Presented by Frontstretch.com
The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
November 21st, 2012
Volume VI, Edition CCXXXIII
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Happy Thanksgiving American Readers! We would like to extend a special thank you to each and every one of our readers for your unrelenting dedication throughout this season. Without your support, we wouldn't be writing each and every week, and we couldn't be more appreciative of all your feedback (even when it's bad!). Have a safe holiday with your friends and family, and we hope you don't suffer too badly from racing withdrawal!
Editor's Note: This Newsletter will be the last daily edition until the Sprint Cup Media Tour in January. From this point on, Frontstretch enters into "offseason mode" where our Newsletters scale back to one jam-packed, weekly edition sent out every Monday morning. Enjoy!
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Top News
by Brad Morgan
Penske Racing Names Erwin Crew Chief of No. 12 Nationwide Team
Longtime NASCAR crew chief Greg Erwin is on the move again, this time to a fresh start with completely new team in a different series. The experienced Erwin has been hired by Penske Racing as the new crew chief of the No. 12 Ford Mustang, currently driven by Sam Hornish, Jr. in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for 2013.
The minds at Penske Racing believe that the acquisition of Erwin will help move the No. 12 team closer to winning the championship, pairing the veteran with Hornish after the driver finished fourth in the series standings this season.
"We are excited about having Greg as he brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to [the team]," said Tim Cindric, President of Penske Racing. "We are confident that he will be able to take the No. 12 Nationwide Series program to another level."
Hornish, from Defiance, Ohio did his part to assure Penske's best Nationwide Series finish since Brad Keselowski led the organization to its first overall title in 2010. He accumulated 10 top 5s and 22 top 10s after having competed in just 33 races.
Now the Penske organization will lean on Erwin, who started his career as a crew chief with Robby Gordon Motorsports before relocating to Roush Fenway Racing and most recently Richard Petty Motorsports.
"It is an honor to be selected as the crew chief of the No. 12 Ford Mustang," said Erwin. "I would like to thank Roger Penske and everyone at Penske Racing for the opportunity to be a part of this championship-caliber team. I look forward to working hard to build a team that consistently wins races and competes for championships."
Former Hendrick Employee Hired as Crew Chief for JR Motorsports
Greg Ives has officially been named crew chief for JR Motorsports' No. 5 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, the team's general manager Kelley Earnhardt Miller announced Tuesday.
The former Hendick employee will be counted on to help newly acquired driver Regan Smith become reacquainted to running in the Nationwide Series, a series the 29-year-old driver hasn't competed full-time in since the 2006 campaign that resulted in a 20th place final points ranking.
Even without new crew chief Ives, Smith was off and running in his Nationwide Series debut with the No. 5 team at Homestead-Miami on Saturday, leading 24 laps before capturing his first ever series victory.
"Regan's win on Saturday and the announcement of Greg's hiring [Tuesday] are huge momentum boosts for this company going into the offseason," owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. "Greg comes highly regarded. He has been a huge part of the 48 team's success, and this is a good opportunity for him to get his feet wet as a crew chief. The partnership between JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports gives us the opportunity to help employees advance their careers while still keeping them in the family, so to speak."
The victory eased tension at JR Motorsports, an organization with only one previous win since 2009, delivered by Jamie McMurray at Atlanta Motor Speedway over two years ago. Now the organization can focus on expanding to house multiple, full-time cars, a goal that has always been at the forefront of the team ownership's vision.
"With the final race of the season now in the books, the 2013 season has begun," Earnhardt Miller said. "Our goal is always to field two full-time teams -- and that could still happen next year with other potential opportunities -- but what we have right now is a strong team with Regan and Greg that will compete for a championship, and a part-time team with Dale Jr. that will compete for wins. Our focus is to streamline our company and equip those teams with everything they need to compete at a high level."
The hope is that Ives will be beneficial to the supposed streamlining of JR Motorsports. His prior experience indicates that the championship savvy, former engineer could indeed have that affect.
Fans with a deeper knowledge of Jimmie Johnson's unprecedented run of five consecutive Sprint Cup championships may remember that Ives was an integral part of the No. 48 team's success year after year. In all, the 33-year-old served at Hendrick Motorsports for nine years, first as a mechanic before becoming a race engineer.
"Whether I realized it or not, each of my nine years at Hendrick Motorsports were preparing me for this role," Ives said. "I have always aspired to be a crew chief, but it couldn't have happened without Hendrick Motorsports recognizing my goals early and giving me opportunities to ultimately reach them. And it doesn't hurt to be surrounded by people like Rick Hendrick, Jimmie Johnson, Chad Knaus and the entire 48/88 shop. They are the best in the sport -- not just as racers but as people -- and I plan to carry that experience with me to JR Motorsports."
Homestead-Miami Ratings Fall Drastically Over 2011
Ratings show that this season's finale, the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, failed to live to the last year's blockbuster duel between eventual champion Tony Stewart and runner-up Carl Edwards in the eyes of viewers worldwide.
The race earned a 3.5 household coverage rating, which can be considered low when compared to the record-breaking 4.6 mark achieved a season ago.
Sunday's event averaged 3,444,706 viewers, according to the Nielsen Company, which seems like a small figure when placed alongside ESPN's 6.8 million average viewers achieved during the '11 version. This can be explained partially to the fact that this season's battle between first time Cup holder Brad Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson wasn't as close as the virtual tie achieved by Edwards and Stewart a year ago.
Patrick Files For Divorce
Danica Patrick will head into the 2013 Sprint Cup season a single woman. The 30-year-old announced this week he's filling for divorce after seven years of marriage to Paul Hospenthal, asking for privacy in a message to fans and the public.
"I am sad to inform my fans that after seven years, Paul and I have decided (to) amicably end our marriage," she said in a statement. "This isn't easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this. He has been an important person and friend in my life and that's how we will remain moving forward."
Her soon-to-be ex-husband, 17 years her senior met Patrick as a physical therapist treating her for a non-racing injury.
Have news for Brad and the Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com with a promising lead or tip.
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WRITE FOR US!
Hey Frontstretch Readers! Are you looking for a fast-growing website that can give you an opportunity to not only share your thoughts on racing, but have FUN doing it with a group of laid-back, dedicated personnel? Well, we have the place for you. Frontstretch is actively seeking 1-3 additional writers for both our newsletter and website to add to our dedicated staff. Follow this link for more information on how you can become a weekly columnist for the site and / or newsletter!
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Today's Featured Commentary
Sitting in the Stands: A Fan's View
For Every Checkered Flag, There Is A Green
by S.D. Grady
Well, it's over. No more races for the year. We've got a new champion named Brad, rediscovered the bad guy in Jeff and welcomed MWR into the upper ranks of Cup goodness. Dale, Jr. proved his mortality, Danica proved...what we always suspected, and a host of capable young drivers signed up for the future of our sport. Kyle refrained from appearing too much like an ass, deciding that following his big brother's example was not the best idea. The 'Dinger was counted out, JPM put his demolition training to dramatic effect and Tony asked to put a new twist on 'Dega.
It's been... a year. There have been some classic races, poignant moments and many afternoons of sleep-inducing parades. Now, it is all over. The echo of the engines in the garage area hasn't even calmed, and I'm already wondering what the hell I'm going to do with all this extra time for the next few months.
