Russell Shows the way at Auburndale
A near capacity crowd filled the grandstands at Auburndale Speedway to see race number two in the twelve race series of the newly formed Florida United Promoters Late Model Series. This series is the result of six hard working, dedicated race promoters with a common goal of revitalizing late model racing in the Sunshine State.
[media-credit name=”Chuck Green” align=”alignright” width=”272″]
[/media-credit]Twenty-four teams would make the pull to Auburndale for this race including race one winner Anthony Campi. Odds on favorite, a regular at Auburndale, Jeff Scofield would also expect to contend for the victory. Other notables including the teams of Tim Russell, Joe Winchell, Wayne Anderson, and Joe Boyd would surely be a factor in the outcome of this race.
Auburndale would live up to its reputation as Florida’s’ fastest quarter mile Track with qualifying times below fifteen seconds. Wayne Anderson would post the quickest time, with Tim Russell, Jeff Scofield, Jesse Dutilly, and Joe Winchell rounding out the top five. Per series rules a blind draw among the fastest qualifiers would determine the starting grid for the 100 lap feature event.
The crowd was excited as the cars lined up for the start of the race as local favorite Jeff Scofield was on the pole, and would bring the field to the green. Flanking Scofield on the outside of row one was the car of Tim Russell, the winner of race one, Anthony Campi would start third, fast qualifier Anderson would start on the outside of row four in the eighth position. As the cars came to the green, a four car tangle on the front stretch would cause race officials to rerack and start again. The second attempt would fare better, Scofield would jump out front with Russell on his rear bumper, and again the pace was slowed by a single car spin in turn two. The restart would see Scofield on the point with Russell, Campi, and the ride of Jesse Dutilly all in pursuit. The running order would remain the same through several more yellows, all for single car spins, a restart on lap 40 would see Scofield on the inside, Russell on the outside in a side by side battle for the lead, the two drivers would stay like this for another five laps when Russell was able to clear Scofield with a pass on the outside. Tim would build a three second lead over Scofield and seemed to be on cruise control. At the halfway point the order would be Russell out front, Scofield second, Campi running third, Dutilly fourth, and Daniel Webster rounding out the top five. The running order would remain the same until lap 67 when the red flag came out for a grinding crash in turn one. Steve Doer who was running in the top fifteen drove deep into turn one, slower traffic forced Steve up, and out of the groove, and he slammed the outside wall nearly head on. Everyone held their breath waiting for a sign that Doer was okay, after several minutes Steve exited the car and assisted the wrecker crew to get what was left of the car on a flatbed. Talking with Steve Monday following the incident he told us they were able to salvage the engine, transmission, and seat, the rest of the car would go to scrap. Most importantly, other than being very sore from the impact Steve suffered no injuries from his wreck.
After a thirty minute delay to clean the track, the cars would restart with Russell on the point and Scofield close behind. Again Russell would pull away from his pursuers and would never be challenged again. A late caution would set up a green white checker finish and Russell would not be denied taking the victory. In victory lane Russell thanked his sponsors, family and friends, and gave credit to the promoters that have made this series possible. Jeff Scofield finished second with Daniel Webster Third, Joe Winchell Fourth, and Wayne Anderson completing the top five.
The next stop for the United late model is April 2nd at Lake City Speedway in Lake City Florida.
Get Out The Broom, Get Out The Oscars – It’s Bristol Baby!
Bristol Baby! That was the cry that echoed through thunder valley in east Tennessee this weekend. It brought with it the visions of past champions and bumping and banging and smoking and choking race cars all trying to claim the prize of being the crown jewel’s favorite prince.
There would be issues with tires. There would be issues with drivers. And that was before the green flag ever dropped on a race. Racing would just bring more drama and temper flares. Why? Because it’s Bristol Baby one of the most coveted trophies on the Sprint Cup circuit and she did not disappoint.
