Sunday, January 31, 2016

Hall of Fame Induction

NASCAR inducts drivers and other people from NASCAR every year. The five chosen for this year were Curtis Turner, Jerry Cook, Bobby Isaac, Bruton Smith and Terry Labonte.


Jerry Cook was a Modified driver. He and Ritchie Evans, also a Hall of Famer were from Rome, NY. Cook was a six-time Modified champion. In 1998, he was said to be one of the 50 greatest NASCAR drivers.


Bobby Isaac was a really fast driver. He qualified on the pole 49 times. In 1969, he got 19 poles in 1 season. He was second to David Pearson in points at the end of 1968. He was the 1970 champion, with 11 victories, 32 top-5's and 38 top-10's in 47 races. In 1998, he was listed in NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.
Terry Labonte is a two-time champion. His first championship was in 1984 and his second was in 1996, 12 years later. Only 6 drivers have championships in more that 1 decade. He was cool under pressure, but determined underneath that. Until 2002, he had the consecutive starts record with 665.  In 1998, he was named one of the 50 greatest NASCAR drivers.
O. Bruton Smith was inducted because of what he did as chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports. He also helped build Charlotte Motor Speedway. He once a operated a series that was a competitor to NASCAR, named National Stock Car Racing Association. Speedway Motorsports went public in 1995 and it was the first motorsports company in the stock market.
Curtis Turner was an early NASCAR star. He was amongst the fastest and most colorful in the early years of NASCAR. His first win of 17 in the top level of NASCAR came in his 4th start. Most of his wins were short track and dirt track wins, but he was a Darlington and Rockingham winner. He won 38 of 79 NASCAR Convertible races he entered. No other driver has won 2 races from the pole leading every lap. He drove for many legendary teams, including the Wood Brothers, Junior Johnson, Smokey Yunnick and Holman-Moody. In 1998, he was named one of the 50 greatest NASCAR drivers.
Some awards, the Landmark Award and Squier-Hall Award were given. Harold Brasington, the Darlington builder was the Landmark Award winner. He also helped created the Charlotte and Rockingham tracks. Steve Byrnes, who was a pit reporter for FOX, CBS, TNN and TBS and studio show host  received the Squier-Hall Award.
The Hall of Fame nominees were Buddy Baker, Red Byron, Richard Childress, Ray Evernham, Ray Fox, Rick Hendrick, Harry Hyde, Alan Kulwicki, Mark Martin, Hershel McGriff, Raymond Parks, Benny Parson, Larry Phillips, Mike Stephanik and Robert Yates. The Landmark Award nominees were H. Clay Earles, Raymond Parks, Ralph Seagraves and Ken Squier. Come back for my 24 Hours of Daytona post.

NASCAR Preseason Media Tour

NASCAR had a preseason media tour and revealed some changes for the season.




The minor leagues (Trucks and Xfinity) will see changes. The Chase system the Cup has used will there in a modified form. The minor leagues don't have as many races of drivers per race as the Cup, so they had to tweak it some to be fair, probably. The Xfinity Chase will have 12 drivers with four eliminated every 3 races and the Trucks Chase will have 8 drivers with 2 eliminated every three races. Four will be left at Homestead, same as Cup. The Trucks will have a caution clock. Every 20 minutes, there will be  a caution.


The Cup has announced some rules for this year, too.The low downforce package used at Kentucky and Darlington last year will be the Cup package this year. The Chase rounds will be Round of 16, Round of 12, Round of 8 and the Championship, instead of the first three rounds called Challenger, Contender and Eliminator Rounds.
Come back for my Hall of Fame induction post.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Chili Bowl

Hey folks! The Chili Bowl just finished (when I started this post) and I decided it was blog-worthy. Some NASCAR drivers were in it. The races were held over 4 days and were A-N features. The laps in each feature increased from 10 to 55 as the letters descended. N-Efeatures had 10 laps, D and C had 15 laps,  B had 20 laps and A had 55 laps.












