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Bob Jenkins: A Generational Voice

If you were to piece together the best of NASCAR broadcasting, you can nail down who you'd want for play-by-play. Back then, you had Ken Squier for CBS and TBS. There was Mike Joy at TNN and CBS before doing his current run at Fox. And then you had Bob Jenkins, who just passed away from a fight with cancer. If there was ever a time to be in the right spot at the right time, he was that and put together a very long tenure at ESPN.

It's hard to think that ESPN cared more about non-NBA and non-NFL stuff. NASCAR was one of their early broadcasting packages and the Cup series was around in 1981 up through to 2000. Home to many notable races including the first Brickyard race in 1994. Many classic Atlanta races such as the final race of the 1992 season. Final races ever at Riverside and North Wilkesboro. Jenkins was there. Whether it was with Larry Nubar the first seven years or the combo of Benny Parsons and Ned Jarrett, you had excitement coming from this crew.

This was one of ESPN's first deals with anything that wasn't college sports. Auto racing was something they invested in and the sport ballooned to high popularity as it got more mainstream. NASCAR became more than just a Southern sport. The network would get to expand throughout the 80s with the NBA, NHL, NFL, and much more like Tennis and even wrestling. Jenkins also was a part of calling the Indianapolis 500 for many years, something I did not know of.  He was an Indiana native. To be around that for 60 years as a fan and later on to call races, that's a life well spent.

Jenkins would still work with ESPN a little bit after the Cup series moved following the 2000 seasons. He would go to NBC Sports as well where he ended his run in 2012 to take care of his wife who would pass from cancer that same year. Today's batch of broadcasters do not get the same kind of love that he had. You'll never see a guy like him again. One of the true treasures of auto racing and broadcasting. 

NASCAR Safety 20 Years Later

February 18th, 2001 was considered a good race. Michael Waltrip wins his first ever race at Daytona, winning the 500. First race on Fox. Competitive, big wrecks. That was until medical staff had to take a driver to the local hospital. By evening, news had poured that Dale Earnhardt was dead. What turned into something great became one of the darkest NASCAR moments that overshadows the race. The legend was killed in the last lap crash via basilar skull fracture. For the sport, a push was made to ensure safety. It wouldn't be until the fall that mandates would be enforced due to a death on an ARCA track.

To understand the issue, you have to go back to the year prior. Before that, we also have to go back to 1994. Several deaths occurred at Daytona, including a friend of Earnhardt's, Neil Bonnett. Similar injuries was what killed him. A scare happened with Ernie Irvan at Michigan during a practice. Luckily, he survived, but it took over a year to recover. Ironic is him winning at that track in 1997. But you get to 2000, you see newcomers succumb to those injuries. First was Adam Petty, a 19 year old who had an issue with his car and crashed head on at New Hampshire. That led to kill switches, especially when Kenny Irwin Jr. died at the same track a couple of months later.

This was becoming a concern for drivers, Earnhardt included. What can be done to improve safety for them and the cars? One was the HANS device, Head and Neck Support. Jack Roush was in huge support of it, but not all drivers were convinced. Some didn't think it would help and that it would make it worse. Even after Tony Roper's death in the fall of 2000, it still wasn't convincing. But with Earnhardt's death, it got a lot of teams filled with worry. That's why NASCAR has worked on so much over the last 20 years of making sure there isn't another death on the track. It wouldn't be permanent for the device until October 2001 with Blaise Alexander's death on an ARCA track.

The proof is in the pudding. No deaths for the Cup series since 01. Some close encounters, though. Last year with Ryan Newman. Broken body parts such as Kyle Busch in 2015 and Aric Almirola in 2017. Formula 1 has suffered deaths, but that's more of the open cars and debris if there's crashes and several other oddities. Not saying that's the only reason, but there's more factors than crashing. Too little, too late for that time, but it has paved a better future. As long as NASCAR is focused on making races exciting yet protective, they will still exist for a long time. 

2021 Daytona 500 Thoughts

I'm not going to have a whole to say because it ran very late and caught a glimpse of the highlights. Not a lot to discuss regarding the Daytona 500 for this year. About as typical as you can get for NASCAR. They allowed fans into the stands at limited capacity. A couple scrapes, not a lot of lead changes, a very lengthy rain delay. The final lap ending in Michael McDowell getting his first win ever on the Cup series. amidst a huge fiery crash that knocked out some strong contenders.

It helps a bit that it's not someone like Denny Hamlin or Kevin Harvick. Nothing personal against these two, but to see one of the middling drivers get their chance says something. The top three was McDowell, Chase Elliott, and Austin Dillon. Some big aggressive driving at points throughout the race. Scrapes with the walls. There's excitement to wanting to win the Great American Race. It clouds the drivers minds that you make decisions at points where it leads to a potential huge mistake. Give NASCAR patience for at least getting through it. Some drivers surprised. Obvious disappointment in others. Hopefully next week, the pressure is less and they get back to the comforts of racing every week.

Bubba, the Cryin Southerner

If I'm Richard Petty, I'd be talking to Darrell "Bubba" Wallace about his behavior during the All-Star race. It's one thing to be frustrated, but to act like a prima donna over a race that is a non-factor other than a bigger pay. I know it's a young driver and some drivers can change over time, but come on.

There are drivers that are a lock because of winning and qualifying. Then you have ones who race to get in. Wallace was trying to get in when he got wrecked by Michael McDowell. Let's just say he didn't have any friendly words when interviewed and try to politicize what McDowell would have said. You got fiery drivers. Guys like the Busch brothers for examples. But this is not fiery. This is Wallace pouting that  he wouldn't get a chance to be in the All-Star race. There's always next year if you are still racing. To end it all, Wallace took his wrecked bumper to McDowell's car hauler.

Looking at the wreck, I'm not sure McDowell is entirely at fault. But the bumper, you got to be shitting me. If it was a rookie or second year guy, maybe a little slack should be given. But for a third year driver in Wallace, antics like that don't win you anything. Doesn't win you fans, sponsors, or any teams who would want your talent if you leave for another team. Especially if you don't win. So far in two and a half years, he hasn't proved much. I don't know how much of a contract he has left, but next year could be a make it or break it year. He hasn't showed much this season. A couple top ten finishes this year and that's it. Nineteen in points at the time of this blog. Has yet to show if he can be a truly great driver. 

Like I said, I think Petty should talk to Wallace about this behavior he showed. I know he's been vocal about racism and the culture of the South, but being an ass is not the right way to act. Driving the heck out of a car and a few wins a year will be the only to win over everyone. But as it stands, acting like a baby for a race that has no impact besides a bigger paycheck is dumb. He has the drive to be a competent and good driver. That's why he became the main guy for Petty in 2018. Now it's time to show a little professionalism, even when things go wrong in a race. Tony Stewart, he is not. At least, not yet.

Sports Return... Is It Ready?

Are we to that point where we can see some normalcy? Some think so and I kind of agree. There hasn't been any sports going on in about two months. Hard to imagine.

NASCAR returns this upcoming week and will do a race at Darlington. I do believe there won't be any fans, which is better safe than sorry. The following week will have the usual Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte. Anything to have the real sport back and get to return to 200 miles an hour racing in real life.

Baseball is getting underway in Taiwan and South Korea. For the MLB, it's only a matter of getting teams and players to agree to whatever is being proposed. Whatever it is, it better be good enough support from all sides. The same can be said for the NHL, which could do supposedly a 24 team playoff format. I'm not sure that proposal would work. The MLB is considering five rounds for their draft, and the NBA could do one that is virtual, similar to the NFL approach from last month.

Maybe this will keep people from going to places for only a few hours. It can serve as a good distraction from the complications of life. Things are starting to re-open in some states. Maybe it's a sign, considering the NBA has some teams reopening their facilities to practice. There's that talk that it could get worse, but we can't always assume it will be a big disaster. I don't think people are that stupid. There are some, but collectively, I don't think so. But we'll have to see. If things are better, then maybe we can get out of pandemic mode. If its worse, then we'll continue with what we have now. But we have to get some normalcy at some point.

Virtual Suspension

I've played my share of online games or seen them played the last 10 plus years. Sometimes, you see the frustration mount on a few and maybe yourself. I'd be panicking if I'm Kyle Larson and his PR group and whoever else is involved. Saying the n-word  has caused a lot of damage to his reputation and being with Chip Ganassi Racing. I'm not surprised about NASCAR suspending him indefinitely. Little sensitivity training to help fix him.

But what I am surprised kind of is Ganassi giving him the boot so quickly. Even if he weren't suspended, this would have been an end of the year scenario where the result would have been the same. What I see as a reason for the early boot is the sponsors. McDonald's has been around NASCAR for a long time. When I think of the two, I think Bill Elliott and a little Jamie McMurray. Some of the brands don't want to be associated with Larson, which is very understandable. It happens with specific spokespeople.

Where does Larson go? Good question. Until he is reinstated back in, it will be a tough sell. I could see Penske potentially. Maybe Brad Keselowski's car. Or Hendrick if Jimmie Johnson wants to retire instead of doing a full final year next year if he's not satisfied with ending 2020 without a full season. Ganassi will need to think about who they want. They got plenty of time. And maybe NASCAR should have guidelines for this virtual racing that they have done for the last month.

Things need to be ironed out before another incident happens.

The Terrifying Side of NASCAR Wrecks

A wreck can be exciting for a sport like NASCAR. But we also have those kind that you ponder questions. A lot has changed since 2001 for the better since the last lap crash of Dale Earnhardt that killed him at Daytona. Ryan Newman has taken a lot of licks in his 19 years of the Cup series. Notable ones include the 2003 Daytona race and the early 2009 Talladega race where his front was damaged by the flipping of Carl Edwards.

Monday's race, I blame it on winner Denny Hamlin. Being aggressive is not anything new. It's par for the course. But Hamlin is what started this by bumping into Ryan Blaney. That shot Blaney with a boost that got him to the bumper of Newman. It causes a spin and a flip and one of the worst crashes in about five years. Similar to the 2015 summer race there with Austin Dillon going into the catch fence, but not as destructive.

