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March 18, 2008
A Podium Finish for RCR
By Keith Ott
It’s too bad NASCAR doesn’t implement a podium style awards ceremony for the top 3 finishers. Then again, as I type that, I have to consider that sometimes it’s better if 1, 2, and 3 don’t see each other before a cooling down period, lest they find something else to do with those champagne bottles. But, if they did a podium, it certainly would have been a great picture to hang over the RCR mantelpiece. Well done, RCR!
I have a bunch of opinions on the race coverage. I enjoyed not hearing Waltrip yapping the whole event, but I also noticed something missing. He may be annoying, but he annoyingly covers pretty much the whole field. Edwards, Kahne, Biffle, or anyone not named Earnhardt, Busch, Johnson or Gordon, and everyone else not driving a Toyota, were pretty much invisible most of the day. So, while Boogity is on my shite list, and I will cringe every time he makes up a new word, I guess being annoyed is better than missing out.
Miscellaneous coverage notes: Oh no, you did not try to sneak in that ridiculous FOX3d crap in, did you? I don’t care how many freakin’ military grade GPS units you have in the damn car, it’s still a gimmick. How can you not have full coverage at Bristol? Lose the GPS and buy more damn cameras. While you’re at it, lose the “Digger” cartoon. Keep the camera; lose the cartoon. I know your “New” target demographic has let you down, but, face it, the 6 and under crowd isn’t known for their disposable income yet. Disposable diapers, yes, income, no.
I thought the “progressive banking” was working well. At one point, I had a race note saying maybe it was working too well. The race was pretty tame at that time, and certainly did not have the character of a Bristol event. But, as every man knows, and yes ladies, this is passed down through our DNA, even the tamest of ladies is one miscue away from b-slapping you with a frying pan. True to its DNA, Bristol managed to get in a few good licks.
Speaking of “Good Licks,” is the CON too tough? I guess the answer is no, if you’re the official Tape and Adhesive supplier of NASCAR (Do they have one?), but I wonder about all these wounded cars having an effect on the racing. It was showing up at Bristol, but, maybe that’s just because it’s Bristol.
Will we be seeing a new TV show, “My Name is Rick,” where he lists all his unpardoned sins and corrects them to assuage his Karma? It’s doubtful. Hendrick cars aren’t running that bad. They’re just running bad if you compare them to themselves last season. It’s not karma, but competition that is steering this ship. Other teams have simply caught up on the CON. We won’t be seeing 17 wins this season, but they’ll get their share.
Now it’s on to Martinsville. It’s not my favorite track, but they do indeed have a pink hotdog.
March 18, 2008 | Permalink
Comments
I am still pissed of at FOX about the lack of Dale Jarrett retirement coverage and over exposure to the stupid gopher and the DW car deal. Great car, great history, and honestly a great idea but I think FOX did it because DJ is going to ESPN and they didn't want to hit on it.
Nice post my blog brother.
Posted by: Mark Young | Mar 18, 2008 11:58:42 AM
Mark,
If they treated Dale as a rival persona, then it was wrong, he deserved the respect of the retiring warrior he is. But, I'm gonna give Fox a possible out. I think they may have gotten caught up in the whole Waltrip thing, and were totally unprepared for Dale. They simply had nothing ready to air. Even with network wars, I can't see Waltrip upstaging a fellow Champion unless the wheels couldn't be stopped. Being unprepared is no real excuse, but it's better than thinking they actually contrived to minimalize it.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 18, 2008 12:14:23 PM
Keith,
Sorry, but I don't know how Fox could not have been prepared. Everyone has known for months that this would be DJ's last points race. Sorry again, but IMO Waltrip's ego is big enough for him to WANT to upstage a fellow Champion. And why didn't Waltrip give up his commentator seat to someone who could actually commentate on Sunday?
I guess my dislike for DW and Fox is showing. Hopefully Fox is planning a celebration of DJ's career during coverage of the All-Star race. Whoops, guess not. I just remembered that SPEED is covering that race.
Posted by: Diane | Mar 18, 2008 12:28:25 PM
I am not even going to get Darrell into this. He had nothing to do with it and had he know I bet he would have pushed it out and let DJ get his due.
DW might be annoying on TV but he is a good person and a gentleman.
Posted by: Mark Young | Mar 18, 2008 12:50:43 PM
Mark - I appreciate your opinion of Darrell. Mine just happens to be different.
Posted by: Diane | Mar 18, 2008 12:55:17 PM
LOL, so how about that Bristol race?
Posted by: Keith | Mar 18, 2008 12:56:59 PM
Diane,
Fox should have pulled him from the booth. It's nice he wanted to soldier on, but FOX could have pulled someone from the pits to cover his portion. What, Fox doesn't have sick days?
Posted by: Keith | Mar 18, 2008 12:59:46 PM
Down the road DW will remind us all what a great job he did at Bristol.Good job by RCR.And will be looking forward to DJ in the booth...
Posted by: bandit | Mar 18, 2008 3:43:32 PM
bandit,
DW "reminding us" is another reason DJ probably didn't take as much heat for the "Champions Provisional" abuse as DW did. DW was all me, me, me, it was for him, and, while I still think the CP needs to be fixed, Jarrett was doing it for the team. I'm sure he enjoyed the money, and would have liked a win, but you never got the feeling it was for his glory.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 18, 2008 4:04:52 PM
Love the disposable diapers reference. Thinking of anyone in particular there? ;) Overall I thought Bristol was a great race but you're right about the crappy coverage of the entire field. There was tons of passing going on by the "unmentionables" but Fox could barely be bothered to show it. Admittedly Junior is off to a great start this year so there's little wonder he's getting lots of attention, but so is Greg Biffle and he drives 99% sideways like Kyle Busch so I would've loved to see more of his racing on TV. Same for Kahne, who passed a ton of cars on Sunday but didn't get much coverage and no post-race interview. Luckily Fox interviewed Almirola, who did great, but why not Gilliland as well? They're not my favorites but I always want to hear from newer guys like them when they have solid top 10 runs, especially at a tough track like Bristol.
Posted by: Kari | Mar 18, 2008 4:09:26 PM
Kari,
LOL, maybe you should grab you a couple of those digger shirts.
Almirola had an awesome day. Eighth in the number eight. I wonder if that was staged ;)
Maybe, since they have about 50 Sprint "text msg" votes already, they could have a quick "fan interview choice" at the end.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 18, 2008 4:27:23 PM
Keith - I loved your post at: Mar 18, 2008 4:04:52 PM. That me, me, me thing is exactly why I don't like DW. His ego IMO has blurred my memory of his driving ability.
My favorite memory of this Bristol race will be the good job by Aric Almirola. He has been a favorite of mine since I heard his first NASCAR interview. Nice kid.
Posted by: Diane | Mar 18, 2008 5:21:14 PM
Diane,
LOL, his ego has blurred his own memory of his driving, but I still don't think he'd purposely slight DJ.
Another nice thing from Bristol is that I'm not getting up tomorrow wondering what the fines and penalties will be.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 18, 2008 6:17:46 PM
Funny you should mention that Chief....3M Company, formerly Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company...Nascar Official Tape...Nothing against Shuretape(NC Company)...I just prefer 3M...Remember If the Ladies don't find ya handsome, At least they'll find ya handy(Red Green)
Posted by: Fan #5 | Mar 18, 2008 7:53:00 PM
#5,
I was certain they had one. They market everything. They may do a NASCAR "Daytona Brand" Viagara. If Daytona don't get ya standing, Nothing will. I could carry that thought into sleeping aides, but I pick on Fontana enough; )
Posted by: Keith | Mar 18, 2008 8:33:57 PM
Keith -- The podium celebration is a European concept, borrowed from the Olympic Games and its gold-silver-bronze medal format. International racing was once much more nationalistic than nowadays, with official colors for the racing cars -- red for Italy, British Racing Green for Great Britain, silver for Germany, etc.
Only recently has any American series officially recognized the top three; racing in America has always celebrated the winner. CART/Champ Car and, curiously, the now-defunct ASA stock car series have used it and it's a sports car staple.
The podium is fine for Formula One, and the acknowledgement of RCR's 1-2-3 sweep is duly noted, but personally, I prefer that American oval racing series keep their winners-only victory lane concept.
Posted by: David Green | Mar 18, 2008 9:56:42 PM
David,
LOL, it was only an intellectual exercise brought about by the 1-2-3 finish. You have to admit it would have made a great picture. But, you're right. In American racing, 2nd place is the first loser, and, while 2nd place had a great day, to the victor go the spoils.
However, I do think that, were I Mr. Childress, and my teams went 1-2-3, I would have had a triple burnout at the fence, and then Jeff gets his victory lap.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 18, 2008 10:27:13 PM
While Harvick was doing a post race interview someone said something to him.It was insulting,i guess,because Harvick stared at him but bit his tongue.Nascar victory lane showed this and Jimmy Spencer made mention of the guy's remarks.Does anyone know what he said to Hsrvick.He must be a Stewart fan.
Posted by: waynethemainbrain | Mar 19, 2008 12:03:03 AM
One reason I'm a Burton fan is that he DOESN'T do burnouts. He gets the flag and does a victory lap, just as drivers have done for decades.
I liked the race. There was always plenty of close racing in the top ten, and a lot of it made it onto TV.
Posted by: Doug in CA | Mar 19, 2008 12:45:52 AM
Bristol is Bristol, good hardcore racing, and that's why there should be more tracks like it.
Doug: I also applaud Burton's lack of a burnout. Mark Martin also shuns burnouts. They have respect for the horse that brought them to victory land.
