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If people are turned away by her performance one year after having her best year in Indycar, they clearly don’t understand the peaks and valleys of racing, let alone sports and probably shouldn’t be watching. Just my opinion.

As for the fuel mileage races in Indycar, what do you expect when they don’t rely on bogus cautions to bunch the field up and make the last 20 laps “a show” for the fans like Nascar does.

2. Bristol definitely warrants two races. Pocono does not.

3. Dale Junior, in top equipment, has proven himself to be a mediocre driver. I predict, in RCR equipment, outruns him next year.

4. How about some more exciting race plans: My Hope: The Sprint Cup Sprints: run two 200 mile races for full points. Invert the field after the first race.

a) about other races deserving two dates: I think Charlotte deserves their two races. I’m tired of it being called a cookie-cutter track, because it is very, very different than all other 1.5 milers (yes, I know they each have some unique characteristics), often produces outstanding races, the Coke 600 is a classic, and it’s nice to have a night race there as well.

It’s also the true capital of NASCAR and can help draw more to the ever-expanding and slowly improving Hall of Fame.

b) I didn’t fall asleep, but I did pay more attention to a fun NASCAR chat I was having than the race for a couple 50-mile segments. There are only a few races I wouldn’t shorten that are 500 or more miles … the Coke 600, Daytona 500, the spring Talladega race, and … yeah, um, I think that’s about it. I admittedly don’t know how it impacts $$, but it sure negatively impacts my viewership when I’m not there. And if I WAS at the race, I wouldn’t feel “gypped” by getting 400 instead of 500 miles.

c) 100% agree on getting away from “Dale, Jr. and Friends”, though you have to admit he’s doing a remarkable job in helping them do that by running like crap – sorry, with extreme mediocrity – every week. They have the golden opportunity to do it, and Kyle Busch … w/ Kevin Harvick and others are practically handing it to them on a platter.

d) People think Bruton Smith “truly cares about the race fans” because he upgrades his facilities. B.S., hogwash, and every other synonym. He is a megalomaniac who cares about his wallet and his power. He FORCED the Concord City Council to name a street after him (the previous Speedway Blvd, from the interstate to CMS) after they dared defy him over his drag strip – read the City Council minutes (also good if you’re an insomniac) if you don’t believe me.

e) I might not have been rooting for Kyle Busch to win the Truck Race, but watching Todd Bodine’s idiotic comments in Victory Lane makes it hard to be happy in any way that HE won. He does remember that HE’s not exactly the most popular guy in the garage due to HIS racing style, right? I don’t know him personally, but he comes across as arrogant, egotistical (we’re the only two cars that can be competitive for wins right now …) and hypocritical.

f) Finally, a question for you. Has Indy Car’s reliance on Danica Patrick (nearly solely) to market their product for the last 3 years hurt them or helped them? Like Dale, Jr. in Cup, is she wearing off, attractive or not?

Thanks for the great read!

Nathan