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Top Ten Signs You Are About to be a Victim of Silly Season
Mistie Bibbee
10. You show up for you Monday morning meeting at the shop- only to find out the shop has moved.
9. You turn on the TV and see another driver in a commercial promoting your sponsor.
8. The race is in Daytona but for some reason the team plane insisted in dropping you off at the track in Kansas.
7. You log on to your team’s official website and can not find any mention of your name.
6. The last time the TNT/NBC crew interviewed you was 3 seasons ago, now they won’t leave you alone.
5. Fans no longer boo you during driver intros. All you see is shaking of heads and murmurs of “that poor boy”.
4. Your team owner asks you one day if you are any good at fabrication or engine building.
3. The last time you attempted to use your company credit card, the cashier cut it up in front of you and said that your account had been canceled.
2. Your crew chief spends at least 50% of the race on the scanner telling you the advantages of the IRL.
1. Strangely, your contract that your team owner has asked you to sign looks oddly like an employment application for McDonalds.
"To be a real, true NASCAR driver, you have to know where the sport came from and you have to respect that history and tradition. The guys that don't respect that history and tradition, I don't think they're going to be around all that long. And those guys who don't know the history and tradition, I think it's upon them to learn about it pretty quick if they want to be a success."
– Richard Petty
Quote of the Day
"It's weekends like these where we try to stuff as much fun and quality time into two days as possible. We enjoy every minute of our days off."
-Matt Borland crew chief for Ryan Newman
Chase series planned
Speed Channel plans to launch a weekly show devoted solely to NASCAR's Chase For The Nextel Cup, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal reports.
The 10-week series, tentatively titled "The Chase Is On," is scheduled to air from 8 to 8:30 p.m. (Eastern) Thursdays from Sept. 15 through Nov. 17.
Ralph Sheehen will be the host, and the network is looking for a Nextel Cup driver to work with him on a show that is expected to be similar to the NFL Network's "NFL Playbook."
NASCAR Chairman Brian France believes racing is not being adequately covered by the nation's newspapers and wants to create the sport's own news service for newspapers, television and radio stations, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Daily reports.
"You're going to see us get into the content business, very similar in one respect to the NFL channel," France told a cable television industry summit, writer Andy Bernstein reports. "We're going to have to create content that is customized for media outlets."
No time table for a launch or other details were reported.
Bristol Motor Speedway may announce as early as Monday a deal making JFG Coffee Co. of Knoxville, Tenn., an official track sponsor, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal reports.
Terms of the three-year deal have not been released, but Logan McCabe, the track's vice president of marketing and sales, said it is in the low- to mid-six figures per year.
As part of the deal, JFG will be the title sponsor of the track's corporate hospitality village.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR officials have announced that Blake Bainbridge, crew chief for the No. 64 Dodge driven by Rusty Wallace in the NASCAR Busch Series, has been fined $500 for rules violations that occurred last week at Gateway International Raceway.
During opening day inspection on July 29, the No. 64 was found to have an unapproved window net. The net was too small, a violation of Section 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules) of the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series rule book. That infraction also violated Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing).
"Paul and I have talked about an opportunity like this for the past couple years and it has finally come together for Michigan," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. "I'd like to thank Gerry Forsythe and Forsythe Championship Racing for allowing us the chance to give this a try. This will be Paul's first shot in a stock car but he obviously has a great deal of talent and knows how to win races and championships. We'll take a look at how things go after the test and, if all goes according to plan, get him ready for the Cup race the next week." Tracy is looking forward to testing his driving skills again at the MIS oval. He competed in Champ Cars there 10 times (1992-2001), earning four top-five and seven top-10 finishes and a pole position (2000). The 2000 pole speed set the track qualifying record at 234.949 mph (30.645 seconds). "I'm very excited about this opportunity especially at Michigan where I have a lot of experience," said Tracy. "Driving a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup car will be totally new to me but my focus is to develop a package that will help Kevin (Harvick), Jeff (Burton) and Dave (Blaney) and their teams for the race weekend. I want to do whatever I can to help."(RCR)
Johnson won't let Gordon in the Chase
Jeff Hammond / FOX Sports
As we head into this weekend at Indianapolis after an off-weekend of rest and relaxation for a lot of the teams, let's see if there have been some personnel, mechanical and attitude changes made on some of the teams that are running hard to make the Chase for the Nextel Cup.
Since they had a week to catch their breath and get rested up, it'll be interesting to see how the teams in the top 10 respond for the remaining six races because this stretch could be the most difficult that they're going to face for the remainder of this season. Not only do they need to play defense, they've got to play offense at the same time. They must protect what they've got but not give it up either. It can be a really difficult challenge when you're in that position.
The guys outside the top 10 know what they have to do. It's all or nothing for the next six races. Watching the way this season has unfolded, a lot of teams were getting tired. They were ready for a little bit of a break to clear their heads and not worry about getting up on Saturday and Sunday to go to the racetrack. I don't think people totally appreciate what the hectic week-in, week-out schedule does to guys that are in the business. It can wear on you as much as a 600-mile race so it'll be interesting to see who comes out of the box ready to cap off the Race to the Chase and who is just trying to make it to the end of the year.
NASCAR isn't Formula One racing, and as much as owner Rick Hendrick, driver Jeff Gordon and crew chief Robbie Loomis want to get into the Chase, I can't believe that Hendrick Motorsports teammate, points leader Jimmie Johnson, would give up a little bit of his lead to make sure that the 24 team makes it in. If Gordon deserves to be in the Chase, he'll get there. He'll race his way in. I hope we won't see team orders.
Look back to the way the championship used to be, you didn't safety up to make a race to the end of the season out of it. If I'm out front, I'm going to bury everybody around me because I really want to win that championship. I hope that's the way Chad Knaus and everybody at the 48 car feels right now. They've lost too many close title runs. If you let somebody like Gordon back into the Chase, it can affect you mentally because Gordon could be the very guy who takes the title away from you.
You would hate to get down to the last race and realize, "Hey, I let this guy back in. He's getting ready to steal something from me because I let him back in." I don't see it that way, and I hope Hendrick Motorsports looks at it the way I do. I'm not about to let somebody as good as Gordon get back in and take something that I want as bad as I hope they want that championship. Gordon's too good, and letting him into the Chase is all well and good when you're playing games. But this ain't no game.
Your
Momma
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
"Don't come here and grumble about going too fast. Get the hell out of the race car if you've got feathers on your legs or butt. Put a kerosene rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up there and eat that candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt – 1998
This list is authored by:
Sandra Monacelli
221 W. 57th Street 18B
Loveland, CO 80538
970/663-6967
Top Ten Signs You Are About to be a Victim of Silly Season
Mistie Bibbee
10. You show up for you Monday morning meeting at the shop- only to find out the shop has moved.
9. You turn on the TV and see another driver in a commercial promoting your sponsor.
8. The race is in Daytona but for some reason the team plane insisted in dropping you off at the track in Kansas.
7. You log on to your team’s official website and can not find any mention of your name.
6. The last time the TNT/NBC crew interviewed you was 3 seasons ago, now they won’t leave you alone.
5. Fans no longer boo you during driver intros. All you see is shaking of heads and murmurs of “that poor boy”.
4. Your team owner asks you one day if you are any good at fabrication or engine building.
3. The last time you attempted to use your company credit card, the cashier cut it up in front of you and said that your account had been canceled.
2. Your crew chief spends at least 50% of the race on the scanner telling you the advantages of the IRL.
1. Strangely, your contract that your team owner has asked you to sign looks oddly like an employment application for McDonalds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Quote of the Year"To be a real, true NASCAR driver, you have to know where the sport came from and you have to respect that history and tradition. The guys that don't respect that history and tradition, I don't think they're going to be around all that long. And those guys who don't know the history and tradition, I think it's upon them to learn about it pretty quick if they want to be a success."
– Richard Petty
Quote of the Day
"It's weekends like these where we try to stuff as much fun and quality time into two days as possible. We enjoy every minute of our days off."
-Matt Borland crew chief for Ryan Newman
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Bits and PiecesChase series planned
Speed Channel plans to launch a weekly show devoted solely to NASCAR's Chase For The Nextel Cup, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal reports.
The 10-week series, tentatively titled "The Chase Is On," is scheduled to air from 8 to 8:30 p.m. (Eastern) Thursdays from Sept. 15 through Nov. 17.
Ralph Sheehen will be the host, and the network is looking for a Nextel Cup driver to work with him on a show that is expected to be similar to the NFL Network's "NFL Playbook."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NASCAR eyes own news serviceNASCAR Chairman Brian France believes racing is not being adequately covered by the nation's newspapers and wants to create the sport's own news service for newspapers, television and radio stations, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Daily reports.
"You're going to see us get into the content business, very similar in one respect to the NFL channel," France told a cable television industry summit, writer Andy Bernstein reports. "We're going to have to create content that is customized for media outlets."
No time table for a launch or other details were reported.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bristol to add sponsorBristol Motor Speedway may announce as early as Monday a deal making JFG Coffee Co. of Knoxville, Tenn., an official track sponsor, Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal reports.
Terms of the three-year deal have not been released, but Logan McCabe, the track's vice president of marketing and sales, said it is in the low- to mid-six figures per year.
As part of the deal, JFG will be the title sponsor of the track's corporate hospitality village.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Haskell Company Garners Award For DIS Infield Renovation: The Haskell Company, the Jacksonville based design and construction company that completed the multi-faceted, multi-million dollar infield renovation at historic Daytona International Speedway, has been awarded Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Florida First Coast Chapter Excellence Award. The project was recognized in the renovation category. After winning the award on the local level, the project will be entered into the national competition in November. The Haskell Company began the infield renovation immediately following the 2004 Pepsi 400 and among the amenities added included the NEXTEL FANZONE, the four-story Daytona 500 Club and new Gatorade Victory Lane, a massive Turn 1 tunnel, new NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and Busch Series garages and waterfront specialty vehicle parking. The project was completed in time for Speedweeks 2005.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Richmond International Raceway Sells Out 28th Straight NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Race: While there is time left for hopeful NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers looking to break into the top ten before the "Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup," time has run out on fans who need seats for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Track President Doug Fritz announced today that all 107,097 seats will once again be filled for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400, set for Saturday, September 10 "under the lights." The race marks the final opportunity for drivers to gain a spot in the second "Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup." Last year, Jeremy Mayfield made history when he won at Richmond and earned a berth in "The Chase." The track's sellout streak of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events is now at 28, spanning 14 years. Nearly 2.5 million fans from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries have attended NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events at Richmond International Raceway during that time.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Red Baron returns at Indy: Ken Schrader will be driving the #49 Dodge emblazoned with the Red Baron frozen pizza colors this week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Red Baron frozen pizza products are distributed under the Schwan's Consumer Brands North America banner, which also markets other leading frozen-food retail brands. Schwan's Consumer Brands is a division of The Schwan Food Company, whose Schwan's Home Service business unit sponsors Schrader and the #49 BAM Dodge throughout the remainder of the season. "Last time we took the Red Baron Dodge out we were pretty fast at Charlotte. Maybe it's something about the black and red paint scheme that makes it look faster, I don't know. I do know this a brand new racecar we're bringing to Indy. The only laps it has turned all year were testing there a few weeks ago. It felt good then and it should feel good this weekend. We're hoping to go out there and have a lot of fun at Indy and bring home a 'major-like' finish; and I believe we can do that," said Schrader.(Williams Company)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Levi Strauss Signature Family of the Year: Levi Strauss Signature, the title sponsor of the All-American Soap Box Derby (AASBD), announced that the Ringold family from Fredericksburg, Va. has been selected the 2005 "Levi Strauss Signature Family of the Year." The Ringold family was selected for its contributions to this great youth racing pastime by exemplifying the core values of the Levi Strauss Signature brand and the AASBD, which include: teamwork, dedication, competition, perseverance, sportsmanship and a sense of family. The family was nominated by Alvin Staples, director of the Fredericksburg AASBD chapter. Parents, Gregg and Janice, with children, Gennifer and Jonathan, and neighbors, Chris and Daniel, traveled to the 68th AASBD Championship in Akron, Ohio, last weekend, where they were honored during the championship award presentations on Saturday. The entire Ringold family is involved in their local Soap Box Derby chapter. They are the first to arrive and the last to leave at every event they work including: clinics, inspection weekends and race days. In addition to their own two children racing, Gregg and Janice have supplied a car and transportation for two neighbors who did not have the means to race. An official Youth Initiative of NASCAR, the AASBD season runs year-round and is comprised of more than 450 races across the United States and overseas, culminating with the annual event in Akron. Boys and girls ages 8-17 build their own gravity-powered car from kits purchased from the AASBD, typically with assistance from a parent or other adult. Earlier this spring, the Levi Strauss Signature brand entered into a sponsorship agreement with the AASBD to become the title sponsor of the organization's championship event in Akron, while NASCAR Nextel Cup driver [#48] Jimmie Johnson serves as the Derby's national spokesperson.(Alan Taylor Communications PR)
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Bainbridge fined for Gateway rules violationsDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR officials have announced that Blake Bainbridge, crew chief for the No. 64 Dodge driven by Rusty Wallace in the NASCAR Busch Series, has been fined $500 for rules violations that occurred last week at Gateway International Raceway.
During opening day inspection on July 29, the No. 64 was found to have an unapproved window net. The net was too small, a violation of Section 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules) of the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series rule book. That infraction also violated Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing).
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Paul Tracy to run for RCR at Michigan UPDATE: Open wheel star Paul Tracy will test August 8-9 at Michigan International Speedway in Richard Childress Racing's (RCR) #33 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Chevrolet in preparation for the Aug. 21 GFS Marketplace 400. The Ontario, Canada native is the 2003 Champ Car World Series champion and has 30 victories, ranking him first among the series' active drivers and third all-time. Tracy is currently second in the 2005 point standings with two victories (Milwaukee, June 4; Cleveland, June 26), six top-five finishes and two pole positions after eight of 14 races. He finished second in the July 31 Taylor Woodrow Grand Prix of San Jose (Calif.)."Paul and I have talked about an opportunity like this for the past couple years and it has finally come together for Michigan," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. "I'd like to thank Gerry Forsythe and Forsythe Championship Racing for allowing us the chance to give this a try. This will be Paul's first shot in a stock car but he obviously has a great deal of talent and knows how to win races and championships. We'll take a look at how things go after the test and, if all goes according to plan, get him ready for the Cup race the next week." Tracy is looking forward to testing his driving skills again at the MIS oval. He competed in Champ Cars there 10 times (1992-2001), earning four top-five and seven top-10 finishes and a pole position (2000). The 2000 pole speed set the track qualifying record at 234.949 mph (30.645 seconds). "I'm very excited about this opportunity especially at Michigan where I have a lot of experience," said Tracy. "Driving a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup car will be totally new to me but my focus is to develop a package that will help Kevin (Harvick), Jeff (Burton) and Dave (Blaney) and their teams for the race weekend. I want to do whatever I can to help."(RCR)
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Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame winners: This year’s votes have been cast and tallied to determine who will be enshrined in the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame during the UAW-Ford 500 Event Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. The 2005 inductees will be Kevin Harvick in the active driver category and Herb Thomas in the inactive driver category. The 2005 Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Davey Allison Memorial Park in uptown Talladega, a block south of the town square. This year’s induction ceremony begins at 7 p.m. and will be emceed by Benny Parsons. Admission to the event is free to the general public, and race fans in town for the Sunday, Oct. 2 UAW-Ford 500 are encouraged to attend. The Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame was created in 1994 in honor of Davey Allison. Since 1995, one active driver and up to two inactive drivers have been inducted into the Walk of Fame based on fans’ votes chosen from a ballot of nominees selected by strict guidelines established by the Davey Allison Memorial Park Board of Directors. To qualify for the “active” category, drivers must have achieved at least three NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series victories through the season prior to nomination. For the “inactive” category, a driver must have won a minimum of 19 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races or have achieved status as a former NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion.(Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame site)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ride Home With NASCAR's Best: Everybody wants a reliable designated driver, and it’s tough to do better than the defending NASCAR Cup Champion. Some lucky bar patrons will experience that very scenario on Thursday night, August 4, leading up to the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. That’s when Kurt Busch will lead a fleet of 10 No. 97 Crown Royal Ford Taurus’ as they provide free, safe rides home to Indianapolis area bar patrons. Consumers can sign up for free rides home at a specially decorated taxi kiosk in downtown Indianapolis as part of Crown Royal’s “Be a Champion. Drink Responsibly” program that promotes responsible drinking. For more information go: crownroyalracing.com - Alan Taylor Communications ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Profanity police?
Debate over NASCAR's stance on questionable language still fierce
By Mark Spoor, NASCAR.COM
On one of the most historic days in NASCAR's 56-year existence, not a single stock car was on any racetrack in the United States.
In fact, that day's ripple effects still are being felt everywhere -- from the NASCAR offices, to television networks' headquarters to the garage area.
The date? Feb. 1, 2004 -- Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" at the Super Bowl.
"Janet Jackson's boob turned the whole world around," says FOX and SPEED NASCAR analyst Larry McReynolds.
An understatement to be sure. Stricter guidelines from the Federal Communications Commission and a need by NASCAR to protect its broadcast partners have led to fines and loss of championship points for several teams.
All the while, TV networks are allowed -- with wide-open microphones -- just about everywhere on the racetrack grounds.
"There's very few places for people to hide," says NASCAR on FOX producer Neil Goldberg. "We are allowed to step behind the lines and into the locker rooms sometimes and frustration does spill out."
Drivers like Tony Stewart understand NASCAR's position, but hope that one day its perspective will change.
"I think there's a point in time where it's going to go too far, and everybody's going to have to take a step back and say, 'There's part of this that is going to happen.'" Says Stewart.
Meanwhile, NASCAR says drivers and teams should get used to watching their language.
"We are going to do what we feel is necessary to preserve the integrity of the sport," says NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston.
The debate continues throughout the NASCAR community: Is the sport compromising its personality in an effort to stay squeaky clean?
Setting the precedent
The Federal Communications Commission began a heavy crackdown on broadcast indecency almost immediate after the Super Bowl incident, resulting in several high-profile fines levied against broadcast firms. The most well known being fines in excess of $2 million against Clear Channel Communications for indecency complaints against radio hosts Howard Stern and "Bubba the Love Sponge."
NASCAR took notice. Three weeks after the "wardrobe malfunction," in late February at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, NASCAR president Mike Helton addressed competitors at both the Busch Series and Nextel Cup drivers' meetings, imploring all to watch their mouths when on the air.
Not surprisingly, some drivers tested the policy and found out the sanctioning body wasn't fooling around.
The first offenses flew a bit under most fans' radar screens. On March 6, Busch Series driver Johnny Sauter was docked 25 points and fined $10,000 for use of inappropriate language in a broadcast interview following a race at Las Vegas.
Two months later, Ron Hornaday got the same punishment following a radio interview at Dover.
As it turns out, both point deductions had little impact on the final Busch Series championship standings. Sauter was 18th ;Hornaday finished fourth.
However, on the Cup side, things got a bit more serious in October.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was celebrating his fifth career Talladega win in Victory Lane when he was asked by NBC's Matt Yocum what it meant to have five Talladega victories.
"It don't mean s--- right now. Daddy's won here 10 times," was Junior's response to a live national TV audience.
It didn't take long for NASCAR's hammer to fall on the No. 8 team. Two days after the incident, Earnhardt Jr. got the identical punishment as Hornaday and Sauter. Before the penalty, Earnhardt Jr. was the championship leader. After the penalty, he trailed eventual champion Kurt Busch by 12 points.
By the end of the week, sides were taken.
"I think we're the only sport that takes points off of the board after they've been scored," laments DEI director of competition Richie Gilmore after the penalty is announced. "The popularity of this sport is based on colorful personalities and the fact that everyone can relate to these drivers and their emotions. Now, it seems like that's a detriment."
Days later, Tony Stewart voices his concern that personality is being taken away from the sport.
"What he said didn't cheat anybody on the racetrack," Stewart tells The Associated Press. "It didn't have any effect on how the race was run. That [penalty] can have an effect on millions of dollars and how their sponsors have to handle this now, and the pressure it has put on their team. It's been totally unfair to him and his race team."
"What's going to be the next thing?" he asks. "If we don't show up to the car for practice on time, are we going to lose 25 points for that next? Where is it realistically going to end?"
NBC, TNT and MRN each institute delays of different lengths the next weekend at Kansas. In the end, NASCAR sticks to its guns and the precedent set by the Hornaday and Sauter penalties.
What's more, the point loss has little effect on the final season standings; Junior finishes fifth.
Putting a finger on it
Just when the obscenity debate dies down, it gets stirred up again when Shane Hmiel is caught giving Dale Jarrett the bird on FX's coverage of the Busch Series race at Bristol in March.
After the penalty is announced, Jeff Burton expresses concern that Hmiel's penalty is very different from the ones given to Junior, Hornaday and Sauter last season.
"I feel that we've got Pandora's Box open pretty big on this one," says Burton. "I didn't have any problem last year on the deal with Junior. [NASCAR] warned us and said this is what's going to happen. It happened and they said exactly what they said they were going to do," Burton said. "But this is spontaneity.
"We go in the Tunnel Turn at Pocono and I get into [Ricky Rudd] and my in-car camera shows him flipping me off, and he gets penalized, that's tough."
It also seems to give television producers a lot of power on raceday. FOX's Goldberg says that responsibility is something he and his crew are aware of.
"We have to be conscience of it. The FCC makes us conscience of it now because there are ramifications going back to other incidents that have happened."
To that end, Goldberg said his crew does a lot to put the odds more in the drivers' favor.
"While we like drama and excitement, we don't want to put that stuff out on television," says Goldberg. "We don't want to put anyone in a bad position. I try to do a telecast that my 16- and 13-year-old will watch.
"We think about it in the truck, we look at the situation. We know that we're catching drivers come out of incidents on the track and we're careful to let them know that we're going to them live."
Marty Snider, a pit reporter on NBC/TNT's coverage, says he also tells potential subjects that they will be on the air live.
"I like to do it, just to let them know that they're going to a big audience, not to tell them what to say, but I think it's just a good idea."
One thing that Goldberg and his crew did during its half of the season this year was to show drivers replays of any incident on the air. Goldberg said the practice was successful.
"It's happened a few times this year where a driver thought something happened and they see a replay on the pit monitors with the pit reporter and they see, well, it wasn't his fault. It was a whole different thing that happened."
That doesn't mean that good television isn't a priority.
"We want to capture the human drama and human nature of the sport, but we don't want to sanitize it, either," says Goldberg.
As far as the Hmiel situation itself, Goldberg said the presence of an in-car camera didn't make Hmiel get fined and lose points.
"A competitor letting that get the better of him to take that kind of action and make that kind of gesture, it's going to be captured on any number of 30 cameras that we have around the track.
"That's just a matter of anger management," he continued. "We can't just turn cameras off and wait until a competitor decides how he's going to act."
Stewart, who has had a bit of a checkered past with television cameras, says NASCAR drivers are held to a higher standard than most other athletes.
"We're humans in there and we're in the heat of the battle," says Stewart. "You don't have microphones on hockey players when they're out there, or football players, you don't hear them jawing at each other."
Reality TV
Darrell Waltrip, one of FOX and SPEED's commentators and a three-time Cup champion, has always likened the broadcast to a reality show and has said that he, McReynolds and play-by-play man Mike Joy are just reacting to what they see on the track.
McReynolds just hopes that the reality of NASCAR remains on the broadcast.
"Our sport is pretty squeaking clean," says McReynolds. "And I know that we don't want to be like the WWE, but I don't want us to lose the passion.
"We've got to find that balance."
Snider says even more than language, the real power television has on NASCAR is the power of persuasion.
"I think the biggest thing that TV can do is sway public opinion and public opinion builds NASCAR racing. You can really get a good gauge on things if you throw them out to the public."
Stewart agrees.
"The stuff that NASCAR fans are able to see is something that makes our sport unique and special. Hopefully, it won't get to the point where you lose the human element of the equation."
Poston says even with the tougher regulations, NASCAR still has plenty of emotion -- and even uses Stewart as an example.
"What Tony Stewart has done the past few weeks after he's won, [climbing the fences at Daytona and New Hampshire], that shows plenty of emotion," says Poston. "The confrontation [between Kevin Harvick and Joe Nemechek] at the All-Star Challenge, that showed emotion.
"Drivers show emotion and they do get heated," he says. "That's part of the sport."
NASCAR meets with the television producers each week, and Poston notes there's never any talk about how the producers need to do their jobs.
"We need to be able to let them do what they do," he says. "We're not going to get to the point where we're micromanaging them."
But ...
"The environment has changed," says Poston. "We need to help protect our broadcast partners. As the environment has changed, so have we."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Debate over NASCAR's stance on questionable language still fierce
By Mark Spoor, NASCAR.COM
On one of the most historic days in NASCAR's 56-year existence, not a single stock car was on any racetrack in the United States.
In fact, that day's ripple effects still are being felt everywhere -- from the NASCAR offices, to television networks' headquarters to the garage area.
The date? Feb. 1, 2004 -- Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" at the Super Bowl.
"Janet Jackson's boob turned the whole world around," says FOX and SPEED NASCAR analyst Larry McReynolds.
An understatement to be sure. Stricter guidelines from the Federal Communications Commission and a need by NASCAR to protect its broadcast partners have led to fines and loss of championship points for several teams.
All the while, TV networks are allowed -- with wide-open microphones -- just about everywhere on the racetrack grounds.
"There's very few places for people to hide," says NASCAR on FOX producer Neil Goldberg. "We are allowed to step behind the lines and into the locker rooms sometimes and frustration does spill out."
Drivers like Tony Stewart understand NASCAR's position, but hope that one day its perspective will change.
"I think there's a point in time where it's going to go too far, and everybody's going to have to take a step back and say, 'There's part of this that is going to happen.'" Says Stewart.
Meanwhile, NASCAR says drivers and teams should get used to watching their language.
"We are going to do what we feel is necessary to preserve the integrity of the sport," says NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston.
The debate continues throughout the NASCAR community: Is the sport compromising its personality in an effort to stay squeaky clean?
Setting the precedent
The Federal Communications Commission began a heavy crackdown on broadcast indecency almost immediate after the Super Bowl incident, resulting in several high-profile fines levied against broadcast firms. The most well known being fines in excess of $2 million against Clear Channel Communications for indecency complaints against radio hosts Howard Stern and "Bubba the Love Sponge."
NASCAR took notice. Three weeks after the "wardrobe malfunction," in late February at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, NASCAR president Mike Helton addressed competitors at both the Busch Series and Nextel Cup drivers' meetings, imploring all to watch their mouths when on the air.
Not surprisingly, some drivers tested the policy and found out the sanctioning body wasn't fooling around.
The first offenses flew a bit under most fans' radar screens. On March 6, Busch Series driver Johnny Sauter was docked 25 points and fined $10,000 for use of inappropriate language in a broadcast interview following a race at Las Vegas.
Two months later, Ron Hornaday got the same punishment following a radio interview at Dover.
As it turns out, both point deductions had little impact on the final Busch Series championship standings. Sauter was 18th ;Hornaday finished fourth.
However, on the Cup side, things got a bit more serious in October.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was celebrating his fifth career Talladega win in Victory Lane when he was asked by NBC's Matt Yocum what it meant to have five Talladega victories.
"It don't mean s--- right now. Daddy's won here 10 times," was Junior's response to a live national TV audience.
It didn't take long for NASCAR's hammer to fall on the No. 8 team. Two days after the incident, Earnhardt Jr. got the identical punishment as Hornaday and Sauter. Before the penalty, Earnhardt Jr. was the championship leader. After the penalty, he trailed eventual champion Kurt Busch by 12 points.
By the end of the week, sides were taken.
"I think we're the only sport that takes points off of the board after they've been scored," laments DEI director of competition Richie Gilmore after the penalty is announced. "The popularity of this sport is based on colorful personalities and the fact that everyone can relate to these drivers and their emotions. Now, it seems like that's a detriment."
Days later, Tony Stewart voices his concern that personality is being taken away from the sport.
"What he said didn't cheat anybody on the racetrack," Stewart tells The Associated Press. "It didn't have any effect on how the race was run. That [penalty] can have an effect on millions of dollars and how their sponsors have to handle this now, and the pressure it has put on their team. It's been totally unfair to him and his race team."
"What's going to be the next thing?" he asks. "If we don't show up to the car for practice on time, are we going to lose 25 points for that next? Where is it realistically going to end?"
NBC, TNT and MRN each institute delays of different lengths the next weekend at Kansas. In the end, NASCAR sticks to its guns and the precedent set by the Hornaday and Sauter penalties.
What's more, the point loss has little effect on the final season standings; Junior finishes fifth.
Putting a finger on it
Just when the obscenity debate dies down, it gets stirred up again when Shane Hmiel is caught giving Dale Jarrett the bird on FX's coverage of the Busch Series race at Bristol in March.
After the penalty is announced, Jeff Burton expresses concern that Hmiel's penalty is very different from the ones given to Junior, Hornaday and Sauter last season.
"I feel that we've got Pandora's Box open pretty big on this one," says Burton. "I didn't have any problem last year on the deal with Junior. [NASCAR] warned us and said this is what's going to happen. It happened and they said exactly what they said they were going to do," Burton said. "But this is spontaneity.
"We go in the Tunnel Turn at Pocono and I get into [Ricky Rudd] and my in-car camera shows him flipping me off, and he gets penalized, that's tough."
It also seems to give television producers a lot of power on raceday. FOX's Goldberg says that responsibility is something he and his crew are aware of.
"We have to be conscience of it. The FCC makes us conscience of it now because there are ramifications going back to other incidents that have happened."
To that end, Goldberg said his crew does a lot to put the odds more in the drivers' favor.
"While we like drama and excitement, we don't want to put that stuff out on television," says Goldberg. "We don't want to put anyone in a bad position. I try to do a telecast that my 16- and 13-year-old will watch.
"We think about it in the truck, we look at the situation. We know that we're catching drivers come out of incidents on the track and we're careful to let them know that we're going to them live."
Marty Snider, a pit reporter on NBC/TNT's coverage, says he also tells potential subjects that they will be on the air live.
"I like to do it, just to let them know that they're going to a big audience, not to tell them what to say, but I think it's just a good idea."
One thing that Goldberg and his crew did during its half of the season this year was to show drivers replays of any incident on the air. Goldberg said the practice was successful.
"It's happened a few times this year where a driver thought something happened and they see a replay on the pit monitors with the pit reporter and they see, well, it wasn't his fault. It was a whole different thing that happened."
That doesn't mean that good television isn't a priority.
"We want to capture the human drama and human nature of the sport, but we don't want to sanitize it, either," says Goldberg.
As far as the Hmiel situation itself, Goldberg said the presence of an in-car camera didn't make Hmiel get fined and lose points.
"A competitor letting that get the better of him to take that kind of action and make that kind of gesture, it's going to be captured on any number of 30 cameras that we have around the track.
"That's just a matter of anger management," he continued. "We can't just turn cameras off and wait until a competitor decides how he's going to act."
Stewart, who has had a bit of a checkered past with television cameras, says NASCAR drivers are held to a higher standard than most other athletes.
"We're humans in there and we're in the heat of the battle," says Stewart. "You don't have microphones on hockey players when they're out there, or football players, you don't hear them jawing at each other."
Reality TV
Darrell Waltrip, one of FOX and SPEED's commentators and a three-time Cup champion, has always likened the broadcast to a reality show and has said that he, McReynolds and play-by-play man Mike Joy are just reacting to what they see on the track.
McReynolds just hopes that the reality of NASCAR remains on the broadcast.
"Our sport is pretty squeaking clean," says McReynolds. "And I know that we don't want to be like the WWE, but I don't want us to lose the passion.
"We've got to find that balance."
Snider says even more than language, the real power television has on NASCAR is the power of persuasion.
"I think the biggest thing that TV can do is sway public opinion and public opinion builds NASCAR racing. You can really get a good gauge on things if you throw them out to the public."
Stewart agrees.
"The stuff that NASCAR fans are able to see is something that makes our sport unique and special. Hopefully, it won't get to the point where you lose the human element of the equation."
Poston says even with the tougher regulations, NASCAR still has plenty of emotion -- and even uses Stewart as an example.
"What Tony Stewart has done the past few weeks after he's won, [climbing the fences at Daytona and New Hampshire], that shows plenty of emotion," says Poston. "The confrontation [between Kevin Harvick and Joe Nemechek] at the All-Star Challenge, that showed emotion.
"Drivers show emotion and they do get heated," he says. "That's part of the sport."
NASCAR meets with the television producers each week, and Poston notes there's never any talk about how the producers need to do their jobs.
"We need to be able to let them do what they do," he says. "We're not going to get to the point where we're micromanaging them."
But ...
"The environment has changed," says Poston. "We need to help protect our broadcast partners. As the environment has changed, so have we."
Cross' Words: All things Moon Pie, Butter Beans
By B. Duane Cross, NASCAR.COM
(just for fun)
The dog days of summer are begrudgingly giving way to all things fall -- tailgating, Bristol at night, The Chase. It's back-to-school, huntin'-season's-comin' and where's-my-long-underwear.
It's also time to find a date for the race. You can't show up at Richmond empty-handed; finding Mr. or Mrs. Right (Now) is important. You never know when you'll cross paths with a driver at the local Sonic, but you should be prepared if it happens.
So as a public service, your humble columnist is passing along a list of How to find Mr. or Mrs. Right (Now). This Redneck Astrology Chart was e-mailed to me, and after careful evaluation, I believe it to be quite accurate. Never mind that I'm a Moon Pie and my wife is a Butter Bean. Our stars have aligned for eight years of blissful marriage.
And this is a Southern thang, so if you haven't tasted some of these delicacies, you still can play along. There's plenty to go around, and we're big on being charitable. (How else to explain Georgia peach Julia Roberts' marriage to Lyle Lovette?)
Love is a many-splendored thing, so here's to finding your Butter Bean. Just keep in mind this is merely a guideline; Dr. Phil, I ain't.
Redneck Astrology Chart
Okra
Dec. 22 - Jan. 20 -- Tough on the outside but tender on the inside. ... Okras have tremendous influence. An older Okra can look back over his life and see the seeds of his influence everywhere.
You can do something good each day if you try.
Okras
Greg Biffle
Robby Gordon
Bobby Hamilton Jr.
Mark Martin
Boston Reid
Scott Riggs
Chitlin
Jan. 21 - Feb. 19 -- Come from humble backgrounds. A Chitlin, however, will make something of himself if he is motivated and has lots of seasoning.
In dealing with Chitlins, be careful. They may surprise you; they can erupt like Mt. Vesuvius. Chitlins are best with Catfish and Okra.
Chitlins
Blake Feese
Justin Labonte
Reed Sorenson
Jimmy Spencer
Darrell Waltrip
Scott Wimmer
Boll Weevil
Feb. 20 - March 20 -- Have an overwhelming curiosity. You're unsatisfied with the surface of things, and you feel the need to bore deep into the interior of everything.
Needless to say, you are very intense and driven, as if you had some inner hunger. You love to stay busy and tend to work too much. Nobody in their right mind is going to marry you, so don't worry about it.
Boll Weevils
John Andretti
Matt Kenseth
Travis Kvapil
Mike Wallace
Moon Pie
March 21 - April 20 -- The type that spends a lot of time on the front porch. A cinch to recognize the physical appearance of Moon Pies. Big and round are the key words here.
You should marry anybody who you can get remotely interested in the idea. It's not going to be easy. You always have a big smile and are happy. This might be the year to think about aerobics. Maybe not.
Moon Pies
Mike Bliss
Kasey Kahne
Casey Mears
Tony Raines
Possum
April 21 - May 21 -- When confronted with life's difficulties, possums have a marked tendency to withdraw and develop a don't-bother-me-about-it attitude. Sometimes you become so withdrawn, people actually think you're dead. This strategy probably is not psychologically healthy, but it seems to work for you.
You are a rare breed; most folks love to watch you work and play. You are a night person and mind your own business.
Possums
Kyle Busch
Bobby Labonte
Elliott Sadler
Hermie Sadler
Tony Stewart
Michael Waltrip
Crawfish
May 22 - June 21 -- A water sign. If you work in an office, you're hanging around the water cooler. Crawfish prefer the beach to the mountains, the pool to the golf course, and the bathtub to the living room.
You tend not to be particularly attractive physically, but you have very good heads.
Crawfish
Clint Bowyer
Matt Crafton
Ricky Craven
Wally Dallenbach Jr.
Bobby Hamilton
Ron Hornaday Jr.
Jeremy Mayfield
Jamie McMurray
Kyle Petty
Ken Schrader
David Stremme
Collards
June 22 - July 23 -- Have a genius for communication. You love to get in the melting pot of life and share your essence with the essence of those around you. Collards make good social workers, psychologists and baseball managers.
As far as your personal life goes, if you are a Collard, stay away from Crawfish. It just won't work, so save yourself a lot of heartache.
Collards
Johnny Benson
Jeff Burton
Brendan Gaughan
Kevin Lepage
Sterling Marlin
Mike Skinner
Martin Truex Jr.
Catfish
July 24 - Aug. 23 -- Traditionalists in matters of the heart, although one's whiskers may cause problems for loved ones. Catfish are never easy people to understand. You run fast. You work and play hard.
Even though you prefer the muddy bottoms to the clear surface of life, you are liked by most. Above all else, Catfish should stay away from Moon Pies.
Catfish
Kurt Busch
Carl Edwards
Jeff Gordon
Paul Menard
Steve Park
Kenny Wallace
Rusty Wallace
Grits
Aug. 24 - Sept. 23 -- Your highest aim is to be with others like yourself. You like to huddle together with a big crowd of other Grits. You love to travel, so maybe you should think about joining a club.
Where do you like to go? Anywhere they have cheese, gravy, bacon, butter or eggs -- and a good time. If you can go somewhere where they have all these things, that would serve you well. You are pure in heart.
Grits
Jeff Green
Jimmie Johnson
Michel Jourdain Jr.
Jason Leffler
Ricky Rudd
Boris Said
Boiled Peanuts
Sept. 24 - Oct. 23 -- Have a passionate desire to help your fellow man. Unfortunately, those who know you best -- your friends and loved ones -- may find that your personality is much too salty, and their criticism will affect you deeply because you are really much softer than you appear.
You should go right ahead and marry anybody you want to because in a certain way, yours is a charmed life. On the road of life, you can be sure that people will always pull over and stop for you.
Boiled Peanuts
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Bill Elliott
Joe Nemechek
Brandon Whitt
J.J. Yeley
Butter Bean
Oct. 24 - Nov. 22 -- Always invite a Butter Bean to a party because Butter Beans get along well with everybody.
You, as a Butter Bean, should be proud. You've grown on the vine of life, and you feel at home no matter what the setting. You can sit next to anybody. However, you, also, shouldn't have anything to do with Moon Pies.
Butter Beans
Dave Blaney
Denny Hamlin
Terry Labonte
Brian Vickers
Jon Wood
Armadillo
Nov. 23 - Dec. 21 -- You have a tendency to develop a tough exterior, but you are actually quite gentle and kind inside. A good evening for you? Old friends, a fire, some roots, fruit, worms and insects. You are a throwback. You're not concerned with today's fashions and trends. You're not concerned with anything about today. You're almost prehistoric in your interests and behavior patterns.
You probably want to marry another Armadillo, but a Possum is another somewhat mating possibility. Not every molehill has to be a mountain.
Armadillos
Kerry Earnhardt
Kevin Harvick
Dale Jarrett
Ryan Newman
Legal disclaimer: Astrology is not an exact science, and many of the drivers are married. The chart is intended for its entertainment value only (inset your own joke here) and is not endorsed by Dr. Phil or Dr. Ruth, so don't go getting all legal and haul me in front of Judge Judy because your love life is playing possum.
Quote, Unquote
"Janet Jackson's boob turned the whole world around."
-- NASCAR analyst Larry McReynolds, discussing the stricter broadcast guidelines from the FCC
Flags
• Red -- Jason Keller entered Saturday night's Busch Series race at Madison, Ill., with the chance to move into the top 10 in points. After all, he had seven top-10s in eight previous starts at Gateway. Alas, a 33rd-place finish dropped him 99 points behind Paul Menard for 10th in points.
• Yellow -- Reed Sorenson hasn't finished outside the top 20 in the past 10 races (average finish: 7.8), and that stretch includes seven top 10s and a victory Saturday night at Gateway. He's now only 84 points behind Busch Series leader Martin Truex Jr.
• Green -- As good as Sorenson has been, Clint Bowyer is even better. He has only one finished outside the top 20 in the past 17 races, including one victory (Nashville) and 11 top-10s. Bowyer was 189 points behind after Phoenix on April 22; he now trails Truex Jr. by only 70 points.
Around the Track
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway will continue its support of the Department of Defense's "America Supports You" initiative at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard by selling commemorative dog tags, with proceeds benefiting the Homes for Our Troops organization. The dog tags, which are $5 each, will be available at a booth in the Pagoda Plaza from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8-11 a.m. Sunday.
• Fans can purchase the new 2006 NASCAR Pets Calendar and attend the calendar launch autograph session from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday in the Pagoda Plaza at Indy. Greg Biffle and Ryan Newman will autograph only the calendars; they will not sign other merchandise or souvenirs.
• On Sunday, 20,000 fans will receive a free Allstate 400 at the Brickyard collectible pin. The limited edition pins will be distributed at the Allstate kiosks, located at Gate 1, Gate 9, the East Museum lot and the Pagoda Plaza, along the Tunnel 6 railing. Each pin includes a capsule containing brick dust from the Yard of Bricks removed from the start-finish line when the track was repaved last year.
Up Next
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
• Jimmie Johnson has competed in three races at Indianapolis, scoring one top-10 finish -- a ninth-place finish in 2002. He finished 36th last year, his worst finish at the track and only DNF there. Johnson has a 21.0 average finish at Indy.
• Tony Stewart has finished 17th or better in all six of his races at Indy. He finished fifth in this race last year, tying his best finish (2000). Stewart has led in three of his six races and has a 9.7 average finish at the track.
• Rusty Wallace has competed in all 11 races at Indianapolis, with nine top-10 finishes and 10 top-15s. His average finish is 8.9. Wallace has led 148 laps at the track, ranking fourth behind Bill Elliott (157), Dale Jarrett (186) and Jeff Gordon (433).
Mail Call
That was a very good article about Lisa Marie Presley. I appreciate the good comments and thoughts about a town that is so divided. It's refreshing. We also have a Truck and a Busch race. Try to coax LMP to come to her home track once in a while.
-- Bonez, Memphis
As Disney likes to say, "When you wish upon a star ..."
It makes a lot of people sick when they see a celebrity at a NASCAR race. Name one top Hollywood celeb who watches every NASCAR race, or who goes to several races each season. ... Can't do it, huh? I'd appreciate it if Hollywood was left out of NASCAR. Let the stars of NASCAR represent themselves. Let the fans who have lived and died NASCAR for all their lives represent NASCAR. NASCAR can stand on its own four wheels without anybody's help. Who cares if Lenny Kravitz, Lisa Marie or Lee Ann Rimes "Got it bad." I'll bet they don't.
-- Kelly
A few fans echoed Kelly's sentiments. Fact of the matter: This isn't old-school NASCAR. It's entertainment. A lot of folks don't like the new-school NASCAR, but you cannot argue with its bottom-line production. And until that changes, you're likely to see an expansion of the current mindset.
Nice article on Lisa Marie Presley. If you are interested, the "How Bad Have You Got It" campaign has won national awards.
• Lenny Kravitz "How Bad"
2005 Silver Winner National Telly Award
(Silver is the highest award given by the Telly's)
• Collective Soul "How Bad"
2005 Finalist Bronze National Telly Award
• Smashmouth "How Bad"
2004 Finalist Bronze National Telly Award
-- Karen Gragg, Charlotte, N.C.
I just read where Jeff Gordon said on his radio, "Mike Wallace needs to be shot." Ten seconds later, Mike was in the wall [at Pocono]. Why wasn't the media's darling, Gordon, black-flagged or held a lap or punished in some way? It seems like Gordon could get away with murder. Mike drives for an under-funded team and he is fighting to stay in the top 35 in points. Gordon should pay the bill out of his own pocket for the damages he caused. When Gordon gets frustrated he takes it out on other drivers and never has to pay the consequences.
-- Cathy, Oscoda, Mich.
Yep, that comment was made, and Mike Wallace did get into the wall. However, the bill may come due on those "consequences;" drivers have the memory of an elephant.
Fantasy Perspective
• Bobby Labonte, Bill Elliott, Jeff Burton and Michael Waltrip have all been running at the finish in all 11 races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
• There have been seven different Bud Pole winners in the last seven races at Indianapolis, and seven of the 11 races at Indy have been won from seventh or better.
• Jeff Gordon has finished sixth or better in nine of the 11 races at Indy, and he has four top-10s -- including two wins -- in his last four races at the track.
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the writer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~By B. Duane Cross, NASCAR.COM
(just for fun)
The dog days of summer are begrudgingly giving way to all things fall -- tailgating, Bristol at night, The Chase. It's back-to-school, huntin'-season's-comin' and where's-my-long-underwear.
It's also time to find a date for the race. You can't show up at Richmond empty-handed; finding Mr. or Mrs. Right (Now) is important. You never know when you'll cross paths with a driver at the local Sonic, but you should be prepared if it happens.
So as a public service, your humble columnist is passing along a list of How to find Mr. or Mrs. Right (Now). This Redneck Astrology Chart was e-mailed to me, and after careful evaluation, I believe it to be quite accurate. Never mind that I'm a Moon Pie and my wife is a Butter Bean. Our stars have aligned for eight years of blissful marriage.
And this is a Southern thang, so if you haven't tasted some of these delicacies, you still can play along. There's plenty to go around, and we're big on being charitable. (How else to explain Georgia peach Julia Roberts' marriage to Lyle Lovette?)
Love is a many-splendored thing, so here's to finding your Butter Bean. Just keep in mind this is merely a guideline; Dr. Phil, I ain't.
Redneck Astrology Chart
Okra
Dec. 22 - Jan. 20 -- Tough on the outside but tender on the inside. ... Okras have tremendous influence. An older Okra can look back over his life and see the seeds of his influence everywhere.
You can do something good each day if you try.
Okras
Greg Biffle
Robby Gordon
Bobby Hamilton Jr.
Mark Martin
Boston Reid
Scott Riggs
Chitlin
Jan. 21 - Feb. 19 -- Come from humble backgrounds. A Chitlin, however, will make something of himself if he is motivated and has lots of seasoning.
In dealing with Chitlins, be careful. They may surprise you; they can erupt like Mt. Vesuvius. Chitlins are best with Catfish and Okra.
Chitlins
Blake Feese
Justin Labonte
Reed Sorenson
Jimmy Spencer
Darrell Waltrip
Scott Wimmer
Boll Weevil
Feb. 20 - March 20 -- Have an overwhelming curiosity. You're unsatisfied with the surface of things, and you feel the need to bore deep into the interior of everything.
Needless to say, you are very intense and driven, as if you had some inner hunger. You love to stay busy and tend to work too much. Nobody in their right mind is going to marry you, so don't worry about it.
Boll Weevils
John Andretti
Matt Kenseth
Travis Kvapil
Mike Wallace
Moon Pie
March 21 - April 20 -- The type that spends a lot of time on the front porch. A cinch to recognize the physical appearance of Moon Pies. Big and round are the key words here.
You should marry anybody who you can get remotely interested in the idea. It's not going to be easy. You always have a big smile and are happy. This might be the year to think about aerobics. Maybe not.
Moon Pies
Mike Bliss
Kasey Kahne
Casey Mears
Tony Raines
Possum
April 21 - May 21 -- When confronted with life's difficulties, possums have a marked tendency to withdraw and develop a don't-bother-me-about-it attitude. Sometimes you become so withdrawn, people actually think you're dead. This strategy probably is not psychologically healthy, but it seems to work for you.
You are a rare breed; most folks love to watch you work and play. You are a night person and mind your own business.
Possums
Kyle Busch
Bobby Labonte
Elliott Sadler
Hermie Sadler
Tony Stewart
Michael Waltrip
Crawfish
May 22 - June 21 -- A water sign. If you work in an office, you're hanging around the water cooler. Crawfish prefer the beach to the mountains, the pool to the golf course, and the bathtub to the living room.
You tend not to be particularly attractive physically, but you have very good heads.
Crawfish
Clint Bowyer
Matt Crafton
Ricky Craven
Wally Dallenbach Jr.
Bobby Hamilton
Ron Hornaday Jr.
Jeremy Mayfield
Jamie McMurray
Kyle Petty
Ken Schrader
David Stremme
Collards
June 22 - July 23 -- Have a genius for communication. You love to get in the melting pot of life and share your essence with the essence of those around you. Collards make good social workers, psychologists and baseball managers.
As far as your personal life goes, if you are a Collard, stay away from Crawfish. It just won't work, so save yourself a lot of heartache.
Collards
Johnny Benson
Jeff Burton
Brendan Gaughan
Kevin Lepage
Sterling Marlin
Mike Skinner
Martin Truex Jr.
Catfish
July 24 - Aug. 23 -- Traditionalists in matters of the heart, although one's whiskers may cause problems for loved ones. Catfish are never easy people to understand. You run fast. You work and play hard.
Even though you prefer the muddy bottoms to the clear surface of life, you are liked by most. Above all else, Catfish should stay away from Moon Pies.
Catfish
Kurt Busch
Carl Edwards
Jeff Gordon
Paul Menard
Steve Park
Kenny Wallace
Rusty Wallace
Grits
Aug. 24 - Sept. 23 -- Your highest aim is to be with others like yourself. You like to huddle together with a big crowd of other Grits. You love to travel, so maybe you should think about joining a club.
Where do you like to go? Anywhere they have cheese, gravy, bacon, butter or eggs -- and a good time. If you can go somewhere where they have all these things, that would serve you well. You are pure in heart.
Grits
Jeff Green
Jimmie Johnson
Michel Jourdain Jr.
Jason Leffler
Ricky Rudd
Boris Said
Boiled Peanuts
Sept. 24 - Oct. 23 -- Have a passionate desire to help your fellow man. Unfortunately, those who know you best -- your friends and loved ones -- may find that your personality is much too salty, and their criticism will affect you deeply because you are really much softer than you appear.
You should go right ahead and marry anybody you want to because in a certain way, yours is a charmed life. On the road of life, you can be sure that people will always pull over and stop for you.
Boiled Peanuts
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Bill Elliott
Joe Nemechek
Brandon Whitt
J.J. Yeley
Butter Bean
Oct. 24 - Nov. 22 -- Always invite a Butter Bean to a party because Butter Beans get along well with everybody.
You, as a Butter Bean, should be proud. You've grown on the vine of life, and you feel at home no matter what the setting. You can sit next to anybody. However, you, also, shouldn't have anything to do with Moon Pies.
Butter Beans
Dave Blaney
Denny Hamlin
Terry Labonte
Brian Vickers
Jon Wood
Armadillo
Nov. 23 - Dec. 21 -- You have a tendency to develop a tough exterior, but you are actually quite gentle and kind inside. A good evening for you? Old friends, a fire, some roots, fruit, worms and insects. You are a throwback. You're not concerned with today's fashions and trends. You're not concerned with anything about today. You're almost prehistoric in your interests and behavior patterns.
You probably want to marry another Armadillo, but a Possum is another somewhat mating possibility. Not every molehill has to be a mountain.
Armadillos
Kerry Earnhardt
Kevin Harvick
Dale Jarrett
Ryan Newman
Legal disclaimer: Astrology is not an exact science, and many of the drivers are married. The chart is intended for its entertainment value only (inset your own joke here) and is not endorsed by Dr. Phil or Dr. Ruth, so don't go getting all legal and haul me in front of Judge Judy because your love life is playing possum.
Quote, Unquote
"Janet Jackson's boob turned the whole world around."
-- NASCAR analyst Larry McReynolds, discussing the stricter broadcast guidelines from the FCC
Flags
• Red -- Jason Keller entered Saturday night's Busch Series race at Madison, Ill., with the chance to move into the top 10 in points. After all, he had seven top-10s in eight previous starts at Gateway. Alas, a 33rd-place finish dropped him 99 points behind Paul Menard for 10th in points.
• Yellow -- Reed Sorenson hasn't finished outside the top 20 in the past 10 races (average finish: 7.8), and that stretch includes seven top 10s and a victory Saturday night at Gateway. He's now only 84 points behind Busch Series leader Martin Truex Jr.
• Green -- As good as Sorenson has been, Clint Bowyer is even better. He has only one finished outside the top 20 in the past 17 races, including one victory (Nashville) and 11 top-10s. Bowyer was 189 points behind after Phoenix on April 22; he now trails Truex Jr. by only 70 points.
Around the Track
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway will continue its support of the Department of Defense's "America Supports You" initiative at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard by selling commemorative dog tags, with proceeds benefiting the Homes for Our Troops organization. The dog tags, which are $5 each, will be available at a booth in the Pagoda Plaza from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8-11 a.m. Sunday.
• Fans can purchase the new 2006 NASCAR Pets Calendar and attend the calendar launch autograph session from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday in the Pagoda Plaza at Indy. Greg Biffle and Ryan Newman will autograph only the calendars; they will not sign other merchandise or souvenirs.
• On Sunday, 20,000 fans will receive a free Allstate 400 at the Brickyard collectible pin. The limited edition pins will be distributed at the Allstate kiosks, located at Gate 1, Gate 9, the East Museum lot and the Pagoda Plaza, along the Tunnel 6 railing. Each pin includes a capsule containing brick dust from the Yard of Bricks removed from the start-finish line when the track was repaved last year.
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Indianapolis Motor Speedway
• Jimmie Johnson has competed in three races at Indianapolis, scoring one top-10 finish -- a ninth-place finish in 2002. He finished 36th last year, his worst finish at the track and only DNF there. Johnson has a 21.0 average finish at Indy.
• Tony Stewart has finished 17th or better in all six of his races at Indy. He finished fifth in this race last year, tying his best finish (2000). Stewart has led in three of his six races and has a 9.7 average finish at the track.
• Rusty Wallace has competed in all 11 races at Indianapolis, with nine top-10 finishes and 10 top-15s. His average finish is 8.9. Wallace has led 148 laps at the track, ranking fourth behind Bill Elliott (157), Dale Jarrett (186) and Jeff Gordon (433).
Mail Call
That was a very good article about Lisa Marie Presley. I appreciate the good comments and thoughts about a town that is so divided. It's refreshing. We also have a Truck and a Busch race. Try to coax LMP to come to her home track once in a while.
-- Bonez, Memphis
As Disney likes to say, "When you wish upon a star ..."
It makes a lot of people sick when they see a celebrity at a NASCAR race. Name one top Hollywood celeb who watches every NASCAR race, or who goes to several races each season. ... Can't do it, huh? I'd appreciate it if Hollywood was left out of NASCAR. Let the stars of NASCAR represent themselves. Let the fans who have lived and died NASCAR for all their lives represent NASCAR. NASCAR can stand on its own four wheels without anybody's help. Who cares if Lenny Kravitz, Lisa Marie or Lee Ann Rimes "Got it bad." I'll bet they don't.
-- Kelly
A few fans echoed Kelly's sentiments. Fact of the matter: This isn't old-school NASCAR. It's entertainment. A lot of folks don't like the new-school NASCAR, but you cannot argue with its bottom-line production. And until that changes, you're likely to see an expansion of the current mindset.
Nice article on Lisa Marie Presley. If you are interested, the "How Bad Have You Got It" campaign has won national awards.
• Lenny Kravitz "How Bad"
2005 Silver Winner National Telly Award
(Silver is the highest award given by the Telly's)
• Collective Soul "How Bad"
2005 Finalist Bronze National Telly Award
• Smashmouth "How Bad"
2004 Finalist Bronze National Telly Award
-- Karen Gragg, Charlotte, N.C.
I just read where Jeff Gordon said on his radio, "Mike Wallace needs to be shot." Ten seconds later, Mike was in the wall [at Pocono]. Why wasn't the media's darling, Gordon, black-flagged or held a lap or punished in some way? It seems like Gordon could get away with murder. Mike drives for an under-funded team and he is fighting to stay in the top 35 in points. Gordon should pay the bill out of his own pocket for the damages he caused. When Gordon gets frustrated he takes it out on other drivers and never has to pay the consequences.
-- Cathy, Oscoda, Mich.
Yep, that comment was made, and Mike Wallace did get into the wall. However, the bill may come due on those "consequences;" drivers have the memory of an elephant.
Fantasy Perspective
• Bobby Labonte, Bill Elliott, Jeff Burton and Michael Waltrip have all been running at the finish in all 11 races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
• There have been seven different Bud Pole winners in the last seven races at Indianapolis, and seven of the 11 races at Indy have been won from seventh or better.
• Jeff Gordon has finished sixth or better in nine of the 11 races at Indy, and he has four top-10s -- including two wins -- in his last four races at the track.
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the writer.
Jeff Hammond / FOX Sports
As we head into this weekend at Indianapolis after an off-weekend of rest and relaxation for a lot of the teams, let's see if there have been some personnel, mechanical and attitude changes made on some of the teams that are running hard to make the Chase for the Nextel Cup.
Since they had a week to catch their breath and get rested up, it'll be interesting to see how the teams in the top 10 respond for the remaining six races because this stretch could be the most difficult that they're going to face for the remainder of this season. Not only do they need to play defense, they've got to play offense at the same time. They must protect what they've got but not give it up either. It can be a really difficult challenge when you're in that position.
The guys outside the top 10 know what they have to do. It's all or nothing for the next six races. Watching the way this season has unfolded, a lot of teams were getting tired. They were ready for a little bit of a break to clear their heads and not worry about getting up on Saturday and Sunday to go to the racetrack. I don't think people totally appreciate what the hectic week-in, week-out schedule does to guys that are in the business. It can wear on you as much as a 600-mile race so it'll be interesting to see who comes out of the box ready to cap off the Race to the Chase and who is just trying to make it to the end of the year.
NASCAR isn't Formula One racing, and as much as owner Rick Hendrick, driver Jeff Gordon and crew chief Robbie Loomis want to get into the Chase, I can't believe that Hendrick Motorsports teammate, points leader Jimmie Johnson, would give up a little bit of his lead to make sure that the 24 team makes it in. If Gordon deserves to be in the Chase, he'll get there. He'll race his way in. I hope we won't see team orders.
Look back to the way the championship used to be, you didn't safety up to make a race to the end of the season out of it. If I'm out front, I'm going to bury everybody around me because I really want to win that championship. I hope that's the way Chad Knaus and everybody at the 48 car feels right now. They've lost too many close title runs. If you let somebody like Gordon back into the Chase, it can affect you mentally because Gordon could be the very guy who takes the title away from you.
You would hate to get down to the last race and realize, "Hey, I let this guy back in. He's getting ready to steal something from me because I let him back in." I don't see it that way, and I hope Hendrick Motorsports looks at it the way I do. I'm not about to let somebody as good as Gordon get back in and take something that I want as bad as I hope they want that championship. Gordon's too good, and letting him into the Chase is all well and good when you're playing games. But this ain't no game.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
that's racin' (phrase): Expresses frustration or emotion. 1. When a small part costing just a few dollars fails and stops a $150,000 race car, that's racin'. 2. When you race a competitor for 500 miles and lose to him by just a few feet, that's racin'. 3. When a hot dog wrapper blows out of the stands, gets caught across the air vent on the front of your car and causes your engine to overheat, that's racin'.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, that's all for today. Until the next time, I remain,Your
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
"Don't come here and grumble about going too fast. Get the hell out of the race car if you've got feathers on your legs or butt. Put a kerosene rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up there and eat that candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt – 1998
"It's nothin' personal, it's just racin'
-Dale Earnhardt Sr.
This list is authored by:
Sandra Monacelli
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