overheard

Thank you for all the kind words on the new Overheard up at champcar.ws.
It really means a lot to me and gives me incentive to continue to do better and better.

Carpentier not happy with Cheever. Interesting and disturbing stories coming out of that camp. If Carpentier is owed money, then he has a right to claim it. But is it just me or is Cheever’s angry letter sent to Carpentier such a weasel thing to do? I’ve never met Cheever. I don’t know the man and his antics and tend not to believe too much of what I read about him. But come on. Imagine sitting at your desk at your workplace, going about your day and suddenly receiving an email from your boss, who is two offices down, telling you to pick up the slack. You’d be pissed! If my performance is not up to par, then I would expect my employer to tell me face to face. It’s a respect thing. If the employer is unhappy, then tell the employee face to face. Don’t cower behind a note or a letter or even a phone call. They have several weeks to go before the Indy 500. they couldn’t meet face to face? However, Carpentier has been known to be overly emotional and say things that he doesn’t act upon with a cooler head, so we’ll see what happens.

Jack Roush had some harsh words to say about Toyota coming into the Nextel and the Busch series. I respect a man who speaks his mind. I don’t know the details enough to comment on the situation, but I did read his “business is war” article and its very interesting. Is Toyota the American racecar killer? Arguably, they helped kill CART, they aren’t doing any favors in the IRL and now are setting up for NASCAR. Regardless of what you think of the article or his statement, Toyota going to NASCAR is good news for the series.

Not good news because it’ll force everybody else to step up. Not good news because it means they are likely leaving the IRL. No, its good news for NASCAR because it sets up a villain right off the bat. People are afraid of the unknown, and for some time now, NASCAR, the product, has been predictable. Almost a comfort zone. Now, bring in this new potential powerhouse and everybody will get a little uneasy. They’ll sign with some teams, some already established drivers. Some will be seen as traitors, others as acceptors. People will talk. Their performance will be under the radar. Regardless, NASCAR has itself a great storyline in the future.

this sport is based on rivalries and personalities and although NASCAR continues to bring up these great young drivers in Edwards, Truex and Kyle Busch, they could use a shake up. get people talking.

Personally, in this global age of ours, I don’t necessarily see Toyota as strictly a Japanese manufacturer. They already have a very strong presence in America, provide many jobs and at the end of the day, consumers want the best product. if its choosing a Toyota over a Chevrolet, then so be it. its all up to the consumer.

the lull

The lull

Waiting is the hardest part.

Six weeks inbetween races is too long, I don’t think anybody would disagree with that. What I’m told with regards to this season is that there was the possibility of adding a race around this time somewhere in Argentina. That’s what I heard anyway, so take it for what its worth. Nevertheless it is very difficult for a series to carry momentum with such a long break. I’m sure Champ Car is aware of this and is working on it.

Still waiting on the announcement of Long Beach. The closer it gets to the Indy 500, the more I worry. Somehow a big announcement right around the time of the Brickyard could be big news for the struggling IRL. Pleases Dover, Jim and whoever else is involved, make the right decisions. Don’t think short term, think long term.

That is the biggest barrier right now with Champ Car, in my opinion. Sponsors, cities and teams are still looking at the Champ Car World Series with an eye of uncertainty. Its understandable, to a certain extent. It was barely a year ago that the series was in complete turmoil. It was just over two years ago that the series changed dramatically by bringing in Chris Pook and taking some gambles. It was barely three years ago that many of the big teams in CART were already planning their exits from the series.

Building a solid foundation takes time. Building a solid foundation with a company that’s been bankrupt and chastised is even more difficult. But the three amigos are doing it. They, along with Mr. Eidswick are creating stability within the series. But stability, by definition, can’t be achieved without a certain amount of time. In this case, a few seasons.

Long Beach and the city council need to do what they feel is best for Long Beach. Period. Its unfortunate, but the sport, in their eyes, comes second. They want to make money, as do most of the venues. There was a time in the sport when the racing came first, but now its money. We live in a “now” society, not a “long-term” society. People seem to be looking for the quick fix. The quick payout. If the IRL waves all sanctioning fees for the next three years, it will be difficult for LB to say no. But, again short term thinking. Will the IRL be around in three years?

