|| *Comments on the 2012 Subway Fresh Fit 500:* View the most recent comment <#162> | Post a comment <#post> 1. LordLowe posted: 03.03.2012 - 4:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DSFF What do you think Is Dale Earnhardt Senior's Greatest Disappointment. His Loss at the 1989 Holly Farms 400, His Loss at 1990 Daytona 500 Or Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2. NicoRosbergFan posted: 03.03.2012 - 4:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Mark Martin's first non-plate pole since 2009 at Kansas. Go geezers! 3. Rusty posted: 03.03.2012 - 4:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Nice run for Regan Smith, looked as if he was going to get his first Cup pole before the last two qualifiers of the day beat him out. 19 year old Timmy Hill fails to qualify in his first attempt at a Cup race. 4. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.03.2012 - 6:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The '89 Wilkesboro race. That cost him the Winston Cup. 5. LordLowe posted: 03.03.2012 - 7:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I thought for sure that you would have said that his biggest disappointment was Dale Jr 6. cjs3872 posted: 03.03.2012 - 10:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) LordLowe, that's pretty low about Dale Earnhardt, Jr. being Dale, Sr.'s greatest disappointment, or among them, no pun intended. Sure, he isn't as focused as he needs to be, but to call him Dale, Sr.'s greatest disappointment is utterly ridiculous. I know it might be early, but Michael Waltrip's team may be in for a very big season, especially compared to their normal standards, as Mark Martin, the old man by the sea, grabbed the pole, and Waltrip's other cars are very competitive as well. Meanwhile, by the looks of things, Jeff Gordon may be in for a rough season, as I also predicted, as it seems that Alan Gustafson's history of never having consecutive good seasons may already be beginning to show. Let's also remember that Gordon himself hasn't had two good seasons in a row in a long time. The last time he had two good seasons in a row was in 2004-'05, when he won nine races, and his 2005 season was wildly inconsistent, resulting in not making the Chase and an 11th-place points finish. The tire situation isn't helping him this week, either, as Goodyear brought a hard tire to the track this week. Also, this is the first time since the 1987 season finale that Roush Racing's #6 car is not entered for a Cup race, as funding ran dry on that car. Combinethat with the situation facing Trevor Bayne at Roush (next week's Nationwide race at Las Vegas might be Bayne's last with Roush unless sponsorship is miraculously found), and Ford may be very lucky that Penske is rejoining them next year. In fact, as Ford is concerned (Roush's three cars excepted), next year can't arrive fast enough. The pole position is Martin's 52nd, putting him three behind Bill Elliott for seventh on the all-time list. Martin could also pass Bobby Allison for second place on the all-time top tens list later this year, or early next year. Counting the Daytona 500 last Sunday, Martin has 439 top ten finishes, just seven behind Allison, who recorded 446 top tens in his incredible career. Martin also needs to lead just 65 laps to move ahead of Junior Johnson for 10th on the all-time lap leader list, though Bobby Isaac's total of 13,229 laps led, currently ninth all-time, is probably out of Martin's reach, though Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart may both reach that plateau next year, and one of them might get there this year. And with five top tens this year, Gordon would join Richard Petty, Allison, Martin, and Dale Earnhardt, Sr. as just the fifth driver to score that many top ten finishes, and I still think he'll get to 500 if he races six or seven more years. 7. LordLowe posted: 03.03.2012 - 10:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) CJS your right I think I may have gone a little overboard with my comments about Dale Jr. 8. Mr X posted: 03.03.2012 - 11:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) CJS, I would hardly call 2005 a good season for Jeff Gordon, sure he won four races but I still believe that these drivers do care about running well and being consistant, winning really matters but I highly doubt Jeff Gordon thinks very highly of his 2005 season. He won twice at Martinsville, and two plate races, one of those was a Daytona 500 but I still think Jeff Gordon would've been been pretty unhappy as a 12th to 20th place car every time NASCAR got to an intermediate, which are the bread and butter of the season, or watching the finish of 9 races from the garage area, or missing the post season, and splitting with Robbie Loomis, his 2nd best crew chief. Considering what was expected from the 24 team at the time, IMO 2005 was Jeff's worst year other then 2008. His average finish in 2005 was actually worse then it was in 1993, 17.75 verses 17.70. 2003 and 2004 were his last two good consecutive seasons, 2004 was obviously a great year, with 5 wins and plenty of consistancy, 2003 he had extremely fast cars but little luck. He led 1639 laps, more then in 2004 or 2007, and only 8 fewer then in 1997, plenty of poles, a track record at the Glen, however if it could go wrong it did especially during the summer, but they weren't slow, and would've contended for the title with a little more luck. Jeff was fast in final practice too, if somebody on the 24 team realizes with the rock hard rubber that early strategies are a one way ticket to the front of the pack, he could run well. 9. cjs3872 posted: 03.03.2012 - 11:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Mr X, Jeff needs to be fast early in runs, or he's liable to get himself lapped early with that lowly 30th starting position he's saddled with. Yes, he may have led a lot of laps in 2003, winning both Martinsville races, but remember that leading and being a dominant factor on short tracks can often inflate a driver's laps led totals. That 1600+ laps led he had in 2003 may not be an indicator of how well he was, or wasn't running overall. After all, he led 503 laps at Martinsville that year in two of his three wins, 353 laps at Bristol, so there's more than half his laps led total for that season right there. Other than the spring race at Loudon where he led 133 laps and the September race at Richmond where he led 126 laps, he really wasn't that big a factor for most of the rest of the season. In fact, 2003 was another one of his feast or famine years. If he was good, he was great, but if he wasn't, he was, by his lofty standards, terrible, even though he wasn't any lower than sixth in the standings after the seventh race. 10. Mr X posted: 03.04.2012 - 12:43 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I am well aware that Jeff led most of his laps at short tracks in 2003, however 2003 was still far better then 2005 in which he only led 581 laps, 168 of them at RP tracks where for the most part it is certainly more car then driver, and 187 of them were still at Martinsville. Thats 355 of them taken care of in 4 races, leaving a lowly 226 for the remaining 32 races, and again they were out to lunch on intermediates, in 2003 Jeff ran well at Las Vegas before getting wrecked, both Atlanta races, Texas, both Charlotte races, he had a 6 race top 5 streak with 2 wins and 4 straight 5th place finishes, as opposed to 2005, where he managed only 8 top 5's total. But I still am concerned for tomorrow, I'm thinking about Charlotte last fall when he had a poor qualifying run, took most of the race to get anywhere near the front because it was one of those god awful track position, strategy, clean air races, and then is the victim of David Ragan's mistake, and is relegated to a poor finish because it was impossible to pass. When will NASCAR realize that 43 cars all running lap times within 2 tenths of a second of eachother meanwhile never slowing down at all isn't very exciting? 11. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.04.2012 - 1:23 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I wouldn't say its over the line to call June Dale Sr's greatest disappointment. I just don't think Dale Jr has any impact on his father's legacy. We keep trying to find some small piece of Dale out there so we can hang on to it tightly and not feel like we are letting him go, be it his son (who couldn't be any more opposite of his Dad if he tried) or a number, but he is far beyond that. Dale Jr was his son, and he loved him. Yeah he would be disappointed by his total lack of motivation, and if he were still here and June were still driving for him with the attitude he has now, Big E would have his cowboy boot shoved up his ass. It is fair to say he would be disappointed by that. But I wouldn't call June "Dale's disappointment". And for the record, Dale once said his biggest disappointment was Rod Osterlund bailing on him in the middle of 1981. He had just signed a 5 year extension, Wrangler signed a big extension, they had just signed Dale Inman (only the greatest crew chief ever) and looked to be set for the future. Then Rod pulls out all at once, sells the team to JD Stacy, who proceeds to dismantle the team and make it clear to Dale he didn't see him as an asset. Brilliant. He also said his biggest on track disappointment was the 1986 Daytona 500. They didn't pit for gas under the last caution cause they didn't want to give up track position even though he had alreadycaught Bodine from way back once. Dale and Kirk wanted to make that pit stop. But Richard overruled them because he was worried about track position. 12. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 03.04.2012 - 2:29 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) It will be interesting to see if Mark Martin can stay up front, or if he'll drop back like a rock when the green flag falls. I'm not very confident in MWR equipment when it comes to that category. 13. Watto posted: 03.04.2012 - 4:23 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Jeff Gordon may be in for a rough season, as I also predicted, as it seems that Alan Gustafson's history of never having consecutive good seasons may already be beginning to show. Let's also remember that Gordon himself hasn't had two good seasons in a row in a long time. The last time he had two good seasons in a row was in 2004-'05" I donno man. Gordon's 06-07 look better than 04-05 to me. I dont look for Jeff Gordon to have a rough season just because he had a "good" one last year. And in regards to Alan Gustafson, I don't really agree either. With Kyle Busch, 06 & 07 were practically equal seasons in numbers.. just ended up worse in the Chase in 06. Then in 08, his driver is Casey Mears so you're not gonna expect him to do with Kyle Busch does. I just think you're looking too deep into those patterns. It wouldn't shock me in the slightest if they duplicate or better last year. Last season they did have the 3 wins, but they were just inconsistent throughout the entire season. Hit or miss all year. I don't think they'll have a rough season, unless a rough season by your standards is not winning 3 races or one of the "crown jewel" races or something. 14. Spen posted: 03.04.2012 - 4:52 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) RCR&Penske: "It will be interesting to see if Mark Martin can stay up front, or if he'll drop back like a rock when the green flag falls. I'm not very confident in MWR equipment when it comes to that category." I doubt he'll lead much, but I expect he'll hang around the top five for the first half of the race. In the second half, the team will adjust themselves out of contention, and he'll wind up 20th with a top five car, much like what happened to Truex almost weekly last year. 15. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.04.2012 - 5:50 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hell, Bowyer had a Top 5 car at Daytona but had to fight back from a lap down cause they ran him out of gas. I also don't trust MWR. No team is as prone to little gremlins as they are. 16. cjs3872 posted: 03.04.2012 - 9:51 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Watto, I said it was early in the season, but the way things have started, it looks like Gordon may be in for a rough season. I think we'll know in four or five races what kind of season's he's off to, but I also said that the hiring of Kasey Kahne was going to affect him in a negative way, because nearly all the focus at Hendrick that's not put on the #48 car this year will be put on the #5 car that Kahne is driving. Last year, there was no emphasis at all put on the #5 car. Instead, that emphasis was put on Earnhardt's #88 becoming competitve again, which it was, and putting Gordon's #24 in victory lane again, and that was also successful. Remember that Hendrick was also off the pace last year, resulting in no car in the top five in points since 2000. But another major reason I see the #24 struggling this year is that Hendrick wants to put Earnhardt in victory lane, and the increased focus on the #5 car means that emphasis has to be taken away from one car, and that car is the #24, since Johnson's #48 is the #1 team at Hendrick. And DSFF, I heard that Bowyer's #15 car was one of those that was having fuel pressure problems in the Daytona 500, so his running out of fuel may not have been a case of his team running him out of fuel as much as it was the fuel pressure problems that he may have been having. The fact that he ran out so much faster than anyone else points to a possible mechanical problem he could have been experiencing in that regard, rather than his team simply running him out of fuel. Several other teams were also experiencing fuel pressure issues at Daytona on Monday night. Bowyer may just have been the first victim of the new fuel injection NASCAR's running in the Cup series this year. 17. 18fan posted: 03.04.2012 - 12:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm interested to see how Regan Smith runs today. Last year early in the season Smith qualified really well but then would struggle during the race. He qualified an excellent 3rd and it'll be interesting to see how he does. 18. LordLowe posted: 03.04.2012 - 2:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hey Off Topic CJS How is Back-flipping going 19. 18fan posted: 03.04.2012 - 3:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Could be a long day for the field with the 48 car looking as good as it is right now. 20. Mr X posted: 03.04.2012 - 3:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Interesting Tide commercial. 21. Mr X posted: 03.04.2012 - 3:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Clint Bowyer's career might be over. 22. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.04.2012 - 3:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) As I said, the MWR cars seem to have those nagging issues that always submarine them. 23. OldSchoolNascarDude1 posted: 03.04.2012 - 3:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That was a tough break for Kasey Kahne. I think he had something to compete with today. 24. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.04.2012 - 3:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Wow has Charlie Sheen sunk low or what? Losing! 25. cjs3872 posted: 03.04.2012 - 3:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) LordLowe, not good, though I still want to do it by my birthday, though that's not until after the Bristol night race. By the way, four cars seem to have parked, and there might be others that I suspect will fall out the race, as well. Those four cars are Michael McDowell (#98), Joe Nemechek (#87), Scott Riggs (#23), and Robby Gordon (#7). Nemechek has gotten in and out of the garage a couple of times to try to gain positions. 26. JG24FanForever posted: 03.04.2012 - 4:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Happy Birthday to Jimmy Clark(F1 Legend) 27. cjs3872 posted: 03.04.2012 - 4:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It looks like the old man by the sea is making his move right now, as Mark Martin has moved up to third place, and is closing on the leaders. With Jimmie Johnson back in the pack after three pit stops on the fourth caution, Martin seems to be the one on the move. Martin is one of a group of drivers, which also include Kevin Hrarvick, Jeff Gordon, Jeff Burton, and Dale Earnhardt, jr. who is trying to join Johnson as only the second driver to win more than twice at Phoenix. 28. Rusty posted: 03.04.2012 - 4:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt was running tough in the top 10 for a while, but he is back to 19th now. Still not a bad day for an underfunded team so far. 29. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.04.2012 - 5:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Reut isn't as good as Danica at not overtaxing a motor. 30. 18fan posted: 03.04.2012 - 5:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) David Reutimann was doing a good job in the #10 car before his engine let go. 31. Schroeder51 posted: 03.04.2012 - 6:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Man, I feel bad for Ambrose. He was going to finish in 3rd place before his engine let go. 32. Anonymous posted: 03.04.2012 - 6:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hamlin's 18th win. 33. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.04.2012 - 6:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Grubb is 6 of the last 12. 34. Bronco posted: 03.04.2012 - 6:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Darian Grubb - 1 Steve Addington - 0 That's 6 wins in the last 12 races for Darian Grubb. 35. Bronco posted: 03.04.2012 - 6:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hamlin takes over the point lead for the first time since the fall 2010 race at Phoenix, ironically. 36. cjs3872 posted: 03.04.2012 - 6:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I know it's early in the season, and it could have been an anomaly, but when's the last time there was a race on a 1-mile track that had four engine failures (McMurray, Reutimann, Burton, and Ambrose). I know the fuel injection is new technology, but Phoenix is not a tough track on engines, and there were four engine failures late in the race, hitting three of the makes. What could that mean for vtracks like Las Vegas next week and Auto Club Speedway in three weeks? After all, if there were four engine failures at Phoenix, how many might there be at Las Vegas and Fontana? But then again, what we saw today with the four engine failures could also have been an anomaly. Only time will tell. 37. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 03.04.2012 - 6:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Darian Grubb is one talented individual. Enough said. The #14 team should regret their decision to let him go, regardless of when it was made. I give ol' Mark credit, I didn't think he would run as well as he did and finish where he did. 38. OldSchoolNascarDude1 posted: 03.04.2012 - 6:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I can't help but to be happy for Darian Grubb. I was also intrigued by the engine failures in this race. I liked the old configuration better, but this wasn't a bad race aside from the one debris cautions that failed to appear on my television. 39. Eric posted: 03.04.2012 - 6:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If the engine problems happen at Las Vegas, than it would be a big problem for Auto Club Speedway. Auto Club Speedway at times is hard on engine for 500 miles. 40. 18fan posted: 03.04.2012 - 7:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) But the race at Auto Club is only 400 miles, so the potential engine issues might not be as bad. 41. Eric posted: 03.04.2012 - 7:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 18fan, I thought it was 500 miles because this site called the2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Results page called the Auto Club race the Auto Club 500 instead of the Auto Club 400. 42. Anonymous posted: 03.04.2012 - 7:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @36 actually 3 of those are ECR engines 43. 10andJoe posted: 03.04.2012 - 7:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "By the way, four cars seem to have parked, and there might be others that I suspect will fall out the race, as well. Those four cars are Michael McDowell (#98)" I THINK McDowell actually had a justified reason for parking, for once - he'd tore up his primary car, was running the backup, and they could only afford to bring the two cars west for both Phoenix and Las Vegas. So take a mulligan and save your car for Las Vegas - pretty much the same thing TBR did last yest at Phoenix, actually, now that I think about it. Not sure why the 23 S&P'd, though. They're trying to make the top 35... "I know it's early in the season, and it could have been an anomaly, but when's the last time there was a race on a 1-mile track that had four engine failures (McMurray, Reutimann, Burton, and Ambrose)." Note that if you leave Ambrose out of that group, they were all ECR-powered cars. I suspect heads will roll back at ECR's engine shop tomorrow morning. 44. 10andJoe posted: 03.04.2012 - 7:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "last yest"? Were the heck did that come from? "last year", of course. 45. Anonymous posted: 03.04.2012 - 7:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If today was any indication, Kurt Busch won't have as many 20th-30th place finishes as people thought. 46. Mrittenhouse84 posted: 03.04.2012 - 7:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I may be in the minority, but I thought this race was actually pretty dang good. Passing all over the place, Hard Racing for the lead.Didn't look to me like there was too much Lets just ride moments. Johnson was the car to beat until the End. Harvick had the second best car all day long. If he didn't have to try to save some fuel I think he wins this race. Considering he ran out of fuel 1 1/2 laps from the end and still finished 2nd was impressive. 47. Jarrett88fan posted: 03.04.2012 - 7:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The Toyota's, with the exception of Hamlin were short on fuel today. Which is a surprise to no one given even after the switch to fuel injection. "I give ol' Mark credit, I didn't think he would run as well as he did and finish where he did." Unfortunately, RCRandPenskeGuy I expected Mark to stay out with 80 laps to go or so given the fact that he was in 4th place and could have settled in after the restart and saved some fuel. If not for the engine woes and Smith/Edwards running out of gas on the final lap, Mark wouldn't have finished in the top-10. Now Mark Martin is 6 top-10s away from tying Bobby Allison for second in most top-10s. Given he had 11 top-10s in '07-'08 when he last ran a partial schedule, he might get the record by the end of 2012. 48. 18fan posted: 03.04.2012 - 7:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I found this interesting, on the last lap Harvick ran a 33.17 second lap. Greg Biffle, who finished 3rd, ran the fastest lap of any driver on that lap with a 27.42, but showing how much better than everybody else Hamlin and Harvick were that Harvick could run that slow on the last lap and not lose a position. 49. Rusty posted: 03.04.2012 - 7:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) As a Kurt Busch fan, I've never been happier with a 15th place finish. Underfunded team and he held his own out there. Even got by Jimmie on a restart and led a few laps and spent a decent amount of the early race in the top 10. It gives me hope that this team won't be completly out to lunch in a lot of races like I feared. 50. cjs3872 posted: 03.04.2012 - 7:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Anonymous (#45), I disagre with you saying that Kurt Busch won't have many 20th-30th place runs this year, because I think he will have a lot of 20th-30th place runs this year, not because he's not a good driver or that the equipment isn't strong, because Busch is a cahmpionship driver with 24 wins and the Phoenix Racing team runs Hendrick equipment. The reason that Busch will have a lot of 20th-30th place runs, especially on the tracks that don't have many cautions has to do with his pit crew, which to put it mildly, is terrible. In the middle stages of the race, they appeared to do a left-sides only pit stop under green flag conditions and still lost several seconds on the pit stop despite changing only two tires. And remember last year when Landon Cassill drove that car that he drove up toward the front, but his pit crew cost him 15 seconds or more on green flag pit stops. The most infamous case of this came in the Firecracker 400 when Cassill drove the #51 into contention for the lead just before pit stops, but after the pit stops, he was some 20 seconds or more behind, simply because of the slow pit stops. If there are races with very few cautuions and numerous green flag pit stops, Busch may lose laps just from the difference between his pit crew and the pit crews of the bigger teams. Trevor Bayne faced this same problem last year when he was a factor in races in the Wood Brothers' car. Slow pit stops knocked him out of contention, and the same thing will happen to Kurt Busch this year. 51. TeamPlayersBlue posted: 03.04.2012 - 7:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I thought this was a great race, lots of passing, some interesting pit strategy, lots of battles for the lead and throughout the field, and a great crowd. Good start to the real NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, the new Phoenix reminds me alot of the Walt Disney World Speedway. Hopefully we see more of this throughout the year. 52. 