The weekend began with what started out to be near disaster with the Goodyear tires. The track would not rubber in. The tire compound instead of rubbe[media-credit id=18 align=”alignright” width=”300″]
[/media-credit]ring in the track and adding grip, turned to powder and gathered in the corners of the ½ mile high banked speedway. The tires were down to the cords in less than 30 laps according to some competitors. “One of the things we see here at Bristol is we see early wear,” Rick Heinrich, of Goodyear said. “Generally, the track will darken, the track will rubber in, the wear improves. And we didn’t see that normal improvement.”
NASCAR competition director Robin Pemberton, looked a lot like the championship crew chief he is when he became proactive and drew the line in the sand and said Not again. Goodyear swapped Right side tires out on Saturday for the teams of both series. The new tires were the same tires used in August of last year at Bristol.
The tire situation is, according to former series champion, Kurt Busch a result of the new car. “We’re either fine and sliding around or we’re blowing out right side [tires],” Busch said. “To me, I still think the cars are just too heavy, too high a center of gravity. And we’ve put Goodyear in a box with this [new car chassis]. It’s been like this since 2007.”
The Nationwide series qualified on the new tires and the Cup series had final practice with one set of the new right sides. There were minimum failures noted the remainder of the weekend.
The weekend’s drama was not at an end however, on the starting grid of Saturday’s Scott’s EZ Seed 300, Jennifer Jo Cobb refused to take her Ford Mustang on the track. Cobb stated that she had been told 10 minutes before the command to start engines that she would be a start and park to save the car for California. “”I have a commitment to my sponsors, my fans, NASCAR that I won’t start and park,” Cobb said. “I’m very serious about my career and my performance, and I’ve worked hard to prove it to everyone. I had already bought tires for the race, so you can imagine that this was a blow to my principles and my finances to get this news.”
Car owner of 2ndChance Motorsports, Rick Russell, told a different version of the story. Russell said “I already had my entry in for Bristol and California, and we killed our car in Vegas in a wreck,” Russell said after the race. “So only having one car, I got the thing rebuilt and we brought it up here with the intentions of staying out of trouble and running a few laps and going home with the car in one piece, so we could race next week in California.” Russell said on Saturday, that he made it plain to those at the track Friday they would not be doing anything other than starting and parking the car.
Russell said Cobb and crew chief Steve Kuykendall went behind his back to hire a crew for this race after Russell left his crew at home with the understanding the car would run only a handful of laps.
When Cobb balked at the plan to start and park the car, Russell threatened to have the car black flagged, within his rights as a team owner.
NASCAR advised Russell to remove the car from the starting grid and find a driver. He did just that and put Chris Lawson in the car. Lawson made 4 laps and returned to the car to the garage area as he was instructed.
“At that time, some of the crew tried to take parts off the car while it was sitting behind the hauler,” Russell said. “So I had the officials stop them and then they called track security and I told them I wanted a sheriff down here with warrants.”
Cobb claims that she was offered a ride for California by a NNS team owner that competes regularly before she was even out of her fire suit. Although, no announcements were made as to which team that was.
The relationship was ended publicly by both parties via social media. With ownership and driver/crew chief tweeting that the partnership was over. Accusations were hurled by both parties and the he say/she say war began and ended not only on national television but on the internet.
The whole debacle was distasteful and distracting. To air one’s differences on TV and the internet smacks of Charlie Sheen like tactics. In fact the results were the same, it made both parties and NASCAR look not only stupid but petty and immature.
First off to buy parts, pieces and tires for a car that does not belong to you is very much like renting a house installing central heating and central air and then moving and thinking you are going to take it with you. It’s not going to happen.
Second, to sign a contract with a relatively inexperienced female driver for 5 races less than a week after Danica’s schedule of the first 5 races is announced is an attempt to compete for the attention and press that female drivers seem to warrant these days. To then allow others to know you intend to fire her before her final race without telling her first is low and unprofessional.
