Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/12/17/kamui-kobayashi-i-have-to-admit-that-it-is-very-sad/
Saturday
Kamui Kobayashi: ?I have to admit that it is very sad?
With Romain Grosjean confirmed at Lotus earlier today Kamui Kobayashi has now conceded that he won?t have an F1 race seat for next season ? but he insists that he will return in 2014. The Japanese driver has been ousted … Continue reading
Ducati Press Release: Hayden Completes Jerez Test, Dovizioso Out With Neck Problem
Ducati's MotoGP team issued the following press release after the final three-day test of the year at Jerez:
Year:
2013 
Arnoux Vs Vileneuve ? Dijon 1979 (Video)
One of the criticisms levelled at Formula One today is the pure level of help drivers receive on track. From increased levels of downforce to traction control systems, modern day racers have certainly been in a stronger position than their predecessors. That makes this video even more spectacular, as Gilles Vileneuve and Rene Arnoux battle [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/JiQNGUi-MN0/arnoux-vs-vileneuve-dijon-1979-video-2
Andy Ahern is an entrepreneur par excellence
Andy Ahern has been at the helm in the transportations and trucking logistics sector since the day he went public with Ahern and Associates in 1987. Before Andy established his own truck transportation and logistics consultancy, he had garnered sufficient experience about trucking transportation. He had worked in senior positions in many companies. Even the [...]
Source: http://www.autocarblog.co.uk/373-andy-ahern-is-an-entrepreneur-par-excellence.html
Jack Brabham† Bill Brack Ernesto Brambilla Vittorio Brambilla
Friday
BBC confirm ten live free-to-air races for 2013 | 2013 F1 season
BBC confirm ten live free-to-air races for 2013 is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
The BBC have confirmed which of the ten races on the 2013 F1 calendar will be shown live.
BBC confirm ten live free-to-air races for 2013 is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/12/21/bbc-f1-races-live-2012/
Jeff Gordon fined $100,000, docked 25 points for wrecking Clint Bowyer at Phoenix
NASCAR pledged it wouldn't render immediate judgment on Jeff Gordon for his role in wrecking Clint Bowyer and upending the end of Sunday's Phoenix race. But officials didn't wait much longer, handing down a decision on Monday evening: a fine of $100,000 and a 25-point penalty.
It was not a surprising penalty, but it will certainly disappoint those who believed Gordon deserved suspension for his actions. Gordon not only ignored a black flag, he altered the championship battle by taking out one of the final contenders.
However, unlike Kyle Busch, suspended last year for a similar incident, Gordon does not have a long track record of flaunting both authority and his fellow drivers. For that reason, he escaped a more severe punishment.
[Related: Brad Keselowski takes 20-point Chase lead]
"There's no doubt that a unique set of circumstances combined with a championship battle on the line resulted in raw emotions coming into play," said NASCAR VP of competition Robin Pemberton. "We consider the penalties appropriate and those involved understand our decision and we expect them to abide by them."
NASCAR also fined Brian Pattie, Bowyer's crew chief, $25,000 for failing to keep his crew in line. Alan Gustafson, Gordon's chief, was placed on probation for the rest of the year over the incident as well.
That settles things from NASCAR's end, but what about the drivers? Bowyer all but pledged retaliation on Gordon. If that happens to have championship implications ? unlikely but possible ? that could reopen the entire matter. If not, well ... this one goes into the NASCAR storybooks as one of the moments that got the country talking about the sport.
Related NASCAR video from Yahoo! Sports:
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Eric Bernard Enrique Bernoldi Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen
2012 season in the rear view: Mark Martin
Vitals: 26th in the points standings. 0 wins, 4 top 5s, 10 top 10s. 5 DNFs. (24 races)
Moment to remember: Sometimes, a driver's moment to remember on the season isn't one to remember because it's a positive one. And for Mark Martin, that's definitely the case.
Martin qualified on the pole at Michigan (one of four he scored all season) and was the class of the field. However, while leading what would have been his 55th lap of the day on the 65th lap of the race, Martin lost control of his car off of turn four and went skidding through the infield grass.
What happened next was one of the most replayed moments of the season. Martin's car barreled towards the edge of an opening from the garage to pit road and his car was impaled by the end of one of the walls at the opening just in front of the left rear tire.
