This was my first time spotting for the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway. As we saw tonight, the extra 100 miles makes for some interesting stories. I had a feeling going into the weekend that this was going to be a different kind of race. I also know there are a lot of guys, including myself, saying things like, "if this wouldn't of happened" we would have had a top 10, top 5, or even a win. This race always has some interesting story lines but they all come down to the same thing: be there at the end of 600 miles.
Although this was my first 600 miler as a spotter, I knew my driver had plenty of experience at LMS and at this endurance event. DJ's history says he will be good in the "big ones." This weekend was shaping up to be one of those races. After qualifying on Thursday I just had a feeling that he was going to be good in the race. Even after not having a stellar final practice, I thought he was good enough and smart enough to make things work in his favor.
The beginning of the race was crazy with two large crashes that DJ was able to make it through with minimal damage. Between the two crashes, there were plenty of good cars that had damage. DJ is good a taking advantage of things like this during the course of a race. It was really looking good to me. He had some track position and a car that Jason Burdette was going to work on and make better. I could just feel it: DJ was sounding confident and there was a long way to go.
What happened next was really disappointing for everyone involved. On a restart, as DJ entered turn one, I saw several cars going to the outside so I just informed him of how many were going to the outside of him. I knew something was wrong but I was just hoping that maybe he was going to be able to jump back in line and keep it going. He then came over the radio and said, "I blew up." He sounded dejected. This was the end of the night for DJ and the UPS Toyota team but they should keep their heads up about some of the good things that happened this weekend.
I told you it was a strange day. There are not many days that I get to see part of the race from the roof, listen to part on the radio, and watch part on tv. Once I left the roof, I jumped in the car and listened to the next hundred laps on the radio. This was the portion of the race that Vickers was checking out, or at least they made it sound like he was checking out on the field. For that portion, I was hoping Vickers could bring his Toyota home with a top five. Once I made it home there was still 100 laps left. As I sat there and watched I could see that it was going to be an interesting finish.
There were some guys up front that I was pulling for: Casey Mears, JJ Yeley, Kyle Petty, and Ricky Rudd? How could you not notice Kyle Petty? I enjoyed working with Butch Hylton last year so it was good to see Rudd up there at the end. As far as Mears and Yeley, I just like to see first time winners. Nothing against the other guys that have won but there is a new excitement in victory lane when a driver wins his first race. It is crazy that a Mears wins a stock car race on Memorial Day weekend. I was glad to see Casey get a good break. I predict that this win will send Casey to the next level. He can now have the same confidence that Jimmy and Jeff have.
Some might not like it but I like to see some races come down to strategy. No one wants to see this every week but it is good to see at certain races: the 600 and the Brickyard are two that come to mind. There might be some that didn't get to see their favorite guy win or even finish but it was an interesting race. Be it the 600, or next week at Dover, you have to be fast, but you have to be there at the end.
Thanks for reading www.fullthrottleliving.blogspot.com. Visit www.RacingAdventure.com to drive a Nextel Cup car with the Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure. Father's Day is coming: call 888-GO-RACE-1 and buy dad the best gift ever.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
The Drive
The 2 weeks at Lowes Motor Speedway in May usually gives me a chance to think about things as I drive back and forth from Hickory to the track. Driving on the highway has always been a way for me to come up with new things to think about or write about. Last week was no different.
I listened to my XM and caught some of Claire B. Lang's shows and some of The Pit Reporters. It is just interesting to here all the different opinions. On Claire's show you here a vast difference of opinion because she has "insiders" and "outsiders" on her show. The Pit Reporters is also something good to catch because you get opinions on many subjects by different people within the racing industry.
Last week one of the subjects they discussed was disappointments for the year and of course DJ came up when David Newton made his opinion known. He basically said that he couldn't believe that DJ was saying that he would not need his six past champion's provisionals. As I listened to David it made me a little mad. I don't mean anything personal against David or any other journalist or columnist. They have a job to do. So do the drivers, and one of DJ's qualities, that makes him a champ, is a positive attitude. He might not have it with some of you that ask him about using "pc" provisionals or about why he has had "X" number of crew chiefs. I didn't say he had patience for things like that.
