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NASCAR got something right

Posted on February 25, 2011 by thatconsultantbloke

I was very critical here the other week about NASCAR’s changes to the points system, but I didn’t mention the rule about only running in one championship. That has led to the situation where none of the three race winners at Daytona is leading the title race, becuase they are all nominated on a different division.

That is fine by me. I believe that it is right that the guys running in the Nationwide and Camping World series can race for the title without interference from more experienced guys. They still get to race against them, but having them out of the title race makes sense to me. It’s what we had here in Europe in the great days of F2 where the grand prix stars would turn out against the up and coming drivers, but only the latter could run for the title.

So praise where it is due. NASCAR generally do a great job, and this rule change is another example of that. I’ll still complain about some things, but I’m happy to acknowledge that they got this one right.

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weekend round up 20th February 2011 #NASCAR #F1

Posted on February 21, 2011 by thatconsultantbloke

#NASCAR – Really great to see the Wood Brothers having something to celebrate once again and well done to young Trevor for holding his nerve on that last lap. Once again though, why is it that NASCAR’s finest can’t drive round without wrecking? A record number of cautions the man said last night. You’ve read my thoughts here; park ’em for the next race if they wreck someone (and why not just park the#18 every third race just for the sake of it – he’d probably deserve it anyway). Well done also last night to the Double M in the #5 – coming back from the big one and two laps down. That, and seeing the #21 in victory lane again, cheered me up a bit. It’s been a long winter, but we’re racing again.

#F1 – This isn’t the place for politics (I write about those elsewhere), but the middle east situation is changing before our eyes. The unrest in Bahrain could result in a bloodbath if the GP goes ahead as scheduled and no-one wants to see that happen. To at least postpone it would make sense.

Filed under: Circuits, Drivers, F1, NASCAR | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

mid week musings 17th February 2011 #F1 #NASCAR

Posted on February 17, 2011 by thatconsultantbloke

#F1 – So Renault confirm Nick Heidfeld until Robert Kubica is fit again. As I said here the other week, I would have liked to have seen Nico Hulkenberg get the drive, but I understand the team’s concerns about his lack of experience and Heidfeld deserves to be in F1, so I’m pleased to see him in a competitive car and hope that he gets that maiden win somewhere along the way.

Will he get the chance in Bahrain though? Is there any point in running the race in the current climate? Motor sport has tended to go with it regardless in the past, but we’ll have to wait and see what they decide to do. Last year’s race there was such a bore that I don’t think I will miss it if they do call it off.

#NASCAR – Shame that Junior will have to go to the back of the pack after his practice wreck. He can still win it from there, unlike in F1, but it does make life harder. Looking forward to the action starting later today.

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Weekend round up 29 January 2011 #F1 #NASCAR #speedweeks

Posted on January 30, 2011 by thatconsultantbloke

#NASCAR. Not long now before we get the season rolling, but what have they done to the points? Seems a remarkably pointless (pun intended) revision and I can’t really see much in the way of benefit. All it seems destined to do is to make it very crowded with lots of people on the same totals. Oh well, I doubt that it will change the spectacle.

#Speedweeks. Good to get the racing year under way with the Rolex 24 (or Daytona Continental as I still think of it). Sports car racing doesn’t appeal to me that much these days, but news of racing having started up at Daytona always makes it feel like the season has started and we’re back in business. Shame that they’ve spend three hours or so under caution due to fog. Spoils it all a bit.

#F1. Nice to see Paul Di Resta rewarded with an F1 drive and I hope that he does well. I’m always pleased to see talent getting a chace over chequebook. Less impressed with commentary team changes at the BBC though, but I always turn the sound down when I watch anyway. Maybe with all the clever tricks we’ll be able to keep the track sound and lose the commentary one day.

I’ll be a bit sad if F1 loses the Australian GP but, if Melbourne don’t want it anymore, it could go back to Adelaide. The Antipodes have provided motor sport with some great drivers and cars, so I’d like to see them stay in F1.

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Weekend round up 16 January 2011

Posted on January 16, 2011 by thatconsultantbloke

#F1 – Very pleased that Narain Karthikeyan is back on the F1 grid and that Karun Chandhok has, at least, got a test role. These guys can drive and deserve their places.

Sorry to hear about Derek Gardner passing on. He created some good cars and wasn’t afraid to go out on a limb, the Tyrrell six wheeler being a classic example.

Good to hear that thoughts of moving the Italian Grand Prix away from Monza have fallen through, and also good to hear a gracious response from the Rome GP promoter. I too would have supported a second GP in Italy because the fans have such passion, and maybe we only have Ferrari now, but where would grand prix racing be without Maserati and Alfa Romeo in its blood?

#NASCAR – Just a month to go until the Daytona 500. I shan’t be bothering with the clash, but will be looking out for qualifying and the twin 125s on the run into the big race, and also the truck race on the 18th.

Good luck to Todd Bodine running in all three classes.

It doesn’t now look as though I can get there in person, but I’ll be there in spirit.

Filed under: Cars, Drivers, F1, NASCAR, Retro Moments | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

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