International Speedway Corp. (ISCA)

[Slick_043]

Good for Aric Almirola and the #43 team, Trent Owens, Petty, and Robbie Loomis. Now they just need to do it again and have it be for a full race. There will be to many haters saying they didn't earn it cuz it was a shortened race. It irritates me because anyone who has won a race probably has one they won due to a rain shortened event.

[JD400]

Happy 4th of July

As we celebrate our nations independence and remember those
who have fought for our freedom. We would like to wish you and your family a safe and happy 4th of July

from the ISCA crew :~)

[JD400]

Good Second Quarter Report Out Today.

Happy 4th of July

[Slick_043]

All I am going to say for this race is Marcos Ambrose.

[Slick_043]

hey there... good race. heard something on a scanner that made me suspicious of some things. i definitely didn't like what i heard...which led to the mystery debris caution that none of us in the stands could figure out...oddly enough Logano and Harvick had checked out on the field.

attendance...all I can say is 'Hahahaha'. The section I sat in was near or less than 1/2 full. The view from the fence in turn 4 was pitiful. when we got to our seats in front of the pit road entrance the scene didn't improve.

Dad was happy. Had a good time with friends, but there were things that bothered us...and are/remain concerning. Overall...good time and to be with Dad and friends was the most important thing.

JJ won... not happy about it... something doesn't seem right with how the last 35-60 laps unfolded...refer to first comment. Oh.. on the scanner... many drivers not happy with Danica...numerous times..early in the race, 'why is she blocking while running 25th?' I don't remember who said it...but told his spotter to tell her spotter to have her knock it off before she caused a wreck. Funny part was within minutes Gordon caught her to lap her, gave up, and let Harvick go by to deal with her. She let Harvick pass her...then she blocked Gordon again! At that point Harvick checked out...Gordon caught him again, but there were some moments there where she ticked off quite a few drivers. I have a feeling Gordon was one them too.

[JD400]

Happy Fathers Day Everybody

If You Can Find Some Way To
Tell Your Father You Love Him Today

Email
Text
phone
prayer

They all work

God Bless

[Slick_043]

Well going to MIS over the weekend. Looking forward to it...again. Going with my father and father in law (took a few years but I converted him to a MIS redneck...LOL). Still not sure about pre-Sunday attendance figures... Last I heard was around 10K unsold...which if that is really the case...that is pretty good...all things considered.

Expectations... definitely a new qualifying record. Ford on the pole and I will say Penske will win. Keslowski's home track and love him or hate him... I am picking him to win there this week. It is still one of the tracks JJ has not won at and that trend will continue. I will still root for RPM and the #43. It is also a track AJ Allmendinger does well at in the early going. He hasn't won, but running a Childress chasis/motor...there is a chance of at least a top 10. Would love to see him win in cup...hell of a driver, just needs the equipment and better team support. To close that thought I wish he didn't leave the #43...they were on the cusp before he left.

Anyway...for those that read this...Happy Fathers Day. Have a great weekend.

[Slick_043]

LOL... a jump ramp... that is just funny.

The problem is that NASCAR/ISCA is now a white collar hobby. It really was a blue collar sport for a long time. Now, if you don't have the cash you can't play. I remember tix at MIS being 25$ for top row seats! Now, hell you need 100$ and to take a family almost makes you go broke. They don't really give to bits what the opinion is...from a business perspective the tracks tell you its a good price versus what it was at its peak of NEXTEL being involved. That is the logic, then the sponsors throw so much money at it you almost can't afford to look at your favorite car w/o being charge a viewing fee [hahaha].

The cars don't relate to the fans like they used to. The drivers don't relate to the fans like the good ol days. The 200mph billboards race like slot cars at a lot of tracks. To many 1.5 mile races...not enough grass root short tracks. The prices are still ridiculously high given the proof of the lack of attendance numbers. Their overall product awareness on/at the track directly reflects the lack of people in the stands. Heck...Dover was an embarassment if you saw the empty seats. I don't think they will ever figure it out or ever be able to fix it.

Greed took over... as I said it is now a white collar hobby.

[detearing]

What? Too confusing? What?

[JD400]

If they added a Jump Ramp To All

their tracks that would bring the excitement back

I watched the X Games Stadium Truck race instead.

A lot more exciting, It was.

Just going fast and trying to hold a left turn getting really boring

compared to X Game Types of racing.

I see the growing racing future more with X Games for the new generations.

Today'a truck race was a blast watching, But they had a lot of empty

seats too.

Why?

because the recession has never ended, Their's still 100 million fans

without a job, wondering how to feed their families.

This stock is way over priced, should be around $3.00 PPS not 30.00

Corporations have turned NASCAR into a solid commercial and

their stocks are just for the super rich.

a 1ft. jump on the straightaway would be a wining ticket

IMO

Cheers

[big-yank]

Today's event is in Pocono on TNT. So, if you want really stinky ratings, just wait for today's Neilson's with no lead in and very little pre-race coverage on Fox Sports Network, unlike the good old days on Speed Channel with 'round the clock, weeklong dedication to the sport.

The empty seats are emblematic of ISCA's problems since gate revenue is but one piece of total revenue which includes concessionary sales, licensed goods sales and revenues from Official sponsors, all of which tie to trackside attendance or TV viewership which is also declining.