He is a positive person to the people that show him that they are being positive. He is a team guy and even more of a team guy when he gets positive reinforcement from the guys he is working with. So, the guys in the media might get a little different view because he does tend to say positive things, even if the odds are stack against him. I think many more people should think positive. So, David I hope you know where DJ was coming from when he was making the comments about not having to use his provisionals. He would probably agree that he should have been in your disappointments segment up to this point but I know one thing about him: his positive thinking will continue and he will continue to do his part in making good things happen for his team.
I am sure I will hear more things that get to me as I ride down the road again this week. This might be a week that I get even more upset but I mainly try to see everyone's side of discussions on radio and tv shows. Hell, it is meant for entertainment, right?
It is going to be a huge week for the UPS racing team as they attempt to qualify for the 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway. They have to feel a little better after the All Star event. I know they didn't contend for the win but they did make progress. The progress might not be so evident that everyone sees it or agrees with me but believe me, they have made progress. They will continue to get better every week that Jason and DJ work together.
The Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure will be back in action at the Talladega Superspeedway with two full days of racing. If you want to drive a race car check out www.RacingAdventure.com for a complete schedule and information about the classes. Call 888-GO-RACE-1 to book your adventure today!
I listened to my XM and caught some of Claire B. Lang's shows and some of The Pit Reporters. It is just interesting to here all the different opinions. On Claire's show you here a vast difference of opinion because she has "insiders" and "outsiders" on her show. The Pit Reporters is also something good to catch because you get opinions on many subjects by different people within the racing industry.
Last week one of the subjects they discussed was disappointments for the year and of course DJ came up when David Newton made his opinion known. He basically said that he couldn't believe that DJ was saying that he would not need his six past champion's provisionals. As I listened to David it made me a little mad. I don't mean anything personal against David or any other journalist or columnist. They have a job to do. So do the drivers, and one of DJ's qualities, that makes him a champ, is a positive attitude. He might not have it with some of you that ask him about using "pc" provisionals or about why he has had "X" number of crew chiefs. I didn't say he had patience for things like that.
He is a positive person to the people that show him that they are being positive. He is a team guy and even more of a team guy when he gets positive reinforcement from the guys he is working with. So, the guys in the media might get a little different view because he does tend to say positive things, even if the odds are stack against him. I think many more people should think positive. So, David I hope you know where DJ was coming from when he was making the comments about not having to use his provisionals. He would probably agree that he should have been in your disappointments segment up to this point but I know one thing about him: his positive thinking will continue and he will continue to do his part in making good things happen for his team.
I am sure I will hear more things that get to me as I ride down the road again this week. This might be a week that I get even more upset but I mainly try to see everyone's side of discussions on radio and tv shows. Hell, it is meant for entertainment, right?
It is going to be a huge week for the UPS racing team as they attempt to qualify for the 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway. They have to feel a little better after the All Star event. I know they didn't contend for the win but they did make progress. The progress might not be so evident that everyone sees it or agrees with me but believe me, they have made progress. They will continue to get better every week that Jason and DJ work together.
The Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure will be back in action at the Talladega Superspeedway with two full days of racing. If you want to drive a race car check out www.RacingAdventure.com for a complete schedule and information about the classes. Call 888-GO-RACE-1 to book your adventure today!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Junior Surprises Many but Not All
All year there has been a lot in the news about Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his contract negotiations with DEI, Inc. I had not paid much attention to the whole situation because I really thought most of it was both sides putting little bits out to the media to satisfy them. Even as I read the paper on Thursday morning I didn’t think I would hear what I heard at the press conference that was called by the Earnhardt camp.
As we all now know, Dale Jr. announced that he will be leaving DEI at the end of the 2007 season. He will be exploring his options to drive for other teams. That doesn’t surprise me. There was not much said about if any or all of his current sponsors would be going with him. It wouldn’t surprise me if all of them went with him. I really wouldn’t be shocked to see some the sponsors on DEI’s other teams go where Jr. goes. Many of Jr.’s answers were your standard answers that any driver would have to give at an announcement like this. We have seen many drivers over the past couple of years make news by announcing that they would be switching teams this early in the season. Once I sat there and listened I wasn’t really surprised that Dale Jr., with the help of his sister and others close to him made the decision to explore new options for his career. However, I was surprised that DEI couldn’t come to terms to keep him there. Yes, Dale Earnhardt’s legacy and legend will continue to bring notoriety to DEI, but I don’t know how you loose your driver with the same name. Certainly, there are things none of us could understand about this situation and the magnitude of negotiating within the walls of DEI.
I am not saying DEI can’t have some success without Jr. and I am not saying they can’t have good race teams. As a matter of fact, I think they will continue to have competitive race teams but they will not have one ingredient that I think they need to compete for championships: Dale Earnhardt Jr. He is marketable, he is a winner, and he attracts good people to work for him because of these traits and many other traits that we may never see in public. So, I think the good people around him will follow him if they have the option and he will make the new people around him better because of the kind of person he is.
Dale Jr. made the right call. I know he had plenty of “advisors” while trying to decide what to do. I have a feeling he had some good advice from some people that have been in similar situations. Not many people, if any, have been completely in his shoes so he was probably very guarded in advice he took. Personally, I know how tough a “family business” situation can be and it doesn’t matter if you have one dollar or millions, family business is tricky to balance. Again, in my opinion, his decision was made to make is personal life better. I believe he will perform at a higher level on the race track now that he has made his final decision. I am glad that he is in a position professionally and personally that he could do what he wanted to do and not worry about anyone or anything else.
I heard him say repeatedly that many people will not fully understand why this had to happen but I know of one person that understands where he is coming from and I support his decision 100%.
Just when you think the big story has hit NASCAR something like this comes along and blows that theory out of the water. This is going to be a great story to follow as he finds his new home.
As we all now know, Dale Jr. announced that he will be leaving DEI at the end of the 2007 season. He will be exploring his options to drive for other teams. That doesn’t surprise me. There was not much said about if any or all of his current sponsors would be going with him. It wouldn’t surprise me if all of them went with him. I really wouldn’t be shocked to see some the sponsors on DEI’s other teams go where Jr. goes. Many of Jr.’s answers were your standard answers that any driver would have to give at an announcement like this. We have seen many drivers over the past couple of years make news by announcing that they would be switching teams this early in the season. Once I sat there and listened I wasn’t really surprised that Dale Jr., with the help of his sister and others close to him made the decision to explore new options for his career. However, I was surprised that DEI couldn’t come to terms to keep him there. Yes, Dale Earnhardt’s legacy and legend will continue to bring notoriety to DEI, but I don’t know how you loose your driver with the same name. Certainly, there are things none of us could understand about this situation and the magnitude of negotiating within the walls of DEI.
I am not saying DEI can’t have some success without Jr. and I am not saying they can’t have good race teams. As a matter of fact, I think they will continue to have competitive race teams but they will not have one ingredient that I think they need to compete for championships: Dale Earnhardt Jr. He is marketable, he is a winner, and he attracts good people to work for him because of these traits and many other traits that we may never see in public. So, I think the good people around him will follow him if they have the option and he will make the new people around him better because of the kind of person he is.
Dale Jr. made the right call. I know he had plenty of “advisors” while trying to decide what to do. I have a feeling he had some good advice from some people that have been in similar situations. Not many people, if any, have been completely in his shoes so he was probably very guarded in advice he took. Personally, I know how tough a “family business” situation can be and it doesn’t matter if you have one dollar or millions, family business is tricky to balance. Again, in my opinion, his decision was made to make is personal life better. I believe he will perform at a higher level on the race track now that he has made his final decision. I am glad that he is in a position professionally and personally that he could do what he wanted to do and not worry about anyone or anything else.
