Mike Smith

Blog Post Archive

Have sketch pad, will travel

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Walking around the Phoenix track on race weekend is like taking a step back in time. There is no Vegas-style infield, which means there is no live music, no showgirls, no fluorescent fake palm trees and no Robin Leach. (That’s a good thing.) The Phoenix track is old school with a tinny- looking, cramped garage and a cinder block media center. It has a charm all its own that I enjoyed.

It's not about the wrecks

Saturday, April 12, 2008

I don’t like sushi, I don’t like bumper-to-bumper traffic, and I don’t like it when people say that NASCAR fans only watch the races to see the wrecks. No fan of any sport wants to see their favorite athlete injured.

Darrell's family ties

Thursday, April 10, 2008

During Fox’s pre-race show at Martinsville, Darrell Waltrip was asked by host Chris Myers for his take on the missing sway bar controversy. As Darrell was giving his answer I kept thinking that he shouldn’t comment on issues involving his brother.

NASCAR should leave things as they are

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Play the cards you are dealt, Jimmie Johnson. Last year’s champion called for NASCAR to make adjustments to the new car after his second-place finish in Texas.

Winning caption for cartoon caption contest

Monday, April 7, 2008

We have a winner in the Tony Stewart cartoon caption contest.

The Hillary Clinton of NASCAR?

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Sometimes coming up with an idea for a cartoon can be as hard as the Goodyear tires on Tony Stewart’s Toyota. But this wasn’t one of those weeks.

Sponsorship woes in NASCAR

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Forget the housing crisis. What about the sponsorship crisis in NASCAR? General Mills announced it would leave Petty Enterprises for a new, fourth team at Richard Childress Racing next season. I hope this isn’t the beginning of the end for Petty.

Dale Jr. has it right regarding Partgate

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Dale Jr. was right on the money this week regarding the missing sway bar controversy when he said, “If that (sway bar theft) happened, whoever did it ought not to have a hard card (NASCAR annual Credential) anymore …

Jeff Gordon wears Prada

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Jeff Gordon wears Prada. He admitted to his expensive taste in designer shoes in a recent article in Men’s Vogue magazine. Hey, Jeff’s a rich guy and it’s a free country, so he can wear whatever brand of shoes he wants.

Winner picked for Dale Jr. caption contest

Friday, March 7, 2008

And the winner is...

UAW-Dodge 400 sketchpad

Monday, March 3, 2008

Did you see those sunglasses Kyle Busch was wearing? They were so large he looked like he was auditioning for the movie “The Fly.”

Too much news can make it tough

Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008

Car of Tomorrow looks good at Daytona

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008

Kurt vs. Tony

Monday, Feb. 11, 2008

Welcome to the Whine Country

Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008

If Napa Valley is the Wine Country then NASCAR Nation is the Whine Country

A Busch blast from the past

Friday, Feb. 8, 2008

A reader recently commented on this blog that I should draw more cartoons on the Busch brothers. I have done many cartoons on Kurt and Kyle over the past several years and their antics have made my job a lot easier.

Toyota on the road to success

Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008

Dale Jr. billboard controversy

Monday, Feb. 4, 2008

The new Kyle Busch

Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008

The cost of being a fan

Monday, Jan. 28, 2008

Too young to drive

Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008

Dale Jr. sketch doesn't cut it

Friday, Jan. 18, 2008

Inquiring minds want to know

Monday, Jan. 14, 2008

Reconfigure the Tracks

Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008

Sprint Cup CEO Brian France says he's happy with the points system. But it's hasn't helped television ratings as hoped.

Is Jimmie Johnson too nice?

Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008

I’ve had it with trash-talking athletes, the dog-abusing athletes, the steroid-using athletes and the I-am-not-a-role-model athletes.