the call to come in, we have 48 hours to make it back to work.

Not only has H1N1 affected my working environment, but my personal livelihood is now suffering and that ain’t cool!

This weekend when I should be hearing the roar of the engines, I will be listening to the drone of cardiac monitors and screaming children. In lieu of the scanner, I will be wearing a surgical mask, and instead of making my way through a crowded media center, I will be dodging germs in a congested waiting room.

Sigh…there’s always next year right? You betcha!

The Swine flu should be a distant memory by Apr. 18, 2010; life as I want it to be will be and I’ll be headed “home” in the springtime without the threat of illness in the air.

So to Tony, Dale, Jimmie, Jeff, Juan, and all the rest, while I know it will be hard, have a great race this weekend without me.

God be with our Nation, the brave Military, their family and friends who were affected by the tragedy at Ft. Hood this week.

God Bless Texas.

Be You Fan Or Foe: Are You Riding With Dale Earnhardt Jr. In Talladega?

Kara Martin — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:59:38 -0400

For the second year in a row, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and sponsor Amp Energy have offered fans a chance to ride with their favorite driver during Talladega's Amp Energy 500.

Last year more than 70,000 names made it onto Earnhardt Jr.’s car and this year has promised to be a repeat performance as more than 105,000 fans signed up to “Get on the 88.”

Approximately 73,000 names adorn the car this year, with the remaining overflow of names to appear on a banner in the No. 88’s pit box.

The multi-step process of designing and wrapping the No. 88 Chevrolet is a painstaking labor of love.

Last year the process took over 200 hours for the Hendrick crew to pull together. HMS Graphic Director, Jim Gravlin spent 80 hours alone just designing the stencil by hand before creating the program on his computer.

With all of the kinks worked out, this year’s sequel proved to be a more streamlined outfit.

HMS graphic artist and car designer Matt Dorton worked with Amp Energy and Jim Gravlin, along with Red Eye Designs to create a two of a kind masterpiece.

Earnhardt Jr.’s back-up car will also sport the specialized wrap.

Dorton designed the basic computerized paint scheme for the Amp Energy/National Guard Chevrolet in about two hours. A Word document, provided by Amp Energy of all 73,000 names was copied and transposed into an Adobe Illustrator computer program. Gravlin and Red Eyes Designs then spent an additional eight-to-10 hours fitting the names onto the decal template.

From there, Hendrick employees from the Nos. 5 and 88 teams placed the decals on the cars. Each name appears in 13 point, thinly stroked, Franklin Gothic condensed font, a typeface which the designer uses to easily curtail the names into tight spaces, while at the same time retaining legible integrity.

Knowing that it would be hard to improve on last year’s design, Amp chose to modify the colors from the former white background to black. Regardless of the coloring, it is a slick looking car and an awesome way to show appreciation to Earnhardt Jr.’s die-hard fans of all ages.

Fans like Colin Way, a seventh grader from Susquehanna Valley, whose name appears on the front of the car or Doloras Watts, who in her “late-fifties” thinks of “Dale as a son” and sees the opportunity to have her name on Junior's car as “real treat."

As a loyal card carrying member of Junior Nation, I am proud to say that I’ll be riding with Dale Jr. for the second time this Sunday.

Despite his poor performance this year, the fans came out in droves to show their support, proving that Earnhardt Jr.'s appeal is still strong.

But everything is not always what it seems.

On this Halloween weekend, the idiom "one bad apple spoils the barrel" came to mind as I typed my e-mail address into www.ampenergy.com to see where I'd be riding.

As the computer program's bulls-eye honed in on my name, something else caught my eye.

Just three lines above my name, sandwiched between David Hadrich Jr and Tracy Hadrich was the bad apple.

"JUNIOR SUX"

Two simple words that infuriated me on many levels.

Remember, there were over 100,000 people vying for 70,000 opportunities to get their name on the car. 30,000 did not make it.

Thanks to the joker who submitted this "name," there was one less spot available for a well deserving fan.

Upon further research on other fan based sites, I found evidence of ill intent from other Earnhardt Jr. detractors.

One such hater boasted about how he had gotten "Dale Jr Sucks" through the screening process and onto the car, displaying his own e-mail address to enter onto the Amp site as evidence of proof.

While it does not surprise me that this kind of thing can and does happen, it made me curious as to what kind of procedure was used to screen potential entries in the first place.

Last year Gravlin created the stencil by hand, any questionable names could have easily been weeded out; but this year Amp provided the Word document to Hendrick, potentially leaving it up to a computer program to decide what made the cut.

I do know that the names were added to the Word document in the order that they were received, probably through some virtual siphoning process that extracted the names from the entries sent into a tidy format that goes far beyond my own computer comprehension.

I am willing to bet that certain "bad" word were red-flagged in an editing process that would prevent any foul phrases from making it onto the car, but it seems that Junior's clever foes loop-holed their way around that to take a pot shot at NASCAR's favorite driver.

I scanned various sections of the car to see if I could pick up any other misconduct, but with thousands of tiny names filling the screen, it is damn near impossible to do without severe eye strain, but I'd be willing to bet that there are a few more blemishes embedded into an otherwise incredible paint scheme.

Are riding with Dale Earnhardt Jr.? Head over to www.ampenergy.com to find out!

Griese Tacos And NASCAR Tweets: Say Hello To Juan Pablo Montoya's Little Friend

Kara Martin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:30:06 -0400

Hola Amigos. It is me again, Chachi.

It has been a long time since my last article; that gringa of mine never leaves the computer unattended long enough for me to jump on and say what I need to say.

I showed her; I threw her a bone and locked her outside in the backyard for a change. Hey, a Chihuahuas got to do what a Chihuahuas got to do for the love of Juan Pablo Montoya…and tacos!

I may be Montoya’s littlest fan, but my bark and ankle bites are huge. There is nothing I would not do to show my adoration for my favorite NASCAR driver.

Imagine my outrage when I heard college football announcer Bob Griese culturally insult my main hombre during ESPN's broadcast of last Saturday's Minnesota vs. Ohio State game.

When analyst Chirs Spielman asked during a NASCAR promo for an upcoming race in Martinsville "where Montoya was" (in the Chase points standings), Griese chuckled before blurting out "He's out having a taco."

Talk about your color commentary !

Out having a taco?! Way to judge a book by its Hispanic cover Griese!

Tacos are a traditional Mexican dish, I should know since I myself hail from Mexico. Get your facts straight; Montoya is from Bogota, Colombia.

I would have had more respect for your insensitive remarks if you’d at least come close.

Maybe next time you are asked where Montoya is, say “out having a full-bodied cup of Colombian Roast with Juan Valdez and his coffee bean hauling mule Conchita.”

Insulting? Yes, but at least it is culturally correct.

We all know that you gave two half-hearted on-air apologies for the remark, but I'm glad to hear that ESPN took it a step further by suspending you for one game and docking you a week’s pay.

Montoya originally declined to comment about Griese's suspension and brushed off the remark, but today got the last laugh when he posted to his Twitter account :

“Guess what I’m having for lunch…TACOS!!!!!...and I’m serious about it!!!!”

I’ve got to say that one made me choke with delight on my own frijoles.

Te amo hombre!

Montoya tweeted again about his dinner plans proving that a Latino’s menu is not all tacos, all the time.

“just landed in talladega getting ready to have some dinner and no im not having tacos for dinner!!!!!!”

So Griese, if you’ve got anything else to say about this matter be prepared to say hello to Montoya's little friend…ME!

Viva Juan Pablo and tacos lovers everywhere!

Montoya currently sits fifth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup standings, 200 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson.

Follow Montoya on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jpmontoya

Follow Chachi on Twitter at http://twitter.com/daChachi

Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the dog's owner.

Photo credit: Colin S. Johnson

Burger King Reveals the Truth About Tony Stewart

Kara Martin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:13:46 -0400

On Wednesday, Oct. 20 Burger King and motorsports TV broadcaster Matt Yocum teamed up to put Tony Stewart to the test.

A polygraph test that is.

Burger King celebrated it’s multi-year sponsorship agreement with Stewart-Haas Racing and driver Stewart by putting him on the hot seat and grilling him with fan inspired questions.

During the live broadcast we not only learned that Stewart really does love the Whopper, which he prefers “without pickles and onions,” but he revealed a few humorous and at times downright embarrassing truths about himself.

Stewart sat strapped into a chair within the confines of a strategically lit interrogation room setting. Suspenseful theme music, a la Who Wants to be a Millionaire, added dramatic flair to the event.

Much like a typical polygraph test, Stewart was asked a series of simple pre-interview questions by certified polygraph examiner John Grogan. This allowed Grogan to collect some preliminary information and would serve as “control questions” in which to gauge Stewart’s truthful responses.

Question: Is your name Tony Stewart?

Answer: Yes

Q: Were you born on May 20?

A: Yes

Grogan indicated that Stewart was being truthful with a big thumbs-up.

Next, the “stim” test was conducted. Stewart was asked to lie so that the examiner could detect deceitful answers during the actual test.

Q: Are you wearing ladies underpants right now?

A: Yes

After a climatic pause, Grogan indicated that Stewart was (thankfully) lying with a thumbs-down.

Once the test began, Stewart was measured for any psychological changes during the questioning, including heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and electro-dermal activity (sweatiness). Fluctuations in the test indicated when Stewart was being deceptive in his answers.

Over the course of about an hour Stewart answered approximately 35 questions from the absurd to uncomfortably personal.

Some of Tony’s truthful responses included:

Q: Have you ever crank-called another driver?

A: Yes

Q: Have you ever done a donut on private property?

A: Yes

Q: Have you ever cried after losing a race?

A: Yes

Q: Have you ever been rejected by a woman?

A: Yes

Q: Do you know who won the first Daytona 500?

A: No

To Stewart’s credit, he recalled that Lee Petty took the checked flag after his original answer.

At times, Stewart tried to sneak in a few untruths, but Grogan picked up on them right away stating to the audience, "He's a better driver than he is a liar."

Q: Do you ever notice hot women in the stands during a race?

A: No

Stewart admitted, “All right, maybe I do. Maybe during a caution.”

Q: Have you ever cried after a movie of the week?

A: No

Stewart swore that he had no recollection of doing so.

Q: Have you ever gone commando under your fire suit?

A: No

After coming clean, Stewart claimed that he had no clean laundry that day.

Q: When you were a little boy, did you have a special blanket or toy?

A: No

While he was adamant about not having a blanket or toy, Stewart recalled having a pillow that he traveled with as a child.

Q: Do you go out on a lot of dates?

A: No

Stewart professed that "it didn't seem like a lot." Perhaps what society deems “a lot” is not the same as Stewart’s personal interpretation.

Q: Can you walk past a mirror without checking yourself out?

A: Yes

Yocum razzed Stewart about his attempt at lying about his vanity. Stewart ultimately admitted to checking out his hair before driver introductions.

While the test was intended for entertainment purposes only, it was an actual polygraph conducted by a professional examiner. When facilitated correctly and read by a certified polygraph examiner a polygraph can be 80-95 percent accurate.

For Stewart's fans, the truth is now out there.

If you were unable to catch Stewart live in the hot seat or just want to see it again, the pre-recorded replay is still available for your viewing pleasure at truthabouttony.com .

From Tailgate To Trackside: NASCAR Is Comin' Home to Charlotte

Kara Martin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:52:09 -0400

After a brief hiatus, I am pleased to announce the return of "From Tailgate to Trackside!"

With just six to go before we crown a new champion, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series comes home this weekend to North Carolina’s Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

The running of the NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America means we’re halfway there and for some Chase drivers, they are indeed living on a prayer. So take my hand and we’ll make it I swear as we go from tailgate to trackside in NASCAR’s hometown of Charlotte.

Lowe’s Motor Speedway was designed and built in 1959 by O. Bruton Smith and one of NASCAR’s first drivers, Curtis Turner. The 1.5-mile super speedway hosted its first race, the World 600 on Jun. 19, 1960 where Joe Lee Johnson took the checkered flag for only the second and final time in his short racing career.

The following year the track fell into Chapter 11. After much needed reorganization it emerged a success. Smith chose to pursue other business ventures and left the speedway behind in 1962, only to regain control of its day-today operations in 1975 and hired H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler as the speedway’s general manager.

The pair, committed to the ultimate in customer satisfaction worked tirelessly to build a state of the art venue. In 1984, LMS became the first sporting facility in America to offer condos that overlook the speedway.

In the early 90's, Smith and Wheeler added a $1.7 million permanent reflective lighting system, making LMS the first modern superspeedway to host night racing. "The revolutionary lighting process uses mirrors to simulate daylight without glare, shadows, or obtrusive light poles.”

Class Dismissed, Mama We're Comin' Home!

LMS offers a wide array of camping to fit every budget. The infield accommodates down and dirty, bring your own tent style camping all the way up to the modern hookups and conveniences for motor homes of every size.

Have no fear, tents are separate from the motor homes for your safety because of the carbon monoxide they produce.

Standard camping is also located around the outside perimeter of the track as well as near by with shuttle service available.

As an added bonus, the Thomas Johnson Campground Pavilion will be featuring the Redneck Olympics this weekend, so come prepared to catch a greased pig. Which leads us into our next segment.

What the Fans Be Grillin?

We are in North Carolina y’all so naturally the first thing that comes to mind is barbecue. It would be considered a sin not to indulge in one of Carolina’s most recognized and sought after delicacies while attending a race.

Serve it up with some coleslaw, a side of baked beans, sweet potatoes, hushpuppies, grits (yes, I said grits!), swallow it down with some local moonshine and you've got yourself a real southern feast.

North Carolina is also the home of Pepsi and Krispy Kreme donuts, so eat up; I can't think of a better combination than that!

*For the record I do not condone the ingestion of most home made 'shine; please drink responsibly and at your own risk!

"Badly-produced moonshine can be contaminated with toxin, mainly from materials used in construction of the still. Stills employing used automotive radiators as a condenser are particularly dangerous; in some cases, glycol products from antifreeze lead at the connections to the plumbing. Both glycol and lead are poisonous and potentially deadly."

Making the Most of Your Race Day Experience

With Charlotte being NASCAR’s very own ground zero, you can bet the weekend on and around the track will be chock full of things to do! There are many scheduled autograph sessions, fan fests, cornhole tournaments, and every thing else in between to make your race weekend a great success.

With the unseasonably cool weather this weekend, fans will need to find creative ways to keep warm. Head inside for a race shop tour , get active on the track for the NASCAR Foundation's Track Walk , take in a few hot laps around the track with the NASCAR Racing Experience , or just get lit at the Coors Light Tailgate Zone .

Whatever you chose, it is sure to be an exciting weekend. Check out the Fan Guide to Fun and other events at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com .

For more news and notes, be sure to check out Bleacher Report's own David Yeazell as he reports trackside from LMS this weekend.

To The B/R NASCAR Community and Beyond, Remember We're All In This Together!

Kara Martin — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:41:26 -0400

As a member of Bleacher Report I was always under the impression that we were all in this together.

We voluntarily joined the site for the love of sport and chose to let it be known to the world through our individual voices.

Each of us came to the table with our unique observations and writing styles. B/R provided each of us with an even playing field, not a one of us any better than the next. It was up to each of us to choose how we expressed ourselves through words.

Regardless of what worked best for our own idiosyncrasies, one thing remained clear, we were all in this together.

Here in the NASCAR Community we have honed in on what we love, stock car racing.

We are crazy enough to write about stock car racing!!

Don’t we, as NASCAR fans, get enough flack already for simply admitting our fandom?

How many times during the season must we defend our beloved from scurrilous hecklers?

How many times have we heard things like, “NASCAR isn’t a real sport, anyone can drive fast and turn left!” or “my grandmother can drive a car, does that make her an athlete?”

