Congrats to Keselowski on NASCAR Cup Championship

After 20 years in NASCAR, Roger Penske has finally won the NASCAR Cup Championship with his driver, Brad Keselowski. Congratulations to the Penske Racing team for this achievement!

Potty-Mouth Danica Not a Role Model for Kids

You know, I'm not a prude. I know and use my share of 4-letter words (usually when no one can hear me) and I understand swearing in the heat of the moment, TO A DEGREE. But, there is a point where that is just plain unacceptable. Like last season, when Kurt Busch's foul-mouthed post-race diatribe with ESPN reporter Jerry Punch went viral on the web. Kurt lost a coveted ride over that, and I can't say it wasn't deserved.

This past weekend, Danica Patrick, highly touted to be the 'greatest female racer ever' (yet to be proven, I might add) came on the radio during the race at Bristol and littered the radio feed with enough F-words to put her in an R-rated One Star gang movie.  This is the role-model I want my God-child to look up to??? This is a competitor who thinks that being treated like one of the boys means swearing like one of the boys? If Danica thinks that makes her the equal to the other drivers in NASCAR then perhaps she is missing the point completely. Granted, Lynn St. James, Janet Guthrie and Shirley Muldowney were not pinup gals trying to race--but they didn't even attempt to be. They burned with the desire to race because they loved the sport and were not worried about trying to attract sponsorship by any means other than sheer talent.

I'm trying to overlook Danica's sex-pot attempts in those shoddy Go-Daddy commercials where you start to wonder, watching those, how she was ever seriously considered as a true racer. Indeed, the Danica you see at the track is missing the lush hair-extensions, sexy makeup and star treatment you see in those ads. I can understand trying to capitalize for the sake of getting a sponsor--to a degree. I do not agree with her attitude that swearing like an R-rated gangsta is needed, necessary or even desirable in a racer. The only thing it proves is that she cannot control her vocabulary on a national broadcast. Especially since she is portrayed as a role model to young gals and (yes) guys who want to become racers. If you are taking your kids to the races, be careful which radio frequencies you let your kids listen to. You might just want to avoid Danica's channel.

Maybe she did good getting a competent finish at Bristol in the Nationwide race, but her foul-mouthed diatribe during the Cup race earns her an F (that's for "FAILURE") in my book.

It's nice to be the QUEEN OF NASCAR...Introducing QUEEN DANICA

If ANY other driver in NASCAR had pulled the stunt Danica Patrick did after the last lap of the race at Talladega, running into Sam Hornish and deliberately punting his car into the wall, they would have been called to the NASCAR hauler, fined, penalized points and possibly suspended. Recall how NASCAR penalized Kyle Busch, who had FAR more provocation for retaliating against Ron Hornaday last season.

APPARENTLY, IT'S NICE TO BE THE QUEEN.....

Rick Hendrick Gets Away with Violations--Must Be Nice to Have a FRIEND Hearing Your Appeal!

Just when you thought NASCAR was getting a little credibility back, here comes Rick Hendrick once again. You remember Hendrick, the car-dealer/convicted felon who got his "Presidential Pardon" after a half-a-million dollar donation to the Clinton Library was made, after being indicted on 17 counts (he pled guilty to 1 count) of bribery in a $250 MILLION dollar case prosecuted by the federal government...who skirted prison by a very rare cancer diagnosis (which has been in remission for several years now), and who, most recently, refused to accept NASCAR's penalties assessed on his beloved #48 team after it was found to have an illegal C post on a car brought to Daytona in February.

The same car which was run 4 times last year.

The same car that Jimmie Johnson was told by his crew chief, Chad Knaus, that if he won at Talladega, he had better wreck the back end of the car (so as to keep post-race inspection from finding illegalities).

Hendrick appealed the penalties assessed (suspensions for crew chief and team manager and points deducted for car owner and driver, and fines) and his appeal was denied. So, of course Hendrick proceeded to appeal the case again. Only this time, the guy hearing the case just HAPPENS to be a very long time Chevrolet executive who is also an old friend (crony?) of Hendrick's.

