Well, I guess Kyle Busch once again proved the media wrong.
All weekend all I heard from commentators on Speed and ESPN was how Kyle had not won since Chicago. And that he had lost his momentum.
Well, I guess he proved them wrong. You would think that the media would learn to not question Kyle Busch this year. This kid seems like he can do no wrong. He is having a season that every driver wants to see in his career.
Jeff Gordon had a year like this. Jimmie Johnson had one like this last year. Dale Earnhardt had one like it. Richard Petty. On and on the list goes.
If there is any doubt that we are watching the development of NASCAR's next superstar, then let this past weekend put that doubt to rest. Kyle Busch is the REAL THING. And he is the next superstar of NASCAR. And very possibly the next Champion.
You just never know what will happen during a restrictor plate race. I thought last week's race at Talladega was pretty good. Did not hear of anyone being upset with anyone, well, not until today.
Now I know why Kyle Busch was more than happy to make room for Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Hendrick.
I just got through reading this blog by Jay Hart of Yahoo! Sports "The Real World: NASCAR Style". *
I read it with interest. As how Jeff Gordon was upset with Dale Earnhardt Jr. who did not help him during last Sunday's race. And according to the blog, Earnhardt Jr. actually went to Gordon and apologized for not going with him.
What? Are you kidding me? Why in the world would Dale Jr. have to go to Gordon and apologize? Jr. decided to make a move that he thought would put him in a better position to win. While Gordon had decided that he would run 3rd or 4th. Because he did not want to be up front at that point.
So why is it not okay for Earnhardt Jr. to do the same thing for himself?
Call me crazy, but if Gordon, Johnson or Mears expect Earnhardt to run behind them and not try to win the race, Earnhardt Jr. is in for along, unhappy run at Hendrick.
Maybe someone needs to sit Mr. Gordon down and explain to him how being teammates work. You work together whenever possible throughout the race. But when it comes to go for the win, it is every man for himself. Not me and my teammate.
Dale Jr. all I can say for you is this: Remember Kyle Busch was with this organization last year. And he only won what 1, 2 races all year? And this year he is with Joe Gibbs organization. Nine races into this season and Busch already has 2 wins in Cup. 3 wins in Nationwide Series and 2 in the Truck series. And Dale Jr. has no Cup points wins. Not sure about the Nationwide series, but I think he has none there also. And he doesn't run the Truck Series.
I have just one question: Dale Jr. are you sure you made the right decision?
The NASCAR season is not even five weeks old and already there seems be alot of concern about safety.
That is funny especially since the car that the Cup teams are driving solely this year was built for safety.
Daytona has been the only race so far that has not been plagued by safety concerns in one form or another.
At California, it was the track that was the safety issue. With all the rain that fell that weekend, the track had weepers coming through the seams of the track. Denny Hamlin and Casey Mears had wrecks that were caused by the weepers on the track.
At Las Vegas, it was tires that were blowing out during the race. Tony Stewart had a horrific wreck after a right front tire blew. Leaving the two time champ wondering if he was seriously hurt. Stewart wrecked in the Nationwide Series race the day before, also due to a blown right front tire.
Also at Vegas, Jeff Gordon discovered another safety issue. This time an issue that no one was expecting. A protruding inner wall opening that is used for emergency vehicles. Gordon spun out and hit the wall. Causing major damage to his car. Fortunately no damage to Gordon.
At Atlanta, again it was a safety issue. This time the safety issue was once again the tires. Not tires blowing out, but tires with no grip. Goodyear decided to bring a much harder tire. And therefore there was no grip for the cars due to the lack of downforce that the new cars have.
Fortunately there was one bad wreck, and that was Elliott Sadler. But the problem for poor Sadler he had three other wrecks during the race.
Tony Stewart has been very vocal this past week about his dislike for the tire at Atlanta. And Goodyear has heard him loud and clear. From the moment that he opened his mouth, there has been a battle raging between Tony Stewart and Goodyear.
Since the end of the Atlanta race many other drivers have spoken out against the tire that Goodyear brought. Drivers such as four time champion Jeff Gordon and Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. But the more and more that I read, and the more and more that I hear. I am beginning to wonder if there isn't a bigger issue in NASCAR.
It seems that there is a bigger problem. And it is a problem that nobody really wants to talk about. But it is a problem that has been around since the inception of NASCAR.
And that problem is that NASCAR officials have way too much power. When a driver, car owner, track owner or anyone with a concern approaches them. It is as if they will let you talk. Express your concern, but then they will dismiss you like you had never said anything.
The first time this problem really seemed to have raised its head was back in the 1960s, when Curtis Turner tried to get a drivers union. NASCAR banned him for life in 1961. But then they reinstated him in 1965.
In 1969 Richard Petty and the sports top stars boycotted the first Talladega race in protest over the way NASCAR was doing business.
They were apart of the first and only Driver Union in NASCAR The Professional Drivers Association. It was not to be long lived. Because Bill France let it be known that if the top drivers wanted to race in NASCAR, they had to race by his rules. France brought in ringers to race at the inaugural race at Talladega.
Since these drivers wanted to race, they folded their union and went back to racing on NASCAR terms.
Every since then NASCAR has just runned stock car racing on their terms.
So as the 2008 season gets into full swing, that age old problem has once again risen its ugly head: Does NASCAR really listen to the drivers?
Time will tell if anything ever does change with NASCAR. But one thing is for certain, with a vocal driver such as Tony Stewart in NASCAR, there will be more battles. And he will certainly voice his concern.
At the start of the Daytona 500 yesterday, I had not really given much thought to the Penske teams. Well, except for Kurt Busch, and that was not good thoughts.
Going into yesterday's race. The heavy hitters all seemed to becoming from two organizations: Joe Gibbs Racing and Rick Hendrick Motorsports.
These two organizations had won everything so far that Speedweeks had to offer, except the Truck race, and Todd Bodine won that for Toyota.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. had won the Bud Shootout and the first Gatorade Duel 150. Jimmie Johnson won the pole for the 500.
Denny Hamlin won the second Gatorade Duel 150. And Tony Stewart won the Nationwide Series race. While teammate Kyle Busch finished second in both the Craftsman Truck and Nationwide Series races.
It appeared that the scene was set for these two organizations to do battle to the end. All of the main players were all in the top 15 except Kyle Busch who started 24th. But he did not stay there long.
Busch made his way to the front in a hurry to lead a race high 86 laps. While teammates Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin helped to add to the total of 138 laps that the Toyotas would lead.
That ultimate battle never happened. The Hendrick teams seemed to be snake bit. Three of the four Hendrick cars finished outside of the top 25. Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 9th was the only Hendrick car in the top 10 at the end.
Jeff Gordon developed suspension problems dropping him to 39th. Casey Mears wrecked and he finished 35th. While Jimmie Johnson had a miscue in the pits that dropped him to the back of the field in which he got caught up in a late race wreck. That did minor damage to the car, finished 27th.
The day it seemed belonged to the Gibbs Toyotas. All three of the Gibbs cars took turns leading the race at different times.
While it appeared that Kyle had the best car of the three. It was Tony Stewart who was posed with three laps to go to win the race. Stewart took off from the the caution. Before they hit turn one he was in the lead.
As the laps dwindled down, Stewart was leading when the white flag was thrown. Stewart it appeared was on his way to winning his first Daytona 500.
But not so fast Mr. Stewart. The two Penske teams were saying. We have something to say about this. And say they did. As Tony dropped down to pick up his teammate, the two Penske teammates set sail and went passed Stewart to win the race.
Kurt Busch gave his teammate a push that sent Ryan Newman to the win. Giving Roger Penske his first points paying restrictor plate win in the organization's history.
So as much as everyone wanted to see Stewart win, if for no other reason but to see his long flowing locks be cut by the media. It was Ryan Newman who came out on top of this Golden 50th Daytona 500.
Congratulations to you Mr. Ryan Newman.
And to the Gibbs and Toyota teams everyone of you should hold your heads up high. You showed that you are going to be contenders all season long. And the wins will come. And the first win could very well come next week at California.
And as far as Hendrick, well, we all know that we have not heard the last of them. They will be back as strong as ever.
OPERATION WAX SMOKE! Well it is official the money has been raised and Smoke will be waxed. Time is yet to be determined. It appears that it will take place on Smoke's Sirius radio show sometime in the near future. Kevin Harvick went ahead and put the final amount of money up to reach the $100,000. So Smoke get ready, you will be waxed by your old Nationwide Series car owner.
There has been an outbreak at the Lowe's Motor Speedway. It surrounds four staff members from the Homeland Security Department in Washington, D.C. It appears that these four have come down with NASCAR Cooties!
Now what is NASCAR Cooties has yet to be determined.
These four were advised to be vaccinated for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria and influenza, by Department of Homeland Security. But the one thing that they were not vaccinated for was NASCAR Cooties.
They have been quarantined until the medical community can figure out exactly what NASCAR Cooties is.
All four have come down with different systems: one has red blouchy runny bumps all over his butt, some doctors are calling this the Jeff Gordon Bump and Run.
One has a high temperature and is always throwing his hands up in the air. The medical community is calling this the Johnson flu.
A third one just sits quietly not saying a word. He has a slight fever, but he keeps having cold chills, and the only thing he will drink is a Cold Bud mixed with Mountain Dew. One doctor says this disease is Dale Jr. Fever.
The fourth one, is alittle harder to pinpoint. This fellow, one minute he is fine, the next minute he wants to fight. He keeps slipping in the dirty. But he is steady on the pavement. But one thing about him, he keeps breaking out into a rash when he tells the truth, no matter how much it itchs. The medical community is calling this the Stewart Rash.
Now the above was just in fun. But what is not funny is the fact that the Homeland Security is treating NASCAR races in the south like a third word country when they go to them.
Sometimes you really have to stop and laugh at what comes out of Washington, D.C. these days. I know that some unique things go on at NASCAR races. Tiny towns springing up in the infield for a week. Then they move on to the next town.
Many get drunk and act well, not like themselves. They paint their bodies, their heads and they have tattoos of their favorite driver on their body. They raise flags on top of their camp sites showing their support for their driver.
They set up cooking sites and invite anyone who wants to come and partake in their southern hospitality to come and enjoy themselves.
They have plenty of port of pottys for those who perfer to rough it in a tent. Along with showers to clean up after a hearty meal with new friends.
There is drinking water for those who need to wash their hands. Or who just want to splash in the water.
So how does the Homeland Department think that this a place where communicable diseases would be a breeding ground for? Sounds like a fun place to visit to me.
So Department of Homeland Security the question is "What were you thinking?"
I read an article on ESPN and I couldn't help but want to comment on it. Below is excerpts from the article. You can find a link to the article at the bottom.
Is this suppose to be an apology? If it is, someone needs to tell Mr. Hamlin all you need to say is "I'm sorry."
