This Just In: New On The Net

I’m one of those slackers who doesn’t care enough about TV to buy a cable subscription, and for the most part, that works out pretty well. But then there’s the ongoing weekly issue of where to watch the race. The NASCAR broadcast spends most of the season bouncing around between channels that I can’t get with rabbit ears, but this Saturday, just in time for The Chase, it’s coming back to ABC, where it’ll stay for the remainder of the season. I’m pretty stoked to be able to host race day at my place for a change! Anyway, here’s the news.

• A new Institute for Highway Safety study shows that brand-new "economy" cars are some of the most expensive to repair after low-speed collisions. The worst offender? A Hyundai Elantra will incur $4954 in body damage from a front-bumper love tap. We’re talking under 6 mph! Maybe that money would be better spent on the purchase of an old car that won’t crumble to pieces every time someone looks at it wrong. Kicking Tires.
• Truckers have been using cable-activated disappearing license plates to cheat electronic toll booths. Sneaky! Jalopnik.
• Starting in 2010, the EPA will start imposing emissions regs on boat and lawnmower motors, which are said to account for 25% of carbon monoxide pollution. It’s nice to see them blaming something other than cars for a change, and recognizing mowing for what it is: a worthless exercise in human futility. Detroit News.
• NASCAR is going ahead with plans to buy the Grand American Road Racing Association, a sanctioning body which includes the Rolex Sports Car Series. The arrangement will enable NASCAR and Grand-Am to pool marketing resources while continuing to operate their series independently. One possible benefit: greater TV coverage for Grand-Am events. Road Racing World. 
• Subaru’s new 2.0L boxer diesel will be making its debut in the Impreza and Forester at the Paris Auto Show, after having been introduced in the Outback earlier this year. Man, if only these powerplants ever made their way to the states, I could swap out my diesel Escort’s rotten Mazda motor for one. Carscoop.