Miscellaneous Miscellany

Richmond Ratings
　
Nowhere close to the all-time highs of a 4.2 in 2002 & 2007. Just remember, that while the ratings were up, they’re not even close to the all-time highs for the fall Richmond race ratings. And the 2002 fall Richmond race was before the TV contracts were negotiated and was shown on TNT. So just how is going to the internet going to affect the TV ratings for next season? I guess we’ll find out next season.
　
Not the Fastest Growing Sport
　
With the number of teams that have folded since Faux King Brian took over, the large number of sponsors that have left or seriously cut back on sponsorship, and the recent announcement of KHI folding and Germain Racing facing some serious financial issues, you have to wonder just how much longer things will continue to go downhill? The only thing that seems to be growing right now in NA$CAR is the number of teams folding, and the number of start & park teams. You know it’s bad when both the Busch & Truck Series show up with short fields or 1/3 of the field is start & parks. Robby Gordon, who had been running full-time, has now switched to start & park in the Cup Series. And the grandstands aren’t getting any fuller either despite the announcement of that NA$CAR’s celebrity spokesmodel will be driving full-time next season in the Busch Series and part-time in the Cup Series. By the time next season rolls around, we may be at least 3 teams short in the Truck series, 2 teams short in the Busch Series, and 1 team short in the Cup Series.
　
De Silvestro to Penske?
　
Simone De Silvestro has been in talks with Roger Penske regarding a possible move to Team Penske. And she would be a good choice as Simone brings Entergy, Nuclear, and Areva sponsor dollars with her and they’re three year sponsorship deals plus options. Helio Castroneves may be able to scrape up a little sponsorship from Brazil but not nearly enough to fund a car for a full season. Briscoe has nothing for sponsorship, so if Simone does make the move to Penske, Briscoe will probably be the driver that Penske drops.

More Red Ink for HOF
　
This is from the Charlotte Business Journal regarding the France Hall of Fantasies:
　
Attendance at the NASCAR Hall of Fame fell by 35% in July from a year earlier, continuing a trend of declining results. The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, operator of the $200 million publicly funded stock-car museum, reported the figures at its board meeting Wednesday. In July 2010, 33,452 people visited the hall of fame. Attendance declined to 21,910 in July 2011, the first month of the new fiscal year. July marked the third month of attendance slips of 30 percent or more in year-over-year comparisons. Those figures offer a barometer of interest in the hall of fame, which opened in May 2010. For May 2011, attendance was 30 percent below the previous year (25,034 visitors compared with 35,090 in May 2010). In June 2011, crowds dropped by 39 percent to 17,604 visitors for the month. Visitors authority board members didn't discuss the hall of fame results during their meeting. A recent update to City Council included questions and discussion of whether ticket prices could be hurting attendance. 　
One thing that’s hurting the HOF is its location. Another thing that’s hurting it is the fact that instead of all drivers, owners, mechanics, crew chiefs, etc. that should be eligible for induction aren’t. Faux King Brian has dictated that the selection process be done by star power and name recognition instead of on the merits and records of those who should be nominated and inducted. If there was a category for advancing racing through inventions or improving existing parts, guys like Tiger Tom Pistone, Rex White, and Banjo Matthews would be at the forefront of the nominees. Geoff Bodine might get in for the use of power steering on race cars. Holman-Moody might get in for developing the standard spindle, hubs, and other parts that have become the standard in stock car racing. So by going after star power rather than actual achievements, Faux King Brian is shooting himself in the foot.
　
Act of Desperation 2
　
In an attempt to staunch the flow of the rivers of red ink coming from the HOF bookkeeper’s page, NA$CAR is having one of the Chase for the Chumps drivers at the HOF once a week from now through the end of the season. Once again, Faux King Brian is either drinking his own Kool Aid or has had one too many “sodas” again.
　
Races Going Online
　
For those folks who have their computers hooked into their big flat screens or have their computer in the same room as their TV will be able top watch the races online for 9 out of 10 of the play-off races. Now, the up side is that it will give more folks access to the races. Folks who don’t have access through cable or satellite TV will be able to watch the races via the internet. The down side is that it will have an impact on the TV ratings. With the large number of complaints about the quality of the broadcasts on TV and the constant interruption with commercials, sponsor plugs, mention money plugs, idiotic graphics that take up anywhere from a third to three quarters of the TV screen, this could very well be the direction that NA$CAR is headed as they’ve been extremely reluctant to use the side by side format for commercials like Versus uses for IndyCar races because it doesn’t allow NA$CAR’s sponsors, not the team sponsors, but NA$CAR’s sponsor to have their type of “branding”. So don’t be surprised if and when you get just as many commercials online as you do during a TV broadcast.
　
Give Bobby Allison His Due
　
For decades, Bobby Allison has been trying to get credit for his win at Bowman-Gray on Aug. 6, 1971 while driving a Ford Mustang from the Grand American Series and beating out the drivers running Grand National Impalas, Galaxies, and Chargers. Under the rules of the day, and with Bill France Sr.’s blessings, Bobby, Tiny Lund, and others would run in Grand National races using the Grand American cars, especially because there was a short field. The strange thing is that Tiny Lund has been given credit for a win in his Grand American car. So why hasn’t Bobby?
　
　
I think this win should be given to Bobby and it’s long overdue. One thing it would do is correct the official records of NASCAR. Another thing it would do is put him in a tie with Jeff Gordon. Now think of the publicity that Faux King Brian could generate with this. Lots of hype and hoopla of the 2 of them together and when the day arrives that Jeff should pass Bobby’s record, then a nice ceremony in Victory Lane showing Bobby congratulating Jeff. And the last thing it would do is deflate the oversized ego of Jabber Jaws with his 84 wins. Something a lot of fans would like to see happen. So Your Highness, there’s one heck of a PR opportunity and photo ops just waiting for you to exploit it by simply correcting a one win situation.
　
Bowyer Going to MWR?
　
The bad thing with Bowyer going to MWR along with their new sponsors is we’ll get even more shilling than we currently do out of the Motormouth Brothers. And considering MWR’s win record, well, I sure hope Clint enjoys being a back marker or consistently running mid-pack. You can bet that Crusty isn’t a happy camper since his sponsor is jumping ship and he’ll probably tell us that somewhere between now and Homestead. But then, can you really blame 5 Hour for jumping ship considering how many times Crusty’s boy has finished a race on the tow hook?
　
8^th Annual Augusta International Raceway HOF Induction
　
Friday September 16th, Augusta International Raceway Preservation Society (AIRPS) will hold it's 8th Annual Hall of Fame Induction and Banquet. This years inductees are Jack Ingram; also known as the Iron Man, Sam Sommers former Cup driver, Jimmy Manese; motorcycle hot shoe, L R Newman of drag racing fame and George Lonergan; Hobby Class star. Also Bruce Brantley of Chamblee GA will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Banquet starts at 6 pm and tickets are $20 . Tickets will be, as long as they last, at the door. The event will be held at Diamond Lakes Regional Park off Windsor Spring road in Hephzibah, Georgia, just outside Augusta . This is the site of the former Speedway complex.
　
On Saturday September 17th AIRPS will hold it's annual racing reunion this year partnering with the Charley Norwood VA Hospital to hold a Welcome Home Party for four companies/units of returning Veterans. It's free to the public with a kids zone, car show racecars and autograph session. The Veterans Administration will have a health fair, job fair, school fair and many other information services. There will be a stage with live entertainment for good family fun and all are welcome. Opening ceremonies are at 10 am with event closing at approximately 2 pm. For information call Harvey Tollison at 706-829-6825
　
　
　

Fundraising Idea, F-1, Cotton Owens, Ambushers, & Stuff

Killing Two Birds With One Stone

　

Since there’s been no clues yet on the stolen Ramo Stott memorabilia, I have the perfect solution for when it is recovered. They sell tickets and have a pay-per-view of the public butt whooping of the dirt bags who stole the memorabilia with the funds raised from the ticket sales and pay-per-view going to help out Sam Ard. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. The memorabilia is returned, justice is served, and Sam Ard gets some sorely needed assistance.

　

Rupert Murdoch To Buy F-1?

　

Apparently billionaire and media mogul Rupert Murdoch is looking to buy F-1 along with some possible help from Ferrari. Now why would he want to do that? For one thing, look at where F-1 races. China and the Arab world. Places where the money is. It would allow him far better access into those markets for his global presence and increasing company revenues. For another thing, it would allow Murdoch to move the current F-1 coverage from Speed TV to Focks Sports. A real competitor to NA$CAR that could be broadcast after their NA$CAR season goes off the air. F-1 is also a global product versus NA$CAR which is North American. Plus we’ve got the potential for a possible conflict of interest between Focks broadcasting F-1 AND NA$CAR should Murdoch buy F-1. But conflicts of interests are nothing new to the France family as most race fans know.

　

　　

Nashville Disproves NA$CAR Theory

　

For years, we’ve heard the same old, worn out line that Cup drivers put butts in the seats. For a weekend in which there was no Cup race and the Buschwackers continuing to invade the Busch Series, we saw plenty of empty seats at Nashville. Sure, the economy may have played a small part in it but ever since Faux King Brian started bundling up the race weekend instead of letting the Busch Series run on their own and saying that Cup drivers fill the grandstands the grandstands have become emptier and emptier.

　

And it doesn’t help that the Buschwackers have won all 8 races so far this season. What sort of message is this sending out to not just the Busch regular teams but also to their sponsors and also potential sponsors? Working with some of these underdogs on the sponsorship programs I can tell you based on my own experience that the number of sponsorship proposals sent out versus the number of sponsors landed is ridiculous. 38 proposals sent out and not a single sponsor interested. Why? Because they’re not owned by Roush, JGR, RCR, or HMS, the only teams who get any sort of TV coverage during the BSPN broadcasts. You don’t see Jay Robinson Racing getting any coverage. Herman was lucky to get a post-race interview at Nashville. You’re lucky to see Robert Richardson get an interview. Or any of the Means Motorsports drivers. If the Cup drivers are supposed to be “helping so much”, then why aren’t the Busch regulars benefiting from their presence? They’re not. The only “benefit” the Busch regulars are getting is less purse money at the end of the day and more wear and tear on their equipment. They’re not even breaking even in most cases.

　

So since this “pick a series” thing isn’t working, I have another solution which will fall on drunken eyes. Why give the Buschwackers anything at all? No money, no manufacturer points, no ownership points, no contingency award points, and no air time on TV. Let the Busch regulars get the lion’s share of everything since there’s not that much to get to begin with. If there’s nothing in it for the Buschwackers, they won’t stick around. No sponsor is going to want to be on a car that doesn’t get any air time, which is what the Busch regulars suffer from right now. The Cup team owner’s aren’t going to stick around if they’re not making any money off of the Busch series operation. No Buschwacker is going to want to race if there’s not even so much as a trophy in it for them. Money is what makes most of today’s Cup drivers show up at the track. So if there’s no financial incentives of any sort, they won’t show up and the Busch Series can go back to being what it originally was. A “AAA”  racing series.

　

Richmond Scare Tactics Alive And Well

　

Once again, Richmond is using their scare tactics in an attempt to sell tickets. Only this time they’re throwing in the possibility of lost jobs into the mix through their political mouthpieces or politicians who are too gullible to see the truth. NA$CAR/I$C/the France family won’t cut a race from Richmond. It’s almost like saying they’re going to cut a race from Daytona. They’ve invested too much hype and marketing into Richmond and it’s place regarding the Chase for the Chumps. They’ve held Richmond up as being the model for the next generation of tracks that they’re not going to build. They keep saying the racing there is so exciting. If they really wanted to get more fans to attend the races there, they might first start by providing better security for the fans themselves both on the track property and the surrounding areas. The track isn’t located in the best of neighborhoods and it’s not unusual for fans to have their camp sites looted or robbed. So provide some better security first. Then maybe, when fans feel secure, they might start showing up. Of course, you might need to get rid of the generic car first. Like Bristol, the generic car has done little for the racing at Richmond.

　

Smokey’s “Best Damned Garage In Town” is Gone

A fire burned down what was left of Smokey’s garage. The place really should’ve been a historical landmark or a national treasure. I’m not saying that because I’m a race fan but because Smokey’s innovations didn’t just apply to the race track. Smokey pioneered several things we use in our cars today. The extended tip spark plug, which if you never saw an old spark plug you wouldn’t know what I’m talking about. Not to mention variable ratio power steering, another thing most folks take for granted today. Most race fans are more familiar with Smokey’s racing innovations like the oversized fuel hoses, the chrome-plated aluminum bumpers, or his 7/8 scale Chevy Malibu. Smokey did say he didn’t want any monument or shrine but I think automotive history would’ve been better served had the garage been preserved.

　

Cotton Owens: A Good Case For The HOF

　

Us older fans probably remember Cotton Owens for his accomplishments as a driver and team owner. He was rated as one of NASCAR’s, not NA$CAR’s, Top 50 drivers. He was also the owner of the then famous #6 Dodge that David Pearson campaigned for several years and which won the 1966 Grand National Championship with Pearson behind the wheel. Cotton’s been inducted in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Cotton also built a car for an Elvis movie, which coincidentally had the #6 on it. He built a Dodge Challenger for Brock Yates to run in the 1972 Cannonball Run, the real thing not the movie. As a driver, Cotton had 9 wins, 52 Top 5, and 84 top 10 finishes. As an owner, Cotton had 38 wins, 177 Top 5, and 241 Top 10 finishes. So Cotton is definitely one to be considered for induction into the 2012 class.

　

　

BTW, who finished #2 to Pearson in the 1966 season? None other than 1966 Rookie of the Year James Hylton. Yes, the same James Hylton who’s still racing today in ARCA and was a former crewmember of Rex White’s 1960 Grand National winning team.

　

Sponsor Ambushers, Another Garage Predator

　

Unfortunately there’s another kind of ambush predator out there called “sponsor ambushers”. For example, a small team that finally lands a sponsor will have a few guests from that sponsor come to the races. The next thing you know, the ever present “mystery people” from NA$CAR or the Cup owned or affiliated teams, are “accidentally” bumping into these guests on the way to the bathroom or concession stand and their card “accidentally” falls into that person’s pocket. Then, coincidentally, a private jet just happens to land near that sponsor’s headquarters the following week and before you know it that small independent team doesn’t have a sponsor anymore. This happens more often than you think. And this isn’t based on my own experiences with having sponsors stolen or re-assigned by NA$CAR but from one of the underfunded, underdog teams we don’t hear about in the media. I had to leave out some names and one particular incident which would pretty much end that team’s career due to some high-powered folks using their clout to destroy that team, the team owner(s), and their reputation.

　

　

Many Thanks, Buyer Beware, Morgan Shepherd: Crime Fighter, North Wilkesboro Testing, and More

Many Thanks
　
I want to thank Vince Meiste for lending a helping hand to Sam Ard. Vince is a long time race fan who got to see Sam race back in the good old days against the Hensley brothers, Rick Mast, and others in the Late Model Sportsman Series before it became the Busch Series. Even though Vince has a limited income, he was able to get the winning bid on one of Sam’s race winning plaques. So the plaque found itself a good home with a real race fan and has become the centerpiece of Vince’s racing memorabilia. So again, many thanks Vince for stepping up and doing what the France family won’t do.
　
The Past Comes Back to Bite You in the Backside
　
With all the recent stories about DW and Fox broadcasts, here is a story that was relayed to me.
　
Back in the days, when DW was racing trucks, the Craftsman Series was running the road course at Heartland Park Topeka. DW was racing his # 17 truck. During the normal workers meeting, when corner worker assignments were made along other event discussions, series officials make appearances. Well, I was told that DW made an appearance at one meeting. He asked how many of the workers were race fans. Naturally, every worker raised their hands. They were then shocked as DW scolded them, saying that it was unprofessional of workers, serving as officials, to be fans.
　
Funny how those words should now come back to haunt him, seeing how one of the biggest complaints about DW is his claim to be a fan, even though he is supposed to be a professional announcer, representing the sport. His home calls are a perfect example, which are a far cry from the Ned Jarrett call.
　
I believe it was on an ESPN NASCAR show, when Ned’s call was discussed. Ned stated he went over to Dale Sr. at the next race to apologize for his Daytona call when DJ beat Sr. But, Dale Sr. pointed his finger at Ned and said no apology needed, because he (Sr.) was a father too.
　
Ned was a professional, DW is not!
　
Buyer Beware!
　
This is from the AP regarding a racing school which was recently black flagged for not living up to their contract:
　
The Johnson County district attorney's office filed an action last week under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act against The Racing Experience Inc. and its founder, Kelly Bussey of Shawnee.
　
The Kansas City Star reports the district attorney is alleging numerous customers have been unable to use racing packages that allow them to attend a racing school and drive a racecar on a speedway track.
　
Customers also have been unable to get refunds.
　
The DA's office is seeking an order requiring the company and Bussey to pay full restitution to consumers and $10,000 in civil fines and penalties for each violation of the act.

　This sounds somewhat like the scam that Charles Collins tried pulling at North Wilkesboro before the current management team took over only his involved a reality TV racing show.
　
Morgan the Crime Fighter
　
Folks nowadays may not have a lot of respect or interest in Morgan Shepherd. Back in the day, Morgan was pretty good at chasing down other drivers on the track. He seems to have taken chasing down drivers on the track in days of old to chasing down thieves today. It seems Morgan was in the parking lot of a Wally World near LVMS when he spotted police officers giving chase to several individuals and Morgan decided to join in the pursuit chasing down one of the thieves and pinning him to the ground. Imagine the embrassment the 18 year old thief must've had by being chased down and caught by someone old enough to be his grandpa. He'll never live that one down.
　
All Quiet on the Spoiler Front
　
Anyone happen to notice that the lamestream media has been awfully quiet about the fold-away spoiler on Motormouth’s truck at Daytona? We heard more about Carl Long’s oversized engine than we have about this illegal spoiler. We heard more about the “jet fuel” incident at Daytona several years ago than we have about the illegal spoiler. Was a directive sent out from Daytona to the lamestream media that I didn’t hear about telling them to be quiet about it?
　
Liars Figure and Figures Lie
　
I don’t know how closely folks have been paying attention to the ratings but take a good look at the most recent ones from Phoenix and Daytona. The ratings were up among the 18-49 age demographic. No figures are being released about the under 18 or over 49. The over 49 crowd, which is where most of the Boomers and most of the older fans who have been following racing since the good old days are and who tend to have most of the money, seem to be excluded for some reason. Could it be that those ratings are so bad that it could embarrass Faux King Brian and his controlled media? Anyone who knows anything about statistics knows you can prove or disprove any argument using them. For example, the same stats which could be used to prove that The King is the best driver NA$CAR ever had can also be used to prove he wasn’t the best. If you look at winning percentages, The Silver Fox has a better winning percentage than does The King. That’s why I tend to stay away from statistics and PR hype.
　
Question of the Day
　
Bob asked me an interesting question Kenny “You‘re not a real race fan“ Wallace. He asks, “When did Kenney ever open his mouth that his IQ didn't show?” Good question Bob.
　
The last time I had a chance to talk with some drivers, I asked them what they thought about Kenny and his alleged sense of humor. None of them thought he was really funny. He’s tolerated more than he’s actually liked. Sounds like the drivers are more forgiving than the fans are.
　
Excuses Anyone?
　
This is one of the things coming out of the Focks Booth Buffoons that are causing fans to tune out. Jules the Engine Guy said this:
　
Yesterday (Sunday) Cryal shot to an early lead and Edwards ate him up and spit him out. I liked that a lot. When Cryal took him out I was upset. Then when DW made every excuse under the sun for Cryal.... well I just flat turned it off. I mean I'd rather have him say "he didn't know" rather than try and make excuses.
　
When I turned it on it was right after pit stops. They said Cryal made up time coming in and out of the pits (this happens all the time, has no one else gotten suspicious of this?). Then the caution came out and DW mentioned Cryal was in the lead but actually Stewart was. No correction was made.
　
Its also worth pointing out that the drivers have to be more accurate and politically correct when on camera than ole DW does. That is backwards.
　
I’ve mentioned several times over the last few years about the excuses that are generated by Jabber Jaws for the Chosen Ones, his brother, and anyone driving one particular make of car.
　
Nocturnal Omissions
　
It seems that congresswoman going on about the Army sponsoring a Cup car seems to have overlooked the sponsorship of an NHRA dragster and one of the IndyCar teams being sponsored by the National Guard. Anyone want to place bets that if Bruton or the Frances had a track in Minnesota that she’d be complaining?
　
Before the season started, there was an article about Jeffy and Jr being dumped by Hendrick if they didn’t vastly improve this season. It quickly got buried and few if any of the controlled media has said anything about it. Is Jeffy’s win at Phoenix enough to keep him in the Hendrick stables or will he get the boot and the end of the year? I guess we’ll have to stay tuned.
　
Another thing being curiously omitted by the NA$CAR controlled media is about the $40+ million in tax breaks that the France family and I$C got for improvements to their facilities, as upgrades to entertainment/amusement parks. Is it really racing or is it as the VP of Racing Operations said, “family oriented sports entertainment”?
　
Testing at North Wilkesboro
　
It seems that some teams are doing closed testing at North Wilkesboro Speedway. There will be some test sessions coming up this month for the PASS Series which will be open to the public.


HOF Induction Date Changed
　
Obviously somebody hasn’t really checked out the weather history for Charlotte during the month of January. Do they really think that after Christmas, folks are going to have the money to attend the induction ceremony? Plus add in the factor of winter weather. Not just in Charlotte but around the nation. How many fans are going to be able to get out of the Midwest and Northeast to be able to attend? Not many if this past January is any indication. I know the weather guesser isn’t always right but past history of weather patterns tend to be a good indicator of what to expect. Does Faux King Brian think he can wave his magic wand, which looks remarkably like a toilet plunger, and make the winter weather stay away and make fans show up? Just say the mantra, “I know what’s best for the sport” and the HOF will be packed. Yeah and I’ve got a bridge in NYC I’ll sell you too.