Kurt Busch (photo cred: duane.schoon)

Jimmie Johnson is single handedly ruining NASCAR.  You know how I know?  Because I’m writing something positive about Kurt Busch.  A driver that I have hated from the first time I heard him speak.  I actually boycotted Miller Lite when he replaced Rusty Wallace.  That was tough, Miller Lite and I had been through a lot together.  Miller was guilty by association though, and we just couldn’t play together anymore. 

How do these things relate? I want so bad for someone to stop Jimmie Johnson from winning one more race, much less one more consecutive championship, that I have instituted an “anyone but Jimmie” mantra for this year.  Kurt Busch happens to not be Jimmie Johnson.  Therefore, I am now pulling for Kurt, his even more despised brother Kyle, and the 40 other drivers each Sunday that are not Jimmie. 

NASCAR can spin their ratings plateau on the economy.  I’m not buying it.  We all still have TVs and I’m guessing we’re watching them even more now that our discretionary income has dwindled and all we can afford to do is sit on the couch.  Now that may not help put behinds in the stands on race day, but that is only one part of the juggernaut that was NASCAR.  There are three things working against NASCAR on TV.  First is their vanilla, milk-toast four consecutive time champion, Jimmie Johnson.  Followed by the FOX networks hokie coverage.  Lastly is the rise of mixed martial arts(MMA). 

Someday I’ll write my ramblings on Larry Mac, DW, and MMA.  But today is reserved for Kurt Busch.  I still don’t like him.  I still wish I was courtside to see Jimmy Spencer try to punch him through the driver’s window at Michigan.  I was at the race, just not close enough to see the fear in Kurt’s eyes.  My anti-Jimmie tinted spectacles have opened my eyes to the decent qualities of other drivers though. 

Today I caught an interview with Kurt Busch on the Jim Rome Show.  Kurt didn’t mix in some contrived, premeditated analogy as he usually does.  The guy is generally just a total dork in interviews, for lack of a better word.  He just gave a pretty straightforward interview, dropped in his sponsor a couple times, and spoke honestly of Carl Edwards joke of a punishment.  What actually intrigued me about the whole thing, was that during this off weekend for NASCAR Sprint Cup racing, Busch is going NHRA sanctioned drag racing with a buddy in a 1970 Challenger they built.  Maybe there is hope for the guy yet.  He has a dream job, and he is spending his free time just like so many of us say we would, if we were in the same position.  He didn’t make me like him, but he made me want to be him.  And that is something I never would have thought I would ever say about Kurt Busch.  To celebrate I’ll have to go pick up a sixer of Lite.  Now just don’t go back to full goober mode Kurt, and beat Jimmie.

Well she definitely got a lot of attention that is for damned sure!  After the past couple weeks at Daytona I’d say that its now just a matter of time before the girl wonder makes a permanent move from Indy Car to NASCAR.  Obviously she’s not ready to run a full cup schedule tomorrow and obviously it isn’t a given that she’ll do well.  What is a given is that she can bring a whole new group of fans to the sport, more sponsors, etc, etc.  And in through out all that she can make a boat load of dough!

All that aside Danica is a racer.  I don’t think she has much interest in being a showpiece and not a contender.  I also think she has unfinished business in IndyCar that she wants to take care of before going anywhere.  Winning at Motegi last year is great and all but if she wants to win in NASCAR first she must win in Indy Car on a more regular basis.  As Franchitti proved last year one does not easily beget the other.  Montoya is proof positive that switching between disciplines with success is absolutely possible but you have to be a good driver to do so.  She is a good driver but she’s not JPM.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m no NASCAR honk.  When I say it’s hard to switch racing disciplines  I mean that in all directions.  I don’t think Jimmie Johnson could switch to Indy Cars and be competitive tomorrow.  It’s just different.  DW was quoted during the elongated coverage of the Daytona 500 as saying that (and I summarize) “racing here will help her when she goes back to Indy Cars.  Look what happened to Dario Franchitti… He went back and he won the championship.”  Now I don’t think for a minute that Dario won the Indy Car championship last year because of his short stint in NASCAR.  He was going to win that anyway.  But does it teach some things to race different types of cars?  I’m sure it does.

