what it is like to be next to the track at a NASCAR race

Found on http://twentytwowords.com/

1960's NASCAR.. . when they were stock cars and we respected them!

Found on http://bangshift.com/blog/race-to-live-early-60s-nascar-promotional-film-is-absolutely-amazing.html

BLOG: Ashley Van Dyke on NASCAR Action @ Phoenix International Raceway

It's been a while, but our USA correspondent, Ashley Van Dyke, is back in the saddle – with a a nice NASCAR feature for us lucky folk from Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale. 

She says...

Hi Roadies! 

Top NASCAR Sprint Cup driver, Jeff Burton and the throbbing No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS from the Richard Childress Racing stable have just returned to Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, AZ for the second scintillating stop of the year. This stunning southwest desert race track nestled in the desert sun next to the stunning Estrella Mountains is always a pleasure to attend – but especially for the roar of NASCAR!
This will be Jeff Burton’s 28th start at Phoenix International Raceway and he's had a hell of a career here –  sporting two wins in 2000 and 2001, seven top-five finishes, and 14 top-ten finishes. Plus, he's led a total of 222 laps at the one-mile facility. More importantly, this event marks a milestone in Burton’s career making it his 1,000th career NASCAR start. Congratulations Jeff!
"Phoenix International Raceway is a really fun race track, I enjoy going there. We had a top-10 finish in March and I fully expect to go there and contend for the win again," said Jeff. 

"It's definitely another track that is in a transition phase. As the fresh asphalt from the recent repave goes through some of those hot, Phoenix summers, the grip level is starting to fade. That's a good thing though because the tire that Goodyear was taking there made it so difficult to get going on restarts. Now you can take right off and go fast. I think it will be a better race because the restarts will be more aggressive."
On Friday, Burton qualified in 15th position with a best time of 26.153 and best speed hitting 137.652 mph average in his two qualification laps. NASCAR is a fast sport folks! His practice times were timed consecutively at 26.354, 26.703, and 26.964 over the course of the weekend. 

The NASCAR Sprint Cup race got started Sunday afternoon where the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet crossed the finish line in 17th position, after a typically rough, tough race.
No. 99 Ford driver Carl Edwards was leading at the White Flag but ran short of gas on the last lap and No. 29 Chevrolet driven by Kevin Harvick took the easy pass over Edwards for the win and scored the 200th victory for the Richard Childress Racing organization.
Five drivers have amassed at least 1,000 career NASCAR national series starts in their careers: Richard Petty (1,185), Mark Martin (1,141), Joe Nemechek (1,073), Michael Waltrip (1,062) and Terry Labonte (1,013), and now Burton with 1,000.
Another great NASCAR race over at Phoenix International. Always a buzz. See you soon for more USA reports Roadies. 

Ashley x

Main photo credit:

Photo by TheHotLap.com and caption: Burton making the pass on Danica Patrick at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Advocare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

VIDEO: Neil Cole's The Grid Episode VI

Here's our Road Mazagine columnist, Neil Cole in action on his Sports Tonight Live TV Show, The Grid, Episode VI. On this weeks show, Tancredi Palmeri talks about what Alonso's win in Malaysia means to Ferrari and Vettel's stroppy rebellion in the Malaysian GP, plus rally news and more ace irreverence from the world of motorsport. Check it out... it's fabulous stuff for petrol heads. We love it!

VIDEO: Neil Cole's 'The Grid' Motorsport Show, Episode VI

The wonderfully funny, chatty, relaxed, original and informative Sports Tonight show, The Grid, with our Road Magazine columnist, Neil Cole, episode VI here – 45 minutes of pure motorsport banter. Ace! This week, Neil and Kevin Shepherd chat to none other than Petter Solberg, on the eve of Rally Portugal, with the return of night stages and the new-for-2012 qualifying to decide road position for the 'sweepers' or gravel 'cleaning.' Petter also chats to his pal Neil about disco dancing, facial furniture, shaving all your body hair off and more, brilliant! It is pure class, as is the new segment at the end of the show, Neil's motorsport weather forecast. Hilarious, and very well informed and presented (of course... it's 'our' Neil Cole!). Also on the show is lots of F1 news, including Sebastian Vettel's strop in Malaysia, NASCAR news from the states and lots more, from Skype contributors. Big thanks also for bigging up humble Road Magazine and blog. Cheers Neil. More... more... more!!!

BLOG FEATURE: Ashley Van Dyke NASCAR Action

Big thanks to our USA correspondent, Ashley van Dyke and her snapper, Hannah Ross for this original Road Magazine blog feature on this weekend's NASCAR action in Fontana, California, hosted by The Auto Club Speedway, attracting up to 50 teams and top NASCAR drivers, taking part in the Auto Club 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The lovely, NASCAR-mad, Ashley Van Dyke says: "Nationwide race on Saturday saw great racing weather and had a very exciting shoot out in the front of the pack for the final 30 laps. The action ended with checkard flag in hand for Joey Lagano. He was piloting the #18 car from the Joe Gibbs Racing stable. Mr. Gibbs was on-site at Fontana and was a very happy man standing in victory lane with Joey and the hard working team. 

