|| *Comments on the 2009 Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500:* View the most recent comment <#84> | Post a comment <#post> 1. RR posted: 11.15.2009 - 8:20 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Turn out the lights the party's over they say that all good things must end Let's call it a night the party's over and tomorrow starts the same old thing again What a crazy crazy party never seen so many people Laughin' dancin' look at you you're havin' fun But look at me I'm almost cryin' but that don't keep your love from dyin' Misery cause for me the party's over Turn out the lights... Once I had a love undyin' I didn't keep it, wasn't tryin' Life for me was just one party and then another Broke her heart so many times had to have my party wine But one night she said sweetheart the party's over Turn out the lights... 2. petty43 posted: 11.15.2009 - 8:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) congrats to rick hendrick, one way or another he has clinched his ninth cup as an owner. 3. 18fan posted: 11.15.2009 - 8:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) NASCAR is becoming too predictable. Great run for Jeff Burton. All drivers except Gordon and Martin are eliminated, and Gordon will be eliminated when Jimmie starts at Homestead. If there was no Chase, Johnson would lead Stewart by eight points and it would be a great title fight, but no. 4. Bronco posted: 11.15.2009 - 8:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Third straight win for Johnson in the November Phoenix race and his most dominating win yet. And once again, the points battle is a hell of a lot better with the old points system than the cha$e. What a damn joke. Dale Jr lost it and triggered a big wreck and has 8 non lead lap finishes in the past 9 races. This season can't end soon enough. Nice to see Hamlin get a third, hopefully he will win here soon. Even better to see BB get involved in both wrecks for the 2nd week in a row. For the record, Stremme finished top 20 at both Texas and Phoenix in the spring. Martin Truex gets his third pole of the year and first top 5 since Watkins Glen last year. Final race for Jim Beam as a sponsor as well. 5. Neal posted: 11.15.2009 - 9:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Another boring Chase race. I think Phoenix, Fontana, and Homestead all need to be taken out of the chase. 6. Kit posted: 11.15.2009 - 9:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Dale Jr lost it and triggered a big wreck and has 8 non lead lap finishes in the past 9 races. This season can't end soon enough." He will be doing the same thing next season unless he changes his attitude entirely. 7. CFob posted: 11.15.2009 - 10:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Denny Hamlin doesn't win a race and for once doesn't throw his crew under the bus. Keselowski caught in someone elses wreck again. Probably somehow his fault anyway ;) 8. Zed 3_88fan4eva posted: 11.15.2009 - 10:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I know what happen last time we all said this but....Its over and it sucks that Mark will finish 2nd, yet again. Theres always 2010 for Mark and I think he could be even better than this year Another dissapointing day for Jr. But look up Jr., your worst season is almost over. Im excited for Jeff Burton thou heading into 2010 as he posts his best finish since I believe his win at Charlotte last October. And I think he may be a title contender in 2010 Also Bobby Labonte looked like he had another top 15 run going till he got caught up in that first wreck. But all in all an ok race but it definatley was kinda off for a Phoenix race....even sitting in the stands. Oh and Neal, at least we can fill our stands up and then some 9. b4il3y posted: 11.15.2009 - 10:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I hate to say this guys..Dale Jr. is burned out. I'm not sure what has caused it, but he's not racing like he wants to be in that race car. His dad could take these bad cars and at the very least have 2 win, 8-10 top 5's for the season..but that's cause his dad was a better driver. I know Jr. has talent, but his drive is gone. He honestly needs to take some time off, and see if something can give him some desire...but w/all his money, Whiskey River, flirting with Danica, running his Busch team...he's spent. Brad K. may not have all the talent, but he isn't afraid and has desire and ambition. He drives like...dare I say it before the crowd comes w/pitchforks...a young Dale E. who was still learning how to drive but was not afraid to mix it up. 10. Neal posted: 11.15.2009 - 10:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Zed 3_88fan4eva - New Hampshire fills their stands, too, and Loudon's a boring track. Let the open-wheel guys have the flat tracks like Phoenix, Fontana, and Michigan. They produce shitty stock car races. 11. RR posted: 11.15.2009 - 11:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I didn't think the race itself was THAT bad. While Johnson was pretty much unchallenged, there was a few good battles throughout the field. Burton put on a good show; it was interesting to watch him slice through the field. I like seeing how cars change over the course of a green-flag run. 12. Anonymous posted: 11.15.2009 - 11:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Johnson basically won the cup title today. Great run by Jeff Burton. Jimmie has lead the most laps in a season since Jeff Gordon lead 2,320 laps in 2001. I think Jimmie will win another title next year. The only way this will change is a driver stepping up and being very close to Jimmie after Phoenix or Nascar change a chase date. Here are my thoughts on the other chase drivers for 2010: Brian Vickers - Will not be in the Chase. Driver isn't a title threat and not having a good teammate is hurting the organization. Carl Edwards - He is good enough to win a championship over Jimmie Johnson, but there is a few problems. Carl will not be in the chase next year, because he is focused on the Nationwide title and there is too many questions with him and Roush. I don't think Edwards is completely healed from his injuries yet. Roush has problems with some types of tracks and that is how you don't win a cup championship. If Carl Misses the chase, the owner needs to force Edward not to race full time in the Nationwide series. Kasey Khane - It will be unlikely for him to make the chase due to the change to ford. I expect Khane to leave Richard Petty Motorsports after next year with him going to Stewart-Hass or Hendrick. Ryan Newman- I don't know if he will be in the chase. He hasn't impressed me in years. The only this he has going for him is a 2nd year with the same crew chief. Ryan isn't championship material. Denny Hamlin - He will be in the chase next year. He isn't a championship threat because of his immaturity and recklessness. Denny also needs to win at cookie cutter tracks. He never had a cookie cutter track win in his cup career. He should be the last one to talk about Brad about being recklessness on the track. Greg Biffle - He is going to be in the chase next year. He will not be a threat for the title. Roush is getting weaker as organization on the cup side. Biffle isn't hurt as much as Edwards and Kenseth is in terms of performance. Juan Pablo Montoya - 50/50 chance of making it to the chase. He will be a not be a true threat to Johnson due to the race organization. Next year could the last time he could make it to the chase with his current time. The 1 teams sponsor is ready to leave after the contract is up and I see the organization of having a hard to get a sponsor for a 2nd team. That means Montoya could be racing for a single car team in 2011. Single car teams have problems competing week to week for top 5's. Tony Stewart - I think he will be a bigger threat to Johnson next year, but is a long shot for winning a title of Johnson. Stewart Hass should be stronger next year. I see it as he last time to be a true threat to Jimmie since it appears like Stewart wants Khane and Harvick to be drivers for his team in 2011. I don't think he will get both drivers though. Kurt Busch - Kurt has the talent to outdo Johnson, but he will not be a threat next year besides his maturity. Kurt is good at all types of tracks in the chase, but has big problems. Penske isn't strong enough to win a title and they are not strong year in and year out. Kurt will have a new crew chief next year and usually a new crew chief doesn't win a title. Kurt needs to win more than 2 or 3 times during a season. Jeff Gordon - He will make the chase, but he doesn't have a chance to win the championship over Johnson. Jeff has the following problems - He has the weakest crew chief he ever has had, It seems like he lost the "fire in the belly" to win, and the serious crash he had in 2008 did something to him. I will be stunned if he will race full time after next year. Mark Martin - He will Be Jimmie's biggest threat again next year. His crew chief is getting wiser. The problem is Mark isn't aggressive enough. Mark needs to do well at all chase tracks going into homestead and Jimmie needs a bad race before homestead. Mark has the advantage over Jimmie at homestead. Mark's problem track is dega in the chase. The keys for Mark for winning the chase outside of not having a bad race in the chase is the fillowing: 1.) win as many times before the chase, since Jimmie is a stronger driver in the chase than he is before it. 2.) Mark needs to lead laps in more chase races. 