Source: http://anotherindycarblog.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/how-fast-is-fast-how-slow-is-slow/
Saturday
How Fast is Fast? How Slow is Slow?
218. Miles. Per. Hour… in 2012. My how things have changed. It seems so slow; last year we were at 224 on pole day; a drop of six mile an hour! And the year before we were at 227. We … Continue reading
Amanda Beard doesn?t have nice things to say about Carl Edwards in memoir
In her book that was released Tuesday, gold-medal winning swimmer Amanda Beard detailed her year-long relationship with Carl Edwards six years ago in some pretty unflattering terms, saying that Edwards "only wanted to be on Carl time."
Beard wrote in the book that she has cut ties with Edwards "severely and permanently." She says she at first was enamored with the NASCAR lifestyle but that the excitement quickly waned.
She described having a beer with other drivers' wives and girlfriends in the driver motorhome lot at the track.
"Their entire existence revolved around their significant others," she wrote. "Three beers and a thousand predictions later, I wanted to scream, Don't you guys have lives? They were very sweet, but I didn't have anything in common with the rest of the women."
Beard's book, "In the Water They Don't See You Cry," is about her life and battles with bulimia and self-mutilation.�Sixteen of the book's 349 pages are devoted to�her relationship with�Edwards, who�was unavailable for comment.
Beard is set to compete in the 2012 London Olympics, while Edwards is currently 11th in the Sprint Cup points standings.
As the adage goes, there are two sides to every story ? and we all know how experiences from broken relationships can be twisted, tugged and exaggerated. And we realize that Beard has books to sell, so taking her words at face value is foolish. Edwards is unlikely to publicly comment on the book, and quite honestly, why should he? Ignoring the story on a NASCAR off-weekend is probably his best plan of attack, as commenting would only extend its shelf life. Both he and Beard have moved on and are married with children.
Philippe Alliot Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati
Jeep Wrangler Year of the Dragon Concept
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Not that Fiat and Chrysler have signed an alliance, the company hopes to make a great return to the Chinese market to take advantage of the fact that it will eventually become the biggest automotive market in the world. To mark this return, Chrysler is planning on unveiling a Jeep Wrangler design concept with design elements inspired by the Year of the Dragon at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition on April 23, 2012.
Jeep hasn’t offered any details on this new concept, but they did announce that it "will showcase the opportunity for special editions that might be available for Chinese customers in the near future."
The first images reveal that the concept is painted in a lacquer black finish tattooed with gold dragon motifs inside and out, as well as a dragon decoration on the inside of the engine compartment.
More details on the new Jeep Wrangler Year of the Dragon Concept will be unveiled on April 23rd, so stay tuned!
Jeep Wrangler Year of the Dragon Concept originally appeared on on Friday, 6 April 2012 14:00 EST.
Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/jeep/2012-jeep-wrangler-year-of-the-dragon-concept-ar127588.html
Friday
Koenigsegg Agera R hits 249 mph on Gran Turismo Nurburgring
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If you needed more proof as to how cool the new Koenigsegg Agera R is, here it is! During the recent Gran Turismo Events on the Nurburgring, the car was able to hit an impressive 401.6 km/h or 249 mph. According to the official statement: "when the awesome 1200 HP Koenigsegg Agera R passed the pit lane on D�ttinger H�he on Thursday everyone was amazed by the speed of the car."
And why shouldn’t they be; the Agera R used the whole 3.5 kilometer straight and hit an impressive 249 mph before braking at the bridge in Tiergarten.
The owner of the car, B�rd Eker from Norway, said there were "no problems with stability under extreme speeds. The tarmac was a little bumpy while braking so It was quite exciting before the left turn."
Next to the Agera R, a total of 120 super cars attended the event, with the most popular being the Porsche GT3, the Ferrari 458, and the Lamborghini Gallardo.
Hit the jump for a video of the car in action on Gran Turismo Nurburgring.
Koenigsegg Agera R hits 249 mph on Gran Turismo Nurburgring originally appeared on on Friday, 6 April 2012 15:00 EST.
