|| *Comments on the 2013 Toyota / Save Mart 350:* First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page | View All On One Page View the most recent comment | Post a comment <#post> 1. 18fan posted: 06.22.2013 - 3:46 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) 2nd pole at Sonoma for McMurray and his first pole since Martinsville in the spring of 2011. 2. Biscuits In A Red Bull posted: 06.22.2013 - 3:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Montoya isn't happy... 3. Kenny posted: 06.22.2013 - 3:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Why? 4. Biscuits In A Red Bull posted: 06.22.2013 - 3:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Because he had pace for pole in that car... 5. Sky Warrior posted: 06.22.2013 - 4:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) Danica, Vickers, Jaques, and 4 Cup rookies all in the same field. How many drivers will even manage to finish this race? 6. joey2448 posted: 06.22.2013 - 4:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And Jimmie Johnson isn't the favored driver to win, for once! 7. The Long Shot posted: 06.22.2013 - 4:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jamie McMurray wins the 9th pole of his career and his first Sonoma pole since 2007, when he finished 37th driving for Jack Roush. Marcos Ambrose appeared to be having engine problems on his cool-down lap. According to the announcers, Ambrose was frantically flipping a lot of switches inside his car. Keep an eye on this. Greg Biffle starts 4th at Sonoma for the second straight year. He finished 7th here last year. It seems as though the better the start for Juan Montoya, the worse the finish, or at least here at Sonoma. Montoya won this race in 2007 after starting 32nd. Last year, Montoya started 12th, but finished 34th after an accident. In 7 races in which Jimmie Johnson has started outside the Top 10 this season, Johnson has only 1 Top 10 finish (3rd at Kansas), and 3 finishes outside the Top 20. Jacques Villeneuve makes his first Sprint Cup start since the 2010 Brickyard 400, where he finished 29th driving for Braun Racing. Boris Said gives FAS Lane Racing its best start of all-time, qualifying 24th. The team's best all-time finish was in their debut race, the 2011 Daytona 500, when they finished 15th with driver Terry Labonte. This year, the team has never finished any better than 25th. Ron Fellows makes his first Sprint Cup start since 2011 at Watkins Glen, where he finished 30th in the Tommy Baldwin #36 after getting caught up in a last lap accident with David Reutimann, David Ragan, and Mark Martin. Jason Bowles runs his first laps in a Sprint Cup car, qualifying 34th in Michael Waltrip's #55. Brian Vickers will run the car on Sunday. Justin Marks, Alex Kennedy, Paulie Harraka, and Victor Gonzalez Jr. are making their Sprint Cup debuts. 8. David posted: 06.22.2013 - 4:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) We have five co-winners of the "You're Just as Likely to Win as Danica Patrick Is" award this week: Paul Menard, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Burton, Aric Almirola, and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. 9. Sky Warrior posted: 06.22.2013 - 4:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) David, what about Casey Mears? 10. 83andJoe posted: 06.22.2013 - 4:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) >Justin Marks, Alex Kennedy, Paulie Harraka, and Victor Gonzalez Jr. are making their Sprint Cup debuts. The last time three drivers made their debut in a single race was in the fall of 2004 at Martinsville (Chad Chaffin, Mario Gosselin, Travis Kvapil). When was the last time /four/ drivers did it? 11. The Long Shot posted: 06.22.2013 - 4:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "David, what about Casey Mears?" If he saw that his odds are lower than Danica's, he'd probably want to jump off a cliff. I know I would. 12. 83andJoe posted: 06.22.2013 - 4:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Is the 37 actually a Max Q Motorsports car, or is it one of Tommy Baldwin's just using Gunselman's name on the entry blank? 13. ch posted: 06.22.2013 - 4:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I was wondering the same, but on the TBR weekly race weekend announcement, it states: "Yeley on Sonoma: "Heading out to Sonoma this weekend was a last minute decision for our team. Sonoma is one of the tracks that I really enjoy racing at, and I am happy to be given the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the No. 37 TBR Chevy and race with both Victor and Justin."" So, the 37 is a full TBR car, probably a S&P though. I don't really see any advantages to using Gunselman's name though. 14. The Long Shot posted: 06.22.2013 - 4:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It's one of Baldwin's, 83andJoe. The team announced on their website that they were entering a third car for Yeley this weekend. 15. David posted: 06.22.2013 - 4:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "David, what about Casey Mears?" Well he's apparently /less/ likely to win, and we just recognize the drivers with the exact same odds as Danica. 16. TS1420 posted: 06.22.2013 - 4:37 pm Rate this comment: (4) (0) /*6. joey2448 posted:* "And Jimmie Johnson isn't the favored driver to win, for once!"/ He'll probably luck out and have a freak rainstorm hit after he inherits the lead during green flag pitstops and end up winning or something else equally golden horseshoe lucky happening to him. /*7. The Long Shot posted:* "Jamie McMurray wins the 9th pole of his career and his first Sonoma pole since 2007, when he finished 37th driving for Jack Roush."/ You make it sound like McMurray ran horrible in that race after winning the pole. He ran really good, leading the 2nd most laps and was running 2nd in the final laps before running out of fuel. 17. 18fan posted: 06.22.2013 - 4:39 pm Rate this comment: (5) (0) McMurray is a very good road racer that doesn't have the results to match his ability. 18. The Long Shot posted: 06.22.2013 - 4:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) "You make it sound like McMurray ran horrible in that race after winning the pole. He ran really good, leading the 2nd most laps and was running 2nd in the final laps before running out of fuel." I never saw that race, so all I did was state the obvious facts. Those facts were that he finished 37th, and that he was driving for Jack Roush. 19. 83andJoe posted: 06.22.2013 - 4:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ah, thanks. >I don't really see any advantages to using Gunselman's name though. Probably just done because last lear Gunselman's team was run in affiliation with Baldwins, so the paperwork was already partially done, I presume. 20. murb posted: 06.22.2013 - 5:03 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I feel like McMurray should have won that 2007 race. Montoya basically lucked into it by Jamie running out of gas. Hopefully Jamie can get his much deserved Cup road course win this weekend. He's off to a good start by winning the pole. 21. Rusty posted: 06.22.2013 - 5:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) My prediction for the top 10 tomorrow: 1.42 2.78 3.48 4.15 5.9 6.14 7.56 8.11 9.24 10.99 22. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.22.2013 - 5:57 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Today, my favorite IndyCar driver would have been 35 years old. RIP Dan Wheldon 23. joey2448 posted: 06.22.2013 - 6:16 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) In 2006, McMurray started 2nd but pulled a "Jerry Nadeau '98" move at the top of turn two (that is considered turn two, right?) and spun off course. And then, later in the opening lap, he got collected in a big crash through the esses. 24. murb posted: 06.22.2013 - 6:55 pm Rate this comment: (5) (0) "Jerry Nadeau '98" "OH BUT HE'S GONNA GO OFF THE COURSE!!!!!" - BP 25. startandparkfan posted: 06.22.2013 - 8:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) McMurray is my pick to win. Gordon's lookin' good though. I'd love to see Patrick get back at Villeneuve, while she is overhyped and everything, she did have a good run going and got dumped. 26. JG24FanForever posted: 06.22.2013 - 8:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Gordon has a win from tenth every six years starting at the fall Martinsville race in 1996. 1996 Fall Martinsville--led 133 laps and 18th career win 2002 Kansas--Led 116 laps and 61st career win 2007 Southern 500--Led 22 Laps and 78th career win Gordon has 465 laps led from tenth on the grid. Gordon has 14 Top 10's and 12 Top 5's in 24 starts from 10th on the grid. 27. JG24FanForever posted: 06.22.2013 - 8:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) *every six years Forgive my amazing idiocy. I shouldn't be allowed to post anymore from making such an incredible and unforgivable human error. 28. startandparkfan posted: 06.22.2013 - 8:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Despite the odds shown here, Mears has a much better chance than Danica. He got a 7th in '04, a 5th in '08, and a respectable 15th last year in the #13. Danica, on the other hand, starts 10 spots lower than Mears, never raced a stock car at Sonoma, although she did finish 8th, 6th, and 5th in Indycar. 29. cjs3872 posted: 06.22.2013 - 9:06 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) I have a question here. How come FOX couldn't do hardly any "side-by-side" commercial breaks with their NASCAR coverage when things were going happening on the track, even in the latter stages of some races, and yet they're doing a "side-by-side" commercial break during the middle of a baseball game between the Red Sox and Tigers from Detroit as the SIXTH inning is about to begin? 30. murb posted: 06.22.2013 - 10:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) You know, I'm actually interested to see how BoB does this weekend. She was good in NNS at the slower road courses like Road America and Montreal, so maybe she won't be that bad here at Sonoma. She was god awful in qualifying of course, winding up 31st (actually that's better than a lot of the other q-runs she's had this year). Coming from that far back, she'll surely tear up some sheet metal and probably get spun a couple of times, but if nothing too disastrous happens, I think she can actually pull out a top 15 or 20. Then again, as startandparkfan said, she has that history with Villeneuve, so she might stupidly focus on paying him back instead of actually racing the race (just like her other epic fail payback attempts towards Hornish and Cassill). I don't know. It should be interesting. 31. cjs3872 posted: 06.22.2013 - 10:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Murb, it you're talking about Danica, let's not forget how well she did at Martinsville earlier this year, and remember that there's more that can be taken from road racing that can be applied there compared to just about any other oval in the series, and she was very competitive there earlier this year. But how well she, or anyone else for that matter, does starting outside the top 10 depends largely on pit strategy and whether their teams hit that right, as well as just plain luck in terms of missing all the spins and crashes. Just look at the Nationwide race at Road America. Lady Luck had a lot to do with who finished where behind the top two or three, and Lady Luck will also have a lot to do with who finishes where outside the top 3-5. 32. Jim Davis posted: 06.22.2013 - 10:55 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) /How come FOX couldn't do hardly any "side-by-side" commercial breaks with their NASCAR coverage when things were going happening on the track, even in the latter stages of some races, and yet they're doing a "side-by-side" commercial break during the middle of a baseball game between the Red Sox and Tigers from Detroit as the SIXTH inning is about to begin?/ I'm guessing that that it's not entirely Fox's call. The advertisers no doubt have a say in whether their ads can be shown side by side or not. There's probably a lower rate for side by side ads as well. 33. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 06.22.2013 - 11:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I always look forward to road course races, as they seem to produce great racing more often than not. While I still think Danica runs her mouth way too much and could stand to focus more on her racing, I wouldn't be too surprised to see her get a decent finish. I'd have never thought she'd survive Martinsville. If she does run into trouble during this race and it is her own doing, it's come to be expected though. I just hope JV doesn't try racing these guys the way he raced the Nationwide regulars last year (as well as other road ringers) for his sake. 34. JRacingFast posted: 06.23.2013 - 2:18 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) How come Ron Fellows isnt racing at Le Mans? Did he lose his ride at corvette? 35. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:41 am Rate this comment: (0) (2) WHAT? Johanna Long was at Bowman Gray last night, but I had to work. I could have totally stalked her had it been a weekend off for me. Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it. 36. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:52 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) Suck it, DSFF... you've met more drivers than the rest of us combined. 37. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:07 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I haven't really "met" any drivers. I stalked Brad at Darlington the last two years and got his autograph, including this year getting him on his way to driver intros, at which point a security guard told me not to do that again. It was awesome lol. 38. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:34 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Still, I have four driver autographs, Bobby and Donnie Allion, Marvin Panch, and Darrell Waltrip. Bobby and Donnie were by mail, and Darrell was by purchasing something. I only met Marvin. I also met Ryan Truex back before he even won an East Series race. You go to Darlington and Martinsville every single year. I hate envy you. 39. Anonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 8:48 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Please answer this, can Jr at least get a top 20? 40. TeamPlayersBlue posted: 06.23.2013 - 9:02 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) JRacingFast, Fellows was retired from the Corvette program years ago. 41. TeamPlayersBlue posted: 06.23.2013 - 9:03 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Audi with their 75 Million Dollar Budget wins yet another Le Mans. 9th for TK, and I'm not talking about about Tony Kanaan. Will be hard to beat Tom's record. 42. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 9:28 am Rate this comment: (1) (1) "Audi with their 75 Million Dollar Budget wins yet another Le Mans." Exactly, beating people with barely enough money to buy the $400,000 car. I seriously believe that they will keep on competing and pretending to work hard for these wins until LMP1 has folded on the global scale. 43. The Sound posted: 06.23.2013 - 9:31 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) When Kyle Busch was sponsored by Kellogg's, he came to the company headquarters and I was able to get his autograph. I was only about 12 at the time, so you can probably forgive me for asking him to autograph a picture of me sitting in his show car. 44. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:27 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Still, I have four driver autographs, Bobby and Donnie Allion, Marvin Panch, and Darrell Waltrip. Bobby and Donnie were by mail, and Darrell was by purchasing something. I only met Marvin. I also met Ryan Truex back before he even won an East Series race." Back in 2008, Jeff Gordon came to Greensburg, Kansas as part of a Habitat for Humanity project (Greensburg had been wiped out by a tornado the year before). When he signed autographs afterwards, I had him sign a 1:64 diecast (that was stupid) and a hat. Both of them he just signed, "Jeff". I also have Michael Waltrip's autograph by purchasing his book. AND, I have David Hobbs's autograph. My sister got that one for me. 45. startandparkfan posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:33 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I've never met any drivers, but I have tons of autographs, since a friend of ours goes to Dover each year and gets the most expensive box, and gives us all the autographs she gets. How I envy her! 46. 83andJoe posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:45 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I've met Bobby Allison and Ray Fox, and have Fox's autograph on the box of a diecast of a car he owned. 47. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:51 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) Actually, I did SEE David Stremme, but when he saw me and my family he crapped his pants and ran. 48. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:52 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) A few years ago, I went to a local Half Price Book store and found a 50th Anniversary Watkins Glen book from 1998 autograped by 25 drivers, including the late Bil France Jr., Dick Trickle, and possible Dale Earnhardt (I'm still trying to figure out some of the signatures), on sale for for only $75. I also found a Junior Johnson book autographed by him there, as well as a Dale Earnhardt Jr. book autographed by him. 49. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 11:06 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I have a couple of Carl Long autographed postcards that I bought off of eBay, though I'm not sure whether they were genuinely autographed by Long or whether they were just photocopies. 50. Smiff_2 posted: 06.23.2013 - 11:38 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I've met Bobby Allison, Harry Gant, Clint Bowyer, Martin Truex Jr., Ricky Craven, Dick Berggren and Ken Squier (and I got autographs from all of them) And then for autographs from people I *haven't* met, I have Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin, and Greg Biffle. 51. Baker posted: 06.23.2013 - 11:39 am Rate this comment: (0) (2) How the hell is Jimmie Johnson a 7-1 odds to win just as much a chance as Stewart and Gordon? I get that he is Jimmie Johnson and they will cheat their way into wins almost anywhere, but his only road win was a total fluke. 52. Baker posted: 06.23.2013 - 11:42 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) It is Ambrose race to lose. He is starting 2nd and is bad fast on the road races every year. In all honesty it is a choke job every time he doesn't win on the road races. 53. Baker posted: 06.23.2013 - 11:49 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I have an autograph from Tim Richmond. I am not sure if it is real or not because I never met the guy and he was passed away almost 20 years when I got it. He is from my home town though and I bought it from the bar he used to hang out in, The Greens, when they closed down. Only autograph I have because I'm not that big into that kind of thing. 54. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 11:51 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) I'm sure Smiff's sex life is great seeing how bad Brad sucks this year... 55. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 12:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ambrose is the driver to beat, assuming he doesn't have car trouble. Something strange happened inside the car during his qualifying run that I don't think was ever elaborated on. 56. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 12:11 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "How the hell is Jimmie Johnson a 7-1 odds to win just as much a chance as Stewart and Gordon? I get that he is Jimmie Johnson and they will cheat their way into wins almost anywhere, but his only road win was a total fluke." A total fluke is being in 20th place on the last lap and having everybody wreck in front of you. It wasn't a total fluke that Johnson was in 2nd when Ambrose decided to see whether or not he could coast uphill. Sure, Jimmie lucked into the victory, and had Ambrose not made that bonehead move, Johnson would probably have not won the race, but you can't really call it a TOTAL fluke. 57. Jim Davis posted: 06.23.2013 - 12:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "How the hell is Jimmie Johnson a 7-1 odds to win just as much a chance as Stewart and Gordon?" It probably has more to do with how the odds makers expect people to bet than how they expect drivers to finish. If a lot of people are expected to bet on Johnson (a safe assumption given his reputation) Johnson's odds are going to set closer to even because the casino will take a bath otherwise if Johnson does happen to win (which has happened). On the other hand if a driver attracts very little betting action his odds will be set high to attract more betting. Casinos want the betting action spread as evenly throughout the field as possible so no matter who wins, they win. 58. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 12:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) A.J. Allmendinger will run the #47 next week at Kentucky, the 2nd of 5 races he is slated to drive for JTG Daugherty. Bobby Labonte will run the car for all of the July races (Daytona, Loudon, and Indianapolis). Allmendinger is also scheduled to run at Watkins Glen in August, while the other 2 races have yet to be determined. 59. rtcrules posted: 06.23.2013 - 12:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) They have a NASCAR night at the Cleveland Auto Show every year and have got a few from there including Schrader, Mayfield, Musgrave, Boyer, Craven, John Andretti, and a few others I cant remember. Sadly my work schedule has prevented me from getting up there the last few years and have missed guys like Kenseth and Jeff Burton. The only one I've really talked to more then the "Thank You, good luck this year" was John Andretti and he was super nice. The line stalled as the people in front of us were getting a picture with Ricky Craven. I was wearing a Cake shirt and he saked me about it and we got talking about music for a minute. I've gotten 2 autos TTM in Richard Petty and David Pearson. I used to do baseball TTM and decided to try racing and got back the only 2 I ever tried. I guess the retired drivers are all really good about signing while current drivers are really hit and miss and some just don't do it. I remember reading that Junior had 2+ years of mail he hadn't had time to get to and had to stop accepting fan mail all together. 60. rtcrules posted: 06.23.2013 - 12:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) asked 61. HangOnPoopiePants posted: 06.23.2013 - 12:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think NLA's post does deserve some chatter. No mentioning of it on Nascar Today, or Raceday despite it being talked about during qualifying. The weather is supposed to be cloudy and cooler today, so that might help whatever was ailing it. 62. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 12:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) in either 2002 or 2003 at the local dirt track the three Wallace Brothers were having an autograph session so I have all three of their autographs I dont know if this really happened or if I dreamed this. I was walking into work when I worked at Burger King and Rusty Wallace was walking out. I think I had a suspicious look on my face and the replied with "how you doing?" or "hello" nobody at work cared about NASCAR and I also dream in first person so I have no clue if it was real or if I dreamed it also if you are questioning the legitimacy of yoru autographs there is a pawn shop in Las Vegas that can answer the question for ya 63. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 12:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) also, everyone is hyping Villenuve being in this race watch it he crashes on lap 1, or he is on his best behavior and all that 64. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 12:56 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) oh God, Villenuve said that we're only picking on him for being aggressive because he's from F1 65. Eric posted: 06.23.2013 - 1:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) jabber1990, You must be talking about the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop that is on Pawn Stars. I remembered different episodes that the show had NASCAR Merchandise valued including a Ryan Newman fire suit. What I gathered though is that Pawn Shop is much different on television than it is off the air in terms of what stuff they sell based on what I read online. Rather that is true or not, I have no idea since I never went to any state on the west coast. 66. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 1:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The only NASCAR autographs that I have are an autographed Jeff Gordon lamp and window flag, and an autographed copy of NASCAR 08 signed by Tony Stewart. I'm not all that big into autographs either. "A.J. Allmendinger will run the #47 next week at Kentucky, the 2nd of 5 races he is slated to drive for JTG Daugherty." As much as I hate seeing Bobby Labonte thrown to the curb for a few races like this, I have to admit that A.J. Allmendinger gives that team a better chance at a solid top 20 finish in that #47 car than Labonte does at this point in his career. I just hope that Dinger doesn't sign with JTG Daugherty for next season because I think he can do better than that team. DSFF mentioned on the Nationwide page how Penske should just stick Dinger in their #22 Nationwide car for the rest of the season (which I would support 100%). I also had a brief exchange with David Smith about a month ago on this subject, and he said that if he were Dinger's agent, he'd be on the phone right now with Furniture Row trying to get a deal together for 2014, since it's likely that Kurt Busch will get "promoted" up to RCR's main stable next season. Either way, I just want A.J. in a competitive car for next season. He can definitely challenge for top 20s in the #47 JTG car, but I'd much rather see him contend for top tens in the #78 FRR car or even re-joining Penske Racing in some capacity. I just think he's too talented to settle at this point. 67. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 1:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) um, Nevada isnt on the west coast.. 68. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 1:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I actually met Al Unser at his museum in Albuquerque. I was stupid enough to not get his autograph, but I /did/ get my picture taken with him. 69. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 1:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'd rather have my picture taken with somebody...pictures or it didnt happen 70. Eric posted: 06.23.2013 - 2:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Anonymous, It is possible for Dale Jr. to get a top 20 at Sonoma since He had 5 top 15's there. He does need luck today though to get a top 20 because of where he is starting since Wrecks could happen front of him. 71. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 2:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) You may not believe it guys, but the weather for today's race at Sonoma is a bit iffy, including a possibility of rain. Yes, we might see rain at Sonoma in late-June. I've watched virtually all of the races at Sonoma (on TV, of course), and this is by far the worst weather they're ever had at Sonoma. Let's hope there's no rain for this one. Remember that, unlike the Nationwide Series, they would use run rain tires in the Cup race, so the same things that would happen on an oval would also happen at Sonoma if it rained. The commentators are actually wearing jackets. If it does rain, it could result in a very bizarre set of circumstances, and an oddball winner. 72. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 2:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I have a Richard Petty autograph that my dad got for me at some car show thing or something. I wasn't there though, so I didn't meet him unfortunately. Is there really a chance of rain at Sonoma? This is Twilight Zone stuff. 73. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 2:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That should have said in the last post that they would NOT use rain tires for this race, as they would conduct this race as if it were an oval race, as far as I know. 74. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 2:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yes, murb, from what they said, there is a chance of rain later in the day at Sonoma. Trust me, having lived in California myself for 30 years, this is very odd weather for late June anywhere in the state. 75. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 2:17 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) David Ragan rules. I don't think any other current driver would drive their hauler all the way across the country like he did this week. Props to him on that. I hope it can pay off by him having a good run today. 76. Chives5150 posted: 06.23.2013 - 2:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) When my uncle lived in Delaware, he was able to go to a Dover driver autograph session. He was able to get T.J. Bell's and Phil Bonifield's autographs and he sent them to me. He also gave me two Miles the Monster comic books that Dover was planning to do a series with, but that fell through, so now those comics are kind of rare. 77. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 2:39 pm Rate this comment: (4) (0) My prized possesions when it comes to racing are a Dale Earnhardt autographed hero card of him standing in front of his car in the infield grass with the huge Daytona high banks behind him in one of the corners where it says "Daytona USA" in the old lettering (I keep looking at it and hoping that isn't Turn 4 behind him, I don't think it is), and an autographed picture frame where I put a picture of me at 6 years old in front of his show car. I got those in 1990 when he came to a local Chevy dealership in Winston, so I take that back, I did get to meet Dale once. I have some memories of it. I remember the line wrapped all the way outside around the building. I remember we finally got to him a full hour after his session was scheduled to end, but he hung around and signed every single person's autograph. And I also remember, for some reason, that Unocal guy who was always in victory lane coordinating things back in the day was there. Had I known what a cult legend he would become, I would have got his autograph too lol. Most prized of all, I have a picture Mom took of Dad holding me so I could see over the table, you can only see the backs of our heads, but you can see Dale giving a huge grin to his biggest fan. I need to post that on RR's facebook page. 78. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 2:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Heavy rain is about to smack Sonoma within the next 15 minutes. This is going to be interesting. 79. Smiff_2 posted: 06.23.2013 - 2:43 pm Rate this comment: (4) (1) HAHAHAHA yes, Nico, I've been the recipient of quite a bit of 'pity sex' this year. It's been bittersweet, to say the least. ANother tidbit of good news though, we're officially ENGAGED nowadays. I proposed back in April and she said yes! And our honeymoon excursione will be a weekend in Loudon this September. It's gonna be her first race of any kind. And in case anyone is interested, she adopted Kenseth as her favorite. Not only that, but I've *somehow* gotten her into collecting die-casts. Yeah, I know. Doesn't sound real.....hahaha 80. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 2:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Has there EVER been a Cup Series race here before today where it wasn't sunny and beautiful? I haven't seen every race run here, but I'm not sure there ever has been. 81. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 2:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "ANother tidbit of good news though, we're officially ENGAGED nowadays. I proposed back in April and she said yes! And our honeymoon excursione will be a weekend in Loudon this September. It's gonna be her first race of any kind. And in case anyone is interested, she adopted Kenseth as her favorite. Not only that, but I've *somehow* gotten her into collecting die-casts. Yeah, I know. Doesn't sound real.....hahaha" That's wonderful news. It's great to collect diecast... Haha, just kidding. Best of luck to you both. 82. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 2:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Congrats Smiff!!! 83. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 2:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Congrats, Smiff. So that makes it 3 people on here who are either married or engaged (Smiff_2, Dave N., Baker). Well, let me say that you three are idols to the rest of us hopeless dweebs who haven't got a chance at picking up a girl. 84. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I need to post that on RR's facebook page." Which one? 85. Chives5150 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Weepers at Iowa. Possible rain at Sonoma. Mother Nature is a cruel and unusual beast. 86. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Well, let me say that you three are idols to the rest of us hopeless dweebs who haven't got a chance at picking up a girl." Speak for yourself... Actually, I haven't got a whole lot of interest in girls, anyway. 87. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) How do figure it's going to be interesting, The Long Shot? They can't run in the rain because they don't have the necessary equipment to do so. It will just be conducted as if it was an oval race, unless I'm missing something. And by the way, it's starting to rain at Sonoma. 88. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Just to make it clear for me, Cup doesn't race road courses in rain? 89. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) First time in 15 years of watching that I've seen raindrops on the camera lenses at Sonoma. 90. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @88, not at Sonoma, because that's the last place you'd think it would rain, based on the schedule, so they just don't bring the equipment. I think they would at Watkins Glen because they have had rain problems there through the years, including a rain-shortened race in 1992. Plus, I'm not sure they have tires they could run in the rain with anyway, because that became an issue years ago. They may not have a tire capable of running in the rain with. 91. Baker posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The radar on intellicast doesn't show that it should last long. 92. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Prediction: We are going to see the first ever rain-shortened race at Sears Point today. 93. Smiff_2 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Thanks for the well wishes, guys! And for those of you that are still 'hopelessly' single, just keep your chins up. I waited 21 years to lose my virginity and 26 years to meet someone special. I used to think there was no hope, but eventually....things just came around :) As for today....possible rain in Sonoma? C'MON!!! (Gob Bluth voice) Usually we can always count on Sonoma for PERFECT weather. Dammit. 94. Bronco posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) TNT seems to have forgotten about Harvick's Watkins Glen win. 95. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:08 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) ...You just can't escape him. 96. Baker posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:09 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) hahaha and ya'll thought the boogity boogity boogity was over 97. 18fan posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Harvick won at Watkins Glen in 2006, TNT. 98. John Royal posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:09 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) We've got boogity'ed :) 99. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:09 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Did Adam Alexander just say that Kevin Harvick was looking for his first road course win, because if I remember right, he did win at Watkins Glen in 2006. And now I know why nothing seems to be gong right there. Look's who's also there, and with that ridiculous phrase, which I will never utter. Darrell Waltrip. 100. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Speak for yourself... Actually, I haven't got a whole lot of interest in girls, anyway." I've actually been told by girls before that I'm good-looking, though I would hasten to disagree with them (I'm not going to, though). I don't have a girl-friend, but a lot of that is because I don't have the nerve to ask anyone out. 101. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Darrell totally hijacked the command from that other lady. Seriously, he just grabbed the mic right from her hand. 102. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "How do figure it's going to be interesting, The Long Shot?" Just the fact that it's actually raining over in Sonoma. I know that Cup doesn't use rain tires, so they can't actually run in the rain. Good news is: the rain should be over with fairly shortly, so we can probably get this race started later on this afternoon. 103. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I've actually been told by girls before that I'm good-looking, though I would hasten to disagree with them (I'm not going to, though)." Hahahaha...I would if they told me. I'm mainly known as a giant nerd. "I don't have a girl-friend, but a lot of that is because I don't have the nerve to ask anyone out." It helps to not get emotionally attached to anyone until you're in college. That way, you won't have to deal with your girlfriend going to another college or whatnot. 104. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:16 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) What would be even worse is if DW decided to make a special appearance during the race as a "guest commentator". 105. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Actually, now I remember hearing/reading that Waltrip was going to be the grand marshal for this race. That's what you guys are talking about. "And for those of you that are still 'hopelessly' single, just keep your chins up. I waited 21 years to lose my virginity and 26 years to meet someone special. I used to think there was no hope, but eventually....things just came around :)" How long have you known her? 106. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I thought they were bringing in Rain Tires for the race 107. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) There was a crash on pit road before the race! Paulie Harraka's car is heavily damaged and he may not even get to take the green flag. 108. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 52 and 19 have already crashed before the race started. That was pretty stupid. 109. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Wow, a bunch of cars are dropping out BEFORE the green flag. 110. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And Bobby Labonte might not even start this one. Radiator problems. Ugh. 111. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Why do I get the feeling there is going to be a huge crash on the first lap due to the rain? 112. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:21 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) Hey, where does Paulie Haurraka go to school? What else would you guys expect from him? 113. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "And Bobby Labonte might not even start this one." Well, as long as he runs one lap, he keeps his consecutive starts streak intact. 114. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Well, as long as he runs one lap, he keeps his consecutive starts streak intact." He's already behind the wall and the race hasn't even started yet. 115. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Hey, where does Paulie Haurraka go to school? What else would you guys expect from him?" Hey, I wouldn't be throwing stones, seeing as how you whiffed on the spelling of his name. Just kidding. 116. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:23 pm Rate this comment: (4) (0) conspiracy theory time: JTG Daughtery sabataged the engine so that they have an excuse to fire Bobby 117. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Villeneuve on pit road now. Wow. 118. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) They're racing in the rain? I told you this would be interesting. 119. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:23 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Jacques Villeneuve has problems as well. We may dodge a HUGE bullet if he doesn't get to start the race. 120. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:24 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) "JTG Daughtery sabataged the engine so that they have an excuse to fire Bobby" Wouldn't be surprised. They've proven to be a shady organization. 121. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ...Has there even been a race where three cars fell out of the race before the GREEN FLAG? 122. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "They're racing in the rain? I told you this would be interesting." No, the race hasn't started yet. They're still on the pace laps. 123. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:25 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) The 43 best drivers in world ladies and gentlemen. 124. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 4 cars out before the race has even started? AND they're racing in the rain? Yep, this is gonna be a wreckfest if I ever did see one. 125. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:25 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) The 1997 Indianapolis 500, when three cars crashed on the pace lap before the start. 126. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "He's already behind the wall and the race hasn't even started yet." Yeah, but if his car is fixed and he eventually gets out on the track, he'll still get points. Chris Lawson had to take over for Jennifer Jo Cobb during a Nationwide race at Bristol a few years ago because Cobb refused to start-and-park. Lawson started mid-race and still got credit for a start. 127. Chives5150 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) Told you that Harraka and KENNEDY would spell disaster. I hope we never see Harraka in NASCAR again. 128. Smiff_2 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:26 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I'd knwon who she was for year (as she was friends with my little sister once upon a time) but I didn't finally get to know her until almost exactly a year ago. The first time we ever hung out, it felt so natural, we just kept doing it more and more...and the rest, as they say, is history. Did I mention our first date was a 90 minute trip to the nearest Five guys? lol 129. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) #125 Now that you mention, I think FIVE cars fell out of the '97 Indy 500 before the green flag. Didn't two other cars have mechanical failures as well? 130. Smiff_2 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) *years 131. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This race is going to turn out to be a REAL comedy of errors, it seems... 132. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think you're right, Schroeder51. 133. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Jacques Villeneuve has problems as well. We may dodge a HUGE bullet if he doesn't get to start the race." Good one!! 134. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I hope we never see Harraka in NASCAR again." If I remember correctly he was pretty impressive in a few K&N races he did, but man, he's been a Steve Wallace clone so far in the top three series. I'm definitely not surprised to see him run into another car on pit road before the race even starts. Here comes Bobby!!! Yes!!! 135. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Now all we need is for Danica to lose her brakes during the pace laps. 136. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Going green. Let's see what happens. 137. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Labonte comes back out on the track. Green flag...I'm SCARED to see what's about to happen... 138. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I'd knwon who she was for year (as she was friends with my little sister once upon a time) but I didn't finally get to know her until almost exactly a year ago. The first time we ever hung out, it felt so natural, we just kept doing it more and more...and the rest, as they say, is history. Did I mention our first date was a 90 minute trip to the nearest Five guys? lol" That's great. Again, congratulations. 139. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) They actually made it through pretty clean (so far). 140. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Labonte's car stalls on the track. 141. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I'm SCARED to see what's about to happen..." So am I, and I'm not even watching. 142. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) ... And Bobby blows up just like that. Good job, Daugherty and company. 143. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon is beginning to fall back...and David Ragan spins. 144. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) David Ragan just got turned around. This race has kicked my balls so far. 145. New14 & 88Fan posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) JTG Daugherty is a complete joke. 146. RaceFanX posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Bobby done blowed up" What a heartbreaker, he's a Cup champion and he's taking it on the chin of late. 147. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kyle Busch spins! 148. Smiff_2 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Daaaamn, TNT, wipe them lenses! Geeze... 149. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Montoya spins the 18. 150. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This is the scariest race of the season so far. 151. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) What a dumb move by Montoya that early in the race. That's something that Villeneuve would do. 152. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ugh, that #9 looks ugly... still hoping that he wins. BTW it is hard to watch both Indycars and this. :) 153. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution for Harraka off course. 154. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:38 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Nice one, Montoya. Don't you know that Kyle Busch never forgets? (Or was that Jimmy Spencer...) 155. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) EPIC debut for Paulie Harraka! 156. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The thing is that they can't be as aggressive in the final turn as they normally would be because that part of the track is not totally dry, because that's where it's raining. Just before Montoya spun Kyle Busch, they had an on-board from Jeff Gordon's car and you could see the rain falling on the camera, so the rain has become an issue, even though it's hasn't officially caused a caution flag. 157. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Good job Paulie Hfhrdnejd, make those dook fans proud. 158. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:42 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Good job Paulie Hfhrdnejd" Who's that? 159. Chives5150 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yer outta here, Harraka! 160. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I feel bad for Brian Keselowski. He gets a decent road course driver fully sponsored for this race (Paulie finished 5th in the K&N race here yesterday), and now the car is all torn up. Oh also, his family is still a bunch of asses to him 161. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Montoya is going to tear up his car before this race is over if he keeps driving like that. 162. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Paulie Harraka is officially in S**** W****** territory. 163. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I don't think SW ever even did THAT bad during a race itself! 164. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I don't think SW ever even did THAT bad during a race itself!" One time he crashed into a pole by himself in the garage though. That seems pretty equivalent with Paulie hitting the 19 car on pit road before the race even began. 165. joey2448 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hmmm, didn't get a replay on that Harraka crash.... 166. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sky Warrior, I totally feel the same for him. Was nice to see that #52 on the grid, too bad that the driver had to drive like this. Hopefully Brian and his team will manage to repair the car. 167. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) By the way, how about the IndyCar Top 5 right now? 1. Hinchcliffe 2. Rahal 3. Andretti 4. Pagenaud 5. Servia 168. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Servia needs that top 5 real bad. But it is a great race mid-pack, have you seen when Dixon gone 4-wide off turn 2? 169. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Murb, I remember Kyle Petty once did that at Talladega years ago (run into a light pole). By the way, Kurt Busch is keeping Marcos Ambrose honest, and may make a move on him soon. The way the sky's looking, lap 55 my be an important lap in this race, since that's when the race becomes official. But with the only real good passing zone somewhat in question because of the rain, it will be interesting what other place might be used. Turn seven may get more action. 170. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt Busch to the lead. 171. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt to the lead. 172. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt Busch to the lead... ...but knowing how his season has gone, that team will find a way to throw it away. BoB spins! 173. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) There's our first BoB spin of the day. 174. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Nicely displaying her well-rounded talent... horrible at every kind of tracks. 175. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Villeneuve has a problem. 176. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Who's SW? Scott Wimmer? 177. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 3:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) After the way she ran at Martinsville, I really expected a decent run from The Baroness here. I was wrong. 178. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @176 Saying Steve Wallace here causes you to have bad lu... 179. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Steve Wallace, NLA. 180. joey2448 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Villeneuve is apparently stuck in 2nd gear... 181. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Who's SW?" Steve Wallace. 182. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Had that been FOX, they would have blamed Justin Marks for her spinning out. 183. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Brad totally out to lunch. If they run bad at Kentucky next week, I will officially press the "2013 Panic Button". 184. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @182 � la Kenny Schrader? 185. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution for rain...while Gordon is in the pits. 186. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution for sprinkles. 187. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) damn accents... I mean 'a la Schrader'. 188. joey2448 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) How is it that we have rain issues seemingly EVERY week this year??? Jeez! 189. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Did Jeff just catch a break? 190. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:05 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Just noticed that Paulie Harraka is back on the track. Oh dear... 191. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Caution for rain...while Gordon is in the pits." It could work in his favor... "Brad totally out to lunch." With horrible pit luck. 192. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) So much for the "Jeff Gordon has bad luck" meme... 193. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) NO! NO! NO! Jeff Gordon penalized for pitting too soon, according to Bob Pockrass. 194. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) OK, that makes more sense... I never thought Scott Wimmer was that bad. But yeah, the Son of Rusty was horrible. 195. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Nope, of course not. The light came on before he reached the line. 196. JRacingfast posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff gets the early golden horseshoe of the race so far! And damn weathee! Sigh...somewhere in eurooe all those le man racers are laughing at NASCAR considering alot of the 24race hour race was ran in the rain 197. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ... and I spoke too soon. The meme perpetuates itself. 198. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) There goes Gordon's chances for a good race... 199. joey2448 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) F************K!!!!!!!! DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!! NO luck for Gordo at all! 200. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Snake. Bit. 201. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) You thought Jeff had luck, didn't you? And to rack up on it, Harraka is directly behind him. 202. JRacingfast posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) .....nevermind the gordon post....spoke to soon 203. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) We HAVE to make sure he gets back-to-back sub-30th place finishes. 204. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I hate that rule. Jeff had no option back out when the light turned red, like Kurt at The Glen in '06. I hate that rule. 205. Mr X posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think I must have jinxed this race when I said that nothing at Sonoma had ever been effected by weather. I really hope this race is finished today, I don't want to miss it for work tomorrow. As usual it appears Alan Gustafson has done something wrong on pit road, in this case it's a little more forgivable but still. 206. TS1420 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I don't believe Gordon will get away with a lucky break, something bad will happen to him. Lightening will probably strike his car, frying all his electronics or a flash flood will show up on the track, swallowing his car up. 207. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I can't imagine what it's like to be a Gordon fan in this era. You just know that something is gonna happen to him every week. 208. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! *explosion* 209. TS1420 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Oops! Spoke too soon, there's the bad break for Gordon. 210. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Now, the question is, did NASCAR call the caution only once they saw Gordon was pitting to screw him over? /parodyofaconspiracytheorist 211. Chives5150 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I used to root against Gordon every week when I was younger. Now I root for him because of things like that. This is just sad. 212. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I have a feeling BoB will finish higher than Gordon today... 213. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:14 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Gordon restarting 36th. If anyone can work his way through the field, he can. 214. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Looking at it, the yellow light/pit closed light was on well before Gordon came into the pits. Saying that, I think that was a good gamble bringing him in at that time, because he was stuck in ninth place, and there's time to make it up. It was a good gamble that did not pay off, but one that was understandable. But the light came on about three or four seconds before Gordon ducked in. But here's something to consider Gordon's still going to end up ahead of anyone that doesn't stop during the caution when they make their pit stops, if they stop under green, so he's still going to be ahead of quite a few guys and having made the same number of pit stops. In other words, he's still going to be ahead of the current leaders of he race if they stop under green, and probably in no worse shape as far as pit stops are concerned. That's why I think it's a good gamble, even though it didn't work as planned. 215. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DSFF, the light was on before he turned in, but I think it was a good gamble regardless, because he's still going to be ahead of those that don't pit under the caution when they have to pit under green, and he'll still be even with them on pit stops. 216. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:16 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) If I ever run across anyone who says Gordon is lucky nowadays, I will beat them senseless with a wooden bat. 217. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:16 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) Maybe Gordon will go "IDGAF 2010 Sonoma Mode" and just bulldoze his way through the field. That would be entertaining. 218. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:17 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Looking at it, the yellow light/pit closed light was on well before Gordon came into the pits. Saying that, I think that was a good gamble bringing him in at that time, because he was stuck in ninth place, and there's time to make it up. It was a good gamble that did not pay off, but one that was understandable. But the light came on about three or four seconds before Gordon ducked in. But here's something to consider Gordon's still going to end up ahead of anyone that doesn't stop during the caution when they make their pit stops, if they stop under green, so he's still going to be ahead of quite a few guys and having made the same number of pit stops. In other words, he's still going to be ahead of the current leaders of he race if they stop under green, and probably in no worse shape as far as pit stops are concerned. That's why I think it's a good gamble, even though it didn't work as planned. " One time Gordon was 0.5 inches from the line and still got penalized. 219. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) I really hate when they just roll around running caution laps when it rains. They need to stop the race if they call a weather caution or not count the laps. 220. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) the race will only end on/after lap 55 for rain if a Hendrick car or if Danica is leading 221. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Now, he's restarting 39th after topping off on fuel. 222. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Four cars off course. 223. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) David Reutimann spins. Alex Kennedy is also involved. 224. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Reutimann spins, and Kennedy crashes to bring out a caution. 225. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Just when the Tri-Star ride wants to finish... 226. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) David Reutimann, Alex Kennedy, and two others. 227. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Someone spun in front of Gordon, but he avoided it. That could have been disastrous. 228. TS1420 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "One time Gordon was 0.5 inches from the line and still got penalized." Kurt Busch also got nailed at Watkins Glen a few year ago when the caution came out while he was like a foot away from the light and was well within the pitroad wall. 229. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:24 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Missed all the early race shenanigans, but not surprised that Harraka caused a wreck on pit road. He was a wrecking ball in the Truck Series last year. Also not surprised that several Gordon "fans" and empathizers have already proclaimed his race over about 1/3 of the way through the race. He ran far worse in this race two years ago, and still finished 2nd to Kurt Busch. It ain't over 'til it's over for Gordon. 230. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt Busch's team may just have lost him the race, because when he pits under the green, he's going to be so far behind that he may never make it back up to the front. Why on Earth was he not brought into the pits? 231. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:25 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "Why on Earth was he not brought into the pits?" Todd Berrier. 232. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:25 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Kyle Busch penalized. Too fast exiting. 233. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Kurt Busch's team may just have lost him the race" Of course they did. That's their mantra this year. 234. Smiff_2 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Man, this race has been a total 180 from last year's.....lol 235. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Keselowski to the lead. 236. TS1420 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Toyota's not only have problems with their engines & electronics, but also their tachometers since their get nailed for speeding on pit road all the damn time. 237. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Keselowski to the lead. 238. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) For the first time today, my favorite car in the top 10. Go Casey! 239. TS1420 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ""Why on Earth was he not brought into the pits?" Todd Berrier." How this idiot still has a job I have no idea. 240. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:28 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) When will people ever recognize Paul Wolfe is far and away the best crew chief in the sport? 241. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:28 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "It ain't over 'til it's over for Gordon." Amen. 242. Mr X posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Surprised that TNT didn't mention that Brad Keselowski layed two tires in the sand in turn 10 there. 243. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Is it just me, or did Kurt look ridiculously fast getting onto pit road? 244. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Genius move Mr. Berrier... *facepalm* 245. New14 & 88Fan posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt Busch too fast entering pit road, what a shame. 246. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And by the way, why did Jeff Gordon's team bring him back in when he would have been in front of al those cars that were leading. He was about 34th on that last restart when he should have been about 15th-20th, and behind all the cars he should have been in front of. 247. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yep! Kurt Busch was too fast. Once again, he has one of the strongest cars, but he won't win. 248. joey2448 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It looked to me like Kurt was fast entering the pits....f**k there goes my pick. 249. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) There it is. Too fast entering. It's Berrier's fault though. He put Kurt in that position. 250. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "And by the way, why did Jeff Gordon's team bring him back in when he would have been in front of al those cars that were leading." Alan Gustafson, lol 251. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:31 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "why did Jeff Gordon's team bring him back in when he would have been in front of al those cars that were leading" Do we ever know with Gustafson! Kurt Busch penalized AGAIN! 252. John Royal posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I wonder how Ron Fellows doesn't seem to be any kind of threat, while Boris Said is putting up a great race. 253. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ....too fast exiting 254. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I knew Kurt was too fast. Brad better now, apparently flatspotted his right front tire on that first run. Still seriously doubt he has the winning car. 255. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "why did Jeff Gordon's team bring him back in when he would have been in front of all those cars that were leading?" Alan Gustafson. He's the 2nd best crew chief in NASCAR, after only Todd Berrier. 256. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) He got TWO speeding penalties? WOW. 257. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Do we ever know with Gustafson!" *?* 258. Zackary Shawn posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Twitter says he's been penalized again. 259. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That's why Kurt will never win another championship. Instead of trying to come back from adversity, he creates more. 260. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It will be a miracle if he doesn't flip out on the radio. 261. Anthony posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (13) F********* 2013 I wanna forget this year as the worstest year since 2005 Jeff Gordon not making the chase! And 48s gonna win the championship F******** this F *********** that F****************** this F***************** 24 Team F U 262. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I wonder how Ron Fellows doesn't seem to be any kind of threat" He's running in 18th place in a Circle Sport car. I'd say he's getting the most out of that car today. 263. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) I wonder if Chocolate Myers' "Dramameter" has exploded yet I hate to say this about him, but im convinced he doesn't listen to himself talk 264. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:33 pm Rate this comment: (4) (1) Our weekly Anthony rant, folks... 265. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @262: They bought an RCR car for this weekend. 266. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That's why he needs someone else as a crew chief, because Gustafson turned a possibly advantageous situation into a disadvantageous one. If it were me, I would have released him in mid-season last year, because they were in a great spot to be ahead of everyone they were behind, and Gustafson throws it away again. 267. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @265: ML Motorsports uses RCR cars too. That doesn't mean that they have the right people who can set it up properly. 268. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) HUGE shout out to Travis Kvapil, running in twelfth. 269. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I hate to see it, cjs, but I think Gordon is probably going to be paired with Gustafson for the rest of his career. It wouldn't surprise me if they re-signed him after this season. 270. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) *SAY it. 271. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Truex is now in the lead. He's actually a pretty underrated road racer. Remember, he won the first ever Busch race at Mexico City. 272. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) David Gilliland in 14th. Not really surprising, he's always been great at Sonoma. 273. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @268 BK Racing's engines are usually ticking time bombs, hopefully not today. Boris, Almirola and Mears are having awesome runs aswell. 274. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Why do I have this strange feeling Vickers might win this race? 275. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt's on a mission. 276. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "If it were me, I would have released him in mid-season last year, because they were in a great spot to be ahead of everyone they were behind, and Gustafson throws it away again." That would have deprived us of the greatest "Refuse To Lose" moment by Jeff Gordon. Cutting the chain was Gustafson's call. 277. Anthony posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) You know I go back to Martinsville Jimmie Johnson is still the race leader & Jeff Gordon is so much bad luck worse than 1993 worse than 2005 worse than 1994 EVERYTHING! 278. Rusty posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:39 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) That 78 team should be a Chase team if Kurt and his team could just stop making mistakes. They are so damn fast every week. 279. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Keselowski's making a series of unforced errors now. Paul, that's true about setting up the cars, I didn't really think of that. But still, it's not like they're working with a stationwagon this weekend. I'd imagine at least Fellows can give them good feedback on what needs to be done. 280. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Which, Schroeder51, would prove they don't want him up there where he should be any more. If they really wanted the #24 to have chances to win races, they'd replace Gustafson immediately, if not sooner, because to win races, you have to have a crew chief capable of calling races. He makes Roland Wlodyka look like he knew what he was doing. 281. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Villeneuve is officially out...whew. Bullet dodged. Gordon up to 24th. 282. Zackary Shawn posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm the first to admit that I suck at pit strategy, but why would anyone try a 3 stop race instead of a 2 stop race? It seems common sense that those who have to make less pit stops will finish ahead of those who make to make more, especially if they are the lead cars running that strategy. 283. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) But David, Gordon should never have been in that position to start with, and still wouldn't have been if his team set the car up correctly. 284. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) It really gets me when the announcers, be it Fox or (A)TNT, talk about how good Bowyer is. He's a decent driver sure, but all 3 of his wins last year were fuel mileage wins. He hasn't won a non-fuel mileage, non-plate race since Loudon in 2010. One streak of good fuel strategy and people seem to forget the level of talent Bowyer actually has 285. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "He makes Roland Wlodyka look like he knew what he was doing." HA! Wlodyka was a giant bigot. 286. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hinch wins the IndyCar race! 287. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Meanwhile, Hinch wins at Iowa in what was an uneventful race. Well done for him and Carpenter at 4th. 288. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:44 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "but all 3 of his wins last year were fuel mileage wins" He kicked everyone's ass last year at Sonoma, even if it did come down to fuel mileage. 289. Zackary Shawn posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:44 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "It really gets me when the announcers, be it Fox or (A)TNT, talk about how good Bowyer is. He's a decent driver sure, but all 3 of his wins last year were fuel mileage wins. He hasn't won a non-fuel mileage, non-plate race since Loudon in 2010. One streak of good fuel strategy and people seem to forget the level of talent Bowyer actually has" Bowyer dominated this race last year. Even if it was close on fuel, I still don't follow your logic. That pure talent mixed with a dominant car. 290. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "But David, Gordon should never have been in that position to start with, and still wouldn't have been if his team set the car up correctly." I know that. You're right. But it is awesome seeing Gordon overcome adversity, because he's so good at it. Kurt Busch unlapped himself. 291. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Congrats to Hinchcliffe!!! 292. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) "He hasn't won a non-fuel mileage, non-plate race since Loudon in 2010." With a cheated-up race car. In fact, if I recall correctly, his only win on a non-plate track that came simply by having the best car was his first win at Loudon 2007, since his win at Richmond the following season came due to Dale Jr. and Kyle Busch getting together in the closing laps. 293. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yeah, Bowyer's win here last year was well-earned. Gordon in 22nd. 294. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:47 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Nice to see Casey Mears running 12th. And Aric running 10th. 295. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Bowyer, don't make me mad... Boris is going for FAS Lane's long overdue top 10. 296. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "...his only win on a non-plate track that came simply by having the best car..." I wasn't implying that he didn't have the best car at Sonoma last year, because he did, but fuel mileage did play a role in that victory. 297. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:50 pm Rate this comment: (4) (2) Gordon back in the top 20. 298. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:51 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) To me, Bowyer is on the same level as Harvick, Biffle, and Newman as far as talent goes. Pretty good, but not as great as some of their peers (Gordon, Stewart, Johnson, etc). 299. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:52 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) That Mobil 1 ad is hilarious. Can Smoke actually do that? 300. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I suspect not, @299. I can, but I doubt he could. 301. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:54 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Bowyer is becoming overrated, which is unfortunate, because a few years ago he was underrated. 302. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'll certainly give that he was out front for most of this race last year, but usually the announcers have just been trying to play him up as a perennial championship contender when he's really not, it gets me more than the Danica hype 303. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kurt Busch got un-unlapped. 304. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:55 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) "but usually the announcers have just been trying to play him up as a perennial championship contender when he's really not" Well, he did finish 2nd in points last year... 305. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) Gordon is now 18th. 306. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Well, he did finish 2nd in points last year..." That's why he said "perennial". 307. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Roland Wlodyka. That was a moron who thought he was the smartest guy ever. And Earnhardt won his first title (in just his second season) with Roland as GM. Best ever. 308. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 4:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "Bowyer is becoming overrated, which is unfortunate, because a few years ago he was underrated." You can thank Michael Waltrip and his fierce advertising campaign for that. Martin Truex, Jr. has experienced the same transition due to the overexposure from being an MWR driver. It's a shame because both drivers are very talented, but the increased exposure has led to very high expectations from the media and fans. Sadly, the overexposure and hype seems to have gone to Bowyer's head, as his attitude did almost a complete 180 after leaving RCR for MWR last season. 309. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And yet DSFF, Alan Gustafson makes him (Wlodyka) look like knew what he was doing at times, which gives you an indication how inept he is at calling a race. 310. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Strangely, PRN's online feed is coming in much better than MRN's ever did. 311. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:02 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Is "And while we were at break" (A)TNT's most used phrase? 312. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "That's why he said "perennial"." And I'm saying that maybe they are building him to be a better driver than he really is because he finished 2nd in points last year. I just said it before. Bowyer is good, but he's not great. So that's pretty much all I have to say about it. 313. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:03 pm Rate this comment: (3) (3) Gordon is back in the top 15!! 314. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "usually the announcers have just been trying to play him up as a perennial championship contender when he's really not" One of the best YouTube comments I've ever read said that Bowyer was "a poor man's Terry Labonte." I'd say that's about right. Bowyer can run well on any type of track and is sure to give you a couple wins every year in good equipment, but I just don't think he's got that "IT" factor that Labonte had in order to become a Cup champion. He's already arguably the most underwhelming Nationwide Series champion, considering how he won just one race in a great RCR car in 2008 and that was a rain-shortened race at Bristol (which in all fairness, he did dominate that race). Heck, Scott Wimmer had a win that season as well in an RCR car, and he only got to run a partial schedule due to Holiday Inn's insistence that Jeff Burton drive most of the schedule. Danica spins yet again. 315. Zackary Shawn posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Why do I have a strange feeling that Jimmie Johnson is in the best position to win this race? It really defies logic, but.... 316. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution for BoB crashing. 317. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I just said it before. Bowyer is good, but he's not great. So that's pretty much all I have to say about it." I misunderstood you, that's all. The Baroness has spun. 318. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) BoB in trouble for her second time today. I was wrong about her possibly having a good race today. She's been Harraka Lite out there. 319. OldSchoolNascarDude1 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:05 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Why throw a caution for that? 320. Benjamin Lowe posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Michael Waltrip looks like he is on crack or had way to many cold one's when performing his (so called) announcing duties. 321. TS1420 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:06 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) DANICAUTION! 322. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:06 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Ah, I give her a break on that one. She had a flat left rear. 323. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:06 pm Rate this comment: (2) (2) Danica had a flat tire, but I'm certain this will be painted as an example of her "lack of driving skills." 324. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:06 pm Rate this comment: (1) (5) The Baroness spun after a flat tire, and they threw the yellow. Don't like that decision. 325. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Michael Waltrip looks like he is on crack or had way to many cold one's when performing his (so called) announcing duties." Probably too many cold ones. Remember when he had like two or three drunk driving incidents within the span of about a year and a half? 326. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:07 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) C'mon guys, this wasn't even her mistake. (For once) 327. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:07 pm Rate this comment: (2) (4) Who is thumbing down my Jeff Gordon minute-by-minute updates?!?! 328. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I wonder if she made contact with someone. That tire was just destroyed 329. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:08 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) Better question is, who is thumbing them UP? 330. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "C'mon guys, this wasn't even her mistake. (For once)" I know, I corrected myself on it. 331. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:09 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "Danica had a flat tire, but I'm certain this will be painted as an example of her "lack of driving skills."" No, it won't. 332. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:10 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Probably the 1st time I've seen Menard today, and it was only because his stall is behind Bowyer's. That means he'll end up in somewhere between 9th-15th. 333. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:11 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) I think the reason they threw the caution was because of where on the track Danica spun and her car was stopped when the caution was thrown. Her car was in a vulnerable place, so the caution had to be thrown. It wasn't until after the caution was thrown that she got restarted again, so they had to throw the caution for that one. If they hadn't, it's possible that it could have been hit by another car, so that was a good call to throw the caution, because that's a risk they can't take. 334. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:12 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) "Better question is, who is thumbing them UP?" Even better, why is anyone thumbing them at all? 335. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Better question is, who is thumbing them UP?" Gordon fans. Who else? I actually think Mikey is a decent Truck Series announcer because he's always hyping drivers up (albeit a little too much than some of them deserve; see Brian Vickers: Future Cup Champion). But when Cup drivers like Kyle Busch or Brad Keselowski are in the field, he pretty much throws out what little journalistic integrity he has and becomes a cheerleader. 336. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Touche. 337. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff's back down to 20th. 338. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Not the smartest move for cars like McMurray, Edwards, Burton, and Kahne to stay out. They'll all probably have to pit under green. 339. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Denny Hamlin spins. 340. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This is the worst season of Hamlin's career I think. 341. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:16 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Up to 15th. Hamlin spins. 342. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) First time I've seen Denny Hamlin all race, and he spun out. 343. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:16 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) WHY A CAUTION???? HE GOT GOING!!!! 344. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "This is the worst season of Hamlin's career I think." Nooooooooooooooooooooo...not even close. 2011, he was OUT to LUNCH, even with his win at Michigan. 345. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The caution is out for a fire, apparently. 346. Benjamin Lowe posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:17 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) Why Doesn't Gordon grow a spine and stand up to Hendrick and tell him to give him competitive cars and a new crew chief or he is leaving the team. 347. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Damn, Smoke just got into the back of Hamlin. Not gonna blame him for that though, as Hamlin kind of moved in front of him entering the turn. 348. hyperacti posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:17 pm Rate this comment: (4) (0) Hamlin's spin created a blackhole! 349. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Tony Stewart RAMS Hamlin, announcers clear Stewart's name because of "wheelhop." 350. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Caution for a fire set by the #11. Also, (A)TNT thought Kahne had just taken the lead when the caution came out, totally forgetting about Truex 351. Zackary Shawn posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:18 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "WHY A CAUTION???? HE GOT GOING!!!!" Grass is on fire. 352. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:18 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Stewart wheel hopped into him, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear yet another blocking rant by Smoke after this one. Meanwhile, the grass is on fire. 353. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "Grass is on fire." lol, Yeah I know. I posted that before they showed the grass. 354. Mr X posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I was wondering why there was a caution, interesting that the at least damp grass caught fire. 355. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:19 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) If Gordon didn't have competitive cars, there's no way he would have went from 37th to 15th, no matter how good of a driver he is. Of all the arguments for why Gordon is struggling at times, the "not having competitive cars" one is the absolute worst. 356. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:19 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) Vintage Truex, stalling the car on pit road while leading, and they're still a lap short 357. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:19 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Why Doesn't Gordon grow a spine and stand up to Hendrick and tell him to give him competitive cars and a new crew chief or he is leaving the team." He's a team player to the bitter end. 358. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:19 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Yes Schroeder51, a grass fire where Hamlin spun. This race has had it all, a crash in the pits and two mechanical problems before the race even started, rain, and now a grass fire. 359. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:19 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Nooooooooooooooooooooo...not even close. 2011, he was OUT to LUNCH, even with his win at Michigan." Yeah, but at least his spine was in tact for that season. Truex stalls it on pit road. 360. AveryNH posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:20 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Ambrose's car reminds me of a yellow jacket. Ugly. 361. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) So Gordon stays out...He's going to get screwed by strategy AGAIN, it seems like. 362. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Yep. Tony pins the blame squarely on Hamlin. And so do the announcers... 363. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Big crash on the restart. 364. joey2448 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And another hit to Hamlin's Chase hopes...and the grass is on fire! Someone asked this way back early on this board, but the only times I can remember Sonoma not being run under clear sunny skies was in 2001 and the first half of the race in 2005... Crash on the restart, like in 2010. 365. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @355, having competitive cars is not an issue for him at tracks like Sonoma. It's the high-speed tracks where not having competitive cars is an issue for him, because he's rarely competitive at he high speed tracks. 366. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ""Nooooooooooooooooooooo...not even close. 2011, he was OUT to LUNCH, even with his win at Michigan." Yeah, but at least his spine was in tact for that season." His average finish was better in 2011, too. 367. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Another caution for the 36 crashing on the front stretch. The Stewart/Hamlin thing was just a racing deal. Hamlin was moving over to defend his position, and Stewart just wheel hopped into him. 368. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Biffle missed the restart and it caused a HUGE accordion, with Victor Gonzalez getting wrecked because of it. 369. Benjamin Lowe posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) Look at me I'm Jeff Gordon all I do is kiss my owners ass and do what Im told If I were smart I would tell My Boss to I'm through taking orders and I am tired of watching my career suffer but nope I just bow down and obey my master's every command. 370. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "If Gordon didn't have competitive cars, there's no way he would have went from 37th to 15th, no matter how good of a driver he is. Of all the arguments for why Gordon is struggling at times, the "not having competitive cars" one is the absolute worst." It's not so much that they're uncompetitive, it's that they're not as competitive as, say, the rest of Hendrick's. At least that's what it seems like. 371. Mr X posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:24 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) All these full course yellows are annoying me, didn't really seem necessary for that restart crash. 372. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Schroeder51, if he can't make it to the finish, what good does it do to pit in that spot, and they apparently couldn't make it to the end from there. And it kept him in front of that mess on the restart. 373. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Are people really taking Ben Lowe comments seriously, lol? (No offense Ben, I love you man. You're one of my favorite posters on here). 374. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:26 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) With Gonzalez's car blocking the track, Mr X? 375. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:26 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Yeah, but at least his spine was in tact for that season." I laughed much harder than I should have 376. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff Gordon hasn't been the same driver since Evernham left. Of course he's won a championship and many races, but at no point has he been so dominant like he was in the mid-90s. It's laughable that anyone could think Hendrick would give him worse equipment than drivers with much lower popularity (and money-making ability) such as Kahne and Johnson. Hendrick's a businessman first and foremost. 377. Benjamin Lowe posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:28 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Thanks I really appreciate that Murb. 378. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hamlin's 2011 stunk because it should have been better following a great 2010. He and his cars were decent for the first part of the year, but when Joe Gibbs Racing was busted with penalties (for oil pans, I believe), they were suddenly way off for the rest of the year. This year, Hamlin has been competitive many times, especially over the last five races. 379. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:28 pm Rate this comment: (5) (0) Am I dreaming? Said, Kvapil, and Mears are all in the Top 10? Be still, my heart. 380. joey2448 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Logano and Junior, front row for this restart! 381. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Where in the hell did Boris Said come from? 382. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:30 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Kyle Busch is driving like Tim Richmond now. 383. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Benjamin Lowe is quite the character indeed. He pulls no punches when it comes to calling out NASCAR people on their inefficiencies. 384. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Of course he's won a championship and many races, but at no point has he been so dominant like he was in the mid-90s." 2007, minus the lack of double-digit wins. As for his championship loss that year> Another one of his late-season fades, and it wasn't even that bad that year, as he won twice in the Chase. Jimmie Johnson just murdered the field in that stretch. 385. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:32 pm Rate this comment: (5) (0) If you think Gordon is luckless, look at McMurray... 386. Benjamin Lowe posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:34 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) I am perhaps one of the most polarizing figures on this comment board. 387. Benjamin Lowe posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sorry If I came off as rude I was just trying to be motivational 388. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Benjamin Lowe is a cross between Brad Keselowski's "candidness" this season and Tony Stewart's post-Talladega rant last season. In a good way. 389. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Hamlin's 2011 stunk because it should have been better following a great 2010." I disagree with that. He inevitably suffered from the "48 2nd Place Curse" that Gordon suffered in 2008, Carl suffered in 2009, and Mark suffered in 2010. Plus, I think that was the season that JGR had that huge fire in their shop or whatever before the start of the season, so I think they suffered from that for most of the year. Not to mention that he and Mike "Crow Eater" Ford were still together, and we all know how explosive that relationship was. So to me, it's not really a surprise that he struggled that year. For this year, I thought with the addition of Kenseth that they would all be better as a team (which they have been for the most part), but it seems that Denny hasn't been as good (even before the back injury he only had one top ten). 390. 13 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yeah Gordon has 10 times the luck McMurray has 391. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:35 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Oh yeah, Jeff's in third. 392. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Oh yeah, as I was writing post 389 McMurray had problems. Damn it. 393. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Joey Logano is quite the road racer. I undermined his road course skills on the Michigan page, but he's held his own in this race as he's currently leading. 394. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon to the lead...but for how long...? 395. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Go to commercial, Gordon in 3rd. Come back and he's taken the lead. What? 396. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:37 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) And just as I posted that, Gordon takes the lead away from Logano. 397. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:38 pm Rate this comment: (1) (4) Hamlin's 2011 was a hangover, sure, but who's fault is a hangover? The one who's hung over. JEFF'S IN THE LEAD!!!! YES!!!!! REFUSE TO LOSE!!!! 398. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:38 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Gordon won't make it to the end on fuel driving like that... 399. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon and Kenseth apparently are trying to stretch their fuel to the full distance. Logano pitted 7 laps before those two, so he'll likely have to come in before this race is over. 400. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "but it seems that Denny hasn't been as good (even before the back injury he only had one top ten)." But ironically enough, he's been way better since the injury (third at Darlington, anyone??). 401. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This has definitely been an extremely strange race, so I am NOT going to count Gordon out of this one yet. 402. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) We have another caution flag. 403. Mr X posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Cjs just saying that NASCAR didn't even wait for the 36 to get going, he restarted basically at the tail end of the field, meaning he was the last to arrive at the scene he made an abrupt stop got a small piece of the wall and sat there for a few seconds and the entire field was already by. He got it going just after the yellow fell and about 60 seconds before anyone would've come back around, that being said the yellow will help Jeff Gordon's fuel concerns, but I still feel they threw that yellow too quick. 404. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kyle Busch spins. Caution. And for once, it benefits Jeff. 405. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Heavy damage to Kyle Busch's car. 406. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Carl runs over Kyle. Caution. 407. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:42 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Man, Kyle hit the tire barrier pretty hard with the right side of his car. Slight contact between he and Carl Edwards in the esses just screwed up his chances at a top ten finish. 408. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:43 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Kyle Busch spins, hits the tires, and continues. But NASCAR throws the yellow anyway... 409. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Looks like most of the lead lap cars are pitting. 410. loomer posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Ever since his win in 2008, Sonoma has not been kind to Kyle. 411. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I saw Johnson took just two tires, but Logano and Gordon took four. Could be an interesting restart. 412. TS1420 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:46 pm Rate this comment: (1) (3) Hopefully Johnson's older tires blow out. 413. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The top 15 stayed out. Wow. 414. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Actually David, Hamlin was second at Darlington. 415. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Wishing for someone's tires to blow... classy. 416. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 15 cars stayed out, including Matt Kenseth, who was on the same fuel strategy as Gordon. Montoya restarts in 4th, so that should be fun. 417. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Hamlin was second at Darlington." Hey, that helps my point even further!! 418. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Good run for David Stremme, who often gets replaced for these road races. 419. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Somehow the #52 is still out there soldering on 420. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Stremme goes around. 421. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Looks like I jinxed him... 422. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Stremme goes around, Hamlin off course. 423. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kyle Busch spins again. 424. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kyle around again. What an awful day for him. 425. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kyle Busch goes around again. Might have a flat tire too. 426. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kyle Busch overdrives Turn 4. 427. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Oh, Wise's mistake HAS to affect another low budget team. 428. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:52 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Kyle Busch has been on a merry-go-round all day, or possibly the ferris wheel turned sideways 429. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:52 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Kyle Busch needs to just park it, he's a rolling potential caution now. 430. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:53 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Will today be the day that Truex FINALLY wins his 2nd career race? 431. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:53 pm Rate this comment: (3) (1) The "how will Truex give this one away?" thought has now popped into my head. 432. 13 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gilliland! 11th! Great job 433. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:54 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "Kyle Busch needs to just park it, he's a rolling potential caution now." Nah, it would be used as an excuse as another "Kyle Busch Meltdown". 434. TS1420 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:55 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "The "how will Truex give this one away?" thought has now popped into my head." Realizes he is in the 1st and stands on the brakes? 435. Zackary Shawn posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) I just still have a feeling this is Johnson's race... 436. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Jeff's probably thinking "Shit! Get out of my way you hack Johnson!" 437. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff Burton and Tony Stewart spin. 438. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Burton spins. Another ball kicker for me. Stewart does too. 439. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:57 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) Piss off, Johnson! (part 3) 440. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:57 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Good job Stewart. 441. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:57 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) Gordon gets around Johnson. 442. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:58 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) Jeff's 9th. 443. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:58 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) That was a dumb move by Stewart to try passing Burton that late into the corner entry in turn 11. Gordon muscles his way passed Johnson. 444. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) How the is Kenseth (perhaps the worst road-racing champion of all-time) running in 3rd? 445. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:58 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Refuse To Lose alert. One more caution........ 446. TS1420 posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) DAMMIT TONY! Haha! Nap-Time got passed by Four-Time. Hendrick is probably gonna hit the radio controlled kill-switch on the 24 car now... 447. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:59 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) No caution: Montoya wins One caution: Montoya wins Two cautions: Kurt Busch wins 448. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "That was a dumb move by Stewart to try passing Burton that late into the corner entry in turn 11." It was a mirror image of what Montoya did to Kyle Busch really early in the race. 449. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 5:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff will now slice through the field like a knife through warm butter. 450. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:00 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Two speeding penalties and one inept crew chief later, Kurt Busch passes Jimmie Johnson. Someone wanna tell me that Kurt isn't the more talented driver of the two? 451. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DSFF, it looks like we are watching another "Jeff Gordon Never Say Die Moment presented by DSFF and NRF"! This, folks, is why Jeff is a better road racer than Tony. 452. 13 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:00 pm Rate this comment: (4) (0) Great race for Jeff Burton until Stewart wrecked him 453. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "how will Truex give this one away?" Gordon, Kurt or Montoya 454. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) "One caution: Montoya wins" You typoed. It should read "Gordon wins". 455. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Kurt's a better road racer than Johnson, but if you're trying to say he's better overall, I think most sensible people would just laugh at you. 456. OldSchoolNascarDude1 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) I think fresh tires will prevail. Despite the commentary's popular opinion of no drop off, tires are a factor today. Combine that with the fact the 56 team is notorious for blowing race winning opportunities, and I think this race is still to be determined. 457. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hell of a comeback by Kurt Busch. As for Gordon, I REALLY want to see this Refuse To Lose moment completed. It would be awesome to see. 458. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ^ Great cars win on ovals. Great drivers win on road courses. 459. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Two speeding penalties and one inept crew chief later, Kurt Busch passes Jimmie Johnson. Someone wanna tell me that Kurt isn't the more talented driver of the two?" Sure I'll tell you. 460. Jim Davis posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Someone wanna tell me that Kurt isn't the more talented driver of the two?" On a road course? Or overall? 461. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) OK, post #454 was immature. But it seemed right. 462. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Quick! Somebody run out of talent (not Jeff, and don't take Jeff with you)! 463. TS1420 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:04 pm Rate this comment: (2) (3) I see Jimmie Johnson's handful of fans have found this site and are thumbing down all the comments that are against Nap-Time or make him look bad. 464. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff is on a mission right now 465. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:04 pm Rate this comment: (4) (0) YES!! PRN got it right!! They said to cue the Jaws music for Gordon!!! 466. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Refuse To Lose Alert, now at DEFCON 5. 467. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think some of you misunderstood me. I meant that Kurt is a more naturally talented driver than Jimmie. Obviously Jimmie is the better driver overall due to his HUGE advantage in wins and championships. It's kind of like the Gordon/Earnhardt discussion from the Michigan page. I think Gordon was more talented, but I think Earnhardt was better. 468. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff will now slice through the field like a knife through melted butter. YOUR typo David. 469. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "That was badass. Go get the #99." 470. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Regardless of where he finishes, this is definitely a "Jeff Gordon Never Say Die Moment presented by DSFF and NRF" 471. Mr X posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Really another commercial 472. Rusty Wallace posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:06 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Jeff Gordon is flat flyin'! I mean that hot rod is really moving now boys! 473. Zackary Shawn posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If Jeff Gordon can just get a caution... 