Ford proposing NASCAR version of the X-Games?: A NASCAR version of the X-Games? Something like that is what Ford Motor Company is proposing to NASCAR executives, as a way to use NASCAR to promote new small street cars, to the $14,000 MSRP youthful demographic. How much interest other car companies might have in any such NASCAR/X-Games venture is not clear. Chevrolet racing boss Jim Campbell, who is using Sunday's Michigan 400 to promote GM's new small-car Sonic, as pace car, says he is "open" to using motorsports to push Chevrolet's new small car line. While Toyota and Honda made their names as purveyors of small cars, Ford and Chevrolet on the other hand have been more to the muscle-power side of the game, with powerful trucks like the F-150 and sporty cars like the Mustang, Corvette and Camaro. NASCAR once had a four-cylinder national touring series, the Baby Grands, back in the 1970s, which proved highly popular, and then fairly inexpensive. Precisely what Ford is proposing to NASCAR isn't clear.(MikeMulhern.net)(8-22-2011)

Liking the idea of introducing the small cars as a division of NASCAR. But X Games rallycross style?

How about bringing back something along the lines of the Dash series?

Thought this article was an interesting one about the ageless Jacques de Bries.

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2012/2/7 ... s-cautions

Won't stop people from pissing and moaning about them, but they both bring up good points.

As I've watched a bunch of races from late 80's, early 90's lately, and noticed a crap-ton of debris on the track that may-or-may-not-be dangerous (with no yellows thrown), I'd think "Man, that would be a yellow nowadays, no doubt". But like everything else in the sport over the last 12 years, it has needed improvement safety-wise.

The thought of debris flipping up and hitting a driver (like Bobby Labonte, mentioned in the article) hadn't even crossed my mind, so at that point, inaction on the part of officials is pretty much not an option. The '04 Dover race mentioned is a great example, as well, of a non-call leading to disaster.

I approve of their stance on it, honestly. *shrugs*

I think this must be what Ford was proposing:
http://www.global-rallycross.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/20120206_grc_2012_stakeholder_memo.pdf
3 NASCAR companion events, all events that aren't the X Games at SMI tracks.

John Wes Townley Charged With DUI After Car Wreck In Georgia (by Jeff Gluck)

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver John Wes Townley was charged with driving under the influence after crashing his 2012 BMW into a telephone pole in Georgia, the Athens Banner-Herald reported Friday.

The incident, which occurred early Tuesday morning, came to the attention of the Oconee County Sheriff's Department when a 911 call reported "a suspicious man knocking on the back door of a home" at 4:30 a.m.

Sheriff's deputies arrived to find a disoriented Townley "swaying from side to side and bleeding from his bare feet," the report said. Townley was arrested and charged with DUI and weaving in the roadway.

The newspaper said deputies found blood on the seat of the car, which had its airbags deployed in the crash.

Townley's incident could be a blow to the 22-year-old's NASCAR comeback. The son of Zaxby's co-founder Tony Townley is attempting to revive his career with RAB Racing, which formerly fielded Nationwide cars for the driver.

RAB Racing declined comment when contacted by SB Nation.

This isn't the first time Townley has found trouble with authorities on an alcohol-related offense. In 2010, Townley was cited for underage possession of alcohol during the Las Vegas race weekend (he was a Richard Childress Racing driver then).

"I made a big mistake and feel terrible about it," Townley said at the time. "I have learned a valuable lesson and will do everything I can to make it up to those I have let down."

Townley was released from RCR due to performance issues the month after the Las Vegas incident and given a second chance by RAB Racing.
But he mysteriously left RAB during the Richmond race weekend that summer and had apparently given up on NASCAR for good.

RAB Racing team owner Robby Benton decided to give Townley another shot this season, though, and the driver is set to run a full Camping World Truck Series schedule for the team.

NASCAR had no immediate comment on Townley's incident, though it has previously allowed drivers charged with DUI to race.

The most recent example was Nationwide Series driver Michael Annett, who was arrested for DWI last February but still allowed to race at Daytona.