Saturday afternoons I will surf the channels seeking a NASCAR listing, only to be disappointed. On Sundays, there will not be a deadline on the grocery shopping, lest I miss the drop of the green flag. And Mondays... Mondays there will not be frenetic typing, more deadlines and hunting for the errant comma. My life will be calm and quiet and just a little empty.
There will be time to neaten the closets, dust off the die-casts and catch up with the rest of humanity -- rumor has it there's a segment of the population who don't even watch racing. My cats may have a harder time finding a warm lap on the couch for a few months.
But even as I pen these final words of the NASCAR season, I do so with the eager knowledge that only a little over 90 days remain before we start it all over again. What is there to look forward to, you ask?
We'll actually have a Rookie of the Year class in 2013, headed by the two-time Nationwide champ Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Clint Bowyer will make a run for the top spot next November, proving once and for all there's more to that No. 15 than many have thought for too long.
There should be a mountain of new Brad Keselowski ads, which should be interesting as up to now there's been almost none. JJ and Chad will come out of their bunker with a new set of battle plans while the rest of the field calls their local psychic to divine what those might be. The cars are supposed to look a little different...we'll have to see how true that might be. What I've seen so far hasn't really impressed. Junior, Harvick, Stewart, Ambrose, Newman and the rest of the usual suspects will all line up for the start of the season, with friends and family at their sides.
There will have been some minor shuffling of lockers while we waited for everyone to return to Florida. Kenseth and Logano will find themselves with new teammates and have to decide if is was really a great idea after all.
In the chat rooms, some perennial questions will be raised by those hungry for news of NASCAR in the off-season: Will Mark Martin ever really retire? Can Jeff Burton regain his long lost Top Dog status? How will Denny Hamlin manage to self-detonate this year? Who will NASCAR dub as the first successful female racer in its ranks?
But ultimately, the air guns' whirr will fill the air. The engines will rev and the stink of gasoline and oil will mix with the warm Florida air to summon memories of days gone by. There will be tailgating, t-shirts, smiles and anticipation. Race Day will return.
For as many times as we've watched the year turn over, leaving the frustration of a season's disappointments behind, there has always been and always will be the joy of welcoming the new. A new year, new day and a chance to make fresh memories filled with everything we have always wanted: the roar of fast cars coming to the green, driving off into the corner and coming out the other side three-wide.
All this glory is only 90-someodd days away, a little over three months. Time enough to reconnect with your life, loves and to realize without racing, our world is a little less special.
As a final note: Thank you to everybody who takes the time to read these ramblings of mine. Your comments are always welcome, whether you think I've messed up or not. Without another fan to talk to, this column would be nonexistent. Thanks again and I will see you all in 2013.
Author's Note: I've finally made it to Facebook! Come visit with me at http://facebook.com/Author.SDGrady
S.D. Grady is a Senior Editor for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via e-mail at sonya.grady@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter at @laregna.
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DONATE TO HELP HURRICANE SANDY VICTIMS
Millions are grappling with the effects from one of the more devastating hurricanes to hit the United States. If you're in an unaffected area, please consider donating to help others who will spend months rebuilding their lives and their homes after Sandy whipped onshore with winds of 80 miles an hour. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS, visit redcross.org or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation today. Every little bit helps.
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Numbers Game: Ford EcoBoost 400
by Garrett Horton
1
Brad Keselowski had just one finish worse than 18th in the final 28 races this year. He had three finishes of 32nd or worse in the first five races in 2012.
2
Carl Edwards led more than one lap in just two races this year – Richmond in the spring where he led 206 laps and the Bristol night race which saw him pace the field for 45 circuits. He has not led a single lap since Bristol.
4
All four manufacturers represented the top 5 in the final point standings this year, the first time since 2001 this has happened (Chevy, Pontiac, Ford, Dodge).
4th
Kasey Kahne finished fourth in the final point standings, the highest he has ever finished and the first time he has had a top-5 points result.
6
For the first time in six years, we have a new champion in the Sprint Cup Series in Brad Keselowski. Jimmie Johnson was able to repeat his first title in 2006 for the next four seasons and Tony Stewart won his third title last year.
10
Stephen Leicht, who is the 2012 Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year, had 10 DNF's in 15 starts.
11
Is there really a championship runner-up curse? Clint Bowyer certainly doesn't hope so, but it would appear that is the trend in recent years. Since 2007, the man who has finished second in the year-end final point standings has averaged just an 11th place finish in the standings the following year.
12.8
Denny Hamlin's average finish in 2012, his highest since his rookie year in 2006 when he posted a 12.5.
15
Chevrolet had 15 wins this year, more than any other manufacturer. Toyota had the second most with ten, Ford had six, and Dodge, in its final year had five, all with Brad Keselowski.
16
Tony Stewart had just 16 top-10's this season, matching 2008 for the fewest top-10's he had in a single year.
18.3
Tony Stewart's average start in 2012, a career low.
24
Despite the disappointing end to 2012, Jimmie Johnson ended the year with 24 top-10 finishes, more than any other driver and tied his career high for most top-10's in a season (also had 24 in 2006, 2007, and 2009).
32
Greg Biffle had 32 lead lap finishes this year, more than any other driver.
36
In addition to leading the league in lead lap finishes, Biffle was also the only driver to be running at the finish in every race this year, completing all 36 events.
Garrett Horton is a Contributor to Frontstretch. He can be reached via e-mail at garrett.horton@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Garrett_Horton.
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The Eyes Have It!
In our newest Facebook feature, we posted a photo of a driver inside a helmet, and asked you to identify which driver it was based only on his or her eyes. Monday's mystery driver was Casey Mears.
Congratulations to Stephanie Gois, the first reader to correctly identify Mears in the photo.
Debbie Fletcher also replied with the correct answer. Great job!
Other guesses included Jamie McMurray, Denny Hamlin, Kenny Wallace, Brian Vickers, Mark Martin, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Greg Biffle, and Trevor Bayne.
We will run a new photo each Monday and Wednesday throughout the offseason (please note that we will NOT post a new photo this Wednesday because of the holiday, but we will be back next week!), and list the readers with the correct answer here in our newsletter (Facebook rules prohibit us giving a prize, but hey—at least you'll get your name in lights!). Go to our Facebook page to join the fun!
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Tweet 'N' Greet
by Summer Bedgood
Editor's Note: With the NASCAR Twitter community expanding by leaps and bounds, it remains a place for instantaneous news, reactions, and a whole lot of inside jokes. We understand if you don't want to join the Twitter community - but as a fan, it's important to know the news and info you're missing out on! That's why, every week, Summer Bedgood will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.
So, without further ado, here's a look at what those in NASCAR were thinking over the past seven days...