It was a point of impact that could have had far more severe consequences if Martin had hit a few feet closer to the front of the car. Will it lead to new designs in the openings on pit road walls? We'll see.
Moment to forget: Martin suffered three engine failures in a span of seven races in the spring and early summer. All of those were at intermediate tracks.
The wrap: Even with those engine failures and the two accidents that put him out of races five times, his average finish was 15.2. One problem... his average start was 9.2. All too often was Martin a factor at the beginning of the race, only to fade to Bolivian at the end. He's back for a similar schedule again in 2013, and if another year with Rodney Childers and the rest of the No. 55 crew can help fix the propensity to fade in the latter stages of races, watch out victory lane.
2013 MotoGP Calendar: Jerez Confirmed, Sachsenring Moved To July 14th
The 2013 MotoGP schedule took one step closer to being finalized on Tuesday. Dorna announced that two of the question marks remaining over the schedule have at last been resolved. The contract with Jerez has finally been confirmed through the next three seasons, securing the race for May 5th, and ensuring it remains on the calendar through 2015. And as predicted, the German round of MotoGP has been moved back a week to avoid a clash with the German Formula One Grand Prix, with MotoGP visiting the Sachsenring on the 14th of July.
The updated MotoGP calendar can be found below, with the most up-to-date version always available on this page. The press release from Dorna announcing the contract with Jerez and the moving of the Sachsenring date is also shown below:
Jerez confirmed until 2015 while Sachsenring moved back a week
Dorna Sports has confirmed that the Gran Premio bwin de España will take place in Jerez until at least 2015 after reaching an agreement today, whilst the 2013 eni Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland has been shifted back a week.
Thursday
Joey Logano wore his firesuit suit to the Nationwide Series Banquet
Joey, we're glad you had the opportunity to wear this beauty one more time before you head off to Penske Racing.
FIA moves German GP to make space for 20th race
The FIA World Motor Sport Council says� that the 2013 German GP will be moved to July 7, one week after the British GP. The change has been made to free up July 21 for what it terms ?another European … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/12/05/fia-moves-german-gp-to-make-space-for-20th-race/
2012 season in the rear view: David Gilliland
Vitals: 30th in the points standings. 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 top 10s. 4 DNFs.
Moment to remember: David Gilliland's strength has been at restrictor plate tracks -- he finished third in the 2011 Daytona 500 and in the tandem-drafting era was Tony Stewart's best buddy -- so it's appropriate that the two best finishes of his season where at Talladega. He finished 13th there in the spring and 15th in the fall.
Moment to forget: Gilliland was involved in the early crash at Dover in June that included 13 cars and red-flagged the race. He finished 40th.
The wrap: No offense to Gilliland, but his 2012 season was quite unremarkable. He started every race, completing 91 percent of the season's laps and finishing on the lead lap eight times, including a stretch of five straight races in the summer. His average finish was also six spots higher than his average start. However, his average 2012 starting position was 33.5.
The addition of Penske to the Ford camp in 2013 could be a help or a hinderance to Front Row. On one hand, it's more data for Ford to gather for research and development. On the other, it knocks Front Row down the blue oval pecking order. If that has any effects, it could mitigate any potential steps forward for the team and Gilliland in 2013.
George Connor George Constantine John Cordts David Coulthard
Wednesday
Chase Power Rankings: It ends here!
The penultimate race of the Chase is over, and that means it's time for Power Rankings! But we're doing things a little differently now that we're in the postseason. It's all-Chasers, all the time. Good job, good effort for those of you that didn't make it, but we've got bigger fish to focus on. We'll be judging who's running well, considering not just finishing position but quality of run, expected potential, and general gut feelings. As always, we hate your guy and are biased against him. Now, enjoy.
1. Brad Keselowski. Man, what a turn of events for @Kes. Eighteen months ago, he was Kurt Busch's barely-known teammate, a guy more famous for who he wrecked than how he drove. Now? Amazing run to the very brink of a championship. He's got work to do, but not nearly as much as he might have. Last week: 2.
2. Jimmie Johnson. And what a turn of events for Vader. Last week, there wasn't a NASCAR fan alive who seriously thought Johnson wouldn't be gearing up for his sixth championship. Now? Well, we fully expect Johnson to make a race out of this, but it's going to be a huge hill to climb. Keselowski isn't going away. Last week: 1.
3. Clint Bowyer. A shame Jeff Gordon's temporary lunacy took out Bowyer, but it doesn't detract from what's been an outstanding season for ol' Rawhide. Plenty of people thought he was taking a huge leap downward by going from RCR to Waltrip, but as it turned out, the reverse was true. Bowyer brought home three wins and, along with Martin Truex Jr., raised MWR to respectability. Last week: 3.
4. Kasey Kahne. I had a radio host ask me this week if Kahne's final initiation into Hendrick would be to take out Keselowski early in the race. That'd be awesome, wouldn't it? Like Sons of Anarchy with twice as many wheels. Anyway, this year is a testament to Kahne's persistence; after his horrendous start, everyone had written him off, but he fought his way into the Chase and a probable top-5 season finish. That ain't bad for a start. Last week: 4.
5. Denny Hamlin. Five wins and one spectacularly ill-timed mechanical failure characterized the season for Hamlin. He's still looking for that elusive championship, but if he can carry the momentum he had for all but one of the races this year, he'll be someone to watch next year. Last week: 6.
6. Matt Kenseth. One last run for Roush Fenway, closing off a spectacular career there. It's been a strong year for Kenseth, though it had his traditional start-fast-and-then-slide run. Will Joe Gibbs Racing reverse that trend? Last week: 5.
7. Greg Biffle. Tough Chase for Biffle, but the regular season should demonstrate to everyone else that he belongs at the top of the rankings. Also, he continues his decade-long trend of winning two races every even-numbered year. Last week: 10.
8. Kevin Harvick. Nice job of salvaging the season with a victory at Phoenix, Happy! It was a forgettable 2012 on the track, but Harvick now heads into one of those strange lame-duck seasons. Good luck, everybody. Last week: 12.
9. Jeff Gordon. Like Bowyer, it's a shame that l'affaire Bowyer will define his season. He put on one of the better runs of sustained excellence in the late summer to get into the Chase, only to see it all blow up in Chicago. Last week: 7.
10. Tony Stewart. He started fast, getting three wins early, and then pretty much vanished from the conversation altogether. But as last year showed, he can come out of nowhere. Might be time to start, Tony. Last week: 9.
11. Martin Truex Jr. Tough go there for Truex in Phoenix, but it shouldn't detract from a breakout season. And he'll get that win one of these days. Last week: 8.
12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Look, Junior effectively gets a mulligan on the Chase because of his concussion. But what's indisputable is that his regular season was something worth noting. He's got that win monkey gone, and next year, we expect greatness. Nothing less. Last week: 11.
All right, you're up. Who goes where? Go!
Related NASCAR news from Yahoo! Sports:
Marussia confirms Chilton
The Marussia F1 Team has announced that Max Chilton will make his Formula 1 racing debut with the team in 2013. The 21 year old Briton is the team?s reserve driver, a role he was appointed to with effect from the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix, following an impressive season with the Marussia Carlin GP2 team. [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/12/18/marussia-confirms-chilton/
Photographer's Blog: A Story About an Ending
For years Phillip Island has been a track I'd planned to go to, but for one reason or another, it was a trip I'd not been able to make happen. I was ticking off other top locations such as Catalunya, Mugello, Assen, places that were Bucket List items for me both as a race fan and a photographer. But PI wouldn't cooperate.
As soon as Casey issued his surprise announcement that he was retiring, I knew I had to make it to Phillip Island. This time there could be no excuse: I had to see Casey ride at his home track, and this was my last chance. Fortunately for me, there was still some money in the bank from the Elbow Down edition to pay for airfare and expenses. And my wife, whose patience and kindness seem to know no bounds, agreed to manage the childcare without my help yet again this season. I booked the trip and held my breath.