Love the sport. But I am glad that I closed out my ISCA position, albeit with reluctance and some sadness.

But I'll still enjoy today's race, with fond recollections of the event at this track when Jeremy Mayfield took out the Terminator on the last lap in true Dale Earnhardt fashion. That was an awesome moment of fair play!

[JD400]

I sure did Slick,Foxs worst ratings ever

I have notied it in my 36 year old business too. since January
we have been reliving 2008. My city has never really recovered since then anyway, 8th poorest in America is Tucson. Across
America the 18 to 34 group can't afford to buy a house with interest rates at record lows. Their moving back in with their parents for a matter a fact. IMO we are right on the verge of a massive correction. At that point I'll be buying more of this stock, Say around 3 dollars per share.

Something got to give.

Take care,110 here today hot hot hot

[Slick_043]

Hey JD.. I know I am beating a dead horse with this question, but did you see via the coverage how empty Dover was on Sunday? Holy cow...caught me off guard by quite a bit. Weather looked good...so no deterent regarding that as a reason. When I first turned it on I caught a panoramic shot in the coverage and thought I had turned on the DVR for the NNW race for a split second.

I have not seen any new numbers on MI, but if it is anything like Dover I am going to be more concerned than I ever have been in the past.

[JD400]

•Dover Overnight TV Ratings: Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race from Dover earned a 3.3 overnight rating on FOX, down 6% from last year (3.5), down 8% from 2012 (3.6), and the lowest overnight for the race since moving to FOX in 2007. The 3.3 overnight is tied as the third-lowest ever for NASCAR Sprint Cup racing on FOX, matching Phoenix in 2009 and Kansas this year. The only races to earn lower overnights were this year's Darlington (3.2) and Richmond (3.0) races. The 3.3 is also the lowest ever for a Sunday race on FOX. Despite the lower numbers, Sunday's race was the #2 sporting event of the weekend on broadcast or cable, edging Game 7 of the NHL Western Conference final on NBCSN (3.2). Only Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference Finals on TNT did better (5.7).(Sports Media Watch)(6-3-2014)

[Slick_043]

Hey JD... forgot to mention my 300 and the tournament win came in the same day!

290 this year..best I could manage. at one point i was averaging 216. Subbed on a team in a different house for 3 weeks and avg 226. Had not bowled there or with that team for 2 years.

Anyway...yea, I saw that 'future of racing' article. I think if things become to technical and get away from the roots of 'down' and 'dirty' background of RACING that it will become a non-interest activity among people in general. You can only take technical aspects so far before people in general just say 'the hell with this...I don't get it' When people lose understanding, they lose interest. It is the common thread in life too. Now, you keep it simple and maintain... 'hey I got a 350', 'whatever...I have a pontiac 400' you maintain the philosophy of mine is faster than yours and the hopes of one day 'playing with the big boys'. They are getting to far off the beaten path with some stuff and not maintaining some of the 'how did we get here' stuff on the other end!

AS for shooting the lanes with you.. I am always up for a good practice day and slinging 12oz curls. If you are ever in Southeast MI we should figure it out.

[JD400]

The racing driver of the future

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/technology/dunlop-125-the-racing-driver-of-the-future/

[JD400]

right their with you Slick

Racing is in between future technology's and until the
sport changes we won't see the mass appeals like in
times past.

Oh Man, The future looks so fun for us all.
(see my next post)

Would love to get with you on the lanes and have some
tall ones with ya. Won the state championship at 12
But never got the 300 in league play, Best was 290 to date.
ABC sent me the 11 in a row gold card that I simply cherish

Take care and Thanks for your great commentary's

[Slick_043]

HEY JD... don't pick on bowling. Its the only thing I can do anymore via doctor orders! LOL Granted I only average 210, have one 300, and one tournament win... but damn its still fun after 20 years. Hahaha.

Yea, I am not sure what to think anymore. I just don't think people relate with the personalities/drivers as they use to...and vise versa. Not to beat a dead horse...I don't think anyone relates to the cars anymore either. It has been decades since the cars have been 'stickered' up to look like the showroom models, but the Gen 5 car killed the mood, outlook, and perspective. Also, it used to be you could have an inclination to go racing and make some cash. Now, not a chance...if you don't have Dupont, GoDaddy, Home Depot, DOW, Stanley Tools, to sponsor you there isn't a chance of being able to put a car together to go run with the big boys either. I don't think it is a 'blue collar' sport anymore... it has turned into a 'white collar' hobby. Again, as a sport, NASCAR and ISCA just aren't relating to a majority of the fans anymore. I can't remember the last time I heard people in the stands debating that their Ford was faster than some other persons Chevy!

I still enjoy attending the Sunday races at MIS. As long as my father still enjoys it and can go I will as well. If my kids get into it and really like it we will keep going, but if it was just me alone to decide to go or not...my 50" LCD and a Lazy Boy would not argue with me staying home. My wife might still kick me out to enjoy the peacefullness of a day twice a year! LOL

[JD400]

Even NASCAR Drivers are Bored with NASCAR
http://sportsjeer.com/2013/08/08/nascar-drivers-bored-nascar/

In this article posted over a year ago. You can see the mentality how the newer generations think about the sport of racing.

Their incredibly BORED, More fun playing with their Xbox or watching Xgames.

