by A.C. Guillermo

 The storm clouds are gathering. 2012 is shaping-up as a showdown year between the NASCAR Rolex Grand-Am Series presented by Chip Ganassi and the floundering American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron.  

I know 2011 has barely started, but already the stage is set for a battle next year between Daytona and Braselton. If you only knew what I don’t know! (Editor’s note – AC must have consulted Yogi Behra on that one).   Each sanctioning organization is set to embark on an aggressive expansion, and you can put your money on the ALMS coming out the first loser when it is all said and done.

Let’s check the scoreboard.   Next year the Daytona Rolex 24 will celebrate its 50th Anniversary, while Sebring will its mark its 60th anniversary. Although Sebring has a better history, a more exciting circuit, more fans, a much better entry list, and a far better anniversary celebration, they still don’t have a Hooter’s in Sebring. Grand-Am 1, ALMS 0.

Scott Pruett won’t be entered at Sebring. So make that Grand-Am 2, ALMS 0.  

Next year the ALMS will again host two rounds of the ILMC, and will likely expand into at least three new markets by 2013.  Meanwhile, Grand-Am will continue with its non-spectator concept, using Homestead as a model.  Expect to hear about races in 2012 that were held at five new venues nobody will know about, adding to the allure and mystique of Grand-Am racing.  Grand-Am 3, ALMS 0.  

Grand-Am will be the feature race at the Austin F1 weekend, and each DP will have an F1 pilot as a co-driver. You heard it here first.  Grand-Am 4, ALMS 0.  

Grand-Am will begin to field a huge variety of GT3 entries in 2012, including Audi, Audi, Audi and Audi.  Grand-Am 5, ALMS 0.  

Grand-Am will run a version of the DTM (see my previous columns for details) and will somehow manage to make all the cars look alike. Grand-Am 6, ALMS 0. 

Chip Ganassi will not be allowed to race in that series. Grand-Am 7, ALMS 0.  

ALMS will continue with its internet broadcast concept, while Grand-Am continues broadcasting on the NASCAR Network (new name for  SPEEDTV to be announced soon).  Grand-Am 8, ALMS 0.  

The new DP bodywork will be stunning, sleek, ground-breaking and evocative (thanks for that word, Godwin). Even though they may still make your eyes bleed, Wayne Taylor will love them, and so will you. Grand-Am 9, ALMS 0.  

The ALMS Green racing initiative will be countered by a far more effective Grand-Am marketing program touting the Rolex Series’ lack of fans, meaning far less fuel is consumed by people coming to Grand-Am races than ALMS events. Absolutely genius.  The “Less fans. More Fuel” slogan will first appear on the Spirit of Daytona entry.  Grand-Am 10, ALMS 0.  

Mark R. has assured me Grand-Am “Competition yellows” will continue in 2012, and will be supplemented by “Competition Timing & Scoring,” that will add and subtract laps from various teams as needed. Grand-Am 11, ALMS 0.  

Finally, the big one. I know you won’t believe this, but it is going to happen. At least one round of the Rolex Series (and maybe two), will be on an oval next year. Yes! An oval race for sports cars. Why not! Its going to be wild. You think that will be too hard on equipment? Ever seen a street race?  Grand-Am 12, ALMS 0.  

A shutout.   I think my track record is pretty solid in reporting on the NASCAR Grand-Am Series. If you checked back at my previous columns, you would not find one single true thing I reported was not true considering the truth is what happened and the untruth didn’t, unless the truth was falsely reported as untrue.  