Thankfully, the injuries sustained were not life threatening. But it's sign to still recognize how dangerous a race car is. And there hasn't been any fatalities on a Cup series track since Earnhardt. The amount of preparation put into protecting the drivers with the harnesses, helmets, neck restraints. We really have come a long way. That's what the drivers know heading into any racing series with the seriousness of racing. Monday night was a grim reality of almost seeing a seasoned veteran almost pass from a very horrific crash.

Hope the drivers contemplate on how some of these actions cause unintended consequences.

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1994 Speedweeks: 25 Years Later

To say NASCAR had a rough 1993 was no exaggeration. Losing the 92 champion, Alan Kulwicki, to a plane crash was bad enough. Later on, Davey Allison would succumb to helicopter injuries. Both of these guys, particularly Allison, could have been guys that would have had more success if it weren't for these tragedies. For 1994, it was probably still in those minds heading for the Daytona 500, but to begin with even more tragedies says more about what NASCAR and motor sports would have to deal with for the next seven years.

I think a recent video from nascarman on YouTube does a great job of explaining one of the roughest times of NASCAR than I ever could. Even though it was a first win on the Winston Cup for Sterling Marlin, it was overshadowed by the deaths of Neil Bonnett and Rodney Orr. Bonnett was set to make a small comeback following a 1990 crash that gave him amnesia and had him being a broadcaster on several networks. Orr was a Goody's Dash champion. Both of their cars crashed into walls and the results, obviously, were not pretty.

Though there was investigations, there was no official statement on why those crashes happened. Early on, it was Hoosier tires, which was embroidered in issues at times in certain racing circuits. There was a broken part to Orr's car with the right rear shock absorber, which was said in the investigation. NASCAR did not make any statements, so anyone's guess could be anything. And the mere fact that Rusty Wallace talked about the tragedies at the drivers meeting at that time is one that needed discussion. After all, he took some big hits in 93 at the Daytona and Talladega races, one of the reasons they started implemented roof flaps that same year. The idea to drive smart is something drivers do have in mind. Some hit might be deliberate or accidental, but it is part of racing. However, the last thing anyone wants to see is someone getting injured badly or death.

The rest of 1994 wasn't horrible for the main series, but there was the near fatal crash of Ernie Irvan at Michigan. In May, Formula 1 racing took a huge hit with the death of Ayrton Senna. Some other smaller circuits had some other fatalities. As far as the main series, NASCAR avoided fatalities until 2000 with Kenny Irwin and ramping up safety with the most recent being the 2001 Daytona race with Dale Earnhardt.

For the Cup series to overcome it says a lot. Sure there are disagreements and big bumps and slides, but drivers know the stakes. As long as they aren't doing things on purpose (which some will break), there isn't much to worry about, especially with all the safety features of today's cars. Tragedies inspire some to take initiative and NASCAR knows that. One step ahead can prevent future deaths.

nascarman's video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPEiSJR64-s

NASCAR's Trials and Tribulations 2018

It's the current veterans that keep people watching NASCAR. It's the new generation of drivers that will keep interest in it. If these first two weeks meant anything, it showed that these guys will do anything necessary to get themselves wins and championships. Daytona and Atlanta both saw emotional wins coming from different sides of the Spectrum.

Last week's Daytona 500 seemed like it belong to Aric Almirola. However, he was touched by Austin Dillon and crashed into the wall. Dillon would take the lead on that last lap and won in the 3 car. Last year, he took Richard Childress Racing to victory lane in that number for the first time since 2000. On the day in 2001 when Dale Earnhardt was killed on this track and 20 years after that driver's only win there, Dillon won Daytona. It's huge for the team. Also huge was Darrell Wallace Jr. finishing second, going side by side with Denny Hamlin at the finish line in the 43 car. That was more along the line of the new generation drivers becoming the new faces of NASCAR.

Sunday's Atlanta race was marred by rain, but they got the race in. Ultimately, it became Kevin Harvick's as he was dominant. He's had a number of chances over the years, but he got his due once again. With this one, it was his second win in the Cup series. His first however was his first win ever back when it was the Winston Cup. The immediate backup to Earnhardt after he was killed, Harvick took over and won Atlanta in only his third start. At that time, he put out three fingers in honor of the late driver. He would repeat it again yesterday. This was more of a veterans kind of race as the top five were longtime guys, the top three being Ford's Brad Keselowski, and Clint Bowyer. Rounding out was Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr..

As the younger drivers keep fitting in, a handful of them seemed destined to get the huge wins. Last year, Kyle Larson pulled in four. Dillon and Ryan Blaney had one, the latter winning for the Wood Brothers. Chase Elliott is still looking for his first. Meanwhile, the veterans still have that kind of leadership to lead their teams and teammates to the Cup. It's very early in the year. We'll see if some of them are pretenders or continue strong to become contenders when those important races in the fall matters.

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The same two games. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on Genesis and NASCAR 98 on Saturn.