Stock Car Spin - A NASCAR Blog

Remember when I announced that Fansided is going to be getting a facelift with Fansided 3.0?  Well, I’ve been notified that the Stock Car Spin blog will soon (and I mean real soon) will receive that huge facelift. I am very excited about it myself because the new site will allow me to better serve you guys with great NASCAR content.

I’ve been told that either THIS WEEKEND, OR NEXT WEEK, you will be able to see the new site. I don’t know exactly when this will happen but I can assure you that it will be either this weekend, or next weekend.

Brace yourself readers, because you are going to receive a great new layout. Stay tuned!

November 19, 2011; Homestead, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne (left) talks with crew chief Kenny Francis (right) during qualifying for the Ford 400 at Homestead Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-US PRESSWIRE

Kasey Kahne is set to begin his tenure with Hendrick Motorsports this year.  With crew chief Kenny Francis at the helm, many expect Kahne to have success at Hendrick Motorsports.  I remember hearing this before with another driver when they first came onboard to Hendrick Motorsports.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

With the 2012 season almost apon us, many are questioning whether or not Kahne’s success will be what ultimately kills Dale Earnhardt Jr’s tenure at Hendrick Motorsports.

Kahne’s 2012 campaign is what will answer this question.  If Kasey Kahne has an incredibile season, without a doubt its going to have an affect on Junior. However if Kahne basically falls off (kindof like how Junior did), then we’ll be questioning whether it was a good move for Kahne or not.

If Junior has success, NASCAR, Junior Nation, and even himself will benefit from a Cup victory in 2012. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

We all know that Dale Earnhardt Jr is NASCAR’s most popular driver, and we know that Junior brings in alot of money for NASCAR via his merchandise.  They are basically selling like hot cakes.  However, I believe that if Kasey Kahne starts to have success with Hendrick Motorsports, and Earnhardt continues to decline, that will bump up the pressure for Junior even more, and that might ultimately be what kills Junior’s tenure at Hendrick Motorsports.

If Junior were to be fired from his ride at Hendrick Motorsports, then its going to look very bad for NASCAR because if Junior is not racing, then you are going to see the sports financial and economic growth (from the previous two seasons) basically fall into the toilet.  However, I don’t expect that to happen for atleast acouple years atleast.

I am not saying that Dale Earnhardt Jr is going to get fired (nor am I trying to be negative about the situation), however his future with Hendrick Motorsports is going to depend on whether or not he can start winning races.  I am one of Junior’s biggest supporters.  His success ultimately gives NASCAR more finanical gain, and it also drives fans to the track whenever Junior starts to have success.  We’ve seen that in 2011.

If Junior can step up and win races this year, it will be huge for the sport, as well as Junior Nation.  Both have been striding for Junior to get a win in the Cup Series for a long time.  He almost came through three times last season, and I think he will come close to, or if not win, a race in the Sprint Cup Series this year. Steve Letarte does give Junior some great setup packages at certain tracks.  Those setup packages go a long way.  We’ll see what happens with Junior and Kasey Kahne.

Thanks to Tommy Baldwin Motorsports, Danica Patrick is Officially Locked Into the 54th Running of the Daytona 500. (Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-US PRESSWIRE)

It appears that a deal is in place for Danica Patrick to have her spot in the Daytona 500 guaranteed.

According to CBS Sports, Danica Patrick is going to be receiving a guaranteed sport in next month’s Daytona 500.  According to the report, Stewart-Haas Racing is going to acquire the points from Dave Blaney and Tommy Baldwin Racing.  In exchange, whenever the former IndyCar driver is not racing, Reutimann will take over in the 10 car, under Baldwin.

As much as I like Danica Patrick, I don’t like this move by Tony Stewart and Stewart-Haas Racing.  I think if Danica Patrick is going to prove her place in the Sprint Cup Series, she needs to earn her spots in races.  Especially in Motorsports biggest races, the Daytona 500.  Despite my opinons on the matter, its going to be very interesting to see if Danica can handle both the drafting, as well as handle the pressure in the Cup Series.

NASCAR And Turner Sports Restructure And Extend Digital Partnership Through 2016

Sanctioning Body To Operate Its Digital Platforms Starting In 2013; Turner To Continue Exclusive Advertising Sales

Daytona Beach, Fla. (Jan. 30, 2012) — NASCAR and Turner Sports announced today a restructuring and extension of their long-standing digital partnership. The new agreement takes the relationship through 2016, with NASCAR managing business and editorial operations for its digital platforms beginning in 2013 and Turner Sports continuing to oversee advertising sales and sponsorships across NASCAR-branded digital platforms.

“Turner Sports has been, and will continue to be, a great partner for NASCAR,” said Brian France, chairman and chief executive officer of NASCAR. “Taking a leadership role as it relates to our digital rights is something we as the sanctioning body know is important for the future of our sport, the development of our drivers and most importantly, the experience for both our current fans and future followers.”

“Turner Broadcasting and NASCAR have helped make each other successful for more than 28 years through a working relationship that, over time, has evolved with the media and technology landscape,” said David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. “The latest extension of our partnership is a strategically and fiscally enhanced business model for our company and ensures that NASCAR.COM remains a core asset of Turner’s leading digital ad sales portfolio. Our unrivaled sports assets and scale offer advertisers the means to deliver the most targeted and relevant marketing messages across multiple digital and mobile platforms and properties.”

Under the new partnership, NASCAR will assume operational control in 2013 of all of its interactive, digital and social media rights including technical operations and infrastructure of all NASCAR digital platforms. Turner will continue to represent sponsorships and advertising for all NASCAR digital platforms, with the unique users from the NASCAR digital properties continuing to roll up to the Turner digital portfolio.

NASCAR’s comprehensive digital and social media portfolio includes NASCAR.COM, the official online destination of NASCAR which provides racing enthusiasts with an all-inclusive offering of engaging content including fantasy games, video highlights, social elements and in-depth editorial content. NASCAR.COM, and the sport’s other digital and social media platforms, have been managed by Turner Sports since 2001.

“This move is about the media, our sponsors and most importantly, our fans,” said Marc Jenkins, vice president of digital media for NASCAR. “We will build an innovative portfolio of platforms that strives to be as diverse as it is comprehensive. For our fans our digital platform will become the online destination for all things NASCAR. For everyone else, it will be the vehicle we’ll use to turn them into fans.”

About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for one of North America’s premier sports. NASCAR races are broadcast in more than 150 countries and in 20 languages. In the U.S., races are broadcast on FOX, TNT, ABC/ESPN/ESPN2, SPEED and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. NASCAR fans are among the most brand loyal in all of sports, and as a result more Fortune 500 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, and one local grassroots series, as well as two international series. Also part of NASCAR is GRAND-AM Road Racing, known for its competition on road courses with multiple classes of cars. NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races at 100 tracks in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., NASCAR has offices in eight cities across North America. The next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the 54th annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, will air Feb. 26 on FOX at 1 p.m. ET. For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.nascar.com. Follow NASCAR on www.facebook.com/NASCAR or on Twitter: @NASCAR.

About Turner Sports
Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is an industry leader in televised and online sports programming, airing championship level sporting events on TBS, TNT and truTV, and managing some of the most popular digital sports platforms. Turner Sports’ television line-up includes the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, NASCAR and professional golf. The company’s digital portfolio includes SI.com, NASCAR.COM, NCAA.com, PGATOUR.COM, GOLF.com and PGA.com, as well as an accompanying collection of mobile websites and connected device apps. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA Mobile, the NBA Game Time App, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

In case you missed it, Dale Earnhardt JR talked to ESPN about his future in the sport. Its a very interesting piece, so check it out!

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If you are interested in seeing the latest in the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway, please go HERE.

In case you were hiding under a rock this week (as I have been away getting focused on College), here is the rundown on the announcements made during the NASCAR Media Tour this past week.

NASCAR Media Tour Major Announcements/Headlines:

• Danica Patrick Will Not Run Indy 500:  During the Stewart-Haas Racing Media Tour, Patrick announced that she will forgo the Indianapolis 500 and will instead focus on NASCAR’s longest race of the season, the Coca-Cola 600.
• NASCAR Going Public With Every Fine: During the Media Tour, NASCAR CEO Brian France dropped the bomb that he will make every fine against all drivers public, thus ending the elusive ”secret” fines that many drivers last season talked about.
• Ford Unveils 2013 Sprint Cup Series Car:  The Ford Motor Company unveiled their 2013 race car that will be implemented in 2013 for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.  Drivers including Greg Biffle said the car is “badass”.  NASCAR called the unveiling a “historical leap foward”.
• Brian France Says Sport Is In Good Place:  NASCAR CEO Brian France said in his media press conference that NASCAR is “in a good place”.  He recently said in an interview that he would “be shot” if he asked for a change in the Chase Format.
• Kevin Harvick Comes Clean about KHI Closing/Says Kyle Busch Relationship Still the Same:  Kevin Harvick told reporters during RCR’s media tour that he decided to move on from Kevin Harvick Inc because his wife, DeLana, is expecting in July.  Harvick also stated (according to SceneDaily) that his relationship with rival Kyle Busch has not waned, or changed one bit.  Congrats to Kevin and DeLana on their pregnancy.