The N features were first. N feature 1 had 10 drivers. Mark Chisholm won, followed by Kurt Blackaby, Philip Dietz, pole-sitter Brad Kraus and Dustin Golobic. Rounding out the field were Morgan Firewaldt, Logan Arnold, Kory Shudy, Aaron Reutzel and Brett Thomas. Arnold, Shudy, Reutzel and Thomas all DNF'd. N feature 2 had eight drivers. J. D. Black won, followed by Sean Murphy,  pole-sitter Cory Mallo, Ariel Biggs and Nick O'Neal. Rounding out the field were Mitchell Gladman, Richard Harvey, Jr. and, the only one of the field to get a DNF , A. J Johnson.












The M features came after this. M feature 1 had 16 drivers entered, but Chris Stochholm and Kurt Blackaby did not start.  Travis Young won, followed by Justin Henderson, Mark Chislom, Pat Shudy and Robert Bell. Rounding out the top-10 were Mindy McCord, A. J. Bruns, Kip Hughes, Brad Kraus and Larry Bratti. Pole-sitter Michael Sosebee was 11th. No one got a DNF.  M feature 2 had 15 drivers entered by Jack Hawley and Shane Sellers did not start. Apparently the pole-sitter was one of these because my source didn't specify the pole-sitter of this race. Chris Sheil won, followed by Colby Estes, Dustin Weland, J. D. Black and Tim Kent. Rounding out the top-10 were Ariel Biggs, Cory Mallo, Frankie Guerrini, Shaun Shapel and Dakota Gaines. No one got a DNF.










The L features followed the M. L feature 1 had 15 drivers entered, but John Heydenreich, Jared Sewell and Nat Wait did not start. The pole-sitter was one of these because this race, too, has an unspecified pole-sitter This race has Isaac Shreurs won, followed by Danny Smith, Garrett Aitken, Scott Evans and Justin Henderson. Rounding out the top-10 were David McIntosh, Dex Eaton, Travis Young, David Jones and the highest placed  DNF, Eric Sanders. Matt Rossi and Pat Schudy were the other DNF's. L feature 2 had 16 drivers. Mitchell Faccinto,  pole-sitter Noah Harris, Chase Jones, Chris Sheil and Brent Rees.  Rounding out the top-10 were Tyler Shoemaker, Ryan Secrest, Colby Estes, Brian Peterson and Dustin Weland.  George White was the only DNF.










The K features were next. K feature 1 had 16 drivers. Ashley Hazelton won, followed by Jarid Blondel, Harlan Hulsey, Chuck McGillivray and Garrett Aitkin. Rounding out the top-10 were Chad Fredwaldt, Kathlynn Leer, Isaac Schreurs, Matt Johnson and Mitchell Fredwaldt. David Stephenson, Scott Evans, Danny Smith, Josh Tyre, pole-sitter Sean Dodenhoff and Waide Seiler were the DNF's.  K feature 2 had 16 drivers.  Pole-sitter Marcus Thomas won, followed by Ty Hulsey, Noah Harris, Jeremy Hefler and Mitchell Faccinto. Rounding out the top-10 were Chris Sheil, Troy Betts. Joe Rinne, Chase Jones and Steve Daniels. Jeremy McCune, Dave Camfield, Jr., Chris Windom and Matt Gilbert were the DNF's.








The J features came next. J feature 1 had 16 drivers. Randi Pankratz won, followed by Travis Scott, pole-sitter Steve Schaberg, Zach Merritt and David Camfield, Jr. Rounding out the top-10 were Donovan Peterson, Harlan Hulsey, Chuck McGillivray, Ashley Hazelton and the highest placed DNF, Shannon McQueen. Jarid Blondel, Taylor Forbes, Kenny Johnson, Taylor Simas, Mason Keefer and Jeff Crook. J feature 2 had 16 drivers. Evan Pardo won, followed by Casey Shuman, pole-sitter Terry Nichols, Tyler Sevay and Doug McCune. Rounding out the top-10 were Rick Shuman, Jeromy Hefler, Shane Weeks, Andee Beierle and John Klaubunde. Noah Harris, J. J. Ercse, Riley Adair, Joe Janowski and Marcus Thomas were the DNF's.






The I features followed. I feature 1 had 16 drivers. Evan Sewell won, followed by Kyle O'Gara, Glen Sykes, Billy Lawhead and pole-sitter Aaron Farney. Rounding out the top-10 were Sarah Fisher, Tony Rossi, Chase Hill, David Ferguson and Travis Scott. Randi Pankratz and Tim Barber were the DNF's I feature 2 had 16 drivers. Riley Kresiel won, followed by Casey Shuman, Billy Wease, Landon Simon and Colton Cottle. Rounding out the top-10 were Chris Dyson, Jerry Hammock, Tyler Seavey, Evan Pardo and Zach Blurton.  Pole-sitter Danny Burke was 13th.  Zac Taylor and Eric Heydenreich were the DNF's.




