Rutledge Wood Gives Insight to his Incredible Job

By

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October 8, 2012

www.therutledgewood.com

Everyone agrees that Rutledge Wood is one funny, interesting and cool talent for the SPEED Channel. Rutledge has had an incredible and interesting journey to working for SPEED and he now is able to enjoy his passion, racing. You can see Rutledge every weekend at the race track and as well as on TV for Top Gear, a show all about cars. Rutledge went from being a motorsports enthusiast to a full-time worker in NASCAR. Over the last eight years, Rutledge has enjoyed working in the NASCAR industry and we all enjoy seeing him on TV.

Recently I was able to conduct an interview with Rutledge, and below he gives me some insight to his job and some other interesting facts.

You got an interesting start in NASCAR; tell us how you came to work for SPEED?

“I started in the marketing department and worked my way up until I got a chance to be in front of the camera. This is my 8th year on the road for SPEED.”

What are some of the jobs you have gotten to do for the SPEED Channel?

“I have gotten to work as Speed Road Tour manager, emcee, and on-air talent.”

Since you began working for NASCAR, what has been your favorite memory you have had at the track?

“When I got to fly over Daytona Int’l Speedway flying in an F16 with the Thunderbirds, that’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.”

Who are some of your favorite SPEED co-workers?

“I love them all, but Kyle Petty is my best friend, so he’s my favorite!”

You are a co-host on Top Gear, how did you end up on that show?

“They found me doing my job on SPEED…I’m really lucky to have two of the best jobs in the world.”

What has been your favorite adventure you have had on Top Gear?

“Our trip to Alaska was one of my favorites…so was Death Valley. They’ve all been really fun in their own way. The producers love coming up with insane twists to seem like a normal trip.”

Your fellow co-host’s on Top Gear are Adam Ferrara and Tanner Foust, what’s it like to work with them?

“It’s awesome. They’re two of the funniest, nicest, crazy driving guys in the world.”

What is a normal race day like for Rutledge Wood?

“Get there early, have a meeting about our show(s), then head in to the track to interview the drivers. It’s a pretty fast paced world even though it’s spread over three days.”

What’s the best part about working for SPEED?

“The best part is getting to be a part of such a fun sport that so many people love. All the fans that I’ve met over the years have been so supportive of me. It’s like one big family.”

How do you think the Sprint Cup Season will turn out?

“I think it’s going to come down to Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, and Brad Keselowski. Those three guys all seem like the team to beat.”

You can follow Rutledge on Twitter @RutledgeWood or twitter.com/rutledgewood and watch for him on SPEED channel throughout the remainder of the NASCAR season.

The Final Word – A Canadian’s Thanksgiving for Talladega

By

Ron Thornton

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October 8, 2012

[media-credit name=”Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR” align=”alignright” width=”250″][/media-credit]With this having been the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, there are a number of things I am thankful for. Among them is the track in Talladega, Alabama and a race that lived up to expectations. A race where I watched lap after lap and did not feel compelled to wander away to find a ball game of some sort to break the monotony.

The sweeping camera angles as the cars flashed by going nose to tail at high speeds. No way on God’s green earth could we find ourselves heading down a local through-fare with that much trust in those idiots around us, never mind there was not a brake light to be found between them. Even if there were, it would only indicate an impact was probably forthcoming in the next split second.

I like to think that I am a pretty good driver, but I know that running even at close quarters at Richmond or Martinsville would be more than I could handle. What Talladega does is it brings that reality in no uncertain terms to the television audience. We ride with the boys on the seat of our pants while sitting in our favorite chair at home, knowing that even the slightest miscue could take out half the field. If only they could find the camera angles, to discover the shots, that could bring it home to us from all the tracks and not just the super speedways. That would be something.

We got a three car wreck early, just to remind us that these gents are just fooling around early. Carl Edwards went from minding his own business to riding around in a junker as even Landon Cassill drove away from him.

We got Kurt Busch losing power, finding the fence, and just when he has emergency crews leaning in his windows, a bag of their gear atop the car, and even with his own helmet off, Busch fires it up and droves off. NASCAR parked him for his recklessness, but he then proceeds to do all the right things, thanking his crew, giving them hugs, talking sweetly to the cameras. You want to like the guy, but he had just done something stupid, endangering others. Busch finished 39th, the guy he replaces next week in the Furniture Row entry was 5th. At least, I think NASCAR will still let him race next week.

We watched the tight, high speed action. We saw some incredible saves. We also saw one hell of a mess when Michael Waltrip got pushed into Tony Stewart on the final lap, and discovered once again why none of these cars have collision insurance. Matt Kenseth took his little pink car to the winner’s circle, yet sits 12th in the Chase more than 60 points behind Brad Keselowski, who was 7th. Jimmie Johnson is 14 points back, the only guy within 20 of the leader, and he finished 17th in a smoking heap of metal.

I admit, Talladega spoils me, as does Daytona, yet we also have Bristol and Charlotte to usually provide us with a great level of televised excitement. Next weekend, they return home, to the home of the World 600, home of the All-Star race, and home to this Saturday night’s Bank of America 500 in Charlotte, North Carolina. As for the Chase, even with six to go it is all but over unless, or until, Mr. Keselowski has himself a bad day.

Finally, there are those who claim that Talladega is not racing. Maybe they are right, just like the forward pass is not true football or home runs have no place in baseball. However, I know what I like. I watched each and every lap on Sunday. I just wish more televised races caused me, and you, to do the same. Enjoy the week.

Chasing the Chase – Week 4: NASCAR’s horrible restrictor plate racing holds up to its reputation at Talladega

By

SM Staff

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October 8, 2012

[media-credit name=”Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR” align=”alignright” width=”271″][/media-credit]As NASCAR’s fourth fiasco ended, Matt Kenseth and a few other lone cars made it back to the finish line in somewhat one piece.

Kenseth held off, blocked and/or kept himself were he needed to be on Sunday and won the Good Sam 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Kenseth was out in front just enough not to be involved in a huge pileup on the final turn that collected over 20 drivers.

This was Kenseth’s first win at Talladega in his 26th start and his second win of the season. Kenseth has finished third or better in all four restrictor plate races in 2012.

“I just looked in my mirror and saw them coming at me three-wide. I kind of let Tony have his spot there. It didn’t look like he had a big push behind him and lined up with Kevin and we pretty much stayed locked together there until we got to turn three and I thought it was gonna be a drag race to the finish. I didn’t know what was gonna happen and I’m still not sure what happened. Somehow I think Tony got turned and caused a big wreck.” Kenseth said.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. summed it up best after being asked by the media, “I know it sucks for you guys but for the fans it’s awesome to watch.” Earnhardt Jr. replies, “Really? It’s not safe. Wrecking like that is ridiculous. It’s blood-thirsty if that is what people want. It’s ridiculous.”

Chase drivers Jeff Gordon finished second, Greg Biffle sixth and Brad Keselowski finished seventh and managed to make it though NASCAR’s misguided restrictor plate non-racing event to capture decent finishes.

“I didn’t see anything but Kasey Kahne’s rear bumper. That was the craziest, craziest finish I’ve ever experienced here at Talladega. For a change, I finally came out on the good side of it. I had my teammate in front of me which is perfect.” Gordon said. “I got hit by the No. 18 and somehow that turned me down on the apron and I just put it back to the floor and drove by every car, and I came out of that second behind the No. 17 car. That is definitely what we needed to do. That is like a win. I am sure we survived it. We’ll see what we can do with it from here on out.”

“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me. Unbelievable. I was probably 20th and five-wide up against the wall and then cars started wrecking. A car flew over the top of my car as I turned to the bottom and missed guys by three inches. It was like Days of Thunder coming through the smoke and the grass and just kept it going straight. That’s all I did and once I was clear of all the stuff I kept going to the start-finish line, but it was the craziest thing I’ve ever been involved in, in my life.” Biffle said.

Keselowski’s seventh place finish extends his lead to 14 points over Johnson.

“We made all the right calls today. I tried to run up front but didn’t have any success at it. Everyone on the team did a good job executing with a smart race and we got a good finish.” Keselowski said. “That’s pretty big. I just feel lucky to survive Talladega.”

Kevin Harvick finished 11th, Kasey Kahne 12th, Martin Truex Jr. 13th, Denny Hamlin 14th, Jimmie Johnson 17th, Dale Earnhardt Jr. 20th, Tony Stewart 22nd and Clint Bowyer finished 23rd.

Official Chase Standings/Stats
After race 4 of 10
Good Sam 500, Talladega Superspeedway
http://www.speedwaymedia.com/cup/chase.php

Pos.	Driver	(+/-)	Wins	Top-5	Top-10	Bon.	Avg St	Ave Fin	Laps	Ttl Laps	Points	Bnd
1	Brad Keselowski	0	2	2	4	9	15	3.8	1156	1156	2179	0
2	Jimmie Johnson	0	0	3	3	5	12.3	6.3	1156	1156	2165	-14
3	Denny Hamlin	0	1	1	2	7	16	9.8	1155	1156	2156	-23
4	Kasey Kahne	2	0	2	2	2	5.5	8.8	1153	1156	2143	-36
5	Clint Bowyer	-1	0	1	3	3	6.5	11.5	1154	1156	2139	-40
6	Jeff Gordon	4	0	3	3	3	8.3	10.5	1079	1156	2137	-42
7	Tony Stewart	-2	0	0	2	3	15	13.8	1152	1156	2133	-46
8	Martin Truex Jr.	0	0	0	2	0	9.8	11.3	1156	1156	2131	-48
9	Greg Biffle	2	0	0	1	1	11.5	13.3	1153	1156	2130	-49
10	Kevin Harvick	-1	0	0	0	1	21.3	11.8	1153	1156	2130	-49
11	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	-4	0	0	1	1	13.8	13	1154	1156	2128	-51
12	Matt Kenseth	0	1	1	1	6	13.8	17	1126	1156	2117	-62