Apr 26

Making a comeback?posted in NASCAR on Apr 26th 2011 at 6:06am.

With the start of each new racing season, particularly at the local level, optimism is the norm. Teams anxious to turn laps have visions of meeting their goals – being competitive; winning races; and, even taking track championships. They’re all within reach prior to the drop of the season’s first green flag.

For regional short-track owners and promoters, the same sense of... Read More

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Feb 28

Classy start to 2011 NASCAR seasonposted in NASCAR on Feb 28th 2011 at 12:12pm.

If you were a fly on the wall in NASCAR’s marketing office today, you’d likely observe much rejoicing over the on track results from the past two weekends. “Class" has made a couple of prominent appearances within the sport.

At the Daytona 500, an “historic” Wood Brothers victory was a nothing short of refreshing in a sporting arena which has become far too business-like... Read More

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Feb 18

The more things change at Daytona, the more they stay the same!posted in NASCAR on Feb 18th 2011 at 7:07am.

As I look over the 2011 Daytona 500 starting line-up, there are really very few surprises with who’s up front – and who’s not. And, in spite of the two-by-two-by-two racing we are likely to see on Sunday, this year’s version of the Great American Race will certainly include much of the same excitement of past 500s – lots of 200 plus mph bump-drafting, a “BIG ONE” or two, and a... Read More

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Feb 13

Let's race...not danceposted in NASCAR on Feb 13th 2011 at 8:08am.

While watching last night’s Bud Shootout, I found myself pondering and reflecting on the new two-car draft. “Dancing partners” was a term used more during the broadcast of the 75-lap event on Fox than is normally uttered during an episode of “Dancing with the Stars.”

Just not sure if I liked it. While I did find myself often on the edge of my seat during several laps, and... Read More

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Jan 24

Finally, rules changes that make sense posted in NASCAR on Jan 24th 2011 at 8:08am.

The recent changes in NASCAR points – announced last week by NASCAR President Mike Helton – simplify the series championship scoring system.

A welcomed change.

“The goal for some time is to create a points system that is easy to understand, easy to explain, easy to be talked about, but also (to) be credible at the end of the season,” NASCAR President Mike... Read More

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Nov 22

The "Team" wins its fifthposted in NASCAR on Nov 22nd 2010 at 12:12pm.

When the dust settled on Championship weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and when the points for the Ford 400 were tallied crowning Jimmie Johnson with his fifth-consecutive championship, no doubt NASCAR’s marketing moguls breathed a collective sigh of relief.

They did it.

They marketed excitement in a year when “dull” was a serious front-runner. Not only was... Read More

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Nov 19

NASCAR longing for the Good Old Daysposted in NASCAR on Nov 19th 2010 at 6:06am.

For many sports fans around the country, this weekend’s NASCAR season finale – the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway – is going widely unnoticed. It could be argued in fact, most of the 10-race Championship chase has gone unnoticed!

According to NASCAR estimates, TV ratings have declined from 2009 in the first nine races of the Chase (including a 24% drop for last Sunday's... Read More

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Nov 10

A $25K Bird for Buschposted in NASCAR on Nov 10th 2010 at 6:06am.

After learning of Kyle Busch’s penalty for his “inappropriate gesture” during last Sunday’s NASCAR event at Texas Motor Speedway, I came to the conclusion I’m grateful my frequent “single finger salutes” on highways and byways haven’t been recorded on national television!

Kyle was caught speeding while trying to beat the pace car off pit road during a particularly... Read More

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Oct 11

Super shoes making me look good!posted in NASCAR on Oct 11th 2010 at 8:08am.

Several months ago, I blogged about “Two super shoes to watch,” letting readers know about a couple of up and coming drivers – Chad Finley and Johnny VanDoorn. Today, they’re making me look like I actually knew what I was talking about – love it when that happens (it’s so rare)!

Last Saturday, 18 year-old Chad Finley qualified on the outside pole in the last ARCA event... Read More

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Sep 28

Johnson's "Fifth" likelyposted in NASCAR on Sep 28th 2010 at 7:07am.

“Maximum points day brother!”

That was the radio transmission from Crew Chief Chad Knaus to driver of the #48 Jimmie Johnson following the latter’s dominant performance at the “Monster Mile” on Sunday.

Johnson won the race, collected bonus points for leading the most laps and alerted the racing world once again to be on notice. The #48 is poised for a fifth... Read More

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Sep 23

Bowyer penalty right on the moneyposted in NASCAR on Sep 23rd 2010 at 12:12pm.

If there was ever a time to pay attention to the rules, it seems doing so during the “playoffs” would be the time. As we found out today, the RCR #33 of Clint Bowyer apparently didn’t mind the rule book last weekend in Loudon.

Bowyer’s Crew Chief, Shane Wilson, and Car Chief, Chad Haney, are both $150,000 lighter in the bank account today, and the #33 team has fallen from... Read More

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Sep 16

Bowyer my pick to prevail in Championship Chaseposted in NASCAR on Sep 16th 2010 at 8:08am.

Let me go out on a limb with this statement – the 2010 version of the NASCAR Sprint Cup “playoff” is any one of the 12 competitor’s to win!

More so than in years past, there really isn’t a clear cut favorite in 2010. Momentum hasn’t attached itself to any single team this season.

Points leader Denny Hamlin has faded in previous Chases. Kevin Harvick... Read More

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Aug 30

Couldn't have "Said" it betterposted in NASCAR on Aug 30th 2010 at 6:06am.

“Finally!”

That’s what Boris Said exclaimed upon exiting his car – victorious – after Sunday’s Nationwide race in Montreal. Said’s #09 edged the #33 driven by Max Papis at the finish of what was truly the more entertaining of the 2010 Nationwide races. It was also Said’s first victory in NASCAR’s second series.

Said-heads were jubilant after the... Read More

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Aug 22

Bristol was B-o-r-i-n-gposted in NASCAR on Aug 22nd 2010 at 7:07am.

It used to be I’d mark the annual night race at Bristol in red on the calendar. The announcement went out to family and friends – “don’t bother me Saturday night, ‘cause it’s Bristol baby!” Not this year. What a yawner.

I guess the “settle it on the track” memo from NASCAR got lost before the haulers paraded into “Thunder Valley.”

The days of... Read More

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Aug 17

RCR is back!posted in NASCAR on Aug 17th 2010 at 11:11am.

Kevin Harvick’s win Sunday at Michigan International Speedway did more than cement his position in the 2010 “Chase” for NASCAR’s season championship. It also solidified the comeback of Richard Childress Racing (RCR).

A less than stellar 2009, coupled with rumors of dissatisfaction with his RCR contract didn’t bode well for a continued charge in the #29 for “Happy... Read More

111 Views • 1 Likes • 1 Comments

Aug 16

Michigan and MIS feel economic pinchposted in NASCAR on Aug 16th 2010 at 7:07am.

There was a time when NASCAR and Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce reports estimated more than $400 Million was generated for the state’s economy during annual stops the race series made in the Irish Hills. Of course, that was during brighter economic times.

Today, the NASCAR dollar infusion into Michigan’s struggling economy is certainly much less significant. A glance... Read More

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Aug 14

Keselowski does the hometown fans proud in Nationwide winposted in NASCAR on Aug 14th 2010 at 3:15pm.

Michigan native Brad Keselowski overcame pit road and mechanical problems to dominate Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide race.

Keselowski, who hails from nearby Rochester Hills, Michigan, led the majority of the Carfax 250 at Michigan International Speedway en route to his fourth win of the 2010 campaign.

“We had some struggles on pit stops,” Keselowski said, “but we... Read More

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Aug 13

Kahne on the pole for Sunday's Carfax 400posted in NASCAR on Aug 13th 2010 at 3:15pm.

Following an announcement earlier in the day he will not be in a Hendrick ride in 2011, Kasey Kahne put his Budweiser Ford on the pole for Sunday’s Carfax 400 from Michigan International Speedway. It was Kahne’s second pole of the 2010 campaign and the 18th of his career.

His fast lap of 187.183 mph around the 2-mile super speedway came on the same afternoon it was revealed the... Read More

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Aug 8

Let's get back to the oval!posted in NASCAR on Aug 8th 2010 at 4:16pm.

That collective sigh of relief you heard Sunday came from the five Sprint Cup teams still within striking distance of the last “playoff” spot all knowing there are no more road courses to deal with this season.

Clint Bowyer in particular will welcome the oval at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) this coming Sunday – no more right turns! Bowyer’s 32nd place finish at... Read More

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Jul 25

Ganassi's record could be short livedposted in NASCAR on Jul 25th 2010 at 2:14pm.

History was made today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Following his victory in the Brickyard 400 by Jamie McMurray, car owner Chip Ganassi became the only owner ever to win the Daytona 500 (McMurray), Indianapolis 500 (Dario Franchitti) and Brickyard 400 in the same season.

It's an accomplishment ESPN’s Allen Bestwick commented would likely never happen again. I beg to... Read More

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Jul 18

Super Shoes Put On an Impressive Showposted in Stock Car on Jul 18th 2010 at 4:16pm.

Every now and then in racing, the stars align, waters calm and the RIGHT thing happens on the track. Such was this past weekend for Coopersville, Michigan’s Johnny VanDoorn.

The 22 year-old, 2009 CRA Super Series Champion finished 4th at Birch Run, Michigan’s Dixie Motor Speedway in Friday night’s 47th Annual Dixie Cup Super Late Model challenge. He took his Port City house... Read More

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Jul 18

Nationwide Series Deliversposted in NASCAR on Jul 18th 2010 at 8:08am.

Ask and ye shall receive!

In my last post, I indicated we needed a little more on-track "action." Some good old fashioned use of the "chrome horn." The renewal of long-standing rivalries.

Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski delivered last night during the final laps of the Nationwide race at Gateway - in a big way!

While we never want to see anyone get hurt... Read More

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Jul 14

Give us some old-time actionposted in NASCAR on Jul 14th 2010 at 10:10am.

Rivalries rarely just happen. They develop over time. Often, competitors become rivals over a single incident – in stick and ball sports, a hard foul, a late hit or lopsided victory may spawn hatred among fans and lead to vengeance sought in the next meeting of two teams.

Long-standing state or city competitors may become rivals throughout seasons. Pittsburgh and Cleveland,... Read More

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Jul 4

Big League Opportunities Start at The Short Trackposted in NASCAR on Jul 4th 2010 at 6:06am.

This truly is the “Land of Opportunity.” As we revel through the celebrations of our Independence Day weekend, even in stock car racing we are witnessing opportunities which have become more apparent during the past several decades.

In particular, we are seeing increasing opportunities for women to enter the sport.

Lyn St. James, Janet Guthrie and more recently,... Read More

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Jun 27

Fantasy race team passes the timeposted in NASCAR on Jun 27th 2010 at 2:14pm.

792 Points! That’s what my NASCAR fantasy race team scored at Loudon today. Of course, I’m still mired deep in the standings against my fellow competitors who are a part of the “Grand Ledge Cup Challenge” on ESPN’s Stock Car Racing Challenge. But at least I had a good week.

There are varying methods to picking the five drivers each team in our “challenge” uses to... Read More

121 Views • 1 Likes • 1 Comments

Jun 6

Two super shoes to watchposted in NASCAR on Jun 6th 2010 at 2:14pm.

Chad Finley. Johnny VanDoorn. Two names known well within Midwest racing circles, and two names the rest of the country may be hearing a lot more from in the next few seasons.

Chad Finley burst on to the national scene late in 2009 when NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Brad Keselowski put the then 17 year-old behind the wheel of his ARCA Stock Car. In four starts on the ARCA circuit... Read More

128 Views • 1 Likes • 1 Comments

May 24

There's nothing like the real thingposted in NASCAR on May 24th 2010 at 3:15pm.

If you’ve ever attended a sporting event of any kind you can attest to the fact the action at the venue in front of you cannot be captured in its entirety through a television broadcast. In spite of this fact, some are trying. Others fear these attempts will be successful. The advent of 3-D television has a few pundits wondering if the advanced visual experience may hurt attendance at the... Read More

138 Views • 0 Likes • 0 Comments

May 18

Do you care about NASCAR's All-Star race?posted in NASCAR on May 18th 2010 at 5:17pm.

