Ask the Skirts: Prize Money

Today we will begin a new series here on Skirts and Scuffs called "Ask the Skirts." If you've got a question we've got the answer, or we can at least find the answer.  Questions come from our readers, twitter followers, and from members of this site. If you've got a question send us an email and we will get the answer!Today's question is all about prize money:  Trop asks:After every race we see each driver's winnings given their place at...

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What to Read?: DW: A Lifetime Going Round In Circles

Continuing the series What to Read Katy discusses DW: A Lifetime Going Round In Circles by Darrell Waltrip and Jade Gurss.Perusing the shelves at my local library for a book on NASCAR worth reading is actually more difficult than it sounds. I wasn't in the mood for another history of the sport. I've read three or four of those in the last few weeks and wasn't sure if I could handle another. (Reviews of those coming in the next few weeks) Finally...

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Happy Thanksgiving

No new posts today on Skirts and Scuffs. Our team will be spending time with our families and ask you to do the same. Be thankful for everything that you have and enjoy your day of turkey, dressing, and sweet potatoes. (yuck!) We will return with new posts shortly.Happy Thanksgiving!~Katy and the team at Skirts and Scuf...

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RPM/Yates Engine Department & Merger

For my first post & "official" induction into S&S as a contributor, I'll keep it short.It's been out there for awhile now, the merger that would happen as soon as the last hauler left Homestead in November. Richard Petty Motorsports and Yates--making RPM a Ford team instead of Dodge being the primary manufacturer. Not only will this pair up the boys of RPM with Yates sole-driver, Menard, it will also team up in the engine department. If you're a fan of the sport you've heard on several occasions about the Roush-Yates engines and how...

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History in front of our eyes

The very last race of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was a historic one. That word gets tossed around a lot during a season, as drivers are constantly breaking lap records, speed and time records and (almost) all races won in a weekend records. But this time, it truly was historic. In fact, we are a lucky bunch; the history of NASCAR is always around us. How lucky for us to experience something this momentous first hand.Richard Petty, one of the greatest drivers ever, can still be seen at every race. His unmistakable form reminds us that our...

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Successful first season for Stewart-Haas Racing proven by stats

Stewart-Haas first trophy for the team - 2009 All-Star Race  Going into the 2009 season, expectations for Tony Stewart and his new endeavor at Stewart-Haas Racing were fairly low. Actually, the February 2009 edition of NASCAR Illustrated predicted Stewart to finish 15th in the standings, with new teammate Ryan Newman finishing behind him in 19th. No one predicted they would make the Chase, win poles, or even win races. In the end, Tony Stewart...

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Improvement needed if Ragan is to be competitive in 2010

Throughout the 2009 season there were some drivers who seemed to fall off the map. They were the ones who rarely got mentioned on race day. Maybe they did not win a race. Maybe they just had a terrible season. Or maybe they just could not run up front long enough for anyone to bother mentioning them. There are a few drivers who fit this description, but the one I want to focus on is David Ragan.Amidst his struggles in 2009, Ragan appeared to be in the background when it came to his other Roush Fenway Racing teammates. It seems like a lot of people...

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5 Questions After ... Homestead

A champion was crowned Sunday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway … the same one that was crowned last year, the year before, and the year before that. Different story, same ending. It’s kind of like the difference between movie re-makes: The ending is usually the same, but the journey is different. That’s why everyone keeps tuning in each time the story is re-written. Here are some questions after Homestead:Were they cheering for Jimmie Johnson? … It was a bit surprising to hear as many cheers as there were when Jimmie Johnson climbed out of his...

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Most Popular Drivers Announced for Nationwide and CWTS

Ron Hornaday Jr. and Kyle Busch shared the spotlight today at a combined NCWTS and NASCAR Nationwide banquet at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.Johnny Sauter claimed the Raybestos Rookie of the Year honor for the truck series. Ricky Carmichael, who had to come from the back of the pack after going to a backup following a qualifying spin, was unveiled as the Most Popular Driver for the NCWTS after the nascar.com fan vote wasThe Nationwide series Raybestos Rookie of the Year was Justin Allgaier, while Brad Keselowski took the Most Popular Driver vote.Fans...

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Congrats to Michelle S.

In response to Jimmie Johnson's 4th Sprint Cup Series Title we have given away a pair of the Balance Sunglasses by Gargoyles to Michelle S. Thanks so much for all the participan...

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Busch Shows 'em How It's Done Claiming the Nationwide Series Title

Kyle Busch fans of the world it's your moment to shine. For the next 3 months you can proudly proclaim that your driver is a Champion. He might not be the 2009 Sprint Cup Series Champion but being named the Nationwide Series Champion is nothing to be ashamed of. Just ask Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and dozens of others who have claimed the title over the years. Not only did Kyle Busch win the 2009 Nationwide Series Championship. He did it in dominating fashion. Whether he was piloting the NOS Energy Drink or Z-Line...

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Roush drivers' hold on Homestead in danger

While Jimmie Johnson will make a run for his fourth consecutive Cup championship on Sunday, his competitors at Roush Fenway Racing will try to preserve a long-standing winning streak of their own.Since 2004, a Roush driver has won the season-ending race at Homestead-Miami Speedway every year. Greg Biffle captured the checkered flag in 2004, 2005 and 2006, Matt Kenseth in 2007 and Carl Edwards in 2008. The organization’s Fords have proven dominant in a race that continues to be billed as the Ford 400, shutting out the likes of the Chevy-backed powerhouse...

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What to Read? Real Men Work in the Pits

Continuing the series What to Read? Katy looks at Real Men Work in the Pits by Jeff Hammond. Newer fans of NASCAR know Jeff Hammond as that guy who hangs out in the booth with Darrell Waltrip and Larry MacReynolds during the NASCAR on Fox coverage. You see him sitting on the panel with the other guys during Trackside and NASCAR Victory Lane but other than that you don't really know much about him. You've heard he was a crew chief back in the day...

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The "Kyle Walk" Gets Attention Again at Homestead-Miami

How many times have we seen it this season? Kyle Busch gets out of the car or truck (depending on which series) and makes a beeline for his motor coach. He doesn't stop and tell the media what a crappy day he had and how he would have been a competitor if some silly mistake either on his part or his crew hadn't gotten in his way. He doesn't make a gracous exit. He's been known to pull off his equipment and toss it at the vehicle he just vacated.Yes,...

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Women of Nascar: Past and Present

Ladies, Start Your Engines:As I explored the subject of Women in Nascar, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's not unusual. Women have been competing in auto racing since the 1940's, and with great success. Acceptance within the different organizations was not without criticism. Having to fight against the preconceived notion that women do not belong on any track or in any vehicle moving at a high rate of speed.It was at the first official...

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White flag waves on ’09 NASCAR season

Fans watch the opening laps of the Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway in June. (Photo by Rebecca Kivak) It seems like it was just February and we were anxiously awaiting the year’s first race, the non-points Budweiser Shootout, and of course the daddy of them all, the Daytona 500. Now, 35 races and two non-points races later (not to mention all the Nationwide and truck races), it’s November and we’re down to Homestead, ready to call it a season.For the...

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5 Questions Before ... Homestead

There’s not too much “excitement” going into Homestead but that doesn’t mean your friendly neighborhood Kansas race fan doesn’t have questions!Are we going to hear “Drive for Five” during the night? … Yes. Whether or not Jimmie Johnson actually wins the championship (most likely, he will), the commentators, and media in general, will be wondering if Jimmie can pull off five in a row next year. The only question on fans’ minds, however, will be, “When will it end?”Who all is really upset about the offseason? … NASCAR fans usually dread the offseason,...

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What to Read? The Girl's Guide to NASCAR

Everyone has an opinion when it comes to NASCAR. Just look at all the websites and blogs devoted to the sport. There are thousands of them. There are movies and documentaries about drivers and the number of books written on the topic is astounding. In this column the Skirts and Scuffs team will dive into some of the media, take a look around, and give our honest opinion as to whether it's worth your time or not.Today Katy will be looking into one...

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5 Questions After ... Phoenix

All three championships were all but wrapped up leaving Phoenix, but there were still some storylines … and some questions.Did that surprise anybody? … You just knew Jimmie Johnson was going to make a stellar comeback. These are the kinds of storylines the 48 team has put up the last four years. That might have something to do with the fact that they’re the three, going on four, time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. Does that mean you have to like it? Well, no. It’s just something to think about. No surprises.Who else is more interested...

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Hate the Driver, Not His People

When it comes to NASCAR, few drivers are as hated as Kyle Busch. The odd thing is that the hatred for him seemed to simmer below the surface, only coming out when he wrecked Dale Earnhardt Junior in 2008. He went up against the most “loved” racer in the sport, put him in the wall and there was no turning back. Following that race, even Junior himself said he didn’t envy watching the other driver try to leave the track. From that moment on, fans loved...

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The words coming from a regular everyday fan (Brad/Denny feud)

This is in response to follow writer Lauren Shaw’s post “Is Hamlin taking the feud with Keselowski too far?” Of course you guys may know about this heated rivalry between Keselowski and Hamlin and we know all the fans and who’s side they will take. You got a majority of Keselowski/Dale Jr. fans on Brad’s side and the Joe Gibbs driver’s fans is going to be on Denny’s side. And I admit I’m a Kyle Busch fan and I do like Denny Hamlin (I’m not a fan of his, yet). This story is going to be short and sweet, and I don’t want to do any race recaps...

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Is Tony Stewart being TOO harsh?

A controversial issue was brought out last Sunday during the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway- and no, it wasn't Jimmie Johnson winning again- that most people still don't know about.A few laps after one of the restarts during Sunday's Sprint Cup race, Dale Earnhardt Jr. took his #88 AMP Chevrolet into the corner, tires on the apron. Unfortunately, he could not keep a handle on the car and spun himself around triggering a numerous car wreck which included chasers Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, and others like Joey...

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Is Hamlin taking the feud with Keselowski too far?

(November 13, 2009 - Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images North America)For those of you that read my little biography on this site, you’ll notice that I’m a Brad Keselowski fan. A really big one. One friend even called me “the grade A of BK fans”. I’m the kind of fan that will defend him and make up excuses for him even when I know he’s wrong. But that’s just who I am and I don’t see myself changing anytime soon.So to bring up the feud between Brad...

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Fan Favorites

If you’re a NASCAR fan, the odds are good that your home is cluttered with memorabilia and merchandise devoted to your favorite driver, or a special race. This new column here at Skirts and Scuffs is dedicated to those favorite pieces of merchandise, regardless of what it is or what makes it special. Some of you may have held onto an old program from the first race you attended, or that Dale Earnhardt tee-shirt your dad bought you when you were a...

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Tornados to Join SHR and Newman

In addition to sponsorship from the U.S. Army the #39 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevy driven by Ryan Newman will have sponsorship from Tornados Foods in 2010. Tornados will sponsor Newman for five races in 2010 including the races at Atlanta, Phoenix, Daytona, Michigan, and Martinsville.The U.S. Army will be the primary sponsor for 15 races in 2010.__________Photo courtesy of The U.S. Army on Fli...

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Labonte Gets A Ride for 2010

Good news for Bobby Labonte. It was announced this week that Labonte will be behind the wheel of the #71 for TRG Motorsports in 2010. Sponsoring the team for approximately half the season will be TaxSlayer.com who has appeared on the car several times in 2009. Labonte has driven the TRG Motorsports car seven times in 2009 after losing his ride in the Yates/Hall of Fame Racing Ford.________Image courtesy of Flickr user C...

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Big Night for KHI while Busch Remarks on 2010

Heading into Friday nights Camping World Truck Series race at Phoenix International Raceway there were two big stories. The first story was whether or not series points leader Ron Hornaday Jr would win his fourth Championship in the series. The other story of the night revolved around Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick's attempt to win all three races at the track this weekend. The night ended with two drivers happy and another looking on yet again from a second place finish. It was a big night for the KHI team owned by Kevin Harvick and his wife DeLana....

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Say What? What do you want to know more about?

Across the nation millions of NASCAR fans make their way to the track each season hoping to see their favorite driver take home the checkered. Those who can't make it to a race spend their weekend watching the television broadcast, pre-race shows, and post race wrap ups. Whether you are a long time fan of the sport or someone who just happened to find themselves on the couch one Sunday afternoon, this guide is for you.Over the course of the 2009-2010...

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Women of Nascar---Past and Present

Ladies, Start Your Engines I would like to introduce to you several women who have played a major part of Nascar dating back to the late 1940‘s. A time when women weren’t easily accepted as serious opponents. A time when “A Women’s Place” was definitely not behind the wheel of a hot rod pushing speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at the evolution of Nascar and the impact women have on...

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Five Questions Before... Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500

Heading into Phoenix this weekend, there’s lots to talk about! Jimmie Johnson won last year’s race here and all but sealed up his championship hopes. This year, he’s heading into the race coming off of a rough Texas finish and a 73 point lead. Some questions heading into Phoenix:Is Jimmie Johnson really in any danger? … Jimmie has won three of his last five races at Phoenix International Raceway, the other two being fourth place finishes. He has an average finish of 5th place and has never finished worse than 15th. Realistically, there is no cause...

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