There’s Always An Angler, er … Angle

Hmmmm … newer logo, newer tag (again), lol. From extensive personal/professional experience with this venue, I can pretty much tell ya’ “who” did it, for how much, and how that’s reflected in its quality - and all of that, just par for the course since ISC took over from Penske and most sense was kicked to the curb right along with Penske’s true professionals, one by one, lol … but I digress already! How RUDE! grin

Now, seriously. MIS:

If I were to pick a “home-track”, then it’d have to be MIS - not only because I’m from Michigan, of course, but also because I spent quite a few years ’round that oval and its wannabe “oval office”, whether there was racin’ goin’ on at the time or not.

I produced far more than tv spots at & for MIS over the years … I worked a lot of “angles” as one of Penske’s-then-ISC’s vendors, continued to work them after we were summarily treated horribly and then dismissed by ISC’s bumbleheads - right along with some of Penske’s best employees AND vendors during the “purge” years. And, even more incredibly - I also fell in love there … and lost an even greater love in my life while at MIS, too, in the end.

So, I’ve felt the full spectrum of personal and professional emotion at MIS, which is why it’ll always remain a part of who I am.

And that’s just part of the non-racin’ stuff, grin. Ah, but so much more there is … (Did that just sound like Yoda? I swear that sounded like Yoda-speak to me, grin … UH-oh … that’s never good!)

I was right above pit lane, at the finish line, when Earnhardt Sr. & Jr. came across - rubbin’ and bumpin’ and playin’ and RACIN’ to one helluva’ fun finish in their last IROC race at MIS.

It was an incredible, unforgettable JOY (and personal privilege, I’ll always believe,) to be witness to that. I’ll always be grateful for being able to see it like that, so close … and to feel it like that, so intensely. Once-in-my-LIFETIME experience, that one.

That very same weekend, I was producing another tv spot for the NASCAR/ISC, uh, knuckleheads, when my Dad died - ah, a sobering memory, but there is more to it than just that monumental loss for me. He was “there with me” in more ways than I can count at the very moment (to the second) he passed away in Lansing, and said his incredibly unique ‘good-bye’ in the only way he would’ve wanted to from such a distance - at least to me. In fact, it was just as Earnhardt, Sr. was takin’ one of his practice laps, and was haulin’ ass by exactly where we were standing - turn two. That’s when I looked up and saw my “Dad’s” hand wavin’ “so long for now” out of Sr.’s window.

Believe me or not - your choice - it was simultaneously the most tragic/wonderful moment of my life. Dad, at last, was FREE from his twenty-plus-year, valiant fight against the ravaging disease we called the “Big C” (and still do); and, he was finally back in his element. You see … he was always a racer at heart, even if he gave it up out of a rather epic love & respect for my mother’s wishes; so, he wanted me to see for myself that he was free and happy, finally, and right then & there.

I got his message, loud and clear.

Dad and I have never lost connection since, although it’s a very different one now - and of course I still grieve his corporeal presence. Every day. Incredibly. Indeed, there is much left to be explained in the world/cosmos, but this memory? This … this wasn’t just my own experience that day. My sister was in my arms at the time, as we were working together and had just received the news; so, we both looked up at Earnhardt, Sr.’s car at that moment, and both saw and felt Dad wavin’ on his way by … and, of course, runnin’ FAST as all hell, grin.

Just for a moment, Earnhardt Sr. was a conduit, perhaps … or, maybe he just let Dad have the wheel for a second, grin, as they were certainly of the same Spirit. Actually, they’re both probably havin’ a ball Elsewhere now, along with so many others we’ve all lost along the way. Like Fireball, Bonnett, Allison, Petty … and so many other both famous and nameless talents … they race on.

But “let us not onto the marriage of true minds” (if you’re into Shakespeare, grin) admit too much sadness today, for this weekend? There are other greats both famous and nameless we can actually see racin’ on … and on! (Inasmuch as is possible in that COT-pos, anyway, lol …)

SO! Along with so many other experiences among the years of foibles and faults on NASCAR/ISC’s part after Penske sold MIS along with his other tracks - now over-run by nubile idiots being paid half as much for about another half as much as many of ‘em are actually worth (grin) - I’ve been around every single part of that track and its infrastructure at one point or another. From the “oval office” (they’d like to think, anyway), to the infield (’Thunderdome’ on race weekends, lol), to the press box to the suites to the track itself - and yup, drivin’ it, in traffic, in a Cup trainer car, too.

I was even chewed out rather violently after squealin’ to a stop on pit road that day by the racin’ trainer “crew chief” dude - for “drivin’ too f’n fast out there!”