I heard him say repeatedly that many people will not fully understand why this had to happen but I know of one person that understands where he is coming from and I support his decision 100%.
Just when you think the big story has hit NASCAR something like this comes along and blows that theory out of the water. This is going to be a great story to follow as he finds his new home.
Monday, May 07, 2007
424
There are a lot of impressive streaks in the sports world. I probably can't even name one off the top of my head. I know of one streak that ended this week and it hit very close to home.
DJ had competed in 424 consecutive Nextel Cup events until Friday. This streak might not mean much to some people but it meant a lot to me. This man, that happens to be my dad, has earned the right to compete at the top level of NASCAR racing. He is just a winner and this sport needs people like him in the race every week.
As you might think, I have a strong opinion on the timing of NASCAR changing the "past champion's" rule. So, after the recent news that we wouldn't be in the race this week, I feel like sharing that opinion with you.
Over the past 10 years or so NASCAR has tweaked the "PC" rules. This year I think was the biggest change to this rule. Of course I am going to think that since we had to go home and not race this week. We all scream about rules that effect us the most.
I don't question why a "PC" rule is in place. There has always been a certain loyalty give to the winners and champions of this sport. What I do question is the timing of the rule being put in place.
My mind works in strange ways sometimes. When the rule limiting the amount of "PC" provisionals to 6 for the year my mind immediately went one way. They put this rule in effect on the year dad would benefit from it the most. In my opinion this rule was put in place on a year that the person, the champion that was going to benefit from it happens to be a nice guy.
What am I saying? Yes, I think the rule was put in place on a year that the rule makers wouldn't get much resistance or opposition. People inside know DJ is an intense competitor and does his talking on the track. When he has the equipment and people that wins, he wins. Sure I am upset because it is my dad that had to be the first to miss a race under this new rule but I think the rule was put in place in a timely manner.
The races will go on and we can't change the rules. But when a driver like DJ has no presence at the track on race day it takes a lot away from the event. He will go on to race another day but you can bet a man with DJ's focus he will not forget the year this rule was changed.
The path of least resistance. It appears that even the rule makers take it some days.
424-crashes, wins, and a championship.
DJ had competed in 424 consecutive Nextel Cup events until Friday. This streak might not mean much to some people but it meant a lot to me. This man, that happens to be my dad, has earned the right to compete at the top level of NASCAR racing. He is just a winner and this sport needs people like him in the race every week.
As you might think, I have a strong opinion on the timing of NASCAR changing the "past champion's" rule. So, after the recent news that we wouldn't be in the race this week, I feel like sharing that opinion with you.
Over the past 10 years or so NASCAR has tweaked the "PC" rules. This year I think was the biggest change to this rule. Of course I am going to think that since we had to go home and not race this week. We all scream about rules that effect us the most.
I don't question why a "PC" rule is in place. There has always been a certain loyalty give to the winners and champions of this sport. What I do question is the timing of the rule being put in place.
My mind works in strange ways sometimes. When the rule limiting the amount of "PC" provisionals to 6 for the year my mind immediately went one way. They put this rule in effect on the year dad would benefit from it the most. In my opinion this rule was put in place on a year that the person, the champion that was going to benefit from it happens to be a nice guy.
What am I saying? Yes, I think the rule was put in place on a year that the rule makers wouldn't get much resistance or opposition. People inside know DJ is an intense competitor and does his talking on the track. When he has the equipment and people that wins, he wins. Sure I am upset because it is my dad that had to be the first to miss a race under this new rule but I think the rule was put in place in a timely manner.
The races will go on and we can't change the rules. But when a driver like DJ has no presence at the track on race day it takes a lot away from the event. He will go on to race another day but you can bet a man with DJ's focus he will not forget the year this rule was changed.
The path of least resistance. It appears that even the rule makers take it some days.
424-crashes, wins, and a championship.
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