Either way you look at it this foray into NASCAR will be interesting to watch.  Fans will watch, nay-sayers will watch, lots of people will watch.  We’ll see what she can pull off.

I’m callin’ it TacoGate!

For those of you that live under a rock I’ll cover the basics of this story first.  During last Saturday’s ESPN coverage of the Ohio State – Minnesota game Chris Spielman asked Bob Griese “where Montoya was?” a reference to his position in The Chase.  Griese doing his best impersonation of a completely uninformed xenophobe responded, “He’s out having a taco.”

OK, now that we’re all caught up we can move on to all the reasons this incident and the coverage of it piss me off.  After that we’ll get to the part that reaffirms why Juan Pablo is so friggin’ awesome in my book.

So this isn’t the first time a sportscaster has said something stupid, it definitely won’t be the last.  It should also be noted that this probably isn’t the worse offense ever committed by someone in this position.  I think the worst was probably Jimmy The Greek, but that’s just my opinion.  Immediately after the broadcast where Griese committed the offense he issued and apology.  I think he’s issued a bunch more since.  Who hasn’t said something completely stupid before?  We all have.  Who hasn’t offended someone with said stupid remark?  Yep, same group.  I think I  may have more than most.  (Don’t think so?  Keep reading dumb ass!)  The problem with this is that it had obvious ethnic overtones and what made it even more worse was that the ethnic overtones were completely wrong.

That’s what makes the whole thing so ridiculously drop on the flow, get a cramp in your gut, piss your pants funny.  It’s like Griese told a Jewish joke with a Polish Joke punch line.  It’s too bad that the rest of America seems to be equally uninformed because they all quickly picked up on it as offensive.

I guess I don’t have much more to say about this one.  Just same random angry ramblings.  I’ll close with two points.

Come on America, we can do better than this.  Our time on the top of the heap is limited so we’d better get off our asses and not only drop our prejudices about other cultures but maybe it wouldn’t hurt to learn a thing or two about them.  For Christ’s sake there is a guy from Colombia gunning for the 2009 Sprint Cup Championship, if that doesn’t tell you things are changing I don’t know what will.

And finally, throw up some devil horns for JPM.  When asked for a comment on the matter earlier in the week JPM simply stated that he had no comment and that, “I don’t even know who he is” of Griese.  Bad ass!  Add to that the tweet that he sent out around lunch time today, “Guess what I’m having for lunch…..TACOS!!!!!….and I’m serious about it!!!!”

Touche JPM, Touche!

Talladega, AL 4-08 Talladega Race Photo Credit: pamarama73

AJ Allmendinger was arrested for drunk driving early Thursday morning in Mooresville, North Carolina according to NC Police.  Allmendinger is the current driver of the number 44 for Richard Petty Motorsports in NASCAR Sprint Cup.  He is(was?) slated to move to the storied 43 car in 2010 with Best Buy sponsorship.  The RPM team had no comment at the time, and AJ basically said he hopes some good can come from the situation and people learn from his mistake.

Everyone knows that drinking and driving is bad.  Why anyone with the means to easily avoid this sort of situation would take the chance blows my mind.  It will be interesting to see if there are any NASCAR penalties forthcoming.

It might be a hassle some times but memories are made at the track. Photo Credit: TequilaMike

I was presented with a dilemma recently.  I received my annual renewal for my Nationwide and Sprint Cup tickets for the August Michigan race.  My family has had four tickets together for both races and we have attended for at least 10 years now.  As time goes by interest wanes with all parties involved; everybody seems so busy these days.  Michigan isn’t exactly an excitement track like Bristol either.  Plus it really is a chore to go to a NASCAR race.  All the traffic, the people, the long walks, and 90+ degree humid Michigan summer day, just doesn’t appeal anymore.  The tickets are getting ridiculously priced too.  So we are reluctantly going to let them go.  Nationwide in the shadow of the pressbox, and turn 1 grandstand aisle seats for Sprint Cup.  Even selling our extra tickets if someone doesn’t want to go hasn’t been possible for the last couple years given my region’s economy.  It just wasn’t worth it.  Or is it? 