474. Rusty posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:07 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) This is seriously a joke, we're getting race breaks with our commecials. Piss off TNT. 475. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Don't worry everyone, (A)TNT went to commercial, there will surely be a caution when they get back 476. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Pierre Debris, Pierre Debris, wherefore art thou, Pierre Debris? 477. TS1420 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:07 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Really another commercial" I predict 3 more commercial breaks, including one on the final lap. 478. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Jeff will now slice through the field like a knife through melted butter." THAT'S the word I was looking for...either that or "soft". 479. joey2448 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Man that 24 is moving! Unfortunately, he's probably too far behind Truex... 480. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Damn it all! I want a frickin' caution! 481. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:09 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) If this were the 90's, there would totally be a caution right about now. 482. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) No satire...we agreed to it... 483. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I rescind my no cautions prediction. Montoya has badly fallen off to the point that he must just be hoping Truex runs out and he doesn't. 484. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon passed Edwards for 3rd the exact same way he passed him for 2nd back in 2011. 485. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) BTW, I demand y'all's respect. This is the third time I've put a pox on Johnson, and all three time it's worked. 486. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:12 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Come on Truex! Find a new way to blow the race!! Just kidding. 487. 13 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:12 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Come on Truex noone deserves a win more than you do! 488. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) You know, if there is a caution, we can't count Kurt Busch out either. 489. 18fan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That 56 car is hooked up. Thankfully FOX isn't covering this race if Truex wins. 490. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:14 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I love how everyone's been cutting the hairpin ever since Stewart knocked the tire barrier out of the way. 491. 13 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:15 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Props to the 52 team for soldering on with nothing to gain 492. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) Come on caution flags... 493. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) if there is a caution they will probably all kill each other did Labonte start this race? 494. Mr X posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jimmie's left front is now a ticking time bomb. 495. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:16 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Jimmie "Smoke" Johnson 496. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Even God doesn't want to see a Jeff Gordon win! 497. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) He did. 498. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think this one is over unless Truex blows it. 499. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:18 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) The #20 team's strategy: Save fuel, but don't lose any positions. HA! Good luck with that, especially considering that Kenseth has never been good on the road courses. 500. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:19 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Kenseth displaying his inability to turn right... 501. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) What if...Truex runs out of gas? 502. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Montoya is out. 503. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:20 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) @501 Then it is Juan for the #42. 504. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Montoya is out. 505. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Montoya out of gas! 506. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Just as I wrote it... 507. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:21 pm Rate this comment: (3) (1) Great job to Truex! He deserved it. It's been a LOOOOOONG time. 508. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:21 pm Rate this comment: (3) (1) Truex finally wins for the first time in six years. 509. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:21 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) TRUEX!!!! 510. JG24FanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:21 pm Rate this comment: (2) (2) Gordon's 302nd Top 5!! 511. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:21 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Well-earned win for Truex, I'm happy for him. 512. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:22 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) 6 years later. Congrats to Truex. I would have liked to have seen that Refuse To Lose run completed though. Hell of a comeback by both Gordon and Kurt Busch. 513. Bronco posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:22 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) He finally did it. 514. Mr X posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:22 pm Rate this comment: (5) (0) I'm happy with the result. More proof that NASCAR needs more road racing. 515. We need more Onion posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:23 pm Rate this comment: (4) (0) Finally. Also props for the drivers ending 16-18th. Well done by that trio. 516. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:23 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) At least Truex can finally say he's no longer a "one-hit wonder" 517. 13 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) What the holy hell happened to Brad at the end? 518. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Congratulations to Martin Truex on his first...er, second career win. 519. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:24 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Carl did a great job of running right behind Gordon for those final 10 or so laps. He's gonna win a road course one of these days. 520. New14 & 88Fan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:24 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Well earned win by Martin Truex Jr. Congrats to everyone on the #56 Napa team! 521. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:24 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) In comparison to recent NASCAR road races, that was a long green run to the finish! I thought for sure one of the road course amateurs would turn into a wrecking ball. 522. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Montoya goes from 2nd to 34th on the last lap. 523. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:25 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) lol at Montoya crossing the line. 524. epzik8 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Way to go Martin Truex! 525. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:26 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Nice short cut by Montoya. Even if he gets penalized, his final result is gonna suck compared to how well he ran. 526. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:26 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Montoya skipped the last corner entirely trying to take the checkered flag. 527. 18fan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:26 pm Rate this comment: (4) (0) I'm not a huge Montoya fan, but that sucks for him. 528. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) Nothing happened to the #2, he was running around 20th for the last 10-15 laps. He just isn't a good road racer. 529. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:27 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) Of course, whenever Jeff ABSOLUTELY needs a caution to contend, he doesn't get one. But am I complaining?? No way!! 530. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:28 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) "He just isn't a good road racer." Even though he's finished 2nd at Watkins Glen the past two years. 531. JG24FanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:29 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Godron breaks his tie with Bobby Allison and Mark Martin for most career Road-Course podiums with his 17th. 8th consecutive Top 9 finish at Sonoma for Gordon. 532. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Fine. He just isn't good at Sonoma. 533. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:30 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Kurt turns a negative day into a positive day, overcoming two pit road speeding penalties (due in part to his crew chief keeping him out too long) and finishing 4th. He's got some "refuse to lose" inside of him as well. 534. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:30 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Good for Truex. I guess all in all, he deserved it most today. Not quite as dominant as Bowyer was last year, but still the best out there by far. 535. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:31 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) The NAPA car won in NAPA Valley. Commence conspiracy theories 536. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:31 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Man, Montoya can't catch a break this year at ALL. 537. Mr X posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:31 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Surprised that Truex didn't cry in victory lane. 538. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:31 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) It's gonna be a shame if Montoya doesn't get a win this year. He could have won both here and Richmond so far. 539. TeamPlayersBlue posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:31 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Awesome deal for Truex. Truex gets his first win since 2007 on that gloomy Monday in Dover (the day Bill France Jr. passed away). Never really thought of him as a road racer. 540. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:32 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Surprised that Truex didn't cry in victory lane." He teared up during PRN's interview. 541. Rusty posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:33 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Proud of Kurt not mailing it in and getting a 4th place finish. Still feels like a missed opportunity for a win. But good job, he can still make this chase if they cut back on the mistakes. 542. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:33 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) My question about Montoya is, why did he not slow down for those last 8-10 laps when it was obvious he could not catch Truex, because if he had slowed down, he would still have gotten second, because Jeff Gordon was being careful because he knew he couldn't catch Montoya, so he was protecting third place, so if Montoya had any racing sense, he would have slowed down to be sure of making it. He, Truex, and Matt Kenseth all pitted on the same lap, yet he was the only one not to make it to he finish because he ran much harder than he needed to. Even Truex slowed down in the last few laps to make sure he made it to the finish. But this is par for the course for the Ganassi Racing team, because they've run well all year, but except for Dover, they really haven't gotten anything for how they've run. 543. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Oh yeah, Montoya could have won Dover too I guess. I forgot about that. 544. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:34 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I think Montoya and his team thought they had enough fuel to get to the end. Plus, he was chasing Martin Truex, who in the world wasn't expecting something to happen to the #56? 545. JG24FanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:35 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Refuse to Lose, anyone? Never say die? YES!! 546. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:35 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "The NAPA car won in NAPA Valley. Commence conspiracy theories " you're just closed-minded wait a minute, im on your side 547. Benjamin Lowe posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:35 pm Rate this comment: (1) (3) Message to Keselowski get your head out of your ass and start driving like the defending cup champion. 548. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:35 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Jeff Gordon was good on gas, cjs. He was running hard. 549. startandparkfan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:35 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) #538, don't forget Dover, where Montoya lead 19 laps before stewart passed him for the win. Great job for Truex, I've been waiting for him to get back to victory lane. Good run for Gordon as well. 550. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:37 pm Rate this comment: (5) (2) "Refuse to Lose, anyone? Never say die? YES!!" YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!! 551. Ryan W posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The Closer gets his sixth straight top-10 and seventh out of the last eight races... 552. Mr X posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Did anyone notice when TNT showed the post race top 10 in points next to Martin Truex Jr. in 10th under the wins column it said "0". Also the second week in a row that Bobby Labonte finishes 43rd. 553. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) did Labonte start this race? 554. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:41 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) But Sky Warrior, the only way Montoya was going to be able to get to Truex was something out of his control. Even if fuel wasn't a factor, there comes a time where you have to just protect and take whatever position it is you've got, which in this case, was second. Jeff Gordon didn't have any fuel problems, yet he backed off after he got to third place because he knew he couldn't get any higher unless something happened in front of him, or if the caution came out. And did I just see that there was a zero in the win column for Martin Truex, Jr. when TNT just showed the championship standings, despite him winning today's race? Somebody, wake up over there. And by the way, Truex's win is, as far as I know, only the second ever for car #56 in NASCAR's top series. The only other on I know came all the way back in 1966 when Jim Hurtubise, the driver most connected with that car number, won at Atlanta driving for Norm Nelson. 555. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That's really funny that Labonte finished last in two straight races with two different teams, and both were due to mechanical problems. Someone's going to look at his stats 20 years later and wonder if he turned into a start-and-parker. 556. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:42 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I am REALLY wondering if JTG-Daugherty isn't sabotaging Labonte just so they can find an excuse to kick him out of the car...I really hate that for Bobby. Wouldn't be surprised if he's out of the Cup Series by the end of the year. 557. 83andJoe posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:42 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) *engage time warp, -450 or so comments* >I feel bad for Brian Keselowski. He gets a decent road course driver fully sponsored for this race (Paulie finished 5th in the K&N race here yesterday), and now the car is all torn up. Oh also, his family is still a bunch of asses to him That's not Brian Keselowski's car. It is the number Brian K has used this year (having borrowed it in turn from Jimmy Means for Daytona), but Go Green Racing was running the car this weekend. 558. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yes, Labonte took the green flag at least...but that's all he did, pretty much. 559. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Oh god they're already talking about Truex going back to back 560. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:43 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Yes David, he was good on gas, but he also realized that he would never catch Montoya, so he backed off it a little bit to make sure of third place, and got second when Montoya foolishly didn't do the same thing. If he had run as hard as he could, there was no way Carl Edwards would have been as close to him as he was at the checkers. 561. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:45 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) I'm actually not gonna be around for the Cup race at Kentucky next week, so I guess the next Cup race that I'll be looking forward to is Daytona. Hopefully they've figured out the problems that turned the Daytona 500 into a snoozefest. Also, I REALLY hope Bobby Labonte just gets the hell out of that pathetic JTG Daugherty organization. It's just terrible to see how bad he runs in that car. 562. Quasar posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:46 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Great win for Truex. What a sad result for Montoya & also Burton, he would have finished another race in the Top 10-12. 563. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Yes, Labonte took the green flag at least...but that's all he did, pretty much. " ah, good...kinda 564. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Aw crap, next weekend is Kentucky? REALLY not looking forward to that race... 565. New14 & 88Fan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Also, I REALLY hope Bobby Labonte just gets the hell out of that pathetic JTG Daugherty organization. It's just terrible to see how bad he runs in that car." He should just drive the #51 for however long they stick around, then see if he can find a good truck or even N'wide ride for the rest of the year. Anything is better than the train wreak that's JTG Daugherty Racing. 566. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I am REALLY wondering if JTG-Daugherty isn't sabotaging Labonte just so they can find an excuse to kick him out of the car." Like I said earlier, I would not be surprised. Their thought process throughout this whole mess has just been ridiculous. Like, do they really think that they are gonna get AJ as their permanent driver? AJ is back in the fold at Penske (and is able to run in BOTH Indy Car and Nascar), there's no way he'll leave that. So I feel bad for whoever has the misfortune of being JTG's next driver. They have officially reared their heads as one of the shadiest organizations in the sport. 567. JG24FanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff Gordon ties Richard Petty for second most Modern 2nd place finishes with his 66th career putting him only behind Big E who has 70. 568. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:54 pm Rate this comment: (4) (2) I really hope Jeff Gordon and Joey Logano are able to pull off victories over the next few weeks, and hopefully Paul Menard can make the chase on points alone. 3 drivers inside the Top 10 in points (Bowyer, Earnhardt, Keselowski) have no victories this season, and while Bowyer has a comfy cushion over 11th place, both Earnhardt and Keselowski are a couple of bad results away from falling out of the Top 10. My personal dream scenario: Keselowski and Earnhardt fall out of the Top 10 in points, Menard and Gordon move into the Top 10, and Logano and Aric Almirola score victories and pass Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart in points so they can make the Chase. It's not a likely scenario, but you can't rule it out, either. 569. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I missed Kentucky last year due to my cousin's wedding. The wedding reception was a blast, so I was pretty happy to hear that the KFC--err, TNT broadcast of that race was a total flop and I dodged a massive bullet by not watching that race. 570. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:56 pm Rate this comment: (3) (1) Very happy for Martin. He had a great car and was smooth as silk all day, was patient in traffic, and did the job on a tough road course. Very well deserved. Although it would have been entertaining, I am glad the caution didn't come out in the end. Martin has a career defined by NEVER catching the breaks while Jeff, until 2008, had a career defined by catching ALL the breaks (like he needed it with his talent and equipment). Oh, and one last thing: Jeff WILL make the chase this year. Anyone who disagrees is wrong. 571. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I missed Kentucky last year due to my cousin's wedding." Lucky. "I was pretty happy to hear that the KFC--err, TNT broadcast of that race was a total flop and I dodged a massive bullet by not watching that race." Well, with the ad banner taking up a quarter of the screen nowadays, that's an easy mistake to make. 572. Daniel posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) #160 & #166, That was actually a car fielded by Go Green Racing, making their first attempt of the year. Just used Keselowski's number. 573. 18fan posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:58 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) I've never really liked Montoya, but ever since he lost that race at Richmond I've found myself kind of rooting for him. I would like to see him win a race this year. I actually think he has a better chance of making the chase than Denny Hamlin. 574. TS1420 posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:59 pm Rate this comment: (3) (1) Congrats to Truex. About time he sealed the deal on a race he dominated rather than giving it away to somebody else. MWR definitely has a handle on Sonoma. Helluva drive by both Gordon & Kurt Busch. I don't know who to give more props to. Gordon was screwed over by NASCAR technicalities while Kurt & Co screwed themselves over. But Kurt came back from 4 hindrances (Todd Berrier being Todd Berrier, both his speeding penalties & and a 1 lap deficit) while Gordon just had 1. Stewart has another "Meltdown in Sonoma" race and finishes 28th... I was hoping for another "Summer of Smoke" run to start here just like in 2005. LOL at Montoya cutting across Gilligans Island to start-finish line, but bummer for him running out of fuel. I thought the 42 team was making a mistake with that no-tire slap-n-go on their last stop. A pretty decent race. Not as good as I was expecting (was hoping for more tire wear, more Stewart magic not madness & less Jimmie Johnson in the top 10), but pretty decent and some interest strategy change-ups throughout the race. I give the race a 7.5/10. 575. TeamPlayersBlue posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:59 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) All the idiot Mainstream NASCAR 'fans' who hate road course racing will be happy next weekend, 400 Miles of boring aero racing where the Hendrick cars will be miles ahead of the field with Johnson or Kahne winning by a country mile. 576. Anthony posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:00 pm Rate this comment: (2) (1) Woooooooooooo :))))))))))) YES! What a race Jeff Gordon with the REBOUND!!!! Fight Back Never Quit! >:) 577. 18fan posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DSFF, who do you see missing the chase that is currently in if Gordon will make it? 578. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @568: Brad missing the Chase might be the best thing for him, especially if his teammate Logano manages to make the Chase instead of him. A good kick in the ass like that could be all he needs to come back to reality, realize that he needs to spend more time making his own cars better instead of worrying about the competition, and make a strong comeback for 2014. At this point, he's pretty much just treading water and is one bad finish away from falling out of the Chase completely, as Menard, Kahne, Gordon, and Logano are all within 15 points of him in the standings. I'm with DSFF though: If he has a bad run next weekend at Kentucky, then it's time to hit the panic button. 579. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:06 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) That kick in Brad's ass needs to include an end to a full-time Nationwide schedule, 4 full-time seasons into his Cup career 580. Newt posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Man, what an awesome race, glad to see everything hold together for Truex and see him win, congrats to him and the whole 56 crew! 581. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:07 pm Rate this comment: (4) (0) "That kick in Brad's ass needs to include an end to a full-time Nationwide schedule" #AJFullTime22 582. 18fan posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If you go on the only two races there have been at Kentucky the favorites would be Kyle and Brad, the only two drivers to win there and they have dominated both races in terms of laps led. Jimmie (of course) was good in both races and knowing the way this year has gone Kenseth and Kahne will be very good as well. 583. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:07 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I've never really liked Montoya, but ever since he lost that race at Richmond I've found myself kind of rooting for him." I'm a bit surprised that you're still rooting for him after today's wreck between him and Busch. I'm a self-described Busch hater (although I've found him much more tolerable this season), but I'm on his side after the move that Montoya pulled. That was arguably one of the top road course ringers in the sport making one of the most idiotic moves. 584. JG24FanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff came from 35th after his penalty to lead and then restarted 18th on the final restart and finished 2nd. Him and Kurt Busch both had the two best race performances this year in this event. 585. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:13 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) DSFF, if Jeff makes the Chase, I want the pro-BRETT Bodine speech. 586. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This was only the 4th time I got to witness a win by Martin Truex, Jr. I watched him win the Busch races at Talladega '04, Mexico '05, and Talladega '06, so I've probably gone one year longer without seeing a Truex victory than most of you guys. As much as I was hoping a caution would come out or he would run out of fuel, I can't say I'm all that upset to see Gordon come up one position short considering the driver who won. I'm a little discouraged that a driver who he's battling for a Chase position won, but that's beside the point. First national NASCAR series victory for NAPA Auto Parts since Michael Waltrip's "hatch trick" victory at Talladega 2003. 587. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "DSFF, if Jeff makes the Chase, I want the pro-BRETT Bodine speech." And it must be at least three paragraphs long, so you can't short change us. 588. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:16 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) LOL, so if Gordon does make the Chase this year, and the same scenario repeats itself next year, would that mean that DSFF would have to give a pro-TODD Bodine speech as well? 589. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I'm a bit surprised that you're still rooting for him after today's wreck between him and Busch." 18fan is probably the most tolerant Kyle Busch fan you will ever meet. I'd say he'd be more upset by a Dodgers loss at the hands of the Giants than what happened today between Kyle and Montoya. 590. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Daytona will be a major factor into who makes the chase and who doesn't. We pretty much know that there is going to be a major pileup at some point in the race, so the question remains: who will be able to avoid the pileup and have a good finish? The name that springs to my mind is Paul Menard. Menard has been Mr. Consistency this year, having finished every race and completed all but 6 laps. While he hasn't been stellar at superspeedways in the past, with a large wreck all but guaranteed, Menard is a guy who could sneak a surprise Top 5, and maybe even a victory. As for the other drivers who are on the fringe of the Chase, both Kahne and Gordon's luck will need to turn around a bit before I can say they're locks for the Chase. Both Tony Stewart and Joey Logano have had their up and down moments this year, but they've recently been on an upturn (with the exception of today for Stewart). Daytona will be huge for both of them, because if they wreck and lose several positions in the standings, I'm doubtful that either of these two can catch back up to the top 10. Kurt Busch needs a win more than anyone else in that group. Busch's team can't put together consistent results to save their lives, thanks to mechanical issues, wrecks, and, in the case of today, speeding penalties. Unless Busch gets a victory, he's a long shot for the Chase in my opinion. 591. Talk4Tar posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:20 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) It has been quite a tough trek as a Martin Truex Jr. fan. I can still distinctly remember hopping in the car on my way home from high school on a Monday in 2007 as I listened to Martin dominate and win at Dover. So many near misses. Mediocre races in increasingly mediocre DEI cars. A questionable move to MWR, and finally another trip to victory lane. So proud to be a Truex fan, through thick and thin. 592. 18fan posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I was pretty upset that Montoya spun Kyle, but it was so early that Kyle had a chance to come back and could've until he sped on pit road. I don't know how many times he's done it but Kyle has to lead the series in speeding penalties. That might be the most frustrating thing about Kyle is how often he speeds on pit road. 593. 18fan posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Paul, interesting that you mentioned the Dodgers vs. the Giants because I am going to the Dodgers-Giants game tomorrow night. 594. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) So what happens if Gordon does it the year after that? What other Bodines are there for DSFF to give a speech about? 595. Schroeder51 posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:26 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) What about a pro-MICHAEL WALTRIP speech? That would be quite a challenge since Mikey is probably the most annoying person to have ever raced in NASCAR, and may well be one of the planet's top 20 most annoying humans. 596. 13 posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 2nd largest margin of victory here only behind Ernie Irvans win in 1994 at 9.56 seconds, Nobody out there on the race track today deserved a win more than Martin did. 597. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Not to mention the fact that DSFF loathes Mikey with all his heart, which is shown quite clearly on Waltrip's page on this site. Then, if Gordon still is racing and makes the Chase for a 4th straight year, DSFF must make a pro-Darrell Waltrip speech. 598. Dave#38 Fan-Go Gilliland! posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:30 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) I might skip out on Kentucky next week, for starters both Keselowski and Kyle Busch will be running all 3 races so the truck and NNS races are already guaranteed to be snoozefests, and the cup races there so far have been pretty boring so I'm not expecting either race this weekend to be any good. 599. Sunoco posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I come to this site mostly to read people's opinions on a race. It's tough to do that now that comments are allowed during a race - it's a little bit annoying. A major pain to sift through all the comments made DURING the race itself. :/ Anyway, awesome to see Truex win. 600. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:37 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "so I've probably gone one year longer without seeing a Truex victory than most of you guys" I'm the same way. I missed his 2007 Dover win too, so this is my first time seeing him win a Cup race, and my first time seeing him win any kind of race since I think the 2006 Talladega Busch race. "LOL, so if Gordon does make the Chase this year, and the same scenario repeats itself next year, would that mean that DSFF would have to give a pro-TODD Bodine speech as well?" lol, A pro-Todd speech would be much easier than a pro-Brett speech I would think. "I might skip out on Kentucky next week, for starters both Keselowski and Kyle Busch will be running all 3 races so the truck and NNS races are already guaranteed to be snoozefests, and the cup races there so far have been pretty boring so I'm not expecting either race this weekend to be any good." I'm gonna have to miss the Cup race as I'm going to a concert, but I'll be watching the Truck race for sure (because the Truck Series is awesome) and probably the NNS race too (as much as it is gonna suck). But yeah, overall, the whole weekend is probably unfortunately gonna have a "Why do I keep watching Nascar?" vibe to it, as opposed to the awesome racing we saw this weekend. 601. Chives5150 posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Great job for The Clam Guy, especially after all of those 2nd place finishes. Seeing Truex, Jr. in victory lane along with Allmendinger and Hinchtown has really brighten up my weekend. I honestly thought Gordon was toast today, but that drive back through the field was phenomenal! Also, a hell of a drive for Kurt Busch. I wonder if he popped a vessel at all during this race? Finally, shoutouts to Boris Said and Ron Fellows for bringing home some respectable finishes for their teams. 602. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I'm gonna have to miss the Cup race as I'm going to a concert" Whose concert? 603. RaceFanX posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Carl Edwards has finished third in both Cup races that Truex has won. 604. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Well Jayski just confirmed my post regarding this being just the second win for car #56 in the Cup Series, with Jim Hurtubise's victory in Atlanta in 1956 being the other one. The irony is that both Truex and Hurtubise are/were from the same part of the country (Truex is from New Jersey and Hurtubise was from New York state). 605. Baker posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I just cannot believe Martin Truex didn't find a way to choke it away. Wait, actually he did find a way to choke it away when he stalled it on pit road. He just got lucky no one else could capitalize on it. I don't dislike or like Truex I just think he is very good at finding ways to throw away races he should have in the bag. 606. JG24FanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Gordon broke his tie with Big E for the best average finish at Sonoma by lowering it to an average of 8.2 from an 8.6 at the start of the race. 607. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Whose concert?" Believe it or not, it's actually for my own band. We're playing at little festival thing, so it should be pretty cool. Anytime I have to miss a race it's usually because of us having a show or some other type of band related thing going on. I guess I got lucky in that this one falls on one of the worst Cup races of the season, lol. 608. The Long Shot posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) You're in a band? That's awesome! What do you play? 609. startandparkfan posted: 06.23.2013 - 7:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) #37 sponsor- Max Q Motorsports 610. startandparkfan posted: 06.23.2013 - 8:00 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) My Mistake, the #37 was a Tommy Baldwin car, so the owner should be Tommy Baldwin and the sponsor should be Tommy Baldwin Racing. Also, the #52 was owned by Archie St. Hillarie or however you spell that. 611. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 8:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "You're in a band? That's awesome! What do you play?" I play bass and do co-lead vocals. We play a lot of punk rock type of stuff that's also mixed with alternative, funk, and a bunch of other stuff. We're not professionals by any means, but we just love playing music together so that's why we do it. It's a lot of fun. 612. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 8:15 pm Rate this comment: (6) (0) this might get me in trouble here but at least hear me out I could be wrong (imagine the odds of that happening) BUT we did expect California to be the worst race of the season, we expected Danica to be the laughingstock at Martinsville, we did expect Villeneuve to act like a homicidal maniac at Sonoma...look how all three of those events turned out. my point is who knows Kentucky could be one hell of a race. we'll find out in 6 days 613. startandparkfan posted: 06.23.2013 - 8:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) One More- the #14 also had Tracker Boats on the quarter panels as a primary. 614. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 8:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) You're absolutely right Jabber. Who knows what will happen at Kentucky. Unfortunately, judging from the first two Cup races there, I wouldn't get my hopes up. 615. Peter posted: 06.23.2013 - 8:24 pm Rate this comment: (5) (0) What a great NASCAR 'redemption' weekend; AJ making the most of his 2nd chance & Truex Jr. finally sealing the deal on his 2nd career win. Congrats boys you've earned it! 616. Sky Warrior posted: 06.23.2013 - 8:35 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) You are now aware that there will be no Never Say Die or Redemption moment for Bobby Labonte, just a continual downward spiral 617. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 8:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kentucky = Marty Reid special (until I go to sleep at my customary 9PM) 618. 83andJoe posted: 06.23.2013 - 8:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) #14 sponsor: Mobil 1/Tracker Boats #37 sponsor: Tommy Baldwin Racing #37 owner: Tommy Baldwin, Jr. #52 owner: Archie St. Hilaire 619. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 8:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) jabber, you're awesome. "I play bass and do co-lead vocals. We play a lot of punk rock type of stuff that's also mixed with alternative, funk, and a bunch of other stuff. We're not professionals by any means, but we just love playing music together so that's why we do it. It's a lot of fun." Need a pianist? I'll do it! That is, if NRF doesn't crush me in auditions. "The irony is that both Truex and Hurtubise are/were from the same part of the country (Truex is from New Jersey and Hurtubise was from New York state)." That's not irony, that's coincidence. 620. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.23.2013 - 8:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Who knows what will happen at Kentucky. Unfortunately, judging from the first two Cup races there, I wouldn't get my hopes up." Actually, it just may not be logical to predict how this year's Kentucky race will be by comparing it to the last two years, as we've seen somewhat better racing on the intermediate tracks (1.5-2 miles) with the Gen6 car. After all, the Las Vegas race back in March showed double the amount of quality passes compared to last year, which is definitely a positive sign considering that track is similar to Kentucky. 621. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 8:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kentucky couldn't produce a good snail race! 622. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 8:57 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) That's pretty cool, murb. I'm a pretty big punk rock fan myself, so I'm pleased to know another poster has a similar taste in music. Do you guys mostly do cover songs, perform your own, or is it a mixed bag? "That's not irony, that's coincidence." The word "irony" is way overused on this site, often in the wrong context. 623. Jay posted: 06.23.2013 - 8:58 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Travis Kvapil's luck is getting better now. Congrats to him on his finish. 624. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.23.2013 - 9:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I feel stupid... I just realized that David Reutimann has driven the #83 all year long. 625. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 9:09 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) There will be no pro Brett or Todd post. For all of his laundry list of personality flaws, Geoff was a really good race car driver, underrated, just had the misfortune of peaking during NASCAR's most loaded era. Todd has to be the worst NASCAR champion ever and I am honestly surprised every Cup race when Brett doesn't crash the pace car. I could do a pro Geoff post cause there was something good about him (his ability to drive and not much else lol). Todd, Brett, and Mikey have nothing. A a pro Darrell post is too easy, as a driver he is easily one of the 10 best ever. I'll have to think of something. But it doesnMt matter because Jeff WILL make the chase. Anyone who disagrees is wrong. 626. Sheamus posted: 06.23.2013 - 9:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Prior to today's win, the last time Truex won a race Chris Benoit was still alive. 627. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 9:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Do you guys mostly do cover songs, perform your own, or is it a mixed bag?" We pretty much write all of our own songs. Sometimes we'll jam on some covers here and there when we're practicing or whatever, but we mostly just stick to our own stuff. It's much more fun to be creating your own thing. I hate to solicit, but if you go to lastplacefinishers.bandcamp.com, you can hear all of the stuff we've recorded. We've put out a couple of albums/EPs and that type of thing. So if any of you want to check it out, feel free. I can't guarantee that you'll like it, but it's there if you want, lol. "Actually, it just may not be logical to predict how this year's Kentucky race will be by comparing it to the last two years, as we've seen somewhat better racing on the intermediate tracks (1.5-2 miles) with the Gen6 car. After all, the Las Vegas race back in March showed double the amount of quality passes compared to last year, which is definitely a positive sign considering that track is similar to Kentucky." These are really good points. If I had to take a guess, I'd probably say that the racing at Kentucky this year will be a little bit better due to the new car. And like Jabber was saying, I wasn't expecting much from Vegas or Fontana, and those turned out to be pretty good races (Fontana was GREAT). So you never know. I guess we'll just find out. 628. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 9:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Prior to today's win, the last time Truex won a race Chris Benoit was still alive." Damn, never realized that. That was a long time ago. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure that Benoit tragedy happened on Sonoma weekend in 2007. Kind of eerie. 629. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 9:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "The word "irony" is way overused on this site, often in the wrong context." Way way WAY overused. Often people use it when they mean "coincidence". 630. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 9:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Who would Jeff replace, DSFF? First, he has to get into the top ten, because this my have been his last shot at a victory for quite a while. If he doesn't win at Daytona, I think his next real shot at a victory isn't until the Bristol night race due to the lack of speed in his cars. Frankly, I think someone like Joey Logano or even Paul Menard has at least as good a shot as Gordon at getting into the Chase field, if not better. Logano's cars are faster than Gordon's and Menard as just as good shot of getting into the top ten as Gordon does. Of the 12 drivers currently in the Chase, the only one I can see Gordon possibly getting ahead of is Brad Keselowski. He's probably not winning, so the Wild Card is out of the equation, and the only driver in the top ten that might drop out is Keselowski. And if Keselowski wins a race, I think that might lock Gordon, Logano, and a few others out. 631. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 9:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I thought about commiting an ulitmatum judging by my statement about Kentucky ya'll probably think I am expecting a decent race. but I dont know anything about prediction so if the race sucks like we all expect that would make me wrong so I will not post anything related to my stories for a while (2 weeks maybe) and if the race in kentucky is ok then that means I can talk about my stories and y'all'll probalby have to comment on them, I can do that offer if you want. I wont not comment, because I say the occasional thing on here that makes sence as well as ask a few good questions. 632. JG24FanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 9:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sonoma continues to be one of the most difficult wins to get for any Nascar driver since it's the most technical race track in Nascar. Since 1993 there have been just 2 repeat winners in the 21 events since then. Jeff Gordon 5 wins: 1998-2000,2004,2006 Tony Stewart 2 wins: 2001,2005 Geoff Bodine 1 win: Ernie Irvan 1 win: 1994 Dale Earnhardt 1 win: 1995 Rusty Wallace 1 win: 1996 Mark Martin 1 win: 1997 Ricky Rudd 1 win: 2002 Robbie Gordon 1 win: 2003 Juan Montoya 1 win: 2007 Kyle Busch 1 win: 2008 Kasey Kahne 1 win: 2009 Jimmie Johnson 1 win: 2010 Kurt Busch 1 win: 2011 Clint Bowyer 1 win: 2012 Martin Truex 1 win: 2013 This is the most hack-free event besides maybe the Southern 500. 633. JG24FanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 9:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) *Geoff Bodine 1 win: 1993 634. ch posted: 06.23.2013 - 9:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The #52 owner should be listed as Bob Keselowski. It is similar to the #70 / #23 in NNS, but also different. The following is a quote from Brian Keselowski's facebook page... "Look for the #52 BKMotorsports "Ford" at Sonoma on June 23rd with driver Paulie Harraka at the wheel in his 1st NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Brian Keselowski will return the following week at Kentucky on June 29th to pilot his #52 Toyota." It clearly says #52 BK Motorsports Ford, so even if the car was prepared by Go Green, the car is BKM's. Just like the Circle Sport / RCR effort. 635. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Cjs, you are wrong. 636. ch posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor changes: 30 - Lean 1 / Raley's 87 - The Wolverine Owner Change: 52 - Bob Keselowski 637. jabber1990 posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) and I mean my racing stories..I wont "clog the tubes" of this site with the non-racing ones...unless you want to hear those 638. 83andJoe posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) (bah, forgot that links make posts slow...) The #52 was explicitly said to be a Go Green Racing entry in the Fox Sports article detailing Harraka's debut, and note also that it's a Ford here, NOT a BKM Toyota. 639. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "If he doesn't win at Daytona, I think his next real shot at a victory isn't until the Bristol night race due to the lack of speed in his cars." If he doesn't win at Daytona, Gordon can easily win at Loudon, Indy, or Watkins Glen (as long as Gustafson doesn't make TOO many boneheaded calls). I feel like Pocono and Michigan might be long shots because he wasn't very good there in the first two races. But when it comes to those finesse type tracks, you can never count him out. 640. Baker posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:14 pm Rate this comment: (2) (2) It doesn't have anything to do with racing, but I had to say it somewhere. Nick Wallenda has some serious stones. Anyone else watch that tonight? 641. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Is that the guy who just tight rope walked the Grand Canyon. 642. ch posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:16 pm Rate this comment: (4) (1) Brian Keselowski said that he would be constantly switching manufacturers throughout the season even before Daytona started. And I take Brian's word through his facebook page over Fox's anyday. 643. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:19 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) As for "where might Gordon win?" WHAT ABOUT ATLANTA? As for who will he replace, this might sound insane considering he just won, but I think he'll displace Truex in the Top 10. Too inconsistent, plus TRD has had issues this year to say the least. With Kyle Busch making yet another slide down the standings, their attention will go to JGR. But Martin may get a wildcard. 644. 83andJoe posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (4) The #52 was explicitly said to be a Go Green Racing car. Note also that it is a Ford, not the BKM Toyota. http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/drive-for-diversity-driver-paulie-harraka-could-get-sprint-cup-chance-061213 645. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:22 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) About Gordon not making the Chase, DSFF? Martin Truex, Jr. was about the last driver he wanted to win, because Truex would have been a driver he could knock out, but now he can't knock him out because to do that, he has to win a race, and there are only three, four races tops, he has any real chance to win because his cars are not nearly as fast as his teammates (they're 2-3 MPH off the pace of the other HMS cars on he high-speed tracks). As a result, the only races he has any chance to win are the races at Loudon, Daytona, Bristol, and Atlanta, where speed is not that big an issue because of the way the race pace slows down. He may have a chance at Richmond, but by then, it's likely to be too late. His only chance is to get into the top ten in points, but if Brad Keselowski wins a race, that avenue will, in my opinion, be closed, because the top ten may be set if that happens. And if Keselowski wins a race, I think the Chase field will, in fact, be set, because I don't think Dale, Jr. falls out of the top ten, even if he doesn't win a race. There's not enough speed in the #24 car to allow him to win a race on a fast track, which is why he may fall behind even Kurt Busch and Joey Logano in the points before everything's said and done. If any driver winning a race would prove to be a disaster for Jeff Gordon's Chase chances, it would have been a win for Martin Truex, Jr., and that's exactly what happened today. Gordon might be 13th in points, but of those from 11th-17th that don't have a win, he and Aric Almirola may be the longest shots to get into the Chase this year. I like Joey Logano and even Kurt Busch more than Gordon because their cars have speed, and Paul Menard is knocking on the door of the top ten, and we know that Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne already have wins, so that make Gordon and Almirola the long shots to get into the Chase in my view. Gordon because he has no speed at the faster tracks, and Almirola because of his team. Gordon's only shot at making he Chase this year is to get into the top ten, and that's a bit shaky because of his lack of speed on the big tracks. One more bad race, and I think he misses the Chase. And for him to get in, someone has to get knocked out, and looking at things, Keselowski is the only driver I can see getting knocked out at this point, and I don't see him going winless. In fact, there's about a 90% chance that the 12 drivers in the Chase now will be the 12 that get in. 646. 83andJoe posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:26 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) >Brian Keselowski said that he would be constantly switching manufacturers throughout the season even before Daytona started. And I take Brian's word through his facebook page over Fox's anyday. How about Go Green's official website? "Go Green Racing gearing up for Road America and Sonoma! Jeffrey Earnhardt will be in the #79 car for the Nationwide Johnsonville Sausage 200 and Paulie Harrake will be in the #52 car Sprint Cup Toyota/Save Mart 350" ...and regardless of the name on paper, the owner credited should be the team actually fielding the car. (Which is why I pull my hair out seeing Austin Dillon listed as driving for Joe Falk.) 647. ch posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I understand that it is a Ford, but Brian K. said that they would have more than one manufacturer this season. Here, the owner explicitly states that it is BK Motorsports... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=647939195233445&set=pb.358907727469928.-2207520000.1372040602.&type=3&theater For those who don't want to follow the link, it is a photo of the car on the BK Motorsports Facebook page (personally operated by Brian), with a caption saying, "Show your support for Paulie Harraka as he makes his debut in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as he pilots our BKMotorsports No.52 Ford this weekend at Sonoma! Good luck Paulie..car is looking great!" 648. Chives5150 posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:30 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) Wasn't the #52 team using Phil Parsons Racing's #98 pit crew? I ask because I saw the #98 K-Love pit box with the #52 Hasa Pool Products banner on their pit wall. 649. ch posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I think that both parties are claiming total ownership which is odd for two teams in collaboration. 650. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Murb, Gordon doesn't have the speed to win at Indy these days, so you can throw that possibility out (unless it's like an Al Unser in '87-type win where everyone else has problems), and he does okay at Loudon, but not well enough to win, and he's not been a serious factor at Watkins Glen in years, mainly due to the speed of the track. Remember that at Watkins Glen, the guys that throw their cars around do better than they would at Sonoma, and he doesn't generally do that, so I don't give him much of a chance there, either. So if he doesn't win at Daytona, he probably won't have a serious chance to win again until Bristol in late August, unless something unusual happens. 651. Sector posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Why can't Gordon just get those top 10's without a single problem every week? This is getting quite annoying. Gordon had this exact same problem back in 2005 @ Watkins Glen too, like 2 feet from the line, caution came out & he barely got a top 15 finish. 652. Sector posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) ^ Coming to the pit that is. Glad he was able to finally get a top 2 finish, but a win would had be great. Congrats to Truex Jr for finally getting it done. 653. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:39 pm Rate this comment: (3) (1) Jeff will most likely make the Top 10, but he will make the chase one way or another. Cjs, what I meant was that Jeff Gordon WILL make the chase, and anyone who disagrees is wrong. Your posts indicate you don't agree, therefore you are wrong. 654. 18fan posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:41 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) DSFF, Kyle was actually going up the standings until today's disaster. 655. 83andJoe posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) -Josh Wise's 50th Cup start. CH - Clearly, they are in cahoots to drive us mad! 656. Ed posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:50 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "465. David posted: 06.23.2013 - 6:04 pm Rate this comment: (4) (0) YES!! PRN got it right!! They said to cue the Jaws music for Gordon!!!" In the late 90s, they cued the Superman music for him at this track. Today, they cued Jaws. Two of John Williams' greatest hits to describe one of NASCAR's greatest hits 657. Matt posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:53 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) Biased as a long time Burton fan, but haven't been this upset after a race in a while. About to get his 5th straight top 12 and get realistically in range for a shot at the top 10 in points, until one of the poorest attempts at outbreaking ever by Stewart. Never liked him much but even less now. Wasn't even close to Burton entering 11! 658. ch posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 83andJoe, we can certainly agree on that! 659. 18fan posted: 06.23.2013 - 10:58 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Burton came to Tony's car and gave him a talking to and supposedly Tony spent a good amount of time in his car after that before getting out and he admitted that he made too many mistakes today. 660. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.23.2013 - 11:29 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I think the Jaws music fits Jeff the best. Once he can sniff the front, like a shark smelling blood in the water, he goes on the attack. Duh-dun Duh-dun 661. cjs3872 posted: 06.23.2013 - 11:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DSFF, there's no doubt in my mind that Gordon can get back in the top ten, but every time he gets close, something happens to him. I'm just saying that getting in the top ten is his only way to get into the Chase now because of Truex's win. And to me, there's only one spot available in the top ten now, and that belongs to Brad Keselowski, unless Kyle Busch has more disastrous runs like today, but since he has two wins, he's more likely to take the spot that Kasey Kahne or Tony Stewart has than prevent Gordon from getting in. I think that Dale, Jr. (top 10 in points), Greg Biffle (1 win), and Truex (1 win) are all safe, unless they get involved in a big crash at Daytona. But Gordon's only way in is to get back in the top ten, because he doesn't have enough speed to contend for wins except for a very few places, and really only one until late August, and that's Daytona in two weeks. After all, you can't win if your car is 2-3 MPH slow, and that's been his problem since last year. To me, there's only one spot left, and that tentatively belongs to Keselowski at this point, because I think the other 11 spots are pretty well locked up. But if Keselowski wins, I think that may set the Chase field unless someone collapses down the stretch. 662. murb posted: 06.23.2013 - 11:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Burton came to Tony's car and gave him a talking to and supposedly Tony spent a good amount of time in his car after that before getting out and he admitted that he made too many mistakes today." Good. Tony deserves to be chewed out once in a while, especially for that move he pulled on Burton. He may think he's the sheriff, but he does just as many stupid things out there as everyone else does. 663. Paul posted: 06.23.2013 - 11:57 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) After Stewart ran Burton over in turn 11, he said over the radio: "That was f***in' stupid." I agree, Smoke, your foolish attempt to pass Jeff Burton for 11th place in turn 11 when you were a good six car lengths back was pretty f***in' stupid. Worse yet, I've looked on Twitter and a lot of Stewart fans are defending Stewart and/or blaming Burton for the incident in turn 11. Seriously?! I don't wanna pick on Stewart because he'll probably impress me with a race contending run at Daytona in a couple weeks, but I don't know how you can look at that incident and say anything other than "That was Stewart's fault, and there was no reason to make such a move." Race fans are pretty amazing with their opinions sometimes. 664. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 06.23.2013 - 11:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Truex finally gets a win, something MWR cars are now capable of doing but he'd thrown away too many opportunities to win before today. Didn't see the race, which is why I'm now watching YouTube to see what I missed. 665. Schroeder51 posted: 06.24.2013 - 12:04 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) #663 Some people are SO loyal to their driver that they just can't see any faults in them and think they can do no wrong. 666. cjs3872 posted: 06.24.2013 - 12:05 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) RCRandPenskeGuy, you might not be able to watch it on YouTube, because NASCAR's been blocking a number of race uploads from this year for some reason. And they've not been doing that previously. And Paul, there were a lot of odd things going on in the last turn today, even more than usual, and I think a reason for that was the weather, because for most of the race, turn 11 was not dry, because that part of the track is where it rained. That may not have been the case when Stewart spun Burton, but they were having more trouble than usual stopping their cars in the last turn, and the track looked slicker than usual, especially for a cool day. 667. Schroeder51 posted: 06.24.2013 - 12:07 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) I get the feeling that NASCAR will probably start cracking down on the classic races up on Youtube in the near future as well. This year is the year they decided to start getting copyright happy. 668. cjs3872 posted: 06.24.2013 - 12:14 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) And I think it all goes back to the Kyle Larson incident at the end of the Nationwide race at Daytona earlier this year, Schroeder51. Prior to that, they didn't really care about that, but now they're dong the same thing as the NFL, MLB, and other major professional sports leagues in terms of blocking and taking down classic events. 669. David posted: 06.24.2013 - 12:17 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) "I get the feeling that NASCAR will probably start cracking down on the classic races up on Youtube in the near future as well." NO!! NONONONONONONONONONONO!!!!!! 670. murb posted: 06.24.2013 - 12:19 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) If Nascar starts taking down old races off of YouTube, I will be crushed. Those old races and TV segments are the only thing we have. They are reminders of what an amazing sport this once was (before Brainless Brian came in and turned it into Ca$hcar). While they're at it, I wouldn't be surprised if they just erased everything that happened pre-2004 from the record books. Jimmie Johnson will be the best ever, Danica will be the only female ever to start a race, etc. Just the way they want it. It's unbelievable what a difference 10 years makes. 671. Schroeder51 posted: 06.24.2013 - 12:26 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) Or even worse, they decide to go back and implement the Chase in every pre-2004 season, thus changing and re-writing history... 672. The Long Shot posted: 06.24.2013 - 12:27 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) With ESPN Classic now a pay-only channel, Youtube is the only thing I can use to see how good drivers like Richard Petty were back in the day. If they start taking those races down, I'll have lost a significant amount of respect for this sport. That being said, I don't think they will take them down, and the reason is because Brian France and Co. simply don't care about the old races anymore. All the races that they've deleted have been races from this year (LP2008 is one of the heaviest victims), and anything before that, NASCAR probably doesn't care about and just leaves it alone. I certainly hope that that is the case (and BTW: the races from this year are out on Youtube, but they are extremely hard to find, as they've been renamed in order to prevent copyright restrictions). 673. RCRandPenskeGuy posted: 06.24.2013 - 12:31 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I didn't mean I'd search to watch the whole race on YouTube, just the highlight videos that the "NASCAR" account posts. But race uploads being blocked probably explains why I haven't been able to find a couple of other races from earlier this year that I searched for. I certainly hope the classic races stay up on YouTube, but I've already saved several onto a flash drive just in case. 674. David posted: 06.24.2013 - 12:50 am Rate this comment: (4) (0) NASCAR will probably delete any race that has Tim Richmond in it; they would rather deny his existence. 675. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.24.2013 - 12:55 am Rate this comment: (4) (0) The one thing IndyCar's YouTube channel does that NASCAR's doesn't is post the full races the week after the actual race, which prevents many people from uploading their own copies. As a result, there have been many less IndyCar races from this year posted by users since IndyCar started doing that at the beginning of last year. If NASCAR realized there are many people who would like to watch the broadcast of the race after its completion, then they would follow suit with IndyCar and do the same, which would solve the problem of many users uploading the races. Also, IndyCar's channel has posted many classic races from the 80's and 90's, and it doesn't make sense why NASCAR won't do the same, especially since they own the rights to every NASCAR broadcast. 676. Chives5150 posted: 06.24.2013 - 12:57 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yeah, theLP2008 uploads all the races to his website. They're technically on YouTube, but they are all unlisted and renamed, like The Long Shot has previously stated. 677. Chives5150 posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:01 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) The V8 Supercars YouTube channel used to upload their full races towards the end of their season. I don't know if they still do it or not, seeing as how they are removing all full races uploaded by other people. 678. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:06 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "If Nascar starts taking down old races off of YouTube, I will be crushed. Those old races and TV segments are the only thing we have. They are reminders of what an amazing sport this once was (before Brainless Brian came in and turned it into Ca$hcar)." That's exactly it. I remember watching NASCAR Now in March 2011 for the 30th anniversary of ESPN's first NASCAR telecast, and for the first time, I saw footage of that 1981 Carolina 500 race from Rockingham that they showed. The quality was crystal clear and beyond great for it being from 1981. Then I realized...why are ESPN and NASCAR keeping such priceless footage away from its longtime, diehard fans? Believe it or not, YouTube is our only source today for being able to watch classic races like that and even that is becoming more hard to do. If NASCAR is so worried about money, then they coud make races like those available for sale. I'd certainly buy, and I'm pretty sure many longtime race fans would too. 679. Schroeder51 posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:07 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) Yeah, I will give IndyCar credit. Not only do they upload the full races for you to view on their own channel, they'll even periodically upload classic IndyCar races (IRL and CART) from time to time. I WISH NASCAR would be more like them. 680. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:12 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Schroeder51, a few races that come to mind uploaded on their channel include the 1992 Mid-Ohio Race and the 2001 Kansas Race, which I think is a great idea to do. 681. Schroeder51 posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:12 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) And as I said, the only thing that pisses me off more than NASCAR turning its' back on its' history is the possibility of them completely re-writing their history altogether. Can you REALLY imagine what would happen if NASCAR decided they needed to go back and implement the Chase in every pre-2003 season, adjusting the points and the points standing to reflect what they would have looked like had there actually been a Chase and changing the champions of more than a few seasons? Oh MAN. If NASCAR did that, it wouldn't just be me who would be turning into the Incredible Hulk and start destroying things. Virtually EVERYONE here would be turning into Incredible Hulks... And the sad thing is? It's not entirely unfathomable to think NASCAR and Brian France could do something that outstandingly stupid...and I'm sure there are people out there who think it's a good idea. 682. Mr X posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:14 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) YouTube will effectively become useless to me if NASCAR starts doing that. 683. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:19 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Can you REALLY imagine what would happen if NASCAR decided they needed to go back and implement the Chase in every pre-2003 season, adjusting the points and the points standing to reflect what they would have looked like had there actually been a Chase and changing the champions of more than a few seasons?" The first thing that came to my mind is NASCAR taking away the late Alan Kulwicki's 1992 Winston Cup Championship, which would really be a horrible shame. 684. JG24FanForever posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:25 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Can you REALLY imagine what would happen if NASCAR decided they needed to go back and implement the Chase in every pre-2003 season, adjusting the points and the points standing to reflect what they would have looked like had there actually been a Chase and changing the champions of more than a few seasons?" Under F1's current point system, Alain Prost would be a 7 time champion, while Schumacher would have 6. The always labeled "greatest ever" Ayrton Senna would only have 2. 685. Zackary Shawn posted: 06.24.2013 - 3:25 am Rate this comment: (2) (0) "Can you REALLY imagine what would happen if NASCAR decided they needed to go back and implement the Chase in every pre-2003 season, adjusting the points and the points standing to reflect what they would have looked like had there actually been a Chase and changing the champions of more than a few seasons? The first thing that came to my mind is NASCAR taking away the late Alan Kulwicki's 1992 Winston Cup Championship, which would really be a horrible shame." The crazy thing is...Kyle Petty would have won the championship under a Chase format. 686. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.24.2013 - 6:13 am Rate this comment: (1) (1) Of course today's NASCAR would go after old races. Gotta get rid of visual proof that we are definitely not in NASCAR's best era. In fact, this may well be the worst. They will just point to the numbers of artifiical lead changes and lead lap finishers and say "See!". They'll convince us that the '85 Bristol Night Race was a bad race cause, at one point, Earnhardt had the field lapped. And they will be wrong. 687. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.24.2013 - 6:38 am Rate this comment: (2) (0) To me, personally, some of the greatest moments in NASCAR history happened in the 1980s... Bobby and Davey 1-2 at the Daytona 500, Richard's 200th, the 1980 Southern 500, the 1986 Richmond, the down to the wire title fights every year from 1979-1985, 88-89 (sorry, Dale, but you destroyed them in 86 and 87). We didn't get moments like that in the 90s anywhere near as often in 90s, and if we did they involved classic drivers from the 80s or 70s, and we have had only one, in my mind, "classic" moment in the last 15 years, that being the 2003 Darlington photo phinish (couldn't resist). It shocks me that people have the balls to say NASCAR is more competitive now when the races were more "on the edge of your seat" the further back you go. In fact, in the strangest twist of irony, the amount of money pumped into the car is more important now than at any other point in NASCAR history, yet on the flip side it's the exact OPPOSITE in IndyCar right now. 688. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.24.2013 - 6:40 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) A friend of mine put it perfectly (although this was about calc laws): "There are good surprises like 'Surprise, a clown!' and then there are bad surprises like 'Surprise, butt sex!'" 689. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.24.2013 - 7:09 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) The 80's and early 90's were the best imo. The cars could race and the fields were deeper than before, and the deepest ever as far as true legends in or near their primes. Throw in the 29 race schedule, and winning was the toughest it ever was. 690. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.24.2013 - 7:13 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jesus Christ cjs3872 posted... Sorry, cjs, but that's how you come across, though it would be the ultimate irony if the "cjs" was short for "Christ Jesus Saves" 691. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.24.2013 - 9:13 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I feel like NASCAR has been in a slump since the beginning of 2004, and the funny thing is that that was when I first started watching NASCAR. Just think about it, 2003 was the last year of the original NASCAR...no Chase, Pontiacs in the field, the last Labor Day Southern 500, and Winston as a series sponsor (and they actually cared about the sport). 692. Baker posted: 06.24.2013 - 9:36 am Rate this comment: (1) (1) Unlike Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson and some others Tony Stewart admits when he screws up, and yet EVERY SINGLE time he has any kind of run in with another car the entire NASACAR world gets in a huge uproar ready to crucify him. Every single driver in garage has made more than one stupid driving error in there careers and most are too proud to admit it when they do whereas in most cases Tony owns up right away like Talladega last year and Sonoma today. His car was not a great car like he is used to on the road he drove it over his head. He did not intentionally get into Jeff Burton. How many drivers get into other cars intentionally every road race and then swear to the high heavens how much they hate driving like that but its just racing(Ambrose, Montoya ect). 5 years ago Kevin Harvick did the exact same thing(Different turn) to Tony Stewart except even worse. No one was ready to burn Kevin Harvick at the stack after that race. Juan Montoya did it to Kyle Busch earlier in this race. 693. jabber1990 posted: 06.24.2013 - 10:33 am Rate this comment: (2) (0) ...there were pontiacs in 2003, they were basicly irrelevant but they existed and I also hate to say this.. Nextel/Sprint is a MUCH better face for the sport than Winston...at least in the 21st century and also, I give NASCAR credit, did we know in 2003 when all these contracts were written what would happen to cell phones in the next 5-10 years? I wont go into detail becasue we all know what cell phones can do. 694. We need more Onion posted: 06.24.2013 - 11:11 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Pontiacs irrelevant in 2003? Tell me a race from that year where there were no cautions for either #4, #0 or #01? And of course Craven's magnificent victory. 695. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.24.2013 - 11:30 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) jabber1990, I knew there were Pontiacs in 2003. While I would agree that Nextel/Sprint is a better face for the 21st century, they really haven't helped NASCAR, considering ever since they entered the sport, NASCAR has become more of a corporate business than its time with Winston. I would agree that Pontiacs were much less competitive in 2003, but that was mainly because none of the competitive teams chose to run them. Gibbs had just switched to Chevys for 2003, and David Green nearly won the Busch title driving a 2003 Pontiac. So it really wasn't that the Pontiac wasn't competitive as much as it was that none of the competitive teams chose to run them. 696. Baker posted: 06.24.2013 - 11:30 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) At this same time last year Brad Keselowski had 2 less Top 5s and 2 less Top 10s. He was also 1 spot lower in the points than he is this year. I would write him off just yet guys. He was making speed early in the year and its only a matter of time before they find it again. He just needs to get his nose out of every else's business and refocus himself. I would be much more worried about Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch, and Tony Stewart dropping out than Brad Keselowski. Tony Stewart's team simply doesn't have the cars or the speed and he is pushing them over there limit. It is going to cause more wrecks just like yesterday and a late race smack of the wall at Darlington while in the Top 10. Kyle Busch is Kyle Busch. If he is anywhere close to the bubble I fully expect him to crumble like always. Kasey Kahne has the speed and IMO just as awful luck as Jeff Gordon. 697. Chives5150 posted: 06.24.2013 - 11:40 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) One thing that has always bothered me about Brad and the #2 team is that they never seem to be fast right out of the gate. It takes them all of practice, qualifying, and the first third or half of the race before they realize what they need to do to get to the front. I know that it's impossible to be immediately fast at every single track, but it seems like they are always lost of Fridays and Saturdays. 698. cjs3872 posted: 06.24.2013 - 11:54 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) But Baker, Kyle Busch has two wins and Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart each have one, and are likely to at least get one more before the Chase cut-off. Of those on the bottom end of the Chase qualifiers, Brad Keselowski is, by far, on the shakiest ground, because he's winless and has shown little, if any sign of life. Remember that Greg Biffle got some insurance with his win at Michigan and a solid, if unspectacular performance in this race, and Martin Truex, Jr. got a little insurance with his win, but of those on the bottom of the Chase list, he and Biffle are probably the two most consistent drivers. I really think that if Keselowski can get a victory, the Chase field might very well be set, because, barring any of those on the bubble getting in a huge wreck at Daytona, I don't see anyone else getting bumped. The one driver I can see busting in is Joey Logano, because he has speed, unlike some of the others that are trying to win or get into the top ten. Really, I think it's already down to 16 drivers for 12 spots and Paul Menard, Jeff Gordon, and Kurt Busch can not afford any more mistakes, or it could be curtains for them this year. 699. Scott B posted: 06.24.2013 - 12:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) Time for the Ringer report card. The drivers with previous Cup starts first: Boris Said, finished 18th, driver rating 78.3 Ron Fellows, 22nd, 58.4 Tomy Drissi, 38th, 29.4 Jacques Villeneuve, 41st, 34.6 (DNF/Mechanical) The first-timers: Justin Marks, 30th, 43.8 Victor Gonzales, Jr., 37th, 33.6 Paulie Harraka, 39th, 26.5 Alex Kennedy, 40th, 33.5 (DNF/Crash) No surprises, Said and Fellows turned in respectable performances. It wasn't pretty for the rest of the group, although Justin Marks put up numbers that were nearly identical to the BoB (30th/43.8 vs 29th/43.0, each taking one lucky dog to finish on the lead lap). Of course, the loop data that determines the driver ratings doesn't directly deduct for all the contact, spins, and off-road excursions, or some of these drivers might have ratings in the negative numbers... I'm looking at you, Paulie Harraka! 700. cjs3872 posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Actually Scott B, Said's performance was more than respectful, as he even ran in the top ten for a while during the various pit stop sequences and finished in the teens, that team's best showing since Terry Labonte finished in the 16th in last fall's race at Talladega and their first finish better than 25th since Timmy Hill was 22nd at Kansas last fall. And by the way, shouldn't the reason for the fifth caution be listed as a grass fire in turn four, because Denny Hamlin had driven away from his spin before the caution came out, I do believe, but he left behind a small grass fire, which brought out the caution in that particular instance. And how crazy was it that there was a caution for rain and another for a grass fire during this race. 701. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Boris Said secured FAS Racing's best non-restrictor plate finish of all-time (t-3rd overall). Ron Fellows tied for Circle Sport's second best career finish. Of course, the best was an Austin Dillon race, so I am not sure that should really count. James Finch's team has an average finish of 42 the past two weeks. If there was any doubt this team is going out of business after Indy, they've erased it. 702. David posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Passing efficiency for Sonoma: Jeff Gordon - 84.38% (!!) Clint Bowyer - 83.08% (!!) Jimmie Johnson - 80.65% (!!) Brian Vickers - 77.03% Marcos Ambrose - 70.91% Ryan Newman - 70.24% Juan Pablo Montoya - 68.92% J.J. Yeley - 66.67% Kevin Harvick - 61.45% Paulie Harraka - 60.00% Carl Edwards - 58.93% Denny Hamlin - 57.50% Paul Menard - 56.96% Kyle Busch - 53.06% Martin Truex, Jr. - 52.00% Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. - 51.92% Jacques Villeneuve - 51.85% Kurt Busch - 51.58% Jamie McMurray - 50.82% Kasey Kahne - 50.70% David Reutimann - 50.63% Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - 49.53% Matt Kenseth - 49.18% Justin Marks - 48.39% Tomy Drissi - 48.39% David Ragan - 48.28% Tony Stewart - 46.15% Ron Fellows - 45.05% Greg Biffle - 44.19% Danica Patrick - 44.12% Casey Mears - 42.37% Alex Kennedy - 41.67% Boris Said - 41.38% David Gilliland - 40.40% Victor Gonzalez, Jr. - 40.00% Josh Wise - 38.46% Travis Kvapil - 37.37% Aric Almirola - 36.14% Joey Logano - 36.11% Brad Keselowski - 35.86% Jeff Burton - 33.93% David Stremme - 32.54% For the uninformed, passing efficiency is the number of green-flag passes divided by the total number of encounters (green-flag passes plus green-flag times passed). 703. The Long Shot posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Not sure what in the world Caution #6 is supposed to be. It should be #2, 36, 43 accident start-finish. @murb: I responded to your post #611, but it never got past moderation. I'll just sum it up quickly: I play drums in a symphonic homeschool band. We're actually fairly good, having played the themes to Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and the Olympics in past years. There is video of our band online, but I'll link it in a different post because it takes so long for links to be posted. 704. The Long Shot posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Here's the video, taken at our Mall of America concert in 2012: http://en.gloria.tv/?media=373961 I'm the one moving all the drums around at the beginning. 705. Sean posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I feel like McMurray should have won that 2007 race. Montoya basically lucked into it by Jamie running out of gas." Montoya had already passed McMurray before McMurray ran out. It would be kind of like saying Truex lucked into it yesterday because Montoya ran out... "That should have said in the last post that they would NOT use rain tires for this race, as they would conduct this race as if it were an oval race, as far as I know." Constantly annoyed by the stuff NASCAR tests in Nationwide and doesn't use in Cup. Like Cup drivers aren't ready for rain tires and Nationwide drivers are? Like more people wouldn't be interested in seeing a Ford Fusion in Cup than in Nationwide (which many NASCAR fans have long stopped caring about)? Like Cup wouldn't be so much more entertaining at Road America or Mexico City or Montreal or Iowa or Milwaukee or Nazareth (yeah, I know about what happened to those last two) or wherever than Nationwide is? The Nationwide gimmicks aren't enough to get me to start watching every race again, but I'd be excited if they did any of this stuff in Cup... "Wouldn't be surprised. They've proven to be a shady organization." They're being obnoxious and I don't like what they're doing and I still like Bobby Labonte, but does anybody really see any life in his career left? "...but knowing how his season has gone, that team will find a way to throw it away." How prescient, but he did have an outstanding drive in the second half of the race. "When will people ever recognize Paul Wolfe is far and away the best crew chief in the sport?" I have for quite some time, even around the start of Brad's power run in 2011. "I wonder how Ron Fellows doesn't seem to be any kind of threat, while Boris Said is putting up a great race." Fellows is even older, but I want to see much younger ringers. Somebody hire Ryan Dalziel for Watkins Glen! "Alan Gustafson. He's the 2nd best crew chief in NASCAR, after only Todd Berrier." Gustafson > Blickensderfer Gustafson > McGrew (but I guess he hasn't been all that busy lately) I used to rate Gustafson really highly because of Mark Martin's out-of-nowhere 2009 and Jeff Gordon's return to prominence in 2011, but it seems like he's only good in the first year with a driver (also note Kyle Busch's 2005, his only multi-win season at Hendrick). Nonetheless, I think there are several other crew chiefs besides just those two that I would rate lower (at the time, I thought he was an improvement over Letarte, but not even close to Loomis). It might be the greatest gap between the driver's talent and the crew chief's talent though... But he's definitely not nearly the worst crew chief. "That's why Kurt will never win another championship. Instead of trying to come back from adversity, he creates more." Hey, at least he got one... "Truex is now in the lead. He's actually a pretty underrated road racer. Remember, he won the first ever Busch race at Mexico City." I remember lots of Cup races he was in the top five and had something stupid happen, and I thought that Mexico City race would almost be career-making because it seemed like it was going to be the biggest Busch race of the last decade but is now kinda forgotten. Quite a lot like McMurray. I'm less shocked by his win (and I would be less shocked by a McMurray win) than I would be if somebody like Biffle, Kenseth, or Junior won... "David Gilliland in 14th. Not really surprising, he's always been great at Sonoma." 'Cause he had TONS of experience there, much like Ricky Craven at Loudon. "Meanwhile, Hinch wins at Iowa in what was an uneventful race." For the lead, yeah, but the battling throughout the rest of the field was FANTASTIC. FOUR-WIDE on that restart? Hinch just nailed it, but watching RHR and Rahal drive through the field, all sorts of comers and goers like Cup Rockingham races, etc..., I was very entertained (not to mention Dixon, Franchitti, and Power being lapped 3+ times!). I was also very entertained by Sonoma even if it ended up being a blowout... 706. Sean posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:58 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "One streak of good fuel strategy and people seem to forget the level of talent Bowyer actually has" He's today's Sterling Marlin. A hard-working kinda quiet 8th-10th place driver who can occasionally back into the top five when other drivers screw up. Hardly a future legend, but he is indeed pretty good. I'm not really a fan though... "Bowyer is becoming overrated, which is unfortunate, because a few years ago he was underrated." He is not as good as his championship results, much like Kyle Busch is better than his championship results. That's because NASCAR stresses consistency far too much so that seasons like Bowyer's 2008 or his Nationwide title actually look far better than they actually were. But he's still good. I don't call him overrated because I don't think most fans rate him as highly as his championship results... Again, if I'm comparing Bowyer to Marlin, I'll compare Kyle to Ernie Irvan. Irvan was way too inconsistent to be a championship threat over an entire season because of NASCAR's extreme focus on consistency, but he was certainly the better driver. Same deal. "but usually the announcers have just been trying to play him up as a perennial championship contender when he's really not" There's only been one PERENNIAL championship contender of late. That's one of the many reasons recent NASCAR has been so depressing. "You can thank Michael Waltrip and his fierce advertising campaign for that. Martin Truex, Jr. has experienced the same transition due to the overexposure from being an MWR driver. It's a shame because both drivers are very talented, but the increased exposure has led to very high expectations from the media and fans. Sadly, the overexposure and hype seems to have gone to Bowyer's head, as his attitude did almost a complete 180 after leaving RCR for MWR last season." Neither Bowyer nor Truex are overrated. How many people would actually list Bowyer as a top five driver or Truex as anything better than say 15th? Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick are overrated drivers because lots of people WOULD put them in the top five, and they're not that good. In terms of the media attention they get, perhaps. Overhyped, not overrated. "One of the best YouTube comments I've ever read said that Bowyer was "a poor man's Terry Labonte." I'd say that's about right. Bowyer can run well on any type of track and is sure to give you a couple wins every year in good equipment, but I just don't think he's got that "IT" factor that Labonte had in order to become a Cup champion. He's already arguably the most underwhelming Nationwide Series champion, considering how he won just one race in a great RCR car in 2008 and that was a rain-shortened race at Bristol (which in all fairness, he did dominate that race). Heck, Scott Wimmer had a win that season as well in an RCR car, and he only got to run a partial schedule due to Holiday Inn's insistence that Jeff Burton drive most of the schedule." I like my Marlin comparison better. Well, I don't believe every champion has an "it" factor. I don't think Bobby Labonte, much as I DO like him, did. Lots of non-champions HAVE had an it factor (Junior Johnson, Fireball Roberts, Lorenzen, Buddy Baker, Richmond, Gant, Irvan, Davey, Rudd, Martin, Kyle, Hamlin...Jeff Burton and Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick not quite...) I DO think Terry Labonte had an it factor, and I see a big difference. Bowyer does seem to back into his wins, kinda like Newman. He's a LUCKIER Marlin (who tended to have very bad luck outside the plate tracks...) Terry seldom backed into his wins (Pocono '95 is one of the few exceptions I can think of), and Terry's specialty was short track racing. While Bowyer is good on them, he's not THAT good on them. He's about as good as Dale Jarrett was on short tracks, which is a step down from that... Thanks for mentioning Wimmer. I thought he was gonna be one of the BIG STARS of the 2000s. I was wrong, but I did think so. That's why what ultimately matters is which team you sign with in Cup. Not every driver who starts with a powerhouse team is going to succeed, but every driver who starts with a non-powerhouse team in Cup is going to fail, almost without exception. "The Baroness spun after a flat tire, and they threw the yellow. Don't like that decision." NASCAR doesn't like local yellows for whatever reason, but they totally need to have them more. It doesn't annoy me as much in the Cup races as it does in Nationwide races at Road America though... "Nooooooooooooooooooooo...not even close. 2011, he was OUT to LUNCH, even with his win at Michigan." Absolutely, especially when comparing him to his teammates (Kyle was really consistent before the chase that year, while this year, ALL the Gibbs cars are hit-and-miss...seeing Kenseth going through a lot of the same kind of stuff makes me wonder if it was ever Kyle or Denny's fault...) "If Gordon didn't have competitive cars, there's no way he would have went from 37th to 15th, no matter how good of a driver he is. Of all the arguments for why Gordon is struggling at times, the "not having competitive cars" one is the absolute worst." Agreed. While Gustafson is one of the worst crew chiefs on a marquee team (just as I thought Letarte was until he much to my surprise revitalized Junior's career), there are much worse crew chiefs on almost all the 15th-or-worse teams... "It's not so much that they're uncompetitive, it's that they're not as competitive as, say, the rest of Hendrick's. At least that's what it seems like." On the flip side, I'll also agree with that. Yeah, Gustafson is the worst crew chief at Hendrick, and yeah, considering how many freaking legendary crew chiefs Hendrick has employed (some of whom I would call legendary and others might not - Robbie Loomis), he's near the bottom of the list (but in the grand scheme of things, he's not all THAT BAD...) I mean, at least he's better than Tony Furr and Lance McGrew and probably most of the Ken Schrader era #25 crew chiefs! But that's not saying a lot... Guys, he had a 5-win 2nd-place season with Mark Martin in 2009 (when he had a grand total of 6 other wins post-1998...) Would it be better if Gordon finishes his career off with a rotating door of crew chiefs like Jarrett and Rusty did? "Jeff Gordon hasn't been the same driver since Evernham left. Of course he's won a championship and many races, but at no point has he been so dominant like he was in the mid-90s." Main reason is in the early 2000s, he had a shitload more competition. I don't really think he was much worse than he was in the late '90s, and I don't really think Robbie Loomis was much worse than Ray Evernham either (Loomis is one of the most underrated crew chiefs of all time, because he had to follow up Inman and Evernham, and NO ONE is going to win those comparisons...at least he was likable while Evernham was a dick), and I think Gordon would have been less dominant solely due to the emergence of Stewart, Junior, Kenseth, Harvick, the Busch brothers, Johnson, Newman, Biffle, and Kahne regardless... "If you think Gordon is luckless, look at McMurray..." McMurray was very lucky in 2010, but apart from that, he has indeed been the least lucky driver on the circuit and least in general since probably Jerry Nadeau. 707. Sean posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:58 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "Joey Logano is quite the road racer. I undermined his road course skills on the Michigan page, but he's held his own in this race as he's currently leading." Just like Truex and McMurray, he's had a lot of sneaky top five runs that usually don't result in top five finishes. I can't stand him, but I have to give him credit for that. "How the is Kenseth (perhaps the worst road-racing champion of all-time) running in 3rd?" At the end of the race, he looked like he was going to crash in every turn (although to his credit he managed not to). Maybe JGR just missed the setups really, really, REALLY badly? Or maybe he had a flat? I was impressed with him in the first half of the race though... "Two speeding penalties and one inept crew chief later, Kurt Busch passes Jimmie Johnson. Someone wanna tell me that Kurt isn't the more talented driver of the two?" I really can't make up my mind. Kurt is the better road racer for sure, but I think Jimmie is the better short track/flat track driver (although it's very close). Both of those matter to me. I don't think Jimmie would be as competitive in the #78 as Kurt would (Kurt's more aggressive style leads to more aggressive results in any car), but I also don't think Kurt would be as competitive in the #48 as Jimmie would (for the same reason - because he overdrives and takes himself out of too many races). I'd call it a draw when I come to think of it... "^ Great cars win on ovals. Great drivers win on road courses." They have the same number of career wins on road courses in Cup. Kurt's definitely better on them, but Jimmie's definitely better at Martinsville and Darlington and Phoenix, and those are tracks where the driver is important too... I think it's pretty close and I could change my mind on this constantly. I certainly enjoy watching Kurt's style more... I'm not sure what you're saying is entirely true. Oval racing is a talent and a different talent from road racing. It HAS to be. How can Ed Carpenter fight for the win constantly on ovals (even in underfunded cars, as he has) and be totally lost on road/street courses? How can Will Power suck terribly on ovals and dominate on any non-oval? Oval racing is a talent. Not as significant a talent (and the high-speed ovals are mostly worthless at evaluating talent, but the short tracks definitely aren't, and Johnson is great at them, and apart from Bristol, better than Kurt...) "In comparison to recent NASCAR road races, that was a long green run to the finish! I thought for sure one of the road course amateurs would turn into a wrecking ball." I totally thought Kenseth would crash at the end. But there are few amateurs left and those drivers who were amateurs (the guys making their debuts) went out early. "Also, I REALLY hope Bobby Labonte just gets the hell out of that pathetic JTG Daugherty organization. It's just terrible to see how bad he runs in that car." He wouldn't run any better in any other car, at this point. I also hate how unprofessional JTG Daugherty is at this point, but it's not like BL isn't overdue for retirement and has been for several years... But I still like having him around so I'm mostly gonna lay off him. "#AJFullTime22" I don't know where I want to see him racing. No idea at all. He's been running much better in NASCAR than IndyCar this season, but I still don't think he'd run any better than he did last year for Penske's Cup operation, full-time in Nationwide would be a dead end just as it has been for Hornish, and full-time in IndyCar might not be a great choice since as an IndyCar road racer he seems to have lost it much like Sebastien Bourdais has (crashing unassisted on the first lap in both Detroit races? I thought that was pretty much going to end his stint with Penske, but this win probably saves him... Maybe Castroneves will finally get his title, retire, and Allmendinger can take his place there in 2014. I dunno...) "It has been quite a tough trek as a Martin Truex Jr. fan. I can still distinctly remember hopping in the car on my way home from high school on a Monday in 2007 as I listened to Martin dominate and win at Dover. So many near misses. Mediocre races in increasingly mediocre DEI cars. A questionable move to MWR, and finally another trip to victory lane. So proud to be a Truex fan, through thick and thin." Yeah, it was cool to see, and it was surprising to see him check out when Montoya who pitted on the same lap ran out of fuel and still couldn't keep up with him. I guess MWR hiring some F1 engineer and branching out into sports car racing (not to mention Ambrose's past JTG affiliation) has really helped their road course setups, at least at Sonoma. "lol, A pro-Todd speech would be much easier than a pro-Brett speech I would think." Todd Bodine gets way too much shit. I would not list him as the worst NASCAR national touring series champion (way too many wins in both Busch and trucks for that). Almost everything he drove in Cup was way below average, yet he still managed a pole at Watkins Glen, a 4th in the freaking LJ Racing car, a top ten finish in the Tim Beverley Tabasco car in one of the team's first races at Atlanta, surprisingly decent performances for the latter-era Travis Carter team, and better results in the #92 Busch car than Jimmie Johnson. Not to mention in one of the few opportunities he had in a (decent) Cup car (the Hendrick #25) he crashed while leading the race. He was a good driver, and I'd say one of the better non-winners in Cup. Having said that, even I don't have much to say about him, but sticking him in a pile with Brett Bodine and Michael Waltrip is very, very wrong (Jimmy Spencer or Kenny Wallace or Casey Mears would be more justifiable drivers to compare to B. Bodine and M. Waltrip...) 708. Sean posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Kentucky couldn't produce a good snail race!" It had some good IndyCar races, but so did most of the cookie-cutters that have shitty NASCAR races. "The word "irony" is way overused on this site, often in the wrong context." EVERYWHERE IN AMERICAN CULTURE. Too bad that article that made fun of all the newspaper articles criticizing Alanis Morissette's "Ironic" (which actually had a better sense of irony (the Irony of Fate at least) than almost other current uses of the term) was taken down. "Todd has to be the worst NASCAR champion ever" Among the three national touring series, it's totally Travis Kvapil. "This is the most hack-free event besides maybe the Southern 500." I think the Bristol night race wins. "Good. Tony deserves to be chewed out once in a while, especially for that move he pulled on Burton. He may think he's the sheriff, but he does just as many stupid things out there as everyone else does." More, actually, but he has enough great races to usually compensate (something the Busch brothers should probably learn from...) "And I think it all goes back to the Kyle Larson incident at the end of the Nationwide race at Daytona earlier this year, Schroeder51. Prior to that, they didn't really care about that, but now they're dong the same thing as the NFL, MLB, and other major professional sports leagues in terms of blocking and taking down classic events." I think NASCAR only cares about the current events. Look at all the past Cup races and they usually only have a few thousand views at most. That's not big enough for NASCAR to go after the old races. You can't find any current Formula One or MotoGP races on YouTube either (and you haven't been able to for quite some time), but you can find lots of current races for F1 feeder series and some past F1 races from previous decades. Occasionally something will be taken down, but usually it won't be unless it's HIGHLY POPULAR, which the current races are for people unable to see them (particularly those in foreign countries) but the past races usually aren't. As for the other major leagues, I'd say in general, all the "stick and ball" sports are more popular with the general public, ESPECIALLY the YouTube crowd... NASCAR's TV ratings in my opinion actually overstate its popularity with the general public. I think demographics for all racing are rapidly aging (most of the people here are exceptions) and the core fan base would be more likely to only watch on TV and less likely to watch old stuff on YouTube... Hence, I think that explains why all racing in general is more accessible there than the other major leagues. "NASCAR will probably delete any race that has Tim Richmond in it; they would rather deny his existence." Not enough to leave him off the 50 Greatest Drivers list. People totally overstate this. How much do you hear about other non-champions these days? Harry Gant? Ernie Irvan? Ricky Rudd? Geoff Bodine? Neil Bonnett? Almost not at all. I'd actually say Richmond gets MORE attention from the fans than any non-champion of the modern era except Mark Martin, while those five don't get nearly enough. "The one thing IndyCar's YouTube channel does that NASCAR's doesn't is post the full races the week after the actual race, which prevents many people from uploading their own copies." Every IndyCar race is still uploaded by a couple other accounts, and usually in better quality too (since IndyCar's feeds usually don't include a lot of pre-race/post-race stuff and omit the television network's on-screen graphics), but I've never seen any IndyCar stuff taken down ever. There are benefits to a form of racing becoming more marginal to the general public... If NASCAR continues to steadily lose popularity, they'll learn that this is a mistake. I mean, look at music videos. The form was basically dead as MTV mutated into a so-called "reality TV" channel and now record companies themselves pretty much put up all the old classic music videos to keep the form alive. This is going to backfire on NASCAR in the long run. "And as I said, the only thing that pisses me off more than NASCAR turning its' back on its' history is the possibility of them completely re-writing their history altogether. Can you REALLY imagine what would happen if NASCAR decided they needed to go back and implement the Chase in every pre-2003 season, adjusting the points and the points standing to reflect what they would have looked like had there actually been a Chase and changing the champions of more than a few seasons? Oh MAN." In the very early days of IndyCar (when AAA - yes, THAT AAA - ran it) they actually did change who won several championships after-the-fact. Freaking mind-boggling now, but in the first half of the 20th century it apparently wasn't seen as such. "Of course today's NASCAR would go after old races. Gotta get rid of visual proof that we are definitely not in NASCAR's best era. In fact, this may well be the worst." No, they won't. I'm not sure the old races on YouTube are even on NASCAR's radar. There wouldn't be enough money in having them taken down... It's only the current races that they care about. Formula One, on the other hand, DOES try to take down past races as well. "To me, personally, some of the greatest moments in NASCAR history happened in the 1980s..." 1985-1997 to me are the glory days. NASCAR really started becoming a major league in 1985 with the start of the Winston/Winston Million programs and although 1994-1997 weren't QUITE as good as 1985-1993, I think they were still better than what came before because you had an entire field of competitive drivers, while half the field before the mid-'80s was underfunded well off the pace, kinda like today. A lot of things happened in '98 at the same time that caused NASCAR's quality to drop like a rock: single-car teams and owner-driver operations had their absolute last gasps and were basically irrelevant, the 5-and-5 rule ruined the racing, the 2-door Ford Taurus ruined NASCAR's credibility as a stock car series (and admittedly, the '95 Monte Carlo did as well), Jeff Gordon became the model for all future drivers personality-wise (and in his most obnoxious era, leading to drivers like Kenny Irwin I honestly couldn't stand - but I certainly didn't want him to die), drivers stopped showing any kind of genuine personality in the wake of Ernie Irvan being fired in '97 for getting into a barroom brawl (which ultimately led to a generation of PSEUDO-badasses like Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards), NASCAR began chasing gimmicks ("NASCAR's Night in Hollywood" was totally some kind of turning point into an Age of Crap) and adding gimmicks to the racing (the introduction of phony red flags). Having said that, even though I think there was a HUGE, MASSIVE dropoff from '97 (which I thought was great) to '98 (which I thought was shitty...2000 was also shitty, '99, '01-'03 were a LITTLE better, but not much, and '04-present was pretty much worthless), there's certainly been more than one good race since 1997. Fall Richmond '98, '99 Daytona 500, Summer Michigan '99, Bristol night race '99, fall Atlanta '99, spring Atlanta '01, spring Talladega '01, Sears Point '01, fall Richmond '01, Talladega '02, both Rockingham races '02, spring Rockingham '04, fall Martinsville '04, spring Martinsville '05, spring Bristol '06, spring Martinsville '07, fall Richmond '08, Atlanta '11, Homestead '11, Watkins Glen '12... I'm sure I'm forgetting some, but I think all those were stone cold classics. 