Grand-Am Notes 

• At Barber, J.C. France was sporting one of his new “Don’t You Know Who I am?” shirts, part of a new apparel line he designed exclusively for wealthy offspring who frequently get pulled over by the police… 
• A 17-foot tall statue of Scott Pruett will be erected in front of the NASCAR offices later this year, joining statues of Ann & Bill France, Dale Earnhardt and Tim Richmond …. 
• Yours truly was not a bit surprised to find out an ALMS Media Guide was found at the Bin Laden compound in Pakistan …
• Since nobody showed up for the Grand-Am Fan Club meeting at Barber, any future meetings will be held in Hurley Haywood’s office at the Brumos dealership in Jacksonville .…
• Although the same team wins every Rolex Series race, I am told that will change in 2012.  Suntrust has already purchased three victories, and the Gainesco Team is seeking financing to purchase two others …
• NASCAR and SPEEDTV issued a joint statement vehemently denying there was collusion between the two parties to prevent the ALMS from being on that network. SPEEDTV also explained that it was a “technical problem” that resulted in Scott Pruett only talking about Grand-Am cars while commentating at Le Mans last year…
• Daytona officials were devastated when the State of Florida recently voted down permission to have fans buried at the speedway.  I’m told the Daytona Security Department was especially disappointed. …
• Heads-up for ALMS fans and IMSA staff: Baltimore has the highest VD rate in North America …
• Rumors still persist there is a supporting series sanctioned by Grand-Am; I’ll let you know what I find out…
• More details to come, but I have to get back to my hobby of posting anti-ALMS rants on the Grand-Am forum.

 

 A.C.

I just came back from a long vacation, so I apologize for my absence.  A lot of my fans sent me cards and emails and I have been trying to catch-up with things.

I’ve had a lot of time lately to evaluate the state of sports car racing.  And if you really take the time to impartially analyze things, it is clear the experts at 1801 International Speedway Boulevard continue to lead Grand-Am to the promised land.  Sure, we have ugly and slow prototypes, a GT class with only two competitive makes (maybe one based on what just happened at the Roar before the Snore), a disappointing field for the season-opener …. BUT… we got TV coverage!

But NASCAR isn’t going to rest on its laurels of pressuring SPEED to eliminate its relationship with Braselton. We’ve got some exciting things on the drawing board for 2012 and beyond. Eventually the merger of Daytona Prototypes with Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) will create Daytona Universal Masters Prototypes (DUMP).  Jim France assures me he will take a DUMP all the way to Le Mans!

The future in Grand-Am is filled with great possibilities.  Yes, the Rolex 24 vintage classic will have fewer starters than Sebring this year, and a parade of Rileys and Porsches is likely (I heard the ever-popular Kevin B. may enter up to 18 Porsches this year). But The World Center of Racing will have a lot of NASCAR drivers present for the Rolex.

I’ve got a lot of catching-up to do before the Rolex, and I’m still waiting to hear about my media credentials. A full report will follow. In the meantime:

ROLEX 24 PRE-RACE NOTES:

The PR department has already drafted the “Record Crowd” press release. So everything is under control … The Daytona Security Department in conjunction with Homeland Security will require all fans not wearing officially licensed NASCAR merchandise to undergo a full body scan prior to the Rolex 24. Anyone wearing ALMS apparel will also be required to have a body cavity search conducted by the offensive line coach at Bethune Cookman University…The Most Interesting Man in the World will be signing autographs at the local Riley dealership from 11:14 am – 11:16 am on the Wednesday before the race. A prototype 1:72 scale model of the new DUMP will be on display as well… The Mazda corral will close at sunset on Saturday since the rotaries will be hopelessly behind the 35 Porsche entries… I am still tracking down rumors there is a supporting series sanctioned by Grand-Am… Mark R. has announced that in-car journalists will be allowed this year. Godwin already has reserved the Scott P. Ganassi car, damn it!

I need to catch up on a lot of emails. Here are just a few:

Question: What was it like wearing an orange jump suit for 90 days?  – G. Loles, Danbury, CT
AC:  I guess you will be wearing orange longer than I did. In any case, it wasn’t so bad. Fortunately, my roommate during my sabbatical was a big NASCAR fan.

Question: Riley-Riley-Riley, Ganassi-Ganassi, Porsche-Porsche-Porsche …Grand-AM is the most predictable series in the world. Boring! – S. Notretha, Atlanta, GA
AC: Really?  At least you see how boring it is on TV.  Anyway, we want NASCAR fans, and they come for the wrecks.

Is that a diecast DP in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?  -H.H., Jacksonville, FL
AC:  Very funny.

Jim France is God and Don Panoz is the devil. Wouldn’t you agree – Andy F., the World’s only GA Fan, and proud of it!
AC: Well said, see you at Daytona. Are you bringing the Koolaid again this year?

A.C.

Special to Murphy the Bear

Motorsports journalist A.C. Guillermo is expected to be released from the Volusia County Correctional Facility in Daytona Beach early next week.  Guillermo was arrested for shoplifting at the Daytona International Speedway gift shop last fall and pleaded no contest at his hearing.

He was sentenced to 90 days in prison followed by 90 days of community service, which includes changing light bulbs on the Daytona International Speedway Pylon scoreboard, walking along International Speedway Boulevard wearing a sandwich board that reads “NASCAR Grand-Am Racing is Exciting” and washing Daytona Speedway Security Gestapo patrol cars.

Guillermo was caught on video October 3rd last year stuffing diecast 1:43 models of Rolex Series Grand-Am cars down his pants at the Daytona Speedway Gift Shop. 

Guillermo’s attorney, Godwin K. France IV, stated: “A.C. is looking forward to his release and resuming his journalistic career.  He really wants to attend the Rolex 24 because he loves vintage racing.”

Guillermo has had previous brushes with the law.  In 2007, he was detained by the U.S. Border Patrol for attempting to smuggle 126 boxes of Nicotine patches into Mexico for a Grand-Am event. No charges were ever filed.

In 2008, a no trespassing warrant was issued against Guillermo by a Porsche dealership in Jacksonville after Guillermo was caught taking unauthorized photos of Hurley Haywood.

In 2009, Guillermo stepped in Clydesdale poop while on the grid at Sebring International Raceway. He subsequently sued Dr. Don Panoz for the mental anguish and trauma caused by that incident.  The lawsuit was settled out of court after Guillermo was offered 40 pounds of cheese from an unnamed  New York state cheese manufacturer.

Guillermo is best known in sports car racing circles for his columns about road racing.  He has maintained steadfastly that the Rolex Grand-Am Series is the finest sports car racing series in the world. The lack of spectators and technology are particularly appealing to Guillermo, who led a recent campaign by NASCAR to ban the ALMS from the SPEED Channel.

The Bear decided to delay Paddock Poop 170 for this important and extremely timely A. C. column.-Murphy-

The Bear got this note from A.C. tonight. The famous motorsports writer was inspired by the big upgrade to Speedtv’s Le Mans commentary, and expresses some doubts about Murphy’s recent rumor record. Always a practitioner of careful journalistic research, A.C. even gives us a statistical analysis of  the Bear’s scurrilous stuff.-Murphy-
 
I watched some of the garbage known as Le Mans, only because “The Most  Interesting Man in the World” was doing some commentating. Thank goodness he was there, reminding the viewers 236 times about his Rolex collection. I was especially impressed how Scott had such an in depth knowledge of Le Mans, even though he personally could care less about prototypes that are fast, technologically advanced and not made by Riley. And I have to laugh a little at the Audi R15. The design of this car was obviously based on the Riley. Look at them side-by-side. Can you tell a difference?
 Corvette had a rough go of it at Le Mans after a fine start. Perhaps they could learn a few things watching the fine performance of Corvettes in the Rolex series.
 
I am really excited about the smaller fields that Grand-Am has introduced this season. The Rolex series has always been geared to simpletons who like NASCAR, so fewer cars and classes are the way to go. I bring that up because my understanding is that Grand-Am may be restructuring in 2011, going from two classes, to no classes. Not sure how that will work, but Mark tells me one of the benefits is that Timing & Scoring will no longer be needed. More details to follow.
 
The thing I hate most about sports car racing, other than the Nicotine Patch, is all the rumors. That little furry bear seems to always have a rumor about something, and less than 90% of the time, 10% of it is half true and the other 80% is not even close to the majority of the
20% he says might happen if it doesn’t.
 
On that note, let me dispel the rumor there is growing dissension among the NASCAR Nationwide and Truck Series about the money wasted on Grand-Am. I can report to you this is absolutely, positively, probably not true. I have been personally assured by the Grand-Am management that everyone in NASCAR is in full support of subsidizing the road racing department, and that the France family has allocated one trillion bazillion dollars to insure it will exist well into the 2011 season, if not longer. As a shareholder in International Speedway Corp., I can tell you that I am in full support of the company’s involvement in road racing. And so is Godwin. As long as we can keep using those loaner Pontiacs.
 
Another rumor floating around is that the above mentioned company is buying Sebring and Road Atlanta. I have been told that is not true. However, there is interest in buying the ACO and the Le Mans circuit. I know NASCAR has been very keen on building an 8.5-mile tri-oval in France, and this would be an ideal site.
 
I got a lot of nasty emails after my last column about J.C. France. It seems many of you think J.C. got those charges dropped because he was a member of the France family. That is simply not true. J.C. has EARNED everything he has, including all 14 of his exotic cars.
 
Finally, let me issue an apology to the Continental Tire competitors. I have no idea this series exists. Can you prove it?
 
Until next time,
 
A.C.

It has been a while since you’ve heard from A.C. My temp job with the Census Department has really tied me up, and I haven’t been able to attend any Grand Am races since Daytona.

There has been a lot of news about the Rolex Series recently, and its all been good. Probably the best thing is J.C. France has been fully exonerated of those bogus charges against him.  J.C. is a good citizen and an asset to the Daytona Beach community and the Rolex Grand Am Series. It almost brought a tear to my eyes when I saw all those “Free J.C.” Banners at the Rolex 24. 

It was obvious from the start J.C. was targeted by law enforcement. This is called RWGP (“Rich White Guy Profiling”) and has become a serious problem in our country.  The fact he has 30 traffic stops on his record proves the police are unfairly targeting him. From what I understand, the ACLU was going to defend J.C. because of the nature of this RWGP case.  Fortunately, all charges have been dropped.

I wasn’t surprised to hear the good news that Scott Pruett was just named the “Most Interesting Man in the World,” replacing that bearded Dos Equis guy (“Stay Thirsty my Friends”). The announcement was made by the NASCAR Road Racing PR Department after a poll of Grand-Am fans (Andy F., I know you stuffed the ballot box, but I won’t tell anyone).  As I’m sure all you Grand-Am fans know- Scott is simply the greatest race car driver ever.  By the way, Memo Rojas is a great guy too, but not that interesting.

I received an email from a reader suggesting I comment on the dwindling car count in Grand Am. First of all, 12 DP’s is an excellent number, because it’s quality, not quantity that matters.  More important, it’s kind of cool that there is usually one car per spectator at Grand Am races, which creates a very intimate feeling.  NASCAR does not overlook anything!

I really like the new ballast drawing instituted for the GT class. If you are not familiar with it, it is quite simple: When a Mazda team arrives at the track, they draw a number [between 74 and 76] out of a hat, and that is the amount of extra pounds they carry in the race. Non-Mazda teams are exempt.

Don’t know if any of you have had a chance to see the massive new NASCAR offices on International Speedway Boulevard, but they are awesome.  The lobby features a tribute to the France family and the importance of NASCAR to our society. Its like a little museum; there’s a special display by Winston, showing the number of NASCAR fans who got lung cancer during their sponsorship. Another display shows the technology advances of NASCAR (for some reason the timeline ends with the 1970s).  A neat item on display is the actual urine sample Jeremy Mayfield submitted for his drug test.  Probably the coolest thing is the “Wall of Contrived Controversies” the NASCAR PR department has dreamed up to create fan interest.  They were just adding the Jeff Gordon vs. Jimmie Johnson feud when I was there the other day.  Anyway, the Grand Am office is on the first floor in the back corner, next to the restrooms and the “Office of Loyalty.” Inside the Grand-Am office there are 159 different photos of Hurley Haywood on the wall, arranged in a pattern that spells “DAYTONA.”  Really cool.  If you ever have a chance to visit the new offices, I recommend it.

