Monthly Archives: May 2012
Weekend of ‘Giving’ within NASCAR Inspires ‘Giving Back’
By Susanne Bowyer
Charlotte Motor Speedway is an electrifying track. Living near the homes of many NASCAR drivers, crews, owners, and race shops comes with an air of excitement that most fans wait all year to experience. With the Pit Crew Challenge, All-Star Race, and Coca-Cola 600 within two weeks of each other, Charlotte will host numerous fan-friendly events around town including, the Speed Street Festival, race shop Fan-Days, Hall of Fame exhibits and other events to celebrate the fans. There are free autograph signings from drivers, pit crew demonstrations, and shop tours all around the city and surrounding area.
In the past, I have won tickets to the races, received passes to events and engaged in adventures at the Speed Street Festival. I’m normally not what others would consider a ‘lucky person,’ but have been pretty fortunate at Charlotte’s track events. I’ve watched the race from the backstretch, the front stretch, and around turns 1 and 2. I have met, hugged, taken pictures with and received autographs from Hall of Famers, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson. I have just about done it all. From my home in Raleigh, the only costs expended were for food, hotel and gas to and from Charlotte.
So, with all this past good fortune, I decided, it was time to start giving back. In Acts 20:35 Jesus said “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” With a few ideas in mind and plans in place, I looked for any opportunity to give.
Lauren Hoegler |
On Thursday, I delivered a cake and some presents to a soon-to-be-mom who works for MRN radio. MRN, the largest independent sports radio network in America, is the primary source for NASCAR radio programing. They provide play-by-play coverage of the Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Truck Series’ via satellite to nearly 700 radio stations nationwide. Lauren Hoegler is an associate producer for Sprint Vision and she has always been incredibly nice on twitter by answering tweets and responding in kind gestures to everyone following her. My plan was to surprise her with a present to brighten her day. After giving Lauren her gifts, she gave me a tour of the MRN studio, introducing me to employees, showing me where editing occurs, and giving me the inside scoop of how race action is broadcast. So much for giving back to others?! It was fun and an experience I never would have expected.
Later in the evening, I arrived downtown for the Pit Crew Challenge. The parking lot was one that you park in a numbered spot and go to an island pay machine. As I get to the island, an aging couple is confused as to how to pay. So, I explain the rules of paying for their parking. The gentleman attempted to pay with a crumpled bill, carefully shoving it in the money slot. But the machine kept spitting it back at him. Lets face it, we’ve all been there, right? When the soda machine won’t give us our daily caffeine because our dollar bill has just that one wrong wrinkle. I decided to trade him my $10 bill for his, to see if it was any crisper and would fit into the machine. Through two or three attempts, I performed the ritual – fold it in half, smooth it across a flat surface – no earmarks or creases. Nope, didn’t work. Seeing his frustration mount, and the others behind us in line losing patience, I offered to pay for his parking with my credit card. But his wife graciously declined my offer, took her credit card out and put it into the machine. As they left, they handed me a receipt. I looked at them puzzled and they said “thanks for your help and kindness, we just paid for your parking.” So much for trying to help this wonderfully aging couple. Once again I had been given a gift.
After the Pit Crew Challenge, I went to check into my hotel. It was late at night and I really wanted to relax in a bed and sleep. Approaching the counter, the woman started uttering, “So it’s like this…” Your heart just sinks when someone starts off with those words. My immediate thought was, there was a mixup with my room and I was either going to have to drive home for the night or find some other hotel in the area. The lady proceeded to tell me that they had run out of hotel rooms due to some remodeling. So they were putting me into their “apartment.” At first I had no idea what this meant, so I told myself not to complain about something that may be tiny and uncomfortable. I really just needed sleep and a shower. Walking up to the room and putting my key into the door, I found a surprise. The ‘apartment’ was a luxury VIP room with two large bedrooms, walk in closets, pantry, full kitchen, large bathrooms, and large enough to have a front and back door. This place was almost as big as my apartment back home – and much cleaner. As I sat down to relax, I felt a bit guilty for taking up a room that an 8 – 10 person family could have used. So much for giving to others?! I had just received what some may call a get-away vacation weekend for the price of an economy hotel room.