709. Sean posted: 06.24.2013 - 1:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "in seeing a Ford Fusion in Cup" Oops, didn't read through all my posts. Meant to say a Ford MUSTANG. 710. The Long Shot posted: 06.24.2013 - 2:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I think NASCAR only cares about the current events. Look at all the past Cup races and they usually only have a few thousand views at most. That's not big enough for NASCAR to go after the old races. You can't find any current Formula One or MotoGP races on YouTube either (and you haven't been able to for quite some time), but you can find lots of current races for F1 feeder series and some past F1 races from previous decades. Occasionally something will be taken down, but usually it won't be unless it's HIGHLY POPULAR, which the current races are for people unable to see them (particularly those in foreign countries) but the past races usually aren't. As for the other major leagues, I'd say in general, all the "stick and ball" sports are more popular with the general public, ESPECIALLY the YouTube crowd... NASCAR's TV ratings in my opinion actually overstate its popularity with the general public. I think demographics for all racing are rapidly aging (most of the people here are exceptions) and the core fan base would be more likely to only watch on TV and less likely to watch old stuff on YouTube... Hence, I think that explains why all racing in general is more accessible there than the other major leagues." That was the point that I tried to make in an earlier comment, Sean. You put it a lot better than I ever could, but we virtually have the same opinion. The reason NASCAR hasn't taken down the old races and probably won't take them down is because they simply don't care. If you look at the most of these old races, they have MAYBE a couple of thousand views. Most casual racing fans aren't interested in watching them, because they don't know who half of the drivers are. "Hee hee hee. That guy's name is Dick Trickle. Hee hee hee. That's funny right there." That said, I will likely be downloading some of these races (old and new) off of Youtube and burning them to DVD for archival purposes. 711. David posted: 06.24.2013 - 2:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Where in the heck did four giant Sean posts come from? "and adding gimmicks to the racing (the introduction of phony red flags)" Better than G-W-Cs to prolong the distance, right? Wrong? I don't know what to think. "1985-1997 to me are the glory days. NASCAR really started becoming a major league in 1985 with the start of the Winston/Winston Million programs and although 1994-1997 weren't QUITE as good as 1985-1993" For some reason, I've really been interested in '70s NASCAR. Many things happened during those 10 years. Fred Lorenzen returned...in a Dodge, after being Ford's golden boy for so many years. The schedule downsized, then shuffled around a lot (Michigan had only one race in 1973, as Roger Penske replaced the August race with a USAC event; College Station had two races in 1972, after having the season finale in 1969 and 1971, but not 1970, then was taken off the schedule completely from 1974-78). Richard Petty won half the championships, but goes winless in 1978. Cale Yarborough thought it would be a good idea to go run in USAC; that doesn't go well, so he comes back and suddenly lands the potent Junior Johnson ride after Johnson and Bobby Allison split. The oil crisis cuts the distance of races 1974, etc. It goes on and on. NASCAR went through hardship, and not only survived, but thrived. "They're being obnoxious and I don't like what they're doing and I still like Bobby Labonte, but does anybody really see any life in his career left?" "He wouldn't run any better in any other car, at this point. I also hate how unprofessional JTG Daugherty is at this point, but it's not like BL isn't overdue for retirement and has been for several years... But I still like having him around so I'm mostly gonna lay off him." I may be the the only one who completely agrees with you here. Labonte is pretty washed up. He's great to have around, but his days of doing anything good in a car are long gone. "EVERYWHERE IN AMERICAN CULTURE. Too bad that article that made fun of all the newspaper articles criticizing Alanis Morissette's "Ironic" (which actually had a better sense of irony (the Irony of Fate at least) than almost other current uses of the term) was taken down." I think people just like saying that word. It is fun to say, at that. "Absolutely, especially when comparing him to his teammates (Kyle was really consistent before the chase that year, while this year, ALL the Gibbs cars are hit-and-miss...seeing Kenseth going through a lot of the same kind of stuff makes me wonder if it was ever Kyle or Denny's fault...)" Whew, thanks for backing me up here, Sean. Hamlin has at least looked good in several races this year (he was there in the end at Fontana, Darlington, you could even make a case for Bristol if he hadn't hit the wall). 712. David posted: 06.24.2013 - 2:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Where in the heck did four giant Sean posts come from?" AND consecutive AND all at once. 713. cjs3872 posted: 06.24.2013 - 2:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sean (#705), I made that exact point about Alan Gustafson being essentially good for one year with a driver before their performance falls off numerous times last year, and the facts bear that out. He was good with Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon his first year with them, but those partnerships fizzled in the second year, and his being the worst caller of races for a top driver since Roland Wlodyka doesn't help his case, either, nor does a pit crew that's sloppy more often than they should be. And you mention how underrated a crew chief Robbie Loomis was. Of course, there's a very specific reason he was as good as he was as a crew chief, and that was years of tutelage from the greatest of all NASCAR crew chiefs, Dale Inman. (How anyone can legitimately say someone other than Inman was the best ever is beyond me.) He spent a number of years studying under Inman at Petty Enterprises, and when Inman finally retired as a crew chief following the 1990 season, Loomis got the call to be Richard Petty's crew chief the last two seasons of his driving career, and then oversaw the building of that team to be a race winning team again in 1996, and it won races in three out of four years from 1996-'99. And The Long Shot (#703), that's exactly what the sixth caution was listed as (the 36 car sideways by the S/F line, with the 2 and 43 cars apparently also involved). I was bringing up the reason for the fifth caution, because that one should have been listed as a grass fire in turn four, rather than Denny Hamlin's spin, because he drove away before the caution was displayed, but after he drove away, there was a small grass fire where he spun, and that grass fire was what brought out the fifth caution. 714. Sean posted: 06.24.2013 - 2:43 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Where in the heck did four giant Sean posts come from?" I made ONE massive post and split it into four parts, silly. 715. David posted: 06.24.2013 - 2:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I made ONE massive post and split it into four parts, silly." That's what I figured. "How anyone can legitimately say someone other than Inman was the best ever is beyond me." Inman himself says Leonard Wood is the greatest ever, but that's because he's humble. Wood DID revolutionize the pit stop (then Ray Evernham re-revolutionized it). 716. murb posted: 06.24.2013 - 2:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) That's awesome about your drumming, Long Shot. I kind of wish I would have played in a school band when I was in school. I had several friends that did and they told me it was a lot of fun. Anyway, props on that. Keep playing music!!! It's a really great thing that distracts you from a lot of the craziness of the messed up world we live in. I don't know what I would do without it. Sean, I don't disagree with you that Bobby is well past his prime. But I would still like to see him get just one more decent ride with a decent team. He was putting up good times in practice at Michigan when he was in the 51 (he wrecked early in the race obviously so he didn't really get much of a chance in that), so I feel like if he were to get a decent ride like that he could at least return to being a top 20 or top 15 threat. 717. The Long Shot posted: 06.24.2013 - 3:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "And The Long Shot (#703), that's exactly what the sixth caution was listed as (the 36 car sideways by the S/F line, with the 2 and 43 cars apparently also involved)." Actually, it had been originally listed like this: "#2, 36, 43 start-finish turn c". The word "accident" was never used, and I'm not sure what in the world the "turn c" part was about. Anyways, I was just correcting the mistake. Nothing related to your previous comment. "...even though I think there was a HUGE, MASSIVE dropoff from '97 (which I thought was great) to '98 (which I thought was shitty...2000 was also shitty, '99, '01-'03 were a LITTLE better, but not much, and '04-present was pretty much worthless), there's certainly been more than one good race since 1997. Fall Richmond '98, '99 Daytona 500, Summer Michigan '99, Bristol night race '99, fall Atlanta '99, spring Atlanta '01, spring Talladega '01, Sears Point '01, fall Richmond '01, Talladega '02, both Rockingham races '02, spring Rockingham '04, fall Martinsville '04, spring Martinsville '05, spring Bristol '06, spring Martinsville '07, fall Richmond '08, Atlanta '11, Homestead '11, Watkins Glen '12... I'm sure I'm forgetting some, but I think all those were stone cold classics." Fall Talladega '12, Fontana '13 and spring Talladega '13 should be added to that list. All 3 were very good races throughout, and all 3 ended in spectacular finishes. That makes them a "stone cold classic" in my opinion. 718. David posted: 06.24.2013 - 3:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Keep playing music!!! It's a really great thing that distracts you from a lot of the craziness of the messed up world we live in. I don't know what I would do without it." It literally boggles the mind to even try to begin to think what the world would be like without music. 719. The Long Shot posted: 06.24.2013 - 3:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Whenever I'm tired or depressed, I either listen to music on my iPod, or I go down to the basement and play the drums a little. I tell you: drums are by far and wide the best instrument for relieving stress. While I'm at it, I might as well post my 10 favorite singers or groups here (since everybody else posted theirs back on the fall Martinsville page): 1. Beach Boys 2. Beatles 3. Peter Hollens (He's a phenomenal Youtube artist; highly recommend checking him out) 4. Jim Croce 5. The Carpenters 6. Simon and Garfunkel 7. Queen 8. Elton John 9. James Taylor 10. Sting And, as a bonus, I absolutely love John Williams' music. I've listened to the "Star Wars" theme about a hundred times, and I still get chills. 720. The Long Shot posted: 06.24.2013 - 3:31 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) And by the way, by my calculations, this weekend we will hit 10,000 races on Racing-Reference. What a phenomenal feat. Congratulations to everybody who is involved on the site: the webmaster, the moderators, and every single one of you delightful commenters. You guys are the best. 721. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.24.2013 - 3:41 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) 30 days until "The Inaugural Mudsummer Classic!" 722. David posted: 06.24.2013 - 3:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I tell you: drums are by far and wide the best instrument for relieving stress." Yeah, I'll bet. A stressed-out drum player probably can create a lot of noise. But I'll tell you something: piano has to be second on that list. After all, it is technically a percussion instrument. "Congratulations to everybody who is involved on the site: the webmaster, the moderators, and every single one of you delightful commenters." Are you congratulating the commenters that are delightful, or are you congratulating all the commenters and calling them delightful? "You guys are the best." Awww, shucks. 723. joey2448 posted: 06.24.2013 - 4:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I know this is random, but they way it's looking, Jeff Gordon may end his career with 91 Cup victories, which would be cool because that's also the same amount of wins Michael Schumacher owns in Formula 1, which of course is an F1 record. That would be cool to see both Gordon and Schumacher end up with the same number of wins in their careers, since they both kinda started racing in their sport's highest division around the same time, the early 90's (although Gordon has enjoyed more longevity) and both were seen as young drivers who had the potential to set great records in their careers, and have since done just that. 724. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.24.2013 - 4:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Get yourself a baby grand (like at my school), and pound away! Voila! Instant stress relief. 725. Jim Davis posted: 06.24.2013 - 4:32 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "But I would still like to see him get just one more decent ride with a decent team." I like Bobby Labonte, Jeff Burton, and Mark Martin and Martin at least can still produce on the track. But I think drivers that are not only past their primes but consistently unproductive, and the teams that continue to employ them, damage the sport by restricting the opportunities of younger drivers. Drivers like Justin Allgaier really deserve *one* shot at a decent Cup ride and are at risk of not getting that one shot because by the time Labonte, Burton, Martin, etc finally hang them up Allgaier will be passed over for the Dillon brothers, Larson, Blaney, Bowman, etc. Yes, Labonte is a great guy, a former champion, and a credit to the sport. It would be unfortunate if his NASCAR career ends with that image of him sitting forlornly in his car window after breaking down on the first lap. But he does not in any way deserve one more decent ride that will in all probability deprive some deserving driver of any chance of a decent ride at all. 726. murb posted: 06.24.2013 - 4:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Drums are one of the most fun instruments for sure. I've been picking up the drums for about the last year and a half or so. It's a MAJOR stress reliever. Same with guitar too, which I've been playing for about six or seven years. I wish I could play piano. I've just kind of never really gotten around to learning how. Maybe one day though. There have been plenty of awesome races since the "glory years" of Nascar ended. In fact, I think that's why I keep watching Nascar. You never know when the next great race will be. We've already mentioned it, but who would have thought that the Fontana race this year would have been that great? So for as predictable as the sport has seemingly gotten, I think that's one of the only elements of unpredictability we have left. You never know when the next great race will be. Hell, it might even be at Kentucky this weekend (even though I doubt it - but again, who knows?). 727. Scott B posted: 06.24.2013 - 4:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I have a hard time judging how much Bobby Labonte has left, due to the nature of the teams he's been driving for. It's not just a question of equipment, but being part of a single-car operation, without a teammate to use as a barometer. The offers at the Cup level will be very limited if he is out at the #47, which I do think will be the case. The #21 might be a good landing place if Bayne leaves, and if Bobby would be content with a part-time Cup ride. With a top-notch truck team he might be a threat to win a championship to go with his Cup and Busch (Nationwide) titles, but it's been years since he's run in a lower series and I don't know if he's interested. 728. murb posted: 06.24.2013 - 4:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "he does not in any way deserve one more decent ride that will in all probability deprive some deserving driver of any chance of a decent ride at all." In my opinion, he deserves to get a few more races in the Phoenix Racing 51 car. Like I said, he was running good times in practice, but he unfortunately crashed early in the race so he didn't really get a shot at running the full distance. All I'm saying is that I feel like if he were to step into another car like the 51, he could probably run top 20 or even top 15 on a good day. Yes, Bobby is "washed up", but I don't think he is any more so than Martin and Burton, who both still have their moments of relevancy from time to time. You make a good point about guys like Allgaier being deprived Cup opportunities, but on the same token the old guys sticking around isn't the only single reason he is being deprived of a Cup ride (a lot of it has to do with the fact that he drives for a non-Cup affiliated team). And those other guys you mentioned (except for Alex Bowman) do have ties to Cup teams, so it's not going to be any surprise when they are given Cup rides instead of Allgaier. 729. murb posted: 06.24.2013 - 4:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "With a top-notch truck team he might be a threat to win a championship to go with his Cup and Busch (Nationwide) titles, but it's been years since he's run in a lower series and I don't know if he's interested." This is also a thought that I had. If he can't get a decent Cup ride, I think he would be a perfect fit as a veteran in the Truck Series (or NNS, but I think Trucks would be better). But yeah, I don't know if he would want to do that either. 730. The Long Shot posted: 06.24.2013 - 5:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "But I would still like to see him get just one more decent ride with a decent team." Labonte is a likeable driver, but he's almost completely washed up. The best thing that Labonte could do for his career is to move back down to Nationwide or, more likely, Truck full-time next season, and run a partial Cup schedule for a team like the Wood Brothers. It would be a way for him to end his career with some dignity instead of finishing up with the slumbags that make up JTG Daugherty. "But I'll tell you something: piano has to be second on that list. After all, it is technically a percussion instrument." Hmm, I guess it is. I had kind of assumed the piano was a different type of instrument altogether, as kind of a mix between percussion and string. "Are you congratulating the commenters that are delightful, or are you congratulating all the commenters and calling them delightful?" Celebrations are meant to be inclusive, so I'm referring to absolutely everybody on the site, even including trolls like Anthony. Without each and every one of you, this site would be not be where it is today. Once again, congratulations. "Drums are one of the most fun instruments for sure. I've been picking up the drums for about the last year and a half or so. It's a MAJOR stress reliever." I've played drums for 3 years now. At my band's concerts, I'm often used on the more melodic instruments like timpani and bells, probably because I'm better tuned than any of the other percussionists. The last bell part I got was essentially a flute part, and if you've seen what those look like, with their sixteenth-note runs and whatnot, then you'll probably be wondering how I ever played that cleanly. The truth was: I didn't. I missed probably about 2/3 of the notes in the concert, but surprisingly, people didn't notice, some even complimenting me on my performance. "I wish I could play piano. I've just kind of never really gotten around to learning how. Maybe one day though." I can plink out tunes, but I can't really play. I probably should start learning how soon, because if you have a solid piano background, then playing most other instruments won't be as much of a challenge. I've also always wanted to learn how to play guitar, but I just never got around to it. Like you said, though, maybe one day. "There have been plenty of awesome races since the "glory years" of Nascar ended. In fact, I think that's why I keep watching Nascar. You never know when the next great race will be. We've already mentioned it, but who would have thought that the Fontana race this year would have been that great? So for as predictable as the sport has seemingly gotten, I think that's one of the only elements of unpredictability we have left. You never know when the next great race will be. Hell, it might even be at Kentucky this weekend (even though I doubt it - but again, who knows?)." Exactly. It used to be that I would only tune into NASCAR 4 times a year, and that was for the superspeedway races at Daytona and Talladega. Even earlier this year, I hadn't been planning on watching that many races. After joining this site, though, my interest in the sport has been majorly rekindled. 731. murb posted: 06.24.2013 - 5:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Montoya had already passed McMurray before McMurray ran out. It would be kind of like saying Truex lucked into it yesterday because Montoya ran out..." My mistake, I haven't seen that finish in a while. I still think McMurray had the one of the best cars in that race though and deserved to win. 732. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.24.2013 - 5:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "At this same time last year Brad Keselowski had 2 less Top 5s and 2 less Top 10s. He was also 1 spot lower in the points than he is this year." Maybe it is the fan in me talking, but despite the miserable slump they've been in for the past 3 months, I see a Summer surge for them. They are going testing at Loudon this week and the Fords as a whole have picked it up, they just need to get a decent finish. Despite all these issues, they are still 9th in points. They are a tight knit team, I think they'll be alright. As for the Bobby Labonte discussion, I like Bobby personally, but my two cents are that he is done, and has been done for a while. Honestly, since his ass stomping of the field in 2000 where he completed all but NINE laps all year, he has fallen further and further behind as far as being a week in and week out contender with the exception of the first 1/3 of '03. It has been a long painful fall from grace for him, but I can't imagine him doing anything worth a damn again. I'd love to be wrong, but unfortunately I doubt it. 733. 13 posted: 06.24.2013 - 5:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) maybe Ryan Blaney will go full time nationwide next year and Brad will give Bobby his seat, only hoping that happens i like Bobby and want to see him go out on a good note 734. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.24.2013 - 6:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) As for NASCAR's "golden era", from 1979-1993 the championship was clinched prior to the last race only twice (Earnhardt in '86 and '87), and only one other time did the points leader only need to start the final race to clinch (Earnhardt in '91) and 1994 was gonna be a barn burner until Ernie got hurt. The number of points battles I'd call "classics or close to it" were astounding, the really compelling all the way to the wire ('79, '80-'83, '85, '88-'90, '93), THE CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE (1992), and the close but tough to watch ('84, and '91) But the fields were VERY top heavy from '79-'83, especially '81, '82, and '83 when it was basically Darrell, Bobby, and everyone else. 1984 saw parity begin to take hold as some new faces either arrived (Rusty), established themselves as contenders for a while (Bodine, TLab, Bill, Harry, Tim) and a new partnership made a strong statement about their future together (Earnhardt and RCR). 1984 also began a run of some of the best races you'll ever see. 1985 was skewed by Bill's domination and the Chevy's blowing the guts out of their motors trying to keep up, and '86-'87 were skewed by Dale skewering the field (figuratively and literally), but '88-'93 had the greatest combos of great racing, fields stacked with legends, and nail biting championship fights. 1994 had two of the three, only missing the title fight as Ernie was taken out. I know this sounds like the Earnhardt homer in me talking, but 1995 brought a lot of the fun to an end. The new cars suddenly brought new terms like "engineering staff" and "aero push" which have tortured us ever since. But to show it isn't just the Earnhardt fan in me, I say compare the '94 Brickyard 400 to the 1995 version. In 1994, with noticeably boxier cars, they actually put on a great show at Indy (!!!) with Gordon winning. The 1995 race sucked. Whoever was out front couldn't be passed. Dale got out ahead of Rusty on a pit sequence by pitting one lap earlier and Rusty having to dodge a tire. That was the race. In Dale's wake, Rusty's car pushed too bad, and Dale won. And it has pretty much only got worse. Aero dependency only got worse, Gordon dominated to the delight of not many (at the time), Brian France took over, the chase was implemented, Johnson is dominating, sending fans scurrying away by the minute, and drivers like The Busch Brothers, Denny, and Joey Logano showed up, then FOX decided having TWO Waltrips as part of the telecast was a good idea. But we still have moments like Atlanta 2011, Watkins Glen 2012, and Brad getting drunk on BSPN (name me a more entertaining moment for that station over the past 10 years outside of the few good finishes and their live feed of Bill Belichick's post game press conference after Super Bowls 42 and 46). 735. Anthony posted: 06.24.2013 - 6:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) I apologize 261 736. Baker posted: 06.24.2013 - 6:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) cjs, I understand Keselowski is winless while those other 3 have a win, but that becomes moot when Keselowski is in the Top 10 and Busch, Stewart and Kahne are on the outside looking in. One of those wildcard spots is going to take 2 wins or more, and maybe even both wildcard spots. I feel much better about Keselowski staying in the Top 10 than the other 3 scoring more victories. 737. Sky Warrior posted: 06.24.2013 - 6:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "30 days until "The Inaugural Mudsummer Classic!" Got my tickets ready! "Or even worse, they decide to go back and implement the Chase in every pre-2004 season, thus changing and re-writing history..." Has anyone ever gone back and figured out who would have won each title under this format? I know some years have been figured but has anyone ever done all of them? 738. cjs3872 posted: 06.24.2013 - 6:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Baker, all I was saying was that Keselowski is on much shakier ground because, not only is he winless and barely hanging on to the top ten, but he and his team keep on spinning their wheels on the way to nowhere. I feel very confident that Kahne and Stewart will win again before the Chase, and possibly one of he will win this coming weekend at Kentucky, and with the way Stewart runs in the summer race at Daytona, maybe both will win in the next two weeks. But if Brad Keselowski does win a race, it's almost certain that the Chase field will then be set, and the driver with the best chance of moving up into a Chase spot is Joey Logano, who seems to have the speed his teammate doesn't have for some reason. Under normal circumstances, Jeff Gordon would be that driver that would have the best chance to move up, but he just doesn't have the speed on enough tracks, which is why he almost has to be error-free, because if he as one bad race, he doesn't have the speed in his car to move up and try to win races on most of the tracks coming up. 739. 83andJoe posted: 06.24.2013 - 6:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Entry list for Kentucky is out. Bliss back in the 19 Schrader in the 32 Cassill back in the 33 AJ in the 47. Austin Dillon in the 51 Brian Vickers in the 55 No Bobby Labonte. 740. 83andJoe posted: 06.24.2013 - 6:26 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Pigs flew, Heck froze over, dogs and cats lived together, and Matt Crafton entered a non-Truck Series race. (He's entered in the RCR 33 in Nationwide.) 741. The Long Shot posted: 06.24.2013 - 6:30 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Well, we've had another driver taken out of a major touring series ride. Following Bobby Labonte's being taken out of the 47 in Cup and Todd Bodine's being taken out of the 13 in Truck, apparently David Starr will not run the 81 in Truck this weekend. C.J. Faison is listed as the driver of the #81 for this weekend. 742. Daniel posted: 06.24.2013 - 6:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 43 at Kentucky: -Dave Blaney back in the #7 -Mike Bliss in the #19 -Ken Schrader in the #32 -Landon Cassill in the #33 -J.J. Yeley in the #36 -Scott Riggs in the #44 -A.J. Allmendinger in the #47 -Austin Dillon in the #51 -Joe Nemechek back in the #87 -Michael McDowell returns in the #98 743. murb posted: 06.24.2013 - 6:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "No Bobby Labonte." I'd hate to see the consecutive starts streak end this way. I certainly don't think he's capable of going out and winning multiple races in a season at this point in his career, but I do believe that if he were in a solid ride he'd be able to occasionally put up solid numbers like Burton and Mark have done. "Matt Crafton entered a non-Truck Series race." I had forgotten that he was scheduled to run those races for RCR. It is pretty weird how he's been in Trucks for so long but hasn't even made one other start in NNS or Cup. I guess it just goes to show that the Truck Series is one of those series where if you really love it, you are there for life. Anyway, I'll be interested to see how he does in the 33. 744. 13 posted: 06.24.2013 - 8:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Im looking forward to the Mudsummer classic, but really i think it will have the highest # of cautions of any race this year and will probably never get a flow to the race due to spins and guys not having dirt track experience 745. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.24.2013 - 8:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I just hope they don't make it too confusing with the format... it sounds like a pain... 746. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.24.2013 - 9:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I read the rules for the Mudsummer Classic, but I still can't figure out if cautions laps count or not during the main event. It explicitly says they don't count in the heats, but I'm sure they'll count them in the main. That's one thing I don't like in general about NASCAR and most other series, that laps run at pace speed count towards the total racing distance, but you would think they could at least do away with that for an event on dirt. 747. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.24.2013 - 9:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm also pumped about Eldora. Return to our deep roots. Wish they could have done something like this in the Busch Series in 1993 on an off week. How cool would it have been to see in their primes drivers like Dale, Mark, and Kenny who cut their teeth on dirt going at it, slinging and sliding around, having the time of their lives, giving us a show? That is what I love about the final 5 laps of Sears Point '95, even more than Dale getting his overdue road course win, was dirt trackers Dale and Mark slipping and sliding in somebody's rear end grease around the FULL course for the win. 748. The Long Shot posted: 06.24.2013 - 10:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) One thing that I've noticed about the Eldora race rules that could and perhaps even should be adapted to the series full-time is the 30-truck field. We all saw the Nationwide field get cut down to 40 cars this past offseason, mainly due to the fact that the series had 6 short fields in 2011, including a 40 car field at Fontana, and only barely got the full field in on a few occasions in 2012. Even with the reducing, Nationwide already has had 1 short field this year, and has only barely got the full field in on another 2 or 3 races. The Trucks have had it even worse than Nationwide over the past 3 years, with 12 short fields over the past 2 seasons and 1 this year. Reducing the field to 30 trucks would help prevent so many short fields, not to mention that it would prevent moving roadblocks like Chris Lafferty or Jennifer Jo Cobb from making races, so we would have less accidents like the Hackenbracht/Cobb accident at Texas. 749. 83andJoe posted: 06.24.2013 - 10:48 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) ^ The problem is, I don't see Cobb being at fault in that accident. She was down on the bottom as a slow truck should be; the accident was caused by Hackenbracht deciding to press the issue and go three-wide in the middle trying not to be lapped instead of rolling out of the throttle that early in the race. 750. The Long Shot posted: 06.24.2013 - 11:46 pm Rate this comment: (0) (3) "The problem is, I don't see Cobb being at fault in that accident. She was down on the bottom as a slow truck should be; the accident was caused by Hackenbracht deciding to press the issue and go three-wide in the middle trying not to be lapped instead of rolling out of the throttle that early in the race." You are correct that the accident was Hackenbracht's fault. Nevertheless, focusing on Cobb, the fact that trucks can get into the races with such slow qualifying speeds. That's why I'm saying that, while I don't like reducing the fields, it might be the best choice for NASCAR. 751. kup posted: 06.25.2013 - 12:14 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Most Sprint Cup Series starts between victories in NASCAR history: Seasons, Driver, race between wins: 1994-2001: Bill Elliott 226 2007-2013: Martin Truex Jr. 218 2001-2006: Jeff Burton 175 1996-2001: Sterling Marlin 170 2002-2007: Jamie McMurray 165 1999-2003: Terry Labonte 156 2008-2012: Dale Earnhardt Jr. 143 752. joey2448 posted: 06.25.2013 - 3:49 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) By the way, HOW 'BOUT THEM CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS!!! What a season it's been! I'm more of a Bears and Bulls fan, but today's game was incredible! 753. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.25.2013 - 5:08 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) But longest number of days between wins goes to Paul Goldsmith, who went from 2/23/58 - 2/25/66 between wins. 754. Jim Davis posted: 06.25.2013 - 11:11 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Nevertheless, focusing on Cobb, the fact that trucks can get into the races with such slow qualifying speeds." Curiously, according to Jayski, Cobb is entering 2 trucks this week at Kentucky, the #10 driven by her and the #0 by Chris Lafferty. 755. AveryNH posted: 06.25.2013 - 12:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Joey, as a Bruins fan last nights loss was brutal. But the Hawks totally deserved it. Best team all season long. Enjoy the celebration man! 756. David posted: 06.25.2013 - 12:21 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "since his ass stomping of the field in 2000 where he completed all but NINE laps all year" He also only finished outside the top half of the field ONCE (at Richmond in the spring, where he finished 26th). "I want to see much younger ringers. Somebody hire Ryan Dalziel for Watkins Glen!" You're probably the only one who's given that any thought, Sean. 757. ch posted: 06.25.2013 - 12:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) As a Jets fan from Atlanta, I was happy to see some of the old Thrashers able to lift the cup. Hoping for a better season next year from Winnipeg though. 758. cjs3872 posted: 06.25.2013 - 12:40 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I don't see how anyone figures that Bobby Labonte "stomped" the field when he won the championship in 2000? He won it the same way his brother Terry won two championships. He didn't "stomp" or dominate the field. He merely outlasted the field, although his 2000 championship season was better than either of Terry's. Be basically put top fives and top tens together, threw in a few wins, and when it was all said and done, he clinched the title a race early because nobody else had the consistency he did that year. Of course, fluke wins like the one at the Southern 500 didn't hurt, either. But when Bobby won, he won at prestigious tracks, as three of his four wins either came in crown jewel races, or tracks where crown jewel races were staged, winning at Darlington, Charlotte, and Indy, and the other win was a precursor to the season, we he outdueled Dale Earnhardt at Rockingham, a finish that Earnhardt would reverse a few weeks later at Atlanta. 759. cjs3872 posted: 06.25.2013 - 12:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) In fact, to expand on the point I made in post #758, even though he won the championship in 2000, he led the most laps in a race only one time, which was the second race of the season at Rockingham, which he won. To me, that's startling. A driver runs away with a championship in a year in which he leads the most laps in a race ONE time. That's hardly what I call dominance. Yet, after the second race of the season, he was never lower than second in the points, and was only that low only twice, after that race at Rockingham (to Daytona 500 winner Dale Jarrett by 5 points), and the spring race at Talladega (Mark Martin led the points after that race by 24 over Labonte). But other than that, Labonte led the standings after each race beginning with the third race of the season, except for Talladega in the spring, and easily won the championship, because nobody else could sustain a hot streak that year. 760. 18fan posted: 06.25.2013 - 1:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Bobby's 1999 season was his best and was more deserving of a championship than 2000, but Dale Jarrett set a record with 29 top 10s and had 24 top 5s, compared to 23 top 5s and 26 top 10s for Bobby, although Bobby had 5 wins to DJ's 4. The only stat that Bobby improved from 1999 to 2000 was average finish. 761. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.25.2013 - 1:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) While Bobby wasn't dominant in 2000, he and that #18 team were definitely the best in the sport that year at working together as a team; plus, that pit crew was awesome at getting to the front. You also have to consider that he played possum with Rusty at Indy before blowing by him to take a 4+ second victory. 762. Eric posted: 06.25.2013 - 1:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) My view of why Bobby Labonte won the championship was caused by 4 things with Dale Earnhardt. 3 of the things was races before race 26 of the 2000 season. The Bristol Spring race was where Dale's worse race finish of the year was. Dale had a car that was capable of winning race, but there was a wreck front of him with Dale leading the race and got caught up in it. The 2nd race at Pocono Dale finished 25th, but was caused the amount of engine/part failures. Dale had something on the care failed if I remembered right and he was in the top 5. Dale had a top 5 car. The Watkins's Glen Race Dale finished 25th was big also. What happened on lap 2 hurt Dale rest of the Day. While I don't think Dale would have finished in the top 10, but he would haven't lost as many points to Bobby since Bobby finished 5th. The 4th thing was Dale had problems with consistency starting with loundon restrictor plate race. Dale had 3 top 5's, 4 top 10's in the last 9 races of the season. Dale in the first 25 races had only 5 races finishing outside of the top 10. That meant Dale didn't have the speed on a week by week basis. I am saying that because his performance at some the tracks in the fall slipped. 763. Baker posted: 06.25.2013 - 2:01 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Bobby Labonte was one of my favorite drivers about 12-15 years ago, but the fact of the matter is he is over the hill and his talent is all dried up. He would NOT compete for a Truck series championship even in the best trucks. I like the guy and he is a great veteran, but when it is time to hang it up it is time to hang it up. Jeff Burton is the veteran cup driver I would love to see run full time trucks. He is declining, but not yet running on E like Labonte. He is clearly not the same driver he once was or he would be in the Top 10 in points. He has the same cars as Kevin Harvick and Paul Menard. When you get beat by Paul Menard in equal equipment you know your best days are long gone. Some guys can just do it longer at a higher level than others and Labonte is just not one of those guys. I'd much rather put Bill Elliott in a Truck full time than Labonte if I was blessed enough to be able to run my own team. 764. cjs3872 posted: 06.25.2013 - 2:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Agreed, NicoRosbergFan. When you add Bobby's four victories that year to the six Tony Stewart got (ironically, the only year Tony Stewart ever led the series in victories in his first 12 years in the Cup series, and still the highest single-season victory total of his career), that meant that Joe Gibbs Racing won ten races in 2000, added to the eight they got in 1999 (five for Bobby Labonte and a then-rookie record three for Stewart), that meant they won 18 out of 67 races in 1999 and 2000, so this domination by JGR isn't anything new. And 18fan, that shows just what a crime it was that Jeff Gordon didn't get the championship in 2007 because of the Chase, because he had 30 top 10s in 2007, yet lost the title to Jimmie Johnson for a number of reasons, not all of them honest reasons. Jarrett had a similar season in 1999, and his championship was never seriously in doubt after the midway point of that season. 765. Eric posted: 06.25.2013 - 2:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Bobby in 2000 to me had a lot of things that went his way like not getting into a wreck while leading. He had a great season in consistency. He took advantage of what happened to Earhnardt at Spring Bristol race, 2nd Pocono race, and Watkin's Glen. The 18 team didn't fade either. 766. cjs3872 posted: 06.25.2013 - 2:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Baker, I think Burton is worse than Labonte because Burton's flaming out with a top-notch team, Richard Childress Racing. We don't know how Labonte would have done the past five or six seasons because he hasn't been on a team capable of running up front with anyone, so we don't know how Labonte would have fared, but we know Burton doesn't have it any more, except on the plate tracks where anyone can contend, as he drivers for an elite-level team that will put one car (the #29 of Kevin Harvick) in the Chase and might put two in the Chase, and yet Burton's still out to lunch. In fact, if I was Childress, I would put as much emphasis as I could on that #27 car to make sure that Paul Menard gets in the Chase, and possibly even wins a race, as doubtful as that seems. 767. Baker posted: 06.25.2013 - 2:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) cjs, Sorry buddy, but that excuse is not going to cut it. Tony Stewart won the Championship in 2005 while Bobby Labonte landed 24th with 4 Top 5 and 7 Top 10s in a far superior ride than Jeff Burton has even been in since his early years with Jack Roush. 768. cjs3872 posted: 06.25.2013 - 2:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Eric, I think the turning point of the 2000 championship was obviously the Southern 500, and for two reasons. The first being the recovery the #18 team made after Bobby Labonte's crash in qualifying when the throttle stuck, forcing him to start 37th. The second was the two tire pit stop they made to get to the lead when the heavens opened for the last time that day. Bobby was never going to win that race (he never once led under green flag conditions), or even finish ahead of Dale, Sr., but that two-tire pit stop put them in the lead, and when the heavens opened, much like what happened at Indy in 1975, Bobby got the win. Bobby's team effectively stole that win, and quite a few points from Earnhardt. I think that weekend is when the #18 won the 2000 championship for Bobby Labonte. 769. cjs3872 posted: 06.25.2013 - 2:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) But Baker, thee were two important factors in the downfall of the #18 team that year. The first is ne I've talked about often on these boards, and that's the inability of JGR to keep three teams competitive. Remember that 2005 was the year that JGR expanded to three teams, adding the #11 for Jason Leffler. But that also took away focus from the #18 car that year. The other was that Bobby Labonte fell out of favor with JGR after the Coca-Cola 600, when Jimmie Johnson passed him out of the last turn. After that, JGR wouldn't hardly give Labonte the time of day, but the bigger factor was the expansion to three cars, because ever since then, every time JGR has added a top-tier driver to revive one of it's teams, another one of JGR's team has paid the price. It happened with Labonte in 2005 when the #11 team was added, it happened to Tony Stewart and the #20 team in 2008 when Kyle Busch was brought in to revive the #18 car, and it's happened again this year to Denny Hamlin when Matt Kenseth was brought in to restore the #20 to greatness. Hamlin was struggling mightily even before he was injured in California, and the attention to the #20 team with the arrival of Kenseth is the big reason why. Every time JGR makes a change to bolster one of it's teams, another pays the price. 770. kup posted: 06.25.2013 - 3:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) JV makes NASCAR Sprint Cup road course debut at Sonoma Raceway 24th, June, 2013 Jacques Villeneuve made his road course debut in the NASCAR Sprint Cup at the Sonoma Raceway for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 in the No. 51 Tag Heuer Eyewear Chevrolet. Villeneuve made his debut with the Phoenix Racing team and knew that the weekend would be a learning experience. "With no testing the weekend was always going to be about learning the car, developing to suit my driving style and to tune the car into the circuit." After acclimatising himself throughout the practice sessions Villeneuve had to settle for 22nd place during qualifying. "It just wasn't quick enough," Villeneuve said. "We improved the car overnight and I was discovering it and I just didn't drive aggressive enough on the first lap, so there was still a little bit of time, but at least my car was a lot better." The disappointment of qualifying followed through to the race with the gear shifter breaking during the warm up lap meaning the Phoenix Racing team had to make quick repairs so that Villeneuve could start the race. Villeneuve added, "It is not an ideal way to start the race but the team fixed the issue so we could make the grid and aside from that the race was fun, I enjoyed it, it is great to be back." Villeneuve's race was cut short on lap 20 when the gearbox on his No.51 Chevrolet broke and was unable to be repaired when he returned to pit road. jv-world.com 771. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.25.2013 - 4:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I call it a stomping from a points perspective, he completed all but 9 laps and was practically immune to bad luck. The field never had a chance. That is why I feel Dale's run in 2000 where he hung with BLab despite his mind blowing consistency until July when the bad finishes started piling up, at age 49, with RCR equipment that was improved but still not where it needed to be (hence his low number of laps led) shows he is the savviest driver ever, the one with the best instincts by far. He knew what he had to work with that year, so he adapted, grinding out finishes like only Dale Earnhardt could. Not only did he also coax two dramatic wins out, he had a ton of what ifs. What if Mayfield never gets to his bumper at Pocono? What if it rains later at Michigan or sooner at the Southern 500? (postscript: I forgot just how brutal that Southern 500 defeat was. Rain never was very kind to Dale. Of his 76 wins, only one was rain shortened, the '87 Southern 500 which he dominated, then won the event twice in the next 3 years.) 772. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.25.2013 - 5:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Also, I posted that picture of Dale smiling at me in 1990 on Racing Reference's facebook page. 773. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.25.2013 - 5:07 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) For this first time since the 1978 National 500 at Charlotte, there will be no driver named "Labonte" in a Cup race. 774. cjs3872 posted: 06.25.2013 - 5:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Of course DSFF, Dale, Sr. did win one of the most infamous rain-delayed races in history, the 1995 Brickyard 400, a race delayed nearly five hours due to rain from Hurricane Iris, and a race that miraculously ran the entire distance. Ironically, only one running of the Brickyard 400 was run faster than Dale's 1995 win, Bobby Labonte's 2000 victory. And it's also interesting that Labonte held the speed records for two of the crown jewel races at the same time for more than a decade, the Coca-Cola 600 and the Brickyard 400, where he still holds the race record from his 2000 victory there. By the way, Dale, Sr. held the race record for three crown jewel races at one time or another (the Southern 500 in 1989, the Coca-Cola 600 in 1993, and the Brickyard 400 in 1995), while he set another record in the Daytona 500 for the restrictor plate-era (172.712 MPH in 1998), a record for the modern restrictor plate-era (1988-present) that still stands today. 775. Paul posted: 06.25.2013 - 5:41 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Well, it's official: Bobby Labonte will not be racing this weekend. He stated so during an online chat alongside co-team owner Brad Daugherty, and I think he also did an MRN interview earlier today saying the same thing. Out of all the consecutive starts streaks that have ended over the years, this is the one that by far bums me out the most. The streak didn't end due to retirement (Ricky Rudd, Rusty Wallace), failing to qualify (Richard Petty, Ken Schrader), or even injury (Terry Labonte, Darrell Waltrip). It's ending because he has been taken out of the car for the second of five scheduled races, and unlike the first time at Michigan, he doesn't have the luxury of jumping into a full distance car at his disposal. I was hoping that (#33) Landon Cassill or (#19) Mike Bliss would step aside and allow Labonte to drive one of their cars at Kentucky, but it seems like Labonte is content with just sitting this weekend out, which I think is a shame. I haven't seen either of the two previous Cup races at Kentucky, and now that I've gotten this news that Bobby Labonte's consecutive starts streak will end this weekend, I don't really feel up to watching the Kentucky race this year either and might just sit this weekend out myself. I'm already probably going to miss the Nationwide and Truck races this weekend due to my work schedule, so it looks as if Kentucky will be a race-free weekend for me. I'll be looking forward to seeing Labonte return at Daytona in a couple weeks. The restrictor plate tracks seem to be the only tracks where he (and his brother) can run well at anymore (although Labonte can still get solid finishes at Martinsville and Dover at his age), so hopefully he can have a solid run at Daytona. Back-to-back 43rd place finishes and now his consecutive starts streak is coming to an end. As a lifelong Bobby Labonte fan, I've accepted the fact that he's over the hill, but the past few weeks have just been painful to watch. And if not for Gordon and Kurt's comeback top five finishes at Sonoma, the past two races haven't been kind to me considering they are my three favorite active drivers. 776. David posted: 06.25.2013 - 6:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Actually, NRF, it's the first time since the 1978 L.A. Times 500, the finale of that year. Terry Labonte raced full-time starting with the 1979 Daytona 500, and there's been a Labonte in the field ever since, a streak of 1118 races. Unfortunately, that ends this weekend. It's just unreal. It wasn't supposed to end this way. Just like that, Labonte's streak is over. It should have ended in retirement, but no, it has to end at the hands of a shady, third-rate team. One thing I will say for sure, I will be pulling for Labonte at Daytona. Imagine the victory lane celebration if he were to win. 777. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.25.2013 - 6:11 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) I hate that for Bobby. Like I said, I like him personally. Wish this last decade would have played out better for him. It is tough to see a great streak like that end so ingloriously, with a thud. Of course the end of Earnhardt's streak bummed me out the most, not just cause my favorite driver died, but because it was another typical NASCAR "something should have been done a long time ago" deal. NASCAR's logic: 3 of our drivers died last year from basilar skull fractures? No problem. 30 million people just watched Dale Earnhardt die live? Ok, let's get to work. It made me think of that because I have been watching a lot of old Winston Cup races from 1986 through 1990 recently, and I can't believe how many races had a pit crew member get slammed by a car, or how many TELEVISION SEGMENTS IN THE BROADCASTS highlighted the rash of pit crew injuries. But NASCAR didn't do anything until Bill Elliott's rear tire changer broke Gordon Smiley's 8 year record for "Most Horrific Televised Motorsports Death" (gotta love the early '80s, "Earlier today we had a driver die instantly in an extremely violent impact where you could clearly see his lifeless body tumbling down the short chute, culminating with it doing a CREEPY sitting up motion before coming to a rest, here are 3 different replays of it!") that NASCAR got off their ass. But even then it was nothing new. From the very beginning of NASCAR, cars wrecking and erupting into flames from plastic fuel tanks were common, but not until Fireball Roberts died in 1964, the biggest NASCAR star at the time (Richard wasn't quite King yet), did they do something. Also window nets. 2 time defending champion Joe Weatherly died at Riverside when his brakes failed and he slammed the concrete wall and his head whipped out the window and hit the same wall. But not until NASCAR was live for a segment on ABC's Wide World Of Sports at Darlington, and King Richard had an awful wreck which ended with his car upside down, and him hanging halfway out the car unconscious, looking damn dead (he was alright, I'm convinced he is immortal like The Highlander), did NASCAR mandate window nets. And to this day, NASCAR is STILL dragging their feet on things like getting SAFER barriers everywhere at all their tracks and the angle of the walls at places like Pocono and Watkins Glen. Just ask Jeff! I think he has some Connor MacLeod in him. 778. Paul posted: 06.25.2013 - 6:27 pm Rate this comment: (5) (0) In fact, here's what Labonte himself said on the JTG Daugherty chat transcript: "The Streak: It is disappointing the way it is happening. I have had a couple offers, declined them because I don't want anybody else that has an opportunity to do what I do, what they love, to have to sit on the sideline for my sake." He could have pushed another driver aside for this one race just to extend his streak another week, but he didn't want it that way. He didn't want to take a seat away from another driver who had been planning on racing at Kentucky for his own needs, and instead he's bowed himself out of the way because he feels empathy for the 44 drivers currently on the entry list, knowing that he wouldn't want someone taking his seat away from him either. They say "nice guys finish last," and the past two races (not to mention this next one) are further proof of that saying. If Bobby Labonte isn't the nicest and classiest driver in NASCAR, I don't know who is. This is just another example of that. The only drivers who I think come close to Labonte are his brother Terry and Mark Martin, and we all know that Martin hasn't exactly bowed out graciously when his team wants a new driver in the car. 779. Baker posted: 06.25.2013 - 6:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) So what is the future plan for Kurt Busch in regards to Richard Childress. Is he going to a 4th car or taking over for Kevin Harvick or Jeff Burton? I'm just wondering because he seems more and more to have found himself a little bit. He seems to have gotten his head on straighter these days. I am in no way a Kurt Busch fan at all, in fact, I have long hated him. Unlike Jimmie Johnson, however, I have a ton of respect for his ability to wheel a car. If he takes over Kevin Harvick's ride and RCR takes a step in the right direction I feel he can be a legit championship threat going into next season. 780. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.25.2013 - 6:30 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DSFF, don't forget ABC Wide World of Sports showing viewers video footage of Don McTavish's fatal crash in the 1969 Sportsman 300 at Daytona. I remember reading some of the comments on its YouTube video and people said watching that gave them nightmares at the time. It was that bad. 781. murb posted: 06.25.2013 - 6:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "If Bobby Labonte isn't the nicest and classiest driver in NASCAR, I don't know who is." Absolutely. It's an absolute shame that the streak has to end this way, but I admire the way he's handling this situation. My respect for him has grown even more because of this. 782. Paul posted: 06.25.2013 - 6:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "So what is the future plan for Kurt Busch in regards to Richard Childress. Is he going to a 4th car or taking over for Kevin Harvick or Jeff Burton?" Richard Childress stated earlier this week that Ryan Newman is the top candidate for taking over the #29 car because supposedly his sponsor Quicken Loans is behind him. I've also heard about the possibility of Newman teaming up with Kurt in a 2nd Furniture Row car next season. Kurt has been in talks with RCR, EGR, and MWR in regards to next season, but I highly doubt that he will be joining MWR because Michael Waltrip said in victory lane at Sonoma that "Brian Vickers is our guy," and I think Truex just saved his job by finally winning again on Sunday. With the possibility of Newman going to RCR in 2014, I think Kurt will work extra hard to land a ride at EGR because that was the team that Newman had been rumored towards for much of this season. As far as this year's "silly season" goes, the questions that lurk around Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch I think are by far the most interesting. 783. cjs3872 posted: 06.25.2013 - 6:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Actually David, Terry Labonte's full-time Cup career started at Riverside in 1979. Remember that the season still started at Riverside, CA in January back then. It wasn't until 1982 that the Daytona 500 became the season-opening race, so his consecutive starts steak actually began at Riverside, as did Ricky Rudd's consecutive start streak begin there in 1981. And SpeedWorld97, one man who was extremely critical of ABC for replaying the Don McTavish crash at Daytona was Brock Yates, but ABC had a habit for replaying such horrifying incidents. I know the Gordon Smiley crash at Indy in 1982 has come up, but there was another horrifying incident a few years later that ABC also replayed, and this was even worse considering it was live in prime time. The incident I speak of, was of course, Joe Theismann getting his leg broken on Monday Night Football on November 17, 1985. ABC kept replaying that incident until, during a commercial break, Frank Gifford flatly told those in the production truck "don't show that again". And they didn't after that. 784. The Long Shot posted: 06.25.2013 - 6:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) It's very sad that Labonte's consecutive starts streak had to end this way, but I think we all knew ever since Pocono that it would likely end at some point this year. Like apparently everybody else, I will be pulling for Labonte to have a good run at Daytona. A win isn't out of the question by any means, considering the wreckfest nature of the July Daytona race, as well as the fact that Labonte finished 4th in the 2011 Daytona 500. If I could have my dream top 5 for Daytona next week, it would look like this: Danica Patrick Dave Blaney David Gilliland (#GILLILANDREVOLUTION!!) Terry Labonte Bobby Labonte Joe Nemechek 785. The Long Shot posted: 06.25.2013 - 7:26 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) All right, I know we had this discussion about a month ago, but I'm going to make some very early "silly season" predictions for all 3 series. These in all likelihood are going to be completely wrong, so feel free to disagree as much as you wish. First, for Cup: 2-Brad Keselowski: No changes. 3-Austin Dillon: Dillon moves to full-time Cup next year, running the #3 while using the #29 team's owners points. 5-Kasey Kahne: No changes. 7-Dave Blaney: Blaney seems likely to return to this team next year. 9-David Ragan: RPM decides not to re-sign Marcos Ambrose, and David Ragan is looking to move on from Front Row, so this fit makes sense. 10-Danica Patrick: Sadly, no changes. 11-Denny Hamlin: No changes. 12-Sam Hornish Jr.: Hornish moves back up to full-time Cup competition next year, with AAA moving from the 22 to sponsor him full-time. 13-Casey Mears: Mears' consistency should keep him in the #13 for at least another year. 14-Tony Stewart: No changes. 15-Clint Bowyer: No changes. 16-Greg Biffle: No changes. 17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: No changes. 18-Kyle Busch: No changes. M&M's is in a contract year as sponsor, but expect them to return on a long-term deal. 20-Matt Kenseth: No changes. 21-Trevor Bayne: No changes. 22-Joey Logano: No changes. 24-Jeff Gordon: I'll predict that Alan Gustafson is fired as his crew chief either during or after this season, but otherwise, no changes. 27-Paul Menard: No changes. 29-Kevin Harvick: Harvick moves over to Stewart-Haas, along with sponsors Budweiser and Jimmy John's. 30-David Stremme: No changes. 31-Kurt Busch: Furniture Row Racing merges with Richard Childress Racing, and Busch moves to take over Jeff Burton's #31 ride. Sponsor CAT leaves the sport, and is replaced on the 31 by Ryan Newman's Army sponsorship. 32-Timmy Hill: FAS Lane Racing gives Hill the chance at a full season next year. 33-Landon Cassill: Cassill stays in the 33 for another year as he attempts to get a full-time Nationwide deal done. 34-David Reutimann: Front Row continues to be the "House of the Davids", as Reutimann pulls a Landon Cassill and moves on from BK Racing. Front Row hires him as a replacement for David Ragan. 35-Josh Wise: No changes. 36-J.J. Yeley: No changes. 38-David Gilliland: No changes. 39-Jamie McMurray: McMurray takes over Ryan Newman's seat in the 39. 41-Kyle Larson: EGR changes the #1 to #41 and puts Larson in the seat full-time next season. 42-Juan Montoya: Juan is the preferred driver in the EGR stable, so he'll likely stay for at least another year while McMurray moves on. 43-Aric Almirola: Almirola should be due for a long term contract fairly soon. 47-A.J. Allmendinger/Mark Martin: Allmendinger runs about 20 races while running full-time in Nationwide, with Martin filling for the remainder. 48-Jimmie Johnson: No changes. 55-Brian Vickers: Vickers moves to the team full-time next year. 56-Martin Truex Jr.: No changes. 73-Travis Kvapil: BK Racing starts a third team with Kvapil driving as a start-and-park. 78-Ryan Newman: Newman takes over Kurt Busch's ride as Furniture Row merges with RCR. Army moves over to Burton's #31. 83-Bobby Labonte: Labonte decides not to move down to Nationwide or Trucks and accepts a ride with BK Racing. 87-Joe Nemechek: No changes 88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.: No changes. 93-Jeff Burton: Burton leaves RCR, but, like Labonte, decides not to move down to Nationwide or Trucks and moves to BK Racing full-time. 95-Scott Speed: Look for them to run full-time next year. 98-Michael McDowell: No changes. 99-Carl Edwards: No changes. 786. David posted: 06.25.2013 - 7:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Darn it, cjs, I knew that. I don't know why I said Daytona. The streak is still 1118 races. 787. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.25.2013 - 7:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The Long Shot, I sure hope Ganassi wouldn't do that with Larson, because I feel he needs at least one more season after this in Nationwide to mature and gather a better understanding of how to run well. I just don't want him to end up being the next Joey Logano. 788. Baker posted: 06.25.2013 - 7:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I am probably Larson's biggest fan on this board and I think him in Cup full time next season is a very bad idea. I wouldn't mind him getting some seat time even this year and some next season, but full time is a bad idea. He is simply not ready yet. He has more talent than most but that talent is getting the best of him more than not this year because he is pushing so hard. When the stakes get higher in cup he is only going to push even harder. He needs time to season and get the feel of the stock cars when to push it and when to be patient. I'm also hopping he can find himself a way out of the abomination that is EGR. 789. Paul posted: 06.25.2013 - 7:59 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Sponsor CAT leaves the sport," I HIGHLY doubt that Caterpillar leaves the sport after this season. A lot of NASCAR and other motorsports' teams use their equipment away from the race track (not to mention a large number of the "working class" fans), and taking away their advertising campaign would open the door for other companies to take away their business. They make a lot of money thanks to their involvement in the sport, and they're not going to risk their sales dropping by walking away. "and is replaced on the 31 by Ryan Newman's Army sponsorship." Huh? The U.S. Army isn't even involved with NASCAR anymore, let alone sponsoring Ryan Newman. I guess it's possible that they return in 2014 thanks to that U.S. House bill failing to pass, but I wouldn't count on it. "36-J.J. Yeley: No changes." I wouldn't be so sure about that, as it wouldn't surprise me if TBR released Yeley before the end of the season due to a lack of performance and sponsorship. I've also heard that TBR has been struggling financially recently, so they may go after a better driver like A.J. Allmendinger or even Bobby Labonte before the end of the season just to make having a second full-time car worthwhile. I like Yeley and he was impressive in the two restrictor plate races this season, but even for a TBR ride, his performance this year has been very underwhelming, especially in the passing category. "47-A.J. Allmendinger/Mark Martin: Allmendinger runs about 20 races while running full-time in Nationwide, with Martin filling for the remainder." If I were A.J., I wouldn't settle for anything less than a full-time Cup ride next season (unless Penske offers him a full-time Nationwide ride, in which case I would take it just because of the great possibility of winning a championship). And I think that JTG Daugherty really likes A.J., seeing as how they're putting him in their car for five races because they think he gives them something that Labonte doesn't (Which he does, especially in terms of age and driving style.), so I doubt they would bring him along for only a partial season. "73-Travis Kvapil: BK Racing starts a third team with Kvapil driving as a start-and-park." Kvapil wouldn't start-and-park. If BK Racing offered him such a ride, he would go back to Trucks full-time because he would pretty much be guaranteed a competitive ride due to his champion status, as well as his proven ability to be competitive in his limited starts in recent years (3rd place finish at Daytona '12 for RAB Racing). "83-Bobby Labonte:...93-Jeff Burton:" I could see one of them going to BK Racing in 2014, but not both. I'm sure FRM or TBR will extend offers to both drivers for next season, as would Phoenix Racing if they don't fold like James Finch has stated several times (I won't believe it until it happens.). I doubt BK Racing would be able to afford both drivers after all the money they've spent since entering the sport, so I think it's likely that another small team will reach out and try signing one of them. 790. AutoRockinRacing94 posted: 06.25.2013 - 7:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) First ever race I've attended to and noticed several things - this race was only like the third time that it was cloudy from my memory (1995 had some sun breaks then and there but mainly cloudy, 2001, and 2013) and first time that rain had ever affected the race that led to the caution. 791. startandparkfan posted: 06.25.2013 - 8:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Since next week is Kentucky, a track which most of us want to leave the sport, which tracks do you guys want to see in the cup series? For me, it is Lime Rock. A great road course, and only around 1 1/2 hours from my house! I would also like Road America, and Montreal, with nationwide also coming back. (I'm a big fan of the road courses.) Other options include Road Atlanta or Portland. It would also be cool to have a race in Europe, like Circuit de Catalunya (GP of Spain) or one in Australia, like the Calder Park oval, or any other international race. 792. startandparkfan posted: 06.25.2013 - 8:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Also, am I the only one who thinks Aric Almirola will win soon? He is good at the mile and 1/2 tracks. 793. The Long Shot posted: 06.25.2013 - 8:07 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) For Nationwide: 01-Mike Wallace: No changes. 09-Johanna Long: Long leaves ML Racing and moves up to RAB Racing full-time. 2-Brian Scott: No changes. 3-Ty Dillon: Ty replaces big brother Austin in the #3. 5-Kasey Kahne/Brad Sweet/etc.: No changes. 6-Trevor Bayne: No changes. Bayne prepares to move full-time to Cup in 2015. 7-Regan Smith: No changes. 8-Scott Lagasse: Attempts to run full-time in 2014. 10-Jeff Green: No changes. 11-Elliott Sadler: No changes. 12-A.J. Allmendinger: Allmendinger moves to full-time Nationwide competition while running a partial Cup scheduler for JTG Daugherty. 14-Eric McClure: No changes. 15-Mike Bliss: Switches from #19 to #15 for 2014, as the Rick Ware Racing team folds. 16-Chris Buescher: Runs a full-time Nationwide schedule for the 16 team. 18-Matt Kenseth/Joey Coulter/etc.: Will likely run part-time with Kenseth and Coulter running the majority of the races. 19-Brad Keselowski/Joey Logano/etc.: Penske buys this number from Tri-Star Motorsports in order to keep their Cup regulars entered into races weekly. 20-Darrell Wallace Jr.: Wallace moves up to full-time Nationwide competition for Joe Gibbs. 22-Ryan Blaney: Blaney moves up to run the full season for Penske. 23-Robert Richardson/etc.: No changes. 24-Blake Koch: Koch once again gets a full-time ride with SR2, but I can't see him hanging onto it for the full year. 30-Nelson Piquet Jr.: No changes. 31-Justin Allgaier: No changes. 32-James Buescher: Buescher moves up to Nationwide full-time for 2014. 33-Kevin Harvick/Paul Menard/etc.: No changes. 34-Jeb Burton/Jeff Burton: Will run a partial schedule with Burton driving. Jeff Burton could also run races as well. 40-Reed Sorenson: No changes. 41-Ryan Truex: Truex moves full-time in a 2nd RPM car. 42-Josh Wise: No changes. 43-Michael Annett: No changes. 44-Cole Whitt: Whitt move back to full-time Nationwide competition for TriStar Motorsports. 45-Corey LaJoie: LaJoie moves up to full-time Nationwide in a 3rd RPM car. 51-Jeremy Clements: No changes. 52-Kevin Lepage/Joey Gase/etc.: Will become a part-time start-and-park team in 2014. 54-Kyle Busch: No changes. 60-Travis Pastrana: No changes. 70-Tony Raines/etc.: Team becomes a full-time start-and-park operation after the departure of Johanna Long. 74-Mike Harmon/etc.: No changes. 77-Parker Kligerman: No changes. 79-Jeffrey Earnhardt: Earnhardt again attempts a full Nationwide schedule. 87-Joe Nemechek: No changes. 89-Morgan Shepherd: Shepherd attempts the first few races of the season, then finally calls it a career. 92-Dexter Stacey: No changes. 98-Kevin Swindell: Will run a full-time schedule in 2014. 99-Alex Bowman: No changes. 794. startandparkfan posted: 06.25.2013 - 8:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Whoops, forgot a few. They should also bring back Rockingham and North Wilkesboro. 795. startandparkfan posted: 06.25.2013 - 8:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) #785, the Army sponsorship has left the sport. 796. Paul posted: 06.25.2013 - 8:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Whoops, I forgot to comment on the possibility of Kyle Larson having a full-time Cup ride for next season. I would be against it because Larson isn't a fully polished Nationwide driver right now, and another year in Nationwide would do wonders for improving him both as a driver and as a person, and I wouldn't want to risk him having a big head by leap-frogging over Trucks and having just one year of Nationwide under his belt before he moves up to Cup. It would be a damn shame if he gets a full-time Cup ride before his teammate Justin Allgaier, who I think is the most Cup ready Nationwide driver who hasn't raced in Cup before. I do think Larson is more talented, but at this point Allgaier is a better race car driver and is more deserving of a Cup ride after five years of consistent improvement in Nationwide. But then again, this is Chip Ganassi we're talking about, and Ganassi's past history shows that he isn't the best at hiring the right drivers for his Cup team. Among them include Jason Leffler (Talented, but not Cup ready after one inconsistent Busch season for JGR.), Casey Mears (One very forgettable Busch season in 2002.), David Stremme (0 wins in 2 1/2 Busch seasons.), Reed Sorenson (One very good Busch season in 2005, but needed more polishing before going to Cup.), Juan Pablo Montoya (Five NASCAR starts prior to 2007 after Formula One career; Ganassi got lucky that Montoya has been able to produce in Cup at all.), and Dario Franchitti (Should have run 1-2 Nationwide seasons before ever going to Cup after years in IndyCar.) I wouldn't push Kyle Larson up to Cup at this point, but it doesn't matter what I think; it's what Chip Ganassi thinks, and if history repeats itself, look for Kyle Larson to be in a Cup ride next season. I hope not for his sake, especially since EGR isn't that great to begin with, but it's definitely a possibility. 797. The Long Shot posted: 06.25.2013 - 8:20 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) And for Truck. There are a lot more question marks in this series than in any other, so this is really only a partial list: 2-Tim George Jr.: Originally the #3 team, George will run a full-time Truck schedule in 2014. 4-Jeb Burton: No changes. 6-Justin Lofton: Lofton returns to full-time Truck competition for Eddie Sharp. 7-John Wes Townley: No changes. 8-Max Gresham: No changes. 9-Ron Hornaday Jr.: No changes. 10-Jennifer Jo Cobb: No changes. 13-Todd Bodine/Brett Moffitt: No changes. 17-Timothy Peters: No changes. 18-Joey Coulter: No changes. 19-Ross Chastain: Will run full-time in Trucks next year. 21-Spencer Gallagher: Will run for Rookie of the Year. 24-Brennan Newberry: No changes. 27-Jeff Agnew: No changes. 29-Brad Keselowski/Joey Logano/etc.: With Ryan Blaney leaving for Nationwide, BKR uses this team for the Cup regulars. 32-Miguel Paludo: No changes. 33-John King: Eddie Sharp once again attempts to run a full-time Truck schedule with the #33 with King driving. 35-Devin Jones: Will attempt a full-time schedule in 2014. 39-Ryan Sieg: No changes. 51-Kyle Busch/Erik Jones/etc.: No changes. Jones prepares to run full-time in 2015. 54-Chad Hackenbracht: Will run a full-time Truck schedule for Kyle Busch next season. 57-Norm Benning: No changes. 60-Dakoda Armstrong: No changes. 62-Brendan Gaughan: No changes. 75-Caleb Holman: Will attempt a full-time Truck schedule. 77-German Quiroga: No changes. 81-David Starr: No changes. 84-Chris Fontaine/etc.: No changes. 88-Matt Crafton: No changes. 93-Chris Jones/etc.: No changes. 94-Chase Elliott: Despite Hendrick wanting him in a full-time Nationwide ride, Elliott will start out running a full-time Truck schedule in 2014. 98-Johnny Sauter: No changes. 99-Bryan Silas: No changes. 798. Paul posted: 06.25.2013 - 8:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "60-Travis Pastrana: No changes." Pastrana's marketing team has been paying for this season out of pocket, due to a lack of a primary sponsor. I'm not so sure they would be willing to do so again in 2014 considering the lack of results (Not Pastrana's fault, he's just not ready for such a marquee NASCAR ride.) and Roush's high price tag on sponsorship. 799. Sky Warrior posted: 06.25.2013 - 8:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The Long Shot, I thought Army was out of NASCAR for good because of some pompous politician who thinks sponsoring motorsports is wasting tax dollars but her 6 figure salary and beyond full benefits aren't? Also, I have a few to disagree with, though I've probably got about as much chance to be right as you do. -9-David Ragan: RPM decides not to re-sign Marcos Ambrose, and David Ragan is looking to move on from Front Row, so this fit makes sense. I disagree, I think Ambrose re-signs with RPM, with Ragan staying at Front Row for another year. -21-Trevor Bayne: No changes. I think one of two things will happen: Roush will throw support behind the Wood Brothers and they will return to a full schedule with Bayne, or Bayne moves over to Roush who brings back the #6 for him, and Bobby Labonte gets the 21 ride, with a few races scheduled for Travis Pastrana -31-Kurt Busch: Furniture Row Racing merges with Richard Childress Racing, and Busch moves to take over Jeff Burton's #31 ride. Sponsor CAT leaves the sport, and is replaced on the 31 by Ryan Newman's Army sponsorship. I think Kurt stays in the #78 for another year and Childress keeps Burton around long enough to mentor the Dillon brothers -32-Timmy Hill: FAS Lane Racing gives Hill the chance at a full season next year. They've never wanted a full time driver, and partial team owner Terry Labonte and close friend Ken Schrader still want to race once in a while, I don't think that changes. Hill has the ride now because he has an outside chance at the ROTY. Plus, with Labonte and Schrader bringing sponsorship (C&J and Federated), that could be a deciding factor if current sponsor Oxy Water is in federal trouble -33-Landon Cassill: Cassill stays in the 33 for another year as he attempts to get a full-time Nationwide deal done. Agreed, but with Ty Dillon getting 2 or 3 races -34-David Reutimann: Front Row continues to be the "House of the Davids", as Reutimann pulls a Landon Cassill and moves on from BK Racing. Front Row hires him as a replacement for David Ragan. See Marcos Ambrose. Reutimann stays with BK -39-Jamie McMurray: McMurray takes over Ryan Newman's seat in the 39. -41-Kyle Larson: EGR changes the #1 to #41 and puts Larson in the seat full-time next season. I think McMurray stays in the #1 and EGR expands to a 3 car team. Tony Stewart has said he wants Stewart-Haas to be a 4 car team eventually, a lineup of Newman, Patrick, Harvick and himself gives him just that, with plenty of sponsorship to go around -47-A.J. Allmendinger/Mark Martin: Allmendinger runs about 20 races while running full-time in Nationwide, with Martin filling for the remainder. I don't think Penske would let A.J. drive a Toyota in the Cup series if they give him a full time Nationwide ride. Here's my bold prediction: Regan Smith gets this ride after winning a Nationwide title -73-Travis Kvapil: BK Racing starts a third team with Kvapil driving as a start-and-park. I don't think it will be a start-and-park. They ran a 3rd car a few times last year -83-Bobby Labonte: Labonte decides not to move down to Nationwide or Trucks and accepts a ride with BK Racing. See Ragan/Reutimann -93-Jeff Burton: Burton leaves RCR, but, like Labonte, decides not to move down to Nationwide or Trucks and moves to BK Racing full-time. I think BK Racing forms an alliance with MWR, and this becomes the split ride between Mark Martin and Michael Waltrip, with combined sponsorship. Either that, or MWR starts a 4th team for the two Even though there's a crapload of teams here already, I'm gonna add a few of my own -19-Mike Bliss: They'll return, mostly as a start-and-park team. They made the effort of transitioning from the Gen 5 to the Gen 6, I don't see them leaving after this year -44-Scott Riggs: See: Mike Bliss -50-Justin Allgaier: Turner-Scott Motorsports makes the leap to the Cup series full time next year, as Allgaier isn't getting any younger -70-Johanna Long: I think ML Motorsports makes a few attempts with Johanna in the Cup series, maybe 5 max -81-Elliott Sadler: JGR starts a 4th team for Sadler, with OneMain Financial as the primary sponsor -?-Michael Annett: RPM starts a 3rd team and brings Annett to the Cup series There's no way all of my predictions are happening, but it was fun to read yours and write up some of my own. Feel free anyone to debate me on any of mine 800. Paul posted: 06.25.2013 - 8:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "-70-Johanna Long: I think ML Motorsports makes a few attempts with Johanna in the Cup series, maybe 5 max" ML Motorsports should focus on putting together a deal to run a full Nationwide season. They shouldn't even mess around with Cup, nor should Johanna Long because she's not Cup ready at this point. 801. murb posted: 06.25.2013 - 8:29 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) "19-Brad Keselowski/Joey Logano/etc.: Penske buys this number from Tri-Star Motorsports in order to keep their Cup regulars entered into races weekly." This would suck. 802. Sky Warrior posted: 06.25.2013 - 8:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "-70-Johanna Long: I think ML Motorsports makes a few attempts with Johanna in the Cup series, maybe 5 max" ML Motorsports should focus on putting together a deal to run a full Nationwide season. They shouldn't even mess around with Cup, nor should Johanna Long because she's not Cup ready at this point. Pretty much only going this route because Johanna seems to have been rushed along her whole career so far. 2 partial seasons in Trucks before a jump to Nationwide at age 20, which has led to another 2 partial seasons to date. Also, trying to make any Nationwide or Truck predictions will get too confusing to me, too many possibilities 803. David posted: 06.25.2013 - 8:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Actually, startandparkfan, NASCAR did run a race at Calder Park in February of 1988 , which Neil Bonnett won. It was held on the off week between races at Richmond and Rockingham, which Bonnett also won. After which, NASCAR ran two more races there, in December of 1988 and 1990. 804. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.25.2013 - 8:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Honestly, I think Turner-Scott will move to the Cup in the next year or two and take the 30 or 31 from its current team (either Stremme changes numbers or Childress releases Burton, latter more likely) with Justin Allgaier. While Allgaier can be pretty reckless at times, he's much more Wreck-less than Larson or Piquet. He has the balls-out attitude necessary to succeed, and I think he could get that team to the point where it's ready to bring Piquet and eventually Buescher to the Cup level. This team jumped right in to the CWTS and NNS and found a niche... they can do it at the Cup level too. 805. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.25.2013 - 8:41 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) Why not rush Johanna to Cup? She can't do worse than the BoB. 806. murb posted: 06.25.2013 - 9:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I would totally not be surprised if Ganassi rushed Larson up to Cup. Hopefully if that does happen he'll at least give Larson a couple years to mature as a driver instead of just throwing him aside like he did to Leffler. If it does happen, I would imagine that Larson would be taking over the 1 car. I think Montoya has solidified his Cup ride with the multiple strong runs and win contending drives he's had in recent races, so I don't think he'll be going anywhere (contrary to what we may have thought earlier this year). Another thing I wanted to say in response to Long Shot's predictions is that I highly doubt SHR will expand to four cars. Yeah, they're adding Harvick, but that doesn't mean that they will expand. They are one of the most financially unstable teams in the sport (they're constantly losing and shuffling sponsors around), and I'm pretty sure Tony is smart enough to realize how badly their expansion this season has gone. So I don't think they'll be a four car team next year. Harvick will probably just be replacing Newman in the 39 (which will probably be renumbered to 4). 807. ch posted: 06.25.2013 - 9:33 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I really like the idea of David Ragan going to RPM in the #9. Rumors have Marcos going back to Australia after this season, and I'd love to see Ragan in good equipment again. Jack Roush might also pull a few strings there... That would open the #34 to Bobby Labonte who brings in some sponsorship for FRM allowing Josh Wise to run the 35 full time with no S&P (side note, expect him to start have some S&P races mixed into the next few months). The #47 goes to Mark Martin with Alex Bowman mixing in the rest with a ringer at the road courses, and Michael Waltrip on the plate races. The team reforms the MWR alliance after seeing the terrifying reality that is running a cup team as an independent. They get some factory support, albeit they won't be high on the ladder. Jeff Burton goes to the #83 full time. Reutimann goes to the 78 which becomes less like an RCR car and goes back to the support level they had with Regan Smith. Kurt Busch goes to the #31 replacing Burton, starting a new 4th RCR team with no points, but with a PC provisional to fall back on. The #31 2013 points mentioned above go to Austin Dillon in the renumbered 3 (ESPN will be covering that story for months...). Harvick goes to SHR obviously, and SHR renumbers the #39 to the #4, which Harvick has a history with. Now back to where this post started at, Ambrose returns to RPM in a part time 3rd team with Ryan Truex and Michael Annett having a few races. Larson drives a third EGR car, hopefully #41. Hornish drives a third Penske car, #12. 808. ch posted: 06.25.2013 - 9:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I left out AJ from the above post since I expect him to drive for Penske full time in the NNS series. I could see him running a few cup races in a #77 similar to what Hornish is doing this year though. 809. ch posted: 06.25.2013 - 9:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Forgot to mention Newman going to the #29 for RCR full time too. 810. 83andJoe posted: 06.25.2013 - 9:46 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) >Not Pastrana's fault, he's just not ready for such a marquee NASCAR ride. Actually, Pastrana has run pretty good - he's ready. It's just that if it weren't for bad luck, he'd have no luck at all. >Why not rush Johanna to Cup? She can't do worse than the BoB. Two words: Casey Atwood. 811. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.25.2013 - 10:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Because simply "doing better than The Baroness" isn't enough. That is setting the bar VERY low. I think Johanna can do some great things in NASCAR and be the one to show what females are truly capable of in stock car racing. But she needs much more seasoning. At least 2 full time seasons in NWide, get the "week in, week out" routine down. 812. Baker posted: 06.25.2013 - 11:25 pm Rate this comment: (1) (7) Chase Elliott will have a full time Nationwide ride next season because whatever Hendrick wants Hendrick gets. I would like to see Elliott, Blaney, Wallace, Burton and Larson all 5 in Nationwide full time next season. Put Ty Dillon and James Buescher in the field as well and its a pretty good young field. And then hopefully eliminate guys like Reagan Smith and Elliott Sadler who are bullies in the kiddy pool because they could never figure out how to swim in the deep end. 813. 83andJoe posted: 06.25.2013 - 11:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) >I think people just like saying that word. It is fun to say, at that. "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." 814. The Long Shot posted: 06.25.2013 - 11:59 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Wow, I have a lot of posts to cull through. Well, here goes. "I HIGHLY doubt that Caterpillar leaves the sport after this season. A lot of NASCAR and other motorsports' teams use their equipment away from the race track (not to mention a large number of the "working class" fans), and taking away their advertising campaign would open the door for other companies to take away their business. They make a lot of money thanks to their involvement in the sport, and they're not going to risk their sales dropping by walking away." To be honest with you, I really was going out on a limb there. I don't have a clue what I'm talking about when it comes to sponsors. Also, I completely brain-farted on the whole U.S. Army sponsorship thing. I just wasn't thinking clearly. "...it wouldn't surprise me if TBR released Yeley before the end of the season due to a lack of performance and sponsorship. I've also heard that TBR has been struggling financially recently, so they may go after a better driver like A.J. Allmendinger or even Bobby Labonte before the end of the season just to make having a second full-time car worthwhile. I like Yeley and he was impressive in the two restrictor plate races this season, but even for a TBR ride, his performance this year has been very underwhelming, especially in the passing category." It is true that Yeley might be out of a ride soon, but neither Allmendinger nor Labonte are going to settle for such a lower-tier ride. If they are forced to choose one of the lower-tier rides, Front Row Motorsports and BK Racing would be the top options available, with TBR a distant third. "If I were A.J., I wouldn't settle for anything less than a full-time Cup ride next season (unless Penske offers him a full-time Nationwide ride, in which case I would take it just because of the great possibility of winning a championship)." Well, I had predicted that A.J. would get a full-time Nationwide ride, so running a partial schedule with JTG Daugherty makes sense. Mark Martin could drive the races that conflicted with Allmendinger's Nationwide schedule, since he's not looking to retire, and JTG Daugherty is directly affiliated with Michael Waltrip Racing. "Kvapil wouldn't start-and-park. If BK Racing offered him such a ride, he would go back to Trucks full-time because he would pretty much be guaranteed a competitive ride due to his champion status, as well as his proven ability to be competitive in his limited starts in recent years (3rd place finish at Daytona '12 for RAB Racing)." First off, let me take over David's job as the "Nazi Fact-Checker" and say that Kvapil actually finished 4th at Daytona that year. Secondly, keep in mind that this race had 5 accidents which involved 4 or more trucks, so a top 5 at that race needs to come with an asterisk. Kvapil did have a strong truck that day, but he likely wouldn't have finished much better than 10th had it not been for the series of accidents. Also, remember what happened when he attempted to move back into Truck in 2011? In 10 starts, Kvapil had a best finish of 10th, with 3 finishes of 23rd or lower. Those aren't exactly impressive results. "I could see one of them going to BK Racing in 2014, but not both. I'm sure FRM or TBR will extend offers to both drivers for next season, as would Phoenix Racing if they don't fold like James Finch has stated several times (I won't believe it until it happens.). I doubt BK Racing would be able to afford both drivers after all the money they've spent since entering the sport, so I think it's likely that another small team will reach out and try signing one of them." Front Row Motorsports would likely be on that list if David Reutimann doesn't sign on. My guess is: FRM would be able to sign Burton, while BK Racing signs Labonte, both to 1 year deals. "I would be against it because Larson isn't a fully polished Nationwide driver right now, and another year in Nationwide would do wonders for improving him both as a driver and as a person, and I wouldn't want to risk him having a big head by leap-frogging over Trucks and having just one year of Nationwide under his belt before he moves up to Cup. It would be a damn shame if he gets a full-time Cup ride before his teammate Justin Allgaier, who I think is the most Cup ready Nationwide driver who hasn't raced in Cup before. I do think Larson is more talented, but at this point Allgaier is a better race car driver and is more deserving of a Cup ride after five years of consistent improvement in Nationwide." I'm against it as well, but at this point, I think the odds are fairly good that Larson gets bumped up, similar to how Logano got bumped up in 2009. And Sky Warrior, both Jamie McMurray and Juan Montoya are entering contract years. I see them keeping one of them, but not both, and Montoya has had better results over the last year or so, as well as having the most potential of the two. "I disagree, I think Ambrose re-signs with RPM, with Ragan staying at Front Row for another year." And I disagree with that. Ambrose has had a very mediocre season this year, with an average finish of 20.4 (22nd overall). Compare that to Ragan, who, in far inferior equipment, has an average finish of 27.3 (27th overall). I have a feeling RPM will let Ambrose go and either hire David Ragan (or potentially Trevor Bayne), or promote Michael Annett from Nationwide (he's not ready, but RPM needs spots in the lower series in order to run Ryan Truex and Corey LaJoie). "I think one of two things will happen: Roush will throw support behind the Wood Brothers and they will return to a full schedule with Bayne, or Bayne moves over to Roush who brings back the #6 for him, and Bobby Labonte gets the 21 ride, with a few races scheduled for Travis Pastrana" Pastrana? LOL. "-19-Mike Bliss: They'll return, mostly as a start-and-park team. They made the effort of transitioning from the Gen 5 to the Gen 6, I don't see them leaving after this year -44-Scott Riggs: See: Mike Bliss" I'm not so confident that the 44 team will return. They're reminding me of Larry Gunselman's 64/37 team from the last few years, running events for a couple of months, then suddenly stopping altogether for another couple of months, then running again. "-50-Justin Allgaier: Turner-Scott Motorsports makes the leap to the Cup series full time next year, as Allgaier isn't getting any younger" I could see that happening in 2015, but definitely not in 2014. Turner will probably run a few races next year with Allgaier, preparing for a full-time schedule in 2015. "-70-Johanna Long: I think ML Motorsports makes a few attempts with Johanna in the Cup series, maybe 5 max" Not gonna happen. ML Motorsports doesn't even have the funding to run the full schedule in Nationwide. Not to mention the fact that Johanna isn't even close to being ready. After maybe running a couple of full years in Nationwide, sure, I could see her running part-time in Cup (she certainly has a lot of talent), but she's too raw at the moment. "Why not rush Johanna to Cup? She can't do worse than the BoB." See above. "Chase Elliott will have a full time Nationwide ride next season because whatever Hendrick wants Hendrick gets." Actually, the only reason I didn't put Elliott in the Nationwide post is because I had completely forgotten about him by the time I had posted. I do think that Dick SpendPrick will want to bump him up to Nationwide next season, much like Steve Turner did with Kyle Larson this year. 815. Baker posted: 06.26.2013 - 12:10 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Where do these young racers get there start racing? I mean what type of series and at what age? I cannot find anything as far as a series to get my daughter into. She is only 13 months old right now so I have time. I wanted to get a feel for what is out there before buying anything. There used to be a great track here in Ohio called Bear Creek where they raced a "Mini" Sprint. It was basically a Go Kart fitted to look like a Sprint Car. The track no longer exist. I found a 4 wheeling place called Bear Creek, but they said they don't have a dirt race track. I want to find something for her to get into racing. I just don't know what age is too young and at the same time I don't want to wait too long either. I have ZERO intention of her becoming a big league driver or having her become the next Danica Patrick either. I just want her to have fun racing and get an earlier start than I did when I was a pup. 816. Mr X posted: 06.26.2013 - 12:15 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) That's very cool of Bobby Labonte to do that this weekend. On a side note I have a question, I feel like this may have been regaled already and maybe I'm ignorant but is Gil Martin moving over to SHR with Kevin Harvick next year? If he is that bodes well for them as Kevin's relationship with Gil is as stable as any driver crew chief relationship Kevin has ever had. They do produce good results together. 817. Jim Davis posted: 06.26.2013 - 12:19 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "70-Tony Raines/etc.: Team becomes a full-time start-and-park operation after the departure of Johanna Long." Ml Racing will continue to run a limited schedule or close down entirely. Owner Mary Louise Miller funds the team out of pocket to promote various causes. "Why not rush Johanna to Cup? She can't do worse than the BoB." She did worse than Patrick in Nationwide mainly due to an inferior team. I can't see that changing at the Cup level. Long would be very unlikely to land on a team better than SHR. 818. jabber1990 posted: 06.26.2013 - 12:20 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I thought it was already established that Harvicks car was going to re-evolve back into the 3 (whatever the word im looking for is) and I thought Caterpilliar was loyal to Burton, so wont he have a sponsor no matter where he goes? 819. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.26.2013 - 12:29 am Rate this comment: (0) (2) Speculation is fun! 2014 Sprint Cup 1 - Kyle Larson McMurray's contract expires, so Ganassi uses this as an excuse to replace him with Kyle Larson, way too soon. But Kyle can handle it. 2 - Brad Keselowski Unless he says something REALLY messed up and gets permanently banned from NASCAR, he'll be back. 5 - Kasey Kahne No changes. 7 - Jeff Burton Jeff will (or, at least, SHOULD) be available, and Blaney's been on a downward progression for some time now. 9 - Trevor Bayne I like Ambrose, but he hasn't been getting results since losing Todd Parrott. Roush will outsource Bayne after a top-5 Nationwide finish. 10 - Danica Patrick No changes for the ROTY runner-up, though I could see Stewart losing patience and Danica taking the GoDaddy money to EGR or another cash-strapped mid-tier team. 11 - Denny Hamlin No changes. 12 - Sam Hornish Jr. The Nationwide runner-up returns to full-time racing with a sponsorship package consisting of about 25 races, Penske Trucking will be on the car for the others. 13 - Casey Mears Has done nothing to lose his seat. 14 - Tony Stewart I don't think he'll fire himself, but I could be wrong. 15 - Clint Bowyer No changes. 16 - Greg Biffle No changes. 17 - Ricky Stenhouse Jr. No changes for the boyfriend of the ROTY runner-up. 18 - Kyle Busch Gibbs, an owner who is known for generally being one of the good guys, sure does have a habit of putting up with some rotten personalities. 19 - Mike Bliss No changes until the road courses. 20 - Matt Kenseth No changes. 21 - Michael McDowell After Bayne joins Petty Motorsports, the Wood Brothers choose McDowell for their part-time schedule. 22 - Joey Logano No changes. 24 - Jeff Gordon No changes, unless he decides to retire, which is a lot more of a possibility than it seems. If he does, then Regan Smith becomes the driver here (as a placeholder for Chase Elliott) and the number is changed to 25. 27 - Paul Menard Money talks. 29 - Austin Dillon I don't think Richard would really bring the #3 back just so his grandson could use it, but he's done some dumb things before. But Austin definitely moves up either way. 30 - David Reutimann This team is legitimately trying to compete I think, so they make a driver upgrade, even if somewhat minor. 31 - Kurt Busch He's only at Furniture Row because Childress negotiated it, this is the easiest call to make of all. 32 - Bobby Labonte Frankie Stoddard has formed a good relationship with the Labonte family over the past two years and Bobby ends up here where he rides around sub-25th for another full season. 33 - Landon Cassill/Ty Dillon Falk and RCR continue the number-sharing agreement but change to a new Dillon. 34 - David Ragan Unfortunately, I don't think Ragan can find a better ride. 35 - Josh Wise No changes. 36 - Travis Kvapil Travis' backmarker roulette continues... 38 - David Gilliland Same situation as Ragan. 39 - Ryan Newman Has a good enough relationship with sponsors to keep the ride for one more season, and that means more than his lackluster performance on the track. 41 - Kevin Harvick With Budweiser incoming, SHR will have enough money for a 4th car... never mind the fact that they only have the resources for 2! 42 - Regan Smith Juan's contract expires and I think he's getting tired of just riding around in crapmobiles. Regan is a good driver and I think even Chip can see that. 43 - Aric Almirola Too bad Aric can't find a better ride... 47 - A.J. Allmendinger The 5 race tryout turns into something more and he takes the seat full-time beginning late summer 2013. 48 - Jimmie Johnson I kind of have a feeling Lowe's will leave, but Johnson will be back. 51 - Brian Scott (R) Furniture Row Racing buys the remains of Phoenix Racing, Brian Scott buys the seat with his family's fortune. 55 - Brian Vickers The future Cup champ returns to the series full-time. 56 - Martin Truex Jr. No changes. 78 - Jamie McMurray Jamie McMurray joins after getting forced out at EGR. 83 - Elliott Sadler Elliott Sadler returns to Cup with a lackluster team. 87 - Joe Nemechek Joe continues to collect paychecks while sometimes attempting to race. 88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. No changes with the exception of the incoming new secret sponsor. 93 - Dave Blaney Blaney joins BK Racing after they lose Kvapil to Blaney's old team. 95 - Scott Speed Speed continues to ride around in the back for LFR for around half the season. 98 - JJ Yeley JJ Yeley becomes the new official Phil Parsons valet. 99 - Carl Edwards No changes. 820. murb posted: 06.26.2013 - 12:40 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I agree that Ambrose probably won't (and shouldn't) be back in the 9 car next year, but I don't think David Ragan will be the guy that replaces him (as much as I would love to see David get another shot in a good ride). I think the three people that are most likely to wind up in the 9 car if Ambrose leaves are Trevor Bayne, AJ Allmendinger, and Ryan Newman. Trevor seems like the obvious choice for me. He fits the Petty mold perfectly, and he's been ready for a full time Cup ride for about a year now. AJ has history at RPM, he's looking for a full time ride, and The King has been known to bring back past drivers before (he reunited with John Andretti after John originally left Petty in the mid 90s). It would be a win-win for AJ and RPM both. AJ gets a full time ride, and RPM gets someone good to pair with their young gun Almirola. And as for Newman, he's obviously one of the most coveted free agents for next year, so I think you can slot him into just about any ride that will be open (same with McMurray too). So yeah, I'd love to see David Ragan get a shot in the 9 car, but I just think that there are too many other options that are either slightly better than him or have more upside than he does. I'd personally like to see David stay another year at FRM and help that team grow even more. They've come quite far already since he's been there. 821. 18fan posted: 06.26.2013 - 12:43 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) If Childress gets his way he will bring in Newman to replace Harvick and then Austin Dillon would replace Burton and Kurt would stay in the 78. At least that's the way I interpreted what I read about Newman being Richard's #1 guy to replace Harvick. 822. David posted: 06.26.2013 - 12:47 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) He (83andJoe) quoted that line and I didn't? Inconceivable! "I cannot find anything as far a series to get my daughter into." You have a daughter? Darn. 823. JG24FanForever posted: 06.26.2013 - 3:12 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "even though he won the championship in 2000, he led the most laps in a race only one time, which was the second race of the season at Rockingham, which he won. To me, that's startling. A driver runs away with a championship in a year in which he leads the most laps in a race ONE time." Bobby Labonte only dominated 8 races in his career compared to the Modern record of 90 set by Jeff Gordon at Martinsville last spring. 8 races led most next to 21 wins is pretty damn low. Drivers that win more than dominate can be considered "conservative", where a driver with more dominated races than wins is an "aggressive" driver. Cale Yarborough dominated 100 races but his win total is 83. Aggressive. Brad Keselowski has won 9 times but only led the most laps 2 times. Conservative. Kyle Busch has dominated 37 races and won 26 times. Aggressive or Choke artist depending on the perspective opinion. 824. JG24FanForever posted: 06.26.2013 - 3:23 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Here's every driver with at least 10 dominated races in their career. The plus and minus system is how many more or fewer wins they have next to their dominated race total. Richard Petty 166 -34 Cale Yarborough 100 +17 David Pearson 97 -8 Jeff Gordon 90 +3 Bobby Allison 87 +2 Dale Earnhardt 84 +8 Darrell Waltrip 69 -15 Rusty Wallace 67 +12 Tony Stewart 58 +10 Jimmie Johnson 54 -9 Junior Johnson 51 +1 Bobby Isaac 44 +7 Mark Martin 42 +2 Bill Elliott 41 -3 Ned Jarrett 40 -10 Tim Flock 38 -1 Kyle Busch 37 +11 Buddy Baker 36 +17 Buck Baker 33 -13 Matt Kenseth 29 +2 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 27 +8 Fireball Roberts 26 -7 Curtis Turner 26 +9 Geoff Bodine 25 +7 Kurt Busch 25 +1 Denny Hamlin 25 +3 Jeff Burton 24 +6 Herb Thomas 24 -24 Harry Gant 23 +5 Fonty Flock 22 +3 Ernie Irvan 22 +7 Dale Jarrett 22 -10 Fred Lorenzen 22 -4 Terry Labonte 21 -1 Lee Petty 21 -33 Rex White 21 -7 Ricky Rudd 20 -3 Greg Biffle 19 = Jack Smith 19 -2 Speedy Thompson 19 -1 Davey Allison 17 -2 Neil Bonnett 16 -2 Kasey Kahne 16 +1 Benny Parsons 15 -6 Jim Paschal 15 -10 Dick Hutcherson 14 = Sterling Marlin 14 +4 Donnie Allison 13 +3 Carl Edwards 12 -8 Kevin Harvick 12 -8 Ryan Newman 11 -5 Marvin Panch 11 -6 Kyle Petty 11 +3 Tim Richmond 11 -2 LeeRoy Yarbrough 11 -3 Joe Weatherly 10 -15 This might not come out the way I have it configured, so I want to apologize ahead of gaff just in case. 825. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.26.2013 - 7:37 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Alas... don't mention Dick Hutcherson near me lest I go on a giant pro-Dick speech (every man needs one, no more, no less). 826. startandparkfan posted: 06.26.2013 - 8:58 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) #803, I was aware of that, I think they should return there. Now for my picks. 00 (was #55, changes back since the 55 was an anniversary thing for Aarons)- Brian Vickers full-time 02 - Justin Allgaier/Ryan Truex for Turner Scott Motorsports 04 - David Reutimann in TSM's second car 1 - Jamie McMurray 2 - Brad Keselowski 4 (was #39) - Kevin Harvick moves to SHR as planned. 5 - Kasey Kahne 6 (New Team) - Trevor Bayne for around 20 races, other drivers would fill the open races. (David Ragan etc.) 7 - Dave Blaney 9 - Marcos Ambrose 10 - Danica Patrick NASCAR would close down SHR if Stewart fired Patrick. 11 - Denny Hamlin 12 - Sam Hornish Jr. with Nationwide sponsors Alliance Truck Parts/Snap-On Tools 13 - Casey Mears 14 - Tony Stewart 15 - Clint Bowyer 16 - Greg Biffle 17 - Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 18 - Kyle Busch 19 - Mike Bliss/Road Course drivers. 20 - Matt Kenseth 21 - Michael McDowell/J.J. Yeley 2 drivers for poor teams fill a mid-level ride. 22 - Joey Logano 24 - Jeff Gordon 27 - Paul Menard 29 - Ryan Newman with sponsor Quicken Loans 30 - David Stremme 31 - Kurt Busch 32 - Timmy Hill 33 - Landon Cassill/Cole Whitt 34 - David Ragan 35 - Josh Wise 36 - Mark Martin scales back 38 - David Gilliland 42 - Juan Pablo Montoya 43 - Aric Almirola 44 closed 47 - A.J. Allmendinger 48 - Jimmie Johnson 51 closed 52 - Brian Keselowski 56 - Martin Truex Jr. 78 - Various Drivers 81 - Elliott Sadler Elliott Sadler does around 15 races in the Gibbs 4th car. 83 - Dave Blaney 87 - Joe Nemechek 88 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. 93 - Travis Kvapil 95 - Scott Speed 98 - Johnny Sauter 99 - Carl Edwards I'm probably forgetting some. 827. The Long Shot posted: 06.26.2013 - 9:19 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "29 - Austin Dillon I don't think Richard would really bring the #3 back just so his grandson could use it, but he's done some dumb things before. But Austin definitely moves up either way." Actually, it's all but a sure thing that Childress will bring the #3 back for his grandson. I hate the decision, as Dale Earnhardt is one of my all-time favorite drivers, but whatever Richard wants, Austin gets, I guess. "02 - Justin Allgaier/Ryan Truex for Turner Scott Motorsports 04 - David Reutimann in TSM's second car" Are you saying these are both full-time rides, because if you are, then I would have to highly disagree. Turner Scott has 1 race of Cup experience (the 2011 Coke Zero 400 with Bill Elliott), which isn't nearly enough to warrant them moving up to full-time Cup, let alone starting 2 teams. "6 (New Team) - Trevor Bayne for around 20 races, other drivers would fill the open races. (David Ragan etc.)" I believe Roush will hold off on Bayne moving up for one more year, so that he can replace Greg Biffle in the 16 when Biffle's contract runs out after the 2014 season. "36 - Mark Martin scales back" I'd be severely shocked if Mark signs with Tommy Baldwin Racing. Their equipment isn't anywhere close to being good enough for an experienced driver like Mark, who, despite being one of the classier drivers out there, has a bit of an ego when it comes to choosing rides. "2 - Brad Keselowski 4 (was #39) - Kevin Harvick moves to SHR as planned." I believe you forgot the 3 of Austin Dillon. He'll be running full-time next year for sure. 828. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.26.2013 - 11:05 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jabber, the term you are looking for is "continuing the legacy". Is that Donny Lia bucket still around? 829. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.26.2013 - 11:14 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) My thoughts: #00. Ryan Newman (moves to MWR) #03. Justin Allgaier (Turner Scott reverses the #30 and goes Cupping) #1. Jamie McMurray (returning) #2. Brad Keselowski (returning) #3. Austin Dillon (thus causing all media to perpetually wet themselves) #4. Kevin Harvick (formerly #39 team for Harvick) #5. Kasey Kahne (returning) #6. Trevor Bayne (new team) #7. Dave Blaney (he's top-30 in what most drivers would be running 37th in) #9. David Ragan (bye-bye Marcos, for now...) #10. Danica Patrick (agreed that NASCAR would force Tony to retire otherwise) #11. Denny Hamlin (returning) #12. Sam Hornish, Jr. (returning) #13. Casey Mears (returns and gets first top-5 with team) #14. Tony Stewart (duh!) #15. Clint Bowyer (returning) #16. Greg Biffle (retirement tour? Biffle IS 43 and the kind to exit on top, and Roush is trying REALLY hard to rush Chris Buescher) #17. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (ROY gets brought back) #18. Kyle Busch (returning) #19. Mike Bliss (probably his last year :[ ) #20. Matt Kenseth (returning) #21. Marcos Ambrose (sticks with Ford, but part-time) #22. Joey Logano (returning)0 #23. Robert Richardson (plate races only) #24. Jeff Gordon (duh!) #27. Paul Menard (returning) #29. Kurt Busch (moves from FRR) #30. David Stremme (he's part owner; can't fire himself) #31. Jeff Burton (retirement tour? seat-warming for Ty Dillon?) #32. Bobby Labonte/Ken Schrader/Terry Labonte (and so on...) #33. Landon Cassill/Ty Dillon (Landon loses 1-3 races for Ty) #34. David Ragan (returning) #35. Josh Wise (returning for first top-10 at a plate race) #36. J. J. Yeley (returning) #37. start and park extras for TBR #38. David Gilliland (returning) #40. Kyle Larson (2-5 races in extra Ganassi car) #42. Juan Pablo Montoya (returning) #43. Aric Almirola (#43 returns to victory lane at one of the 1.5s) #47. A. J. Allmendinger/Marcos Ambrose (Ambrose for non-Wood races; manufacturers allow it due to Ambrose's history with both teams) #48. Jimmie Johnson (I wish I could say retirement tour, but no; returning) #52. Brian Keselowski (3-4 races MAX) #55. Brian Vickers #56. Martin Truex, Jr. (returning) #78. Cole Whitt (Childress cuts funding because he got what he wanted, Kurt) #81. Elliott Sadler (part-time; precursor to Kligerman moving to this car) #83. David Reutimann (returning) #84. Chase Elliott (possibly make his debut late in year, otherwise no go) #88. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (duh!) #93. Parker Kligerman #99. Carl Edwards (returning) 830. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.26.2013 - 11:15 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) *passes Donny Lia bucket to DSFF* 831. JG24FanForever posted: 06.26.2013 - 11:16 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) "the term you are looking for is "continuing the legacy"" More like "discontinuing the legacy". 832. Anonymous posted: 06.26.2013 - 12:48 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) "27 - Paul Menard Money talks." That's not fair to Paul Menard. He's currently tied for 11th in the points (just 8 points out of 10th), and has been one of the most consistent finishers and passers all season. Sure he brings a lot of money to the table, but he's earned that ride. "30 - David Reutimann This team is legitimately trying to compete I think, so they make a driver upgrade, even if somewhat minor." I don't think that would be much of an upgrade at all actually. Reutimann basically fell off a cliff after his run with MWR, and both drivers currently have the same average finish for their small teams. Both drivers also know a lot about race cars and are able to give a lot of feedback to their teams about the cars, and both of them have "old school" racer's mindsets. The only change that would happen would be the price tag on the driver, which would go up if they drop the winless Stremme for the 2-time winner Reutimann, and I don't think the results will change positively enough to warrant that price tag. "39 - Ryan Newman Has a good enough relationship with sponsors to keep the ride for one more season, and that means more than his lackluster performance on the track." Seriously? Newman's been the most consistent SHR driver all season, and is one of the best in the business at improving his position on the race track in the latter stages of a race. In fact, if I may borrow some information from Motorsports Analytics, Newman is currently ranked 11th in PEER with a 2.063 rating (Stewart is right behind him at 1.906) and is ranked second only to A.J. Allmendinger in top 15 efficiency at +28.4%. The next highest driver in T15E who has run all 16 races is Carl Edwards, who has a T15E of +14.8%. And not only does he lead SHR in top ten finishes (7) and has flirted with the top 15 in points all season, but he's done so with a crew chief in Matt Borland whose heart hasn't been in it all season (Borland wants to work in the shop, not atop the pit box). Oh yeah, that's really lackluster performance on Newman's part... "55 - Brian Vickers The future Cup champ returns to the series full-time." In honor of Michael Waltrip, that should be Vickers' nickname from here on out. I think it would be an upgrade from being "The Sheriff," whatever that means. "AJ has history at RPM, he's looking for a full time ride, and The King has been known to bring back past drivers before." Not only that, but Penske Racing might just have some influence on that decision to put A.J. back in an RPM car. I could see them going the extra mile to ensure that A.J. stays within their Ford stable of drivers, even if it's with a different team. "Buddy Baker 36 +17 Buck Baker 33 -13" Like father unlike son. "02 - Justin Allgaier/Ryan Truex for Turner Scott Motorsports" It couldn't be Ryan Truex because he has an exclusive deal with RPM (as does Corey LaJoie). The only way Truex would be able to re-join Turner would be if RPM releases him from his developmental contract. "Turner Scott has 1 race of Cup experience (the 2011 Coke Zero 400 with Bill Elliott)" *2012 Coke Zero 400. 833. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.26.2013 - 12:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Thanks Nico. And yes, discontinung the legacy is more appropriate, but "continuing the legacy" is the media's mantra on this. Having that black #3 car brought back to Cup, driven by a guy who got roughed up by the conservative Trevor Bayne a few weeks ago is just so damn heart warming to those of us that pulled for Dale. 834. David posted: 06.26.2013 - 12:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @832 Hello Paul. I see you're back to using analytics. Nice job. 835. Baker posted: 06.26.2013 - 1:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (4) "That's not fair to Paul Menard. He's currently tied for 11th in the points (just 8 points out of 10th), and has been one of the most consistent finishers and passers all season. Sure he brings a lot of money to the table, but he's earned that ride." He is only 11th due to this crap point system that rewards not finishing poorly more so than it rewards finishing well. I would also put money on him and his family demanding the #27 car have the best equipment week in and week out from that stable. Paul Menard is by far the most arrogant self absorbed a-hole I have ever met in any form of racing. As much as everyone her dislikes Jimmie Johnson's camera personality let me tell you Paul Menard in person is 10 times worse. 836. Baker posted: 06.26.2013 - 1:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Since Hendrick is already at the 4 car limit I could see Stewart putting Chase Elliott in a 4th car next season for a handful of races. Obviously being funded by Hendrick though. 837. murb posted: 06.26.2013 - 1:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Paul Menard is by far the most arrogant self absorbed a-hole I have ever met in any form of racing." Seriously? I've never met him, but he seems like he'd be awesome. He's mellow, and he doesn't seem to have that giant ego that other drivers have. Maybe you mistook his "under the radar/boring" personality for "a-hole" personality. "Since Hendrick is already at the 4 car limit I could see Stewart putting Chase Elliott in a 4th car next season for a handful of races. Obviously being funded by Hendrick though." I think you can still run a fifth car part time if a rookie driver is behind the wheel, so maybe it would be for Hendrick. 838. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.26.2013 - 1:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "That's not fair to Paul Menard. He's currently tied for 11th in the points (just 8 points out of 10th), and has been one of the most consistent finishers and passers all season. Sure he brings a lot of money to the table, but he's earned that ride." I wasn't trying to say he hadn't earned the ride, because he has. All I am saying is, his performance ultimately has nothing to do with his status for next year (unless he starts crashing every weekend and causing a net loss for Childress, which I doubt). "I don't think that would be much of an upgrade at all actually. Reutimann basically fell off a cliff after his run with MWR, and both drivers currently have the same average finish for their small teams. Both drivers also know a lot about race cars and are able to give a lot of feedback to their teams about the cars, and both of them have "old school" racer's mindsets. The only change that would happen would be the price tag on the driver, which would go up if they drop the winless Stremme for the 2-time winner Reutimann, and I don't think the results will change positively enough to warrant that price tag." I personally think Reutimann is considerably better than David Stremme, but I say it's a minor upgrade because he isn't good enough to get much more out of the car. Stremme has had numerous opportunities in NASCAR and just hasn't been very good. He couldn't even finish in the top 30 in points in a fully-funded Penske car! "Seriously? Newman's been the most consistent SHR driver all season, and is one of the best in the business at improving his position on the race track in the latter stages of a race. In fact, if I may borrow some information from Motorsports Analytics, Newman is currently ranked 11th in PEER with a 2.063 rating (Stewart is right behind him at 1.906) and is ranked second only to A.J. Allmendinger in top 15 efficiency at +28.4%. The next highest driver in T15E who has run all 16 races is Carl Edwards, who has a T15E of +14.8%. And not only does he lead SHR in top ten finishes (7) and has flirted with the top 15 in points all season, but he's done so with a crew chief in Matt Borland whose heart hasn't been in it all season (Borland wants to work in the shop, not atop the pit box). Oh yeah, that's really lackluster performance on Newman's part..." Newman hasn't been terrible, but he's driving a Hendrick satellite car, and he's by far had the worst performance of any Hendrick or Stewart driver with a Y chromosome for the past couple of years. I think Stewart would be best served staying at 3 cars and replacing Newman but I doubt Stewart will let him go as long as the $$$ is coming in. Stewart's done a great job of attracting driver-sponsor packages the past few years (even if Danica really is just a sponsor-only package). Perhaps lackluster was the wrong word to use, but I think it would be difficult to say Newman would be one of the top 2 drivers at Stewart-Haas next season. I don't know about all the sabermetrics or crew chief speculation, I am just calling it as I see it. "In honor of Michael Waltrip, that should be Vickers' nickname from here on out. I think it would be an upgrade from being "The Sheriff," whatever that means." I have no idea why Vickers is nicknamed "The Sheriff" but he's probably more of a sheriff than a future Cup champ. 839. murb posted: 06.26.2013 - 1:52 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) A lot of people don't realize this, but Stremme is a minority owner of that 30 team. So I don't think he'll be going anywhere unless he either makes the decision himself to step out or if there is a massive falling out with ownership. 840. The Long Shot posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:04 pm Rate this comment: (1) (2) "#9. David Ragan (bye-bye Marcos, for now...) #34. David Ragan (returning)" Ummm...will David Ragan be inventing some sort of a time machine or something? Somehow, I don't think he can be in two places at once. "#93. Parker Kligerman" Unless it's for a partial schedule, I can't see Kligerman moving up to Cup next year. His potential is great, but he'll need another year in Nationwide before I can see him moving up. If Joe Gibbs starts a 4th team next year, I could see Kligerman and Elliott Sadler splitting races in that ride. "In honor of Michael Waltrip, that should be Vickers' nickname from here on out. I think it would be an upgrade from being "The Sheriff," whatever that means." It's unfortunate that no one gave James Hylton that nickname. Imagine him being announced in ARCA driver intros this year: "Ladies and gentlemen, the future Cup champ, James Harvey Hylton!!" "*2012 Coke Zero 400." You're right. It felt so long since Elliott's last start that I thought it was 2011. "Paul Menard is by far the most arrogant self absorbed a-hole I have ever met in any form of racing." Since when? Have you never heard of "Danica Hat-Trick", "5-Time Champion Prick", or "Cryle Busch"? (although Busch has admittedly mellowed out quite a bit this year) "I think you can still run a fifth car part time if a rookie driver is behind the wheel, so maybe it would be for Hendrick." Yep. I think the limit is 7 races. "Stremme has had numerous opportunities in NASCAR and just hasn't been very good. He couldn't even finish in the top 30 in points in a fully-funded Penske car!" 2009 was a throw-away year for that 12 team. Ryan Newman had left the team the year before, and all of his sponsors jumped ship with him, so in truth, the team actually wasn't very funded. Most of Penske's funds were going to Kurt Busch and Sam Hornish, so Stremme was really just a fill-in driver until they found a better option with sponsorship (cue Brad Keselowski). 841. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sorry about that guys... I didn't realize I had Ragan in two places.. 842. startandparkfan posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "It couldn't be Ryan Truex because he has an exclusive deal with RPM" I forgot about Truex's contract with RPM. "Are you saying these are both full-time rides, because if you are, then I would have to highly disagree." Forgot to say- the 04 is part time. "I believe you forgot the 3 of Austin Dillon. He'll be running full-time next year for sure." I did forget. 843. David posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:14 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) "I would also put money on him and his family demanding the #27 car have the best equipment week in and week out from that stable. Paul Menard is by far the most arrogant self absorbed a-hole I have ever met in any form of racing. As much as everyone her dislikes Jimmie Johnson's camera personality let me tell you Paul Menard in person is 10 times worse." Huh?!?!?! "He is only 11th due to this crap point system that rewards not finishing poorly more so than it rewards finishing well." He speaks the truth, folks. Want proof? If Kyle Busch could earn points in Nationwide, he'd be second with 467 points, 28 points behind Regan Smith, despite having three more wins than Smith and 6 more top-fives. 844. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:18 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) Shrubby hasn't run every race; that's why he's second. Has anyone else noticed that every time Scott Riggs is entered in the #44 it's almost ALWAYS in rounds where there would otherwise be a short field? 845. Baker posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:20 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I've never met Kurt, Kyle, Danica, Jimmie, Denny or many of the others. I mostly go to WoO, USAC and local dirt tracks. Of the guys I have met Paul Menard was hands down the biggest d-bag. I have met John Force, Steve Kinser, Sammy and Kevin Swindell and pretty much every other outlaw the last 15 years. I have met Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon, Ken Schradder, Kyle Larson, Dale, Dave and Ryan Blaney, Frank Kimmel, Bill Elliott and coolest racer I've ever got to talk to Gary Scelzi. Side Note: As much as I hate everything Hendrick and didn't like the dominance of Gordon he was one of the nicest racers I have ever met and a really cool guy. 846. David posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Shrubby hasn't run every race; that's why he's second." Still, he's only skipped TWO races. Should that overcome the advantage of three wins and 6 top-fives? 847. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And this week's bitchfest is brought to you by Baker! 848. Baker posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:29 pm Rate this comment: (2) (2) Sorry someone had to say it. He is not a nice guy He is not deserving of his ride His family money bought his way into the sport. DSFF has a bitchfest about Joey Logano every time he wins a Nationwide race for the same reasons. At least Joey Logano has proven he has talent at some level. 849. ch posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "30 - David Reutimann This team is legitimately trying to compete I think, so they make a driver upgrade, even if somewhat minor." I don't see Stremme being replaced, especially since he's a part owner. 850. The Long Shot posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "At least Joey Logano has proven he has talent at some level." And Menard hasn't? He's 11th in points this year, and he does have a victory to his credit (which, unlike Logano's first victory, was not in a rain-shortened event). If that doesn't sway you, he's completed all but 6 laps this season. That's consistency for you. 851. David posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Side Note: As much as I hate everything Hendrick and didn't like the dominance of Gordon he was one of the nicest racers I have ever met and a really cool guy." *appears to change mind quickly* Baker is a good man. We should believe him! "Has anyone else noticed that every time Scott Riggs is entered in the #44 it's almost ALWAYS in rounds where there would otherwise be a short field?" No, I haven't. 852. ch posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) @844, That's because the team has gone through the schedule, and they ony plan on attempting races that the 21 and the 95 aren't. That way, the team is a lock for the races. 853. Baker posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Is there a list of the drivers who are free agents after this season? I couldn't find it on jayski where I have seen it before. I figure Ryan Newman and Jamie McMurray. I'm unsure abut Jeff Burton, Marcos Ambrose, and Greg Biffle. 854. ch posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:57 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Per Jayski's silly season chart, the following are free agents after 2013... 1 - Jamie McMurray 7 - Dave Blaney 9 - Marcos Ambrose 31 - Jeff Burton 32 - Timmy Hill 33 - Landon Cassill 34 - David Ragan 35 - Josh Wise 36 - JJ Yeley 38 - David Reutimann 39 - Ryan Newman 42 - Juan Pablo Montoya 43 - Aric Almirola 47 - Bobby Labonte 55 - Mark Martin 78 - Kurt Busch 83 - David Reutimann 93 - Travis Kvapil 95 - Scott Speed 98 - Michael McDowell Biffle and 3M are signed through 2014. 855. ch posted: 06.26.2013 - 2:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) *38 - David Gilliland (wrong David) 856. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.26.2013 - 4:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Baker, I don't like Menard being in any Series. Never met him, so I can't speak to that, and I guess I would bitch more about his NWide starts if he actually won races there (or anywhere lol). Don't mistake my silence on him as approval. Also, when did you meet Jeff? Seems like everyone I've talked to that met him early in his career didn't like him at all, but recently there have been good things said. 857. Baker posted: 06.26.2013 - 5:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Don't remember exactly when, but it was after 2002 and before 2005. I remember this because I was jokingly telling him Stewart would get 3 more to catch him before he got 3 more to catch Earnhardt. 858. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.26.2013 - 5:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "2009 was a throw-away year for that 12 team. Ryan Newman had left the team the year before, and all of his sponsors jumped ship with him, so in truth, the team actually wasn't very funded. Most of Penske's funds were going to Kurt Busch and Sam Hornish, so Stremme was really just a fill-in driver until they found a better option with sponsorship (cue Brad Keselowski)." No, that's not completely true. If you'll remember, Verizon bought Alltel either during the season before or the offseason before. Sprint would not allow Verizon to assume sponsorship due to the grandfather clause, but Verizon still honored Alltel's contract and paid Penske sponsorship money, and the car ran black with red stripes. They also sponsored the Busch Series effort that season for Justin Allgaier, and the Verizon logos DID appear on the car there. Verizon also sponsored the car in 2010 with Whinin' Brad behind the wheel, though Dodge gave the team a little more money and AAA switched some races from the 77 to the 12. Stremme may have been a seatwarmer but the funding wasn't substantially different. Neither were the results actually, Brad wasn't a successful Cup driver until he was paired with Paul Wolfe. So I don't know, maybe Stremme would have succeeded if Paul Wolfe instead became his crew chief, but I never really saw much in him. 859. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.26.2013 - 5:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "A lot of people don't realize this, but Stremme is a minority owner of that 30 team. So I don't think he'll be going anywhere unless he either makes the decision himself to step out or if there is a massive falling out with ownership." You're right, I did not realize this before. My mistake. 860. David posted: 06.26.2013 - 6:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "First off, let me take over David's job as the "Nazi Fact-Checker"" It is not a mere job; I am der Fuehrer! 861. Benjamin Lowe posted: 06.26.2013 - 6:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Enjoying Myrtle Beach DSFF. 862. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.26.2013 - 6:28 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I just found a pretty interesting article on Frontstretch. Definitely worth checking out: http://www.frontstretch.com/tbowles/43395/ 863. The Long Shot posted: 06.26.2013 - 6:29 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "It is not a mere job; I am der Fuehrer!" Well, as long as you don't run the Jews out of Kansas with your fact-checking ways, I don't mind. 864. The Long Shot posted: 06.26.2013 - 6:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) (watches Fuehrer David march forward with his army of fact-checkers) Aunty Em, are you sure we're not in Poland anymore? 865. The Long Shot posted: 06.26.2013 - 7:03 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) To webmaster: An idea that I had is that, below the DNQ lists on these race pages, put a list of teams that withdrew from the event before the race started. I'll be going back and posting some of this information, going back as far as I can (or at least as far as Jayski will let me). Anyways, I just thought I'd suggest it, though I'm sure this would be just more work for you. Withdrew: none 866. 83andJoe posted: 06.26.2013 - 7:05 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Well, depending on /when/ a team withdrew, sometimes they're officially listed as 'DNQ'; if they withdrew before the race weekend started, though, they have no official standing. 867. 83andJoe posted: 06.26.2013 - 7:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) >His family money bought his way into the sport. And the problem with this is? 868. The Long Shot posted: 06.26.2013 - 7:13 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Well, depending on /when/ a team withdrew, sometimes they're officially listed as 'DNQ'" Sometimes, yes. Most of the time, though, they aren't, at least not in recent years. 869. jabber1990 posted: 06.26.2013 - 8:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I have a great way to "continue the legacy" without pissing everyone off put austin in the 03, that way you still have the 3, and its still the same team on top of that, Austin Dillon and Dale Earnhardt knew each other, so its not like Austin Dillion is a stranger driving Dales car. we all know the friendship Dale and Childress had. and what I meant by "re-evolve" is simple, the 29 was the 3 car, well its changing numbers back into the 3. so maybe "re-evolve" was the wrong word, I should have said "renumbered" 870. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.26.2013 - 8:34 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Re-evolve is the best word given that the number switch was de-evolving anyway... hell, I think the only insult left at this point is to suggest letting Ricky Rudd drive the 3 with his and Dale's relationship. "Of course Ricky is the exception! Ricky Rudd is the toughest son of a b*tch to ever set a wheel on the track!" 871. jabber1990 posted: 06.26.2013 - 8:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) oh, im sure we probably don't know the answer, is Paul Menard heir to the Menards throne? 872. Chives5150 posted: 06.26.2013 - 8:56 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Of course he is! He's king of the Paul Menard Empire! 873. David posted: 06.26.2013 - 9:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) No, Chives, Paul is the prince; John is the king, though he may have to abdicate his throne in light of recent allegations. 874. cjs3872 posted: 06.26.2013 - 9:22 pm Rate this comment: (6) (0) 83andJoe, Paul Menard might have bought his way into NASCAR through his father John, but the plain truth is that he has proved that he belongs, unlike a number of other drivers that have bought their way into big-time racing. He may never be able to run at the very front of the field, but he can always be counted on to finish, and usually in the teens, with an occasional top ten, with a team the caliber of RCR, and most importantly, he doesn't wreck very often, which makes any car owner happy, because that means the team he drivers for can concentrate on building new cars and making the ones they have better, instead of having to rebuild wrecked cars, unlike what some teams have to do in regards to rebuilding cars for wreck-prone drivers. 875. Paul posted: 06.27.2013 - 1:01 am Rate this comment: (4) (0) I remember hearing Kyle Petty say in regards to Paul Menard last season something along the lines of "Money will get you into this sport, but it takes talent to stay in it." Sure he has money, but so do a lot of drivers who never make it far for very long in this sport because they didn't have the talent to stay in a good ride. Menard is probably the perfect active example of a complimentary number 2 or 3 driver for a competitive team: He consistently finishes inside the top 15-20, with the occasional top ten or top five run, doesn't wreck or tear up equipment, and isn't a distraction or a team cancer behind closed doors. Not to mention the fact that he brings in a lot of money to help fund the team as a whole, which along with his consistent ability to bring the car home in one piece helps the team build newer and better race cars for their top driver (Kevin Harvick right now, Kurt Busch maybe in the future) to excel in and contend for the championship. There's no shame in being a consistent teens finisher at the Cup level, especially when those teens finishes and clean looking race cars help the rest of the team grow as a result. That's exactly what Paul Menard is, and while he may not be super talented or anything like that, he does his job and he does it well, and he's completely deserving of the ride he's in right now. "Stremme is a minority owner of that 30 team." I know that he owned Inception Motorsports (the precursor to Swan Racing), but I wasn't sure if he had sold the entire team or just a majority stake to new majority owner Brandon Davis, which is why I didn't include this in my argument in favor of keeping Stremme in the #30 car. 876. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.27.2013 - 6:34 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Don't knock Menard. He's not the best, but he's good enough to drive for a Childress or Roush, but his only advantage is that he has his dad's money to ensure he gets the ride he deserves, but he deserves it nevertheless. 877. Baker posted: 06.27.2013 - 6:44 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Maybe I just met Paul on a bad day then. All I know is that he was a prick, and I asked around about him and got a lot of the same responses from racers. Wasn't well respected and came off as very arrogant in the garage. I also don't have Cup connections so it could have been the little guys feeling like he was arrogant toward them as my biggest "reference" is Tim Cowen who only did start and parks a few years in Trucks. 878. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.27.2013 - 8:42 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I've heard similar stories about Paul. What I hear from RCR employees I know is that he pretty much never interacts with his team. He knows with his sponsorship he'll have a ride, so he really doesn't care. And I know he keeps his equipment intact and has managed some decent points finishes, but you could say the same about Michael Waltrip from 1990-1995. I think he has played the RCR system perfectly. Let's face it, has he really been the 12th best driver this year? He has a lot of "Vulture" in him too. Its just Kevin is so much better, he can get wins out of it. 879. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.27.2013 - 9:12 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) There are 9 drivers lower than Paul in points who have as many or more top-10s than he has; there are 13 drivers lower than Paul who have a top-5. He just brings the car home though. 880. David posted: 06.27.2013 - 10:59 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Still, he's only skipped TWO races. Should that overcome the advantage of three wins and 6 top-fives?" Check that statement; Busch has skipped three races, and he has an advantage of four wins and six top-fives. With 467 points, he would be behind Regan Smith by 40 points. Sieg heil! 881. Baker posted: 06.27.2013 - 11:00 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) There are also 5 I believe drivers lower than him with a higher average finish. Like I said this bogus point system rewards more for no having a horrible day than it does for having a good-great day. Joey Logano I noticed has the 9th highest average finish, yet he is way down at 14th in the points. Kasey Kahne has a win and 3 seconds with a ton of laps led and he is tied with Paul Menard. The point system is a flat out joke, and IMO by far the worst thing about NASCAR right now. I would honestly rather see them fix that before fixing the Chase. 882. David posted: 06.27.2013 - 11:39 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Joey Logano I noticed has the 9th highest average finish, yet he is way down at 14th in the points." Two words: Texas penalty. Without it, he'd be eighth (ninth if Keselowski wasn't penalized, either). 883. David posted: 06.27.2013 - 11:57 am Rate this comment: (6) (0) "The point system is a flat out joke, and IMO by far the worst thing about NASCAR right now. I would honestly rather see them fix that before fixing the Chase." Wow. You must really hate it then. I happen to agree almost completely with you. The point system is so dumbed down from what it once was. The shocking thing is, when they announced the changes from the old Latford system, the articles that discussed the change called the old system "arcane" and "confusing". Even some of the drivers chimed in. Brian France said it was "hard to describe for ourselves". That's funny, I understood it perfectly. A lowly fan from Kansas (among others, I'm sure) understood the points system and the /sanctioning body couldn't?!?!?!?!?!?!/ 884. Baker posted: 06.27.2013 - 12:14 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) I totally forgot about Logano's penalties. archaic and confusing to the teeny bopper fans of Danica Patrick maybe. 885. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.27.2013 - 12:51 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) I fully understand criticisms of the points system, but I don't understand criticizing it because a guy who missed 3 out of 14 races (over 20%) wouldn't be the points leader if he could earn points. And actually, this system is MUCH more friendly to drivers who miss races than the previous one. If they used the old system, a driver in Nationwide would get 43 points just for starting compared to a max of 190 for the winner, while now it's a minimum of 4 and a max of 48. Under the old system, it would have taken a 27th place finish or so to make up the disadvantage of missing a race over a backmarker who showed up, while it only takes a finish it would only take a 36th or so with the current one. But I guess you all would be happy if NASCAR goes to the F1 points system and anyone without a chance of a top 10 just starts and parks and only 15-20 drivers are running at the finish. 886. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.27.2013 - 1:00 pm Rate this comment: (5) (0) Of course Brian didn't understand the points system, he doesn't understand anything about NASCAR. He didn't understand why it was such a bad idea to have a system that resets for the final 10 races. 887. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.27.2013 - 1:04 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) I'm sure Brian France doesn't understand how the Chase works, and he invented it! 888. AveryNH posted: 06.27.2013 - 1:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) In other non points related news, Arca driver, Maryeve Dufault is expected to replace Jeffrey Earnhardt at Go Green Racing at some point later this season. No word on whether this is permanent or just spot duty, but it's worth keeping an eye on as the season rolls on. 889. David posted: 06.27.2013 - 1:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "And actually, this system is MUCH more friendly to drivers who miss races than the previous one." But the previous one wasn't much of a points system, either. It was designed to get teams to run the full schedule. It accomplished that, but not much else. "But I guess you all would be happy if NASCAR goes to the F1 points system..." It at least rewards winning and consistent high finishes. "...and anyone without a chance of a top 10 just starts and parks and only 15-20 drivers are running at the finish." This is one of the reasons why I believe that every driver in the field should get points. Now, in the points system I designed, starting at 26th-place (8 points), every third position drops a point. That way, everyone gets points, yet the reward for finishing mid-pack on back is minimized. 890. David posted: 06.27.2013 - 1:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Of course Brian didn't understand the points system, he doesn't understand anything about NASCAR. He didn't understand why it was such a bad idea to have a system that resets for the final 10 races." That's why the nickname for him, "Brainless Brian", is a stroke of genius (did murb come up with it?). 891. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.27.2013 - 1:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'd love to see NASCAR use a formula one style points system, only with points being limited to the top 15 because too many drivers go back out on track riding around at 10 mph after a crash and occasionally cause trouble. Still need the payout for 43 drivers, but points for fewer. 892. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.27.2013 - 1:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If Brian got stupider, they'd have to invent negative IQs... 893. David posted: 06.27.2013 - 1:38 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "If Brian got stupider, they'd have to invent negative IQs..." They haven't already? 894. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.27.2013 - 1:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) You're right, David, anybody named France or Kennedy (both NASCAR and politically) already has a negative IQ. 895. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.27.2013 - 1:45 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Here's my ideal points system: 1st : 50 2nd : 40 3rd : 35 4th : 32 5th : 30 6th : 29 7th : 28 1 point increments continue through 25th 25th - 43rd : 10 This would heavily reward drivers who race for the win, while at the same time rewarding top 5 finishes. Drivers who finish worse than 24th all get the same amount of points, so no one would have to bring a slow piece of junk back onto the track to try to gain 2 or 3 points. And every driver who makes the race gets a substantial reward for making the race compared to drivers who miss it or don't show up. I would not give points for leading a lap because I personally think staying out an extra lap after the leaders pit to lead one lap is a cheap gimmick and has nothing to do with racing. Of course, this would encourage start-and-parking for backmarker teams, and I would address this through changing the purse distribution. To start with, I would standardize the system because it's ridiculous how some drivers finish 35th and make more than drivers who finish 15th. 1st: 5% of total purse 2nd: 3.5% 3rd: 3.2% 4th: 3% 5th: 2.8% 6th: 2.7% 7th: 2.6% 8th: 2.5% 9th: 2.475% 10th: 2.45% Increments of .025% continue through 28th 28th: 2% 29th: 1.995% Increments of .005% continue through 43rd: 43rd: 1.925% This adds up to 99.45%, and I would distribute the remaining .55% to lap leaders proportionally by percentage of laps led. It wouldn't make much of a difference to randomly lead one lap, but it would reward dominant performances over the course of a season. The catch is, that the winnings would only be earned based on how much of the race you complete. If you complete 10 laps in a 500 lap race, you earn 1/50th of the money you are allotted, or 2% of that. This would make start-and-parking absolutely unfeasible (2% of 1.925% of a $5,000,000 purse is only $1,925), but by running the whole race, they can make much more than they previously would have by start-and-parking, and it should be enough to cover much of the added expenses. By my math, it would take running 60-70% of the race by this system to earn what the start-and-parkers currently earn. And I believe this is a very fair system for teams who actually attempt to run the full distance even if they aren't competitive, as they'll earn a minimum of 95% of the allotted money even if they fall 10 laps behind in a 200 lap race. Any unearned money would either go into the end-of-season points fund, go to charitable causes, or be distributed through the entire field equally. 896. 83andJoe posted: 06.27.2013 - 1:47 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) AveryNH: Dufault's deal is just for one race at this time. 897. jabber1990 posted: 06.27.2013 - 1:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I am probably the only one who says i'd like to see a driver with less wins be the champion over somebody with more wins. i'd love to see a driver with 1 or less wins be a champion 898. David posted: 06.27.2013 - 2:03 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "anybody named France or Kennedy (both NASCAR and politically) already has a negative IQ." Ooooh, you might have lit the fuse, there. Not that I would argue with you, though. "Here's my ideal points system: 1st : 50 2nd : 40 3rd : 35 4th : 32 5th : 30 6th : 29 7th : 28 1 point increments continue through 25th 25th - 43rd : 10 This would heavily reward drivers who race for the win, while at the same time rewarding top 5 finishes. Drivers who finish worse than 24th all get the same amount of points, so no one would have to bring a slow piece of junk back onto the track to try to gain 2 or 3 points. And every driver who makes the race gets a substantial reward for making the race compared to drivers who miss it or don't show up. I would not give points for leading a lap because I personally think staying out an extra lap after the leaders pit to lead one lap is a cheap gimmick and has nothing to do with racing." Good system. Have you calculated the standings yet? "Of course, this would encourage start-and-parking for backmarker teams, and I would address this through changing the purse distribution." Speaking of the purse, why is it that you can't find base earnings (i.e., winnings before contingencies and prize money plans are added in) for ANY race?? 899. Baker posted: 06.27.2013 - 2:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I fully understand criticisms of the points system, but I don't understand criticizing it because a guy who missed 3 out of 14 races (over 20%) wouldn't be the points leader if he could earn points. And actually, this system is MUCH more friendly to drivers who miss races than the previous one. If they used the old system, a driver in Nationwide would get 43 points just for starting compared to a max of 190 for the winner, while now it's a minimum of 4 and a max of 48. Under the old system, it would have taken a 27th place finish or so to make up the disadvantage of missing a race over a backmarker who showed up, while it only takes a finish it would only take a 36th or so with the current one. But I guess you all would be happy if NASCAR goes to the F1 points system and anyone without a chance of a top 10 just starts and parks and only 15-20 drivers are running at the finish." Put your theory to the test and you were wrong. Kyle Busch would have scored 1912 under the old point system to Regan Smith's 2039 a different of 127 points. Just for a refresher Kyle Busch would trail Regan Smith by 40 under the current system. The 127 point different under the old point system is only a difference of 1st to 32nd in comparison to a difference of 1st to 36th under the current system. If the old point system were still in place and Kyle Busch did make those 3 starts he would simply have to average a 40th place finish to keep pace. In the same 3 starts under this new system he would have to run an average of 30th. Which again is more proof of how the new system rewards more for not having terrible days than it does for having a good-great day. 900. Baker posted: 06.27.2013 - 2:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I am probably the only one who says i'd like to see a driver with less wins be the champion over somebody with more wins. i'd love to see a driver with 1 or less wins be a champion" If he flat out kicked buy with runner-ups and Top 5s then, yeah, I would be okay with a 0 or 1 win champion. I mean if a guy runs 28 Top 5s and 30 Top 10s with a worst finish of 20th how can you say he wasn't good enough to be champion? 901. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.27.2013 - 3:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) 1 (1) Jimmie Johnson 471 2 (2) Carl Edwards 428 3 (4) Kevin Harvick 426 4 (5) Matt Kenseth 410 5 (3) Clint Bowyer 408 6 (8) Kyle Busch 397 7 (6) Greg Biffle 381 8 (11) Kasey Kahne 381 9 (7) Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 379 10 (10) Martin Truex, Jr. 372 11 (9) Brad Keselowski 366 12 (13) Jeff Gordon 353 13 (14) Joey Logano 345 14 (15) Tony Stewart 327 15 (17) Kurt Busch 322 16 (18) Ryan Newman 320 17 (12) Paul Menard 303 18 (16) Aric Almirola 303 19 (20) Jeff Burton 279 20 (19) Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (R) 277 21 (23) Juan Pablo Montoya 276 22 (22) Marcos Ambrose 271 23 (21) Jamie McMurray 270 24 (25) Denny Hamlin 239 25 (26) Mark Martin 234 26 (24) Casey Mears 228 27 (29) David Ragan 213 28 (27) Danica Patrick (R) 203 29 (28) David Gilliland 203 30 (30) Bobby Labonte 192 31 (35) Travis Kvapil 178 32 (32) David Reutimann 177 33 (34) J. J. Yeley 176 34 (31) Dave Blaney 174 35 (33) David Stremme 168 36 (57) Josh Wise 166 37 (37) Michael McDowell 160 38 (59) Joe Nemechek 140 39 (58) Landon Cassill 133 40 (54) Brian Vickers 120 41 (36) A. J. Allmendinger 112 42 (53) Regan Smith 112 43 (39) Scott Speed 98 44 (63) Mike Bliss 90 45 (56) Trevor Bayne 88 46 (38) Timmy Hill(R) 80 47 (55) Austin Dillon 68 48 (46) Scott Riggs 50 49 (40) Michael Waltrip 45 50 (42) Ken Schrader 40 51 (41) Terry Labonte 30 52 (43) Boris Said 17 53 (44) Ron Fellows 13 54 (45) Justin Marks 10 55 (47) Victor Gonzalez, Jr. 10 56 (48) Tomy Drissi 10 57 (49) Brian Keselowski 10 58 (50) Alex Kennedy 10 59 (51) Jacques Villeneuve 10 60 (52) Jason Leffler 10 61 (60) Sam Hornish, Jr. 10 62 (61) Paulie Harraka 10 63 (62) Elliott Sadler 10 64 (64) Jason Bowles 0 Standings by the points system I posted earlier. I hope this formatting is OK. Number in parentheses is the position by the current NASCAR format 902. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.27.2013 - 3:35 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Put your theory to the test and you were wrong. Kyle Busch would have scored 1912 under the old point system to Regan Smith's 2039 a different of 127 points. Just for a refresher Kyle Busch would trail Regan Smith by 40 under the current system. The 127 point different under the old point system is only a difference of 1st to 32nd in comparison to a difference of 1st to 36th under the current system. If the old point system were still in place and Kyle Busch did make those 3 starts he would simply have to average a 40th place finish to keep pace. In the same 3 starts under this new system he would have to run an average of 30th. Which again is more proof of how the new system rewards more for not having terrible days than it does for having a good-great day." Kyle is a little farther back from Regan by the new system because Regan is always at the front. That's not rewarding him for having "not terrible" days, because that hasn't really been a concern for him, Road America was his first finish worse than 14th. But Kyle also would have more distance on the other guys who aren't in the top 10 every race under the new system. 903. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.27.2013 - 4:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Speaking of "other Kennedys", I've always wondered if JFK had a feeling he was being set up on that day 40 years ago. Open limo, buildings, knolls, and overpasses galore? He was so exposed that some doophus, a military reject, damn near hit him using a piece of shit bolt action rifle (hitting the Texas governor in the seat right in front of him) from hundreds of feet away at a horrible angle. 904. TeamPlayersBlue posted: 06.27.2013 - 4:27 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) FOX has just destroyed non-NASCAR Motorsports in the United States, congratulations. 905. ch posted: 06.27.2013 - 4:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "FOX has just destroyed non-NASCAR Motorsports in the United States, congratulations." Did they just announce something today, or is this just in general? 906. JRacingFast posted: 06.27.2013 - 5:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) So im watching Truck Qualifying and ive noticed that Kentucky Speedway painted its walls.....an odd colored green.... 907. TeamPlayersBlue posted: 06.27.2013 - 5:20 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) I bet Boss Hog Bruton will think the green walls will make the racing better. 908. The Long Shot posted: 06.27.2013 - 5:32 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "You're right, David, anybody named France or Kennedy (both NASCAR and politically) already has a negative IQ." Actually, NRF, if you look back in history, Kennedy was really one of our better presidents. He was an influential leader in the civil rights movement, his handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis might go down as one of the best foreign policy moves a president has ever had to make, he created the Peace Corps, officially started the Apollo program, turned around the economy, and in general was a strong and popular leader. The only major negative blemish on his record was the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. So if you're insinuating that Kennedy was one of our worst presidents, then you'd be dead wrong. "In other non points related news, Arca driver, Maryeve Dufault is expected to replace Jeffrey Earnhardt at Go Green Racing at some point later this season. No word on whether this is permanent or just spot duty, but it's worth keeping an eye on as the season rolls on." Oh dear God. Trevor Bayne's worst nightmare just came true. "Speaking of "other Kennedys", I've always wondered if JFK had a feeling he was being set up on that day 40 years ago. Open limo, buildings, knolls, and overpasses galore? He was so exposed that some doophus, a military reject, damn near hit him using a piece of shit bolt action rifle (hitting the Texas governor in the seat right in front of him) from hundreds of feet away at a horrible angle." I've heard that Kennedy had been warned not to go to Dallas before the shooting, so it's possible that he had some sort of suspicion that fateful day. Again, if anyone has Truck picks that they want to post, go ahead and post them on 24over48's old blog. I'm not sure where in the world he's disappeared to. 909. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.27.2013 - 5:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I was thinking more of the Sen. Kennedy's... I come from a family where Kennedy is a worse swear than f*ck. 910. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.27.2013 - 5:46 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Isn't Maryeve Dufault a wrecking ball? 911. 83andJoe posted: 06.27.2013 - 5:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) NRF: She did spin at Road America in her one race so far and wound up stuck in the middle of the track with the field barely missing her, but that was more the fault of the corner workers who just stood there staring at her car instead of waving the yellow flags than hers. 912. The Long Shot posted: 06.27.2013 - 5:51 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) "I come from a family where Kennedy is a worse swear than f*ck." Well, I can suppose I can relate, albeit from the opposite end of the political spectrum. Mention one word about Bush (mostly Dubya), Michelle O'Bachmann (the representative of my district, unfortunately), or Palin, and my dad will almost always go into a rant about what idiots they all are. Myself, I can't stand Bachmann or Palin, but I'm not far enough to the left to say that Bush was the worst president of all-time. He's not very far up the list, but I can think of at least half-a-dozen presidents that were worse than him. In short, I'm fairly middle-of-the-road politically, kind of a liberal-minded progressive. 913. murb posted: 06.27.2013 - 5:54 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Dufault has done okay in Arca I think. I don't really expect much from her in NNS though. 914. The Long Shot posted: 06.27.2013 - 5:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Did 3 teams not attempt times or something? Because I'm looking at the leaderboard, and Moffitt, Lafferty, and Jones are listed as having no time. 915. murb posted: 06.27.2013 - 5:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Moffitt crashed, but I don't know about the other guys. 916. AveryNH posted: 06.27.2013 - 6:11 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Truck qualifying just ended. Ryan Blaney is your pole winner. 917. 18fan posted: 06.27.2013 - 6:11 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) The Dufault incident was at Montreal. 918. Chives5150 posted: 06.27.2013 - 6:16 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) My man Jeff Agnew! 919. 83andJoe posted: 06.27.2013 - 6:24 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Yeah, Montreal. My bad, thanks 18Fan. 920. Baker posted: 06.27.2013 - 6:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) I know most of you really really really don't like Kyle Busch, but wouldn't it be a little cool to watch Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski run 1-2 with great fights to the finish in all 3 races this weekend? 921. Baker posted: 06.27.2013 - 6:37 pm Rate this comment: (1) (1) I think if Kyle Busch could ever get his head on straight and learn to focus under pressure Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski would be a great rivalry the sport has lacked for a very long time. 922. Dave#38 Fan-Go Gilliland! posted: 06.27.2013 - 6:44 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "but wouldn't it be a little cool to watch Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski run 1-2 with great fights to the finish in all 3 races this weekend?" No, they shouldn't even be allowed to race in the truck and NNS races so I hope they're both nofactors in thos races, a duel between those two for the cup race would be good though. 923. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.27.2013 - 7:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm a huge Brad fan, but I hope neither him nor Kyle factor in the win tonight or tomorrow night. I'm a bigger fan of Cup guys staying in their own Series. I'm lucky, I come from a pretty non political family. I remember once they were asking drivers if they were Democrat or Republican, and Sterling Marlin said "I think they're all a bunch of crooks". That is my parents. And I love them for it. One thing though, Mom is from Connecticut, so her family has some affection for the Kennedys. I remember my grandmother (her Mom) was down visiting us when JFK died in his plane crash, and she cried and cried. One thing that I guess we can laugh about 40 years later. Everyone who was alive when JFK was assassinated and was old enough to remember knows where they were whn it happened and can remember details, so I asked my parents about it and what they remember. Mom, 8 at the time, remembers they called everyone into the assembly area to be told and remembers everyone crying. Dad, 10 at the time and in South Carolina, was likewise called into the assembly area of his school, but he remembers being mad cause they cut recess short for it. 924. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.27.2013 - 7:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) *JFK Jr died in his plane crash. 925. David posted: 06.27.2013 - 7:02 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Fast work, NLA. Those standings look nice. I'll post mine in a little while. 926. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.27.2013 - 7:10 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) DSFF, sounds like South Carolina. I'm surprised the kids didn't cheer. 927. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.27.2013 - 7:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (2) "I'm lucky, I come from a pretty non political family. I remember once they were asking drivers if they were Democrat or Republican, and Sterling Marlin said "I think they're all a bunch of crooks"." I'd be very surprised if there's even a Democrat in the garage area. There may be a lot who think both sides are evil, but it would really surprise me if anyone in NASCAR was a Democrat. Furthermore, I can imagine if anyone openly expressed support for President Obama, they'd be blackballed out of the sport. 928. 83andJoe posted: 06.27.2013 - 7:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) NLA, I find your lack of faith...disturbing. 929. 83andJoe posted: 06.27.2013 - 7:56 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) As for Cup drivers in lower series, as I've said before, I firmly believe the best policy would be "Cup drivers who are in the top 35 in Cup drivers points and who are entered in a weekend's Cup race may not compete in other National Touring Series (Nationwide, Truck) events that take place on the same weekend at the same track, unless they are replacing an injured driver following qualifying, or unless they are Cup Series Rookies." This would lock out the "Buschwhackers" while still letting rookie (a la Kevin Harvick 2001) and/or backmarker (i.e. Nemechek, Bliss) drivers compete in both series, would let a team that had a driver crash hard in practice or qualifying let a Cupper fill in for one week instead of flailing for a sub, and would allow Cup drivers to compete in the stand-alone tracks which is where the "Cup drivers let the fans see their heroes" argument is actually valid. 930. 83andJoe posted: 06.27.2013 - 7:56 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) (Note that in the above scheme Kenny Schrader would receive a lifetime exemption to race whatever he wants, wherever he wants and whenever he wants, because he's Kenny Schrader.) 931. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.27.2013 - 8:06 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) This is the kind of crap my psychiatrist warned me about... 932. Baker posted: 06.27.2013 - 8:06 pm Rate this comment: (3) (0) I personally like the cap limit type rule myself. I believe every driver should be giving 45 total starts among the three series. It would give Cup guys a chance to run only 9 total events at the lower levels. It would also allow for young guys needed seat time before the jump a total of 11 possible Cup starts. You can set the number at whatever you feel may be better, but IMO the cap would be the best possible way to keep all parties happy. 933. Baker posted: 06.27.2013 - 8:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) And for the record I would much rather see a win by Jeb Burton, Ryan Blaney or Darrell Wallace Jr. tonight. I am just saying it would be fun to watch 2 guys go at it door to door for 3 nights in a row. 934. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.27.2013 - 8:23 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "NLA, I find your lack of faith...disturbing." I'm not "lacking faith" on anything. There's a widespread belief that Obama's a far-left Democrat, and that NASCAR is full of Republicans. I'm just putting two and two together, and I very well could be wrong, but that's my belief. And I certainly wasn't making a racial statement, if that's what your reply is about. Anyway, I'm sorry for taking a bit of off-topic chatter even further off-topic. Back on the topic of NASCAR, I saw the pic of the green walls on NASCAR.com, it must be some sort of sponsor gimmick for Quaker State. I guess ever since Charlotte painted their walls yellow, now wall colors are the next aspect of the sport that are up for grabs. Last time Charlotte introduced a new sponsorship element (track naming rights) to NASCAR, only a couple of tracks followed. Hopefully this will be the same. 935. JG24FanForever posted: 06.27.2013 - 8:25 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I can imagine if anyone openly expressed support for President Obama, they'd be blackballed out of the sport." Danica Patrick has already done this. 936. Benjamin Lowe posted: 06.27.2013 - 8:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Anyone here want to discuss the Aaron Hernandez Situation. 937. David posted: 06.27.2013 - 9:17 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I'm lucky, I come from a pretty non political family. I remember once they were asking drivers if they were Democrat or Republican, and Sterling Marlin said 'I think they're all a bunch of crooks'." HAHAHAHA!!!! That's ol' Marlin for you. When was that? "Dad, 10 at the time and in South Carolina, was likewise called into the assembly area of his school, but he remembers being mad cause they cut recess short for it." Oh, brother. That day was so sad, but that is seriously funny. No one's even mentioned the other name that NRF mentioned: France (the country). France is kind of stupid as far as some of their matters go. Like when they built the Siegfried Line along the border with Germany before World War II, they didn't even consider the fact that the Nazis would go AROUND THE LINE, through the neutral countries of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, and into northern France. And also when they kept giving Hitler all the land he wanted, believing he'd stop asking for more (though that wasn't entirely France's fault, Great Britain let them do it, too. "Appeasement" was such a stupid idea, though hindsight is 20/20). And those are just two examples. As for the green walls at Kentucky, I could have told you that ahead of time. I saw a tweet about it a month or so ago. 938. 18fan posted: 06.27.2013 - 9:36 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) What's worse: Green walls at Kentucky or the yellow walls at Charlotte? As far as politics, I pretty much avoid politics as much as possible because politicians piss me off. 939. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.27.2013 - 9:37 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Kyle Petty said something really stupid on NASCAR Race Hub concerning Danica Patrick, according to a NASCAR.com article... "Danica has been the perfect example of somebody who can qualify better than what she runs." Never mind the fact that her average start is 32.0 and her average finish is 25.8, I guess... He said some things there that make sense and need to be said, but that sentence was extremely dumb given the facts. 940. 18fan posted: 06.27.2013 - 9:40 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Kyle Petty also said that Danica can go fast, but she can't race. He said she is not a racecar driver. 941. Benjamin Lowe posted: 06.27.2013 - 9:42 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) David it was the Maginot Line. 942. David posted: 06.27.2013 - 9:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "David it was the Maginot Line." Dash it all!!! The history nut in me is ashamed of that comment. Well, I knew there was a line. 943. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.27.2013 - 9:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The problem is she CAN'T go fast, she's a terrible qualifier. She has, however, shown an ability to improve as a race goes on, even though it's a very limited one. She's also crashing less than she did last year. I don't think she'll ever be a Chase-level driver, but it's not really fair to say she's not a race car driver, she's been successful at every level she's been at before. She's not the best driver in the world and she's certainly not as good as all the hype she gets, but she's also not the worst driver to ever drive in NASCAR. She's certainly a race car driver, she's just not a very good stock car driver right now. And maybe she'll never be, but this is her profession and she at least has the talent to get farther in the sport than any woman before, looks will only get you so far (there are definitely better looking female "drivers"). I get what Kyle's saying and why he's saying it, but he's a bit off base on some things. 944. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.27.2013 - 9:58 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Aaron Hernandez is in trouble. The fact they took their time collecting evidence and making sure not to blow the case says a lot to me. 945. The Long Shot posted: 06.27.2013 - 10:50 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "I'm lucky, I come from a pretty non political family. I remember once they were asking drivers if they were Democrat or Republican, and Sterling Marlin said "I think they're all a bunch of crooks". That is my parents. And I love them for it." Yep, you are lucky. Just so you know, mine are actually not as liberal as I made them seem. They just hate people who are extremely liberal or extremely conservative. "I'd be very surprised if there's even a Democrat in the garage area. There may be a lot who think both sides are evil, but it would really surprise me if anyone in NASCAR was a Democrat. Furthermore, I can imagine if anyone openly expressed support for President Obama, they'd be blackballed out of the sport." While I am very sure that the majority of people in the garage area are right-wing, not all of them are. One example: Kyle Petty is a Democrat (though father Richard is Republican). "There's a widespread belief that Obama's a far-left Democrat" Quite the opposite, actually. Obama is a fairly middle-of-the-road politician who has had to adjust his views due to the ever-lasting war between him and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. 946. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.27.2013 - 11:06 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) That's actually how my parents are. They don't like any extreme views. I am definitely one of those "the answer is somewhere in the middle" guys. But they also pretty much avoid political discussions altogether, as do I. Dad said it best to me once imo. "Political discussions are the biggest waste of time, you're not gonna change my views and I'm not gonna change your's, all that's gonna happen is feeling will get hurt". 947. David posted: 06.27.2013 - 11:08 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I'm posting the standings for all three series (Top 43 in Cup, 40 in Nationwide, and 36 in Trucks) with my system, so this will be a marathon of a post. Cup: 1. Jimmie Johnson - 709 2. Carl Edwards - 610 3. Kyle Busch - 588 4. Kevin Harvick - 571 5. Matt Kenseth - 569 6. Clint Bowyer - 551 7. Kasey Kahne - 504 8. Greg Biffle - 495 9. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - 492 10. Martin Truex, Jr. - 480 11. Jeff Gordon - 446 12. Brad Keselowski - 445 13. Kurt Busch - 416 14. Tony Stewart - 410 15. Joey Logano - 401 16. Ryan Newman - 386 17. Paul Menard - 336 18. Aric Almirola - 330 19. Denny Hamlin - 314 20. Juan Pablo Montoya - 306 21. Jeff Burton - 304 22. Jamie McMurray - 295 23. Marcos Ambrose - 279 24. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. - 277 25. Mark Martin - 262 26. David Ragan - 216 27. Casey Mears - 203 28. David Gilliland - 186 29. Danica Patrick - 186 30. Bobby Labonte - 150 31. Brian Vickers - 140 32. Regan Smith - 136 33. Dave Blaney - 135 34. David Reutimann - 128 35. J.J. Yeley - 126 36. David Stremme - 126 37. Travis Kvapil - 126 38. AJ Allmendinger - 113 39. Josh Wise - 106 40. Michael McDowell - 86 41. Landon Cassill - 84 42. Trevor Bayne - 76 43. Joe Nemechek - 71 Nationwide: 1. Kyle Busch - 762 2. Regan Smith - 604 3. Sam Hornish, Jr. - 571 4. Justin Allgaier - 494 5. Austin Dillon - 480 6. Elliott Sadler - 479 7. Kyle Larson - 478 8. Trevor Bayne - 463 9. Brian Vickers - 461 10. Parker Kligerman - 427 11. Brian Scott - 384 12. Alex Bowman - 299 13. Joey Logano - 287 14. Brad Keselowski - 284 15. Kasey Kahne - 252 16. Mike Bliss - 248 17. Nelson Piquet, Jr. - 247 18. Matt Kenseth - 245 19. Travis Pastrana - 236 20. Kevin Harvick - 212 21. Reed Sorenson - 202 22. Mike Wallace - 183 23. Jeremy Clements - 168 24. Eric McClure - 154 25. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - 144 26. Chris Buescher - 127 27. Joe Nemechek - 123 28. Johanna Long - 110 29. Blake Koch - 110 30. Jeffrey Earnhardt - 103 31. Dexter Stacey - 102 32. Brad Sweet - 99 33. Cole Whitt - 93 34. Kevin Swindell - 91 35. Landon Cassill - 91 36. Josh Wise - 91 37. AJ Allmendinger - 90 38. Jason White - 87 39. Tony Stewart - 86 40. Hal Martin - 86 Trucks: 1. Matt Crafton - 385 2. Johnny Sauter - 318 3. Jeb Burton - 318 4. Brendan Gaughan - 296 5. Ryan Blaney - 250 6. Ty Dillon - 247 7. Kyle Busch - 245 8. James Buescher - 218 9. Darrell Wallace, Jr. - 213 10. Miguel Paludo - 188 11. Timothy Peters - 173 12. Joey Coulter - 169 13. Dakoda Armstrong - 165 14. Ron Hornaday, Jr. - 155 15. German Quiroga - 145 16. Chase Elliott - 143 17. Ryan Sieg - 142 18. John Wes Townley - 138 19. Todd Bodine - 127 20. David Starr - 123 21. Max Gresham - 121 22. Ross Chastain - 112 23. Tim George, Jr. - 110 24. Kyle Larson - 88 25. Justin Lofton - 84 26. Brennan Newberry - 82 27. Joey Logano - 69 28. Erik Jones - 68 29. Jeff Agnew - 62 30. Bryan Silas - 58 31. Norm Benning - 55 32. Jennifer Jo Cobb - 50 33. Chris Cockrum - 40 34. Caleb Holman - 40 35. Scott Riggs - 38 36. Danny Efland - 35 Whew, I'm done. 948. cjs3872 posted: 06.27.2013 - 11:09 pm Rate this comment: (0) (6) Speaking of Darrell Wallace, Jr., does anyone else think that his career may be very short, because and I hate to say this about anyone, but seems to be someone who crashes WAAAAY too much. It seems that every time he races, he's involved in a crash of some type, and often it's self-inflicted. And if a driver becomes known for crashing, he usually doesn't stay relevant very long. I've talked about guys like Paul Menard being able to finish races without tearing stuff up, and how that helps a race team in more ways than one. Darrell Wallace, Jr. seems to be the opposite of that. He runs fast, but crashes in seemingly every other race he runs, and that can't be making Kyle Busch very happy. He had two more trucks crashed in tonight's race, one of which was yet another one by Wallace. I now this. If I was starting a team and wanted a young driver, I would never hire Wallace because he crashes too much. Give me a fast driver that will finish races without tearing stuff up, like a Regan Smith, Trevor Bayne, or one of the Dillon brothers over a guy like Darrell Wallace, Jr. any day, because at least those others figure to actually finish the race without tearing their stuff up. I'm not high on Darrell Wallace's future because of his frequency of crashes, and if he keeps this up, he'll be out of, or at least irrelevant in NASCAR in three years, because nobody will want to hire him. 949. 18fan posted: 06.27.2013 - 11:20 pm Rate this comment: (4) (0) Didn't some guy named Jeff Gordon crash a lot in his rookie season? 950. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.28.2013 - 12:10 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "While I am very sure that the majority of people in the garage area are right-wing, not all of them are. One example: Kyle Petty is a Democrat (though father Richard is Republican)." I knew Richard ran as a Republican for NC Secretary of State in the mid-90s, but I did not know Kyle is a Democrat, and I searched and saw that he endorsed Lindsey Graham's opponent in 2002. Interesting. Also, I came across an endorsement of Obama by Junior Johnson back in 2008. So it turns out I was quite misinformed. "Quite the opposite, actually. Obama is a fairly middle-of-the-road politician who has had to adjust his views due to the ever-lasting war between him and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives." I said there's a widespread "belief" that he's a far-left Democrat, not that he actually is. He's definitely on the left on social issues, but I would say he's towards the right on economic issues. 951. The Long Shot posted: 06.28.2013 - 12:12 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) "That's actually how my parents are. They don't like any extreme views. I am definitely one of those "the answer is somewhere in the middle" guys. But they also pretty much avoid political discussions altogether, as do I." That's probably the wise thing to do. I've never really engaged in a political discussion with anyone other than my family. I'm actually in a bit of a sticky wicket in my band, because about 95% of the people in the band are very conservative Evangelical Christians. They're very up front about their faith and their political beliefs, which unnerves me a little bit (don't get me wrong; I respect their beliefs and yours as well, but it's a bit unnerving when their religion is literally almost all they talk about). "Political discussions are the biggest waste of time, you're not gonna change my views and I'm not gonna change your's, all that's gonna happen is feeling will get hurt" Your dad is a wise person, DSFF. "I now this. If I was starting a team and wanted a young driver, I would never hire Wallace because he crashes too much." As Baker said on the Truck page, Wallace has crashed 3 times, maybe. And keep in mind that one of those accidents was Ron Hornaday's payback attempt at Rockingham. 12 career NASCAR starts isn't nearly enough time to evaluate a drivers' career. Let's not be hasty on deciding what this kid's future is going to be. 952. murb posted: 06.28.2013 - 12:14 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Sterling Marlin said "I think they're all a bunch of crooks"." Just another reason to love Sterling. I completely agree with him. They're all kooks. 953. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.28.2013 - 12:21 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) "Speaking of Darrell Wallace, Jr., does anyone else think that his career may be very short, because and I hate to say this about anyone, but seems to be someone who crashes WAAAAY too much. It seems that every time he races, he's involved in a crash of some type, and often it's self-inflicted. And if a driver becomes known for crashing, he usually doesn't stay relevant very long. I've talked about guys like Paul Menard being able to finish races without tearing stuff up, and how that helps a race team in more ways than one. Darrell Wallace, Jr. seems to be the opposite of that. He runs fast, but crashes in seemingly every other race he runs, and that can't be making Kyle Busch very happy. He had two more trucks crashed in tonight's race, one of which was yet another one by Wallace. I now this. If I was starting a team and wanted a young driver, I would never hire Wallace because he crashes too much. Give me a fast driver that will finish races without tearing stuff up, like a Regan Smith, Trevor Bayne, or one of the Dillon brothers over a guy like Darrell Wallace, Jr. any day, because at least those others figure to actually finish the race without tearing their stuff up. I'm not high on Darrell Wallace's future because of his frequency of crashes, and if he keeps this up, he'll be out of, or at least irrelevant in NASCAR in three years, because nobody will want to hire him." A lot of great drivers crash a lot while they are inexperienced. Kyle Busch is a driver who has been known for crashing in the past, so I think he'll be understanding of Wallace's situation. You can develop and develop a guy like Menard, but his ceiling will always be a borderline Chase contender who might pick up a fuel mileage win every few years. Darrell Wallace is the kind of driver who can contend for wins and championships when properly developed. And this is Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs he's driving for, not some team that operates on a week-to-week basis, they can afford to replace/repair the truck. I'm sure he'll get a talking to from someone about it, but ultimately you expect these things from a young driver. If he wins even two truck races this year, it will be worth the wrecked trucks. Menard has two wins in his entire NASCAR career and all the clean races in the world won't make up for a lack of wins. 954. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.28.2013 - 12:32 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) "FOX has just destroyed non-NASCAR Motorsports in the United States, congratulations." "Did they just announce something today, or is this just in general?" If believe he's talking about the fact that the new Fox Sports 1 channel is going to can Wind Tunnel and SPEED Center beginning on August 17, perhaps SPEED's two best shows right now and the only ones that cover ALL motorsports. Also, Dave DeSpain, perhaps one of the best racing talk show hosts, has been released from his Fox contract. In addition, they are going to cut NASCAR Race Hub down to thirty minutes at NOON weekdays, basically when most people are at work and not home to watch, in favor of NFL talkshows among other things on weekday evenings. All I can say is I hope Fox Sports 1 is a complete fail and NBC Sports Network, ESPN, and CBS Sports Network outdo them in TV ratings. Also, I hope NBC hires Dave DeSpain and his Wind Tunnel show to air on NBC Sports Network. 955. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.28.2013 - 12:52 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) To continue my previous post, I just went on the Fox Sports 1 Twitter page and they actually have the nerve to ask what the fans want to see on the network, because the channel is "for the fans." Well, the fans rerplied with tweets saying they want all kinds of motorsports (you should see the outrage on the Fox Sports 1 page on the Fox Sports website), yet they're taking that away from us. It seems like the only people excited for the new network are the people who will broadcast shows on it and soccer fans. Otherwise there are MANY angry race fans. 956. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.28.2013 - 1:01 am Rate this comment: (2) (0) For anyone with a substantial amount of money: 1. Start new racing-only network 2. Negotiate contracts with non-NASCAR leagues 3. ???? 4. PROFIT!!! 957. cjs3872 posted: 06.28.2013 - 1:09 am Rate this comment: (1) (0) SpeedWorld97, here's something interesting. The CBS Sports Network has recently began bring old sports shows from it's archives, including "Sports Spectacular", which was their version of "Wide World of Sports". Also, the Pro Bowlers tour is starting to air on the CBS Sports Network, as well as "The World's Strongest Man" from the years that CBS covered it in the late 70s and early 80s. I wonder if this could mean that there could be classic NASCAR races airing on the CBS Sports Network in the future, including the old Daytona 500s from 1979-2000, as well as old NASCAR races from the Sports Spectacular days, even before they started covering the Daytona 500, with guys like Ken Squier and Brock Yates covering the action. With CBS going into its archives, I wonder how long it might be until some old NASCAR races air there. And if they do, would they be edited versions, or the full races, shown in their entireties. And what CBS is doing by digging into their archives is more than the NBC Sports Network has been doing, because they've never aired classic programming from their archives. 958. Chives5150 posted: 06.28.2013 - 1:21 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) To be fair, the NBC Sports Network is fairly new, and they're taking up anything they can really get, and they're doing a good job at it, I must say. 959. cjs3872 posted: 06.28.2013 - 1:21 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) And also SpeedWorld97, motorcycle racing is apparently going to be a part of the programming on the CBS Sports Network, so that may be a bastion for some forms of motorsports in the future, and hopefully, some of their old NASCAR races and NBA games will show up there in the future, as well. In fact, CBS Sports Network recently aired Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals (which originally aired on CBS) on it's 25th anniversary, so they are beginning to branch out when it comes to sports programming. 960. NicoRosbergFan posted: 06.28.2013 - 6:12 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Until there's "CBS Classic," I'm not buying too much into things. 961. cjs3872 posted: 06.28.2013 - 6:39 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) Neither am I, NicoRosbergFan. But the mere fact that CBS has begun to dig into it's archives for any such programming is, in itself, a surprise. 962. The Long Shot posted: 06.28.2013 - 7:55 am Rate this comment: (3) (0) Hearing that Phoenix Racing owner James Finch has found a buyer for his team. The buyer is unidentified, but it sounds like he plans to keep the team running for at least the remainder of the season. 963. Baker posted: 06.28.2013 - 9:20 am Rate this comment: (2) (0) I just want TNN motorsports back. 964. TeamPlayersBlue posted: 06.28.2013 - 10:12 am Rate this comment: (2) (2) Lol at the Political talk, Nixon was to the left of Obama 965. TeamPlayersBlue posted: 06.28.2013 - 10:18 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) If you think there is profit to be made in non-NASCAR Motorsport content in the U.S. then you are crazy. Indycar at Milwaukee got beaten by "Larry Dahlberg hunt for big fish" on the same channel. It's a taped fishing show featuring a known Fish Molester, no I'm not joking, that probably costs 100 bucks to make. 966. Woodbridge posted: 06.28.2013 - 11:26 am Rate this comment: (0) (1) I'm thrilled Finch has found a buyer. I'd hate to see the sport lose a longtime team that could mix things up every few races! Also.. while we're on politics... Any Libertarians in the house?! 3rd party for life!! 967. David posted: 06.28.2013 - 11:27 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Hearing that Phoenix Racing owner James Finch has found a buyer for his team. The buyer is unidentified, but it sounds like he plans to keep the team running for at least the remainder of the season." How fortuitous. And with mere weeks left until he supposedly closes shop. 968. ch posted: 06.28.2013 - 11:52 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) " It seems like the only people excited for the new network are the people who will broadcast shows on it and soccer fans." I'm actually a HUGE soccer / futbol fan, and I am NOT looking forward to the launch of FS1 on either the NASCAR or futbol end. They really aren't going to have anything of interest for futbol until the World Cup. FOX lost the rights to the English Premier League to NBC / NBC Sports Network. That last sentence is the BEST thing for the game in the states. NBC is going to broadcast EVERY SINGLE EPL game LIVE, whereas Fox Soccer only showed about 5 per weekend, and usually only 2 live. Unless FOX goes out and gets rights to La Liga in Spain, Serie A in Italy, League 1 in France, or (my FAVORITE) the Bundesliga in Germany, the futbol side of the network isn't going to be able to match the hype. The fact is, many futbol fans are outraged that they are loosing their equivalent of Speed in Fox Soccer. Fox Soccer is changing into FXX in September. Then there will be no futbol network for the US. The most popular sports in the world, and no company cares enough to put a decent amount of effort into a channel for it. Somehow the Tennis Channel lives though.... 969. 83andJoe posted: 06.28.2013 - 12:06 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) >Then there will be no futbol network for the US. The most popular sports in the world, and no company cares enough to put a decent amount of effort into a channel for it. ...because while it may be "the most popular sport in the world", in the US it's only barely above Major League Lacrosse (yes, there is such a thing) in the public consiousness. To the US sports fan, Soccer is something moms in minivans take their kids to on Saturday mornings, and that's it - the reason there's no soccer network surviving in the US is because there isn't a sufficent US fanbase to keep it alive. Whether this is because soccer is a more cerebral and strategy-based sport than F1 that requires insight to understand or because it's a boring game played by crybaby prima donna actors that can't even decide how long its games are supposed to be is, of course, a matter of opinion. ;) >For anyone with a substantial amount of money: 1. Start new racing-only network 2. Negotiate contracts with non-NASCAR leagues 3. ???? 4. PROFIT!!! As I've suggested before, bringing back TNN (again - it's been tried) would be an awesome thing to do. Heck, don't just do non-NASCAR, figure out how to get the K&N West and East live too. ARCA (both ARCA As We Know It aka the ARCA Racing Series and the ARCA Midwest Tour, the spiritual successor of the old ASA), Pro Cup, Late Models...why the Snowball Derby isn't televised is a crime...and when there's no racing to be had, arrange to have /good/ classic cartoons and such. Saturdays with some superheros and Giant Robots in the morning, then racing in the afternoon - how does a weekend get better than that? 970. TeamPlayersBlue posted: 06.28.2013 - 12:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Again, if there's such a demand for non-NASCAR auto racing in the U.S. then why do sports you can do while drunk get higher ratings than it (fishing and am. Fighting). Not to mention Indycar and F1 get lower ratings on network T.V. Than Family guy re runs at 11 pm on Cartoon Network. Speedvision F1 barely broke 0.1s 971. SpeedWorld97 posted: 06.28.2013 - 12:43 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) When you look at it, NBS Sports Network is sort of becoming the new SPEED Channel. They have the racing show The Grid (which used to be on SPEED), Motorsports hour, IndyCar, F1, ARCA (beginning in August), GP2, and Indy Lights. All they need is for a show like Wind Tunnel and some NASCAR races to come to the network then it'll really be like SPEED. I'd say about 40 percent of the network is currently auto racing. 972. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.28.2013 - 1:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff Burton claims he'll still be driving for RCR next season. If that's true, then Richard needs to just start letting Mike Dillon or someone start handling race team operations. Jeff is by far the worst driver on the team in this advanced stage of his career and he's holding them back. You know Austin will take the open seat that's already there, so this is really between Jeff Burton and Kurt Busch. And ANYONE who would take Jeff Burton over Kurt Busch right now really doesn't need to be a team owner. "If you think there is profit to be made in non-NASCAR Motorsport content in the U.S. then you are crazy.' That's not the point. A new network just starting out isn't going to have much leverage to negotiate with NASCAR. Start out with some lower series, prove yourself as THE network for dedicated race fans, then maybe a larger network with connections will invest and then you can get some mid-tier NASCAR races, and maybe even truck races if Fox decides to stop showing those. That's pretty much how Speedvision did it. There are a lot of race fans in America, a racing-only network that is marketed as it should be can be successful, as SPEED has for many years. "Any Libertarians in the house?! 3rd party for life!!' In general I support the rise of a third party. But the Libertarian Party attains a large majority of its support from Republican leaners, in fact they pretty much ARE the Republican Party on economic issues. The only thing the Libertarian Party can do with more prominence is guarantee the dominance of Democrats for decades. And one party dominance isn't good no matter which side you support. 973. ch posted: 06.28.2013 - 1:25 pm Rate this comment: (2) (0) "boring game played by crybaby prima donna actors that can't even decide how long its games are supposed to be is, of course, a matter of opinion. ;)" That is kind of the view in the country, and I don't see it changing anytime soon. But then again, the view of our football in Europe is that it is a boring game that goes on forever, played by overweight criminals, who call themselves athletes for running into another guy for a few seconds followed by a few minutes worth of rest. Both are opinions, and both can't speak for the entirety of the sport. Back on the point of networks, I'm really excited for what the NBC Sports Network has done so far. They actually care about hockey, by far THE best sport, they are working on getting futbol to America, and they are showing that they, unlike FOX, actually care about giving race fans quality coverage of all types of motorsports. Now if only they could get the contract for the NNS next year. Unfortunately, I've heard rumors that FOX is trying to get the NNS contract for FS1. 974. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.28.2013 - 1:47 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Actually, for Kyle's political views, I remember they were asking drivers once about jury duty and if they've ever been on it, Kyle replied "No, cause they use voting records to get those guys and I don't vote!". He then sarcastically quipped something about everyone should exercise their right to vote. Damn Kyle Petty rules! 975. TeamPlayersBlue posted: 06.28.2013 - 1:52 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The "Liberal" Democrats are war mongering corporate welfare statists just like the Republicans, they just put a smiley face on it. 976. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.28.2013 - 1:58 pm Rate this comment: (5) (0) Cjs, if you were a car owner, I might buy a team myself (if somebody would loan me $30 million lol) because that would be at least one owner I wouldn't have to compete for the best young talent with. I would grab Bubba Wallace in a heartbeat. He runs fast and has an excellent head on his shoulders. He'll figure out how to finish. Very few step right in, especially at such a young age, and can be both fast and consistent. Didn't the 1979 and 1993 Rookies Of The Year tear up a lot of stuff? How'd that turn out? 977. murb posted: 06.28.2013 - 2:00 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Jeff is by far the worst driver on the team in this advanced stage of his career and he's holding them back." I'm certainly not disagreeing with you that he's past his prime, but I just think it's funny that right after you posted that he's fastest in Cup Happy Hour at Kentucky. He's past his prime, but he's not as bad as some people make him out to be. Out of the "Past Their Prime Trio" that is made up of him, Bobby Labonte, and Mark Martin, I think Jeff is easily the best at this stage. Bobby's recent struggles have been well documented, and this year Mark is finally starting to look like he's 54 years old (he's REALLY off the pace). Meanwhile, Jeff has actually had some decent runs believe it or not. He just hasn't been able to put the finishes up in a lot of races because of bad luck. For example he was running around 12th or so at Sonoma late in the race before Stewart pulled a Villeneuve type move on him and took him out. The 31 team is a bit out to lunch on the cookie cutters, but they've been pretty fast on the flat and short tracks this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a couple more top tens or even top fives at those type tracks later on this year. 978. murb posted: 06.28.2013 - 2:04 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) About Darrell Wallace Jr, I just want to restate what I said on the Truck page. HE HAS MESSED UP AND CRASHED HIMSELF ONLY TWO TIMES TOTAL THIS YEAR IN THE TRUCK SERIES. Other than last night's Kentucky race, Hornaday's cheap shot at Rockingham, and Charlotte, he's finished in the top 12 in every race. So he's not even crashing that much. He's messed up and taken himself out of a good finish exactly two times. 979. The Long Shot posted: 06.28.2013 - 2:05 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) "Lol at the Political talk, Nixon was to the left of Obama" I'm not sure what in the world you're talking about. Are you trying to say that Obama is actually extremely conservative, because you are dead wrong there. "In general I support the rise of a third party. But the Libertarian Party attains a large majority of its support from Republican leaners, in fact they pretty much ARE the Republican Party on economic issues. The only thing the Libertarian Party can do with more prominence is guarantee the dominance of Democrats for decades. And one party dominance isn't good no matter which side you support." I would have to agree with pretty much everything you just said. I will say that Ron Paul is probably the Republican/Libertarian that I can stand the most. While his economic views are a bit out there, his social views are actually quite moderate, which I like. 980. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.28.2013 - 2:11 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hell, Earnhardt tore up so much stuff in his first two years in Cup, including his second season when he actually won the Winston Cup, that Junior Johnson eliminated him from his list of potential replacements for departing legend Cale Yarborough for the '81 season WHILE DALE WAS BEATING CALE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP in just his second season while Cale was a veteran with 3 Winston Cups under his belt, opting instead to persue obvious talent but a royal pain in the ass Darrell. While Darrell rewarded him with 3 Winston Cups in the next 5 years, he bailed for a better deal after just six seasons. Meanwhile, Richard Childress, who actively went after Dale for '84, even booting aside promosing up and comer Ricky Rudd, was rewarded handsomely as Dale was an excellent leader causing very little turnover, and loyal to the very end as he stuck with Richard as he was approaching 50 despite better offers being thrown his way in the ultimate display of loyalty. 981. cjs3872 posted: 06.28.2013 - 2:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) By the way, has hell frozen over, because Danica Patrick is in the top ten in final practice as I write this. Usually, she's among the 10-12 slowest, but in the final practice, she's actually among the faster cars. And Jeff Burton and Austin Dillon are currently in the top three, and Jeff Gordon's actually showing speed, while Kasey Kahne is having a terrible time thus far. Certainly, when qualifications come, things will get back to normal, but this may be shaping up to be an unusual weekend, except for Jimmie Johnson, who's at his usual place, at he top of the leaderboard. And DSFF, if I was a car owner starting a team, I would want drivers that finish races, and if they're conservative in doing so, then so be it. After a couple of years, if I then have enough cars and money to start an extra team, then I'd go for a more aggressive driver that might take more chances, but you can't build a team and quality racecars if you're constantly having to fix them after wrecks. That's one reason Dale Earnhardt hired Darrell Waltrip in 1998 after Steve Park got hurt. Waltrip might not have been as competitive, but he could be relied onto bring the car home, and Waltrip not only did that, but he ran far better than expected, even outrunning his boss in some races, including passing him late at Auto Club Speedway for his final top five finish and nearly winning at Pocono. But the key thing was that Waltrip brought his Dale's cars home, which allowed Dale to build more cars for Steve Park, and eventually expand his team to two cars in 2000 and three in 2001. Without Darrell Waltrip's reliability to finish races, that expansion, especially the second expansion, almost certainly would have had to have been delayed. 982. 83andJoe posted: 06.28.2013 - 2:40 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Earnhardt was an example of loyalty proving good. Ward Burton provides the opposite example. 983. DaleSrFanForever posted: 06.28.2013 - 2:53 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) While Dale didn't get screwed royally the way Ward did, staying with Richard did impact his overall career numbers as RCR fell further and further behind the times. Once the engineering wave hit in '95, his numbers weren't what they should have been from that point forward. But at least Richard kept Dale as The Franchise, moving Larry McReynolds to the 31 team in mid '98 because Dale didn't like his style. This was a big deal because, at the time, Larry was one of the top crew chiefs out there. 984. The Long Shot posted: 06.28.2013 - 2:55 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Hell has been re-heated, cjs. She's 25th right now. 985. murb posted: 06.28.2013 - 3:22 pm Rate this comment: (1) (0) Jayski just said that Harry Scott Jr (co-owner of Turner Motorsports) is the suspected buyer of James Finch's team. I wonder if this means Turner will become a Cup team... 986. The Long Shot posted: 06.28.2013 - 3:32 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Interesting, murb. It would make a lot of sense if that were the case. If Scott does buy Phoenix Racing, I would look for Justin Allgaier and Kyle Larson to be making their Sprint Cup debuts at some point later on this year. I'll be marching in a parade this evening, so I won't be able to comment much on the Nationwide race. Hopefully I'll be able to make it back for the inevitable satire-fest that's sure to occur. 987. jabber1990 posted: 06.28.2013 - 4:12 pm Rate this comment: (0) (1) damn, poltics and conspiracy theories... in Danica Patricks defense, she's from Roscoe, IL, isn't that a suburb of Chicago? and where is Obama from? so sounds to me like she was just supporting the hometown guy 988. ch posted: 06.28.2013 - 4:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) I wonder if the 51 would truly be a Turner Scott Motorsports Car, or something different. 989. 13 posted: 06.28.2013 - 4:44 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Didnt Finch say the buyer has never owned a cup car before 990. Scott B posted: 06.28.2013 - 6:16 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) If Turner Scott is the buyer, the #51 would remain within the Hendrick alliance. It would be a smooth transition if TSM has Cup ambitions. 991. ch posted: 06.28.2013 - 6:41 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) The article just said Scott though, not Turner Scott, and it said they would use the current Phoenix shop. That's why I'm wondering if it would be the same team. 992. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.28.2013 - 6:43 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins his first pole of the season. He last won the pole at Richmond last season, where he finished a lap down in 14th. AJ Allmendinger qualifies 17th, the best starting position for JTG Daugherty all season by 3 positions. I know it's just qualifying, but it does look like the driver was partially the problem there. Scott Riggs' first attempt since Martinsville over 2 and half months ago where he was not the slowest qualifier (42/43). I'm setting the over/under for his laps completed tomorrow night at 30. Ken Schrader was woefully slow, even Riggs beat him by 4 tenths. 993. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.28.2013 - 6:48 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Danica Patrick's response to Kyle Petty: 'it was funny how (Petty) said that I could qualify, but I can't race, because those that actually watch what I do would know that I can't qualify for crap. In the race things go much better.' That's pretty much what I said here earlier, and she just backed that up with a 29th place qualifying run. Though I wouldn't say things go "much" better in the races... 994. NoLongerAnonymous posted: 06.28.2013 - 6:49 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) copy and paste formatting fail... Danica Patrick's response to Kyle Petty: "it was funny how (Petty) said that I could qualify, but I can't race, because those ... that actually watch what I do would know that I can't qualify for crap. In the race things go much better." That's pretty much what I said here earlier, and she just backed that up with a 29th place qualifying run. Though I wouldn't say things go "much" better in the races... 995. Matt posted: 06.29.2013 - 9:57 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Again, biased as a Burton fan, but he would've had his fifth straight top 12 had tony stewart not forgot where his brake pedal was....i don't think that qualifies as losing his ride. Last year was the most pathetic year i've ever seen him have, but i'm going to attribute that to Drew Blickensderfer being terrible (look at Ambrose now). He is in his first full year with Lambert and they're coming into their own here late, and he looks good this week again too. I wouldn't completely call him done and in a crappy ride after this season. 996. ch posted: 11.18.2013 - 5:19 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Sponsor Change: 37 - Tommy Baldwin Racing Owner Change: 37 - Tommy Baldwin, Jr. Not sure why this was changed to Gunselman, but we had already stated that it was 100% TBR. It is even mentioned in the pre race press release they sent out. 997. Cole Trickle posted: 12.31.2013 - 3:15 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jeff Gordon past his prime and holding the team back?? I don't think Gordon is going to ever replicate his "rainbow" days and win 10 races and string off a couple championships. So if that's past his prime, then he was past his prime in what, 1999 or 2001 when he was 30 years old. As a driver, I can't say I've seen a dip in his performance over the last 12 years or so��.he's still competitive when he gets a strong car. He won at Martinsville in 2013 and was just 27 points back, 3rd in the championship with 3 races to go before a flat tire put him in the wall at Texas. I don't see how anyone with half a brain could argue that the 24 team isn't competitive. As a team, they need to be more consistent and knock off those bizarre incidents that continue to plague them. DNF's crush you. Absolutely crush you. And for the record, this was Gorodn's best race at Sonoma since his last win there in 2006. He had that bull shit penalty with the caution flag coming out about a second before he entered the pits. And he still managed to come all the way from the back to finish 2nd��.at one of the most physically demanding tracks on the circuit, one that takes incredible driver skill and is very tough to pass on. And this is a guy who is washed up and holding the team back? lol. They're going to kick ass in 2014. 998. Nascar Lead Lap Points posted: 05.11.2014 - 5:18 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Owner of the #52 was Archie St. Hilaire. Keselowski ran Toyota and Go Green ran Fords 999. Big Mac Fan posted: 11.23.2015 - 12:18 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) I don't think anyone would have expected this to be MWR's last win. 1000. someone posted: 11.23.2015 - 12:26 am Rate this comment: (0) (0) Actually, MWR's last win came at New Hampshire a month later with Brian Vickers. Don't worry, I forget about it a lot too. 1001. Bodyblower posted: 04.20.2020 - 3:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Jason Bowles qualified the 55 car. 1002. thecautionlightnews posted: 09.23.2020 - 3:26 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Victor Gonzalez Jr. becomes the first Puerto Rican driver in the NASCAR cup series. Gonzalez is a road racing specialist in Trans Am and Pirelli GT Challenge, or whatever the hell it is called now 1003. Rich posted: 12.19.2020 - 10:39 pm Rate this comment: (0) (0) Adam Alexander, Wally Dallenbach and Kyle Petty were the commentators. Chris Neville, Matt Yocum, Ralph Sheheen and Marty Snider were the pit road reporters. Larry McReynolds was the in-race analyst. Lindsay Czarniak was the studio host. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Post a comment:* Your comment may not appear immediately - all comments must be approved by the moderator. Name: Comment: