Shane Hmiel Showing Signs of Progress As Racing World Offers Support

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Shane HmielSeverely injured former NASCAR driver Shane Hmiel showed some encouraging signs of progress Monday in the hours before undergoing a lengthy but "successful" surgery in Indianapolis, according to his mother, Lisa Hmiel.

Hmiel's family has created a Facebook page entitled "Shane Hmiel - Road to Recovery" to keep the many fans and friends updated on the 30-year old's medical condition following a horrific crash while qualifying for a United States Auto Club (USAC) Silver Crown race in Terre Haute, Ind., Saturday night.

Hmiel, whose father, Steve, is the competition director for NASCAR's Earnhardt Ganassi Racing team, was listed in critical condition after being airlifted to Indianapolis' Methodist Hospital with severe head, neck and back injuries.

Lisa Hmiel reported on the Facebook page that although Shane is mostly sleeping, on Monday he did nod when she spoke to him and opened his eyes when his father spoke to him -- all hopeful signs in what will likely be a long recovery from such serious injuries.

"Please keep your prayers coming they are making a difference,'' Lisa Hmiel pleaded Monday.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/10/11/shane-hmiel-showing-signs-of-progress-as-racing-world-offers-sup/

Great Clips Toyota Parker Kligerman Steve Wallace 5 hour Energy Toyota

NASCAR Gifts For Men

Do you have a man who is a NASCAR fan? NASCAR gifts are loved by men. Whether that gift is intended to be a Father's Day present, a birthday present, or a just because you want to show him how much you love him. He probably already has a Nascar hat and a Nascar t-shirt. If you would like to purchase unique NASCAR gifts for your father, husband or friend, checkout some of these great NASCAR gifts for men.

With spring and summer quickly approaching, racing themed barbeque tool sets make great gifts for men. Get a barbeque tool set with you man's favorite driver's number printed on the handles. These specialty racing themed barbeque tool sets often come with matching storage cases or bags. These NASCAR grill tool sets are great, but affordable, gifts for men who like to grill outside.

Did you know that they make NASCAR patio sets? Yes they do. An outdoor patio set with a racing theme is a great, yet unique NASCAR gift idea. Now these aren't real cheap so this is probably more suited for a very close family member, husband or dad. Make sure that the racing patio set has your loved one's favorite nascar driver on the seats and table. Some have the names of the drivers and some have the nascar driver's number. A NASCAR patio set will allow your nascar fan to barbeque in style on race days.

Companies also make racing themed canopy sets. These canopy sets are also really awesome gift ideas for men who love NASCAR. And, you will have to look long and hard to find someone else who has a race car canopy set.

What goes hand and hand with watching a race? That's right beer or another cold beverage. You man would love to have a NASCAR compact refrigerator with is favorite driver on it. I would love to have a Jeff Gordon compact refrigerator or may a Dale Jr refrigerator. These compact refrigerators would look great in your game room or a dormroom.

If you are looking for a NASCAR gift for a child, toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary school aged children love NASCAR diecast cars. NASCAR diecast cars make very affordable gifts. In fact, most grown men that I know love racing diecast cars. My son and I play racing all the time with diecast cars. He always plays with his Jeff Gordon diecast car and I play with my Tony Steweart diecast car. He won't let me play with the Jeff Gordon diecast car.

I hope that these gift ideas help you to pick out the perfect NASCAR gifts for men.

Find out more about NASCAR at Nascar Diecast Cars. Nascar diecast cars make great collections. Check out these great Dale Earnhardt Jr Diecast cars and these Jeff Gordon Diecast cars.

Article Source: NASCAR Gifts For Men

Source: http://www.articlespan.com/article/62969/nascar-gifts-for-men

Jean Pierre Jarier Max Jean Stefan Johansson Eddie Johnson

Struggling Auto Club Speedway Returns to One Annual NASCAR Race

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FONTANA, Calif. -- Roger Penske described exactly what sat in this area of unincorporated San Bernardino County before construction of Auto Club Speedway began here nearly two decades ago.

"Old slag piles, bail bondsmen and trailers," the business and racing tycoon told FanHouse. "Now, there are real businesses. It's been a great benefit to the area."

Sunday's Pepsi Max 400 marked the end of Auto Club Speedway's status as a NASCAR circuit with two Sprint Cup events, at least for next season.

This two-mile oval may have been pared down to one race in March 2011, but officials said there's no chance the speedway will meet the same fate of Southern California's two other major NASCAR tracks in nearby Ontario and Riverside, both previously shuttered.

The track's first owner also said he wouldn't allow the facility formerly known as California Speedway to return to its undeveloped past.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/10/11/struggling-auto-club-speedway-returns-to-one-annual-nascar-race/

Jackie Holmes Bill Homeier Kazuyoshi Hoshino Jerry Hoyt

Turkish GP: Webber claims third consecutive pole

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May 30 '10

Mark Webber claimed his third consecutive pole position and made it seven pole positions from seven attempts for Red Bull at Istanbul Park circuit at yesterday's qualifying session for the 2010 Turkish Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton secured second position making it a McLaren front row start for the first time this season. Sebastian Vettel who topped the first two sessions of qualifying will start the race from second row of the grid in third position after suffering a suspected brake failure.

In Q1

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@Jamesallenonf1

As usual, the three new teams failed to make it out of Q1. Jarno Trulli in the Lotus was the quickest of the six cars, beating team mate Heikki Kovalainen by three tenths of a second.

When the three new teams fail to make the progress beyond Q1, there is always a room for one of the drivers from the established teams to join them and this time it was Force India's Vitantonio Liuzzi who struggled for pace even though he was running Force India?s F-duct on his car. He failed to make it past Q1 for the second time this season.

At the end of Q1, Vettel was almost a half second faster than Webber who was followed by Button, Petrov, Rosberg, Hamilton, Schumacher, Kubica, Alonso Sutil and Massa 11th.

Drivers eliminated in Q1

18. Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1m 28.958s
19. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1m 30.237s
20. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1m 30.519s
21. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m 30.744s
22. Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth 1m 31.266s
23. Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1m 31.989s
24. Karun Chandhok HRT-Cosworth 1m 32.060s


In Q2

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@Jamesallenonf1

Fernando Alonso had a disappointing elimination from Q2 on the eve of Ferrari's 800th grand prix start. According to iTV, "The Spaniard was already struggling for speed when he dropped his right-rear wheel onto a white line in the braking area for turn 12. The lap ruined, he had time for one more, but could not improve. He will start the race from 12th."

He said afterwards, ??I pushed very hard in that lap. Anyway I was slower than my fastest lap. I knew it was not enough. I don?t think that moment cost me a place in Q3. I did three laps in mainly in the same time and I think the pace was not there.?

Kamui Kobayashi forced his Sauber C29 out of Q2 for the third time this season. Adrian Sutil who missed out whole of the final practice session could only manage 11th fastest time.

Drivers eliminated in Q2

11. Adrian Sutil Germany Force India-Mercedes 1m 27.525s
12. Fernando Alonso Spain Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 27.612s
13. Pedro de la Rosa Spain BMW Sauber-Ferrari 1m 27.879s
14. Sebastien Buemi Switzerland Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m 28.273s
15. Rubens Barrichello Brazil Williams-Cosworth 1m 28.392s
16. Jaime Alguersuari Spain Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m 28.540s
17. Nico Hulkenberg Germany Williams-Cosworth 1m 28.841s


In Q3

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@Jamesallenonf1

Webber was the man to beat in Q3 as he set the fastest time on the drivers? first runs. He improved on his time on his final run and was unbeatable to pole. According to iTV, "Red Bull tested its F-duct during Friday practice but opted not to use it in qualifying, low-drag rear wing endplates instead being flown out to Istanbul and fitted to Webber?s car just prior to qualifying."

Michael Schumacher spun off at turn 8 on his final lap and ended the session in the gravel. Despite this, he ended up ahead of his Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg. They line up fifth and sixth.

Ferrari had a disappointing day as Massa, three times a winner at this track, could only manage eighth fastest time while Alonso was eliminated in Q2.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali spoke to BBC, ?For sure the performance in qualifying was not up to our standard. We don?t know why and we need to understand. For sure we were expecting much more performance.?

Top ten drivers in Q3

1. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m 26.295s
2. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m 26.433s
3. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m 26.760s
4 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m 26.781s
5. Michael Schumacher Mercedes-Mercedes 1m 26.857s
6. Nico Rosberg Mercedes-Mercedes 1m 26.952s
7. Robert Kubica Renault-Renault 1m 27.039s
8. Felipe Massa Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 27.082s
9. Vitaly Petrov Renault-Renault 1m 27.430s
10. Kamui Kobayashi BMW Sauber-Ferrari 1m 28.122s


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Jeffrey Michael Gordon Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne Matthew Roy Kenseth

Is NASCAR Racing Boring?

It seems like the most common complaint, at least the most common one that I have heard from family and friends, is the NASCAR is boring. They complain that all it is a bunch of guys in their cars driving around in circles. Well, I guess these people just do not et it like a true NASCAR fan would. A true NASCAR fan sees all the excitement that is in that round track and all the cool things that happen during a NASCAR race.

The main problem could be that they are watching racings on intermediate tracks. What happens most of the time on an intermediate track NASCAR race is that all the cars for the most part end up driving in a single lane and only pass from time to time. All the requirements that a driver is looking for in order to pass the car in front of them can take a very long time to reach. The time needed to gain enough momentum to pass the person in front of the driver can drive a non NASCAR fan crazy enough to want to just stop watching.

Some of this could be at the fault of the NASCAR planninger and organizers themselves. Maybe, they should be looking at ways to make the racing more exciting for the viewers. This may even cause some changing of the rules.

Maybe racers need to get more aggressive on the track and bring out more of a wild personality. Heck, they may even want to so the same thing as wrestling and make a whole story behind the whole thing -- well, maybe not, that might be pushing it a bit!

I think that as the racing keeps going this way, you will slowly see even the most die hard NASCAR racing fans looking for more exciting things because they can only look at a car going in circles for so long. However, get these cars drifting, bumping bumbers and doing the like could cause for some great excitement as long as the excitement is not at the expense or to increase the risk of some kind of harm coming to the driver.

So, if you ask if NASCAR racing is boring, I am sure a lot of people would agree to say yes it is. However, just a few minor tweaks and bends and things could turn around and get really exciting for both drivers and the people on the sidelines and watching from home on television.

Corey Palmer is a race fan of all types. Check out NASCAR diecast cars, coffee mug nascar and NASCAR jackets.

Article Source: Is NASCAR Racing Boring?

Source: http://www.articlespan.com/article/246993/is-nascar-racing-boring

Randy Joseph Lajoie Kevin Paul Lepage Sterling Burton Marlin Mark Anthony Martin

MOTOGP: Stoner storms to fourth home victory

Stoner storms to fourth home victory By Matt Beer Sunday, October 17th 2010, 05:45 GMT Casey Stoner triumphed in his home grand prix for a fourth consecutive year with an absolutely dominant performance at Phillip Island. The Ducati rider never looked remotely threatened, charging away into a three-second lead in the first few laps, and eventually winning by 8.5 seconds. World champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) had half a chance to pass Stoner at the start, but could not make it through Related posts:
  1. MOTOGP: Stoner grabs commanding home pole Stoner grabs commanding home pole By Matt Beer Saturday,...
  2. MOTOGP: Lorenzo pips Stoner in Assen practice Lorenzo pips Stoner in Assen practice By Matt Beer...
  3. MOTOGP: Stoner beats Hondas in practice two Stoner beats Hondas in practice two By Matt Beer...
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Source: http://doxcar.com/motogp-stoner-storms-to-fourth-home-victory/

Brendan Gaughan Loan Max Toyota Tony Raines Joe Nemechek

The Nascar Points Rating System

Nascar uses a points and rating system of rules to award its drivers. Now the prize money is not the only thing that matters. The points also count. Let's now take a gander at the history of the Nascar points system. From 1949, when Nascar began, to 1951, Nascar awarded points on the base of the position in the race. The 1st position got 10 points, the second got 9 points, and so on. These points were increased by the 0.05 race purse. Then, from here until 1967, the winners were awarded points on a linear scale.

From 1949 to 1971, Nascar tried six different point and rating systems before they reached the current rating system. In 1972, Nascar inaugurated a new points system. Then, three various systems were tried for three various years. The systems were strange in some of the cases. Some counted mileage; some counted the finishing position as well as the mileage. There were complaints coming in from fans. The points system was not favorable. There was a Nascar champion that had won just one race in his career. The bigger races had more points. Those who won the bigger races eventually scored more points than their counterparts who had won more races.

The Current System Comes Into Existence -
It was in 1975 that the current points system was developed. Two forms of this system were again tried from 1982 to 1998. In this system, the points were awarded according to the final position and the number of laps covered during the race. There are three scales again for the number of points that a person can receive according to his finishing position. In the current system, the winner receives 180 points, the 2nd place gets 170, and so on, with 10 points separating the winner from the next position. Then, after the 2nd position, the first scale starts. In this scale, 5 points separate one position from another. This scale lasts from the 2nd to the 6th position. Then, from the 7th to the 11th position, the second scale comes into effect. Four points separate one position from another, and in the last scale 3 points separate one position from another.

Other Points -
There are other points also that come into the picture. For every lap that is completed, a racer gets 5 points. There is also an additional 5 points awarded for the most number of laps based on lap leadership. Driver points are also counted. If a driver is replaced during the race, then the points earned by the replacement driver still count toward the original driver's tally.

Owner points are also given to the owner of a car. For every car that qualifies for the race, the owner points given are the same as driver points.

This author is a HUGE fan of NASCAR licensed merchandise

Article Source: The Nascar Points Rating System

Source: http://www.articlespan.com/article/111187/the-nascar-points-rating-system

Duncan Hamilton Lewis Hamilton David Hampshire Sam Hanks

Your questions answered - Italian Grand Prix

Did McLaren cost Jenson Button the Monza race by being so indiscreet over the radio? What do I think about Ferrari's lack of punishment for employing team orders? What will happen if two drivers or constructors finish the season on the same points? Could all five title contenders still be in contention in Abu Dhabi? Does Lewis Hamilton deserve this title more than the one he won in 2008?

Watch my answers below.

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CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE THE UK

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/murraywalker/2010/09/your_questions_answered_-_ital.html

Christian Goethals Paul Goldsmith José Froilán González Oscar González

F1 2011: Tyres, adjustable rear wings, 640 kg and...

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June 24 '10

The FIA's World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) announced a raft of decisions after a meeting in Geneva on Wednesday (June 23). Decisions include the rule clarification which involved Michael Schumacher at the 2010 Monaco Grand Prix, where he passed Fernando Alonso on the final lap when the safety car returned to the pits and was handed a twenty-second penalty. Also, repeat of Hamilton's Montreal qualifying stunt wont be allowed.

Others decisions are taken to "improve the show" which involves the use of proximity rear wing.

Tyres

We finally have an F1 tyre supplier for 2011. The FIA preferred the idea of Michelin, as did McLaren and Ferrari in particular. But it is Pirelli who have beaten off competition from Michelin. Pirelli becomes the official F1 tyre supplier from 2011. The Italian tyre manufacturer gets a three-year contract from 2011 to 2013. They last supplied F1 teams in 1991.

According to WMSC:

Pirelli has been selected as the single tyre supplier for the FIA Formula One World Championship for a period of three years, commencing in 2011. The sole supplier will undertake to strictly respect the sporting and technical regulations implemented by the FIA.

Safety Car

In the wake of the controversy involving Michael Schumacher in Monaco, the FIA has ruled that there will be no overtaking even when the safety car pulls in on the last lap of a race.


With immediate effect, no car may overtake until it has passed the first safety car line for the first time when the safety car is returning to the pits. However, if the safety car is still deployed at the beginning of the last lap, or is deployed during the last lap, it will enter the pit lane at the end of the lap and the cars will take the chequered flag as normal without overtaking.

General safety

Lewis Hamilton?s fine and reprimand after qualifying in Canada has resulted in a new rule requiring drivers to stay below a ?maximum time? set by the FIA on in-laps.

With immediate effect, any car being driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically, or which is deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers, will be reported to the stewards. This will apply whether any such car is being driven on the track, the pit entry or the pit lane.

In order to ensure cars are not driven unnecessarily slowly on in-laps during qualifying or reconnaissance laps when the pit exit is opened for the race, drivers must stay below the maximum time set by the FIA between the safety car line after the pit exit and safety car line before the pit entry. The maximum time will be determined by the race director at each event prior to the first day of practice, but may be amended during the event if necessary.


The grid

Next year, the 107 per cent qualifying rule will reappear. Any car not setting a time within 107% of the fastest time in the final part of qualifying, will not be allowed to start the race. This was dropped when single lap qualifying was introduced in 2002. There are exceptions however, whereby if a team sets competitive lap times during practice session, they maybe allowed to race.

From 2011, any driver whose best qualifying lap exceeds 107% of the fastest Q1 qualifying time will not be allowed to take part in the race. Under exceptional circumstances, however, which may include setting a suitable lap time in a free practice session, the stewards may permit the car to start the race. Should there be more than one driver accepted in this manner, the grid order will be determined by the stewards.

An analysis by F1Fanatic: "Had the rule as proposed been in place this year it would have prevented both HRT drivers from starting in Bahrain and Malaysia. Lucas di Grassi would have been out of the Malaysian race as well, leaving just 21 cars on the grid.

"Bruno Senna would have missed out on racing at Barcelona ? by just one-hundredth of a second ? and Karun Chandhok wouldn?t have been on the grid at Canada last week."


Adjustable rear wings

The FIA has banned F-ducts for 2011 and approved the debut of the proximity rear wing. The adjustable rear wing can only be operated by the drivers to overtake the car in front.

McLaren?s engineering director Paddy Lowe said on Wednesday, "In the race, you can?t use it (the wing) for the first two laps at all, but after that if you?re within a second of the car in front then you will be able to deploy it,?

?So that will be very interesting. That?s a FOTA initiative to improve the show and I think it?s very exciting.?

From 2011, adjustable bodywork may be activated by the driver at any time prior to the start of the race and, for the sole purpose of improving overtaking opportunities during the race, after the driver has completed two laps. The driver may only activate the adjustable bodywork in the race when he has been notified via the control electronics that it is enabled. It will only be enabled if the driver is less than one second behind another at any of the pre-determined positions around each circuit. The system will be disabled the first time the driver uses the brakes after the system has been activated. The FIA may, after consulting all the competitors, adjust the time proximity in order to ensure the purpose of the adjustable bodywork is met.

Weight

For the return of KERS, the minimum car-plus-driver weight will increase from 620kg to 640kg.

From 2011, the minimum weight of the car must not be less than 640 kg at all times during the event.

Licences

A ?four-race probationary super license? has been approved for Renault?s official third driver Ho-Pin Tung.

Based on his career résumé and comparative F1 testing times, the World Council has approved the granting of a four-race probationary super license to Chinese driver Ho-Pin Tung.


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Mike Bliss PRISM Motorsports Toyota Travis Kvapil Long John Silver s Ford