Grab Bag Sports

24 Hours of Daytona - Daytona Prototype Class

2012-01-27T22:02:00.008-05:00

OK, I promised a preview for the Daytona Prototype class in this weekend's 24 Hours of Daytona, and I am not about to let a promise go unfulfilled (well, other than the other six dozen times I've promised to write something here and then didn't...those do not count). It has been a crazy week at the office this week, so this will be brief, but as a result, I can promise you that I have not read any other DP preview columns this week (nor have I been keeping up with any of the usual racing blogs that I read in any given week or any of the regular videopodcasts that I watch, and apologies to anybody I might have missed there), so these thoughts are fresh.

OK, without any further ado, and because I have to get up to work in about seven hours (them French crullers and apple fritters ain't gonna bake themselves, kids), here is The Speedgeek's abbreviated preview of the 2012 Daytona 24 Hours Daytona Prototype class. Again, don't go adding these odds up and sending me irate comments. I'm not a bookie. You're getting exactly what you paid for here.

Er...No Way, Chester

#50 50+Predator/Alegra BMW-Riley - While this team may have some very capable hands at the helm for several of the 24 hours (that would be Elliott Forbes-Robinson, Jim Pace, Carlos de Quesada) there are a couple of pretty suspect drivers as well (that would be Bryon Defoor, who I've never heard of before and then AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson, who has never started such a major race in his life, to my knowledge). 40% sub-professional drivers? I don't like those odds. Odds - 100 to 1.

Jeez, Not With The Strength of this Top-10

#6 Michael Shank Racing With Curb-Agajanian Ford-Riley - There are a couple of future megastars in this car (namely, Felipe Nasr, last year's British F3 champion, who is probably bound for F1 in a couple of years after the way he dominated last year, plus Michael McDowell, who would be well served to get his arms around eventual stardom in sports cars instead of "starting-and-parking" 30 times per year in NASCAR), but the whole lineup is just too young. Young, impetuous drivers in a 24 hour race = somebody is gonna wad this car up. Odds - 75 to 1.

#76 Krohn Racing Ford-Lola - A pretty solid driver lineup, overall (Colin Braun and ex-F1 driver Ricardo Zonta, especially, though Nic Jonsson is quite good and team owner Tracy Krohn is no embarrassment), but just not a strong enough squad to beat the top few teams on sheer pace. Yeah, yeah, 24 hour, blah, blah, endurance, blah, blah. Too many tough teams up front. Odds - 50 to 1.

#2 Starworks Motorsports Ford-Riley - Three words: too many Potolicchios. Odds - 50 to 1.

It's Gonna Take Some Attrition

#77 Doran Racing Ford-Dallara - Jim Lowe, the Brothers Frisselle and (The Immortal) Paul Tracy are certainly a pretty stout lineup. I'm not sure I'm buying them winning the race in a Dallara (which has never won the 24 before)-Ford (which has historically had, um, a few reliability problems here). Odds - 40 to 1.

#60 Michael Shank Racing With Curb-Agajanian Ford-Riley - A dynamite driver lineup (IndyCar superstud Justin Wilson, new Roger Penske NASCAR and hopefully future Roger Penske IndyCar employee A.J. Allmendinger, the very quick regular duo of Ozz Negri and John Pew), potentially hamstrung by a hand grenade Ford engine. And, yes, I know full well that a Ford engine finished in the top-5 and on the lead lap last year, but the competition seems to have made a performance leap that may be a bridge too far for the Fords to keep the smoke inside the engine compartment. Besides, I have to start paring down teams sometime, right? Odds - 20 to 1.

#90 Spirit of Daytona Corvette DP - Yet another top-line driver lineup (filled with GM factory drivers, Jan Magnussen, Richard Westbrook, Antonio Garcia and Oliver Gavin), but the team itself had...well, they had some problems finishing races last year. They could make a breakthrough at Daytona, but it would take some help from the competition. Odds - 20 to 1.

The Contenders

#8 Starworks Motorsports Ford-Riley - A Great (with a capital "G") driver lineup (sportscar mega-megastar Allan McNish, one of the brightest upcoming sports car drivers in the world, Ryan Dalziel, winner of about 3,400 sports car races in Audi LMPs, Lucas Luhr, the two Venezuelan fellas that appeared out of nowhere to turn pretty respectable by the end of 2011), but I don't totally trust 40% of the drivers. And the teams ahead of them are just a little too good, even for the likes of McNish, Dalziel and Luhr. Yes, even though Dalziel put this car on the pole. I stand by it. Odds - 10 to 1.

#9 Action Express Racing Corvette DP - It's hard to argue with the driver talent (the three regular drivers, Joao Barbosa, Terry Borcheller and JC France did win a race last year, and for the sake of this race they've added Mad Max Papis, who was born at this track 15 years ago) and the team itself did win the 24 just two years ago, but the top few teams are just too stacked. Also, you have to wonder (OK, I have to wonder) if the Corvette DP is going to last the entire distance in its first race. Odds - 10 to 1.

#5 Action Express Racing Corvette DP - David Donohue, Darren Law and Christian Fittipaldi are a great lineup. The Corvette appears to be very fast (although the #5 car did not set a qualifying time, and so will be starting from the tail of the field). So, what's wrong? This team isn't one of the Ganassi, Gainsco or SunTrust cars, that's what. Odds - 8 to 1.

#10 SunTrust Racing Corvette DP - You can not front on the speed of the car (on the front row, by a scant 0.121 seconds behind Dalziel in the Starworks Riley), nor can you front on the speed of the drivers (IndyCar star Ryan Briscoe, a guy who just goes by the name "The Axe", and Ricky Taylor, won something like 26 consecutive pole positions in GrandAm last year). But I just think the other teams are a tick better. Odds - 6 to 1.

#99 Gainsco/Bob Stallings Racing Corvette DP - Yet another standout (to put it lightly) driver lineup (Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty, who have won two of the last five Rolex Series championships, plus all-around fast guy in everything he touches, Memo Gidley), in yet another rocketship Corvette. They would be the prohibitive favorites (though I have to put them at Odds - 5 to 1), if it were not for...

The Prohibitive Favorites

#01 and #02 Chip Ganassi Racing With Felix Sabates BMW-Riley - The team that has won four of the last six 24 Hours of Daytona crowns, three of the last four Rolex Series championships, and something approaching 93% of the last five seasons' worth of races (all stats approximate), you'd be an idiot to put a whole lot of money on some other team without at least hedging a bit with a similar wager on one (or both) of the Ganassi cars. It's basically a pick-'em between the two. The #01 has the regular Ganassi GrandAm drivers of Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas plus IndyCar star Graham Rahal and last year's breakout sports car megastar Joey Hand. The #02 car has IndyCar superduperstars Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon and Ganassi's regular NASCAR drivers, Juan Pablo Montoya and Jamie McMurray. Those are two pretty unbeatable lineups. Incredibly, one of them won't win this race. Which one will come up short? Your guess is as good as mine. Odds - #01: 3 to 1; #02: 3 to 1.

So, there are your fields. And here are your qualifying results. What will happen? Well, one thing I can tell you is that there will be last minute predictions tomorrow. And we'll all have an unbelievably fantastic time watching the proceedings, of both the 24 Hours and of Blogathon. Tune back in on Saturday for all the shenanigans you can handle.

24 Hours of Daytona Preview - GT Class

2012-01-24T22:42:00.008-05:00

Apologies to anybody who thinks that I'm riding the professionals' coattails and that I should leave the heavy lifting to them, but it's time for a Grab Bag Sports preview for the 24 Hours of Daytona! First up, we're going to take a quick look at the GT class.

GrandAm has taken the visionary step for 2012 of incorporating cars that are built to FIA GT3 specifications (a move that the American Le Mans Series could have done to help their car counts and instill extra interest via a larger variety of manufacturers as far back as the start of the 2010 season, but still has not, for reasons that I can not understand...this is a separate 6,000 word rant, so I'll just leave this right here), which has added to the regular crowd of Porsche GT3s, Mazda RX-8s, BMW M3s and Chevrolet Camaros (plus the occasional Cheverolet Corvette or Ford Mustang) the Audi R8 and the Ferrari 458. When you also take into account that in Europe, teams also currently run Aston Martin DBR9s, BMW Z4s, Lamborghini Gallardos, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMGs and McLaren MP/4-12Cs, and we could see an incredible variety of cars in GrandAm's GT class down the road, not to mention gargantuan car counts.

Back to the present, though. Who are the favorites, the contenders and the pretenders in this year's field? I'm putting odds to win on the different levels of competitors, but please do note, I am not a professional odds maker, and so these odds will not add up, nor probably make sense. OK, let's get to the good stuff.

The Semi-Prohibitive Favorites

#59 Brumos Porsche GT3 - With a great driver lineup, including the defending Rolex Series GT champion co-drivers, Leh Keen and Andrew Davis, Porsche hired gun Marc Lieb, and 5-time overall winner of the Daytona 24 Hours, Hurley Haywood, there are no chinks in the personnel armor. Add in the tried and true Porsche 911 GT3, and the argument for the team best equipped to run at 100% for 24 straight hours begins and ends here. Odds - 3 to 1.

The Contenders

#62 and #63 Risi Ferrari 458s - Fantastic driver lineups (longtime GT frontrunner Gimmi Bruni, ex-F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella and ex- and possibly future-IndyCar pilot Raphael Matos in the #62; ex-longtime Corvette driver Olivier Beretta, and factory Ferrari GT drivers Andrea Bertolini and Toni Vilander in the #63) means that the Risi cars will be running flat out as long as they're running. The long-running Risi team, taking a step over the sports car fence for the first time from ALMS, means that the cars will run well as long as they're running. The 458s were fast (very, very fast) in pre-event testing. However, the 458 is brand new to GrandAm GT. Will it last 24 long hours on the high banks? Odds - #62: 5 to 1; #63: 5 to 1.

#45 Flying Lizard Porsche GT3 - The same guys who won the 2010 ALMS GT2 title, with the same bundle of drivers (Porsche factory drivers Patrick Long, Jorg Bergmeister and Mike Rockenfeller, plus team owner Seth Nieman), they're taking a step back from last year when they sat on the pole and set the fastest race lap in the Daytona Prototype class. With a car much more similar to what they're used to running in their ALMS "day jobs", they're bound to be up in the top-5 all day and all night. Odds - 5 to 1.

#66 and #67 The Racer's Group Porsche GT3s - TRG is running 5 (count 'em!) Porsches in this year's race, but the only two that are really in contention for a podium finish on pure speed are the #66 and #67. Filled with Porsche factory drivers (Patrick Pilet in the #66, Jeroen Bleekemolen and Wolf Henzler in the #67) and longtime sports car frontpackers (Dominik Farnbacher, Allen Simonsen and Ben Keating in the #66, Marc Goossens, Spencer Pumpelly and Steven Bertheau in the #67), the TRG cars are constantly in the top-5 at Daytona. Factor in that TRG won the race overall in at GT3 Porsche in 2003, and you have to figure that they'll be there or thereabouts when the clock ticks into the final hour. TRG is running 3 other cars, but the driver lineups are not nearly as strong as the #66 and#67. Odds - #66: 7 to 1; #67: 6 to 1; #64, #65 and#68: 12 to 1.

#69 AIM Autosport Ferrari 458 - Moving over from a Mazda RX-8 in 2011, AIM's very capable driver crew are in a very fast car in 2012. Will the car last? Or will the new car blues get them down? Odds - 9 to 1.

#02 Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari 458 - Using the same four drivers that they use for their full ALMS effort, the ESM Ferrari should be fast. Very, very fast (Guy Cosmo, especially, can absolutely fly, though Scott Sharp and Johannes van Overbeek are no slouches, and Patron Tequila CEO Ed Brown is getting better by the season), but again, will the Ferrari do the trick in its first year at Daytona? Or will something befall this team in the night, as tends to happen to them at Sebring? Odds - 9 to 1.

#23 Alex Job Racing Porsche GT3 - The stronger of the driver lineups between the two AJR cars (Porsche factory drivers Emmanuel Collard and Marco Holzer, sports car megastar Butch Leitzinger), this car could easily be in the top-3 come daylight. Odds - 9 to 1.

Sorry, It Ain't Your Year

#93 Turner Motorsports BMW M3 - Even with three factory BMW drivers (Bill Auberlen, Dirk Muller and Jorg Muller) on board, it's a huge question mark for what is basically a glorified sedan to outrun a field filled with Porsches and Ferraris for 24 hours. Odds - 12 to 1.

#57 Stevenson Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro - They finished 2nd in the GrandAm GT championship last year, but the Camaro still appears to be a brick through the air on the highbanks. Even super-capable (and fast) drivers Ronnie Bremer, John Edwards and Robin Liddell can't run to the front at Daytona in this car. Odds - 15 to 1.

#88 Autohaus Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro - See above entry for Stevenson, but sub in factory GM drivers Paul Edwards, Tom Milner and Jordan Taylor. Same result, though. Odds - 15 to 1.

#70 Speedsource Mazda RX-8 - The potentially best overall driver lineup of any car in the field, GT or DP (Jonathan Bomarito, Sylvain Tremblay, James Hinchcliffe and Marino Franchitti...that, friends, is a murderer's row), but they are saddled with a no-longer-at-the-sharp-end-of-the-field Mazda. Sorry, fellas. If you had a Porsche, I'd be etching your names on the trophy right now. Odds - 15 to 1.

#4 Magnus Racing Porsche GT3 - Sneaky-fast mid- to front-pack Porsche team, but they're simply outgunned this year. Pencil them in for a top-5 at the end of the 24 hours, though. Odds - 20 to 1.

The Field

Plenty of interesting storylines abound (Michael Waltrip and Travis Pastrana in a Ferrari! Fantastic looking Audi R8s! About 239 other Porsche teams! A Corvette with drivers from Belgium and The Netherlands? A freaking Dodge Viper?!?), but make no mistake, the winner will be from the group above. Odds - 50 to 1.

Of course, with all of this said, I'm sure that the Yellow Dragon Mazda RX-8 is going to prove me to be a moron. Bring it. It's going to be a fascinating race.

Daytona Prototype preview to come...

GBS Blogathon 2012 Preview Podcast

2012-01-24T09:14:00.001-05:00

Here is our annual podcast where we discuss this year's Blogathon. See the full schedule here.

Blogathon 2012 Schedule

2012-01-23T15:35:00.003-05:00

Our Blogathon Preview Podcast is now available, and Wedge and/or SpeedGeek may be posting some racing thoughts at some point this week. For now, here is a schedule of events to watch on television and chances to interact with us throughout the 24 hours of the Daytona 24 and Blogathon 2012.

This year's features include another round of Mario Kart as well as a screening of the classic Sly Stallone film, Driven. To participate in Mario Kart (9:00 p.m.), post a comment here or contact Wedge during Blogathon with your Wii ID so we can add you to the game. This is a fun event each year and one of the highlights of the 24 hours for me. If you want to watch Driven (1:00 a.m.) with me as I live-blog, see the end of this post for details.

Here is an updated schedule.

All times are Eastern. Last updated on 1/24/12.

January 28

2:30 p.m. - Coverage of the Rolex 24 at Daytona begins (SPEED)
3:00 p.m. - College Basketball: Tennessee Tech at Morehead State (ESPNU)
3:00 p.m. - PGA Tour Golf: Farmers Insurance Open (CBS)
4:00 p.m. - Winter X Games Snowboarding (ABC)
4:00 p.m. - College Basketball: Georgetown at Pittsburgh (ESPN)
4:00 p.m. - College Basketball: Purdue at Northwestern (ESPN2)
5:00 p.m. - College Basketball: Iowa at Missouri State (ESPNU)
6:00 p.m. - College Basketball: Aubrn at Tennessee (ESPN2)
7:00 p.m. - College Basketball: Washington at Arizona (ESPN)
7:00 p.m. - College Basketball: Butler at Wisconsin Green Bay (ESPNU)
7:00 p.m. - NHL All-Star SuperSkills Competition (NBC Sports)
8:00 p.m. - UFC: Evans vs. Davis (FOX)
8:00 p.m. - College Basketball: Virginia at North Carolina State (ESPN2)
9:00 p.m. - Live Mario Kart
9:00 p.m. - Winter X Games (ESPN)
9:00 p.m. - College Basketball: St. Mary's at BYU (ESPNU)
10:00 p.m. - SPEED race coverage ends for the night. Visit speed.com to watch online.
10:00 p.m. - Australian Open: Women's final (ESPN2)
11:00 p.m. - College Basketball: Cal State Fullerton at Long Beach State (ESPNU)

January 29

1:00 a.m. - Driven screening/live-blogging
3:00 a.m. - Australian Open: Men's final (ESPN2)
9:00 a.m. - Rolex 24 at Daytona coverage returns (SPEED)
12:30 p.m. - PBA Bowling: USBC Masters (ESPN)
1:00 p.m. - College Basketball: Michigan at Ohio State (CBS)
1:00 p.m. - PGA Tour Golf: Farmer's Insurance Open (GOLF)
1:30 p.m. - College Women's Basketball: Rutgers at Georgetown (ESPNU)
2:00 p.m. - Winter X Games (ESPN)
3:00 p.m. - PGA Tour Golf: Farmer's Insurance Open (CBS)
3:00 p.m. - College Women's Basketball: Penn State at Michigan State (ESPN2)
3:30 p.m. - College Women's Basketball: Florida State at Virginia (ESPNU)
3:30 p.m. - NBA Basketball: Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat (ABC)

If you would like to watch Driven with us, we will use the clock (in the yellow box) on this page. To get ready, start the movie in advance, but press pause as soon as you see the screen read "A Renny Harlin Film." We will then all hit "play" right when that clock reads 1:00 a.m. I will be posting my thoughts throughout the movie here on the blog. Feel free to comment as you watch. If enough people are into it, we can probably set up a live chat somehow as well. If you do not own the movie, it is streaming on Amazon (free for Prime members, or you can pay a small rental fee). However, it is not currently streaming on Netflix. If you are good at the internet, I'm sure there are other ways as well! We'll have more details as the time gets closer. (Note: People streaming the movie will not remain exactly in sync with those of us who are watching it from a non-internet source.)