Tuesday
Grosjean hangs on to Lotus seat for 2013
One of the last remaining pieces of the 2013 F1 puzzle fell into place when Lotus confirmed that Romain Grosjean will stay on alongside Kimi Raikkonen next season. The Frenchman, who won the Race of Champions in Bangkok on Sunday, … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/12/17/grosjean-hangs-on-to-lotus-seat-for-2013/
Dave Charlton Pedro Matos Chaves Bill Cheesbourg Eddie Cheever
2012 season in the rear view: Landon Cassill
We're going to be reviewing the Sprint Cup Series season for every driver over the month of December. First up is Landon Cassill.
Vitals: 31st in the points standings. 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 top 10s. 4 DNFs.
Moment to remember: Did you know that Landon Cassill's highest finish of the season came at Kansas in the fall? Wait, you don't? Yeah, it kind of got overshadowed.
At Kansas, Danica Patrick crashed herself while trying to crash Cassill after the two raced closely the lap before. Cassill continued on to an 18th place finish and Patrick was in the garage with a wrecked race car. (Cassill also finished 18th at Charlotte in the spring.)
Moment to forget: Not being able to complete a lap at Pocono in June. On turn three of the first lap of the race, Cassill got loose and slid down the racetrack, collecting Martin Truex, Jr. and AJ Allmendinger and then sliding back into the SAFER barrier in the outside wall. Cassill finished dead last.
The wrap: 2012 was the first time that Cassill had competed in a season's entire Sprint Cup Series schedule. And unlike last year, when he start and parked his first three races of the season, he started each race with the intent of going the distance. And you know what? He performed pretty admirably, scoring seven top 20 finishes. It remains to be seen how the introduction of the new car will affect BK Racing in 2013 -- it acquired the equipment from Red Bull Racing after that team folded -- but if the team hits on something early as the field is still shaking out the new car, it wouldn't be too crazy to see Cassill swipe a top 15.
A sort-of day off
Today I am in the UK and going to have lunch with the folk at Mercedes GP. It is not just me, I should add, but all the British F1 press guys. It is a “tradition” that goes back to the days when the team was called Honda, although the venue has changed from Le [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/12/14/a-sort-of-day-off/
Monday
New Beetle Cabrio Novelty For The Hall Los Angeles 2012
The new Beetle Cabrio reach the European market in spring 2013, and follows the Beetle Cabrio 1949 New Beetle and 2002. And while it is always said that third parties were never good, this third generation of the Volkswagen New Beetle hit the market and stomping fun driving this convertible vehicle insured for four people. [...]
Source: http://www.autocarblog.co.uk/359-new-beetle-cabrio-novelty-for-the-hall-los-angeles-2012.html
FIA moves German GP to make space for 20th race
The FIA World Motor Sport Council says� that the 2013 German GP will be moved to July 7, one week after the British GP. The change has been made to free up July 21 for what it terms ?another European … Continue reading
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/12/05/fia-moves-german-gp-to-make-space-for-20th-race/
2012 season in the rear view: Kurt Busch
Vitals: 25th in the points standings. 0 wins, 1 top 5, 5 top 10s. 6 DNFs.
Moment to remember: Let's start with the positive, shall we? Busch finished third at Sonoma and was a contender for the win until he suffered a broken trackbar. But yet, he still finished third. It was a testament to Busch's driving ability and why he wasn't rideless for the 2012 season. The dude can wheel a race car.
Moment to forget: What else can we write about Busch that hasn't been written already? Here are the moments that Busch would like you to forget or believe were taken out of context or blown out of proportion in 2012:
-- Being confronted by Ryan Newman's gas can man after the race at Darlington. Newman's crew was mad that Busch smoked his tires through their box after both drivers had gone for a spin late in the race.
-- Threatening a reporter after being asked a question about racing Justin Allgaier in the Nationwide Series race at Dover while being on probation. Busch was subsequently suspended for the next week's race at Pocono.
-- After crashing at Talladega in October, Busch drove away from the accident scene with safety officials near his car and even a bag of equipment atop his car. As he was driving away from the scene, Busch had his helmet off, and said he couldn't hear the calls to stop his car.
-- Nicknaming himself "Outlaw." OK, so Busch wants you to remember that, but it's not in good form to give yourself a nickname, especially if it's going to be "Outlaw." It's best everyone forgets that one.
The wrap: This was supposed to be a redemptive year for Busch, right? One that was supposed to show how he was going to get back to "old school" racing and redeem himself after unceremoniously parting ways with Penske after 2011. Instead, Busch found himself in the spotlight under much the same circumstances in 2012. He moved to Furniture Row Racing for the final six races of the season, and closed out the year with three top 10s after scoring just two in 30 races for Phoenix Racing. Will the honeymoon period extend into 2013, or will Furniture Row and Busch be a good fit for each other?
Editor's Blog: MotoMatters.com Voted MotoGP Blogger Of The Year In Silverstone Media Awards
MotoMatters.com has won the MotoGP Blogger of the Year awared in Silverstone's annual media awards for the second consecutive year. After more than 3,500 votes had been counted, we were voted best MotoGP blogger for the second year running.
Firstly, we'd like to thank everyone who voted for us. It is a truly humbling experience to have so many people make the effort to show their appreciation with their votes. And thanks to the people who help to make the site what it is: Scott Jones, one of the very, very best photographers in the MotoGP paddock, Jared Earle, who has taken on coverage of World Superbikes and made it far better than I could ever have hoped to on my own, Venancio Luis Nieto for adding so much insight into the Moto2 class, and the other contributors who help to make the site what it is, Andrew Gosling, Ben Davies, Jules Cisek, and Russ, Joe, Dave, Len and many others for help behind the scenes. The encouragement we receive is what keeps us going, through both hard times and good times.
Colin Davis Jimmy Daywalt JeanDenis Deletraz Patrick Depailler
Bruno Senna: ?I have learned a lot and improved?
Having lost his Williams seat to Valtteri Bottas Bruno Senna says he?s happy with his 2012 season. Senna has scored points regularly this year, although he hasn?t been as fast over one lap as team mate Pastor Maldonado. ?Since the … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/11/28/bruno-senna-i-have-learned-a-lot-and-improved/
Sunday
Hamilton starts work at Mercedes | F1 Fanatic round-up
Hamilton starts work at Mercedes is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
In the round-up: Hamilton visits Mercedes factory ? Sauber says "F1 is too expensive" ? Stewart says COTA must improve roads ? Newey hits back at 'silly sniping'
Hamilton starts work at Mercedes is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/12/16/f1-fanatic-roundup-1612/
Brad Keselowski and Dale Earnhardt Jr. talk about the new 2013 car
For a brief moment, the 2012-13 offseason was over.
Sprint Cup Series teams tested the new sixth generation Sprint Cup car Tuesday and Wednesday at Charlotte, and you can check out the comments from champion Brad Keselowski and Dale Earnhardt Jr. above.
The cool temps Wednesday morning meant higher speeds, and Kasey Kahne's fast lap of 193.771 MPH was faster than the existing Charlotte track record. Cup Series testing resumes January 10 at Daytona International Speedway.
Continued Performance, Not One Win, Will Save Logano
Before Pocono, all the talk about Joey Logano was that he may be on his way out of a Cup ride at Joe Gibbs Racing. Following a win from the pole on Sunday, the discussion about Logano is now about how the win saved his ride. But I’m not convinced that is the case. 2012 [...] 
TheNASCARInsiders.com
Follow the Insiders on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook!
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/zVfDW6soOBI/
Happy Hour: The last words on the Bowyer-Gordon Donnybrook in the Desert
Welcome to the latest Happy Hour mailbag! You know how these work: You write us with your best rant/ joke/one-liner at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com or on Twitter at @jaybusbee, we respond to your messages, everyone goes away with a smile on their face.
It's the season finale, and you know what that means: ten more days till Daytona! Or at least it seems that way. We'll be here with you throughout the offseason, so don't fret and keep sending in your questions. For now, we wrap up with a cavalcade of letters about, well, you know. We received more letters on this topic than anything ever, including all the Busch bros. antics, so here's a representative sampling...