There is a certain amount of risk involved in claiming to be a NASCAR fan in some circles, one must be prepared to fight for what they believe in.

Heck, we even get defensive in our own house!

Each of us can quickly answer the infamous question of “who’s yer driver?” We bicker and debate our fellow NASCAR fans as to why “our” driver is the best.

In the end, there is no right or wrong answer, we have our reasons and no one will ever change that. Regardless of who we cheer for, we come together every Sunday for the love of the sport. Why? Because we are all in this together.

Only a true NASCAR fan knows just what I am talking about. We are fighters, we are strong, and we are a community of individuals who are joined together through a common bond.

We are all in this together!

Or are we?

What is going on within the walls of the B/R NASCAR Community?

We’ve gone from supporting one another to literally eating our own. We are destroying the very thing that we so painstakingly built from the ground up.

Once we were a community who took great pride in our individual articles while looking out for our fellow writers at the same time.

Now we only look out for Number One.

Has success spoiled us?

We have become so preoccupied with the number of reads and comments or how many “Likes” we are or aren’t getting that we've become bitter and jaded.

We've gotten pretty damn good at knocking each other down by personally attacking our comrades.

How could we possibly feel better about ourselves by hurting others this way?

Some have accused the site of becoming a social network much like Facebook, suggesting that the only reason certain people get ahead on B/R is because they are well-liked across the site.

It's a fact, people are going to naturally surround themselves with people who are supportive, but being part of the popular clique only goes so far, you’ve got to have the chops to back it up.

Many of us have now been here for over a year. We have grown up together, we are family. It would be remiss to say that there isn’t an element of social networking going on.

As a Community Leader I am taken to task on a weekly basis over these issues and more. Yes I may have a “title” but we are a community and we are adults here!

It's time to start acting accordingly.

It may sound harsh, but there are some things that should never reach the level of having to get a Community Leader involved. Messes are being made and it is expected that the standard of practice is for the Community Leader to clean it all up.

We are the people and we are in desperate need of forming a more perfect union!

I live proudly in a glass house and I am not opposed to throwing stones. Have I always done the right thing? Absolutely not!

Despite the giant-sized head that sits atop my shoulders, I am in no way perfect and I don’t always have the answers that will satisfy everyone all of the time.

We all have lives outside of B/R that demand our attention. I've gotten caught up in the "everyday," so if you have not gotten a satisfactory response from me, ask again, demand it, whatever it takes. I am not opposed to that at all, we all get caught up in things, I am no different. Reminders are greatly appreciated and will never be seen as a nuisance.

My door, as they say, is always open; sorry if I'm away from my desk at times.

I’ve been criticized behind the scenes and to my face. As I have previously stated, there ain’t nothing you can say to me here on B/R that is going to get me down. My “real” life and job does that just fine, thank you!

Everything that each member of this community has faced, I have to. So please, before you assume that everything is rosy on the other side, take a walk in another's shoes.

I have been on all sides of the spectrum. I’ve written articles that have gained high numbers, plenty of comments and “likes.” I have also written articles that barely got noticed. Articles that I have put my heart and soul into. It is a blow to one's ego and it hurts like hell, but you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back in the game.

It has been a learning process, to say the least. I have learned that it is okay not to read every article on the site, maybe it was a topic that wasn’t of interest to one of your peers. It’s okay not to leave a comment, if you’ve got nothing to say. And for freak’s sake, if you don’t like an article, it's okay not to click the “Like” button!

But what is happening is so far beyond any of that. Collectively, we have gotten away from our grassroots. With the introduction of the Featured Columnists, many of us went corporate.

Some churn out articles about hot topics and titles to increase their read count. Some "cut and paste." If you are okay with that, who am I to say whether it's right or wrong.

Some are linking their own articles within B/R and even beyond to other sites in the comments of others' articles, which is unfair to the author and is incredibly unprofessional.

Some take personal pot shots at other writers in public comments, which in turn makes we as writers look like a bunch of third graders and is quite frankly unacceptable.

You get what you give.

I’m not saying that you have to leave saccharine-filled musings for another writer, it is okay to disagree. Just please leave the personal element out of it and don't take away from their moment by promoting your own agenda within the comment section.

By leaving comments such as those, it paints the commenter in a very bad light. Why would you want to take the time to read an author’s work when they notoriously have a reputation of slamming others. I don’t know about you, but that is a can of worms that I gravitate away from.

I hate stumbling across or being directed to comments that are hateful and cruel from our own community members. It is a constant reminder that we are only as strong as our weakest link, we are putting the noose around our own necks.

In this new age of Citizen Journalism, establishing a reputation based on professionalism, quality writing, and strong community is key.

I'm not saying that we always need to be the wind beneath eachother's wings, but we can straighten up and fly right together.

I would like to open it up for discussion. A NASCAR community round-table. What can we do as individuals and community to make things better?

Here is your chance to get it all off your chest, hit me with you best shot or forever hold your peace.

We are all in this together folks, together we stand, divided we fall.

-If I have offended you in any way by writing this or if you agree with anything that I've said, then yeah, I'm talking about you!

Mark Martin: Why NASCAR's Unlikely Sex Symbol Is Nothing Short of Red Hot

Kara Martin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:48:45 -0400

Standing a mere 5’6" tall, weighing in at 125 pounds and plagued with the stigma of being sponsored in the past by “Viagra,” the venerable Mark Martin is an unlikely sex symbol in the sporting world.

But what exactly is sexy and what defines it?

We humans are hard-wired to instinctively know what appeals to our own sense of attraction and sadly for many of us, beauty is but skin deep.

Sitting pretty in the No. 1 position in NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup, Martin has introduced us to a new level of appeal, by showing that growing older only proves just how much one has truly lived.

With age comes wisdom, knowledge and strength. Being beautiful doesn’t come from a cosmetic counter or a costly nip/tuck. The perfect elixir comes from the mind and foresight shines through mature eyes that have not only seen the past but can envision the future.

Allure begins in the brain and radiates outward. Sexiness is all about the manner in which someone carries one’s self. It's confidence, self-esteem and substance all rolled into one highly maintained machine.

For nearly 30 years, Martin has subscribed to a vigorous workout routine, which keeps him in better shape than many of his younger counterparts. Add to that his positive attitude and overall charm and that makes him one very hot commodity.

Facial wrinkles begin to blur the lines between old age and distinction. Graying hair becomes a symbol of a prosperous life lived long and well and remembering that “age ain’t nothing but a number,” inspires endless possibilities. Dreams become reality and reality surpasses even our wildest of dreams.

Suddenly we are drawn to a man who society tells us we traditionally weren’t meant to be attracted to.

Martin’s accomplishments this year have kick-started our hearts and left us weak in the knees.

At the age of 50, he is the oldest driver to ever qualify for the Chase and now with a 35-point advantage over his teammate Jimmie Johnson, it gives us yet another reason to share the love.

Owner Rick Hendrick, enamoured by this year's performance, has already signed his seasoned prodigy to a contract extension which will keep him in the the No. 5 Chevrolet full time through the end of 2011.

Beauty, they say, is in the eye of the beholder. From where I stand, Mark Martin, you look simply marvelous!

Here’s looking at you, kid!

Photo Credit: Kara Martin

From Tailgate To Trackside: NASCAR Lives It Up In Loudon

Kara Martin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:43:55 -0400

Let the Chase begin!

This week we return to Loudon, NH for the Sylvania 300, where the Chase for the Championship kicks off in full force. All eyes will no doubt be on the top 12 drivers as they battle for their place in NASCAR history.

The Sylvania 300 is one of the season’s hottest tickets around. At press time the track reported only a limited amount of single seats, standing-room and infield “trackside-view” tickets available for purchase, so expect a full house!

The New Hampshire Motor Speedway, often described as “Martinsville on steroids,” is a 1.058 mile oval speedway considered by many drivers to be one of the toughest to tackle on the circuit.

The track opened its doors on Jun. 5, 1990 and hosted its first NASCAR event the following month, the Budweiser 300 in the Nationwide Series. The Sprint Cup Series followed three years later, with Rusty Wallace taking the checkered flag in the Slick 50 300.

Loudon was the first superspeedway to be constructed in the United States since the late sixties, filling a void for NASCAR’s northeastern fans by offering a chance to catch live Sprint Cup racing twice a year.

In 2004, the speedway played host to the first race in the inaugural Chase for the Sprint Cup, a tradition that continues some five years later.

The Sprint Cup draws over 100,000 racing fanatics to NHMS on race day. By catering to fans from New England, New York and Canada, Loudon challenges stock car racing’s southern fried fan base, proving that this is not your father’s NASCAR.

History lesson over…class dismissed, let’s get a little lively!

The speedway offers on-site camping on a first come, first serve basis on the backstretch of the track.

“RV and camper parking is limited to ticket holders only. All drivers and their guests must have race day tickets in their possession before driving onto NHMS property. Anyone without race day tickets will not be allowed onto the property.”

"RVs and campers must be self-contained with bathroom and water facilities on board. The speedway does not have hookups or dumping facilities. Tents are not allowed. Keep in mind that the dumping of gray water and waste on speedway property is prohibited. Violation of this rule WILL RESULT in arrest, fines, and forfeiture of ticket renewal privileges."

I’m not going to pretend to know what gray water is, but I already know that I don’t like it!

Private camping is also available on the outskirts of the track with free shuttle service to and from the raceway.

What the fans be grillin?

New England is known for its exceptional seafood delicacies, so do it up right! Grilled Tequila Lobster tails, jumbo stuffed clams and deviled crab cakes served up with a side of Boston baked beans and Hasty pudding.

If you are anything like me and seafood is not your thing, how about a foot-long “grinder” filled with Italian meats, cheese, peppers, pickles, tomatoes and oil. Wash it all down with a good locally brewed lager or ale.

Making the most of your race day experience.

Loudon is known for its “Fans First” hospitality.

For the first time ever, NHMS fans will have the opportunity to be the ultimate insider at Sunday's SYLVANIA 300 with the new "Trackside Pass," offering fans “pre-race pit road access; the chance to attend the Town Meeting with speedway officials Bruton Smith, Jerry Gappens, and leaders in the world of motorsports and admission to the "Trackside Tent" and the turn one and two areas of the infield to watch the race.”

"Trackside Pass" guests are allowed to bring coolers (up to 14-inches), lawn chairs, and blankets into the infield. Passes are available for a limited time at $150 per person.

Do it up in style in the Magic Mile Club, not to be confused with the scurrilous “Mile High Club!” The Magic Mile Club offers fans the opportunity to experience a VIP Hospitality experience during NASCAR event weekends. For a $150 dollar membership fee, guests will enjoy access to a private fenced-in tent, food and beverage service, and entertainment.

On race day, other amenities include a catered Continental breakfast, catered luncheon, beverage service, a limited edition souvenir race program and a walking tour of pit road.

Check out these events and more at www.NHMS.com

Virginia is for Lovers, NASCAR, and the Drivers We Adore

Kara Martin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:17:10 -0400

I was born and bred in Texas, it will always, always be my home. There is a unique hubris that comes from being from the great Lone Star state that one is hard pressed to find anywhere else, but on Saturday night Denny Hamlin made me proud to be a born again Virginian.

I fancy myself a misplaced Texan who has made Virginia my home away from home over the last couple of decades.

I fought the Civil War as a proud Rebel during a weekend at Civil War Adventure Camp in Petersburg, skydived the blue skies above Orange, gazed at the city night lights from a 15 story high-rise in Arlington, set up camp in a rickety old RV outside of Richmond International Raceway and practically lived on the beaches of Croatan and Sandbridge during my formitive years.

Virginia is for lovers, adventurists, beach bums, city slickers, NASCAR, and the drivers that we adore.

Denny Hamlin

Hamlin began his NASCAR career in 2004 by competing in five Camping World Truck Series races with EJP Racing. In 2005 he entered the Nationwide Series, replacing Mike Bliss in the No. 20 Rockwell Automotive Chevrolet. He made his Sprint Cup debut that same year in Kansas behind the wheel of the No. 11 FedEx Chevrolet.

In 2006 he joined the Sprint Cup series full time and played double duty by also racing full time in the Nationwide Series.

He proved to be a worthy competitor by capturing his first wins in both series that year, taking home the Raybestos Rookie of the Year award at the end of the season and finishing third in the final Cup standings, making Hamlin the first rookie of the year ever to make it into the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

He continued to persevere in 2007-2008 by clinching spots in both year’s Chase for the Sprint Cup, twelfth and eighth respectively, but 2009 has been Hamlin’s year to shine.

During the final restart at Pocono on Aug. 3, Hamlin brazenly proclaimed “I’m going to win this race.” He steered his car from sixth to first and took the checkered flag in an emotional victory that he dedicated to his grandmother, Thelma Clark, who had passed away just days earlier.

On Saturday, Sept. 12, Hamlin dominated in Richmond and burst into Victory Lane a hometown hero. When asked about his win, Hamlin, who hails from Chesterfield VA, a suburb of Richmond, replied, “This is my house. It has been for the last two years, we just haven’t got the win to show it.

"Finally today our FedEx Toyota showed that we’re a championship contender. As I told these guys, they better watch out for us and now we’re for real.”

“Like a Daytona 500 win for anyone else. I mentioned before that I wanted to win this race before I won a 500, but now, of course, I know how special that race is to everyone.

"But this one in particular, to me, was especially after all the heartbreak, it makes it more gratifying to win now. It's by far the biggest win of my career and hopefully goes a long way for this race team over the next ten weeks.”

Richmond International Raceway is certainly not the house that Denny built, but on Saturday night he moved in and sublet it like no one’s business. Not only did he take home a first place finish, he secured his fourth consecutive place in the Chase.

Hamlin has done us Virginian’s proud, but he isn’t the only one. There are many notable drivers who hail from the Commonwealth.

Ricky Rudd

Chesapeake’s Rudd, known as the “Ironman,” for the most consecutive starts in NASCAR racing, was named the 2006 “Virginian of the Year” and in 2007 was inducted into the “Virginia Hall of Fame.”

He ran his first Sprint Cup Series race in 1975’s Carolina 500 in Rockingham, NC. He took home the (then) Winston Cup Rookie of the Year award in 1977, chalked up 23 Sprint Cup wins and ran a total of 902 races over his 32 year career.

Ironman not only applies to Rudd’s exceptional work ethic, the definition itself has proven him to be one bad mother.

In 1984, Rudd was involved in a grizzly crash during the Budweiser Shootout (formally the Busch Clash) in Daytona and suffered a severe concussion. His eyes were swollen so badly from the accident that he taped his eyelids open in order to run the Daytona 500. After Rudd’s incident, NASCAR instituted the policy of medically examining all drivers involved in an accident to ensure their safety and their ability to drive in the following week’s race.

In 1998, despite a day of high temperatures and a faulty in-car cooling system, Rudd took the checkered flag in Martinsville. He suffered blisters and burns over most of his body and conducted his Victory Lane interview lying on the ground breathing through an oxygen mask.

Ricky Rudd was named one of NASCAR’s 50 best drivers that same year.

As a newly licensed driver, I would often drive Virginia’s Route 58 from Virginia Beach to Charlotte NC. It was a stretch of two lane highway between Suffolk and Emporia that was dubbed “the Suicide Strip” due to the high number of fatal accidents that occurred along the roadway.

To deter speed demons and reckless drivers a huge billboard of the Grim Reaper holding a giant sickle was erected on both ends of the devil’s highway that stated “You are now entering the Suicide Strip!” I inhaled deeply every time that I passed that sign and didn’t exhale properly until I got to the promised land that was Emporia.

The tiny town of Emporia was not only my salvation, but home to the Sadler brothers.

Hermie and Elliott Sadler

Hermie Sadler began his NASCAR career in 1993’s Nationwide Series driving the No. 25 Shell Oil/Virginia Is For Lovers Oldsmobile scoring a win at Orange County, finishing tenth in the points standings and was named Rookie of the Year.

