Motorsports FanHouse

NASCAR Crash Video of the Week: Bristol

Geoffrey Miller — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR Crashes, NASCAR Videos, Sprint Cup

The concrete surface at Bristol Motor Speedway was re-done over the summer of 2007, with variable banking added in the already steeply-banked corners.

The change ultimately changed the form of racing at the legendary bull ring from single groove knock-em-to-pass-em racing to multi-groove, pass-em-high-or-low racing. Or, that change was in effect until the final restart on Sunday during the waning laps of the Food City 500 when Kevin Harvick body slammed Tony Stewart in to the wall. Watch below:

Harvick took blame for the accident as he should have. Stewart -- who is on probation -- was awkwardly calm though he got flat taken out by Harvick.
Gone are the days of Stewart yelling at people in the garage area, assaulting NASCAR officials, punching the occasional photographer, or, well, fill-in-the-blank.

Or is that what probation does?

NASCAR Crash Video of the Week: Bristol originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Tony Stewart Has to Hate Spring Bristol Races

Geoffrey Miller — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Joe Gibbs Racing, Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR Crashes, Richard Childress Racing, Sprint Cup

For the past three seasons at Bristol Motor Speedway, Tony Stewart has led a combined 769 laps during the famed short-track's springtime races.

And for the past three seasons, Stewart has walked away without so much as a lump in his throat about "what could have been."

The No. 20 has led 51.3% of all Food City 500 laps in the past three years but has only managed an average finish of 20th thanks to horrible luck or on-track incidents.

Sunday, Stewart had the familiar Bristol swagger going throughout much of the race and even showed plenty of patience in letting cars by him at times. Towards the end, it was shaping up to be a great finish with Stewart, Kevin Harvick, and Denny Hamlin.

After a caution with 15 to go bunched up the field and Harvick ducked to pit road for fresh tires. Harvick caught Stewart with three laps to go, and on a daring move to the inside he wiggled up the track and slammed Stewart, sending the No. 20 car around and into the wall.

He would finish 14th.

Stewart, known for being a little hot under the collar in pressure situations, was awkwardly calm in his post-race interview.

"I thought I left him plenty of room, but I don't know. I was far enough ahead of him that I didn't see where he hit me or when he hit me. I'm sure some how it was my fault. I'm just sorry I got in his way," said Stewart.

Obviously, Stewart was being quite sarcastic about the incident. Unlike Goodyear, Stewart didn't throw his good friend Kevin Harvick under the bus for the incident.

That's probably a good thing considering that "Operation: Wax Smoke" is happening this Wednesday on Stewart's radio show, with who else than Kevin Harvick being the designated "shaver".

Harvick was apologetic for the incident, taking full blame.

"I just lost it. I got up on the inside there and just flat out lost the thing. I was trying to win the race and I hate it. [...] Tony and I can work it out," said Harvick.

Let's certainly hope so, otherwise Operation: Wax Smoke could turn interesting.

Tony Stewart Has to Hate Spring Bristol Races originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Burton Scores Unlikely Food City 500 Win

Geoffrey Miller — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:10:00 EST

Filed under: Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Bristol Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing, Denny Hamlin, Sprint Cup

If you would have told Jeff Burton with ten laps left during Sunday's Food City 500 the directions to victory lane, he would have probably looked at you like you were crazy.

Burton, though, with a strange set of circumstances ended up needing those directions to Bristol Motor Speedway's victory lane.

With 15 laps to go, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, and Denny Hamlin were shaping up for a three-way battle for the lead when Brian Vickers cut a tire on his No. 83 Toyota and slammed the turn 3 wall, bringing out a caution.

Stewart, Hamlin, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. stayed out as the rest of the lead-lap cars -- including Harvick and Burton -- dove to pit road for fresh tires. On the restart with 5 laps to go, Stewart jumped out to a lead before Hamlin caught him and drove past.

Harvick had restarted 4th and passed Dale Earnhardt Jr. before getting to Stewart's rear bumper. As the two dove into turn one with 3 laps to go, Harvick hit the apron, bobbled, and doorslammed Stewart -- spinning the No. 20 into the wall.

In the mess, Burton drove underneath Harvick just before the caution came out, giving him second spot behind Hamlin for the ensuing green-white-checkered finish.