A few days ago, one of my colleagues posed the question about the relevance and luster of NASCAR's upcoming All-Star event. He wondered if the race had lost its appeal? In discussing the issue, I took the question a step further and asked if ANY professional sports All-Star event had relevance to the sport it represents? Certainly the NFL's Pro Bowl, and the NBA and NHL All-Star games... Read More

368 Views • 4 Likes • 4 Comments

Apr 12

Too Little, too late?posted in NASCAR on Apr 12th 2010 at 7:19pm.

Just this morning, a radio advertisement on my local sports/talk radio station caught my attention. The ad boasted “affordable” seats were still available for the May 8th NASCAR race at Darlington. “Affordable” seems to be the buzz word for NASCAR venues throughout the country. Promoters have finally determined the economy won’t allow for event sell... Read More

160 Views • 2 Likes • 3 Comments

Feb 21

Danica's learning curve is steepposted in NASCAR on Feb 21st 2010 at 8:08am.

Race three in the Danica Patrick saga was successful. In spite of another less than stellar finish (31st at California’s Auto Club Speedway), NASCAR’s 2010 marketing machine finished last Saturday’s race with the car moving forward, all fenders attached, and the engine running! She’s gaining the seat time all of the “experts” are saying is so... Read More

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Feb 9

How will Danica do?posted in NASCAR on Feb 9th 2010 at 6:18pm.

We now know Danica will make her NASCAR debut on Saturday in the Nationwide Series race from Daytona. I'm curious how you all think she'll do? I'd love to see her finish in the top 10 in this race too, but my gut says it's going to be a difficult day for her. There won't be the attrition there is in a typical ARCA race, and she'll be facing much more talented... Read More

105 Views • 0 Likes • 0 Comments

Feb 7

Keep perspective on Danica's 6th place finishposted in NASCAR on Feb 7th 2010 at 9:09am.

I received several e-mails from friends this morning with similar themes – 2010 will be the year of the estrogen invasion in stock car racing! And, while I certainly enjoyed watching the successful debut of Danica Patrick yesterday in the ARCA season opener (until the latter stages of the race, Alli Owens impressed as well), I have but one thought for my bandwagon friends. One... Read More

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Jan 30

Sabates' comments infuriate fansposted in NASCAR on Jan 30th 2010 at 8:08am.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a race fan or not here in Michigan, one thing is for sure, Felix Sabates is not a popular individual in the Great Lakes State. While conducting an interview on the economics and popularity of racing with an internet racing site, Sabates lamented on the expenses involved in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup series, indicating supply has outdone... Read More

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Jan 17

Caged Heat promises indoor stock car racing thrillsposted in Stock Car on Jan 17th 2010 at 8:08am.

Arena stock car racing is not a new concept. Currently two venues operate indoor stock car racing events in the United States - The Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia, and the DeltaPlex Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A third site (Charlotte, NC) is currently on hold while they find a dedicated operator. The Charlotte market is partially sponsored by NASCAR’s Joe Gibbs... Read More

187 Views • 0 Likes • 0 Comments

Jan 10

How I arrived in racingposted in NASCAR on Jan 10th 2010 at 9:09am.

As Fullspeed.com evolves into the web's premier source for all things motorsports, I felt it an appropriate time to share with readers how I made my way into this exciting sport. Throughout the better part of the past two decades, I've been fortunate to fall back on my marketing communication background to write sponsorship packages for a host of race teams - from local short track family... Read More

139 Views • 1 Likes • 0 Comments

Dec 10

Danica adds to racingposted in NASCAR on Dec 10th 2009 at 8:08am.

Somewhere today, an impressionable young girl is further defining her dream of becoming a racecar driver. This youngster knew about and followed Danica Patrick, and now that (arguably) the most recognizable of female professional athletes is venturing onto the NASCAR stage, there is even greater opportunity and likelihood this youngster will be able to pursue her dream. Oh who am I... Read More

192 Views • 1 Likes • 1 Comments

Oct 19

What's wrong with NASCAR?posted in NASCAR on Oct 19th 2009 at 6:18pm.

What is wrong with NASCAR? Count the number of fans dressed as bleachers at recent Cup events and you may wonder. Bill Simonson - better known as "Huge" of nationally syndicated sports radio's "Huge Show" recently posed that same question to the listening audience on his Sunday evening program. Callers from Des Moines to Dallas chimed in with their "Huge" opinions. The rants... Read More

222 Views • 3 Likes • 4 Comments

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