Mike Smith

Story Archive

NASCAR After the Lap event coming to Las Vegas: Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012; Once again NASCAR is prepared to make its annual trek to Las Vegas to host the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Weeks where the Sprint Cup champ will be crowned.
C-postgate? I don't think so: Wednesday, March 28, 2012; We’ve all become cynics. Maybe that’s our own fault, but maybe it’s also a symptom of the culture we live in.
Kurt Busch is now a YouTube sensation: Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011; Maybe it was the transmission failure at Homestead. Maybe it was the fact that his crew chief is leaving.
A Stewart and Edwards cartoon retrospective: Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011; Tony Stewart is a shark.
Tragic day at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011; Even before Dan Wheldon’s tragic death was confirmed today at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, drivers being interview by ESPN were voicing their opinions about the type of racing we witnessed prior to the accident.
Driver Jennifer Jo Cobb races with the law on her side: Friday, Oct. 14, 2011; Camping World Truck Series driver Jennifer Jo Cobb is probably the smartest racer in the Truck Series.
Did Dale Jr.'s car owner make the right move; will Kurt Busch psyche himself out?: Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011; The most popular driver in NASCAR has managed to get into Chase by the skin of his teeth. He's had his share of ups and downs, but Dale Jr. and the crew of the No. 88 car have shown improvement this season.
If there were no races at Richmond, I'd quit watching NASCAR: Monday, Sept. 12, 2011; I like to think that there is nothing that could curb my interest in NASCAR Sprint Cup racing. But if Richmond International Raceway were ever to be removed from the Cup schedule, I would have to seriously reconsider my commitment as a fan.
Weekend results from the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011; The Bullring saw a lot of action this weekend as Scott Gafforini and Robert Ewing each won twin 35- lap races in NASCAR’s Super Late Model division.
What do Bristol and a Costco hot dog have in common?: Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011; I'm addicted to Costco hot dogs. Every Saturday, I start the day craving that $1.50 bargain, smothered in mustard with an endless supply of diet Coke refills.
Let's add a few more right turns: Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011; What’s the antidote for the mid-summer, flat track, cookie-cutter track doldrums? A road-course race.
Edwards sticks with the Cat in the Hat: Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011; Early in his racing career, a fledgling driver named Carl Edwards handed out business cards in an attempt to draw attention to his driving talents.
What can a plane flight tell us about restrictor-plate racing?: Wednesday, July 27, 2011; Commercial air travel in this country has a lot in common with stock-car racing.
StockcarToons cartoon caption contest: Wednesday, July 20, 2011; The cartoon caption writing contest is back!
The Car of Tomorrow should become the Car of Yesterday: Tuesday, June 21, 2011; When the Car of Tomorrow was introduced into the Cup Series, there were many skeptics. Fans thought the car’s awkward rear wing and ugly front spoiler made the car look as out of place as a rowboat at a yacht club.
If you don't like the way Kyle Busch drives, then stay off the sidewalk: Thursday, May 26, 2011; When I read that Kyle Busch had been cited for driving 128 mph in a 45- mph zone, I had to laugh. Not because I think it’s funny to drive at 83 mph over the speed limit, but because I don’t find it surprising.
Bring on the split screen coverage: Tuesday, May 17, 2011; Liver and onions. Tax day. Ads during a race telecast. I'm not sure which one I like the least. And most NASCAR fans would agree that the proliferation of commercials during the Cup races ranks high on their list of least favorite things.
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts NHRA Drag Racing: Sunday, April 3, 2011; Some of my friends who don’t appreciate auto racing can’t understand how I can watch cars going around in circles for three hours on a Sunday afternoon.
Is winning the Daytona 500 not enough?: Friday, March 25, 2011; Corporations use athletes from all types of sports to sell all types of products. And it’s common for athletes who have won the biggest prizes in their sport to land the big endorsement deals.
Sunday's sketchpad from Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Sunday, March 6, 2011; It was a tough weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for Kyle Busch. He had an unfortunate meeting with the wall during the Nationwide Series race on Saturday and his engine decided to be uncooperative during Sunday’s Sprint Cup race.
A day-in-the-life of an ESPN pit reporter: Saturday, March 5, 2011; I’ve sometimes thought that if my editorial cartooning gig didn’t work out, I could maybe try a new career as NASCAR pit reporter.