NASCAR Tickets - Busch Contemplates Open-Wheel Switch

Kyle Busch is back on top of the NASCAR Sprint Cup throne, a familiar position for the No. 18 M&M's racecar driver. After suffering a disappointing start to the NASCAR season when he was taken out by Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s aggravating crash in the Daytona 500 in February, Busch fought back to earn third place honors at the Auto Club 500 in Fontana in late February before jumping headfirst into the Shelby 427 in his hometown of Las Vegas on March 1. Busch won the race at Las Vegas after starting at the back of the 43-car pack, proving his mainstay status in the NASCAR realm. While Busch is sitting pretty in the Top 10 in current rankings, however, the famed No. 18 could be seeing a different kind of racing in the near future.
NASCAR online recently reported on a probable Formula One startup in the U.S., and Kyle Busch is one of the names being tossed around as a possibility to fill the driver's seat. Racing heavyweights Ken Anderson (former Ligier and Onyx engineer) and Peter Windsor (former Ferrari and Williams team manager and pit-lane reporter) have recently announced plans to start an F1 organization in Charlotte, North Carolina, saying they will have seats for two American drivers to partake in the F1 excitement starting in 2010. Busch is one figure being considered out of NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, and IndyCar racers Danica Patrick, Marco Andretti and Scott Speed are also being considered, though Speed has already tried his hand at Formula One and has expressed no interest in returning to the league.
Busch, on the other hand, has already entertained the idea of switching from stock cars to open-wheel racing, recently stating, "I wouldn't mind trying IndyCars and running the Indianapolis 500 once, or running Formula One. But it's not quite time for me to do that yet. If I can win a championship here in the next two or three years, then I wouldn't mind going over there."
While Kyle Busch is now contemplating a possible future switch to IndyCar or F1, his resume is currently lacking in the open-wheel sector of racing. Busch followed his older brother Kurt Busch onto the stock car racing scene from his youth, starting to race at age 13 in the Legends Series before moving on up to NASCAR's late model series, which he excelled in before joining Roush Racing while still in high school. Busch became the youngest race winner in NASCAR's history at age 20, and, now still in his twenties, Busch has become one of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' best drivers, maneuvering his No. 18 stock car around the nation's toughest courses. Busch's game plan for his racing future seems yet uncertain, as he recently made a statement saying, "I think I'd still be young enough where if I could win a championship by 25, go run Formula One for a couple years, be back by 28, I've still got plenty of time left to run in NASCAR. That's just what I see, but a lot of things would have to work out for that to happen."
Clearly, nothing is set in stone now, nor will be for a while, but if you want to see Kyle Busch in his famed No. 18 stock car before he makes a possible switch to F1, get NASCAR tickets, available online, and watch the talented driver zoom around the track before he exits the Sprint Cup Series!
About the Author
This article is sponsored by StubHub. StubHub is a leader in the business of selling NASCAR tickets, sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and special events tickets.

Hybrid Technology: Realizing the Dream of Driving Green

The idea of change is being embraced by many Americans. The beauty of this slogan, with the many challenges facing Americans in all 50 states, is that there are so many factors in our lives that are in need of change, or at the very least, modification. One of the factors that affects all Americans, and everyone that lives on this planet, is becoming more proactive in addressing environmental problems.

Global automotive manufacturers find themselves in the midst of this issue. Oil refining capacity is being stretched to its limits with the growing thirst for gasoline from countries like India and China. This global demand is helping to bring more focus on the need for alternative fuels and less dependence on internal combustion engine technology.

This is not new news. In fact, automotive manufacturers have been working on new technologies to address these issues for some time. Arguably, some manufacturers may be further along in their advanced technology development curve, but every manufacturer seems eager to accelerate its efforts to develop reliable, and affordable, alternative energy technology that consumers will want to buy.

Hybrid technology -- along with plug-in electric vehicles -- is getting a boost from the wave of "change" thinking that is sweeping across America. Globally-focused corporate marketing executives typically understand that once American consumers are on board, development accelerates. As North American automotive manufacturers develop new hybrid and electric models that reduce their reliance on the internal combustion engine, the technological "change" will likely sweep beyond the 50 states.

Furthest along in this new technological wave is the development of hybrid vehicles. Hybrids combine the benefits of the internal combustion engine (IC) with an electric motor. In city driving the vehicle is powered primarily by the battery-operated electric motor and engages the IC engine when more power is necessary - for instance, on the open road. Using the battery operated electric motor reduces the run time of the internal combustion engine allowing the hybrid vehicle to deliver more fuel efficiency.

Some of the advanced technologies typically used by hybrids include:

- Regenerative Braking. Instead of using the typical friction brakes to slow the vehicle, the electric motor applies resistance to the drive train causing the wheels to slow down. In return, the energy from the wheels turns the motor, which functions as a generator. The energy normally wasted during coasting and braking is converted into electricity, which is stored in a battery until needed by the electric motor.

- Electric Motor Drive/Assist. The electric motor provides additional power to assist the IC engine in accelerating, passing or hill climbing. This allows a smaller, more fuel efficient engine to be used. In some vehicles, the motor alone provides power for low-speed driving conditions where internal combustion engines are least efficient.

- Automatic Stop/Start. Advanced technology allows the internal combustion engine to automatically shut off when the vehicle comes to a stop and restart again when the accelerator is pressed. This eliminates wasting energy when idling.

The development of totally electric vehicles (EV) is continuing to progress. Electric vehicles are propelled by an electric motor (or motors) powered by rechargeable battery packs. Electric motors have several advantages over internal combustion engines:

- Energy efficiency. Electric motors convert 75% of the chemical energy from the batteries to power the wheels; internal combustion engines only convert 20% of the energy stored in gasoline.

- Environmentally friendliness. EVs emit no tailpipe pollutants, although the power plant producing the electricity may emit them. Electricity from nuclear-, hydro-, solar- or wind-powered plants causes no air pollutants.

- Reduced energy dependence. Electricity is a domestic energy source.
- Performance benefits. Electric motors provide quiet, smooth operation plus they require less maintenance than internal combustion engines.

EVs face significant battery-related challenges. Most EVs can only go 150 miles (or less) before recharging; gasoline vehicles can go more than 300 miles before refueling. Fully recharging the battery pack can take four to eight hours. The large battery packs are expensive and may need to be replaced prior to the end of the vehicle's life. In addition, they are heavy and take up considerable space in the vehicle. Researchers are working on improved battery technologies to increase driving range and decrease recharging time, replacement frequency, weight and cost. These factors will ultimately contribute to the future of EVs.

Alternative fuels are derived from resources other than petroleum. Some are produced domestically, reducing our dependence on imported oil, and some are derived from renewable sources. Often, they produce less pollution than gasoline or diesel. To promote alternative fuels, the U.S. federal government offers tax incentives to consumers purchasing qualifying alternative fuel vehicles. Of the alternative fuels gaining traction and media attention, the two most popular are ethanol and natural gas.

Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel made by fermenting and distilling starch crops, such as corn. It can also be made from "cellulosic biomass" such as trees and grasses. The use of ethanol can help reduce our dependence upon foreign oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. E85 is available at a growing number of gas stations right alongside of your traditional petroleum options.
Natural gas is a fossil fuel comprised mostly of methane and is one of the cleanest burning alternative fuels. It can be used in the form of compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel cars and trucks. Dedicated natural gas vehicles are designed to run on natural gas only, while dual-fuel or bi-fuel vehicles can also run on gasoline or diesel. Dual-fuel vehicles allow users to take advantage of the widespread availability of gasoline or diesel but use a cleaner, more economical alternative when natural gas is available. Since natural gas is stored in high-pressure fuel tanks, dual-fuel vehicles require two separate fueling systems, which take up passenger/cargo space.

Indeed, change is coming in the U.S. A. New thinking and new attitudes are also creating renewed confidence that automotive engineers will deliver the dream of driving green.

About the Author
Mike Trudel, Freelance Writer.
Delphi is committed to contributing innovative technologies to help make our roadways greener. For more information, visit www.Delphi.com/4green.