2009 OPer Awards: Worst NASCAR TV Network

December 19, 2009

For the second consecutive year, ESPN is our choice as the network that does the poorest job of broadcasting the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.

I think that ESPN’s problem is the fact that they are…well…ESPN. They are the stick and ball network. They are the Sports Center Highlight Network. Sound bites and Web Jems are their bag.

NASCAR races – especially the long, three to four hour Cup contests don’t produce tight little packages of content like that. So ESPN seems to need to create “stories” to show during the races. And they too often miss the race.

Written by Charlie Turner · Filed Under 2009 OPeR Awards, NASCAR, On Pit Row | Leave a Comment

2009 OPer Awards: Best NASCAR Driver

December 19, 2009

No, Jimmie Johnson is not our pick as best NASCAR driver in 2009.

There are a ton of awards Johnson could legitimately grab. Hell he already has. But not this OPeR. Not this year.

Kyle Busch was NASCAR’s best driver in 2009.

20 wins combined in the top three NASCAR touring series did the trick. It didn’t hurt that The Shrub was following up a 22 win 2008 season either. Those two years could put Kyle Busch in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Rowdy didn’t make the Chase to the Sprint Cup. But won another OPeR. That should help. Shouldn’t it?

Written by Charlie Turner · Filed Under 2009 OPeR Awards, NASCAR, On Pit Row | 2 Comments

2009 OPeR Award: Worst NASCAR Owner

December 18, 2009

In our first unanimous vote of the 2009 OPeR Awards, Jeremy Mayfield was named the worst team owner in NASCAR.

Neither Steve nor I are happy about that – though we were the voters.I would rather have given Jeremy the “Best NASCAR Music Video” award, or something.

The fact is, we both genuinely like Mayfield.

But whether he is personally guilty of the accusations against him or not, he didn’t handle the situiation like a good NASCAR owner should have in the circumstances.

Written by Charlie Turner · Filed Under 2009 OPeR Awards, NASCAR, On Pit Row | Leave a Comment

2009 OPeR Award: Best New NASCAR Rivalry

December 18, 2009

Everybody loves a NASCAR rivalry, it seems. Maybe even the rivals who are involved.

Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski developed one of the best ongoing battles in recent memory in 2009. And they kept a sense of humor about it too. Good stuff.

Runner up was the was the clash between Kyle Busch and Brian Vickers. But the verbal part of that one wasn’t as entertaining.

Written by Charlie Turner · Filed Under 2009 OPeR Awards, NASCAR, On Pit Row | Leave a Comment

The “Biggest” Mistake Fantasy Racers Make

December 17, 2009

There are a ton of mistakes that fantasy racers can make but I believe there is one that stands out among the rest. This mistake that I will talk about is the equal of a baited mouse trap. A mouse trap works by drawing in the mouse and then clamping down on the pesky critter.

The unique thing about NASCAR is that everyone has a favorite driver (mouse trap). NASCAR fans (mice) are the most loyal fans in the world but fantasy racing wise this is a problem. If you’re ever going to really succeed in fantasy racing then you need to be neutral towards drivers that you both like and dislike. The simple way to think about this situation is “Don’t play with your heart”.

Playing with your heart is by far the number one reason why people who do fantasy racing don’t succeed. NASCAR is a loyalty based sport, but that doesn’t mean your fantasy team needs to be also. It’s alright to have a favorite driver but be smart about it.

Your role as a fantasy racer (mouse) is to stay away from the trap. Let’s say Dale Earnhardt Jr is your favorite driver. A fan who plays with their heart will pick him almost anywhere, even a road course (or any track this year). I know this is probably a weak example but don’t let your heart ever become a deciding factor when you make picks. Make smart picks based on information, not on the NASCAR flag you have of your favorite driver.

Sometimes even displaying you have a favorite driver can be a weakness in fantasy racing. I know I’ve always enjoyed being in leagues with people who play with their hearts. I will admit that when it come to fantasy racing I’ll use this information against my opponents. For example in a auction league if I see a team that is named DaleJR#1fan then I’m going to drive his price up so high that you might as well stick a fork in that team for the year.

Fantasy racers, don’t be the mouse who is driven to the trap. It gives away your position and many times it leads to irrational fantasy race thinking. Be neutral towards both the drivers you like and dislike. This is perhaps the most basic important thing in Fantasy Racing.

Biggest Fantasy Mistake: “PLAYING WITH YOUR HEART”

Written by Ryan Rantz · Filed Under Fantasy NASCAR, Fantasy Racing, Fantasy racing leagues | Leave a Comment

More NASCAR Wives, Girlfriends and Pit Babes

December 1, 2009

Here are some of the best pictures of NASCAR driver’s wives and girlfriends from the 2009 NASCAR season. Most of these pictures of the ladies of NASCAR were shot at Michigan International Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway by our own BethAnne Heisler. We could use a little help identifying some of these NASCAR beauties. Please leave a comment if you recognize anyone.