Gettin’ That Old Time NASCAR Religion

By Marc, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.

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Ah… dem was da days!

The only massaging a stock car body received (aero what!?) was when in very close contact with a competitor or when rim riding, ala Richard Petty as he led the way at Darlington collecting the infamous “Stripe” along the way. As The King said at the time, “We drove for the sheer fun of driving because there wasn’t that much money to be made.”

It was a time of short-sleeve driving attire, 8 inch wide Firestones and the Pure Oil Company being the official supplier of fuel. Did I mention all the Victory Lane kisses given by the Winston Girls or “Winkie Louise”, representing Pure Oil Co. as Miss Firebird?

If any of that sounds familiar, or you have a desire to see some of NASCAR’s past legends live and in action on track 2008 may just be the year for it.

The Old School Racing Champions Tour (OSRCT) has announced a 10 race schedule starting May 18, 2008 at Concord Motor Speedway.

Racing legends David Pearson, Dave Marcis, Harry Gant, James Hylton, Geoff Bodine have all signed to compete. On the probable list are NASCAR stars Jack Ingram, Derrike Cope, Phil Parsons, Robert Pressley, Dave Marcis, Joe Ruttman, Chuck Bown, Randy LaJoie, Carl Long and Ronnie Silver.

From the ranks of ARCA comes Bill Venturini, Bob Schacht and the new owner of The Rock Andy Hillenburg.

The OSRCT will debut at the Concord Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina with a 10 race schedule. A champion will be crowned at the New Smyrna Speedway in February of 2009 during a Last Chance and Championship Race.

With an eye towards safety all events will be held on tracks of less the ¾ of a mile in length to keep speeds down and allow for greater fender-to-fender action. And you can bet with the dirt track at Eldora, the high bank quarter mile at Flat Rock Mi, in addition to South Boston in Virginia the schedule provides just that.

This PDF file provides the full run down on the cars, stars and venues as currently planned.

This series has me so intrigued it’s almost worth looking into a trip back stateside to catch a couple events. For those of you not stuck out in the middle of the Pacific like I am, and hold a interest in NASCAR’s past history, shouldn’t miss this opportunity to catch at least one of the 12 events.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Marc Boland, Nascar, Nascar History





Trackback URL for: Gettin’ That Old Time NASCAR Religion

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday October 31, 2007
11:42am CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

This week, we tackle some crazy stuff. If you’re not asking “WTF?”, then there’s a problem.

NASCAR May Try To Curb Nationwide-Whacking

First off, that just doesn’t have the ring that Busch Whacking does. I guess we’ll get used to it, or figure out a different term.

According to ESPN, when NASCAR brings the “Pony” cars to the Busch Nationwide Series in 2009 they are looking at not allowing Cup drivers in the Top 35 to accumulate points in an effort to stop the influx and work towards giving the series its own identity.

WTF is that all about?

Cup drivers aren’t there for points, they are there for seat time, information, and most of all to race. By not allowing them to score points, what’s the point (no pun intended) in that? There isn’t one. The only result is you’ll have guys in the field, still eating up the spots, but only the Non-Cuppers get the points? So you can have a guy with 0 points and 6 wins in the series. That would be a funny thing indeed.

If you want the title to be decided within the series, and not by a Cup driver, instead limit the number of races that a Cup driver can enter in the Series, based on the number of full seasons they have run in Cup. One exception would be if that driver is not currently running a Cup effort (like when Kenny Wallace went to Busch after running Cup for BDR).

If you cap it at 10 or 12 races a year for a Cup driver that has 5 or more years at the Cup level, you still get the benefit of “names” in the series, but at the same time they won’t be a title factor. Tie in owners points to that as well, and then there won’t be an issue with that either.

Bill Davis Buyout

It’s on, it’s off. It’s Jacques Villeneuve, it’s his agent, it’s Big Bird.

WTF? Deny, deny, deny. Rumor, rumor, rumor.

Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.

Not a week ago, Davis was talking (in a round about way) about it in one of the local papers. Now he’s back to complete denial. So which is it, Bill?

ESPN, You’re In Hot Water

Just saying NASCAR coverage and ESPN is an automatic WTF.

While it’s generally been decent up to the checkers, here is the impression they are giving:

“There’s the checkers, how quick can we get out of here guys?”

You know, there is more to covering the race than just getting to the end. When you consistently roll credits during the Victory Lane coverage, there are some serious issues. Either you have failed to properly schedule your time, or you just flat out don’t care.

The consistent drop in ratings (down 16.7% for Atlanta as compared to 2006) week in and week out should be telling you something. If it isn’t, you better look at other options.

Get on the ball, and get it right. NASCAR requires the Top 5 finishers to stick around for you, and the very least you could do is show your appreciation and respect these guys by giving them their TV time.

If NASCAR doesn’t step in and mandate certain coverage aspects, like a 15 minute minimum post-race for example, then we’re at the mercy of the Networks and what they feel is important.

We can see where ESPN’s current priorities are.

They were supposed to be the TV savior for NASCAR, after NBC/TNT just flat out hosed it up. Thus far, they are far from living up to the hype.

Here’s to looking forward to the return of FOX, and the return of post-race coverage.

NASCAR For Sale?

Following on the heels of recent rumors that Chez Brian may be moving positions within ISC, we have this little ditty from Cup Scene Daily, through Yahoo Sports, that ISC “is studying the sale of the world’s largest stock car auto racing sanctioning body due to financial troubles“.

WTF?

Can’t say that a separation of interests wouldn’t possibly be good for the sport, but financial troubles? Did the Staten Island and Seattle fiasco’s really take that big of a toll on ISC?

Well, there you have it folks. This week’s WTF’s are interesting to say the least.

Aside… Don’t Forget!

It’s time for the showdown at Texas Motor Speedway, and of course Thunder Lounge will be there to provide the best entertainment and party on the planet!

See y’all there!

3 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Features, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Texas, Tracks, WTF? Wednesday's





Trackback URL for: It’s Wednesday, So WTF?

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Thursday October 25, 2007
9:38am CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

That’s right folks. It’s that time again. The time when Thunder Lounge goes from words to actions, fires up that Earnhardt Smoker, and hits the lights for yet another event at Texas Motor Speedway.

We’ll take a quick aside here and ask a quick question to Mr. Bruton Smith. Laid Back what? We’ve got the drop on that by miles, so where’s the love? Hey, we kid because we care, and we’ll keep a plate warm for ya.

Back to the topic at hand, once again Thunder Lounge will be in the infield at Texas Motor Speedway for another weekend of fun and entertainment.

You can only walk through the souvenir trailers so many times, and play so many games of cards. So grab your cooler, and come check out our live DJ, and live music featuring Texas’ own Randy Brown!

If you’ve been there, you know Mardi Gras can’t even compare to the crowd and fun to be had when Thunder Lounge takes over the entertainment duties. Come one, come all, and we’ll see you next weekend!

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series, Nascar, Network News, Nextel Cup, Texas, The Chase, Thunder Lounge, Tracks





Trackback URL for: See Atlanta, Keep On Driving To Texas

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday October 24, 2007
10:36am CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

That’s right folks. Stick your thermometers in the ground and you may find “it” has frozen over.

In a rare, make that extremely rare, case the National Stock Car Racing Commission has overturned the penalty previously assed to the #5 team in the Busch Series from post race inspections at Kansas.

To be flat honest, NASCAR looked at an exact duplicate of the manifold that sparked the penalty the week before that race. If there were a problem, they would have spoke up then and should have. Hendrick had a strong case for this, and to be honest its being overturned is not too big of a shocker in this particular scenario.

2 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Drivers, Kansas, Kyle Busch, Nascar, Tracks





Trackback URL for: This Just In: Fire and Brimstone May Be Frozen

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday October 3, 2007
3:41pm CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Welcome to the first edition of WTF? Wednesday™.

A brief synopsis: Every Wednesday, we’re going to go the extra mile (and possibly throw “the flag”) to ask the all inevitable question that is lurking on everyone’s mind. WTF? If it’s smelling funny, and has to do with NASCAR, we’re going to ask it.

On to this weeks column.

Kyle Bush and his manifold of gold

As you may or may not have heard, NASCAR failed the #5 of Kyle Bush after he swept through (again) to Victory Lane in the Busch Race at Kansas.

They “deemed” his intake manifold to be “illegal”. Yet, here it is Wednesday already and there hasn’t been a word about it since Sunday. WTF?

Hendrick says it’s legit, and that it’s no different than other times. In fact, they even sent one into NASCAR and they inspected it for 2 days earlier last week.

So, what’s “good to go” this week may be “illegal” the next? WTF?

Late this afternoon, NASCAR announced a “fine” of $10,000 for Mike Bumgarner, the crew chief for Kyle Bush in the Busch Nationwide Series for violations found post-race at Kansas.

Bruton Smith “may” build a new “Charlotte”

Bruton wants a drag racing venue at his current location in the capital of NASCAR. Cool, he’s done it at Bristol and Texas to name a few. He gets the required zoning, and begins.

All of a sudden, the City Council (we’re talking Concord, not “technically Charlotte”) decided the other night to overturn the zoning for the area, leaving Mr. Smith in the middle of a project which (currently) can’t be used. WTF?

Supposedly the “City Council” wanted to pull the reins on all the “noise” in the area, as it’s building up around the track in terms of both business and residential neighbors. OK, whatever.

So, Bruton laid out the terms for all to see. If that’s the way it’s going to be, and “noise” is such a concern, I want my tracks together. If I need to relocate my venues to another part of town, I will.

Huh?

Mr. Bruton Smith went on to compare it to a stick/ball team building a new arena in town. It’s still there, just in a different location. This isn’t a ploy or a threat. It’s the facts. If he has to move it to another area of town, he will. He’s already scouting land around the Charlotte area, and I’d bet there’s a few communities welcoming the move with open arms.

So you’ll hear about Charlotte closing, but really it’s just moving to another side of town.

The question is, what would the track be like? Would it mirror the current configuration? Let’s hope not.

Bruton Smith has a few things at his disposal now. He’s got raw data from various sources, and I’d be willing to bet that if indeed a deal can’t be reached, and he does build a new facility, that it will be the best one on the circuit. He knows what is working, and where the future is headed. Expect the facilities to be top notch, and something viable for not only today, but for decades to come.

What about the track itself? Would it be the same thing, or could it be something unique? Here’s a chance to shine. Do something that hasn’t/isn’t being done. Make that track even more special than it already is. 1.5 miles in length? Nah. 2 miles? Maybe, but Michigan and Cali-bore-nia already do it. 1 mile? Dover, New Hampshire. 1.75 miles? 1.25 miles? Hmmm, 600 miles is divisible evenly at 1.25 miles, 1.75 is a tick off, but almost another full lap.

With all the data available, the chance to truly make a “Beast of the Southeast” exists. The fans would dig it (who wants another cookie?), the drivers would dig it, and most of all it would be something different.

We’ll see what happens on that front, but for now in terms of this “out of nowhere” deal, WTF?

Kansas

We aren’t in Kansas anymore, but thoughts sure haven’t left there.

Why was a race that had not a chance of ending before darkness resumed? WTF?

OK, if I had paid to be there, I’d want as much show as possible.

“Technically”, if all the remaining laps went green it could have made the distance. NASCAR isn’t that dumb, so they said we’re going to 225. WTF?

The thing is, when has there been an opportunity to restart a race at all? It would either:
a) go way into the night
b) not enough daylight left, and no lights available
c) wasn’t enough left for it to be worth it.

Kansas was what, 12 or so laps past halfway? NASCAR made the call to continue with as much of a show as possible, which was a good call for fans, just maybe not for your driver. Then again, maybe your driver came out better than if it had been stopped? Then again, the one who would have benefited most from not resuming, ended up with the bonehead move of the race. “Hey Smoke, there’s smoke coming out of your tire.” But, I digress.

Then you have the finish. Biffle cut the motor off coming out of 4 on the final lap, to make sure he had enough fuel to do a burn out. He had half a gallon left, by the way, but NASCAR made him walk over to Victory Lane. WTF? Why couldn’t the guy do a burnout? WTF?

“Da rules” state a reasonable speed, and NASCAR said it was. Some of the competitors didn’t think it was, so they passed under yellow. NASCAR said the field was frozen, so that was that. OK, but also if you pass under yellow, don’t you get a penalty? So if that’s true, and Biffle wasn’t maintaining a reasonable speed (almost half the pace car speed as he crossed the line), then wouldn’t Casey Mears have won with Jeff Gordon finishing second? But, the field was frozen and Biffle maintained a reasonable speed. WTF?

Not even the mighty scoring loops of NASCAR got it right. It had Bowyer listed at 1st, followed by Johnson. Talk about a Charlie Foxtrot drill. Anyone want to wager about a slight modification to the wording in “Da Rules” about this for next season? If there isn’t, we have our last WTF?

2 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Casey Mears, Charlotte/Lowe's, Clint Bowyer, Drivers, Features, Greg Biffle, Hendrick Motorsports #24, Hendrick Motorsports #25, Hendrick Motorsports #48, Hendrick Motorsports #5, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Joe Gibbs Racing #20, Kansas, Kyle Busch, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Richard Childress Racing #07, Roush Racing #16, Teams, The Chase, Tony Stewart, Tracks, WTF? Wednesday's





Trackback URL for: WTF? Wednesday…

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Sunday September 23, 2007
3:43am CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Have you ever wanted to win free stuff? Here’s your chance to win a genuine, silicone wristband from the Thunder Lounge before anyone else has a chance to get their hands on one!

The bracelets are 100% silicone, of high quality, and exclusive to the Thunder Lounge. They are a tiger stripe print, with “Thunder Lounge” screen printed in a nice blue.

We’ll be heading to Texas Motor Speedway with over 8 dozen of these bad boys, but two lucky readers will have the opportunity to sport the latest in Thunder Lounge gear before the Lounge Lizards can get their hands on ‘em at the track.

So, the rules are simple.

We’re going to ask a question, and the first correct answer sent in to the Lounge will have one of the fine bracelets mentioned above delivered by that nice postman that makes his rounds 6 days a week.

Multiple entries will be discarded, and in turn will negate your original entry as well. In other words, only one entry per person/household will be allowed for this one.

Please add the subject of “Trivia Question 1 Response” to the form, and also include a valid email and postal address.

We’re willing to ship overseas, provided it isn’t horrific. If you are overseas, and have a US address it can be sent to, please use that.

Your information will be kept in the strictest of confidence, and only used internally (I’m the only one who will see it ;)) for the purposes of this contest.

Now, onto the show.

The image above is one of hundreds we snapped at Richmond a couple of weeks ago. In the image, which of those 3 “yahoo’s” on the Raceday set was “jacked up on Mountain Dew”?

Good luck!

4 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Richmond, Tracks





Trackback URL for: Thunder Lounge Triva: Round 1 of 2

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday August 7, 2007
8:25am CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Well, we’ve done it this time. After having to give up my season tickets to Richmond upon moving to Oklahoma after 2002, we’ve finally made it back on the list. Props to RIR, as it only took 18 months of waiting this time, and the tickets even kicked in a race early with the September event instead of waiting until May 2008.

Needless to say, we’re going out better prepared than last August’s adventure to the Sharpie 500. We’ve fully verified internet connectivity, which will be on Sprints network (the EVDO network, aka: the good stuff), and have a fully compatible router and all needed accessories in place. Also in tow will be a Canon Digital Rebel XT, with a few choice pieces of glass, so we’ll be able to pop some photos and have them on the site that evening. No, I’m not dragging a monster Dell laptop, or a router, around a race track for 14 or 15 hours. If the new MacBook Pro was in place, it might be a different story.

So, as long as the Gimp and Mepis don’t let me down, all will be well. We’ll probably wait to add the bulk of images once we’re back, but we’ll have some goodies on the site after both the Busch and Cup races.

Heck, I’m not quite sure what to do with myself. The Busch seats (reserved) are just before the start/finish line, and the Cup seats are split second before they’ll hit the brakes for Turn 1. Last go around all my tickets were on the back stretch just out of turn 2, as we never could get bumped up to the front stretch. They were good seats though, with a minor exception of a sliver of Turn 4 because of the garage(s). Thank you D-shaped oval.

Needless to say, I’m stoked about it. I love that place. I can’t put a finger on what it is exactly, but if I could only go to one track for the rest of my life, it would be Richmond. Bristol was incredible, so is Martinsville, and they would be a close second, but Richmond for some reason just takes the cake.

Anyway, back to the daily grind. I’ve got a lot of thoughts on this whole Robby vs NASCAR crap (they’re both to blame), the recent rumors that Kyle is headed to Gibbs (leaving JJ ass out), and some little miff about Gibbs jumping in bed with Toyota. However, it’s going to have to wait until after I can come up out of some code for a breath of air.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Nascar, Network News, Nextel Cup, Richmond, The Chase, Thunder Lounge, Tracks





Trackback URL for: Fans Come First: On-site Coverage From Richmond

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday July 24, 2007
2:12pm CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

If you don’t have heartfelt sympathy for Rusty Wallace, you must be a robot.

While most of us sit comfortably in our location of choice while we watch ESPN’s Busch Series coverage, Rusty is atop the track providing the lap by lap commentary that most of us have come to enjoy. I’ll admit being able to listen to the “Doc” all day long, and while I was skeptic at first I’ve been proven wrong as Rusty has made the jump from the track to the booth.

Where the toughness of the situation comes in, is the on track performance of Rusty Wallace Incorporated. I can’t fathom the pain that has to be running through Rusty every race as Steven ends up wrecked. Whether his fault or his own, Steven’s struggles have been dramatic. At times he shows his true potential, only to end up in the fence. It tough to watch almost any youngster with that much potential go through, let alone one with such a family tradition and ties directly to that coveted Cup.

While Rusty maintains composure, I don’t know how he does it. It heart has to be breaking inside as he watches his son grow on the track. Where he finds the strength, I’ll never know, even as a parent myself. It’s one thing to watch your child not be “good” on the little league team, or pee-wee football. But to watch them struggle every week like this is a completely different level, and throw in national TV to boot, is something unfathomable unless you’re in his shoes.

Sure fathers have watched their son’s go through the same thing, and still do today at this level. But to be responsible for also broadcasting your son’s struggles to the world as they happen is something quite different that standing on a pit box or the roof of a hauler and watching. Not that that doesn’t hurt as well, but at least they aren’t having to commentate it to the world while it happens.

It came to light on NASCAR Now yesterday that Rusty Wallace is prevented through his contract with ESPN/ABC from starting a Cup team. He wants to be in Cup pretty bad, so it seems, to the extent that he is considering selling majority ownership of his team so that he can’t hold it back. Then again, he “could” do like Evernham has done with the #10, and in this situation just not be the majority owner of the Cup team.

However, this doesn’t have any bearing to whom is driving on the track. Whether Steve is driving for RWI, or anyone else, nothing can take that father/son bond away.

I have no doubt of Stevens capabilities. Kenny will be the first to tell you that the kid has more raw talent than anyone else in the family. The difference is how that raw talent is harnessed into results, and that’s where they are now. Harnessing that raw talent into on track results. It’s something that may take some time, but it will come or the family will die trying. The family’s commitment to Steven is remarkable, and it spans across them all. They want him to succeed, they want him to win. I can only imagine the future, and Rusty calling Steve’s first Busch win. Then someday, once again, maybe a father will call his son’s victory in the Cup Series as well.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Nascar, Nextel Cup





Trackback URL for: Being A Parent Can Break Your Heart

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday May 23, 2007
9:11am CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

OK, so it wasn’t Hendrick. It was, yet again, Chevrolet. That’s just how it goes, and looking back there have been times when Ford was stinking it up as well. But, we’re not here to necessarily discuss this.

The All-Star race was far from a spectacular show. It should have been dubbed the All-Star Show, not race. Is this the fault of the drivers or teams? No.

The “show” last weekend was a product of an over cautious tire, one that has little grip on the surface and makes for some pretty loose race cars.

During the All-Star coverage, many, many drivers mentioned this. Some that tend to not mention things like this and just go out and (try to) race. The broadcast team even made mention of it, and “said” it probably wouldn’t be an issue on the series’ return this fall.

If you know your car is loose as a goose, you’re not going to chance wrecking it just to gain a spot. Points on the line or not, a wreck isn’t fun. With the 600 this weekend they have to keep the big picture in mind, knowing full well the demanding physical situation of the longest distance in NASCAR.

On top of all this, four 20 lap heats just didn’t cut it. There is no doubt that this format didn’t work. Perhaps a 20/20/30/40 format might be better, and bringing back the inversion for all segments except the first. Granted, not having a fan vote as we know we are all too predictable on that one. The lottery-style machine used previously would be fine.

All in all, it was a lackluster event. No wonder is wasn’t on a mainstream channel. Not to say Speed didn’t do a good job, but shouldn’t the “All Star” event be on mainstream TV?

2 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Charlotte/Lowe's, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Tracks





Trackback URL for: All-Star Weekend Indicative Of Things To Come In Charlotte?

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Friday May 11, 2007
11:15pm CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

The question isn’t where Denny is sending the trophy. Like you really needed to ask. VT is a given.

The question isn’t whether Mark would have had a shot, had there been a few more laps or that final caution not come out.

Since NASCAR has decided to police “rough driving”, they have seemed to be a little more lax in the Busch series. With all the beatin’ and bangin’ going on this evening, not that that is a bad thing so follow along, I’m wondering what’s going to be the stance tomorrow night for 500 miles of “dump truck” racing?

Will NASCAR overlook such things as Stewart rubbing Newman until his left rear pops, as they did this evening, or will they call foul? Not saying that Newman was innocent here, or taking Stewart’s side either, but giving an example of some of the rubbing that was going on all night. Not that it should stop. It was refreshing to see some racing, without drivers being called aggressive or getting an opportunity to wave to the crew while passing by at a much reduced speed.

The question being raised is has NASCAR backed off on their aggressiveness, and finally decided to just let these guys get out there and race? I guess that we’ll know that answer some 24 hours from now. In the meantime, here’s to hoping it’s a good show.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Busch Series, Darlington, Nascar, Tracks





Trackback URL for: Busch Race At Darlington Raises Question