When the race restarted for the final time, Hamlin got a good restart but off of turn 2, his No. 11 Toyota stumbled for some reason and Burton blew past to lead the final lap and a half in a first for Richard Childress Racing. RCR finished 1-2-3 with Burton, Harvick, and Clint Bowyer crossing the finish line first.

The win was Burton's first of 2008 and his 20th of his career. Additionally, it was Chevrolet's first win of 2008.

Greg Biffle finished fourth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. fifth.

Burton Scores Unlikely Food City 500 Win originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

NASCAR Warmup: Food City 500

Geoffrey Miller — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Bristol Motor Speedway, Sprint Cup

What: Food City 500
Where: Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tennessee
When: Sunday, March 16, 1:30p/ET on FOX (Green Flag 2:00p/ET)
Distance: 500 laps, 250 miles
Weather: Partly sunny, with a high near 53. North wind around 10 mph.
2007 Winner: Kyle Busch
Predictions: Keep Reading

Breaking Down the Food City 500

Goodyear Still a Hot Garage Area Topic

It all started with Tony Stewart one week ago with his inflammatory comments directed at NASCAR's sole tire supplier, Goodyear.

Stewart continued those barbs this week in interviews and on his weekly radio show trying to make it clear that Goodyear desperately needed to change its practices when it comes to developing a race tire. Simply, Stewart felt that Goodyear has long been too conservative with its tire combinations in order to save corporate face.

Goodyear and NASCAR both staunchly disagreed with the stance, but for once, Stewart was able to speak his opinion the entire week.

Jeff Gordon originally had thought Stewart had gone over the top with his post-Atlanta remarks, but Friday he told the media that he thought that Goodyear had brought a tire combination to Bristol that didn't quite make sense.

Kasey Kahne reiterated those statements, as well.

"The left sides are wearing a lot," said Kasey Kahne, who had the fastest lap during the final practice before rain set in. "There's a lot of tire rubber on the track, which is going to make it kind of tough for two- and three-wide racing."

The tires could produce either issues with blow outs or the racing as Kahne said, which leads to one thing, and one thing only.

When exactly is Goodyear going to actually devote every resource to racing?

Sprint Cup races are not supposed to be testing grounds for tire combinations, they are races. Fans pay to see races with quality racing, not testing or chances taken with tires.

Predictions

The Food City 500 will be an interesting race after the rain over the weekend. Drivers have practiced on a race track that started out very green -- without any rubber in the surface to increase grip. By the end of final practice, the track had taken on more grip.

Then it rained hard again to take the track back to its "green" state.

That being said, the Food City 500 promises to be a crap shoot for the first 100 laps. Teams will be starting up front due to rain canceling qualifying that may not belong there, and the track will be under sunny conditions for the first time nearly all weekend.

I expect by lap 400, though, that there will a couple of clear favorites that we're used to seeing at Bristol, including Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, and Kyle Busch.

That, though, leaves out one driver who has just been itching to score a victory with Toyota.

Tony Stewart.

Enjoy the race.

NASCAR Warmup: Food City 500 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Video: Dale Jarrett's 1993 Daytona 500 Win

Geoffrey Miller — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:32:00 EST

Filed under: Dale Jarrett, Bristol Motor Speedway, Daytona Int'l Speedway, NASCAR Videos, Michael Waltrip Racing, Sprint Cup

With Dale Jarrett racing in his final points-paying NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Sunday afternoon at Bristol Motor Speedway, plenty of memories come flooding back about his storied NASCAR career.

The top of that list? The "Dale and Dale Show" from the 1993 Daytona 500. Watch below as his father, Ned Jarrett, calls his son (Green No. 18 car) to victory past Dale Earnhardt and others -- and try not to smile as he crosses the finish line.

That moment, with Ken Squier stepping out of his role in CBS booth in play-by-play to allow Ned to seemingly instruct his son to victory in the sport's biggest event, is definitely one of the tops in Daytona 500.

One championship, 32 wins, 288 Top-10s, 16 poles -- all impressive for a driver who had even more class than his statistics will ever show. And don't forget about his marquee wins of two Daytona 500s, two Brickyard 400s and a Coca-Cola 600.

When Jarrett hangs up the driving gloves of the No. 44 UPS Toyota after Sunday's Food City 500, NASCAR will lose yet another of the tremendous guiding influences this sport has had from the drivers seat.

