Category Archives: Bristol

Dale Earhardt Jr. Needs More Seat Time [Bonus Video]

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Over the past week, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelly Earhhart Elledge, and JR Motorsports announced that Aric Almirola would be joining JRM to drive the number 88 car next season in the Nascar Nationwide Series. As Dale Jr, and JRM finalize the details for next season, there is still a lot of racing left in 2010. To finish out the season, Earnhardt will share time in the 88 car with other drivers; the possibility of Almirola is included. Next year, Earnhardt will share seat time in JRM’s second car, the number 7 GoDaddy.com Chevy, with Danica Patrick and Josh Wise.

You probably already knew all of that news, so what is my point? My point, is that Earnhardt Jr. will be racing more races in the Nationwide Series, starting this weekend at Bristol behind the wheel of the 88 car. This could prove to be the kick start that Dale needs to right the ship that is about to capsize in the Cup Series. I am a proponent of struggling drivers getting more seat time in any series they can in order to improve their overall performance. Dale Earhhardt Jr. in the Nationwide Series for more races is a good thing for himself, his sponsors, Nascar, and the Nascar Nation as a whole. More seats will be filled and more merchandise will be sold.

If, as I predict, Junior starts having more success in the Nationwide Series, I could pontificate him running some Truck Series races as well. Also, with success in the Nationwide Series, and a mountain of frustration growing at Hendrick Motorsports, I think it would be a safe bet to say that the momentum would carry up to the Cup Series. Wins in the Nationwide Series could parlay into wins in the Truck and Cup Series, and the salvaging of what has been yet another disastrous season.

This is all just speculation, but with a lot of educated guessing. What do you think? Will Dale Jr.’s Nationwide racing equal a resurgence in the Cup Series? What would you like to see Dale Earnhardt Junior do? Post your comments bellow.

Dale Jr. Amp Energy Chat (Nascar.com)

Bristol… Something Different [Video]

Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol Night Race

The two Nascar weekends at Bristol Motor Speedway comprise some of the best racing, and highest drama of the Nascar racing season.  The 33 degree high banks, the Colosseum of fans, and the deafening roar of the 43 engines in the field as they speed around Bristol’s half-mile in under 16 seconds create a spectacle unlike no other in the racing world.  From it’s humble beginnings in the 1960′s, BMS has always been a hot spot for the Series.  It’s presence on the schedule along side the big tracks like Talladega and Indy show that not only was Nascar grown out of the bull rings of America, it shows that short track racing… with all of it’s excitement, can stand just as tall in motorsports as superspeedway racing.

Perhaps the most exciting event on the schedule is the Bristol Night Race, I know that it is my second favorite race of the year.  Bristol is the place where modern night racing was born, and the forerunner to the night races in Charlotte, Daytona and Darlington.  From the battles of Dale Earhhardt and Terry Labonte to the current reign of Kyle “Rowdy” Busch, the night races are where Nascar’s finest shine.

This year, I have to wonder if this night race will be the place where old feuds are resurrected, if current rivalries will have a dash of drama added to their legacy and if new enemies will be born.  Can Kyle Busch win the Truck Series, Nationwide, and Cup Series races in the same weekend?  Can an underdog surprise the field and steal a win?  Will the battle for the 12th spot in The Chase be decided here?  Can Mark Martin drive his way into the top twelve?  Will the pace car lead more laps than the race winner?  How many more chapters of history will be written this weekend at Bristol?

As we gear up for the 2010 Bristol Night Race, catch up on how Bristol Motor Speedway became something so grand, so great, so different.

Charlie Glotzbach Talks About Bristol Wreck

Nascar Legend Charlie Glotzbach

Last Saturday at Bristol, during a Nascar Legends race, Larry Pearson crashed his racecar and was T-boned by fellow Nascar Legend Charlie Glotzbach.  The severe hit brought out the red flag for about thirty minutes while emergency workers tended to the drivers.  Pearson had to be cut out of his car and rushed to the hospital.  Glotzbach walked away with assistance, and was later transported to the hospital for further treatment.

Pearson suffered severe injuries, including a broken pelvis, and required surgery.  He was later trasnfered to a Charlote area hospital to continue his treatment and recovery.

Glotzbach talks to Nascar Sirius Radio host Clarie B. Lang about his ordeal.  From a report about the interview on Jayski.com:

Thursaday, March 25 on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, host Claire B. Lang spoke with Charlie Glotzbach, who was injured in a wreck with Larry Pearson in the Showdown charity race at Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend. Glotzbach was released from the hospital on Wednesday.
Charlie Glotzbach: “That’s the hardest hit that I’ve ever taken, and that was the first ride to the hospital from a race. I mean, all the walls I’ve hit, and wrecked, and I never got hurt. That was the first time I ever got hurt. So it had to be a hard, hard hit.”
Glotzbach: “I didn’t know, I didn’t think he (Pearson) would come down that quick. I thought that he’d probably have his foot on the brake, but somebody told me that they seen when he hit the wall, it knocked him out. & I’m really sorry it happened, but I don’t think there was anything I could do about it.”
Glotzbach: “I don’t really think it’s too risky (for older drivers to race), because it happens to the young drivers. If you notice, they get hurt, and naturally an older driver is going to get hurt probably a little easier on account of his bones are, uh, softer. But, I don’t think it’s got anything to do with age.”
Glotzbach: “You look at the reaction time of the younger drivers, they hit things, too. They hit other cars so reaction time has nothing to do with it, I don’t think”
Glotzbach: “Them cars are safe. I mean, they’re basically a Busch or Nationwide car with a fiberglass body on ‘em. I mean, they got bars running everywhere and they got good seats in them and I don’t think the car had anything to do with it ’cause it was a good race car, the one I had.”
Glotzbach: “As far as me, how I feel, I’m sore. My sternum’s broke. I got some bruised ribs, and the lower back, uh, there’s a bone cracked down there a little bit or something. They said there were some old wounds down there, too. But, like I said, I never went to hospital for nothin’.”
Glotzbach: “Kyle Petty came in to see me (in the hospital), and he said if you’re going to wreck he said this is a good place to wreck ’cause this is a great hospital. And I believe everything he says. He said, ‘I’ve been at all of them.’”(SIRIUS NASCAR Radio)(3-26-2010)

I hope to have, and provide more about Charlie Glozbach and especially Larry Pearson very soon.  As soon as I have it here at The Speedzine, you’ll have it.  Source credit for this story comes from http://www.Jayski.com via SIRIUS NASCAR Radio.

Quick Picks – Bristol

Bristol is Action Packed

Bristol is always a spectacle all onto itself. As Nascar’s high banked short track, it is a place where action is frequent and plentiful. There will be wrecks, emotions will run the gambit of the highest highs and the lowest lows. Who will come out on top? I present my quick picks for Bristol.

Race Winner:
48 – Jimmie Johnson. He spent all the practice sessions on top, or close to the top of the leader board. Crew chief Chad Knaus said that they found something and will bring something special to the race.

Rookie of the Race:
37 – Kevin Conway. Sprint Cup Series newcomer 46 – Terry Cook makes his first race of 2010, but doesn’t have much of a chance unless ROTY points leader Kevin Conway drops out early.

Underdog of the Race:
66 – Dave Blaney. Starting third, Blaney and his underfunded start and park team have put themselves in a great position to stick it out and have a good run. This may be a stretch, but look for excitement early in the front of the field.

Let’s see where the chips fall. Who are your picks? Post your picks bellow in the comments section.

Crashing All Around Me [Video]

Kyle Busch won both Bristol Cup races in 2009.

My take on all the brew ha ha the past two weeks over the Brad Keselowski and Carl Edwards wreck at Atlanta. Simple. I like it. This is part of what Nascar is all about. Nascar said “Have at it”, and that is what the drivers did. The fierce rivalries, and hard racing is why I watch Nascar. I don’t need to go deep into the how’s and why’s because Cole Trickle said it best, “Rubbin is racin’!”

This week is Bristol, and with that comes a ton of rubbing and a lot of hard racing. Crashes are a way of life at Bristol, and most are not in anger. Enjoy this look back at some of the madness that is Bristol.

Bristol Motor Speedway has added four feet of SAFER barrier onto each straight effectively narrowing the racing surface by three feet. This will add to the chaos that is Bristol. What do you think? Do you think that the Keselowski/Edwards feud will continue at Bristol? Do you think the loss of three feet of racing surface will cause some excitement? Share your thoughts in the comments section bellow.