Third, to get out of a car on the starting grid because it goes against your principles is admirable, however, you should never have gotten in it to start with. You should never have taken driver’s introductions and you should never have walked out to the grid. When you did and then refused to fire the engine and take the car to the track, start and park or not, you abandoned your position, the fans, the sport and the team that you assembled yourself.
This drama showed the entire series in a bad light and the sport as well. As if that drama wasn’t enough, another one was right around the corner with yet the other female driver in the series, Danica Patrick.
Patrick and Ryan Truex had raced one another hard for position for several laps. Both cars were laps down to the leaders and running well back in the pack.
On Lap 248, Danica Patrick’s Chevrolet tangled with the Toyota of Ryan Truex, spun and slammed nose-first into the Turn 1 wall. Patrick, who was running two laps down in 17th at the time, thought Truex moved off the front stretch wall into her racing line.
Danica’s on track response was to climb from her car after safety officials lowered her window net for her and to walk up the track and gesture to Truex as though to say what the heck.
“It felt like to me that I came out of the corner, and I was running down the straight, and I felt like he came off the wall. … I know I was running him early, and he just runs hard. He’s run hard every time I’ve been around him, and it just seems like overkill.”
Truex, admitted fault and apologized both over in car radio and post racing saying it was his fault that his car had gotten loose but it was in no way intentional.
Patrick who was running her first short track race embarrassed herself and many other women drivers with her actions. Once again, the accident was someone taking her out. Even though her crew chief, Tony Eury Jr. told her on the radio “that is just the way it is. It’s Bristol.” Before she even got out of the destroyed Go Daddy Chevrolet. It was a play for attention and a tantrum much like those she is famous for in Indy Car racing.
This is not Patrick’s first tirade against another young driver since coming to NASCAR. Last year after an incident with James Beuscher, Patrick again put on a Diva like display threatening the young Beuscher with retaliation for 3 weeks.
These displays and tantrums didn’t work for Kyle Busch. They didn’t work for Kevin Harvick or Juan Pablo Montoya. And they certainly are not working for her either. Patrick has some strong skills. She has an incredible feel for the tires on the car. She has learned to control the car on super speedways and intermediate tracks. But her performances are average at best and certainly not the stuff legends are made of. Yet her attitude and demeanor all say that she views herself as better than anyone else in the series. A point of view that her finishes can not support.
One might find it easier to forgive the forays into drama and attention seeking if she would make a commitment to the sport and series. But that commitment seems the furthest thing from her mind and her skill set makes that obvious.
Finally, Ms. Patrick needs to consider that everyone is racing for position in a NASCAR race. Although I don’t follow Indy racing I would think that it would be the same there. No one is going to pull over and let her go. She is going to have to race hard to earn her spot and her respect from other drivers. These continued bouts of outrage over being raced hard are not the way to acquire that.
Kyle Busch, dominated the NNS race. He stated that the tire switch made their car very loose but that crew chief Jason Ratcliff was able to correct it quickly and give him what he needed to finish the race.
Carl Edwards made the end of the race interesting but was unable to get by the Z Line Toyota. He was followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr who over came a 2 lap deficit to finish 3rd on the lead lap in the Tax Slayer Chevrolet.
The Sprint Cup race was steady. It wasn’t as exciting as the racing we have come to expect from Bristol, but it wasn’t a snooze fest either.
Once again, Kyle Busch would take the Bristol sweep. Having won the last 5 races in a row at Bristol, he has obviously become the crown jewels new crowned prince.
Again it would be Carl Edwards in the bridesmaid role with 5 time series champion Jimmie Johnson, who led the most laps of the race, bringing home 3rd.
Strong finishes for Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, Paul Menard and Kevin Harvick made for a very strong top 10. Dale Earnhardt Jr would fall just short of a 3rd straight top 10 finish. But would have another strong run finishing in 11th. The strong finish would put him inside the top ten in points for the first time since 2008.
