It's the Sept. 14 edition of our new feature where we highlight reader reaction to motorsports news and views.
- Why Two-Time NASCAR Cup Champ Kyle Busch Chose Richard Childress Racing
- Why the NHRA Is Failing to Attract Young Sensations to Pro Ranks
- F1 Italian GP Winner Max Verstappen Chasing History with 11th Win of the Season
- Jimmie Johnson Mulls Options after First Full Campaign in IndyCar
- IndyCar Finale Qualifying: Will Power Passes Mario Andretti for All-Time Pole Record
- Maybe the NTT IndyCar Series Just Needs an Old-Fashioned Villain
- IndyCar Great Scott Dixon Faces Latest, Maybe Last, Best Shot to Catch A.J. Foyt
- Why F1 Teams Are Against Colton Herta Super License Exemption
- Win or Lose, Kyle Busch’s NASCAR Move to Richard Childress Will Be a Ton of Fun
- Despite the Rumors, Storied Pomona, Calif., Dragstrip Not Going Anywhere
- Tony Schumacher Says NHRA Should ‘Fine Me a Million Points’
- NASCAR VP Hits Back at Kevin Harvick Over Car Fire Comments
- Richard Petty Set NASCAR Records in 1967 That Will Never Be Broken
Welcome to the first edition of Autoweek’s Revved Up!
Every Wednesday—whether in-season or out (we know, technically there is no offseason in racing)—we’ll give you fans the opportunity to let your voices be heard on all things racing, be it NASCAR, Formula 1, IndyCar, IMSA, NHRA, or pretty much anything else that has two or four wheels and chases a checkered flag.
We’ll feature a combination of your opinions from the dedicated email link at the bottom of each story, comments submitted to stories both from the Autoweek Facebook page and reader takes from the comments section of stories published in our Racing section of our website.
Revved Up will give readers another opportunity to be heard, offer more opinion, and, of course, ask questions. And if I can’t answer your question myself, we have a great team of racing writers who can get to the bottom of it.
The rules are simple: Your opinion is always welcome, but we steer clear of cursing, character assassination, or ridicule of others’ opinion in the comments we’ll use in this weekly feature.
For this opening mailbag, we’ve excerpted comments and a few questions from a dozen or so different stories that have appeared in the last few weeks at autoweek.com. Then there are other instances where I give my take on the topic (Editor’s note: Some reader comments/questions have been lightly edited for clarity and style).
So, readers, start your engines and let’s drop the green flag on the inaugural edition of Revved Up!
Why Two-Time NASCAR Cup Champ Kyle Busch Chose Richard Childress Racing
Childress and Busch put aside their differences to form what they hope will be a winning combination (Sept. 13, 2022).
Getty ImagesGetty Images
Readers Say:
Fred Mariano: Kyle is a winner, it don’t matter who he drive for. Bet he will put Childress Racing in the winning column. Sad for Toyota.
Marty Perry: Bad move, a step down for sure! JGR has had 162 wins since 2000. RCR has 42.
Lonnie Frazer to Marty Perry:I would say those numbers are about to change.
Autoweek Contributor Jerry Bonkowski Says: Kyle’s move to RCR really was the only one that made sense. Kyle needed an organization that he could bring back to prominence, and RCR needed a driver that could do the same. Plus, and this could be the real wildcard in this whole deal: Richard Childress is 76 years old. While his son-in-law, Mike Dillon, is the heir apparent to run the organization upon Richard’s retirement or death, don’t be surprised if Kyle doesn’t get some type of an ownership equity stake in RCR (which he wouldn’t get from Joe Gibbs Racing), much like Denny Hamlin with 23XI and Brad Keselowski with Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing. I expect Kyle to race maybe another five years and then he’ll be ready to move into the front office, so to speak. And don’t be surprised if older brother Kurt, if he doesn’t return to driving, already has some sort of ownership equity stake in 23XI waiting.
Why the NHRA Is Failing to Attract Young Sensations to Pro Ranks
Even 73-year-old NHRA Funny Car legend John Force sees an issue: ’We need new blood. We need new names.’
NHRA/National Dragster
Readers Say:
@Roxie 44: I am a huge John Force fan. My question for him is “If you quit driving, will you put a 22-year-old driver in your car?”
@Geo8352: He’s done it before; both (daughters) Ashley and Courtney were about that age. (Another daughter) Brittany was about that when she climbed into her Top Fuel car; that goes for Austin Prock, as well. He’s got a solid record of handing out seats, although it took John giving Prock that ride originally to lure his dad Jimmy back to John Force Racing.
JB Says: Let’s face it, young folks in their teens and 20s just aren’t as in love with car culture as their parents and grandparents were. And even if they are, it’s usually for drifting, not racing. The biggest problem is the NHRA is too expensive for most young folks to participate in. My belief is that NHRA should cut back to maybe a 16- or 18-race schedule for its pro ranks, significantly cutting down costs/expenses. It should also increase purses for classes such as Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and Pro Modified, essentially the farm systems for Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock. I’d love to hear what you readers would suggest, as well. How do we save the NHRA?
F1 Italian GP Winner Max Verstappen Chasing History with 11th Win of the Season
Win in Italy pulled Red Bull racer to within two victories off all-time record for a single season.
GETTY IMAGES
Readers Say:
Laurence Human: Max will set a new record. Count on it.
JB Says: I couldn’t have said it better, Laurence. I think he not only breaks the record but tacks on two or three more in addition to put it well out of reach of anyone anytime soon. But what’s even more daunting is Mad Max is only 24 years old (he turns 25 Sept. 30). He hasn’t even come close to hitting his stride. I can easily see him winning six, seven, maybe eight more F1 championships. He’s sooo good that rumors are already flying Lewis Hamilton will be retiring after the 2024 season. Barring any unforeseen circumstance such as injury, Max will be the man to beat for probably the next decade-plus. That is a scary thought!
Jimmie Johnson Mulls Options after First Full Campaign in IndyCar
Indications are that 7-time NASCAR Cup champion will return to Chip Ganassi Racing IndyCar seat in 2023.
GREG DOHERTY GETTY IMAGES
Readers Say:
Ken Bagentose: He should run the ovals, and they can put a young driver in for the road courses. Jimmie REALLY struggles on the road courses, and those performances are tarnishing his image.
JB Says: While part of me agrees with you, Ken, Chip Ganassi isn’t running a charity, either. He’s in the business of winning races and championships. Jimmie hasn’t come close to doing either since he began racing in IndyCar. Plus, he turns 47 on Sept. 17. I give him one more full-time year in IndyCar, unless sponsorship becomes an issue. He might be happier—and be more successful—if he shifts to the shorter schedule and less costly racing in IMSA, with maybe occasional IndyCar starts like in the Indianapolis 500 and maybe the Long Beach Grand Prix. I’m sure Chip would be glad to accommodate him.
IndyCar Finale Qualifying: Will Power Passes Mario Andretti for All-Time Pole Record
Team Penske driver set himself up well for championship race with 68th career pole.
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Readers Say:
@justbob: I always love it when sports of all kinds put on this charade. I just do not believe that any sports figure is excited about another sports figure taking a record away from them. Yes, they put on a smile and behave graciously. But I will never believe that any sports figure is happy to lose a record they held to another. I could be wrong. But it just doesn’t seem like human nature. Especially when it comes to competitive sports. The look on Mario’s face while Will was making that qualifying lap said that, as well. Again, maybe it’s just me.
JB Says: I agree with you to a point, Bob. NO ATHLETE likes to see a record they’ve established be taken by someone else, especially a record that has stood for nearly 30 years. But at the same time, the individual whose record is broken knows the hard work, effort, frustration, and exhilaration that is all wrapped up in achieving a record. So while Mario Andretti may lament (which I don’t believe) that Will Power broke his record for pole positions, knowing Mario like I do, I think he genuinely is happy for Will and said something like, “That’s a job well done, mate!”
Maybe the NTT IndyCar Series Just Needs an Old-Fashioned Villain
Mr. Nice Guy Hélio Castroneves says for a driver to take that role of villain,
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Readers Say:
@PaulTracy: I’m tellin ya … it ain’t that easy, but Hélio is 100% correct. But it’s no fun sometimes getting boos.
JB Says: Even though he never responded to my original email seeking his insight (hint, hint, Paul!), it was still an honor that Paul stopped by to give us his thoughts, as he is typically the “villain” that others are measured by. Current drivers in IndyCar that are natural villains, in my opinion, are Romain Grosjean (he proved that several times with all the run-ins he had with opponents and even teammates this season), Conor Daly, maybe Pato O’Ward, and yes, even Mr. Handsome/Pretty Boy Josef Newgarden. They all have what it takes to be the modern-day Paul Tracy. What do you think, readers? Am I missing anyone?
IndyCar Great Scott Dixon Faces Latest, Maybe Last, Best Shot to Catch A.J. Foyt
The 42-year-old Dixon is one championship shy of Foyt’s seven IndyCar championships.
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Readers Say:
@mbe1532: I vividly remember his first win with PacWest in CART. Everyone could tell, even back then, that this dude was special.
JB Says: You are so right, MBE. While the sentimental part of me really wanted to see Scott win the championship this year—and that’s no disrespect to Will Power, who is a great champ—I still think Scott has one more title in him. He got so close this season and displayed a determination and drive that we hadn’t seen for the last few years. I am willing to bet that he not only wins the Indy 500 next May but doubles up with championship No. 7 a year from now.
Why F1 Teams Are Against Colton Herta Super License Exemption
Herta’s Formula 1 fate is in the hands of the FIA, which has the power to grant exemption for drivers without enough Super License points.
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Readers Say:
@OldFarmer: The bottom line is Herta is obviously fast enough or he wouldn’t be a consideration. He’s a seven-time winner in arguably the second-fastest open-wheel car in racing which should be granted points at least equivalent to F2. The argument presented that it will open opportunities to others wanting exemptions would only apply to someone in consideration for an F1 drive, and they would need to try out from an invitation.
@NREsq: Yeah, okay. Like all the other Americans in recent years deemed “fast enough” who ended up being shown the door in short order. What’s special in Herta’s situation? What about the other Americans that are faster and/or have better resumes?
@OldFarmer to @NREsq: A little research would do you well before making so many of your statements. The only current American IndyCar driver with more wins is going to be 32 years old, Joseph Newgarden. If there’s other Americans faster, they haven’t demonstrated it in a series relative to F1. Others who’ve been shown the door early: Scott Speed did 28 races, but let his “personality” get in the way. Oh, and was replaced by a future 4x world champion, Sebastian Vettel. F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport and a brutal environment where money is only overcome by truly exceptional talent. The hierarchy, they are not fools. They are quite keen at spotting talent, and I assume C. Herta is drawn by the chance of following in the shoes of several F1 greats who started with lowly teams and, through accomplishment, made it to the top. (I’ve thought about the meaning of your ID. NotRespectedEsquire for sure.)
@pas1034: Kimi Raikkonen had competed in exactly 23 single-seater races when he was granted a four-race probationary exemption in his first season. Something similar could be done for Herta, but I think F1 politics are not in his favor as they were for Kimi …
@doctorjoey3: Would this even be a question IF there was one F1 race in the U.S. next year instead of three???
@jed2313: F1’s greatest fear is that the dynamics of IndyCar could be considered as approaching those of F1 (for less money). The focus is on the drivers and the team strategies in IndyCar more than those of F1. Okay, F1 has more variables, but most of the midpack IndyCar teams have a chance at a win. How many midpack F1 teams have a hope of even finishing on the podium? I had more enjoyment watching Laguna Seca yesterday than Monza. I still don’t know why Colton Herta wants to go to F1, when, with a little more focus on the part of Andretti Motorsports, he could become another Will Power, who is always a threat to win and/or finish high. Herta will never be a significant factor driving for AlphaTauri.
@RallyeFordGuru: Well isn’t this the toxic topic of the day! Okay, where to start? Colton Herta. Is he ready for prime time? Can’t really say. He sort of reminds me of Max when he arrived on the scene: lots of RAW talent that needed a lot of polishing. Watching Herta crash out on his own at Long Beach was hardly impressive. But as someone said, the fact that a solid midpack team is even considering him does say a lot about his potential. About those Americans: Yes, we haven’t had the best run in F1, have we? Andretti, Speed, Rossi … if Herta were to end up at AlphaTauri, he would at least need to be on par with his teammate. If not, then we’ll have a pretty good idea he should have remained in IndyCar. Is the points system fair? This is more black and white. Points for placing in an IndyCar championship should at least be on par with F2. If anything needs to be updated, it’s the Super License points system. So should Herta get an exemption? IMO, no. But along with denying entry, the FIA should formally make a statement that the points system will be reviewed and updated. Otherwise, we’re all going to be back at our keyboards at this same time next year barking about the same problem
JB Says: There are only two ways Colton Herta gets a ride in F1. He either wins the IndyCar championship in the next few years (meh, maybe) or he is the “chosen one” of a team owner like Michael Andretti (and even then, there’s no guarantee F1 officials will grant him a Super License). With all due respect to Colton and father Bryan, yes, he’s had some good races and seven wins, but I feel if he were to go to F1 now, he’d be eaten alive, much like Michael Andretti was when he made his ill-fated foray there nearly 30 years ago. Andretti lasted just one season and then came back to the U.S. Herta has to significantly step up his game in IndyCar before he can even think about realistically moving to F1. Sure, he’s likely to be a “reserve driver” for some team (like AlphaTauri) in 2023, but that means very little. He’s likely not going to make it into any F1 races and will still run full time in IndyCar. F1 has very stringent standards for Super License approval, and Herta isn’t anywhere close to those requirements. Sure, F1 would love to have an American star, especially with three races in the U.S. in 2023, but I think you’ll see Alex Palou or Pato O’Ward in F1 before you see Herta driving in the global series.
Win or Lose, Kyle Busch’s NASCAR Move to Richard Childress Will Be a Ton of Fun
Anticipated move made official on Tuesday, as two-time NASCAR Cup champ moves from Joe Gibbs Racing in 2023.
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Readers Say:
Jeff Welch: I have so many questions! Who’s the sponsor? What car number? Do you know what color the car will be? Crew chief? I haven’t been this excited about a move maybe ever.
JB Says: Patience, Grasshopper, err, I mean, Jeff. We already know he’ll drive the No. 8, although a good friend of mine and fellow writer, Ben White, suggests Busch should trade numbers with Austin Dillon and drive the No. 3. Think about it, we’d have the one driver in NASCAR who would be as close to Dale Earnhardt in personality, talent, and essentially become the next version of The Intimidator. And let’s not forget the marketing opportunities. Whatever happens, RCR just made arguably the best move it has made since, well, signing Earnhardt!
Despite the Rumors, Storied Pomona, Calif., Dragstrip Not Going Anywhere
Ambitious renovations will preserve the Los Angeles market for NHRA drag racing.
MEDIANEWS GROUP/INLAND VALLEY DAILY BULLETIN VIA GETTY IMAGES
Readers Say:
Jim Maroney: Just because NHRA has a multiyear contract, doesn’t mean California has to honor it.
Jim Baker: Looking at the pro class car counts at most events and the pitiful attendance, the future of NHRA doesn’t look promising. … I saw the article about the closing, went to look at tickets, and then was shocked at 140 bucks for a seat. Yeah, that’s why I’m not going.
JB Says: I’m sorry, but I don’t believe that the Pomona drag strip will be there for much longer. The land the track sits upon, as well as much of the adjoining L.A. County Fairplex, is prime real estate in an area that needs land for commercial and residential development. As Jim Maroney wrote, California—or more precisely, the local government such as La Verne, Calif., whose borders the track property sits within—has more power to control what happens to the dragway and its land than the NHRA does. Has anyone ever heard of eminent domain? Let’s also note that the NHRA gave up its palatial headquarters in Glendora, Calif., and now sits in somewhat of a strip mall in San Dimas, Calif., with a lot of rumors that the sanctioning body is planning on one day relocating its HQ to the Indianapolis area. The NHRA has already moved a number of employees from SoCal to Indy, and many major pro teams are now based there, à la the way most NASCAR teams are based in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area. NHRA says it has an eight-year deal to continue racing at the Fairplex and is supposedly in the process of negotiating an extension for even longer. I’m sorry to be a Debby Downer, but I give Pomona three to five years, tops, and we will see the last dragster or Funny Car run down the quarter-mile. And correct me if I’m wrong, but there is no other major drag strip other than Irwindale Speedway left, a sad commentary on the birthplace of drag racing.
Tony Schumacher Says NHRA Should ‘Fine Me a Million Points’
Winningest Top Fuel driver of all time appeals heavy fine, is dealing with effects of nasty black widow spider bite.
NHRA/National Dragster
JB Says: I’ve known Tony Schumacher for a long time and respect him as both a drag racer and man. If he did something wrong, he’s man enough to admit it. But NHRA kept him somewhat in the dark about what he supposedly did, especially since the penalty is retroactive to his placement in the Countdown to the Championship, which begins this weekend in Reading, Pennsylvania. As a result, the eight-time Top Fuel champ—and the winningest driver in the dragster category—will start 10th and last in the Top Fuel ranks. But if there’s one thing I know about the son of veteran racer and team owner Don Schumacher, the last thing NHRA wants to do is upset Tony because he will become the hardest, toughest SOB to beat for the rest of the season. That’s bad news for folks like Brittany Force, four-time champ Steve Torrence, Mike Salinas, and all of the other Top Fuel drivers going for the championship. Two months from now, don’t be surprised if Tony celebrates winning championship No. 9.
NASCAR VP Hits Back at Kevin Harvick Over Car Fire Comments
NASCAR VP Scott Miller says
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Readers Say:
Chuck Ritz: NASCAR … We’re working on it. Nights, weekends, even having to bring in take-out food, but we’re workin’ on it. Should have a fix soon, until then each Ford driver will be issued a Super Soaker to carry during every race. Hoping to get them as sponsors.
Owen Perkins: If these cry babies can’t hand the risk then get out of the sport.
JB SAYS: I get Kevin Harvick’s frustration. I also respect him and his opinion, and if he says there’s a problem, more often than not I’m going to lean in his favor that there really IS a problem. Now, NASCAR VP Scott Miller is also a credible guy as well, and it’s natural that he took umbrage at the complaints Harvick had about the causes of fires in the new car—from both a personal and professional level. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in over 25 years of covering NASCAR, when faced with glaring issues that threaten the safety of its drivers, the sanctioning body will make exhaustive efforts to find the problem and correct it, no matter how long it takes and no matter the cost. Now, this is not an excuse, but let’s face it: we’re still in the first year of the Next Generation car and sometimes it takes more than a year—sometimes even two years—to work out all the bugs and problems. For the most part, the Next Gen car has had few bugs, has worked as well, if not better, than NASCAR officials predicted, has given the sport incredible parity and made racing fun and closer again. As the old saying goes, at least related to the fire issues, NASCAR will come up with a solution and this problem too shall pass.
Richard Petty Set NASCAR Records in 1967 That Will Never Be Broken
The King’s season for the ages included an unbreakable 10 consecutive wins, 27 total.
NASCAR Archives
Readers Say:
Brian McDonald: Rules are for all, sometimes hard to swallow but there for a reason.
JB Says: Surprisingly, there were no fan comments about this fine story by Mike Hembree. Maybe it’s because many readers weren’t born yet or didn’t start following NASCAR until later years. After all, this was 55 years ago. But Hembree’s point is not diminished. Even with all the plaudits and success Jimmie Johnson had during his reign as a seven-time Cup champion or an 83-race winner, he never came close to winning 10 in a row or 27 in the same season. In fact, the most Johnson ever won in one season was just 10 races (2007), en route to the second of his seven Cup crowns. Petty had such a domination over the sport during his NASCAR tenure—especially in his prime—that it was almost him vs. everyone else, there was such disparity. With all the greats that have followed him, including Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and yes, Jimmie Johnson, and no one has ever come close to Petty’s records, I agree with Hembree that these are records that will never, ever be broken—perhaps the only records in ANY major professional sport that will remain untouchable. After all, they don’t call Petty “The King” for nothing, as he is true NASCAR royalty.
We hope you enjoyed Episode No. 1 of Revved Up!
Keyword: Revved Up: Autoweek Racing Readers Have Their Say