Monday, March 03, 2014

TRENDING LOUSY

Brian France was quoted recently that NASCAR grades each of its races. If so, until the last two restarts, Sunday's Cup event at Phoenix International Raceway was an F-  and "trending" (NASCAR Intregrated Marketing Communications is obsessed with "trending") to be the worst of the 36 Cup races held at the Arizona oval since 1988. 

As I wrote on Twitter, the Budweiser Clydesdales passed more people during pre-race ceremonies than all 43 NASCAR drivers did on Sunday.

Only two double-file restarts (yes, NASCAR put that rule in place) and Joey Logano's attempt to "go for it" bumped the final grade to an F or, at best, a D- . The entertainment was lousy and if alarm bells aren't sounding and warning lights flashing all over Daytona Beach and Charlotte today, well, . . . 

If you are so inclined, please go to AzCentral.com or Twitter ( @SpinDoctor500 ) to read all of my PIR stories. A lot more there, including that NASCAR really should return PIR's first race to an April Saturday night.

Thank you.

P.S. -- Steve Kinser likely will make his last start in Arizona this Saturday night when the World of Outlaws is in Tucson. I'll be there and will have a story on Kinser in this Friday's Arizona Republic.

[ more next Monday . . . ]