HARRISBURG, N.C. — As we head into the holidays and the curtain falls on another year of racing, I was just thinking …
– Competition among engine manufacturers will add a new element of intrigue to the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.
– They should film an episode of “Naked and Afraid” in the Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway infield during a NASCAR race weekend.
– The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway needs to add an Indiana Sprint Week event to its schedule.
– It’s time for Haas F1 to put an American driver in one of its two cars.
– Driver motorhome lots have softened the dynamic among competitors in America’s premier racing series.
– Is there such a thing as too much horsepower in dirt-track racing?
– Has anyone heard from Danica Patrick?
– Roy Robbins, winner of the inaugural Knoxville Nationals in 1961, should be in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.
– It’s time for Gio Scelzi to shift his focus from dirt sprint cars to asphalt late models.
– Four-hundred laps at Dover Int’l Speedway is 100 laps too many.
– A prominent race track executive recently told us, “50,000 is a good Cup Series crowd in today’s environment.”
– Wonder if Alex Bowman will get a Christmas card from Bubba Wallace.
– Keep an eye on 16-year-old NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion Sam Mayer.
– We’d like to see Brian Brown run the full World of Outlaws schedule for a couple of seasons.
– How will IndyCar’s new aeroscreen impact visibility during races in the rain?
– Tom Roberts does a top-notch job as executive director of the Alan Kulwicki Driver Development program.
– We continue to hear whispers about the 2021 NASCAR All-Star Race possibly being run on a dirt track.
– There was actually a time when Reed Sorenson was thought to be the next Jeff Gordon.
– Clint Bowyer’s dirt late model team needs to regroup and step up its game.
– The Factory Stock division will play an important role in the future of NHRA drag racing.
– World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series champion Brandon Sheppard gets our vote for short-track driver of the year.
– All major drag races should be contested over 1,320 feet.
– Harry Gant ran his first NASCAR Cup Series race at age 33.
– David Ragan retired from full-time NASCAR Cup Series racing at age 33.
– An IndyCar/NASCAR doubleheader weekend on the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL makes a lot of sense.
– How many more years will Donny Schatz continue to crisscross the country, chasing the full World of Outlaws schedule?
– The outcome of a major race should not be decided by a judgment call.
– Who says endurance sports car racing doesn’t have drama?
– A reunion is reportedly in the works for those who participated in or attended one of the three Eldora 500s at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway.
– Do pre-race concerts actually increase ticket sales?
– Asphalt late model racing could use a modern version of Bob Harmon or Rex Robbins.
– Jimmie Johnson has only one NASCAR Xfinity Series victory in 93 starts.
– Whatever happened to 2010 Snowball Derby winner Johanna Long?
– Steve Kinser and Dave Argabright should collaborate on a book detailing Kinser’s legendary career.
– Every form of auto racing needs a good rivalry.
– A tip of the hat to all of the volunteers who do great work on behalf of the Indiana Racing Memorial Ass’n.
– Who’s sponsoring the flip count at the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals?
– We don’t understand the general public’s fascination with Monster Truck events.
– Raise your hand if you saw A.J. Foyt work his magic on a dirt track.
– It’s been 27 years since Richard Petty competed in a NASCAR Cup Series race.
– Short-track promoters suffer when local school districts begin classes in early to mid-August.
– Hope everyone has a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.