Tony Rizzuti Blog

This is the now imfamous Jim Mora, Sr. who as coach of the Indianapolis Colts uddered the most replayable rant in NFL television history.  He also made famous the line, "We suck...we didn't do diddily pooh."  Check out the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwq7BYOnDrM

I was praised last week for writing a positive piece amid the doom and gloom.  Unfortunately, its time to talk about that 800 lbs gorilla in the room. 

The off-season is now here and as most in the sport predicted, the slumping economy has hit the NASCAR teams.  We have seen several large layoffs (DEI, Hendrick), small layoffs (KHI, MWR) and teams close down (Bobby Hamilton Racing).  It's really sad, but as quickly as the sport grew, even without the DOW Dive, teams would probably be scaling back anyway.

I talked about this on Sirius Radio with Pat Patterson at Homestead-Miami.  A good majority of the crew members layed off will find work come February.  Every year I have worked in the sport we have had a meeting after the final checkered flag telling us we need to cut back.  So you make the needed changes and then comes Daytona, you realize you don't have enough people or things to get the job done correctly.  So you scramble to make things happen and worry about the budget... only you never hear about the budget again until November.  That is...if you have a sponsor.  

I'm not trying to make light of the situation.  There will be those that don't find work.  I know several 20-something crew members that make great money ($150,00 or more) and live like they are P-Diddy.  They have a big house, a truck, sports car, AND classic car.  They have dirt bikes, go-karts, and 60 inch HDTV's in every room.  They also have no college education and outside of the specialty that is NASCAR, have no real skill sets.  If they don't find work, the harsh realities of life will kick like a mule.

Let me clarify as well, that this is not just about crew guys.  There are marketing people, PR reps, show car drivers, accountants, pilots, motor coach drivers, ect..that are affected by this.  I know I am nervous about the whole situation myself.  I work in TV and radio.  I read where FOX and ESPN are looking at ways to cut costs so they can continue to bring the sport to the fans.  DirecTV has told us they are solid for another year of HotPass, but will fans be able to fork out the $100 - even with a product as good as what we deliver.  And with the XM merger, we have learned that the Michael Waltrip show I host will more than likely NOT be back.  Toyota was not able to come up with the sponsorship dollars for the show.  So that means that the drivers view of the world from Dale Jr., Tony Stewart and now MW, that the fans loved hearing, will not be coming to a radio near you (though as I type, Sirius is trying to find a way to keep Michael's show...but its 30-70 at best).

Its a scary time for everyone.  I always joked that if the TV deal didn't pan out, I would just go back to being a PR rep in the sport.  Uh...I'm not sure that position is going to be around in great numbers either.  Anyone got a contact at ESPN U or the Big Ten Network??? So when all else fails, I can go into retail.  Wait, stores are closing left and right.  I can't do that.  You see the issue here?  I have come to the conclusion that two jobs will survive if the economy goes plunk.  McDonalds because food is cheap and bartender, because people will want to forget.  (I wonder if Dale Jr. is hiring at Whisky River?) 

Hopefully, this will all pass like it does every year.  My hope is that we will show up at Daytona and the sun will shine as it typically does.  We will see our friends that we worried about in the off-season at The Oyster Bar and the Deck Down Under and we'll share a beer and say, "whew...that was close.  How's your car."  And if not, well I will be right here bloggin away on the seven different ways to cook Top Ramon noodles.  Maybe that will turn into a cooking show gig..."Now where are my tongs?"

Posted by trizzuti at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (3766) | TrackBacks (0)

Congrats to Jimmie Johnson on winning his third straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship.

What an amazing feat for J.J. and Chad.  Its seems almost surreal that Jimmie is the one to tie Cale's amazing record.  I have known Jimmie since his ASA days and always wished the best for him.  After his crash at Watkins Glen in 2001, I feared that his highlight of climbing out of the destroyed No. 92 with hands raised, would be his 15 minutes of fame...ever to be repeated on Crashes, Spills and Thrills on ESPN2 at 2am.  Boy was I wrong.

But who really knew back then that this was the future of Cup racing?  Certainly his resume on asphalt up to that point wasn't a sign.  He was a good ASA driver, but he was far from Mark Martin, Dick Trickle, or even Johnny Benson.  In Busch, he was a 10th place car at best in most races (though he did score a win with Rambo as the crew chief).  But those inside the ropes knew Jimmie was a favorite of Chevrolet.  The folks in Detroit saw the potential in the El Cajon native from the very start.

I remember my good friend Sue Seaglund, who headed GMSPO motorpsorts, always talking about how JJ was the one.  Even as Goodwrench and ACDelco sponsored winning drivers Kevin Harvick and Ron Hornaday, Sue would always talk about Jimmie.  And that feeling about what he could do both inside the car and maybe more importantly at that time, outside the car, was extremely strong.

I have been fortunate to spend some time with Jimmie in my career.  There have only been three drivers to ever come over to my home - Kevin Harvick, Ron Hornaday and Jimmie Johnson.  For Jimmie, it was after the January Busch Series preview.  We had left the event and grabbed dinner.  I asked if he wanted to come by and try a new NASCAR sim game called NASCAR 3.  He followed me back to the house and he raced that game for a couple of hours.  I laughed at how bad he was at IRP.  He even joked, "I never could race this track."  Of course this all took place when we had nothing better to do (some say I still don't).  I also remember during that time that his little brother used to like to sneak attack me like Kato in the Pink Panther, jumping on my back and trying to take me down. 

A year ago, my wife and I moved to South Charlotte.  It is miles from the daily racing encounters of Lake Norman and Race City USA.  This area is more about golf and fashion.  It is closer to my wifes work and for me, closer to the airport.  We have a favorite italian spot where we like to eat dinner on the South side.  It's called Il Posto and it is a very typical Osteria in Italy.  We know the owner and it feels like Cheers when we stop in.  It is also a favorite of Jimmie and his wife. 

One night we had finished up dinner and were leaving, saying our thanks to Augusto, Manny, and at that time Sante, who ran Il Posto.  We were with another couple and my friend Dr. Belgrave said, "somebody keeps throwing things at you.  I think they want your attention."  I turned to look and it was Jimmie Johnson.  He said, "What's the deal Rizzuti?  Were you just going to walk by and say nothing?"  This was two-time champion Jimmie Johnson.  I never saw him.  He blends into life, like Joe the plumber (bad analogy).  We exchanged hello's and went on our way.  Since that day, we have shared Preseco with the Johnson's several times and I look forward to toasting him once again this year.

I mention on my bio page that my biggest weakness is that I rarely enjoy the moment.  Here I have one of the greatest jobs in the world...one I have wanted and worked for all of my life.  Yet, I can only think of a handful of times when I left the track happy and satisfied with what I had said or done.  It goes the same with people.  Thinking back to those early days with Jimmie put a smile on my face and a warmth in my heart.  This blog allows me to relive my experiences that I hope you find fun to read.  But for me its an outlet to "enjoy the moments".  I consider Jimmie to be a good friend.  I wish he wasn't as busy, so we could play golf or eat together more often.  But I cherish the time we have had and I couldn't be happier with his success.  So I raise a glass to Jimmie Johnson...Three-Time Champ and good friend.  Cheers!

PS - On a side note, but still relative to this blog.  I reached out last week to my college (UCF) roommate whom I hadn't seen or spoken to in 13 years.  It was hard to intially pick up the phone.  I felt guilty for not keeping in touch.  But I am so glad I did.  I can't stress to everyone how important your friends and family are.  In this Holiday season, please enjoy the moments.  If you have someone from your past that you haven't talked to in a while, pick up the phone and call.  Yes its awkward, and maybe they do owe you the call...but just reach out and say hello.  Trust me, the happiness it brings will make everything look, feel and taste better.

Posted by trizzuti at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1256) | TrackBacks (0)

Phoenix International Raceway (courtesy of RacingOne.com)

Just got back from Arizona after three strange days in the desert.  How strange you ask?

Day One - Friday

The fact that Ron Hornaday, Jr. crashed his truck racing Kyle Busch on lap one as if it was Lap 150, shouldn't have suprised anyone.  That's what you get with Ron.  And you all know he is one of my best friends and I think he is the best racer I have ever seen.  But, he goes 110% from the drop of the green and that sometimes leads to what we saw Friday.

Where it gets strange is the fact that not only Chevy, but Ford and Dodge teams helped the 33 team get that truck back in the race.  It was either Help-A-Veteran Day or what classicly (is that even a word) looked to be Team USA vs. Japan.  For the record, I don't have any issues with Toyota.  They sponsor my former employer and they also make it possible for Mikey and I to do a radio show on Sirius XM that we absolutely love.  You all know that.  I am a confessed Chevy guy, that has been noted as well. 

My point is that regardless of the fact that the Toyota Tundra is manufactured in the USA, supporting thousands of jobs, it was clear that the Big 3 and their NCTS teams, will do anything to keep a Toyo from winning the title.  That has to be the case, because Johnny Benson and Bill Davis have about the least amount of enemies in the garage area, from what I have witnessed.

I could be wrong and this was all just brother helping brother, but what's that old saying?  If it looks like a duck...

Oh and HotPass producer John Morris showed off his dance moves in an Irish bar, only to be pulled away by some guy who kept asking him if he remembered Ronald Reagan.  Note to J-Mo, after the first hour of 80's Reganomics, I would have gone to the restroom and snuck out the back or just told him I was a Walter Mondale guy.  You all remember Mondale right?  Well, at least all of you in Minnesota do (the lone blue state in a see of red).

Day Two - Saturday

Okay, it really wasn't that strange of a day in general.  The Nationwide race saw a giant pileup on a restart that just about took Clint Bowyer out of title contention.  Carl Edwards got the win, holding off Denny Hamlin. 

But then (note to racing only people, this will NOT be about cars going left.  Please proceed to Day three), my Iowa Hawkeyes take down Penn State, ruining Old Man Joe Pa's chance at a National Title.  How bout them Hawks!!!! (I hope that didn't just cost me my Yuengling beer from my Pennsylvania friends)

Unfortunately, the excitement from that big win was smothered like a plate of Waffle House hash browns when my school, UCF, lost their homecoming game to So. Miss.  The Knights offense is now ranked 119th of 119 Div 1 schools.  Nice George O'Leary.  Real nice!  If your goal was to turn UCF into the Notre Dame of the South, well, Sir, you are succeeding.

Here's a thought Mr. O'Leary...Try actually recruiting some talent instead of blaming the kids you have.  Which, by the way, are YOUR kids, YOU recruited.  This is year five!!!  Shouldn't this be your best team based on how recruiting works?  Also, Conference USA isn't the NFL.  It is impossible to think that college kids who are only good enough to play at a mid-major, would be able to run a single back, pro style offense.  Look at Florida, FSU and So. Florida in your own state.  Hell, look at your old school Georgia Tech.  They run a spread formation, semi hybrid version of the old Bobby Bowden West Virgina Veer (with more passing of course).  The only schools running your offense are in the Big Ten (11).  And outside of Ohio State and PSU, how's that working out.  In fact, with Pryor at QB, the Buckeyes spread the ball now too.  Now that I really think about it, no one runs it except for Iowa and Wisconsin.  Come on, coach.  Get with the program! 

On a happier note, the apple martini's at Merc Bar in Scottsdale are very good and the atmosphere is pretty close to perfect.  Took in the spot with my Hot Pass producer Tony "T-Bone" Marshall and we enjoyed the subdued lighting and modern jazz mix.  The whole experience was easy on the eyes if you catch my drift.  BTW, Bone likes to just introduce himself to everyone like he was in Animal House.  "Hi, Tony Marshall.  Damn glad to meet you."  Yo Bone, when did you become a Scorpio?  (Fred Wagonahls of the old Action Performance is still trying to figure out who you are.)

Day Three- Sunday

Do I really need to go here.  Lets see...Rain fell out of nowhere.  We had a red flag for cars stacking up in turn three - LITERALLY!  There was more banging going on than a Jenna Jamison film (not sure what that means, but she is from Phoenix).  Then ABC goes faral and disappears into the ESPN2 night.  For the record, Tom Bergeron (Funniest Video's, Dancing w/ Stars) is the best live host in TV today.  Ryan Seacrest coming in second in my informal exit poll.  And speaking of that, did you notice on Hot Pass when I declared that DirecTV Hot Pass was ready to now project Jimmie Johnson as winning the bonus award for leading the most laps?  Just curious, cause nobody working on my channel got it.  Who are you people??

Oh and since a lot of you frequent other blogs.  The DirecTV issue that David Poole for one keeps talking about...it had to do with our SuperChannel apparently.  LA was slow to move to the duece on that channel only.  The driver channels we had, that the majority of people watch, had no issues.  In fact, our viewers never had to switch anything.  Our subscribers received..

1. In-depth coverage of the two drivers fighting for the title.  Sure ABC checked in with Carl Edwards a couple times.  We rode with him all day baby!  Not to mention we covered the 48 of Jimmie Johnson after JG fell out. (Oh and Junior Nation...'nuff said))

2. Picture in Picture coverage of the race during commercials, with the option to not even listen to the spot and keep hearing the driver and team.

3.  No switching, no guessing, no "now my DVR is recording the wrong show because I'm stuck at Bed, Bath and Beyond with the Mrs. No "Heidi" moment of rage or frustration. Nope none of that.  (Call 1-800-GET SPORTS in 2009...that's all I have to say about that).

And I am starting my campaign for 2009 NASCAR's 60 Most Beautiful People.  I have nothing to do with taxes, I have been known to not only reach across the aisle, but the dinner table as well.  And the only state I can see from my backyard is the state of confusion.  Root for Zoot in 2009!

Wow...I'm worn out.  Have a nice day and I look forward to your replies.

Posted by trizzuti at 05:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (2026) | TrackBacks (0)

What a beautiful day in Avondale, Arizona today.  Sunny skies and temps in the low to mid 70's.  Now I understand why people from Canada and "Up North" head to the Phoenix area in the winter to live.  It is absolutely perfect so far this weekend.

I am always amazed by how much fun Phoenix is.  If you are in the age group of 18-40-ish, there are great bars, clubs and eating establishments.  And according to the single guys on our DirecTV crew, it is packed with the best looking females on the circuit.  Being a married man myself, I haven't noticed .

I will be covering Carl Edwards on NASCAR HotPass this weekend.  Carl didn't have a very good qualifying effort 15th, when compared to Jimmie Johnson who won the Coors Light Pole Award.  But, the 99 has been fast and steady in both practices, so I hope we can see a good battle on Sunday.  I still feel like Jimmie has enough of a lead and such a great team behind him, that he will be crowned as a three-time NASCAR Champion.

While most are concentrating on the Chase for th Championship, the best battle in the garage is for the top-35 in points.  Those teams at the back really need to be locked in when the checkered flag waves at Homestead-Miami.  I have been part of a program that had to go to Daytona and qualify their way into the sports biggest race, the Daytona 500.  It isn't a fun experience and their is so much pressure that even if you do get it, it seems the year is off to an edgy start.

Posted by trizzuti at 03:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (821) | TrackBacks (0)