| June 2007 |
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(June 4) - Bill France Jr. dies at 74. His father may have been the architect of NASCAR, but throughout his life, Bill France Jr. proved to be
the ultimate general manager. Under his three decades of leadership, NASCAR evolved from a regional sport to one with a world-wide fan
base. He was a trailblazer in the field of corporate sponsorships and the guiding force behind a television contract worth billions of dollars. He
took a hands-on approach to his father's dream of building a superspeedway in the swampland west of Daytona Beach. He loved motorcycles
and competed in the Baja 1000, which led to the addition of a motocross race at Daytona International Speedway. The Daytona Supercross is
now one of the highest-attended events at the track and correlated with the growth of Daytona's Bike Week. France Jr. served as vice
president of NASCAR for six years before his father retired in 1972. France Jr. negotiated a deal with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. to sponsor
NASCAR's top-tier series - (Winston Cup, now Nextel Cup) then went after television partners to expose his product to potential fans.
Following successful ratings for flag-to-flag coverage of the Daytona 500 by CBS in 1979, France Jr. was able to leverage the broadcast rights
to the point where he negotiated a $2.4 billion contact with FOX, NBC and Turner Sports for the 2001 season.
the ultimate general manager. Under his three decades of leadership, NASCAR evolved from a regional sport to one with a world-wide fan
base. He was a trailblazer in the field of corporate sponsorships and the guiding force behind a television contract worth billions of dollars. He
took a hands-on approach to his father's dream of building a superspeedway in the swampland west of Daytona Beach. He loved motorcycles
and competed in the Baja 1000, which led to the addition of a motocross race at Daytona International Speedway. The Daytona Supercross is
now one of the highest-attended events at the track and correlated with the growth of Daytona's Bike Week. France Jr. served as vice
president of NASCAR for six years before his father retired in 1972. France Jr. negotiated a deal with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. to sponsor
NASCAR's top-tier series - (Winston Cup, now Nextel Cup) then went after television partners to expose his product to potential fans.
Following successful ratings for flag-to-flag coverage of the Daytona 500 by CBS in 1979, France Jr. was able to leverage the broadcast rights
to the point where he negotiated a $2.4 billion contact with FOX, NBC and Turner Sports for the 2001 season.
| Bill France and Junior |
June 9 - The IRL held a late night race in Texas.
When Anthony Foyt lost a wheel, it caused a big accident taking out
some of the fastest drivers. Tony Kanaan looked like the best driver
in the world as he some how made it through the melee untouched.
Danica Patrick finished a career-high 3rd place. Sam Hornish Jr,
last year's IndyCar champ, won his first race of the season.
When Anthony Foyt lost a wheel, it caused a big accident taking out
some of the fastest drivers. Tony Kanaan looked like the best driver
in the world as he some how made it through the melee untouched.
Danica Patrick finished a career-high 3rd place. Sam Hornish Jr,
last year's IndyCar champ, won his first race of the season.
June 10 - Formula One raced in Canada today.
Robert Kubica was in a scary accident that sent him airborn, then head
on into a tire barrier and then careening across the track upside
down. He survived with just a broken leg.
McLaren's rookie driver, Lewis Hamilton, 22, won his first race today.
He's the first black man to win an F1 race.
Robert Kubica was in a scary accident that sent him airborn, then head
on into a tire barrier and then careening across the track upside
down. He survived with just a broken leg.
McLaren's rookie driver, Lewis Hamilton, 22, won his first race today.
He's the first black man to win an F1 race.
8th U.S. GRAND PRIX at INDIANAPOLIS
June 17 - The hot, dry weather continued with today's temperatures at 97 degrees. I wish this race was still ran in
September....
McLaren driver and current World Champion Fernando Alonso qualified on the front row of the grid, next to his
rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who sat on pole. Lewis sped off and grabbed the lead at the first turn.
The only major incident of the day involved contact between Toyota driver Ralf Schumacher, Red Bull driver David
Coulthard and Honda driver Rubens Barrichello in Turn 1 on Lap 1, which put all three drivers out of the race.
June 17 - The hot, dry weather continued with today's temperatures at 97 degrees. I wish this race was still ran in
September....
McLaren driver and current World Champion Fernando Alonso qualified on the front row of the grid, next to his
rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who sat on pole. Lewis sped off and grabbed the lead at the first turn.
The only major incident of the day involved contact between Toyota driver Ralf Schumacher, Red Bull driver David
Coulthard and Honda driver Rubens Barrichello in Turn 1 on Lap 1, which put all three drivers out of the race.
Alonso was unable to pass Hamilton, who went on to win the race. The Ferraris were
fast today, finishing 3rd and 4th, Felipe Massa beating Kimi Raikkonen.
Nick Heidfeld made a good show for BMW Sauber, even with a spin. However he
would retire with hydraulic problems.
Takuma Sato spun out at turn 3.
Just four and a half laps before the finish line, and on his way to 6th place, Nico
Rosberg's car suffered an oil leak and caught fire. He quickly jumped out and that
was the end of his day. This allowed Toyota Driver Jarno Trulli to move up to P6.
