Source: http://www.16thandgeorgetown.com/2011/10/indycar-unveils-championship-trophy.html
Wednesday
Tuesday
Carl Edwards will co-host ?Live with Kelly Ripa.? Yep.
"LIVE!" (we're very sensitive about the proper use of the exclamation point here at Yahoo!) stars, of course, Kelly Ripa, and in this case she's taking on various pro athletes as co-hosts for a week. Other co-hosts will include Reggie Bush, Boomer Esiason, Jesse Palmer and Apolo Anton Ohno.
Jeff Gordon co-hosted the show once; Edwards has been a guest but not a co-host. Check your local listings, Cuz fans.
Daniel Ricciardo Q&A: ?It feels amazing!?
Daniel Ricciardo was at home in Australia when he learned that he has an STR seat for 2012. The team has issued the following Q&A with him. Dan, congratulations on getting a drive with Scuderia Toro Rosso. How does it … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/12/15/daniel-ricciardo-qa-it-feels-amazing/
Happy Hour: Kurt Busch will drive for food
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 (note new address) or on Twitter at @jaybusbee, we respond to your messages, everyone goes away with a smile on their face.
Remember, even though the season's done, we're not. Usual nonsense here every day of the week. And hey, if you want to get a letter printed, NOW IS THE TIME. We'll need plenty o'material for this feature each week.
Jonesing for NASCAR yet? I enjoy the offseason (such as it is, with crew chiefs getting whacked faster than extras in "The Walking Dead") but I'll admit it: there are times when I'll be pushing a cart in the grocery store, I'll see two carts stopped ahead of me, and I'll hammer down and blow right through them. Carl Edwards would not approve, but I didn't see the yellow flag. And there's no Lucky Dog for the Express Lane. (I have no idea what that means, but it sounds like it ought to be someone's mantra.)
Anyway, to your letters. And the topic of the week, of course, is the employment prospects of one Kurtis Ebenezer Busch:
Jay, nobody has mentioned the fact that Kurt Busch owns his own Pro Stock team. My bet is that he goes NHRA racing in the interim while things cool down. You heard it here first!
?Thomas
Dallas, Texas
Hey, you know what no one has mentioned? That Kurt Busch might go full-time into the NHRA! I'm the first one to say that! I ? oh, wait, you probably read that letter above, didn't you?
No, Busch will be back in a Sprint Cup car next year every race if only for one reason: the past champion's provisional. That's invaluable for a small team, and while the thought of Kurt running in a start-and-park car kind of upsets me on an aesthetic level, it may well be one of his few viable options, at least initially. (God bless you, Kurt, but nobody's buying that "phone ringing off the hook" line.)
If Busch can get his act together ? and hey, let's be optimistic and say he can ? he'll find jobs available for him. (Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr. ought to be a little nervous.) But he's got a long way to go to prove himself to both sponsors and team owners. Talent alone isn't enough; Busch is very good, but not so good that people are willing to put up with his associated garbage and baggage (baggage filled with garbage?) if things don't go his way.
____________________
Did anyone notice that when all the NFL shows were talking about Ndamukong Suh that they could have been talking about Kyle Busch? All the same language, just a different name.
?Steve Donovan
Davenport, Iowa
Well, to be fair, Busch didn't stomp anybody. Also to be fair, Suh didn't hit anybody with a car. (Although he apparently came pretty close.) But in both cases, you've got guys who are the logical outgrowth of a system that protects and excuses everything right up to criminality. That, and both of them might just be jerks.
There's probably a good column to be written comparing guys like Suh and Busch. Somebody get Wetzel on that.
____________________
I always say I'm done writing letters but the mailbag is just so awesome! [Aw, flattery. -JB] Since we're at the point where there really is no big news to talk about in NASCAR here are some topics you may throw your opinions at. 1st: Describe the crowd and/or the TV ratings if Junior ever won the title. 2nd: Describe the reactions/conspiracy theories if Jimmie Johnson won it again. 3rd: Would Jeff Gordon retire if he won his 5th title? Just some things to think about to keep you busy during the down time.
?Wes R
1. I'm starting to think we're overestimating the power of Junior. He'd get plenty of attention, but is he going to bring in new fans or just reclaim some lapsed ones? Certainly, there'd be plenty of coverage, but NASCAR needs more new faces to appeal to new fans. Junior's a known commodity.
2. Depends on how he won it, but ... aw, no it doesn't. If Johnson wins another title, or heaven forbid starts knocking on the door of seven, you'll see enough conspiracy theories to make JFK look as cut-and-dried as the theory of gravity. (We all do accept that gravity exists, right?) No matter who wins forevermore, there will be complaints.
3. I don't think he'd retire immediately; he's far too valuable a commodity. He's like the Rolling Stones; he's no longer completely in charge of his own destiny. And while it's easier to play a guitar at age 60 than drive a race car, the same principle applies: Gordon keeps hundreds of people in business across his race team and his sponsors, and it'd be tough to walk away from that before time had its way with you.
____________________
While I don't personally have any issues with drivers cussing anytime (it just shows honest emotion), as a former radio announcer, I will point out that use of those seven words that George Carlin so famously made an entire comedy routine out of over a broadcast radio is technically illegal under F.C.C. regulations. While I think $50,000 is a little bit much for flipping an interviewer off, by taking a step showing that they're addressing the problem may stave off even more drastic actions taken by the government, especially if the whiners at the Parents Resource Council decide to complain about the cursing. It's bad enough that those of us at home watch a race broadcast that's delayed by 7 to 10 seconds in order to catch most of these things. I'd hate to see that delay get longer to satisfy the censorship crowd.
?Mr. Bad Example
Sacramento, Calif.
Hang on, is it illegal if it's an opt-in channel the way that the NASCAR broadcasts are? I understand if the network let something slip, but I was under the impression that this is the equivalent of an R-rated movie; you know going in that there might be some things you don't want to witness. Like Adam Sandler.
Aside: live radio is a hell of a lot of fun. We do a couple shows a week, local and national, and I've only once screwed up and cussed on the air. You know how cats and dogs are different? Yeah, I called the host a cat. Kind of. And it wasn't satellite radio, alas.
I sincerely hope that the issue of cursing on the radio isn't on the government's radar. I'd be a lot more worried about the sponsors if I were you. It's only a matter of time before some driver starts lashing out at another with "Red Bull gives you wings, but it apparently doesn't give you talent"-type lines.
And now, since it's the offseason, a musical interlude. Unreleased Metallica, anyone?
____________________
Hi Jay, this is my first time writing to you. I enjoy your column or whatever it's called on the Internet, keep up the good work ... Honestly I can't wait to see how Danica Patrick does next year. I can't help but laugh at how polarizing her arrival has been. I have two daughters and a son and I want to see some women racing in Cup.
?Dan Boren
Bay City, Texas
I have no idea what the hell this thing is. A blog post? A column? Barely-connected rantings? Whatever. We're in the future, man! Cast off the old labels!
Gotta be honest, I'm pretty excited to see how Danica does, too. She brings a new angle to the sport, she brings new interest, and while you could argue that she's taking a seat from a better driver (especially now), such is the way of the financial/sponsorship world in NASCAR. Hopefully before long, the people complaining about women in NASCAR will seem as antiquated as the people complaining about all this uncomfortable safety equipment. If you can drive, you can drive, and it shouldn't much matter what you've got under the firesuit.
And speaking of which, for those of you only interested in Danica for one thing, go search out the swimsuit photos of her that just turned up online. Not posting them here because long-distance photos of people on the beach are pretty creepy. But I will say that Danica has one heck of a Panama City License Plate. (Translation: lower-back tattoo. And no, it's not a GoDaddy logo. Yet.)
Let's wrap.
____________________
If Carl Edwards is famous for the back-flip after winning a race, maybe Jeff Gordon can breakdance after he wins a race and make it his signature mark!
?Jamie Herschel
New Philadelphia, Ohio
That is an amazing idea. We need every driver to come up with his own signature move. That's your assignment for this week, send me what you think certain drivers ought to do upon winning a race. Get to it, everybody.
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!
Monday
Power Rankings: The best feuds of 2011
Welcome to Power Rankings! During the season, we rank your favorite drivers based on who's up, who's down, who's grooving and who's sliding. But now? Now, we dig into the vaults and the memory banks. Today, we offer up the best feuds of 2011. And oh, do we have a bumper crop from which to choose ...
1. Kyle Busch-Richard Childress. One of the most legendary throwdowns in NASCAR history, this Kansas scuffle began when Childress had all he could stand and couldn't stand no more. Busch apparently (and wisely) didn't fight back as the old man threw a punch or two. And "taking off your watch" became an instant NASCAR euphemism for when things are about to get real.
2. Kyle Busch-Kevin Harvick. The perpetually simmering Busch-Harvick feud boiled over at Darlington, as the two traded paint on the track. When Harvick confronted Busch on pit road following the race, Busch shoved Harvick's car forward to get out of the way of the Flying Fists of Happy. This one resonated for months.
3. Kurt Busch-The Penske team. Busch feuded with his team, his owner, his car and himself for most of the year, and ended up the loser when he finally got the boot from the 22.
4. Greg Biffle-Boris Said. The best soundbite of the year, as Said called Biffle an "unprofessional scaredy-cat" and a "chump" after a dustup at Watkins Glen. No word on whether Said ever found his way to Biffle's house to deliver his message in person.
5. Matt Kenseth-Brian Vickers. This feud stretched over several races, as the drivers retaliated back and forth so many times that nobody can quite remember how the whole thing started. Kenseth got the last laugh, though; when asked at Champions Week if he'd spin Vickers to win a race, Kenseth replied, "He wouldn't be leading a race."
6. Ryan Newman-Juan Pablo Montoya. An early battle that's all but forgotten now because Montoya dropped off the radar. Newman allegedly threw some punches in the NASCAR hauler, and apparently got one of those secret fines for it. But nobody who's talking about it knows anything, and nobody who knows anything is talking about it.
7. Kurt Busch-Jimmie Johnson. Busch tried hard to convince everyone that he was "in Jimmie's head," but after getting spun by the 48 at Richmond and self-destructing in the Chase, Busch convinced everyone that he couldn't get out of his own head long enough to find his way into anyone else's.
8. Tony Stewart-Brian Vickers. The Sonoma battle between Vickers and Stewart very nearly cost the eventual champion a berth in the Chase. Stewart decided to play NASCAR sheriff and dump Vickers for blocking; Vickers responded by putting Stewart tail-up onto a tire pile. Stewart's poor finish there almost cost him his Chase spot. Which, as it turned out, would have changed matters dramatically.
9. Kevin Conway-Robby Gordon. If these two were bigger names, this would've been the fight of the year, hands down. As it is, it's the undercard, but a contract battle and alleged garage fisticuffs are nothing to laugh off. Laugh at, yes, but not laugh off.
10. Kasey Kahne-Juan Pablo Montoya. Notable because Montoya managed to get under the skin of the usually low-key Kahne at Pocono. Watching drivers try to sort out who did what to whom is like listening to middle-school girls try to figure out who backstabbed whom.
Honorable mentions: Kyle Busch-Ron Hornaday Jr. (the move that got Kyle benched), Kyle Busch-Elliott Sadler (a case of mistaken identity, as Kyle crashed Sadler apparently thinking he drove for Harvick), Kurt Busch-the NASCAR media (transcripts and facts have no chance against an angry driver), Tony Stewart-the NASCAR media (you'd better ask a good question or else), Clint Bowyer-Juan Pablo Montoya (trouble on the track at Atlanta pretty much iced Bowyer's Chase chances), Jimmie Johnson-Juan Pablo Montoya (no shower is safe from the Montoya Apology Tour), Tony Stewart-Darian Grubb (not a feud per se, but a disagreement that ended, strangely enough, in both a championship and a firing).
All right, your turn. What was your favorite disagreement of the 2011 season? Have your say below.
Luca di Montezemolo: ?Winning depends on us, not on others?