Posted by: Rich | Mar 19, 2008 7:16:40 AM
Doug, Rich,
I was just thinking about the photo op.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 19, 2008 8:29:47 AM
wayne,
I missed that. I know Harvick was mad at Stewart's spotter being all big and brave atop the grandstand.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 19, 2008 8:32:16 AM
W...brain,
This doesn't answer your question but Kevin did call a Washington Post reporter ignorant for asking a question that in his opinion he'd previously answered in the post-race interview.
Posted by: Jon2 | Mar 19, 2008 11:19:28 AM
Did anyone here hear Tony and Kevin on Tony's Sirius show on Monday? I'm wondering if they mentioned the incident on Sunday.
Posted by: Doug in CA | Mar 19, 2008 11:19:38 AM
Doug in CA - I listened to part of Tony's show on Monday. Everything was fine with Kevin and Tony. Tony said he trusted Kevin on the track as much as he trusted any other driver.
They also waxed Tony's back for charity. Hilarious. You can listen to parts of the show at: www.sirius.com/nascar.
Posted by: Diane | Mar 19, 2008 11:48:50 AM
Diane,
As long as it wasn't a bikini wax
Posted by: Keith | Mar 19, 2008 12:08:54 PM
Keith,
No bikini, but they wanted him to wear something really revealing. He declined and wore a pair of shorts (not underwear shorts). You can imagine that there was some off-color jokes and language during the show. LOL.
Posted by: Diane | Mar 19, 2008 12:27:08 PM
Diane,
I bet there was. Maybe some pics will pop up on the internet.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 19, 2008 12:55:01 PM
Those are pics I never, ever, ever want to see! Tony is clearly not only one of the most generous guys in the sport, but also the most game!
Posted by: Kari | Mar 19, 2008 1:23:21 PM
Todays thought is that Petty Enterprises took the high road by not swapping owner points so Kyle could make the T35. Of course that makes me wonder why NASCAR doesn't close this loophole. The T35 is the lamest rule in all of racing. There's no need to compound it's lameness by letting teams swap points to make the show.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 19, 2008 3:04:24 PM
Amen, brother Keith. I preface this with my usual comment that I dislike the T35 rule, and any suggestions I have would be withdrawn instantly if the T35 itself vanished.
First, I'm not all that sure how owner points are awarded when qualifying is rained out. Seems to me that with Daytona's weird system and two of the other four qualifying sessions being rained out, new teams were at an incredible disadvantage this year in trying to crack the top 35.
Second, wouldn't it make it slightly less stupid if swaps like this could be done prior to Daytona only? What if team XY Racing had two cars, one in 35th, the other in 36th, and they swapped positions after a race? Could they swap back and forth? After every race? This midseason thing, combined with the past champ rule, is ludicrous. Congratulations to Kyle Petty for giving Bobby Labonte his rightful starting privileges.
Posted by: Doug in CA | Mar 19, 2008 6:23:58 PM
You all rock my world, I'm laughing like to die Thank You all I needed it tonight.
Everyone is "on", great posts and great reading - Thanks!
Posted by: JWSmoke | Mar 20, 2008 9:40:59 PM
Rich, they tried to build another Bristol on Staten Island. didn't pan out.
Posted by: JWSmoke | Mar 20, 2008 9:48:23 PM
JWS,
If NASCAR has learned anything it should be not to build too many of one type of venue. They've beaten the 1.5mi horse to death, and they've lost too much variety as it is by closing some of the tracks of yore. New tracks should be unique.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 21, 2008 10:58:43 AM
Keith's right. Why not a track like in the movie "Speed," with a ramp in the backstretch so the cars have to jump a 30' gap in the pavement? Or an upside-down loop? Out here in SoCal, there was a race run in the early 20th century on a 3-mile circular track - not an oval, but a circle. One turn. All the time. How about a square track with 90 degree turns? For the traditionalists, how about a road course that's half paved, half dirt? Maybe a slalom course down the frontstretch?
(Hey - no Cup race this weekend. We need to talk about something, right?)
Posted by: Doug in CA | Mar 21, 2008 11:32:16 AM
Doug,
How the heck would Mikey get up enough speed to jump a 30' gap?
As for track innovations, how about we take the whole Fontana backstretch and modify it with right and lefts? Make it a road course so to speak.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 21, 2008 11:45:49 AM
Funny you mention that, Keith. About three weeks ago I went to Fontana to watch a friend race in vintage races. If there were 2500 people there - drivers, friends, spectators - I'd be surprised. We parked in the infield (the grandstands were closed) and walked over to a spot on the back where the cars went through a chicane. We're just leaning on the fence, maybe 20 yards from the track, with no one within 100 yards of us. Fontana's road course uses about 2/3 of the oval - they left the oval in the middle of the backstretch, did a hairpin to the left, down a straight with chicane, then another hairpin right, then straight until they rejoin the oval in turn 4. It was fun to see cars going fast without a huge crowd. The only negative was that there was no beer for sale, but you could wander through all the garages and see dozens and dozens of vintage race cars.
Posted by: Doug in CA | Mar 21, 2008 7:21:50 PM
