Smarter than the Average NASCAR Bear

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.

December 1, 2008 10:26 pm UTC No Comments

NASCAR teams may well be the smartest group of individuals assembled of any major sport.

The stick and ball sports are ripe with the stories of dumb athletes; who in spite of their own stupidity can excel in their chosen profession. You don’t have to look too far back into history to see some of America’s most revered athletes doing something that defies reason. The NFL alone has the likes of “Pacman” Jones, Michael Vick and Ricky Williams; who not only have done some stupid things, but illegal as well.

Compare that to the hundreds of NASCAR drivers, owners and team members that are rarely involved in these stupid acts. Could it be that NASCAR team mates just need to use their brains to solve the challenges of this sport, more than raw physical ability? NASCAR teams have engineers in all facets of the sport including the likes of drivers Ryan Newman and the late Alan Kulwicki.

Getting a 3500 pound race car to do what is necessary to make consistant fast laps falls onto the shoulders of the teams to out think the car. Maybe the days of Cale or the Allisons or Pearson muscling a car for 500 miles are long gone because race teams have found ways to work smarter and not harder.

And if the teams are smarter than most then it stands to reason that the fans are smarter than those of other sports.

This leads us to this week’s BUZZ ON PIT ROW:

If you had the power to change one thing, and one thing only, about NASCAR, what would it be?

Let us know what you think and we may use your comment on this weeks ON PIT ROW radio show. Listen live at 5pm ET on Tuesdays at www.onpitrow.com

Image credits: Hanna Barbara, findagrave.com

Filed under: Brian France, Jeff Hammond, NASCAR, NASCAR Bidness, Nascar Legends, On Pit Row The Fastest Two Hours on Radio

Tagged with: Bobby Allison, Cale Yarbrough, David Pearson, Donnie Allison

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Robby hopes to have more Fast Laps in a Dodge

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.

February 4, 2008 6:59 am UTC No Comments

It has been well reported that Robby Gordon has dumped his Ford stuff in favor of Dodges and a working agreement with Gillett/Evernham.

Much of what has been written about this change has been about how this will affect Robby and his team. But; what impact will this have on GEM and why was it in their best interest to bring the Robby’s team under the GEM umbrella?

Most importantly this gives GEM another guaranteed car in the field every week at the start of the season. More cars in the field equals more information gained for all involved. 2007 was a nightmare season for GEM. They were behind on the development of the CoT and their old car program went up in smoke with over reliance on some less than competent engineers. 2008 needs to be a turn-around year for GEM and having Robby in the fold, even as a satellite team, makes them stronger.

Just as building and supplying engines to Petty Enterprises and BAM makes Gillette-Evernham’s engine program better, having more cars on the track every weekend will strengthen a team surely needing to make a rebound.

This week The Fast Lap asks:

1) Who will benefit most from the new alliance; Robby Gordon or GEM?

2) With The Wood Brothers being the only full-time independant Ford team left, is Ford interested in anyone other than Roush carrying the Blue Oval banner?

3) Everyone is well aware of the lack of a rivalry between Jimmy Johnson and Jeff Gordon. Is there anything currently close to the Petty/Allison or Waltrip/Yarbrough rivalries of the past?

4) Twin 150s or the 500?

Lets have your opinions on these. Remember; if we like your comments, whether we agree or disagree, we could use them on this week’s broadcast of ON PIT ROW. ON PIT ROW can be heard live via streaming audio every week, Tuesdays at 5pm ET. Just click on LISTEN LIVE on the home page.

Photo credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR

Filed under: Car of Tomorrow, Evernham Motorsports, Nascar Legends, NASCAR Rumors, On Pit Row The Fastest Two Hours on Radio, Robby Gordon, Robert Yates Racing, Roush Racing, The Fast Lap

Tagged with: blog, Bobby Allison, Cale Yarbrough, Daryll Waltrip, Daytona 500, GEM, Gillett/Evernham Motorsports, Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson, motorsports, NASCAR, Richard Petty, Robby Gordon, Sprint Cup, Wood Brothers Racing