Support » SCENE-please remove inappropriate photos of the dead/horrific
sweetthing88. yes it is bad when a person like SS396 can talk to women the way he does. He should be banned from this site.
Mike Hembree: Is there still a need for speed?
By Mike Hembree - Associate Editor
Saturday, July 04, 2009
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers compete earlier this year in the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
Wayne Ebinger
NASCAR Scene
COMMENTARY
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – In a sport that’s all about speed, where has all the speed gone?
Through 18 race weekends this season, there have been only two track qualifying records broken. Kyle Busch put up a record lap at Las Vegas in February, and Matt Kenseth set a record at Darlington Raceway in May.
In 2008, there was only one qualifying record broken. Greg Biffle ran 179.442 mph in leading qualifying at Darlington. Oddly enough, the track supposedly too tough to tame was the only one tamed in qualifying-record form.
Isn’t this just a bit strange? Shouldn’t it be a given that virtually every form of motorsports should be marching forward, going ever faster, challenging the norm, advancing the standard? Shouldn’t the quest for more speed be eternal, even in the age of the new car and of NASCAR restrictions on “creative” engineering?
It’s a fact that racing has become slower – and consequently less dangerous – in the past decade. Clearly, some positives follow. There hasn’t been a death in any of NASCAR’s top three series since Dale Earnhardt died on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. In fact, there have been few notable injuries since then.
Tone down the element of danger in auto racing (or bullfighting or alligator wrestling or any number of “out there” competitions), however, and some of the punch is gone.
Fans don’t expect to see cars tumbling over each other and bursting into flames on every lap, but it’s a fact that the draw of the spectacular is very real, and part of the attraction of motorsports is the idea that each competitor is staring death in the face while battling 42 drivers doing the same thing.
It’s sports on the raw edge – it’s not, for example, badminton, and, for many years, that edge was extended as speeds accelerated and teams put drivers and machines to ever more difficult tests.
The wide-open frontier for such activities used to be Talladega Superspeedway. Drivers laughed at the 200 mph mark there even before the track officially opened, and, in 1987, Bill Elliott screamed across the Talladega finish line at 212.809 mph to set an overall NASCAR qualifying record that still stands – and probably will stand forever. Unfortunately, 1987 also was the year Bobby Allison’s car thought it could fly at Talladega and came within a few feet of soaring into the main grandstand. That brought on speed restrictions (understandably), and the wild blue yonder was officially closed to NASCAR drivers.
One of the next big shocking speed moments for NASCAR occurred 10 years later at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The track had been reconfigured and “flipped,” the former backstretch becoming the frontstretch, prior to the fall race that season, and the new layout created rocket speeds. Hot numbers went up on the digital scoreboard throughout qualifying, and eyebrows and blood pressures went up in the garage. Still, few were prepared for the pole run Geoffrey Bodine slammed onto the board – a remarkable 197.478 mph. At a 1.5-mile track. Stunning.
NASCAR doesn’t like flirtation with the magic 200 number, so the speed police stepped in. The next year, Atlanta’s pole speeds were in the 192-193 range, and the fastest lap since then at one of NASCAR’s fastest tracks has been a 194.6. This March’s pole run was only 187.
Is the “slowdown” good or bad?
There are opposing camps. Many drivers say speed has almost nothing to do with racing, that the idea is close competition regardless of the speedometer reading. This is true to a degree, although drivers are notoriously poor judges of such things.
Dale Earnhardt, one of the best “lawyers” ever in the garage, was adamantly opposed to speed legislation. He wanted to put all the Daytona-Talladega restrictor plates in a pile and nuke them. In his view, the speed limit was his big right foot.
Tonight, Cup drivers will race for the first time at a restrictor-plate track since Carl Edwards’ shocking ride into the frontstretch fence at Talladega in April. In the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona, they once again will battle the wind and physics to run as fast as possible – but not as fast as drivers once tested Daytona.
Auto racing always should be about the chill of adventure. You go fast. The other guy goes faster. You meet in the turn. One of you comes out in front on the other side. At speed.
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the AMP Energy 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6248 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -184 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -192 |
| 4 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -239 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -279 |
| 6 | Kurt Busch | -312 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -340 |
| 8 | Ryan Newman | -402 |
| 9 | Kasey Kahne | -414 |
| 10 | Carl Edwards | -437 |
| 11 | Denny Hamlin | -448 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -556 |
Popular News
-
Hendrick Motorsports' Dale Earnhardt Jr. eager for return to Texas Motor Speedway
Comments (137) -
Richard Petty Motorsports' AJ Allmendinger charged with driving while impaired
Comments (73) -
JR Motorsports continues work on bringing Danica Patrick to NASCAR
Comments (68) -
NASCAR says bump-drafting rules not to blame for single-file Talladega racing
Comments (67) -
Dave Rogers to become Kyle Busch's new Cup crew chief at Joe Gibbs Racing
Comments (64)
Recent Headlines
-
Toyota executive addresses Formula One decision, Earnhardt Ganassi possibility
Comments (1) -
Jimmie Johnson leads final Cup practice at Texas
Comments (1) -
John Wes Townley to receive tutoring, proven equipment at Richard Childress Racing
Comments (4) -
David Reutimann leads morning Cup practice at Texas
Post Comment -
Bobby Labonte says 2010 plans uncertain; remaining at TRG possible
Comments (1)
Poll PositionView All
Which NASCAR Sprint Cup race winner from the past two seasons is most likely to earn his first victory of 2009 in the next three races?
