"Gay NASCAR" by Keith J. Varadi - 2009

NASCAR got its Packback!

To everyone (including me) who has been bitching about the two-dog-f**king style of tandem racing that developed at Daytona and Talladega over the past two years….. NASCAR shoved a big jar of STFU in our collective mouths!

Seeing the big clusters of cars packed tightly together all night was fantastic.  But with the good comes the bad.  There were four “big ones” during this short race.

The scariest moment of the night found Jeff Gordon upside down on his roof for the first time in his cup career.  The huge wrecks ruined the nights of Dale Jr, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson – and a ton of other fast cars.

I did see several comments online from fans who were not a fan of these huge packs – because of the crashes.  Granted most of these comments were from car owners.  Admittedly, I may have less sympathy for the car owners because I am not the one writing those checks – but in my mind, it was worth the price.

NASCAR has done in incredible job with the safety innovations in these cars – and while racing will never be 100% safe – the only thing damaged in the “big ones” tonight was sheet metal.

We are coming off one of the most action packed seasons in recent memory and NASCAR picked right back off where Tony and Carl left-off in Homestead.  The return of the pack style of racing is going to be great for ratings.

I have a tendency to build things up in my mind – and then when the moment arrives and it can’t possibly live up to the hype I have built – I get let down.  NOT TONIGHT – the Bud Shootout exceeded my expectations in every way.

This week’s Q4G Shout-Out can only go to Kyle Busch.  Heyyyyyyyyy Kyle!  He won this award before he won the race when he saved his car from spinning in an astounding way….. TWICE!   This was his first race back in the M&M’s car since he was parked last year in Texas for wrecking Ron Hornaday.  M&M’s had pulled their logos from the #18 for the last two races of 2011.  It also appears the “media coaching” Kyle received off-season worked….. he was hardly recognizable from the @OldKyleBusch in victory lane.

Outside of the racing the weekend was full of drama.  It was one crazy Friday.  To start the drama NASCAR announced it had asked Phoenix Raceway to rescind their invitation to PGA star Bubba Watson who had been asked to drive his “General Lee” on a parade lap before the race at PIR.  Watson recently bought the car at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Phoenix and is Twitter-BFFs with Denny Hamlin.

NASCAR made the right call.  They have been working for years to remove the “southern only” image from the sport and having a car with the Rebel Flag painted on it being paraded around before the race would not help the cause.

For the record, I am huge “Dukes of Hazard” Fan – I had quite the crush on Bo.  I also consider myself a child of the south and I understand people that say the General Lee only represents a TV Show – and nothing more.

But the bottom line is that image is everything. Right or wrong – that flag comes with a boat load of baggage.  Baggage NASCAR doesn’t need.  It would just give ammunition to those that want to bash our sport.

I would rather we keep the focus on the “product.”  The 2011 season was incredible and if The Bud Shootout is any indication… 2012 will be another season for the books.  Why distract from this?  Let Bubba drive the pace car!

Shortly after the General Lee flap – the most unusual story ever broke.  Now I know this is going to be hard to believe – but Chad Knaus got caught cheating!  I havn’t been this surprised since I learned that buttery spread wasn’t actually butter!

The #48 got pegged by NASCAR for having an illegal C-pillar.  Race officials said it would have given Johnson an aero advantage.   The sheet metal was cut off the car and the Lowes team had to weld new C-pillars on the car.   NASCAR will announce the penalty on Tuesday – but the general feeling in the garage is that Knaus will not be suspended.

Before I close the first Gaynalysis of 2012 – I want to send the thoughts and prayers from everyone here at Q4G to Chris Myers and his family.  Chris lost his son in an car accident late last week.  RIP Christopher!

Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Image

Kyle Busch rallied from two near-disasters to win Saturday’s Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway with a slingshot move past Tony Stewart a few yards from the finish line at Daytona International Speedway.

The victory was Busch’s first in the season-opening exhibition race contested in two segments of 25 and 50 laps. His winning margin over Stewart was .013 seconds.

Marcos Ambrose recovered from a pair of wrecks to finish third, followed by Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin.

Stewart had just taken the lead on Lap 74 of a scheduled 75 when a violent wreck in Turn 4 sent Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 Chevrolet barrel-rolling through Turn 4 and sliding on its roof toward the entrance to Turn 4.

Gordon was following Kyle Busch on the backstretch, and contact between the cars turned Busch’s toward onto the apron. Busch made a dramatic save for the second time in the race, but Gordon slid up the track into the Chevrolets of Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray.

As all three cars contacted the outside wall, Jimmie Johnson’s Chevrolet nosed beneath the right rear bumper of Gordon’s car and turned it upside down.

The wreck left 11 cars on the lead lap and sent the race to overtime.

Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

A close call for Kyle Busch on Lap 48 strung the field out, leaving a 10-car pack fighting for the lead. Busch’s Toyota twice turned sideways off the bumper of Johnson, and twice Busch saved the car from calamity despite running onto the apron in Turn 2.

The complexion of the race changed dramatically on Lap 55, when a chain-reaction wreck that started with contact between the cars of polesitter Martin Truex Jr., Ambrose and Joey Logano clobbered those three vehicles and eliminated Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth.

The resulting fourth caution of the race bunched the field for a restart on Lap 62, with Greg Biffle in the lead, followed by Hendrick Motorsports teammates Gordon and Johnson and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Stewart.

The race was barely eight laps old when contact from David Ragan’s Ford turned Paul Menard’s Chevrolet and ignited a multicar wreck that also damaged the cars of Kasey Kahne, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, Juan Pablo Montoya, Michael Waltrip, Jeff Burton and Gordon.

Earnhardt, who had led the first three laps, had just regained the top spot on Lap 8 and was out in front when the wreck erupted behind him. The crash sidelined Menard, Ragan and Waltrip and knocked Hamlin and Kahne off the lead lap. Burton also fell of the lead lap during the first 25-lap segment when he pitted under green with a cut tire.

“Everybody was real racy and I just got into the back of Menard,” Ragan said after exiting his car. “You get a good run, and you’re pushing a little bit, and I guess he was pushing whoever was in front of him. And when you’ve got the meat in between the sandwich, you usually get wrecked.”

McMurray was at the front of the field when NASCAR called the competition caution after Lap 25. Gordon, undeterred by minor damage to his car, was second, followed by Harvick, Kyle Busch and Ambrose.

This week Hannah and I talk about Kasey’s knee surgery, the odd sponsorships of HendrickCars.com, our Racing Shows are back, the Red Bull cars find a home, Hannah gives us an NHRA recap and there’s gonna be a new short track in Daytona.

Plus, Adam Lovelace joins us on the line for our race picks!

Click the play button: 

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The Out of the Tunnel is sponsored by Audible.com.  Listeners of the show can get a FREE audio book download by visiting:  www.audibletrial.com/OutOfTheTunnel

credit The History Channel

After a break, the second half of the Top Gear season kicked off tonight on the History Channel.   If you havn’t yet checked out this show – you need to watch.  If you watched in the first season and didn’t get hooked, give it another chance – you need to watch.   Hell, even if you only love the BBC version of this show – you need to watch.

The BBC version of TG has a cult like following – so many of the TG faithful were not willing to give the American hosts a chance.

I do think the show had a slow start out of the gates in the first season.  Most of the BBC “snobs” were bashing Top Gear US before the show show even aired.    There were also folks who had no idea what Top Gear BBC was – but they also didn’t know to they needed to check out the History Channel for a car show.  It also took some time for the American producers and hosts to make it their own.

I think it took a season for Rutledge Wood, Tanner Foust and Adam Ferrara to find their groove.  The chemisty is now in-tune and the three play off each other – ribbing, prodding and humiliating each other at every turn.  You can tell they genuinly like each other and cut-up just like they would if the cameras and pop-tops were off.

(I think I just aged myself with that pop-top reference.  Kids, a pop-top is the removable tab on alumnim cans that we had when I grew up.  You would pull the sharpe tab completely off the can – they were like little razor blades and everytime I went to the pool or beach I feared slicing my foot open by stepping on one.  You may have heard this term, pop-top, in the Jimmy Buffet song “Magaritiville.”)

(OK, I may have just aged myself with that Jimmy Buffet reference.  Kids, Jimmy Buffet is a singer/songwriter that your Mom and Dad listen to when they would get drunk and screw.)

As a car guy, Top Gear is the most fun you can have on TV.  The formula is simple:  take three grown-up men acting like giggling teenagers, throw in some really fast cars, crazy stunts and funny writing…..

If you are not watching Top Gear US – you need to watch.

The show comes on the History Channel every Tuesday night at 9pm.

Click here to see clips and learn more about the show.