I watched both races over the weekend, Indy & Coke600 from start to finish, I kept dozing off in both.

Why, Because they were boring or should I say for me relaxing. Really no different than watching a group
of people hitting a white ball with a stick or a person rolling a black ball into 10 wooden pins.

each to their own I guess

[Slick_043]

overall... this is no surprise JD. Things have slowly become better over the past few years, but I believe we will never see the the attendance figures from 1998-2005 or so at any track...weather comprised or not. I think we have chatted on this... just not going to be like it used to be right now. A lot of improvements need to be made to try to get close to the 'good ol days' persay. Hell, Michigan isn't even sold out for Fathers Day. The June race is usually the chaotic event weekend, but the last few years not so much anymore. In and Out has been a cake walk...hardly any traffic on way or the other. I would think the desire is to have the place under 10K not sold in my opinion and based on things I have heard from people who work there during the race weekends.

Last year... that joint, based on appearance from the stands, was about 12-15K short. When I renewed my tickets I asked the question and they had more early renewals than in recent years, but still expected it to not be a sellout simply based on recent trends, but the unpredictability of it leaves you scratching your head...granted that was in November talking to someone. Anyway, usually around this time they have been 15-20K short of a sellout. Figure another 10K sold before raceday...still leaves them ~ 10K short of a sellout...and I think that is on the optimistic side.

People can/have blamed the TV coverage improvements, internet viewing, blah blah blah, for attendance decline. It is deeper than that...deeper than we may be able to think...its up to them to change the mood of the fans by putting a 'product' on the track that gets you excited to go. I ultimately think that is it. To many rules, not enough engineering allowed, there are times where the top 20 cars remind me of watching IROC. It was cool, but to a point it wasn't fun to watch.

Sorry to ramble, but attendance figures show more than just economic issues with the sport...which is what is constantly noted when you listen or talk to people from any track. To me that is just being short sighted and not taking accountability for the declined interest in the sport from the fan perspective. Again, 37 years at MIS...I can debate this for months. LOL

Don't get me wrong either...I am looking forward to going this year. I am with my dad, other family and friends. Its a good time, but I can see something else is wrong...not based on the economy anymore...just can't put my finger on it.

[JD400]

•NASCAR ticket sales see smaller drop in 2013: Ticket revenues at NASCAR tracks continued to decline in 2013, but at a slower rate than in previous years, federal security filings show. Attendance at NASCAR's three publicly traded companies - which host 35 of the 38 race weekends (36 points races and two special events) - dropped for a sixth consecutive year:
" Admission revenue at Charlotte-based Speedway Motorsports Inc., fell 8.6% to $106 million. That's an improvement from an 11% decline in 2012.
" International Speedway Corp., the country's largest track operator and owner of Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, lost 4.6% of its admission revenue to $129.8 million after losing 6% in 2012.
" Delaware's Dover Motorsports, which lost nearly a quarter of its admissions revenue for its two NASCAR race weekends in 2012, had a decline of 8.7% to $9.5 million.
Overall, revenues of $245.4 million are down 47% from their peak of $467.4 million in 2007.(in part from the Charlotte Observer)(5-24-2014)

[JD400]

Dunlop 125: Future Racing Cars
To celebrate its 125th anniversary tyre company Dunlop commissioned well known futurologist
Ian Pearson to write a report on what motorsport will be in 125 years time.

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/technology/dunlop-125-future-racing-cars/


Well I guess we aint seen nothing yet.

[Slick_043]

oops, my previous post I meant to say he wasn't driving like a weiner... sorry.

[Slick_043]

good Dega Race definitely. I don't blame BK or DP for the lap 14 wreck that basically did BK in for the day. It was a racing wreck..at 200mph how many feet per second are they covering? It was a racing wreck.

As for BK second mishap...this is where I don't agree with the lucky dog crap. 1 or 2 laps down I can concede, but when you ar 5+ laps down at Daytona or Talladega I think that rule should be rewritten...this is the best reason to defer that rule at those two tracks. Is it BK's fault sure, but he was driving like a weiner either...the car just came around on him for whatever reason. He could be out there with 20 other cars for 1000 laps and that crap just doesn't happen. So was it ignorant of him to be up with the leaders in his situation, yes, was it another racing deal/wreck...I would have to say yes to that too. I know I couldn't drive that fast for that long with that many people and not have a boo boo ... so I can't throw the full bus at him.

Paybacks...probably not over this. They have all had their dumb moments so at some point the drivers have to chalk it up that its a wash. Kenseth last week, Gordon wrecked Earnhardt at Daytona years ago and everyone wanted his head for a drivers mistake, Allison/Yarborough, Petty/Pearson, Harvick/Biffle... no one has ever been perfect and they all know it and know all they can do is learn from it.

[big-yank]

S/P is getting obliterated again, today. ISCA's shareholder relations effort is pathetic.

'dega was a good show in front of a packed house. Too bad Brad took out so many viable contenders with two bone-headed moves that even most rookies wouldn't make. I thought Trevor Bayne was going to take the Wood Brothers back to victory lane for another super-speedway win until BK wrecked half the field. I also felt bad for Kenseth and Gordon, both of whom had unflattering comments about him. Look for paybacks in the weeks ahead.

[Slick_043]

Side note: I just decided to look at the pps... holy cow, what the hell is going on with this the last month? It has every appearance of sub $30s coming at some point.