Promotions
-
Play "WIX Filters' Pick 3" stock car fantasy and win prizes. Season 2 is now in session!
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.
-
Cast your vote for the NASCAR Illustrated 2009 Person of the Year, presented by Old Spice.
-
Make weekly pics for the Chase and be entered to win weekly SPEED Merchandise.
Comments
20 responses to "Mike Hembree: Is there still a need for speed?". Post a Comment.
dale-jr-is-the-greatest-driver-alive said:
Jul 4, 2009 at 9:01 AMthats what it used to be instead of slowing speeds to protect fans who came their to see faster cars just reinforce the rails and make it safer for fans to watch cars go fast so the race issnt boring sheesh
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportrichardclower said:
Jul 4, 2009 at 9:35 AMGreat article, you make some very good points. Especially the point of the spectators wanting to witness brave drivers going fast, defying death. No we don't want to see wrecks every lap, it's knowing that the possibility is there on every lap. If it were easy, we would all be Nascar drivers!!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportNewell44 said:
Jul 4, 2009 at 9:44 AMThe only reason the track record was broken at Darlington the past two years is due to the new pavement. Speeds will drop off there also once the track ages. I believe the gear rule sucks. Let the engine builders run 12,000 RPM if they can. This would also bring back shifting at Pocono. Teams need to be able to work on some aspects of the cars and engines to seperate the best from the rest. Nobody wants 43 IROC cars racing each week.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportOSUSam said:
Jul 4, 2009 at 10:04 AMI have mixed emotions about speed. Yes, the danger of being on the raw edge is spine tingling. But being someone who witnessed Art Pollard's death at Indy in 1973, speed can sure put a damper on that excitement. At some point and time, you have to reach the limit to what the human body can withstand. The NHRA is facing that barrier right now. There are rumblings about restricting horsepower in the NHRA, which has built it's entire reputation on going faster and faster and setting records. But with 2 deaths in the last 3 years in Funny Cars, and John Force's horrific accident 2 years ago, the NHRA is facing a crossroad. I have been to the Indianapolis 500, 26 times. I watched Roberto Guerrero qualify in the mid 230's. Today, they are qualifying 10 MPH slower, but you can't tell it. As long as the competion is good, I have no problem with reaching that mythical safety speed barrier.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportWerner said:
Jul 4, 2009 at 11:00 AMit is about speed, but getting the most speed with what you have...not mant "street" cars have V8's anymore...so if NASCAR were to downsize the motor, as they have in the past...it would still be about speed...even the NHRA is considering limiting the cubic inches...heck if properly done you can get a 4 cylinder to run those high speeds...it's possible to get a street V6 to produce over 500HP...
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportTiggers said:
Jul 4, 2009 at 11:42 AMI enjoy NASCAR racing but don't crave speed increases to the extent that any of my favorite drivers will be more likely to die. That's heartless disrespect for drivers and their families--widows and children left behind--just because YOU are bored. You want to increase the chance a driver's children will grow up without their father. As for quoting Dale Sr.'s careless opinion, you can see how HIS death has affected his kids.
Report as AbuseIf one of my many favorite drivers died I'm not sure I could watch NASCAR races again.
It's easy for you to sit and drink your beer and root for someone else to risk their life so you can be entertained with more potentially fatal wrecks. But THINK about the total picture of what you are requesting of these guys and their families before writing such a whining self-centered commentary.
Report Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportNewell44 said:
Jul 4, 2009 at 11:50 AMThe issue is that the only thing that seperates the men from the boys is lifting in the corners. The speed that forces the drivers to lift is contingent on the car aero package. The current cars require 800+ horsepower to force the drivers to lift at many tracks. Any horsepower reduction would allow the drivers to go full throttle through the corners. Once that happens, you have the super speedway pack racing at Atlanta, Texas, Charlotte, etc. Make them race on 225/75R15 tires and 500 horsepower would probably be sufficient.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportjmjimmymac said:
Jul 4, 2009 at 2:01 PMHey, Tiggers. Got your kerosene and a rag?
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportWerner said:
Jul 4, 2009 at 2:06 PM#7...we didn't have 800+ HP cars in the 80's and the aero pkg wasn't near what it is today...and look what Elliott ran back then...212mph...even with the winged Dodge's they were 200+...we have places for ultimate speed runs...look at today's ROLEX race...2 different classes and different speeds...yet both classes have good racing...
