Just when it looked like Kyle Busch had the championship all but wrapped up, the rug was pulled out from under him and the 18 team.
Lady Luck dealt him three bad hands in a row. And he is for all intense and purpose is out of the championship run. Granted there are still eight races left. But lets face it Busch is 311 points behind points leader Jimmie Johnson, not a very good position to be in to win a championship.
Unless Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle doesn't start having some finishes in the 40s. The rest of the field will be fighting it out for 4th-12th.
Jeff Burton is the closest contender to the these three at 121 points behind Johnson.
This season has been very strange. Right from the beginning this year has been full of twists and turns and unexpected happenings.
Starting with the supposedly brawl between Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart in the NASCAR hauler. After the two tangled in practice at Daytona. To the rumor that Stewart was leaving Gibbs to become part owner of Haas CNC.
Which I really thought was ludicrious. But it happened. And then it was announced that Ryan Newman would be leaving Penske to go and drive for Stewart-Haas Racing.
It was told too that Joey Logano would be driving the 20 Cup car next season. Logano is only 18 years and he is got alot of growing pains to go throw next year. And it is going to be very trying for Greg Zipadelli and the 20 team. To go from a hot headed experienced driver to a young talented wet behind the ears rookie.
A.J. Allmendinger was told that he would not be returning to Red Bull Racing next year. That he should be looking for another ride. The only problem with this is that Red Bull Racing waited to let him know until many of the really good rides were filled.
Busch went out and clicked with the 18 team. A team that had been winless since 2003. When Bobby Labonte won at Homestead. Busch and the 18 team went out and won a season high 8 races. And were leading the points going into New Hampshire.
Neither Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth or Greg Biffle who were in the chase had won any races.
But Biffle has went out and won the first two chase races. And that has put him right in the middle of the champioship battle.
So the engraver is all set to engrave either the name of Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards or Greg Biffle on the trophy. Unless of course Lady Luck decides to deal a few more bad hands to the leaders of the chase, as she did to the 18 team and Kyle Busch.
Let's hope she does. At least it will make the chase interesting. For a change.
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.
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
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.
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?
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.
The last time a foreign maker went to victory lane in the Cup series was in 1954, Al Keller in a Jaguar.
Today at Atlanta, a Toyota driven by Kyle Busch changed that bit of NASCAR history.
You just knew that it was going to be Kyle Busch who got Toyota their first win in Cup. This kid has lead every race so far this season. He has been determined to be the first to Victory Lane for Toyota since the regular season started and his two teammates had given Toyota wins this season.
Denny Hamlin got Toyota their first every Cup win in the non points race, the Bud Shootout in Daytona. And it seemed like that Tony Stewart was going to give Toyota a sweep of the Daytona points races by winning the Daytona 500. But a misstep by Stewart left the foreigner manufacturer having to wait for their first win. (Todd Bodine won the Truck race, Stewart won the Nationwide race)
Toyota got its first Busch Series win with Jason Leffler, who won in 2007 at the July race at O'Reilly Racepark in Indianapolis.
Tony Stewart gave Toyota its first Nationwide race and Gibbs Racing its first points paying race in the Camry.
What I find so ironic is that in all of the points paying races that the Toyotas have won this year in the Cup and Nationwide Series, it has been a 1-2 finish for the Gibbs duo of Stewart and Busch.
Today finally Busch closes the deal and finishes ahead of his teammate.
Congratulations to the 18 team. Finally this team is back in the winner's circle, and it comes at the track in which this team owned back in 1996-2003 with driver Bobby Labonte.
Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR
Not A Happy Driver
One would think that after three wrecks in two weeks, a driver who finished second would be happy? Right? Wrong.
Tony Stewart let it be known on Friday that he was not happy with Goodyear.
Tony Stewart let it be known on Saturday that he was not happy with the tires that Goodyear brought to the track the last two weekends.
On Sunday after the race in Atlanta, once again Tony Stewart let it be known that he was not happy with Goodyear.
Now I am not one to take issue with Smoke, but I am going to have to take issue with him on something that he said today. He made the comment to the effect that maybe Goodyear should get out of NASCAR. That another tire company could come in like, Hoosier, Firestone or Goodrich could do a better job.
I respectfully disagree with you Stewart. I remember the last tire wars in NASCAR between Hoosier and Goodyear. That was a disaster. If he thinks that they have tire problems now, he should have been around back then.
Granted if Goodyear tests a tire with the whole field, and there are no major problems, maybe Goodyear should bring that tire to the race. Without making any changes to them.
But since I am not an tire engineer, I am not going down that road. But maybe sometimes its is just best to be happy with a second place finish than to run the tire manufacturer up the pole for a third day in the same weekend. Just my humble opinion Mr. Stewart.
Wonder if Smoke is getting nervous about having his back waxed in a few weeks? Maybe that is why Stewart is so agitated with Goodyear?
Seems it never rains in southern California Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before It never rains in California, but girl don't they warn ya It pours, man it pours
Lyrics By Albert Hammonds
If there was ever a time that this song fit Southern California it was this past weekend.
I feel for the people in southern California. I am sure that they are very happy for the rain. But I am also sure that they are glad that it has moved on eastward.
Let's face it when you get that much rain in a short amount of time on land that is very dry, it has to go somewhere. And unfortunately, NASCAR found that out too.
Now I am sure that there are those who say, NASCAR should have never tried to start this race. Granted it was a futile act.
By starting this race on Sunday, it caused several good cars to find trouble. Denny Hamlin being the first victim of the track. Due to all the rain "weeping" through the seams in the track, Hamlin hit a slick spot on the track and wrecked his car.
But the worst victims had to come in the second wreck due to the track "weeping". Casey Mears getting loose and taking out his teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. Causing Sam Hornish to wreck and his car to catch fire. Fortunately, no one was hurt in this wreck.
Finally the rain came and settled the decision to halt the race until Monday.
So to Monday we go. The racing was kind of strung out. Which is what you get at this track. For the most part the Cup race was pretty much the same as usual. The leader would get out to a large lead. The green flag pitstops stretch the field out. The cautions brings the field back together.
But at least Carl Edwards made it interesting. He took the race to the Hendrick duo and he came out on top. Congratulations to Carl for his first win of the season.
Then we have the Nationwide Series. That race was a runaway for Tony Stewart. He dominated this race from the drop of the green flag to the drop of the checkered. He lead 136 of the 150 laps. Smoke even joked during his interview that maybe he should rethink his scheduled races for the Nationwide series and run for the Championship.
I second that. If anyone could win both the Cup and the Nationwide championships in the same year, it is this guy.
Congratulations to Smoke on his 2nd Nationwide Series race. Hey, Smoke now, you need to win a few in the Cup Series. Zippy wants to add a few trophies to his resume. Like Dave Rogers has added to his.
The only race that actually got run during the weekend was the Truck race. It was run on Saturday. And it was once again a show of the Toyotas.
It was the Toyotas of Todd Bodine and Kyle Busch that really dominated this race. And in the end, it was Kyle who beat Todd Bodine this time. Where last week it was Todd who beat Kyle to the line. Congratulations Kyle on your win!
Now there is something that Rowdy Kyle Busch was trying to pull off this weekend. And that was to leave California leading the points in all three series.
Well he currently leads the truck and the Cup series. But Tony Stewart says not so fast buddy. So while Kyle leads the two other series, Smoke still leads the Nationwide series in points.
Okay, time to put California behind us and it is time to look towards Las Vegas. Will, we finally see Toyota break through in the win column here. Or will Chevy finally win? Or will Dodge or Ford win another win? We will know in less than six days.
Well, it took four days to run three races. And at the end we had three separate winners. And everyone is finally leaving California.
Have a great week everyone!
Photos by:
AP/Mark Avery (Carl and Tony); Getty Images for NASCAR (Kyle)
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.
2008 Joe Gibbs Racing Cup Drivers: Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch.
Sometimes You
Just Have to Eat Some Crow!
Okay, I am going to eat some crow here. I must admit that I was WRONG about Kyle Busch. (Yes, I said I was wrong. Don't get use to it. I will come to my senses soon.)
When the kid came into Cup racing, I had a made up mind not to like him. Why? Two reasons: 1. He was driving for Hendrick Motorsports. 2. His last name was Busch. He is the brother of Kurt Busch. (Whom I still do not like. But I am learning to tolerate.)
So I am going to publicly apologize to Mr. Kyle Busch. The kid has really impressed me. Kyle I am sorry. I was wrong.
Last year the kid was dumped by Rick Hendrick. For NASCAR's most popular driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. I think that is when I really started noticing that Mr. Busch had real raw talent. And the way that young man conducted himself on and off the track, really impressed me. He was in a no win situation. But he went out and not only won races, but he contended for the championship by making the Chase.
By the time it was announced that he was going to be driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, I was really excited about the prospect of this talented driver joining forces with this top notch organization. And the fact that he was going to be joining a talented line of drivers, only made me more excited about his signing.
Now I must admit that I was somewhat concerned about the three super egos that are the drivers for Joe Gibbs Racing. All three drivers are all very talented. And they all want to win. But it so refreshing to see that these three teams seem to be sharing information at these test sessions. And everything, at least on the surface, seems to be all well at Gibbs Racing.
Joe Gibbs is back home with his race teams. His guidance will be a major asset to J.D., Jimmy Makar, Greg Zipadelli, Mike Ford and Steve Addington, as they try to meld these three race teams into one great organization.
Let's face it Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin both have had run ins with their teammate Tony Stewart. Smoke is something of enigma. You never really know which Tony you are going to get. The cantankerous one or the fun loving one.
2008 is certainly going to be an exciting new season. Not only because it is a new season, but because there have been many changes at Joe Gibbs Racing. It is going to be exciting watching these three talented drivers take on the teams of Hendrick.
Gibbs Drivers vs. Hendrick Drivers coming to a track near you.
What is the hot topic on fan forums right now and with the media?
No it is not the Championship week in New York City. It is not even Dale Jr. going to Hendrick.
No the hot topic is how will Gibbs fair in 2008 with the Toyota.
What I find amazing is that everyone is so worried about Gibbs switching to Toyota. Because they keep comparing this year's teams to Gibbs. That can't be done.
None of the 2007 Toyota teams were elite teams. They were at best mediocre.
Gibbs is an elite team. They would not have made this move if they had not done their homework.
Gibbs did not just step into Toyota. They made sure that their engine department could make the Toyota work. They have tested this engine. And they know every in and out of it.
There will not be a learning curve for this engine. Mark Cronquist has researched this engine very well. And if he didn't think he could make this engine perform like the Chevy engine, they never would have moved to Toyota.
Gibbs Racing will do just fine. Even in the Daytona 500.
I know, I know J.D. swears that they did not test any part of the Toyota before the season's end. If you believe that, then you have your head in the sand.
The cat was let out of the bag several years ago, before Gibbs switched to Chevrolet, that the Gibbs organization would build the other manufacturers vehicle, including the engine. To see where their strong and weak points were.
And I have no doubt that Gibbs did the same thing with the Toyota, under the guise of research.
J.D. Gibbs and Joe Gibbs have surrounded themselves with some very intelligent people. And Jimmy Makar is one of the most intelligent people in racing today. And Mark Cronquist is one of the best, if not the best at getting the most out of an engine.
So just because, Gibbs is switching to Toyota in 2008, you don't have to worry about their organization. They will do fine. And don't be surprised if you don't see a Toyota in victory lane at Daytona in February. And don't be surprised if it is a Gibbs car.
Much has been made about the run in Kyle Petty and Denny Hamlin had in the garage last week at Dover. The wreck between Tony and Denny at Daytona. The previous run ins that Tony Stewart has had with Kyle Busch.
So it got me to thinking. Life at Gibbs Racing certainly is going to be interesting next year.
Think about it. You have Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. All three are very talented drivers, with egos and tempers to go along. All three know that they have talent and have proven it through wins. And for Stewart two championships. All three have qualified for the Chase this year. And all three have a chance of taking home the championship this year.
But the thing all three of these drivers have in common is they are highly competitive, hostile and aggressive. But they can be fun loving and relaxed away from the track. So I guess they are the type AB personality. But I digress.
Can you imagine the first Tuesday morning after the 2008 Daytona 500? Tony Stewart has won the 500. Denny Hamlin running second on the last lap is wrecked when he runs into the back of Kyle Petty, again. And in doing so Kyle Busch who is running 5th gets caught up in the wreck. Denny finishes 38th and Kyle B. finishes 39th.
Tony Stewart is sitting on top of the world. He is happy. But his two teammates are anything but happy.
All three are sitting around the table in the conference room, awaiting their respective crew chiefs, J.D., Jimmy Makar and a Toyota representative is in-house for the meeting.
Tony, grinning from ear to ear, "I finally did it. I got my 500 trophy."
Denny, still fuming from the wreck, "Yeah, well, you would not have won that race if that old #### Kyle Petty would not have been taking up room on the track. I would have passed you on that last lap!"
Tony, still grinning, "Well then I guess I will have to donate another $1 million to VJC in honor of Kyle for keeping you from racing me to the checkers." (laughing)
Denny, getting very upset with Smoke, jumps up from the table, "Well, you just go ahead and give VJC another $1 million. I would not give Kyle Petty $.02 for anything!And when we get to California, I am going to see to it that Kyle...."
Kyle, jumps up, "What are you going to do? You are not going to do anything. You need to have your eyes examined. You have run into the back of Kyle twice. And because of your aggressiveness, I got taken out of the 500. I had a top 5 finish, until you decided that Kyle was in your way."
By this time all three are on their feet. The angry words are coming left and right. And the furor is growing so much inside of that room, that crew members working on the cars below, begin to hear the ruckus that is coming from the conference room, stop working and begin to listen.
All three crew chiefs stand outside of the door. Daring the other one to open it.
Steve: "Go ahead Mike open it."
Mike: "Not me. You do it."
Steve: "Not me. You do it. You have been here longer."
Mike: "Not as long as Zippy. Hey Zippy you open it."
Zippy: "Not me. I have been down this road before. I don't need this on a Tuesday morning."
All three crew chiefs look at each other.
Steve: "Well, somebody needs to open it. Those three will kill each other."
Zippy, a light goes on in his head, "Let Joe and J.D. handle this mess. They are the ones who hired these three. Let them settle it. Let's go get the guys and go get a beer."
Mike: "Sounds like a winning idea to me."
About that time the door opens, "Did someone say go get a beer?" asks Tony. All three crew chiefs look at each other dumbfounded. "Hey guys, let's go Zippy's buying beers for everyone!" Smoke shouts to his two young teammates.
Denny and Kyle join Smoke as they walk down the hallway of Joe Gibbs Racing. Shoulder to shoulder.
Guess a beer among teammates can solve any problem. Even at Gibbs Racing.
Yes, Life at Gibbs Racing is certainly going to be very interesting, especially for the crew chiefs.
(This is a humorous story. It is not meant to be taken literally. No one was hurt in the writting of this story. Except for maybe a few of my brain cells. hahaha)
It is finally official: Joe Gibbs Racing will be racing the Toyota Camry next year.
I think it will be a win-win for both Gibbs and Toyota. But it might not be a success at first, but it will be a success in time.
I really think that Joe Gibbs Racing will be as successful right off the bat as they have been in years past. I even have a dream of Tony taking the Checkered flag at the Daytona 500 in his Toyota Camry next year. (And I did say it was a DREAM! LOL)
If Joe Gibbs Racing were going to have to start from the ground up with a new car, I don't think this move would have happened. But with the implementation of the COT next year full time, I think this will actually help the Gibbs teams and Toyota with their learning curve.
So I really think that Tony, Denny and Kyle will all win races next year for Gibbs and Toyota. And I would not be surprised to see all three of them contending for the Championship next year in the Chase.
Okay, now I want to hear what you think of this move: Good? Bad? Stupid? Genuis?
Well, it appears that J.D. Gibbs will have his hands full with another driver speaking too much to the media.
First J.D. has to deal with a very outspoken Tony Stewart for the past eight years. This year Denny Hamlin showed his ability to very talkative to the media also, when he feels like getting things off of his chest. And now, newly signed Kyle Busch has shown his ability to let the tongue wag when a reporter is in front of him. Hmmmm...is this what makes Gibbs racing so great: Drivers who talk too much? lol
The worst kept secret has been confirmed not by anyone currently on the roster at Gibbs Racing, but by the guy who will join the roster next year. Kyle has let it be known that Gibbs has signed with Toyota. And the way that Kyle sounds, he is thrilled.
Now on Wednesday when Gibbs goes to announce that they have signed with Toyota it will be old news.
But the big question still seems to be why?
Well, here is my take on this. When Gibbs was under the manufacture flag of Pontiac, they were the top tier team. They received alot of financial support as well as technology support from Pontiac. But when GM decided to phase out the Pontiac brand, Gibbs switched to GM's other brand Chevrolet.
But by doing so, Gibbs lost their top tier spot in the manufacture lineup. At best Gibbs was fourth in line, behind Hendricks, Childress, and DEI.
So Gibbs apparently was not getting the financial and tech support like Hendricks, Childress and DEI from GM. Or else this move might not have happened.
But two things happened to put this move into play: NASCAR's decision to run the COT full time next year and Gibbs contract with GM running out this year.
By NASCAR moving up running the COT full time next year, this gave Gibbs the real option to look at Toyota and really consider their proposal.
There are those who say that Gibbs will falter with the Toyota. I disagree. Not because Gibbs has the greatest driver undercontract and two very fine young stars under contract, but because of the COT.
The COT's bodies are all the same. The only difference is the engines and the air flow vents in the nose. Other than that there is no difference from a Toyota to a Chevy to a Ford to a Dodge.
And Joe Gibbs has an advantage in the engine department that Toyota doesn't currently have: Mark Cronquist. Mark is one of the best engine builders in NASCAR today. And his engines are not known for blowing up too often. And with his expertise and Toyota's technology support and money, the Toyota engines will be one of the best in Cup if not the best.
So I really don't see any disadvantage in Gibbs moving to Toyota now. This will put them back as the top tier team, under a manufacture flag and it will give Chevy some real competition again.
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. 