• A safe season for all racing series first and foremost!
• Huge, major sponsors for Queers4gears.com so we can go to every single race!
• I wish you all would listen every week to the Q4G Out of the Tunnel podcast. In fact, listen now right here: CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW
• Dale Earnhardt Jr wins races and the championship even. Hey, I can wish big.
• I hope Danica Patrick out performs and shuts up the haters. I hope she wins races.
• I wish for less haters everywhere, not just racing.
• I hope the Busch brothers get another big helping of humble. They need it. I’m not hating, just wishing.
• I hope Queers4gears founder, Michael, starts being stalked by Kasey Kahne.
• I wish Indycar would race on more ovals, or that the road courses were more competitive. Either one.
• Every ARCA race televised! The ones they do televise are generally NOT the best ARCA races to watch. You are missing some good racing not seeing the short tracks. SPEED is a channel; they should show more racing of all types.
• I want to listen to Sirius NASCAR online. It is 2012. I listen in the car for about 20 mins on the way to work and 20 mins on the way home. You know what lots of folks have access to during the day? Computers and mobile devices! I could listen all day. In fact, I pay extra to listen online, but one of the few channels I can’t get online? You guessed it.
• Speaking of Sirius NASCAR, how about live qualifying and practice? Why not?
• While I’m at it, how about some kind of app available to ALL smartphones? Again, it’s 2012. Keep up.
• I wish the following would be banned from all tracks: the word boogity, all politicians of any persuasion, confederate flags (let’s move on), and Lee Greenwood songs.
• I wish the Daytona 500 was still the day before a holiday. It was much better that way.
• No rainouts, for any series.
• More Friday/Saturday night races.
• Autoclub Speedway should be reconfigured. While that’s being done Bruton Smith should remember what he did in Vegas and bring that to Kentucky Speedway. I think it greatly improved the racing.
• I wish for all races to end two or three wide at the finish line.
• I wish for all championships to be decided on the last lap of the last race of the season.
• I wish for more first time winners. I love seeing drivers and teams get their first win.
• I wish for more sell out races for all series.
• I hope this two-car tandem racing in NASCAR is coming to an end. I’ll take the pack racing anyday.
• Side by side commercials all the time. I love that feature and I see more commercials that way. Seems like wise marketing to me!
• And, a shameless plug for myself, I wish someone from the racing world would call me. Offer me a job. I have many skills you need.
• I hope you all have a wonderful new year and enjoy the 2012 racing season!!

Follow Adam on Twitter (@aclovelace)

Credit Monica Hilton

Q:  First off, how is life a Bryan Herta Autosport?

MH:  Ohhhh man, life is GOOD. And busy, which I love. Honestly, I can’t believe how lucky I am to be working with this team, now officially called “Team Barracuda – BHA.” There’s a consistent air of excitement and you can genuinely see how proud everyone is to be part of a cohesive, fun and dedicated group. On top of that, you have Bryan Herta and Steve Newey, who are such great guys. I’m so impressed by the integrity and hearing a team owner take the time to say, “Thank you. You’re doing a great job” on a regular basis to the whole team. It’s… magical.

Q:  What led you to become involved in the IndyCar series?

I attended my first Indy 500 in 2005 and I honestly only went to check it off my proverbial bucket list. I got the invite from my dad, who grew up in Indiana and has attended every Indy 500 since he was 18 years old. At the time, I was living in Wisconsin and had held various marketing/PR/advertising positions, but then I heard those magical words: “Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!” From that moment, I knew that this was the direction I wanted for my life. I can’t really explain it. I’ve really enjoyed a variety of sports in my life, but there’s a certain passion for IndyCar that can’t be matched. So I packed up and moved to Indy. The journey, once I got here, is a whole different story. Better told over a cocktail, I’d say.

Q:  You were previously at HVM Racing and the woman behind the viral celebrity Dallara, Porkchop (and Janet prior to her untimely demise at Indy).  How did the idea develop to give the cars a personality and lives of their own?

MH:  That is a darn good question. And one which I am no longer legally able to discuss. Seriously. But let’s just say that I truly appreciate all the support last year and hope everyone had some fun. Honestly, I kind of miss that car.

Q:  You are actively involved in Racing for Cancer and the IndyCar Calendar.  Tell us a little about that and how everyone can get involved and stay up-to-date on both?

MH:  I’m so proud to be involved with both of these great causes. I’ve been working with David (producer of the IndyCar calendar) for several years now  – he’s a great business man with a passion for IndyCar who decided to do something good for racing-related charities. So he created this AMAZING calendar (designed by IZOD) and all of the proceeds benefit Racing For Cancer, Racing For Kids and Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation. Fans can purchase them online at www.UMPonline.com/calendar. There’s also a twitter account, @INDYCARcalendar, and facebook page: www.facebook.com/INDYCARcalendar.

Racing For Cancer is a fairly new organization (founded in 2010), but they’re here with a mighty plan: to fight cancer. CEO Tom Vossman is extremely dedicated and has a focus this year on fighting pediatric cancer. We’re working on a great event that will take place in Indy during the month of May. Stay tuned for details and check out www.RacingForCancer.org in the meantime. You can also follow @RacingForCancer and “like” www.facebook.com/RacingForCancer.

Q:  You also are quite the entrepreneur as founder and owner of 242MPH (Marketing & PR by Hilton).  Tell us about that endeavor.