1994 gained Sadler another win and fifth place in the points standings. In 1995 he teamed up with his father to run the No. 1 DeWalt Tools Chevrolet, yielding six top-ten finishes and finishing thirteenth in points. The following years brought moderate results before being pushed out of his ride at the end of the 1998 season.

Sadler tried his hand in the Sprint Cup Series but struggled and was plagued with several DNQ’s. In 2001 Sadler and his wife Angela formed their own team running cars purchased from Larry Hendricks.

With only minimal success as an owner he sold his Nationwide team and a majority of his Cup team. He returned to competition briefly in 2007 at Martinsville in the Truck Series behind the wheel of Andy Hillenburg’s Chevrolet Silverado.

Sadler is currently a successful race analyst and interviewer for Speed TV and an autism advocate who is heavily involved in the Autism Speaks charity, as his daughter Hailie was diagnosed with the disorder in 2001.

While Hermie’s racing career cooled off younger brother Elliott’s heated up.

After a knee injury ended his basketball career during his college years at James Madison University, the younger Sadler returned to his racing roots, making his Nationwide debut in 1995 by running in two races in his native state, South Boston and Richmond.

Sadler continued in the Nationwide Series until 1998 collecting five wins, 36 top-tens and five pole positions. He entered the Sprint Cup Series with Wood Brothers Racing in 1999 driving the No. 21 Citgo Ford and finished the year 24th in points, runner-up to Tony Stewart for Rookie of the Year honors.

2000 proved to be dismal, as Sadler dropped to 29th in points, failed to qualify at Talledega and scored only one top-ten finish, but he never skipped a beat. With Motorcraft signing on as Elliott’s new sponsor in 2001, he celebrated his first career win at Bristol.

Sadler left the Wood Brothers in 2003 for Robert Yates Racing to drive the No. 38 M&M’s Ford. That year would bring him two pole positions at Darlington and Talladega, along with one wild ride.

After near contact with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and a touch of Kurt Busch’s right front fender, Sadler’s car became airborne in Talladega, flipping twice before landing on its roof, then skidded towards the banking before flipping five more times. Miraculously he emerged from the car uninjured.

2004 proved to be Sadler’s best year to date, winning races at Texas Motor Speedway and at California Speedway. He ended the year by making the Chase and finishing ninth in the points standings.

Sadler left Yates Racing in mid-2006 for greener pastures at Gillett Evernham Motorsports. Despite reports that A.J. Allmendinger would be replacing Sadler in the No. 19 Best Buy Dodge in 2009 and a threatened lawsuit for breach of contract by Sadler, the driver and race team remained partners, thanks in part to a merger by GEM and Petty Enterprises.

On a personal level, Sadler's life is flourishing. Last week before heading to Richmond for the race, he and wife Amanda announced that they are expecting their first child in March.

Ward and Jeff Burton

Centrally located on Virginia’s southern border; the historic town of South Boston is where the Brothers Burton call home.

Ward, with his sugary slow, southern drawl is often asked why his accent differs so from his brother’s. With a shrug of his shoulders he makes no excuses for his Virginian heritage as he has answered time and time again, “It’s just the way I talk.”

Younger brother Jeff jokes, “Well, all I can figure is I was born in the northernmost point of the house and Ward was born in the southernmost part.”

In 1990 Ward began his NASCAR career in the Nationwide Series. He would go on to compete in four full-time seasons, where he captured four wins, 50 top-tens and seven pole positions.

He moved into the Sprint Cup Series in 1994 driving 26 races behind the wheel of the No. 31 Hardees Chevrolet. In mid 1995 Burton landed a ride in the No. 22 Bill Davis Racing MBNA Pontiac after being released by Alan Dillard Jr. and won his first Cup race at Rockingham’s AC-Delco 400.

Burton gained respectable success over the years with Bill Davis, with a handful of wins, several top-ten finishes and a solid place in both 1999 and 2000’s Chase for the Sprint Cup.

His biggest win came in 2002 as he took his Caterpillar Dodge to Victory Lane at the Daytona 500. Later that same year he won the New England 300 at Loudon, NH but slipped to 25th in the points standings.

In 2003, with just four top-10 finishes, Burton left Bill Davis Racing with five races left in the season to drive the No.0 NetZero Chevrolet for Haas CNC Racing. He drove his final race in 2007 at Martinsville’s Subway 500.

On Nov. 1, 2005 Burton was appointed to the Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries by Virgina Govener Mark Warner and assumed the seat on the board for Virginia's fifth Congressional District in Halifax County, VA.

Burton, an avid sportsman and conservationist, is also the founder and president of The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation, and he has been a spokesperson for Virginia's 34 state parks since 2003.

Ward’s younger brother Jeff entered the Nationwide Series full time in 1989 driving the Burton Autosports Pontiac, but his first career win would not come until 1990 behind the wheel of the No. 12 Armour Lower Salt Bacon Buick.

The budding Burton played Nationwide musical seats, jumping from ride to ride for the next three years before entering the Sprint Cup Series full time in 1994 driving the No. 8 Raybestos Ford.

Burton was one of a record ten rookies that year who were eligible for the coveted Rookie of the Year award. He took the trophy at the end of the season, beating future Cup stars, Jeremy Mayfield, Joe Nemecheck, John Andretti and his brother Ward.

The relationship between Burton and Roush Racing began in 1996 driving the No. 99 Exide Batteries Ford. It was a partnership that found Jeff at the peak of his success between the years of 1997-2000, as he never finished lower than fifth in the points standings.

Burton severed his eight and a half union with Roush in mid-2004 after signing a three year contract with Richard Childress Racing driving the No. 30 AOL Chevrolet for the remainder of the season before replacing Robby Gordon the following year in the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet.

He remains with RCR to this day behind the wheel of the No. 31 Chevrolet with his brother’s former backer Caterpillar on board as the primary sponsor and frequently double dips in the Nationwide Series piloting the No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet.

Other noteworthy NASCAR drivers from Virginia include,

Stacy Compton, Hurt, VA.

Rick Mast, Rockbridge County, VA.

Eric McClure, Chilhowie, VA.

Danny O’Quinn, Jr., Coeburn, VA.

Jason White, Richmond, VA.

Jon Wood, Stuart, VA.

There Goes My (NASCAR) Hero, He's Ordinary

Kara Martin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:36:05 -0400

I have just returned from a weekend of fine dining with Kasey Kahne, rubbing elbows with Tony Stewart, and getting up close and personal with Jeff Gordon.

Sounds pretty glamorous right?

It was an extraordinary circumstance that was nothing short of ordinary.

I stood next to Kahne in the buffet line at 12:30 in the morning, fighting for the last bits of stale Chex Mix, literally bumped into Stewart on pit road as he made a mad dash for his car prior to the race and was one of many "photographers" with a camera shoved in Gordon’s face during an on track interview.

When it comes to covering a NASCAR race, there is really very little glitz and glamour at all. The drivers are there to do their job and as a member of the media, we are there to do the same.

Long hours are spent in the sun and rain waiting for something big to happen. Multiple trips in and out of the media center to check out the latest stats or listen into what the drivers have to say about the upcoming race and what their Chase expectations are. Fighting for an Internet hookup in the photo trailer and repetitive meetings to remind us of why we are there in the first place.

For an amateur writer there is little glory. No reserved spot in the media center, no paycheck at the end of the day, no swanky hotel accommodations, and no daily per diem.

It’s loud. It’s dirty. It’s exhausting...it's awesome.

Nice work if you can get it.

Take everything that you imagine it would be and dump it right in the trash. Within moments of entering the infield the shimmer wears off pretty quickly. Unless you are in a driver’s suit or photographer’s vest, it is hard to differentiate between who’s who.

The only thing that separates the media from the fan is a simple turn of the plastic credential holder around the neck from “hot pass” to “press member.”

We are nothing short of ordinary, which is appropriate since our heroes…well they are ordinary too.

Beyond the fanfare and the TV coverage they are just like you and me. It’s hard to fathom that from afar, but after the initial shock of seeing Carl Edwards hobble by on crutches wears off, it all becomes very clear.

The definition of hero includes, “a person recognized for his brave deeds and distinguished courage.”

On the weekend of the eighth anniversary of 9/11, we were reminded of what true heroes are made of. Ordinary men and women who risked their very lives, not for a medal or a trophy at the end of the finish line, but simply because they were just doing their jobs. For me there is no higher honor than to risk life to save another’s.

Heroes come to us in all forms.

While it takes a certain amount of courage and bravery to get behind the wheel of a 3400 pound stock car and drive at speeds upwards of 200 MPH, does that a hero make?

NASCAR drivers could easily fall into the second part of a hero’s definition,” a man admired for his notable qualities.”

It takes skill and determination to be one of the Chase’s finest. All 12 drivers earned their way in by driving hard and thinking smart. That is pretty notable.

Heroes are seen as men standing tall with colorful capes flapping in the wind. It’s the “Superman” persona. But without Clark Kent, an ordinary man with extraordinary powers, there would be no Superman.

Drivers are often seen in the same heroic light. They don flashy suits, start their engines, and fly at record breaking speeds. But what happens behind the scenes when the crowd has gone and the lights have dimmed?

Even on a night that propelled these 12 Chase drivers into the limelight, ordinary aspects of their lives went on.

Kurt Busch casually stood on the Chase stage before the post-race celebrations began eating a homemade sandwich and drinking an ice cold can of Miller Lite.

Carl Edwards took a load off of his broken foot by perching himself onto a small step stool.

First time Chase contender Brian Vickers drank an obligatory Red Bull while getting some advice from Chase veteran Tony Stewart.

Mark Martin relaxed on a common chair in the media center foyer watching the world pass him by for a change.

Kasey Kahne waited in a buffet line for a midnight snack with us commoners.

Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson shared everyday stories about what they were going to do with their time before next weekend’s race.

Ryan Newman gave props to his boss and the organization that he is proud to be a part of.

Denny Hamlin gushed about his “Virginia pride,” while Juan Pablo Montoya shared his excitement, “for the Hispanic media and fans,” with NASCAR spokesman Kerry Thorpe.

Greg Biffle took a deep breath, exhaled, and just relaxed.

Even the larger than life Speed TV broadcasters sat back to enjoy a bit of the simple life after a long day.

Jimmy Spencer appreciated a good cigar in between commercials while Kenny Wallace was quick with a smile or a wink for anyone in his sights followed by that characteristic laugh that we’ve come to know so well.

Every one of them were exactly as I’d hoped and nothing as I had imagined.

"There goes my hero, He's ordinary."

-"My Hero" Foo Fighters

Photo Credit: Kara Martin

* Many thanks to David Yeazell for the camera use and the crash course in photography 101!

From Tailgate to Trackside: NASCAR Gets Rowdy in Richmond

Kara Martin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:45:43 -0400

The Chevy Rock and Roll 400 is a race that we anxiously await each year. It's the race that makes or breaks a season for a handful of drivers. With the top four drivers already locked in, Saturday night proves to be a mathematician's dream as, eleven drivers compete for the remaining eight coveted Chase positions.

Many articles will be published breaking down the odds and speculating on how the chips will fall…this one ain’t one of them!

This week I invite you to get rowdy in Richmond with me as I report up close and personal from tailgate to trackside.

Richmond is my “go to,” my first love and the one that I will return to each and every year.

Welcome to my house!

Richmond International Raceway, then known as Strawberry Hill Speedway began as a half-mile dirt track in 1946. NASCAR’s partnership with the track began on April 19, 1953 as Grand National Series driver, Lee Petty took the checkered flag.

Over the years, the track has undergone three name changes, four configuration changes and one surface change, from dirt to asphalt. Lights were added to the track in 1991 making RIR the only tack on the circuit to hold all of it’s major events “under the lights.”

Today the .75 mile, D-shaped oval is one of the series most beloved tracks. It’s “racing perfection” as driver’s take the field one last time before to 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup begins.

The September race in Richmond is one of the most exciting and anticipated races of the year.

Class dismissed, let’s get rowdy in Richmond!

Unlike other tracks with sprawling acres of beautiful countryside, Richmond International Raceway is located deep in the heart of downtown. While there are private campgrounds surrounding the outskirts of the track, backyard camping is where it’s at!

Twice yearly the friendly folks of Richmond open their arms and lawns to NASCAR fans. For a moderate fee you can park by the day or even camp by the week as many of the homes have been modified to include RV electrical and water hookups.

To spend a couple nights parked in someone else’s yard is lodging at its finest! Remember camping out in your own living room as a kid with your best friends under “forts” of blankets and furniture? It’s just like that, antics and all!

What the fans be grillin?

The night race allows for plenty of daylight tailgating, fans love to get to the track fast then take it slow!

A good southern breakfast on the grill is always a great start to any day. There’s nothing better than a perfect combination of bacon, eggs, grits, biscuits and sausage gravy combined a strong cup of fireside coffee to get you in the mood for a day of tailgating goodness.

It is not uncommon to pop open a beer at 9:00 in the morning as barbecue smokers everywhere begin firing up. The weekend chef has all day to perfect a delicious meal of baby-back ribs, seasoned pork shoulder, smoked brisket and roasted chicken. Definitely worth the wait!

At Richmond anything goes, including the drink of choice. Beers from the cheapest “Natty Light” are nestled in ice right next to the Sam Adams. Shots from whatever bottle is passed your way by a friend or total stranger must always be well received. We Southerners are known for our hospitality, so it would be rude to turn down an invitation from even the reddest of necks!

You’ve got a full day in store, make the most of it!

Kick it up at Scotts Party Zone with Kenny Wallace, Joey Logano, Brendan Gaughan, Jason Keller, and Sam Hornish on Friday afternoon.

On Saturday, join Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, and Michael Waltrip at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Green Fan Zone for a question and answer session before the race.

If chillin’ out in style is more your thing, make your reservations at the Torque Club. The air-conditioned lounge combines premiere suite amenities with the best outdoor seating.

For a $35 dollar donation, get your stroll on with Richard Petty, Bobby Labonte, Reed Sorenson, and A.J. Allmendinger by participating in the NASCAR Foundation’s Track Walk.

What would the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 be with a band? Catch the All-American Rejects on the frontstrech of the raceway as they kick-off the pre-race celebrations.

As we remember the tragedy of eight years ago, RIR will honor will honor the lives lost by flying the American flag that flew over Ground Zero, originally affixed to the “Last Column” of the World Trade Center.

The flag was raised at 2 pm on Thursday by Nationwide driver Benny Gordon, who’s car will feature a 9/11 memorial paint scheme, retired New York fireman Lt. Mickey Kross, and RIR president Doug Fritz, along with representatives from the Henrico County, Va., police and fire departments.

“Lt. Kross escaped from the North Tower of the World Trade Center as it collapsed. He spent many months helping with recovery efforts at Ground Zero and is currently working with the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.

As part of the patriotic festivities, Lt. Kross, as a representative of the National September 11 Memorial, will lead the grandstands in the Pledge of Allegiance during Friday's pre-race festivities prior to the Virginia 529 College Savings 250.

Joe Daniels, the president of the September 11 Memorial, also will be a guest of Gordon's team at Friday night's Nationwide Series race. The flag will fly until Saturday after the Sprint Cup race.

The September 11 Memorial & Museum has launched a 'Text-to-Donate' program based around the Richmond race. Cellular users can text 'WTC' to 25383 to arrange a $5 donation to support the project.”

Please stop and take a moment to remember our fallen heroes.

Never Forget.

Check out these events and more at www.RIR.com.

I’ll be checking in all weekend, so keep your eyes peeled for updates from the track as we rock on at Richmond!

Richmond Rewind: Trashy Tales of Memories and Misadventure

Kara Martin — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:26:07 -0400

Remember as a kid, sitting around the campfire telling ghost stories? For emphasis you’d pull out the flashlight and aim it toward your face to create shadows to make yourself look extra creepy and create a spooky atmosphere for your fellow campers.