It was announced today that the "Chief Appellate" for NASCAR, John Middlebrook, removed all penalties except the $100,000 fine assessed to Hendrick Racing. In case you don't know, that's chump change to these racing multimillionaires. Hendrick blows that much money on a single Corvette at Barrett-Jackson auctions (where he's been seen to purchase 10-20 Corvettes at a time for his collection or for 'gifts'). Oh, and by the way, guess who was one of the speakers at Middlebrook's retirement shindig from GM? You got it -- Rick Hendrick.

You would have thought for the appearance of impartiality and fairness that Middlebrook would recuse himself from the case. After all, it has been widely reported in the media that Hendrick and he have a long-standing relationship and friendship. Instead, all of the severe penalties that really mean anything against Hendrick's team were dropped. The biggest win for Hendrick was the removal of the 6-race suspension initially given to Crew Chief Chad Knause. Knause has been convicted of cheating at least 7 times that we know of.

So much for having rules and enforcement. When you have a few hundred million dollars invested in a sport though, it looks like that this takes precedence over right and wrong. When Clint Bowyer's car was found to be illegal at New Hampshire 2 years ago in post-race inspection by a miniscule, unmeasurable fraction of an inch, poor Clint was docked 100 points and effectively removed from the Chase for the Cup. A Chase that Hendrick's #48 team went on to "win." Guess it's all about "who" you are in the sport.

Hendrick has a stellar history of bribery and cheating. A public, convicted history. Wouldn't you think NASCAR would have just a wee bit of concern at how this all appears to the ticket-buying, race watching public? It looks more and more like young Brian France and his family are no longer running the sport, especially with the iron fist that his father, Bill France, used.

This type of travesty is not going to put any more folks in the stands at the races, you can count on that. Just like you could virtually count the empty seats at the Cup race this past weekend at Bristol. And I never thought I'd see the stands at that race so empty! NASCAR might love having a multimillionaire like Hendrick run the show--but the fans, well, not so much.

NASCAR Hall of Fame Needs to Fast Track for Success

Everyone knows that NASCAR was long overdue in establishing a Hall of Fame (HOF) when the effort finally got underway a few years ago. From the onset of this endeavor, they have chosen a curious and excruciatingly slow route to select nominees and ultimately inductees. When the initial list of 25 candidates was proposed it was evident that each of these candidates would one day be in the HOF. From the start, it’s been evident that this enterprise is lagging. Perhaps in a misguided attempt to not ‘rush to judgment’ NASCAR decided to induct five members at a time. Normally, that would be ideal, IF the HOF was up to speed, as it were, with all those who should be in it already inducted. However, since this effort should have been an initiative of NASCAR's at least 25, perhaps more, years ago, it is disconcerting to see such slow going in this effort to honor the many who so richly deserve to be in the NASCAR HOF.

Why do the folks running NASCAR have to make everything so convoluted? Other HOFs for major sports don’t have this problem. When the HOF initiative started, I felt that NASCAR should have grandfathered in the first 25 nominees to get a start on what has been missing all these years. Actually, I would have like to have seen a ‘full field’ of 43 entered. If categories are recognized, then that number would not seem so large, particularly while the HOF is being established. It might take a bit away from the pomp and circumstance of induction, but since this effort is so woefully behind, something needs to be done to get the much needed inductions rolling at a better rate. There has to be a better method of selecting and adding HOF members.

Ideally, in a HOF, there should be divisions, first and foremost, among the nominees. Something along the lines of: Drivers, Car Owners, Executives (such as NASCAR executives, Corporate Executives and Track owners), Crew Chiefs & Crew, and Media. Additionally, there could be a Special Selection Committee to handle nominations that do not easily fit these categories (e.g., a well known pit crew, such as the Flying Aces, The Alabama Gang (as a group), and the Racing Wives Auxiliary. Also, recognize a Sponsors section, for the various well-known racing sponsors such as R.J. Reynolds/Winston, Unocal, etc. to be acknowledged. There could even be a Pioneers Committee. There are ways to organize this effort that are so much better. Women and minorities certainly should have a recognized spot in the sport – Louise Smith and Wendell Scott immediately come to mind – recognition for those who were ground breakers in the sport. Wendell Scott was a racer long before ‘diversity’ became a buzzword. And, women like Lynda Petty, Judy Allison, Flossie Johnson, to name a few, were part of the fabric and backbone of the sport as we know it today.

