1st week of summer means POCONO

It if the first unofficial week of summer and that means that NASCAR visits Long Pond, PA and the Pocono Race Track. There are a few changes at the track this year. One of the first signs you see of the change is when you come through the tunnel to the infield and a reference to Doc Mattioli, who, along with his wife, Dr. Rose, founded and built the Pocono race track.

In speaking to several of the family members who run this facility, the idea came from one of Doc's great grandchildren who said that the infield was one of Doc's favorite places at the track. Thus a sign was erected and it is clear that it has a feel and energy of Doc's place.

The other major change to Pocono was that the track and pit road were repaved since last year. The cost to repave this 2.5 mile, three turn unique track is unknown and when I asked the new president of the track what it cost to rip up the old pavement and repave, he would only say "it cost a lot, Really, really lot". Since a little bit of Google searching tells us that to repave 1 mile of highway is between $800,000 to $3,000,000, it is a pretty good bet that with the drainage work to try to cure some of the weepers and the tunnel turn, the cost was someplace north of $3,000,000 for this important change.

So far there are no lights at Pocono, but under Doc, this track was the first to go install one of the largest solar fields in the Pa/ NJ/ NY area, upgraded the track, parts of the grandstand and always looking for ways to get the fans involved in more, can night racing be far behind?

Dover in June

It is my first race of the year and we have made it back to Dover Delaware for the June race. For anyone who has not been to Dover before, it is one of the best tracks to watch a race from and after the race instead of fighting traffic, you can go to the Casino for dinner and some table fun which is much more fun than watching tail lights on Rt 1 north.

We watched the Camping World Trucks qualify and the Cup and Nationwide cars practice today under off and on cloudy and sunny skies.

Right now, the Truck series is trying to get past lap 100 before the rain that is just to our west hits. I just looked at the radar and even if i started right now, I am sure that i would just get far enough away from the media center to get soaked.

The truck race is going on right now. Kevin Harvick took the pool and it is Harvick, Lofton, Buscher , Joey Coulter, Ty Dillion, Johnny Sauter, are also trading spaces in the front at lap 75.

Now that the trucks have passed half way at lap 110, the weather is all around the track and the trucks are starting to beat and bang a bit more.

Harvick, Lofton, buescher Hornaday are still the leaders and caution just came out for Wes Burton on lap 110.

SRT Motorsports -- Dodge Charger Race Car For 2013 Sprint Cup Series Unveiled At LVMS

Dodge Charger Race Car For 2013 Sprint Cup Series Unveiled At LVMS
LAS VEGAS (Sunday, March 11, 2012) – Fans asked for it. NASCAR agreed. SRT Motorsports and Dodge delivered. SRT Motorsports unveiled the 2013 Dodge Charger that will compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series next season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway today in front of
the people that asked for the change -- the fans. Just as they did with the Dodge Challenger when it was introduced in the NASCAR Nationwide Series two years ago, SRT Motorsports designers and engineers created a race car fans will have no problem identifying on the race track. The defining features of the street Charger have been expertly incorporated into the racing version.

"From the start, it's been a collaborative effort with NASCAR," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – SRT Brand and Motorsports. "NASCAR provided the manufacturers with basic specifications, but offered encouragement to venture beyond the look of the current race car. Our design and engineering group, working with Penske Racing, seized the opportunity. We had a fantastic benchmark – the Dodge Challenger – introduced in 2009. This endeavor goes beyond the trend the Nationwide Series Challenger started with a Dodge Charger that amazingly embodies many of the design features of the street version into the race car. We're extremely proud that the Dodge Charger street car is the only rear-wheel-drive model in Sprint Cup competition that is available with a V-8 engine."

Prime Time - Daytona 500

By Shaun Burke

Credit: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images for NASCAR

I have seen a lot of weird stuff in my days following NASCAR.

To say the 2012 Daytona 500 was the most bizarre race I've ever seen would be an understatement. There was rain, fire, tide detergent and fork lifts in turn 3. At the same time, there was tweeting, bathroom breaks and interviews in the middle of the backstretch.

But in the end, Matt Kenseth was the one hosting the trophy proclaiming victory.

After torrential rains arrived at Daytona Beach just in time for the Daytona 500, the race was moved to Monday evening, prompting the twitter hashtag #NASCARPrimeTime. For the first time in history, a NASCAR race would be run on a weeknight.

It was an opportunity for NASCAR to attract new fans, and boy did it ever. Based on my twitter timeline, I'd say there were many people who don't watch NASCAR or haven't watched it lately tuning in.

All was going well until lap 2. That's why five-time champion Jimmie Johnson got turned by Elliott Sadler, igniting a multi-car accident. Involved in the crash was Danica Patrick, meaning FOX had to quickly readjust their game plan.