Departed From Teams, Drivers Looking to Bounce Back
>> Posted November 15, 2006

In by no means do I want to confuse this article with Martin Scorsese’s mind-blowing Boston mob movie (although, while I have the opportunity to say it: it’s by far the year’s best film and if Scorsese doesn’t end his DiMaggio-like streak of losing at the Oscars, then that will be sheer Mother Goosery).

What I do want to address are the prospects that have been let go from their respective Busch or Truck teams, either already or at year’s end. While there have been decisions that, sadly, were in fact for the betterment of the team, there have been some personnel transactions that have been questionable to say the least. Regardless of the reason, ALL of these drivers have a conceivable future in the sport:

1. Ryan Moore

By now we know why he is no longer with Dale Earnhardt Inc.—no sponsor, no room, and his abrupt departure from Truck team Key Motorsports—but how he’ll bounce back is practically inconceivable.

He took a lot of heat from fans and media after the hang-up with the Truck team (there is more to that story which the public doesn’t know). Moore has big talent—a trait that won’t be going away anytime soon—but a team will have to step up and rescue what is essentially a blackballed race car driver for him to resume his path to Nextel Cup.

It’s a shame that he won’t bring his cerebral style to a highlight reel-oriented team but at this point, wherever he ends up will be a step in the right direction.

2. Mark McFarland

No one likes when a fan favorite is given his walking papers (read: Steve Park) but that’s what McFarland fans have come to terms with since the beginning of Q3 ’06.

JR Motorsports had no choice. They needed to upgrade to a driver they were more comfortable with (McFarland’s conservative race style didn’t match up with Dale Jr.’s aspirations of a wild-child protégé). What will best suit McFarland now? A Truck Series ride may be the best bet, granted at this point in time he’ll have to bring his own sponsor money to the table. Don’t be surprised if McFarland returns to his late model roots and once again finds victory lane on a regular basis.

3. Burney Lamar

Perhaps the most controversial cut yet, Lamar started ’06 off with a bang but then encountered the prototypical rookie learning curve. While his development period with Kevin Harvick Inc. was cut way too soon (and there should be a Fareed Zakaria article on that topic), his chance to reenergize, regroup, and reload is a good one.

He’s a driver with great character and greater upside and could potentially be a coup for a race team in 2007.

4. Matt McCall

More or less a victim of disorganization, McCall’s ARCA starts with Robert Yates Racing were fairly solid although his Busch Series efforts left a lot to be desired. He’s a former UARA late model champion who has the talent and intelligence needed to be molded into a Bobby Labonte-type driver.

At this point in his career, a team is going to have to take a chance on a driver who hiccupped his first season in the spotlight and actually develop McCall as a racer. Those kinds of opportunities are slim but they have happened before (see Biffle, Greg or Gordon, Jeff).

5. Boston Reid

Obviously, Reid was in over his head when he joined Hendrick Motorsports’ development effort two years ago. I’m not sure what Marshall Carlson’s equipment bill for ’05 was but it couldn’t have been feasible. And I’m sure Rick Hendrick’s hand fell off as he signed the check.

But since then, Reid has matured and the bad part of it was that he was discharged from Truck team Woodard Racing this year right as he started to appear comfortable behind the wheel of heavy equipment. I don’t know if any team will take a chance on him now, but I’d wager to guess his best racing (possibly USAC?) is still ahead of him.

I'm not advocating that these drivers be given a second (and for some, third) chance in NASCAR's three premier series; however, if they were given these opportunities, then I wouldn't be surprised to see them excel in that situation.

And I wouldn't be the least bit upset about it either.

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Elite Series Prospects in State of Arrested Development
>> Posted November 9, 2006

While the NASCAR Elite divisions are going away, that doesn’t mean that the prospects coming from those series must dive into dark allies as well. After all, the four divisions have brought us top prospects Matt Crafton and Justin Diercks and even 2004 Cup champ Kurt Busch.

What will become of some of the series’ top talents? The elimination of the division caught some in a state of arrested development but all are hell-bent to make sure NASCAR’s decision to make the Elite divisions "exit stage left" doesn’t curtail their individual paths to NASCAR’s three premier series.

1. Tim Schendel (Midwest Division)

The division champion and winner of the Toyota Showdown has the most surrounding buzz out of all the Elite Series racers heading into 2007. He sprinkled in some ARCA races and a Busch Series race with Mac Hill Motorsports this season with admirable results. If he doesn’t land the full-time gig with Mac Hill in ’07, expect a longer partial schedule in ARCA.

2. J.R. Norris (Southeast Division)

Another division champ without a set-in-stone future, Norris moonlights as a mechanic at standalone Truck Series team Billy Ballew Motorsports. It’s hard to believe that a team that has fielded full-time entries for both Shane Hmiel and Kevin Grubb hasn’t looked into its own shop for a driver until now. Norris was supposed to have been in the truck in Las Vegas but elected to compete in the Toyota Showdown instead. Without a full-time driver for next year, Norris could quickly become Ballew's driver-elect in the next couple of weeks.

3. Jason Hogan (Southeast Division)

You have to love the way Hogan has bounced back after being bounced from Roush Racing’s Gong Show in 2005. He and Norris put on a terrific one-on-one battle for the Southeast crown, but in Hogan’s case, to no avail. The Georgia native has already tooled with Southern late model racing (looking like his best bet for ’07), perceived as a step down but will actually be subject to more exposure and better competition.

4. Travis Bennett (Northwest Division)

Bennett, who finished third in the Northwest division this year, may be hit the hardest because of the series’ departure. While he put together a solid year of racing, his shot at exposure (in terms of money/opportunity-backed onlookers) was crushed when he wrecked hard during the Toyota Showdown. His age (he turns 28 next January) has him exiting the desired driver demographic for potential sponsors but he still could be rescued by either a low budget Busch or Truck team or a high budget USAR Pro Cup team.

5. Josh Hamner (Southeast Division)

A la Hogan, Alabama’s Hamner is looking the route of late model racing. He received an invite from late model uber-team WalTom Racing to tryout for their highly sought-after seat in ASA competition next year. Still an undisciplined wheel-man, the jury is out on where he currently stands, but to steal from ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas, the 19 year-old has the most “upside” out of any of the graduating Elite Series drivers.

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O'Quinn a Forgotten Man at Roush
>> Posted November 1, 2006

Through the summer months of Mark Martin’s will he/won’t he routine to the seemingly inevitable coronation of David Ragan in the #6 seat, Roush Racing’s development program has flown under the radar just as much as Ganassi’s program (see previous blog entry).
 
The title-holder for "underrated and kicked-on" has been Virginia’s Danny O’Quinn. Since it’s obvious that the Roush team is looking for style over substance (as seen in the Ragan selection), O’Quinn has gone practically unnoticed, churning out a quiet but productive season.

Through 30 races (he’s been benched twice in favor of Ragan), he has accumulated a stat line that includes five top-ten finishes, an average finish of 21.6 and only two DNFs. Keep in mind, he’s doing this in a NASCAR Busch Series polluted by Nextel Cup regulars and coming off a year (2005) where the most seat time he received was in Roush’s Discovery Channel-filmed debacle.

And in case you were wondering, he’s currently tied with John Andretti, of all people, in one of the most heated Rookie of the Year battles in recent memory (strangely, very little people care about it).

The 21 year-old, who once touted Spam sandwiches as his favorite pre-race meal, is quite possibly the best driver that no one is watching. His 2007 plans have yet to be publicly mapped out but he is carrying momentum (two straight top-ten finishes) to the final three races of the Busch Series schedule in a season that warrants, at the very least, an extended tour of duty in the NBS.

If anything, O’Quinn is one of a select few Nextel Cup prospects who didn’t underachieve in 2006. And if Roush doesn’t have room for a solid, methodical racer, then someone else should be more than willing to open the checkbook.

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Ragan, Allmendinger, and "Most Underrated"
>> Posted October 27, 2006

After a slow news week, I've decided to expand on a couple of I've items I've recently touched base on:

1. David Ragan

Since the pro-Roush emails have stockpiled, I'll answer this one now. I honestly don't know why David Ragan was deemed not worthy to race at Atlanta (and A.J. Allmendinger was). I know, I know, Martinsville wasn't exactly a shining moment for the future Roush rookie, but was it truly as bad as Brent Sherman's six-wreck performance at Bristol this spring?

Brett Bodine is usually the NASCAR official responsible for making these sort of calls, but I can't guarantee he made this one. Either way, it was a shaky call.

Here is a glance at his stats from this year's Truck Series season courtesy of the guys from Racing Reference. Please take note of the finishes at Fort Worth, Kansas, and Kentucky (bigger tracks) and then look at Martinsville. It's quite possible Martinsville is a weak track for Mr. Ragan but that shouldn't be held against him.

Also, Ryan Smithson cranked out an interesting article about the situation.


2. A.J. Allmendinger

He's good. If you don't like him, get over it.

I've said in the past that I don't mind pulling talent from other pools of racing. For me, that equates into more film room sessions, more traveling, and far less personal time, but I'm cool with it. As for the level of fear from aspiring late model racers or American open-wheel competitors goes, I have good news: Don't worry, if you're talented there will still be room for you in NASCAR.

The level of competition within Nextel Cup will jump up a couple of notches or so in the next five years but that shouldn't deter from the wealth of developmental venues we currently have.

Don't be jealous of A.J., Juan, Sam, or Ricky. Just put more focus and more drive into what you're already doing now and you will be noticed. It's that easy.


3. Emptying the Inbox

Thanks to everyone who participated and even gave feedback on the chat session during the Toyota All-Star Showdown. Yes, there will be plenty more where that came from and a lot of exciting happenings with the web site heading into 2007.