[Slick_043]

Well... got my MIS tickets in the mail yesterday. YeeeHaaaaa. Since they did a tire test over there and ran damn near 220 mph in the straightaways who knows what the hell to expect. One thing is clear...if the whether is right... gonna have a new track record... with or w/o knock out qualifying. Sooner or later if speeds continue to elevate there I believe the 'restrictor plate' demonic conversation will come into play until the track loses tons of grip. Said it before and I will say it again... they don't need 900 horse motors and those kind of speeds at that track to put on a good race... in fact I think it makes the racing more difficult. The aero at those speeds affects any car differently than at 180. I know there are discussions of lowering horsepower a lot... I think they need to do it.

Anyway... more importantly... wild card racing this weekend. Can't pick one here...its anyones call that makes it through the first 190 laps... and that fact is still only a maybe! They have wrecked them at lap 198 before...so noone is safe with 10 to go. I will still make a call for RPM and Ford to be strong. Typically not a Ford track, but Penske is leading the charge every week showing they could have won damn near all 8 races so far. Dinger is good plate racer... he would be my underdog to watch pick. Gordon is strong this year... I just might have to lean that way to pick someone who is strong without a win. However, I have to give this one to Junior. Its been 10 years since he last won there... he won at Daytona with good decisions and muscle. I think he will get win #2 this week.

[big-yank]

LOL. That was a great post!

[Slick_043]

Good clean race. A bit surprised Logano won in the end. It was Gordon's to lose the whole night... and he did. I realize Kenseth was racing for the win at the end, but to play stupid and being a little ignorant he is lucky he didn't get wrecked or take out 3 or 4 cars. If it was Earnhardt Sr... we all know what would have happened if he was in BK position running second... would have rattled his cage! LOL It was hard racing, I am good with that, but the ignorance is what gets me of the interview he had.

I never saw what happened at the end of the race with Ambrose and Mears, but Mears has needed a good wacking for a few years... good to see they handled it in the pits, not with the cars and turning them into wrecking balls on the track. Good for Ambrose...its about time we saw a little tazmanian devil come out in him.

[big-yank]

Congrats to Joey Logano for a clean win. And congrats to ISCA for a full house in Richmond, last night. Huge improvement over last year's event. I really liked the late afternoon/evening transition with the unconventional start-time. It shuffled the field during the transition and created two, distinct episodes within the race.

Also, kudos to Marcos Ambrose for the best right cross of the season, following the race. That was overdue!

LOL.

[big-yank]

Harvick smoked 'em in the rain-delayed Nationwide race, last night. He starts 5th, tonight. Look out...

[big-yank]

Harvick won the last race, won this race last year and the semi-short track format in Richmond suits his out-in-front style of driving. He races well on banked ovals like Richmond and Bristol. If he catches a break on engine problems and yet another DNF, I see him in the checkers at the end in Richmond.

I do not see fan attendance in Darlington as any kind of seminal moment for ISCA. You expect this small track to sell out 'cause there ain't a lot else to do there except some awesome catfish fishing in the area. Tough to do that during a night race!

The set-up for the at-home viewer is hurting with Speed Network switching to Fox Sports who seems to love UFC head-banging events and soccer from around the parts of the globe you never knew existed. The excellent, NASCAR-focused practice and qualifying events that Speed pioneered are a HUGE loss to the sport and ISCA. Bad deal. Can you hear me, Brian? BAD DEAL!

The digital fan experience is not part of the growth potential, IMO, for NASCAR. Ten years ago we had Fanscan, followed by the Nextel (later, Sprint) cell-phone linkage and today's "inside" digital stuff is actually worse than the original content from years ago, IMO.

Indycar is livestreaming stuff with huge "hits" on-line. NASCAR's digital footprint is treading heavily in the earlier footsteps of Ned Neanderthal.

[Slick_043]

Pitstop in the end won the race, but the caution flags helped Harvick a ton. That was not a race winning car until there were all those cautions at the end. Its racing and it happens.

Attendance.. well my last two posts I didn't even mention it, but since it was brought up... glad to see fans in the stands, but its more than just the 'digital fans' coming around and the 40-50 yr olds not attending anymore cuz of the hassle. I have said it over and over again... the center of the problem is the product on the track isn't hitting home with the fans. To put it simply... whats on the track isn't in the showroom... people, especially blue collar, don't buy into 'fake' or 'pretend' and 'imaginary'. Putting stickers on it with some 3D effects to make it 'look like it' isn't hacking it anymore. The other issue is WAY TO MANY 1.5 mile tracks... and not enough grass roots heritage type of tracks... Wilkesboro comes to mind, what about Rockingham. I loved watching those races there... always a show to enjoy. Bottom line NASCAR has lost its brand awareness with the fans. I even enjoy the Trucks and Nationwide races more than a Cup race now. That was never the case until the last couple of years. Again, just my opinion on the matter.. not trying to create a stir.

RPM... good qualifying effort... I got excited for a minute.. literally... since #43 now owns the track record at Darlington for Qualifying.. I think that is pretty cool. However, a bad pit call early on cost them dearly for the rest of the race. I still think both cars will be in victory lane this year.. might as well pencil Ambrose in the chase do to a roadcoarse win.