@jim_utter: Rule cited in @keselowski penalty in rulebook received in January http://twitpic.com/bd0tak
@jim_utter: "Nothing we've seen from Brad violates any current rules pertaining to the use of social media during races." - NASCAR, Feb. 28, 2012
@patisouzapaludo (Patricia Paludo): Best news of the day! Oli's levels are the same as a person withouth diabetes! A1C 7.4!! Soooo happy! Proud mama! Tears in my eyes! #WDD
@MartySmithESPN: #DaleJr helmet would give my daughter nightmares... pic.twitter.com/ild8ZBeQ
@MaryeveDufault: Turned down @Playboy cover. It can be flattering for a model, but for me it's all about racing.#Nascar #Playboy #RacingSuit Don't work together
@dcaraviello (David Caraviello): Joey Logano says he reached out to Jeff Gordon for an apology re: Phx "and didn't get one. Got hung up on." Said Gordon texted him later.
@Team_Onion (Todd and Janet Bodine): There is no one that will tell me different @Team_Onion is the best in the business. Even through all this bad luck. Love him.
@AllWaltrip (Darrell Waltrip): We complement each other very well, @AllWaltrip has hindsight, @mikejoy500 has foresight and @LarryMac28 has insight, got you covered!
@Brett_Griff (Brett Griffin): Attention #NASCAR fans... "Rubbin is racin" someone please give @JeffGordonWeb that memo. It's what brought us fans. It's what will keep em
@Brett_Griff: Reading those quotes is a joke. 3 wide pisses him off. Touching him pisses him off. Hell lets play flag football this Sunday. #SMDH
@Beth_Frntstrtch (Beth Lunkenheimer): Confirmed for 2013: Sauter and Crafton will return with ThorSport Racing. #NASCAR
@LarryMac28 (Larry McReynolds): Being in the booth doing anything is like being with my family @mikejoy500 and @AllWaltrip Hope we 're together as long as we can make it!
@JeffGordonWeb: From my understanding, media didn't tweet full @joeylogano quote. There's his side, my side...and truth is somewhere in between."
@jeff_gluck: Damn. That was a big hit for Blaney. Can't really blame either Larson or Dillon...they were both just going for it, IMO.
@TheOrangeCone: Ty saw the chance at the championship slipping. Larson saw a win. Both needed that ground. Hard racing.
@mattkenseth: That was a big wreck, feel bad for those guys. They were putting on a heck of a show. #NASCAR
@RyanTruex: I think your thinking of a different Ryan "@JustxJessica: I hate it for @ryan_truex was hoping he would get a good finish"
@kaseykahne: Glad everyone is ok after that. Man they were all putting on a great race.
@EmmaBlaney: Just saw Ry. He is okay! Might be a little sore in the morning!
@mattkenseth: Wow!
@JamesBuescher: JAMES BUESCHER IS YOUR 2012 CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES CHAMPION!!!!!
@AshleyAllgaier: HUGE congratulations to @JamesBuescher & @Kris_Buescher! A well deserved championship!
@jim_utter: Margin of victory: 0.014 seconds.
@PPistone: 9 first time winners, 16 different winners in 22 races this season - insane! #nascar
@kaseykahne: Congrats @jamesbuescher and @TurnerMotorspts on the Truck Championship #NASCAR
@SamanthaBusch: Not a scratch on the truck racing hard n clean with other drivers all night. Then Cale gets to Kyle n does this to win http://twitpic.com/bduige
@BubbaWallace (Darrell Wallace, Jr.): I just called my mom to see if putting her in the wall to win my 1st race was okay.. She said heck yea then told me to go to bed!
@SamanthaBusch: 2 more races til 2012 race season is over, halleulujah! Proud of KBs interview n all the hard work the boys put into this program! Nite all!
@KyleLarsonRacin: Watched the replay of the wreck. Feel REALLY bad for @tydillon. I definitely would never wreck someone on purpose. I just drove over my head
@KyleLarsonRacin: Also would never do that to help a teammate out. Can't really express how bad I feel about it all.
@RyanBlaney22: Well that hurt. I appreciate all the support everyone gave me tonight. Means a lot. Looking forward to tomorrow.
@Kris_Buescher: Congrats to my sweet husband!! And thanks to all of the amazing @JamesBuescher fans! #nascar pic.twitter.com/5fob6y3y
@Rchilders55 (Rodney Childers): I want to say thanks to @NASCAR and all of the officials that makes this happen each week.. It's been a fun year and we really appreciate it
@ClintBowyer: Great piece on @SPEED about @keselowski and his parents. It's a long hard ole road to get here and it's awesome to see it pay off for people
@MStall41 (Matt Stallknecht): Johnson has what appears to be a terminal motor issue. Pretty much wraps things up for Keselowski #NASCAR
@KyleLarsonRacin: That's such a lame way for the chase to end. Happy for @keselowski but was shaping up to be a good finish
@SamanthaBusch: Peace out 2012 race season I'm not sad at all to see you go!! What doesn't kill u makes u stronger so watch out in 2013 Kyle n crew r comin!
@queers4gears: And to think, some people (including me) thought Gordon should have been parked for this race
@2Spotter: Huh...that worked out well.....#NASCAR
@KristineC48: JJ congratulating the champions. pic.twitter.com/hXaCRWOm
@Brett_Griff: What a fun Chase that was. Hauled ass every week! 2nd in the standings. Thanks @mw55 @ClintBowyer and 15 team.
@dennyhamlin: Thanks also to all of my fans who come on here each week and wish me luck. It doesn't go unnoticed.
@nascarcasm: Congrats to @ClintBowyer - we found out last week he was a runner, but today, he became runner-up. #phoenix #nascar #chase
@joeylogano: And that's the way the cookie crumbles. Thanks to all of @JoeGibbsRacing for 7 great years
@dennyhamlin: Big congrats to @keselowski and Roger Penske on a job well done. They executed this chase nearly perfect! Well deserved first time champ!
@TheOrangeCone: A week after a profane tirade in the media center, Brad is now drunk on SportsCenter. Dude is bad ass!
@JimmieJohnson: Congrats @keselowski, Paul Wolf, Roger Penske an all of Penske on your championship. It was a lot of fun battling with you!
@JimmieJohnson: We had a chance... Thanks to my entire team and all of @TeamHendrick. #team48
@ivandebosch (Ingrid Vandebosch): Thanks everyone for your support! So happy for Jeff to end the season with a win!
@keselowski: Thank you 2 each & every fan 4 the words of support this week & after the race. Special thanks to the @JimmieJohnson Fans for the congrats
@MonteDutton: I have a strong suspicion that Brad Keselowski really believes in his corporate sponsor. #NASCAR
@keselowski: New twitter profile pic! #NASCAR #championship #thankyou every1 pic.twitter.com/PgscTo5y
@dnicholas (Dawn Nicholas): "@keselowski: We did it! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/RJkSl056" You sure did! I couldn't be prouder of you baby bro
@dnicholas: Just want to say thanks to all you great fans who support my brother. It really means so much to us! What a day
@mattkenseth: Thanks everyone at @roushfenway for 15 great years. I will miss racing with you guys!
@2Spotter: Just read the last 10 hours of tweets. I'm thrilled,honored, humbled. Thanks EVERYONE for all the kind words. This is SPECIAL!! I get it!
