Janet Guthrie was born March 7, 1938 in Iowa City, Iowa. Ms. Guthrie always had a need for speed. The faster the better.
At the age of seventeen she actually had a license to fly airplanes. She went to the University of Michigan, where she studied physics.
Ms. Guthrie was so accomplished in physics and such a well prepared aviation engineer that she passed the first found of eliminations for NASA's Scientist/Astronaut progam. She worked for Republic Aviation during her days as an Aviation Engineer.
But Ms. Guthrie wanted a chance to fulfill her need for speed, so she turned more seriously toward racing.
Guthrie had started racing parttime in 1963. After she graduated from the University of Michigan. She was racing full time by 1972.
Ms. Guthrie competed for thirteen years in the Sports Car Club of America division. She also competed in international endurance races such as the Daytona 24 Hour, the Watkins Glen 500 and the Sebring 12 Hour. In the Sebring 12 Hour, she actually was first twice in class. In both the Daytona 24 and the Sebring 12 Ms. Guthrie's teammates were women.
It was in 1976 Ms. Guthrie was invited to drive at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This would be her first big break in auto racing. The team owned by Rolla Vollstedt failed to qualify for Indy that year.
It was also in 1976 that NASCAR came a calling. Bruton Smith trying to sellout the struggling World 600 sent some of his people to get a deal done with Ms. Guthrie. At first it seemed that Ms. Guthrie would not becoming to Charlotte. But in the end, a deal was struck and Ms. Guthrie headed for Charlotte.
Bruton arranged for a car to be bought, through the names of three organizations. Trying to hide the fact that he was the actual car owner.
He arranged for Ralph Moody to be the crew chief and he even got Kelly Girl to sponsor the car. Lynda Ferreri of First Union Bank, was to play the role as car owner.
One story has it, that when Ms. Guthrie first shook hands with Richard Petty, she thought that she would get frostbite. Most of the good ole boys of NASCAR did not want a woman in their racing league.
It was later quoted that Richard Petty said, "'She's no lady. If she was she'd be at home. There's a lot of differences in being a lady and being a woman.'"
There was one owner who did not seemed to be put off by Ms. Guthrie trying her hand at NASCAR. That was Junior Johnson. At this same race, Cale Yarborough, was struggling as was Ms. Guthrie. Johnson told Yarborough's crew chief to give Yarborough's setup to Guthrie's crew chief.
Guthrie would qualify 27th for the World 600.
She finished 15th in that race. Ms. Guthrie went on to compete in four more races that year.
The historical point in this race for women was that Ms. Guthrie became the first woman to every compete on a NASCAR Cup Superspeedway.
In 1977 Guthrie competed in her first Daytona 500. She finished 12th after the engine in her car blew two cylinders with ten laps to go. In this race, she earned the honor of Top Rookie. Guthrie would compete in 33 races over four seasons. Her best finish in Cup racing as a sixth place finish.
1977 was a historical year for women. In that this was the first time a woman had qualified and competed in both the Indy 500 and the Daytona 500 in the same year.
Guthrie finished 29th in the Indy 500, once again, engine problems would keep her from having a top 10 finish in one of the two biggest races in auto racing.
Guthrie would go on and compete in two more Indy 500s. Her best finish came in 1978 when she finished 9th. Guthrie competed in 11 IndyCar events finishing as high as fifth.
Guthrie's helmet and race suit can be found in the Smithsonian Institution.
Guthrie's Awards: 1980 International Women's Sports Hall of Fame 2006 International Motorsports Hall of Fame
Guess the quote best summons up not only Ms. Guthrie's experience in NASCAR, but of most women's experience in racing in general:
"There has been a big change in reaction to me. The hostility has cooled down quite a bit. I think the worst is over. The initial reaction to me was one of a lack of respect. What you really need is endurance. And some tests show women have more endurance than men. But that is not the point. I'm not trying to establish the superiority of one sex over another. I'm good driver but no superwoman. What I'm trying to emphasize is that a driver is primarily a person, not a man or a woman, and a great deal or driving is mental. You can not afford to get angry behind the wheel. A good driver needs emotional detachment, concentration , good judgment, and desire."--Guthrie on the subject of women competing in NASCAR
Ethel Mobley was born Ethel Flock on March 8, 1920 in Fort Payne, Alabama. She was a part of the Famous Flock Family of NASCAR. Her father named her Ethel after the gasoline he used in his taxi.
Ethel's brothers Tim, Fonty and Bob Flock are all NASCAR pioneers. Ethel married Charley Mobley, who fielded her brother Tim's car in the NASCAR modified series.
Ethel was tied with Louisa Smith as the second woman in NASCAR. Ethel first competed in NASCAR in what is now the Cup series, on the beach of Daytona.
It was here on the beach of Daytona that Ethel would compete against her brothers. The event was held on July 10, 1949. It was the first feature race to ever have a brother and sister compete against each other. And the only NASCAR feature event to have four siblings competing against each other.
Ethel finished 11th that day on the beach. Out racing two of her brothers, Fonty and Bob. Tim finished the race in second place. The only other start for Ethel in a NASCAR top level race was at Langley Speedway where she finished 44th.
Even though Ethel did not participate in more than two of NASCAR's top level races. She raced in more than 100 races. Mostly at the new Atlanta Speedway built in 1948 by Bob Flock. She drove a modify car owned by her brother Fonty.
Ethel Flock Mobley died on June 26, 1984 at the age of 64.
Louisa Smith was born on July 31, 1916 in Barnesville, Georgia. But she lived most of her life in Greenville, S.C. She was married to the late Noah Smith, who did not approve of his wife's job. They never had any children together.
Louisa was tied with Ethel Mobley as the second woman to ever race in NASCAR at its top level. Louisa had the nickname. "Good ole Gal." But Louisa would become known to those in the sport as "the first lady of racing."
Louisa was what they called a barnstormer who ran races for $100 to $150 in first prizes and some extra appearance money. She mixed with such legends as Curtis Turner, Ralph Earnhardt, Bill Snowden, Buddy Shuman and Buck Baker.
In 1947, Louisa Smith went to Daytona Beach, to watch the race on the beach. She drove there in her husband, Noah's new Ford Coupe. Not happy to just sit and watch the race, Louisa decided to join in the race. So she entered her husband's new car into the race. But the results were not what she had hoped for. Louisa rolled the new car. On the bus ride home, Louisa created a story to tell Noah about how the car had broken down. But little did she know that the news would beat her home.
Before Louisa could return home, the news of her wreck had made the front page of her hometown paper. When she got home, Noah asked her, "Where's the car, Louisa?" Her reply, "That ol' trap broke down in Augusta (GA)." Noah showed hre the newspaper. There on the front page was the wrecked car.
Now Bill France Sr. realized that he had something special in Louisa. So against the objections of her husband, Louisa became a regular on the NASCAR circuit. She would travel to Canada the northeast of the United States. In hopes that she could draw attention to the young stock car organization.
Louisa raced from 1949 to 1956. During that time she won 38 races. In formats such as the late models, modifieds where she had 28 victories, midgets and sportsman. She never won any in NASCAR. Her best finish was in a NASCAR race was 16th in 1949 at Langhorne, Pa. Over three years she ran 11 Cup races. Her last Cup race was in 1952 at Morristown Speedway.
She retired from racing in 1956. Even though she stepped out of the car, she never left the sport that she loved. She became very involved in helping to promote the local tracks and sponsoring cars.
She was very active at the track in Darlington, S.C. It was here that she was the grand patron. She resigned from this postion in 1989 after serving more than a decade.
Louisa returned to competition in 1971 as a car owner for numerous drivers. She sponsored Ronnie Thomas at his attempt fro Rookie of the Year in 1978.
Louisa Smith died of cancer on March 4, 2006. She was 89 years old.
Awards for Louisa: 1999 Inductee in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame Member of the Living Legends Racing Club in Daytona Beach Member of The Old Timer's Racing Club in Archdale, North Carolina Member of the Georgia Automobile Racing Hall of Fame.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
Growing up in Indiana, Tony Stewart had one dream, to win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Tony had gone to the Speedway as a youngster with his dad. And he dreamed of the day in which he could on that track race in open wheel.
Well, he full filled part of that wish when he got his first start there in 1996 in an Indy Racing League Car. But the rest of that wish to win there alluded him through his Indy Days.
Even after he, did the double duty in 1999 and 2001 it still alluded him. It would take him until 2005, 9 years after his first start at this historical track, before he would finally win there.
