Positive Trend
February 4, 2004
Speed Channel experienced nearly double the viewership for this years Rolex 24 hrs at Daytona compared to last years coverage. Hopefully this is a trend and not just an aberration, that will lead to more and better coverage of all racing on the channel.
thatsracin.com: Speed Channel scores with Rolex 24 coverage
Revise Schedule To Enhance “Chase”
February 4, 2004
A while ago, I suggested that NASCAR revise the schedule to have the Daytona 500 at seasons end instead of the season opener. Jerry Bonkowski of ESPN.com takes the idea and further refines it, to make the last ten races more challenging and worthy of the title “Chase For The Championship.”
rpm.espn.com: Right mix of tracks the key
Tradionalists Vs. New Fans
February 4, 2004
A well written piece in defense of the so-called “New Fans” that Nascar is attempting to reach, or keep interested , in the sport. As a partial defense of the new scoring system, I was surprised to learn that “The King” won his seven titles under several (six, I think) different scoring systems. No one to my knowledge, marginalizes any of his titles due to the different ways he had to score points. Right on Nascar, keep fine tuning the game, eventually all will benefit.
insiderracingnews.com: In Defense of the New Fans
Let The Racing Begin!
February 4, 2004
That would be the Bud Shootout, at Daytona this weekend. The long winter drought of only talking about racing is over, as we get to see the seasons first racing under the lights this Saturday night.
ajc.com: Saturday’s Bud Shootout kicks off 2004 competition
Put Up The Dough, Or Go
February 4, 2004
To F1 Czar Bernie Eccelstone, its a simple thing. Find the money to race competitively, or find something better to do with your time and resources. Pretty strong words from a man who has guarranteed circuits 20 cars on the grid for every race. Then again, “The Master” probably has a vision and business plan that will account for the small team losses and what F1 will look like five years down the road.
Canberra times: Ecclestone rubbishes Jaguar
Pat Patrick Departs Champ Cars
February 4, 2004
In what has to be a kick in the gut to OWRS, Pat Patrick has announced he will be leaving the Champ Car series. He will join the IRL if sponsorship can be found. You can be sure the IRL will do everything in it’s power to help him find the money to race in the IRL this year. I find it ironic that both Roger Penske and Pat Patrick, the two founding members of CART back in 1978, are both in the fold of the IRL.
canoe.ca: CART co-founder moving on
Massa OK After Testing Crash
February 4, 2004
Sauber driver Felipe Massa was air lifted to a hospital after a heavy crash at over 180mph this morning while testing at Barcelona.
The wreck was caused by a failure on the right front side of his Sauber C23 which sent him into the barriers at high-speed. A Sauber spokesman said the following…
It would be pre-emptive to give a medical condition…however, Felipe was able to get out of the car himself, which is a big indication to his well-being…we do not know the reasons for the accident but our engineers say it was not due to driver error…we now need some time to analyse the car and the parts. The car will be taken back to our factory in Switzerland.”
It sounds like a hard hit, but the air lift was mostly precautionary due to the temporary loss of consciousness. Let’s hope for the best.
UDATE: A release from Sauber reveals that Massa is fine…
Team SAUBER PETRONAS terminated the last day of its three-day-test at the Circuit de Catalunya prematurely, following an incident of Felipe Massa in the first corner at 09.35 hours. Due to a front suspension problem, Massa lost control of the car and crashed into the tyre barrier. He got out of the car himself and was concious all the time. As a preventive measure he was taken to the “Hospital General de Catalunya” for a routine check. This check reveiled no injuries. Massa said: “No problem, I’m fine.” Team SAUBER PETRONAS will continue testing as of Friday in Vairano (straight line test with Neel Jani) and as of Tuesday, February 10, in Jerez.
BBC: Massa suffers heavy crash
PlanetF1.com: Massa hospitalised after testing shunt
F1Racing.net: Pictures of the crash
NHRA & ESPN Continue Broadcasting Relationship
February 4, 2004
In the fourth year of the five year exclusive broadcast rights agreement between the NHRA and ESPN, the network will air more than 100 hours of NHRA POWERade racing action. My only question is, why do I have to wait for the 10pm-1am time slot to see the racing tape-delayed? I can’t wait for the tape-delay, I have to get online and see who won what, which ruins the broadcast. I mean honestly, what else does ESPN2 have going on? Lumber sports!? Let’s get on the ball and get some live events!
NHRA.com: ESPN to televise more than 100 hours of the 23-race NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series in 2004
Aero Package Key For Daytona Events
February 4, 2004
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 3, 2004) - As NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams prepare for the 2004 season, they are faced with solving the latest competitive equation that could lead to victory inthe season-opening Daytona 500.
NASCAR has made changes to the two key components - spoilers and restrictor plates - that traditionally play pivotal roles in a team’s success at Daytona International Speedway. Both of thosecomponents will see an increase in size from last year’s Daytona 500 and will have different effects on a car’s overall performance.
Cheever Racing In The Hunt?
February 4, 2004
Some noise is being made over Cheever racing this year after their first testing session in Miami. The team’s new driver pairing of Alex Barron and Ed Carpenter posted the fastest speeds of all four sessions - over 218mph. It sounds like Cheever Racing may have a chance at being competitive this season instead of just being the guys that cause some of the wrecks. I hope this glimmer of hope pans out for Alex Barron, the long suffering “Super Sub” finally getting the full time gig he so richly deserves. If you followed his exploits last year, you just have to want him to succeed.
However, there isn’t a person in the IRL who chafes me more than Eddie Cheever. Who knows, maybe Eddie and Alex are a perfect driver/owner pairing…unlike Eddie’s relationship with Tomas Schecter. And maybe, just maybe Eddie has realized that he does more good when he’s not sitting in the race car…
Motorsport.com: Cheever Racing steps up
CheeverIndyRacing.com: Barron Proved it Doesn’t Have To Be a Third Time To Be a Charm
IndyRacing.com: An Interview With Red Bull Cheever Racing