Well Joe Gibbs Racing is sure off to a fantastic start this year! No one thought they would with the switch to Toyota. I wasn't real happy with that decision (been a fan since the start when they drove pontiacs) but I can understand. They were always the number 3 chevy team behind Hendrick and Childress and they couldn't affect change (the tail wagging the dog). Now they are the premier toyota team and when they speak toyota listens. There really isn't any differance now with the COT they all have to fit the same template and the only differance is the grill and decals.
Hiring Kyle Bush was a great decision and a great fit for the team. Tony, Denny and Kyle have very simular styles and abilities. They all are out to lead and win the race. Not like some of the millionare field fillers out there on the track who are content to run in the rear every week and collect their check and go home. I'm sure that is why JJ Yeley was replaced when Kyle was let go from Hendrick and became available. Wonder if Rick has had any second thoughts about hiring Dale Jr and firing Kyle? But Jr does fit the Hendrick team well. We will see who wins the next championship first JGR or Hendrick.
elad...good to see a nice, rational,race blog. I don't know if JGR was the #3 Chevy team though. They've won a lot more races and championships in the last 10 years than RCR has. Even though only one of their 3 championships was in a Chevy. That's still more than RCR over the last decade.
Also,when JGR started, with Dale Jarrett driving, they were in Chevys until Bobby Labonte replaced DJ.
yeah, a top quality car in toyota, 1st class leadership and financing in JGR, and with all the talent that kyle has, seems like he should be able to win the championship no problem....to bad his imaturity will blow it for them. His driving matches his imature personality. Lets all just hope that JGR has enough patience, and resources to hold out until Kyle matures (if he ever does) because its gonna be costly.
HMS2488 cant handle the truth.. The Shrub is the worse thing Rick Hendrick ever gave up.. lol...Yes JGR is the team to beat at the present...Its been fun to watch.. I hope Kyle and Jr. race a few more times for a win.. Not ending in a wreck would be nice though. Would like to see Smoke back in victory lane before he leaves Gibbs...
Yes I still have my Tony gear, 05 championship car and his original pontiac. I for one don't think Tony is going to leave JGR. It is a good bargaining chip and he may want to own his own race team someday, but that is very hard to do and drive at the same time. Just ask Michael Waltrip and Robbie Gordan. I still belive he wants to retire from JGR, probably after the next contract. He is starting this race season in better shape than prior years and it isn't even hot out yet.
Hmmm....I seem to remember JGR winning a championship back in '02 with a somewhat immature hot headed and outspoken personality type. I think his name was Tony something....seems like they've been there done that to me, I dont think Kyle's going to prove too much of an issue for that team. Practice makes perfect and all that!
So right Sweetkena, won't be a problem for Coach Gibbs. He knows how to pick them, train them and will work with them and ultimatly win championships with them. Even if he has to take them to the woodshed to get his point across. (Like Tony & Denny last year).
well, I'm new to this, but pretty easy to see that Hendricks must be chewin' his bottom lip over letting Kyle go...I'm thinking he woulda/shoulda/coulda given a bit more to the Wild Thing...JGR's gotta be loving this! The kid has talent..wild?..yep..but he sure has somethin' - because I'm not seein' anyone else catching him, even his own team-mates.
Just for the record, I'm a Tony fan (ducking the tomatoes and other veggies), but JGR scored BIG in signing Kyle.
I have to say that I hope this year isn't as "carved outta cream cheese" as last year...it was just plain boring.
HMS2488, Thanks for your comments, all are appreciated. Not saying Kyle will win the championship this year way to early for that!
I'm sure JGR has the patience, resources and the leadership to see Kyle through his formitive years like they did with Tony. He is still a kid with a lot of raw talent and he is starting to mature. The rest we will have to wait and see, time will tell.
I would love for Tony to win another, he actually has a better start this year than in the past and all of his fans know he doesn't get hot until Juneth. 8-)
I do belive Jr is a better fit for HMS than Kyle was so good luck to your guys [but too much] 8-).
Keep the rubber side down and let's go racin boys!
When Pontiac pulled out of the sport, Gibbs lost that place of being top dog. And they liked that position.
Unfortunately Chevy, did not have room for them at the top. But Toyota did. And they have been very successful together. I must say I am not surprised by the way Gibbs is running. I told others that this was not going to be a big change for Gibbs.
The COT made is a much easier transistion. If they had to build the old car then Gibbs probably would not be having as much success as fast.
But I will admit the one surprise to me is how Kyle Busch and his crew have bonded together so fast. Guess I should not be, since Gibbs has a history of putting top drivers with top Crew chiefs together. Jimmy Makar and Bobby Labonte. Greg Zipadelli and Tony Stewart. Mike Ford and Denny Hamlin.
Thanks for the visit Tsfanpc, Liked your comments about pontiac pulling out and JGR losing their top dog position.
Coach Gibbs really does have a talent for creating good matchups with his teams doesn't he. Not like some others who just seem to change crew chiefs just to shake things up. Tony looked great late yesterday until he lost the tire with 3 to go. It's time for him to start getting hot - GO SMOKE!
elad I am ready for him to get hot too. It is time for him to get back into VL. I sure was disappointed when he blew that tire last night. Not as disappointed as him I am sure.
I am a male who is a life long Ohio State football fan. (GO BUCKS) and a NASCAR fan. I like the Cleveland Browns so I know the agony of defeat but they are still my boys. A huge JGR fan going back to Bobby Labonte - 18 Interstate Batteries, Tony Stewart - 20 Home Depot, Denny Hamlin - 11 FedEx and now Kyle Bush - 18 M&Ms.
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I am getting older and I guess more opinionated too. But I am always willing to listen to others ideas and hear other opinions. Promise I will not personally attack, berate or hate because of differing opinions even if you are wrong. 8-) We can always agree to disagree without making it personal.
