The Outsider's Wanderings

A lot of people complain that NASCAR has too many tracks that are similar to each other.  There are quite a few clone tracks at every length, but remember, NASCAR runs 36 points races a year.  When they visit California this weekend it will be their fifth race of the season.  They will have raced at .5 mile, 1 mile, 1.5 mile, 2 mile and 2.5 mile tracks.  They will range in design and vary in banking from 12 degrees to 33 degrees.  Some pretty fair variety in the first five races of the year.

The Indy Racing League (IRL) will open their season in St. Pete., Florida this weekend.  The IRL is a good group with some great racing.  It will be interesting to see how they fair without Danica to draw interest.

Last season ended with the tragic death of Dan Wheldon at Las Vegas.  It was a horrific multi, multi car crash.  It was not caused by Indy Cars daring to race at a 1.5 mile oval.  It was not caused by having the "astonishing" total of 32 or so cars in one race.  It was caused by some psychotic driving by many of the drivers in the back of the field. It was caused partially by the "pro wrestling" style promotion of offering Wheldon one million dollars to come from last to first. It was caused by the fluke way that Dan's head hit the catch fence.  I have spent major portions of my life ( I am 60 ) following in person or on television, or photographing car racing.  The "worst" thing they could have done is pack up their bags and gone home after this tragedy.  Yes, I would have paid my respects and had them start their engines and race.  Just like had been done dozens of times before over the past 100 years.  We choose auto racing as a passion for a reason.  There is always golf, or tennis, when we want a timid and gentle competition.  Racing is not about horror and death but it is about men and women who know what they are getting into and realize that the "race must go on".   I know that can be hard to say out loud in this politically correct world we live in.  If any of you ever watched Dan Wheldon race, it is a safe bet that if we are being honest with ourselves, that Dan would have been willing to continue if someone else had lost their life. Just like hundreds of brave "racers" have done before.

I found a few more digital car racing shots from the 2,000s and I share them with you below.

IRL at The Milwaukee Mile

The late/great Dan Wheldon when he was still in the Target Car.

Silvercrown at The Milwaukee Mile

MSA Sprints at Sun Prairie, WI

Badger Midget at Sun Prairie, WI.

I thank you for stopping by,
The Outsider