The H features came after these. H feature 1 had 16 drivers. Shawn Jackson won, followed by Michelle Decker, JJ Yeley, Ryan Hall and pole-sitter Tommy White. Rounding out the top-10 were Mark Lowery, Rik Forbes, Justin Dickerson, Glen Styres and Zach Hampton. No one DNF'd in this one. H feature 2 had 15 drivers.  John Hunt won, followed by pole-sitter Corey Elliott, Derek Hager, Kyle Jones and Danny Smith. Rounding out the top-10 were Wyatt Burks, Jeb Sessums, T. J. Smith, Austin Archdale and C. J. Johnson. Casey Shuman was the only DNF.


The G features followed. G feature 1 had 16 drivers. Chris Urish won, followed by pole-sitter Derrick Myers, Harley Hollan, Chance Morton and Tyler Nelson. Rounding out the top-10 were JJ Yeley, Bill Rose, Austin Prock, Kevin Chaffee and Micheal Koontz.  Shawn Jackson and Chris "Critter" Malone were the DNF's. G feature 2 had 16 drivers.  Dean Drake, Jr. won, followed by Michael Faccinto, Jake Buback, Travis Berryhill and Keith Rauch. Rounding out the top-10 were Darin Snyder, Corey Elliott, Mason Zeigler, Derek Hagar and pole-sitter Gavin Harlien. Jeff Stassa. RoberT Dalby and David Gough were the DNF's.


The F features were next. F feature 1 had 14 drivers. Jake Neuman won, followed by pole-sitter Shon Deskins, Davy Ray, Danny Jennings and Tom Harris. Rounding out the top-10 were Brad Loyet, Logan Scherb, Sean Watts, Chance Morton and Harley Hollan. Chad Wheeler was the only one to DNF. F feature 2 had 15 drivers. Pole-sitter Kevin Ramey won, followed by Logan Jarrett, Travis Berryhill, Jimmy Light and Jake Bubak.  Rounding out the top-10 were Michael Faccinto, Nick Drake, Johnny Brown, Corey Eliason and Raven Culp. Cody Ledger, Cody Brewer, Hunter Fischer, Brian Shirley and Dean Drake, Jr. were the DNF's.
The E features came next. E feature 1 had 16 drivers.  Pole-sitter Tyler Edwards won, followed by Dustin Morgan, Chris Andrews, Matt Streeter and Jack Neuman. Rounding out the top-10 were Davey Ray, Robert Sellers, Ryan Jamison, Tony Roney and Danny Jennings. Nobody DNF'd in this one. E feature 2 had 14 drivers. Trey Marcham won followed by pole-sitter Shane Stewart, Bill Balog, Jimmy Light and Johnny Herrera.  Rounding out the top-10 were Brian McClelland, Travis Berryhill, Robert Ballou, Logan Jarrett and Tim Crawley.  Anton Hernandez and Chett Gehrke were the DNF's.
The D features followed. D feature 1 had 17 drivers. Nick Knepper won, followed by Jason McDougal, Jake Blackhurst, David Budres and Matt Streeter.  Rounding out the top-10 were Colby Copeland, Wesley Smith, Dustin Morgan, Clinton Boyles and  pole-sitter Tim Siener. Darren Hagen, Larry Wight, Scott Weir, Gage Walker, Tyler Walker and Paul White were the DNF's. D feature 2 had 19 drivers. Kevin Swindell's relief driver won, followed by Tyler Courtney, pole-sitter Justin Allgaier, Sheldon Haudenschild and Kyle Shuett. Rounding out the top-10 were Tyler Brehm, Jimmy Light, Trey Marcham, Shane Stewart and Bill Balog.   Seth Bergman, Kyle Clark, D.J. Netto, Kevin Bayer and Sam Hafertepe, Jr. were the DNF's.
The C features came next. C feature 1 had 20 drivers. Pole-sitter Cory Kruseman won, followed by Brady Bacon, Matt Westfall, Steve Buckwalter and Spencer Bayston.  Rounding out the top-10 wereTucker Klaasmeyer, Tanner Berryhill, Josh Lakatos, Jason McDougal and Gary Taylor.   Danny Sheridan, Jake Blackhurst, David Budres and Nick Knepper.  C feature 2 had 20 drivers.  Tony Bruce, Jr. won, followed by Kevin Thomas, Jr., Ronnie Gardner, Daniel Adler and pole-sitter Andrew Deal. Rounding out the top-10 were Daniel Robinson, Kyle Shuett, Anthony Nocella, Tyler Courtney and Danny Stratton.  Dave Darland, Alex DeCamp, Justin Allgaier, Nick Wean, Danny Fara, Jr. and Jimmy Light.
The B features came after these. B feature 1 had 20 drivers. Tracy Hines won, followed by pole-sitter Daryn Pitman, Damien Gardner, Blake Hahn and Dillon Welch. Rounding out the top-10 were Joe B. Miller, Spencer Bayston, Austin Brown, Andrew Felker and Brady Bacon. Brendan Bright, Chad Boat, Hunter Schuerenberg and Chad Boespflug were the DNF's. B feature 2 had 20 drivers. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. won, followed by Tanner Thorson,  pole-sitter C.J. Leary, Shane Goblic and Kyle Larson. Rounding out the top-10 were  Justin Grant, Jake Swanson, Ronnie Gardner, Jac Haudenschild and R.J. Johnson.  Parker Price-Miller, Matt Sherrel, Harli White and Daniel Adler were the DNF's


