F$@%#g Goodyear tires. I'd love to give an interview, but since our last "pep talk," I'm not sure that is wise.
Junior
PS Did you see the fans in Turn #4?
October 3, 2008 5:28:34 p.m.
Casey,
Brad looked good in the car. Any news from Trish?
Think if Jeff, Junior or I win, Trish would agree to let the winner pick the baby's name?
JJ
October 3, 2008 5:45:10 p.m.
Jack,
We cannot confirm that Ganassi has the engines. Just because they are suddenly running better, (JPM gets the POLE?!???) doesn't mean they stole the engines. I mean, Penske's truck was used, and they're running like ####, but I wouldn't accuse them of sandbagging it. And I'm sure Kyle Busch had nothing to do with it. The bag of M&M's found at the scene was a fluke.
Doug Yates
October 3, 2008 6:34:29 p.m.
Smoke,
The reason we stuck with this car is because it has the special modifications related to the magnet incident. And no, I'm not telling you more than that.
Zippy
October 4, 2008 5:55:03 a.m.
Ryan,,
I just caught the largest bass at my super-secret fishing hole. Photo is attached!
Smoke
October 4, 2008 5:59:34 a.m.
Smoke,
You owe it to me to take me fishing there next year - especially since you woke me up!
Ryan
October 5, 2008 5:40:10 p.m.
Matt,
Did you see Carl's interview? I think he actually appologized, but only to the media.
But what was the deal with the pouring water on himself in the car? Did he do what I think he did?
Biff
October 5, 2008 5:55:55 p.m.
Mike,
NOW what do we do? Who wins?
Robin
October 5, 2008 5:55:56 p.m.
Mike,
Did he just do what I think he did?
Did he not listen in the driver's meeting?
Jim
October 5, 2008 5:56:10 p.m.
Mike,
What a finish! The controversy will generate some rates magic! Got to get back to the football game...
Brian
October 5, 2008 5:56:23 p.m.
Jim & Robin,
20 wins.
They were told by Hoots "This is your warning. If you race below the yellow line and in the judgement of NASCAR you advance your position, you will be black flagged. If, in NASAR’s judgement you force someone below the yellow line in an effort to stop him from passing you , you may be black flagged.” Wrote it myself.
Jim, I expect the appropriate sound bite. Then meet me in the trailer, I know DEI will be upset.
Stewart knew better since he got bit on this already when we got him on this rule at Daytona a few years ago.
Mike
October 5, 2008 10:22:31 p.m.
Junior
I'd guess if it was you in the DEI car, I'd be nursing another first loser finish!
Or the fans would make me wish I had!
Smoke
October 5, 2008 10:33:32 p.m.
Jim -
We'll make a statement about it again tomorrow. Plus, I think would need to remind Smith of the protocal - no more statements.
Just a few things that have made me go "Hmm..." over the past few weeks.
If Yates has hired Paul Menard and secured Menard's as a sponsor, then where will the "extra" Roush driver go? And who will that driver be?
Is the Biff driving like a maniac because (A) his job is on the line, (B) he wants to win a Cup championship before Edwards or (C) he's a two time nascar champion (truck & Busch) and finally has this thing figured out?
Given Yates less than spectacular finishes this year, is adding another car or two a smart idea?
Have Scott Speed and Menard upped the ante in the old you-only-drive-if-you-bring-a-sponsor phemonenon? Is this a sign of things to come - forget talent, bring the cash? And will it cause the problems that currently infect IRL?
What were the thieves of 3 Yates-Roush engines thinking? Or is some street racer somewhere winning decisively?
In the current economic climate, which manufacturer will be the first to bail out of motorsports (Nascar, engines, NHRA, IRL, F-1 etc)? And how soon before we see more sponsors cutting back or eliminating sponsorships altogether?
Tony Stewart has won in every year of his Cup career. But not this year. Neither has Jeff Gordon. Can either one win in the last few races?
Will Stewart be able to win next year?
Can Scott Speed translate truck success into a successful Cup career? And why has he done so well in Nascar when frankly he was merely adequate in F-1?
Want to be a flagman? Watch this video from wingedracer productions. Pretty cool view from the flagstand at Boone's Super Nationals.
As if Lewis Hamilton weren't enough of a reason to become a McLaren fan, this video may push you over the edge. Who knew they had a sense of humor in F-1?
Thinking of F-1, is this the year Hamilton wins his first Championship? Or will we see another come from behind win from Ferrari?
Did you know that the F-1 drivers agree that Hamilton should have been penalized for the pass of Raikonen at Spa? They believe he got an advantage by cutting the chicane even with giving back the spot and that enabled him to get a run and pass at the next turn.
Why is it that some drivers favor a dry slick dirt track and others are hopeless on it? And why do those hopeless drivers end up flinging off the top of the track?
Levi Jones is closing on his third USAC National Sprint car Championship. The last guy to do that was the late great Robbie Stanley. Why couldn't Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Kenny Irwin, Kasey Kahne or Jeff Gordon accomplish this in their time in USAC?
Now that the summer is over, how will I satisfy my dirt track itch?
10. Wanted to lower expectations for full season next year.
9. Nascar 2009 didn't accurately portray banking or turns at Loudon.
8. Crew forgot to put in phone book to sit on, thus couldn't see over the steering wheel.
7. "Taken to the woodshed" before the race by the unholy triumvirate of Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart & Juan Pablo Montoya. Threatened with beating if showed them up during race.
6. Unsafe to text at high speed.
5. JJ Yeley made sure he couldn't pull a "Kyle Busch" with this team.
4. If going too fast, then can't see cute girls in the grandstands.
3. Kasey Kahne sent Allstate Girls to #96 pit - as a welcome curse.
2. Worried about upsetting future father-in-law Jeff Gordon by passing him.
Three audio CDs arrived in the mail via FedEx. The following are transcriptions of the CDs.
Tape #1
Voice #1: OK, if we tweek the chasiss & tire set-up that way, how can we divert their attention from it?
Voice #2: Yunick always said you should meddle with something obvious and get penalized for that. Then they never check the other stuff.
Voice #1: Thank you Smokey. That is @!#$@% brilliant.
Voice #2: Where is the rulebook?
Voice #1: It's that index card over there.
Voice #2: Well, Nascar didn't like our engines last time it was on the dyno. Build the better mousetrap and get penalized. So, maybe we should pretend to screw with the Horsepower.
Voice #1: Works for me. Maybe we should try that gas tank addition too.
Voice #2: Nah, we don't need to get too crazy. After all, next week they'll only tech the engine again anyway. We can mess with the tank next week.
Voice #1: OK. So what do we do? Maybe we could paint the restrictor plate pink or something.
Voice #2: Too obvious. What would they tinker with to dyno it?
Voice #1: Steering wheel, accelerator, ignition.
Voice #2: Don't all the inspectors wear steel toe boots?
Voice #1: Yeah, why?
Voice #2: Well, we used to pull this prank where we'd put a magnet on someone's accelerator - then they couldn't get their foot off of it with their steel toe shoes.
Voice #1: That should work great!
Voice #2: Is it too obvious if I use those magnets Nascar gave us at the beginning of the year to hang the rulebook on our toolbox?
Voice #1: Nope.
Tape #2:
Voice #3: Robin, my foot is stuck on the accelerator!
Robin Pemberton: What?
Voice #3: Oh, it finally came off. Musta caught my shoe on somethin'
Robin: All right?
Voice #4: The numbers look in order.
Robin: What are you doing in there?
Voice #3: I think somethin' is wrong with the accelerator!
Voice #4: What?
Robin: How could there be something wrong with the accelerator? They just ran a race with it.
Voice #3: Hey, there is a magnet stuck on the bottom of the accelerator!
Robin: We finally caught them! Joe Gibbs Racing Cheats! Ha! Give me that magnet. And check that other Gibbs car.
Voice #4: There is one there too.
Robin: They were trying to make the horsepower numbers appear smaller than they are!
Voice #4: But, they are within the guidelines. How is it cheating to put something on your car that makes it go slower?
Robin: It's cheating because it is against the rules.
Voice #3: Which line is that on this index card?
Robin: The line that says Nascar decides the rules, stupid!
Voice #3: I don't see that on here.
Robin: Just go and get Mike Helton for me.
Voice #3: Shouldn't we check the rest of the car?
Robin: No. Why bother? We caught them.
Voice #4: Just so I'm clear about this - it is illegal to make your car go faster by tinkering with the gas tank, weight, tires, engine or template items.
Robin: Right.
Voice #4: But it is also illegal to make your car go slower by tinkering with the gas tank, weight, tires, engine or template items.
Robin: Of course.
Voice #4: And if you find an advantage within the guidelines, then...
Robin: We change the guidelines and make it illegal.
Voice #4: Well, that's clear as mud.
Tape #3:
JD Gibbs: So the engine department tinkered with the engine after Nascar limited the horsepower? And then tried to hide it with ... magnets?
Mark Cronquist: We had nothing to do with it. The engine is legal and we didn't do anything with magnets.
JD: But then, why would we put magnets on the accelerators?
Mark: Beats me.
Jimmy Makar: I have a feeling that maybe the shop guys can answer that.
Voice #1: The engine is completely legal.
Voice #2: But the chassis and tire set-up is, shall we say, innovative in a Knaus-like way.
Joe Gibbs: And the magnets?
Voice #2: To divert attention from the chasiss and tires.
JD: So if they tech the whole car?
Voice #1: They may or may not find the chasiss development or the new tire set-up.
Joe: And it is Knaus-like because ...
Voice #2: Nascar will definitely not like it.
Voice #1: And this way the other teams don't figure it out for a couple weeks either. Maybe the rest of the season.
Mark: Why did you smear my engine!?
Voice #2: Nascar was already looking at it.
Voice #1: And you know Roush thinks the Toyota engine is the issue.
Voice #2: So we pulled a Yunick and pointed to the engine.
Mark: Ugh.
Joe: Pulled a Yunick?
Voice #1: Think of it as a a type of quarterback sneak. Everyone is looking at the engine and ignoring the real play.
Joe: Do you think the chasiss development is worth this?
Jimmy: Kyle loves it. Hammy can learn to love it. And Smoke only has a few races to deal with it. It will absolutely light a fire under our COT program.
Joe: I can live with it. Now what do we do about Robin Pemberton, Mike Helton & Jack Roush's glee at "catching" us?
JD: Well, everyone always comes out and denies it or appeals it. So, what if we fall on our sword. We're so sorry, we didn't know it was going on, it will never happen again, we expect Nascar to punish us severely and we'll accept any penalties. And so on.
Joe: Brilliant strategy there JD. I'll let you take it from here.
I can't find my "Watkins Glen 2008" commemorative magnets. Did they get put in your hauler?
Smoke
August 16, 2008 8:39:07 p.m.
JD - Just informed that Nascar discovered Magnets under the gas pedals in both the #18 & #20 Nationwide cars when they ran the Dyno test. Call me.
Jimmy Makar
August 16, 2008 9:22:45 p.m.
Zippy :
Magnets? You guys can't get more creative than that!?
Knaus
August 16, 2008 11:03:43 p.m.
Brian, Mike & Robin,
I just heard that you FINALLY caught Toyota cheating. How soon will you be throwing them out of Nascar?
Jack
August 17, 2008 9:34:10 a.m.
Smoke,
I ran the fishing clause by our crew chief picks. Both seemed to like the idea that there was a mandatory fishing vacation in the contract. Didn't seem quite as keen on the dirt track provision, but then again, they'll be stuck working on the Cup cars while we're at the dirt track.
I'd say Grubb is very interested, but then again, he's a solid Hendrick guy.
Newman
August 17, 2008 9:58:39 a.m.
Tony Jr:
We're not gambling again this week are we?
JK!
Junior
August 17, 2008 11:08:32 a.m.
Jeff
Danny Sullivan as a Cup owner? Good grief!? How many of these Indy Car guys are going to come over to Nascar?
Jimmie Johnson
August 17, 2008 5:17:18 p.m.
Rick,
Have I mentioned I hate the Chase format? Then again, Shrub would be running away with this thing.
We really need to try something different. Either the cars are off or I can't get them to where I can drive them.
If we make the Chase, then I think we have to stick with what we know. If not, I'm game for any and all changes we discussed. There would be a good 10 weeks to get adjusted for next y ear.
To be a true race fan, you must attend the Knoxville Nationals at least once. Odds are very good that once you do that, you will be back again, and again, and again. What makes Knoxville so special?
Three-peats: History is regulary made in one form or another at the Nationals. This year Donny Schatz won his third straight Knoxville Nationals, a feat only accomplished one other time - by Steve Kinser who won 4 straight. Three-peat may also be a good way to describe the food - try most of it once, and you'll find your way back to that booth a couple times during the week!
Fame: Nascar touts itself as a fan friendly sport. But their efforts pale in comparison to the Nationals: each night the pits are opened, fans are invited in, and the drivers stand around meeting and greeting whomever shows up at their hauler. Try that in the Cup garage sometime without a pit pass.
But there are stars watching the Nationals too: Everyone from Doug Wolfgang, Shane Carson, Bob Kinser and Bob Troestle to Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne is present to watch another year of the Nationals.
Infamy: What Nascar has banned, dirt trackers have embraced. At this year's Nationals, I ran into two of the four banned former drivers: Tyler Walker (who started in the A Main) and Shane Hmiel (who was watching before driving at Newton on Sunday).
Walker added to his infamy by not pulling off when his engine exploded, causing a caution. That allowed Schatz to restart on the bumper of the then leader Jason Meyers. Meyers fans blame Walker for failing to pull off when it was apparent his engine was done, thus ruining the lead Meyers had built. Schatz fans will tell you that he was gaining on Meyers anyway. Who would have thought race fans would have different opinions on the outcome of an on-track incident?
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.
