Monday, June 27th 'What If' Question

NASCAR drivers are accustomed to going in circles but twice a year the series heads to Sonoma in California and Watkins Glen in New York for both left and right hand turns.

Road course racing is some of the best during the season. Watching drivers attempt to navigate the road against some others who are much better at it, provides many highlights. Sunday afternoon in Sonoma it was Kurt Busch, a non-road course expert who dominated the day but it wasn't what many were talking about.

Drivers were beating and banging all over the 11 turn course. From shoving each other off into the gravel to blatantly wrecking them, Sunday's race was packed with action. Tony Stewart and Brian Vickers played their own version of bumper cars as Stewart sent Vickers for a ride early in the event because he said Vickers was blocking him. Vickers then sent Stewart for a spin in the exact same corner, hard enough that it sent Stewart's car into the tire barriers where it would be lodged.

Stewart said after the race that while he knew he had it coming, if drivers continue to block he's going to continue to wreck them. Regardless of who they are. They weren't the only one with a war of words as Juan Pablo Montoya and Kasey Kahne also traded paint which caused Kahne to say on national television that Montoya has no NASCAR talent so to speak.

Montoya also tangled with Brad Keselowski who retaliated. Keselowski made no bones about driving the 42 off course, which took the 18 of Kyle Busch with him. Those were just some of the few incidents of the day, leaving fans and media alike thrilled with much to talk about during the week.

But ...

What If #NASCAR never instituted the "boys, have at it" attitude, would we still have had the rough racing/paybacks we did Sunday?

@chris1176 I doubt it,or there would be a huge list of fines tomorrow

@pjames Yes

@ronsracing88 Yes, but drivers wouldn't admit as much as to as they do now They just say like or they got lose or something. Blame the car

@cruetten the rough racing, yes. The paybacks, no. And there certainly wouldn't be drivers admitting to it like we saw yesterday.

@JChrisN40 MO no, because guys were too corporate...now I believe its gone too far..lol

Dustin Parks (via Facebook) Hell no. I guarantee Montoya and Vickers would get fined. Its best to end it on the track. That's where it began in the first place.

Mark Eckhart (via Facebook) yea so they'd get fined 25k when they make millions upon millions, they'd definitely still give deliberate payback on the track

Tuesday, June 21st 'What If' Question

Every January before the start of a new NASCAR season the officials gather and put together their new rules and regulations. Then, during a "State of the Sport" address just weeks before Speedweeks in Daytona, they announce the changes for fans and media alike.

Last year the biggest change was when Robin Pemberton uttered, "boys, have at it." It opened the door for drivers to have more freedom in how they handle themselves and how they treat their competitors on the track. This past year one of the biggest announcements was NASCAR stating that Sprint Cup Series drivers would no longer be able to earn points should they compete in the lower series of Nationwide and Truck.

After seeing Cup drivers dominate year after year, winning races and championships, many felt it was time to even the playing field and let the NNS regulars have a chance to shine in their own series. The Cup drivers would still be allowed to compete in NNS and CWTS events but they wound't be granted points and therefore would be ineligible for the championship.

While it sounded great on paper many were curious to see how it was going to play out. Once the season started it didn't take long to realize that NASCAR had great intentions but it might not work out how they imagine. Cup drivers won the first 11 NNS events. Of the seasons now 15 races, Cup drivers have won 13 of them with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Justin Allgaier the only two regulars to have won a race.

In the CWTS it's no different. The season started with Cup drivers winning the first three events before Johnny Sauter broke through in race four at Martinsville. Now with nine races in the books, Cup drivers have won seven of them as Ron Hornaday became the second series regular to win by capturing the checkered flag at Texas.

Should this streak continue NASCAR runs the risk of having one of their worst nightmares come true: a winless champion. Many knew it was possible before the season started after the rules were announced, some even predicted it. Others hoped that rule would have the opposite effect and led the regulars to work that much harder to win races and protect their turf. Fortunately the current point leaders in both series, Stenhouse Jr. and Sauter, have already won this season.

But ...

What if Truck & Nationwide champions don't win a race this year, would you be OK w/ it or rather go back to Cup guys getting points? #NASCAR

@cruetten i'd be ok with it, but i wouldn't necessarily like it. if the points champion doesn't win a race, it will make the championship seem less meaningful. regardless of what happens though, i do not want the cup guys earning driver points again.

@BuDwEiSeRaCeR I'd rather see limits on the number of races a year cup guys can run in trucks/nns. 36 races a year - givem 10 each

@nathanmedic I'm fine with NNS/CWTS winner not winning a race, though it's not preferable. I definitely don't want to go back.

@ronsracing88 Yes, I would be fine with them as champs if they did not win a race. #NASCAR needs to keep those 2 series unique from Cup.

@NancyatStudioN I don't know the solution but I think Nascar would need 2 take a serious look at it. There doesn't seem 2 B a right answer.

@lflowers ABSOLUTELY NOT! Just like Major League Baseball players don't play AA or AAA ball, neither should Cup guys be there

@Lady31RCR Its about being consistent..No points for cup drivers, in fact would like them limited to 10 races in NW and Truck!!

@MattEmbury Won't have to worry about it in Nationwide Kellly, Stenhouse will title, maybe a couple more races #NASCAR

@MsNascar47 I'd rather they'd quit letting the cup guys drive in the lower series. What other sport would do something so stupid.

Stroker Ace (via Facebook) Would be ok in my book - Truck and Nationwide teams made a commitment to run those series full time, they deserve to be able to earn a Championship Title - Cup guys got enough problems with their hurting series right now, they need to commit more seriously to their own cup teams before they lose any more sponsors or team owners.

Thursday, June 9th 'What If' Question

One of the biggest stories in NASCAR the last year has been IndyCar star Danica Patrick trying her hand in the world of stock cars. Talked about more than her performance has been Patrick's media hype as fans feel that every broadcast she's given more airtime than other drivers on the track.

There's no denying though that with her in the field the rating and attention focused on the sport increases. Fans of IndyCar have tuned in just to see how 'their' driver is doing. NASCAR fans are interested to see if another open wheel star can make it in a completely different world. Since her debut in February of 2010 speculation has run wild on whether or not Patrick will one day make the move to NASCAR full-time with the a report late last month saying that she's already working on a deal for 2012. But the Patrick camp hasn't commented or make any announcements.

Meanwhile another racing star has come to NASCAR: Kimi Raikkonen. He too has brought much hype and attention after he announced he would be competing in a Camping World Truck Series race at Charlotte. A week later he competed in the Nationwide Series race and has also tested a Sprint Cup Series car. Currently there is no other races scheduled for Raikkonen in 2011 but it hasn't stopped the buzz.

Making a name for himself in Formula 1 and Rally Cars, the Finnish driver has proved to be very versatile. When he arrived on the NASCAR scene and before he even hit the track there was already buzz circling the sport. What was he going to be like? How was he going to handle himself? Will he be any good? Again, attention was on NASCAR and the Truck race in Charlotte became a very popular viewing choice.

Yet, for all the fun they might have had in NASCAR, both Patrick and Raikkonen have gone back where they came from so to speak. Still running in IndyCar, Patrick will continue with her limited Nationwide schedule. Raikkonen has since dropped from the discussion and has gone back from Rally Car and until another announcement or race is put on his schedule, he might be quickly forgotten as quickly as he came.

But ...

What If Kimi Raikkonen came full-time to Trucks and Danica Patrick came full-time to Nationwide, which series would get the ratings? #NASCAR

@racinwithjason Nationwide by far. The mainstream sports fan has no idea who Raikkonen is, and neither does the NASCAR-only race fan.

@48hollywood depends on the fallout of people who aren't fans of theirs who turn away because 85% of coverage focuses on 1 driver...

@Racergirl83 I would have to say the Nationwide series would, only because she has a lot of followers. Danica Patrick will be good FT.

@MissNASCARNews Nationwide definitely... though rumor is that she is

@Ryan__OHara nationwide for sure. most foreign fans probably would go with trucks.

@jerracing7 The Nationwide Series.

@cruetten without a doubt, the Nationwide Series.

@Kimiforme both series.

@Cdn_CadGuy I think it would be great for both series. #NASCAR needs more women racers.

@StrokerAce90 Nationwide. If this really is @Kimi_Raikkonen he's not even close to @DanicaPatrick's 389,833 twitter followers w/his 37,497

Tim Kaufman (via Facebook) N'wide!!! :D Though, if there is an international market for NASCAR (dunno how regularly NASCAR is shown overseas), Kimi has the potential to blow it outta the waterr (heh @ pun) :)

Camille Jones (via Facebook) Nationwide would definitely get the great ratings here.... but like Tim said, with any international market, Kimi would boost that like crazy.

Matt Wenzel (via Facebook) N'wide. I'd venture to say that 90% of American NASCAR fans never heard of Kimi Raikkonen. I bet 50% have never heard of Formula 1.

Monday, June 6th 'What If' Question

Believe it or not there was a time when Kyle Busch wasn't always hated. Of course that seems long ago as the Las Vegas native seems to have a bandwagon full of those who love to hate him more than those who love to cheer for him.

When he entered the Sprint Cup Series in 2005 Busch was instantly compared to his older brother and 2004 champion Kurt. More time was spent wondering when and how many races Kyle was going to win that it appeared he was doing OK in the popularity department. Some will say that he was doomed when Kurt started having his own problems and that the fans distaste for him was transfered to Kyle.

However, the boo birds began to really show after one night in May of 2008 which no longer left any doubt who was going to be one of the most hated man in NASCAR. Even though the incident involved only one driver, Dale Jr., Busch gained many haters from all sides. Since then whenever he's been involved in an incident and whether or not he was at fault, the haters have come out in full force and found some reason why it was his fault or how he is the one with a problem.

Whether or not this incident was indeed the start of the hatred or straw that broke the camels back, from one perspective it appears that after Busch left Hendrick Motorsports his popularity went downhill.

Insults are hurled and more and more jump on the anti-Busch bandwagon. If the saying is true that fans love winners, Busch is the one who has broken the mold. If fans are said to enjoy hard nosed racing and a driver who isn't afraid to go at it with someone else, Busch again somehow isn't the one the fans want it from.

No matter what he seems to do all those who aren't fans of his, are instantly against him. They spend as much time cheering for their own driver as they do cheering for Busch not to win. Or, recently cheering the fact that Richard Childress finally did what many have dreamed someone would. He took matters into his own hands, literally, and fans rejoiced.

Busch will never be voted NASCAR's most popular driver. He'll never have fans, besides his own, applaud him for his accomplishments. Or agree with anything that he says. Busch is a driver that is unfortunately going to go through the sport with very little love.

But ...

What If @KyleBusch didn't have history (or whatever you want 2 call it) w/Dale Jr. would he be hated/have as many haters as he does? #NASCAR

@mwoodruff8829 Yes he would still be hated, I have always hated him ever since he got started in this sport.

@JTH88_7 Yes he would still have just as many haters.

@Ryan__OHara I don't think the amount of haters would be as immense, but he still took a shot at Jr after Eury was moved out. #NASCAR

@smokinace88 no I don't think that's why he is hated so much it's the way he treats other IMHO

@cruetten yes. Although the stuff with Jr certainly helped to fuel the fire, KB would be hated anyway--he's just not a likable guy.

@Racing_Observer Smoke is Junior's buddy and was once viewed in the same light. He was punk and was booed -- yet to a lesser extent.

@29TC14 if your going to take Jr out of the picture, you might was well take everyone he's had run-ins with giving a halo

@ronsracing88 Yes, he rubs a lot of people the wrong way and rarely takes responsibility for his actions.

@StrokerAce90 Yes. I used to like Kyle back when he stirred the Jr nation pot, but when i realized he's a jerk to everybody i disliked him. NASCAR's top 3 series competes for TV ratings. They needed a boost so they made Kyle a drama queen. It invites dislike of him. Yes. Kyle is like the kid in high school that keeps monkeying around and tickin people off until he ends up getting a swirly.

@MCs_nascargang I don't think it has anything to do with Dale Jr, just Kyle's attitude and lack of respect for the teams that have to repair all the damage he does

@Miss_Innocence I think people shld realize that @KyleBusch & Dale Jr aren't enemies. If they don't have a problem w/ each other, why do fans

Tuesday, May 31st 'What If' Question

The racing Gods giveth and the racing Gods taketh away.

That's what happened on Sunday in the world of motorsports. The 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 was setting itself up for a dramatic finish. Leaders pitting, others staying out, some good to go on fuel but buried in the field. As the race wound down many different leaders stepped up, including Danica Patrick who held the lead with less than 20 laps to go before having to make her final stop.

Round and round they went as the world waited to see who was going to cycle out in front. Then, with less than three laps to go an improbable contender was driving toward an unthinkable victory. Driving for Panther Racing in the No. 4 National Guard machine, rookie JR Hildebrand found himself with a four second lead over Dan Wheldon.

At the white flag and down the backstretch Hildebrand was about to make history and take the National Guard team to victory lane on Memorial Day weekend. Through turn three and into turn four. Then off turn ... into the wall Hildebrand went while trying to get around a lapped car. While it appeared he tried to keep his foot in the gas and straighten the car out, it was too damaged and Wheldon went roaring by.

The dream was over but a day of racing wasn't. It was time to see if one of NASCAR's biggest races could top what Indy had done earlier that day. Just as the finish a few hours earlier did, the Coca-Cola 600 was going to be decided by who had enough fuel at the end. Greg Biffle was leading Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt Jr. when the caution flag flew with five laps to go.

It set up a green-white-checkered flag finish that saw many heading down pit road for fuel. That included Biffle who had to pit just before the green was shown. It put Kahne and Earnhardt Jr. on the front row for the restart. When the flag flew, Kahne ran out of fuel and stacked the field up, allowing Earnhardt Jr. in his National Guard Chevrolet to drive away.

As Jeff Burton spun off the track in turn one, the caution was not shown and Earnhardt Jr. raced around to the white flag and toward a victory 105 races in the making. As he was driving away down the backstretch and into turn three and four it appeared that he was going to be able to snap his winless streak and take the National Guard team to victory lane on Memorial Day weekend.

But just like it had happened a few hours and few hundred miles away, it wasn't mean to be. Earnhardt Jr. ran out of fuel in turn four and was passed by Kevin Harvick. Two, what could have been, incredible victories were given and right in sight before being snatched away in the final turn on the final lap.

But ...

What if both National Guard cars (#Indy & #NASCAR) made it off turn four on Sunday, who is the bigger story JR Hildebrand or Dale Jr.?
@MattEmbury: Hildebrand, no one gave him a hope in Halloween, the majority of NASCAR fans thought Junior would win.

@RoushGirl17: Hildebrand, that would have been a winner not many would have called. CMS would have been rockin though! #Indy #NASCAR

@DEBMORETZ: No question.....Dale Jr.

@ARosser14: Hildebrand. Centennial Anniversary of the 500, American rookie wins in a military car on Memorial Day Weekend.

@NancyatStudioN: That depends on whether U prefer Indy or Nascar. Some Nascar fans won't believe it, but there R ppl who never heard of DE Jr

@cruetten: as a biased Dale Jr fan, even i would have to say Hildebrand. Indy 500 is a bigger race. more prestige, more history, etc...

Stephanie Davis (via Facebook) I really dont know how to answer this one. JR Hilderbrand was a big story and took a hard hit, then you have Dale Jr just 1/4 mile away from his first win in like 105 races and Charlotte would've gone CRAZY if he won. Both are big stories.

Jason Remillard (via Facebook) Looking at it from the scenarios involved, the bigger story would be Hildebrand ... and it would have helped being that Indy was earlier in the day, no bumping against deadline. But Junior would have dominated Monday's early morning coverage because NASCAR is bigger mainstream than IndyCar.

Stroker Ace (via Facebook) First i'd like to say its is too bad both of them didn't win on the Memorial Day weekend with their respective sponsor's that they were both sporting on their cars - That must've really sucked for the Military NASCAR fans who were watchin the races - To answer your What If question - That's easy, Dale Jr woulda been the bigger story simply because he is Jr. He's got his own Nation of flag wavin good ol boys (and girls) following him - Nothing against JR Hildebrand, but the last i knew he didn't have all that.