Well, Kasey "The Kandy Man" Kahne proved the fans that voted him into the All-Star race knew what they were doing with his surprising victory last night even though most of his competitors had newer tires than he did during the final segment. His many fans can only hope this was a precursor to better days ahead as he recaptured his Lowes Motor Speedway magic.
I think there were four other "Big" surprises last night and the engine problems of JGR were not one of those surprises. TRD has proven they are ahead of the curve with their engine program this year and what better event to experiment with additional changes that might tweak out a few more horsepower. That effort will continue to pay dividends for all the Toyota teams.
Here are the other four big surprises I saw last night:
Sam Hornish, Jr. looked like he finally belonged in Cup racing last night. He has done little to show me he has grown as a Cup driver before last night but he was very racy finally. He has plenty of talent so last night was a long time coming.
Jeff Gordon was last among HMS drivers and never seemed to improve his car through any of the segments. You have to wonder how Jr. and his suspect crew chief can continue to outperform the 24 team but it may be time for a new crew chief for Jeff.
Kurt Busch was woeful and that is probably being kind. He just wasn't competitive and looked like someone who has continued a long downward career slide for quite some time.
Richard Childress Racing didn't have anyone looking competitive last night either. Harvick was eleventh, Clint was 18th, and Jeff Burton was 20th. Not the way any three car team wants to leave such a big event, especially at Lowes.
The good news for Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, and the Childress guys is that it was a non-points race but the bad news is there is a huge points race next week on the same track. I know all their fans hope the surprise next week is positive while Kasey and Sam just want to perform at the same competitive level.
Tez,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It's true Kurt ran better early but in the end, he finished 22nd which, coincidentally, matches his current place in the Cup season points standings.
As we are friends, I feel free to vent on your blog. I am a mega Jeff & Jimmie fan they are my racing hero's. Not unlike The Lone ranger & Tonto. You know, HIGH HEEL, SILVER AWAY. Hero's don't always win, a sad fact of life, but they don't always lose, either.
Last Night was a perfect example, their horses are plum tuckered out! Jimmie & Jeff both suffered from what I believe to be not only trainer/ crew chief error but rider/driver error as well!
Have you noticed most all the driver's have an ashen look, void of contact with the sun? Except of course Kasey, with his boyhood flush! Then there is the domination of Kyles car, when running is the fastest on the track? Yes, yes, I am aware of Jeff winning so many time, so basically I am just ranting, as they are cleaning my padded cell!
No, Vampire story here, as to the blood loss of other drivers being light head. Therefor diminishing their powers. And Hero's don't always win. I am a slow learner, next you will tell me there is no SANTA CLAUS, and DRACULA, was only a character in a book?
Finally, a chance to DISAGREE with the professor. J Gordon's crew chief, has shown in previous years a high level of inteligence and a knack for making the right calls. I seem to recall a couple of wins that were due to his calls, and, or pit strategy.
No doubt that Knaus is the smartest/best chief in NASCAR. Johnson's not doing that much better than Jeff. Knaus and Letarde didn't just forget everything. They're probably working on stuff just for the Chase. Course, they should concentrate a little more on making the chase.
24x2,
Always nice to see a friend stop by to "rant?" - lol. However, I believe it was Hi H-o Silver, Away. Not High Heel - lmao - Yeah, I know that is what you meant.
But what is this B.S. about no Santa Claus? Of course there is a Santa Claus and there truly was a man named Vlad the Impaler aka Dracula - I just don't think he slept in a coffin.
Last edited by HoosierRacer13 on May 18th at 2:33 PM.
Hanny,
Well this is a true disagreement because I have believed Steve Letarte to be a weak link from day one. He was so young and had been around racing such a relatively short time when he was named to crew the 24 team. I was amazed Jeff and Rick couldn't hire a more seasoned and proven leader at that time. I agree he has had a couple of good days as crew chief but it would be hard not to with such an accomplished driver. Overall, I just think he ranks below the top tier crew chiefs in Cup racing. But I respect your knowledge and opinion. Guess we'll just agree to disagree on this one.
Hoos...I know that Letarte seems like a big goof, and it's easy to underestimate him. I'm sure you have met a few highly intelligent engineers who are socially awkward, and seem a little goofy. That's how I percieve Letarte. I've seen his type before. His mind is always working, two or three jumps ahead of the present situation.
On the downside, these types sometimes have trouble making snap decisions. Not a problem with us on those.
Nique,
Like you know anything - lol. Heck, you probably weren't even born when The Lone Ranger TV show was on - BTW it was on in black and white, not color, so it has been a few years AND 24x2 admitted she posted heel in error. Oh well, you gotta find something to say in your comment and I know it will never be in agreement with anything I write.
Hoosier- I will have to chime in and agree with Tez, your pickin on my boy Kurt. He was up front for the first 3 segments and my guess is when they realized they couldnt win the thing so they were practicing more race setups. Remember they know they are way off an have been testing all week at road courses so I think it wasnt even a race for them. Sam was on fire though! Loved that.
Kristen,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I always respect your opinions. You may be right but if they could run up front for 3 segments why wouldn't they say, hey, our set up is close, one more adjustment and we can win this thinig instead of making radical changes that ended up back firing big time?
I think what surprised me most of all was how neither Jimmie nor Jeff were a factor in last night's race.
I figured when Jimmie started coming through the field that he was going to be a factor. But he never really was. Which is okay with me, but I was surprised by that fact. Hope that they continue to be a non factor in the coming races. (Sorry HMS fans, but I am loving this right now)
Tsfanpc,
Well it's looking a lot like a JGR year but if JJ and JG make the chase along with Jr. anything can happen. Of course, I expect Kyle and Tony to be there too. Thanks for stopping by.
Your Hoosierness,
I have to agree with Hanny. I think a lot of them were using this race as one more 'test session' for the most part. KK car was set up for the race I am sure, as had all the millions of soccer moms not voted him in he had to in fact actually race his way in. All the drivers had their cars set up for the actual race in the shootout to get into the big one race. They had to. I think this was pretty much seen by the way those 3 cars did in the big race. All three were great, while most of the others didnt really live up to their potential. Just goes to show that the Chase is more important than a million dollar bonus any day...Just my humble opinion!
Congrats to Kasey, He won the popularity contest and the race. Good job by Sam too, I think he has a way to go yet before he is a contender but he is learning.
I agree that the big teams were using this more as a test session, (guess they have enough money)Hehe.
Hoosier- I think they tried different things each segment...remember they only put 2 tires on and that killed them, then the 4 at the end which killed them. Kurt has said before they are on a "razors edge" with the setup and they cannot figure out why small adjustments radically change the car so much. I followed every one of their changes at Phoenix and they were little-teeny-tiny air pressure changes that would throw them way tight. I dont think they were ever out to win the Million...Penske figured something out with Sam being able to drive a yawed out car though!
Yeah that was fun watching Sam wheel that car that looked like a passenger car that had the body twisted on the frame from an accident.
As for Kurt, I've been hearing that a lot that teams are making tire pressure adjustments as little as two to three tenths of a pound. I think with a 3500 lb. car, a 1 lb. change in air pressure changes the spring rate like 60 pounds so 2-3 tenths is like 12 to 18 pounds. If that changes the car that dramatically, you can understand why he says they are on a razors edge trying to get the setup right.
P.S. Just more props and kudos for you. You have truly become the Queen of NASCAR bloggers/commenters. Heck, you are now the Supreme Commander above all of us wannabes. I salute you.
Kristen,
Well you are the quickest study I've seen on these pages. Now that you have so much knowledge of the sport and that shrink thing going for you, it seems you could combine the two and become The Official Shrink of Cup Drivers and travel to all the races with a nice couch in your motorhome for sessions with the drivers. They all need it once in a while and some of them seem to every week.
No rude comments from anyone else either. I'm talking about a couch for psyochoanalysis purposes only, of course.
Believe me Hoosier, there are more than a few of the drivers I would *love* to be unethical with and get on my couch! LOL
I have been asking around in the garages why teams dont have sport psychologists as coaches or why NASCAR doesnt have their own for the entire lot of them. One official told me if they did, no one would be out on the track, they would all be in my office! I am totally working that angle...
volfan69,
Sorry it hurts you so muich to agree with a low-life such as myself - lol - but I am right about 99.3% of the time (smiling) OK Nique, let me have it over that one.
