Auto Racing

History of the Daytona International Speedway

melissa76 — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:26:02 +0000

The Daytona International Speedway came onto the scene on February 22, 1959. It was built by Nascar founder William France, Sr. He came up with the idea in 1953 and turned his vision into reality in 1959.

The track has been renovated twice since then. Lights were installed around the track. It is now the second largest single-lit outdoor sports facility. 50 years later the Daytona International Speedway is still going strong. The first Daytona 500 totaled sweepstakes prize was $67,700. Now the Daytona 500 is the biggest award you can get in any motor sport race in the world. Award hand-outs have surpassed 18 million dollars which pays out more than the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400. The Daytona International Speedway has become by far the most famous race car track. The Daytona 500 is also known as the Greatest American Race.

When you win at the Daytona International Speedway you not only win money but with money comes the fame and prestige. If you win you are whisked off on a media tour hitting all the major metropolitan cities, not to mention television appearances. As you can see racing has grown extremely popular and largely followed over the years. 3 time Daytona 500 winner Jeff Gordon admits there is no better place to win than Daytona. “If you had to pick a race to win this is the one.”

If you would like to learn more about the history of the Daytona International Speedway check the link below find out about winnings and great finishes.

Daytona International Speedway

Image:
Wikipedia

Nascar Memories

kendallmorgan — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:53:32 +0000

The Craftsman Truck Series held its first race in the 90′s. I didn’t watch it because I’d watch a couple races a year maybe – I didn’t actually “catch the fever” til around 03′ – but I’m sure glad they started the series as most weeks it has the best racing of all three major series. It’s also a melting pot of drivers on their way up, some on their way down, some regulars, some cup guys, some Nationwide guys, some rookies to NASCAR’s major series–it’s a great mix and great racing ensues.

There are several memories that always comes to mind when I’m watching a race now. Like when Dale Earnhart drove the Select Silver Goodwrench instead of the black Chevy – I had just given up my black Chevy for another car and regretted it for a long time til I got another fun car. Also, when Jeff Gordon won his first championship then, barely beating the Intimidator. Or when the Craftsman truck series began, and Mike Skinner was the most effective truck race driver the first year and quite often since. How about when Dale won the second Brickyard!? I grew up wanting to go the Indy 500 and seeing the racing I came to prefer compete at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a dream come true.

Imag c/o Cafepress.

NASCAR Standings 2011

Bernadette Ontong — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:04:06 +0000

The excitement of a new year of racing is the roar of engines as drivers race around the track aiming to earn a maximum of 48 points per race. This is only about the Sprint Cup Series.

So far two races have been completed and these are: Daytona 500 and Phoenix. In both instances the two top drivers were: Kyle Busch with his older brother Kurt Busch in hot pursuit. Kyle Busch is at the top of the log of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix. Thus he leads the series at the moment. Kurt Busch is ranked second, -3 points behind his brother. It would seem the siblings are off to a good start.

So the first half of the year has the following rankings:

RANK DRIVER / POINTS / BEHIND
1 Kyle Busch / 80 / Leader
2 Kurt Busch / 77 / -3
3 Tony Stewart / 69 / -11
4 A.J. Allmendinger / 69 / -11
5 Jeff Gordon / 65 / -15
6 Mark Martin / 65 / -15
7 Bobby Labonte / 64 / -16
8 Ryan Newman / 64 / -16
9 Juan Montoya / 64 / -16
10 David Gilliland / 63 / -17

These two drivers also have a substantial lead from the rest. For example, Tony Steward is -11 points behind Kurt Busch. However, the point standings from the third driver to the tenth driver are very close indeed. It would be interesting to see how this series unfolds especially amongst the top ten. It is still early days and anything could happen. It also has a lot to do with sponsorship and how well your team is put together.

Sources:

http://www.autoracingdaily.com/news/nascar-sprint-cup-series/nascar-sprint-cup-series-standings-as-of-subway-fresh-fit-500-at-phoen/

http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2011/2/data/standings_official.html

Images: Wikipedia Kyle Busch
Wikipedia Kurt Busch

Racing is life – Steve McQueen said it

Bernadette Ontong — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:19:22 +0000

Steve McQueen said the words “Racing is life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting” (in the movie Le Mans). When you race it is virtually a life and death situation. Any small mistake can mean the end of your life or the end of a very successful or up and coming career. It is that sheer adrenalin rush that the g-forces evoke to make the drivers almost convinced that they are unconquerable and “just waiting” to do it again.

I have many favorite races such as the Isle of Man races. It is a brilliantly planned race and is very exciting even if you only watch it on television.

However, my most favorite races are the Formula One races. It is the excitement of new cars being revealed and tested before the races even start. It is unfortunate that my favourite driver, Michael Schumacher, is such a controversial driver. But nothing can be said about the fact that he can play around with his car and really take it through its paces, because he is such a brilliant driver. He has incredible driving lines around the track and has the instinct to know when to brake and how to brake.

His committed involvement in the technical aspects of the races and the planning of it makes him an outstanding driver. He helps with the set-up of his own car and can give clear advice and instruction as to what the car needs in a given situation. Thus, I think, he exemplifies the statement from the movie, Le Mans. He also clearly states this by his come-back to driving as that is his life for as long as he is able to do it.

Sponsor: http://yovia.com/blogs/autoracing/

Images: MyChinaMoto.com and Wikipedia

Trevor Bayne wins Daytona 500

autoracing — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:48:34 +0000

Rookie Trevor Bayne celebrates his viagra at the 2011 Daytona 500

Rookie Trevor Bayne surprised even himself when he recently won the 2011 Daytona 500.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.gets Pole at Atlanta`

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:21:47 +0000

Dale captured the pole this past weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, but the only crazy thing about that is he never lead one single lap the whole race. As the race started Dale fell into second place right away and never got back up to the front. Dale fell all the way back to 32nd after he came in for an unscheduled pit stop, he even got put two laps down. He never gave up and kept racing hard all afternoon, he even managed to climb back onto the lead lap and got into the 25th position. After a couple of wrecks towards the end of the race Dale would finish 15th overall. Dale Earnhardt still seams to be struggling since his 2nd place in Daytona.

Is Jimmie Johnson Going to do int Again?

mekesha pryer — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:28:55 +0000

Jimmie Johnson, the 4 time Nascar Sprint Cup Champion, is on a roll.� He is on his third win in a row.

This hot streak that Johnson is on is starting to rub Nascar drivers and fans the wrong way.� Some are saying that his repeated success is starting to make Nascar Rating droop too.

I can understand the dilemma. The excitement of not knowing who is going to win the race is not there with such a dominant driver like Johnson behind the wheel.

Jimmie, don’t let this situation throw any salt in your game,� go out there and try your hardest to win each race.� Isn’t that why we race in the first place, to compete and to win.

References

1. Examiner.com

Chad Reed Might be Coming back to Supercross

mekesha pryer — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:27:48 +0000

Chad Reed might making his return to AMA Supercross this weekend. This come back will be after six straight missed races.

Reed was injured back in January after a nasty crash that broke his left hand.� He has had surgery on the broken hand and has been recovering ever since.

With only nine races left in the season, Reed’s hopes of a championship is not in his future.

Reed said he is sick of attending race and not competing in them.� He just may race this weekend at Datonya if the pain is not to much for the 27 year old supercross racer.

References

1. Ultimate Motorcycling.com

Who Is That Man Named Michael Schumacher?

danielrouse — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:08:27 +0000

You know, sometimes I really regret being American. I’m not hating on anyone that is from my home country (which is awesome by the way), I just wish the people around me had a better idea of what Formula 1 really is. No offense, but people turning left four times a lap isn’t really something that is up my alley. Still, the racing here is very good, however it just isn’t the same without those high powered cars doing whatever it takes to win the race, and that includes turning right.

Without a doubt though, the best driver to ever grace the sport of F1 is Michael Schumacher. I am not just saying that because I love the guy, it’s statistically proven that Schumacher is the best ever. Throughout his racing career in F1, he totaled 91 wins and also holds many F1 racing records. Those records include most championships (7), the most pole positions, and the most wins from a pole position and the list just goes on and on! Even though Michael is most famous for his wins in a red Ferrari, he is a natural born German and actually began racing for Mercedes. This probably explains why he is currently running with the newly formed Mercedes GP team.

As of right now, Michael is once again working with Mercedes, anxiously anticipating his return to racing. But with all the experience and fame he has, I am sure that this F1 season will be one for the record books.

References

1. Wikipedia.org

2. Picture

R.I.P J.C Elder

danielrouse — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:39:02 +0000

He was a racing legend and will be missed.

References

1. ESPN.com