Squier brings the throwback magic

As the Southern 500 unfolded Sunday night at Darlington Raceway, I was doing my best to head to my favorite establishment and settle in to watch the race.
It was all about retro, throwback, 1970s time machine, and embracing NASCAR's history at one of its original race tracks. This was a race that needed to be seen on TV more than heard -- no offense intended to the radio guys and gals at Motor Racing Network (and PRN), who already do a tremendous job bringing them to our ears.
There were retro paint schemes and crew guys who even dressed the part, but even more important was the presence of a broadcasting legend who returned to the NBC booth, even it was only for a limited time.

For about 40 minutes or so Sunday night in an edited package, race fans got a perfect trip in the NASCAR time capsule as Ken Squier, Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett and son Dale stepped up to the microphones -- minus any 1970s fashion statements -- to call the action.
From the restart after the second caution at lap 51, we got more than 35 minutes of simple, understated magic. No extra hype, just sharing details on what was going on. When surprises happened -- and there were plenty of them -- there was appropriate reaction.
Tosses to pit reporters Mike Massaro, Marty Snider, Dave Burns and Kelli Stavast were top-notch and solid.
When Rutledge Wood was summoned, the "special report" was pretty special, a story of how the fans transitioned from standing on top of station wagons and trucks to get a glimpse of the race to watching on large TV monitors in the infield area.
As Squier spoke, the description of what it's like to be at the track came through like it did in his heyday when he called races for CBS.
At one point, Squier called Darlington "the kingdom" and added "if you're going to see a NASCAR race, this is one you must find."
Squier spoke further to the race's rural location when he said "you may want to get some help, some local folks to find your way in. Get yourself some counseling, a couple of GPS's, or ask any of the neighbors, and they'll tell you about Harold Brasington's peanut patch."
It's exactly where the race track is located in a town that has a population of around 7,000 people.
Further racing was described with emphasis on how Darlington can drive drivers crazy over a 500-mile race. One example was discussed nicely as Squier brought in Massaro to describe issues Jamie McMurray's crew was having with the radio. A great split screen was used so fans didn't lose track of any battles for position.
About the only slip-up I heard from Squier came when he said as Denny Hamlin moved into the lead at lap 87 and said he was from Enumclaw, Washington. That's Kasey Kahne's hometown, but I'm sure Hamlin's been to the Northwest a time or two.
Let's cut a true legend a little slack here. Squier turned 80 in April. Mistakes will happen, no matter how old you are. My mom will be turning 80 in December herself.
The energy was there when Hamlin duked it out with Brad Keselowski for the lead at lap 118, losing it briefly then pulling off the crossover move to regain control.
Squier's time on the air with the Jarretts came to an end after the race's fifth caution at lap 121, so race fans got a 70-lap glimpse of how much history exists in NASCAR at Darlington and everywhere else. Special times called for special voices, and Squier enhanced NBC's broadcast of the Southern 500 in beautiful fashion Sunday night.
As Rick Allen said when he returned to the air, it was an absolute honor -- for all of us -- to listen to Squier call a race once more, even if it was only for a little while.
Thanks for the memories. Let's go make some more.
Followers and comments welcome on Twitter @Tomzsports.

Darlington becomes Carlington at Southern 500

The Southern 500 returned to its Labor Day weekend roots Sunday night at Darlington Raceway. Everything about the race had a retro/throwback/time warp feel to it. All but a handful of the 43 cars had old-time paint schemes. The NBC crew donned sport coats that would have made Starsky and Hutch turn flush with envy, and the old peacock made a return appearance.
NASCAR broadcasting legends Ken Squier and Ned Jarrett joined in the fun, calling the race for about 35 minutes. The link of the segment is out there on the NASCAR on NBC Facebook page, and it’s definitely worth sharing.
Even the music selections used to lead race viewers in and out of commercials grabbed hold of the 1970s theme, which made for a Southern 500 that was awesome as much as it was long – nearly four and a half hours with a record-setting 18 caution flags.
Carl Edwards came through in the end and turned Darlington into “Carlington” for his first win at the legendary track dubbed “Too Tough to Tame” and second of 2015. It continued the dominance of the Toyotas in the Joe Gibbs Racing camp as the team has won seven of the last 10 races. Four came from Kyle Busch, two by Matt Kenseth, and Edwards joined in the fun.
As for the “Carlington” idea, it came when a crew member from his No. 19 Arris Toyota stuck just enough white tape – at least that’s what it looked like from the TV pictures – to turn the “D” on a portion of an infield wall into a “C.”
Darlington to Carlington, get it? All kidding aside, that was a great touch from a great broadcast of a darn good race in spite of the time length.
Thank goodness most of us didn’t have to work on Labor Day.
With Edwards’ victory secured, that means there are still five spots for non-winning drivers with one race remaining in the “regular season” on the way to the Chase. Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman, Paul Menard, Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer are just about locked in for NASCAR’s version of postseason play, but anyone else behind them within the top 30 has one last shot to get in with a victory at Richmond on Saturday night.
McMurray and Newman have their spots for the Chase in lockdown mode. Gordon is basically in unless he has enough of a bad finish to allow Bowyer and Menard to pass him along with someone from outside the top 16 winning Saturday’s race.
Bowyer is the only one with the most to lose in the final race of the regular season. Unless he surpasses Menard in the points – Bowyer trails by 10 – he’ll be the one forced into 2016 testing mode if someone like Aric Almirola or Kasey Kahne wins at Richmond.
Those outside the top 16 aren’t exactly instilling fear among the five non-winners who would be in the Chase, though. At the Southern 500, Kyle Larson was the highest finisher among the group, coming home 10th.
Heading to Richmond, Bowyer has a 29-point lead on Almirola and 31 over Kahne. Almirola was 11th on Sunday, Kahne came in 12th, and Bowyer finished 17th. It’s clearly all-or-nothing time now for those with dreams of winning the 2015 Sprint Cup title.
The likelihood of any serious drama may be low for the fans come Saturday night, but any driver worth his salt doesn’t need to worry about details or opinions
Get in, sit down, tighten the belts, and hold on. Hope can lurk around any corner.

Followers and comments are welcome on Twitter @Tomzsports.

NEXT WEEK'S RACES

Richmond International Raceway (.75-mile short track oval), Richmond, Virginia

SPRINT CUP: Federated Auto Parts 400, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT, NBC Sports Network. Radio: SiriusXM Channel 90 or your local MRN Radio affiliate.

Race distance; 400 laps, 300 miles.

2014 champion: Brad Keselowski

XFINITY SERIES: Virginia 529 College Savings 250, Friday, 7:30 p.m, ET/4:30 p.m. PT, NBC Sports Network. Radio: SiriusXM Channel 90 or your local MRN Radio affiliate.

Race distance: 250 laps, 187.5 miles.

2014 champion: Kyle Busch

CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES: Off until Sept. 18 for the American Ethanol E15 225 at Chicagoland Speedway.

Southern 500 race lineup and other goodness

Not sure what's going on at my local paper, but it seems to every so often forget to publish the Sprint Cup race lineup so race fans -- and there are plenty of them in my little corner of the world -- can see where their favorite driver will be starting for races like tonight's Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
Have no fear, my friends. Your intrepid gearhead/Gear Box blogger is on the case. There are just under nine hours -- as of the time of writing this sentence on the screen -- until the green flag drops on a race that will be awesome to watch. Retro paint schemes, retro wardrobe for the broadcasters, and legends of the booth (read: Ken Squier, Ned Jarrett) will bring even more excitement once their microphones are turned on and they go to work describing the action of 367 laps of racing.
The low-downforce package used at Kentucky has been tweaked to fit for Darlington. The racing was great in June, and it could be sensational tonight.
Or awesome, spectacular, marvelous. Hey, I'm not picky. Whichever superlative works for you, go for it.
And if you have a favorite food you'll be enjoying on race day tonight, feel free to share it. I'm part of the NASCAR Happy Hour and NASCAR History - 2003 to Present groups on Facebook and it'll make for interesting conversation. I could always use a few good ideas for cooking, but that's a longer story for another time.
In the meantime, here's your link to the race lineup for the Bojangles Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway: https://www.nascarmedia.com/news/stat_packages.aspx?LinkId=121981
Followers and comments welcome on Twitter @Tomzsports.

NASCAR goes "That 70s Show" for Darlington

There's a bit of celebration going on as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series gets ready to start the final two-race run to the Chase. First up is something pretty darn special for the purists of the sport.

NASCAR officially returns to a Labor Day weekend tradition for the first time since 2003 on Sunday night when the Southern 500 brings back its name for a prime-time retro showcase.

Here's a news flash: You can see it on your local NBC station. No cable required. Same goes for the XFINITY race Saturday, the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200.

But more importantly, Sunday will be a night where NASCAR goes back in time. Maybe not quite like the old Fox sitcom that propelled Ashton Kutcher to stardom -- if you got the reference in the headline, give yourself 1,000 bonus points, just because -- but you get the idea.

Some cars will have paint schemes from the 1970s, like the 43 of Aric Almirola. Some will come from the 1980s, such as Brad Keselowski's tribute in the No. 22 to Bobby Allison's 1983 championship run.

Others will be from the 1990s, like Trevor Bayne's salute to Mark Martin and his seven race wins from the 1998 season. Even the 2000s will be saluted by Josh Wise in the No. 32 with Ricky Craven's paint scheme from the 2003 spring race at Darlington, which was only 400 miles, but had the closest finish in history.

Remember that one? Craven banged doors with Kurt Busch and beat him to the line by an insanely thin margin of about six inches.

And on the broadcast side, none other than Ken Squier and Ned Jarrett will call a portion of the race on NBC. I cannot wait to see and hear it.

Only downer: There's no official word on when they'll come on the air or for how long. With that going along with the retro paint schemes and the low-drag aero package, there's absolutely no reason to miss this race.

If what happened at Kentucky Speedway in June was any indication, the tradition of Darlington on Labor Day weekend for race fans should be something to look forward to for many years to come.

Followers and comments welcome on Twitter @Tomzsports.