"After being unsure of how this NASCAR weekend would turn out due to a chance of rain on Sunday, the crews and fans awaited early morning with clear skies to get the Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 started. The driver introductions took place as it was sunny and appeared to be good to go for a full race of 400 miles. Fan favorites like Dale Earndhart Jr. and Jeff Gordon made their way on to the grid for opening ceremonies as the Three Stooges gave everyone the starting commands. Pole sitter Denny Hamlin looked confident before the race as he started in the number one spot in his #11 Fedex Camry next to teammate #18 Kyle Busch.
"The beginning of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race started off strong for the two Toyota drivers but slowly and surely, the Chevrolet cars were coming up the pack toward the front. With the rain coming, the crew chiefs and teams had to be prepared for all or nothing. When to pit and how long to stay out quickly became the deciding factors in what the outcome would be for the Auto Club 400.
"Some rain drops came and the race went yellow. Unsure if it would let up or not, Tony Stewart ended up winning a race shortened event as NASCAR made the decision to call the race, as it was over the half way mark. Victory lane took place under the walkway to the garage as everyone was trying to stay dry. It didn't stop raining for the rest of the day.
"Second place behind Tony in the Auto Club 400 was #18 Kyle Busch, third was #88 Dale Jr., #29 Kevin Harvick followed in fourth, and #99 Carl Edwards completed the top five. The action was up and down with drivers focusing not only on their cars, but also on the rain. Everyone was glad this race didn't get pushed to Monday and was completed with no delays. Now, off to Martinsville and then the teams will have a week off for Easter." Thanks to Hannah and Ashley for that. See more of Miss Van Dyke at www.ashleyvandyke.com. Loving the NASCAR report... 

VIDEO: Neil Cole's 'The Grid' Motorsport Show, Episode V

Our man Neil Cole (Road Magazine columnist, see at http://www.issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine) on his fabulous new motorsport show on Sports Tonight Live, The Grid. This week's episode is an hour long, discussing the start of the F1 season, with Kevin Shepherd, Tancredi Palmeri and Tom Webb of the Caterham F1 Team from Malaysia with news of sweaty pit garages and new updates for the team for Sepang. Also, the fabulous Becca Williams rounds up IRC and WRC, while Ben Constanduros reviews Sebring and the Endurance season. The relaxed, well informed, bang up to date show is growing nicely and, if you have not seen it yet... do so, and follow them on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/#!/STL_TheGrid

VIDEO: Neil Cole's "The Grid" Episode IV

The forth issue of The Grid on SportsTonight Live, with ur Road Magazine columnist, Neil Cole  (www.neilcole.org) in the hosting chair. This week, they are discussing the forthcoming 2012 F1 season opener at Australia, all the latest news from world motorsport and much more... in their usual relaxed, informed, funny manner. We love it... have you see it yet? If not... sort it...! And do like their new Facebook page too at http://www.facebook.com/STLTheGrid. Finally, if you've not read Neil's Road Magazine 'Cole Position' columns yet... DO IT! They are amazing: http://www.issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine, issue's 22, 23 & 24.

VIDEO: Neil Cole's The Grid Episode III

Our Road Magazine columnist, Neil Cole (www.neilcole.org) is the anchorman for the all-new motorsport show, The Grid on Sports Tonight Live. Here is episode three of the relaxed, informed, fun look at the world of motorsport, with all the latest news, video and comment. This week's episode involves Neil and Kevin Shepherd looking at Ferrari and Fernando Alonso's season hopes, WTCC, WRC and Luther Blissett's motorsport team, Team 48, and more. Check it out! And do like their new Facebook page too at http://www.facebook.com/STLTheGrid. Finally, if you've not read Neil's Road Magazine 'Cole Position' columns yet... DO IT! They are amazing: http://www.issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine, issue's 22, 23 & 24.

VIDEO: Neil Cole's "The Grid" – Episode II

Our new Road Magazine columnist, rallyist, comedian, writer and all-round top guy, Neil Cole – http://www.neilcole.org – has a new show on Sports Tonight Live... "The Grid." It's a motorsport fan's dream, with all the latest news, gossip and more, chatted about in a very relaxed, happy format, with Skype chats from various contributors. This is the second episode with Neil and Kevin Shepherd talking Sebastian Vettel and F1 testing, Juan Montoya and his spectacular crash in NASCAR at the Daytona 500, as well as IRC and BRC with Andrew Coley. You can follow them on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/#!/STL_TheGrid
And you can read all three of Neil's latest columns for Road Magazine here:
http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_22_small/1
http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_23_subaruspecial/1
http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_24s/1

VIDEO: 2012 Daytona 500 Multi-Car Crash

So Daytona 500 2012 was a bizarre, action-packed affair – with rain and fire (Juan Pablo Montoya crashed into the 'safety' fire truck) causing over hours of delays! The all-American event was eventually won by Matt Kenseth for the second time at the iconic Daytona Interantional Speedway. But what we all cue up for with the 500 is multi-car crashes, and here's a cracker, on lap two, when Elliott Sadler gets into the back of Jimmie Johnson and sends him hard into the outside wall. Jimmie Johnson also collects David Ragan, Danica Patrick, and Kurt Busch. 2011 Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne was also involved in the wreck. Awesome!
Here are the results for the Daytona 500:
1st: Matt Kenseth
2nd: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3rd: Greg Biffle
4th: Denny Hamlin
5th: Jeff Burton
6th: Paul Menard
7th: Kevin Harvick
8th: Carl Edwards
9th: Joey Logano
10th: Mark Martin