NASCAR and the Computer Age

Lately, there is much gnashing of teeth and beating of chest over how NASCAR has changed, and how it is no longer treating its fans well. The internet is filled with opinions that ranged from “NASCAR is doing it right” to “NASCAR has lost me forever!” with all shades of opinion in between.

One conversation on Sirius Speedway brought it to light. A caller was saying that when Mark Martin was winning in the Busch series a few years ago, no one complained. Moody and Bagley responded there was indeed complaining, but Bagley pointed out that when it was happening, there was no internet to blast out the opinions. In fact, they pointed out that Sirius has 12 hours of new programming each day, and then we have MySpace, Blogs, Message Board, and every newspaper has an internet presence.

It makes one wonder... Was NASCAR prepared for the computer age?

One could speculate that today’s NASCAR fan is more knowledgeable and informed than most previous generations. We currently use the computer to read the news, track the results and statistics, watch live scoring, and to check in on the life and times of our favorite drivers. In fact, many fans can now set up virtual cars and race in virtual racing leagues. NASCAR fans can now join online communities that devote time and energy to the lives and doings and racing of drivers, team owners and even select members of the teams. The latest news is available via a variety of news sites, drivers' websites, fan sites and blogs.

I often speculate that NASCAR uses the internet to float trial balloons of new ideas. There are many articles that start with 'sources at NASCAR say that....' with whatever the new idea will be. Then the 'net comes alive with a variety of opinions. I can almost visualize the room of computers with folks manning the search engines to find the latest opinions and rush their reports to Brian France and Mike Helton.

There is a downside to the information availability. There is nothing private in the internet age. Quite often what appears to be good information can be researched and examined until flaws are found. The apparant charity efforts of a group of fans (see One Lugnut Short and Random Musings)has brought out the research capabilities of two former fans of a Southern Gentleman driver. While it may seem there is an attack of the charity efforts, in reality it is exposing some holes in the thinking of the group. My understanding is that the group is now taking steps to register with the Commonwealth of Virginia. Good for them, and good for the researchers.

Rest in Peace, Bobby Hamilton!

My condolences to the Hamilton family.

Bobby will be sorely missed.

Robert Yates no longer a "Dead Man Walking"

Coming up on the last race of the season, I found myself to be depressed and ‘out of sorts.’ Not because it was my last free weekend before entering into six weeks of retail hell. Not because we were coming up on the last race weekend of the season. And certainly, not because it seemed the whole world of NASCAR wants to hand Jimmie Johnson the trophy right there, on the spot, before the race. (It didn't matter whether Jimmie deserved it, I was cranky over the presumption of the win!)

No, I was morose over the apparent (at that time) demise of Robert Yates Racing. Depending on the web site, or the writer, we were prepared to witness the advent of DEI buying into, part of, or all of the Yates operation . The stories were full of speculation that, since Yates had struggled most of the season to find a sponsor, the DEI deal was his last hope. Everyone in the media agreed it was sad, as Yates was a staple in the garage. Over and over, we heard the timeline of this year’s defection of the Yates drivers and sponsors. In fact, we had been hearing the rumors for months of different drivers coming to Yates, such as Mark Martin, Johnny Sauter, Robby Gordon, Jacques Villanueve, and a cast of thousands.

Not only was I sad, I was very peeved at the former Yates drivers. When Dale Jarrett left, he left to go to a new gig where there was huge money being offered. Yates could not match that, but I felt that Jarrett was the beginning of turning Robert into “Dead Man Walking.” When Sadler then broke his contract and bolted to a ‘better ride,’ I felt shocked and stunned! For all of the time Sadler was declaring his loyatly to Yates, he was already in contract negotiations for a move to Evernham. In my mind, if Jarret sent Yates to 'Death Row" then Sadler was "The Executioner!"

The hiring of David Gilliland was one ray of hope. He was showing progress as a driver, but with all of the rumors swirling around, I was afraid he was going to be the driver of the only car in the organization. In today's NASCAR, that would have made David's struggle to succeed to be almost insurmountable.

Suddenly, before my eyes, I saw Robert go from Dead Man Walking, to Man on the Move. The announcement that RYR had a new sponsor perked him up, and made me feel like there was a huge light at the end of a very long tunnel.

Now, last weekend saw an announcement by Sporting News writer, Lee Spencer. In this link, we will see that it appears certain that Ricky Rudd will be a full-time driver for Yates. While this article as of yet has been unconfirmed, it appears that Mars is sponsoring a second car for Yates, and that Rudd may be driving the 28.

The internet is rife with discussion of the potential value of Rudd to the Yates organization. I personally have nothing against Rudd, and found him to be fan friendly and pleasant. Hopefully, when the official announcements are made, we will have a better picture of the future.

But, since the historic team of Robert Yates Racing will be around a few more years, I am happy. Thank you to Mars, thank you to Ricky and to David Gilliland, and Thank YOU, Robert, for escaping from the Dead Man's Walk.

ATTENTION, BMW!

Dear BMW Marketing,

I am hollering "uncle!" here! You win!

Now, please get that damned commercial off of the television, and out of my brain. The shrieks of those kids on that home-made video are burned into my psyche. I will never again be able to watch a child open a Christmas gift without flinching and cowering. I simply am not fast enough with the mute button on my remote.

I will forever associate your company with a horrible, cheaply made commercial. You win!

Sincerely,

One completely crazed watcher!