Joe Cooksey

Asphalt driving seems quite easy when one watches it on TV or from the grandstands. But, it is wrong to underestimate asphalt driving. A good asphalt driver is not the one who needs more seat time or the one who depends on skills achieved as a legacy by some different inheritance of chromosome. An ideal asphalt driver adopts a more consistent and a rather smooth driving style while learning how to pass and defend a position. The less the driver turns the steering wheel, the better it is for him. However, this is not the case in dirt track racing. Though the dirt track racers also strive for smoothness, they ensure that they contend with the car at all kinds of attitudes along their way. This...

A career with NASCAR requires complete commitment. It comes with working hours that are not compatible with raising a family. However, once you've settled the commitment issue, a wide range of careers is available on the NASCAR racing circuit. Among the different types of jobs available with NASCAR, jobs for mechanics, car chief, fabricators, shock specialists, painters and engine assemblers are the most pursued. NASCAR Courses For a career as a NASCAR mechanic, you will need to enroll at the NASCAR technical institute (NTI), a branch of Universal Technical Institute of Arizona and the exclusive educational strategic partner of NASCAR. At the NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI), you are provided with...

Professional drifting was first officially created in United States in 2003, although it is sometimes said 2004. The Formula Drift Championship was created by Formula Drift, Inc. Although professional drifting is still considered a new sport in the United States, it is not new in Japan. In fact, drifting has always been popular in Japan, as in the United States, long before a professional series was developed. In Japan, that professional series is known as the D1 Grand Prix. The D1 GP, also commonly referred to as Professional Drift or D1GP, was founded in 2000. It has one of the first professional drifting organizations in the entire world. In fact, its early development had led it to be known as...

Vinyl Graphics is the new alternative to paint. Because Vinyl is a type of material that can easily be attached onto and detached from almost any surface, design enthusiasts and advertisers alike have taken interest. One good thing about Vinyl is that it is cheaper to use and quicker to put on than paint. In addition, Vinyl wraps also take just one day or less to install, while paint can take three to four days to put on and dry. Because the design has already been printed on the Vinyl sheet, the need to apply second, third, or fourth coatings (as with paint) is eliminated. You simply place it over your choice surface, apply pressure, and it's already attached until you tire of it and take it off...

Formula Drifting is a form of car racing in which the cars are allowed to skid as they are moving. The sport originated in Japan but has become quite popular in other countries, especially in the last few years. For example, since 2004, when the first event was held in the U.S., the race has developed a very large following. In fact, Formula D racing has as many fans as NASCAR racing does. Subsequently, many tire manufacturers are taking notice and getting more involved in sponsoring Formula D drivers and cars. As a reward for their sponsorship, they get to market their special tires. This article will discuss some of the most popular manufacturers to distribute drifting tires for regular...

The evolution of off-road motorcycles, commonly called dirt bikes, is a long and complicated story. The first motorcycles were actually nothing more than modified bicycles with attached gasoline engines. These powered bicycles were amazing inventions in their day. Unreliable, but amazing methods of transportation, these motorcycles began captivating people across the globe. Since paved streets were not quite the norm at the time, motorcycles generally could be considered dirt bikes right from the start. No single person or company has been credited with the invention of the dirt bike. Off-road motorcycling is really an evolution of many years, with better tires, better suspension and seats, stronger...

Watching a NASCAR race can be one of the most entertaining and exciting ways to spend a Sunday afternoon (or in some cases a Saturday night). Every race on the Nextel Cup schedule has its share of drama and strategy that provide the fans with an enjoyable, dramatic experience. What makes NASCAR worth watching? How about the strategy and planning that each race team employs in their attempts at victory. When a caution flag is waved during a race, the crew chief must decide whether or not to bring his driver in for a pit stop. If you decide to come into the pits and other teams follow, well great. If you decide to pit and others stay out on the track, then you can fall behind very quickly. You...

When an organization run or owned by someone of Joe Gibbs's standing takes a hit, the man at the top is held accountable, whether he initiated the scandal or even knew about it. For Joe Gibbs Racing, that means Mr. Clean himself, whose character was never questioned during a storied coaching career in the National Football League prior to becoming a team owner in NASCAR. Before post-race inspection following Michigan's Carfax 250, the No. 18 and No. 20 crews in the Nationwide Series tried to keep inspectors from getting an accurate reading on the team's engines, a serious breach of the rules. Both cars had quarter-inch magnetic spacers placed under the gas pedal to prevent full acceleration. The...

Two of the most talked about stories coming into the 2007 NASCAR season involved drivers who were looking at making a new statement in racing. Michael Waltrip and his three car Toyota team were looking to take Toyota to the top of NASCAR. Juan Pablo Montoya, a successful driver at many levels of racing now was embarking on his initial season in NASCAR with lots of experts predicting a quick learning curve and success of the ovals of NASCAR. So far in 2007 these two drivers appear to be heading in different directions. Waltrip's season has been anything but a success. Until racing in Saturday's Nextel Open Waltrip's only racing in 2007 had been at the Daytona 500 or in practice or qualifying...

Aerodynamics is one of the leading factors in vehicle performance. Car racing has focused on this aspect ever since the 60s, when the first inverted wings were installed on formula cars. In time, the development of aerodynamic devices grew stronger, often borrowing ideas and solutions form the flight industry. By improving aerodynamics, engineers saw faster lap times and more driver control over the car, both at high and low speeds. The final element that contributes to improved handling and grip is the downforce - using the underbody of the vehicle to facilitate airflow and "stick" the car to the tarmac. Since the introduction of aerodynamics, automotive engineers used the distribution of downforce...

The Aston Martin is a car manufacturer well known for producing luxury sports cars well loved by fictional cars from James Bond to Edward Cullen from the Twilight books. It may be a surprise though to find out that instead of originating in Italy or Germany, the Aston Martin is a British sports car. The Aston Martin name is derived from one of the founders and from the speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in England. The company was founded in 1913 when Martin decided to build his own race car vehicles. The first car produced was in 1915, but the company disbanded during World War I and refounded after the war. In 1922 cars were produced to compete in the French Grand Prix setting world speed and...

Bakersfield, California - (March 29-30, 2008) Driver Tyler McQuarrie in the CWest S2000 dominated the competition this weekend to take home 1st place in the RWD Unlimited Class and the title of Overall Grand Champion, in the 2008 REDLINE Time Attack event at Button Willow Raceway Park. His winning time was an astonishing 1:48.829 on configuration, lucky number 13. Conditions seemed promising on Saturday with temperatures in the mid 70s, low 80s as drivers from all across Southern California took to the tarmac to perfect their race lines and fine tune their vehicles. Saturday was also a amazing opportunity for spectators and Time Attack fans alike to do some laps in an adrenaline charged, high speed...

Indianapolis is Indiana's capital. It is also Marion County's county seat. In 2006, the estimated population of Indianapolis has reached 795,458. This is excluding the towns. This made Indianapolis, the largest city of Indiana and the United Sates' fourteenth largest city. In the Midwest, it ranks as the 3rd largest city. It also ranks the 2nd most populous state capital, following Arizona ad Phoenix. With the current diversified economy of Indianapolis, it contributes to the fields of healthcare, education and finance. Another vital part of its economy is its Tourism industry, especially since it hosts numerous sporting events and conventions. Amongst these, the most loved and popular is the...

Have you seen that televised spot where Team Chevy displayed their latest awards? The Racing Director could hardly find a space in his office to display the trophy of current NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart. Indeed, Chevrolet's dominance in the racetrack is fueling the American Revolution to greater heights. In the Nextel Cup Series, in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, in the American Le Mans Series, and in the NHRA Drag Racing Championship, the deafeningly loud cheers of loyal fanatics of the revolution proclaimed Chevy's reign - in the racetracks and in the streets. So Team Chevy fans, what do you have in mind to help solve the Racing Director's problem? Should we propose the building of a one...

In the stand are families who have supported this wonderful sport for many years. Generations of drivers are represented in the bleachers. Dirt track auto racing is a family-oriented sport. It isn't uncommon to find grandfather, father, and son working together to build a modified stock car to race. Then the best driver out of the three will take the car for a quick spin around the track. Any modifications that are needed will be worked on by the family to prepare the car to do its part in the race. However, it is the skilled driver who wins or loses. One such winning modified race car driver is located in the small town of Latrobe, PA in the Laurel Highlands. His name is Jeremy Zufall...

In the 40 plus years of its existence, Best Buy has grown to become one of the largest specialty electronics retailers in the world, with 1,150 stores, and counting, open worldwide. In the US and Canada alone the company has 19% of the market share. When buying from a Best Buy store, you can be sure that whatever the brand, you are buying products that meet the company's exacting quality standards. Fun Facts Best Buy began as an audio specialty store called Sound of Music in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1966. In the next year it opened 2 more stores in Minnesota. In 1979 the company ushered in the new age of video entertainment by being among the first to sell laserdisc equipment. A tornado hits one of...

Jeff Gordon has been poised to win his next NASCAR race since July 9th, 2006. "So what?" you say, big deal, why all the fanfare and who cares anyway? The fact is, it's a huge big deal. You see Jeff Gordon has won 75 career races in Winston Cup and Nextel Cup combined, just one shy of the late, great Dale Earnhardt's record of 76 wins. So when will Gordon win his next race? I don't know, but it's just a matter of time. Whenever that elusive next win comes, whether it's this year or next, Gordon not only equals Earnhardt's record but will also share 5th spot with him, on the all time wins record. So now that we've all accepted that Gordon will win another race, what will the fans reaction be to...

Formula One Racing is, quite simply, the paramount of karting. It is the professional form of the sport in its entirety. Formula One is an international phenomenon, a media conglomerate that rakes in millions and millions of dollars a year from advertising, sponsorship, and broadcast revenues. Professional drivers with millionaire bank accounts race these majestic kart marvels that are unprecedented, flush with technological luxuries - everything from hard to produce lightweight frames that glide the machine to tires with unsurpassed grooving style that exemplify powerful movement on the circuit. There is no sport that bests epitomizes the term "global sport" like Formula One racing. Many countries...

With a gross earning of over $460,000,000 worldwide, the 2006 animated film Cars by Pixar was 2006's highest animated grossing film in the US, loosing only to Ice age: The Meltdown on the global scale. This revenue does not include income from the Disney cars toys industry. Starting from the early stages of production the team in Pixar Studios started their research at the race tracks in Infineon Raceway ( Sonoma county), riding in race cars driven by expert drivers to feel how the cars move and react to speed and forces in the physics of the real world. They would also study traffic on the morning commute and went on a field trip along route 66 watching the small towns that were effected from the...

It can be said that many of the greatest things in life start off with humble beginnings. So is it with the Duisenberg Motor car. You may have heard the expression off times - "That's a Doozie" or "It's a Doozie". These are all references to a great car and car automaker of renown - the Duisenberg. The Duisenberg began its life as the Auburn-Cord-Duisenberg. Ernest Lobban Cord began his career in the automobile industry in a most humble manner - as a simple repairer of model T Ford cars. It could be said that this start of the Duisenberg line met with even fairly mixed fortunes. - Mr. Cord said to have become a millionaire three separate times even before he reached the ripe and experienced age of...

If you ever decide to spend sometime with your family at a mountainside retreat, think of booking for foxwood family campground for a week in advance. This place is situated in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of northeast Pennsylvania. This place often appears to be far from the madding crowd and noise of the city but infact it's very near to the city and convenient to travel. This is advantageous in many ways and one of them is that it's quite close to lots of fascinating attractions. For example, you can visit candy and candle factories to see how objects are being made and enjoy the tour. Teenagers can enjoy many things here like dance at shownee, roller skating, ice skating and bowling. The...

The Barbagallo Raceway, originally known as Wannero Park, has been hosting races in Western Australia since 1969. In the beginning, the annual race was a six hour long Le Mans style race with sedans and sports cars, but as time went on, interest in the races began to die down. As a result, production car racing replaced sedans are the major race type.   Drifting, while relatively new to the states, has been one of the primary race types in other countries for years. Drifting, much like it sounds, is a lot like floating. It allows the driver to appear to almost float around corners during a race. While drifting isn't for everyone, and shouldn't be attempted in most cars, it has become extremely...

Allen Mayfield who was born on May 27 in 1969 at Owensboro, Kentucky. As a young boy he was a big fan of BMX bicycles and he gradually moved up to go-karts. While he was ripping it off at the tracks, Mayfield graduated to the Nashville Speedway by the time he was 19. Although he was driving, Mayfield was also a fabricator for Sadler Bros. Racing. In 1987, he became their driver and won the Late Model Rookie of the Year when he competed at Kentucky Motor Speedway. When he was 24, Mayfield decided give the ARCA a go which proved to be a good choice as he clinched the Rookie of the Year honor. This was the same year he debuted on the Cup scene with a 29th finish at the Mello Yello 500. Just a year...

The 1-80 Speedway opened in Greenwood, Nebraska in 1994 and sponsored weekly races on a 4/10 mile dirt track for the next seven years. In 2001 the track was purchased and renamed to the Nebraska Speedway. In 2004 the owners added the Little Sunset; a 1/8 mile Karting facility. In 2005 the Soaring Eagle Motocross facility opened and today the entire complex is known as the Nebraska Raceway Park. The top of the line racing facilities ensure that every race fan can enjoy their favorite sport. Events at the Raceway include NASCAR Whelan Series, NCRA, Monster Truck, CLMA Late Models, Demolition Derbies, Free Style Motocross, ASCS 360 Sprints, Pro Modifieds, Craftsman, Pro Am, Hobby Stock and much more...

The Yellowstone Drag Strip in Acton, Montana features a 1/4 mile NHRA sanctioned tract with eight 300 ft staging lanes and 100 ft burnout area. The state of the art compulink timing equipment and Daktronic LED scoreboards makes it a favorite of drivers. Its location just three miles west of Acton and 20 minutes from Billings makes it centrally located for fans from all around. Track events start in April and the excitement doesn't stop until October. Yellowstone Drag hosts IDRA, Street Legals, NHRDA, NHRA, Wheel Stander, 2 Wheel Madness, Funny Cars, Pro Mods, and much more. They also host a variety of special events throughout the season. Spectator fees start at $20.00 for adults with discounts for...

In the early days of automotive racing and before television only an artist or photographer could capture the magic of the automotive racing world for enthusiasts around the world to experience. One such photographer was Jesse Anderson. Anderson was born in 1929 in Santa Barbara, California. He attended the University of California at Santa Barbara. In the early 50's he became interested in motorsports. He first owned an MGTD, and then a Morgan Plus Four followed by a Sunbeam Talbot. He started to visit local tracks at Pebble Beach and Palm Springs to photograph the races. At Palm Springs he witnessed Clark Gable driving the lap of honor in his Jaguar XK120. Then he saw Johnny von Neumann behind the...

The historical town of Boston is located in the county of Lincolnshire, which lies on the east coast of England. The town also has a small port and has a population of approximately 35,000. It is a quaint town and its most historical landmark is St Botolph's Church. This is the largest parish church in the country and possesses one of the highest towers in the land. It's believed by some that the town's name originated from St Botolph's town or St Botolph's stone. It became a popular town and port in the 11th and 12th centuries and soon became an important trade route with Europe. In 1848 the town opened its rail station and for a while it was located the main line from London to the north of...

The evolution of off-road motorcycles, commonly called dirt bikes, is a long and complicated story. The first motorcycles were actually nothing more than modified bicycles with attached gasoline engines. These powered bicycles were amazing inventions in their day. Unreliable, but amazing methods of transportation, these motorcycles began captivating people across the globe. Since paved streets were not quite the norm at the time, motorcycles generally could be considered dirt bikes right from the start. No single person or company has been credited with the invention of the dirt bike. Off-road motorcycling is really an evolution of many years, with better tires, better suspension and seats, stronger...