MH:  I love it when a plan comes together. (*soap opera laugh*) I’m actually amazed with how well everything worked out with the business. I knew I loved doing race-team PR, but also wanted the chance to make a difference with a charitable organization. What started with a “think outside the box” moment lead to something incredible and I’m so thankful for all three of the clients who have given me an opportunity to show them what I can do.

Credit Monica Hilton

Q:  Obviously, most of your time is spent at or around the racetrack or shop.  What are some activities that you enjoy in your free time?

MH:  I’d say my free time, although scarce, is a good mix of relaxing and socializing. An ideal night would be a great dinner out with friends (and wine!) followed by a hockey game (go Canucks!) I’m also into fitness and just completed week three of P90X. Insanity is next. As Tony Horton would say, “I hate it. But I love it.” I’m also a HUGE animal lover – dogs especially – so I’m hoping to volunteer this year with the Humane Society.

Q:  What would you say to a race fan, or someone with just a slight curiosity in motorsports, that has never been to an IndyCar event?

MH:  Two pieces of advice:

• Go. To. The. Race. The best way to experience an IndyCar race is in person. There’s absolutely nothing like hearing (and feeling) the roar of the engines and seeing how fast those cars really go. Once you go, you’ll be hooked. And once you’re hooked, please also watch on TV because we need the ratings.
• Go with a die-hard fan. I’ve always said that racing isn’t fun if you’re just watching cars go around in circles. Same with any sport – you have to have someone to root for. If you go with someone who knows the storylines and can answer your questions, it’s a much more exciting experience. Or come find me in the paddock. I’ll help you out.

Ok, now for the lightening round:

Hamburger or Hotdog? I want to say hamburger, but it feels like the wrong demographic for that.

Thoughts on glitter? LOVE.

High heels or flats? Heels. Because heels make me smile. And a smile is the best thing you can wear.

Ugliest car ever made… It’s a toss-up between my first car (brown Delta 88) and a Smart car. Or what’s that Scion thing that looks like a box?

Pajama pants should only be worn in public when… Your house burned down & you happened to be wearing them when it happened.

Britney Spears or Madonna? Gotta go with Britney. You’re welcome, Ross.

Biggest pet peeve? Negativity. It is REALLY hard to hang around “glass half empty” kind of people.

What’s one song you sing the loudest to when you are in your car alone? ONE?! I rock a great mix of everything from Lady Gaga to Air Supply. And I can’t even sing.

Q:  Finally, is there anything you’d like to tell our readers or discuss that you never get a chance to mention or are asked about?

MH:  Just want to say thanks for the opportunity! Feel free to contact me @the_race_gIRL or @242MPH! I hope to meet some of the Q4G readers this season at the track!

Ross (@therossbynum)

From time to time – I like to throw these rapid-fire gastronomical questions at a driver if I get the chance.  I don’t like to interrupt folks from the traveling media who have “important” questions to ask… but once those folks are done I can sometimes sneak these questions in.  I had the chance during the Banquet week in Las Vegas back in December to ask a few drivers about their dietary habits.  I will feature these over the coming weeks of the off-season.  In this installment we talk to Carl Edwards:

credit Hannah Rickards' iPhone

It is time for show #2 of “Out of Tunnel.”  Hannah and I are getting a better handle on the equipment and I hope the sound qualilty is going to improve each week.  This week our voices should be coming out of both sides of your speakers.

In show #2 – we “almost” have an interview with Kevin Harvick.  Well, I lost all the audio, so Hannah and I re-create the interview through theater of the mind.  We talk about all the big news from the Media Tour last week, plus our take on Danica buying a spot in the Daytona 500.  That plus: DeLana is preggers and Kasey Kahne can’t get out of Jury Duty.

We also welcome our new sponsor: Audible.com.  Listeners of the show can get a FREE audio book download by visiting:  www.audibletrial.com/OutOfTheTunnel

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW:

Now, cut to the bad part for me….. there I was with my fancy-ass new recorder getting ready for my one-on-one interview with Harvick… I had all of my questions written down and had practiced them.   Note to self, no matter how fancy your new recorder is – it needs to be in record mode and not cue to capture audio.   I got home later to check the interview and the spot on the “tape” was blank!   I guess I got too nervous and rushed it when I stepped in front of Harvick.

Harvick and I talked mostly about Vegas – he grew up in California, raced here as a kid, took his late teens “right of passage” trip here and got married in Vegas.  This is second time back here since the banquet in December.

I even got Kevin to record an intro for our podcast…”I am Kevin Harvick and you’re listening to Out of the Tunnel.” – well I got Kevin to say that… the recording of it… not so much

Here are some of the pics and video that I did manage to “capture” of the craps game.

credit Michael Myers / Q4G

credit Michael Myers / Q4G

credit Michael Myers / Q4G

Credit HVM Racing

I’m ready to get this party started!

Ross (@therossbynum)