SPORTS SHORTS

  In Defense of "The Tabasco Fiasco" By Brian H Cotnoir One of the most well-known sponsorship debacles in NASCAR History the so-called "Tabasco Fiasco" is a legendary for its multiple failures in its short existence, including incurring the wrath of its primary sponsor, Tabasco Sauce, and the team being run by a group of unscrupulous owners.  Through this all, I feel way too much blame gets put on the Parent Company of Tabasco Sauce, the McIlhenny Company, when in all actuality they did nothing to cause the teams failure and shortcomings, instead the real problem cause of the "Tabasco Fiasco" can be attributed to some shady business deals, and a NASCAR legend who got in way-in over his head. ISM Racing had made it's debut in the Indy Racing League during the 1996-97 season.  The team scored an impressive 3rd place finish in that years Indy 500 with Rookie driver, Jeff Ward.  The following season ISM's owner Bob Hancher decided he would run full-ti...

 In Defense of David Reutimann By Brian H Cotnoir In the early 2000's there was high hopes for driver David Reutimann.  The Florida driver was once touted as the future of Michael Waltrip Racing.   Even Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip signed him to driver for his fledgling Truck Series team.  Reutimann would shock the NASCAR world on more than one occasion pulling off upset wins and contending for Championships in the Lower-Tier Series, and yet he never fully got the respect he deserved.  Between injuries and unfavorable team decisions, Reutimann's once promising career was squandered. Reutimann's NASCAR career began in 2002, where he ran a handful of races for fellow Florida racer, Joe Nemechek.  Reutimann would make 14 starts for NEMCO Motorsports between 2002-2004 scoring a two Top 5's and three Top 10 finishes.  In 2004, Reutimann would make his Truck Series debut for NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip's team Darrell Waltrip Motorsports. ...

  5 More things you'll never see in NASCAR again By Brian H Cotnoir It's been a few weeks since my last NASCAR article, and I apologize for that.   I've really been struggling to think up new ideas and putting aside time to write new articles.  I even struggled so much to find a 5th (less obvious) thing to talk about in this article, but here are 5 more things you'll never see in NASCAR, be sure to check out my previous list of 5 things you'll never see in NASCAR, I'll leave a link at the bottom of the page. 1.)  A driver leads a race Flag-to-Flag The last time a driver led flag-to-flag leading every single lap of the race happened in 2000 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in during the Dura Lube 300.  Burton's dominating performance had little to do with strategy and perfect pit stops, but because of a rule change.  Prior to the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. in 2001, NASCAR's safety protocol was like most racing series: they were reactive instead of proac...

Most Memorable Throwing Away the Win Moments in NASCAR (Cup Series) By Brian H Cotnoir Man, do I love a good, exciting finish in the NASCAR Cup Series!  I may not be able to remember what my blood-type is or my wife's work phone number, or even what I ate for dinner the night before, but I can remember exactly where I was when Brad Keselowski dumped Carl Edwards at Talladega to win his first Cup Race or when Denny Hamlin snuck by Matt Kenseth to win his first Daytona 500.  If I had to pick my favorite kind of finish in NASCAR, I'd have to say it's when the top two drivers wreck each other going for the win and the third-place driver steals in the win.  I think I like it because it conjures up feelings of the old saying "I'd rather be lucky than good any day".  If you look at a list of NASCAR's Most Memorable Finishes a lot of those kinds of races are always mentioned and I'm here to talk about five of those moments.  * A Disclaimer * This list will onl...

  In Defense of Chad Little By Brian H Cotnoir There are two reasons why any hardcore NASCAR fan knows the name Chad Little:  1.)  The Amazing John Deere Paint scheme he ran in in the Cup Series (it's actually the Best in NASCAR History, in my opinion) and 2.)  His dominance in the NASCAR Busch Series during the mid 1990's.   Chad Little was a great driver in his early days and could have had more success in his career had certain events not taken place.  Despite never winning a race in the Cup Series, he won several races and even a Championship in some of NASCAR's lower tier series and is a part of NASCAR to this day. Chad Little's career began in the Pacific Northwest.   He was one of a handful of drivers to come out Washington State in the late 1980's to the late1990's.  Along with drivers like 1990 Daytona 500 Champion, Derrike Cope, Larry Gunselman, Tobey Butler, Greg Biffle, and Kasey Kahne.   Little won the-- then NASCA...

 5 of the Most Important Women in Auto Racing By Brian H Cotnoir Since the first days of auto racing the sport has remained a mostly Male dominated sport.  Women have entered races in NASCAR, NHRA, IndyCar, USAC, World of Outlaws, and even Formula 1!   Some have even gone on to win races in their sport:  Danica Patrick was the only woman to win a race in IndyCar, Erin Crocker is the only woman to have won a race in the World of Outlaws, Erica Enders & Brittany Force have won championships in the NHRA, and most recently Hailee Deegan and Gracie Trottier have won races in the ARCA Menards West Series.  There are well known female pioneers in racing like Janet Guthrie and Ethel Mobley, and there are many more who have gone on to do great things on and off the track, so in Honor of Women's History Month I've decided to talk about 5 of the Most Important women in Auto Racing (in no particular order). 1.)  Kelley Earnhardt Miller She's Dale Earnhardt Sr....

 5 of the Most Colorful Paint Schemes in NASCAR History By Brian H Cotnoir This year's Daytona 500 saw the debut of a brand-new team called "The Money Team", co-owned by pro-boxer Floyd Mayweather.  When the team and driver Kaz Grala showed up, it had one of the most colorful paint schemes seen in a long time.  I'll be honest with you: I think this is one of the most hideous paint schemes I've seen in a longtime, but I'll give it credit for a creative use of colors.  It got me thinking of other creative uses of colors in NASCAR and here are 5 such of those paint schemes (listed in no particular order) Kaz Grala's 2022 Daytona 500 car 1.)  Mars Company (M&M's and Skittles)- Multiple Teams The Mars Company is one of the biggest candy companies in the U.S., and they have been one of the longest lasting sponsors today in the Cup Series.  Since 1998 they have sponsored multiple teams (MB2 Motorsports, Robert Yates Racing, and Joe Gibbs Racing) with thei...