2015-2016 NASCAR Offseason News

News, Links, Photos, and Tweets from the 2014-15 NASCAR Offseason

By Richard Tix

As the sun set on the 2015 NASCAR season the excitement of the new 2016 immediately started for NASCAR fans. The NASCAR offseason is one of the shortest offseason's in sports (90 days), yet to fans it feel's like it is the longest. @annoyingracefan even had to spotlight NOD last year (NASCAR Offseason Disorder), its a real problem people... So, NASCAR Behind the Wall is going to collect as much offseason news, photos, links, tweets, etc to give you the inside scoop on what's going on. Rather, this is to help you get through NOD during this long offseason. **All credit to @annoyingracefan for NOD. I in no way take credit, but I do want to help. Anyway to spread the word and help fans get through the offseason is worth it.

• 2014-2015 NASCAR Offseason News (in case you want to look back).
• Also, give NASCAR Video Archive a look. Avery has a awesome collection of links to NASCAR race footage to help all offseason.

Quick News/Headlines:

• Matt DiBenedetto will remain in the #83 for BK Racing
• Regan Smith to drive the #7 for Tommy Baldwin Racing in 2016. The #7 keeps Nikko RC and Road Rippers as majority sponsors.
• Thrivent will Sponsor McDowell for 15 races in 2016
• Tommy Baldwin Racing parts ways with Alex Bowman for 2016 season
• Ty Dillon will run the Daytona 500 in the #95
• Michael McDowell will be primary for the #95 Circle Sports/Leavine. Ty Dillon will run 5 races, McDowell the rest.
• Circle Sports and RCR create technical alliance for 2016.
• Smithfield will sponsor Aric Almirola for 31 races in 2016
• David Ragan to drive the #23 for BK Racing in 2016.
• Landon Cassill Joins Front Row Motorsports to drive the #38
• Chris Buescher joins Front Row Motorsports to drive #34. Alliance with RFR.
• Love’s Travel Shops moves from the #38 to the #34 with Buescher for 18 races.
• Martin Truex Jr lands Bass Pro Shops as primary sponsor for 9 races in 2016.
• Greg Biffle adds a multi-race KFC sponsorship in 2016 (loses Ortho).
• Brian Wilson (Penske) promoted to CC of the #22 Xfinity car.
• Brian Scott and RPM transition the #9 into the #44.
• Leavine Family Racing becomes Circle Sport Racing.
• Scott brings Shore Lodge sponsorship with him to RPM (Cup).
• Ford and Ford Racing release a new Ford Fusion for 2016 (2017 for actual manufactured street car)
• Clint Bowyer will drive the #15 for HScott Motorsports, not the #51

Links:

• Meet the NASCAR Hall of Fame 2016 class- USA Today
• Tommy Baldwin Racing, Bowman part ways
• RCR forms technical alliance with Circle Sport- NASCAR.com
• NASCAR: Where is the Next Generation of Owners?- Beyond the Flag
• Recovering Hamlin expects to be ready at Daytona- NASCAR.com
• Jeff Gordon's New Job- NASCAR.com
• NASCAR chairman Brian France identifies biggest 'challenge' facing the sport in 2016- FOXSports
• Tony Stewart reveals plans for when he retires from NASCAR- Sporting News
• Ford Fusion puts on its game face for NASCAR- AutoBlog
• Kasey Kahne Adds a New Sponsor for 2016- NASCAR.com
• NASCAR: Whitt and Gilliland Out At Front Row Motorsports?
• Janesville man in fast lane, thanks to NASCAR love; collection includes 100s of model cars- Star Tribune
• NASCAR: Dale Jr. Drives Car Onto Field For Bowl Game- Fansided
• Darian Grubb Heads Back to Hendrick Motorsports- NASCAR.com
• NASCAR: Which Tracks Will Be SAFER In 2016?- Fansided
• Richard Petty Motorsports set to announce new driver of No. 9- FOX Sports
• Quicken switches NASCAR driver sponsorship
• Make Way For A New Wave Of Sprint Cup Talent- All Left Turns
• NASCAR champion Kyle Busch to have two surgeries in December- Sporting News
• Gluck: Kyle Busch's NASCAR championship a comeback story for the ages- USA Today
• Kyle Busch’s NASCAR championship is one for the whole family- SB Nation
• Chad Johnston named crew chief for Kyle Larson- NASCAR.com
• America was outraged that NBC showed NASCAR instead of football- SI.com

Random:

2015 NASCAR Behind the Wall Hot Laps: Week 22

Fuel Mileage and NASCAR Turning Right

By Richard Tix

Hot Laps will be a weekly article on news in the world of NASCAR. I will write these articles any weeks where I have a thought or opinion on NASCAR news that is worth sharing. So, this could be an every week thing, or just every few weeks. Its an opinion piece, so it is open to discussion and debate and would love to here your thoughts.

