Well, tomorrow is the end of a dream. It was a dream that Joe Gibbs and Jimmy Makar had. In the dream, They take two young rookies to NASCAR. Throws them together and they succeed.
Sounds like a movie of the week doesn't it?
But the thing about this dream, is that it really happened.
Noone could have ever dreamed that this would work as well as it did. Back in 1997 when Gibbs was looking into expanding their one car team to a two car team. Makar was a big part of making this happen.
Makar at the time was the crew chief for the 18 Interstate Batteries car, driven by Bobby Labonte.
Joe Gibbs looked to Makar to help him form the second team. Because it would be Makar who would be working the closest with the new crew chief and team.
Joe Gibbs already knew who he wanted to drive the new car. It was a young star in the Indy Racing League. The young man was showing that he could handle a stock car. He was currently under contract with Lanier Racing in the Busch Series. (Now the Nationwide Series), his name Tony Stewart.
Stewart had been approached by Lanier racing in 1995, while driving in the USAC division, to come and drive a stock car in a few Busch Series races.
In 1996 He was doing double duty. Switching between the Indy car and the heavier stock car. And he was showing that he could drive anything with wheels on it. Plus he was also still doing alot of racing in the USAC league. So I guess you could say he was doing triple duty.
It was in 1997 when things changed dramatically for Stewart. He and Lanier were at a standstill. Because Lanier wanted to move Stewart up to the Cup series, but Stewart did not feel that he was ready to move up. So neither could come to terms and Lanier moved on with another driver and Stewart kept busy in the Indy Car League.
That was until Joe Gibbs came a calling. It was while Stewart was mending from a severe crash at Las Vegas in his Indy car. That Gibbs finally made his move. Stewart tells the story this way:
"Luckily for me, there were other stock car options presenting themselves. The most interesting one had kind of a strange beginning. After my Las Vegas crash, the doctors had me on some prescription painkillers while I rested at my mom's house. I don't handle medication too well, so I was feeling kind of slaphappy. One day the phone rang, and my mom came into the room and said, 'It's Joe Gibbbs'."
"Now a couple of my buddies had been calling me on a pretty regular basis, using every fake name they could think of, so I never even considered that it might actually be Joe Gibbs. Obviously, I knew that Joe had a race team, but we didn't exactly travel in the same circles."
"I took the phone, and said something like, 'Hey, Joe, what's up'?"
"This voice said, 'Hi, Tony. How are you feeling'?"
"As groggy as I was, I recognize that it wasn't one of my pals after all; it really was Joe Gibbs. I was embarrassed about how casually I had greeted him, but Joe didn't seem offended, and we had a nice chat. He asked how my injuries were coming along, and we talked racing a little bit. He wanted to know if I was happy in the situation I was in, and I told him, yeah, I was happy; my IRL program was solid, and at that point I was still under the impression that the Raniers and I would be back for another season in the Busch Series, where I felt like we had a great chance to do well. Joe listened to all that, and then he said, 'Well, if anything ever changes, please be sure to give me a call. I'd like to talk to you again'."
"I thought that was pretty cool. I mean, Joe's team had already won a Daytona 500 with Dale Jarrett, and was turning into a real force in the Winston Cup Series with Bobby Labonte driving. The fact that he even had the slightest knowledge of me was a nice surprise. But what amazed me most about Joe's call was that very few people knew where I was staying, and only my closest friends had my mom's telephone number. To this day, I don't know how exactly Joe got in touch with me."
"Several months later, in March of 1997, I flew to Phoenix for an IRL race. By this point the Raniers were doing their Winston Cup deal, and my NASCAR plans were up in the air. I checked into my motel room, threw my bags on the bed, and the phone rang. It was Joe Gibbs."
"That night, Joe laid out the reasons for his interest in me. He planned to expand his Winston Cup operation to include a second team, with an up-and-coming driver, but he wanted to do it gradually: by starting that driver in the Busch Series in '97, easing him into a Cup car with a solid testing program, and then attacking the Winston Cup series when the guy was ready. Joe said that in the discussions he'd had with his people, including Bobby Labonte and his crew chief Jimmy Makar; I had gotten the nomination."
"My first thought after I hung up the phone was obvious: I was honored to hear that those people thought so highly of me".
"My second thought was, How in the world does Joe Gibbs keep finding me? That question persisted when Joe called me a few more times, catching up with me in the craziest places. I was like, 'Does this guy have somebody tailing me, or what'?"
This was Gibbs response to how he knew how to find Stewart:
"Joe Gibbs: "Tony didn't know this, but before long I had everybody's phone number: his home number, his girlfriend's number, his mom's number, his dad's number. I mean, I had more phone numbers for that guy! When I wanted to talk to him. I'd just start checking them off. That was part of my football background coming in; I had gotten used to chasing down young players, staying after them and not giving up'."
It was not long until Gibbs and Stewart had a signed contract and Stewart was on his way back to NASCAR with a new organization. He would spend the rest of 1997 and 1998 racing part time in the Busch Series for Joe Gibbs Racing and Indy Racing for Menard Racing. In which Stewart took the IRL championship in 1997.
But in 1998 Gibbs was ready to get his second Winston Cup team up and running. And he had been grooming Stewart to be that driver. But they had to come to terms. Because if Stewart was to be their driver, Stewart would have to say good-bye to the Indy Racing League. And the big question was, 'Would Stewart be able to say good-bye?'
Stewart was taking a hard look at his options. But the one common theme that kept coming back to Stewart, was that his long-term prospects were alot better in NASCAR. So after much heart felt considerations, Indy Racing League was out and NASCAR was in.
Now that Gibbs had his future driver, he needed to put together the rest of the 20 team. And the crew chief was next on the list.
Well as the story goes, Makar already knew who he wanted. It was a young man, who came from Berlin, Connecticut. His name, Greg Zipadelli. Greg was employed by Roush Racing at the time. He was a chasis specialist for the 99 team, driven by Jeff Burton.