To get things rolling, in the categories, up to five Drivers, two Executives, two Crew Chiefs, and one Media (writers and broadcasters) inductee should be selected from each category. It’s so patently obvious that many of the veteran drivers should have already been grandfathered into the NASCAR HOF—at the rate things are going it’ll be NASCAR’s 200^th Anniversary before half of those who should be in the HOF are enshrined. After all, this effort is approximately 63 years behind already – comparable to running 63 laps down, if you will.

A further step I would like to see is to NOT allow nominations of ACTIVE drivers, owners, crew, etc. A HOF is for career accomplishments. I firmly oppose ANY ACTIVE member of NASCAR being enshrined in the field in which they are active. Were Richard Childress to be nominated as a driver—that would be one thing. But, if he were to be nominated as an owner, then he should not be eligible until he no longer is a team owner. Ditto Rick Hendrick, Joe Gibbs, etc. Likewise with, say, Darrell Waltrip. Nominate him as a driver? Yes, he is retired from that (we think.) Nominate him as a broadcaster? No. These are all commonsense guidelines that the other sports adhere to.

Financially, the HOF is taking a beating as well. But, what would you expect? A trip to Charlotte to see 10 or so plaques is not exactly on the top of my list for a racing HOF/museum and I am sure others feel the same way. It’s going to be quite awhile, at this rate, before a visit there is a memorable event. Just think Cooperstown and Canton. You get the idea.

NASCAR has a chance to do something timely and remarkable with their HOF. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a little fast-tracking (pun intended) to get it where it should be? By the time NASCAR finally gets around to some of the potential inductees, they will likely have to be posthumous ceremonies. Not a great idea, really. It’s far more rewarding to induct someone while they are still around to receive the recognition and accolades!

Come on NASCAR—you can do so much better than you are on this. It IS a race for time, in a sense. Long overdue and past time to make up ground for those who deserve to be in the NASCAR HOF now. Get your feet off of the brakes and make a charge for the finish line. Put away the red flag. You don’t need a caution flag right now – get out the green flag and go for the checkers. Your fans – and even more important – your pioneers who built this multimillion dollar sport – deserve it.

Hey, NASCAR!!! Shorten Races???

So NASCAR wants to knock the race length down by 1/5....... Are they gonna lower the ticket prices by 1/5? This is like the item at the grocery store that looks like a 5 pound bag of sugar only now you're gettting 4.8 pounds of sugar for the same price--less product for same amount of money.

What do you say, NASCAR? Gonna cut ticket prices? Might put some behinds in ALL THOSE EMPTY SEATS AT THE TRACKS if you did!!!!

Just saying....

NASCAR: The Fix is In

NASCAR upheld its own penalty assessed to Richard Childress/Clint Bowyer's Cup Car. Gee, what a surprise. And for a brief moment I thought they might actually have the guts to admit they had made a stupid mistake/assessment.

They've done a lot of in-credible things in the past, but this might just top them all. Good thing we have NFL Sunday football to watch--at least that's usually pretty competitive!!!

NASCAR Has Finally “Jumped the Shark” with Penalty to Bowyer/Childress

NASCAR is really in-credible. As in totally not credible any more. If anyone had doubts before, the sanctioning body led by Helton, Darby and cohorts’ antics in penalizing Clint Bowyer’s race-winning Cup car THREE DAYS after the New Hampshire race should firmly set those doubts to rest. Just when you think the folks that run this racing series can’t do anything more ludicrous, they absolutely top themselves. The #33 car that Bowyer drives, owned by Richard Childress, was inspected, as are all cars competing, before the weekend activities started, before qualifying inspection, before the race, and also AFTER THE RACE in post-race inspection. According to NASCAR officials, it passed inspection every time. Then, inexplicably, when the car was transported by NASCAR to be re-examined at the NASCAR R&D headquarters in Concord, NC it was deemed to have been ‘illegal’ because of less than 1/16th of an inch—roughly the thickness of a quarter—in the height of the rear panel, according to NASCAR’s templates. Never mind that the car had been pushed from the back by a wrecker, hit in the bumper by other drivers congratulating Bowyer on the win, and examined on the spot in New Hampshire, post-race. I guess if you keep examining something, determined to find a fault, sooner or later you will. Who did this benefit? That’s the question that needs to be addressed.