Scary stuff as a kid; but downright terrifying for a modern day adult!

Allow me to explain. While camping with some friends during this Spring's Richmond race getaway, nature called in the middle of the night. I shuffled out of the RV in my pajamas into the darkness with my trusty iPhone in hand; the vFlashlight application leading my way.

I approached the line of Porta-John’s that were stacked side by side for what seemed like half a mile. I chose one in the middle of the pack, figured it would be the least offensive, sucked in one last breath of freshness and entered.

So there I was, balancing myself in the “hover-nate” stance over that hole of unmentionables, still clutching the glowing iPhone tightly when it happened.

The door of the Porta-John flew open and suddenly my illuminated “spooky” face was looking into the eyes of a monster. I froze like a deer caught in the headlights, eyes opened wide and my mouth agape, forming the perfect “O” as I tried to make sense of what was happening.

As I heard the monster yell out, “Jesus Christ, you scared the hell out of me!” I realized that I had not locked the door and the monster was nothing more than a mere race fan.

Had I not already been over the bowl, I might have peed my pants out of sheer fright. Luckily I was in the right place at the wrong time.

In pure redneck fashion I hollered out a slew of fleeting obscenities as my new found acquaintance stood there staring at me.

An eternity passed as he stood there, clutching his chest and catching his breath when finally he said, “Damn girl, you really scared me!”

“SHUT THE DOOR!”

I could hear him muttering to himself as he took his place in the john adjacent to mine. “Should have locked that door, never would have happened if you had just locked the door.”

"Yeah, yeah…it was all my fault, get over it already," I bellowed as I pounded the wall that separated us.

I’m no stranger to NASCAR Porta-John mishaps.

Last year during the Fall race in Richmond I stepped into one that was not balanced properly and nearly rocked it forward on top of me. The crowd erupted in laughter as I held on, preparing to go down with the ship.

I don’t know if it was Dale Sr. himself looking down from above, but some higher power granted me a stay of execution. At the very last minute that Ol’ Johnny lurched back to the position from whence it came and I was spared the literal meaning of shit hitting the fan!

Porta-Johns are just one facet that make a NASCAR race so damn special.

People who need people.

A successful race weekend is one that brings together old friends and allows you to make some new ones. NASCAR fans are some of the best people I’ve ever known.

Sure there will be times that you'll get tired of looking at shirtless fat bodies and mullets, but don’t forget they need love too and help to make the weekend an awesome one.

That being said, there are exceptions to the rule.

There are those few rotten apples that give NASCAR fans a bad name. The ones who get entirely too intoxicated and try to feel you up or offer Mardi Gras “beads for boobs.”

I don’t think that NASCAR brings out the idiot in them, I’m convinced that they are dolts pretty much every day of their lives.

At a race years ago, my sister and I were sitting in front of one of the jolliest, shirtless bellies that I’d ever been witness to. It was blazing hot that day, so he was drinking heavily and sweating profusely.

The race stayed green for most of the day so there was no real need to stand up. The caution flag finally waved and everyone was on their feet. In his drunken upright haze, our fat friend fell forward onto my sister.

I watched in virtual slow motion as his gelatinous belly literally engulfed her entire head. I did what anyone else would do in this situation, I laughed my ass off!

Awesome Accomodations.

I've stayed in a variety of hotels over the years, but I must say the RV is the way to go.

The good thing about staying in an RV is that you can come and go as you please without agenda. No need to wear a watch, when the crowd starts rolling toward the track, you know it’s show time. That is when you grab your soft-sided coolers, scanners and clear backpacks and head into the Grandstands.

The downside to staying in an RV falls on the shoulders of those you are camping with. I recommend ear plugs to drown out the snores and flatulence that come from within those four walls and a sling shot for the sounds that come from right outside your rig.

This Spring we were parked next to "The Cackler,” a woman with hands down the worst laugh ever.

I am convinced that night owl stood right next to my open window telling herself jokes until the sun came up. I gave her the hairy eyeball numerous times, didn’t help that it was pitch dark outside and she couldn’t see me. I think that she was married to the Porta-John peeping Tom.

Richmond International Raceway is so dear to my heart. I've spent nearly a decade of racedays there with good friends and family, each year brings a new experience.

I wrote my first Bleacher Report article right after last season's Richmond race. I've come full circle as I gear up for the upcoming weekend and once again look forward to what adventure I will find myself in the middle of.

Join me as I hit the road to Richmond on Friday for an event filled weekend as I report from tailgate to trackside.

Confessions Of a Moonlighter: What Lies Beneath A Sportswriter's Surface

Kara Martin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:01:31 -0400

Work as a moonlighting "sportswriter" here at Bleacher Report has been good to me. I have enjoyed just about every minute of it.

New doors have been opened and it has given me an outlet to challenge my creative side by writing about something that I love, something that is so far removed from my everyday existence.

Sure there are the occasional hecklers and trolls who will try to bring me down, but believe me when I say there ain’t nothing you can do or say that will ever bring me down.

I’ve seen the very worst of it in my “other” profession, words on a computer screen don’t even come close to touching that level of indecency.

I put my heart into my writing, but my soul belongs to emergency medicine. Rarely do these intertwine. As a rule, I can shift effortlessly between the two.

This week was the exception to that rule.

While my heart begged to write something clever and eloquent, my soul required some unexpected one-on-one time. I was reminded of just how fragile the human spirit truly is.

Resilience is a virtue. A gift tied up with a brightly colored bow that I unwrap every day.

I compare life to shelves and shelves of glass jars. Big, small, decorative and plain. Some are incredibly ornate, those are the ones that hold the good things like happiness, dreams and hopes. They are the ones that we display proudly and try to keep dust free every day.

Some are dark and dreary, they are the ones that we push to the back hoping to infinitely store them away, happy to never see them again. They are filled with concoctions of fear and sickness and life’s unspoken unpleasantries.

They are tiny vials of potent poison, all it takes is a single drop from one of them and the rest of the jars come crashing down into a million tiny little pieces.

Life. It is what it is, filled with delicious highs and bitter lows. The joyous delights and the ugliness that lies beneath. It is a sickeningly sweet oxymoron.

We are subjected to all that’s ugly to remind us of what the true meaning of compassion is all about.

I am subjected to these things at work. Terrible things, horrible things. At times it's like starring directly into the sun. You want to bask in the glory of it despite knowing that it could damage you in the process.

I knew what I was getting into when I accepted the position.

Life.

Caring.

Nurturing.

Helping.

Healing.

Joy.

Sorrow.

Pain.

Death.

Disease.

Trauma.

It is exactly what I signed up for and I would not have it any other way.

Every morning I come home and slough off the exterior hardships from the night before. I’m bright and shiny and from the outside look as good as new. It’s the interior that never fully comes clean.

Weeks go by where there is nothing but goodness. I leave the hospital proud that I’ve made some kind of difference and tuck it neatly away in one of those beautiful jars.

But on occasion, drops from that ugly little vial filled with vulgarity and cruelty get mixed up in the potion of good, leaving me tattered and torn.

Everything falters from it, for I am not the kind of person who has become jaded and hardened just so I can tolerate life’s imperfections.

I am affected by it. No matter how gut wrenching it may be, I want to always feel it. It grounds me and serves as a reminder as to why I do what I do.

At work it brings out the best in me but in life the very worst. At times it renders me powerless. I have to step back remember to breath and decompress from it all.

I never welcome a “Bye-Week” when it comes to NASCAR, but for me it could not have come at a better time. As this week comes to a close I look forward to starting anew in the morning. All of the wounds will have healed as time has thankfully allowed.

I will be bright and shiny and from the outside look as good as new.

From Tailgate To Trackside: NASCAR Buckles Up For Bristol, Baby!

Kara Martin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:28:46 -0400

"Don't give us none of your aggravation,

We had it with your discipline.

Saturday night's alright for fighting,

Get a little action in."

-Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) Elton John

Oh yes, Saturday night’s alright for fighting and no better arena for the Sharpie 500, than Bristol Motor Speedway.

Driver patience is often as short as the track itself as the mighty 43 swap paint for 500 white-knuckled laps. Cramped quarters combined with the sheer horsepower of the cars has been likened to "flying fighter jets in a gymnasium."

Bristol knows how to brawl!

The idea for “world’s fastest half-mile” came to be in 1960 after track builders Larry Carrier and Carl Moore attended a race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Hoping to create a smaller version of CMS with a more intimate setting, the pair, along with R.G Pope sketched out plans for the Northeastern Tennessee track on the back of envelopes and brown paper bags.

Ground was broken on 100 acres of dairy farm in early 1960 and took approximately one year to complete.

Bristol International Speedway was a perfect half-mile, measuring 60 feet wide on the straightaways, 75 feet wide in the turns and the turns were banked at 22 degrees.

NASCAR held its first race at BMS on July 27, 1961 to a sold-out crowd of 18,000. Jack Smith won the inaugural “Volunteer 500” despite not being in the driver’s seat to take the checkered flag. Smith drove the first 290 laps while his relief driver, Johnny Allen took over to complete the remaining 210 laps. The two drivers shared the $3225 purse.

BMS has gone through many changes, identities and owners over the years. In 1969, it was reshaped and re-measured. The turns were banked at 36 degrees and it became a 0.533-mile oval.

In 1976 after the season ended, the track was sold to Lanny Hester and Gary Baker. The track was renamed Bristol International Raceway in 1978 and in August of that same year, the first night race was held. The hot August night race in Bristol quickly became one of the most anticipated and popular races on NASCAR’s Sprint Cup series calendar.

Warner Hodgdon purchased BMS in 1983 and named former track builder Larry Carrier as its general manager. In 1985, Hodgdon filed for bankruptcy allowing Carrier to formally take possession of the speedway and cover all outstanding debts.

In the face of its popularity, Bristol was far from perfect. For years, teams were unable to park their transporters inside the infield. Nor did the track have any significant garage area. Team transporters were parked in a lot outside of the track.

During racing periods, crews and participants were landlocked by the track, and thus, unable to return to the transporters for spare parts, repairs, or rest.

"In the early 1990s, the infield was reconfigured, and completely paved. Teams began parking the transporters in an orchestrated, extremely tight arrangement that takes several hours, and highly skilled drivers, to accomplish. Teams are now able to work out of their transporters in the same fashion as other facilities."

In 1992, the track was overhauled once again, abandoning its asphalt surface for the now famous concrete veneer.

Carrier sold the track to Speedway Motorsports, Inc in 1996 for $26 million dollars. Later that year, the name was changed once again to Bristol Motor Speedway and seating capacity grew to 86,000.

Today, BMS can hold more than 160,000 rabid race fans.

School's out and it's time to begin the beguine in Bristol!

While BMS owns several campgrounds surrounding the track, it does not offer the same kind of infield camping luxury that many of the other tracks do. As far as tailgating goes, you got to get a little creative!

The BMS properties generally sell out quickly, so if you are thinking about a Bristol getaway in 2010, get your reservations in now!

These campgrounds offer reserved spaces for the entire NASCAR race season starting at $860 with electric, sewer and water hookups. Spaces without hook-ups start at $99 per race event.

Prices include unlimited use of the shower facility, dump stations and water. BMS shuttles will offer transportation to the shower house as well as the grandstands on event days.

There are several privately owned campgrounds near the speedway that cater to race fans that are worth looking into as well and of course race day parking is available on a first come, first serve basis.

Parking on BMS grounds is by permit only. BMS also operates two free parking areas on St. Rt. 394. "Speedway Parking" and "Multi-Purpose" parking areas offer free shuttle service to and from the track.

Allow plenty of travel time as the tiny town of Bristol will play host to over 650,000 vehicles during a typical race weekend.

What the fans be grillin?

Looking for authentic tasty Tennessee treats to tantalize your tailgating taste buds?

You can’t go wrong with grilling some barbequed ribs or fresh catfish, but if you want to do it up right southern style pack your Fry Daddy!

In spite of its negative health benefits, submerging food in hot oil is so wrong that it’s right! EVERYTHING tastes better fried!

Virtually anything can be deep fried, from the usual suspects (french fries, onion rings, corn dogs) to the deliciously unexpected (Twinkies, pickles, cheesecake).

Heck, someone even found a way to deep fry a Coca-Cola!

So fry it up baby! Breakfast, lunch and dinner never tasted so good! Justify a weekend of unhealthy living knowing that you will walk it off in the mountains of Bristol as you make your way along the steep inclines to the track.

Tennessee is home to the famous Jack Daniel’s distillery, so whiskey-a-go-go it up in style with some race day cocktails. Recipes can found at www.jackdaniels.com.

Jack Daniel’s also offers a variety of paradise in a bottle with its Country Cocktails selections. You can’t go wrong with a Downhome Punch or a Black Jack Cola, just load up the cooler and you are good to go!

Jack Daniel’s, sponsor of Casey Mear’s No. 07 Chevrolet, promotes responsible drinking, so be sure to “Obey the caution flag and pace yourself!”

Looking to make your Bristol experience more eventful?

Check out Food City’s Family Race Night on Thursday, Aug. 20 for appearances from your favorite drivers and sponsors.

Get the VIP treatment all weekend long in the Amp Energy Club at BMS. Club members will be treated to great food, drinks, fun and exclusive benefits. For just $180 you’ll celebrate the race day atmosphere with a pre-race track tour and driver appearances.

Membership Includes:

Entrance into Bristol Motor Speedway's exclusive Hospitality Village
Great meals with non-alcohol beverages (Cash bar available)
Exclusive "member's-only" gift pack with souvenir program
Track tour (Sprint Cup day only)
NASCAR driver appearances
Entertainment, door prizes & music

Access to NASCAR driver Q & A session:

Friday, August 21 -Bobby Allison (4:00 p.m.)
Saturday, August 22 - Rusty Wallace (3:00 p.m.), Matt Kenseth - (3:30 p.m.). Kasey Kahne - (4:10 p.m), Dale Earnhardt Jr. - (4:30 p.m.), Junior Johnson - (5:00 p.m.)

Information about these events, camping, parking and more can be found at www.bristolmotorspeedway.com.

So races fans, let’s buckle up, it's Bristol baby and Saturday night’s the night we like, Saturday night’s alright! See you next weekend when we get Amp-ed up in Atlanta!

From Tailgate to Trackside: NASCAR Gets Manky in Michigan

Kara Martin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 23:39:49 -0400

Looking to rock 'n' roll all night and party every day? Then Michigan International Speedway is the place for you!

Located just 67 miles southwest of Detroit Rock City, it’s time to get a little Irish in the hills of Brooklyn.

Michigan, “the birthplace of the automobile,” celebrates its 41st year of great racing by hosting this week’s Carfax 400.

MIS opened its grandstands, overlooking the two mile D-shaped oval, to 12,000 eager race fans in 1968. As racing in all forms grew, so did the speedway.

Today the track holds 132,000 seats and plays host to the state’s largest, single-day paid-admission sporting event.

In 1973, when the nation’s oil crisis and climbing gas prices threatened racing as a whole, Roger Penske purchased the track on the steps of the Lenawee County courthouse for a estimated two million dollars.

Penske envisioned turning the speedway into one of America’s premier motorsport arenas by adding more than 100,000 seats, three garages, 26 pit terrace suites, a sign shop, concessions, an infield hospital, entertainment facilities, and countless new buildings and warehouses.

In 1999, Penske’s reign came to an end as Penske Motorsports, Inc. merged with NASCAR's founder, Bill France’s International Speedway Corporation.

MIS is still considered one of the Nation’s premeire tracks to this very day.

Class dismissed, it’s time to get a little manky in Michigan!