The excitement of Bristol gives way to California dreaming with the teams making the cross country trek once again to Fontana next week. But the echoes of thunder valley, the drama it produced, the scores that it created will not soon be forgotten. One has to know that somewhere in heaven our friend Jeff Byrd is smiling knowing that his beautiful lady is alive and well and living up to the reputation that she earned as the Crown Jewel of NASCAR.
~~~~~ *** ~~~~~
Congratulations to Kyle Busch and his Joe Gibbs Racing team on their sweep of Bristol once again.
That said, to all the competitors in all the series thanks for giving us everything you have to give, you are our heroes. Most importantly, thanks to all the families who shared their loved ones with us so we could cheer our favorite driver and favorite teams. You are the true heroes of the sport and we are forever in your debt.
Tempers, Tempers: Bristol Leaves Many Steamed Following First Short Track Race
When racing at the Bristol Motor Speedway it would be a benefit to forget about having feelings, because they’re going to get hurt.
Saturday and Sunday afternoon there was a lot of frustration to go around. Before the green flag even flew for the Scotts EZ Seed 300 Nationwide Series race there was drama. Jennifer Jo Cobb walked away from her No. 79 car after what she said was being told by her team owner to start and park.
He was trying to break a contract he had with her Cobb said.
“I have a commitment to my sponsors, my fans, and NASCAR that I won’t start and park,” Cobb said. “I’m very serious about my career and my performance, and I’ve worked hard to prove it to everyone. I had already bought tires for the race, so you can imagine that this was a blow to my principles and my finances to get this news.”
Team owner Rick Russell had a different version.
“I already had my entry in for Bristol and California, and we killed our car in Vegas in a wreck,” said Russell. “So only having one car, I got the thing rebuilt and we brought it up here with the intentions of staying out of trouble and running a few laps and going home with the car in one piece, so we could race next week in California.”
Russell said Cobb and crew chief Steve Kuykendall went behind his back to put together a pit crew for the race. He also said that after the car was parked some members were trying to take parts off. He then said he wanted a sheriff deputy to come and for NASCAR to stop them.
The incident has become a she-said/he-said incident. It spilled over to the social networking sites as comments from 2nd Chance Racing on their Twitter and Facebook page weren’t well-received with fans. In turn, fans shot back with their support for Cobb and for their dislike of starting and parking.
A few hours later it was another female that was none to happy, Danica Patrick.
Making her first career start at the Tennessee bullring, Patrick was 53 laps away from leaving with a top 20 finish. Bristol was her final NASCAR race for a few months as she returns to INDYCAR next weekend.
While racing another rookie, Ryan Truex, on the front stretch, the two made contact. Patrick went spinning and ended up head on into the wall, ending her day. As Truex drove by Patrick stood with her arms extended, as if asking what that was all about.
She said he was just racing too hard. On the Truex radio he took the blame but was told by his team that apparently Patrick has never done anything wrong in her life.
On Sunday afternoon it was a whole new ballgame.
Jamie McMurray was wondering if Clint Bowyer was missing an important team member. Kevin Harvick had unpleasant comments about Mark Martin. Jeff Gordon wanted Brad Keselowski to know how he felt about him running into the side of the No. 24.
It’s Bristol baby!
When the No. 4 of Kasey Kahne got loose coming off turn two he caused Harvick to get into the back of him as well as check up. Harvick was then hit by Martin. Harvick tried to save it but spun and was forced to pit for repairs to his rear bumper.
“That’s two times in four races,” said Harvick over the radio. “They need to check his old ass for vision.”
A few laps later Martin caused another caution by spinning Travis Kvapil.
During the caution for Harvick’s spin turn three has Juan Pablo Montoya, Trevor Bayne and others experience their own problems in. Bowyer never slowed down enough to avoid running into the back of a slowing Jamie McMurray.
“Who did that?” McMurray asked and then told of Bowyer. “Does he have a spotter?”
Manners go out the window racing at Bristol. It’s flat out, bumper to bumper, hard nosed racing at over 100 mph. Sometimes, things aren’t going to go a drivers way. It’s rare to leave the track with the race car in one piece or with only a few dents and dings. Unless that driver is lucky enough to be the winner.
None of the following drivers felt like winners after Sunday.
Robby Gordon told his team “this is stupid” after wrecking his No. 7 and having to head to the garage. And Kurt Busch made sure to use every expletive in the book when talking about his No. 22. Never satisfied with how is car was handling, Busch let loose on his radio nearly the whole race.
It was also reported that after the race was over and everyone had returned to the garage, Busch was still upset.
Joey Logano also had a few words for his team and the engine under the hood of his No. 20 Home Depot Toyota.
“This motor still f***ing sucks,” he said early in the race. Logano was able to battle back for a 23rd place finish but leaving Bristol, Joe Gibbs Racing still must be concerned with their engine department. They’ve experienced problems in every race thus far in the 2011 season.
Even normally mild-mannered Jimmie Johnson had a few exciting moments. While leading he tapped Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne whom he was trying to lap. During another run he was attempting to lap the 38 of Kvapil and again found himself having trouble.
“Must be taking lessons from Ryan Newman,” his spotter Earl Barban told him.
Johnson led the most laps and finished third. Next weekend the NSCS heads to his home track, Auto Club Speedway. The track out West is far from a short track like Bristol and drivers most likely won’t lose their cool. It won’t last long though as another short track, Martinsville looms in two weeks.
Bristol though, was the first short track of the year.
The Jeff Byrd 500 was one that some will say lived up to its expectations and provided plenty to talk about heading into a Monday morning. Something the late Byrd himself would have been proud of.
Kyle Busch Sweeps Bristol Again!
[/media-credit]
The win for Busch was his 20th in 226 NASCAR Sprint Cup starts, and his first win and his third top 10 in 4 Cup starts in 2011. This win is Kyle’s fifth at Bristol and ties him with his brother Kurt and Jeff Gordon for wins among active drivers. Carl Edwards finished second, followed by Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth and Paul Menard in fifth.
After the race Edwards commented, “ It was exciting. I thought I could get to him (Busch) at the end and rough him up a little bit, and maybe get by him, but his car took off. I should have hit him harder when I got to his bumper the first time, but we were really racing hard. His car was better there at the end. Kyle did a good job, our team did a good job and we’ve just got to thank all the fans and let them know we appreciate them coming out and supporting us.”
In a post race interview Johnson talked about his car being really good and his team working hard, but at the end it was all about track position. “On the pit stop, the rear tire changer slipped and that lost us valuable track position. We just could never get that back.” Kenseth was also happy with his fourth place finish, “We had a lot of fun out there racing today and got lucky and got the right lane on the restarts a few times. We were able to make up some positions. It took all day, but we finally were able to make some adjustments that had the Crown Royal Black Fusion pretty decent.” Rounding out the top 10 for the Jeff Byrd 500 was Kevin Harvick 6th, followed by Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle, Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman in 10th.
Kyle Busch took a few minutes after celebrating in Victory Lane to talk about the race. “It was a lot harder today, that’s for sure. Carl Edwards kept me honest there. I was making a couple of mistakes, but nothing we couldn’t rebound from. This M&M’s Camry was awesome today. I can’t thank the guys at Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing, M&M’s, thanks for signing up for another infinite years.”
As the series heads for Fontana next week for the fifth race of the season, there was little movement in the top 10 in points other than Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson moving IN and A J Allmendinger and Denny Hamlin moving OUT. The new leader after Bristol is Kurt Busch, with Carl Edwards on point behind in second, as Tony Stewart slips to third. Ryan Newman and Paul Menard round out the top five. Kyle Busch moved up to sixth, followed by Jimmie Johnson, Juan Pablo Montoya, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Martin Truex in tenth. The top ten are now separated by 27 points as a result of the new point system in place this year.