Jeff Gordon. Yes, fine him, suspend him, whatever. But taking 25 points away this late in the season is nothing. Probation. Nothing. $100,000. I am sure they made that much selling hats at the team hauler. If NASCAR wants any credibility at all, when they know, and there is conclusive evidence or proof of intent, the offending driver's team should have to pay for the replacement cost for any/all cars his actions cost. So if Jeff took out 5 cars, Hendrick pays a fine equal to the replacement of those 5 cars. Want to make it more on the driver? Then you put the driver on probation for the next 10 races regardless of what season that race is in. So this season would be 1, and then the next 9 of 2013. You also strip him of Champions Provisional for the year and start him from the back of the pack for the first 5 races regardless of qualifying position. I think that would send a message. Have at it, but be prepared for the consequences.
? Brian Williams
Auburn, WA
___________________
Was the penalty [on Gordon] enough? Way too much! His move was so subtle, he could have done a lot worse. NASCAR, wake up! What happened to "have at it boys"? You're in the entertainment business and the way I see it, it was a touchdown!
? Bob
___________________
I'm neither a supporter or hater of either Jeff Gordon or Clint Bowyer, but I have to take Clint's side on what happened Sunday. As an avid race watcher I do not feel that Jeff's assumption that Clint has been racing him in a questionable manner all year is true. There has been hard racing, yes, but that takes place between many drivers over the course of the year. I feel Jeff is just trying to blame someone else for his bad year and the fact that he is no longer the hotshot on the track that he once was. Over the past few years he has taken potshots at several others to cover his career ebbing from what it one was. Even Jimmie Johnson has been the recipient of his ire.
? Joyce Keith
___________________
What ever happened to two guys meeting out behind the barn for a good old fashioned meeting of the minds butt-kicking contest? Whoever walks out is the winner. Guess the current crop of drivers just don't have the guts for that kind of thing. Might screw up their next photo shoot or commercial. Every time I see Tony Stewart or Gordon or even Harvick run their mouth it invariably makes me want to reach through the screen and smack them. It is always funny how their pit crew is around to protect them. Where are the Allisons, Earnhardts, Yarboroughs, Waltrips, Bakers and a host of others who settle issues in a heartbeat the old fashioned way? NASCAR should just put up a boxing ring at every event and instead of bringing drivers to the NASCAR hauler, just have them meet in the ring and settle their differences there!
? John Lewis Neatherlin
___________________
So from here in the Heartland what Jeff did to Clint looks like a good ole boy just getting even. Jeff loses a mere $100,000 but does he stands to make a bit more 'cause his car (48) finishes the season at worst number two in the standings and maybe his teammate gets the third-place trophy. Admittedly, I am a little biased seeing as how I am from just up the road from Emporia [Bowyer's hometown] but what an opportunity to take one for the team by saying "I was tired of this crap."
? Ozawkie N. G.
___________________
All of the shenanigans that happened this weekend are what NASCAR needed! Right or wrong on all of the issues (wrecks, cautions, fines, etc), it brought NASCAR alive and has the fans excited. Let's be honest, the majority of the year has been logging laps and everyone getting along. Let's hope some of the excitement continues into 2013!
? Dayna B.
California
___________________
I went to my first NASCAR race when I was 9 yrs old in 1974. I've never been so disappointed in a truly great driver as I am in Jeff Gordon right now. Completely uncalled for. Took out a championship contender and almost took out the #2. Aggressive racing, yes, but there was a handful of laps to go. Won't be wearing my #24 shirt anytime soon.
? Don Mulder
Naperville, IL
Whew. There you go. I think we covered the gamut there, right? My take: Gordon should have been suspended. I can understand, in NASCAR's reasoning, why Gordon is racing (no prior history, golden child, etc.) but to me, the black flag and the championship contention for Bowyer outweigh that. Anyway, all done now.
___________________
The tragedy of Phoenix is that the high-school stuff between Gordon and Bowyer is taking the place of what should be talked about. And that is the fact that NASCAR, in their never-ending quest for safety, decided to continue the race after Danica Patrick walloped the turn four wall. As she tried to get her car out of the way, NASCAR simply let the race go to completion. Didn't anyone see that there was a crippled car in the way of the oncoming herd?
[Related: Is NASCAR a sport or is it entertainment?]
I'm sick of NASCAR puffing up their chest with safety-first messages, when they clearly were not inclined to put safety first and stop the race. Is the media so concerned about being deprived of access that they are not even talking about this issue?