MIS offers some of the best camping money can buy. For the swankiest of fans, you can reserve a spot in the private Pit Road Motorcoach RV Campground for a mere $2100 per couple and an additional $250 per additional person.

This exclusive area is home to only the finest of Class A motorhomes.

The grounds feature:

Water and 50-amp electrical hook-up
Portable restrooms
Access to dump station and fresh water
Private camping area
Special enter/exit privileges

"Regular Joe" infield overnight camping is extremely limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis, and costs between $150 and $200 per vehicle.

A weekend pass will set you back $100, and $40 gets you general admission Sunday afternoon walk-ups.

Set up camp as early as 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoon and stay through until noon on Monday morning.

Infield amenities include showers, restrooms, dump stations, fresh water, and Buddy’s Convenience Store.

Strapped for cash or don’t fancy yourself a full weekend warrior? That’s okay. MIS welcomes all forms of free tailgating from the exterior lots that surround the track.

What the fans be grillin?

Despite its name, “The Coney Dog” is a quintessential Detroit delicacy. Recreate the historic hot dog at the track by smothering it with beanless chili, raw onions, and yellow mustard.

If pizza is more your thing, then pick up a few pies on your way to the track. Served up square, and paired nicely with an antipesto salad, Detroit’s version on the deep dish boasts a crispy crunchy crust piled high with your favorite toppings.

We are headed to the Irish hills, so what could be better than a good Guinness Stout to complement your meal? Pack a few bottles of Bailey’s Irish Cream and Jameson’s Irish whiskey and you’ll be getting a little Irish in no time.

Since fans will leave the driving to the professionals on race day, kick up your tailgating experience by replacing your favorite light beer with “Irish Car Bombs” in an Erin Go Bragh round of beer pong.

Pour a ½ pint of chilled Guinness into a cup, fill a shot glass with ½ ounce of whiskey and ½ ounce of irish cream. Drop the shot glass into the Guinness and start chugging!

Pace yourself or you’ll be as useful as a cigarette lighter on a motorbike in no time!

Looking to rev up you race day experience?

Tour the pits to see how racing looks from the inside out. The pit area will be available when admission to the track opens and will close one and one half hours before the start of the race, so get there early to enjoy all of the festivities. Pre-race pit passes can be purchased for $50 at any MIS ticket office.

Wanna see paradise by the dashboard lights? Join fellow fans at the Trackside Club. Located in the Terrace Suites directly above Pit Lane, you’ll be able to see and feel the action on the track, then sit back and enjoy resort-quality food service.

The Trackside Club also provides a rooftop deck that puts you atop of all the action. Purchase an August weekend package for $500.

Each package includes:

Trackside Club Admission
Pre-Race Pit Pass
Continental Breakfast and Catered Lunch
Commemorative Event Gift
Unlimited Beverages
Souvenir Event Program (Sunday only)
Roof-Top Viewing Deck
Paddock Parking Pass
Pre-Race Driver Introduction

Access MIS offers includes a new hospitality option for fans and company gatherings at Acceleration, “an inclusive resort at the track.”

Entertain and relax throughout the day and remain one hour after the conclusion of the race.

Each package includes:

Hospitality credentials
Pre-race pit access
Buffet style breakfast and lunch
Unlimited Beverages Coke Products
Six (6) drink tickets per guest Budwieser products and wine
Post-race snack (Sunday only)
Entertainment
Closed circuit color television
Company name displayed on reserved table
Souvenir programs
Event gifts
Special Guest Speakers (June Speakers: Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kasey Kahne, Robby Gordon)
Complimentary scanner rental
Lot 11 parking pass

Check out these packages and more at www.mispeedway.com.

Let the Michigan melee begin and buckle up as we head into Bristol next weekend.

NASCAR's Female Fans: We're Just like You, Only Prettier

Kara Martin — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:30:29 -0400

Late last week, I got an e-mail from NASCAR.com entitled “Fast and Fabulous: NASCAR lifestyle, insight, and recipes for the female fan.”

C'mon, really?

It was filled with links to great recipe ideas and a full page spread about “NASCAR’s most eligible bachelor,” Tony Stewart.

I am betting with 100-percent certainty that the male fans of NASCAR were not privy to this type of absurdity.

The more I thought about it, the more laughable it seemed. Just who does NASCAR think they are—trying to buy me with their pink baby-doll driver tees and glittery tank tops?

Sure there will always be women at the track donning ill fitting t-shirts with iron-on messages like “Mrs. Lil E” or “Driver Butts Drive Me Nuts,” but for the majority of female fans, we’re just like the rest of you, only prettier!

Statistics show that NASCAR’s female fanbase is nearing 50-percent, but the sport itself is still perceived by many as a “boy's club.”

Being a knowledgeable female fan at the track is much like being a lone mare in the middle of a stud farm.

Men have it pretty darn easy when it comes to attending a race—throw on some shoes, pants, and an optional shirt and you’re good to go. The fairer sex has to worry about all of the sugar and spice and everything nice that goes along with being a woman.

There are countless websites out there that cater to the female fan, providing tips for your day at the track. They answer the burning questions, like what the best waterproof mascara is to wear to the track to prevent your “eyes” from melting down your face in the summer sun, or just how many tampons to bring to the track.

Hey guys, have you ever thought about packing some antibacterial wipes to clean the toilet seats with before sitting down on it, or adding your “in case of emergency” number into your cell phone just in case you meet with certain danger?

Seriously, how many of you have carried a small bottle of hairspray on your person so that you can “fluff up your hair” when the hat comes off, or some antiperspirant so that you can “freshen up” during caution flags?

This is what women are fed all the time: “a girl has always gotta look good!” Give me jeans, a t-shirt, flip flops, and a baseball cap any day. It’s a stock car race for God sake, not a freaking fashion show!

There will always be that girl who makes the rest of us look bad; you know the one. She’s had way too much to drink, and during a caution will stand up and flash the entire race day community.

The instant gratification is astounding, as people will take notice. There will be a lot of cat-calling and a handful of “hell yeahs,” but ultimately, in the end, it is her drunk ass who gets escorted out in a shiny pair of designer handcuffs.

Way to represent ladies!

Yes, at times being a girl at the race is like being that sweet little black feline who is stalked by smelly ol’ Pepe Le Pew.

"Ze arms of Pepe are upon you, I am ze captain, and you are ze first mate. Promotions will follow quickly!"

One year, during the spring race in Richmond, I was caught in a crowd with two of the drunkest souls I’ve ever had the pleasure of sharing company with. They both had foot-long hot dogs, and as they bumped up next to a lucky lady they would ask the question that we all long to hear: “Wanna see my wee-nah?”

While I found it oddly amusing, all fun and games came to a screeching halt when one of them disrespected me by reaching out and grabbing a handful of my left breast!

He was like the redneck version of “Arthur.” Instead of introducing himself in proper British fashion, he slurred, “I’m from Salisbury Merle-and,” as if it were a proper handshake.

I leaned into him and whispered something that is not fit to print, but let's just say it was a fair warning about what was going to happen if he didn’t remove that hand post haste!

“Hey mah bad, mah bad, it’s all good,” he replied as he raised both hands up into my line of vision, right before he high fived his buddy for making the play!

Got to give him props for trying, he made it to first base without even buying me the obligatory cocktail.

Fast forward years later to the 2009 spring race in Richmond, and I am still getting no respect! I mentioned to a fellow writer and seasoned media center veteran that I had obtained press credentials.

His response…

"Just what NASCAR needs...another media babe in the garage area. You rock it, baby! (hehehehe...could rock me :-p ). Yeah...you groupie you!”

Are you freaking kidding me!?

While it could not be farther from the truth, it is still the perception of some NASCAR Neanderthals.

While NASCAR Dads delight in the fact that they can share the racing experience with their brand loyal spouses through sponsors like Little Debbie and Betty Crocker, there are many female fans who consider themselves true gearheads.

They are the ones who will challenge even the most seasoned good ol' boys to a hardcore lesson in NASCAR trivia. She'll spout out team stats and qualifying lap times without blinking a made-up eye.

Sure, some might be dazzled by the feminine exterior, but get to know the inside before assuming that we female fans are only at the track to get hit on or lost in the baby blue eyes of Kasey Kahne.

Forty million female NASCAR fans can't be wrong!

From Tailgate To Trackside: NASCAR Gets It On at The Glen

Kara Martin — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:32:34 -0400

This week NASCAR heads to Watkins Glen, where we’ll crown another king of the road courses as the Sprint Cup Series takes on some twisty turns.

Road course racing in the village of Watkins Glen, N.Y. became reality in 1948 after law student Cameron Argetinger’s dream of bringing European-style competition materialized. Argetinger drew up a course that encompassed asphalt, cement and dirt roads in and around the village, and on Oct 2, the top names in American sports car racing were welcomed by huge crowds in the first post-World War II road race in the United States.

The Glen, as it’s come to be known, has changed tremendously over the years. Racing moved to a temporary course in 1953, and in 1956, a permanent 2.3-mile track was built. One year later, the course hosted its first race, a NASCAR event won by Buck Baker.

The Glen played host to virtually every style of road racing, but in the early '80s the track fell into disrepair as a bankruptcy forced the track to close.

After being purchased in early 1983 by a subsidiary of Corning Glass Works, the renovated track reopened on July 7, 1984.

Watkins Glen and NASCAR rekindled their relationship on Aug 9, 1986 when fans witnessed Tim Richmond take the checkered flag.

Okay class, history lesson over. Let's get it on!

At The Glen it seems that anything goes. Unlike the camping restrictions at Pocono, feel free to bring your pets, scaffolding, non-metallic flagpoles, BBQ grills—heck, you can even bring your personal weed whackers and furniture, just as long as you don’t leave it behind. Clean toilets and hot showers are available for $3, a small price to pay for cleanliness!

You can camp virtually anywhere at The Glen. Reserve your spot in the infield or near one of the track's numerous Jumbotrons so that you don’t miss a second of the action. For those less structured of planners, unreserved camping is located on a first come, first serve basis at gates one and seven.

The Glen kicks tailgating up a notch this weekend as the newly formed National Tailgating League, (The NTL) announced that it’s first stop in New York will kick off an officially sanctioned cornhole tournament in conjunction with the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen.

Cornhole is a game similar to horseshoes in which participants take turns tossing corn bags at wooden boxes in an attempt to get the bag through a hole in the top, or at least land the bag on the top of the box. The game is also known as bags, corn toss, bean bag, bean toss, soft horseshoes or Indiana Horseshoes.

The Aug. 9 main event will offer a $2,500 cash prize. Top finishers in the two Aug. 8 amateur cornhole tournaments will receive race-related awards such as suite passes, pace car rides, driver meet-and-greets and private pit tours.

What the fans be grillin?

Dip served with chips, crackers or vegetables are always a perfect race day munchies.

With Heluva Good sponsoring the event, you can’t go wrong with any one of their tasty treats. Check out their website for recipes that incorporate their products into race day main dishes like French Onion marinated chicken breast, white cheddar and bacon-infused burgers or grilled tomatoes with onion basil topping.

Watkins Glen is home to over 70 wineries. It’s been said that drinking wine in moderation has its health benefits, so harness your inner Sommelier and let’s get bottle-shocked!

Pair any of their suggestions with a good beer or wine and you have the makings of one great weekend!

Looking for an extra twist or turn?

Fans will have unprecedented access to their favorite drivers during the race weekend.

Aug. 6: Hang out with Bobby Labonte in the Winner’s Lounge at Tioga Down Casino from 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.

Joey Logano, along with crew chief Greg Zippadelli will be signing autographs for the first 700 wristbanded fans from the Painted Post Home Depot.

Reed Sorensen will be at the Corning, N.Y. McDonald’s from 6:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m. signing autographs for the first 200 guests. Kurt Busch will also be in Corning for the Race Fever festival, where he will make an appearance and sign autographs.

Aug. 7: An all-driver autograph session for the stars of Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series will take place from 2:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m. in the Grand-Am paddock at the track.

Ryan Miller, goaltender for the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and Grand Marshal of Friday night’s Crown Royal 200 will make an appearance at The Pyramid at Watkins Glen International from 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Kasey Kahne will be at the Horseheads N.Y. McDonald’s from 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. to sign autographs for the first 200 fans.

Aug. 8: NASCAR artist Sam Bass will be making three appearances at the Zippo display at the track along the Fan Midway. Appearances are scheduled at 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m..

Sorensen will make two appearances at the McDonald’s Family Zone at the track to sign autographs for the first 75 fans. The appearances are scheduled for 11:00 a.m.– 11:25 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m..

Aug. 9: Leading up to the race on Sunday morning, drivers and NASCAR personalities, including Kasey Kahne and Richard Petty will be available for autographs as well as question and answers.

Want to test out your own road racing skills? Sign up for a Thunder Road Tour. For just $25, you can “follow the pace car down the FrontStretch into the Ninety, twist, climb and claw your way up through the Esses and onto the Backstretch, braking as you hit the Inner Loop and navigate the Carousel turn, then drop off the face of the earth into the depths of the turn-heavy Boot, climb your way out into Turn Ten, regain your senses and make a run for the finish line!”

Check out these events and more at www.TheGlen.com

Have a “Heluva Good” time this weekend and see you next weekend as we melee in Michigan!

Tony Stewart's Pocono Ride: Shall We Swag Now Or Should We Swag Later?

Kara Martin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:02:29 -0400

Tony Stewart’s No. 14 Chevrolet paint scheme seems to be all the rage in Pocono. The team rolled out a sexy beast of a machine for this weekend’s Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500.

The car, wrapped in deep ruby red and shimmering silver, highlights Old Spice’s “Swagger” brand.

Let me tell you, I’m not a “car guy” as far as looks go, but this thing is smokin’ hot! Dripping with sticky-sweet, cherry coated lusciousness, it proves that this is not your father’s Old Spice!

It begs the question, “shall we swag now or should we swag later?”

Oh Behave!

Although the paint scheme is new, the car is the same one that he took to Victory Lane at Pocono back in June, giving Stewart full, unrestricted license to swag.

After running sixth fastest in a rain shortened practice, Stewart paid homage to the ride that scored him his first points race win at the tricky triangle, saying “I’m happy with our Old Spice Swagger car. It’s got some attitude this weekend. Made me smile when I got in it, made me smile even more when I got out and looked at it, it’s pretty fast.”

Stewart was not the only one to be impressed with the car, during an interview, Speed TV's Bob Dillner seemed positively swaggerized.

“Cool paint scheme, this looks good, as good as you all shaven. “[You] look about maybe 10 years younger, actually you look real good! I mean there’s not much gray, you’re clean shaven, you got a fast race car?”

Pulling Stewart's teammate Ryan Newman into the conversation he asked, "What do you think about him? He looks pretty sharp there all clean shaven!”

Taken aback, Stewart replied, “Why are guys talking about how guys look?”

Dillner quickly shot back, “I said you looked younger, not good!”

(I beg to differ Dillner, check the tape!)

Humerously uneasy about the direction the interview had taken, Stewart remarked, “When you start asking him (Newman) about it, it makes me nervous.”

"[There are] a lot of suspicious questions when men start talking about…men. Besides, this guy, [Ryan] is younger than me & better looking than me”

Wanting no part of the swag-fest, Newman replied, “I’ve seen his baby pictures, age doesn’t really matter!”

As a favorite headed into the race weekend and sitting on the pole, thanks in part to a rained out qualifying effort, will Stewart sweep the competition and swagger into Pocono's Victory Lane for the second time this season?

The car, decked out with a set of fuzzy dice hanging from the rear-view, has such a fabulous body, I’m betting that it swags like a minx!

If it does once again take the checkered flag, Stewart might just find himself in yet another role, that of serial swagger!

So here’s to the No. 14 Chevrolet, swag it rotten baby, and “Thanks Old Spice!”

Umm, Hello…paging Dr. Freud!