Richmond... good fun race usually. A little beating and a little rubbing and a lot of old school racing. Weather permitting (hahaha) it should be a good race to watch. With a week off I might concede an arguement and say JJ will snag this win. Overall... Jr or Gordon... are my picks... and I am NOT an HENDRICK fan.. But am a Jr fan.

[JD400]

Good finish,Wise Pit Stop Wins Race.

I'll never doubt 4 fresh tires VS 2 ever again. really thought Dale had it in the bag, then it turned out 4 extra seconds to add a full set of tires made up the one extra second needed for the win.

And like the other races the announcer said the place was sold out. It looked pretty full to me as did the other races too.
I think we can put the lack of attendance thing to rest. Plenty of race fans still going although it will never be like it was because the masses of boomers are in their 50s and 60s and don't
go anymore because of the hassle, plus the kids have grown up and the medias have such great coverage on TV So put a steak on the barbie, pop open a brew, relax and "Turn It Up" LOL

It's the Online/Media experiences attendance that is growing leaps and bounds. The new digital race fan is approaching. If your live at the track or at home on your couch a laptop in your hand will allow the race fan a much more personal experience than racing had to offer in 70s-2010s, It's all changing for the fan.
Theirs no limits for him, He can drive the race.

[Slick_043]

One person not to count on.. Tony Stewart. Saw a startling stat... in 21 starts at the 'Lady in Black' he has only led 20 laps. a few top 10s and I believe less than 5 top 5s.

[Slick_043]

Prediction....

Penske cars tuff to beat...if there is a repeat winner, even though neither Logano or BK have a good record there... they have been strong everywhere and at tracks so far this season they aren't good at. I call BK's desire to win there a reason he could very well do it.

However, Kenseth and Gordon have run well there... I believe Kenseth won there last year and it may be possible to repeat and give us an 8th winner in 8 races. Gordon has won there 4 or 5 times and has a good record there for top 5 and top 10s... again, 8th winner in 8 races. Those would be my top two picks for Darlington.

JJ...not this time either... i believe the team needs the week off for Easter to rebound before putting something in the win column.

[Slick_043]

to a point it is a JJ race, but by memory not somewhere he has dominated at like a Charlotte/Lowes facility. He might be number 8 this week, but those Penske cars have been fast everywhere, every week, every lap. There is no denying their performance right now and they are making people run harder than they want to right now too. IMO

[big-yank]

Darlington is a night race. That is Jimmy Johnson territory.

[Slick_043]

Well, that race was less than ideal. Good for Joey Logano/Penske Racing...both cars in the Chase now. Strongest Fords are over there most certainly. Looked like other than Tony, SHR struggled again. To bad for Harvick...another DNF and I believe both this year are engine failures.

RPM was getting it on there midway through the race, but the cars seemed to be missing something for the middle of a run. Marcos should have finished better, but pitstop cyles messed them up from what I saw. Aric is consistantly around the top 10 and its fun to watch.

Earnhardt... all I can say is 'WOW'. I don't think there is another word to describe it. Gordon was the only Hendrick car running well the entire night. As much as I am not a Gordon fan... I was pulling for him to win that race.

Attendance, again affected by weather. NASCAR had a good planned schedule years ago that avoided most weather. They have messed with the schedule so much in the Spring that now they are in the middle of every storm that arrives it seems. LOL

Darlington... should we get a 8th different winner? I say yes... I say look out for Gordon or Kahne again. However, if Penske stays the course... could we have our first repeat winner? Very Possible!

[JD400]

Stewart-Haas Racing - 2014 Texas I Qualifying
STEWART ON THE POLE!
Apr. 05, 2014
Event: Duck Commander 500 Qualifying (Round 7 of 36)

Series: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Location: Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth (1.5-mile oval)

Pole Winner: Tony Stewart of Stewart-Haas Racing (27.628 seconds at 195.454 mph)

SHR Lineup: Tony Stewart (1st, 27.628 seconds at 195.454 mph)

Kevin Harvick (3rd, 27.650 seconds at 195.298 mph)

Kurt Busch (11th, 27.961 seconds at 193.126 mph)

Danica Patrick (24th, 28.014 seconds at 192.761 mph)



Tony Stewart, driver of the No. 14 Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet SS, led the four-car Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) contingent Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth by qualifying on the pole for Sunday’sDuck Commander 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Stewart turned a lap of 27.628 seconds at 195.454 mph on the 1.5-mile oval.



It was Stewart’s 15th career Sprint Cup pole, his first of the season and his second at Texas. Stewart’s last pole came 53 races ago on Aug. 31, 2012 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was also the 14th Sprint Cup pole for SHR since its inception in 2009.



“Our Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevy is fast,” said Stewart, who is a two-time Sprint Cup winner at Texas (November 2006 and November 2011). “It was good in the first run. In the second run, it was pretty good and we were second and we ran a little bit quicker. We didn't know what we could run the third time, but I knew what (Greg) Biffle had run. The good thing is Chad Johnston (crew chief) made a really big change there to try and make it better. Like he said, ‘I was either going to make you quick, or I was going to make you 12th.’ I'm glad he made the change. He’s got a lot of confidence and I really like that. We’re on the pole because of it.”



