Well done NASCAR. The hightlight of your "Great American Race" wasn't the record 22 leaders, wasn't NACARS's most popular driver making a power move in the last few laps to take second, wasn't the 55 lead changes. The highlight didn't have to do with the very good race. It had to do with a hole in the track.
Twice competitive side by side racing was sent to pit road seeing red for about two and a half hours of parking. NASCAR and Daytona Speedway Officials should be embarrassed. Their Super Bowl was delayed because they can't maintain their hallowed grounds. This is equivalent to if the Super Bowl was delayed because the field goal posts kept falling down. Embarrassing. This is something they control. I understand if the race is delayed due to rain. Last year the race was cut short because of rain. I wasn't happy but that's something out of our control but track failure? Yes they did fix it, eventually but lets look at this mecca of racing. It hasn't been paved since 1978. Thirty two years! And the track wasn't scheduled to be re-paved until 2012. I think their plans will change.
I do need to give credit to the drivers and the fans. For the fans, way to stick it out. I've never been to Daytona, but the track I have been to, Bristol, didn't have too much going on in the building during the race. The drivers wanted to get back out there, hole or no hole. They gave interviews like they aways do. The one thing I love about NASCAR is the drivers care for the fans more than any other sport. The one small grip I do have is that none of the drivers ripped into Daytona Officials for allowing something like this to happen.
They wanted to put on a show and when they were on the track they did. The Dayton 500 always seems to deliver some dramatics and NASCAR may be turning the corner with these new cars and rules but we won't find out until we get to a track that historically hasn't had the most exciting racing. But first, NASCAR maybe you should make sure that your tracks are raceable.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Nascar in 2010
Backwards is a word you wouldn't want used in racing, pretty much ever. That's the word I'll use to describe the direction of NASCAR the past few years. I think they know it. That's why the brass has changed a number of rules, bringing back bump drafting and spoilers, to the new green-white finish rule. The car of tomorrow has received a fair amount of blame for boring racing. Mega teams such as Hendrick figure out the car and dominate and the C.O.T. makes it more about the car than the driver.
I agree the C.O.T. deserves blame but I'm going to blame the roads they drive on. Cookie Cutter Tracks like Chicago, Texas, Kansas, and Vegas has made racing boring. We already had similar tracks why make more and take away tracks like Rockingham and North Wilksboro or taking away a race from a track with great character like Darlington. Why? Better racing? No. $$$ Bigger track in more populated areas equal more money. I get it. I don't even know where North Wilksboro is. But I've been to Bristol, a half mile in the middle of no where. Great racing, great seats always packed to the brim. You don't need to have a mile and half track to sell seats, you need good racing which is why Bristol is always sold out.
Now to 2010. Will we see a five time champion? Will we see a woman break through and find success? I hope no to the first question and yes to the next even though I don't like Danica. Hendrick Motorsports always seems to figure out new cars quicker than other teams so Jimmy Johnson does have a great chance and his crew chief is the best in the business. That's also why Danica could be successful because she'll be running Hendrick's engines and chassis.
Prediction time:
Rookie of the Year: Brad Keselowski. The 26 year old won a big race last year and had 4 top tens in only 15 races. He is very aggressive. He reminds me a lot of Kyle Busch and he's got himself a nice ride with Penske Racing.
Comeback Driver: Kevin Harvick. He missed the chase last year. It was just a terrible year for Richard Childress Racing. He won the Bud Shootout giving that team confidence. Look for him to break his winless streak and contend in the chase.
Champion: I don't want to bed against Jimmy Johnson but the guys luck has to run out soon. Right? So I'll take Mark Martin. He's one of the smartest drivers, he was close last year, and he's running with the same parts as Johnson. If I guy ever deserved to finally win a championship its Mark Martin.
I hope race turns it around. Letting the guys be more racier, letting them talk a little trash. I think NASCAR is trying put it in the right direction but it'll take longer than this year. I think weather permitting the Dayton 500 will once again be a great race but it will come down to the cookie cutter tracks which take up most of the season.
