Grassroots Racing

         Over the years the sport of stock car racing has grown to unimaginable heights. With that growth a lot of what made the sport so loved has some how been left behind. Now reading that your probably thinking "Oh great another post bashing NASCAR." Hold on, don't leave just yet give this a chance. NASCAR has took a sport that started with "outlaws" tuning cars to run from the police to a multi million dollar national sport. They have took a predominantly southern sport and took it from coast to coast and brought so many different fans into the family. What has me worried though is that in the attempt to grow the sport they are forgetting what made them so loved by many. A few weeks ago the truck series ran at Eldora. The race was phenomenal showing for the series, once again with a super close finish, actually if I'm not mistaken the closest in track history. Needless to say after seeing that the uproar from fans was hard to avoid. Which in a lot of way they all made some valid points. While I think most, if not all fans would love to see the Xfinity and cup guys slide around on dirt there is a bigger topic from which this branches. A lot of fans are tired of the same old racing occurring every single season.
       Tracks that were built on NASCAR history such as the one you see above lost races to the multiple mile and half tracks. North Wilksboro, is now permanently closed due to the state of the facility and some other let's say "financial" reasons. There was recently a headline announcing that Talladega was gonna be investing fifty million dollars into there infield renovations. While I love seeing any improvements, as a traditionalist I can't help but wonder what that fifty million could do for an old historic track like North Wilksboro, Hickory Motorspeedway or even a track that has never hosted a major series race like Five Flags in Pensacola (pictured to right). A change of pace track like that could bring back a new old spark so to say maybe reignite some flames in lost fans who have left the sport over the issues with scheduling over the years. While I as a typical living human being know money is the key to living, and I know they're some legal issues with track scheduling. NASCAR can't deny there are some scheduling issues that need to be resolved or re-approached when the contract is up in 2020.
        Take some money and invest into a few tracks with deeply woven NASCAR roots. Tracks like I mentioned above Hickory Motor Speedway, South Boston, Myrtle Beach, or even the fairgrounds in Nashville could take any amount of money and put it towards grandstands, parking, and facilities. These small improvements could allow them to bring back a classic grass roots racing back to the sport that has been missed for ages. I mean if your against a few smaller tracks like that heck look into a track even like Iowa then a track that continues to show year after year they need a cup series race. These tracks that are smaller than a mile offer up something a little different. They put cars closer together, they allow a driver to not only allow on speed and aero of his car. They have to drive them and possibly beat them up a little more. Now while I am not against all mile and half tracks I will say I would like a fewer of them every year and more small fast tracks, or even a road courses.
     Regardless of what the big wigs decide to do in a few years when they have the legal ability to adjust some track scheduling one thing will not change the love for small town short track racing. The roots of stock car racing still live and flourish at these tracks. Whether its the dirt circuit with Kyle Larson, and Christopher Bell. Or the paved circuit with the likes of Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, and a lot of other current drivers. Drivers like Kevin Harvick was recently quoted saying "without those grass roots fans, those grassroots people...10 years from now you better hope you have some people who will sit in the stands up here, waiting to watch the races at your short track because those are your hardcore fans." He was not exactly by himself on that thought either when asked about the star drivers being able to race in the lesser series Kyle Larson was quoted saying "I feel like we've lost touch with our grassroots racing fans." Grass roots racing is not dead, but if NASCAR as a whole could embrace it a lot more the sport would come out better in the end. Who knows, you might even see those grand stands fill up complete again.

Pictures Courtesy: North Wilksboro/Front Office Sports
                               Five Flags:Speed 51.com

Domination...