Wrapping of the No. 14 Old Spice "Swagger" Chevrolet

From Tailgate To Trackside: NASCAR Parties On In Pocono

Kara Martin — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:25:33 -0400

Welcome to the first installment of “From Tailgate to Trackside.” Come with me as we journey from track to track each week celebrating everything that makes a NASCAR race experience great.

I will be offering an insider’s look into the best of both worlds, starting with a fan’s point of view from the tailgate to the journalist take as I report track side from the media center.

Until I win the lottery and buy myself one of those swanky motor homes I won’t be able to offer a personal perspective on every race day experience, but with a little help from my friends I will still be able to take you there in spirit.

This weekend takes us back to Pocono, where our own Mary Jo Buchanan and her family will represent the B/R–NASCAR Community at the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500.

While MJ will reporting from within, shadowing ARCA driver Alli Owens and the winner of the Ultimate Fan contest for Sunday's race, her husband Gary will be "fanning” it up in the infield.This darling duo is sure to bring back some tantalizing tales from the track.

Mary Jo and Gary will be invited guests of Ashley Mattioli-Igdalsky at “The Village at Pocono,” a new, gated, private resort located directly across from the track.

The Village, as MJ so eloquently wrote about in her piece Pocono Raceways Third Generation Woman Takes On Newest Venture, “features many amenities, including a 6,000 sq. foot Clubhouse, a Fireside Lounge, theater, state of the art fitness center, saunas, billiard parlor, game room and a 5,000 sq. foot Indoor Aquatic center.”

Let’s just hope that MJ’s dedication to her work allows her some free time to enjoy herself!

We all remember the scene from “The Shining” where Jack Nicholson’s character, writer turned winter hotel caretaker, takes a sinister turn after being trapped within the confines of the snowbound resort.

Feverishly typing away at his latest “masterpiece,” his wife is horrified to find endless pages of manuscript repeating the phrase “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” formatted in various ways.

Let’s hope that a freak snowstorm is not in the weather forecast!

REDRUM! REDRUM!

I have heard that Pocono knows how to party and twice a year plays host to some of NASCAR’s most awesome tailgating. Is it because Pensyltuckians are just super cool or could it be that the track is literally out in the middle of nowhere with lack of any other form of entertainment?

Pocono offers infield parking and camping. Hardcore NASCAR fans don’t just show up on race day in the RV! Oh no, expect them to be camped out for days before the blessed event.

If you choose this route then you better come prepared. Bring everything that you’ll need for your stay because there are no places to purchase supplies inside or anywhere near the track and once you’re in there is no leaving unless you are prepared to repay for admission.

There are no dedicated showers and toilets for the long weekend guests, which after three long days in the sun is a not so good thing! Nothing like the gamy scent of NASCAR funk to wreck your race day experience!

There are rules that must be followed. No pets. No firewood. No weapons. No fireworks. No golf carts. No scaffolding. No amplified music. No tent camping. No disorderly conduct. No mopeds. No walk-ins.

But like any NASCAR track, shirts are of course optional.

As you enter the infield gates, a security guard will board your Winnie to look for illegal items and non-ticketed stow-aways. Many of the guards are packing heat, so don’t even think about breaking Pocono law!

Being in the Pocono infield does have it’s advantages, It has been said that it is the best way to see the race live. If you find a good spot, you can see almost two-thirds of the track.

Spectators in the Grandstands often complain that “you don’t see very much for very long,” because of the angle of the stands. When the masses stand up while you are sitting down, it is virtually impossible to see the cars as they hug the walls along the front stretch. Announcements are frequently made throughout the race asking fans to please sit down to prevent blocking the view for others.

On a positive note, it is one of the easier tracks for fans to acquire autographs from their favorite drivers as it has one of the most accessible pit areas. Big ups for that!

What the fans be grillin?

Some will travel through “Dutch Pennsylvania” on their way to the track, so kick it authentically Amish with the menu.

I recommend a good Lancaster County ham loaf smothered with Mennonite dried beef gravy. Corn fritters and stewed crackers will complement the entrée nicely. For dessert; how about a nice Friendship bread or some homemade Whoopie Pie. Wash it all down with a strong buttermilk colada. Delish!

If you choose to imbibe in spirits of a more palliative nature, I suggest the BYOB method. Unless you are come across a wild Amish adolescent in the throws of Rumspringa, you’ll be hard pressed to find some good Amish hootch, as the community generally frowns upon alcoholic beverages.

Looking for some some extra fun in the sun before the rush of the race?

The raceway will host two days worth of live bluegrass music leading into Sunday's Cup race, billed as "The Music from the Mountains."

Friday and Saturday performances include music from: Ricky Skaggs, Steep Canyon Rangers, Charlie Sizemore Band, Dailey & Vincent, Del McCoury Band, Cherryholmes, Blue Highway and SteelDrivers.

For $10, fans can take a lap around the 2.5-mile Pocono Raceway. Ticket holders can make the donation to the Victory Junction Gang Camp and board a bus for a one-lap ride around the triangle. All proceeds go to the camp, and rides are available for infield and grandstand spectators from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. ET. Infield fans can board the bus at Turn three near pit road. Grandstand spectators should head to Turn one near the track crossing.

So party on in Pocono this weekend and see you next week when we'll have a "Helluva Good" time at Watkins Glen!

Wrestling Entrance Themes Gone NASCAR

Kara Martin — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 04:10:06 -0400

While I am not a fan of professional wrestling, the one thing that I do admire is the ability to choose a perfect “entrance theme.” You can’t help but to get pumped up when that music starts waiting in anticipation as the key players approach the ring. Everyone should have theme music to their lives, to highlight the big events and heck, even some of the small ones. Every night around 7pm I feel my psyche change from mild mannered girl into a supercharged badass. The 12 hour graveyard shift in the ER can be brutal & it requires a fair amount of getting into character. As soon as those sliding door open and I step onto the MRSA infected floors, the opening chords of Nazareth’s "Hair of the Dog” begins playing in my head. You know the one, sing along with me will ya? Heart breaker, soul shaker I’ve been told about you Steamroller, midnight stroller What they’ve been saying must be true Red hot mama Velvet charmer Times come to pay your dues Now you’re messin' with a A son of a bitch

Begin Slideshow

Phone Etiquette 101: Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch "Make Nice" (satire)

Kara Martin — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:03:02 -0400

Wouldn't you have just loved to be a fly on the wall during Tuesday's courtesy call between Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch? Yeah, me too!

Since we'll never really know what actually transpired, I'd like to think it went a little something like this...

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional and a bit salacious, read at your own risk!

Ring, ring, ring, ring… (Kyle Busch’s answering machine picks up)

"Hey this is Kyle…I’m not here right now, but your momma is! Nah, I'm just messing with ya! Seriously, I really don't like you but if you must leave a message, I'll be nice and at least pretend to care. Wait for the beep."

(beeeeep)

Tony Stewart: Hey you horse-toothed jackass, it's Tony. Pick up, pick up!

Kyle Busch: (picks up the phone): Yeah, yeah, I’m here fat boy. What do you want?

TS: I just wanted to touch base and make sure that we’re cool after that whopper of a crash Saturday night. Get it? “Whopper?” I made a little joke. [Tony laughs]

KB: Yeah, hilarious. That's about the only thing about you that's little.

TS: Hey, a little respect here—I'm big boned, alright? Listen, I was just checking up on you, making sure you're still alive and all. You really kissed that wall hard, does your face still hurt?

KB: What? My face doesn’t hurt.

TS: Really? Because it’s killing me—gotcha! [Tony laughs] OK, in all seriousness, is your refrigerator running?

KB: Yeah, yeah…I know I better catch it, right?

TS: Huh?

KB: Another one of your dumb jokes.

TS: Ummm... sorry guy, you lost me. I was asking because mine is on the fritz and I need one pronto before my lifetime supply of Omaha steaks defrost!

KB: Look man, I got a cat to kick and some baby ducklings out back that I need to squash before they start crapping all over my lawn. So say what you need to say and stop beating around the bush!

TS: Good one!

KB: One what?

TS: Beating around the "Busch..."

KB: Oh, I get it. Busch, bush! That's funny!

TS: Moving on...Last time I saw you, you were stomping down the track crying like that character Ted from “There’s Something About Mary” after Mary chose Brett Favre over him.

You know the one, the same poor bastard who got his “frank and beans” caught in his zipper. MMMM…frank and beans.

KB: Crying? Who said I was crying?! I might have had a little something in my eye, but I was NOT crying!

Besides which, you don’t give a rat’s ass about what happened out there, so stop blowing “smoke” up my ass! Ah ha ha ha ha, zinger!! Who’s the funny one now, funnyman?

TS: Hey, speaking of ass, when was the last time you got some? I know, it was when your hand slipped through the toilet paper, after your evening “dump?”

KB: What did you just say to me? Did you just say “dump?” Just the thought of you dumping on me makes me so angry! Don’t do it, you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry!!!

TS: I don’t like you period, but that is beside the point. Don’t talk to me about being angry! I was enrolled in anger management classes long before you were even a twinkle in your daddy’s eye!

I taught you everything you know about being angry! I’m the original Gangsta of Gall, the Earl of Exasperation, the President of Petulance. Don’t make me pop a radiator cap in your ugly ass!

KB: Hey Chubs, who you calling ugly?

TS: I’m just saying, if ugliness were bricks, you would be the Great Wall Of China.

KB: Oh yeah? Well, you’re so fat, I heard last week in Daytona you were laying on the beach and Greenpeace showed up and tried to drag you back into the ocean.

TS: Well, you're so ugly, I heard that you went to a haunted house and came out with a job application.

KB: You’re so fat, I heard that you stepped on your dog's tail and had to change his name to Beaver.

TS: Lame! Not only are you ugly, you’re stupid! I bet you stared at the orange juice container all morning because it said "concentrate."

KB: You’re so fat, when people see you in that red firesuit they yell “Hey Kool-Aid!"

TS: Damn I thought you were ugly….until I met your mom.

KB: Don’t be talking about my momma like that, I will go all Rowdy on your ass!

TS: You're right, I crossed the line. I’m sure she’s probably a sweetheart. Quick question though, when you were a kid, did she tell you to go outside and play hide and go f@%k yourself?

KB: Ooh look, is that a Snickers?

TS: Snickers? What, where?! MMMM....Snickers!

KB: Truth be told, the crash wasn’t your fault at all. I carelessly set an open bag of sponsored M&M’s on the dash.

I drove hard into turn four and man, those things just went everywhere. But I thought it would be OK, since they have that thin candy shell.

TS: MMMM….M&M’s. Damn I lost my train of thought, what were we talking about? Oh yeah, Kyle I think your brain has a thick candy shell!

KB: Your…your brain has the shell on it.

TS: Whatever. So we’re all good right? I can trust that you’ll do the right thing by telling the press that that last-lap accident was not my fault?

KB: You got it, buddy, you can count on me. Although I think they really should have black flagged your ass. Too bad they’d have to sew like 12 of them together to cover it!

TS: I mean it Kyle, I was really torn up about that. I haven’t been that upset since the Girl Scouts discontinued the Pecan Shortees.

After leaving the Media Center, I went on a serious eating binge to mask my pain. I ate a baby that night, a freaking baby, Kyle! I know that it’s the other, other white meat, but it just felt wrong.

KB: Wow man, all that time spent together at JGR and I had no idea you were so sensitive. Since we are being honest here, once I got back to my motor coach I did have a good, long cry. I have feelings, too, you know.

Hey, you gotta pinky swear, you’re not going to tell anyone are you? I’ll deny it if you do. Tell 'em that I got something in my eyes from that wreck that you caused.

TS: Awww…yeah, I know what you got in your eyes! Just say it, say it!! You got a little "Smoke" in your eyes, didn't ya! Hey Kyle, why don't you cry me a river, build yourself a bridge and get over it?!

KB: Eat me Stewart!

TS: Get in my belly!

Many thanks to David Yeazell for coming up with another great idea and letting me run with it!

Thanks to the movies "Austin Powers" and "Tommy Boy" for the play on a few of the quotes listed above.

Kyle Busch: You Gotta Eat a Little Crow Before You Get Your Just Deserts

Kara Martin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:07:01 -0400

Heading into Chicago, it appeared as if that the smoke had cleared between former Joe Gibbs racing teammates Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart regarding the last-lap crash that sent Stewart to Victory Lane and Busch into the wall during the Daytona Coke Zero 400.

Stewart said that he had spoken with Busch via telephone regarding the incident and said the two shared, what he thought to be, “an amicable 30-minute conversation.”

Thursday’s press conference at Chicagoland suggested otherwise. Busch seems to be holding a slow burning grudge, alleging that Stewart had “dumped” him and that NASCAR should implement a rule to prevent such actions.

"NASCAR can take a step in looking at it and if the second place driver dumps—quote unquote—the leader, then black flag his ass," Busch said.

"He doesn't get the win, you know. If he's on him from behind and moves him out of the way and there's no wreck then fine he can win the race but if you're up along-side the guy and you dump him then I say black flag him and give the win the third-place driver."

When asked if he and Stewart had favorably cleared the air regarding last weekend’s accident, Busch’s response was nothing short of disingenuous.

"I really don't have feelings, so it really doesn't mean a whole lot. I thank him for I guess checking on me to see if I was alive."

Busch took the proverbial olive branch that Stewart had extended to him and threw it back in his face by straight up placing all the blame on Stewart for the last-lap scrimmage.

Stewart continued to take the high road. After he was informed of Busch’s comments, he affirmed that he is "sticking to the exchange that the two shared on Tuesday."

"Kyle and I talked this week and had a very good conversation on the phone," Stewart said. "I was very pleased."

Busch took the lead from Stewart upon entering the final lap of the race, but Stewart forged ahead, pushing the nose of his car past Busch’s right rear quarter panel.

Based on Busch's response to the press it makes me wonder if Busch saw a completely different race replay than the rest of us?

Stewart did what he had to do to take the lead back. It was nothing that we have not seen before from virtually every other contender on the track.

Every driver out there knows that you can’t block the car behind you if it is already next to you on the track! Why should we suddenly be changing the rules to benefit Kyle Busch?

Busch could learn a lesson in humility and grace from Carl Edwards.

Who can forget Edwards' banzai slide-job during the final lap in Kansas last October? Edwards took a desperate suicide dive in front of Johnson for the lead then ricocheted back up the track into the wall.

That gutsy move gained much respect from his fellow drivers, including Kyle Busch. “It was cool to see and something somebody was trying so more power to him."

Edwards graciously accepted the shortcomings of his efforts and moved on. Granted Edwards did not take out the leader in the process, but that was luck infused timing.

During the final lap the lead drivers are focused on how they are going to make it to the line first and will do whatever it takes to get the win.

When asked about the incident from the Coke Zero 400, other drivers spoke out in Stewart’s defense.

"That's a long way from a dump in my mind." "They both were battling for the win. I certainly would not say he got dumped," said Kasey Kahne. "Tony made a great move to get to Kyle's outside. To me it looked like [Stewart] was going to side draft off him to the line, but Kyle turned right.''

"I would put more blame on the guy leading who was blocking than the guy who was behind," Jeff Gordon said. "It's not getting dumped if the guy got a fender inside you and you turn. You've got spotters. If someone is half an inch inside you, you expect to know it because of your spotters."

Stewart is ready to leave the past behind stating, "Daytona was last week."

Busch has proven time and time again,if things don’t go his way, in a expressive show of immaturity he takes his ball and stomps off the playground, only to bring it back the following week to ignorantly chunk back into the face of the winner.

"If I'm ever second, I normally finish second," Busch said. "Whenever I'm leading, I guess I get wrecked. It seems to me I don't know how to win restrictor-plate races, so you can't ask me that question."

Unapologetic Busch fans don’t have to make excuses for their driver like we in "Junior Nation" do, because Busch does it for them!

