Twitter Feed

RaceScout Twitter Updates

Welcome to the DSM RaceScout Twitter Feed! Keep checking here for more updates or follow twitter.com/racescout.

For David's non-DSM Twitter Account, follow twitter.com/davidsmith28.

-----

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Stocks are rising

Looking ahead to the July rankings, it's safe to assume that there will be several drivers aptly rewarded for their performance behind the wheel in 2009. I like these drivers as potential DSM 75 prospects, primarily because their level of talent has jumped up several notches and, in their own doing, they have increased their visibility as legitimate NASCAR prospects:

Paddy Rodenbeck - Rodenbeck's early 2009 performance went from being an outlier to the norm as he is now in a heated battle for the UARA points title. Has he transformed himself into a legitimate prospect? Yes. He'll no doubt receive a big boost once the final rankings are posted but I feel he is making a strong enough impression that should warrant interest from NASCAR teams looking to take on young talent.

Parker Kligerman - An interesting case. The current ARCA point leader, he's up to three wins and counting for the season after being a relative question mark in the USAC ranks in 2009. It's been long-rumored that he could run out of funding for the '09 ARCA season, so his performance has come with a deadline clock. I'll say this: he couldn't go out in a better way and the kind of "last hope" press he's been getting has proven in the past to work (i.e. Denny Hamlin, David Gilliland, Justin Allgaier).

Tayler Malsam - After a shaky, winless ARCA season in 2009, Malsam is now battling for a top-five spot in the series point standings and would appear to be the runaway favorite for Truck Series Rookie of the Year honors (especially if James Buescher continues to have a tumultuous year). Malsam's actual talent vs. his Triad motor may still be a subject for debate, but don't doubt that the Washington native has capitalized on the opportunity to be competitive and consistent in a rough-and-tumble series.

Max Gresham - From his parents purchasing Peach State Speedway (now Gresham Motorsports Park) to renting out the non-Matt DiBenedetto schedule for the Joe Gibbs Racing Camping World East Series ride, the major knock on Max is that he and his family have been spending money hand over fist. Hidden under that notion is the fact that Max has been stellar in the ASA Southeast Tour this season, scoring two wins thus far. He may have a ways to go in proving doubters wrong but his overall performance in 2009 suggest that he's on his way.

Ryan Truex - The brother of Martin Truex Jr. obviously has some speed and his dominance of Watkins Glen International was straight out of the Martin Jr. playbook. If the older Truex plays true to the rumors that he will sign with Michael Waltrip Racing, then MWR will just increase the support that they're already giving Ryan in hopes that a 1-2 brother combo could pay dividends.

Justin Lofton - He had a hot start to the 2009 season, eventually winning the ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Talladega but a part of me still feels he holds the "buyer beware" tag because his Eddie Sharp Racing equipment is far superior to the rest of the ARCA field. He's starting to develop into a formidable competitor and an odds-on favorite for the win, regardless of track, in each ARCA weekend but the big question remains: does his ARCA feats translate into success at the NASCAR level?

-----

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

A Creativity Infusion at KHI

I've enjoyed watching Kevin Harvick Inc. over this last half decade. In 2006, I called KHI a "Land of Confusion" and asked aloud, "I'm still perplexed as to what the long-term strategy is for this organization. Who's manning the wheel at KHI? Kevin? Delana? Isiah Thomas?"

But in the interest of fairness and because I recognize a smart plan when I see one formulating, I must say this: Kevin Harvick Inc. is doing it right.

It may have taken a while to get there, sure, but let's look at what this team has done to turn itself into an admirable prospect-filled organization in a time where having young talent is considered detrimental to the bottom line:

1. Not only are they forcing Cale Gale to earn his job (he's the shock specialist for the team's Truck Series entries), they creatively found a way to keep him in a race car. By shipping him to the Canadian Tire Series, not only are they tossing him the carrot they've dangled at him for the past two seasons, but they are putting him in a situation in which he can strengthen his stock within the prospect world. Some might see racing in Canada as a step down for Gale, who was superb in spot Nationwide Series starts at Bristol and ORP last year, but I view it as an opportunity to turn some heads and drive on a consistent basis.

2. They've handled the Ricky Carmichael situation as well as anyone could have. Is Carmichael going to win the Rookie of the Year Award in the Truck Series? No. Is he a legitimate NASCAR prospect? Probably not. But he came with funding from longtime backer Monster Energy Drink, garnered some attention courtesy of the NASCAR Media machine, and made Kevin Harvick look like a fun owner who was happy to have given that chance to the Supercross legend. Sure, Carmichael has ripped apart some sheet metal this year, but saying it wasn't a team-building experience for KHI is ludicrous. Kudos to the Harvicks.

3. Taking one of the best funded drivers (J.R. Fitzpatrick) to run most of the balance of the Truck Series season. Fitzpatrick himself might be overhyped but in this situation (a VERY potent Truck Series program), the Ontario, Canada native could excel, especially if he gains a Harvick/Hornaday level of consistency.

For these three reasons, not only does KHI look more creative but more likable. In a sport where street cred can eventually lead you to fame and fortune, KHI has made moves filled with ingenuity that are in line with the spirit of the sport.

-----

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Formal Scouting is a must

A more informed version of scouting should be a priority for the majority of NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series organizations; after all, we're participating in a sport in which having a rookie class isn't a guarantee each individual year.

So why do we hype Joey Logano to the point of his being better than Richard Petty without ever having competed in a NASCAR Nationwide Series race? Now, we're just now discovering that Logano, all of 18, has a ceiling of, oh, Kevin Harvick's current status in the sport: good but not elite.

Teams need to take it upon themselves to figure out a scouting method in which informal guesswork isn't a mitigating factor. Reports, tape, and breakdowns should be of utmost importance, especially since these teams don't necessarily know who will be driving their $15 million investments in the year 2020.

In the eyes of NASCAR teams, everything that takes place on Friday and Saturday nights is merely a precursor to what happens on Sundays. That mindset is fine, just as long as teams select the top talents in these cost-worthy practice sessions.

I hope that I can contribute to the continued education (evolution, really) of the sport of Stock Car racing. There should be less guessing and gambling and more brainstorming and objective decision-making.

-----

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Franchising NASCAR teams won't work

If you know me, you know I like to fantasize things such as a NASCAR Draft (you're talking to a guy who donated five-straight days of spare time concocting ideas for a Mock Draft). I should be all for this idea in real life, right?

When the precursor to a NASCAR Draft (franchising NASCAR teams) was brought up during a recent marketing breakfast in downtown Charlotte, I was asked by someone at my table if I had hoped that franchising would indeed take place. My answer? No.

I like the free enterprise system in which a Tommy Baldwin, a Kevin Buckler, or a jacked-up-on-Claritin Jeremy Mayfield can start their own teams. As much as it pains me to say that salary caps shouldn't be issued, I like having big money teams (Hendrick, Gibbs, Roush) and small money teams. It gives "rooting for the underdog" a more valued meaning, plus it gives an incentive to drivers to perform better in hopes of acquiring a better ride: something that drove this sport in the mid-80's and early 90's.

Sure, independent teams are a long shot, especially since organizational longevity is a pandemic in the Nationwide and Truck Series, but every once in a while, a Ray Evernham or a Furniture Row Racing come into the sport with a new team and sticks. That's what NASCAR was built on. That's the way it should be.

Franchising isn't the best scenario since that would make NASCAR susceptible to lockouts (or strikes, since there would likely be a driver's union) and if that occurred, the sport would lose sponsorship, television rights, and fans at a rapid pace, a la the NHL or Major League Baseball after their most recent strikes.

Yes, I would love nothing more than a NASCAR Draft; however, for the benefit of the sport I love, I wouldn't wish for the side effects that it would bring.

-----

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Humpy ain't cheap

If you're a racer with $36,000, you're not paying for a clinic that doesn't have any future implications on your career, are you?

According to an article on ESPN.com's Insider, there are some drivers (and more than likely parents with steep checkbooks and shallow common sense) that are paying Humpy Wheeler that amount of cash to participate in a program known as "Humpy's Heroes." The winner gets to be Humpy's Hero. Ta-da.

You'll last remember Humpy as the promoter of Lowe's Motor Speedway and now a valued voter on the newly-formed NASCAR Hall of Fame panel.

Now, I don't think that I have to explain that this is a ridiculous waste of a nest-egg. But for grins, I think I will.

First of all, this isn't a clinic on how to properly man a Stock Car. It's all Legends car related. Reportedly, David Ragan, his father Ken, and Ryan Newman will be receiving money on the back-end to monitor who gets to be deemed a "Hero." The fact that this isn't a clinic (at the current price point) on how to race a Stock Car, Sprint Car, or F-15 Fighter Jet is substantially ludicrous. Perhaps Humpy, while sticking his head inside a lion's mouth or blowing up a car in a pre-race stunt show has knocked some screws loose. Or he's just money hungry and willing to prey on precocious aspiring drivers and their loving parents.

Dale Earnhardt never took a clinic. Neither did Jeff Gordon. Kyle Busch didn't, Tony Stewart didn't, A.J. Foyt didn't, Jan Opperman didn't, and Michael Shumacher didn't.

Parents, kids, and whoever else reads and values my opinion, please listen to me: if you have that extra money laying around, please apply it to your racing program. Go run more races, get better equipment, or save it as a rainy day fund in case this economy doesn't turn around soon.

Smart spending in a budding racing career is an integral step in the path to the top.

Don't spend it on this crap. You don't need to. Depending upon which genre of racing you love the most, the heroes you grew up idolizing vary. But they have one thing in common: earned talent. Kids can hone talent the same way all the legends did with seat time, hard work, and smart spending.

-----

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Mock Draft: David's Best Available Board

Keeping with the Draft theme today, here are my best available picks for the 2009 DSM NASCAR Mock Draft:

1. James Buescher - 19; Plano, TX; NASCAR Truck Series
2. Brian Ickler - 24; Poway, CA; NASCAR Truck Series
3. Bobby Santos - 24; Franklin, MA; Tour-Type Modifieds
4. Cole Whitt - 18; Alpine, CA; Sprint Cars/Midgets
5. Matt Hirschman - 27; Northampton, PA; Tour-Type Modifieds
6. Drew Brannon - 17; Miami, FL; Pro/Crate Late Models
7. Kelly Bires - 25; Mauston, WI; NASCAR Nationwide Series
8. Jeff Choquette - 23; Loxahatchee, FL; Super Late Models
9. Sean Caisse - 23; Pelham, NH; ARCA RE/MAX Series
10. Ryan Lawler - 22; Colleyville, TX; Super Late Models
11. Jason Bowles - 27; Ontario, CA; Camping World West
12. Trevor Bayne - 18; Knoxville, TN; USARacing Pro Cup
13. Kevin Swindell - 20; Germantown, TN; Sprint Cars/Midgets
14. Jacob Goede - 25; New Germany, MN; Pro/Crate Late Models
15. Brad Sweet - 24; Grass Valley, CA; Sprint Cars/Midgets
16. Scott Lagasse Jr. - 28; St. Augustine, FL; NASCAR Nationwide Series
17. Bobby East - 25; Brownsburg, IN; Sprint Cars/Midgets
18. Drew Herring - 22; Benson, NC; USARacing Pro Cup
19. Alex Yontz - 23; Walnut Cove, NC; ARCA RE/MAX Series
20. Cale Gale - 24; Mobile, AL; NASCAR Nationwide Series
21. Ryan Crane - 26; Panama City, FL; Pro/Crate Late Models
22. Josh Hamner - 22; Chelsea, AL; Super Late Models
23. Jake Crum - 18; Statesville, NC; ARCA RE/MAX Series
24. Darren Hagen - 23; Riverside, CA; Sprint Cars/Midgets
25. Peyton Sellers - 26; Danville, VA; NASCAR Nationwide Series
26. Brett Moffitt - 17; Grimes, IA; Camping World East
27. Chad McCumbee - 25; Supply, NC; NASCAR Truck Series
28. Steve Wallace - 22; Charlotte, NC; NASCAR Nationwide Series
29. Ryan Preece - 18; Kensington, CT; Tour-Type Modifieds
30. Chad Boat - 17; Phoenix, AZ; Sprint Cars/Midgets
31. Tim Russell - 26; Longwood, FL; Super Late Models
32. Keith Rocco - 24; Wallingford, CT; SK Modifieds
33. Marc Davis - 19; Mitchellville, MD; NASCAR Nationwide Series
34. D.J. Shaw - 19; Center Conway, NH; Super Late Models
35. Paulie Harraka - 19; Fair Lawn, NJ; Camping World West

-----

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Mock Draft Selection Order has been decided

Alright, so we're less than four days until Draft Day '09, but I'll start feeding some tidbits of info for you. Below is the 2009 selection order, based off of the final 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Owner Standings.

This year, there will be three rounds of selections. This picking order will remain the same for all three rounds:

1. Front Row Motorsports - Based on #34's 2008 Points Finish
2. Furniture Row Racing - Based on #78's 2008 Points Finish
3. Wood Brothers Racing - Based on #21's 2008 Points Finish
4. Hall Of Fame Racing - Based on #96's 2008 Points Finish
5. Robby Gordon Motorsports - Based on #7's 2008 Points Finish
6. Stewart-Haas Racing - Based on #66's 2008 Points Finish
7. Michael Waltrip Racing - Based on #44's 2008 Points Finish
8. Yates Racing - Based on #28's 2008 Points Finish
9. Team Red Bull - Based on #83's 2008 Points Finish
10. Penske Racing - Based on #12's 2008 Points Finish
11. Richard Petty Motorsports - Based on #9's Points Finish
12. Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing - Based on #8's Points Finish
13. Joe Gibbs Racing - Based on #11's Points Finish
14. Richard Childress Racing - Based on #29's Points Finish
15. Roush Fenway Racing - Based on #99's Points Finish
16. Hendrick Motorsports - Based on #48's Points Finish

-----

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Draft Day moved to Monday

The new rankings are up! Unfortunately, we've been experiencing some server difficulties this week, so the 3rd Annual DSM NASCAR Mock Draft won't be posted until Monday, April 27.

But stay tuned...this year's edition of the Draft will be the best by far. Until then, enjoy the rankings and this Saturday night's Twitter Updates from the Camping World East race from Tri-County Speedway.

-----

Monday, April 13, 2009

Currently in the lab and cooking up a new batch...

For the next two weeks, I’ll be in the lab, working on a new batch of rankings that will hopefully debut Tuesday, April 21. Also, I know a lot of you will be looking forward to the third annual DSM Mock Draft (that coincides with the NFL Draft), which will be posted on Thursday, April 23. And I have some surprises in store for this year’s edition.

So, I apologize in advance for my lack of Hot Sheets and 10-Spots, but we’re going to end April with a bang on Davidsmithmotorsports.com!

-----



Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Deciphering J.R. Fitzpatrick

Ontario, Canada’s J.R. Fitzpatrick led 17 laps at Daytona and immediately garnered interest from not only the NASCAR Truck Series fan base but the entire NASCAR community.

He scored three wins in his two-year tenure in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (a total of 25 races) and his effort with TRG Motorsports at Daytona was not only a mind-bender but a signal of strength for the fledgling series north of the border.

Seriously, who knew?

Needless to say, I completely underestimated the 20-year-old, giving no credence whatsoever to his Canadian Tire Series success. He was the young stud of the series, sure, but to expect a breakout in the first quarter of 2009? In the uber-intense Truck Series? Unheard of.

With his finishes of 22nd and 22nd at Fontana and Atlanta, one has to wonder has reality hit? Is this the J.R. Fitzpatrick we’re going to be used to seeing? Is he a riddle that’s yet to be solved?

He followed up his quad-oval endeavor with a 21st place finish at Martinsville. He’s now third among rookies (after Tayler Malsam and James Buescher) in the overall point standings. Did Daytona put beer goggles on a media base that christened him the newest “kid to watch” in NASCAR’s three premier series?

Presently, Fitzpatrick’s average finish is 17.2, which compared to that of Malsam’s (15.2) and Buescher’s (15.8) isn’t on par with the top first-year drivers. And Malsam and Buescher haven’t received nearly the same amount media attention as the Canadian.

It’s quite possible that he’s human (as opposed to Kyle Busch, who’s clearly super human or Jimmie Johnson, who’s time-tested consistency is robot-like). I think Fitzpatrick is a fine driver but I don’t feel he’s at the superstar level to which he was elevated following Speedweeks.

He still has plenty of time to prove me incorrect with the next 21 Truck Series races. His ceiling will widen or diminish based upon his 2009 season.

Yes, there's a certain Marcos Ambrose effect (the theory that we don’t know much about him and that intrigues all of us) to Fitzpatrick but he cannot receive a free pass just yet. He’s a great kid who does have promising talent but must live up to the hype he created with his showing at Daytona. Until then, let’s tab him as a Truck Series rookie still learning how to beat in bumpers in the veteran-heavy division.

-----

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Presently pining for in-season performances

Hey David, love the site but where was the coverage of the Toyota Showdown? SpeedFest? The Rattler?

I love scouting these young race car drivers. I really do. No doubt about it. But right now, I'm bored. I'm focused entirely on April 11: the Camping World East Series season opener at Greenville-Pickens Speedway. Not only am I predicting a breakout year for the CWE, I'm practically pining for the season to begin.

Why? Because I love seeing drivers perform in-season.

Sure, the Snowball Derby and the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals are all-star events but the prestige is so high that all drivers take it seriously. There's plenty of laser-like intensity to go around in Pensacola and Tulsa, respectively. I love it.

But the out-of-season events like SpeedFest (Super Late Models and Pro Late Models) and The Rattler (*sigh* Super Late Models and Pro Late Models, again) just don't intrigue me, nor do they dazzle me in terms of applicable talent. When it comes to these races (similar in rules, similar in car count, similar in driver roster), I'm over it. I know Brian Ickler, Jeff Choquette, and Ryan Lawler are good. I don't need that fact to be reiterated.

What about a surprise performer? What if an unknown kid wins or does something extraordinary? Well, it's a risk but honestly, that's a huge rarity. Typically, an upstart is a deer in the headlights in these killer cash races.

(And by the way, even though I didn't post my prediction, I totally called Auggie Grill as The Rattler winner. So predictable. While we're at it, I also predicted Kyle Busch winning Las Vegas, James Buescher winning the Daytona ARCA race, and Jeff Gordon winning a Duel race at Daytona. The upset Jamie McMurray Daytona 500 pick did not come true though.)

The reason I can't get on board with some of these out-of-season races is because of the garage area demeanor change. The intensity goes away and all of a sudden, the racing action becomes a half-hearted effort. I adore in-season races in different sanctions, mainly because I love the business-like mentality that drivers and crew demonstrate and I enjoy seeing drivers in mid-season form.

Case in point: NASCAR continuously hypes the Toyota All-Star Showdown as the biggest race in short track racing (in my opinion, that title belongs to either the the Chili Bowl or the Snowball Derby); however, if Jason Christley and the NASCAR PR contingent placed more focus on the Iowa East/West race (a truly marvelous event at a well-designed track, slap in the middle of the Camping World Series season) instead of that out-of-place, excruciating hack-fest formerly known as the Toyota Showdown, it would make more sense to bestow such a race as the "Daytona 500 of short track racing" (which by the way, is a moniker that needs to go the way of New Coke, Crystal Pepsi, Budweiser Water).

I like point standings implications. I like mid-season drama such as a dwindling number of prepared race cars or team-driver chemistry. I like when drivers have that bulls-eye on them from a previous event. I like having a back-story for each race weekend. There needs to be every day concerns at these events because this is exactly what these future NASCAR drivers will experience once at the top level. Have you ever watched the NASCAR All-Star Race (formerly The Winston)? Have you seen how those drivers act? Hack-fest! I prefer the other 36 races on the Sprint Cup Series schedule: business, business, and more business. With sound racing as well. Sound racing at the local and regional level carries over. Trust me.

So, if anyone is disappointed by limited coverage from these out-of-season races, I'm sorry but my reason for such little focus is now on record. This season will be great for DSM as far as high-visibility races go (Iowa for the Camping World Series, Winchester for CRA, Martinsville for Late Model Stocks, Eldora for USAC, etc.). Get ready for some fun in 2009.

I'll just make sure the fun comes with plenty of point implications and heightened stress levels.

(Also, due to the status of the current U.S. economy and the reflection on NASCAR, there will obviously be a lot less transactional news as typically seen during a racing season. I intend on blogging a lot this year to provide some commentary and keep young driving prospects and the politics of short track racing fresh in our minds. Thanks for making up what I think is the most intelligent reader base in all of motorsports.)

-----

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Remembering Matt through the pride of a father

“Hey, David Smith.”

“Hey, Fred Hawkins.”

Everyone knows me understands that I call, text, and generally abuse my phone to its fullest extent. With every phone call I’ve ever made with everyone that is in my call cycle, nobody provided me with a more upbeat introduction than Fred Hawkins. It never wavered. He was always enthusiastic.

The reason? His son, Matt. Fred was a proud papa, and who could blame him? Young Matt Hawkins was a good kid—a relatively quiet young man who let his right foot do the talking behind the wheel of a race car. I rated Matt as a five-star prospect for the last two racing seasons and no one ever questioned my reasoning.

I was fortunate enough to watch him at Hickory in 2007 when, after being black-flagged due to jumping a restart as the race leader of a USAR Pro Cup Series race, he thundered from the rear of the field and reached the top five like a man possessed. I was also present for his greatest moment—his first ARCA start at Iowa Speedway in which he outlasted both Justin Allgaier and Matt Carter for the unlikely victory in family-owned equipment.

The victory lane celebration on that chilly afternoon had all the requisite Gatorade tossing, high-fiving, and hugging but in the corner, Fred looked on at his son—then being interviewed by Speed Channel—with a heartfelt beam of pride. There was no bigger fan of Matt Hawkins. No one. The look on Fred’s face was all the celebration that was needed on that day.

Perhaps it’s an act of selfishness but when I learned of Matt’s passing two weeks ago, I didn’t immediately think “Oh my God, we’ve lost Matt” but rather “Oh my God, Fred must be torn up.”

I’m extremely saddened that we’ve lost Matt: a rising star in this sport with a very high ceiling of potential. I’m even more saddened that Fred has lost the object of his pride and enthusiasm. I fear I’ll never hear that phone introduction again. I loved it. I knew after hearing it, I was going to hear from a father who was infinitely proud of his son.

Matt will be missed by absolutely everyone he came across—there’s no doubt about that; however, the real sorrow lies with Fred, a father, a friend, and a #1 fan. Fred should know that everyone loved his kid, both from a talent standpoint and on a personal level.

I’m certainly glad that I had the opportunity to get to know Matt and watch him compete on a regular basis. I’m as equally happy that I was on the receiving end of his father’s phone calls—calls for no other reason than to brag about his son. The bragging was well-deserved.

My sympathies go out to the Hawkins family, Matt’s friends, and most importantly Fred, who did an amazing job raising a very skilled, yet humble son.