We spent last weekend at the beach. Erik ‘Da Brat’ Jones won a snoozer in Texas. Uncle Brenny, Brendan Gaughan in the 62, goes for a spin right off the bat bringing out the caution on lap 1 of 200.
Restarting on lap 4 of 200. The stages are 60-60-80 for the race.
It’s a bright sunny Veteran’s day in Avondale, Arizona.
Caution is out on lap 23 of 400 for a visit to the wall by Brennan Poole and his ridiculous pencil mustache. He looks like he dressed up as a cartoon villain for Halloween and forgot to shave his ‘stache.
Brennan was five points above the playoff cutoff line coming into the race. He tried to get up to speed, but ended up hitting the wall again. His right front tire is down as he heads back to the pits. The wheel also has quite a tilt to it.
Restarting on lap 29 of 200.
The end of last night’s truck race was chaotic with several red flags. Congrats to Johnny Sauter on surviving the madness and securing the win. Austin Cindric was up to his usual wrecking Ben Rhodes who shot up to the track into Matt Crafton taking them both out. Cindric managed to blame the spotters and Ben Rhodes in his post-race interview, never managing to acknowledge his role/responsibility in the incident. Looks like he’s following in Austin Dillon’s entitled shoes.
Restarting on lap 67 of 200.
While Phoenix seems a good idea for this time of year weather-wise, the crowd – or lack thereof – leaves me questioning the return trip to PIR. For some reason last night the FoxSports camera zoomed in on a completely empty grandstand, then slowly zoomed out to show the cars sitting on the track during a red flag period. I’d noticed the smattering of people in the stands. I’m not sure it was beneficial to show the lack of interest in the race as indicated by the empty grandstand. Seems counterproductive to me. Maybe there was accompanying audio that made that shot make sense. I have absolutely no interest in listening to Michael Waltrip babble – nor anyone else for that matter – so the volume was muted.
The crowd at Texas seemed light also. It looks like NASCAR’s current ‘product’ isn’t very appealing to the people willing to put their butts in seats. NASCAR has been busy chasing a different audience while attempting to lie to the current audience about the changes and their place in the scheme of things. Doesn’t appear that strategy is working on either end. They may want to re-think it. Following the strategy of another sport isn’t what will shoot you to the top. Being innovative – truly innovative – will. NASCAR needs an innovator at the helm instead of all of these folks who are following traditional marketing trends.
Ryan ‘Son’ Blaney wins stage two. Bunny is such a big fan of Ryan Blaney she’s adopted him as her son. She says Dave and Mrs. Dave have done such a good job with him she’d be proud to call him her son. He’s a breath of fresh air amongst the ‘kids’ coming into NASCAR. She’s actually adopted several of the new drivers with the idea that they will become her favorites as her current fave drivers retire. Blaney has already claimed his spot since the retirement of her driver Carl Edwards. She has four other favorite sons.
Hmmm, more shots of the empty grandstands. What’s the deal with that? I wonder if they’re begging people to come to race by showing them they can sit just about anywhere? I find it a sad site.
Restarting on lap 127 of 200.
Dull race. It’s funny one of the MRN guys said something along the lines of this has been an exciting race. Makes me wonder what race he’s watching.
Caution is out on lap 180 of 200 for Uncle Brenny visiting the wall. He came out of the corner and the car never turned.
Restarting on lap 187 of 200.
William Byron wins a really boring race.
The championship four are
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- Elliott Sadler (JR Motorsports)
- Justin Allgaier (JR Motorsports)
- William Byron (JR Motorsports)
- Daniel Hemric (Richard Childress Racing)
I like that final four. Gives me plenty to cheer for during next week’s Homestead race.
NASCAR News:
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- Blaney Wins Phoenix Pole.
- Visser Has Successful Bypass Surgery.
- Five for One in Phoenix.
- Opinion: A Worthy Champion.
- Special Hood on the No. 78 at Phoenix.
- Almirola to Drive No. 10 for Stewart-Haas.
- Ragan to Join MRN Team at Phoenix.
- Barker Won’t Return to Germain in 2018.
- Notebook: Changes to Charlotte Road Course?.
- Auto-Owners Increases No. 78 Sponsorship.
- RFR Honors Yates With Tribute Paint Scheme.
- 2018 Cup Series Start Times Announced.
- Rough Day at Texas for Johnson.
- Truex Jr. Secures Spot in Championship 4.
- Harvick Punches Ticket With Texas Win.
- Kenseth to Step Away in 2018.
- Earnhardt Jr. Joins Texas Motorsports HoF.
- Texas Track Record for Kurt Busch.
- Earnhardt Rides Into Texas Sunset.
- RPM Adds Sponsor for Wallace.
- Elliott Remains Frustrated.
- Blaney Peaking at Right Time.
- No. 14 Team Gets L1 Penalty.
- Grubb Named Byron’s Crew Chief for 2018.
- Liberty National to Sponsor Newman.
- Opinion: Don’t Hate the Player.
- Notebook: No Penalties for Hamlin, Elliott.
- Hamlin Issues Apology.
- Fireworks Between Hamlin and Elliott.
- Truex Jr. Finishes Second at Martinsville.
- Harvick Fights for Fifth at Martinsville.
- Busch Wins in Wild Martinsville Finish.
- Byron Wins; Championship 4 Set.
- Majeski to Return at Homestead-Miami.
- Stewart Eyes XFINITY Races.
- Texas XFINITY Season Sweep for Jones.
- NASCAR Announces 2018 XFINITY Rules.
- Sauter Scores First Phoenix Win.
- GMS Racing Crew Chief Suspended.
- Sauter Repeats at Texas.
- Unique Year in Trucks for Murphy.
- Wayne Self to Join Niece Motorsports.
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. emotional as retirement gets closer.
- JR Motorsports assembles backup pit crews; Stenhouse Jr. offers to pitch in.
- Unknown Alex Bowman will get recognized soon enough when he takes over Earnhardt’s ride.
- Golf coach quits after posting multiple racist Tweets at NASCAR driver.
- Jimmie Johnson barely survived elimination once this postseason. Can he do it again?.
- Austin Hill to compete full time as part of Young’s Motorsports 2018 Truck Series lineup.
- Carey responds to Ferrari threat: ‘We don’t plan to be NASCAR either’.
- The secret to being a vegan NASCAR driver? ‘I’m not afraid of green smoothies’.
- The 2018 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Calendar unveiled!.
- Bonds remain strong for Kenseth, Earnhardt in career twilight.