Busch may have been born to be wild, but should really learn to take the world in a love embrace.

It's OK to be wrong, heck even I am every once in a while. It is the art of admitting it that is the real challenge.

Eating a little crow now and again never hurt anyone, in fact it can be down right delicious!

Hey, pass the salt!

Author's Note: I know the title may look mispelled, but I assure you it isn't.

Many people, unfamiliar with the "reward or punishment" meaning of the word "desert," mistakenly assume that the phrase "just deserts" is properly spelled "just desserts" because of its pronunciation. (The usual reasoning is that a dessert is a type of reward, one is given at the end of a meal, so someone who receives suitable rewards or punishments for his actions has gotten his "just desserts.")

When one gets what one deserves, good or bad, one is getting one's "just deserts," accent on the second syllable but spelled like the arid, barren lands.

Where Victory and Charity Collide: Smells Like Tony Stewart

Kara Martin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:46:28 -0400

Rounding turn four and fighting for the lead on Saturday night in Daytona, NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch were so close to victory they could taste it.

In the end, it was Stewart who took a seat at the head of the table and wistfully indulged in the fruits of his labors.

Stewart's melancholy undertones left fans hungry for more. We craved the familiar smoky flavorings that we'd grown accustomed to when seeing Tony emerge from his winning machine in Victory Lane.

While the celebration was not the familiar delicacy that we'd feasted on in the past, the scent of a win still lingers sweetly in the air.

Stewart has teamed up with Old Spice to give one ravenous fan the chance to bid on the sweat and champagne-soaked hand towel that he used in victory lane after winning the Coke Zero 400 on July Fourth.

The unwashed and autographed Old Spice towel will be auctioned off in a charity event to benefit the Tony Stewart Foundation, and will run for one week beginning on Monday, July 6, 2009.

Stewart's Nationwide Series race-winning towel from earlier this year fetched $1,025. Following Stewart's All-Star win, Stewart's towel raised $814, and the towel from his Pocono win went for $1,335.

A total of $21,553.01 has been raised for charity since 2006 when Old Spice began auctioning off Stewart's Victory Lane towels.

Throughout the 2009 racing season, every time Stewart wins a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race or a NASCAR Nationwide Series race, his Old Spice Victory Lane towel will be auctioned off for charity.

Victory, Charity, Sweat, and Champagne...what better way to entice a NASCAR fan's senses?

Fans can place a bid for the autographed towel by logging on to www.OldSpice.com or www.TonyStewart.com.

For the Love of NASCAR, Community, and Everything Else: This I Believe

Kara Martin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:01:55 -0400

In 1951, Edward R. Murrow, NPR’s avante-garde host invited Americans from all walks of life to write essays about their personal philosophies and core values that guided their daily lives for a radio series called “This I Believe.”

In its four year run on NPR the series received thousands of compositions from people in a movement that stretched from sea to shining sea and everywhere in between.

While the series has since concluded the assignment lives on at the This I Believe website. There you can browse through submitted essays and create your own belief statement.

First and foremost, I believe in community.

As a newly appointed Co-Community Leader, I consider it an honor and a privilege, one that I take very seriously. Kelly Crandall , along with my predecessor Mary Jo Buchanan helped to create an amazing community, one that I believe will continue to grow and prosper.

Many of you already know me from my quirky, rant filled articles and some have recently been introduced for the first time.

No matter our association please know that I’m forever your girl.

If you need something, anything, feel free to hit me up anytime and I will do my very best to right the wrongs or simply find the answer that you might be looking for.

As for everything else, life, liberty, and the love of NASCAR….this I believe.

I believe in a world where Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans can live in harmony.

I believe in saying “please” and “thank-you” every time.

I believe that I am funny…“for a girl.”

I believe that you can’t have too many pairs of cheap, over-sized sunglasses.

I believe that “it’s ok to cry, crying gets the sad out of you.”

I believe that all NASCAR races should be run at night under the lights.

I believe in saying the “F-word” loud and often.

I believe in the Good Samaritan Law.

I believe that everyone possess kindness and pure evil alike, it is a personal choice as to which path to take.

I believe in taking the long way home.

I believe that it takes balls to wear a mullet in this day and age!

I believe that men at NASCAR races should not go shirtless…ever!

I believe that laughter is infectious and is always life’s best medicine.

I believe in always embracing your inner daredevil!

I believe that you should always speak your mind and apologize profusely every time you put your foot in your mouth!

I believe that listening is so much more than simply hearing.

I believe that my adoration for Tony Stewart makes me a bona-fide “chubby chaser.”

I believe in a thing called love.

I believe in finding a reason to smile every day.

I believe it when my mom says “I’m a good catch.”

I believe in a cat’s right to sleep wherever they damn well please.

I believe in a higher power.

I believe “Gentlemen Start Your Engines” are the sweetest words ever spoken.

I believe a leopard can change it’s spots.

I believe that my dad is the greatest man to walk the earth.

I believe in serving up a nice cup of shut the hell up once in a while.

I believe that true heroes are “ordinary.”

I believe without Diet Dr. Pepper, life as I know it would come to an end.

I believe that last night a DJ saved my life.

I believe in second chances.

I believe that the iPhone “Shazam” app has magical powers.

I believe in being a fierce competitor.

I believe I will still be gracing the grandstands in Richmond when I am old and gray.

I believe that fallen loved ones will always find a way to communicate.

I believe that despite being “old and busted,” I will always be the “new hotness.”

I believe in getting “by with a little help from my friends.”

I believe that I am a modern day Super Hero.

I believe in getting lost in translation.

I believe that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will turn it all around.

I believe that every time I look at the NYC skyline my heart will always break a little.

I believe in empathy, forgiveness, compassion, integrity, humanity, morality, loyalty, and peace.

I believe in truth and consequences.

I believe that paybacks will always be a bitch.

I believe in Southern Hospitality dripping with sugar, syrupy charm.

I believe that “the one who smelt it dealt it!”

I believe in life-long friendships.

I believe in the power of words.

I believe that 43 cars starting in unison on race day is the best adrenaline rush!

I believe in you and me.

And The 25 NASCAR Hall Of Fame Induction Nominees Are...

Kara Martin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:48:25 -0400

NASCAR announced on July 2, 2009 the 25 nominees for the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame induction.

From the list (provided below), five inductees will be chosen and announced in October and honored in May 2010, when the Hall of Fame facility in Charlotte, N.C. opens to the public.

The Hall of Fame's first five inductees will be determined by a Voting Panel, which is made up of 50 members—the entire Nominating Committee, 14 media members, four manufacturer representatives, nine retired competitors (drivers, owners, and crew chiefs), and two recognized industry leaders.

In additon, NASCAR.com will provide fans the opportunity to vote. The fan vote will make up the Voting Panel's 51st and final ballot.

1. Bobby Allison, 1983 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and winner of 84 races.

2. Buck Baker, the first driver to win consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championships.

3. Red Byron, first NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, in 1949.

4. Richard Childress, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series.

5. Dale Earnhardt, won a record seven NASCAR Sprint Cup championships.

6. Richie Evans, nine-time NASCAR Modified champion.

7. Tim Flock, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion.

8. Bill France Jr., NASCAR president, chairman, and CEO (1972-2003).

9. Bill France Sr., NASCAR founder and first president (1948-1972).

10. Rick Hendrick, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series.

11. Ned Jarrett, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion.

12. Junior Johnson, 50 wins as a driver, 132 wins and six championships as an owner.

13. Bud Moore, 63 wins and two NASCAR Sprint Cup titles as a car owner.

14. Raymond Parks, NASCAR's first champion car owner.

15. Benny Parsons, 1973 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion.

16. David Pearson, 105 victories and three NASCAR Sprint Cup championships.

17. Lee Petty, winner of the first Daytona 500, and first three-time series champion.

18. Richard Petty, 200 wins and seven NASCAR Sprint Cup titles–both records.

19. Fireball Roberts, won 33 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including 1962 Daytona 500.

20. Herb Thomas, first two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, 1951 and 1953.

21. Curtis Turner, first to win Daytona 500, Southern 500, Coca-Cola 600 in same year.

22. Darrell Waltrip, winner of 84 races and three NASCAR Sprint Cup championships.

23. Joe Weatherly, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion.

24. Glen Wood, laid foundation for Wood Brothers' future team success.

25. Cale Yarborough, winner of three consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, 1976-78.

The Induction Process:

"The yearly HOF classes will have five inductees selected by a voting panel consisting of NASCAR industry leaders, manufacturer representatives, former competitors, the media, and fans.

Inductees will be chosen from an annual list of no more than 25 candidates. The main criteria for nomination and induction: NASCAR accomplishments and contributions to the sport.

To be eligible, former drivers must have competed 10 years in NASCAR, and be retired from racing for a minimum of three years. Non-drivers must have worked at least 10 years in the industry. (Potential candidates with shorter careers may be considered if there are special circumstances.)

After a 20-member nominating committee selects its list of candidates, the voting will entail a total of 48 ballots.

Twenty ballots will be from the nominating committee; 27 ballots will come from a group consisting of former drivers, former owners, former crew chiefs, manufacturer representatives, and media; one ballot will represent the results of a nationwide fan vote."

Nominating Committee–20 members

* Seven NASCAR representatives.

* NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director.

* NASCAR Hall of Fame Historian.

* Two track owners from International Speedway Corporation.

* Two track owners from Speedway Motorsports Incorporated.

* Track owner from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

* Track owner from Dover International Speedway.

* Track owner from Pocono Raceway.

* Four track owners from historic short tracks: Bowman-Gray Speedway in Winston-Salem, N.C.; Greenville-Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C.; Riverhead Raceway in Riverhead, N.Y; and Toyota Speedway at Irwindale in Irwindale, Calif.

Voting Committee – 47 members plus one fan vote

* 20 members of the nominating committee.

* 14 media representatives: Three each from the National Motorsports Press Association, the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Eastern Motorsports Press Association; one each from FOX, Turner, ESPN, Motor Racing Network and Performance Racing Network.

* One representative each from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota.

* Three retired drivers.

* Three retired owners.

* Three retired crew chiefs.

* Fan vote.(Register to vote at NASCAR.com)

Be on the lookout for David Yeazell's variation of a "Creature vs. Creature" style community debate on Bleacher Creature's HOF picks.

So prepare yourselves now to pick your ultimate top five Hall of Famers and have your supportive arguments ready for an up close and personal town hall discussion!

Source: NASCARmedia press release for immediate publication and NASCARhall.com

Mary Jo Buchanan: Memories of a Motorsports Matriarch

Kara Martin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:00:18 -0400

In 1984, just one month into his professional basketball career, Sports Illustrated put Michael Jordan on its cover under the heading “A Star Is Born.”

During his 18-year career, Jordan racked up six NBA championships and countless MVP awards, proving that his star would forever shimmer a little brighter than the rest.

I could easily write an article on the many accomplishments of Michael Jordan, but the “MJ” that I’m referring to in this article has nothing to do with basketball.

Of course, everyone in the motorsports community knows exactly who I’m talking about: our own Mary Jo Buchanan, or, as she is lovingly known, “Emmmmmmmmm Jayyyyyyyyyy!”

Mary Jo has been a staple of the NASCAR community's front page for nearly a year, the matriarch if you will. Her profile, sitting in the number one writer’s position is a familiar reminder of what we as members strive for.

Her articles demand attention, because she is just that good. People from other communities stand up and take notice to a “sport they don’t even follow” based on her ability to create journalistic masterpieces time after time.

On the sporting totem pole NASCAR can be a tough avenue to follow, much less write about. Despite its claim of being in the back seat to Football as the most followed sport in America, it is one that people love to debate.

Rarely does one dabble in the art of stock car racing, you either love it or hate it. People on either side of the fence will argue to the death over their beliefs. Nobody can fight the good fight better than MJ.

Her vast knowledge of the sport is a force to be reckoned with. Come prepared for battle if you plan on challenging her. MJ will not only school you, she will present it in a manner that makes you glad that you were wrong.

She is more than a connoisseur, she is a teacher. Captivating the reader by offering up fact filled lessons through a well thought out curriculum. She is now and will always be the face of the B/R NASCAR community.

She is class personified in my book. She took me under her wing after publishing my first article nine months ago and has never faltered. She was my go to girl for advice or help, but more importantly she was there as a friend.

I knew early on just how special a person she would be in my life. Within the first couple of weeks of "meeting" on Bleacher Report, she and her husband invited me to join up with them in Dover for the race weekend.

I remember being a bit taken aback in the fact that a perfect “stranger” was offering up such hospitality. Living in a city where people seemingly go out of their way to make things miserable for thy “neighbor,” it was a refreshing change. I quickly learned that it was just MJ’s natural way, her kindness is infectious and her intentions pure.

Under her watch the NASCAR community has grown to over 1300 members. As a community leader she always led by example, producing quality original work and engaging readers in thousands of open ended conversations, proving that you always get what you give.

There will never be another just like her.

She is the star that I look towards as a guiding light to navigate me homeward, one that will forever shimmer a little brighter than the rest.

Thank you for everything that you’ve done, yours will be a tough act to follow but it is with great honor and respect that I accept the torch.

While MJ is stepping down as one of the NASCAR Community Leaders, rest assured she will still be producing high caliber content.

MJ, you are simply the best, shine on sister!

To the readers, please do not award this article POTD, it is simply a dedication to one remarkable lady!

Is Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jinxed? The Lore Of The Sports Illustrated Curse

Kara Martin — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:28:51 -0400

Since its first publication in 1954, Sports Illustrated has taken us into the lives of our favorite athletes and teams. Making the cover of SI is a sure sign of success in the sporting world, but it has also proven to be a curse for some who have graced its cover.

Milwaukee Braves third baseman Eddie Mathews was SI’s first cover subject on Aug. 16, 1954.

One week to the day after the cover date, Mathews became the first victim of the "jinx," suffering a hand injury that forced him to miss seven games.

Hailed for his "perfect swing," it was thought to be that Mathews would be the next Babe Ruth, but that was the year that Hank Aaron joined Mathews in Milwaukee and would eclipse Ruth’s record of 714 home runs.

Over the next six decades, numerous athletes would adorn the cover of sporting’s most coveted magazine only to meet with an unlucky fate.

SI's 1958 Indy 500 preview on May 26 featured Pat O'Connor on the cover. Four days later, he was killed in a 15-car pileup during the first lap.

Laurence Owen appeared on the Feb. 13 cover in 1961, billed as “America’s Most Exciting Girl Skater." Two days after the cover date, Owen and the rest of the U.S. skating team perished in a plane crash.

Evel Knievel, after the Sept. 2, 1974 preview of his much-heralded canyon leap, fails miserably and thereafter loses much of his mystique.

The Washington Redskins were on the Dec. 18, 1982 cover. They were undefeated until they played the Dallas Cowboys that week and lost, 24-10.

A week after his appearance on the March 8, 1999 issue, Dennis Rodman missed four Lakers games and then took a leave of absence to address "personal matters." He filed for divorce on April 6. Los Angeles released him from the team on April 15.

In January 2002, Alexander Wolff, a senior writer for SI, did an entire story on the SI jinx entitled “The Cover that No One Would Pose for. Is the SI Curse for Real?”

Kurt Warner was asked to pose for the cover with a black cat. Familiar with the potential curse, the (ironically) No. 13-wearing Warner refused, and the cover was published with nothing more than a black cat.

The thought of photographing the cat that superstitions are made of even unnerved the photographers of SI. After “auditioning” several all black felines, they chose one with a small white patch on his chest that was later airbrushed out for the final cover.

Wolff painstakingly went through virtually every one of the 2,456 covers, uncovering 913 “jinxes”—demonstrable misfortune or decline in performance following a cover appearance 37.2 percent of the time.

Sports psychologist Jim Loehr, who works with professional athletes on this very matter, calls it "a failure to efficiently metabolize heightened expectations."

The SI Curse has been silent for many years, but I am sure of you looked hard enough you would see that pestilence has continued to haunt athletes worldwide.

With rumors swirling as to what has happened to Dale Earnhardt Jr., it got me thinking. Maybe Junior is jinxed?!

What? It could happen!

In 2008, he got the double-whammy of voodoo by not only appearing on the February issue of SI, but by getting behind the wheel of a green car!

Race car drivers have shared a bias against the color green for decades. Reportedly, it began after a 1920 accident in Beverly Hills, Calif. that killed defending Indianapolis 500 champion Gaston Chevrolet.

It was the first known racing accident in the United States to kill two drivers, and Chevrolet reportedly was driving a green car.

Earnhardt Jr. started the 2008 season with his new Hendrick Motorsports team on the right foot by winning the Budweiser Shootout on February 9 and the Gatorade Duel 1 on February 14.

He took home a top 10 finish at the Daytona 500 on February 17.

The Sports Illustrated cover featuring Earnhardt Jr. draped across the hood of his new Amp sponsored Chevrolet hit newsstands on February 18.

The following week he finished 40th at Fontana.

During the 2008 season, Junior would only win one points race and finish 12th in the Chase.

It has proven to be an unlucky streak that has followed him into the 2009 season.

Some will be quick to remind me that Earnhardt Jr. has appeared on or has been mentioned on more than one SI cover and some of his misfortune really wasn’t that bad, was it?

I will let you, dear readers, make that decision for yourselves. I have merely laid out the facts as I see them. I may be grasping at straws, but it is, in my opinion, a theory that makes as much sense as every other one out there.

On Dec. 1, 2000, Earnhardt Jr. made his SI cover debut by posing alongside his father. Just two months later as the 2001 season got underway, Earnhardt Sr. was killed on the last lap of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18.

Junior raced at Rockingham the following weekend, but finished 43rd, after a wreck that looked eerily similar to his father's crash just one week earlier.

After his appearance on the July 2, 2002 cover, he would only go on to win once in the second half of the season, at Talladega. Critics began to speculate that Junior could only win on the restrictor plate tracks.

After struggling with bad finishes, Junior admitted in September to a concussion that he had sustained at Fontana earlier that year.

Posing with Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch on the Dec. 11, 2002 cover must have diverted some of Junior’s misfortune.

Earnhardt’s 2003 season was his best. He scored a record-breaking fourth consecutive win at Talladega, finished third in the points standings, and took home the NMPA Most Popular Driver Award for the first time in his career.

On Dec. 17, 2003, Earnhardt Jr. appeared on a special SI collector’s edition. The Earnhardt family had won the People’s Choice fan poll, which seemed to bring him luck. On Feb. 15, 2004 Junior won the Daytona 500, six years to the day that his father had won his only 500 title.

Junior appeared two more times that year, once in a small header on Feb. 23 announcing his win in Daytona, stealing the spotlight from cover boy Alex Rodriguez, who would later find himself “cursed” and again on May 26.

On July 18, during an off-weekend from NASCAR, Earnhardt Jr. crashed his Chevrolet Corvette during a practice for the American Le Mans Series Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway.

The car slid off course and hit a concrete barrier during warm-up the day of the race, rupturing a fuel line and causing the car to burst into flames with Earnhardt Jr. inside.

He suffered second and third degree burns on his neck, chin and legs. The burns prevented him from finishing two Cup Series races where he was replaced by Martin Truex Jr. and his DEI teammate John Andretti in mid-race.

Despite a career-high of winning six Cup races that year, Junior would finish fifth in the points standings, thanks in part to NASCAR for penalizing him 25 championship points for using obscene language during the television broadcast and two consecutive DNFs during the Chase.

At the end of the 2004 season, it was announced that his long-time crew chief Tony Eury Sr. was being promoted to the team manager position at DEI.

Earnhardt’s Budweiser Chevy was featured along with other Daytona drivers on the Feb. 28, 2005 cover.

The season would prove to be one of Earnhardt’s worst to date as he changed crew chiefs three times and pulled out a lone win in Chicagoland.

He was eliminated from any hopes of making the Chase after suffering an engine failure at the California Speedway.

He shared the cover once again on Dec. 5, 2007, this time with his fellow HMS teammates Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Casey Mears. As mentioned above, the 2008 season started out promising but would quickly take a nosedive after appearing solo on the cover in February 2008.

Mears certainly suffered from the curse as he was released by HMS at the end of the season with Mark Martin taking over his ride.

While it may seem implausible to some that an article written in 2008 could still be affecting Junior in such a negative way. I say bring on the garlic necklaces and kryptonite. The SI Curse knows no limits and has no steadfast rules.

Basketball great, Michael Jordan appeared on the cover a record 51 times before he was plagued with trouble, proving that no one is immune. On Jan. 14, 2002, as SI went to press, news reports came out that cover boy Michael Jordan’s wife had filed for divorce.

So what if they reconciled shortly thereafter? The damage had already been done. Jordan and his wife sailed the uncertain seas of deceptive wedlock for another four years before finally calling it quits for good in 2006.

My advice to Junior and his crew: Feng Shui the hell out of that garage area to get some positive vibes flowing, start practicing Santeria, put a bone through your nose for all I care, I won’t judge!

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Jeremy Mayfield Vs. NASCAR: A Lesson in Pharmacology and Fallacy

Kara Martin — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:08:53 -0400

"Winning by conquest what the first man lost, By fallacy surprised."—Milton.

On Tuesday, June 2, NASCAR took action to move Jeremy Mayfield’s challenge of his indefinite suspension from a North Carolina Superior Court to federal court.

The change of venue came just one day before arguments pertaining to Mayfield's suspension for failing a random drug test were scheduled to be heard in the Mecklenburg County Court.

Mayfield will now have to wait at least two additional weeks for his day in court because the federal judge assigned to the case, Graham Mullen, is on vacation.

Talk about kicking a man when he’s down.

Since Mayfield is unable to race, he isn’t getting paid.

Mayfield’s lawyer, Bill Diehl, said money lost by Mayfield during his suspension from the track will be included in the suit. He said the new delay will figure into the settlement, stating, "That'll be in the equation. We have a claim to get him back on the track. We have a claim to pay damages.”

Mayfield initially filed for the restraining order on Friday, May 29. Because it already was too late for Mayfield to compete at Dover, North Carolina Superior Court Judge Forrest Bridges scheduled a hearing for Wednesday to give NASCAR attorneys more time to prepare.

NASCAR representative Paul Hendrick said his firm was not notified of Friday's hearing until about 5:00 p.m. Thursday.

Diehl saw the change of venue as another delay tactic.

"Maybe they felt like they were going to lose," he said. "I don't see an advantage to them being in federal court. The whole removal thing is in place because if you're a citizen of some place other than the state where your lawsuit is brought, there is the notion maybe you'll be treated better if you go to federal court.

"I just don't think that really exists anymore. There are good judges in state court, good judges in federal court. The rules are essentially the same unless they felt they were not going to be treated fairly."

Ramsey Poston, a spokesman for NASCAR, said the change was requested because "administration of NASCAR's substance-abuse policy extends to every state in which it races, which is why the logical forum is federal court."

Diehl said there is nothing further NASCAR can dig up that will help its case.

"If they are right, then people that get [positive] drug test results can't do anything about them," he said. "It doesn't matter if they are tested properly or not. They take the position it's NASCAR, we can do anything we want.

"We don't think that is the law. And if it is, it should change."

It was revealed last week that Mayfield had tested positive for amphetamines. He and his attorneys maintain that the positive test was the result of combining allergy medication Claritin-D with Adderall, an amphetamine-like drug Mayfield takes to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Mayfield’s revelation of living with ADHD is complicated. I don’t know how things work in NASCAR, but I do know that “in the real world,” potential employers have no right to know that a prospective employee has ADHD.

By definition this is a condition that has its onset during childhood, but it is not uncommon from an adult to suffer from similar symptoms.

Adults are often treated with the same medications used to treat children with the disorder.

Common medications are often classified as “stimulants.” These medications increase the release or block the reabsorption of dopamine and norepinephrine, two brain neurotransmitters. This increases the transmission between certain neurons.

Generally, stimulants effectively decrease inattention, distractibility, overactivity, and impulsivity in three-quarters of individuals with ADHD.

Some worry about the potential to become addicted to stimulants. If individuals take their medication as prescribed, the potential for addiction to amphetamines is fairly low.

A study published in Pediatrics in 1999 showed that individuals with ADHD who were treated with stimulant medication had a lower risk of drug abuse than ADHD individuals who had not taken medication.

Medication for ADHD is not dispensed cavalierly. A careful history and mental status examination before starting an adult or child on stimulant medication is imperative for proper diagnosis and treatment options.

The Claritin-D in his system could have also produced a “false positive” result. The “D,” of course, stands for the decongestant pseudoephedrine.

Products containing pseudoephedrine were taken off the shelves in mid-2006 and placed behind the counter. A consumer must now present identification in order to purchase any product with this ingredient in it and can only buy a limited quantity at a time.

Why the inconvenience? Because pseudoephedrine was relatively inexpensive and easy to acquire as a base ingredient for making methamphetamine. Meth, as this drug is more commonly known, is a very dangerous and highly addictive drug, both in its production and use.

When a product containing pseudoephedrine is taken, the drug causes an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and causes bronchodilation and restriction of the mucous membranes of the nasal passages. When used to treat cold and cough or congestion and taken per the packaged instructions, it is a safe and effective medication.

It is now being reported that Mayfield tested positive for three drugs, with Adderall and Claritin-D satisfactorily explained.

Paul Hendrick described the third drug as a "dangerous, illegal, banned substance,'' adding that allowing Mayfield back in a car would be dangerous for the driver, fellow competitors, and fans. He also said a restraining order would hurt the control NASCAR has over the entire testing procedure.

So what about this third drug? What could it possibly be?

According to the lawsuit, Mayfield was asked whether he had used any inhalants.

He responded that he had inhaled a significant amount of fumes after being involved in a fiery wreck at Talladega in late April.

Dr. David Black, the administrator of NASCAR's drug-testing program, has repeatedly rejected Mayfield's explanation.

On the street, inhalants are often called whippets, poppers, or snappers. They are breathable chemical vapors that users intentionally inhale because of the chemicals' mind-altering effects. The substances inhaled are often common household products that contain volatile solvents or aerosols.

Most inhalants produce a rapid high that resembles alcohol intoxication. If sufficient amounts are inhaled, nearly all solvents and gases produce a loss of sensation, and even unconsciousness.

No toxicology reports were submitted by either Mayfield or NASCAR, and the gag order has prevented further elaboration on Hendrick's claim.

Mayfield is seeking damages against NASCAR for defamation, discrimination against someone with a disability, and for negligence in not handling the drug test properly. He specifically named in his suit NASCAR chairman Brian France and Dr. David Black for comments they have made about the case.

"France and Black made such statements out of spite, personal ill will, and personal malice toward Mayfield with the express intention of damaging his personal and business reputation and making him an example of NASCAR's power to suspend a driver/team owner, based upon numerous violations of its flawed drug policy," he claimed.

Also listed as defendants are: NASCAR; Aegis Sciences Corp., which conducts the sport's drug testing; and Douglas F. Aukerman, the program's medical review officer.

It has been over a month now since Mayfield failed his random drug test, and by the looks of things, there will not be a prompt ruling on this case.

NASCAR fans, dig your heels in and hold on—it's getting ugly out there!

UPDATE: June 5, 7:21 pm. "NASCAR filed a countersuit against Jeremy Mayfield on Friday, accusing the suspended Sprint Cup driver of willfully violating the substance abuse policy, breach of contract and defrauding competitors of earnings."

"The suit stated that Mayfield knowingly participated in sanctioned competition using a combination of drugs in violation of the substance abuse policy that he agreed to follow."

"And in doing so violated his contract with NASCAR and the standards of care for other drivers," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said from Pocono Raceway.

Poston would not comment about Adderall or amphetamines. North Carolina Superior Judge Forrest Bridges placed a gag order on both sides from discussing details of the substances last Friday.

Poston also would not say whether Adderall is considered a banned substance on NASCAR's list. But in the countersuit there are two paragraphs, one referring to an illegal drug that is blacked out and another to a drug that also is on the banned list.

"NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy prohibits excessive levels of [blacked out]," the suit said. "[Blacked out] use suppresses fatigue, increases alertness, enhances psychomotor performance, and produces euphoria.

"Mild [blacked out] produces insomnia, increased blood pressure and pulse rate, excitation, hyperactive reflexes, and palpitations. More serious side effects include paranoia, aggressive behavior and psychosis.''

The policy also states that "to the extent that the use of any substance, including properly prescribed prescription drugs and properly over-the-counter medicines, causes a competitor or official to have a competitive advantage or diminished or impaired ability to perform his or her duties on the day of an event, those substances shall be deemed to be prohibited substances for the purposes of this policy."

The suit states that Mayfield signed an agreement to abide by the sanctioning body's policy on February 5.

"Mayfield's willful misconduct at the track in which he competed while an illegal substance was still in his system is evidence he presented a danger to himself and others," Poston said.

Sources for the updated information can be found on ESPN.com and NASCAR.com

Mayfield's lawsuit can be viewed at here

NASCAR's counterclaim can be viewed here

NASCAR Press Release: Double-File Restarts To Begin In Pocono.

Kara Martin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:48:01 -0400

Daytona Beach, Fl. (June 4) — The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) today announced a change to its race format with the addition of “Double-File Restarts—Shootout Style” throughout each race. Beginning with this weekend at Pocono Raceway, the first and second-place drivers will line up side-by-side as the green flag flies for each restart.

“We’ve heard the fans loud and clear: ‘double-file restarts—shootout style’ are coming to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “This addition to the race format is good for competition and good for the fans.”

“I’m excited about it,” said two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart. “The good thing is that when they drop the green, you’re going to be racing with the guys you’re racing for position instead of trying to clear lapped cars.

“Since NASCAR has adapted the ‘free pass,’ I think that’s something that now justifies being able to put those lapped cars to the back and let them race with each other, and let the guys who are racing on the lead lap do the same. I’m behind NASCAR 100 percent on this.”

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick said, “I think it’s great that NASCAR is listening to the fans. These new restart procedures are going to make our sport even more exciting than it already is. This will not only benefit the lead lap cars, but also the cars that go a lap down, so you get the best of both worlds.”

NASCAR recently used the “double-file” format for its non-points NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, which produced an unpredictable finish.

The format will be adapted for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in the near future. Under the previous format, cars on the lead lap would restart in a single-file line while cars that had been lapped would start in a line next to them.

Under the new format, the race leader will have the option to restart on the inside or outside lane. The second-place driver would then restart next to the leader. Regardless of where the leader starts, drivers in odd number positions (third, fifth, seventh places, etc.) will restart on the inside lane, while drivers in even number positions (fourth, sixth, eighth places, etc.) will restart on the outside.

All restarts will use the same format regardless of the number of laps remaining in the race.

The first-place driver will continue to control the timing of restarts in a designated zone on the track. Likewise, cars are to stay in line until they reach the start/finish line. The first eligible car a lap or more down will continue to earn one lap back following a caution, which is known as the “free pass.”

However, a new element beginning this week will be that the “free pass” will remain in effect the entire race.

Lapped cars choosing to remain on the track will be “waved around” the caution car and will restart the race in respective track position, thus picking up a lap to the leader provided the leader also pits. This will also remove lapped cars from behind the pace car, allowing the leaders to take the green without interference.

Source: Nascar Media, consent granted for immediate release.

03:48pm EST

Ramsey Poston, NASCAR Public Relations.

This is in no way a Kara Martin orginial, just the facts this time folks.