And finally, here are some more scheduling notes from our good friend Pat of toomuchracing.com!

In-race alternatives seem a bit thin this year but some stuff beforehand could be interesting. Liverpool v Man Utd in the FA Cup, the Africa Cup of Nations, and indoor athletics with four teams: GBR vs USA vs Russia vs Rest of World.

If Mr Shagers and Mr Wedge want to pick up from last year there's some cricket: Pakistan v England, Second Test from 6am GMT Sunday (1am Eastern). But that's the last day of 5 so it might've finished on Saturday.

Here in Britain, Eurosport has plenty of winter sports on Sunday, could be fun. Ski jumping, luge, alpine skiing. More FA Cup on Sunday. And there's always Bowls (not bowling, bowls) if you're desperate I suppose.

For the benefit of your other British reader, the Rolex 24 is on MotorsTV at 7.30pm and patchy coverage on Eurosport 2 from 8pm. Much better race coverage than previous years!

Charles Barkley SNL 2012: Overall Rating

2012-01-08T01:29:00.000-05:00

2/5

Barkley seemed out of his element tonight and the writing felt very lazy in general. The only two skits that I feel were above average (Inside the NBA and Lord Windermere) were not because of Charles Barkley. I don't know if it had anything to do with starting late after the NFL playoff games, or if the lackluster music guest dimmed the mood, but I think this episode rarely showed much energy, from Barkley to the regulars. Most disappointing of all is that we did not get a MacIntosh reunion in a Scared Straight skit.

It's been fun though. Thanks to my spam commentators for reading!

Charles Barkley SNL 2012: Mayan Calendar

2012-01-08T01:20:00.000-05:00

3/5

This was OK. Barkley and the others play Mayans discussing how effective/ineffective their calendar is.

"It's not like it's carved in stone." "Yes it is!"

"Man, you just ran out of space and stopped, didn't you?"

Charles Barkley SNL 2012: Convoluted Jerry

2012-01-08T01:11:00.000-05:00

1/5

This is getting out of hand. This might have been the worst digital short ever. Andy Samberg plays a singer whose songs have confusing lyrics. Barkley barely qualified, with only one line. Now we have another generic pop song from tonight's generic pop singer. Will we get a "Scared Straight" skit or is this the end?

Charles Barkley SNL 2012: Adult Movie Awards

2012-01-08T01:05:00.000-05:00

1/5

Montage of "porn stars" who have passed away and are being honored at an awards show. Maybe I am overrating Charles Barkley, but I feel like some talent is being wasted tonight. This skit showed just how lazy most of this episode has felt.

Charles Barkley SNL 2012: Lord Windermere

2012-01-08T00:57:00.000-05:00

4/5

I love this character and Jason Sudeikis is great in these skits. Barkley finally loosened up here. "Pinch, pinch!"

(Once again, Barkley was absent for Weekend Update, which is unfortunate. Also, Kelly Clarkson might be my least favorite music guest in a while, and that is saying a lot after some of the ones that have appeared in the last few years.)

Charles Barkley SNL 2012: Postgame Translator App

2012-01-08T00:27:00.004-05:00

3/5

Barkley explaining what athletes and coaches are really saying in interviews. Pretty cliche, but decent enough. "Everybody beats the Mets."

Our host is not very energetic tonight. The best moment so far has been a mock ESPN "Bowl Madness" commercial. Hoping things pick up...

Charles Barkley SNL 2012: I'm a Lesbian

2012-01-08T00:24:00.000-05:00

2/5

Barkley dressed as a woman telling her friends and fiance that she is a lesbian. Not funny, but you have to give him some credit for the wardrobe.

Charles Barkley SNL 2012: Investigation Discovery (White People Problems)

2012-01-08T00:15:00.000-05:00

1/5

A type of "Unsolved Mysteries" with white people complaining about petty problems and black people laughing about it. Not very funny and it's not because of the stereotype stuff. It just didn't work.

Charles Barkley SNL 2012: Inside the NBA

2012-01-08T00:08:00.000-05:00

4/5

Barkley as Shaq!

This was actually pretty funny. Kenan Thompson is great as Barkley. "I'd rather be in Free Willy 2 than Kazaam 1."

Charles Barkley SNL 2012: Opening Monologue

2012-01-08T00:02:00.000-05:00

3/5

Looking "less gigantic." Can't really expect much more from an ex-athlete. Not terrible.

Shut up, Michael Jordan!

Charles Barkley SNL: 2012

2012-01-07T23:53:00.000-05:00

Let the live-blogging begin! For this year's episode, I won't be using the the Charles Barkley heads. I'll just give a rating for each skit on a scale of five. Here we go...

The Return of Grab Bag Sports

2012-01-06T11:28:00.000-05:00

I know what you've been thinking for the past three months. Where are these losers from Grab Bag Sports? Well, it's been a really busy time for all of us. Allen has had a major transition at work, Andy has moved to a new state, and I have been writing my butt off about sports... just not here.

But have no fear. Things will change soon. We have the Daytona 24 approaching quickly and are beginning to plan this year's Blogathon and all the activities that will accompany it, including (hopefully) the preview podcast. You can expect my annual Tecmo Bowl Super Bowl Prediction in a few weeks. But before all of that happens, we have a major event taking place this very weekend.

I will be here tomorrow night, live-blogging once again, as Charles Barkley hosts another Saturday Night Live. You can expect my "Charles Barkley head" ratings for each skit and some nonsense commentary. Hopefully I'll be in a good mood following a Saints playoff win.

It's going to be a fun month here and it starts tomorrow. Join us!

And by the way, I'm joining the guys in a racing fantasy league, so... get ready to make fun of me more than ever.

On the Passing of Dan Wheldon

2011-10-16T22:17:00.001-04:00

I could write about the confluence of things that caused Dan Wheldon’s death, the fact that the owners of the series had refused for many years to go to a newer chassis in order to save money, that some of them are still angry about going to a new car cause its expensive to buy newer stuff… I could talk about how ISC and SMI have ruined all their oval tracks by making them incredibly high banked to create pack racing for the sake of “entertainment,” even though that banking always causes “the big one” or about how technical restrictions on the engineers cause the teams to be too even causing the big packs like we had today… or maybe it was just a fluke set of circumstances and physics like what happened to Jeff Krosnoff, or how ridiculously cruel it is that Dan has been using this year to help Dallara and Honda develop the new car that has aspects of its design done specifically to stop this exact kind of accident from happening, and the cruel irony that he was killed by the one thing he was working to prevent… and that we were just 1 race away from getting to that new car… but any real in-depth writing about that would be done out of anger… so I just don’t feel like doing any writing in detail about that… the fact is Kelly (my wife) and I were both immediately horrified when we saw the accident and both cried when we heard the official news, because of who Dan was and how shocking and abrupt it all is.

Like I said on Twitter and Facebook, it’s not like I knew the guy as a friend, but I met him at both Richmond International Raceway and Indy as a “media” member for the Furious Wedge (as it was called then), and both times he was as kind and nice as could be to me. He didn’t ask who I worked for, didn’t look at my credentials to make sure I was legit, I asked a question after qualifying in Richmond in the media bullpen and he smiled and answered and was as nice as could be. There’s a lot of drivers in the series, and a lot of them are happy, distant, shy or pricks depending on how the day is, but I’ve watched Dan since he was in the minor leagues, and I seriously don’t think I’ve ever seen him be angry… ever… He always signed the most autographs and stayed the longest around for fans and to take pictures, and the year he lost the championship on a technicality of tie-breaker, he wasn’t angry, disappointed, but not angry and whining about rules; he took it in stride and came back the next year driven to not have a tie breaker get him again.

He simply loved racing, and loved life. One year my wife and I decided to vacation to Vegas for Thanksgiving week. I of course knew the karting SKUSA Supernats were in town that week so we fit it in for a day, and sure enough Dan was competing; and when he wasn't competing you found him talking to other aspiring karters and fans, that was Dan at his purest.

One year at a race in Homestead-Miami he was dominating the race when his team completely screwed up a pit-stop, and he lost like 16 places as a result, and instead of being angry on the radio, he told his team not to worry about it and that he’d do his part to get those spots back… and he did, coming all the way back to win.

Even when the Ganassi-Target team was found out to be negotiating with another driver (tony Kanaan) to replace him in 2008, he didn’t say anything bad about them, he went about his way behind the scenes and started negotiating with other teams but publicly kept plugging his sponsors at his current team, same thing for National Guard team when he was there… I seriously can’t say just how happy and full of life he was, and that’s what made his win at Indy this year so great, he was there celebrating with his son, even though he knew that was likely his only race this year, then he jumped in the broadcasting booth and immediately had all the fans loving him and wanting him to become a broadcaster if he wasn’t going to be racing because he was so good.

Like so many racers before him taken too young, he had so much ahead of him, the broadcasters were chatting with him from his car on the pace laps and Kelly and I were just commentating on how he is the best spoken driver in the series and a PR dream because he has mastered the talent of mentioning sponsors without making it sound forced. He not only won Indy, but not just 2 days ago it was announced that he had just signed a new contract with the Andretti team to be Danica’s replacement, he was about to go back to one of the best teams in the prime of his career. And outside of his career, he went from being a young 21 year old rookie talking about partying every night to married and just having had his second child... and that’s the part that really makes this a travesty, right now none of that other stuff matters.

A Fond Farewell for IndyCar

2011-09-21T22:34:00.001-04:00

For the last 6 months I’ve been having a thought rolling inmy mind that I haven’t been able to shake. It was really stewing for me Saturdaynight; but I wanted to be sure and give it a few more days to make sure Ithought it out before putting it in print…

The IndyCar Series and its fans are going to regret leavingTwin Ring Motegi.

It really is a shame that the series may have turned itsfinal lap in Motegi, Japan, because after you slice it up, you see that it waseasily a net-positive for the series and its growth. It’s not to say thatleaving Motegi is going to crush the series, just that the race was clear and definitepositive for the series and fans, and it’s now going away.

Is the series justified in taking it off the schedule? Trulywe don’t know that answer because we don’t know the financial situation of thisrace’s past agreements, but let’s just tackle a few obvious subjects thatrevolve races and what makes them tick, in terms of what normally kills off arace.

Was there a lack ofsupport?

Fact is, this may have been the most supported race on theschedule outside of Indianapolis. It was 100% covered. The bill was footed toget teams there, put them in hotels, transport them around, and a sanction feewas paid on top of it. You can’t get around the fact that it was Honda’s race;they owned the track, they paid all the fees, and at no point were theythreatening to pull support.

Was there a lack ofinterest?

Had you looked at the stands of Twin Ring Motegi between2006-2008, sure we’d suspect that the demand from fans was an issue. But in2009 the stands began to get fuller, and then after they switched the race dateto be later in the year, which meant much better and predictable weather andcoordination with a Japanese holiday weekend; the stands were PACKED in 2010,AND 2011. Some sources in Japan estimate that Motegi on race day in 2011 swelledbeyond 60,000 people; Motegi’s total population is under 25% of that; and its not like the track is near... anything; folks were traveling to get to the race.

Was the time-zonedifference too much for TV?

For starters, the Olympics… and World Cup... and Formula One…and Australian Open and their subsequent ratings in North America would put theargument of time-difference to rest. But let’s push those aside and realizethere is something clearer to see. This past Saturday in North America, theIndyCar race in Motegi finished just after the BYU-Utah football game ended,and BEFORE the Arizona-Stanford game ended, both being broadcast live on ESPNand ESPN2.

It’s actually a weekly practice for ESPN to put games on that late intothe night, so obviously it can’t be too much to ask race fans to stay up alittle later for 1 race out of the year (not to mention its staying up late ona Saturday!). We’re the ratings abysmal? No, over 100,000 people watched therace live on Versus Saturday, and keep in mind that was going against 3 Collegefootball games and the Floyd Mayweather fight.

Did it require toomuch travel time?

The way they planned the race the past few years, you’dthink so; but none of it comes at the fault of Motegi’s logistics. Rememberthat Motegi used to be 1 week before Kansas on the schedule, and they did itmultiple times like that, which means they surely could do that again.

Didit require a week off before the race? Likely, but it isn’t a bad thing, and it’snot the only break in IndyCar’s schedule, in fact there are 10 off-weekends inIndyCar’s schedule this year. That might be too many, but doesn't mean they couldn't cut 6 of them out and keep the one in front of Motegi. Is it harder to do a lot of back to backweekends, sure, but making things easy is a real poor reason to not do something, especially whenthings used to be tighter without catastrophe.

Was it disliked bythe participants?

I have yet to ever see a driver or team member complainabout Motegi, but more so, it’s never even neutral when it comes to Motegi,instead everyone involved is always ecstatic about the event, and its fans.

Tony Kanaan: "I had a gr8 time hr n Japan with @IndyCarSeries family. Japanese people were so welcome nd supportive. Thanks Japan hope to come back soon."

Will Power: "Nice to be home...but will miss Japan...it was a great event...sad to not be going back...great fans and good people"

Dario Franchitti: "Jet lag coming back from japan sucks... hope we go back there to race though, amazing fans, packed the place even after all their troubles."

Marco Andretti: "Tokyo is the coolest city. Going to miss all of my friends here. Heading home!!!"

James Jakes: "Early start on route to the airport, back to the states. What an event this was, I'm gonna miss this place."

Does it fit IndyCar’sbest interests?

To a xenophobe it sure doesn’t, but neither does Sao Paulo,Porto Alegre, undisclosed future China race, or street races, or road races, orwhatever… but we need to ignore crazy internet people and some silly mediafolks for a second. IndyCar is an international racing series, no matter howyou slice it. There are drivers from over 12 countries, and races in 4countries, and they are about to add China (and there’s talk of returning toMexico).

To thin the series should only be racing in the U.S.A. isincredibly shortsighted of the Series’ potential, not to mention bad strategy.The best way things grow in any market, is to fill voids no one is filling. Whyget 25% of a track and fan’s attention because you end up being 1 of 4 races they holdin the year, when you can go to places where no one else is and take 100% ofwhat is to take. 50K fans/ticket sales in Motegi without any competition.

Won’t China fill thisvoid?

Not even close. For starters, even if you ignore the governmentdifference, the culture and treatment of the events won’t be remotely alike. Chinais doing this for the same reason they wanted the Olympics, and the Race ofChampions, because they want attention. China wants to use the race to show offtheir city and country, Japan wanted IndyCars because they wanted their enginesand drivers to come home so they could see them in person; and they paid theSeries for it, they bought tickets to do so; IndyCar support in Japan is noless worthy than IndyCar support in the States. China is also reported to be astreet course (rumored to be building an Oval for the future though).

In fact, China getting added actually throws the reason behindleaving Motegi in the wind. The only reason cited by IndyCar and Honda forletting go of Motegi’s race was that it didn’t generate enough profit on eitherside for them to fight real hard for it… only except the Series will bevisiting China now, meaning some scheduling could easily create a situation forboth races to split some travelling costs. But let’s ignore hat aside, neitherIndyCar nor Honda ever said the race lost them money/exposure... they just saidit wasn’t “enough” to worry about compromising on.

Won’t another trackfill this void, should it be easily replaceable?

Quick question, what is the only track in the last decade toregularly showcase 4 and 5-wide racing in IndyCar? Texas tops out at 3, Iowa at2, and 3-wide at Indy gets Marty Reid into seizures; but it’s always beenMotegi with its ridiculously wide track, that has drivers trying a milliondifferent lines. The front straight at Motegi is so wide, it could probablycomfortably fit cars 13-wide.

Aside from Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I think it’s safe tosay that the egg shaped oval of Twin Ring Motegi is the most unique track onthe schedule. It’s definitely been the only asymmetrical oval on the schedulefor the last decade, and unless IndyCar gets Pocono or Walt Disney Speedway backon the schedule, there will never be another non-symmetrical track to challengedrivers muscle memory. Drivers have always voiced a love of the track becauseof the demands it had, it wasn’t artificially high-banked to create closeracing, but it was so wide and with multiple grooves, than it never preventedpassing, it very much encouraged it.

Most of all, the oval is the ONLY oval in the world that wasbuilt for AND used only by IndyCars. It was a haven that NASCAR would neverpenetrate.

Another interesting known fact is that this race was Honda’s,and you wonder if with the recent announcement of the return of Detroit BelleIsle (Chevy’s new home race) if Honda will stand for not having its own homerace as well.

Beyond the track, is the fact that the fans of Japan arebeyond unique; they have their own style, their own pre-race festivities fromblue angels style motorcyclists, to insane aerial displays.

But more thananything those things, fans filled the track for practice, for autographs, for anything…period, and they treated all the drivers greatly because they were justecstatic that IndyCar was coming to their country… There was even an exchangeprogram between schools in Motegi and Indianapolis… sorry but no other track willever replace Motegi’s unique place as an IndyCar destination.

Though this isn’t the first time that IndyCar has partedwith a track without attendance issues, unlike Richmond (promoter failed tosecure sponsorship) and Nashville (promoter refused to pay non-discountedsanction fee), it is the first time that they’ve left a track without a foreseeablemajor issue, and worse yet, it was enjoyed by thousands.. and we’re all goingto miss it once we realize it’s gone...

Sadly, since folks are too busy watching the championship orarguing about Brian Barnhart, Motegi was not given the kind of sendoff or thankyou it deserves, so I’d like to at least end with 11 things I’m thankful Motegigave us.

11. This ridiculouswreck

Watch it and think about it for a second. Sure we’ve seenwheel to wheel contact, we’ve seen cars get airborne, we’ve seen spins onrestarts… but Jeff Simmons and Scott Sharp take it to a new level giving us all3 including a high speed impact, with the backs of their cars!

