Since it's still January, the only month on the calendar with 90 days, there is not a whole lot transpiring on the stock car front as yet, and if perchance you came here to read about anyone's romance, you came to the wrong column; you want Dear Abby, down the road. The only romance you're ever likely to hear about here is mine... and don't hold your breath.
Mr. France, Mr. Helton, or whoever is in charge of rule tweaking, you're off to an early start this year, and from the fans' point of view, you've gotten most of it right... but there is still a ways to go. Guaranteeing a spot in the race for the top 35 in points when there weren't even 35 teams running a full schedule was old before it began, and we, the fans, thank you for putting it out of its misery, so to speak.
There was nothing wrong with the old provisional system that preceded the "Guarantee" gimmick, and going back to it makes good sense. What doesn't make good sense to the fans is having no limit on said provisionals. That means the door is still wide open to those that choose to "start and park", thereby making a mockery of the word "race." What other sport starts with participants that have no intention of competing? Well... other than "professional" wrestling...
Those things were really well-discussed last fall as the season drew to a close, but over the intervening time, someone slipped in a little change that perhaps it was thought the fans wouldn't notice. We did. Gentlemen, one of the things the fans liked best and understood best was the idea of setting the qualifying order on speed rather than by random draw. It made sense! Mr. Pemberton states that it was negating race practice in the first practice session. Sir, there is an easy fix for that. Take the fastest speeds from all practice sessions. There is scarcely a team that takes to the track that doesn't at some point attempt a qualifying type run. Whether they might choose to do that in early or late practice, with an eye toward air and track temperature, is immaterial. Please, reconsider this point and do not revert to the random draw. When it was put aside, it was because it was seen as "unfair." That part has not changed. In a high-caliber national sport, luck should have as little as possible to do with the outcome.
Making Friday the standard qualifying day for all Sunday races is another good move back to the future. I'd say the folks hurt most by the Saturday qualifying, which occurred after all practices were over, were the drivers and teams. Sure, there were things for the fans to do on Saturday... much to see and eat, and in most cases, a companion race to be watched, but the Cup teams came to the track, qualified, and... and nothing. It was as if every race done that way were an impound race. They were there, at the track, but had nothing to do for the rest of the day. Many hours were logged in motor-homes by many people that could have been doing something constructive away from the track.
Ah, but a great big Shout Out for once again allowing the teams, drivers and cars to test on the tracks where they will actually run. That idea will please everyone involved, from Rick Hendrick all the way down to me. It's just a win/win all the way around. The testing ban wasn't saving anyone any money. For the big teams, it was costing them more to go rent a track seen as similar to one on the schedule, than it cost to go to the track already hosting NASCAR races. For the small teams... they just weren't testing... thereby guaranteeing an increase in the number of "start and park" cars in each race. Thank you to whomever tossed that little tidbit into the mix.
And rapidly switching gears from third to reverse without benefit of clutch, allow me to take you back to the last of these "Voice" columns for 2012, wherein we discussed the NASCAR Awards Banquet among other things. One of my readers, a young lady I've only met since starting this series, missed that column, but found it a week or two ago. She left a comment, which led to more conversation, both on and off the board. The result is that between us we have come up with what "we" think is a grand idea, and I'd like to offer it up for discussion and consideration here, both by you, my gentle readers, and by Mr. France and friends down in Daytona Beach.
I believe it was the general consensus of opinion, at least in any of the circles in which I travel, that the choice of Howie Mandell as host of the 2012 banquet was a huge and unforgivable mistake. Well, what started out as a casual remark has taken this shape. What if... NASCAR could arrange to have not one, but four hosts; gentlemen that sometimes travel together on the show circuit... including Las Vegas, I believe? What if those four gentlemen were the members of a group known as the "Blue Collar Comedy Tour?"
Think about it... seriously! Larry the Cable Guy, Jeff "You Might be a Redneck if..." Foxworthy, Ron "Tater Salad" White and Bill "Here's Your Sign" Engvall! These guys are funny, every time! These guys are all NASCAR fans, to a man. If you want to cut two hours from the middle of the awards to feed the starving drivers and their families, would you rather be bored and insulted by Howie Mandell or entertained by the humor and mirth of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour? Please!!! Serve me up some of that Blue Collar Comedy... and may I please have some more?
Mr. France, please don't sniff and look down your nose at this idea. Talk it over with Mr. Helton. I can guarantee you that the majority of NASCAR fans, of any age group or demographic, would be pleased with the idea of having this set of hosts at our next awards banquet. Larry "the Cable Guy" has already told my reader that he can count to 100 in drivers' names. I doubt Howie Mandell could make it to three that way. These are folks that know stock car racing and enjoy it. I've seen three of the four in tuxedoes and they clean up very nicely. Larry... we might have to settle for a clean shirt, but the man is funny! (AND... he knows the sport)
What say you, gentle readers? Do you like the idea? If so, please say so. I haven't a clue when plans for the next awards banquet are set, but now seems about right. Nothing is ever done "in season" anymore. It's January, but go into any department store and all you'll see are spring-weight clothes in all the latest "chic" colors. Try to buy a winter coat! Silly, you have to buy those in August.
I have one more topic before I close. Most everyone is aware of the poor economy in whose grip we have been locked for several years. Being race fans, you are also aware that coverage of stock car racing by newspapers has either greatly diminished or gone away entirely. Today, you can see many of the folks you grew up reading in various city papers, all showing up on the Internet. They are not moonlighting; they are here because they no longer have their well-paid jobs.
Well, as of January 4, 2013, another well-known name was added to their number, when the Gaston Gazette eliminated the position of Monte Dutton, a long-time motorsports journalist in the print media. I've never met Monte, but I've read his work for years, and he is one of the best. Monte Dutton not only writes about motorsports; he is a published author in the fiction genre, working now on his third novel. He is also a singer, songwriter and guitarist. In short, he is multi-talented, but at the moment a little bit shell-shocked at the loss of a job he thought would always be there.
Do try to stop by http://montedutton.com/blog/ and check him out. The page is temporary, as he says he has a far more ambitious and decorative one coming soon. Words of encouragement from his readers can work wonders. Please leave yours while you're there.
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