Lead Lap Turns One Year Old

Last week, the Lead Lap quietly turned one year old. It’s hard to believe that it has been a year.

History

The concept for this blog started many years before in launched. I kicked the idea around for several years, but could never come up with a niche for my blog. Should I cover NASCAR news?  How will that be unique compared to all other NASCAR coverage?

Eventually, I settled on the idea that I would feature a synopsis and analysis of the media coverage of NASCAR. But, that idea quickly evolved into what the Lead Lap has become today: a mix of news, rumors, and opinions.

I wanted to create a blog that featured current NASCAR news interjected with my thoughts and opinions. I also wanted to bring in other types of stories that were tangentally related to NASCAR — for example the economic conditions and their affect on NASCAR, and the companies involved in NASCAR.

In one year’s time, I think I have acheived those goals. I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading this blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Future

In the future, I hope to continue to grow this blog, and maybe eventually expand to a full-blown website. I’m still kicking around ideas for what the website would feature and how it would fit in with other sites like Jayski and SceneDaily.

A redesign may also be coming. I’m hoping to give the Lead Lap a better look and feel.

Stats

Looking back at the last year, I’ve put together some stats I would like to share. In April 2007, the Lead Lap generated 41 views — most of those coming from my girlfriend. Since then, the Lead Lap has grown to an average of 832 views per month, with a high of 1,500 views in July of 2007.

When this blog was launched, the hottest NASCAR story was the speculation surrounding Tony Stewart’s 2009 plans. As a matter of fact, my first posting was on this very subject. At that time, it was unclear whether or not Stewart would be released from his contract.

Coincidentally, the Lead Lap’s top post by page views was the official announcement that Tony Stewart would be driving the Old Spice, Office Depot Chevy for Stewart Haas Racing. The number 2 post? Army sponsoring Ryan Newman and SHR.

Last week’s story on fans injured during Carl Edwards Talladega wreck was the most viewed non-SHR story. But, the Car and Driver hoax article story is right behind it, and is still closing the gap.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has visited, and continues to visit, this blog and those of you who share your insights and opinions via comments. I do my best to respond to each one, and will continue to do so. Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank my girlfriend who helped me get this blog off the ground and, even though she is not a NASCAR fan, still continues to check it out daily. Thanks.

HOF Racing May Team Up With Yates Or Roush

Hall of Fame Racing and Yates Racing may team up to field a car sponsored by Ask.com, according to Jayski, who is pointing to Sports Business Journal.

Conversely, ESPN’s NASCAR Experts blog is reporting that HOF Racing is trying to forge a deal with Roush Fenway Racing.

If the team chooses one of the two, then it will switch from Toyota to Ford next season. The team has not named a driver at this point, but they have secured DLP/Texas Instruments for six races in 2009. DLP has sponsored the team since its inception in 2006.

It’s Official: Army To Sponsor SHR, Newman

Tony Stewart’s Stewart Haas Racing announced that the U.S. Army will sponsor its No. 39 Chevy, and driver Ryan Newman for 22 races next season.

For the remaining 14 races, the Army will serve as associate sponsor. A primary sponsor was not announced for those remaining races.

For images of the car, see Jayski’s No. 39 schemes page.

Wallace To Return? To Drive For DEI?

Jayski is reporting via SpeedTV that there is a rumor circulating that Rusty Wallace may come out of retirement and drive for Dale Earnhardt Inc next season.

Kenny Wallace, Rusty’s brother, wrote:

All I can say is that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And he is definitely considering stepping back into a race car.

Wallace attributes the thought of Rusty returning to Mark Martin’s return to full time racing next season in Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 5.

Also, Wallace will drive Michael Waltrip Racing’s No. 00 at this weekend’s Amp Energy 500 from Talladega Superspeedway.

Drivers Approve Of Nationwide COT

The Nationwide Series Car Of Tomorrow made its debut on Monday at a test at Richmond International Raceway, and thus far, the driver response has been positive.

Carl Edwards told ESPN:

I hadn’t seen the car all finished and sitting on the ground. It’s good. It drives really well. It feels a lot like the car we’re racing now. Compared to when we first ran the Car of Tomorrow in the [Sprint] Cup series, this is a lot smaller change for us to go to this car. 

According to NASCAR.com, five teams represented the four manufacturers: Roush Fenway Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing, and Richard Childress Racing. Drivers that tested the cars include Bryan Clauson, Carl Edwards, David Ragan, David Reutimann, Morgan Shepard, David Stremme, and Scott Wimmer.

Wimmer said, in the NASCAR.com article:

I’m excited about the car. [There are] a lot of real positive things right now. We’ve been running through the normal things we do at a test and it’s responding well.

The Nationwide COT will have a 110 inch wheelbase, the same as the Sprint Cup COT. This also will allow current Nationwide Series components to be brought forward in an effort to contain costs. The new car will also use a conventional spring suspension instead of bump stops.

To see images of the N’Wide COT, visit Jayski’s 2008 Richmond COT Testing Page.