RedHill Sports
JR'S 2011 Ride.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
What If?
What would happen to Tiger Woods if Lance Armstrong was found to have cheated? I'm talking proof beyond ANY doubt that he cheated. Think about that for a second before reading on.
I'll start by saying, I'm a former road racer myself and Lance is one of my heroes when it comes to cycling. I, personally, feel that Lance never cheated. All the evidence points to Lance's innocence because there is no evidence. Lance has never failed a drug test. That said, let's move on.
So, what if I'm wrong and it's found out that Lance did cheat? What would the ramifications be for Tiger?
While Tiger has been the most popular athlete for years, Lance has never been too far behind him. In fact, when you add in Lance's work with his Live Strong foundation and Cancer in general, you'll find Lance is just as well known as Tiger. I'd be willing to bet that Lance was/is more respected in the world than Tiger. We're talking Tiger pre-getting caught, folks.
So, what happens? In short, we forget all about Tiger's troubles. The back lash from the public towards Lance would be 10X what Tiger is feeling. To put this into perspective, what Lance has accomplished is by far a greater feat than any record Tiger could put up. Winning the Tour De France 7 years in a row. I will point out that Miguel Indurain did win 6 in a row in the 90's. He was another of those freak athletes. Tiger would have to win 15 more majors to come close to that level of accomplishment.
Looking at this from the image standpoint, I think Tiger would make out like a bandit with new sponsors and endorsements. Nike, along with all Lance's sponsors, would have no choice but to sever ties with him. With the public distracted by Lance and his issues, companies would be free to go after Tiger. This is all predicated on Tiger overcoming the emotional challenges he faces. If Tiger can get some closure within his personal life, I feel, he'll be fine.
This was just a what if folks. I personally hope Floyd Landis, who did get caught cheating, and all the other haters leave Lance alone. It's a shame he has to go through this every time someone gets a hair up their butt.
As for Tiger, I hope he realizes he came back way too soon. He needs to shut it down for the year and work on his personal life. His talent will always be there, as we saw at the Masters.
Tiger, if it takes more than a year, so be it. Those of us who understand that life comes before work will not hold it against you. Go handle your business, then come back and blister the field some more or don't come back, that's your call.
Jeremy
I'll start by saying, I'm a former road racer myself and Lance is one of my heroes when it comes to cycling. I, personally, feel that Lance never cheated. All the evidence points to Lance's innocence because there is no evidence. Lance has never failed a drug test. That said, let's move on.
So, what if I'm wrong and it's found out that Lance did cheat? What would the ramifications be for Tiger?
While Tiger has been the most popular athlete for years, Lance has never been too far behind him. In fact, when you add in Lance's work with his Live Strong foundation and Cancer in general, you'll find Lance is just as well known as Tiger. I'd be willing to bet that Lance was/is more respected in the world than Tiger. We're talking Tiger pre-getting caught, folks.
So, what happens? In short, we forget all about Tiger's troubles. The back lash from the public towards Lance would be 10X what Tiger is feeling. To put this into perspective, what Lance has accomplished is by far a greater feat than any record Tiger could put up. Winning the Tour De France 7 years in a row. I will point out that Miguel Indurain did win 6 in a row in the 90's. He was another of those freak athletes. Tiger would have to win 15 more majors to come close to that level of accomplishment.
Looking at this from the image standpoint, I think Tiger would make out like a bandit with new sponsors and endorsements. Nike, along with all Lance's sponsors, would have no choice but to sever ties with him. With the public distracted by Lance and his issues, companies would be free to go after Tiger. This is all predicated on Tiger overcoming the emotional challenges he faces. If Tiger can get some closure within his personal life, I feel, he'll be fine.
This was just a what if folks. I personally hope Floyd Landis, who did get caught cheating, and all the other haters leave Lance alone. It's a shame he has to go through this every time someone gets a hair up their butt.
As for Tiger, I hope he realizes he came back way too soon. He needs to shut it down for the year and work on his personal life. His talent will always be there, as we saw at the Masters.
Tiger, if it takes more than a year, so be it. Those of us who understand that life comes before work will not hold it against you. Go handle your business, then come back and blister the field some more or don't come back, that's your call.
Jeremy
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Historical Future
It looks as though Nascar has a problem brewing. I'm sure you've all heard about the meeting that all the big team owners had at Hendrick Motorsports last week. After reading the article on speed, I found myself reflecting on the history of open wheel racing in this country.
Many don't realize it was Roger Penske who started CART along with other team owners. Their fights with USAC were the catalyst that created Champ Car. Who can forget the mid 90's when the split between the open wheel factions occurred? They are still feeling the affects from that to this day.
I bring this up because I feel it holds some answers as to what could befall Nascar if they don't watch their step. Without the owners and their drivers, who are all under contract, Nascar ceases to exist.
The owners were looking for ways to make it more affordable to do business. Everything from shorter races to mandatory multiple use of an engine were discussed.
Nascar thinks they hold all the cards. Reality paints a different picture though. While Nascar owns 12 tracks, including both Dega and Daytona, that doesn't guarantee them a full field.
Bruton Smith owns 7 tracks and has the money to do whatever he wants. So, let's imagine a scenario where Nascar really pisses off the team owners. The big 5 owners decide enough is enough and call a meeting with Smith. At that meeting they discuss the possibility of starting a new series. Do you see where I'm going?
There are numerous tracks out there that would provide great racing that have nothing to do with Nascar. Drivers could and would still be able to run in the 500.
I envision something akin to F1. Each team would be able to build a certain number of engines and each engine must be used twice. Other changes would likely be race distance, as well as, a more friendly schedule for the teams. I would also say a shorter season would have to be on the table.
That's what I see on the horizon if Nascar doesn't start listening to the people that drive the sport. Without the owners, who put their heart and soul into their teams, Nascar is dead.
I know it all sounds far fetched, but it's already happened in open wheel racing more than once.
Jeremy
Many don't realize it was Roger Penske who started CART along with other team owners. Their fights with USAC were the catalyst that created Champ Car. Who can forget the mid 90's when the split between the open wheel factions occurred? They are still feeling the affects from that to this day.
I bring this up because I feel it holds some answers as to what could befall Nascar if they don't watch their step. Without the owners and their drivers, who are all under contract, Nascar ceases to exist.
The owners were looking for ways to make it more affordable to do business. Everything from shorter races to mandatory multiple use of an engine were discussed.
Nascar thinks they hold all the cards. Reality paints a different picture though. While Nascar owns 12 tracks, including both Dega and Daytona, that doesn't guarantee them a full field.
Bruton Smith owns 7 tracks and has the money to do whatever he wants. So, let's imagine a scenario where Nascar really pisses off the team owners. The big 5 owners decide enough is enough and call a meeting with Smith. At that meeting they discuss the possibility of starting a new series. Do you see where I'm going?
There are numerous tracks out there that would provide great racing that have nothing to do with Nascar. Drivers could and would still be able to run in the 500.
I envision something akin to F1. Each team would be able to build a certain number of engines and each engine must be used twice. Other changes would likely be race distance, as well as, a more friendly schedule for the teams. I would also say a shorter season would have to be on the table.
That's what I see on the horizon if Nascar doesn't start listening to the people that drive the sport. Without the owners, who put their heart and soul into their teams, Nascar is dead.
I know it all sounds far fetched, but it's already happened in open wheel racing more than once.
Jeremy
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