On Friday, my plans included going to a benefit concert put on by nine teenagers to save the lives and end childhood slavery for 18 children in Ghana. The organization is called GhanaRock.org. This was definitely the one place this weekend where I knew, I could give back to the community. Arriving late, I bought t-shirts, cds, posters and then made my way into the concert that had already begun. Sitting down in the pew, I relaxed and let the music of UnHindered take me away. After UnHindered left the stage, talented artists Shawn MacDonald and then Kristin Stanfill filled the room with worship. This was my first Christian concert/benefit, as I’m normally not a ‘concert goer.’.Music really isn’t my ‘thing’ and I didn’t expect to get anything out of the experience. But I found myself in a world of peace and passion. The room was filled with hundreds of teenagers, hearts filled with love and kindness. If you’ve never experienced the kindness of a loving teenager – lets face it, sometimes that’s the last place you expect to see worship and love – then you must go to a similar event. Leaving this place, I’m a much better person for having been there sharing with them, than they were for receiving my monetary gift.
On Saturday I left for the track, having purchased tickets to the All-Star race because I wanted to give back to a great organization. Motor Racing Outreach is a non-profit organization serving the NASCAR racing community. Among other things, they provide chapel services for the crew and drivers in the community on race day. If you’re a frequent watcher of the race on TV, you’ll see prayer huddles with MRO chaplains praying with the crewmen and drivers prior to the race. They have given so much to the fans and athletes that I wanted to give something back. The MRO was offering their suite seats for purchase during the All-Star and Coca-Cola 600 races and I purchased a ticket. On arrival, I was pleasantly surprised with a really nice suite, with dinner and drinks provided, along with pit passes.
After enjoying my time taking pictures of kind-hearted pit crew members, meeting up with some friends, going to the tweetup, and listening to a free Blake Shelton concert, I made my way back up to the MRO suite to watch the race.
Chaplains Campbell, Ivis and Jones |
Arriving at my seat, I struck up a conversation with the gentleman sitting beside me only to find out, he was a cadet/officer NAVY chaplain about to be deployed overseas with the Marines. It was his first race so we talked and shared stories. I told him the basics about racing and who to root for and he proceeded to tell me how he became a Navy Chaplain, the theology of different faiths and denominations and about his family and kids. During our discussion, I found out that he had once attended my home church in Raleigh and my senior pastor was the person pointing him toward the seminary college that he attended. Like me, he was a late bloomer to the Christian faith and his testimony helped me realize that starting late can be a blessing and God can use us at any age or at any place in our spiritual journey for His purpose. It was definitely not a coincidence that this guy was sitting beside me. Considering I don’t know much about the ever-changing rules of the All-Star race, I was definitely the beneficiary of this chance meeting and our agreement to swap knowledge. It was a remarkable experience and I loved sitting down with someone in a relaxed atmosphere who could answer my questions about faith.
So the moral of my weekend is, there is something remarkable in life where the more you try to give of your heart, the more exponentially you receive in return. I went into my weekend determined to ‘pay it forward’ and ‘give back’ to the community of Charlotte and NASCAR employees, and surprisingly, I was the one who received all of these gifts multiplied. ‘So much was given back,’ to me!
I encourage everyone to join me in giving to GhanaRock.org and to MRO at Go2MRO.com. You’ll be surprised at the gifts in life you will receive in return.
2 corinthians 9:7: Each one must give as he has decided in his heart… for God loves a cheerful giver.
Fan at the track – Pit Crew Tribute of Thanks!
Fan4Racing’s Tribute to All Pit Crew members |
your team’s performance at the track,
every race day.
42-Eric Bilyeu |
42-Ed Watkins |
42-Mark Jacobs |
42-Chip Goode |
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing | ||
#1 Team | Position | #42 Team |
Bryan Jacobson | FT Changer | Pedro Martinez |
Brett Morrell | FT Carrier | Eric Bilyeu |
Mitch Lash | Jack Man | Mark Jacobs |
Jason Romesburg | RT Changer | Chris McMullin |
Doug Riepe | RT Carrier | Chip Goode |
Benjy Grubb | Gas Man | Ed Watkins |
42-Montoya Crew member & Family |
Richard Childress Racing
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|||
Position
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#27 Team | #29 Team |
#31 Team
|
FT Changer | Terry Spalding | Jason Pulver |
Tim -Poptart-Sheets
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FT Carrier
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Erik Pringle | Austin Craven |
JD Holcumb
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Jack Man
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Carey Wimbish | Jason Hunt |
Andrew Childers
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RT Changer
|
Aaron Smith | Dustin Necaise |
Zach Price
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RT Carrier
|
Ray Wright | Aaron Schields |
Bob Dowens
|
Gas Man
|
Matt Kreuter | Bryan Smith |
Jon Wallace
|
29-Jason Hunt |
29-Jason Pulv |
RCR-Dustin Necaise & |
17-Justin Nottestad |
17-Shawn Ward |
17-Cameron Cobb |
17-Jon Moore |
17-Ryan McCray |
Roush Fenway Racing |
|||
Position | #16 Team | #17 Team | #99 Team |
FT Changer | Kevin Novak | Justin Nottestad | Kale Uphoff |
FT Carrier | Brian Huitt | Colin Pasi | Alan Tratman |
Jack Man | Sean Meckelson | Cameron Cobb | Dennis Killian |
RT Changer | Curtin Thompson | Jon Moore | Dwayne Ogles |
RT Carrier | Justin Edgell | Ryan McCray | Josh Shiplett |
Gas Man | Robert Best | Shawn Ward | Joe Karasinski |
99-Kale Uphoff |
99-Joe Karasinski |
16- Bryan Huitt & Justin Reissman |
17- Stephanie & Mike Calinof |
43-Crew with 99-Dennis Killian & Quackers |
Richard Petty Motorsports | ||
#9 Team | Position | #43 Team |
Aaron Powell | FT Changer | Greg Donlin |
Joel Coronel | FT Carrier | Lance Hanna |
Rodney Fedders | Jack Man | Kevin Wing |
Justin Fiedler | RT Changer | Kyle Power |
Eric Wallace | RT Carrier | Blake Haughland |
Robert Smith | Gas Man | Derrick Jennings |
43-Rodney Fedders |
21 – Garrett Reding |
Brandon Igdalsky Pocono Raceway |
Furniture Row Racing | |
Position
|
#78 Team
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FT Changer
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Shane Pipala
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FT Carrier
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John Bernal
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Jack Man
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Gabe Martin
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RT Changer
|
Coleman Dolarhyde
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RT Carrier
|
Dwayne Moore
|
Gas Man
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Justin White
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Front Row Motorsports | ||
#34 Team | Position | #38 Team |
Austin Dickey | FT Changer | Kenyatta Houston |
AJ Heister | FT Carrier | Anwar Parrish |
William Sturgill | Jack Man | Ike Sneed |
Chris Tetourneau | RT Changer | Jacob Norman |
Mike Keels | RT Carrier | Pat Cole |
Justin Lages | Gas Man | Corey Rasinski |
SPEED’s Matt Clark – Bob Dillner |
Brian Wiggins – The Pace Lap |
SPEED’s Steve Byrnes |
JTG Daugherty Racing | |
Position | #47 Team |
FT Changer | Cory Quick |
FT Carrier | Ben Fetzer |
Jack Man | Mike Klein |
RT Changer | Brian Bottlemy |
RT Carrier | Andy Brown |
Gas Man | Jimmy Watts |
Mary Lou Hamlin |
11-Heath Cherry |
11-Brandon Pegram |
11-Mike Hicks |
11-Nate Bolling |
11-Nick Krizmanich |
Joe Gibbs Racing | |||
Position | #11 Team | #18 Team | #20 Team |
FT Changer | Nick Krizmanich | Nick Odell | John Royer |
FT Carrier | Brandon Pegram | Brad Donaghy | Joe Crossen |
Jack Man | Nate Bolling | Jeff Fender | Jason Tate |
RT Changer | Mike Hicks | Jake Seminara | Chris Taylor |
RT Carrier | Heath Cherry | Kenny Barber | Eric Groen |
Gas Man | Scott Wood | Tom Lampe | John Eicher |
18-Jake Seminara |
Michael Lepp – JGR Crew Coach |
18-Tom Lampe |
48-RJ Barnette |
48-TJ Ford |
88-Caleb Hurd |
88-Joe Slingerland |
88-Clay Robinson |
88-Kevin Harris |
88-Nick Covey |
88-Matt Ver Meer |
Hendrick Motorsports | ||||
Position | #5 Team | #24 Team | #48 Team | #88 Team |
FT Changer | Kelly Kellis | Corey Demarco | Dave Collins | Clay Robinson |
FT Carrier | Michael Oxendine | Michael Williams | RJ Barnette | Kevin Harris |
Jack Man | Jeff Kerr | Bailey Walker | TJ Ford | Nick Covey |
RT Changer | Kip Wolfmeier | Chad Avrit | Calvin Teague | Joe Slingerland |
RT Carrier | Ben Fischbeck | Gene Cornwell | Matt Tyrell | Matt Ver Meer |
Gas Man | Chris Fasulka | Brad Pickens | Brandon Harder | Caleb Hurd |
24-Bailey Walker |
24-Brad Pickens |
24-Chad Avrit |
24-Corey Demarco |
24-Gene Cornwell |
24-Michael Deon Williams |
5-Ben Fischbeck |
5-Jeff Kerr |
5-Kip Wolfmeier |
5-Chris Fasulka |
#5 Crew |
5-Michael Oxendine |
55-Mark Kenerly |
55-Ryan Langley |
Michael Waltrip Racing | |||
Position | #15 Team | #55 Team | #56 Team |
FT Changer | Danny Kincaid | Ryan Langely | Eric Maycroft |
FT Carrier | Jay Gay | Chris Hall | Craig Curione |
Jack Man | Shaun Pete | Tony Cardamone | Brian Chase |
RT Changer | Chuck Efaw | Shannon Myers | Lee Cunningham |
RT Carrier | Ricky -Puddin- Coleman | Mark Kenerly | Adam Mosher |
Gas Man | Bryan Deal | Brian Dheel | Wes Evans |
55-Shannon Myers |
55-Tony Cardamone |
56-Adam Mosher |
56-Brian Chase |
56-Eric Maycroft |
56-Craig Curione |
Mark Martin??? |
56-Wes Evans |
39-Scott Brzozowski |
39-Brad Robinson |
39-James Houk |
39-Jonathan Sherman |
39-Andy Rueger |
Stewart Haas Racing | |||
Position | #10 Team | #14 Team | #39 Team |
FT Changer | Ryan Pepe | Ira Jo Hussey | Scott Brzozowksi |
FT Carrier | Shannon Keys | Todd Drakulich | Brad Robinson |
Jack Man | Nick Keller | Mike Castro | Andy Turner |
RT Changer | Ryan Flores | Daniel Smith | Jonathan Sherman |
RT Carrier | Jason Fowler | Mike -Shrek- Morneau | James Houk |
Gas Man | Rick Pigeon | Jeff -Gooch- Patterson | Andy Rueger |
Phoenix Racing | |
Position
|
#51 Team
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FT Changer
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Anthony O Brian
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FT Carrier
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Art Simmons
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Jack Man
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Eric Ludwig
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RT Changer
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Kam Waugh
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RT Carrier
|
Jeff Knight
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Gas Man
|
?
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2-Ben Brown |
2-Braxton Brannon |
2-David Mayo |
2-Nick Hensley |
2-Scott Rieniger |
Penske Racing | ||
#2 Team | Position | #22 Team |
Ben Brown | FT Changer | Jay Hackney |
Scott Rieniger | FT Carrier | David Littau |
Braxton Brannon | Jack Man | Ray Gallahan |
David Mayo | RT Changer | Travis Johnson |
Larry Robinette | RT Carrier | Trent Cherry |
Nick Hensley | Gas Man | Chris Williams |
22-Dave Littau |
22-Chris Williams |
22-Ray Gallahan |
22-Travis Johnson |
22-Trent Cherry Thank YOU to our Pit Crews for all their hard work! See below, fans Tweetup for All-Star Race |
Charlotte Motor Speedway – May Tweetup – Can you find Quackers? |
Miller making an impact at MWR
By Andrew Laskey
Think Clint Bowyer is struggling at Michael Waltrip Racing? Think again. In fact, Bowyer hasn’t missed a beat at all and is currently positioned to make the chase and win races. In fact all of the MWR drivers are having a great season, and a key factor for that may very well be the addition of Scott Miller as executive vice president of competition. Both Bowyer and Miller came over from Richard Childress Racing. Bowyer’s move to MWR from RCR was questioned by many, however it seems, early on, that he made a great move.
Scott Miller – Michael Waltrip Racing Photo – Getty Images |
However, during the 2011 season, Miller announced that he’d make the move to MWR for a chance to help turn around an organization that needed to take steps to the next level. Miller’s expertise would help turn the team from mid-pack to contenders, even amidst expansion with the addition of Bowyer as a third team. Key personnel were also added to assist with the process including Mark Martin and Brian Vickers as drivers and Brian Pattie as Bowyer’s crew chief. With all people in place, the team felt prepared for a successful 2012 and to prove everyone wrong.
Fan Perspective: How to Win A Million & Tick Off Fans!
By Fan4Racing
Count the 2012 Sprint All-Star Race the latest in a string of NASCAR races this season that have left fans feeling less than satisfied.
Keeping in mind, that I’m not a fan of “wrecks for entertainment” in NASCAR, apparently there is a segment within the racing community that are indeed just that and track marketing reinforces this claim.
Just watch the commercials promoting upcoming races for NASCAR and you’ll see plenty about the “action” fans can anticipate in their upcoming events. These commercials promote fans to buy their tickets so they won’t miss any of the “racing action” at the track. Visuals show cars bumping each other or wrecking, implying this is the type of “action” fans can expect when they buy their ticket and attend the race.
Whether a fan buys a ticket and spends their hard-earned money to go to the track or they’re staying at home and investing three to four-plus hours of their time every week to watch on TV, the well-crafted marketing commercial is promising an action-packed race.
So, at least part of the blame for dissatisfaction among some fans has to lay at the doorstep of marketing…right? They’re promising fans will see plenty of action on the track at these upcoming races and yet when race day arrives that specific promise isn’t delivered, with fans saying the racing was “boring” instead.
Again keep in mind, The “wrecks for entertainment” segment does not represent all NASCAR fans. Even if we look at the next segment of fans, who’s motto is “Rubbin is Racin,'” and if you’re not bumping and banging on the track, you really aren’t racing – the question begs to be asked. Are these fans getting their share of even that kind of action on the track?
There is another segment of fans that want to see good clean racing on the track, with drivers racing their opponents and skillfully passing through the field and to the front, using their god-given talent, and working with their crew to execute masterful strategy and pit stops to gain advantage on the track. Once again – just asking – are these fans seeing their kind of action on the track for the 2012 season?
The last segment of fans have most likely been least dissatisfied this season, however, even this group had at least some doubt after the All-Star race on Saturday night.
It’s true that fans did see drivers racing hard to win each segment of the race, but once a segment was won, the strategy implemented by those top drivers and crew were to ride-it-out at the back until the last ten-lap shootout. And why did they do that? Because, it didn’t make sense, from their perspective to take the risk and put that wear and tear on their car. They wanted to save their equipment and energy for those last ten-laps and then, and only then, go for the win.
The lone exception to this idea was Brad Keselowski. I just happened to be listening to his scanner for the All-Star Race and Brad was not liking the idea of not racing every lap. It was evident, he wanted to be in the mix and racing every lap going for another win, but his team finally coaxed him into the same strategy and he too, fell to the back of the pack with the other segment winners.
NASCAR fans watch races to see drivers race and unfortunately, three of the sports’ top drivers were all hanging around at the back of the pack just riding in circles until the ten-lap shootout at the end. Personally, I think it would have been better to just let them sit in their pit boxes for those segments than to see these stars not racing the race.
Now, don’t get me wrong here, as a fan, I respect and like the driver Jimmie Johnson and admire his driving skill and his five championships. In fact, I truly enjoy all the drivers in NASCAR with Matt Kenseth and Brad Keselowski among some of my favorites.
The problem though, is that millions of fans didn’t get to see them racing for a good portion of Saturday night’s race. Amazingly, the ALL-STARS “chose” to not race at least a portion of the event!
Where the top drivers chose to NOT Race at least part of the night Johnson didn’t “race”more than half the race & walked away with $1million |
On Saturday night Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth and even Brad Keselowski, although it was against his will, took advantage of NASCAR and the fans. They didn’t deliver what fans invest of their time and money for – and that’s racing. That’s what we tune in to see each and every week for hours of our day. That’s what thousands of fans pay to see when they spend hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars for a race weekend.
And to add insult to injury, it was the five-time champion of our favorite sport, Jimmie Johnson who implemented this non-racing strategy the longest and then walked away with $1 million dollars of fans’ hard-earned money…smiling all the way to the bank, pleased that he and his team out-smarted everyone, once again.
Come on drivers, all fans of racing want to see you – our favorite drivers – RACE each and every event, each and every week and yes every lap. Note, the word “race” and not “wreck.” Please, give us a race to watch by racing.
Fans love their favorite drivers, but it’s time now to get down to business and give fans what they pay your high-level salaries for – some racing action on the track.