Tip of the Iceberg?

It's not looking good for the Big Three and NASCAR. The Senate failed to approve a bailout plan that would give the Big Three automakers a much needed financial shot in the arm. What does that mean for NASCAR? Well, its a bit early to tell, but Chrysler and Chevy have both said they could go under by the end of the year. Ford seems to be in better shape and is likely to survive through 2009.

The recession dealt a major blow to one of the most successful teams in the NASCAR's history. Petty Enterprises announced they would be parting ways with 2001 series champ Bobby Labonte. Petty claims the current economic climate is forcing them to take a vastly different approach as they head into the 2009 season. In addition to releasing Labonte from his four year contract extension, Petty Enterprises is reportedly in discussions with merging with Gillette-Evernham.

It doesn't stop there. The following is an excerpt from www.jayski.com, listing current layoffs in and around NASCAR:

The Unofficial NASCAR related Layoff Count since end of season:(exceptions noted)
Dale Earnhardt Inc -- 116
Ganassi -- 76 +Nationwide team
Petty Enterprises -- 65
Bill Davis Racing -- 60
Richard Petty Driving Experience -- approx 45
Roush Fenway Racing -- 40-50
Furniture Row -- 25 [approx]
Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies -- 25 [approx]
Wood Brothers -- 22
Hendrick Motorsports -- 19
Stewart-Haas -- 16
Richard Childress Racing -- 15
Red Bull Racing -- approx 15
JTG Daugherty Racing -- 12
Michael Waltrip Racing -- 12
Ernie Elliott Inc [Ganassi engines] -- 9
Joe Gibbs Engines -- approx 5
Hall of Fame -- heard many were let go this week, no number yet
Yates -- Unknown
See my Racing Schools/Jobs page for news, postings, links and more including Racers Form Support Website, Motorsports Employment Task Force and more.(as of 12-10-2008)

Please visit www.jayski.com. They do an excellent job covering NASCAR.

Will NASCAR Survive?

This week's Senate hearings on a potential bail out plan for the Big Three auto makers will play a massive role in NASCAR's future, or lack there of. You don't need an economics degree to understand the devistating blow NASCAR would be dealt if any of the Big Three go under. The furture already looks bleak as big name teams are combining resources to save money. Smaller teams are holding on for dear life. Forget about finding a sponser. They are about as available as republicans in Congress. NASCAR is doing away with off season testing, which costs teams about a million dollars. Change is already here.

So, what will happen if the Senate tells the automakers to take a hike? Can NASCAR survive? I believe it can, but we are talking about sending the sport back about 30 years. Can you picture Jerry's Auto Detailing and Joe's Garage once again gracing the hoods? Most teams will have probably have one car in the garage. And chances are it will be a Toyota or, dare I say, a Saturn? Ohh boy. Heck, it might 1986 Monte Carlo. Who knows?

The schedule would dwindle to about half of it currently is today. TV contracts will be severly altered. No sponsers=no money=no tv!

Globally, we are already seeing the effects the economy is having on racing. Honda announced it will pull out of Formula One, thanks to an anticipated 40 percent drop in sales.

Make no mistake, even if the government bails out Detriot, NASCAR as we know it will change.
The 64,000 dollar question is; what can it do to weather the storm?

Drama Keeps the Attention of NASCAR Fans

If it wasn't for the various story lines in NASCAR this year, face it,  this year would be rather boring.  Kyle Busch is running away with this thing. He's about 250-points in front of Dale Jr. The only thing saving NASCAR is the 10 race Chase at the end of the year.  This year's headlines are also helping.  Here's a glance, in no particular order; Carl Edwards caught "cheating", then some tire controversy, which included Tony Stewart running his mouth at Goodyear. Let's see, then there was accusations by Rousch-Fenway Racing that a Toyota team stole a proprietary part. Toyota gets it first win. More tire controversy, Stewart leaves Gibbs Racing. More tire controversy.  Dale Jr. back in victory lane, Dale Jarrett retires, Mark Martin un-retires, again, whew... I think I may have missed some tire controversy along the way.  Ohh, and don't forget the whole Aaron Fike driving high on heroin story. Yup, I love NASCAR for so many reasons. 

Other than Kyle Busch's complete dominance over the competition, what's your favorite headline from this season. I certainly left a few out...let's hear what you got!!!

Stop and Go Penalty for Walsh

Yeah, that's right. I'm imposing a penalty on myself. What for you ask? Well, for not blogging. So, I'm coming in, taking on fresh sneakers and topping off the tank. But, in my defense, it has been a rather hectic month. Here's a quick recap...

I've been in three weddings since late June. No, not just as a guest, but in the wedding party. What can I say, I'm a popular guy! Not to mention, my wife Ashley and I are about two laps away from purchasing our first house. (Very involved...I could start my own "first time home buyers" blog.)

Anyway, enough about me, really. The weddings were a blast. Congrats to my wife's sister Maren and husband, Ben. They are the best! 

My brother Andrew and his wife Liz tied the knot in late June. This wedding awesome, great food and a round of golf at Wachusett C.C. 

And finally, my good friends Tom and Heather celebrated in victory circle earlier this month. You may know them from Stafford Speedway. Tom and Heather race go-carts at the track every Monday. In fact, my sources tell me that they had their first marital spat after Heather spun Tom coming off of turn 4! 

Best of luck to all the newlyweds! May your tank always be full and your tires fresh!

Guess who's back?

No, its not me. I know I haven't blogged in awhile, but this is about one of the greats making his way back to NASCAR. 49-year-old Mark Martin has announced he will be racing a full 2009 Sprint Cup schedule. And he will be doing so in the #5 Hendrick Chevy. 

I was very excited when I first heard the news. Martin has always been one of my favorites. Plus, he is going to be in the 5 car. That's kind of a big deal for me. I was a huge Geoff Bodine fan and I have great memories of him winning the Daytona 500 in the yellow and white Levi Garrett.  So, my first thought was how awesome it was going to be to be able to root for the 5 car again. Reliving the glory days!

Then it hit me.  How pathetic! Those days are over. There's no need to live in the past. Quite frankly, Martin should do the same. Honestly, it's a bit inconsiderate.  Martin was in his early 20's when he broke into the NASCAR Winston Cup scene. He earned his spot and proved he was worthy of being a NASCAR driver. Now it's time to give someone else that opportunity. Even though he never won a Championship in his 26 year career, he will always be considered one of the best the sport has ever seen. NASCAR is better off for having, but it's time to hang them up and let someone else take advantage of the same opportunities he had 26 years ago.

Don't even get me started on Brett Farve!

Dale Jr back in Victory Lane!!!

It's hard to believe its been 76 races since Jr last won a Cup race. Well, it's hard for most to believe, anyway. My opinion, it was a matter of time. This whole season proves that you can be the best driver, but in the end, it's really the team that matters. Before his win this Sunday, Jr was sitting comfortably in 3rd in the Chase for the Cup. His latest win is just icing on the cake. Mark my words, Jr will win the Championship this year, and much of the credit will have to go to his new owner, Rick Hendrick. It will also come as no surprise to me if Jr, Johnson and Gordon finish in the top 5 this year. 

What was old is new again at Thompson...

It's rather appropriate heading into the weekend where NASCAR drivers are complaining the Pocono 500 is too long, boring and just plain antiquated, Thompson Raceway officials have announced plans for a  Thursday, June 19th, 75 lap Whelen Modified feature that is sure to bring some excitement to eastern Connecticut.  Yeah, I have to agree, Pocono is not much to get fired up over. It's a long, flat, triangular track that will have the field spread out before I can get to my second helping of nachos (complete with a dollop of Daisy and Newman's Own Pineapple Salsa). But, Thompson's decision bring back this "shoot out" format (it's been 23 years since the mods have run a 75-lap feature at Thompson) is a welcomed change for the media, drivers and yes even the fans. The 150 lap features makes for a very, very long night at the track. Don't get me wrong, I love the 150's and the 300 at Thompson. But spending upwards of 9 or 10 hours at the track on a week night is too much, especially if you have kids. Keep the longer races to the weekends and Thompson has a winning formula.