Lead Lap's NASCAR News

Why Mike Wise’s Twitter ‘Test’ Was A Failure

Michael J Smith — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:05:26 +0000

It’s no secret that some traditional journalists look down on social media reporting, used mainly by bloggers, because they feel that in social media, there is no accountability or credibility. Journalists tend to think that social media is used to report erroneous information without first checking the facts.

To test this theory, Mike Wise, a sports columnist for the Washington Post, tweeted on Monday that Ben Roethlisberger would receive a five-game suspension from the NFL. Roethlisberger is slated to miss six games currently, but he is meeting with the NFL commissioner this week in the hopes of getting that suspension reduced.

The problem was that Wise made up the tweet just to see if it would be picked up by news sources, and some reputable ones did. When the tweet was revealed to be a hoax perpetrated by Wise himself, there was some minor outrage. Wise issued a written apology, and was suspended from the Washington Post for one month – with some at the newspaper saying he is lucky he wasn’t fired.

As a professional journalist, and blogger, I understand the point Wise was trying to make. I’ve seen a lot of erroneous information spread via social media in my two and a half years covering NASCAR for my blog. Just this summer, it was reported that Mark Martin was headed to Red Bull Racing in 2011, allowing Kasey Kahne to take over driving duties of the No. 5 Chevy.

While this rumor wasn’t a deliberate fabrication like Wise’s – I don’t think – it did spread enough to force Martin’s business manager and RBR officials to deny the report.

These inaccurate rumors did not gain traction because people don’t check the facts, as Wise contends. They were spread because the sources that started them have credibility. In Wise’s case, he is a Washington, DC radio personality and a sports columnist for the Post. If anyone has reputable sources, he does. So, more stock is put into what he says, or tweets as it were, than someone without his credentials or credibility. The same goes for most, if not all, journalists with reputable news organizations.

If SuprDaleJrFan88 tweets that Dale Earnhardt Jr is retiring to pursue an acting career, no major NASCAR news outlet would pick it up without verifying the information with a credible source. And, most fans wouldn’t believe it. If Jeff Gluck, Jenna Fryer, Marty Smith or David Newton (to name a few) tweeted it on any other day than April 1st, people would believe it (assuming they didn’t quantify it as a joke or rumor). They’re all reputable, and cover NASCAR for reputable organizations. So, their words and tweets carry more weight than the words of a random tweeter. Their reporting is taken at face value because people assume that they did the legwork to verify it.

That’s not to say that people (non-journalists) should spread rumors. But, they don’t have the same responsibility as journalists to vet a story because they’re not expected to be credible, nor are they making claims of the accuracy of what they’re spreading. Their tweets don’t carry the same weight as a journalists.

And that’s the reason Wise’s experiment was a failure. If he really wanted to test his theory, he should have tweeted from an anonymous Twitter account, which wouldn’t have his credibility attached to it, and see whether or not it would’ve been picked up. I highly doubt it would’ve been given a second look – at least by media outlets.

No related posts.

RCR, RfJ Team Up To Form Shepherd Racing Ventures

Michael J Smith — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:07:38 +0000

Richard Childress Racing and Morgan Shepherd’s Racing for Jesus have teamed up to form Shepherd Racing Ventures, a partnership to run the No. 21 Nationwide Series Chevy for the remainder of the Nationwide season.

The new entity will allow RCR and RfJ to both field the No. 21 Chevy in N’Wide events using a combination of equipment and crewmen. The deal will also allow both teams to use the points and number in 2011, as well.

Clint Bowyer is slated to drive the No. 21 in four more N’Wide events this season, with the car and crew coming from the RCR stable. In the other seven N’Wide events, Shepherd will drive the car, with equipment and crew coming from the RfJ stable.

RGM Signs Conway, ExtenZe For Rest Of Season

Michael J Smith — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:37:15 +0000

Robby Gordon Motorsports has signed Kevin Conway and ExtenZe Racing to pilot RGM’s No. 7 Sprint Cup Toyota for the remainder of the season, according to FoxSports.com.

Conway will pilot the RGM Toyota starting with this weekend’s Emory Healthcare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Team owner Robby Gordon said:

We are excited to have ExtenZe Racing and Kevin Conway join Robby Gordon Motorsports. This is an excellent opportunity for everyone involved, and I am excited to have Kevin behind the wheel of the No. 7. I hope that we will be able help Kevin bring home the Rookie of the Year Award while expanding our team and his on-track experience.

Conway added:

I am thrilled to finally be able to announce our signing with Robby Gordon Motorsports. The Bristol race a couple weekends ago came together very late and gave everyone just a quick peek at what was possibly to come. Now that everything is in place I can’t wait to take to the track this weekend in Atlanta in the No. 7 ExtenZe Racing Toyota.

Conway started the season with Front Row Motorsports in the No. 37 car. He struggled to keep the car in the top 35 in owner’s points. Team owner Bob Jenkins had to change car numbers a few times to keep Conway in the top 35.

Conway was rumored to be on thin ice at FRM and rumors indicated that he would be replaced, with ExtenZe staying with FRM. ExtenZe issued a statement shortly thereafter reiterating their commitment to Conway.

FRM replaced Conway with Tony Raines. Conway then started a race for RGM. It was then reported that RGM was working to keep Conway for the rest of the season.

Said Edges Papis To Win NAPA Auto Parts 200

Michael J Smith — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 05:02:14 +0000

Boris Said survived a spin — and aberration — and edged Max Papis by a nose in a drag race to the finish to win the NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The win is Said’s first career victory in the Nationwide Series.

The beginning of the race saw more caution laps than green-flag laps, with three caution flags flying in the first 12 laps. Marcos Ambrose and Jacques Villeneuve had the strongest cars to start the race, with Ambrose dominating. But, the pit strategy of some of their competitors put Ambrose and Villeneuve in 14th and 15th after pitting.

Ambrose powered through the field, as did Villeneuve albeit a little less aggressively than Ambrose. As Villeneuve made his way to the front, he got into the corner a little too hot behind Said and started wheel-hopping. He made contact with Said, sending him around. Both were able to right their cars and continue on.

Ambrose took the lead from Carl Edwards on lap 36, but one lap later, he reported that he thought there was something wrong with the battery or alternator. Edwards was able to get by him for the lead, and Ambrose pitted on lap 45 for a battery change. But, damage to the car prevented the crew from making a quick change, resulting in Ambrose losing two laps on pit road under green.

About six laps later, Ambrose broke something in the suspension, ending his day. He finished 33rd.

With 10 laps to go, Edwards, who looked poised for victory with Ambrose out, was leading when he broke a track bar mount. He went behind the wall for repairs. He finished 20th.

Robby Gordon assumed the lead when Edwards had his problem, but was iffy on fuel. He conserved over the last two cautions. But, when Trevor Bayne hit the wall and Jason Leffler wrecked, the race was red flagged. Gordon didn’t have enough fuel for the upcoming green-white-checkered finish.

On the restart, Said got by Gordon for the lead. Gordon gave him a shot in the rear bumper before running out of fuel and coasting while cars blew by him. He finished 14th.

Said took the lead, but Max Papis was all over Said’s rear. Papis passed him under braking heading into the final two turns. But, Papis swung a little wide coming off of the final turn allowing Said to pull along side of him. The two had a drag race to the finish with Said getting the edge by a nose.

Top 5: Said, Papis, Villeneuve, Brad Keselowski, and Paul Menard.

Joey Logano, JR Fitzpatrick, Parker Kligerman, Justin Allgaier, and Trevor Bayne rounded out the top 10.

Notables: Kenny Wallace (13th), Robby Gordon (14th), Mike Bliss (15th), Mike Wallace (17th), Carl Edwards (20th), Jason Leffler (21st), Colin Braun (22nd), Tayler Malsam (23rd), Ricky Stenhouse Jr (24th), Michael Annett (25th), Brendan Gaughan (27th), Joe Nemechek (28th), Ron Fellows (30th), Patrick Carpentier (32nd), Marcos Ambrose (33rd), and Steve Wallace (38th).

Busch Outruns Bodine To Win EnjoyIllinois.com 225

Michael J Smith — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 04:11:49 +0000

Kyle Busch followed up his historic Bristol weekend with another NASCAR victory, winning the Camping World Truck Series’ EnjoyIllinois.com 225 at Chicagoland Speedway.

Busch outran Todd Bodine in a green-white-checkered finish to win his fourth CWTS race this season.

Bodine’s second place finish extended his points lead to 236 points over Aric Almirola.

Top 5: Busch, Bodine, Ron Hornaday, Johnny Sauter, and Justin Lofton.

Almirola, Matt Crafton, Rick Crawford, Austin Dillon, and David Starr rounded out the top 10.

Notables: James Buescher (12th), Steve Park (18th), Timothy Peters (21st), Mike Skinner (23rd), and Ricky Carmichael (28th).

Smith Re-Signs With Furniture Row Racing

Michael J Smith — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:28:56 +0000

Regan Smith has signed a two-year contract extension with Furniture Row Racing, FoxSports.com is reporting. The deal puts Smith in the No. 78 Sprint Cup Chevy through the 2012 season.

Joe Garone, of FRR, said:

This continues to show the commitment we have to achieving our goals in Sprint Cup. We feel like Regan is a good fit for Furniture Row and Denver Mattress as well as an up-and-coming talent in NASCAR. He continues to get better and he’s a great personality.

Garone also added that the team hopes to expand to a two-car operation in the future.

McDowell To Replace Yeley In Whitney Motorsports’ No. 46?

Michael J Smith — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:48:24 +0000

According to a tweet from JJ Yeley, he is being replaced by Michael McDowell in Whitney Motorsports’ No. 46 Dodge. He tweeted:

Speaking of getting it in the balls, I am being replaced by McDowell in the 46 car…. I guess [butt] kissing really is good for something.

RGM Working To Keep Conway For Rest Of Season

Michael J Smith — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:58:17 +0000

According to SceneDaily, Robby Gordon Motorsports is working on a deal to keep Kevin Conway in an RGM Toyota for the rest of the season, and possibly next season.

Conway began the season with Front Row Motorsports. He drove 21 of the first 22 races with the team. He was not cleared to participate in the Daytona 500. He struggled, posting one top 15 finish, and not other finishes better than 28th.

He struggled to stay in the top 35 in owner’s points. FRM owner Bob Jenkins had to switch car numbers a few times to keep Conway in the top 35.

Despite his struggles, ExtenZe Racing has stayed committed to Conway. When reports began to surface that he might be on thin ice at FRM, ExtenZe issued a statement reiterating their committment to Conway.

Conway was replaced by Tony Raines before the Carfax 400 at Michigan International Speedway. The following week, Conway drove RGM’s No. 7 Toyota in the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. He finished 36th.

RGM is looking to field the No. 7 car for the rest of the season, and hopes to have Conway in the car. Conway plans to bring his ExtenZe sponsorship with him.

Team owner Robby Gordon said:

The plan is we’d like to [have him run the rest of year], but every weekend it’s see how it goes. … He’s got to build his confidence. The biggest thing is we need to build his confidence.

Busch Makes NASCAR History With Bristol Trifecta

Michael J Smith — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 04:44:46 +0000

Kyle Busch held off David Reutimann and Jamie McMurray to win the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. With the win, Busch made NASCAR history, becoming the first driver to sweep three NASCAR national touring events at the same track in the same race weekend. The win is Busch’s third this season.

Top 5: Busch, Reutimann, McMurray, Clint Bowyer, and Kasey Kahne.

Ryan Newman, Juan Montoya, Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top 10.

Notables: Jeff Gordon (11th), Carl Edwards (12th), Dale Earnhardt Jr (13th), Kevin Harvick (14th), Jeff Burton (15th), Martin Truex Jr (17th), Mark Martin (23rd), Tony Stewart (27th), Elliott Sadler (29th), Denny Hamlin (34th), and Jimmie Johnson (35th).

Around lap 262, Jimmie Johnson, who led 175 laps to that point, was racing with Juan Montoya down the backstretch. The two made contact, sending Johnson spinning into the turn 3 wall. Johnson went to the garage for repairs and finished 35th.

About halfway through the race, Denny Hamlin broke a drive shaft, which required repairs inthe garage. He finished 34th.

Tony Stewart was also running in the top 5 when Regan Smith spun in front of him. Stewart slowed to avoid hitting him, and Tony Raines ran into the back of him, damaging his car. Stewart spent time on pit road getting repairs, but never had a competitive car after the contact. He finished 27th.

Vickers Expects To Be Back In Sprint Cup In 2011

Michael J Smith — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 04:32:12 +0000

Brian Vickers revealed that he had surgery to close a hole in his heart earlier this year, but said he fully expects to be back in a Sprint Cup car by the start of the 2011 season.

After he was found to have blood clots in May that sidelined him for the rest of the season, Vickers said that doctors began to search for causes. They focused on his heart because a clot was found in one of the fingers on his left hand.

Vickers said:

The only way for a clot to get there was through my heart, from the right atrium to the left atrium. It’s a hole between the two atriums. Surprisingly enough, it’s pretty common. About 25 percent of people have this hole. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to diagnose and very intrusive to diagnose.

Doctors also confirmed, during the surgery that Vickers is a candidate for May-Thurner Syndrome, which Vickers said:

[is] basically where a vein and an artery pinch. It slows the blood flow down in that region. It’s very difficult to diagnose that issue without being intrusive. So we had both of those decisions out there that might have been part of the cause. Obviously, it wasn’t the entire cause, because that’s something you’re born with, and I spent most of my life without clots.

Vickers had heart surgery in July at Charlotte Medical Center. He also had a stent placed in a vein in his left leg, a day after heart surgery. He said that no more surgeries are scheduled and he will be evaluated this week.

Vickers is still taking blood thinners and clot-blocking drugs, and will continue to do so through the remainder of this year. But, he cleared the genetic blood testing and has received a clean bill of health.

Vickers said:

My chances right now of having a clot, when I come off Coumadin, are no higher than anyone else in the garage. So I’m as good or better than I was a year ago, from that standpoint.

With this news, Red Bull Racing will face a decision on whether they will field a third Toyota next season to accomodate the addition of Kasey Kahne, or replace Scott Speed with Kahne and continue to run as a two-car team.

RBR General Manager Jay Frye said the team is still evaluating Speed, but they would like to see improvement.