The “silly season” is upon us already!  Lots of juicy rumors.  I’ve heard Jim France is the stroke of a pen away from buying the three Panoz tracks.  If he steps up to the plate, and I think he will, expect the Rolex schedule to expand by three races next year!

I’ve also heard the next generation of DPs will be announced later this year!  The rules will send shockwaves throughout the road racing community (and especially in Braselton).  I am sworn to secrecy, but I will give you these hints: Jim Hurtubise, Zima, and The Village People.

A.C.

With the big enduro less than three weeks away, I must admit the anticipation is just overwhelming. At least I got a fix at the Bore before the 24, where I had a chance to preview some exciting new things awaiting the hundreds of thousands of fans who will be attending the Rolex 24.

Yes, there are only 29 entries (plus 13 field-filling GT3s). The DP category has been steadily declining, and even Andy F. would acknowledge a lack of diversity, let alone numbers (well, actually he probably wouldn’t). But this is part of NASCAR’s strategy.  The three main elements of this strategy are declining fields, dwindling sponsors/manufacturers, and a fancy new office building! In Braselton, they only have two-out-of-three of those elements!

NASCAR is going all-out this year to prove Grand-Am and the Rolex 24 will be the success their press releases claim. From race operations to fan activities, and everything in between, NASCAR is taking Grand-Am to new levels.

While at the test, Mark showed me the new scales to be used this year. After the debacle last year’s 24 when the Brumos car shed pounds faster than Jenny Craig during the race, they realized a new technology was in order. The new scales contain a special computer chip that detects just how important the team owner is, thus adjusting the weight as needed. Pure genius.

For fans, a new concept is the Daytona Speedway Security Department’s Gauntlet of Abuse©, in which every spectator will encounter three stimulating experiences when entering the track: First, it’s the “You Can’t Park Here” Greeting; next, the popular “You Can’t Use this Gate” argument, and finally; the “Let Me See Your Credential You Asshole” confrontation. But its all in good fun, and a unique way for fans to bond with the World Center of Abuse.  Best of all, on the way out you will receive a 10% discount for NASCAR merchandise.

In the Fan Zone, look for the new exhibit paying tribute to the third generation of France children titled “Don’t You Know Who I am.”  And the eye-opening “Why Le Mans Sucks” display will educate those who dare to even consider going to Sebring. And best of all, Scott Pruett plans on personally greeting every single spectator entering the track prior to the race.*(see note)

But those are just minor things. The big news is what NASCAR and Grand-Am bring to the track this year. Fourteen thundering DPs and a boatload of Mazda RX-8s and re-bodied Pontiacs. Is that exciting or what?  Riley-Riley-Riley-Riley-Riley for 24 Hours on a banked track surrounded by 180,000 empty grandstand seats. There is nothing like the Rolex 24!

Of course, the elitist ALMS fans are laughing at NASCAR’s 29 entries for Daytona.  So how many entries will there be at Sebring?  How many Rileys?  True, Sebring may have the U85-powered Radicals, but what else? It’s the same old tired argument that NASCAR wins every time.

The media who are in the know are firmly convinced that this year’s Rolex will be the best in the history of endurance racing, both on and off the track. As you watch this year unfold, you will see A.C. is right. 29 is just fine.

A.C.
_______________

*subject to not happening. Weather conditions or lack of spectators may force cancellation. No autographs. Do not look him in the eye or ask questions about Paul Gentilozzi or Jaguar. May be replaced by Henri Zogiab or J.C. France. Offer not valid on days that end in “y” or if a Coyote qualifies on the pole. No rain checks.

AC

1. Name PTG’s drivers in the 2001 American Le Mans Series season. (1 point for each)
Trick question, they ran Grand-Am that year.
2. What is the significance of Portola Road in sports car racing history? (5 points)
That’s the road Junior Johnson’s moonshine still was located just off of.
3. Who is Mel Hawkins? (5 points)
He invented the “lucky dog.”
4. What progenitor of a famous racing family was proud to be on Richard Nixon’s ‘Enemies List’? (5 points)
 Bill France, Sr.
5. Who was the winner of the first Pebble Beach Road Race in 1950? (5 points)
Typo you idiot: It should be Daytona Beach, NOT Pebble Beach.
6. When and where did seven time World Driving Champion Michael Schumacher last race in North America? (5 points)
Who the hell is Michael Schumacher?
7. Who was the last driver to qualify and race a front engine car in the Indianapolis 500? What year was it? (5 points)
Richard Petty
8. Identify the driver and the car. (3 points for each)
Scott Pruett with Smokey Yannick’s Chebby Special

9. What North American racing incident involved the driver in the photograph? (5 points)
Scott pulled an 8-year old girl out of a burning motorhome he spotted in the infield while driving during the Rolex 24. After saving her and putting out the fire, he jumped back in the car and won by a 32-lap margin of victory.
10. Name the ‘Odd Couple,’ a Silicon Valley CEO and a former college tennis player who combined to launch a sports car racing team, then drove to a podium finish at Le Mans. (5 points)
Hurley Haywood and Willy T. Ribbs.
11. The werks John Wyer and Porsche Salzburg (1970) and Martini (1971) teams won all but four races in which they entered the 917 in the FIA Group 5 World Championship of Makes. Name the four races in which the werks 917’s were beaten, whether points-paying or not, and the car that won in each instance. (8 points, 1 for venue, 1 for car in each instance)
Daytona 500 (1970) – Plymouth Superbird, Southern 500 (1970) – Ford Galaxie, Bristol 500 (1970) – Chebby Monte Carlo , Talladega 500 (1971) – Ford Torino
12. What Le Mans winner won a race in a Scarab?  (5 points)
Benny Parsons won a race in a taxi cab, is that what you mean?
13. What driver finished second overall in NASCAR points in his rookie season (year 1), then the next year third overall at Le Mans (year 2) and finally third in points in the following NASCAR season (year 3)? (5 points)
Tim Richmond.
14. Who celebrated a milestone birthday at Sonoma, California in July, 2000. (5 points)
J.C. France.
15. What do TWR USA/Jaguar, Nissan Performance Technology, Risi Competizione, and Tafel Racing have in common? (5 points)
They never raced a Daytona Prototype.
16. Which team won the biggest ever sports car purse, what was the race and year? (5 points)
Who the hell drives with a big purse?  Danica?
17. What driver called a GT1 a “real race car” when asked to contrast it to the car he usually raced. (5 points)
Who makes up this crap?
18. What driver competed in six ALMS seasons with an artificial heart valve? (5 points)
The Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz.
19. Murphy the Bear’s office is located in what institution on Monterey’s Wave Street? (5 points)
The zoo.
20. Who completed a cross county motorcycle ride between ALMS races at Lime Rock and Infineon. (5 points)
Someone with too much time on their hands.

If you’d like to enter Murphy’s contest, answer the following questions in an email by numbering your answers the same as the questions are numbered here, and send to mhbearesq@gmail.com  You must submit your answers no later than Midnight, Eastern Standard Time, 14 December, 2009.

We last heard from Dr. Porsche in May, when he declared, “Porsche AG will not be sold to Volkswagen.” At the time Wolfgang Porsche voiced support for a plan proposed by Porsche Chairman Wendelin Wiedeking in which Porsche and VW would be merged under a new holding company that Wiedeking would then run. That didn’t turn out so well.

According to today’s press release from Porsche AG, Dirk Werner (Germany), 2009 co-champion driver of the Rolex Grand-Am GT Farnbacher Loles Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, has won the coveted Porsche Cup for the world’s most successful driver of privately-entered race cars. (There appears to be no separate award category for church-entered race cars. St. Barbara’s contributed over $1.5 million to Farnbacher Loles racing program in 2009.) In addition to the challenge cup, the German also received a Porsche 911 GT3 worth around 120,000 Euro ($176,400).

Over the course of this season, Dirk Werner won the drivers’ classification in the Grand-Am Series with Leh Keen at the wheel of the #87 Farnbacher Loles Racing 911 GT3 Cup. Thanks to  their  four  victories,  Porsche  took  home  the  manufacturers’  title,  with  Farnbacher  Loles Racing claiming team honors.

The Bear can only conclude that the church, cognizant of the privacy of its members, asked it not be named at the ceremony. Murphy believes the trophy will be sent to Connecticut, however, along with the trophy for the Grand Am team championship. A trophy case will be built in the church’s narthex.

St. Barbara’s had planned an expansion with about $1.5 million raised so far, but decided instead to go racing with the money. “That’s a lot more fun than a new building,” said a member who requested anonymity. “We’ve got just enough left to build a case for our trophies, so it turned out well. You can’t doubt the value of such an achievement. We’re looking at moving up to NASCAR’s Truck Series next.”

Some at the church wonder if they’ll get title to the new Porsche won by Farnbacher Loles driver Dirk Werner. “We’re looking into that,” said a spokesperson, “but since Dirk won by racing on other teams, too, the may be his to keep. Besides, we’re aware we might be in line behind others for that.”

That last is a reference, the Bear thinks, to Pratt & Miller Engineering and Fabrication, Inc. who filed suit this past Tuesday in Michigan’s Eastern District Court against Farnbacher Loles Motorsports, LLC, Farnbacher Loles Racing, LLC, and Gregory Loles. (Case No. 2:2008cv14784) (Murphy previously reported that the Michigan constructor was building a tube-frame-based BMW for Mr. Loles; he doesn’t know if St. Barbara’s was a contributor to that plan for the 2010 Grand Am GT racing season.)

Don’t forget to enter Murphy’s quiz contest. As they say for the Bear’s local lottery, “You can’t win if you don’t enter.”

I’m writing this in the Homestead media center as I occasionally glance at the monitor to see yet another caution period in front of 80,000 empty grandstand seats.  Caution is the operative word in Grandamland this weekend. The shock has yet to wear off over the arrest of one of our legendary drivers. Indeed, when I left the World Center of Racing yesterday morning, things at International Speedway Boulevard were in full damage control mode.  No Lamborghini in the parking lot.

Of course, this sad incident is in no way a reflection of the Rolex Series. And quite frankly, no one here particularly cares, since the Indy Racing League is getting 98% of the attention.

While some may use this incident as a reason to bash the France family and its support of the Grand-Am series, you must admire their courage (and bank account). So many teams benefit from their financial generosity, its hard not to admire their honest and open way of doing business. One bad apple should not reflect on the whole tree.

I was very pleased to see the 2010 schedule and that Grand-Am is not wasting its time at elitist venues such as Laguna Seca, Road America, Sebring, Road Atlanta, Infinion or Mosport.  I hear for 2011 they are considering running every race at Daytona, which would be fine with me and make a great deal of sense. The idea of a spec-track series has been going around the halls of NASCAR for several months and I think this idea will be a winner.

Other Grand-Am news for the 2010 season I heard about this weekend: Daytona International Speedway’s legendary security department will be simply known as the “SS” beginning next year (Speedway Security). They just got a grant from the American Oval Track Institute to purchase special RRF (Road Racing Fan) Pepper Spray for next year’s Rolex 24  …All Koni Series races will run on Mondays in 2010, according to a GA official who said “mainly because they simply always get in the way of everything” … All Grand-Am team owners will wear special sensors that will activate an alarm if they stand within 25 feet of a an ALMS Le Mans Challenge car… Grand-Am Koolaid Award winners Matt C. and Andy F. will be awarded special vacation packages at the Chateau Elan in Braselton Georgia … Jim France will no longer pay for Rolex team owner’s massages … Jim Hunter’s new book “Dirt Under the Nicotine Patch: An Underground History of the American Le Mans Series” will be out in January (Jack Flowers is rumored to be the ghost writer) … Since most Grand-Am races are non-spectator events, the NASCAR PR Department will bus in residents of Assisted Living Facilities so the “Record Crowd” press releases can continue.

Well, I see now that the race will end under caution, and so will the season. And so will this column.

A.C.