10andJoe posted: 03.04.2012 - 8:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) #18 sponsor: M&M's Brown #93 sponsor: Burger King/Dr. Pepper #34 sponsor: Barrett-Jackson Auction Company #83 sponsor: Burger King/Dr. Pepper #98 sponsor: K-LOVE/Curb Records There was something on the hood of the #30, but I never got a good look at it. 53. 18fan posted: 03.04.2012 - 8:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) In the race results Matt Kenseth is not credited with leading but in the lead changes section he is credited with leading 1 lap. I believe he did lead, so he should be credited with leading 1 lap. 54. ch posted: 03.04.2012 - 8:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor Corrections 30 - Fesler Built 32 - U.S. Chrome / Southern Pride Trucking / TMone 34 - Barrett Jackson (no dash) 51 - Phoenix Racing 83 - Burger King / Dr Pepper 93 - Burger King / Dr Pepper 98 - Phil Parsons Racing 55. Bronco posted: 03.04.2012 - 8:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It's only two races in, but I have a feel that Allmendinger and Kahne both won't live up everything that's expected of them this year. The same goes for Carl Edwards, I don't know if he'll still be a championship threat this year. This weekend marks the one year anniversary since his last win, and his 17th place result is his worst since the August Michigan race last year. Fact - ALL the drivers that finished in the top 10 in last year's fall Phoenix race finished 17th or worse today. Very good finish for Aric Almirola in the #43, I don't think anyone expected anything out of him this year. It's still early, but Martin Truex may finally win a race this year and have his best year yet in the #56. 56. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.04.2012 - 8:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Nice Top 5 for Brad on a track that has given him fits in the past. Once again, Paul Wolfe had great pit strategy that took them from their bad starting position, moved them up, and Paul kept them in the 5th to 9th place area where they ran all day. In the past, these small low banked tracks have been a problem for them. They are either slow, or run fast before blowing a right front. Nice bounce back from the Daytona crash as they are already 12th in points. Vegas should be interesting for them. Both of his trips there have been pathetic. Of course they were both before The Great Penske Revival of May 2011 To Present. But even then the high banked intermediates have been hit or miss for them. A solid Top 10 run there will be very encouraging for their season. 57. Cooper posted: 03.04.2012 - 8:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Brad Keselowski had a chance to take the lead on the final restart and he did for about 1/4 of a mile. He overcooked turn 3 and slipped up the groove and fell all the way back to 6th. Absolutely phenomenal race. Lots of passes, good movement through the field, and good hard racing. Reminds me of Richmond about 10 years ago. Denny Hamlin looks strong, and my prediction of Greg Biffle challenging for the championship looks goof right now. Jimmie J and Chad Knaus will be a force by the end of the season. Marcos Ambrose can't catch a break. Top 5 run at Daytona and Phoenix both spoiled by deals not of his making. Overall, a decent start to the season considering how bad it could have been after last weeks debacle. 58. Cooper posted: 03.04.2012 - 8:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Previous post should be *Good not goof. DSFF, looks like Brad and Paul are picking up where they left off 2011. Good cars, and good decisions. not a spectacular car today, but definitely very promising. 59. PigeonHead posted: 03.04.2012 - 9:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Joey Logano has a solid start to the season with a pair of top 10s. Should be interesting to see if he can have a breakout season with his new crew chief or if these early season runs are just a fluke. 60. 18fan posted: 03.04.2012 - 9:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This was JGR's first win with TRD engines. Out of 6 possible cars, JGR has 5 top 10s. In this race Kyle and Denny were both strong, Kyle's handling went away at the end though. Joey was solid all day as well. All around a good day for JGR. I always had the feeling that Jason Ratcliff could be a successful Cup crew chief and he's got 2 top 10s in 2 starts with Joey. Add Darian Grubb with Denny, and Denny could return to his 2009-2010 form. 61. irony posted: 03.04.2012 - 9:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Good runs for Regan Smith (who should of finished a lot better) Ambrose, Almirola and Kvapil. Not sure how Harvick still managed to finish 2nd after running out with a lap to go. This could be his year. Should be a pretty good year for Burton also. Jr made it to the top 15 at the end but was pretty much invisible. Another mmediocre season coming for him, but I except a win or 2. 62. 10andJoe posted: 03.04.2012 - 9:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ch - The #98 carried the K-LOVE logo on the TV panel, and the 32's TMone sponsorship is associate and not worth mentioning. So: #18 sponsor: M&M's Brown #30 sponsor: Fesler Built #32 sponsor: U.S. Chrome/Southern Pride Trucking #34 sponsor: Barrett Jackson Auction Company #83 sponsor: Burger King/Dr. Pepper #93 sponsor: Burger King/Dr. Pepper #98 sponsor: K-LOVE 63. 10andJoe posted: 03.04.2012 - 9:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Cooper - I agree. I'd say (although this may be HERESY! [/40k reference]) that if we can't have Rockingham back, Phoenix is a good second-race substitute. Now, however, it's on to Las Boring. 64. ch posted: 03.04.2012 - 9:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'd beg to differ about TMone since it held the entire tv panel and lower quarter panels. So if 98 gets K-Love I think 32 should have TMone. 65. 10andJoe posted: 03.04.2012 - 9:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ^ The difference is that K-LOVE was the -only- sponsor on the 98. 66. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.04.2012 - 9:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It was a good two groove racetrack. Fun race I thought. They have worked hard at PIR to put down lots of rubber to allow an upper groove, and it has paid off. Kudos to them. Also, it was 80 degrees in the middle of the afternoon. Those always produce the best races. 67. cjs3872 posted: 03.04.2012 - 10:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Well, all I have to say is that A.J. Allmendinger had better pick up his performance, or he might be out of the #22 car bfore the season ends. It's one thing to note that he could only finish 18th after the incident with Paul Menard and Jamie McMurray (who was an innocent bystander), but that's where he running at that time (about 20th). I've watched racing for over 20 years, and if I know Roger Penske like I think I do (I've never actually met him), he won't stand for very many uncompetitve runs, especially if his other car is running with the leaders, as Keselowski was. It's one thing for both of his cars to be uncompetitve, but to have one car so far off the pace of the other makes one wonder if Allmendinger has the goods (for months I've been saying he doesn't have the goods). And Phoenix is supposed to be one of Allmendinger's better tracks, so to run as bad as he did, while the other Penske car ran with the leaders is not a good sign for Allmendinger. Having Aric Almirola, who I don't think is that good either, finish 12th and not have any trouble at all in one of Richard Petty's cars, a team much lower on the NASCAR food chain, doesn't speak highly of Almendinger either. And by the way, the new Phoenix reminds me of a small Pocono, or even Nazareth, PA before it closed down a few years ago. A 1-mile oval shaped like no other. What Phoenix really is now is a 1-mile triangle, because it's really a three-corner track, which makes it unique among NASCAR tracks, much like tracks like Darlington (1.366 mile egg-shaped oval), Martinsville (0.526 mile paper clip), Pocono (2.5 mile triangle) and Indianapolis (2.5 mile rounded rectangle) are. And frankly, NASCAR needs more tracks with a character all their own, and Phoenix certainly fits that bill now. 68. joey2448 posted: 03.04.2012 - 10:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The Joe Gibbs cars look strong this year, as do the Michael Waltrip Toyotas... I also think it's funny that everyone expects a lot out of Kasey Kahne this year, but just look at what happened with Junior when he joined Hendrick in 2008... I know it's not a big issue, but I don't see any problem with cars short-cutting the backstretch dogleg. It's paved, it keeps drivers from squeezing each other into a wreck, and it's entertaining for the fans. 69. 18fan posted: 03.04.2012 - 10:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And cutting the dogleg does not give much, if any, advantage because the cars lose momentum when they come back onto the racetrack from the apron. 70. 18fan posted: 03.04.2012 - 10:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Also it appears that the deal between Elliott Sadler and MWR that would have had Sadler run 5 races in MWR's #55 has fallen apart due to manufacturer conflicts. That means that we could see The Sheriff of the Unemployment Line, Brian Vickers, drive that car in the races Sadler was supposed to drive. 71. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 03.04.2012 - 10:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I feel good about Brad and Penske as well. Once Brad got into the top 10, he pretty much stayed there all day (he and Paul really know how to use pit strategy to their advantage, which is a good strength a team can have), even challenging for the lead a couple times. This tells me that last year probably wasn't a fluke, and that we will see more good performances from them this year. Another driver we may have to watch out for is Denny Hamlin. As has been mentioned, this is JGR's first win with the TRD engines, and this is also Denny's first win with Darian Grubb, who I think will prove to be a vital force in Denny's resurgence. We could see him put up numbers like he did in 2006, 2009 and 2010. His one concern however, will be the TRD motors. They've left a big question mark in terms of the performances in some of the cars they have been in. 72. Watto posted: 03.04.2012 - 10:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) regarding the Phoenix Racing team... They do have some solid Hendrick cars, but most of what they ran last year weren't Hendrick pieces. They used a lot of old Ganassi cars and things of the like that they changed over to Chevrolets and attempted to put better front end geometry in. I think out of the 36 races, about 6-8 of those were with Hendrick cars. Great point about the pit crew, as they're not on pace with many teams, but they did have a lot of races last year where they were completely out to lunch on speed. Usually Phoenix Racing runs decent at Phoenix, and theyll be decent at a number of places this year, but I fully expect them to run 20th-30th for a variety of tracks this year. I don't think of Nick Harrison as being a great crew chief. I've got stories I could tell you. Kurt did a great job though today. 73. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.04.2012 - 11:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think Dinger is trying a little too hard right now. He needs to take a little time to gel with his new team and calm it back a tick. As far as Penske not having patience with him, if he held on to Brad after 2010 he should give AJ a little leeway. I know he just has a one year deal as opposed to Brad's original multiyear deal, and Brad had shown he could win and run up front in Cup in his partial 2009 season with HMS, but I think he will get it. But I could certainly be wrong. 