Luca di Montezemolo used Ferrari?s Xmas lunch today to encourage the team to work harder in the build-up to 2012. Over 1000 team members and suppliers – including the drivers – were present to hear Montezemolo celebrate 20 years in … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/12/17/luca-di-montezemolo-winning-depends-on-us-not-on-others/
Shocker: Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins Most Popular Driver award for ninth time
Ready? OK, here it is: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won NASCAR's most popular driver award.
I know, crazy, right? But this is the world we're living in now. Junior was named the NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association's Most Popular Driver for the ninth straight year.
Junior took the highest number of the nearly 1.5 million votes cast in the 2011 effort, sponsored by Wheaties Fuel. He beat out the other nine finalists: Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart.
[ Related: Four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon breakdances ]
You know the rest: Junior was honored, he's hoping to build on the momentum of this year, et cetera et cetera. To be sure, this was a turnaround year for Earnhardt, making the Chase after two straight seasons of disappointment, but he still lacks that elusive next win. Even so, the award shows that he's still got the fans' support, no matter how he runs.
Junior still has a ways to go to catch the all-time leader in Most Popular Driver awards; that would be Awesome Bill Elliott with 16. However, Earnhardt could match Elliott's consecutive streak with 10 if he wins again next year.
So, yes, those of you who wonder what all the fuss is over Junior: this is it. He's got a hell of a lot of fans, like it or not. And these are the diehards. Just imagine what would happen if the dude started winning.
Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? Video: Antonio Margarito not bothered by criticism
? Houston coach Kevin Sumlin is considered a top Texas A&M target
? Listen: Pat Forde's take on slew of college football scandals
Roberto Bussinello Jenson Button Tommy Byrne Giulio Cabianca
Hamilton: Red Bulls will still be quicker
Lewis Hamilton was in a cautious, yet satisfied mood after pipping Sebastian Vettel in Brazilian Grand Prix practice. Hamilton beat Vettel by 0.167 seconds, while Red Bull’s Mark Webber was third ahead of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso. It was all very tight though with Red Bull and McLaren set for a fascinating battle this weekend. Speaking [...]
Johnny Cecotto Andrea de Cesaris Francois Cevert Eugene Chaboud
Sunday
Family Feud: Trio of Nissan GT-Rs square-off for family supremacy
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Ever since the Nissan GT-R was born in 2008, the car known as Godzilla has raced with just about every other supercar in the world. But one car that the Japanese supercar has failed to go head-to-head with is, ironically enough, its own.
Until now.
Japanese car show, BestMotor TV, has decided that if Godzilla were to meet its match, why not race it against two more of its kind. That’s right; it’s a triple-threat Nissan GT-R throw down!
The three cars are actually three model years of the Japanese supercar - the 2010MY, the 2012MY, and the 2013MY. Looking at the numbers alone, you could already make a case for the 2013 GT-R to be a step ahead of its older brothers - it has 550 horsepower compared to the 530 ponies of the 2012MY and 485 horses of the 2010MY.
All that being said, it still makes for a fascinating watch, especially when you consider yourself a fan of this fire-spewing, competition-trampling Japanese monster.
Family Feud: Trio of Nissan GT-Rs square-off for family supremacy originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 31 December 2011 12:00 EST.
Audi Q7 S-Line by Je Design
| |
Audi is currently working on the second generation Q7 - it will be unveiled sometime in 2013 - but until then, there are some tuners that have found new ideas on how to improve the current model. One example of such a tuner is Je Design, who is offering a new tuning kit with both exterior and interior upgrades, as well as a power increase.
The Q7 tuning package is based on the S-Line model and adds an even sportier feel to the SUV. It includes new high-class wheel arches that increase the SUV’s width by 30 millimeters per side at the front and 40 millimeters per side at the rear. The German tuner is also offering front-spoiler corners, a Park Distance Control rear-apron extension, two Je Design double-tailpipe covers, and a dynamic roof wing with side covers above the C pillars. The complete styling package is available for 7,438 euros, or about $9,624 at the current rates.
