You've got questions, I've got answers. A look back at the major American racing series from the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Q. Who is responsible for Jeff Gordon's long spin on the final restart of the Coke Zero 400?
A. That would be Jeff himself. He kept slowing down as the field made it's way to the restart. He wanted to leave some room between he and the leader, Kyle Busch, so that he could get a run on first place. He kept slowing down, so Busch kept slowing down, so he wouldn't leave that separation. This stacked the field up when the green dropped, and Gordon paid the price.
Q. Why didn't NASCAR throw the yellow when Gordon spun?
A. Because Kyle Busch was leading at the time.
Q. Are you trying to say that if someone else had been in the lead when Gordon spun, say a certain camo painted #88, that the caution would have flown immediately?
A. Of course it would have. Are these the toughest questions you have?
Q. In last weeks Q & A you were pretty confident when you picked your winner for the 400. Who was that again?
A. Tony Stewart.
Q. How'd that prediction work out?
A. Not too good. Tony was dehydrated and suffering from 'flu-like' symptoms. I've felt like he looked after he climbed out of his car.
Q. You've felt that bad from 'flu-like' symptoms?
A. Yeah, but I just call it a hangover.
Q. What's the latest conspiracy theory on Kyle Busch's winning ways?
A. Well, not just Kyle, but all Toyotas have anywhere between 20 and 50 more horsepower than the other three makes of cars.
Q. Wow. I guess Toyota led every lap?
A. Not exactly. Of the 162 total laps Busch led 31 laps. Hamlin led 6, and Waltrip led 1, under caution.
Q. Why did Mark Martin sign with HMS to race full time next year?
A. He said it was because, his ride sharing DEI teammate, Arik Almirola deserves to race the full schedule next year in the DEI #8. Good one, Mark.
Q. Why didn't Scott Dixon win his 4th straight IRL race at Watkins Glen?
A. He wrecked under caution while scrubbing his tires back and forth. True story. I can't make this stuff up.
Q. Isn't he the same guy that called Danica Patrick an on-track menace a couple of weeks ago?
A. Yeah, what's your point?
Q. How much, er, how many bottles of research went into this edition?
LMAO Hanny! Jr doesnt need them to throw a caution to win if he is in the lead silly rabbit!
So anyone else think Tony needs some stress reduction to help his immune system? Course getting that stress relief from a crazy Miller Lite chick might only make things worse for him...
Gordon spun during the green, white, checkered. If the caution comes out anytime during the GWC the field is frozen and whoever is leading is the winner.
klv...quit daydreaming about those drivers! You to, photogr!
About DEI - Jayski had a story this morning that Max Siegel is getting some investors together and he is going to try to purchase the company. The only thing Teresa wants to keep, if they offer her the right price, is the rights to Dale Sr's name(memorabilia rights) and the name "the Intimidator". I hope this is true because I don't want to see DEI go away. I don't think anyone that is a true race fan wants Dale Sr's company to be sold off piece by piece and shut down.
Hanny I *know* if they throw the caution in the G-W-C finish who ever is leading wins...I was merely pointing out that if Jr were leading, he wouldnt need NASCAR to throw the caution for him, he could win it all by himself. I am silly enough to believe that he is that good! LOL
More Questions:
Is it true JGR is talking to Daniel Snyder,owner of the Washington Redskins, about becoming a partner?
Is it true Hooters Restaurant is in contract talks with JGR to sponsor a 4th. car?
Will Joey Logano drive that car?
It is interesting that Gordon was out of the racing line and no caution was a good call. But why was flag flown after the wreck on the last lap? It was between into turn 1 toward turn 2 and there was plenty of room to slow down after the field took the checkers. It is Daytona, not Talladega. No conspiracy theory here, just seemed premature. They could have waited until the backstretch to determine if it was safe to clear.
Remember when Danica spun herself at Indy under caution warming up her tires? That, at least, was her first run at the Brickyard. What was Dixon's excuse? Man, when they put on those helmets, it really weighes heavy on the brain.
moseby...I think when NASCAR finally threw it, cars from the back of the field were still driving into the wreck. NASCAR was in a no win situation. They either get the blame--ala Martin--for not throwing it, or they get the blame for throwing it too soon--depending on the popularity of the winner.
Dixon did say that it was bad driving on his part. Danica also wrecked---on pit road.
Nascar did not throw the cautiion because there was no need for a caution. Jeff was still moving undamaged and was out of the way. You posters are the worst for wanting it all your way. If you can do it better, MY question would be WHY DON'T YOU. the biggest part of the posters on this blog are wannabe's. If Toyota had 30 to 50 more hp than the rest then tell me please, why Kyle has 6 wins and the rest of the toyota drivers run from 0 to 2? If it's the car then the coach must be telling the other teams not to win. Oh yea, Toyota would lap the field every week. Every one cheats in your little minds if it dose'nt exactly meet your belif that your driver is the only one out there with talent.
DEI: I hope Max has the good taste to change the name. Teresa did her best to discrace it. She can do what she chooses with the collectables I will not be buying them. I loved Dale Sr. as a driver, But I hate to see the greed and misrepresentation of Sr's great name. Take the money and run.
mrbob- whay does he have 6 and the others so few? Several reasons: a) he has no fear, b)he does not care whether people like him or not, c)he as a passion for racing and winning, and d) the kid can drive anything, anywhere, and fast. I personally don't care for Shrub, but appreciate his talent.
raqcooks: Wow! an open minded non biased opinion from a nascar fan on Kyle B.? LOL! I am growing to like him more and more(didnt hurt that he pulled a "Sr." move on Dale Jr in the closing laps of a race!)
What Kyle has done ,before everyone else, is learned how to adjust his driving to the new car. The kids car control reminds me of Tim Richmond or Davy Allison. Shurb is just plain good and the whiners cant accept that.
Hanahan, when "you all" get a chance, ask yourselves why do we have 'impound' races please. What's the point in that? Is it because of the restrictor plates? Thanks
OOPS! I meant to ask you if you have Sirius Radio. Kyle B. is going to be on around 3:30 pm Eastern. I'm looking forward to it. You can get Sirius on the net also.
Hey Han wait till next year and nascrap has all their toyo money they will reel in toyo and everything will be back to normal and we will see some equal races instead of toyo with their extra HP. I am a HMS fan but gordon brought that non his self if he would have stayed behind busch at least he would have either won or at least 2,3,4. instead of 30.
volfan...I think NASCAR started the impounding to save the teams some money. Just like the government, everytime they save me money, it costs me. I believe they also do it to give the crew guys some time off.
Oops, I missed Kyle. Mojo Nixon is the man on Sirius.
photo...I always thought that they would be the first one, instead of Toyota. The way the big 3 U.S. manufacturers are heading who knows what the NASACAR starting lineups will look like in 5 years.
It looks as if Nascar is going the way of Indianapolis. Foreign drivers. I don't mind having Toyota cars, but I don't want names I can't pronounce. I quit watching Indy 500 for that reason.
As far as new mfgrs coming in to Nascar, I'd like to see Mitsubishi come in first. Very strong engines. Too bad Chevy, Ford or Dodge can't release strong engines.
In Buschs' case, I think it is driver mostly. I know the garage can build a great car for him, but I'd think the garage could build a great car for Stewart and Hamlin too. In Stewarts case, I think he is getting tired of the grind. I don't think he will make his "Summertime Run" this year. Personally, I think he was hungover also.
Junior, what can ya say. He has the best car on the track most of the time. He runs up toward the front most of the time. He don't have the Mojo to win. I look for Hendricks to give up on him real quick. He is wasting too much on Jr., and the other two are paying for it. Not gonna sit well with them. If he loses Knaus, there goes the farm.
I trhink Busch will maintain, and probably win the cup this year. Next year will come.
Yes, Toyota has a horsepower advantage. NASCAR said as much. Of course, they said that about 20 HP is "a nominal advantage" but that's a load of BS. As for Shrub, yes he benefits from some extra power, but he's also just amazing behind the wheel.
If he could get his head out of "a very dark place" and find an ego that matches the size of his personality (i.e., very small) rather than the size of his ears (i.e., big enough to cover Rhode Island), he'd be likeable. Unfortunately, he went to the Rusty Wallace School of Humility, which means he only knows how to brag when he wins and whine when he loses. And THAT is why a lot of us don't like him. Very few of us will downplay his talent, but the kid needs to learn a few lessons.
dismas...lon time, dude. I like your views, but Jr can stay a HMS for life, if he wants to. Rick isn't going to kiss a billion $ in tee shirt sales goodbye.
IM....what's up, bro? I thought NASCAR only released the order of dyno HP from 1st thru 4th. Haven't ever seen where they gave specific numbers. Doesn't really matter as long as the engines are legal and meet specs.
Jr Johnson's Chevy engines in the mid 70s. Ernie Elliott's Ford engine in the mid 80s, etc. People will work hard to catch up just like they did back then.
20 HP is hard to believe. Just wondering, is it only Kyle's engines with 20 more? Cause the other one's aren't doing so great. 20 more HP on a plate track would lap the field a few times. Back when DEI had their run on the plate tracks, they supposedly only had about 8 more HP. I'm sure you remember Jr's white baseball car in the 400. If that was only 8 more HP, 20 more would be incredible.
Thanks for your unique spin on the race weekend, with the Q & A. Although I don't think everyone appreciates your sarcasm...the regular readers here just chuckle when we read your blogs.
Hanahan you are a scream. I loved your Q & A session. Ever thought of doing this for a living? You would be perfect to interview one Tony Stewart after a bad race.