Pedro Matos Chaves Bill Cheesbourg Eddie Cheever Andrea Chiesa
Happy Hour: Mob justice for the 48 team
Welcome to the latest Happy Hour mailbag! You know how these work: You write us with your best rant/ joke/one-liner at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com or on Twitter at @jaybusbee, we respond to your messages, everyone goes away with a smile on their face.
So. Going to see "The Hunger Games" this weekend? All the kids are. You know the plot, right? Twenty-four kids are dumped in the wilderness and the last one left alive wins. Which, of course, brings up the question of NASCAR Hunger Games. I'll be doing a post on this later this week, but I'd like your thoughts: which driver do you think would best survive a NASCAR Hunger Games? Email your thoughts pronto.
Until then, enjoy a sampling of the bile and outrage that arrived in the wake of the overturning of the penalties against the 48 team:
Let's see: powerful boss who has been known to engage in shady practices to get his own way, a right-hand man willing to do whatever he has to so the boss can obtain his goals, and a naive young driver drawn to the dark side when the going gets tough. Sounds like a good movie plot. Oh wait, they made it already; it was called "The Godfather"! Too bad Marlon Brando died, or he would be great playing Rick Hendrick in the NASCAR version!
? Joyce Keith
Yeah, the highly controversial appeal decision overturning penalties against Chad Knaus and the rest of the 48 team dominated our letter column inbox this week. We're still processing all this, but the early sentiment (and the early tenor of the emails we've received) is that this does absolutely nothing to convince people of the 48 team's innocence ... even if, in fact, they are.
ESPN.com's Bill Simmons has pretty much killed the usage of "The Godfather" in any sports context, but I have to say, that's a solid comparison right there. And who's Fredo, the poor brother who tries so hard to impress his dad but can't win, no matter what? Three guesses, and the first two don't count.
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Well, seeing as NASCAR has to eat crow with regards to the 48 team, will NASCAR be inspecting the 48 even harder from now on?
? Tom
Columbus, OH
Oh yeah. Chad Knaus is going to be getting a penalty if he chews with his mouth open. It'll be very interesting to see how well the 48 runs now that it's going to be watched from every angle, even satellite.
Next, we have a comment on the first episode of "Pit Chatter," our new animated series. (Click here if you haven't seen it yet so you can get up to speed.)
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Just goes to highlight the misogyny endemic in NASCAR. Can say "pulling a Johnson" when you are a guy, and it's fine to have grid girls and show girls like they had in Vegas. But a female driver wearing a swimsuit? Can't have that.
The piece is very amusing, but for heaven's sake, get better voice actors. The two were atrocious. You get better voice acting out of high school vids. And trust me, I have seen my share from my kids.
? Dean
Bentonville, AR
Hey, Dean, I agree with you. I thought the actors' performances were wooden and stilted. Almost as if they'd been done by computer. But someone else wanted to chime in with some thoughts on your commentary:
Well! That was rude. My apologies, Dean. We'll have a talk with our actors. Next episode coming later this week!
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I like the Bristol driver intros, with each driver being introduced to a song of their choice. I can only hope that Bristol itself was introduced with "I Ain't As Good As I Once Was" by Toby Keith.
Even Infineon and Watkins Glen have provided more bent fenders and flared tempers than Bristol has over the past few years. Incredible.
? Patrick Jacques
In the wake of all the criticism it's taken for the racing on Sunday, I see Bristol sitting alone in Thunder Valley and playing one of those "I'm trying so hard to be defiant and uplifting but I really really need your approval" songs like Katy Perry's "Part of Me." I imagine that after this past weekend, Bristol spent a lot of time texting Martinsville and Darlington, trying to feel better about itself and worrying when they didn't text back immediately. ("Are they talking about me to Talladega?") Bristol didn't even bother with reaching out to Richmond. That bitch hasn't been the same since she got the Chase-deciding race. Thinking she's so much better than everyone else. You know how it goes.