Qualifying consisted of three rounds. The first was 25 minutes, with every driver on the track vying to set the fastest lap. The 24 fastest drivers from the first round advanced to the second, 10-minute round. The fastest 12 drivers from that session advanced to the final, five-minute round of qualifying where they battled for the pole. Positions 1-12 were set by speeds in the final round. Positions 13-24 were set by speeds in the second round. The remaining 43-car field was set by speeds posted by those who did not advance past the first round.



“We have an advantage with Mobil 1 in our engine and throughout our entire car, really,” Stewart added. “Mobil 1 is more than just a sponsor. They’re a technical partner, and to make a fast lap around this place, you need to do whatever you can to reduce friction, heat and rolling resistance. That’s what Mobil 1 does for us. Now, we just have to put the whole day together tomorrow.”



Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet SS for SHR, qualified third with a time of 27.650 seconds at 195.298 mph.



“Our Jimmy John’s Chevy was just tight in all three runs,” said Harvick, who has three top-five finishes in 22 career Sprint Cup starts at Texas. “As it progressed there, we just got tighter and didn’t make a big enough swing to get it exactly where it needed to be. But that’s a big improvement on where we’ve been on qualifying day, so that’s a good thing. And Tony capturing a pole is as good as it gets for the organization.”



Harvick set a new track qualifying record in the first round with a lap of 27.234 seconds at 198.282 mph, breaking the previous Sprint Cup track qualifying record of 27.509 seconds at 196.299 mph set by Kyle Busch on April 12, 2013. It was the fastest lap at a 1.5-mile oval in NASCAR, as Harvick’s quick time bested the previous mark of 28.074 seconds at 197.478 mph set by Geoff Bodine on Nov. 15, 1997 at Atlanta.



Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 41 Haas Automation Chevrolet SS for SHR, qualified 11th with a time of 27.961 seconds at 193.126 mph in his backup racecar. A crash after suffering a flat left-rear tire in Friday’s practice session damaged his primary racecar.



“Our Haas Automation Chevrolet has been fast all weekend – and fortunately we had two of ‘em,” said Busch, who won at Texas in November 2009. “I’m proud of the No. 41 team for bouncing back after our little mishap in practice yesterday and putting forth a great effort today. Our team is really starting to come together. We took a backup car and put it in the last round of knockout qualifying and probably could’ve done a little better than that even. We just got a little loose getting in and when I got off the gas it shot up the track and hurt our lap. We’ll take what we’ve learned and be good for tomorrow.”



Danica Patrick, driver of the No. 10 GoDaddy/Get Found Chevrolet SS for SHR, qualified 24th with a time of 28.014 seconds at 192.761 mph.



“The guys did a really nice job on the starting balance for the Go Daddy/Get Found Chevy,” said Patrick, who has three Sprint Cup, four NASCAR Nationwide Series and eight IndyCar Series starts at Texas. “We had a really solid lap in the first round of knockout qualifying today, and I’m happy with that. But we just didn’t get the balance as good for the second round, and that’s something that we just have to keep working on each week.”



Brad Keselowski will start on the outside of row one after clocking in at 27.633 seconds at 195.419 mph.



The 10 other drivers who made it to the final round of qualifying were Harvick, Biffle, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Trevor Bayne, Ryan Newman, Marcos Ambrose and Joey Logano. All are listed in the order they’ll start Sunday’s race.



Forty-seven drivers attempted to qualify for the Duck Commander 500. David Stremme, Ryan Truex, Joe Nemechek and J.J. Yeley were the drivers that did not make the race.



The Duck Commander 500 gets underway at 3 p.m. EDT Sunday with live coverage provided by FOX beginning with a pre-race show at 2:30 p.m.



-SHR-

[JD400]

Thanks big,Great Site Really Nice:~)

http://www.jayski.com/

[JD400]

Jayski Portal To The World Of Internet NASCAR

http://www.jayski.com/

[big-yank]

I think that the side of the truck was painted "Nielson Ratings" if I am not mistaken.

Hey, guys, if you are not familiar with it, you might want to check out the Jayski website for NASCAR news and updates. It is a free site frequented largely by teams, drivers and sponsors. It is an insider's resource with links to everybody and anybody in motorsports.

[JD400]

Did anybody get the number of that truck

that ran over the PPS today, Durn down .91 just when I thought we were going to break into the 35s. we came close 34.97

then Steven King let the truck from hell loose , that had a 91 Horsepower reduction.

serously I think their will be enough time for NASCAR to still make a decision if the change can be made easy.

but they should leave Danica's motor at 900 HP. LOL

[Slick_043]

Yes JD that is the article or two I read, but in going a little deeper NASCAR and Pemberton don't believe any final decisions will be made soon enough for the changes to be effective for 2015...saw that on NASCAR Now or Hub...can't remember which. Again... the hspwr reduction is necessary... screwing with the aero again is just getting out of control. Make them run what's in the showroom and call it a day. Install ALL safety requirements...which can be done...and let them race. There are some tracks that I feel I am watching the old IROC series. LOL Other tracks the current changes provide good racing. 900 horse unnecessary... cars that aren't stock cars... unnecessary... and only to a point to I understand why they continued in the direction they did. I like watching the BTCC and Australian SuperCar series more than Daytona or Talledega at times. I see those cars on the street and believe I am ready to race.

Ranting again... sorry.

