Posts Tagged: nascar


11
Dec 09

NASCAR Should Avoid Path Of IRL

I was browsing my usual NASCAR news sources today and noticed something that made me do a double-take. The headline read 'NASCAR testing corn-based fuel, might use by 2011 season' and I had a flash of rage for a minute and had to re-read the story. The piece (it's short) can be found here courtesy of the outstanding Dustin Long. Again, as I've said, I don't like to mix the political side of me with the racing side but there is precedent and it's going to be needed again, so here goes.

NASCAR has no business bowing to the leftist environmental lobby the way the IRL did. The transition was much easier with the IRL since they used methanol instead of ethanol, but corn-based ethanol is probably the worst 'green' fuel to use because of the way it damages farm land, water tables, and lots of other things I've written about in great detail. In fact, if this were 2007, NASCAR would be commended for thinking about switching to ethanol because its negative effects were not well-known at the time. Yet now, the movement has been in the opposite direction of corn ethanol.

Brian France is all too comfortable getting cozy with leftist interest groups. The whole ordeal in the middle of the decade with Jesse Jackson should confirm that. But this is much too dangerous and would have too much of an effect for years to come if it happens. I cannot sit idly by and let NASCAR fall into the leftist environmental lobby's clutches without saying nothing.

Consider this post as the kickoff of "NASCAR Fans Against Ethanol" as a way to show NASCAR that we do not want any part of their desire to appease interest groups that do not have the sport's best interests at heart.

28
Nov 09

What I’m Thankful For In NASCAR

- I'm thankful for double-file restarts saving the competitiveness from becoming worse than Formula One. More than anything else, they kept me from falling asleep during races... which happened more than once at the beginning of the season.

- I'm thankful I'm seeing history made in the form of Jimmie Johnson, despite my not caring for Hendrick Motorsports, Chad Knaus, or anything Lowes-related.

- I'm thankful for Kyle Busch being Kyle Busch and Juan Montoya being Juan Montoya and not hiding their personalities. Kyle scared us for a bit at Bristol, but it didn't take.

- I'm thankful for Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski trying to recapture the spirit of 1979 in a Daytona infield thanks to their rivalry in the Nationwide Series. While I'm puzzled at why people defend Hamlin, it made Nationwide races exciting and gave people something to talk about.

- I'm thankful Mark Martin returned to race full-time.

- I'm thankful Michael Waltrip finally took my advice and retired from full-time competition.

- I'm thankful fans still showed up to the track this year despite all the negative news. Thank you, fans. You're the reason why we can still talk, watch, and write about this sport.

6
Nov 09

Proposition

We call the 2009 AMP Energy 500 from here on out The Race That Will Never Be Mentioned. I like it.

27
Oct 09

Kyle Busch Getting New CC For 2010

Actually, the last few races of 2009 as well.

Dave Rogers, from the dominant JGR Nationwide team, will take over as the new Crew Chief for Kyle starting at Texas. Hey, as I've said before, if there's anyone thats earned a promotion it has to be this guy. He propelled the #20 to the Nationwide Owner's Points title last season, a feat that got surprisingly little attention. Rogers has worked with guys like Kyle, Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, and Joey Logano and has won with all of them. Kyle will get back to his winning ways in Cup soon.

24
Oct 09

Attention Martinsville!

The Catfish Show is going mobile, and for the first time, your blogger will be a credentialed NASCAR Media member. With a big, big thank you to On Pit Row, I'll be at Martinsville live all weekend. To follow me at the speedway, follow me on Twitter - @mattmercer if you haven't done so already. Also, be sure to follow @onpitrow and @benchracing. They have been nothing but fantastic and I cannot thank them enough for letting me write for them and giving me these kinds of opportunities.