So, a complicit media talks and talks about the pushin', shovin', and "boys, have at it." All the while NASCAR is thanking God above for Gordon and Bowyer, because of the cover that it gave them.
? Jim Bromwell
Allentown, PA
I saw several articles focused on the Danica/no-flag issue, actually. The issue wasn't so much that Patrick's car was in the way (it wasn't) as that it was dropping oil on the track. NASCAR officials claimed they couldn't see the oil, and others backed them up on that. But it's a judgment call, and after the debacle that we'd just seen, NASCAR wasn't going to throw a caution for anything short of a thermonuclear strike.
___________________
I'm afraid I will be joining that list of "I'll never watch NASCAR again" fans. Well, I'm not going to rant like most of them and I'm not drunk while composing this email. But I am very displeased. I am a long time fan who spends money on the NASCAR industry ... tickets, racing junk (hats, shirts, etc...), and other related items. What's my beef? The same as many. One bad wreck in the Chase and you are out of it. I know that applies to other sports (you lose a game and you're gone) but until NASCAR has a playoff like those sports the comparison doesn't stand. We have the weirdest system and it's broke.
Until NASCAR fixes the problem, they won't get any more of my money. I'll check the news ever once and a while to see if things have changed but otherwise I'm looking for a new sport to waste my money on.
? Tim Palmer
I suggest college football. That sport makes total sense and is so well organized. You'll love it.
___________________
I realize the media is always looking for a good story. But I spent all last week (before the Phoenix race) laughing at every article/video/talking head I saw that basically stated the Sprint Cup Championship was over. No one could make up 7 points on JJ. And now (while I laugh more this week) the tide has turned and all those same folks are talking about how it is anything but locked up for BK because "20 points is nothing." I even saw a noted NASCAR reporter state that Jimmie made up 15 points in the final race in 2010 to beat Denny Hamlin. Does he not realize that was the equivalent of 3 positions on the track, and not 20 in today's point system?
? Ken Hall
Yukon OK
Uh ... I think he's talking about me. (Well, except for the "noted" and the "reporter" part.) I confess I made that error when discussing the Chase, and I flat-out forgot the points change. Of course, Hamlin fumbled so badly in 2010 that Johnson could've been a thousand points back and still won. (Not really.) Still, I will cop to the fact that I thought, absent a dramatic catastrophe, I thought this was Johnson's Chase to lose. And so did you. But hey, that's why they run the races.
___________________
What are you thinking? Clint Bowyer can call people "retards" all he wants, but you don't have to reprint that. It is hate speech. When I was a kid I used to play with Billie Coyle, who has Down's Syndrome. Billie is great guy. People who use these terms cause folks like Billie a great deal of pain.
I expect better from you Jay.
? Dean
Centerton, AR
We went back and forth over whether to print the "retard" line and ultimately went with the news value, rather than shock value or indifference. At this point in our society, the "r-word" has not yet ascended to the level of offensiveness of the "n-word", but I can certainly see how plenty of people feel that it has. Dean helpfully sent along a link to a letter a member of the Special Olympics sent Fox News commentator Ann Coulter decrying the use of the "r-word"; I previously wrote about that here. It's well worth reading.
___________________
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was docked 25 points several years ago for saying _____ ... and not even while mad! Brad Keselowski says every _____ing word in the _ _ _ _ing book during his _____ing interview and calls a half dozen drivers a bunch of _____ing _____holes! Where is his _____ing fine and points deduction?!?! I am not a Johnson fan and would rather see Brad win it, but what is the� _____ deal with one being fined and docked and not the other? That is bull _____, and it pisses me off!
? _____hole Frankie in _____ing Virginia
That was _____ing beautiful. Only reason I can think of why Keselowski skated was that the press conference, while freely available online, was not broadcast on television. But oh, his lines were far worse than Junior's. Can you imagine if NASCAR had deducted points from Keselowski? Apocalypse!
And on that note, we're out. Thanks to all our writers this week. You want in? Fire up the computer and hit us with whatever's on your mind, NASCAR-wise, at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com. You can find Yahoo! Sports' NASCAR coverage on Facebook right here, and you can follow me on Twitter at @jaybusbee and on Facebook here. Make sure to tell us where you're from. We'll make you famous!
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