Whatever one thinks of Kyle Busch, he came into JGR with an agenda that was different than what he had at HMS.  I like to think of it as his personal jihad to prove himself.  The biggest favor Rick did for Shrub besides giving him a ride in the 1st place, was letting him go.  It became a decision that  Shrub could sink his teeth into.  Kyle put a chip on his own shoulder, and set out to prove Rick wrong.  It gave him the attitude we saw so much of early in the season; "I don't care who I have to wreck to get a win".  That motivation won't last forever.  But, with all the "friends" Kyle is making, the new motivation could soon become;  Who do I want to wreck today?   Who did me wrong last race?  

Kyle will mature, and hopefuly, some day see the value of diplomacy, coupled with aggression.  No doubt Coach Gibbs has given the young man some advice in that area several times by now.

I hear over and over that the Toyota teams have have a bit more horsepower under the hood than the Chevy, Ford, and Dodge teams. From what I've seen, this seems to be true. NASCAR went out of it's way to dictate parity in the Sprint cup series. Improved safety was not the only goal of the COT. Let's face it, IROC is dead, but still lives on in NASCAR with the COT. My question is, is NASCAR giving Toyota special treatment? Or is Toyota within the rules, and just ahead of the competition in the engine department?

There have been multiple articles by different sports journalists the past week, compairing Kyle Busch to Dale Earnhardt Sr. This after Kyle and Junior's incident at Richmond that resulted in Dale jr. getting spun in the closing laps with his winless streak in full force. Articles suggesting that this is what NASCAR needed. A villain, against the biggest fan favorite. I'll concede that NASCAR needed more passion, and this fits the bill. But, the nature of the articles seem to be pushing this comparrison angle knowing how it angers Dale sr. fans, and by default, Junior's fans.

The media is doing all it can to fan the flames of passion in NASCAR. They think if they keep pushing hot buttons, and keep the fan base aggitated, more people will tune into the races. That's probably a correct assumption. But there is a danger of turning this into Pro Wrestling, or worse. Get enough people in the stands upset, and you know what? You could have a mob. I'm sure Jeff Owens, Lee Spencer, and other writers doen't want to keep stirring this pot until people get unruley? We don't want the next post race to look like a third world soccer match, do we?

It seems to me, what NASCAR needs right now is a shot in the arm.  Something to raise the consciousness of all those concerned.  Teams without sponsors, tracks with unsold tickets, drivers with cars that they can't seem to get a handle on.  Fans that are new, are starting to turn their interests to the next Starbucks flavor of the month.   Fans that are old, not chronological, but  what most would refer to as the "core" fans, are feeling disenfranchised.   A general state of flux seems to have taken NASCAR into what some would call a funk.  The recent merger of CHAMP CAR and IRL is interesting to note.  The atmosphere of my way, or the highway does not always fly.  Compromise sometimes is needed to survive.  NASCAR is coming to a point where compromise might have to be considered.  The COT was supposed to make it better for the smaller operations.  Yet, smaller teams are still struggling.  The Phoenix Sprint Cup race has 45 entrants.  This is  a number much smaller than those familiar with NASCAR are used to seeing.  If this is a trend, NASCAR needs to have a game plan.  In the end, it's all about the racing.  NASCAR has made great gains in safety, and should be applauded for that effort.  Now, it would be nice if that same energy would be spent on the competitive aspect of the COT.  Give the teams something to work on within the specs.   Also, the fans have some specs to consider.  Most of us live within some economic tolerances.  If you go beyond those tolerances, more empty seats at the tracks appear.  Just throwing some random thoughts out about something I care about, and hoping all is well.

This Wednesday, Robbie Gordon goes before NASCAR's appeal board. Robbie finds himself in a situation that could mean the end of his efforts in NASCAR. After a huge financial loss from the cancelation of the Dakar race. Robbie struck a deal with GEM to cut costs. His team had to scramble to switch from Ford to Dodge before Daytona. Dodge sent the wrong nose, and he showed up at inspection with it, which got NASCAR in a hissey fit with the guy they love to keep under a microscope. If NASCAR overturns the penalty on Gordon, he'll be back to 21st position prior to the Atlanta race. If not, he has his work cut out for him to make the top 35, with just two weeks left. "We don't want to fight NASCAR," Gordon said. "We want to participate in NASCAR, and we want to compete at this level. If this sticks, I don't know what our plan will be. I'll be honest with you. "But there is ... I think open wheel got back together, and I know I can drive one of those cars."

NASCAR, enforces it's rulings without reguard to intent. Unless it suits their pocket book. I hope Robbie wins the appeal. If not, and this does mean the end of the little guy in NASCAR, I wish Robbie all the luck he deserves landing on a team in the reunified IRL. NASCAR will have to decide if it's in their best interest to see a team leave for open wheel. I know I would have interest in seeing Robbie back in open wheel. Might even skip a NASCAR race for some of the other action. hmmm, wonder if there might be other fans who feel the same way?

When the first prototypes of the car of tomorrow came out, most of us said "it looks like a box", and the fact was, it did!  I thought it was plain ugly.  The whole idea made me sick to even think of.  Nascar was going to become IROC, no doubt about it!  Then last year, when the drivers actually had to race the thing, even winners in Victory lane, had nothing much good to say about the machine that had just carried them to victory.  But 2007 came and went, and it was decided that it would be best to go 100% COT in 2008 instead of sticking to the original phase-in plan.  Kind of like how would you rather have a tooth pulled? Slowly... or with one quick yank!  So 2008 is here, and we've had the quick yank of Speedweek at Daytona. My opinion of the COT did a complete reversal.  I consider the COT a friend now, not a foe.  The teams know this is what they've got, and they are doing good things with it. NASCAR gave them more horsepower for the restrictor plate track.  The slingshot is back.  The Dodges are not at a disadvantage in the areo department as they have been for years.  The side by side racing was competitive, and overall, the racing was good.  I for one can live with the new car.  It's even starting to look a little more racy to me.  I'm looking forward to the tracks it has not raced on yet.  I know they've tested at California and Vegas. Now I'm ready for them to be turned loose!