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Logano has Dover Crowd on its Feet as Johnson Wins

by Steve Wronkowicz

I am co-host of the syndicated radio show: ON PIT ROW. Charlie likes to call me an "idiot". I'm not an "idiot"; I just prefer not to let the facts get in the way of my opinions.

September 28, 2009 5:40 pm CDT No Comments

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Jimmie Johnson took his place at the front of the field at Dover International Raceway.

While Johnson made a mockery of the field at Dover, rookie Joey Logano was capturing the press. Sure Johnson’s victory closed him to within ten points of The Chase leader, Mark Martn, but it was the spectacular wreck that Logano was involved in , that left the crowd concerned.

Logano slowed for traffic in front of him, but Tony Stewart was unable to avoid the car he formerly drove and tagged the back of the #20 sending Logano into the outside retaining wall;followed by a spectacular seven revolution barrel roll down the front stretch at the Monster Mile. “Sliced Bread” left the batterd ride after it had stopped momentarily on it’s driver side door before ending on it’s wheels.

Logano emerged from the damaged car without serious injury and waved to the fans as he made his way to the ambulance for the precautionary ride to the infield care center. This new car once again proved how well it withstands damage and protects the driver.

It also shows that the cars still have a want to get upside down. Roof flaps solved that problem on the old car but the front splitter and rear wing combination have proven to be more of a challenge for the aerodynamicist. By definition the rear wing on the new car is designed to keep the rear of the car on the ground, but when it is turned up-side-down it does as any wing does and creates lift. Once the new car gets upset it doesn’t lend itself to minor mishaps.

NASCAR will figure this out and make the car perform better. It may come with some help from the Nationwide COT as it develops.

This week’s BUZZ ON PIT ROW is this:

Should NASCAR and its drivers be concerned with the airborne tendencies of this car?

Let us know what you think and we could use your answer on this weeks radio show. Tune in to ON PIT ROW every Tuesday from 5-7pm ET. You could win a Kevin Harvick bobblehead if you are the Shell-Fuel My Passion Call of the Day.

photo credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR

Filed under: Brian France, Car of Tomorrow, Chase for the Cup, Clint Boyer, How to fix NASCAR, Jeff Gordon, NASCAR, On Pit Row The Fastest Two Hours on Radio

Tagged with: jimmie johnson, Joey Logano, Mark Martin, Tony Stewart

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Jeremy Mayfield Continues to Swing for the Fences

by Steve Wronkowicz

I am co-host of the syndicated radio show: ON PIT ROW. Charlie likes to call me an "idiot". I'm not an "idiot"; I just prefer not to let the facts get in the way of my opinions.

July 16, 2009 9:06 am CDT 4 Comments

NASCAR says Jeremy Mayfield’s latest drug test again shows positive.

Mayfield says he has at least two other tests, taken with an hour, before and after NASCAR’s, that show a negative result. Mayfield was on Sirius/XM’s “Late Shift” last night with Nate Ryan and Buddy Baker. Mayfield again claimed innocence and attacked NASCAR and specifically Brian France.

While the entire saga is starting to wear thin with race fans. The entire affair has those same fans wondering where it will all end. Mayfield is fighting for his good name. You have to wonder why would someone who was guilty go through all of this. If he were indeed guilty of using meth as alleged, the best course of action would have been to quietly go though NASCAR’s rehab program and be back racing as soon as possible.

If that were the course he had chosen, he would have been back behind the wheel by now with the fans solidly behind him, rooting him on. America loves the under dog and they especially love a reformed under dog. You don’t have to look any further than Major League Baseball’s Josh Hamilton. Hamilton’s drug use, struggles with recovery and ultimate success made him the 2008 media darling of baseball.

Mayfield didn’t follow that path, instead looking to prove his innocence in court. Now, multiple drug tests and spiraling subplots later, Mayfield seems obsessed with clearing his name and the racing be damned.

Mayfield’s “stepmom” - a term he prefers not to use - has now said that she witnessed Jeremy snorting meth thirty times. Mayfield has counter-attacked by claiming his “father’s wife” shot and killed his father then went to Jeremy seeking money. According to Jeremy, when he refused to support Lisa Mayfield, she sought out NASCAR as a paid informant.

This mess may take years to come to fruition but it is very sad for all involved. Jeremy never seemed to have the stereotypical drug user identifiers except for the occasional propensity to say the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong time. You do have to wonder why would NASCAR choose Mayfield as the scapegoat if he weren’t going to be a willing participant.

Mayfield has claimed that if NASCAR takes him to the wall as a drug user then the other more high profile drivers, who have also tested positive, could be spared. Brian France did say that there had been other positives in the garage area.

Mayfield continues to fight a fight that appears he cannot win. If he does - or if NASCAR backs down - Jeremy could get a big enough settlement to get back in the racing business. If he loses the battle not much will be left except the reality TV circuit.

Filed under: Brian France, Jeremy Mayfield, NASCAR, NASCAR Bidness, NASCAR officials

Tagged with: Brian France, Jeremy Mayfield, Josh Himilton, NASCAR

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Mindy Asks: Can You Say BMW Bubba?

by Mindy Monday, Special To NASCAR commentary,NASCAR video,NASCAR pictures, Bench Racing With Steve and Charlie

June 18, 2009 11:07 pm CDT No Comments

Get the Flash Player to see the wordTube Media Player.

Brian France swooped in to save the day at MIS while Mark Martin stole the prize. NASCAR’s version of the “Big 3″ tried to make the Motor City’s (formerly) Big Trio seem less important than we all thought. Who cares if they pull their cash? Brian’s got new suitors - he says.

And Rowdy and Speedo head to Daytona. God save the Grand Am Series.

Watch it all in the newest Monday Morning Crew Chief. Click it. Go ahead.

Filed under: Brian France, Kyle Busch, Mark Martin, Michigan International Speedway, Monday Morning Crew Chief, NASCAR, NASCAR video, Scott Speed

Tagged with: Grand Am, Mindy Monday

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Fast Laps: Infineon

by Matt Mercer, Special To NASCAR commentary,NASCAR video,NASCAR pictures, Bench Racing With Steve and Charlie

I'm the writer of The Catfish Show NASCAR Blog, which you can access through the links on the right. Follow me on Twitter: @mattmercer

June 17, 2009 11:49 pm CDT 3 Comments

Back in black,
I hit the sack,
I’ve been too long I’m glad to be back…

Fast Laps is back, with a new writer hoping to continue what Charlie and The Idiot have started here. I’m Matt Mercer, a contributor to Bench Racing and I’ve got the green light for some Fast Laps on the way to wine country. The road course “ringers” have become less of a factor than in the past. Only cars concerned with the top 35 are turning to them now. One that will enter the race, Ron Fellows in the #09, could be a sleeper if it’s one of the Hendrick Chevys and not a Finch Dodgepodge. Patrick Carpentier will try and put the Napa Toyota near the front, which is ironic since in his open-wheel days he was considered an oval specialist. Go figure.

Let’s get to the questions and comments, but be warned I’m going to have some different rules. Instead of 100 words or less per question, I’m limiting your responses to 100 words to answer all 4 questions. Got it? 100 words or less or I’ll beat you with Steve’s microphone.

Also, don’t forget to answer the new Checkered Flag question: there’s no word limit at the checkers, so get creative and follow up on your answers. All of us at On Pit Row enjoy debate so bring it on.

1. Is this the year that Mark Martin wins that elusive championship?

2. Brian France talked about more foreign manufacturers entering NASCAR, provided they have production facilities in the United States. Those companies are Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, BMW, and Mercedes. Which of these companies would dedicate the efforts necessary to compete in NASCAR?

3. Will the Camping World Truck Series survive? Could the series “merge” with the Nationwide Series or disband altogether?

4. Can a US-based Formula One team achieve any real success?

Checkered Flag: What is Marc Davis’ future? Will he solidify a competitive ride or will his career follow Bill Lester’s trajectory?

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media

Filed under: Brian France, Chevrolet, Diversity and NASCAR, Fast Lap Posts, Mark Martin, NASCAR, Nationwide Series, Toyota, road course ringers

Tagged with: Bill Lester, Brian France, Camping World Truck Series, Chevy, Fast Laps, Formula One, Hendrick Motor Sports, Infineon Raceway, James Finch, Marc Davis, Mark Martin, NAPA, NASCAR, Nationwide Series, patrick carpentier, ron fellows, Sonoma, Toyota

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NASCAR Fans Want to Believe Jeremy Mayfield

by Steve Wronkowicz

I am co-host of the syndicated radio show: ON PIT ROW. Charlie likes to call me an "idiot". I'm not an "idiot"; I just prefer not to let the facts get in the way of my opinions.

May 20, 2009 9:37 am CDT 12 Comments

How much longer will Mayfield-gate continue?

Going on week three of the he said–she said debate; we are no closer to knowing if Jeremy Mayfield or NASCAR and its drug testing accomplice are lying about what was found in Mayfield’s system. NASCAR and Dr. David Black, the CEO of Aegis Sciences Corporation steadfastly hold to their conclusion that what they found was not what Mayfield claims.

Somebody is not telling the truth, or the truth as they see it. The old saying that the more you tell and retell a lie the closer to the perception of the truth it becomes, seems to be taking control of this situation. Maybe the truth of this situation is somewhere between Mayfield’s account and NASCAR’s. In either case it is time for someone to drop the dime on what ASC is claiming was in his system.

Mayfield should not be on the race track if he has done anything to compromise his ability to make clear and precise decisions. To do so compromises his safety and the safety of everyone in the facility. But how far are you willing to go with making sure drivers, crew members and owners are not compromised at the racetrack?

Falling within those parameters are such compromises as; sleep deprivation, recurring pain and what we will call morning after syndrome. These three are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things that could affect drivers abilities. Let me re-state that I am not in favor of drivers or anyone doing their job while under the influence of any illegal substance; but they are not the only things that affect job performance or safety.

That is why it is imperative that NASCAR reveal Mayfield’s indiscretion. And that is what this week’s BUZZ ON PIT ROW addresses:

Should NASCAR be forced to give a list of banned drugs to the teams?

Let us know what you think and we could use your comments on a future ON PIT ROW radio show. Listen live every Tuesday from 5-7pm ET at onpitrow.com. Click on listen live to hear archived shows as well.

photo credit: Icon Sports Media

Filed under: Bill Davis Racing, Brian France, How to fix NASCAR, Jeremy Mayfield, NASCAR, NASCAR & the Media, NASCAR Rumors, NASCAR Tech, NASCAR officials, On Pit Row The Fastest Two Hours on Radio

Tagged with: Jeremy Mayfield, NASCAR

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Old School Racing Thanks to Jimmy Watts

by Charlie Turner

I'm Charlie Turner co-host of the syndicated, mostly NASCAR radio show On Pit Row. Thanks for stopping by OnPitRow.com and the Bench Racing with Steve and Charlie blog. Oh yeah, Steve is an idiot. Follow me on Twitter @onpitrow

March 12, 2009 1:07 pm CDT 6 Comments

Can you use Jocko Flocko, Bruton Smith and Jimmy Watts all in one sentence? I didn’t think so. But Mindy Monday tried, in the latest episode of the Monday Morning Crew Chief.