Frankly, I think it will be. Don’t shoot me for saying that, but I don’t think the IRL is going anywhere, unless they miraculously unify or George just gives up. But he won’t give up. As long as he has the Indy 500, as well as the Brickyard 400, he has enough money. The real question is which series will be prominent by then? I firmly believe that Champ Car will have prevailed by then because it’ll be a few years of stability and the influx of young drivers will turn heads. Perhaps the IRL will go back to what they originally intended on doing, run an all-oval series for all Americans. It’s a safe bet they won’t have Honda and Toyota in a few years, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens. Nevertheless, Tony George seems like a very proud man, one who thinks that admitting defeat is showing weakness.

If I was in Marketing for Champ Car, I would focus my entire campaign on Jimmy Vasser. For an American based series in a country that is so rich on its tradition and heroes, who better do we have then Mr. Jimmy Vasser? He’s a name that is known in every American household, fan or not. He’s not on the same level as Jr. maybe, but he still a household name. he should be our poster boy. An all-American playboy, a champion with good looks and a great personality. Maybe Jimmy is at a point in his career where he doesn’t want to be a poster boy anymore. But he’s also such a diehard supporter of Champ Car, I think he would be willing to go the extra mile for the series. Its impossible not to like Jimmy. Its impossible to find someone more knowledgeable then Jimmy. Its hard to find someone more articulate them Jimmy. Heck, I would call it the Bridgestone Presents the Jimmy Vasser Champ Car World Series powered by Ford.

By the way I like to end my blogs with a term coined by Jimmy. I was walking in Long Beach in 2004 when Paul Newman passed Jimmy. Jimmy called him out, hit his own chest a couple of times and said:

Champ Car baby! Champ Car for life!

thumbs up?

well, on a brighter note, they have put up another Overheard at the Track on champcar.ws and they have also inserted part 2 of my very exlcusive interviews with the broadcast team. Look for part three down the road and also eventually there will be an archival page with all the videos from this year. you know, in case you missed any of them and find yourself with nothing to talk about at the water cooler now that Seinfeld has been off the air for 6 years. But Family Guy is back and that eases our pain. Hey, this is supposed to be about Racing, not television sitcom and their lasting affects on our lives!

The big one. How many times did they say that during the NASCAR race yesterday. The big one is coming. A volcano. The big one. Its coming. brace yourself, its coming. And finally it did...25 (was it?) involved in that wreck. Good god how frustrating must it be to be involved in one of those wrecks. Part of the game, no doubt. but 25 cars!! Fortunately everybody was okay, though if you watched the broadcast there was a moment of discomfort, immediately following the crash when they picked up the radio communication from one of the cars and there was no response from the driver. The announcers were busy talking, so they probably didn't hear the communication, but the crew member kept asking the driver (couldn't tell which driver) to give him a sign of life. Obviously since everybody was okay, the driver eventually did. But we never heard it on the broadcast.
good on jeff Gordon. Man he can drive. If I was broadcasting a show on Jeff Gordon, I would continually show old photos of him, when he had the mustache and mullet. Paul Tracy did some nice stride in becoming more fit and attractive then he used to be, but I don't think anybody had a better makeover then Mr. Gordon. He was truly one, well, interesting looking fellow back then. Oh, and with regards to his appearance on Windtunnel, come on Jeff. Don't play us like that! We're the Champ Car World Series. you know it, Despain knows it, everybody knows it. Fine, i'll give you a quasi-benefit since this company is barely a year old. Nevertheless, let me repeat, its the Champ Car World Series. Evidently, not the same company that turned their backs to you. I swear.

Champ Car baby! Champ Car for life!

thumbs down

Well, it looks like I won't be making it to Milwaukee for the test session this week. I'm pretty bummed about it, but I couldn't justify the cost at this point, not after visiting the taxman last week. Things didn't exactly turn out the way I had hope and as a result, it will cost me this trip. Oh well. Life goes on. Good luck to all participants. have fun.

Champ Car baby! Champ Car for Life!