"Kyle is someone I really respect a lot, regardless of any on-track incident," Hamlin said. "No matter what you do, Kyle is going to be right.
"And a lot of what he did [last weekend at Dover] was right. You never want to be involved in an incident with Kyle because he is respected a lot like Mark Martin is in the garage. So really, I've just got to learn to grow up," he said.
"I'm not going to get back into whether it was his fault or my fault," Hamlin said. "It was a situation where I was put in a small box to try to avoid him and I couldn't get through it.
"I think he knew he did check up because he got loose. He had gotten into a few incidents before that, so he probably was at his boiling point and anything was going to set him off," he said.
"I have to figure out how to get through a season without altercations," Hamlin said. "I expect more of myself and have expectations this year that I didn't have last year [as a rookie]. That probably has caused me to do some things I normally wouldn't do."
"I need to not let things get to me like that," Hamlin said. "My fuse is so short. Anybody who does anything to me on the race track or outside the race track, I immediately want to jump on them. That part I've got to get over."
"I'll be the first to say I'm extremely moody at times," Hamlin said. "But I've earned my way here. I didn't get here because of my last name or because we had money. I earned my way based on performance and being respectful of other people."
Denny I really like you. Why? Because you remind me so much of Tony Stewart. Gutsy, fiesty and take no prisoners attitude. But sometimes a simple "It was my fault and I am sorry", goes along way to gain you that respect that you so want from the other drivers. Maybe you should try it.
STOP THE PRESSES I AGREE WITH JEFF GORDON
I cannot believe it. I actually agree with Jeff Gordon on something. Gordon has expressed his concern about Jacques Villeneuve making his debut at Talladega next week.
When I heard about NASCAR giving him the Okay to race, I thought are they crazy? This guy has no experience in a Cup car and they are going to put him in a Cup car at Talladega, during the Chase? NASCAR has really lost their minds.
I agree with Gordon, there are other places he should make his debut at. Talladega is not the right place for a guy who has never been in a stock car, except for test sessions, to make his debut. This could be very disastrous for the Chase drivers if they happen to be around him and he messes up and causes the Big One. Atlanta is only a couple weeks away, let him start there.
Since the Chase has started, there has been alot of talk about the top contenders and who they are.
There are those who say that it is anyone's race. And then there are those who say it is between Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.
Well, I say it is too early to say for certain. But I do feel that for the rest of the field to win it they will certainly have to go through the three above. Because all year long these three have proven that they are the top contenders for the championship cup.
These three have combined for 13 wins this year, 40 top 5's and 58 top 10s.
The rest of the chase contenders have combined for 11 wins, 50 top 5's and 115 top 10's.
The statistics say that these three are the top contenders. But when you look at the rest of the field, any of these guys could go on a hot streak and take the lead away from any of these guys.
But I just feel that it will come down to between two drivers: Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson. If Gordon doesn't have a good race at Dover this week, there will be those who are wondering what has happened to Gordon.
Stewart has been in this position twice before. He knows how to use just enough of his car to keep in him in the top three spots in the race. He knows that consistency is the key to winning his third championship. And his final one with Chevy.
Smoke has already cut out any extra media obligations. When he gets into championship mode, he doesn't want to be in the limelight. He likes to lay low and keep his mind on his job. No altercations. No media hassels. Nothing that will draw his attention away from his goal: Championship #3. Since winning at The Glen Smoke has 5 top 5 finishes. Just call him Mr. Consistency.
Johnson might be in the lest favorite position of all. What, have you lost your mind? (I know that is what you are thinking about me lol) I know that he is leading in the points right now, well at least tied. But let's look at it. Since 1999 NO Champion has repeated as champion. The last one to do so was Jeff Gordon in 1997-1998.
But if anyone can break that streak it very well could be Johnson. Since Chad Knaus has come back from suspension the 48 team has 2 wins (California and Richmond) and the worst finish of 21 (Bristol) all of his other finishes has been a 3rd (Michigan) and a 6th (New Hampshire). So Johnson very well could repeat. And I am not going to say he can't because like I said if anyone can he can.
Gordon seems to have lost some of his luck. Since the spin at the Glen that took him from the lead Gordon has three finishes outside of the top 15 Michigan, Bristol and California). The last two races though he has finished in the top 5. So has Gordon found that lucky horseshoe once again? Only time will tell.
So who will win? Come back in a 9 weeks and I will tell you.
Somethings never change. And Bristol is one of those things that no matter how much you do to the track, eventually the track will get you.
The race at Bristol last night started off very unusal. For over 100 laps there was not a single caution. But you just knew that at some point the track would reach out and grab someone. There was a total of 9 cautions in last night's race.
Bristol is a very special place. It is the most popular track on NASCAR's schedule. So this makes one wonder why, hasn't someone tried to build another Bristol, say out on the West Coast, instead of another mile and half track?
Guess NASCAR just doesn't want to interfer with the popularity of this little gem.
That is fine with the folks in Bristol, Tennessee. They love their little gem. And they are proud to hold the two most popular races twice a year in NASCAR.
Bristol, they might have changed your banking to gradual. But you are still the old Bristol, just alot more fun to watch. And alot more fun for the drivers to drive. It reminds me of the Bristol of 15-20 years ago. Before the concrete. Now it is the great racing from the past on concrete. Gradual banking is wonderful.
Congratulations to Carl Edwards for his second win of the season.
Congratulations to Tony Stewart and the 20 team for finishing 4th and jumping to 2nd place in the points.
Guess that 20 car is looking alot larger in Jeff Gordon's rearview mirror.
But Carl Edwards seems to looking bigger in both the 20 and 24 rearview mirrors.
Anyone who says that road course races do not belong in NASCAR need to go and find a tape of Sunday's race and watch it.
The race at Watkins Glen was probably the most exciting race, well at least one of the top five, of this season.
The two best NASCAR road racers battled back and forth for the first 45 laps of the race. That was until Tony Stewart spun himself out while leading the race. Which caused him to land 20th in the running order.
But the 20 team and its driver did not throw up their hands and quit. Through great pitstops and a driver who drives like his pants are on fire. They were able to regain the track position that they needed to put them in contention for the win.
As the laps dwindled down you could tell that Stewart was a man on a mission. As he passed car after car until he was third, you just knew that if he could get to Gordon, this was going to be a great race to the checkered flag.
As Smoke chased down his teammate Denny Hamlin for second, going through the S's these two teammates ran off into the grass. Opening the door for Gordon to get a slight lead and Carl Edwards to close up on them.
As the teammates came through the grass areas, Stewart and Hamlin battled side by side. But then a caution came out.
Once the green flag was back out, Stewart took the race to his teammate. He finally passed Hamlin for second and Stewart set sail for Gordon.
As Stewart chased Gordon down, one can only wonder could he catch him? Gordon was now showing his hand. Gordon had saved his car and he was now using it all.
But then the unexpected happen. On lap 89, right in front of Stewart going into turn 1, almost the exact same spot that Stewart had spun earlier, Jeff Gordon spun out.
I am sure the look not only on Gordon's face, when he did it, but Stewart's had to be one of pure shock. There are two things that are for certain about Jeff Gordon, he is a great road racer and he doesn't spin out on road courses, especially when he is leading.
So when he spun out and Stewart went sailing by him, I am sure that Gordon was wondering what had happened. I know I sure was.
I had already come to the conclusion with three laps left that Stewart was going to finish second and Gordon was going to win his 5th race of the year.
Guess that is why it is said, "that it isn't over until the flag waves".
To Bump or Not to Bump
Denny Hamlin pondering what if, said over his team radio that he thought about laying the bumper to one Jeff Gordon. But because Jeff Gordon did not race him like that in other races, Denny didn't want to do that to Gordon.
It is a good thing that Mr. Hamlin did not lay the bumper to Gordon and then say this on his team radio. NASCAR would have certainly brought him down for a rough driving penalty.
Was it a Block or Just a Stupid Move
Photo by AP Photo/David Duprey
Now while Hamlin never laid a bumper to Gordon, one Martin Truex, Jr. did lay the bumper to one Juan Pablo Montoya.
As Truex dived low to make a run on Montoya. Montoya drove low in front of Truex. Blocking Truex from making the pass. But what happened next made the race, seem like the good ole days of Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison.
As Montoya blocked Truex, Truex didn't like it. He bumped Montoya, causing Montoya to do spinning. Collecting Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton. Both Richard Childress drivers.
As the cars came to a rest. Harvick gets out of his car and approaches Montoya's car. As Montoya is trying to tell Harvick that it he had been hit from behind. Harvick was hearing him.
As Harvick tries to keep his hands off of Montoya, Montoya grabs the face of his helmet, and the tussel is on. Both guys exchange a few shoves and pulling away of each other's hands. NASCAR officials finally jump in to break up the shoving match. Even level headed Jeff Burton got involved to breakup the two drivers.
Guess Mr. Montoya and Mr. Harvick will not be having dinner together anytime soon.
But oh, boy, wasn't it great to see two drivers toe to toe and taking nothing from the other one.
Oh, how I long for the good ole days.
Tomorrow is Kyle's Day
Well it seems that the worst kept secret at Joe Gibbs Racing will be formally announced tomorrow. J.D. Gibbs has scheduled a press conference on Tuesday at Joe Gibbs Racing at 11 a.m.
It is at this time that, it is expected that J.D. will announce that Joe Gibbs Racing has hired Kyle Busch to replace J.J. Yeley in the 18 Interstate Batteries Car.
Well what do you know, it seems that NASCAR has been listening to the rumblings to suspend drivers to get the attention of teams about cheating.
On Tuesday Brian France didn't say that they WOULD suspend drivers but that they would be willing to do it, because they have done it in the past.
So it seems that NASCAR has thrown down the gauntlet once and for all at the teams. Cheat and you might lose your driver. Now how would this affect your top notch teams? It very well could be disastrous. Especially if the driver is lost for say 6 weeks. That certainly could take that team out of the chase.
But then again, for a midlevel team it might be just the jump start they need to put new blood into the car.
Now this scenerio is not likely to happen. But it is a possibility, if NASCAR does go to suspending drivers.
RUMORS OF SUSPENDED CREW CHIEFS AT NEW HAMPSHIRE
While I listened to parts of the race on Sunday, (I did not watch the whole race, I actually missed Denny winning) I thought I heard one of the commentators make the statement that Steve Letarte was at the track. Now, I really didn't pay it any attention. Because I just figured that Hendrick decided to fight the penalty after all.
But it seems that it is not the case. It seems that not only was Letarte there, but Chad Knaus and Tony Eury Jr. were there also.
According to reports Steve Letarte attended a team meeting in the team hauler. Which is certainly a big no-no in the eyes of a NASCAR suspension. Or at least so you would think.
Now the "cheaters" have found away to "cheat" the suspension. You just knew that eventually someone would find away around the suspension and test it.
But seems that NASCAR is looking into it.
But how is NASCAR going to control every aspect of the track. They can't.One option is to have the suspended crew members pictures given to each and every track official. And if they spot the suspened crew members they have to turn them in to NASCAR.
But NASCAR is going to have to offer "bounties" on the crew members heads for them to be turned in. Because let's face it. Money talks. And if you have the money, pay off the official and the suspended crew member gets in.
Or a better option might be for NASCAR to corral the suspended crew members into a hotel during race weekend. Kind of like a temporary jail. They check in on Friday and can't check out until after the race on Sunday.
Sometimes you have to think outside of the box NASCAR and these crew chiefs are masters of thinking outside of the box.
Rick Hendrick Motorsports teams 24 and 48, What part of DO NOT MESS WITH THE CAR OF TOMORROW, do you not get?
Back in the very beginning NASCAR told you guys not to mess with this car. That they would not put up with it. And that there would be stiff fines and penalties to follow.
Tony Eury, Jr. found out a few weeks ago how serious that NASCAR was. He is still sitting out a 6 week suspension. Dale Jr. and car owner Teresa Earnhardt was docked 100 points and fined $100,000. For improper mounting bracket holes. Supposedly put on by accident. Okay. Maybe. Yeah right. Not.
Now Chad Knaus I was not surprised by your name being in on this lastest scheme. But Steve Letarte you are currently the points leader and you have a healthy points lead of 271 over second place Denny Hamlin. (Points after Sunday's Sonoma race).
Jeff Gordon has made the plea that he hopes that NASCAR comes down light on his and Johnson's team. But if NASCAR does, can you just hear the uproar from the Jr. Nation fans and fans in general who already feel like the Hendricks teams get away with special treatment from NASCAR?
I certainly hope that NASCAR does hold the Hendricks teams to the fire. They deliberately tried to gain and an edge and they have as much as said so. Eury Jr. claimed the brackets were an accident, maybe.
But the fenders were made in the shop. And the teams have already admitted that they massaged the fenders in the grey area. But NASCAR has already said not to do that.
NASCAR wants to keep these cars under tight rules. And they want the straying out into the grey area that it has had with the current cars.
So NASCAR the ball is now in your court. Will you fumble or make a touchdown? On Tuesday or Wednesday, we shall see.
Aric Almirola Or Denny Hamlin at Milwaukee?
Aric I feel for you. You qualified the car on the pole. You lead for what 40 some laps. And then on lap 54 you have to turn the car over to the designated driver.
And the worst part, he goes out and he wins the race in the car that you felt you could have won in.
Welcome to Busch Racing.
I understand why Denny was put into the car. Rockwell Automation has signed him to be their driver for certain races this year. And when you are in your own backyard, you want your star driver at the helm.
It was a bad situation all around. Could it have been handled better? I don't know. Either way, someone was not going to be happy. Whether it be Denny or Aric. But one thing is for certain, you have to keep your sponsors happy. And if they want their star at the wheel, you better do everything you can to get him there.
Now having said that, Denny's first job is the Cup car. Now he had to stay in Sonoma for the last practice. This is what started this whole fiasco. Should Denny have just stayed in Sonoma and let Aric have the ride? Depends on your point of view. But there again, it goes back to making the sponsor happy.
Aric knew going into Milwaukee that Denny was the primary driver. And there was a chance that Aric would have to qualify the car and start it. But does that mean he should keep the ride? No.
Because Aric knew that he was there only as a backup driver. And Denny was the primary driver. So Aric should not be too mad. Right? Wrong.
The day a driver gladily gives up a ride to another driver, you better start wondering about the passion of that driver. The fact that Aric got upset that he was taken out of the car, shows me that he has the passion to win. And he will do many great things in NASCAR. Keep that passion Aric. It will take you to many wins in the future.
As far as the position Gibbs Racing was put in, I would not want to be in that position. But you have honor that contract with the sponsor. Denny in, Aric out.
Now for next year, let's hope that Denny will back away from the 20 car and allow Aric the chance to get into that car and show off his talents for Rockwell. So J.D. Gibbs, here is your chance to make it up to this young man. Sign him up for a full time ride next year in the Busch Series. And don't have him sharing his ride with anyone.
I read with interest this article "Sorry, but ovals are really where NASCAR needs to be" By David Poole of The Charlotte Observer
My 2 cents
People misunderstand my take on road course racing.
I don’t hate road courses. I think road racing is interesting in its own way, and it unquestionably requires driving skills and talents. The American Le Mans, Grand American and even the ChampCar series provide excellent venues for road racers to display their talents.
I just question what any of that has to do with stock car racing.
David Poole are you on something that is scrambling the function of your brain? You are alot older than I am. And I know the history of NASCAR. You report it do you not know the history of the sport that you cover?
I will tell you why NASCAR belongs on road courses: It is to honor the men who raced through the mountains of North Carolina and Tennesee running moonshine. It was drivers like Junior Johnson who made NASCAR the great stock car event that it is now. It was not only Bill France, Sr.. It took these moonshiners to come down off the mountain and go to the tracks to race to help build NASCAR.
By running the road courses, it brings the roots of NASCAR to the forefront. The only thing that would be better, would for the drivers to race through the mountain roads of Tennessee and North Carolina racing for the win.
So road courses belong in stock car racing. If for no other reason to help the new and young fans learn of the grassroots of stock car racing.
Regardless of how much the France family tries to hide that little fact, their first drivers were moonshiners, it can't. There are too many out there who have grown up on NASCAR and we know the history of NASCAR. And we are than happy to share it with new and young fans of NASCAR.
So David Poole, it is called "A Family Tradition". (Thanks to Hank Williams Jr. for that song).
AND BABY MAKES THREE... Today Jeff Gordon and wife Ingrid Vandebosch welcomed a seven pound one ounce baby girl to their family, Ella Soffia Gordon.
Guess baby Ella didn't want to be the reason her daddy had to miss a race. Now that she has made her appearance into the world. Daddy Jeff will be on his way to Sonoma later in the week. Guess he will get mommy and baby home and off he will go.
The demands of being a four time cup champ has got to put a crimp into his plans to play daddy. Hey Jeff, I am sure the rest of the field would be happy for you stay home this weekend. And let them catch up on their points. And I am sure Ingrid would be happy for you to stay home and play daddy.
ROAD COURSE RACE AND JUAN?
I read with great interest Juan Pablo Montoyas response to a question about if he thinks he is the best road course racer in NASCAR?
"I would think so, yes. But Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart are also very good, I am told, and Denny Hamlin was very good in Mexico." Juan Pablo Montoya
Hey Juan one road course Busch does not make you the best road course racer in NASCAR.
You may be a IRL race winner and Champ car champion. And that might make you one of the best road course racers in those divisions. But that doesn't mean you are the best road racer in NASCAR.
The Cup cars are alot heavier and alot less aero dependent than that IRL and Champ cars are on road courses. So we shall see. But then again you did manage to give yourself some wiggle room, just in case...
"I think we are going to be very competitive," he said. "Do we have a chance of winning? Probably yes. Are we as good prepared as some of the teams like Hendrick or Gibbs? Probably no. So we'll see what happens."
Man I sure hope so. I am so tired of seeing Tony, Denny and even J.J. running in the top 10 the whole race and not win a race. I certainly think this could be the weekend in which Tony Stewart finally breaks through with a win. I have had this date circled for the past eight weeks. It is time for Joe Gibbs Racing to break into the win column this season. And Sonoma would be a great place to start.
What a week in NASCAR this has been: The Dover race got rained out on Sunday. Causing NASCAR to move the race to Monday. While the race was being run sad news came that former CEO of NASCAR Bill France had passed away.
Leaving behind a legacy that has will keep him fondly remembered for years to come. It was his vision that helped to bring NASCAR into the modern-era. It was Bill France who got R.J. Reynolds to come on board and become the cup series first name sponsor. And it was through the help of R.J. Reynolds that help Bill France make his dream of bringing stock car racing to mainstream America. Mr. France we thank you for your hard and enduring work to make stock car racing the number 1 auto racing series in America. We will miss you Mr. France.
"Whom Will Jr. Sign With?"
The drama "Whom Will Jr. Sign With?" has continued another week. Leaving many rumors as to where he will be next season. Jeff Hammond reported on Fox's last broadcast for this season, the his sources are saying that within 10 days to 2 weeks, Jr. will sign with Joe Gibbs Racing. Darrell Waltrip, says, nope, Jr. will sign with Hendricks.
Well I for one would like to tell Jr. "Enough already, sign with someone!" Just kidding. I think it is hilarious all the speculation that is out there. You would think that Dale Jr. was running for President of the Planet Earth.
"Where there is a Busch, there is Smoke"
Then we also have the next segment of the drama "Where there is a Busch, there is Smoke". Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch once again seem to find themselves wrecking in a Cup race this season. This is what the second (or third or fourth...etc) time this season that these two have literally crossed each others path during a race.
From what I saw, it appeared that neither Stewart nor Busch were going to give the other one an inch. And why should they? This is racing after all. Stewart would pass Busch. Busch would pass Stewart. Then it would start all over again. But then it happened. Busch passed Stewart on the low side. Busch pulls his car up into the path of Stewart, causing both drivers to wreck their cars. Just a racing incident.
Well, it was at least as far as I was concerned, until they hit pitroad. What happened next could have been very tragic.
As Stewart was parked on pitroad. His jackman Jason Lee, was looking the car over and making repairs as needed. When all of a sudden Kurt Busch comes flying up to the 20 car. Striking the 20 car as he came to a stop. Jason Lee being alert jumped on top of the 20 car's hood. Preventing himself from possibly being struck by the 2 car.
Now I now that tempers flare at races. And that is what racing so human to us all. And I love to see the drivers express themselves. But this is the type of expression that could get an innocent crew member seriously injured or killed.
I have no problem with Kurt going to Tony and telling him that he felt that Tony could have given him room. And I have no problem with Tony going to Kurt and telling if you would have waited another couple of seconds, you would have cleared me and we wouldn't be having this discussion.
But when a driver uses a car as a weapon on pit road that is just wrong. It was wrong when Tony Stewart used his car on pit road to hit Jeff Gordon. And it is wrong for any other driver to use their car in a manner such as this.
Now what will NASCAR do to Kurt Busch is unknown as of right now. There is a rumor out there that NASCAR will be meeting on Friday to determine what will be done about the pitroad run in if anything.
Now here is what I think should happen: I think that Kurt Busch should be summoned to the oval office at 6 a.m. and the team will not be allowed to unload their car until after the meeting. (Like they did to Tony)
He should be sat down and Robin Pemberton, Mike Helton and Jim Hunter should read the right act to Mr. Busch. Then he should be fined $100,000, 100 drivers and owners points (Dale Jr. and Michael Waltrip). Then he should be suspended for two races (Kevin Harvick) for actions detrimental to stock car racing. He should have to make a public and personal apology to everyone and Jason Lee for his actions.
Then he should be escorted to Tony Stewart's team hauler, and Jason Lee should be given to opportunity to do to Busch whatever he wants. Then Busch should be go straight to jail (escorted off of the premises) do not pass go, and do not collect $200,000 (inflation).
The team should be able to race. They were not at fault for this incident and only Kurt should suffer for it.
From www.NASCAR.comNASCAR announced Friday that Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 2 Dodge in the Nextel Cup Series, has been penalized 100 championship driver points, fined $100,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, 2007, for violating Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing -- reckless driving; endangering a crew member on pit road) of the 2007 NASCAR rule book.
Car owner Roger Penske has also been penalized with the loss of 100 championship owner points due to his driver's infraction.
Edwards wins on Dirt
Carl Edwards won the third annual "Nextel's Prelude to the Dream" at Eldora Speedway on Wednesday night.
Carl Edwards was joined by NASCAR stars Bobby Labonte, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, J.J. Yeley, Bill Elliott, Elliott Sadler, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Mark Martin, Kenny Schrader, Kenny Wallace, Mike Wallace, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Clint Bowyer, Matt Kenseth, Aric Almirola, and David Reutimann.
Cup Race Team Owner Ray Evernham, Former Cup driver Red Farmer. Two dragster stars, Ron Capps and Cruz Pedregon.
Mike Joy, Kyle Petty and Darrell Waltip were the announcers for the race. Matt Yocum was the pit reporter. All had a wonderful time.
And the best thing is that all the proceeds go to the Victory Junction Camp in which that Kyle and Patty Petty run for children with medical issues that keep them from attending regular camps.
Truex Wins 1st Cup Race
Oh, Yeah, Martin Truex won his first cup race. Congratulations to Martin Truex and the Bass Pro Shops Team for their win at Dover, DE.
It's off to see Pocono, the wonderful Pocono
(Sorry, I had the Wizard of Oz song in my head lol)
On to Pocono we go! And the question continues "Will Joe Gibbs Racing Finally Win a Race?" Stay tuned, is this weekend is anything like last weekend, well, I see a nap in my future on Sunday.
"We worked really hard, but we were never close," Earnhardt said. "I am a little sad, but I am trying to remind myself to be excited about what's ahead."
As An Era Ends Today,
A New Era Begins
Well all that is left to decide now is whom Dale Jr. will race for next year.
The end of era for the Earnhardt family came to a close today. Dale Earnhardt Jr. let it be known today that he was going to be leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season. This is the company in which Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been employed since the day he stepped into NASCAR racing. Whether it was Busch or Cup.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. started DEI so that he could leave his children a legacy that they some day would run. He brought his son Dale Jr. into the company to be its featured driver. He put Michael Waltrip in a second car, as a teammate to his son. Dale Sr. had a vision for his company that many knew about. But due to a tragedy in 2001 that took Dale Sr.'s life Dale Sr. never got to see that vision to full fillment.
Things were going along very well for DEI for several years after Sr. died. But somewhere around 2004 things seemed to change. It almost seemed that DEI was falling behind in the technology department.
As teams like Hendricks, Gibbs, Roush and Childress all made strides, DEI just seemed to have leveled off. The cars were not as competitive as they had been in the past. This was very evident on the restrictor plate tracks. This was the one track in which DEI dominated in 2001-2003. But in 2004, DEI was no longer the dominate car to beat at the restrictor plate tracks. That now fell on teams like Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.
So when it came time for contract talks between Dale Jr. and DEI, there were major issues that needed to be addressed. And evidently the two parties could not come to agreement on how to best fix those issues.
Dale Jr. wanted ownership of DEI. Because he felt that he could take DEI to the next level of competition.
Teresa Earnhardt evidently felt that she is the best person to take DEI to the next level.
Now time will tell if DEI will ever become one of the top tier teams again. My gut feeling is that unless DEI makes some major changes, they will never be a top tier team. Regardless of who they might hire as a driver.
Dale Jr. knows from his talks with other owners and drivers that there are things that DEI is lacking. And that is what he wanted to put into place for DEI. But because of the failed contract talks with DEI, Jr.'s vision for DEI will have to wait. I just hope that there is a company in place that Jr. and Kelly will be able to oversee in the future.
Because there is coming a day in which Teresa will step away from DEI. And that day may be sooner than later. But for now Teresa is still the head of DEI. Let's just hope that she does make the hard decisions that needs to be made to make DEI the best it can be.
As to where Dale Jr. will end up. Well, my gut feeling is either it will be Gibbs or Childress. With Childress being the most likely. The only way I can see him going to Hendricks is if either Kyle Busch or Casey Mears are on their way out. And since Kyle is performing as well as his teammates Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, I can't see him leaving.
But the performance for Casey has not been what they had wanted. And since Casey is only into his first year with Hendricks, it probably would be a stretch for him to leave just yet.
Now Childress and Gibbs each have room for expansion to a fourth car. There is even speculation that J.J. Yeley might be out of the 18 car by the end of the season if things do not pick up. So there is more room for Dale Jr. at Gibbs. But the one problem with that is that Gibbs already has a big name star in Tony Stewart and a rising star in Denny Hamlin. Would Jr. really fit into Gibbs? Maybe, but not likely.
Dale Jr. seems more like the type of driver that Richard Childress likes to hire. He is quiet. Doesn't really call attention to himself personally. Like Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer. And on occasion Kevin Harvick.
So where will he wind up? It is anyone's guess, but if I were a gambling person, I would put money on Childress Racing.
“You can’t fix stupid a lot of times. I’m getting better about not saying stupid things at the wrong times, but I’m not totally cured yet," Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart:
The Rosie O'Donnell of NASCAR?
So is this where we have gotten to? Calling a top star in NASCAR a scattered brain ####. Who doesn't have enough sense to come in out of the rain?
Sorry Mr. Gordon, but you could have gone all your life without comparing Mr. Tony Stewart to Rosie O'Donnell.
I had actually developed alot of respect for Mr. Gordon, but unfortunately, he took a step down on that respect meter.
Mr. Gordon, you are hereby fined 100,000 diaper changes and put on Mrs. Inrid Gordon's probabtion for the rest of your life. For violation of section TS-12-4, actions detrimental to this fan's sense of humor.
So did I have you going?
Just in case there is any doubt, the above was done only in fun. I think it was humorous that Jeff Gordon compared Tony Stewart to Rosie O'Donnell.
And I am certain that there are those who will say that it is wrong for Gordon to call Smoke, Rosie. But I am going to take the humorous side of this one. And think that Gordon did not mean that Smoke is an airhead. But that like, Rosie, Smoke has always been a bit controversial.
Now my thoughts on the happenings of this past week:
When the penalties for the past race was handed down on Tuesday by NASCAR, and Smoke's name was not listed, I went hmmmm....
Could not figure out why he was not fined. Because it is mandatory that the top 3 finishers and the highest finishing rookie has to go to the Media Center.
Tony did this same thing in 2003 at Atlanta. He and and Jamie McMurray both finished in the top 3 at that race and neither did the media center obligation. See below for more on this.
So when NASCAR didn't fine Smoke, I couldn't help but wonder why?
Now we know why. NASCAR had something in mind for Smoke. Guess they wanted to be sure to make an impression on Ole Smoke. Because we all know that Smoke is not going to crawl out of his bed at no 6 a.m. Because more than likely, he is just really getting to bed at 6 a.m.
So I do agree with the fine that NASCAR implemented on Stewart. But I do have su####ions that if Stewart had not gotten on his Sirius radio show on Tuesday and in essence said that NASCAR fixed races, that his blowing off the Media Center would have been swepted under the rug.
But the one thing I will say is this, Smoke only said what we as fans have thought for years. And let's face it there are drivers out there who feel the same way as Smoke. But the difference between them and Smoke is that Smoke will tell you exactly what is on his mind, where someone else will just give you a canned comment.
So did Smoke disrespect NASCAR by his comments? In my opinion No. NASCAR has only theirselves to blame for this fiasco. They are the ones who have thrown debris flags at times when it appears to benefit certain teams. Now is this their fault? Who knows. Because we as fans do not have the access to be in the control booth to see who, when and how a debris caution is decided.
We can only speculate. So I guess this is just one of those little things (debris cautions) that we as fans can contemplate as a conspiracy or not. I guess it really depends on which side of the debris cautions that your driver comes out on as to whether you think it is a conspiracy or not.
Now what can NASCAR do? Simple, put a helmet cam on each of the rescue workers who goes out to pick up debris and then there will be a shot of what the debris is. Put the debris on display for the drivers and teams to see after the race with a label telling which caution this was picked up for.
Now that is just my opinion and I am sure NASCAR will be contacting me sometime this week to let me know what my opinion is worth: NOTHING. Guess I am in good company, NASCAR's doesnt' want Smoke's opinion either. hahaha
Stewart Blows Off Interviews: Members of the print media were enraged to learn following today's race at Atlanta that second-place finisher Tony Stewart and highest-finishing rookie Jamie McMurray both blew off their post race press conferences. McMurray said he had to catch a flight. It was announced McMurray was excused. Stewart said he had a previous engagement to attend. This comes on the heels of the Kansas race where second-place finisher Bill Elliott failed to appear before the media. NASCAR said after Kansas that fines could be imposed if it happened again. NASCAR's Jim Hunter went into the Winston Cup garage after the race today searching for Tony Stewart. The driver of the #20 Home Depot Chevrolet was nowhere to be found. Ironically while third-place finishing Jimmie Johnson, driver of the Lowe's Chevrolet, sat and fielded questions, Stewart, sponsored by Atlanta-based Home Depot quickly exited the premises. Hunter said he would look into the matter this week. Stewart did field an interview with TNT and PRN radio after the race. (source) (10-27-2003)
NASCAR to meet with Stewart: NASCAR officials plan to meet with #20-Tony Stewart this weekend at Phoenix to discuss his failure to meet media obligations following Monday's race at Atlanta, said Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president for corporate communications. Stewart finished second in Monday's race, won under caution by Jeff Gordon. He did a brief TV interview immediately after the race, but did not report to the media center, a requirement for the top-three finishers in a race. This is the second time in four races NASCAR has had a driver who finished runner-up in a Winston Cup event fail to meet media obligations after a race. Bill Elliott refused all but a brief interview after his second place run at Kansas on Oct. 5. (ThatsRacin.com) (10-30-2003)
UPDATE: Tony Stewart had a "productive" meeting Friday with NASCAR officials regarding his failure to
