Rossi prevails again at Czech GP
August 18, 2008
The MotoGP bikes took the track today in the Czeck Republic in what was destined to be a rematch of the Rossi vs. Stoner rematch from the Red Bull GP at Laguna Seca. And for the most part, fans were not let down.
Stoner and Rossi started in the first and second positions respectively and after things settled down after a start where Rossi got shuffled back into third. But after a few laps into the race, the race turned into a two-man battle. Read more
Schumacher makes it five in a row
August 18, 2008
Can anyone beat Tony Schumacher in Top Fuel?
Well, sure they can, but the more he wins, the more the psychological weight builds up in opponent’s heads. This time it was Larry Dixon who fell to the US Army rail in the finals of the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, PA. This race was key because it’s the next-to-last race before Countdown to the Championship fields are set, and it also determined fields for Funny Car and Pro Stock Motorcycle bonus events at the “Big Go,” the upcoming Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. Read more
Is it set, or will Ragan make the Chase?
August 17, 2008
With four Roush Fenway drivers finishing in the top five I’m sure David Ragan thought his third place finish at Michigan would finally put him in the Chase. Coupled with Hamlin and Kahne finishing 39th and 40th, respectively, the points should start adding up. Ragan even Read more
JGR Caught With Hand In Cookie Jar
August 17, 2008
Well, there are a lot of people upset with Joe Gibbs Racing right now, and it’s no surprise that most of those people are drivers and owners who have seen the rear end of Gibbs cars more than they would like to this season. JGR and Toyotas have been dominant in both series and that’s raised many eyebrows about how they got so good, so quick. Read more
Detroit may get Red Bull Air Race date in 2009
August 16, 2008
Fan of air racing in the Midwest have something to be optimistic about with a report that the Red Bull Air Race series is considering a return to Detroit in 2009. Series officials were apparently planning on excluding Detroit for a race next year, one that was very successful for the local economies both sides of the US/Canada riverfront. It’s likely a reaction to the fact that Detroit’s Friday and Saturday practice and qualification days had to be canceled this year due to wind gusts.
Stoner on pole for Czech GP
August 16, 2008
Wow! Casey Stoner made it six pole positions in a row by posting the top time at the Czech GP today. Even more impressive is that Stoner did it on a wet track while being ill, and runnng a fever. Stoner is suffering from some sort of bug, and was running a fever today during the session. But the Australian manned-up and posted a fantastic performance.
But Valentino Rossi is starting right next to Stoner on the front row, which sets the race up for a possible rematch of their incredible battle at Laguna Seca. Rossi and Stoner battled lap-after-lap in a head to head duel where they exchanged the lead several times by making breathtaking passes while still pulling away from the rest of the field. It was impressive. Stoner finally made a mistake and finished second at Laguna, so you can bet he is highly motivated to beat Rossi tomorrow.
But Rossi and Stoner will have to keep an eye on John Hopkins, who starts on the outside of row 1 and is looking for his first podium.
You can watch tomorrow’s Czech GP via tape delay on CBS at 2PM ET. Check your local listings and the Fastmachines.com TV Listings for more information.
Vickers Sits On Pole For Michigan, Stewart And Newman, Olympic Racing
August 15, 2008
The last time that Brian Vickers sat on a pole, was 2006. Big difference between now and 2006? In 2006 he drove for Hendrick.
Now Vickers, of course, drives for Red Bull Racing, and this is the first time that team has put a driver on the pole in their two season existence. But when the 3M Performance Read more
As Long as We’re Talking Schedules…
August 15, 2008
Just before NASCAR releases the 2009 schedule, Kansas Speedway decides to make public that they plan to ask NASCAR for a second date in the near future. I can’t imagine that it will happen next year since all three major touring series’ schedules should be just about wrapped up by mid-August, but stranger things have happened.
The question becomes should Kansas Speedway get a second date? Evidently, plans at the speedway call for the addition of a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on property as well as several other improvements. The area around the speedway, which was an expanse of cornfield in 2001, is now covered by shopping centers, restaurants, and hotels as far as the eye can see. There is no doubt that the Kansas Speedway has been a tremendous success.
However, putting a second date at Kansas would mean that parent company International Speedway Corporation would have to take a race from another of its tracks. That means that either Daytona, Talladega, California, Darlington, Martinsville, Michigan, Chicagoland, Richmond, Watkins Glen, Phoenix, or Homestead.
I think Daytona, Talladega, Michigan, and Richmond are untouchable, as well as Darlington since it only has one date remaining. The one date factor would certainly come into play for Homestead-Miami, Chicagoland, and Watkins Glen as well.
That leaves Phoenix, Martinsville, and California as the more vulnerable tracks: California due to its low attendance, Martinsville due to its comparatively low number of seats and its location in the already over-saturated southeastern U.S., and Phoenix because, well - do we really need two Cup races at Phoenix? (Personally I would say yes, but then I just enjoy going to Phoenix, race or no race.)
Of those tracks, I think California is the one most likely to lose a race date. In addition to being a short track, Martinsville is seeped in tradition. I think the whole Darlington fiasco resulted in NASCAR sitting up and paying attention to the fact that tradition still means a great deal to a great many fans. California has rarely sold out, the TV ratings are typically amongst the lowest of every season, and given all those factors, it is an unnecessarily long trip from Charlotte. Plus, why was that race ever scheduled for Sunday night? Holiday schmoliday, give me Saturday night anytime!
A second race at Kansas would be fine as long as ISC considers carefully which track will lose the date. Putting another race in the Heartland probably wouldn’t be such a bad idea, but eliminating another fan favorite race in order to do so would be foolish.
Minor Schedule Change for 2009 = Major Happiness in NASCAR
August 13, 2008
The 2009 Sprint Cup schedule has yet to be released, but there was an unofficial version posted online today. The preliminary schedule indicates that the Labor Day race at the Auto Club Speedway will move to the first weekend in October. The weekend that is currently slated for the fall Talladega race, to be exact. Talladega would move to the current fall Atlanta weekend later in October, and the Labor Day race, that historic weekend that many fans still rightfully belongs to Darlington, will move to Atlanta Motor Speedway. Read more
FastMachines.com Radio Episode #6
August 13, 2008
Josh and Chris are solo again after three weeks of great guests. We talk NASCAR, IRL, ALMS. Show notes below the fold…
Let us know what you think by commenting on this posting, or shoot Chris and I an email by sending to radio@fastmachines.com.
Click below to listen to us right now in your browser…
Click here to download the MP3 of Podcast #6 and load it on your iPod or whatever you listen to your tunes on.
The FastMachines.com Radio Podcast is brought to you by:
Michelin - Race to Learn, Race to Win
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