Motorsports Column for March 30, 2003

Last week I asked when oft-time bridesmaid Kurt Busch was going to win a race. I guess I got my answer at NASCAR's Spring Winston Cup crash fest at Bristol Motor Speedway. It also looks as though Jack Roush has his engine problems solved, as Roush motors powered four of the top-five finishers.

Even with all the wrecks at Bristol, thankfully, there was only one injury. Kyle Petty was hospitalized overnight, but was released the next morning and hopes to be fit to race at Texas this weekend. Other than a bad case of "racer's rheumatism," Petty was OK. Not so fortunate was Gil de Ferran, injured in the IRL race at Phoenix. Alert when he was removed from his car after a crash involving Michael Andretti, de Ferran was later found to have a minor fracture in his lower spine and a concussion. He will be replaced at the Twin Ring Motegi race in Japan by Alex Barron, but should be cleared to drive before the start of practice for the Indy 500. Roger Yasukawa also received a slight concussion in an unrelated incident, but there is no word on whether he will drive at Motegi.

Team Andretti-Green driver Tony Kanaan won his first IRL race at Phoenix, scoring the second straight win for an ex-CART driver in 2003. Scott Dixon of Team Target/Ganassi Racing won the Homestead opener.

Meanwhile, Paul Tracy won his second straight Champ Car event in Monterrey, Mexico. Tracy is batting 1000 on the 2003 season. No word yet on whether he will have a ride for this year's Indy 500 after coming second in 2002 in a controversial finish under yellow.

With two events down in the 2003 Formula 1 season, it appears that the controversial new rules have at least changed the outcome of races. Michael Schumacher, seemingly invincible in his Ferrari for the past two seasons, has yet to score a podium finish in 2003. Both McLaren drivers have won, with David Coulthard taking the season opener in Australia and teammate Kimi Raikkonen winning last weekend's round in Malaysia. The new regulations, which include single-car, single-lap qualifying and impounding of the cars after qualifying, have made qualifying strategy more important than sheer speed. Choosing the right strategy (qualify light on fuel and faster, or use a full fuel load and eliminate a pit stop) can be key to winning or finishing well. Schumacher has started much further back in the pack in the first two races than he is accustomed to, and has been involved in early-race incidents that cost him good finishes. Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello has fared much better, but is still considered second fiddle to Michael on the team. This could change if the reigning Champion doesn't see some better results soon.

Mark your calendars for next weekend when Champion Motor Speedway will host its first annual "Charter Media" car show at the Carson Mall. The show will feature entries from the Charter Super Late Model, Western Modified, Legend, Limited Late Model, Les Schwab Street Stock, TagTeam Bomber, Hustlin' Hornet, and Bandolero divisions. In addition, the ex-Harry Gant Skoal Bandit two-seater will be on display along with the new "One-Trick Pony" Ford Mustang Coupe pace car. The car has been provided by Dick Campagnie's Automotive Group and tricked out with custom wheels, high-performance tires, and an Eibach suspension system from Les Schwab. Vital Signs has provided sponsor decals and breathtaking graphics, and In & Out Car Wash will make sure the car is always sparkling for its duties at CMS.

Autograph seekers will be able to get signatures from their favorite racers during the show, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Coming up the following weekend is Media Day on April 12. I plan to be there to get some interviews with the racers as they participate in the season's first test and tune session. It will also give me an opportunity to see the facility improvements that have taken place in the off-season. I'll let you know how everything is shaping up in General Manager Jeb Onweiler's plan to provide a much-improved fan experience at Champion Motor Speedway for 2003 and beyond.

Thought for the week: "What NASCAR offers racing fans is a buffet for connoisseurs of meat loaf."

Roger Diez is the Nevada Appeal motorsports columnist. He can be reached at Racytalker@aol.com.