Saturday
Spies says bad luck now only problem
How Dampers Work: We Slice Open Four Types of Shock Absorbers
Bianchi grabs dominant maiden pole
Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/bianchi-grabs-dominant-maiden-pole
Ernst Klodwig Kamui Kobayashi Helmuth Koinigg Heikki Kovalainen
Official: Nissan cranking up Canton output to accommodate 2013 Sentra [w/video]
Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Nissan
Nissan has announced that it will build the 2013 Sentra at its Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant in Canton, Mississippi. The Japanese automaker had already committed to moving both its Frontier and Xterra SUVs to Mississippi from Nissan's plant in Smyrna, Tennessee. The manufacturer says it will hire 1,000 workers to keep pace with the three new models in the Canton plant, pushing the facility's total workforce to 4,500. The location also builds the 2013 Altima, Armada, Titan and NV commercial trucks. Sentra production is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year.
Nissan will also build the 2013 Sentra at its Aguascalientes, Mexico plant, where the company builds the current sedan. The company says the two-front approach will allow it to produce more Sentra models than before in order to better keep up with demand. Scroll down to read the official press release and to watch a Nissan-produced faux news report.
Continue reading Nissan cranking up Canton output to accommodate 2013 Sentra [w/video]
Nissan cranking up Canton output to accommodate 2013 Sentra [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/29/nissan-cranking-up-canton-output-to-accommodate-2013-sentra-w-v/
James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya Joseph Francis Nemechek III
Bianchi takes commanding first win
Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/bianchi-takes-commanding-first-win
Parker Kligerman Trevor Bayne Out! Pet Care Toyota Jason Leffler
Today?s Headlines
Court Won’t Consider Ratner Appeal Over Atlantic Yards Environmental Impact Study (Crain’s)
Anonymous Officials to Transportation Nation: Hunts Point Market Threat Doomed Sheridan Teardown
Liu’s Bike-Share Treatise Makes International News, But Probably Not How He Imagined (Guardian)
Lhota Says Rising Sea Levels to Blame for [...]
Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/06/28/todays-headlines-1420/
A New Bill Passes, But America?s Transpo Policy Stays Stuck in 20th Century
Tony Stewart gives his take on incident that led to Kurt Busch?s suspension
On Tuesday night, defending Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart hosted a special edition of his semi-annual "Tony Stewart Live" show on Sirius NASCAR Radio, and, of course, the topic of Kurt Busch and his suspension came up.
Busch was suspended by NASCAR on Monday for Sunday's race at Pocono for remarks he made to the Sporting News' Bob Pockrass for a question that was (legitimately and respectfully) posed to Busch about racing with Justin Allgaier after Saturday's Nationwide race.
As has been well documented, Stewart and the media have a relationship that can alternate between contentious and cordial seemingly dependent on the wind, humidity, Stewart's attitude or simply his choice of deodorant. So when Stewart offered up his view on Busch's response and the events surrounding it, you can probably guess the angle already.
It's sad but true. And honestly Kurt is right, Bob Pockrass is probably the biggest mixer in the whole media center.
Every time he interviews somebody it is strictly about something controversial, so that's just kind of his angle, but, you know, just because he asks you a question? the great thing I've learned is when it comes to Pockrass, if I don't ? if he asks me something that I know ? which 9 times out of 10 it's something that is going to make you frustrated, you just don't even answer it. Just go on to the next question.
Unfortunately there's too many of those guys out there but, I'll be honest, I liked his answer (chuckles). I kind of thought it was good when it pertains to Bob Pockrass. Bob's a decent guy, he just, there's so many good things to write about in our sport and there's a couple of reporters out there that strictly want to be tabloid journalists and unfortunately he's one of them.
Later, Stewart continued the discussion with Charlotte TV affiliate WSCO-TV's Alan Cavanna.
Let's get this out of the way: this entire situation should in no way be a referendum on Pockrass, no matter what Tony Stewart says. (Turning into such is a distraction from the larger issue.) Bob is not TMZ. Far from it. There's a reason he's respected by so many.
If you can separate Stewart's criticism of what he perceives to be unfair tactics, he's got a great point about the entire incident that could have kept Busch on the Pocono entry list. (Hint, it's answer B from Jay Busbee's post on Sunday.)
Journalists have an obligation to the public to ask questions about topics that at times may seem "controversial" to the newsmakers involved. And a lot of times, those "controversial" topics are the ones that are on many people's minds.
But guess what? The people who are asked the questions have no obligation to answer them. Had Busch simply said "no comment," thanked his sponsor, or talked about the how well the team and the guys back at the shop did, he avoids the topic fairly easily. And he's racing at Pocono. Instead, we're still discussing what should have been a fairly routine post-race interview from Saturday on Tuesday.
Video: Watch former F1 driver David Coulthard catch a golf ball in a convertible
If you're bored this weekend, this isn't a good idea to try at the driving range.
In the above video from Mercedes, former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard attempts to catch a golf ball while driving 180 mph. And he's successful.
The stunt, which took place on a runway, provided plenty of open space for Coulthard to time his run as the ball is hit with a driver. (When combining racing and golf, you always have to use the driver. Always.)
No, this wasn't something where Coulthard waited with an open vehicle some 280 yards away and guesstimated the landing spot. He raced the golf ball down the runway. And open runway or not, how many people would have the cojones -- not to mention the skill -- to look up into the sky and track the freaking golf ball while going 180 mph? That's by far the best part of the video. It's something that we wouldn't recommend doing at 15 mph down your street. But on a runway at 180 for a world-class driver? That looked easy. And so did the burnout.
(H/T to our old Yahoo! buddy Shane Bacon)
Aldo Gordini Horace Gould Jean Marc Gounon Emmanuel de Graffenried
Kenseth out, Stenhouse in at Roush Fenway starting in 2013
Here's a summer's-day stunner: Matt Kenseth, the Sprint Cup points leader and current best average finisher, is leaving Roush Fenway at the end of the 2012 season.
His replacement will be Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the reigning Nationwide series champion and a driver well positioned to make the jump to Sprint Cup.
The Roush Fenway statement announcing Kenseth's departure was long on gratitude ? "We're fortunate that we were able to tap into Matt's potential and bring him on board many years ago," said Jack Roush ? but short on the specifics of whether Kenseth jumped or was pushed out of the No. 17 Ford Fusion.
It wasn't that long ago that Roush sang a decidedly different tune. "Matt Kenseth is a cornerstone of Roush Fenway and he'll be part of it as long as I am, as long as he wants to be,'' Roush said in mid-May at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. "He certainly has a place here as long as I'm able to stay at the head of it.''
Kenseth also gave a hint of the direction of the departure on Twitter. After thanking Roush and expressing an intention to continue to push hard the rest of the season, he added, "Although I have nothing to announce regarding 2013, I feel the timing of this announcement gives RFR ample time to get things lined up..." (Ellipses his.) It's not too big a leap to project that Kenseth pulled the plug, but out of respect to Roush gave the team five months' notice to get prepared for the transition ... and, of course, put himself in play for another job.
Still, Kenseth later noted that there's work to do this year. "Darien [Grubb] and Tony [Stewart] proved to us last year there is no such thing as a 'lame duck' team or season," he said. "We will continue to go to work and race hard."
Certainly, Kenseth's sponsorship issues have played a part in this. Roush Fenway has had trouble finding sponsors for Kenseth, a surprising development for a driver who's won a championship, two Daytona 500s and 22 races overall. RFR has also committed to Kenseth's other teammates in a major fashion. Last year, Carl Edwards received what is likely one of the largest contracts in NASCAR history, and sponsors have lined up to jockey for space on his No. 99. Greg Biffle, meanwhile, similarly locked into a long-term deal, albeit with 3M as his major partner.
The irony, of course, is that Kenseth is now driving better than both of them, and is one of the leading contenders for the 2012 Sprint Cup. He's perfected the bend-but-don't-break style of driving that's given him the best average finish (7.7) in the series this year. (Biffle ranks second, Edwards 11th.)
The loss of Kenseth will be a blow not just to RFR but to Ford as well, which has experienced a resurgence with Kenseth leading the charge. "All of us at Ford are certainly disappointed to hear that Matt will be leaving, and he will be certainly missed by us and the Ford Racing fans," Jamie Allison, director of Ford Racing, said in a statement. "We are thankful for Matt's winning efforts and championship-caliber success with the Roush and Ford racing programs these past 16 years, both on and off the track. We will focus on this year and look forward to more success on the track in his No. 17 Ford Fusion this season."
Regardless of reason, Kenseth's departure sends what was already projected as a fast-moving "silly season" into a new gear altogether. Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch and Martin Truex Jr. were already projected as the top free agents. While Truex has publicly announced his intention to stay with Michael Waltrip Racing and sponsorship/attitude concerns dog Busch, Kenseth could find his biggest job-search rival in fellow Daytona 500 winner Newman.
The logical place for both drivers to look would be Joe Gibbs Racing, which not only has a potential fourth slot open, but also a driver in Joey Logano very much on the proverbial hot seat. Given Kenseth's difficulty with sponsorship, it's not a reach to think that Gibbs would want to pair him up with a proven sponsor in Home Depot rather than cobble together a patchwork deal like he has this year. Still, a Kenseth/Denny Hamlin/Kyle Busch trio would be formidable indeed.
As for Roush Fenway, it's seeing its top driver walk out the door in the very year the team is enjoying its greatest run in quite some time. As good as Stenhouse is, he won't match Kenseth's ability for years. And this could be a considerable setback for a team that was set to challenge Hendrick Motorsports at the top of the NASCAR pantheon.
Regardless, this will be the major topic of conversation this weekend in Kentucky. There's just enough time for everyone to get their stories straight ... and for Kenseth to come up with some of his characteristic bone-dry jokes about it all.
Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson
F1 development race ?fiercest ever?
Conference Committee Reaches Agreement [Updated X 2]
Barbara Boxer has issued a statement showing the early rumors were off-target — some form of the Cardin-Cochran amendment preserving local government access to a portion of bike/ped funding�is in the final bill. While this is something of a relief for everyone working to make their local streets safer for walking and biking, [...]
Source: http://dc.streetsblog.org/2012/06/27/its-a-deal-conference-committee-reaches-tentative-agreement/
Friday
2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Postponed Due to Colorado Wildfires
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/uOXBxGv3teI/
You knew it was coming: Can Earnhardt win a championship?
Look, you knew we had to ask: Can Dale Earnhardt Jr. win a championship? And the answer ... is in the video. Put it this way: look how easy it was for him on Sunday! Of COURSE he can! Or maybe not. Watch the video for the answers to this and other burning questions, courtesy of your favorite Yahoo! Sports Jays, Hart and Busbee. Enjoy, everybody, and have a field day in the comments below.
Kentucky preview video: Can Dale Earnhardt Jr. win at Kentucky?
One of these days, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is going to snap his one-race losing streak, and it could happen this weekend at Kentucky! Join Yahoo! Sports' Jay Busbee (right here, yo) and Larry Beil as we talk about Junior's chances, the Hendrick/Roush domination at 1.5-mile tracks this year, and various other matters of interest. Plus, you'll get our pick for the race ... and no, it isn't the 88. Enjoy.
Gregory Jack Biffle David Lee Blaney Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch
Thursday
Join us for the latest Yahoo! Sports NASCAR chat, Tuesday at 1 pm ET
Time again for another Yahoo! Sports NASCAR chat! Join us to talk about Sonoma, tire tests ... oh, and maybe that guy who won last weekend. See you here at 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday!
Huge crash mars Le Mans 24 Hour Race
Anthony Davidson is lucky. Five hours into the Le Mans 24 Hour Race, Davidson's Toyota made contact with the Ferrari driven by Italy's Piergiuseppe Perazzini, causing the Brit's car to somersault into the air and eventually nose first into a barricade. According to BBC Sport, Davidson was taken to an area hospital where he is alert and OK.
"Doctors at the circuit have confirmed that Anthony is suffering from shock and back pain," Toyota said in a release. "However, there are no signs of any injuries and he is walking and talking with no problems."
The Le Mans 24 Hour Race, which dates back to 1923, is the world's oldest endurance race. Teams of at least three take turns driving, with the winning team being determined by which one completes the most laps in the 24-hour time period. Run on the 8.5-mile Circuit de la Sarthe, heavy impacts are not uncommon. Last year, Allan McNish was lucky to survive this accident.
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Wednesday
Video: Is Joey Logano?s ride safe? How will Michigan run?
Time again for some Burning Questions from your favorite Yahoo! Sports Jays, Hart and Busbee. This week, we're talking Joey Logano, pit road penalties and the Michigan repave. Watch, enjoy, and have your say on the topics du jour below.
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Schumacher against tyre warmer ban
Paul Goldsmith Josй Froilбn Gonzбlez Oscar Gonzбlez Aldo Gordini
McLaren: Maldonado incident avoidable
Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears Juan Pablo Montoya
Tuesday
McLaren admits tyre struggle in Valencia
RBR takes comfort from Vettel?s pace
David Lee Blaney Michael Duane Bliss Kurt Thomas Busch Kyle Thomas Busch
Shane Lewis to Make Dubai 24H Debut
Source: http://www.motorsportsjournal.com/archives/2011/12/shane_lewis_to_make_dubai.php
Glock allowed to race by stewards
Mark Anthony Martin Jeremy Allan Mayfield James Christopher McMurray Casey James Mears
Monday
Five Things We Learned from Le Mans in 2012
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/12SCef6x6Gg/
Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr Carl Michael Edwards III William Clyde Elliott Jeffrey Michael Gordon
Schumacher escapes DRS penalty
Happy Hour: Which driver is next to break a long winless streak?
Welcome to the latest Happy Hour mailbag! You know how these work: You write us with your best rant/ joke/one-liner at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com or on Twitter at @jaybusbee, we respond to your messages, everyone goes away with a smile on their face.
Admit it. You felt just the tiniest bit good for Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Sunday. Even if you hate the guy, you have to feel for him. And oh, Junior Nation: you have every right to rub it in our faces ... for a week.
And now, your letters. Guess what the topic is!
Congrats to Dale Jr. on his win. He becomes the second driver (Joey Logano) this year to snap a multi-year winless streak. This brings me to wonder if any other drivers with long dry spells can break out this year. The list of active drivers that have gone 2+ years without a win are:
Jamie McMurray - 56 races
Juan Montoya - 65 races
David Reutimann - 66 races
Mark Martin - 93 races
Jeff Burton - 128 races
Casey Mears - 177 races
Martin Truex Jr - 182 races
Joe Nemechek - 267 races
Bobby Labonte - 303 races
? John Davis
Great list there. Some of those surprised me a bit. It's really been 128 races since Burton won? Anyway, let's break it down. Of these guys, the only ones you'd seriously say are theoretically at the peak of their skills are McMurray, Montoya and Reutimann. Nemechek isn't going to win a race; he needs to start finishing them first. Labonte, Mears and Reutimann lack the equipment. Martin just doesn't seem to be able to finish. Burton has been on a long, long slide.
So that leaves Truex and the Ganassi boys. Both McMurray and Montoya have been a total mess for about the last three years. So I'm thinking Truex is the one most likely to break out and get that win. Of course, rain could throw all that into chaos. Expect these guys to stay out in anything short of a hurricane. And you? Which of these drivers do you project as the best bet to win next?
____________________
Junior has been really consistent and being very careful on his positions. Do we now consider him a title contender? He has the makings of one this year. I say he could be depending on winning more. but would like your opinion on it.
? Matt P.
Wynne
My opinion is that he's absolutely a title contender. Think of it this way: ironically, for a guy derided for so long as unable to escape the accolades of his name, he's now unable to escape the derision attached to it. If it were anybody, and I mean anybody, else with Junior's numbers this year, we'd be talking about him as a championship contender. But since it's Junior, we're waiting for the other shoe to drop ... and for him to run over his bare foot. I don't think he's a lock yet for the Cup; I'd put Johnson and Kenseth ahead of him, at least. But he's going to be in the Chase, he's going to have bonus points, and that's good news for Junior fans indeed.
____________________
Everyone has noticed that whenever a car gets out ahead of the pack by 2 or 3 seconds, then holds that lead the mysterious "debris caution" comes out. We've all talked about it, for good or bad it's really hard to deny that it happens. Junior was out in front by 4 seconds near the end of the race.... he was maintaining the lead.... Where was the flag?
In a weird way, it almost proves the damn things exist. ;-)
? Tim Palmer
Weeeeellll ... yes and no. There's an old line in the law about absence of evidence not being the same thing as evidence of absence. In other words, just because they didn't throw a caution flag this time doesn't mean the others weren't legit. (Stop laughing!) We've had several long-green-flag finishes this year, so this isn't entirely a surprise. But yes, short of a thermonuclear warhead going off in Turn 3, this race was going under green to the finish.
Jay? we need some investigative reporting here. Who was the hottie Dale Jr. kissed in victory lane? Inquiring NASCAR fans HAVE to know?
? No Name Given
Well, I don't know that I'd call Jimmie Johnson a hottie, but ... oh, you mean the girl. That was Junior's girlfriend. She does exist. We've covered her in these pages before. But we're finding out all this new info about Junior now! One day, we'll look back on the days when he was a goofy loser with some nostalgia, won't we?
____________________
What's wrong with NASCAR? Denny Hamlin asking his crew chief, "How hard do you want me to go for this win" with about 7 laps to go at Pocono should tell everyone clearly enough. The emphasis on winning races simply does not exist. I hate to single out Denny, but TNT broadcasting the driver-crew chief conversation should let everyone know where the priorities of the drivers are at.
? Lee Anderson
Fort Worth, TX
Yep, no two ways about it: points racing is the way of the future. Unless, of course, NASCAR were to jack up the points for winning/placing top 10 and/or reduce the penalty for finishing so low. Other than that, smart points racing is going to dominate.
_____________________
What on earth is wrong with Tony Eury Jr? He complained after the NNS race that the drivers weren't respecting Danica Patrick because "they hate losing to a girl." Far be it from me to point this out, but she hasn't beaten anybody. She has not once contended for a win yet. I watched the race and saw everything I usually see. Sure, in her second spin Austin Dillon took the air off her spoiler, but I think Tony Jr is just frustrated that she doesn't know how to do that to anybody else. There is a lot to learn about these cars aerodynamically and I think she is doing fine in her progression. But come on, Tony Jr - don't give her excuses like that!
S. Bilger
Seattle, WA
I get what you're saying, but technically speaking, every time she doesn't finish dead last, she IS beating somebody. That said, I would be surprised if Patrick didn't cringe a bit at those comments. The last thing she wants is to be judged as, is as a "girl racer." You're right, she doesn't need those excuses, and if she'd made them herself, she'd have been blasted. Anyway, there's an easy solution: start trading some paint and winning some races, Danica.
____________________
About Junior's victory at Michigan all I have is this to say, Jay: Please cover golf more often. You clearly have been the jinx all along.
Jeff "The Real Slim Sarge" Smith
Statesboro, GA
Seeing as how I was covering the US Open the last time Junior won, there might be something to that. Hey, 88: call me. I'm more than willing to play sick on weekends you need a win.
And on that note, we're out. Thanks to all our writers this week. You want in? Fire up the computer and hit us with whatever's on your mind, NASCAR-wise, at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com. You can find Yahoo! Sports' NASCAR coverage on Facebook right here, and you can follow me on Twitter at @jaybusbee and on Facebook here. Make sure to tell us where you're from. We'll make you famous!
Tesla Model S EPA-Rated for 89 MPGe, 265-Mile Range with Biggest Battery
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/OJnXcHDqFpQ/
Kevin Michael Harvick Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett
Superb Harvey takes double pole
Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/3rdparty/superb-harvey-takes-double-pole
Helmuth Koinigg Heikki Kovalainen Kevin Harvick Armour Vienna Sausage Kroger Chevrolet
Sunday
Shedden retakes points lead with win
Kyle Thomas Busch Jeffrey Tyler Burton Richard Allen Craven Kerry Dale Earnhardt
Dissected: Nissan-Powered DeltaWing Race Car (Including How it Turns!)
Innes Ireland Eddie Irvine Chris Irwin Jean Pierre Jabouille
Happy Hour: The Kurt Busch response roundup
Welcome to the latest Happy Hour mailbag! You know how these work: You write us with your best rant/ joke/one-liner at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com or on Twitter at @jaybusbee, we respond to your messages, everyone goes away with a smile on their face.
It's swim team season, and if you've got kids, that means you're going to big four-hour neighborhood meets. I train my kids to work sponsor mentions (Yahoo! Sports, of course) into regular conversation and put their opponents into the wall, which really doesn't go over too well with the other teams. But I recommend against trying tandem racing in the pool. And for heaven's sake, don't try interviewing my kids right after they finish the race. Those are some foul-mouthed munchkins. Say, that reminds me of something ... let's do a roundup of KuBu responses, shall we? DJ, give me a beat ...
I am a Kurt Busch fan. [After last fall] I decided to stick with the driver, thinking he was smart enough to keep his cool, and maybe contend for a win or so. Come to find out, he is the same Kurt. Now that he is out of Pocono for the weekend, is it cool to change drivers midseason now? (Rickie Hodges, Norfolk, VA)
James Finch certainly seems to think so. And if the owner of Phoenix Racing, who's currently writing Kurt's checks, is willing to make a change if Busch doesn't shape up, why shouldn't fans? I say disaffected Kurt fans should start rooting for Trevor Bayne. It'll be a wondrous change for all involved.
Jay, what are the odds that Kurt Busch gets fired before the end of the season? (Michael George Koltuniak)
Vegas sets the line at 3-1. But if Kurt plays his cards right, he could bet on his own firing, get himself fired, and cash in. Money!
Why do you who don't do, get to control those few that can? Reporters are the vultures of all who produce. (Alan)
I had to get out the industrial-strength grammar cleaner for a few of these emails. If the media was REALLY as evil as some of you seem to think, I'd let you hang yourselves with your own start-and-park spelling. Anyway, here's a thought to all of you who hate the media so much: don't watch/read/listen. We're all biased vultures, so why do you want to spend any time with us? Just drive to each race yourself, buy tickets and lodging, and observe what's happening on-track. Shouldn't cost you more than about $100,000 a year. Per person. No problem, right? Not when the alternative is, you know, reading/watching and then forming your OWN opinion.
Mr. Busch needs to remember to think twice before stepping outside the box. It's ugly mob rules. Not worth the trouble! Media, please stop provoking. Treat others as you want to be treated. (Troy)
This was a common thread, that the media somehow "provoked" Kurt Busch. Let's break this one down, shall we?
1. If a driver can't handle being simply asked questions, even "provocative" ones, without losing his mind, it might be time for him to consider an alternative line of work ... one where he's not paid a ton of money to drive a car in a circle.
2. Busch is in this predicament because of his own actions. Nobody else's. And in December, he took responsibility for that and promised to conduct himself more professionally. That seems to have been lost in the rush to defend Kurt.
3. Sporting News' Bob Pockrass asked a question in a professional manner and, like so many before him, got back a smarmy, sarcastic answer. Let's apply "treat others as you want to be treated" equally, shall we?
4. It's funny how drivers love the media when they want us around to promote their latest sponsor initiative/charity event, but then slag the media as "tabloid" when the off-track stories don't break their way. Just, you know, an observation.
5. The media didn't fire Kurt Busch twice from Chase-level teams. And the media didn't GET Kurt fired. Another observation.
You should have a mic stuck in your face after you drive home from the race. Leave the drivers alone and report on the crap NASCAR puts them through. You must be a Dem. Only half the story! (James Liptrap)
Leave the drivers alone? Really? Not sure their sponsors would like that. And if you're looking for someone to "report on the crap" of NASCAR, few can match Pockrass, FYI. Man ... talk about telling only "half the story." (Also, let's be honest: both sides have their problems telling the whole story. But NO MORE POLITICS.)
One other thing: NASCAR holds the top-five drivers after each race to do on-track interviews. It wasn't like Pockrass ambushed Kurt. And even if he did, the burden is on the driver to act like a professional. If a member of the media is REALLY being unprofessional, go on Twitter and call 'em out. Make it public. There are those in the NASCAR media pool who would gleefully jump on one of their own if it meant getting in better with the drivers. But be specific. Hurt feelings are not evidence.
Does NASCAR have favorite sons? Why is this hothead still racing? They come down hard on some and others skate by, is it because NASCAR likes the drama? They need to [expletive] can this guy. (racefanmich)
You think NASCAR is favoring Kurt Busch? There's proof that we all see the world the way we want to. (Yes, NASCAR does like the drama, as long as it doesn't make the sport look too bad. As we've seen, that can be a devil's bargain.)
If stupid people ask stupid questions, they deserve stupid answers and the notion that everyone has to be on best behavior all the time because of a fan with a cell phone is ludicrous. It's almost as if they really, really wanted to get him, and in turn it makes NASCAR look childlike, almost grade-schoolish. (Chris H, St. Louis)
"Stupid people asking stupid questions and getting stupid answers" ? sounds like this whole mailbag right here. (I kid! Not all your questions are stupid.)
If I was going to make a list of people who make NASCAR look "childlike and grade-schoolish," it'd probably be different from yours. And yes, there is absolutely no middle ground between "best behavior" and throwing out f-bombs and screaming at everyone around you. That's not a stupid statement at all.
Jay, you must admit that was a stupid question that the reporter asked. All he was trying to do was egg Kurt on. There are some reporters that don't belong in the business. (Jim Lewis)
Bob Pockrass absolutely belongs, and anybody who says differently needs to educate themselves on his work. (I'd actually like to see some legitimate examples of the "unprofessional" and "tabloid" journalism that drivers and fans seem to think is so prevalent in NASCAR. Send me links. Trust me, compared to, say, college football, the journalism in NASCAR is like a gentle backrub to the drivers and teams.)
This whole "stupid question" angle mystifies me. What was stupid about it? In December, Kurt promised to behave better. He was on probation and got challenged, ON THE TRACK, by Allgaier. Pockrass was, in effect, asking Busch how he was handling RACING while under probation. Both Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski have mentioned the chilling effect of probation on their on-track style. Despite what Busch (and some fans) seem to think, that's the very DEFINITION of a racing question.
And finally, if he WAS trying to "egg Kurt on," so what? You mean to tell me Busch lacks the self-control to be able to handle a freaking QUESTION? Some of you are giving these drivers less accountability than a dog that's not housebroken. "Dog peed on the rug? IT'S THE RUG'S FAULT FOR BEING THERE!"
We done with this story? Obviously not, but let's move on to something far less controversial ... like Danica Patrick.
____________________
People are asking why was Danica Patrick invited to the Prelude to the Dream. They claim she has no business there and that she is unqualified. Let's be serious, this is an exhibition race for a great cause. This is about getting some of the most popular drivers from a variety of disciplines to compete, Saturday night style, for the benefit of fans and more importantly to raise money for charity. If Danica's presence can sell a few more pay-per-view orders or put another few backsides in the stands then she is doing exactly what she and every other driver there was invited to do. If it was purely about the race, then most of the drivers invited would be exchanged for the top dirt late model stars.
? Bill
Yeah, that Kurt Busch is ... wait, what? That wasn't a Kurt question. Oh. Too bad. Anyway, yeah, I agree with what Bill said about Danica's participation. Far as I'm concerned, she's still got goodwill to burn, based on the eyeballs and revenue she's bringing to NASCAR. At some point, that won't be the case, but if you're begrudging her participating in a charity event, it's probably time to reassess your life.
Wow, negativity left and right today! Let's wrap with a high note. Someone praised ... Pocono? Really? Huh.
____________________
I'm tired of people [expletive]ing on Pocono. Big Bill begged Doc Mattioli to take a second race and Doc was very reluctant. And the actual racing is a hell of a lot better than a lot of other tracks. Five-wide on restarts there is awesome. Going to 400 miles is a plus, too. I've been to 10-15 races there and was never disappointed. Maybe it was the naked chicks in the infield! By the way, if you like beer, the area from Long Pond to Williamsport has great microbreweries. Beautiful area, as well.
? Mike Deppen
Naked chicks? Beer? That's not about racing, Mike! Kurt Busch would NOT approve! (Thanks. Good recommendations.)
And on that note, we're out. Thanks to all our writers this week. You want in? Fire up the computer and hit us with whatever's on your mind, NASCAR-wise, at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com. You can find Yahoo! Sports' NASCAR coverage on Facebook right here, and you can follow me on Twitter at @jaybusbee and on Facebook here. Make sure to tell us where you're from. We'll make you famous!
Terrence Lee Labonte Randy Joseph Lajoie Kevin Paul Lepage William Ashton Lewis Jr
Marcos Ambrose Will Race For A Miracle In Sonoma
Ambrose?s sponsors Stanley, Ace Hardware Store, and Children?s Miracle Network have partnered up to raise funds to benefit ill children around the country. It was announced on a Richard Petty Motorsports press release that Ambrose?s sponsor Stanley will donate $1 million to Children?s Miracle Network Hospitals if Ambrose captures a win at Sonoma this weekend.
Stanley has already made $100,000 donation but if Ambrose does win Sunday there will be the extra $1 million donation.
Along with the special initiative�Ambrose will also be sporting a special paint scheme during the race weekend at Sonoma. Various names will be feature on the paint scheme in honor of the children from all over the United States, one from each state who have met their medical goals. Along with the special paint scheme Ambrose spent time with some of the children at the UC Davis Children?s Hospital in Sacramento, Ca...