The A feature followed. A feature 1 had 25 drivers. Rico Abreu won, followed by pole-sitter Bryan Clausen,  Zach Daum, Jerry Coons, Jr. and Kyle Larson. Rounding out the top-10 were Tim McCreadie, Tyler Thomas, Thomas Meseraull, Tanner Thorson and Joey Saldana.  Shane Cottle, Justin Grant, Daryn Pitman and C.J. Leary were the DNF's.
Come back for my take on the NASCAR media tour.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Non-NASCAR Racing I've Followed

My coverage of non-NASCAR races has been limited, so I decided to post a list of the non-NASCAR series I've watched.


IndyCar
F1
Off-road racing
There was an ARCA race I watched online after it happened, but only because I wasn't home when it was on. I was actually out of town that weekend. If I had been able to follow it real-time, I would have because my favorite NASCAR driver was in it.
I only follow race series I'm able to watch on TV, as a rule. However, I will make exceptions (like that ARCA race I mentioned) under certain conditions. Come back soon for my Chili Bowl recap.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Kansas weekend

Hey folks! Here's my take on the Kansas race. Due to getting behind in my blogging combined with the NASCAR schedule being switched up, this one got lost in the shuffle somehow. This race is usually before Charlotte but was between Charlotte and 'Dega this year. The Trucks were off this weekend.




Saturday was the Xfinity race. Kyle Busch won with 56 laps led, followed by pole-sitter Matt Kenseth with 148 laps led, Joey Logano, Ty Dillon and Regan Smith. Rounding out the top-10 were Chris Buescher, Chase Elliott, Ryan, rookie Daniel Suarez and Brendan Gaughan. Jennifer Jo Cobb was 29th due to an accident on lap 138. Rookie Cole Conley was 30th after crashing out on lap 113. Korbin Forrister was 31st after an accident on lap 103.




Sunday was the Cup race. Joey Logano won with 42 laps led followed by Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson with 5 laps led, Kasey Kahne and Kyle Busch.  Rounding out the top-10 were Kurt Busch, Ryan Blaney with 5 laps led, Carl Edwards with 6 laps led, pole-sitter Brad Keselowski with 28 laps led and Jeff Gordon. Matt Kenseth led 153 laps and finished 14th due to a crash with Joey Logano. Kevin Harvick led 21 laps before finishing 16th. Paul Menard was 19th with 7 laps led. Casey Mears led 2 laps before finishing 23rd.  Clint Bowyer was 40th due to crashing out on lap 170.  Austin Dillon was 41st after an accident on lap 154.


If I had done everything how I should I would've said "Kansas" where I said " 'Dega in my Charlotte post and said "Come back for my 'Dega recap." at the end of this one. As I ended up doing things, come back next time for an offseason tidbit.