Now, AHEM, 1) he’d asked all who were ‘out there’ that day if we could aim for “pinnin’ the red light on the dash” (supposedly indicating 165mph+, but BS - MAYBE 140, if that) for ONE lap, and I’d pinned it for the last 8 of 10 laps - and, after never having run that track in ANY way but as a passenger in a (CHEVY, grin) SUV before that, 2) I was in no way “endangering” others probably doin’ about 70-80mph when I passed ‘em, lol, AND 3) how the hell do you “go too fast” in a race car??? HILARIOUS concept, at least to me.

His reasoning? “You coulda’ blown the goddamn engine!” My response? “Then obviously you’re not buildin’ ‘em right.” Good times.

That ALL said, then, as much as a “non-racer” with extremely limited track-time could ever truly know, I do know a bit about those MIS “grooves”, I know its multiple lines … and I know at least a couple of its faults (especially up in those marbles, as I found out quickly on my second lap - ‘UH-oh, lol … stay outa’ THAT!’).

As a pro in my work, or as a simple fellow race fan watchin’ what passes for racin’ at MIS, then - unless IROC, which I will always sadly, sadly miss, even IF the COT pretty much took over the concept of THAT series, lol … I also know MIS’ race-weekend fans, I know its aura, and I know its FUN, even when the racin’ gets too boring to watch for a while.

And in THAT sense? I know exactly what it feels like to stand around in incredible heat & noise & chaos (even of the outrageously fun kind, at times,) for hours, watchin’ a freight-train circlin’, without any RACIN’ goin’ on, whatsoever, anywhere on that track … and that was even before that COT-pos came onto the scene and only made it that much more, uh … “exciting”. Yeah, that’s definitely the word, Waltrip (as you’ll see him say below) … “exciting”. (AHEM.)

So … all of this talk of “fuel mileage racin’” (oxymoron) and “multiple grooves” (gotta’ find SOMEthin’ that might work) and “horsepower” (let’s hope an inspector’s half-asleep in tech, shall we?), that you’ll read below? It’s ALL interesting to me - beyond belief, lol …

But I’ll tell ya’ what I think of all of that after you read what we’re hearin’ this week from the REAL racers on the scene. Or, ok - at least as much as they’re willing or able to say about MIS OR the COT, at this point, since NASCAR/ISC has soundly zipped ‘em up about anything remotely like, uh … hmmmmm … “freedom of speech” and “criticism of anything to do with France”. (And for once - hehe, B - I’m not talkin’ about the country, so you can’t get mad at me, grin.)

Oh, and about that silent gag-order? (ha … not an intentional pun, I assure you.) Heaven forbid, in Big 3 country (Detroit mere miles away from MIS), that anyone - ANYone - MIGHT suggest any “date-changes” goin’ ELSEwhere - not with Toyota and OTHER “foreign manufacturers” not just INSIDE of NASCAR/ISC now, but also … thinkin’ about comin’ in soon, too (though I’ll let Grump handle this issue, at least on the DATE-VENUE changin’ front, grin … because, trust me - Grump’s ABOUT to DUMP here soon, lol, and you won’t wanna’ miss THAT.)

So, finally, onto the rather censored experts’ take on MIS and its racin’:

Like a lot of Sprint Cup drivers, Michael Waltrip counts Michigan International Speedway as one of his favorites. That’s because [he's weird, anyway, AND because] the 2-mile track is fast and wide, with plenty of grooves to find speed. [One hopes, as finding speed in that COT-pos, let alone in an MWR ride ... goooooood luck, lol ...]

“It is definitely on my list,” the owner/driver said. “MIS is one of those tracks that a lot of drivers consider one of their favorites. It’s simple why they feel that way – just watch the action on Sunday. There will be guys running up high, down low, all over the place. [LOL ... yup ... handlin' that COT-pos in just one groove has gotta' be really tough, even when you're in 'freight-train' mode, when there's no traffic at ALL around you, grin ...]

“It’s entertaining for the fans and for a race car driver. [HUH? When you become a mere, lowly "fan", MW? Then we'll talk about what's "entertaining" for US, k? K.] All you want to do is have an option when you get to the corner. Go where they ain’t. You can pick another line and Michigan definitely offers that.” [Especially since you're mostly usually in a train-line there, dude - you're right - LOTSA' options at MIS on that score!] Full Story

As Sprint Cup Series drivers and teams prepare to take on Michigan International Speedway for Sunday’s 3M Performance 400, the quest to achieve better fuel mileage is weighing heavily on many minds. [Except Brainchild France's, I'm sure, as we've yet to determine if he really has one, grin ...]

In the most recent race at Michigan, on June 15, Dale Earnhardt Jr. took his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to victory lane after stretching his last tank of fuel the final 55 laps.

I like that: ‘took his HMS Chevy to victory lane’. Didn’t really overstate any big “victory”, as in a RACIN’ one, anyway - because there wasn’t one. Pins & needles ‘EXCITEMENT’ for fans in terms of whether or not a driver’s gonna’ run out of fuel at the finish?? Um, well … is this what all of this “excitement” talk is about for this weekend? Because, if so, and that’s what it’s soundin’ like … I’m tellin’ ya’ … it just isn’t the same as RACIN’ excitement to me, and I highly doubt that I’m the only one who feels this way. But, who knows? Maybe you’ve all become pod-people after this COT-pos season, and thus now think it IS, lol … stranger things have happened. (Oh, and click on Jr.’s pic for a piece on “Relax, Jr. Nation”, as well as links to “What’s Up With Jr.?”, etc. … in fact, for more on everything/everyone pic’d here, click on any of ‘em!)

[...]

Fuel economy has a history of shaping results at the 2-mile track. [Uh-huh ... that's been real "entertaining" for the fans throughout all of this MIS 'history' ... ahem ...]

Will spectators witness another fuel-mileage race on Sunday? Maybe not. But don’t rule it out, some of the participants say. [Ya' think?]

“It could turn into a fuel-mileage race at any time, so you really have to be on your toes and be aware of what could happen,” said Tony Eury Jr., the crew chief on Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 car. [Gift for the obvious much, there, Eury? GEEEEZ.]

“We were pretty good there in the spring race but came up short on the fuel mileage at the end,” [DEI's] Mark Martin said. “It cost us a certain top-five finish. We should be able to take what we learned back there and have another strong run. Hopefully, this time we won’t get burned on the fuel mileage.” [Hmmm ... I'm sure he meant to request pardon for that pun ... or maybe simply for this pretty silly-lookin' pic - which you can click on for some FoxSports "profiling" behavior, of course, as with the others, grin ...]

[Like it or not (Grump, grin) your current Cup points-leader,] Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch likewise got the short end of the fuel-mileage stick when the series last convened at Michigan and he was forced to pit late. [Shrub-haters (obviously not tree-huggers so much, maybe, lol) might have loved that moment, but for those of us who actually think that a race should be won by, well ... RACIN'? Sucked.]

[...]

Whether Sunday’s outcome is determined by fuel economy or not, one matter is certain: Horsepower will factor heavily into the equation at the high-speed track, as always. [Noooo ... really?]

Finding a balance between conserving fuel and going fast is part of the challenge that drivers and teams face. [Sigh ... ]

“Michigan is one of those places that you need the entire package to compete for the win,” Richard Childress Racing’s Kevin Harvick said. “Being successful has a lot do with the horsepower that is under the hood.” [Ya' know - I used to really like this guy. But, lately? He's quite frankly been annoyin' the crap outa' me. I just can't understand "why" yet ... lol. Then again, looks like our formerly-fiery, outspoken, rough & tumble racer might have some catchin' up to do, since he currently sits 11th in points. Ya' think horsepower alone's gonna' do it at MIS, whether he wins or not this weekend? OR, that maybe getting off some of that pretty recent & pansy-assed NASCAR/ISC-"inspired" PR crap and back into the GAME might help his performance for the rest of this season? I'm thinkin' the latter, but, hey - I'm sure that's only me, ahem ...] Full Story

So, grin … wow - I think I’ve actually pretty much said my piece(s) throughout this post, and don’t have much else to add at the end, after all! Whodda’ thunk? Wonders never cease. Amazing. ETC.!

Nah, really … MIS is dear to my heart for a number of reasons, if you’ve truly read this post. It’s also a harbinger of complete and total boredom at times, racin’-wise, and it doesn’t matter how much anyone (ahem, Grump & Marc especially, grin) might try to sway me to the side of the COT-pos in terms of it making RACIN’ more “exciting” - or that MIS, itself, is “always a venue exciting to watch” …

It ain’t happenin’.

If ANY track, located close to “me” OR the Big 3, OR not (since NASCAR/ISC already made us give up THAT ghost), should be “exchanged for a date” - it should be MIS … OR California, its sister-track, though that’s too close to Hollywood, isn’t it? The closer access California provides to the further stardom France/NASCAR/ISC obviously prizes MORE than American manufacturers, then, (or, seriously, than what might merely pass for ‘American manufacturers’, considering the rather unsightly “global” nature of such matters these days) - in NASCAR racin’? France & Co. absolutely MUST keep California at the top of the list, right?

Nevertheless - forget about all of THAT, for now!

WELCOME TO ‘MY SIDE OF TOWN’ THIS WEEKEND!!! AND LET’S DANCE NOT FOR RAIN, THEN, BUT FOR RACIN’!!!! (Every little bit would help at MIS, I’d think, grin …soooo … DANCE!)