http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/home Recent racetrackriot Posts en-us Race Track Riot has moved to racetrackriot.com Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:44:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/new_location/9921391 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/new_location/9921391 New Location http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/new_location/9921391 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2011 Finish- 7th Now I know Dale Jr. had a pretty good season last year but lets be honest, it wasn't great, especially for fantasy owners. Junior came out the gate early racking up some top 10 finishes and giving the NASCAR fans something to cheer about as the sport’s most popular driver had the 88 car leading some laps. But as the year went on, his fantasy price stayed up while his performance dropped to mid-level pack finishes. This was a fantasy owner’s nightmare as they were paying upwards to a top-5 driver, and getting a Robby Gordon type finish. What makes it worse is Dale finished 7th in points setting up yet another overrated and over priced fantasy year for this 88 team.   Dale Jr. is only a restrictor plate starter until he proves otherwise. Even after that, still watch his price tag; it might not be worth it.   Final Stats for 2011   Final Rank 7 Points 2290 High Finish 2 Low Finish 41 Wins 0 Poles 1 Total Laps Led 52 Top 5 Finishes 4 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:13:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/five_fantasy_drivers_that_need_to_earn_their_spot_in_your_lineup_5/9692377 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/five_fantasy_drivers_that_need_to_earn_their_spot_in_your_lineup_5/9692377 Five Fantasy Drivers That Need to Earn Their Spot in your Lineup. #5 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/five_fantasy_drivers_that_need_to_earn_their_spot_in_your_lineup_5/9692377 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png WOW factor? Yes. A traditional stock car? No, but NASCAR lost the "stock car" a long time ago.  Times are changing and the sport is revolving and the "street style" car is inevitable.  NASCAR's first attempt was the Car of Tomorrow (COT) and not only was it unsafe, everyone hated it to include the drivers.   So what's next for the great sport of NASCAR and their ability to adapt and change with today's society? By the looks of it, it could be this street generated design of the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Ford Fusion. SBNATION- Ford unveiled a sleek Ford Fusion during the second day of the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour,showing off a vehicle that looks more like a street car than any in recent memory. It will be a refreshing change and follows in the footsteps of the cool cars that are on track in the Nationwide Series. The onus now falls on Chevrolet, Toyota and Dodge to match Ford's sweet new design. Below are some photos and videos of the new car:       Credit Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:44:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/ford_unveils_2013_sprint_cup_car/9564065 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/ford_unveils_2013_sprint_cup_car/9564065 Ford Unveils 2013 Sprint Cup Car. http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/ford_unveils_2013_sprint_cup_car/9564065 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The past is past. The Future is now. No that's not the words of Danica Patrick but she is living the words of the great Joe Dirt as she concentrates strictly on her new racing endeavor and skipping "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing". ESPN- Danica Patrick has added the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway to her 2012 Sprint Cup schedule, eliminating any possibility she will run in the Indianapolis 500. "I'm not going to do the Indy 500,'' the former IndyCar Series driver said on Monday to kick off the 2012 Sprint Media Tour. "I hope to do it in the future. Maybe it'll be a double. Patrick, who is running a full Nationwide Series schedule at JR Motorsports and part-time Cup schedule for Stewart Haas Racing as she makes the transition from open wheel racing to stock cars, said it was a business decision to run NASCAR's longest race that is held on the same day as the 500 in May. Stewart-Haas Racing team owner Tony Stewart said the decision to sit out the In Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:38:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/danica_patrick_chooses_coca_cola_600_over_indy_500/9539330 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/danica_patrick_chooses_coca_cola_600_over_indy_500/9539330 Danica Patrick Chooses Coca-Cola 600 over Indy 500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/danica_patrick_chooses_coca_cola_600_over_indy_500/9539330 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Thousands of fans met the 2012 Miss Sprint Cup lineup during the NASCAR Preview Presented by Sprint in Charlotte, N.C. Sprint