Here is my personal top-ten list, these did not consider the RacingWest stats, although I came up with the same conclusion as some of the RacingWest stats.There were many promoters, drivers, series and sponsors that I wanted to include, but I stuck with ten, so here they are in order with the last item on the list being numero uno.
10) NASCAR spreading internationally, despite the fact that it is waning in popularity nationally--as evidenced by its less than stellar TV ratings and track attendance on the decline in most areas. What does this have to do with the West Coast? Either one of these two changes could have an impact on the Grand National Series.
9) NASCAR's new technology, from the new recipe motor and fiberglass body in the NASCAR Grand National West and East Series to the pros and cons of the Car of Tomorrow for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.
8) Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne at Skagit Speedway in Washington was big news, which really got big when Stewart got hurt.
7) The elimination of Danny Grill and Don Hawk from the NASCAR payroll
6) The NASCAR Southwest Tour championship won by a single point by Rip Michels with Eric Holmes missing the shot to be honored with double 2006 NASCAR Championship titles by that same one little ol' point.
5) The loss of way too many good people, Paul Dana, Gary Jacob, Jesus Amezcua, Robert Kline, Ron Witz, James L. Martin, Spencer Clark, Andrew Phillips Army Sgt. Bryan Allen Brewster (son of sports writer Louis Brewster), Tony Prusa, Rory Price, Steve McElroy John Albert Reed and Fred Brownfield (whose death had a major impact on the National Sprint Tour and World of Champions).
4) Former Left Coast regulars, Burney Lamar and David Gilliland. Lamar after jumping into Kevin Harvick's Busch car surprised the press with a second place finish at Daytona Speedway, several months later he was out of a ride, but he made national news again later this year by marrying model Niki Taylor. Gilliland gained national fame for winning the Busch race at Kentucky Speedway followed by being picked by Robert Yates Racing to drive the #38 NASCAR Nextel Cup car.
3) There were passionate promoters, but three promoters were standouts; Tavo "CT Helmund" for the NASCAR Grand National race at Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle Texas--he turned it into a pint sized NASCAR Cup event, George Wade for the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Southwest Tour race held at Shasta Raceway Park -- he gave the drivers a heroes welcome and Mickey Beadle for the Washington 500 at Evergreen Speedway--the biggest stock car event in the NW or SW except for maybe the Showdown.
2) Who could forget the tragedy and ensuing drama over NASCAR disbanding the Tours with different series and track promoters trying to save what was left and in the end it finished up just about right where it started with the SRL the logical choice for the SW Tour and the with Yakima Speedway (Ted Pollack is getting an early jump for promoter of the year come 2007) offering 3 races for the Northwest Tour…ah but hopes are still high for the other tracks coming through.
1) And the number one story? The tracks! Stockton closing--huge, Kenny Shepherd winning the Madera bid--huge, Kern County's Newest Track to NASCAR getting its permits-huge, John Condren and Riverside Motorsports Park apparently on the homestretch to gaining approval for permits--huge and a new track at Tulare in the plans--huge.
There you have it my personal picks for West Coast Auto Racing's Top-Ten Stories.