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With all the complaints about the amount of commercials during the race chat, I went to http://www.cawsnjaws.com/ and according to the data I collected from them, the average percentage of race broadcast that is commercials is 25.18% on Fox, 25.40% on TNT, and 20.46% on ESPN.
So anyone complaining about Fox and their commercials and wishing the other networks' coverage would start sooner should think again. TNT was actually a little worse than Fox last year and ESPN only marginally better.
Oh and Sunday's Bristol race? 22%.
? Nathan Caldwell
Look, here's the secret to why there are so many commercials. And I'll give it to you right after a few words from our sponsors. Subway sandwiches! They're delicious! And so healthy-
Oh ha ha we're so funny. Anyway, when you boil it down that way, it doesn't SEEM that bad. Only one-fourth of the broadcast devoted to commercials? That's right in line with regular TV programs, which feature eight minutes of commercials for every 22 minutes of content (or thereabouts). I think the problem is that the commercial breaks come exactly when cautions seem to hit. And that the commercials don't come at regular intervals; saving up tons of broadcast time for the finish means they have to cram more commercials in the first half of the race.
You didn't even read all that justification, did you? Commercials are all perception. And like death, taxes and Junior fans, they'll be with us forever. And hey, speaking of Junior fans...
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Here's my Junior complaint for the week. While setting in the stands at Bristol wearing my Jeff Gordon gear I couldn't help but notice the delight of Junior fans everywhere when he made contact with Gordon and Gordon's day was finished. Junior fans were high-fiving and cheering and they were so thrilled. Would they be so forgiving if Gordon had made accidental contact with their almighty Junior? Probably not. So I had to do my part and scream "KARMA" over and over when Junior was black-flagged.
So would you agree that Junior doesn't bother most people as much as his fan base does? It's just like Tim Tebow. Tebow does nothing but play football but his fans make me not like him. Could you ask Junior fans not to be so annoying next time? I know, I know, that could never happen.
? Wes R
There are plenty of perfectly enjoyable things in life that are so tarnished by their supremely annoying fan bases ? wine, alt-rock music, indie film, any sports team north of Baltimore ? that you want to just avoid them altogether, and yes, I can see how Junior fans would fit into that dynamic.
So, yeah, Junior fans: chill out. We want to be happy for you when your guy wins, but you're going to be like Red Sox fans after they won the World Series: you'll burn through our goodwill before the night's out.
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Two organizations put their whole rosters in the top 10 at Bristol. In fact, MWR put all 3 of its drivers in the top 5 while EGR's 2 drivers were 7th and 8th. Do you think either of these teams now have the strength to run at the front on a consistent basis with the power teams?
? John Davis
No. But on the plus side, they all received a stay of execution thanks to their outstanding performance this past weekend. And if they all joined together, they could make a gargantuan one-car superteam that would manage to finish third.
And on that note, we're out. Thanks to all our writers this week. You want in? Fire up the computer and hit us with whatever's on your mind, NASCAR-wise, at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com. You can find Yahoo! Sports' NASCAR coverage on Facebook right here, and you can follow me on Twitter at @jaybusbee and on Facebook here.� Make sure to tell us where you're from. We'll make you famous!
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/happy-hour-mob-justice-48-team-131116118.html
2012 Qatar MotoGP Press Release Previews: Repsol, Gresini, Ducati, Yamaha, and Aspar
The first batch of press releases from the MotoGP teams ahead of the season opener at Qatar:
Year:
2012
Denny Hamlin teaches us all to Dougie
Some fun awkwardness from the Bristol driver intros: Denny Hamlin, showing us all how to Dougie. Work it, white boy, work it!
I'm thinking the dance portion of the intros should become a mandatory component of every race's pre-race extravaganza. Who'd be the best with the moves, you think?
Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/denny-hamlin-teaches-us-dougie-011629859.html
Thursday
Reversal of (Fine) Fortunes
In a very surprising move on Wednesday, the NFL announced harsh penalties against the New Orleans Saints over the now infamous bounty scandal. Coach Sean Payton was suspended without pay for the upcoming season, GM Mickey Loomis was suspended without pay for the first eight games of the season and assistant head coach Joe Vitt [...] 