Why do we go to races?  It’s easier, cheaper, and you seemingly get to see more up close action with today’s television coverage.  I can even listen to Dale Jr.’s radio through the computer at home better than I can on my old Radio Shack scanner in the stands.   Why do we go?  Yeah, we aren’t down on the track like we all wish we were.  But we have skin in the game when we are at the track.  Well at least sunburnt skin, and lots of sweat.  We are invested in the sport we love.  We are connected to the point we think we are participants.  You don’t get that through the TV.  Not even in hi-def.  You can’t smell or hear the cars. 

Seriously! How awesome is this shot! We took this picture! Photo Credit: Angry Race Fan

I go to races so that when I’m BSing with my buddies, I can say, “yeah, but I was in Cleveland when Danica and AJ were running Barber Dodge cars.”  Some of the races you remember clear as day.  Some are forgettable, either because they are boring (MIS stock car), or because you drank so many oil cans of Fosters at an F1 race at Indy and you don’t even remember getting home six hours away (I wasn’t driving).  It is the most fun when you can stay on site for the weekend.  Jimmy Vasser played football with his buddies next to our camp site at Road America.  Paul Newman practically drove through said campsite on his scooter staring at the sky. 

I feel as though I was truly a part of the IRL/CART split. I sat in the stands at the US500; people with portable black and white TVs sitting behind us were watching Indy and giving us updates.  I watched a buddy almost get killed by Chip Ganassi driving like an idiot on his scooter, or same friend almost run down by AJ Foyt on a golf cart.  Since we don’t have the talent to drive side by side with Juan Pablo, and we can’t call a race like Tim Cindric; we accept our role as fans.  As a race fan, you truly need to put your butt in the seat at a racetrack as often as you can.  That is where you truly connect with the sport.  It also makes watching those races on TV more enjoyable.  You subconsciously recall it all, and you truly know what it would be like if you were there. 

OK, so I’ve waxed ecstatic and gotten a little too romantic.  You still need to vote with your wallet first and foremost.    Babies still need shoes, and you need to take your lady or man out for dinner.  Those dance class and gymnastics for the kids don’t pay for themselves.  Whenever you can pull it off though; take in a race.  It’s worth it. 

Now I hope I didn’t already recycle that ticket renewal slip.

Photo Credit: cliff1066

Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah al-Saud, a member of the Saudi royal family, appears to be buying into Richard Petty Motorsports.  Reports say they are going to build a “NASCAR style” track and establish a Richard Petty Racing Experience driving school somewhere in the Saudi desert.  NASCAR industry insiders are also speculating that al-Saud will also purchase Gillette’s considerable share in RPM.

I’m curious how the Richard Petty faithful are accepting that possibility.  Personally I’m all for it.  My biggest problem with the report, is that oval tracks are now internationally considered “NASCAR style” tracks?  They are ovals.  NASCAR is a stock car sanctioning body.  NASCAR holds races overwhelmingly on ovals.  I will volunteer to fly to Saudi Arabia and explain this if need be, because NASCAR dominates the stock car scenery so much, we need to reestablish the distinction.  That and I love middle-eastern food, but we can’t stay too long.  I don’t want my liver getting spoiled by the lack of alcohol. 

There is nothing wrong with sending another little sliver of Americana to a rather conservative, traditional, and lets face it, oppressive region of the world.  There would be nothing better than to see a bunch of Saudi men gathered around playing backgammon with cowboy hats that have dead fowl strapped to the front. 

As for Richard Petty, he needs to find a new role in the sport.  Perhaps it is simply being an ambassador and doing things like the Goodwood Festival as he has done in the past.  Also continue with the involvement in the Victory Junction Camp.  That would be a proper display for his legacy.  It is just sad to see him chasing the unobtainable as he has the last 15 years.  I think his name needs to come off the team, but the marketing people at the new Yates-Petty-al-Saud (or whatever they call it) would surely disagree.  I just don’t want to see Petty associated as much with being an also-ran as it is with winning.  A little injection of oil money certainly won’t hurt.

My relatively random thoughts on this past race weekend 9/18 – 9/20/2009:

The Good

• Mark Martin won another race.  That is always cool.
• Juan Pablo Montoya won the pole and  finished 3rd in the race.

It was a great weekend for JPM and his team.  A win would have been great but you can’t complain about being on the pole, leading some laps, nailing a 3rd, and moving up 7 positions in the points.  JPM is my pick to win the Chase this year. 

• Graham Rahal scored a podium finish @ Motegi and Castroneves was the only Penske car in the top 10.  Good work young Rahal and NHL!  Now don’t get me wrong.  I’m a big Roger Penske fan and his team is in no doubt superior to the remainder of the field save Ganassi, but I’m very bored with his team doing so well.

• The Grand Am race in Utah was exciting and the points race between Gainsco, Suntrust, and Ganassi continues with only 10 points separating all 3 teams.

• Briatore and Symonds leave Renault F1.  In the midst of the “Crashgate” scandal Renault F1’s Managing Director (Briatore) and Director of Engineering (Symonds).  I guess that should open up Briatore’s calendar for scoping super models.  Both have since been banned from FIA sanctioned events Symonds for 5 years and Briatore indefinitely.  Wild to think that people operating at the highest level of motorsport would not think asking a driver to crash deliberately would get out after he was released from his contract.  Seems as likely as Peter Windsor getting brushed off by a driver on the pre-race grid.

Bad News

• JPM got a solid 3rd but didnt’ win @ New Hampshire.  It was his Birthday this weekend so a solid win for the man would have been nice.  I suppose the pole was pretty good though.
• Scott Dixon won @ Motegi and Dario Franchitti finished 2nd.  Now don’t get me wrong, these are two of my favorite IndyCar drivers.  But come on, aren’t we all getting a little tired of the same guys up on the podium.  As I said above about Penske I want to see these guys do well but the dominance currently on display is about as interesting as listening to Robin Miller talk about Spring Cars.

The Ugly

• I didn’t get to watch the IndyCar race @ Motegi because I DirecTV dropped VS.  I have a dog in this fight but I’m not getting involved.  I wouldn’t dare to say that they just need to figure it out and maybe even the IRL should drop by the VS office and put in a good word for DirecTV.  Not that it would probably help but we all know in the battle of DirecTV vs. VS. the loser is IndyCar.  No question.

So this is in fact my first blog. Making me a blogger I suppose. Great, another person narcissistic enough to think their opinion is more important than everyone else’s and even worse, that someone wants, no needs, to read it. Steven Colbert said, “a blogger is a person with a laptop, an axe to grind … and their virginity.” Well, I don’t have a laptop yet. Amazingly enough I am a father. However, I do have a dull axe, and the people at this site have graciously given me a place to put an edge on it.

Up there in the address bar says it all. Angry Race Fan. Believe me, I’m more angry than I am content when it comes to racing and its media coverage. The various series consistently make poor choices in marketing and competition regulation. NASCAR TV, errr, Speed, constantly evolves from what was once a great channel to the mouthpiece of NASCAR. Still in my first post on an “angry” site, I have to take skip through the daisies.

The timing is strange as NASCAR’s Sprint series postseason and college football kicks off about the same. One sport has a playoff and one doesn’t. College football needs one, but it NASCAR’s premier series that has it. Why not? It isn’t a perfect system, but what is? Sure it is driven by a TV contract. However it does add some excitement to a series that has become stagnant in its growth and has more than enough races on the docket to support it.

They still need to tweak their point distribution all season long, pre and post Chase. Come on, why would you get points for less than a 35th place finish? It is ridiculous. I’m not saying you should stop paying out prize money past that position. I wouldn’t want to put an end to the field fillers and start and park entries, which are a necessary element. You should just get more points for winning as well as points falling off more than they do after the top ten. I won’t even start on the other changes like only 36 cars at Bristol and Martinsville (other than that start right there).

Regardless of how it turns it, it should be one of the most competitive Chase series to date. With Kyle Busch’s four wins, he should have been in it, but I know most fans won’t miss him. Matt Kenseth absence is also noticeable. However, everyone races the same points system, just like they race the same car design. No matter how much they complain about it. There is certainly plenty to complain about with NASCAR, but they have leveled the playing field about as much as possible with this near spec series.

So grab your beer and pretzels, sit back on Sunday and let it all play out. When your guy bites it early in the Chase and you start to complain, just think of how much better you have it than that college football fan come December and January. At least he was given the opportunity to be a champion.