Will NASCAR Keep "Boys Have At It" on the Menu?

Richard Childress and Kyle Busch have joined the fun in giving Brian France’s “Have at it Boys” policy a workout. Search Bing.com if you don’t know what I mean.

NASCAR execs and marketing are likely loving this stuff, they are getting just what their boss wanted.

But will the policy go too far, too fast?

There is a certain excitement that goes with this type of racing, fighting. But sooner or later some of the sponsors in this sport are going to want more than sunflower spitting, cussing and fistacuffs.

“Have at it boys” is good in theory and “Have at it boys” works at the local short track. It works because there are limits. Leaving a car unoccupied on pit road, smashing into a car on pit road, deliberately wrecking another on the track, fighting in the pits…in short track racing you know there will be a consequence. A team will normally expect and accept the punishment.

The problem with the NASCAR “Boys Have At It” Series is that no one seems to know just where the limit is or when a consequence may be applied.

Some of the local short track promoters are masters at cooking up excitement, stirring things up just right and keeping the pot from boiling over...could their balanced mix of racing and entertainment be just the recipe needed to keep “Have at it boys” a favorite on NASCAR’s big three menu?

Kyle Busch - Please go into role model mode

Photo of Kyle Busch, the Kid from Vegas

Kyle Busch got caught driving a sports car (or toy as he calls it) at 128mph in a 45mph zone. Now he is more talked about than Kimi Raikkonen –that is saying something, isn’t it?

How many come to Busch’s defense on this infraction of the law. Some examples:

He has skill
He didn’t come in firing at people with guns
He was in a powerful sports car
He’s a racer, that’s what he is paid to do—go fast.
The cops overreacted
None of us are perfect.
Everyone has done something like this

True, he does have skill, no he didn’t fire a gun, yes it was a powerful sports car -- Lexus LFA to be exact (bet Lexus has no complaints), yep, he is a paid racer, correct-- none of us are perfect and yes, just about everyone has done something like that—even in my family I had a kid that was riding in a BMW (not a sports car even) going 143 on the 58. I can agree with the defenses.

BUT…I don’t agree the cop overreacted.

The cop may have prevented a death…maybe even that of Busch.

As skilled as Busch is he drives professionally in a controlled environment, not one where there is cross traffic up ahead, horses could be passing by, dogs running and kids chasing balls. And doesn’t he have a spotter when he normally drives over 120mph? Did he have someone spotting for him at this “event”?

Anything could have happened, doesn’t matter who was holding the wheel. 128mph was too fast for that situation, not to mention, he had to know going almost triple the speed limit was against the law.

Lot of us likes Busch, we want to forgive him, find excuses for him. But it isn’t only adults that follow the brightly colored No. 18 M&Ms Car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the kids do, too. Right about now some of the parents of his younger fans could be very upset with his behavior—not much of a role model.

Busch was quoted as saying, “I went beyond the speed I should have been going on a public road. I apologize to the public, my fans, sponsors, and race teams for my lack of judgment.”

That’s good. But the Charlotte Observer has reported this isn’t the first time he has been busted in this area. He was also ticketed for going 55 mph in a 35 mph in 2008.

Here is the deal, professionally racing in NASCAR is Busch’s job. He is no longer that little kid that races Legends at Vegas. He is a big boy now on the verge of breaking some major NASCAR records. Time for Busch to realize just how big a hero and role model he is.

So how are things at Santa Maria Speedway?

Went out to Santa Maria Speedway this weekend and what a treat!

The parking lot was fast filling up by the time I arrived. I grabbed my gear and headed up to the top of the stands to set up on one of the many conveniently located picnic tables.


It had that nostalgic feeling... hard to describe, but I am sure you know what I mean. Some of these older short tracks you can walk into and they just have a special comforting familiar feel to them.

This track has so much going for it. Everyone I encountered at the track is easy going, The track photographer, Jon Paquet was not out to protect his territory, but kindly shared it. For a look at some of his work visit: paquetphotography.com.



I really like the way the handicapped are treated to a nice seating area. Even a stop to keep them from rolling off. Haven't we all been to tracks where the wheelchairs are pushed so far back that everyone in front can walk by, stop, stand up and basically block the view of those in the wheelchairs. Since the handicapped often can't stand up it is nice that are provided an unobstructed view here.


Look who I ran into! Lee Elder...doing his Goodyear thing. So good seeing him there!

This track was perfectly prepped. There was not a rock on it.

Walking the track...making sure it is winning form ;) And it was...just ask this driver!

Promoter Chris Kearns and literally his right hand man (as this photo clearly shows). What a bang up job he has done here. Prior to the race weekend he put a big shiny Sprint Car on a flatbed truck and had someone drive it around town all week...so the locals definitely knew there was something "big" going on at the track!



Now don't you know this little guy will have as much fun with the photo of him and the trophy girl at school as will with the trophy displayed on the shelf?

See, that's another thing Kearns has done. He has added a smaller track that seems to be quite popular. One of the little kids got out of the car and said that he really kicked A** or something like that and in turn that got a few verbal exchanges going between adults in the area I was sitting...but all typical short track stuff.




Local driver getting down and dirty on the hometrack.



The locals put on quite a show. And what I really liked at this track is that it was very fast moving. For awhile there it was a lot like a 3 ring circus with everything going on. There was a bit of a lull just prior to the mains but it was a chance for the fans to "food and drink" up.

It was such a big show and such an honor to see the likes of Brent Kaeding. Another thing the promoter did here was run a dash for the "Last Man Standing". Winner got $1000. The announcer said the promoter had hoped to get a sponsor for the dash, but when it was clear there would not be a sponsor, promoter ponied up the money anyway. Way to go!

These cars are so exciting to watch. Loud, fast, fun.

Some where some 17 other teams were feeling the agony of defeat...but for these guys it was the thrill of victory. Gee...wonder where that clever wording came from.

This is the winner of the Golden State King of the West 410 Sprint Car race. He was so excited for the win. He said he came in an open air hauler last year and this year got an enclosed. Of course now that all the drivers are going to enclosed haulers that is why promoters like Kearns have to put the car on a flatbed and drive it around...ha ha.

Very photographic trophy girl, don't ya think?

Can't say enough about this track...my only advice is get ready to get the puter and camera familiar with a little Santa Maria dirt...and get ready to have one helluva a good time!

Will "Have at it boys" hurt the small tracks?

Most everyone that follows the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in America is aware of the incident that happened at Darlington Raceway's pit road between Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch.

Someone mentioned in the time it took for Harvick to unbuckle, fight the straps, remove the wheel 2x and start heading toward Busch's car that NASCAR easily could have had officials and equipment down there to calm, referee, stop the incident.

NASCAR chose to do nothing. That is a loud message that what happened on pit road was NASCAR approved.

The next "have at it boys" could be even more shocking.

How boring the racing at small tracks will become under the shadow of this Grandest of all Demo Derbies taking place in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

What will the home-track fans think in the future when a car is sent to the back for turning the leader? Or when a fight ensues and drivers are thrown off the track? Will the fans be satisfied or will it look wimpy to them?

Even the famous incidents from the past are at risk of being replaced by Brian France's new NASCAR "show".

And remember many of these smaller tracks and series are NASCAR sanctioned. Fans are paying to see NASCAR...which now contains a lot more than racing. Somehow I don't think the face painting, historic cars, jumping rooms are going to be a big enough draw, a big enough addition to just watching a race.

Why go to the local track when the national enquirer--NASCAR Enquirer is on live TV?

And now that NASCAR has set a new precedence in racing, if the local home tracks and grassroots racing series decide to follow the NASCAR lead and allow fighting and the smashing, crashing of equipment (with only the smallest of fines/penalties) what will eventually happen to an already declining car count? Will death and injury occur on the short tracks by those trying to be stars of the BF NASCAR show?

What will all this do to these already struggling short tracks and "little" series?

Expect new fans following the Spears SRL SW Tour

The Spears SRL Southwest Tour race at Toyota Speedway July 17 was the best race I saw all year--better than any race I saw last year and in fact better than any race I can remember for a long time.

It had it all, a field peppered with champions, drama, new track record, controversy, thrilling passes and an electrifying photo finish.

And while there may be those not happy with certain aspects of the race, a car "stalled" on the start/finish only to miraculously regain power when the yellow came out was not exactly a crowd-pleaser, still I am pretty sure that night gave birth to new SRL fans.

You just don't see racing as good as that very often.

Danica Patrick runs with the big dogs, sort of

Danica Patrick crashes again. This time the driver she clipped in the rear, Michael McDowell, took responsibility for the wreck. McDowell said it was “100 percent” his fault. That percentage is not quite right. There was some blame to be placed on both drivers. Patrick seemed to slightly pinch McDowell off. A more experienced driver may or may not have sensed what was coming and avoided the accident. Either way it was not that big a deal. Could have happened to almost anyone.

But despite the fact there are more “Danica Crashes” than “Danica finishes” again this week, things seem to be looking up. Patrick was able to get up to third and run with the big dogs--OK, OK...the leaders pitted, so maybe those dogs weren't that big, but still...

It was a big leap for Patrick to go from Indy Car to stock car. Last week it looked pretty hopeless, this week she showed us she has the potential to be a contender. She also has no problem admitting she is learning this stock car stuff.

For now her stint in NASCAR is over as she gets back to her real job of driving an Indy Car. But she will return to the NASCAR Nationwide series in June for the New Hampshire race. She has a lot of fans looking forward to her return. She spices things up. And she is doing wonders for NASCAR – those slumping ticket sales and lower TV ratings needed the boost that she was able to bring.

Now as for McDowell, he was worried about the Junior Nation and Danica Mania fans “attacking” him for the incident, he really shouldn’t. His sponsor, the Monte Carlo Las Vegas Resort and Casino, got a lot of airtime. Don’t they always say the best thing to do for a sponsor is to go checkers or wreckers? If that is the case, then was there anyone better to wreck with than Danica Patrick?

Source: Al Teredfuel

Did Danica Patrick miss a rung in the NASCAR Ladder?

NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Danica Patrick -- Photo Credit: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images for NASCAR

Danica Patrick might have been better off beginning her NASCAR career in one of the developmental series, such as the NASCAR K&N Filters East and West series. At this point it looks like she would have been better off getting a NASCAR education in the Drive for Diversity program. She has had two attempts to show her stuff to the world in the NASCAR Nationwide series and so far it is not so impressive.

She makes a lot of comments about learning, about how she struggles to communicate what the car is doing, how, she needs to figure things out. In one breath she says she is used to running up front and in the next she admits she would be happy just to finish. At the end of the race at the Auto Club Speedway, she let her team know she sucked, but chances are good both team and fans already knew this.

NASCAR wanted her to be a star, right alongside Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hopes were high she would generate more interest in the sometimes slumping TV and radio ratings. In that respect she has been a success in NASCAR; she has and is continuing to generate interest. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like she is ready to transition straight from the IndyCars to the NASCAR Nationwide series.

Going from Indy to NASCAR does not always seem to be such an easy transition and some drivers struggle with it more than others. Even simple things can trip up and Indy Car driver. For instance NASCAR’s technology is a bit behind the times, not saying that’s bad, just the way it is. I am sure that was frustrating for Patrick to get a couple of “speeding tickets” going down the pit road. She alluded to the fact that the instruments or calculations were off, but maybe she was off, maybe she is adjusting to the fact that there is no cruise control in NASCAR.

Had Patrick started in the NASCAR K&N Filters West or East she still would have brought the interest to NASCAR that the sanctioning body wants. She could have been a big fish in a little pond and she probably could have been upfront (that area where she claims she is used to running) and winning. Some may say, “Ah, but we saw what happened to Sarah Fisher in the West”—but Fisher never had the top of the line equipment, some races she had new spotters making bad calls, i.e. Phoenix. I suspect the Patrick would have been in the better stuff, with experienced spotters.

It would have been huge for not only Patrick, but for the often overlooked NASCAR developmental series. NASCAR missed the boat on this one.

If she isn’t careful Patrick will be stuck as a little fish swimming in NASCAR’s great big pond. I have no doubt that she can win races in NASCAR, but will she be able to withstand the pressure of underperforming until she gains the experience she needs to get her to victory lane?

Janet Peery. http://www.racingwest.com

The Weekend's Destruction Derby at Tucson Raceway Park Canceled

The highly anticipated destruction derby at Tucson Raceway Park was canceled. In its place was a terrific Super Late Model race. 

There was talk before the race that the cars (they were a mix of Vegas, TRP Super Lates, Rocky Mountain Challenge Series, etc) entered into the ASA Phakisa Challenge 150 would not be able to compete with each other, that it was dangerous putting drivers together that don't normally race each other, that cars would be torn up, but, none of that happened.

What did happen was 5-time TRP track champion, Ron Norman,  striking "gold" with a $5000.00 winner's cash prize and an invitation to go to Phakisa personally extended to him by ASA President, Dennis Huth.


Everything about this event had that enthusiastic upbeat feeling of the days we all talk about nostalgically. I felt like I was at one of the old Winter Heats. Drivers were all in good moods.  It was fun to see Sean Woodside and cool to meet so many of the big name drivers that I read about in press releases, drivers like, Rzesnowiecky, Alderman, Robertson, Paladenic, Ruschenburg,Wulfenstein, Pflueger, etc., etc.

Now when it came down to the racing, another thing that had been mentioned is that these cars could not race competitively with different rules/differnt cars. Well, whoops, someone must have forgotton to tell everyone, but Norman. That man pulled away at every start and there was no stopping him. Had something have gone wrong with his car (and trust me I in no way would have wanted that to happen), but still just saying if something had  gone wrong with his car, the race from 2nd on back was easily one of the most exciting races seen in a long time.


Oh yes and one last thing. About the torn up cars....hmmm....there weren't any. Say it is because there were only 16 cars on the track. But truth is they were racing three and four wide at times and they had lapped cars to deal with just like any other race.

This was a good race, because these racers made it one.

And Tucson Raceway Park is here to stay. I think you will be hearing a whole lot about the track. From what I could see they are trying to get people in the stands and cars in the field.  Aren't we always begging promoters to open their rules and let more cars race and offer a bigger payout?  Well here you had just that and I have to say it was fun.

Below are just a few shots from the event. I hope to post more photos to RacingWest's photo gallery over the next few days.

I also want to say all the staff at Tucson Raceway Park that I personally had the pleasure of meeting were awesome. I was so excited to meet all of them from the chief spotter to track promoter to announcer. And it was so much fun meeting Steve Witz' baby sis and comparing notes.

I am asking myself...why did I wait so long to go back to Tucson!

--janet peery