74. Alex posted: 03.04.2012 - 11:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Great start to Harvick's 2012 campaign with two top-10s' 75. Rusty posted: 03.04.2012 - 11:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I personally think Penske should've went after Trevor Bayne instead of Allmendinger, but I think you need to give AJ time before we start talking about being replaced. I fully expect Kurt and the #51 team to have several races where they are totally out to lunch. Team is too underfunded to be consistently good this year. But today gave me hope that they can still compete. Also, they plan on racing a brand new Hendrick chassis at Las Vegas next week. Lets' see how it pays off. But I must say, as a Kurt fan, lowering the expectations has made the races easier for me. I used to be a little annoyed when he was running midpack or worse like Kurt was and now today I was excited and happy to see them come home 15th. I hope Kurt feels the same way, because it can really give him a new appreciation for racing. Drivers are pretty spoiled in general, Kurt isn't the only suspect in that. A lot of times they really overlook the money and hard work put into being out there and being competitive, hopefully stepping back like this really helps Kurt because he needs it. He isn't a bad guy, but he has been pretty spoiled. You have to be competitive out there, but to the point where you are insulting the people who work hard to get you out there when things aren't going well is too much. Once in a while I can understand, because emotions get the best of everysingle one of us, but it has been too common with Kurt. 76. AlmirolaFan51/88/43 posted: 03.05.2012 - 12:00 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) The Dinger's day could have been much worse, considering he lost the decklid in his crash. Salvaging an 18th place finish was decent work. Aric's 12th place finish was one of the luckiest i've seen in a while, he ran in the 20's all day long, but when cars started falling by the wayside for various reasons, he was there to pick up the spots one by one, and it paid off. It's not a top 10, but i'm pleased with a top 15 this early in the season. Hiring Elliott Sadler for the #55's open races didn't make much sense to me in the first place, simply because he's still the same Cup driver no matter how well he runs in Nationwide. However, in 2010 he drove a Ford in Cup while driving a Chevy in Nationwide & Truck. So if manufactuer hopping wasn't a problem for him then, how did this deal fall apart? 77. Bronco posted: 03.05.2012 - 12:16 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt's 15th place finish was a huge surprise to me, but I think the short tracks and RP tracks are where he will be most competitive this year, and his downfall will be the high speed aero tracks (such as next week). First start for Brendan Gaughan since the fall Phoenix race of 2010. He only has three more races in the #33 so I hope he makes them count. "That means that we could see The Sheriff of the Unemployment Line, Brian Vickers, drive that car in the races Sadler was supposed to drive." God I hope not. They need to put Kenny Wallace in that car if they don't want it coming back destroyed. 78. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 03.05.2012 - 12:23 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Great start to Harvick's 2012 campaign with two top-10s'" And if today was any indication to how the 2012 season will be for him, he could be on track to put together three great years in a row after not being able to put together two great years in a row before 2010 and 2011. But it's only two races in, so perhaps I should wait a while before assessing everyone's season. 79. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.05.2012 - 12:24 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Looks like Chevy is putting the clamps on Sadler running in MWR's Toyotas. Not official yet, but it is being rumored. If they do prevent that, it is rumored they take those races that were gonna go to Sadler (both Bristols, both Martinsvilles, and the first NH race) to *gulp* Brian Vickers. Yeah, they might put that asshole on the short tracks. First off, he has never run worth a shit at the short tracks. And secondly, surely they remember his most recent two races on tracks 1 mile or less (Martinsville and Phoenix last year). Martinsville was one of the most embarrassing races ever run by anyone. I was at that race and remember thinking 1) the track doesn't have lights, the race may have to be shortened due to darkness 2) I may have to leave early so I could get to work the next morning on time (I'm on night shift now, that will be even worse) and 3) me and Dad need to hurry back to his truck and leave the area before Brian crashes into it. Nothing good can come from putting Vickers in your short track car. 80. Eric posted: 03.05.2012 - 12:28 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I hope Vickers does not get the 5 races Sadler is supposed to get. I am saying this because Vickers sucks at short tracks. Putting Vickers on a car for both Martinsville races, both Bristol races, and one New Hampshire Motor Speedway race is asking for trouble. He is going to cost someone a chase spot. I rather have Kenny Wallace being in those 5 races. 81. 18fan posted: 03.05.2012 - 12:37 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) There are countless drivers who could do a better job than Vickers in the 5 races that are open. 82. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.05.2012 - 12:39 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick has looked really stout so far. But again, trying to predict anything with them is a shot in the dark. His biggest issue is closing seasons out (ironic for "The Closer"). They never seem to have the speed or ability to kick it up a notch in the last 10. I think a big part of that is Kevin's grating personality. The Busch Brothers get all the grief for being abrasive and wearing out their crews emotionally, but Kevin is almost as bad. And his current team knows damn well he had his entire team from last year fired. How will that play into their psyche come crunch time? But I definitely look for them to continue this hot streak for at least the first 1/3 of the season. And they have an opening this year because the 48 car will be inspected very harshly (and rightfully so) due to Chad's long list of infractions. So we will see. Lol, loving all these Vickers comments. 83. Mr X posted: 03.05.2012 - 12:46 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kevin Harvick has started 2012 the exact way he started 2010, with a 7th in the 500 followed up by a 2nd place run. 84. BLabonte47 posted: 03.05.2012 - 1:14 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) lol at the Vickers hate. Guy is a great driver and will give the 55 great runs on any track if they are smart enough to put him in. 85. 18fan posted: 03.05.2012 - 1:30 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Denny Hamlin's win was the 198th win for car #11, which ties #43 for the most all-time. With Darian Grubb as Denny's crew chief, there is a real possibility that Denny will pick up the 200th win for the car #11 this year. 86. LordLowe posted: 03.05.2012 - 1:57 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) From the unique & interesting track at Phoenix we now go to track that is interestingly boring & needs to be nuked IMO. 87. 10andJoe posted: 03.05.2012 - 2:17 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) #84 - Did you watch Sonoma, Martinsville and Phoenix last year? I did. I still glance out my window every now and then to be sure my car's still in one piece... 88. Watto posted: 03.05.2012 - 6:24 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) #36 cjs It seems that many of the unusual engine problems have stemmed from those who ran their cars out of gas at some point. Some teams noticed this in testing, and many are saying that the engines are burning up when they're leaned out when they run out of fuel. So it's something that shouldn't make matters worse on big tracks, aside from the higher likelihood of engine problems on big tracks that we've always seen. Hopefully they can fix these issues. 89. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.05.2012 - 6:49 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Lol 10AndJoe, I live in the same county Brian is from. I am definitely always on the lookout for him. 90. cjs3872 posted: 03.05.2012 - 10:11 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Rusty (#75), Penske DID go after Trevor Bayne. In fact, Bayne was his first choice to replace Kurt Busch from what I hear, but when Bayne told Jack Roush about it, Roush apparently struck that idea down, which is ironic because Bayne might be without a ride after this weeks races at Las Vegas. Penske apparently talked to Bayne before Allmendinger was even a candidate. Allmendinger only got the Penske ride after Richard Petty recommended to Penske that he hire Allmendinger. And DSFF, remember that when Brad Keselowski struggled a couple of years ago in Penske's cars that there were races in which none of the Penske cars ran that good. Even Kurt Busch was out to lunch sometimes in the #2 car in 2010. There's a very big difference in one of the cars lagging so far behind the other nad non of the cars running very well. Now as for Aric Almirola's 12th-place finish being fortunate, I agree with that, but he also had a clean race and did not run any worse that Allmendinger ran before his incident with Paul Menard and Jamie McMurray. As for the engine problems that some cars had late in the race, while the #1 and #31 might have run it lean during that round of green flag pit stops (McMurray was also invoved in the Menard/Allmendinger incident), that wouldn't explain what happened to the #9 and #10 cars, which also had engine failure, because they didn't run out of fuel as far as I know. 91. Scott B posted: 03.05.2012 - 1:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Vickers! Nooooooooooo! Why not Jeff Green for 5 short track races? He's had top 10's at all three of the tracks they need a fill-in driver to run. 92. 18fan posted: 03.05.2012 - 1:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Solid run for Travis Kvapil in BK Racing's #93, finishing 19th 1 lap down while Landon Cassill ended up 40 laps down for whatever reason. If Cassill spent time behind the wall it wasn't reported unless I missed it. Also, how about Dave Blaney 16th in points after 2 races and Bobby Labonte is 11th. 93. Eric posted: 03.05.2012 - 1:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) BLabonte47, Vickers is a horrible short track driver. I got cup stats on Brian Vickers that backs that up including the 3 tracks he will be racing for MWR this year. Brian Vickers never had a top 10 at Bristol with an average finish of 24.6 at that track despite having 14 starts there. He only had 2 top 10's in 13 starts at Martinsville with a 20.5 average finish at that track. He also only 2 top 10's in 13 starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with an average finish of 21.6 at that track. Vickers also only has 3 top 10's at Richmond in 14 starts with an average finish of 24.9. That means Vickers at Richmond, Bristol and Martinsville is terrible as a cup driver. The last time I check, when your best short track has an average finish of 20.5 in 13 starts, it tells you the driver sucks at short tricks like in the case of Vickers. 94. cjs3872 posted: 03.05.2012 - 2:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 18fan, from what I heard, Cassill got into the wall with help from David Reutimann. I also wondered for some time why he was behind the wall because it was not immediately reported. 95. 10andJoe posted: 03.05.2012 - 3:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yeah, they mentioned Cassill going behind the wall for awhile on the MRN broadcast. Didn't mention why. Can't speak for if Fox mentioned it or not at the time as I was on a McRun... 96. 10andJoe posted: 03.05.2012 - 3:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Las Vegas entry list is out. 45 cars; just take the Phoenix entry list, put Kenny Schrader in the 32 and add Trevor Bayne in the 21, and there you go. 97. ch posted: 03.05.2012 - 5:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Cassill had a leak in an oil pan, too bad since they were running well. 98. 10andJoe posted: 03.05.2012 - 5:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) BK Racing has been a very pleasant surprise so far; they just have had bad luck keeping them from really, really good finishes. 99. Bloop posted: 03.05.2012 - 6:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) First race without a #6 car since the 1987 finale 100. ii posted: 03.05.2012 - 7:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I heard them say that Cassill was put into the wall by Reutimann, but my hearing was way off yesterday. 101. TT posted: 03.05.2012 - 7:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "In fact, Bayne was his first choice to replace Kurt Busch from what I hear, but when Bayne told Jack Roush about it, Roush apparently struck that idea down, which is ironic because Bayne might be without a ride after this weeks races at Las Vegas. Penske apparently talked to Bayne before Allmendinger was even a candidate." Where'd you hear that? I heard some things that contradict that, so I'm just curious. 102. cjs3872 posted: 03.05.2012 - 8:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Bloop (#99), if you would have read post #6, you would have seen that I also mentionerd that this was the first race since the 1987 series finale that Roush's #6 car wasn't entered for a race (I believe D.K. Ulrich's team used that number in 1987), but thanks for also mentioning that, because virtually everyone, myself included, doesn't read EVERY post. And TT (#101), it was mentioned in a NASCAR.com article during the off-season that Penske had talked to Bayne, though I might be mistaken that Bayne was Penske's first choice to replace Kurt Busch, because he might have talked to David Ragan first. According to the article, when Bayne told Roush that Penske had offered Bayne the ride in the #22 car, he was told to turn it down. I might not be entirely reliable when it comes to those kinds of things, but being that I got that info from a NASCAR.com article, I think that should be considered a reliable source. In fact, as reliable of a source as it gets when it comes to NASCAR info since it is NASCAR's official site. 103. TT posted: 03.05.2012 - 11:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) oh okay, I gotcha. It was an honest question cause I didn't realize Trevor was in the running. To be honest I'd take AJ Allmendinger over Trevor at this point, although maybe the future will prove me to be a fool :) 104. 10andJoe posted: 03.06.2012 - 4:14 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) #43 sponsor: Smithfield / Allez Cuisine 105. Anonymous posted: 03.06.2012 - 7:50 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Good to see guys like Yeley and Stremme run the full race, especially since Yeley missed the 500. It's their chance now more than ever to get into the top 35. 106. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.06.2012 - 10:41 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I would like to see what Bayne can do in Cup in a car like the #22. A car that runs every week with a full time pit crew and top notch funding. I would definitely want Bayne right now. He is still outrageously young (just turned 21) yet he has the mental stability of somebody twice his age. He has already proved adept at handling the inevitable disappointments racing will hand you without making things worse while channelling them properly for future motivation. Comparing him to others that achieved Cup success quickly at a young age (The Busch Brothers, Harvick, Denny, Carl) and he is miles ahead of him. He has stayed the same despite the highs and lows that have already been handed his way. It would have been cool to see what would happen if he could have got in a Hendrick car this year. Say him and June decided to split last year and quit kidding themselves about their partnership ever producing anything besides a ton of T Shirt sales, or had he not made the decision on Kasey 18 months in advance (I know it has been a rough start, but Kasey to HMS will turn out to be a great move for both). Could he have challenged Gordon's modern era record for youngest champion? That would be a tough thing to do (winning it in his 3rd full time season) but it is hard to believe he is still with Roush who can't even get sponsorship for a NATIONWIDE ride, the same owner who still has 15 unsponsored races for the DAYTONA FREAKING 500 WINNER. Maybe he can wind up in the #20 car next year (I know he has had a good start, but I just don't see Logano doing enough to keep that ride). 107. 10andJoe posted: 03.06.2012 - 1:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) You know, DSFF, that's actually a pretty good idea. Trevor is much more the Home Depot kinda guy than Joey is (who isnt??) and he and The Coach would get along pretty well, I'd think. (Now, if you could just get JGR to switch to Dodge, that would be my dream team right there.) 108. Scott B posted: 03.06.2012 - 4:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Actually, Gibbs to Dodge is one of the theories that's circulating. It's just speculation, but makes some sense. We know Gibbs is very capable of running their own engine program. They shut it down for cost control, but if Dodge was willing to put up enough money, it could be up and running again. Since Penske's departure leaves no major Dodge engine builder, that would work out. If Dodge could lure a second, lower level team, Gibbs could even re-establish a satellite relationship like they had for a while with Hall of Fame Racing. There are other teams Dodge could go after to switch, if they are even serious about staying in Cup, but Gibbs would be the best of the bunch. 109. Scott B posted: 03.06.2012 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I also agree that Trevor Bayne could be a candidate for the #20 ride. Home Depot wanted a young driver, that's how Logano got rushed into that seat to begin with. 110. ch posted: 03.06.2012 - 5:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Bayne in the 20 would be awesome! Gibbs could send Logano back to the Nationwide Series were he should have been these few years. I'm sure Dollar General would rather him than Scott in the full time ride! 111. the_man posted: 03.06.2012 - 6:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) David Ragan on a 25th place finish: "Getting a top-25 at Phoenix, where we knew we wouldn't be super strong, is pretty good. It's a good start to build back up from last week at Daytona. I think we can do better, though. I think the car had more speed in it. But we'll take it back and work on it based on what we've learned." 112. Talon64 posted: 03.06.2012 - 6:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Denny Hamlin gets his 18th career Sprint Cup Series victory, tying him with 5 other drivers, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvic, for 40th on the all time wins list. He's also T-24th in the modern era, and 4th since coming to Cup full time in 2006. And it's his 7th consecutive winning season, the 3rd active driver to have won every full year he's competed in Cup (Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart). Hamlin had never had a top 10 in the first 2 races of a season until this season, where he has 2 top 5's to start the year (5 top 5's in all of 2011). It's Hamlin's 1st Phoenix win, making him the 23rd different Phoenix winner. His 6 top 5's are tied for his 3rd most at any track (7 top 10's, 10.9 average finish). It's also just the 2nd Phoenix win for Joe Gibbs Racing, their first since Tony Stewart won as a rookie back in 1999, and 94th career Cup win overall. Kevin Harvick picked up his 40th career top 2 finish (18 wins, 22 runner-up finishes) in 396 Cup starts. It's his 3rd top 10 in his last 4 Phoenix starts, his best Phoenix finish since he swept both races in 2006, and he led a race-high 88 laps after just 1 lap led over his previous 9 starts there. It's his 5th top 5 in 19 Phoenix starts (9 top 10's, 13.5 avg fin). It's just RCR's 15th top 5 in 80 career Phoenix starts. Greg Biffle has a pair of 3rd place finishes to start 2012, after just 3 top 5's throughout all of 2011. It's his 125th career top 10 in 332 Cup starts (71 top 5's, meaning he has just 54 finishes from 6th-10th). It's Biffle's 3rd top 3 finish in 17 Phoenix starts (5 top 5's, 6 top 10's, 14.1 avg fin). Jimmie Johnson extends his Phoenix laps led record to 931, his 4th most at any track; he needs 69 more to become the 4th track he's led 1000+ laps at. It's his 12th top 5 in 18 Phoenix starts (4 wins, 5.3 avg fin), including 11 in his last 12 starts. Brad Keselowski gets his first top 5 and top 10 in 6 Phoenix starts (4 top 20's, and finishes of 37th and 42nd for a 22.2 avg fin). Kyle Busch gets his first top 10 in his last 6 starts dating back to last season (27.2 avg fin in previous 5). He's led 188 laps over the last 3 winter/spring Phoenix races with finishes of 8th, 2nd and 6th to show for it; it's his 9th top 10 in 15 Phoenix starts (just 2 top 5's, including his 2005 win, and a 14.0 avg fin). Martin Truex Jr. led 26 laps in this, his most since he led 63 laps in last year's spring Bristol race (March 20th 2011). It's also just the 2nd Phoenix race he's led in 13 starts, his last being the fall of 2007 when he led 72. It's his 7th straight top 20 finish dating back to last season, including 5 top 10's (9.7 avg fin), and 5th top 10 at Phoenix (1 top 5, 15.2 avg fin). In his last 6 starts dating back to last season, Jeff Gordon has 4 top 10's and 2 finishes of 32nd or worse. He picked up his 19th top 10 in 27 career Phoenix starts (2 wins, 10 top 5's, 10.8 avg fin). It's Hendrick Motorsports' 57th top 10 in 115 Phoenix starts, just their 12th best track in that regard but it's 5th in average finish (14.0). Mark Martin has back-to-back top 10's to start a part-time season with a new team for the 2nd time in his career; in 2007 he started the year with 3 straight top 5's and 4 straight top 10's (5 straight in his starts). Mark also picked up his 52nd career pole, putting him 3 back of Bill Elliott for 7th all time. Phoenix becomes the 11th different track that Mark Martin has 20+ top 10's at, and extends his top 20 streak there to 30 straight (2 wins, 12 top 5's, 9.0 avg fin). Joey Logano starts the year with back-to-back top 10's for the first time in his 4 seasons in Cup. It's his 3rd top 10 in 7 Phoenix starts (1 top 5, 15.6 avg fin). Joe Gibbs Racing has 5 out of a possible 6 top 10's to start 2012; need 9 more top 5's to reach 400 for their career. Aric Almirola picks up just his 8th top 20 finish in 37 career Cup starts. Travis Kvapil picked up just his 2nd top 20 finish over his last 55 Cup starts. Brendan Gaughan made just his 2nd Cup start since he ran his only full season back in 2004. 113. dUDE gUY posted: 03.06.2012 - 7:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Talon64, Denny had a 6th place finish in his 2nd race of '09, but otherwise you are correct. Pretty entertaining race at Phoenix. It was surprising that a Toyota came out on top in a fuel mileage situation. The only other fuel mileage win for Toyota (that I can think of anyways) is Brian Vicker's Michigan win in '09. I was disappointed to see both Burton and Ambrose have top 5 runs spoiled with about 20 to go, but that's racing. It ain't over until the checkered flag flies. It may be too early to tell, but it seems like, despite the engine issue, Burton is in better shape than last year. Drew Blickensderfer seems to have pumped some new life into that team. I think a win for The Mayor this year is not out of the question. 114. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.06.2012 - 10:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hendrick is about to sign a 9 race deal for Kasey Kahne, its official, what we all suspected is true. Jack Roush can't do Jack Shit for sponsors. Had to shut down the iconic #6 car, lost Carl's sponsor and could barely fill his sponsorship despite Carl being the third most exposed driver (behind the far less currently relevant on track Danica and June). STILL has 15 unsold races for former Cup champ and 2 time (and defending) Daytona 500 winner and Twitter's second most fascinating personality (behind Brad) Matt Kenseth. Can't get a NWide sponsor for Trevor Bayne, last year's Cinderella Daytona 500 winner and wonderful new personality (somebody who could rival TebowMania and Linsanity). Meanwhile JGR is getting Dollar General of chronic underachiever and bland personality Joey Logano, somebody no fans either love or hate. HMS got a full slate for KK (understandable, he is beloved by every NASCAR fan that has to pee sitting down). RCR lost a team, but easily filled sponsorship on its remaining 3 cars. Even Ganassi filled up the #1 car. What is up with Roush? I know he has always had a revolving door of sponsors, has it finallyy bitn him? Has he finally worn out the sponsors market? And what does this mean going forward for them? 115. 10andJoe posted: 03.06.2012 - 11:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I was disappointed to see both Burton and Ambrose have top 5 runs spoiled with about 20 to go, but that's racing." Indeed - and Reutimann, too. He was giving the 10 car a great run before - kapoooooof. 116. Dinger22 posted: 03.07.2012 - 3:46 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) What I'm about to say is surely going to stir some pots, but I don't care: I'm not a fan of Trevor Bayne. He's too sanctimonious. Put away the bible, and shut up and race, Trevor. I can't stand Tim Tebow for the same reason. I don't care if you believe in some higher power, but not everybody does, and not everybody wants to hear about it every time you open your mouth. If god does exist, he certainly isn't taking time out of being an omnipotent being to help you win an auto race. 117. Watto posted: 03.07.2012 - 7:20 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Could he have challenged Gordon's modern era record for youngest champion?" DSFF Regarding Trevor Bayne... I just have to say no DSFF. Trevor's a talented young driver, and I do like him, but I don't think he's as talented as people make him out to be. He's certainly good enough to be a Cup regular, but I think he's a step behind a lot of Cup drivers. Of course, there's always time and he could get better, but I don't see him as a capable of a Cup championship any time soon, regardless of what team he's on, unless he gets significantly better. 118. Anonymous posted: 03.07.2012 - 10:27 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I actually see RCR's drivers doing well this year, including Regan Smith (FRR is pretty close to a satellite). Burton seems to have some fire brewing, I think he will win more than one race. 119. Ken posted: 03.07.2012 - 10:29 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) How about Kvapil? A terrible year last year and gets a top 20 in his first race with the BK Racing team. 120. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.07.2012 - 1:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It definitely would have been a stretch for Trevor. Had he got a full time ride this year, he would have had to have won in his 3rd season to win it at 23 to edge out Jeff who won it at 24 in 1995. With his limited Cup experience it is tough to project, and I would have to lean on the side of "no". But it is interesting to think about. It seems like mental stability is as important as any quality in racing right now. Most notably, the ability to still be mentally sharp after 10 solid months of having all the highs and lows racing will throw at you. The ability to close a season strong. That is Jimmie Johnson's greatest strength, what won him 5 Cups in a row, and by far Kybu's weakness. The reason racing's most talented driver has never even sniffed a title. Seeing Trevor win that late season race in Texas against the Cup guys after a year of the highest high followed by several NWide races derailed by bad pit work or engine failures, and even having to get out of the car for a few races due to a mystery illness, not knowing if he was done or not. That showed me a lot. I guess the best case example is Brad. He had a half patchwork season in 2009 also pulling off an upset restrictor plate win (although he was with the infinitely more competent at running satellite teams and leasing out resources HMS). This will be his 3rd full season. 121. cjs3872 posted: 03.07.2012 - 2:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Well DSFF, the thing about Trevor Bayne's NNS win at Texas last year that would get the attention of people like me was his ability to step it up when he had to. Remember that teammate Carl Edwards had a much faster car for virtually that entire race, while Trevor rode back in around sixth to tenth, staying out of trouble as he usually does. But when the chips were down on those late restarts, Trevor drove up to third place, and then on the last restart, literally stole that race from Edwards on a restart. In that race, more than even his Daytona 500 win, which he inherited, Bayne showed the real test of the great athletes, and that's the ability to ratchet up his game when he needs it. After that race, I thought of something. He was the first driver to win the Daytona 500 for the Wood Brothers since David Pearson in 1976, and they seem to get along really well. Here's something else that's interesting. Last year in the Nationwide Series, Bayne ran the number 16, which ironically was the same number that David Pearson had on his very first race car, and he won that race at Texas in a way that would have made Pearson proud, because that's the way he usually won his races, by laying back and pouncing when he had to. And now, there's a real possibility that Bayne won't even have a ride after this week's races, because Roush will probably shut down the #60 NNS team, and possibly even have to release him due to lack of sponsorship, which may even cost him his Cup ride with the Wood Brothers, since that may be tied to his deal with Roush. We'll find out when the Wood Brothers are scheduled for their next race after Las Vegas. 122. myothercarisanM535i posted: 03.07.2012 - 5:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) About Roush and sponsorship, here's something I've long wondered - In NASCAR, why don't you see multiple cars sponsored by the same company? I recall a Nationwide race last year where all three Roush cars ran the same sponsor, but I've never seen it in the Cup series. Any reason for this? Everywhere else in the world, it's not just common, having an entire team running the same livery of the naming rights sponsor is actually the norm. Perhaps it would be easier to lure a sponsor if you could guarantee them the visibilty of two or three cars? Or maybe the financial side of things doesn't work in this case and it becomes far too expensive. Just something I've noticed, that's all. 123. Talon64 posted: 03.07.2012 - 5:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "And now, there's a real possibility that Bayne won't even have a ride after this week's races, because Roush will probably shut down the #60 NNS team, and possibly even have to release him due to lack of sponsorship, which may even cost him his Cup ride with the Wood Brothers, since that may be tied to his deal with Roush. We'll find out when the Wood Brothers are scheduled for their next race after Las Vegas." Even with Roush's support of the Wood Brothers I'm sure he'd keep his ride with the #21 through the year. Even if he can secure a deal with another team for 2013. Or if Almirola really starts to stink it up in the #43, they dump him and put Bayne behind the wheel. The more I think about it, the more I believe that putting Almirola in the #43's sort of like what Penske did in 2009 when they had Stremme drive the #12; a stopgap so they can wait for something better to come along the next year, but unlike the Penske deal I'm sure there's some hope with RPM and Ford that Almirola has the potential to be a front-runner. At least more than Penske w/ Stremme. 124. cjs3872 posted: 03.07.2012 - 7:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) MyothercarisanM535i, actually, there have been many times in NASCAR history where multiple cars have had the same sponsor, the most famous case Junior Johnson's two cars from 1984-'86 both being sponsored by Budweiser. I think either Johnson or Darrell Waltrip called it "double thunder". In the late 1970s, First National City sponsored three or four cars, all from different teams. In fact, First National City sponsored four cars in the 1977 Daytona 500, all from different teams. They sponsored the cars of Bobby Allison (who drove his own car in that race), Neil Bonnett (for Nord Krauskopf), Skip Manning (for Billy Hagan), and Benny Parsons (for L.G. DeWitt). They even sponsored Junior Johnson's car in 1978, along with DeWitt's car with Parsons driving. In fact, those cars even looked alike, giving many people the idea that Yarborough and Parsons were teammates in 1978, which they were not. The reason sponsors don't adorn more than one car any more has to do with the cost. If they can't afford being on one car, why be on more than one? And Talon64, I hope you're right and I'm wrong about Roush keeping Bayne in the #21 car, but my thinking is that, if Roush intends the #21 car to be a development car for his drivers, and Bayne no longer has a ride at Roush, that Roush may persuade the Wood Brothers to put Stenhouse in the car later in the year, buyt I don't know exactly when that will be. But Bayne actually fits more in line with the way the Wood Brothers have always raced, when you look at the kind of drivers they've always had over the years. But I disagree with you on comparing the #43 car situation with Almirola this year with the Penske situation with David Stremme in 2009 for one reason, and that's the car owner. With Richard Petty, the problem is the caliber of the teams, not the cars, which are good, considering they're Roush cars. Therefore, I'm not sure that if Petty himself was in his prime, that he'd contend in the #43 car that often today. With Penske, you know that he's not only going to provide the best cars he can possibly give his drivers, but also the manpower to get it done. There's a reason that the #43 car hasn't won this century, and that won't be changing any time soon, no matter who's driving it. 125. Mr X posted: 03.07.2012 - 8:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 122. myothercarisanM535i posted: 03.07.12 - 5:06 pm About Roush and sponsorship, here's something I've long wondered - In NASCAR, why don't you see multiple cars sponsored by the same company? I recall a Nationwide race last year where all three Roush cars ran the same sponsor, but I've never seen it in the Cup series. Any reason for this? Everywhere else in the world, it's not just common, having an entire team running the same livery of the naming rights sponsor is actually the norm. Perhaps it would be easier to lure a sponsor if you could guarantee them the visibilty of two or three cars? Or maybe the financial side of things doesn't work in this case and it becomes far too expensive. Just something I've noticed, that's all. Both of Ray Evernham's Dodge's were sponsored by Dodge Dealers and UAW between 2001 and 2007. But it is an interesting thought. 126. myothercarisanM535i posted: 03.07.2012 - 8:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "The reason sponsors don't adorn more than one car any more has to do with the cost. If they can't afford being on one car, why be on more than one?" Thanks for the insight. Interesting to see cars from different teams running the same sponsor - I haven't seen that before! At least not as a major sponsor. The scenario I had in mind would be to provide a little more benefit to potential sponsors. Perhaps twice the exposure would be enough draw a company in, especially if a deal can be struck up regarding the addtional cost over a single car. Naming rights are something else that could be considered. A company might find that situation a little more appealing and worth paying for. "Both of Ray Evernham's Dodge's were sponsored by Dodge Dealers and UAW between 2001 and 2007." That's right, they were too. I began following NASCAR in 2006 and I do remember those two red Dodges. Seeing two cars wearing the same livery running nose to tail is an awesome sight. 