3.) Win more races in the chase. 13. Anonymous posted: 11.15.2009 - 11:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) b4il3y, The problem with Dale Jr. is partly focus, but there is a bigger problem. Dale Jr is burned out because of the media pressure on him as a driver. The media expected him to win a title by now in cup. I don't think Dale can handle the pressure of being the son of a 7 time Nascar champion anymore besides the question of how much of that hunger was gone after 2004 a first place. I agree having a race team, a bar, and being an owner at a couple tracks doesn't help him out any. The talk is Danica is not going to Junior Motorsports right now according to espn and Jayski. The two sides aren't close. Danica isn't an issue for Dale Jr. 14. Dion posted: 11.15.2009 - 11:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Reutty finished 10th, Marcos 11th, and AJ finished 13th...good run for all 3 15. Clayton posted: 11.15.2009 - 11:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ESPN made about every excuse in the book for Jr today and it was sickening to watch and listen too. Everything from a restart being crowded, which the accident occurred 4 laps after a restart, they said air pressures weren't built up, they said that his crew men being in an accident before the race had something to do with it, they said an oil leak got Dale's tires slick and made him spin out....jesh....we wonder where Jr Nation gets it from A little play in a line from Days of Thunder-----"There are 42 other drivers out there who manage to keep the straight on their tires...You don't see Jimmie Johnson getting crowded on a restart and spin out do ya?" No and if he did he would not have a strangle hold on the compition like he does now! Jr is terrible and I can't believe every is still making excuses for this guy. It wasn't a Hendrick mistake today, it wasn't a Lance McGrew mistake, it wasn't a Tony Eury Jr mistake today, it wasn't like Ambrose crowded him. All it was was a guy who pulled the car too low on the apron and spun out causing the whole field to wreck and didn't apoligize for it. Yeah...he's a real role model! 16. Mike posted: 11.15.2009 - 11:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Rick needs to step in and remind Dale Jr that he can get the job done. In 1996-1997 Dale Sr began to doubt his ability as a driver and Richard had to pull him aside and tell Dale he can still win and get the job done. Rick needs to pull Dale Jr aside and remind him he can win and give him motivation going into next season. Great runs for Truex and Jeff Burton. 17. Clayton posted: 11.16.2009 - 12:32 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) maybe instead of the CMA's on Wednesday Earnhardt should have been figuring out how to come off the corner at Phoenix a little better! 18. John Royal posted: 11.16.2009 - 2:19 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) We who weren't there at the track saw nothing but Jimmie Johnson driving at the front. The race coverage was full of crap. It is not NEWS that Johnson is leading a race, I would have liked to see competition throughout the whole field. I can't wait for Homestead... Nice run for Rick Wilson. 19. DaleJrFan18 posted: 11.16.2009 - 7:47 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Seriously, I'm sick of this.... That is all... 20. DaleSrFanForever posted: 11.16.2009 - 12:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Even better to see BB get involved in both wrecks for the 2nd week in a row. For the record, Stremme finished top 20 at both Texas and Phoenix in the spring." And for the record Kes has a lot of NWide wins (in inferior equipment) and a Sprint Cup win. Stremme doesn't have shit. Well, this season is pretty much over. Thank God. This offseason cannot last long enough. Congrats to Jimme and the #48 team. I have never seen a team that just cannot be challenged like this one. Even Sideways Sam wrecking JJ on Lap 3 in Texas couldn't make this cha$e exciting. And this year will join 2006 and 2008 as years that would have actually been closer in the points race were it not for the cha$e. 3 of the 6 cha$e's actually hurt the entertainment value. Good going Brian France. He cares so much about this sport he even talked to Brad Keselowski himself about the way he is making races more exciting to watch. Can't have that!! And I thought the COT was supposed to level the competition. It, like the cha$e, has done the opposite. I guess that's what happens when you have a bunch of idiots who think they know everything running the show. Oh well, the season is almost over and we can forget about it for a few months anyways, and now we can discuss real topics: What the hell was Belichick thinking? 21. Neal posted: 11.16.2009 - 12:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DSFF - Unfortunately money rules no matter what. The more you have of it, the more likely you are to be successful. The only way NASCAR will ever eliminate the money advantage is to become like IROC - i.e. you buy a kit car directly from NASCAR. Wanna see how well that works? Look at the IRL. 22. Anonymous posted: 11.16.2009 - 1:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The problem with Dale Jr right now could correct based on what Matt McLaughlin typed and I think there is some truth to the National Enquirer article in this case. This what Matt McLaughlin of frontstrech typed: The National Enquirer ran an article earlier this week claiming Dale Earnhardt, Jr.â??s drinking is out of control, heâ??s approaching a nervous breakdown, and he shows up race mornings morose and resigned instead of eager and enthused. 23. Anonymous posted: 11.16.2009 - 1:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The proof of Matt McLaughlin typing this is found at http://www.frontstretch.com/mmclaughlin/28240/ . If the National Enquirer has truth to it, Dale Jr's problem is worse than focus at this point. Nascar has a popular driver that have a drinking problem and possibly depression at this point. If Dale Jr. has a drinking problem, he is not the first driver to have one. Mark Martin had a drinking problem back in the 1980's and Al Unser Jr. has a long time battle with alcohol. 24. Willy on Wheels posted: 11.16.2009 - 3:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Just give him the trophy 25. Cooper posted: 11.16.2009 - 4:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I don't like Rick Hendrick I don't like Chad Knaus I don't like Jimmie Johnson But they are one heck of a team, and I got to give credit where credit is due. It may be really bad for the sport, but we are witnessing history. Never has this ever happened. 4 in a row... is just crazy. Unless somebody sabotages jimmie's race car... Congrats Jimmie 26. Talon64 posted: 11.16.2009 - 4:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jimmie's 47th career win has him just 1 back of Herb Thomas for 12th all time and 3 back of Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson for 10th. It's his 4th win at Phoenix, most of any driver, and 20th win at tracks a mile or shorter. Jeff Burton's 2nd was his 3rd straight top ten, his longest streak since 6 straight in 2008 from the 2nd Richmond race up until the 5th race of the Chase. Denny Hamlin just needs a top 10 at Homestead to get to 20 for the season which would tie his career high set in his rookie year. And despite all of his troubles in the Chase he's only 67 points behind Tony Stewart for 5th in the standings. Martin Truex Jr. got his first top five in the last 49 races. Kurt Busch has 20 top tens in a season for the 3rd time in his career, the first since 2004 when he won the championship. Bowyer, Burton and Harvick all have 4 top fives each this year for all of RCR's 12. The top 3 in points, Johnson, Mark and Gordon, have 16, 15 and 14 top fives each. This was only Montoya's 2nd top ten in the last 5 races after starting the Chase with 4 straight top fives. This was Jeff Gordon's 360th career top ten. Sam Hornish Jr. had his first top 20 finish in the last 4 races. Or first top 30 finish for that matter. 27. DaleSrFanForever posted: 11.16.2009 - 6:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Here is my early prediction of the 2010 cha$e starting with those who were in this year but will be out next year: Brian Vickers: His flop in this year's cha$e makes previous cha$e flops by Jeremy Mayfield, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin seem mild. They aren't even fast anymore. They have been caught in a lot of stuff that wasn't their doing, but it is because they are so far back in the field where that kind of stuff happens. Even tracks that are normally their strong suit like Charlotte, Cali, Kansas, and Texas, they have been nowhere to be seen. They would need to regain a LOT of momentum to make another run into the cha$e next year, and I don't think they have it in them. Especially when you consider Red Bull will once again have just two cars, one of which being driven by Scott Slow. Juan Montoya: His cha$e has been impressive speed wise, but we have to remember he drives for EGR. Like Vickers, he will be on just a two car team next year, and best case scenario Jamie McMurray is his teammate. Although McMurray >>>>>> Scott Slow, he still doesn't bring a whole lot to the table. Plus when you consider just how crappy the brain trust is over there, I don't see them making a huge jump. Considering that Roush and RCR will probably be back to life next year, it doesn't look good for JPM. Ryan Newman: SHR as a whole seems to be slipping as even Tony has had some bad runs lately. Newman hasn't really been a front runner this year, and seems to be falling even further back as the year progresses. They are going the wrong way at a time when they need to be building some momentum. Plus he only has one win in the last 4 years. His confidence has to be shaken a bit. Kurt Busch: He hasn't been able to put two good seasons in row together since he joined Penske. He will have a new crew chief which he will have to get adjusted to, and the crew chief will have to adjust to his constant bashing of the organization and their cars. Throw in the fact that, like his brother, he is bound to throw away a few top 10s every year by crashing into something cause he is pissed off, I see him barely missing the cutoff. 28. DaleSrFanForever posted: 11.16.2009 - 6:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And now those out that I think will be in: Matt Kenseth: Roush, as an organization, will bounce back. Add that to Matt's ability to grind out finishes, and he'll be back. Kyle Busch: It will be up and down again next year, but he'll have a few less downs (unfortunately). With his talent and JGR's really fast cars, he'll be in the Top 12. The fact that they didn't make it this year has to be one of the biggest chokes I've seen in a while. Jeff Burton or Clint Bowyer: One of these will make it, but I can't decide which. RCR is showing signs of life and improvement after a season of pure crap. I don't think RCR can make enough of a jump to get them both in, but I think one will. One MWR car: Another one I can't decide on, but that organization is really showing some speed lately. If they can get a little more consistency, one will make it. Reutimann is the most likely choice, but Ambrose is looking pretty good at all tracks now and I think he'll continue to improve on the ovals, so he could do it. The big question mark is Truex. If him and Pat Tryson can click quickly they could make it. The team has to pumped to have the one of the biggest jokes in NASCAR out of the driver's seat and a real driver in his place. 29. DaleSrFanForever posted: 11.16.2009 - 6:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) As far as the guys in this year who I think will be in next year: Jimmie Johnson: No explanation necessary. Mark Martin: See above Jeff Gordon: He has lost his edge, but still has enough talent and equipment to make the cha$e in his sleep. Tony Stewart: I think he won't be as strong next year, but still good enough to make the Top 12 easily based on talent and equipment. Greg Biffle: It is a little risky to pick Biff to have 3 cha$e seasons in a row, but I think Roush will be better next year. Plus he seems to matured some as a driver. Denny Hamlin: Has the talent and equipment to win it all, but he won't. Unless he can somehow get his head back to where it was in 2006 and add that to the experience he has now. Plus Brad K will be running full time Cup next year which will get into his head. I actually wouldn't be surprised if he misses it, his ego is so bad. But I doubt it. Kasey Kahne: Probably the biggest "if" on this list. Not because of Kasey, but because of GEM/RPM. They rival EGR as the most dysfunctional front office in the sport. And becoming a Roush satellite team doesn't sound very promising. But hopefully Jack will see what Hendrick did with SHR, and try to emulate that with RPM. It won't be great, but I think it will be enough combined with Kasey's talent, experience, and maturity. The ball is in Roush's court on this one. Carl Edwards: If he can make the Top 12 even in a complete dog shit season like this one, surely he can make it again. 30. SoxFan24 posted: 11.16.2009 - 6:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Was it just me but did I hear Tony Stewart say on the radio frequency during the race after the wreck that he was in that "Dale Jr can't drive worth a shit"?? Dale Jr has lost all focus and an earlier post hit it right on the head. Rick Hendrick needs to sit him down this off season and go through every thing that they can for that team to do better. They havent' been competitive at all. They've had flashes of good runs but the excuse of having bad luck isn't really cutting it anymore. Brian Vickers has had a lot of bad luck too but yet nothing is said. I know there are a lot of Vickers haters on this site but the fact is that those two have the same amount of wins since 2006, 2. Vickers team has a weak teammate, they are relatively new in NASCAR and just making the chase being 2 years removed from "go or go home" is outstanding. Jr has Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin as teammates and that team has been around 25 years. Enough with the excuses please. Basically what I'm saying is what do Wally Dallenbach, Ricky Craven, Jerry Nadeau, Casey Mears, Joe Nemechek and Brian Vickers have in common? They have been canned within 3 years of driving for Rick Hendrick. Nadeau, Mears, Nemechek and Vickers each won a race and for the most part got a top 20 in points finish. According to these stats Jr will be canned after the 2010 season but I doubt that will happen. If he was Casey Mears he would have been fired by now. I'm not trying to start a Casey Mears vs Dale Jr debate because well Casey Mears is the epidome of mediocre but since last fall so has Jr. Jr will even be lucky to finish in the top 25 in points this year as Almendinger is one point (25th) behind Jr. (24th) and Elliott Sadler is 35 points back in 26th. 31. SoxFan24 posted: 11.16.2009 - 7:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DaleSrFan, great post and all are valid points about the drivers so allow me if you will to give you my take on this Jimmie Johnson- It's not the top 12 that make the chase, its Jimmie Johnson and whoever is 2-12 Mark Martin - There is no question that he will be in the chase and will be a factor once again Jeff Gordon - I'll have to admit, my guy has lost the fire he once has but when you have 80+ wins, 4 drivers titles, 4 more owners titles and more money than you could ever believe then you might too. He's achieved everything you can think of. I think however now that Jimmie Johnson is closing in on title 4 and he's even spoken that their friendship has taken a hit because of JJ's success I think Gordon may have one title run left in him bad back and all. IF there wasn't a chase this year he'd only be 51 points behind so obviously the man can still get it done. Barring he aggrivates his back worse than what it is I definitely see him in the chase in 2010 Tony Stewart - Tony has had a rough stretch in the chase. To his credit he crashed at Talledega and Phoenix and would be 8 points within the lead if there was no chase. I believe this team will be back once again contending for wins and secure a chase spot Kurt Busch - Kurt has been one of the surprises of 09' as he won twice and was in the top 6 or so in points all year long just about. Kurt is driving for Penske that has two lame duck drivers as teammates and loses Dodge's factory support by the day. Also Pat Tryson up and decides to go to MWR in the middle of the season and leaves the crew in dissaray. Kurt has had a history of having a great season following by a not so great season. Kurt will have a lot to overcome (new crewchief, Dodge,) to make it to the chase but I say he makes it and gets a win or two again Juan Pablo Montoya- Hands down the most improved driver on the circuit but I just dont' see how he will be making the chase again in 2010 being with EGR. I believe he may break through and win in 2010 but miss the chase like Kenseth this year Greg Biffle - I don't questions the Biff's abilities but I question the team around him. Seems like Biffle has lost his greatness on the mile and a halves like he had in 2005 I dont' think Biff makes the chase in 2010. Too many good teams and Biffle's team doesn't have it right now to put a whole race together right now. Ryan Newman - Newman is a victim of not being as aggressive as he should be and thats what's held him back his whole career. It used to be the equipment wouldn't hold up but being with SHR its holding up. Newman however will make the chase because he knows more about that race car than a lot of the other drivers and his chemistry with Tony Gibson shall only get better. Denny Hamlin - If there was a driver bitten with bad luck its Hamlin. I just wish he wouldn't constantly throw his team under the bus like he does. I think he definitely makes the chase because I believe he has the talent and the team behind him to do it without any questions Carl Edwards- What a shitty season he's had. I think Carl hasn't recovered from that broken ankle he suffered playing frisbee and the offseason shall heel that injury. Carl will definitely be in the chase in 2010 because the man can flat out drive but what may hurt him is running the Nationwide full season again. It seems like they are concentrating on that more than the Cup Kasey Kahne - He has flourished in the ever growing cirus that is Evernham/Gillett/Yates/Richard Petty Motorsports. Kasey has obviously been frustrated this year and next year shouldnt' be any better. I just can't see with this team being in dissaray him staying at RPM after 2010. This means he won't make the chase as he prepares with maybe going to Childress and taking Budweiser with him Brian Vickers- Team fell apart during the chase. I dont' see them doing any better in 2010. He'll be on the bubble but won't make it This leads me to who will Kyle Busch - How could he not. A new crew chief may do wonders for Kyle and also not running the full Nationwide Series shall help Clint Bowyer - RCR has been getting better and I have a hunch that he will surprise some people and maybe get a win perhaps Matt Kenseth - Kenseth won the first two races in 09 and none since but its Matt Kenseth and I believe he will bounce back and sneak in 2010 now that he has a new sponsor (Crown Royal) and another year with his crewchief. The final Chase spot may surprise some but I think its going to be Joey Logano. Logano has been getting better on the Cup side and I think if he doesn't worry about running Nationwide will only improve him. Joey gets to work with Zippy again and its the Home Depot 20 car for God Sakes. Joey will get there. People hate on him all the time but for a 19 year old kid he stepped into the mighty Sprint Cup Series and has done okay besides that fluke win. Remember, Logano was nearly outside the top 35 at one point but quietly snuck into the top 20 in points. 32. Talon64 posted: 11.16.2009 - 7:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jr.'s 2008 season was better than any years that the guys listed above had for HMS so hopefully he'll be able to get back to that next year. Just remember that since Rick Hendrick expanded to 4 teams in 2002 he's NEVER had all of them at a high competitive level, he can get 3 of them running great but there's always one that is off. All 4 teams have won in a season before but the best the 4th worst HMS team has ever finished in points is 15th twice by Vickers in 2006 and Mears in 2007, both driving the 25 that turned into the 88. 33. SoxFan24 posted: 11.16.2009 - 7:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Its really tough for me to remember 2008 because of how bad this year was but I don't guess thats really fair either. Hendrick has always had 2 cars and the 3rd not run well or recently 3 and the 4th not run well. But not since Ken Schrader and remember in the early 90's he was a contender have they had a driver the caliber of Jr driving that car. All I'm saying is Jr is going to have to step it up. His fans, sponsors and his future depends on it. Hendrick will move on with or without him. Thats why I didn't include Hendrick in that last statement. I dont' have a problem with Jr. In fact I was excited the day he came to Hendrick, But untill something major is done and I'm not talking about crew chief changes he will remain the most popular 25th place driver in history 34. RR posted: 11.16.2009 - 7:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ah, but Dale Jr. has a much bigger fanbase (and thus makes more money for the team) than any of the names you just mentioned combined. Money's tight right now, even Mark Martin is still looking for some sponsorship. DuPont has decreased its investment in NASCAR, and I wouldn't be shocked if they leave after their contract ends (which I believe is after the 2010 season). If anybody would be allowed to get a 4th years, it's Junior. Basically, Jr. has a completely different set of rules. DSFF, I agree with most of your predictions for 2010. I do think Kahne will have a decent season next year, because I think Ford will provide more technical support for the team than Dodge has in the last few years. Is 2010 a contract year for him? If it is, you bet he try his hardest to impress a big team. I think the same thing applies for Montoya. He'll drive really well, but the team might let him down. He might be driving to impress another team for 2011. Between Burton and Bowyer, I'll take Burton. Burton has been gelling with his new crew chief, and the results are finally coming for the team. Harvick will have lame duck status (apparently), and I don't think he'll be too much of a factor. Bowyer will also be a bit better, but I still think he's borderline for the Chase. I think Burton (and RCR) will be consistent like they were in 2006-7. Speaking of Burton, did anybody besides me really like that paint scheme he drove this week? I really like his regular one, but this one was quite aesthetically pleasing. I liked the dark red numbers with the black in the background. 35. RR posted: 11.16.2009 - 7:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) BTW, my first paragraph was directed towards post #30. 36. Talon64 posted: 11.16.2009 - 7:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I've been impressed by what Clint Bowyer's done this year, if any of the RCR teams were going to struggle it should've been the 33 since they were a brand new team for this year but they've been the best of the bunch even though I thought 15th in points would be where he ended up at the start of the year. How was anyone to know that 15th would turn out to be the best anyone from RCR would do? And isn't this Shane Wilson's first year as a CC in Cup? He was a big part of RCR's Nationwide dominance before JGR took over and considering he's the only RCR CC not to get switched around I think it gives him and Bowyer an advantage going into next year. If anyone from RCR makes it in, it'll be Bowyer but it's possible both Bowyer and Burton get in. 37. Kit posted: 11.16.2009 - 8:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Dale Jr has lost all focus and an earlier post hit it right on the head. Rick Hendrick needs to sit him down this off season and go through every thing that they can for that team to do better. They havent' been competitive at all." This is a 35-year-old man we're talking about, not the quarterback of the JV high school football team. If he needs that much work, can him and put Brad K. in the car. Dale Jr. just needs to grow up. "Is 2010 a contract year for him? If it is, you bet he try his hardest to impress a big team. I think the same thing applies for Montoya. He'll drive really well, but the team might let him down. He might be driving to impress another team for 2011." Kahne doesn't need to try. He's won two races this season with a second-rate team. JPM, on the other hand, choked that many wins away. "What the hell was Belichick thinking?" The Pats are 60% on fourth down conversions. It wasn't really that bad of a call when you consider that they were going up against Manning, in which an extra 30 or 40 yards won't phase him at all. The Pats wanted to keep the ball as long as possible rather than turn it over to Manning. 38. Mike posted: 11.16.2009 - 8:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "This is a 35-year-old man we're talking about, not the quarterback of the JV high school football team. If he needs that much work, can him and put Brad K. in the car. Dale Jr. just needs to grow up." I guess Dale Sr needed to grow up too when Richard had to convince him he can still get the job done? 39. RR posted: 11.16.2009 - 8:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Kahne doesn't need to try. He's won two races this season with a second-rate team. JPM, on the other hand, choked that many wins away" Oh God, here we go again. What the hell does this have to do with anything? Montoya has a higher average finish, has more laps led, and has more top tens. But I don't go around saying that Kahne sucks, because I'm not blantantly biased. JPM has recorded five top 5s and 6 top tens in the Chase. Nobody but you cares about Indy anymore. He's impressed everybody in the garage this year. He'll get a good ride for 2011. 40. Anonymous posted: 11.16.2009 - 10:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I predict the 2010 will have the following drivers in the chase: Jimmie Johnson - He gets in easily. Mark Martin - See Jimmie Johnson Jeff Gordon - He gets in by talent only. He isn't the same driver anymore. Denny Hamlin - Talent is good enough to go into the chase. He never won at a cookie cutter track and that is a problem besides his maturity. He talent to be a Champion, but he can't get his head straight. Tony Stewart - Equipment and talent is good enough to make it into the chase. Montoya - will make it despite the brain trust. I see the team being weaker due to the equipment though. Greg Biffle - Roush has to be stronger next year. They were really off on short tracks and flat tracks. Ryan Newman - He has the equipment and a 2nd year under his belt. I don't a Championship for him. Matt Kenseth - I don't know if he will make it for sure. The equipment is part of Matt's problem this year. Matt is still a very good driver. I don't know if he has the right crew chief. Kyle Busch - Not being a full time Nationwide driver will help him next year. He will get in. JGR is too good right now. He could win a championship if was mature. He isn't yet. I feel sorry for Joey for having Kyle and Denny as teammates. Jeff Burton - RCR is getting stronger. I don't think Jeff can win a title, but could win a race or 2 next year. David Reutimann- He will not be a Champion next year, but MWR is now becoming a pretty good team and I see him making the chase. MWR will be better in 2011 than next year. I think 2011 could the year to see at least 2 MWR cars into the chase. 41. SoxFan24 posted: 11.16.2009 - 11:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "And isn't this Shane Wilson's first year as a CC in Cup? He was a big part of RCR's Nationwide dominance before JGR took over and considering he's the only RCR CC not to get switched around I think it gives him and Bowyer an advantage going into next year. If anyone from RCR makes it in, it'll be Bowyer but it's possible both Bowyer and Burton get in." Yes I believe Shane Wilson is in his first year in cup. Hell the 33 car is a brand new team. Doing what they did this year was impressive 42. Brock Beard posted: 11.16.2009 - 11:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Webmaster: I hate to nitpick, but I think you guys forgot to add the bonus points for Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, and Ryan Newman. Johnson's are there, though. 43. 18fan posted: 11.17.2009 - 12:05 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) SoxFan, Kyle Busch also got canned by Hendrick in his third Cup season. Since 2005, Kyle has 16 wins, while Jr. has three. Kyle had four wins at Hendrick to Jr's one. Something around 2004 has killed Jr's career. He was great in 2003 and 2004. 44. kup posted: 11.17.2009 - 4:25 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Rank Driver Points Diff* 2 Mark Martin 6389 -103* http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2009/data/standings_official.html 2 -- Mark Martin 6384 -108* Diff 45. kup posted: 11.17.2009 - 5:11 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) 3 Jeff Gordon 6328 -164* 3 -- Jeff Gordon 6323 -169* 5 Tony Stewart 6212 -280* 5 -- Tony Stewart 6207 -285* 6 Juan Pablo Montoya 6208 -284* 6 -- Juan Montoya 6203 -289* 7 Greg Biffle 6176 -316* 7 -- Greg Biffle 6171 -321* 8 Denny Hamlin 6145 -347* 8 -- Denny Hamlin 6140 -352* 10 Kasey Kahne 6021 -471 10 -- Kasey Kahne 6016 -476 11 Carl Edwards 5977 -515 11 -- Carl Edwards 5972 -520 12 Brian Vickers 5831 -661 12 -- Brian Vickers 5826 -666 13 Kyle Busch 4315 -2177 13 -- Kyle Busch 4310 -2182 15 Clint Bowyer 4229 -2263 15 -- Clint Bowyer 4224 -2268 16 David Reutimann 4108 -2384 16 -- David Reutimann 4103 -2389 17 Jeff Burton 3852 -2640 17 -- Jeff Burton 3847 -2645 18 Marcos Ambrose 3772 -2720 18 -- Marcos Ambrose 3767 -2725 19 Joey Logano 3705 -2787 19 -- Joey Logano* 3700 -2792 20 Casey Mears 3658 -2834 20 -- Casey Mears 3653 -2839 46. Kit posted: 11.17.2009 - 12:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I guess Dale Sr needed to grow up too when Richard had to convince him he can still get the job done?" Haha, horrible comparison. By then Dale had seven championships. What has Dale Jr. done lately? 47. Kit posted: 11.17.2009 - 1:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Montoya has a higher average finish" Which doesn't mean shit with no wins and no championship. Drivers are not rewarded for higher average finishes by themselves per season. Now, it's an okay stat for careers, but as far as a season goes, in Montoya's case? Doesn't mean shit with no wins and no championship. Put it this way, if Kahne was in the #42 this season, he would have at least two wins and probably another win or two that Montoya choked. "has more laps led, and has more top tens." None of this matters for the season without wins or a championship. "But I don't go around saying that Kahne sucks, because I'm not blantantly biased." You are with Montoya. I'm just pointing out that Kahne has won races in equipment that's no better than what Montoya is driving. Yet I don't see Kahne getting anywhere near as much attention. "JPM has recorded five top 5s and 6 top tens in the Chase. Nobody but you cares about Indy anymore." Nobody but you cares about JPM's top ten finishes in the Chase with Jimmie running away with the championship, JPM not even close, and JPM has no wins. "He's impressed everybody in the garage this year. He'll get a good ride for 2011." There are guys with 10+ wins fighting for good rides in Cup... I can see JPM in a Red Bull car but I dunno about anything else. 48. Kit posted: 11.17.2009 - 1:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That said, JPM's season has been A LOT better than ANY season Michael Waltrip put together in 25 years. 49. Talon64 posted: 11.17.2009 - 1:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) What's the deal with your Kahne vs. Montoya crap? They're both very good drivers and they've both had good seasons, Kahne's won but Montoya's been more consistant and is higher in points so it equals out IMO. If you want to keep going there, then at least Montoya has been closer to winning a championship this year than Kahne ever has in 6 years. And then you bring up Michael Waltrip out of nowhere. Mikey had 2 wins in 2003 so shouldn't that be a better season than Montoya's this year since despite a better average finish, more top tens and a better points position it doesn't matter without WINS or championship? But speaking of which, Homestead will be Mikey's last race as a full time competitor in Cup. He was thinking about doing Nationwide full time but Trevor Bayne's going to drive the 99 full time next year after MWR sold part of the NNS team to Gary Bechtel. 50. Anonymous posted: 11.17.2009 - 1:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kit and RR, You got your Information about Montoya's contract wrong about getting 2010 being a contract year for him. Montoya's contract isn't up until 2011+ according to Jayski. The only way he gets out is early is the sponsor leaves the 42 car and the 1 car has no sponsorship. Other words EGR has to fold for Montoya getting out the contract. According Jayski, The drivers that could be a free agent after the 2010 season according to Jayski: Kyle Busch Jeff Gordon [supposedly 2010, but says he has lieftime deal with Hendrick] Kevin Harvick Jimmie Johnson [but unlikely he would leave Hendrick] Kasey Kahne David Reutimann Elliott Sadler I found it out be http://www.jayski.com/pages/2010teams.htm . 51. Frank posted: 11.17.2009 - 2:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Another classic shit of modern NASCAR. It's strange that they didn't find debris at the end. In such "races" I feel a bit of pain for drivers who involved in wreck after or right at the restart. But probably it will lead them to criticize NA$CAR. Nice to see some beatin'n'bangin between 18 and 24. 52. RR posted: 11.17.2009 - 2:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) My bad. I knew several drivers had contracts that expired in 2010, and I thought that I read where Montoya was one of them. I'd assume he would have loyalty to Ganassi, but the future of that team is questionable at best. Besides, it's not impossible to get out of a contract a year or two early, and we've seen it done several times over the past few years. 53. DaleSrFanForever posted: 11.17.2009 - 4:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Ah, but Dale Jr. has a much bigger fanbase (and thus makes more money for the team) than any of the names you just mentioned combined. Money's tight right now, even Mark Martin is still looking for some sponsorship. DuPont has decreased its investment in NASCAR, and I wouldn't be shocked if they leave after their contract ends (which I believe is after the 2010 season). If anybody would be allowed to get a 4th years, it's Junior. Basically, Jr. has a completely different set of rules." You are absolutely right, and that is disgusting. The same reason Danica will get great ride after great ride. 54. DaleSrFanForever posted: 11.17.2009 - 4:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "But speaking of which, Homestead will be Mikey's last race as a full time competitor in Cup." It's about goddamn time! This is happeneing at least 20 years too late. "What's the deal with your Kahne vs. Montoya crap? They're both very good drivers and they've both had good seasons, Kahne's won but Montoya's been more consistant and is higher in points so it equals out IMO." I disagree. We compare Kasey to JPM because they care driving 2nd rate equipment for organizations in constant upheaval. Ganassi recently had to merge with the corpse of DEI to survive and GEM had to merge with the corpse of Petty Enterprises. But they have both mananged to make something out of it. The difference is that Kasey has capatalized on his runs up front, grabbing two wins. JPM threw away a sure win at Indy and also screwed himself at Texas (as well as Carl and Kes) when he had a promising car. "I guess Dale Sr needed to grow up too when Richard had to convince him he can still get the job done?" The deal with Dale Sr was that he had just had a horrible wreck at Talladega in 1996 and couldn't get back to being comfortable in a car, and he feared he was really holding the team back. That, combined with RCR falling behind big time in technology, and he wasn't contending very often. But he had surgery after 1999 which made him feel better in the car and that was also the offseason where RCR began to finally get more finances and technology. Richard just had to convince Dale that is was the cars, not him. 55. SoxFan24 posted: 11.17.2009 - 7:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "SoxFan, Kyle Busch also got canned by Hendrick in his third Cup season. Since 2005, Kyle has 16 wins, while Jr. has three. Kyle had four wins at Hendrick to Jr's one. Something around 2004 has killed Jr's career. He was great in 2003 and 2004." Thanks 18fan, I forgot about Kyle. But Kyle wasn't really canned for performance issues I believe it was because him and Hendrick had a spat and Hendrick let him go 56. SoxFan24 posted: 11.17.2009 - 8:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "But speaking of which, Homestead will be Mikey's last race as a full time competitor in Cup." Trumpets are blaring as finally this has occurred. Like his brother would have stopped racing full time (I will not say retire because Michael will probably be running part time for the next few years) 5 years ago. 10 years ago if Dale Sr wasn't a friend of his "I guess Dale Sr needed to grow up too when Richard had to convince him he can still get the job done?" Dale Sr was better than RCR at that time. RCR just added the 31 car in 97' and was catching up to the super teams of Hendrick and Roush at the time as well. Although Dale Sr didn't win he still got a top 10 in points finishe that year. He ran well. 98 of course he won the 500 but nothing else all year but also finished in the top 10. Jr isn't sniffing the top 20. No more comparisons please 57. SoxFan24 posted: 11.17.2009 - 8:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kasey Kahne is a hell of a driver...but so is Juan Pablo Montoya. The difference is Kasey Kahne was coached by Ray Evernham who also coached another guy named Jeff Gordon. Evernham was the biggest Kahne supporter you could find and now that hes not there I thought Kahne would crash. He hasn't. He's taken Ray's advice and when the car is right or even when its not he puts it in position to run well. He wins too. Holding off Stewart on several double file restarts at Sonoma was impressive and the Atlanta race in the fall he hauled the mail in that race. Montoya is good too. Rushed into NASCAR (Kahne had two years of Nationwide before going Cup) into cars he's never driven on tracks he's never seen in a team that with the exception of Sterling Marlin he did well I thought in 2007. 2008 was a disaster but changing crew chiefs as much as they did its no wonder. Now he's with Brian Pattie and Pattie is the person Montoya needed to get him to save his stuff and be there at the end. He hasnt' won yet but he's been knocking on that door. (Loudon, Indy) 58. Sean posted: 11.18.2009 - 1:35 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Haha, horrible comparison. By then Dale had seven championships. What has Dale Jr. done lately?" Not to mention that Earnhardt Sr. was still getting top ten finishes in points in '97 and '98 with weaker equipment than Junior has now... 59. Kit posted: 11.18.2009 - 1:43 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "What's the deal with your Kahne vs. Montoya crap? They're both very good drivers and they've both had good seasons" They're not even in the same league in Cup. Kahne has 11 wins in a second-rate car from a variety of tracks. JPM has only one win from a road course. Both have been in comparable equipment. If you're not going to win a championship, you might as well win races, which Kahne has done this season and JPM has yet to do. If you're going to constantly kiss JPM's ass, you might as well kiss Kahne's as well because he has done as well if not better in similar circumstances. 60. Kit posted: 11.18.2009 - 5:03 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) By far the stupidest thing I have ever read on NASCAR.com: "Kyle Busch, in the forefront of the Nationwide Series all season, needs only to start at Homestead to clinch the title. Ron Hornaday doesn't have to show up; the Truck trophy already is in his possession. Is is time to add a Chase element to both series?" 61. RR posted: 11.18.2009 - 8:07 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "They're not even in the same league in Cup. Kahne has 11 wins in a second-rate car from a variety of tracks. JPM has only one win from a road course. Both have been in comparable equipment. If you're not going to win a championship, you might as well win races, which Kahne has done this season and JPM has yet to do. If you're going to constantly kiss JPM's ass, you might as well kiss Kahne's as well because he has done as well if not better in similar circumstances." Half of Kahne's wins came in 2006, where he had the best car at the cookie cutters. He's done very well over the past couple of years, but Montoya has done just as well this season, with limited stock car experience. Montoya was in championship contention until he got rammed on a restart, through no fault of his own. Besides, Montoya has only had a winning car for one year., while Kahne has had one for most of his career. By your logic, Michael Waltrip is better than David Reutimann, because Waltrio has four wins while Reutimann has one. I don't kiss Montoya's ass, I just try to defend him from your biased ramblings. Even DSFF is starting to come around, and at least giving him some credit for a decent season. I don't think Montoya is the best stock car driver (though he is one of the best overall drivers), but he's definately done a gfood job this season. I also think Kahne has done an excellent job this season, and would be a championship contender for one of the big teams. 62. DaleSrFanForever posted: 11.18.2009 - 2:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) NASCAR.com has a lot of stupid shit, and that is definitely on the list. Hmmm, the fans almost universally hate the cha$e and the phony element it brings to the "sport", let's put it in the other divisions!!!! Hand me a bucket, I'm gonna puke. I checked out that article because you mentioned it (the first time I've been there in a while) and then read the Power Rankings. They have Joey Logano as 14th. You have got to be shitting me!!!!! 63. Bronco posted: 11.18.2009 - 2:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I checked out that article because you mentioned it (the first time I've been there in a while) and then read the Power Rankings. They have Joey Logano as 14th. You have got to be shitting me!!!!!" Not only that, but Jeff Burton goes from being unranked last week to 7th this week, all because of a 2nd place finish. And the Dinger isn't even on the list despite finishing 10th at Texas and 13th this week. What a joke. Also wanted to mention that this race marks a full year since Kyle Petty and Kenny Schrader were in a Cup race. 64. Kit posted: 11.18.2009 - 3:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I can see Schrader making another start, but Petty is probably retired for good. What's really stupid about that article, DSFF, is that 1) We had a GREAT points battle in 2007 and 2008 for the trucks, and once teams went south due to the economy, someone is stupid enough to blame it on the point system, and 2) It doesn't address the issue that the Nationwide series is overran by Cup drivers. 65. Talon64 posted: 11.18.2009 - 4:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "They're not even in the same league in Cup. Kahne has 11 wins in a second-rate car from a variety of tracks. JPM has only one win from a road course. Both have been in comparable equipment. If you're not going to win a championship, you might as well win races, which Kahne has done this season and JPM has yet to do. If you're going to constantly kiss JPM's ass, you might as well kiss Kahne's as well because he has done as well if not better in similar circumstances." You kiss Kahne's ass just as much so the same could be said to you. Like RR said, over half of his wins came in just one season in which he nearly missed the Chase and only ended up 8th in points so I'd call that as big a choke job as anything you've accused Montoya of doing. And the "variety of tracks" he's won on translates to 8 cookie cutters, Pocono, one short track win but they're his worst on average among ovals, and an impressive road win which almost overshadows how barely average he was on road courses beforehand. Truthfully he's a good driver who's done a lot with a lesser team but it's easy to make him out to look like just an above-average driver who lucked out with dominant cookie cutter cars in one season if you want to. 66. RR posted: 11.18.2009 - 5:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "NASCAR.com has a lot of stupid shit, and that is definitely on the list. Hmmm, the fans almost universally hate the cha$e and the phony element it brings to the "sport", let's put it in the other divisions!!!! Hand me a bucket, I'm gonna puke." Funny thing is, that's exactly what they're doing with the CoT. 67. Cornys posted: 11.19.2009 - 10:34 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I really don't know what's so terrable with the chase..... I personaly love it... Hate the (COT) Car of Turds though... 68. Kit posted: 11.19.2009 - 1:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I really don't know what's so terrable with the chase..... I personaly love it..." I guess you would also enjoy a fan vote popularity contest that will pick the champion as well. Hell, that's the best chance Dale Jr has at winning a championship, surprised NASCAR hasn't implemented it. 69. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 11.20.2009 - 2:36 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "NASCAR.com has a lot of stupid shit, and that is definitely on the list. Hmmm, the fans almost universally hate the cha$e and the phony element it brings to the "sport", let's put it in the other divisions!!!!" Genius idea, then people who won't be running all the races could be taking up spots in the Cha$e! NASCAR never ceases to amaze me with their intelligent staff and their brilliant plans!!! ...yeah, right! 70. Anonymous posted: 11.20.2009 - 1:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kasey Kahne will not be going to the 24 car in 2011. Rick Hendrick said Jeff Gorden will be racing for Hendrick Motorsports through 2013. The source is http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=4674262 . 71. Eric posted: 11.20.2009 - 5:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The only way Kasey Khane goes to Hendrick Motorsports for 2011 is Rick replaces Dale Earnhardt Jr. I don't see that happening because Dale races better in even years than odd years according to his history in cup. I don't see Dale Jr. racing the full length of his Hendrick contract unless he improves. Dale Jr.'s contract ends in 2012. Dale has problems adapting to the cot. The way that could change is if the rule change of the nose in 2011 will help him out. Mark Marin's contract is up after 2011. That means Kasey Khane can't get that ride because Kasey's contract expires a year before Mark's does. 72. Kit posted: 11.20.2009 - 7:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "The only way Kasey Khane goes to Hendrick Motorsports for 2011 is Rick replaces Dale Earnhardt Jr." Actually, the common scenario on this web site is that Kahne replaces Jeff Gordon in a full-time ride. Furthermore, Kahne could also realistically replace Martin eventually. "I don't see Dale Jr. racing the full length of his Hendrick contract unless he improves. Dale Jr.'s contract ends in 2012. Dale has problems adapting to the cot." The thing is, as long as Dale Jr. sells t-shirts and attracts sponsorship, he'll have a ride. 73. Kit posted: 11.20.2009 - 7:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Rick Hendrick said Jeff Gorden will be racing for Hendrick Motorsports through 2013." What if Gordon's back problems put him out of the car before then? 74. Anonymous posted: 11.20.2009 - 8:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kit, If Jeff Gordon's problems put him out of the car car before 2013, Rick has to pick a another driver. There is really no information on what drivers are available after the 2012 season that are not named Dale Jr. The Driver Rick picks depends on the year Jeff back gets that bad. Kasey Khane is an option if Gordon's back puts him out the race car. If Jeff's back is fine during the 2010 season, but not in 2011 with Jeff's back in very bad shape, there will cup drivers that could be free agents after the 2011 season. If Jeff's back is extremely bad shape during the 2011, I think Kelly Bires would be racing the 24 if he does well in the 88 Nationwide series car. The other option could be Robby Gordon during the 2011 season. The 7 team appears to be running 8 times in 2010 due to sponsorship issues. Robby should have time during the 2010 or 2011 season to race cup as a result of his sponsorship issues. The drivers that could be available after the 2011 season are the following: Carl Edwards Greg Biffle Clint Bowyer Vickers David Ragan- I don't think Rick would be interested in him though based on how is doing at this time. Matt Kenseth - Jayski's site says 2011+ (don't know what that means for sure unless that means Matt has option years on his contract). Matt may not be free agent due after 2011 depending on the nature of the contract. Juan Pablo Montoya - Contract appears to be the same nature as Matt Kenseth's with it being 2011+. The catch is will EGR last after 2011 or 2012. That organization has problems keeping sponsors. There is no contract information on the following drivers for their contract to expire on Jayski: Sam Hornish Jr.- Don't see Rick picking him up anyway due to the amount crashes he is in Jamie McMurray - I think he will be gone from EGR if they don't find a replacement sponsorship for Bass Pro shops. He could be an option for Rick depending on when Jeff's back is in extremely bad shape. Brad Keselowski- I don't see him being a free agent before 2012 at least. Joey Logano - I have hard time to see him available if he shows any improvement by the end of his contract. Joey is to young and inexperience at this point. Ryan Newman- I don't see him leaving Stewart Hass Racing. A.J. Allmendinger - His contract is signed through 2010 according to http://www.gnextinc.com/nascar/drivers/news/aj_allmendinger.html . Marcos Ambrose - A website claimed he signed a 3 year contract before the start of the 2008 season. The site is http://fullthrottle.cranialcavity.net/marcos-ambrose-contract-news . Bobby Labonte- don't know the length of the deal for sure that he recently signed. 75. Anonymous posted: 11.20.2009 - 9:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kit, I know the common scenario on this web site is that Kahne replaces Jeff Gordon in a full-time ride for a while and I also typed Kahne as a potential replacement for Jeff Gordon earlier this year as one of Anonymous's on this site. At this point, Kahne could replace Jeff, but it has to be after 2010 or after the next contract he signs is up. You and I know Jeff hasn't been complaining about his back to the media lately, but it still could cause his career end anytime depending on how bad the crashes he get in the future. Mark Martin's contract is up after 2011. Right now Kelly Bires could be the driver to replace mark depending on how well Kelly does in the Nationwide series. Kasey's contract doesn't match up to Mark's contract. Kasey's contract is up after 2010. The only way Kasey could place Mark is if Mark still races for Hendrick when Khane's next contract end. 76. Eric posted: 11.20.2009 - 9:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kit, 75. Anonymous is my post. 77. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 11.20.2009 - 11:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I could see Jeff Gordon retiring after 2010 if his back continues to bother him. I really think he doesn't have as much fire as he used to, which is why he's won only once in the past two years. And considering Jeff is still in a stage of his career where he can contend for championships and has pretty much accomplished everything (except win at Homestead), I'd think he'd want to retire on top. 78. Cornys posted: 11.21.2009 - 9:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "'I really don't know what's so terrable with the chase..... I personaly love it...' I guess you would also enjoy a fan vote popularity contest that will pick the champion as well. Hell, that's the best chance Dale Jr has at winning a championship, surprised NASCAR hasn't implemented it." That wouldn't be very exciting.... and yes it probably is. 79. Cornys posted: 11.21.2009 - 9:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I could see Jeff Gordon retiring after 2010 if his back continues to bother him. I really think he doesn't have as much fire as he used to, which is why he's won only once in the past two years. And considering Jeff is still in a stage of his career where he can contend for championships and has pretty much accomplished everything (except win at Homestead), I'd think he'd want to retire on top." That won't happen... but I don't think he'll compete as well as he has in the past from this point on... 80. Anonymous posted: 02.02.2010 - 2:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This was Dave Blaney's 29th DNF 81. Daniel posted: 05.22.2012 - 11:02 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) In using fastest 43: #70 Kevin Conway & #78 Regan Smith Out using fastest 43: #34 John Andretti & #98 Paul Menard 82. CBASS posted: 02.04.2013 - 8:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor updates #17 USG Sheetrock #42 Target/ Polaroid #16 3M/ Nexcare Products #31 CAT Financial/ Cat AccessAccount #43 Paralyzed Veterans of America #96 Valvoline #12 Penske #82 Red Bull Cola #19 Insignia #47 Little Debbie Chocolate Cupcakes http://archives.ciastockphoto.com/cgi/images.php?group=w0939 83. LASTCAR posted: 04.24.2013 - 12:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Tony Raines picked up the 8th last-place finish of his career in Sunday's Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at the Phoenix International Raceway when his #37 Long John Silver's Chevrolet fell out with electrical problems after completing 6 of the race's 312 laps. It was Raines' first Sprint Cup start since his most recent last-place finish at the AAA 400 at Dover in September. In the six races since, the #37 team has spent more time off the track than on it: The team first failed to qualify with Kevin Hamlin at Kansas, then Raines DNQ'd at California, Travis Kvapil DNQ'd at Charlotte, then qualified at Martinsville and finished last; and finally Raines withdrew at Talladega, then DNQ'd once again at Texas, where the team switched from Dodge to Chevrolet. On Friday, Raines just squeaked his way into the field with a speed of 132.091 mph, giving him the 43rd and final starting spot. He remained there during the early stages and fell out during the opening green-flag run just 6 laps in. It was Raines' fifth last-place finish, breaking his tie with Joe Nemechek for 2nd in the 2009 rankings. Tony Raines has become the first driver to finish last in two consecutive Phoenix races; his first last-place finish of 2009 came while driving Barry Haefele's #73 Dodge in the Subway Fresh Fit 500 back in the spring. Raines also finished last at Phoenix in the fall of 2002. It is the first time the #37 has finished last at Phoenix since an ailing Rick Carelli parked his Chesrown Chevrolet on the second lap of the 1992 Pyroil 500 in response to injuries he suffered in a companion race earlier that weekend. The #37 team now has seven last-place finishes in 2009 (5 with Tony Raines, 1 each with Tony Ave and Travis Kvapil), second only to the Phil Parsons' #66 team, which has scored all 8 of its finishes with Dave Blaney. Blaney, who went behind the wall 3 laps after Raines, finished 42nd on Sunday, marking the 10th time in 2009 he has come just one spot shy of finishing in last. 2009 RANKINGS 1st) Dave Blaney (8) 2nd) Tony Raines (5) 3rd) Joe Nemechek (4) 4th) Mike Bliss (3) 5th) Patrick Carpentier, David Gilliland, Bobby Labonte (2) 6th) Tony Ave, Todd Bodine, P.J. Jones, Matt Kenseth, Travis Kvapil, Joey Logano, Mark Martin, Mike Skinner, Mike Wallace (1) Visit http://brockbeard.blogspot.com/ for more. 84. Anthony posted: 02.11.2019 - 4:43 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Both debris cautions did not show the debris at all. They both led to wrecks. I guess NASCAR needed to liven up a snoozefest and hope someone would stop Johnson. All to no avail. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Post a comment:* Your comment may not appear immediately - all comments must be approved by the moderator. Name: Comment: