Month: October 2015

My Thoughts on Selfies

By David G. Firestone

By now most of you have seen the video featuring the sorority girls taking selfies at an Arizona Diamondbacks game. For those who haven’t the television station broadcasting a Rockies/Diamondbacks game shot several sorority girls in the stands taking selfies while the game was going on. The announcers made a running commentary on them, and how stupid selfies are in general.

Now considering that the game was worthless at the time, I can understand not caring too much, but why would you go to the game in the first place if all you plan on doing is taking selfies? We have become a digital society, and that isn’t a bad thing, but selfies are getting out of hand.

I don’t take too many selfies. I’ve taken, at most, 20 in the last few years, half of them with race car drivers at Route 66. I find selfies not worth the time or effort. Many people swear by them. I know a lot of people who take selfies just for the sake of taking a selfie. But within the last few years, the obsession of taking “the best selfie ever” has lead to people doing very dangerous things. It’s been confirmed that in 2015, selfies are deadlier than sharks. 12 people have thus far been killed while taking selfies in 2015.

This is going to sound crass, but anyone who kills themselves while taking a selfie deserves it. I have no compassion for them at all. If you risk life and limb for the sake of a picture…A PICTURE…then you are an idiot, and I don’t feel bad for making fun of you! We have way too many stupid people in this world, and we need to weed them out every so often.

The Driver Suit Blog-A Perfect Example of An Early Racing Helmet

torringtonhelmet-2By David G. Firestone

Across the whole of sports, the helmet has experienced a lot of design upgrades. Nowhere is this more evident than in auto racing. In the early days of racing, many drivers were happy to wear a leather helmet, similar to early football helmets. After WWII, the flack helmet took over as the primary design. As time went on, the motorcycle helmet became the standard, and after many design upgrades, began to resemble the current racing helmet, which will be improved in the future.

One variation of racing helmet from the early days was a helmet that looked like a baseball batting helmet. This example was used by a driver who raced at Stafford Speedway in Stafford Springs, Connecticut.torringtonhelmet-2It comes with a photo of the driver who raced in the helmet, in his modified car. It looks like it was take in the late 1960’s to early 1970’s, probably before the track started holding NASCAR events.torringtonhelmet-7 torringtonhelmet-8

The helmet shows a lot of wear, and some water damage. The insides are leaking the old padding that is present. It has dog ears and straps, to provide a snug fit and extra protection. The helmet and car are number 168, and are in a green and white color scheme. The mold from the water damage is present on the helmet, and on the photo.torringtonhelmet-2 torringtonhelmet-1 torringtonhelmet-3 torringtonhelmet-4 torringtonhelmet-5 torringtonhelmet-6

The independent driver makes auto racing what it is. Examples like this are reasons why. His name might have been lost to history, but his spirit lives on in the future drivers in auto racing. Next week, we take a look at some boots…

The Driver Suit Blog-Throwback Thursday-October 1, 2015

2015 THROWBACK SCHEMES

THROWBACK

TEAM PENSKE #2

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller High Life Ford Fusion–Based on the design that Bobby Allison won the 1983 Sprint Cup Championship. A+

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Genuine Draft Ford Fusion–Throwback scheme that ran from 1990-1996 A+

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite 1998 Throwback Ford Fusion–Based on the 1998 Rusty Wallace scheme, but with some subtle differences. Different logo on hood and sides, and a layers stripe on the stripes. A+

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite 2007 Gold Throwback Ford Fusion–Based loosely on the 2007 gold scheme raced at the Sprint Unlimited and All-Star Race, new hood logo and designs, door and hood numbers covered by blue. B-

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite 2010 Throwback Ford Fusion–Based on the Miller Lite scheme from 2010, with some changes to accommodate the Gen 6 car. B-

STEWART-HAAS RACING #4

Kevin Harvick #4 Budweiser Make It Home Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, all red with white lettering. A+

ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #6

Trevor Bayne #6 Advocare Mark Martin Throwback Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2015, based on Mark Martin’s Valvoline scheme from 1998-1999. A+

TOMMY BALDWIN RACING #7

Alex Bowman #7 “Tiger” Tom Baldwin Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, pays tribute to “Tiger” Tom Baldwin’s modified car Has image of air filter on hood, and roll bars on sides. A+

RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS #9

Sam Hornish Jr. #9 Winn Dixie Throwback Ford Fusion–New sponsor for 2015, based on Mark Martin’s 1999 Winn Dixie scheme with modern logos. B-

MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING #15

Clint Bowyer #15 Buddy Baker Throwback Toyota Camry-New scheme for 2015, hand painted throwback to Buddy Baker’s 1974 scheme. A++

ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #16

Greg Biffle #16 Ortho Throwback Ford Fusion-New scheme for 2015, red with white hood, vintage numbers, logos, and consistency decals. A+

ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #17

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 Cargil David Pearson Throwback Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2015, based on David Pearson’s 1969 Ford Torino Cobra. A+

WOOD BROTHERS RACING #21

Ryan Blaney #21 Motorcraft/Quicklane Ford Fusion–No Change A+

TEAM PENSKE #22

Joey Logano #22 Shell Pennzoil Mario Andretti Throwback Ford Fusion-New scheme for 2015, based on Mario Andretti’s 1988 24 Hours of LeMans Porsche. A+

BK RACING #23

Jeb Burton #23 Estes Cat Throwback Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2015, Based on Ward Burton’s 2002 Daytona 500 Winning scheme. A+

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #24

Jeff Gordon #24 Axalta Throwback Chevy SS–Based on the scheme Jeff Gordon raced from 1993-2000. A+

RICHARD CHILDRES RACING #27

Paul Menard #27 Menard’s Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, rainbow stripe pattern with vintage Menard’s logo and door numbers. A+

GO FAS RACING #32

Boris Said Genesee Beer Ford Fusion–New sponsor for 2015,based on old school AMC Matador schemes A+

Josh Wise #32 Beer Frost/Corvetteparts.com Tide Throwback Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2015, based on the “Tide Ride” used by the #32 team from 2000-2006. A+

CIRCLE SPORT RACING #33

Mike Bliss #33 Harry Gant Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, based on the Skoal Bandit scheme run by Harry Gant. A+

HILLMAN-SMITH MOTORSPORTS #40

Landon Cassill #40 Proud to be an American Chevy SS–New scheme for 2015, based on Sterling Marlin’s patriotic car from the Protection One 400. A+

CHIP GANASSI RACING TEAM #42

Kyle Larson #42 Mello Yello Chevy SS–New sponsor for 2015, throwback to Kyle Petty’s Mello Yello Pontiac. A+

RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS #43

Aric Almirola #43 STP 1972 Throwback Ford Fusion–New scheme for 2015, based on Richard Petty’s 1972 STP Dodge. A+

RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS #43

Aric Almirola #43 STP Ford Fusion–No Change. A+

HSCOTT MOTORSPORTS #46

Michael Annett #46 Pilot/Flying J Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, black with yellow stripes, and vintage Pilot and modern Flying J logos. C+

MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING #55

David Ragan #55 Aaron’s Ken Ragan Throwback Toyota Camry–New scheme for 2015, throwback to David’s father Ken’s 1990’s car. A+

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #88

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Valvoline Buddy Baker Throwback Chevy SS–New sponsor for 2015, classic Valvoline scheme from 1984. A+

FAUXBACK

TEAM PENSKE #2

Brad Keselowski #2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion–Same basic design as 2014, but with no gold stripe, vintage Miller Crest, or hop designs on the side. A+

RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #3

Austin Dillon #3 American Ethanol Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015. throwback design based on a Richard Childress scheme from the 1970’s and 1980’s.  Red top and bottom, white stripes on roof and sides. B-

STEWART-HAAS RACING #4

Kevin Harvick #4 Budweiser Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, yellow with red and black stripes on bottom, sublimated yellow stripes on side. A

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #5

Kasey Kahne #5 Hendrick Ride Along Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, red stripes across top and bottom, white separating both, which meet at front, vintage designed numbers and logos. A+

JOE GIBBS RACING #11

Denny Hamlin #11 Sport Clips Throwback Toyota Camry-New scheme for 2015, white top and hood, black stripe across sides, vintage number design, and red bottom. C

STEWART-HAAS RACING #14

Tony Stewart #14 Bass Pro Shop Throwback/Mobil 1 Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, silver on top, red stripes across car, bottom is black, vintage Bass Pro Shops log on hood. C+

MICHAEL WALTRIP RACING #15

Clint Bowyer #15 Maxwell House Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2015, blue with orange and white wave designs on bottom. A

BK RACING #23

JJ Yeley #23 Beds For Kids Toyota Camry-New sponsor for 2015, blue with silver stripe running up the side, white bottom, Dr Pepper design has been removed, vintage-style logos on sides and hood. B-

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #25

Chase Elliott #25 NAPA Fauxback Chevy SS–To be raced at Darlington, based on the 1985 Coors Ford design, but with NAPA colors and logos. C-

RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING #31

Ryan Newman #31 Caterpillar Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, Yellow with black stripes up the center and vintage logos. A+

HSCOTT MOTORSPORTS #51

Justin Allgaier #51 Brandt Throwback Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, vintage numbers replace current design, EST 1953 has been added as well. A+

NON THROWBACK SCHEMES FOR DARLINGTON

STEWART-HAAS RACING #10

Danica Patrick #10 GoDaddy Black Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, reversal of the current scheme with black on top, green on bottom. C+

WOOD BROTHERS RACING #21

Ryan Blaney #21 Snap On Throwback Ford Fusion-New scheme for 2015, same as Snap On, but photos of Snap On distributors replace white. B-

FURNITURE ROW RACING #78

Martin Truex Jr. #78 Furniture Row National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Chevy SS-New scheme for 2015, same basic scheme, but teal replaces orange. A+