@ClaireBLang: Headed to airport. Check out Ella Gordon playing by dads race car in Vic Lane while Leo hangs with papa http://twitpic.com/belchq
@PPistone: #espn generated a 2.7 overnight rating for Sunday's Cup finale, down from the 3.7 last year which was the network's most viewed race ever
@JeffGordonWeb: Headed back to CLT after a fun night of celebrating. Thanks to everyone for the congrats wishes & all the support this year. #Team24
@ClintBowyer: Does anyone else have trouble getting their "give a shit" level off of zero on Mondays?
@JimmieJohnson: Must be my fault. @JennaFryer: ESPN's telecast of yesterdays #NASCAR race drew a 2.7 overnight rating, down from 3.7. last year's race.
@KyleBusch: Anyone else hate the chase as much as I do!?! Coulda shoulda woulda been Vegas bound. http://twitpic.com/beobbw
@Elliott_Sadler: Wow.. Come back from playing in pool with Wyatt and see the news is out.. Yep As of 145pm sat. I became the newest driver at JGR! Awesome!!
@Elliott_Sadler: Can't thank Coach and JD enough for this great opportunity...my family and I are ecstatic...thank you guys for all the tweets and congrats.
@RutledgeWood: This is my friend Jake..he's the camera man that jogged along w/ clintbowyer in PHX Great guy w/a great dad http://instagr.am/p/SObnhkDAnI/
@JohannaLong: As promised @kris_buescher .. Me in a dress.. LOL pic.twitter.com/BRJLbvwW
@RayEvernham: Just saw my friend and Crew Chief Scott Fisher take his first unaided steps since 9/10/11 sprint car accident. Very emotional but awesome
@StacyStenhouse: #2inarow #champion #brother #soproud http://instagr.am/p/SPIJmXKg3N/
@DanicaPatrick: Omg! Thank u fans for voting me most popular driver for the 2012 @nascar_nns series! Y'all are the best! U heard me. Y'all.
@jim_utter: Danica Patrick and Nelson Piquet Jr. wins most popular driver in #NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck series, respectively
@keselowski: Just finishing up a long day. Started in Miami at 730am, from there to Charlotte, then Connecticut and now in NYC. Whew, I'm tired!
@TimothyPeters17: Headed home from a great @NASCAR_Trucks banquet tonight! Hard to believe it's over! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
@HappyChairSR (Shawna Robinson): I wanna race trucks again!! I'm coming outta retirement!!! Giddy Up!
@ReganSmith: Cant begin to tell everybody how excited I am to have Greg Ives as a crew chief! His knowledge, passion and work ethic are second to none
@SamanthaBusch: FINALLY heading home after being on the road since martinsville!!! Can't wait to see our pups Kel n Suzie n sleep in my own bed!!!
@jim_utter: Final #NASCAR rating from Sunday's Sprint Cup finale on ESPN was a 3.5, down from 4.6 a year ago (3.4 million viewers) ... off 24 percent
@bobpockrass: Sprint Cup Banquet acts: Train, Lifehouse, Natasha Bedingfield, Phillip Phillips And The Beatles LOVE By Cirque du Soleil #nascar
@JennaFryer: NEWS: Danica Patrick announces she and husband are divorcing after 7 years of marriage. Calls split amicable.
@jeff_gluck: Danica on her Facebook page: "I am sad to inform my fans that after 7 years, Paul and I have decided to amicably end our marriage."
@jeff_gluck: More Danica on Facebook: "This isn't easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this."
@jeff_gluck: More Danica from Facebook: "He has been an important person and friend in my life and that's how we will remain moving forward."
Summer Bedgood is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter @SummerBedgood.
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The Critic's Annex: Kurt Busch: The Outlaw
by Phil Allaway
Hello, race fans. Welcome back to The Critic's Annex, where I take an additional opportunity to take a look at some motorsports-related programming. Today's special Wednesday edition will not be the last Annex of the year. A later edition will cover the recently released sophomore NASCAR effort from Activision and Eutechnyx, NASCAR the Game: Inside Line. The game is available for the Xbox 360
However, today's program of emphasis is a documentary that premiered just last week on SPEED. We're all aware of Kurt Busch's somewhat volatile personality, his tirades at members of the media during press conferences and in normal interviews, and an attitude that has hurt him in the past. The one-hour special is designed to (hopefully) show us the real Kurt Busch. We'll just see about that.
Kurt is apparently still angry about how he is represented. Let's just the say that the special starts with a mini-rant about how the media edits everything that happens with Kurt so as to create falsehood. I'd argue that it isn't true, but because of it, Busch decides to put everything out there in real time. It reminds me of an episode of The Simpsons when Homer is interviewed in an office and they cut the bejesus out of it. The whole time it's happening, there is a wall clock in the background and viewers could see the hands constantly switch to different positions based upon where the cuts were made. Instead of the media's point of view of everything that has happened, we're getting his point of view.
From here, the scene shifts to Baltimore, Maryland in September. Kurt splits time between here and the Charlotte area with his girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll, and her son Houston. With a backdrop of the simple morning routine, Busch talks about 2012 up to that point where he describes it as the toughest year of his career. Lets just say that he isn't pleased about how he is perceived. He believes that he is 97 percent good, but no one ever wants to talk about the good. They only talk about the bad.
I suppose he's right, but he's missing something. As of the writing of this critique, Kevin Clash is currently going through a public fall from grace, as is General David Petraeus. Granted, they are for very different reasons, but the point is the following. Kurt Busch is a public figure. Sure, it's nice to hear about donating to charitable causes and helping out disabled veterans (which he does, and really likes to do) and seeing him as a doting father to his girlfriend's son from another relationship. However, the bad outweighs the good in many situations. I'm not saying whether or not it's right, but it is the truth. If it's bad enough, even the accusation of it (in Clash's case) can kill a long career and render you a permanent pariah.
After explaining a little about the transmission failure in Homestead, Busch gave a running commentary of his thoughts while waiting for the interview with Dr. Jerry Punch that never happened. Footage from the "infamous YouTube video":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsaBQq5D4Zg was shown to help us along. Here, he states that he wasn't angry at Dr. Punch but rather that it just looked like he was. Instead, he was angry with Dr. Punch's cameraman, who pointed his camera in his face for something like ten minutes straight so that he would be ready when they went live. I can understand that kind of frustration. It was basically an error by ESPN's Producer. They should have just taped it as quick as they could and aired it later, or found a way to do it live earlier. Had either one of those options been chosen, we would have only been commenting on Busch flipping off a truck instead of the firestorm that ultimately occurred.
Busch admits that his career might have started out with a little too much success, and that likely led to the infamous rivalry with Jimmy Spencer. He claimed that the spanking after Spencer wrecked him in the 2002 Brickyard 400 was a sign that Spencer should have been sent to the rear. I can understand that because it is a move often used by flagmen at short tracks like The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where Busch got his start. However, such a directive is not typically made so expressively and repeatedly. Just pointing to Spencer, then his behind, would have been plenty (Spencer got a one-race suspension and Busch was placed on probation). Also, that was the second time he had expressed his anger on-track after the crash. The first time around, Busch had thrown his hands up as if to say "What the Deuce?" to Spencer. He had had enough, and I believe him. I'd be ticked off too if someone wrecked me at the end of the backstretch at 180 miles an hour.
Busch continued on and said that NBC broadcasting his radio chatter that indicated an intentional attempt to flatten Spencer's fender at Michigan in 2003 turned the general public against him. However, he never gave any reasoning as to why he tried to flatten Spencer's fender. Did Spencer do something to tick him off again, or was it just because it was Spencer?
Later, we learn a little bit about the work ethic of both of the Busch brothers. Their father, Tom, could be best described as a workaholic who would work for 12 to 13 hours a day, every day. That was just life for him. Kurt was the little kid who would help out from time to time with a small piece of sandpaper that likely didn't do anything at all. Prior to Kyle getting in a race car, the whole affair was more fun than anything else as Kurt raced against his father multiple times. It only got ultra competitive once Kyle started racing.
In regards to the infamous pull-over in 2005, Busch claims that the deputy actually did know who he was (at the time, it was rumored that Busch supposedly yelled, "Do you know who I am!" at the deputy), and it was part of the reason why he flipped out after he was cuffed, despite passing the field sobriety tests without resistance. He isn't necessarily angry at the media here for what they reported, but more at the deputy and Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the well-known elected Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, for dragging his name through the mud and costing him his job at Roush Racing. Arpaio tried to make good with a badge (which Busch still has) later on, but he's still ticked over it. At the time, the situation almost sounded like Busch was lucky to not end up in Arpaio's Tent City.
The Darlington incident earlier this year was described as an instance in which he was accused of endangering Ryan Newman's crew. Busch didn't believe he did, but it was a little close. Then, he accidentally ran into the back of Newman's car on pit road. Before he could get pushed away, members of Newman's crew went after him and apparently said some really inappropriate stuff about Driscoll. I don't know what that was, but I can understand Busch being angry there. At the time, I thought the incident was ridiculous. It didn't make any sense to me.
The "refraining from kicking your <expletive>" comment at Dover was explained as basically a spur of the moment quote that he can't take back. Busch didn't exactly express contrition, but thought that Bob Pockrass's question was ridiculous since it referred to something that happened at the very beginning of the race. It's apparently nothing different to Busch than if Allen Bestwick says something incorrectly in the broadcast booth for ESPN. That doesn't mean that an accidental Bestwick flub is equal to Busch threatening to beat up Bob Pockrass, because it isn't. However, the explanation Busch gives is very similar to how Bestwick would explain a flub.
Probably the most interesting thing that was revealed in the piece is that Phoenix Racing owner James Finch nixed a number of potential sponsorship deals for the team so that he could "go after the big fish." Uh, that's nice and all if this were 1998. That's not a good strategy if you want to survive today. It's not far off suicide, actually. I'd argue that Busch would never admit that it was part of the reason why he left Phoenix Racing before the season ended for Furniture Row, but it had to have played a role.
The show ends with Talladega and Busch getting parked for driving off with the EMT's equipment on his roof after he wrecked. Busch's position is that he thought the car would still roll and he got it started. That explanation is not dissimilar to "Dale Earnhardt after his roll in the 1997 Daytona 500":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWRj6cs8SRg#t=3m22s. However, times have changed since 1997. I guess you can't just get out of the car after a wreck and immediately get back in without seeking medical treatment these days.
Let's just say that Busch made a really stupid mistake by not putting his helmet back on before he drove off, and not waiting until the EMT's removed their equipment. Had he done that, we probably wouldn't be having this discussion now. However, because of his choices, he got parked by NASCAR and didn't know that he'd been parked until Nick Harrison (his crew chief) told him so in the garage. Afterwards, there was a massive throng of media members waiting to hear from him. However, instead of saying something that he would regret, he took the time to thank his crew members personally, calmed down, then faced the throng.
Overall, the tone of the documentary is a bit defeatist. Kurt Busch realizes now that he cannot win. At least part of his problems are self-inflicted. It appears that he functions on instinct a little too much, and that has created a lot of his problems. However, despite those problems, he's still a very talented racer.
However, he also comes off as a little paranoid at times. It's never outright stated, but it appears that he thinks that people are out to get him. Do I think that's the truth? No, at least not with the assembled media at the track. Pockrass definitely isn't out to get him, even though the Dover situation was at least the second time that Busch was visibly angry at Pockrass in less than a year (the previous July, he angrily read a prepared statement during a press conference after Pockrass asked about the then-generally unknown Driscoll in a press conference that I just so happened to be in attendance at. The reasoning for the question: Busch had won the previous week in Sonoma and she kissed him in Victory Lane, and his wife Eva--whom he had quietly separated from--was nowhere to be seen).
However, the explanation for the traffic stop in Avondale definitely makes it sound like the deputy tried to elevate himself and/or the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department at Busch's expense. I'd like to see the deputy's side of the story before making a definitive yea or nay on that situation, though. Knowing how much of a publicity hog that the now 80-year old Arpaio is (see the recent investigation into President Obama's birth certificate using public funds), I wouldn't be surprised if the call came in over the radio to nail Busch. It would be consistent with the behavior of Arpaio and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department over the past 20 years.
Having said all that, the special was very well put together, if potentially a little misguided (due to Busch's wishes). We got a raw look at life as a racer from Busch's perspective. At times, it's a pretty sweet life. At other times, it can be a nightmare. However, I wouldn't necessarily call Busch an "Outlaw." That's just marketing.
I hope you liked this look at Kurt Busch: The Outlaw. Stay tuned over the winter months for the aforementioned critique of NASCAR the Game: Inside Line. Until then, enjoy the off-season.
Phil Allaway is the Newsletter Manager for Frontstretch. He can be reached via e-mail at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Critic84.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Did You Notice? ... The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Of NASCAR 2012
by Tom Bowles
An IndyCar Season to Be Thankful For...
by Toni Montgomery, Huston Ladner and Matt Stallknecht
NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Homestead
compiled by Summer Bedgood
Mirror Driving: Champions, Challenges, And NASCAR's Memorable Moments
by the Frontstretch Staff
Michael Annett Driver Diary: End of the Season and Looking Ahead
as told to Toni Montgomery
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In 1993, the Brazilian crowd at Interlagos was treated to Ayrton Senna's second win at the twisty road course near Sao Paulo. What happened towards the halfway point of the race to knock leader Alain Prost out of the event?
-----------------------------
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©2012 Frontstretch.com
@jim_utter: "Nothing we've seen from Brad violates any current rules pertaining to the use of social media during races." - NASCAR, Feb. 28, 2012
@patisouzapaludo (Patricia Paludo): Best news of the day! Oli's levels are the same as a person withouth diabetes! A1C 7.4!! Soooo happy! Proud mama! Tears in my eyes! #WDD
@MartySmithESPN: #DaleJr helmet would give my daughter nightmares... pic.twitter.com/ild8ZBeQ
@MaryeveDufault: Turned down @Playboy cover. It can be flattering for a model, but for me it's all about racing.#Nascar #Playboy #RacingSuit Don't work together
@dcaraviello (David Caraviello): Joey Logano says he reached out to Jeff Gordon for an apology re: Phx "and didn't get one. Got hung up on." Said Gordon texted him later.
@Team_Onion (Todd and Janet Bodine): There is no one that will tell me different @Team_Onion is the best in the business. Even through all this bad luck. Love him.
@AllWaltrip (Darrell Waltrip): We complement each other very well, @AllWaltrip has hindsight, @mikejoy500 has foresight and @LarryMac28 has insight, got you covered!
@Brett_Griff (Brett Griffin): Attention #NASCAR fans... "Rubbin is racin" someone please give @JeffGordonWeb that memo. It's what brought us fans. It's what will keep em
@Brett_Griff: Reading those quotes is a joke. 3 wide pisses him off. Touching him pisses him off. Hell lets play flag football this Sunday. #SMDH
@Beth_Frntstrtch (Beth Lunkenheimer): Confirmed for 2013: Sauter and Crafton will return with ThorSport Racing. #NASCAR
@LarryMac28 (Larry McReynolds): Being in the booth doing anything is like being with my family @mikejoy500 and @AllWaltrip Hope we 're together as long as we can make it!
@JeffGordonWeb: From my understanding, media didn't tweet full @joeylogano quote. There's his side, my side...and truth is somewhere in between."
@jeff_gluck: Damn. That was a big hit for Blaney. Can't really blame either Larson or Dillon...they were both just going for it, IMO.
@TheOrangeCone: Ty saw the chance at the championship slipping. Larson saw a win. Both needed that ground. Hard racing.
@mattkenseth: That was a big wreck, feel bad for those guys. They were putting on a heck of a show. #NASCAR
@RyanTruex: I think your thinking of a different Ryan "@JustxJessica: I hate it for @ryan_truex was hoping he would get a good finish"
@kaseykahne: Glad everyone is ok after that. Man they were all putting on a great race.
@EmmaBlaney: Just saw Ry. He is okay! Might be a little sore in the morning!
@mattkenseth: Wow!
@JamesBuescher: JAMES BUESCHER IS YOUR 2012 CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES CHAMPION!!!!!
@AshleyAllgaier: HUGE congratulations to @JamesBuescher & @Kris_Buescher! A well deserved championship!
@jim_utter: Margin of victory: 0.014 seconds.
@PPistone: 9 first time winners, 16 different winners in 22 races this season - insane! #nascar
@kaseykahne: Congrats @jamesbuescher and @TurnerMotorspts on the Truck Championship #NASCAR
@SamanthaBusch: Not a scratch on the truck racing hard n clean with other drivers all night. Then Cale gets to Kyle n does this to win http://twitpic.com/bduige
@BubbaWallace (Darrell Wallace, Jr.): I just called my mom to see if putting her in the wall to win my 1st race was okay.. She said heck yea then told me to go to bed!
@SamanthaBusch: 2 more races til 2012 race season is over, halleulujah! Proud of KBs interview n all the hard work the boys put into this program! Nite all!
@KyleLarsonRacin: Watched the replay of the wreck. Feel REALLY bad for @tydillon. I definitely would never wreck someone on purpose. I just drove over my head
@KyleLarsonRacin: Also would never do that to help a teammate out. Can't really express how bad I feel about it all.
@RyanBlaney22: Well that hurt. I appreciate all the support everyone gave me tonight. Means a lot. Looking forward to tomorrow.
@Kris_Buescher: Congrats to my sweet husband!! And thanks to all of the amazing @JamesBuescher fans! #nascar pic.twitter.com/5fob6y3y
@Rchilders55 (Rodney Childers): I want to say thanks to @NASCAR and all of the officials that makes this happen each week.. It's been a fun year and we really appreciate it
@ClintBowyer: Great piece on @SPEED about @keselowski and his parents. It's a long hard ole road to get here and it's awesome to see it pay off for people
@MStall41 (Matt Stallknecht): Johnson has what appears to be a terminal motor issue. Pretty much wraps things up for Keselowski #NASCAR
@KyleLarsonRacin: That's such a lame way for the chase to end. Happy for @keselowski but was shaping up to be a good finish
@SamanthaBusch: Peace out 2012 race season I'm not sad at all to see you go!! What doesn't kill u makes u stronger so watch out in 2013 Kyle n crew r comin!
@queers4gears: And to think, some people (including me) thought Gordon should have been parked for this race
@2Spotter: Huh...that worked out well.....#NASCAR
@KristineC48: JJ congratulating the champions. pic.twitter.com/hXaCRWOm
@Brett_Griff: What a fun Chase that was. Hauled ass every week! 2nd in the standings. Thanks @mw55 @ClintBowyer and 15 team.
@dennyhamlin: Thanks also to all of my fans who come on here each week and wish me luck. It doesn't go unnoticed.
@nascarcasm: Congrats to @ClintBowyer - we found out last week he was a runner, but today, he became runner-up. #phoenix #nascar #chase
@joeylogano: And that's the way the cookie crumbles. Thanks to all of @JoeGibbsRacing for 7 great years
@dennyhamlin: Big congrats to @keselowski and Roger Penske on a job well done. They executed this chase nearly perfect! Well deserved first time champ!
@TheOrangeCone: A week after a profane tirade in the media center, Brad is now drunk on SportsCenter. Dude is bad ass!
@JimmieJohnson: Congrats @keselowski, Paul Wolf, Roger Penske an all of Penske on your championship. It was a lot of fun battling with you!
@JimmieJohnson: We had a chance... Thanks to my entire team and all of @TeamHendrick. #team48
@ivandebosch (Ingrid Vandebosch): Thanks everyone for your support! So happy for Jeff to end the season with a win!
@keselowski: Thank you 2 each & every fan 4 the words of support this week & after the race. Special thanks to the @JimmieJohnson Fans for the congrats
@MonteDutton: I have a strong suspicion that Brad Keselowski really believes in his corporate sponsor. #NASCAR
@keselowski: New twitter profile pic! #NASCAR #championship #thankyou every1 pic.twitter.com/PgscTo5y
@dnicholas (Dawn Nicholas): "@keselowski: We did it! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/RJkSl056" You sure did! I couldn't be prouder of you baby bro
@dnicholas: Just want to say thanks to all you great fans who support my brother. It really means so much to us! What a day
@mattkenseth: Thanks everyone at @roushfenway for 15 great years. I will miss racing with you guys!
@2Spotter: Just read the last 10 hours of tweets. I'm thrilled,honored, humbled. Thanks EVERYONE for all the kind words. This is SPECIAL!! I get it!
@ClaireBLang: Headed to airport. Check out Ella Gordon playing by dads race car in Vic Lane while Leo hangs with papa http://twitpic.com/belchq
@PPistone: #espn generated a 2.7 overnight rating for Sunday's Cup finale, down from the 3.7 last year which was the network's most viewed race ever
@JeffGordonWeb: Headed back to CLT after a fun night of celebrating. Thanks to everyone for the congrats wishes & all the support this year. #Team24
@ClintBowyer: Does anyone else have trouble getting their "give a shit" level off of zero on Mondays?
@JimmieJohnson: Must be my fault. @JennaFryer: ESPN's telecast of yesterdays #NASCAR race drew a 2.7 overnight rating, down from 3.7. last year's race.
@KyleBusch: Anyone else hate the chase as much as I do!?! Coulda shoulda woulda been Vegas bound. http://twitpic.com/beobbw
@Elliott_Sadler: Wow.. Come back from playing in pool with Wyatt and see the news is out.. Yep As of 145pm sat. I became the newest driver at JGR! Awesome!!
@Elliott_Sadler: Can't thank Coach and JD enough for this great opportunity...my family and I are ecstatic...thank you guys for all the tweets and congrats.
@RutledgeWood: This is my friend Jake..he's the camera man that jogged along w/ clintbowyer in PHX Great guy w/a great dad http://instagr.am/p/SObnhkDAnI/
@JohannaLong: As promised @kris_buescher .. Me in a dress.. LOL pic.twitter.com/BRJLbvwW
@RayEvernham: Just saw my friend and Crew Chief Scott Fisher take his first unaided steps since 9/10/11 sprint car accident. Very emotional but awesome
@StacyStenhouse: #2inarow #champion #brother #soproud http://instagr.am/p/SPIJmXKg3N/
@DanicaPatrick: Omg! Thank u fans for voting me most popular driver for the 2012 @nascar_nns series! Y'all are the best! U heard me. Y'all.
@jim_utter: Danica Patrick and Nelson Piquet Jr. wins most popular driver in #NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck series, respectively
@keselowski: Just finishing up a long day. Started in Miami at 730am, from there to Charlotte, then Connecticut and now in NYC. Whew, I'm tired!
@TimothyPeters17: Headed home from a great @NASCAR_Trucks banquet tonight! Hard to believe it's over! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
@HappyChairSR (Shawna Robinson): I wanna race trucks again!! I'm coming outta retirement!!! Giddy Up!
@ReganSmith: Cant begin to tell everybody how excited I am to have Greg Ives as a crew chief! His knowledge, passion and work ethic are second to none
@SamanthaBusch: FINALLY heading home after being on the road since martinsville!!! Can't wait to see our pups Kel n Suzie n sleep in my own bed!!!
@jim_utter: Final #NASCAR rating from Sunday's Sprint Cup finale on ESPN was a 3.5, down from 4.6 a year ago (3.4 million viewers) ... off 24 percent
@bobpockrass: Sprint Cup Banquet acts: Train, Lifehouse, Natasha Bedingfield, Phillip Phillips And The Beatles LOVE By Cirque du Soleil #nascar
@JennaFryer: NEWS: Danica Patrick announces she and husband are divorcing after 7 years of marriage. Calls split amicable.
@jeff_gluck: Danica on her Facebook page: "I am sad to inform my fans that after 7 years, Paul and I have decided to amicably end our marriage."
@jeff_gluck: More Danica on Facebook: "This isn't easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this."
@jeff_gluck: More Danica from Facebook: "He has been an important person and friend in my life and that's how we will remain moving forward."
Summer Bedgood is a Senior Writer for Frontstretch.com. She can be reached via email at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com. Follow her on Twitter @SummerBedgood.
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The Critic's Annex: Kurt Busch: The Outlaw
by Phil Allaway
Hello, race fans. Welcome back to The Critic's Annex, where I take an additional opportunity to take a look at some motorsports-related programming. Today's special Wednesday edition will not be the last Annex of the year. A later edition will cover the recently released sophomore NASCAR effort from Activision and Eutechnyx, NASCAR the Game: Inside Line. The game is available for the Xbox 360
However, today's program of emphasis is a documentary that premiered just last week on SPEED. We're all aware of Kurt Busch's somewhat volatile personality, his tirades at members of the media during press conferences and in normal interviews, and an attitude that has hurt him in the past. The one-hour special is designed to (hopefully) show us the real Kurt Busch. We'll just see about that.
Kurt is apparently still angry about how he is represented. Let's just the say that the special starts with a mini-rant about how the media edits everything that happens with Kurt so as to create falsehood. I'd argue that it isn't true, but because of it, Busch decides to put everything out there in real time. It reminds me of an episode of The Simpsons when Homer is interviewed in an office and they cut the bejesus out of it. The whole time it's happening, there is a wall clock in the background and viewers could see the hands constantly switch to different positions based upon where the cuts were made. Instead of the media's point of view of everything that has happened, we're getting his point of view.
From here, the scene shifts to Baltimore, Maryland in September. Kurt splits time between here and the Charlotte area with his girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll, and her son Houston. With a backdrop of the simple morning routine, Busch talks about 2012 up to that point where he describes it as the toughest year of his career. Lets just say that he isn't pleased about how he is perceived. He believes that he is 97 percent good, but no one ever wants to talk about the good. They only talk about the bad.
I suppose he's right, but he's missing something. As of the writing of this critique, Kevin Clash is currently going through a public fall from grace, as is General David Petraeus. Granted, they are for very different reasons, but the point is the following. Kurt Busch is a public figure. Sure, it's nice to hear about donating to charitable causes and helping out disabled veterans (which he does, and really likes to do) and seeing him as a doting father to his girlfriend's son from another relationship. However, the bad outweighs the good in many situations. I'm not saying whether or not it's right, but it is the truth. If it's bad enough, even the accusation of it (in Clash's case) can kill a long career and render you a permanent pariah.
After explaining a little about the transmission failure in Homestead, Busch gave a running commentary of his thoughts while waiting for the interview with Dr. Jerry Punch that never happened. Footage from the "infamous YouTube video":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsaBQq5D4Zg was shown to help us along. Here, he states that he wasn't angry at Dr. Punch but rather that it just looked like he was. Instead, he was angry with Dr. Punch's cameraman, who pointed his camera in his face for something like ten minutes straight so that he would be ready when they went live. I can understand that kind of frustration. It was basically an error by ESPN's Producer. They should have just taped it as quick as they could and aired it later, or found a way to do it live earlier. Had either one of those options been chosen, we would have only been commenting on Busch flipping off a truck instead of the firestorm that ultimately occurred.
Busch admits that his career might have started out with a little too much success, and that likely led to the infamous rivalry with Jimmy Spencer. He claimed that the spanking after Spencer wrecked him in the 2002 Brickyard 400 was a sign that Spencer should have been sent to the rear. I can understand that because it is a move often used by flagmen at short tracks like The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where Busch got his start. However, such a directive is not typically made so expressively and repeatedly. Just pointing to Spencer, then his behind, would have been plenty (Spencer got a one-race suspension and Busch was placed on probation). Also, that was the second time he had expressed his anger on-track after the crash. The first time around, Busch had thrown his hands up as if to say "What the Deuce?" to Spencer. He had had enough, and I believe him. I'd be ticked off too if someone wrecked me at the end of the backstretch at 180 miles an hour.
Busch continued on and said that NBC broadcasting his radio chatter that indicated an intentional attempt to flatten Spencer's fender at Michigan in 2003 turned the general public against him. However, he never gave any reasoning as to why he tried to flatten Spencer's fender. Did Spencer do something to tick him off again, or was it just because it was Spencer?
Later, we learn a little bit about the work ethic of both of the Busch brothers. Their father, Tom, could be best described as a workaholic who would work for 12 to 13 hours a day, every day. That was just life for him. Kurt was the little kid who would help out from time to time with a small piece of sandpaper that likely didn't do anything at all. Prior to Kyle getting in a race car, the whole affair was more fun than anything else as Kurt raced against his father multiple times. It only got ultra competitive once Kyle started racing.
