The Tires are wearing to the Cords at about 7-12 laps. Why is it doing this?
Robin Pemberton
July 26, 2008 2:13:54 p.m. EST
Robin,
At the tire test earlier this year, it did the same thing. We think once the rubber is laid into the track, it will improve to 32-36 lap window.
Greg Stucker,
Director, Race Tire Sales, Goodyear Tires
July 26, 2008 2:25:34 p.m. EST
Robin,
I've heard a parade of crew chiefs, drivers and owners complaining about the tires. And, the TV is showing pictures of tire wear. What is going on?
I don't want another Atlanta 2008 or Charlotte 2005!
Mike
July 26, 2008 2:28:45 p.m EST
Mike,
I've spoken to Goodyear about it and they believe it will resolve once laps are run on it tomorrow.
Robin
July 26, 2008 2:32:25 EST
Robin,
They've run laps today. They ran laps in April. It did the same thing.
What is so magical about tomorrow?
Does Indianapolis Grand Prix 2006 mean anything to you? Perhaps Goodyear needs to be reminded there was a REFUND OF TICKET SALES due to tire issues?
Mike
July 27, 2008 1:35:33 EST
Mike,
I agree run a few competition yellows. Maybe it will get better as the race goes on.
Brian
July 27, 2008 2:44:32 EST
Robin,
How do they look?
Mike
July 27, 2008 2:45:02 EST
Mike,
Every team has tires worn to the cords. I don't think they can make more than 10 laps.
Robin
July 27, 2008 3:55:32 EST
Mike,
Can't we do something about these Nascar determined cautions?
Order someone to wreck so it's a legitimate caution?
Brian
July 27, 2008 4:22:15 EST
Robin,
I see debris in Turn Three
Brian
July 27, 2008 4:23:23 EST
Turn 3,
Is there debris in your corner?
Pemberton
July 27, 2008 4:23:54 EST
No
Turn 3 crew
July 27, 2008 4:24:15 EST
Mike,
Brian says there is debris in Turn 3 and wants a caution. Turn 3 says there's nothing
What do I do?
Robin
July 27, 2008 4:24:45 EST
How can he see it? He's sitting on the front stretch! Just keep doing what you're doing.
Mike
July 27, 2008 4:38:43 EST
Mike,
Can't we divert the crowd's attention from these cautions? Don't they have streakers in Indy? Or maybe a deer could run across the track?
Maybe they could show that video of Stewart shoving the USAC official on the big screens? Shoving the reporter years ago? Like a greatest hits montage?
Brian
July 27, 2008 4:46:17 EST
Robin,
I'm running out of tires! I have some from Pocono here, but I have no idea how they will work. And it will leave us short next weekend!
Greg
July 27, 2008 5:07:23 EST
Robin,
If we run out, we'll force every team to use the Pocono tires. I don't care if they have tires left, once the Pocono tires are out, all teams will use them.
Mike
July 27, 2008 5:20:44 EST
Robin,
What is the security plan for Nascar workers? The fans are booing every caution now!
Turn 1 crew
July 27, 2008 5:21:02 EST
Mike,
I can hear the fans booing over the engines on pit road!
Brian
July 27, 2008 5:23:10 EST
Brian,
I've gotten the "script" to the owners. I reminded them of the consequences of criticizing the new car and/or Goodyear. I think we can minimize the reaction through PR.
Mike
July 27, 2008 6:12:33 EST
Greg,
Thanks for the tires and the advice. It really made a difference.
A fly on the wall on December 8, 2008 9:30 a.m. in Kannapolis, North Carolina, may hear:
Tony Stewart: Wow. This changed since I went to New York.
Secretary(via intercom) : Where have you been?
Stewart: (fumbling with intercombutton) Home. Why?
Secretary: Didn't you read the schedule we sent to your phone?
Stewart: No. I never check my messages before I get to the shop in the morning.
Secretary:(sound of exhaling breath) Oh. Well you missed the meeting with Joe Custer. And you're about to be late for the all shop meeting at 9:45.
