Car and Driver - Topic about Cars, Driving, Speedways, Freeways and Racing in USA

[pocahonta]

Car & Driver - USA Speedways- Car Racing Sport

USA SPEEDWAYS--------CAR RACING IN USA
Click on the icons to enlarge photos


Daytona speedway



Daytona speedway - rows of Nascars on the speedway


Daytona International Speedway is a superspeedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is a 2.5 mile (4 km) tri-oval race track facility with a seating capacity of 168,000 spectators. It hosts races of motor vehicles of various kinds, including go-karts, motorcycles (on and off road), sports cars, modified pickup trucks, and stock cars. The facility also includes a 3.56 mile (5.7 km) road course and a 180-acre (0.73 km²) infield, including the 29 acre Lake Lloyd, which has hosted powerboat racing. The facility is also used for an annual spring car show and swap meet, and a Thanksgiving street rod meet, some of the largest of their kind, and various 5k foot races around the track, as there have been three different layouts.


Nascars at Daytona Speedway


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Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana (a separate town completely surrounded by Indianapolis) in the United States, is the second-oldest surviving automobile racing track in the world (after Milwaukee), and the home of the most famous open wheel race in the United States, the Indianapolis 500.
It has existed since 1909, and is the original "Speedway," the first racing facility historically to incorporate the word. With a permanent seating capacity for more than 257,000 people [1] and infield seating that raises capacity to an approximate 400,000, it is the largest and highest-capacity sporting facility in history [2] (by comparison, the world's largest stadiumseats 150,000 spectators).



Formula One cars wind through the infield section of Indianapolis Motor Speedway United States Grand Prix



The Hall of Fame Museum at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - for car racer drivers



Helio Castroneves in his car racing outfit




Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Brazilian Helio Castroneves  - celebrity winner in “Dancing with the Stars TV show “
will join the “Dancing With The Stars Tour” this winter making seven appearances along with his professional dance partner Julianne Hough. Castroneves, who teamed with Hough to win the fifth season of the celebrity dance competition, will perform at shows beginning Jan. 18 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.



Accidents in Speedway---car crashes, fire, death & body injuries


PIT STOPS-----team crew changes the tires, do quick repair, put gas on the car in a matter of few seconds

[pocahonta]

WORLD famous speedways Drivers-------Partial list of names

Bill Elliott, Dale Earnhardt jr,  Dale Earnhardt, Sr ,  John Andretti,
Jeff Gordon, Dave Blaney, Dale Jarrett, Clint Bowyer, Danny Hamlin, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Juan Pablo Montoya, Michael Waltrip, Carl Edwards, Helio Castroneves


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NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award is awarded to the fans' favorite NASCAR driver. The award has been awarded since 1956. It started out as a poll of just the drivers, but eventually included all NASCAR Cup competitors. Today it is voted for by fans across the United States. The award will be renamed after Bill Elliott when he retires from the sport.
The award is presented by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), and became sponsored by Chex in 2005. The ceremony is called the Myers Brothers Awards Breakfast. The event is held in New York City at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The winner is typically announced in December
List of Past Winners
2000------------------------ Bill Elliott
2001---------------------------- Dale Earnhardt
2002------------------------------Bill Elliott
2003, 2004,2005,2006,2007  -- Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

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Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (born October 10, 1974), is a professional American race car driver who drives the #88 Mountain Dew AMP/National Guard Chevrolet Impala SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series for Hendrick Motorsports, and drives in the Nationwide Series part-time for the #5 car for his own team, JR Motorsports.



Dale Earnhardt Jr. performing a burnout after his win in the 2008 Budweiser Shootout------------Dale came from a family of car racers…..his father & grandfather are nascars drivers
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Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. (April 29, 1951 – February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver, best known for his career driving stock cars in NASCAR's top division. Earnhardt had four children, Kerry, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, Dale Jr., and Taylor Earnhardt. Earnhardt is known for his success in the Winston Cup Series, now known as the Sprint Cup Series. He won seventy-six races (including his only Daytona 500 victory in 1998), and his seven championships are tied for most all-time with Richard Petty. His highly aggressive driving style made him a fan favorite and earned him the nicknames "Ironhead", "Mr. Restrictor Plate", "The Man in Black" and most famously, "The Intimidator."
Earnhardt died in a last-lap crash during the 2001 Daytona 500[2], the fourth NASCAR driver to die in the nine months prior, the first being Adam Petty in May 2000.


Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash in the 2001 Daytona 500 , he died in this race..this is the actual photo of that crash.

[pocahonta]

Bill Elliott
William Clyde Elliott (Born October 8, 1955 in Dawsonville, Georgia) is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Elliott was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America on August 15, 2007.[1]
Elliott won the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Championship, garnered 44 wins in that series. He had two Daytona 500 victories, and a record four consecutive wins at Michigan International Speedway during 1985-86. He holds the track record at both Talladega and Daytona International Speedway with speeds of more than 200 mph. Elliott won NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award a record 16 times. He withdrew his name from the ballot for that award after winning it in 2002.The award will be renamed for Elliott when he officially retires from the sport[citation needed]. In 2005 Georgia Govenor Sunny Perdue declared October eighth as Bill Elliott day in the state of Georgia. Elliott as also been honored by the state legislator by having a strech of road in his native Dawsonville renamed Elliott Family Parkway.

Bill Elliott on a 1985 Sports Illustrated cover after winning the $1 million Winston bonus.
Bill Elliott car that set the record for the fastest recorded time in a stock car - 212.809 mph at Talladega Superspeedway


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---jeff gordon




Jeff ‘s car - chevy impala no.24


Jeffery Michael Gordon (born August 4, 1971) is a professional American race car driver. He was born in Vallejo, California, raised in Pittsboro, Indiana, and currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a four-time NASCAR Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup) Series champion, three-time Daytona 500 winner, and driver of the #24 Chevrolet Impala. His primary sponsor is DuPont, though Pepsi and Nicorette both supplement the team as secondary sponsors. Other sponsors include Quaker State, Haas Automation, GMAC, Bosch Spark Plugs, and Georgia-Pacific/Sparkle. He, along with Rick Hendrick, are the co-owners of the #48 Lowe's sponsored team, driven by Jimmie Johnson, who won both the 2006 and 2007 NEXTEL Cup series championship. Gordon also has an equity stake in his own #24 team.
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WOMEN CAR RACER


Janet Guthrie, The First Female Indianapolis 500 Driver,==inducted into the Women's Sports Hall of Fame in 1980



Female Racer -----Danica Patrick



Shawna Robinson

[pocahonta]

USA Speedways! -------Race Tracks  - Nascar Tracks

Official Race Track Sites
Atlanta Motor Speedway - Atlanta, Georgia
Bristol Motor Speedway: Bristol Dragway, 151 Speedway Blvd., PO Box 3966, Bristol, TN 37625
Charlotte Motor Speedway: Harrisburg, NC *
Chicago Motor Speedway: 3301 S. Laramie Ave., Cicero, IL 60804
Chicagoland Speedway: Joliet, Illinois
Daytona International Speedway - Daytona Florida, "World Center of Racing"
Darlington Raceway: Darlington, SC 29532
Dover Downs International Speedway:: Dover, DE 19903
Gateway International Raceway: Madison, Illinois.
Homestead-Miami Speedway: Homestead, Florida
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Kansas Speedway: Kansas City, KS
Kentucky Speedway - Kentucky Motor Speedway
Lowe's Motor Speedway: Concord, NC
Martinsville Speedway: Martinsville, Virginia 24112
Memphis Motorsports Park: Memphis Tennessee
Mesa Marin Raceway: Bakersfield, CA
Michigan International Speedway: Brooklyn, Michigan
Milwaukee Mile: West Allis, Wisconsin
Nashville Super Speedway
Nazareth Speedway: Nazareth, PA
New Hampshire International Speedway: Loudon, NH
North Carolina Speedway: Rockingham, NC
Phoenix International Raceway: Phoenix Arizona
Pikes Peak International Raceway: Reading, Pennsylvania
Pocono Raceway: Long Pond, PA.
Richmond International Raceway: Richmond, VA
Sears Point Raceway: Sonoma, CA
South Boston Speedway: South Boston, VA
Watkins Glen International: Watkins Glen, NY




California Speedway: California Speedway



Talladega Superspeedway: Talladega, AL



Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Las Vegas, Nevada



Texas Motor Speedway: Fort Worth, TX



Car Crashes is common in high speed car racing


Car racing is very popular sport in USA. Men and Women actively participates in this sport...Everyone drives in USA..it is a necessity not a luxury to own cars here...it is standard mode & part of the lifestyle & culture of american people. Young & old drives here, kids starts driving at age 15 while they are in high school.

[-E-rik]

Nice. I've been to a few tracks that were mentioned.

[pocahonta]

ErikV10 - I know that you will like this thread because you are a car racer driver.........How many MPH or how fast do you drive in the speedway, erik?  I have not seen this Speedways in person.....I just watch the race on TV all the time. 

I love Sports cars, I own one......my previous car before my Firebird is a Mustang GT.....I wish I can buy a new sport car but just the thought of paying it  every month for the next 4 years turns me off.

So when is your next Race ?  Still collecting trophies ?  Maybe someday your Name will appear on the Famous Fast Nascar Drivers List.....   Tell us about your car racing experience here....txs.

[pocahonta]

How  much NASCAR drivers make ?
NASCAR Drivers Salaries

Most people know that the National Football League (NFL) is the most popular sport on TV, but it may raise a few eyebrows to hear that the second highest-rated sport is NASCAR --the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. No longer just a heartland sport, NASCAR is broadcast in over 150 countries.
With all this television coverage come the big money and high annual salaries. Unlike NFL salaries, however, NASCAR drivers salaries are closely-guarded secrets (as mentioned on blog.vcu.edu/nascar).

That said, we do have some info on NASCAR drivers salaries, thanks to SportsIllustrated.cnn.com. SI says the highest-paid driver in 2005 was Dale Earnhardt Jr., whose annual salary and earnings totaled $5,761,830, but that's not all.

His endorsements earned $20,000,000, bringing his sub-total compensation to $25,761,830. That number doesn't include sales of Dale Earnhardt Jr. merchandise and earnings from the racing company that he owns. SI says his total take in '05 would approach $50 million!
The second $25 million is really for his role as a business owner, not directly for Dale Jr.'s work as a race car driver. While there are substantial risks to racing (Dale Sr. died on the race track), the pay is still impressive.


In NASCAR, drivers are essentially free agents who sign with “teams” that have an owner. The owner makes money via corporations which pay big bucks for those stickers (sponsorships) that are plastered all over race cars. The size and location of the sticker determines how much a corporation pays the team owner. The most expensive location is on the hood of a race car, most prominent during TV broadcasts. It is sponsorships (and the NASCAR television schedule), not prize winnings, that mostly fuel NASCAR.


Fastest lap in Speedways--------  source:sporting news ,October 5, 2007

The fastest lap of the year came  as Reed Sorenson completed Lap 109 at 202.752. Rounding out the top five -- and remember, this is for the whole season -- was Three of the four fastest individual laps of the Nextel Cup season came on the same circuit -- the 87th lap of the spring race at Talladega. Matt Kenseth turned the second-fastest lap of the season at 202.485 mph, followed by Scott Riggs at 202.363 and Greg Biffle at 201.902.
David Stremme on at 201.529.

[pocahonta]

Racing Cars photos
Click on the Icons to enlarge photo


Bentley


Volvo


Aston Martin


TVR Topcats

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Sports Cars (also called  fast cars  or muscle cars )


This is the car I want to buy in the future……..that is if I have the money to get it….…..hehehee…
1. Corvette ---------Price: $43,710 - $51,445
The new Corvette is shorter, more powerful, with less wind resistance and a sensational new automatic damping. V8 Engine,Horsepower: 400 bhp @ 6000 rpm, Top Speed: 186 mph
Miles Per Gallon: 19/28 mpg



I wish I could have this one too………beautiful car…stylist & very sleek….

2.Mercedes SLK 55 AMG-----Price: $56,265-----powerful new engines, a sporty suspension set-up, and a more direct steering. Top Speed: 160 mph, V8 engine,  Miles Per Gallon: 16/22 mpg


3.Porsche Carrera 2005---Price: $79,100, Top Speed: 182 mph , Miles Per Gallon: 18/26 mpg, V6 engine, Horsepower: 355 bhp @ 6600 rpm



Geeeee……this cost tooooo much money……only for the rich & famous….
4. Ferrari Scaglietti --- Price: $259,855, engine V12, Horsepower: 540 bhp @ 7250 rpm, Top Speed: 195 mph.,  Miles Per Gallon: 10/17 mpg



Wowow--------I like this one……….looks like a SPACE car from outer limits. Toooooo expensivee…again it is for people who has lots of dough.
5.  Lamborghini Gallardo ---  2004  is a 2-door, 2-passenger luxury sports car, available in one trim only, the Coupe.----Price: $165,900,  engine V10, Horsepower: 500 bhp @ 7800 rpm, Top Speed: 192 mph , Miles Per Gallon: 9/15 mpg



Beautiful sport car………..I love the style and the color……..I want this one tooo….hehehe…..
6. Viper --2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe-----Price: $81,495,  V10,  500 bhp @ 5600 rpm,



Looks OK…..not as stylist as the Viper…….looks plain to me…..
7.Nissan 350Z  --2005 mdl yr --------$28,650, V6, Top Speed: 155 mph


This one has a simple clean design……not too stylish like the Viper…..This car is very affordable for its price, that is why most working Americans has a mustang.
8.  2005 Ford Mustang GT------$24,600 , V8, 300 bhp @ 5750 rpm, Top Speed: 145 mph Miles , Per Gallon: 17/25 mpg



I like this one tooooooooo……..very niceee……except the color
9. Honda ----Honda S2000 ---2005 yr ---$32,950, engine V4, 240 bhp @ 7800 rpm


Very very nice expensive car………when I win the Lottery, I will get this one….
10.2004 Aston Martin DB9--------Price: $155,000 - $168,000, V12, 450 bhp @ 6000 rpm, Top Speed: 186 mph , Miles Per Gallon: 12/19 mpg

Discontinued production of GM sport cars  will be Re-introduced in 2009
Camaro models will be in production but Not the Firebird models.
General Motors started producing the Chevrolet Camaro in 1967; however, the car was discontinued in 2002. After a six year hiatus, GM will begin production of the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro at the end of 2008. The Camaro will go on sale in the first quarter of 2009.


The Chevrolet Camaro-----2008---$ -------V8 engine, Speed: 186 mph



This is the model car I owned today……..it runs fast………..I love it…..the price is affordable …….unfortunately….they stop producing this model….bummer….
The Pontiac Firebird --- 2002 -- $25,000.00 , V6 engine, speed 170 mph

[-E-rik]

(03-17-2008 11:30 AM)pocahonta Wrote:  ErikV10 - I know that you will like this thread because you are a car racer driver.........How many MPH or how fast do you drive in the speedway, erik?  I have not seen this Speedways in person.....I just watch the race on TV all the time. 

I love Sports cars, I own one......my previous car before my Firebird is a Mustang GT.....I wish I can buy a new sport car but just the thought of paying it  every month for the next 4 years turns me off.

So when is your next Race ?  Still collecting trophies ?  Maybe someday your Name will appear on the Famous Fast Nascar Drivers List.....   Tell us about your car racing experience here....txs.

I'm not sure if I will be racing at all this year. As you know, I'll be a senior next year and will be too busy for graduation and searching for college.

Anyway, here's something about racing!

Racing is not something I do to become popular, make money, or attract the girls (even though they are always fascinated by that).. its just something I do because I love the adrenaline rush and simply go fast while in control. Those who don't wake up at 6 AM during the weekends to drive to the track to race or drive 3 hours to go practice for a whole day, while never having time on the weekends for friends or parties cause I'm too busy riding, don't know how much the sport means to me.

Most would say "I can do it.. that its easy all you do is sit on it and step on the gas pedal" don't have a clue about it. They are very ignorant. I'm sure they have never tried going out on the track with the temperature being around 80-100 degrees or doing a 60 mph turn with 3 guys right next to you, not thinking about what's gonna happen in the next corner but just haulin ass trying to beat them there. Now you tell me that doesn't take muscle or skill or guts.

This is a very dangerous sport. I'm sure we all know the risks that come with racing, but if there weren't any risks than anyone could hop in and go pro. Just because were out for a while because of a crash or an injury doesn't mean were done it means get ready cause I'm coming back faster and more determined than ever. I may never be the next Michael Schumacher but I push myself to try it anyways.  Racing is just raw power and determination.

Not only that, racing is also a very expensive sport.

[-E-rik]

(03-18-2008 06:32 AM)pocahonta Wrote:   
Sports Cars (also called  fast cars  or muscle cars )


This is the car I want to buy in the future……..that is if I have the money to get it….…..hehehee…
1. Corvette ---------Price: $43,710 - $51,445
The new Corvette is shorter, more powerful, with less wind resistance and a sensational new automatic damping. V8 Engine,Horsepower: 400 bhp @ 6000 rpm, Top Speed: 186 mph
Miles Per Gallon: 19/28 mpg



I wish I could have this one too………beautiful car…stylist & very sleek….

2.Mercedes SLK 55 AMG-----Price: $56,265-----powerful new engines, a sporty suspension set-up, and a more direct steering. Top Speed: 160 mph, V8 engine,  Miles Per Gallon: 16/22 mpg


3.Porsche Carrera 2005---Price: $79,100, Top Speed: 182 mph , Miles Per Gallon: 18/26 mpg, V6 engine, Horsepower: 355 bhp @ 6600 rpm



Geeeee……this cost tooooo much money……only for the rich & famous….
4. Ferrari Scaglietti --- Price: $259,855, engine V12, Horsepower: 540 bhp @ 7250 rpm, Top Speed: 195 mph.,  Miles Per Gallon: 10/17 mpg



Wowow--------I like this one……….looks like a SPACE car from outer limits. Toooooo expensivee…again it is for people who has lots of dough.
5.  Lamborghini Gallardo ---  2004  is a 2-door, 2-passenger luxury sports car, available in one trim only, the Coupe.----Price: $165,900,  engine V10, Horsepower: 500 bhp @ 7800 rpm, Top Speed: 192 mph , Miles Per Gallon: 9/15 mpg



Beautiful sport car………..I love the style and the color……..I want this one tooo….hehehe…..
6. Viper --2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe-----Price: $81,495,  V10,  500 bhp @ 5600 rpm,



Looks OK…..not as stylist as the Viper…….looks plain to me…..
7.Nissan 350Z  --2005 mdl yr --------$28,650, V6, Top Speed: 155 mph


This one has a simple clean design……not too stylish like the Viper…..This car is very affordable for its price, that is why most working Americans has a mustang.
8.  2005 Ford Mustang GT------$24,600 , V8, 300 bhp @ 5750 rpm, Top Speed: 145 mph Miles , Per Gallon: 17/25 mpg



I like this one tooooooooo……..very niceee……except the color
9. Honda ----Honda S2000 ---2005 yr ---$32,950, engine V4, 240 bhp @ 7800 rpm


Very very nice expensive car………when I win the Lottery, I will get this one….
10.2004 Aston Martin DB9--------Price: $155,000 - $168,000, V12, 450 bhp @ 6000 rpm, Top Speed: 186 mph , Miles Per Gallon: 12/19 mpg

Discontinued production of GM sport cars  will be Re-introduced in 2009
Camaro models will be in production but Not the Firebird models.
General Motors started producing the Chevrolet Camaro in 1967; however, the car was discontinued in 2002. After a six year hiatus, GM will begin production of the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro at the end of 2008. The Camaro will go on sale in the first quarter of 2009.


The Chevrolet Camaro-----2008---$ -------V8 engine, Speed: 186 mph



This is the model car I owned today……..it runs fast………..I love it…..the price is affordable …….unfortunately….they stop producing this model….bummer….
The Pontiac Firebird --- 2002 -- $25,000.00 , V6 engine, speed 170 mph

Nice list!!

I used to own a Nissan 350Z. Not only it is a beautiful car, but its also very powerful.

My father owned both a 997 Carrera and a Gallardo. Raw power of a V10 is just unbelievable but he's saving up for a V12.

Goodluck, poca. I hope you can buy your dream cars in the future!

Here are some sites that could be beneficial!
http://www.thefastlanetomillions.com
http://www.lyved.com
http://www.lambopower.com

Best,