Luckily, Jarrett will make one more start at the Sprint All-Star Race in May and will then take over a full-time role in the ESPN broadcast booth so he won't be entirely gone from the sport

What's your favorite Dale Jarrett moment? His first win at Michigan over Davey Allison? His win in the 1996 Daytona 500? His incident with Shane Hmiel?

Video: Dale Jarrett's 1993 Daytona 500 Win originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Rain Gives Bowyer Bristol Nationwide Race

Geoffrey Miller — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 19:40:00 EST

Filed under: Kasey Kahne, Clint Bowyer, Bristol Motor Speedway, Kyle Busch, David Ragan, Denny Hamlin, Nationwide Series

Clint Bowyer took home his first Nationwide Series victory of the 2008 season Saturday afternoon at Bristol Motor Speedway thanks to a persistent rain shower.

Saturday's 300-lapper started nearly two hours later after thunderstorms rumbled through the Tri-Cities of northeastern Tennessee just following Sprint Cup Series final practice. The race finally got underway just past 4:30pm/ET.

171 laps -- 21 past halfway -- were completed before more rain drenched the track. NASCAR wanted to restart the event, but the rain showers wouldn't stop.

The victory was Bowyer's sixth-career Nationwide Series win.

Kasey Kahne was visibly upset when the rain brought the cars to pit road on lap 171 saying that he "pretty much blew that." Kahne had been all over the rear bumper of Bowyer's No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet for many laps, but wanted to make the pass clean.

Denny Hamlin led early until a flat-tire forced him to pit road on lap 37 and Martin Truex Jr. got tapped by David Ragan off of turn 2, spun into turn 3, and was clipped by Kyle Busch very early in the event. Both Truex and Busch were knocked out of the race.

And yes, there apparently were some Nationwide Series regulars in the event, with Brad Keselowski finishing 4th.

Thankfully, NASCAR was able to get a majority of its schedule completed Saturday afternoon despite the heavy threat of rain. The forecast for Sunday's Food City 500 looks sunny and clear.

Rain Gives Bowyer Bristol Nationwide Race originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 19:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Rain Cancels Qualifying, Threatens Saturday

Geoffrey Miller — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:45:00 EST

Filed under: Bristol Motor Speedway, Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series

Jimmie Johnson will start out front for the second time in 2008 because of rain.

Bristol Motor Speedway was hit with several rain showers Friday afternoon that first delayed practice and finally canceled Sprint Cup and Nationwide qualifying.

Johnson started on the pole of the season's first race at Daytona, at California because of rain, and now at Bristol -- leaving Atlanta and Las Vegas as the two tracks Johnson didn't start out front in.

The lineup for Sunday's Food City 500 was set based on owner points at the end of the 2007 season in addition to a myriad of other processes for non-Top 35 drivers. Missing the race were Jeff Green, John Andretti, and Patrick Carpentier.

Saturday's schedule at Bristol looks even worse for practice and racing. Rain is possible before 2pm/ET and is highly likely (including heavy downpours) after that.

I'll be surprised if NASCAR gets most of their scheduled show in on Saturday, though Sunday's forecast looks much more promising.

Rain Cancels Qualifying, Threatens Saturday originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Bristol Goes Non-Smoking; Dover Gets Miles

Geoffrey Miller — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:38:00 EST

Filed under: Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR Tracks, Sprint Cup

This isn't going to go over well.

Bristol Motor Speedway announced this week that beginning with the Food City 500 race weekend in March, all events -- at the speedway and dragway -- will be smoke-free in accordance with Tennessee state law.

NASCAR fans will now be limited in their smoking arrangements, with grandstands, terraces, suites, and restrooms off-limits for those who want to light up. The concourses below the grandstands will, though, still allow smoking in the area.

BMS is following along with the recent "Non-Smoker Protection Act" legislation in the Tennessee state government that prohibits smokig in sports arenas.

While some may argue that smoking is a right, I'd argue that because I'm not a fan of lighting it up, this is a good measure. I'm just not the biggest fan of inhaling smoke though I've certainly dealed with it in the past. A minor inconvenience for some for the health of all?

Sounds good to me.

(Feel free to let me know if you won't be heading to Bristol anymore because you can't smoke, I'll gladly buy your tickets)

Monster Mile Building 46-foot Monster Statue

A few years ago, Dover International Speedway started handing out race-winner trophies with "Miles", a fictional monster who has a penchant for destroying race cars that goes along with the 1-mile concrete track's nickname of the "Monster Mile".
Now, he's getting a whole lot bigger.

In 2008, Miles the Monster will become the largest attraction at a NASCAR track and will be one of the tallest fiberglass structures in the world. The Monster Monument will stand 46-feet-tall amongst race fans in the newly created Victory Plaza at Dover International Speedway.

Yep, that won't be a scary thing for kids. Not at all.

I'm a fan, though.

Bristol Goes Non-Smoking; Dover Gets Miles originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Skydiver's View of Bristol Motor Speedway

tallglassofmilk — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR Videos, NASCAR Tracks

The Thunder Valley production team has put together another cool video for fans--this one of the skydiver flying the American flag into "The Last Great Colosseum."

It's not your typical Bristol Motor Speedway video feature set to rockin' music like "Thunderstruck." That would have drowned out the wind ... the silence ... and the anticipation.

Now if they can just keep the racing exciting in the COT ...

Update: View from the grandstands.

Skydiver's View of Bristol Motor Speedway originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Rubbin' is Racin': Not At Bristol

tallglassofmilk — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:45:00 EST

Filed under: Tony Stewart, Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR Fans, Nextel Cup

So much for better racing at Bristol--it wasn't anything better than B-O-R-I-N-G. At least not for the fans. And I certainly don't think the Thunder Valley promo masters got any new footage for their usually fantastic commercials.

The new surface made for easier passing, which meant no more beatin' and banging your way by. Passing was so much easier, that green flag passes during Saturday night's Sharpie 500 more than doubled that of the spring race at Bristol - from 991 to 2,147.

Tony Stewart:
"Guys were running over each other to pass each other. It's the most fun I've had at Bristol in my career. I can't give it a better grade than an A-plus."

Unfortunately, it wasn't any fun for the fans. All that passing amounted to only two drivers leading 487 of 500 laps. A huge snoozefest for millions of fan who've been anticipating the excitement of Bristol night race all season long.

Rubbin' is Racin': Not At Bristol originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

It's Bristol, Baby! But Better ...

tallglassofmilk — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 09:17:00 EST

Filed under: Elliott Sadler, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Bristol Motor Speedway, Nextel Cup

It sounds impossible, but in case you haven't heard, racing at Bristol Motor Speedway is going to be even better.

Jeff Gordon: "The track is spectacular. They did an awesome job. I didn't think you could make Bristol any cooler and any more fun but they have. The potential for more passing is certainly there. But here is the problem - when you have as little grip as we have because the tire is so hard, then you have to be careful. But the track definitely has multiple grooves."

Matt Kenseth: "I think you'll see a better race because there will be the possibility of running more side by side. Instead of being stuck behind somebody and having to beat and bang on them, you can just pull out and go around them and that's something we haven't been able to do here in the past. I actually think the preferred groove in (turns) three and four will be the high side. I think it's going to be hard to pass on the bottom, and I think the guy leading the race late will move to the top and protect that groove."

Elliott Sadler: "Now that you're giving the drivers a choice, we're not all fighting for the same real estate. Now, if you're going to block the bottom, that's fine, I'll just go to the top ...Now that you've given us more choices, there should be less beating and banging and stuff going on. But, this is a Saturday night Bristol race, so I think you'll see plenty of excitement."

We hope so!

Sharpie 500 Lineup

It's Bristol, Baby! But Better ... originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 25 Aug 2007 09:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Kahne Wins Busch; Cup Race Could Be Friggin' Amazing

Geoffrey Miller — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 00:46:00 EST

Filed under: Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon, Bristol Motor Speedway, Nextel Cup, Busch Series, Gillette-Evernham Motorsports, NASCAR Tracks, Chase for the Sprint Cup

Kasey Kahne has had a pretty darn good Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Friday afternoon, Kahne topped the Nextel Cup Series in qualifying and will start out front for Saturday night's Sharpie 500. Later Friday night, Kahne took home his first Busch Series short track victory with a win in the Food City 250.

And boy did the 250-lapper set a tone for the weekend.

Kahne won Friday night after battling three-wide with Ryan Newman and Jason Leffler with less than 15 laps to go, just before Newman blew a tire after contact and fell out. At the line, it was Kahne crossing first, Leffler spinning sideways, and David Reutimann third -- all of them close enough to fall under a blanket.

