Forum Activity for @johnny-mallonee

I went on a fishing trip after the July race in Daytona and this was what I heard

Current NASCAR

Hey guys we went fishing after the daytona race and look what we caught
A fishing trip has always been the norm after the July race and here is this years catch per say
The top team owners in NASCAR set their individual agendas aside for a unified brainstorming session on how to cut costs and help revive the auto racing industry.
Even Rick Hendrick had ten owners up at his place chewing over this minor detail.
''We're all stakeholders in this thing, and we all want to know 'What can we do to make this better? How can we save some money and help the show?' ''


The top team owners in NASCAR set their individual agendas aside for a unified brainstorming session on how to cut costs and help revive the auto racing industry.

The meeting was an offshoot of the ''town hall'' style sessions NASCAR has been holding with competitors since early last season to give drivers and teams an opportunity to discuss the issues facing America's No. 1 racing series. Now we know where the White house tennants got their idea from. Unable to shake the slide in both attendance and TV ratings, NASCAR and its participants have been working together to re-energize the sport.

''I really like the new attitude in NASCAR,'' Hendrick said. ''I really like the way we're all just kicking around something, talking it out and coming to agreements on how to move this sport forward.''Sounds like something out of the past I think.

NASCAR has historically been run by the founding France family as a dictatorship, and although participants could offer opinions, the ruling family made all the decisions. It was somewhat benevolent, though, and the late Bill France Jr. traditionally hosted an annual fishing trip following the July race in Daytona in which drivers and owners could raise questions and concerns away from the race track.

Brian France has continued the post-Daytona trip, and owners in attendance earlier this month decided to call a meeting for further discussion among a larger group of participants.
I think he wants more lines in the water in case something pops up.
NASCAR approved of the idea, and an agenda was set to discuss ideas ranging from restrictions on traveling crew members, tires used in a weekend, the current testing ban and shortening the length of the races. You know they better be careful in these areas they discussing here .

''NASCAR has become a very different business model,'' said Walt Czarnecki, president of Penske Racing, who attended the meeting with owner Roger Penske. ''And we all need to figure out a way, like all business today, to cut costs without impacting the integrity of the product. How do we become more efficient, better business managers?

''We have to face this from the business context, as all businesses have had to do over the last 18 months, and motorsports is no different.''

NASCAR has made several steps over the past few years to alleviate rising costs to team owners, from implementing a single-engine rule, eliminating testing at sanctioned tracks and starting a tire leasing program. Even the current model car was designed by NASCAR as a cost-cutting measure, But not every body wants the same cookie cutter that WallMart sells. There are like 4 or 5 different designs of cookie cutters on the market sold at different stores.
The sanctioning body is open to listening to more ideas from the owners, and was hopeful Tuesday night's meeting produced some unified thoughts.

''Cost containment is a key issue in our sport (and) we are always open to additional ideas,'' NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said. ''Hopefully, the owners will find common ground on some ideas to present to NASCAR for consideration.''

Hendrick said the conversation Tuesday night remained cordial, and the hot-button topics didn't receive the same attention as issues that the group could unanimously agree upon.

''If we didn't really agree on something, there were things some people had reservations on, we moved on,'' he said. ''If it was something that was a no-brainer, we said OK, that's a fine idea, we all like that one.''

The next step will be presenting the results of the meeting to NASCAR and seeing if the sanctioning body is in agreement on any of the ideas. That it's even going that far pleased Earnhardt Ganassi Racing co-owner Felix Sabates, who praised NASCAR's ''open-minded approach to the needs of the fans, owners and drivers. But Felix if you dont have the fans in the stands and products being bought on monday after a race then you are back to square one.
That puts the weekly shows at local tracks drawing the people from the long drive and away from the tv. This could create a new sanctioning body for racing, I wonder if they were watching the growth in the south east of The Local Short Track Agenda thats booming.
A series has raised its head along the coast called Bell&Bell and another over around Sumter SC. And these two have a strong following. How about old fashioned Radio shows,there is a great one now on Zeus Network thats got shows all racing oriented programs & days a week. Brian you better be very careful of where you fish because there is a new boat called S.S RACERS REUNION in the water with a new Lure.
updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM

Hamlin & Newman Correct / Fines Suck

Current NASCAR

Tim you and Cody done went and muddied up the infield so its hard to get away with anything for fear of tracking up Brians Office. But wait wasnt Big Bills office on the ground floor where he was accessible to all? I might have a photo of that but you both are right on target with those caution flags.If you cant find Bills old office here is a photo of the entrance, now go clean the mud off your shoes before you go in

People you know that are movers and leaders in life

Trivia

Dont think you know any huh?? Well try this on one time.Ever get bored watching the tv and hunt something to read? I did tonite and started goggling R/R names that came to mind.I typed in Geoff Bodine and found him, he had talked to students in Ft Mill SC. all the way from Tx. by phone. Seems he was supposed to be there but ,you know how circumstances go, couldnt so the second best is the telephone.Then out of nowhere Tim Leemings name popped up as well. He was also speaking to the youths, and telling stories as he is good at. He told a story of a 13 year old who couldnt read but ended up being a top notch law student. Now thats what I call encouragement, and Tim being in the law profession could only be proud.But then Jeff Gilders name flew across the screen and there he is setting goals for these business oriented teenagers. He gave them business cards and had them write down their goal, then told them to look at the card every day to refresh their memory.Jeff should know because he has climbed his way from the bottom of the pile to the top in business. When he sets a goal he sets one high enough that its almost impossible to achieve,but achieve it he does and in style.This played on more than one teenagers mind that day so if one succeeds due to Tim ,Geoff and Jeffs talks and guidance it was a trip well worth it. You see every one here is highly evolved in motorsports and in the south thats big business. Think not? Names like Hendrick or Roush should be enough, only if you are really gung-ho then try Gilder,now you going places.Next time you are bored stop and look up some people you know and see how successful they are and where they came from, might help you in your life.See all you folks in turn four..
updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:10:12PM

Roush suffers minor injuries in crash

General

yeah but wayne landed ok ill bet Robbie Solesbee said:

Lucky dog. I would love to go to Osh Kosh at least one time in my life.

Tim Leeming said:

Oh, one other note here. Wayne Andrews, a member of Racers Reunion, was at the air show as well.

Roush suffers minor injuries in crash

General

this isnt the first time jack has bumped his head and probably wont be the last. Its almost like he was invented along with the Timex watch (if you remember that one). He has raced cars flew planes fussed at people much bigger than him and Yup there he is . The Cat in the Hat is one tough customer

The Hurt to Continue

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

There's many an old time racing manWho stays away from the track.For it hurts to watch the sport he loves,And he feels the urge to go back.He isn't afraid to drive againAs he did in years gone by,Though he thinks of his friends and their injuries,And of those that he's seen die.It hurts to give up the racing life,It hurts to make the break.And it hurts to watch the youngsters drive,For you notice each mistake.And you yearn to take the wheel againTo show how it should be done-And ghosts from the past will beckon you,And bid you, "Come back and run."It hurts to quit for the call of the pitIs always deep inside,And you would give the life you liveTo take one final ride.And final ride though it may beYou'd gladly take the riskFor the thrill of the wind-pressed gogglesAnd the feel of the wheel in your fist.and the feel of the wheel in your fingersor the feel of the wheel at the rock againwould surely be a winor maybe a run once moreat the track with the lady in blackbut the greatest thrill of all i thinkwould be Columbia back to dirtor just maybe MGR--yes that would work
updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:08:38PM

Hey Tim did Nascar fine you? They didnt fine me either ---YET

Current NASCAR

At the bottom of the message it said reply to this, whats to tell or say. Greg said it all and in good fashion too I might add. I suppose when NASCAR hits rock bottom someone such as Bruton Smith or another person of money will take it,if anything is left before the shopping center gruru's grab the tracks for location, and rebuilt it into something. Our only hope is that we --R/R-- survive and keep our wits in place and become "The was that is and will always be" about our heritage,good ole time racing and above all FUN. Greg Myers said:

Based upon 40 years in corporate America, I can tell you that there is a definite life span to family run companies. The first generation who start the business and the second generation who are brought up helping build it under the direction of the first generation are usually successful. By the third generation you have the "born with the silver spoon in the mouth" 3rd generation who have no understanding of the business trying to run it. They usually have college degrees in business, management, marketing, etc., and try to run a Harvard Business School model business rather than run the successful model they were handed by their elders who understood the fundmentals of their particular business. The fourth generation usually ends up selling whatever is left from what the third generation screwed-up at bargain basement prices. NASCAR fits right into this model. When they started trying to appeal to an audience outside their core fan base with gimicks like "The Chase" and turn races into demolition derbies with phantom caution flags and "green, white, checkered flag finishes, they lost a lot of long time fans. They have pumped huge amounts of money into diversity, while the demographic group that has shown the greatest decline in interest in the sport is white males, age 18 to 35. It is great to try to expand your sport to new fans, but you cannot do it by alienating you existing core fan base. There are two more dynamics at work besides the obvious one of the general economy. Do not underestimate the impact of the loss of RJR (Winston) on NASCAR. It was a rock of stability and source of a money that fueled the growth of the sport. When RJR left, the stability and money that it brought to build the sport left with it. A partnership of mutual benefit and growth was replaced with how much short term bang can I get for the buck. The same thing happened when Busch and Craftsman left their respective series. The final, and perhaps most fatal blow to the sport was Ralph Nader. From the end of WW II to the early 1970's speed was king and "cruising" was an adolescent right of passage. Sixteen to eighteen year olds worked on their hot rods during the week and showed them off (and illegally raced them) on the weekends. That era ended with the demise of the muscle cars and the introduction of all of the environmentally friendly devices on the engine that, unless you were also a computer technician, precluded a shade tree mechanic from working on his own car. Take away the car, the brand identification that went with it and you have the loss of interest that is affecting NASCAR today.

Hey Tim did Nascar fine you? They didnt fine me either ---YET

Current NASCAR

I kinda like it when fans such as you get up on that ole soapbox and bark a few choice sayings out.What you said was true,very true and I only hope that the words of wisdom seeps into the pillows of certain officials and gets embedded into their thick skulls. You know kinda like when you have a little itch,you scratch it and it spreads, well maybe it will have an effect on them... PattyKay Lilley said:

If anyone missed this, you can find the whole article here:

http://tinyurl.com/36j7pnv

It's enough to make one cry...and I just might. NASCAR just refuses to "get it." The new regime whips in like dust in a tornado, rips up everything we'd loved for years on end, refuses to listen to fans with regard to anything, calmly pronounces, "It is what it is" and expects us to like it. Wrong!

No, we didn't like it, and we voted with our feet. Recently, when they could no longer deny those empty seats and sagging TV ratings, the powers that be decided that everything would change once again. Now, we have "Have at it boys", which so far has only resulted in on-track wars and heavy expenses for every car damaged or destroyed as a result of someone's little temper tantrum.

What are they thinking...or are they thinking at all? From its inception, NASCAR was in control of the situation, whatever the situation might be. When the drivers boycotted the first race at Talladega, Big Bill didn't just get mad, he told them to either race or leave the grounds. The race was run, though it was not NASCAR at its finest, to be sure. If you crossed him seriously...see: Curtis Turner or Tim Flock...you were banned for life, not given double-secret suspension. Bill France ruled with an iron fist...or a gun...and was the epitome of a dictator...but he was a benevolent dictator. Everything he did stemmed from a firm belief that it was best for the sport. (Don't get me going on "sport vs. show" today)

Young Bill followed suit, keeping hold of the reins, but with the help of R.J. Reynolds' excellent system of marketing, made far more money with NASCAR than his Dad had done. May they both rest in peace...but today, we have the third generation of the Family France seated at the helm, and in seven short years, he has managed to undo almost everything that his Father and Grandfather spent their lifetimes building.

Brian has, from the start, tried to fix what wasn't broken, but like most spoiled little brats has managed to break his brand new toy, all by himself. If they truly wanted to "fix" things, my advice would be to somehow erase all that has changed since January of 2003, including the IROC car known as the COT. Keep the safety features please...any and all of them...but there never was a reason why they couldn't have been incorporated into the "old" car...the one that still sorta, kinda resembled something you could recognize had once been a Ford, Chevy or Dodge...or Mercury, Olds, Buick, Pontiac...you get the idea.

Remove the incompetent child from authority and put Uncle Jim in that seat...as I believe Big Bill would have wanted. If Jim refuses the honor, then go with Mike Helton (I can't believe I said that), as he is the next best choice by a country mile. (Jim Hunter is sadly in failing health, or I would include him)

Lose that phony thing called the "Chase" and get real. Championships are not made in only ten races with only twelve (optional) drivers eligible. You just can't create a "playoff" when there is only one series to begin with. Now, it appears, they are once again about to "tweak" the format of that particular nightmare to institute some further sort of "eliminations." Here's a clue...eliminate the Chase!

Ah, but returning to the beginning of this rant, just when we thought it was safe to go back in the water...or back to the track...because drivers were once again being allowed...even urged...to show some of their individual personalities, as in the "old days", here comes the Gestapo, seemingly out of nowhere, making decrees and levying fines. Why? Because they had seen that the NFL and the NBA had done so and perish the thought that NASCAR should be seen as different than those two shining examples. Oh please!

Now, I happen to love NFL football...basketball, not so much...okay, not at all...but stick and ball sports bear absolutely no resemblance to motorsports other than that all charge exorbitant prices for the privilege of sitting in one of their seats. NASCAR was never the NFL, nor should it be. The sport is different, the thrill is different, and the skills are very different.

If drivers are knocking the sport, look to the reason, 'cause for sure you're not going to hurt them by going after their pocketbooks. Most of these guys carry $50K as "walking around money." And for goodness sake, don't get cute by "leaking" the fact that drivers are being fined but then add, "But we're not going to tell you who they are or what they said." That just ticks off the fans and is a far bigger turn-off than whatever a hot-under-the-collar driver might have said. One more tiny hint...you might want to stop attempting to interview those guys right after something nasty just occurred on the track. That's a sure way to hear things you might not want to hear.

Off the soapbox,

~PattyKay

Hey Tim did Nascar fine you? They didnt fine me either ---YET

Current NASCAR

NASCAR has fined at least two of its star drivers this season for making critical comments about the racing series

I understand one was fined $50,000.

People familiar with the penalties said the comments were considered disparaging to the sport. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because NASCAR is not publicly identifying the topflight drivers it fined. They say one driver was penalized as much as $50,000.

The decision to fine competitors for critical comments puts NASCAR in line with many other professional sports leagues. The NFL and NBA both routinely issue fines for criticism of officiating.

It also backs up NASCAR's season-long campaign to rebuild the slumping sport through an improved on-track product and off-track promotion from its drivers.
updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM

A piece of History here

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

For all yall interested the big piece came from MGR at turn one up high where guard rail was, look at the asphalt and see how smooth it is. Now look at the little piece that came from Daytona and look at the rough surface of it. Why so much difference in the two?? Why would Middle Ga be so much smoother than Daytona?. We pressure washed both pieces and Im gonna make a box for both so they will be perserved. I just thought of something else, Maybe, just maybe R/R will have museum just like Daytona shortly and we can proudly show our heritage too. Now that I think is worth pondering on .