announced that returning members Kim Coon (Orlando, Fla.) and Jaclyn Roney (Ann Arbor, Mich.) have been joined by newcomer Kristen Beat of El Cajon, Calif. Miss Sprint Cup represents the Sprint brand around the track and in Victory Lane wherever the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competes. The three representatives also serve as the fans' "friend on the inside," delivering via Facebook and Twitter behind-the-scenes updates, pictures and video, while highlighting Sprint products and offers. Kristen Beat -Beat adds a Southern California flare to the Miss Sprint Cup lineup. The former Fuel TV on-air talent and extreme sports reporter grew up racing motocross bikes and was a big supporter of her brother's pursuit of a professional racing career. When she isn't at the racetrack, Beat enjoys surfing, working out and honing her culinary skills with healthy recipes. Af Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:23:26 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/nascar_announces_2012_miss_sprint_cup_lineup/9517523 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/nascar_announces_2012_miss_sprint_cup_lineup/9517523 NASCAR Announces 2012 Miss Sprint Cup Lineup http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/nascar_announces_2012_miss_sprint_cup_lineup/9517523 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Respect, personal pride and paranoia of what others think about you could be your worst enemy. Just ask Ricky Carmichael. Now I know what you are thinking; how could "respect" or being respected be a flaw? Well, "respect" is debatable when in relation to, or reference of a certain situation or opinion. Example: Some people show respect to others due to title or social acceptance while others have respect to those who have acted or "stands for something" of similar beliefs. The below story is a clear case of that, as business battles respect with respect coming in last. But referring to my opening statement, that is just my opinion on this topic of "doing the right thing" or "doing the right thing...." It all depends on what side of the fence you are on. Sirius-Speedway.com - Multi-time AMA motocross and supercross champion-turned NASCAR driver Ricky Carmichael says he is uncertain of his plans for 2012, after sponsor Monster Energy elected to back brothe Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:29:41 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/ricky_carmichael_i_would_lose_fans_if_he_drove_for_kyle_busch_motorsport/9480080 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/ricky_carmichael_i_would_lose_fans_if_he_drove_for_kyle_busch_motorsport/9480080 Ricky Carmichael "I would lose fans" if he drove for Kyle Busch Motorsport http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/ricky_carmichael_i_would_lose_fans_if_he_drove_for_kyle_busch_motorsport/9480080 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Keep it in the family.  After years of public dislike towards one another and a 2011 season that had both Busch brothers experiencing negative headlines, Kyle Busch has hired his older brother to drive for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Nationwide Series. NASCAR.com- Kyle Busch Motorsports on Thursday announced it has signed a multi-year agreement with Monster Energy Co. as primary sponsor of the team's No. 54 Toyota in the Nationwide Series and that owner Kyle Busch will share driving duties with his brother, Kurt, in 2012. Kyle Busch, the all-time series wins leader, will drive the season-opening race at Daytona and the subsequent four races through Fontana before splitting the balance of the season with Kurt. Since debuting in NASCAR, Kyle Busch Motorsports has had the goal to add a championship-caliber Nationwide Series team to our organization," Kyle Busch said. "With [Thursday's] announcement of Monster Energy as primary sponsor and my brother, Kurt, as the second driver, we've Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:37:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/brotherly_love_kyle_busch_hires_brother_kurt_to_drive_nationwide_car/9456344 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/brotherly_love_kyle_busch_hires_brother_kurt_to_drive_nationwide_car/9456344 Brotherly Love. Kyle Busch hires brother Kurt to drive Nationwide car. http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/brotherly_love_kyle_busch_hires_brother_kurt_to_drive_nationwide_car/9456344 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png NASCAR, which has been reeling from attendance woes and falling TV ratings for past couple of years saw a positive increase last year after "boys have at it" pushed the limits while Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards raced for the closest points battle in NASCAR history. So what can NASCAR do to top all the headlines from the 2011 season? Brian France (NASCAR CEO) sat down with Ben Grossman from Broadcasting & Cable and talked about some of the main issues that NASCAR still faces. Ratings seemed to possibly bounce off the bottom last year. Do you know why?We do. Story lines matter and if you are fortunate enough to get those it’s very helpful. In our case we have an additional challenge and that’s keeping the racing competitive; there’s a mechanical component to that, there is parity. We had 15 winners this year [in 36 races], we had close finishes and the final part of the year was dramatic, of course. When the storylines come together organically, and when it all comes together, you get a Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:47:18 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/nascar_ceo_talks_about_espn_dale_jrs_performance_and_much_more_for_the_2012_season/9434660 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/nascar_ceo_talks_about_espn_dale_jrs_performance_and_much_more_for_the_2012_season/9434660 NASCAR CEO talks about ESPN, Dale Jr's performance and much more for the 2012 season http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/nascar_ceo_talks_about_espn_dale_jrs_performance_and_much_more_for_the_2012_season/9434660 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Watch here as Paul Menard, driver of the #27 Menards Chevrolet Impala from Richard Childress Racing records some test laps during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Preseason Thunder test at Daytona International Speedway. If you think the regular "in-car cameras" are cool, this perspective via Paul's cell phone taped to the steering wheel is something like no other. NASCAR should take a vote on if fans would like to see this view full time. My vote is yes.... Video found on: rcrracing.com Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:45:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/paul_menard_records_daytona_testing_with_his_cell_phone/9417326 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/paul_menard_records_daytona_testing_with_his_cell_phone/9417326 Paul Menard records Daytona testing with his cell phone http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/paul_menard_records_daytona_testing_with_his_cell_phone/9417326 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Not so fast Las Vegas fans.  Your local Thunderbirds at Nellis Air Force Base have been tasked with some early NASCAR orders as they will provide race fans with the flyover during the National Anthem for the 54th annual Daytona 500.   It’s the third time the flying team, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will perform the flyover for the Daytona 500. The Thunderbirds previously flew over the race in 2008 and 2011. “It’s hard to imagine a better way to start our 2012 demonstration season,” said Lt. Col. Greg Moseley, the Thunderbirds commander and flight leader. “Being part of an event as celebrated as the ‘Great American Race’ is a tremendous opportunity, and we look forward to showcasing the pride, precision and professionalism of the U.S. Air Force to NASCAR fans.” The Thunderbirds flyover will feature six F-16 Fighting Falcons, the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter aircraft, soaring over the speedway at the moment the final notes of the Star-Span Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:08:46 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/air_force_thunderbirds_to_perform_fly_over_for_daytona_500/9391787 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/air_force_thunderbirds_to_perform_fly_over_for_daytona_500/9391787 Air Force Thunderbirds to perform Fly-Over for Daytona 500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/air_force_thunderbirds_to_perform_fly_over_for_daytona_500/9391787 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png A.J. Allmendinger #22 Shell Pennzoil Dodge: Look for this paint scheme to possibly change, let alone the name over the door. I don't think Allmendinger can cover up the name with his arm while he is driving. I do llike A.J. in this car though. Aric Almirola #43 STP Ford: This has got Richard written all over it. No it might not be the same type of driver but seeing cars out there that remind you of the "ole days", it's always good to see. Clint Bowyer #15 5-Hour Energy Toyota: New sponsor, new team, new manufacture. I think it will become easy to remember who is driving this car, especially when you see it in victory lane this year. Carl Edwards #99 Fastenal/Cheez IT/UPS/Kellogg's & Frosted Flakes Ford: Mr. sponsorship will have him some new names this year. UPS and Kellogg's have jumped on board with Cousin Carl. Note: Aflac is still on board, just no change to the paint scheme. Casey Mears #13 Geico Ford: Geico follows Mears to Ford and this Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:47:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/2012_nascar_paint_schemes_cup_series/9387557 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/2012_nascar_paint_schemes_cup_series/9387557 2012 NASCAR Paint Schemes (Cup Series) http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/racetrackriot/article/2012_nascar_paint_schemes_cup_series/9387557 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png