In a nifty computer animation, Red Bull shows what their new car looks like, while describing the differences from last years cars to this year. A nice series of 'exploded' (design-type, not Michael Bay type) looks at the car, and transformations from the old car to the new one.
See it at Racing-live, for now: http://multimedia.f1-live.com/f1/en/videos/
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Countdown to Daytona: Quick Picks
I started intensely following NASCAR around 1990, so I've seen a few mild recessions but no major economic meltdown. Even the oil crisis and Chrysler bankruptcy years came at a time when NASCAR was still a regional curiousity rather than a respected north american pro sport brand.
How then will layoffs and belt-tightening along pit road affect the standings? I think like any investment portfolio, you stay away from the flashy and trendy and go with your blue chips and proven performers. There'll be some blank panels on the starters and we might even see the start-and-park phenomenon infiltrate the Sprint Cup ranks (see more on this hedging tactic in this month's Car and Driver), but those teams who won when times were good and the credit was flowing should be more resilient during the eventual drought, right?
In any event, here's some quick picks for my Yahoo Fantasy Team.
A-Listers
1) Jeff Gordon
Early season breakout pick, and a decent underdog seeing as everyone will be picking Rowdy, Jimmie or Cousin Carl off the bat. Why so quick to write off the only guy who got within spitting distance of his teammate in 07? You can't get much more blue chip than Jeff Gordon at Daytona, and besides, I save my Jimmie Johnson starts for late in the season, when the Lowe's crew really gels. An early win would immediately get the pressure off of Letarte (the guy has to be trusted if he can put up with a whiny, winless Jeff Gordon over the course of a year) and bank some positive energy for later in the season.
1a) Kyle Busch
He's pretty much the focus of attention at JGR now that the large shadow of Tony Stewart has disappeared from the organization. The focus can now be on mechanical reliability and a little more patience. I think the spectacle of Rowdy Busch driving a Camry to the championship could bring us to the brink of euro-style soccer hooliganism. Isn't that in itself reason enough to cheer for the goofball?
B-Listers
2) Tony Stewart
With fresh memories of his on-air despondency in pursuit of Jimmie Johnson ("are we ever gonna beat these guys?"), it will be interesting to see how Tony's perspective changes now that he has more skin in the game as part owner. I love the fact that he's got A.J. Foyt's old number 14. I mean, the guy's almost more A.J. than A.J. Now if only they'd let him bring back the black and orange Copenhagen chew sponsorship.
2a) David Ragan
One of those kids with a vertical career trajectory. Solid equipment and high profile sponsorship should keep him near the front and get him easily into the Chase.
2b) Kurt Busch
I was initially strangely tempted to go with David Reutimann here, but he is only about 50% sponsored for the season and who knows what sort of shenanigans Michael Waltrip Racing's going to get busted on this year. Instead I fell for an old favorite in Kurt Busch. Penske's superspeedway gear has been much improved in recent years and a newly approved front clip should help out the Dodge entries.
2c) Brian Vickers
Someone predicted a top-five for the Red Bullers this year. I won't go that far, but between he and the intriguing Scott Speed, I think at least one Chase berth is a given.
C-Listers
3) Bobby Labonte
Yates Racing's lineup impressed me last year, in spite of their sponsorship issues and now they'll be teaming up with Hall of Fame. Although "Woppel" and Gilliland may find themselves on the outs, an outfit like Yates can make plenty of power with minimal dollars. 1999 wasn't that long ago was it?
3a) AJ Allmendinger
He'll probably need another firing mid-season to keep him sparked, but I suppose a switch to Petty Enterprises should be sufficient to tap that driving talent in the early going. If it succeeds in getting that bum Sadler on the jump than even a part time gig won't be in vain.
As far as the big race goes, I'll keep my money on Jeff Gordon. What say you BF readers?
How then will layoffs and belt-tightening along pit road affect the standings? I think like any investment portfolio, you stay away from the flashy and trendy and go with your blue chips and proven performers. There'll be some blank panels on the starters and we might even see the start-and-park phenomenon infiltrate the Sprint Cup ranks (see more on this hedging tactic in this month's Car and Driver), but those teams who won when times were good and the credit was flowing should be more resilient during the eventual drought, right?
In any event, here's some quick picks for my Yahoo Fantasy Team.
A-Listers
1) Jeff Gordon
Early season breakout pick, and a decent underdog seeing as everyone will be picking Rowdy, Jimmie or Cousin Carl off the bat. Why so quick to write off the only guy who got within spitting distance of his teammate in 07? You can't get much more blue chip than Jeff Gordon at Daytona, and besides, I save my Jimmie Johnson starts for late in the season, when the Lowe's crew really gels. An early win would immediately get the pressure off of Letarte (the guy has to be trusted if he can put up with a whiny, winless Jeff Gordon over the course of a year) and bank some positive energy for later in the season.
1a) Kyle Busch
He's pretty much the focus of attention at JGR now that the large shadow of Tony Stewart has disappeared from the organization. The focus can now be on mechanical reliability and a little more patience. I think the spectacle of Rowdy Busch driving a Camry to the championship could bring us to the brink of euro-style soccer hooliganism. Isn't that in itself reason enough to cheer for the goofball?
B-Listers
2) Tony Stewart
With fresh memories of his on-air despondency in pursuit of Jimmie Johnson ("are we ever gonna beat these guys?"), it will be interesting to see how Tony's perspective changes now that he has more skin in the game as part owner. I love the fact that he's got A.J. Foyt's old number 14. I mean, the guy's almost more A.J. than A.J. Now if only they'd let him bring back the black and orange Copenhagen chew sponsorship.
2a) David Ragan
One of those kids with a vertical career trajectory. Solid equipment and high profile sponsorship should keep him near the front and get him easily into the Chase.
2b) Kurt Busch
I was initially strangely tempted to go with David Reutimann here, but he is only about 50% sponsored for the season and who knows what sort of shenanigans Michael Waltrip Racing's going to get busted on this year. Instead I fell for an old favorite in Kurt Busch. Penske's superspeedway gear has been much improved in recent years and a newly approved front clip should help out the Dodge entries.
2c) Brian Vickers
Someone predicted a top-five for the Red Bullers this year. I won't go that far, but between he and the intriguing Scott Speed, I think at least one Chase berth is a given.
C-Listers
3) Bobby Labonte
Yates Racing's lineup impressed me last year, in spite of their sponsorship issues and now they'll be teaming up with Hall of Fame. Although "Woppel" and Gilliland may find themselves on the outs, an outfit like Yates can make plenty of power with minimal dollars. 1999 wasn't that long ago was it?
3a) AJ Allmendinger
He'll probably need another firing mid-season to keep him sparked, but I suppose a switch to Petty Enterprises should be sufficient to tap that driving talent in the early going. If it succeeds in getting that bum Sadler on the jump than even a part time gig won't be in vain.
As far as the big race goes, I'll keep my money on Jeff Gordon. What say you BF readers?
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