Franchitti Wins at Long Beach

Welcome to Long Beach, one of the greatest street car races in the world.

The VERSUS team gets right to it with the story of Helio’s court case

(Thanks: WFOR-TV)

He was welcomed back with open arms in the pits.

And then there was the mistakes of Helio was he tried to get used to his car and team again.

His hit during qualifying hurt resulting in a headache.

But Helio’s troubles including the headache are gone and he is ready to race.

Over to Grahm Rahal, “We want to do well for them.” (Paul Newman’s friends and family) Long Beach was one of Newman’s favorite tracks.

Paul Tracy is back for the Indianapolis 500 and presumably Edmonthon and Toronto.

Yes that is the GEICO geko with Max Pappis inder the head. “I am going back to the Indy 500 with hopes of coming back to the series.” According to PT, a win at Indy should equate to his return to the series.

Kick the tires and light the fire, Will Power is one the pole but didn’t immediate roll off with the grid. No worries, he is off and rolling.

We are green!

Unlike last weekend there are now circus antics lake last weekend at St. Pete. In fact there were no incidents on the first lap. Mr. Barnhardt’s lecture must have been effective.

Lap 14 and Mike Conway meets the tire barrier.

Soon after leader Will Power slows and in the backup ScottDixon and EJ Viso touch and Viso goes airborne.

Now to lap 23 and we have a big mess.

Bring in the clowns.

Dan Weldon, Darren Manning, Mario Moraes, Hideki Mutoh and Junsin Wilson were involved in the traffic jam.

Stanton Barrett goes off course bringing out a local yellow.

Later, Ed Carpenter noses into turn one.

Mike Conway looses it and puts it into the wall.

Now under caution, Graham Rahal goes to leave the pits and the fuel hose is attached.

It looks bad and could have been much worse but thankfully VERSUS did not report any injuries.

Mario Moraes hits the rumble strips and buries himself deeeep in the tire barrier.

Ed Carpenter got a little off and pulled up besides Moraes but all was good.

Under caution, Ryan Briscoe gets into the back of Scott Dixon coming out of the hairpin spinning him around and damaging Briscoe’s car.

Briscoe is called to pit lane for a penalty as a result of the hit under caution.

In the final laps, March Andretti gets into Dan Weldon in the hairpin but both continue.

As Vitor Meira gets into the tires on the final lap,

Dario Franchitti takes his first win since returning to the series as his wife celebrates.

The win is Franchitti’s 9th in the series and comes on his wife’s (Ashley Judd) birthday.

IndyCar Series Long Beach Finish
Dario Franchitti
Will Power
Tony Kanaan
Danica Patrick
Dan Weldon
Marco Andretti
Helio Castroneves
Raphael Matos
Robert Doornbos
Alex Tagliani
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Graham Rahal
Ryan Briscoe
Vitor Meira
Scott Dixon
Darren Manning
Stanton Barrett
Ed Carpenter
Mario Moraes
Hideki Mutoh
Mike Conway
Justin Wilson
EJ Viso

Ideas, thoughts, questions? Drop me a line at bjohnson_292@comcast.net.

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of IMS Productions and VERSUS.

Ryan Briscoe Wins IndyCar Opener/ Carl Edwards Wins WWE Championship

Ryan Briscoe Wins IndyCar Opener

Welcome to the IndyCar Series opener at St. Pete.

Green flag and the IRL takes a page out of

Champ Car and a cluster evolves.

Tony Kanaan gets into pole sitter Graham Rahal.

Other cars go spinning.

On the replay we see Alex Tagliani

going “Dukes of Hazard” over Graham Rahal’s nose.

This accident isn’t anyone’s fault in particular, it was just the whole field going for the same spot.

Mike Conway who appears to get the worst of it.

Rahal and Kanaan come in for new front wings. Green again and this time the single file start is clean. We go to commercial break and all heck breaks loose.

Raphael Matos gets a run on Danica Patrick but does not get beside her

and takes her out

in a turn that was not the best for passing.

The result is an extremely HARD slide into the wall that had to hurt. The hit was so hard it moved the temporary wall.

After the incident, the two drivers got out of their cars to discuss the incident.

Talking about Matos’ move, Danica Patrick told VERSUS’ Jack Arute, “It was a brave maneuver that did not make it.”

About the same time that the Danica Patrick and Matos spin-o-rama was occurring,

Hideki Mutoh gets into Mario Moraes

and he goes spinning.

And Vitor Meira got into Alex Tagliani cutting Atag’s tire.

Will Power makes a mistake and misses his pits which kills the pit stop of Scott Dixon. The result, a horrid pits top by Dixon whose team has to slowly slide back his car to even get close to the fuel nozzle.

Lap 55 and Stanton Barrett brings out a full course caution for a stall.

Lap 81 now and Scott Dixon gets into Hideki Mutoh and breaks something in this left front suspension.

The next turn and Dixon is into the wall as a result of the suspension.

Robert Doornbos gets into Dan Weldon and Hideki Mutoh and Marco Andretti all get collected.

In the mayhem Ryan Hunter-Reay gets by for second place on this corner.

Alex Tagliani slides to the inside and takes out Marco Andretti.

Green with three laps to go. Ryan Briscoe gasses it and holds off Ryan Hunter-Reay for the win.

After the race, team owner Roger Penske told VERSUS, “This one is for Helio.”

IndyCar Series St. Petersburg Finish

Ryan Briscoe
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Justin Wilson
Dario Franchitti
Tony Kanaan
Will Power
Graham Rahal
Darren Manning
Vitor Meira
Alex Tagliani
Robert Doornbos
Stanton Barrett
Marco Andretti
Dan Weldon
Hideki Mutoh
Scott Dixon
EJ Viso
Ed Carpenter
Danica Patrick
Raphael Matos
Mario Moraes
Mike Conway

Carl Edwards wins the WWE Championship (Not Really)
(No stills due to restrictions)
When John Cena won the WWE World Championship belt tonight, he headed out in the crowd to pose with Open Wheeler Carl Edwards and his Roush PR dude Randy Fuller. Nice!

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of IMS Productions and VERSUS.

Wind Tunnel Recap

Free Helio!

The website IsItMayYet.com is providing pretty good coverage of Helio Castroneves’ trial. That is where this log comes from. I hope that Helio is not guilty and if he is not, I hope he can return to racing soon. He is one of the best and nicest drivers on the circuit.

Robin Miller Talks Trial

A sick (with the flu) Robin Miller appeared on Wind Tunnel Sunday night via phone to talk about Helio Castroneves’ trial.

Miller reported that Castroneves’ attorney believe the government is going aster his client because he is a celebrity.

Dave Despain then noted that it was interesting that several high profile politicians recently got into tax trouble but they have not been hauled into federal court.

The point was also made about the timing of the trial.

Eye Candy = Fun

The interview was followed by Eye Candy which did not disappoint.

This explains why we don’t have sign girls in the IRL.

The crew members aren’t looking at their bikes.

The folks at Wind Tunnel joined web surfers at SpeedTV.com for a post WT chat.

Steve Letarte is the featured guest next week.

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of IsItMayYet.com and SPEED

Atlanta Wrap

NASCAR Raceday Celebrates 100 Races at the ATL

The 100th race anniversary of Atlanta Motor Speedway was not lost on the NASCAR Raceday crew who opened the show with a special montage from the archives.

The show then shifted to the differences between Las Vegas and Atlanta. A well produced piece by Hermie Saddler.

Wendy Venturini then interviewed the race favorite, Kyle Busch. Sadler then jetted off to talk to Kasey Kahne about his performance so far this season.

About 30 minutes into the show, a great package of the AMS airs complete with historical footage of the greatest Motorsports reporter ever, Chris Economaki reporting for ABC’s Wide World of Sports.

Digger Makes Fun of F1

Ok, now over to the FOX coverage. Oh look, there is the weekly Digger cartoon. This week Digger’s relative who is French and races in F1 (where have I heard this before Ricky Bobby)? Digger and the F1 driver trade barbs like this one.

“But you NASCAR isn’t faster its so slow it makes me sick, Like ring around the rosy, it’s a joke for little kids.”

Nice work. Digger comes back but just says it’s better because it is better. Stereotypical NASCAR fan. Frenchy hits a tree and looses the race. Typical F1, hey wait, how did a tree become part of the racetrack of a cookie cutter oval?

Never mind. Before we green flag the marathon of unbridled speed, here is my pick for commercial of the race. Looks it’s a talking fish asking for some of him back.

“What if it were you hanging on this wall? If it were you in that fish sandwich you wouldn’t be laughing at all!”

That makes about as much sense as an NASCAR gopher racing and F1Gopher.

Big Brother Wins in the ATL

Carl Edwards says he will be looking for a cushion today with a hot slick race track. Look for the Open Wheelers to do well. Ok, lets light this candle. Mark Martin leads them to the green. A few laps into the race and Reed Sorenson sides into the wall with our first caution.

Ten laps Later Bobby Labonte spins. To lap 104 now and it looks like Labonte’s car is not handling any better as he hits the wall.

Lap 205 now and Sam Hornish hits the wall and then hits Bill Elliott. (Please come back to the IRL Sam!) Lap 217 and the pole setter Mark Martin wrecks after something went south on his car.

62 laps to go and coming off of a restart for debris, Scott Speed gets up into David Ragan.

David Stremme then hits Greg Biffle and Biffle hits the wall hard. The accident knocked Scott Speed out of the top 35 in points.

One late caution for debris thanks to a Robby Gordon tire. Time for final pits stops. Carl Edwards wins the race off of pit road with a two tire stop. Kurt Busch came off of pit road 2nd. On the restart with two laps to go, Busch takes the high line and Edwards the low. Kurt Busch rockets to the lead and Gordon follows getting by Edwards who would finish 3rd as Kurt Busch wins one for Roger Penske.

Busch then celebrates by driving around the track with the checkered flag backwards.

Atlanta Cup Open Wheelers Finish
1. Kurt Busch
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Carl Edwards
7. Kasey Kahne
8. Tony Stewart
16. Casey Mears
17. A J Allmendinger
22. Ryan Newman
26. Robbie Gordon
27. Juan Pablo Montoya
29. John Andretti
35. Scott Speed
37. Sam Hornish Jr.
41. Dave Blaney
43. Mike Bliss

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of SPEED, ABC, FOX and NASCAR Images.

OMG, He Said the P Word

OMG, He Said the P Word

(File)
I was watching the Sunday March 1 delayed edition of Wind Tunnel. While waiting to hear from Graham Rahall and Stanton Barrett I heard something that I would not have said in front of my mother… the P word. What?? Did he just say what I though he said? The P word? Yep he did, not only once but twice.

(File)
After several not so intelligent callers, Dave Despain quoted an email saying, “NASCAR fixes the races, Jimmie Johnson is a P word and Kyle Busch is a jerk and NASCAR wants them to lead every lap.” Despain continued asking the question, “how is it in NASCAR’s interest to have a P word and a jerk lead all of the laps? I don’t get that.”

(File)
In his defense:
1. Dave had gone through a long line of not so intelligent callers.
2. The first time he said the P word he was quoting from an email.
3. The program is TVNR which means not rated, watch at your own caution.
4. While you are not to use the P word on broadcast TV (unless you are referring to a cat), you can say it on cable.

(File)
Hey it is cable so they can say what ever they want. I am not about to act all holier that thou saying that he is a bad guy and I have never said that word. I am not proud of it but I have used that word before. My point is I try to keep my language at a certain standard when in the presence of children or my mother and would expect the same of my favorite television shows whether they are over the air or not. I would like to be able to watch Wind Tunnel with my niece and not have to explain to her what a P word is.

Did Dave lose me as a viewer? Do I think that they should restrict what DD says? Nope. But to quote Jim Carr (from Slap Shot), “I think we should keep the comments within the boundaries of good taste.”

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of SPEED.

The Crash

The Crash

Like racing, even the best racecars and drivers can be sidelined because of a crash. Well last night the computer at the World Headquarters of Open Wheeler crashed hard. The computer housed several stories that were written for this weekend and the software to provide you with new screen grabs.

We are working to remedy the problem and hope to have it resolved by next week. Until then, we will continue to provide updates from the computer we use for remote updates. Thanks again for visiting.

Images in this blog are courtesy of FX and NASCAR Images.

Welcome to TV Thursday/ It Was Boring but It Had a Good Number/ Bring a Freaking Towel/ Sked

Welcome to TV Thursday
Where we deal with TV news regarding racing. I was hoping to save the USAC/ Versus news for today but I had to let the cat out of the bag one day early. Read that story below.

It Was Boring but It Had a Good Number

Autoclub 500 at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday evening was probably one of the most boring Cup races I have watched in some time.

Irregardless what I think it was still the highest rated sporting event on TV for the week drawing a 6.0/10 national household rating/share according to Nielsen Media Research and FOX PR.

That’s 10.2 million viewers.

Even though it drew good numbers which were better than previous years, it was up against the Academy Awards on ABC.

That show averaged a 20.6. Still, folks are watching.

This Weekend on Wind Tunnel

Dave Despain will have NHRA Funny Car Points Leader Ron Capps as their featured guest this Sunday at 9pm eastern on SPEED.

Bring a Freaking Towel

For many years drivers and crews have sprayed liquids in Victory Lane.

Note to camera folks who go to victory lane. Bring a towel.

Your vest/ credential will not cut it. I am sure “G” would love to give you a towel to use in “G” victory lane. Not bringing a towel is kind of like forgetting to bring a battery for your camera in Victory Lane.

A wet lens is bound to happen but preparation will overcome a damp situation.

TV Schedule
February 28
12:00 pm NNS Qualifying SPEED

4:00 pm NNS Countdown ESPN2

4:30 pm NNS: Sam's Town 300 ESPN2

March 1
2:00 pm NASCAR RaceDay SPEED

3:30 pm NSCS Pre-Race Show FOX

4:30 pm NSCS: Shelby 427 at Las Vegas 7:00 pm SPEED Report SPEED

9:30 pm Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain SPEED

Coming Later this Week
An Open Wheel revival.

Ideas, thoughts, questions? Drop me a line at bjohnson_292@comcast.net.

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of SPEED, FOX and NASCAR Images.

Welcome to Web Wednesday/ USAC Opener at Manzanita on Versus/ USAC TV Q&A

Welcome to Web Wednesday

We are starting a new feature today on Open Wheeler. Were calling it Web Wednesday. Every week we will highlight a great website for racing information. This week we are featuring USACRacing.com. Last year USAC unveiled a revamped website.

In addition to news and schedules, the new website features photos, live timing and scoring at select events and video. We will have more on USACRacing.com later in this blog.

USAC Opener at Manzanita on Versus

USAC will return to television in April as the Copper on Dirt airs on Versus. The network that brought four USAC sanctioned races to the airwaves will broadcast the opener at Manzanita on April 14 at a time to be announced. In 2008, Versus aired one Silver Crown and two USAC/CRA races. The network also broadcast the Turkey Night Grand Prix.

USAC TV Q &A

While it is exciting to have USAC back on TV, there was some grumbling among fans on message boards on several issues. I am going to attempt to give solutions to the points raised.

It is good to see USAC back on TV but why not more races and it is Versus?

I like most Open Wheel fans would like to see as many races as possible on TV but the reality is the golden days of Thursday Thunder on ESPN are over. Versus is not a widely watched channel but it is better than the Outdoors network. Open Wheel fans need to be extremely thankful to Lucus Oil, the production quality of the program is top notch and they put a lot of money into it.

What can we do to get more races on TV?

Park your butt in front of the TV when the race airs on Versus and write to the folks at the Lucus Oil and Versus to let then know how much you appreciate their coverage.

Grassroots Open Wheel Banished to the Internet?

Until grassroots Open Wheel racing draws remarkable numbers on TV, our favorite sport will be relegated to the internet. Maybe that is a good place for it to be.

Years ago folks theorized about putting USAC and WoO racing video live on the net.

The problem was that the high speed internet connections were not at every track to make that happen. In stepped the World of Outlaws Sprints with their new media trailer in 2006.

Besides a workspace, it had high speed internet via satellite. That bandwidth was good enough to send video.

Last season USAC began video feeds and while it is not as clean as watching a network race at home on TV, we are talking a one camera and one announcer real (plus webcast support)

without a 80 person TV crew and multiple pit reporters.

I have shot some racing and it takes a talent to find the action and be there before the wreck.
USAC is lucky to have the services of Dean Mills who loves the sport with all of his heart and has a knack for finding the highlight before it happens.

For that matter it is good to have Rob Klepper as the voice of USAC. A voice that knows everything about the drivers makes the race PA as well as the broadcast more enjoyable.

No it is not the glory days of ESPN and TNN for grass roots Open Wheel but you still get to see the race live and for free so stop complaining and start to use a word that my be new to your vocabulary when it comes to USAC… Thanks!

Coming Later this Week
TV Thursday and an Open Wheel revival.

Ideas, thoughts, questions? Drop me a line at bjohnson_292@comcast.net.

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of USACRacing.com and Open Wheeler.

JJ Yeley Tells Dave Despain What is Next For Him on Wind Tunnel

JJ Yeley Tells Dave Despain What is Next For Him on Wind Tunnel

This week’s Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain featured Peter Windson talking F1 and a phone interview with JJ Yeley. Peter Windsor told Dave Despain that Ken Anderson and he are the primary partners in an US based F1 team.

Windsor went on to say that they are looking at American drivers to fill the cockpit although it is possible that they may bring in an experienced foreign driver.

A caller brought up the possibility of sending AJ Allmendinger to F1, Windsor said he would make a great driver bout would not confirm him as one of the two drivers that will be announced on Tuesday.

JJ Yeley said it is important for him to get into any race car that he can.

The USAC Triple Crown champ added that he is talking to teams in NASCAR.

Yeley said that he would love to get back into NASCAR.

JJ Yeley announced that he will be racing during USAC’s west coast swing including Las Vegas this coming weekend.

Coming Later this Week
USAC returns to television, Open Wheel racing on the internet, TV Thursday and an Open Wheel revival.

Ideas, thoughts, questions? Drop me a line at bjohnson_292@comcast.net.

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of SPEED.

Matt Kenseth Wins the Cup Race at California

Matt Kenseth Wins the Cup Race at California
Matt Kenseth continued his winning ways Sunday night in California, winning the Cup race over Jeff Gordon.

We begin tonight’s coverage with notes from Raceday on SPEED. Look, its Wendy the pirate. Arg matey!

I have no idea why Wendy Venturini has the patch on but here are their picks. KW – 48, HS – 2, WV – 18, JS – 88 and JR – 99.

More interviews in the most complete prerace show in racing. Look, its Krista Voda doing her hair in the background.

Time for the FOX broadcast to start. FOX’s prerace show includes an interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr. who says “I take responsibility for this wreck,” referring to the mayhem he caused last week at Daytona.

FOX then throws to Krista Voda and Brian Vickers for the response. Vickers says, “I am ready to move on.”

Let's light this candle!

So on we will move to the green flag where Angie Harmon, the honorary starter either has a burning rubber fetish

or is high on adrenalin.

Green flag and time to take a nap.

Seriously, the only thing to note until late in the race is that they had several cautions for rain and

that Ryan Newman lost his transponder and then lost his endplate under one of the rain cautions.

The most exciting part of the first half was this kid who looks like he was tortured by his parents. Oh wait, he is a Jr. fan. Nevermind…

Ok FF to lap 72 where Mark Martin loses an engine. Lap 208 Kevin Harvick lost an engine and hit the wall hard. Dale Earnhardt Jr. also pulled in with engine problems. I am beginning to see a trend here. Now Aric Almirola looses an engine with 7 to go but he is out of harms way so we stay green.

Matt Kenseth is leading Jeff Gordon by the equal time until six to go when he turns the jets on, smoking the tires down low. A few laps later and it isn’t working as much now for Gordon as Kenseth is able to keep his distance.

Matt Kenseth wins two races in a row winning the Cup race at California.

This race went a little late tonight ending at 10pm eastern. Good thing I hit the DVR for Wind Tunnel. See separate blog story above for highlights.

Open Wheeler Cup Results California:
1. (Matt Kenseth)
2. Jeff Gordon
7. Carl Edwards
8. Tony Stewart
11. Juan Montoya
12. Kasey Kahne
23. Sam Hornish Jr.
24. Casey Mears
28. Ryan Newman
29. A.J. Allmendinger
30. Robby Gordon
31. John Andretti
41. Scott Speed
42. Dave Blaney

Coming Later this Week
USAC returns to television, Open Wheel racing on the internet, TV Thursday and an Open Wheel revival.

Ideas, thoughts, questions? Drop me a line at bjohnson_292@comcast.net.

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of FOX, SPEED and NASCAR Images.

Kaeding Wins the USAC Silver Crown Opener at Manzy/ Kyle Busch Makes History/ Michael McDowell Wreck and Fire

Kaeding Wins the USAC Silver Crown Opener at Manzy

File image courtesy of USACRacing.com
Bud Kadeing won the USAC Silver Crown season opener tonight at Manzanita in Phoenix, Arizona. The California native battled Jesse Hockett all night up fron but made a late pass when it counted for the win. The runner up position was Hockett’s best finish in the Silver Crown Series. Levi Jones was third. Brad Sweet won the USAC Midget feature race. Darren Hagen took the USAC Sprint feature race.

USAC Silver Crown Manzanita Results
29 Bud Kaeding
199 Jesse Hockett
3 Levi Jones
22 Tracy Hines
6 Derek Hagar
37 Jon Stanbrough
32 AJ Fike
4 Josh Wise
27 Jerry Coons Jr.
21 Brian Tyler
50 Zack Daum
19 Kody Swanson
42 Mike Spencer
17 Shane Hmiel
96 Rickie Gaunt
26 Shane Cottle

Kyle Busch Makes History
Kyle Busch became the first driver in NASCAR history to win two major series races in the same day by winning both the Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series at California today.

Welcome to California where it appears no one cares about NASCAR.

Yes folks the seats were empty for the truck race and they are empty again for the Nationwide race. The folks in LA abandoned the IRL race at the Fontana oval and now they have abandoned the support races for Cup. Well the folks still brought their campers.

Oh look, it’s Mickey and Minnie. How did they get into the broadcast? Oh, ESPN2 is owned by Disney or as Allen Bestwick put it, “It’s nice to see the boss and Mrs. Mouse.”

Ok, time to light this candle for the folks at home. Yawn, are we done yet?

Wait we have a caution with Michael McDowell.

The guy that barrel rolled his car at Texas has done blowed up and his car is on fire.

Actually oil is getting all over the headers causing this inferno.

Oil, engine parts and crap litter the track.

Michael McDowell looks for a safety crew. Luckily he escaped the fire with no injuries.

Then Open Wheeler Mike Bliss blows a tire.

Now the action is heating up. Greg Biffle gets into Brian Vickers and around he goes.

Biffle makes contact with Brad K

and as K spins, he collects Jason Leffler.

Lap 22 Milka, I mean Greg Biffle spins on his own and calls it a night.

Green flag now with 17 to go and Kyle Busch puts a bump and run on Carl Edwards and gets around him for the lead. Edwards meanwhile slips back several places. Meanwhile Busch tuens on the afterburners and no one can catch him. After the race Edwards told ESPN2 that the touch from Busch upset his car on the restart but it was just racing and added that Busch deserved to win because no one could touch him.

As noted above, Kyle Busch became the first driver in NASCAR history to win two major series races in the same day by winning both the Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series at California today.

In both races, he drove away from his competition. He goes for the threepeat tomorrow and we will have post race coverage.

Here is where the Open Wheelers finished in the Nationwide Race at California:
1. (Kyle Busch)
4. Carl Edwards
11. Jason Leffler
13. Mike Bliss
14. Justin Allgaier
16. Michael Annett
37. Terry Cook

Coming Sunday
Coverage of our Open Wheelers on action in California plus Wind Tunnel notes.

Note to SpeedTV and Wendy Venturini fans, Raceday airs at 3:30pm eastern Sunday afternoon because of the late start of the Cup race. It will not air at it's normal time on Sunday morning.

Another quick Speed note: Wind Tunnel Sunday night will feature SPEED’s Peter Windsor who will talk about this year’s F1 season as well as preview his big F1 announcement which will be made next Tuesday LIVE on SPEED. (Hint, hint US based F1 team with US driver). Miguel Duhamel will talk motorcycle racing as Daytona Bike Week approaches.

Ideas, thoughts, questions? Drop me a line at bjohnson_292@comcast.net.

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of USACRacing.com, ESPN2 and NASCAR Images.

Busch Wins Truck Race at California

Busch Wins Truck Race at California
Kyle Busch won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race today in California.

I wrote this headline at the halfway point in the race. Seriously, it was that boring. Anyway, on to what little highlights there were. The Race started with 36 trucks in the field. The green stayed out as this race was pretty quiet. So quiet that FOX started looking for other things to talk about.

Oh look, Billy Ray Cyrus is on Kyle Busch’s pit box. Boy has he changed.

Image courtesy of CMT.

Where did the days of the mullet go? Must have left him when he moved to California. Back to the race and look, a few drivers ran out of talent.

Brian Scott spun after being helped around and into the fence by Mike Skinner.

Then two rookies, Chase Austin and Tayler Malsam got together on pit road under caution.

Later, Terry Cook was dropping fluid bringing out the caution. Back to the quiet of the boring California track. No wonder they have trouble selling tickets there.

The final lap was a lot like the majority of the race with Kyle Busch dominating to take the win all alone.

Open Wheeler Truck Results at California
1. (Kyle Busch)
5. T.J. Bell
10. Max Papis
18. Mike Bliss
25. Terry Cook

Later this Weekend
Coverage tonight of our Open Wheelers on action both in Phoenix and California. Plus Cup and Wind Tunnel coverage on Sunday.

Ideas, thoughts, questions? Drop me a line at bjohnson_292@comcast.net.

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of CMT, CBS Cable, FOX, Speed and NASCAR Images.

Hockett Wins the Silver Crown Shootout

Hockett Wins the Silver Crown Shootout

Jesse Hockett started on the pole and led all ten laps to win the Silver Crown portion of the Shootout Friday night at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Arizona.

Hockett faced fierce competition from Bud Kaeding and Tracy Hines but was able to pull away for the win in the end.

Darren Hagen won the Sprint Shootout. Levi Jones won the Midget Shootout.

Silver Crown Shootout Results
199 Jesse Hockett
29 Bud Kaeding
22 Tracy Hines
3 Levi Jones
27 Jerry Coons Jr.
17 Shane Hmiel
37 Jon Stanbrough
32 AJ Fike
6 Derek Hagar

USAC will webcast the Copper World on Dirt Saturday night from their website USACRacing.com with live video, audio and timing and scoring. Information from tonight’s reports from Manzanita was taken from those webcasts.

The images in this post are courtesy of Dean Mills Video Productions and USACRacing.com and may not be used or lifted and posted on any other website.

Silver Crown Heat Race Results

Levi Jones Wins First Heat Race
Zack Daum spun with one lap to go in the heat race resetting the field as Levi
Jones and Jerry Coons Jr. prepared to duke it out. The green flag dropped and Jones held off Coons for the win.

First Silver Crown Heat Race Results
3 Levi Jones
27 Jerry Coons Jr.
4 Josh Wise
37 Jon Stanbrough
29 Bud Kaeding
21 Brian Tyler
19 Kody Swanson
50 Zack Daum

Derek Hagar Wins Second Heat Race
Derek Hagar chased Shane Hmiel who sat on the pole and eventually got by the driver of the No. 27 on the outside. Jesse Hockett battled with Hmiel and got by him on lap 6. Meanwhile Derek Hagar pulled away to win.

Second Silver Crown Heat Race Results
6 Derek Hagar
199 Jesse Hockett
17 Shane Hmiel
22 Tracy Hines
32 AJ Fike
28 Shane Cottle
42 Mike Spencer
96 Rickie Gaunt

Jones Fastest in Qualifying

Jones Fastest in Qualifying
Levi Jones was fastest in USAC Silver Crown qualifying tonight at the Copper World on Dirt. Jones turned a time of 20.270.

Tracy Hines had smoke pouring of his right rear on his way to turning a time good for second quick at 20.342 and

Bud Kaeding had a time of 20.389. Both Shane Hmiel and Cody Swanson went around during qualifying but there was no contact.

Chris Windom had the fastest times for the sprints with a time of 20.213.
Chat Boat had the fastest time of the midgets with a time of 19.954.

Heat races are up next live at USACRacing.com.

USAC Provides Live Racing on the Net
USACRacing.com is providing live video, a live announcer and live timing and scoring. In fact they are using the same video player that the Indy Racing League utilizes for it’s webcasts. Kudos to Rob Klepper, Dean Mills and the web team for a good program.

The images in this post are courtesy of Dean Mills Video Productions and USACRacing.com and may not be used or lifted and posted on any other website.

Manzy Coverage Live on USACRacing.com

Manzy Coverage Live on USACRacing.com

USAC is webcasting live from the Copper World on Dirt tonight on USACRacing.com. The webcast has been great so far with Rob Klepper on the mike, Dean Mills of Dean Mills Video Productions http://www.millsvideoproductions.com/ behind the camera and other talented folks working behind the scenes. As you can see above, the video feed has looked good.

USAC also has timing and scoring running. To watch the live webcast on USACRacing.com, click HERE. The website also has images posted from earlier today.

Wise Fastest in Silver Crown Hotlaps

Josh Wise had the fastest time in the first group’s practice at 22.091. Shane Cottle had the fastest time 21.687 in the 2nd hotlaps session. Cottle got around at the end of the session with no contact.

Jesse Hockett fastest in final group at 22.215

Top Five Times in USAC Silver Crown Hotlaps at Manzanita
No. 28 Shane Cottle 21.687
No. 4 Josh Wise 22.091
No. 10 Levi Jones 22.181
No. 199 Jesse Hockett 22.215
No. 29 Bud Kaeding 22.286

This Looks Worse Than It Was

It looks like the No. 22 and 27 Silver Crown cars are about to hook up and go for a ride in hot laps but that is not the case as disaster is averted.

The images in this post are courtesy of USACRacing.com and may not be used or lifted and posted on any other website.

USAC Opens the Season Tonight/ Cup Entry List Could Thin /Andretti Has a Sponsor/ Wind Tunnel Podcast/ Why No Eyecandy?

USAC Opens the Season Tonight

Well the 2009 USAC National Series open their season tonight at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix. One of the drivers running Friday and Saturday will be Jessie Hockett. Hockett who is driving for team owner Carl Edwards says getting the opportunity to drive for someone he looks up to is unreal.

“2004 was Carl Edward’s first year in the Camping World Truck Series and I met him at an autograph signing. I asked him “how do I get to where you are?” And he said, “Win as many races as you can in as many cars as you can.” The photo he signed said never give up. It hangs in my office to remind me.”

In addition to running in USAC’s Silver Crown division at Manzanita, Jesse Hockett is slated to run in USAC’s Sprint division driving the VKCC/ Tom Buch No. 13. Hockett has two wins in USAC sprints coming into this weekend. Both wins were recorded at Perris Auto Speedway in California.

Cup Entry List Could Thin

Speaking of California, the entry list for the Cup race this weekend has 48 entries. Of those 5 are TBA or unsponsored. That leaves 43 sponsored cars, the maximum NASCAR allows in a race. It is quite possible we will see no bumping in Cup before the year is out.

Andretti Has a Sponsor
While times are tough for some teams, Open Wheeler John Andretti’s team landed Window World as a sponsor for the next four Cup races.

Wind Tunnel Podcast

I am always looking for new news and sports information programming to put on my Ipod. Now the good folks at Wind Tunnel are making their program available via podcast. You can find the links to signup in Wind Tunnel portion of SpeedTV.com.

Why No Eyecandy?

Now to the mailbag, a reader emailed me why doesn’t SPEED put Eyecandy on their website or make a big compellation CD and sell it.. The problem is broadcast rights. Generally programs allow other broadcasters to use highlights for news purposes. That is how we get Eyecandy. You would have to get permission to post the video online or sell it in a compellation CD.

Later this Weekend
Coverage Saturday and Sunday on our Open Wheelers on action both in Phoenix and California.

Ideas, thoughts, questions? Drop me a line at bjohnson_292@comcast.net.

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of FOX, Speed and NASCAR Images.

TV Thursday/ TV Ratings up for Daytona/ FOX Up On the Wheel When It Comes to Race Broadcasts/ Cue the Duck/ Sexy for a Pit Pass

TV Thursday
I would like to make this a weekly feature and discuss media issues regarding racing highlighting the good, bad and sometimes ugly.

TV Ratings up for Daytona

With the economy tight more folks are staying home and watching TV. Combine that will a great effort put in by employees of FOX and SPEED and you have an increase in ratings.

The broadcast of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on SPEED scored a double-digit Nielsen Ratings increase from the season opener in Daytona in 2008. The Friday night race recorded a Nielsen mark of 1.90 (1,393,000 households), making it the No. 1 show on cable during that time period according to a news release from SPEED.

The rating marked an increase of 21 percent from last year’s 1.57 (1,128,000 households). SPEED’s pre-race show, NCWTS Setup hosted by our favorite girl er lady next door, Krista Voda, scored a Nielsen Rating of .80 (585,000 households), up 33 percent from last year’s .60 (434,000 households).

That’s good promotion and the result of hard work by the crew and talent to develop and grow a brand. I think Ms. Voda had something to do with it too.

The trucks head to the mothership this weekend (FOX). The usual Sunday FOX broadcast crew including Krista Voda from the pits will call all of the action. FOX also reported an increase in the numbers.

The folks that made it interesting to watch fendered cars again, averaged a 9.2/19 household rating/share according to fast national figures released by Nielsen Media Research. Folks may be down or not want to travel much but they will watch.

The average audience of 16.0 million viewers placed this year’s Daytona 500 ahead of the NCAA Final Four (15.4 million viewers), Beijing Olympics (15.2 million) (not hard with the crappy NBC coverage), 2008 NBA Finals (14.9 million), and Kentucky Derby (14.2 million). Oh it probably beat the Stanley Cup Finals too on that network that is hard to find on most Comcast cable systems and NBC which could care less if it was showing Lord Stanley’s Cup being passed around or some 16 year old kid falling on his ass in a skateboard competition. Why do you think they play the finals in June? So it wont sink NBC’s rating during sweeps (May). AHEM!!! Oh.. sorry for getting off target. Moving along…

Note: I did not see any numbers from ESPN2 on the Nationwide Series broadcast.

FOX Up On the Wheel When It Comes to Race Broadcasts

The reason I would rather watch a race on FOX over watching a NASCAR race on any other station is the fact they do show and tell better than anyone.

No special shop is needed or special TNT 360 rotating thing-a-ma-giggy stage.

Here Jeff Hammond, a natural for TV, explains why the tires are going south because of camber issues and how teams can make proper changes.

Cue the Duck

Since AFLAC came into NASCAR,

they have had fun from the late Benny Parsons cueing the duck

to their latest add which shows an out of character devious duck stealing the No. 99 car

and taking it on a ride with a cute blond in the passenger seat. Edwards figures who stole the car when he sees the foul offender’s feathers on the floor.

Nice work.

Sexy for a Pit Pass

Ask.com made a splash with its ads this weekend. The one where the guy tells the gal that she has to dress sexy like the woman behind them in order to get a pit pass was my favorite outside of the dipstick ad.

Think With Your Dipstick

My favorite ad from the weekend was the Castrol ad where the man asked Jimmy to think with his dipstick.

A lesson we should all learn.

TV Schedule
With no Open Wheel action on TV this weekend, no race Friday, two races on Saturday and one race on Sunday, the TV schedule left a lot to be desired so I broke from what I normally like to do and added the practice sessions. If you get too NASCARed out on Saturday,

you can flip to the CBC or in the US the NHL Network and watch one of the best produced TV programs of the year,

Hockey Day in Canada. Ok, here is the schedule:

Friday

12:30 pm NNS Practice SPEED

3:00 pm NSCS Practice SPEED

4:30 pm NCWTS Pole Qualifying SPEED

6:30 pm NSCS Coors Light Pole Qualifying SPEED

8:30 pm NNS Final Practice SPEED

Saturday

12:30 pm NNS Coors Light Pole Qualifying SPEED

3:00 pm NCWTS: San Bernardino County 200 FOX

5:00 pm NSCS Final Practice SPEED

7:00 pm NNS Countdown ESPN2

7:45 pm NNS: Stater Bros. 300 ESPN2

Sunday
3:30 pm NASCAR RaceDay SPEED

5:00 pm NSCS Pre-Race Show FOX

6:00 pm NSCS: Auto Club 500 FOX

7:00 pm SPEED Report

9:00 pm Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain SPEED

Later this Week
One more story before Manzanita, WT goes to the Pod and I will answer questions from the mailbag.

Ideas, thoughts, questions? Drop me a line at bjohnson_292@comcast.net.

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of CBC, FOX, ESPN2, Speed and NASCAR Images.

USAC Kicks Off the Season at Manzanita/ Leffler Looking Forward to Home Cooking/ Honda Miffed Over Danica Sprawled on a Ford/ Later this Week

USAC Kicks Off the Season at Manzanita

USAC will head to the Valley of the Sun this weekend to kick off their season. Manzanita Speedway will host all three national series in the “Copper on Dirt” this Friday and Saturday. This weekend will mark one of only two USAC national triple headers this season (the other one being the Four Crown Nationals at Eldora) although Iowa Speedway will host all three national series, just not on the same weekend.

The schedule for Friday calls for qualifying, heat races and 10-lap shootouts for each series. Saturday’s slate calls for semi features followed by 25-lap midget, 40-lap sprint and 50-lap Silver Crown races. The opener also offers Lucas Oil USAC/CRA Sprint and Western Midget points. Defending USAC series champions are Jerry Coons Jr. (K & N Silver Crown and National Sprints), Cole Whitt (Mopar National Midgets), Mike Spencer (Lucas Oil USAC/CRA Sprints) and Nic Faas (Western Midgets).

All are expected to compete in all three programs. Accomplished winged and non-winged sprint car driver Jesse Hockett is hoping to repeat his success from late November of 2008 when swept the three-day ASCS Western World race.

“I like Manzanita Speedway because it is big and fast,” said Hockett. “I like the speed of it and there are a lot of different lines and ways to run the track.”

Other drivers to keep an eye on include Jeremy Sherman and Kevin Swindell.

Leffler Looking Forward to Home Cooking

After a rough start to his 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series season, Open Wheeler Jason Leffler is looking to get back on the horse and try for a win again, this time at home in California. Last week Jason Leffler was penalized for five laps for what NASCAR deemed “rough driving” when he started this three car pile up at Daytona.

“For obvious reasons we’re looking to put last week behind us,” said the Long Beach native. “The real season starts at California because your performance there will be a pretty good indicator of where you stand in comparison with everyone else and what areas you need to work on for the first part of the season.”

Jason Leffler and his No. 38 Great Clips Toyota team are one of the series-only regulars predicted to be a major player in the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship this year. Leffler’s best finish at Auto Club Speedway was seventh in 2005. The year prior, he sat on the pole.

“There’d be nothing better than to win there,” he said. “It’s a place that we’ve never run well at but we’re always striving to. I’ve got a lot of family and friends out there. I think we’re going to have all that in our favor this year.”

Honda Miffed Over Danica Sprawled on a Ford

According to PressDog.com, the folks at Honda were not happy with Danica Patrick half nude on the hood of a Sheby Cobra. Oh the humanity of a female bikini clad driver gracing the pages of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue lying on top of a Ford.

Note: the following link will take you to a false story with a lot of sarcasim.
http://pressdog.typepad.com/dogblog/2009/02/honda-miffed-over-danica-sprawled-on-a-ford.html
This link will take you to the photos on SI.com:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009_swimsuit/?eref=FromAOLSwim09

Later this Week
We have a few good stories that I am working on for later this week in the blog. We will answer questions regarding Wind Tunnel, recap the best TV moments from Daytona and have an updated TV schedule for this weekend.

Ideas, thoughts, questions? Drop me a line at bjohnson_292@comcast.net.

Images appearing in this blog courtesy of SI.com, ESPN2, Speed and NASCAR Images.