Season In The Abyss
Written by Patterson Belser, Wednesday February 25 2009
by Patterson Belser
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We all find ourselves three and a half weeks into the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season with two actual point races having transpired, and already, frustrations have abounded around the NASCAR world. Here, you will find my main problems with the season thus far.
Lou Reeves’ article about the current incarnation of the NASCAR points system got me fired up once I read it. The article did nothing to incite my anger, but it reminded me of what the current system is and why it bothers me. Basically, I just think that the owner’s points should be gone and all points should be assigned to the driver. The issue with David Gilliland from last week comes to mind. Gilliland had enough points with his previous team to be in the top-35 in points, but since the team had no sponsorship for the California race, Gilliland had to go to another team and then had to race his way into the California event. That is just garbage. Gilliland should have been in the same position upon leaving the team as he was a week beforehand, and it sucks that he was not.
Next on my list of issues is the current FOX in-race announcers, being Larry McReynolds, Mike Joy and Darrell Waltrip. I will not say that the guys are total idiots, as they do have some great knowledge of NASCAR. But, the dopey interplay between the three drives me insane. Plus, the constant laughter at the “Digger” animations is enough to make me want to turn off the race at times. It would be a pleasure to hear announcers who were not only insightful, but also did not sound like the three had a combined IQ that is the equivalent of the number on the side of Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s car. These guys work in the milieu of broadcasting, putting their voices out to millions of people at a time. Could FOX not find guys who know the sport AND grammar?
On a different note, my final rant is towards some of the media out there that covers NASCAR. Does anyone actually read the lap-by-lap rundowns of races on Monday or Tuesday once the race is over and done? Do we really need articles like this? I completely understand the articles that offer some look at the race that the casual observer may not have seen, whether it a different viewpoint of action that we all saw or if it was a quote that one reporter at the track got to which the general public was not privy. In fact, I really enjoy those articles. But a rundown of every single caution and every single pass that occurred in a race 48 hours previous is just redundant and silly.
After my venting, I will say that I was highly amused by Jay Busbee’s article that came out on Monday, in regards to the federal prison inmate who is suing NASCAR because watching people drive really fast encouraged him that speeding was a good idea. He also claimed that Jeff Gordon poisoned him. I remember when this same inmate attempted to sue Michael Vick for allegedly stealing the felon’s pit bulls in an attempt to sell them on eBay to purchase arms from Iran. Sometimes, when we all have witnessed the system failing all around us, it is good to be reminded that some people that really need to be far behind bars are where they belong.
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3 comments
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Ha! Well said on the Jimmy Spencer. As far as the lap-by-lap, I just rely on the wonders of technology, and press pause on my tivo. Ahhh...sweet, sweet tivo.
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I read the lap by lap for a couple of reasons. I may have missed a portion or all of a race. I may be writing about a particular race and want to know the details-I have been known to get up from the sofa. The owner's points does need tweaking-MWR didn't stand a chance its first two years, but on the other hand, why should anyone just be handed a spot. Let'em earn it. What if Smoke had won the championship last year? He's not driving a Toyota now, has a new crew chief and owns his car. He's not starting out with the same things he had last year; again, let him and Newman prove they have what it takes. Darryl Waltrip and that Digger POS do get on my nerves but not as much as Jimmy Spencer. Could someone please take that bad toupee off his head, hand him a Valium and show him the exit?
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Patterson, I'm glad I'm not the only one who's sick of the 3 stooges. However, giving them a combined IQ level of 88 is far to generous. Try more like 44, and most of that is Mike Joy. At least his grammar is half decent.