FYI WIRZ: NASCAR 2012 Sprint Media Tour Always Upbeat, Some Announcements Big

It’s hard to find negative aspects to scheduled team, sanction and communication events at the NASCAR 2012 Sprint Media Tour presented by Charlotte Motor Speedway in late January, because it’s usually a hopeful preview to a bright season from all. But some announcements are more significant than others.

Optimism is contagious when the slate is clean and NASCAR teams have made many adjustments for 2012. No one can predict what the shifting of crew chiefs and drivers will mean to team chemistry and production on the track. But many teams are confident.

For 230 fortunate members of the worldwide media attending the Sprint Media Tour announcements and professional energy were hurled their way in a whirlwind four day agenda. In the end, much had transpired.

As for the big beginning, that first green flag in Daytona looms closer day after day. At 1:00 p.m. on Feb. 26 in Daytona International Speedway, FOX will bring the action in HD for the millions unable to attend.

Before that anticipated moment, a look at more of the poignant and focused moments on the Sprint Cup Media Tour might interest eager fans.

AT the JTD Racing breakfast Brad Daugherty, co-owner of JTG Daugherty Racing, commented on the team’s momentum and enthusiasm for the new season.

“We are proud to say we have had a good off season,” said Daugherty. “I think we have, through lots of growing pains, all of the right people in place to have a shot at being successful. I would be very disappointed if we weren’t a top-20 race team this year.”

SMI chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports Inc. announced that Kentucky Speedway traffic debacle is to be fixed by purchase and development of many acres of adjacent land. The inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race last June was plagued by parking and access gridlock owing to a swarm of fans.

“I think we should do it over and have the second inaugural race this June,” said Bruton Smith, chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports Inc., which owns Kentucky Speedway. “We will do everything we can to get back to what we have always called being fan friendly and we will work hard to prove ourselves.”

At the Furniture Row Motorsports lunch the Colorado-based team showcased another Smith—Regan not Bruton.

“We sat here last year talking to everyone and I said I felt like this team could win a race,” said Smith. “Some of you agreed with me and some of you looked at me like I had a third eye. But, at the end of day, I truly believed that. My win at Darlington helped elevate everyone’s confidence and we will continue to build on that success in 2012.”

Hendrick Motorsports always brings a host of super stars to any stage and they did not disappoint media members with comments from Rick Hendrick, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. New HMS driver Kasey Kahne could not attend owing to jury duty commitment.

Rick Hendrick was quick to share his thoughts about 2012.

“I’m going to be really disappointed if we don’t have all four cars in the Chase and I’m going to be really disappointed if we don’t win the championship,” team owner Rick Hendrick said. “I can’t remember having four teams this solid, this strong, at the beginning of the year.”

“I think we’re as prepared as we’ve ever been and if we don’t get it (the championship) it's going to be our fault,” Hendrick said.

Jeff Gordon defined the role for HMS drivers.

“As drivers, when you come to work for Hendrick Motorsports,” Gordon said. “You know you better step up your game. You need to put your game face on.”

Jimmie Johnson described his determination.

“I’m as hungry as I’ve ever been,” Johnson said. “I certainly know what my team is capable of and I know what I’m capable of and I have lofty goals for myself this year.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. spoke about the break in racing from November to February.

“We were working with some ideas that Kenny Francis had started bringing to the table and just as a team we were continuously improving and learning things about the cars,” Earnhardt said. “I thought if we could have had three or four more weeks of racing then we could continue to improve.

“It is good to have the time off, but at the same time we were continuing to build and get better and that was something that you hate to have to stop,”

Jeff Gordon also commented on Kasey Kahne’s absence from the HMS media event.

“For anybody that questions the privileges that NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers get along the way and the celebrity that we may have, I think Kasey Kahne is a perfect example,” Gordon said. “Not being able to get out of jury duty is where we stand.”

NHRA and NASCAR work their race schedules so that no location conflict hurts either, but SMI CEO Bruton Smith has a significant influence in drag racing with drag strips in Bristol, Tenn., Las Vegas, Nev., Sonoma, Calif, and zMAX dragway in Charlotte, N.C.

NHRA announced at the tour that they will be honoring will be many multi-generational racers with its Nitro Generation promotion in 2012.

NHRA President Tom Compton explained.

“This year we are celebrating what we call Nitro Generation,” Compton said. “It’s the history of NHRA racers passing their passion down from generation to generation. The Bernsteins, the Coughlins, the Forces, the Johnsons, the Kalittas. The list goes on.”

NHRA has probably been a gender innovator in driving ranks over the years and that lead has expanded to the Funny Car class with Courtney Force and Alexis DeJoria embarking on their rookie campaigns.

Courtney Force talked about her famous dad and the fast road to the pro ranks.

“He (John Force) didn’t want me to jump in before I was ready. I did race the past six years, three years in Super Comp and three in Top Alcohol Dragster,” the youngest Force said. “It’s going to be fun (in 2012). I just want to get out there.

“I don’t want to get my expectations too far ahead of me, but obviously I want to win,” she added.

Some brave media were challenged by racing new mustangs down the all concrete drag strip at zMAX Dragway.

The final elimination round had Mike Neff from Frontstretch.com lined up with Duane Nelson from WTFM in Kingsport, Tenn. Neff emerged victorious.

This second in a series, highlights of the Sprint Cup Media Tour, will be followed by a final analysis of what happened on the tour that will influence the 2012 NASCAR season.

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of motorsports topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained from personal interviews or official release materials provided by sanctions, teams or track representatives. Photo credit: Dwight Drum at Racetake.com