Blog - John Jellinek

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November 13, 2013

Nascar Driver Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis

John Jellinek According to an article on ABC News, the youngest driver to ever win the Daytona 500, Trevor Bayne, was recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Bayne won the Daytona 500 back in 2011 when he was only 20 years old and has been racing since he was 5 years old. He said this recent development won’t derail him from living his dream as a professional race car driver. Trevor said, “Back in 2011 I started going to Mayo Clinic after I’d been out with double vision, it’s kind of relieving to finally have a diagnosis.”

MS can be a “potentially disabling disease.” No ones knows for sure just how people are going to react as the disease is very difficult. There currently is no cure, but treatment can help relieve certain symptoms and stop the progression of the disease.

According to ABC News’ chief health and medical editor Dr. Richard Besser, “MS can have a very variable course. So one person may have years where they’re not affected much at all, whereas someone else the same age presenting at the same time may have a course that’s very rocky.”

Trevor Bayne is currently scheduled to participate in the Nationwide and the Sprint Cup Series. His doctors and NASCAR have given him approval now, but there is no telling what might happen in the future. Trevor is living in the moment and he clearly isn’t letting that deter him from doing what he loves. He also wants to remain in NASCAR so he can raise more awareness for the disease. Trevor is at a unique position where many people can take notice of him. He’d like to take advantage of his opportunity.

October 9, 2013

IndyCar Crash Involves Racer and Spectators

John Jellinek Dario Franchitti, a three time Indianapolis 500 winner, was involved in a last lap crash that also impacted 13 spectators at the Grand Prix of Houston according to the New York Times. Franchitti suffered a broken back among other injuries while the other spectators were injured by flying debris from the wreck.

According to the article, “Franchitti’s car collided with Takuma Sato’s car and launched into a steel catch fence. Parts of his car, and the shredded catch fence, flew into a spectator area. Debris scattered on the track also hit E. J. Viso’s car, which careened into Sato’s. Several cars driving through the mess were also damaged.”

Franchitti’s was taken to a hospital in Houston where it has been stated that his injuries are not life threatening. He is being treated for a concussion, two spinal fractures and a right ankle fracture. The spectators who were hit by flying debris from the crash were not reported.

It is amazing that there aren’t more nascar crashes. Sometimes I am so surprised that some races don’t have any at all. These race car drivers push themselves and their vehicles to the limit. The speeds that they reach and the amount of maneuverability they have is remarkable. I’m glad to see Dario Franchitti will be ok after such a hard crash. I’m also glad no one spectating was seriously injured as well. Nascar is a dangerous sport and I give these guys a lot of credit for competing at such a high level.

September 18, 2013

Nascar Investigating Race

John Jellinek An article from the New York Times talks about the recent ongoing investigation of a Nascar race that was perhaps “tainted” by a couple of drivers. Nascar is looking into a particular team in the field that may have intentionally affected the race.

It is being reported that two drivers from one team may have knocked of cars purposely to help one of their teammates. The decision of Nascar should be heard early this week before the playoff event at Chicagoland Speedway. Coming from a former Nascar executive, “It would be bad for the sport if there was clear evidence that a race was somehow manipulated.” Nascar has and continues to be very serious on infractions of this nature; they won’t take anything lightly. Harsh penalties have been handed out in the past to make it clear that these matters will not be tolerated and to deter others from participating.

On the final laps of the race, it is believed that Clint Bowyer purposeful spun out to keep Ryan Newman from finishing first, which would have automatically kept his teammate Martin Truex Jr. from qualifying for the playoffs.

A lot of people are looking into this development and many are expecting there to be repercussions. As a sport, Nascar has a responsibility to get to the bottom of the incident and find the truth. From the looks of it, it seems preconceived and well planned.

August 19, 2013

Nascar App

John Jellinek I came across an article on Nascar’s website that talked about their recent Microsoft Windows Phone 8 App. The application was released at a great time as there are only five more races before the winner of the Nascar Sprint Cup series is announced. It is also offered to both Android and IOs devices so no one will be left out of the mix. “On the Windows Phone 8 platform, the app includes exclusive features such as the option to add the app to the home screen as a Live Tile or as live wallpaper, pinning favorite drivers to the Start screen, and the ability to initiate voice commands.”

The application will offer news, race information, analysis, videos, photos and much more. “The app gives avid and casual fans alike the ideal platform to further immerse themselves in the NASCAR experience, particularly through premium features such as the advanced live leaderboard, in-car audio and alternate camera angles.” Sprint customers have the ability to download the application for free and will receive exclusive content. People with other cell phone carriers can download the application as well for $2.99.

Nascar is one of the most popular sports in America so it makes sense to have a great application for people to follow everything about the sport. It is amazing to see how far the sport has grown over the years. It seems that it will only become increasingly more popular as younger drivers come into the circuit and make a run at a cup.

July 23, 2013

Nascar Goes Back To Dirt Track

John Jellinek I recently read an article in USA Today about Nascar transitioning back to racing on dirt tracks. The last time Nascar featured races on a dirt surface as opposed to asphalt was back in the 1970s. Some people equate racing on dirt to “the NHL playing a regular-season game on rollerblades and pavement.” It does seem a bit unordinary because Nascar racing has become so synonymous with asphalt tracks, but a race on the dirt will be exciting non the less.

Some drivers are unsure of how the race will turnout. One driver thought the race will be the coolest or the dumbest race he has ever spectated. What is interesting is a lot of drivers grew up racing on dirt tracks instead of asphalt. Drivers like Gordon, Stewart and Bowyer are just a few to name that have grown up racing on the uniquely different surface. Some teams in preparation for the event had the drivers experience the dirt before hand. Other teams decided to hire ringers who have more experience with the different surface.

Asphalt unlike dirt allows for drivers to travel faster and really grip the track. Dirt tracks are a more slippery and slick surface. The race will be fun to spectate because it hasn’t happened in so many years. I think for the sport of Nascar it is good to keep things fresh and new. A dirt race might give the sport an extra hop in its step to keep drivers and viewers more interested in the race.

Change can be a good thing for some sports and you won’t know until you give it try. Similar to Nascar races on dirt, the NHL started introducing outdoor events for their viewers with the Winter Classic. Although skaters are still skating one an ice surface, the stage and environment in which the game is played is new and fresh. I will be interested to see how the dirt race pans out.