NASCAR Got Screwed

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.

If you’re new around here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

How better else, can you explain the little screen shot to your left?

You can’t. Naturally the title is a little strong for around the Thunder Lounge, but how else can you describe the fiasco which has been, and still is NASCAR.com and what is supposed to be the crown jewel and “sacred ground” for all things NASCAR.

If I turned out a site like that, I’d put a bullet in my head. OK, so what about the Lounge? Yeah, it needs a face lift worse than anything, but we’ll get to that come March.

So back to how exactly NASCAR has taken it in the shorts, and most assuredly the wallet.

First, it’s just plain “fugly”. Let me be more frank. 1998 called, and they want their site back. Maybe that isn’t strong enough. But it’s better than the last piece of junk they called the home of NASCAR. However windows 98 was better then windows 95, and it was still a p.o.s. if you recall. Of course, then again, if it says microsoft windows it’s a p.o.s. regardless. For those interested in a better alternative, and smart enough to know what the term “total cost of ownership” means, have a look at the worlds most advanced operating system to free yourself from standing in line to jump off the cliff with the rest of the lemmings.

Second, and still, it still miserably fails validation, and the errors aren’t minor ones either. I wonder what NASCAR fans with disabilities think of the site? Hmmmm.

Third, the page size is still bigger than Rosie O’ Donnell, which as we all know is pretty damn big. Needless to say, it still loads slower than molasses in January during a real winter up north.

Need I go on? I’d rather not, but my final bags on it for this article are navigation and page width. If I want to have my browser open alongside another window while I work, I get a horizontal scrollbar. If I feel like using the real estate of my 23″ wide screen LCD, I get a lovely shade of gray surrounding the site. I’m guessing it’s about a #CCCCCC, give or take a bit. Then there’s the navigation. Where’s the convenient links to the main articles for the week? You mean I have to dig for them, and wade through all this other crap and wait on umpteen page loads?

Sorry, I’ve got better things to do with my time. Like scour the web to bring you all something worth reading.

Final thoughts: I don’t know if I’d call this an improvement or not. Best I can do from my eyes is call it different. I will give it one plus though, which is it seems there’s less advertising per square inch with this latest fiasco. Not that I’m saying ads are bad. Services cost money, and that has to come from somewhere. However the old site had more ads per square inch than content. With this one, it seems that the content has taken the lead. However it isn’t by much, and most likely is because instead of a fixed width for an 800×600 browser, it’s a fixed width for a 1024×768 window instead.

Does the new site upset you? It should. You helped pay for it. Well, you did. Through your support of NASCAR and their sponsors. I for one, am not pleased with what I helped pay for.

5 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series, Nascar, Nextel Cup, The Soapbox





Trackback URL for: NASCAR Got Screwed

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Thursday February 8, 2007
10:03am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

So here we go again. When I read this yesterday, I about choked on my coffee. If you’ve read this “fine” piece of literature, you may have felt the same way and even wished it was in print so that you could line the birdcage with it. Once again I give you yet another ridiculous article, which happens to be from the dribble box™ over at the scene daily blog.

Read more of this »

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Nascar, Nextel Cup, Ridiculous Articles





Trackback URL for: Leave The Shootout Alone

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Friday February 9, 2007
8:54am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

So we haven’t really commented too much on the DEI Theatrics™ which have been going on as of late, but something recently struck my fancy, and is positioned to make a big strike on the NASCAR world as we know it.

Read more of this »

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Nascar, Nextel Cup





Trackback URL for: Dale Junior Poised To Sign His Own Paycheck

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Saturday February 10, 2007
7:31pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

I have never, ever, been so disgusted with a NASCAR performance as I am at this moment. The person who hired “Cowboy Crush”, or whatever their no-talent hacks who performed the National Anthem just a few minutes ago are called, should be fired.

That was the most wretched butchering of the National Anthem that I can remember. Yeah, it was worse than that jackass at the Truck race in Memphis a couple years back.

It’s the National Anthem. You don’t rewrite it to be cute, funny, or try to gain attention and whore out your “records”.

Way to screw up, HWSBO and Co. Way to go.

You, and those horrid “ladies”, here by earn the “Reaper” for the day.

Hell, you had Dirks there. HAVE HIM DO IT!

5 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Damn Good Points, Nascar, Nextel Cup, The Soapbox





Trackback URL for: I’m Disgusted, To Be “Politically Correct”.

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Sunday February 11, 2007
10:29am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

In what many would consider the Bud Snoozeout, Stewart again showed his muscle on a Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway, taking his third victory in the event.

Read more of this »

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Nascar, Nextel Cup





Trackback URL for: Stewart Avoids Drowsiness, Bumps For Win

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Sunday February 11, 2007
4:38pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Robert Yates has to be ecstatic. Not that this is a sign of a comeback for RYR, mind you, but when both of your cars are sitting on the front row for the Daytona 500 and your “rookie” is on the inside, you’ve got a big reason to smile.

Read more of this »

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Nascar, Nextel Cup





Trackback URL for: Gilliland Becomes First Entry For 2008 Shootout

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday February 13, 2007
4:58pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Holy cow, man. Here we go…

Roush Racing #17:

• - - Robbie Reiser: suspended 4 weeks
• - - Robbie Reiser: Cough up $50 G’s
• - - Matt Kenseth: Give back 50 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.
• - - Jack Roush: Give back 50 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.

Evernham Motorsports #9:

• - - Kenny Francis: suspended 4 weeks
• - - Kenny Francis: Cough up $50 G’s
• - - Kasey Kahne: Give back 50 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.
• - - Ray Evernham: Give back 50 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.

Evernham/Valvoline Motorsports #10:

• - - Rodney Childers: suspended 2 weeks
• - - Rodney Childers: Cough up $25 G’s
• - - Scott Riggs: Give back 25 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.
• - - James Rocco: Give back 25 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.

Evernham Motorsports #19:

• - - Josh Browne: suspended 2 weeks
• - - Josh Browne: Cough up $25 G’s
• - - Elliot Sadler: Give back 25 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.
• - - Ray Evernham: Give back 25 of them points at the conclusion of the Daytona 500.

As we all know by now, the #17 and #9 were found in post-qualifying inspection, and were found to have made illegal aero modifications.

The #10 and #19 were found prior to qualifying last Sunday.

All infractions were for:

• - - Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing)
• - - Section 12-4-Q (car, car parts components and/or equipment not conforming to NASCAR rules)
• - - Section 20-2.1E (unapproved aerodynamic modification)

Oops! See you guys at either Las Vegas or Bristol.

Buh bye now.

2 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Daytona, Drivers, Elliot Sadler, Evernham Motorsports #10, Evernham Motorsports #19, Evernham Motorsports #9, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Roush Racing #17, Scott Riggs, Teams, Tracks





Trackback URL for: You’re Outta Here! Can You Say That 4 Times?

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday February 14, 2007
5:45pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

And we’re not kidding. If you’re not amazed by this, you must be a corpse or off on Nibiru somewhere, and far out of touch with the NASCAR world.

Let’s get to it, because NASCAR just did.

Mr. Waltrip, prepare for the shaft, and to make history.

First, 100 points from your driver points total, if it increases at Daytona or wherever. You’re 100 down now, pal.

Next, let’s not forget Buffy. We want 100 points from her for being listed as the owner.

Think we’re done? Nope, not even close, bub.

Your VP of Competition, Bobby Kennedy? Don’t come back. Ever.

Your crew chief David Hyder? Um, yeah. Don’t come back, either. Ever.

Oh and while were at it, to add insult to injury, Mr Hyder, please make your check out for $100,000. Brian’s kids need some new shoes.

Oh, for laughs, we’re going to let you try to race in in the Duel’s tomorrow Mikey. Granted we engineered it so you wouldn’t get any practice today, but hey, you’ve won here twice so you’ll figure something out.

Yeah, you’re reading that right.

Michael Waltrip just lost 100 driver points, Buffy 100 owners points, crew chief indefinitely suspended, so was their VP of Competition, and One Hundred Thousand Dollars paid to the order of ISC NASCAR by your crew chief David Hyder.

Thanks, and have a nice day.

You know, NASCAR gave them a chance. After they confiscated the first manifold from the #55, they checked it again after qualifying.

They found the SAME substance inside the second manifold. So, it obviously wasn’t coming from the manifold, but somewhere else. So they confiscated the car, engine, etc.

What was it “supposed to do”, you ask?

Supposedly the substance would mix with the fuel, boost the octane, and therefore boost the engine’s horses. Exactly how, I don’t know. Maybe the mixture of this “substance” with the fuel put more O₂ in the fuel to replace some of what’s lost with the plate? Beats me, but that sounds like a general idea. If that’s the “real” chemical properties or not, like I said, I don’t know.

The sad thing is, most likely Michael had not a clue about what’s going on. His “people” fed him the “we didn’t do a damn thing” lines, and now he’s dealing with this whirlwind crap storm.

Either way, I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.

NASCAR isn’t playing around, and they’re making it very obvious.

2 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Daytona, Drivers, Michael Waltrip, Michael Waltrip Racing #55, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Teams





Trackback URL for: Bend Over Tokyo, ‘Cause Here It Comes.

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Friday February 16, 2007
1:44am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

In what was an inspirational day at Daytona for some, it was a heart breaker for others as they loaded their trucks to head for the house. Also, not a day without it’s controversies, and the underdogs coming from the back to live a dream.

First up in the day was Tony Stewart who lead the field to the checkers in the first heat. Strong in the field were several cars, but in the end nothing was in the way of that orange machine and finding victory lane at Daytona for the second time in less than a week.

Kyle Bush had a pretty good run, as did Jeff Burton although his finishing position doesn’t really show what the car could (or was) doing. Ah, the comfort of knowing you’re in the show. Unfortunately, we can’t say the same for brother Ward.

This guy here, who’s had probably the worst 5 days in his life recently, maneuvered his way into one of the two available transfer spots in the 500, for a start just ahead of mid-pack. Granted the Red Army is going to be a little hot, when Waltrip spun Junior into the infield. Junior recovered for a top 5 in the heat. It wasn’t deliberate, and all was well between the two at the end of the event. A mistake was made, but all forgiven. Of course, had the outcome been different, who knows.

So now were on to the second heat. Duel #2, if you will.

With a winning dodge of Kurt Bush’s Dodge, who tried to block, Jeff Gordon again lead the field to the checkers at a Daytona event. In a less caution filled event than the first, the “controversies” were less, and although the racing wasn’t exactly boring, the drama was less than in the first. Up until the final few seconds, which saw Mike Wallace come out of almost nowhere to end up sliding into the 500 yet again.

With the factor between zero and hero being less than 3/10ths of a second in both heats, it was a nail biter.

Now we come back to Mr. Gordon, who will be starting the 500 from the 42nd position Sunday.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, you ask? Well if you’ve been under a rock this evening since shortly after the conclusion of the second heat, or perhaps trying to figure out why there’s two characters on your screen when you know darn well you only pushed the button once, you missed the #24 failing post race inspection.

Ah, but it goes further. Before some of you get up on your high horses, let the neutral opinion of Thunder Lounge interject. It wasn’t due to an intentional circumvention of the rules, meaning it wasn’t intentional, says NASCAR Director of Competition Robin Pemberton.

During post race inspection, the 24 came through the height sticks about an inch too low. This obviously called for further analysis, and Robin was even under the car a few times.

Here’s what happened. NASCAR, as we all know, mandates rear shocks and hands them out for installation. Well, the bolt that secures it to the shock mount failed. It wasn’t an illegal bolt, it either got cross threaded or whatever, and started failing. Read that as coming apart.

So the reason, as deemed by NASCAR, for the 24 being too low was part failure. However Robin said that since it was a failure which could have lead to serious safety incidences, that the 24 would be starting from the 42nd spot (tail end of that line) instead of the 4th position behind Ricky Rudd. No further penalties will be handed down, and the matter is closed.

What I don’t get, personally, is why a penalty for a part failure? When someone gets their front end, or rear end for that matter, knocked around and the templates don’t fit in post race, isn’t that a part failure in a sense? I mean, deification occurs, so a penalty for a part failure which wasn’t intentional (which is what they said) makes no sense to me. But, OK. Whatever.

So what this comes down to is that now a team can be penalized for a part failure? This could have an impact somewhere down the road. We’ll just have to wait and see.

2 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Atlanta, Daytona, Drivers, Evernham Motorsports #19, Frank Morrison, Guest Authors, Hendrick Motorsports #24, Jeff Gordon, Joe Gibbs Racing #20, Matt Kenseth, Michael Waltrip, Michael Waltrip Racing #55, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Press Releases, Scott Riggs, Teams, The Chase, Tony Stewart, Tracks





Trackback URL for: Dual Duel’s, And Misused Tools

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Monday February 19, 2007
9:36am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Kevin Harvick again has his name inked in the NASCAR history books as he became only the 4th driver in history to win both the Daytona Busch race, and the Cup race in the same weekend. AKA: The weekend sweep. Kevin also gets his name inked as tying for the fewest laps lead by a Daytona 500 winner. The other is the late Benny Parsons in 1975.

Other notable finishes were Jeff Burton in 3rd, Mike Wallace right behind him, Sadler and Kahne did 6th/7th, with Gilliland in 8th. Then Jeff Gordon in 10th, Boris Said in 14th, Montoya in 19th, Rudd in 26th, Waltrip in 30th, Junior in 32nd, Johnson in 39th (ending a 105 week streak of being in the top 10 in points), and Stewart in 43rd. The highest finishing rookie was David Ragan in the #6, who finished 5th, and the highest finishing Toyota was Dale Jarrett in 22nd.

In what was rather tame racing Sunday, the heat and full moon effect took hold with about 40 laps to go. Prior to that, you could hear the sounds of “Chugga Chugga Chugga Chugga, Choo Choo” in the background. Call it the tires, overly cautious drivers wanting to finish the dance, whatever makes you feel better.

While Kevin took the Busch guys to school again on Saturday, and made the competition glad he isn’t running the full season this year, then placed himself in position to make a charge to the line during the final lap (under a GWC) of the 500, unfortunately this win will be shrouded in yet another controversial moment and NASCAR Debacle™ once again.

This is shaping up to be interesting, and the explanation from NASCAR just isn’t cutting it this time.

As they came out of the tri-oval, Mark Martin and Kevin Harvick were battling for the win. Mark was ahead. No, it’s Kevin. No, it’s Mark. It was shaping up to be a close finish, who would it be? Kyle Bush gets loose, it’s a wreck-a-thon, and the tri-oval towards the start/finish line is becoming a junkyard. It’s Harvick, taking the checkers at the line by 2/100ths of a second in front of Mark Martin.

Whoa, wait a second here Bub. Takes the checkers? Where’s the Yellow Laundry at if cars are wrecking faster than Kirstie Alley’s career. There wasn’t one. OK, NASCAR said there was, they said it was issued when Clint Bowyer went upside down and was sliding on his roof while on fire, but there wasn’t. How can you tell there wasn’t one? Well, the Roanoke Times made the explanation clear. There was an official margin of victory. If the race ends under caution, which according to the NASCAR explanation it should have, there wouldn’t be an official margin of victory.

Now it gets trickier, and it depends on if you wanted Mark Martin of Kevin Harvick to put on the post-race donut show. If NASCAR had thrown the caution at the “usual” time, what would the scoring loop have shown? Harvick, or Martin? We’ll most likely never know. They were back and forth, and right when Kyle got loose, Kevin had it by a scant few inches. But, it wouldn’t matter what the tape looked like, it would matter what the scoring loop said. Data which we’ll never see.

So the heated controversy coming out of this is are the cries that NASCAR is protecting the Dale Earnhardt -> Richard Childress -> Kevin Harvick connection, so there wasn’t a caution thrown. Cry all you want. I’d have loved to have seen Mark Martin win his first Daytona 500, so don’t get me wrong. But hasn’t NASCAR always said they would throw the caution if there was an imminent threat on the race track? Debris that could cause a wreck, a wreck on the track, a deer crossing, aliens landing because they’re running late for the start, whatever. So was there imminent danger on the track? Yes. However, in the heat of that moment, would the caution have stopped the junkyard already in progress? Nope. It would have actually created a bigger one. Why? Some would lift immediately, some wouldn’t. An even bigger junkyard emerges from the smoke.

So what they did was keep it in the stand and let the leaders, who were already ahead of the mess, fight it out to the line. Once the checkers were out, the leaders across, the speedway went under caution.

Was it the right call? In this instance, I think it was. Mainly because throwing the caution would have caused an even bigger mess. The problem with this though is that had Clint Bowyer not flipped back over, after he crossed the finish line upside down, on his roof, on fire, then it could have been an inherently more dangerous situation. That’s part of the risk of racing, and throwing the caution earlier would have made it worse. I know that sounds crazy, but a bigger wreck would have even further delayed the assistance of the emergency crews. Racing is dangerous, and this isn’t an afternoon of tennis.

Now, what’s really jacked up is NASCAR and their explanation. Why not just sack up and say why you made the call? Why try to pull the damn smoke and mirror trick? Why? Why? Why? You made a call, there was plenty of room ahead to get slowed down before coming back around, it avoided creating an even larger wreck, so say so. That’s what’s hurting the credibility of the tower.

Had it been at Bristol, or had the wreck happened in say turn 3 or on the back stretch, the caution would have come out. Why? Less room to avoid the mess, for one. Second, the start/finish wouldn’t yet be in sight so the pressure of a finish position wouldn’t be right there tempting the guys behind the wheel. With that in mind, there wouldn’t be a hesitation to lift. A hesitation that when running to the finish, a scant couple of seconds from it, would cause people to get spun out from behind and create an even more serious accident situation.

So when you beat up NASCAR this week, don’t beat them up for making the call. Beat them up for their explanation of it. It deserves it.

It isn’t an easy call, one I wouldn’t want to make. Anyone who challenges the call, and not the reason NASCAR gave for it, I’d like to see you do better. It’s a whole lot harder than it looks.

7 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Daytona, Drivers, Kevin Harvick, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Richard Childress Racing #29, Teams, Tracks





Trackback URL for: Happy Happy, Harvick Harvick