There are a multitude of problems with this entire scenario and the sudden interest by NASCAR in penalizing Bowyer’s team right after the very first “Chase” race. The prime issue, though, is the challenge to Richard Childress’ integrity and the integrity of his organization. Richard Childress is one of, if not THE most respected owners in racing. Along with Richard Petty and Joe Gibbs, he has a stellar reputation and has sustained this through his entire career in racing. Definitely an opposite to NASCAR’s favored Rick Hendrick, whose felony bribery conviction during the Honda bribery scandals of the late 1980’s have been subject to revisionist history in attempts to sweep the information under the rug and keep newer fans unaware of Hendrick’s illegal doings. If you can find a copy of the book, Arrogance and Accords: Inside the Honda Bribery Scandals, you will undoubtedly receive an eye-opening education about the vast sums of money involved (over $250 million back then—a vast sum now and an even vaster sum in the economy of that decade). It’s almost as though NASCAR has suddenly decided to sling mud at Childress in order to sully his stellar reputation. Childress’ storied career as a car owner and close friend of his driver, Dale Earnhardt is the stuff of racing history. The very best of racing history. For NASCAR to try and slime Childress in this manner is truly troubling, particularly when there is so little in NASCAR Cup racing to get excited about anymore. Fans are staying away in droves and many of us never thought you’d be able to walk up to the ticket window at Bristol on race day and get a good seat for that event. But, you can.

One thing that NASCAR has yet to explain is what possible ‘cheating’ advantage could have been gained by having the rear of the car off by 1/60,000.” Perhaps that is because there simply is no advantage whatsoever in this.

When one looks at all the empty grandstand seats, race after race, it has to beg the question as to Why are fans staying away and no longer avidly interested in the sport? We know NASCAR has been trying to figure this out by way of establishing their “fan council” – years ago, NASCAR was never worried about what the fans thought of their doings because every race was sold out a year or more in advance. And, the folks that run NASCAR just won’t admit that a vast majority of race fans do not like, support or have regard for the Hendrick drivers, particularly Jimmie Johnson. Johnson has never shown himself to be fan-friendly, and while he is a competent driver, his success is seen as a result of a combination of obscene amounts of money spent on cars and equipment, NASCAR’s sanctioning of his crew chief who has been penalized repeatedly over the years for many cheating infractions, and a “keep out of his way” dictate by NASCAR –particularly when it comes to the final countdown races in the Chase.

This is the perception of a wide majority of fans—and former fans who no longer pay prime dollars to buy tickets in a racing series which still seems to pander to the mega-rich. Particularly when they are worrying about how to buy groceries, pay the rent or buy schoolbooks for their kids while NASCAR crew chiefs, driver and owners are tooling around Lake Norman and building their multi-million dollar homes, buying planes and all the trappings of having ‘moved on up’ to the East Side. Just let a poor independent like a Jeremy Mayfield or a Carl Long who is hanging on by their shoelaces because they love the sport and want to race run afoul of NASCAR and they are unceremoniously booted out of the sport.

So, what’s behind this penalty? Figure it out. And when that trophy is handed to Johnson at Las Vegas, with his name likely already engraved on it as of September 2010, NASCAR will still be wondering why there are yet more empty seats next season. I call it the Earnhardt effect. Fans of Dale’s tried to stay interested but have gradually faded away because there is no one in the sport who can spark their passion and imagination like Dale did. At one time, Tony Stewart might have picked up the torch, but his alliance with Rick Hendrick has taken the luster off of that notion. As far as Dale Junior—from the moment he left his father’s company to go ride around in a race car for the one team owner that Dale Senior’s fans could not abide—his impact has lessened to the point where he is just another mediocre driver who happens to have a famous family name. It’s a shame, really. Hendrick lured Junior away under the pretext of helping him win championships. Only problem is, there can only be one champion each season, and Junior had to get in line behind Gordon and Johnson. By the time those two finally decide to hang it up, Junior’s time will have been long gone. One wonders who really convinced Dale Junior that he was better off away from DEI. It’s as if someone wanted to attempt to tear down Dale Senior’s legacy and keep DEI from succeeding.

No one likes a sport that is perceived to be weighted or ‘fixed’—and that perception has been tainting NASCAR’s top racing level for the past several years.

The only way NASCAR can remove the egg it has spread on its own face after this ‘penalty’ was imposed is to overturn it. And, sadly, even that might not be enough to put the credible back into the way they are running this sport.