It has been a few weeks since I jumped into the Hot Laps article's. Actually it has been since week 11. That isn't because I have had a loss of opinion on NASCAR topics, but just haven't had enough to put into a full article. Many times I use the Pit Road Race Review Introduction for my area's to rant on a weekly topic. But, NASCAR is getting through its dog days of Summer and is heading for the home stretch. So, lets get into a couple things before this weeks race at Watkin's Glen.

Taking Right Turns

Speaking of Watkin's Glen, NASCAR is heading there to turn right for the second time in 2015. Earlier this season when NASCAR headed to Sonoma Kyle Busch also entered with zero wins on the season. Much has changed since then (including three more wins), but the fact remains the road course was the race to break open his chances at the Chase.

So, will the same thing happen this weekend? Last season AJ Allmendinger won his first Sprint Cup race and also notched his first bid into the Chase in one right turn race (Glen). He is once again in the same position he was last year: win and get in. However, this year Marcus Ambrose is not in Cup which takes away one of the biggest road course threats.

Ambrose leaving actually opens the door to two possibilities. One, AJ will step in and be the road course favorite every time out. Or two. the field catches back up and the road course is fair game to all the top drivers.

I think it might be a mix of the two, which I know is now a third option. I do think AJ will be a threat to win, but now so many more drivers in Cup are good road course drivers. Long gone are the day of the ringers in underfunded cars competing. Guy's like Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski have shown they can wheel it around the Glen with the best. 

Even with more drivers now focusing on the road courses, a guy like Allmendinger still has a great shot again. Known road course specialist have won 4 of the last 5 races at the Glen (AJ, Ambrose, Ambrose, and Juan Pablo Montoya). So, who is to say the Dinger can't do it again?

Michigan International Speedway Weekend

It's true I do not make many races in person a year. I wish I could but living in Minnesota is a tough spot to be a hard core NASCAR fan (I feel for you Canada NASCAR neighbors). Weekend trips turn into many days off and extra travel money. The biggest reason past the length is also the means and time. It is not easy to take time off when you have many other events throughout a busy Summer. I am a big family and friend man, so my time with them is worth a ton.

Speaking of being a great friend, that is what Michigan International Speedway has been like for me since 2006. I have yet to miss an August race since 2006 (except in 2007 when it got rained out and we had to travel back to MN). I was still there for the race weekend and it was still a great time. You know why? Well because MIS has some of the best staff, facilities, and activities on the NASCAR schedule.

This all starts from the ground on up. Everyone working or even volunteering at MIS each race weekend will great you with a smile. Most of these workers are huge racing fans themselves and are happy to help in anyway they can. If you are attending the race this August (and if you are not may I ask why not?!?) take the time to get to know one of them. Many times workers on the many tram's running around would love to shoot the breeze even on a hot muggy day. 

The friendliness and family feel runs all the way up to the top with Track President Roger Curtis (@MISroger on Twitter). He not only is great with interacting with fans on Twitter and Social Media, but also at the track. I have still yet to meet him in person while at MIS, but everything I hear has been good reports. He also loves giving away great fan experiences all weekend long to lucky fans who may run across him and no, you do not have to be up in some fancy suite to see him! Many times he will be roaming the infield or dressed up going around to camp sites. 

It is all part of the fun at MIS. If I could suggest to anyone a track to go to for a great time it would be MIS. And to think, I haven't even mentioned the racing yet! If you are thinking about giving another track a shot then you should really try out Michigan International Speedway. The track is amazing, the workers are great, the surrounding people are awesome, and the area of the Irish Hills are beautiful. It really is Pure Michigan.

Fuel Mileage Excitement

Yes, after the week at Pocono I really wanted to touch on NASCAR and Fuel Mileage racing. This is specifically about some of the folks on social media who always bash and complain about a race when it becomes a fuel mileage race.

