Monthly Archives: February 2013

110 posts

All-Star Race Elevates Need for Speed

allstar_13_250x150NASCAR and Charlotte Motor Speedway announced Tuesday a new format for the Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Reinforcing the need for speed and going all out for the win, the format for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race that will put added emphasis on finishing well in each of the five segments. The sport’s annual classic is set for Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. (live on SPEED) at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The new wrinkle that should have the fans and the competitors excited: the running order at the completion of the fourth segment (Lap 80) will be repositioned based on the average finish for the first four segments directly behind the caution car prior to the opening of pit road for the mandatory four-tire pit stop. The order of the cars returning to the track will determine the starting order of the fifth segment. Running order ties will be broken by the finish of the fourth segment. This revision puts a premium on making all of the laps count leading up to the final 10-lap shootout with the race winner earning a $1 million pay day from Sprint. Continue reading

Wreck Reiterated that NASCAR Fans Are the Best in Sports

Fans at Daytona International Speedway for Daytona 500, Feb 24, 2013 Photo - Getty Images
Fans at Daytona International Speedway for Daytona 500, Feb 24, 2013
Photo – Getty Images

Heroic

Ordinary NASCAR fans enjoying the Nationwide Series race Saturday afternoon acted heroically when fellow race fans were injured following the last lap crash. No fan expected to be in danger when they entered the Speedway that day but, when disaster struck, fans helped fans to make sure everyone was alright.

In other sporting events, there is little to no evidence that fans have helped each other in the way that some racing fans did following the frightening last lap crash in the Nationwide race. This incident once again proved that NASCAR fans are the best fans in sports. Continue reading

Jimmie Johnson Denies Wrecking On Purpose

Jimmie Johnson sends grass flying as he celebrates his win. Photo - Chris O'Meara  AP
Jimmie Johnson sends grass flying as he celebrates his win.
Photo – Chris O’Meara AP

Jimmie Johnson celebrated his second Daytona 500 win by spinning through the grass Sunday, just like many have done before him. But he tore up his front bumper in the process of celebrating. Some have questioned if Johnson wrecked the car on purpose?

In October of 2010, Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson received criticism after radio communication at Talladega. Caught on pre-race video inside the car, Knaus leaned into the window of Johnson’s car and told him to damage the back of the car by hitting something during or after the race to make sure the car passed inspection. Continue reading

Sprint Cup “Thrill of Racing” misses the mark at Daytona

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, races to the finish line to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb 24, 2013  Photo - Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, races to the finish line to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb 24, 2013
Photo – Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

The 2012 season was unquestionably marked by an outrage from fans proclaiming that NASCAR racing had become boring at super speedways, primarily stated because of tandem racing. Fans rallied for the return of pack racing at the super speedways.

NASCAR responded to fans and did what they could last year by changing rule packages to minimize tandem racing as much as possible, with hopes the new design of the Gen6 car would address the concern of these fans next season. Continue reading