Where are all these Keselowski Apologists Coming From?

Did anyone see the race at Talladega last year, when Brad Keselowski sent Carl Edwards' car up into the fence, injuring a fan? Did anyone see the first race Keselowski 'won' when he wrecked the leaders to get the victory? Or the second race he 'won' when he did the same thing? Does anyone else ever notice these things?

And now, because Carl Edwards is racing Keselowski the same way the Keselowski is racing him--suddenly there is an outraged hue and cry about Edwards' driving and wrecking Keselowski in the Nationwide race last Saturday night at Gateway. Do all these media folk even watch the races? Did they not see Keselowski try to wreck Edwards on the previous lap? Some of the articles online are ludicrous. One guy in Florida goes as far as to say park Edwards before he kills someone. Really? Are you that worried about that happening or just looking for a way to get readership?

It can't be both ways. Keselowski has a long, ugly record and reputation for dirty driving--which apparently is hereditary--and when a driver tries to take you out repeatedly for the win, you have two choices--stand up for yourself or roll over and let the bully win. I'm not a fan of Carl Edwards, but I like that he doesn't take it from a dirty driver like Keselowski.

I've been amazed at all the TV and race writers who have jumped on the Keselowski bandwagon. Where were they last year, when Keselowski was getting away with wrecking everyone around him? Carl managed to save his car when Brad tried to wreck him. Brad just didn't have the talent to save his own car when he got a wee bit of payback.

And Bob Keselowski--Brad's father--should have his NASCAR hardcard pulled for the comments he made on television after the wreck. So, he wants to get his driver suit on and go out on the track and take out Carl. What's wrong with this scenario? Complain about someone wrecking your son and how he drives, then go out and do the same to him in revenge? Yeah, Bob, that's mature. Joey Logano's father had his hardcard pulled last year for getting involved in an argument after the race--Keselowski's dad should have his card pulled for the remarks he made on national TV.

Johnson and Bonus Points Make Mockery of Chase for the Cup

It's very simple. Bonus points are going to affect the way the top 12 drivers line up for the Chase for the Cup once that field is set, and as it stands, Jimmie Johnson will be ranked first regardless of which position he is in because of the bonus point system. Yet another reason fans are disgusted with the Chase format.

We all know Hendrick's 48 team is trying to lie low and play possum til the chase starts. Otherwise, there would be even LESS viewership and even LESS seats sold at the no longer sell-out tracks.

Did anyone doubt that Dale Jr. was going to win at Daytona in the #3 Wrangler car? I could have made a fortune if I could find anyone dumb enough to bet against that one. Diecast sales HAVE been in a bad slump.

A little parity in the sport would have done wonders. Now, anything NASCAR does is just going to be more of the same -- too little, too late.

What is Jamie McMurray Doing in a Hendrick Car?

One has to suppose that gluttonous multi-team millionaire owner Rick Hendrick is trying to figure out if Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing has any info he needs, since Jamie McMurray has accepted a Nationwide Series ride in the JR Motorsports (run by Rick Hendrick) car. What are Chip Ganassi and Teresa Earnhardt thinking??? It's highly suspect to have one of their Cup drivers desert their organization to take a Nationwide ride for Dale Junior's team. After all, there obviously isn't much love lost between the parties involved....Inquiring minds wonder what's going on.....

Keselowski Got What He Had Coming

You know, you have to be certified blind or a total fool if you don't think Brad Keselowski deserves a bit of payback for repeatedly wrecking other, better drivers. Keselowski pushed his way into Cup by aggressive driving and it's amazing that Roger Penske actually hired him to drive the 12 car to start with. So maybe Carl Edwards paid Keselowski back this afternoon. A lot of other drivers owe Keselowski a punt, as well. NASCAR claims they're going to let the drivers police themselves. Yeah, right. That lie has already been thrown out with the trash. Keselowski whined after his car wrecked at Atlanta--what's that old saying about the 'pot calling the kettle black'? If NASCAR won't stop him before he seriously injures another driver, then the other drivers have no choice but to let this immature, untalented bully know that his style of 'driving' is not acceptable.

Hendrick is STILL a Convicted Felon

This blog gets at least 10 hits daily for people trying to find out more about the convicted felon, Rick Hendrick, who has used his million$$$ (billion$$$?) to advance in NASCAR. The fact remains that Rick Hendrick PLED GUILTY to 1 count in the infamous Honda Bribery Scandals. The fact that he was BOUGHT a pardon by a donation to the Clinton Library still does not negate the fact of his admitted guilt.

Some of us don't readily pardon someone who can afford to be involved in a $250 MILLION DOLLAR bribery scandal. Just because you buy your way out does not make it right. NASCAR and HENDRICK have become synonymous with the word GREED. The facts are the facts.

It's sad to realize that NASCAR has become a 'sport' just like the WWE (or WWF or whatever you wanna call it).... The days of the true racers are apparently long past. Maybe those who don't know the sport are impressed with the Hendrick-funded Jimmie Johnson 4th 'championship.' Well, not all of us. It's far more impressive for the NHRA's Tony Schumachers ACTUAL run of 7 (count 'em) SEVEN consecutive championships in a far more difficult series.

Leave it to Keselowski to Cause the Big One at Talladega

What is NASCAR waiting for -- Brad Keselowski to kill someone??? Yet ANOTHER wreck at the end of the race caused by Keselowski. Maybe they WANT to nickname him Killer....No doubt it would take something like that before the NASCAR hierarchy does something about this talentless jockey causing wreck after wreck after wreck.

We know the sport was altered forever with the death of Dale Earnhardt. We have witnessed too many racing-related deaths over the past 20 years to have much patience with NASCAR's utter avoidance of this issue. Keselowski has not proven that he has an ounce of talent. Only that he is quite adept at the old 'wreck and run.' No wonder he has fit in so well with the other Hendrick drivers....If all the drivers that owe him a payback were to take action, young master Keselowski wouldn't have anything left to load up on the hauler and take home.

If Only Brad Keselowski Could Drive

Apparently young master Keselowski only knows one way to race--knocking his opponents out of the way. He has yet to actually win a race by ability and talent. Once again, in today's Nationwide Series race in Memphis, Keselowski showed his appalling lack of talent by taking out Justin Allgaier before 40 laps had been completed, wrecking Carl Edwards later in the race and knocking out yet another young driver towards the end. The Hendrick folk, particularly Tony Eury, Sr., seem amused that they can get away with this. One of these days, Keselowski is going to seriously injure or even kill someone--especially if NASCAR doesn't stop kowtowing to the mighty Hendrick dollar and refusing to do anything about this overly aggressive wanna-be driver. One has to laugh at the folks who used to complain about Dale Earnhardt. Dale was aggressive, sure--but he didn't deliberately wreck the competition like Hendrick drivers have been well known to do over the years. But--that's the difference between a racer, a driver and a hack. Keselowski has shown himself to merely be a hack--and sooner or later, it's going to catch up with him. If you can't win by racing and not wrecking the opposition race after race after race, you don't belong in the sport.

Next season, Keselowski is set to driver for Roger Penske. Penske doesn't have the clout of a Rick Hendrick with NASCAR. Maybe that's why Keselowski is getting what he can now. When he no longer drivers for Rick Hendrick, his talentless shenanigans are not likely to be put up with by NASCAR. Too bad NASCAR doesn't have the guts to pull the reins in now on this kid, before he does injure, maim, or kill someone else.

NASCAR to Standardize Race Times?

You mean, like it used to be in the olden days when we all knew what time the races started?

Gee...what a novel idea....

Always amazing how far NASCAR has strayed away from what used to work. Now, if only they could de-regulate the major teams that still are strongly suspected of lying and cheating in the sport ... and maybe even penalize the latest cheaters.

Hendrick Cars 'Warned' by NASCAR

Earlier this week, the #5 Mark Martin car and the #48 Jimmie Johnson car, both owned by Hendrick Racing, were found to be 'close' to the tolerances allowed. Johnson's car was found to be over the limit mandated by NASCAR. The cars had been taken as a routine check to the NASCAR R&D facility in Concord, NC.

Courtesy of Fox Sports:

The buzz within the NASCAR community suggests that the offset on the tail, which helps the rear of the car stick to the ground instead of spinning out, of the #5 Kellogg's Chevy just made the tolerance. NASCAR allows a tolerance of 0.070 of an inch for the body off of the center line of the car. Suffice it to say, JJ's #48 car didn't make it. But by how much? NASCAR claims it was .006 over the tolerance. That's about the thickness of two sheets of copier paper. Others in the garage hint at a charitable disposition on the part of the sanctioning body. So how did NASCAR view the situation with the Hendrick cars? "The 48 and 5 were brought back to the (Research and Development Center)," according to a NASCAR statement. "We've been doing this since the inception of the new car as a part of routine post-race inspection. We bring the winner and a random pick back to the R&D Center after each event. While both cars passed postrace inspection, we informed the 48 and 5 they were extremely close on some of the tolerances.

Leave it to NASCAR to only admonish the two teams leading the points in the 'Chase for the Cup.'

Um, 'too close to the tolerances,' eh? In the olden days this was called C-H-E-A-T-I-N-G.

How about some penalties? Oh, that's right -- these cars belong to Rick Hendrick. Never mind....

NHRA: John Force's Tanking It Is a Slap in Women Racers' Faces

Anyone who knows me knows a few things. I love racing. All kinds of racing, whether it's NASCAR, IRL, CART, F1, ALMS, NHRA or Thoroughbreds. I love the sport of racing itself. And, I have always maintained that a talented woman racer can compete on equal levels in the sports if she has the same talent, sponsorship and equipment of the top males competing.

Women have had to work to get where there are in this male-dominated sport. Whether it be pioneers like Shirley Muldowney, Lyn St. James, Janet Guthrie or Louise Smith. Then there are the women of the mid-1990s who tried to break into NASCAR - Patty Moise and Shawna Robinson in particular - and there are recent or current racers such as Hillary Will, Melanie Troxell, Shelley Anderson, Angelle Sampey, Danica Patrick, Milka Duno, or Sarah Fisher, women continue to strive to make their mark in racing, often still in lesser quality equipment or with lesser support.

That's what is so disturbing, I think, about the Funny car final rounds at Indianapolis Raceway Park in the US Nationals. Ashley Force has already proven that as a racer she is equal to any male driving in top fuel. Ashley has the talent, nerve, courage and ability, not to mention the famous Force name fielding her car with personal hands-on support from her father, 14-time champion John Force.

It was painfully obvious that Force tanked his round to let Robert Hight win to make the NHRA's version of NASCAR's Chase for the Cup, and in the finals, Hight veered off the line and Ashley Force-Hood became the third woman to win at the US Nationals, and the first to win in Funny Car.

Folks have actually defended this as 'team orders' and a 'time-honored tradition in racing.' Those must be the same folks who put convicted felon Rick Hendrick on a pedestal and really believe Hendrick racing dominates because of the drivers' talents and not the millions of dollar spent on R&R, cars, equipment and etc. every season.

It disparages Ashey's accomplishments to win such an honored and esteemed event based on team orders. Somehow, that doesn't make it quite as spectacular as a win back in the day by Shirley Muldowney or Lyn St. James, who literally had to fight their way to the top. I've long been a critic of NASCAR's WWE-type staging. Now, apparently, the NHRA is proving they are not exempt from these tactics if it helps gain an audience. Too bad--Ashley has talent and ability on her own. She doesn't need 'team orders' to win. By making it happen that way, it lessens this young woman's accomplishments in racing.

Sometimes I Wonder if NASCAR Can Hear the TVs Clicking OFF

Ratings for race after race are down, down, down.....NASCAR just doesn't seem to realize that a vast majority of fans do NOT love Hendrick Racing, Hendrick the Blob, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Junior or anyone else associated with Hendrick Racing....and despite the announcers' insistence, Mark Martin is NOT the revered fan favorite of all time.....If racing ever gets back to a level playing field where the Hendrick vast fortune is not running the sport--fans might actually start returning to watching NASCAR. Just knowing Johnson is on the pole for a (ho-hum boring) road race is enough to get many of us making alternate Sunday plans rather than sit around watching the TV....or if we do, maybe there will be an IRL or NHRA or (fill-in the blank) sporting event that will be much more entertaining. At least, we sure hope so....

The FIX is IN -- YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!! (POCONO)

Local Channel 2 sports announcer stated that Jimmie Johnson won today's race at Pocono....Guess no one told him it was delayed til Monday....So, apparently the FIX IS IN for NASCAR's race.