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This past weekend, in an effort to avert my eyes from continuously climbing numbers at the gas pump my eyes came to rest upon a series of NASCAR stickers affixed to a 1977 Ford Mustang fueling up in front of me. Trying not to think about the $60 bill I just ran up for 13 gallons of gas, I started to ponder exactly what kind of impact NASCAR is having on our current fuel woes. By the time I got back in the car and rolled back onto the road — a roll that probably cost me $3.62 — I was pretty convinced I was onto something. All I needed was to do a little research and I was sure I could single handedly end this gas crisis and then usurp the presidency from Jimmy Carter ... Okay, so the ‘77 Mustang and the gas fumes may have played a small role in that last thought. Several Internet searches and one splitting gas-fume-induced headache later, I discovered that by most estimates NASCAR vehicles average an astoundingly meager five miles per gallon — less at top speed. So, maybe we’re on to something here. NASCAR posits that 6,000 gallons of fuel are used on average in a race weekend. With about 40 events over the course of a NASCAR season, that’s 240,000 gallons of fuel. Sounds significant, right? Figuring most people travel 12,000 miles per year in their car and estimating most Americanowned cars get about 20 miles per gallon on average, NASCAR’s gas could fuel 400 cars for an entire year. Or, figuring that most people fill up every 10 days, it would give 14,600 cars one tank. I’m no economic expert, but would the current gas crisis really be eased by giving one-tenth of the population of Joliet, Ill. a free tank of gas? I tend to doubt it, but the debate doesn’t end there. I think you have to evaluate more than just the basic numbers when considering this question, and it’s here where racing is most vulnerable. Racing enthusiasts would argue that about seven 10 hour flights by a Boeing 747, a figure probably reached daily before noon at any U.S. airport, equates to the fuel consumed during an entire NASCAR season. However, that doesn’t equate the purpose of a trans-Atlantic flight with one dude in a fire-proof suit making 1,000 left turns for the better part of a Sunday afternoon. The plane can bring 500 people to a completely different part of the world. The racecar driver ends up exactly where he started. So, there’s our conclusion, right? Burning fuel just for
May 29 - June 4, 2008
entertainment isn’t worth it and NASCAR and other racing entities should be banned. Done. Or not. The thousands of people attending these races do a lot more than inhale exhaust fumes from their favorite drivers. They also generate a ton of revenue that has made NASCAR one of the most profitable sports ventures going. Three years ago, International Speedway Corp. estimated that a proposed track to be built in Bloomfield, N.Y., would generate $45 million in state and city tax revenue, not including property taxes. That particular track never reached fruition, but $45 million in taxes is a fairly sizable chunk for markets like Dover, Del., or Talladega, Ala., that don’t have the same sort of tourist drawing power as their big-city brethren. Can you think of a good reason to visit Darlington, S.C., besides racing? Me either. When you consider the huge economic benefits NASCAR brings to these locales, and when you consider the huge economic powers wedded to the sport — including juggernauts from the oil, tobacco and alcohol industries — the notion that NASCAR or other forms of racing may be banned is about as likely as, well, me usurping the presidency from Jimmy Carter. Still, the topic of how the racing body approaches high gas prices is worth exploring. What about incentivizing new, less gas-demanding forms of racing? How about an exhibition race, or even a new circuit, featuring hybrid cars? The Toyota Camry, currently used by NASCAR is already one of the top-selling hybrid models. Obviously the Prius and the Camry aren’t going to zip around at 200 mph. But a restriction on fuel stops and bonus points given for the driver to achieve the highest MPG could be interesting and innovative. NASCAR’s pit crews have some of the most talented and knowledgeable gear heads out there. You think there might be a technological breakthrough if they spent a month or two tuning a car for a chance to chase a $5 million purse* (*subsidized by energy companies looking for a sustainable future and some good PR with prices topping $4 per gallon across the country). It may not be what John Q. Racingfan wants to see, but it may stop relatively uninformed people like me from automatically assuming NASCAR is part of the current gas price problem. And heck, with a little creativity, they may even prove to be part of the solution. Mike Hume may be emailed at mhume@fcnp.com.
In one of the most thrilling games in recent memory, the George Mason High School varsity girls soccer team conquered their demons, defeating Clarke County last Thursday for the second straight time this season to win the Bull Run tournament final, completing the Mustangs’ sweep of one of the toughest teams in the state. After 80 minutes of regulation, two overtime periods and 10 penalty kicks, Mason stood victorious at Moore Cadillac Stadium, 5-4 in the shootout. After outshooting Clarke 21-10 for the game, the Eagles finally capitalized after a letdown by Mason with a minute left in regulation. From 10 yards out, Eagle Sarah Elliston neatly punched a cross from forward Danielle Moyer past Mason keeper Rebecca Jackson for the equalizer, sending the game into overtime. After the two five-minute extra periods and one “golden goal,” sudden death overtime ended without a decisive strike, the already hyped-up crowd at Mason was sent into a frenzy. For the majority of the 10 shots, though, the shooters for both sides scored with relative ease. The difference came on the first shot, when Clarke’s Christel Tanner hit the crossbar, ricocheting off harmless-
ly. Mustang freshman Violet Miller followed suit, promptly nailing the crossbar, but her ball had enough power on it to find the back of the net. From there, neither team missed a penalty kick, but Mason was just perfect enough to steal the district title, with Rachel Kazman, Kim Kenny, Tegan Argo and Olivia Scott also netting the final penalty kicks to secure the tournament hardware. “This was a huge win for us,” said Mason Head Coach Jennifer Parsons, who was named the district Coach of the Year following the contest. “It allowed us to stay at home for pretty much the entire post season, giving us a huge advantage.” The awards did not stop with Parsons either, as Scott, who will attend Messiah College next fall to play soccer, was named to the first-team all-district and the Bull Run Player of the Year. Kenny, Miller and freshman Elle Silverman also earned first-team accolades. Junior defender Abby Stroup and Jackson collected second team all-district honors, as well. Kazman, who scored the first goal of the night against Clarke with 25 minutes left in the second half, continued her impressive senior campaign, earning firstteam all-district honors as well. Kazman will continue her career at Lynchburg College in the fall. Having fallen to Clarke
four times last season, Mason has beaten the Eagles twice at home in as many weeks, downing the state runners-up to win both the regular season and tournament title. “You never really know how it’s going to go in penalty kicks,” commented Parsons. “The girls fought really hard in the overtimes, and it was just the best way to end the game.” On Memorial Day, the Mustangs blasted Shenandoah District runner-up Buffalo Gap at home in the first round of the Region B tournament, 11-0. Scott tallied a hat trick. JV callup Hannah Walker scored her first varsity goal, while Kazman, sophomore Kelley Frank and sisters Nicole and Alexa Peyton added scores for the Mustangs. Miller found the back of the net twice, while Mayssa Chehata also recorded a goal. With the win, Mason took on Appomattox on Wednesday at home, with a trip to the state tournament on the line. Results were not available at press time. The way the team has been playing of late has led to high hopes for Parsons. “I’m really happy with the way the team has come together, from the seniors all the way down to the freshmen,” said Parsons. “We’ve all just gelled lately. I’m really excited for the next two weeks; I think this could be the year we win states.”