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportNewell44 said:
Jul 4, 2009 at 3:14 PM#9...My point is there is no simple solution to limit speed. It is a combination of engine, tires, aero package, etc. I hate restrictor plate racing. The best car wins about 25% of the time. I'd say even a lower percentage, but Hendrick and Gibbs have won quite a few. I'm pretty sure we wouldn't need restrictor plates at Daytona and Talladega with 400 HP if they were racing VW bugs on stock tires.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportbthompson133 said:
Jul 4, 2009 at 4:17 PMnhra has limited cu's of motors for years, they limit gear ratio to slow cars but the great ones keep gettin better. remove the plates and restrict gear ratio further. give the boys back the throttle response! it would make MUCH better racing if they could lift when needed and not lose positions.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportamalycke said:
Jul 4, 2009 at 6:33 PMsimply put: NASCAR doesn't need to risk anymore deaths and kill their current budget for the insurance plan.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportbthompson133 said:
Jul 4, 2009 at 10:48 PMi have read they're self insured
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportTiggers said:
Jul 4, 2009 at 10:57 PMAnyone watching the Daytona race tonight can not say that more speed is key to providing excitement--I think all you need is Kyle Bush, Hell bent on winning any race he enters. Credit to the COT design, and NASCAR's speed control that Kyle lived after 3 incredible hits. I know some of you hate him (I don't), but I don't want to see any driver die for an exciting race, even ones I don't like.
Report as AbuseAnd AMALYCKE is correct, NASCAR has insurance to worry about also.
@ JMJIMMYMAC: Funny! : ) Yeah, well, I guess as a parent of a racing kid, I can't help but be a bit overly sensitive to someone in a chair with a beer and a comment column demanding drivers up the death threat another notch just for his entertainment value.
Report Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportbthompson133 said:
Jul 5, 2009 at 1:00 AMwho are they insured with nw? let me know the facts.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportbkbroiler said:
Jul 5, 2009 at 7:42 AMThe brainless drunks want the high speeds and big wrecks. They dont care who could be killed or injured. Good competitive racing can be done at slower speeds, and be just as exciting.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportTiggers said:
Jul 5, 2009 at 10:43 AMDoes anyone else think some of the boring-ness some complain about could be due to points preservation for The Chase? If Kyle was of that mind, he'd have politely settled for 2nd place last night (logically should have) and not attempted a risky block resulting in the series of spectacular crashes causing Kyle to become Kasy Khane's new hood ornament. As it stands now, (esp. drivers on the edge of the Chase bubble) just try to freeze their decent position and not take the risky move to win--they need the points. I wonder if there was not a championship, and purses were bigger, would all drivers race like that "fun" night with the million dollar purse where anything goes and points don't matter. Then everyone would be racing like Kyle Busch. : )
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportWerner said:
Jul 5, 2009 at 10:57 AMtigger...great comment about the lazy boy chair racers..
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportdaled said:
Jul 6, 2009 at 3:22 AMI commented on this more than once. Why doesn't NASCAR WAKE UP and cut the engine size to 5.0 litres (302 cu. in.) use the smaller 390cfm Carburetor. I bet they haven't even tried testing this. I think this would slow the cars down enough so that the plates wouldn't be needed! If this doesn't work, reduce the banking at Daytona and Talladega to about 24 degrees which I really can't believe would not slow down the cars enough. For those that say it would cost too much, have the rule take effect in two years which would give everyone time to switch over and use up any parts they couldn't use under the new rules. NASCAR is always preaching how they are trying to reduce costs, and I remember a few years ago a team stated in a TV Interview that they were spending 60% of their budget on trying to beat the plate, this could help them out a lot. As for ISC, I can't believe they could not spend the money to redo the banking at both tracks. If Burton Smith can redo Atlanta, Richmond has been redone from the original, and Homestead has been redone with great improvements, Daytona and Talladega could be redone and I doubt if most fans would notice. Most fans watching a race couldn't tell if the cars were going 170 or 200 mph unless they were timing them, but I would bet that they would enjoy seeing close racing with several lead changes like it used to be in the 60's and 70's. I have never been a fan of the plate, and I think these ideas could keep it away and improve the racing on the track!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportSTP43FAN said:
Jul 7, 2009 at 6:03 PMRacing has NEVER been about speed. 180 MPH at Daytona and Talladega is enough; racing is about LEAD CHANGES. Smaller engines didn't work in BGN and smaller carburators didn't work all the times they've been tried - people like daled need to snap out of it and face facts. Reducing the banking makes the tracks more dangerous because flatter banking makes hits far harder. Citing Richmond and Homestead is a joke because both places are bad racetracks. Daled needs to face facts - the plates have made racing infinately superior to what it was before.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Report