CUP: Only Engines Should Whine In Daytona
At Media day in Daytona NASCAR drivers could talk about the cut in prize money...
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson smiles as he addresses the media during a photo shoot at the Rolex 24 in Daytona Beach Florida. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
A couple of recent forays by NASCAR drivers into the world of sports car racing have resulted in embarrassment rather than good publicity.
Bummer.
Here’s hoping that other top drivers are not deterred from driving in Grand-Am or American Le Mans events because of what happened to
Jimmie Johnson at practice for the Rolex 24 (he was involved in a crash) or what happened to Carl Edwards in Canada last year (he crashed on the parade lap).
I like it when top drivers in one form of racing give another form of racing a whirl. I even love the fact that Danica is doing it.
And when it is done well – witness A.J. Allmendinger and Bobby Labonte and even Jimmie in the 24 itself – it’s a beautiful thing.
Memo to self: Warm them tires up on the way to the grocery store today.
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Sports writing sure has its rewards. One of them is being able to throw stones at others. A favorite target has always been television announcers and analysts.
Not targeted here will be the crew of Lee Diffy, Calvin Fish and Dorsey Schroeder of Speed. My personal opinion is they are not just the best on that network or in road racing; they are the best period. They know their stuff and integrate it well into their broadcasts. They don’t preach and they modulate the volume.
Too bad they could not stay up for 24 straight hours and work David Hobbs in.
Memo to self: Can’t believe I said that.
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Bob Tasca III, who won his first two career NHRA Funny Car events last season, will be the Newsmaker of the Week on “The Race Reporters” radio show, Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET, on www.PowerUpChannel.com.
Tasca drove his Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Shelby Mustang to eighth in the 2009 Full Throttle points. His family has a long heritage in the automotive and racing industries. In fact, Tasca’s late grandfather is credited as one of the first to adopt the “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” philosophy of using motor sports as a promotional and marketing vehicle. Tasca is considered a contender for the class championship as the NHRA season opens Feb. 14 with the 50th anniversary Winternationals in Pomona, Calif.
Jim Pedleyis a veteran, award-winning sports journalist who has worked at, among other places, the Boston Globe, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Kansas City Star. Pedley spent more than 10 years covering auto racing for the Kansas City Star. Pedley can be reached at jpedley@racintoday.com