I agree the C.O.T. deserves blame but I'm going to blame the roads they drive on. Cookie Cutter Tracks like Chicago, Texas, Kansas, and Vegas has made racing boring. We already had similar tracks why make more and take away tracks like Rockingham and North Wilksboro or taking away a race from a track with great character like Darlington. Why? Better racing? No. $$$ Bigger track in more populated areas equal more money. I get it. I don't even know where North Wilksboro is. But I've been to Bristol, a half mile in the middle of no where. Great racing, great seats always packed to the brim. You don't need to have a mile and half track to sell seats, you need good racing which is why Bristol is always sold out.
Now to 2010. Will we see a five time champion? Will we see a woman break through and find success? I hope no to the first question and yes to the next even though I don't like Danica. Hendrick Motorsports always seems to figure out new cars quicker than other teams so Jimmy Johnson does have a great chance and his crew chief is the best in the business. That's also why Danica could be successful because she'll be running Hendrick's engines and chassis.
Prediction time:
Rookie of the Year: Brad Keselowski. The 26 year old won a big race last year and had 4 top tens in only 15 races. He is very aggressive. He reminds me a lot of Kyle Busch and he's got himself a nice ride with Penske Racing.
Comeback Driver: Kevin Harvick. He missed the chase last year. It was just a terrible year for Richard Childress Racing. He won the Bud Shootout giving that team confidence. Look for him to break his winless streak and contend in the chase.
Champion: I don't want to bed against Jimmy Johnson but the guys luck has to run out soon. Right? So I'll take Mark Martin. He's one of the smartest drivers, he was close last year, and he's running with the same parts as Johnson. If I guy ever deserved to finally win a championship its Mark Martin.
I hope race turns it around. Letting the guys be more racier, letting them talk a little trash. I think NASCAR is trying put it in the right direction but it'll take longer than this year. I think weather permitting the Dayton 500 will once again be a great race but it will come down to the cookie cutter tracks which take up most of the season.
Wecome To Scot Spells Sports
Good day sports fans. My name is Scot Frassetto. I'm a big sports fan. I try not to be a homer but a loyal fan from Wisconsin's Fox Valley. So in fairness to all of you I feel like I should let you know where my alliances are. First and foremost I bleed Green and Gold for the Green Bay Packers. Nothing is more holy (in sports) than Lambeau Field. Now, most people go to a baseball team or college team. I'm going to the NHL and the Detroit Red Wings. Not a band wagon pick, I liked them since I started watching hockey, mostly because of Sergei Fedorov and Steve Yzerman in early 90's. Then I'll go to the Badgers, then Brewers, then Bucks. I'm a big European football fan cheering for Italia and AS Roma. I'm also one who likes to get one's red-neck on with some NASCAR. Go Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin.
Here, I'll give out my pre-season sports predictions some good (Saints going to Superbowl XLIV) some bad (Royals to the playoffs). I'll try and put different ideas out there, not always pretty sounding ("Texas is warm and Chicago is not" was my take on the 2005 World Series. Ended up being correct because Clemens couldn't pitch in the cold.) I try and focus on some of the sports or sporting endeavors that aren't always looked at.
Oh yea and the name of the blog. I'm sure you'll soon be apart of a running joke poking fun of my inability to spell. I blame my parents for spelling my name wrong.
Thanks for joining.
Here, I'll give out my pre-season sports predictions some good (Saints going to Superbowl XLIV) some bad (Royals to the playoffs). I'll try and put different ideas out there, not always pretty sounding ("Texas is warm and Chicago is not" was my take on the 2005 World Series. Ended up being correct because Clemens couldn't pitch in the cold.) I try and focus on some of the sports or sporting endeavors that aren't always looked at.
Oh yea and the name of the blog. I'm sure you'll soon be apart of a running joke poking fun of my inability to spell. I blame my parents for spelling my name wrong.
Thanks for joining.
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