http://www.joegibbsracing.com/season_2006/news_cup/060221_jgr_stmnt.php Statement from Joe Gibbs Racing Regarding Fine and Penalty Levied by NASCAR Against Hall of Fame Racing HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., (Feb. 21, 2006) - The following is a statement from Joe Gibbs Racing president J.D. Gibbs regarding the $25,000 fine and the deduction of 25 owner and 25 driver points NASCAR levied against the #96 Hall of Fame Racing Team for having an unapproved carburetor during time trials for the Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Hall of Fame Racing has an engine lease program with Joe Gibbs Racing, and the unapproved carburetor came with the engine supplied to Hall of Fame Racing. "Joe Gibbs Racing provides all of the engines and carburetors for Hall of Fame Racing," said Gibbs. "We are responsible for any issues having arisen from the unapproved carburetor that was taken by NASCAR in Daytona. It is never our intention to put any unapproved parts on any of our race cars or those of our partners. We will join Hall of Fame Racing in appealing the severity of the penalty."
Speed Channel plans to broadcast Qualifying for Sunday's Auto Club 500 from California Speedway (Fontana) on Friday at 6:30 PM Eastern Time. This weekend's racing schedule: Nextel Cup Auto Club 500 - FOX Sunday 3:30 PM Eastern Time Busch Series Stater Bros. 300 - FX Saturday 6:00 PM Eastern Time Craftsman Truck Series Racetickets.com 200 - SPEED Friday 9:00 PM Eastern Time - Spydertrader
For those irritated by the sound of Benny Parsons' voice, 'Ole DW, Larry Mac', Jeff Hammond and Mike Joy return as FOX takes over the Nextel Cup broadcast Schedule this week.
Looking for a Job which won't interfere with trading? The #61 Team needs a few folks to work the Pits. - Spydertrader
what about 150 to 30 for a hairpin, then right back up to 200? throw in variable radius turns in both directions, extreme acceleration/deceleration, track height and pitch variations, rain, etc. -- there's just no comparison from a driver or technological point of view between F1 and nascar. imagine trying this at 220: http://www.fia.com/sport/Championships/F1/F1_Circuits/2005/Japan/2005.html that's not to knock nascar, its great for what it is, and it's a fun spectacle, but they are very different disciplines. nascar caters, very sucessfully, to a majority that is more interested in violence and spectacular crashes than precision driving or technological perfection. that's what nascar gives them - essentially a sophisticated demolition derby with suspense: overcrowd the track with big, heavy cars with bumpers on long straightaways, and you're guaranteed to get aggressive driving and some 10 car pileups sooner or later.
I enjoy F1, but I think you are wrong about the appeal of NASCAR. In the beginning, it was largely about rooting for the brand of car you drove. A large percentage of the fans were pretty knowledgeable about cars, and could easily imagine that with a few breaks, they could be out there on the track. Now, the appeal of NASCAR is a bit more diffuse. A lot of it revolves around the fan/driver relationship, which is as close as in any sport. The top drivers are around for a very long time, and fans regard them almost as family members. A lot of fans are attracted to the party atmosphere of race weekends. Many others, including those who only only watch on TV, enjoy the close racing and competition. A typical entire F1 race has less passing than one lap of a NASCAR show. Unlike F1, different drivers win every week, and at any given race, at least 15 or 20 teams could win if they get the breaks. Most of an F1 field are just out there doing laps, brilliantly driven laps in the most sophisticated machines on the planet to be sure, but it is a parade, not a real race.
hmmm, driving 3 inches away from 30 other cars at 180 mph that are on the edge of the handling envelope less than an inch from a concrete wall twice per lap for 4 hours doesn't take the utmost driving skill and technological precision? not to knock nascar eh? a sophisticated demolition derby that is inferior to F1 in skill and technological precision sounds an awful lot like a knock to me not to knock F1. I admire and respect the driving prowess of F1 drivers, the scream of the engines, the technological perfection. I just find the racing to be about as exciting as watching paint dry with a much higher degree of technological development.