The final touch for the exterior of the Audi Q7 is a new set of single-part 10 x 22 inch SUV Select alloy wheel rims. The five-spoke design wheels are wrapped around fitted 295/30R22 tires and available in three different color schemes: matte-black, front silver matte/shadow silver, front polished/graphite matte, polished lip. Customers can also choose the new JE DESIGN SCORPIO complete 10 x 22 inch wheel set in a new double-spoke design. This set can also be had in size 9 x 20 inches in matte-black with polished-silver rim flange. Both 22-inch complete wheel sets are available from 5,190 euros, or about $6,715 at the current rates.
Under the hood, the 4.2 TDI engine has undergone optimized programming of the control electronics to deliver an extra 70 HP and 99 lb-ft of torque. This brings the total power up to 405 HP and 660 lb-ft of torque from the standard 335 HP and 561 lb-ft of torque. With the extra power, the Q7 will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The new control-system software is available for an added price of 1,499 euros, or about $1,940 at the current rates. This software includes a one-year guarantee for the engine, turbocharger, transmission, and drive train, which can be extended by another year for just 199 euros, or $257 at the current rates.
All told, the complete Je Design package for the Audi Q7 will run the customer somewhere around $18,536, depending on the currency rates and any additional tweaks they want to add.
Audi Q7 S-Line by Je Design originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 30 December 2011 18:00 EST.
Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/audi/2011-audi-q7-s-line-by-je-design-ar122331.html
Rubens Barrichello Michael Bartels Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi
Raikkonen team-mate announced
Romain Grosjean will join the returning Kimi Raikkonen at Renault next year, the team who will be renamed Lotus. Grosjean – who was dropped by Renault in 2009 – admits that he is delighted to be given another chance, this time alongside the legendary�Raikkonen. The 25-year-old said: “There’s a big grin on my face at [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/jLetzcwR1kE/raikkonen-team-mate-announced
Sebastien Bourdais Thierry Boutsen Johnny Boyd David Brabham
Saturday
Audi Q7 S-Line by Je Design
| |
Audi is currently working on the second generation Q7 - it will be unveiled sometime in 2013 - but until then, there are some tuners that have found new ideas on how to improve the current model. One example of such a tuner is Je Design, who is offering a new tuning kit with both exterior and interior upgrades, as well as a power increase.
The Q7 tuning package is based on the S-Line model and adds an even sportier feel to the SUV. It includes new high-class wheel arches that increase the SUV’s width by 30 millimeters per side at the front and 40 millimeters per side at the rear. The German tuner is also offering front-spoiler corners, a Park Distance Control rear-apron extension, two Je Design double-tailpipe covers, and a dynamic roof wing with side covers above the C pillars. The complete styling package is available for 7,438 euros, or about $9,624 at the current rates.
The final touch for the exterior of the Audi Q7 is a new set of single-part 10 x 22 inch SUV Select alloy wheel rims. The five-spoke design wheels are wrapped around fitted 295/30R22 tires and available in three different color schemes: matte-black, front silver matte/shadow silver, front polished/graphite matte, polished lip. Customers can also choose the new JE DESIGN SCORPIO complete 10 x 22 inch wheel set in a new double-spoke design. This set can also be had in size 9 x 20 inches in matte-black with polished-silver rim flange. Both 22-inch complete wheel sets are available from 5,190 euros, or about $6,715 at the current rates.
Under the hood, the 4.2 TDI engine has undergone optimized programming of the control electronics to deliver an extra 70 HP and 99 lb-ft of torque. This brings the total power up to 405 HP and 660 lb-ft of torque from the standard 335 HP and 561 lb-ft of torque. With the extra power, the Q7 will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The new control-system software is available for an added price of 1,499 euros, or about $1,940 at the current rates. This software includes a one-year guarantee for the engine, turbocharger, transmission, and drive train, which can be extended by another year for just 199 euros, or $257 at the current rates.
All told, the complete Je Design package for the Audi Q7 will run the customer somewhere around $18,536, depending on the currency rates and any additional tweaks they want to add.
Audi Q7 S-Line by Je Design originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 30 December 2011 18:00 EST.
Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/audi/2011-audi-q7-s-line-by-je-design-ar122331.html
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