Stewart: Okay. Where is the coffee?
Secretary: I'll get it. And I'll let Custer know you are here.
Stewart: What's the meeting about? Hello? (intercome shuts off). What is all this stuff? Stacks of catalogs. Speedway Motors catalogs. T-Shirt design samples. Media requests - ha - that'll be easy to put in the NO box.
Secretary: Teresa Earnhardt, Line 1.
Stewart: What the Hell? (Picks up phone) Teresa?
Teresa Earnhardt: Tony, congratulations again on your new team.
Stewart: Thanks.
Teresa: Have you given any more thought to the merger option we discussed in New York?
Stewart: Ummm. Noooooo.
Teresa: I really think it would work to our benefit.
Stewart: Ahhhhh... (Loud crash)
Secretary and Joe Custer: (sound of door opening and footsteps) What was that?
Stewart: Got to go. Talk to you later. (Call ended).
Custer: You threw your shoe at Martinsville clock!?
Stewart: I needed a diversion. Put Teresa on my "do not call" list. And get more glass for the clock.
Secretary: Ok. Is this a good time to ask for a raise?
Stewart: No problem. As long as you don't schedule anything before 10 a.m. And screen the calls from women I don't want to talk to.
Secretary: Deal.
Custer: Now you're negotiating salaries?
Stewart: If she handles things the way I want, she'll earn it.
Custer: Uh-huh. I brought in your schedule for the next few days. And a few important dates we have before Daytona.
Stewart: The day after Christmas you scheduled a sponsor meet and greet?
Custer: We have several to do and it fit. I know it is a bit odd, but they'll be able to get lots of kids there as they are on Christmas vacation.
Stewart: But I'm racing that day in Fort Wayne. And I'm at the Chili Bowl these dates in January. And I have to go to the season opening World of Outlaws races these dates in February.
Custer: Oh. Well. I guess we can move a few things around.
Stewart: While we're on that, put on the master schedule the dates of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, the Knoxville Nations, and the Knoxville Late Model Nationals. There's the Prelude in June, and the Sprintweek in July.
Custer: When exactly do you plan to do ownership stuff?
Stewart: I'd have times on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Custer: I think we'll need a bit more than that. Let's talk about that after the shop meeting.
Stewart: Great.
Custer: Don't forget that part of the deal with the sponsors is that you would be available for meet and greets, commercials, autograph signings and media tours.
Stewart: I've done all that before. Wait, how many media tours?
Custer: I think they want you talking to the camera every opportunity.
Stewart: Hendrick doens't do that.
Custer: But you see Richard Petty, Ganassi, Childress, Hendrick and Evernham regularly talking about their teams on Trackside and the Pre-Race shows.
Stewart: Isn't my radio show enough? It's going to take 10 minutes to get through the list of sponsors already!
Custer: We'll talk later. I'll see you in the shop in a couple minutes. (Sound of footsteps and door shutting).
Secretary: Your Dad, Line 4.
Stewart: Dad?
Nelson Stewart: So are you going to run the double this year?
Stewart: Dad, I haven't really had time to think about it.
Nelson: You're your own boss now. And that Indy 500 trophy would look good on your trophy shelf.
Secretary: Junior, Line 2.
Stewart: Dad, I gotta go. We'll talk later. Junior.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr: Hey Tony. Thought I'd call in and talk a bit about the Nationwide program and warn you about my crazy stepmother. She is shopping hard for a partner. Thought I'd give you a heads-up.
Stewart: A little too late for that. She already cornered me in New York. And I do mean cornered.
Stewart: I'd better go, someone just walked in. Bye. I still can't believe no one has put this together yet.
Chad Knaus: They will at Daytona.
Stewart: Yeah. Well, since I had no crew chief and you got fired from Hendrick after the fiasco during the Chase, it should work for both of us.
Knaus: I agree. Do you want to know what my ideas are? I went back and re-read some of Smokey's stuff and Ray's stuff, and I think there are a few tweeks we can make to the COT that techinically aren't outlawed. Yet.
Stewart: I don't want to know. As the owner/driver, Nascar will think I do, but as long it as doesn't involve lead water containers, I don't care. We just have to get into the top 35 in points.
Knaus: The cars will be very fast.
Stewart: That's what I expect.
Secretary:(Intercom) The meeting is starting now in the shop. Both of you need to get there!
FedEx dropped off brown paper package containing a CD and this transcript.
Rick Hendrick: Tony, I'm delighted that you were able to come and visit the shop. I was a bit surprised you still wanted to come since you won today in the Nationwide Series.
Tony Stewart: Thanks, Rick. I appreciate you meeting late at night with me so we can avoid the silly season gossip.
Hendrick: Naturally, I had hoped that once you heard I dumped Mears, you'd call me.
Stewart: I was really surprised when you did that.
Hendrick: I need results, Tony.
Stewart: I want results too.
[Cellphone beeping]
Hendrick: Don't these guys ever sleep? I just got text messages from Newman, McMurray and Truex. I swear I get at least 10 a piece from them every day. Let me go get the keys for the engine shop from my office. Just take a look around.
Stewart: It's just so weird that no one else is here...
[Sound of footsteps walking away.]
Muffled Voice: Psst.... Rick!
Hendrick: What the!
Jeff Gordon: Will he sign?
Hendrick: What are you doing here?
Gordon: Stewart - will he sign? And how much will it cost us? We need to do it, Rick.
Hendrick: We haven't gotten that far. You shouldn't have come, Jeff. I told him that no one else would know we were talking tonight. I didn't expect you to leave Ingrid & Ella Sophia to come hide out in the shop eavesdropping!
Gordon: Stewart will be fine. If he finds me. We've got to get him to sign. We'd have three former Champions.
Hendrick: We've talked about this, Jeff. I like Tony, but we both know he's a handful.
Gordon: But he's mellowing in his old age. We need to get him married off, then he'll be too busy with the wife and kids to have time to be a grump. I'll get some names from Ingrid & Chandi
Hendrick: We'll see. First I have to convince him to sign with us, and not just as engine provider for Haas.
Gordon: Point out our wins last season and Championships for last 2 years. And we'd bring Zipadelli over.
Hendrick: I know what the deal should be, Jeff. Why don't you go back to the track and sleep?
Gordon: No. If you need me, I'll be hiding over here by the office.
[Footsteps]
Hendrick: Got the keys. Tony, remember that if you decide to buy Haas, we would be glad to supply engines. We supply to several teams, and you get the same stuff we use here.
Stewart: But I don't get all the chasiss info.
Hendrick: Exactly. Do you want to start over with a new crew chief? Or would you prefer to stay with Zippy?
Stewart: What do you mean?
Hendrick: Well, if you leave Gibbs, then I assume Greg stays there. So you'd have to get a new crew chief. Unless you took him to Haas or came here.
Stewart: You'd bring Zippy over?
Hendrick: If you want. And the other guys on the team.
Stewart: Wow. That would be great.
Hendrick: Oops. I don't have the key for the dyno room. I'll be right back.
[Footsteps. Followed by a loud crash]
Voice: Damn!
Stewart: Who is there?
Chad Knaus: It's me.
Jimmie Johnson: And Me.
Stewart: Knaus? Johnson? What are you doing here?
Knaus: We wanted to talk to you about taking this deal.
Johnson: You really need to think this through Smoke.
Knaus: It's perfect for you.
Johnson: And I think we'd work well together
Knaus: Convince Zippy to come with you. He and I would be a formidable team. The rulebook would need to be rewritten. Plus, he has a few passes left - I've got a few ideas, but someone else should really try them out first..
Stewart: Huh, sure. I'm sure Zippy would be excited to spend a few weeks of the season at home with Nan and the kids if there's a problem with your "ideas." Why are you here Johnson, shouldn't you be upset your buddy Mears is out?
Johnson: Casey and I will still be friends. He's no help on the car stuff. You would be.
Knaus: I get chills when I think about the four of you drafting at Daytona.
Stewart: Yeah, but at some point it's everyman for himself.
Johnson: Of course. And you'll need to work on those media relationships.
Stewart: That may be a deal breaker. How did you find out about this anyway?
Johnson: Here comes Rick. Hide!
[Door closing sound]
Hendrick: I got it.
Stewart: If I came to Hendrick, who would I share a shop with?
Hendrick: Junior.
Stewart: Fantastic! That would work. We get along well.
Hendrick: Tony, I'd suggest that you take over the 5 car, and buy Haas with Junior.
Stewart: Sponsorship? Wow, this dyno is impressive.
Hendrick: Only the best here Tony. Chevy funds us well. And we win to keep their name out there. We have several potential sponsors. Do you have any ideas?
Stewart: Bass Pro Shop is ready to bolt DEI.
Hendrick: Junior told me Truex is worried about it. I'm gonna take these keys back to the office.
Voice: Sorry about that. Didn't mean to scare you.
Stewart: Junior! You promised you wouldn't come! I only told you about this meeting to get some advice on negotiating with Rick.
Dale Earnhardt Jr: Yeah, but I wanted to know how it was going. And I thought I could help you out as it went down.
Stewart: But I told Rick no one knew about this meeting!
Junior: Don't worry, he won't catch me. And even if he did, it's my shop too.
Stewart: Did you tell... Nevermind. Did you think of anything else to tell me?
Junior: The winnings' split is typical, Rick actually does a little better than DEI did - both with the driver and the team. It's 46-14-40.
Stewart: What about merchandise?
Junior: Better than standard. And you get say over the design - did you see the new bikinis I have with my number on 'em?
Stewart: Bikinis? I don't know how to design bikinis! Oh well. How will Gordon take it if I move over here?
Junior: I think he'll be fine. It's all money in his pocket too. Whoops!
[Scuffling sounds]
Hendrick: Tony, I think we can work something out that will benefit us both.
Stewart: What about the media?
Hendrick: You're gonna have to talk to them. I expect you to attend all the media sessions you are required to, which I don't think you're doing right now. But that doesn't mean you have to answer all those stupid questions. But we'll need to work something out. The PR guys can work with you to formulate something.
Stewart: Well, I have a few things to think about.
[Door closing and being locked. Sounds of crickets chirping]
Stewart: Isn't that Jeff's SUV?
Hendrick: Yes, but aren't those Knaus's Truck and Junior's Vette? What are they doing here?
That is the OLDEST trick in the book! I can’t believe Roush thought they’d get by with it.
I’d bet that is not the only thing that is tricked up on the car either. Nascar will probably throw the book at them.
We’ll figure out what Roush discovered soon. JJ says Gordon wants to know.
Knaus
March 4, 2008 1:24:45 p.m.
Junior:
It’s Penalty Tuesday and no news on Carl’s missing oil tank cover. I can’t believe Nascar is going to let Carl keep the win! Leaving the oil tank cover loose is the oldest trick in the book. I think Smokey came up with it back in the day.
You should be the winner.
E-Sad
March 4, 2008 2:30:26 p.m.
Jeff -
Glad to hear you are just as sore as I was. Bushie told me he was hurting too.
I’m with you on the plan to get softer walls on all tracks on all inside walls.
So will this reignite the Gordon - Kenseth feud? After all, Bristol is around the corner!
Smoke
PS: Can you believe a “non-intentional” missing oil tank cover? At least Knaus is creative!
March 5, 2008 3:52:22 p.m.
Nardelli -
Nascar saw things our way and rescinded the points penalty. But they increased the fine. I appreciate your backing on this. And the offer to help with payment of the fine.
The Indy 500 deal is off. This will keep me in the top 35.
Robby
March 6, 2008 11:55:34 a.m.
Leesa:
I just spoke to the Sprint point man (I can’t remember the name because it is a new guy every week; they cannot keep people hired!). Apparently they are worried about a takeover bid by T-Mobile. The latest rate cut is causing a price war and it‘s cheaper to acquire the company than lower rates.
Thus, it could be the T-Mobile Cup by next year. I hope this doesn’t happen because it sounds like a name for a jock strap!
I’m also considering a big shake-up in the schedule for next year. I’d take the early date from Cali, move Phoenix earlier, and drop a second date for Kansas in the spring. Atlanta would get Labor Day and Cali would get a Chase race. Vegas would get a date from Pocono, but would race it toward the end of the season (maybe in Chase). Let me know what you think.
If Bruton didn’t own Vegas and we did, I’d have the finale there along with the banquet. But No Way I’m moving it from an ISC track!
Brian
March 7, 2008 3:00:00 p.m.
Helton,
Did you see the comments Jack Roush and Lee White at Toyota have been making about the oil tank cover? The Gloves are off! Both are accusing the other of intentional cheating!
Roush even stated that Waltrip’s Daytona car wasn’t the only Toyota with jet fuel in its tank!
Pemberton
March 8, 2008 6:43:16 p.m.
JJ,
Did you see that Roush refused to do the polygraph when pushed? He wouldn't let anyone agree to do it to prove it was an "unintentional" missing oil tank lid.
Like one bolt failed and caused it to fall off without Carl noticing.
Knaus
March 9, 2008 6:10:10 p.m.
Shrub -
Nice work out there today.
I’ll get you next time, assuming the tires are better.
Doesn’t this mean you’re buying lunch this week for the shop?
Smoke
March 9, 2008 6:20:44 p.m.
Smoke,
I know you didn’t like the tires, but can you lay off a little? You’ve given at least four interviews trashing Goodyear, isn’t that enough?
We need to be able to do some testing for them.
JD
March 9, 2008 7:30:22 p.m.
Smoke,
Loved the tire comments. The tires sucked today.
My arms are killing me tonight.
Do you suppose Carl's motor failure was due to a missing oil tank lid?
Junior
March 9, 2008 8:10:45 p.m.
Smoke,
Those tires were terrible today.
Is Irish at Hoosier Tire paying you for the publicity?
Kasey
March 9, 2008 8:11:23 p.m.
Kasey:
Look Fred Astaire, shouldn't you be worried about your dancing?
Smoke
March 9, 2008 8:35:59 p.m.
Smoke,
So I’ve got the soft wall campaign and you’re working on the tire campaign?
The past few weeks have shed an interesting light on the way Nascar disciplines. From Kurt Busch's pit road run-in to Junior's bracket-gate to Hendrick bumper-gate to Musgrave's melt-down, Nascar has had to deal with various infractions of the rules.
The overall view to the observer appears to be disjointed and frankly, unfair.
COT issues:
Dale Earnhardt Jr's COT showed up with unapproved brackets. Nascar sat his crew chief for six weeks (Eury Jr is back next week at Daytona), fined both owner and driver 100 points with a $100,000 fine.
Jeff Gordon's and Jimmie Johnson's COTs showed up with a modified bumper. Both crew chiefs are out for six weeks and another $100,000 fine. Neither car could qualify or practice on Friday, but were allowed to practice on Saturday and start the race on Sunday.
Seems like virtually identical penalties, right? Well, here's my problem with this whole situation: Chad Knaus, Jimmie Johnson's crew chief, is a perennial rule breaker. Steve LaTarte, Gordon's crew chief, and Tony Eury Jr have not had violations to the degree Knaus has. Why does Knaus get the SAME penalty as two penalty virgins?
Knaus's last suspension was 4 races after a car body violation at Daytona in February 2006. Prior to that, there were rule violations at Dover and Las Vegas. Do you think another 6 races will stop him from tinkering with the car again?
Brian Vicker's car was found to be too low after qualifying. So, his time was disallowed, and since he isn't in the top 35 in points (unlike Gordon and Johnson), he was sent home. It should be noted that Vicker's car passed inspection prior to qualifying, and the car was walked onto the track, qualified and walked back to inspection. Could the car have settled on its own? Yes. But his penalty for something that may or may not be intentional, was worse than the penalty for two cars who clearly and intentionally tried to circumvent the rules (Gordon and Johnson).
Swearing
Dale Earnhardt Jr famously dropped an S-bomb on national TV over his elation in victory lane. He was penalized points and fined by Nascar.
Last week, Kyle Petty dropped an F-bomb on national TV during an on-track incident. He will not be penalized.
I don't understand why an F-bomb is less objectionable than an S-bomb. When I was growing up, I couldn't get away with either one, but the penalty for an S-bomb was much less than an F-bomb. F-bombs left you standing for a week, an S-bomb maybe 24 hours.
Nascar needs to be consistant. I don't think either situation should be penalized, and frankly, I think the networks should be shot for not delaying things for about 5 seconds to bleep that language. Oh, wait, didn't they all agree to do that after Junior's incident? Must have forgot how to bleep since these boys rarely ever swear...
Wreckers
Nascar has had a few famous "wrecks" lately. First, there was the Clint Bowyer, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards mess at Pocono. The penalty for that one was losing a lap for Stewart, and a brief parking for Edwards.
Carl Edwards bashed into Dale Earnhardt Jr after a checkered flag at Michigan when he believed Junior had punted him out of the way for the win.
Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne had an ongoing spat during a race that ended up with both of them having significant damage, and a visit to the red trailer.
Kurt Busch parked beside Tony Stewart on pit road, almost hitting a crewman. He was fined and lost points, after Nascar parked him for the rest of the race.
Ted Musgrave bashed into Kelly Bires in a truck race, and is parked a week.
To me, the Musgrave incident looks a lot like the Kyle Busch fiasco and the Edwards-Junior mess at Michigan last year. I don't understand why Musgrave is parked for a week and the others got off with barely a slap on the wrist. The Stewart-Bowyer-Edwards tangle at Pocono probably should have resulted in someone sitting for a race as well. Likely candidate: Tony Stewart, another perennial probationer.
Where do we go from here?
To be consistant, Nascar needs to remember that the perennial rule violator's should not be given a pass when they break the rules. Knaus's suspension should have been for at least 12 races, and should include the Chase and the two races prior to it. Nascar should also mandate that during the suspension he is to have NO contact with the team. If that rule is broken, then it should be a one year suspension for Knaus and whomever broke the rule with him. The car should also have been parked for at least 1 race. And by that I mean the WHOLE car is parked. Each and every team member from sponsor to Driver to shop boy prevented from entering the race track. Harsh, yes, but this team knows Knaus breaks the rules. He's been caught on multiple occasions, and if Nascar continues with the slaps on the wrist and a wink, nothing will change. Park the whole team one week, and No one will gamble.
I'm afraid that Nascar will not handle this the right way. In other words, even if the next car to break a rule has never been in violation before, they will send them home, while guys like Knaus and Ray Evernham are allowed to continue on their way.
On the swearing, Nascar needs to get out of the business of limiting speech. Should the competitors be aware that they should use appropriate language? Yes. But let the broadcasters do their job and keep the slip-ups off the air.
Nascar needs to define where the line is on these on-track incidents. In the past, they have had a hands off policy for those incidents, probably rightfully so. Unless a driver admitted on the radio to doing something (ie Junior admitting he spun deliberately at Bristol), there were no penalties. Several of these incidents seem intentional, and Nascar should do something about that, especially those that put people in the pits in danger while doing their jobs. But the penalties should be consistant - why park one guy but not another?
On the Vicker's issue, let's just get rid of the top 35 rule. If you are one of the fastest 43, then you race. Otherwise, you go home. Fail inspection, then you are going home. Period.
During qualifying for Sunday's Daytona 500, Nascar impounded one car and disallowed the times on two others. No other penalties, in the form of fines, suspensions or loss of points, (and aside from the impoundment), have yet been imposed.
Both Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne had their qualifying times disallowed for the 500. This is similar to the driver/team penalty Nascar imposed for Jimmie Johnson last year. Johnson went on to win the 500, despite the penalty. Both Kenseth and Kahne have guaranteed starting positions as they both finished in the top 35 in owner's points at the end of last season.
The aerodynamic enhancements involved strategically placed holes. Kenseth's were in the wheel wells of the car, according to published reports. Kahne's innovations haven't been fully disclosed.
Nascar's Jim Hunter commented that the Kenseth & Kahne improvements to aerodynamics were considered to be as serious as Chad Knaus's enhancements last year to the #48. Last year, Knaus, Jimmie Johnson's crew chief, was suspended three races for tampering with the rear window of the car. Knaus had previously been in trouble for illegal/gray area modifications, so the three race suspension was viewed as somewhat reasonable. As neither Robbie Reiser (Kenseth's crew chief) nor Kenny Francis (Kahne's team director) have a recent history of stepping over the line, a three race suspension may be viewed as harsh. And, thus far, neither has been escorted from the premises as Knaus was last year. On the other hand, both owners, Jack Roush and Ray Evernham, have a speckled history with complying with the rulebook.
The impounded car belongs to Michael Waltrip. During inspection, Waltrip's intake manifold was confiscated by Nascar. Nascar was concerned about a substance that appeared on the intake manifold, so inspectors seized the manifold to have the substance tested in North Carolina. Waltrip's team has claimed that the substance was oil thrown from the engine. Nascar seems skeptical of this explaination - why else impound the car?
After his qualifying run, Waltrip's entire car was impounded. He will need to have another car to run the Gatorade Duels on Thursday and to run the Daytona 500 on Sunday. His qualifying time was allowed to stand, and he currently is clocked in the 24th position.
As Waltrip is not locked into the field, he needs to win the Duel or finish first or second in the group of outside the top 35 in owner's points.
The outrage over Knaus-Gate last year lingered through the Chase. Some non-Johnson fans claim that his win of the Championship was tainted by the problems at Daytona.
Now a former Champion and last year's winner of the most races have been implicated in a cheating scandal. Will the fallout be as big as last year? Will Nascar put some teeth in rulebook enforcement? Or will it come down harder on team owners who continue to violate the rules?
Should how the teams finish the Duels dictate what the penalties are? What if Kenseth and Kahne are caught up in an accident on the opening laps of the Duel because of the disallowed qualification times - should that matter to how many points they lose for the enhancement?
I thought the penalty handed out to Knaus was reasonable last year. He had violated the spirit if not the letter of the law on several occasions. I'm not sure that I'd view a three race suspension for Reiser or Francis as reasonable. But then again, I'm not sure I know all the facts as to what was done to modify the car.
Waltrip's car seems like a bit murkier area. If Nascar can't tell whether something is illegal or not, the impoundment may be a big enough punishment (Remember that Nascar STILL has a car body of Tony Stewart from Texas in 2003 and one from Kyle Busch that same year).
We'll see what Nascar decides to do about penalties this year. Then again, with as well as Johnson finished last year, maybe everyone wants to emulate him, starting with penalties at Daytona.
Random thoughts on racing: whether horses or cars....
Horses: Barbaro, the Kentucky Derby winner, fractured his leg in two places during the Preakness. The injury is life-threatening. It was interesting how the announcers couldn't decide whether to downplay the life-threatening nature of it or make that the story. Lost in all this was a great run by the winner Bernardini.
The first indication this was serious was that Prado, Barbaro's jockey, was horribly upset. Reminded me of Dale Jr. running through pit road/ garage area after the Daytona 500 crash involving his father in 2001. It didn't feel right for all the wrong reasons.
On a related issue, how should the news cover injuries in racing (or any sport)? At times, they gloss over the issue, and other times seem fixated on it. For example, with Tony Stewart at Talladega in the Busch race a couple weeks ago, TV stayed with the car, even though it was upside down. Stewart was OK, but would they have done the same if he weren't?
Horsepower: The repaving at Lowe's coupled with the new hard tire was supposed to result in better racing. Nascar, for added aggravation, reduced the size of the fuel cell.
After last night's All-Star Crash Fest (a term stolen from Stewart), I'm not convinced the new surface, tire or fuel cell is going to mean less problems on track. Did it slow the cars and prevent "runs" on the car leading? No.
In fact, the smaller fuel cell caused more pit stops, which created more incidents on track getting through traffic to pitroad. Additionally, the track surface makes passing difficult (and treacherous), so the real race is on/off pit road, not on the track. All this happened with about 1/2 the number of cars we have next week. And these drivers are winners and veterans. Next week we add a few rookies and drivers saddled with some sub-par equipment.
The loose condition of the cars caused several sliding sideways incidents. Last year's 600 had 22 caution periods. I think this year could generate more...
The Nextel Open and the final segment of the challenge were boring - the lead car had checked out. There have been closer finishes at other tracks. Will age and weather on the surface help? Yes. But in the mean time, we've got what we've got.
Hornish: Sam Hornish has the pole position for next Sunday's Indianapolis 500. His teammate Helio Castraneves starts second, and defending Indy 500 champ Dan Wheldon completes the front row. Danica Patrick starts 10th, and Marco Andretti out qualified his Dad, Michael.
Hornish has not won the 500, but he drives for Roger Penske, who has won as an owner 13 times. Hornish desperately wants to win the 500. He has been thwarted by misfortunes of his own making and of chance. He once commented that he thought about leaving the IRL to race in Nascar, but he decided he'd rather be known as an Indy 500 winner. Hopefully Sunday is his day - as you have to love a guy who knows what he wants and passes up on more money and/or exposure to achieve his dream.
Hair: Was it me, or was Jeff Gordon sporting a five o'clock shadow after the All-Star crash fest? He's usually very clean shaven, and this wasn't very long or bad, but it was a bit more noticeable than usual. Is he lobbying for a razor deal, copying Stewart, or was the one mile drive from his shop to the track so time consuming he didn't have time to shave?
Hotheads: The All-Star race typically generates at least one feud. Last year, it was Joe Nemenchek and Kevin Harvick. This year, it looks like Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth are back at it after their Daytona spat. Kenseth blamed Stewart for their crash, but conceeded that he may have caused the wreck. Stewart, after hearing Kenseth's remarks, proclaimed that Kenseth was "screwed up in the head" if he believed that Stewart caused the crash. One commentator believed Stewart cut a tire, but no one seems to have confirmed that, and I haven't heard that explaination since.
Things that make you go Hmmm: Lowe's and Jimmie Johnson have both re-upped their contracts with Hendrick Motorsports. Last time, Lowe's, Johnson, and Chad Knaus re-upped at about the same time. This time, Knaus said he had not discussed a contract extension with Hendrick. Hmmm....
This week, Tony Stewart announced that he was going to host a Sirius satellite radio show next year. His co-host will be Matt Yocum. For a guy who hates the media attention (he has a few blow ups/ camera incidents to prove it) and occasionally decries its invasion into his life, this seems like a big wet French Kiss with his sworn and hated enemy. Hmmm...
Kurt Busch donated $1 million to Victory Junction Gang Camp. This is commendable and will give many children the opportunity to attend the camp. Call me a skeptic, but why has it taken him so long to get on-board with this program? VJGC has been raising funds for several years (ie since 2001), and in fairness, Busch may have donated time, memorabilia, or money in the past. However, I do not recall seeing his name affiliated with it before now. I don't recall him being involved in charitable things period. Most other drivers have long standing foundations, or charities they donate to. Roush Racing, Busch's prior car owner, is a big proponent of Speedway Children's Charities. Why do I feel this is a PR gesture more than a heart felt one? Hmmm...
While on the charity front, Kyle Petty was voted in as the fan's choice for the All-Star event. Kyle's sponsor, Coca-Cola, promised to donate $250,000 to Victory Junction if Kyle was voted in. Additionally, Kyle promised to donate his winnings, which were around $125,000. Kyle's other sponsors were going to chip in additional pledges, so the total should be well over $400,000. Not bad for one night's work. Why didn't other drivers step up to the challenge? Hmmm...