127. Watto posted: 03.07.2012 - 9:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "There's a reason that the #43 car hasn't won this century, and that won't be changing any time soon, no matter who's driving it. " I don't expect Almirola to win, but AJ Allmendinger came close a number of times and Marcos Ambrose looks to be on the cusp of being able to win on an oval with that team. This program is a step ahead of where Petty Enterprises was for its last years of existence. Somebody can definitely win in that car IMO, but winning isn't a sure thing for anybody these days. If Kurt Busch was in the 43 this year, they would have had a legit shot at winning a race. 128. cjs3872 posted: 03.07.2012 - 9:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Mr X, if you haven't seen the same team run multiple cars with the same sponsor, I suggest you look at a race from 1984-'86, because Junior Johnson ran two cars full-time, both of which were sponsored by Budweiser. In 1984, they were even painted similarly, decked somewhat in the traditional Wood Brothers colors, which Warner Hodgdon, who co-owned the team with Johnson in 1984, liked the tradition of. And by the way, Ray Evernham's Dodges from 2001-'07 were not sponsored by Dodge, they were the factory Dodge team in those years. As such, Dodge would not allow any full-time sponsors on either the #9 or #19 cars. And myothecarisanM535i, if you watch the part of the 1978 Daytona 500 where A.J. Foyt has his major crash, you'll notice that both Cale Yarborough and Benny Parsons, who were driving cars not only sponsored by the same company, but were also identically painted, despite driving for different teams, were running 1-2 when Parsons' tire blew, igniting that crash. There was also a situation at Indianapolis in 1989 where both Al Unser, Sr. and Emerson Fittipaldi had Marlboro sponsorship, despite not being on the sane team, as Unser was driving for Roger Penske and Fittipaldi drove for Pat Patrick. And to add to the confusion there, both Unser and Fittipaldi qualified for the front row at Indy in 1989 in Marlboro-sponsored cars. 129. cjs3872 posted: 03.07.2012 - 9:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Watto, Allmendinger never really came close to winning when he drove that #43 car. Sure, he had some great runs at Dover, which were scuttled by pit stop and tire problems, but even if they hadn't been scuttled by those problems, the lack of an expert pit crew or elite crew chief would have prevented Allmendinger from winning anyway. And I'm not all that sure that even Kurt Busch would have won a race this year in the #43 car, had he been selected as the driver. He would have contended a few times, but he would have run into the same problems regarding the lack of a quality pit crew or crew chief, which is his problem now in the Phoenix Racing #51 car when he puts that car in contention. In fact, his only top five last year came in that wacky finish at Charlotte when cars were running out of fuel right and left. As for your comment about Marcos Ambrose, let's not forget who the crew chief of that #9 car is, and his Hall of Fame credentials. Ambrose's crew chief is Todd Parrott, the same Todd Parrott who, with Dale Jarrett as his driver, won two Daytona 500s, two Brickyard 400s, the 1996 Coca-Cola 600, three races at Michigan, and the 1999 NASCAR Cup championship. 130. Kyle posted: 03.07.2012 - 10:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) almirola will win sometime this year. people forget that if the economy had not crashed, almirola would be heading into his 4th full season in the cup series, instead of his first. allmendinger came close several times over the last couple years to winning, and marcos ambrose finally won last year. both will win at least 1 race this year, and ambrose will finally get an oval win. 131. cjs3872 posted: 03.07.2012 - 11:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kyle (#130), what races have you been watching, because they sure don't seem to be the ones I've been watching. Almirola wasn't even competitve last year in the Nationwide Series in what essentially was Hendrick equipment. Allmendinger had great cars, especially at Dover, but while bad luck kept him from better finishes, he would never have won because the pit crews have been lousy at Petty's for years, except for Kasey Kahne's pit crew in 2009, and they were brought from Ray Evernham's team. Once Petty got influence on that team, even they went downhill in 2010. The only way Almirola will even sniff a top finish would be for the same kind of thing to happen as happened at the end of the Nationwide Series race at Daytona, or forcars to run out of gas at the end, which was how the #43 scored it's only top five last year. In fact, I'll be very surprised if Almirola even scores one top five finish this year. There's a reason why Gibbs gave up on him a few years ago. It's because they didn't think he was any good. On the other hand, Marcos Ambrose will certainly contend on the ovals (he already has at Phoenix until the engine let go, robbing him of a second-place finish), mainly due to the presence of Todd Parrott, who's proving just what a great crew chief he's always been. 132. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.08.2012 - 1:12 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) In 1984 both Earnhardt and Ricky Rudd ran Wrangler cars. 133. Talon64 posted: 03.08.2012 - 6:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "In fact, I'll be very surprised if Almirola even scores one top five finish this year." He already has a top 5 with RPM; a 4th place finish Homestead in 2010 when he replaced Kasey Kahne in the #9 for the last few races. Allmendinger finished 5th in that race. 134. Spen posted: 03.08.2012 - 7:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That was when it was technically still "George Gillet Racing, nominally reffered to as Richard Petty Motorsports". 135. 18fan posted: 03.08.2012 - 9:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It's official, Brian Vickers will drive the #55 for MWR in 6 races. 136. 10andJoe posted: 03.08.2012 - 9:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Just as a historical note, for those worried about car counts: the 1993 night race at Bristol only had 38 cars entered. 137. cjs3872 posted: 03.08.2012 - 10:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) But10andJoe, only 34 cars started that race, so four cars still failed to qualify. Remember back then that the number of cars that started was still determined by the size of the track. The size of the starting field was not uniformed until about midway through the 1997 season, so only 32 cars quaified on speed on short tracks back then. As a result, the track was not cluttered with too many cars, as is the case with the short track races that are run in the Cup and Nationwide Series before the era of atart-and-parks began to actuall diminish the number of cars trying to finish down to what the size of the field should be at those tracks anyway. 43 cars at a place like Bristol and Martinsville is far too many. There should be no more than 37 cars starting those races, 34 qualifiers, two provisional starters, and a champion's provisional. And if that's not needed, add a third provisional starter to make the field 37 cars, but 43 is way too many at a short track. But with about 6-10 potential start-and-parks at those places, a 43-car field is more like a 37-car field, which is what the maximum size of the fields at the smallest tracks should be anyway. However, I still think they should find a way to start up to 50 cars at places like Daytona, Talladega, and Indianapolis. Remember that for the first couple of races at the old Ontario Motor Speedway, which was a wider, faster duplicate of Indianapolis, they started 51 cars in 17 rows of three, so it can be done on that size of track to start 50, especially considering there are about 6-10 start-and-parks anyway. And starting them three abreast at Daytona, Talladega, Pocono, Michigan, and Auto Club Speedway wouldn't be a bad idea, either, though doing that at Indy wouldn't be a good idea, since they'd be copying what they do for the Indianapolis 500 at Indy, which is why the NASCAR race there is 400 miles, and not 500, as NASCAR has always wanted to make their race at Indy totally separate from the Indianapolis 500 in every way, including the race distance. 138. 10andJoe posted: 03.08.2012 - 10:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I know - just pointing out that looking back at the good ol' days, sometimes you can see that even having 43 cars showing up would have been an embarassment of riches then, whereas now it's "only 43? the sky is falling!". 139. cjs3872 posted: 03.09.2012 - 12:00 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) But 10andJoe, the real question to be asked here is do we need 43 cars at every race, especially since anywhere between four and eight don't really intend to race? Ww all know why at least 43 show up. It's because of NASCAR's television deal, which requires at least a full field of 43 to show for the Cup series, or NASCAR doesn't get up to half the TV money for that particular event. This situation first reared it's ugly head way back in 2002, when a few cars started and parked back then. NASCAR constanly denies this, but it's obvious to me that NASCAR is asking teams to show up just to fill the 43-car quota, just so they can get the full TV money for the race weekend. That's why 43 or more cars show up, even though only 35-37 actually intend to race. Now at Las Vegas this week, we have the Wood Brothers' #21 car participating, so that will be one more car that intends to run the distance. But at some of the races later this year, particularly at the races at places like Pocono when the NASCAR touring series are split, we could see up to 10 start-and-parks in the Cup races, and up to 12-14 S&P's in the Nationwide Series races. That's up to nearly one-quarter of the field for the Cup race and nearly one-third for the Nationwide race that intends to just start, run a few laps, and then park it so they won't have to pay a tire bill, or risk their engines, which is why they start-andpark in the first place. Within the last week, SPEED did a story on this, and they concluded that it takes only $46,000 to do a start-and-park, while it takes $160,000 to run the full race. Now we know why Robby Gordon did a S&P in the Daytona 500. 140. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 03.09.2012 - 1:04 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I am still hoping AJ Allmendinger can take advantage of this opportunity to prove himself, as he's shown a lot in the past considering the teams he drove for. He drove for the now-defunct Red Bull and after Mike Skinner told the team what they were doing wrong, AJ came back and got that car in the top-35 in owner points despite them being way out before his return. And this was during a competitive year of car counts, not all this start and park stuff we see now. As for his stint in the #43, he had a better year in 2010 than last year, but AJ did wind up higher in points last year due to consistency. But if things don't work out for him in the #22, I wouldn't mind seeing Trevor Bayne get the ride. Bayne is already one of my favorite drivers, and if he joined Penske I'd be rooting for both drivers there. His demeanor reminds me somewhat of Brad's in the sense of the way he can handle adversity. Bayne in the #20 would be good as well. This experiment with Logano seems to be stuck in neutral despite showing a little promise early in 2010. He still only has that one rain-shortened win that can easily be picked apart. It does make me wonder if Joey will even last in that ride for much longer. Home Depot scaled back their sponsorship after last year. 141. myothercarisanM535i posted: 03.09.2012 - 4:36 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "However, I still think they should find a way to start up to 50 cars at places like Daytona, Talladega, and Indianapolis." A while ago I thought of a way to do this. Of course, it would never happen and most people would probably disagree with it, especially seeing as it would involve a complete restructure of the Nationwide series! But I agree with you completely, there is really no point in having 43 cars for the sake of having 43 cars. 142. Watto posted: 03.09.2012 - 4:45 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Watto, Allmendinger never really came close to winning when he drove that #43 car. Sure, he had some great runs at Dover, which were scuttled by pit stop and tire problems, but even if they hadn't been scuttled by those problems, the lack of an expert pit crew or elite crew chief would have prevented Allmendinger from winning anyway." He had some Dover race absolutely dominated until he had a flat tire, yet if it werent for that, he still wouldnt have won simply because of hypothetical mistakes that never happened? Come on. Regan Smith doesnt have an expert pit crew or elite crew chief but he still found a way at Darlington. That 43 car can absolutely win a race, I just don't expect Aric Almirola to be the one to do it. The current crew chief is Greg Erwin who won 5 races with Biffle. 