and some other odds and ends are on today's menu.
In regards to Fox and their coverage of Phoenix, an updated acronym has been created. SNAFFU. Situation Normal, Another Fox Foul Up. You have to wonder if maybe the folks at Fox need to do some random drug testing based on their coverage. They could've run a split screen showing both the game and the race. They could've easily shown this game on another Fox outlet, like FX or Fox HD, from the beginning. But Fox didn't bother using the 5P Principal. Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. And it shows. They didn't bother covering all the bases ahead of time. I guess they don't pay attention to the weather like the race guys do.
So far, what has the Uni-Car actually done right? It hasn't saved the teams money. It hasn't given us great side by side racing. It hasn't given us great passes. It hasn't eliminated the restrictor plate. It hasn't eliminated aero problems. It hasn't made the races more exciting. It's not cheaper than the old car. It's not saving the teams money. It hasn't "delivered" like was promised. Even the safety features were copied from the old car with a few additions. Granted, Jeff Gordon and Michael McDowell both had some terrific wrecks, but we've seen worse wrecks in the old car in which the driver walked away from them without assistance. So as far as I can see, there isn't much that the car has done right. We still have aero problems, we still have single file racing, the car is more expensive than the old car, the drivers don't like it, the fans don't like it, and it doesn't handle like it was supposed to. And we still have the engine downsizing to go through. If you think it's bad now, just wait til they put smaller engines in them.
Myself, Don, and a number of readers have presented reasonable solutions to improve the Uni-Car and it's handling problems. But what do we hear?
"We still call it the new car, right? But it's looked at as an old car, one that's been around forever, and that's not the case. There's nothing broken, there's nothing that we need to jump in and fix. It's just a matter of continuing to race them and let the teams do what they do best."
- John Darby, Series Director
If it's so great, why are there so many complaints about the car, it's performance or lack thereof, it's handling, and it's looks? It's definitely not looked at as a car that's been around forever. Fans and teams still look at it as being new (and a dog). Obviously you don't talk much with the fans do you John? Unless or until some of the changes we suggested are implemented, you can expect to see more snooze-a-thons for all but the last 10 laps of a race.
The downhill slide on the TV ratings continues. Texas ratings were off 4%. Now that March Madness is over, it should be interesting to see if the ratings rebound or if they continue on their journey downwards. I also find it strange that when the ratings are up, they're quickly released but when they're down, you have a tough time finding them.
A few folks who run the 1.5 mile cookie cutter tracks are begging for NA$CAR to allow the teams to test at them. Don't think it's from the goodness of their hearts that they're wanting to do this. It's because they're smart enough to realize that the performance of the Uni-Car on the cookie cutter tracks has been horrible. Boring races do not fill up the grandstands. They don't sell souvenirs. They don't sell hotdogs and beer at the concession stands. But once again, the spinmeisters and Kool Aid drinkers seem to be reciting their favorite mantra, "All is well".
I made a few inquiries on the Old School Racing Champions Tour and there wasn't much info that could be released. I'm curious about who will be covering the races, will they be broadcast live or on tape delay, and how close they are on completing the negotiations on the broadcast rights. We'll just have to wait and see. Let's just hope that whoever does broadcast the races does a better job than what Fox and ESPN are doing.
A little something for Larry Mac who said a couple of years ago that there weren't any rain tires:
"It's just never happened that NASCAR wanted to utilize it (rain tires) in a race condition. But we have had it available and conducted race sessions with it. And we'll continue to have it available. If you look at the Nationwide Series now, they go to Mexico City and to Canada. We don't have a lot of versatility in our dates there. If we get rain, we want to make sure we can put on a show for those folks." - Greg Stucker, Goodyear Racing's director of race tire sales, in a recent statement in the Ft Worth Star Telegram, about rain tires.
Speaking of tires, Ford was omitted from the upcoming Indy tire testing. No whining or complaining like a certain Japanese manufacturer was doing about another recent tire test.
For you folks who are into the NASCAR reality shows, GAC-TV (GAC-Great American Country) has a new one called "Drafting Partners". The premise of the show is for a country star to hook up with one of the drivers. Here's what they said in the release for the show: Drafting Partners places country music artists who are NASCAR fans out of their element and sometimes into the driver's seat at some of NASCAR's most popular tracks and properties.
Each week, GAC pairs an artist with a NASCAR driver to learn more about America's number-one motorsport and discover the artists' similarities in "putting on the show," families, and life on the road. Throughout Drafting Partners, the artists, drivers, and fans show some of their favorite country music videos.
The first 3 shows has Scott Wimmer hooking up with Jason Michael Carroll. I'm trying to find out who else will be on future shows. The show's debut was on April 9th (Wednesday) at 9 pm. So you might want to check your listings to be sure the day and time hasn't changed.
Interesting that HRH Faux King Brian should be back in China talking to folks whom besides violating human rights, also have complete and total dictatorial powers like himself. At least he's talking with his peers to a certain extent. Both ignore public outcries, both stifle freedom of speech, and both stick it to the people. Might I suggest a name for the first NA$CAR race there? The Tibetan Monk 500 or the Dali Lama 400?
For all you folks who are driving a 2003 Honda Accord, there's been a recall on them for the windshield wiper system. Apparently the system gets corroded and can shut down and possibly shut down the electrical system of the car. Not exactly the sort of thing you want happening when your on the interstate in the rain.
Leave it to David Pearson to tell it like it is. On a
recent edition of NA$CAR Now, he let folks know
exactly how he feels about the current state of
NA$CAR. He isn't happy with it at all. And he's
not the only one. I made a few calls to a few of
David's competitors from the good old days and
their opinions reflect Pearson's. One wasn't as
polite, but it definitely reflected what David said.
Maybe the Wood Brothers need to put David
back behind the wheel of their car.
And a tip of the hat to the fine folks of Company
B, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st
Airborne Division in helping to get a water
treatment facility up and running in North Hargawi, Iraq. This means good water for the folks living there and reduces the risk of various ailments and diseases for them. Way to go folks.
And I want to thank all the fans who support agencies like St. Jude's Children's Hospital and the American Cancer Society. Your money is going to good causes and helping to find ways to treat and beat cancer.
Motherhood, Apple Pie, and John Wayne
Mad Mikie
Curmudgeon at Large
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