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.