(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Danica, Plusses and Minuses

There’s lots of speculation regarding Danica Patrick’s move to a full-time career in NASCAR. How will she do and what will it mean to the sport and to other women drivers. So let’s look at some indicators that may predict how it will play out.

First, based upon a comparison of her talent and results in IndyCar racing to the talent and results of Sam Hornish Jr. in that series, it doesn’t bode well for Danica in stock car racing at the Cup level. Arguably, she has a great support group around her that many drivers could only dream about having. However, the same could be said for Hornish when he came into NASCAR with Team Penske. Hornish is a driver who had the talent to win eight races in his last 64 starts in IndyCar and get 32 tops fives in those 64 starts (50%) plus an IndyCar championship, yet he has struggled so much in a Cup car. In contrast, Danica managed only one fuel mileage win in 117 starts and no higher a finish in the IndyCar season point standings than fifth. In addition, she managed only 20 top five finishes in those 117 races. With those facts in mind,, why would anyone think Danica’s results will be better than those achieved by Hornish. Her background in racing mirrors Hornish’s in so many ways. They both came up as youngsters running go-karts primarily on road course layouts, not ovals.

So why all the hype? This writer wonders whether she would even have the Cup opportunity if her name was Daniel Patrick or if she was 40 lbs. overweight and homely. In racing today though, bringing sponsorship dollars to a team can often mean more than talent. There are opportunities in series of all types that are available for “funded” drivers. She has a huge fan base and abundant commercial appeal because of her appearance and that means she brings big dollars with her to her NASCAR team. Undoubtedly she will also bring new fans to the sport, those who will attend her races and those who will tune in to watch her on TV.

But what will her long-term impact be if she ends up being a mid-pack driver with even less success than Hornish? In the end, her level of success or lack thereof may have a huge impact on owners considering taking chances on other female drivers. There is no question in my mind that there will be a female driver in Victory Lane in Cup racing within the next ten years. However, I believe it is highly unlikely Danica will be that female and, if she struggles as much as I think she will, she may delay the opportunity for a female driver with more talent and a higher likelihood of being successful in Cup racing to get that chance.

Thus in the plus column, I see Danica being a popular driver who is good for NASCAR in terms of ratings and marketing possibilities. The minus column includes her career in stock cars being detrimental to other more talented female drivers who don’t offer the same package of sex appeal and good looks she offers. Time will tell, of course, but the truth is it is that package that gives her this opportunity more than her talent level.

The offseason has had its share of silliness and wackiness.  It had its share of moves by both drivers and crew chiefs.  We saw Kurt Busch go from Penske to a low-funded team in Phoenix Racing, we saw AJ Allmendinger leave Richard Petty Motorsports to take over the #22 Shell Pennzoil Dodge, the list goes on.

With the off-season pretty much over, its time to discuss the offseason (or “Silly Season” if you will).  Who better to discuss the NASCAR offseason than SB Nation’s Motorsports Editor/guru Jeff Gluck.

SB Nation's Jeff Gluck (Credit: Jeff Gluck's Facebook Page)

Brandon Butler: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview Jeff for me, and for Stock Car Spin readers.  First off, as we all know, Kurt Busch was let go from his ride at Penske Racing, and he would then go sign with Phoenix Racing.  What are your thoughts on Busch’s stunning move to Phoenix Racing?

Jeff Gluck:   As we all know, Kurt Busch was let go from his ride at Penske Racing, and he would then go sign with Phoenix Racing.  What are your thoughts on Busch’s stunning move to Phoenix Racing?    At first, I thought it might be a bad move by Kurt because a poor season in a mediocre car might damage his on-track reputation (which remains stellar despite his off-track troubles).

But the more I think about it, it seems like a win-win. There really are no expectations, so if he pulls off a top-10 here and there or somehow wins a race, it’ll be a tremendous achievement and it will remind everyone what a great driver he is.

Brandon Butler: With Best Buy leaving Richard Petty Motorsports, AJ Allmendinger decides to leave RPM for Penske Racing to take the job of driving the #22 Shell Dodge.  Do you believe Allmendinger will have more success at Penske Racing then he did at RPM?

Jeff Gluck: Allmendinger HAS to have more success at Penske than RPM. If he doesn’t, then he’s going to be labeled as the guy who got chances at big teams but couldn’t capitalize (like Casey Mears).  With that being said, I think he’ll have the resources and team behind him to get it done. He’s committed and serious about his new ride, and I think he’ll win a race this season.

Brandon Butler:  Tony Stewart had one of (if not) the biggest comebacks in Sprint Cup Series history as he won 5 races during the Chase and went on to win the Sprint Cup Series Championship. If you were to give a prediction, do you think Stewart will repeat?

Jeff Gluck:   No, I don’t think Stewart will repeat. Changing crew chiefs is a significant shakeup, and it’ll take time to get the communication down.  Plus, Stewart really wasn’t very good for most of last season – until the Chase started and he caught lightning in a bottle.  But I don’t see that lightning striking twice (at least not two years in a row).  Stewart still has work to do in order to build his team into a consistent contender, which is why he changed crew chiefs in the first place.

Brandon Butler: Jeff, I cannot get through this interview without talking about Dale Earnhardt Jr.  He had a better (all-around) year in 2011.  He made the Chase by the skin of his fingernails, he had chances to win 1 race in 2011, and now has a great relationship with crew chief Steve Letarte.  If you were to give a prediction, do you believe Dale Jr will get back to victory lane in 2012?

Jeff Gluck:   Man…I can’t imagine he could go another year without winning. Especially after last year, where he was so close several times. And you know that team is trying everything they can. The thing is, I would have said the same thing at the start of 2009, 2010 and 2011. It’s stunning he’s gone so long without winning one, just because you’d think he’d steal a fuel-mileage or rain-shortened race somewhere along the line. It really is amazing to think there were 18 different winners last year and Earnhardt Jr. wasn’t one of them.

Just based on that fact, I think he’ll win a race this season – maybe three. Heck, he could win the Daytona 500.

Brandon Butler: I hope you are right on that one.  Junior Nation would go nuts if he were to win.  Lets talk about another Hendrick driver, Mr. 5-time, Jimmie Johnson.  in 2011, Johnson’s reign as Champion (for 5 consecutive years) came to an end.   Do you think 2012 will be more of a “redemption year” for Jimmie Johnson or will we see him fall off once again?

Jeff Gluck:   Yep, I think that’s exactly what will happen. Johnson will win title No. 6 this season after coming out more focused and refreshed than he’s been in years. That team is hungry again, and that’s dangerous for everyone else.   Six championships in seven years isn’t too bad, by the way.

Brandon Butler:  Your right Jeff.  Six championships in just 7 years is a remarkable accomplishment that might not be done again in our lifetime.  Final question for you Jeff.  2011 was “the year of the first-time winner”.  Marcos Ambrose, David Ragan, Regan Smith, Trevor Bayne, and Paul Menard won their first career race in the Sprint Cup Series. Its always great to see newcomers win races in the Sprint Cup Series.  Do you think we’ll continue to see this trend of first-time winners?

Jeff Gluck:   I don’t think we will see many first-time winners this year, except for maybe AJ Allmendinger. The thing is, there isn’t much turnover in the Cup Series and most of the regulars have now won already. The only regular drivers who HAVEN’T won a race in their careers are Allmendinger, David Gilliland and Dave Blaney (unless I’m missing someone). So the odds aren’t good on that question.

I want to thank Jeff Gluck for taking the time out of his busy schedule to do this interview with me.  You can follow Jeff on Twitter (@jeff_gluck), and you can also like him on his Facebook Page.

We have an interview with 2010 NASCAR iRacing.com World Champion and Eutechnyx Setup Guru Richard Towler coming real soon, so check back soon.

I rarely talk about whats going on with the Fansided Network, but because this will affect your reading experience as the reader, I am going to let you guys in on a little something.  The Fansided Network has announced that Fansided 3.0 is coming soon..

Now, I know what your thinking.  What in the world is Fansided 3.0 Brandon? Is it a robot that will just pop out more sports tories or something?  As much as I would personally like that, its not that at all.

Basically Fansided 3.0 is basically a BRAND NEW LAYOUT that will be on Stock Car Spin, and the rest of the Fansided Blog Network.  For a preview of this new layout, please visit Arrowhead Addict, the Kansas City Chiefs blog.   The network is introducing a feature called “The Hub”.  The Hub will bring you the latest and relevent topics and stories going on currently.

As for when this new layout will be released, I currently have no information on that.  They are beta-testing the new layout.  As soon as I find out any more information, I will update this post.

If you have any comments about the new layout, please feel free to comment on this post, or tweet the blog @SCSBlog on Twitter.  I’ll relay the message to Zach and Adam Best.