TheNASCARInsiders.com
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/ukml0tmk91Q/
Power Rankings: Tony Stewart is having a nice little run
It's a new season, and that means a new year of Power Rankings. Each week throughout the season, we'll size up who's rising and who's falling, based on current standings, behind-the-scenes changes, expected staying power, recent history and general gut feelings. It is not scientific, nor is it meant to be. And remember, whoever your favorite driver is, we're biased against him and like someone else better. We continue with a guy who's as good as it gets right now...
1. Tony Stewart: Time to start opening the conversation of where Tony Stewart fits all-time among NASCAR drivers. Top 10? Absolutely. Top 5? Hmm. Could be. His win at Fontana wasn't a thing of beauty, but it also wasn't a cheap rain-out win either; he fought his way up to the front and earned that bad boy. Last week: 4.
2. Matt Kenseth: You can't really give too much credit one way or another to rain-shortened races, because who the heck knows whose car would have run better in the final third of the race. So we're not going to count Kenseth's 18th-place finish too much against him. But a little. We're catty like that. Last week: 1.
3. Kevin Harvick. Any time you get a top-five finish, you've got to be happy, but still ... rain, dude. Rain. But Harvick is doing exactly what he's supposed to this year, staying close in every race and keeping the leader within sight. It worked to perfection for Carl Edwards last year. Well, almost. Last week: 5.
4. Greg Biffle: Five races, four top 10s for Biffle. That's a solid beginning by any estimation, but as we're seeing, it's absolutely essential to get out to a hot start to prevent the inevitable in-season fade. Think Jeff Gordon wouldn't want to trade places with Biffle? (Bad question. Jeff Gordon would want to trade places with the guy selling hot dogs right about now.) Last week: 2.
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Funny how nobody's crying foul about Stewart winning a rain-shortened race, but if Junior had won this one? Oh sweet heaven, it would be a crime against nature, humanity and the church. Still, the fact that Junior brought home the NASCAR equivalent of a podium finish (top three) is another sign that it's clicking for the 88. At this point, we hope he wins the championship without winning a race. Last week: 6.
6
. Martin Truex Jr.: Worst part about driving better than you've ever driven in your career? Everybody's wondering when the other shoe is going to drop and you're going to revert to your usual mid-teens spot. Sure hope Other Junior isn't reading the media. Except us. We love you, Other Junior! Last week: 5.
7. Denny Hamlin: What a fake Tony Stewart threw on Denny Hamlin! Sure, he ended up only 11th, but as we've seen, every point can be sacred in NASCAR. If I were Tony, I'd try the old got-your-nose trick every time I saw Denny. Bet it'd work at least half the time. Last week: 7.
8. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson is starting a Twitter hashtag, #6pack, that is nice and all, but brings back horrible memories of that movie of the same name with Kenny Rogers and the kiddie pit crew. That would never work in the real world. For one thing, what kid knows how to modify a C-post? And ... full circle scene.� Last week: 9.
9. Kyle Busch: Kyle led more laps than anybody at Fontana with 80, but a little wall scrape killed his chances of taking a rain-shortened victory. Still, of all the losers, second place is the least loser-y, or something like that. Kyle's going to be just fine. Last week: 10.
10. Carl Edwards: Talked with Edwards last week for an upcoming interview. He was in a Texas Subway and nobody recognized him. I know a few celebs that would go total diva and demand that the staff give them a free sandwich or whatever. Edwards probably just back flipped off the counter to prove he was who he said he was.. Last week: 11.
11. Brad Keselowski: You've got to give @Kes a lot of credit for speaking his mind on Bristol. Sure, he's a little biased and all, having won at the reconfigured track, but he's shown he's not afraid to go after some big names. More importantly, he knows his stuff, which helps. Now, when he takes on the France family, we'll be really impressed ... or we'll wonder why he suddenly got tapped to start the NASCAR Antarctica franchise. Last week: 8.
12. Ryan Newman. Was driving around the other day and heard Ryan Newman on a commercial sounding as enthusiastic as I've ever heard him. (Always weird hearing/seeing NASCAR drivers when I'm not working. I want to scream, "No! I'm off duty!" But that tends to get me looks.) Anyway, Newman must have been hopped up on some of Clint Bowyer's go juice, because he couldn't have been more thrilled to talk about ... whatever it was. Guess it wasn't that great of a commercial. Last week: NR.
Dropping out: Jeff Burton
Lucky Dog: Kurt Busch. KuBu has had some success with rainout races, so it was no surprise to see him snagging his first top-10 of the year. Bringing home a complete car? Now that was a surprise.
DNF: Jeff Gordon. Oh, Jeff. Your whole season is on the verge of imploding. We feel for you, brother. Then we remember you go home to your Manhattan apartment and your beautiful family and we think you could probably do with dragging a few more gas men in your life. Still, nothin' but love for ya, baby.
Next up: Martinsville! Fire up them brakes! And send your comments to us via Twitter at @jaybusbee, via email by clicking here, and via Facebook. Go!
Marco Apicella Mбrio de Araъjo Cabral Frank Armi Chuck Arnold
Sauber working on qualifying weakness | F1 Fanatic round-up
Sauber working on qualifying weakness is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
In the round-up: Sauber's chief designer says "we are not qualifying where the pace of the car is".
Sauber working on qualifying weakness is an original article from F1 Fanatic. If this article has been published anywhere other than F1 Fanatic it is an infringement of copyright.
Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/04/04/f1-fanatic-roundup-44/
Time to vote for or against Dale Earnhardt Jr. as Most Popular Driver
The polls are open! The National Motorsports Press Association has opened the voting for NASCAR's 2012 Most Popular Driver. And while Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won it nine years running, that's not to say he won't win it again! Really! It could happen! Maybe it'll be Danica?
Anyway, here's how it works. From now to early September, you can vote once per day for your favorite driver at MostPopularDriver.com. Once the Chase begins, the field will be narrowed to the top 10 drivers, and they'll battle it out in a no-holds-barred brawl. Or online voting, whichever.
So there you go. Click away, friends. Any guesses who the other top 9 will be?
Wednesday
Evoque Range Rover convertible
It has become its own right in one of the more striking the Geneva Motor Show is that while not novel because Nissan Moreno Convertible introduced and, if it is so striking about the product. The car already was with five doors, three were crowned the most beautiful luxury SUV and stylish so think about [...]
Source: http://www.autocarblog.co.uk/191-evoque-range-rover-convertible.html
A Mysterious Electric Vehicle Has Caught
The first feeling on seeing these images have been very rare, we could define it as a hell is that? And I think you’ve thought something similar. Away from the electric vehicle concept known premium brand and not have any identification with which we can find out more. The theory is reinforced is that it [...]
Source: http://www.autocarblog.co.uk/188-a-mysterious-electric-vehicle-has-caught.html
Tuesday
Honda Shank Fisher and Tracy? A Tale of Broken Hearts
So? Sarah Fisher has a Honda engine and Michael Shank has a Lotus. This little factoid has sent shivers and shakes through the indycar fan base. Questions of what is right, what is fair, and what is acceptable behavior from … Continue reading 
George Connor George Constantine John Cordts David Coulthard
Dani Pedrosa Arrested And Released Over Alleged Yachtmaster Examination Fraud
Dani Pedrosa was arrested and released by Spanish police in Valencia on Saturday, March 31st for allegedly attempting to cheat during an examination required to obtain Yachtmaster certification. The Spaniard was arrested as part of an operation by the Spanish Guardia Civil national police force against a network involved in helping people cheat while sitting their yachtmaster exams, under the auspices of the Valencia regional government. Twenty-one people were arrested in the operation, including Dani Pedrosa and nine others accused of using earpieces during the exam, seven others who were charged with using a false identity, and four members of the gang itself.
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