Zipadelli had already proven that he could be a winning crew chief. By the time he was 20, Zippy had a championship in the Modified Series with Mike McLaughlin. When McLaughlin was offered a ride with the NASCAR Camping World Series East Zipadelli was his crew chief.
In 1997, Zipadelli with driver Mike Stefanik won the Series East title. This gave Zipadelli his second NASCAR Touring Series championship in less than 10 years.
Makar contacted Zipadelli. Had him to meet with him at the local Cracker Barrel. They never even got inside of the restaurant. The two men sat on the front porch of the restaurant. Talked for about two hours. By the end of the talk, Zipadelli was sold on the idea and they had an agreement that Zipadelli would come to work for Joe Gibbs Racing as a crew chief for the new team.
Now that Gibbs Racing had its new driver and new crew chief signed. The only thing left was for the two to meet. Once they did meet the two found out that they more things in common than they had different.
The two developed a friendship that has sustained them through some of the best of times and certainly some of the worst of times.
Together they built a team that has become one of the powerhouse teams of NASCAR. For 10 years this team has been ranked no lower than 11th in the points. (*2006 the year that they missed the chase by only 45 points to Kasey Kahne.)
Together they have won 33 races, 1999 Rookie of the Year honors, championships in 2002 and 2005. 129 top 5s, 206 top 10s and an average finish of 12.7.
But at the end of the race on Sunday, all of this will be just notes in the history book of NASCAR. For these two friends, this great team, and this organization will part ways. As Stewart moves on to pursue his career as a team owner/driver.
I just want to say with heart felt thanks to Stewart, Zipadelli, JGR and the whole 20 team for all the great memories. Because until this team came into existance, I had pulled for two other great teams that came close to winning the championship, but never did. But thanks to you, I have been able to be the fan of a two time championship team. Thanks again for all the memories.
As Bob Hope Use to say at the end of each of his telecasts:
Tony Stewart True Speed My Racing Life, by Tony Stewart with Bones Bourcier, printed by HarperEntertainment And Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, First Edition Copyright 2002. Pages 195-197
Earlier today, I wrote a blog on how I thought the only thing left for the 20 team was to say Good-bye. Guess they decided there was more to do.
I am the first to admit. I had hoped that Stewart and the 20 team would win at Talladega. But with the way that this year's team had been going, I really seriously doubted it would happen.
But I am more than happy to eat some crow for Tony and the 20 team.
Congratulations to them. This is a race that they should have won numerous times before. At least now they can cross that track off of their list.
It was a very good race. And I really enjoyed it. From start to finish.
On a sidenote, hope that Denny Hamlin is okay. As of this writing he was still at the hospital. No updates on him as of yet.
Larry McReynolds did a blog on "Winless Stewart Still A Big Mystery". He dedicated one whole paragraph to the subject and here is the paragraph:
I still find it hard to believe that we have gone this deep into our season and Tony Stewart is still searching for his first Cup win of the year. Tony always runs well at Talladega but he has not been able to win there. The team has run well this year and they have a number of second-place finishes but just haven't been able to win. There's still something not right over there. They were my team that I covered at Dover on DirecTV's HotPass and there's something missing there but I don't know what that is.
Well, it got me to thinking. What could be the reasons that the 20 team and Stewart have not found Victory Lane this year.
And I kept coming back to one thing. And it is the only real reason that I can find for their slump. Because let's face it, they have great cars. They have had some pretty good finishes. And they have also had some pretty lousy finishes. During the race, they seemed to be running well. And then for some strange reason, they would have mistakes.
This team during the race would almost always come to the front. But then something would happen. And as strange as this may sound coming from a Stewart fan, I almost seems like Smoke has been throwing some races.
And before anyone says it, "Oh Stewart isn't throwing races." Remember I said it "seems like" not that he was.
Case in point. The Daytona 500. Stewart had this race won. But what did he do? He pulls down to go to the bottom to pick up his teammate Kyle Busch who was no where close to him. Stewart lost the race to Ryan Newman who had previously been pushing Stewart to the win.
There have been other races where Stewart would be leading and he would either spin out, get caught speeding down pit road or he would just mysteriously start backing up. Maybe there were legitimate reasons for each of these problems. But it just seems very uncharacteristic for the racer, who claims to be a racer's racer.
Or the team would do something on pit road. And it would cause them to have a bad pit stop. Or crazy wrecks. Like at Dover with Elliott Sadler. Or Darlington with Elliott Sadler. I know neither of those were of the 20 or Stewart's making. It is just an example of the crazy stuff that has been going on with this team.
Last week's race at Kansas. Stewart had a great car. Granted they were having problems with the Vickers team during pitstops. But then out of the blue, Stewart spins out and goes through the grass. I know even the best have bad days. But not every race is going to be a bad day.
I don't know if Stewart hit Vickers or if Vickers hit him. But from the one and only shot that I saw, it looked like Stewart just lost the car. But that is just another example of what is going on with this team. AP Photo by Larry Smith
Now on to what I think is the one and only reason this team is not performing to their best. They have already went their separate ways. Even though technically they are still a team until Homestead. It just appears that the parties involved have moved on to next year. They are just going through the motions of being a team. Just trying to get through the next seven races.
When you have a team that no longer pulls together as a team, this is the kind of results you get. The 20 team, whether they admit it or not, feel like Stewart has betrayed them.
This team has been together for 10 years. They have won 32 races and two championships. When Stewart put the very integrity of this very team on the line. They stood behind him. And they worked through the childish trantrums. They lifted him up. And they pulled together and worked even harder to make Stewart and them look good.
But then Stewart has a chance to stand for the team that stood for him, what does he do, he jumps ship to become a part owner of a team. (I know the manufacturer deal was a big factor in Stewart leaving.) Photo by Rusty Jarrett by Getty Images.
Now I am not saying that it is a bad thing for Stewart. I am just trying to get into the hearts and minds of a team that has been behind their driver 100% from day one.
Maybe there are feelings of resentment on this team towards Stewart. Maybe there aren't. Only each of those team members can say what they truly feel.
But the reason I say that there are feelings of resentment is simply. Being a 20 and Tony Stewart fan, I know that I felt resentment when Stewart decided to leave the 20 team. For the same reasons as stated above. Because this team has been behind him since day one. Through all his antics. Good and bad. This team and the fans stood behind Stewart.
But now that it has time to sink in. That he is really leaving. The resentment has kind of gone away. And the anticipation for next year is starting to take over.
So there is only one question left: Will this team pull it together long enough to finish out the year together on a strong note. Or will they just keep floundering through the next seven races and then say Good-bye to each other. Only time will tell. But I have a feeling that it will be the latter. Because once the parties have said their good-byes emotionally, the only thing left is the parting of ways physically.
And for each to start their new path in their racing careers.
So the penalties for Gibbs has been handed down. And everyone knows the results. But something about this is still bugging me.
Maybe it is the fact that it was found in a Gibbs car. Or maybe it is that nagging little feeling that there is more to this than meets the eye.
So I have been "doing some thinking", like photogr likes to say.
And my thinking has lead to a conspiracy theory.
Now Joe and J.D. Gibbs and Lee White of Toyota, claim they knew nothing of the culprits plan. So let's go with that theory for awhile.
Why would these seven team members go to such extremes to give false readings to NASCAR.
Potentional reasons:
The most obvious, to hide the actual horsepower, the Gibbs engines were making. That is all well and fine. But here is the problem with that.
They had to know that NASCAR was going to do a dyno test at Michigan. Everyone else did. So why not put in an engine that was making less horsepower?
Certainly if Mark Cronquist and his engine builders can build an engine that produces alot of horsepower. They know how to put in a "dummy" engine. To show that they are making the same or less horsepower.
So what if you don't win one race. Big deal. At least you hide what you really are making. And you make NASCAR happy. Because they think they have a level playing field.
If you don't think other manufacturers have not put in an engine that produces less power, to hide true readings, then you don't know NASCAR.
So that reasoning just doesn't fly with me anymore.
So what other possible reason for the deception?
Well, there is one that comes to my mind. These guys want to leave Gibbs for possible greenier pastures.
I know you are probably going "hmmmmm....," like you have not thought of it yourself (laughing at self for not thinking it sooner). Those "greenier pastures" for the sake of this conspiracy, comes in the form of Stewart-Haas Racing.
Stewart has made a deal with Gibbs Racing not to go after any of their employees for at one full year. But if Gibbs fires an employee, they would be free agents? Right?!
So let's just say that Stewart had talked to these guys about leaving Gibbs. And offered them a job if they wanted. But due to the No Touch agreement. Stewart cannot just go out and hire them.
So let's say these guys decide that they want to leave Gibbs. And they have tried to get Gibbs to let them out of their contracts. But Gibbs has declined.
So what else could a guy do to get out of his contract? Get himself fired. So how do you get yourself fired from a NASCAR Cup team? Do something to make the team look bad. And if need be, something illegal in NASCAR.
So if both Gibbs and White of Toyota, did not authorize these magnets, and these crew chiefs did. What better way to make your boss look bad and to get you fired?
REMINDER THIS IS ONLY SPECULATION ON MY PART.
Now Gibbs has not told of what penalties they have handed down to these seven employees. But would it be too far to speculate that he could potentially fire them? No!
So in steps Stewart. He needs these guys for his new teams. And I am sure that he is more than willing to hire them if that is what they want.
Stewart needs people he knows and trusts in his new venture. Since Zipadelli is not going with Stewart he needs someone who knows what likes in his cars. And knows how to deal with his temperaments. And he certainly trusts and respects Jason Ratcliffe and Dave Rogers.
Stewart has worked with Dave Rogers every since he came to NASCAR. Rogers knows all of Stewart's quirks and he knows how to set up a car to make the two time champion win races. They have shown this by winning 5 races in the Nationwide Series this year.
And with Jason Ratcliffe, he adds another guy he knows and knows him. Jason could be the crew chief for the 39 driven by Ryan Newman.
And with the suspensions of car chiefs Dorian Thorsen and Richard Bray. Stewart could have four guys who have worked with each other for a couple years now.
But Stewart also needs engine builders/tuners. That bill could be filled by Michael Johnson and Dan Bajek. These guys have worked under Mark Cronquist for awhile. They have had the experience of working with one of Cup's best engine builders.
With these guys on Stewart's team. Stewart would be ahead of the curve for learning a new crew chief, car chief and team members.
So this is a win/win solution for Stewart Haas Racing.
Now remember this all just pure speculation on my part. Because none of these guys have been released from Gibbs. So this is not something that has happened. Only a WHAT IF....
I must say when I heard this report earlier this morning on NASCAR Raceday, I certainly was surprised.
Not the fact that there was cheating, but who the cheaters were: Joe Gibbs Racing.
It seems that as NASCAR inspectors were preparing to do tests on the horsepower numbers. Magnets were found in the 18 and 20 cars. The magnets were located under the gas pedals in the two Gibbs Toyotas.
The purpose of this effort was to keep the horsepower numbers from looking too strong in the test.
Robin Pemberton, vice president of competition for NASCAR, had this say: "In our post-race inpection--yesterday was the day we were going to chassis dyno cars--our inpectors discovered some shims tht were placed on the gas pedal stop. It was magnets that were about a quarter-inch thick that prevented the accelerator from going 100 percent wide open. The intention was to manipulate the numbers that we get when we get our information and data off the dyno."
So there certainly will be heavy fines coming for the Gibbs cars.
J.D. Gibbs addressed the media Sunday morning about the incident. He was very apologetic to NASCAR and Toyota for the incident.
"Let me just say that, first and foremost, that that was a really poor, foolish decision on the part of our key guys there at JGR," Gibbs said. "I want to apologize to NASCAR, to our partners, to Toyota guys. A couple guys chose to make a decision there that really impacts all of us."
"I know they were probably frustrated from the standpoint that wanting to show that, 'Hey, we have less horsepower than ever before' and they wanted to make it look like we're handicapped even more than we actually were," Gibbs said. "I understand that, but that's not an excuse.
"For us, we kind of feel like, in the engine shop that's kind of a badge of honor. You win that engine dyno, good for you. That's kind of how we felt in the past few years and (chief engine builder) Mark Cronquist and those guys really feel like they want to win that thing.
"The way I look at it, to come back after you've been chopped, to come back and win it again, that's awesome," Gibbs noted. "That's a great story. That wasn't able to be told."
And for those employees who did this, Gibbs has let it be known that there would be punishment from in-house: "(We'll) figure out exactly what happened and those that were responsible," Gibbs said. "There's going to be punishment for that. That's just part of life. You can't do that."
Coach Joe Gibbs echoed his son's statements: "If this alleged incident proves true, it goes against everything we stand for as an organization," the former Washington Redskins coach said. "We will take full responsibility and accept any penalties NASCAR levies against us."
Now Toyota's Lee White has made the following statement: "I found out about it halfway through the day session last night, when I went over there to see what was going on," White said. "I was surprised to see what was happening, and astonished and frankly incredulous. I couldn't believe it was happening because it's clearly defined in the entry forms that you don't do this sort of thing.
"But I'm sure Joe and J.D. will take care of that internally and, whatever fans think, they're going to think. We're just going to keep working on our stuff."
I know teams "cheat". But the Gibbs organization has been one of the cleaniest racing teams. With very few violations.
This certainly makes one wonder, if Toyota was behind the cheating? My guess is: Yes.
After NASCAR took away some horsepower from the Toyotas a couple weeks ago, everyone knew that Michigan was going to be a tell tell sign as to how much that reduction impacted the Toyotas.
My guess is that Toyota already knew that this was a possibility and they had already made up for the reduction in horsepower.
And since these magnets were found, my guess is this was their way of trying to disguise just how much of the horsepower they had already made up.
It is just unfortunate that Gibbs Racing had employees that actually stepped up and placed these magnets in their cars.
Why they did not think that NASCAR would find the magnets is unknowst to me. Haven't they learned from others cheating that, "Nothing gets past NASCAR!"
All I can say is I am very ashamed that my favorite racing organization was caught cheating. This is the type of cheating, that I expect from teams like Haas CNC, Bill Davis, Michael Waltrip Racing, or even Red Bull Racing. But not from a top tier racing organization.
Hey Gibbs if you are going to cheat, be more creative. These stupid playground cheats get found out by NASCAR too easily.
Tony Stewart is a much calmer person. Tony Stewart is a much more patient person. Tony Stewart is alot mellower as a person.
Yeah right!
Anyone who thinks that Tony Stewart has really changed deep down does not know what makes this man tick.
Oh, sure, he might not go to an official in NASCAR and berate him/her. But you can rest assured that NASCAR and everyone else will know how he feels.
Tony Stewart is none of the above adjectives used to describe him. He has just learned new avenues in which to express himself.
Tony Stewart has matured in many ways. But his temperament is still the same.
Stewart has learned to go to NASCAR in private to discuss certain issues. But when he feels like noone is listening he goes to his next least favorite people in the garage. The media.
He now uses his radio show and his many interviews to give his opinion. And it is not always in a calm manner. Just ask the many reporters hanging out behind his hauler on any given weekend.
Now Stewart has a new way of getting his opinion across to NASCAR and to anyone else who cares to listen. He has become a car owner in NASCAR.
So what will this calmer, more patient and mellower man be like as an owner? My guess, much like the driver he is. But just given more opportunities to talk and give his opinion.
Because now not only will he be privy to drivers meetings. But to owners meetings and any other type of meeting that might be open to owners/drivers.
So to anyone who thinks that Stewart has changed his ways. Take off the blinders or your rose #### glasses. Stewart has not changed. He has only gotten smarter on how he gives his opinion.
Stewart just this past week at a USAC race was reported to have knocked the headset off of an official.
Can you see Stewart walking up to an official in NASCAR as a car owner and voicing his displeasure in a call? I can. It will not be pretty.
People with temperaments such as Stewart, don't get rid of their tempers. They learn to control them. Instead of letting them control them.
But there are times, when the most in control person looses it. And let's face it, Stewart is willing and able to let loose if he has too.
So since Stewart has decided to put down roots as an owner in NASCAR, there should be many, many years of excitement in NASCAR. Not only on the track, but certainly off the track.
Last year when the report came through that Kyle Busch had been fired from Hendrick, the rumors started flying that J.J. Yeley would be replaced in the #18 car with Kyle.
I thought, no way, would Joe Gibbs replace J.J. with Kyle. But I was wrong.
Kyle was hired and when he went for his first test with the #18 team in Atlanta, he and crew chief Steve Addington clicked. Okay, I thought, this might not be so bad after all.
Maybe finally the #18 team can get back to their winning ways. Okay, I was right on that one.
Then the switch to Toyota. I thought no problem for JGR. Just change a few noses and some stickers. And the cars would be competitive. Got that one right.
Chevrolet made no bones about it. They wanted Stewart back in their stable of drivers. But I still thought nope. Stewart would stay loyal to Gibbs. Got that one wrong too.
Then this year another bombshell dropped. Stewart was looking to possibly leave Gibbs for Haas CNC. I thought nope, not going to happen. Stewart had always said that he did not want to be an owner in NASCAR. Too political for his taste.
That he wanted to retire with Greg Zipadelli as his crew chief. And he wanted to finish out his career with Gibbs.
So I thought Stewart would not be going anywhere. Gibbs was performing at their best this year. And they were the number one team in NASCAR. Stewart wants to win championships and races. So he was going to stay.
Well I got that one WRONG too.
So the thought came to me. I am not doing so good with this thinking bit. (a hearty chuckle)
But I also got to thinking, what or who can stop the winning ways of Kyle Busch and the #18 team?
This kid is winning or in contention every week he gets behind the wheel of a race car or truck. No matter if it is in the Truck Series, the Nationwide Series, or the Cup Series.
This kid is having an amazing year for a driver.
The kid has won what 2 Truck races. Won 5 times in the Nationwide series. And 7 times in the Cup Series. That is 14 wins in a season, in three different series.
