Open Wheel Innovators/ Jr. Warms Up Jet for Schatz/ Crocker’s Diecast/ Media News
Open Wheel Innovators
Recently in the online version of the Indianapolis Star, IndyStar.com, a reader posed this point to Curt Calvin:
Question: Have you viewed SPEED TV's program on the five years since Earnhardt's death? NASCAR, and its captive media, has now taken its "story" to heights not seen since the days of the great Soviet propaganda machine. This show made it sound like NASCAR invented driver safety, including the SAFER barrier and the HANS device. NO mention was made of where these innovations began. And the excuse they gave for not installing the SAFER walls more quickly was that they had to consider the needs of other series that run at those tracks. WHAT A JOKE! The next thing they'll be claiming is that they invented radial racing tires, the Rear View Mirror, and "Gentlemen Start Your Engines." I enjoy stock car racing immensely, and the IRL should copy the way NASCAR promotes its American drivers, but when it comes to safety, they have been nothing more than a perennial "lucky dog award" winner!! What do you think Curt? (Max from Covington, Ky.) Answer (from Curt Calvin): I think you should write for a living. Well put.
Max is right. Say what you want about Open Wheels downfalls but the IRL and CCWS have the best medical staffs and safety teams in racing in the United States. They have set the standard of incident response, care and cleanup and NASCAR has followed slowly. Lets remember, it was only a few years ago that NASCAR raced back to the line during a yellow flag instead of freezing the field. ISC assisted in the SAFER Barrier but it was the University of Nebraska, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IRL that pulled it off.
Open Wheel is leading the way in the cleaner fuel race. Long before people even considered Ethanol, the industry was involved in grass roots racing. Paul Dana brought Ethanol to the IRL and the series will have a 10% ethanol 90% methanol mixture this season and a 100% fuel mixture in 2007. Look for NASCAR to again follow in Open Wheel’s footsteps at the urging of GM, Dodge and Ford. NASCAR will claim to be the innovators again, which is easy to do when you have the bully pulpit. The only thing that will help Open Wheel grab a share of that pulpit is for reunification. That looks promising. In the meantime, Open Wheel must take every opportunity with the press to let them know who is really making the innovations and judging from what went on today in Washington, they are.
Jr. Warms Up Jet for Schatz
Dale Earnhardt Jr. warmed up the seat of an F/A 18 Hornet for Donny Schatz. Schats was scheduled to fly with the Navy’s Blue Angles today at El Centro, California. The Outdoor Channel crew will document Schatz’s flight for a later broadcast. Donny Schatz is an accomplished private pilot and flies his own plane to races on the World of Outlaws trail.
Erin Crocker's Diecast
She may only step into a Busch Series car a few times this season but her No. 98 dicast Busch Series car should be available to the public sometime around April. My friends over at Pyramid Racing Collectables expect the car to sell very well. Crocker is scheduled to race in the Busch Series at Nashville, Kentucky, Milwaukee, Martinsville, Gateway and Memphis.
More Pub for Yeley
JJ Yeley got more pub today coming off his best Cup finish Sunday. ESPN.com has an article on the former Triple Crown Champion.
Media News
We told you a few weeks ago about Carl Edwards being featured on the Biography Channel. He is not the only Open Wheeler that will be in the spotlight on the program.
Kasey Kahne takes to the small screen on March 8 at 10pm eastern for the first episode of the program titled “Driven to Win.” The show is produced in conjunction with NASCAR Images. Carl Edwards is scheduled to be in the spotlight on March 15.
TV Listings
March 4
1:30 pm NASCAR Busch Qualifying Mexico City (LIVE) SPEED
7:30 pm Speed News SPEED
8:00 pm Rolex Sports Car Series Mexico City SPEED
March 5
2:00 pm Busch Series Race Mexico City FOX
7:00 pm Speed News SPEED
9:00 pm Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain (LIVE) SPEED
March 6
8:00 pm 7 Days SPEED
8:30 pm NBS 24/7: The Rookies SPEED
Recently in the online version of the Indianapolis Star, IndyStar.com, a reader posed this point to Curt Calvin:
Question: Have you viewed SPEED TV's program on the five years since Earnhardt's death? NASCAR, and its captive media, has now taken its "story" to heights not seen since the days of the great Soviet propaganda machine. This show made it sound like NASCAR invented driver safety, including the SAFER barrier and the HANS device. NO mention was made of where these innovations began. And the excuse they gave for not installing the SAFER walls more quickly was that they had to consider the needs of other series that run at those tracks. WHAT A JOKE! The next thing they'll be claiming is that they invented radial racing tires, the Rear View Mirror, and "Gentlemen Start Your Engines." I enjoy stock car racing immensely, and the IRL should copy the way NASCAR promotes its American drivers, but when it comes to safety, they have been nothing more than a perennial "lucky dog award" winner!! What do you think Curt? (Max from Covington, Ky.) Answer (from Curt Calvin): I think you should write for a living. Well put.
Max is right. Say what you want about Open Wheels downfalls but the IRL and CCWS have the best medical staffs and safety teams in racing in the United States. They have set the standard of incident response, care and cleanup and NASCAR has followed slowly. Lets remember, it was only a few years ago that NASCAR raced back to the line during a yellow flag instead of freezing the field. ISC assisted in the SAFER Barrier but it was the University of Nebraska, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IRL that pulled it off.
Open Wheel is leading the way in the cleaner fuel race. Long before people even considered Ethanol, the industry was involved in grass roots racing. Paul Dana brought Ethanol to the IRL and the series will have a 10% ethanol 90% methanol mixture this season and a 100% fuel mixture in 2007. Look for NASCAR to again follow in Open Wheel’s footsteps at the urging of GM, Dodge and Ford. NASCAR will claim to be the innovators again, which is easy to do when you have the bully pulpit. The only thing that will help Open Wheel grab a share of that pulpit is for reunification. That looks promising. In the meantime, Open Wheel must take every opportunity with the press to let them know who is really making the innovations and judging from what went on today in Washington, they are.
Jr. Warms Up Jet for Schatz
Dale Earnhardt Jr. warmed up the seat of an F/A 18 Hornet for Donny Schatz. Schats was scheduled to fly with the Navy’s Blue Angles today at El Centro, California. The Outdoor Channel crew will document Schatz’s flight for a later broadcast. Donny Schatz is an accomplished private pilot and flies his own plane to races on the World of Outlaws trail.
Erin Crocker's Diecast
She may only step into a Busch Series car a few times this season but her No. 98 dicast Busch Series car should be available to the public sometime around April. My friends over at Pyramid Racing Collectables expect the car to sell very well. Crocker is scheduled to race in the Busch Series at Nashville, Kentucky, Milwaukee, Martinsville, Gateway and Memphis.
More Pub for Yeley
JJ Yeley got more pub today coming off his best Cup finish Sunday. ESPN.com has an article on the former Triple Crown Champion.
Media News
We told you a few weeks ago about Carl Edwards being featured on the Biography Channel. He is not the only Open Wheeler that will be in the spotlight on the program.
Kasey Kahne takes to the small screen on March 8 at 10pm eastern for the first episode of the program titled “Driven to Win.” The show is produced in conjunction with NASCAR Images. Carl Edwards is scheduled to be in the spotlight on March 15.
TV Listings
March 4
1:30 pm NASCAR Busch Qualifying Mexico City (LIVE) SPEED
7:30 pm Speed News SPEED
8:00 pm Rolex Sports Car Series Mexico City SPEED
March 5
2:00 pm Busch Series Race Mexico City FOX
7:00 pm Speed News SPEED
9:00 pm Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain (LIVE) SPEED
March 6
8:00 pm 7 Days SPEED
8:30 pm NBS 24/7: The Rookies SPEED
posted by Blake Johnson at 12:32 PM
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