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Sunday, June 7, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
NASCAR's Acceptance Of The 'Citizen Journalist' A Bold, But Necessary Move
While the print and traditional media were continuing to lose touch with race fans, blogs and fan-oriented websites began to pop-up and step in. NASCAR, seeing an opportunity to bring fans closer, announced Tuesday it was forming the "NASCAR Citizen Journalist Media Corps." The decision gives independent websites and blogs a chance to run with the big boys and report from inside the catch fence rather than on the other side of it.
This doesn't mean NASCAR is going to open the gates and let everyone with a URL into the show. Citizen Journalist will be selected based on their professionalism, reporting and overall contribution to the sport and to the fans. If selected, all that was once deemed unavailable and unattainable will be at their disposal come race weekend.
This decision gives sites/blogs such as this a chance to put our hard work and passion out there for others to enjoy on a bigger stage. Unlike the established media, the Citizen Journalist has to work just as hard or harder to get noticed and let their voice be heard. It's this kind of effort and passion that NASCAR couldn't afford to overlook any longer.
As you can imagine the decision did not go over too well with the veterans of the media center. Jim Utter, a columnist and writer for That'sRacin.com and The Charlotte Observer believes the move is more about filling up media centers rather than extending an olive branch to a group once shunned for its legitimacy or lack there of. Jim Utter's been at this a lot longer than most of us and obviously calls it like he sees it; but there is more to this than just filling up the media center on race weekend.
Whether the traditionalist want to accept it or not, the bottom line here is that the media landscape in the sport has changed and brought with it a new and refreshing approach to reporting the news. It's simple; race fans rely more on fan sites and blogs than they do on the media who actually attend the races. NASCAR, being the business savvy group that they are, realized this trend and acted accordingly.
NASCAR relies on its fans and their loyalty more than any other major sport. With the sport in a bit of a stall and lacking new growth, who better to turn to than the fans to help get the sport back where it once was? The drivers and teams may make the cars go 'round, but it's the fans that drive the sport.
For more NASCAR news and notes visit us at www.thespotterstand.com
This doesn't mean NASCAR is going to open the gates and let everyone with a URL into the show. Citizen Journalist will be selected based on their professionalism, reporting and overall contribution to the sport and to the fans. If selected, all that was once deemed unavailable and unattainable will be at their disposal come race weekend.
This decision gives sites/blogs such as this a chance to put our hard work and passion out there for others to enjoy on a bigger stage. Unlike the established media, the Citizen Journalist has to work just as hard or harder to get noticed and let their voice be heard. It's this kind of effort and passion that NASCAR couldn't afford to overlook any longer.
As you can imagine the decision did not go over too well with the veterans of the media center. Jim Utter, a columnist and writer for That'sRacin.com and The Charlotte Observer believes the move is more about filling up media centers rather than extending an olive branch to a group once shunned for its legitimacy or lack there of. Jim Utter's been at this a lot longer than most of us and obviously calls it like he sees it; but there is more to this than just filling up the media center on race weekend.
Whether the traditionalist want to accept it or not, the bottom line here is that the media landscape in the sport has changed and brought with it a new and refreshing approach to reporting the news. It's simple; race fans rely more on fan sites and blogs than they do on the media who actually attend the races. NASCAR, being the business savvy group that they are, realized this trend and acted accordingly.
NASCAR relies on its fans and their loyalty more than any other major sport. With the sport in a bit of a stall and lacking new growth, who better to turn to than the fans to help get the sport back where it once was? The drivers and teams may make the cars go 'round, but it's the fans that drive the sport.
For more NASCAR news and notes visit us at www.thespotterstand.com
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Pit Box Power Rankings Heading Into Pocono
1.Chad Knaus, #48 Lowe's Chevrolet
It was evident early on that the 48 was going to be the car to beat. Chad Knaus kept up with the race track and kept JJ up front all day. Even after the final pit stop of the day put the 48 towards the back of the top ten, Knaus never panicked. Johnson's car was so good that he was able to work the high line and wheel the Lowe's Chevy around Greg Biffle and eventually Tony Stewart to capture the team's 2nd win of the year.
2.Darian Grubb, #14 Old Spice/Office Max Chevrolet
Made the right calls to get Tony Stewart up front when it counted most. Darian Grubb and Tony Stewart kept working on the car and made it good enough to give Jimmie Johnson a run for his money at the end of the race. Darian Grubb has taken this team and made it a threat everywhere they unload.
3.Greg Erwin, #16 3M Ford
Using two-tire strategy on the last stop, Greg Erwin put his driver in a position to win with 25 to go. If not for a hard-charging Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart this team could have very easily ended up in victory lane.