Not in a Indy Car, but in a stock car. Tony Stewart said, "That if I died right now, I would die a happy man." After winning the Allstate 400 in 2005.
Well, I guess Mr. Stewart is happy that he didn't die that day. Because today, he added another Brickyard trophy to his trophy room.
This makes Tony Stewart the third guy to win a repeat Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The other two drivers Jeff Gordon (4) and Dale Jarrett (2).
So Tony enjoy this win! Just remember the last time you won at the Brickyard you won that championship. And since 1999 only one guy has won the championship without winning the Brickyard. And that fellow was, Tony Stewart!
It might have taken a talk from the coach to get your butt in gear, but once you did, you have proven why you are the best in the business today!
First off, let me say Congratulations to Jamie McMurray and the 26 team for their first win of the season. Jamie you have worked hard to get this win and I could not be happier for you.
Now on to the real reason behind this blog. The Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart wreck on lap 14 of the Pepsi 400.
I have read where people are blaming Tony for the wreck. I have read where they say that there is a rivalry between Tony and Denny. That there is problems in the Gibbs organization. I even read where someone made the comment that Tony was only biding his time until Gibbs goes to Toyota and he leaves.
People get a life. There is no trouble in the Gibbs organization concerning Tony and Denny. Or any other driver. There is no rivalry between Tony and Denny. And Tony is not leaving Gibbs organization.
Where else would he go and get the kind of space that he gets to say what he wants? Certainly not at Hendricks. Or DEI. Or Roush. And certainly not Penske. Maybe Ganassi, but even that might be pushing it.
Tony Stewart knows that he has a great ride going at Gibbs and he is not going to leave it.
As far as the wreck between these two on Saturday, it looked pretty simple to me. Denny didn't enter into the corner as well as he had previously and Tony was closing faster than probably before because of the draft.
Tony got into the back of Denny and got him lose. And Tony went high to miss him, and Denny came back up the track. Plain and simple it was RACING.
Now should Tony have said what he did about Denny on camera. No. I think that Tony should have kept that opinion to himself. He was wrong to speak to the media before he cooled down and talked to his teammate.
Yes I said Tony was wrong.
Now saying that, those who are trying to create problems within this organization is wrong too. Just as Tony was wrong for speaking to the media, so is anyone who is trying to exploit this situation.
It was two teammates who were racing together. And one entered a corner wrong and the other one got into him. Causing them both to wreck. It is not something that happens often, but it does happen.
Folks it is called Racing. There are no team orders at Gibbs. They allow their drivers to go out there and race each other as hard as they want to. And I am sure that once Tony and Denny both saw the replay of the incident, both made apologies. Especially Tony.
Tony is man enough to say when he is wrong. And I am sure that he regrets ever saying anything about Denny to the media.
Tony should have done what Aric Almirola did at Nashville. Just walk away. But let's face it, that is not Tony Stewart.
If he walks away and doesn't talk to the media, he is a jerk. If he talks to the media, he is a jerk. So the man can't win.
But this time he didn't win any points with me. I am the first one to defend Smoke and I am going to be one of the first ones to say when he has disappointed me. And Saturday night he did just that, he disappointed me. But am I going to throw the man under the bus because of it? No. Because this is vintage Tony. Speak and then think.
Tony has said it himself, "I am my own worst enemy!" And Saturday night he was his, Gibbs Racing and Denny's own worst enemy.
This Wednesday, July 4, 2007 marks the 231st year that the Declaration of Independence was formally endorsed by the first Congress. The actual signing of the document did not occur until August 2, but it is July 4th that marks the beginning of the United States of America.
Our forefathers had been at war with Great Britain since April 18, 1775, the night that General Gage (Massachusetts Governor) ordered 700 British soldiers to Concord to destory the colonists' weapons depot.
That same night, Paul Revere and William Dawes are sent from Boston to warn colonists. Revere reaches Lexington about midnight and warns Sam Adams and John Hancock who are hiding out there.
At dawn on April 19 about 70 armed Massachusetts militiamen stand face to face on Lexington Green with the British advance guard. An unordered 'shot heard about the world' begins the American Revolution.
Now here we are 231 years later and we are embrawled in another war. This time not with a particular country but an ideology: Radical Islam.
Our forefathers were fighting for their freedom from a tyranny government. Now our soldiers are fighting to keep our freedom from terrorists groups of an ideology.
I am sure that 231 years ago the militiamen who fought on the front lines of the American Revolution never ever dreamed that our country would still be fighting to keep us free. But yet here we are. There are those in the Radical Muslim community, that would love to see our country fall.
They hate what we stand for. They hate the freedom that we enjoy here. They don't understand the sacrifices that our forefathers had to endure so that we could become a country.
Why? Because they do not belong to one country. Standing up for an ideology cannot mean the same as standing up for a country. People can easily shift from one ideology to another. But it not that easy to wipe away your nationality. But that is what the Radical Muslims have done. They have pledge their allegance to an ideology and have turned their back on their home country.
This ideology has infiltrated our country. But thank God there are those who still believe in what our forefathers believed and what they wrote in the Declaration of Independence.
In Congress, July 4, 1776,
THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That, to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed. That, whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such Principles and organizing its Powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and, accordingly, all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But, when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world...
Our soldiers are fighting for these very words. They are fighting to keep our alienable rights as citizens of the United States of America. We don't all agree on everything. And we don't all believe the same way. But the one thing we all have in common is the fact that we are citizens of the Greatest Country in the world. We are all citizens of the United States of America.
We are all proud Americans celebrating the birthday of our great country.
So I hope everyone has a great and safe and Happy 4th of July.
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.
J.D. and Joe Gibbs both have said that they cannot envision a way for Dale Earnhardt Jr. to come to their organization and have Budweiser as his sponsor.
J.D. has also said that Gibbs Racing will not be expanding to four teams next year.
So that being said that means that one of the Gibbs current drivers: Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and J.J. Yeley would have to be let go.
Tony Stewart, 1999 Rookie of the Year and 2 time champion, has a contract with Gibbs until 2009. Plus he is in the premier lead car. So I seriously doubt Smoke would be willing to give up his ride to have Jr. at Gibbs Racing.
Denny Hamlin, 2007 Rookie of the Year, not sure when his contract runs, but it is probably until end 2007. Gibbs is known for signing their drivers to 3 year contracts. He has proven himself a winner by winning 3 times last year (Budweiser Shootout and both Pocono races). Plus was the only contender for Gibbs Racing last year in the Chase for the Championship. So I seriously doubt Gibbs is going to let him go. They very well have already extended his contract for another 3-5 years.
So this brings us to J.J. Yeley. Yeley has not performed the way that the Gibbs teams had hoped. Last Yeley was more likely to wreck than finish. But this year, he has finished in the top 25 in all but two races. A 36th at Bristol and a 43rd at Texas.
With his best finish coming Sunday in the Coca-Cola 600 a 2nd. If there would been just one more lap to the Coke 600, it might would have been J.J. Yeley celebrating in Victory Lane instead of Casey Mears. But would've, could've doesn't win races.
But with finishes like this, Yeley might have finally proven that he deserves to stay at Gibbs Racing. If Yeley continues to perform at this level, he very well might finish in the top 15 in points this year. And J.D. Gibbs who has said, “We went to J.J. and said no matter what happens, if we go out there and we run well together, you’re here forever."
So is J.J. racing to keep his job? Yes, and with finishes like this he isn't going to go anywhere. The Gibbs organization is extremely loyal to their drivers. If this wasn't so, a certain driver by the name of Tony Stewart would not be their top star right now. He would have long been gone from Gibbs.
But Joe Gibbs and J.D. Gibbs believe in their drivers and if that loyalty is returned by top runs, they will resign you for as long as you want to be in Cup racing.
So if Yeley keeps his job, where will Jr. go? It doesn't look like it will be Gibbs Racing.
Congratulations J.J. Yeley on a super job Sunday night. Keep this up and you will be finding yourself in the winner's circle very soon.
Today as we go about our cookouts and celebrations, take a moment and think about those who have given so much for our freedom.
These are the men and women who have fought so bravely on the front lines for our country for 231 years. Many gave their lives for our freedoms. More of them lived with the scares and injuries of the war that they fought in.
They are True Heroes. They gave us their time and their lives so that we could live in a land of freedom.
Also, while you are remembering them, remember their families. Because of the love and support of their families they are able to do their jobs and do their jobs very well.
Thank you to all our men and women and their families. Thank you for your sacrifice.
We will always remember, so we will always be free. Thank you!!!