I had to end the chat at about 1:30 am EST, but one west coast reader submitted a thought-provoking question a couple of seconds after the cut-off. Justin T. wanted to know "Who do you feel has the most overrated and most underrated driver development programs?"

I'm not even going to touch "overrated" because I feel I have offended teams enough already this season (I'll let Claire B. Lang handle that one). Underrated, however, is interesting. At the moment, I would say Chip Ganassi Racing.

Obviously, Bryan Clauson is the rock star of the group and Brady Bacon will receive a great deal of recognition prior to his first full season of USAC in '07, but when a team has Kevin Hamlin and Scott Lagasse Jr. sitting on the sidelines, they are officially under-recognized.

Hamlin is a two-time Elite Northwest champion who essentially sat this season out (he was Ganassi's primary Busch Series test driver). He's the kind of racer who will be very competitive but still manage bring the car home intact. And that's not a skill that is easily taught. Hamlin hopes to run all of the non-companion Busch Series events in 2007.

Lagasse has just been marred in cellar-dweller equipment at Bobby Hamilton Racing. He is much more talented than advertised, as proven by his impeccable record in ASA, but is now stuck in a log-jam behind the likes of Juan Montoya, Reed Sorenson, David Stremme, and in some ways, Clauson, Bacon, and Hamlin.

While Joe Gibbs Racing and Roush Racing have the highest-scoring development stables, Ganassi's bunch has the most upside and are very much underrated.

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Toyota Turning Eyes Toward New Blood
>> Posted October 23, 2006

The teams are elaborate: One is a former Daytona 500-winning team that is searching for an identity. Another is a wide-eyed, endless-pocketed team in pursuit of immediate dominance. And the last is an imaginative team with a personable owner who wishes to turn the team's headquarters into the NASCAR equivalent of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

Bill Davis Racing, Team Red Bull, and Michael Waltrip Racing, respectively, are the factory-backed powerhouses planning to lead Toyota to the racing forefront. And it's only the beginning.

They've landed drivers Michael Waltrip, Dale Jarrett, Dave Blaney, and Jeremy Mayfield, struck a deal to sign previously underachieving Brian Vickers, and have accumulated a sponsor list that would make any member of the France family lift an eyebrow. "Now" has been taken care of and all that is left to build is the future.

With Waltrip, Jarrett, Blaney, and Mayfield growing closer to the end of their careers than the beginning, Toyota is turning towards hiring the new blood. Vickers, 23, is coming off his first career Nextel Cup victory this year but he'll need to be flanked by emerging weaponry if the Camrys have any chance of winning more than a few Nextel Cup gun fights.

The first shooter is Josh Wise, the down-to-Earth demon of a racer out of the USAC Midget Series. Wise has signed on to become a development driver for the MWR stable and is widely expected to be the team's torch carrier for the long haul.

Go ahead and dub A.J. Allmendinger Toyota's "Grassy Knoll" (the second shooter). The Champ Car standout has surfaced as the front-runner to become Vickers' teammate at Team Red Bull. Why is this significant? Because Allmendinger is a bulldog of a racer. Wild and high-strung, he embodies the Red Bull mentality and has the talent to develop into a serious championship contender in the NASCAR ranks.

After MWR announced the signing of 36-year-old Truck Series veteran David Reutimann as the team's third driver, a third development prodigy was needed in the Camry stable. Enter Bobby Santos, the former Modified racer turned USAC winner. After making his ARCA debut with BDR at Iowa Speedway, it is expected that Santos will continue on to a larger role with the team (presumably the Truck Series). Given Bill Davis Racing's loyal and winning history with Toyota, this might be the sleeper team of 2007. Santos could reap those benefits.

The brand name drivers have already been assembled and now Pat Wall and the rest of the Toyota juggernaut can turn to acquiring young talent. With three core teams ready for action, this has the makings of a recruiting feast unlike anything the NASCAR world has ever witnessed.

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Roush Roulette
>> Posted October 17, 2006

Last week, the Cat in the Hat's organization announced that David Ragan would be the heir apparent to Martin Martin in the now-legendary #6 car. Also (and possibly subsequently), Erik Darnell was pegged to continue driving the #99 F-150 in the Truck Series through 2008.

I've received about two dozen emails asking what my thoughts are on the future of Roush. There are an awful lot of Roush fans that read the site, so I would be happy to oblige.

I love what Roush has done.

Here's why: Todd Kluever just wasn't going to be the long-term answer in the #6 car. He's a decent driver but he's just not that driver. The way I see it, this decision came down to Ragan vs. Darnell (read: smart, sometimes erratic driver with tons of upside vs. fundamentally sound racer who could use a few confidence boosts). Jack Roush and Geoff Smith decided with the former. It was a win-win situation.

Obviously, for the time being, I am more high on Darnell than Ragan (which, for me is like saying I like D-Wade better than LeBron--both can be great). I'm not disappointed with Roush's decision to keep Darnell in the #99 truck. Roush Racing gave Darnell a long-term plan and a showing of commitment, which nowadays, is hardly visible in the sport. Keep in mind, Roush did this with another driver a few years back: Greg Biffle. Things turned out peachy with him.

One fellow scout has already said that he would power-rank Ragan and the #6 team above Jamie McMurray and the #26 out of the gate in 2007. That's a strong vote of confidence, seeing that the #26 team won the Nextel Cup in 2004. Ragan could very well rip off a few wins next season--don't be surprised.

Keep in mind, Roush fans, everything they're doing with these young guys IS a gamble. But I like the odds. I feel that Roush Racing has rigged the roulette wheel in their favor...so let's see how it plays out.

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Signing Frenzy
>> Posted October 9, 2006

In what is shaping up to become one of the most furious signing periods in NASCAR history, here is a brief synopsis of what has already gone down in the world of driver development:

1. Brady Bacon is IN at Chip Ganassi Racing

The USAC youngster has turned many a head this season, but the most significant moment happened when Ganassi’s VP of Driver Development Lorin Ranier inked the Oklahoma native to add more depth to the already stout development roster. Bacon is a great pairing with top-ranked Bryan Clauson with the two having “takeover” potential in USAC in 2007.

2. Curtis Truex is IN and Mark McFarland is OUT at JR Motorsports

The Dale Earnhardt Jr.-led organization added the cousin of two-time Busch Series champ Martin Truex Jr. The real story lies with the departure of McFarland and the promotion of USAR regular Shane Huffman. Huffman is a fiery competitor and should be able to rattle the rollbars in the NBS next season. While the Busch team is currently less than stellar, the late model program is flexing its muscle. Curtis Truex will join Richard Boswell next year as the lead drivers.

3. Sean Caisse is IN and Burney Lamar is OUT at Kevin Harvick Inc.

Expect huge things from Caisse next year in the talent-packed Grand National East Series. After driving a year for Andy Santerre, the New Hampshire native will be even more of a dynamo in 2007. The Busch Series team is still looking to regroup after the dismissal of Burney Lamar, but expect another signing (Cale Gale is rumored) to fill in the gap.

4. Timothy Peters is IN at Richard Childress Racing

Patiently waiting his turn, Peters is more than ready for the big time. Expect a spot schedule between Cup and Busch for Peters, who is currently a three-star prospect. More stars are conceivable for his future after some tutoring from the likes of Jeff Burton and Richard Childress.

5. Regan Smith is IN at MB2 Motorsports

I’m not sure if they’re going to re-name the team in the near future, but Regan Smith has the opportunity of a lifetime with MB2/Ginn. Not only is the Nemechek clone going to work with Nemechek himself, but also with Mark Martin. Dream job? I’ll say.

6. Kelly Bires is IN and Bobby East is OUT at Wood Brothers/JTG Racing

Having talked with co-owner Len Wood at Talladega, I know the Wood/JTG camp is excited about new hire Bires, the latest from the long line of WalTom Racing development diamonds. The schedule for the reigning ASA Late Model champ is currently undetermined but the Truck Series is standing out as the most viable option. Meanwhile, Ford development driver Bobby East is expected to be removed from the Wood/JTG stable.

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KHI: A Land of Confusion
>> Posted October 5, 2006

Excuse the Genesis reference. Typically, if I infuse Phil Collins into a conversation, it's good times all around. But that's not the case today.

As long as I'm outsourcing quotes, I'll hit you with one from Vince Lombardi: "What in the hell is going on out here?"

The quote applies to the development program at Kevin Harvick Inc. After a month in which Sean Caisse was signed, Burney Lamar was benched, and Cale Gale has been hit on, the question more than deserves to be raised.

Granted this is the same team that let go of five-star prospect Matt Crafton after the 2004 season, I'm still perplexed as to what the long-term strategy is for this organization. Who's manning the wheel at KHI? Kevin Harvick? Delana Harvick? Isiah Thomas?

For this particular spin of the merry-go-round, sponsor Dollar General wanted more bang for the meager buck its invested. Nextel Cup regulars Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart are apparently not enough for DG and current driver Burney Lamar didn't bring the results (read: zero wins) that they were hoping. Rookie of the Year be damned, Lamar is going bye-bye.

So what has been done? Caisse, a successful driver in the Busch East Series, has signed to run another season in the GN East while entering into a limited number of Busch Series races in 2007. Gale, an aggressive racer with a near-identical driving style as Lamar, has been rumored to be heading to KHI in a role similar to Lamar's this season. And development driver Aaron Fike hasn't been heard from in over two months. He may, in fact, be on a milk carton right this second.

I've always welcomed the fact that teams help young race car drivers; however, there is a fine line between helping and harming. KHI is flirting with the latter.

First Crafton. Then Lamar. Who knows who'll be prematurely dropped next?

It's going to be a tough road for Lamar to walk down now. He certainly has the talent, but getting ousted from a Busch Series team this early in his career is the racing equivalent of communists getting blacklisted in the early '50s.

As a scout, I've touted both Caisse and Gale. Are they better than Burney Lamar? Not at the moment. Caisse has only excelled in first class equipment. Gale has little flaws, thus far, in his ability, but is vastly inexperienced. Lamar has a higher ceiling of potential than both. If Lamar couldn't cut it for them, what makes them think that Caisse and Gale could?

The development program at KHI has no identifiable strategy for the future, little patience with promising young racers, and are wheeling and dealing like a drunk college student constructing a Madden video game roster at 4 in the morning.

It's time for Kevin Harvick Inc. to figure out what in the hell is going on out here. And unless a knight on a white horse comes to the rescue, KHI will remain in some sort of Medieval land of confusion.

Until then, the kingdom might as well belong to Isiah.

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SPECIAL EVENT: Bailey's 300 Coverage and Notes
>> Posted October 2, 2006

Hand the trophy to Alex Yontz.

The 20-year-old North Carolinian took home the checkered flag and the win in the Bailey's 300. The two-star prospect and spot Truck Series racer has certainly increased his stock with what is easily the biggest win of his career.

Notable high-finishing prospects were Marc Davis (6th), Timothy Peters (7th), and Travis Swaim (16th).

Who's stock saw an increase? Yontz is really the only driver who'll reap benefits from his performance, although Joe Gibbs Racing's Davis fared well in his biggest late model start since his promotion from limited late model racing.

Here is the full-field finishing order.

>> Posted October 1, 2006

We're a good couple of hours prior to the running of the Bailey's 300, so now would be the perfect time (read: I procrastinated long enough and this my last chance) to make a pick for the victory.

The qualifying session was semi-predictable. No real surprises other than the two Truck Series drivers not making the show on the first day.

While I more than expect a big race from the likes of Marc Davis and Drew Herring, my choice for the win is NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series regular Travis Swaim. The North Carolina native qualified 4th and is overdue for a news-making win. And this certainly would be that win for Travis.

Good luck to all the competitors and I'll be back with more post-race.

>> Posted September 30, 2006

Virginia's Wayne Ramsey took home the pole for the Bailey's 300 with a time of 20.759.

Notable qualifiers were Travis Swaim (4th), Richard Boswell (11th), Marc Davis (13th), Drew Herring (17th), Jonathan Cash (20th), and defending race winner Jamey Caudill (5th). Heat races will determine the final 20 entries of the 42-car field.

The list of those that did not qualify was just as power-packed, headlined by Truck Series regulars Dennis Setzer and Terry Cook. Also on that list are Stephen Berry, Justin Labonte, and Curtis Truex.

The starting lineup in its entirety is posted here.

Stay tuned for more coverage tomorrow morning, including my pre-race pick to win.

>> Posted September 30, 2006

Judging by the number of emails I have received, most are jumping aboard the Dennis Setzer bandwagon as the potential winner of the Bailey's 300. I'm not sure I agree. Setzer and fellow Truck Series driver Terry Cook are the ringers as far as NASCAR veterans are concerned, but the level of talent surrounding them is pretty solid.

A few drivers already standout: Drew Herring, Marc Davis, and Jonathan Cash. These three are in a peculiar spot because as talented as they are, their stock can really only drop with this race. Cash has some wiggle room to play with but high expectations await Herring and Davis.

This type of race has a "Senior Bowl Effect": The talented top prospects have everything to lose, but unproven, emerging prospects have everything to gain.

Hoping to gain are the likes of Justin Labonte, Richard Boswell, and Stephen Berry. Labonte is looking for another shot at NASCAR's premier series while Boswell and Berry are still hoping to break through and solidify themselves as legitimate NASCAR prospects.

>> Posted September 28, 2006

This weekend marks the annual running of the Bailey's 300 at Martinsville, the nation's biggest late model race. Judging by the attendance at the standalone Busch Series race this year at Martinsville, this race will need all of the promotional ammunition I can conceivably fire. And yes, I'm hoping that the 17 people that showed up to the NBS race this summer return for this race as well.

One of my goals of the site is to update the blog more frequently and that goal begins today. I'll have a bit to say on the Bailey's 300 including updates, picks to win, and a post-race report. My first update won't be until tomorrow afternoon, so until then, feel free to peruse the entry list.

The list has quite a bit of names, familiar to the late model crowd, that should put on an interesting show.

I would also like to take the time to thank everyone for the compliments on the site's new design. The homepage and the rankings pages, I feel, are cleaner and easier to read. As for my blog space, I was thinking along the lines of "something classy and conservative," but at the last second switched it to something that screams "delinquent." Don't let it fool you, this is still a space for intelligent fans to read about up-and-coming talent.

And the always delightful pastime of bashing Ed Hinton will be kept to a minimum. I promise.

QUICK UPDATE on the Chevy Test: Landon Cassill, Drew Herring, and Colin Braun have appeared to come out as winners among those who participated in the "prospect showcase." Things are going to get very interesting this off-season as teams load up on young talent. A couple of sources have indicated that, because of the test, Hendrick Motorsports may climb back into the development fray very soon.

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Lewis Hamilton Could Be the Next to Join the Exodus
>> Posted September 21, 2006

If you're an American and you're into Formula 1 racing, then you are probably salivating over the notion of Scott Speed being a force to be reckoned with about five years from now.

The only problem with that is you failed to factor in Lewis Hamilton.

Who is Lewis? Well, the native Brit recently captured this year's GP2 Series championship (a feeder league to F1) and is testing this week for Mercedes McLaren (read: long-term solution for Juan Pablo Montoya's departure).

How good is he? Comparing Hamilton to Speed would be comparing AC/DC to a student alt rock band at a frat party. But more importantly, what are Hamilton's chances of venturing across the pond and into the NASCAR ranks? Well...

Since Montoya and Sam Hornish Jr. have overtly expressed their guilty intrigue of stock car racing, it's opened the door for others. Mercedes McLaren, owned by DaimlerChrysler, would like nothing better than to see him dominate the F1 series; however, more money, exposure, and acclaim will come with a jump to NASCAR. You don't think Dodge execs know this? The 21-year-old African American is a self-professed fan of Bob Marley and has a winning attitude that is infectious. He'll skyrocket to immediate celeb status as a NASCAR fan favorite.

Has he expressed interest in NASCAR? If he has, it's not on record. But things change. Despite Bernie Ecclestone's ego-filled delusion that F1 is still tops in the racing department, NASCAR has the star power, the competition, the money, and the fan base that makes it irresistibly attractive to race car drivers.

Something tells me Mr. Lewis might figure that out. Stay tuned.

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Chevy Test is the Pinnacle of Tryout Season
>> Posted September 15, 2006

At the conclusion of the annual General Motors test this week, it has come to fruition that this is now the most intriguing annual test session on the motorsports calendar.

The term "tryout" is a bit loose for this session, considering that few participants were already signed to Chevy programs. The tandem of Joey Logano, Marc Davis, and Woody Howard (Joe Gibbs Racing) and Truck Series overachiever Chad McCumbee (Chevrolet's Manufacturer Program) were honing skills in preparation for inevitable Busch Series tenures.

The list of invitees was above-par. Top prospects Drew Herring, Colin Braun, and Landon Cassill were the headliners with notable DSM prospects Chase Austin and Josh Richards also taking turns in RCR-prepped Monte Carlos around North Carolina's Caraway Speedway.

With the absence of Roush's Gong Show (done typically once every other year), this has become the "get" test session for all of the drivers and their respective representation.

Mike Mulhern wrote an article about the test. In it, he touts Jeffrey Earnhardt (Kerry's son), an aspiring racer who is a regular at Virginia's Motor Mile Speedway. The 17 year-old has potential, but is not near-enough ready for promotion into NASCAR's three premier series. Once he gains consistency behind the wheel of a late model, he could make a jump to ARCA or the Grand National divisions. So, Earnhardt Nation, don't pour a deluge of pressure and expectation on the young man right now. Have some patience.

What will come of this test? It's yet to be seen, but for the good of racing, a group of young race car drivers received invaluable seat time behind the wheel of championship-caliber equipment. Kudos to Chevrolet on that.

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Richmond: Must-See TV (Part II)
>> Posted September 10, 2006

I just wanted to write a brief follow-up on the last entry, based upon the aftermath of the Busch Series race at Richmond:

Aric Almirola - Another solid run in the Gibbs #19. He finished 18th and fought during the race for 12th/13th.

Paul Menard - Could have won, but finished fourth. Tony Eury Sr. will provide instant success, but time will tell if he is the long-term solution for Paul's consistency issues.

Shane Huffman - His middle-of-the-pack run wasn't disappointing, but I'll admit, I expected more from him. He's 32 years-old--he is going to need to light the world on fire right now if he hopes to graduate to Nextel Cup some day.

David Gilliland - I figured he would be the shooter--not the victim. Regan Smith beat him up and the Cali native never recovered. The jury is still out on whether or not he will be a staple of the "new" Robert Yates Racing.

Danny O'Quinn - Turns out, he did sniff the top-ten, en route to a 14th place finish. He is much more talented than teammate Todd Kluever and 2007 will provide more success for Danny.

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Richmond: Must-See TV (Part I)
>> Posted September 8, 2006

A weekend is upon us that comes along ever-so-often. That weekend where every self-respecting man ditches the "honey-do" list to make way for his favorite seat on the couch.

This current edition of the "Must-See TV Weekend" begins Saturday with a humongous line-up of College Football, complete with #1 Ohio State vs. #2 Texas. Even international soccer fans will be salivating at the thought of Manchester United vs. Tottenham in the year's first headline match-up. And need we be reminded of Saturday night? The final race to get into the Chase for the Nextel Cup will eliminate one unlucky soul and inch ten men one step closer to racing immortality.

And of course, Sunday starts some season that a handful of people may be interested in, including a highly-touted contest pitting brother against brother.

For me, the Must-See Television happens Friday night. The NASCAR Busch Series will storm through Richmond, likely being a battle between eight to ten Nextel Cup regulars. What I'll watch for is the young drivers and how they react to what is marketed as "racing perfection."

Richmond is a tremendous track to take notice of talent. It makes every driver run the gamut of emotions, it pits every driver in a short track atmosphere, and it spins off the New York adage of "if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere."

So for anyone wanting to keep a close eye on how the young talent does, here is my watch list of drivers I think will make a splash in this weekend's contest:

1. Aric Almirola (Joe Gibbs Racing #19) - Has been awfully good in this car, so expect a lot out of him for this race; A good performance here could determine his 2007 destination

2. Paul Menard (Dale Earnhardt Inc. #11) - Can conceivably win this race, but keep an eye on how he battles Cup regulars; Also has a new crew chief starting this week: Tony Eury Sr.

3. Shane Huffman (JR Motorsports #88) - The Biffle-esque driver will be fun to watch, especially if he channels his Hooters Pro Cup "bull-in-China-shop" mentality

4. David Gilliland (Robert Yates Racing #90) - Let's see how he handles Richmond--he'll likely spin out at least once, but his composure during the race is what will help him develop

5. Danny O'Quinn (Roush Racing #50) - Returns this weekend after being removed from the seat in favor of teammate David Ragan; Don't be surprised if he manages to find the top-10 before the night is over

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Hornish Breaking Down the Door
>> Posted August 29, 20006

Whereas Tony Stewart and Juan Pablo Montoya nudged the door open, Sam Hornish Jr. kicked it off its hinges.

We can thank Stewart, or even Robby Gordon for that matter, for the open-wheel exodus to even be an option as an entrance into NASCAR. When Montoya announced his arrival to the stock car world, it was not only eyes and ears that opened, but minds as well. Now, the world's best pound-for-pound open-wheel racer is coming to NASCAR.

Sam Hornish Jr.: Three words that strike fear into any IndyCar racer. The one driver who has given Marco Andretti recurring nightmares. Now he's Charlotte-bound. Ain't that a coup?

I took notice of Hornish just like the rest of the world did--during his tenure at Pennzoil Panther Racing in which he captured two IRL IndyCar titles. I take all of my prospects seriously, but when I listed Hornish, it surely was a tongue-and-cheek pipedream. Granted, he was (and still is) a serious prospect, I never thought he would bring that aggressiveness, that tenacity behind the wheel, and that offensive innovation to the big leagues.

And here he is.

The New York Times' Liv Bernstein reported Monday morning that Hornish met with team owner Roger Penske and a Busch Series/ARCA limited schedule might be in place for 2007. You hear that loud "whoosh" sound? That's the floodgates opening.

Every driver, every series, every country is fair game for NASCAR. Hornish is racing's equivalent to Ichiro Suzuki or Dirk Nowitzki. Montoya left Formula 1 only after realizing that a ride would not be awaiting him next year. Hornish is leaving at the top of his game.

So who's next? Dan Wheldon (the poor man's Hornish), Scott Speed, and Sebastien Bourdais would be great candidates to make the NASCAR jump. The likes of A.J. Allmendinger or Luis Diaz might not be so bad either.

And some may view this as bad for driver development, but I don't. This could increase competition, deter top Nextel Cup teams from running their Cup drivers in the Busch Series, and best yet, put NASCAR high atop the international landscape.

I'm excited about the idea of searching into other countries for drivers or other genres of racing for superstars. And I'm excited about the fact that arguably the world's best driver is coming to the greatest racing series on Earth.

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Primary Colors: With a Racing Twist
>> Posted August 27, 2006

What does good equipment do for a young race car driver? It gives them the glory, the exposure, and the sought-after intimidation factor.

In my opinion, it puts them on the hot seat.

A well-funded organization is always a good thing. But with these benefits, a handicap becomes noticeable. I’ve come up with two case studies so to speak, of drivers in well-funded equipment. I’ve given the cases a Primary Colors-esque feel: the names have been changed, but the situations were very real.

Study A: Kent Jenkins is a 17-year-old hot shot who is a regular at a very popular short track. He’s currently the class of the Super Late Model field as his team comes with some pretty solid financial backing, experienced mechanics who are employed, and a “driving consultant” with years of NASCAR experience.

Jenkins grabs the pole for the 50 lap feature. Naturally, he jumps out to a huge lead and despite early caution flags, no one comes close to catching him. As he pulls away from the field, he laps every car in the race, holding the same line and not allowing his car to get bent up. The race is a snoozer for the fans, but that’s okay, because this kid could be in NASCAR some day.

As he collects the trophy and check in Victory Lane, it’s clear that his name will be mentioned in the local paper the next morning. And he’ll be back the next weekend and do the same exact thing.

Study B: J.C. Collins is a 15-year-old Limited Late Model racer who has emerged as a hot prospect for NASCAR teams. He just recently landed a good sponsor and easily has the highest-funded team in the field.

Collins starts third but grabs the lead with a shot of momentum going into Turn 3 on the first lap. He’s gone. As the quick race goes caution-free, Collins passes lapped traffic. But he doesn’t hold his line. He experiments, finding out what his car is capable of, what different entry points and exit points he can use, which grooves he can run in, and how cleanly he can pass each car. He’s not challenged by the competition, so he’s challenging himself.

As he pulls into Victory Lane, he’s proud of the win but even more pleased with the glorified test session he just ran. He’ll have his name mentioned in the local paper, but next week, he’ll travel to another track and challenge himself even further.

Conclusion: As a scout, I like Collins. Sure he has good equipment, but he doesn’t let that become the storyline. He challenges himself. He’s finding out what he’s capable of and readying for whatever the next step in his career brings him. Jenkins on the other hand, is receiving tons of exposure but is stunting his own career by not doing anything to help himself. Collins has a legitimate shot at making it to one of NASCAR’s three premier series. Jenkins likely doesn’t. He’ll continue to run his Super Late Model for the rest of his racing career and wonder how come he never made it to the elite level of racing.

It’s perfectly acceptable to have good equipment. Drive that equipment—don’t let it drive you.

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"Busch Series-Ready" a Thing of the Past
>> Posted August 17, 2006

I stand by my position on driver shortage. There is none. So every media malcontent who is hell-bent on bringing it up should drop the subject. Capeche?

Something that has been bothering me is the fact that NASCAR Busch Series teams are looking for YOUNG (and I can’t emphasize that enough) Busch Series-ready drivers. Why you ask? Because “Busch Series-ready driver” is as much a part of obsolete terminology as “Golly-gee willakers” (that is, unless you're Burt Ward).

There’s no such thing. Partly because it doesn’t exist.

With the overdose of NASCAR Nextel Cup stars in the Busch Series, the level of competition has jumped up about a dozen or so notches. Thus, young drivers aren’t expected to be Busch Series-ready, they’re basically expected to be able to compete with Nextel Cup drivers. Out of the gate.

Ryan Smithson wrote a fantastic story about Stephen Leicht’s jump from obscurity to popularity (I know, I know, he believes that there is a driver shortage, just disregard that part). We as a racing community need to make sure that we avoid another downfall reminiscent of Casey Atwood.

I realize this isn’t fair. There is no short track racing series in the world that can properly prepare someone for that massive of a competition jump.

Obviously, the targets are the Cup drivers who are racing in the Busch Series (for one of two reasons: money or team sponsor obligations) and NASCAR itself. I don’t point blame at NASCAR yet because they are going to pump diesel fuel into the Grand National Divisions in 2007. This can’t be expected to be the universal solvent though. If there was a limit on the number of races a Nextel Cup driver in the top 35 in points could run or a rule that only drivers with three years or less experience in Nextel Cup could run in the NBS, then maybe things would be a tad different.

Until then, we cannot anticipate drivers to be Nextel Cup-ready when they don’t have a Busch Series to properly prepare them. And we certainly can’t expect prospects to be Busch Series-ready when they will be facing the likes of Harvick, Biffle, Kenseth, and Edwards at that particular level.

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Make Way for the Noisemakers
>> Posted August 3, 2006

Ever so often, I do something erratic with the website. This past Tuesday, I did and it warrants further discussion.

The Blackboard Rankings went haywire. Late Model racer Drew Herring and sports car wunderkind Colin Braun came from virtually nowhere to jump into the top-ten. Bobby Santos, Brad Coleman, Landon Cassill, Marc Davis, and Cale Gale continued to make noise in the rankings as well.

Why such an insane movement? Because they deserved it. While five-star studs Paul Menard, Erik Darnell, and Justin Diercks have been quiet, the aforementioned racers have been making eardrum-rattling noise.

Herring, Braun, Cassill, Coleman, Santos, and Davis all were in the same situation at the beginning of the year: Unproven with high expectations.

But then Herring started ripping off wins at South Boston, Cassill decided to make the ASA his series, and Braun became the best thing to ever happen to the Rolex Sports Car Series. They wanted to be heard.

Davis had a fly ride with Joe Gibbs Racing and nothing to show for it. Now? He’s the pound-for-pound most electrifying late model racer in the country. Ditto for Coleman. In the beginning of the season, the Grand-Am graduate was just hoping to assimilate into the world of stock car racing. Now? He’s got the likes of J.J. O’Malley wondering when he’s going to make the leap to Nextel Cup. And Bobby Santos? The kid was inconsistent last season with a ton of hype. Now? He’s rivaling USAC all-worlds Bryan Clauson and Josh Wise for best-in-show. They made it so they could be heard.

Possibly the biggest noisemaker has been Phoenix Racing’s Cale Gale. He wasn’t even listed on the site in January. Now? He’s a three-star, going on four. He has an impressive ARCA win under his belt, some head-turning Busch Series starts, and has placed a biological clock atop the head of Mike Wallace, Phoenix’s full-time NBS driver.

Don’t expect the noise to stop. Expect the echo to vibrate for these young racers. And be sure to listen in as their ascent continues.

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The Miami Vice Blog Entry
>> Posted July 28, 2006

So, it’s come to this. I’ll have to admit, this question has been sitting in my inbox since early February. Paul from Eau Claire, WI, this is your lucky day:

Q: David, don’t you think that Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus are the Crockett and Tubbs of NASCAR? They’re not only the best duo in the sport but even better than the Miami Vice team.

Whoa. That’s not an email, that’s a downright challenge. Better than Crockett and Tubbs? That’s a serious allegation, regardless of who you’re bringing to the table.

Since Miami Vice (the movie) premieres tonight, it’s only fitting that I man up and tackle this sucker right now. I can only hope I do it justice.

First, a little background on the teams: Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus are driver and crew chief respectively for the Hendrick Motorsports #48 team, garnering multiple victories and two Nextel Cup runner-ups. Sonny Crockett and Rico Tubbs (as played by Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas on the television show; Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx on the big screen) are fast-moving, hard-partying undercover police officers in Miami.

Now, on to the round-by-round action:

BADDEST WHIP: Crockett and Tubbs rode around in Crockett’s Ferrari Daytona. After it was destroyed, the two rolled the streets in the Testarossa…Johnson and Knaus have been bringing the #48 Monte Carlo to the track since 2002, all the while, allowing it to become one of the most dominant rides in all of NASCAR. ADVANTAGE: Johnson/Knaus
 
TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM: Knaus was suspended for the first four races of 2006, but still managed to focus on car setup, helping Johnson earn two victories in his absence (including the Daytona 500)…Tubbs not only was asked to fake Jamaican accents but pose undercover as an exotic dancer—tough situation for any self-respecting man. ADVANTAGE: Even

CELEBRITY FRIENDS: Let’s see, Atlanta Braves second baseman Marcus Giles was Johnson’s guest at this year’s Daytona 500. Glen Frey, Phil Collins, and the Motor City Madman Ted Nugent, not only provided music for Vice’s soundtrack, but also played instrumental roles in various episodes (Frey as a drug dealer, no less). Obviously, this is no contest…it isn’t like Giles once helped with a track-bar adjustment. ADVANTAGE: Crockett/Tubbs

STYLE: Oh, come on. EVERYONE knows the answer to this one. While Johnson and Knaus are posing for Levi-Strauss, Crockett and Tubbs started a freaking revolution in the 80’s with the rolled up blazers and pastel shirts. ADVANTAGE: Crockett/Tubbs

SIDE GIGS: Don Johnson (Crockett) went on to star in Nash Bridges. Jimmie has his own radio show on XM Satellite Radio, PLUS Knaus is a regular on Speed Channel’s popular NASCAR Performance. ADVANTAGE: In an upset, Johnson/Knaus
 
FOUNDING FATHERS: Show producer Michael Mann also directed Ali, Collateral, and the theatrical version of Vice and is notorious for being a difficult boss. Team owner Rick Hendrick has captured five championships with two different drivers and has long been considered one of the classiest owners in the sport. With great leadership, comes great success. ADVANTAGE: Johnson/Knaus

ALPHA DOG: Jimmie Johnson vs. Sonny Crockett. Both have had flaws (Johnson refusing to pit at Homestead, possibly costing him the ’05 title; Crockett getting amnesia and then shooting Tubbs twice) but both have been textbook examples of an “Alpha Dog.” Crockett led Miami Vice in becoming THE show of the 80’s decade. While he has accomplished a great deal, Johnson has watched Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, and Kurt Busch win championships since his arrival in Cup. And Crockett never dedicated a Daytona 500 win to “All the haters.” ADVANTAGE: Crockett/Tubbs

FINAL VERDICT: With a final score of 3-3-1, we have a hung jury. Johnson and Knaus are currently leading the Cup standings but will they succeed in the Chase? Can Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx ensure that Miami Vice makes the leap to box office powerhouse? The two tandems are close…VERY close.

So, are Johnson and Knaus the Crockett and Tubbs of NASCAR? The answer is a most definite yes.

(In between scouting prospects, running the DSM business, keeping tabs on all forms racing, working at the marketing job, studying for advanced college classes, and sleeping, I found time to TiVo and watch the show in preparation for this one blog entry. Yes, I am THAT dedicated...or eccentric. Not quite sure on that one).

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That's Not Bad Luck, That's DUMB Luck
>> Posted July 21, 2006

It was the late John Belushi who went off on a trademark rant on a Saturday Night Live skit in 1976 that enlightened the American public on the Luck of the Irish. As he ventured on about his Irish pal, Dan Sullivan, it was pointed out that sometimes it wasn't bad luck that happened in life, it was DUMB luck.

(If a YouTube clip of this existed, I would link to it. Unfortunately, there isn't such a thing, but here is the transcript).

As in life, the same happens in racing. If we look at the seasons of Greg Biffle, Bobby Labonte, or Tony Stewart, there is a lot of what could be perceived as bad luck. From Biffle's take-out by Kurt Busch at Texas to Labonte's countless blown motors and Stewart's lame shoulder, 2006 has been a long, strange trip to India (or Nepal) as so eloquently described by Belushi.

Should they look down on their respective seasons? Absolutely not. All three have been super competitive. Stewart and Biffle both have chances to shift their seasons into high-gear by making the Chase for the Championship. The same can't be said for Labonte, but keep in mind: the strides he and the Petty Enterprises team have made in 2006 have been H-U-G-E.

I honestly don't know what to tell Labonte, Robbie Loomis, Kyle Petty, or anyone else at Petty Enterprises. Should they switch manufacturers? Switch engine builders? Hire Earl Hickey as the team's karma consultant? I dunno, I got nothing.

Despite the problems each of those drivers have encountered over the course of this year, their performance hasn't been "bad" during races. If they stunk up the show, then THAT would be bad luck. Unfortunately, the three are suffering from the aforementioned dumb luck. Could each of these guys feasibly be considered threats to win each race? Actually, yes. I wouldn't be surprised in the least bit, and neither should you.

While Stewart, Biffle, and Labonte can have even better 2007's, don't take anything away from those teams this season. The three have been consummate contenders week-in and week-out and certainly should take pride in the season they have had thus far.

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Thoughts on Gordon, Mayfield, and Montoya
>> Posted July 13, 2006

Enough readers want to know my thoughts on the Jeff Gordon-Matt Kenseth incident that it warranted a blog entry. Well, here it goes…

It’s not the hit-and-run that bugs me. It’s not the way Gordon initially denied that he hit him on purpose. It’s the fact that several NASCAR beat writers blew this WAAAYYY out of proportion.

A few writers went as far as to say that they reviewed the tape of the incident repeatedly. What the hell? Why is this the poor man’s Zapruder film? It seems as if there were a lot of people who took this entirely too seriously.

Of course Gordon hit him and he did it on purpose. He’d probably do it again if given the chance. Both fan bases (Gordon’s and Kenseth’s) agreed on this.

Truth be told, Gordon remembers the criticism he took after Bristol and realized that this was his chance at “retribution.” He was going to pass him eventually, but this was a no-brainer. What he didn’t count on was Kenseth running out of gas and later wrecking. That just added insult to injury.

No one expected Gordon to become Eric Cartman in one swift move. But NOBODY should have made him out to be Lee Harvey Oswald.

And then there was Jeremy Mayfield…
I really don’t know what to say about the Jeremy Mayfield-Ray Evernham showdown. I was absolutely giddy about Jeremy going off on the boss in front of the media. This may be NASCAR’s equivalent of Shawn Michaels throwing Marty Janetty through the glass window.

What stinks about the whole situation is that Jeremy later told the media that his comments were taken out of context. I don’t believe a word of that. Jeremy is probably one of the most sincere guys in the NASCAR garage and he was seriously calling out for help.

He called out Roger Penske during his tenure with Penske Racing South and was fired one month later. Let’s see if history repeats itself. Jeremy would probably be pleased with that.

About Danica and Montoya…
Danica Patrick’s family is merely using NASCAR as a negotiating ploy. She’ll be in the IRL next year with Rahal-Letterman Racing.

Juan Pablo Montoya’s entrance into NASCAR will be interesting to watch. I think it will be a huge adjustment for him (both competitively and culturally) but in the long-run, he could be a contender for wins. Worse-case scenario is he becomes another Christian Fittipaldi. If need be, the IRL will always welcome his return with open arms.

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Boris Said is Every Man's Inspiration
>> Posted July 8, 2006

Buy more cases, so we can run more races. Boris Said's battle cry echoed off the hallowed grounds of Daytona International Speedway. I mean a pole, a top-five finish, and a slogan. What a weekend!

Now, I'll admit I've done my part. One pack of SoBe No Fear: check. Will everyone else do theirs?

All Boris Said has done in his first two starts with the start-up No Fear Racing team is light the world on fire. Two top-ten finishes in the team's first two races is simply an astounding accomplishment. Especially for an ex-road racer.

If I have the story correct, Boris was a motorcycle guy until he attended a sports car race in Detroit. Catching the racing bug, Boris enrolled into a driving school where the instructor literally told him that he "sucked" and would never make it a race car driver. I mean...holy crap! I'm a talent scout and I have NEVER said that to anyone.

Sure, some drivers may be more talented than others, but who am I to shut down someone's dream. If this driving instructor had half of a brain, he would realize that driving (and racing falls into this category) is not a natural ability. Experience brings talent. Talent comes from hard work. So what if Boris Said is 43 years-old? He honestly has a shot, financial means pending, of becoming the 2007 Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year. Does anyone else realize this?

I kind of figured that Boris was a sitting duck in the final five laps at Daytona, but give he and crew chief Frankie Stoddard some credit. They weren't supposed to be this good. After all, he was leasing motors from Roush-Yates and being given Roush cars to drive in exchange for tutoring the Roush contingency on road course racing tactics. Little did anyone know, he would be arguably the best Ford racer two races running.

Whether it is a guy trying to make his dream come true, providing for his son that is evidently his world, or proving a wildly inept driving instructor incorrect, consider me on board with Boris Said.

This is someone who any aspiring young racer can look up to as an inspiration. It CAN be done and here is someone who is doing it. 

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10 Things I Would Like to See in NASCAR in 2007
>> Posted June 23, 2006

Well, since the NASCAR Silly Season is in full swing, this would most likely be a perfect spot for my wish list of things to happen in NASCAR in 2007. Without any further ado, in reverse order, here are my top ten hopeful news items for 2007:

10. Ward Burton returns to NASCAR
I can't believe he doesn't yet have a nickname, but Ward needs to be in NASCAR in some capacity. Driver, Consultant, Commentator for ESPN, I don't care. Actually, Ward teaming with Mike Massaro might be the greatest invention since Grape Propel; however, the NASCAR Nation would love to see him behind the wheel, perhaps of the #88 "Fawhd Fuhsyun" for Robert Yates Racing. Go get 'em, Ward!

9. Matt Crafton, Chad McCumbee, Jeff Choquette, and David Gilliland get Nextel Cup development deals
Here are four guys who deserve it. Crafton has been competing in the Truck Series for the last five years and more than deserves to be on the fast track to Nextel Cup (technically, he is talented enough to be there now). Ditto for David Gilliland, whose win at Kentucky Speedway in the Busch Series was nothing short of groundbreaking. McCumbee and Choquette are two youngsters who are flirting with a "can't miss" dubbing and it doesn't hurt they are both driving their collective butts off this year.

8. Bodine-Martin II: Electric Boogaloo
Yeah, I added the Pay-Per-View subtitle. The rematch of Todd Bodine vs. Mark Martin in the Craftsman Truck Series would be a battle for the ages. The sneak peak we have had so far in 2006 has been some of the most thrilling racing in recent memory. It has everything: Journeyman vs. Legend, Toyota vs. American-made, "The Onion" vs. "Insert Very Small Vegetable Here." And somebody please hire HBO's Harold Lederman to do the in-race commentary on Speed Channel.

7. Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell combine for five Grand Marshall appearances
Ferrell was Grand Marshall for Talladega and slated to give the command at Chicagoland. Sandler did the duties in 2005 at Talladega and in 2006 at Michigan. The only way I will accept these two not combining for more than five "Gentleman, Start Your Engines!" is if we find other Saturday Night Live alums to give the command (Jay Mohr?, Kevin Nealon?, Tim Meadows?)

6. Mark Martin is NOT racing in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series
I am begging Mark for this. Once you are retired, stay "retired." Don't be like Michael Jordan, Evander Holyfield, Mario Lemieux, or Bill Elliott. Go to the Truck Series, dominate, and never look back. I'm not sure if I can physically handle the third annual Salute to You Tour.

5. Brian Vickers lights it up
Classic breakup story: girl breaks up with boy, boy blows up into a success, girl is forever regretful. Be that boy, Vickers. After he and Hendrick Motorsports parted ways (remember, the late Ricky Hendrick hand-picked him to be the future of their team), it is important that he gets with a solid race team and goes on a winning spree. If you don't think he's talented enough to pull that off, you're crazy. With the right team (Red Bull anyone?) he just may do it.

4. Talladega Nights DVD contains at least two hours of never-before-seen footage
Ok, this is a no-brainer. Anchorman had tons of cool stuff, but I would love nothing more to wake up on Christmas morning and find a Talladega Nights DVD in my stocking complete with behind-the-scenes features including stunt driving and coaching NASCAR personnel how to properly "act." Great stuff, although I enjoy simple things like that.

3. Clear skies for Daytona Speedweeks
This year's Speedweeks was the worst. It rained out the Budweiser Shootout, it was freezing cold the day of Daytona 500 qualifying, it was unbelievably windy and rainy for the Gatorade Duels, supremely cold for the Truck and IROC race, hot as Equador for the Busch Series race, and horribly foggy for the Daytona 500. All that was missing was a swarm of locusts. So for 2007, I'm asking God, Jesus, Buddha, Big Bill France, and whoever else is responsible for NASCAR weather to let these two weeks be around 60-70 degrees with no clouds.
 
2. Mark Cuban starts a NASCAR team
This is a pipedream but wouldn't it be great if the NBA's best owner shelled out the cash to dominate in NASCAR? At the very least, it would be entertaining to watch him continuously be fined and verbally spar NASCAR President Mike Helton over and over.

1. Sam Hornish Jr. makes his NASCAR debut 
He's twice won the IRL IndyCar Series championship and captured the victory in this year's Indianapolis 500. What else is there to accomplish in that series? Hornish needs to start running Busch Series races and make his Nextel Cup debut in the #77 Penske Dodge. If not, his window of opportunity may not be as wide in ensuing years.

So is there a chance that any of this happens? I dunno, probably not. But I can dream, and after all, 2007 is only six months away.

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Racing Can Take a Backseat This Father's Day
>> Posted June 15, 2006

I have often wondered why NASCAR chooses to race on Father's Day but not Mother's Day. Sure, we love momma, but dad is instrumental in our lives as well. I then got to thinking...

For me, I was fortunate enough to have my dad work in the sport I am passionate about. My dad always coached my basketball teams, pulled up the lawn chairs to watch my soccer games, and was there to make me do the obligatory yard work for my $3 allowance per week.

Aside from that, my dad always saw potential in me, even when I didn't realize I had any. He urged me to take internships with the likes of Daytona International Speedway, Motor Racing Network, and International Speedway Corporation. He made sure that I didn't just receive a well-rounded education, but a well-rounded life. As much as I hated dealing with extracurricular nuisances, I now understand why he did. To think that I am disciplined in every aspect of auto racing is simply amazing.

He has seen virtually every high and low that has happened in my life and has been there to help me every step of the way. Even when he physically wasn't present, his words were. And I abided by them.

So, why do we race on Father's Day? I'm sure the correct answer would be "profit," but I would like to think that I will show up to the race track as a tribute to my father doing his duty correctly. Here I am, Dad, on NASCAR's biggest stage. Job well done.

Seeing that I am currently in the middle of a treacherous summer semester, I won't be attending the Michigan Nextel Cup race...but I won't be watching it either. The TiVo is already set, because this Sunday I am spending Father's Day with my dad.

I wish I could spend every day with him, but life doesn't work out that way all the time. On the same token, I owe my career to him and I know that this is a way to make him proud--something I plan to never stop doing.

Happy Father's Day Dad and Happy Father's Day to every father out there who is instrumental in their son's or daughter's life.

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What's My Name?
>> Posted May 19, 2006

"Crew Chief" is a term that should be deleted from NASCAR vocabulary. It no longer applies. Worse, it is demeaning, implying some greasy-knuckled straw boss, in a position that now requires--and this is the truth--some rocket science. And a lot more--all cerebral.
- An excerpt from an article by Ed Hinton of The Orlando Sentinel

Now, I have to hand it to Ed. His words have given me so much creative fuel over the years--so to the point that I have written several research papers debating many of his crackpot theories--and received high grades on each. Let it be known that I am quick to refute whatever he says, for I have a distaste for his writing and ability to spin opinions into "creative fact."

This quote about made me catatonic. The term "crew chief" is nationally recognizable as the person who is in charge of the pit crew in stock car racing. Sure, many an engineer have went through hell and back to earn the proper education needed to succeed at that position; however, when they were children, they dreamt of being crew chiefs not team directors or chief engineering officers.

Implying some greasy-knuckled straw boss? Umm, I doubt Felix Sabates was envisioning Cooter when he offered Larry McReynolds $1 million a year to be his crew chief (McReynolds declined). What is hick about the moniker "crew chief?" A crew is a team assembled to do a certain task to the best of their ability and a chief is a leader and someone most thrive to become. Sounds inspirational to me.

Should we change the term "head coach" to "executive motivator?" Should we alter the term "general manager" to "fiscal and transactional supervisor?" In the words of Dwight Schrute, "That would be malfeasance."

Sorry, Ed, the term "crew chief" certainly should not be stricken from the NASCAR record. Fans can relate to the term "crew chief." Non-fans understand the meaning of the term. And for better or worse, it is here to stay.

And I give myself an "A" for this piece of writing. 

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Talladega Thoughts
>> Posted May 5, 2006

A couple of thoughts have popped into my mind for this week:

Watching Brian Vickers in the Talladega race was like watching Jared Leto get his face rearranged by Ed Norton in Fight Club. He has been so eager to learn from and help his teammates, yet Jimmie Johnson punched his face in for the second straight restrictor plate race. At this time last year, I had no belief in Vickers as a driver. Now I think he is about to blow up...on his teammates and on the competition.

Rooting for any Toyota driver in the Craftsman Truck Series is like rooting for the dealer in a game of blackjack. There's no point in it.

The NASCAR Elite Southeast Series ran the first of what is currently a four-race schedule. It's a shame to see the Elite divisions being put out to pasture like this, even though J.R. Norris just may sweep the season.

The Southern Division of the Hooters Pro Cup Series has become a very exciting two-man battle between JR Motorsports's Shane Huffman and underdog Clay Rogers. Even though it's not racing on its highest level, it's great to see a rivalry of sorts building within motorsports. USAR should market the heck out of this. T-shirts and everything.

- Finally, a quick note on the Talladega Nights film: some have said that it will set the sport back 25 years with its "redneck humor." C'mon, can't we have fun with it? Isn't this much of the appeal of NASCAR to outsiders? My advice would to be to enjoy the movie because Will Ferrell and his cohorts put on first class entertainment. And that's all it is, is entertainment.

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David's Guide to Purchasing Die-Casts
>> Posted April 27, 2006

It's come to my attention that there is a certain paint scheme that is causing a "stir"...oh, to the tune of national attention. Upon hearing the announcement that Dale Earnhardt Inc. would race black paint schemes this weekend at Talladega, my initial thoughts zeroed in on the impending die-cast sales of that black #8 Dale Jr. is going to drive: This is going to be the highest-selling die-cast ever.

But is it worth it? Let's discuss for a moment some guidelines in purchasing die-casts: First, these things don't come cheap. You can figure that your wallet will be about $70-$80 lighter after the purchase. Thus, you don't want to waste your money on a die-cast that has no right being in a collection. In order to have a "bona-fide" collection, certain rules must be obeyed:

- Each die-cast must have an emotional significance to the purchaser (i.e. you were at the race, you were a crew member on that car, etc.).
- If it is a one-off paint scheme, it must have actually accomplished something, not just shown up and wrecked in the early going.
- For $70-$80 and to appease your significant other as to why you bought it, you better have a good enough story to warrant the purchase.
- Do not under any circumstances purchase a Kevin Harvick die-cast from 2002 on. The guy runs approximately 437 different paint schemes a year.
- Never collect only one specific driver. You must show others some love because after all, you're a fan of the sport.
- If you get it autographed, only have signed the windshield. Action and Team Caliber spend hours designing paint schemes. Show some respect.
- Never, EVER, purchase the die-cast bank. No one has ever explained to me why these are made.

Now, for my collection, my roster contains a 1993 Davey Allison Ford Thunderbird (emotional significance), a 2004 Martin Truex Jr. Taco Bell Chevrolet (first ever Busch win and a killer metallic purple paint scheme that ran at Bristol), a 2001 Dale Earnhardt Sr. IROC Firebird (drove through the grass in Daytona, witnessed the Eddie Cheever incident, and was ultimately his last ever IROC race), a 2004 Greg Biffle "The Flash" Ford (dominated and won the August race at Michigan and having The Flash on a race car is a stroke of genius), and finally a 2005 Tony Stewart Mr. Clean Busch Series Chevrolet (won at Daytona after driving through the grass, plus I was there to see it happen). And that's it. You prefer to have elite company in your collection. Other must-have cars include the Jeff Gordon Jurassic Park car that was basically deemed more illegal than Enron's business practices; the 2001 Pepsi 400 winning Dale Earnhardt Jr. Monte Carlo; the 2005 All-Star Race winning Ford that Mark Martin drove featuring the retro paint scheme; the 1998 Daytona 500 winner (no further explanation needed); the 200th race-winning Richard Petty car from 1984; and finally Dale Jr.'s Born-On scheme that won the 2004 Daytona 500.

As for the black #8? Pre-orders are available practically everywhere. If you have a feeling that something magical is about to happen with that car, then I suggest you buy it now before it's gone. Do I think that car has a chance at immortality? Well, let's just say I've already sent in the pre-order on the black Monte Carlo.  

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With Kurt Busch, the Glass is Half-Full
>> Posted April 20, 2006

Ok, so he's a "dork," his ears are a subject of ridicule, and some would like to "whip his ass." Welcome to fame and fortune, Kurt.

Personally, I like Kurt Busch. He has dangerous intelligence, excellent car control, and can't help that strange things happen to him. Sure, he's been the instigator on occasion (who hasn't?), but only he could get into the situations he has been in.

Let's pull a Stephen Root and hop into the "Way Back Machine" for a moment: He joined a team that was riddled with poor efforts, replacing Chad Little as the driver...in his rookie Daytona 500, he got the finger from some guy named Earnhardt...he became the first driver to get punched out by another driver since NASCAR went mainstream...he dominated Bristol, earning jeers from the fans...he captured the first ever Nextel Cup Championship amidst anonymity...he bolted the elite Roush Racing stable in a lucrative transition to Penske Racing South...with two races to go in the 2005 season, he was pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving, creating one of the craziest stories ever written by the Smoking Gun staff and prompting my roommate and I to forever refer to him as "KB" (think the Terrell "TO" Owens of NASCAR)...he surgically pinned his ears back...has been all but sexually harassed by Kevin Harvick...saw his fiancée on every sporting channel in the country in an argument with Greg Biffle's girlfriend...and just recently threw one of the worst first pitches of a baseball game in the history of mankind, while ESPN pundits denounced his athleticism.

So, a couple of things haven't gone so well, but seriously, who else has to go through this? No one, that's who. The fantastic thing about the KB situation is that he has embraced everything.

Let's take another look at KB's past, but with a glass half-full approach: He turned the black sheep in the Roush stable into a championship contender...he rattled the greatest race car driver of our generation...he became the one driver to finally push Jimmy Spencer over the edge, inadvertently creating a future TV gig for Spencer...he drew comparisons to Darrell Waltrip's dominance at Bristol and to Waltrip's former bad boy ways...he captured the NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship...he joined possibly the most intelligent team owner and organization in the NASCAR garage...he made a mistake, manned up to it, and proved that he is, in fact, human...he ridded himself of self-consciousness...he joined Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, every Busch Series regular, Richard Childress, myself, and the Pope in ticking off Kevin Harvick...had the world respond jaw-dropped at the site of his gorgeous future wife...and actually had the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at a Major League Baseball game. In retrospect, life doesn't seem so bad for KB. This is the way he views it. Good for him.

I hope things get easier for Kurt, I really do. More wins, more success, much happiness. Many physically HATE him. I don't. I think he is good for the sport and good for the fans. If the glass is half-full, he may go down in history as one of the most notable drivers of all-time. If the glass is half-empty, well...don't hate the player, hate the game.

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This #29 is a Class-Act
>> Posted April 7, 2006

My Inbox has been flooded for the last week about one sentence: "I was fully intending to continue on with a personal beef I have with a certain driver, but that will take a backseat, at least for this week." I wrote that sentence last week in this space before I wrote an entry about Sam Hornish Jr. and Dan Wheldon. Several readers claimed that what I wrote about Hornish and Wheldon was true, but wanted to know more about this driver. Some just went Dennis Rodman over the fact that I neglected to mention who the driver was. After much consideration, I have decided to take the high road and keep my personal frustrations to myself. Instead, I will talk of one athlete that I admire: long-time Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz.

Old #29 has been with Atlanta since the early 90's, a rarity in an era where the free agent market is warm waters to a potential lucrative feeding frenzy. This #29 has remained loyal to the team that allowed him to put food on his table, allowed him to become a star, and allowed him to have input on the team's building for the future. This #29 is a true, God-fearing family man, who one shouldn't ever be ashamed to admit that they call a role model.

This #29 has made sure that while he is talented, that he isn't in the limelight. He has built other talent around him. He has helped develop young talent into superb skill that even surpassed his own skill-set. He put the team first before himself. Smoltz defines the term selflessness.

While he has been tempted to join several other teams in the big leagues with thicker wallets, he has remained with the Atlanta Braves, because after all, without them, he would be nowhere. This #29 has never popped off to the media about an impending free-agency, a petty feud with another athlete, or taken out a press conference to rip one liners to satisfy his ego. Never. This #29 is a class-act.

Race car drivers, baseball players, community leaders, and ditch-diggers can look at a guy like this for inspiration. Young or old. Rich or poor. Don't get me wrong, our sport does a terrific job coming up with kind-hearted drivers that others can look up to that are reminiscent of a John Smoltz. That has been demonstrated by drivers like Mark Martin, Ricky Rudd, and Bobby Labonte. As the older guard is remembered for their sense of admiration, here's hoping that the new wave of drivers continues that tradition.

Back to Racing: A couple of quick site notes before I bid you a good weekend...I will be adding several promising young drivers to the listings on Saturday, so keep a look out for them. As for the Prospect Reports (that debuted last Monday), yes, this is the new format. It offers some good insight with the stats and the scouting report and it will be easier to come back to the featured prospects several times throughout the year with updated information. Hope you enjoy them.

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Mr. Wheldon, Mr. Hornish: It's Time
>> Posted March 30, 2006

I swear to you, I really did not want to write about this. I was fully intending to continue on with a personal beef I have with a certain driver, but that will take a backseat, at least for this week.

Paul Dana died at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In an IRL car. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

This, really, is the final straw for the IRL in my book. I would like to write a short message to 2005 IRL IndyCar Champion Dan Wheldon and 2001 & 2002 IRL IndyCar Champion Sam Hornish Jr, both DSM alums:

Dear Mr. Wheldon & Mr. Hornish,

You two have entertained a small audience of people who have remained loyal through a tumultuous tenure of poor open-wheel racing. Both of you are champions in a series, that quite frankly doesn't give a damn about you (see Danica Patrick on the cover of Sports Illustrated after a fourth place finish in the Indianapolis 500). Both of you are signed with teams that have NASCAR connections: Mr. Wheldon with Chip Ganassi Racing and Mr. Hornish with Penske Racing South.

Think about it for a second: NASCAR is where the best drivers are. NASCAR markets its drivers very well. NASCAR pays splendidly. On the flipside, the IRL has seen an exponential diminishing of competition over the course of the last decade. The IRL has hired Gene Simmons and KISS to control their marketing efforts, which will more or less contain scantily clad pictures of Danica Patrick and a marvelously crappy "theme song." The IRL does not pay well at all.

Mr. Wheldon, Mr. Hornish: It's time.

It's time to venture over to greener pastures and prove to the world that each of you has what it takes to compete at the sport's top level. If the series signing Gene Simmons wasn't already the sign of the Apocalypse, then Dana's death should have hit home immediately. The officials at NASCAR have worked their collective butts off to provide a safe racing environment. The IRL hasn't made a significant safety advancement since they separated from CART. Take a cue from Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart (both household names, by the way). Jump off the sinking ship. Now.

Furthermore, you two have nothing left to prove. Sam, you've won the title twice already. Dan, you've got a championship and a win in the Indy 500. The only thing left to happen would be your impending injury that could take you away from the sport that you two love. Please, don't let that happen. Both of you are extremely talented. Come to NASCAR and show the world what you can do.

I and many diehard race fans are awaiting both of your arrivals. We promise to make your stay a comfortable one.

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Revamping the NASCAR Banquet
>> Posted March 8, 2006

Ok, so aside from school, work, updating the site, watching race film, and rooting for the Dominicans in the World Baseball Classic, the only constructive thing I have done this week has been watching the Academy Awards. After seeing this, I now realize that the NASCAR Awards Banquet needs some spicing up. Here are some suggestions as to how to improve the ceremony come November:

1) Cut-off music for long speeches. Especially if Dale Jarrett makes the Chase.

2) No Bill Weber.

3) I enjoy Jay Mohr being there and having Will Ferrell there in 2005 was a step in the right direction. If we're going to have a host, let's go all out. We can alternate between Mohr, Ferrell, Steve Carell, and Rainn Wilson.

4) Have good entertainment. This means no Scott Stapp, Brian McKnight, or Toni Braxton. Get somebody who is genuinely happy to be there.

5) People like Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Rusty Wallace feel like they deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as "celebrities." This needs to stop. We need to have someone who is completely awkward, regardless of the situation (I'm thinking Kasey Kahne), to introduce crazy musical acts such as the Academy Award-winning Three 6 Mafia. Imagine a petrified Kahne, eyes glued to the teleprompter, as he introduces Three 6. And during the performance of "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp," I want reaction shots from Bill France Jr., Jim Hunter, and Jimmy Fennig...priceless television. (Yes, Three 6 fits into suggestion #4....they are happy to be anywhere).

6) Keep the ceremony to two hours long. This is an important one.

7) Pre-made "street interviews" featuring Kenny Wallace with random people in New York City.

8) A contingency sponsor bonus to anyone who brings either Jeff Foxworthy or Larry the Cable Guy as a guest, just so that the camera picks them up. Officials from NASCAR will be furious and will do a full-scale investigation into finding the person responsible for attempting to thwart "fan base expansion."

9) My mom has a chance to go on-stage and publicly blast Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson for being who they are. This will more than likely steamroll into her blasting Barry Bonds, Hillary Clinton, Tom Cruise, anyone who has dated or been married to Tom Cruise, and the current cast of Saturday Night Live. Trust me on this, this would be very entertaining.

10) Possibly, the most important suggestion: No more "Parade Lap through New York." Al Roker was ripping joke after joke while this went on last year, and when Roker can make fun of you, you're in trouble. Get rid of this...now. As a matter of fact, I'm not suggesting this, I'm demanding it. Give all New York media interviews to Gordon, Johnson, Carl Edwards, and Scott Wimmer. Ok, maybe not Wimmer, but he would give the most unintentionally hilarious television interviews. Just think of him telling Regis and Kelly about cheese curds. I'm now openly rooting for Wimmer to make the Chase.

Well, that's it and I must say, I'm quite proud of the list. I think I'll add this to a never-ending list of things I want to accomplish in my lifetime: Become a head of driver development for a NASCAR team, become a general manager for a NASCAR team, write a book, attend the Winter X-Games, get married, have children, embarrass children...be the director for the NASCAR Awards Banquet...

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Thoughts on Mark Martin and Barney Fife
>> Posted March 3, 2006

Just a few notes in this week's entry:

The California weekend was bad. But for the sake of my sanity, no one overlook the magnificent Truck race that was run last Friday. What's going on in this series right now is amazing. Whether you're a Ford man, a Chevy girl, or a Dodge "Hemi-junkie," everyone seems to be rooting for Mark Martin to topple the Toyota teams. It's almost like watching an American in the Olympics--or anyone against the Yankees. Mark Martin is currently the only hope for anti-Toyota race fans.

The Fast Five section is now in full throttle for 2006. Congrats to FF front-man Andy Seuss who really got the job done during 'Smryna Speedweeks, despite not having the resources that the likes of favorites Donny Lia or Chuck Hossfeld had. In addition to Andy, DSM has added Kelly Bires, Johnny Guarino, Drew Herring, and Terry VanHaitsma to the Other Sanctions listings.

Finally, my thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the immortal Don Knotts. Barney Fife is in the all-time television characters' pantheon, thanks to Mr. Knotts's fine comedic ability. I was brought up watching The Andy Griffith Show, and I thank Mr. Knotts for making my afternoons as a child very entertaining. May he in rest in peace...

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Daytona Aftermath
>> Posted February 23, 2006

I would like to dedicate this blog entry to all the haters.

Ok, not really. Truth be told, I feel I get along fairly well with everybody, but when Jimmie Johnson pulled off the Source Awards Acceptance Speech after winning the Daytona 500, I was both shocked and in awe. The only way this will ever be topped is if Kurt Busch wins a race, gets out of the car, and poors Miller Lite on the ground for "his homies."

(I was at the race but was instructed to go home and watch the TiVo replay of the interview. Needless to say, I expected Dave Chappelle, Charlie Murphy, and Ice-T to be in the victory lane backdrop chanting "hate...hate...hate...hate...")

But seriously, I have a couple of quick notes and follow-ups that I would like to get off my chest this week as a result of Speedweeks:
1) I noticed that seven-time ARCA champ, "The Nature Boy" Frank Kimmel (Whooo!) took out both RYR development drivers Stephen Leicht and Justin Diercks in one fell swoop. This topped when Jason Leffler took out both DEI drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Michael Waltrip in half a lap in the 2004 July Busch Series race in Daytona.

2) Kimmel struck again in the IROC race when he and Max Papis apparently were hired to kill someone. Mark Martin, Steve Kinser, and Tony Stewart all suffered hard hits in that race and thankfully, everyone was uninjured.

3) Matt Kenseth punked Martin Truex Jr. in the IROC race and yes, he bump-drafted Tony Stewart in the 500 in the "no-bump drafting zone" (Sorry, I know I have a lot of readers who are pro-Kenseth, but Stewart will get his in a second). This was the most aggressive I have ever seen Kenseth in Nextel Cup competition ('04 All-Star Race aside) and could potentially be dangerous for the competition this season.

4) Tony Stewart. Simply remarkable. Thursday in the Twins (Don't ever call them "the Duels"), he played it cool. Friday in the IROC race, he was one of the few willing to try the outside and he got wrecked for it. Saturday, he capitalized on Dale Jr.'s mistake and won the Busch Series race. Sunday, he went off like Wyatt Earp when he learned that NASCAR was not going to penalize Kenseth for the bump-draft. After two penalties called on Smoke, he still fought back and finished fifth. Again...simply remarkable.

5) Dale Earnhardt Jr. has made the same mistake two years in a row in that Busch Series race. Hey June, go for the tires, I'm begging you. Trust me, there were Gordon fans rooting for you on Saturday, everyone is there to see you win. I know he wants to beat his dad's record for wins in that race, but if he keeps refusing to pit with about forty to go, Tony Stewart and a gaggle of RCR powered cars are just going to blow right by him.

And finally, a couple of readers have asked about the Fast Five and the Prospect Reports. They'll be out soon enough, but I wanted the season to get underway, just so I could give everyone a fair assessment.

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The Ballad of Butters Hamlin
>> Posted February 15, 2006

The Shootout lived up to its name. The seventy lap exhibition turned into an all-out stunt show and a new face emerged on the NASCAR scene. Well, sort of.

Denny Hamlin has always been here. The late model superstar put Dean Motorsports, now a Hooters Pro Cup team, on the upper echelon of short track teams. He then ran a winless Busch Series season as a Joe Gibbs Racing Development Driver.

Now, two things here: 1) the mainstream media doesn’t follow late model racing and 2) the Joe Gibbs Racing Busch Series leaves a lot to be desired. What this means is that Denny was basically low on the radar before he got a Nextel Cup seat. He didn’t bring in the fans like fellow Rookie of the Year candidate Martin Truex Jr. and he didn’t rack up Busch Series wins in 2005 like rookies Clint Bowyer and Reed Sorenson.

After Jason Leffler’s inevitable firing from the #11 FedEx Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet, Denny stepped in to fill out some races on the team’s schedule in 2005. He grabbed the pole at Phoenix in the second-to-last race of the season, entering him into the Budweiser Shootout and earning him a date with superstardom.

We should have seen this win coming. In an exhibition race filled with cynical veterans filling sponsor obligations, here was Denny, innocent and wide-eyed. He wanted to be there and it meant something to him.

Reminiscent of the character Butters on the hit cartoon South Park, Denny has earned the name “Butters.” Like Denny, Butters is an innocent and genuinely happy to be where he is. This is a rarity in today’s sports world and something that true fans of racing appreciate (See: Carl Edwards). He cares about this sport and more so, he cared about being in the Budweiser Shootout. Forgive me if I’m elated that Butters won at Daytona.

My advice to Denny Hamlin: don’t ever change. Enjoy this moment, but don’t do anything to tarnish it. You are going to gain a bandwagon full of fans who care about the fact that you care about the sport. Go get ‘em Butters Hamlin.