Matt M. Myftiu
Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.
Roomy 2015 Subaru Outback is automaker’s latest safety superstar
Subaru is not your average automaker, doing its own thing and not following industry trends for some time now, and blazing trails in the area of safety along the way. Subaru fans are not a huge group in the U.S. (the automaker’s market share is in the low single digits), but they are fiercely loyal -- and always come back for more; which is why that market share number has been growing in recent years.
Among the new vehicles they have out that aim to increase the reach of Subaru even further is the 2015 Subaru Outback, which I recently got to spend some time driving.
The Outback is a wagon -- a rarity in today’s automotive world dominated by sedans and SUVs/crossovers. I’m back with a full report on the Outback and what Subaru has brought to the table with this redesign for 2015.
2015 Chevy Trax among growing wave of extra-compact crossovers
For a while, many in America were thinking smaller. Whether due to the economy or other reasons, people shied away from large vehicles and thought more compactly -- hence the rise of smaller crossover SUVs.
Well now, it’s beyond compact -- we’re into the age of subcompact crossovers, and one of those entries in this new category is the 2015 Chevy Trax, which I recently tested.
I’m back with a full report on my experience driving the newest model offered by the Bowtie.
NASCAR makes changes to race package for Michigan International Speedway
BROOKLYN, Mich. — NASCAR announced on Tuesday changes to the race package for the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, August 14.
The changes to the car for the race include a nine-inch spoiler with a one-inch wicker bill, a two-inch splitter and a 43-inch radiator pan. These changes are expected to increase the drag on the cars and optimize the racing. NASCAR spoke to the OEMs, owners, drivers and MIS about the package options to select the one to make the competition stronger.
NASCAR and its racetracks ask fans to not bring "offensive" Confederate flag to the track
NASCAR and its racetracks are officially on record as wanted fans to leave their Confederate flags at home when they come to the track. Here is the offiical statement:
“As members of the NASCAR industry, we join NASCAR in the desire to make our events among the most fan-friendly, welcoming environments in all of sports and entertainment.
“To do that, we are asking our fans and partners to join us in a renewed effort to create an all-inclusive, even more welcoming atmosphere for all who attend our events. This will include the request to refrain from displaying the Confederate Flag at our facilities and NASCAR events.
“We are committed to providing a welcoming atmosphere free of offensive symbols. This is an opportunity for NASCAR Nation to demonstrate its sense of mutual respect and acceptance for all who attend our events while collectively sharing the tremendous experience of NASCAR racing.”
SIGNATORIES
International Speedway Corporation (ISC)
Auto Club Speedway
Chicagoland Speedway
Darlington Raceway
Daytona International Speedway
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Kansas Speedway
Martinsville Speedway
Michigan International Speedway
Phoenix International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway
Route 66 Raceway
Talladega Superspeedway
Watkins Glen International
Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI)
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Kentucky Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Sonoma Raceway
Texas Motor Speedway
Dover International Speedway
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Pocono Raceway
Iowa Speedway
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Road America
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Eldora Speedway
Gateway Motorsports Park
Volkswagen Golf TDI rounds lower 48 states on $294 worth of diesel, 81.17 mpg
Volkswagen of America, Inc., has announced that the 2015 Golf TDI Clean Diesel, part of the family of vehicles that won the 2015 North American Car of the Year, has set a new Guinness World Records achievement for the “lowest fuel consumption—48 U.S. contiguous States for a non-hybrid car” with 81.17 mpg. Traveling 8,233.5 miles around America in 16 days on $294.98 of Shell Diesel fuel, the Golf beat the previous mark of 77.99 mpg by more than 3 mpg, and also beat the hybrid vehicle record of 74.34 mpg by more than 6 mpg.
“Covering 8,233.5 miles on just 101.43 gallons of Clean Diesel fuel is a remarkable accomplishment, and solid proof of the efficiency and fuel economy of Volkswagen’s TDI® Clean Diesel vehicles,” said Michael Horn, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “Whether on a long road trip, or even in daily commuting, the great mileage and long range of our TDI models is a pure convenience factor that few other vehicles on sale can match. It’s a simple formula: Less Stop, More Go!”
NASCAR VIEW: Austin Dillon's horrific ride must spur efforts to fix restrictor plate racing
"Good racing"
What does that mean to you?
Is it all about how many passes there are for the lead, or are you satisfied with tight racing through the field, even if the leader is zooming away?
Or is it better if the cars are packed together, like we get at Daytona and Talladega with restrictor plates?
And then there's the matter of crashes? Are there real racing fans who truly enjoy watching a bunch of cars getting wadded up? Is a race without any crashes "boring" by definition?
NASCAR is wise to distance itself from Confederate flag, a symbol tied to hatred
The South and NASCAR are forever tied together.
The back roads and the moonshiners down South is where NASCAR began, so despite its rise to a national presence in the past few decades, it's still a Southern sport at its root and that's how it's perceived by many in this country.
So this recent controversy about the Confederate flag in South Carolina, and NASCAR's take on it, is interesting.
One would think, from a distance, that NASCAR would be that rare group that defends the flag -- claiming its part of the Southern heritage and not to be condemned.
Wrong.
2015 Cadillac Escalade keeps it extra large, extra classy and extra powerful
Vehicles come in many shapes and sizes.
Some are small and compact, some are average-sized, some are on the larger side, and a few of them are simply gargantuan. The Cadillac Escalade, America’s longtime representative in the class of high-end luxury vehicles used by the 1 percent, is one of those vehicles that falls at the gargantuan end of that spectrum; you could seriously live in the thing.
I recently spent a week in the Escalade, and I’m back with a full report on what it offers and how it compares to its luxury SUV competitors.
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport balances safety and fun factor
When piecing together the look and powertrain of a family-oriented ride like a crossover SUV, automakers have be careful to strike a balance. It’s got to be safe and sturdy, but still at last a little bit fun to drive. Not racecar-type fun, just a little punchy.
That’s the look and feel Hyundai is going for with their Santa Fe Sport, which I recently tested. How does it measure up against a bevy of crossover competition? I’m here with a full report.
Kurt Busch wins in a day of Biblical proportions at Michigan
BROOKLYN, Mich. -- The word Biblical came up a lot Sunday at Michigan International Speedway.
On one hand, the race had a Biblical length; taking five hours to run 138 laps, due to an incredible FOUR red flags and a steady stream of rain showers, which would seem to pop up as soon as the drivers got called back to their cars and hit the track after the last delay.
And secondly, the rain that ended up forcing the race to be ended early, at lap 138, was of BIblical proportions. As the race was officially called, driver rankings were replaced by "SEVERE WEATHER ALERT: TAKE COVER" on the scoring pylon and fans were warned of possible lightning.
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