NASCAR Nextel press conference
June 19, 2003
Just watched the NASCAR Nextel press conference on Speed Channel (because the audio on the webcast was weak). It was your basic hoopla press conference. Speeches by Bill France and Nextel CEO Tim Donahue focused on the opportunities and the bright future. Both paid tribute to outgoing sponsor RJ Reynolds and their 30+ year relationship with NASCAR. Donahue also presented Jeff Gordon and Dale Jr. with Nextel phones (appeared to be i90s) painted and decaled like their Winston (er…Nextel) Cup rides….
British GP in trouble…still
June 19, 2003
Bernie Ecclestone has blasted the way the British Racing Drivers’ Club (owners of the Silverstone race track) has spent money invested by the FIA and Octagon (the company that holds the rights to the British GP) for improvements to the legendary F1 race venue. Essentially he feels that they spent
Excellent headline…
June 18, 2003
Planet-F1.com: Nut-less Barrichello Leads At Silverstone
Dixon wants to test F1 ride
June 18, 2003
Scott Dixon is reportedly closing in on a testing opportunity in Formula 1.
Template wars
June 18, 2003
Here is an interesting perspective on how NASCAR’s common templates cause on track rivalries. When all the cars are that close in performace, you have to do a little extra bumpin’ & grindin’ to get ahead. And that leads to ongoing rivalries like Gordon and Marlin…or Marlin and Johnson…..or Marlin and….hey wait…maybe it’s just Sterling….
And after all, isn’t the whole goal close competition in NASCAR’s eyes?
Also, here is an interview with Sterling with a funny comment about Jeff’s ex-wife.
More on Dodge vs. Bill Davis
June 18, 2003
The SportingNews’ Lee Spencer has a great article detailing the Dodge vs. Bill Davis Racing lawsuit. I agree with her idea that BDR was just looking for a better opportunity after being screwed over by Dodge, but contracts are contracts. Why didn’t BDR sue Dodge for neglecting his team (and Petty’s)? Instead he got sneaky. The part that would really make me angry if I was Dodge is that they had a Dodge engine in a Toyota truck. There is something about that that is really underhanded in my mind.
New McLaren fails FIA crash testing
June 18, 2003
Aside from Alex Wurz wrecking heavily in the new McLaren MP4/18, the car has also failed mandatory FIA crash testing. It will not be able to compete until it passes. This is one of the longest car release processes I have ever seen.
Demoting David
June 18, 2003
Poor David Coulthard will never win a championship. There is already talk of team orders at McLaren in support of Kimi’s championship efforts.
Schumi’s gripe
June 18, 2003
I guess what he is saying makes a lot of sense, but I just can’t stand to hear someone as unbelievably lucky (to be blessed with his skill, his team, etc) as Michael Schumacher griping about ANYTHING.
“If you imagine that one (Michael) wins one race and the other (Kimi) wins four races and there’s only three points difference you think whether that’s right or wrong. I’m probably not so pleased with it.”
Yoong gets new ride
June 17, 2003
Dear God, why would anyone hire this boy….well…other than the millions of dollars that come with him I guess….yeah…that will do it.