Toro Rosso driver Tonio Liuzzi was forced to retire by a water pressure problem.
fast today, finishing 3rd and 4th, Felipe Massa beating Kimi Raikkonen.
Nick Heidfeld made a good show for BMW Sauber, even with a spin. However he
would retire with hydraulic problems.
Takuma Sato spun out at turn 3.
Just four and a half laps before the finish line, and on his way to 6th place, Nico
Rosberg's car suffered an oil leak and caught fire. He quickly jumped out and that
was the end of his day. This allowed Toyota Driver Jarno Trulli to move up to P6.
Toro Rosso driver Tonio Liuzzi was forced to retire by a water pressure problem.
19 y/o Sebastian Vettel competed in his first F1
grand prix, driving for Sauber BMW. He was filling in
for Robert Kubica who was injured in the Canadian
g.p. He finished in 8th place, garnering 1 point.
grand prix, driving for Sauber BMW. He was filling in
for Robert Kubica who was injured in the Canadian
g.p. He finished in 8th place, garnering 1 point.
Heikki Kovalainen raced aggressively from sixth on the grid to
a fifth place finish. After making up a position at the start, and
leading Raikkonen throughout the first stint, the young Finn led
a Grand Prix for the first time from laps 22 to 26 before making
his first stop. He subsequently raced hard against Nick
Heidfeld's, pushing the BMW to breaking point, and then
brought the car home in a strong fifth place.
Giancarlo Fisichella's one-stop strategy was severely
compromised by a mistake on the second lap, when he spun on
his way into turn 4 and dropped from 8th position to 19th. He
subsequently began a determined fightback, overtaking every
car up to 11th place before making his first stop. After this
point, he was able to extend his advantage over the cars
behind him, but unable to make ground on the next group,
some 45 seconds in front.
a fifth place finish. After making up a position at the start, and
leading Raikkonen throughout the first stint, the young Finn led
a Grand Prix for the first time from laps 22 to 26 before making
his first stop. He subsequently raced hard against Nick
Heidfeld's, pushing the BMW to breaking point, and then
brought the car home in a strong fifth place.
Giancarlo Fisichella's one-stop strategy was severely
compromised by a mistake on the second lap, when he spun on
his way into turn 4 and dropped from 8th position to 19th. He
subsequently began a determined fightback, overtaking every
car up to 11th place before making his first stop. After this
point, he was able to extend his advantage over the cars
behind him, but unable to make ground on the next group,
some 45 seconds in front.
The McLaren Mercedes led all day
June 17 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be switching from DEI to Hendrick Motorsports next year,
where he'll join Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Casey Mears.
where he'll join Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Casey Mears.
Bernie Ecclestone has made some
ridiculous statements recently, presumably
to begin his case for ending the U.S. Grand
Prix.
For instance he stated that there were Indy
500 banners around town. Well, ahem, he
is the one that pushed the g.p. to be only
three weeks after the biggest race in
America. While there may be a few
billboards around town still showing a IRL
driver, I haven't seen any "banners" still up.
He also criticized America for not being a big
market, such as India. I can't even stop
laughing long enough to address that inane
comment.
While many countries ante up the big money
to buy a formula one race, America does
not, leaving Tony George's family business
to pay the expenses.
ridiculous statements recently, presumably
to begin his case for ending the U.S. Grand
Prix.
For instance he stated that there were Indy
500 banners around town. Well, ahem, he
is the one that pushed the g.p. to be only
three weeks after the biggest race in
America. While there may be a few
billboards around town still showing a IRL
driver, I haven't seen any "banners" still up.
He also criticized America for not being a big
market, such as India. I can't even stop
laughing long enough to address that inane
comment.
While many countries ante up the big money
to buy a formula one race, America does
not, leaving Tony George's family business
to pay the expenses.
| Rookie Lewis Hamilton outshines the veterans |
| 2007 US GRAND PRIX RESULTS |
June 29 - This weekend's French Grand Prix at Magny Cours may be the last. The price is too
high according to France. No word yet if there will be a U.S. Grand Prix next year.
high according to France. No word yet if there will be a U.S. Grand Prix next year.
June 24 - 2000 Indy 500 Champion Juan Pablo Montoya won the Nascar race at Infineon
Raceway. He is the first non-American born driver to win a Nextel Cup Series race in almost 35
years. "That was the best place. To get my first Nextel Cup win is huge."
Montoya also gave Dodge its first win of the season and is the first non-Chevy driver to claim a
victory in the new car. He also set a new track record for winning from the farthest starting
position. No driver had previously won at Sonoma after starting further back than 13th.
Raceway. He is the first non-American born driver to win a Nextel Cup Series race in almost 35
years. "That was the best place. To get my first Nextel Cup win is huge."
Montoya also gave Dodge its first win of the season and is the first non-Chevy driver to claim a
victory in the new car. He also set a new track record for winning from the farthest starting
position. No driver had previously won at Sonoma after starting further back than 13th.
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