Kyle - Just a quick note about the Toyota thing. Please, Please, Please don't mention it again. We want to do a big roll out, and we're concerned about how your current employer and the other Chevy guys will take it. We'd like to win a Championship, and I'm sure you personally would too. Let's not sink the ship before it's time. Give me a call if you have any questions. J.D.
PS - DO NOT MENTION THE M&M DEAL!!!
PPS - If this is the worst thing you ever do, it's no big deal. I mean, we've dealt with Tony for how long?!?
Sunday, September 9, 2007 5:02:34 a.m.
Bro - I don't know what else we can do to help him out. I mean we added two drivers to the Chase to make it easier for him to get in, and he still doesn't make it. Ratings will plummet unless he wins a race this year. Any ideas who the new sponsor will be? Frankly I think Bud is out of their freaking mind to let him go. But then again, they're also walking out of the Busch series deal. Well, this latest debacle has driven me to drink too. Any luck with the football team plan? Sis
PS - Rumor has it that Smith is trying to buy NHIS. Sucker. Like we'll let him move another race, especially to Vegas.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007 10:23:58 p.m.
Jade - I know I'm moving on from Budweiser, but do you think they'll keep stocking my cooler? I won't have a beer or liquor sponsor. I promise to show up once and a while with an old hat or T-shirt. Thanks for checking for me. Junior
Saturday, September 15, 2007 6:33:09 p.m.
Champ - Don't worry about failing to qualify at NHIS. Sometimes it takes a while to get the hang of qualifying, and there are a lot of fast cars that don't make the show each week. We'll see if it works to add a race later this season. RP
Monday, September 17, 2007 1:37:55 a.m.
Clint - Congratulations on the win!! Once I'm back, we'll celebrate in style - that first win is a big deal. Earnhardt always wanted to go hunting, but we'll figure out what you'd like to do. Do you think you'll have time to help Austin out again at the dirt track? Don't let Harvick talk you into anything! If all goes well, I should have some yak steak to celebrate with by the end of this week. Enjoy the sponsor in your victory celebration. Richard
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 8:30:04 p.m.
Kasey - Congrats on the Bud sponsorship. It is awesome! If you enjoy it half as much as I have, you will think you've died and gone to heaven. I have to say, I'm delighted it didn't stay with my step-mother's company. Karma, I guess. Junior
PS - If you happen to have any "extra" Bud, I'd be glad to take it off your hands!
Saturday, September 22, 2007 6:23:22 p.m.
Champ - Don't worry about failing to qualify at NHIS Dover. Sometimes it takes a while to get the hang of qualifying, and there are a lot of fast cars that don't make the show each week. We'll see if it works to add a race later this season. RP
Sunday, September 23, 2007 11:08:43 p.m.
Hammy, I told you that regardless what happens on the track, the garage stall is SACRED! How could you let Kyle walk into your garage stall, flip your visor, and scold you like a toddler?! Are you a man or a mouse? I'd never take that from another competitor. In fact, I've had scuffles with Jeff and Robby Gordon when they tried to walk INTO my garage stall to continue an argument. You need to work on that - I mean the Petty Golden Boy will hardly even draw a PENALTY for it. Quit worrying about the anger management courses - they're a breeze. And it's not like Joe or JD will take you to task for it. You're a proven winner. Smoke.
Sunday September 23, 2007 11:10:00 p.m.
Kyle - Denny Hamlin?!? I mean, can't you talk to someone who needs it like Juan Pablo Montoya?!? Happy
Sunday, September 23, 2007 11:12:02 p.m.
Muscle Man - Heard about your height problem. Don't let this get you down - Nascar may take some points, but you can do what I haven't done - win the Championship. Nascar took a bunch of points from me once, and I lost the Championship. I always figured it was a way to get back at Jack. But I think they are over that now. In any event, I'm calling you out again - keep winning and prove them wrong. Your car looked great today. MM
Sunday September 23, 2007 11:15 p.m.
Kyle - Flipping open his visor? That was classic! My teammate didn't have any idea what to do about it. I don't think they'll even touch you with a penalty. It looked like a father lecturing a son. Maybe you should try it next weekend on Montoya! Smoke.
Sunday, September 23, 2007 11:44:17 p.m.
Mr. Petty, Thank you for finally doing to Denny Hamlin what should have been done a long time ago - put him in his place. He obviously didn't take it well, but he needs to learn the world doesn't revolve around him. Thanks again, Kristin Buntain, his ex-girlfriend
Sunday September 23, 2007 11: 48:41
KP - Can we get together and discuss what happened with Hamlin? I just don't understand what happened there - it would never happen like that in Formula One. Should I be doing that in the garage when people cause me to crash? Give me a call. Thank you. JPM
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.
The July off week always means that the Kyle Petty Charity Ride is headed across America. The Ride started as a lark when Kyle Petty, his then crew chief, and Harry Gant rode their motorcycles across country from the Phoenix race. The idea caught on, and now over 250 motorcyclists are riding this year in the 12th annual event.
The Ride benefits the Victory Junction Gang Camp, which sponsors week long camps for ill children. The campers range in age from 7 to 15. There are eight camps, which average 125 campers per week. The camp is free, and there are on site medical services available - from band-aids to chemotherapy.
This year, the Ride crosses the country on the following route: July 22nd - Coeur d'Alene, ID to Glacier National Park, MT; July 23rd - Glacier National Park, MT to Butte, MT; July 24th - Butte, MT to Sheridan, WY; July 25th - Sheridan, WY to Boulder, CO; July 26th - Boulder, CO to Salina, KS; July 27th - Salina, KS to Springfield, IL; July 28th - Springfield, IL to Cincinnati, OH; July 29th - Cincinnati, OH to Ashville, NC; July 30th - Ashville, NC to Randleman, NC (Victory Junction Gang Camp).
Already this year, the Riders have encountered blazing heat, snow capped mountains and rainy weather.
The Guys from Orange County Choppers stopped by one day and there are a few Nextel Cup drivers joining too. For more information, or to make a donation to the Ride or to Victory Junction, please go to: Kyle Petty Charity Ride The website also has Kyle's personal journal for the trip and lots of photos.
Pocono was full of interesting moments - and the action was not likely to end at the track. Black Tuesday could happen later this week...
Denny Hamlin owes some computer gaming company some serious cash after this race - two poles and two races in two tries. Hamlin dominated the race - and did it without the tire drama he had in June. Look out at Indy in two weeks - this car will be there (and so will I!).
Tony Stewart started things out with an on-track altercation with Clint Bowyer. Bowyer squeezed Tony up into the wall. Stewart took offense, waved a fist/ finger at Bowyer and ran him down the track - which unfortunately was where Carl Edwards was racing. Stewart was black flagged, but raced his way back onto the lead lap and finished 7th. The question is whether Nascar will penalize him for his gesture (which was kind of captured on TV), or whether the lost lap was it. Typically, Nascar has held that the at-track penalty was enough punishment for the crime (remember the #48 at Daytona, Kyle Bush, Matt Kenseth & Stewart at Daytona?).
My favorite Stewart quote this week was about his favorite topic - "Give & Take" on the racetrack. He said that since even Kyle Busch could figure it out, he would assume the rest of these guys could too. Ouch!
Apparently, Stewart also gave Edwards the finger at some point. Edwards admitted this set him off, so he pitted early and spun Stewart out on pit road. As a result, he was black flagged, penalized a lap, and sent to the end of the longest line. The black flag & lost lap were for the spin, and the longest line penalty was for the early pitting. Edwards claimed this could have taken him out of the chase. And indeed, it may have. Edwards later called Stewart a "Jerk." Next time Carl, just say that even Kyle Busch is a better driver - that may get to Stewart faster than anything.
During Edwards' crew's efforts to fix his car, his in-car radio was broadcast on TV. During the transmission, Edward's crew chief was heard saying "S***" TNT appologized immediately, but one wonders if the FCC will have penalties later for TNT and Nascar. I thought after the Jr. Debacle in 2004, the broadcasters had instituted a 5 second delay. And wouldn't it be easy to do that for the in-car radio transmissions? In my mind, they are really taking risks broadcasting ANY team's radio traffic LIVE in a race - these guys all have potty-mouths the last time I listened in!
On a side note, rumor has it that the President recently signed a bill that would allow the FCC to penalize people who say or do obscene things on television - so not just the broadcaster pays the penalty, but the individual who said it. One wonders how this will work on live events were someone in a crowd says something obscene. Or a player on the field, (who may not be identified). Could this be the end of live broadcasts? Of course, this was a couple days before our Prez was heard saying the same thing that Edward's crew chief was on live TV. So that policy may be changing as we speak...
Dale Earnhardt Jr had another bad week - and fell out of the top 10. Earnhardt was bumped by Dave Blaney and spun into the wall. It was the second week Earnhardt finished last. As close as the points are for the top 12 drivers, any bouble in the points hurts. Junior hasn't done well at Indy, but he thought the test went well.
Elliott Sadler announced he is leaving Robert Yates Racing due to differences in philosophy. My guess is that it is the multi-car team problem. Clearly the bigger teams have more information to share - which with limited testing dates is vital. Current speculation is that Sadler will land at Evernham - in the #19. I'm not sure that is an improvement as that team was stripped of most of its talent at the end of last year. Mayfield deserved better. So does Sadler.
Mayfield could end up at Michael Waltrip Racing. Or maybe he bounces to Yates. In any event, WILL SOMEONE PLEASE HIRE WARD BURTON!!! I know Ward is no spring chicken, but I also know given semi-decent equipment, he can contend to win races. Look at what he did at Bill Davis. And at the former #0, now #66 (if recollection is correct), is not a great ride, but he did better there than the drivers have since then. And he deserved better than getting dumped in the closing races of 2004.
The big non-racing story of the broadcast was Kurt Busch and Eva Bryan's wedding next weekend. Eva originally wanted the wedding on the Chesapeake Bay beach, but due to the mating season of an endangered beetle, the wedding will be held on a friend's porch instead. As if a woman planning a wedding didn't have enough to worry about - now add the mating habits of endangered bugs! I like Eva - I'm not sold on Busch. But he does seem to dote on her - and his attitude has changed somewhat since they have been together. Maybe there's hope for him yet.
The other major non-racing story of the weekend is the start of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. The Ride is held each year - this year the ride runs through Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, and finishes in North Carolina. The Ride benefits Victory Junction Gang Camp, which was founded by the Pettys in memory of Adam Petty. The Camp provides a free week of camp for chronically ill children and their families for no cost. Medical treatment is provided for the campers. I'll have more on this later this week, but many drivers will be joining the ride - Bobby Labonte, and possibly Stewart and Kenseth.
Sponsorship in Nascar is a big deal - big bucks are at stake. With the success Home Depot has had with Tony Stewart, can you imagine them with another driver? Junior not as the Bud Man? Jeff Gordon driving for anyone but Dupont?
Yet it happens every few years. And as drivers retire, their sponsorships fall to other drivers. But there are some match-ups that just won't happen. Here are a few I've thought of.
1. Kyle Busch and any self tanning product. As a person who can't tan, I empathize with Kyle, really I do. But I know that there is not a self tanner made that will not streak, look orange and fake.
2. Elliott Sadler and PETA. Sadler's favorite off season activity is hunting. He's unlikely to garner support from PETA. Neither is Ryan Newman for that matter as he is an avid fisherman.
3. Jamie McMurray/ Brian Vickers & Rogaine. The two hair care purveyors of Nascar are unlikely to ever embrace Rogaine. At least not publicly.
4. Tony Stewart and Gillette. Can you imagine someone telling Stewart to shave? Regularly?
5. Kyle Petty and an alcohol sponsor. At least while he's driving for his father (Richard promised his mother he wouldn't run an alcohol sponsor). Kyle did drive for another owner and ran the Coors Light car.
6. Paul Menard and Home Depot/Lowe's. Unlikely that any other home improvement store would sponsor him but Menards. But then again, who would have thought a Busch brother would hawkl Miller Lite?
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 "#### 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...
