Backstretch Motorsports

“…they were just racing so hard there and you knew it was going to happen. I just took advantage of a misfortune right there.” — Clint Bowyer

“…he is going to need some security.” — Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the Jr.Nation’s feelings toward Kyle Busch

It just writes itself, this racing biz. Last night being the prime example. It was Richmond, the little track that provides — for it’s fans, for the drivers, for the teams — it provides good racing and it provides the “more than occasional” controversy.

Nobody is guaranteed anything — not even Dale Jr.

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(Ed. note: this one is a little more personal, Cristiano is a great driver and a great person to know)

Sunday at VIR held one the most pleasant surprises I ‘ve had in a while. Walking through the garage area I saw Cristiano da Matta standing near the Bob Stallings/GAINSCO Racing hauler with headset on, watching as Jon Fogarty and Alex Gurney made final prep to compete in the Bosch 250 Grand-Am race.

He had a huge smile on his face. Being around racing has been the best therapy.

I immediately went to talk to the young Brazillian. “The accident is like a blur to me, many things I don’t remember about it” he said, “it was an unfortunate thing, but it is behind me. Now its time to race.”

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First it was Danica Patrick and Japan, Now there’s Ashley Force , and there’s Antron Brown following JR Todd from last season.

Diversity is alive and well in racing. At least in the IRL and NHRA.

Scott Speed not only took the Red Bull team to an ARCA win at the Kansas Lottery 150, he scored another top ten finish in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event there.

Speed is acclerating the learning curve with style. Watch for seat vacancy to both appear and be filled with Speed before Cup seasons’ end over at Red Bull NASCAR. I don’t think there will be a third car.

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“In recognition of Danica’s talents, she did a good job. She passed me fair and square. I didn’t have enough fuel, even if I wanted to, to fight with her, and today I guess it’s part of history again. Last race in this car, and now she wins the race.
She was very competitive. Any driver that comes with a good package and a good organization, they can put a good job and they’ll be competitive.” ~~ Helio Castroneves on Danica Patrick’s win at the Japan 300.

A huge part of auto-racing is strategy. One of three key elements , equipment, personel and execution of plan. Any crew chief or race strategist will tell you that end of a race is a chess game, thinking backward from the checkered flag to the final pit stop. Knowing how and when you could and should make your move for the best possible finish position.

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Race fans are a not a fickle bunch. They chose drivers to follow, cheer for them and buy the swag at amazing proportions.

They latch on to winners. And they display their allegiances with conviction.

It is easy to not like winners. Listen to the boo-birds at any session of driver intros at any given event. Wait till somebody that is a proven winner takes the stage. They boo because it’s not their winner.

They consider themselves to be hard-core.

I submit that they are not.

Read on.

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