The finish, though, only tells half of the story.

All night long, cars found two and three different grooves they could handle and run quickly in. Instead of the normal Bristol freight train on the bottom of the groove, cars spread out and actually ran two-wide easily. Kahne was able to hold on to the race win even with tires going away by running the top groove of the race track -- which is certainly something Bristol hasn't seen in a long while.

The track itself is indeed a little wider and the banking up top is a smidge steeper than the bottom. In all reality, Friday night it was the perfect combination.

Even a guy who shares the title of the most race wins of any current driver at BMS felt that the changes were for the better:

"I'm telling you, I'm driving around here thinking this is the first time I've ever been here. I didn't think you could make Bristol any cooler or more fun, but they have. They've basically made this track have more room to race on," said five-time BMS winner, Jeff Gordon.

I'd say look for more the same Saturday night when the Cup boys hit the track, and also look for some guys up front who aren't normally there at Bristol. The track has changed enough that it might play into a few new guys' hands.

Kahne Wins Busch; Cup Race Could Be Friggin' Amazing originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 25 Aug 2007 00:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Kahne, Montoya Start Out Front at Bristol

Geoffrey Miller — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray, Juan Montoya, Bristol Motor Speedway, Nextel Cup, Dave Blaney, Ward Burton, David Ragan, Gillette-Evernham Motorsports, Car of Tomorrow, NASCAR Tracks, Chase for the Sprint Cup

I don't think I could ever pick Kasey Kahne to win at Bristol after seeing him crash out of his first Nextel Cup race at the track during his rookie season. Needless to say, Kahne was so shook up from the experience that he was literally shaking on camera.

Friday night, though, he apparently found a good way to calm down.

Kahne won the pole for Saturday night's Sharpie 500 at the half-mile Bristol Motor Speedway with a lap of 16.016 seconds, or 119.805 mph.

Juan Pablo Montoya will line up on his outside with Jamie McMurray, David Ragan and Dave Blaney rounding out the top-5. Virginia-native Ward Burton dropped a nice lap and will start 14th.

Bristol just got a facelift over the summer with a brand-new concrete repaving job, and it really set back the lap times at the track. Jeff Gordon won the pole at BMS in April with a lap 125.453 mph in the first Car of Tomorrow race, obviously much quicker than Kahne's lap.

Slower speeds, though, could add up to better race Saturday night with more side-by-side racing because cars are more even.

As if Bristol really needs to get any better though.

Kahne, Montoya Start Out Front at Bristol originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 24 Aug 2007 18:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Fanhouse Power Rankings: It's Bristol, Baby!

tallglassofmilk — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:17:00 EST

Filed under: Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR Power Rankings, Nextel Cup

Racing under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway is always exciting, but having missed the last two races, I'm especially looking forward to Saturday night. A new track surface promises side-by-side racing and unpredictability in this high-stakes race on the road to the Chase.
1. Denny Hamlin - Pressure's off, desire to drive the wheels off still on.

2. Kurt Busch - Junior Nation really needs Busch to hit a points wall over the next three races to help our driver out. That's probably not going to happen in Thunder Valley, where Busch is tied with Jeff Gordon for most wins by a current driver (5).
3. Matt Kenseth - He ranks first at Bristol Motor Speedway in Driver Rating, Average Running Position, Fastest Laps Run, Green Flag Speed and Laps in the Top 15. Twice in the last four races here, he's been the first to cross the finish line.
4. Tony Stewart - He led the most laps here in March but couldn't find victory lane. He's getting better directions these days.
5. Jeff Gordon - "We really don't care where we finish, unless it's first. I'd rather be ahead by 10 or 20 points than tied."

6. Kyle Busch - His only win this season came here in March. A repeat would greatly improve his seed position for the Chase.
7. Kevin Harvick - An RCR victory would break the three-way owner tie for most wins between Childress, Jack Roush and Roger Penske..
8. Jeff Burton - Calling all sponsors. Eh ... better not use an AT&T phone.
Long Shot. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - Been there, done that. But not lately: "It was only a few years back (2004) when we were struggling after I got burnt (in a sports car crash), and we came in here and won the Busch and the Cup races that weekend. That was a great boost for the whole team, and it meant a lot to me personally to win at Bristol. Maybe we can do it again Saturday night."

Maybe? I would've rather heard a "Hell yeah we can do it again!"

Fanhouse Power Rankings: It's Bristol, Baby! originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Harvick Calls CoT 'Comfortable'; Says Others [Kyle Busch] Should Shut Up

Geoffrey Miller — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 16:54:00 EST

Filed under: Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports, Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR Fights, Nextel Cup, Richard Childress Racing

Kyle Busch just got owned.

And the shrub (with a new and improved facial feature!) can't do anything about it. Because, well, there is nothing he can do about it.

Kevin Harvick seemed quite hospitable to the NASCAR's new Car of Tomorrow at Martinsville this weekend. How do i know that Happy was truly confident? He's started taking verbal shots at people again.

"The bottom line is that people need to just start driving them and get used to the car. The car is what it is and I think it is pretty childish to complain about something in a way some of these guys are complaining."

That one is for you Kyle and your "It sucks!" post race comment last week at Bristol. And it's hard not to agree with what Harvick is saying on both ends.
First off, this car is going to do wonders for this sport. I base that off of the fact that nothing was different last weekend at Bristol. There were no surprise winners, and there were passes on the outside. The car is not as ugly with the decals on it, and the racing is going to improve.

As for Harvick's reaction to Busch's 3rd grade comment? I agree. What exactly did that meritless comment do for you this week? Anything? Sportscenter top 10? A complete demolition of all of the CoTs? Did NASCAR come to your front door and beg for your support.

They must've gotten the wrong address because NASCAR would not even validate his comments by making a statement or even telling Busch that "you can't say that, or else!".

All in all, Kyle Busch made himself look like a fool last week in the hills of Tennessee. A more thorough explanation would have been nice, but simply, he was wrong in general.

Sure, the car was different. It was harder to drive. Don't we all feel bad for you, Kyle? Nope, not a chance. It's a race car and you race it. Push the pedal, turn left, and go fast. Is that too steep of a proposition? I'll take that job in a heartbeat and you can write about me.

But until then, take a word from Harvick and cut the "childish" comments. Help this sport continue to evolve -- because it's going that way with or without you.

Harvick Calls CoT 'Comfortable'; Says Others [Kyle Busch] Should Shut Up originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 31 Mar 2007 16:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Fahrenheit COT

tallglassofmilk — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 23:01:00 EST

Filed under: Bristol Motor Speedway, Nextel Cup

NASCAR is touting the "safer" car of tomorrow a "pretty damn good success" at Bristol.

But Brian Vickers burned his feet and his butt. Greg Biffle complained of an "unusual amount" of carbon monoxide in his system during testing. Denny Hamlin said the same after the race and added that the car was hotter than usual. Others experienced issues with the IMPAXX foam overheating, melting and producing toxic fumes.

So ... just how safe is the COT? Apparently, no one knows yet. Officials are scrambling to address a few issues.

I'm wondering why the issue of the foam's performance under intense heat is just coming up now.

The Dow Company claims consistent performance at temperature extremes. They certainly don't mention anything about it melting or producing toxic fumes.

But I spoke to a California Speedway emergency worker who told me that when they were briefed about the IMPAXX foam in February, officials were unable to answer very simple questions about the product.

Questions such as: What is the fire-rating? What is it made of? What will first responders be breathing if and when they are exposed to its fumes while putting out flames and assisting drivers exiting their wrecked cars?

These are questions that should have been answered way before now.

NASCAR is making vice president of competition Robin Pemberton and Nextel Cup series director John Darby available for a press conference to discuss solutions to these and other issues Friday morning.

They have some 'splaining to do.

Fahrenheit COT originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 28 Mar 2007 23:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

You Can Own Bristol Motor Speedway for $25!

Geoffrey Miller — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 13:50:00 EST

Filed under: Terry Labonte, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte, Kurt Busch, Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR Crashes, NASCAR Videos, Nextel Cup, Craftsman Truck Series

... a piece of it anyway.

As Bristol Motor Speedway's surface gets thrown to the chopping block this week in favor of a new, progressively banked concrete base, the lovely folks in charge at Thunder Valley have announced that you can now own a piece of the start/finish line that was installed just 15 years ago. Available in three sizes, you can buy a piece of concrete that Terry Labonte slid across for a win. Or that Jeff Gordon drove across twice for the win after bumping Rusty Wallace out of the way. Or that Kyle Busch did a burn out on just last Sunday.

Oh, and don't forget. Kurt Busch's rear end did the snow angel on it in last year's Food City 500, as well. Wouldn't that be a treat to put above the fireplace?

The pieces are going to be available for order on July 1 and apparently in limited quantities because the start/finish line is the only place that is going to be sold off.

I think I'm going to hold out, though, because I think the rest of the concrete there will eventually have its price. After all, where's the love for turn 3 or the backstretch? I'm sure Bobby Labonte might want a piece of that concrete under where he stood to let loose on his wrecked Interstate Batteries Lumina in 1996.

So note to Speedway Motorsports owner [and BMS owner] Bruton Smith, don't smash up the backstretch because I need a new driveway. And my backyard? It could definitely use a nice section of turn 4 (banking included).

I can't wait.

You Can Own Bristol Motor Speedway for $25! originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 28 Mar 2007 13:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Allemdinger Got the Monkey Off His Back

tallglassofmilk — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Bristol Motor Speedway, Nextel Cup

Team Red Bull had a little fun with A.J. Allmendinger in their team meeting today, their first since Allmendinger's first Nextel Cup race. In celebration of him getting the qualifying monkey off his back, the team presented Allmendinger with a 'Got the Gorilla Off My Back' piñata:

It took three blindfolded swings for AJ to crack open the piñata. Out fell an assortment of Little Debbie snacks, in tribute to the Kenny Schraders' Little Debbies #21 car that punted AJ into the outside wall at Bristol on Sunday. Welcome to NASCAR, Rookie! Even though it was a rookie mistake to come down on Kenny when he wasn't clear, AJ still got his revenge today and the team got a good laugh.

They discussed the Schrader/Allmendinger incident on "Inside Nextel Cup" last night and noted the team held itself accountable for the contact. They also mentioned that after he got thrown into the wall, hearing "inside" had a whole new effect on Allmendinger--probably not a mistake he'll be repeating in the near future, assuming, of course, he has another opportunity.

I wonder what kind of Little Debbie snacks he got! I'm partial to the Star Crunch Cosmic Wafers myself.

Allemdinger Got the Monkey Off His Back originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 27 Mar 2007 18:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Vickers Takes It In On the Ass for Team Red Bull

tallglassofmilk — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Brian Vickers, Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR Injuries, Nextel Cup

Brian Vickers is at home in Charlotte, N.C. recovering from first and second degree burns received on his butt and the bottoms of his feet yesterday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Mid-way through the running of the Food City 500, Vickers radioed to his crew that his engine was running roughly and that smoke and fumes were entering his cockpit. The team initially suspected an engine malady, but it was subsequently revealed that a section of exhaust pipe directly beneath Brian's seat had failed and separated, affecting the engine's performance.

Left with the choice of suffering burns, blisters and fumes or sacrificing a lead lap finish to pit the car for repairs, BV took one for all 140+ hard-working employees of Team Red Bull. The 83 team slipped Brian various ice packs and heat-insulating shields on later pit stops in an attempt to help improve the situation.

Vickers requested medical attention following the 500 lap race, including oxygen. Representatives of BVLLC reported Monday afternoon that Vickers is doing well and plans to address TRB business obligations Tuesday, test at Greenville-Pickens Speedway on Wednesday and is expected to be ready for this weekend's race at Martinsville.

Vickers Takes It In On the Ass for Team Red Bull originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 26 Mar 2007 19:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Robby Gordon Goes Off Road Racing At Bristol

tallglassofmilk — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Robby Gordon, Ford, Bristol Motor Speedway, Nextel Cup, NASCAR Sponsors

We wonder ... Is Robby Gordon Motorsports reading AOL's NASCAR Fanhouse?

The Fanhouse recently ~~offered them some unsolicited advice~~ suggested that RGM take advantage of Gordon's vacant hood space by promoting one of their own ventures.

A week later ... Voilà!

RobbyGordonOffRoad.com was announced as the primary sponsor the #07 Ford Fusion, which carried a black Robby Gordon Signature Series Wheel on the hood, for the Food City 500.

We don't know if the Fanhouse was the inspiration, but we'd like to think it was more than just a coincidence!

Robby Gordon Goes Off Road Racing At Bristol originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 26 Mar 2007 17:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments