|| *Comments on the 2010 Subway Fresh Fit 600:* View the most recent comment <#139> | Post a comment <#post> 1. Neal posted: 04.11.2010 - 12:20 am Rate this comment: (0) (2) Boring with a capital B. Why a) was the race lengthened and b) does NASCAR visit Phoenix twice a year? Congrats to Newman but this race was about 375 laps too long. 2. 18fan posted: 04.11.2010 - 12:23 am Rate this comment: (0) (4) Bullshit finish. NASCAR didn't need to throw the caution with three laps to go but they did because they want a G-W-C. Good win for Newman but he did not deserve it at all, Kyle deserved that win. I watched the 1995 spring Talladega race a couple days ago and Terry Labonte spun through the grass and ended up sideways on pit road with five laps to go and NASCAR didn't throw the caution. That was before NASCAR's every race needs a G-W-C if possible mentality. 3. Mike posted: 04.11.2010 - 12:34 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Finally! Awesome win for Ryan! Nice comebacks for Jr and Mark Martin after struggling with ill handling cars for most of the day. 4. Anonymous posted: 04.11.2010 - 12:37 am Rate this comment: (6) (0) "NASCAR didn't need to throw the caution with three laps to go but they did because they want a G-W-C." Yeah they could have just raced around that big black car stopped on the racetrack. 5. Anonymous posted: 04.11.2010 - 12:37 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Does Jeff Gordon even try to win anymore? 6. 18fan posted: 04.11.2010 - 12:39 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) They threw the caution and then Riggs stopped. It was a shame because Riggs gave that car a good run. 7. RLewis9 posted: 04.11.2010 - 12:55 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) Newman wins his first race for SHR. Good for him, better than Kyle... 8. Jimmy posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:00 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) That caution was legit because Riggs hit the wall pretty hard and parts would probably be flying off his car if he had not stopped and waited for an entry onto pit road. The race was okay. Johnson, Montoya, and Kyle Busch took turns dominating. -Kyle Busch restarted 8th with two laps to go and finished there, while Johnson stormed from 7th to 3rd -Chevrolet swept the top 5, with the top 4 being Hendrick-affiliated teams -Travis Kvapil dropped out of the top 35 in owner's points with a blown motor while Robby Gordon got in with a solid run. I wish Conway would get knocked out instead because he is consistently the slowest car on the track and even runs behind the S&P teams when they are still on track Oh, and the Fox crew really sucks at calling accidents. They didn't realize Kurt Busch hit Denny Hamlin until about 3 replays were shown. And they seemed intent to blame Keselowski's crash on Brad until they finally realized it was a racing accident 9. potatosalad48 posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:00 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) AWESOME JOB NEWMAN! FINALLY, SOMEONE WHO DESERVES TO WIN WINS!! 10. ams391221 posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:17 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) An O.K. race with last minute action due to a caution with 7 laps to go. Jeff Gordon appeared to have the race won, but it got away from him again. On a different subject, Johnson and Busch become the first two drivers to tie each other with the most laps led since Jeff Gordon and Sterling Marlin in the 1995 Pepsi 400 11. FHgrad99 posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:21 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) This was also the first time that the #39 has gone to victory line in Nascar Sprint Cup Competition. 12. Cfob posted: 04.11.2010 - 2:17 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) "Oh, and the Fox crew really sucks at calling accidents. They didn't realize Kurt Busch hit Denny Hamlin until about 3 replays were shown. And they seemed intent to blame Keselowski's crash on Brad until they finally realized it was a racing accident" Of course, the Fox crew has been willing to throw Brad under the bus all year. Look at their coverage of the Atlanta incident when Carl came down on Brad. Had you not watched and just listened to the coverage, you would've thought Brad went out of his way to hit Carl. Glad to see Ryan Newman back in victory lane. Kind of lucked into it, but to say he didn't deserve it is unfair. He had to do SOMETHING to get in the position he was in. Also, for the person who asked, the race was extended so it was guaranteed they would finish at night. 13. 18fan posted: 04.11.2010 - 2:21 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth didn't go in the outside lane, costing Kyle a top 5 and Junior a top 10 because all of the inside lane cars except Allmendinger, because he was right in front of Jimmie who took it three wide, passed the cars the started behind the #17 and #24. 14. Smokefan05 posted: 04.11.2010 - 2:46 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "That was before NASCAR's every race needs a G-W-C if possible mentality." That because NASCAR listens too the fans. The fans were complaining about "no green flag finishes" back before GWC came about. The "corpse" of Ryan Newman gets a win. I guess Ryan has a pluse after all. I can't remember the last time 3 drivers who lead over a 100 laps each didn't win the race. Usually one of them win it. But oh well atleast JJ didn't win. Drivers of the race: Mark Martin, Dale Jr. (yeah Dale Jr.), Marcos Ambrose, Robby Gordon (the best handling car i've seen him drive in a long time) AJA (for getting #43 on the pole) Brad K. (for wrecking himself and getting a top 20 out of it.) and "sideway" Sam Hornish. The race wasn't too bad. While PIR isn't a big test of the new spoiler, it did ok i guess. Texas will be the real test, Tally should be intersting also. 15. 18fan posted: 04.11.2010 - 3:01 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Dale Jr. did a great job coming back up through the field but got caught in the outside lane on the last restart behind Gordon and Kenseth and he lost spots when those two had horrible restarts. 16. Cooper posted: 04.11.2010 - 8:58 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) There's a lot of things, that need to be said about this race. It felt like the race was run by an amateur racing organization. The fourth caution on lap 135, was absolutely ridiculous. The debris is fine. I have no problem with waving a caution for something on the track. But it shouldn't take 16 minutes to clean the track. This was the longest debris caution in NASCAR history. 12 laps. It should only take a maximum of 6 laps. The racing all night was disappointing. Not a lot of passing, no aggressiveness, and very very dry. For about 250 laps the top 5 never changed. In addition the lead changes were mostly by green flag pitstops, and cars staying out during a caution to lead one lap. There was only 5 green flag passes for the lead in a 375 lap race. There's no need to be lengthening any race on the schedule, never mind Phoenix. The race is better as a short race, especially for the fans and drivers. To me it looked like the drivers weren't racing hard as if they were saving themselves for the finish, that every fan knows what's coming....The dreaded Green-White-Checker. No sport in the world will attract fans, if fans don't understand the sport. If I stayed home on a Saturday night, to give NASCAR a try, I'd be fuming. I watch the race for 373 laps, and watch the #18 car dominate. And then you get a caution and he finishes 8th? and a guy who never had a grandmothers chance in Vegas wins it. That's it, he's turning the channel and never looking back. In my opinion, that's fine but new fans or borderline fans, are going to have a problem with that. I believe that the crew chief is as important as the driver, and he has to make decision in the race that can lose or win a race for his driver. Brad Keselowski has a decent run in the #12, as he runs from the 10th-25th position all day and earns a 16th place finish, after hitting the wall on lap 197. In addition Directv and Fox announce the brackets for the first ever NASCAR bracket, similar to the NCAA. I don't know if it will work, but I'll try it out and see how I do. 17. Rob819 posted: 04.11.2010 - 9:46 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) This is only Ryan Newman 2nd win since the start of the 2006 season 18. NASCAR 24/7 posted: 04.11.2010 - 10:25 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kyle Busch WOULD have won this race if it wasn't for that stupid caution. I was really mad after the race. I wonder if the FOX crew controls the race; "Hey, just for giggles, what would happen if we had a caution right now?" 19. I Seize the Day posted: 04.11.2010 - 10:32 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I must be the only person to like that Phoenix was a longer race. I am pretty tired hearing that races are boring. If you are a true NASCAR fan you wont find any race boring. Some will be more exciting than others sure, but I enjoy watching cars go around in circles. If you think the races are boring, go watch other sport and quit complaining. I thought it was a great race - 3 different drivers led over 100 laps and neither of them one. 20. I Seize the Day posted: 04.11.2010 - 10:34 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) And Newman did not luck into this at all. He was running 5th before the final caution so he had a contending car to begin with. He made the call for two tires, which was the right one and then he had to get by Jeff on the final restart. No luck whatsoever. 21. Bronco posted: 04.11.2010 - 10:55 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) A very surprising top four qualifiers, with AJ scoring his first pole. All came to NASCAR from different racing series, Champ Car, IRL, F1 and V8 Supercars. Way to go Newman for getting your first win in over 2 years, and the first with the #39 team. Nice to see Robby Gordon finish in the top 15 for once. This was his first top 15 finish in a full race since Las Vegas last year and more importantly he's back in the top 35. Scott Riggs makes his debut in the #90 the Casey Mears used to drive and finishes 28th after running in the top 25 most of the night. He has got to be one of the best drivers out there at getting good finishes out of shitty cars. Major props to Hamlin for going against everyone's predictions and toughing it out for the entire race. This was despite the cosmetic damage and the battery issues. Dale Jr once again runs like crap due to a broken splitter brace, but he hung in there yet again and turned a bad day into a relatively decent one. Last year, that would likely never have happened. 22. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.11.2010 - 11:13 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) When I talk about Jeff Gordon being in a coma, this is what I've been talking about. His fire and focus is gone. Congrats to Newman, he was Top 5 for the last 1/3 of the race, but there is no way Jeff should have let that one get away. That laser sharp precision and deadly focus is gone. Leading the race on a GWC with his talent whould have been a lay up. Instead he spun his tires and Ryan just drove right by him, driving it into Turn 1 way harder than Jeff. But is Kenseth had been 2nd, Jeff would've won. The FOX announcers were out of line calling out Truex on the Keselowski wreck, and this is coming from a huge Brad K fan. He tried to give Tony room and cut across Truex's bumper. And they are all like "he could have given him room". What a crock! That is just a racing deal. It's kinda funny cause Brad was trying to do the "right" thing by not crowding Tony and he ends up wrecking himself. That is why he is so aggressive. And a good job of recovering by him and his crew. 16th is about all he had all night. Kyle had the car at the end, but on the restart JJ showed why he is the best RACER out there. I'm not a fan of his, I'm just giving him his due. Despite being stuck on the inside line, he made it 3 wide and drove up to 3rd while Kryle went nowhere, although he also had 4 tires. I guess the "Wild Thing" wasn't wild enough. It's funny he can pass everyone at once in Trucks and NWide, but not in Cup. He should have taken two tires anyways. Reason #319 why dumping Addington was a crappy idea (although poor Steve is stuck with dipshit #2 in Kurt). I wish they'd pair up Steve and Brad. On a related note, the #18 team is doing way better on the flat tracks than they ever have with Kyle, but much worse on the big intermediates. In the past they have been totally out to lunch on the small flat tracks (except Richmond) but they have run really well at Martinsville and Phoenix, but have showed nowhere near the strength on the intermediates that they have the last two years. "The "corpse" of Ryan Newman gets a win. I guess Ryan has a pluse after all." LOL. He did a great job. I've gotta eat a little bit of crow now. 23. Jeremy Siple posted: 04.11.2010 - 11:16 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "No sport in the world will attract fans, if fans don't understand the sport. If I stayed home on a Saturday night, to give NASCAR a try, I'd be fuming. I watch the race for 373 laps, and watch the #18 car dominate. And then you get a caution and he finishes 8th? and a guy who never had a grandmothers chance in Vegas wins it. That's it, he's turning the channel and never looking back." I'm...confused by your logic. Fans don't want to tune in to see one guy dominate a race. It's boring. Upset winners draw fans, not push them away. 24. Timmy Quivy posted: 04.11.2010 - 11:20 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I have no idea why people thought this race was boring. There WAS PLENTYYYY of side-by-side action. Sure, you can't have positions in the top 5 change every lap, but FOX did a good job of showing all the battles in the top 15 and there were plenty of laps with great side-by-side racing (Montoya/Johnson, Bowyer/Gordon, Edwards/Harvick). There was a nice mix of long runs and short runs, and there was another thrilling edition of pit strategy to determine the winner. 20 Lead Changes is tied for the most this race has ever had, which is thanks a lot to having an extra 60+ laps tacked on, but there was only three in those laps and that would have beat the last three years of racing here easily. 25. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.11.2010 - 11:31 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I thought the race was good. At least by today's standards. And, as Timmy said, kudos to the FOX production team for taking a page from the early 90's ESPN broadcasts and showing the RACING, not matter where it was, and not just the leader pulling away. My favorite moment from the race: When they showed the old footage of Alan Kulwicki's first win at this track in 1988 and his Polish Victory Lap, something that was radical at the time, and they way the announcers mentioned something along the lines of "Alan was always ahead of his time". It was a great little tribute to perhaps the most unique NASCAR superstar in its history. Even though they only did it cause Ford sponsored the segment. 26. Cooper posted: 04.11.2010 - 11:44 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm...confused by your logic. Fans don't want to tune in to see one guy dominate a race. It's boring. Upset winners draw fans, not push them away. In football, if a team is up 30-0, with 1 minute left, the opposing team can't score a 31 point touchdown. In hockey, if a team is up 3-0, with 1 minute left, the opposing team can't score a goal worth 4. In basketball, if a team is up by 20, the opposing team can't get a 21 pointer You've got to think like a stick and ball fan, when it comes to getting ratings, and figuring out why there low. I can't think of more than 5 races in NASCAR's high rating era, that these type of races happened.(2001-2005)If someone can get me more than 5 races form 2001-2005 that the dominating car lost with 3 or less laps to go. It's happened 4 times this year, 4! 27. Cooper posted: 04.11.2010 - 11:46 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Fans don't want to be confused and questioning why the better driver/team doesn't win 80% of the time. They want to see the Lakers win 80% of the time, they want to see the Yankees crush the competition. They want to see Dale Sr. win all the time. 28. Bronco posted: 04.11.2010 - 11:48 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "(although poor Steve is stuck with dipshit #2 in Kurt)" Yes, Kurt is a complete dipshit. Never mind the fact that he has 21 wins, how he gave all the credit for his Atlanta win to his crew chief, and all the stuff he has done for the VJGC. "I wish they'd pair up Steve and Brad." If wishes were horses. Thankfully Penske was smart enough to pair up the best crew chief with the best driver, as opposed to wasting him on someone who (according to you), isn't going be driving for Penske in the long haul. 29. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.11.2010 - 12:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Yes, Kurt is a complete dipshit. Never mind the fact that he has 21 wins, how he gave all the credit for his Atlanta win to his crew chief, and all the stuff he has done for the VJGC." Like his brother Kyle, Kurt is extremely talented, but still a dipshit. Talent got him those 21 wins. Being a dipshit has cost him a shot at his true potential. How many times does he lose it and spin out, usually ruining his day? That is being a dipshit by doing it over and over again. And I think by giving all the Atlanta credit to Addington (who has officially joined Knaus and Zippy as one of the 3 best crew chiefs in the garage), he was sticking it to his brother, whom I think he still doesn't like. It was really a beautiful moment to see Kryle dumped on like that. And as far a his work with VJGC, I never said he is a bad guy to the underpriviledged. 30. Red posted: 04.11.2010 - 12:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Does Jeff Gordon even try to win anymore?" "When I talk about Jeff Gordon being in a coma, this is what I've been talking about." Totally agree with both of you. I'm not gonna say Jeff has become a choker, but I can't believe how many wins he's given away over the past few years. It seems like the 2007 season was his last hurrah, and after leading the points all year only to lose to Jimmie in the Chase, it really took the wind out of his sails. And now that he's a father, his priorities have undoubtedly changed (not that I blame him). Frankly, I'd doubt Jeff will reach 90 wins before he retires. 31. TeamPlayersBlue posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) For this season the racing was pretty good, but not the best phoenix edition. Phoenix is a great track and is actually a challenge for the drivers. The problem was the race was too long, 500k was a great distance. Next week will probably be one of, if not the most boring races of the season so far. 32. 18fan posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DSFF, while Jimmie's move was great, Kyle got stuck in the outside lane which didn't go and when JJ passed Allmendinger, AJ moved up into Junior, who was right in front of Kyle, which cost the #18 and #88 several positions. Great effort by Junior to even be in that position at the end. 33. Sean posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Addington (who has officially joined Knaus and Zippy as one of the 3 best crew chiefs in the garage)" I'd rank Todd Parrott and Darian Grubb over Addington. I would rank Parrott second to Knaus. 34. Bronco posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 2010 Brad Krashalotski caution count: 4 35. hey 18fan posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) bhey 18fan........... this isnt 1995!!!!! in the past 15 years there have been lots of safety changes! So stop crying! You whine more then Kyle Busch. 36. hey 18fan posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" I see KB fans take after thier driver! 37. rw posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Easily the most boring race I have ever seen! 38. cale_gale posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This was the first time the #43 had started on the pole since Phoenix in 1999. Also an interesting note, Joey Logano has finished ahead of Tony Stewart in 5 of the 7 races this year. I'm interested to see if Logano can continue to finish ahead of Smoke as the year goes on. Smoke has been known to have slow starts to his seasons so we'll see what happens once he warms up. 39. 18fan posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) My only point is now if someone spits on the racetrack NASCAR throws a caution. NASCAR is way too quick with the caution, like with the incident with Keselowski last night. 40. Anonymous posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Terry Cook has now led more laps this year than Carl Edwards. 41. Red posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Easily the most boring race I have ever seen!" Someone says this after EVERY race. What the hell do you people expect, 100 lead changes and a photo finish?! Every race can't be a classic, just like every football or basketball game can't be either. Quit your bitching! 42. the_man posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) David Ragan on his 19th place finish: "I felt like we could have finished 15th or better." 43. 18fan posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Most laps AJ Allmendinger has led in one race in his career. 44. Hillbilly posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) 200th Cup race for Carl Edwards and 400th Cup race for Elliot Sadler. 45. Anonymous posted: 04.11.2010 - 1:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Fewest laps Ryan Newman has ever led in a race that he won. 46. LOLearnhardt posted: 04.11.2010 - 2:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) HMS 2-3-4....Newman in HMs stuff wins........... Jr.....out of top 10! What a LOSER 47. Smokefan05 posted: 04.11.2010 - 3:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "LOL. He did a great job. I've gotta eat a little bit of crow now." Firing up the grill right now. How would you like it cooked? :P 48. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.11.2010 - 4:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Firing up the grill right now. How would you like it cooked? :P" Medium-well, please! 49. petty43 posted: 04.11.2010 - 5:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) jeff gordon may never catch bobby and cale in wins, i for one kind of hope he does not. also nascar chosing to throw the caution at the end was fine with me because that was a really boring race, at least the people who went to phoenix to buy tickets got a decent finish. was kind of a weird race in that none of the 3 dominant cars won. 50. Cfob posted: 04.11.2010 - 5:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Yes, Kurt is a complete dipshit. Never mind the fact that he has 21 wins, how he gave all the credit for his Atlanta win to his crew chief, and all the stuff he has done for the VJGC." Logic fail! Just because someone is ONE thing (in this case a dipshit) doesn't mean he can't be something else (charitable or successful as a driver). This is why you're such a terrible debater, you see things only as a logical fallacy. If one thing is black, the other is white. If he's a dipshit, then he can't be a great race car driver. That being said, I like Kurt. "2010 Brad Krashalotski caution count: 4" Wow. Same amount as Mark Martin. 51. Smokefan05 posted: 04.11.2010 - 5:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Medium-well, please!" Sure thing. Want some dipping sauce with it? 52. Bronco posted: 04.11.2010 - 6:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "HMS 2-3-4....Newman in HMs stuff wins........... Jr.....out of top 10! What a LOSER" If Jr is a loser for finishing 12th, I wonder what Stewart is for finishing 23rd. "Logic fail! Just because someone is ONE thing (in this case a dipshit) doesn't mean he can't be something else (charitable or successful as a driver)." So tell me then, how is Kurt a dipshit in the first place? Because he throws temper tantrums over the radio? Because he's the only thing going for Penske right now? Because he took Kasey Kahne out of the race? Hahaha. "Wow. Same amount as Mark Martin." Counting fail. Mark's caution count stands at 3, in consecutive races from Atlanta to Martinsville. 53. Cfob posted: 04.11.2010 - 6:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "So tell me then, how is Kurt a dipshit in the first place? Because he throws temper tantrums over the radio? Because he's the only thing going for Penske right now? Because he took Kasey Kahne out of the race? Hahaha." I'm not saying he is. I'm just saying he can be while still being a charitable guy and a great driver. Not everything said about a driver is conditional on every other aspect of their personality. "Counting fail. Mark's caution count stands at 3, in consecutive races from Atlanta to Martinsville." 1. Lap 116 at Atlanta 2. Lap 333 at Atlanta 3. Lap 343 at Bristol 4. Lap 305 at Martinsville That's FOUR different cautions he was involved in. 4. 54. DaleJrFan18 posted: 04.11.2010 - 7:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) INTERNET ARGUMENT! *Shoves popcorn in mouth* This race was blah at best, but Jimmie Johnson didn't win so I can't complain. 55. Smokefan05 posted: 04.11.2010 - 7:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) *Shoves popcorn in mouth* DaleJrfan18 save me some popcorn. I want extra butter. :P 56. joey2448 posted: 04.11.2010 - 8:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) as much as i hate to see jeff gordon and kyle busch lose the race, it's good to see someone like ryan newman win...at least jimmie didn't win, lol... 57. Dodge posted: 04.11.2010 - 9:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Did Fox really miss YELLOW flag pitsops like it seemed to me? If so, 2 races in a row doing that. 58. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 04.11.2010 - 9:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hell of a job by Ryan Newman and the #39 crew to get the car up front and take it from there. Kyle seemed to have everyone covered, but then Scott Riggs crashed with 3 to go, and everyone up front pitted and Kyle was beat out by a number of cars that only took two tires. I'm really surprised to see Ryan finally get a win. Robby Gordon has one of his best races in a while, finishing 14th. Brad K does a good job to get a respectable finish too after hitting the wall earlier in the race. 59. Zed 3_88fan4eva posted: 04.11.2010 - 9:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) In response to Neal, The reason why we have a second race is the fact that we can put on some decent racing. May not be the best all the time (last two races) But we have great racing in all series. And Two and most importantly to NASCAR, we can fill up our stands. And I agree with Red, not every race is gonna have 30+ lead changes with someone going upside down. Ill admit it wasnt the greatest race but it was not god awful like alot of you are trying to say. Im happy for Ryan Newman in his first win for Tony Stewart as I believe he could be a dark horse this year. And at least Jr. was able to salvage a 12th because his car was junk all night. 60. Neal posted: 04.11.2010 - 9:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Zed 3_88fan4eva - Last night wasn't even close to a sellout. The official attendance was 70k. That's a drop of 30% over last year. Yes Phoenix puts on good races - with open-wheel cars. The stock car races at Phoenix have been, by and large, complete crap. 61. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.11.2010 - 9:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "So tell me then, how is Kurt a dipshit in the first place?" Did I not just cover this? From post #29" "Being a dipshit has cost him a shot at his true potential. How many times does he lose it and spin out, usually ruining his day? That is being a dipshit by doing it over and over again." His is a slightly more mature Kryle Busch, which means he is still pretty damn immature. He has his moments of brilliance because he is talented, and that has got him 20+ wins. But he has also cost himself a shot at many other races by pushing his car too hard and spinning out while running alone. That makes him a dipshit. He is a freakishly talented driver who lets his emotions get the best of him over and over. In other words, he is the kind of driver the less talented Jimmie Johnson has feasted on in the last 4 years. 62. Art D posted: 04.12.2010 - 1:22 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) For JG, the monkey is back. A year's worth of races without a win again. He's 0-36 since his last win. For JJ, its 10 more wins within 20 races to break JG's quickest to 60 record. 63. RLewis9 posted: 04.12.2010 - 2:06 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I disagree with Kurt Busch being a dipshit. Throwing a few temper tantrums doesn't make him a dipshit. Either does spinning out a few times. Some of you give way too much credit to Addington. His terrible strategy at Daytona possibly cost Kurt a win, they were 3rd with 5 to go, pitted and ended up getting caught up in the last lap crash resulting in a 23rd place finish. So what that Kurt won Atlanta, he won the same race the year before in more impressive fashion with Pat Tryson than he did this year. He did have an amazing car at Bristol, but Kurt has won there 5 times without Addington. Hell, he even won there with the god awful Roy McCauley. Not trying to say Addington is a bad CC, the 2 has shown up with fast cars every race this season. But some unfortunate events hasn't given them the results they deserve. If they catch some breaks at the right time, they may be one of the few teams capable of challenging the 48 at the end of the year. 64. DaleJrFan18 posted: 04.12.2010 - 8:12 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) @SmokeFan05 *Passes extra butter and popcorn* 65. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.12.2010 - 10:12 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm not saying the temper tantrums make him a dipshit (although in his, he usually takes personal shots at the team and organization which can't help morale), I'm talking about all the times he has taken himself out of a race and not even given himself a chance at a win or solid finish, like this race. Of the elite talents, only his brother screws up more often. He also mentally takes himself out of races way too often. For a guy in his 10th season and in his 30s, he should be past this. 66. Smokefan05 posted: 04.12.2010 - 12:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) *Passes extra butter and popcorn* :D ah, tastes good. lol i have the drink part taken care of. :P "I'm not saying the temper tantrums make him a dipshit (although in his, he usually takes personal shots at the team and organization which can't help morale), I'm talking about all the times he has taken himself out of a race and not even given himself a chance at a win or solid finish, like this race. Of the elite talents, only his brother screws up more often. He also mentally takes himself out of races way too often. For a guy in his 10th season and in his 30s, he should be past this." So is Tony a dipshit for his "lack of mental clarity" or will you cut him slack for actuallly not having any "lack of mental clarity" moments lately? Cuz i think since he "owns" his own team, he has slowed down since. 67. RLewis9 posted: 04.12.2010 - 1:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I don't see how this race is an example of what you're saying. He had a loose car, lost it and got involved in a crash. It happens. Kurt can be an ass over the radio, but almost all of these guys are. They're always constantly whining when their cars aren't good. I don't see how Kurt is any more of a dipshit than the average driver. 68. AutoRockinRacing94 posted: 04.12.2010 - 1:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) LADIES AND GENTLEMAN... I AM NOT PROUD TO PRESENT JEFF GORDON AS OUR 2010 NASCAR's MR. BAD LUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR! 69. Sean posted: 04.12.2010 - 2:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Bad luck for Jeff Gordon? Montoya and especially Kahne have had the worst luck this season among competitive drivers. Kahne got taken out by Kurt in this race right at the start. Kyle Busch has also had pretty bad luck, although granted his team made his bad luck the past two races with two stupid pit calls (perhaps due to Kyle having Steve Addington fired). As for Gordon, he had an excellent shot at winning both Martinsville and Phoenix, but blew it both times, and at Las Vegas, Letarte did. I wouldn't really call Gordon unlucky this season. 70. Cooper posted: 04.12.2010 - 2:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff Gordon bad luck? more like bad driving. 71. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.12.2010 - 2:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) You beat me to it Sean. For tough luck drivers, along with Kahne, I'd say Mark (what else is new?). Two brain fades in two races have done Gordon in, which is very surprising because from 1995 until recently he had a Johnson-esque ability to avoid those. And the Vegas deal was a crappy pit call. 72. Talon64 posted: 04.12.2010 - 4:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It's interesting how well Kyle's running at flat tracks where he'd struggled with Addington, while Steve brought over to Kurt the domination he'd had with Kyle at Bristol. The switch of CC's have fixed some things with both drivers (Kyle's still not as dominant at intermediates but it's better than the end of Addington's time with the #18). Kurt's run better overall but now thanks to Phoenix he's worse in the standings than Kyle. And Kyle should've had the win but the last caution and the bad luck of restarting on the outside line screwed him over. It's the 2nd time this season that Johnson's taken advantage of a dominant Busch because of it. But in the end, big congrats to Newman for getting the monkey off his back with his first win in 77 races. It also moves him up to 16th in the standings and puts him back in the hunt for the Chase. "Terry Cook has now led more laps this year than Carl Edwards." 36 drivers have led laps this year including Cook, Boris Said, Nemechek, Bliss and McDowell. To be fair it's easy for them to lead a lap, just stay out during a caution and then they can just park it before the race goes green! lol The next best drivers not to lead any laps so far are Ambrose, Reutimann and Hornish but they're 24th, 25th and 30th in the standings respectively. At least Edward's been consistent enough to be 8th in the standings and Phoenix was his best race of the season yet. Carl's streak of races without a lap led is up to 10, and races without a top five up to 20. 73. Talon64 posted: 04.12.2010 - 5:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ryan Newman scored his 14th career Sprint Cup victory, tying him with Greg Biffle, Dick Hutcherson and LeeRoy Yarbrough for 47th on the all time list. It was also his 70th career top five in 303 starts. It's Stewart Haas Racing's 5th in the 43 races of their existence. It's is the 3rd time this year that a race winner's led 18 laps or fewer (Jamie at Daytona led 2, Jimmie at Bristol led 18. This was Jeff Gordon's 7th runner up finish in the 36 races since his last win (1st Texas race in 2009). Jimmie Johnson needs to lead just 3 more laps to reach 10,000 for his career. His current average per race is 33.5. His average during his streak of championships is 44.1. He also leads the series in top fives with 4. Mark Martin finished 4th for the 3rd time his season. He also has 3 finishes of 21st or worse including a 33rd and 35th. JPM's 30th career top ten is his 2nd top five in 7 races. Last season it took him 21 races to get a top five. Kenseth's 6th top ten ties him for the most with Greg Biffle, who finished 23rd and ended his streak of top tens to start the season. It was also his 180th career top ten. Carl Edwards' 7th was his 4th top ten in the last 5 Phoenix races. This is the first time Kyle's led the most laps in a race since... the 2nd Texas race last season, just 10 races ago. Not as long ago as I thought. It's also his fourth 8th place finish in 11 career starts at Phoenix, and also the most laps he's ever led in a Phoenix race. Joey Logano already has 4 top tens this year, after it took 17 races for him to get to 4 last season (the 4th being his Loudon win). Marcos Ambrose finished 11th for the 3rd time in the last 4 races. One position in each race is the difference between no top tens and having 3, which would've tied him for 8th overall so far this season. Dale Jr. finished in the top 20 for a 5th straight race. He had a similar streak at this exact time last season, races #3 through #7, but one more top 20 finish this year is the difference between being 16th at this time last year and being 10th so far in 2010. Harvick finishes outside top 10 for the 3rd straight race after starting the season with 4 straight top tens. AJ Allmendinger won his first career pole and led a career-high 17 laps but had to settle for 15th. Despite a mid-race wreck Keselowski finished in the top 20 for a 3rd straight race after none in his first 6 races and the 7th where he should've had a top ten. Stremme also had 3 straight top 20's last season so another for Keselowski would break that. Sam Hornish Jr. started a career-best 3rd. Scott Speed started 2nd for the 4th time in 47 starts but finished 21st. Jeff Burton finished outside the top 15 at Phoenix for the first time in the last 19 races. Paul Menard finished outside the top 20 for the first time in any NASCAR race this season. He'd had a streak of 12 straight after finishing 7th in the Phoenix Nationwide race. It drops him to 15th, and another bad finish will put an end to any pipe dream of making the Chase. Elliott Sadler made his 400th career start but had his 104th career finish outside the top 30 (compared to 68 career top tens). Compare that to Jimmie Johnson who's only finished outside the top thirty 39 times in 298 career starts, compared to 185 top tens. Kurt Busch has finished of 6th, 3rd and a win this year, and he's led the most laps so far. He also has 4 finishes of 23rd or worse which has him 14th in the standings. Fortunately 6th (Clint Bowyer) through 16th (race winner Ryan Newman) are separated by only 83 points. Remember, it's only 7 races into the season. If it's still that close by Richmond then THAT'LL be something! 74. Talon64 posted: 04.12.2010 - 6:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Aric Almirola's parted ways with the #09 Phoenix Racing team so he can focus on the Truck Series with Billy Ballew Motorsports. It's a smart move on his part, he's not proving anything by S&P'ing in Cup and a Truck Series championship would look a lot better on his resume. 75. Eric posted: 04.12.2010 - 11:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Newman's win is like a good amount of wins out of him. His winning crew Chiefs makes the winning call by pit strategy by 2 tires or fuel mileage. The 88 team had splitter problems during the race, but it took them a while to identify it. 76. 18fan posted: 04.12.2010 - 11:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Paul Menard ran like we're all used to seeing him run. 77. Eric posted: 04.12.2010 - 11:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think Richard Petty Motorsports will not have George Gillett as an owner after this year. That means Richard Petty Motorsports will fold or will need a new owner. I am saying that because Richard Petty Motorsports defaults on a 90 million dollar loan. Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/Richard-Petty-Motorsports-defaults-on-90-millio;_ylt=AtaG.DeEs.QuHO2rrdt1qlzov7YF?urn=nascar,233593 78. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 04.12.2010 - 11:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I still think Almirola got screwed over by Gibbs and Rockwell Automation at the NW Milwaukee race in 2007. It could have been Aric's big break to win the pole and win in a dominating fashion, but Gibbs and RA wanted Hamlin in the car. 79. martin-n-rusty posted: 04.13.2010 - 1:24 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Post 2. I can agree somewhat, but you know if NASCAR didn't throw a caution, people would still be complaining anyway (not saying you would be complaining, just others). Sad fact of life which NASCAR has to deal with (the fickle fan base that seems to be around) 80. martin-n-rusty posted: 04.13.2010 - 1:35 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) And to also add, I think NASCAR is a dying sport, not because of what they do, but somewhat because of the fans. As I said, NASCAR can't do anything anymore without fans complaining. Race finishes under yellow, fans want a "real" finish. NASCAR institutes a G-W-C, fans complain that NASCAR is unnecessarily, and artificially adding excitement to a race. Car spins, no yellow comes out, people complain that you got a major safety issue, car spins, and a yellow comes out, people complain that NASCAR is unnecessarily bunching the field to just cause more crashes. Car lays down liquids or debris, and no caution comes out, causing a driver to crash, people wonder what the hell NASCAR is thinking. Car lays down liquids or debris now, same thing as 2nd one. People complain about cars having unfair advantages ("Ford has a better spoiler set up!!!" "Chevy's car is smaller, and more aerodynamic!!!"), then when NASCAR makes the cars a little more identical, the cookie cutter complaint gets thrown around (And to add, whoever throws in the IROC argument, its a dumb argument, IROC had the same formula for 30+ years). There are plenty of other "double standards" that fans seem to throw around, and sometimes, that just makes the sport no fun to watch, as you know if something happens, you will hear nothing but hypocrisy and double standards from fans. 81. Cfob posted: 04.13.2010 - 1:44 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I think NASCAR is a dying sport, not because of what they do, but somewhat because of the fans. As I said, NASCAR can't do anything anymore without fans complaining." NASCAR isn't a sport, it's a sanctioning body. The sport is Auto Racing. The NFL isn't football. It's the sanctioning body. The NBA isn't basketball. It's the sanctioning body. And the SPORT of Auto Racing is doing just fine. 82. martin-n-rusty posted: 04.13.2010 - 1:52 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Well excuse me for not being so proper <_< 83. Willy on Wheels posted: 04.13.2010 - 9:00 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I think NASCAR is a dying sport, not because of what they do, but somewhat because of the fans. As I said, NASCAR can't do anything anymore without fans complaining." Maybe the fans will stop complaining if the officials stop fixing races for Jimmie Johnson. I bet the people in the tower got really pissed when Newman won instead of a Hendrick car. 84. Anonymous posted: 04.13.2010 - 10:49 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I actually wanted Terry Cook to finish in the Top 25, and that race could have been the deciding race for ROTY. Conway is out of the Top 35, and I won't be suprise if he never makes another race again. 85. Talon64 posted: 04.13.2010 - 4:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ESPN's reporting that Kasey Kahne's signed a multi-year deal with HMS for 2011. http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=5082269&campaign=rss&source=twitter&ex_cid=Twitter_espn_5082269 Nothing on who he'd replace; Mark Martin's signed through 2011, Dale Jr. through 2012, Johnson through 2015 and Jeff Gordon lifetime. Mark Martin seems like the likeliest candidate just because his deal's shorter and he might be ready to hang it up after this season. Dale Jr.'s starting to pick it up again and I don't think Rick would give up on him until it looks 100% certain that he won't be able to bring Dale Jr. up to par. And so much for Keselowski at Penske being just a stop gap to rejoin HMS later. 86. Talon64 posted: 04.13.2010 - 4:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Oh and there's always a chance that the driver out at HMS could land himself in a 3rd Stewart Haas Racing car. If that's the case then it tips the scales towards Dale Jr. being out, no matter how well he runs he's a sponsor magnet who could give SHR an instant shot of $$$ to start up a 3rd team. 87. martin-n-rusty posted: 04.13.2010 - 5:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Once again Willy. Why would NASCAR fix races in favor of a driver that hardly anyone wants to win? That argument is so bogus and stupid, anyone should have their fan card stripped from them the minute they throw that argument out there. 88. Eric posted: 04.13.2010 - 5:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kasey Kahne leaving Richard Petty Motorsports was a given before signing with Hendrick. I don't know if Budweiser sponsor any cars in Nascar after this season. Budweiser no longer sponsors NHRA race teams anymore. The question has to be if anymore Richard Petty motorsports drivers will be leaving since news of Richard Petty Motorsports defaults 90 million dollars loan came out yesterday. I am saying that since Elliott Sadler, A.J. Allmendinger and Paul Monard's contracts are up after this year according to Jayski's team chart. All I know for sure is Sadler will not be picked by a good racing organization since he isn't that great of a driver. 89. Bronco posted: 04.13.2010 - 5:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "And so much for Keselowski at Penske being just a stop gap to rejoin HMS later." You're right, that was never a legit theory in the first place. There's a better chance of John Wrecks Weekly winning a Nationwide race than that ever happening. Sorry DaleSrFan. 90. Eric posted: 04.13.2010 - 5:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Foxsports claims Kasey is going to Stewart-Haas Racing with Budweiser as a sponsor. http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/Kahne-leaving-Petty-after-2010 This makes perfect sense since Mark's contract is up after 2011. 91. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.13.2010 - 5:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kasey is going to SHR at first, then he'll take over either the #5 or #25 in 2012, when there will be TWO new drivers at HMS after Kelley's Brother moves JRM team to Cup with Dale Mears driving, leaving yet another ride open at HMS, to be filled by one Brad Keselowski. He'll probably take the #25, and Kasey the #5 because let's face it: A #25 Bud car would bring back way too many bad memories. And Brad got his Cup start with the #25 car. "that was never a legit theory in the first place." "Sorry DaleSrFan." So let me ask you this: How come JR Motorsports just (stupidly) canned Kelly Bires after only 5 races when Brad got off to a way worse start last year? Is it because Rick and Brad have a long term agreement in place? 92. Talon64 posted: 04.13.2010 - 6:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "So let me ask you this: How come JR Motorsports just (stupidly) canned Kelly Bires after only 5 races when Brad got off to a way worse start last year? Is it because Rick and Brad have a long term agreement in place?" Because Keselowski won 2 races and finished 3rd in the standings in 2008? But that year Kez got off to another similarly bad start, and I already posted what Kez did in his first 6 starts with JRM in 2007. Hopefully Bires'll hook back up with KHI, Harvick always thought highly of him. As for Keselowski and HMS, if there's an open ride at HMS when Keselowski's contract with Penske ends then he'd be free to go back. Other than that, there's no big conspiracy; Penske signed Kez because he wants to be successful, win races and finally get a Cup championship, not just to give him back to HMS down the road. Having Kurt and Keselowski already in Cup cars and Allgaier coming up gives him a great shot. 93. Kit posted: 04.13.2010 - 6:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Looks like Kasey is going straight for HMS. 94. Kit posted: 04.13.2010 - 6:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Dale Jr.'s starting to pick it up again and I don't think Rick would give up on him until it looks 100% certain that he won't be able to bring Dale Jr. up to par." What? Dale Mears is going to have to win several races this season to pick it up again. 95. Eric posted: 04.13.2010 - 6:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It is hard to blame the splitter issue happening at Phoenix on the driver of the 88. Other driver had problems with parts of the splitter breaking. You don't have to wreck or spin to have a part of splitter to be broken. The thing to blame Dale Jr. at Phoenix on is the amount of time of identifying the problems on the car were related to a part of the splitter being damaged. The team made wrong adjustments because the driver couldn't realize the problems he was feeling was due to a part of the splitter being broken. 12th place wasn't to bad considering how much time it took them to fix the splitter and the wrong adjustments the team made before fixing the splitter. 96. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.13.2010 - 7:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Even though Driver 88 is 10th in points currently, it is pretty obvious something just ain't working with that deal (I think its the driver). He spends 3/4 of every race hanging on for dear life, usually saved by a few cautions and good pit strategy by Lance McGrew. He is almost always the worst running HMS car (except in this race where Mark was curiously junk all night). He has been more consistent (so far) this year as compared to last year's disaster, but it is consistent mediocrity. Technically speaking, he is making progress, but just about anything is progress from last year. It just ain't happening. When at HMS, progress shouldn't be going at a snail's pace. The 88 car isn't even in the picture. So far they have avoided disaster (except at Cali where it only cost him about 10 positions based on how poorly they were running), but if they have 2 weeks of bad luck at any point, they will be back in the 20s in points. So if Kasey is going straight to HMS, I think I know who the front runner for odd man out is. 97. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.13.2010 - 7:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Because Keselowski won 2 races and finished 3rd in the standings in 2008?" Even in '08 Brad and the team didn't truly gel until the second half of the year. Look, I'm not just saying this for the heck of it. If Penske is the future for Brad, then good for him, I'll keep pulling for the #12 car. If they can make it work in these two years, then great. There are just a whole lot of factors in this whole deal that seem odd to me. 98. Bronco posted: 04.13.2010 - 9:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Kasey is going to SHR at first, then he'll take over either the #5 or #25 in 2012, when there will be TWO new drivers at HMS after Kelley's Brother moves JRM team to Cup with Dale Mears driving, leaving yet another ride open at HMS, to be filled by one Brad Keselowski. FAIL! FAIL! Dale Jr has a 5 year deal in place with the #88, meaning that he will still be driving it in 2012. "He has been more consistent (so far) this year as compared to last year's disaster, but it is consistent mediocrity." 10th in points with no finish worse than 16th (aside from the axle problem at California) is pretty decent considering where they were six months ago. Newsflash - you don't need to lead every lap and win every race to make the cha$e - you just need to be consistent enough to finish in the top 15 each week with a few top 5s and a few laps led. Guys have used that strategy for years - to win championships and score top 5 and top 10 positions in points. 99. Smokefan05 posted: 04.13.2010 - 11:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Maybe the fans will stop complaining if the officials stop fixing races for Jimmie Johnson. I bet the people in the tower got really pissed when Newman won instead of a Hendrick car." You honestly think that? Really. Trust me when i say this, everytime Jimmie wins a race, Brian France screams and so do the fans. If NASCAR fixed races wouldn't Dale Jr. be winning them? Wouldn't Dale Jr. have a Cup win total more than ZERO? Sorry that arugement holds no water. Better luck next time. 100. Cfob posted: 04.14.2010 - 1:26 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "FAIL! FAIL! Dale Jr has a 5 year deal in place with the #88, meaning that he will still be driving it in 2012." Yeah, because deals in NASCAR never end early. Hey, where were you for most of this thread after I pointed out that Brad and Mark Martin had been involved in the same amount of cautions this year? 101. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.14.2010 - 10:22 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Dale Jr has a 5 year deal in place with the #88, meaning that he will still be driving it in 2012." 1) You really don't think Rick has the power and resources to get out of a racing contract? The man committed a friggin felony and got out of it and 2) Dale Mears could be "re-assigned" to a JR Motorsports Cup team (Kelley wants this) or even SHR after Kasey finishes his one year stint there. "10th in points with no finish worse than 16th (aside from the axle problem at California) is pretty decent considering where they were six months ago." "Pretty decent" doesn't cut it at HMS. Especially when that decent standing is based more on avoiding disaster and taking advantage of late attrition and wild GWC scrambles to gain spots and less on pure muscle, which is what HMS is all about. The #88 team's season looks like that of an RCR team in '07 or '08. "Newsflash - you don't need to lead every lap and win every race to make the cha$e - you just need to be consistent" So is his goal just to MAKE the cha$e? For a guy who, within the last 7 years, had 3 Top 5 points finishes in 4 years with chances at those championships were it not for some serious brain fades, and currently driving the best equipment in NASCAR, the bar is set pretty low. If he ever wants to maximize his potential, he will have to lead a lot of laps and win a lot of races, a la Jimmie Johnson. I'll say it again: Driver 88 is a talented driver in the best equipment in NASCAR in what should be the prime age of his career, yet he is hanging on by a thread. Speed wise, the team is not improving. Talladega will determine his season (and possibly the rest of his career) in my opinion. That race is a crap shoot, and he better hope like hell he doesn't roll snake eyes. That will be possibly his only opportunity to have a good run all day and a Top 5 finish until Halloween. He better capitalize. Cause he'll go back to running mid pack after that race, where most of the wrecks happen (the same thing that doomed him last year). Can they avoid disaster forever? Will Rick continue to tolerate one car constantly barely hanging on to the lead lap while his other 5 cars run up front, lead laps, and contend for wins? 102. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.14.2010 - 10:23 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Yeah, because deals in NASCAR never end early." I know, really. Just ask Jerry Nadeau, Joe Nemechek, and Caesy Mears. 103. Bronco posted: 04.14.2010 - 11:07 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "The man committed a friggin felony and got out of it" Which is part of the reason why I laugh at how you hang on to his every word. If he says that Krashalotski won't go far, then you automatically interpret that as "We've got a guaranteed ride for you whenever you want it". ""Pretty decent" doesn't cut it at HMS" Considering this was a team that finished 25th in points just five months ago, 10th in points is a huge step forward. Did you really a think a team that endured such a disastrous season in 2009 would win 3 out 7 races and lead the points the following year. In case you haven't noticed, the #88 team is ahead of the 5 and 39, and virtually tied with the 14. "The #88 team's season looks like that of an RCR team in '07 or '08." Nothing embarassing about that. Were you bitching and howling this loudly when those three cars made the cha$e in '07 and '08? "Cause he'll go back to running mid pack after that race, where most of the wrecks happen (the same thing that doomed him last year)." Gosh, I would have expected a long time race fan like yourself to know that a wreck can happen anytime, anywhere, in any racing series. Just because you're running in the top 5 doesn't give you some sort of armor against being taken out. Last year's New Hampshire cha$e race is proof of that, along with so many others. "I know, really. Just ask Jerry Nadeau, Joe Nemechek, and Caesy Mears." Call me crazy, but none of those three brought in a tenth of the sponsorship money that Dale Jr brings in, and none of those three were in the top 10 in points when they were canned. 104. Cfob posted: 04.14.2010 - 12:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Haha. Oh Bronco. Ya make me laugh. 105. I Seize The Day posted: 04.14.2010 - 1:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) As long as Jr. keeps bringing money in, he wont leave Hendrick anytime soon. Don't matter if Kevin Conway outruns him every week. That was Ricks plan all along - not to make Jr a contender, but to use the money he makes off Jr and to make the other 3 teams stronger. 106. I Seize The Day posted: 04.14.2010 - 1:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Let me clarify, he may try to leave Hendrick, but ole Rick wont let him until his contract is up. 107. martin-n-rusty posted: 04.14.2010 - 5:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DaleSrFan, quit it with the Jr. hate. Considering where he was, this is a huge step forward. If I was Dale Jr., and that team, the first step would be just making the chase, then going from there once the chase is made. 108. Kit posted: 04.14.2010 - 6:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "DaleSrFan, quit it with the Jr. hate. Considering where he was, this is a huge step forward. If I was Dale Jr., and that team, the first step would be just making the chase, then going from there once the chase is made." Let me get this straight: This is the third season that Dale Jr. has been with the best team with the sport and so far he has practically done JACK SHIT while his teammate has one multiple times and multiple championships. And we're supposed to back off Junior? Am I missing something here? Junior's career has been on the downhill since 2004. That was SIX YEARS ago. If Junior were running like Kasey Kahne has been lately, you would have a point. But the fact is, he's been mimicking Casey Mears in a Hendrick car. If Junior doesn't step it up with several wins a season before Kahne gets in a Hendrick car, you can call his career over. 109. DaleJrFan18 posted: 04.14.2010 - 7:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I hope you realize Khanes going over to the 5 and not the 88. Either way, I'm just staying out of this soap opera and watching because frankly, the arguments from both sides is becoming hilarious. *continues to shove popcorn in mouth* You running low Smokefan05? 110. Smokefan05 posted: 04.14.2010 - 8:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "*continues to shove popcorn in mouth* You running low Smokefan05?" Sadly i've run out of popcorn and drinks. :( SEND SOME QUICK!!!!!!! 111. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.14.2010 - 9:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Which is part of the reason why I laugh at how you hang on to his every word. If he says that Krashalotski won't go far, then you automatically interpret that as "We've got a guaranteed ride for you whenever you want it"." What I interpret it as is "Rick Hendrick gets what Rick Hendrick wants". And based on his comments made when Brad signed with Penske, Rick Hendrick wants Brad back eventually. So yes, that is how I interpret that. You made my point for me. "Considering this was a team that finished 25th in points just five months ago, 10th in points is a huge step forward." We're just 7 races in. Hell, Paul Menard was in the Top 12 for a while. He is not running up front and having to fight like hell for a Top 15 finish. If he has two bad races at any point, he'll be 20th in points. "In case you haven't noticed, the #88 team is ahead of the 5" Who has had a lot of bad luck, being involved in the most cautions this year, kinda like last year. Yet he's only 22 points behind Dale Mears. "and 39" Who has won a race this year despite having a Dale Mears-esque streak of 4 years with 1 win prior to this race. "and virtually tied with the 14." Who did something 4 times last year that Dale Mears has done once in almost 4 years: Win. "Gosh, I would have expected a long time race fan like yourself to know that a wreck can happen anytime, anywhere, in any racing series." Of course a wreck can happen anywhere. But MOST of the wrecks happen mid pack as I said in my post. Where did I say it can't happen up front? But it is rare (except when the Busch Brothers are involved). You are making shit up now. "Call me crazy, but none of those three brought in a tenth of the sponsorship money that Dale Jr brings in, and none of those three were in the top 10 in points when they were canned." But they won the same amount Dale Mears has won. 112. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.14.2010 - 10:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Junior's career has been on the downhill since 2004. That was SIX YEARS ago." That is what is most damning towards Dale Mears in my opinion. 2004 was his peak. He turned 30 that year. Most drivers peak starting at about age 32 or 33 through age 38 or 39. That is when they have just the right amount of hunger and aggressiveness but also the right amount of experience and ability to anticipate. They know when to pick their spots. They understand these are long races, but still have that hunger to win at the end and prove themselves as elite. Dale should not have peaked that young. Especially considering he signed with the sport's unquestoned dominator a few years later during what should have been his peak. He started off hot in '08, at age 33, but after his Michigan win has simply fallen off the face of the Earth. As I've said, this should be his time. The drop off is completely unexplainable. I just think he's screwed up mentally. I don't know why or how, but I think he has a weak mind, and the further behind he gets, the more he tanks emotionally. There is a special issue of ESPN the magazine devoted entirely to Dale Sr. As expected, there are several features about Jr in there. I recommend either buying, or reading just one story at the newsstand. It tells the story of Big E telling his young son to go pick up a large, heavy can of paint and bring it to him. It was Dale Sr testing him to see what he was made of. Predictably, Jr didn't even try, which disappointed Dale cause he knew his son was a mental weakling. It is a very telling story, and explains his inability to thrive under pressure. (And if you have time, read the part about the time Jr painted one of his RC cars like Geoff Bodine's Levi Garrett car, and Dale Sr started shooting at it with his pistol. That is friggin hilarious, I thought I would die laughing) 113. Spen posted: 04.14.2010 - 10:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Conway is out of the Top 35, and I won't be suprise if he never makes another race again." Actually, Kvapil is the one out of the top-35. And besides, as long as there is a single FRM car in the top-35, Conway will have a guarenteed spot, since he's the one with sponsorship. 114. martin-n-rusty posted: 04.14.2010 - 11:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Actually, Kvapil is the one out of the top-35. And besides, as long as there is a single FRM car in the top-35, Conway will have a guarenteed spot, since he's the one with sponsorship." AKA - Conway will single handendly take ever FRM car out of the top 35 115. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 04.14.2010 - 11:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Travis and David will have to drive their ass off to undo Conway's damage. As far as Jr is concerned, all he's doing right now is running decent like he was in 2008. Nothing special. 116. Mike posted: 04.15.2010 - 1:44 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Either Kasey Kahne is going to a third SHR car, or Jr is going to be moved to a third SHR car which will allow Kasey to drive the 88 in 2011. Then when Kasey moves to the 5 in 2012, it will allow Rick to sign up BK to drive the 88. The theory above is not too far fetched considering Dale and Tony have been friends for a number of years and always work well together. 117. Mike posted: 04.15.2010 - 1:48 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Also, there's an article on NASCAR.com where Hendrick says he hopes to have Kasey's 2011 plans wrapped up within 90 days. The plot thickens. 118. Bronco posted: 04.15.2010 - 2:12 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "And based on his comments made when Brad signed with Penske, Rick Hendrick wants Brad back eventually." Haha, to drive Jimmie Johnson's R&D cars in testing, maybe. As far as putting him in one of his cars? Like I've said a million times over, keep dreaming. There's a better chance of Kevin Conway qualifying in the top 30 than that ever happening. "We're just 7 races in. Hell, Paul Menard was in the Top 12 for a while. He is not running up front and having to fight like hell for a Top 15 finish. If he has two bad races at any point, he'll be 20th in points." And on the flip side, if he has two good races at any point, say two top 5s, he can be sixth in points which is only a whopping 23 markers off at this point. Given that the next two races are at Texas and Talladega and not Sonoma and New Hampshire, there's decent chance of that happening. "Who has had a lot of bad luck, being involved in the most cautions this year, kinda like last year." The 88 team had ten years worth of bad luck last year, so I don't exactly feel bad for the 5 team. "Who has won a race this year despite having a Dale Mears-esque streak of 4 years with 1 win prior to this race" And as you said earlier, its only 7 races in, so not having a win at this point is no reason to hit the panic button. When the dust settles, something tells me the 88 team will be ahead of the 39. "Who did something 4 times last year that Dale Mears has done once in almost 4 years: Win" Why does it matter what happened last year? Last I checked, this is 2010 and the 88 is at the same level as the 14 with a better average finish to boot. "Then when Kasey moves to the 5 in 2012, it will allow Rick to sign up BK to drive the 88." The press release stated that Dale Jr would be driving the 88 in 2012, so he isn't going anywhere. 119. Cfob posted: 04.15.2010 - 2:39 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "The press release stated that Dale Jr would be driving the 88 in 2012, so he isn't going anywhere." Dude. This isn't baseball. 120. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.15.2010 - 2:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I honestly wouldn't even count on Dale driving for HMS in 2011. As I've said, the one year stop gap at SHR is a bad idea for all parties. Rick has a lot of options for this situation given his control over HMS, as well as his heavy influence over SHR and Kelley Earnhardt Motorsports (which wants to go Cup racing). There are a lot of ways this could go, and Rick is basically playing Monopoly with real buildings. Whatever he wants to happen will happen. I don't think a one year stint in SHR's building is what he wants. "And on the flip side, if he has two good races at any point, say two top 5s, he can be sixth in points which is only a whopping 23 markers off at this point." There is one big difference: He has shown no signs of being able to have a string of good finishes. Except for Bristol, he has run mid pack all year (even at Daytona where he finished 2nd). He has shown more of a tendency towards the bad than the good. 121. Mike posted: 04.15.2010 - 3:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I honestly wouldn't even count on Dale driving for HMS in 2011." I'm not so sure about that. One of the main reasons Hendrick signed Jr the instant he became available was because of the close relationship they have with each other. Hendrick is 100% committed to getting him a championship at HMS so I don't see them giving up until Jr calls it a career. Jr will most likely be affiliated with HMS in some sort of manner for the rest of his career. Whether he's moved to SHR or takes his own team to cup, he will still be driving Hendrick stuff. "The press release stated that Dale Jr would be driving the 88 in 2012, so he isn't going anywhere." Jr in the past has said he's willing to step aside and let someone else drive if that's what Rick wants to do. So if there's an opportunity for Kasey to drive the 88 next year or for Brad to come on board in 2012, there is a good possibility Hendrick will move Jr to one of his satellite operations. It's pretty obvious Hendrick and BK have a long term agreement so he's got to fit in this equation somewhere. 122. Talon64 posted: 04.15.2010 - 5:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If Kahne does replace Dale Jr. then I hope they don't stick with the #88 or go back to the #25. #88 was just for Dale Jr. and I'm convinced that the #25 is cursed now. If HMS could get the #9 that would be great. 123. Spen posted: 04.15.2010 - 6:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Conway will single handendly take ever FRM car out of the top 35" And who exactly is going to replace them? The #36 is now on driver rotation, they've already missed two races, and I wouldn't be too surprised if they go back to start-and-parking sometime in the near future. The #26 is ridiculously slow, and probably won't make the field very often, and will probably S&P most of the races they do make. The #90 has already cut back their schedule, the #46 is too far back, and everyone else is either part-time or S&P. I think Conway, dispite having an awful year, will still be in the field every week. 124. DaleSrFanForever posted: 04.15.2010 - 7:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Jr will most likely be affiliated with HMS in some sort of manner for the rest of his career. Whether he's moved to SHR or takes his own team to cup, he will still be driving Hendrick stuff." That's what I'm actually saying. I should be a little clearer on this. When I say "HMS" I am referring to the mother ship, the cars that are officially Hendrick Motorsports entries. I don't see Dale staying at the mother ship through 2012. Whatever the issue is, it just isn't working out. Maybe if he goes to a "satellite" Hendrick team (which are pretty much HMS cars, just not in name) it will ease the pressure. Either way, I just don't see Rick allowing this HMS/88 debacle continuing for another 2 seasons after this one. I'm sure with their relationship, Rick could convince Dale to make the move. Rick is the "Hey buddy, it's ok even though you are screwing up constantly in what should be your prime and basically wasting an incredible opportunity" father figure he never had but definitely needs cause he is emotionally weak. I'm not saying for sure he'll be out of the mother ship in 2011, but that makes the most sense from a big picture standpoint. JJ and Mark have to be the the #1 and #2 choices for champion, and Gordon won't be going anywhere until he retires after his many years of incredible service and success even though he is in a coma now. And Rick will get Kasey at the mother ship as quick as possible. 125. Anonymous posted: 04.15.2010 - 8:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "cause he is emotionally weak" Because you know all about the emotions of someone that you've never even met, right? 126. martin-n-rusty posted: 04.16.2010 - 12:21 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Spen, the way that Conway runs, im sure there will be a way 127. Cfob posted: 04.16.2010 - 1:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Why is Bronco posting as Anonymous? 128. Jeremy Siple posted: 04.16.2010 - 6:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) #46 Terry Cook was sponsored by Autism Speaks. 129. Kit posted: 04.18.2010 - 2:27 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Because you know all about the emotions of someone that you've never even met, right?" If somebody has emotional issues, he or she will signal it in various ways. It's pretty damn obvious. This sounds like something stupid that Bronco would say... 130. Kit posted: 04.18.2010 - 2:29 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "One of the main reasons Hendrick signed Jr the instant he became available was because of the close relationship they have with each other." In the end, business is still business. "Hendrick is 100% committed to getting him a championship at HMS so I don't see them giving up until Jr calls it a career." All the R&D parts they were giving Junior last season says otherwise. 131. Cornys posted: 04.18.2010 - 2:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I don't know why you guys hate the "Dimond in the Desert". Personaly I really like the track. Fun race, Newman deserved to win the race because they made the right pit call where other's didn't. Nice come back for Mark Martin and Dale Jr. 132. Daniel posted: 05.21.2012 - 4:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) In using fastest 43: #09 Aric Almirola, #26 David Stremme, #36 Mike Bliss Out using fastest 43: #34 Travis Kvapil, #38 Kevin Conway, #71 Bobby Labonte 133. JG24ChasElliottFan posted: 08.05.2016 - 11:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) When you look at the top 20 in points, it's pretty stacked when you're speaking in terms of what some of the drivers, like Truex and Logano, have done since 2010, and plus you still have drivers like Juan Pablo Montoya, Brad Keselowski, and Kasey Kahne who were just outside of the top 20 as well. 134. Danish_Pie posted: 04.21.2019 - 6:54 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Final race as an owner for Raymond Key. The team attempted the first seven races of 2010, making only two of them. Scott Riggs, in his only attempt for the team, would get what would end up being the best finish for the organization, 28th, one lap off the leaders. 135. Timothy_Eklund posted: 03.03.2020 - 12:19 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) This was the first and only time phoenix ran a 600 kilometer race. 136. SweetRich posted: 03.03.2020 - 12:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The commentators for the race were Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds and Darrell Waltrip with Dick Berggren, Steve Byrnes, Matt Yocum and Krista Voda on pit road. 137. JOHEN573 posted: 03.03.2020 - 12:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) did not know that Almirola DNQ'd this race 138. Anthony2 posted: 06.06.2020 - 7:15 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) @134 And it was the final time that Scott Riggs would finish a Cup race without a DNF. 139. Rich posted: 12.19.2020 - 7:33 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Joining the race coverage in the Hollywood hotel were Chris Myers and Jeff Hammond. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Post a comment:* Your comment may not appear immediately - all comments must be approved by the moderator. Name: Comment: