Looking to Next Year...

The blog went international this year!

I just want to take a moment of your time to say thank you.  Over 2,000 reads in 6 months is pretty amazing and I wouldn't have been able to do what I love without your support and feedback!  I hope you guys enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!  As for next year, there will be some surprises in store, ‘like what?’ is probably what you’re thinking right? Well, here you go:

•  More interviews (have two more – still trying to get more). 
• 6-7 Interesting blogs (not going to ruin the surprise). 
• The three Most Popular Driver blogs.
• The usual 'Race Recap,’ ‘Q and A’ and 'NASCAR News' blogs. 

If you guys have any great blog post ideas, ways to change the blog up, or you write a NASCAR blog and would like me to put it in my blog roll (e-mail me the link), I’ll definitely look into it. Comments can be made below or e-mail me at TheNASCARCorner@yahoo.com and I’ll answer you as soon as possible; if you e-mail me please include your full name.   

Well, I guess I should end this blog now.  Thank you again and see you the last weekend in January for an interview!  Until Daytona… enjoy the off-season NASCAR fans!

-Ashley 

Daytona 500 Picks

"Who will be the sleeper of the Daytona 500 and Who will win?" 

(Question submitted by Stephanie Piech)

Stephanie – “Sleeper will be Brian Vickers.   Winner: Denny or Joey (I hope).”

Chrystal – “Jeff Gordon Baby.”

Roger – “Stewart, he’s due a win there.”

Bill – “Jr. 88.”

Ron – “We will see how well Jeff does with Alan.  Mark’s farewell season will suck with Lance.”

Amira – “Kasey Kahne is gonna get the win, of course!”

Joe – “Hopefully Jeff Gordon, but possibly the blue deuce.  Wouldn’t mind the 48 either.  Just not the 11, 14, 18, 29.”

Stacy  - “Definitely Kasey Kahne.”

Kimberly – “Denny Hamlin.”

Shannon – “Jamie Mac.  Well, 48 isnt winning, because if he wins, NASCAR will just start losing fans.”

Stephanie – “Denny Hamlin all the way!”

Scorpian – “Jr Nation Baby!”

Thomas – “Matt Kenseth or Carl Edwards.”

Jennifer – “I think Dale Jr will win the Daytona 500 and the sleeper will be Bobby Labonte.”

Andy – “Watch out for anyone from the Roush-Fenway stable, they came on strong last year. Carl Edwards is my pick, with Kurt Busch in his new ride as a dark horse.”

Brandi – “Daytona is such a crap shoot, but my pick is Kurt Busch.”

Genevieve – “Jamie Mac, of course.”

Mark – “24.  What a way to start the drive for five.  See ya in Victory Lane, Jeff.”

Jo-Anne – “No doubt in my mind, Dale Jr.”

Marla – “There’s an easy one… Denny Hamlin of course.  11 in 11.  Fedex rocks.”

Leslie – “I am going with Dale Jr… and my sleeper is…the #33 Cheerios RCR Chevy…local boy…Clint Bowyer.”

Cody – “Clint Bowyer’s gonna win the Daytona 500. My Underdog pick would be Robby Gordon.”

Angel – Jeff Burton will win early!!! I believe after the frustrating year he had last year, this coming season will be him winning early and winning a lot!! He was so close too much; he will turn them almost into wins!!! GOOO JB!!!”

Chris – “Jeff 24.”

Caitlin Shaw: A Rising NASCAR Star

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Caitlin Shaw. 

Caitlin Shaw was one of the six female drivers to compete in the Truck Series in the 2010 season.  Aside from her busy NASCAR schedule and school, she still manages to find time to host story time for kids at hospitals around the country. 

Tell us about yourself. How did you get started racing?   What series do you race in now?

“I’m a 21-year-old college student pursuing a degree in Business Marketing, but I also have a lot on my plate in addition to college. I work at MWR 5 days each week and take night classes as well as working towards sponsorship for my own racing career in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. I live and breathe motorsports, but I enjoy every minute of it.

I began racing when I was nine years old, in Phoenix, Ariz. travelling nationwide, in the Quarter Midgets of America, and raced those until I was 14 and moved into the mini sprint division at my local track in New Mexico. From there, I made the jump to a national series in the USAC (United States Auto Club) Ford Focus Midgets, and for two years I travelled across the country in a 24-foot motor home with my dad racing 2-3 times a week. That was a really great experience both on and off the track. It really taught me a lot about life, and of course the racecar! When I was 18 I moved up another division into the USAC National Midgets racing against people like Jerry Coons Jr., Tony Stewart, and Kasey Kahne. I love the intensity of the midgets, you have to be up on the wheel the whole race and with the short wheel base and weight to horsepower ratio, it makes for interesting races. This was also the year I was given my first NCWTS test. K&N Engineering, my sponsor at the time, set the Truck test up for me with Toyota’s Germain Racing at Pocono, and it was my first experience in a stock car. It ended up being a good test, and from there I couldn’t wait to get back into the truck. Later that year, I received another opportunity from Toyota to test in Red Horse Racing’s truck at Richmond International Raceway.

In 2009, I was able to compete in my first race with Red Horse and this year I followed up at Phoenix International Raceway running for DGM Racing. The competition in the truck series is tough, but I enjoy the challenge and I am working to compete in a partial schedule in 2011.”

What do you enjoy most about racing?

“There’s always something new and challenging whether it’s a public relations pitch, working to attain a new sponsor or setting a truck up to pass on the track – those challenges make the sport captivating to me. I’m lucky to be involved in all facets of the industry. Having knowledge of multiple positions in the sport has allowed me to achieve more of my personal goals in NASCAR. I've always been a competitive person, and this is a sport that really brings that out in me.”

What is the hardest part of racing for you?

“Sponsorship. It’s the most necessary part of NASCAR, but also the hardest to attain.  I do all of my own sponsorship, and it gets tough hearing “no”, or not even having anyone return your calls and emails, but when you do get through to a sponsor and close the deal it makes me appreciate being out on the track that much more.”

Would you like race in Cup/Truck/Nationwide?

“Having competed twice in the Truck Series, I can see that it’s going to be a lot of hard work before I can work my way into the Nationwide or Cup Series, but I am determined to continue learning, pushing forward and tearing down one wall at a time until I can get there. It’s definitely a goal of mine, but my short-term goal is to run a full Truck season first.”

What do you like to do during the off season?

“This off-season has been filled with a lot of work to prepare for 2011. I’ve been approaching a lot of sponsors, and working at MWR to get Brett Moffitt’s program set up heading into the new year. However, I am getting ready to head home to visit my family in New Mexico. Family is very important to me, and while I’m home I’m looking forward to little things like taking my younger cousins ice skating, and maybe going skiing with my parents.”

Do you have any plans/goals for 2011 season? If so, what are they?

“My plan right now is to compete in a partial NCWTS schedule beginning with Phoenix in February. I’m looking to finish each race and gain enough experience to receive approval to run at the larger racetracks like Atlanta, and Homestead.”

Favorite tracks on the circuit?

“I loved testing at Richmond International Raceway in 2008, and I would love to get an opportunity to run there in the future, but I really enjoyed racing at Phoenix in November, and I think I would have to say that is one of my favorites.”

Best racing memory?

“My best racing memory is when I was 10-years-old racing quarter midgets at the Valley of the Suns track in Phoenix. I was competing in the Desert Springs Nationals and had qualified into the race, which was an accomplishment in itself. I came from the back and was making a lot of competitive passes until I got to the front of the field. I crossed the checkered flag to win my very first race in motorsports and I saw my dad standing behind the wall smiling. I loved that moment.”

How does it feel to be one of the few females racing? Do you feel like there’s more pressure on you to do well?

“Females in motorsports are becoming much more visible.  I don’t really feel a lot of extra pressure because of it. I think I feel more pressure to do well from the fact that I haven’t had the opportunity to compete in a lot of races due to sponsorship. I feel like every time I get out on the track I need to prove that I belong there, because there’s usually not a chance to climb back into the truck again next week. I think anyone can get into motorsports and be successful if they have the drive and determination to do so. I don’t see the aspect of being a female a barrier to becoming successful in the sport. There are going to be a lot of sacrifices and hard work no matter what gender you are.”

I just wanted to say thank you to Caitlin for taking the time out to answer these questions.  Do you want to learn more about Caitlin?

• Be sure to check out her website: http://www.caitlinshawracing.com/
• Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CaitlinShaw
• ‘Like’ her fan page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Caitlin-Shaw/58357109871?ref=ts&v=info

2011 - Will there be more 'Boys Have at It' Moments?

   Will the 2011 season have more ‘Boys have at it’ moments than the 2010 season?

Rebekah – "Yes! There will be more of those moments because of the feuds that are already developed between some drivers, and I believe new feuds will develop during the season, which will increase the number of boys have at it moments.”

 David – “Bring back Donnie & Cale for "Daytona Donniebrook Part 2" To inaugurate the new pavement on the backstretch at Daytona.”
Janet – “yes, and they will be new feuds with different drivers"

Gina – “boys have at it in 2011!"

Cody – “Yes!  2011 will have way more feuds than 2010.”

Rob – “I say it'll probably tone down just a wee bit. It's in cycles. Cars that look sleek get boxy, then get sleek again the rules are loosened, get a bit tighter, and so forth. NASCAR, like with most things in life, have cycles.”

Corey – “I think so--right up until someone gets hurt...”

Chris – “I think there will be a lot more feuds between drivers and team owners”

Denice – “Yes, I hope there will be!  It makes the race more fun to watch.”

Richard – “Yes, unless Pemberton goes back on his word and takes away the freedom he has given to the drivers to ‘have at it and have a good time.”  So unless he takes that back, there will be more bumpin’ and bangin’.”

Kyle – "we will see...Jimmie vs. Kurt, Jimmie vs. Kyle, Brad vs. Carl again, Logano vs. Harvick again, I think Harvick will get wrecked by all 3 Gibbs guys since he messed with all of them this year." 

Julie – “Definitely more. Brad vs. Carl Harvick vs. Hamlin and Logano and Kyle vs. everyone !”

Tire Testing at Daytona!

Are you guys ready for the 2011 Daytona 500? I hope so because this year it’s going to be unlike every other time you’ve watched it!  Recently, the high-banked, 2.5 mile superspeedway, home to the Daytona 500 and Speedweeks, was first repaved since 1979.  Last Wednesday and Thursday, multiple drivers, including Mark Martin, Trevor Bayne, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth, tested in new cars and engines (ones for next year) or in cars and engines from last year and tested the new Goodyear tires.

As for the racing, it’s definitely going to be very different from what we’re used to.  Remember the horrible pothole that from last year’s Daytona 500? Yeah, it’s gone!  The infamous bumps in Turns Two and Four?  Gone!   Pit Road?  Made wider for amplified safety for the drivers and crew members.  You know what that means?  Higher speeds, crazier racing, outrageously close finishes, 43 cars running three wide in tighter packs, and out of this world wrecks!  With all this newfound excitement for us about Daytona, it has one drawback for the drivers and spotters, it will definitely be harder. 

The new tires? Pretty much everyone loved them!  Mark Martin exaggerated by saying how he thought they would last the whole 500 miles, Jamie McMurray explained how the amount of steering they had to do six months ago is about half now because the car has a lot of grip.  Does this mean we’re going to see less blown tires and fewer tire only pit stops? I guess we have to wait and see!

I wanted to leave with a quote from the Wood Brothers Racing page on Facebook, “The tire test in Daytona went very well! The speedway did an awesome job with the new pavement and the team learned a lot of useful information for Feb!”  I guess this means we should be excited for what’s to come.

Changes to the Chase

On January 21, 2011, NASCAR will announce changes to the Chase, what do you think they will be?

Maureen – “Scrap the whole thing, and award more points for winning.”

·         Kathy – “Possibly change the way points are obtained or how a contender gets into the chase. Will be interesting to see.”

·         Kyle – “15 man Elimination, or 15 man Chase and wins will be worth more.”

·         Nancy – “Chase back to 10 or better yet, ELIMINATE it all together!!!!!”

·         Cody – “I’ve heard it will be the Top 15 in the Chase.  That would be great if that was the case where people like McMurray, Reutimann, Truex and other folks have a shot to get in.”

·         Kyle – “Here is who I hope the Chase has in + the guys who will probably be there that I don’t like: I like: Gordon, Kyle Busch, Jeff Burton, Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Mark Martin, McMurray, Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin to make it.  Kurt, Carl and Jimmie will probably make it.”

·         Donna – “Well hopefully they don’t change it too much because it was good the way they have it and then it was good when the old points system was in use we would have seen a new champion crowned this past year and not JJ…”

·         Nancy – “Why 15! That’s a third of all the drivers who try to qualify to race?!?! May as well make the whole damn field eligible then!!!”

·         Mary – “Man, shows you how behind I am! I didn’t know a THING about a new Chase format and rules!! I’m looking forward to it! Can’t be worse than it already is!”

·         Samantha – “The chase format they have now is kinda dumb. They need more of an elimination like in football play-offs”

·         Denice – “I think they’re going to change it.  I think they’re going to change the amount of points you get for winning, leading a lap, etc.”
Patrick - "Doesn't matter. NASCAR will still go down the tubes no matter what Brian France does. The Chase is a colossal failure but BF is not man enough to admit it. He still doesn't get it. Time to scrap the Chase and go back to the old points system,under which JJ would not have been the only champion the past 5 years."

An Update!

Hey guys! I just thought I would let you know what's coming up soon  for the blog during the off-season.  I decided before the season was over that I was going to interview an Up-and-Coming driver every two weeks, I've recently changed my mind and decided it is going to be once a month.  This will continue for as many interviews as I can get.  As of right now, I have three lined up, I'm not going to tell you who, you're just going to have to wait and see.  I'm hoping that my first post will be up the week between Christmas and New Years.  I just wanted to thank my friend Jennifer who listens to my NASCAR rambling in music class. (She wanted me to write that)

If you have any suggestions for drivers, please just leave a comment below.  Thank you for your patience!