Gridlock Sam warns of widespread "pedlock and "traffic wrath" today. Not helping matters was this morning’s NASCAR Victory Lap around Times Square, conveniently timed to coincide with the morning rush.

Times Square will serve as one big pit stop for NASCAR’s annual Victory Lap
Wednesday, starting at 44thSt. between Broadway and Sixth Ave. and proceeding
via the following route: 44th St., Broadway, 42nd St., Madison Ave, 53rd St. and
Seventh Ave./Broadway, and ending between 43rd and 42nd Sts. outside the Hard
Rock Cafe. Between 8:30a.m. and 9:30a.m., there will be rolling closures on the
above streets, with 44th St. closed from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Traffic will be
affected throughout the day.

Fear not, New York City, 2007 may very well be the last year of NASCAR’s annual Midtown celebration of laundry detergent, motor oil and the lunacy of American car culture. Tom Bowles at Sports Illustrated writes: 

After 27 years in the Big Apple, strong rumors persist that this
week-long celebration at the Waldorf will be NASCAR’s last; the event
appears ready and raring to shift to the bright lights of Vegas for
2008 and beyond.

On paper, it seems a smart move; with a race track already nearby and the shrewd promotion of octogenarian track owner Bruton Smith, the city will doubtless embrace NASCAR with open arms.

"I think we’ve worn out our welcome in New York," said Smith

Correct.

Photo: Photo Gallery / Flickr