Long time NASCAR fans will recall the intense rivalry between those supporting Dale Earnhardt Jr and those supporting Jeff Gordon during the early first decade of this century. And the word ‘intense’ is exactly what it was, as fans literally hated each other on race day, often chiding one another at the track.
Actually, the rivalry dates back to the mid 90’s in the last century, when Jeff Gordon began his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career. Gordon was the polished, young, up-and-coming star, up-staging NASCAR’s seven-time Cup series champion, Dale Earnhardt. The rivalry continued past the super star’s death in 2001 at Daytona with his son’s up-and-coming career just beginning. Continue reading →
NASCAR is one of the most popular sports in the country, and the Sprint Cup Series is their cornerstone as the most élite series. The last ten races of the season, known as ‘The Chase,’ gives 16 Sprint Cup drivers a chance to earn the championship title. Only one driver walks away with the championship at the end of the season giving them prestige and elevating their status over all other drivers and teams for the next year.
But is there another chance to recognize a driver/team accomplishing what no other team or driver has done? Perhaps, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Grand Slam is such an opportunity – when all four premium race victories earn that driver/team a historic Crown Jewel.
In the Sprint Cup Series a long-held debate that comes up nearly every year is the ‘what if’ speculation of honoring a driver/team for winning four prestige events, known as a Grand Slam. Once again the time has come for the debate to continue discussing the pros and cons of honoring a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Grand Slam recipient as well as, what races are worthy of inclusion.
Despite no driver being eligible for the grand slam crown jewel this particular season, it seems a reasonable debate in considering the future of the Sprint Cup Series, and perhaps making it an appealing quest for drivers and teams. This is an honor they can strive to earn, giving them recognition that is historic by virtue of the difficulty in winning the four select races of the Grand Slam.
And why not? A Sprint Cup Series Grand Slam would make these four key races even more fun to watch. But what makes this Grand Slam even more special is that, like the Triple Crown in horse racing, it would be rare to see a driver win all four races. Here are some suggestions for the first three races that should headline the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Grand Slam.
The Daytona 500 is the first race of the season and would become the first leg of the four race Grand Slam feat. The season opener at Daytona International Speedway is known as the Super Bowl of NASCAR and is already the most anticipated race of the Sprint Cup Series with the winner giving their team momentum heading into the rest of the season. Every driver dreams of becoming a Daytona 500 winner.
The Coca-Cola 600 is the longest race on the schedule testing every driver and team’s endurance. For 600 miles at Charlotte Motor Speedway, drivers race in varying race conditions starting in daylight and finishing at the end of the night under the lights. This race runs on the same day as IndyCar’s famous Indianapolis 500, and it should stay that way, since fans love to watch both races over the Memorial Day weekend.
The 400 miles at the Brickyard areat the most legendary track in America – Indianapolis Motor Speedway – and is a must for the third leg of the Sprint Cup Series Grand Slam. It’s a big track with long straightaways and corners that challenge drivers and teams to earn their victory. Drivers winning at Indianapolis relish their chance to kiss the famed yard of bricks with their family and team members at this historic track.
Here’s where deciding the fourth and last track of the Sprint Cup Series Grand Slam debate gets interesting with several possibilities to consider. Should a road course such as Sonoma or Watkins Glen be added to the Grand Slam as the last leg? Or is a historic short track more valued with perhaps Darlington or Martinsville as potential tracks to complete the quad-fecta? Should Richmond be a consideration as the last race of the regular season – or would the Chase qualification spot light take away from recognizing the Grand Slam Crown Jewel recipient? Should the last race of the Grand Slam be decided before or during the Chase?
My personal choice for the fourth event is the Southern 500 at Darlington which is returning to its traditional Labor Day weekend this season. This historic oval brings short track racing to the venue and is the week before Richmond, the last race of the regular season that reveals the 16 drivers eligible for the Chase. That would give the Grand Slam winner their own spot light to enjoy their historic feat at one of the most storied tracks in the Sprint Cup Series. A Crown Jewel celebration seems a proper fit at Darlington Raceway – long thought of as a crown jewel on NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series schedule.
Alright fans, it’s time for you to weigh in with your thoughts about a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Grand Slam. Yes or No?….and which track/race, in your opinion, should run the last event to honor the historic Quad-fecta Crown Jewel?
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, and his wife Samantha take part in pre-race ceremonies for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 16, 2013 Photo – John Harrelson/Getty Images & Courtesy of Samantha Busch
Sometimes it may be hard to like Kyle Busch. All you see on the track is his competitive drive that can lead to heat of the moment actions. That’s in the public eye. What you don’t get to see is what he is like behind the scenes, how much of a nice and caring guy he actually is.
A gateway to behind the scenes Kyle is through his lovely wife Samantha. She has grown to love racing and basically become an expert in the motorsports field. What she gets to see that fans don’t is the nice and caring Kyle. Samantha is an avid social media user and what she tries to do is show that side of Kyle along with keep fans updated on what the superstar is doing on the track.
I was able to do an interview with Samantha and what she shares with me is exactly what I described above. Kyle’s other side. Besides that, she discusses what makes Samantha , Samantha. In the insightful interview, read all of that along with some of her favorite activities that make up one of the most fascinating people in NASCAR.
Jason:You’re very active with the fans through all the social media platforms, what are some of your favorite ways you get to interact with fans socially?
Samantha: I love interacting with the fans, and in the last few years there have been so many more ways! At one time, Facebook was the only way, but Twitter is so fantastic for the races because you can use short little messages that people can scan and keep up with if they want more in-depth coverage, or if they can’t actually watch the race that day. Also, I have really gotten into Instagram this year. It’s been fun to show off pictures of Kyle’s awesome pit stops and of course adorable little Miss Lucy (our puppy).
I think the best way to use social media is to make it a two-way street. I love to keep people updated on Kyle and myself, but I also love to hear what’s going on with everyone else! I love when people ask me to help them pick out outfits, to tell or ask me about fitness tips, to share recipes, and of course to tweet me their new shoes!
I also think giveaways are a great use of social media because they give people the chance to get exclusive stuff such as victory lane hats!
Jason:After a tough 2012, what has it meant to you and Kyle to be so successful this season?
Samantha: Last year was really an eye opener and really makes you appreciate every good finish and win even more. But even a tough 2012 on the track, I think there are a lot of positives that came out it for this year and for the future. The No. 18 team went through tough times together and therefore became stronger together in my opinion. The success of this season is so rewarding because it shows the hard work and determination of the team to persevere, and they’ve all become stronger because of what they went through last season.
Jason:Is there one major difference you could pinpoint between this season and last?
Samantha: That’s a great question, but I can’t really pinpoint one thing. The team and Kyle worked just as hard and had the extreme drive and passion they do this year, but sometimes luck just doesn’t go your way. Going back to the other question, I still believe the obstacles you face will ultimately make you stronger. It’s hard to see that when you are going through it, but looking back on those times I feel strongly it was good for everyone in the long term.
Jason:What would be one major thing that fans don’t get to see of Kyle that may change their opinion of him?
Samantha: I think through social media they are seeing more and more of what a funny, light-hearted and caring man he is. Whether he is playing with the dogs, giving me kisses or just having fun, fans get to see the side of him that I get to see away from the track. He’s such a competitive person at the track, but there’s another side to him at home that we have an opportunity to show people through social media.
Jason:Which win this season has meant the most to you?
Samantha: No doubt that Fontana was a big win. After going through what he did last year when he was close to winning a Cup race or dominating all day and then having something silly happen at the end to take that away, it was just so great to finally get that checkered flag!
Jason:Is there one track on the Cup circuit that has eluded Kyle for awhile that you would like to see him win at?
Samantha: There are obviously the big races like the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 that (he) hasn’t been able to win yet that he would love to win, but I am going to surprise you and say Kansas. My reasoning is that he has always run well at places like Daytona and Indy, but Kansas has not been his friend over the past few years. The Kansas race is really important since it’s in the Chase, so I would love for him to have a strong run there.
Jason:What are some of your favorite activities to do outside of the track?
Samantha: Kyle and I have really gotten into playing golf! It’s a fun activity that we can do together. At the same time, we are both learning it together so it’s great that when one of us picks up on a technique we can share it with the other and improve on our game.
I also really enjoy working out. I do a variety of different types and it really just makes my whole day better! I enjoy reading as well and thrillers are my favorite. Aside from that Kyle and I really just enjoy spending time at home together with our puppies just swimming and watching our favorite shows!
Jason:Is there one thing that you love to do, but Kyle isn’t a fan of?
Samantha: Cooking and cleaning. I really love to cook, I love to experiment with different recipes and make big meals! It does sound weird but I’m a nut with cleaning certain things. Kyle, along with my friends and family, laugh at me but I’m obsessed with cleaning the counter tops in our kitchen. Seriously give me a swiffer and I’ll see you in a few hours because I am a swiffing machine! That’s probably not a word, but you know what I mean.
Jason:If you had to describe yourself in a few sentences, what would you say?
Samantha: I am an outgoing, talkative, compassionate Italian girl. Being raised in a big Italian family I love being around people! I love to help people through all walks of life. I am also a fitness and health nut 🙂
You can keep up to date with Samantha on twitter when you follow her handle of @SamanthaBusch
ESPN ‘SPORTSCENTER’ ANCHOR SAGE STEELE
TO DRIVE CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1 PACE CAR AT IMS
Sage Steele Photo – Rich Arden / ESPN
ESPN “SportsCenter” anchor and Indiana University graduate Sage Steele will drive the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Pace Car to lead the field of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series superstars to the start of the Crown Royal Presents the Samuel Deeds 400 at the Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com on Sunday, July 28 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Chevrolet also paced the previous 19 Sprint Cup races at IMS, and this year’s Brickyard 400 will mark the sixth time a Camaro has paced the race. Continue reading →
