'Sweet Home Chicago'. It's good, and I love the Blues Brothers. But, let's face it, it ain't no 'Sweet Home Alabama'. The boys are in Chicago, not Alabammy this weekend, though. So baby don't you want to go, back to that same old place, sweet home...Chicago. Highlights, downlows, all aboard.
In the worst kept secret of the year news, Tony Stewart left JGR, and will be a driver/owner of the newly renamed Haas-Stewart Racing team. I first posted this news back in April. The link to my original post is at the bottom of this page. If you want further details on this, I hear it's all over the internet. Check it out.
Qualifying was rained out today (Thursday) for the Cup race at Chitown. Starting posistions will be set by owner points. Which means that KyleBusch and Dale Earnhardt Jr will make up the front row.
Special sponsors and paint schemes at Chicagoland include Nicorette on Jeff Gordon's #24 Chevy. Martin Truex Jr will have Cub Cadet lawnmowers on his #1 car. Ryan Newman will be in the Kodak #12. 'The Mummy' part 16 (?) will also be on that Penske Dodge. USG sheetrock is headquartered in Chicago, and will be on Matt Kenseth's #17 Ford.
Petty Enterprises celebrates Richard Petty's 50th anniversary in racing this weekend with special paint jobs on Bobby Labonte's #43 and on Terry Labonte's #45. The King made his first NASCAR start in the convertible division on July 12, 1958 at Columbia Speedway in Cayce, SC. I went to Columbia Speedway about 15 years ago. To say it was run-down would be a hell of a compliment. And, the people...let's just say if they ever remake the movie 'Deliverance', using dirt cars instead of canoes, this is where the filming will take place.
The Pettys haven't won a race in over 9 years, have now sold controlling interest in their business, and are having trouble finding sponsors for next year. On the bright side, Terry Labonte has 2 top 20s in his five starts while filling in for Kyle Petty this summer. How many top 20s did Kyle have previously? Do you even have to ask? Last week's rumor was that Jamie McMurray was coming to Petty, with a sponsor. This week it's David Reutimann supposedly coming next year.
This week in Silly Season news I'll hit ya with some sponsor and team rumors. Such as UPS going to #07 with Clint Bowyer at RCR, with Jack Daniels leaving that car and going to Tony Stewart's new outfit. Uh oh, more 'flu like' symptoms? Still hearing Ryan Newman in Tony's 2nd car with Jack Daniels. I still can't believe Tony and Ryan together. Several smaller teams are talking merger with each other. Among them Chip Ganassi throwing in with M Waltrip Racing. Or, Ganassi with RedBull Racing. Or, Red Bull with Bill Davis.
I reported last week that DEI was ready to fold. Now they're not denying that they are for sale, but they're saying that they are listening to outside investors. Here's the rundown on Dale Sr's legacy...The #01 team is closing down any minute now due to no sponsor. Mark Martin looked like a rat leaving a sinking ship last week when he signed with HMS. Paul Menard's Daddy is buying him a ride with another team. Rousch heads that list. And lastly, Martin Truex Jr is pissed off that his team screwed up any chance he had at making the Chase. Thanks to getting caught cheating last week. DEI is appealing all the penalties that the #1 team got from NASCAR this week. Look for Truex to go with Stewart, or Penske next year.
Finally, anyone reading this that knows, or has read somewhere that Toyota has 20, 30, 50 more horsepower than the other makes of cars, please leave the link or source in the comments below. Oh, and I don't consider screen name... AMP88DEW...or the like, to be a credible source.
Its not that old tracks are doomed...They just need to stop douple dipping at tracks that are not Great tracks. Cali is one that didn't need a 2nd date. Texas. need I go on.
As for DEI. A.K.A. TEI..soon will RIP if she doesn't do something.
hanahan
Well now that NASCAR potentially has its own silly season much like the NBA and baseball in terms of their roster turnovers.
Should we really expect this to be a regular thing from now on within NASCAR ?
It's not necessarily much ado about nothing . But with each passing year what the sport was once like seems to be changing not necessarily for the best.
I've a new post up within this forum and it's an MMA piece titled A Coming Togther Of The Minds Fedor Emelianenko Tim Sylvia . A link'll be provided below for you to view the piece directly. So just click on the link provided.
pop....the only reason those tracks have two dates is just as slshusker said, "to collect the coins from the masses."
It is admirable that Theresa wanted her husband's legacy to continue. I think she found out that a simple, trusting, country girl couldn't compete with, or trust the sharks (some within DEI mgmt.) in the big business of racing.
al...Silly Season seems to get bigger every year. It would be a shock if just one year passed with only one or two drivers changing teams. I'll check out your MMA post.
I couldn't find any links on the Toyo having 20, 30, 40 or 50 extra hp But I did find this on the Chevy R07 engine which GM will only admit to "over 800 hp" but insiders reveal the real number was over 850 hp straight out of the box.
I do remember that JGR was in the forfront in the developement work on the R07 and I'm sure they shared their information. But taking those numbers are people saying the Toyos have 900 hp?
If so why is only the JGR 18 in sprint and 20 in NW that are winning everything?
Inquiring minds want to know so all the "experts and conspericy theorists" let us know.
Han-man, great edition yet again. Do you think DEI was doomed when 1) Dale Jr. left or 2) when it merged with Ginn?
Also, have you heard anything more on Blaney/BDR? I know BDR keeps everything close and the last official statement was that the #22 did have a sponsor and they were looking for driver/sponsor for their second car #23. Do you think it will be J. Villeneuve?
It's actually 85 more horsepower and it goes up to 115 when it rains in the Midwest. In Philly it's only 35 because of the humidity and 135 more in Vegas because it's a dry heat.
I bet Kyle Petty has more top-40's this year than Terry. Ummm...well...maybe.
Did you know that no one else in Nascar has ever exploited the rules until Toyota came along?
Damn, guess I need to cancel my spring break in Cayce then.
Another great Right Sides Only Hanahan. I know the Jack Daniels rumor was debunked by Richard yesterday, they are signed thru 09 with RCR. I would have to agree with your guess, Flyin Ryan wont be with Tony, but Truex might!
I have nothing on the Toyota HP stuff, the brew crew say they can tune the engines to get different HP slightly adn dont believe anyone else is cheating...
elad...what's up, bro. The funniest part about all the whining over Toyota's supposed HP advantage is that the fans doing all the whining are the first one's to call a driver a whiner. Hilarious.
They are also the first ones to whine about the COT changing Cup racing into IROC. Someone alledgedley comes up with a HP advantage, and now these whiners DO want all the cars the same. Hilarious.
Wonder where all these conspiracy theorists were about 5 or 6 years ago when DEI had a real HP advantage at the plate tracks?
hanahan
All of a sudden though this should give everyone some cause for concern. With a deepening economic crisis who knows what'll next happen especially amongst some of the smaller teams within each of the echelons of NASCAR from the Cup Series on down ?
Certainly at this juncture teams'll have to start to look at their budgets and the same can be said of the sponsors as well.
HFL...I heard that BDR is lookikng to partner up with someone. Red Bull Racing, maybe. If they go to a second car, you can bet the driver will have a sponsor to bring with him to BDR. So, the driver could be anyone.
Sorry about the new team name thing. It's nice when someone gives you 50% of a $41 million team for nothing, and you get top billing.
moseby...It's time to change Cup racing to IROC. The Jr fans will be in for a big surprise, not a good one, either.
All the small towns around Columbia, SC---Cayce, Gaston, Swansea---haven't changed much since the 1950s. Wouldn't recomend stopping there for anything longer than a stop sign.
klv...I saw that Childress denied it, and said they were under contract, but I also hear that UPS wants to be with Bowyer, and that it will happen. Besides, doesn't an alcohol sponsor belong with Tony?
Why did you say "they don't believe anyone *else* is cheating? Are you saying that the Brew Crew may be cheating? (!^)>
Lori...I think more and more the driver will be determined on whether or not the sponsor wants him, or if he can bring one with him.
Hey now, my residence, the city of Hanahan (real place), is right beside Goose Creek. Goose Creek is the but of Charleston area jokes alright. You weren't the girl in the red Grand Am who was always speeding on Rivers Ave, near Northwoods Mall, were you? Columbia is more of the midlands/sandhills area than the lowcountry.
I write for entertainment. Mine and hopefully the readers. I don't preach and I don't get political on a sports blog. This is the way I've been writing this column since day one. I'm not changing this style. No one has to read it for all I care.
What I write is my opinion. I try to be as honest as possible. I don't make this stuff up. I don't expect everyone to agree with me. Sometimes I write stuff just to tweak people off.
I may crack on Kyle Petty, but everything I say about him is true. I respect what the Pettys have done for NASCAR. Doesn't mean that I have to like them.
I appreciate you, your knowledge of NASCAR, and your opinions, but if this column upset you, maybe you shouldn't read my stuff anymore.
I just hope every one is not wooed by the great Muslim hope that speaks with a forked tounge.
A vote for the Silver back party is a vote for America. Photogr for President.
You know. With all the switching and buying and closing up shop and selling, I am convinced the races have taken a back burner to the most important issue. Competitive Racing.
Hanahan you sieze to amaze me how STUPID you are. one lie after the other. Say one thing on one comment and then contradict yourself on another. Your writing is all for show, but its definatley not entertaining. Try writing some stuff that everybody doesnt already know, and then try writing something that is interesting and not long and drawn out and boring as hell. Most of all dont make it so obvious that you dont know what the hell your talking about.
You know. It just amazes me why some people just blog and say ####. The only stupidity on this blog is the ones calling every one else stupid. Stupid is, is stupid do.
Hanahan can say what ever he wants to say. It is a free country the last time I checked. If I don't like what he says I will let him know in a polite manner but will not ridicule him for it and I will not call him stupid. That is only reserved for ones that are actually stupid by choice, not inheritance.
However some have been brainwashed by the great Humanist movement that personifies Marxist theology to talk down to others that do not subscribe to their mind set by calling them a rash of names.
Personally I would have a field day naming some on this blog that really are the personification of total morons but alas, that is not polite to do such.
I hope I made my self clear.
hyrtwe1543...I may be stupid, but I know that *sieze* isn't the word you want to use in that first sentence. And not just because it's spelled wrong.
If there is "one lie after the other" maybe you could name one or two for me? Where you think I'm contradicting myself, is me trying to use humor and sarcasm to make a point. It helps if the reader has an IQ above 75. Sorry, exhibit A.
I went back and looked at the ONLY blog you have ever posted. Wow, about 4 sentences, trying to run down Kyle Busch. When is your Pulitzer acceptance party?
If you must continue reading my long, drawn out, brilliant thoughts, here's a tip for you hyrtwe....hold your index finger over your lips. They won't move so much as you read.
photogr...thanks for being the voice of reason, again. Of course, the one's that need to read it won't get it.
I expect some backlash just by the way I write. My attempted, humorous put downs of drivers is funny untill it's their favorite driver. I have poked fun at every driver, including my favorites.
Some people take this way too seriously. It's just a blog. We can write whatever we want. We're not held up to the standards of the printed press.
hanny- Some people take this way too seriously. It's just a blog. We can write whatever we want. We're not held up to the standards of the printed press. ????????
This is one reason I do not enjoy your company. Everytime I or anyone writes their own opinion and you dont agree, you go and jump all over them. The way they write, what they wrote, how they spell, what words thy chose to use etc.
2nd of all, I dont read your blogs, i just make comments on them.
3rdly Ive posted many a blog over the past 3 or 4 years. I just dont keep them, like some people do. Im not interested in the attention, look at me kinda thing you know.
Photo-Im sorry, was I talking to you? are you his mommy?
Last edited by hyrtwe1543 on July 12th at 11:43 AM.
hyrtwe1543 and Hanahan, I really enjoy reading what both of you write, whether it is your blogs or your comments. I think you both have a tremendous amount to offer, as do RLGuido and photogr, and many others. It/all of you, always give me different perspectives to consider and many things to think about. Honestly, I do appreciate all of you on this site. vol
hy....I never correct anyone on their spelling or how they write. I made an exception for you because I thought it was funny that you were calling me stupid, and didn't even know the word you were trying to use. *Cease* is the word, not seize, and certainly not *sieze*.
Didn't think that giving my opinion, based on facts, was jumping all over someone.
"2nd of all, I dont read your blogs, i just make comments on them."
You really should read them. It would help you look like you know what you're talking about.
Why not keep your blogs? You actually take the time to delete them? I'll be on the lookout for any new ones from you. Maybe I'll learn something.
I've got no prob with you hy, now that I know where you're coming from. Now appologize to photogr for your ugly comment to him, and we can all be friends.
Han- I did not come to this point with you for no good reason. I know what people say when they comment on my blogs, because I can actually read. If I hadnt deleted mine, I could show you how you talk to me, simply because you do not agree. How you say I cant write worth a ship, i mispelled this, i need to go back and finish grammer school, My IQ is 20 below bla bla bla. and especially if I say something about your precious KB.
Photo has been around forever, he knows not to take me seriously.
Not too shabby there... 'ol "King of the Quick Stop"
I see you still never sieze to sieze your audience... and this time you garnered not only a "you so stupid" comment... but a political rant as well. Awesome !
I hate it when they say..."let's agree to disagree"
I say "Let's go in the back yard, and beat each other with sticks until somebody cries." We may not actually settle anything, but maybe we can get the video on the front page of Youtube or Break.com.
BTW.... Kyle Petty finishes first everytime..... just ask his wife.
last week There is a rumor that he's dating on a wealthy & beauty dating site called
+++ kissmillionaires.c0om +++ . He may wanna hook up a hottie. I guess.
Wow...WTF happened here? Really like the comment that someone doesn't read your stuff but just comments on the blog. So how does that person know what you've said about them or anything in particular to respond in kind?
Don't care what anyone's IQ is, but when people lie about what they say or do when it's already documented in the reverse - That is the definition of a M*O&R%O#N.
The guy obviously has me confused with someone else. Too bad he deleted all his blogs that I commented on. I can't remember ever commenting on his blogs. But, I KNOW I wouldn't waste a comment running down someone's spelling or telling them to go back to 'grammer' school. I like to think my smart #### comments are more clever than that.
Yes the worst kept secret has come true. And I am on very sad Tony Stewart fan. I hate that he and Zippy are not going to be together after this year.
Oh well, life goes on.
And as far as the Toyotas having more horesepower. Every manufacturer has said that every time one manufacturer wins more races than them. Same old song and dance