10. Roger Yasukawa lightsit up, literally

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to fish out video of this; butin 2008 Roger Yasukawa had to come to an abrupt stop on the front stretch…because his brakes caught on fire! The strain Motegi put on cars is how you knewit was a driver’s track and not foot to the floor.

9. Egg-staticegg-splanation

In case you didn’t know Motegi was shaped like an egg… andeven if you did, too bad because Jack Arute Scott Goodyear and Marty Reid werebound to bring it up, or even show you an egg.

8. The advent of onlinestreaming

Twitter, Apps and Timing and Scoring have spoiled the fans,but a small few like myself remember where it all started; as the only way towatch Motegi live. Just one screen and one radio feed, and no fancy anything.

7. Formula One Carvs. IndyCar … on an oval … with a standing start!

As you might guess, considering the current IndyCar wasn’tmade for standing starts nor the same amount of power, its beyond ridiculous.

This also wasn't the only time they did this, here's a video from the year before where the IndyCar stays more even

6. De Ferran’snon-spin/spin in 1999

CART was reversing time on car’s spinning out of turn 4 wellbefore Brian Barnhart was even thinking about it.

5. Turn 2 (and 4) – the rookieeaters

Motegi’s turn 2 doesn’t have the storied history thatIndianapolis’ 4^th turn has, but from a year-by-year percentage, it’sfairly even, it’s a car eater. The one thing Motegi 2 has over Indy 4, is thatMotegi often struck in the opening lap(s):

Marco Andretti, Mario Moraes, Kosuke Matsurra and Bertrand Baguette were all recent opening lap Motegi victims. I’m still not sure what isworse, spending all May only to crash in turn 4, or travelling all the way outto Japan to crash in turn 2.

4. The 2009 race – a.k.a.Briscoe loses Championship

A lot of people seem to forget how close Ryan Briscoe was towinning a championship over Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti. The 2009 Motegirace was a duel between all 3 drivers, including a lot of hard racing betweenboth Ganassi drivers, until a yellow flag flew just as Briscoe was pitting,which should have given him the race (and locked up the championship)… shouldhave.

3. Danica’s win

Like her, love her, hate her, it doesn’t matter. Pretendingthis victory wasn’t significant, is like trying to pretend Barak Obama beingthe first black president wasn’t significant. But even if you don’t care forDanica too much, Motegi proves yet another thing… their race broadcasters are somuch better than ours.

2. The 2003 race

A great race. If you can find it online, watch it. Thinkabout this, Scott Dixon won the pole, Tomas Scheckter ran the fastest laps,Tony Kanaan led the most laps… and Scott Sharp won the race.

Tons of action betweenScheckter, Kanaan, Dixon, Kenny Brack, Michael Andretti and more, and ended withDixon and Kanaan making contact and Scott Sharp winning.

1. The best commandto start engines.. EVER

...and after that I just leave you with this... Tony Kanaan's on-board camera for an entire race at Motegi:

Knight Turns Out the Lights

2011-09-20T21:12:00.009-04:00

Disclaimer: I am not usually one to take such strong offense at something that some random person writes on Tha Interwebs that I feel like I have to rebut the entire body of work, but every so often, something so hilariously wrongheaded comes along that I just can not help myself. If you're squeamish about long-winded diatribes against one writer, or you'd prefer to read my usual "kumbaya, can't we all get along?" stuff that I write here or in blog comments all over the place, maybe you should come back in another month or two, or whenever I get around to writing again. This one's a craw-sticker for me, so if you wanna stick around, you'll want to get comfy. You've been warned.

As we march toward the end of another IndyCar Series season, I've taken some time to count my blessings as a fan of my favorite sport. Sure, we have guys from the two behemoth teams, and only those two teams, battling it out for the championship, just as it seems to happen every year, but at least we've got a close battle, right? Sure, guys from those two teams win most of the races, but we've had a handful of surprise winners (including the craziest darkhorse winner of the Indy 500 in a decade or two), right? The cars aren't all that much fun to look at, and sort of put on terrible racing more often than not, but we're getting better equipment next year, right? There aren't a whole lot of young drivers that are in a regular winning position in the Series, but there are a couple of very good rookies in the Series (J.R. Hildebrand and James Hinchcliffe), and a few more (Josef Newgarden, Conor Daly, Esteban Guerrieri, Stefan Wilson, Peter Dempsey) coming down the line, right?

Oh, but I'm wrong on this last one. Or, at least I am according to an esteemed member of the IndyCar paddock/"former employee of every racing team and driver in North America, just look at my sidebar for all the names I like to drop"/"smartest guy in the Northern Hemisphere and if you don't believe me, just read one or two of my posts, please". Jeez, given that my idea of what makes for a decent junior formula field appears to differ so wildly from other folks' ideas, maybe we should have a closer look.

“Those are drivers in IndyCar's 2011 Firestone Indy Lights. Lots of household names and ticket sellers there!”

Wait, what? Since when, in the entire history of motorsports, is the lineup of a support series packed with "household names and ticket sellers"? Well, outside of NASCAR's Nationbusch Series, which is packed full of guys from the premier league who are slumming it and beating the hell out of the young, up and coming series regulars, to the point where the average fan can probably only name 2-3 of those top “Nationbusch-only” guys? Isn’t insisting that a support series be packed with household names like going to your local Double-A baseball team and leaving halfway through the second inning because you’ve never heard of anybody on the field?

“No disrespect intended to those guys -- all real racers are appreciated here -- but as a group they symbolize the problems that have plagued this tour since Tony George decided he needed a development/support series.”

Oh, my goodness, what? This is Tony George’s fault? Because when he created the Infiniti Pro Series, there was no way for a sprint car driver (his intended IRL target driver, however right or wrong that may have been, and no, I am not touching that debate right now) to get into a car with wings, slicks and an engine that sat behind the driver and get experience in large, paved ovals. So, Tony should have just said, “well, I know there’s no way to actually attract the drivers I’m trying to get and train them up to get into my big cars, but screw it. I sure can’t spend a couple million dollars extra, create a training ground series where there is none (because Atlantics ran 90% road courses from 2000 to 2007, so rear engine car experience on ovals was basically impossible to get without winding up knocking down walls at Indy or elsewhere) and create an undercard series for people who actually come out to my races to watch while they wait around for the big cars to take the track.” What? Oh, right, every last thing that’s gone wrong with motorsports since 1992 is Tony George’s fault. I forgot about that. OK, as you were, Mr. Knight.

“Here are the champions and their subsequent histories: 2002 -- A.J. Foyt IV (out of racing). 2003 -- Mark Taylor (bombed out of brief stint with Panther). 2004 -- Thiago Medeiros (touted as a potential superstar, crashed in practice at California Speedway, finished 31st in one Indy 500 start, and eventually disappeared from the scene). 2005 -- Wade Cunningham (kicking around trying to make something happen). 2006 -- Jay Howard -- (ditto). 2007 -- Alex Lloyd (part-time IC competitor). 2008 -- Raphael Matos (trying to keep a full-time IC ride). 2009 -- JR Hildebrand (you know his story). 2010 -- J.K. Vernay (TBD).

A pretty thin record book, there."

Hmmm, well, I’ll grant you those early years were pretty bare, especially since talent was also split with Atlantics at the time, but holding up the last 3-4 years of Lights as a punching bag of everything that’s wrong with American Open Wheel’s feeder system seems pretty short sighted. Let’s see...

Cunningham: had a good debut at Texas this year, is running a couple more races, and is trying to find the sponsorship dough to move up, just like most other young drivers in every other feeder series around the world.

Howard: has NEVER gotten a decent shake at an IndyCar, and when the top-15 or so full-time drivers stays static for 4-5 years (as it has since 2006 or so), it’s going to be hard to break into a team where you can prove what you can do. Oh, except that Jay did a great job at Indy this year, finally given a better-than-terrible car and looked really good at Texas as well, so maybe there’s a little talent lurking in there somewhere? Nah, you should probably write him off for good.

Lloyd: see Howard, except that we all know that he’s a stud from his RoY season last year (or does that not count, since it’s an “IRL” RoY title?).

Rafa: it drives me crazy when people deride him as being a colossal failure. Let me break this down. 2009: 13th in points, 8 top-10s and no top-5s, finished behind 4 drivers who didn’t drive for Ganassi, Penske, Andretti or Panther (unquestionably the Series’ top 4 teams), while driving for a team that was brand new to the full time grind of the Series. 2010: 14th in points, 4 top-10s, 2 top-5s, finished behind 3 drivers who didn’t drive for Ganassi, Penske, Andretti or Panther, while driving for a team THAT SHUT DOWN AT THE END OF THE YEAR and had to be saved from ruin twice in the last 12 months, so maybe they weren’t all that well heeled to begin with, remember? That is a huge, embarrassing failure? Oh, and he was like top-12 in points with a completely brand new team at the beginning of this year before things fell off a cliff when he DNQ’d at Indy (again, with a completely brand new team, in a year when 40 legit car/driver combos showed up). Give credit where it’s due, folks. Back to the “Lights List of Shame”…

Hildebrand: gee, that seems like a success story, if you ask me. What’s your point again, Knight?

Vernay: yeah, didn’t get the sponsor dollars to move up this year, but Peugeot did hire him to be one of their young test drivers for their Le Mans program, so maybe there was SOMETHING there.

Oh, while we’re here, maybe we should toss in James Hinchcliffe, who finished 2nd to Vernay last year and has been a revelation thus far in 2011. I don’t understand what you’re talking about at all. Are you also saying that the Heisman Trophy is a joke because some of the winners haven't gone on to superduperstardom in the NFL?

"The Bosch Super Vee series, which was contested from 1971-1990, really didn't have the engine horsepower needed to provide a full training ground for Indy. But taking a look at the list of some of its champions showed it served a most useful purpose:

Bertil Roos (highly respected racing school operator); Elliott Forbes-Robinson (sports car winner); Bob Lazier (CART rookie of the year); Geoff Brabham (IMSA champion, longtime CART driver, IROC race winner); Al Unser Jr. (double I500 winner); Michael Andretti (CART champion); Arie Luyendyk (two I500 wins); Didier Theys (sports car winner)."

Oh, my, we’re going to pine for a support series that’s been dead long enough that kids who were born during the last season are now old enough to drink legally? Let’s take a close look at those drivers while we’re at it.

Roos: so, we get to count something that a driver does after his active racing career is over as being the element of success that sets him over the current crop of young drivers? Boy, that doesn’t seem fair at all, especially if Mark Taylor becomes the next Skip Barber in 15-20 years somehow.

EFR: if we’re going to count “sports car winner” as a “Super Vee success story”, shouldn’t we wait to see if Howard, Lloyd, Rafa or Vernay win Le Mans like 6 times or something? Or are we just talking about later IndyCar success, of which EFR had none?

Lazier: OK, CART rookie of the year, but how many career wins did he have in CART? Or top-5s? Oh, zero and three, respectively, i.e. about the same numbers that J.R. and Hinch are tracking for this year?

Brabham: um, son of a 3-time World Champion, so I’m thinking he might have found his way to the top, regardless of what junior series he picked.

Al Jr. and Michael: see Brabham.

Arie and Theys: wait, are you claiming that those guys were “household names and ticket sellers” in the days when they won the Super Vee title? I’m pretty sure you’re wrong about that. Seems to me a touch unfair to not wait until we see if any of the current Lights guys pan out before deeming them as all sub-Theys talents.

“The most legendary of the training tours was, of course, Formula Atlantic. It had a great run from 1974-2009. No explanation is needed when listing some of its graduates: Michael Andretti, Bobby Rahal, Danny Sullivan, Gilles and Jacques Villeneuve, Tom Gloy, Johnny O'Connor, Richie Hearn, Patrick Carpentier, Alex Barron, Buddy Rice, Jon Fogarty, AJ Allmendinger, Simon Pagenaud and Matos.

CART's minor league, first known as the American Racing Series, was started by Pat Patrick and went from 1986-2001. Competitiors who went on to bigger and better things included: Theys, Jon Beekhuis, Mike Groff, Paul Tracy, Bryan Herta, Robbie Buhl, Greg Moore, Tony Kanaan, Oriol Servia, Cristiano da Matta, Scott Dixon and Townsend Bell.”

Again, fella, you have the advantage of 20-20 hindsight when looking at those names (and that one guy’s name is O’CONNELL, by the way). There’s nothing that says that Rafa, J.R., Hinch or even Charlie Kimball can’t be as big or bigger than any of those guys, simply because they graduated from Tony George’s Terrible and Evil Indy Lights Championship. And if we’re really gonna play this game, then shouldn’t we be asking whatever happened to Steve Robertson (1994 Lights champ, who later became Kimi Raikkonen’s manager, but never raced anything beyond touring cars after he won the Lights championship), Dave McMillan (1982 Atlantic champ), Dan Marvin (1984 Atlantic champ), Michael Angus (1985 Eastern Atlantic champ), Ted Prappas (1986 Western Atlantic champ), Steve Shelton (1988 Eastern Atlantic champ), Dean Hall (1998 Western Atlantic champ), Jocko Cunningham (1990 Eastern Atlantic champ), Hiro Matsushita (1990 Western Atlantic champ, and considered by many to be one of the worst CART drivers in the entire history of the sport), Lee Bentham (1998 Atlantic Champ), Hoover Orsi (2001 Atlantic champ), and Charles Zwolsman (2005 Atlantic champ)? Or the 5-6 Super Vee champions that never won a race in anything bigger than a showroom stock series race after their champion years? Do we get to count those guys toward your list of junior formula champions who are beyond reproach?

“Point made. Something for Bernard to ponder before his next news conference about the "Road to Indy."”

Point made? How so? And besides, what’s Randy Bernard supposed to say when talking about the current crop of young drivers? “Gee, our Lights guys are all talentless hacks, who have won zero IndyCar races, while Mike Knight’s list of past Atlantic, Vee and ARS champions won roughly 3,567 races and collectively came up with a cure for Appalachian ringworm. I’d implore all American, Eurpoean and Japanese companies to stay far, far away from any driver who has graduated from our current feeder ladder or from any team who wants to come run here. What a black hole of talent. Why do I even get out of bed in the morning?”

Look I’m no Tony George defender, but this is clearly an attack on a holdover TG institution, only for the sake of it being a holdover TG institution, and for no other reason. Hey, Mike? How’s about you just stick to drag racing, if everything is so beyond broken in the IndyCar world?

Don't quit, Adam Dunn! The economy needs you.

2011-07-22T09:51:00.000-04:00

Adam Dunn is thinking about quitting baseball. We can't let this happen!

First of all, this situation creates very entertaining content on Chicago sports radio. As bad as my Cubs are this year, it's pretty fun to listen to the media blast Dunn every day.

But more importantly, we need contracts like Dunn's (four years, $56 million) to work out terribly for teams and perhaps they will eventually begin to bring these salaries down to something a little closer to reality. Hopefully, this would then allow ticket prices to drop, along with everything else related to attending a major league sporting event.

Twenty years ago, before player salaries were beyond outrageous, I attended a couple of Cubs games in the Houston Astrodome. The first night, we went with the cheap seats and paid only $5 per ticket. While the Astros now play in Minute Maid Park, you can use a seating chart to compare the seats and find a similar ticket today would cost $23. I understand inflation, but that doesn't justify the price increase here nearly as much as salaries like Dunn's. If I paid .50 cents for a Coke in 1991, according to this math, that same Coke would cost $2.30 today.

For the second Cubs/Astros game in 1991, we stepped it up and went with the $10 seats. Similar tickets at Minute Maid Park today would cost $58.

It's pretty obvious to me. We need players like Dunn and Alphonso Soriano to show up every day and collect their millions. Maybe then baseball executives will stop handing out these absurd contracts.

Baseball is Not Just Hitting a Ball With a Stick, and Driving a Race Car is Not Just Sitting and Turning a Wheel

2011-07-14T19:48:00.006-04:00

IndyCar's Tony Kannan
Clearly a donut eating
couch potato
You're welcome ladies

This comes up fairly often in internet message-boards and in casual conversations, and usually with American football fans, and I honestly can't do more but roll my every time I hear it. Its now recently coming from Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate. Race car drivers are not athletes, and its always the same fairytale excuse: "they're just driving a car, I do that every day."

Only you don't do that every day. That's like telling a F-18 fighter pilot you can do what he does because you've flown in commercial aircraft or that you could operate a construction crane because you once got the prize out of a carnival crane machine game.

Equating IndyCar or NASCAR to "just sitting in a car and turning a steering wheel" is like saying baseball is "just throwing and hitting a ball with a stick" or football is just "throwing a ball and running into other people" and soccer is "just running around kicking a ball."

Many people are recently starting to mention J.R. Hildebrand tearing his ACL while doing a rigorous obstacle course that was set up by the National Guard. Sammy Sosa once threw out his back from sneezing. Soccer player Robbie Keane once ruptured ligaments reaching for his TV's remote control. Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear once famously sprained his neck from test driving a a super sports car because it couldn't handle the constant change in G-forces from the sharp turns. Numerous football players have injured themselves while celebrating their scores (Deion Sanders, Bill Grammatica and Gus Ferrotte just to name a few). Injuries happen regardless of athleticism.

The fact is it not only takes the quick reflexes and response time of any sport, but just as much athletic strength to drive a professional race car. The SportsScience TV show proved that IndyCar drivers experience more G forces than fighter jet pilots do. Its less extreme G's than the pilots, but pilots only do it for a few seconds while drivers do so over the course of hours while the cars have no power steering. Ever lose power steering and know how hard it is to turn that wheel, now imagine doing it at 200 mph.+ They don't get breaks every 12 seconds like football players, or sit on a bench every inning like baseball players. NASCAR drivers get power steering, but their races are longer needing more endurance stamina.

