"Yes, we still have a blog..."

Seems like I haven't posted in a while. Yep, that's obvious; most of what used to go here is now on Twitter. So I'm trying to figure how best to use the resource.

In the next few days, you'll see some on-line book reviews that I pitched in my "Race-Talk" program of July 22. The publisher links will be on the main site links page (msrpk.com/links.html). I'll be reviewing titles from my kumotre (Polish for friend) Jerry Bonkowski (whom you hear occasionally on SiriusXM Channel 90) and some other assorted NASCAR and Formula One titles. The idea here is to keep it short so you will go to the library or better yet, download it to your Kindle, or (gasp!) buy the dead tree version to see what I found in the book.

This is a work in progress. Listener/reader comment is always solicited; computer spam (not SPAM, a product of Hormel Foods) is not solited or tolerated.

"Blog Extra August 8, 2010"

When reading Jim Donnelly's collaboration with Don Miller (retired VP Penske Racing South), I wasn't expecting to find out much more than what he did with Penske and the full fendered cars.

The book ("Miller's Time A Lifetime at Speed, Coastal 181 Publishing http://www.coastal181.com/) opened a window into the life of someone who changed the way drivers in all of auto racing make money. For it was Miller, working with Roger Penske, who put together what today would be looked at as a tiny trailer with what at the time was called "trinkets and trash" and discovered a revenue stream that, today insures racing drivers in all series a comfortable income--that is, of course the souvenir trailer. Miller was a drag racer of some repute, but was an even more effective marketer and builder of relationships. His relationship with the Captain's long time PR whiz Dan Luginbuhl, and what those two men would do to get the job done, were crucial to the success of Penske Racing.

Miller and Donnelly didn't sugarcoat the incident at Talladega in 1974 which cost Miller's right leg, and left him with injuries that plagued him through the years. Those would have sidelined a less dedicated person.

The most interesting facet of this book is the relationship building; not just those with Roger Penske, the Goodyear tire people, sponsors, drivers, media and fans--it includes the relationship he built, and maintains with Pat, his wife of some 48 some years. Some were fruitful, others not so much.

The net proceeds from this book are pledged to help fight child abuse and neglect in the Carolinas, which is reason enough to buy it. The other is for the window that Miller and Donnelly opens into the world of big time stock car racing.

We'll also link to Coastal181 (who's published books with Ken Schrader and the racing equivalent of the Eveready Energizer Bunny, Kenny "Herman" Wallace) from our listener page. That link is http://bit.ly/pHP28 .

Now more comments.

If a person or organization has built a relationship on openness and candor, then it causes the parties in the relationship--be they customers, fans, employees, contractors or competitors--cognitive dissonance when the first party in the relationship backs away from the openness and candor, and begins to suppress that in the name of protecting the "brand" or "relationship" (Our Twitter page says we tweet for thinkers; we've always blogged that way, and encourage you to research cognitive dissonance). Hint: it concerns perception and reality and the differences between what you think, and what really is.

If a party to a relationship backs away from candor, or punishes it, it begs some questions:

1. 
   
   Can the relationship ever regain full trust?


2. 
   
   What is the other party hiding?


3. 
   
   Is the relationship mutually beneficial, or is the other party trying to exert unfair control over the other party, when confronted with a show of equal power?

Let me state for the record that NASCAR is a private organization, and can do or say anything they please that is legal--and will most likely continue to do so. Their past history shows that they like to have a "gotcha" sanction and vague hammer that they can hold over the independent contractors who drive and compete in their series (Rule 12-A actions detrimental to stock car racing, and the absolute lack of specificity in all but the construction of the cars that compete in its series).

One does not build trust for the long run by having "gotcha's" in a relationship, be it personal or business. When Moses came down from the mountain with the Ten Commandments, there were no vague clauses--just simple, measurable, definable rules on a tablet for all to see.

NASCAR--get back to being Moses, and not a Pharisee.

Comments are welcomed, and moderated for propriety, grammar and length. The best ones may be mentioned on a future "Race-Talk" program.

Information on Podcast Links

I upgraded the software which is used to encode our Motor Sports Radio podcasts so you can find them with programs like Juice, etc.

It generates a different file, with a different file extension.

The updated link is at our listener page, which is: http://msrpk.com/listener.html

In case you enter links manually, here they are:

Race-Talk: http://www.msrpk.com/podcast/racetalk.rss.xml

Radio-Road-Test: http://www.msrpk.com/podcast/roadtest.rss.xml

Special Programs: http://www.msrpk.com/podcast/special.rss.xml

I wanted to make sure that all subscribers to the podcast (all over the world--thanks!) notice no disruption in the download.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns-don't hesitate to contact us on our feedback (a) msrpk.com e-mail address.

"Yes, I Am Still Here"

I have been Tweeting, much more frequently than I've been blogging; those of you who have discovered our listener blog and have bookmarked this site see the Twitter links, which update much more frequently.

With BlackBerries, iPhones and mobile web updates, it is sometime easier to Tweet than blog.

Be assured that if there's a situation that demands more than a special podcast or a Tweet, you'll find more information here. I believe that you listeners and blog readers deserve an explanation of how I make editorial judgements on how I get information and commentary out.

If you think I need to blog more, shoot me a note to feedback (at) msrpk.com, and tell me where I can do better.

The Pothole

I posted this earlier on Twitter, but thought it might be useful to have it available for you to look at, and see for yourself why this was a problem for the Daytona International Speedway and NASCAR in its biggest race of the year. Pity it happened. In any other time, the pavement holds up. Given the age of the pavement (August 1978), the below normal temperatures, the position on track (where it goes into shadow quickly and loses the benefit of direct sun for warmth), the rains, and the propensity for water to seek its own level. The beat scribes + scribettes are trying to create controversy by suggesting that there was some nefarious scheme to cover up the defect.

I will be asking for your Tweeted comments on what Daytona should do to fix this once and for all.

"Crown Royal Presents the Heath Calhoun 400"--May 1, 2010

Tweets say it all about this soldier.

"Fame Monster" Doubles Down; Stock Car Debut Part Deux

Danica Patrick, as you have seen and heard in the Twitterverse, and soon elsewhere, will continue her learning process this weekend at Datytona International Speedway when she enters and runs the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Saturday, February 13. Her entry will get the guaranteed points from a car acquired by JR Motorsports--so Kelly Bires ought to be able to compete.

Her debut in the ARCA race was not spectacular, but solid. She dodged flying sheet metal, felt a few nudges, gave some back, and brought the car back into the garage area 6th--on the lead lap. Patrick showed some car control skills during a spin--which will be necessary to perfect as her time in stock cars continues. Randy Bernard, IndyCar Series CEO, can only hope that her new found notoriety in the stock car arena is a good thing for Patrick's day job--competing in the IndyCar Series full time for Michael Andretti.

We're taking care of other business, and will have a very busy Race-Talk this week. We will likely be busy for CBS News, Radio, as the hype continues for the 52nd Daytona 500--which, it seems, is being overshadowed somewhat by Patrick's stock car debut