[JD400]

NASCAR is planning on making significant engine package changes in 2015 to extend the life of Sprint Cup powerplants and reduce horsepower. And along with engine changes, there likely will be aerodynamic and tire changes for the Cup cars in 2015 as well. That's the word from NASCAR Vice President of Competition and Racing Development Robin Pemberton. Pemberton said the sanctioning body has had four meetings so far with representatives from Chevy, Ford and Toyota and race teams about how to implement those changes. No consensus has been reached yet, according to Pemberton, but discussions are ongoing in advance of making the changes for next year. Although Pemberton declined to specify how many horsepower NASCAR is looking to cut, sources familiar with the discussions said the reduction would be in the neighborhood of 75 to 100 horsepower. Currently, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series engines make about 860-900 horsepower at most tracks. Discussions are still in the early stages, Pemberton said, but given the fact that there are so few engine suppliers now, they will need plenty of lead-time to make changes for next year.
Among the options being discussed are reduction in engine displacement and changes to throttle body size. Sources familiar with the discussions say that Chevy and Toyota are pushing for a reduction to 5.0-liter engines, while the Ford camp is pushing for the use of tapered spacers, such as are used in the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series engines. Pemberton said any change in the engine package likely would necessitate other changes as well.
"It's not fully appreciated the fact that we've had the same engine for basically 25 or 30 years and it's at 850 or 860 horsepower, where it used to be 500," Pemberton said. "And we are at the same race tracks where we used to run 160 (miles per hour) we're now qualifying at 190 and running 213 going into the corners. There's been a lot of engineering and gains made across the board. Goodyear ... we have the same tire patch as when we started.(FoxSports)(3-23-2014)
UPDATE: NASCAR has another meeting scheduled in April with Sprint Cup engine builders to determine possible changes to the engine for next year, said Gene Stefanyshyn, NASCAR vice president of innovation and racing development. NASCAR has talked with teams since late last year about engine changes for 2015 that would reduce horsepower. "We're all working together to find the solution,'' Stefanyshyn told Motor Racing Network on Friday at Martinsville Speedway. "We have to make sure that the little guys, the smaller engine builders are OK with this and we don't hurt them financially. It's a balance, and we've probably got six different alternatives we're looking at. We're going to be needing to get to a decision here pretty soon.'' Engine builders expect NASCAR to reduce horsepower by about 100 or so for next year.(Motor Racing Network)(3-29-2014)

[Slick_043]

if we see a 7th different winner, which i don't think will be the case... I will go and say Kahne.

Danica 1000-1... Hhahahahaha.... I am assuming that is to finish in the top 20. Sorry, just sick of her media hype. It is because of who she is, not what she does that attracts attention. Everyone says 'good for the sport'... I say it could be equally 'bad for the sport' too. Consider this, Hornish has been bounced around...told to go back to Nationwide and figure some things out.. he does, loses ride do to sponsorship, and is now part time with JGR. Danica hasn't won in any division and gets a top ride... Sadler comes to mind too... Stewart wanted 3 teams and a driver with a sponsor. Way to willing to put someone in a car because of the $$$ that came with it. I would send her dumba$$ to the truck series and if she wins there...then nationwide... win there then cup...fine... she hasn't done squat... can't even win in a ARCA car! Scot Bowman in the #23 and Cole Whitt get less hype/press and have outrun her a few times...in tier 3 equipment. Just irks the he!! out of me to see deserving people get screwed...and NASCAR/ISCA sometimes wonder why fans don't show up and take the sport with any seriousness. They guy I feel bad for is Kligerman... that guy can't get a break.

Sorry to rant on the subject...just irks me to no end sometimes! LOL

[Slick_043]

True, but JGR has been out of character lately and been struggling a bit recently. Not saying they couldn't win there, but I don't see the recent performance indicating a "W" in TX. You bring up Burton...means you bring up Roush and those teams have been strong there in the past. I wouldn't be surprised to see Edwards, Stenhouse or Biffle do well...again you would have to throw RPM in there too because of affiliation... I don't believe RCR is in the picture yet, but I will go out on a limb and say Newman runs well there...might have a shot... but TX is where we could see a repeat winner for the season. Earnhardt or Harvick.

Have you read the article on engine changes to NASCAR teams? They were talking about hopefully by 2015, but definite for 2016 horsepower reductions. I welcome it...I have never figured out why they needed to run 900 horse motors at Martinsville, Bristol, Darlington...hell anywhere...it is as big of a contributing factor to aero push issues as the design of the body of the car. I have always said... lower hspwr... better racing... the aero in the corners is greatly affected at 200+ mph in turn 1 and 3 versus 180 at MIS...that 20mph is worth a ton of grip, passing ability, then you can take gear rule and throw it out the damn window too... open the playbook for the teams..back to some of the good ol days. Just wondering your opinion on this. I know most don't, but I like the idea.

[JD400]

Duck Commander 500 – Johnson favored, Junior has value
Las Vegas a good indicator
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Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are both interesting picks, for different reasons, in Texas.
By: Micah Roberts | More Experts
Published: Apr 01, 2014


LAS VEGAS-- Jimmie Johnson has won two of the past three races at Texas Motor Speedway, so it was only natural the LVH SuperBook would post him the 5-to-1 favorite to win Sunday's Duck Commander 500. In 21 career starts, Johnson has an 8.7 average finish with three wins. He's also been the most spectacular driver on 1.5-mile tracks over his career but what may be most enticing about him this week is his team is on the brink of getting everything figured out. That’s a scary prospect for everyone else. The No. 48 led the most laps in each of the past two races, but had victories at Fontana and Martinsville slip away. We've had six different drivers win the first six races, and Johnson is definitely the top candidate to make it seven-for-seven.

The best handicapping tool for this race is to refer back to what happened in the March 9 race at Las Vegas — Texas' sister track. The banking at Texas is steeper, making it much faster than Las Vegas, but everything the teams learned about their set-up at Las Vegas during a Thursday test session, practices and the race itself will transfer well to Texas. You can also mix in a little bit of what we saw at Fontana to better help break down the candidates to win Sunday.

Three drivers come is at 7-to-1 odds, led by Las Vegas winner Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, who won this race last spring, and two-time Texas winner Matt Kenseth. All three of those drivers led laps at Las Vegas with Busch having the second most (52) behind Keselowski (53). Last season, it was Kenseth and Busch that had everything figured out early on 1.5-mile tracks, winning six of the first seven on the schedule. Busch would also win at the 2-mile layout at Fontana. However, Kenseth's history at Texas goes much deeper. As great as Johnson has been there over his career, Kenseth has been even better, with a track best 8.3 average finish. Since NASCAR began keeping track of their loop data in 2005, Kenseth has a series-best rating of 107.2. Johnson is second at 106.4.

Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano are each set at 8-to-1 odds. In Logano's first season with Penske Racing last year, he had his best-ever run at Texas with fifth and third-place finishes. At Las Vegas, Logano finished fourth, leading twice for 44 laps. Harvick has never won at Texas, but he's garnered tons of respect from the Las Vegas bookmakers just because of the show he put on during testing where it became clear in an instant that Harvick would routinely be battling for wins on the 1.5-mile tracks for most of the season. He finished 41st in the Vegas race because a brake issue sent him to the garage early, but he did lead twice for 23 laps before the trouble started.

Four drivers have odds set at 12-to-1, led by Dale Earnhardt Jr, who finished second at Las Vegas. Then there's 2006 winner Kasey Kahne, 2009 winner Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin who swept the 2010 season. Junior won his first career Cup race at Texas in 2000 as a rookie in what be the most endearing moment captured on video with his father. Who can forget the proud father’s ear-to-ear smile as the Intimidator ran to the winners circle to greet his son after his first win? Junior hasn't won at Texas since then, but the Vegas race and all of his other successes thus far into 2014 should give reason to believe he'll be challenging for the win. From a value standpoint, Junior looks the most attractive among all the drivers.

This is Texas, so you have to consider a Roush Fenway Racing driver just because the organization has won at Texas nine times, including when they christened the track with Jeff Burton's win in 1997. Greg Biffle (30-to-1) and Carl Edwards (20-to-1) have each won twice at Texas, the last coming with Biffle in the spring of 2012. A case could be made for Edwards to run well, but Biffle’s chances don't look promising.

Last week we saw that a long shot could finally win at Martinsville with Kurt Busch paying out at 50-to-1. That stopped a long line of succession where the heavy favorite -- 17 of the past 19 wins were by four drivers -- had won on the flat half-mile track. Over 26 Texas races, the favorites have been the way to go if wanting to cash. The highest odds of an eventual winner was Burton's 2007 win at 35-to-1. Even Junior's first win only paid out at 18-to-1 in 2000. Fast is fast and there is no way to hide it.

Be sure to check back Saturday for our post-practice report where we'll identify who looks the fastest and has the best chance of winning Sunday's race.

Here's a look at the complete list of odds offered by the LVH:

DUCK COMMANDER 500, TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, SUNDAY, APRIL 6

JIMMIE JOHNSON 5-1

BRAD KESELOWSKI 7-1

KYLE BUSCH 7-1

MATT KENSETH 7-1

KEVIN HARVICK 8-1

JOEY LOGANO 8-1

DALE EARNHARDT JR 12-1

KASEY KAHNE 12-1

JEFF GORDON 12-1

DENNY HAMLIN 12-1

CARL EDWARDS 20-1

CLINT BOWYER 20-1

KURT BUSCH 20-1

TONY STEWART 25-1

GREG BIFFLE 30-1

BRIAN VICKERS 30-1

RYAN NEWMAN 40-1

KYLE LARSON 40-1

MARTIN TRUEX JR 60-1

AUSTIN DILLON 100-1

JAMIE McMURRAY 60-1

PAUL MENARD 75-1

RICKY STENHOUSE JR 100-1

ARIC ALMIROLA 300-1

MARCOS AMBROSE 300-1

AJ ALLMENDINGER 300-1

TREVOR BAYNE 500-1

CASEY MEARS 500-1

DANICA PATRICK 1000-1

FIELD 500-1

[big-yank]

Never rule out a Joe Gibbs Racing entry at Texas Motor Speedway!

One of the best NASCAR races of all time was Jeff Burton in the Exide #99 beating out Bobby Labonte in the Interstate "Mean Green" by a hair on the last lap in Ft. Worth, a mess of years ago. That was Jeff's first win; looking forward to him joining NBC in the broadcasting booth in 2015.

There will be NO PROBLEM with a sell-out in Texas! NASCAR should be giving Bruton three races per year there!