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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. Over ten years on the air and three on the net; see what can happen when I don't let the facts get in the way of my opinions.

May 20, 2009 9:37 am UTC 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 officials, NASCAR Rumors, NASCAR Tech, On Pit Row The Fastest Two Hours on Radio

Tagged with: Jeremy Mayfield, NASCAR

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NASCAR’s Bread and Nutter

by Charlie Turner

Thanks for stopping by OnPitRow.com and the Bench Racing with Steve and Charlie blog. The best NASCAR and IndyCar news and opinion, exclusive pictures and video. I'm Charlie Turner. Follow me on Twitter @onpitrow

February 6, 2009 1:42 pm UTC 2 Comments

As the Daytona 500 opener creeps closer and closer more and more sponsors are emulating groundhogs – checking to see if the economy is still too chilly to back an available Cup team. Mindy Monday found a couple that disagreed with the Pennsylvania woodchuck, and joined the party.

She also labeled a pair of Sprint Cup rookie contenders with new nicknames. I like it.

So watch the Monday Morning Crew Chief here. And then go register to play the simplest fantasy NASCAR game around. It’s NASCAR for dummies – to accomidate a certain radio co-host – One and Done NASCAR fantasy racing from OnPitRow.com. Click here for the 30 second sign up.

Filed under: Bench Racing TV, Bill Davis Racing, Germain Racing, Joey Logano, Max Papis, Monday Morning Crew Chief, NASCAR, NASCAR Fantasy Gaming, NASCAR video, One and Done NASCAR Fantasy Racing, Penske Racing, Red Bull Racing, Sam Hornish Jr, Scott Speed, Sprint Cup Series, Yates Racing

Tagged with: All Sport, Fantasy NASCAR, Mad Max, Max Papis, Mindy Monday, NASCAR fantasy racing, NASCAR video, One and Done, Rookie of the Year, Sliced Bread, Tommy Kendal, Trans Am Racing

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Opportunities Ripe for Change Throughout NASCAR

by Steve Wronkowicz

I am co-host of the syndicated radio show: ON PIT ROW. Over ten years on the air and three on the net; see what can happen when I don't let the facts get in the way of my opinions.

January 26, 2009 9:33 pm UTC 2 Comments

Things are starting to come together for all the teams trying to make the Daytona 500.

The big four have been set for a while. Rick Hendrick Motorsports has his four cars all set with Mark Martin coming on board to run the full season. Jack Roush has had his five teams ready since getting the UPS sponsorship lined up at the end of the 2008 season. Richard Childress Racing has expanded his group to include a fourth car with Clint Bowyer moving over from the #07 to the new #33 car with General Mills sponsorship. Joe Gibbs Racing has the kiddie corp of Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and ROTY contender Joey Logano ready to hit the track.

After those four owners has been where all the craziness of the off season has revolved. It has been well documented the strife a mergers that have surrounded Chip Ganassi, Dale Earnhardt, Inc, Gillet-Evernham and Petty Enterprises. For better or worse success or failure will follow the mergered teams depending on their ability to adapt to their new surroundings, management teams and driving team mates.

With the loss of teams like Bill Davis Racing and part time seasons from Furnature Row and The Wood Brothers, the bottom feeders saw much of the change revolve around them. There has been an odd resurgence of single car–privateer teams spearheaded by Tommy Baldwin‘s new entry in the Sprint Cup. While many if not most of these new teams may not even make it past Daytona; it would seem to make the fields easier for the big boys to become bigger.

Less competition outside the top four teams could make it easier for a first time winner in both the 500 and the championship. Which leads us to this week’s BUZZ ON PIT ROW:

Will 2009 be the magical season that Mark Martin wins the Daytona 500 and/or the Sprint Cup championship?

Let us know what you think and your comments could be used on this week’s ON PIT ROW radio show. Listen live at www.onpitrow.com from 5 to 7pm ET.

photo credit: Icon Sports Media

Filed under: Bill Davis Racing, Brad Kesolowski, Chip Ganassi Racing, Clint Boyer, Dale Earnhardt, Inc., Daytona 500, Daytona International Speedway, Denny Hamlin, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, Gillett Evernham Motorsports, Hendrick Motorsports, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Mark Martin, NASCAR, On Pit Row The Fastest Two Hours on Radio, Richard Childress Racing, Sprint Cup Series

Tagged with: Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Richard Childress Racing, Roush-Fenway Racing

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Greetings From Mergerville

by Matt Mercer, Special To NASCAR commentary and driver pictures, 2012 NASCAR schedule, video, Bench Racing With Steve and Charlie

I'm the former blogger of The Catfish Show NASCAR Blog and a contributor to On Pit Row. Follow me on Twitter: @mattmercer

January 1, 2009 8:57 pm UTC 3 Comments

Happy New Year to everyone, I realize it’s been a while since my last post here. I’ve been taking some time to work on, you know, trying to graduate college in a reasonable amount of time while the news coming from the NASCAR world has some feeling rather down heading into 2009. I, however, remain excited for the ’09 season.

The doom and gloom is not without reason. Yes, the sport will not have as many teams, sponsors, and exposure in the upcoming season. Recent news includes the sale of Bill Davis Racing to new owners and the most-reported and overblown merger of the off-season, the sale of Petty Enterprises to Gillett Evernham Racing. The announcement that made my off-season was AJ Allmendinger’s move to the #19 and in the process kicking Elliott “nice guy, bad driver” Sadler out. You have to look around a bit to find the good news, but it’s there. The good news relates to the long-term aspect of the sport and especially the competitive aspect. The good teams are getting better – the move of Pierre Kuettel back to car chief of the #99 and Carl Edwards, for example.

The 2009 season will be one of transition. I believe the economics of the sport will lend itself to future growth because the bad teams are either merging, going out of business, or being sold to new ownership. NASCAR doesn’t need fixing. This sport can and will fix itself.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media

Filed under: A J Allmendinger, Bill Davis Racing, Carl Edwards, Gillett Evernham Motorsports, NASCAR

Tagged with: AJ Almendinger, Bill Davis Racing, Carl Edwards, Gillett/Evernham Motorsports, NASCAR, NASCAR mergers, NASCAR Rumors, Petty Enterprises, Pierre Kuettel

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Merger – Smerge

by Charlie Turner

December 12, 2008 12:48 pm UTC 2 Comments

What would you get Teresa Earnhardt for Christmas? Our Mindy Monday says it’s not all sticks and stones for NASCAR’s 2007 Step Mother of the Year award winner. Maybe a case of Tasmanian wine (is there such a thing?) and a case of Juicy Fruit Gum.

Find out why. Watch the Monday Morning Crew Chief. Try it. You’ll like it!

Filed under: Bench Racing TV, Bill Davis Racing, Dale Earnhardt, Inc., Gillett Evernham Motorsports, Marcos Ambrose, Michael Waltrip Racing, Monday Morning Crew Chief, NASCAR video, Reed Sorenson, Sprint Cup Series, The King, The Wood Brothers, Top 35 Rule

Tagged with: Gimmette-Evernham Motorsprts, Marcos Ambrose, Mindy Monday, Monday Morning Crew Chief, NASCAR video, Petty Enterprises, Reed Sorenson, Teresa Earnhardt

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Pink-slips Flyin’ Like Hot Dog Wrappers at Martinsville

by Charlie Turner

November 22, 2008 12:13 pm UTC 2 Comments

The U.S. economy hit NASCAR teams in a big way at Homestead-Miami Speedway this past weekend. Dozens – maybe hundreds – of crew members were called to the trailers pre-race and told to be ready to pack, post-race. Adios amigos. Happy holidays.