With Charlotte Motor Speedway hosting over 200 journalists from all over the world for the 2011 edition of the “media tour” you were thinking that it might just be another tour were everything is great in the sport and here’s our new sponsors and uniforms. In many cases that is exactly what it was as Earnhardt – Ganassi Racing and Stewart – Haas Racing made quite a few announcements but nothing new (new sponsor for Stewart with Mobil 1, and the annoying but lovable Energizer Bunny at EGR).
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[/media-credit]At EGR is where things took a bit of a surprising tour when emcee, Larry McReynolds decided to remind everyone there that we needed to be more positive when we cover the sport. He also said many of us make our living in the sport. McReynolds said, “You all know that no matter what role you play, we’ve got to roll our sleeves up and we’ve got a lot of work to do in 2011 to get this sport back where it was at one time. I know it’s easy to write about all the bad things and I know it can’t all be about the good things, but … he continued, “If it’s television ratings, we know the ratings are down. How about also promoting that we’re second only to the NFL? If there’s 25,000 empty seats at Michigan, how about making sure you document there’s still over 100,000 people in those grandstands?
Really? I will tell you it was not well received by my peers in attendance. I have long thought that there’s freedom of the press but not in sports reporting. Many of us know how it works, we’re there to promote the sport and what is going on, not tear it up week in and week out about how bad everything stinks.
We made a stop Stewart- Haas Racing where Tony Stewart said, “The first year was a learning year and a building year but, this past year, I think we all started the season a lot more comfortable in knowing what to expect. It’s definitely not easy, for sure.” One thing that I noticed right away was that Stewart looked refreshed.
Stewart said that he did not think that things were going to be any easier with sponsorships. He said, “I don’t think that we’ve turned the corner on the economy side, yet. It’s very competitive. The work off the racetrack, between the car owners and sponsors right now, it’s probably more competitive than I ever imagined it would be. And, especially nowadays, I think it’s probably harder than it’s been in the past 15 or 20 years. The good thing is, you don’t see a lot of sponsors really leaving the sport. They just have been moving around a little bit.” Speaking about his own team’s sponsors, “I really feel fortunate to have somebody like Office Depot, that was here from day one, and that was when the economy started turning. They were one of the first people who wanted to be on board with us. And we had a great run with Old Spice, but having Mobil 1 on board now and having them come over in this economy is something we are really proud of.”
But speaking of feeling refreshed someone asked him if he lost weight. “I’m definitely not the guy to be adding a lot to the fitness comments,” he said to the laughter of the media and guests gathered. “I can tell you that my left hand controls the volume and the right hand controls the channel. That’s about the best workout regimen I’ve got. But I did start working out a little bit before the end of the year and changing how I eat a little bit.”
At EGR we had a great lunch (with some commentary) and it was confirmed that defending Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray and defending Watkins Glen race winner Juan Pablo Montoya were returning to their race teams in 2011. McMurray will have sponsors Bass Pro and McDonalds returning to the car but also added two new ones as well, WIDIA and LiftMaster.
Montoya also looked refreshed (did he too lose weight?) He discussed how bad last season started with many wrecks and his hopes in making the Chase again this year after missing the 2010 edition. The one thing that I was surprised about with Montoya was his position on racing in the Indianapolis 500 again regardless of any bonus for winning the Coca-Cola 600 and the 500. “It would be a nightmare,” Montoya said. “I race 39 weekends a year with Cup and the 24 Hours (at Daytona). Add another month for Indy and I’d be looking for a new family. I don’t have to prove myself there. I’m happy where I am.”
Although Teresa Earnhardt was nowhere to be found both Felix Sabates and Chip Ganassi were present and seemed excited 2011. They should be. The team won 4 races in 2010 including two of the crown jewels of NASCAR by the No. 1 team of McMurray (Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400). They feel both teams will be in the chase and will be a factor in determining a champion. I tend to agree.