After the race Sunday some fans were very happy with the outcome. They saw excitement and strategy played out before our eyes. Yet, as we know, NASCAR can not please everyone. Many fans were left screaming "NASCAR needs to eliminate fuel mileage races."

The funny thing about that statement is, these are the same fans that yell "we need to get rid of these late debris cautions that are thrown for no reason."

Whats so funny? Well the only way you get rid of the fuel mileage race is to always have a late yellow. That is what has happened time and time again the last few years, late yellows. So, Sunday when teams were laying out the strategy they were going to use many of them factored those yellows in.

That is the thing about strategy, it is just a calculation of how you think it might go. The same strategy does not work every time and many teams found that out this past week at Pocono the hard way. 

So, do you want late yellows or fuel mileage?

Well, the answer you might want to start thinking is both because this is racing. Racing will always have some late yellows (and sometimes we may never actually get a video shot of the debris). Also, racing will always involved fuel strategy. Not every race can be a last turn pass for the win. We can not always get two guys banging door to door as they cross the finish line. Not every race will have consistent passing all day long. 

Never has NASCAR had these qualities week in and week out so why do us fans clamor for it every race? I think we need to sit back and enjoy every type of racing. Fuel mileage strategy is part of the game and it always will be (unless we find a way to run with unlimited fuel). Sometimes it is more exciting than the many other outcomes that could happen (example: a guy winning by 5 sec on a long green flag run). So, I think some fans need to realize fuel mileage will always be a part of the sport just like a two tire change is.

After saying all that, do not get me wrong I don't mean to say NASCAR can sit still. They need to keep experimenting with packages to get the most out of the cars. Many tracks could use a better package that encourages and helps for more passing, but some races it just isn't in the cards and we need to realize that.

2015 NASCAR Behind the Wall Hot Laps: All Star Race

Rowdy Return, Soph. Slump, and 1.5 Mile Domination

By Richard Tix

Hot Laps will be a weekly article on news in the world of NASCAR. I will write these articles any weeks where I have a thought or opinion on NASCAR news that is worth sharing. So, this could be an every week thing, or just every few weeks. Its an opinion piece, so it is open to discussion and debate and would love to here your thoughts.

Previous Hot Lap: Week 11

Check out ifantasyracing and their exciting new fantasy deal with DraftKings. A whole knew way to play fantasy NASCAR day by day and win money. ifantasy also had tons of fantasy information every week. Check it out and all the details at ifantasyracing.com

The Rowdy Return


This week Kyle Busch announced his come back to a Cup car. This coming after he had spent the whole NASCAR Cup season on the sidelines due to his XFINITY wreck at Daytona to start 2015.

Kyle Busch has a ton of followers but at the same time a ton of fans that do not care for him, but most can agree they are happy to see him back. Guys like Kyle are great for the sport and as with any sport, we must have guys or teams that are Love/Hate. It fuels a sport and fuels discussion and when a guy like Kyle with talent like Kyle is out everyone gets eager to get him back.

So this week Kyle will be back in the #18 at Charlotte for the All Star Race. It seems like it is a great spot for him to come back as many of his fans will be there to support him. Also, it is a non points race so it gives him and the team a chance to "test" out how ready he may or not be.

So, Kyle may or may not be a huge factor this weekend but it will give him and his team a good measuring stick as to where he may or may not be on his road back in the seat. It will be nice to see him back in the #18 and hopefully things go well. Good luck Kyle.


The Rowdy Chase


After talking about his comeback lets move on to bigger concerns in NASCAR about Kyle Busch. NASCAR announced that if Kyle wins this season and he gets into the top 30 that they will grant a waiver into the Chase.

This coming after earlier this season NASCAR also granted a waiver for Kurt Busch when he was suspended for a few races for off the track issues. At some point, when does NASCAR stop handing out waivers?

My biggest issue here is that it was 11 races to start the season. My view is, most fans of NASCAR want outsiders to view racing as a sport (it is), but in sport injuries always effect a team or individuals chances at a Championship. Injuries are rough luck, they suck, and they are unexpected, but they happen in sports and it can make or break a season.

So, if you want the world or sports to take NASCAR seriously then this injury must effect Kyle whether it is "fair" or not. He was out 11 races, or 30.5% of the season. He had to sit out 42.3% if the regular season and yet NASCAR will give him a shot at the Chase.

When a NFL team has to play without Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers for 7 games of the season will the NFL just say, its ok if you win 50% of your games you get a playoff spot? No. The NFL has a bunch of issues, but issues with granting waivers to teams for playoff spots for a star player getting injured is baffling. That is what NASCAR has on its hands.

I truly feel bad for Kyle Busch. The injury wasn't his fault and there is nothing he could do about it. But, that is sports. What his focus should be is to get better and ramp up for next season to make a title run.

NASCAR has stumbled over rules and gray area and it is constantly turning fans off. If NASCAR wants to not only keep fans but also bring them in then they need to start thinking about how outsiders see the sport. I for one, can not see this being a good image for outside fans on the "sport" of NASCAR.


1.5 Mile domination


NASCAR has made stops at four 1.5 mile tracks in 2015 (Atlanta, Vegas, Texas, and Kansas). So far NASCAR has only seen two different drivers win at these four 1.5 mile tracks. Those drivers would be Jimmie Johnson (3) and Kevin Harvick (1).

The "cookie cutter" 1.5 mile tracks have been all about the #48 and #4. Even in the three races Johnson won, Harvick finished 2nd in all three. This domination begs the question, can anyone stop these two on NASCAR's most abundant tracks?

During the last 10 race Chase, half of the tracks are 1.5 mile stops. This seems to set up Harvick and Johnson as clear cut favorites if no one closes the gaps on this style track. One of those 5 1.5 mile tracks is the series finale at Miami Homestead to decide who is the 2015 Sprint Cup Champion.

So, who might be close? Brad Keselowski has finishes of 9th, 7th, 5th, and 7th. Joey Logano has finishes of 4th, 10th, 4th, and 5th. Martin Truex Jr has finishes of 6th, 2nd, 9th, and 9th. Dale Earnhardt Jr has finishes of 3rd, 4th, 3rd, and 3rd. So, if JJ and Harvick are the favorites what two out of the bunch can make it to the end with them?

Last year Penske was strong all season so they might be favorites for the Ford lovers, but Dale Earnhardt Jr has a huge following and you can't ignore three 3rd place finishes in four 1.5's. Truex might be the odd guy out, but only because he hasn't won in 2015 yet, but we all watched Ryan Newman do the impossible and make it to Miami without one.

Right now, I would play my title favorites by the favorites on 1.5 mile tracks, which means Harvick, Johnson, Earnhardt, Logano, Keselowski, and Truex are all front runners. It may not be the only thing you need to do to win a Championship, but 1.5 mile dominance will play a large role in it.


Sophomore Slump?


Is the Sophomore Slump a real thing in NASCAR? If you ask Kyle Larson he will most likely attribute it to something else, but maybe superstition and sayings are a real thing. Through 11 races Larson has 3 top 10's and 0 top 5's. He is currently 22nd in points and things just seem to not be going his way like they did in his 2014 season.

This after an impressive rookies season that many thought (including myself) he would build upon. So, am I writing Kyle off so early in the season? Not at all. I will stand strong next to my statement he will win a race or two this season, but we can not just shut the door on how rough his 2015 season has been so far.

Last year through 11 races he climbed up to 12th in the standings with 5 top 10's and 2 top 5's which included a runner up finish at Fontana. His 2014 average finish of 15.09 (through 11 races) is down to 18.64.

On the bright side, Larson finished 2014 with top 10 finishes at Charlotte and Dover in the Fall and those two tracks are next up. So, it will be interesting to watch how he handles the next handful of races (including Pocono) where he also ran well in 2014. If he is going to snap out of it, it might be in the next stretch so stay the course Larson fans.

2015 NASCAR Behind the Wall Hot Laps: Week 11

The World of Racing

By Richard Tix

Hot Laps will be a weekly article on news in the world of NASCAR. I will write these articles any weeks where I have a thought or opinion on NASCAR news that is worth sharing. So, this could be an every week thing, or just every few weeks. Its an opinion piece, so it is open to discussion and debate and would love to here your thoughts.

Previous Hot Lap Articles

• Week 6
• Week 5
• Week 4

GoDaddy Leaves Danica


A few days before Talladega news broke that GoDaddy would be ending it's sponsorship with SHR and Danica Patrick following the 2015 season. It was known that GoDaddy's contact was up after 2015 but no one knew what would come of it.

It is also known that Patrick's contract with SHR is up at the end of the season as well. Both sides (Danica and SHR) have stated that they would like to be back together for 2016. However, nothing real has come of it yet.

GoDaddy did say they were just done sponsoring her in NASCAR and she may still be a spokesman for the company going forward.

To me it just seems like GoDaddy believes they have hit there plateau as far as hitting a new market in NASCAR goes. At some point it is no longer beneficial to put so much money forth especially in NASCAR when you can not physically see the gains.

The move puts even more spotlight on Danica's 2016 situation. I have no doubt that Patrick can find other sponsor's moving forward. She is still a huge spotlight in the sport and a very marketable individual. The first question is, who will step up?

My bigger question is, if they don't find a sponsor by the end of 2015 will SHR bring her back? Will Danica be in a different ride come 2016? I do believe if Danica want's to stay in NASCAR that someone will have a ride for her. Worst case scenario is a smaller team will profit from gaining her sponsors, but I feel someone else would open up.

At this point, I still lean towards SHR bringing Danica back, but it will be something to keep an eye on. The whole SHR contract may revolve around what kind to interest she gets from potential sponsors.


The Talladega Train


This past week NASCAR headed to Talladega for it's second stop at a superspeedway in 2015. Last year NASCAR had four stops between Daytona and Talladega and at each stop they ran the same car package. This year NASCAR changed the aero package for the cars, but they did not touch the superspeedway package.

I bring that up because it is a key point in the discussion of why it was't NASCAR's fault that the race ended in single file.

Let's start back at the statement that it doesn't look like tandem drafting will ever be brought back, so lets take that out the window. Last year NASCAR had some pretty good racing at Daytona and Dega and most fans wouldn't complain about the action they got. In fact, some fans even praised the new package (new in 2014).

Pack racing isn't the same thing we get week to week and it sure isn't tandem racing, but it is a racing style that takes time and strategy of knowing when to go. Some bad luck is involved and every race teams get involved in wrecks that they have no part in, but that is part of racing. It is four races in a year that don't play by the same rules.

It gives little teams a shot at being noticed and even from time to time a chance to win. A win from one of these teams could change a season or a whole career. These four stops are a unique stop on the season kind of like road courses are.

Yet, NASCAR can never win with fans.

This week it was because the end of the race was mostly just single file. So, fans made uneducated statements blaming it on the same car package that they once enjoyed last season with dramatic finishes (such as the Chase race Keselowski won).

I thing fans are starting to forget not every finish is a dramatic one with last lap passes and Green-White-Checkered finishes. Let's say NASCAR would have thrown a fantum caution with 5 laps to go for debris that would have created a G-W-C. The cars would have been bunched up and the single file finish would have changed. But, under that thought fans would have then been outraged that it was like the WWE and everything was fixed. See, a lose lose.

Back to blaming NASCAR. Obviously it can't be NASCAR's fault if they didn't throw a fantum caution and because they didn't change the aero package from something fans enjoyed in 2014, can it?

Of course not, but why would fans ever take it out on the drivers? The teams? The spotters? Or just the fact that no one had a shot at making a move?

NASCAR changed the rules to make winning a bigger draw for teams, I mean it locks you into the Chase, yet is can never guarantee an exciting finish. In the end, Sunday had to do with drivers not sticking themselves out there for the win. Guys like JJ, Hamlin, Harvick, and Busch all have a win and could have stepped out. Why not? I mean they are locked in so why not gamble? Add to that a part time driver like Blaney had nothing to lose.

But, no one went. Guys like BK and Smoke were hung out to dry earlier because they tried starting a line. So, NASCAR dropped the ball? No, NASCAR had everything in place for drivers to go for the win.

Teams and spotters could have been working together like you hear many times with 20 laps, 10 laps, 5 laps to go. Will you go with my guy is he drops down? Nothing.

So, don't put this on NASCAR. NASCAR can only hold the race event, give them a competitive package, and even go to the lengths of trying to make a win mean more to get these teams to go for it in the closing laps.

This time it's not on NASCAR, but might be on your favorite driver and there team.....

2015 NASCAR Behind the Wall Hot Laps: Week 5

Qualifying Backwards and a Star Returns to the Track

By Richard Tix

Hot Laps will be a weekly article on news in the world of NASCAR. I will write these articles any weeks where I have a thought or opinion on NASCAR news that is worth sharing. So, this could be an every week thing, or just every few weeks. Its an opinion piece, so it is open to discussion and debate and would love to here your thoughts.

You know the deal by now, its week 5 and we have some NASCAR topics hanging around to be discussed! So lets get right into them and take a peak at what I think on each issue. As always, your opinions are welcome because, well, it is an opinion piece and everyone has one!


The Return of Kurt Busch


The biggest news of last week was that Kurt Busch was reinstated by NASCAR to drive in the Sprint Cup. After a legal battle with his ex-girlfriend Kurt was finally free to get back to racing. Last week I touch a bit on his return in Hot Laps: Week 4. Well, that seemed like where the story was going to cool down and end for awhile, but Kurt had different ideas.

On Sunday Kurt Busch not only returned but had a huge impact in the race. He ran the race in the same set up as Harvick and was a front runner most of the day. Kurt didn't have enough to pucsh Kevin for the win, but it was an encouraging sign for he and the #41 team. No one really expected him to be back in mid season form so fast but after his showing in practice and during the race it sure seems like Kurt is ready to go.

It will be interesting to watch him the rest of the way in 2015 after he had such a tough 2014 season on and off the track.


NASCAR Qualifying Backwards


This week NASCAR finally announced a change in qualifying. No, we are still doing group qualifying (I know some of you are hoping for that change, which by the way I don't get why?) No, the change is that we will finally start to pull out of spots on pit road instead of backing out.

To me, backing out of the pit stalls was always puzzling. It just causes more confusion and more opportunity for something to go wrong. I mean, in racing there is almost zero times in a race you will back up, so why is it part of qualifying anyways?

It will be nice to see this change this week at Auto Club and at least start to help NASCAR resemble racing instead of trying to park on Black Friday at Walmart. My only concern is why has it taken NASCAR so long?


What has NASCAR done with Tony Stewart?


So far in 2015 there is no question that Tony Stewart is the series biggest disappointment. That's hard to say when one of NASCAR's biggest stars in the last 15 years is struggling so mightily. Not only that, but he had a rough 2014 season as well. So what gives?

My biggest fear is that he never recovers and makes it back to the top where he made a mainstay. I am a fan of NASCAR first, my drivers second, so I hate seeing the biggest stars so far down. I believe the sport is better when these guys are thriving.

On that note, I am just not sure when or how Smoke will recover? Much of this all started when he first got hurt and he never got to get into the full swing of the car changes. On top of that NASCAR changes its car packages year after year and Tony has been missing a huge amount of seat time at those very moments.

So, while other drivers are learning the new cars, Tony has sat on the sidelines watching. It just seems to me he is so far behind that catching up is as tough as it comes. Add to all of that the way the new package runs is something that gets under Smokes skin. Early in the season we have heard him over and over swear about the new package and how he hates how close it is to the XFINITY cars.

I tend try to never doubt Tony because we have seen over the years he is one of the best drivers in Cup, but the longer the struggles go on and the more frustrated he gets that harder it is to see him back on top.

Note: The positive is, he ran well on Sunday before wrecking the first time. He was looking at a top 15 finish, for him lately would be a good start in the right direction.

2015 NASCAR Behind the Wall Hot Laps: Week 4

By Richard Tix

Hot Laps will be a weekly article on news in the world of NASCAR. I will write these articles any weeks where I have a thought or opinion on NASCAR news that is worth sharing. So, this could be an every week thing, or just every few weeks. Its an opinion piece, so it is open to discussion and debate and would love to here your thoughts.

You know the deal, its NASCAR Hot Laps. Better known as NASCAR Hot Issues. Also known as NASCAR Hot News. Sometimes referred to as NASCAR Hot Topics. No matter how you see it, its all of the above. So lets get into this weeks addition of "Hot Laps."


NASCAR on FOX. Commercials on FOX


NASCAR is a sport, but also a business. FOX is also a business and in the end what matters most to them is the almighty dollar. Now, NASCAR and Fox both need the fans to get that dollar, so in a sense they still do care about the fans.

I normally try and refrain from to much anger over commercials during sporting event because they go hand in hand. My typical philosophy is if you don't want to see them go to the sporting event itself. I know that is not always a choice for many viewers (trust me in the world of NASCAR and living in Minnesota I understand the struggle), but it still holds true if you are watching it on TV you have to expect commercials.

**Narwhal's, Narwhals, Swimming in the ocean....**

Ok, sorry for that commercial, back to the article

But, lets get past the part I understand about sports and commercials, because Sunday was enough to push me over the edge and complain about the coverage.

The past two weeks Fox has started the race out by going to commercial early (lap 9-11) and going side by side. Both weeks we have had a lap 25 competition caution as well. So, first up, why can Fox not wait for the built in commercial break at lap 25? Even if they have one, why is the first commercial break of the day side by side? I would rather save that side by side for the end of the race.

Which brings me to my biggest annoyance of Sunday. With 15 laps left in the race and it still under green Fox went to commercial break and not even a side by side. We all know at the end of the race we get more and more cautions which leads to more and more commercials, "commercials bread commercials" I guess. So, with all of that being said how does Fox go to commercial and not at the very least side by side at the most crucial point in a race? It really was un-explainable and unacceptable on Fox's part.

I get it, we have to live with commercials, including the annoying Narwhal commercial (which we didn't see much on Sunday), but the coverage to start 2015 has been horrendous and Fox doesn't have a lot of excuses. Move the side by side early in the race to the end so we don't miss the end action, please.


Hot AND Cold Start for Jeff Gordon


After an exciting 2014 season for Jeff Gordon and crew that was mostly on a high note, 2015 has been an up and down roller coaster that hasn't ended. This weekend in Las Vegas continued on that note when Gordon won the Pole for the Kobalt Tools 400. Then on Saturday Danica Patrick got loose in practice and Gordon ran intro her.

So, Gordon took his back up car and started in the rear of the field. Throughout the day Gordon worked his way slowly and methodically to the front finally reaching the top 10 at one point. Just when he thought the worst was over his teammate Jimmie Johnson got into the wall and Jeb Burton checked up. At that moment Gordon was looking to pass Jeb, but got caught in the back of his car because of JJ's date with he wall.

The damage was enough to wreck Gordon's day, but he stayed out and finished 18th. So, not only was the weekend up and down, but just the race in general was. Gordon has two poles on the year, but nothing to show in finishes.

The ironic thing about the season and where it could still go is that last year Gordon was in a spot where most of his fans were upset with the new Chase and wanted a points only Chase, in which Gordon would have won.

Well, its year two of the new Chase and points format and the system is finally on Gordon's side. That's because if it was a points only system he would be starting in a huge hole. But, Gordon's hole is not too far to climb out since now all he has to do is break his unlucky streak and find a win before the Chase. It seems very likely he will do just that at some point. His #24 Hendrick Chevy has been fast all year and so have the rest of his teammates.

So, Gordon fans, don't worry the season is not over.


Kurt Busch is Back


Just today (Wednesday the 11th) NASCAR lifted its suspension on Stewart-Haas Driver Kurt Busch. I have still not heard news on Chevy's relationship with Kurt and if they will allow him back in there cars.

Leaving that part behind it was good to see him get reinstated so fast after no charges would be filed against him from Delaware. I still hold to my opinion that NASCAR got it right as a sport and business stand point to originally suspend him.

With so many domestic abuse story's hitting the headlines in the sports world the "Big Media" would have had a field day if NASCAR let him race. Charges or none, Guilty or not, NASCAR had to sit him down until more came out with how bad it would have looked if this story came out another way (with Kurt being guilty).

Unfortunately public image plays a role in every sport, every business, and every real life matter. NASCAR had no choice in my opinion.

That being said, I am happy Kurt has been allowed to come back to NASCAR on short notice. I think that without being found guilty that NASCAR shouldn't hold him out. I do think that in some aspects Kurt should still have to go through the recovery program, but while being reinstated. I think he has had enough past issues that it would do nothing but help him out as an individual.

That last part of this case is the fact that NASCAR also said he is now Chase Eligible after missing three races. This is the opinion I am in the middle on and am not sure how I feel. NASCAR suspended him yet will let him be eligible for the Chase. At the same time he was found to be not guilty because they didn't have enough of a case, so he still missed a bunch of races and was in that predicament to start with. If they let him into the Chase, what constitutes not being eligible?

Even though I think NASCAR made the right move suspending him in the first place because they were in a tough spot, this move of making him Chase eligible almost looks like they think they made a mistake (even though they stood by there suspension last week). It will be interesting to see when NASCAR issues a statement on the matter what they say about his Chase eligibility.