143. cjs3872 posted: 03.09.2012 - 10:28 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Watto, my point regarding why Allmendinger would not have won that particular race, despite having a dominant car has to do with the #43 team's incompetence as it relates to pit stops and pit strategy, especially when the pressure on them gets higher. I think you know that something would have happened on a late pit stop that would have kept them out of victory lane, or perhaps Allmendinger himself would have made a mistake that would have cost him the race. I base my opinion on the #43's pit crew based entirely on their history. But on Allmendinger possibly making the critical mistake that would cost him that race if the tire problem hadn't ocurred, I go back to a comment Jackie Stewart made on the 1976 Daytona 500 broadcast when he noted that not many drivers know how to win races, and Allmendinger does not know how to win in NASCAR. And Jimmie Johnson would probably have beaten him anyway. Like I said, the tire problem, and the way it was handled, probably cost Allmendinger a better finish in that race, but I don't think it cost him a win. And as for your comment on Regan Smith's win in the Southern 500 last year. He won that race because of a late pit stop he DIDN'T make. Had he made that late pit stop, he would've wound up about 15th. And also remember that the Wood Brothers won the Daytona 500 last year, and their pit crew and pit equipment is also at the bottom of the barrel these days. 144. Mark O. posted: 03.09.2012 - 10:31 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) cjs3872, you really need to get over your dislike of the Wood Brothers/Trevor Bayne. How are their air guns and jacks any worse than what the 48 or 29 teams have? I suspect you really don't have an answer to that. 145. NicoRosbergFan posted: 03.09.2012 - 11:04 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) cjs: You forget Allmendinger's success in Champ Car. 146. cjs3872 posted: 03.09.2012 - 11:54 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) NicoRosbergFan, I never said that A.J. Allmendinger didn't know how to win in Champ Car or even sports cars (he was the main reason the Shank Racing #6 team won the 24 Hours of Daytona this year). His record in that form of racing shows he can win in that form of the sport. I just said that he doesn't know how to win in NASCAR, and if he's not competitve with his current ride, we'll know that he can't cut it in NASCAR. Mark O, Eddie Wood, who basically runs the Wood Brothers team even admitted last year that their pit crew is not up to the standard of today's specialized pit crews, due to the fact that their's is a low-budget operation. And yes, their pit equipment may not be not quite up to what the higher dollar teams have. And if you watched the few races they were competitive in last year, and the Daytona 500 and spring Talladega race come to mind, their pit stops in those races at Daytona and Talladega were terrible when they had to change tires. In fact, they were leading the spring Talladega race when they pitted, and came out 20 seconds behind, which put Trevor Bayne into position to be in the crash when the Penske cars tangled entering turn three. And toward the end of the season, their pit crew actually cost them a lap with a slow pit stop, which they got back due to NASCAR's charity rules, and Bayne drove the car up to sixth place before a fuel pressure problem deep-sixed the team's race. 147. DaleSrFanForever posted: 03.09.2012 - 1:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The short tracks are so much better off with the S&Ps. I know the Martinsville races have flowed so much smoother since the fields have been "shortened". The exception was last Fall thanks to Vickers so many cautions. At least nobody will be dumb enough to put Vickers in their car for any more short track races...... 148. BLabonte47 posted: 03.09.2012 - 3:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm glad MWR was smart enough to hire a championship driver like Brian Vickers rather than listen to the armchair drivers here. 149. cjs3872 posted: 03.09.2012 - 4:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Exactly, BLabonte47. What some of the people on this board tend to forget is the fact that Vickers has a Nationwide Series title (2003) and two Cup victories under his belt, and with more experience, might very well have won the 2006 Daytona 500, and could easily have won the Coca-Cola 600 the year that a mechanical failure sent a rear wheel flying into a tent area. Sure his forst win was controversial as he spun out Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jimmie Johnson on the last lap at Talladega, intentionally in my opinion, and wrecked Mike Bliss at the finish of the Srpint Showdown to get into the All-Star Race one year (he did redeem himself a bit by finishing in the top five in the All-Star Race later that evening). But like almost every driver that has gotten into that #25 HMS car (which is now the #88 car) since the death of Tim Richmond in 1989, Vickers has been cursed. (I think Wally Dallenbach, Jr. is the only exception that comes to mind.) Now there's no excuse for what he did to Matt Kenseth at Phoenix late last year (I'll excuse him somewhat for the incident with Kenseth at Martinsville), but why he was without a ride when many of the drivers who have full-time rides don't have the credentials in NASCAR that Vickers has is beyond me. After all, if you're going to penalize Vickers for what he did late last year, then why does Juan Montoya, who's a bull in a china shop almost every time he's on the track, still have a full-time ride? 150. cjs3872 posted: 03.09.2012 - 4:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Well, looking at the practice board, as well as the first two races, pretty well confirms it. Jeff Gordon's in for another major struggle this year. The rest of his teammates were in the top ten (even Dale, Jr.) and he couldn't even crack the top 20 (he was 21st). I thought, and still think that he'll make the Chase because of how great he is, but I predicted he would struggle this year, in no small part to the arrival of Kasey Kahne and Kenny Francis. And because more resources would be put on the #5 car this year, those resources would have to be taken away from somewhere to be put on the #5 car, and that somewhere is the #24 team. Add that to the fact that crew chief Alan Gustafson has never had two consecutive good years and Gordon himself hasn't had two successful years in a row since 2004-'05 (when he won nine races), and it all adds up to a major struggle for him this year. I know it's only the third week of the season, but the way it's looking for him right now, I wouldn't be surprised if Gordon went winless for the third successive even-numbered year if something doesn't change there quick, because his team is far behind the others at HMS in terms of performance. 151. Watto posted: 03.09.2012 - 8:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "And as for your comment on Regan Smith's win in the Southern 500 last year. He won that race because of a late pit stop he DIDN'T make. Had he made that late pit stop, he would've wound up about 15th." Absolutely. Races are often won on strategy. If that means 2 tires or just fuel or not pitting at all, there are ways to win depending on the tire/track. That's exactly why I think the 43 could win a race given the right circumstances because they've had fast cars pretty often. I don't think the 43 team is on the level of a number of teams, but to write them off as having no ability to win just doesn't seem right to me given 43's car performance the last few years and the teams who have found their way to victory lane the past couple of years. The thing is that it's so hard to win these days, and can be so unpredictable, that we saw Gordon go a number of races before breaking his streak. Jr has gone something like 120 starts since his last win, but I do think he and his team are capable of winning and I hope it happens soon. I just wouldn't have written the 43 off just because of a long history of not winning, because for all intensive purposes, the 43 team of last year had only been in existence for a short amount of time and they were truly competitive. People were looking at AJ to possibly win a race before the year was out with Greg Erwin, much like how Menard got a win with Slugger Labbe. It's all in the circumstance. I respect your opinion, but I just can't be as definitive as you are with this. With that being said, I don't expect the 43 to win this year with Almirola. I expect a couple of good runs, though. Maybe a best finish of around 6th would be my prediction. Let's not forget that Ambrose is dealing with an RPM pit crew too, so if the 9 car is capable simply because of the crew chief, then I wouldn't have written off the 43 (especially with Greg Erwin) because of their crew. I think Ambrose could potentially win on an oval, maybe even this weekend at Las Vegas. It's the underdog role for sure, but I think it could happen. Never say never. Their stuff is competitive. You also noted how the 9 crew was decent with Kahne because they came over from Evernham, but let's not forget that Evernham is basically where most of the current RPM guys came from. The same goes for the 43. I'm sure the 9 had the best guys Evernham had to offer, but still. Maybe it is my perspective, though. I think the 56 with Truex is on the cusp of breaking his incredibly long winning streak. I think Truex is an underrated driver, and he might be able to get MWR's next win. I really hope so. 152. 10andJoe posted: 03.09.2012 - 9:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Following up on my earlier speculation, it was confirmed during Vegas qualifying that the reason the 98 parked at Phoenix was to save their car for Las Vegas. 153. cjs3872 posted: 03.09.2012 - 10:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) But Watto, there's a difference in the crew chiefs at Petty's team. Greg Erwin, the crew chief on the #43 car (Aric Almirola) is a good crew chief. Todd Parrott, the crew chief on the #9 car (Marcos Ambrose) is a Hall of Fame crew chief with wins in almost every big race on the circuit, hence the difference in those two cars, even after Erwin got to the #43 with A.J. Allmendinger last year. 154. 10andJoe posted: 03.11.2012 - 7:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) #49 owner: Jay Robinson 155. Daniel posted: 04.14.2012 - 9:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Out using the fastest 43: #32 Mike Bliss In using the fastest 43: #37 Timmy Hill 156. JJSucks posted: 01.29.2013 - 8:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Denny Hamlin lead the points standings during the regular season for the first time in his career. 157. ch posted: 07.18.2013 - 3:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) #26 Sponsor: MDS Transport (consistent with all 2012/2013 starts) 158. Nascar Lead Lap Points posted: 07.23.2015 - 4:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor Updates #16 3MWraps.com #42 Target/Cottonelle #47 Kingsford/Bubba Burger/Scott Products #87 NEMCO Motorsports #98 Phil Parsons Racing 159. Nascar Lead Lap Points posted: 07.23.2015 - 5:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) and the #51 Phoenix Racing 160. NASCARLover22 posted: 08.26.2015 - 5:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor updates: #98 Phil Parsons Racing #16 3MWraps.com #87 NEMCO Motorsports #42 Target/Cottonelle #47 Kingsford/Bubba Burger/Scott Products #51 Phoenix Racing 161. QFH posted: 10.23.2020 - 7:57 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Broke the record for most unique leaders in a Phoenix race, the previous record was 13 set in 1991 and tied at least 4 times. 162. Rich posted: 12.17.2020 - 7:18 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds and Darrell Waltrip were the commentators. Steve Byrnes, Krista Voda, Dr. Dick Berggren and Matt Yocum were the pit road reporters. Jeff Hammond was the roving reporter. Chris Myers and Michael Waltrip were in the Hollywood hotel. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Post a comment:* Your comment may not appear immediately - all comments must be approved by the moderator. Name: Comment: