Department Shake Up?

It was announced today that NASCAR would be upgrading their Communications department. This comes after a four-month study showing that there was a void in NASCAR's marketing efforts.

"It's going to change the way we do business," Brian France said.

With this change, NASCAR could fill 20 more positions to it's already 25 person media relations staff.

The creation is centered around making an integrated marketing communications department, which will help regulate all of the public relations and communications functions of all of NASCAR's racing series.

The department will essentially be split up into 7 smaller units: competition, stake holder relations, digital and social media, brand/consumer marketing, corporate marketing/licensing, NASCAR media group/ entertainment, and public affairs/ crisis communication.

What does this mean for NASCAR? Well, NASCAR seems to be struggling with the attendance ratings each and every week at the racetrack. Attendance has been down the past couple of years, but we really haven't seen such a drastic change until this year. This move could help bring in creative marketing, strategical thinkers, and others who can help improve NASCAR's image as a company.

This news is particularly interesting to me. I'm a Communication major and a marketing minor; these two things go hand-in-hand. My goal: is to work in NASCAR, either as a reporter/journalist, or in the marketing department. This announcement, has me looking forward to my future, and who knows, i might just end up in the new Communications department!

Until next time, I'm Steph Piech for The Finish Line

(Courtesty of Scenedaily.com)

Loose-ing His Cool

On lap 148 in turn 4 at Michigan International Speedway, it would seem like Joey Logano has another enemy to add to his Shit list in his very short NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career.

Ryan Newman.

Going into turn 4, Logano's car got loose, and slid into the #39 Tornados Chevrolet of Newman's left rear quarter panel. Completely a racing accident. But, after the race, Newman didn't consider it to be. Nascar.com has released a transcript of the confrontation between the two drivers:

"Give someone an inch, man," Logano said.

"No, I gave you the whole race track," Newman said.

"I was on the bottom and you door-jammed the crap out of me," Logano said. "There's six lanes up top."

Newman would have none of it.

"I was six lanes up, and I steered up and tried to miss you, because you couldn't control your damn race car," he said.

"Because I was freaking sideways because you were on my freaking door," Logano said. "All right, I'll door-jam you every freaking time I get around you."

The two traded shoves, and that's when the officials stepped in.

"I'm good," he said. "I'm just trying to teach the little kid how to drive."

Apparently, from this report, Logano gave the first push. I looked back at the video, Joey didn't 'push' him. He barely touched Newman, and that's when he flipped out saying, "Don't touch me." Call me crazy, but i don't consider a 'touch' generally a 'push.'

Getting back to the on-track incident. Joey's car got loose. Simply a racing deal. Newman has been around long enough in the Cup Series to understand this. But, he hasn't seen the replay before Joey went over to talk to him. Joey was just trying to explain what happened from his view, and it looked like Newman was too frustrated to even consider hearing Joey out.

Yes, Newman was racing hard because, unfortunately for him, he's 103 points out of the chase. And the accident with Logano, doesn't help that matter. I can see why Ryan is upset, but he needs to be upset for the right reason. From my point of view, pushing Joey like that was a little uncalled for; and to see that behavior from a veteran like Newman? It's kind of disappointing. Yes, i love to see how passionate the drivers are for their sport, but that's being over-passionate.

Some comments that i've read, have placed all of the blame on Joey. My perspective: everything from the previous 23 races have led up to where Newman is currently in points. Yes, he's had other encounters with Joey on the track this year. But stuff like engine and parts failures, you can't help.

You could say i'm a little biased in my thoughts, because everyone knows i'm a Logano fan. But what happened out on the track was purely a racing accident. Everyone knows that. Once Newman looks back at the replay, he'll see that, and will hopefully see things from Joey's perspective a little bit.

Hard racing? Yes, it was hard racing. You've got to race every lap, like it's the last. Joey does have to learn that some of the veterans will make his Cup career difficult; they didn't get this far by letting other people go around them, and give away positions.

So, we all have our own opinions on this situation, and this is mine!

Until next time, i'm Steph Piech for The Finish Line

Equal Opportunity For Manufacturers

He started his career driving a dodge in 2004. He's been driving a Ford all season. He's driving a Toyota for 2011. And, he's driving a Chevy in 2012.

There was much speculation as to where Kasey Kahne would end up for next season; whether he would be with Hendrick Motorsports right away, or whether he would go to Stewart-Haas Racing. He signed with HMS in early April to take over the #5 Chevy for 2012, which is currently being driven by Mark Martin. But now that speculation can be put aside. It was announced today that Kasey Kahne will be heading over to Red Bull Racing for the 2011 Sprint Cup season.

The current RBR drivers include Scott Speed and Brian Vickers. Vickers has been out of the car since May, due to blood clots in his legs. There is suspicion to think that Speed is out of the #82 car next year; some critics think this is due to his lack of performance on the track. Jay Frye, RBR's general manager, will determine Speed's future by the end of August. It won't be known, either, if Vickers will be able to get back in the #83 next year until November.

Kasey will probably become one of the first drivers to drive for all of the NASCAR manufacturers. This is a great opportunity for them, in my opinion. Ever since Kahne burst on the Cup scene in '04, everyone involved in NASCAR was marketing him as the next superstar. The past few seasons, he hasn't been able to rack up the big stats, but has a bright future ahead of him. He's made NASCAR history, and there's more history to be made.

Until next time, I'm Steph Piech for The Finish Line.

NASCAR Raps... by ME! :)

Ok... some of you know that i've made a couple of NASCAR Raps. Here they are!


NASCAR is awesome, NASCAR is sweet
Every once in a while,
Our favorite driver gets beat!

Wherever you are,
Wherever you may be,
You can always find us,
Makin' a little bit of a fuss.
Who are we? NASCAR NATION!

Joey Logano,
Has many Paisano's.
He is pretty great,
He's from my home state,
Of Connecticut;
He'll never quit,
He's had enough,
And he's got the stuff,
To get it done,
While having some fun!

NASCAR fans are pretty great,
Some root for the eighty-eight.
Others like Jeff, Jimmie or Kyle,
But some are still in denial,
About who is the best,
Who will beat out all the rest.
Every weekend we unite,
To see which driver puts up the best fight!

Trevor Bayne has quite the smile,
It has to be at least a mile.
He is a rising star,
And drives the #99 car.
Give him more time,
And he will shine.

Kasey Kahne,
Is pretty plain.
He has the prettiest blue eyes,
Of all the guys,
In NASCAR.
He is a star.
He shines bright,
Even in the night.

Driver Profile

There will be no driver profile this week.