4(tie).Bob Osborne, #99 AFLAC/Claritan Ford
The last two weeks have shown that Bob Osborne is slowly but surely getting this group back to the level everyone expects them to be at. Osborne and company head to Pocono where both he and Carl Edwards have had a lot of success.
Tony Gibson, #39 U.S. Army Chevrolet
Tony Gibson is finding ways to get Ryan Newman up front and keep him there. Building off the success of teammate and car owner Tony Stewart, this team unloads fast and is a mainstay in the top ten. Gibson has to be excited heading to Pocono where, in 2008, he and Mark Martin almost ended up in victory lane.
5.Todd Berrier, #07 Jack Daniels' Chevrolet
It goes without saying that Todd Berrier is one of the best crew chiefs in the garage. His wins and success with Kevin Harvick back that up. Since moving over to the 07, the chemistry between Berrier and Casey Mears is building and the results show it. Last week's top ten at Dover could be a sign of good things to come.
Honorable Mention:
Lance McGrew, #88 Amp Energy/National Guard Chevrolet
Last week's trip to Dover had to be the most stressful weekend Lance McGrew has ever had in his career as a crew chief. After failing to qualify for the race with Brad Keselowski, McGrew moved over to the 88 to get a head start on his new gig as Dale Jr's crew chief. Working with a car that was already loaded and ready to head to Dover McGrew, along side Brian Whitesell and Rex Stump, worked through all the drama and hype and brought the 88 home in 12th.
For more NASCAR news and notes visit us at www.thespotterstand.com
It was evident early on that the 48 was going to be the car to beat. Chad Knaus kept up with the race track and kept JJ up front all day. Even after the final pit stop of the day put the 48 towards the back of the top ten, Knaus never panicked. Johnson's car was so good that he was able to work the high line and wheel the Lowe's Chevy around Greg Biffle and eventually Tony Stewart to capture the team's 2nd win of the year.
2.Darian Grubb, #14 Old Spice/Office Max Chevrolet
Made the right calls to get Tony Stewart up front when it counted most. Darian Grubb and Tony Stewart kept working on the car and made it good enough to give Jimmie Johnson a run for his money at the end of the race. Darian Grubb has taken this team and made it a threat everywhere they unload.
3.Greg Erwin, #16 3M Ford
Using two-tire strategy on the last stop, Greg Erwin put his driver in a position to win with 25 to go. If not for a hard-charging Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart this team could have very easily ended up in victory lane.
4(tie).Bob Osborne, #99 AFLAC/Claritan Ford
The last two weeks have shown that Bob Osborne is slowly but surely getting this group back to the level everyone expects them to be at. Osborne and company head to Pocono where both he and Carl Edwards have had a lot of success.
Tony Gibson, #39 U.S. Army Chevrolet
Tony Gibson is finding ways to get Ryan Newman up front and keep him there. Building off the success of teammate and car owner Tony Stewart, this team unloads fast and is a mainstay in the top ten. Gibson has to be excited heading to Pocono where, in 2008, he and Mark Martin almost ended up in victory lane.
5.Todd Berrier, #07 Jack Daniels' Chevrolet
It goes without saying that Todd Berrier is one of the best crew chiefs in the garage. His wins and success with Kevin Harvick back that up. Since moving over to the 07, the chemistry between Berrier and Casey Mears is building and the results show it. Last week's top ten at Dover could be a sign of good things to come.
Honorable Mention:
Lance McGrew, #88 Amp Energy/National Guard Chevrolet
Last week's trip to Dover had to be the most stressful weekend Lance McGrew has ever had in his career as a crew chief. After failing to qualify for the race with Brad Keselowski, McGrew moved over to the 88 to get a head start on his new gig as Dale Jr's crew chief. Working with a car that was already loaded and ready to head to Dover McGrew, along side Brian Whitesell and Rex Stump, worked through all the drama and hype and brought the 88 home in 12th.
For more NASCAR news and notes visit us at www.thespotterstand.com
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Old School Pocono
After the two get together heading off into Turn 1, Tim Richmond helps Dale Earnhardt Sr. to the ambulance then slams the door in disgust. They don't make 'em like they used to.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Power Rankings As Of: Dover
The latest edition of The Spotter Stand Power Rankings are up so head on over to the website and check it out.
PB
PB
Monday, June 1, 2009
Dover Observations
Is Jimmie Johnson The Greatest Of All-Time?- I know it's a hard question to ask let alone answer; but is Jimmie Johnson going to be the greatest driver the modern era has ever known? He's already done what many people thought could not be done and that is win three championships in a row. In all honesty he may win four in a row if this year is any indication. Bottom line...Johnson and the 48 team are a serious threat wherever they go. Just when you think they are out of contention or won't pull it off they make a banzai run to the front and end up in victory lane. Yesterday was a prime example of just how good this team is. After a pit road miscue dropped them towards the back of the Top Ten on the final restart, JJ put on a show as he hunted down and overtook Greg Biffle then Tony Stewart with three laps to go. If this team stays together and keeps doing what they are doing the championships and wins will rack up and there will be no doubt that Jimmie Johnson will be the greatest driver the modern era has ever known.
The New Tony Stewart-The laid back, more mature Tony Stewart has made a change for the better and is clicking on all cylinders in his first season as a driver/owner. For the first time in his career he is leading the points before the month of July and is not as brash or as confrontational as we've seen him in the past. I realize the episode at Charlotte with "Billy Bad Butt" was shades of the old Smoke, but it was mild in comparison to incidents of the past. Even when he gets beat or loses a race in the final laps (as he did at Dover) he doesn't fly off the handle or start complaining. We all know Tony Stewart is the real deal. He wins in everything he gets in and the only thing his career lacks is a Daytona 500 and Indy 500 win. Maybe now that he's the boss he can focus on making those dreams a reality.
Dale Jr And McGrew Off To A Good Start-The saga that is Dale Jr and his 88 team finally took a turn for the better yesterday as the team overcame an ill-handling car and soldiered home to a top 15 finish. Even though they struggled at the drop of the green flag Lance McGrew, Brian Whitesell and company didn't panic and got the car better as the race unfolded. At one point the team even found themselves in the top 5 and a factor for the win. Even after the handling went away and the car started to go backwards the team didn't panic and worked their way back towards the top 10 before finally coming home in 12th. On the surface it may not seem that much has changed, but watching HotPass on DirectTv you could hear a change in terminology and see a change in attitude. Dale Jr fans need to realize McGrew isn't going to rebuild Rome in one day; but yesterday's performance laid the foundation towards making Dale Jr a contender again.
No Pit Road Issues-Dover's new pit road was a success. There were no incidents coming onto pit road and no one got together coming off. The wider pit stalls and wider pit area made for a safe and incident free day on pit road. Nice work Dover!!
Dover Winner Gets The Coolest Trophy-Is there a better trophy in all of motorsports? Miles The Monster holding the die cast of the race winner's car is the most creative trophy the Cup guys get a chance to win. The Grandfather Clock (Martinsville) and the Harley J. Earl (Daytona 500) are spectacular, but the Miles The Monster trophy is in a class by itself.
The New Tony Stewart-The laid back, more mature Tony Stewart has made a change for the better and is clicking on all cylinders in his first season as a driver/owner. For the first time in his career he is leading the points before the month of July and is not as brash or as confrontational as we've seen him in the past. I realize the episode at Charlotte with "Billy Bad Butt" was shades of the old Smoke, but it was mild in comparison to incidents of the past. Even when he gets beat or loses a race in the final laps (as he did at Dover) he doesn't fly off the handle or start complaining. We all know Tony Stewart is the real deal. He wins in everything he gets in and the only thing his career lacks is a Daytona 500 and Indy 500 win. Maybe now that he's the boss he can focus on making those dreams a reality.
Dale Jr And McGrew Off To A Good Start-The saga that is Dale Jr and his 88 team finally took a turn for the better yesterday as the team overcame an ill-handling car and soldiered home to a top 15 finish. Even though they struggled at the drop of the green flag Lance McGrew, Brian Whitesell and company didn't panic and got the car better as the race unfolded. At one point the team even found themselves in the top 5 and a factor for the win. Even after the handling went away and the car started to go backwards the team didn't panic and worked their way back towards the top 10 before finally coming home in 12th. On the surface it may not seem that much has changed, but watching HotPass on DirectTv you could hear a change in terminology and see a change in attitude. Dale Jr fans need to realize McGrew isn't going to rebuild Rome in one day; but yesterday's performance laid the foundation towards making Dale Jr a contender again.
No Pit Road Issues-Dover's new pit road was a success. There were no incidents coming onto pit road and no one got together coming off. The wider pit stalls and wider pit area made for a safe and incident free day on pit road. Nice work Dover!!
Dover Winner Gets The Coolest Trophy-Is there a better trophy in all of motorsports? Miles The Monster holding the die cast of the race winner's car is the most creative trophy the Cup guys get a chance to win. The Grandfather Clock (Martinsville) and the Harley J. Earl (Daytona 500) are spectacular, but the Miles The Monster trophy is in a class by itself.
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