As I'm writing this Monday a.m., the NHRA Arizona Nationals still aren't over. Yes, it's raining. I'll guide you to links below for details and, sadly, my breaking news coverage in the Arizona Republic of a spectator fatality Sunday.
As Brandon Bernstein said to me yesterday, no matter how many years one might have been around racing, when big accidents happen -- as with Antron Brown -- you are never truly immune to the strong emotions.
I hope they quickly and safely complete the Top Fuel and Funny Car finals -- as bizarre as this sounds, the final three Pro Stock rounds will be run in Gainesville -- and bring to a close one of the worst promoted, organized, administered and generally run "major" racing events I've experienced in many, many years. And those comments refer to operational matters having nothing to do with safety.
Monday -- Spectator killed
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2010/02/21/20100221nhra-firebird-raceway-fan-injured.html
and, Pro Stock rounds moved to Gainesville
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2010/02/21/20100221nhra-pro-stock-firebird.html
Sunday -- Tony Schumacher-Larry Dixon Q&A
http://sunday%20tony%20schumacher-larry%20dixon%20q&a/
Saturday -- news and notes
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/speed/articles/2010/02/19/20100219nhra-at-firebird-international-raceway.html
FAST LINES: Finally, wretched media excess, non-Danica category: ABC, CBS and NBC interrupt regular programming for live coverage of Tiger Woods' statement. The Golf Writers' Board voted to skip the event due to restrictions, including no questions, but that might have backfired when the TV camera focused directly on Woods' went out. For the last several minutes, viewers only had a shot from behind Woods' left shoulder. Journalists were needed then to report, in-person, Tiger's expression because TV didn't show it . . . Don't ever think there isn't a difference in reporting expertise or perspective. When Lindsey Vonn won the Olympic downhill gold medal, NBC's expert analyst used slow-mo replays to show the several technical mistakes Vonn made during the run. But USA Today's reporter wrote that Vonn's run was "nearly flawless" . . . In the diplomatic equal to a racing publicist allowing his/her driver to be interviewed with a Port-a-John in the background, the Dalai Lama was photographed leaving the White House last week with several plastic trash bags lining the walkway. Nice image! . . . What's the "value" of "news?" Ponder this:
http://valleywag.gawker.com/5472169/ap-business-desks-pact-with-the-devil#update1
Upcoming The Race Reporters guests:
(Show is live Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, downloadable, and available on-demand at no cost. Click on TRR page logo in upper right-hand column.)
February 24 -- Newsmaker: Brad Keselowski. Panelists: Mark Armijo, John Sturbin.
March 3 -- Newsmakers: Jeff Gordon and Terry Angstadt. Panelists: Gordon Kirby, John Oreovicz.
March 10 -- Newsmaker: John Daly (editor, The Daly Planet). Panelists: Steve Byrnes, Mike Kerchner.
March 17 -- Newsmaker: Ashley Force Hood. Panelists: Holly Cain, Corinne Economaki.
March 24 -- Newsmaker: Bryan Sperber (president, Phoenix International Raceway). Panelists: Mark Armijo, TBA.
March 31 -- Newsmaker: David Reutimann. Panelists: Dustin Long, TBA.
[ Brad Keselowski news nugget Thursday . . . ]
