THE LINE

October 10, 2012

(Brian Czobat, 2012, autostock, USA)
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford EcoBoost/National Breast Cancer Foundation Ford) won the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 at Talladega Sunday, but it might as well have been called the "NASCAR Needs Its Head Examined 500" for the blatant stupidity that goes on whenever NASCAR visits one of its so-called "restrictor-plate" tracks. Here's the formula that NASCAR somehow deems acceptable for a major league motor race: Drive around for 188 laps in a flying formation of cars interrupted by pit stops, frequent scary moments and occasional crashes. Follow that by a last lap that features a massive pile-up of cars that destroys two-thirds of the field, hope no one gets killed, award the trophy and move on to the next race. Perfect. As in perfectly ridiculous. I've railed against the abject stupidity of NASCAR's restrictor-plate format for so long I've lost count of the number of columns I've written about it. The thing is it never gets any better. It's a complete joke that NASCAR continues to call restrictor-plate races "racing" as it is nothing more than sanctioned crashing masquerading as racing. It's so pathetic I'll let some of the drivers comment, courtesy of the AP. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who has won five times at Talladega, had this to say afterward. ''If this was what we did every week, I wouldn't be doing it,'' Earnhardt Jr. said. ''I'll just put it to you that way. If this was how we raced every week, I'd find another job. That's what the package is doing. It's really not racing. It's a little disappointing. It cost a lot of money right there. If this is how we're going to continue to race and nothing is going to change, how about NASCAR build the cars? It'll save us a lot of money." Jeff Gordon (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Drive to End hunger Chevrolet) avoided the final wreck, finished second, and gained four spots in the Chase for the Sprint Cup standings to sixth, with six races remaining. ''That was the craziest, craziest finish I've ever experienced at Talladega,'' Gordon said. ''It was just insane. I remember when coming to Talladega was fun, and I haven't experienced that in a long time. That was bumper-cars at 200 mph. I don't know anybody who likes that.'' It took NASCAR more than an hour to sort the final finishing order. When the results were finally posted, Kyle Busch (No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing M&Ms Toyota) had finished third. But the net-net of all it was that NASCAR continues to play Russian Roulette with its drivers and the very future of the series. To say it's absurd doesn't begin to cover it. It's flat-out pathetic. I'll let Dale Jr. have the last word. ''It's not safe. It's not. It's bloodthirsty. If that's what people want, that's ridiculous.'' Amen. - PMD

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Watch the official factory video of the Porsche 918 test at the Nürburgring here. - PMD

Editor-in-Chief's Note: It was an excellent season for my friend Tim Gaffney and the No. 20 Autoextremist MK II (1988 Reynard SF88 Formula Continental). In eight races Tim had six victories (all overall wins), two second-place finishes, six poles, and new CFC lap records at Mid-Ohio, Grattan and Waterford Hills (1:06.503). Tim also won the Great Lakes Championship in his '88 Reynard (a slower, older machine) because he had the most points of the two classes (FC and CFC). - PMD

Tim Gaffney (right), the 2012 Great Lakes Champion.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Check out Michelin's racing website - "Michelin Alley" - and get in on all of the behind-the-scenes buzz. Go here. - PMD

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