In regards to the infamous pull-over in 2005, Busch claims that the deputy actually did know who he was (at the time, it was rumored that Busch supposedly yelled, "Do you know who I am!" at the deputy), and it was part of the reason why he flipped out after he was cuffed, despite passing the field sobriety tests without resistance. He isn't necessarily angry at the media here for what they reported, but more at the deputy and Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the well-known elected Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, for dragging his name through the mud and costing him his job at Roush Racing. Arpaio tried to make good with a badge (which Busch still has) later on, but he's still ticked over it. At the time, the situation almost sounded like Busch was lucky to not end up in Arpaio's Tent City.
The Darlington incident earlier this year was described as an instance in which he was accused of endangering Ryan Newman's crew. Busch didn't believe he did, but it was a little close. Then, he accidentally ran into the back of Newman's car on pit road. Before he could get pushed away, members of Newman's crew went after him and apparently said some really inappropriate stuff about Driscoll. I don't know what that was, but I can understand Busch being angry there. At the time, I thought the incident was ridiculous. It didn't make any sense to me.
The "refraining from kicking your <expletive>" comment at Dover was explained as basically a spur of the moment quote that he can't take back. Busch didn't exactly express contrition, but thought that Bob Pockrass's question was ridiculous since it referred to something that happened at the very beginning of the race. It's apparently nothing different to Busch than if Allen Bestwick says something incorrectly in the broadcast booth for ESPN. That doesn't mean that an accidental Bestwick flub is equal to Busch threatening to beat up Bob Pockrass, because it isn't. However, the explanation Busch gives is very similar to how Bestwick would explain a flub.
Probably the most interesting thing that was revealed in the piece is that Phoenix Racing owner James Finch nixed a number of potential sponsorship deals for the team so that he could "go after the big fish." Uh, that's nice and all if this were 1998. That's not a good strategy if you want to survive today. It's not far off suicide, actually. I'd argue that Busch would never admit that it was part of the reason why he left Phoenix Racing before the season ended for Furniture Row, but it had to have played a role.
The show ends with Talladega and Busch getting parked for driving off with the EMT's equipment on his roof after he wrecked. Busch's position is that he thought the car would still roll and he got it started. That explanation is not dissimilar to "Dale Earnhardt after his roll in the 1997 Daytona 500":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWRj6cs8SRg#t=3m22s. However, times have changed since 1997. I guess you can't just get out of the car after a wreck and immediately get back in without seeking medical treatment these days.
Let's just say that Busch made a really stupid mistake by not putting his helmet back on before he drove off, and not waiting until the EMT's removed their equipment. Had he done that, we probably wouldn't be having this discussion now. However, because of his choices, he got parked by NASCAR and didn't know that he'd been parked until Nick Harrison (his crew chief) told him so in the garage. Afterwards, there was a massive throng of media members waiting to hear from him. However, instead of saying something that he would regret, he took the time to thank his crew members personally, calmed down, then faced the throng.
Overall, the tone of the documentary is a bit defeatist. Kurt Busch realizes now that he cannot win. At least part of his problems are self-inflicted. It appears that he functions on instinct a little too much, and that has created a lot of his problems. However, despite those problems, he's still a very talented racer.
However, he also comes off as a little paranoid at times. It's never outright stated, but it appears that he thinks that people are out to get him. Do I think that's the truth? No, at least not with the assembled media at the track. Pockrass definitely isn't out to get him, even though the Dover situation was at least the second time that Busch was visibly angry at Pockrass in less than a year (the previous July, he angrily read a prepared statement during a press conference after Pockrass asked about the then-generally unknown Driscoll in a press conference that I just so happened to be in attendance at. The reasoning for the question: Busch had won the previous week in Sonoma and she kissed him in Victory Lane, and his wife Eva--whom he had quietly separated from--was nowhere to be seen).
However, the explanation for the traffic stop in Avondale definitely makes it sound like the deputy tried to elevate himself and/or the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department at Busch's expense. I'd like to see the deputy's side of the story before making a definitive yea or nay on that situation, though. Knowing how much of a publicity hog that the now 80-year old Arpaio is (see the recent investigation into President Obama's birth certificate using public funds), I wouldn't be surprised if the call came in over the radio to nail Busch. It would be consistent with the behavior of Arpaio and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department over the past 20 years.
Having said all that, the special was very well put together, if potentially a little misguided (due to Busch's wishes). We got a raw look at life as a racer from Busch's perspective. At times, it's a pretty sweet life. At other times, it can be a nightmare. However, I wouldn't necessarily call Busch an "Outlaw." That's just marketing.
I hope you liked this look at Kurt Busch: The Outlaw. Stay tuned over the winter months for the aforementioned critique of NASCAR the Game: Inside Line. Until then, enjoy the off-season.
Phil Allaway is the Newsletter Manager for Frontstretch. He can be reached via e-mail at phil.allaway@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Critic84.
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
Did You Notice? ... The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Of NASCAR 2012
by Tom Bowles
An IndyCar Season to Be Thankful For...
by Toni Montgomery, Huston Ladner and Matt Stallknecht
NASCAR Sprint Cup Power Rankings: Top 15 After Homestead
compiled by Summer Bedgood
Mirror Driving: Champions, Challenges, And NASCAR's Memorable Moments
by the Frontstretch Staff
Michael Annett Driver Diary: End of the Season and Looking Ahead
as told to Toni Montgomery
~~~~~~~~~~
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA:
Q: In 1993, the Brazilian crowd at Interlagos was treated to Ayrton Senna's second win at the twisty road course near Sao Paulo. What happened towards the halfway point of the race to knock leader Alain Prost out of the event?
Check back Monday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Monday's Answer:
Q: In the very first race at Homestead-Miami Speedway for CART in 1996, debutant Alex Zanardi made a rather unusual exit from the race. What happened?
A: The caution was already out on track due to debris from contact involving Andre Ribeiro and Robby Gordon. Everyone chose to pit for tires here. Zanardi was tenth at the time of the yellow, but his crew failed to tighten the left rear wheel out correctly. As a result, Zanardi's left-rear wheel flew off on the warm-up lane beneath Turn 2 and shot Zanardi into the outside wall. The incident, as well as Paul Tracy's demise due to transmission issues after leading from the start, can be seen in this clip.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: If we mess up, you get the shirt off our backs! If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
Monday's Answer:
Q: In the very first race at Homestead-Miami Speedway for CART in 1996, debutant Alex Zanardi made a rather unusual exit from the race. What happened?
A: The caution was already out on track due to debris from contact involving Andre Ribeiro and Robby Gordon. Everyone chose to pit for tires here. Zanardi was tenth at the time of the yellow, but his crew failed to tighten the left rear wheel out correctly. As a result, Zanardi's left-rear wheel flew off on the warm-up lane beneath Turn 2 and shot Zanardi into the outside wall. The incident, as well as Paul Tracy's demise due to transmission issues after leading from the start, can be seen in this clip.
Frontstretch Trivia Guarantee: If we mess up, you get the shirt off our backs! If we've provided an incorrect answer to the Frontstretch Trivia question, be the first to email the corrected trivia answer to trivia@frontstretch.com and we'll send you a Frontstretch T-Shirt ... FREE!
-----------------------------
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