The meaning of domination in the sport of stock car racing could mean different things no madder who you ask. It could mean, leading the most laps, winning the most races, or claiming the most season championships. Regardless of what you think it means we are witnessing it this year in NASCAR. The "Big 3" as everyone has labeled them has now after New Hampshire won a combined thirteen races this year. That alone is just complete and udder series domination. Week in and week out these three drivers are qualifying or running up front and its an accomplishment to do so. The thing is that there are so many fans of the sport that are continuing to gripe and complain that this kinda domination is just driving the sport to a closer grave. So, bare with me for a bit longer, I have a few facts to shed on you here. Some of these that you may even be able to use against those complaining and griping constantly.
        I'm gonna go back right now to a time in NASCAR when things where a lot simpler the 60's. Tracks in Atlanta, and Charlotte were just being built. CBS began televising three races live, and new fans from all over are being introduced to stock car racing. The King himself  Richard Petty in the time from 1960 to 1969 had 101 wins and won his first two championships. Easily running away with this decade, but lets no forget about the likes of Ned Jarrett, and David Pearson. Those two drivers combined in the ten year span for 105 victories and three series championships. Fans were coming outta the wood works for the "new" sport on the TV at the time. I'll go a step further and briefly go over the 70's 80's and 90's. Make sure to keep up because there are gonna be some names you should know.
     So, the 70's rolled around and the sport was being donned "the sport of the decade." Sponsors were coming outta know were associating themselves with drivers. Auto manufacturers were coming out with bigger, and faster car's for one purpose to win. Even with those changes once again two guys showed even though some things change they also remain the same. Richard Petty once again dominated winning five championships, and 89 trips to victory lane. David Pearson only competed in half the amount of races this ten year span and still won 47 times, and oh yeah a new face Cale Yarborough decided to win himself a measly three championships and 56 race trophies. Again you had three big dominating guys. From 1980 to 2000 would see a couple reappearing names. Names along the lines of Dale Earnhardt who would go onto tie "The King" and win seven titles. You would also get to see a young man who is gonna be entering the HOF in 2019 Jeff Gordon. Gordon would go onto win three of his four titles in the 90's. The only other driver to win multiple titles from 1980 to 1999 was Darrell Waltrip. Those three drivers were competing against the likes of Bill Elliott, Mark Martin and oh yeah each other to absolutely dominate the series. One thing each ten year period has in common though is that three driver's dominated each ten year period. From 80-89 you had Earnhardt, Elliott, and Waltrip. From 90-99 you had Earnhardt,Martin, and Gordon. So once again budding times in the sport and we had three guys who absolutely ran away with the sport. Yes I realize I am forgetting some pretty bright names such as Rusty Wallace, Terry and Bobby Labonte and heck even Dale Jarrett. Either way though that just proves the guys I listed above had to compete even harder. I've got one more recent ten year span to cover though so hold on just a bit longer.
     In the ten year span from 2000 to 2010 there are a few names that just recently left the sport who dominated. Jimmie Johnson did something never before seen in the sport. I'd rather not start with that though lets start with a few guys who recently retired. Your most recent and upcoming NASCAR hall of fame class member Jeff Gordon. Jeff won his final of four championships in 2001. In the ten year span though he also amassed 33 wins. Lets move on though to the next driver. Tony "Smoke" Stewart grabbed his first of three career titles in 2002 and would again grab it again in 2005. Smokes final title was just outside of this ten year range in 2011, either way he grabbed two for sure in the ten year plan. Along with the two season titles in he made the trip to victory lane 36 times, never having a season without a win until the latter part of his career. Now, we've got to arguable one of the best driver's in the sport's history. Oh wait, I'm sure he comes the "the chase format won Jimmie his titles" or the "Jimmie will never be as great as Dale or Richard." All of those people are right though is the thing. Just like any other sport NASCAR evolved, adapted new rules, new cars, new tracks even. So your right, Jimmie will never be the driver Richard was, or Dale. Because both of those guys were the IT drivers of there time in the sport. What you can not do is take away what Jimmie did, he won 5 straight titles, won 53 times. Those are numbers that had not been seen since Darrell Waltrip won 57 times in the 80's. Once again the trend continues three drivers dominating and winning just about everything you can win.
      Here's my conclusion though if your still reading. Harvick, Truex, and Busch are dominating yes. We have all heard and seen it are we all tired of it? Well yeah unless your a fan of one of those driver's. We all as fans have agenda's and want our drivers to win, but is there domination bad for the sport in my opinion no. It's historic, and NASCAR is like any other thing in history it repeats its self. Now I will say this, I believe as soon as a few of these younger driver's such as Blaney, Elliott, Jones, or even Wallace start winning consistantly I believe your gonna see a complete resurgence in this sport. Younger fans and some older fans now have to find a solid guy to root for since there drivers left, and yes even though its easy to pull for the veterans who are dominating a lot of them don't want to be in the same spot in another five to seven years having to choose again. Lets face it even those guys will have to retire soon. I mean are there way more issues oh yeah. Which I am intending to cover here within the next couple weeks, but are Harvick, Busch and Truex winning all the time hurting this sport? No plain and simple no, if anything this is nothing more than historic and if your a true race fan and love the sport you should sit back and see how this unfolds.

Picture courtesy of Nascar and NBC.com

Thoughts? Opinions? Please feel free to share them. I want this page too be an open discussion about a sport we all know and love. Until next time race fans!

 

Q&A with 2017 ARCA Champion Austin Theriault

So, I have been extemely busy in my personal life lately. Sadly this site has suffered from that. Also, Austin if your reading this I want to thank you and apologize at the same time. I did not in anyway intend on this entry to take this long.  This is where I hope to pick up with this entry in the series. A few weeks back, I sent one young man a message on twitter. This young man is Austin Theriault who was the 2017 ARCA champion, and has raced for the likes of Dale Earnhardt Jr and Brad Keselowski in the truck and Xfinity series. This young man is from Fort Kent, Maine not exactly a part of the country known for it's deep roots to the sport but this guy has proven he can drive. Austin in his championship winning season won seven races, had sixteen top fives, and nineteen top tens. All of which came in a 20 race span pretty impressive right? That means this young man won a third of the races he entered. He has won the most popular driver award in the K&N East series and would you believe he doesn't have a ride this year at this point in any series? Well without further ado here is my Q&A with Austin Theriault!

Q: You’ve raced for Brad Keselowski and Dale Jr in two different series. What was it like driving for this guys? Knowing what they’ve done in the sport.

A: It was an amazing time especially in 2014, because here I am coming outta late model series. Getting the opportunity to drive three races for Dale Jr. Which to be honest was a huge step in my racing. It was one of the most difficult transitions I've had I'd say just because the car's are so different and your going from somewhat of an amateur league, but I hate to call late models an amateur league because it's not there are a lot of good quality veterans in the sport. Your also putting yourself in a position where the TV's are on you, your getting a lot of exposure especially driving for Dale Jr. So, the pressure was definitely up there and I had to learn as quick as possible in the three races. At the end of the day it put me in a good position because I had to expect a lot of myself in a short amount of time. In 2015 I went back to drive for Brad, after driving for him in 2013 in the late model series which he shut down at the end of that season. It was good to be back with that team because I made some friends and built some relationships during my late models days. so going back to drive for him in the same truck that Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano and Brad himself that season. Getting to drive with them gave me the ability to listen to what they had to say there were times that I wasn't as quick as them but they also had many more laps at some of the track we visited so to me I had many more races to run. I was suppose to race I think a total of 13 races but was only able to race 8 due to a crash at Vegas. I was able to get more comfortable through the season with those guys on a weekly basis going to the races. Even if I wasn't driving it was important. As i started getting more races down about halfway through the season I think it was New Hampshire the season was starting to turn around and we were gonna have more success. Unfortunately the wreck at Vegas cut that short, but it was great working with those guys because they are so successful. You just know your at the right place, and they have the information to answer your questions to the best ability. Most of the information they give you is A1 information because they were young at some point and know the things that young drivers have to go through.

Q: Your racing career spans throughout a bunch of series, late model, super late model, ARCA, trucks and xfinity. What is the biggest difference in the driving and handling of all those cars? and do you think the competitiveness is any different in the different levels of racing?

A: The cars are definitely different especially from late models. I have driven super late models and late models that are not quite supers in the fact that they have crate motors and other differences in the chassis but that would be the biggest difference. Especially once you get going in ARCA, trucks and Xfinity were your racing on a much different tire. You go from racing on a bi spiral to a radial tire. A radial tire is what everyone runs on there passenger vehicle, the bi spi tire are more found in late model racing around the country. Those are the biggest things a young driver when transitioning between the ranks notice. Also your going on these mile and half race tracks that you don't see as much of on a super late model schedule. Obviously aero dynamics will play into affect even if you've got a fast race car when you get behind someone else it really affects the aero and sometimes you'll go from being faster to whenever your behind someone to slowing down and not being able to pass someone and that is frustrating learning to navigate on the track. The competitiveness I'm a big believer that there are a lot of different area's of racing where you can go race for a championship where you have to race hard to get it. I raced back in 2012 or 2013 in the Midwest and some of the big super late series races and that was challenging as well. I dont believe there is one any harder than the other, until you get past Xfinity we all know that the cup series has some of the best drivers in the country and possibly the world and its a completely different animal. Going from either Trucks to cup or Xfinity to cup everyone see's that there is a huge learning curve and some of that is because the cars are different but a lot of it has to do with the other drivers being so good. When everyone around you is so good it makes you look like you have a lot to learn and we see that as young drivers come up to that series.

Q:  The 2017 season was a pretty good one for you, but how can you as a driver improve on such a good season?

A: That's a good question, I've considered that too myself as I talk to people. What i find is after a really standout season drivers and teams have slumps. Not because it's an over all bad season but because your comparing to the previous season which was really good. So, if you go from winning seven races to winning two or three that may seem like a failure, but you have to put it into perspective. Of all the different scenarios that could happen during the season and during the races. Such as did you have mechanical issues, or did you run outta gas, or even get involved in a wreck. What we had put together last season was just a combination of all that. Some situations went our way. Other situations didn't it wasn't like we lucked into everything. We had situations were we could've won, but didn't end up winning. Because the scenario didn't work out for us. So we have to be honest with ourselves when we are looking at trying to do better than a standout season. The chances are that percentage wise you are not going to be able to match it. So you cant let yourself get to frustrated with that and its important to take it one season at a time. Fans and other people on the outside will look at a season as say something must've happen because they didn't win as many races, but that's not the case. With all the different scenarios your looking at such as this year if I could've won three races and been caught up in other peoples accidents. So, I wouldn't have won less races because the performance wasn't there but other factors. That's the nature of racing though you have to put things in perspective. You cant get caught up in the number's because they don't always tell the whole story.

Q:Have any truck or xfinity teams talked to you about running any races this year? If not what are your plans to maybe get a couple races in the trucks or xfinity cars?

A: I have talked to some different teams. I definitely would like to get back into competition full or part time. The sponsorship landscape is a little bit difficult, not because there aren't any wanting to come into the sport because I think there is still value for some of them. It's just that sometimes it has to be the right time and right place. We have talked to some sponsor's and teams, right now it's more realistic to think that hopefully I'll have some opportunities to race this year in any series, but nothing is line up right now unfortunately. It's very difficult for me, especially coming off a championship season where we won seven races and had the best average finish in 33 season of ARCA taking that into account. The main thing is staying positive and being seen at the track. Helping other people win whenever that allows. Going to the race track whether im spotting or coaching other drivers is important. Because if your not at the race track other people will forget about you. They'll start to think that your ok or have something else going on if I'm not at the track. So you have to make sure that people realize that your there, but you don't have anything else going on so your available.

Q: Out of anyone you've seen race, currently or past drivers. Who do you think your driving style relates closest to?
A: That's an interesting question, maybe we can go a little bit of a different route. I'd say someone I always looked up to was Mark Martin. He was very respected in the garage and he was fast. He definatly left a mark on the sport. Unfortunately he never won a championship but he was one if not the best driver in the cup series to not win a championship. I've been a fan of his..well since as long as ive been a NASCAR fan. I have never had the chance to meet him but it would be cool to sit down and talk to him. To ask him how things have changes and ask him what he see's that have stayed the same. Like I said, he was very respected on the racetrack. He was calm but also aggressive without putting himself into a lot of bad situations. He really raced the race track sometimes and didn't race other cars around him. Like early on in the race if someone else was faster than him he would give that spot up but would race really hard to get that spot back when it really counted. That is something I personally try to do myself.
Q: What is something that future fans, sponsors or even team owners should know about you as a person and as a racer?
A: There are a lot of people that understand when I'm involved with a team that I like to give as much input as possible. I also want people to do the same thing with me. If they have some idea's or recommendations on how I could maybe approach driving differently. I am all ears and will listen, but I like to be active with the spotter, and crew chief. I wanna know what we can do better. I don't like staying the same, I don't like being happy with just sorta showing up to the racetrack jumping in the car. I like as much background information as possible. So, that it give me as a driver a much better idea of the box we are working with. For example, If I know the general idea of the setup we are running at a certain track I'll know we really can't go anymore in this direction, because were maxed out as far as tolerances are concerned so maybe lets go a different direction. If you have a driver that shows up and maybe has no idea will tell the crew chief to go one direction and while the crew chief will try as much as possible to get there. It will be very difficult to get anymore so the crew chief will have to communicate back to the driver. Then the driver has to take 5 to 10 mins to communicate back a different direction. If you already have an idea when you get to the track the weekend will flow a lot better.
Q: I know you've got your pilot license, but beside flying and racing. What is something people may be surprised to know about you?
A: As far as flying is concerned I really can't find the time right now. Flying is something in my opinion especially starting off I don't have hundreds of hours of experience. If I did it wouldn't be as big of a deal for me to take a year off and went back out because you have all the time, and you learn a lot of information. I'm still in a position were I am learning, so I don't wanna just go up to "dust off the cob webs" so to say. Because I think flying you have a lot more going on. Not to say its more dangerous but you have to have all your I's dotted and T's crossed. Hopefully in the next few year's I'll have the time to go up flying again. I wanna go up with an instructor so they can make sure I'm not doing anything wrong, and really refresh my memory. Mainly so that ill feel more comfortable when I get up there again. Something besides flying, well a lot of people may not realize but I'm just a regular guy from a small town in Maine, with a population of five thousand. My town is just a couple miles away from Canada. Most of my family speaks french. As a kid we had some friends that lived in Canada, and would travel up there on a regular basis. Since I've been down here I haven't been able to practice my french with my family. So whenever they come down or even whenever my grandpa talks to me on the phone he won't realize he's speaking french. So sometimes I have to remind him to speak english because I understand some of what he's saying, but I also feel like I'm missing some parts. Being part of an American family, in a bilingual community really gives you an interesting view on international relations. It will really give you a better idea of how to treat other people as well because it shows you that they are really just like you. I actually raced in the american Canadian tour when I was around sixteen, had tons of fun and built a lot of friendships with well known racers that are still friends to this day.

This young man, who is a champion is without a ride as of right now. I have had a chance to watch some of his 2017 races when he won the championship and let me tell you he is a wheel man. There is no reason in my opinion why he does not have a ride right now. I mean not only does he drive pretty decent he can spot another young driver around the track. In May he helped get Zane Smith an the #41 for MDM Motorsports into victory lane. He is a very knowledgeable driver and young man. Hopefully someone in the very near future will give him a chance in any series. I know he wont disappoint you on purpose that's for sure. He gave a "wanna be" NASCAR blogger a chance to talk to him without even knowing who I was or caring. For that respect I will be forever grateful.

Everyone Austin's twitter, facebook, and personal website are listed below go check them all out.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austintheriaultracing/
Twitter: @AustinTheriault
Personal Website: http://www.austintheriault.com/

Fantasy Outlook for Dega!

Up until this year, one team had dominated the super speedways of Daytona, and Talladega. The Ford camp has defiantly had a string of luck, and were half a lap away from getting another Daytona 500. Now needless to say these tracks are always a crap shoot. Anyone and everybody can win example A. the Xfinity series race today, we seen Spencer Gallagher come outta know where to lead his first lap and capture his first win. This race is all about momentum, lane choice and who can keep there car outta the big one the easiest. So, I am gonna go over a few picks. I'm gonna give you some sleeper picks and the no brain picks. Mind this though in this race I think everyone in the top fifteen with five to go are sleepers. 

The betting odds have Brad Keselowski at a six to one chance to win the race. Which would make sense seeing as the last time the series was at the track he won. While winning, his teammates led the most laps. Brad won earlier this year in the Clash at Daytona and has historically always been good at these tracks. It's hard not to go with the blue oval squad this year they've been tearing up everything, but the cars. I think this team in general has been over all pretty consistent, and are finally looking for a break through win.

The next no brain pick I've got is Denny Hamlin. The Joe Gibbs driver last won at the super Speedway in 2014, but is highly regarded as a restrictor plate king. He's led the second most laps among st active driver's with 291 at "Dega." He also has six wins in restrictor plate tracks since 2014. His teammate Kyle Busch has went into straight domination mode the last three weeks. Which hasn't left much room for anyone more less his own teammates. The Vegas betting odds have Denny second to Keselowski with a eight to one odd, which is tied with Joey Logano. 

The next kinda easy pick is the first driver to win three in a row this year. Kevin Harvick hasn't had the best of luck for the last two races. With a 20th and 23rd place finish he's had a tough go, but before that you have to go back to 2013 for a time when Harvick had a finish worse than 15th. The 4 team, has had a pretty spectacular run this year. It wouldn't surprise anyone to see the veteran claim his fourth victory this year.

I was kinda torn on this pick, but after doing a little more home work. I realized that even though Kyle Busch hasn't consistently been in victory lane he has been awfully close. Kyle Busch's last win in Alabama was back in 2008 his first year with JGR. Since that trip he has had, six top ten finishes and has led at least a lap in all, but two of his races since 2008. Kyle Busch would be claiming his fourth straight win if he's able to win again which alone is a serious feet in itself. I think if anyone can do it, its gonna be "Rowdy" but Vegas only has him at a twelve to one chances. Like I said earlier though anyone and everyone who still is on the lead lap has a chance.

Now for my favorite part the sleepers section. This first driver is coming off a second place finish at Richmond. Chase Elliott has had some solid qualifying efforts, but some really bad luck when it comes to the two and half mile track. The second generation driver is coming off his eighth second place finish and has shown speed at Daytona and Talladega before. Why couldn't this hungry young driver come out and finally burn them down in Alabama. Vegas has Chase Elliott at twelve to one odds. 

My second sleeper choice just so happens to be my first choices friend and a teammate of one of my "no brainers." Ryan Blaney has raced at the super speedway a total of seven times. In those seven starts Blaney has qualified in the top twenty all seven times. Unfortunately he's only finished in the top twenty, four of the seven times. He led twenty seven laps in October, and looked to have a chance to win. Ryan has had a rough year to this point he led laps at Daytona and Bristol before wrecks took him outta contention for the win. Talladega could very well be the race that, if he keeps his car clean he could pull off his second career victory. Blaney holds the same odds as Chase Elliott at twelve to one but at this track those can be kinda null and void. 

This next pick, some may not even classify as a sleeper. Ricky Stenthouse Jr. won this very race, last year after leading fourteen laps. This team has a knack for racing on these tracks and very well could get his second victory in a row. Stenthouse had showed some speed at Daytona and starts seventh later on today. He could pull out another win and get himself into the playoff's. 

How can anyone put the defending series champ as a sleeper pick? Well its simple Martin Truex has never won at the super speedway in the cup series. Even though he start's third tomorrow and has won three xfinity races, his cup stats are not that great. In twenty six career starts "the champ" has only two top fives. 

Anyways there it is ladies and gentlemen. If you play fantasy and haven't picked your drivers for the week maybe that will help you some. I am honestly not to good at this myself, but as a fan these are my honest choices. So hopefully we can both get lucky and do good.

I have wrote a few variance of articles, since creating this blog. The one who has the most views was when I did a five race review. I understand a lot of you guys, don't have much time to read huge articles so if you have any idea's of how to attract more reader please suggest them. I enjoy doing this and I would love for more people to love reading them. 

Rookie Sensation William Byron

This one has took a little to come together due, but I have finally got my second driver entry available. It on my previous drivers Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron. I'm gonna do my best to give you an abundance of backstory on this young man, and where I see his career going in the future. Hopefully I'll here some valuable input from all of this young mans fans.

William Byron became very interested in the racing scene at the young age of six. After becoming dominantly popular on the Iracing scene, with one hundred online wins. William became a huge student of the sport and was all in on becoming a racer. Once he realized that this was way more than just hobby William's dad took a visit to the legend cars headquarters in North Carolina. After a legends race in Concord, North Carolina his legends career began. At the ripe age of fifteen which is older than most drivers who get into the sport(picture to the left William driving in 2014). William won nearly half of the races he was in across the country in 2013, and with 33 victories he became legends National Champion. This was only the bite that was about to lead to whole lot of fishing for this young man in the racing scene. 

In 2014 a pretty good scout of talent Dale Earnhardt Jr and his regional late model team came a knocking William opened the door.
William's first year working with Jr. was a productive one. Racing in the late model program wasn't all he did that season. William decided to race in the K&N East series for the first time. While getting his feet wet in the late models with a single victory. The "young gun" went on to finish in the top five fifteen times and finish second in points to round out the year with Jr Motorsports. The start of his 2015 season in the K&N series went just a little bit better. William won his second start at Greenville Pickens Speedway in Greenville, North Carolina. That would only be the beginning of a great year for the young study. He would go onto lead 43% of the laps he ran during the racing year. A feat a little more interesting is the whole year his average starting position was no less than fourth and wouldn't finish any lower than seventh on average. William has always been a competitor though and that season it showed he competed thirty six different times across four different series. He came away with five poles,six wins, and nineteen top five finishes. Those stats would lead to William winning the K&N east championship and rookie of the year. The young study of the sport was growing into his racing shoes so to speak, and some pretty big names noticed it. I mean he had already race for Dale Jr. The opportunities
were only gonna continue.
Well, at the end of his 2015 racing season Kyle Busch and his truck series team had a seat open for one young driver, and that just so happen to be one William Byron.
KBM had just come off the winning the driver's and its third owner championship so the young kid had some driving to live up too for the championship caliber team. The rookie driver didnt get off to the fast start he was a custom too. Crashing on the final lap of the first race at Daytona and then having engine trouble at Atlanta. The season was looking to be more of a challenge than anyone couldve seen, but just like all the other challenges William began to make some headway. After a horrible start, he would get his first top five finish the following race at Martinsville. That top five was the first of eleven for the young driver from North Carolina. William went on to capture his first win in May at Kansas. He wouldn't stop there winning six more times at tracks like Texas,Iowa,Kentucky,Pocono,New Hampshire and even the last race of the season at Homestead. William even broke his owner's brother truck series record at Pocono for the most wins. Unfortunately, for a team that had hopes of winning back-to-back driver's championships they would be killed in the round of six. William looked to be poised for a run when his motor failed at Phoenix which costed him the opportunity to run for the championship. William didn't let some bad luck stop him like before. Even though he couldn't win the championship, he would win the race and therefore claiming KBM another owners championship. What the young driver accomplished in one year was unheard of and everyone was paying attention especially a guy who has a knack for seeing young talent Rick Hendrick.
William Byron didn't get to win his truck series championship due to some bad luck. What he did was almost as good. On August 18th before his amazing rookie truck season was over William had signed a deal with Rick Hendrick. Therefore in doing so he would be able to race for Dale Jr again, and he was all to familiar with being successful for that guy. William would be racing a car, that was driven by one Chase Elliott who in his own right had been pretty successful winning an Xfinity Championship his rookie year. Chase was moving on to take the wheel of the iconic number twenty four driven by Jeff Gordon. Leaving the vacancy in the number nine. William would start off his rookie season a lot better this go round. Averaging in the first five race a finishing spot of no worse than eighth. The luck was about to run out though with Byron having a string of finishes outside of the top ten. William would go onto learn from his string of bad luck and rebound at Dover for a sixth place spot. Little did anyone know just three short weeks later the young man was about to shoot a spark that lit the fire under a championship caliber team. William came into Iowa Speedway with some experience winning just one year prior. William won his third career truck series victory at Iowa and if he was gonna have a chance capture his first Xfinity series win it was gonna be here. Christopher Bell and Ryan Sieg were competing late when they eventually wrecked giving the lead to William and he didnt look back taking the 9 team to victory lane for the first time. William didn't stop there like the prior season all it took was one win. William got his taste of the checkered flag and went onto win two more times before the playoff at some historic tracks Daytona, and Indianapolis. The taste of victory is an addicting thing for a young man with the talents of William. When the playoffs rolled around the young man was poised to take a stroll into history. William's fourth win would come at Phoenix just before the championship four race at Homestead. William went into Homestead with a horrible taste in his mouth due to winning the prior season, but not having any chance of winning a championship. Late in the race Williams teammate was racing hard for a victory when he got tangled up and into the wall allowing William to pass Sadler, and maintain the position ahead of Sadler. Without a win like his prior trip to Homestead, William came in third which bested his teammate Sadler to win the Xfinity Series Championship. William was over flowing with talent, and was poised to make the quick jump to the big series. Which, is what was poised to happen even before William won his championship. On August 9th, it was agreed upon that William would be taking over the 5 car for the departing Kasey Kahne. Twenty short days later it was announce publicly that William would be taking over the 24 car with the personnel being from the 5 squad. While, the current driver of the 24 would be switching to drive the 9 car with the 24 team personnel. It would shape up to be an interesting first season for the young man.
Here and now is the Future!
I have a strong feeling about this young man, as a fan of this sport. William thus far has had some really rough luck averaging a seventeenth finishing place. William struggled to an extent in all of his prior experiences and then all it took was one or two really good runs before this young man went on a roll. Due to some pit strategy at ISM the rookie was able to lead his first lap. After the race he was quoted saying "It just showed myself that I can do it" and do it is exactly what he did a few weeks later at Texas. William got his first top ten at Texas two weeks ago, and after his horrible qualifying efforts was lucky enough to secure a top ten start at Bristol after Kurt Busch had to start in the back due to a wreck in practice. His qualifying fortunes would continue on this past weekend at Richmond with a top ten start. Byron said in an interview with NASCAR.com at the beginning of March saying "once it clicks, its going to be the same as any other series, and you know what you need in the car, and you know how to produce results..." William has proven in every single series thus far that his quote is exactly true, and if you watch the young man race these last couple of races you see the confidence blooming. William was consistently running in the top ten all night long in Richmond. At some points it looked like the 24 team had a race winning car. William has improved as a driver more and more every single race, and his crew has grown to understand what he wants more and more. This young man is what this sport needs more of, on the race broad cast Jeff Gordon said that William is such a student of the sport that in practice he followed the 42 and 1 cars around the track just to see where or if he could improve. William unfortunately had a pit road penalty and that took them outta contention for the win. With that being said this young man had a chance and that's something to grow on. There are not to many of those young guns left like that, a lot of young driver rely on there ability or machine hoping for them alone to bring them into the win. The late great Dale Earnhardt once said "Finishing races is important, but racing is more important" and I believe as the season goes on we will see that more and more from this young man. Onto Dega right? Well here's my thought's on his chances there I believe this is a track that anyone has a chance to win, so why not William? His luck has been hit or miss at the super speedway with a thirty sixth place finish in his first Xfinity race and a tenth place finish in the trucks. So this week will be interesting to see. If William learns the draft a little better this go round, his team brings him a fast car there is no reason why this young man can not get his first win here, and watch out if he does. All it takes is one from this young man and he will start to run away from you. Stay tuned for my William Byron fans I'm gonna attempt to cover this young man week in and week out!

The Last Great Coliseum Done...Finally?

After a very long and cold weekend the boys finally finished the first Bristol race of the season. We finally seen some speed, and a little consistently from the Chevrolet camp. With one good thing comes a multitude of bad things though. The outcry from fans about the weather was a lot larger than I as a fan expected, and I have my own opinion about it but we will get to that at another time. The best part though was in typical short track fashion we finally got to see some rubbing with our racing. As we all know rubbing eventually leads to yellow flags. Not all our yellows this week occurred due to that teams again had an issue with loose wheels taking out serious competitors. Bristol weekend took a little longer than some might have thought, but its over and here's your weekly race review.

 Bristol Motor Speedway looked to be the same old same old conversation 

for the Chevrolet's. After qualifying only two of them were in the top ten. Kyle Larson appeared again to look for another strong run at Bristol, and Alex Bowman was looking to maybe get his first trip to victory lane. Both would eventually finish solidly in the top five, but only after a long race. Kyle Larson led a race high 200 laps, and once again was looking to win at the half mile track. At one point we even seen the 42 car out to a five and half second lead. Which given at Bristol can be gone in a madder of micro seconds but still the speed was there this weekend for Larson. Along with Larson, rookie "Bubba" Wallace, and his car had some speed along with Larson. Wallace was driving like a mad man at one point during the race throwing down with some of the best. Larson and Bubba would lead a combined two hundred and six laps. The most among st the three manufacturer's. Over all the weekend finished off pretty good, especially after the bumps that were suffered on pit road by mostly Chevrolet drivers we seen multiple pit road penalties, from the 88 team,43 team, 1 team and the 31 team. Now needless to say it wasn't just all Chevrolet teams, but they did have a majority of the penalties. After the bumps on pit road, though the camp recovered and put four cars in the final top ten. Once again though P1 was not a Chevrolet, but if anything was proven this weekend. It was that this car is slowly, but surely coming around for these guys. If your a fan of any "Team Bow tie" your driver's season is just about to begin I believe. 

Once this past weekend fell upon us as fans, we were finally relieved that this would be the week we would see some good old fashioned "short track racing." Boy did these guys not disappoint, we seen bumping and banging on both days this race was ran. Could you imagine if they would've got run the whole race in one day? Stay tuned I have some opinions on that myself, but anyways. We seen the boys running extra hard on Sunday. At the end of stage one we seen Brad Keselowski bump the 42 outta the way and take the stage win. Unfortunately though not all bumps were good for everyone. After the 32 got into an incident with the 6, Ryan Blaney was took out. Those guys were about to be lapped and were racing like that trophy sword was there's for the taking. Bristol is known for this type of racing but as we all know tempers flair once the bumper's are used. After losing the lead to the 2 car, Kyle Larson was making his way up the field when he cut across the front bumper of Ryan Newman. Newmans radio traffic was quoted saying "Let him know I'm sorry, but he can't cut across my nose." This race was split up into two days and both days up to the very last few laps was action packed fast racing. Kyle Busch to claim his umpteenth win it feels like at the track used his bumper to move the dominant car Kyle Larson outta the way and take the win. Many "soft" fans as I like to call them might complain because Busch has won a race already and Larson hasn't. As the late great Dale Earnhardt once said "You've got to be closer to the edge than ever to win. That means sometimes you go over the edge and I don't mean driving either." Rubbing is racing isn't that how the old saying goes and I will always firmly believe in that mantra.
I touched a little bit on the NASCAR issued pit guns last week. It appears that maybe somethings didn't change. We seen once again multiple teams have problems with loose tires. Now could that be a mental error with the guys. Or maybe there is an unknown issue with these guns. Teams like Brad Keselowski, and Denny Hamlin after leading had loose tire issues. Keselowski even had his tire fall off causing a caution. This is an issue as a fan I've noticed in multiple races this year, since these new guns have showed up. Needless to say the issue has always been around, but this year it appears its becoming more and more frequent. What do you as a fan think? Are these pit guys having issues with the guns? Are the guns themselves the issue? It'll be interesting to see as the season goes on What will happen.
So, here my final thoughts about Bristol. Something finally clicked for the Chevrolet camp and they showed some speed. Kyle Larson and Bubba Wallace led a combine two hundred and six laps. Showing some dominance finally at a track through out the race not just in pre-race activities. The boys "had at it" so to say this weekend and as a fan I enjoyed it. I had to wait to watch the whole race two days, and as unfortunate as that was it was still worth every minute. I really hope the aggressiveness continues at Richmond, and for the rest of the season. This one is an interesting thing for me, these pit road guns. NASCAR wanted to make things fair among st the teams, due to the spending from multiple teams on equipment. I am excited about Richmond, and I'm always a fan of some night racing. After a long race weekend, on to Richmond I'll have the race preview ready for Richmond after qualifying today sometimes! Stay tuned I've also got a entry coming up about my thoughts on the rain delay situation and how the fans and officials handled it.   

The Last Great Coliseum Preview!

The Food City 500

This year's Spring Bristol race once again is looking to be threatened again by some horrible weather. Hopefully, for all the Bristol fan such as myself we get that race off tomorrow as planned. The weekend to this point has defiantly been a fast paced one and after Texas how could we expect any less. So as usual I'm gonna give you guys a little back story on Bristol to start out. Then some race predictions and last but not least some fantasy options from my point of view. So lets get started ladies and germs!

Bristol Motor Speedway, was constructed in 1961 and one short year later held there first NASCAR race. Even though this track is small, and short it has become on of the most popular tracks on the NASCAR circuit for fans and drivers alike for many years. The short track in northern Tennessee is the fourth largest sports venue in the U.S and the eighth largest in the world! The dang world are you kidding me? A small town track that has twenty to thirty degree banking, is one of the largest sports venues in the world. Bristol has a historic record book needless to say. The King himself Richard Petty holds three records,with twenty six top fives, thirty seven top tens, and sixty starts. The guy who holds the record for the most wins is Darrell Waltrip, and a respected short track driver in his own right. The Last Great Coliseum as it is now called, is a highlighted track for most fans and drivers alike.

The race weekend in Bristol started off with something race fans at Bristol should be familiar with seeing. Kyle and Kurt Busch qualifying on the front row. The Busch brothers are notorious for being good at this track with a combined eleven wins since 2002. Kyle Busch swept both races in 2009 and then went back to back with the fall 2010 race and the spring 2011 race. Combined the younger of the Busch brother's has five wins in the last ten years. With that being said he did claim the pole position for this weeks race, and only three times in ten years have the pole winner won the race too. Unfortunately for older brother Kurt his Sunday isn't gonna start how he wanted after Friday in final practice Kurt hit the wall and will be starting Sunday from the back of the field in a backup car along with Johnson and Harvick. The starting ten appears to be something this season that is not new. Before the 41 cars trip to the rear of the field there was set to be seven blue ovals, two bow ties, and one camry. The last ten years the manufacters have split this race pretty well almost even well unless your Toyota. Ford has four wins, Chevrolet has five, and before Dodge was left the sport they scored two wins. Toyota on the other hand has kinda shown some dominance since entering the sport with nine wins, and five coming from the 18 team. With Kyle leading the field to the green flag whether that be Sunday or Monday this could lead to be another Toyota win. Now also the unspoken contenders in the field are the 42 team and Kyle Larson, I've been very vocal this year about these guys and the new cars but this is the very track that they could finally start there ascendance to some victories. In final practice Chase Elliott and the 9 team where just one of four teams in the final top ten of practice speeds. Shockingly an unlikely driver and team were leading those guys with that being David Ragan and the 38 team. So here are my predictions for the race. I as always look forward to this race because one of two things is gonna happen. There will be a major surprise winner come outta this race, or a usual winner example Kyle Busch will dominate. I think after all we've seen this year there is no reason not to think that Kyle Busch won't run away with this thing especially if it gets to go off without a hitch today. Now if some rain comes in before the halfway mark or even before the race starts in general and changes the track we could see possibly a first time winner at Bristol and in the series completely. I would really love to see this race get off to a competitive start, but with only the bottom groove showing any promise in the Xfinity race I don't know how the competition will fair. Still got some more to come I've got some fantasy options for the race too if you are still unsure of who to pick. 

I as a fan, have really gotten into the fantasy side of the sport a little more and more every weekend. So, I thought why not add it to my weekly preview. I've got some easy to make picks and some possible sleepers for the "Thunder Alley." So your pole winner and last years fall race winner Kyle Busch really needs to be your first pick if possible. I know that the NASCAR website put's a limit on the times you can use each driver, but the youngest Busch is a shewn anytime he comes to the half mile track. The other dominant car this season Kevin Harvick, now even though he is coming from the rear in a backup car. This team proved last week after multiple mishaps on pit road they are always a contender. The other two drivers that should be common sense picks are the 42 and 22. Kyle Larson led a combined 272 laps in two races last year, yes I know different car and different season but his bad luck is bound to end some where. Joey Logano  isn't typically a short track guy but he has been consistent enough at Bristol that a win is bound to occur. Now the fun and much more unpredictable picks the "sleeper's." Clint Bowyer, snapped a 190 race winless streak earlier this year at Martinsville, undoubtedly would lead to some sorta confidence. Now even though they are way different tracks Bowyer has seven top fives in twenty four starts, he could definitely be a contender. Another young driver, Eric Jones led seventy seven laps in the fall and was a contender all race. Now with that being said his teammate Hamlin, won here in 2012 and has finished third three times since. It might be his break through weekend, this weekend. The final sleeper is a big and might I say BIG sleeper. Ricky Stenthouse, has an average finish at Bristol of 10.8 second only to Eric Jones. Stenthouse is the hard nosed short track type driver that is perfect to pull off a surprise win today!

To finish this post off, my readers on the last entry didn't get up to par with all my other entries. So as an aspiring young writer I want to know what as my reader's you guys would like to see more of in my post. I love this sport and seeing the number of people have gave me a shot was so amazing and i hope to keep you guys around, and with that being said LETS GO SHORT TRACK RACING IN BRISTOL BABY!