I must say I never thought this kid would take the world of racing by storm with Gibbs Racing. I figured he would win a few races. Maybe contend for the championship.
But I am beginning to wonder if anyone else can even challenge him for the championship. At the rate this kid is winning races, he could easily have a 120 pt lead going into the chase. He currently has 70 pts for the chase. And if anyone doubts this kid will not add to this amount, you have your head in the sand.
Whatever is driving this kid, it is certainly a winning combination. Whether it is to show former boss Rick Hendrick, "see if you would have let me be me, I could have done this at your organization". Or just Kyle wanting to do good for his new boss and team. Or just Kyle being Kyle. Or a combination of all three.
Whatever the reason, it is working. And as long as this kid is thriving at JGR. Like he has never before. Gibbs racing certainly does not need Tony Stewart.
Stewart is leaving Gibbs is excellent hands. Kyle Busch has become the new "King of Gibbs".
Photos Of Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs and J.D. Gibbs; The 18 M&M's team by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR
Today as I watched the announcement by Tony Stewart that he was leaving Joe Gibbs Racing to become part owner and driver for Stewart Haas Racing. I could not help but remember the day that I finally decided that Tony Stewart would be my new driver.
It was September 3, 1999. That day was the day that Ernie Irvan decided to retire. So when Irvan announced his retirement, I realized that I needed a new driver. I knew that there was only one driver for me. And that was the new Rookie at JGR.
I had been a fan of Joe Gibbs since his days with the Washington Redskins. Plus Gibbs was another Pontiac team. There was a new guy in NASCAR and he was looking very promising. And he proved me right. When just eight days later, Smoke won his first Cup race at Richmond, Va. (September 11, 1999).
He would go on to win two more races that year at Phoenix (11/7) and Homestead (11/14). He would also win Rookie of the Year honors that year.
Tony Stewart, Greg Zipadelli and The Home Depot team have gone on to win 32 races, two championships, 124 Top 5s and 199 Top 10s.
This combination has been the most powerful in NASCAR, the last 10 years. But when the race at Homestead is over, so will be the best combination in NASCAR today.
There were times when it seemed that Tony Stewart had damaged this team beyond repair. But somehow Greg Zipadelli with his leadership, righted the ship and kept it afloat.
There were many cheers. There were many visits to Victory Lane. These are all memories that I have with my favorite team. This was the first time that a team I had pulled for had actually won a championship. The two previous teams did not win championships. Both chances ended due to head injuries to the driver. One driver (Davey Allison) died due to his head injuries, while the other (Ernie Irvan) had to retire due to head injuries.
Both previous drivers had championship contention years before they were injured. But neither were able to pull off the championship.
So when Tony Stewart won his first championship, I was just as excited as he was. Finally, I was pulling for a championship winning driver.
So as bitter sweet as today is for the 20 team, it is also bitter sweet for this fan. Because now, I will have to split my loyalties between two teams.
Because as much as I enjoy watching Tony Stewart and seeing him win. I will have to be loyal to the JGR 20 team as well. Because it was them who helped to make Stewart the success he has become in NASCAR.
So on Sundays next year, I will be pulling hard for both of my teams to pull into Victory Lane. Well if one can't at least I will have another that can.
So as much as I hate to see this combination end, I do hope that Tony Stewart will be able to be successful with his new team. That Greg Zipadelli and The Home Depot team will be able to continue being a success with their new driver, who ever that will be.
But one thing is for certain, they will never have the magic that this combination has had for the past 10 years.
Thanks for the memories guys, it has been a very exciting ride.
Going into today's race at Infineon many were starting to speculate that Kyle Busch had lost his focus. By doing triple duty many of the weekends this year. Many were starting to speculate that Kyle might of have burned out early.
Well, Kyle decided to put the naysayers to rest. He totally concentrated on his Cup car this weekend.
He qualified 30th for the race. By lap 29 he pitted for fuel and tire. And then the caution came out.
Once the field was reset Kyle was third behind the leader. Greg Biffle spun out. Kyle took advantage of it and went on in a few laps and took the lead from Juan Pablo Montoya. And the kid never looked back.
This kid won his fifth race of the year. And his first road course win.
But did he really put the naysayers to rest? Or did he just prove their point?
Well, I think he did both. I think he proved that he and the 18 team are still hot. But he also proved that is he stays focused on the task at hand, Kyle is unbeatable.
So does the rest of the Cup field want this kid focused just on the Cup car? Probably not. At least when he is not totally focused on his Cup ride, others do get a chance to lead and win races.
But then again, being a JGR fan, I am loving this kid and his run this season. With the way the 20 is finishing right now, it is great to have someone in the JGR camp running so well and dominating like he is.
Go Kyle!!!!
(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images )
Trouble Brewing Between Harvick and Smoke?
Regardless of what TNT's pit reporter Marty Snider wants to make of it, there is no problem between Harvick and Stewart.
Granted this is twice this year Harvick has taken Stewart out of a 2nd place run. But both were just racing incidents.
Today Harvick went into the corner way too hot. Took out Jamie MacMurray and in doing so, MacMurray took out Stewart.
So Marty quit trying to stir things up. Or are you just wanting to be mentioned on Smoke's radio show tomorrow?
Darlington has received the nickname of "Too Tough To Tame" and "The Lady in Black" for a reason.
This Southern Lady loves to tease a suitor (driver) into thinking they are taming her. And just when that suitor (driver) thinks he has the Lady on his side, she reaches out and slaps him into the wall.
Photo by AP Photo/Virginia Postic
This lady does not care who she slaps. Whether he is the points leader, a veteran, the current champion or a young rookie. If she feels that you are getting to confident in your run. She will put you into the wall.
This year the lady has a new shiny surface. She is looking alot better than she has in years. Though she is looking alot better, she still has the same old attitude.
Granted her surface is alot kinder to the tires. But her curves (turns) are still very hard on all those suitors (drivers).
Every race there is usually one suitor (driver) who treats her like a true Southern Lady and she in returns allows him to be victorious.
Last night in the Nationwide race there was many who thought they had this savvy old Southern Lady on their side. But there is only one she had taken a shine too. (Could it be because he said on his radio show* on Tuesday, that he likes older women? lol)
She was courting him all the way to Victory Lane. She took care of any of his opponents who might try to steal away his thunder.
Some she didn't allow to even get into the show: Denny Hamlin. Others she allowed to make it. But when they got too close to her suitor, she used her turns and walls to slap them out of the race: Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch and Mark Martin were just among of the few of the suitors she took care of.
Last night her chosen suitor was the driver of the #20 Old ####e Toyota Camry, Tony Stewart. Many times before he had tried to charm this lady. But each time she chose someone else.
But last night Smoke wooed this lady and she liked the way he treated her. And she allowed him to be the Victor of her.
But this lady is fickle, like most Southern ladies. She likes to be the center of attention. And tonight there will be 43 more suitors who will come a calling. Trying to woo her into letting them be the one who stands in Victory Lane.
Smoke will try again tonight to win her heart. Will he be able to charm her once again or will he do something to make her mad? Will someone else be the victor? Only time will tell.
But for at least one night, Tony Stewart won this lady's heart and he stood in Victory Lane. A winner at Darlington.
Update on Father in Law: Things are still pretty much the same. The swelling is becoming more of a problem. His feet are staying swollen all of the time now. His feet look like they could burst. The swelling in his stomach is becoming larger as well. His feet appeared to me today that they looked bluish. But this could have been do the swelling.
But to look at him and hear him, you would think he was doing well. He is still eating well. But we all know that any day things could change for the worse.
He told my husband last week that he was coming home next month. But the doctors are telling him, he will not be coming home again. He needs 24 hour medical care. So today when we went to see him, he was talking as if he realizes know that he is not coming home.
Thank everyone again for all the prayers, kind words and your thoughts. They really do help to get us through these trying times.
First let me just say"Thank you to everyone who has left kind words, and for all the prayers that have been spent up on the behalf of my father in law and my family. He is still holding on. He still has the will to live. He has not given up the fight. He is weak though and he is having alot of pain. He is still under the care of Ho####e. And everyone of the nurses at the Ho####e Home have been very kind to him.
So thank you again.
Now on to this week's big news:
Will He Stay Or Will He Go?
Or Is Smoke Sending Up A Smoke Screen?
Two weeks ago the big stories of NASCAR were, how well Kyle Busch was doing. How well the Toyotas were performing. What is wrong with the Hendrick teams of Gordon and Johnson? When will Dale Jr. finally win?
Would Carl Edwards team get caught cheating again? Could anyone win at a mile and half other than Carl Edwards?
Then last week the Cup guys took the week off. And Indy Racing was at the forefront with with the gas mileage win by Danica Patrick.
But as this week started, little news bits about a possible team ownership for Tony Stewart started leaking out. And I thought uh oh, here we go again. Tony still has over a year and half on his current contract and the rumors have already started.
But then as the week went along. This rumor kept developing. Then on Thursday Tony Stewart made it official that he was "entertaining" offers from other car owners to be their driver. And he was even "entertaining" the idea of owning his own Cup team. Tony Stewart a Cup Series car owner? I sat there scratching my head.
I thought he had always said, that being a car owner in NASCAR was not an option. Because NASCAR was too political.
Did Tony Stewart undergo a NASCAR sanctioned transformation during the Easter break? When Smoke got his back waxed and his hair cut did he undergo a lobotomy at the same time?
I mean this talk of becoming a Cup car owner is just so out of characteristic for Stewart that it makes one stop and ponder what kind of deal has really come his way.
Stewart has been with Gibbs Racing since 1998 in the former Busch Series. Other than Gibbs there has only been one other team that he has driven for. And that team was owned by Harry Rainer.
Gibbs has stuck by Stewart through good and bad times. Even times when any other owner would have kicked his butt to the curb.
So I got to wondering what are some of the pros and cons that Stewart might be weighing to make his decision. Remember this is only MY SPECULATION NOTHING ELSE.
Pro for Staying with Gibbs: A guaranteed seat for as long as he wants, well as long as they can make seats to fit him.
Keep his current championship winning team intact, well at least until Zippy says He has had enough of babysitting Stewart.
He will still be the Senior Citizen driver at Gibbs, shoot he can drive in NASCAR while he draws his Social Security pension if he wants.
He will still be apart of a top caliber organization, well at least until Toyota perfects the Fan Control and then it will not matter who is in the car. Any #### can drive the car then.
No need to change his business cards, because he still has enough from his first order back in 1999. He receives them, not gives them. No need to go out and try to get new sponsors, because everyone wants him to be their bad boy.
No need to build a team from scratch, because trying to build a team with flour and yeast, will be quiet messy.
No need to worry about making a race, because there will always be some driver or owner who will be after you because of something stupid you did or said.
Money will not be a problem, because Toyota will through all the money you can stuff into your pockets at you. They like having an All American Boy in their camp.
Loyalty to his current boss, enough said.
Loyalty to his fans, who takes alot of junk from other fans when you act up.
Loyalty to Home Depot, Subway, Old ####e, and all of the other sponsors that have been embarrassed by your antics. But yet still support you.
Top notch cars that are able to win each and every week, well at least until you decide to teach a lesson to some rookie.
The best engine building team in the organization.
Possible part ownership in a fourth car, this will keep you in NASCAR for the future. And another car for Toyota to throw money at.
No need to cut his hair or shave if he doesn't want to.
Cons for staying with Gibbs Will not be driving for Chevrolet, which wants you back so bad. Will not have his own Cup team, at least not a Chevy team. Will not be his own boss, being your own boss is not for everyone. Having to drive Toyotas, oh well, could be worse. Could be driving a Yugo. No Hendrick involvement with your team. (Well I see that as a Pro, but Smoke might not. hahaha)
Well that is the pros and cons as I see them. If you have any others let me hear from you.
But then again, all of this might be Smoke blowing a smoke screen. Trying to get leverage against Gibbs to possibly give him part ownership in a fourth car.
Well one thing is for certain, regardless of how this turns out. It doesn't appear that Tony Stewart is going to exit right and fade into the night from NASCAR racing. Like he has always said he was going to do.
Denny Hamlin finally got that home state win that he has been longing for. Today at Martinsville he finished first ahead of the rest of the Cup field.
He got his first Martinsville win and his first for 2008.
With this win, Hamlin gives Joe Gibbs Racing 2 wins for the season. Kyle Busch won at Atlanta three weeks ago.
Tony Stewart came back to finish 5th at Martinsville.
Congratulations to Him and his Team for a great win!
And the best part, all three Gibbs cars are in the top 10 in points. And this also means that Toyota has three cars in the top 10.
If Gibbs can just get all of the transmission and fuel pick up problems that they seem to be having here lately out of the way. All three cars should be strong contenders for the Championship this year.
Happy Easter to everyone. I hope that everyone has had a wonderful day. Enjoying the company of family and friends.
Hope that everyone got a chance to remember the true reason for this day. And no I don't mean the Easter Bunny.
This is the day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is because of His love for us that He gave His life for us. And by rising from the dead, He showed that not even death can hold back the powers of the True and Living God.
Okay, now that being said, it is time to give my take on the Waxing of Smoke. Yes it has happened. And unless you live under a rock, and you just came out I am sure that you have heard about the Waxing of Smoke.
It took place last Monday night at Kevin Harvick's home. Present at the waxing was about 50 people, including Kevin Harvick, DeLana Harvick, Matt Yocum, Ford Martin, the beauticians from a salon in Cornelius, N.C. Abbi Goldberg and Lorrie Emory and Gil Martin and wife.
Smoke being Smoke had already asked Ms. Abbi for her phone number even before she pulled the first strip. Guess he wanted to make sure that she agreed before he grossed her out with all that back hair. Hahaha
Now before the waxing ever got started Smoke, Matt Yocum and Kevin Harvick sat around and talked about the Bristol race incident.
As they came back from break they were playing the in car audio between Smoke and Zippy. Smoke had wanted to come in for tires. But Zippy didn't want to give up track position. In the audio Zippy tells Smoke, "I don't know if that was the right decision or not, but it's in your hands now." (HINDSIGHT: Maybe next time Zippy should listen to Smoke and come in for tires.)
Kevin tells Tony that he told his spotter to tell Tony's spotter that he was sorry and did not mean to get into Tony like that.
Well, Tony's spotter, Mark Robinson, didn't relay that message to Tony-he just told Kevin's spotter that if Tony didn't beat Kevin's butt, he would do it himself. Well, Kevin's spotter told Kevin that. So naturally Kevin assumed that Tony was mad and was looking for a fight. So he replied, "If Tony wants to fight me, just come on down here."
Now Tony did not hear any of this. As a matter of fact he was under the assumption that he had not given Kevin enough room. He called Kevin Sunday night and left a message, that he enjoyed racing him and that he was sorry if He did not leave him enough room.
Smoke left Bristol early and went back to North Carolina to get a late day ride in on his horse. He didn't know anything about the conversation between the spotters until the next day when he went to one of the local hangouts and spotted his spotter Mark and he told him what had happen.
Coach Gibbs said, I was doing good until Kevin pounded the big orange! You guys are buddys..I'm, not. I want my check, Kevin. IF it's big and orange with a 2-0 on it...or it's blue and purple with Fed Ex or has M & Ms on it DON"T HIT IT...it's ours!
Tony says that he owes him some Brickyard money on that too.
Joe talked about how bad he felt for Denny and Kyle also. That they were looking into why they were having fuel pick problems.
Tony tells Joe he had two things to say, "We didn't have this happen when you were still in the NFL..not saying that it is your fault or anything..and second..If you find a TV or VCR remote broken in the trailer, I DIDN'T DO IT! I am sworn to brotherhood secrecy and I can't tell you that (whispers into microphone) Zippy did it."
Tony said that Joe is really great at letting him vent and not say anything about it. Tony said that after a race he can go back, yell and cuss, not that Coach Joe wants to hear him yell and cuss, but he will just listen until Tony is all vented out.
Ford jumps in and says that the next race Tony wins he should get his hair cut like his, a Flat Top.
Tony once again got to talking about the race and he said that he also was having fuel pick up problems and that is how Denny got around him. Kevin said, "I'm glad you said that cause I almost thought you let Denny go." Tony said, 'ARE YOU KIDDING?" Kevin, said, "Well, I thought I knew better than that."
Tony made the comment that he was going on vacation and Kevin wanted to know where he was going to. Tony said, "Yea, we're going to Alaska to run the Idirod Dog Race." Kevin said, "That's already over." Tony said, "well, we won't be finishing very well in that."
They ask the ladies how much wax it will take to do Tony's back and they said about a gallon. They had told Tony to take some Ibuprofen or some type of pain killers and he had been taking them since morning. Along with all the beer he could handle.
J.D. Gibbs called in and wanted to know what else they can wax for $15,000? Matt and Kevin say that they can wax Smoke's legs. Smoke says NO NO NO. Then JD said maybe they could do Tony's neck. Tony reminds JD, "Remember JD, I drive something every week that you pay for and with the flick of the wheel, I can destroy it." They all laugh. But JD still wants Tony's neck waxed.
JD says that he will throw in another $50 for them to pull a strip off of Kevin. Tony chimes in that he is not sharing the table with Kevin.
Ford Martin reminds them that he gets to pull a strip for Jimmie Johnson's $10,000 donation.
Ford Martin introduces Abbi and Lorry and ask them on a scale of 1 - 10 how painful it was going to be? And they replied 11. The girls are getting ice, just in case of bleeding. Matt wants to know if someone had a phone so they could call 911 if the needed. Kevin said, "Not until they are done." Tony just nervously laughed.
Tony is getting ready to get on the table. The ladies hand him a bikini bottom to put on. He declines. Stays in his trunks. (Thank goodness somethings are best left undiscovered.)
Tony is on the table now. Matt paints the picture: Smoke had his shirt off and had worn a pair of knee length shorts. Kevin chimes in that Matt wasn't painting the whole picture. He says that Tony had on a pair of white ankle socks and Kevin was laughing hard. Tony said, "I am what I am.'' He took his socks off and told Kevin he could smell them for the next hour. (A little payback, Smoke?)
Tony: I asked her how hot, she said about boiling. (This is gonna hurt)
Tony is told to lie very still as they pour the first strip of wax. Tony asks, "As opposed to what...running?''
Kevin asked how long the wax has to set and the girls say just a few seconds. The longer it sets the more it hurts.
Matt chimes in, "OK, we'll go to commercial break and pull the first strip off when we come back." Tony yells, "NO NO commercial."
The first strip comes off. Tony: OMMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
Tony sprung to his knees and yelled. Eveyone in the background OOOHHHHHHHH.
Girls: He is bleeding already.
Ford: Should I hold up a mirror so you can see the blood?
Tony: NO.....
Girls: Number two.
Tony: I have a feeling I will have a feeling. Ohhhhhhhhh, man.
Matt: Looks like someone has kidney stones....
Tony says that You can kick him in the groin and he will not cry tonight. and ..he'd rather be kicked in the groin right now."
The girls are telling Smoke that the side hurts more. Tony replies that good news...they have the heavy artillery wax coming out now. It hurts going on....it's pulling.
The strip comes off. Tony has face in his hands now.
The girls say that maybe they should had clipped the hair a bit. (Where did they get these two? Would that not be the first thing you would do before putting hot wax on a hairy back?)
Matt is talking about seeing splotches on Smoke's back. Smoke says he can handle it. It ain't that bad. Kevin says that there are water works in those eyes. Ford: You are crying.
The next strip is for JD's $15,000 off the neck of Tony. Tony yells and Kevin said that brought him to his knees on that one. Tony said, "JD, I'll win a race and wreck the car on the cool down lap for that one." "I hope everyone of those kids at camp enjoys this."
Matt says the splotches are really showing up now all over his back. They are as red as a Budweiser can. Even Smoke's ears are red.
Kevin is almost speechless. He doesn't know what to say. Commercial break and more ice for Smoke's back.
Tony says that he knew this was going to be the most popular show as they were pulling more off. Because whether you like him or not, you get see him in great pain. They showed Tony some of the strips they had pulled off and Tony said it was the most disgusting thing he had ever seen.
Matt says that the reaction response is always the same and the numbness should set in. Kevin chimes in that the numbness doesn't set in, it only gets worse the lower down his back they get. Kevin says they should save the strips and put themon e-bay.
More ice goes on the bumps on his back. To try and help get the swelling to go down. They also use the ice to help cool his face and ears. Tony wants the air conditioner on. And he doesn't know how Kevin and everyone else could stand around with sweatshirts on.
Kevin wants to know if they could get Tony anything...Tylenol, more ice, then he said. "You're taking this like a man."
Kevin asks "Can I get you anything, Buddy?''
Kyle Petty calls on a private phone and talked with Tony. He then called back on a different line and put the call on the air. Kevin said that they have a $100,000 check ready for the camp. Kyle wants to know if there is any blood on it? Tony said there is probably some bloodlets on it. Kevin said there was hair on it and they could even put some skin on it.
Delana is looking at his back and Tony told her to go ahead and pull one off. Because he had wrecked many of her Busch cars. Delana said that doesn't matter. They could fix a race car but these bumps are not going way for a long time. She finally went ahead and pulled a strip and it started bleeding. Kevin said, "Uh oh, the rubber gloves are coming out now as they are blotting the blood." Kevin wants to know if there will be scabs everywhere and the girls say Yes. Kevin told Tony he will not be able to take his shirt off on vacation.
They have now brought in another trash can and they are finally clipping some hair off now with clippers.
Kevin tries to change the subject. But Matt gets them back to talking about the waxing. One of the girls says "This is going to leave a mark" and they all start laughing.
Ford wants to know if this was worse than hitting the wall at Vegas? Tony says this is worse than Vegas and Charlotte all rolled into one. Just then the girls ripped some hair off the neck unexpectedly and Tony yelled and Kevin said you really know it's bad when your feet come off the table.
Ford keeps saying that Tony has tears in his eyes. Tony is arguing that it was just sweat. Ford said that Tony was just holding it in until he gets home. Then he was going to cry.
Gil Martin took his turn and said, "Zippy, for everytime you wanted to pull the hair off of him, even though you wanted to do it closer to the public area, this pull is for you."
They ask Tony for any final thoughts and Tony said that it was really worth it even though it doesn't seem like it right now. Cause those kids don't have a chance at a normal life and he commended Kyle and Ptty for building that camp in memory of Adam.
Just as a sidebar: Tony was at a signing at Mark Martin's Ford dealership in Batesville, Arkansas on Friday. He has finally had his hair cut.
"As groggy as I was, I recognize that it wasn't one of my pals after all; it really was Joe Gibbs. I was embarrassed about how casually I had greeted him, but Joe didn't seem offended, and we had a nice chat. He asked how my injuries were coming along, and we talked racing a little bit. He wanted to know if I was happy in the situation I was in, and I told him, yeah, I was happy; my IRL program was solid, and at that point I was still under the impression that the Raniers and I would be back for another season in the Busch Series, where I felt like we had a great chance to do well. Joe listened to all that, and then he said, 'Well, if anything ever changes, please be sure to give me a call. I'd like to talk to you again'."
Together they have won 33 races, 1999 Rookie of the Year honors, championships in 2002 and 2005. 129 top 5s, 206 top 10s and an average finish of 12.7.
problems with the Vickers team during pitstops. But then out of the blue, Stewart spins out and goes through the grass. I know even the best have bad days. But not every race is going to be a bad day.
stood behind him. And they worked through the childish trantrums. They lifted him up. And they pulled together and worked even harder to make Stewart and them look good.
I thought, no way, would Joe Gibbs replace J.J. with Kyle. But I was wrong.
Haas CNC. I thought nope, not going to happen. Stewart had always said that he did not want to be an owner in NASCAR. Too political for his taste. 