Tony Kanaan Body Shot or see more Tony Kanaan Videos

Back in the early 2000s, ESPN had a battle of the athletes competition with wall climbing, obstacle courses, running etc. Unfortunately I can't remember if he won or came in 2nd, but I do remember IndyCar driver Tomas Scheckter was in the final matchup. These guys and girls need to be in prime shape to do what they do, many regularly run triathlons or do other rigorous sports to stay in shape.

Back in my former hometown of Baton Rouge, they recently built a pro-level high speed go-kart track, and my brothers (one a varsity baseball and football player who has stayed in shape and the other just recently the Division I runner-up wrestler in Louisiana) were texting me all excited and telling me how much fun they were going to have. I've done karting before so I knew what was coming and called the next day.

Anyone who doubts the need to be athletic to drive a race car simply need to go to a high-speed go-kart track (a fraction of what the pros do), and they'll learn what my brothers did. They had a ton of fun, but even though the tracks usually only let you go out for 8 minute stints, they were winded, tired, and more sore than they'd been in a very long time.

So to any naysayers out there, I just want you to find a good high performance karting track, and give a good 30 minutes of it, and when you're winded, sore and tried, let me know if you still think it takes no athletic ability and only requires sitting in a chair and turning a wheel.

Time For a Change: Blown Save

2011-06-30T07:18:00.000-04:00

In Wednesday night's game against the Giants, Ryan Dempster pitched great for the Cubs. He entered the final inning with a 1-0 lead, but gave up a double to the first hitter.

The Cubs went to Carlos Marmol to close out the game, and in true Marmol fashion, the bases were loaded and a run scored before a double play got them off of the field. Of course, Aramis Ramirez drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th and the Cubs got the win.

The pitching "win" in these situations, however, is kind of odd. Dempster gave up no runs himself, but because his baserunner, inherited by Marmol, ended up scoring the tying run, Dempster automatically lost his chance at being awarded the win. Marmol, the pitcher who actually let Dempster's runner score, then became the pitcher of record and did receive the win when the Cubs scored later that inning.

Is it time to change this? I believe it is.

I don't think it is fair for Marmol (or any relief pitcher) to be credited with a loss for allowing inherited runners to score. But in this case, when an inherited runner scored only the tying run, if the home team scores to win in the bottom of the inning, I believe the starting pitcher should be given the win. The relief pitcher can have the save, which is a more valuable stat to him anyway.

Justin Bell Never Disappoints

2011-06-11T16:35:00.006-04:00

Ex-driver Justin Bell is one of the "on the scene" reporters for SpeedTV for most of their long distance endurance races. At Daytona this year for the 24 Hours, he spent a considerable amount of time interviewing fans in Daytona's backstretch Fan Zone, who seemed only tangentially aware that there was a race going on (in fact, I think one of them claimed that they were waiting to see Dale Earnhardt Jr., who may not have even been in the state of Florida at the time). Usually, when Justin's doing these remote reports, it seems that Justin may be suffering from...an imparement of some sort? I can not say if this imparement stems from massive sleep deprivation, or a beverage or five that he's recently consumed (be it coffee, Red Bull, or something a little stronger), or if it's just from years of carbon monoxide intake in the cockpits of enclosed race cars, but whatever it is, the results are usually spectacular. This year at Le Mans, Justin has not disappointed. While saying something about how this is his last gig working for SpeedTV, he claimed to have found an old "friend" of Dorsey Schroeder, who is working with the booth crew this weekend.

This man should be getting a raise, not walking papers. The campaign to save Justin Bell's broadcasting career starts right here. Who's with me?

Happy Race Weekend, Y'all!

2011-06-11T08:34:00.004-04:00

Only time for a quick post today, but I just had to weigh in and say that I'm...ahem...Positively Geeked for all of the racing that's on this weekend. In short, here's what we've got:

- 24 Hours of Le Mans - Starting in, oh, about 5 minutes, and running until...well, this time tomorrow. It's sure to be another EPIC battle between Audi's new R18 and Peugeot's new 908, with the Sebring winning Oreca 908 HDi-FAP (the previous model Peugeot) playing the role of "garbage man", should all of the to six diesels stumble. Don't look for any petrol cars up front though, since they were some 7 seconds off the pace of the top diesels in qualifying. GT should be a fascinating battle as well, with some 19 different manufacturers (or, at least it feels like it's that many) in play for the win.

- IndyCar Firestone Twin 275s - You can look elsewhere for a good, full preview of this race, but here's what you need to know: Two races, two winners. Race 1 starting lineup decided by yesterday's qualifying session (with Alex Tagliani on the pole again, just like at Indianapolis). Race 2 starting lineup decided by random draw. Hilarity is bound to ensue.

- Canadian Grand Prix - The Red Bulls look quick again, but it appears from Friday Practice times that there are several teams that should be in play for the win. Also, the Canadian GP has a tendency to get a little...let's go with "chaotic" from time to time. Airs tomorrow at 1:00 PM Eastern on Fox, so nobody reading this should have the excuse that they don't get the channel. Well, unless you don't have a TV.

There's more going on (MotoGP from Silverstone, NASCAR at Pocono, not that I endorse watching NASCAR), but that's all there's time for now. As a special bonus, the good folks over at Fast Lane Daily are doing 25 hours worth of live, streaming racing coverage, with Leo Parente apparently going to do all 25 hours himself, along with cameos from all of the other guys who appear there. Go here to check it out, and you can communicate with them through Twitter, as long as you use the hashtags #FLD and #LM24. Should be a good time.

That's all, folks! Grab a comfy couch, some tasty beverages and your favorite salty snacks, and get your sloth on! I know I am!

Things I Hate

2011-04-08T20:39:00.001-04:00

The Brewers.
Having to watch Brewers announcers.
Prince Fielder homeruns vs. the Cubs.
The stupid sliding mascot.

I want to line the slide with razor blades, put a pool of alcohol at the end of the slide, and serve a hanging slider to the Prince.

Lets be clear here: I hate the Brewers.

2011 MLB Projections

2011-04-05T10:06:00.001-04:00

Baseball is here! Finally, the only sport that I can watch every single day for months.

With the start of baseball, a sport where each team plays 162 games, it's always fun to see who gets off to a hot start and do some stat projections.

So here are my Top 5 MLB Stat Projections for 2011:

5. Of course, the most obvious stat is that the Orioles, Rangers, Phillies, and Reds are all on their way to perfect 162-0 seasons! Meanwhile, it will be a long summer in Boston, Houston, and Milwaukee, where their respective teams will apparently finish up this season at 0-162. Sorry, Brewers!

4. Diamondback speedster Willie Bloomquist (who??) is going to steal 162 bases this year!

3. Nelson Cruz, on the other hand, is definitely going to smash 162 homeruns. Steroid conspiracy!

2. In the year of powerful secondbasemen, Brian Roberts is going to drive in an amazing 324 runs. (And to think I kept drafting him in fantasy the last few years and finally gave up on him this season.) Roberts will completely overshadow Pittsburgh's Neil Walker, who will knock in a respectable 283 runs himself. Unfortunately, he will also strikeout 283 times. I think the Pirates will take it!

1. As a Cubs fan, (in addition to Starlin Castro's .500 year-end average and 81 triples) I am most excited about Matt Garza's projected 344 strikeouts. It will be equally amazing to watch him scatter those 344 hits, while keeping that ERA under 4!

Max Lagod 1969-2011

2011-03-15T16:21:00.003-04:00

Most of the folks reading this post have likely never heard of Max Lagod, as he was a race car driver who never hit the "big time" (NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, etc.), but nevertheless, he was one of those guys who I followed whenever I saw results online or in magazines for big bore sedan racing, or on the off chance that a TransAm or SCCA GT-1 race managed to make it on to TV. I never met Mr. Lagod, but he was one of those guys who struck me as a scrappy, underfunded underdog, who was able to drive a race car to the exact speed that it was absolutely capable of. With all of this in mind, and knowing that he was somebody that I stumbled across early on in my race fandom, I was extremely saddened to hear that he died on March 12 of lymphoma.

The first time I was aware of Lagod, he was in the process of absolutely demolishing the GT-1 field at the SCCA June Sprints at Road America, a race that my parents took me to in lieu of a high school graduation party (they gave me the choice; I thought about it for about 0.042 seconds before picking the Sprints). In qualifying for his race, I distinctly remember the track announcer excitedly exclaiming that on Road America's brand new pavement, Lagod had just broken the all-time GT-1 track record. Given the speed and quality of the equipment that this class contains (ex-TransAm cars), I knew that this was no mean feat. Race day was no different. Lagod sped off into the distance, and left the rest of the field in the proverbial fight for 2nd.

So, among the amateur racer set, Lagod was obviously incredibly quick, but was he professional material? As I'd find out a few years later, the answer was definitely "yes". Lagod made periodic appearances in the TransAm series in his family-prepped Camaro over the years, with a little success sprinkled in here and there, but I managed to cross paths with him again at Cleveland in 2003. Most folks will remember this race weekend as being the world's first major road race held at night, but I also remember Max Lagod's run in the TransAm race that year. The race was won by Scott Pruett (who I'm sure said hello to his kids at home afterward), and was notable for Paul Gentilozzi hitting pretty much every car within a mile of Burke Lakefront Airport, but Lagod largely kept his nose clean and finished on the podium, only the second of his career. In such storied company, this was no mean feat. After the race, I took my pit pass and headed toward the padddock to see if I could congratulate Lagod on such a great finish and mention that I'd last seen him race eight years before in that demolition job at Road America. Well, between my crippling bashfulness around real, actual race car drivers and the fact that the ChampCars were being pushed toward the grid before I could spot Lagod wandering around his paddock spot, I never got a chance to say hi.

Anyway, this is a far cry from a real eulogy, and of course, I never even met the man, but I just couldn't let this piece of news go by without saying a little something. Thanks, Max, for giving this race fan some thrills on the track, and Godspeed.

What I Learned While Watching the 1971 Indy 500 On My TiVo

2011-03-15T15:34:00.005-04:00

Last May, ESPN Classic ran ten old Indy 500s in abbreviated formats, but each still clocking in at a relatively comprehensive two hours. Since I am a sucker for posts with recurring themes, I'm going to take a periodic look at the races my TiVo captured and recap what I learned. This week (month? year? decade? whatever), I'll be taking a look at 1971.

1) Back in those days, it was totally OK to make non-PC jokes on the air. At one point, Jim McKay made some sort of remark about how somebody had hit a bird on the track during qualifying. He then joked to boothmate Jackie Stewart, "Of course, that's a different kind of bird from what you're used to where you come from." Wow! Can you imagine Bob Jenkins and Jon Beekhuis joking like this today? I mean, Bob Varsha and David Hobbs would, but one of those guys sounds like he's got something other than coffee in his cup (how else would we be treated to the world's best Mark Webber, Alan McNish and Flavio Briatore impressions?) and they'd be making the joke at like 5:00 AM, so nobody would be any the wiser.

2) Safety measures were held to a far lower standard than they are today. McKay remarked something like "that would have been a far worse fire, if it weren't for the space age fuel cells that these cars use" when Mike Mosely's car hit the inside wall of Turn 4. Note that at the time, there was an actual 40 foot tall (my estimate, though it might have been more like 60) mushroom cloud of burning methanol towering over the wreckage in the infield. Um, so this would have been worse somehow without a fuel cell? I guess 50 people could have died or something?

3) It was totally cool to smoke at the track, and a cigarette could be bummed off of just about anybody (grade school kids possibly included). I learned this when Bobby Unser lit up a smoke as he walked away from his wrecked car after the Mosely crash.

4) David Hobbs was already hilarious. He was incredibly philosophical and even cracked a couple of jokes after Rick Muther's car hit the inside wall of the front straight and speared back across the track and collected a completely innocent Hobbs at well over 180 MPH.

5) People who say that you can't tell the difference between 180 and 220 MPH are full of crap. The cars, while fast, looked like they were crawling in comparison to even the cars from the 1981 race that I watched later (more on that race in a subsequent installment).

6) Chris Economacki was not available to interview Mario Andretti when Mario dropped out of the race (McKay threw down to Chris for the interview), but the guy who was actually standing by with Mario in Turn 3? A guy named Dave Letterman.

7) The commentators were not aware of basically anything that was going on other than what their own eyes and the eyes of their corner reporters saw. No timing and scoring, no instant replays, no video to analyze, very limited pit reporting = two guys saying stuff like "Joe Leonard comes into the pits! We think this is a planned stop, but it might be a little earlier than we'd have thought!" And now people complain that we know too much about fuel strategies, in- and out-lap times, push-to-pass applications remaining and car setup changes made during the race. Go figure.

8) The 1971 McLarens, the first cars to have the huge rear wings, were crazy fast in comparison to everybody else in the race. Al Unser led more than half of the laps and beat Peter Revson handily, but Revson and Mark Donohue were able to pass people wherever they wanted, whenever they wanted. Only trouble for the McLarens allowed Big Al to win that one, in my opinion.

The Online Streaming Fraternity

2011-03-14T13:05:00.003-04:00

I've gotten a lot of twitter/comment/email followup on the NBC/IndyCar article mostly asked about the same two issues that I figured we could use an addendum.

1 - NBC already does live streaming for over 100+ Olympic events so they definitely have experience and server capability.

2 - We can all agree that IndyCar fans have been spoiled with free streaming, but those of us up in a stir are not mad because we think NBC needs to offer this stuff for free. We all just know some option needs to exist; whether pay-per-view-streaming or a free but slightly inferior online product compared to TV with sold ad space. Both are revenue streams NBC is ignoring that ESPN and CBS have found a way to make work very well.

Here is a list of all the many sports that I can watch LIVE online as of today:

- Olympics (free via NBC)
- MLB (paid for any game / some free on ESPN3)
- NFL (paid)
- NBA (select games free on ESPN3)
- NCAA basketball (select games free on ESPN3, paid to watch any regular season D-I game)
- NCAA baseball (select games free on ESPN3, paid to watch any regular season D-I game)
- NCAA football (free for a multitude of games on ESPN3)
- NCAA softball (select games free on ESPN3, paid to watch any regular season D-I game)
- NCAA Wrestling (free for select tournaments)
- NCAA Hockey (select games free on ESPN3, paid for most other D-I games)
- ATP Tennis (everything free except champ matches)
- PGA & LPGA Tour (free until final day then TV only)
- American LeMans Series (free qualifying and races)
- La Liga (free / soccer)
- German Bundesliga (free / soccer)
- Eredivisie (free / soccer)
- Serie A (free / soccer)
- FIFA World Cup (free)
- FIFA U20 and U17 (free)
- MLS (free)
- X-Games (free - all events qualifying and final runs)
- Rugby (free)
- U.S. High School basketball & football (select games free)
- NCAA Lacrosse (free)
- Major League Lacrosse (free)
- KHL (free / hockey)
- Race of Champions (paid)
- FIA GT1 World Championship (free)
- Superleague Formula (free)

IndyCar is falling off a list that includes basically every major sport on this earth. For a sport that tries to brand itself as being at the forefront of technology, its about to start looking like its on the cutting edge of the late 90s for fans.

I don't imagine ESPN, CBS and CBS-C are eating huge losses to keep those many streaming options alive, some of them are on their 4th or more year. That list is also only based on U.S. availability, I'm sure other countries can add more to it.also send me anything you think I missed.

NBC Missing the Boat, Taking IndyCar With It

2011-03-13T16:09:00.007-04:00

NBC/Comcast hasn’t even yet aired a single race of the IndyCar Series since their merger, and yet they already seem committed to their first monumental mistake...

“Because of network TV contracts, live streaming video of IndyCar Series practice (outside of the Indianapolis 500), qualifying and races won’t be available this season.”

To say this development is shocking would be a lie; NBC is the same organization that thought it was a good idea to cut away from the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremonies so they could show the pilot episode for “The Marriage Ref.” A tactic that backfired, not only in tons of anger in social media but also negative big-media press, plummeting ratings and the show seemingly disappearing from air anyway.

Even as this decision to kill off ANY race related streaming in IndyCar goes, it’s not a new concept; we’ve seen this exact tactic before:

In 2008 at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, SPEED committed itself to 16 hours of live race (including 30 min post/pre) coverage of the race. During the 9 race hours off of TV coverage, fans were able to log into Grand-Am’s website and access three live track cameras with audio simply picking up the track’s PA system. The cameras never moved, in fact their positionings were awful. It wasn’t anything you could actually watch, but die-hards and off-site media like me were able to stay up all night and hear a few developments be announced over the track PA.

When 2009 came around, it was gone, and it very quickly became evident why. Enter stage right is The Racer’s Group team, who had an epiphany, let’s bring a little attention to ourselves because SPEED focuses a bit much on the DP class and not our GTs. So to give a little something extra to their fans, they mounted a webcam in their pit-stall. It did not pan or zoom, it had no announcing and it was clearly just a $0 setup web-cam staring at their pit-box. The idea was that when it came time for pitting, fans could go to their site and watch them perform a pit-stop, nothing more. Only, the stream never lasted to the first pit-stop.

TRG (who kept fans up to date via a chat box) noted an ongoing struggle with SPEED who shut them down. SPEED cited that it interfered with broadcast rights (which it did). But in the agreement they came to, TRG would be allowed to go back live once the race was off the air… only it never did. SPEED actually instead made sure TRG never went live again, threatening legal action, even though SPEED wasn’t showing the race or any coverage at all during those 9 hours. All TRG could do was change it to a refreshable picture from the pit-cam. Thusly fans got NO INFORMATION about the race except from Grand-Am’s (much underrated) timing and scoring application.

Now it’s 2010, and TRG was still trying to be at the forefront of technology and fan-connectivity, so they devised an idea that shouldn’t go against SPEED’s broadcasting rights. TRG’s plan: set up a web-cam not showing the track in any way. This year instead, the webcam faced a table and 2 chairs with a white background showing their team logo. the video was crap, and the audio wasn't perfect either, and if it weren’t for hearing cars in the background you’d never know it was at a track. In one chair sat one of TRG’s PR reps on a headset, and all they did was answer questions in a fan chat box embedded in the page. It was nothing short of great fan interaction.

Occasionally they let fans know updates about the team like “we’re coming in to pit next lap” or “we’re in 6th place now” information that could already be garnered from timing and scoring or twitter or TV broadcasts. They’d occasionally pull TRG’s drivers into the 2nd seat and let them answer fan’s questions in real time. It was great, while it lasted; as once again there was a struggle with SPEED, who again cited broadcast rights even though TRG weren’t showing anything race related. After what one assumes was a pretty interesting debate, TRG and SPEED came to an agreement and TRG was allowed to go back live, but with 50 corporate logos of SPEED or TaxSlayer all over the white tarp backdrop. Because neither company had anything to do with TRG’s web-cam, all it did was gave SPEED more bad publicity with fans.

Now in 2011, SPEED has cut their broadcasting back by 2 hours, meaning they give fans even less coverage. TRG, meanwhile does the same awesome behind-the-pit webcam, bringing in drivers to talk directly with fans during the race, and in no way attempting to cover the on-track action, and they do it for the FULL 24 hours and it’s great.

In the end TRG has increased the amount of behind the scenes coverage they do each of the last 3 years, Twitter has boomed meaning fans can follow all the drivers, teams and media for real-time updates, JustinTV and many other illegal online streams have boomed, and things like GrabBagsports’ very own Blogathon give fans immediate information and analysis of 24 Hours of Daytona.

The way SPEED (and now NBC) act/react to new technology mediums, you’d think it’d be the death knell for the broadcasts… well apparently not:

In 2010: “In total, 2010 Rolex 24 viewership was up 22 percent over 2006,”

In 2011: “SPEED's coverage racked up some impressive TV viewership numbers, with an average of 443,000 viewers tuning in - a four percent increase from 2010.”

You can’t fault the IndyCar regime; most TV networks require the all-inclusive broadcast clause, in-fact give props to them for breaching the contract for the last 2 years to continue their online offering. But IndyCar better be trying to change NBC’s mind, because the world is changing and NBC clearly isn’t paying attention.

This Thursday/Friday will see millions (yes, millions) across the globe watching multitudes of college basketball online as the NCAA March Madness tournament begins. CBS is smart, rather than allowing the NCAA or illegal streams to take charge, they take care of this rebroadcasting themselves and they sell advertising for it.

In fact, here’s just a quick list of sports I can currently watch LIVE online (some free, some paid): National Football League, Major League Baseball, NCAA basketball, NCAA baseball, NCAA football, practically every professional soccer/futbol league in the world, professional rugby, the Olympics, NCAA track and field, The X Games, all events on the ATP Tennis World tour, PGA and LPGA Golf, and now the American LeMans Series.

There are some serious heavy hitters in there, and I bet you they aren’t worried about hurting Nielsen Rating’s points. Instead they’ve realized that they can capitalize on the advanced level of advertising and specified/reliable statistics the internet brings. They can tell advertises exactly how many people clicked/watched their ad (not hopeful estimating like Nielsen), they can tell exactly where the viewers are geographically, how long they watched for, what they watched, what they clicked, how they go to the stream, where they went after the stream and more.

By not jumping on the technology and continuing to do their own stream, IndyCar/NBC will not create a ratings boost; that’s just as silly as the RIAA’s thought that suing/killing Napster etc. would boost music album sales. Instead, international and non-Versus able fans will simply find their way to illegal streams. This means it’s now a lose-lose for broadcasters, not only do ratings not go up, but they also don’t reap any advertising revenue.

Why NBC/Versus/ESPN3(ABC) wouldn’t take the opportunity to sell more advertising to IndyCar fans is beyond me as a marketer. The cameras are already monitoring the track, there’s already a radio feed, so the only extra person to pay is the one combining those and sending the feed to the internet; and frankly advertising revenue should more than cover that.

CBS has been doing this for the basketball tournament for over 5 years now, ESPN is starting to throw any sport they have onto ESPN3 and yet their ratings rise every year on TV. Clearly online streaming is a net positive; not only for the bottom line, but in finding, converting and increasing the fan base.

As to the possibility Randy Bernard laid out for trying delayed online broadcasts...

At 1:11pm today, I found out via twitter and ESPN that Kurt Busch had been eliminated from the NHRA Gatornationals. Any opportunity for people to view this (outside of attending) won’t occur for more than 5 hours later on ESPN; and Kurt Busch, NASCAR and driver cross-over fans won’t be watching; we'll already be over it and NHRA loses potential eyeballs to convert into fans.

Sports are not scripted, people don’t watch to see how an ending was set to happen, they watch to see a contest bdecided at the moment it is being decided. It’s all about real-time action and results, it’s why we watch; its why there are 3+ 24-hour live news networks. Newspapers aren’t dying because people stopped needing news, it’s because we the consumer found a way to get news with the same accuracy quicker and within a more relative time-frame.

IndyCar fans have already tasted and feasted upon live real-time practice and qualifying and they know how great it tastes; they won’t go back to tape-delay; they’ll just go elsewhere.

Well, That Changes Everything

2011-03-09T14:24:00.002-05:00

This just in: IndyCar owners vote to keep Firestone in as tire supplier in 2012!

In related news, my wife and I had a vote at our house as to whether or not winter should continue. We voted unanimously that it should not. We expect 80 degree temperatures to commence tomorrow.

Let the Parity Ensue! Can 2011 Be the Year of the Underdog?

2011-02-21T17:49:00.016-05:00

Tidbits and observations from the realm of sport

Huge win for the Gryffindor Lions who now pull solidly into a 5th place tie of the NHL’s Western Conference after their 4-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Awesome Calgary uniforms aside, it was great to see outdoor NHL hockey return to Canada where it belongs. Some worry if outdoor games will lose their cachet. If the NHL doesn’t change one thing, the answer is yes. Fans are often noting the Winter/Heritage classic games have poor sight-lines and are separated from the action but are worth the high price for “the experience.” As time goes on, the “experience” factor will soon fade away. Get fans as close to the action as they get in an arena.

It was nice to see NASCAR stick to their guns for once rather than just fenagle with rulings to make things better for marketing. (I say 'for once' because I'm still not sure how half a spoiler is ok in the truck series). In all three of the NASCAR series over the weekend, the winners in Daytona logged a whopping 0 (zero) championship points. Some people think of it as silly, but it’s not. Nationwide driver Trevor Bayne winning the Daytona 500 is an odd situation, but he does not intend to contend in Cup; and not awarding points for Michael Waltrip or Tony Stewart is exactly what needs to happen to start discouraging Cup drivers from ruining the ladder series.

I guess we shouldn’t really be surprised by anything that Bernie Eclestone does these days; but really I have to say I’m shocked that, even with someone who loves money as much as he does, he is still trying to get the F1 Bahrain GP rescheduled. I just don’t think he understands human nature; once a government starts killing its citizens, no amount of time is going to allow that blow over; at least not until that government regime is gone. Hopefully the race’s so-called “postponed” status is actually an indefinite moniker but is just stated as is to not have the series jump into something political... then again am I giving Bernie too much credit to hope that?

The sound of ‘ping’ means Spring has begun! Ok, it’s still cold in many places, but this weekend was the official start of the NCAA baseball season and that means I have an excuse to put that cartoon anteater on here. College baseball is right next to basketball in terms of post-season parity and also awesomeness of the post-season format. Unlike Major League Baseball, it doesn’t take forever to complete (champion will be crowned in June) and there’s no Yankees or Red Sox. In fact, college baseball more than any other major NCAA sport has the most parity in terms of underdog contenders who win. In the last decade, 8 different teams have won the College World Series, from 6 different conferences and 6 different states. It also introduces us to some of the best mascots around as teams like the Dirtbags, Waves, Golden Eagles, Ragin Cajuns, Aztecs and the Anteaters are serious contenders, even as underdogs.

Congrats to the Baltimore Grand Prix! They have now gone 5 days without copying/pasting on twitter. They’ve not stopped tweeting to accomplish this, they’ve gone back to a great patter of interacting and finding new stuff to say. A nice breath of fresh air, and one we can only hope continues.

Get the popcorn, because this is going to be good! If you were watching the Daytona 500, you may have seen a trailer for the new Cars 2 movie. But that’s not what the popcorn is necessarily for. The movie’s premise calls for the main character (a stock car) to compete in a Race of Champions against formula, sports-prototype and rally cars across the world on road/street courses. The movie will no doubt be great and entertaining, but may not be as near entertaining as all the bitching/whining/complaining that will soon flood Formula 1/LeMans/IndyCar message boards.

Speaking of message boards, IndyCar fans should head over to this new Tomas Sheckter Q&A forum. Tomas opened this up after Paul Tracy did one earlier. Just like Tracy, Tomas is being incredibly candid about everything. What was it like to drive for Eddie Cheever or John Barnes and why he left Panther, but my favorite so far has to be a hilarious story about pretending he wasn’t himself at a hibachi restaurant after the 2002 Indy 500, and understandably so.

Lastly, thank you NCAA basketball for always keeping things interesting as we head closer to your post-season, underdogs are very much alive! This past week four of the “Top 5” ranked teams lost. This means we’re heading into March without a clear favorite. #4 San Diego State now holds the best record being the only team with only 1 loss… but has a rematch with the Jimmer (#7 BYU) who gave SDSU their 1 loss. that's right the Mountain West has not one, but two teams in the Top 10 as we head towards March Madness, underdogs unite! Then there’s all the many conference races…

Let’s attempt sorting Conference USA: Southern Miss (USM) is technically on top by virtue of having the best overall record but has a loss at Marshall and lost twice to Memphis (both happening in the final seconds). Memphis has been just outside of being ranked but has lost games to Marshall and Tulsa. Tulsa hasn’t played USM or Marshall yet and beat Memphis but then lost to UTEP… only to return and beat them later. UTEP was the conference leader until they recently lost to Southern Miss this weekend and also previously got beaten by UAB whose losses are Tulsa, Memphis and USM... So who is #1? Its times like this you need to be incredibly thankful football is the only sport that determines its champions by opinions and rankings…

The #6 seed Green Bay Packers win in the NFL, "2nd Cup race ever" Trevor Bayne wins the Daytona 500, Aztecs and Cougars Top 10'ing in NCAA Basketball, Anteaters and Red Storm ranking in NCAA baseball; now if we could just get Penske/Ganassi to get a little competition in IndyCar we could truly have a year of underdogs. I'm calling it now, Cubs win the World Series... yeah ok maybe not all underdogs.

As the Technology Turns...

2011-02-13T23:27:00.009-05:00

With the many changes in the technological world, and especially social media, it’s often that people venture forth in the many new venues available. You can’t expect everyone to automatically be experts at all the new tools available, but as someone whose daily job is in marketing; I don’t think it’s too much to expect marketing types to understand basic marketing tools and best practices.

There are some true visionaries in the world of motorsports: The Racer's Group with their 137 Porsches in Grand-Am, by leaps and bounds has left everyone in the dust. TRG for 2 years straight has given fans live video interviews with all the TRG drivers and team personnel as the race goes on. They’ve accomplished this by bringing an extra laptop into their pits, some headphones and marrying a live UStream video feed with a chat box where fans can submit questions. In effect TRG has not only done a great effort to connect fans to their team/drivers, but it’s a great, free of operational cost, marketing opportunity for team and sponsors.

Then of course there is the other end of the spectrum, where we’ve recently poked fun at the 3rd person speak coming out of Scott Dixon’s twitter account. Sadly Dixon’s account may now only be the 2nd or even 3rd most annoying “practice” coming out of motorsports marketing.

We, as fans, now have to deal with constant un-disguised name-dropping of sponsors. It’s one thing to name-drop like a NASCAR driver’s post-crash interview when on TV, or even do the occasional name-drop on twitter; but it’s another to try and pretend like everything you do in life revolves around oil-changes and tire changes. The reason doing it is not a “best practice” is because you are assuming your consumer is an idiot and won’t see that you are actually marketing.

The other variation are the people who think repetition = success; if they didn't respond to my email, I'll just send them another. Mark Cuban once wrote about exactly why this is stupid:

"For those of you who are not smart enough to figure it out, it is not perseverance to resend an email to someone, anyone, multiple times. Its LAZINESS . Lazy people think they are working hard when they hit the send key. That’s not work. That’s wasting time. That’s the lesson of the day. Sending the same email over and over again not only shows you to be lazy and annoying, but it gets you sent directly to spam."

These are the companies that sends you emails every day selling their whatever, or the credit card company that sends you the same mail every week; just throwing money at the problem on the hopes that they'll get you with the same thing over and over. In all cases of over-saturation, it simply serves to annoy 99% of the recipients. You see this all the time from people who don’t quite understand current mediums and tools.

Case and point (actual tweets of @BaltimoreGP):

21-Jan	We are looking for interns to help us in a number of different areas! Check out the Contact Us section on our website for application forms
1-Feb	Check out our ticket options! http://baltimoregrandprix.com/tickets/
2-Feb	http://baltimoregrandprix.com/vendors has info for the businesses interested in working with the Baltimore Grand Prix
2-Feb	The Engines Won’t Roar Without You! Become a volunteer at the Baltimore Grand Prix. www.baltimoregrandprix.com/volunteers
2-Feb	Check out our ticket options! http://baltimoregrandprix.com/tickets
2-Feb	All businesses wanting to work with the Baltimore Grand Prix should be looking at our website in the Vendor section. we are taking BIDS
2-Feb	Are you interested in hands-on work in the developing, planning and running of the 2011 Baltimore Grand Prix? www.baltimoregp.com/contact
3-Feb	Check out our ticket options! http://baltimoregrandprix.com/tickets
3-Feb	Check out our promo video and GET EXCITED! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=963TzAaLu9I
3-Feb	DID YOU KNOW?! The Baltimore Grand Prix will be held on Labor Day weekend 2011! (September 2-4)
3-Feb	Do you want to see the Baltimore Grand Prix? Check out our ticket options! http://baltimoregrandprix.com/tickets
3-Feb	http://baltimoregrandprix.com/vendors has info for the businesses interested in working with the Baltimore Grand Prix!
3-Feb	Check out the ticket options! http://baltimoregrandprix.com/tickets
4-Feb	We want to give all vendors an equal bidding chance! Electrical, plumbing and power washing companies wanted! www.baltimoregp.com. Please RT
4-Feb	We are currently looking for companies specialized in electrical, plumbing and Power Washing! Be part of the Baltimore Grand Prix!
4-Feb	Check out The Baltimore Grand Prix ticket options! http://baltimoregrandprix.com/tickets
4-Feb	The Engines Won’t Roar Without You! Become a volunteer at the Baltimore Grand Prix. www.baltimoregrandprix.com/volunteers
4-Feb	Check out the Baltimore Grand Prix ticket options! http://baltimoregrandprix.com/tickets
4-Feb	http://baltimoregrandprix.com/vendors has info for the businesses interested in working with the Baltimore Grand Prix!
4-Feb	Check out the Baltimore Grand Prix promo video and GET EXCITED! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=963TzAaLu9I
5-Feb	The Engines Won’t Roar Without You! Become a volunteer at the Baltimore Grand Prix. www.baltimoregrandprix.com/volunteers
5-Feb	We are currently looking for companies specialized in electrical, plumbing and Power Washing! Be part of the Baltimore Grand Prix!
5-Feb	Check out the Baltimore Grand Prix promo video and GET EXCITED! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=963TzAaLu9I
5-Feb	Check out The Baltimore Grand Prix ticket options! http://baltimoregrandprix.com/tickets
6-Feb	http://baltimoregrandprix.com/vendors has info for the businesses interested in working with the Baltimore Grand Prix!
7-Feb	http://baltimoregrandprix.com/vendors has info for the businesses interested in working with the Baltimore Grand Prix!
7-Feb	Check out the Baltimore Grand Prix ticket options! http://baltimoregrandprix.com/tickets
8-Feb	http://baltimoregrandprix.com/vendors has info for the businesses interested in working with the Baltimore Grand Prix!
8-Feb	The Engines Won’t Roar Without You! Become a volunteer at the Baltimore Grand Prix. www.baltimoregrandprix.com/volunteers
9-Feb	Do you want to learn what it takes to make an event like this happen? Fill out the intern application! www.baltimoregrandprix.com/contact/
11-Feb	Do you know Adobe Creative Suite? Graphic design interns wanted! www.baltimoregrandprix.com/contact. Experience with web design is a plus!
13-Feb	Do you know Adobe Creative Suite? Graphic design interns wanted! www.baltimoregrandprix.com/contact. Experience with web design is a plus!
14-Feb	Check out the Baltimore Grand Prix promo video and GET EXCITED! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=963TzAaLu9I
14-Feb	http://baltimoregrandprix.com/vendors has info for the businesses interested in working with the Baltimore Grand Prix!
15-Feb	Do you know Adobe Creative Suite? Graphic design interns wanted! www.baltimoregrandprix.com/contact. Experience with web design is a plus!
15-Feb	http://baltimoregrandprix.com/vendors has info for the businesses interested in working with the Baltimore Grand Prix!

We get it, you want people to buy tickets, you need volunteers, you need business partners and plumbers, but look, twitter is a medium to stay in communication and increase information depth, its not a stock-ticker, or a commercial buy on television or radio. We f’n get it already. It’s not that we don’t want you to get your interns and welders and succeed; many people including myself plan to be at your race in your city Labor Day weekend; I can’t wait to see cars racing past Camden and the Inner Harbor, and still hope that you’re getting Charm City Cakes to do a cool IndyCar cake.

But man, you started so well back in 2010 giving us updates about the track map, linking to IndyCar and ALMS news, and even re-tweeting relevant people from all the different series associated with your upcoming race weekend. Dear Baltimore Grand Prix… you’ve suddenly started doing it wrong. All you're doing right now is giving us all the impression that you have no staff at all to run this race. At least give the copy/pasting a rest, for the sake of all us that follow you.

Edmonton City Centre's New IndyCar Track.. and old

2011-02-08T22:47:00.009-05:00

So today Edmonton's IndyCar race promoter, Octane, unveiled the new track layout for the race. The layout, worked on by the promoter and NZRConsulting (Tony Cotman) is pretty awesome, especially when in comparison to the old track. It has 2 very long straights, and 3 clear passing zones with possible others.

The buzz is out there; Mike Cockrall, one of the guys behind saving the race, even posted on a familiar forum that he's gotten 150 comments, all positive about the new track. Awesome!

Another site posted a fuzzy screen-capture from Google Maps with numbers to show the locations of circuit turns but it's pretty difficult to read. Since the airport is clear from Google and because the overlay is worth fan's interest to see the track comparison without eye-strain; I decided to start from scratch and even spent more time on it this go-around, and I present to you now:

Ye Official GrabBagSports Super Exclusive, you totally couldn't make by going to GoogleMaps searching 'Edmonton City Centre Airport' pulling screenshots then merging images and adding arrows, text and nifty Photoshop effects, Edmonton City Centre Track Map:

So what say ye fans? Do you like the new track? the old track? Any ideas?

My Top 5 Racing Video Games

2011-02-08T10:28:00.001-05:00

My latest Tecmo Bowl post was so much fun (for me at least) and it made me realize how much I love playing sports video games. So I decided to start a Top 5 series where I list my favorite video games of all time for each sport.

[Disclaimer: I do not play a lot of video games and never really know about the newest, coolest stuff. But it would be awesome if you comment and tell me how terrible my picks are. Or maybe just let us know your Top 5.]

For my first edition, I will stick with this blog's #1 topic: racing. As our readers know, I am not a racing guy. Over the years, though, I have managed to get addicted to quite a few racing video games, even if I wasn't very good at all of them. So here we go...

My Top 5 Racing Games

5. Cruisin' USA - This was the first arcade game that I remember where we could sit in the driver seat and have a more realistic experience. You could change the radio station! The only problem is I never really played much past the first couple of "continue" spots.

4. RC Pro Am - Fun Nintendo game using remote control cars. I'm pretty sure I remember that you had decent opportunities to fix up your car. The courses were fun and quick.

3. Pole Position - Classic arcade game. The only console available in our town was at our movie theater. I spent an hour before and after so many movies as a kid, having to replace my high score! The stupid theater would reset the scores. I'd go to show my friends how I had the #1 spot, and it never failed... "ASS" or "XXX" would be sitting in my top score spot and I'd have to do it all over again. One day I want to get one of these for my house.

2. Rock and Roll Racing - Zolof BLASTS into FIRST! How awesome was this SNES game?? Even the stupid songs ("Born To Be Wild"??) would get stuck in my head. We spent so many hours playing this stupid game.

1. Mario Kart - All systems. Hands down the best racing game, even if I'm absolutely terrible at it. Anyone who played with us during Blogathon knows what I'm talking about. Even if I lose, I feel like if I knock someone off of the course with my Flame Runner, then I've done my job.

Super Bowl XLV: The Tecmo Super Bowl Prediction

2011-02-06T12:34:00.001-05:00

Well, here we go again. It's Super Bowl Sunday and I know you're all sitting there hitting refresh, going, "When is he going to post his Tecmo Super Bowl prediction?? I have to know who will win tonight's game!" Well, your wait is over.

For today's game, I chose to play as the Packers. I don't really care who wins the game, although I think it would be neat for another QB (Roethlisberger) to have three Super Bowl rings. I just want to see if people will bring his name up any time they are talking about how amazing Tom Brady is. However, two years ago I played as the Steelers for my prediction game, so I wanted to try something new this time.

1st Quarter

Brister

The Steelers got the ball first and put together a decent drive, including a 34-yard Bubby Brister pass to Eric Green. This would be Brister's only completion of the game! This first drive ended with a Jerry Holmes leaping interception, giving the Packers the ball at their 30.

On the first offensive play, Don Majkowski completed a 70-yard touchdown pass to Sterling Sharpe. Packers lead 7-0.

Sharpe

Majkowski

Brister's first pass of the next drive was also picked off by Jerry Holmes. After a couple of runs, Majkowski hit Sharpe again for a 25-yard score to end the first quarter. 14-0.

2nd Quarter

Brock

The Packers started the second quarter with a successful onside kick. A 35-yard touchdown to Sharpe prompted me to bench the WR for the rest of the game, a move I needed to make to resist the temptation to throw to him every time. 21-0.

Defensive lineman Matt Brock began to dominate on the next possession, blowing up plays in the Steeler backfield on almost every snap. He ended the game with six tackles for losses and five sacks, more than he had in any of his first four seasons according to his card shown here. Mark Lee intercepted Brister, and Majkowski led a Sterling-free drive that ended with a Michael Haddix one-yard touchdown. 28-0.

After a bad onside kick, the Steelers finally managed a Gary Anderson field goal at the half. 28-3.

Anderson

Haddix

3rd Quarter

The Packers opened the second half with a 60-yard completion from Majkowski to tight end Ed West. Haddix, in "excellent" condition, followed with a 30-yard touchdown on a screen pass. 35-3.

On the next Steelers possession, Brock kept the pressure on Brsiter, causing him to throw his fourth interception (to Mark Murphy). Haddix then scored on a 70-yard screen pass to end the quarter. 42-3.

4th Quarter

Query

After a Brock safety put the Packers up 44-3, Green Bay began to get the ball to Sterling Sharpe's replacement: Jeff Query. Query started the possession with a first down run and then caught a 40-yard touchdown. 51-3.

The Steelers likely experienced deja vu on the couple of series, as Brock caused another safety and Query immediately caught another TD pass, this time for 60 yards. 60-3.

Following a failed onside kick attempt, Merril Hoge broke away for a 50-yard run to score the only Steelers touchdown of the game. 60-10.

The Steelers tried an onside kick, giving Green Bay a short field and allowing running back Darrell Thompson to score on a 50-yard run of his own. 67-10.

Brock ended the game by sacking Brister and causing a fumble, which was recovered by Green Bay.

Hoge

Thompson

Stats

Passing Leaders
Majkowski -- 90% | 388 yards | 7 touchdowns | 0 interceptions
Brister -- 12% | 34 yards | 0 touchdowns | 4 interceptions

Rushing Leaders
Thompson 7-71
Hoge 4-35

Receiving Leaders
Sharpe 3-128
Green 1-34

Prediction

The Packers will win the Super Bowl and I will move to 3-0 in Tecmo Super Bowl predictions.

Closing things out

2011-01-30T15:52:00.002-05:00

As I sit here marveling at the fact that the photographers won't let Scott Pruett get out of the car yet, I just wanted to take the time to say thanks to all the readers who joined us for our 3rd year of marathon posting/chatting/tweeting. Thanks to our guest writers Shane, Pat, Steph, Paul, James and Tony for chipping in and posting on our site simply because we asked.

And also definitely much thanks to our guests for the new guest live-chatting we did this year; Alex Tagliani, Tony Cotman and Ryan McGee; all 3 guys I'm sure have busy schedules, and we along with the fans here much appreciated the chats.

Thanks to all our participants in the "Ask a Blogger" chat, bloggers and fans both; and thanks for all of you who joined in for 5 great rounds of MarioKart, and 5 rounds of hating the blue turtle shell.

Congrats to Chip Ganassi Racing on capturing their 4th Daytona 24 Hours win in 6 years, it almost feels like 6 for 6 with how well that team performs. Congrats to TRG for getting one of their seven hundred and ninety two Porsches to win the GT class, I kid, I kid, another great victory for them.

Most of all congrats to all the pit crews for all the cars in the race, those guys are the REAL warriors of the weekend, those guys do ALL the pit stops through the 24 hours, taking small short naps when they can, waking up at a moments notice as needed for emergency stops, and doing some wicked repairs on what these cars manage to break over 24 hours.

I'll close it out the way we opened it up; happy racing season everyone!

gonna wrap this up...

2011-01-30T15:15:00.000-05:00

I wanted to get out of Wedge's way and leave the final moments to him (and maybe Andy and any others). It's been a blast. Maybe I'll do a recap post or I'll likely just comment on the others.

I'll be around with my usual nonsense.

Cheers!

2011-01-30T15:05:00.000-05:00

Just before we get to the excitement of the finish I just wanted to say a huge thanks to Allen, Mike and Andy for a great Blogathon this year. Better than ever. The Q&A chats were a highlight.

Cheers for inviting all of us guest contributors!

Ganassi have this sewn up I think.? Right now I'm pulling for Brundle to get Barbosa, it would great to have that car on the podium.

One hour remaining in Daytona (and blogathon)

2011-01-30T14:35:00.001-05:00

We have 4 cars still on the lead lap, and Scott Pruett just got the #01 into 3rd place. While the caution obviously helped that team catch up, people shouldn't forget the amazing triple-stint that Joey Hand did, cutting a 50 second gap down to 23 seconds in a matter of maybe an hour on the track.

In the big picture, the Suntrust car could go back to the lead lap with a caution, but not terribly likely. The big battle will be finding out if Barbosa or Pruett can catch Dixon, because he's not far ahead, but hes not losing his gap.

In GT, Dempsey have moved into a podium position now that the 109th Porsche has had issues and fallen out of the top three.

A shame that the Flying Lizard car literally went up in flames; they put down the fastest laps of the day, just a little bum luck on the track with contact. Time to sit down and watch all of this drama unfold.... between commercials for debt management, army, navy, air force and hovaround.... my gosh the Hovaround. for those of you out of the states, here is what you are missing in terms of amazing technology here:

Free to see the world!!

If you ask me, no product should be able to imply "hover" in its name without actually hovering.

college basketball wackiness

2011-01-30T14:20:00.001-05:00

I mentioned in the podcast that we'd get to see all of the top college basketball teams play during blogathon. So I guess I should mention that 11 of the Top 25 lost this weekend. And now Duke is down by 23 in the 2nd half.

Oh, and this is our 100th post of 2011!

Added for Andy:

Captcha gone?

2011-01-30T13:50:00.000-05:00

So the word verification never really got too ridiculous this year. And now it went away (for me at least?), so hopefully it's over. I saved the last few I had. Nothing too bad, but still ridiculously irritating.

So I guess I'm gonna have to join the Army...

2011-01-30T13:35:00.000-05:00

I mean, I'm over 30 and I only have one good eye, but hell... we must be desperate or something because these commercials won't stop.

Mom: Are you sure this is what you want to do with your life?

Kid: Yes, Mom, I've thought about it. I want to be a part of something bigger than myself.

Mom (with knowing smile): Well, OK. I just wanted you to be sure!

And you know, I've watched lots of college basketball this weekend without seeing this commercial. So they're targeting the Rolex 24 crowd?? Really?

And it's all branches of the military! Are they lining up outside the recruitment offices on the Monday after this race every year? "Let me guess... you were watching Speed TV this weekend! Welcome to the Army, son! You're just who Uncle Sam is looking for."

Just in Case...

2011-01-30T13:31:00.004-05:00

...anybody needed a reminder of how this 24 hour thing works, the #66 TRG Porsche, while running 3rd in class, pulled behind the wall with a little over two hours to go, with possibly terminal engine and/or transmission problems. The sister #67 car leads the class. Will it befall the same fate? Even with 22 of 24 hours complete, anything can still happen. Stay tuned.

I'd like to say hi....

2011-01-30T13:12:00.000-05:00

To Allen and Andy and everyone reading this at home.

I think we've seen this before

2011-01-30T13:06:00.000-05:00

1st, 2nd and 3rd place are all within 1 second of each other... If this is anything like the finish 2 years ago, get set for an awesome end to this race. And don't count out the #01 entry, doing faster laps and could make it 1,2,3,4. A caution comes out and we've got 1,2,3,4,5,6 as The #10 and #76 would get laps back most likely.

Stick around folks we don't know the winners yet.

Back in this...

2011-01-30T13:05:00.000-05:00

Had to go somewhere for a couple of hours, but now I'm back. Time to watch the end of this race and some Duke basketball! What's been going on around here?

The Champion's Rights to #1

2011-01-30T12:04:00.001-05:00

We've talked paint schemes and car numbers here in the past; in fact we even used car numbers to correctly predict the Formula One champion this past year... somethuing that still baffles us :)

But when it comes to NASCAR and IndyCar there's one thing that takes root that I kind of wish didn't. The champion always opts out of using his rightfully gained option for putting #1 on the car. Its done for sponsorship reasons, and I get that... but I'd think a sponsor would love that; make a shirt or sign or campaign that consists of people spray painting an X over the old number and then painting #1 next to it. What sponsor wouldn't want to be called #1?

But lets put that aside for a second... Chip Ganassi's IndyCars and Gran-Am cars have the same sponsor... yet he uses #1 in Grand-Am but not in IndyCar... or can someone clarify for me if his using #01 is technically not the champions number because of the 0 in it?

What are your thoughts on use of the champions #1 on a car?

4 Hours to Go and still 6 on the lead lap

2011-01-30T11:22:00.001-05:00

For those who weren't up with us or the race all night, you have no idea what it took for teams to create that headline. At some point in this race, every single team in the Top 6 (lead lap currently) was 1, or more, laps down.This is exactly why you don't give up in endurance racing... and also why you take advantage of 15+ caution periods.

Its a dang shame that Patrick Dempsey and his team lost the GT lead, because they more than earned it with their driving, including Patrick himself proving he's not just an actor jumping into a car. Plus I do love when anything but Porsche can win GT seeing as there's always like 117 of them entered. Dempsey for the time is 4 laps down, so cautions could get them there, but its not likely at this point anymore, not to mention the #40 is still having a few issues.

And definitely of note is Flying Lizard, repeatredly putting down the fastest laps in the race, but still stuck17 laps down because of their early incident... they WILL be the favorites to win this race for now on.

As for the contending DPs, I think we'd just like to see the two Ganassi cars go at it, its not like Montoya has been easy on anyone else and he's in the car now... just hoping to see things tighten up a little... because I'm greedy.

Funny-Shaped Balls

2011-01-30T11:09:00.004-05:00

Next weekend sees another fantastic weekend of sports, there's no racing but there are some great field games featuring non-spherical playing objects.

The Superbowl late on Sunday night (UK time) should be good, I know nothing at all of the teams but I watched my first last year and it was absolutely Superb. Didn't see any Owls. Even if you don't understand more than half of what is happening you can never misunderstand the scoreboard and the energy coming through the screen was unbelievable. Really looking forward to this year's edition.

Before that there are the opening three games of the 2011 RBS Six Nations, in which the component nations of the UK split up to fight themselves and others on the field. England, Scotland, Wales, a combined Ireland (North and South), France and Italy.

Three games per week for a month. It starts Friday at 7.45pm GMT (2.45pm ET) with Wales v England, followed on Saturday by Italy v Ireland (2.30pm GMT / 9.30am ET) and France v Scotland (5pm GMT / Midday ET). All are live on the BBC if you can catch a feed, not that I'm promising to watch all of them but I'll be tweeting during the ones I do (and the Superbowl).

There was a memorable finish to one game in particular last year. Scotland ran all over Wales for most of the game, not a spectacular hour - but that was until 10 minutes from time when a Scottish player was sent off the field (sin-binned).

What makes this is actually the commentary because the lead commentator is Scottish and the colour commentator Welsh - hear the passion! As the video starts Wales are 10 points down but have a man advantage, there are just 7 minutes remaining... can they do it or could the resilient Scottish hold on?

As they say, rugby is a game played by men with funny-shaped balls.

I think I'm heading out in half an hour, for about an hour. See you for the finish.

Chat with Tony Cotman, 2012 IndyCar project manager

2011-01-30T09:45:00.000-05:00

GrabBagSports - Fan-Chat with Tony Cotman, 2012 IndyCar project manager

Congrats, guy. We just kicked 2008's ass.

2011-01-30T09:33:00.001-05:00

89th post in January. More than all of 2008.

fun blogathon thoughts for the future

2011-01-30T09:23:00.001-05:00

Last night I talked to Wedge about possibly taking thing up a notch next year and trying to to raise money for a charity. The name "blogathon" actually comes from something I participated in back in 2002 where we did post for 24 hours to raise money. But if we do it, it would make us sound a lot less nerdy when I have to explain to people why I can't hang out this weekend, why I'm taking off of work tomorrow, etc. (I really don't care about that stuff honestly, but I do think it'd be cool to raise money.) So if you have any thoughts/ideas about helping us do that next year, let me know!

Also, I was thinking we need to just plan this out and do it right one year. GRAB BAG SPORTS ROAD TRIP. I love Daytona. I've been there like four times. Let's do it one year. I can't swing it next year and probably not 2013 either. But I do think it could be fun to invite all of you and see how many people could make it down there to hang out. Any thoughts?

(Go ahead and file this post under: Mike gets one hour of sleep, has severe wisdom tooth pain, and posts about his stupid ideas.)

the race is back!

2011-01-30T09:13:00.001-05:00

I don't really know what's going on, obviously. But they were just hammering on that car. And I thought that was pretty awesome. They're basically telling us about all the crazy shit that happened to these cars overnight.

My 30 For 30 wish list: a few quick ideas

2011-01-30T09:03:00.003-05:00

Without elaborating much, I think the following could make great stories for this series:

1. Tiger Woods - I guess this story is far from over, but what a story it's been. To dominate his sport unlike anything we've really seen and then to fall so fast... I think it'd be interesting.

2. The BCS - I guess ESPN could never really do this one though, right?

3. Duke basketball/Coach K - I'm biased here, but you could change it to something else. Penn State? Florida State? Any successful program and its longtime coach would be good to me.

4. OJ Simpson - Like his car chase and his court case... I'd probably watch it. (I guess the car chase was covered in that one episode though. I haven't watched it yet, so I don;t know how much it goes into the OJ stuff.)

5. New Orleans Saints and Hurricane Katrina - We wrote tons about this here on our site during last year's Super Bowl run. There's a definite story here.

My 30 For 30 wish list: Madden's NFL Video Games

2011-01-30T08:23:00.005-05:00

Think about the impact this game has had on our society. This has been one of those constants within any junior high school, high school, or college over the past 10-12 years, in addition to the adults who play as well. I can remember friends entering tournaments at game stores years ago. In college, around 1999, I even hosted a tournament in my dorm.

This game is a part of our culture and has been for most of the 30 years covered in this ESPN series. I would love a history of the game, which you can read about in this USA Today article from a few years ago.

They could also explore the popular "Madden Curse." I'd like to see interviews with players and see how they react to such superstitions.

This could be lots of fun.

Sounds of silence

2011-01-30T07:49:00.001-05:00

We went from cricket to crickets around here. I'm going to come up with something...

A Blogathon First...

2011-01-30T06:33:00.003-05:00

So there we have it, Australia defeats England, and not very shortly after Djokovic wins his second major, defeating Andy Murray in straight sets. It was a very odd match in that Murray was jawing at the refs and seeming defeated from the moment the match started. I'm not sure if he was already psyched out or not, but Djokovic was easily the better player today.

And with that brings up a Blogothon first. For the first time since we've been doing this thing, there is now a 2-1/2 hour gap without live sports on TV or accessible in the U.S. I'm at a loss for what to do really, for two years now I've stayed up for 25 hours straight commentating on whats happening in the world of sports, while keeping up with Daytona.

there are cars in this picture

Speaking of the 24 Hours of Daytona, they've literally been under a yellow-flag caution for an hour straight now. The reason was originally a car crashed into the tire barrier, but has since become a serious fog issue; and for those unfamiliar, you do NOT mess with fog. Whats interesgting is that they haven't simply gone red-flag (while the NASCAR All-Stars of people you never heard of except Travis Pastrana) race earlier had 3 red flags.

So of the interesting is the predicament I'm in, just 2 short years ago I'd have none, because SPEED used to come back in for morning coverage of Daytona at 7pm. I'd simply be watching Djokovic getting his trophy and flipping over, but now I'm waiting till 9am for something... I guess I could find some things to ramble on about, or catch a quick rest, or maybe I'll just head over to the awesome TRG Pit-interview webcam they've done for all the race thus far...

Tennis: Djokovic wins final in straight sets

2011-01-30T06:17:00.000-05:00

Novak Djokovic has defeated Andy Murray 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 to take the first grand slam of 2011, the Australian Open at Melbourne Park this evening.

Djokovic broke Scotsman Murray in the 8th game of the 3rd set to take a 5-3 lead, and served out the final game to seal his second grand slam title, the other being the Australian Open in 2008.

On that note, I'm outta here for Blogathon 2011. It's been great attempting to keep you awake. See you at the chequer.

Australia defeat England and win series

2011-01-30T05:56:00.000-05:00

Australia have defeated England by 51 runs in the fifth one-day international at Brisbane tonight. In doing so, Australia take an unassailable lead in the 7-game series, which they now lead 4 to 1.

Losses of wickets in bunches cost England, who strung handy partnerships together at times, but couldn't capitialise.

England fought to get to 20 runs for 0, before losing three for 2 runs. Then a tidy partnership between Pietersen and Bell got England to 95 for 3, but again wickets in bunches put England well and truly behind at 128 for 8.

A rear guard last wicket partnership from Anderson and Finn started to make Australia nervous before Finn was bowled by Shane Watson for 35 from 24 deliveries. Anderson finished 20 not out.

Both teams move to Sydney on 2 February, before finishing the series on 6 February in Perth (the series is finished even though the result is known).

The word verification for this post is scrothe, which sounds like something a cute girl would give me if I played my cards right at about this time of night. "So what did you do last night with Sarah?" "I got some Scrothe. It was awesome."

This one is for the ladies

2011-01-30T05:34:00.002-05:00

So I've really been struggling with what to post/analyze/discuss. I really thought I'd be able to examine how this tennis final was going; but sadly for the 2nd year in a row for blogathon; we're simply witnessing Andy Murray get handled very easily. 6-4, 6-2 thus far, and its not looking good in the 3rd set (I hope that jinxed it and turns this into a crazy awesome comeback).

Then in cricket Australia is putting England away pretty handily, and should be done completing that soon. This means for the first time in blogathon history, there may actually be a gap in live sports available...

So what can I do... I guess we're generally a guy-centric site, and while it is 5:30am and my judgment is likely poor at this point, I guess we'll just try this; so ladies I'd like to introduce you to the man very likely to be your 2011 Australian Open champ. Novak Djokovic.

Tennis: Djokovic Dominates, takes second set 6-2

2011-01-30T05:21:00.000-05:00

Novak Djokovic has dominated the early running in the second set, taking a 5-0 lead and converting that into a 6-2 win in the second set.

Murray looks not on tonight, and has been outclassed by Djokovic to date.

Could be an early night in both the cricket and the tennis, with England 145 for 9, and resigned to defeat against Australia in Brisbane.

I may have lost on Mario Kart...

2011-01-30T05:09:00.001-05:00

And the Hornets had their 10-game streak snapped. But...

DJOKOVIC! Murray is whining to everyone who will listen. Even the sweat towel kid.

This is out

2011-01-30T05:06:00.004-05:00

Yes, this is out.

If you're not good enough to hit it, not only can you die, but you're out.

This is why Cricket is better than baseball.

Note the bowler not giving a damn about the Batsman's health, and the Batsman, rather than starting a fight, meekly realising that he is out, and looking for a scotch, because cricketers are tough, and don't need medical personnel.

And I've finally got word verification.

Tennis: First set to Djokovic

2011-01-30T04:43:00.003-05:00

Novak Djokovic has taken the first set six games to four over Scotsman Andy Murray.

There was a 38 point rally to setup the set point for Djokovic, who won the set in 59 minutes.

Note that it is official Grab Bag Sports policy to describe Andy Murray as a Brit when he is equal or in-front, and a Scotsman when he is behind or losing. Reining Indycar champion British driver Dario Franchitti can deal with it until he falls off the lead lap, and we'll start describing him as a Scotsman again.

Hour 14: Ganassi 1 and 2

2011-01-30T04:34:00.002-05:00

Hour 14: To paraphrase Pink, It's just you and Joey Hand tonight.

Despite finding more trouble than the early settlers, Ganassi cars are no running one and two.

How the heck did that happen?

Cricket: Australia in front as England continue to get out

2011-01-30T04:19:00.002-05:00

Australia has taken the ascendancy in the one day international against England at Brisbane.

England are 100 for 5 out chasing 250 to win, after 24 overs of 50.

Pietersen and Bell batted solidly from 22 for 3, to 95 for 3, while keeping the scoring rate at the required number to reach the target within the 50 overs, but lost another two quick wickets which now have put them behind the 8-ball.

The weight now rests on the current pairing of Collingwood and Bell, and next batsman Woakes to carry England through to the total.

England have had a further blow with Shahzad suffering an injury while bowling during Australia's innings, meaning that he will only bat if required, keeping in mind the much more important World Cup starting next month.

Randomnosity

2011-01-30T04:02:00.002-05:00

Is there a prize for making a post at the most remote time? (Local, of course. Shane is disqualified.)

Hey, where's Hobbson at? I wanted to tell him that the venomous caribou I sent for him got held up at the border, but he hasn't shown his face. Probably some BS line about how he's got a new baby or something.

And what about Tony Johns? Dude makes a post about not being drunk yet and then vanishes into the ether. I expected him to have resurfaced by now slurring nonsense about Dario reheating poutine underneath his kilt. Maybe we should send a search party.

I'm just glad no one invited that Flying Cocksman guy. He's nothing but trouble.

Why did the developers of Mario Kart think that blue shells were in any way fair or a good idea? It makes leading a race for anything but the last five seconds a major disadvantage. (Though I got caught more often tonight by the lightning-bolt-while-jumping-a-chasm trap.)

Speaking of racing, isn't there some really long, real-life race happening tonight? I vaguely recall hearing something about it. I wonder how it's going. Oh, well.. it can't be that important. According to SPEED, it's NONE OF OUR BUSINESS.

Anyway, back to dreamland. (Or, Back Home Agaaaaaaaaain in Indiaaaaaanaaaaaaaa...)

tennis is funny

2011-01-30T03:39:00.005-05:00

Djokovic and Murray just walked down a bunch of hallways all the way out to the court together. They got there and posed for pictures together, smiling. Now, of course, they are warming up with each other.

I want to see this in football! I want to see the guys all walk out of the same locker room, pose for pictures, and then toss the ball to each other to warm up.

Also, every sport needs a chair umpire.

Men's Final about to start

2011-01-30T03:39:00.004-05:00

Players are completing warmups for the Australian Open Men's Tennis final, which is live on ESPN3, or so I'm told.

Weather has cooled significantly for the clash between 3-Novak Djokovic and 5-Andy Murray, with a sea breeze taking the temperature down to 82 degrees as the players get ready for the start.

Murray will become the first Brit to win a grand slam title since Stirling Moss was a teenager if he overcomes "the Joker" Djokovic tonight.

E.J. Viso's 2011 IndyCar picture a little clearer

2011-01-30T03:20:00.000-05:00

There has been speculation about whether Lotus would be sponsoring only Takuma Sato again, expanding more into the KV team as they promised during their engine announcement an more.

Well one things for sure, in addition to the green lotus painted car Viso tweeted earlier this month.. I think you can now safely put Viso down as driving a green Lotus sponsored car this year. See picture from Daytona via Marshall Pruett.

Cricket: Lee sets Brisbane alight as England struggle

2011-01-30T03:08:00.003-05:00

A devastating bowling spell by Brett Lee has set England on the back foot in the one day international at Brisbane.

Chasing 250 to win, England are 27 for 3 after 7 overs.

England started off steadfastly despite quality 90mph bowling from Lee (remember in cricket, when you bowl you can't straighten your arm like when you pitch in Baseball), to reach 20 for no loss. But accurate bowling from Australia combined with some sloppy batting started a mini-collapse, with Prior, Strauss, and Trott disappearing in the space of eight deliveries.

England now need to steady the boat and stem the loss of wickets rather like Australia in their innings if they are to remain in contention.

What I've Learned in the Past Few Hours

2011-01-30T02:23:00.001-05:00

Starting with MarioKart, I learned that bikes are way faster than Karts, and everyone hates Wario's gold mine.

I've learned that based on the NASCAR All-Star Shootout that started over 4 hours ago and still hasn't concluded, that the future of NASCAR is screwed if these are their drivers... 3 red flags, countless yellows at this point... and the fact that this race STILL is not over... how showing this live is better than 5 additional hours of Daytona 24 Hours coverage is beyond my comprehension.

I've learned that on the particular pitch of the Australia-England cricket match, that when the team batting first scores 249 or more, they win 9 out of 12 times. Australia just scored exactly 249, so we'll need to see how that goes.

I've learned that cricket is just as stats-crazy a sport as baseball is... no word yet on if Fantasy Cricket is a big deal...

I've learned, once again, that playing poker with strangers at a "play money" table sucks, because they all just hit the all-in button every hand, its no fun.

I've learned that endurance racing means never count anyone out. The Suntrust and Ganassi cars have gone back to the garages again and have since gained laps back and are still well within striking distance.

I learned Patrick Dempsey is starting to get the hang of GT, he led laps folks, huge for him and that team!

Only 40 minutes to the Australian Open Final between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic!

Cricket: England to chase 250 tonight against Australia

2011-01-30T01:47:00.004-05:00

Australia have set England 250 to win in the one day international in Brisbane tonight.

While almost every Australian batsman got a start, the lack of a big innings hurt Australia and restricted the total to 249, with Australia losing all 10 batsman in the 50th and final over.

The exception on the Australian scorecard was Michael Clarke, who showed a glimmer of his former self in scoring a paitent 54.

England bowler Chris Woakes starred with the ball, dismissing six Australian batsman in only his second one day international match.

England's innings starts in 40 minutes.

Cricket spectator slang

2011-01-30T01:20:00.005-05:00

Shane Rogers joins us as one of our guests for the 3rd Annual Blogathon
Many ladies check him out regularly at a local dodgy nightspot or at www.shanerogers.com.au. He's much better looking online.

It's obviously very important to know the rules of cricket, but it's also very important to know the cues from the crowd, so you don't look like the idiot that doesn't know the words to "Take me out to the ball game".

So here's the three important ones you need to know:
Av a go ya mug
We would appreciate for the entertainment of the audience that you actually tried to lift the scoring rate.

You-are-a-wan-ker (chant, followed by clap in time with syllables)
I can't believe that you security staff would confiscate our beach ball that we were happily playing with in the crowd.

You're-goin-home-in-the-back-of-a-div-vy-van (chant, followed by clap in time with syllables)
I can't believe you're getting a free ride home from the police when we'll have to grab a cab and it'll cost us 30 bucks, when you're the one that's inebriated.

Cricket: Clarke and Hussey stablise the innings

2011-01-30T00:50:00.005-05:00

Australia have moved on to 165 runs for 4 out after 36 overs, as Michael Clarke and David Hussey have put on 50 runs for the 5th wicket in the fifth one day international against England.

Australia limped to 113 for 4 after losing Marsh and Cameron White in quick succession, but have managed to come through the middle trimester (ask your wife) of the innings without any more losses.

The wicket appears in good condition, and as a result any score under 250 may not necessarily be enough tonight.

Jump into the Mario Kart Wii Showdown chat room if you want to have a chat about what's going on.

poker table now open

2011-01-30T00:43:00.001-05:00

If you want to play poker, just head over to pokerstars.com and install the software if you don't already have it. I have a table open. It's a Hold 'Em > Play Money table. The name of the table is "Sinon XII." If enough Blogathon people show up, we can move to our own tabel.

My username is "hubautoparts." You should be able to find me and the table by going to "requests" and the "find a player."

Let's play!

Blogathon limerick #1

2011-01-30T00:23:00.000-05:00

Ode to Speed TV's (lack of overnight) Coverage

This beer is the best you could taste.
These donuts, they won't go to waste.
There's much food to be had,
So it's really too bad
That we can't really watch the cars race.

All Kinds of Wow

2011-01-30T00:17:00.003-05:00

It's been a wild and crazy Saturday of Blogathon. The Daytona 24 Hours has been jam packed with action. My declaration during our podcast of taking the "under" on 20 crashes has proved to be wildly ill advised. It seems like we've had about 47 already, and we still have some 15 hours left. What's happened?

Both Ganassi cars went laps down early, the #01 due to needing to change out gear ratios, the #02 due to cutting up tires like a guy at a retreading service on an episode of Dirty Jobs I once saw. However, at press time (um, as I type this), the Ganassi cars run 2nd and 3rd and within 10 seconds of the leader.
The Michael Shank cars have all avoided catastrophe thus far and even ran 1-2-3 for a few glorious laps.
The pole sitting Flying Lizard dominated the first hour with some crazy speed in the hands of Joerg Bergmeister, but have run into a few different problems (sorry, Mike).
Oswaldo Negri hit nearly every car on the track at one point.
The GT class has played bumper cars with each other and the DPs, but saying that is like saying "Saturday comes after Friday".

Meanwhile, there was some basketball that I completely ignored, I got beat at Mario Kart about 1,265 times, I just tuned into the NASCAR Not-An-All Star Showdown, only to see my guy German Quiroga get taken out along with Travis Pastrana in some other dude's wreck, Shane Rogers is updating us from moment to moment from the other side of the globe on a sport for which I understand about 0.01% of the rules (I hear that a ball is involved), and it feels like we're just getting started. Oh, and a Ganassi car now leads. What can I say? It's been a weird Saturday. I'm off to bed. See everybody in the morning.

Bad news

2011-01-29T23:46:00.004-05:00

In disastrous news from the Grab Bag Sports Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep South office, we've just found out we're out of Vegemite.

More news as it comes to hand

Cricket: Solid start, now the pressure's on Clarke

2011-01-29T23:27:00.004-05:00

Australia have made a solid start to the one day International against England, reaching 80 (runs) for 2 (batsmen out) at the end of the 16th of 50 overs.

Watson and Haddin started well, putting on 48 until Watson was caught cutting behind point for 16.

After a whispy 37, including seven fours, Haddin was dismissed bowled in the 15th over.

Michael Clarke, Australian Captain comes in under pressure having not scored for than 36 in any of the games in the series so far, and was greeted by a mixture of cheers and jeers when he entered the stadium to start his innings.

Scorecard here

In other news, Englands first match of the Cricket World Cup, will not be played at it's originally scheduled venue of Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India; after the ICC declined to give the organisers (sic) an extension of time to get the venue up to an acceptable standard. Embarassed organisers are now scrambling to find an alternate venue.

Sleeps

2011-01-29T22:49:00.000-05:00

It is 3.40am here in these cold islands. Unlike last year when I managed to reach beyond 5.30am, I'm going to wuss out and go to sleep. Perhaps an energy drink strategy ought to have been deployed rather than a beer strategy but that wasn't ever going to happen. Hopefully this means waking up before lunchtime in order to carry on with whatever sports are happening tomorrow. Er, later today. Will I see the Australian Open? More to the point, will I care? Probably not. I am more disappointed at missing Australia v England.

I hope you enjoy the Mario Kart. Who do I want to win? Clearly I back the Commonwealth, unless they play cricket, so I am rooting for Steph.

I am not seriously expecting to be sent a prize for the Pruett thing, I am just really happy to have won.

Back after these messages.

In case you missed when I posted this last year...

2011-01-29T22:06:00.000-05:00

Get ready for this.

Mario Kart Wii Throwdown

2011-01-29T22:01:00.001-05:00

And here is ye official Mario Kart Trash Talking Chat:

Australia to bat first in Brisbane

2011-01-29T21:56:00.003-05:00

Meanwhile, at the 'Gabba ground in Brisbane, Australia has won the toss and will bat first against England in the fifth one-day international.

Since most of you aren't cricket followers naturally, I'm going to keep it simple here, if you want more detailed information, check out the live ball by ball text coverage at ESPN Cricinfo.

In a one-day international cricket match:

Each team has one innings.
Each team's innings is either a maximum of 50 overs (6 balls per over = 300 balls or "pitches"), or when all their batsman (10) are out. An innings usually lasts 3 hours 30 minutes, with a 45 minute break between innings
A good score is in the 250-300 range, depending on the conditions.

This match is being held in Brisbane, the focus of much attention recently due to the devastating floods, this match being dedicated to raising funds for the Queensland Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal.

The match is very important for both teams, as the game is one of the final lead in games before the Cricket World Cup, starting in the subcontinent on February 19.

A hot Australian Open final expected.

2011-01-29T21:47:00.002-05:00

Just stocked on up on supplies at the Supermarket.

It's hot in Melbourne. Right now (at 1:50pm local), it's 95'F. It's expected to get up to 105 by the end of the day, with a late change due around 8pm, just after the start of the Australian Open Men's final.

It's been unseasonally cool in Melbourne during the Australian Open this year, this will be the first test of the players during the tournament, especially if the scheduled cool change doesn't arrive on time.

Yellows

2011-01-29T20:20:00.000-05:00

These safety car periods are lasting far too long, surely they don't need to do the 'form up > DP > GT > lap > green' thing for every single one of them? Use some discretion guys.

The calls seem inconsistent too. The early yellow for the little bit of debris seemed silly, yet they didn't call one for all the dirt on the track by that autocrosser. Understandably the last two were very much needed, one for fluid and the other for a smash up. Need a long clean green run again.

All these mentions of Rolex has given me an earworm.

Donut Time!

2011-01-29T20:19:00.000-05:00

The live chat is WAY too much racing for me to say anything without sounding stupid(er than usual). Kanas/Kansas State is a terrible blowout. LSU/Alabama is blacked out in my area on ESPN3. You know, cause so many Nashville people just wouldn't travel to that game if we could all sit here and watch it on TV.

So... I'm off to Krispy Kreme! See you fools for Mario Kart.

Ask a Blogger

2011-01-29T20:00:00.001-05:00

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=9a707cfbaf" >Grab Bag Sports Presents: "Ask a Blogger"</a>

Are you ready for the early hours?

2011-01-29T19:50:00.000-05:00

Shane Rogers joins us as one of our guests for the 3rd Annual Blogathon
Many ladies check him out regularly at a local dodgy nightspot or at www.shanerogers.com.au

Hi All,

Are you ready for the early hours?

I am.

Well, actually, I'm not.

I just rolled out of bed at 11am Australian Eastern Daylight Time to see fellow Antipodean Ryan Briscoe in P2, and just realised (sic) I have no bread, and no feed to speak of other than Ice Cream and Beer.

So while friends are having fun watching V8Supercar tests, or telling rally drivers where to go, and the significant other is doing her last day at work before moving more outback (I mean, seriously, how the heck am I meant to get flowers *there*?), I'll be hitting the supermarket to sort out supplies, before hitting the Grab Bag Sports deep deep deep deep South office in Melbourne, Australia to take you through the night at Daytona.

As well as the race, I'll be taking you through the 5th Cricket One Day International between 1-Australia and 5-England in Brisbane (Preview), as well as the Australian Open tennis final between 3-Novak Djokovic and 5-Andy Murray (details here) just up the road from me at Melbourne Park.

See you soon.

30 For 30 (Sports Documentary) Wish List: The Tales of Albert and Jason

2011-01-29T19:45:00.003-05:00

If I told you that there was once a player who got caught cheating using a corked bat... not because the bat broke, not because he accidentally mentioned it, or because a former friend ratted him out... but because the opposing coach "got a tip" from an unnamed source.

Then after they confiscated his bat in the middle of the game and put it in the umpires storage area, an unnamed teammate climbed through the ceiling falling down into the area, swapping the corked bat with a teammates normal one. Then the umps immediately knew because the 2nd bat belonged to another player, people got suspended, then both players involved went on to other controversy including steroids and fights with fans... you'd want to see that documentary right?

Whats so remarkable about Albert Belle's corked bat, and Jason Grimsley's not-so-covert mission-impossible to get the bat; is that they were dumb enough to use another player's easily recognizable bat (Because it had the other players name written on it!). Years later Omar Vizquel wrote in a book that they had to use a different player's to switch because ALL of Albert's bats were corked. Belle went from hero in Cleveland to bouncing around teams and out of the league, Grimsley didn't admit to his covert mission till years later, but even after that he later resurfaced in the steroid scandal (which is a whole other documentary in itself)...

I'd watch it anyways...

Kansas State needs to pick it up

2011-01-29T19:23:00.000-05:00

During last year's Blogathon, I watched a great Kansas-Kansas State basketball game and even watched some of the replay of it overnight. I think Kansas won by two points.

Well this year's game between the two teams is already out of control. The Jayhawks lead 15-2.

30 For 30 Wish List: Ryan Leaf

2011-01-29T19:06:00.001-05:00

Throughout Blogathon, we will be posting a few ideas that we think could've made interesting topics for ESPN's 30 For 30 Series. Feel free to comment with ideas of your own!

---

I'm pretty sure Ryan Leaf's story would be good for an hour-long documentary.

Topics to include:

- 1998 Draft: Chargers traded two 1st round picks, a 2nd round pick, and Eric Metcalf in order to move up one spot to get Leaf. Matt Hasselbeck was also available.

- Rookie season: Skipped rookie symposium. Completed 1-15 for 4 yards with 3 fumbles in his fourth game. Finished the season with 2 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

- Rest of his Chargers career: injuries, fines, suspensions.

- Attempted comebacks

- Coaching career: Hired in 2008 as West Texas A&M as a volunteer QB coach, but then was fired for asking players for pain pills. Was later arrested for burglary and drugs.

- Current: Has a deal to write three autobiographical books. (Three?! I want to watch a 30 For 30 episode for an hour. But THREE books??)

Too Funny

2011-01-29T18:52:00.002-05:00

Luckily I will not be driving straight after the suspension support was been welded.

- EJ Viso on Twitter

You said it mate.

Here's to You: Mr. Random Article Commenter

2011-01-29T18:49:00.000-05:00

This is a moment to say cheers, to Mr. Random Article Commenter, you exist all over the place amongst the internet and you never cease to amuse.

No matter what the article is about, or what people are saying in the comments, you never fail to get your statement in.

Regardless of an article about Simona de Silvestro getting new sponsorship... or people discussing her talents; or her career in relation to other female drivers, or even the accuracy of the facts in the article.. you don't care, you just make sure that we all know your most important opinion about Simona:

Saturday Sports

2011-01-29T18:13:00.000-05:00

I'm five or more hours ahead of many of you guys, so I've had a bit more time to catch a few sports today.

Indoor athletics in Glasgow... well you wouldn't want it to be outdoor in Glasgow in January would you? Anyway I didn't really pay attention, thought it would be something important but it seemed to be a relatively small meet. The BBC commentary did say a man who won the 60 metres in 6.65sec ran a very slow time. I'm sure he was positively jogging.

FA Cup Fourth Round, Southampton v Man Utd. I was writing a blog post during this so 'it was just on'. I'm not a huge fan of the game anyway.

You'd think Man Utd would put this game to bed early but it didn't happen, they weren't in gear, and then it happened - just on the cusp of half time, the Saints scored! Commentary says the man who scored is only at this team because of differences with the manager at Preston, and that manager just happens to be the son of Alex Ferguson.. I bet that felt good. Otherwise though, not a particularly entertaining half.

Michael Owen equalised 20 minutes into the second half, I had no idea he was even at Man Utd.

Then I got bored and stopped watching.

Highlights:
- The Saints reverting back to their original team strip of a white shirt with red diagonal stripe, rather than the usual red/white vertical stripes and forgoing the usual team shirt sponsor to celebrate their 125th anniversary. Great idea, not many teams would do that in this day and age.
- The crowd singing Agadoo for some reason.
- Realising I still don't care about footie unless it is an international, and even then I think I'd rather watch the rugby. Bring on the Six Nations!

Meanwhile, down in npower League One, Brentford 1 v Yeovil 2, my local team beat the team I believe is the local team of my sister's boyfriend. And the winner was scored by my namesake! Still in the relegation zone though, we don't want that.

By the way, I didn't introduce myself but I'm sure you know me, I Watch Too Much Racing. Lovely.

Fan-Chat with Ryan McGee, senior writer, ESPN

2011-01-29T17:44:00.001-05:00

GrabBagSports - Fan-Chat with Ryan McGee, senior writer, ESPN

For Illini, it's a new season, new team, same result

2011-01-29T17:43:00.004-05:00

Paul Dalbey joins us as one of our guests for the 3rd Annual Blogathon
You can check Paul out regularly at: More Front Wing

Time Out!!! We cut away from your regularly schedule Rolex 24 programming to get a little bit of something off my chest. You see, I cut my finger the other day and my blood was orange – as in Illini Orange. In other words, I might be what you would call a University of Illinois fanatic (insert my MFW comrade Steph Wallcraft here rolling her eyes about Americans and their fascination with college sports in only the way that a good Canadian can do). You see, whether it’s football or basketball, I want to see the Orange and Blue doing well. That’s why I am so pissed off lately.

It wasn’t too long ago that Illinois was on the verge of becoming a perennial powerhouse in men’s college basketball. In the early part of the last decade, Bell Self, now the head coach at Kansas, was piloting the ship. Self brought in a stunning group of talented players that made a second-weekend NCAA appearance seem routine. More importantly, Self made leaders out of his talented players and convinced them that no matter what was going on in the game, they ALWAYS should expect to win.

Unfortunately, following the 2003 NCAA tournament, a series of events unfolded that sent former Kansas coach and basketball legend Roy Williams to North Carolina and took Self from Illinois. His replacement was an up and coming protégée of former Purdue Basketball coach Gene Keady, Bruce Weber. Bruce had spent the previous few seasons at Southern Illinois University as their head coach.

Things went well for Weber and the Illini for the first couple years. A Big 10 Championship in 2004 led to high hopes in 2005. With a roster made mostly of former Self recruits and led by stars such as Deron Williams, Dee Brown, Luther Head, and James Augustine, Weber led the 2004-2005 Illini to the National Championship game, falling just short to North Carolina in a thrilling finale.
Since that tough defeat in April 2005, things have gone downhill in Champaign, and, sadly, they don’t seem to be turning around soon. You see, what that Illini team had in 2005 was what Weber has failed to recreate in the succeeding years – leadership.

Over the past several seasons, there has been a disturbing trend that has befallen Illinois basketball. Every season, Illinois is highly regarded in the pre-season polls – typically picked to finish in the top two or three in the Big 10 and somewhere between 10 and 15 in the national polls. That’s exciting, sure, but every year, sure as clockwork, Illinois narrowly escapes getting beat by a Division II or III teams – the proverbial “Sisters of the Poor.”

Generally, the players and media will proclaim this early-season scare to be “the wake-up call” and things will proceed nicely for a couple weeks. By mid-Decemeber, though, the team will once again become completely complacent and usually lose another game to another team they should be expected to beat by 20-some points. A good performance against Missouri in the annual Braggin’ Rights game, played always just days before Christmas, is generally when the team falls off a cliff and limps into the Big 10 schedule. By the end of January, talk has escalated that the Illini are already on the NCAA tournament bubble and need to start picking up quality wins to ensure they make the tournament.

In some circles, success every few years is acceptable and fans are appreciative of those rare occasions. That’s not the case with the Illini Nation. While most still hold Bruce Weber in high esteem for his work with the 2004-2005 team, the sheen has worn away and, justifiably, fans are realizing that it’s time for a change to break the annual cycle of Illini mediocrity.

There are years when good programs go bad. Look no further than the struggles at Michigan State this year. With six weeks remaining in the regular season, the Spartans have almost totaled their number of losses from last year already. The difference is that this year is an exception for MSU, not the rule. I have no doubts that Tom Izzo will get his program straightened out, and by next fall, MSU will once again be a Big 10 favorite and a national title contender.

At Illinois, it’s a more depressing trend. The high expectations and annual underachievement has become the norm, not the exception. Since the beginning of the 2005-2006 season (the post Deron Williams era), Illinois has played plenty of meager competition, and having watched nearly every game, I cannot recall more than two or three occasions where they have blown out their opponents by 20+ points. On the flip side of that coin, I can’t recall more than two or three games where Illinois has been blown out by a wide margin either. One could say that’s an even trade. I say it shows a lack of motivation and an attitude of invincibility, indifference, and complacency.

I’m not big into poor sportsmanship and running up scores. I thought it was pretty dirty pool when Penn State absolutely crushed my Illini football team in 2003 by 60-some points. It was made worse by the fact that they were leading by 50-some at halftime and then THREW for a touchdown to start the third quarter. (To his credit, coach Paterno chewed his offensive coordinator’s ass for the move right on the side line for all to see. Thumbs up, Joe!) However, I do believe that you need to take care of business and put up convincing victories over teams that are undoubtedly weaker than you.

A team that lacks motivation is a team that plays only good enough to be competitive. The hallmark of the Bruce Weber-led Illini is that they play always to the level of their competition. When they win, they win fairly close. When they lose, they lose fairly close. When you play a team like Ohio State, that’s really good. When you play a team like Indiana, that’s really bad.

You see, it’s easy to get hyped up for “the big game.” When you play against the #1 team in the country, like Illinois did last weekend against Ohio State, you’re always motivated. It’s easy to be excited and give it your all against those teams. A true sign of character emerges when you play the lesser teams – the UIC’s, the Indianas, the “Sisters of the Poor.” That is when motivation and leadership really show and Bruce Weber, since 2006, has been completely unable to produce that in any of his players. It’s an attitude problem and attitude, as they say, is a reflection of leadership.

Thursday night’s defeat at Indiana, a team that hasn’t won a game against a ranked team in almost three years, was the epitome of everything that is wrong with the Illinois basketball program. I mean no offense to my many friends that are Hoosier fans, but in all honestly, Illinois should have won that game by 15 points or more. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Illinois has a more talented group of players, and Indiana was missing their two best guards. Sadly, Illinois again just got out hearted and out coached. When it was time for an Illini to take charge and finish the game, nobody wanted the responsibility. Indiana, to their credit, stuck it to Illinois and absolutely, without a doubt deserved to win the game. I tip my hat to Tom Crean and his men for simply outplaying Illinois. But Illinois should have won the game.

Following the game, we in the Illini Nation had to endure the same talking head sound bites that we have to hear every time Illinois loses a game they shouldn’t. Weber inevitably comes on the radio and says that he needs to take responsibility as the coach for not preparing his players well enough. Demetri McCamey inevitably comes on the radio and says he needs to take responsibility as the senior point guard for not leading his team to victory on the court. Same old song and dance – rinse, lather, repeat.

College basketball is constantly changing. With eligibility rules and players constantly leaving for the NBA, no team is ever the same from year to year. If a team has a bad year, there is always hope that next year will be better. The fact is that in some years, a team just doesn’t gel. That happens in all sports. Sometimes when you change the cast of characters, you get undesired results. With the great coaches (and this is where I give mad love to Bo Ryan up at Wisconsin!!!!), you can change the players and the system remains the same – for the better. When team leaders depart, the great coaches create new leaders and the team continues their success.

Unfortunately, for weaker coaches, the inability to create leaders on your team is a fatal flaw. As has been the case for Weber and the Illini the past several seasons, the cast of characters has changed but the result has stayed the same – and not for the better. Whether you talk about 2006, 2009, or 2011, the results have been the same, regardless of who is on the floor. The same problem keeps showing through – a clear lack of motivation, a lack of leaderships, and an inability to perform at the top level 100% of the time. The only constant in those years has been the man calling the shots. It’s time to change that too.

NCAA Division I basketball is not a league where players get trophies for participating. This is the big boy league and as such, teams are expected to win. It’s not good enough to keep guys around because they are nice guys or because they do nice things off the court. These aren’t pick-up games at the Y where you congratulate the guy for playing well. This is the division where you had better produce results or someone will step into your place and get results for you. Weber has had his time. Weber has had his players. Weber has had plenty of opportunities to make his system work. It hasn’t worked yet. This season is ruined. Illinois has more great players coming over the next couple years, and without a new leader to steer the ship, those seasons will be ruined as well. In the meantime, the mediocrity of this season has those of us in the Illini Nation realizing that just making the NCAA, at this point, might be an achievement. Thankfully, few of us accept that as good enough. I hope Bruce Weber and his team don’t.
Ok, back to your regularly scheduled Rolex 24 programming!

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is adding a Loop de Loop

2011-01-29T17:41:00.000-05:00

Oddly enough this isn't a joke... just a play on reality. Mattel may build Hot Wheels track at IMS. I think anything they build will be pretty awesome, but for a second there we were all imagining a big loop on the front stretch of Indy and it was interesting....

I imagine if they did this to the real track ratings would go up 100-fold... but alas I guess we'll just have to live with that image we all had in our heads.

Bringing in the Birch

2011-01-29T17:35:00.003-05:00

Ok so while I was moderating that last chat, it looks like everyone was posting some supplies. Sop I figure this is as good a time as any to mention that I learned regulkar bread yeast, doesn't work quite as well ad "beer yeasy" or "champagne yeast" for brewing your own root beer.

It tasted very much like bread... So because of that, I am now venturing out into a new brew from the area, will let you know how this goes.

Getting prepped to be joined by ESPN's Ryan McGee in a few minutes, be there!