IRL - Death by Tivo

I'm not sure how many of you race fans have TiVo!, but if you don't, you are INSANE. I swear Tivo is one of the greatest inventions ever. It's changed the way we watch TV (no more commercials!!) and allows me to watch almost all the racing I can possibly watch (although I have to figureout how to convince my wife - who already thinks I watch too much racing - to pony up for the new dual tuner, so I can record two things at the same time....)

Now, that being said, one feature Tivo will never have is the ability to recognize a rain delay. So, imagine my dismay when I sit down on the couch last night to watch the IRL race in Michigan at 10 p.m. Yes, folks, a 2.5 hr rain delay - the exact length of time Tivo was set to record the race. Ugh.

Michigan is one of my favorite tracks, as the racing is always good and the speeds high. Bummer!! So, I missed the entire race yesterday and get to read recaps today. I have to laugh at the reports of Danica throwing a tantrum in the paddock after her car shit the bed (what else is new for Rahal Letterman this year?). The media makes a big deal out of her getting angry, but never any mention of it happening with her teammates. We all know how happy Buddy Rice has been this season, so why nothing on him? My point exactly.

F1 - Another Yawner in Germany

So, I was right on with my prediction who would win the German GP. Although, I was really taken aback at how "poorly" Alonso performed the whole weekend and even more shocked by Kimi winning the pole. Of course, it became pretty clear the only reason he won the pole was because he had about 2 gallons of fuel on board...

Anyway, the first few laps were actually somewhat exciting with Kimi up front. For a while, I had faint hope that McClaren showed up with a car that had a remote chance of winning. After that, though, the "race" became another race car parade in Europe. Want to know how shitty F1 has become? About half way through the race, (Speed Channel announcer) Steve Matchett (I believe) was talking about something technical when Bob Varsha interrupted him. It was like Breaking News on CNN, he was so excited. What happened? Christian Klein passed someone. That was it. It's pretty sad nowadays that race fans (and announcers) have to get excited when one driver actually passes another during an F1 race. It sucks. Most of the passing now is done on the start when everyone blows by the Super Aguri and Midland cars (who shouldn't be on the grid in the first palce, but that discussion is for another time). Once the pace is established in F1, the only positions that change are a result of a Honda engine blowing up, a BMW car hitting a wall or someone pitting for fuel and tires. Gee, that's exciting!

If you happen to catch any of the GP2 races prior to the F1 races, you will see what a pathetic joke F1 has become. You have full fields and absolute chaos fron start to finish. You have guys racing lap after lap, wheel to wheel, nose to tail. None of this 30-second Ferrari 1-2 lead/win crap.

NASCAR - Go, Boris!!!!

If you're a fan of all types of auto racing, there's one dude you can't NOT like: Boris Said. I've become a huge fan of the guy because he's not only a kick-ass driver (who wins in just abotu any car and any series) but seems to be a cool guy in the garage. His personality is infectious and you can't help but root for the guy.

This year, he finally made the bold leap into NASCAR ownership. Crazy, you say? Yeah. But why the hell not. Given NASCAR Nextel Cup owners won't give anyone over the age of 19 the time of day anymore, Boris had no choice. And how sweet was it he won the pole and nearly won the Pepsi 400? The guy is *this* close to winning his first Cup race. I can't fuckin' wait.

One of the things that drives me absolutely crazy in NASCAR (especially) is how everyone over-whores their sponsors. When I'm at a track day, the LAST thing I want to drink is Coke. I want water or Gatorade. But you see sweaty NASCAR guy drinking (or at least pretending to drink) a Coke after a 4-hour race. Anyway, I realize the importance of sponsors so we just have to accept it. In that vein, and in support of Boris Said's new NASCAR team, I'm jumping on the Sobe No Fear bandwagon.

I've never tasted No Fear. I think I've had one or two "energy" drinks in my life. but last night while we were at Stop & Shop, I bought my first two cans of No Fear. As Boris already beat into our brains 'if we buy more cases, he can run more race.' Well, boris, bro, sorry, but I could only get two cans. You know how it is when shopping with a wife! ;-) Can #1 is sitting in the fridge here at work and I'll be drinking it this afternoon.

Either way, I'm buying some more cases, because I want this ultimate driver to beat the pants off the rest of the field. And you should to!* Go, Boris!!!!! (8/2/06 - Here's a great piece in USA Today about Boris.

(*disclaimer: I'm not in any way, shape or form involved with any beverage companies - although if Sobe wants to pay me to shill for them, I'm all ears!!!)

F1 - Hockenheim Predictions

So, we're closing in on another busy F1 weekend as the motorsporting "elite" head to Hockenheim, Germany apparently for the last time. I'm going to put on my magic cap and make a very bold prediction about who will win the German Grand Prix on Sunday: Fernando Alonso or Michael Schumacher.

There. I just saved you guys about 4 hours of your life.

Honestly, though, I'll still watch. There's always a level of excitement surrounding F1, even if it is only for the sound of the engines. The sport really has degraded over the past 4 years, as nearly every race has turned into a high speed parade. You know once Fernando or Michael get out front by 15 seconds or so, the race is over. *yawn* How goddamn boring! Hopefully the rules shakeup next year (slicks, etc.) will bring actual racing back to Formula 1.

Formula One Grid Girls Learn the most popular Formula One racetracks around the world with the help of these Formula One representatives.

NASCAR - It's all about Tony

I admittedly watched about half of the Pocono race yesterday. While I like the long, high-speed tracks, Pocono races are...boring. Just like California.

Anyway, I some how missed the hoo-ha between Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer and Carl Edwards. Damn. But I'm reading all about it today and I'm hoping that someone finally lands a fist in Tony Stewart's face. I really am. Tony Stewart is one of the most talented drivers in all of motorsports. He can drive the wheels off anything that moves. But on the track? He's a dick. Plain and simple.

Since becoming the series "bad boy" back in 2003, Stewart made an effort to clean up his image as an obnoxious, rage-filled douchebag. He certainly fooled racing fans, myself included. He returned to form before the checkered flag dropped at this year's Daytona 500. We all saw how he put Matt Kenseth into the infield and then into the wall at 180 mph. Luckily, he didn't take out half the field and no one was hurt. Why Kenseth didn't slam him into the wall, I don't know. I guess he has good self-restraint.

We saw petty Stewart pull the same crap again a few weeks later with Jeff Gordon in Dover and with Boris Said in Sonoma. Apparently, someone annointed Tony Stewart as track policeman - he now determines who should move out of his way and when.

Back to Daytona, I was furious watching the race as NASCAR didn't do a damn thing after Stewart wrecked Kenseth. After that hypocrite whined about someone dying on the track, he nearly killed a competitor and NASCAR did shit. They should have made him park his car immediately. And that's what they should have done Sunday at Pocono. A one lap penalty? Please. Will someone in the NASCAR hauler find a set of balls and put Stewart in a much-needed time out? Maybe we need him to injure or kill another racer before you folks finally wise up.

Sadly, this crap put a dominating win by an up-and-coming superstar on the back burner. Denny Hamlin has somehow mastered Pocono and schooled everyone in sight. Way to go kid. And he's about as humble a racer as you could want. Maybe if he wasn't Stewart's teammate, he'd get out of his car and punch Smoke in the jaw for putting another black mark on an otherwise great race for him.